bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural variation in host feeding behaviors impacts host disease and pathogen transmission potential
Authors: Pfenning‐Butterworth Alaina C. , Vetter Rachel E. , Hite Jessica L.
Published: March 2023

Animals ranging from mosquitoes to humans often vary their feeding behavior when infected or merely exposed to pathogens. These so‐called “sickness behaviors” are part of the innate immune response with many consequences, including avoiding orally transmitted pathogens. Fully understanding the role of this ubiquitous behavior in host defense and pathogen evolution requires a quantitative account of its impact on host and pathogen fitness across environmentally relevant contexts. Here, we use a zooplankton host and fungal pathogen as a case study to ask if infection‐mediated feeding behaviors vary across pathogen exposure levels and natural genetic variation in susceptibility to infection. Then, we connect these changes in behavior to pathogen transmission potential (spore yield) and fitness and growth costs to the host. Our results validate a protective effect of altered feeding behavior during pathogen exposure while also revealing significant variation in the magnitude of this response across host susceptibility and pathogen exposure levels. Across all four host genotypes, feeding rates were negatively correlated with susceptibility to infection and transmission potential. The most susceptible genotypes exhibited either strong anorexia, reducing food intake by 26%–42%, (“Standard”) or pronounced hyperphagia, increasing food intake by 20%–54% (“A45”). Together, these results suggest that infection‐mediated changes in host feeding behavior—which are traditionally interpreted as immunopathology— may in fact serve as crucial components of host defense strategies and warrant further investigation.
Reduction of invertebrate herbivory by land use is only partly explained by changes in plant and insect characteristics
Authors: Neff Felix , Prati Daniel , Achury Rafael , Ambarlı Didem , Bolliger Ralph , Brändle Martin , Freitag Martin , Hölzel Norbert , Kleinebecker Till , Knecht Arturo , Schäfer Deborah , Schall Peter , Seibold Sebastian , Staab Michael , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Pellissier Loïc , Gossner Martin M.
Published: March 2023

Invertebrate herbivory is a crucial process contributing to the cycling of nutrients and energy in terrestrial ecosystems. While the function of herbivory can decrease with land‐use intensification, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesize that land‐use intensification impacts invertebrate leaf herbivory rates mainly through changes in characteristics of plants and insect herbivores. We investigated herbivory rates (i.e., damaged leaf area) on the most abundant plant species in forests and grasslands and along land‐use intensity gradients on 297 plots in three regions of Germany. To evaluate the contribution of shifts in plant community composition, we quantified herbivory rates at plant species level and aggregated at plant community level. We analyzed pathways linking land‐use intensity, plant and insect herbivore characteristics, and herbivory rates. Herbivory rates at plant species and community level decreased with increasing land‐use intensity in forests and grasslands. Path analysis revealed strong direct links between land‐use intensity and herbivory rates. Particularly at the plant community level, differences in plant and herbivore composition also contributed to changes in herbivory rates along land‐use intensity gradients. In forests, high land‐use intensity was characterized by a larger proportion of coniferous trees, which was linked to reduced herbivory rates. In grasslands, changes in the proportion of grasses, plant fiber content, as well as the taxonomic composition of herbivore assemblages contributed to reduced herbivory rates. Our study highlights the potential of land‐use intensification to impair ecosystem functioning across ecosystems via shifts in plant and herbivore characteristics. De‐intensifying land use in grasslands and reducing the share of coniferous trees in temperate forests can help to restore ecosystem functionality in these systems.
Bet‐hedgers commit to the hedge: Zooplankton in ephemeral semiarid wetlands of tropical Brazil that widely spread risk
Authors: Pires Mateus M. , Vendramin Daiane , Medeiros Elvio S. F. , Stenert Cristina , Batzer Darold P. , Maltchik Leonardo
Published: March 2023

Bet‐hedging is an ecological risk‐aversion strategy in which a population does not commit all its effort toward a single reproductive event or specific environmental condition, and instead spreads the risk to include multiple reproductive events or conditions. For aquatic invertebrates in dry wetlands, this often takes the form of some propagules hatching in the first available flood, while remaining propagules hatch in subsequent floods (the “hedge”); this better ensures that a subset of propagules will hatch in a flood of sufficient duration to successfully complete development. Harsh environmental conditions are believed to promote an increased reliance on bet‐hedging. Bet‐hedging studies have typically been restricted to single sites or single populations. Community‐level assessments may provide more robust support for the range of hatching strategies that exist in nature. Here, we tested whether freshwater zooplankton assemblages inhabiting ephemeral and unpredictable wetlands of a semiarid zone of tropical Brazil employ hatching strategies suggestive of bet‐hedging; few efforts have addressed bet‐hedging in the tropics where the unique conditions may influence the strategy. We collected dry sediments from six ephemeral wetlands, and flooded them across a sequence of three hydrations under similar laboratory conditions to assess whether hatching patterns conform to some of the predictions of the bet‐hedging theory. We found that taxa showing hatching patterns akin to bet‐hedging associated with delayed hatching numerically dominated the assemblages that emerged from dry sediments, although there was large heterogeneity in the hatching rate among sites and across taxa. While some populations distributed their hatching across all three floods and committed most of their hatching fraction to the first hydration, others committed as much or more effort to the second hydration (the “hedge”) or the third hydration (another substantial “hedge”). Thus, in the harsh study wetlands, hatching patterns akin to bet‐hedging associated with delayed hatching were common and occurred at multiple temporal scales. Our community assessment found that a commitment to the “hedge” was greater than the current theory would predict. Our findings have broader implications; bet‐hedger taxa seem especially well equipped to tolerate stress if conditions become harsher as environments change.
A phenology of fear: Investigating scale and seasonality in predator–prey games between wolves and white‐tailed deer
Authors: Clare John D. J. , Zuckerberg Benjamin , Liu Nanfeng , Stenglein Jennifer L. , Van Deelen Timothy R. , Pauli Jonathan N. , Townsend Philip A.
Published: March 2023

Predators and prey engage in games where each player must counter the moves of the other, and these games include multiple phases operating at different spatiotemporal scales. Recent work has highlighted potential issues related to scale‐sensitive inferences in predator–prey interactions, and there is growing appreciation that these may exhibit pronounced but predictable dynamics. Motivated by previous assertions about effects arising from foraging games between white‐tailed deer and canid predators (coyotes and wolves), we used a large and year‐round network of trail cameras to characterize deer and predator foraging games, with a particular focus on clarifying its temporal scale and seasonal variation. Linear features were strongly associated with predator detection rates, suggesting these play a central role in canid foraging tactics by expediting movement. Consistent with expectations for prey contending with highly mobile predators, deer responses were more sensitive to proximal risk metrics at finer spatiotemporal scales, suggesting that coarser but more commonly used scales of analysis may miss useful insights into prey risk‐response. Time allocation appears to be a key tactic for deer risk management and was more strongly moderated by factors associated with forage or evasion heterogeneity (forest cover, snow and plant phenology) than factors associated with the likelihood of predator encounter (linear features). Trade‐offs between food and safety appeared to vary as much seasonally as spatially, with snow and vegetation phenology giving rise to a “phenology of fear.” Deer appear free to counter predators during milder times of year, but a combination of poor foraging state, reduced forage availability, greater movements costs, and reproductive state dampen responsiveness during winter. Pronounced intra‐annual variation in predator–prey interactions may be common in seasonal environments.
Does invasion by armored catfish shift trophic ecology of native fishes? Evidence from stable isotope analysis
Authors: Quintana Yasmín , Keppeler Friedrich Wolfgang , Winemiller Kirk O.
Published: March 2023

Popular as aquarium fish, armored catfishes from South America (Pterygoplichthys spp.) have been introduced and become invasive in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. These ecosystem engineers can deplete basal resources (e.g., periphyton and detritus), with potential negative effects for native fauna. We studied the trophic ecology of fishes in the Usumacinta River Basin, Guatemala, where Pterygoplichthys is now widespread and locally abundant. We analyzed stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N) in fish tissues and basal resources to assess the potential impact of Pterygoplichthys on the trophic ecology of six co‐occurring native fishes that feed at a similar trophic level (Astyanax aeneus, Dorosoma petenense, Thorichthys pasionis, Oscura heterospila, Poecilia mexicana, and Gambusia sexradiata). The study was conducted during the dry season in the La Pasion (LPR; high invasion) and San Pedro (SPR; low invasion) rivers. We compared isotopic spaces occupied by native fish and Pterygoplichthys, estimated isotopic overlap, and evaluated the trophic displacement of native species. We also evaluated the relationships of environmental factors, including the relative biomass of the invasive catfish, with δ13C and δ15N signatures. Except for P. mexicana, native species had lower isotopic overlap with the catfish in LPR. Native fish isotopic spaces were compressed and shifted toward higher trophic positions in LPR relative to SPR. Benthic food resources were important for Pterygoplichthys in both rivers, and water‐column resources had greater relative importance (RI) for native species in LPR. Native fish δ13C was significantly associated with Pterygoplichthys biomass, conductivity, and water flow velocity; and water depth and sedimentation had a significant association with native fish δ15N. Findings provide evidence that invasive Pterygoplichthys, along with environmental factors, impact the trophic ecology of native fish in the Usumacinta Basin. Additional field research conducted over longer time periods and mesocosm experiments that account for fish assemblage and environmental variation could elucidate Pterygoplichthys impacts via food resource depletion or habitat alteration.
Interactions of Pyridine‐Based Organic Cations as Structure‐Determining Factors in Perovskite‐Related Compounds AxPb(II)yBrz
Authors: Krummer Michael , Glissmann Nico , Zimmermann Benjamin , Klingenberg Pia , Daub Michael , Hillebrecht Harald
Published: March 2023

We have synthesised and characterised 21 new ternary Pb(II) bromides with 16 different pyridine‐based organic cations by single crystal XRD measurements. The dominating composition is APbBr3 with 10 representatives, but also 6 examples for APb2Br5 were found. The systematic variation of topological aspects of the organic cations allowed conclusions on the influence of N−H⋅⋅⋅Br hydrogen bridges on the connectivity and bonding situation of the Pb−Br polyhedra. Additionally, it turned out, that further weak ionic interactions can have an influence, if the formation of N−H⋅⋅⋅Br hydrogen bridges is hindered by steric effects. In general, the high versatility of the dominating PbBr6 octahedra, and in some cases higher or lower coordination numbers, allows conclusions on the parameters that influence pattern and extent of the N−H⋅⋅⋅Br bridges as the strongest structure‐determining factor. Type and extent of N−H⋅⋅⋅Br bridges have also an impact on the distortion of the PbBr6 octahedra ranging from nearly regular PbBr6 octahedra to 2+2+2 and 1+2+2+1 patterns with significant lone pair activity. Finally, the connectivity mode of the octahedra relates to formation and strength of hydrogen bonds.
Deep and Comprehensive Study on the Impact of Different Phosphazene‐Based Flame‐Retardant Additives on Electrolyte Properties, Performance, and Durability of High‐Voltage LMNO‐Based Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Sayah Simon , Baazizi Mariam , Karbak Mehdi , Jacquemin Johan , Ghamouss Fouad
Published: March 2023

Herein, the formulation of safe electrolytes for Li‐ion batteries based on phosphazene as a flame‐retardant (FR) is achieved. Three molecules are studied: hexafluorocyclotriphosphazene (FR1), (ethoxy)pentafluorocyclotriphosphazene (FR2), and pentafluoro(phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (FR3). By using a conventional electrolyte (LiPF6 salt in an ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate solvents mixture), FR's minimum percentages are defined to quantify their efficiency as FRs. Fluoroethylene carbonate is also added to the electrolyte (2 wt%). The surface tensions, vapor pressures, and transport properties of formulated electrolytes are measured to highlight the impact of the FR additives. Then, these electrolytes are tested in half and full electrochemical devices: Li|LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 (LMNO) and graphite|LMNO between C/10 and C/2 at 20 °C. Flammability tests show that 3% of FR1, 5% of FR2, or 15% of FR3 are needed to make the electrolytes nonflammable. The transport properties of electrolytes based on FR1 and FR2 remain unchanged compared to the conventional electrolyte. Finally, the graphite|LMNO devices lose only 5% of the initial capacity after 100 cycles with the electrolytes based on FR1 and FR2, hence, confirming the latter's potential as an efficient FR for high‐voltage Li‐ion batteries.
Hybrid Fuzzy Archimedes‐based Light GBM‐XGBoost model for distributed task scheduling in mobile edge computing
Authors: Kumaresan G. , Devi K. , Shanthi S. , Muthusenthil B. , Samydurai A.
Published: March 2023

Mobile edge computing (MEC) mainly offers strong computing capabilities and functions to finish the delay‐sensitive task in time with the help of 5G wireless networks. Task scheduling is a technique for managing the increasing number of mobile edge users, decreasing task execution time, and improving the system's load‐balancing capabilities. To achieve these goals, a distributed task scheduling system is developed in this research to satisfy multi‐objectives such as cost, total execution time, overhead, and energy consumption for large‐scale MEC tasks. First, a Hybrid Fuzzy Archimedes (HFA) algorithm is proposed to select the MEC node, which finishes the tasks with minimal cost and a higher security level. In the second step, the Hybrid LGBM and XGBoost architecture is formed to minimize the energy consumption and latency of each node for distributed task scheduling. The HFA algorithm modifies the search behavior of the Archimedes optimization algorithm using the fuzzy tendency factor and a normalized objective function. The HFA algorithm mainly selects the rule with an improved security value and lower cost for delay‐sensitive applications. The main aim of the hybrid LGBM‐XGBoost architecture is to minimize energy consumption and latency by taking the makespan and energy values. The efficiency of the proposed methodology is evaluated in terms of resource utilization, average completion time, completion rate, and Computation Workload Completion Rate. The proposed model offers a 20% improvement in average completion time and a 30% improvement in the energy consumption ratio. When 64 users are present in the system, the proposed model offers a CPU usage of 22% whereas MOCOSC, ADMM, and ANNIDS approaches offer CPU utilization of 62%, 78%, and 82%, respectively.
Mulberry extract upregulates cholesterol efflux and inhibits p38 MAPK‐NLRP3‐mediated inflammation in foam cells
Authors: Liu Yuting , Wang Kefan , Yang Shuofei , Xue Guanhua , Lu Liming
Published: March 2023

The accumulation of foam cells in arterial intima and the accompanied chronic inflammation are considered major causes of neoatherosclerosis and restenosis. However, both the underlying mechanism and effective treatment for the disease are yet to be uncovered. In this study, we combined transcriptome profiling of restenosis artery tissue and bioinformatic analysis to reveal that NLRP3 inflammasome is markedly upregulated in restenosis and that several restenosis‐related DEGs are also targets of mulberry extract, a natural dietary supplement used in traditional Chinese medicine. We demonstrated that mulberry extract suppresses the formation of ox‐LDL‐induced foam cells, possibly by upregulating the cholesterol efflux genes ABCA1 and ABCG1 to inhibit intracellular lipid accumulation. In addition, mulberry extract dampens NLRP3 inflammasome activation by stressing the MAPK signaling pathway. These findings unveil the therapeutic value of mulberry extract in neoatherosclerosis and restenosis treatment by regulating lipid metabolism and inflammatory response of foam cells.
Impact of high‐permeability preferential flow zones on pumping‐induced airflow in unconfined aquifer
Authors: Shan Jipeng , Yang Zhenlei , Kuang Xingxing , Jiao Jiu Jimmy
Published: March 2023

When the unsaturated zone of the unconfined aquifer is covered by a low‐permeability upper layer, significant airflow will be generated in the unsaturated zone during water pumping. However, high permeability preferential flow zones (PFZs) such as fractures and macropores are frequently present in the unsaturated zone, forming the preferential fluid flow paths, which may change the original airflow pattern in the unsaturated zone during the pumping test and consequently affect the precision of obtained aquifer hydraulic parameters. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of PFZs in low‐permeability upper layer on pumping‐induced airflow in the unsaturated zone by numerical simulations of transient three‐dimensional air‐water two‐phase flow and to quantify errors in the aquifer hydraulic parameters obtained during pumping test. The results demonstrate that a large amount of air flows quickly from the atmosphere into the unsaturated zone through the PFZs, and that the PFZs can draw some air from the nearby low‐permeability soils as well. The significant influx of air through PFZs also reduces the negative air pressure in the unsaturated zone and decreases the drawdown in the saturated zone at intermediate times, which are nevertheless still greater than the results obtained in the homogeneous aquifer. Estimations of the aquifer hydraulic parameters reveal that errors of these parameters obtained are smaller when the PFZs with favourable combinations of permeability, width and quantities facilitate more air to flow into the unsaturated zone.
Unveiling the epigenomic mechanisms of acquired platinum‐resistance in high‐grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Silva Romina , Glennon Kate , Metoudi Michael , Moran Bruce , Salta Sofia , Slattery Karen , Treacy Ann , Martin Terri , Shaw Jacqui , Doran Peter , Lynch Lydia , Jeronimo Carmen , Perry Antoinette S. , Brennan Donal J.
Published: March 2023

Resistance to platinum‐based chemotherapy is the major cause of death from high‐grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). We hypothesise that detection of specific DNA methylation changes may predict platinum resistance in HGSOC. Using a publicly available “discovery” dataset we examined epigenomic and transcriptomic alterations between primary platinum‐sensitive (n = 32) and recurrent acquired drug resistant HGSOC (n = 28) and identified several genes involved in immune and chemoresistance‐related pathways. Validation via high‐resolution melt analysis of these findings, in cell lines and HGSOC tumours, demonstrated the most consistent changes were observed in three of the genes: APOBEC3A, NKAPL and PDCD1. Plasma samples from an independent HGSOC cohort (n = 17) were analysed using droplet digital PCR. Hypermethylation of NKAPL was detected in 46% and hypomethylation of APOBEC3A in 69% of plasma samples taken from women with relapsed HGSOC (n = 13), with no alterations identified in disease‐free patients (n = 4). Following these results, and using a CRISPR‐Cas9 approach, we were also able to demonstrate that in vitro NKAPL promoter demethylation increased platinum sensitivity by 15%. Overall, this study demonstrates the importance of aberrant methylation, especially of the NKAPL gene, in acquired platinum resistance in HGSOC.
Clinical application of 3D‐printed biodegradable lumbar interbody cage (polycaprolactone/β‐tricalcium phosphate) for posterior lumbar interbody fusion
Authors: Liu Yichao , Wu Hao , Bao Shusen , Huang Hai , Tang Zhen , Dong Hui , Liu Jiaqi , Chen Shengxiu , Wang Ning , Wu Zhigang , Zhang Zhiyong , Shi Lei , Li Xiaokang , Guo Zheng
Published: March 2023

A novel 3D‐printed biodegradable cage composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) in a mass ratio of 50:50, with stable resorption patterns and mechanical strength has been developed for lumbar interbody fusion. This is a prospective cohort study to evaluate the short‐ and mid‐term safety and efficacy of this biodegradable cage in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) surgery. This was a prospective single‐arm pilot clinical trial in 22 patients with a follow‐up time of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) and Visual analogue scale (VAS) for leg pain and low back pain. Radiological examination included X‐ray, CT scan, and three‐dimensional reconstruction to evaluate surgical indications, intervertebral space height (ISH), intervertebral bone fusion and cage degradation. A total of 22 patients was included, with an average age of 53.5 years. Among 22 patients, one patient lost to follow‐up and one patient withdrew from the clinical trial because of cage retropulsion. The remaining 20 patients showed significant improvement in clinical and imaging outcomes compared to the preoperative period. The overall mean VAS for back decreased from 5.85 ± 0.99 preoperatively to 1.15 ± 0.86 at the 12‐month follow‐up (p < .001); the VAS for leg decreased from 5.75 ± 1.11 to 1.05 ± 0.76 (p < .001); the JOA score improved from 13.8 ± 2.64 to 26.45 ± 2.46 (p < .001). The mean intervertebral space height (ISH) increased from 11.01 ± 1.75 mm preoperatively to 12.67 ± 1.89 mm at the 12‐month follow‐up and the bone fusion reached 95.2% (20/21 disc segments). Partial resorption (inferior to 50% compared with the initial cage size) were found in all cages (21/21). The clinical and radiological assessments showed that the application of 3D‐printed biodegradable PCL/β‐TCP cages in PLIF yielded satisfactory results at the 12‐month follow‐up. In the future, long‐term clinical observations and controlled clinical trials are required to further validate the safety and efficacy of this novel cage.
Apoptotic, cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from nettle leaf
Authors: Dağlıoğlu Yeşim , Öztürk Betül Yılmaz , Khatami Mehrdad
Published: March 2023

Here, we reported the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Urtica dioica (nettle) leaf extract as green reducing and capping agents and investigate their anticancer and antibacterial, activity. The Nettle‐mediated biosynthesized AgNPs was characterized by UV–Vis a spectrophotometer. Their size, shape and elemental analysis were determined with the using of SEM and TEM. The crystal structure was determined by XRD and the biomolecules responsible for the reduction of Ag+ were determined using FTIR analysis. Nettle‐mediated biosynthesis AgNPs indicated strong antibacterial activity against pathogenic microorganisms. Again, the antioxidant activity of AgNPs is quite high when compared to ascorbic acid. Anticancer effect of AgNPs, IC50 dose was determined by XTT analysis using MCF‐7 cell line and the IC50 value was found to be 0.243 ± 0.014 μg/mL (% w/v).
Palyno‐taxonomic approach through light and scanning electron microscopy for the identification of herbaceous Asteraceae species from Sikaram Mountain Pak‐Afghan border
Authors: Ali Shahab , Zafar Muhammad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Sultana Shazia , Khan Amjad , Majeed Salman , Raza Jamil
Published: March 2023

Due to the diverse and rich taxa, Asteraceae needs to explore from the untouched area. In this study, the pollen study was intended to assess the taxonomic value for Asteraceous taxa growing on the Sikaram Mountain Pak‐Afghan border. Both microscopic techniques (LM and SEM) play a significant role in the identification and classification of herbaceous species of Asteraceae for their taxonomic and systematic implication. Pollen was observed and measured for the 15 species of Asteraceae. For investigated taxa 15 pollen characters with size, shape, polar view, pollen type, aperture orientation, and exine sculpturing in the eurypalynous pollen. Consequently, the pollen grains are usually Tricolporate, triangular to circular in polar view, while, the shape of pollen varies from subulate, oblate, and prolate along with prolate to spheroidal whereas, sculpturing also varies from Scabrate to micro reticulate, echino‐perforate, Scabrate to echinate, echinate to granulate and echinate were observed. Similarly, among the quantitative data minimum values of polar and equatorial were 15.8 ± 0.74 μm in Filago pyramidata and 17.85 ± 0.39 μm in Heteropappus altaicus was measured respectively, while; the length of the spine with the least value of 2.45 ± 0.31 μm in Hertia intermedia and highest with 7.55 ± 0.31 μm was observed in Cirsium wallichii. The Exine thickness is a minimum of 1.70 ± 0.35 μm in Launaea nudicaulis and a maximum of 5.65 ± 3.59 μm in Cirssium vulgare. In addition, the highest pollen fertility (87%) in Centaurea iberica while the highest pollen sterility (32%) was recorded in Cirsium verutum. Furthermore, clustering via UPGMA, PCA, and PCoA analysis was performed for the separation of closely related taxa. It is concluded from this research work that palynological study has a crucial role in taxonomic, pure, and applied sciences. This study can be further authenticated and improved by a Phylogenetic study based on chloroplast DNA analysis & whole genome sequencing.

Research Highlights

Pollen ultrastructure among 15 Asteraceous taxa.

Micromorphological attributes measured via LM and SEM.

Exine sculpture elements patterns provide accurate identification.

Taxonomic keys were developed for its systematics implications.
Improving Hands‐Free Speech Rehabilitation in Laryngectomized Patients with a Moldable Adhesive
Authors: Leemans Maartje , Longobardi Ylenia , Dirven Richard , Honings Jimmie , D'Alatri Lucia , Galli Jacopo , van den Brekel Michiel , Parrilla Claudio , van Sluis Klaske E.
Published: March 2023

Objective

This study aims to assess the product performance of a new moldable peristomal adhesive with corresponding heating pad designed to facilitate and improve automatic speaking valve (ASV) fixation for hands‐free speech in laryngectomized patients.

Methods

Twenty laryngectomized patients, all regular adhesive users with prior ASV experience, were included. Study‐specific questionnaires were used for data collection at baseline and after two weeks of moldable adhesive use. The primary outcome parameters were adhesive lifetime during hands‐free speech, use and duration of hands‐free speech, and patient preference. Additional outcome parameters were satisfaction, comfort, fit, and usability.

Results

The moldable adhesive enabled ASV fixation adequate for hands‐free speech in the majority of participants. Overall, the moldable adhesive significantly increased adhesive lifetime and duration of hands‐free speech compared to participants' baseline adhesives (p < 0.05), regardless of stoma depth, skin irritation, or regular use of hands‐free speech at baseline.

The participants who preferred the moldable adhesive (55% of participants) experienced a significant increase in the adhesive lifetime (median of 24 h, range 8–144 h) and improved comfort, fit, and ease of speech.

Conclusion

The moldable adhesive's lifetime and functional aspects, including the ease of use and custom fit, are encouraging outcomes and enable more laryngectomized patients to use hands‐free speech more regularly.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:2965–2970, 2023
Performance assessment of serial dilutions for the determination of backscattering properties in highly turbid waters
Authors: Kerrisk Gemma , Drayson Nathan , Ford Phillip , Botha Hannelie , Anstee Janet
Published: March 2023

The ECO BB9, an instrument designed for characterizing the particulate backscattering coefficient (bbp) of waters in situ, saturates frequently in water with high concentrations of particles. These water types are of increasing interest in water optics research due to the complexity of their contents and gaps in the knowledge of their interactions with the light field. Through serial dilutions, the concentrations of particles can be brought into the instrument range and linear extrapolation can be used to yield a prediction of bbp for the original undiluted solution. The efficacy of this simple approach is explored here using natural and synthetic waters in a controlled laboratory setting. bbp is a key inherent optical property used in validating and calibrating water quality parameters commonly estimated by remote sensing inversion algorithms. For this reason, the synthetic waters were constructed to test the method across water types characteristic of colored dissolved organic matter, non‐algal particulates, and phytoplankton. The dilution method was evaluated by assessment of dilution series accuracy, precision, and constancy of the backscattering spectral slope. It was found to be effective with all water types in this paper.
Optical, flow, and thermal analysis of a phototherapy extracorporeal membrane oxygenator for treating carbon monoxide poisoning
Authors: Goulopoulos Anastasia , Etim Edidiong , Korupolu Sandeep , Farinelli William , Sierra Heidy , Anderson R Rox , Fischbach Anna , Franco Walfre
Published: March 2023

Background

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenators (ECMO) are currently utilized to mechanically ventilate blood when lung or lung and heart function are impaired, like in cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS can be caused by severe cases of carbon monoxide (CO) inhalation, which is the leading cause of poison‐related deaths in the United States. ECMOs can be further optimized for severe CO inhalation using visible light to photo‐dissociate CO from hemoglobin (Hb). In previous studies, we combined phototherapy with an ECMO to design a photo‐ECMO device, which significantly increased CO elimination and improved survival in CO‐poisoned animal models using light at 460, 523, and 620 nm wavelengths. Light at 620 nm was the most effective in removing CO.

Objective

The aim of this study is to analyze the light propagation at 460, 523, and 620 nm wavelengths and the 3D blood flow and heating distribution within the photo‐ECMO device that increased CO elimination in CO‐poisoned animal models.

Methods

Light propagation, blood flow dynamics, and heat diffusion were modeled using the Monte Carlo method and the laminar Navier‐Stokes and heat diffusion equations, respectively.

Results

Light at 620 nm propagated through the device blood compartment (4 mm), while light at 460 and 523 nm only penetrated 48% to 50% (~2 mm). The blood flow velocity in the blood compartment varied with regions of high (5 mm/s) and low (1 mm/s) velocity, including stagnant flow. The blood temperatures at the device outlet for 460, 523, and 620 nm wavelengths were approximately 26.7°C, 27.4°C, and 20°C, respectively. However, the maximum temperatures within the blood treatment compartment rose to approximately 71°C, 77°C, and 21°C, respectively.

Conclusions

As the extent of light propagation correlates with efficiency in photodissociation, the light at 620 nm is the optimal wavelength for removing CO from Hb while maintaining blood temperatures below thermal damage. Measuring the inlet and outlet blood temperatures is not enough to avoid unintentional thermal damage by light irradiation. Computational models can help eliminate risks of excessive heating and improve device development by analyzing design modifications that improve blood flow, like suppressing stagnant flow, further increasing the rate of CO elimination.
Only‐train‐once MR fingerprinting for B0 and B1 inhomogeneity correction in quantitative magnetization‐transfer contrast
Authors: Kang Beomgu , Singh Munendra , Park HyunWook , Heo Hye‐Young
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To develop a fast, deep‐learning approach for quantitative magnetization‐transfer contrast (MTC)–MR fingerprinting (MRF) that simultaneously estimates multiple tissue parameters and corrects the effects of B0 and B1 variations.

Methods

An only‐train‐once recurrent neural network was designed to perform the fast tissue‐parameter quantification for a large range of different MRF acquisition schedules. It enabled a dynamic scan‐wise linear calibration of the scan parameters using the measured B0 and B1 maps, which allowed accurate, multiple‐tissue parameter mapping. MRF images were acquired from 8 healthy volunteers at 3 T. Estimated parameter maps from the MRF images were used to synthesize the MTC reference signal (Zref) through Bloch equations at multiple saturation power levels.

Results

The B0 and B1 errors in MR fingerprints, if not corrected, would impair the tissue quantification and subsequently corrupt the synthesized MTC reference images. Bloch equation–based numerical phantom studies and synthetic MRI analysis demonstrated that the proposed approach could correctly estimate water and semisolid macromolecule parameters, even with severe B0 and B1 inhomogeneities.

Conclusion

The only‐train‐once deep‐learning framework can improve the reconstruction accuracy of brain‐tissue parameter maps and be further combined with any conventional MRF or CEST‐MRF method.
Hidden Otolaryngology Malpractice Claims: An Internal Review From 2000 to 2020
Authors: Fadel Mark A. , McCoy Jennifer L. , Kidwell Richard , Voinchet Robert , Johnson Jonas T. , Simons Jeffrey P.
Published: March 2023

Objective

To report key characteristics and patterns of captive insurance claims not publicly reported in otolaryngology across a large tertiary‐level academic health system over the previous 2 decades.

Study Design

Case series.

Setting

The tertiary care health system.

Methods

The internal captive insurance database at a tertiary level healthcare system was queried to identify otolaryngology‐related malpractice claims regardless of final disposition (settled or dismissed) filed from 2000 to 2020. The date of the incident, date of claim, error type, patient outcome, provider subspecialty, total expenses, disposition, and final reward amount were recorded.

Results

Twenty‐eight claims were identified. There were 11 (39.3%) claims from 2000 to 2010 and 17 (60.7%) claims from 2011 to 2020. Head and neck surgery was the most frequently implicated subspecialty (n = 9, 32.1% of all cases), followed by general otolaryngology (n = 7, 25.0%), pediatrics (n = 5, 17.9%), skull base/rhinology (n = 4, 14.3%), and laryngology (n = 1, 3.6%). Improper surgical performance was cited in 35.7% of cases (n = 10), followed by failure to diagnose (n = 8, 28.6%), to treat (n = 4, 14.3%), and to obtain informed consent (n = 3, 10.7%). While 2 cases are ongoing, a total of 17/26 (65.4%) cases were settled and 20/26 (76.9%) dismissed some or all parties. Dismissed claims had significantly higher expenses (p = .022) and duration from incident to disposition (p = .013) compared to settled claims.

Conclusion

This study expands the malpractice landscape in otolaryngology by including data not readily available through public sources and compares it to national trends. These findings encourage otolaryngologists to better gauge current quality and safety measures that best protect patients from harm.
Simultaneously enhanced friction and wear resistances of epoxy nanocomposites modified by nickel phyllosilicate nanoflowers under wet sliding conditions
Authors: Yang Jinian , Feng Xuesong , Nie Shibin , Dong Jie , Jiang Liu , Xu Yuxuan
Published: March 2023

High‐quality friction and wear resistances are very important for epoxy resin (EP) when serving as construction and coating materials. Herein, in this study, a series of nickel phyllosilicate (NiPS) nanoflowers filled EP were fabricated, and then their mechanical responses, hydrophilicity and tribological properties under wet sliding were examined thoroughly. Results showed that the compressive strength of as‐prepared nanocomposites increased first and then decreased, achieving a maximum value of 280.05 MPa at 5% filler, while the elastic modulus, hardness and hydrophilicity were all improved monotonously with elevated filler content. The presence of NiPS nanoflowers enhanced the wet‐lubricated tribological properties considerably. Both the average friction coefficient and wear rate presented similar anti‐parabolic change trends with the lowest values of 0.166 and 0.82 × 10−6 mm3/Nm obtained at 5% and 3%, which were 25.6% and 20.9% lower than pure EP, respectively. Further investigations confirmed that a relatively high applied load and sliding speed also promoted improved water‐lubricated tribological properties, suggesting a giant potential for the resulting EP nanocomposites to work safely as instrumental components under harsh conditions.
Low‐velocity impact response and damage tolerance of hybrid biaxial/triaxial braided composite laminates
Authors: Wu Zhenyu , Wang Kang , Shi Lin , Cheng Xiaoying , Yuan Yanhong
Published: March 2023

The structural properties of braided composite laminates are significantly affected by the low‐velocity impact (LVI). In this paper, the impact resistance and damage tolerance of triaxial braid structure laminates at different positions were mainly studied. Three hybrid biaxial (B)/triaxial (T) braided composite structures of BBTT, BTTB, and TTBB were designed, and LVI test and post‐impact compression tests were carried out. The results show that the triaxial braided fabric with quasi‐isotropic on the impact side caused more significant matrix cracks along the axis yarn direction, and the matrix damage area and delamination area were larger. For triaxial braided ply with high curl levels, severe fiber fracture and relatively concentrated damage occurred first on the non‐impact side. Interestingly, triaxial braided fabrics exhibited better impact resistance in terms of mechanical response when distributed across the specimen surface. However, a global damage pattern appears at high energy levels, which seriously reduced the residual strength of the structure and showed the worst damage tolerance. The damage quantification analysis of cracks, dent depths, delamination and residual compressive strength caused by the LVI of hybrid shaft number braided laminates was carried out in this work, which provided a valuable reference for engineering failure analysis and rational structure optimization of composite laminates.
Investigation of the effect of zeolite, bentonite, and basalt fiber as natural reinforcing materials on the material properties of PPS and CF‐reinforced PPS
Authors: Kizil Aytunc , Dincer Ugur , Yilmaz Sinan , Gul Okan , Karsli N. Gamze , Yilmaz Taner
Published: March 2023

This study was performed to expand the usage area of phenylene sulfide (PSS) by reducing its cost without deteriorating the material properties. For this purpose, mechanical, thermo‐mechanical and abrasion tests were conducted to composite materials obtained by adding carbon fiber (CF), basalt fiber (BF), zeolite, and bentonite into PPS, and the effects of additive type and ratio were examined. For the test samples, fabricated by the melt blending, the fiber content was 10 wt.%, while zeolite, and bentonite ratios were 1, 5, and 10 wt.%. According to tensile and abrasion test results, zeolite, and bentonite improved the properties of fiber‐reinforced PPS by showing a synergistic effect. It has been demonstrated in this research that the cost of fiber‐reinforced PPS matrix composites, which are widely used in advanced engineering applications, can be reduced by using natural minerals zeolite and bentonite without sacrificing material properties. Findings obtained from mechanical and wear tests, revealed that the composition containing 10, 10, and 80 wt.%, zeolite, CF, and PPS, respectively, exhibited optimum material properties. BF for PPS has been shown to be an alternative reinforcement to CF, as it exhibits the lowest wear rate and better interacts with particles in the matrix.
Phonemic awareness of schoolers test assessment (PASTA): A pseudoword blending task for Italian pupils
Authors: Cardis Anna , Fastame Maria Chiara
Published: March 2023

Phonemic awareness refers to the ability to reflect on and process the sounds of spoken language and to conduct mental operations on the units that represent them, that is, phonemes. This study intended to examine the descriptive and psychometric properties of the phonemic awareness of schoolers test assessment (PASTA), a new tool that assesses one dimension of phonological awareness, namely the ability to blend pseudowords. A sample of 627 Italian 3rd–5th graders, 314 females and 313 males (Mage = 9.3 years, SD = 10.2 months, age range = 7.8–11.4 years) took part in the study. Participants completed a battery of tests assessing verbal intelligence and working memory, reading, writing, word, and pseudoword‐blending skills. A satisfactory internal consistency of PASTA (Kudar–Richardson 20 = 0.81) was documented. Moreover, a series of Pearson's correlations revealed adequate concurrent validity of the new test. In addition, an ANOVA showed the positive main effect of education in the PASTA condition (F[2,621) = 11.083, p < .0001, η²p = .03). As expected, 3rd‐grade pupils were outperformed by children attending the 4th‐ and 5th grades. In conclusion, the PASTA is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of phonological processing in Italian 3rd to 5th graders of primary school.
Physical medicine & rehabilitation residents' perspectives on women's musculoskeletal health
Authors: Ye Alice , Gray Elizabeth , Bennis Stacey , Rho Monica , Hwang Sarah
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Women are either disproportionately or uniquely affected by certain musculoskeletal conditions but have limited access to providers of sex‐specific musculoskeletal care. Few physical medicine & rehabilitation (PM&R) residencies offer women's musculoskeletal health training, and it is unknown whether PM&R residents feel prepared to care for women's musculoskeletal health concerns.

Objective

To examine PM&R residents' perspectives and experiences in women's musculoskeletal health.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey developed through clinical expertise and consistent with sports medicine guidelines.

Setting

Electronic survey sent to all accredited PM&R residency programs within the United States, distributed through program coordinators and resident representatives.

Participants

PM&R residents.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome was residents' perspective of comfort with women's musculoskeletal health. Secondary outcomes were exposure to formal education on women's musculoskeletal health topics, exposure to various learning formats for these topics; and residents' perspectives on desire for further education, access to field‐specific mentors, and interest in incorporating women's musculoskeletal health into future practice.

Results

Two hundred eighty‐eight responses were included for analysis (20% response rate, 55% female sex residents). Only 19% of residents self‐reported feeling comfortable providing care for women's musculoskeletal health conditions. Comfort did not significantly differ by postgraduate year, program region, or sex. However, with regression modeling, the number of topics learned formally in their curriculum had an increased odds of residents self‐reporting comfort (odds ratio [OR] 1.18, confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.30, adjusted p value .01). The majority of residents viewed learning women's musculoskeletal health as important (94%) and requested more exposure to the field (89%).

Conclusions

Many PM&R residents do not feel comfortable in caring for women's musculoskeletal health conditions despite their interest in the field. To improve health care access for patients seeking care for these sex‐predominant or sex‐specific conditions, residency programs may want to consider increasing exposure to women's musculoskeletal health for residents.
Degradation mechanism of AtrA mediated by ClpXP and its application in daptomycin production in Streptomyces roseosporus
Authors: Xu Wei‐Feng , Sun Chen‐Fan , Gao Wen‐Li , Scharf Daniel H. , Zhu Chen‐Yang , Bu Qing‐Ting , Zhao Qing‐Wei , Li Yong‐Quan
Published: March 2023

The efficiency of drug biosynthesis depends on different transcriptional regulatory pathways in Streptomyces, and the protein degradation system adds another layer of complexity to the regulatory processes. AtrA, a transcriptional regulator in the A‐factor regulatory cascade, stimulates the production of daptomycin by binding to the dptE promoter in Streptomyces roseosporus. Using pull‐down assays, bacterial two‐hybrid system and knockout verification, we demonstrated that AtrA is a substrate for ClpP protease. Furthermore, we showed that ClpX is necessary for AtrA recognition and subsequent degradation. Bioinformatics analysis, truncating mutation, and overexpression proved that the AAA motifs of AtrA were essential for initial recognition in the degradation process. Finally, overexpression of mutated atrA (AAA‐QQQ) in S. roseosporus increased the yield of daptomycin by 225% in shake flask and by 164% in the 15 L bioreactor. Thus, improving the stability of key regulators is an effective method to promote the ability of antibiotic synthesis.