bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The appearance of phagocytic microglia in the postnatal brain of Niemann Pick type C mice is developmentally regulated and underscores shortfalls in fine odor discrimination
Authors: Rava Alessandro , La Rosa Piergiorgio , Palladino Giampiero , Dragotto Jessica , Totaro Antonio , Tiberi Jessica , Canterini Sonia , Oddi Sergio , Fiorenza Maria Teresa
Published: November 2022

The loss of NPC1 or NPC2 function results in cholesterol and sphingolipid dyshomeostasis that impairs developmental trajectories, predisposing the postnatal brain to the appearance of pathological signs, including progressive and stereotyped Purkinje cell loss and microgliosis. Despite increasing evidence reporting the activation of pro‐inflammatory microglia as a cardinal event of NPC1 disease progression at symptomatic stages both in patients and preclinical models, how microglia cells respond to altered neurodevelopmental dynamics remains not completely understood. To gain an insight on this issue, we have characterized patterns of microglia activation in the early postnatal cerebellum and young adult olfactory bulb of the hypomorphic Npc1nmf164 mouse model. Previous evidence has shown that both these areas display a number of anomalies affecting neuron and glial cell proliferation and differentiation, which largely anticipate cellular changes and clinical signs, raising our interest on how microglia interplay to these changes. Even so, to separate the contribution of cues provided by the dysfunctional microenvironment we have also studied microglia isolated from mice of increasing ages and cultured in vitro for 1 week. Our findings show that microglia of both cerebellum and olfactory bulb of Npc1nmf164 mice adopt an activated phenotype, characterized by increased cell proliferation, enlarged soma size and de‐ramified processes, as well as a robust phagocytic activity, in a time‐ and space‐specific manner. Enhanced phagocytosis associates with a profound remodeling of gene expression signatures towards gene products involved in chemotaxis, cell recognition and engulfment, including Cd68 and Trem2. These early changes in microglia morphology and activities are induced by region‐specific developmental anomalies that likely anticipate alterations in neuronal connectivity. As a proof of concept, we show that microglia activation within the granule cell layer and glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb of Npc1nmf164 mice is associated with shortfalls in fine odor discrimination.
Prenatal alcohol exposure and child sleep problems: A family‐based quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Lund Ingunn Olea , Ystrom Eivind
Published: November 2022

Background

We examine whether associations between prenatal exposure to hazardous maternal alcohol consumption during the first trimester of pregnancy and sleep problems in young children represent a causal association.

Methods

The population‐based sample consists of 15,911 mothers with 30,395 offspring from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). Women self‐reported pre‐pregnancy alcohol consumption and consumption during the first trimester of pregnancy twice: at gestational weeks 17 and 30. Mothers reported their children's sleep problems, when they were 1.5 and 3 years (mean = 50; SD = 10). We tested models adjusting for (1) measured confounders, (2) unmeasured familial risk factors by sibling design, and (3) maternal hazardous drinking in the 3 months prior to pregnancy as an instrumental variable within the sibling design.

Results

Children of mothers with hazardous drinking during the first trimester were at increased risk of sleep problems at 1.5 (β = 1.14, 95%CI 0.04–2.25) and 3 (β = 2.86, 95%CI 1.85–3.87) years of age. These associations were reduced to close to zero and non‐significant at 1.5 (β = −0.32, 95%CI −1.91–1.26) and 3 (β = 0.06, 95%CI −1.56–1.64) years when controlling for both familial and measured environmental risk factors.

Conclusions

There is a moderate association between maternal hazardous drinking during pregnancy and offspring sleep problems up to age three. This association is explained by risk factors differing between families and does not reflect a cause‐effect relationship.
Cross neutralization of SARS‐CoV‐2 omicron subvariants after repeated doses of COVID‐19 mRNA vaccines
Authors: Luczkowiak Joanna , Rivas Gonzalo , Labiod Nuria , Lasala Fátima , Rolo Marta , Lora‐Tamayo Jaime , Mancheno‐Losa Mikel , Rial‐Crestelo David , Pérez‐Rivilla Alfredo , Folgueira María Dolores , Delgado Rafael
Published: November 2022

We have measured the humoral response to messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in COVID‐19 naïve and convalescent individuals. Third doses of mRNA COVID‐19 vaccines induced a significant increase in potency and breadth of neutralization against SARS‐CoV‐2 variants of concern (VoC) including Omicron subvariants BA.1, BA.2, and BA.2.12.1, that were cross‐neutralized at comparable levels and less for BA.4/5. This booster effect was especially important in naïve individuals that only after the third dose achieved a level that was comparable with that of vaccinated COVID‐19 convalescents except for BA.4/5. Avidity of RBD‐binding antibodies was also significantly increased in naïve individuals after the third dose, indicating an association between affinity maturation and cross neutralization of VoC. These results suggest that at least three antigenic stimuli by infection or vaccination with ancestral SARS‐CoV‐2 sequences are required to induce high avidity cross‐neutralizing antibodies. Nevertheless, the circulation of new subvariants such as BA.4/5 with partial resistance to neutralization will have to be closely monitored and eventually consider for future vaccine developments.
Design of a stable single sided 11T static random access memory cell with improved critical charge
Authors: Sachdeva Ashish
Published: November 2022

Radiation‐induced soft errors are becoming a key challenge in satellite‐based communication. The worst‐hit component of such devices is static random‐access memory bit‐cells, owing to their high density, large area, and low‐operating voltage. The unsuitability of conventional 6T SRAM for this purpose is ascertained by weak stability constraints, higher variability during process variations, and less tolerance capability in such a harsh environment. In this work, we have presented an improved, feedback charge‐boosted, and read decoupled 11 transistors based (FC11T) SRAM cell. Its performance is assessed by comparing it with other low power, high stability, and soft‐error‐immune SRAM cells, namely, Asymmetric 8T (AS8T), Quatro 10T, PPN based 10T (PP10T), and loop cutting 10T (LC10T) cells over various design metrics. The attained observations establish that the proposed FC11T shows 1.13×/1.38×/0.90×/1.04×/1.03× improvement in critical charge compared to 6T/PP10T/AS8T/Quatro10T/LC10T cell. The read access time of proposed FC11T cell is reduced by 1.31×/1.17×/1.31×/1.41×/1.01× compared to 6T/PP10T/AS8T/Quatro10T/LC10T cell. The proposed cell further strengthens read stability by 1.97×/0.98×/1.91×/1.24×/1× when equated to 6T/PP10T/AS8T/Quatro10T/LC10T cell. Improved Inter‐cell and Intra‐cell soft error ratios represent improved soft error mitigation capability of the proposed 11T cell over 0.5 to 1 V supply voltage and 27 to 125 C temperature variation range. In addition to this, the proposed 11T cell also shows improved read stability and writability.
Development of late spring–early summer rainstorms in southern East Asia from the eastward propagating mid‐tropospheric cyclones of South Asia
Authors: Chen Tsing‐Chang , Tsay Jenq‐Dar , Matsumoto Jun , Black Amanda S. , Chen Jau‐Ming
Published: November 2022

From mid‐May to late June, the eastward propagation of some mid‐tropospheric cyclones (MTCs) originating in the Bay of Bengal (BOB)‐Burma (BUM) region across northern Indochina and southwest China to East Asia are observed. From 1979 to 2016, 137 MTCs were identified for the BOB‐BUM region. Eighty‐eight MTCs were trapped over northern Indochina, but 49 were propagated by the southwesterly flow of the BOB mid‐tropospheric trough to reach East Asia. Thirty‐one moved across Taiwan, but 18 did not. Eventually, all these MTCs moved to Okinawa. The former group of rainstorms produced rainfall ≥100 mm·day−1 over Taiwan, while 44 rainstorms generated rainfall ≥50 mm·day−1 over Okinawa. The 49 eastward propagating through‐Indochina MTCs exhibited the following salient features: (a) initial formation mostly occurred in the mid‐troposphere ahead/within the BOB trough in the morning over the BOB, but in the afternoon‐evening over BUM. (b) The eastward propagating BOB‐BUM MTCs underwent two descending processes: descending one mandatory level 6 hr after formation, and descending again from 700 to 925 hPa over southeastern China to interact with a low‐level cyclonic shear flow. (c) Intensified (weakened) by dipole anomalous circulation cells, the confluent monsoon southwesterly flow west (east) of Taiwan facilitated the merger of the MTC with a local front. (d) Rainfall produced by rainstorms over Taiwan/Okinawa was maintained by the intensified convergence of water vapour flux toward Taiwan/Okinawa. This hydrological process was stronger toward Taiwan than Okinawa and generated more rainfall in the former region. The impact of the BOB‐BUM MTC on East Asian weather is confirmed by this study.
Evaluation of ERA5, ERA‐Interim, JRA55 and MERRA2 reanalysis precipitation datasets over the Poyang Lake Basin in China
Authors: Li Xiangxiang , Qin Xiaochen , Yang Jun , Zhang Yizhi
Published: November 2022

Increasing variability of precipitation induced by climate change raises uncertainties for ecosystem services and agricultural production in the Poyang Lake Basin (PLB), China. Reanalysis precipitation datasets (RPDs) are attractive alternatives for monitoring the hydro‐climate cycles. However, their applicability in China has mainly been evaluated at the national scale, while less attention has been paid to the PLB or southeastern China. Here, we apply various metrics to evaluate the magnitude and spatial similarity of annual, monthly, different intensities and the spatial structure of precipitation from four reanalysis—the fifth global atmospheric analysis dataset of the European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) (ERA5), Interim ECMWF Reanalysis (ERA‐Interim), Japanese 55‐year Reanalysis project (JRA55) and Modern‐Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA‐2), against the rain‐gauges over the PLB during 1980–2018. The results showed that the detection capacity of ERA5 and MERRA2 shifted around 2002, whereas that of ERA‐Interim and JRA55 did not substantially change. Before 2002, ERA‐Interim had the lowest biases for the magnitude of annual, monthly and different intensities of precipitation (except for heavy rain), while ERA5 and MERRA2 had strengths in capturing spatial correlation. Notably, ERA5 and MERRA2 had region‐wide wet and dry biases, respectively, before 2002, which can be attributed mainly to the estimation of flood season precipitation (from April to June) and heavy rain. In contrast, the fractional contribution of light–moderate rain was underestimated and overestimated by ERA5 and MERRA2, respectively. However, after 2002, because of the improved reproducibility of flood season precipitation and heavy rain magnitude, the systematic biases of ERA5 and MERRA2 significantly decreased, especially for ERA5, which outperformed other RPDs on all aspects of precipitation. The conclusions of this paper suggest that the variation of applicability over time should be seriously tested before the utilization of RPDs in hydro‐climate analyses.
Genotypic variation in the tolerance to moderate cadmium toxicity among 20 maize genotypes with contrasting root systems
Authors: Wu Yujie , An Tingting , Gao Yamin , Kuang Qiqiang , Liu Shuo , Liang Liyan , Xu Bingcheng , Zhang Suiqi , Deng Xiping , Chen Yinglong
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in farmland is a serious environmental and safety issue affecting plant growth, crop productivity, and human health. This study aimed to investigate genotypic variation in root morphology and Cd accumulations under moderate Cd stress among diverse maize genotypes. Twenty maize genotypes with contrasting root systems were assessed for Cd tolerance 39 days after transplanting (V6, six‐leaf stage) under 20 μmol L−1 CdCl2 using a semi‐hydroponic phenotyping platform in a glasshouse.

RESULTS

Cadmium stress significantly inhibited plant growth across all genotypes. Genotypic variation in response to Cd toxicity was apparent: shoot dry weight varied from 0.13 (genotype NS2020) to 0.35 g plant−1 (Dongke301) with deductions up to 63% compared with non‐Cd treatment (CK). Root dry weight of 20 genotypes ranged from 0.06 (NS2020) to 0.18 g plant−1 (Dongke301) with a deduction up to 56%. Root length ranged from 2.21 (NS590b) to 9.22 m (Dongke301) with a maximal decline of 76%. Cadmium‐treated genotypes generally had thicker roots and average diameter increased by 34% compared with CK. Genotypes had up to 3.25 and 3.50 times differences in shoot and root Cd concentrations, respectively. Principal component and cluster analyses assigned the 20 genotypes into Cd‐tolerant (five genotypes) and Cd‐sensitive (15 genotypes) groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Maize genotypes varied significantly in response to moderate Cd stress. Cadmium‐tolerant genotypes optimized root morphology and Cd accumulation and distribution. This study could assist in the selection and breeding of new cultivars with improved adaptation to Cd‐contaminated soil for food and feed or land remediation purposes. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Regression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma after the development of pembrolizumab‐induced bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Iinuma Shin , Hayashi Kei , Ishida‐Yamamoto Akemi
Published: November 2022

Bullous pemphigoid is a rare complication of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. We report a case of pembrolizumab‐induced bullous pemphigoid in a patient with malignant melanoma and concomitant cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma that regressed. A 77‐year‐old woman with metastatic malignant melanoma and a 3‐year history of a growing skin nodule on her left calf was treated with pembrolizumab. Histopathological examination of the skin nodule established the diagnosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Seven months after the initiation of pembrolizumab treatment, the patient developed bullous pemphigoid. Discontinuation of pembrolizumab and initiation of oral prednisolone resulted in the resolution of the skin blisters. Additionally, complete response of the metastatic malignant melanoma was noted after pembrolizumab treatment. Furthermore, the cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma completely resolved after the development of bullous pemphigoid. This case supports the hypothesis that the development of bullous pemphigoid is indicative of a sufficient antitumor response after immunotherapy.
Formation mechanism and sustainable productivity impacts of non‐grain croplands: Evidence from Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Liang Xinyuan , Jin Xiaobin , Liu Jing , Yin Yanxing , Gu Zhengming , Zhang Junyi , Zhou Yinkang
Published: November 2022

Non‐grain cropland is a typical phenomenon with some common characteristics globally. As the most populous country, China's non‐grain cropland threatens global food supply stability and affects food production sustainability under the current complex situation of international food security. This paper used Sichuan Province, China, to explore the formation mechanism of non‐grain cropland and its potential impact on sustainable productivity, given the regional environment complexity and socioeconomic representativeness. High‐precision land survey data were used to detect multiscale non‐grain influencing factors and discuss non‐grain impacts on soil state to fill the knowledge gap on microlevel development of non‐grain issues. Results show that rotation type is the region's most abundant and widely distributed cropland type, accounting for about 59.38% of the total cropland area; the second is abandonment type. Urbanization indicators are the common factors affecting the non‐grain spatial distribution on the global scale; environmental variables' impact on non‐grain shows significant differences in geographical locations on the local scale. Overall, cash type and intercrop type aim at improving production conditions. Rotation type and fallow type mostly occur in areas with low production capacity and are prominently driven by policies. Abandonment type is subject to terrain constraints, production conditions, and social economy. Additionally, non‐grain trends have not caused significant damage to soil sustainable productivity except for the positive promotion of field biodiversity. Non‐grain cropland can be divided into three clusters according to the corresponding average soil fertility state, rotation, intercrop, cash, abandonment, and fallow. Policymakers must implement specific policies for different cropland types and formulate more refined farming management plans.
Analysis of penetration depth and healing process of a needleless laser lancet using swept‐source optical coherence tomography
Authors: Mun Do Hyun , Chung Phil‐Sang , Woo Seung Hoon , Eom Joo Beom
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives

Needleless laser lancets have been used to reduce needle pain in people who undertake self‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). Although clinical trials have been conducted to understand the degree of pain associated with the developed laser blood sampling device, it is only judged by the patients’ subjective judgment. This study aimed to analyze the performance and healing process of a needleless laser lancet. In particular, the penetration depth and healing process of a conventional lancet and a needleless laser lancet were quantitatively analyzed using a swept‐source optical coherence tomography (SS‐OCT) system.

Materials and Methods

To reduce unnecessary animal sacrifice, pig skin was used to establish and set the conditions for needleless laser lancets (wavelength of 2.94 μm; LMT‐5000; Lameditech), and the penetration depth and healing process were quantitatively assessed at 0, 6, 9, and 16 h after laser (energy, 150–270 mJ in stages; voltage, 7.4 Vdc; pulse width, approximately 200 microsecond) irradiation using 7‐week‐old male BALB/c nude mice. The penetration depth and healing process were measured using homemade SS‐OCT, and histopathological examination was performed to observe the healing process.

Results

Four 7‐week‐old male BALB/c nude mice were tested at intensity levels of 1–3 using a needleless laser lancet and compared with the experimental values using a conventional lancet. After the lancet test, the diameter and depth of the puncture were measured using SS‐OCT and the healing process was confirmed using SS‐OCT and pathological slides. The puncture diameter of the needleless laser lancet was about 0.5 mm regardless of the level. In addition, the average depths at Levels 1, 2, and 3 of the measured needleless laser lancet were approximately 1.05, 1.18, and 1.52 mm, respectively, and the last common lancet was approximately 0.9 mm. In addition, the healing process of the needleless laser lancet and conventional lancet was confirmed through the SS‐OCT system.

Conclusion

After using the needleless laser lancet, quantitative indicators such as the diameter of puncture, penetration depth, and healing process were confirmed through two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional images of the homemade SS‐OCT system and microscopic imaging of pathological slides.
POR overexpression induces tamoxifen‐resistance in breast cancer through the STAT1/c‐Myc pathway
Authors: Chen Si , Wu Dingjie , Liu Qiannan , Jin Feng , Yao Fan , Fang Yue
Published: November 2022

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Although tamoxifen (TAM), a selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, is widely used to treat ER‐positive breast cancers, resistance to TAM remains a major clinical problem. NADPH‐dependent cytochrome P450 reductase (POR) is known to participate in drug metabolism and steroid metabolism. Recent studies showed that high POR expression was correlated with poor outcomes in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC), and POR might be a prognostic biomarker in TNBC. However, the role of POR in TAM resistance is still elusive. In this study, we found that high POR expression was associated with poor prognosis of ER‐positive and TAM‐treated breast cancer patients. In addition, COX analysis showed that POR expression was an independent prognostic biomarker for ER‐positive as well as TAM‐treated breast cancer patients. Furthermore, our results suggested that POR overexpression promoted TAM resistance by activating the STAT1/c‐Myc pathway in ER‐positive breast cancer cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that high POR/STAT1 expression was correlated with poor prognosis in TAM‐treated breast cancer patients. Notably, combined treatment with TAM and a specific STAT1 inhibitor Fludarabine was more effective for inhibiting TAM‐resistant breast cancer cells. Altogether, our findings suggested that POR overexpression induced TAM resistance through STAT1/c‐Myc pathway and might serve as an independent prognostic biomarker in TAM‐treated breast cancer patients. Combining TAM and STAT1 inhibitors might be an effective strategy for treating POR‐induced TAM‐resistant breast cancer.
A 4.5–7.5 GHz highly integrated transceiver front‐end for UWB application
Authors: Hu Jianquan , Ma Kaixue
Published: November 2022

In this letter, a 4.5–7.5 GHz highly integrated transceiver front‐end, incorporating two single‐pole three‐throw (SP3T) transmit/receive (T/R) switches, a low‐noise amplifier (LNA), a power amplifier (PA), and a bypass path for UWB positioning and communication systems applications, is reported. The mode switches among transmitting, receiving, and bypass are achieved by utilizing two control voltages through integrating a 2–4 decoder. Meanwhile, to ensure low‐power dissipation in different modes, the LNA and PA work in different modes (enable or disable) for transmitting and receiving status while both the LNA and PA are disabled for bypass mode. Fabricated by using 0.5‐μm GaAs pHEMT process, the presented FEM achieves 20‐dB gain, and 2.5‐dB typical noise figure for receiving mode, 8‐dB gain, and 16‐dBm OP1dB for transmitting mode, and 1.8 dB insertion loss for bypass mode, with a compact chip area of 1.5 mm × 1.7 mm. To the best of authors' knowledge, the presented circuits are the highest integrated and smallest chip area transceiver front‐end for UWB application among all previously reported UWB‐related RF front‐end chips.
Analysis of simplicial complexes to determine when to sample for quantitative DCE MRI of the breast
Authors: DiCarlo Julie C. , Jarrett Angela M. , Kazerouni Anum S. , Virostko John , Sorace Anna , Slavkova Kalina P. , Woodard Stefanie , Avery Sarah , Patt Debra , Goodgame Boone , Yankeelov Thomas E.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

A method is presented to select the optimal time points at which to measure DCE‐MRI signal intensities, leaving time in the MR exam for high‐spatial resolution image acquisition.

Theory

Simplicial complexes are generated from the Kety‐Tofts model pharmacokinetic parameters Ktrans and ve. A geometric search selects optimal time points for accurate estimation of perfusion parameters.

Methods

The DCE‐MRI data acquired in women with invasive breast cancer (N = 27) were used to retrospectively compare parameter maps fit to full and subsampled time courses. Simplicial complexes were generated for a fixed range of Kety‐Tofts model parameters and for the parameter ranges weighted by estimates from the fully sampled data. The largest‐area manifolds determined the optimal three time points for each case. Simulations were performed along with retrospectively subsampled data fits. The agreement was computed between the model parameters fit to three points and those fit to all points.

Results

The optimal three‐point sample times were from the data‐informed simplicial complex analysis and determined to be 65, 204, and 393 s after arrival of the contrast agent to breast tissue. In the patient data, tumor‐median parameter values fit using all points and the three selected time points agreed with concordance correlation coefficients of 0.97 for Ktrans and 0.67 for ve.

Conclusion

It is possible to accurately estimate pharmacokinetic parameters from three properly selected time points inserted into a clinical DCE‐MRI breast exam. This technique can provide guidance on when to capture images for quantitative data between high‐spatial‐resolution DCE‐MRI images.
The best and worst of times in therapy development for myasthenia gravis
Authors: Benatar Michael , Cutter Gary , Kaminski Henry J.
Published: November 2022

Within the last 5 years, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved complement and neonatal Fc receptor (FcRN) inhibitors for treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis, and several other therapies are in late‐stage clinical trials or under regulatory review. However, questions about which patients are most likely to benefit from which therapies, and the relative effectiveness of these very expensive drugs, has resulted in uncertainty around the place that they should occupy in the existing therapeutic armamentarium. MGNet (a Rare Diseases Clinical Research Consortium funded by the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke) held two meetings during the 14th International Conference of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America to discuss the most critical needs for clinical trial readiness and biomarker development in the context of therapy development for myasthenia gravis. Herein we provide a summary of these discussions, but not a consensus opinion, and offer a series of recommendations to guide focused research in the most critical areas. We welcome ongoing discussion through comments on this work.
Vaccination against COVID‐19 does not lead to exacerbation in patients with myasthenia gravis
Authors: Breiner Ari , Bourque Pierre R.
Published: November 2022

See article on pages 558‐561 in volume 66, Issue 5, November issue.
Delirium detection using GAMMA wave and machine learning: A pilot study
Authors: Mulkey Malissa , Albanese Thomas , Kim Sunghan , Huang Huyanting , Yang Baijain
Published: November 2022

Delirium occurs in as many as 80% of critically ill older adults and is associated with increased long‐term cognitive impairment, institutionalization, and mortality. Less than half of delirium cases are identified using currently available subjective assessment tools. Electroencephalogram (EEG) has been identified as a reliable objective measure but has not been feasible. This study was a prospective pilot proof‐of‐concept study, to examine the use of machine learning methods evaluating the use of gamma band to predict delirium from EEG data derived from a limited lead rapid response handheld device. Data from 13 critically ill participants aged 50 or older requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 12 h were enrolled. Across the three models, accuracy of predicting delirium was 70 or greater. Stepwise discriminant analysis provided the best overall method. While additional research is needed to determine the best cut points and efficacy, use of a handheld limited lead rapid response EEG device capable of monitoring all five cerebral lobes of the brain for predicting delirium hold promise.
The association of 1‐year weight loss from bariatric surgery and self‐reported sleep: a prospective cohort
Authors: Young Deborah R. , Hong Benjamin D. , Lewis Kristina H. , Paz Silvia R. , Bhakta Bhumi B. , Macias Mayra , Crawford Cecelia L. , Drewnowski Adam , Ji Ming , Moore Darren D. , Shen Ernest , Murali Sameer B. , Coleman Karen J.
Published: November 2022

Objective

This study examined the association of weight loss following bariatric surgery with self‐reported sleep quality after accounting for other sleep‐related factors.

Methods

Participants were from the Bariatric Experience Long Term (BELONG) study. Participants completed a survey up to 6 months before surgery and approximately 1 year after surgery. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to measure sleep quality. One‐year percentage total weight loss (%TWL) was determined from electronic medical records. Covariates included demographics, Charlson Comorbidity Index, geocoded variables to assess neighborhood quality, and physical activity. The authors assessed the association between %TWL at 1 year and PSQI component scores with separate cumulative logit models.

Results

There were 997 participants in the analytic cohort. Participants were 86.2% women, 37.0% Hispanic, and 13.7% Black adults. Mean one‐year %TWL was 26.3 (SD 8.7). Each 1% increase in %TWL was associated with a 3% better daytime dysfunction score (odds ratio = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02‐1.05) and a 2% better sleep quality score (odds ratio = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00‐1.03). No significant differences were found for the other PSQI components.

Conclusions

Weight loss from bariatric surgery was associated with better self‐reported sleep at 1 year. For people undergoing bariatric surgery, there may be an added benefit of better sleep.
Multimodal phenotyping and correlates of pain following hematopoietic cell transplant in children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Bakshi Nitya , Astles Rachel , Chou Eric , Hurreh Asha , Sil Soumitri , Sinha Cynthia B , Sanders Kolanda Ackey , Peddineni Manasa , Gillespie Scott E , Keesari Rohali , Krishnamurti Lakshmanan
Published: November 2022

Introduction

There is limited understanding of pain, patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), psychological factors, and experimental pain sensitivity before and following hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods

Individuals aged 8 years and older, English speaking, and scheduled for a HCT were invited to participate in an observational study where they completed assessments of pain, PROs, psychological factors, and qualitative interviews before and around 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years post‐HCT. An optional substudy of experimental pain sensitivity before and around 6 month, 1 year, and 2 years post‐HCT was also offered.

Results

Data from eight participants (median age 13.5 years, 25% female) with sickle cell anemia (SCA) or similarly severe genotype, and successful donor‐derived erythropoiesis post‐HCT are reported. We found that collection of pain, PROs, psychological factors, and qualitative data were feasible in the context of HCT. We found moderate to large differences in pain and some PROs between baseline to 1 year and baseline to 2 year post‐HCT based on effect sizes, but only some differences were statistically significant. We found moderate to large differences in pressure pain threshold and moderate differences in cold pain threshold between baseline to 1 year and baseline to 2 year post‐HCT based on effect sizes, but these differences were not statistically significant. Qualitative data indicated an improvement in pain and HRQoL post‐HCT.

Conclusion

This study provides a framework for the conduct of multimodal pain assessments before and after HCT, which is feasible but faced with unique barriers.
Considerations for conducting legal and ethical ACEs screening in schools
Authors: Amirazizi Samira , Dowdy Erin , Sharkey Jill , Barnett Miya
Published: November 2022

Childhood exposure to adversity and its consequences is a significant public health challenge. Schools are beginning to understand the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and some schools are considering screening for ACEs. However, dissemination of the ACEs screener and subsequent interventions may lead to challenges and iatrogenic outcomes for students if caution is not taken. This paper examines key considerations, including ethical and legal guidelines, surrounding screening for ACEs within the school system. Through conceptual analysis, the National Association of School Psychologists Principles for Professional Ethics are examined in conjunction with educational law regarding ACEs screening. Additionally, key considerations and limitations such as whether the screener captures trauma rather than adversity, the use of parents as informants, racial inequities, and potential stigma of conducting ACEs screening in schools are addressed through the integration of ACEs scholarship. Recommendations and alternative solutions for school districts seeking to address ACEs within their student population are provided in support of trauma‐sensitive schools.
Nichtlineare Optik mit einzelnen Photonen
Authors: Dürr Stephan
Published: November 2022

Mittels Rydberg‐Blockade lässt sich eine Wechselwirkung zwischen einzelnen Photonen herstellen. Damit wird nichtlineare Optik auf dem Niveau einzelner Photonen möglich, was ganz neue Anwendungen in der Quantenoptik erlaubt. So lassen sich bereits gebundene Zustände von bis zu drei Photonen erzeugen und neuartige Quantenlogikgatter realisieren.
Im Maschinenraum des neuen IPCC‐Berichts
Authors: Marotzke Jochem
Published: November 2022

Der jüngst veröffentlichte 6. Sachstandsbericht des Weltklimarates IPCC konnte einige zentrale Aussagen zum vergangenen und künftigen menschengemachten Klimawandel in bislang nie dagewesener Deutlichkeit tätigen. Es ist eindeutig, dass der Einfluss des Menschen die Atmosphäre, die Ozeane und die Landflächen erwärmt hat. Eine globale Erwärmung zwischen 1,5 °C und 2 °C wird im Laufe des 21. Jahrhunderts überschritten werden, außer es erfolgen in den kommenden Jahrzehnten drastische Verringerungen der Emission von CO2 und anderen Treibhausgasen. Diese Aussagen wurden durch die weltweite Zusammenarbeit in der Klimaforschung möglich, die zu einer wesentlich genaueren Abschätzung geführt haben, wie empfindlich die Temperatur auf erhöhte CO2‐Konzentrationen reagiert. Diese gesamte Forschung baut ganz wesentlich auf den Erkenntnissen auf, für die Klaus Hasselmann und Syukuro Manabe 2021 mit dem Physiknobelpreis geehrt wurden.
Extragalaktische Neutrinofabriken
Authors: Buson Sara , Oswald Lenz , Pfeiffer Leonard , Azzollini Alessandra
Published: November 2022

Blazare wurden schon lange als Quelle hochenergetischer Neutrinos vermutet, welche die Erde aus kosmischen Distanzen erreichen. Unsere Gruppe an der Julius‐Maximilians‐Universität Würzburg hat dies erstmals nachgewiesen.
Die Struktur der Atome entschlüsselt
Authors: Jacobi Manfred
Published: November 2022

Der Physik‐Nobelpreis des Jahres 1922 ging an Niels Bohr „für seine Verdienste um die Erforschung der Struktur der Atome und der von ihnen ausgehenden Strahlung“.
Origineller Doppelschatten
Authors: Schlichting Hans Joachim
Published: November 2022

Normalerweise treten so viele Schatten eines Gegenstands auf, wie Lichtquellen vorhanden sind, die diesen aus unterschiedlichen Richtungen beleuchten. Diese physikalische Gewissheit könnte im folgenden Beispiel arg in Zweifel gezogen werden – allerdings nur auf den ersten Blick.
Brechts Leben des Einstein
Authors: Mecke Klaus
Published: November 2022

Physik und Literatur brauchen einander, da die Welt nicht nur selbstlos erkannt, sondern auch zum Guten gewendet werden will. Brecht entwickelt hierfür ein experimentelles Theater aus dem analytischen Geist der Physik.
Clinical implications of m6A‐related regulators YTHDF1 and YTHDF2 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Qu Nanfang , Zhang Xuemei , Wu Xianbin , Zhou Xia , Deng Zhejun , Ma Lei , Liu Yanhua , Ge Wenhong , Jiang Huanghuang , Xu Longkuan , Jiang Haixing
Published: November 2022

It aims to examine the correlation between the expression of YTHDF1 and YTHDF2 and the clinical, pathological, and prognostic factors in HCC. The study was done using statistics from TCGA to establish the noted relationship. The degree of YTHDF1 and YTHDF2 protein expression in 88 HCC as well as the adjacent tissues was then determined through IHC examination, and we examined how that expression linked with other clinicopathological traits and clinical outcomes. Bioinformatics examination revealed that YTHDF1 and YTHDF2 expression was increased in HCC tissues, and poor pathology grade and prognosis were linked to high expression. YTHDF1 protein expression in IHC was notably higher in HCC tissue (p = .023). It was associated with age (p = .002) but not with other clinicopathological characteristics or prognoses. When compared to paraneoplastic tissues, the expression of the protein YTHDF2 was considerably higher in HCC tissues (p < .0001); and its high expression due to worse pathological grading (p = .035), higher alpha fetoprotein expression (p = .04), higher tumor recurrence (p = .023), lower overall survival rate (p = .011), and lower recurrence free survival rate (p = .005). A separate predictive factor for determining recurrence‐free survival in HCC was YTHDF2. A novel molecular marker called YTHDF2 may be used to assess HCC patients' prognoses.
On the use of extreme value tail modeling for generalized pairwise comparisons with censored outcomes
Authors: De Backer Mickaël , Legrand Catherine , Péron Julien , Lambert Alexandre , Buyse Marc
Published: November 2022

In randomized clinical trials, methods of pairwise comparisons such as the ‘Net Benefit’ or the ‘win ratio’ have recently gained much attention when interests lies in assessing the effect of a treatment as compared to a standard of care. Among other advantages, these methods are usually praised for delivering a treatment measure that can easily handle multiple outcomes of different nature, while keeping a meaningful interpretation for patients and clinicians. For time‐to‐event outcomes, a recent suggestion emerged in the literature for estimating these treatment measures by providing a natural handling of censored outcomes. However, this estimation procedure may lead to biased estimates when tails of survival functions cannot be reliably estimated using Kaplan–Meier estimators. The problem then extrapolates to the other outcomes incorporated in the pairwise comparison construction. In this work, we suggest to extend the procedure by the consideration of a hybrid survival function estimator that relies on an extreme value tail model through the Generalized Pareto distribution. We provide an estimator of treatment effect measures that notably improves on bias and remains easily apprehended for practical implementation. This is illustrated in an extensive simulation study as well as in an actual trial of a new cancer immunotherapy.
System structure based decentralized sliding mode output tracking control for nonlinear interconnected systems
Authors: Ding Yueheng , Yan Xing‐Gang , Mao Zehui , Spurgeon Sarah K. , Jiang Bin
Published: November 2022

In this article, a decentralized tracking control scheme is proposed for a class of nonlinear interconnected systems with uncertainties using sliding mode technique. Both matched nonlinear uncertainty and mismatched known nonlinear interconnections are considered. Under the condition that the nominal isolated subsystems have relative degrees, a geometric transformation is applied to transfer the interconnected system into a new nonlinear interconnected system with a special structure to facilitate the system analysis and design. Then, a composite sliding surface is designed in terms of tracking errors, and decentralized controllers are proposed to drive the system states to the designed sliding surface in finite time and maintain a sliding motion on it thereafter. A set of conditions are developed to guarantee that the output tracking errors converge to zero asymptotically while all system state variables are bounded. The considered interconnected systems are nonlinear and it is not required that either the isolated subsystems or the isolated nominal subsystems are linearizable. The desired output signals are allowed to be time‐varying. Finally, the developed results are applied to an inverted coupled‐pendulum system. Simulation demonstrates that the proposed control scheme is effective.
Middle‐ and secondary‐school students' STEM career interest and its relationship to gender, grades, and family size in Kazakhstan
Authors: Balta Nuri , Japashov Nursultan , Mansurova Aizhan , Tzafilkou Katerina , Oliveira Alandeom W. , Lathrop Rob
Published: November 2022

Despite pervasive educational efforts, student interest in STEM careers continues to decline in many countries. The present study seeks to better understand this phenomenon by examining how internal factors (gender) and external factors (school grades, grade level, family size) relate to Kazakh students' STEM career interests. To this end, a newly developed instrument (STEM Career Interest Survey) based on social cognitive career theory was used to assess interest in STEM careers among middle‐ and secondary students in Kazakhstan. The survey was completed by a sample of 396 Kazakh students in grades 7 to 12. Our statistical analyses revealed that (1) female students were generally less interested in STEM careers than male students; (2) students with higher grades in physics classes were significantly more interested in STEM careers than low‐performing students; (3) students at higher grade levels were generally more interested in STEM careers than those in lower grade levels; (4) the number of siblings was positively associated with student interest in mathematics careers; and, (5) family support and role models were significantly correlated with student STEM career interest. Our findings suggest that student development of interest in STEM careers constitutes an epigenetic phenomenon that involves complex interactions between internal factors (e.g., self‐efficacy) and external factors (e.g., gender stereotypes). Based on this, it is argued that the promotion of student interest in STEM careers is a multifaceted problem whose resolution requires, among other things, dispelling stereotypes in students' sociocultural context through systematic renegotiation of traditional gender‐technology relations characteristic of a country's culture.
The effect of climate disclosure on stock market performance: Evidence from Norway
Authors: Antoniuk Yevheniia
Published: November 2022

Increased concerns about climate change and its economic impact emphasize the necessity of sustainable investment and have become a demanded research topic. Via voluntary carbon and climate‐related disclosure, companies indicate their exposure to climate change risks and how they counteract them. Investors seeking to reduce the climate risk of their portfolios can utilize this information. Using the 2010–2020 Carbon Disclosure Project scoring for companies in Norway, I formed portfolios of stocks with high, low, and no scores. These portfolios represent lower, higher, and unknown climate risks, respectively. The results suggest that a value‐weighted portfolio of firms with high scores generates an extra 1.3% annualized return over the market. This portfolio steadily outperformed the market in recent years based on the information and Sortino ratios. However, after controlling for recognized risk factors, the high‐score portfolio has no abnormal return unless energy stocks are excluded. In contrast, low‐ and no‐score portfolios were penalized for bearing higher climate risk so that there is a significant climate alpha after 2016. This research highlights that a climate‐aligned investment strategy is profitable while offering lower climate change risk exposure.
Synergies and trade‐offs across sustainable development goals: A novel method incorporating indirect interactions analysis
Authors: Xiao Huijuan , Liu Yue , Ren Jingzheng
Published: November 2022

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are presented as significantly interacted. Yet most studies only investigated the direct interactions of SDG targets, and indirect interactions, that is, the interlinkages transmitted through one or more mediums, should also be considered to obtain more accurate interaction estimation and more scientific policy decisions. We first made a methodological contribution by proposing a plus‐minus decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory model, which can consider not only the direct synergies and trade‐offs but the indirect ones. Then, based on this proposed method, we navigated the complicated network across the SDGs considering both direct and indirect interactions, find out the key interactive ones with a visually directed graph, obtain the weights of each SDG, and define the best governance structures to capitalize on synergies and minimize trade‐offs. Results show that, when incorporating indirect interactions, the share of synergy effect of SDGs dominates the total influence, taking up to 98.33%, suggesting that the achievement of the 2030 Agenda can be facilitated through interactions. Although all SDGs should be equally addressed by 2030 suggested by the United Nations, equal importance across 17 SDGs does not mean we have to make the same efforts in achieving each SDG, and SDG 4 and SDG 13 are the top priority to tap into these interaction potentials. Our interdisciplinary analysis across economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection provides a science‐driven reference for all UN member states to facilitate achieving the SDGs by maximizing the synergies and minimizing the trade‐offs.
Isolation, Anticancer Evaluation, Molecular Docking, Drug likeness and ADMET Studies of Secondary Metabolites from Psoralea corylifolia seeds
Authors: Gupta Nidhi , Qayum Arem , Singh Shashank , Mujwar Somdutt , Sangwan Payare L.
Published: November 2022

Phytochemical investigation of Psoralea corylifolia seeds as a potential source of anticancer lead molecules led to the isolation of total fourteen secondary metabolites (1–14) bakuchiol (1), isopsoralen (2), psoralen (3), bavachinin (4), 4‐O‐methylbavachalcone (5), bavachalcone (6), 12, 13‐Dihydro‐12, 13‐epoxybakuchiol (7), corylin (8), psoralidin (9) neocorylin (10), corylifol A (11), neobavaisoflavone (12), bavachin (13) and 12‐hydroxyisobakuchiol (14). Their structures were confirmed by 1DNMR, MASS spectra and comparison with the literature. Compounds 10, 11, 13 and 14 exhibited promising in vitro anticancer activity further supported by in‐silico docking results against BRCA‐1 (PDB ID: 4OFB). Bavachin 13 was found as the most promising cytotoxic metabolite with IC50 value 2.22 μM against MCF‐7 cells. In‐vitro mechanism of action studies of 13 against MCF‐7 cell line showed apoptotic cleavage. In addition, most of the compounds showed good ADMET and drug likeness profile. Cumulative in‐vitro and in‐silico results provided compound 13 as a potential anticancer agent against breast cancer cells.
Bifunctional Receptor Based on Calix[4]arene with Chromone Groups as An Efficient Colorimetric Sensor for Co2+, Cu2+, CN− and F−
Authors: Gómez‐Machuca Horacio , Quiroga‐Campano Cinthia , Jullian Carolina , Saitz Claudio
Published: November 2022

New calix[4]arene derivatives based on chromone linked through a thiosemicarbazone bridge have been designed and synthesized. It has been determined by UV‐visible absorption and IR‐spectroscopic study that molecular receptors are efficient for recognition of cations (Co2+, Cu2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+) and anions (F− and CN−), because calixarene plays a role as a molecular platform and the interaction is explained by the presence of the thiosemicarbazone bridge bound to chromone. The sensors showed selective colorimetric changes with cobalt (II), copper (II), cyanide and fluoride ions. The detection limits of 0.19 to 0.70 mg L−1 and the association constants ranging between 1.28×104 and 9.87×104 mol−1L can be estimated for these three sensors.