bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wear Characteristics of Wire-Arc Additive Manufactured SS308L
Authors: Koli Yashwant , Aravindan S. , Rao P. V.
Published: November 2022

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is an efficient metal additive manufacturing technology. It can be easily accomplished with a gas metal arc welding (GMAW)—cold metal transfer (CMT) machine due to low heat input and low spatter generation characteristics. Austenitic stainless steel (ASS 308L) single thin walls were fabricated using ER308L filler wire having 1.2 mm diameter. The wear summary of the WAAM-processed 308L ASS under dry sliding at severe loading conditions is presented. Wear tests were done under dry (unlubricated) conditions, using a typical high-load pin-on-disc tribometer. AM-ASS processed with a lower heat input exhibited a low coefficient of friction (COF) and wear-rate. The microhardness is observed to be reducing steadily from the bottom layer to the top layer along the building direction to roughly 11.73%, 10.09%, and 8.44% in low, medium, and high heat input, respectively. This is attributed to the thermal history experienced by the material. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of wear debris reveals that martensite is the most prevalent phase. In the wear behavior of AM-ASS, austenite transforms into martensite due to the metastability of ASS during plastic deformation. At severe stresses, plastic deformation of sliding surfaces is more prevalent. Ferrite (%) concentration decreases with the increasing load due to increased plastic deformation, which converts austenite to martensite. As deformation wear debris rolls, it hardens, fractures, and becomes cylindrical, which confirms the adhesive wear mechanism.
Reducing Energy Use in Light Industrial Buildings in Southeast Asia: A Singaporean Case Study
Authors: Li Guo , Anderson Timothy
Published: November 2022

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in improving the energy efficiency of the Southeast Asian building sector. However, much of this work has focused on residential and commercial buildings rather than industrial buildings. Therefore, this work undertook a case study of the energy used in a Singaporean industrial building complex typical of those used in the light manufacturing sector in the region. A building energy simulation analysis was performed on the “as built” building and was validated using measured energy usage data. Subsequently, a parametric analysis was utilized to identify opportunities for reducing energy use on the site. The results indicate that energy savings of over 15% could be achieved by improving the performance of the industrial equipment, HVAC system, lighting, and building thermal envelope. Of these factors, improving the energy efficiency of the equipment and relaxing the HVAC setpoint temperature accounted for over 10%. Given the typical nature of the building, it is believed that the results are indicative of what may be achievable in other light manufacturing complexes in Southeast Asia, and similar locations more generally.
Membrane Sphingomyelin in Host Cells Is Essential for Nucleocapsid Penetration into the Cytoplasm after Hemifusion during Rubella Virus Entry
Authors: Mori Yoshio , Sakata Masafumi , Sakai Shota , Okamoto Toru , Nakatsu Yuichiro , Taguwa Shuhei , Otsuki Noriyuki , Maeda Yusuke , Hanada Kentaro , Matsuura Yoshiharu , Takeda Makoto
Published: November 2022

Infection with rubella virus during pregnancy causes congenital rubella syndrome in infants. Despite its importance in public health, the detailed mechanisms of rubella virus cell entry have only recently become somewhat clearer.
Predicting Influenza A Virus Infection in the Lung from Hematological Data with Machine Learning
Authors: Jhutty Suneet Singh , Boehme Julia D. , Jeron Andreas , Volckmar Julia , Schultz Kristin , Schreiber Jens , Schughart Klaus , Zhou Kai , Steinheimer Jan , Stöcker Horst , Stegemann-Koniszewski Sabine , Bruder Dunja , Hernandez-Vargas Esteban A.
Published: November 2022

During the course of respiratory infections such as influenza, we do have a very limited view of immunological indicators to objectively and quantitatively evaluate the outcome of a host. Methods for monitoring immunological markers in a host’s lungs are invasive and expensive, and some of them are not feasible to perform.
Risk of bias in studies on prediction models developed using supervised
machine learning techniques: systematic review
Authors: Andaur Navarro Constanza L , Damen Johanna A A , Takada Toshihiko , Nijman Steven W J , Dhiman Paula , Ma Jie , Collins Gary S , Bajpai Ram , Riley Richard D , Moons Karel G M , Hooft Lotty
Published: November 2022

Objective

To assess the methodological quality of studies on prediction models
developed using machine learning techniques across all medical
specialties.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

PubMed from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019.

Eligibility criteria

Articles reporting on the development, with or without external
validation, of a multivariable prediction model (diagnostic or
prognostic) developed using supervised machine learning for
individualised predictions. No restrictions applied for study design,
data source, or predicted patient related health outcomes.

Review methods

Methodological quality of the studies was determined and risk of
bias evaluated using the prediction risk of bias assessment tool
(PROBAST). This tool contains 21 signalling questions tailored to
identify potential biases in four domains. Risk of bias was measured for
each domain (participants, predictors, outcome, and analysis) and each
study (overall).

Results

152 studies were included: 58 (38%) included a diagnostic prediction
model and 94 (62%) a prognostic prediction model. PROBAST was applied to
152 developed models and 19 external validations. Of these 171 analyses,
148 (87%, 95% confidence interval 81% to 91%) were rated at high risk of
bias. The analysis domain was most frequently rated at high risk of
bias. Of the 152 models, 85 (56%, 48% to 64%) were developed with an
inadequate number of events per candidate predictor, 62 handled missing
data inadequately (41%, 33% to 49%), and 59 assessed overfitting
improperly (39%, 31% to 47%). Most models used appropriate data sources
to develop (73%, 66% to 79%) and externally validate the machine
learning based prediction models (74%, 51% to 88%). Information about
blinding of outcome and blinding of predictors was, however, absent in
60 (40%, 32% to 47%) and 79 (52%, 44% to 60%) of the developed models,
respectively.

Conclusion

Most studies on machine learning based prediction models show poor
methodological quality and are at high risk of bias. Factors
contributing to risk of bias include small study size, poor handling of
missing data, and failure to deal with overfitting. Efforts to improve
the design, conduct, reporting, and validation of such studies are
necessary to boost the application of machine learning based prediction
models in clinical practice.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42019161764.
It’s not ‘just a tube of blood’: principles of protocol development, sample collection, staffing and budget considerations for blood-based biomarkers in immunotherapy studies
Authors: Jiang Cindy Y , Niu Zeqi , Green Michael D , Zhao Lili , Raupp Shelby , Pannecouk Brittany , Brenner Dean E , Nagrath Sunitha , Ramnath Nithya
Published: November 2022

Immunotherapy for cancer is now a standard pillar in the armamentarium of treatments for many cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, in particular, have resulted in significant therapeutic benefit and prolongation of survival in solid organ cancers, such as melanoma and lung cancer. However, the extent of benefit is not uniform. There are several groups studying predictors of benefit from these therapies. Recently, there has been a burgeoning interest in studying predictive biomarkers from the blood. These markers include circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells, lymphocyte subpopulations, exosomes and metabolites to name a few. The logistics involved in such biomarker work are complex and rigorous with potential to impact a given study. Such pre-analytic components include development of a rigorous protocol, standard operating procedures for collection and storage of various blood components, ethics of patient consent, personnel involved as well as budget considerations. In this primer, we lay out representative aspects of each of the aforementioned components as a guide to blood-based biomarker research for immunotherapy studies in cancer.
Probing nuclear observables via primordial nucleosynthesis
Authors: Meißner Ulf-G. , Metsch Bernard Ch.
Published: November 2022

We study the dependence of primordial nuclear abundances on fundamental nuclear observables such as binding energies, scattering lengths, neutron lifetime, etc. by varying these quantities. The numerical computations were performed with four publicly available codes, thus facilitating an investigation of the model-dependent (systematic) uncertainties on these dependences. Indeed deviations of the order of a few percent are found. Moreover, accounting for the temperature dependence of the sensitivity of the rates to some relevant parameters leads to a reduction of the sensitivity of the final primordial abundances, which in some cases is appreciable. These effects are considered to be relevant for studies of the dependence of the nuclear abundances on fundamental parameters such as quark masses or couplings underlying the nuclear parameters studied here.
Effect of electric field on string-oriented perfect fluid collapse in f (R) gravity
Authors: Sheikh Umber , Ishtiaq Sayyeda Ayesha
Published: November 2022

This work investigates the nature of singularity formed from string-oriented charged perfect fluid collapse in theory of f (R) gravity. The spherically symmetric spacetime is assumed to be filled with a string-oriented charged perfect fluid. The gravitational collapse of the fluid is analyzed to understand the effects of electric field on the time and radii of apparent horizons and singularity formation. The presence of an electric field was discovered to increase the mass of the collapsing system, the radii of apparent horizon development, and the time gap between the event horizon and singularity. The term [Formula: see text] acts as an anti-gravity term. However, the presence of electric field accelerates the gravitational collapse.
Europe as a Normative Power in the Indo-Pacific: The Practice of Principled Pragmatism amidst US-China Competition
Authors: SU CHO-HSIN
Published: November 2022

The Indo-Pacific region and its politics are now in obscurity, and the power dynamics of US-China competition have become well settled within a new concept of geopolitics. As an economic giant and a distinct power in IR, the EU’s position and strategy in the region are garnering attention. This paper starts by discussing the EU’s perceived systemic rivalry with China and its falling out with the United States, its Atlantic ally since the two World Wars. It then introduces the concept of Europe as a normative power in order to better understand the EU’s policies. It points out how “Normative Power Europe” (NPE) has adapted to its surroundings by introducing the concept of principled pragmatism concept in 2016. The paper then lays out the EU’s security strategies in Asia and highlights its narrative of strategic autonomy, referred to as the Sinatra doctrine. From there, it employs the notion of NPE and principled pragmatism to delineate the EU’s unique stance in the Indo-Pacific region and how it puts this principled pragmatism into practice. Finally, it analyzes how the EU has strategically applied these concepts to succeed in its own way amidst US-China competition in the Indo-Pacific.
Fertility Awareness and Attitudes Among Women Embarking on a Career in Medicine
Authors: MOORE Rebecca , MOORE David , MACARTHUR Lauren , HOMER Hayden , CAMERON Sarah , BELL Nicholas
Published: November 2022

Background: Previous international studies suggest professional women are more likely to delay childbearing whilst pursuing career goals. Due to prolonged education and training pathways, female medical students may be particularly at risk of fertility difficulties from delayed childbearing.

Aim: To explore, among female medical students, the understanding of age-related fertility decline, attitudes toward prophylactic fertility interventions, and beliefs about potential effects of childbearing on training and career opportunities.

Method: Cross-sectional online survey of female medical students at The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

Results: The average response rate was 81% (n=113). 95% of respondents were aged 18 to 29, and most (98%) did not have children. 72% intend to have children; 24% within five years, and over 60% intending to delay for 10-15 years.

62% of respondents intend to undertake specialty training, 29% planning to delay childbearing until after training. Of these, 50% perceive that having children sooner would negatively impact career prospects or compromise financial security.

Half of respondents reported their fertility knowledge as sound or high. Age of significant fertility decline was well understood, although 90% overestimated the chance of spontaneous pregnancy at age 30.

88% respondents recognise oocyte cryopreservation in their 20’s as a fertility preservation option, though only 28% would consider this in next 10 years with 21% not considering it at all.

Respondents strongly believe they should be informed of age-related fertility decline (100%) and of fertility preservation options (98%). 79% believe medical students should seek individualised assessment.

Conclusion: Future fertility is important to these at-risk women, who intend to undertake a prolonged education and training pathway. Despite reasonable understanding of age-related fertility decline, most intend to delay childbearing, perceiving financial and career disadvantages of earlier childbearing. Information about age-related fertility decline and fertility preservation strategies is strongly desired by this group.
Designing for Emotion Regulation Interventions: An Agenda for HCI Theory and Research
Authors: Slovak Petr , Antle Alissa , Theofanopoulou Nikki , Daudén Roquet Claudia , Gross James , Isbister Katherine
Published: November 2022

There is a growing interest in human-computer interaction (HCI) to envision, design, and evaluate technology-enabled interventions that support users’ emotion regulation. This interest stems in part from increased recognition that the ability to regulate emotions is critical to mental health, and that a lack of effective emotion regulation is a transdiagnostic factor for mental illness. However, the potential to combine innovative HCI designs with the theoretical grounding and state-of-the-art interventions from psychology has yet to be fully realised. In this article, we synthesise HCI work on emotion regulation interventions and propose a three-part framework to guide technology designers in making: (i) theory-informed decisions about intervention targets; (ii) strategic decisions regarding the technology-enabled intervention mechanisms to be included in the system; and (iii) practical decisions around previous implementations of the selected intervention components. We show how this framework can both systematise HCI work to date and suggest a research agenda for future work.
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Salt Taste
Authors: Taruno Akiyuki , Gordon Michael D.
Published: November 2022

Salt taste, the taste of sodium chloride (NaCl), is mechanistically one of the most complex and puzzling among basic tastes. Sodium has essential functions in the body but causes harm in excess. Thus, animals use salt taste to ingest the right amount of salt, which fluctuates by physiological needs: typically, attraction to low salt concentrations and rejection of high salt. This concentration-valence relationship is universally observed in terrestrial animals, and research has revealed complex peripheral codes for NaCl involving multiple taste pathways of opposing valence. Sodium-dependent and -independent pathways mediate attraction and aversion to NaCl, respectively. Gustatory sensors and cells that transduce NaCl have been uncovered, along with downstream signal transduction and neurotransmission mechanisms. However, much remains unknown. This article reviews classical and recent advances in our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying salt taste in mammals and insects and discusses perspectives on human salt taste.
An Ultrasonic-Based Sensor System for Elderly Fall Monitoring in a Smart Room
Authors: Nadee Chokemongkol , Chamnongthai Kosin
Published: November 2022

To reduce the risk of elderly people falling in a private room without relying on a closed-circuit television system that results in serious privacy and trust concerns, a fall monitoring system that protects the privacy and does not monitor a person’s activities is needed. An ultrasonic-based sensor system for elderly fall monitoring in a smart room is proposed in this study. An array of ultrasonic sensors, whose ranges are designed to cover the room space, are initially installed on a wall of the room, and the sensors are rotated to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals to measure the distances to a moving object while preventing ultrasonic signal interference. Distance changes measured by ultrasonic sensors are used as time-independent patterns to recognize when an elderly person falls. To evaluate the performance of the proposed system, a sensor system prototype using long short-term memory was constructed, and experiments with 25 participants were performed. An accuracy of approximately 98% was achieved in this experiment using the proposed method, which was a slight improvement over that of the conventional method.
Personalized Intelligent Syndrome Differentiation Guided By TCM Consultation Philosophy
Authors: Li Minghuan , Wen Guihua , Zhong Jiahui , Yang Pei
Published: November 2022

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest medical systems in the world, and inquiry is an essential part of TCM diagnosis. The development of artificial intelligence has led to the proposal of several computational TCM diagnostic methods. However, there are few research studies among them, and they have the following flaws: (1) insufficient engagement with the patient, (2) barren TCM consultation philosophy, and (3) inadequate validation of the method. As TCM inquiry knowledge is abstract and there are few relevant datasets, we devise a novel knowledge representation technique. The mapping of symptoms and syndromes is constructed based on the diagnostics of traditional Chinese medicine. As a guide, the inquiry knowledge base is constructed utilizing the “Ten Brief Inquiries,” TCM’s domain knowledge. Subsequently, a corresponding assessment approach is proposed for an intelligent consultation model for syndrome differentiation. We establish three criteria: the quality of the generated question-answer pairs, the accuracy of model identification, and the average number of questions. Three TCM specialists are asked to undertake a manual evaluation of the model separately. The results reveal that our approach is capable of pretty accurate syndrome differentiation. Furthermore, the model’s question and answer pairs for simulated consultations are relevant, accurate, and efficient.
Saikosaponin-d Attenuates Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis by Regulating Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Du Peng , Xu Jianbin , Jiang Yanfei , Zhao Jing , Gao Chaoqun , Fang Yudie , Yang Xiaorong , Yang Yan-ping , Zhang Jin-an
Published: November 2022

Objective. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is one of the most common clinical autoimmune diseases. Recent studies have found that HT pathogenesis is associated with macrophage polarization. Saikosaponin-d (SSd) is an active component in the Chinese medicine Bupleurum, which has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. The purpose of this study was to verify the therapeutic effect of SSd on HT and to investigate the regulatory effect of SSd on macrophage polarization in HT. Methods. Network pharmacology analysis was used to predict the relevant targets and signaling pathways of SSd for HT treatment. The therapeutic effect of SSd on HT model mice and the effect on macrophage polarization were detected by animal experiment. Results. Network pharmacological analysis showed that SSd can alleviate HT against multiple targets such as IL-6 and IL-10 and can act on macrophage polarization-related signaling pathways such as MAPK and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. Animal experiments showed that SSd intervention attenuated the lymphocytic infiltration in thyroid tissues of HT mice (P=0.044); SSd intervention reduced serum TPOAb antibody level in HT mice (P<0.001); SSd adjusted M1/M2 imbalance towards M2-type macrophage polarization in the spleen of HT mice (P=0.003); SSd inhibited the expressions of Th1-type cytokine IFN-γ and Th17-type cytokine IL-17 systemically and locally in the thyroid of HT mice (P<0.05). Conclusion. SSd treatment can regulate Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg imbalances and reduce the severity of HT in mice by promoting the polarization of M2 macrophages.
Distinct Genetically Determined Origins of Myd88/BCL2-Driven Aggressive Lymphoma Rationalize Targeted Therapeutic Intervention Strategies
Authors: Flümann Ruth , Hansen Julia , Pelzer Benedikt W. , Nieper Pascal , Lohmann Tim , Kisis Ilmars , Riet Tobias , Kohlhas Viktoria , Nguyen Phuong-Hien , Peifer Martin , Abedpour Nima , Bosco Graziella , Thomas Roman K. , Kochanek Moritz , Knüfer Jacqueline , Jonigkeit Lorenz , Beleggia Filippo , Holzem Alessandra , Büttner Reinhard , Lohneis Philipp , Meinel Jörn , Ortmann Monika , Persigehl Thorsten , Hallek Michael , Calado Dinis Pedro , Chmielewski Markus , Klein Sebastian , Göthert Joachim R. , Chapuy Bjoern , Zevnik Branko , Wunderlich F. Thomas , von Tresckow Bastian , Jachimowicz Ron D. , Melnick Ari M. , Reinhardt Hans Christian , Knittel Gero
Published: November 2022

Genomic profiling revealed the identity of at least 5 subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), including the MCD/C5 cluster characterized by aberrations in MYD88, BCL2, PRDM1, and/or SPIB. We generated mouse models harboring B cell–specific Prdm1 or Spib aberrations on the background of oncogenic Myd88 and Bcl2 lesions. We deployed whole-exome sequencing, transcriptome, flow-cytometry, and mass cytometry analyses to demonstrate that Prdm1- or Spib-altered lymphomas display molecular features consistent with prememory B cells and light-zone B cells, whereas lymphomas lacking these alterations were enriched for late light-zone and plasmablast-associated gene sets. Consistent with the phenotypic evidence for increased B cell receptor signaling activity in Prdm1-altered lymphomas, we demonstrate that combined BTK/BCL2 inhibition displays therapeutic activity in mice and in five of six relapsed/refractory DLBCL patients. Moreover, Prdm1-altered lymphomas were immunogenic upon transplantation into immuno-competent hosts, displayed an actionable PD-L1 surface expression, and were sensitive to antimurine-CD19-CAR-T cell therapy, in vivo.

Significance:

Relapsed/refractory DLBCL remains a major medical challenge, and most of these patients succumb to their disease. Here, we generated mouse models, faithfully recapitulating the biology of MYD88-driven human DLBCL. These models revealed robust preclinical activity of combined BTK/BCL2 inhibition. We confirmed activity of this regimen in pretreated non–GCB-DLBCL patients.

See related commentary by Leveille et al., p. 8.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1
Esophago-Pleural Fistula Complicating a Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band
Authors: Adekunle Ayooluwatomiwa D. , Nyahoda Tarisai S. , Koury Elliot , Chahla Elie
Published: November 2022

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding was previously a commonly performed bariatric procedure. However, in recent years, the procedure has become less commonly performed. Long-term complications nonetheless persist and continue to be seen in clinical practice. We present a case of an esophago-pleural fistula complicating a longstanding laparoscopic adjustable gastric band in a woman presenting with persistent empyema. Palliative esophageal stenting was successfully performed, and the patient was discharged home on hospice care per her family’s wishes.
Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis Mimicking Immune Checkpoint-Induced Myocarditis in a Patient Treated with Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report
Authors: Le Bras Pierrine , Plard Louise , Le Gouill Christèle , Piriou Nicolas , Touchefeu Yann
Published: November 2022

Checkpoint kinase inhibitors are increasingly used in oncology. The combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab is currently the recommended first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Cardiac toxicities of immunotherapies are rare, but can lead to discontinuation of treatment. Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis is a rare condition, but its incidence is probably underestimated. Its symptoms may suggest immunotherapy-induced myocarditis. When immune-mediated myocarditis is suspected, a thorough cardiac evaluation is necessary to confirm or refute the diagnosis of myocarditis and to avoid unnecessary interruption of immunotherapy. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may raise suspicion of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis, the diagnosis being confirmed by technetium pyrophosphate bone scintigraphy.
Relationship between Metabolic Acidosis and Chronic Kidney Disease Progression across Racial and Ethnic Groups: An Observational, Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Tangri Navdeep , Mathur Vandana , Reaven Nancy , Funk Susan E. , Wesson Donald E.
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Metabolic acidosis is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and mortality, but the association of race/ethnicity with incident metabolic acidosis and/or its adverse outcomes in patients with CKD is unknown. Methods: We used deidentified medical records data (2007–2019) to generate a cohort of 136,067 patients with nondialysis-dependent CKD stages 3–5 and ≥2 years’ postindex data or death within 2 years. We grouped participants into those with and without metabolic acidosis (serum bicarbonate 12 to <22 mEq/L vs. 22 to <30 mEq/L) as Asian, Black, Hispanic, non-Hispanic White individuals, or unknown. Cox proportional hazards models examined factors associated with (1) incident metabolic acidosis; and (2) time to the composite outcome of death, dialysis, transplant, or ≥40% decline from baseline eGFR (DD40) within each race/ethnic group. Results: Metabolic acidosis incidence was higher for Asian, Black, and Hispanic versus non-Hispanic White individuals (p values for adjusted hazard ratios [HR] all <0.001), but this higher hazard was mitigated in all groups with increasing community education. During the median follow-up of 4.2 years, 47,032 of 136,607 (34.6%) experienced a DD40 event. There was an independent association of metabolic acidosis with DD40 within each race/ethnic group. Adjusted HRs (95% confidence interval) for DD40 were 1.806 (1.312, 2.486), 1.420 (1.313, 1.536), 1.409 (1.211, 1.641), and 1.561 (1.498, 1.626) in Asian, Black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White groups, respectively (all p < 0.0001), for metabolic acidosis versus normal serum bicarbonate. Discussion/Conclusion: The higher incidence of metabolic acidosis observed in Asian, Black, and Hispanic individuals was mitigated by residing in higher education zip codes. Once established, metabolic acidosis was independently associated with DD40 in patients with CKD in all racial/ethnic groups examined.
Huge Ovarian Tumor: An Unusual Presentation of Gastric-Type Endocervical Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Park Minjeong , Lee Eunhyun
Published: November 2022

Gastric endocervical adenocarcinoma is a rare type of cervical cancer. It was recently classified as a subtype of cervical cancer that exhibits an aggressive behavior with poor prognosis compared to other cancer types. Nevertheless, little is known about the clinical behavior of this cervical cancer subtype to establish a definitive treatment protocol. Herein, we report a case of poorly advanced gastric endocervical adenocarcinoma in a 47-year-old Korean woman who was suspected to have a borderline ovarian tumor and underwent a laparotomy. A gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma was diagnosed incidentally on histopathological examination.
SUBMICROSCOPIC CHANGES IN HEMOCAPILLARIES OF ADRENAL GLAND AND PANCREATIC ISLETS OF LANGERHANS IN CASES OF IMMOBILIZATION STRESS WITH UNDERLYING HYPOTHYROIDISM
Authors: Klishch I. M. , Dovbush A. V. , Havryliuk-Skiba H. O. , Andriyishyn O. P.
Published: November 2022

Background. Today, among the increasing number of various diseases, stress is a trigger in the development of diseases and mortality among the population.
Objective. To establish submicroscopic changes in the hemocapillaries of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas and adrenal glands in the presence of immobilization stress with underlying hypothyroidism.
Methods. The experiment was carried out on 20 mature white male rats. Hypothyroidism was modeled by daily per os injection with a probe of the pharmacopoeial mercazole thyreostatics at a dose of 25 mg/kg for 21 days. Acute immobilization stress was modeled by tying the experimental rats in a supine position in 4 limbs without restricting head mobility for 3 hours. The study was conducted 2 hours later (anxiety stage) after the end of the stress impact. The material was collected for electron microscopy and tissue processing was performed according to generally accepted methods.
Results. Electron microscopic examination of the blood capillaries of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas and the hemocapillaries of the adrenal cortex after the action of the stress factor in cases of hypothyroidism showed slightly enlarged lumens and moderate perivascular edema. The basement membrane was moderately thickened but clearly contoured. Endotheliocyte nuclei were mostly hypertrophied, euchromatin was uniformly located in the nucleoplasm, and nucleoli were defined. The karyolemma was clearly contoured, the number of nuclear pores was small, and the perinuclear lumen was locally widened. Endoplasmic reticulum with moderately expanded and short tubules, moderately thickened cisterns of the Golgi complex were observed in the cytoplasm of endotheliocytes. There were two types of mitochondria: hypertrophied with an electron-light matrix, single cristae, and with clear visible cristae and a moderately electron-dense matrix. In addition to the capillaries mentioned above, there were also single narrowed microvessels that had perivascular edema and vaguely contoured fenestrae.
Conclusions. When modeling a stressor in cases of hypothyroidism, structural changes of all components of the walls of blood capillaries of the pancreas and adrenal glands take place.
ENDOVASCULAR ANGIOPLASTY FOR MULTI-LEVEL STENOTIC-OCCLUSIVE LESIONS OF THE FEMORAL-DISTAL ARTERIAL BED IN CASES OF STENOTIC-OCCLUSIVE PROCESS OF THE TIBIAL ARTERIES
Authors: Venher I. K. , Kostiv S. Ya. , Selskyi B. P. , Khvalyboha D. V. , Orlov M. Yu. , Faryna I. V. , Tsiupryk N. I.
Published: November 2022

Background. Occlusive-stenotic lesions of the lower extremity arteries are the second in the structure of cardiovascular diseases, after only coronary heart disease. Surgical treatment of patients with infrainguinal atherosclerotic lesions of the arterial segment is challenging in a number of cases. At the same time, revascularizing surgical interventions on the femoral-distal artery and especially on the tibial arteries in chronic critical ischemia is the only chance to avoid amputation of the lower limb. In this regard, the search and study of optimal methods of revascularizing surgery on the infrainguinal artery for stenotic-occlusive lesions of the arteries of the tibial segment is urgent.

Objective. This study is aimed at promotion of endovascular and hybrid technology in cases of stenotic-occlusive process of the tibial arteries and choosing the optimal surgical treatment tactics in this case.

Methods. Endovascular interventions of the femoral-distal arterial bed in cases of stenotic-occlusive process of the tibial arteries performed for 135 patients at the Department of Vascular and Cardiac Surgery of Ternopil Regional Clinical Hospital have been analysed.

Results. In most cases, endovascular angioplasty of two tibial arteries in hybrid and endovascular methods of revascularization of multilevel atherosclerotic process of the femoral-distal arterial segment of the lower extremity prevents development of thrombosis in tibial segment and allows maintaining the patency of the reconstruction segment and preservation of the lower extremity in 97.57% and 93.44% of cases, respectively.

Conclusions. Endovascular angioplasty of two tibial arteries provides a better result than angioplasty of one isolated tibial artery and allows maintaining the patency of the reconstructed segment for more than 90 percent compare to one isolated angioplasty.
Chronic Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter Increases Mortality Through Pathways of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease: Insights From a Large Mediation Analysis
Authors: Bai Li , Benmarhnia Tarik , Chen Chen , Kwong Jeffrey C. , Burnett Richard T. , van Donkelaar Aaron , Martin Randall V. , Kim JinHee , Kaufman Jay S. , Chen Hong
Published: November 2022

Background

Long‐term exposure to outdoor fine particulate matter (PM
2.5
) is the leading environmental risk factor for premature mortality worldwide. Characterizing important pathways through which PM
2.5
increases individuals' mortality risk can clarify the PM
2.5
–mortality relationship and identify possible points of interventions. Recent evidence has linked PM
2.5
to the onset of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but to what extent these associations contribute to the effect of PM
2.5
on mortality remains poorly understood.

Methods and Results

We conducted a population‐based cohort study to investigate how the effect of PM
2.5
on nonaccidental mortality is mediated by its impacts on incident diabetes, acute myocardial infarction, and stroke. Our study population comprised ≈200 000 individuals aged 20 to 90 years who participated in population‐based health surveys in Ontario, Canada, from 1996 to 2014. Follow‐up extended until December 2017. Using causal mediation analyses with Aalen additive hazards models, we decomposed the total effect of PM
2.5
on mortality into a direct effect and several path‐specific indirect effects mediated by diabetes, each cardiovascular event, or both combined. A series of sensitivity analyses were also conducted. After adjusting for various individual‐ and neighborhood‐level covariates, we estimated that for every 1000 adults, each 10 μg/m
3
increase in PM
2.5
was associated with ≈2 incident cases of diabetes, ≈1 major cardiovascular event (acute myocardial infarction and stroke combined), and ≈2 deaths annually. Among PM
2.5
‐related deaths, 31.7% (95% CI, 17.2%–53.2%) were attributable to diabetes and major cardiovascular events in relation to PM
2.5
. Specifically, 4.5% were explained by PM
2.5
‐induced diabetes, 22.8% by PM
2.5
‐induced major cardiovascular events, and 4.5% through their interaction.

Conclusions

This study suggests that a significant portion of the estimated effect of long‐term exposure to PM
2.5
on deaths can be attributed to its effect on diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, highlighting the significance of PM
2.5
on deteriorating cardiovascular health. Our findings should raise awareness among professionals that improving metabolic and cardiovascular health may reduce mortality burden in areas with higher exposure to air pollution.
KLF13 Loss‐of‐Function Mutations Underlying Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Guo Yu‐Han , Wang Jun , Guo Xiao‐Juan , Gao Ri‐Feng , Yang Chen‐Xi , Li Li , Sun Yu‐Min , Qiu Xing‐Biao , Xu Ying‐Jia , Yang Yi‐Qing
Published: November 2022

Background

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), characterized by progressive left ventricular enlargement and systolic dysfunction, is the most common type of cardiomyopathy and a leading cause of heart failure and cardiac death. Accumulating evidence underscores the critical role of genetic defects in the pathogenesis of DCM, and >250 genes have been implicated in DCM to date. However, DCM is of substantial genetic heterogeneity, and the genetic basis underpinning DCM remains elusive in most cases.

Methods and Results

By genome‐wide scan with microsatellite markers and genetic linkage analysis in a 4‐generation family inflicted with autosomal‐dominant DCM, a new locus for DCM was mapped on chromosome 15q13.1–q13.3, a 4.77‐cM (≈3.43 Mbp) interval between markers D15S1019 and D15S1010, with the largest 2‐point logarithm of odds score of 5.1175 for the marker D15S165 at recombination fraction (θ)=0.00. Whole‐exome sequencing analyses revealed that within the mapping chromosomal region, only the mutation in the
KLF13
gene, c.430G>T (p.E144X), cosegregated with DCM in the family. In addition, sequencing analyses of
KLF13
in another cohort of 266 unrelated patients with DCM and their available family members unveiled 2 new mutations, c.580G>T (p.E194X) and c.595T>C (p.C199R), which cosegregated with DCM in 2 families, respectively. The 3 mutations were absent from 418 healthy subjects. Functional assays demonstrated that the 3 mutants had no transactivation on the target genes
ACTC1
and
MYH7
(2 genes causally linked to DCM), alone or together with GATA4 (another gene contributing to DCM), and a diminished ability to bind the promoters of
ACTC1
and
MYH7
. Add, the E144X‐mutant KLF13 showed a defect in intracellular distribution.

Conclusions

This investigation indicates
KLF13
as a new gene predisposing to DCM, which adds novel insight to the molecular pathogenesis underlying DCM, implying potential implications for prenatal prevention and precision treatment of DCM in a subset of patients.
Divergence and contact in Southern Bantu language and population history
Authors: Gunnink Hilde , Chousou-Polydouri Natalia , Bostoen Koen
Published: November 2022

In this paper we present a new, lexicon-based phylogeny of 34 Southern Bantu languages, and combine it with previous insights from linguistics, archaeology, and genetics to study the history of Southern Bantu languages and their speakers. Our phylogeny shows all Southern Bantu languages to derive from a single, direct ancestor, which contrasts with archaeological evidence indicating separate migrations of Bantu speakers into southern Africa. This suggests that the Bantu languages spoken by the first migrants became extinct, and the ancestor of present-day Southern Bantu languages only emerged in southern Africa during the second millennium CE. We also map the distribution of previously established or suspected Khoisan-derived linguistic features in Southern Bantu languages onto this phylogeny. Evidence for intensive contact with speakers of Khoisan languages also comes from population genetics, which shows that Khoisan linguistic influence is mainly seen in languages spoken by populations displaying a higher degree of genetic admixture.
Can You Get There from Here? Difficulties in Generating EU Strategic Culture
Authors: Richey Mason , Ohn Daewon
Published: November 2022

Despite conceptual and methodological ambiguities, strategic culture has become a useful notion in international politics. An extension of this is the emergence of debates concerning the EU’s endeavors to cultivate a strategic culture at a supranational level. The EU has functioned as a constructivist laboratory insofar as its integration has been synonymous with the formation of institutional identity and decision-making processes that are building blocks of strategic culture. Employing the definition of strategic culture as the interplay of discourse and practice arrived at through an elite-negotiated reality, we undertake a document analysis that addresses an often neglected issue: what are some of the mechanisms that have led EU strategic culture to advance or stagnate? Beyond simple constructivist accounts, we investigate EU strategic culture formation through lessons gleaned from political and organizational/institutional psychology’s understanding of how biased reasoning affects decision-making. We claim that groupthink bias and other biases within the decision-making apparatuses of EU institutions have shaped EU strategic culture formation. This approach enables us to better understand the specific nature of the EU’s efforts to solidify its strategic culture, as well as the prospects for the EU to coherently execute grand strategy addressing challenges in the EU neighborhood and the Indo-Pacific.
Calliblepharis yasutakei sp. nov. and Hypnea tsudae sp. nov. (Cystocloniaceae, Rhodophyta): novel diversity from the Hawaiian Islands
Authors: PAIANO MONICA O. , FUMO JAMES T. , CABRERA FERESA P. , KOSAKI RANDALL K. , SPALDING HEATHER L. , SHERWOOD ALISON R.
Published: November 2022

Surveys of Hawaiian macroalgae over the past 15 years have yielded numerous specimens representing species new to science. Calliblepharis yasutakei sp. nov. is here described based on a plant collected at a depth of 98 m from Kapou, Papahânaumokuâkea Marine National Monument, Hawaiʻi. Phylogenetic analyses of three molecular markers (COI, rbcL, and SSU) and analyses of morphological features were used to describe the new species in the family Cystocloniaceae. Calliblepharis yasutakei sp. nov. grouped with C. fimbriata, C. rammediorum, C. occidentalis and C. jolyi in a clade with full support for the rbcL analysis, representing a distinct lineage within the genus. Phylogenetic and vegetative morphological comparisons demonstrated that the new Hawaiian species is most closely related to C. rammediorum from Israel (rbcL similarity of 96.3%), although no female reproductive structures were found to allow a more comprehensive comparison. In order to determine whether C. yasutakei represents the first confirmed report of the genus Calliblepharis in the Hawaiian Islands, phylogenetic and morphological analysis of the Hawaiian Hypnea saidana (=Calliblepharis saidana) specimen accessioned at the Bernice P. Bishop Museum was performed. These analyses demonstrated that this specimen belongs to a new species in the genus Hypnea, which is here described as H. tsudae sp. nov. C. yasutakei, in addition to being a new species, is also reported as the first confirmed record of the genus Calliblepharis in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the description of H. tsudae brings the number of species for this genus in Hawaiʻi to eight.
Indonesian Throughflow Slowdown under Global Warming: Remote AMOC Effect versus Regional Surface Forcing
Authors: Peng Qihua , Xie Shang-Ping , Huang Rui Xin , Wang Weiqiang , Zu Tingting , Wang Dongxiao
Published: November 2022

The Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) is projected to slow down under anthropogenic warming. Several mechanisms—some mutually conflicting—have been proposed but the detailed processes causing this slowdown remain unclear. By turning on/off buoyancy and wind forcings globally and in key regions, this study investigates the dynamical adjustments underlying the centennial ITF slowdown in the global oceans and climate models. Our results show that the projected weakened ITF transport in the top 1500 m is dominated by remote anomalous buoyancy forcing in the North Atlantic Ocean. Specifically, surface freshening and warming over the North Atlantic Ocean slow the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), and the resultant dynamic signals propagate through the coastal-equatorial waveguide into the southeastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, causing the reduction of ITF transport over a deep layer. In contrast, the anomalous surface buoyancy flux in the Indo-Pacific affects the ocean temperature and salinity in a shallow upper layer, resulting in ITF changes in forms of high baroclinic mode structure with negligible impacts on the net ITF transport. A vertical partitioning index is proposed to distinguish the remote forcing via the AMOC and regional forcing in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, which could be useful for monitoring, attributing, and predicting the changing ITF transport under global warming.
Measuring Turbulent Dissipation with Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters in the Presence of Large, Intermittent, Infragravity Frequency Bores
Authors: Wheeler Duncan C. , Giddings Sarah N.
Published: November 2022

This manuscript presents several improvements to methods for despiking and measuring turbulent dissipation values with acoustic Doppler velocimeters (ADVs). This includes an improved inertial subrange fitting algorithm relevant for all experimental conditions as well as other modifications designed to address failures of existing methods in the presence of large infragravity (IG) frequency bores and other intermittent, nonlinear processes. We provide a modified despiking algorithm, wavenumber spectrum calculation algorithm, and inertial subrange fitting algorithm that together produce reliable dissipation measurements in the presence of IG frequency bores, representing turbulence over a 30 min interval. We use a semi-idealized model to show that our spectrum calculation approach works substantially better than existing wave correction equations that rely on Gaussian-based velocity distributions. We also find that our inertial subrange fitting algorithm provides more robust results than existing approaches that rely on identifying a single best fit and that this improvement is independent of environmental conditions. Finally, we perform a detailed error analysis to assist in future use of these algorithms and identify areas that need careful consideration. This error analysis uses error distribution widths to find, with 95% confidence, an average systematic uncertainty of ±15.2% and statistical uncertainty of ±7.8% for our final dissipation measurements. In addition, we find that small changes to ADV despiking approaches can lead to large uncertainties in turbulent dissipation and that further work is needed to ensure more reliable despiking algorithms.

Significance Statement

Turbulent mixing is a process where the random movement of water can lead to water with different properties irreversibly mixing. This process is important to understand in estuaries because the extent of mixing of freshwater and saltwater inside an estuary alters its overall circulation and thus affects ecosystem health and the distribution of pollution or larvae in an estuary, among other things. Existing approaches to measuring turbulent dissipation, an important parameter for evaluating turbulent mixing, make assumptions that fail in the presence of certain processes, such as long-period, breaking waves in shallow estuaries. We evaluate and improve data analysis techniques to account for such processes and accurately measure turbulent dissipation in shallow estuaries. Some of our improvements are also relevant to a broad array of coastal and oceanic conditions.