bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mutually coupled circuits based on modified voltage differencing transconductance amplifier with tuneable characteristics
Authors: Petrović Predrag
Published: July 2022

The paper presents a new mutually coupled circuit (MCC) based on a modified voltage differencing transconductance amplifier (MVDTA), designed using the modified Gorski‐Popiel technique. The proposed synthetic transformer (ST) circuit uses two MVDTAs as active elements, and all passive elements are grounded—two capacitors and two resistors. Thanks to the newly established coupling method‐connections, it is provided with independent electronic control of primary and secondary self‐inductance, as well as mutual inductance, via bias voltages of MVDTAs. In addition, it is very easy to provide the conditions by which symmetrical couplings are achieved. Monte Carlo analysis is carried out to verify the example application's robustness against the variation of the active and passive elements. In order to verify the results and conclusions reached through theoretical analysis, simulation testing was performed in the PSPICE software environment, both in the time and frequency domains. The functionality of the proposed MCC is shown in the example of a double‐bandwidth filter (double‐tuned band‐pass filter [DTBP]), while in order to accurately illustrate the superiority of the proposed solution, a comparison was made with similar circuits that are known from the professional literature. The proposal is also supported by experimental results (with off‐the‐shelf components IC MAX435) in order to confirm the workability of the proposed solution.
Accelerating cardiovascular research: recent advances in translational 2D and 3D heart models
Authors: Mohr Elisa , Thum Thomas , Bär Christian
Published: July 2022

In vitro modelling the complex (patho‐) physiological conditions of the heart is a major challenge in cardiovascular research. In recent years, methods based on three‐dimensional (3D) cultivation approaches have steadily evolved to overcome the major limitations of conventional adherent two‐dimensional (2D) monolayer cultivation. These 3D approaches aim to study, reproduce or modify fundamental native features of the heart such as tissue organization and cardiovascular microenvironment. Therefore, these systems have great potential for (patient‐specific) disease research, for the development of new drug screening platforms, and for the use in regenerative and replacement therapy applications. Consequently, continuous improvement and adaptation is required with respect to fundamental limitations such as cardiomyocyte maturation, scalability, heterogeneity, vascularization, and reproduction of native properties. In this review, 2D monolayer culturing and the 3D in vitro systems of cardiac spheroids, organoids, engineered cardiac microtissue and bioprinting as well as the ex vivo technique of myocardial slicing are introduced with their basic concepts, advantages, and limitations. Furthermore, recent advances of various new approaches aiming to extend as well as to optimize these in vitro and ex vivo systems are presented.
Effects of steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists on acute and chronic estimated glomerular filtration rate slopes in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Vaduganathan Muthiah , Ferreira João Pedro , Rossignol Patrick , Neuen Brendon L. , Claggett Brian L. , Pfeffer Marc A. , McMurray John J.V. , Pitt Bertram , Zannad Faiez , Solomon Scott D.
Published: July 2022

Aims

Steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) form a cornerstone of the management of heart failure (HF), but little is known about the long‐term effects of MRA therapy on kidney function. We evaluated acute and chronic estimated glomerular function (eGFR) slopes in the two largest completed trials testing steroidal MRAs in chronic HF.

Methods and results

We conducted parallel post hoc eGFR slope analyses in two multinational, double‐blind randomized, placebo‐controlled trials of steroidal MRAs in chronic HF with reduced ejection fraction (EMPHASIS‐HF) and preserved ejection fraction (TOPCAT Americas region). GFR was estimated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Annual slopes of eGFR were assessed by generalized random coefficient models. Least square mean differences in eGFR slopes between steroidal MRA and placebo arms were assessed. Median follow‐up was 1.8 years (EMPHASIS‐HF) and 3.3 years (TOPCAT Americas). From baseline to month 4–6 (‘acute eGFR slope’), compared to placebo, MRA treatment led to an acute decline in eGFR of −2.4 ml/min/1.73 m2 (95% confidence interval [CI] −3.4 to −1.4; p < 0.001) and −2.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI −3.0 to −1.8; p < 0.001) in EMPHASIS‐HF and TOPCAT Americas, respectively. From month 4–6 to end of study, there was no difference in ‘chronic eGFR slope’ between MRA and placebo arms (−0.3 ml/min/1.73 m2/year [95% CI −1.3 to 0.7; p = 0.53] and 0.1 ml/min/1.73 m2/year [95% CI −1.4 to 1.7; p = 0.86]) in EMPHASIS‐HF and TOPCAT Americas, respectively.

Conclusions

Steroidal MRAs result in acute declines in eGFR but do not modify long‐term kidney disease trajectories in chronic HF with reduced or preserved ejection fraction.

Clinical Trial Registration: EMPHASIS‐HF (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00232180) and TOPCAT (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00094302).
Redox‐Active BIAN‐Based Iron Complexes in Catalysis
Authors: Chacon‐Teran Miguel A. , Findlater Michael
Published: July 2022

α‐Diimine ligands have contributed extensively to the coordination chemistry of the majority of the transition metals; bis(arylimino)acenaphthene ligands (BIANs) have been widely studied and found to offer great versatility in their application as supporting ligands in catalytic transformations. In recent years, BIAN‐based iron complexes have proven effective in mediating a number of reductive transformations which includes hydrosilylation, hydroboration and hydrogenation chemistries. This review highlights the most recent contributions to the field. In our initial 2015 communication, we disclosed that the arene‐capped Fe(0) species ArBIAN−Fe(toluene) mediates aldehyde and ketone hydrosilylation with exceptional activity under solvent‐free conditions. This led us to the discovery that such systems were capable of the hydrosilylation of imines and esters, the hydroboration of imines, aldehydes, ketones, alkenes, and alkynes and even the ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐lactide. Spectroscopic and computational studies have firmly established the importance of redox non‐innocence in BIAN complexes and detailed mechanistic studies have revealed the importance of spin‐state‐crossing in catalysis. Although this work represents only a small component of advances in iron catalysis, our efforts have proven influential in Fe‐based approaches to reductive transformations and is likely to continue to inform the design of Fe‐based catalysts.
Cross‐Coupling of C−H and N−H Bonds: A Hydrogen Evolution Strategy for the Construction of C−N Bonds
Authors: Ravindar Lekkala , Hasbullah Siti Aishah , Hassan Nurul Izzaty , Qin Hua‐Li
Published: July 2022

The progress in C−N bond construction is significant in synthetic and biological chemistry. Cross‐dehydrogenative couplings of C−H and N−H motifs serve as a unique class of the most atom‐economical and straightforward strategies for constructing C−N bonds. Herein, we enclosed the most updated methodologies developed in the assembly of C−N bonds via photo‐catalyzed, transition‐metal‐catalyzed, electrochemical, and metal‐free amination and amidation reactions of saturated and unsaturated C−H bonds. Compared with the well‐established transition‐metal‐catalyzed protocols, electricity, or visible light‐mediated amination and amidation reactions are competent and appealing. Plausible mechanistic pathways are also described in representative amidation and amination reactions to provide insights for the future development of environmentally kind processes.
Characterization of Metal Pulsed Exposure to Aquatic Organisms with Post-Exposure Monitoring: Implications for Stormwater Exposure Assessment
Authors: Karic Hanna , Colvin Marienne A. , Rosen Gunther , Hoang Tham C.
Published: July 2022

Freshwater organisms are often exposed to contaminants such as heavy metals from stormwater discharges, which are dependent on rainfall duration and intensity. Therefore, standardized (48- or 96-h) continuous exposure methods developed for whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing might not always accurately convey the effects of stormwater and runoff contaminants. The present study characterized the acute toxicity of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) to freshwater amphipods (Hyalella azteca) and cadmium (Cd) to water fleas (Ceriodaphnia dubia) using a modified exposure design that integrated relevant pulsed durations and included post-exposure monitoring. Less than 24-h-old C. dubia and 7 to 8-day-old H. azteca were exposed to water spiked with Cu, Zn, or Cd using 6-, 12-, 26-, or 96-h durations under standard laboratory conditions and monitored for cumulative mortality and reproduction (C. dubia only). Lethal effect (LC10s, LC25s, LC50s) and reproductive effect (EC25s, EC50s) were determined based on either mortality or reproduction of organisms at the end of each pulse (6, 12, or 26 h) and at the end of their respective tests (96 h). For all metals exposed to each organism, acute toxicity was found to be highest for the (96 h) continuous exposures. For pulsed exposures, mortality continued to increase following transfer to clean water for post-exposure monitoring. These results indicate a latent effect of Cu, Zn, and Cd to H. azteca and Cd to C. dubia. The present study concluded that using the continuous (48- or 96-h) WET exposure method overestimates the effects of stormwater and runoff contaminants. However, pulsed exposures without post-exposure monitoring also underestimate the toxicity of contaminants. The proposed pulsed exposure design provides a compromise that is more realistic than current WET methods to assess impacts from episodic events and accounts for potential latent effects that may be overlooked without monitoring post-exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2488–2499. © 2022 SETAC
A novel communication‐aware adaptive key management approach for ensuring security in IoT networks
Authors: Tamizhselvan C.
Published: July 2022

Internet of Things (IoT) encompasses heterogeneous communication devices and wireless technologies to provide ubiquitous access using end‐user devices. It operates on a common website for connecting versatile devices with seamless communication, data access and sharing. Communication through wireless medium requires enormous security features to protect both public and private data across different interconnected resources. Therefore, in this article, a communication‐aware adaptive key management (CAKM) is proposed to ensure two levels of security in IoT communication. The two‐levels of security include both device and message that is facilitated using certificate authority and key management. By exploiting the benefits of hyper elliptic curve cryptography (HECC), the communication‐aware adaptive key management ensures message authentication for the device requests. Initially, the device requests are classified on the basis of its service time and correlated to the time‐to‐live period of the certificate. The proposed method attains low computational time 10.9%, 30.2%, and 54.3%, high security level 10.9%, 30.2%, and 54.3%, high successful message rate 10.9%, 30.2%, and 54.3% and low key agreement time 10.9%, 30.2%, and 54.3% when compared to the three existing methods, such as bilateral generalization inhomogeneous short integer solution (Bi‐GISIS)‐based key management in IoT security (Bi‐GISIS‐IoT), hyper elliptic curve based public key cryptosystem in IoT security (HCCPK‐IoT) and enhanced symmetric key‐based authentication in IoT security (ESKA‐IoT). Finally, the proposed method provides an efficient security with low computational time.
Planetary health pedagogy: Preparing health promoters for 21st‐century environmental challenges
Authors: Capetola Teresa , Noy Sue , Patrick Rebecca
Published: July 2022

Issue addressed

Multiple interconnected drivers threaten the health and wellbeing of humans and the environment, including biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, rapid urbanisation and displacement. This requires enhanced literacy on health of the environment and innovation in problem conceptualisation and cross‐sectoral solutions. Contemporary mandates (eg, Ottawa Charter) task health promoters to tackle the human and environmental health crisis. To address the complex determinants across multiple settings, health promotion graduates require competencies in interdisciplinary collaboration grounded in systems thinking. They also require knowledge and agility to leverage multiple gains from health promotion action that benefits people and planet. Similarly, health promotion practitioners are currently aware of the need for skills to deliver co‐benefits to people and planet. Planetary health, as theory and framework, provides a socio‐ecological focus, systems thinking approach, co‐benefits framework for action and foundational basis to enhance health promotion graduates' skills and competencies to address multiple health and planetary challenges. To date, there have been limited practical attempts to address these challenges.

Method

A desktop review and synthesis of teaching and learning scholarship in planetary health were coupled with iterative critical reflections of teaching practice, and the use of two case studies, to illuminate innovations in health promotion competencies.

Results

Two examples of how planetary health promotion challenges are addressed through teaching and learning scholarship are presented to illustrate the use of a tailored sustainability tool and a deliberative interdisciplinary approach to collaboration, delivered within a course that constructively aligns curriculum content and assessment.

Conclusion

A bespoke model, the Sustainability Wheel of Fortune, combined with constructive interactive teaching approaches, adds interdisciplinary collaboration and systems thinking approaches to the knowledge and practice of planetary health. A postgraduate microcredential fast‐tracks knowledge and skills acquisition for recent graduates and established practitioners interested in upskilling for planning planet and population health co‐benefits.

So what?

The Sustainability Wheel of Fortune provides health promotion students with a model for understanding, and addressing, complex global and local challenges. The microcredential builds on health promotion competencies to develop interdisciplinary and systems‐based approaches to planetary health challenges.
Treadmill training improves cognitive function by increasing IGF2 targeted downregulation of miRNA‐483
Authors: Dong Xiu‐Juan , Chen Jun‐Jie , Xue Lu‐Lu , Al‐hawwas Mohammed
Published: July 2022

Optimal exercise can promote the development of cognitive functions. Nevertheless, mechanisms that elicit these positive effects of exercise still need to be elucidated. Insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is known to act as a potent enhancer of memory and cognitive functions, whereas the mechanism by which IGF2 regulates cognitive functions in terms of moderate treadmill exercise remains largely vague. In the study, rats were subjected to low‐, moderate‐, and high‐intensity treadmill training for 6 weeks. Then, the Morris water maze test was used to investigate spatial learning and memory ability in rats subjected to treadmill exercises of different intensities. Subsequently, gene chip and bioinformatics analyses were used to explore IGF2 and predict target microRNAs (miRNAs). Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunofluorescence analysis were performed to detect the levels of IGF2. Furthermore, IGF2‐small interfering RNA, the miRNA‐483‐mimic, and the miRNA‐483‐inhibitor were transfected to determine the role of IGF2 and miRNA‐483 in the growth of hippocampal neurons. The results of the Morris water maze test showed that moderate‐intensity treadmill training enhanced cognitive functions; meanwhile, the expression of IGF2 was significantly upregulated in the hippocampus after moderate‐intensity treadmill exercise. From databases, miRNA‐483 was screened and predicted as the target gene of IGF2. Moreover, silencing IGF2 inhibited neurite growth in the hippocampus of rats, the miRNA‐483‐inhibitor ameliorated silencing IGF2 induced impairment of hippocampal neurons. These findings suggested that treadmill training could enhance cognitive functions, wherein the underlying mechanism involved an increase in the expression of IGF2 and downregulation of miRNA‐483.
Credit purpose and the interest rate – Evidence from the European Household Finance and Consumption Survey
Authors: Bialowolski Piotr , Cwynar Andrzej , Weziak‐Bialowolska Dorota
Published: July 2022

The article presents empirical evidence for a significant role of stated credit purpose for the level of interest rates paid by the end users of non‐mortgage credit (households). Data for the analysis was drawn from two waves of the Household Finance and Consumption Survey. The results of median regression show that, with the exception of credit for consolidation of other debts, remaining credit purposes were associated with lower interest rates compared to the interest rates of credit for car purchases. Especially low interest rates were evidenced for educational debt. Quantile regression analysis has shown that households which, given their socioeconomic background, experienced the highest interest rate costs, paid additional premiums if their debt was related to consolidation of previous debts or consumption. In the case of households paying relatively low premiums, consolidation of other debts and consumption motives were associated with lower interest rates than loans devoted to car purchase.
Guide to diagnosing and treating neoplasia in ferrets
Authors: Dias Sara
Published: July 2022

Background: Statistics for the actual incidence of neoplasia in pet ferrets are not currently available; however, multiple case reports of different types of neoplasia in this species are described in the literature. The majority of tumours are seen in animals older than three years of age, and multiple types of neoplasia can occur in the same ferret.

Aim of the article: This article provides an overview of the most common ferret neoplasms seen by general veterinary practitioners, and aims to help practitioners approach these cases with more confidence. The endocrine, haemolymphatic and integumentary systems are most commonly affected, with adrenocortical tumours and insulinoma at the top of the list.
Working with farmers to optimise mineral balance in grazing sheep
Authors: Clarkson Andrea , Angell Joe , Kendall Nigel
Published: July 2022

Background: Trace mineral analysis is a useful but underused tool in ruminant livestock production. Routine on‐farm use of diagnostic techniques can help to ensure animal nutritional requirements are being met through improved supplementation choices and timing of diagnostics.

Aim of the article: This article discusses the practical importance of trace mineral testing and supplementation in sheep flocks. We include a case study to demonstrate how trace mineral management can be accomplished.
Double‐negative T cells mediate M1 polarization of microglial cells via TNF‐α‐NLRP3 to aggravate neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease mice
Authors: Han Chenyang , Sheng Yongjia , Wang Jin , Zhou Xiaohong , Li Wenyan , Zhang Caiqun , Guo Li , Yang Yi
Published: July 2022

We mainly study the role and regulatory mechanism of double‐negative T cells (DNTs) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The mice splenic DNTs were separated and amplified by Rosettesep antibody adsorption method and Easysep magnetic activated cell sorting. DNTs were intraperitoneally injected into the APP/PS1‐AD mice model, which was found to aggravate cognitive impairment in mice. DNTs secreted tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) to promote the activation of NLRP3 and the M1 polarization of microglial cells, and silencing NLRP3 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) suppressed the effect of DNTs. DNTs were later cocultured with mice microglial cell line BV2, then fluorescence staining was conducted to detect NLRP3 expression, and enzyme‐linked immunoassay was performed to measure the expression of inflammatory factors. Moreover, the levels of NLRP3, ASC, and TNFR1 proteins were detected by western‐blot assay, and the proportion of F4/80 + CD11b + M1 cells was detected by flow cytometry. DNTs promoted the M1 polarization of BV2 cells and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. After treatment of BV2 cells with NLRP3 inhibitor, the effect of DNTs was weakened. Later, TNF‐α siRNA was transfected into DNTs, and it was found that DNTs with TNF‐α silencing had markedly weakened polarization effect on BV2 cells. We discovered that the proportion of DNTs increased in AD patients. DNTs secreted TNF‐α to regulate the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the M1 polarization of microglial cells, thus promoting the central inflammatory response and aggravating the cognitive impairment in AD mice.
Sepsis, pyruvate, and mitochondria energy supply chain shortage
Authors: McCall Charles E , Zhu Xuewei , Zabalawi Manal , Long David , Quinn Matthew A , Yoza Barbara K , Stacpoole Peter W , Vachharajani Vidula
Published: July 2022

Balancing high energy-consuming danger resistance and low energy supply of disease tolerance is a universal survival principle that often fails during sepsis. Our research supports the concept that sepsis phosphorylates and deactivates mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex control over the tricarboxylic cycle and the electron transport chain. StimulatIng mitochondrial energetics in septic mice and human sepsis cell models can be achieved by inhibiting pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases with the pyruvate structural analog dichloroacetate. Stimulating the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex by dichloroacetate reverses a disruption in the tricarboxylic cycle that induces itaconate, a key mediator of the disease tolerance pathway. Dichloroacetate treatment increases mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis, decreases oxidant stress, overcomes metabolic paralysis, regenerates tissue, organ, and innate and adaptive immune cells, and doubles the survival rate in a murine model of sepsis.
Automated Methods for Detecting and Quantitation of Enlarged Perivascular spaces on MRI
Authors: Moses Jasmine , Sinclair Ben , Law Meng , O'Brien Terence J. , Vivash Lucy
Published: July 2022

The brain's glymphatic system is a network of intracerebral vessels that function to remove “waste products” such as degraded proteins from the brain. It comprises of the vasculature, perivascular spaces (PVS), and astrocytes. Poor glymphatic function has been implicated in numerous diseases; however, its contribution is still unknown. Efforts have been made to image the glymphatic system to further assess its role in the pathogenesis of different diseases. Numerous imaging modalities have been utilized including two‐photon microscopy and contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, these are associated with limitations for clinical use. PVS form a part of the glymphatic system and can be visualized on standard MRI sequences when enlarged. It is thought that PVS become enlarged secondary to poor glymphatic drainage of metabolites. Thus, quantitating PVS could be a good surrogate marker for glymphatic function. Numerous manual rating scales have been developed to measure the PVS number and size on MRI scans; however, these are associated with many limitations. Instead, automated methods have been created to measure PVS more accurately in different diseases. In this review, we discuss the imaging techniques currently available to visualize the glymphatic system as well as the automated methods currently available to measure PVS, and the strengths and limitations associated with each technique.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Impacts of 2 and 4°C global warmings on extreme temperatures in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai I‐Chun , Hsieh Pei‐Rong , Cheng Chao‐Tzuen , Tung Yu‐Shiang , Lin Lee‐Yaw , Hsu Huang‐Hsiung
Published: July 2022

Extreme temperatures were considered natural hazards because they could increase morbidity and mortality. Understanding the extreme temperature changes at different warming levels is crucial to climate change mitigation and adoption for human health. This study projected climate change effects on the intensity, occurrence, and duration of extreme temperatures in Taiwan with 2 and 4°C global warming scenarios using the Weather Research and Forecasting model. The future climate simulations were conducted with the pseudo‐global warming approach, and the future climate changes were obtained from the ensemble mean of simulations in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5. The simulated daily mean temperature increased by 1.40 and 3.09°C under 2 and 4°C global warmings. In a warming world, the daily maximum temperature was projected to increase by 1.35–3.00°C, whereas the daily minimum temperature was even higher, leading to weaker diurnal temperature variation in most regions. The simulation results show that intensified heatwaves with frequent and prolonged durations become par for the course, whereas extremely cold days disappear gradually. The occurrence of heatwaves in the future is projected to be five times that in the current climate. Comparing the global warming impacts over different land‐use types, the heatwave occurrence over urban areas rose more quickly than over other land‐use types; forests are less vulnerable to global warming. On the contrary, the changes in extremely cold days over urban areas were weaker than over other land‐use types. Overall, the effects of global warming on temperature revealed that extreme events were more severe with increased temperature than with the mean state of air temperature. Nonlinear behaviours indicated that global warming should be limited to 2°C, and the additional 2°C warming (from 2 to 4°C) should be addressed carefully.
The causal effect of life course adiposity on periodontitis: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Li Wenjing , He Ying , Zheng Qiwen , Deng Xuliang
Published: July 2022

Background

To establish whether life course adiposity, including birth weight (BW), childhood and adulthood body mass index (BMI), waist–hip ratio (WHR), and body fat percentage (BF%), has a causal influence on periodontitis.

Methods

We used single‐nucleotide polymorphisms with significant associations with life course adiposity as instrumental variables. We examined their association with periodontitis risk in a genome‐wide association study involving periodontitis cases (n = 17,353) and healthy controls (n = 28,210) using a two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) strategy. The association of life course adiposity with periodontitis risk was estimated with inverse‐variance weighting with random effects. We performed sensitivity analyses using MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR‐PRESSO), weighted median, and MR‐Egger methods. We calculated the odds ratios (ORs) for one standard deviation (SD) increase per risk factor to estimate the effect on the risk of periodontitis.

Results

After correction for multiple testing, there was an association between each SD increase in gene‐predicted adulthood BMI with a higher periodontitis risk (OR = 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.23, p = 3.1 × 10−4), with a similar influence for BF% on periodontitis risk (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.12–1.49, p = 3.3 × 10−4). No causal association was detected for gene‐predicted BW, childhood BMI, or WHR with periodontitis risk.

Conclusion

We present new proof supporting a causal function of greater adiposity, especially high BMI and BF%, being associated with higher periodontitis risk. We recommend that future studies focus on periodontitis from a life course perspective.
Individualized positive end‐expiratory pressure with and without recruitment maneuvers in obese patients during bariatric surgery
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Yao , Ye Shan‐Shan , Fan Yu , Shi Cheng‐Ye , Wu Hai‐Fu , Miao Chang‐Hong , Zhou Di
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to determine whether regular recruitment maneuvers (RMs) are essential for obese patients (OPs) undergoing elective laparoscopic bariatric surgery (LBS) during intraoperative ventilation with individualized positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP). Patients were randomly assigned to two arms: the RM + PEEP−EIT arm consisted of individualized PEEP titrated by electrical impedance tomography (EIT) with two regular RMs and the PEEP−EIT arm consisted of individualized PEEP titrated by EIT without additional RMs. For these two arms together, EIT‐guided PEEP varied among individuals. The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood to fractional inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio in the RM + PEEP−EIT arm was higher than that in the PEEP−EIT arm at 1 h after pneumoperitoneum (p = 0.024) and at the end of surgery (p = 0.035). There was no great difference in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio between these two arms when measured 5 min prior to postanesthesia care unit (PACU) departure and on postoperative day 1. Compared with the PEEP−EIT arm, patients in the RM + PEEP−EIT arm had significantly higher intraoperative dynamic respiratory system compliance (p < 0.001) but consumed more vasopressors (p = 0.036). Postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 1 of 29 patients in the RM + PEEP−EIT arm compared with 2 of 31 patients in the PEEP−EIT arm. Regular lung RMs can improve intraoperative oxygenation and respiratory system compliance among OPs undergoing LBS with EIT‐guided individual PEEP. However, the improvement might disappear before leaving the PACU, and regular RMs resulted in more vasopressor consumption.
China's oases have expanded by nearly 40% over the past 20 years
Authors: Liu Xiaoyu , Wang Yujing , Xin Liangjie
Published: July 2022

Oases are supporters of biological, social, and economic activities in arid regions, which guides their prosperity or decay. Given that China has the largest oases area in the world, determining their evolution is of substantial importance for sustainable development and the ecological protection of these systems. Accordingly, the spatiotemporal evolution of China's oases between 2000 and 2020 was analyzed. This was based on the normalized difference vegetation index derived from moderate imaging spectroradiometer data, combined with superpixel image segmentation, the region adjacency graph merging method, and the genetic algorithm. The results were as follows. Between 2000 and 2020: (1) the oases in China expanded significantly from 207,812 to 289,751 km2; with a total increase of 39.43%; and the number of oases decreased from 135 to 93, which mainly occurred in micro and small oases; (2) the areas of oases in stable, expanding, and shrinking states accounted for 96.77%, 42.65%, and respectively 3.23% of the total oasis area in 2000. Oases have become more concentrated and continuously expanded; (3) the increase in glacial meltwater and precipitation caused by rising temperatures increased the availability of water resources in oases, which provides the substantial basis for expansion; and (4) the primary anthropogenic drivers of oasis expansion and stabilization regions were cultivation and construction, respectively.
On‐Chip Polarization‐ and Frequency‐Division Demultiplexing for Multidimensional Terahertz Communication
Authors: Deng Wentao , Chen Liao , Zhang Hongqi , Wang Shiwei , Lu Zijie , Liu Siqi , Yang Zuoming , Wang Ziwei , Yuan Shixing , Wang Yilun , Wang Ruolan , Yu Yu , Wu Xiaojun , Yu Xianbin , Zhang Xinliang
Published: July 2022

Integrated terahertz (THz) technology is of great significance for driving high‐speed communication, sensing, and imaging with its advantages of miniaturization, low cost, and high efficiency. Recent research has focused on highly‐efficient transmitters and ultrafast detectors, as well as exploring new devices for coupling, transmission, and polarization control. However, multidimensional on‐chip multiplexing and demultiplexing techniques in the THz region still remains unexplored, due to the lack of multifunctional integrated components and systems. Here, a novel silicon‐based integrated multidimensional THz (de)multiplexer for high‐capacity communication is proposed and demonstrated based on ring resonators and polarization beam splitter‐rotators, which simultaneously enable the manipulation of THz polarization and frequency. Furthermore, a THz communication system operating in the 380 GHz band is experimentally demonstrated. By using on‐chip polarization‐ and frequency‐division multiplexing techniques, an aggregate data rate of 8 Gbit s−1 is successfully achieved with quadrature phase‐shift keying modulation scheme. This work provides a spectrally efficient way for accelerating the development of on‐chip THz technologies and the application in future large‐volume communications.
Designer Peptide‐PVDF Composite Films for High‐Performance Energy Harvesting
Authors: Patranabish Sourav , Dhawan Sameer , Haridas V. , Sinha Aloka
Published: July 2022

Polymers and peptides have recently been considered as promising materials for piezoelectric energy harvesting because of their biocompatibility and enormous design possibility. However, achieving significant output voltages while meeting environmental safety requirements, low cost, and easy fabrication remains a major challenge. Herein, lipidated pseudopeptide incorporated poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) composite films are fabricated. Adding lipidated pseudopeptide (BLHA) increases the electroactive phase content, reaching the maximum for the 2 wt% composite film. The composite film containing 2 wt% BLHA manifests the highest dielectric constant and remnant polarization (Pr), among others. A piezoelectric energy harvesting device fabricated with this film generates open‐circuit output voltages up to 23 V, five times amplified output compared to pure PVDF. To the best of our knowledge, this material is superior among the peptide‐based piezoelectric energy harvesters reported in the literature. The device is flexible, durable, low cost, and sensitive to high and low pressures. It can power up multiple liquid crystal display panels when pressed with a finger. The non‐covalent interaction between BLHA and PVDF is the reason behind the composites’ improved piezoelectric response. Density functional theory calculations also support this notion.
Formation of Ordered Patterns in Electroresponsive Polymer Ionic Liquid Blends
Authors: Choudhury Ashima , Sairam S. , Dayal Pratyush
Published: July 2022

Directing reaction‐diffusion (RD) phenomena, through the use of external stimuli has been one of the widely used approaches for designing multifunctional soft materials. Using modeling and simulation, it is demonstrated that the nonuniform electric field can be harnessed to create intricate ordered patterns in polymer ionic liquid (PIL) blends. The investigation begins with the establishment of the equilibrium phase diagrams of electroresponsive PIL blends and subsequently, use the Poisson–Nernst–Planck equations to model the kinetics of pattern formation. The simulations reveal that in the presence of nonuniform electric field the ionic liquid (IL) rich domains self‐aggregate in high electric field regions. Thus, the ordering of the electric field regions effectively dictates the ordering of the IL‐rich phase in the PIL blends. It is also demonstrated that the mechanism of spatiotemporal pattern formation is quite robust and can be dynamically controlled by varying the distribution of electric field. It is believed that the methodology provides a simplistic mechanism for creating ordered patterns in soft materials through RD phenomena that can be exploited for designing other similar stimuli‐responsive systems.
A VGG attention vision transformer network for benign and malignant classification of breast ultrasound images
Authors: Qu Xiaolei , Lu Hongyan , Tang Wenzhong , Wang Shuai , Zheng Dezhi , Hou Yaxin , Jiang Jue
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer worldwide. The ultrasound reflectivity imaging technique can be used to obtain breast ultrasound (BUS) images, which can be used to classify benign and malignant tumors. However, the classification is subjective and dependent on the experience and skill of operators and doctors. The automatic classification method can assist doctors and improve the objectivity, but current convolution neural network (CNN) is not good at learning global features and vision transformer (ViT) is not good at extraction local features. In this study, we proposed a visual geometry group attention ViT (VGGA‐ViT) network to overcome their disadvantages.

Methods

In the proposed method, we used a CNN module to extract the local features and employed a ViT module to learn the global relationship among different regions and enhance the relevant local features. The CNN module was named the VGGA module. It was composed of a VGG backbone, a feature extraction fully connected layer, and a squeeze‐and‐excitation block. Both the VGG backbone and the ViT module were pretrained on the ImageNet dataset and retrained using BUS samples in this study. Two BUS datasets were employed for validation.

Results

Cross‐validation was conducted on two BUS datasets. For the Dataset A, the proposed VGGA‐ViT network achieved high accuracy (88.711.55%), recall (90.731.57%), specificity (85.583.35%), precision (90.771.98%), F1 score (90.731.24%), and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) (76.343.29%), which were better than those of all compared previous networks in this study. The Dataset B was used as a separate test set, the test results showed that the VGGA‐ViT had highest accuracy (81.722.99%), recall (64.452.96%), specificity (90.283.51%), precision (77.087.21%), F1 score (70.114.25%), and MCC (57.646.88%).

Conclusions

In this study, we proposed the VGGA‐ViT for the BUS classification, which was good at learning both local and global features. The proposed network achieved higher accuracy than the compared previous methods.
Nonlinearly scaled prior image‐controlled frequency split for high‐frequency metal artifact reduction in computed tomography
Authors: Anhaus Julian A. , Killermann Philipp , Sedlmair Martin , Winter Jonas , Mahnken Andreas H. , Hofmann Christian
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This paper introduces a new approach for the dedicated reduction of high‐frequency metal artifacts, which applies a nonlinear scaling (NLS) transfer function on the high‐frequency projection domain to reduce artifacts, while preserving edge information and anatomic detail by incorporating prior image information.

Methods

An NLS function is applied to suppress high‐frequency streak artifacts, but to restrict the correction to metal projections only, scaling is performed in the sinogram domain. Anatomic information should be preserved and is excluded from scaling by incorporating a prior image from tissue classification. The corrected high‐frequency sinogram is reconstructed and combined with the low‐frequency component of a normalized metal artifact reduction (NMAR) image. Scans of different anthropomorphic phantoms were acquired (unilateral hip, bilateral hip, dental implants, and embolization coil). Multiple regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn around the metal implants and hounsfield unit (HU) deviations were analyzed. Clinical data sets including single image slices of dental fillings, a bilateral hip implant, spinal fixation screws, and an aneurysm coil were reconstructed and assessed.

Results

The prior image‐controlled NLS can remove streak artifacts while preserving anatomic detail within the bone and soft tissue. The qualitative analysis of clinical cases showed a tremendous enhancement within dental fillings and neuro coils, and a significant enhancement within spinal screws or hip implants. The phantom scan measurements support this observation. In all phantom setups, the NLS‐corrected result showed lowest HU derivation and the best visualization of the data.

Conclusions

The prior image‐controlled NLS provides a method to reduce high‐frequency streaks in metal‐corrupted computed tomography (CT) data.
Histological and stable isotope analysis of archeological bones from St. Rombout's cemetery (Mechelen, Belgium): Intrasite, intraindividual, and intrabone variability
Authors: Kontopoulos Ioannis , Van de Vijver Katrien , Robberechts Bart , von Tersch Matthew , Turner‐Walker Gordon , Penkman Kirsty , Collins Matthew J.
Published: July 2022

This study compares histological preservation in archeological bones from different burial types to unravel the histotaphonomy‐to‐funerary practices relationship. Αn intraskeletal approach is also adopted to explore intraindividual (inner ear part of the petrous bone vs. upper/lower limb long bones) and intrabone (proximal vs. distal diaphysis) variability in bone collagen preservation, δ13C, and δ15N. The aim is to (a) target bones that likely retain higher amounts of collagen, (b) better understand the inner ear bone collagen isotopic signature and remodeling, and (c) assess intrabone isotopic and histological homogeneity. For the histological analysis, the data have been collected from 61 specimens (20 individuals) from the medieval/postmedieval cemetery of St. Rombout, Belgium. Thin sections have been studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy. For the collagen and isotopic data, 101 samples have been collected from 21 individuals. Distinct histological patterns are observed only in bones from single coffin burials; however, bone histology can display intraindividual and intrabone variability, which are important to account for interpretations. Collagen wt.%, δ13C, and δ15N show significant intraindividual differences but insignificant intrabone variability. This study also confirms the extraordinary nature of the petrous bone, as the inner ear bone collagen δ13C and δ15N values reflect the dietary input of the first approximately 2–3 years of life.
Mauritia flexuosa fruit production increases with increasing palm height in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Romulo Chelsie L. , Gilmore Michael P. , Endress Bryan A. , Horn Christa
Published: July 2022

Societal Impact Statement

Fruit number, size, and allometric relationships were evaluated in the Peruvian Amazon for Mauritia flexuosa, a socioeconomically important palm with conservation concerns due to destructive harvest. Significant relationships were found between total fruit number and both palm height and fruit volume. Taller palms experience more crown illumination and bear more and larger fruit, which potentially suggests that greater time investment produces larger harvests and gives a justification for preserving existing stands by preventing destructive harvest. Understanding fruiting patterns is critical for developing successful management and conservation plans, though long‐term studies are needed to fully understand M. flexuosa fruiting patterns and responses to climatic change.
Photo‐Control of Exchange Bias in a Co90Fe10/BiFeO3 Heterostructure
Authors: Wu Yong , Wu Shizhe , Xu Xiaoguang , Miao Jun , Jiang Yong
Published: July 2022

Control of magnetism in multiferroic heterostructures is highly motivated in information technology. Herein, a photo‐controlled exchange bias in a Co90Fe10/BiFeO3(BFO)/SrRuO3/SrTiO3 heterostructure at room temperature under ultraviolet light (λ: 375 nm) is reported. The impact of ultraviolet light on exchange bias is investigated by magnetic property and magnetoresistance measurement. It is found that the exchange bias field of the Co90Fe10/BFO interface is reduced under the UV light irradiation. The possible reason is due to the change of in‐plane compressive strain of BFO under the light irradiation, giving rise to the regulation of surface magnetic moment of BFO. The results indicate that a photo‐control of exchange bias in Co90Fe10/BFO heterostructures through strain‐modulated multiferroic BFO film could be achieved at room temperature.
Asymmetric Ramsey properties of random graphs involving cliques and cycles
Authors: Liebenau Anita , Mattos Letícia , Mendonça Walner , Skokan Jozef
Published: July 2022

We say that if, in every edge coloring , we can find either a 1‐colored copy of or a 2‐colored copy of . The well‐known Kohayakawa‐Kreuter conjecture states that the threshold for the property is equal to , where is given by
for any pair of graphs and with . In this article, we show the 0‐statement of the Kohayakawa–Kreuter conjecture for every pair of cycles and cliques.
Lodewijk De Smet
Authors: Green Suzanne , Kirton Roxane , Martin David , Hobgen Keith , de Brauwere Nic , Gibson Richard
Published: July 2022

His dedication and commitment to animal welfare set him apart from the rest. Never afraid to call out poor welfare, he always took an independent view and was scrupulously fair.
Switching from human to animal health
Authors: Lawrence Claire
Published: July 2022

Claire Lawrence joined Cave Veterinary Specialists in Somerset in August 2021 as hospital director after a diverse career that has included stints with a number of well‐known high street companies.
Computing the gauge-invariant bubble nucleation rate in finite temperature effective field theory
Authors: Hirvonen Joonas , Löfgren Johan , Ramsey-Musolf Michael J. , Schicho Philipp , Tenkanen Tuomas V. I.
Published: July 2022

Abstract

A gauge-invariant framework for computing bubble nucleation rates at finite temperature in the presence of radiative barriers was presented and advocated for model-building and phenomenological studies in an accompanying article [1]. Here, we detail this computation using the Abelian Higgs Model as an illustrative example. Subsequently, we recast this approach in the dimensionally-reduced high-temperature effective field theory for nucleation. This allows for including several higher order thermal resummations and furthermore delineate clearly the approach’s limits of validity. This approach provides for robust perturbative treatments of bubble nucleation during possible first-order cosmic phase transitions, with implications for electroweak baryogenesis and production of a stochastic gravitational wave background. Furthermore, it yields a sound comparison between results of perturbative and non-perturbative computations.
A Drosophila melanogaster model for TMEM43-related arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy type 5
Authors: Klinke Nora , Meyer Heiko , Ratnavadivel Sandra , Reinhardt Marcel , Heinisch Jürgen J. , Malmendal Anders , Milting Hendrik , Paululat Achim
Published: July 2022

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a severe cardiac disease that leads to heart failure or sudden cardiac death (SCD). For the pathogenesis of ARVC, various mutations in at least eight different genes have been identified. A rare form of ARVC is associated with the mutation TMEM43 p.S358L, which is a fully penetrant variant in male carriers. TMEM43 p.S358 is homologous to CG8111 p.S333 in Drosophila melanogaster. We established CRISPR/Cas9-mediated CG8111 knock-out mutants in Drosophila, as well as transgenic fly lines carrying an overexpression construct of the CG8111 p.S333L substitution. Knock-out flies developed normally, whereas the overexpression of CG8111 p.S333L caused growth defects, loss of body weight, cardiac arrhythmias, and premature death. An evaluation of a series of model mutants that replaced S333 by selected amino acids proved that the conserved serine is critical for the physiological function of CG8111. Metabolomic and proteomic analyses revealed that the S333 in CG8111 is essential to proper energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism in the fly. Of note, metabolic impairments were also found in the murine Tmem43 disease model, and fibrofatty replacement is a hallmark of human ARVC5. These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular functions of CG8111 in Drosophila, and can represent a valuable basis to assess the aetiology of the human TMEM43 p.S358L variant in more detail.