bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and accuracy of artificial intelligence to overlay multimodal images from different optical instruments in patients with retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Yassin Shaden H. , Wang Yiqian , Freeman William R. , Heinke Anna , Walker Evan , Nguyen Truong , Bartsch Dirk‐Uwe G. , An Cheolhong , Borooah Shyamanga
Published: April 2023

Background

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) represents a group of progressive, genetically heterogenous blinding diseases. Recently, relationships between measures of retinal function and structure are needed to help identify outcome measures or biomarkers for clinical trials. The ability to align retinal multimodal images, taken on different platforms, will allow better understanding of this relationship. We investigate the efficacy of artificial intelligence (AI) in overlaying different multimodal retinal images in RP patients.

Methods

We overlayed infrared images from microperimetry on near‐infra‐red images from scanning laser ophthalmoscope and spectral domain optical coherence tomography in RP patients using manual alignment and AI. The AI adopted a two‐step framework and was trained on a separate dataset. Manual alignment was performed using in‐house software that allowed labelling of six key points located at vessel bifurcations. Manual overlay was considered successful if the distance between same key points on the overlayed images was ≤1/2°.

Results

Fifty‐seven eyes of 32 patients were included in the analysis. AI was significantly more accurate and successful in aligning images compared to manual alignment as confirmed by linear mixed‐effects modelling (p < 0.001).

A receiver operating characteristic analysis, used to compute the area under the curve of the AI (0.991) and manual (0.835) Dice coefficients in relation to their respective ‘truth’ values, found AI significantly more accurate in the overlay (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

AI was significantly more accurate than manual alignment in overlaying multimodal retinal imaging in RP patients and showed the potential to use AI algorithms for future multimodal clinical and research applications.
Self‐reported allergy to penicillin and clindamycin administration may be risk factors for dental implant failure: A systematic review, meta‐analysis and delabeling protocol
Authors: Edibam Naushad R. , Lorenzo‐Pouso Alejandro I. , Caponio Vito Carlo Alberto
Published: April 2023

Objective

Growing evidence is highlighting the inefficacy of clindamycin as an effective substitute to amoxicillin in patients self‐reporting a penicillin allergy. The hypothesis is that implant failure is higher in these patients, when compared to patients receiving penicillin. To test this hypothesis, a systematic review and meta‐analysis was undertaken and a protocol for delabeling penicillin allergic patients was presented.

Materials and Methods

A systematic review was undertaken by searching across three different databases, namely PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science.

Results

Out of 572 results, four studies were eligible to be included. Fixed‐effects meta‐analysis showed a higher number of failed implants in patients who were administered clindamycin, because of a self‐reported allergy to penicillin. Results showed that these patients are over three times more likely (OR = 3.30, 95% C.I. 2.58–4.22,p‐value < .00001) to undergo implant failure with an average cumulative proportion of 11.0% (95% C.I. 3.5–22.0%) versus 3.8% (95% C.I. 1.2–7.7%) of patients not requiring clindamycin and administered amoxicillin. A protocol for penicillin allergy delabeling is proposed.

Conclusions

Current evidence is still limited and based on retrospective observational studies, it is difficult to state if penicillin allergy, clindamycin administration or a combination of both is responsible for the current trends and reported findings.
Altered cortical thickness and structural covariance networks in upper limb amputees: A graph theoretical analysis
Authors: Bao Bingbo , Sun Yi , Lin Junqing , Gao Tao , Shen Junjie , Hu Wencheng , Zhu Hongyi , Zhu Tianhao , Li Jing , Wang Zhibin , Wei Haifeng , Zheng Xianyou
Published: May 2023

Background

The extensive functional and structural remodeling that occurs in the brain after amputation often results in phantom limb pain (PLP). These closely related phenomena are still not fully understood.

Methods

Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and graph theoretical analysis (GTA), we explored how alterations in brain cortical thickness (CTh) and structural covariance networks (SCNs) in upper limb amputees (ULAs) relate to PLP. In all, 45 ULAs and 45 healthy controls (HCs) underwent structural MRI. Regional network properties, including nodal degree, betweenness centrality (BC), and node efficiency, were analyzed with GTA. Similarly, global network properties, including global efficiency (Eglob), local efficiency (Eloc), clustering coefficient (Cp), characteristic path length (Lp), and the small‐worldness index, were evaluated.

Results

Compared with HCs, ULAs had reduced CThs in the postcentral and precentral gyri contralateral to the amputated limb; this decrease in CTh was negatively correlated with PLP intensity in ULAs. ULAs showed varying degrees of change in node efficiency in regional network properties compared to HCs (p < 0.005). There were no group differences in Eglob, Eloc, Cp, and Lp properties (all p > 0.05). The real‐worldness SCN of ULAs showed a small‐world topology ranging from 2% to 34%, and the area under the curve of the small‐worldness index in ULAs was significantly different compared to HCs (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

These results suggest that the topological organization of human CNS functional networks is altered after amputation of the upper limb, providing further support for the cortical remapping theory of PLP.
Therapeutic potential of aromatic plant extracts in Alzheimer's disease: Comprehensive review of their underlying mechanisms
Authors: Ma Yue , Li Yingming , Yin Run , Guo Peixin , Lei Nai , Li Gang , Xiong Lei , Xie Yuhuan
Published: May 2023

Aims

The aim of this review is to outline recent advancements in the application and mechanistic studies of aromatic plant extracts in Alzhermer`s disease (AD) to demonstrate their value in the management of this disease.

Background

AD is a neurodegenerative disease with a complex pathogenesis characterized by severe cognitive impairment. Currently, there are very few drugs available for the treatment of AD, and treatments are primarily focused on symptom relief. Aromatherapy is a traditional complementary alternative therapy that focuses on the prevention and treatment of the disease through the inhalation or transdermal administration of aromatic plant extracts. Over the past few years, studies on the use of aromatic plant extracts for the treatment of AD have been increasing and have demonstrated a definitive therapeutic effect.

Methods

We systematically summarized in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies focusing on the potential use of aromatic plant extracts in the treatment of AD in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure from 2000 to 2022.

Results

Our literature survey indicates that aromatic plant extracts exert anti‐AD effects by modulating pathological changes through anti‐amyloid, anti‐tau phosphorylation, anti‐cholinesterase, anti‐inflammation, and anti‐oxidative stress mechanisms (Figure 1).

Conclusion

This review provides a future strategy for the research of novel anti‐AD drugs from aromatic plant extracts.
Machine learning for prediction of delirium in patients with extensive burns after surgery
Authors: Ren Yujie , Zhang Yu , Zhan Jianhua , Sun Junfeng , Luo Jinhua , Liao Wenqiang , Cheng Xing
Published: May 2023

Aims

Machine learning‐based identification of key variables and prediction of postoperative delirium in patients with extensive burns.

Methods

Five hundred and eighteen patients with extensive burns who underwent surgery were included and randomly divided into a training set, a validation set, and a testing set. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis was used to screen for significant variables. Nine prediction models were constructed in the training and validation sets (80% of dataset). The testing set (20% of dataset) was used to further evaluate the model. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) was used to compare model performance. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was used to interpret the best one and to externally validate it in another large tertiary hospital.

Results

Seven variables were used in the development of nine prediction models: physical restraint, diabetes, sex, preoperative hemoglobin, acute physiological and chronic health assessment, time in the Burn Intensive Care Unit and total body surface area. Random Forest (RF) outperformed the other eight models in terms of predictive performance (ROC:84.00%) When external validation was performed, RF performed well (accuracy: 77.12%, sensitivity: 67.74% and specificity: 80.46%).

Conclusion

The first machine learning‐based delirium prediction model for patients with extensive burns was successfully developed and validated. High‐risk patients for delirium can be effectively identified and targeted interventions can be made to reduce the incidence of delirium.
A 3‐year plankton DNA metabarcoding survey reveals marine biodiversity patterns in Australian coastal waters
Authors: Berry Tina E. , Coghlan Megan L. , Saunders Benjamin J. , Richardson Anthony J. , Power Matthew , Harvey Euan , Jarman Simon , Berry Oliver , Davies Claire H. , Bunce Michael
Published: April 2023

Aim

To use a long‐term collection of bulk plankton samples to test the capacity of DNA metabarcoding to characterize the spatial and seasonal patterns found within a range of zooplankton communities, and investigate links with concurrent abiotic data collected as part of Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) programme.

Location

Samples were sourced seasonally for 3 years from nine Pan‐Australian marine sites (n = 90).

Methods

Here, we apply a multi‐assay metabarcoding approach to environmental DNA extracted from bulk plankton samples. Six assays (targeting 16SrRNA and COI genes) were used to target, amplify and sequence the zooplankton diversity found within each sample. The data generated from each assay were filtered and clustered into OTUs prior to analysis. Abiotic IMOS data collected contemporaneously enabled us to explore the physical and chemical drivers of community composition.

Results

From over 25 million sequences, we identified in excess of 500 distinct taxa and detected clear spatial differences. We found that site and sea surface temperature are the most consistent predictors of differences between zooplankton communities. We detected endangered and invasive species such as the bryozoan Membranipora membranacea and the mollusc Maoricolpus roseus, and seasonal occurrences of species such as humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). We also estimated the number of samples required to detect any significant seasonal changes. For OTU richness, this was found to be assay dependent and for OTU assemblage, a minimum of nine samples per season would be required.

Main Conclusion

Our results demonstrate the ability of DNA to capture and map zooplankton community changes in response to seasonal and spatial stressors and provide vital evidence to environmental stakeholders. We confirm that a metabarcoding method offers a practical opportunity for an ecosystem‐wide approach to long‐term biomonitoring and understanding marine biomes where morphological analysis is not feasible.
Genome‐wide evolutionary signatures of climate adaptation in spotted sea bass inhabiting different latitudinal regions
Authors: Chen Baohua , Zhou Zhixiong , Shi Yue , Gong Jie , Li Chengyu , Zhou Tao , Li Yun , Zhang Dianchang , Xu Peng
Published: April 2023

Consideration of the thermal adaptation of species is essential in both evolutionary biology and climate‐change biology because it frequently leads to latitudinal gradients of various phenotypes among populations. The spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) has a broad latitudinal distribution range along the marginal seas of the Northwest Pacific and thus provides an excellent teleost model for population genetic and climate adaptation studies. We generated over 8.57 million SNP loci using whole‐genome resequencing from 100 samples collected at 14 geographic sites (five or ten samples per site). We estimated the genetic structure of the sampled fish and clustered them into three highly differentiated populations. The genetic differentiation pattern estimated by multivariable models combining geographic distance and sea surface temperature differences suggests that isolation by distance and isolation by environment both have significant effects on this species. Further investigation of genome‐wide evolutionary signatures of climate adaptation identified many genes related to growth, muscle contraction, and vision that are under positive natural selection. Moreover, the contrasting patterns of natural selection in high‐latitude and low‐latitude populations prompted different strategies of trade‐offs between growth rate and other traits that may play an essential role in adaptation to different local climates. Our results offer an opportunity to better understand the genetic basis of the phenotypic variation in eurythermal fishes inhabiting different climatic regions.
Threshold responses of soil gross nitrogen transformation rates to aridity gradient
Authors: Song Lei , Wang Jinsong , Zhang Ruiyang , Pan Junxiao , Li Yang , Wang Song , Niu Shuli
Published: April 2023

The responses of soil nitrogen (N) transformations to climate change are crucial for biome productivity prediction under global change. However, little is known about the responses of soil gross N transformation rates to drought gradient. Along an aridity gradient across the 2700 km transect of drylands on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, this study measured three main soil gross N transformation rates in both topsoil (0–10 cm) and subsoil (20–30 cm) using the laboratorial 15N labeling. The relevant soil abiotic and biotic variables were also determined. The results showed that gross N mineralization and nitrification rates steeply decreased with increasing aridity when aridity was less than 0.5 but just slightly decreased with increasing aridity when aridity was larger than 0.5 at both soil layers. In topsoil, the decreases of the two gross rates were accompanied by the similar decreased patterns of soil total N content and microbial biomass carbon with increasing aridity (p < .05). In subsoil, although the decreased pattern of soil total N with increasing aridity was still similar to the decreases of the two gross rates (p < .05), microbial biomass carbon did not change (p > .05). Instead, bacteria and ammonia oxidizing archaea abundances decreased with increasing aridity when aridity was larger than 0.5 (p < .05). With an aridity threshold of 0.6, gross N immobilization rate increased with increasing aridity in wetter region (aridity < 0.6) accompanied with an increased bacteria/fungi ratio, but decreased with increasing aridity in drier region (aridity > 0.6) where mineral N and microbial biomass N also decreased at both soil layers (p < .05). This study provided new insight to understand the differential responses of soil N transformation to drought gradient. The threshold responses of the gross N transformation rates to aridity gradient should be noted in biogeochemical models to better predict N cycling and manage land in the context of global change.
The militarized workplace: How organizational culture perpetuates gender inequality in Korea
Authors: Um Sejin
Published: April 2023

This study advances our understandings of gender inequality in organizations by examining the experiences of young women who leave their jobs even in the absence of family responsibilities. Based on 29 in‐depth interviews with young women who left full‐time employment at large Korean firms early in their careers, complemented by interviews with 16 men who also resigned from these companies, I find that women's experiences and decisions to quit are critically shaped by what I term militarized workplace culture and practices. The militarized workplace is a work organization where core military values and mechanisms have been integrated and are reproduced to such an extent that organizational culture is saturated with military discipline. Within the militarized workplace, rigid hierarchies and male‐only informal networks marginalize and exclude women, and norms of overwork and complete availability undermine women's aspirations of long‐term employment. By demonstrating the roles that male conscription and the military play in shaping organizational culture and its gendered outcomes, these findings provide insight into how external institutions operate as a source of gender inequality at the organizational level.
Assessment and impact of paediatric internalized weight bias: A systematic review
Authors: Butt Melissa , Harvey Alexandra , Khesroh Eiman , Rigby Andrea , Paul Ian M.
Published: April 2023

Background

Internalized weight bias (IWB) refers to an individual's belief in negative weight‐related stigma. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to IWB, but little is known about IWB in this population.

Objective

To conduct a systematic review to (1) identify the instruments that measure IWB among children and adolescents and (2) explore comorbid variables associated with paediatric IWB.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Articles were pulled from Ovid and PubMED Medline, Ovid HealthStar and ProQuest PsychInfo. Studies were included if they were observational studies, addressed the topic of IWB, and included children under the age of 18. Major outcomes were collected and analysed using inductive qualitative methods.

Results

24 studies met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Researchers used two main instruments to measure IWB: Weight Bias Internalization Scale and Weight Self Stigma Questionnaire. There was some variation in the response scales and wording of these instruments between studies. Outcomes with significant associations were divided into four categories: physical health (n = 4), mental health (n = 9), social functioning (n = 5), and eating behaviours (n = 8).

Conclusions

IWB is significantly associated with and may contribute to maladaptive eating behaviours and adverse psychopathology in children.
Exosome derived from human adipose‐derived stem cell improve wound healing quality: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of preclinical animal studies
Authors: Yuan Tian , Meijia Li , Xinyao Chen , Xinyue Chen , Lijun Hao
Published: April 2023

Excellent capability of exosome derived from human adipose‐derived stem cell (ADSC) manifested in improving the quality of wound healing with SMD (STD Mean Difference). However, it is still in the preclinical stage and its efficacy remains uncertain. Emphasised the need for a systematic review of preclinical studies to the validity of it in ameliorate wound healing quality which accelerate the clinical application translation. We performed a systematic literature review to identify all published controlled and intervention studies comparing exosome derived from human ADSC with placebo in animal models of wound closure during wound healing. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane were employed. Risk of bias assessed by the SYRCLE tool aimed at preclinical animal studies. Administration of exosome derived from human ADSC extremely improved wound closure compared with controls, which is primary outcome (SMD 1.423, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.137–1.709 P < .001), the same effect as ADSC. The therapeutic effect is further enhanced by modified ADSC‐EV. Other outcomes: density and the number of blood vessels: (SMD 1.593 95% CI 1.007–2.179 P < .001)；Fibrosis‐related protein expression was highly expressed in the early term of wound healing, decreased in shaping period, which automatically regulates wound collagen deposition. Scar size, number of fibroblast and epithelial cell migration and proliferation expressed were ranked as follows: modified adipose stem cell exosomes > adipose stem cell exosomes > controls. Exosome derived from human ADSC, especially after enrichment for specific non‐coding RNA, is a promising approach to improve healing efficiency.
NIGHT SWEATS — PRESENTATION OF AN OFTEN FORGOTTEN DIAGNOSIS
Authors: Morris G C , Thomas T P L
Published: April 2023

Night sweats are not uncommon complaints in the elderly and they are readily associated with disorders of catecholamine excess, solid malignancies and tuberculosis. We report night sweats as the presenting feature of giant cell arteritis.
AN INTEGRATED HAEMATURIA CLINIC
Authors: Paul A B , Collie D A , Wild S R , Chisholm G D
Published: April 2023

The prognosis of bladder cancer is worsened by delay in its management. To reduce such delay we have organised a clinic where intravenous urography and cystoscopy, using a flexible cystoscope, are carried out at the patient's first visit. In a two‐year period 321 patients attended this clinic. The results of investigation in 305 patients are reported. A total of 6% of patients with microscopic haematuria (n = 52) and 15% of patients with macroscopic haematuria (n = 253) had transitional cell carcinomata. This difference was not significant (P=0.08, chi‐squared).

The delay between referral and trans‐urethral resection of tumour for patients with bladder tumours was reduced from a mean of 60 days to a mean of 33 days by the institution of the clinic (P<0.01, Mann‐Whitney). We recommend that all patients referred to a urological service with haematuria, whether macroscopic or microscopic, should be investigated. The integration of that investigation in a single day decreases delays in diagnosis and management.
Assessment of genomic breeding values and their accuracies for carcass traits in Jeju Black cattle using whole‐genome SNP chip panels
Authors: Haque Md Azizul , Iqbal Asif , Bae Haechang , Lee Seung Eun , Park Sepil , Lee Yun Mi , Kim Jong Joo
Published: April 2023

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the breeding value and accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) of carcass traits in Jeju Black cattle (JBC) using Hanwoo steers and JBC as a reference population using the single‐trait animal model. Our research included genotype and phenotype information on 19,154 Hanwoo steers with 1097 JBC acting as the reference population. Likewise, the test population consisted of 418 genotyped JBC individuals with no phenotypic records for those carcass traits. For estimating the accuracy of GEBV, we divided the entire population into three groups. Hanwoo and JBC make up the first group; Hanwoo and JBC, who has both the genotype and phenotypic records, are referred to as the reference (training) population, and JBC, who lacks phenotypic information is referred to as the test (validation) population. The second group consists of the JBC (without phenotype) as the test population and Hanwoo as a reference population with phenotype and genotypic data. The only JBCs in the third group are those who have genotypic and phenotypic data on them as a reference population but no phenotypic data on them as a test population. The single‐trait animal model was used in all three groups for statistical purposes. The reference populations estimated heritabilities for carcass weight (CWT), eye muscle area (EMA), backfat thickness (BF), and marbling score (MS) as 0.30, 0.26, 0.26, and 0.34 for the Hanwoo steer and 0.42, 0.27, 0.26, and 0.48 for JBC. The average accuracy for carcass traits in Group 1 was 0.80 for the Hanwoo and JBC reference population compared with 0.73 for the JBC test population. Although the average accuracy for carcass traits in Group 2 was 0.80, it was 0.80 for the Hanwoo reference population and only 0.56 for the JBC test population. The average accuracy for the JBC reference and test populations was 0.68 and 0.50, respectively, when they were included in the accuracy comparison without the Hanwoo reference population. Groups 1 and 2 used Hanwoo as reference population, which led to a better average accuracy; however, Group 3 only used the JBC reference and test population, which led to a lower average accuracy. This might be due to the fact that Group 3 used a smaller reference size than the group that came before it and that the genetic makeup of the Hanwoo and JBC breeds differed. The GEBV accuracy for MS was higher than that of other traits across all three analysis groups, followed by CWT, EMA, and BF, which may be partially explained by the MS traits' higher heritability. This study suggests that in order to achieve more accuracy, a large reference population particular to a breed should be established. Therefore, to increase the accuracy of GEBV prediction and the genetic benefit from genomic selection in JBC, individual reference breeds, and large populations are required.
Pantry direct: A transformative supply chain for reducing food insecurity
Authors: Lowrey John , Boyer Ken
Published: April 2023

The food bank, a nonprofit, humanitarian organization, recovers charitable food donations from retail stores via collaborative relationships. We demonstrate that decentralized supply chains enable local partnerships and drive value creation via increased exchange of products and services that also better align with community needs. Our supply chain intervention resulted in a reduction in waste disposal costs for the retailer and a greater supply of food for the food bank. We study the private–public partnership (PPP) in retail food recovery in two successive phases. The first exploratory phase incorporates qualitative data from key informants at multiple Feeding America partners across the United States. The second phase was a researcher‐led supply chain intervention involving multiple stakeholders and executed with our partner food bank. Our intervention, Pantry Direct, represents a transition in the PPP to a decentralized, community network. It shifts the pickup responsibility for retail food recovery to a purely volunteer workforce at the pantry. Retail store management noticed lower pickup service reliability; however, more frequent interactions between food pantry volunteers and retail store employees improved communication, which overshadowed the limitations of the volunteer workforce. Owing to several factors, the gain in PPP performance was not universal. Among the five retail stores that participated in the supply chain intervention, two increased food donations and two others decreased food waste. The Pantry Direct model is transformative in the fight against food insecurity, as increased volume (and quality) of retail food donations enabled downstream pantries to provide end clients with more adequate, consistent, or appropriate access to food.
Fin systems comparative anatomy in model Batoidea Raja asterias and Torpedo marmorata: Insights and relatioships between musculo‐skeletal layout, locomotion and morphology
Authors: Pazzaglia Ugo E. , Reguzzoni Marcella , Manconi Renata , Lanteri Luca , Zarattini Guido , Zecca Piero A. , Raspanti Mario
Published: May 2023

The macroscopic and microscopic morphology of the appendicular skeleton was studied in the two species Raja asterias (order Rajiformes) and Torpedo marmorata (Order Torpediniformes), comparing the organization and structural layout of pectoral, pelvic, and tail fin systems. The shape, surface area and portance of the T. marmorata pectoral fin system (hydrodynamic lift) were conditioned by the presence of the two electric organs in the disk central part, which reduced the pectoral fin surface area, suggesting a lower efficiency of the “flapping effectors” than those of R. asterias. Otherwise, radials' rays alignment, morphology and calcification pattern showed in both species the same structural layout characterized in the fin medial zone by stiffly paired columns of calcified tiles in the perpendicular plane to the flat batoid body, then revolving and in the horizontal plane to continue as separate mono‐columnar rays in the fin lateral zone with a morphology suggesting fin stiffness variance between medial/lateral zone. Pelvic fins morphology was alike in the two species, however with different calcified tiles patterns of the 1st compound radial and pterygia in respect to the fin‐rays articulating perpendicularly to the latter, whose tile rows lay‐out was also different from that of the pectoral fins radials. The T. marmorata tail‐caudal fin showed a muscular and connective scaffold capable of a significant oscillatory forward thrust. On the contrary, the R. asterias dorsal tail fins were stiffened by a scaffold of radials‐like calcified segments. Histomorphology, heat‐deproteination technique and morphometry provided new data on the wing‐fins structural layout which can be correlated to the mechanics of the Batoid swimming behavior and suggested a cartilage‐calcification process combining interstitial cartilage growth (as that of all vertebrates anlagen) and a mineral deposition with accretion of individual centers (the tiles). The resulting layout showed scattered zones of un‐mineralized matrix within the calcified mass and a less compact texture of the matrix calcified fibers suggesting a possible way of fluid diffusion throughout the mineralized tissue. These observations could explain the survival of the embedded chondrocytes in absence of a canalicular system as that of the cortical bone.
Biological and molecular characterization of Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing dieback disease of strawberry in Thailand
Authors: Phetphan Chisanuphong , Supakitthanakorn Salit , Phuakjaiphaeo Chatsuda , Pipattanapuckdee Aimalin , Kunasakdakul Kaewalin , Ruangwong On‐Uma
Published: April 2023

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is commercially grown in Chiang Mai Province of Northern Thailand. Strawberry dieback, whose symptoms include dieback of runners and roots followed by wilt and necrotic discoloration in crowns, was first observed in diseased strawberry cultivated in the greenhouse. Fungi were isolated from infected parts of diseased strawberry and a pathogenicity assay was conducted for confirmation of fungal pathogenesis. Morphological features of fungal isolates were observed using stereo and compound microscopes. For molecular characterization, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit 28S rRNA (LSU) regions were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Based on morphological and molecular identification, the fungi were identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by reisolating the pathogen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of L. theobromae causing dieback of strawberry in Thailand.
Dynamics of aquaculture governance
Authors: Jolly Curtis M. , Nyandat Beatrice , Yang Zhengyong , Ridler Neil , Matias Felipe , Zhang Zhiyi , Murekezi Pierre , Menezes Ana
Published: April 2023

Aquaculture is a growing industry with an annual growth rate that is far superior to the population growth rate. Most production occurs in lower‐ and middle‐income countries, and therefore, they can improve the efficiency and modernize the production systems to increase exports to earn foreign exchange earnings for economic and social development. The institutional arrangements should be part of the mechanisms that ensure sustainable aquaculture growth, through the participation of all stakeholders. Sustainability is possible with good and dynamic governance through which the industry embraces the basic principles of governance, equity, accountability, efficiency, and predictability. Over the past decade, several countries made changes in governance and implemented regulations through their action plans to improve aquaculture productivity, and stakeholders profited from the changes made along the value chain. For the producers to benefit from the value‐added products, they complied with the regulations imposed by the importing countries, international regulatory bodies, or their own consumers. Standards increased, and the implementation of certification resulted in changes in the industrial structure. These standards, which inflict regulatory cost on producers, stimulated an improvement in productivity and product quality. However, during the last decade, production growth declined from 5.8% from 2001 to 2010 to 4.5% from 2011 to 2018, resulting in the elusive realization of the potential of meeting the sustainable development targets. There is a need for a paradigm shift that encourages small‐scale producers to engage in sustainable intensive aquaculture. The challenge is, therefore, to move toward production intensification and expansion, and the harmonization of national and international regulations to ensure the supply of safe and adequate fish to consumers, while maintaining a sustainable production system, and at the same time conserving the environment and maintaining social and economic stability. With good governance and political will, the social, economic, and environmental objectives for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals during the period 2020–2030 are possible if governments integrate sustainable aquaculture developments within an expanded aquatic and terrestrial food security policy framework using systems thinking and open innovation approaches.
The doctorate unbound: relationality in doctoral literacy research
Authors: Gravett Karen , Heron Marion , Ahmad Adeeba
Published: April 2023

What do literacy events look and feel like for doctoral students, and how do these events overlap intertextually, materially and relationally? The last three decades have seen a rapid diversification in doctoral education where new opportunities for study, combined with an increasingly competitive landscape, have disrupted what it means to undertake a doctorate, as well as reshaping the literacy practices that comprise doctoral experiences in new ways that have not been fully explored. To understand literacies in new ways, we put to work the construct of literacy‐as‐event, and engage ideas from assemblage theory, to theorise the relationality of literacy practices. Crucially, our study seeks to examine how literacies are emergent and entangled within a wider network of relations. This article draws on data from interviews involving critical incidents with 12 doctoral students, in order to unpack the literacy moments, beyond the thesis, that comprise students' experiences. Our data suggest that we can understand doctoral literacies, not as bounded occurrences, but as assemblages of practices. We contend that thinking with concepts of assemblage and of event offers new insights into the evolving experiences of doctoral students, as well as offering an enriched understanding of literacies and literacy research.
Immune‐related microRNAs in breast milk and their relation to regulatory T cells in breastfed children
Authors: Ahlberg Emelie , Martí Magalí , Govindaraj Dhanapal , Severin Elisabet , Duchén Karel , Jenmalm Maria C. , Tingö Lina
Published: April 2023

Background

The immunomodulatory capacity of breast milk may partially be mediated by microRNAs (miRNA), small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression on a post‐transcriptional level and are hypothesized to be involved in modulation of immunological pathways. Here, we evaluate the expression of immune‐related miRNAs in breast milk after pre‐ and postnatal supplementation with Limosilactobacillus reuteri and omega‐3 (ω‐3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and the association to infant regulatory T cell (Treg) frequencies.

Methods

One‐hundred and twenty women included in a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled allergy intervention trial received L. reuteri and/or ω‐3 PUFAs daily from gestational week 20. Using Taqman qPCR, 24 miRNAs were analyzed from breast milk obtained at birth (colostrum) and after 3 months (mature milk) of lactation. The proportion of activated and resting Treg cells were analyzed in infant blood using flow cytometry at 6, 12, and 24 months.

Results

Relative expression changed significantly over the lactation period for most of the miRNAs; however, the expression was not significantly influenced by any of the supplements. Colostrum miR‐181a‐3p correlated with resting Treg cell frequencies at 6 months. Colostrum miR‐148a‐3p and let‐7d‐3p correlated with the frequencies of activated Treg cells at 24 months, as did mature milk miR‐181a‐3p and miR‐181c‐3p.

Conclusion

Maternal supplementation with L. reuteri and ω‐3 PUFAs did not significantly affect the relative miRNA expression in breast milk. Interestingly, some of the miRNAs correlate with Treg subpopulations in the breastfed children, supporting the hypothesis that breast milk miRNAs could be important in infant immune regulation.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov‐ID: NCT01542970.
In vitro diagnostic testing for drug allergy in children
Authors: Saretta Francesca , Tomei Leonardo , Mori Francesca , Mayorga Cristobalina
Published: April 2023

Diagnosing Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions (DHRs) could be a complicated process especially in children, since allergic‐like manifestation at this age is more often the expression of concomitant infections rather than a actual DHRs. In vivo tests are usually suggested as a first step; however, prick and intradermal tests could be painful and have shown different sensitivity and specificity among published studies. In some cases, in vivo tests such as Drug Provocation test (DPT) could be even contraindicated. Therefore, the need for in vitro testing is compelling, to add useful information along the diagnostic pathway and to limit the need of DPT. In this review, we analyze the different types of in vitro tests, focusing on those used more widely such as specific IgE and on those that are still for research settings, such as basophil activation test and lymphocyte transformation test, but that have shown some useful diagnostic potential.
Retrospective analysis of outcome and prognostic factors of subcutaneous mast cell tumours in dogs undergoing surgery with or without adjuvant treatment
Authors: Treggiari E. , Valenti P. , Porcellato I. , Maresca G. , Romanelli G.
Published: May 2023

Subcutaneous mast cell tumours (SC MCTs) can display a different biological behaviour in dogs when compared to their cutaneous counterpart. There is a paucity of information with regards to the outcome of dogs with SC MCTs treated with surgery and/or receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review the outcome of dogs with surgically excised SC MCTs undergoing adjuvant treatment or not. A secondary aim was to assess prognostic factors in the same group. Fifty‐two cases were included. Recurrence rate was 15% and 63% of evaluated lymph nodes were consistent with early or overt metastasis. Median survival time (range 83–1357 days) and median time to progression (range 14–1357 days) were not reached. Factors predictive of shorter overall survival time included increasing age (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.06–1.55,p = .0092), presence of clinical signs at presentation (HR 10.44, 95% CI 2.69–40.52,p = .0007), mitotic count >4 (HR 8.69, 95% CI 2.55–29.55, p = 0.0005), presence of multinucleation (HR 4.21, 95% CI 1.35–13.18,p = .0135), use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 7.16, 95% CI 1.26–40.73,p = .0266). The same factors, together with increasing tumour dimensions, were predictive for shorter progression‐free survival (PFS), including increasing age (p = .0012), presence of clinical signs at presentation (p = .0045), increasing tumour dimensions (p = .0004), MC > 4 (p = .0004), presence of multinucleation (p = .0282), use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (p = .0485). No variables remained significant for overall survival using multivariate analysis. There was a longer survival in cases where chemotherapy was not required (HR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03–0.68,p = .0148), and this variable remained significant for PFS on multivariate analysis (HR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02–0.76,p = .02). In conclusion, our study suggests that dogs with SC MCTs, in the absence of negative prognostic factors, may have a prolonged survival when treated with surgery alone. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of adjuvant treatment for biologically aggressive SC MCTs in dogs.
Heat Transfer and Pressure Loss of Turbulent Flow in a Wedge-Shaped Cooling Channel With Different Types of Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces
Authors: Yeranee Kirttayoth , Rao Yu
Published: April 2023

Additive manufacturing enables highly efficient cooling fabrications such as triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS), which provides excellent heat transfer per unit volume. In a wedge-shaped channel representing trailing edge turbine blade cooling, conventional pin fins are replaced with different TPMS structures due to their topological features to enhance the flow mixing and heat transfer, strengthen the structural integrity, and reduce the manufacturing material. The turbulent flow and heat transfer characteristics of solid- and sheet-based TPMS models, including gyroid, diamond, and Schoen-I-graph and wrapped package (IWP), are numerically investigated. The heat transfer, pressure loss, and thermal performance are compared at Reynolds numbers of 10,000–30,000. Notably, among the studied TPMS structures, the diamond-sheet structure is selected as the optimal model. Compared to the baseline pin fin structure at an equal Reynolds number, it remarkably increases the overall heat transfer by up to 163.2%, the pressure loss by 181.8%, and the thermal performance by up to 77.3%. The numerical results indicate that the gyroid- and diamond-sheet structures effectively organize and interact with the cooling fluid, reducing low-velocity recirculation flow in the tip region of the trailing edge. The flow in the diamond-sheet network is distributed more evenly from the root to the tip region, improving the temperature uniformity throughout the channel. Overall, the diamond-sheet TPMS structure could effectively improve the heat transfer performance, temperature uniformity, and structural integrity in the turbine blades' trailing edge, thereby potentially extending the durability of the turbine blades.
A fast data-driven method for inverse microphone array signal processing
Authors: Kayser Can , Kujawski Adam , Sarradj Ennes
Published: April 2023

Microphone arrays have long been used to characterize and locate sound sources. However, existing algorithms for processing the signals are computationally expensive and, consequently, different methods need to be explored. Recently, the trained iterative soft thresholding algorithm (TISTA), a data-driven solver for inverse problems, was shown to improve on existing approaches. Here, a more in-depth analysis of its robustness and frequency dependence is provided using synthesized as well as real measurement data. It is demonstrated that TISTA yields favorable results in comparison to a covariance matrix fitting inverse method, especially for large numbers of sources.
What is an acoustic metamaterial?
Authors: Naify Christina J. , Haberman Michael R. , Titovich Alexey
Published: April 2023

The topic of acoustic metamaterials has been included as a regular special session at the ASA for over 10 years, with hundreds of papers presented. In many of these presentations, the author begins with a definition of ‘acoustic metamaterial.’ While many of these definitions are similar, subtle differences exist in the defining characteristics. So what is a metamaterial? What are the defining features as accepted by the research community? This presentation will review some of the common themes in the definitions and include opportunity for light-hearted interactive audience participation to evaluate those defining themes.
Interplay between attention, working memory, and cognition to speech understanding in noise
Authors: O'Neill Sadie , Barkhouse Morgan , Patro Chhayakanta , Srinivasan Nirmal Kumar
Published: April 2023

Speech understanding in noisy environments depends not only on hearing acuity but also on a host of other cognitive skills including attention, working memory, and executive function that support listeners’ ability to segregate, track and attend to a “target” signal while tuning out other unwanted signals. Identifying the cognitive aspects that affect listening outcomes in complex listening environment is critical for interpreting individual variability and understanding the challenges listeners with different cognitive profiles might face during listening in such environments. The latter is important for characterizing the listening deficits in older adults who, in addition to impaired peripheral auditory processing, also tend to exhibit a decline in various cognitive abilities that might affect listening. Here, we present data from a large cohort of younger listeners on various working memory (Reading Span Test), attention (auditory and visual single and dual task), processing (trail making task), executive control (flanker task), inhibition (Stroop task), and speech in noise tests (spatial release from masking using coordinate Response Measure sentences). The relationship between these various attention, working memory, and cognitive components to speech understanding in complex listening environments will be discussed.
Machine learning of acoustic propagation models for sound aware autonomous systems
Authors: McCarthy Ryan A. , Merrifield Sophia , Sarkar Jit , Terrill Eric
Published: April 2023

Opportunities exist for autonomous underwater vehicles to optimize acoustic communications with knowledge of the sound channel, but implementation has traditionally been hindered by computationally expensive propagation models. This work addresses computational complexity by enabling machine learning to interpret environmental inputs to predict transmission loss (TL) outputs from a physics-based ray tracing model (BELLHOP). Feature representations to reduce bathymetric and sound speed profile (SSP) information through wavelet decomposition and empirical orthogonal analysis are explored, respectively. A decision tree machine learning algorithm is trained to learn the paths (depths and ranges) of acceptable transmission loss for a pair of acoustic modems within a given environment. Our test case is off the coast of Southern California, and SSPs are collected from a 3 year record sampled from an ocean mooring. Bathymetry data is based on high resolution multibeam data. TL field realizations are calculated as training and testing data for environments of varying bathymetry with frequency of 25kHz and range of 1km through the BELLHOP model. Results are shown with stationary and non-stationary emitters to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
Characterization of Head Acceleration Exposure During Youth Football Practice Drills
Authors: Holcomb Ty D. , Marks Madison E. , Stewart Pritchard N. , Miller Logan , Espeland Mark A. , Miles Christopher M. , Moore Justin B. , Foley Kristie L. , Stitzel Joel D. , Urban Jillian E.
Published: April 2023

Many head acceleration events (HAEs) observed in youth football emanate from a practice environment. This study aimed to evaluate HAEs in youth football practice drills using a mouthpiece-based sensor, differentiating between inertial and direct HAEs. Head acceleration data were collected from athletes participating on 2 youth football teams (ages 11–13 y) using an instrumented mouthpiece-based sensor during all practice sessions in a single season. Video was recorded and analyzed to verify and assign HAEs to specific practice drill characteristics, including drill intensity, drill classification, and drill type. HAEs were quantified in terms of HAEs per athlete per minute and peak linear and rotational acceleration and rotational velocity. Mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the differences in kinematics, and generalized linear models were used to assess differences in HAE frequency between drill categories. A total of 3237 HAEs were verified and evaluated from 29 football athletes enrolled in this study. Head kinematics varied significantly between drill categorizations. HAEs collected at higher intensities resulted in significantly greater kinematics than lower-intensity drills. The results of this study add to the growing body of evidence informing evidence-based strategies to reduce head impact exposure and concussion risk in youth football practices.