bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A low‐profile dual‐band shared‐aperture antenna based on AMC with semitransparent elements
Authors: Volkov A. P. , Kakshin V. V. , Ryzhov I. Yu. , Solntsev A. V. , Kozlov K. V. , Grinev A. Yu.
Published: June 2023

A dual‐band shared‐aperture antenna with a frequency ratio of 3 is presented in the letter. A low‐band antenna consists of two printed dipoles. An artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) is used to reduce the height of the low‐band antenna. A high‐band antenna consists of four printed dipoles. It is placed between the AMC elements and the antenna ground plane. The AMC elements and antenna ground plane form a Fabry–Perot cavity and allow increasing gain of the high‐band antenna. An additional structure is inserted between the antenna ground plane and the AMC elements to decrease heights of the Fabry–Perot cavity and the high‐band antenna simultaneously. The total size of the proposed antenna is 1.02λL × 1.02λL × 0.103λL (λL is the central wavelength of the low operating band). Simulated and measured results show that the designed antenna has 57% and 16.7% bandwidths in the low‐ and high‐frequency bands.
Passage Efficiency of Alewife in a Denil Fishway Using Passive Integrated Transponder Tags
Authors: Sullivan Kevin M. , Bailey Michael M. , Berlinsky David L.
Published: June 2023

Populations of river herring (Alewife Alosa Pseudoharengus and Blueback Herring A. aestivalis, collectively), once abundant in coastal rivers along the Atlantic coast, have seen precipitous population declines, likely due to many factors, including commercial fishing, habitat degradation, and dam construction. Efforts to restore populations include the construction of fishways at dams, but upstream passage success of fish through fishways is variable. To evaluate passage efficiency of a fishway on the Lamprey River in Newmarket, New Hampshire, Alewives were PIT tagged in 2013 (n = 621) and 2014 (n = 501) and antennas monitored fish in 2013–2015. Potential handling effects, diel movement patterns, and fishway saturation negatively affected passage success. The probability of Alewives successfully passing through the fishway into the river above the dam increased with total length. The estimated probability of passage success of an Alewife of mean total length (280 mm and 292 mm for males and females, respectively) that migrated back to the dam at least 1 year after tagging was 0.63 for males and 0.64 for females. Fishway selectivity presents a potential bias in data collection in freshwater systems, and our results suggest that sampling below a fishway should be coupled with data collected from within and above the fishway for a more complete demographic sample of the migratory population.
Lake Sturgeon population trends in the St. Clair–Detroit River system, 2001–2019
Authors: Chiotti Justin A. , Boase James C. , Briggs Andrew S. , Davis Chris , Drouin Richard , Hondorp Darryl W. , Mohr Lloyd , Roseman Edward F. , Thomas Michael V. , Wills Todd C.
Published: June 2023

Objective

The Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens is listed as threatened or endangered in 15 states or provinces within the species' native range. Accordingly, investments in habitat and population restoration for this species have increased throughout the Great Lakes. To aid in the evaluation of restoration efficacy, robust population parameters are needed to inform management decisions. The St. Clair–Detroit River system (SCDRS) contains one of the largest self-sustaining Lake Sturgeon populations in the Great Lakes; however, recent estimates of population abundance and growth parameters have not been assessed.

Methods

Our study used baited setline and mark–recapture data collected between 2001 and 2019 to estimate whether the number of Lake Sturgeon captured varied annually and/or with water temperature and whether population abundance and the population growth rate (λ) varied among three subpopulations located in the SCDRS.

Result

Trends in the number of Lake Sturgeon captured on setlines varied among subpopulations and by life stage. Annual trends in the number of Lake Sturgeon captured remained consistent over time in the upper St. Clair River, decreased for adults and increased for subadults in the lower St. Clair River, and increased in the Detroit River. With subpopulation abundances of 20,184 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 12,533–27,816) in the upper St. Clair River/southern Lake Huron, 6523 (95% CI = 5720–7327) in the lower St. Clair River, and 6416 (95% CI = 4065–8767) in the Detroit River, our study confirms that the SCDRS contains the largest Lake Sturgeon population with unimpeded access to the Great Lakes. The geometric mean λ for all subpopulations indicated stable populations and ranged from 1.00 to 1.16.

Conclusion

Our study provides an updated assessment of Lake Sturgeon population parameters that serve as a baseline to evaluate habitat restoration efforts and to inform management of the SCDRS recreational Lake Sturgeon fishery.
The return of the adult Pacific Lamprey offspring from translocations to the Columbia River
Authors: Hess J. E. , Lampman R. T. , Jackson A. D. , Sween T. , Jim L. , McClain N. , Silver G. , Porter L. , Narum S. R.
Published: June 2023

Objective

The Pacific Lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus is valuable to tribal culture and to the ecosystem, but its abundance in the interior Columbia River has been highly variable and muted in recent years. Translocation programs have been adopted as a proactive strategy to restore Pacific Lamprey abundance to the interior Columbia River, including the Snake River basin, and these efforts have been largely successful in increasing larval and juvenile abundance in the recipient watersheds and further downstream. We address whether adult translocation offspring from three Columbia River Treaty Tribe programs return to Bonneville Dam in numbers that support previous model predictions; and whether Columbia River origin Pacific Lamprey contribute to adult production widely across the species range.

Methods

We used a genetic data set of unknown origin Pacific Lamprey that returned as adults to Bonneville Dam and broadly distributed locations within and outside of the Columbia River basin. We identified the natal origin of these adults via sibship or parentage to assign individuals to either a precise natal site of volitional production or a set of candidate parents from one of the translocation programs in the Columbia River.

Result

We showed that not only have Snake River translocation offspring returned as adults to Bonneville Dam in numbers that exceeded model projections, but offspring from two other tribal translocation programs in the Umatilla (northeast Oregon) and Yakima (south-central Washington) rivers were also detected in recent years. Offspring produced across all three translocation programs are estimated at approximately 1065 fish in 2021. Although Pacific Lamprey are known to lack precise natal homing, which may limit the benefits of translocations in the interior Columbia River basin, evidence from detections in this study supports a preference by interior Columbia River Pacific Lamprey to return home and migrate toward their natal basins. However, a portion of Snake River-origin Pacific Lamprey was estimated to deviate from main-stem routes into tributaries, including tribal ceded areas where tribal harvest occurs (e.g., Sherars Falls on the Deschutes River).

Conclusion

These results indicate benefits from Pacific Lamprey translocation programs that will not only increase abundance to targeted areas but will also increase opportunities for tribal harvest of this culturally important species.
An algorithm‐based approach to ascertain patients with rare diseases in electronic health records using hypereosinophilic syndrome as an example
Authors: Requena Gema , Joksaite Sandra , Galwey Nicholas , Jakes Rupert W.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Improved hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) ascertainment in electronic health record (EHR) databases may improve disease understanding and management. An algorithm to ascertain and characterize this rare condition was therefore developed and validated.

Methods

Using the UK clinical practice research datalink (CPRD)‐Aurum database linked to the hospital episode statistics database (Admitted Patient Care data) from Jan 2012 to June 2019, this cross‐sectional study ascertained patients with a specific HES code (index). Patients with HES were matched (age, sex and index date) 1:29 with a non‐HES cohort. An algorithm was developed by identifying pre‐defined variables differing between cohorts; model‐fitting using Firth logistic regression and statistical determination of the top‐five performing models; and internal validation using Leave‐One‐Out Cross Validation. Final model sensitivity and specificity were determined at an 80% probability threshold.

Results

The HES and non‐HES cohorts included 88 and 2552 patients, respectively; 270 models with four variables each (treatment used for HES, asthma code, white blood cell condition code, and blood eosinophil count [BEC] code) plus age and sex variables were tested. Of the top five models, the sensitivity model performed best (sensitivity, 69% [95% CI: 59%, 79%]; specificity, >99%). The strongest predictors of HES versus non‐HES cases (odds >1000 times greater) were an ICD‐10 code for white blood cell disorders and a BEC ≥1500 cells/μL in the 24 months pre‐index.

Conclusions

Using a combination of medical codes, prescribed treatments data and laboratory results, the algorithm can help ascertain patients with HES from EHR databases; this approach may be useful for other rare diseases.
AlphaCutter: Efficient removal of non‐globular regions from predicted protein structures
Authors: Tam Chunlai , Iwasaki Wataru
Published: June 2023

A huge number of high‐quality predicted protein structures are now publicly available. However, many of these structures contain non‐globular regions, which diminish the performance of downstream structural bioinformatic applications. In this study, we develop AlphaCutter for the removal of non‐globular regions from predicted protein structures. A large‐scale cleaning of 542,380 predicted SwissProt structures highlights that AlphaCutter is able to (1) remove non‐globular regions that are undetectable using pLDDT scores and (2) preserve high integrity of the cleaned domain regions. As useful applications, AlphaCutter improved the folding energy scores and sequence recovery rates in the re‐design of domain regions. On average, AlphaCutter takes less than 3 s to clean a protein structure, enabling efficient cleaning of the exploding number of predicted protein structures. AlphaCutter is available at https://github.com/johnnytam100/AlphaCutter. AlphaCutter‐cleaned SwissProt structures are available for download at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7944483.
Opinions from five oral specialists on 3D printing in the challenge of customized oral healthcare. What can plasma technology bring?
Authors: Dubuc Antoire , Galibourg Antoine , Canceill Thibault , Laurencin‐Dalicieux Sara , Cousty Sarah
Published: June 2023

The field of “plasma medicine” is expanding. It is based on advances in plasma physics and chemistry; a better knowledge of the species produced, a better control in the creation of gaseous plasmas, enable different plasma processes with potential different clinical applications. In the medical field, progress is being made towards predictive, preventive, personalized, participatory, and populational medicine. In particular, three‐dimensional printing is useful in the challenge of customized oral healthcare. For example, plasma technology offers many options to optimize the use of custom‐made prothesis, particularly in the area of oral medicine and oral surgery.
Challenges in the deposition of plasma polymer nanoparticles using gas aggregation source: Rebounding upon impact and how to land them on a substrate
Authors: Solař Pavel , Škorvánková Kateřina , Kuzminova Anna , Kylián Ondřej
Published: June 2023

Plasma polymer nanoparticles (pp‐NPs) are relatively easy to produce by plasma‐based gas aggregation sources. However, as experimentally evidenced in this study for the case of C:H:N:O pp‐NPs, pp‐NPs are unlike metal/metal oxide nanoparticles prone to reflection from the substrate if they hit it with too high a speed. This may result in little or no deposition rate even though the nanoparticle beam is very intense. As is shown, the deposition of pp‐NPs can be promoted either by the adjustment of their speed before they reach the substrate or by a proper selection of a substrate. Concerning the latter, enhanced capturing of pp‐NPs was observed on structured or liquid substrates.
Comparative Performance Evaluation for 1.2–10kV Conventional and Superjunction GaN Current Aperture Vertical Electron Transistors
Authors: Torky Mohamed , Zhao Yanzhen , Lazos Panagiotis , Chow T. Paul
Published: June 2023

The performance potentials and limits for GaN current aperture vertical electron transistors with conventional, doped, and natural polarization superjunction (PSJ) drift layers at 1.2–10 kV breakdown voltage (BV) ratings are quantitatively compared. The static and dynamic performance parameters for each device are simulated and extracted. The specific on‐resistance RON,sp and specific total charge QT,sp (defined as the sum of specific gate charge QG,sp and specific drain–source charge QDS,sp) are extracted from Medici technology computer‐aided design simulations representing both the static and dynamic performance respectively. Moreover, a developed figure‐of‐merit (FoM) (RON,sp · QT,sp) is used to quantitively compare the performance of these field‐effect transistors in the range of BV ratings. Compared to the doped superjunction (DSJ) and conventional CAVETs, natural PSJ CAVET exhibits 1%–60% and 70%–99% reduction in RON,sp, while it is 100 to 1000× reduction in QT,sp, at BV between 1.2 and 10 kV respectively. Simultaneously, 22%–80% and 80%–99% reduction in performance FoM respectively are found.
Effect of Source–Drain Opposite Side Gate on the AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor Devices
Authors: Luo Shengting , Liu Xianyun , Jiang Xingfang
Published: June 2023

To explore the influence of different gate positions on the performance of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor devices, two model structures are proposed in this paper: an inverted T‐type gate and source–drain opposite side structure (ITGS–DOSS), and an embedded ITGS–DOSS. It is shown in the simulation results that compared with the traditional T‐type gate structure, these two structures have better transfer characteristics and significantly reduce the on‐state resistance, which can effectively improve the virtual gate effect and suppress the current collapse effect. Furthermore, these two structures can also improve the frequency characteristics of the device, with a maximum cutoff frequency of about 625 and 635 GHz, respectively. The threshold voltage of the ITGS–DOSS is about −30 V, which is significantly shifted to the left compared to the traditional T‐type structure. With a gate–drain spacing of 4.4 μm, the breakdown voltage is still as high as 1661 V. As the device size and gate–drain spacing decrease, this structure has better voltage withstand characteristics, thus achieving low threshold and high breakdown device performance.
A comprehensive insight into the molecular effect of theobromine on cardiovascular‐related risk factors: A systematic review of in vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Sharifi‐Zahabi Elham , Hajizadeh‐Sharafabad Fatemeh , Nachvak Seyed Mostafa , Mirzaian Soheila , Darbandi Sahar , Shidfar Farzad
Published: June 2023

Theobromine may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to find molecular effects of theobromine on lipid profile, glycemic status, inflammatory factors, and vascular function through a comprehensive assessment of all in vitro and in vivo studies. The search process was started at 18 July 2022. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to find all articles published up to 18 July 2022. Nineteen studies were included in this study. In vitro studies showed the improving effects of theobromine on inflammatory markers. Of four animal studies assessing the effect of theobromine on inflammatory markers, two reported favorable effects. Among five animal studies assessing the effects of theobromine on lipid profile, three reported improving effects on either triglyceride, total cholesterol, low‐ or high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Of the three human studies, two revealed that theobromine had improving effects on lipid profile. A favorable effect of theobromine on augmentation index was also reported in two RCTs. The results for other outcomes were inconclusive. Theobromine may have favorable effects on inflammatory factors, lipid profile, and vascular function markers. However, studies with a longer duration and lower, dietary‐relevant doses are required for future confirmation.
Extreme precipitation at Padang, Sumatra triggered by convectively coupled Kelvin waves
Authors: Senior Natasha V. , Matthews Adrian J. , Webber Benjamin G. M. , Webster Stuart , Jones Richard W. , Permana Donaldi S. , Paski Jaka A. I. , Fadila Riska
Published: June 2023

Convectively coupled Kelvin waves (CCKWs) are tropical weather systems that travel eastward along the equatorial waveguide and have previously been linked to 90% of flooding events in Sumatra, Indonesia. Here, the processes through which CCKWs influence convection to produce extreme precipitation are investigated, with a focus on Padang, a city on the west coast of Sumatra. Extreme precipitation days at Padang, defined as days when the daily total precipitation exceeds the percentile, are found to be 59% more likely to occur given the presence of a CCKW. We find that CCKWs modulate the diurnal cycle to produce extreme precipitation. This is achieved firstly through providing low‐level moisture and convergence that acts to couple the Kelvin wave to the convection. Secondly, the CCKW acts to displace the convergence zone towards Padang, such that it experiences rainfall that persists throughout the night and peaks the following day in the early evening. We examine the case study of a CCKW that passed over Padang on August 21, 2017, bringing extreme precipitation that led to flooding in the West Sumatra region, recording a maximum daily accumulated rainfall of 137 mm. This case study showed remarkably similar characteristics in its propagation, structure, and precipitation patterns to composite studies of CCKWs. The performance of a suite of convection‐permitting configurations of the UK Met Office Unified Model (MetUM), embedded within a parameterised convection global model, in forecasting this CCKW is evaluated. In general, all configurations of the model capture this event reasonably well. We find that extending the western boundary of the high‐resolution model domain from 90°E to 65°E leads to a significantly improved forecast, as the CCKW development over the Indian Ocean is captured more accurately by the high‐resolution nested model, compared with the lower‐resolution global driving model.
Improving the short‐range forecast of storm surges in the southwestern Atlantic continental shelf using 4DEnSRF data assimilation
Authors: Dinápoli Matías G. , Ruiz Juan J. , Simionato Claudia G. , Berden Giuliana
Published: June 2023

In this study, the assimilation of tide gauge and altimetry data into a two‐dimensional barotropic numerical model for the southwestern Atlantic continental shelf (SWACS) was developed. To do this, the preoperative 4‐day storm surges ensemble prediction system developed by Dinápoli et al. (2021, Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society 147: 557–572) was implemented for the SWACS. This new configuration, called “Model for Storm Surge Simulations” (M3S), considers a curvilinear grid that covers the SWACS with higher resolution along the shoreline (from 2 to 10 km). M3S was forced with an ensemble of 60 members conformed by the combination of perturbations of the eight principal tidal constituents and of the atmospheric products derived from the Global Ensemble Forecast System. Tidal gauge and altimetry data were assimilated in an asynchronous mode using the four‐dimensional‐ensemble square‐root filter (4DEnSRF). The system was developed and validated forecasting two strong positive storm surges. Results show that 4DEnSRF's innovations produce a positive impact upon the forecast skill up to 2 days. Hence, the 4‐day forecast can be divided into two parts: the first 2 days with a stronger dependence on the initial conditions and the other 2 days purely driven by external forcing. It was found that a symmetric assimilation window of 12 hr length produces the best initial condition. Under this configuration, 4DEnSRF removes biases and improves the timing of the M3S forecasted solutions. The largest improvements were observed at the northern SWACS, where more chaotic processes, such as the atmospheric circulation, explain a large part of the sea‐surface height variability. No significant improvements were found at the southern SWACS, which can be attributed to the strong tidal dynamics that characterise the zone. Our results show that the incorporation of 4DEnSRF into M3S can significantly improve the forecast in the SWACS and also the accuracy of the short‐range detection of storm surges.
Propensity‐based standardization to enhance the validation and interpretation of prediction model discrimination for a target population
Authors: de Jong Valentijn M. T. , Hoogland Jeroen , Moons Karel G. M. , Riley Richard D. , Nguyen Tri‐Long , Debray Thomas P. A.
Published: June 2023

External validation of the discriminative ability of prediction models is of key importance. However, the interpretation of such evaluations is challenging, as the ability to discriminate depends on both the sample characteristics (ie, case‐mix) and the generalizability of predictor coefficients, but most discrimination indices do not provide any insight into their respective contributions. To disentangle differences in discriminative ability across external validation samples due to a lack of model generalizability from differences in sample characteristics, we propose propensity‐weighted measures of discrimination. These weighted metrics, which are derived from propensity scores for sample membership, are standardized for case‐mix differences between the model development and validation samples, allowing for a fair comparison of discriminative ability in terms of model characteristics in a target population of interest. We illustrate our methods with the validation of eight prediction models for deep vein thrombosis in 12 external validation data sets and assess our methods in a simulation study. In the illustrative example, propensity score standardization reduced between‐study heterogeneity of discrimination, indicating that between‐study variability was partially attributable to case‐mix. The simulation study showed that only flexible propensity‐score methods (allowing for non‐linear effects) produced unbiased estimates of model discrimination in the target population, and only when the positivity assumption was met. Propensity score‐based standardization may facilitate the interpretation of (heterogeneity in) discriminative ability of a prediction model as observed across multiple studies, and may guide model updating strategies for a particular target population. Careful propensity score modeling with attention for non‐linear relations is recommended.
Light‐Powered Self‐Adaptive Mesostructured Microrobots for Simultaneous Microplastics Trapping and Fragmentation via in situ Surface Morphing
Authors: Ullattil Sanjay Gopal , Pumera Martin
Published: June 2023

Microplastics, which comprise one of the omnipresent threats to human health, are diverse in shape and composition. Their negative impacts on human and ecosystem health provide ample incentive to design and execute strategies to trap and degrade diversely structured microplastics, especially from water. This work demonstrates the fabrication of single‐component TiO2 superstructured microrobots to photo‐trap and photo‐fragment microplastics. In a single reaction, rod‐like microrobots diverse in shape and with multiple trapping sites, are fabricated to exploit the asymmetry of the microrobotic system advantageous for propulsion. The microrobots work synergistically to photo‐catalytically trap and fragment microplastics in water in a coordinated fashion. Hence, a microrobotic model of “unity in diversity” is demonstrated here for the phototrapping and photofragmentation of microplastics. During light irradiation and subsequent photocatalysis, the surface morphology of microrobots transformed into porous flower‐like networks that trap microplastics for subsequent degradation. This reconfigurable microrobotic technology represents a significant step forward in the efforts to degrade microplastics.
Aerobic Oxidative N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis
Authors: Stenkvist Simon , Bacaicoa Sara , Goossens Ellymay , Sundén Henrik
Published: June 2023

The ease with which simple starting materials can be transformed into highly functionalized products has made oxidative N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis an area of significant interest. However, the use of stoichiometric amounts of high molecular weight oxidants in most reactions generates an undesired equivalent amount of waste. To address this issue, the use of oxygen as the terminal oxidant in NHC catalysis has been developed. Oxygen is attractive due to its low cost, low molecular weight, and ability to generate water as the sole by‐product. However, molecular oxygen is challenging to use as a reagent in organic synthesis due to its unreactive ground state, which often requires reactions to be run at high temperatures and results in the formation of kinetic side‐products. This review covers the development of aerobic oxidative carbene catalysis, including NHC‐catalyzed reactions with oxygen, strategies for oxygen activation, and selectivity issues under aerobic conditions.
Current State of Microflow Trifluoromethylation Reactions
Authors: Sumii Yuji , Shibata Norio
Published: June 2023

The trifluoromethyl group is a powerful structural motif in drugs and polymers; thus, developing trifluoromethylation reactions is an important area of research in organic chemistry. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in developing new methods for the trifluoromethylation of organic molecules, ranging from nucleophilic and electrophilic approaches to transition‐metal catalysis, photocatalysis, and electrolytic reactions. While these reactions were initially developed in batch systems, more recent microflow versions are highly attractive for industrial applications owing to their scalability, safety, and time efficiency. In this review, we discuss the current state of microflow trifluoromethylation. Approaches for microflow trifluoromethylation based on different trifluoromethylation reagents are described, including continuous flow, flow photochemical, microfluidic electrochemical reactions, and large‐scale microflow reactions.
Coil Design Method Considering Power, Efficiency, and Magnetic Field Strength of Coreless Coils Using Numerical Analysis in Wireless Power Transfer
Authors: Yamada Yuto , Hasegawa Soma , Imura Takehiro , Hori Yoichi
Published: June 2023

Wireless power transfer to electric vehicles while driving is a technology that is currently attracting attention as it has the potential to solve the problems faced by EVs that will become popular worldwide in the future. In the case of dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) to electric vehicles, it is necessary to transmit the required power with high efficiency and ensure safety. While there are multiple safety requirements, there are also regulatory values for the magnetic field strength emitted from the coil, which must be satisfied before it can be implemented in society. This research aims to speed up the design of coils by using only numerical analysis, in contrast to conventional coil design using electromagnetic field analysis. In the future construction of wireless power transfer systems, it is of great significance to discuss the design using only numerical analysis, as there are many design parameters. Experiments were carried out and compared with the numerical analysis and found to be in agreement. A power transmission of 20 kW converted value was carried out to verify the effect of the size, pitch, and number of turns of the transmission coils on the efficiency and magnetic field strength. The effect of input voltage was also discussed by simulation, and the optimum coil was derived. As a result, when the coil size was 800 × 600 mm, the number of turns was 46, the pitch was 6.1 mm and the input voltage was 1400 V, the analysis showed that a power transmission of 20 kW with an efficiency of 99.3% and a far magnetic field leakage strength of 81.6 dBμA/m could be achieved. Even with a coreless coil, the magnetic field strength could be below the regulation value. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Cucumis sativus (Cucurbitaceae) seed oil prevents benzo(a)pyrene‐induced prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Bakam Berlise Yengwa , Pambe Judith Christiane Ngo , Grey Timothy , Maxeiner Sebastian , Rutz Jochen , Njamen Dieudonne , Blaheta Roman A. , Zingue Stéphane
Published: June 2023

Despite enormous progress in modern medicine, prostate cancer (PCa) remains a major public health problem due to its high incidence and mortality. Although studies have shown in vitro antitumor effects of cucurbitacins from Cucumis sativus, the in vivo anticancer effect of the seed oil as a whole, has yet to be demonstrated. The present study evaluated the in vitro anticancer mechanisms of C. sativus (CS) seed oil and its possible chemopreventive potential on benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)‐induced PCa in Wistar rat. In vitro cell growth, clone formation, cell death mechanism, cell adhesion and migration as well as expression of integrins β‐1 and β‐4 were assessed. In vivo PCa was induced in 56 male rats versus 8 normal control rats, randomized in normal (NOR) and negative (BaP) control groups which, received distilled water; the positive control group (Caso) was treated with casodex (13.5 mg/kg BW). One group received the total seed extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg BW; while the remaining three groups were treated with CS seed oil at 42.5, 85, and 170 mg/kg BW. The endpoints were: morphologically (prostate tumor weight and volume), biochemically (total protein, prostate specific antigen (PSA), oxidative stress markers such as MDA, GSH, catalase, and SOD) and histologically. As results, CS seed oil significantly and concentration‐dependently reduced the DU145 prostate cancer cell growth and clone formation (optimum = 100 μg/mL). It slightly increased the number of apoptotic cells and inhibited the migration and invasion of DU145 cells, while it decreased their adhesion to immobilized collagen and fibrinogen. The expression of integrin β‐1 and β‐4 was increased in presence of 100 μg/mL CS oil. In vivo, the BaP significantly elevated the incidence of PC tumors (75%), the total protein and PSA levels, pro‐inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1, and IL‐6) and MDA levels compared to NOR. CS seeds oil significantly counteracted the effect of BaP by decreasing significantly the PC incidence (12.5%), and increasing the level of antioxidant (SOD, GSH, and catalase) and anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 in serum. While in BaP group PCa adenocarninoma was the most representative neoplasm, rats treated with 85 and 170 mg/kg prevented it in the light of the casodex. It is conclude that CS may provide tumor suppressive effects in vitro and in vivo which makes it an interesting candidate to support the current treatment protocol.
Establishment of a prognostic model to predict chemotherapy response and identification of RAC3 as a chemotherapeutic target in bladder cancer
Authors: Chen Yuelong , Huang Ming , Lu Junlin , Zhang Qiang , Wu Jilin , Peng Shengmeng , Chen Siting , Zhang Yangjie , Cheng Liang , Lin Tianxin , Chen Xu , Huang Jian
Published: June 2023

Cisplatin‐based chemotherapy is considered the primary treatment option for patients with advanced bladder cancer (BCa). However, the objective response rate to chemotherapy is often unsatisfactory, leading to a poor 5‐year survival rate. Furthermore, current strategies for evaluating chemotherapy response and prognosis are limited and inefficient. In this study, we aimed to address these challenges by establishing a chemotherapy response type gene (CRTG) signature consisting of 9 genes and verified the prognostic value of this signature using TCGA and GEO BCa cohorts. The risk scores based on the CRTG signature were found to be associated with advanced clinicopathological status and demonstrated favorable predictive power for chemotherapy response in the TCGA cohort. Meanwhile, tumors with high risk scores exhibited a tendency toward a “cold tumor” phenotype. These tumors showed a low abundance of T cells, CD8+ T cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes, along with a high abundance of cancer‐associated fibroblasts. Moreover, they displayed higher mRNA levels of these immune checkpoints: CD200, CD276, CD44, NRP1, PDCD1LG2 (PD‐L2), and TNFSF9. Furthermore, we developed a nomogram that integrated the CRTG signature with clinicopathologic risk factors. This nomogram proved to be a more effective tool for predicting the prognosis of BCa patients. Additionally, we identified Rac family small GTPase 3 (RAC3) as a biomarker in our model. RAC3 was found to be overexpressed in chemoresistant BCa tissues and enhance the chemotherapeutic resistance of BCa cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating the PAK1‐ERK1/2 pathway. In conclusion, our study presents a novel CRTG model for predicting chemotherapy response and prognosis in BCa. We also highlight the potential of combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy as a promising strategy for chemoresistant BCa and that RAC3 might be a latent target for therapeutic intervention.
Development and validation of energy dispersive x‐ray fluorescence method for quantification of cubic zirconia in diamond matrix
Authors: Chauhan Dharmendrakumar S. , Keer Nanddeep N. , Ghanekar Vinay V. , Bujade Prajakta P. , Gaonkar Mahesh P. , Acharya R. , Bagla Hemlata K. , Reddy A. V. R.
Published: June 2023

Qualitative and quantitative tests of gemstones and diamonds are routinely performed nondestructively in the laboratory of Gemmological Institute of India (GII), Mumbai, India. Qualitative tests are based on microscopic examination. Energy Dispersive X‐Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry is used in the laboratory for quantitative analysis of elements. However, in some cases like determination of trace levels of cubic zirconia (CZ) in diamond powder, it is difficult to estimate simultaneously both CZ and diamond powder directly using EDXRF method. In view of this, a method was developed for estimation of ZrO2 present at low levels in diamond powder. In this method, EDXRF spectra of a series of simulated mixtures containing ZrO2 were measured. Peak areas under the characteristic Kα x‐ray of Zr (15.7 keV) in each mixture were computed and, a calibration plot was made between the peak areas and % fractions of ZrO2. From the calibration plot, a dynamic range of 0.1%–10% was obtained. From XRF spectra of the test sample, in duplicate, of diamond powder, Zr was estimated using the peak area and the percentage fraction was found to be 0.181 ± 0.020. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) was used for method validation with the same set of simulated samples used in EDXRF analysis. Results obtained by both the methods are found to be in good agreement and this newly developed method based on EDXRF spectrometry is in regular use in GII.
Developing leader identity across the lifespan
Authors: Johnson Stefanie K. , Murphy Susan Elaine , Riggio Ronald E.
Published: June 2023

This article reviews foundational scholarship related to leader development, including implications of the integrative theory of leader development and the dynamic model of leader development across the lifespan. Authors provide a rationale for why college is a critical juncture for creating ethical and inclusive leaders for the future and offer suggestions for ways to enhance leadership education.
Assessing and measuring leadership identity
Authors: Hastings Lindsay J. , Sunderman Hannah M.
Published: June 2023

This article explores numerous complexities involved in assessing and measuring leadership identity development. It also reviews leader and leadership identity as well as prior attempts to assess leader and leadership identity development. Recommendations for effective assessment and measurement practices when diagnosing development in leader and leadership identity are offered.
Adaptive topology optimization of fail-safe truss structures
Authors: Fairclough Helen E. , He Linwei , Asfaha Tekle B. , Rigby Sam
Published: June 2023

Avoidance of disproportionate and progressive collapse, often termed ‘fail-safe design’, is a key consideration in the design of buildings and infrastructure. This paper addresses the problem of fail-safe truss topology optimization in the setting of plastic design, where damage is defined as a moveable circular region in which members are considered to have zero strength for that particular load case. A rigorous and computationally efficient iterative solution strategy is employed in both the dual (member adding) and primal (damage-case adding) problems simultaneously, which allows cases of high complexity and many damage cases (maximum of 16290 potential members and 16291 damage cases) to be solved to the global optimum. Common member-based damage definitions (e.g. damage to any one member) are shown to be highly dependent on the nodal grid; in the limiting case completely negating the effect of the fail-safe constraints. The method proposed in this article does not have such limitations, enabling a more sophisticated and robust treatment of fail-safe design. Moreover, the global minimization and high resolutions create new benchmarks for the least-material designs of ‘fail-safe’ structures using rigid-plastic materials. A number of example structures are considered (short cantilever, square cantilever, multi-span truss), and the effects of damage radius, location, and structure rationalisation are discussed.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of Doppler ultrasonography of the superior mesenteric artery in detecting neonates at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Rallis Dimitrios , Kapetaniou Konstantina , Machas Pavlos , Balomenou Foteini , Giapros Vasileios , Saliakellis Efstratios
Published: June 2023

The role of postnatal Doppler measurements of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in detecting neonates at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains uncertain; therefore, we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the existing evidence regarding the usefulness of SMA Doppler measurements in detecting neonates at risk for NEC. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and we included studies which reported the following Doppler ultrasonography indices: peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, time average mean velocity, differential velocity, pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index. Eight studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Evidence suggested that, during the first postnatal day, neonates who developed NEC had a significantly higher peak systolic velocity (mean difference of 2.65 cm/s (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23, 4.06, overall effect Z=3.66, P<0.001)), higher PI (mean difference of 1.52 (95% CI 0.00, 3.04, Z=1.96, P=0.05)) and higher resistive index (mean difference of 1.09 (95% CI 0.59, 1.60, Z=4.24, P<0.001)), compared to neonates who did not develop NEC. However, our findings do not support a strong association between the Doppler ultrasound indices and development of NEC at the time of disease onset. This meta-analysis suggests that first postnatal day SMA Doppler parameters, namely peak systolic velocity, PI and resistive index, are higher in neonates who develop NEC. On the other hand, the aforementioned indices are of uncertain significance once the diagnosis of NEC has been established.

Graphical abstract
Towards malaria elimination: analysis of travel history and case forecasting using the SARIMA model in Limpopo Province
Authors: Oyegoke Olukunle O. , Adewumi Taiye S. , Aderoju Samuel A. , Tsundzukani Ntimbane , Mabunda Eric , Adeleke Matthew A. , Maharaj Rajendra , Okpeku Moses
Published: June 2023

Despite various efforts and policy implementation aimed at controlling and eliminating malaria, imported malaria remains a major factor posing challenges in places that have made progress in malaria elimination. The persistence of malaria in Limpopo Province has largely been attributed to imported cases, thus reducing the pace of achieving the malaria-free target by 2025. Data from the Limpopo Malaria Surveillance Database System (2010–2020) was analyzed, and a seasonal auto-regressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model was developed to forecast malaria incidence based on the incidence data’s temporal autocorrelation. The study found that out of 57,288 people that were tested, 51,819 (90.5%) cases were local while 5469 (9.5%) cases were imported. Mozambique (44.9%), Zimbabwe (35.7%), and Ethiopia (8.5%) were the highest contributors of imported cases. The month of January recorded the highest incidence of cases while the least was in August. Analysis of the yearly figures showed an increasing trend and seasonal variation of recorded malaria cases. The SARIMA (3,1,1) X (3,1,0) [12] model used in predicting expected malaria case incidences for three consecutive years showed a decline in malaria incidences. The study demonstrated that imported malaria accounted for 9.5% of all cases. There is a need to re-focus on health education campaigns on malaria prevention methods and strengthening of indoor residual spray programs. Bodies collaborating toward malaria elimination in the Southern Africa region need to ensure a practical delivery of the objectives.
A Recursive Theta Body for Hypergraphs
Authors: Castro-Silva Davi , de Oliveira Filho Fernando Mário , Slot Lucas , Vallentin Frank
Published: June 2023

The theta body of a graph, introduced by Grötschel, Lovász, and Schrijver (in 1986), is a tractable relaxation of the independent-set polytope derived from the Lovász theta number. In this paper, we recursively extend the theta body, and hence the theta number, to hypergraphs. We obtain fundamental properties of this extension and relate it to the high-dimensional Hoffman bound of Filmus, Golubev, and Lifshitz. We discuss two applications: triangle-free graphs and Mantel’s theorem, and bounds on the density of triangle-avoiding sets in the Hamming cube.
Spuren der bronzezeitlichen Kupferverhüttung in der Radmer, Steiermark, Österreich
Authors: Klemm Susanne , Strobl Susanne , Haubner Roland
Published: June 2023

In der Radmer, Steiermark, Österreich wurden mehrere bronzezeitliche Kupferschlackenfundplätze nachgewiesen. Von drei Fundstellen wurden Kupferschlacken und Ofenwandfragmente sowie ein kleiner Kupfergusskuchen unbekannter Zeitstellung werkstoffkundlich untersucht.

Die Plattenschlacken weisen eine homogene Schlackenstruktur auf und enthalten teilweise nicht umgesetzte Erzpartikel in verschiedenen Oxidationsstadien. Teilweise wurden im Vergleich zu anderen Schlacken erhöhte Konzentrationen an Al und K nachgewiesen, was auf die Verwendung von Ton schließen lässt. Bei den Ofenwandfragmenten ist deutlich der Übergang von der aufgeschmolzenen Schlacke zur lehmigen Ofeninnenwand zu sehen.

Der Kupfergusskuchen enthält Sb-O-Verbindungen sowie Delafossit (Cu3Ni2SbO6) jedoch wenig S und As. Dies legt die Vermutung nahe, dass verwitterte Kupfer- beziehungsweise Fahlerze für die Erzverhüttung verwendet wurden.
Long-term prediction for vertical bending moment utilizing the AIS data and global wave data
Authors: Oka Masayoshi , Ma Chong
Published: June 2023

Utilizing the AIS data and global ocean wave data, the vertical bending moment (VBM) that acted on the actual ships was clarified. The long-term prediction was performed based on the short-term analysis of VBM on actual ships in the worldwide sea area. The effect of storm avoidance operations on wave height is about 22% in worldwide sea area. The effect on VBM in the worldwide sea is about 16%. These effects are greater than that in North Atlantic.
Physical activity and the risk of periodontitis: an instrumental variable study
Authors: Baumeister Sebastian-Edgar , Reckelkamm Stefan Lars , Ehmke Benjamin , Nolde Michael , Baurecht Hansjörg
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Observational studies suggested an inverse association between physical activity and periodontitis. However, observational studies might be subject to unobserved confounding and reverse causation bias. We conducted an instrumental variable study to strengthen the evidence on the relationship between physical activity and periodontitis.

Materials and methods

We used genetic variants associated with self-reported and accelerometer-assessed physical activity in 377,234 and 91,084 UK Biobank participants, respectively, as instruments. For these instruments, genetic associations with periodontitis were obtained from 17,353 cases and 28,210 controls in the GeneLifestyle Interactions in Dental Endpoints consortium.

Results

We found no evidence for effects of self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, self-reported vigorous physical activity, accelerometry “average accelerations,” and “fraction of accelerations > 425 milli-gravities” on periodontitis. For example, the odds ratio for self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was 1.07 (95% credible interval: 0.87; 1.34) in Causal Analysis using Summary Effect Estimates. We conducted sensitivity analyses to rule out weak instrument bias and correlated horizontal pleiotropy.

Conclusions

The study does not support an effect of physical activity on the risk of periodontitis.

Clinical relevance

This study provides little evidence that recommending physical activity would help prevent periodontitis.
The robotic-surgery propositional bank
Authors: Bombieri Marco , Rospocher Marco , Ponzetto Simone Paolo , Fiorini Paolo
Published: June 2023

Robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery is the gold standard for the surgical treatment of many pathological conditions since it guarantees to the patient shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery. Several manuals and academic papers describe how to perform these interventions and thus contain important domain-specific knowledge. This information, if automatically extracted and processed, can be used to extract or summarize surgical practices or develop decision making systems that can help the surgeon or nurses to optimize the patient’s management before, during, and after the surgery by providing theoretical-based suggestions. However, general English natural language understanding algorithms have lower efficacy and coverage issues when applied to domain others than those they are typically trained on, and a domain specific textual annotated corpus is missing. To overcome this problem, we annotated the first robotic-surgery procedural corpus, with PropBank-style semantic labels. Starting from the original PropBank framebank, we enriched it by adding new lemmas, frames and semantic arguments required to cover missing information in general English but needed in procedural surgical language, releasing the Robotic-Surgery Procedural Framebank (RSPF). We then collected from robotic-surgery textbooks as-is sentences for a total of 32,448 tokens, and we annotated them with RSPF labels. We so obtained and publicly released the first annotated corpus of the robotic-surgical domain that can be used to foster further research on language understanding and procedural entities and relations extraction from clinical and surgical scientific literature.