bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vulnerability of Aquatic Insect Species to Insecticides, Depending on Their Flight Period and Adult Life Span
Authors: Kjær Christian , Sørensen Peter Borgen , Wiberg-Larsen Peter , Bak Jesper , Bruus Marianne , Strandberg Beate , Larsen Søren Erik , Rasmussen Jes Jessen , Strandberg Morten
Published: February 2021

Effects of insecticides on terrestrial adult life stages of otherwise aquatic insects, such as mayflies (Ephemeroptera), stoneflies (Plecoptera), and caddisflies (Trichoptera), are largely unknown. In the present study, a risk model was used to pinpoint the species most likely to experience effects due to spray drift exposure during the adult life stage. Using data from an earlier case study with lambda-cyhalothrin, 6 species with different life cycle traits were used to explore how life cycle characteristics may influence vulnerability. In addition, we performed a generic calculation of the potential effect on the terrestrial life stages of 53 species (including 47 species with unknown sensitivity). Our approach incorporated temporal and spatial distribution of both the insect and the insecticide, creating different exposure conditions among species due to variation in the relative proportion of the populations present at the time of insecticide spraying. The Ephemeroptera species represented were least vulnerable due to their extremely short adult life span and relatively short flight period. Based on their life cycle characteristics, Plecoptera and Trichoptera species were more vulnerable. These vulnerable species segregated into 2 distinct groups; one with a long adult life span to emergent period ratio and another with a high overlap between emergent period and spraying season. We therefore recommend that future ecotoxicological tests be done on species with these life cycle characteristics. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1778–1787. © 2021 SETAC
Regionally aggregated, stitched and de‐drifted CMIP‐climate data, processed with netCDF‐SCM v2.0.0
Authors: Nicholls Zebedee , Lewis Jared , Makin Melissa , Nattala Usha , Zhang Geordie Z. , Mutch Simon J. , Tescari Edoardo , Meinshausen Malte
Published: February 2021

The world's most complex climate models are currently running a range of experiments as part of the Sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). Added to the output from the Fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), the total data volume will be in the order of 20PB. Here, we present a dataset of annual, monthly, global, hemispheric and land/ocean means derived from a selection of experiments of key interest to climate data analysts and reduced complexity climate modellers. The derived dataset is a key part of validating, calibrating and developing reduced complexity climate models against the behaviour of more physically complete models. In addition to its use for reduced complexity climate modellers, we aim to make our data accessible to other research communities. We facilitate this in a number of ways. Firstly, given the focus on annual, monthly, global, hemispheric and land/ocean mean quantities, our dataset is orders of magnitude smaller than the source data and hence does not require specialized ‘big data’ expertise. Secondly, again because of its smaller size, we are able to offer our dataset in a text‐based format, greatly reducing the computational expertise required to work with CMIP output. Thirdly, we enable data provenance and integrity control by tracking all source metadata and providing tools which check whether a dataset has been retracted, that is identified as erroneous. The resulting dataset is updated as new CMIP6 results become available and we provide a stable access point to allow automated downloads. Along with our accompanying website (cmip6.science.unimelb.edu.au), we believe this dataset provides a unique community resource, as well as allowing non‐specialists to access CMIP data in a new, user‐friendly way.
230Th dating of flowstone from Ignatievskaya Cave, Russia: Age constraints of rock art and paleoclimate inferences
Authors: Dublyansky Yuri , Shirokov Vladimir , Moseley Gina E. , Kosintsev Pavel A. , Edwards R. Lawrence , Spötl Christoph
Published: February 2021

Paleolithic antiquity of parietal art in Ignatievskaya cave, Southern Ural, is supported by its subject (Late Pleistocene animals) as well as by paleontological and palynological data, and 14C dates from cultural layers associated with artistic activity (17.8−16.3 cal ka BP; association is established by finds of ochre in these layers). However, three 14C dates of charcoal motifs yielded younger, Holocene ages (7.4−6.0 cal ka BP). In this study, we constrain the age of parietal art in the cave by 230Th dating of flowstone that brackets the paintings. Flowstone did not form in the cave between c. 78 and 10 ka BP, due to widespread permafrost in northern Eurasia at that time. Our 230Th dates do not support the middle Holocene age of art in Ignatievskaya cave and are consistent with its Upper Paleolithic antiquity instead.
COVID‐19 vs influenza viruses: A cockroach optimized deep neural network classification approach
Authors: El‐dosuky Mohamed A. , Soliman Mona , Hassanien Aboul Ella
Published: February 2021

Among Coronavirus, as with many other viruses, receptor interactions are an essential determinant of species specificity, virulence, and pathogenesis. The pathogenesis of the COVID‐19 depends on the virus's ability to attach to and enter into a suitable human host cell. This paper presents a cockroach optimized deep neural network to detect COVID‐19 and differentiate between COVID‐19 and influenza types A, B, and C. The deep network architecture is inspired using a cockroach optimization algorithm to optimize the deep neural network hyper‐parameters. COVID‐19 sequences are obtained from repository 2019 Novel Coronavirus Resource, and influenza A, B, and C sub‐dataset are obtained from other repositories. Five hundred ninety‐four unique genomes sequences are used in the training and testing process with 99% overall accuracy for the classification model.
Shedding more light on the role of Midkine in hepatocellular carcinoma: New perspectives on diagnosis and therapy
Authors: Gowhari Shabgah Arezoo , Ezzatifar Fatemeh , Aravindhan Surendar , Olegovna Zekiy Angelina , Ahmadi Majid , Gheibihayat Seyed Mohammad , Gholizadeh Navashenaq Jamshid
Published: February 2021

One of the most common malignant tumors is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Progression of HCC mainly results from highly complex molecular and pathological pathways. Midkine (MDK) is a growth factor that impacts viability, migration, and other cell activities. Since MDK has been involved in the inflammatory responses, it has been claimed that MDK has a crucial role in HCC. MDK acts as an anti‐apoptotic factor, which mediates tumor cell viability. In addition, MDK blocks anoikis to promote metastasis. There is also evidence that MDK is involved in angiogenesis. It has been shown that the application of anti‐MDK approaches might be promising in the treatment of HCC. Besides, due to the elevated expression in HCC, MDK has been proposed as a biomarker in the prognosis and diagnosis of HCC. In this review, we will discuss the role of MDK in HCC. It is hoped that the development of new strategies concerning MDK‐based therapies will be promising in HCC management.
Integrated approaches to testing and assessment as a tool for the hazard assessment and risk characterization of cosmetic preservatives
Authors: Canavez Andrezza Di Pietro Micali , de Oliveira Prado Corrêa Gabriela , Isaac Vera Lucia Borges , Schuck Desiree Cigaran , Lorencini Marcio
Published: February 2021

The safety assessment of cosmetic products is based on the safety of the ingredients, which requires information on chemical structures, toxicological profiles, and exposure data. Approximately 6% of the population is sensitized to cosmetic ingredients, especially preservatives and fragrances. In this context, the aim of this study was to perform a hazard assessment and risk characterization of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), benzyl alcohol (BA), caprylyl glycol (CG), ethylhexylglycerin (EG), chlorphenesin (CP), dehydroacetic acid (DHA), sodium dehydroacetate (SDH), iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC), methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MIT), methylisothiazolinone (MIT), phenoxyethanol (PE), potassium sorbate (PS), and sodium benzoate (SB). Considering the integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATA) and weight of evidence (WoE) as a decision tree, based on published safety reports. The hazard assessment was composed of a toxicological matrix correlating the toxicity level, defined as low (L), moderate (M), or high (H) and local or systemic exposure, considering the endpoints of skin sensitization, skin irritation, eye irritation, phototoxicity, acute oral toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity/genotoxicity, and endocrine activity. In a risk assessment approach, most preservatives had a margin of safety (MoS) above 100, except for DHA, SDH, and EG, considering the worst‐case scenario (100% dermal absorption). However, isolated data do not set up a safety assessment. It is necessary to carry out a rational risk characterization considering hazard and exposure assessment to estimate the level of risk of an adverse health outcome, based on the concentration in a product, frequency of use, type of product, route of exposure, body surface location, and target population.
Monitoring the extracellular matrix remodeling of high‐grade serous ovarian cancer with nonlinear optical microscopy
Authors: Yan Junshuai , Zhao Yihua , Lin Fangrui , Qu Junle , Liu Qianyu , Pan Ying , Liu Liwei
Published: February 2021

The mortality of high‐grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) accounts for 70% to 80% of all ovarian cancer deaths and overall mortality rate has not declined in the last decade. Recently, many studies have demonstrated that HGSOC originates from the fallopian tubes. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is present in all tissues, its remodeling and interaction with cells are crucial for regulating cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. In this paper, we used label‐free nonlinear optical microscopy to image tissues of the fallopian tube and ovary. Combining a set of image processing algorithms, we monitored the remodeling of ECM in the fallopian tube and ovary during the invasion of primary serous fallopian tube tumor into the ovary in microscopic dimension. With this approach, we can obtain physiological information of HGSOC at the early stage, which provided useful data for auxiliary clinical diagnosis.
Citric acid functionalized nitinol stent surface promotes endothelial cell healing
Authors: Ceresnakova Miriama , Murray David , McGourty Kieran D. , Butler James , Neilan John , Soulimane Tewfik , Hudson Sarah P.
Published: February 2021

While drug‐eluting stents containing anti‐proliferative agents inhibit proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), they also delay the regrowth of the endothelial cells which can result in subsequent development of restenosis. Acidic extracellular environments promote cell anchorage and migration by inducing conformational change in integrins, the main cell adhesion proteins. This study addresses the feasibility of a citric acid (CA) functionalized nitinol stent for improving vascular biocompatibility, specifically enhancing endothelialization. CA functionalized nitinol vascular stents are compared to commercial bare metal (Zilver Flex) and paclitaxel eluting stents (Zilver PTX) in terms of re‐endothelialization. To study the effect of stent coatings, a stent conditioned media methodology was developed in an attempt to representin vivoconditions. Overall, distinct advantages of the CA functionalized nitinol stent over commercial Zilver PTX DES and Zilver Flex BMS stents in terms of endothelial cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation are reported. These novel findings indicate the potential of a CA functionalized stent to serve as a bioactive and therapeutic surface for re‐endothelialization, perhaps in combination with a SMC proliferation inhibitor coating, to prevent restenosis.
Emerging adulthood among backpackers: The contribution of internal and external factors to sense of community
Authors: Weiss‐Dagan Shlomit , Levi Drorit , Refaeli Tehila , Itzhaky Haya
Published: February 2021

During emerging adulthood, individuals are primarily concerned with themselves. Community participation, however, may help one to mature, and community belonging is important for well‐being. As such, the current study aimed to examine these two components among young‐adult Israeli backpackers abroad. We examined the role of personal (mastery, self‐esteem, and posttraumatic growth) and environmental (family and friends' support) factors in sense of belonging and community participation. A cross‐sectional sample survey was distributed; data were collected from 332 Israeli backpackers abroad. The findings based ont‐tests, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical regression analysis showed that mastery was associated with sense of belonging, not with community participation. Self‐esteem and posttraumatic growth were positively associated with both dependent variables. Friends' support was also positively associated with both dependent variables; family support was not significantly associated with either. Personal factors had the greatest association with sense of community.
Akt‐independent effects of triciribine on ACE2 expression in human lung epithelial cells: Potential benefits in restricting SARS‐CoV2 infection
Authors: Adil Mir S. , Verma Arti , Rudraraju Madhuri , Narayanan S. Priya , Somanath Payaningal R.
Published: February 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) binds to the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to gain cellular entry. Akt inhibitor triciribine (TCBN) has demonstrated promising results in promoting recovery from advanced‐stage acute lung injury in preclinical studies. In the current study, we tested the direct effect of TCBN on ACE2 expression in human bronchial (H441) and lung alveolar (A549) epithelial cells. Treatment with TCBN resulted in the downregulation of both messenger RNA and protein levels of ACE2 in A549 cells. Since HMGB1 plays a vital role in the inflammatory response in COVID‐19, and because hyperglycemia has been linked to increased COVID‐19 infections, we determined if HMGB1 and hyperglycemia have any effect on ACE2 expression in lung epithelial cells and whether TCBN has any effect on reversing HMGB1‐ and hyperglycemia‐induced ACE2 expression. We observed increased ACE2 expression with both HMGB1 and hyperglycemia treatment in A549 as well as H441 cells, which were blunted by TCBN treatment. Our findings from this study, combined with our previous reports on the potential benefits of TCBN in the treatment of acute lung injury, generate reasonable optimism on the potential utility of TCBN in the therapeutic management of patients with COVID‐19.
Toggling Near‐Field Directionality via Polarization Control of Surface Waves
Authors: Zhong Yuhan , Lin Xiao , Jiang Jing , Yang Yi , Liu Gui‐Geng , Xue Haoran , Low Tony , Chen Hongsheng , Zhang Baile
Published: February 2021

Directional excitation of guidance modes is central to many applications ranging from light harvesting, optical information processing to quantum optical technology. Of paramount interest, especially, the active control of near‐field directionality provides a new paradigm for the real‐time on‐chip manipulation of light. Here, it is found that for a given dipolar source, its near‐field directionality can be toggled efficiently via tailoring the polarization of surface waves that are excited, for example, via tuning the chemical potential of graphene in a graphene‐metasurface waveguide. This finding enables a feasible scheme for the active near‐field directionality. Counterintuitively, it is revealed that this scheme can transform a circular electric/magnetic dipole into a Huygens dipole in the near‐field coupling. Moreover, for Janus dipoles, this scheme enables actively flipping their near‐field coupling and non‐coupling faces.
Biomimetic Hydrogels Loaded with Nanofibers Mediate Sustained Release of pDNA and Promote In Situ Bone Regeneration
Authors: Huang Lin , Zhang Zhijie , Guo Mingtao , Pan Cile , Huang Zhiguan , Jin Junfei , Li Yuhe , Hou Xiaohui , Li Wenqiang
Published: February 2021

Polymer hydrogels are generally insufficient biomechanics, strong resistance to cell adhesion, and weak bioactivity which limits their application in bone tissue engineering considerably. In order to develop a bone tissue engineering material with both good mechanical properties, osteogenic and angiogenic activity. Nanofibers carrying DNA plasmid (pNF) are introduced to gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and thiolated chitosan (TCS) system for preparing a novel GelMA/TCS/pNF composite hydrogel with dual network structure. By characterization of the compressive measurements, the resulting composite scaffold shows greatly enhanced mechanical strength (0.53 MPa) and is not damaged after 20 cycles of compression. And the fabricated composite scaffold displays sustained release of bone morphogenetic protein‐2 that can induce osteogenic differentiation and angiopoietin‐1 that promotes vascularization. The cell experiment shows that this system can significantly promote MC3T3‐E1 cell attachment, proliferation, as well as osteogenic‐related and angiogenic‐related genes expression of MC3T3‐E1 cells. Moreover, the in vivo results show that the composite scaffold with activated gene fibers can significantly promote osteogenesis and vascularization leading to favorable capacity of bone regeneration, meaning that the resulting biomimetic composite hydrogel scaffolds are excellent candidates for bone repair materials.
Strategic CSR‐brand fit and customers’ brand passion: Theoretical extension and analysis
Authors: Gilal Faheem Gul , Paul Justin , Gilal Naeem Gul , Gilal Rukhsana Gul
Published: February 2021

Prior research in the brand management realm has broadly captured passion for a brand through brand‐related factors. However, to the authors’ knowledge, how the fit between a brand and its corporate social responsibility efforts (strategic CSR‐brand fit) drive brand passion has been surprisingly ignored. Drawing on congruence theory, basic psychological needs theory, and social identity theory, we argue that strategic CSR‐brand fit can significantly influence customers’ sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which in turn leads to brand passion. Furthermore, we hypothesize customer–company identification (CCI) as a key boundary condition for the indirect positive effect of strategic CSR‐brand fit on brand passion through customers’ satisfaction of psychological needs. Structural equation modeling results from a survey conducted with telecom customers (N = 1,059) supported a positive indirect effect of strategic CSR‐brand fit on brand passion through the satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs. Moreover, the indirect effect was statistically significant through competence and relatedness needs satisfaction for customers with high CCI but it was not significant through competence satisfaction for customers with low CCI. CCI trivially facilitates brand passion formation through autonomy needs satisfaction. Implications of these findings for shaping brand passion among customers are discussed.
High throughput screening for expanded CTG repeats in myotonic dystrophy type 1 using melt curve analysis
Authors: Butterfield Russell J. , Imburgia Carina , Mayne Katie , Newcomb Tara , Dunn Diane M. , Duval Brett , Feldkamp Marcia L. , Johnson Nicholas E. , Weiss Robert B.
Published: February 2021

Background

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by CTG repeat expansions in the DMPK gene and is the most common form of muscular dystrophy. Patients can have long delays from onset to diagnosis, since clinical signs and symptoms are often nonspecific and overlapping with other disorders. Clinical genetic testing by Southern blot or triplet‐primed PCR (TP‐PCR) is technically challenging and cost prohibitive for population surveys.

Methods

Here, we present a high throughput, low‐cost screening tool for CTG repeat expansions using TP‐PCR followed by high resolution melt curve analysis with saturating concentrations of SYBR GreenER dye.

Results

We determined that multimodal melt profiles from the TP‐PCR assay are a proxy for amplicon length stoichiometry. In a screen of 10,097 newborn blood spots, melt profile analysis accurately reflected the tri‐modal distribution of common alleles from 5 to 35 CTG repeats, and identified the premutation and full expansion alleles.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that robust detection of expanded CTG repeats in a single tube can be achieved from samples derived from specimens with minimal template DNA such as dried blood spots (DBS). This technique is readily adaptable to large‐scale testing programs such as population studies and newborn screening programs.
Association of MACROD2 gene variants with obesity and physical activity in a Korean population
Authors: Kim Hye‐Rim , Jin Hyun‐Seok , Eom Yong‐Bin
Published: February 2021

Background

Obesity is a serious and common complex disease caused by the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of genetic variants on obesity and the possibility of preventing obesity through physical activity using association analysis.

Methods

This study analyzed the association between obesity and variants in the MACROD2 gene in the Korean association resource (KARE) cohort using logistic regression analysis. Linear regression analysis was performed for obesity‐related phenotype traits including body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), abdominal fat percentage (AbFP), and the waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR). The level of physical activity was analyzed by dividing the participants into two groups according to the cutoff of one hour or more of daily intense activity.

Results

As a result, rs6079275 in the MACROD2 gene had the highest significance in obesity and phenotypic characteristics. Minor allele carriers (CC, CG) of rs6079275 decreased the obesity risk (OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.40–0.82, p = 2.34 × 10−3) and showed a tendency to decrease the risk of BMI (β = −0.312, p = 8.99 × 10−4), BFP (β = −0.482, p = 4.19 × 10−3) and AbFP (β = −0.0051, p = 5.96 × 10−4). In addition, the participants with the minor allele (C) of rs6079275 had a reduced obesity risk with high physical activity (OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.14–0.93, p = 0.036).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that variants in the MACROD2 gene were correlated with obesity, phenotypic traits, and physical activity in the Korean population. Therefore, we suggest the possibility of preventing obesity by identifying this genetic variation and the interactive effect of lifestyle in Koreans.
Image denoising by a novel variable‐order total fractional variation model
Authors: Kazemi Golbaghi Fariba , Eslahchi M. R. , Rezghi Mansoor
Published: February 2021

The total variation model performs very well for removing noise while preserving edges. However, it gives a piecewise constant solution which often leads to the staircase effect, consequently small details such as textures are filtered out in the denoising process. Fractional‐order total variation method is one of the major approaches to overcome such drawbacks. Unlike their good quality of fractional order, all these methods use a fixed fractional order for the whole of the image. In this paper, a novel variable‐order total fractional variation model is proposed for image denoising, in which the order of fractional derivative will be allocated automatically for each pixel based on the context of the image. This kind of selection is able to capture the edges and texture of the image simultaneously. In this regard, we prove the existence and uniqueness of the presented model. The split Bregman method is adapted to solve the model. Finally, the results illustrate the efficiency of the proposed model that yielded good visual effects and a better signal‐to‐noise ratio.
Finite element simulations of hyperpolarized gas DWI in micro‐CT meshes of acinar airways: validating the cylinder and stretched exponential models of lung microstructural length scales
Authors: Chan Ho‐Fung , Collier Guilhem J. , Parra‐Robles Juan , Wild Jim M.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This work assesses the accuracy of the stretched exponential (SEM) and cylinder models of lung microstructural length scales that can be derived from hyperpolarized gas DWI. This was achieved by simulating 3He and 129Xe DWI signals within two micro‐CT–derived realistic acinar airspace meshes that represent healthy and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lungs.

Methods

The healthy and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis acinar airway meshes were derived from segmentations of 3D micro‐CT images of excised human lungs and meshed for finite element simulations of the Bloch‐Torrey equations. 3He and 129Xe multiple b value DWI experiments across a range of diffusion times (3He Δ = 1.6 ms; 129Xe Δ = 5 to 20 ms) were simulated in each mesh. Global SEM mean diffusive length scale and cylinder model mean chord length value was derived from each finite element simulation and compared against each mesh’s mean linear intercept length, calculated from intercept length measurements within micro‐CT segmentation masks.

Results

The SEM‐derived mean diffusive length scale was within ±10% of the mean linear intercept length for simulations with both 3He (Δ = 1.6 ms) and 129Xe (Δ = 7 to 13 ms) in the healthy mesh, and with 129Xe (Δ = 13 to 20 ms) for the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis mesh, whereas for the cylinder model–derived mean chord length the closest agreement with mean linear intercept length (11.7% and 22.6% difference) was at 129Xe Δ = 20 ms for both healthy and IPF meshes, respectively.

Conclusion

This work validates the use of the SEM for accurate estimation of acinar dimensions and indicates that the SEM is relatively robust across a range of experimental conditions and acinar length scales.
Similarity‐driven multi‐dimensional binning algorithm (SIMBA) for free‐running motion‐suppressed whole‐heart MRA
Authors: Heerfordt John , Whitehead Kevin K. , Bastiaansen Jessica A. M. , Di Sopra Lorenzo , Roy Christopher W. , Yerly Jérôme , Milani Bastien , Fogel Mark A. , Stuber Matthias , Piccini Davide
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Whole‐heart MRA techniques typically target predetermined motion states, address cardiac and respiratory dynamics independently, and require either complex planning or computationally demanding reconstructions. In contrast, we developed a fast data‐driven reconstruction algorithm with minimal physiological assumptions and compatibility with ungated free‐running sequences.

Theory and Methods

We propose a similarity‐driven multi‐dimensional binning algorithm (SIMBA) that clusters continuously acquired k‐space data to find a motion‐consistent subset for whole‐heart MRA reconstruction. Free‐running 3D radial data sets from 12 non‐contrast‐enhanced scans of healthy volunteers and six ferumoxytol‐enhanced scans of pediatric cardiac patients were reconstructed with non‐motion‐suppressed regridding of all the acquired data (“All Data”), with SIMBA, and with a previously published free‐running framework (FRF) that uses cardiac and respiratory self‐gating and compressed sensing. Images were compared for blood–myocardium sharpness and contrast ratio, visibility of coronary artery ostia, and right coronary artery sharpness.

Results

Both the 20‐second SIMBA reconstruction and FRF provided significantly higher blood–myocardium sharpness than All Data in both patients and volunteers (P < .05). The SIMBA reconstruction provided significantly sharper blood–myocardium interfaces than FRF in volunteers (P < .001) and higher blood–myocardium contrast ratio than All Data and FRF, both in volunteers and patients (P < .05). Significantly more ostia could be visualized with both SIMBA (31 of 36) and FRF (34 of 36) than with All Data (4 of 36) (P < .001). Inferior right coronary artery sharpness using SIMBA versus FRF was observed (volunteers: SIMBA 36.1 ± 8.1%, FRF 40.4 ± 8.9%; patients: SIMBA 35.9 ± 7.7%, FRF 40.3 ± 6.1%, P = not significant).

Conclusion

The SIMBA technique enabled a fast, data‐driven reconstruction of free‐running whole‐heart MRA with image quality superior to All Data and similar to the more time‐consuming FRF reconstruction.
Use of instructional videos to reduce central venous catheter complications in children with intestinal failure receiving home parenteral nutrition
Authors: Pierik August , Martins Debby S. , Casey Linda , Piper Hannah G.
Published: February 2021

Background

Children with intestinal failure (IF) require parenteral nutrition (PN) at home, delivered through a central venous catheter (CVC) to support growth. CVC‐related complications including infection, breakage, and blockage are the most common cause of readmission to the hospital. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of instructional videos as part of the caregiver home PN–teaching program to reduce CVC‐related complications.

Methods

Caregivers of children with IF requiring home PN were surveyed to assess skill confidence and interest in instructional videos for skill acquisition. Videos were then created using a smartphone and free video‐editing software. Input from stakeholders (families, care providers) was incorporated in video production. Families were given access to the videos, and CVC‐related complications were compared for 2 years prior to and 1 year following video introduction with Welch t‐test analysis.

Results

After obtaining ethics approval, 11 caregivers were surveyed. Thirty percent reported feeling underconfident in their skills at the time of discharge. After viewing the videos, 100% of caregivers reported that these videos were useful. Catheter‐related complication rates significantly decreased in the year following the video introduction from 7.88 to 2.65 complications per 1000 catheter days (P = .046). This included reductions in catheter‐related infections, catheter occlusions, and breakages.

Conclusions

Children with IF receiving home PN are at high risk for CVC‐related complications, and caregivers are the first line of defense for catheter care. Instructional videos were low‐cost to create, were well received by all families, and may contribute to reduced catheter‐related complications.
Changes in Circulating Cytokines and Adipokines After RYGB in Patients with and without Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Katsogiannos Petros , Kamble Prasad G. , Pereira Maria J. , Sundbom Magnus , Carlsson Per‐Ola , Eriksson Jan W. , Espes Daniel
Published: February 2021

Objective

This study aimed to compare cytokine and adipokine levels in patients with obesity with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D) at baseline and 6 months after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with healthy controls.

Methods

A total of 34 patients (21 with T2D) with BMI of 30 to 45 kg/m2 were compared with 25 healthy controls without obesity. Cytokines, adipokines, and peptides of relevance for inflammation and metabolism were analyzed in plasma.

Results

Significant decreases in weight and glycated hemoglobin A1c were observed. At baseline, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IFN‐β, IL‐18, leptin, and hepatocyte growth factor were higher in all patients with obesity compared with healthy controls. In patients without T2D, TNF‐α, IL‐1α, IL‐2, IL‐15, and visfatin were also increased, whereas bone morphogenic protein‐4 was decreased. Following RYGB, IL‐6 and hepatocyte growth factor were still increased in both groups compared with controls. In T2D patients, IFN‐β, IL‐27, IL‐1α, IL‐2, regenerating islet‐derived protein 3A, visfatin, and osteopontin were found to be increased. In patients without T2D, TNF‐α, IL‐1α, IL‐2, IL‐15, leptin, and visfatin remained increased.

Conclusions

The altered cytokine profile of patients with obesity persisted after RYGB despite large weight loss and improved metabolic status, thus reflecting an inherent inflammatory state.
Machine learning‐based analysis of alveolar and vascular injury inSARS‐CoV‐2 acute respiratory failure
Authors: Calabrese Fiorella , Pezzuto Federica , Fortarezza Francesco , Boscolo Annalisa , Lunardi Francesca , Giraudo Chiara , Cattelan Annamaria , Del Vecchio Claudia , Lorenzoni Giulia , Vedovelli Luca , Sella Nicolò , Rossato Marco , Rea Federico , Vettor Roberto , Plebani Mario , Cozzi Emanuele , Crisanti Andrea , Navalesi Paolo , Gregori Dario
Published: February 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) pneumopathy is characterized by a complex clinical picture and heterogeneous pathological lesions, both involving alveolar and vascular components. The severity and distribution of morphological lesions associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 and how they relate to clinical, laboratory, and radiological data have not yet been studied systematically. The main goals of the present study were to objectively identify pathological phenotypes and factors that, in addition to SARS‐CoV‐2, may influence their occurrence. Lungs from 26 patients who died from SARS‐CoV‐2 acute respiratory failure were comprehensively analysed. Robust machine learning techniques were implemented to obtain a global pathological score to distinguish phenotypes with prevalent vascular or alveolar injury. The score was then analysed to assess its possible correlation with clinical, laboratory, radiological, and tissue viral data. Furthermore, an exploratory random forest algorithm was developed to identify the most discriminative clinical characteristics at hospital admission that might predict pathological phenotypes of SARS‐CoV‐2. Vascular injury phenotype was observed in most cases being consistently present as pure form or in combination with alveolar injury. Phenotypes with more severe alveolar injury showed significantly more frequent tracheal intubation; longer invasive mechanical ventilation, illness duration, intensive care unit or hospital ward stay; and lower tissue viral quantity (p < 0.001). Furthermore, in this phenotype, superimposed infections, tumours, and aspiration pneumonia were also more frequent (p < 0.001). Random forest algorithm identified some clinical features at admission (body mass index, white blood cells, D‐dimer, lymphocyte and platelet counts, fever, respiratory rate, and PaCO2) to stratify patients into different clinical clusters and potential pathological phenotypes (a web‐app for score assessment has also been developed;https://r-ubesp.dctv.unipd.it/shiny/AVI-Score/). In SARS‐CoV‐2 positive patients, alveolar injury is often associated with other factors in addition to viral infection. Identifying phenotypical patterns at admission may enable a better stratification of patients, ultimately favouring the most appropriate management. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Homogeneous distribution of lignin/graphene fillers with enhanced interlayer adhesion for 3D printing filament
Authors: Mohan Denesh , Bakir Afifah Nabilah , Sajab Mohd Shaiful , Bakarudin Saiful Bahari , Mansor Nurul Nasuha , Roslan Rasidi , Kaco Hatika
Published: February 2021

The attention to pursuing biodegradable fillers as reinforcement in three‐dimensional (3D) printing filament and enhancing interlayer adhesion has led to the exploitation of agricultural biomass. In this study, organosolv lignin fillers can act as the aforementioned twofold purposes in preparing acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filament for fused deposition modeling (FDM). In this study, the lignin polymer composites were homogenized with graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) as a reinforcer. Essentially, ABS 3D printing at 90o with the reinforcement fillers shows a significant increment in the mechanical properties owing to better interlayer adhesion. The printed product promotes a substantial improvement on the tensile stress up to 29.1% compared with neat polymers. Furthermore, 3D printing using lignin/GnP composite filaments shows the feasibility of biofillers to be used as filaments for FDM 3D printing of complex geometries even though the surface finish has been affected.
Mechanical behavior and damage degree of hybrid glass/carbon composites at low temperature
Authors: Papa Ilaria , Ricciardi Maria Rosaria , Calzolari Andrea , Langella Antonio , Tirillò Jacopo , Sarasini Fabrizio , Lopresto Valentina
Published: February 2021

Hybrid composite samples with different carbon and glass fiber layers arrangement were produced by resin transfer molding (RTM) in an attempt to disclose the effects of low temperature on their flexural and low velocity impact behavior. Flexural tests were carried out at T = −50°C and the failure modes were examined, while impact tests, always at T = −50°C, were performed at penetration and at indentation in the range from 10 J to 30 J. The damage extension was accurately evaluated by ultrasonic non‐destructive testing. The results were then compared with the room temperature ones obtained in a previous paper to highlight the influence of the temperature. The compression after impact tests were carried out at room temperature for samples previously impacted at both room and low temperature to assess the damage tolerance of the different hybrid configurations. Stacking sequence was found to govern both the flexural and impact behavior of laminates. At low temperature, the flexural strength and modulus values improved over the corresponding room temperature values irrespective of the stacking sequence, while an easier damage propagation and less residual strength were detected in dynamic loading.
Effects of coagent incorporation on properties of ultrafine fully vulcanized powdered natural rubber prepared as toughening filler in polybenzoxazine
Authors: Wongkumchai Rattanaporn , Amornkitbamrung Lunjakorn , Mora Phattarin , Jubsilp Chanchira , Rimdusit Sarawut
Published: February 2021

Ultrafine fully vulcanized powdered natural rubber (UFPNR) is a renewable material that is promising for industrial application as a toughening filler in polymer matrix. In this work, effects of coagent on properties of UFPNR produced by radiation vulcanization and spray‐drying was systematically investigated, in which trimethylol propane trimethaacrylate (TMPTMA) was used as coagent. The crosslinking density of UFPNR could be enhanced by increasing radiation dose from 50 to 350 kGy and it was further enhanced by using TMPTMA as coagent during the production process. UFPNR with the smallest particle size of 3.9 ± 1.8 μm and highest thermal stability (Td5 = 347°C) could be obtained by using TMPTMA with the highest content of 9 phr. The results suggested that polymer chains of natural rubber were more packed into smaller particle as they were more crosslinked by the coagent. Finally, an application of UFPNR as a toughening filler in polybenzoxazine was demonstrated. The highest impact strength improvement of 20% was achieved by incorporation of 3 phr UFPNR in polybenzoxazine.
Prognostic factors for mortality in patients with congenital duodenal obstruction at DR. Moewardi Hospital Surakarta
Authors: Estiarla  , Agustriani Nunik
Published: February 2021

Background

Congenital duodenal obstruction is the most common congenital abnormalities in newborn. Almost 50% of all cases of congential abnormalities is duodenal obstruction. Several conditions of congenital obstruction can worsen a patient's prognosis, such as prematurity, low birth weight (LBW), other congenital abnormalities, type of obstruction, and the type of surgery performed.

Objective

To identify prognostic factors for mortality in patients with congenital duodenal obstruction in Dr. Moewardi Hospital Surakarta.

Methods

This study was a retrospective descriptive study with cross‐sectional approach. Data of congenital duodenal obstruction patients were taken from inpatient medical records from January 2019 to December 2020 at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta. Diagnosis, gestational age, birth weight, type of obstruction, other congenital abnormalities, and surgical procedure performed were also recorded. The data were then processed using SPSS 25.0, and one‐way Fisher's Exact test was performed.

Results

From 20 samples of patients with congenital duodenal obstruction, most of them were born at term pregnancy were 13 patients (65%). There were 11 (55%) babies who died. Based on the type of obstruction, total obstruction type were 12 (60%) patients with mortality rate 81.8%. 13 patients (65%) had comorbid congenital abnormalities. The most commonly performed surgical procedure was duodenojejunostomy (45%). Fisher's Exact test also showed statistically significant data (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

There were 20 samples with congenital duodenal obstruction. The total obstruction type had the highest mortality rate. Other variables such as gestational age, birth weight, and other congenital abnormalities did not significantly influence mortality in this study.
Effect of broflanilide on the phytophagous mite Tetranychus urticae and the predatory mite Typhlodromips swirskii
Authors: Shen Ning , Li Yao , Leviticus Kipchoge , Chang Xiao Li , Tang Tao , Cui Li , Han Zhao Jun , Zhao Chun Qing
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Two‐spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch, is one of the most serious pests of agricultural crops. Broflanilide exhibits high lethality against various pests and has been marketed worldwide under the Vedira and Tenebenal brands in 2020. Nevertheless, little information has been reported about its effects on agricultural mites.

RESULTS

Broflanilide displayed higher toxicity to TSSM eggs (24 h LC50, 1.015 mg L−1) and adult females (24 h LC50, 2.062 mg L−1) than commercial acaricides, including cyflumetofen, bifenazate, and profenofos. In contrast, the adverse effects of broflanilide on the predatory mite, Typhlodromips swirskii Athias‐Henriot, was lower than those of fenpyroximate and abamectin. In the sublethal effect study, while adult females were treated with broflanilide, the number of eggs and longevity were reduced in LC10 and LC30 treatments; when eggs were treated with broflanilide, the egg duration and deutonymph duration were prolonged in LC30 treatment. A significant decrease in the total life span and duration and fecundity of adult females was observed in LC10 and LC30 treatments. Furthermore, the number of eggs per adult female was significantly reduced from 103.48 ± 3.69 in the control group to 69.42 ± 2.22 and 48.33 ± 1.75 in LC10 and LC30 treatments, respectively. In the greenhouse bioassay, broflanilide 5% suspension concentrate (MCI‐8007) showed excellent acaricidal activity to TSSM, with 99.22% corrected control, compared with the MCI‐8007 untreated group.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that broflanilide has a high acaricidal activity to TSSM and significant inhibition to fecundity of adult female, and could be considered as a potential alternative for TSSM management.

© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Living and working on the edge: ‘Place precarity’ and the experiences of male manual workers in a U.K. seaside town
Authors: Simpson Ruth , Morgan Rachel , Lewis Patricia , Rumens Nick
Published: February 2021

Based on an ethnographic study of male manual workers in Blackpool, a large seaside town in the United Kingdom, and drawing on Bourdieu as a theoretical frame, this article explores the role of place in understanding conditions and experiences of precarity. With higher than average levels of deprivation, seaside towns have experienced particular employment challenges where precariousness is likely to be at the forefront of male manual workers' labour market condition. Results highlight the significance of the interplay between place, employment prospects, geographical ‘constriction’ and dispositions of ‘provisionality,’ which, together, produce ‘uneven geographies’ of labour. We develop the concept of ‘place precarity’ to show how precarity is fundamentally rooted in the spatial context and to capture how conditions and experiences of precarity interact with localised employment conditions.
Broadband Efficient Dual‐Polarization Airy Beam Generation with Reflective Metasurface
Authors: Wu Chao , Li Quan , Zhao Song , Zhang Zhihui , Liu Xuan , Wei Shijie , Li Hongqiang
Published: February 2021

This study demonstrates that continuous amplitude and binary phase modulation suitable for Airy beam encoding can be frequency‐independently obtained with not only cross‐polarized but also copolarized transmitted/reflected electromagnetic field components by rotation of unit cell with reflection symmetry. Maximum device efficiency can be achieved with relevant Airy beam generator, when the eigen polarization states of the unit cell are two orthogonal linear polarization states, and the copolarization reflections of them are out of phase and both have the amplitude of unity. As a proof of principle, broadband and high‐efficiency reflective Airy beam generators based on both copolarization and cross‐polarization modulation approaches are fabricated with cut‐wire structure as unit cell. The measured results show that the efficiency of the devices is approaching the theoretical limit in a wide frequency range.
Size and shape effects on the stability, electronic structure, and Raman spectroscopy of (SrO)n nanoclusters
Authors: Filho Luciano F. , Pansini Fernando N. N. , de Souza Fábio A. L.
Published: February 2021

Structural, electronic, and Raman scattering properties of strontium oxide nanoclusters are assessed through density functional theory. Binding energy and second‐order energy calculations clearly show the role played by the geometry on the relative stability of the (SrO)n clusters, revealing that by deviating from cuboid shape these systems tend to become less stable and therefore more reactive, leading to a higher electron affinity and lower ionization potential. Size and shape effects observed in Raman scattering indicate that it might be feasible to discriminate between one and two‐dimensional grown clusters. Additionally, signatures of clusters possessing rings in the structure are also identified in Raman spectra. The results thus suggest that Raman spectroscopy could be an interesting alternative experimental technique to better characterize small nanoclusters.
Resident Interstitial Lung Fibroblasts and their Role in Alveolar Stem Cell Niche Development, Homeostasis, Injury, and Regeneration
Authors: Ushakumary Mereena George , Riccetti Matthew , Perl Anne-Karina T.
Published: February 2021

Developing, regenerating, and repairing a lung all require interstitial resident fibroblasts (iReFs) to direct the behavior of the epithelial stem cell niche. During lung development, distal lung fibroblasts, in the form of matrix-, myo-, and lipofibroblasts, form the extra cellular matrix (ECM), create tensile strength, and support distal epithelial differentiation, respectively. During de novo septation in a murine pneumonectomy lung regeneration model, developmental processes are reactivated within the iReFs, indicating progenitor function well into adulthood. In contrast to the regenerative activation of fibroblasts upon acute injury, chronic injury results in fibrotic activation. In murine lung fibrosis models, fibroblasts can pathologically differentiate into lineages beyond their normal commitment during homeostasis. In lung injury, recently defined alveolar niche cells support the expansion of alveolar epithelial progenitors to regenerate the epithelium. In human fibrotic lung diseases like bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dynamic changes in matrix-, myo-, lipofibroblasts, and alveolar niche cells suggest differential requirements for injury pathogenesis and repair. In this review, we summarize the role of alveolar fibroblasts and their activation stage in alveolar septation and regeneration and incorporate them into the context of human lung disease, discussing fibroblast activation stages and how they contribute to BPD, IPF, and COPD.