bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing bioflavor production by solid‐state fermentation using Kluyveromyces marxianus and l‐phenylalanine
Authors: Roy Priyanka , Gahlawat Vijay K. , Saravanan Chakkaravarthi , Singh Bhim P.
Published: November 2022

This study includes the utilization of sweet lemon peel (SLP) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) in solid‐state fermentation using Kluyveromyces marxianus for bioflavor compounds production adopting response surface methodology. The major flavor compounds, 2‐phenylethanol (2‐PE) and 2‐phenylethyl acetate (2‐PEA) were quantified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with and without adding any supplements. Quantification of flavor compounds indicated that without adding any accessory in the substrate, the concentration of 2‐PE using SLP and SB was 0.15 ± 0.003 mg/g and 0.14 ± 0.002 mg/g, respectively. Whereas 2‐PEA concentration using SLP and SB was observed as 0.01 ± 0.008 mg/g and 0.02 ± 0.001 mg/g, respectively. The addition of l‐phenylalanine (l‐phe) in the substrates showed 30%–75% enhancement in the production of 2‐PE and 2‐PEA. The present study indicates that the K. marxianus is a potential microbial cell factory for the production of 2‐PE and 2‐PEA with the addition of synthetic l‐phe having a plethora of applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.
Stress, anxiety, depression, and health‐related quality of life in caregivers of children with intestinal failure receiving parenteral nutrition: A cross‐sectional survey study
Authors: Belza Christina , Avitzur Yaron , Ungar Wendy J. , Stremler Robyn , Fehlings Darcy , Wales Paul W.
Published: November 2022

Background

Improved survival rates for children with intestinal failure (IF) have resulted in an increased population of children receiving long‐term parenteral nutrition (PN). Our objective was to determine burden on caregivers of children with IF receiving long‐term PN.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional study of caregivers of children with IF receiving long‐term PN in our intestinal rehabilitation program. A healthy comparison group matched on age of the child was enrolled. All participants completed standardized questionnaires, including the Parental Stress Index – Short Form (PSI‐SF), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and PedsQL Family Impact Module (PedsQL FIM). Univariate analysis was completed using a Student t test and chi‐square, with an alpha value of <0.05 considered significant.

Results

Thirty‐eight caregivers of children with IF and 29 caregivers of healthy children consented, with response rates of 89% and 96.5%, respectively. Our study demonstrated increased stress for caregivers compared with comparison parents (PSI‐SF total score of 83 [SD = 26.8] vs 62.9 [SD = 13.5]; P < 0.01). Caregivers had increased anxiety (HADS anxiety score of 9.3 [SD = 4.8] vs 6.7 [SD = 3.2]; P = 0.02) and higher depression scores (HADS depression score of 6.3 [SD = 4.3] vs 4.1 [SD = 2.6]; P = 0.02) compared with the comparison group. Caregivers of children with IF demonstrated decreased health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) (reduced PedsQL FIM total score of 50.6 [SD = 18.2] vs 84.1 [SD = 20.5]; P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated significant burden of care in caregivers of children with IF receiving long‐term PN, with elevated stress, anxiety, and depression and decreased HRQoL.
Nutrition risk prevalence and screening tools' validity in pediatric patients: A systematic review
Authors: Pereira Danielly S. , da Silva Vitória M. , Luz Gabriela D. , Silva Flávia M. , Dalle Molle Roberta
Published: November 2022

Nutrition screening (NS) allows health professionals to identify patients at nutritional risk (NR), enabling early nutrition intervention. This study aimed to systematically review the criterion validity of NS tools for hospitalized non–critical care pediatric patients and to estimate the prevalence of NR in this population. This research was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases until June 2021. The reviewers extracted the studies' general information, the population characteristics, the NR prevalence, and the NS tools' concurrent and predictive validity data. Quality evaluation was performed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale, adapted Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale, and Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS‐2). The primary studies were qualitatively analyzed, and descriptive statistics were calculated to describe the NR prevalence. Of the total 3944 studies found, 49 met the inclusion criteria. Ten different pediatric NS tools were identified; the most frequently used were Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids), Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Pediatrics (STAMP), and Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS). The mean NR prevalence was 59.85% (range, 14.6%–96.9%). Among all NS tools analyzed, STRONGkids and PYMS showed the best diagnostic performance. STRONGkids had the most studies of predictive validity showing that the NR predicted a higher hospital length of stay (odds ratio [OR], 1.96–8.02), health complications during hospitalization (OR, 3.4), and the necessity for nutrition intervention (OR, 18.93). Considering the diagnostic accuracy, robust and replicated findings of predictive validity, and studies' quality, STRONGkids performed best in identifying NR in the pediatric population among the tools identified.
Large‐scale preparation of five polar polyphenols including three isomers from Phyllanthus emblica Linn. by preparative high‐speed counter‐current chromatography
Authors: Song Zhibo , Chen Tao , Wang Shuo , Shen Cheng , Ma Yumei , Li Aijing , Chen Zhi , Li Yulin
Published: November 2022

The separation of polar compounds is challenging work due to poor retention and insufficient selectivity. In the present study, an efficient strategy for large‐scale preparation of five polar polyphenols including three isomers from Phyllanthus emblica Linn has been established by preparative high‐speed counter‐current chromatography. Macroporous resin column chromatography was used for the enrichment of the polar polyphenols. However, sugar and other ultra‐polar impurities were co‐washed out with the targets. Liquid‐liquid extraction with ethyl acetate/water (1/1, v/v) solvent system was developed to remove the ultra‐polar impurities with a clearance rate of 95%. Finally, the targets were introduced to preparative high‐speed counter‐current chromatography for separation using ethyl acetate/n‐butanol/acetic acid/water (2/7/1/10, v/v/v/v) solvent system. As a result, 191 mg of Mucic acid 1,4‐lactone 5‐O‐gallate, 370 mg of β‐Glucogallin, 301 mg of Gallic acid, 195 mg of Mucic acid 1,4‐lactone 3‐O‐gallate and 176 mg of Mucic acid 1,4‐lactone 2‐O‐gallate with purity higher than 98% were obtained from 1.5 g of sample. Mucic acid 1,4‐lactone 3‐O‐gallate, Mucic acid 1,4‐lactone 3‐O‐gallate, and Mucic acid 1,4‐lactone 2‐O‐gallate are isomers. The results showed that high‐speed counter‐current chromatography could be well developed for the separation of polar compounds from natural products.
Brillouin shift and temperature measurement by spontaneous Rayleigh‐Brillouin scattering profiles using different models
Authors: Yan Hongda , Wu Tao , Xu Wenjie , Ye Chenwen , He Xingdao
Published: November 2022

Spontaneous Rayleigh‐Brillouin scattering spectra in nitrogen have been measured in the pressure range from 4 to 7 bar at a wide temperature from 291 to 399 K with a scattering angle of about 90°, and then fitted to different theoretical models (S6, V3, and G3). The result of the root‐mean‐square errors of fitting residuals shows that the V3 and G3 models have good fitting performance. However, compared to the predicted Brillouin shift, the maximum relative errors in deducing the Brillouin shift from fitted data are 0.6% for the S6, 3.3% for the V3 and 4.6% the G3 models. The S6 model is the most accurate model in retrieving temperature for the absolute error below 3.5 K while the absolute error is less than 25 K for the V3 model and 35 K for the G3 model. Although the V3 and G3 models may not be suitable for the atmospheric temperature measurement, they are more potential for the high‐temperature measurement of unknown environmental pressures.
Design and simulation of widely tunable picosecond synchronously pumped terahertz parametric oscillator based on silicon waveguide platform
Authors: Sun Wei , Wen Jin , Qin Weijun , He Chenyao , Xiong Keyu , Liang Bozhi
Published: November 2022

A picosecond synchronously pumped terahertz optical parametric oscillator based on silicon membrane waveguide (Si‐based WTPO) is proposed and numerically simulated. Through designing the structure parameters of the silicon membrane waveguide, a broadband terahertz frequency range is obtained by satisfying the phase matching condition. The parametric oscillation process and output characteristics of Si‐based WTPO are numerically analyzed by solving the four‐wave mixing coupled‐wave equations, and the result has indicated that the parametric oscillation within the resonant cavity can apparently enhance the output terahertz wave power. Meanwhile, high bandwidth and efficiency output terahertz wave can be obtained, and too high pump power will lead to a reaction of reverse conversion. Finally, the threshold pump power is calculated. The Si‐based WTPO system we proposed is expected to make some contributions to the study of compact and efficient terahertz wave sources.
Rapid 3D absolute B1+ mapping using a sandwiched train presaturated TurboFLASH sequence at 7 T for the brain and heart
Authors: Kent James L. , Dragonu Iulius , Valkovič Ladislav , Hess Aaron T.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To shorten the acquisition time of magnetization‐prepared absolute transmit field (B1+) mapping known as presaturation TurboFLASH, or satTFL, to enable single breath‐hold whole‐heart 3D B1+ mapping.

Methods

SatTFL is modified to remove the delay between the reference and prepared images (typically 5 T1), with matching transmit configurations for excitation and preparation RF pulses. The new method, called Sandwich, is evaluated as a 3D sequence, measuring whole‐brain and gated whole‐heart B1+ maps in a single breath‐hold. We evaluate the sensitivity to B1+ and T1 using numerical Bloch, extended phase graph, and Monte Carlo simulations. Phantom and in vivo images were acquired in both the brain and heart using an 8‐channel transmit 7 Tesla MRI system to support the simulations. A segmented satTFL with a short readout train was used as a reference.

Results

The method significantly reduces acquisition times of 3D measurements from 360 s to 20 s, in the brain, while simultaneously reducing bias in the measured B1+ due to T1 and magnetization history. The mean coefficient of variation was reduced by 81% for T1s of 0.5–3 s compared to conventional satTFL. In vivo, the reproducibility coefficient for flip angles in the range 0–130° was 4.5° for satTFL and 4.7° for our scheme, significantly smaller than for a short TR satTFL sequence, which was 12°. The 3D sequence measured B1+ maps of the whole thorax in 26 heartbeats.

Conclusion

Our adaptations enable faster B1+ mapping, with minimal T1 sensitivity and lower sensitivity to magnetization history, enabling single breath‐hold whole‐heart absolute B1+ mapping.
Rapid estimation of 2D relative B1+‐maps from localizers in the human heart at 7T using deep learning
Authors: Krueger Felix , Aigner Christoph Stefan , Hammernik Kerstin , Dietrich Sebastian , Lutz Max , Schulz‐Menger Jeanette , Schaeffter Tobias , Schmitter Sebastian
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Subject‐tailored parallel transmission pulses for ultra‐high fields body applications are typically calculated based on subject‐specific ‐maps of all transmit channels, which require lengthy adjustment times. This study investigates the feasibility of using deep learning to estimate complex, channel‐wise, relative 2D ‐maps from a single gradient echo localizer to overcome long calibration times.

Methods

126 channel‐wise, complex, relative 2D ‐maps of the human heart from 44 subjects were acquired at 7T using a Cartesian, cardiac gradient‐echo sequence obtained under breath‐hold to create a library for network training and cross‐validation. The deep learning predicted maps were qualitatively compared to the ground truth. Phase‐only ‐shimming was subsequently performed on the estimated ‐maps for a region of interest covering the heart. The proposed network was applied at 7T to 3 unseen test subjects.

Results

The deep learning‐based ‐maps, derived in approximately 0.2 seconds, match the ground truth for the magnitude and phase. The static, phase‐only pulse design performs best when maximizing the mean transmission efficiency. In‐vivo application of the proposed network to unseen subjects demonstrates the feasibility of this approach: the network yields predicted ‐maps comparable to the acquired ground truth and anatomical scans reflect the resulting ‐pattern using the deep learning‐based maps.

Conclusion

The feasibility of estimating 2D relative ‐maps from initial localizer scans of the human heart at 7T using deep learning is successfully demonstrated. Because the technique requires only sub‐seconds to derive channel‐wise ‐maps, it offers high potential for advancing clinical body imaging at ultra‐high fields.
MR Multitasking‐based multi‐dimensional assessment of cardiovascular system (MT‐MACS) with extended spatial coverage and water‐fat separation
Authors: Hu Zhehao , Xiao Jiayu , Mao Xianglun , Xie Yibin , Kwan Alan C. , Song Shlee S. , Fong Michael W. , Wilcox Alison G. , Li Debiao , Christodoulou Anthony G. , Fan Zhaoyang
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To extend the MR MultiTasking‐based Multidimensional Assessment of Cardiovascular System (MT‐MACS) technique with larger spatial coverage and water‐fat separation for comprehensive aortocardiac assessment.

Methods

MT‐MACS adopts a low‐rank tensor image model for 7D imaging, with three spatial dimensions for volumetric imaging, one cardiac motion dimension for cine imaging, one respiratory motion dimension for free‐breathing imaging, one T2‐prepared inversion recovery time dimension for multi‐contrast assessment, and one T2*‐decay time dimension for water‐fat separation. Nine healthy subjects were recruited for the 3T study. Overall image quality was scored on bright‐blood (BB), dark‐blood (DB), and gray‐blood (GB) contrasts using a 4‐point scale (0‐poor to 3‐excellent) by two independent readers, and their interreader agreement was evaluated. Myocardial wall thickness and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were quantified on DB and BB contrasts, respectively. The agreement in these metrics between MT‐MACS and conventional breath‐held, electrocardiography‐triggered 2D sequences were evaluated.

Results

MT‐MACS provides both water‐only and fat‐only images with excellent image quality (average score = 3.725/3.780/3.835/3.890 for BB/DB/GB/fat‐only images) and moderate to high interreader agreement (weighted Cohen's kappa value = 0.727/0.668/1.000/1.000 for BB/DB/GB/fat‐only images). There were good to excellent agreements in myocardial wall thickness measurements (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC] = 0.781/0.929/0.680/0.878 for left atria/left ventricle/right atria/right ventricle) and LVEF quantification (ICC = 0.716) between MT‐MACS and 2D references. All measurements were within the literature range of healthy subjects.

Conclusion

The refined MT‐MACS technique provides multi‐contrast, phase‐resolved, and water‐fat imaging of the aortocardiac systems and allows evaluation of anatomy and function. Clinical validation is warranted.
A discontinuous least squares finite element method for the Helmholtz equation
Authors: Li Ruo , Liu Qicheng , Yang Fanyi
Published: November 2022

We propose a discontinuous least squares finite element method for solving the Helmholtz equation. The method is based on the norm least squares functional with the weak imposition of the continuity across the interior faces as well as the boundary conditions. We minimize the functional over the discontinuous polynomial spaces to seek numerical solutions. The wavenumber explicit error estimates to our method are established. The optimal convergence rate in the energy norm with respect to a fixed wavenumber is attained. The least squares functional can naturally serve as a posteriori estimator in the h‐adaptive procedure. It is convenient to implement the code due to the usage of discontinuous elements. Numerical results in two and three dimensions are presented to verify the error estimates.
Registration of ‘CP 13‐4474’ sugarcane for sand soils
Authors: Islam Md S. , Sandhu Hardev S. , Zhao Duli , Sood Sushma , Momotaz Aliya , Baltazar Miguel , Arbelo Orlando Coto , Davidson R. Wayne , Gordon Vanessa S.
Published: November 2022

‘CP 13‐4474’ (Reg. no. CV‐209, PI 700305) sugarcane cultivar (a complex hybrid of Saccharum spp.) was released to growers in June 2021 for cultivating on sand soils in Florida after a decade‐long advancement through cooperative research conducted by the USDA‐ARS, the Florida Sugar Cane League Inc., and the University of Florida. It originated from a poly‐cross at Canal Point (CP). The Florida Sugarcane Variety Committee released CP 13‐4474 due to its high sugar yields, sucrose content on sand soils, and acceptable disease resistance. CP 13‐4774 has demonstrated resistance to brown rust (caused by Puccinia melanocephala H. & P. Sydow), orange rust (caused by Puccinia kuehnii E.J. Butler), mosaic (caused by Sugarcane mosaic virus strain E), and ratoon stunt (caused by Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli Evtushenko et al.) and moderate resistance to smut [caused by Sporisorium scitamineum (Syd.) M. Piepenbr. et al.], leaf scald (caused by Xanthomonas albilineans Ashby, Dowson), and yellow leaf syndrome (caused by Sugarcane yellow leaf virus). In late‐stage yield trials, CP 13‐4474 sugar yields were 9.4% greater than that of the check variety ‘CL 88‐4730’, while sucrose yields did not differ significantly from the reference check ‘CP 96‐1252’. CP 13‐4474 displayed superior resistance to both brown and orange rusts and produced more commercial recoverable sucrose than all three tested reference checks over the same harvest trials. With its demonstrated resistance to diseases and elevated sugar production capacity, CP 13‐4474 is expected to positively influence both sugarcane production and crop sustainability in Florida.
High viscosity change of corn starch suspensions prepared from granules quick treated with cold plasma
Authors: López‐Echevarría Gerardo , Mendez‐Montealvo Guadalupe , Nieto‐Pérez Martin , Velazquez Gonzalo , Herrera‐Gomez Alberto , Huerta‐Ruelas Jorge
Published: November 2022

This work evaluates the effect of cold plasma treatment with exposure times of  5, 10, and 15 min, on the granule properties and the rheological changes of corn starch suspensions. The exposure to plasma led to the deposition of a thin coat with a thickness proportional to treatment time, thereby improving the hydrophobic state of starch granules before and after the paste or gel conformation. Changes in rheological properties are observed after only 5 min of cold plasma treatment. A small effect is detected at a molecular level, as shown by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The proposed treatment is an eco‐friendly method to obtain hydrophobic corn starch with no structural changes. The paste formation test showed a reduction of 48% of original viscosity for native starch.
Smallholder farmers expand production area of the perennial crop enset as a climate coping strategy in a drought‐prone indigenous agrisystem
Authors: Chase Rachel R. , Büchi Lucie , Rodenburg Jonne , Roux Nicolas , Wendawek Abebe , Borrell James S.
Published: November 2022

Societal Impact Statement

Climate resilient crops will become increasingly important, especially in regions where smallholder farmers are vulnerable to climate extremes. Enset, a multipurpose perennial staple crop consumed by over 20 million people in Ethiopia, purportedly provides food security during periods of drought. Here, we find evidence that frequent severe drought events led to an increase in enset production area. This is consistent with a broader pattern whereby farmers preferentially cultivate perennial and storable crops after long‐term drought events, providing an example of adaptation to fluctuations in climate through crop choice in indigenous agrisystems.

Smallholder farms in the semiarid and subhumid tropics are particularly vulnerable to increased climate variability. Indigenous agrisystems that have co‐evolved with climate variability may have developed resilience strategies. In the Southwest Ethiopian Highlands, agrisystems are dominated by the multipurpose perennial staple enset (Ensete ventricosum), characterised by flexible harvest timing, high yield, long storage, and putative drought tolerance, earning it the name ‘the tree against hunger’.

We tested three hypotheses using crop production area and climate data. First, that enset production area is greatest in the most drought‐prone locations. Second, that farmers respond to drought events by increasing enset production area. And third, that drought encourages shifts in agrisystem composition more widely towards perennial or storable crops.

We found that regions with a higher severe drought frequency are associated with significantly higher proportion of enset production. Similarly, the Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index of the previous 3 years is significantly negatively correlated with enset production area time series, suggesting that prior drier conditions led farmers to increase the land under enset production. Regarding other crops, storage crops roots and tubers were also preferentially selected after long‐term drought over annual crops, indicating their capacity for longer‐term resilience.

Promoting the production of crops such as perennials, which have more extensive and established root systems, may be a strategy to ensure food security during drought or climate variability. These results indicate the potential of farmer's resilience strategies to improve food security in a changing climate.
Reaction Kinetics Model of Surface‐Denitrated Spherical Gun Propellant
Authors: Li Shiying , Li Yu , Ding Yajun , Xiao Zhongliang , Shi Yudong , Yuan Ye
Published: November 2022

Gun propellant with progressive burning performance plays an important role in improving the comprehensive performance of barrel weapon. At present, surface‐denitrated gun propellant prepared by removing energetic functional groups (−ONO2) directionally in the surface layer of gun propellant, is an original progressive burning gun propellant. In this study, the reaction kinetics of denitration process of spherical gun propellant was established by a simple weighing method based on the shrinking unreacted core kinetic model (SUCK model) of solid‐liquid reaction. The SEM was used to obtain the change of the cross‐sectional microstructure of spherical gun propellant before and after the denitration reaction, confirming the core‐shell structure of surface‐denitrated spherical gun propellant. Then, the denitration reaction rate of spherical gun propellant was studied under different denitration reaction temperatures and reaction times. Meanwhile, the Arrhenius formula was used to calculate the activation energy of the denitration reaction. The results showed that the denitration reaction of spherical gun propellant was controlled by the diffusion of denitration solution in the solid product layer and the value of the apparent activation energy (Ea) is 105.7 kJ ⋅ mol−1. This work not only establishes the kinetic model of surface‐denitrated spherical gun propellant but also provides a theoretical and practical basis for the controllable and efficient preparation of surface‐denitrated gun propellant.
Addressing positivity violations in causal effect estimation using Gaussian process priors
Authors: Zhu Angela Yaqian , Mitra Nandita , Roy Jason
Published: November 2022

In observational studies, causal inference relies on several key identifying assumptions. One identifiability condition is the positivity assumption, which requires the probability of treatment be bounded away from 0 and 1. That is, for every covariate combination, it should be possible to observe both treated and control subjects the covariate distributions should overlap between treatment arms. If the positivity assumption is violated, population‐level causal inference necessarily involves some extrapolation. Ideally, a greater amount of uncertainty about the causal effect estimate should be reflected in such situations. With that goal in mind, we construct a Gaussian process model for estimating treatment effects in the presence of practical violations of positivity. Advantages of our method include minimal distributional assumptions, a cohesive model for estimating treatment effects, and more uncertainty associated with areas in the covariate space where there is less overlap. We assess the performance of our approach with respect to bias and efficiency using simulation studies. The method is then applied to a study of critically ill female patients to examine the effect of undergoing right heart catheterization.
Assessing comparable bioconcentration potentials for nanoparticles in aquatic organisms via combined utilization of machine learning and toxicokinetic models
Authors: Dong Shipeng , Wu Zihao , Wang Mingjie , Sun Xiaoyan , Mao Liang
Published: November 2022

The toxicokinetic (TK) model‐derived kinetic bioconcentration factor (BCFk) provides a quantitatively comparable index to estimate the bioaccumulation potential of nanoparticles (NPs) that barely reach thermodynamic equilibrium in aquatic organisms, but experimental data are limited for various NPs. In the present study, a machine learning model was applied to offer reliable in silico predictions for the dynamic body burden of diverse NPs to derive corresponding parameters for the TK model. The developed eXtreme Gradient Boosting‐derived TK (XGB‐TK) model was applied to predict BCFk results for a broad range of metallic or carbonaceous NPs, with an appreciable prediction R2 of 0.96. The BCFk values were predicted based on a random combination of selected variable features, revealing that their bioaccumulation potential showed an overall negative correlation with NP density or organism size. By applying importance analysis and partial dependence plots, NP density and organism size were revealed to be the top essential features that impact the bioaccumulation potential. The conjunctively used XGB‐TK model enabled a prior comparison for diverse NPs and straightforward derivation on the dependency of features, which could also guide the bioaccumulation mechanism exploration and experimental condition formulation.
Revision of the pachycormid fish Saurostomus esocinus Agassiz from the Early Jurassic (Toarcian) of Europe, with new insight into the origins of suspension‐feeding in Pachycormidae
Authors: Cooper Samuel L. A. , Maxwell Erin E.
Published: November 2022

The Early Jurassic Posidonienschiefer Formation in south‐west Germany (Toarcian) records the first appearance of the stem‐teleost group Pachycormidae in the fossil record. However, most pachycormid taxa remain poorly diagnosed or undescribed, making questions of the morphological underpinnings of trophic diversification in the group difficult to address. Here we re‐describe Saurostomus esocinus, a large (≤1710 mm) pelagic pachycormid, based on material from the type formation. Additional material of Saurostomus is identified in near‐coeval strata in Luxembourg, France and the UK, demonstrating a broad European distribution. We assign a neotype, and provide the first formal diagnosis and cranial reconstruction for this genus. Historical misconceptions regarding taxonomic identity of Saurostomus have caused numerous specimens to be conflated with the better known genus Pachycormus. In south‐west Germany, Saurostomus is stratigraphically distributed across the tenuicostatum and serpentinum Zones, encapsulating six ammonite subzones, with an individual from the paltum subzone representing the oldest stratigraphic occurrence of Pachycormidae. Stout recurved teeth, powerful pectoral fins, a streamlined body, a pre‐caudal scaly keel and remnants of coleoid gut contents indicate fast swimming capabilities and a pelagic teuthophagous ecology for Saurostomus esocinus. Cladistic analysis retains Saurostomus as sister to a clade comprising Ohmdenia and the suspension‐feeding pachycormids. Several character states associated with the evolution of suspension‐feeding are shared with Saurostomus, indicating S. esocinus, rather than Ohmdenia, to be the most basal pachycormid to have transitional suspension‐feeding characteristics. The divergence of the suspension‐feeding and macrophagous pachycormids therefore pre‐dates the paltum subzone of the lower Toarcian.
LncRNA ZFAS1 promotes laryngeal cancer progression through RBFOX2‐mediated MENA alternative splicing
Authors: Lu Baocai , Li Xiao , Miao Wenjie , Liu Qi , Li Ruixue , Cui Can , Gao Qingzu , Lian Rong
Published: November 2022

Laryngeal cancer (LC) is the most common aggressive malignancy of the head and neck. LncRNA ZNFX1 antisense RNA 1 (ZFAS1) displays oncogenic properties in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, but its regulatory role in laryngeal cancer progression remains obscure. Here, we found that ZFAS1 expression in laryngeal cancer tissues and cells was higher than that in adjacent normal tissues and normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. Highly expressed ZFAS1 was associated with advanced lymph node metastasis stages and clinical stages. ZFAS1 overexpression promoted LC cell proliferation, invasion, and N‐cadherin and Vimentin expression, and suppressed E‐cadherin expression. While ZFAS1 knockdown played an opposite role. Mechanistically, ZFAS1 stabilized RNA binding fox‐1 homolog 2 (RBFOX2) protein expression by binding to RBFOX2, and RBFOX2 overexpression reversed the effect of ZFAS1 silence on cell functions. Moreover, highly expressed RBFOX2 led to skipping of MENA exon 11a and generating a pro‐invasive isoform (MENAINV). MENAINV overexpression effectively abolished the inhibitory effect of RBFOX2 knockdown on cell malignant progression. Furthermore, Hep2 cells infected with lentivirus‐mediated ZFAS1 shRNA or negative control shRNA were subcutaneously injected into mice to assess the role of ZFAS1 in tumor growth. And the data showed that silencing ZFAS1 in vivo hindered xenograft tumor growth. In conclusion, silencing ZFAS1 alleviated malignant progression of laryngeal cancer cells and mouse xenograft tumor growth by regulating RBFOX2‐mediated alternative splicing of MENA.
Customized blends of polypropylene for extrusion based additive manufacturing
Authors: Das Arit , Shanmugham Nishanth , Bortner Michael J.
Published: November 2022

Filament‐based material extrusion (MatEx) additive manufacturing has garnered great interest due to its simplicity, customizability, and cost‐effectiveness. However, MatEx of semicrystalline polymers is still largely relegated to prototyping applications. Major issues involving volumetric shrinkage and warpage of the printed parts must be addressed in order to employ them for printing functional parts. Moreover, the crystallization behavior and rheology of the polymer are dependent on the MatEx processing conditions. In the current work, the printability of blends of isotactic polypropylene with a soft, low crystallinity propylene based homopolymer is evaluated. Addition of the homopolymer resulted in an increase in the crystallization window of the blends by ~6°C that had a profound impact on the interlayer adhesion and residual stress state. The shear‐dependent melt flow behavior inside the printing nozzle as well as the interlayer chain diffusion and interlayer welding on the print bed were investigated. Rheological characterizations also indicate sufficient dispersion and miscibility of the homopolymer in the neat polypropylene matrix. The incorporation of the homopolymer as an additive significantly improved the dimensional accuracy of the printed parts through better dissipation of the entrapped residual stresses during MatEx. Moreover, the degree of mechanical anisotropy of the parts was significantly lower than that obtained using many 3D printable grade polymers. The findings from this study can be leveraged in toolpath planning, process parameter optimization, and new feedstock development, highlighting current limitations as well as providing valuable insights into necessary processing modifications in order to enable MatEx of next generation semicrystalline polymers.
2‐D Analytical solutions for the multisegmented panel subjected to arbitrary boundary condition
Authors: Kumar Viwek , Kumari Poonam
Published: November 2022

A closed‐form bending solution of the multisegmented panels is presented for different support conditions. The panels can have multiple no. of segments along the x‐axis with varying material properties. The governing equations are formulated using the extended Kantorovich method (EKM) in the mixed‐form, and a set of ordinary differential equations have been obtained. The continuity of displacement and stresses are satisfied at the interface of each segment. The panels can have simply‐support, clamp, and free types of support conditions. The panel interface at each segment along the x‐axis is assumed to be perfectly bonded. In this work, the stress and deformation variations for four types of panel configuration have been studied. Two segmented panels having aluminum and Graphite–Epoxy with equal and unequal segments are considered. A four‐segmented Al/SiC panel having gradual material variation is also analyzed. The effect of ply‐angles on the longitudinal variables is also studied for the equal segmented Al/GrEp panel. The deflection and stresses are compared with the finite element solution and found in good agreement with the EKM results. The current development will lead to developing the solution for stepped panels, dissimilar plates, and more complex cases used in aerospace applications.
The Axiological Drivers to Solidarity Mobilisation in the ‘Refugee Crisis’: Between Universal Value Orientations and Moral Commitments
Authors: Fernández G. G. Eva
Published: November 2022

This chapter investigates the role of axiological drivers in solidarity activism with refugees. It examines how universal value orientations denote normative and relational orientations of care and posits that refugee solidarity activism is driven by the activists’ universal caring orientations to all vulnerable groups. Overall, the chapter illustrates how universal value orientations and moral commitments shape and orient political activism with refugees based on common ideational solidarity projects. These conclusions are based on the analysis of data from a cross-national EU survey conducted in 8-EU countries between 2016 and 2017. Findings substantiate that axiological drivers, namely, universal value orientations and moral commitments, increase the predicted probability for engagement in refugee solidarity activism. Lastly, this chapter supports that in addition to attitudinal affinity and organisational embeddedness, refugee solidarity activism is a product of axiological drivers.
Application of Metabolomics in Childhood Leukemia Diagnostics
Authors: Kozioł Agata , Pupek Małgorzata
Published: November 2022

Metabolomics is a new field of science dealing with the study and analysis of metabolites formed in living cells. The biological fluids used in this test method are: blood, blood plasma, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva and urine. The most popular methods of assessing the composition of metabolites include nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) in combination with gas chromatography–MS or liquid chromatography–MS. Metabolomics is used in many areas of medicine. The variability of biochemical processes in neoplastic cells in relation to healthy cells is the starting point for this type of research. The aim of the research currently being carried out is primarily to find biomarkers for quick diagnosis of the disease, assessment of its advancement and treatment effectiveness. The development of metabolomics may also contribute to the individualization of treatment of patients, adjusting drugs depending on the metabolic profile, and thus may improve the effectiveness of therapy, reduce side effects and help to improve the quality of life of patients. Here, we review the current and potential applications of metabolomics, focusing on its use as a biomarker method for childhood leukemia.

Graphic abstract
The first-generation anatomical medial meniscus prosthesis led to unsatisfactory results: a first-in-human study
Authors: van Tienen T. G. , van Minnen B. , Defoort K. C. , Emans P. J. , van de Groes S. A. W. , Verdonschot N. , Jutten L. M. , Pikaart R. W. E. , Heesterbeek P. J. C.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this first-in-human study was to evaluate the effect of a polycarbonate anatomical meniscus prosthesis system, including the surgical procedure, on knee pain and describe potential adverse events in patients with post-meniscectomy pain syndrome.

Methods

Eleven patients with post-meniscectomy pain syndrome and limited underlying cartilage damage were enrolled in the study. Five received a medial polycarbonate urethane meniscus prosthesis which was clicked onto 2 titanium screws fixated at the native horn attachments on the tibia. The KOOS score was planned to be collected at baseline and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months following the intervention including radiographs at 6, 12 and 24 months. MRI scans were repeated after 12 and 24 months.

Results

The surgical technique to select an appropriately sized implant and correct positioning of the fixation screws and meniscus prosthesis onto the tibia was demonstrated to be feasible and reproducible. Inclusion stopped after 5 patients because of serious adverse device-related events. All patients reported knee joint stiffness and slight effusion in their knee at 6 months follow-up. In 3 patients the implant was removed because of implant failure and in 1 patient the implant was removed because of persistent pain and extension limitation. In none of the patients did the KOOS score improve in the first 6 months after surgery. However, in the patient who still has the implant in situ, PROMs started to improve 1 year after surgery and this improvement continued through 2 years of follow-up. The KOOS Pain, symptoms and ADL were close to the maximal 100 points. KOOS QoL and sport did improve but remained suboptimal.

Conclusion

This first version of the meniscus prosthesis led to impaired knee function and failed in four out of five patients. The patients where the prosthesis was removed were salvable and the PROMs returned to pre-study levels. The results in the patient where the device is still in place are promising.

Level of evidence

Level II.
Evolutionary implications of size-selective mortality on the ontogenetic development of shoal cohesion: a neurochemical approach using a zebrafish, Danio rerio, harvest selection experiment
Authors: Sbragaglia Valerio , Roy Tamal , Thörnqvist Per-Ove , López-Olmeda Jose Fernando , Winberg Svante , Arlinghaus Robert
Published: November 2022

Size-selective mortality may evolutionarily alter life-history as well as individual behavioral and physiological traits. Moreover, size-selective mortality can affect group behavioral traits, such as shoaling and collective properties (e.g., shoal cohesion), which are relevant for finding food and reducing risk of predation. Here, we present experimental evidence using selection lines of zebrafish (Danio rerio) that were exposed to positive (large-harvested), negative (small-harvested), and random (control) size-selective mortality for five generations, followed by eight generations during which harvesting was halted to remove maternal effects and to study evolutionarily fixed outcomes. We investigated changes in shoal cohesion and turnover in monoamines in zebrafish through ontogeny. To that end, we repeatedly measured inter-individual distance in groups of eight fish and the turnovers of dopamine and serotonin in brains of fish from juvenile to the adult stage at 40-day intervals. We, firstly, found that shoal cohesion was overall consistent through ontogeny at group levels suggesting the presence of collective personality. Secondly, we found a decrease in shoal cohesion through ontogeny in the small-harvested and control lines, while the large-harvested line did not show any ontogenetic change. Thirdly, the selection lines did not differ among each other in shoal cohesion at any ontogenetic stage. Fourthly, dopamine turnover increased through ontogeny in a similar way for all lines while the serotonin turnover decreased in the large-harvested and control lines, but not in the small-harvested line. The large-harvested line also had higher serotonin turnover than controls at specific time periods. In conclusion, intensive size-selective mortality left an evolutionary legacy of asymmetric selection responses in the ontogeny of shoal cohesion and the underlying physiological mechanisms in experimentally harvested zebrafish in the laboratory.

Significant statement

The evolution of animal behavior can be affected by human activities both at behavioral and physiological levels, but causal evidence is scarce and mostly focusing on single life-stages. We studied whether and to what extent size-selective harvesting, a common selection pattern in fisheries, can be an evolutionary driver of the development of shoal cohesion during ontogeny. We used a multi-generation experiment with zebrafish to study cause-and-effects of opposing size-selection patterns. We quantified shoal cohesion, and serotonin and dopamine turnover in the brain. We found that shoal cohesion emerged as a collective personality trait and that behavioral and physiological responses were asymmetrical with respect to the opposing selection patterns.
Uterine allograft removal by total laparoscopic hysterectomy after successful cesarean delivery in a living-donor uterus recipient with uterovaginal agenesis (MRKHS)
Authors: Brucker Sara Yvonne , Krämer Bernhard , Abele Harald , Henes Melanie , Hoopmann Markus , Schöller Dorit , Königsrainer Alfred , Bösmüller Hans , Nikolaou Konstantin , Krumm Patrick , Rosenberger Peter , Heim Eckhard , Amend Bastian , Rausch Steffen , Althaus Karina , Bakchoul Tamam , Guthoff Martina , Heyne Nils , Nadalin Silvio , Rall Kristin Katharina
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To limit the burden of long-term immunosuppression (IS) after uterus transplantation (UTx), removal of the uterine allograft is indicated after maximum two pregnancies. Hitherto this has required graft hysterectomy by laparotomy. Our objective was to demonstrate, as a proof of concept, the feasibility of less traumatic transplantectomy by total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH).

Patient

A 37-year-old woman with uterovaginal agenesis due to Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome (MRKHS) who had undergone neovaginoplasty at age 19 years prior to living-donor (LD) UTx in 10/2019 at age 35 years gave birth to a healthy boy by primary cesarean section in 06/2021. During pregnancy, she developed impaired renal function, with bilateral hydronephrosis, necessitating early allograft removal in 09/2021 to prevent chronic kidney disease, particularly during a potential second pregnancy.

Methods

Transplantectomy by TLH essentially followed standard TLH procedures. We paid meticulous attention to removing as much donor tissue as possible to prevent postoperative complications from residual donor tissue after stopping IS, as well as long-term vascular damage.

Results

TLH was performed successfully without the need to convert to open surgery. Surgical time was 90 min with minimal blood loss. No major complications occurred intra- or postoperatively and during the subsequent 9-month follow-up period. Kidney function normalized.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, we report the first successful TLH-based removal of a uterine allograft in a primipara after LD UTx, thus demonstrating the feasibility of TLH in uterus recipients with MRKHS.
Impact of gut Microbiome alteration in Ulcerative Colitis patients on disease severity and outcome
Authors: Basha Osama Mohammed , Hafez Raghda A. , Salem Sara Mohamed , Anis Reham H. , Hanafy Amr Shaaban
Published: November 2022

Background

Ulcerative colitis is a heterogeneous disease in terms of disease course, location, and therapeutic response. The current study was done to assess the alteration of the gut microbiome in UC patients and its relationship to severity, response to therapy, and outcome.

Patients and methods

The study included 96 participants who were divided into a case group (n = 48, recent onset, treatment naive ulcerative colitis patients who were subdivided into mild, moderate, and severe subgroups based on Truelove–Witts and endoscopic severity) and a healthy control group (n = 48). All were subjected to a thorough history, clinical examination, colonoscopy, routine laboratory tests, and quantitative real-time PCR to quantify Bacteroides, Lactobacilli, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Veillonella, and Hemophilus in fecal samples at baseline and 6 months after treatment.

Results

Bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed a significant reduction in the phylum Firmicutes in UC patients, with a significant predominance of the phylum Bacteriodetes. F. prausnitzii and lactobacilli were inversely proportional to disease severity, whereas Bacteroides, Hemophilus, and Veillonella were directly proportional to it. Six months after therapy, a statistically significant increase in F. prausnitzii and lactobacilli was observed, with a decrease in the levels of other bacteria. Lower baseline F. praustinizii (< 8.5) increased the risk of relapse; however, lower ESR (< 10), lower post-treatment CRP (< 6), lower Bacteroides (< 10.6) indefinitely protect against relapse.

Conclusion

The gut microbiome of recently diagnosed UC showed lower levels of Lactobacilli, Faecalibacterium, and higher levels of Bacteroides and Veillonella, and the change in their levels can be used to predict response to therapy.
A systematic review to identify the use of stated preference research in the field of older adult care
Authors: de Jong Lea , Zeidler Jan , Damm Kathrin
Published: November 2022

In the design of long-term care systems, preferences can serve as an essential indication to better tailor services to the needs, wishes and expectations of its consumers. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize and synthesize available evidence on long-term care preferences that have been elicited by quantitative stated-preference methods. The databases PubMed and Web of Science were searched for the period 2000 to 2020 with an extensive set of search terms. Two independent researchers judged the eligibility of studies. The final number of included studies was 66, conducted in 19 different countries. Studies were systematized according to their content focus as well as the survey method used. Irrespective of the heterogeneity of studies with respect to research focus, study population, sample size and study design, some consistent findings emerged. When presented with a set of long-term care options, the majority of study participants preferred to “age in place” and make use of informal or home-based care. With increasing severity of physical and cognitive impairments, preferences shifted toward the exclusive use of formal care. Next to the severity of care needs, the influence on preferences of a range of other independent variables such as income, family status and education were tested; however, none showed consistent effects across all studies. The inclusion of choice-based elicitation techniques provides an impression of how studies operationalized long-term care and measured preferences. Future research should investigate how preferences might change over time and generations as well as people’s willingness and realistic capabilities of providing care.