bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative effectiveness and complications of intravenous ceftriaxone compared with oral doxycycline in Lyme meningitis in children: a multicentre prospective cohort study
Authors: Nigrovic Lise E , Chun Thomas H , Vargas Sara E , Caffrey Aisling R , Halperin John J , Race Jonathan A , Ott Ulrike , Morrison Brynna L , Fuller Bethany J , VanBuren John M , Lyme Net Pedi
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Lyme disease is the most common vectorborne disease in the Northern hemisphere with more than 400 000 new cases in the USA annually. Lyme meningitis is an uncommon but potentially serious clinical manifestation of Lyme disease. Intravenous ceftriaxone had been the first-line treatment for Lyme meningitis, but is associated with a high rate of complications. Although efficacy and effectiveness (or real-world evidence) data for oral doxycycline are limited, practice guidelines were recently expanded to recommend either oral doxycycline or ceftriaxone as first-line treatments for Lyme meningitis. Our goal is to compare oral doxycycline with intravenous ceftriaxone for the treatment of Lyme meningitis on short-term recovery and long-term quality of life.

Methods and analysis

We are performing a prospective cohort study at 20 US paediatric centres located in diverse geographical range where Lyme disease is endemic. The clinical care team will make all antibiotic treatment decisions for children with Lyme meningitis, as per usual practice. We will follow enrolled children for 6 months to determine time of acute symptom recovery and impact on quality of life.

Ethics and dissemination

Boston Children’s Hospital, the single Institutional Review Board (sIRB), has approved the study protocol with the other 19 enrolling sites as well as the Utah data coordinating centre relying on the Boston Children’s Hospital sIRB. Once the study is completed, we will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
Clinical associations of cognitive dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Raghunath Sudha , Glikmann-Johnston Yifat , Golder Vera , Kandane-Rathnayake Rangi , Morand Eric F , Stout Julie C , Hoi Alberta
Published: February 2023

Objective

Cognitive dysfunction in SLE is common, but clinical risk factors are poorly understood. This study aims to explore the associations of cognitive dysfunction in SLE with disease activity, organ damage, biomarkers and medications.

Methods

We performed cross-sectional cognitive assessment using a conventional neuropsychological test battery, with normative values derived from demographically matched healthy subjects. Endpoints included two binary definitions of cognitive dysfunction and seven individual cognitive domain scores. Clinical parameters included disease activity (SLEDAI-2K) and organ damage (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index). We performed regression analyses to determine associations between clinical parameters and cognitive endpoints.

Results

89 patients with SLE were studied, with median age of 45 and disease duration of 15 years. Organ damage was significantly associated with severe cognitive dysfunction (OR 1.49, CI 1.01–2.22) and worse cognitive test performance in three of the seven individual cognitive domains. In contrast, no significant associations were found between SLEDAI-2K at the time of cognitive assessment and any cognitive endpoints on multivariate analysis. Higher time-adjusted mean SLEDAI-2K was associated with better verbal memory scores but had no significant associations with other cognitive endpoints. The presence of anti-dsDNA antibodies and high IFN gene signature were negatively associated with severe cognitive dysfunction; there were no significant associations with the other autoantibodies studied or any medications. Substance use was significantly associated with lower psychomotor speed. Only 8% of patients who had cognitive dysfunction on testing had been recognised by clinicians on their SDI score.

Conclusions

In SLE, cognitive dysfunction was positively associated with organ damage, but not associated with disease activity, and serological activity and high IFN signature were negatively associated. Cognitive dysfunction was poorly captured by clinicians. These findings have implications for preventative strategies addressing cognitive dysfunction in SLE.
Exposure to specific tumour necrosis factor inhibitors and risk of demyelinating and inflammatory neuropathy in cohorts of patients with inflammatory arthritis: a collaborative observational study across five Nordic rheumatology registers
Authors: Delcoigne Benedicte , Kopp Tine Iskov , Arkema Elizabeth V , Hellgren Karin , Provan Sella Aarrestad , Relas Heikki , Aaltonen Kalle , Trokovic Nina , Gudbjornsson Bjorn , Grondal Gerdur , Klami Kristianslund Eirik , Lindhardsen Jesper , Dreyer Lene , Askling Johan
Published: February 2023

Objective

To compare incidences of neuroinflammatory events, including demyelinating disease (DML), inflammatory polyneuropathies (IPN) and multiple sclerosis (MS), in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or spondyloarthritis (SpA; including psoriatic arthritis) starting a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi), investigating whether monoclonal TNFi antibodies (other TNFis (oTNFis)) confer higher risk than etanercept.

Methods

This is an observational cohort study including patients from the five Nordic countries starting a TNFi in 2001–2020. Time to first neuroinflammatory event was identified through register linkages. We calculated crude incidence rates (cIR) per 1000 person-years and used multivariable-adjusted Cox regression to compare incidences of neuroinflammatory events overall and for DML, IPN and MS with oTNFi versus etanercept. We further examined individual TNFis and indications.

Results

33 883 patients with RA and 28 772 patients with SpA were included, initiating 52 704 and 46 572 treatment courses, respectively. In RA, we observed 135 neuroinflammatory events (65% DML) with cIR of 0.38 with oTNFi and 0.34 with etanercept. The HR of oTNFi versus etanercept was 1.07 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.54) for any neuroinflammatory event, 0.79 (95% CI 0.51 to 1.22) for DML, 2.20 (95% CI 1.05 to 4.63) for IPN and 0.73 (95% CI 0.34 to 1.56) for MS. In SpA, we observed 179 events (78% DML) with cIR of 0.68 with oTNFi and 0.65 with etanercept. The HR for any neuroinflammatory event, DML, IPN and MS was 1.06 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.50), 1.01 (95% CI 0.68 to 1.50), 1.28 (95% CI 0.61 to 2.69) and 0.94 (95% CI0.53 to 1.69), respectively.

Conclusion

The cIRs of neuroinflammatory events are higher in SpA than in RA, but the choice of specific TNFi does not seem to play an important role in the risk of neuroinflammatory events.
Immigrant families’ experience of the Canadian food and nutrition environment
Authors: Lane Ginny , Vatanparast Hassan
Published: February 2023

Upon arrival in Canada, immigrants are thrust into a new food environment, which is at an advanced stage of the nutrition transition continuum, encompassing reduced physical activity, sedentary lifestyles, and energy dense diets. In addition to the influence of readily available energy dense foods, immigrant children's food environments may also be impacted by limited availability of traditional foods, economic-constraints, time-constraints, parents’ cooking skills, parents’ child feeding styles, and school food environments. The study involved in-depth interviews with 22 immigrant parents regarding their family experiences of the food and nutrition environment, along with 22 participants from settlement agencies, community schools, English-as-a-second-language programmes, and healthcare organizations. Many newcomers shared experiences that highlighted drastic changes to their food environment upon arrival, including reduced access to open air fresh produce markets, increased access to large supermarkets, fast-paced lifestyles, and the pervasive presence of fast foods and snack foods. Some parents indicated that food purchase decisions were impacted by children's demands and that their children's school environments affected the types of foods their children would eat. A few service providers mentioned negative impacts on breastfeeding, and the change in physical environment as part of the nutrition environment due to association with vitamin D status. The early years are a pivotal time in the development of eating patterns; so supportive food and nutrition environments in homes, communities, and schools can ensure that children develop healthy eating habits to support long-term health.
Summer distribution and habitat preference of beluga whale social groups in the Eastern Beaufort Sea
Authors: Mayette Alexandra , Marcoux Marianne , Iacozza John , Ferguson Megan , Brower Amelia , Loseto Lisa
Published: February 2023

In social animals, group composition can cause variations in individual needs that can influence responses to habitat trade-offs, such as predator exposure or foraging opportunities. The Eastern Beaufort Sea beluga whales ( Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776)) form different group types and cover multiple habitat types in summer. This study compares the habitat preference of three beluga social group types: (1) individual belugas, (2) groups of adults, and (3) groups with at least one calf. Observations were collected during aerial surveys in July and August 2019. For each month, beluga distribution was analyzed with hierarchical generalized additive models, as a function of group type and four covariates: sea surface temperature, bathymetry, slope, and distance to the coastline. Group type, water temperature, and bathymetric features best explained beluga distribution. In July, groups of adults preferred the continental shelf, whereas individual belugas and groups with calves preferred the continental slope. In August, groups of adults and groups with calves were found in Amundsen Gulf at similar depths. For both months, individual belugas associated more with deeper and colder areas. The preferences often corresponded to previously published distributions of the beluga's main prey species, suggesting that foraging opportunities and size-related energy requirements strongly influence habitat use.
Temporary thinning shock in previously shaded red spruce
Authors: French Kelly L. , Vadeboncoeur Matthew A. , Asbjornsen Heidi , Fraver Shawn , Kenefic Laura S. , Moore David B. , Wason Jay W.
Published: February 2023

Silvicultural thinning can lead to rapid microclimatic changes for residual trees. Despite the benefits of decreased competition, thinning may induce “thinning shock”—temporary negative physiological responses as trees acclimate to new conditions. We examined the impact of thinning on the microclimate and physiology of residual, previously shaded red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.) trees relative to non-thinned controls. Both daily maximum temperature and vapor pressure deficit increased post thinning, with larger increases observed on hotter and drier days. In response to these environmental changes, we found clear evidence of physiological declines. At 1.7 weeks post thinning, we found a 0.59 MPa reduction in average midday water potential relative to control trees, which lasted for an additional 1.4 weeks. Thus, the trees in the thinning treatment were at or beyond published estimates of needle turgor loss. Thinning decreased the photosynthetic efficiency of current-year needles by 3.8% after 2 weeks, and it declined by 1.3% per week for the remainder of the growing season. These results suggest that thinning shock occurs in red spruce, a shade-adapted, climate-sensitive species. Thinning shock may contribute to the lagged growth responses commonly observed post thinning, and these effects may be more extreme in novel future climates.
Thermal radiation and heat sink/source aspects on 3D magnetized Sutterby fluid capturing thermophoresis particle deposition
Authors: Hussain Zubair , Khan W. A. , Ali Mehboob
Published: February 2023

Investigating the characteristics and distinctive qualities of non-Newtonian fluids, the Sutterby model magnificently represents the dilute polymer solution. Different advantages of diluted polymeric solutions are found in polymerized melts, agricultural sprayers, clay coaters, cleansing products and many more. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a numerical solution of heat and mass transfer for a 3D study flow of Sutterby fluid over a bidirectional expansion surface. The heat generation/absorption, thermophoretic and thermal radiation effects are also analyzed. The nonlinear main problem is enhanced and transformed into a symmetrical model by using the similarity approach. To solve our creating problem numerically, we use the bvp4c technique. The effects of the obtaining results are discussed in detail and plotted on the basis of physical parameters. An increase in the stretching parameter values can indicate a decline in the concentration field and also decrease the consequent concentration boundary layer thickness. There is a rapid decay of the concentration field in accordance with the thermophoretic parameter compared to the Schmidt number.
A study on the investigation of the microstructure of SKD61 steel after selected quenching and tempering processes
Authors: Dong Tran Phap , Toan Nguyen Duc
Published: February 2023

This paper presents the research results on the microstructure changes of SKD61 steel after quenching at 1050[Formula: see text]C and then tempering at 580[Formula: see text]C. After quenching and tempering, the microstructure of this steel is determined by various moieties, including tempering martensite, residual austenite, and carbides dispersed within the matrix. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray, and energy-dispersive spectroscopic analysis reveal that the presence of the carbides Cr7C3, Mo3C2 and MoC determines the mechanical properties of steel during high-temperature operations.
Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous marine deoxygenation in NE Greenland
Authors: Hovikoski J. , Olivarius M. , Bojesen-Koefoed J. A. , Piasecki S. , Alsen P. , Fyhn M. B. W. , Sharp I. , Bjerager M. , Vosgerau H. , Lindström S. , Bjerrum C. , Ineson J.
Published: February 2023

The Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous interval represents a prolonged marine deoxygenation period particularly in the Boreal–Arctic basins, the controlling factors of which remain poorly understood. Two drill cores totalling >450 m cover the Kimmeridgian–Barremian succession in contrasting locations in an evolving half-graben system (basin centre and near the footwall crest) in Wollaston Forland, NE Greenland; they provide an exceptional
c.
20 myr long window into palaeoenvironmental development and changes in redox conditions within a detailed tectonostratigraphic framework. Synthesis of a multidisciplinary dataset including sedimentology, inorganic geochemistry and previously published organic geochemistry indicates that, despite continuous black mudstone accumulation from the Kimmeridgian to the Ryazanian, seafloor anoxia was intermittent in the Kimmeridgian, whereas more sustained anoxia or euxinia occurred in the middle Volgian–early Ryazanian. Correlation to reported contemporaneous successions along the Greenland margin indicates that protracted rifting and generation of localized seafloor topography were among the major drivers both of seafloor deoxygenation and current funnelling and amplification during the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition. Consequently, distribution of seaway current activity and dysoxia, anoxia and euxinia varied spatially, allowing fully oxygenated and anoxic pockets to coexist.

Supplementary material
: A facies table, summary of geochemistry data, geochemistry raw data and a sedimentological log from Store Koldewey are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6442539
The Cyberunion 20 Years Later
Authors: Khovanskaya Vera
Published: February 2023

This forum focuses on the conditions and futures of the labor underpinning technology production and maintenance. We welcome standalone articles as well as interviews and conversations about all tech labor within the global supply chain of digital technologies.
--- Seyram Avle and Sarah Fox, Editors
Enhanced Multiplexing Technology for Proteomics
Authors: Bowser Bailey L. , Robinson Renã A.S.
Published: February 2023

The identification of thousands of proteins and their relative levels of expression has furthered understanding of biological processes and disease and stimulated new systems biology hypotheses. Quantitative proteomics workflows that rely on analytical assays such as mass spectrometry have facilitated high-throughput measurements of proteins partially due to multiplexing. Multiplexing allows proteome differences across multiple samples to be measured simultaneously, resulting in more accurate quantitation, increased statistical robustness, reduced analysis times, and lower experimental costs. The number of samples that can be multiplexed has evolved from as few as two to more than 50, with studies involving more than 10 samples being denoted as enhanced multiplexing or hyperplexing. In this review, we give an update on emerging multiplexing proteomics techniques and highlight advantages and limitations for enhanced multiplexing strategies.
Noninvasive Monitoring to Detect Dehydration: Are We There Yet?
Authors: Gray Martha , Birkenfeld Judith S. , Butterworth Ian
Published: February 2023

The need for hydration monitoring is significant, especially for the very young and elderly populations who are more vulnerable to becoming dehydrated and suffering from the effects that dehydration brings. This need has been among the drivers of considerable effort in the academic and commercial sectors to provide a means for monitoring hydration status, with a special interest in doing so outside the hospital or clinical setting. This review of emerging technologies provides an overview of many technology approaches that, on a theoretical basis, have sensitivity to water and are feasible as a routine measurement. We review the evidence of technical validation and of their use in humans. Finally, we highlight the essential need for these technologies to be rigorously evaluated for their diagnostic potential, as a necessary step to meet the need for hydration monitoring outside of the clinical environment.
Hepatoprotective effects of the long-acting fibroblast growth factor 21 analog PF-05231023 in the GAN diet-induced obese and biopsy-confirmed mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Nielsen Malte Hasle , Gillum Matthew P. , Vrang Niels , Jelsing Jacob , Hansen Henrik H. , Feigh Michael , Oró Denise
Published: February 2023

It is unclear if long-acting FGF21 analogs have antifibrotic efficacy in NASH. We therefore profiled the clinically relevant FGF21 analog PF-05231023 in a translational diet-induced obese and biopsy-confirmed mouse model of NASH. We found PF-05231023 to exert hepatoprotective effects as indicated by notable improvements in plasma markers and histological hallmarks of NASH, including improved fibrosis stage. Collectively, the present study supports the continued exploration of long-acting FGF21 analogs for the treatment of NASH and other fibrotic diseases.
ATF4-mediated CD36 upregulation contributes to palmitate-induced lipotoxicity in hepatocytes
Authors: Griffiths Alexandra , Wang Jun , Song Qing , Lee Samuel Man , Cordoba-Chacon Jose , Song Zhenyuan
Published: February 2023

We provided the initial evidence that ATF4 is a principal transcription factor mediating hepatic CD36 expression in that both palmitate- and ER stress-elicited CD36 upregulation was blunted by ATF4 gene knockdown in hepatocytes, and hepatocyte-specific ATF4 knockout mice manifested lower hepatic CD36 expression. We further confirmed that the ATF4-CD36 pathway activation contributes to palmitate-induced hepatolipotoxicity as genetic inhibition of either ATF4 or CD36 alleviated cell death and intracellular triacylglycerol accumulation in response to exogenous palmitate exposure.
Intestinal epithelial autophagy is required for the regenerative benefit of calorie restriction
Authors: Williams Patrick A. , Naughton Kaitlyn E. , Simon Lauren A. , Soto Gloria E. , Parham Louis R. , Ma Xianghui , Danan Charles H. , Hu Weiming , Friedman Elliot S. , McMillan Emily A. , Mehta Hritik , Stoltz Madison A. , Ocaña Joshua Soto , Zackular Joseph P. , Bittinger Kyle , Whelan Kelly A. , Karakasheva Tatiana A. , Hamilton Kathryn E.
Published: February 2023

Calorie restriction is associated with enhanced intestinal regeneration after irradiation, but the requirement of autophagy for this process is not known. Our data support the premise that intestinal epithelial autophagy is required for the regenerative benefit of calorie restriction. We also report that luminal levels of primary bile acid glycocholic acid are modulated by epithelial cell autophagy during calorie restriction with direct effects on epithelial stem cell function.
T-cell dysregulation and inflammatory process in Gcn2 (Eif2ak4−/−)-deficient rats in basal and stress conditions
Authors: Bignard Juliette , Atassi Fabrice , Claude Olivier , Ghigna Maria-Rosa , Mougenot Nathalie , Abdoulkarim Bahgat Soilih , Deknuydt Florence , Gestin Aurélie , Monceau Virginie , Montani David , Nadaud Sophie , Soubrier Florent , Perros Frédéric
Published: February 2023

Hereditary pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (hPVOD) is a severe form of autosomal recessive pulmonary hypertension and is due to biallelic loss of function of the EIF2AK4 gene (alias GCN2) coding for GCN2. GCN2 is a stress kinase that belongs to the integrated stress response pathway (ISR). Three rat lines carrying biallelic Gcn2 mutation were generated and found phenotypically normal and did not spontaneously develop a PVOD-related disease. We submitted these rats to amino acid deprivation to document the molecular and cellular response of the lungs and to identify phenotypic changes that could be involved in PVOD pathophysiology. Gcn2−/− rat lungs were analyzed under basal conditions and 3 days after a single administration of PEG-asparaginase (ASNase). Lung mRNAs were analyzed by RNAseq and single-cell RNAseq (scRNA-seq), flow cytometry, tissue imaging, and Western blots. The ISR was not activated after ASNase treatment in Gcn2−/− rat lungs, and apoptosis was increased. Several proinflammatory and innate immunity genes were overexpressed, and inflammatory cells infiltration was also observed in the perivascular area. Under basal conditions, scRNA-seq analysis of Gcn2−/− rat lungs revealed increases in two T-cell populations, a LAG3+ T-cell population and a proliferative T-cell population. Following ASNase administration, we observed an increase in calprotectin expression involved in TLR pathway activation and neutrophil infiltration. In conclusion, under basal and asparagine and glutamine deprivation induced by asparaginase administration, Gcn2−/− rats display molecular and cellular signatures in the lungs that may indicate a role for Gcn2 in immune homeostasis and provide further clues to the mechanisms of hPVOD development.
Development of the Carers’ Alert Thermometer for Stroke Family Caregivers (CAT-S): A Multiphase Action Research Study
Authors: Malewezi Emmie , O’Brien Mary R. , Knighting Katherine , Thomas Juliet , Jack Barbara
Published: February 2023

An estimated 1.3 million stroke survivors living in the United Kingdom (UK) currently rely on family caregivers for daily support. The needs of stroke family caregivers are, however, not routinely assessed by most clinical services. Early identification of their needs and support is crucial to maintain their well-being and caregiver role. At present, stroke-specific caregiver screening tools are lacking. This mixed method, the multiphase study aimed to develop a Carers’ Alert Thermometer for stroke family caregivers (CAT-S) by adapting the CAT, a short screening tool developed in the context of end-of-life care. Underpinned by principles of action research, qualitative and quantitative data were collected sequentially between February 2016 to December 2017 from purposive samples of stroke family caregivers (n = 76) and staff working within stroke services (n = 238) in the UK. Semistructured interviews were conducted to inform the contents of the CAT-S. Key items for inclusion were identified through a modified Delphi survey and consultation with an expert panel. The CAT-S was then piloted in North West England to test its usability and usefulness in practice to identify the needs of stroke family caregivers. Thematic and content analysis were used to analyse qualitative data. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The CAT-S comprises the key challenges that are experienced by stroke family caregivers. Two additional items not present on the original CAT were identified and included; training needs of family caregivers to provide care and support for caregivers’ emotional needs. The CAT-S was found to be useful and acceptable by both staff and stroke family caregivers and resulted in action plans and support being provided. The CAT-S is a supportive tool for achieving person-centred care and prioritising stroke family caregivers requiring comprehensive assessments.
Consensus Clustering and Survival-Related Genes of Cuproptosis in Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Qin Wentao , Gan Fu , Jike Yiji , Jiang Mingyang , Li Ang
Published: February 2023

As a highly malignant tumor, the morbidity and mortality of cutaneous melanoma (CM) are increasing year by year. A novel type of cell death connected to mitochondrial metabolism is called cuproptosis. Cuproptosis regulates tumor biological behavior. Thus, genes controlling cuproptosis could be a promising candidate bioindicator for cancer therapy. Datasets of CM patients were obtained from the public database that includes clinical information and RNA-seq data. We divided CM patients into three different subgroups by unsupervised clustering method and explored the differences in functional pathways among the three subgroups by GSVA to prove the possible potential mechanism of copper death-related genes in the formation and development of CM. Secondly, we used differential analysis and Cox regression analysis to find the differential genes related to prognosis, constructed the CRG score, found the critical score for dividing high and low CRG score groups, and then analyzed the prognosis and immune infiltration of high and low CRG score groups. The results show a great correlation between OS and CRG scores. Compared with patients with high CRG scores, patients with low CRG scores have a significantly higher survival rate. In a word, copper sagging plays a certain role in the progress of CM.
A Novel Day Optimal Scheduling Strategy for Integrated Energy System including Electric Vehicle and Multisource Energy Storage
Authors: Ren Xiao , Zeng Yang , Sun Zhang , Wang Jun
Published: February 2023

Aiming at problems such as high operating costs, the low utilization efficiency of renewable energy, and the increase in the peak-valley difference in user load caused by disordered charging of electric vehicles (EVs), the operation mode of “setting electricity by heat” or “setting heat by electricity” is adopted in the integrated energy system of intelligent residential areas on the distribution side. In this paper, a method is proposed to use multiple energy storage, demand response technology, and make EV orderly charge and discharge plan to consume renewable resources and realize optimal economic scheduling in the integrated energy system of combined heat and power (CHP). Firstly, the demand response model of electricity load adjusting according to renewable energy output and time-of-use electricity prices has been established. Secondly, considering the comfort of the space thermal load, the orderly charge and discharge plan of electric energy storage (ESS), thermal energy storage (HSS), and EV and aiming at the minimum operating cost of the integrated energy system, the optimal output operation of each equipment was scheduled. Finally, through simulation analysis and comparative experiments, it is verified that the proposed method can promote the local consumption of renewable energy, realize the decoupling of thermoelectric constraints, and reduce the operating cost of the integrated energy system.
Shrinkage Compensation Technology of Concrete Filled Steel Tubular Structure of Large Cross-Sea Bridge
Authors: Zhao Yi , Wu Xiao
Published: February 2023

In view of the poor accuracy and unsatisfactory effect of shrinkage compensation for concrete-filled steel tubular structures of large cross-sea bridge (CSTS-LCSB), a new shrinkage compensation technology for CSTS-LCSB is proposed. The shrinkage mechanism of CSTS-LCSB is analyzed, including plastic shrinkage, dry shrinkage, autogenous shrinkage, and carbonation shrinkage. The proportion of dry shrinkage and autogenous shrinkage in ordinary concrete and high-strength concrete is determined. The CSTS-LCSB has different shrinkage forms in different environments, and the shrinkage strain state of CSTS-LCSB in different environments is calculated according to the difference. The shrinkage area of the concrete structure is determined, and the expansion agent is used to compensate for the shrinkage area of CSTS-LCSB. The experimental results show that the proposed compensation technology has a good effect on shrinkage compensation and has certain feasibility.
Cyclic Behavior of Bolted Stiffened End-Plate Moment Connections for Different Bolt Pretensioning Levels: An Experimental Study
Authors: Noferesti Hamed , Gerami Mohsen
Published: February 2023

Bolted stiffened end-plate moment connections are one of the most usable connections used as a prequalified connection in special steel moment frames. According to the AISC design code, this connection can be considered one of the most important parts of moment resisting frames with enough bolt pretension levels. In this paper, using three full-scale bolted stiffened end-plate moment connections designed according to AISC, the effects of bolt pretension levels have been examined experimentally under SAC cyclic-loading protocol. Bolt pretension level has been defined as α coefficient to show pretensioning level in three specimens. The bolts of the first specimen are not pretensioned, called snug-tightened bolts, and are reference connections. The bolt pretension level of the second and third specimen is created in accordance with the AISC design code and more to Fu of bolts, called pretensioned and fully pretensioned, respectively. The bolt’s moment capacity, total energy absorption, initial rotational stiffness, and ductility of connection as well as stress and strain variation have been investigated. According to the results, increase in bolt pretension level would significantly improve the cyclic behavior of connections. Furthermore, an increase in bolt pretension led to the initiation of the inelastic deformation from a smaller rotation, and the ductility of the connection improved. In addition, the rate of growth in moment capacity and energy absorption in the pretensioned specimen was 8% and 9% compared with fully pretensioned, respectively. Note that the connection with bolt pretension level by design regulations in comparison with the reference connection can be considered as a connection of a special moment resisting frames where bolt pretension level higher than the value mentioned in the design code is better but not needed.
The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation for Bone Healing in Fracture Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gatt Thomas , Grech Adriana , Arshad Homa
Published: February 2023

While most literature on vitamin D supplementation in fracture patients focuses on fracture prevention, the effect of vitamin D on bone healing is a much less studied concept. The primary aim of this systematic review was to assess whether vitamin D supplementation in fracture patients improves clinical or radiological union complications. The secondary aims were to assess supplementation effect on patient functional outcome scores and bone mineral density (BMD). A systematic search of all relevant articles was performed using the following databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The population selection included human patients with a fresh fracture treated conservatively or operatively. The intervention included any form of vitamin D supplementation, compared to no supplementation or a placebo. The primary outcomes assessed were clinical or radiological union rates or complications arising from the nonunion. The secondary outcomes assessed were functional outcome scores, BMD scores after treatment, and pain scores. A total of fourteen studies, assessing a total of 2734 patients, were included. Eight studies assessed the effect of vitamin D on clinical or radiological union. Five studies reported no significant difference in complication rates when supplementing fracture patients. Alternatively, three studies reported a positive effect with supplementation between the groups. One of these studies found a difference only for early orthopaedic complications (<30 days), but no differences in late complications. The other two studies found significant differences in clinical union; however, no changes were observed in radiological union. Six studies investigated functional outcome scores after supplementation. Four of these studies found no significant differences between most functional outcome scores. Only three studies reported BMD outcomes, one of which found limited effect on total hip BMD. The overall findings are that vitamin D alone does little to influence fracture healing and subsequent union rates or functional outcome. The studies suggestive of a positive effect were generally of a lower quality. Further high quality RCTs are needed to justify routine supplementation at the time of fracture.
Automatic Segmentation of Periapical Radiograph Using Color Histogram and Machine Learning for Osteoporosis Detection
Authors: Widyaningrum Rini , Sela Enny Itje , Pulungan Reza , Septiarini Anindita
Published: February 2023

Osteoporosis leads to the loss of cortical thickness, a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD), deterioration in the size of trabeculae, and an increased risk of fractures. Changes in trabecular bone due to osteoporosis can be observed on periapical radiographs, which are widely used in dental practice. This study proposes an automatic trabecular bone segmentation method for detecting osteoporosis using a color histogram and machine learning (ML), based on 120 regions of interest (ROI) on periapical radiographs, and divided into 60 training and 42 testing datasets. The diagnosis of osteoporosis is based on BMD as evaluated by dual X-ray absorptiometry. The proposed method comprises five stages: the obtaining of ROI images, conversion to grayscale, color histogram segmentation, extraction of pixel distribution, and performance evaluation of the ML classifier. For trabecular bone segmentation, we compare K-means and Fuzzy C-means. The distribution of pixels obtained from the K-means and Fuzzy C-means segmentation was used to detect osteoporosis using three ML methods: decision tree, naive Bayes, and multilayer perceptron. The testing dataset was used to obtain the results in this study. Based on the performance evaluation of the K-means and Fuzzy C-means segmentation methods combined with 3 ML, the osteoporosis detection method with the best diagnostic performance was K-means segmentation combined with a multilayer perceptron classifier, with accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of 90.48%, 90.90%, and 90.00%, respectively. The high accuracy of this study indicates that the proposed method provides a significant contribution to the detection of osteoporosis in the field of medical and dental image analysis.
A Before-and-After Study of a Collision Risk Detecting and Warning System on Local Roads
Authors: Yun Jeongin , Selmoune Aya , Chae Junseong , Seo Myoungkook , Lee Jinwoo
Published: February 2023

Local roads have numerous blind spots caused by complex geometry, obstacles, and narrow width. Thus, conventional proactive countermeasures, such as passive traffic signs and convex mirrors, have not always been effective in preventing local road collisions. In this paper, we present a novel proactive two-step approach for traffic safety on local roads, comprised of detection of pedestrian-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle collision risks and warning systems. First, using video surveillance and radars to eliminate blind spots, the system detects road objects, predicts their trajectories and reachable areas, and identifies a potential risk situation. Second, it provides road users such as vehicles and pedestrians with warnings through LED variable message signs, which allows them to react effectively in risky situations. We have applied the system to two local road sites in South Korea, including a university campus in Seoul City and an apartment complex in Daejeon City. The detecting system has been validated using a confusion matrix. We have assessed the warning effect through a before-and-after study and found that the proposed system contributed to the improvement of traffic safety at the case study site in that traffic conflicts decreased by 55–62%.
Integrated Geophysical and Geotechnical Approaches for Evaluating Dam Seepage in Lesser Himalayan Region of Pakistan
Authors: Nisar Umair Bin , Farooq Muhammad , Khan Sarfraz , Pant Ramesh Raj , Satti Iftikhar A. , Wahid Ali , Qaiser Faizan ur Rehman , Bukhari Syed Amjad Ali , Butt Furqan Mahmud
Published: February 2023

Dam leakage is a major problem in earth-filled reservoir dams. The present research is aimed at detecting the seepage zones in an earth-filled reservoir dam in the vicinity of Sarobi village, North Waziristan, Pakistan. The objective was achieved by integrating geological, geotechnical, and geophysical datasets. Geological survey was carried out in the area to identify the surface exposures. Geotechnical data involved was used to estimation of permeability and Lugeon values to identify network of joints/fractures whereas electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) technique (utilizing Wenner-Schlumberger configuration) was applied for the identification of the leakage zones. Geological data revealed highly deformed alluvium towards the right abutment underlain by compressed shale and highly fractured limestone beds. Geotechnical data indicated high permeability, Lugeon values, and concentration of sand and gravel towards the right abutment whereas low permeability, Lugeon values, and higher concentration of silt and clay were observed towards the left abutment. ERT data identified a conductive zone embedded between impermeable lithologies having resistivity between 10 and 60 Ω·m. This conductive zone was observed in parallel profiles acquired in upstream, dam crest, and downstream parts of the dam. The integration of all the datasets revealed a network of joints that are interconnected and provide a path for water at the upstream side to pass through right abutment of dam and leak towards the downstream.
Association between CHFR and PARP‐1, and Their Roles in Regulation of Proliferation and Apoptosis of B Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Liu Xiao-Dan , Zheng Nian-Ju , Song Liang , Pan Hua , Song Ai-Qin
Published: February 2023

Background. Aberrant methylation of checkpoint with forkhead and ring finger domains (CHFR) was found in B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), whereas its role in carcinogenesis is not clear. CHFR can control poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase levels by causing its degradation. The study was aimed to explore the roles and mechanisms of CHFR in the pathogenesis of B‐cell NHL. Methods. Short hairpin ribonucleic acid (ShRNAs) targeting CHFR and poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP‐1) were transduced into Raji cells, and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting were carried out to determine their expression. Afterwards, the CCK‐8 assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the cell growth and apoptosis. Tumor size and weight were determined using a xenograft model, and decitabine (5‐Aza‐dC) was used to further determine the methylation status of CHFR through a methylation specificity‐PCR assay. Results. 5‐Aza‐dC‐treatment promoted the expression of CHFR and decreased the expression of PARP‐1 at both messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein levels. 5‐Aza‐dC also accelerated Raji‐cell apoptosis and restrained its growth in vitro and in vivo (P < 0.05). These results were contrary to those observed in the shRNA‐CHFR group but consistent with those observed in the shRNA‐PARP‐1 group. The expression profiles of CHFR and PARP‐1 in the xenograft model were consistent with those in the cellular model. Treatment with 5‐Aza‐dC led to demethylation of CHFR in nude mice. Besides, there may be a negative correlation between CHFR and PARP‐1 in B‐cell NHL cells. Conclusion. Our findings indicated that 5‐Aza‐dC could lead to the demethylation of the CHFR promoter and suppress Raji cell growth.
Generalization of
f
-Graphs and Their Algebraic Aspects
Authors: Rehman Fazal Ur , Mahmood Hasan , Nguyen Thai Thanh , Binyamin Muhammad Ahsan
Published: February 2023

The notion of

f

-graphs and

f

-ideals are relatively new and have been studied in many papers. In this paper, we have generalized the idea of

f

-graphs and

f

-ideals to quasi

f

-graphs and quasi

f

-ideals, respectively. We have characterized all quasi

f

-graphs and quasi

f

-ideals of degree 2 and determined all the minimal primes ideals of these ideals. Furthermore, construction of quasi

f

-ideals of degree 2 has been described; the formula for computing Hilbert function and Hilbert series of the polynomial ring modulo the edge ideal of the quasi

f

-graph has been provided.
Spatial Positioning of Immune Hotspots Reflects the Interplay between B and T Cells in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Hanyun , AbdulJabbar Khalid , Moore David A. , Akarca Ayse , Enfield Katey S.S. , Jamal-Hanjani Mariam , Raza Shan E. Ahmed , Veeriah Selvaraju , Salgado Roberto , McGranahan Nicholas , Le Quesne John , Swanton Charles , Marafioti Teresa , Yuan Yinyin
Published: February 2023

Beyond tertiary lymphoid structures, a significant number of immune-rich areas without germinal center-like structures are observed in non–small cell lung cancer. Here, we integrated transcriptomic data and digital pathology images to study the prognostic implications, spatial locations, and constitution of immune rich areas (immune hotspots) in a cohort of 935 patients with lung cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas. A high intratumoral immune hotspot score, which measures the proportion of immune hotspots interfacing with tumor islands, was correlated with poor overall survival in lung squamous cell carcinoma but not in lung adenocarcinoma. Lung squamous cell carcinomas with high intratumoral immune hotspot scores were characterized by consistent upregulation of B-cell signatures. Spatial statistical analyses conducted on serial multiplex IHC slides further revealed that only 4.87% of peritumoral immune hotspots and 0.26% of intratumoral immune hotspots were tertiary lymphoid structures. Significantly lower densities of CD20+CXCR5+ and CD79b+ B cells and less diverse immune cell interactions were found in intratumoral immune hotspots compared with peritumoral immune hotspots. Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between the percentages of CD8+ T cells and T regulatory cells in intratumoral but not in peritumoral immune hotspots, with tertiary lymphoid structures excluded. These findings suggest that the intratumoral immune hotspots reflect an immunosuppressive niche compared with peritumoral immune hotspots, independent of the distribution of tertiary lymphoid structures. A balance toward increased intratumoral immune hotspots is indicative of a compromised antitumor immune response and poor outcome in lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Significance:

Intratumoral immune hotspots beyond tertiary lymphoid structures reflect an immunosuppressive microenvironment, different from peritumoral immune hotspots, warranting further study in the context of immunotherapies.
Enhanced Depth of Focus Intraocular Lenses: Through Focus Evaluation of Wavefront-Shaping versus Diffractive Optics
Authors: Schmid Ruediger , Borkenstein Andreas F.
Published: February 2023

Introduction: A new class of nondiffractive, wavefront-shaping Enhanced-Depth-of-Focus (EDoF) IOLs has been introduced very recently to cope with photic phenomena known from diffractive EDoF IOLs. We investigated the through focus modulation transfer function (MTF) of two wavefront-shaping EDoF IOLs compared to an established diffractive EDoF IOL on the optical bench. Such comparison on the optical bench had not been performed before and is of high clinical importance for the cataract surgeon. Material and Methods: Tecnis Symfony (diffractive) and the wavefront-shaping Acrysof IQ Vivity and LuxSmart Crystal IOLs (22 D each) were assessed by the OptiSpheric IOL PRO 2 imaging test bench with an ISO-2 cornea and a wavelength of 546 nm. Apertures of 3 mm and 4.5 mm were applied. Results: For all three IOLs, two peaks showed up in the through focus MTF curves representing the primary and secondary focus. For Symfony, these peaks were most distinct. Power difference between far and intermediate focus was 1.25 D (Symfony), 1.75 D (Vivity), and 1.5 D (LuxSmart) with an aperture of 3 mm. With an aperture of 4.5 mm, only for LuxSmart, power difference diminished slightly to about 1 D, and only the MTF in the intermediate focus decreased for all lenses. Conclusion: For all three IOLs, we could confirm a considerable depth of focus that was most extended for Vivity. Both new wavefront-shaping IOLs had lower values of peak MTF but a markedly more continuous through focus behavior compared to the diffractive EDoF IOL.