bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Mitochondrial Function in Blood Samples Shows Distinct Patterns in Subjects with Thyroid Carcinoma from Those with Hyperplasia
Authors: Bernal-Tirapo Julia , Bayo-Jimenez María Teresa , Yuste-García Pedro , Córdova-Oriz Isabel , Peñas Ana , García-Borda Francisco-Javier , Quintela Cesar , Prieto Ignacio , Sánchez-Ramos Cristina , Ferrero-Herrero Eduardo , Monsalve María
Published: February 2023

Metabolic adaptations are a hallmark of cancer and may be exploited to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Only about 50% of the patients who undergo thyroidectomy due to suspicion of thyroid cancer actually have the disease, highlighting the diagnostic limitations of current tools. We explored the possibility of using non-invasive blood tests to accurately diagnose thyroid cancer. We analyzed blood and thyroid tissue samples from 2 independent cohorts of patients undergoing thyroidectomy at the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre (Madrid, Spain). As expected, histological comparisons of thyroid cancer and hyperplasia revealed higher proliferation and apoptotic rates and enhanced vascular alterations in the former. Notably, they also revealed increased levels of membrane-bound phosphorylated AKT, suggestive of enhanced glycolysis, and alterations in mitochondrial sub-cellular distribution. Both characteristics are common metabolic adaptations in primary tumors. These data together with reduced mtDNA copy number and elevated levels of the mitochondrial antioxidant Prx3 in cancer tissue samples suggest the presence of mitochondrial oxidative stress. In plasma, cancer patients showed higher levels of cfDNA and mtDNA. Of note, mtDNA plasma levels inversely correlated with those in the tissue, suggesting that higher death rates were linked to lower mtDNA copy number. In PBMCs, cancer patients showed higher levels of PGC-1, a positive regulator of mitochondrial function, but this increase was not associated with a corresponding induction of its target genes, suggesting a reduced activity in cancer patients. We also observed a significant difference in the PRDX3/PFKFB3 correlation at the gene expression level, between carcinoma and hyperplasia patients, also indicative of increased systemic metabolic stress in cancer patients. The correlation of mtDNA levels in tissue and PBMCs further stressed the interconnection between systemic and tumor metabolism. Evaluation of the mitochondrial gene ND1 in plasma, PBMCs and tissue samples, suggested that it could be a good biomarker for systemic oxidative metabolism, with ND1/mtDNA ratio positively correlating in PBMCs and tissue samples. In contrast, ND4 evaluation would be informative of tumor development, with ND4/mtDNA ratio specifically altered in the tumor context. Taken together, our data suggest that metabolic dysregulation in thyroid cancer can be monitored accurately in blood samples and might be exploited for the accurate discrimination of cancer from hyperplasia.
Membrane Cascade Type of «Continuous Membrane Column» for Power Plant Post-Combustion Carbon Dioxide Capture Part 1. Simulation of the Binary Gas Mixture Separation
Authors: Atlaskin Artem A. , Petukhov Anton N. , Stepakova Anna N. , Tsivkovsky Nikita S. , Kryuchkov Sergey S. , Smorodin Kirill A. , Moiseenko Irina S. , Atlaskina Maria E. , Suvorov Sergey S. , Stepanova Ekaterina A. , Vorotyntsev Ilya V.
Published: February 2023

The present paper deals with the complex study of the CO2 capture from combined heat power plant flue gases using the efficient technological scheme design – membrane cascade type of «Continuous Membrane Column». In contrast to well-known multi-step or multi-stage process designs, the cascade type of separation unit provides several advantages. That apparatus conceptually refers to the distillation columns. Here, the separation process is implemented in it by creating two counter current flows. In one of them is depleted by the high-permeable component in a continuous mode, meanwhile the other one is enriched. Taking into account, that the circulating flows rate overcome the withdrawn ones, there is a multiplicative growth in separation efficiency. A comprehensive study of the CO2 capture using membrane cascade type of «Continuous Membrane Column» includes the determination of optimal membrane material characteristics, the sensitivity study of the process and feasibility evaluation. It was clearly demonstrated that proposed process provides the efficient CO2 capture, which meets the modern requirements in terms of CO2 content (≥ 95 mol.%), recovery rate (≥ 90 %) and residual CO2 concentration (≤ 2 mol.%). Moreover, it was observed, that it is possible to process CO2 with purity up to 99.8 mol.% at the same recovery rate. This allows use of this specific process design in the CO2 pretreatment operations in the production of high-purity carbon dioxide.
Infant Biometric Data Acquisitions: The Lessons Learnt
Authors: Nelufule Norman , Moolla Yaseen , Ntshangase Sthembile , De Kock Anton
Published: February 2023

Collecting relevant data is an important aspect in allowing evaluation of the performance of systems, methods, algorithms, and techniques developed in the research process. Researchers at the South African Scientific and Industrial Research Council perfoemd a study to identify biometric(s) that can be used to identify and verify young children from birth to 16 years old. Three types of biometrics were considered in this study as a resukt of a comprehensive preliminary research, namely, fingerprins, iris and ear shap. This paper presents challenges identified and lessons learned during the in trying to collect data for scientific research that require interaction with children of different ages and their parents in different environments. . The study is primarily based on researcher’s experiences. Some of the discussion points discussed are of global relevance to children and general human beings, while others relate to South Africa in particular. The discussion aims to share knowledge and experience, hoping that this will help researchers prepare for a trouble-free child data collection process in the future. Keywords: Baby biometrics; long-term data collection, baby fingerprints, baby iris, baby ears
Technique for Extraction and Revision of a Bent Intramedullary Nail for a Subtrochanteric Femur Fracture
Authors: Lam Aaron W. , Richardson David , Kang Kevin K.
Published: February 2023

Case:

A 17-year-old adolescent boy presented 2 months after initial intramedullary nail (IMN) fixation of a comminuted subtrochanteric fracture with refracture at the previous site and approximately 20° varus angulation of the nail. The bent femoral nail was successfully extracted using an open technique using Lohman bone-holding clamps and a broad plate. At the 1-year follow-up, fracture union was achieved.

Conclusions:

Removal of a deformed IMN is rare. No standardized protocol exists in guiding orthopaedic surgeons. A thorough review of techniques is discussed on this unusual complication.
Multiple Myeloma in a Young Adult
Authors: Ryu Maya H. , Anderson Ashley B. , Potter Benjamin K.
Published: February 2023

Case:

We present a 27-year-old man who presented with worsened back pain after a fall from a ladder. Unrelenting pain prompted the discovery through imaging and biopsy of a large pelvic plasmacytoma along with innumerable axial and appendicular lytic osseous lesions. The patient was soon thereafter diagnosed with light chain multiple myeloma (MM) and underwent measurable residual disease response-adapted consolidation treatment.

Conclusion:

The typical age at diagnosis for MM is 60 to 70 years. This case emphasizes the need to consider MM when diagnosing patients younger than 30 years, especially those with numerous bony lesions.
El papel de la mujer en el cine de animación de Pixar
Authors: Maldonado Parra Mireia
Published: February 2023

Pixar es considerado sin duda alguna uno de los grandes referentes del cine de animación actual, por lo que debe lamentarse especialmente la escasez de personajes femeninos de relevancia en sus películas. Fácilmente se comprueba que la mayor parte de sus personajes principales pertenecen al género masculino y presentan además rasgos acusadamente patriarcales. Solo en contadas ocasiones el protagonismo de la película en cuestión es compartido por un personaje femenino, y, como este artículo pretende comprobar, también estos se hallan en su mayor parte sujetos a una representación que propone, aún en estos tiempos, roles más bien tradicionales
Like walking on cobblestones: An analysis of translator’s prefaces in Japanese intralingual translations
Authors: Martínez Sirés Paula
Published: February 2023

This paper explores epitexts and peritexts (prefaces) written by translators to intralingual translations. It carries out a preliminary study on several translator’s prefaces (here called ‘translatorial prefaces’) in the Japanese context to determine the function that said prefaces have within modern Japanese translations (or gendaigoyaku) of Japanese classics, to examine translation methodologies and translation issues found in the texts, and to ascertain the level of self-awareness that intralingual translators had with their role as ‘translators’. Ultimately, this study aims to contribute new approaches to the ongoing discussion regarding intralingual translation and the study of paratexts, both in the Japanese context and in a broader sense.
La relación empresa-traducción en el sector agroalimentario andaluz
Authors: Medina Reguera Ana M. , Álvarez García Carmen
Published: February 2023

En una época dominada por una crisis económica que se prolonga en el tiempo, las empresas optan por diversificar riesgos y mercados entrando en nuevos países, con el principal objetivo de complementar una demanda local fuertemente sacudida por la escasez de ingresos. En este estudio presentamos los primeros resultados de una investigación empírica en la que las empresas agroalimentarias andaluzas son preguntadas sobre sus estrategias frente a las necesidades lingüísticas que les surgen en los procesos de internacionalización en que se encuentran inmersas. El estudio arroja conclusiones sobre la relación entre el tamaño y las características de las empresas y el uso que estas hacen de los servicios de traducción e interpretación, así como sobre las situaciones en las que se contratan los servicios de traducción o el uso del inglés como lengua franca.
MOOCS y formación del profesorado de segundas lenguas: propuesta de evaluación
Authors: Palacios Hidalgo Francisco Javier , Huertas Abril Cristina
Published: February 2023

Los MOOC (Massive Online Open Courses) han supuesto una verdadera revolución en el contexto de la formación en línea. Sin embargo, y a pesar de las numerosas posibilidades que ofrecen, bien es cierto que plantean una serie de retos, principalmente relacionados con su calidad pedagógica. En este sentido, hasta el momento son limitados los estudios que relacionan los MOOC con la formación del profesorado de segundas lenguas (L2) y su didáctica. En este trabajo, recogemos una propuesta de evaluación para los MOOC relacionados con la lengua inglesa como L2 y la formación del profesorado, a través de la creación de un cuestionario elaborado ad hoc, denominado «Cuestionario de evaluación de la calidad de los MOOC para la formación permanente del profesorado de L2». Se termina este trabajo con la discusión y las conclusiones que ponen de relieve la necesidad de una mayor interacción entre los distintos actores involucrados en el desarrollo de los MOOC relacionados con la L2 y su didáctica. La presente propuesta, por consiguiente, pretende establecer un punto de partida para la evaluación de este tipo específico de MOOC y, a su vez, tratar de sugerir este punto de unión entre los distintos participantes en la creación, la implantación y la evaluación para mejorar su calidad y usabilidad por parte del profesorado de segundas lenguas y sus didácticas.
La interdisciplinariedad como elemento clave en la conceptualización de los Estudios de Traducción en el campo de conocimiento
Authors: Aguayo Arrabal Natividad
Published: February 2023

El presente artículo aborda el concepto de interdisciplinariedad (ID), un fenómeno con una destacada presencia en revistas especializadas, comunicaciones y programas formativos en los Estudios de Traducción (ET) desde donde animan a impulsar la investigación o las iniciativas docentes en esta línea. A pesar del interés que suscita esta realidad, también en el marco de los postulados de Bolonia (Berlin Communiqué 2003), nos encontramos ante un concepto dotado de una gran complejidad e imprecisión que requiere, pues, de una aproximación conceptual y descriptiva. Asimismo, detallaremos el método más generalizado para representar el continuo de la ID y las fases que se distinguen entre los términos asociados según el grado de interacción existente entre las disciplinas: las clasificaciones jerárquicas de términos (Klein 1990: 56), con especial atención al modelo de Kaindl (1999). Por último, evaluaremos el nivel de ID en el plano epistemológico de la Traducción y la Interpretación (TI) atendiendo al citado modelo para evidenciar cómo la noción de ID se manifiesta esencial en la conceptualización de la propia disciplina.
A Mendelian randomization study investigated the relationship between socioeconomic status and myocardial infarction
Authors: Liu Meijia , Sun Xueqing , Li Longbo , Wang Guan , Shi Yongfeng
Published: February 2023

Background:It is unclear whether socioeconomic factors causally affect cardiovascular disease risk. Utilizing data from comprehensive genetic associated studies of socioeconomic status (SES) and myocardial infarction (MI), we employed two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to determine the causality between SES and MI.Method:The genetic summary level data of SES and MI were acquired from various genome-wide association studies (GWAS) studies. We first identified instrumental variables of the socioeconomic determinants and then investigated the causality between instrumental variables and MI. The primary method employed to evaluate this causation was the conventional inverse variance weighted (IVW). Sensitivity analysis was used to assess the underlying heterogeneity and pleiotropy.Results:Age of full-time education has a reverse causal relationship with MI (OR 0.57, 95 percent CI 0.38-0.87, p=0.0096). There is a potential causal association between self-reported household income and the incidence of MI (OR 0.41, 95 percent CI 0.32-0.52, p=8.82×10-14). Additionally, Hard physical work is significantly associated with a higher risk of MI (OR 1.79, 95 percent CI 1.02-3.13, p= 0.042).Conclusions:The idea that low SES levels might raise the incidence of MI is supported by this MR study.
Identification of factors affecting using health information technology for hypertension management: A systematic review
Authors: Afshar Hadi lotfnezhad , Faezi Aysan , Rahimi Behlol
Published: February 2023

Background: Health information technology helps patients take better care of themselves and improves the health status of patients with chronic diseases, such as hypertension.Objective: we conducted this study with the aim of identifying factors affecting the use of health information technology in hypertension management.Methods: This is a systematic review study conducted in 2022. To obtain relevant articles, databases including Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE, and PubMed were searched and the time period was between 2013 and 2022. Initially, 827 articles were retrieved and after the screening, we selected 50 articles for inclusion in the study.Results: we can divide the factors affecting the use of health information technology in hypertension management into motivating and inhibiting factors and we can categorize each of them into five groups organizational, technical, economic, individual, and ethical/legal factors. Motivating factors include improving patient and service provider communication and increasing patient participation, remembering and providing voice reminders by technologies, saving money and time, and helping to keep personal identity and type of illness confidential (in situations where the patient wants to it is not to raise it with the doctor and others), quick and easy access to information and services and increasing the patient's adherence to treatment and medication. The inhibiting factors also included the increase in workload, resistance to change, lack of technical support and immediate resolution of technology problems, poverty and financial problems, privacy concerns, lack of motivation and interest, low knowledge and awareness (education), and lack of computer skills.Conclusion: Identifying motivating and inhibiting factors can help to better use technologies for hypertension management. Overall, this approach can improve the acceptability of these technologies and save costs, reduce the long-term complications of hypertension, and improve the quality of life of hypertension patients.
Nonlinear Catch-Up Growth in Height, Weight, and Head Circumference from Birth to Adolescence: A Longitudinal Twin Study
Authors: Womack Sean R. , Beam Christopher R. , Giangrande Evan J. , Scharf Rebecca J. , Tong Xin , Ponnapalli Medha , Davis Deborah W. , Turkheimer Eric
Published: February 2023

Owing to high rates of prenatal complications, twins are, on average, substantially smaller than population norms on physical measurements including height, weight, and head circumference at birth. By early childhood, twins are physically average. This study is the first to explore the process of catch-up growth by fitting asymptotic growth models to age-standardized height, weight, and head circumference measurements in a community sample of twins (n = 1,281, 52.3% female) followed at up to 17 time points from birth to 15 years. Catch-up growth was rapid over the first year and plateaued around the population mean by early childhood. Shared environmental factors accounted for the majority of individual differences in initial physical size (57.7%-65.5%), whereas additive genetic factors accounted for the majority of individual differences in the upper asymptotes of height, weight, and head circumference (73.4%-92.6%). Both additive genetic and shared environmental factors were associated with variance in how quickly twins caught up. Gestational age and family SES emerged as important environmental correlates of physical catch-up growth.
Geometrical control of topological charge transfer in Shakti-Cairo colloidal ice
Authors: Rodríguez-Gallo Carolina , Ortiz-Ambriz Antonio , Nisoli Cristiano , Tierno Pietro
Published: February 2023

Lattice transformations that preserve the system topology, but not its geometry, occur in a wide variety of systems across length scales. Here we show that, in an artificial colloidal ice, unlike in a magnetic spin ice, a geometric transformation between two mixed coordination lattices, from Shakti to Cairo, leads to a breakdown of the ice rule in all but one specific geometry. In general, there is a transfer of topological charge among sublattices, which can be controlled in sign and intensity, and becomes zero at the ice-rule point. These unusual topological effects, absent in magnetic spin ices, are due to the collective, non-local nature of geometric frustration in the particle ice. Via combined use of numerical simulations, theory and experiments, we demonstrate how the charge transfer occurs and how to control the accumulation, storage and release of topological monopoles. Thus, we show how to use geometric constraints in a mesoscopic colloidal system to control its topological properties.
Gene-based burden scores identify rare variant associations for 28 blood biomarkers
Authors: Aldisi Rana , Hassanin Emadeldin , Sivalingam Sugirthan , Buness Andreas , Klinkhammer Hannah , Mayr Andreas , Fröhlich Holger , Krawitz Peter , Maj Carlo
Published: February 2023

Background: A relevant part of the genetic architecture of complex traits is still unknown; despite the discovery of many disease-associated common variants. Polygenic risk score (PRS) models are based on theevaluation of the additive effects attributable to common variants and have been successfully implemented to assess the genetic susceptibility for many phenotypes. In contrast, burden tests are often used to identify an enrichment of rare deleterious variants in specific genes. Both kinds of genetic contributions are typically analyzed independently. Many studies suggest that complex phenotypes are influenced by both low effectcommon variants and high effect rare deleterious variants. The aim of this paper is to integrate the effect of both common and rare functional variants for a more comprehensive genetic risk modelling.
Methods: We applied a framework combining gene-based scores based on the enrichment of rare functionally relevant variant with genome-wide PRS based on common variants for association analysis and prediction models. We applied our framework on UK Biobank dataset with genotyping and exome data and considered 28 blood biomarkers levels as target phenotypes. For each biomarker, an association analysis was done on full cohort using gene-based scores (GBS). The cohort was then split into 3 subsets for PRS constuction and feature selection, predictive model training, and independent evaluation, respectively.prediction models were generated including either PRS, GBS or both (combined).
Results: Association analyses of the cohort were able to detect significant genes that were previously known to be associated with different biomarkers. Interestingly, the analyses also revealed heterogeneous effect sizes directionality highlighting the complexity of the blood biomarkers regulation. However, the combined models for many biomarkers show little or no improvement in prediction accuracy compared to PRS model.
Conclusion: This study shows that rare variants play an important role in the genetic architecture of complex multifactorial traits such as blood biomarkers. However, despite at individual level rare deleterious variant play a strong role, our results indicate that classical common variant based PRS might be more informative to predictthe genetic susceptibility at population level. Keywords: gene associations; blood biomarkers; genetic prediction; rare variants; PRS; complex phenotypes
Stem cell transcription factor OCT4 promotes cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer by upregulating DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1)
Authors: Yan zhengzheng , Bu Xiaoqian , Chen Haixia , Ren Chongren , Li Ji , Wu Yongjie , Xing Jun
Published: February 2023

Purpose
To investigate the stem cell transcription factor OCT4 up-regulating DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in the regulation of cisplatin (CDDP) resistance in gastric cancer (GC).
Methods
Human GC cell lines HGC-27 and MGC-803 were transfected with specific small interfering fragment siRNA-OCT4 to construct interfering cell lines. γ-H2AX immunofluorescence was used to detect DNA damage. The protein expressions of OCT4 and DNMT1 were detected by western blot and the effect of CDDP treatment on cell apoptosis and proliferation was detected by CCK8, cell cloning and flow cytometry.
Results
There is a targeted regulatory relationship between OCT4 and DNMT1. The expression of OCT4 and DNMT1 were significantly increased in CDDP induced cells, and the expression of DNMT1 was decreased in siRNA-OCT4 group. Compared with the siRNA-OCT4 group, the apoptosis of cells in the siRNA-OCT4 + CDDP group was increased, and the proliferation ability was decreased. Overexpression of DNMT1 reversed the effect of OCT4 on cisplatin sensitivity of gastric cancer cells.
Conclusions
The increased expression of OCT4 and the up-regulating of DNMT1 is associated with CDDP resistance in gastric cancer cells. Overexpression of OCT4 promoted DNMT1 expression and GC cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis, and reduced CDDP resistance.
More than a Feeling: Dermatological Changes Impacted by Spaceflight
Authors: Cope Henry , Elsborg Jonas , Demharter Samuel , Mcdonald J. Tyson , Wernecke Chiara , Parthasarathy Hari , Unadkat Hriday , Chatrathi Mira , Claudio Jennifer , Reinsch Sigrid , Zwart Sara , Smith Scott , Heer Martina , Muratani Masafumi , Meydan Cem , Overbey Eliah , Kim JangKeun , Park Jiwoon , Schisler Jonathan , Mason Christopher , Szewczyk Nathaniel , Willis Craig , Salam Amr , Beheshti Afshin
Published: February 2023

Spaceflight poses a unique set of challenges to humans and the hostile spaceflight environment can induce a wide range of increased health risks, including dermatological issues. The biology driving the frequency of skin issues in astronauts is currently not well understood. To address this issue, we used a systems biology approach utilizing NASA’s Open Science Data Repository (OSDR) on spaceflown murine transcriptomic datasets focused on the skin, biomedical profiles from fifty NASA astronauts, and confirmation via transcriptomic data from JAXA astronauts, the NASA Twins Study, and the first civilian commercial mission, Inspiration4. Key biological changes related to skin health, DNA damage & repair, and mitochondrial dysregulation were determined to be involved with skin health risks during spaceflight. Additionally, a machine learning model was utilized to determine key genes driving spaceflight response in the skin. These results can be used for determining potential countermeasures to mitigate spaceflight damage to the skin.
RC48-ADC combined with tislelizumab as neoadjuvant treatment in patients with HER2 positive locally advanced muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer：A multi-center phase Ib/II study (HOPE-03)
Authors: Wen Feng , Lin Tianhai , Zhang Peng , Shen Yali
Published: February 2023

Background
Bladder cancer with Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) high expression is related to pathological malignancy and poor prognosis. The standard care for muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer (MIBC) is neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical cystectomy (RC) with pelvic lymph node dissection. For HER2 positive MIBC, the efficacy of cisplatin- based NAC is unsatisfied, and adverse reactions are inevitable or even intolerable. New regimens with higher efficiency and lower toxicity are needed to be explored in the neoadjuvant setting for this population.
Methods
HOPE-03 is a multi-center, open-label, single-arm, phase Ib/II study, aiming to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RC48-ADC (Distamab Vedotin, DV), a humanized anti-HER2 antibody conjugated with monomethyl auristatin E, and tislelizumab (PD-1 antibody) as a novel neoadjuvant treatment combination in patients with HER2 positive locally advanced urothelial MIBC. Fifty-one patients with cT2-4bN0-3M0-1a pathological and imaging diagnosed HER2 positive (Immunohistochemistry status 3 + or 2 + or 1+) MIBC will be recruited. Of them, 6 patients are enrolled in the dose-escalation phase (3 patients in RC48-ADC 1.5kg/m2 group and 3 patients in 2.0mg/kg group), and 45 patients enter into phase II study (the expected recommended phase II dose for RC48-ADC is 2.0mg/kg). Patients without disease progression will receive radical cystectomy or bladder-sparing therapies as their will after neoadjuvant treatment. The primary endpoints are clinical complete remission rate (cCR, T0/Ta/Tis), pathological complete remission rate (pCR) and safety. The secondary endpoints are overall survival (OS), local recurrence free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) and quality of life.
Discussion
HOPE-03 trial will give a description about the safety profile of RC-48 and tislelizumab combination in the neoadjuvant treatment of HER2 positive locally advanced urothelial MIBC, and the efficacy will be explored as well in this population.
Giant room-temperature spin-orbit torque in a bismuthate superconductor
Authors: Edgeton Anthony , Harris Isaac , Campbell Neil , Chai Yahong , Mazur Marcel , Gurung Gautam , Huang Xiaoxi , Susarla Sandhya , Tsymbal Evgeny , Ralph Daniel , Nan Tianxiang , Rzchowski Mark , Ramesh Ramamoorthy , Eom Chang-Beom
Published: February 2023

The emergence of artificial intelligence and machine-learning-based systems, in conjunction with the pervasive implementation of the internet of things has put a strong emphasis on the energy efficiency of computing. This has triggered research on multiple pathways to improve computing efficiency, spanning 3-D integration of logic and memory as well as new, physics-based pathways including those embracing the electron’s spin degree of freedom, namely spintronics. Concurrently, the proposed integration of superconductivity and spintronics emphasizes complex oxides as a promising platform which in principle can integrate spin current manipulation and high temperature superconductivity within the same complex system. Here, we report giant spin-orbit torque (SOT) discovered in the normal state of a complex oxide superconductor, Ba(Pb,Bi)O3, which provides isotropic and easily manipulated superconducting properties. Using spin-torque ferromagnetic resonance (ST-FMR) and d.c. non-linear Hall measurements, we find a robust SOT efficiency exceeding unity and demonstrate current driven magnetization switching at current densities as low as \(4\times {10}^{5}\text{A}{\text{c}\text{m}}^{-2}\). The hybridized s-p orbital character at the Fermi energy makes this an unexpectedly large value. We postulate the presence of an unconventional SOT generation in bismuthate heterostructures and anticipate our results will trigger further exploration of such complex oxides for the development of superconducting spintronics.
Effects of the PERMA model-based psychological intervention on well-being and post- traumatic growth levels in young and middle-aged stroke patients
Authors: Zheng Zixiu , Song Runluo , Zhao Yunxiao , Lv Hongxia , Wang Yanqing , Yu Cong
Published: February 2023

BackgroundStroke is the number one cause of disability in young and middle-aged people, and positive psychology can provide additional recovery outcomes and is also crucial for the transition from hospital to home for stroke patients. However, there is a paucity of research on psychological interventions for young and middle-aged stroke patients during the rehabilitation period. Therefore, this study constructs a psychological intervention program based on the PERMA model of positive psychology and explores the impact of this program on patients' well-being and level of post-traumatic growth.MethodsOne hundred and twenty young and middle-aged stroke patients admitted to the rehabilitation medicine department of a tertiary care general hospital in Shenzhen, China, were selected, with 60 patients from 02–05–2022 as the control group and 60 patients from 05–08–2022 as the intervention group. Both groups received rehabilitation and conventional care, and the intervention group was given psychological intervention in the PERMA model on top of the control group for a total of 8 times over 4 weeks. The scores of Subjective Well-Being (IWB) and Post-Traumatic Growth Scale (PTG) were compared between the two groups before, after, 1 month after, and 3 months after the intervention.ResultsSubjective well-being (IWB) scores were significantly higher in the postintervention, 1-month post-intervention, and 3-month post-intervention groups than in the control group (t= 0.011, 0.000, 0.000;P<0.05); post-traumatic growth (PTG) scores were significantly higher in the post-intervention, 1-month post-intervention, and 3-month post-intervention groups than in the control group (t= 0.007, 0.000, 0.000;P< 0.01); repeated-measures ANOVAs were statistically significant (P<0.01) for the increase in well-being (IWB) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) scores over time for patients in the intervention group.ConclusionsThe PERMA model of psychological intervention can significantly improve the subjective well-being（IWB） and post-traumatic growth（PTG）of young and middle-aged stroke patients and is a positive and effective psychological intervention method.Trial RegistrationThis trial was registered on 01/02/2022 (registration number: 2022038004-FS01) and approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen, China. The registration number of the Chinese Clinical Trials Registration Centeris ChiCTR2200060103.
A rare cause of air-leak syndrome in a premature newborn: a case report
Authors: Uzunhan Ozan , Yıldırım Mihriban Begüm , Eser Can , Öztarhan Kazım , Çelik Alaettin
Published: February 2023

Background: Pulmonary complications, such as airway leak syndrome, are common in preterm neonates; however, bronchial rupture is rarely seen.
Case Presentation: In this case, we present a preterm newborn who developed pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax. Although a thorax tube was placed, the pneumothorax persisted, requiring a thoracotomy to be performed to detect and treat the bronchial rupture.
Conclusion: Physicians should have a high suspicion of bronchial rupture in patients with persistent air leak syndrome even after thorax tube placement and continuous negative pressure implementation.
Intramolecular Hydroamidation of Alkenes Enabling Asymmetric Synthesis of β-Lactams via Unprecedented Mechanism of NiH Catalysis
Authors: Lyu Xiang , Seo Changhyeon , Faber Teresa , Kim Dongwook , Seo Sangwon , Chang Sukbok
Published: February 2023

Synthetic methods for constructing enantioenriched β-lactams are highly valuable given the ubiquity of this privileged heterocyclic unit in bioactive compounds, most notably in antibiotics such as penicillins and carbapenems. Intramolecular hydroamidation of β,γ-unsaturated amides would provide a convenient means to reach this alluring chemical space, yet it remains limited due to the regioselectivity issue arising from the difficulty associated with the formation of strained four-membered rings. Here we describe a NiH-catalysed strategy that addresses this challenge through the use of readily accessible alkenyl dioxazolone derivatives. The reaction transcends the conventional NiH operation mode via an unprecedented mechanism initiated by N-activation, thus allowing for proximal C–N bond formation with excellent regioselectivity, regardless of the electronic properties of substituents. This mechanistic platform is also highly effective for the enantioselective intramolecular hydroamidation of alkenes, which represents the first example of such a type of processes that enables the access to enantioenriched β-lactams.
Soft Sensorized Physical Twin Enabling lab2field Transfer and Learning from Demonstration for Raspberry Harvesting
Authors: Junge Kai , Pires Catarina , Hughes Josie
Published: February 2023

Robotic harvesting is challenging manipulation task as it requires dexterity and robustness to handle delicate crops that can show complex structure and variable form. A compounding challenge is that the research and development methodology currently relies upon extensive field testing, which is inefficient and can also only happen during the harvesting season. With an urgent need to develop robotic solutions for harvesting to avoid crops being left in the fields unpicked, we explore how the research methodology for harvesting robots can be accelerated by learning the required interactions with delicate crops through human demonstration. Specifically, we focus on raspberry harvesting, a fruit which is challenging to harvest due to its fragility, and also which has a very narrow harvesting window limiting field trials. We propose leveraging soft robotic technologies to create a physical twin of the harvesting environment. This twin is a sensorized physical and visual simulator of the real raspberry plant with tuneable mechanical properties. This physical twin can be used to develop and optimize the harvesting robot and associated controller through human demonstrations. Furthermore, the robot can autonomously harvest the sensorized physical twin repetitively and use its sensor feedback to update and optimize its control parameters to best imitate a human harvester. We hypothesize, that by closing the reality gap between our physical twin and real world raspberry plants, the ability to achieve direct lab2field transfer increases, such that zero or minimal trials and adaptations in the field area is required. When the fully lab trained robot was tested in the field without any modifications, a 80\% successful harvesting success rate was achieved. We conclude the robot performs successfully under conditions simulated by the physical twin, while it is limited by unmodeled environmental conditions. Using this approach we demonstrate a new methodology for robotic harvesting research.
Two-Level Systems in Nucleated and Non-Nucleated Epitaxial alpha-Tantalum films
Authors: Alegria Loren , Tennant Daniel , Chaves Kevin , Lee Jonathan , O'Kelley Sean , Rosen Yaniv , DuBois Jonathan
Published: February 2023

Building usefully coherent superconducting quantum processors depends on reducing losses in their constituent materials.1 Tantalum, like niobium, has proven utility as the primary superconducting layer within highly coherent qubits.2,3 But, unlike Nb, high temperatures are typically used to stabilize the desirable body-centered-cubic phase, α-Ta, during thin film deposition. It has long been known that a thin Nb layer permits the room-temperature nucleation of α-Ta,4-6 although neither an epitaxial process nor few-photon microwave loss measurements have been reported for Nb-nucleated Ta films prior to this study. We compare resonators patterned from Ta films grown at high temperature (500 °C) and films nucleated at room temperature, in order to understand the impact of crystalline order on quantum coherence. In both cases, films grew with Al2O3 (001) || Ta (110) indicating that the epitaxial orientation is independent of temperature and is preserved across the Nb/Ta interface. We use conventional low-power spectroscopy to measure two level system (TLS) loss, as well as an electric-field bias technique to measure the effective dipole moments of TLS in the surfaces of resonators. In our measurements, Nb-nucleated Ta resonators had greater loss tangent (1.5 ± 0.1 × 10-5) than nonnucleated (5 ± 1 × 10-6) in approximate proportion to defect densities as characterized by X-ray diffraction (0.27 ° vs 0.18 ° [110] reflection width) and electron microscopy (30 nm vs 70 nm domain size). The dependence of the loss tangent on domain size indicates that the development of more ordered Ta films is likely to lead to improvements in qubit coherence times.1,7 Moreover, lowtemperature α-Ta epitaxy may enable the growth of new, microstate-free heterostructures which would not withstand high temperature processing.8
An Enduring Enemy: Phylogenomics Reveals the History of Host Use in Mosquitoes
Authors: Soghigian John , Sither Charles , Justi Silvia , Morinaga Gen , Cassel Brian , Vitek Christopher , Livdahl Todd , Xia Siyang , Gloria-Soria Andrea , Powell Jeffrey , Zavortink Thomas , Hardy Christopher , Burkett-Cadena Nathan , Reeves Lawrence , Wilkerson Richard , Dunn Robert , Yeates David , Sallum Maria Anice , Byrd Brian , Trautwein Michelle , Linton Yvonne-Marie , Reiskind Michael , Wiegmann Brian
Published: February 2023

Mosquitoes have profoundly affected human history and continue to threaten human health through the transmission of a diverse array of viruses and pathogens. Because mosquitoes are also highly diverse and globally widespread, their phylogeny has remained either little known or difficult to discern. Here, we used phylogenomic analysis of 709 orthologous nuclear gene sequences from 256 mosquito species to produce a strongly supported phylogeny that resolves the position of the major disease vector species and the major mosquito lineages. Our tree supports an origin of mosquitoes in the early Triassic (~217 mya) with species diversification and host-use patterns within major lineages coinciding in earth history both with major geologic events and with the diversification of vertebrate classes.
Image Quality Enhancement using CLAHlet RetiGaussian Filter for Maize Leaf Images
Authors: Handa Priyanka , Krishan Bal
Published: February 2023

In this world of digitization, most of the data is in the form of images acquired using camera. Image enhancement plays a vital role in the quality improvement of digital images. In this work, a combined approach based on the contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) and Retinex algorithm is proposed. It is a wavelet based Retinex algorithm with adaptive histogram equalization and gaussian filter. First, image is enhanced using CLAHE, image is decomposed using Daubechies wavelet and then followed by the Retinex algorithm, which used low frequency components to enhance the image. Lastly, a gaussian filter is used to smoothen the image. The dataset of maize leaf disease is used for the analysis of quality enhancement and denoising. It is clear from the results that the proposed method improves the quality by reducing the noise of the maize leaf images. Theses refined images can be used for maize leaves disease detection and classification system to achieve high accuracy.
Flowering and Fruit-set in Cassava under Extended Red-Light Photoperiod Supplemented with Plant-Growth Regulators and Pruning
Authors: Baguma Julius K. , Mukasa Settumba B. , Nuwamanya Ephraim , Alicai Titus , Omongo Christopher , Hyde Peter T. , Setter Tim L. , Ochwo-Ssemakula Mildred , Esuma William , Kanaabi Michael , Iragaba Paula , Baguma Yona , Kawuki Robert S.
Published: February 2023

Background: Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is staple food and major source of calories for over 500 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. The crop is also a source of income for smallholder farmers, and has increasing potential for industrial utilization. However, breeding efforts to match the increasing demand of cassava are impeded by its inability to flower, delayed or unsynchronized flowering, low proportion of female flowers and high fruit abortions. To overcome these sexual reproductive bottlenecks, this study investigated the effectiveness of using red lights to extend the photoperiod (RLE), as a gateway to enhancing flowering and fruit set under field conditions.
Methods: Panels of cassava genotypes, with non- or late and early flowering response, 10 in each case, were subjected to RLE from dusk to dawn. RLE was further evaluated at low (LL), medium (ML) and high (HL) red light intensities, at ~ ≤ 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5PFD (Photon Flux Density) in µmol m-2 s-1 respectively. Additionally, the effect of a cytokinin and anti-ethylene as plant growth regulators (PGR) and pruning under RLE treatment were examined.
Results: RLE stimulated earlier flower initiation in all genotypes, by up to 2 months in the late-flowering genotypes. Height and number of nodes at first branching, particularly in the late-flowering genotypes were also reduced, by over 50%. Number and proportion of pistillate flowers more than doubled, while number of fruits and seeds also increased. Number of branching levels during the crop season also increased by about three. Earlier flowering in many genotypes was most elicited at LL to ML intensities. Additive effects on flower numbers were detected between RLE, PGR and pruning applications. PGR and pruning treatments further increased number and proportion of pistillate flowers and fruits. Plants subjected to PGR and pruning, developed bisexual flowers and exhibited feminization of staminate flowers. Pruning at first branching resulted in higher pistillate flower induction than at second branching.
Conclusions: These results indicate that RLE improves flowering in cassava, and its effectiveness is enhanced when PGR and pruning are applied. Thus, deployment of these technologies in breeding programs could significantly enhance cassava hybridizations and thus cassava breeding efficiency and impact.
A novel approach to estimate the impact of health workforce investments on health outcomes through increased coverage of HIV, TB and malaria services
Authors: Bruckner Tim Allen , Lin Tracy K , Liu Jenny , Ajuebor Onyema , Bornemisza Olga , Diallo Khassoum , Cometto Giorgio
Published: February 2023

Background: Globally, HIV, TB and malaria account for an estimated three million deaths annually. The Global Fund partnered with the World Health Organization to assist countries with health workforce planning in these areas through the development of an integrated health workforce investment impact tool. Our study illustrates the development of a user-friendly tool (with two MS Excel calculator subcomponents) that computes associations between human resources for health (HRH) investment inputs and reduced morbidity and mortality from HIV, TB, and malaria via increased coverage of effective treatment services.
Methods: We retrieved from the peer-reviewed literature quantitative estimates of the relation among HRH inputs and HRH employment and productivity. We converted these values to additional full-time-equivalent doctors, nurses and midwives (DNMs). We used log-linear regression to estimate the relation between DNMs and treatment service coverage outcomes for HIV, TB, and malaria. We then retrieved treatment effectiveness parameters from the literature to calculate lives saved due to expanded treatment coverage for HIV, TB, and malaria. After integrating these estimates into the tool, we piloted it in four countries.
Results: In most countries with a considerable burden of HIV, TB, and malaria, the health workforce investments include a mix of pre-service training, full remuneration of new hires, various forms of incentives and in-service training. These investments were associated with elevated HIV, TB and malaria treatment service coverage and additional lives saved. The country case studies we developed in addition, indicate the feasibility and utility of the tool for a variety of international and local actors interested in HRH planning.
Conclusions: The modelled estimates developed for illustrative purposes and tested through country case studies suggest that HRH investments result in lives saved across HIV, TB, and malaria. Further, findings show that attainment of high targets of specific treatment coverage indicators would require a substantially greater health workforce than what is currently available in most LMICs. The open access tool can assist significantly with future HRH planning efforts, particularly in LMICs.
Performance of different colorectal cancer screening strategies: a long-term passive follow-up population-based screening program in Beijing, China
Authors: Zhang Xi , Yang Lei , Liu Shuo , Li Huichao , Li Qingyu , Li Haoxin , Wang Ning , Ji Jiafu
Published: February 2023

Background
We aimed to assess the performance of the risk assessment questionnaire and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in a population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program to provide timely evidence for tailored screening strategies in China.
Methods
This analysis was conducted using data from Beijing Cancer Screening Prospective Cohort Study (BCSPCS). A risk assessment questionnaire and FIT were selected as the primary screening methods, and participants with any positive results were referred to undergo a diagnostic colonoscopy.
Results
From 2015 to 2020, 148,636 Beijing residents aged 40–69 years were invited from designated communities, with 147,807 finishing the risk assessment questionnaire and 115,606 (78.2%) completing the FIT. Among the 42,969 (29.1%) high-risk CRC participants, 23,824 (55.4%) underwent colonoscopy. One year after enrollment, all subjects were linked to the Beijing Cancer Registry (BCR) database and 241 cases of CRC were confirmed. The CRC incidence rate was 58.2/100,000 for the low-risk arm and 418.9/100,000 for the high-risk arm. For participants who underwent colonoscopy, 91 CRC cases were detected, with a detection rate of 91.9% and 63.7% of them were early-stage cases. Furthermore, the sensitivities of utilizing the risk assessment questionnaire alone, FIT alone, combined risk assessment questionnaire and FIT were 75.7%, 50.1%, and 95.1%, and the specificities were 75.3%, 87.3%, and 70.7%, respectively. Additionally, the costs of each CRC or advanced adenoma detected by the above three strategies were $2623.9, $2692.2, and $2794.6, respectively.
Conclusion
The Beijing CRC screening program can effectively detect early-onset CRC; however, the compliance with colonoscopy still needs to be improved.