bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Redescription of the goby Glossogobius tenuiformis Fowler, 1934 (Teleostei: Gobiidae) and assignment of Oman Glossogobius populations: a morpho-molecular approach
Authors: JUFAILI SAUD M. AL , ESMAEILI HAMID REZA , SAYYADZADEH GOLNAZ , MASOUMI AMIR HASSAN , LARSON HELEN K.
Published: May 2022

Glossogobius giuris was originally described as Gobius giuris from the Ganges River, India. However, based on the uncertainty of its type locality and its apparent widespread distribution, a comprehensive study is being carried out to define the correct taxonomic status of this taxon. The South African population of the Glossogobius from St. Lucia Lake, KwaZulu-Natal was described as Glossogobius tenuiformis by Fowler in 1934. It has usually been considered as Glossogobius giuris but Hoese and Hammer indicated that it was a distinct species (2021: 83). Here, based on morphological characters and a molecular data set, we redescribe Glossogobius tenuiformis and assign the Oman populations of Glossogobius to this species. Glossogobius tenuiformis is distinguished from G. giuris by the absence or very short (and often only a few papillae long) sensory papilla line 6; presence of single rows of the sensory papillae in each cheek line, 12–16 pre-dorsal scale counts, and 1+1+9–11, usually 1+1+10, gill rakers on outer face of first arch. Glossogobius tenuiformis is also distinguished by molecular characters. Glossogobius tenuiformis shows 16% genetic distance with other members of this species complex, that includes G. laticeps from Vietnam, Bangladesh and China, G. giuris from South Africa and India and “giuris C” from India, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh and Vietnam, and the highest genetic distance (24%) with G. circumspectus.
Patrimony at Risk: Market Uncertainty and Right-Wing Voting
Authors: Brännlund Anton
Published: May 2022

The current literature suggests that financial assets push investors to vote for conservative parties given that right-wing policies are said to generate higher returns. Another popular argument is that wealth reduces demand for welfare spending given that private assets can be used as a substitute for social benefits. What I ask in this study is if asset owners always support right-wing parties and a trimmed welfare state. I argue that owners of financial assets become less tempted by free-market policy offerings when there is uncertainty in financial markets. The dot-com bubble, the financial crisis, and most recently the massive impact on financial markets of the coronavirus show that savings can evaporate in a matter of days. I show that the support for right-wing parties decreases in areas with much financial assets under such conditions.
Social Exclusion Among Older Rural Residents in China: Does Either Non-Agricultural Work or Living Away from Their Hometowns over the Courses of Their Lives Make any Difference?
Authors: Xu Maodi , Feng Zhixin
Published: May 2022

This paper analyses the prevalence of social exclusion experienced by older rural residents in China and investigates the impact of work and residence history on rural residents’ social exclusion in later life. Data are from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Logistic regression models are used. Results show that rural males with non-agricultural work experience are less likely to experience exclusion from social participation, financial products and common consumer goods and report perceived exclusion than those who have only engaged in agricultural work over their life course. However, no significant associations between work history and the five domains of social exclusion were found among rural females. The change in place of residence itself leads to higher levels of perceived exclusion for both males and females. Policymakers should focus on promoting social participation and the psychological health for return migrants, particular for rural females.
Diagnostic value of salivary gland ultrasonography for secondary Sjögren syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Hammam Nevin , Elzohri Mona H , Elsonbaty Amira , Eldaly Zeiad H , Hammam Osman , Tarik Dalia , Ibrahim Hamdy M , Gheita Tamer A
Published: May 2022

Background

Salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) is a reliable technique for assessing the salivary glands in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS); however, the role of SGUS for diagnosis of secondary SS (sSS) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was not examined.

Objective

To assess the diagnostic value of SGUS for sSS in patients with SLE, and to investigate the relationship between SGUS findings with clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with SLE.

Patients and methods

This cross-sectional study included 49 patients with SLE. The diagnosis of sSS was confirmed according to the 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria. Salivary gland US was performed for all patients and graded using a validated Hočevar scoring system. A complete clinical and laboratory workup for SLE was assessed. Schirmer’s test and the ocular staining were performed.

Results

Of the 49 patients with a mean age of 30.2 ± 9.6 years, 98% were female. 19 (38.8%) had sSS. SGUS changes consistent with sSS (≥17) were found in 29 (59.2%) of the patients. Patients with higher SGUS score had more sicca findings as well as positive anti-Ro, anti-La antibodies, and poorer psychological stress (p < 0.05). The SGUS (≥17) showed a sensitivity of 84.2% and a specificity of 56.7% for sSS diagnosis, with an area under the curve of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.63, 0.91).

Conclusion

We propose salivary gland ultrasound as a non-invasive method in the diagnostic workup for sSS in patients with SLE. Further studies to confirm the diagnostic value of SGUS in a larger sample of patients with sSS will be necessary.
Voluntary Disclosure, Cost of Capital and Performance of Indian Commercial Banks
Authors: Mahajan Poonam , Singh Gurbinder
Published: May 2022

The relationship between voluntary disclosure, cost of capital and performance of the Indian banks has been examined in this study. The sample of 32 Indian commercial banks has been taken to study this relationship for the observation period of 2013–2014 to 2017–2018. The voluntary disclosure score is calculated by framing an index of 121 items of voluntary information published in the annual reports of Indian banks. The results of panel regression analysis show that there is no significant relationship between voluntary disclosure and cost of capital. Further the results of study also reveal that bank performance does not mediate the relationship between voluntary and cost of capital in case of Indian banking sector, as the results of the interaction term of voluntary disclosure and performance are found to be insignificant. The findings suggest that that voluntary information disclosed in the annual reports of banks is not up to par to guide investors in their investment decisions and to understand the risks. Therefore, it does not influence the cost of capital. This article contributes to the existing literature by exhibiting that benefits of lower cost of capital associated with voluntary disclosure do not hold true for all industries. Additionally, the relationship between voluntary disclosure and performance of the banks is found to be significantly positive in this study. This research will add to the existing literature as no prior study has studied the simultaneous relationship between voluntary disclosure, cost of capital and performance in the context of a developing country. In particular, this study is the first to analyse the simultaneous relationship between voluntary disclosure, cost of capital and performance of banking industry in the context of a developing country by taking the sample from Indian banks.
The More Enthusiastic, the Better? Unveiling a Negative Pathway From Entrepreneurs’ Displayed Enthusiasm to Funders’ Funding Intentions
Authors: Jiang Lin , Yin Dezhi , Liu Dong , Johnson Richard
Published: May 2022

Displaying enthusiasm (an emotional manifestation of passion) is a common practice for entrepreneurs to attract crowdfunding. However, we propose that funders may attribute an entrepreneur’s displayed enthusiasm to impression management motives, which can in turn reduce their funding intentions. Moreover, this negative pathway is more likely to occur when the entrepreneur is perceived to have lower domain expertise. We found consistent support for these hypotheses from a survey and an experiment. Our findings suggest that displaying enthusiasm may not always be effective for entrepreneurs because there are both positive and negative pathways underlying the influence of displayed enthusiasm on funders.
Native migrant narratives in an age of alchemy and activism
Authors: Guntarik Olivia , Harwood Aramiha
Published: May 2022

This article braids our personal and political narratives to examine approaches to creative ethnography as a technique of writing for activists’ goals. Using autobricolage—mixing art, activism and ethnography—we explore narrative as a decolonising strategy to centre Indigenous ontology. The insights carry implications for how we understand and engage with the experiences of others, particularly marginalised voices. The article also offers reflections on the current climate of protest and its new opportunities for social change and solidarity. These reflections are as important for defenders of climate change as for protesters of BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo. Shared histories of colonialism and migration can potentially provide the basis for productive settler-Indigenous social relations among current and future generations. By sharing our experiences as native migrants living in Australia—Harwood from Aotearoa and Guntarik from Borneo—we show how stories reinforce one another, trigger new memories and reveal parallel politics.
Piston ring oil film thickness measurements in a four-stroke diesel engine during steady-state, start-up and shut-down
Authors: Rooke Jack , Brunskill Henry , Li Xiangwei , Taghizadeh Saeid , Hunter Andy , He Shan , Lu Xiqun , Dwyer-Joyce Robert S
Published: May 2022

Internal combustion engine research predominantly focuses on routes to lower emissions to meet various emission legislation. Lower emissions can be achieved with increased fuel efficiency and less lubricant throw off/lubricant combustion in the piston ring zone. These are all dependent on the oil film that forms between the liner and piston components. This article details the use of ultrasonic sensors to study the lubricant film thickness between the engine liner and piston rings/skirt in a fired diesel two-cylinder YTR engine. The testing regime covered a series of engine speeds and loading levels and found the minimum oil film thickness to vary from 1 to 3.5 μm. Spectrograms (time-varying ultrasonic amplitude spectra) have shown a residual oil film on the liner, first present after the skirt moves above the sensor that peaks at 440 μm, which then dissipates until the next oil control ring passage. Start-up and shut-down captures have visualised the build-up and reduction of the film thickness, in which during start-up typically a 2-s interval between the first ring passage and a consistent film thickness was seen. Whilst the shut-down tests showed a lesser variation, anticipated to be due to the oil pump already operating and is, therefore, less subjective to a reduction in engine speed providing a threshold of oil remains on the liner. Measurements like this help to describe how lubrication occurs in the piston ring zone and hence can optimise component design and an oil injection schedule.
European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guidelines on management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Etminan Nima , de Sousa Diana Aguiar , Tiseo Cindy , Bourcier Romain , Desal Hubert , Lindgren Anttii , Koivisto Timo , Netuka David , Peschillo Simone , Lémeret Sabrina , Lal Avtar , Vergouwen Mervyn DI , Rinkel Gabriel JE
Published: May 2022

Unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) occur in around 3% of the population. Important management questions concern if and how to perform preventive UIA occlusion; if, how and when to perform follow up imaging and non-interventional means to reduce the risk of rupture. Using the Standard Operational Procedure of ESO we prepared guidelines according to GRADE methodology. Since no completed randomised trials exist, we used interim analyses of trials, and meta-analyses of observational and case-control studies to provide recommendations to guide UIA management. All recommendations were based on very low evidence. We suggest preventive occlusion if the estimated 5-year rupture risk exceeds the risk of preventive treatment. In general, we cannot recommend endovascular over microsurgical treatment, but suggest flow diverting stents as option only when there are no other low-risk options for UIA repair. To detect UIA recurrence we suggest radiological follow up after occlusion. In patients who are initially observed, we suggest radiological monitoring to detect future UIA growth, smoking cessation, treatment of hypertension, but not treatment with statins or acetylsalicylic acid with the indication to reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture. Additionally, we formulated 15 expert-consensus statements. All experts suggest to assess UIA patients within a multidisciplinary setting (neurosurgery, neuroradiology and neurology) at centres consulting >100 UIA patients per year, to use a shared decision-making process based on the team recommendation and patient preferences, and to repair UIA only in centres performing the proposed treatment in >30 patients with (ruptured or unruptured) aneurysms per year per neurosurgeon or neurointerventionalist. These UIA guidelines provide contemporary recommendations and consensus statement on important aspects of UIA management until more robust data come available.
Practice Patterns of Palmoplantar Pustulosis: Patient Demographics and Treatment Options
Authors: Chandler Antoinette , Wood Hannah , Nezamololama Novin , Gooderham Melinda J.
Published: May 2022

Background

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a chronic skin condition characterized by sterile pustules on the palms and soles. This condition is more commonly reported among women and smokers causing considerable discomfort and interference with daily activities. Although there are various off-label treatment options available for PPP, there remains a demand to identify more effective and safer treatments.

Objective

To review the patient demographics and treatment patterns of our PPP patient population.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed at a dermatology office with two locations in Ontario, Canada.

Results

We identified 71 adult PPP patients. A third of patients did not return for follow up after diagnosis. Among those who returned for follow-up, 20% were managed with topical therapy alone. Of our patients who took systemic treatment for PPP, apremilast, followed by ustekinumab and guselkumab, had the greatest retention of therapy.

Conclusion

Targeting PDE4, IL-12/23 and IL-23 provided some benefit for our patients with PPP leading to greatest retention of therapy over time. Further investigation is required into the cause for high no-show rates and the search for effective and safe treatment options.
Situation, context, and causality—On a core debate of violence research
Authors: Nassauer Anne
Published: May 2022

The sociology of violence has undergone a tremendous change over the past 10 years, increasingly arguing that situational factors are key to violence emergence, rather than context factors. Yet, many key questions regarding this novel situational approach remain unanswered: How can situation and context be conceptually specified? Can context be integrated into a situational explanatory model? And what causal understanding underlies situational approaches? To answer these questions, the paper relies on my empirical studies of officer deadly use of force and of collective violence in protests, as well as other scholars’ empirical work. The article first proposes a specified definition of situation and context. Using these concepts, it then proposes a causal specification of the situational approach through necessary, sufficient, and INUS conditions, as well as context factors as risk factors to violence. Third, in an outlook, it argues that this causal relationship between situation, context, and violence can be theoretically framed through an elaborated symbolic interactionism that integrates context into a situational approach. It also discusses the relevance of the debate for violence avoidance and for other research fields.
Genome-wide survey and expression analysis of GRAS transcription factor family in sweetpotato provides insights into their potential roles in stress response
Authors: Zhang Chengbin , Liu Siyuan , Liu Delong , Guo Fen , Yang Yiyu , Dong Tingting , Zhang Yi , Ma Chen , Tang Zixuan , Li Feifan , Meng Xiaoqing , Zhu Mingku
Published: May 2022

Background

The plant-specific GRAS transcription factors play pivotal roles in various adverse environmental conditions. Numerous GRAS genes have been explored and characterized in different plants, however, comprehensive survey on GRASs in sweetpotato is lagging.

Results

In this study, 72 putative sweetpotatoIbGRASgenes with uneven distribution were isolated on 15 chromosomes and classified into 12 subfamilies supported by gene structures and motif compositions. Moreover, both tandem duplication and segmental duplication events played critical roles in the expansion of sweetpotato GRAS genes, and the collinearity betweenIbGRASgenes and the related orthologs from nine other plants further depicted evolutionary insights into GRAS gene family. RNA-seq analysis under salt stress and qRT-PCR detection of 12 selectedIbGRASgenes demonstrated their significant and varying inductions under multiple abiotic stresses (salt, drought, heat and cold) and hormone treatments (ABA, ACC and JA). Consistently, the promoter regions ofIbGRASgenes harbored a series of stress- and hormone-associated cis-acting elements. Among them, IbGRAS71, the potential candidate for breeding tolerant plants, was characterized as having transactivation activity in yeasts, while IbGRAS-2/-4/-9 did not. Moreover, a complex interaction relationship between IbGRASs was observed through the interaction network analysis and yeast two-hybrid assays.

Conclusions

Our results laid a foundation for further functional identifications ofIbGRASgenes, and multiple members may serve as potential regulators for molecular breeding of tolerant sweetpotato.
Assessing the effect of seasonal malaria chemoprevention on malaria burden among children under 5 years in Burkina Faso
Authors: Kirakoya-Samadoulougou Fati , De Brouwere Vincent , Fokam Arnold Fottsoh , Ouédraogo Mady , Yé Yazoumé
Published: May 2022

Background

In 2014, the Burkina Faso government launched the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) programme. Expected benefit was a 75% reduction of all malaria episodes and a 75% drop of severe malaria episodes. This study assessed SMC efficiency on malaria morbidity in the country after 2 years of implementation.

Methods

Quasi-experimental design comparing changes in outcomes during the high transmission period (August–November) between SMC and non-SMC health districts before (2013–2014) and after intervention (two rounds in 2015 and 2016). Health indicators (number of uncomplicated malaria cases (UM) and severe malaria cases (SM)) from 19 health districts (8 in intervention and 11 in comparison group) were extracted from the District Health Information System (DHIS2)-based platform including health facilities data. Effect on incidence was assessed by fitting difference-in difference mixed-effects negative binomial regression model at a log scale.

Results

The two rounds of SMC were associated with a reduction of UM incidence (ratio of incidence rate ratio (IRR) 69% (95% CI 55–86%); p = 0.001) and SM incidence (ratio of IRR = 73% (55–95%), p = 0.018) among under five children.

Conclusion

The two rounds of SMC had a significant effect on the reduction of malaria cases in under five children. This additional evidence on the effectiveness of SMC, using routine data, support the need to sustain its implementation and consider expansion to eligible areas not yet covered.
Anastomotic occlusion after laparoscopic low anterior rectal resection: a rare case study and literature review
Authors: Hu Chunhai , Zhang Hui , Yang Lingpeng , Zhao Jian , Cai Qiang , Jiang Long , Meng Lin , Wang Zhi , Wen Zhengrong , Wang Yunhua , Yu Zhiyong
Published: May 2022

Background

With the development of laparoscopic techniques and the broad clinical application of various anastomotic types, anal-preserving low anterior rectal resection and ultra-low anterior rectal resection have been popularized. Some patients with rectal cancer have retained their anus and improved their quality of life. Nevertheless, the incidence of postoperative anastomotic stenosis remains high, and anastomotic occlusion is even rarer.

Case presentation

We report a case of anastomotic occlusion in a patient with rectal cancer, which occurred after undergoing laparoscopic low anterior rectal resection + prophylactic terminal ileal fistulation at our department. Under endoscopy, we used a small guidewire to break through the occluded anastomosis, thereby finding the lacuna. After endoscopic balloon dilation, digital anal dilatation, and continuous dilator-assisted dilation, the desired efficacy was achieved, ultimately recovering ileal stoma. Postoperative follow-up condition was generally acceptable, without symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, or difficulty in defecation.

Conclusion

Numerous factors cause postoperative anastomotic stenosis in patients with rectal cancer. Complete occlusion of anastomosis occurs relatively rare in clinical practice, and is challenging to treat. This case was our first attempt to remove the anastomotic occlusion successfully, which avoided re-operation or pain from the permanent fistula.
Visual and digital assessment of Ki-67 in breast cancer tissue - a comparison of methods
Authors: Skjervold Anette H. , Pettersen Henrik Sahlin , Valla Marit , Opdahl Signe , Bofin Anna M.
Published: May 2022

Background

In breast cancer (BC) Ki-67 cut-off levels, counting methods and inter- and intraobserver variation are still unresolved. To reduce inter-laboratory differences, it has been proposed that cut-off levels for Ki-67 should be determined based on the in-house median of 500 counted tumour cell nuclei. Digital image analysis (DIA) has been proposed as a means to standardize assessment of Ki-67 staining in tumour tissue. In this study we compared digital and visual assessment (VA) of Ki-67 protein expression levels in full-face sections from a consecutive series of BCs. The aim was to identify the number of tumour cells necessary to count in order to reflect the growth potential of a given tumour in both methods, as measured by tumour grade, mitotic count and patient outcome.

Methods

A series of whole sections from 248 invasive carcinomas of no special type were immunohistochemically stained for Ki-67 and then assessed by VA and DIA. Five 100-cell increments were counted in hot spot areas using both VA and DIA. The median numbers of Ki-67 positive tumour cells were used to calculate cut-off levels for Low, Intermediate and High Ki-67 protein expression in both methods.

Results

We found that the percentage of Ki-67 positive tumour cells was higher in DIA compared to VA (medians after 500 tumour cells counted were 22.3% for VA and 30% for DIA). While the median Ki-67% values remained largely unchanged across the 100-cell increments for VA, median values were highest in the first 1-200 cells counted using DIA. We also found that the DIA100 High group identified the largest proportion of histopathological grade 3 tumours 70/101 (69.3%).

Conclusions

We show that assessment of Ki-67 in breast tumours using DIA identifies a greater proportion of cases with high Ki-67 levels compared to VA of the same tumours. Furthermore, we show that diagnostic cut-off levels should be calibrated appropriately on the introduction of new methodology.
Toosendanin, a late-stage autophagy inhibitor, sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer to irinotecan chemotherapy
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Dong Yu , Chen Xiuping , TAN Chris Soon Heng , Li Min , Miao Kai , Lu Jia-Hong
Published: May 2022

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer that develops resistance to chemotherapy frequently. Autophagy has been reported as a pro-survival response to chemotherapeutic drugs in TNBC, and suppression of autophagy can be a strategy to overcome drug resistance.

Methods

The efficacy of toosendanin (TSN) in blocking autophagy flux was measured by western blot analysis of autophagy markers, and the fluorescent imaging of RFP-GFP-LC3 probe. The co-localization of autophagosomes and lysosomes was analyzed by fluorescent imaging. Then, lysosome function was determined by measuring the lysosomal pH value and the activity of lysosomal hydrolytic proteases. For in vitro study, human triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436 cell lines were used for evaluating the anti-proliferative effect. For in vivo study, the RFP-GFP-LC3 MDA-MB-231 xenograft nude mice received intraperitoneal injection of irinotecan (10 mg/kg), TSN (0.5 mg/kg) or a combination, and the autophagy activity and cell apoptosis were determined in tumor tissue. The degree of pathological injury of tissue was evaluated by liver index.

Results

The natural autophagy inhibitor TSN, a triterpenoid extracted from Melia toosenda Sieb. et Zucc, potently inhibited late-stage autophagy in TNBC cells. This effect was achieved via elevating lysosome pH rather than blocking the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. We further investigated the effects of TSN on the in vitro and in vivo TNBC models, in combination with chemotherapeutic drug irinotecan (or its active metabolite 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin), a topoisomerase I inhibitor showing therapeutic potential for TNBC. The data showed that TSN blocked 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38)/irinotecan-induced protective autophagy, and significantly induced apoptosis in TNBC cells and tumor xenograft models when compared to SN-38/irinotecan alone group.

Graphical Abstract
Early development of the cochlea of the common marmoset, a non-human primate model
Authors: Hosoya Makoto , Fujioka Masato , Okahara Junko , Yoshimatsu Sho , Okano Hideyuki , Ozawa Hiroyuki
Published: May 2022

Background

Fine-tuned cochlear development is essential for hearing. Owing to the difficulty in using early human fetal samples, most of our knowledge regarding cochlear development has been obtained from rodents. However, several inter-species differences in cochlear development between rodents and humans have been reported. To bridge these differences, we investigated early otic development of a non-human primate model animal, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

Methods

We examined 20 genes involved in early cochlear development and described the critical developmental steps for morphogenesis, which have been reported to vary between rodents and marmosets.

Results

The results revealed that several critical genes involved in prosensory epithelium specifications showed higher inter-species differences, suggesting that the molecular process for hair cell lineage acquisition in primates differs considerably from that of rodents. We also observed that the tempo of cochlear development was three times slower in the primate than in rodents.

Conclusions

Our data provide new insights into early cochlear development in primates and humans and imply that the procedures used for manipulating rodent cochlear sensory cells cannot be directly used for the research of primate cells due to the intrinsic inter-species differences in the cell fate determination program.
rDNA-ITS2 characterization of Trichogramma species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in Turkey
Authors: Sümer Ercan Fahriye , Ateş Mevlüde Alev , Öztemiz Sevcan
Published: May 2022

Background

ITS2 sequences can be used in systematic studies and proved to give reliable results in the distinguishing of Trichogramma species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). Correct identification of natural enemies forms the basis of a biological control program. The present study aimed to compare sequences of rDNA-ITS2 of Trichogramma samples with those deposited in GenBank by using ITS2, as a barcode for reliable species identification and assessment of genetic diversity.

Results

Molecular identification methods were used to differentiate 2 Trichogramma species collected from Adana province of Turkey; Trichogramma brassicae (Bezdenko) and Trichogramma turkestanica Meyer (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). ITS2 sequences of samples ranged in size from 378 to 406 bp. The ITS2 sequences were aligned using Clustal W, genetic distances and phylogenetic tree were calculated using MEGA V7.0. rDNA-ITS2 sequences of 37 specimens of Trichogramma confirmed in GenBank in the study. Also, secondary structures of ITS2 sequences were predicted with the help of Mfold web server. All secondary structure constructions were performed at 37 °C using RNA version 2.3 default parameters.

Conclusions

A molecular marker can be used successfully to distinguish closely related groups if it is a rapidly evolving and highly conserved gene region. In the study, it was shown that ITS2 was a reliable molecular marker in distinguishing species. Therefore, with rDNA-ITS2 sequence analysis, Trichogramma spp., which is a very important natural enemy in biological control, has been identified.
Emerging Systemic Treatment Perspectives on Brain Metastases: Moving Toward a Better Outlook for Patients
Authors: Alvarez-Breckenridge Christopher , Remon Jordi , Piña Yolanda , Nieblas-Bedolla Edwin , Forsyth Peter , Hendriks Lizza , Brastianos Priscilla K.
Published: May 2022

The diagnosis of brain metastases has historically been a dreaded, end-stage complication of systemic disease. Additionally, with the increasing effectiveness of systemic therapies that prolong life expectancy and improved imaging tools, the incidence of intracranial progression is becoming more common. Within this context, there has been increasing attention directed at understanding the molecular underpinnings of intracranial progression. Exploring the unique features of brain metastases compared with their extracranial counterparts to identify aberrant signaling pathways, which can be targeted pharmacologically, may help lead to new treatments for this patient population. Additionally, critical discoveries outside the sphere of the central nervous system are increasingly being applied to brain metastases with the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibition, becoming a prevalent treatment option for patients with brain metastases across multiple histologies. As novel treatment strategies are considered, they require thoughtful incorporation of agents that can cross the blood-brain barrier and can synergize with pre-existing agents through rational combinations. Lastly, as clinicians and scientists continue to understand key molecular features of these tumors, they will continue to influence the treatment algorithms that are developing for the management of these patients. Due to the complexity of treatment decisions for patients with brain metastases, an emerging tool is the utilization of multidisciplinary brain metastasis tumor boards to ensure optimal treatment decisions are made and that patients are provided access to applicable clinical trials. Looking to the future, the collective effort to understand the various tumor-intrinsic and tumor-extrinsic factors that promote central nervous system seeding and propagation will have the potential to change the clinical trajectory for these patients.
Cooperativism as Contestation to Crypto-colonialism in Puerto Rico
Authors: Crandall Jillian , Vázquez Andrew Mercado
Published: May 2022

Increasingly, blockchains and distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) are posed to impact economic futures and urban governance. New forms of human settlement are emerging as a result of and in service to cryptocurrency, curiously concentrating in areas with colonial ties such as Latin America and the global South. Technologists and those who can pay them are largely driving these discourses and decisions forward, while regulators and regular citizens struggle to catch up. If the buzz around blockchain opens the power to dream new techno-economic futures, who has the power and privilege to dream? This paper explores the intersection of digital technology with alternative economic visions in Puerto Rico, using principles of commoning and cooperativism in contestation to venture capitalism, US imperialism, and new crypto-colonialism. We echo Hardt and Negri (2017: 111) in calling advocates for alternative economies to “immerse ourselves into the heart of technologies and attempt to make them our own against the forces of domination that deploy technologies against us.” The goals of this collaborative research are to inform more equitable tech policy legislation in Puerto Rico, to caution against potential co-optation and techno-fixes, and to establish frameworks for cooperative experimentation using digital technologies including DLTs.
Types of Sports and Exercise Group Participation and Sociopsychological Health in Older Adults: A 3-Yr Longitudinal Study
Authors: TSUJI TAISHI , KANAMORI SATORU , WATANABE RYOTA , YOKOYAMA MEIKO , MIYAGUNI YASUHIRO , SAITO MASASHIGE , KONDO KATSUNORI
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to identify the association between a specific sports type and exercise group participation and longitudinal changes in sociopsychological health among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

Three years of data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study were used, comprising a total of 33,746 men and 36,799 women age ≥65 yr. To determine the relationship between 20 types of sports and exercise group participation in 2016 (baseline) and changes in depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)), self-rated health (4-point scale), subjective well-being (11-point scale), and frequency of laughter (days per month) from 2016 to 2019, we performed linear regression analyses with conducting a multivariate adjustment for potential confounders using an inverse probability weighting method.

Results

The mean changes over 3 yr were +0.32 and +0.28 in GDS-15, −0.06 and −0.05 in self-rated health, −0.08 and −0.06 in subjective well-being, and −1.21 and −1.19 in frequency of laughter, in men and women, respectively. Men playing golf in a group were more likely to suppress an increase in the GDS-15 (B = −0.11, 95% confidence interval, −0.18 to −0.05) and decreases in self-rated health (0.04, 0.02 to 0.06), subjective well-being (0.07, 0.02 to 0.12), and frequency of laughter (0.45, 0.11 to 0.80). Women participating in walking, weight exercises, and hiking groups were more likely to prevent an increase in the GDS-15 (−0.12, −0.19 to −0.04; −0.09, −0.18 to −0.01; and −0.16, −0.30 to −0.03, respectively) and decreases in self-rated health (0.03, 0.01 to 0.05; 0.03, 0.01 to 0.06; and 0.08, 0.04 to 0.12, respectively).

Conclusions

Golf in older men and walking, weight exercises, and hiking in older women could be recommended as an effective program for promoting sociopsychological health among older adults in Japan.
A consideration of escalation and special measures in NHS Wales
Authors: Royce Robert
Published: May 2022

This article examines the escalation process for NHS bodies in Wales and explores the effectiveness of this mechanism as a means of improving performance. Two case studies of health boards that have been subject to special measures are included. The central role of Welsh government in the decision-making process, the length of time a number of organisations have been in ‘escalation’ and the opaqueness of the decision-making criteria used to de-escalate health boards are highlighted. The author discusses potential issues regarding accountability within NHS Wales and whether the eventual establishment of an NHS Executive will address this. The article will also look at how the size and complexity of Welsh health boards may negatively affect their manageability and, if so, whether these matters need to be considered by NHS England as it shifts towards integrated care systems.
Assistive technology for diabetes management: a toolkit
Authors: Barmanray Rahul D , Kyi Mervyn , Fourlanos Spiros
Published: May 2022

This article provides an up-to-date guide to the types of assistive technology designed for patients with diabetes.
High-precision and rapid binocular camera calibration method using a single image per camera
Authors: Yin Yulong , Zhu Huabing , Yang Pei , Yang Zhaohui , Liu Kai , Fu Hongwei
Published: May 2022

This study proposes a precise and rapid binocular camera calibration (BCC) method based on a stereo target composed of 12 coded planar targets on which each calibration corner has a unique coded number. Unlike Zhang’s method which requires numerous pairs of images in a binocular calibration process and fails to realize the matching of homonymous corners in the case of the incomplete target projection, the proposed method can implement an accurate BCC using a single calibration image per camera even in the case of target incompete projection. The proposed method greatly decreases the complexity of the calibration process. An optimization method based on multi-constraint is also presented to improve the accuracy of the BCC. The reprojection error and the 3D measurement errors are combined to evaluate the precision of the BCC more comprehensively. A binocular camera is calibrated by utilizing the proposed method and Zhang’s method for comparison. The reprojection error and 3D measurement errors are remarkably reduced by applying the proposed method. The supplementary experiment further verifies the advantage of the proposed optimization method.
Enhancing spatial resolution of BOTDR sensors using image deconvolution
Authors: Wu Haoting , Guo Nan , Feng Danqi , Yin Guolu , Zhu Tao
Published: May 2022

We propose to employ the image deconvolution technique for Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry (BOTDR) systems to achieve a flexible and enhanced spatial resolution with pump pulses longer than phonon lifetime. By taking the measured Brillouin gain spectrum (BGS) distribution as an image blurred by a point spread function (PSF), the image deconvolution algorithm based on the two-dimensional Wiener filtering can mitigate the ambiguity effect on the Brillouin response. The deconvoluted BGS distribution reveals detailed sensing information within shorter fiber segments, improving the inferior spatial resolution and simultaneously maintaining other sensing performance parameters. Thanks to the proposed technique, a typical BOTDR sensor with 40 ns pump pulses reaches a submetric spatial resolution as high as 10 cm. Compared to the differential-spectrum-based BOTDR retrieving the same spatial resolution, the image deconvolution technique shows advantages in system complexity and measurement uncertainty. Moreover, the proposed technique is promising to improve the spatial resolution of other distributed optical fiber sensing (DOFS) techniques such as BOTDR systems with complex pump modulation methods.
Tunable concentration-dependent upconversion and downconversion luminescence in NaYF4: Yb3+, Er3+@ NaYF4: Yb3+, Nd3+ core-shell nanocrystals for a dual-mode anti-counterfeiting imaging application
Authors: Cui Shaobo , Tao Li , Chan Wen Kiat , Zhou Donglei , Yu Zhongzheng , Xu Wen
Published: May 2022

Lanthanide-doped luminescent nanocrystals display both upconversion luminescence (UCL) and downconversion luminescence (DCL) properties, which offer potential applications in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) images and biology sensors. Both UCL and DCL are sensitive to concentrations of activators. However, few works reveal the mechanism of concentration-dependent UCL and DCL. Herein, we synthesize core-shell upconversion nanocrystals (UCNCs) NaYF4: Yb3+(20%), Er3+ (2%)@NaYF4: Yb3+ (x%), Nd3+ (y%) with varying concentration of Nd and Yb ions. The UCL and DCL spectra are recorded under excitation of 980 nm and 808 nm lasers. The results indicate that the luminescence of core-shell UCNCs is influenced by the non-radiative rate between activators (Yb3+ and Nd3+) and the back energy transfer rate from Er3+ ions to activators. UCL tends to be obtained at a relatively low concentration of Yb3+ and Nd3+ ions (about 5%), whereas NIR emission tends to be obtained at a relatively high concentration of Yb3+ and Nd3+ ions (not higher than 20%). Dual-mode anti-counterfeiting imaging is successfully fabricated using core-shell UCNCs, which can be detected and distinguished by visible and infrared detectors. The visible versus infrared brightness of dual-mode anti-counterfeiting imaging can be tuned by varying the concentration of activators (Yb3+, Nd3+). Our work demonstrates concentration-dependent UCL and DCL in core-shell UCNCs, which provides reference to obtain NIR emission in the NIR-II region and adds encrypted dimensions for anti-counterfeiting patterns in the field of file encryption.
Highly stable and recoverable humidity sensor using fluorescent quantum dot film
Authors: Xia Pengfei , Shou Qian , Wang Tianci , Yang Guanjie , Li Heng , Li Qiuhua , Chen Yongxiao , Xie Tian , Huang Jianlin , Xing Xiaobo
Published: May 2022

Fluorescent sensors are resistant to electromagnetic interference and are electrically insulated, allowing for highly accurate measurements. Quantum dots (QDs) serve as outstanding sensing materials owing to the unique optical properties such as tunable photoluminescence (PL), excellent visible light activity, and high chemical and physical stability. In this paper, we develop an optical humidity sensor based on a QDs nanocomposite film. The film is made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), SiO2 microsphere (SM), and QDs through the layer-by-layer self-assembly method. The mechanism of humidity detection is moisture-induced quenching of the QDs fluorescence intensity. The results reveal that our sensor shows a good linear response to relative humidity in the range of 5% to 97%, a fast response-recovery time of 25 s and 20 s, and good repeatability for more than 50 cycles as well as high stability for over 180 days. Possessing the remarkable property, optical humidity sensors are envisaged for great potential applications in environmental monitoring.
Observation of topological Anderson phase in laser-written quasi-periodic waveguide arrays
Authors: Cheng Weizhao , Liu Weijie , Liu Quancheng , Chen Feng
Published: May 2022

We report on the experimental observation of the topological Anderson phase in one-dimensional quasi-periodical waveguide arrays produced by femtosecond laser writing. The evanescently coupled waveguides are with alternating coupling constants, constructing photonic lattices analogous to the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model. Dynamic tuning of the interdimer hopping amplitudes of the waveguide array generates the quasi-periodic disorder of the coupling constants for the model. As light propagates in the corresponding photonic waveguides, it exhibits different modes depending on the magnitude of the disorder. The topological Anderson phase is observed as the disorder is sufficiently strong, which corresponds to the zero-energy mode in its spectrum. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical simulations, confirming the existence of the disorder-driven topological phase from a trivial band in the photonic lattice.
The human insula processes both modality-independent and pain-selective learning signals
Authors: Horing Björn , Büchel Christian
Published: May 2022

Prediction errors (PEs) are generated when there are differences between an expected and an actual event or sensory input. The insula is a key brain region involved in pain processing, and studies have shown that the insula encodes the magnitude of an unexpected outcome (unsigned PEs). In addition to signaling this general magnitude information, PEs can give specific information on the direction of this deviation—i.e., whether an event is better or worse than expected. It is unclear whether the unsigned PE responses in the insula are selective for pain or reflective of a more general processing of aversive events irrespective of modality. It is also unknown whether the insula can process signed PEs at all. Understanding these specific mechanisms has implications for understanding how pain is processed in the brain in both health and in chronic pain conditions. In this study, 47 participants learned associations between 2 conditioned stimuli (CS) with 4 unconditioned stimuli (US; painful heat or loud sound, of one low and one high intensity each) while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and skin conductance response (SCR) measurements. We demonstrate that activation in the anterior insula correlated with unsigned intensity PEs, irrespective of modality, indicating an unspecific aversive surprise signal. Conversely, signed intensity PE signals were modality specific, with signed PEs following pain but not sound located in the dorsal posterior insula, an area implicated in pain intensity processing. Previous studies have identified abnormal insula function and abnormal learning as potential causes of pain chronification. Our findings link these results and suggest that a misrepresentation of learning relevant PEs in the insular cortex may serve as an underlying factor in chronic pain.
Circulating gut microbiota-related metabolites influence endothelium plaque lesion formation in ApoE knockout rats
Authors: Chuang Hsiao-Li , Chiu Chien-Chao , Lo Ching , Hsu Cheng-Chih , Liu Ju-Yun , Hung Shao-Wen , Tsai Shih-Chieh , Sung Hsiang-Hsuan , Wang Chi-Kuang Leo , Huang Yen-Te
Published: May 2022

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiac and peripheral vessel infarction in developed countries. Recent studies have established that gut microbiota and their metabolites play important roles in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate endothelium plaque lesion formation in ApoE-deficient rats fed a normal chow diet under germ-free (GF) and specific-pathogen-free (SPF) conditions at various time points. There was no difference in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels between SPF-rats and GF-rats. Histological studies revealed that the GF-rats developed endothelium plaques in the aorta from 26 to 52 weeks, but this was not observed in SPF-rats. GF-rat coronary arteries had moderate-to-severe endothelium lesions during this time period, but SPF-rat coronary arteries had only mild lesion formation. Immunohistochemical staining showed higher accumulation of CD68-positive and arginase-negative foamy-like macrophages on the arterial walls of GF-rats, and expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in foam cells was only observed in GF-rats. In addition, microbial metabolites, including equol derivatives, enterolactone derivatives, indole-3-propionate, indole-3-acrylic acid, cholic acid, hippuric acid, and isoquinolone, were significantly higher in the SPF group than in the GF group. In conclusion, our results indicate that gut microbiota may attenuate atherosclerosis development.