bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mode of delivery and short‐term maternal mental health: A follow‐up study in the Danish National Birth Cohort
Authors: Skov Stina Kruse , Hjorth Sarah , Kirkegaard Helene , Olsen Jørn , Nohr Ellen Aagaard
Published: February 2022

Objective

To estimate associations between mode of delivery and maternal mental health 6 months postpartum.

Methods

Follow‐up of mothers in the Danish National Birth Cohort. Symptoms of anxiety, depression or stress were self‐reported at gestational week 30 and 6 months postpartum. Mode of delivery was categorized as spontaneous vaginal birth, instrumental vaginal birth, planned cesarean section and emergency cesarean section. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to compute differences and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between delivery mode and mental health indicators adjusted for mental health before and during pregnancy.

Results

Among 54 474 mothers, mental health indicators improved from pregnancy to 6 months postpartum for all delivery modes. Improvement was smallest in mothers with emergency cesarean section. Thus, compared to women with a spontaneous vaginal birth, women with emergency cesarean section more frequently reported symptoms of anxiety (OR 1.11; 0.98–1.24), depression (OR 1.25; 1.09–1.43) and stress (OR 1.14; 1.01–1.29) 6 months postpartum, and women with planned cesarean section more frequently reported symptoms of anxiety (OR 1.15; 1.01–1.29).

Conclusion

Mental health improved from pregnancy to 6 months postpartum regardless of delivery mode. Mothers with emergency cesarean section experienced more symptoms of emotional distress 6 months postpartum.
VR‐Based improvement of aerobics teaching quality
Authors: Wu Jing
Published: February 2022

Currently, most of students do not pay much attention to aerobics. Affected by various factors, students' participation in aerobics learning is low and lack of interest. However, regular aerobics exercise can enhance physical fitness and improve physical and mental health. Compared with other sports, aerobics is not so boring, and the exercise effect is excellent. The introduction of virtual reality (VR) technology in aerobics teaching not only makes up for the deficiency of traditional aerobics teaching, but also brings students a great sense of novelty, and teachers' teaching efficiency and students' learning efficiency will be significantly improved. The empirical variogram‐based 360° aerobics teaching video coding unit (CU) partition algorithm is proposed to improve coding efficiency and provide real visual experience. Experiments show that the proposed algorithm performs well in BD‐Rate and Quality of Experience (QoE), so that students can adjust movements according to the standard aerobics movements, which will greatly improve the efficiency of aerobics teaching.
WoT‐based Gaussian process multi‐view learning for real‐time monitoring and identification
Authors: Zhou Aili
Published: February 2022

With the rapid development of imaging and communication technology, monitoring equipment is becoming more and more popular, and how to realize the real‐time monitoring and identification of key figures has become an important research direction. However, the traditional monitoring and identification systems usually upload the collected data to the server directly, and then the monitoring staff manually identifies them, or uses the artificial intelligence algorithm to identify the data stored in the past, which may lead to missed detection or false detection, and the data uploading manner will take a lot of time, so that the final identification result does not have real‐time. To solve these issues, based on the Web of Things (WoT) technology, a Gaussian process multi‐view learning system is proposed in this paper. Specifically, the Gaussian process is first used to learn multi‐view fusion features, and the identification is carried out based on these fusion features. Secondly, according to the identification results, only the monitoring data of key figures or suspected key figures are uploaded to the server and displayed at the monitoring end, so as to effectively reduce the amount of data to be transmitted. Experimental results show that the proposed Gaussian process multi‐view learning algorithm can effectively identify multi view face images.
Antibiofilm potential of a negative pressure wound therapy foam loaded with a first‐in‐class tri‐alkyl norspermidine‐biaryl antibiotic
Authors: Rawson Kaden B. , Neuberger Travis , Smith Tyler , Reddy Hariprasada Reddy Kanna , Haussener Travis J. , Sebahar Paul R. , Looper Ryan E. , Isaacson Brad M. , Shero John , Pasquina Paul F. , Williams Dustin L.
Published: February 2022

Negative‐pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is commonly utilized to treat traumatic injuries sustained on the modern battlefield. However, NPWT has failed to decrease the incidence of deep tissue infections experienced by Wounded Warriors, despite attempts to integrate common antimicrobials, like Ag+ nanoparticles, into the wound dressing. The purpose of this study was to incorporate a unique antibiofilm compound (CZ‐01179) into the polyurethane matrix of NPWT foam via lyophilized hydrogel scaffolding. Foam samples with 2.5%, 5.0%, and 10.0% w/w CZ‐01179 were produced and antibiofilm efficacy was compared to the current standards of care: V.A.C.® GRANUFOAM SILVER™ and V.A.C.® GRANUFOAM™. Gravimetric analysis and elution kinetics testing confirmed that this loading technique was both repeatable and controllable. Furthermore, zone of inhibition and antibiofilm efficacy testing showed that foam loaded with CZ‐01179 had significantly increased activity against planktonic and biofilm phenotypes of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii compared to the clinical standards. These findings motivate additional ex vivo and in vivo work with NPWT foam loaded with CZ‐01179 with the overall objective of reducing NPWT‐associated infections that complicate battlefield‐related and other wounds.
Response to High‐Dose Vitamin D Supplementation Is Specific to Imaging Modality and Skeletal Site
Authors: Burt Lauren A , Gabel Leigh , Billington Emma O , Hanley David A , Boyd Steven K
Published: February 2022

High‐dose vitamin D supplementation (4000 or 10,000 IU/d) in vitamin D‐sufficient individuals results in a dose‐dependent decrease in radius and tibia total bone mineral density (Tt.BMD) compared with 400 IU/d. This exploratory analysis examined whether the response to high‐dose vitamin D supplementation depends on imaging modality and skeletal site. Participants were aged 55 to 70 years, not osteoporotic, with serum 25(OH)D 30 to 125 nM. Participants’ radius and tibia were scanned on high‐resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR‐pQCT) to measure Tt.BMD, trabecular bone volume fraction (Tb.BV/TV), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), cortical thickness (Ct.Th), and finite element analysis (FEA) estimated failure load. Three‐dimensional image registration was used. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of the hip, spine, and radius measured areal BMD (aBMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS). Constrained linear mixed‐effects models determined treatment group‐by‐time and treatment group‐by‐time‐by‐sex interactions. The treatment group‐by‐time interaction previously observed for radial Tt.BMD was observed at both ultradistal (UD, p < 0.001) and 33% (p < 0.001) aBMD sites. However, the treatment group‐by‐time‐by‐sex interaction observed for radial Tt.BMD was not observed with aBMD at either the UD or 33% site, and the 4000 and 400 groups did not differ. Registered radial FEA results mirrored Tt.BMD. An increase in Tb.Sp and decrease in Ct.Th underpinned dose‐dependent changes in radial BMD and strength. We observed no effects in DXA‐based aBMD at the hip or spine or TBS. At the tibia, we observed a time‐by‐treatment group effect for Tb.BV/TV. Given that DXA measures at the radius did not detect sex differences or differences between the 4000 and 400 groups, HR‐pQCT at the radius may be more sensitive for examining bone changes after vitamin D supplementation. Although DXA did not reveal treatment effects at the hip or spine, whether that is a true skeletal site difference or a lack of modality sensitivity remains unclear. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Role of m5C RNA methylation regulators in colorectal cancer prognosis and immune microenvironment
Authors: Fang Xiaojie , Miao Chenyun , Zeng Tianni , Chu Weijian , Zheng Yi , Sun Xi , Yin Xin , Li Yanyan
Published: February 2022

Background

RNA modification has become one of the hot topics of research as it can be used for tumor prognosis. However, its role in various biological processes is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of m5C and m1A regulators on colorectal cancer prognosis using bioinformatics tools. The association between these regulators and differences in patient survival as well as the clinicopathological characteristics and tumor immune microenvironment in colorectal cancer tissues were assessed.

Methods

We selected publicly available colorectal cancer data sets from The Cancer Genome Atlas and used the “limma” package in R to identify differentially expressed genes. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model was used to calculate the prognostic risk, and a risk prediction model was constructed, to help assess the prognostic values of the differentially expressed genes. Finally, using TISCH and TIMER, we assessed the extent of cellular infiltration in colorectal cancer.

Results

We explored NSUN6 and DNMT3A expression using UALCAN and HPA and found that their expression is significantly increased in colorectal cancer tissues and correlated with sex and TP53 mutation status. Moreover, we found NSUN6 and DNMT3A were related to the infiltration of six major immune cells, with DNMT3A being closely related to dendritic cells, CD4+ T cells, and B cells, whereas NSUN6 to B cells and CD8+ T cells.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that m5C regulators can predict the clinical prognostic risk and regulate the tumor immune microenvironment in colorectal cancer.
Alcohol use among US dental students: Results of a nationwide survey
Authors: Scarbecz Mark , DeSchepper Edward J. , Dyer Nakeshi L. , Blanton Alan O.
Published: February 2022

Purpose/objectives

Substance use may be a consequence of dental student stress. Studies have examined the alcohol use among medical students, but there are fewer studies among dental students. The purpose of this study was to examine alcohol use in a large geographically diverse sample of US Dental Students.

Methods

An anonymous web‐based survey instrument was modeled after well‐known surveys of college student substance use. Survey data collection used best practices for web‐based surveys when possible.

Results

2019 responses were collected with the cooperation of fifteen US dental schools (potential sample size: 6029; RR: 7.6%, n = 463). 2021 responses were collected using the American Student Dental Association email list (potential sample size: 18,722; RR: 2.2%, n = 424). Respondents came from all regions of the US. Thirty‐day alcohol usage and binge drinking rates were somewhat higher among dental students than college‐age students from other surveys. Women's 30‐day prevalence of alcohol use was slightly higher than men, but binge drinking prevalence was greater among men. Prevalence of binge drinking was higher among white students, as was mean drinks per drinking occasion. Students who self‐reported below average academic performance were more likely to report drinking to get away from problems and had a higher prevalence of some alcohol‐related problems (ARPs).

Conclusions

Despite the limitations of this study, the results are consistent with that of other studies. This study has provided some valuable insight into the prevalence of alcohol usage and ARPs among US dental students. Of special concern are the reasons for drinking as mechanisms for relieving tension and stress, which may continue into dental practice.
Qualitative content analysis: A framework for the substantive review of hospital incident reports
Authors: Stephens Seth
Published: February 2022

For decades, incident reports have been utilized as a part of comprehensive healthcare risk management and patient safety programs. As the roles of healthcare risk managers and patient safety professionals become more complex, it is essential that standard tools and strategies used by these professionals, like incident report analysis, be standardized to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Qualitative content analysis provides a structured framework that can be successfully used to describe the categories and themes of incidents, so that, they can be used to develop individual and organizational learning.
Investigation of GALNS variants and genotype–phenotype correlations in a large cohort of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA
Authors: Yi Mengni , Wang Yu , Gao Xiaolan , Han Lianshu , Qiu Wenjuan , Gu Xuefan , Maegawa Gustavo H. B. , Zhang Huiwen
Published: February 2022

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder resulting from the deficiency of N‐acetylgalactosamine‐6‐sulfate sulfatase (GALNS) caused by pathogenic variants in the GALNS gene. A systematic analysis for genotype–phenotype correlation is essential due to hundreds of variants generating different levels of residual GALNS activity and causing a wide degree of clinical manifestation effects. Here, we retrospectively analyzed clinical and genetic data of 108 unrelated patients with MPS IVA to investigate the variants spectrum of GALNS and assess their clinical effects. In this cohort, 82 patients were classified as severe, 14 as intermediate, and 12 as mild. One hundred and one GALNS variants were identified, of which 47 were novel. Most patients with at least one GALNS null variant were classified as severe phenotype (92%, 33/36). Missense variants mapped to different residues of GALNS protein resulted in different phenotypes in patients with MPS IVA. Ninety‐two percent of patients with two missense variants mapped to buried residues were classified as severe (92%, 24/26), while at least one missense variant mapped to surface residues was identified in patients with biallelic missense variants presenting intermediate MPS IVA (78%, 7/9) and presenting mild MPS IVA (86%, 6/7). Our study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular spectrum of GALNS variants and their clinical implications. Based on the data herein reported, we generated a systematic flowchart correlating the GALNS variants to assist in phenotype prediction and classification of patients with MPS IVA.
Do employees' tattoos leave a mark on customers' reactions to products and organizations?
Authors: Ruggs Enrica N. , Hebl Mikki R.
Published: February 2022

Previous research has shown negative evaluations of tattooed employees in the workplace, particularly in white‐collar jobs and by hiring managers (e.g., Henle et al., 2021, as they are perceived to possibly damage an organization's image. Drawing on the stereotype and stigma literatures (e.g., Kunda & Spencer, 2003, Zhang et al., 2021), we examined how customers evaluate tattooed employees and the organizations for which they work. We also explored the role of tattoo‐related stereotypes as a mechanism to explain the influence of employee tattoos on customers' reactions. Across two studies, we found that customers held both negative and positive stereotypes about tattooed employees but they did not display more negative attitudes or behaviors toward tattooed (vs. non‐tattooed) employees. Further, in white‐collar jobs that involve artistic skills, tattooed employees were viewed more positively, which in turn was related to greater hiring intentions for these employees compared to non‐tattooed employees. We discuss implications of our findings with respect to the shifting nature of tattoos as stigma, the role of stereotype application in understanding tattoo stigma, and the value of considering greater contextual factors in the evaluation of how tattooed employees affect organizations.
Dietary stevia residue extract supplementation improves the performance and antioxidative capacity of growing–finishing pigs
Authors: Xiong Yunxia , Liu Shuai , Xiao Hao , Wu Qiwen , Chi Lei , Zhu Liping , Fang Ling , Li Yajing , Jiang Zongyong , Wang Li
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

Improper disposal of stevia residue causes environmental pollution and waste of resources. The extract of stevia residue is rich in chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acids, and has a great potential in livestock and poultry breeding. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary stevia residue extract (SRE) supplementation on the performance, meat quality, antioxidative capacity and gut microbiota in growing–finishing pigs.

RESULTS

The results showed that increasing the concentration of SRE supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) body weight from day 1 to 35. Supplementation with SRE significantly increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) from day 1 to 75. 100 mg kg−1 SRE supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight and gastric index. Moreover, increasing the concentration of SRE linearly increased (P < 0.05) the score of appearance of longissimus thoracis, as well as serum albumin, triglyceride and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol content. Further study found that increasing the concentration of SRE linearly increased (P < 0.05) serum total superoxide dismutase activity, and showed a significant quadratic relationship (P < 0.05) with activity of serum catalase, while linearly decreasing (P < 0.05) muscle malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Furthermore, supplementation with 100 mg kg−1 SRE significantly decreased (P < 0.05) serum MDA content, while 600 and 800 mg kg−1 SRE supplementation significantly decreased (P < 0.05) muscle MDA content. However, SRE supplementation had no significant effect on gut microbiota (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These data indicated that dietary SRE supplementation improves the performance and antioxidative capacity of growing–finishing pigs. We recommend that the optimal supplemental level of SRE in the diet of growing–finishing pigs is 100 mg kg−1. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Longitudinal Recovery of Speech Motor Function Following Facial Transplantation: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Perry Bridget J. , Eshghi Marziye , Stipancic Kaila L. , Richburg Brian , Ventresca Hayden , Pomahac Bohdan , Green Jordan R.
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Although facial transplantation is considered effective for restoring facial appearance, research on speech outcomes following surgery is limited. More research is critically needed to inform patients of expected rates and extent of recovery, and to develop interventions aimed at improving speech outcomes.

Methods

Four patients in early recovery (3 weeks–24 months postsurgery) and three patients in late recovery (36–60 months postsurgery) were included. Clinical measures of speech recovery, including speech intelligibility measured using the Sentence Intelligibility Test, a lip strength testing device (Iowa Oral Performance Instrument), and kinematic measures of lip and jaw function measured using high‐resolution 3D optical motion capture were used to describe the rate and extent of functional speech and lip recovery, describe and compare the rate of functional speech recovery and kinematic lip and jaw changes in early and late stages of recovery, and explore the association between kinematic measures and functional speech.

Results

Speech intelligibility, speaking rate, and lip strength were below normative values in the first 2 years of postsurgery. Participants in the first 2 years of recovery demonstrated steeper slopes of improvement in clinical and kinematic measures than participants in the later stages of recovery (36–64 months). Gains in jaw range of movement and gains in lip speed and range of movement were significantly correlated with rates of sentence intelligibility improvement. Gains in lip strength were not associated with functional speech improvement.

Conclusions

These findings motivate ongoing work aimed at developing interventions for improving motor speech function in this population.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 132:2359–2367, 2022
Effects of Electronic (E)‐cigarette Vapor and Cigarette Smoke in Cultured Vocal Fold Fibroblasts
Authors: Martinez Joshua D. , Easwaran Meena , Ramirez Daniel , Erickson‐DiRenzo Elizabeth
Published: February 2022

Objective

The public use of electronic‐cigarettes (e‐cigs) is rapidly growing. When heated, e‐cigs produce a vapor that is inhaled. The vocal folds are among the first tissues exposed to this insult. However, the impact of e‐cigs on vocal fold health is almost entirely unknown. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of e‐cig vapor on cultured human vocal fold fibroblasts (hVFFs), the primary cell type of the lamina propria. We compared the cellular effects of e‐cig vapor without and with nicotine and conventional cigarette smoke.

Study Design

In vitro.

Methods

E‐cig vapor extract (EVE) and cigarette smoke extract (CSE) were created by bubbling vapor and smoke, respectively, into the cell culture medium. hVFFs were exposed to EVE without or with nicotine or CSE for 24 hours. Untreated cells were used as a control group. Cells were harvested, and cytotoxicity, extracellular matrix and inflammatory gene expression, and DNA damage were assessed.

Results

Undiluted EVE without and with nicotine reduced the viability of hVFFs to a cytotoxic level. CSE reduced hVFFs viability to a greater extent than EVE and induced DNA damage as measured by DNA double‐strand breaks. No changes in gene expression were observed following EVE or CSE exposure.

Conclusion

EVE induces cytotoxicity in hVFFs. However, cellular responses were greater following exposure to CSE, suggesting cigarette smoke may induce more harm, at least in the short term. Findings from this investigation improve our understanding of responses of hVFFs to e‐cigs and form the basis for an in vitro methodology to study the vocal fold responses to these products.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 133:139–146, 2023
Transformation processes of biogenic dimethylated sulfur compounds in the northwestern Pacific continental sea
Authors: Ma Qian‐Yao , Zhang Hong‐Hai , Xu Feng , Yang Gui‐Peng
Published: February 2022

Biogenic dimethylated sulfur compounds, comprising dimethylsulfide (DMS), dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and dimethylsulfoxide, play a vital role in the physiological metabolism processes of marine algae, climate regulation, and global sulfur cycles, but the contribution of each transformation pathway and the factors that control them remain uncertain. For the first time, from 27 March 2017 to 15 April 2017, the rates of major transformation pathways of biogenic dimethylated sulfur compounds and the fluxes of DMS at the sea–air and seawater–sediment interfaces were measured simultaneously in the East China Continental Sea. Rapid biological turnover times of total DMSP (0.53 d), dissolved DMSP (0.29 d), and DMS (0.43 d) were observed, indicating that DMS and DMSP were renewed more than twice daily. Bacterial consumption contributed nearly 50% of the total DMSP loss, approximately 38% of which was converted into DMS. Microbial consumption, photolysis, and ventilation accounted for 56%, 34%, and 10% of DMS removal processes, respectively. Sediment had a small but positive flux of DMS, making the sediment‐seawater interface a tiny source of DMS to the water column. Finally, although only about 10% of DMS was emitted to the atmosphere, the study region was identified as a “hotspot” for atmospheric DMS. The DMS budget model of the mixed layer developed in this study has provided a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the organosulfur cycle in continental shelf seas.
Seasonal and interannual variability of feeding in Antarctic benthos
Authors: Clarke Andrew , Peat Helen J.
Published: February 2022

The seasonal and interannual variability of feeding in 15 species of benthic marine suspension feeder was studied over 8 yr at Ryder Bay, Antarctica. Feeding was strongly seasonal in bryozoans, gorgonians, polychaetes, and dendrochirote holothurians. The winter non‐feeding period was longest in the holothurians and shortest in bryozoans. Bryozoans started feeding in late winter at very low chlorophyll concentrations, often when surface fast‐ice was still present. In hydroids and actinians, feeding tentacles were deployed continuously throughout the year, though hydroid feeding intensity declined slightly in late winter. Water column phytoplankton biomass was strongly seasonal with marked interannual variability in the timing and intensity of the bloom, driven principally by ice dynamics. Correlation across years between the start of feeding and the development of the bloom was poor, and in seasons when a dense spring bloom of benthic filamentous microalgae developed, the start of feeding in many benthic species was delayed. This study indicates that feeding in benthic marine suspension feeders in Antarctica is influenced by factors additional to the seasonal availability of food in the water column.
Three‐Level Hierarchical 3D Network Formation and Structure Elucidation of Wet Hydrogel of Tunable‐High‐Strength Nanocomposites
Authors: Yu Tzu‐Yi , Tseng Yun‐Hsiu , Wang Chun‐Chieh , Lin Ting‐Han , Wu Ming‐Chung , Tsao Cheng‐Si , Su Wei‐Fang
Published: February 2022

The structural characterization of wet gel state hydrogels at multi‐length scales ranging from nanometers to micrometers is very challenging and rarely reported. Herein, tunable high‐strength nanocomposite hydrogels based on cellulose nanofibers with various cross linkers are synthesized and characterized. Synchrotron tomography and small‐angle X‐ray scattering methods are combined to quantitatively elucidate 3D hierarchically wet gel state network structures, providing an understanding on the structure–properties relationship of hydrogels. The hierarchical 3D network of wet gel demonstrates three levels of structures: 1) the bundle aggregated by cellulose nanofibers; 2) physically crosslinked bundle networks; and 3) fractal‐structure agglomerates composed of aggregated network domains. The finding of fractal agglomerate structures tuned by crosslinker characteristics provides fundamental knowledge to explain a variation of several orders of magnitude of mechanical properties and reveals different formation mechanisms, opening a new and flexible prospect for wet gel state material design and processing control.
Computer simulations of case difficulty in digital breast tomosynthesis using virtual clinical trials
Authors: Barufaldi Bruno , Vent Trevor Lewis , Bakic Predrag Radomir , Maidment Andrew Douglas Arnould
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Virtual clinical trials (VCTs) require computer simulations of representative patients and images to evaluate and compare changes in performance of imaging technologies. The simulated images are usually interpreted by model observers whose performance depends upon the selection of imaging cases used in training evaluation models. This work proposes an efficient method to simulate and calibrate soft tissue lesions, which matches the detectability threshold of virtual and human readings.

Methods

Anthropomorphic breast phantoms were used to evaluate the simulation of four mass models (I–IV) that vary in shape and composition of soft tissue. Ellipsoidal (I) and spiculated (II–IV) masses were simulated using composite voxels with partial volumes. Digital breast tomosynthesis projections and reconstructions of a clinical system were simulated. Channelized Hotelling observers (CHOs) were evaluated using reconstructed slices of masses that varied in shape, composition, and density of surrounded tissue. The detectability threshold of each mass model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves calculated with the CHO's scores.

Results

The area under the curve (AUC) of each calibrated mass model were within the 95% confidence interval (mean AUC [95% CI]) reported in a previous reader study (0.93 [0.89, 0.97]). The mean AUC [95% CI] obtained were 0.94 [0.93, 0.96], 0.92 [0.90, 0.93], 0.92 [0.90, 0.94], 0.93 [0.92, 0.95] for models I to IV, respectively. The mean AUC results varied substantially as a function of shape, composition, and density of surrounded tissue.

Conclusions

For successful VCTs, lesions composed of soft tissue should be calibrated to simulate imaging cases that match the case difficulty predicted by human readers. Lesion composition, shape, and size are parameters that should be carefully selected to calibrate VCTs.
On the shape of convolution kernels in MRI reconstruction: Rectangles versus ellipsoids
Authors: Lobos Rodrigo A. , Haldar Justin P.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Many MRI reconstruction methods (including GRAPPA, SPIRiT, ESPIRiT, LORAKS, and convolutional neural network [CNN] methods) involve shift‐invariant convolution models. Rectangular convolution kernel shapes are often chosen by default, although ellipsoidal kernel shapes have potentially appealing theoretical characteristics. In this work, we systematically investigate the differences between different kernel shape choices in several contexts.

Theory

It is well‐understood that a rectangular region of k‐space is associated with anisotropic spatial resolution, while ellipsoidal regions can be associated with more isotropic resolution. Further, for a fixed spatial resolution, ellipsoidal kernels are associated with substantially fewer parameters than rectangular kernels. These characteristics suggest that ellipsoidal kernels may have certain advantages over rectangular kernels.

Methods

We used real retrospectively undersampled k‐space data to empirically study the characteristics of rectangular and ellipsoidal kernels in the context of seven methods (GRAPPA, SPIRiT, ESPIRiT, SAKE, LORAKS, AC‐LORAKS, and CNN‐based reconstructions).

Results

Empirical results suggest that both kernel shapes can produce reconstructed images with similar error metrics, although the ellipsoidal shape can often achieve this with reduced computation time and memory usage and/or fewer model parameters.

Conclusion

Ellipsoidal kernel shapes may offer advantages over rectangular kernel shapes in various MRI applications.
Limited Utility of Early Life-History Indices for Predicting Yellow Perch Year-Class Strength in Eastern South Dakota Glacial Lakes
Authors: Dembkowski Daniel J. , Nelson Daniel T. , Wuellner Melissa R. , Blackwell Brian G. , Lucchesi David O. , Willis David W.
Published: February 2022

We used a long-term data set (2000–2016) of larval, age-0 (juvenile), and age-2 Yellow Perch Perca flavescens catches from nine glacial lakes in eastern South Dakota to track multiple cohorts through time to determine whether year-class strength (measured as gill-net CPUE of age-2 fish) could be indexed at the larval or juvenile stage. We observed a strong relationship between larval and juvenile abundance (r = 0.78), but neither were related to abundance of the same cohort at age 2. Furthermore, categorical analyses suggested that some of the strongest age-2 year-classes corresponded with the lowest larval and juvenile catches and vice versa. Our assessment suggests that Yellow Perch year-class strength in eastern South Dakota glacial lakes may not be fixed until some point after the juvenile (i.e., fall age 0) stage and correspondingly that values for larval and juvenile CPUE are of limited utility as early indices of year-class strength for Yellow Perch. Before using abundance estimates at early life stages as measures of recruitment, researchers and managers should confirm that these estimates provide a meaningful index of abundance at adulthood or the point of recruitment to the fishery.
Characteristics of infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis syndrome caused by PRRT2 mutation
Authors: Deng Yaxian , Xu Juanyu , Yao Chunmei , Wang Lei , Dong Xiaohuan , Zhao Chengsong
Published: February 2022

Importance

Infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis (ICCA) is a rare neurological disorder. Many affected patients are either misdiagnosed or prescribed multiple antiepileptic drugs.

Objective

To explore therapeutic drug treatments and dosages for ICCA in children.

Methods

Detailed clinical features (e.g., past medical history and family history), genetic features, and treatment outcomes were collected from the records of six patients with ICCA.

Results

Mean age at paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) onset was 8 years 8 months (range, 3–12 years); the clinical presentation was characterized by daily short paroxysmal episodes of dystonia/dyskinesia. All patients had infantile convulsions at less than 1 year of age, and the mean onset age was 5.5 months (range, 4–7 months). Two patients had a family history of ICCA, PKD, or benign familial infantile epilepsy. Whole exome sequencing identified the c.649–650insC mutation in PRRT2 in six patients; three mutations were inherited and three were de novo. All patients were prescribed low‐dose carbamazepine and showed dramatic improvement with the complete disappearance of dyskinetic episodes after 3 days. They attended follow‐up for 5–17 months and were attack‐free until the final follow‐up.

Interpretation

PRRT2 mutations are the primary cause of ICCA. Low‐dose carbamazepine monotherapy is effective and well‐tolerated in children.
The functionalization of selected chemical agents on a polypropylene fiber and the study on the physical and anti‐bio‐fouling properties of the functionalized fibers
Authors: Saleh Naeemeh Sadat , Ostad Movahed Saeed , Attarbashi Fuzieh
Published: February 2022

The functionalizing of a fiber surface by a chemical may alter the physical and biological properties of the fiber. The functionalization of a polypropylene fiber (PP) by selected monomers (1) acrylic acid (AA), (2) 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), (3) 2‐dimethyl amino ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), and (4) methyl acrylate (MA) studied using two different ultraviolet (UV) irradiation techniques, simultaneous UV irradiation and functionalization (SUVF) and pre‐UV irradiation (PUV). Based on the measured grafting parameters, it found, the tendency of monomers for functionalizing on the PP surface was the highest for the AA and HEMA, and the lowest for the MA and DMAEMA for used SUVF and PUV techniques, respectively. The SEM micrographs showed the smooth surface of the PP fiber changed to a rough surface after functionalization. The functionalization also increased the crystallinity with little effect on melting point of the fiber. Except for the MA, functionalization increased the hydrophilic properties of the fiber. The PUV technique was more effective on the grafting degree % of the monomer than the SUVF technique for functionalized fibers with HEMA and MA. The biological experiments demonstrated the eligibility of AA as a favorable functionalizing agent for increasing the anti‐bio‐fouling properties of the studied PP fiber.
Attitudes and behaviors of physical activity in children: Findings from the Play, Lifestyle & Activity in Youth (PLAY) Questionnaire
Authors: Stracciolini Andrea , Berbert Laura , Nohelty Eric , Zwicker Rebecca , Weller Edie , Sugimoto Dai , Myer Gregory D. , Faigenbaum Avery D.
Published: February 2022

Background

The identified domains of child physical literacy include knowledge/understanding, behavior, motivation/confidence, and physical competency. Understanding physical literacy is critical to moving forward intervention efforts surrounding physical inactivity.

Objectives

To investigate physical literacy domains by presenting responses to the Play, Lifestyle & Activity in Youth (PLAY) questionnaire and analyze the relationship between comparable questions in the child and parent sections.

Design

Cross‐sectional questionnaire study.

Setting

Suburban youth program, United States.

Main Outcome Measure

Parent and child responses to the PLAY questionnaire.

Results

Questionnaire data were collected for 106 children 6‐11 years old and 91 parents. Children (93.3%, 83/91) reported enjoyment in physical education, despite 70% participation in physical education 0‐1 day/week. 66.6% (26/91) of children preferred active to passive play and played outside most days/week (5.0 median). Similarly, a high proportion of children (93.3%, 83/91) reported feeling that they physically performed similar to or higher than their peers and took ownership to improve motor competency versus taking a more passive approach. Most children (96.7%, 87/91) reported feeling happy when they were able to play sports/run around, enjoyed gym class (93.3%, 83/91), and reported feeling sad if they cannot play sports/run around during the day (75.6%, 68/91). Parents and children reported rules around screen time and bed time, and reinforced these rules often. Child and parent responses were associated for comparable questions about bedtime and screen‐time/media rules, moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity per day, sport camp preference, and play equipment use (Fisher's p = .051 screen time, p < .001 other questions).

Conclusions

PLAY questionnaire internal validity showed agreement between comparable parent and child responses and an association for select comparable questions.
Transparent, Low‐Impedance Inkjet‐Printed PEDOT:PSS Microelectrodes for Multimodal Neuroscience
Authors: Donaldson Preston D. , Swisher Sarah L.
Published: February 2022

Transparent microelectrodes that facilitate simultaneous optical and electrophysiological interfacing are desirable tools for neuroscience. Electrodes made from transparent conductors such as graphene and indium tin oxide (ITO) show promise but are often limited by poor charge‐transfer properties. Herein, microelectrodes are demonstrated that take advantage of the transparency and volumetric capacitance of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). Ring‐shaped microelectrodes are fabricated by inkjet‐printing PEDOT:PSS, encapsulating with Parylene C, and then exposing a contact site that is much smaller than the microelectrode outer diameter. This unique structure allows the encapsulated portion of the microelectrode volume surrounding the contact site to participate in signal transduction, which reduces impedance and enhances charge storage capacity. While using the same 100 μm diameter contact site, increasing the outer diameter of the encapsulated electrode from 300 to 550 μm reduces the impedance from 294 ± 21 to 98 ± 2 kΩ, respectively, at 1 Hz. Similarly, the charge storage capacity is enhanced from 6 to 21 mC cm−2. The PEDOT:PSS microelectrodes provide a low‐haze, high‐transmittance optical interface, demonstrating their suitability for optical neuroscience applications. They remain functional after a million 1 V stimulation cycles, up to 600 μA of stimulation current, and more than 1000 mechanical bending cycles.
A van der Waals Ferroelectric Tunnel Junction for Ultrahigh‐Temperature Operation Memory
Authors: Tang Wenhui , Zhang Xiankun , Yu Huihui , Gao Li , Zhang Qinghua , Wei Xiaofu , Hong Mengyu , Gu Lin , Liao Qingliang , Kang Zhuo , Zhang Zheng , Zhang Yue
Published: February 2022

Facing the constant scaling down and thus increasingly severe self‐heating effect, developing ultrathin and heat‐insensitive ferroelectric devices is essential for future electronics. However, conventional ultrathin ferroelectrics and most 2D ferroelectric materials (2DFMs) are not suitable for high‐temperature operation due to their low Curie temperature. Here, by using few‐layer α‐In2Se3, a special 2DFM with high Curie temperature, van der Waals (vdW) ferroelectric tunnel junction (FTJ) memories that deliver outstanding and reliable performance at both room and high temperatures are constructed. The vdW FTJs offer a large on/off ratio of 104at room temperature and still reveal excellent on/off ratio at an ultrahigh temperature of 470 K, which will fail down other 2DFMs. Moreover, long retention and reliable cyclic endurance at high temperature are achieved, showing robust thermal stability of the vdW FTJ memory. The observations of this work demonstrate an exciting promise of α‐In2Se3for reliable service in high temperature either from self‐heating or harsh environments.
Science teachers in research labs: Expanding conceptions of social dialogic dimensions of scientific argumentation
Authors: Chowning Jeanne T.
Published: February 2022

Argumentation is a central epistemic process contributing to the generation, evaluation, and application of scientific knowledge. A key challenge for science educators and researchers is to understand how the important social and discursive (“social dialogic”) dimensions of argumentation can be implemented in learning environments. This study investigates how science educators learned about such argumentation through a professional development program at a scientific research center. The 13‐day program included 5‐days working in research laboratories with a mentor and observing scientific argumentation in context. Theoretically, this research draws on sociocultural frameworks to investigate the social dialogic dimensions of scientific argumentation. Methodologically, it examines the reflections of a cohort of 21 secondary science teachers as they observed argumentation in scientific research settings. It examines how research experiences for teachers can promote an understanding of the social dialogic dimensions of argumentation and to help teachers take up educational approaches that foster expansive argumentation practices. Teachers shared a heightened awareness of argumentation as a ubiquitous, embedded feature of authentic scientific activity; expanded ideas about forms, uses, and purposes of argumentation; and developed an understanding of how contexts for argumentation such as collaborative sensemaking and critique can help manage uncertainty and build knowledge. A year after their program participation, teachers recounted shifts in pedagogical practices, including desettling traditional classroom talk patterns, scaling back their epistemic authority, providing students with more agency and ownership of ideas, and recognizing the value of establishing a culture of community and collaboration. Findings highlight how professional development in research settings has the potential to broaden teachers' views of argumentation, with implications for secondary science teaching.
Preclinical Safety Assessment of Therapeutic Oligonucleotides
Authors: Andersson Patrik
Published: February 2022

During the last decade, therapeutic oligonucleotide drugs (OND) have witnessed a tremendous development in chemistry and mechanistic understanding that have translated into successful clinical applications. Depending on the specific OND mechanism, chemistry, and design, the DMPK and toxicity properties can vary significantly between different OND classes and delivery approaches, the latter including lipid formulations or conjugation approaches to enhance productive OND uptake. At the same time, with the only difference between compounds being the nucleobase sequence, ONDs with same mechanism of action, chemistry, and design show relatively consistent behavior, allowing certain extrapolations between compounds within an OND class. This chapter provides a summary of the most common toxicities, the improved mechanistic understanding and the safety assessment activities performed for therapeutic oligonucleotides during the drug discovery and development process. Several of the considerations described for therapeutic applications should also be of value for the scientists mainly using oligonucleotides as research tools to explore various biological processes.
Design and Delivery of SINEUP: A New Modular Tool to Increase Protein Translation
Authors: Arnoldi Michele , Zarantonello Giulia , Espinoza Stefano , Gustincich Stefano , Di Leva Francesca , Biagioli Marta
Published: February 2022

SINEUP is a new class of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) which contain an inverted Short Interspersed Nuclear Element (SINE) B2 element (invSINEB2) necessary to specifically upregulate target gene translation. Originally identified in the mouseAS-Uchl1 (antisense Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1) locus, natural SINEUP molecules are oriented head to head to their sense protein coding, target gene (Uchl1, in this example). Peculiarly, SINEUP is able to augment, in a specific and controlled way, the expression of the target protein, with no alteration of target mRNA levels. SINEUP is characterized by a modular structure with the Binding Domain (BD) providing specificity to the target transcript and an effector domain (ED)—containing the invSINEB2 element—able to promote the loading to the heavy polysomes of the target mRNA. Since the understanding of its modular structure in the endogenous AS-Uchl1 ncRNA, synthetic SINEUP molecules have been developed by creating a specific BD for the gene of interest and placing it upstream the invSINEB2 ED. Synthetic SINEUP is thus a novel molecular tool that potentially may be used for any industrial or biomedical application to enhance protein production, also as possible therapeutic strategy in haploinsufficiency-driven disorders.

Here, we describe a detailed protocol to (1) design a specific BD directed to a gene of interest and (2) assemble and clone it with the ED to obtain a functional SINEUP molecule. Then, we provide guidelines to efficiently deliver SINEUP into mammalian cells and evaluate its ability to effectively upregulate target protein translation.
Conjugation of Nucleic Acids and Drugs to Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Milán-Rois Paula , Rodriguez-Diaz Ciro , Castellanos Milagros , Somoza Álvaro
Published: February 2022

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be used as carriers for biomolecules or drugs in cell culture and animal models. Particularly, AuNPs ease their internalization into the cell and prevent their degradation. In addition, engineered AuNPs can be employed as sensors of a variety of biomarkers, where the electronic and optical properties of the AuNPs are exploited for a convenient, easy, and fast read out. However, in all these applications, a key step requires the conjugation of the different molecules to the nanoparticles. The most common approach exploits the great affinity of sulfur for gold. Herein, we summarize the methods used by our group for the conjugation of different molecules with AuNPs. The procedure is easy and takes around 2 days, where the reagents are slowly added, following an incubation at room temperature to ensure the complete conjugation. Finally, the unbound material is removed by centrifugation.
Combatting Conspiratorial Thinking with Controlled Argumentation Dialogue Environments
Authors: Fields Lindsay , Licato John
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with an explosion in misinformation, leading to increased interest in methods to combat the failures in critical thinking which make such misinformation so powerful. In combatting misinformation, simply throwing uncontrolled argumentation at the problem is often counter-productive, partially because the means by which people evaluate arguments are highly subject to cognitive biases. Such biases which promote jumping to unwarranted conclusions have been shown to correlate with conspiratorial belief. We consider the use of Controlled Argumentation Dialogue Environments (CADEs) as a means to mitigate cognitive biases which contribute to belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories. We will discuss Warrant Game (WG) and Warrant Game for Analogies (WG-A), CADEs in which two arguers are presented with a divisive issue and two competing positions on that issue. They then compete by iteratively improving warrants for their arguments and attacking those of their opponents. The warrant, when made explicit, makes it easier to determine key features typically associated with argument strength and may reveal hidden assumptions or fundamental reasoning incompatibilities. By presenting an issue and positions which relate to conspiratorial thinking, CADEs may operate as an educational tool for breaking conspiratorial belief into core values and building cognitive skills.