bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi‐omics of the expression and clinical outcomes of TMPRSS2 in human various cancers: A potential therapeutic target for COVID‐19
Authors: Liu Li , Qin Ju‐Fang , Zuo Man‐Zhen , Zhou Quan
Published: December 2021

Growing evidence has shown that Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSS2) not only contributes to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection, but is also closely associated with the incidence and progression of tumours. However, the correlation of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) and cancers, and the prognostic value and molecular function of TMPRSS2 in various cancers have not been fully understood. In this study, the expression, genetic variations, correlated genes, immune infiltration and prognostic value of TMPRSS2 were analysed in many cancers using different bioinformatics platforms. The observed findings revealed that the expression of TMPRSS2 was considerably decreased in many tumour tissues. In the prognostic analysis, the expression of TMPRSS2 was considerably linked with the clinical consequences of the brain, blood, colorectal, breast, ovarian, lung and soft tissue cancer. In protein network analysis, we determined 27 proteins as protein partners of TMPRSS2, which can regulate the progression and prognosis of cancer mediated by TMPRSS2. Besides, a high level of TMPRSS2 was linked with immune cell infiltration in various cancers. Furthermore, according to the pathway analysis of differently expressed genes (DEGs) with TMPRSS2 in lung, breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer, 160 DEGs genes were found and were significantly enriched in respiratory system infection and tumour progression pathways. In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrate that TMPRSS2 may be an effective biomarker and therapeutic target in various cancers in humans, and may also provide new directions for specific tumour patients to prevent SARS‐CoV‐2 infection during the COVID‐19 outbreak.
Elevated 4R‐tau in astrocytes from asymptomatic carriers of the MAPT 10+16 intronic mutation
Authors: Setó‐Salvia Núria , Esteras Noemi , de Silva Rohan , de Pablo‐Fernandez Eduardo , Arber Charles , Toomey Christina E. , Polke James M. , Morris Huw R. , Rohrer Jonathan D. , Abramov Andrey Y. , Patani Rickie , Wray Selina , Warner Thomas T.
Published: December 2021

The microtubule‐associated protein tau gene (MAPT) 10+16 intronic mutation causes frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) by increasing expression of four‐repeat (4R)‐tau isoforms. We investigated the potential role for astrocytes in the pathogenesis of FTLD by studying the expression of 4R‐tau. We derived astrocytes and neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells from two asymptomatic 10+16 carriers which, compared to controls, showed persistently increased 4R:3R‐tau transcript and protein ratios in both cell types. However, beyond 300 days culture, 10+16 neurons showed less marked increase of this 4R:3R‐tau transcript ratio compared to astrocytes. Interestingly, throughout maturation, both 10+16 carriers consistently displayed different 4R:3R‐tau transcript and protein ratios. These elevated levels of 4R‐tau in astrocytes implicate glial cells in the pathogenic process and also suggests a cell‐type‐specific regulation and may inform and help on treatment of pre‐clinical tauopathies.
The contributions of survey‐based versus administrative measures of socioeconomic status in predicting type of post‐acute care for hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries
Authors: Zhu Ye , Stearns Sally C. , Holmes George M.
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To assess and compare the associations between socioeconomic status (SES) measures from two sources (claims vs. survey data) and the type of post‐acute care (PAC) locations following hospital discharge.

Methods

This observational study included Medicare Fee‐for‐Service (FFS) beneficiaries age 65.5 years or older who participated in the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) and were hospitalized in 2006–2011. Multiple data sets were used including: Area Deprivation Index; Medicare Cost Reports, Provider of Services files, and Area Health Resource File. Multinomial regression models estimated associations between beneficiary's SES and PAC type. SES measures came from surveys (income and education) and administrative records (dual enrollment and area deprivation). PAC types included home with self‐care, home health agency, skilled nursing facility (SNF), or inpatient rehabilitation facility.

Results

Low income and dual enrollment were associated with higher SNF use while living in a deprived area was associated with lower SNF use and higher use of home with self‐care. Dual enrollment and area deprivation were associated with the largest differences.

Conclusions

If policies to modify payment based on SES are considered, administrative measures (dual enrollment and area deprivation) rather than survey measures (education and income) may be sufficient.
Groundwater rebound and flooding in the Naples' periurban area (Italy)
Authors: Allocca Vincenzo , Coda Silvio , Calcaterra Domenico , De Vita Pantaleone
Published: December 2021

Groundwater bodies in the urbanized and densely populated aquifers or coastal floodplains may be subjected to groundwater rebound (GR), often causing serious risks of groundwater flooding (GF) to underground structures and infrastructures. This paper shows the results of a study carried out in the Naples' periurban area (Italy) to: investigate the dynamics and features of GR and GF phenomena, map flooded sites during 2013–2015 period, and provide an interpretative analysis of the factors that control the GF of private buildings and agricultural lands. At the municipality scale, since 1990 and until 2015, a remarkable and widespread GR was observed, with magnitude up to +16.54 m, triggering an unexpected GF of basements of buildings and agricultural soils. Field surveys proved that there is a time delay of the GF, ranging from 17 to 20 years, compared to the start of GR. Moreover, inhomogeneous distribution of flooding episodes is controlled by anthropogenic and natural factors. The obtained results are fundamental to design mitigation measures to GF hazard, and offer new perspectives to make Naples' periurban area more robust, smart and resilient against this new hydrogeological risk, undervalued by Italian legislation and local authorities.
The role of community‐based learning in teaching about industrial ecology and sustainability in the context of engineering education: A case study from the field
Authors: Hicks Andrea L.
Published: December 2021

Industrial ecology and sustainability education have evolved over time, as this relatively new discipline has emerged and has been refined. Courses engaging with these topics are often found in engineering departments, and feature project or problem‐based learning (PBL) commonly with an industrial partner. This provides students the opportunity to apply the topics that they have learned in class in a real‐world situation, complete with the constraints and uncertainties inherent in practice. Community‐based learning (CBL), a combination of service learning and PBL, allows students to not only apply the material from a sustainability course, but also to do so in service of a community partner. This work presents an analysis of a multi‐year effort in teaching a CBL course on the topic of industrial ecology and sustainability in a North American context. Knowledge probes are utilized to quantify student preparation for the course and confidence in knowledge gained during the course in a longitudinal manner. Meanwhile, evolving student reflection is utilized to assess the impact of how the CBL element of the course influenced student thinking about the role of sustainability and industrial ecology within engineering education. The findings suggest that applying CBL to industrial ecology education has the potential to further enhance student learning experiences, while also providing a valuable service experience.
Survival and reproductive outcomes after fertility‐sparing surgery performed for borderline epithelial ovarian tumor in Japanese adolescents and young adults: Results of a retrospective nationwide study
Authors: Kuji Shiho , Harada Miyuki , Yoshioka Norihito , Kajiyama Hiroaki , Satoh Toyomi , Mikami Mikio , Shozu Makio , Enomoto Takayuki , Osuga Yutaka , Suzuki Nao
Published: December 2021

Objective

Epithelial borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) frequently occurs in young women. Because progression‐free survival, overall survival, and reproductive function are important outcomes, BOT is often treated by fertility‐sparing surgery (FSS). We conducted a Japan‐wide study to understand post‐FSS prognosis in relation to clinical characteristics and types of FSS performed.

Methods

We analyzed clinical and outcome data pertaining to 531 adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients (aged 15–39 years) who underwent FSS for BOT between 2009 and 2013.

Results

Median (range) age was 30 (15–39) years, and median observation time was 70 (2–120) months. The disease was of FIGO stage I in 492 (93%) patients. Histopathologically, tumors were of the mucinous (n = 372, 70%), serous (n = 120, 23%), seromucinous (n = 23, 4%), and other (n = 16, 3%) types. Five‐year overall survival was 99.5% among patients with stage I and 100% among those with stage II–IV. Five‐year progression‐free survival was 96.7% and 69.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis in cases of stage I showed a positive peritoneal cytology to be a significant risk factor for recurrence (HR, 5.199; p = 0.0188). The post‐FSS pregnancy rate was relatively low for patients aged ≥30 years (OR, 0.868; 95% CI, 1.16–3.00; p = 0.0090).

Conclusion

Post‐FFS outcomes in terms of overall and progression‐free survival are favorable, especially for AYA patients with stage I BOT. However, the relapse rate is high for patients with FIGO stage II–IV and for those with stage I but a positive peritoneal cytology. A long‐term prospective observation is needed before reproductive outcomes can be fully established.
Skin preparation for prevention of surgical site infection after obstetrics and gynecological abdominal surgery: A quality improvement project
Authors: Singh Pratibha , Gothwal Meenakshi , Pradhan Hemanta Kumar , Yadav Garima , Gupta Manoj Kumar
Published: December 2021

Background

One of the most common causes of postoperative morbidity is postoperative surgical site infection (SSI). Healthcare‐associated infection is a subject of great concern in healthcare services. The goal of the present study is to estimate the relative effectiveness of skin preparation solution chlorhexidine scrub followed by povidone‐iodine painting in the prevention of SSIs after caesarean delivery and abdominal gynecological surgery.

Material and Methods

This is a 1‐year randomized prospective research done at a tertiary care institution in western Rajasthan. Women who underwent caesarean and gynecological operations were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Enrolled patients were randomly assigned to have the surgical site painted with 10% povidone‐iodine or a chlorhexidine‐alcohol preparatory scrub followed by povidone‐iodine paint. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, the outcomes were any SSI occurring within a week or during the 30‐day follow‐up period following the operation, including any superficial or deep SSI.

Results

A total of 251 patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A (povidone‐iodine paint) received 121 patients, whereas Group B (chlorhexidine scrub + povidone‐iodine paint) received 129 cases. The overall SSI rate in the present study was 8.76%. The SSI rate was lower in Group B (chlorhexidine scrub + povidone‐iodine paint) as compared to Group A (povidone‐iodine paint only) (5.4% vs. 12.4%; p = 0.04).

Conclusion

This study highlighted that chlorhexidine‐alcohol scrubbing followed by povidone‐iodine painting provides superior skin antisepsis in comparison to povidone‐iodine painting alone.
The Architecture and Interior Design Domain–Specific Spatial Ability Test (AISAT): Its Validity and Reliability
Authors: Cho Ji Young , Suh Joori
Published: December 2021

Spatial ability, defined as the ability to visualize, imagine, translate, and interpret 2D and 3D spatial information, is a crucial building block required for the interior design and architecture professions. In this paper, we report on the development process as well as the validity and reliability of the Architecture and Interior design domain–specific Spatial Ability Test (AISAT), a new instrument that measures domain–specific spatial ability in the field of architecture and interior design. A total of 142 college students in Korea and the U.S. engaged in the final stage of the development process—the validity and reliability check—by taking both the AISAT and two general spatial ability tests. The results from the split–half correlation and internal consistency showed that the AISAT reached a desirable level of reliability. Face, content, concurrent, and convergent validity were achieved to verify the AISAT. The authors hope that the AISAT will be used to measure domain–specific spatial ability, ultimately expanding our understanding of the role of spatial ability in spatial design thinking and performance. The AISAT has the potential to benefit (1) researchers who seek a credible tool to assess design students’ spatial ability, (2) educators investigating the effect of their intervention in spatial design performance in relation to spatial ability, and (3) researchers in spatial ability who would like to extend their interest in spatial design beyond the traditional psychometric approach.
Parental involvement in stepfamilies: Biology, relationship type, residence, and gender
Authors: Arat Ece , Poortman Anne‐Rigt , van der Lippe Tanja
Published: December 2021

Objective

This study investigates the determinants of parental involvement in diverse types of stepfamilies.

Background

Most research has studied parental involvement in married stepfather families with resident children. This study also includes some of the more recent and emerging stepfamily types (e.g., living‐apart‐together [LAT] stepfamilies) allowing for a simultaneous examination of the role of biological relatedness, type of relationship, residence, and gender for parental involvement. It also examines whether the role of biological relatedness differs depending on parents' gender and children's residence.

Method

Multiple regression analyses were conducted using the New Families in the Netherlands (NFN) survey, large‐scale data collected among divorced and separated parents with minor children (2015/16; N = 3218).

Results

Biological parents were more involved than stepparents (i.e., a stepgap was observed). This stepgap was smallest in married stepfamilies, followed by cohabiting stepfamilies and LAT stepfamilies, respectively. (Step)parents with resident children were more involved than those with nonresident children, with involvement being higher for full‐time resident children than part‐time resident (i.e., joint physical custody) children. The stepgap was larger for resident children than nonresident children, but did not differ between mothers and fathers.

Conclusion

Biological relatedness, type of relationship, and where children reside are important determinants of parental involvement, whereas more nuance is required for the role of parents' gender.
Effects of NanoAg‐ACP Microparticles as Bioactive Fillers on the Mechanical and Remineralization Properties of Dental Resin Cement
Authors: Sears Leila Marie , Wu Linfeng , Morrow Brian R. , Hollis Wainscott , Cagna David R , Hong Liang
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To investigate the potential of adding silver‐nanoparticle‐containing amorphous calcium phosphate microparticles as bioactive fillers into commercially available nonbioactive dental resin cement.

Materials and Methods

Experimental cement was formulated by adding 7.5% silver‐nanoparticle‐containing amorphous calcium phosphate microparticles to Multilink Automix resin cement (Ivoclar Vivadent). The experimental cement was evaluated for shear bond strength (N = 11 per group) and demineralization/remineralization (N = 16 per group), with BioCem® Universal BioActive cement (NuSmile) as the positive control and Multilink Automix cement as the negative control. One‐way analysis of variance and post hoc tests were used to assess the significance of differences among or between the groups

Results

The addition of silver‐nanoparticle‐containing amorphous calcium phosphate microparticles at the level of 7.5% by weight into Multilink Automix did not have a statistically significant effect on the shear bond strength (p > 0.05), but statistically significantly increased the depth of remineralization on both dentin and enamel (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively) when compared to Multilink Automix alone. The experimental cement prepared in the present study was comparable to BioCem® on the depths of remineralization on both dentin and enamel (p = 0.59 and p = 0.99, respectively).

Conclusion

When incorporated into nonbioactive commercial dental resin cements as bioactive fillers at the level of 7.5% by weight, silver‐nanoparticle‐containing amorphous calcium phosphate microparticles could provide remineralization potential without affecting the shear bond strength.
Investigating Longitudinal Associations Between Racial Microaggressions, Coping, Racial/Ethnic Identity, and Mental Health in Black Girls and Women
Authors: Loyd Aerika Brittian , Kürüm Esra , Crooks Natasha , Maya Anabelle , Emerson Erin , Donenberg Geri R.
Published: December 2021

Racial microaggressions pose significant risk to health and well‐being among Black adolescents and adults. Yet, protective factors (i.e., coping, racial/ethnic identity) can moderate the impact of racial microaggressions over time. Unfortunately, few studies have evaluated the role of these protective factors longitudinally or specifically among Black girls and women. In the current study, we focused on the experiences of Black girls and women and investigated the longitudinal links between racial microaggressions and mental health symptoms over 1 year. We then explored the role of two key protective factors as moderators—coping with racial discrimination and racial/ethnic identity—for mental health. Participants included 199 Black adolescent girls (Mage = 16.02) and 199 Black women (Mage = 42.82) who completed measures on two types of racial microaggressions, three types of coping strategies, racial/ethnic identity, and mental health symptomology. Girls and women completed measures at three time points over 1 year. Results indicated both types of microaggressions predicted increased mental health symptoms in Black women. Among Black girls, assumptions of criminality predicted increased externalizing symptoms only when protective factors were included in the model. Analysis of the protective factors indicated a potential direct benefit rather than a moderating role of coping with racial discrimination through positive thinking for mental health in both Black girls and women. Evidence suggests that coping may have had a direct rather than an indirect effect on Black girls’ mental health over time. We conclude with future directions for research and considerations for practice.
Associations between State‐Level High School HIV Education Policies and Adolescent HIV Risk Behaviors
Authors: Chan Carrie T. , Olivieri‐Mui Brianne L. , Mayer Kenneth H.
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

School‐based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) education can reach most adolescents, but inconsistencies exist in state‐level content policies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between state‐level high school HIV education policies and adolescent HIV risk behaviors.

METHODS

This was a cross‐sectional analysis of the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey linked to the Guttmacher Institute Sex and HIV Education report. Logistic regression models examined the associations of state‐level HIV education mandates and content policies with 3 HIV risk behaviors: (1) 4 or more lifetime sexual partners; (2) substance use before last sex; (3) condomless last sex.

RESULTS

Across 33 states, 128,986 high school students were included. Multivariable adjusted models demonstrated no associations between mandated HIV education and risk behaviors. Covering abstinence along with other safe sex options was associated with lower odds, whereas stressing abstinence was associated with higher odds of at least 4 lifetime sexual partners and condomless last sex. Discriminatory sexual orientation content was associated with increased condomless last sex; associations for all HIV risk behaviors were stronger among sexual minority youth.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased HIV risk behaviors associated with state policies stressing abstinence or requiring discriminatory sexual orientation content support the need for comprehensive and inclusive HIV education.
Effect of density on pupal colour plasticity in the butterfly Mycalesis mineus (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae)
Authors: Mayekar H. V. , Kodandaramaiah U.
Published: December 2021

We tested the effect of larval density on pupal colour plasticity in the butterfly Mycalesis mineus. Pupal colour of this species is known to be a plastic phenotype, being either brown or green. Colour is correlated with pupation substrate: pupae on leaves are almost exclusively green, whereas off‐leaf substrates (stem, soil, etc.) include both green and brown pupae. We hypothesised that brown pupae are more frequent at high larval densities and tested this hypothesis using two experiments. In the first experiment, we reared larvae at different densities in plastic containers, which provided a restricted choice of pupation substrates. There was no influence of density on pupal colour. In the second experiment, we simulated more natural conditions, wherein larvae were reared in nylon mesh sleeves and had a greater choice of pupation substrates. Here, there was a strong correlation between larval density and the proportion of brown pupae. We discuss why results from the two experiments may have differed and what can be concluded about factors influencing pupal colour. We also discuss the importance of choice of experimental protocols, especially in relation to how realism trades off with practicality and control.
Analysis of Cyclocarya paliurus flavonoids modulation on the physiology and gene expression in Enterococcus faecalis under bile salt stress
Authors: Yan R. , Zhang X.
Published: December 2021

Enterococcus faecalis is one of the probiotic groups in the intestinal tract which has varieties of functional effects in the host, such as a protective barrier, nutritional efficacy and antibacterial effects. Stress conditions such as low pH, bile salts, and hypertonicity are inevitable negative factors for the normal survival of E. faecalis in the gastrointestinal tract. Under the stress and inhibition of bile salt, E. faecalis needs specific adaptation and coping style if it wants to successfully colonize the intestine stably. The appropriate concentration of flavonoids can assist probiotics to serve a beneficial role and help them resist the stress of external irresistible environmental factors. In the present research, RNA-sequence (RNA-seq) technology was employed to investigate the influence of Cyclocarya paliurus flavonoids (CPF) on E. faecalis 131-2 (E. faecalis 131-2) exposed to bile salt stress. Analysis results revealed that under bile salt stress, many genes related to cellular process, catalytic activity and transport activity were significantly differentially expressed (P < 0·05), and some not expected variations of which could be partly alleviated by supplementation of CPF, indicating its capacity to improve the bile salt tolerances of E. faecalis 131-2. Additionally, CPF alleviated the obvious inhibitory effects of bile salt stress on the exponential growth of E. faecalis 131-2. An overall view of the physiological and transcriptomic changes of E. faecalis 131-2 under bile salt stresses with or without CPF will further deepen our understanding of the mechanism by which CPF assists E. faecalis 131-2 to perform beneficial functions in the gastrointestinal environment.
Effects of swimming on facial sebum in adolescents
Authors: Morss‐Walton Peyton C. , Kimball Ranch , Rosales Santillan Monica , McGee Jean S. , Cukras Anthony , Patwardhan Sachin V. , Porter Martina L. , Kimball Alexa B.
Published: December 2021

Swimmers often complain of dry skin, consistent with decreased skin sebum levels, and yet may also have acne, which is commonly related to elevated sebum levels. Sixteen adolescent swimmers with and without acne were enrolled to examine two markers of facial sebum levels before and after 1 hour of swimming. Swimmers with acne did not have significant decreases in their sebum levels or shine measurements after swimming, whereas swimmers without acne did. Overall, swimming may remove superficial sebum more than follicular sebum and therefore leave swimmers subject to both dry skin and acne simultaneously.
Cannibalism mitigation in striped murrel, Channa striata, with hatchery seed weaned on pellet diet: A review
Authors: Raizada Sudhir , Rawat Anurag , Srivastava Prem P. , Lal Kuldeep K.
Published: December 2021

Striped snakehead is one of the important food fish of high commercial value due to preference for its meat quality, therapeutic and antinociceptive properties. The species is distributed in many countries in South Asia to South‐East Asia. The current production of the species is largely contributed from the capture fisheries as there are several inherent problems associated with its farming. The major bottlenecks for aquaculture production are insufficient knowledge on reproductive biology, captive breeding, higher mortalities of larvae in nursing phases, intracohort cannibalism and non‐acceptance of artificial diet. The available information on these issues is sparse, often anecdotal and needs comprehensive up‐scaling. To address this gap, this review compiles the available information on this species to have a better understanding of reproductive biology, captive spawning, larval rearing, cannibalism mitigation, nursery rearing of seed in different rearing systems, and most important being weaning seed on the artificial diet so that this species could be cultured on artificial diets in the grow‐out systems. It is expected that this review would provide useful information for the production of feed‐weaned hatchery‐seed.
Investigating effects of social endorsements on exposure to and engagement with political disagreement on social networking sites*
Authors: Lu Yanqin , Lee Jae Kook
Published: December 2021

Objective

Social networking sites (SNSs) provide users with a variety of opportunities to encounter political disagreement. One important factor of the encounters with disagreement could be social endorsements because SNS users can easily engage with other people's posts via functions, such as liking and retweeting. The goal of this study is to test the hypothesis by examining the relationship between social endorsements, exposure to political disagreement (XPD), and information seeking.

Methods

We use a national survey conducted during the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign. Ordinary least squares regression models are specified for analysis.

Results

We find that SNS users who prefer reading political information endorsed by others are more likely to encounter political disagreement. We also find that XPD on SNSs encourages people to search for more information about the counter‐attitudinal posts, especially when the encountered disagreement is perceived to have good arguments and rationales.

Conclusion

Overall, social endorsement enhances the probability of XPD on SNSs. This in turn facilitates individuals’ search for more information, an important feature in democracy.
In support of the placental programming hypothesis: Placental endocrine insufficiency programs atypical behaviour in mothers and their offspring
Authors: John Rosalind M.
Published: December 2021

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

More than half of all pregnancies in the UK are exposed to adversity linked to increased problems in pregnancy for mothers and adverse outcomes for their children, but we do not know the mechanism(s) underpinning these relationships.

What advances does it highlight?

Studies in mice prove that placental endocrine insufficiency driven by genetic manipulation of imprinted genes in the offspring can concurrently drive fetal growth restriction, alterations in maternal caregiving and aberrant behaviour in wild‐type offspring exposed to an adverse environment. This suggests that placental endocrine insufficiency might contribute to the co‐morbidity of low birth weight, maternal depression and neurodevelopmental disorders observed in human populations.

Prenatal adversity, which is estimated to impact more than half of all pregnancies in the UK, compromises fetal growth and increases the chances of stillbirth, prematurity and infant mortality. Beyond these immediate and highly visible problems, infants that survive carry the invisible burden of increased risk of some of the most common and pervasive diseases that impact human populations. In utero exposure to depression and anxiety is one adversity that has been linked to these poorer outcomes, suggesting that maternal mood disorders drive the outcomes. However, recent studies in animal models suggest that both the maternal mood disorders and the detrimental outcomes for children could be the result of the same underlying placental pathology. In these studies, genetically wild‐type rodent mothers exposed to placental endocrine insufficiency engaged in less pup‐focused behaviours and less self‐care. Genetically wild‐type rodent offspring raised in this abnormal environment exhibited increased anxiety‐like behaviours, with male offspring additionally exhibiting deficits in cognition and atypical social behaviour, with some evidence of depressive‐like symptoms. This work establishes experimentally that placental endocrine insufficiency alone is sufficient to drive atypical behaviour in both mothers and their offspring. Although there are some data to suggest that this phenomenon is relevant to human pregnancy, considerably more work is required.
Sluice Gate Discharge From Momentum Balance
Authors: Steppert Michael , Epple Philipp , Malcherek Andreas
Published: December 2021

Discharge from sluice gate flows is commonly calculated using the Torricelli outflow velocity, which is inaccurate and must be corrected by a discharge coefficient. Moreover, this approach commonly only considers the relative gate opening, without including the impact of three-dimensional (3D) effects, scaling effects, different velocity profiles, and friction forces. Aiming for a theoretical approach that can address all flow effects for sluice gate discharge calculations, the authors applied the momentum balance theory to this problem. First, the control volume was introduced, and parameterization equations for the pressure distributions and momentum coefficients at the control volume borders for both the standard and the inclined sluice gates were determined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The results show good agreements with the discharge measurement results of frequently quoted experimental studies from other authors, demonstrating the potential of this approach. Also, one example of the impact of the 3D effect of various channel widths was investigated with the momentum balance theory.
Simplified and Detailed Analysis of Data Center Particulate Contamination at Server and Room Level Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Saini Satyam , Shahi Pardeep , Bansode Pratik , Shah Jimil M. , Agonafer Dereje
Published: December 2021

Continuous rise in cloud computing and other web-based services propelled the data center proliferation seen over the past decade. Traditional data centers use vapor-compression-based cooling units that not only reduce energy efficiency but also increase operational and initial investment costs due to involved redundancies. Free air cooling and airside economization can substantially reduce the information technology equipment (ITE) cooling power consumption, which accounts for approximately 40% of energy consumption for a typical air-cooled data center. However, this cooling approach entails an inherent risk of exposing the ITE to harmful ultrafine particulate contaminants, thus, potentially reducing the equipment and component reliability. The present investigation attempts to quantify the effects of particulate contamination inside the data center equipment and ITE room using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). An analysis of the boundary conditions to be used was done by detailed modeling of ITE and the data center white space. Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional simulations were done for detailed analysis of particle transport within the server enclosure. An analysis of the effect of the primary pressure loss obstructions like heat sinks and dual inline memory modules inside the server was done to visualize the localized particle concentrations within the server. A room-level simulation was then conducted to identify the most vulnerable locations of particle concentration within the data center space. The results show that parameters such as higher velocities, heat sink cutouts, and higher aspect ratio features within the server tend to increase the particle concentration inside the servers.
Damage Analysis in Ag Nanoparticle Interconnect Line Under High-Density Electric Current
Authors: Saito Daiki , Sasagawa Kazuhiko , Moriwaki Takeshi , Fujisaki Kazuhiro
Published: December 2021

Printed electronics (PEs) have attracted attention for the fabrication of microscale electronic circuits. PEs use conductive inks which include metal nanoparticles. The conductive ink can be printed on flexible substrates for wearable devices using ink-jet printers and roll-to-roll methods. With the scaling down of electric devices, the current density and Joule heating in the device lines increase, and electromigration (EM) damage becomes significant. EM is a transportation phenomenon of metallic atoms caused by the electron wind under high-density current. Reducing the EM damage is extremely important to enhance the device reliability. With the progress in miniaturization of the metal nanoparticle ink lines, EM problem needs to be solved for ensuring the reliability of these lines. We know that the formation of aggregates and cathode damages occur due to a current loading. The diffusion path of atoms due to the EM has not been identified under the high-density current loading. In this study, a high-density electric current loading was applied to an Ag nanoparticle line. The line specimens were prepared using a lift-off method. After the current loading tests, observations were conducted using a laser microscope and scanning electron microscope. A local decrease in the line thickness and scale-shaped slit-like voids were observed due to the high-density current loading. Moreover, the microstructure of the line was modified by enlarging the Ag grain. From the results, we identified that a dominant diffusion occurred at the Ag grain boundary due to the EM.
Algorithmic Selection of Preferred Grasp Poses Using Manipulability Ellipsoid Forms
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Mukherjee Sudipto
Published: December 2021

An algorithm to search for a kinematically desired robotic grasp pose with rolling contacts is presented. A manipulability measure is defined to characterize the grasp for multi-fingered robotic handling. The methodology can be used to search for the goal grasp pose with a manipulability ellipsoid close to the desired one. The proposed algorithm is modified to perform rolling-based relocation under kinematic constraints of the robotic fingertips. The search for the optimal grasp pose and the improvement of the grasp pose by relocation are based on the reduction of the geodesic distance between the current and the target manipulability matrices. The algorithm also derives paths of the fingertip on the object surface in order to achieve the goal pose. An algorithmic option for the process of searching for a suitable grasp configuration is hence achieved.
Microstructure and Mechanical Strength Properties of Chitosan Sponges Obtained from Polymer Solutions in Carbonic Acid
Authors: Chashchin I. S. , Rubina M. S. , Arkharova N. A. , Pigaleva M. A.
Published: December 2021

Polymer sponges based on chitosan are first obtained from chitosan solutions in carbonic acid and gels based on these solutions crosslinked by a noncytotoxic agent of natural origin, genipin. A comparative analysis of the structure and mechanical strength properties of sponges prepared from chitosan solutions in carbonic and acetic acids is carried out. It is shown that the addition of genipin in an amount of ~2 wt % to a chitosan solution in carbonic acid leads to a decrease in the average pore size by ~2.5 times and a significant increase in the strength characteristics of the material in comparison with the sponge prepared without genipin.
Are the Food Embargo and Import Substitution Changing Regional Production? A Case Study of Leningrad Oblast
Authors: Morachevskaya K. A. , Lyzhina E. A.
Published: December 2021

Abstract—

In the 2010s, in Russia, many conditions for the development of agriculture and the food industry changed, having experienced the consequences of the 2008 and 2014 crises and import restrictions on certain types of agricultural products and food from the EU and other countries. In Russia’s state political agenda, attention to food security has increased and the import substitution policy has intensified. Using the example of Leningrad Oblast, a region located in the zone of influence of the largest agglomeration and neighboring EU countries, the article attempts to answer the questions of who became the true beneficiaries of the food embargo and to what extent external influences have altered the sectoral and territorial structure of food production and to what extent they made it possible to overcome the local context—increase production in peripheral areas. The 2014 food embargo opened up colossal free niches in the market of St. Petersburg, with a population of 5 mln. The analysis showed that there were no fundamental changes in the sectoral structure, but in absolute terms, vegetable production increased significantly, which is directly related to the change in competition due to the food embargo and improvement in credit policy conditions. The dependence of the territorial structure of agriculture on the state of the largest enterprises increased. However, no fundamental changes have been observed in the production of certain food products. The reasons for this are a decrease in demand due to a drop in purchasing power of the population during crisis periods, an insignificant raw materials base in the region, the use of new opportunities by enterprises in St. Petersburg itself, filling the market with goods from neighboring regions and imported products from non-EU countries, owing to its seaside position and presence of a port.
Neonatal and fetal therapy of congenital diaphragmatic hernia-related pulmonary hypertension
Authors: De Bie Felix R , Avitabile Catherine M , Joyeux Luc , Hedrick Holly L , Russo Francesca M , Basurto David , Deprest Jan , Rintoul Natalie E
Published: December 2021

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a complex malformation characterised by a triad of pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension (PH) and cardiac ventricular dysfunction. Much of the mortality and morbidity in CDH is largely accounted for by PH, especially when persistent beyond the neonatal period and refractory to available treatment. Gentle ventilation, haemodynamic optimisation and pulmonary vasodilation constitute the foundations of neonatal treatment of CDH-related PH (CDH-PH). Moreover, early prenatal diagnosis, the ability to assess severity and the developmental nature of the condition generate the perfect rationale for fetal therapy. Shortcomings of currently available clinical therapies in combination with increased understanding of CDH pathophysiology have spurred experimental drug trials, exploring new therapeutic mechanisms to tackle CDH-PH. We herein discuss clinically available neonatal and fetal therapies specifically targeting CDH-PH and review the most promising experimental treatments and future research avenues.
Investigating the impact of development and internal validation design when training prognostic models using a retrospective cohort in big US observational healthcare data
Authors: Reps Jenna M , Ryan Patrick , Rijnbeek P R
Published: December 2021

Objective

The internal validation of prediction models aims to quantify the generalisability of a model. We aim to determine the impact, if any, that the choice of development and internal validation design has on the internal performance bias and model generalisability in big data (n~500 000).

Design

Retrospective cohort.

Setting

Primary and secondary care; three US claims databases.

Participants

1 200 769 patients pharmaceutically treated for their first occurrence of depression.

Methods

We investigated the impact of the development/validation design across 21 real-world prediction questions. Model discrimination and calibration were assessed. We trained LASSO logistic regression models using US claims data and internally validated the models using eight different designs: ‘no test/validation set’, ‘test/validation set’ and cross validation with 3-fold, 5-fold or 10-fold with and without a test set. We then externally validated each model in two new US claims databases. We estimated the internal validation bias per design by empirically comparing the differences between the estimated internal performance and external performance.

Results

The differences between the models’ internal estimated performances and external performances were largest for the ‘no test/validation set’ design. This indicates even with large data the ‘no test/validation set’ design causes models to overfit. The seven alternative designs included some validation process to select the hyperparameters and a fair testing process to estimate internal performance. These designs had similar internal performance estimates and performed similarly when externally validated in the two external databases.

Conclusions

Even with big data, it is important to use some validation process to select the optimal hyperparameters and fairly assess internal validation using a test set or cross-validation.
Validity and reliability of the Modified Tardieu Scale as a spasticity outcome measure of the upper limbs in adults with neurological conditions: a systematic review and narrative analysis
Authors: Shu Xiaoyi , McConaghy Ciara , Knight Alec
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To evaluate published evidence on the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) as a tool to assess spasticity in the upper limbs of adults with neurological conditions.

Data sources

A systematic search of six electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Physiotherapy Evidence Database) from inception to 31 December 2020. A search strategy was developed using key elements of the research question: population, intervention (action), outcome.

Study eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria: (1) adult participants with neurological conditions; (2) upper limb muscles/joints as tested elements; (3) studies testing the MTS and (4) reliability or validity reported. Exclusion criteria: (1) non-English articles; (2) non-empirical articles and (3) studies testing the Tardieu Scale.

Study appraisal

Evidence quality was evaluated using the US National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies.

Results

Six reliability studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, most articles reported good-to-excellent levels of inter-rater, intrarater and test–retest reliability. However, limitations, such as study design weaknesses, statistical misuses and reporting biases, undermine confidence in reported conclusions. The validity of the MTS also remained questionable based on the results of one study.

Conclusions and implications

This review did not find sufficient evidence to either support or reject the use of the MTS in assessing spasticity in the upper limbs of adults with neurological conditions. Despite the paucity of research evidence, the MTS may still remain a clinically useful tool to measure the motor aspect of spasticity. Future research would benefit from a focus on test standardisation, while the wider field would require the development of a consensual definition of spasticity.
Functional, oncological outcomes and safety of nephron-sparing surgery versus radical nephrectomy in patients with localised renal cell carcinoma with high anatomical complexity: a retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching method
Authors: Zhang Xuanyu , Su Zhonghua , Lv Peng , Liu Zeqi , Bai Song
Published: December 2021

Background

Nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) is widely applied for small renal masses. However, the indication of NSS in patients with localised renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with high anatomical complexity is controversial. Thus, we compare functional and oncological outcomes, and safety of NSS versus radical nephrectomy (RN) in patients with localised RCC with high anatomical complexity Radius, Exophytic/endophytic, Nearness, Anterior/posterior, Location. (R.E.N.A.L.) score ≥10.

Methods

We evaluated 575 patients with localised RCC that underwent NSS or RN at our centre between January 2013 and December 2018. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, tumour data, surgery procedure, perioperative data and survival data were recorded. After propensity score matching, the variables were compared by binary paired logistic regression. The change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was compared with covariance analysis adjusted for baseline value. Recurrence and survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

In the matched group, NSS showed lower eGFR loss compared with the RN group (17.81 mL/min/1.73 m2vs 28.28 mL/min/1.73 m2, p<0.001). Moreover, the recurrence-free survival (p=0.002), cardiocerebrovascular disease-specific survival (p=0.015) and overall survival (p=0.017) of patients with NSS were better than those that underwent RN. Cancer-specific survival in both groups showed no difference (p=0.323). The incidence of minor and major complications in the two groups showed no difference (p=0.144, p=0.108).

Conclusion

NSS resulted in better preservation of renal function and oncological outcomes compared with RN, with acceptable complications. These findings could help improve clinical decision making for patients with localised RCC with high anatomical complexity.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2000040652.