bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic stationary subspace analysis based on Gaussian mixture models for ironmaking process monitoring
Authors: Zhang Hanwen , Fan Weiwei , Guo Houze , Yang Chunjie 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBlast furnace ironmaking process monitoring is an important and challenging task. Due to the influence of hot blast stove switching and large fluctuations in the quality of raw materials, the measurements of ironmaking processes show obvious non‐stationary characteristics, and in addition, the observed data are also characterized by time‐series dynamic and non‐Gaussian characteristics. In this paper, a dynamic stationary subspace analysis method based on the Gaussian mixture model (DSSA–GMM) is proposed to address the difficulties in blast furnace ironmaking process monitoring. The time‐series dynamic relationship of the data is conducted by introducing a sliding time window. The Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is used to deal with the non‐Gaussian characteristics of the data, and the parameters of the GMMs are estimated using the expectation–maximization algorithm. The stationary projection matrix is obtained by optimizing the Kullback–Leibler (K–L) divergence between GMMs of different periods to realize the stationary subspace separation. Finally, the convex hull of the stationary subspace is established for fault detection, thus realizing the monitoring for non‐stationary and non‐Gaussian dynamic processes. The effectiveness of the DSSA–GMM method is verified by a numerical simulation and a dataset collected from an actual blast furnace ironmaking process.
Multiplex analysis of inflammatory proteins associated with risk of coronary artery disease in type‐1 diabetes patients
Authors: Beatty Carol , Richardson Katherine P. , Tran Paul M. H. , Satter Khaled B. , Hopkins Diane , Gardiner Melissa , Sharma Ashok , Purohit Sharad 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundChronic uncontrolled hyperglycemia, a precursor to chronic low‐grade inflammation, is a leading cause of coronary artery disease (CAD) due to plaque buildup in type‐1 diabetes (T1D) patients. We evaluated levels of 22 inflammatory markers in cross‐sectional serum samples from 1222 subjects to evaluate their potential as risk factors for CAD in T1D patients.HypothesisCirculating levels of markers of inflammation may be the risk factors for incident CAD.MethodsThe T1D subjects were divided into two groups: those without CAD (n = 1107) and with CAD (n = 115). Serum levels of proteins were assayed using multiplex immunoassays on a Luminex Platform. Differences between the two groups were made by univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to ascertain the potential of proteins as risk factors for CAD. Influence of age, duration of diabetes, sex, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was determined in a stepwise manner. Serum levels of 22 proteins were combined into a composite score using Ridge regression for risk‐based stratification.ResultsMean levels of CRP, IGFBP1, IGFBP2, insulin‐like growth factors binding protein‐6 (IGFBP6), MMP1, SAA, sTNFRI, and sTNFRII were elevated in CAD patients (n = 115) compared to T1D patients without CAD (nCAD, n = 1107). After adjusting for age, duration of diabetes, sex, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, higher levels of sTNFRI (odds ratio [OR] = 2.18, 1.1 × 10−3), sTNFRII (OR = 1.52, 1 × 10−2), and IGFBP6 (OR = 3.62, 1.8 × 10−3) were significantly associated with CAD. The composite score based on Ridge regression, was able to stratify CAD patients into low, medium, and high‐risk groups.ConclusionsThe results show activation of the TNF pathway in CAD patients. Evaluating these markers in serum can be a potential tool for identifying high‐risk T1D patients for intensive anti‐inflammatory therapeutic interventions.
Reevaluating tau reduction as a therapeutic approach for tauopathies: Insights and perspectives
Authors: Sun Xiaohuan , Ogbolu Victor C. , Baas Peter W. , Qiang Liang 
Published: October 2023

AbstractTau, one of the most abundant microtubule‐associated protein in neurons plays a role in regulating microtubule dynamics in axons, as well as shaping the overall morphology of the axon. Recent studies challenge the traditional view of tau as a microtubule stabilizer and shed new light on the complexity of its role in regulating various properties of the microtubule. While reducing tau levels shows therapeutic promise for early tauopathies, efficacy wanes in later stages due to resilient toxic tau aggregates and neurofibrillary tangles. Notably, tauopathies involve factors beyond toxic tau alone, necessitating a broader therapeutic approach. Overexpression of human tau in mouse models, although useful for answering some questions, may not accurately reflect disease mechanisms in patients with tauopathies. Furthermore, the interplay between tau and MAP6, another microtubule‐associated protein, adds complexity to tau's regulation of microtubule dynamics. Tau promotes the formation and elongation of labile microtubule domains, vital for cellular processes, while MAP6 stabilizes microtubules. A delicate balance between these proteins is important for neuronal function. Therefore, tau reduction therapies require a comprehensive understanding of disease progression, considering functional tau loss, toxic aggregates, and microtubule dynamics. Stage‐dependent application and potential unintended consequences must be carefully evaluated. Restoring microtubule dynamics in late‐stage tauopathies may necessitate alternative strategies. This knowledge is valuable for developing effective and safe treatments for tauopathies.
Sliding of antiparallel microtubules drives bipolarization of monoastral spindles
Authors: LaFountain Jr James R. , Seaman Catherine E. , Cohan Christopher S. , Oldenbourg Rudolf 
Published: October 2023

AbstractTime‐lapse imaging with liquid crystal polarized light (LC‐PolScope) and fluorescent speckle microscopy (FSM) enabled this study of spindle microtubules in monoastral spindles that were produced in crane‐fly spermatocytes through flattening‐induced centrosome displacement. Monoastral spindles are found in several other contexts: after laser ablation of one of a cell's two centrosomes (in the work of Khodjakov et al.), in Drosophila “urchin” mutants (in the works of Heck et al. and of Wilson et al.), in Sciara males (in the works of Fuge and of Metz), and in RNAi variants of Drosophila S2 cells (in the work of Goshima et al.). In all cases, just one pole has a centrosome (the astral pole); the other lacks a centrosome (the anastral pole). Thus, the question: How is the anastral half‐spindle, lacking a centrosome, constructed? We learned that monoastral spindles are assembled in two phases: Phase I assembles the astral half‐spindle composed of centrosomal microtubules, and Phase II assembles microtubules of the anastral half through extension of new microtubule polymerization outward from the spindle's equatorial mid‐zone. That process uses plus ends of existing centrosomal microtubules as guiding templates to assemble anastral microtubules of opposite polarity. Anastral microtubules slide outward with their minus ends leading, thereby establishing proper bipolarity just like in normal biastral spindles that have two centrosomes.
Urinary IL‐6 and IL‐8 as predictive markers in bladder urothelial carcinoma: A pilot study
Authors: VandenBussche Christopher J. , Heaney Christopher D. , Kates Max , Hooks John J. , Baloga Kelly , Sokoll Lori , Rosenthal Dorothy , Detrick Barbara 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundCytokines are known to be a key a factor in numerous malignancies and to exert an important regulatory role in the tumor microenvironment. Interest has grown in understanding how cytokines modulate the tumor microenvironment and which cytokines may serve as markers of the tumor process; however, a complete picture of the cytokine landscape in bladder cancer remains unclear.MethodsFresh urine specimens with sufficient volume were collected at random intervals. The urine concentrations of IL‐8 (CXCL8), CCL18, and CXCL9 were determined using the standard commercially available enzyme immunoassay. The urine concentrations of IL‐6 were determined using the high sensitivity enzyme immunoassay kit. Urinary cytokine concentrations were normalized with urinary creatinine concentrations.ResultsSignificantly elevated concentrations of IL‐6 and IL‐8 were detected in the urine from patients with urothelial carcinoma on follow‐up compared to patients with benign follow‐up. The presence of both IL‐6 and IL‐8 in the urine samples from the high grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) cohort revealed a clear discrimination when compared to samples from patients with benign follow‐up. The presence of the combination of both IL‐6 and IL‐8 had a sensitivity of 90.0% and a specificity of 81.25%. Similar data were obtained when receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed on both IL‐6 and IL‐8 concentrations in the urine from patients with HGUC vs. the hematuria cohort.ConclusionsThe presence of IL‐6 and IL‐8 in urine specimens may have predictive value for urothelial carcinoma. However, a large longitudinal study is required to statistically eliminate confounding factors and support this theory.
The Patient's perspective on radiation therapy for anal cancer: Evaluation of expectations and stigma
Authors: Chaballout Basil H. , Chang Eric M. , Shaverdian Narek , Lee Percy P. , Beron Phillip J. , Steinberg Michael L. , Raldow Ann C. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known regarding anal cancer patients' perspectives on undergoing radiation therapy. Additionally, the stigma surrounding anal cancer diagnosis warrants a better understanding of the barriers to complete disclosure in patient‐healthcare team interactions.MethodsIncluded patients had squamous cell carcinoma of the anus treated with definitive chemoradiation (CRT) from 2009 to 2018. Survey questions were adapted from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and Discrimination and Stigma Scale.ResultsA total of 46 anal cancer patients who underwent CRT were surveyed, of which 72% responded. 73% of respondents indicated little to no pre‐treatment knowledge of CRT. 70% reported overall short‐term effects as worse than expected, most commonly with bowel habits (82%), energy (73%), and interest in sexual activity (64%). 39% reported overall long‐term effects to be worse than expected, most commonly with changes to bowel habits (73%), sexual function (67%), and interest in sexual activity (58%). However, 94% agreed they were better off after treatment. Regarding stigma, a subset reported hiding their diagnosis (12%, 24%) and side effects (24%, 30%) from friends/family or work colleagues, respectively, and 15% indicating they stopped having close relationships due to concerns over stigma.ConclusionsAlthough patients' perceptions of the severity of short‐term CRT side effects were worse than expectations, the vast majority agreed they were better off after treatment. Targeted counseling on common concerns may improve the anal cancer treatment experience. A notable subset reported stigma associated with treatment, warranting further evaluation to understand the impact on the patient experience.
Genotype‐by‐environmental interaction effects on earliness, semi‐dwarfism, and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutants in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Pillai Madhavan Arumugam , R. Rajamadhan , E. Murugan , Michaelantonysamy Tamilarasi Andrew‐Peter‐Leon , Selvaraj Ramchander , Devadhasan Shoba , J. Ramalingham , Yasin Jeshima Khan , Jegadeesan Souframanien 
Published: October 2023

AbstractRice plant architecture improvement helps in the effective and efficient source–sink relationship to enhance yield. The most preferred plant architecture in rice is dwarf type. Improved White Ponni (IWP) is a tall, medium duration, released variety of Tamil Nadu, India, yielding 300 kg more than parental line White Ponni, which is suitable for second season transplanting. To induce variation in plant height to select semi‐dwarf mutants, IWP was subjected to mutagenesis in 2011 using different doses of gamma rays to develop semi‐dwarf and short‐duration mutants. The selection was carried out in segregating populations of M2, and an evaluation of selected better‐performing mutants was done up to 70 selected mutants in M5. Nineteen M5 homozygous, semi‐dwarf, and short‐duration mutants that outperformed the IWP were evaluated in 2015–2016 across five contrasting environments of Tamil Nadu in India. The genotypes were grown in a randomized complete block design with two replications with IWP as a control. In the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) biplot, the analysis revealed that PC1 and PC2 accounted for 49% and 18% of the variation, respectively. Interaction principal component analysis‐1 scores were observed for the mutants, viz., IWP‐15‐5, IWP‐22‐1, and IWP‐30‐5, indicating their superior performance. In the GGE biplot, E1 (Aduthurai), E4 (Coimbatore), and E5 (Thirupathisaram) were the ideal environments for selecting high‐yielding mutants. IWP‐6‐5 and IWP‐16‐2 were the stable mutants for yield (23.59 and 24.51 g, respectively) but with a lower mean than other mutants at favorable environments. Based on the two models, E2 (Killikulam) and E3 (Madurai) were the favorable locations for exploiting high yields; IWP‐30‐5, IWP‐22‐2, and IWP‐22‐3 were stable across environments. These stable, high‐yielding, and early maturing mutants show potential for further advancement and eventual release of new rice varieties.
Characteristics of positive horizontal margins in patients who underwent colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Kawashima Kazumasa , Hikichi Takuto , Onizawa Michio , Gunji Naohiko , Watahiki Yu , Sakuma Chiharu , Mochimaru Tomoaki , Murakami Mai , Suzuki Osamu , Hashimoto Yuko , Kobayakawa Masao , Ohira Hiromasa 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectivesEndoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) enables en bloc resection of colorectal neoplasms, but occasionally results in positive horizontal margins (HMs). However, the site of the resected specimen that tends to be positive for HM has not been investigated. We aimed to clarify the characteristics associated with HMs in lesions resected en bloc with ESD.MethodsPatients with colorectal neoplasms who underwent en bloc resection with ESD were included in this study. The patients were divided into negative HMs (HM0) and positive or indeterminate HMs (HM1) groups. The characteristics associated with HM1 resection were investigated. In addition, the local recurrence rate during endoscopic follow‐up for >6 months after ESD was observed.ResultsIn total, 201 lesions were analyzed in 189 patients (HM0, 189 lesions; HM1, 12 lesions). The HM1 group had a significantly larger median lesion diameter (25 vs. 55 mm; p < 0.001) and more lesions with >50% circumference than did the HM0 group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the prevalence of severe fibrosis was significantly higher in the HM1 group than in the HM0 group (p < 0.001). Positive horizontal sites of the resected specimens were more frequent at the oral and anal sites than at the lateral sites. No local recurrences were observed in either group.ConclusionsThe characteristics associated with HM1 depended on lesion size, particularly lesions with >50% circumference, and submucosal fibrosis.
The contribution of evolvability to the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of competing species
Authors: Bukkuri Anuraag , Pienta Kenneth J. , Amend Sarah R. , Austin Robert H. , Hammarlund Emma U. , Brown Joel S. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractEvolvability is the capacity of a population to generate heritable variation that can be acted upon by natural selection. This ability influences the adaptations and fitness of individual organisms. By viewing this capacity as a trait, evolvability is subject to natural selection and thus plays a critical role in eco‐evolutionary dynamics. Understanding this role provides insight into how species respond to changes in their environment and how species coexistence can arise and be maintained. Here, we create a G‐function model of competing species, each with a different evolvability. We analyze population and strategy (= heritable phenotype) dynamics of the two populations under clade initiation (when species are introduced into a population), evolutionary tracking (constant, small changes in the environment), adaptive radiation (availability of multiple ecological niches), and evolutionary rescue (extreme environmental disturbances). We find that when species are far from an eco‐evolutionary equilibrium, faster‐evolving species reach higher population sizes, and when species are close to an equilibrium, slower‐evolving species are more successful. Frequent, minor environmental changes promote the extinction of species with small population sizes, regardless of their evolvability. When several niches are available for a species to occupy, coexistence is possible, though slower‐evolving species perform slightly better than faster‐evolving ones due to the well‐recognized inherent cost of evolvability. Finally, disrupting the environment at intermediate frequencies can result in coexistence with cyclical population dynamics of species with different rates of evolution.
“Show me how to use a microscope” – The development and evaluation of certification as direct assessment of practical lab skills
Authors: Eidesen Pernille Bronken , Bjune Anne E. , Lang Simone I. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPractical lab skills are rarely directly assessed. To improve constructive alignment between the described learning outcomes of practical skills and assessment, we developed and tested a certification procedure for microscopy skills. The procedure was embedded into the ordinary learning activity, so no additional time was needed. Three slightly different protocols were developed within the framework of sociocultural learning theory and built like a skill ladder, including direct peer assessment and elements of gamified learning. The protocols varied slightly in the way students were prepared for the certification, the number of steps/levels of achievement, and the consequences of failing. We tested the protocols at three different academic institutions and within 11 courses of varying sizes and academic levels in biology or geology. Feedbacks were collected through online surveys (n = 207) or orally after sessions. One protocol provided instruction videos as preparation material. Instruction videos provided increased understanding of the task, but tactile training was most important for learning. Regardless of institution, type of preparation, and level of former experience, the certification procedure made students clearly more engaged in the exercise. The majority reported that the certification procedure increased their motivation to learn, increased their perceived learning outcome, and was appropriate for assessing practical skills. Students with no or little experience in microscopy before the exercise were more positive about the certification procedure compared to skilled students, and the level of engagement and preparation was higher when there were some consequences of failing. Most students felt comfortable being certified by peers, but some students expressed concern about peers making mistakes. The presented certification procedure can easily be adapted to assess other practical skills and, with some adjustments, be an efficient method for assessment‐as‐learning, merging formative‐ and summative assessment.
The biology and ecology of the Pacific sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon longurio
Authors: Gayford Joel H. , Whitehead Darren A. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAmidst global declines in elasmobranch populations resulting predominantly from overfishing, the need to gather data regarding shark ecology is greater than ever. Many species remain data deficient or at risk of going extinct before sufficient conservation measures can be applied. In this review, we summarise existing knowledge regarding the biology and ecology of the Pacific sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon longurio (Jordan & Hilbert, 1882), a small‐bodied carcharhinid shark found in coastal waters of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean that is of both commercial and ecological importance. We compare ecological parameters of this species with its closest extant relatives and identify major knowledge gaps and avenues for future research. In particular, additional studies investigating the behavioural and sensory ecology, as well as potential migratory patterns of the species are needed. Such studies will not only improve our understanding of R. longurio, but provide insight into the extent to which the numerous studies performed on a close relative—Rhizoprionodon terraenovae—provide an accurate representation of the biology and ecology of Rhizoprionodon and carcharhinids more generally.
Quantifying streamflow properties using a calculus‐based differential approach
Authors: Koehler Richard 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis research quantifies streamflow temporal configuration and demonstrates the advantages of examining the hydrologic record on a day‐to‐day basis, heretofore unavailable with statistical‐based index parameters. The streamflow chronological structure represents a previously untapped wealth of information that would benefit ecohydrology allowing alternate lines of investigation, re‐evaluating past research in a new light and expanding analysis options for ecohydrologists. Innovative approaches are introduced to quantify this important but overlooked hydrologic property. To accomplish this, a non‐index calculus‐based differential approach has been developed using the lag(1) temporal autocorrelation signature of streamflow. The techniques for quantifying discharge (Q), day‐to‐day discharge change (dQ/dt), rate of day‐to‐day discharge change (d2Q/dt2) and sequential discharge summations are explained and presented using updated data visualization methods. A dam release river impact case study for the Colorado River at Lees Ferry, Arizona, demonstrates this novel way of analyzing and comparing discharge datasets. A set of highly customizable tools for this new approach can be used as a stand‐alone analysis or to complement other existing techniques. The result is a better understanding of the hydrologic regime, permitting more focused research and more effective management planning.