bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulatory B cells producing IL‐10 are increased in human tumor draining lymph nodes
Authors: Piersiala Krzysztof , Hjalmarsson Eric , da Silva Pedro Farrajota Neves , Lagebro Vilma , Kolev Aeneas , Starkhammar Magnus , Elliot Alexandra , Marklund Linda , Munck‐Wikland Eva , Margolin Gregori , Georén Susanna Kumlien , Cardell Lars‐Olaf 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe contribution of different immune cell subsets, especially T cells, in anti‐tumor immune response is well established. In contrast to T cells, the anti‐tumor contribution of B cells has been scarcely investigated. B‐cells are often overlooked, even though they are important players in a fully integrated immune response and constitute a substantial fraction of tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) known also as Sentinel Nodes. In this project, samples including TDLNs, non‐TDLNs (nTDLNs) and metastatic lymph nodes from 21 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed by flow cytometry. TDLNs were characterized by a significantly higher proportion of B cells compared with nTDLNs (P = .0127). TDLNs‐associated B cells contained high percentages of naïve B cells, in contrary to nTDLNs which contained significantly higher percentages of memory B cells. Patients having metastases in TDLNs showed a significantly higher presence of immunosuppressive B regulatory cells compared with metastasis‐free patients (P = .0008). Elevated levels of regulatory B cells in TDLNs were associated with the advancement of the disease. B cells in TDLNs were characterized by significantly higher expression of an immunosuppressive cytokine—IL‐10 compared with nTDLNs (P = .0077). Our data indicate that B cells in human TDLNs differ from B cells in nTDLNs and exhibit more naïve and immunosuppressive phenotypes. We identified a high accumulation of regulatory B cells within TDLNs which may be a potential obstacle in achieving response to novel cancer immunotherapies (ICIs) in head and neck cancer.
Guide to advances in the control of gastrointestinal roundworms in sheep
Authors: Crilly JP 
Published: May 2023

Background: In the UK, diseases caused by gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) are the most expensive endemic diseases, being a major cause of morbidity, mortality and lost production in sheep flocks. Control is complicated by the increasing prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in the GIN population and changes in epidemiology, partially driven by climate change. Therefore, there is great emphasis among sheep farmers and veterinarians to find methods to successfully control GINs and prevent associated diseases.Aim of the article: This article outlines the different strategies that can be implemented on farm to try and sustainably control parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep.
Thunderstorm and hailstorm environments in Mexico
Authors: León‐Cruz José Francisco , Caetano Ernesto , Cortés‐Ramos Jorge , Dominguez Christian , Méndez‐Pérez Juan Matias 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThunderstorm and hailstorm environments from 1981 to 2018 are analysed using the proximity soundings approach based on the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis v5 (ERA5) reanalysis dataset. Given the nature of the severe weather dataset, four proximity soundings 0000, 0600, 1200, and 1800 local time were retrieved per day with hail activity or thunderstorms. After quality control, a total of 30,760 vertical profiles were used and grouped seasonally and spatially to consider the local variation of the convective environments. Diverse instability, kinematic, and composite parameters were calculated to characterize the environments for these two convective hazards. The results indicate differences mainly modulated by orographic features, continentality, regional climate, and general synoptic characteristics. Higher instability environments of thunderstorms and hailstorms are observed in the subregions near moisture sources such as oceans, principally during summer and autumn when tropical activity occurs. High wind shear environments are concentrated during winter and spring, mainly in central and northern regions of the country, associated with the passage of frontal systems. The covariates are reasonably accurate at predicting severe weather, but their prediction skill decreases during the warm season when severe weather is more common in Mexico. Increased knowledge of severe weather and associated convective hazards will improve weather forecasting and may be helpful in disaster risk reduction due to meteorological hazards in Mexico.
Negative externality on service level across priority classes: Evidence from a radiology workflow platform
Authors: Lagzi Saman , Quiroga Bernardo F. , Romero Gonzalo , Howard Nicholas , Chan Timothy C. Y. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWe study the potential negative impact of imbalanced compensation schemes on firm performance. We analyze data from a radiology workflow platform that connects off‐site radiologists with hospitals. These radiologists select tasks from a common pool, while service level is defined by priority‐specific turnaround time targets. However, imbalances between pay and workload of different tasks could result in higher priority tasks with low pay‐to‐workload ratio receiving poorer service. We investigate this hypothesis, showing turnaround time is decreasing in pay‐to‐workload for lower priority tasks, whereas it is increasing in workload for high‐priority tasks. Crucially, we find evidence of an externality effect: Having many economically attractive tasks with low priority can lead to longer turnaround times for higher priority tasks, increasing their likelihood of delay, thus partially defeating the purpose of the priority classes.
Observation of Unidirectional Bulk Modes and Robust Edge Modes in Triangular Photonic Crystals
Authors: Gao Zi‐Xuan , Liao Jing‐Zun , Shi Fu‐Long , Shen Ke , Ma Fei , Chen Min , Chen Xiao‐Dong , Dong Jian‐Wen 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe valley contrasting physics in photonic systems gives rise to many interesting phenomena such as photonic valley Hall effect and robust valley transport. However, most reported valley photonic crystals are demonstrated in the honeycomb lattice. Here, unidirectional bulk modes and robust edge modes are numerically and experimentally shown in triangular photonic crystals. By switching the phase vortex of an input chiral source, dynamic unidirectional propagation of bulk modes at different valleys is observed. Unidirectional edge modes are also demonstrated on the domain wall between two distinct triangular photonic crystals. In addition, robust edge modes around sharp corners are experimentally confirmed. This work paves the way for the realization of dynamic unidirectional photonic transport and robust valley transport in photonic crystals.
Expiratory Muscle Strength Training in Multiple System Atrophy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Srp Martin , Bartosova Tereza , Klempir Jiri , Lagnerova Rebeka , Gal Ota , Listvanova Tereza , Jech Robert , Ruzicka Evzen , Hoskovcova Martina 
Published: May 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe effects of expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) has not yet been investigated in MSA patients.ObjectiveThe primary objective was to test the effects of EMST on expiratory muscle strength and voluntary peak cough flow (vPCF) in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA). The secondary objective was to assess the suitability of the pulmonary dysfunction index as a tool for identifying MSA patients with expiratory muscle weakness and reduced voluntary peak cough flow.MethodsThis was an open label, non‐controlled study, with an 8‐week intensive home‐based EMST protocol. The outcome measures included: maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and vPCF. The sensitivity and specificity of the index of pulmonary dysfunction in the respiratory diagnostic process were assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.ResultsFifteen MSA patients were enrolled in the study. Twelve MSA patients completed the training period. After the training period, MEP significantly increased (P = 0.006). Differences in vPCF were not significant (P = 0.845). ROC analysis indicated that the overall respiratory diagnostic accuracy of the index of pulmonary dysfunction had an outstanding capability to detect patients at risk of less effective coughing and an acceptable capability of detecting patients with decreased expiratory muscle strength.ConclusionsThese findings indicate non‐significant differences in vPCF after 8 weeks of EMST. The index of pulmonary dysfunction appears to be a promising prognostic screening tool for identifying altered cough efficacy in MSA patients. Test cut‐offs may be used to select an appropriate respiratory physiotherapy technique.
Echo pulses for background suppression by optimal control
Authors: Cortes Sanchez Hector Javier , Schmedt auf der Günne Jörn 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMaterials used to construct magic‐angle‐spinning NMR probes can contain NMR active nuclei that produce a significant amount of background signal. Because these materials are located outside the sample coil, the use of spatially selective pulses to remove the background is a popular approach for background suppression. However, previously suggested spatially selective pulses suffer from limited excitation bandwidths, which may make them unsuitable for the acquisition of nuclei with a large chemical shift range. Here, a pulse (OC‐BACK) is presented, which has been developed by optimal control, which has a flat profile of ~120 kHz with respect to off‐resonance effects and extended pass and suppression bands with respect to the nominal nutation frequency. The presented solution is large enough to be effective for background suppression schemes in 19F magic‐angle‐spinning NMR at medium and low magnetic fields.
A robust t1 noise suppression method in NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Wei Siyuan , Ding Yiming , Song Kan , Liu Zao 
Published: May 2023

AbstractArtefacts in high‐resolution multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, known as t1 noise, can significantly downgrade the spectral quality and remain a significant noise source, limiting the sensitivity of most two‐dimensional NMR experiments. In addition to highly sensitive hardware and experimental designs, data post‐processing is a relatively simple and cost‐effective method for suppressing t1 noise. In this study, histograms and quantiles were used to obtain a robust estimation of noise level. We constructed a weighted matrix to suppress the t1 noise. The weighted matrix was calculated from the logistic functions, which were adaptively computed from the spectrum. The proposed method is robust and effective in both simulations and actual experiments. Further, it can maintain the quantitative relationship of the spectrogram and is suitable for various complex peak types.
Copolymerization of ω‐Alkenyltrimethylsilane with Ethylene by MgCl2/TiCl4 Catalyst: Effect of Alkenyl Length on Comonomer Incorporation
Authors: Chen Fengtao , Qin Yawei , Dong Jin‐Yong 
Published: May 2023

Abstractω‐Alkenyltrimethylsilanes of different alkenyl moieties, i.e., 3‐butenyltrimethylsilane, 5‐hexenyltrimethylsilane, and 7‐octenyltrimethylsilane, are used as model compounds to study the alkenyl length effect in copolymerization of ethylene with steric‐hindered tri‐substituted silane‐functionalized α‐olefins over MgCl2/TiCl4 catalysts. The experimental results reveal that 3‐butenyltrimethylsilane tops the three α‐olefins in incorporation rate into PE while 7‐octenyltrimethylsilane is slightly better than 5‐hexenyltrimethylsilane. The coordination‐insertion events for different ω‐alkenyltrimethylsilanes are investigated by DFT simulation. The results suggest that the three ω‐alkenyltrimethylsilanes encounter similar energy barriers during insertion, with similar repulsive interactions between the bulky trimethylsilane substituent and growing PE chain found in the energy decomposition of transition state configuration. However, complexation abilities at the Ti active site for the three ω‐alkenyltrimethylsilanes follow the order of 3‐butenyltrimethylsilane > 5‐hexenyltrimethylsilane > 7‐octenyltrimethylsilane, in line with their molecular compactness, which are deemed to be where the alkenyl length effect originates in the ω‐alkenyltrimethylsilane/ethylene copolymerization.
Fingering and strain localization in porous media during imbibition processes
Authors: Zaïm Mohammed , Ommi Siddhartha Harsha , Collin Frédéric , Kotronis Panagiotis , Sciarra Giulio 
Published: May 2023

SummaryFingered infiltration of a wetting fluid through a porous network is a widely studied subject in the field of fluid mechanics. However, the effect of this heterogeneous percolation on the response of granular materials, in particular fine‐grained soils, is a poorly investigated and badly understood topic which deserves deep analysis, considering, among others, possible applications in soil remediation and underground energy storage. This paper presents a first application of a new formulation of unsaturated poromechanics based on a phase field approach that allows to characterize on the one hand the occurrence of fingering hydraulic instabilities and on the other one to capture their effects on the irreversible, and possible unstable, deformation of the solid skeleton. The envisaged application concerns the behavior of fine‐grained soils whose dilatant/contractant behavior is more and more attracting the interest of the scientific community both in the fields of experimental research and numerical modeling.
A positivity preserving high‐order finite difference method for compressible two‐fluid flows
Authors: Boe Daniel , Shahbazi Khosro 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAny robust computational scheme for compressible flows must retain the hyperbolicity property or the real‐valued sound speed. Failure to maintain hyperbolicity, or the positivity of the square of the speed of sound, causes nonphysical distortions and the blow‐up of numerical simulations. Strong shock waves and interfacial discontinuities are ubiquitous features of the two‐fluid compressible dynamics that can potentially induce positivity‐related failure in a simulation. This article presents a positivity‐preserving algorithm for a high‐order, primitive variable‐based, weighted essentially non‐oscillatory finite difference scheme. The positivity preservation relies on a flux limiting technique that locally adapts high‐order fluxes towards the first order to retain the physical bounds of the solution without loss of high‐order convergence. This positivity preserving scheme has been devised and implemented up to eleventh order in one and two dimensions for a two‐fluid compressible model that consists of a single mass, momentum, and energy equations, as well as an advection of material parameters for capturing the interfaces. Several one‐ and two‐dimensional challenging test problems verify the performance. The scheme effectively retains high order accuracy while allowing for the simulation of several challenging problems that otherwise could not be successfully solved using the base scheme, without any penalty on the CFL condition requirement, and without any significant impact on the CPU times. The scheme represents the first high‐order (up to 11‐order) hyperbolicity‐preserving scheme for the considered two‐fluid compressible flows in the fully Eulerian formulation. The inherent efficiency of finite differences and the new robust positivity preserving quality enable modeling other challenging problems of two‐fluid and two‐phase problems.
Association between low fetal fraction in cell‐free DNA screening and fetal chromosomal aberrations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Becking Ellis C. , Schuit Ewoud , van Baar de Knegt Sophie M. E. , Sistermans Erik A. , Henneman Lidewij , Bekker Mireille N. , Scheffer Peter G. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the available literature on low fetal fraction (LFF) in cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) screening and the risk of fetal chromosomal aberrations.MethodWe searched articles published between January 2010 and May 2021 in PubMed and EMBASE databases. Risk of bias was assessed using QUADAS‐2.ResultsTwenty‐seven studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising data of 243,700 singleton pregnancies. Compared to normal fetal fraction, LFF was associated with a higher risk of trisomy 13 (OR 5.99 [3.61–9.95], I
2 of heterogeneity = 0%, n = 22 studies), trisomy 18 (OR 4.46 [3.07–6.47], I
2 = 0%, n = 22 studies), monosomy X (OR 5.88 [2.34–14.78], I
2 = 18%, n = 10 studies), and triploidy (OR 36.39 [9.83–134.68], I
2 = 61%, n = 6 studies), but not trisomy 21 (OR 1.25 [0.76–2.03], I
2 = 36%, n = 23 studies). LFF was also associated with a higher risk of various other types of fetal chromosomal aberrations (OR 4.00 [1.78–9.00], I
2 = 2%, n = 11 studies). Meta‐analysis of proportions showed that absolute rates of fetal chromosomal aberrations ranged between 1% and 2% in women with LFF. A limitation of this review is the potential risk of ascertainment bias because of differences in outcome assessment between pregnancies with LFF and those with normal fetal fraction. Heterogeneity in population characteristics or applied technologies across included studies may not have been fully addressed.ConclusionAn LFF test result in cfDNA screening is associated with an increased risk of fetal trisomy 13, trisomy 18, monosomy X, and triploidy, but not trisomy 21. Further research is needed to assess the association between LFF and other specific types of fetal chromosomal aberrations.
Validation of the 25 level modified shuttle test in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Corda Jennifer , E. Holland Anne , Berry Cassidy Du , Westrupp Nicole , Cox Narelle S. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the validity and reliability of the modified shuttle 25‐level test (MST‐25) in children with cystic fibrosis (CF).MethodsA prospective single center study in clinically stable children with CF. Participants undertook two testing conditions on different days: (1) 2xMST‐25 tests; (2) cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Test order was randomized. Nadir oxygen saturation (SpO2), peak heart rate (HR), breathlessness (modified Borg), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), energy expenditure (EE) and metabolic equivalents (MET) from the MST‐25 and CPET were compared to assess validity, while outcomes from 2xMST‐25 tests were compared for reliability. CPET was performed using breath‐by‐breath analysis and EE from the MST‐25 obtained using the SenseWear Armband.ResultsStrong correlations were found between MST‐25 distance and peak oxygen uptake, peak work and minute ventilation on CPET (all r > 0.7, p < 0.01). Moderate correlations were found between MST‐25 distance and CPET for METs (r = 0.5) and HR (r = 0.6). Weak associations between tests were evident for nadir SpO2 (r = 0.1), modified Borg (rs = 0.2) and RPE (rs = 0.2). Test−retest reliability was excellent for MST‐25 distance (ICC 0.91), peak EE (ICC 0.99) and peak METs (ICC 0.90). Good reliability was achieved for HR (ICC 0.84) and modified Borg score (ICC 0.77), while moderate reliability for nadir SpO2 (ICC 0.64) and RPE (ICC 0.68) was observed.ConclusionThe MST‐25 is a valid and reliable field test for the assessment of exercise capacity in children with CF. The MST‐25 can be used to accurately monitor exercise capacity and prescribe exercise training, particularly when CPET is not available.
Coconut fatty acids exhibit strong repellency and week‐long efficacy against several urban pest arthropods of the southwestern United States
Authors: Agnew John , Gorzelski Ashton , Zhu Junwei , Romero Alvaro 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe southwestern United States is home to a variety of arthropods including Turkestan cockroaches, Blatta lateralis (Walker); hematophagous kissing bugs, Tritoma rubida (Uhler); and Arizona bark scorpions, Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing. These arthropods cause medical concern when they become established around homes and/or invade indoors. Traditionally, the management of these pests has relied primarily on the use of chemical insecticides; however, they offer poor prospects for control owing to their lack of efficacy as well as the effects of insecticides on humans and the environment. Botanical repellents are an option that has not been fully investigated for the management of these pests. Here, we investigated the behavioral responses of common urban pests of the southwestern USA to recently discovered coconut fatty acids (CFAs), to establish the potential use of these compounds as repellents.RESULTSFresh residues of CFA mixture (CFAm) and their constituents caprylic acid, capric acid, capric acid methyl ester, lauric acid, and lauric acid methyl ester, tested at a concentration of 1 mg cm−2, strongly repelled all arthropods. The repellent activity of CFAm lasted for at least 7 days, and the addition of lavender oil, used as an odor‐masking agent, did not decrease this effect. Concentrations of CFAm ten times lower (0.1 mg cm−2) still repelled Turkestan cockroaches, and concentrations 100 times lower (0.01 mg cm−2) repelled T. rubida and scorpions.CONCLUSIONSCFAm and some of their constituents are efficacious, economical, and logistically feasible for inclusion in integrated pest management programs for these important urban pests of the southwestern USA. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the health and economy of Nepal
Authors: Manandhar Srista , Chhetri Sunit , Regmi Swapnil , Chhetri Sunny , Dorji Thinley 
Published: May 2023

AbstractNepal experienced a devastating earthquake in 2015, sweeping political changes and restructuring of its healthcare system in the last decade. The economy is heavily dependent on tourism with an average of 1 million visitors per year prior to the pandemic. The country had just begun the ‘Visit Nepal 2020’ campaign when the government had to realign its economic activities and allocate resources to battling the impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The tourism sector crashed with 18.7% of the population falling into poverty. The health system faced reeling pressure with interruptions of routine services while the government struggled to provide care to COVID‐19 patients. There was a shortage of 20,000 healthcare workers and derailment of important health services, such as antenatal care, institutional delivery of babies and tuberculosis diagnosis. To fund the COVID‐19 vaccination efforts, the government sought donations and loans from other countries. There were disruptions in schools and the education system which had challenges in the delivery of education through digital means due to limited internet services. The agriculture and the food production system also faced major disruptions leading to exorbitant inflation and an increase in the cost of living. The country opened to normal socio‐economic activities by May 2022 in an effort to reverse the impacts on various sectors of life in Nepal. We describe how Nepal, a resource‐constrained country handled the COVID‐19 pandemic.