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Objectives: Most human in‐vivo placental imaging techniques are unable to distinguish and characterize various placental compartments, such as the intervillous space (IVS), placental vessels (PV) and placental tissue (PT), limiting their specificity. We describe a method that employs T2* and diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to differentiate automatically placental compartments, quantify their oxygenation properties and identify placental lesions (PL) in vivo. We also investigate the association between placental oxygenation patterns and fetal brain oxygenation. Methods: This was a prospective study conducted between 2018 and 2021 in which dual‐contrast clinical MRI data (T2* and diffusion‐weighted MRI) were acquired from patients between 20 and 38 weeks' gestation. We trained a fuzzy clustering method to analyze T2* and diffusion‐weighted MRI data and assign placental voxels to one of four clusters, based on their distinct imaging domain features. The new method divided automatically the placenta into IVS, PV, PT and PL compartments and characterized their oxygenation changes throughout pregnancy. Results: A total of 27 patients were recruited, of whom five developed pregnancy complications. Total placental oxygenation level and T2* did not demonstrate a statistically significant temporal correlation with gestational age (GA) (R2 = 0.060, P = 0.27). In contrast, the oxygenation level reflected by T2* values in the placental IVS (R2 = 0.51, P = 0.0002) and PV (R2 = 0.76, P = 1.1 × 10−7) decreased significantly with advancing GA. Oxygenation levels in the PT did not show any temporal change during pregnancy (R2 = 0.00044, P = 0.93). A strong spatial‐dependent correlation between PV oxygenation level and GA was observed. The strongest negative correlation between PV oxygenation and GA (R2 = 0.73, P = 4.5 × 10−7) was found at the fetal‐vessel‐dominated region close to the chorionic plate. The location and extent of the placental abnormality were automatically delineated and quantified in the five women with clinically confirmed placental pathology. Compared to the averaged total placental oxygenation, placental IVS oxygenation level best reflected fetal brain oxygenation level during fetal development. Conclusion: Based on clinically feasible dual‐MRI, our method enables accurate spatiotemporal quantification of placental compartment and fetal brain oxygenation across different GAs. This information should improve our knowledge of human placenta development and its relationship with normal and abnormal pregnancy. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vacuum ultraviolet beamline BL03U with a photon energy range from 7 eV upwards has been constructed at the 3.5 GeV Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Equipped with an APPLE‐Knot undulator, this beamline is dedicated to angle‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy. An energy‐resolving power of higher than 4.6 × 104 has been achieved in the photon energy range 21.6–48 eV, which is almost the same as the theoretical estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims Body surface area is important in determining the severity of psoriasis. However, objective, reliable, and practical method is still in need for this purpose. We performed a computer image analysis ( CIA) of psoriatic area using the image J freeware to determine whether this method could be used for objective evaluation of psoriatic area. Methods Fifteen psoriasis patients were randomized to be treated with adalimumab or placebo in a clinical trial. At each visit, the psoriasis area of each body site was estimated by two physicians (E-method), and standard photographs were taken. The psoriasis area in the pictures was assessed with CIA using semi-automatic threshold selection (T-method), or manual selection (M-method, gold standard). The results assessed by the three methods were analyzed with reliability and affecting factors evaluated. Results Both T- and E-method correlated strongly with M-method, and T-method had a slightly stronger correlation with M-method. Both T- and E-methods had a good consistency between the evaluators. All the three methods were able to detect the change in the psoriatic area after treatment, while the E-method tends to overestimate. Conclusion The CIA with image J freeware is reliable and practicable in quantitatively assessing the lesional of psoriasis area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most traditional skin histological analysis methods are based on the light microscopy images, which can only provide limited information and low contrast results for pathology evaluation. Molecular hyperspectral imaging technology can provide both spatial and spectral information of skin sections, which is a new method for histological skin analysis. Methods: The molecular hyperspectral imaging system was developed by coupling an acousto-optic tunable filters adapter to microscopy and the molecular hyperspectral images were analyzed by home-written software with image processing algorithms. Then, the histological structures in skin sections were investigated in several locations to evaluate the potential application of the molecular hyperspectral imaging technique to dermatology. Results: Molecular hyperspectral images of skin sections were obtained. Single-band images, false color images, virtual 3D surface view images, and color-coded spectral clustering results were produced to highlight the skin structures for histological evaluation. Conclusion: Unlike traditional histological analysis with light microscopy, the molecular hyperspectral imaging technology can enhance the visualization of skin structures using their spectral signatures and their gray values. This technology has potential for the diagnosis and histopathologic characterization of different kind of skin cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new alternative to achieve fast transient response while inherently managing the in‐rush current during DC/DC switching converter start‐up is proposed. An AC coupled feedback (ACCF) is introduced using a capacitor multiplier from the output of the converter to the output of the error amplifier. With this additional feedback, the transient response, which used to be limited by the compensator mid‐band gain has been significantly improved. Meanwhile, the ACCF circuit can help to control the converter output ramping speed during power‐up, thus eliminating the bulky soft‐start circuit. The simplified circuit design means the new controller can be realised by a tiny on‐chip circuit, thereby minimising the footprint and the cost. A buck converter with the proposed technique is designed using 0.18 μm CMOS process and simulated across different process corners. Simulation shows that the output voltage increases linearly with the designed slope despite the variations of the input voltage, inductor or output capacitor values. An excellent load transient response of 0.021 mV/mA is achieved for a load current variation from 50 μA to 1 A in 1 μs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a well-dispersed γ-Y2Si2O7 ethanol-based suspension with 30 vol% solid loading was prepared by adding 1 dwb% polyethylene imine dispersant, which allows feeble magnetic γ-Y2Si2O7 particles with anisotropic magnetic susceptibility to rotate in a 12 T strong magnetic field during slip casting, resulting in the development of a strong texture in green bodies. Pressureless sintering gives rise to more pronounced grain growth in the textured sample than in the untextured sample prepared without the magnetic field due to the rapid migration of the grain boundaries of the well-oriented grains, which was revealed by constant-heating-rate sintering kinetics. It was found that the use of two-step sintering is very efficient not only for inhibiting the grain growth but also for enhancing the texture. This implies that controlled grain growth is crucial for enhancing texture development in γ-Y2Si2O7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) and its relation to apolipoprotein E (apoE) ℇ4 allele in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Thirty MCI and 30 controls were assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Cambridge Cognitive Examination-Chinese version (CAMCOG-C), and then insonated in the anterior (ACA), middle (MCA) and basilar (BA) cerebral arteries using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Compared with controls, MCI showed significant decreases in the mean ( Vm), systolic ( Vs) and diastolic ( Vd) CBFV, bilaterally in MCA and ACA ( P < 0.05–0.001), but not in BA. Compared with 17 apoE ℇ4 allele non-carriers, 13 carriers in MCI showed significant CBFV decreases, bilaterally in MCA ( P < 0.05–0.001). Our findings, the decreased CBFV in apoE ℇ4 allele carriers with MCI, suggest that a large sample and longitudinal study in CBFV and cognitive changes may have the implications on early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new alternative to achieve fast transient response while inherently managing the in-rush current during DC/DC switching converter start-up is proposed. An AC coupled feedback (ACCF) is introduced using a capacitor multiplier from the output of the converter to the output of the error amplifier. With this additional feedback, the transient response, which used to be limited by the compensator mid-band gain has been significantly improved. Meanwhile, the ACCF circuit can help to control the converter output ramping speed during power-up, thus eliminating the bulky soft-start circuit. The simplified circuit design means the new controller can be realised by a tiny onchip circuit, thereby minimising the footprint and the cost. A buck converter with the proposed technique is designed using 0.18 μm CMOS process and simulated across different process corners. Simulation shows that the output voltage increases linearly with the designed slope despite the variations of the input voltage, inductor or output capacitor values. An excellent load transient response of 0.021 mV/ mA is achieved for a load current variation from 50 μA to 1 A in 1 μs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is composed of three independent commentaries about the state of Integrated, Coordinated, Open, Networked (ICON) principles (Goldman, et al., 2021b, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EO153180) in Earth and Space Science Informatics (ESSI) and includes discussion on the opportunities and challenges of adopting them. Each commentary focuses on a different topic: (Section 2) Global collaboration, cyberinfrastructure, and data sharing; (Section 3) Machine learning for multiscale modeling; (Section 4) Aerial and satellite remote sensing for advancing Earth system model development by integrating field and ancillary data. ESSI addresses data management practices, computation and analysis, and hardware and software infrastructure. Our role in ICON science therefore involves collaborative work to assess, design, implement, and promote practices and tools that enable effective data management, discovery, integration, and reuse for interdisciplinary work in Earth and space science disciplines. Networks of diverse people with expertise across Earth, space, and data science disciplines are essential for efficient and ethical exchanges of findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) research products and practices. Our challenge is then to coordinate the development of standards, curation practices, and tools that enable integrating and reusing multiple data types, software, multi‐scale models, and machine learning approaches across disciplines in a way that is as open and/or FAIR as ethically possible. This is a major endeavor that could greatly increase the pace and potential of interdisciplinary scientific discovery. Plain Language Summary: We present commentaries on the state of "Integrated, Coordinated, Open, Networked (ICON) principles" in Earth and Space Science Informatics. ICON principles are meant to improve the research experience for all. Ultimately, data standardized according to community conventions and formats lead to more effective and efficient collaboration, data discovery, integration, and analyses. Data standards, tools, and machine learning developed using ICON principles enhance our understanding of Earth processes. Using ICON principles improves model results and efficacy, fosters interdisciplinary research, and provides a framework by which non‐experts can confidently contribute volunteered data and findings. Standardized data also provides reliable common resources to help train and benchmark machine learning algorithms. When networked communities work together to standardize and share data openly, the resulting web of research products is more readily findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. Ongoing support is crucial to develop and sustain the people, systems, and tools necessary to embrace ICON principles in Earth and Space Science Informatics now and in the future. Key Points: Networks across communities, with Coordinated data and information modeling practices, improve scientific outcomes for all involvedIntegrated, Coordinated, and Open data requires sustainable support to create and maintain infrastructure for interdisciplinary NetworksIntegrated and Coordinated use of data in machine learning calls for Open benchmark datasets shared across Networks for improved outcomes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Progressive β-cell dysfunction hinders the maintenance of glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes, but comparative data on β-cell-protective therapies are lacking in the early stage of type 2 diabetes. Here we evaluated the comparative glycaemic efficacy and impact on β-cell function of three antihyperglycaemic agents that have a β-cell-protective effect, exenatide, insulin and pioglitazone, in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes. Design and methods In this 48-week, multicentre, parallel-group study, 416 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned 1 : 1 : 1 to receive exenatide, insulin or pioglitazone. The primary end-point was the change in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline. Secondary end-points included effects on weight, blood pressure, lipid profiles and β-cell function assessed by homeostasis model assessment, fasting proinsulin:insulin ( PI/I), disposition index ( DI) and acute insulin response ( AIR). Results At week 48, mean [95% confidence interval ( CI)] HbA1c changes from baseline were −1.8% (−1.55% to −2.05%) with exenatide, −1.7% (−1.52% to −1.96%) with insulin and −1.5% (−1.23% to −1.71%) with pioglitazone. Treatment differences were −0.20% (95% CI −0.46% to 0.06%) for exenatide versus insulin ( P = 0.185), and −0.37% (95% CI −0.63% to −0.12%) for exenatide versus pioglitazone ( P = 0.002). Significant improvements from baseline in AIR, PI/I and DI were observed with all treatments, with the greatest improvements in DI, as well as weight, blood pressure and lipid profile, observed with exenatide. Conclusions All three agents showed efficacy regarding glycaemic control and metabolic benefits; however, exenatide showed the greatest efficacy. β-cell function improved in all treatment groups; hence, early initiation of β-cell-protective therapy may halt the decline in β-cell function in type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Progressive [beta]-cell dysfunction hinders the maintenance of glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes, but comparative data on [beta]-cell-protective therapies are lacking in the early stage of type 2 diabetes. Here we evaluated the comparative glycaemic efficacy and impact on [beta]-cell function of three antihyperglycaemic agents that have a [beta]-cell-protective effect, exenatide, insulin and pioglitazone, in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this 48-week, multicentre, parallel-group study, 416 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned 1 : 1 : 1 to receive exenatide, insulin or pioglitazone. The primary end-point was the change in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline. Secondary end-points included effects on weight, blood pressure, lipid profiles and [beta]-cell function assessed by homeostasis model assessment, fasting proinsulin:insulin (PI/I), disposition index (DI) and acute insulin response (AIR). RESULTS: At week 48, mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] HbA1c changes from baseline were -1.8% (-1.55% to -2.05%) with exenatide, -1.7% (-1.52% to -1.96%) with insulin and -1.5% (-1.23% to -1.71%) with pioglitazone. Treatment differences were -0.20% (95% CI -0.46% to 0.06%) for exenatide versus insulin (P = 0.185), and -0.37% (95% CI -0.63% to -0.12%) for exenatide versus pioglitazone (P = 0.002). Significant improvements from baseline in AIR, PI/I and DI were observed with all treatments, with the greatest improvements in DI, as well as weight, blood pressure and lipid profile, observed with exenatide. CONCLUSIONS: All three agents showed efficacy regarding glycaemic control and metabolic benefits; however, exenatide showed the greatest efficacy. [beta]-cell function improved in all treatment groups; hence, early initiation of [beta]-cell-protective therapy may halt the decline in [beta]-cell function in type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Assessment of fetal myocardial dynamics by using myocardial tissue Doppler velocity gradient," by B. W. Zhao and colleagues is presented.

EP27.31: Intracavitary fluid versus early gestational sac using different reconstruction techniques: inter- and intraobserver reproducibility of sonologists of differing experience Images from 15 women with confirmed early pregnancies which either demonstrated an early gestational sac or free fluid within the endometrial cavity were imaged using different reconstruction techniques, sagittal, tranverse, coronal and real time images. Real time imaging was the only image reconstruction technique to demonstrate a significant prefence in this study. [Extracted from the article]

The effects of apolipoprotein (apo) A-IV genotype on serum glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentrations were ascertained in a population of 373 men and 361 women with a mean age of about 57 years. Subjects were evaluated at entry into a lifestyle intervention program. Apolipoprotein A-IV genotype variations at residues 347 and 360 were examined, as these mutations affect the sequence of apo A-IV, a major protein constituent of intestinal triglyceride-rich lipoprotein and HDL. With regard to the apo A-IV 360 mutation, 16.4% of the females and 13.4% of the males carried the apo A-IV 2-allele, almost entirely in the heterozygous state. No effect of the apo A-IV 1/2 genotype was observed in either men or women on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, the total cholesterol (TC)/HDL ratio, or on A-I, A-IV and apo B levels. This was also the case for the apo A-IV 347 mutation. However, women with the apo A-IV 360 1/2 genotype had significantly (p < 0.005) higher glucose levels (105.5 mg/dl) compared with the 1/1 wild-type (94.0 mg/dl). All analyses were also adjusted for age, body mass index, medications, alcohol use and cigarette smoking. The prevalence of the 347 mutation was somewhat higher than the 360 mutation, with 29% of the females and 32.0% of the males being heterozygous for this mutation, and 3.9% of the females and 5.4% of the males being homozygous for this mutation. These data are consistent with the concept that the apo A-IV 360 and 347 genotypes have no significant effect on apo A-IV levels and other lipid parameters in either gender. However, apo A-IV 360 1/2 genotype did have a significant effect on serum glucose levels in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface emissivity has a significant impact on atmospheric parameter retrievals from microwave sounding instruments. To reduce the dependence of retrievals on surface emissivity, a double channel differences equation is deduced, and a corresponding retrieval scheme is constructed. Retrieval experiments are performed using Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit‐A (AMSU‐A) and Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) simulations and global measurements. Simulation experiments show that the double channel differences scheme can reduce the root mean square errors (RMSE) of the temperature and humidity profiles in the middle and lower atmosphere. Retrieval experiments based on AMSU‐A and MHS global measurements show that the proposed scheme can significantly reduce the RMSE of temperature profiles in the lower atmosphere and humidity profiles in the middle and lower atmosphere for cloudy and cloudless conditions, different surface types, and different scan angles, with maximum reduction values of 0.64 K and 9.03%, respectively. Regarding RMSE improvement, that of the cloudy condition is greater than that of the cloudless condition, that of the land is greater than that of the coast and the sea, and there is no significant dependence on the scan angles. The double channel differences scheme is very sensitive to initial near‐surface temperatures. Reducing the initial near‐surface temperature error can significantly improve the temperature retrieval accuracy below 900 hPa, with maximum reduction value of 3.25 K. Plain language summary: Microwave sounding instruments such as AMSU‐A/MHS provide an unique ability to acquire global atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles. However, at present, their ability to acquire temperature and humidity information in the lower atmosphere has not been fully exploited, mainly due to the impact of surface emissivity. Therefore, reducing the impact of surface emissivity is a key issue. In this paper, a temperature and humidity profiles retrieval scheme is constructed by using the relationship between the surface emissivity of adjacent channels. The research shows that the scheme can significantly improve temperature and humidity retrieval accuracy for cloudy and cloudless conditions, different surfaces types, different scan angles. Reducing initial values error in the scheme can further improve retrieval accuracy. Key Points: We propose a microwave temperature and humidity retrieval scheme based on double channel differencesWe show the accuracy performance of the double channel differences retrieval scheme for AMSU‐A/MHS measurementsResults demonstrate a significant retrieval improvement over a traditional AMSU‐A/MHS neural network retrieval scheme [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polymorphisms of tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 ( TNFAIP3) have been found to associate with several autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to explore the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs) of TNFAIP3 gene with systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE) in Han Chinese. Thirty-two SNPs were genotyped in 284 patients with SLE and 630 controls using the ligation detection reaction ( LDR) method. The quality control steps and statistical analyses were performed using the plink 1.07 package and haploview software. We found that 13 SNPs in TNFAIP3 showed significant association with SLE ( P < 1.85 × 10−3), and all of them were in high linkage disequilibrium ( LD). After conditioning on the SNP rs2230926, other 12 SNPs did not show association ( P > 0.27). All 13 SNPs showed most significant association in the dominant model. In haplotype analysis, a long risk SNP haplotype ( GCCCGTGTCATGG) showed most significant association ( P = 1.00 × 10−4). In conclusion, our data suggest that TNFAIP3 is a susceptible gene for SLE in the Han Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Y1− xEu x)4Al2O9 solid solution powders can be easily prepared by a simple and convenient method, which effectively combined a molten salt process with a chemical co-precipitation technique. All the samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, and photoluminescence ( PL) spectra techniques. The results show that the incorporation of NaCl salt can greatly promote the formation and crystallization of (Y1− xEu x)4Al2O9 crystallites, and lower their synthesizing temperature, and that their particle size and morphology strongly rely on x value, which finally dominates their PL properties. The prominent emission intensity of 5D0→7F2 transition rather than 5D0→7F1 indicates doped Eu3+ cations occupy Y3+ position in monoclinic Y4Al2O9, which is sensitive to Eu3+ local environment, and at x = 0.10, there exist a maximum PL intensity due to the concentration quenching effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify HLA-B*15 subtypes distribution in Han population in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, 826 unrelated healthy individuals were typed using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence-based typing method. Within the 246 HLA-B*15 positive individuals, 29 HLA-B*15 alleles were identified, the most predominant of which is B*1501 (40.07%), followed by B*1502 (12.87%), B*1511 (12.87%), B*1518 (9.19%) and B*1532 (3.31%). The distribution of HLA-B*15 subtype frequencies was compared between the Beijing Han, eight other Chinese ethnic minorities and six Chinese populations covering the mainland of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was constructed and revealed that the Beijing Han population clustered into the northern populations group and had a closer relationship with northern Han and Hui than with southern Han or other ethnic minorities. These results thus provide useful information that can be used in anthropology, selection for bone marrow transplantation as well as in disease-association study, such as in carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal changes in in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of five forage classes (browses, sedges, forbs, ferns and the bark of Ulmusspp.) used by wapiti and roe deer were determined in relation to chemical composition, using the two-stage technique of in vitro trial with rumen inocula from one wapiti and one roe deer captured in winter.Wapiti and roe deer showed remarkable fluctuation in IVDMD among seasons and forage classes. IVDMD decreased from 43.8--64.3% in spring to 29.4- -40.5% in winter for wapiti, and from 52.4--77.4% in spring to 25.9-- 36.5% in winter for roe deer. There was significant variation in IVDMD among species of browses for wapiti and roe deer. IVDMD ranged from 28.5% to 58.7%. in twigs and from 39.8% to 58.2% in leaves for wapiti, and from 24.1% to 67.7% in twigs and from 40.9% to 71.7% in leaves for roe deer. Roe deer had higher IVDMD (40.0--71.7%) in both leaves and twigs of browses than wapiti (35.9--58.7%) during snow-free seasons, but IVDMD of twigs was lower for roe deer (25.9--36.5%)than wapiti (29.4--38.4%) in winter. Significant multiple correlation was found between NDF and ADF, and IVDMD in sedges, forbs and fernsfor both wapiti and roe deer, whereas only roe deer showed the significant multiple correlation for leaves of browses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]