Response Ratio Research Articles

Validation of Glycemic Index Values Represented as Bar Graphs in Scholarly Articles for Clinical Nutrition Application

Glycemic index (GI) has been a proven clinical nutrition tool. It has been utilized in chronic diseases such as PCOS, diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. The GI value of a test food is the ratio of the glucose response over 2 hours against the reference food. The references food is usually either glucose or bread. GI values may often be directly available as values in texts, tables, or figures. The indirect values may be represented as values, images or both values and, concentration of glucose over time or GI values. Less ideally, some GI data are only presented in graphs. Data from these graphs without direct values could be extracted but this potentially contributes to less accurate results. Here, we investigate the extracted outcome from the original data and if their differences could affect the GI values. There are a few software’s and methods that may be used for data extraction; however, they are costly and complex. Also, different types of graphs require different extraction methods. Herein, we describe a simple reproducible method for extracting data from bar graphs using the freeware ImageJ. Seven extractors extracted 102 outcome values from 19 different scholarly articles. Differences between extractors were compared using the Overall Concordance Correlation Coefficients (OCCC), whereas differences between the original and extracted data were compared using the Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficients (CCC) and Bland-Altman. Both the OCCCs and CCCs were high for both outcome values and errors, while the CCCs were good and acceptable for the outcome. The Bland Altman showed good agreement between the extracted outcome and the true reported GI values. Therefore, the current method supports the extraction GI values from bar graphs in published scholarly articles even in their absence in text.

Treatment-resistant depression patients with baseline suicidal ideation required more treatments to achieve therapeutic response with ketamine/esketamine

BackgroundThere is an urgent need to identify interventions to reduce suicidality. We investigated the antisuicidal effects of intravenous (IV) ketamine and intranasal (IN) esketamine among patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in a historical cohort study. MethodsThe Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology self-report (QIDS-SR) question 12 was used to measure suicidal ideation (SI). Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate associations between the number of treatments to response and baseline SI (yes, Q12 > 0 versus no, Q12 = 0), adjusting for covariates and modified baseline QIDS-SR score. We evaluated associations between the number of treatments to a 50 % reduction in SI score between IV and IN treatment. ResultsFifty-two adults (62.5 % female, median age 49.1 years) received IV ketamine (71 %, n = 37) or IN esketamine (29 %, n = 15). Eighty-one percent of patients reported SI at baseline. Among those with baseline SI, 60 % had improved SI scores while 38 % did not change, and among those with no SI, 80 % did not change. After adjusting for covariates, the hazard ratios (HR) of response were significantly lower among those with baseline SI (HR = 0.36, 95 % CI, 0.14–0.92, p = 0.03). The number of treatments to achieve a 50 % reduction in SI score did not depend on group (IN esketamine vs. IV ketamine HR = 0.74 [95 % CI, 0.27–2.05]; p = 0.57). LimitationsSmall sample size and lack of a placebo group. ConclusionsThis study suggests that patients with baseline suicidal ideation require more treatments to achieve a response with ketamine or esketamine. The antisuicidal response seemed similar between IV ketamine and IN esketamine.

Tumor-associated neutrophils suppress CD8+ T cell immunity in urothelial bladder carcinoma through the COX-2/PGE2/IDO1 Axis.

Many urothelial bladder carcinoma (UBC) patients don't respond to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy, possibly due to tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) suppressing lymphocyte immune response. We conducted a meta-analysis on the predictive value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in ICB response and investigated TANs' role in UBC. We used RNA-sequencing, HALO spatial analysis, single-cell RNA-sequencing, and flow cytometry to study the impacts of TANs and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on IDO1expression. Animal experiments evaluated celecoxib's efficacy in targeting PGE2 synthesis. Our analysis showed that higher TAN infiltration predicted worse outcomes in UBC patients receiving ICB therapy. Our research revealed that TANs promote IDO1 expression in cancer cells, resulting in immunosuppression. We also found that PGE2 synthesized by COX-2 in neutrophils played a key role in upregulating IDO1 in cancer cells. Animal experiments showed that targeting PGE2 synthesis in neutrophils with celecoxib enhanced the efficacy of ICB treatment. TAN-secreted PGE2 upregulates IDO1, dampening T cell function in UBC. Celecoxib targeting of PGE2 synthesis represents a promising approach to enhance ICB efficacy in UBC.

A reinforcement learning model with choice traces for a progressive ratio schedule.

The progressive ratio (PR) lever-press task serves as a benchmark for assessing goal-oriented motivation. However, a well-recognized limitation of the PR task is that only a single data point, known as the breakpoint, is obtained from an entire session as a barometer of motivation. Because the breakpoint is defined as the final ratio of responses achieved in a PR session, variations in choice behavior during the PR task cannot be captured. We addressed this limitation by constructing four reinforcement learning models: a simple Q-learning model, an asymmetric model with two learning rates, a perseverance model with choice traces, and a perseverance model without learning. These models incorporated three behavioral choices: reinforced and non-reinforced lever presses and void magazine nosepokes, because we noticed that male mice performed frequent magazine nosepokes during PR tasks. The best model was the perseverance model, which predicted a gradual reduction in amplitudes of reward prediction errors (RPEs) upon void magazine nosepokes. We confirmed the prediction experimentally with fiber photometry of extracellular dopamine (DA) dynamics in the ventral striatum of male mice using a fluorescent protein (genetically encoded GPCR activation-based DA sensor: GRABDA2m). We verified application of the model by acute intraperitoneal injection of low-dose methamphetamine (METH) before a PR task, which increased the frequency of magazine nosepokes during the PR session without changing the breakpoint. The perseverance model captured behavioral modulation as a result of increased initial action values, which are customarily set to zero and disregarded in reinforcement learning analysis. Our findings suggest that the perseverance model reveals the effects of psychoactive drugs on choice behaviors during PR tasks.

The embryonic thermal environment has positive but weak effects on thermal tolerance later in life in the aquatic invertebrate Gammarus chevreuxi

Recent evidence suggests that the adult phenotype is influenced by temperatures experienced in early life. However, our understanding of the extent to which the embryonic environment can modulate thermal tolerance later in life is limited, owing to the paucity of studies with appropriate experimental designs to test for this form of developmental plasticity. We investigated whether the thermal environment experienced during embryonic development affects thermal limits in later life. Embryos of the estuarine amphipod Gammarus chevreuxi were incubated until hatching to 15 °C, 20 °C and 25 °C, then reared under a common temperature. Using thermal ramping assays, we determined upper thermal limits in juveniles, four weeks post-hatch. Individuals exposed to higher temperatures during embryonic development displayed greater thermal tolerance as juveniles (acclimation response ratio ≈ 0.10–0.25 for upper lethal temperature). However, we suggest that the degree of developmental plasticity observed is limited, and will provide little benefit under future climate change scenarios.

A reliable and selective ratiometric sensing probe for fluorometric determination of P2O74− based on AIE of GSH@CuNCs-assisted by Al-N@CQDs

In this study, a novel composite material was developed for the ratiometric detection of pyrophosphate anion (P2O74−). This composite consisted of Al and nitrogen co-doped carbon dots (Al-N@CQDs) and glutathione-capped copper nanoclusters (GSH@CuNCs). The Al-N@CQDs component, with its high reserved coordination capacity of Al3+, induced the non-luminescent behavior of GSH@CuNCs, resulting in an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect. The hybrid material (Al-N@CQDs/GSH@CuNCs) exhibited dual-emission signals at 620 nm and 450 nm after integrating the two independent materials utilizing the AIE effect and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) approach. This approach represents the first utilization of this composite for ratiometric detection. Nevertheless, upon the addition of P2O74−, the AIE and FRET processes were hindered due to the higher coordination interaction of Al3+ towards P2O74− compared to the amino/carboxyl groups on Al-N@CQDs. This successful interference of the AIE and FRET processes allowed for the effective estimation of P2O74−. The response ratio (F450/F620) increased with increasing the concentration of P2O74− in the range of 0.035–160 µM, with an impressive detection limit of 0.012 µM. This innovative approach of utilizing hybrid CQDs/thiolate-capped nanoclusters as a ratiometric fluorescent sensor for analytical applications introduces new possibilities in the field. The as-fabricated system was successfully applied to detect P2O74− in different real samples such as water, serum, and urine samples with acceptable results.

A possible case of offspring sex manipulation as result of a biased adult sex ratio

Although random meiosis should prevent the facultative adjustment of offspring sex ratio, theory predicts that females should produce more of the sex with the higher reproductive value. We reported a case of offspring sex ratio manipulation in grass wrens Cistothorus platensis. Males in better body condition would have higher reproductive value than females due to the potential for social polygyny and extra-pair fertilizations. On the other hand, local demography influences reproductive strategies in grass wrens as male abundance affects both social polygyny and extra-pair paternity frequencies. We evaluated whether females bias their brood sex ratio in response to adult sex ratio and nestling body condition (a proxy for female’s prospects of producing high-quality males). Females raised more male offspring when males were less abundant in the population (female-biased adult sex ratio). However, we found no relationship between nestling body condition and brood sex ratio, suggesting that females did not bias the brood sex ratio towards males when able to raise nestlings in better body condition. Taken together, our results provide the first suggestive evidence that female birds can manipulate their offspring sex ratio in response to the adult sex ratio.

Low-Carbon Optimal Scheduling of Integrated Energy System Considering Multiple Uncertainties and Electricity–Heat Integrated Demand Response

To realize the low-carbon operation of integrated energy systems (IESs), this paper proposes a low-carbon optimal scheduling method. First of all, considering the integrated demand response of price-based electricity and heating, an economic scheduling model of the IES integrated demand response based on chance-constrained programming is proposed to minimize the integrated operating cost in an uncertain environment. Through the comprehensive demand response model, the impact of the demand response ratio on the operating economy of the IES is explored. Afterward, the carbon emission index is introduced, and gas turbines and energy storage devices are used as the actuators of multi-energy coupling to further explore the potential interactions between the coupling capacities of various heterogeneous energy sources and carbon emissions. Finally, the original uncertainty model is transformed into a mixed-integer linear-programming model and solved using sequence operation theory and the linearization method. The results show that the operating economy of the IES is improved by coordinating the uncertainty of the integrated demand response and renewable energy. In addition, the tradeoff between the working economy and reliability of the EIS can be balanced via the setting of an appropriate confidence level for the opportunity constraints.

Predictive Value of Pretreatment Neutrophil to Albumin Ratio in Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy of Breast Cancer.

The immune system appears to play a crucial role in how breast cancer responds to chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated a peripheral marker of immune and inflammation named the neutrophil to albumin ratio (NAR) to explore its potential relationship with pathological complete response (pCR) in locally advanced breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). We conducted a retrospective analysis of 212 consecutive breast cancer patients who received NAC. The NAR was calculated by examining the complete blood cell count and albumin level in peripheral blood before starting NAC. Through ROC curve analysis, we determined the optimal cutoff value for NAR as 0.0877. We used Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test to evaluate the relationship between NAR and pCR, as well as other clinical and pathological characteristics. Logistic regression models were employed for univariate and multivariate analyses. The results of both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that NAR was associated with tumor pathological regression. The NAR high group had a higher pCR rate compared to the NAR low group (OR 3.127 [95% CI 1.545-6.328]; p = 0.002). According to this study, it was observed that patients with breast cancer who had high levels of NAR were more likely to achieve pCR when undergoing NAC.

Comparison of the Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio in the Inflammatory Response with Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Critical Patients

Comparison of the Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio in the Inflammatory Response with Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Critical Patients

ДИНАМИКА ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНОГО СОСТОЯНИЯ ОРГАНА СЛУХА И СОСТАВА МИКРОФЛОРЫ ЛОР-ОРГАНОВ ЧЕЛОВЕКА В УСЛОВИЯХ НАЗЕМНОГО МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЯ ЭФФЕКТОВ МИКРОГРАВИТАЦИИ

Functioning of hearing organs and ENT microflora composition were investigated in 10 healthy male subjects (25–36 y.o.) who volunteered for a 7-day dry immersion as a model of the physiological effects of microgravity. The functional state of the hearing organs was assessed with the registration of distortion product oto-acoustic emission (DPOAE), and tympanometry. Specifically, assessed were the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the oto-acoustic response (dB), middle ear pressure (daPa) and tympanogram maximal compliance (ml). To identify and count ENT microbial cultures, samples were gathered from the nasal and pharyngeal membranes and external skin of the auditory meatus. The eubiotic index was used to detect changes in the microflora composition. Changes in the hearing organ functioning included a SNR decrease in DPOAE of the low-frequency band (p ≤ 0.05), increase of the middle ear pressure (p ≤ 0.05) and an obvious downward trend of the maximal compliance. Dynamic microbiocenosis assessment discovered several negative changes such as a reduction in the number of protective microorganisms and growth of the number of opportunistic groups. The eubiotic index value was below one. These changes demonstrate a potential negative effect of modeled microgravity on the ENT microflora functioning and composition. Methods of dynamic assessment and control of the hearing organ and ENT microbiocenosis would be appropriate for use in monitoring of cosmonauts' health.

Relationship between blood glucose response and respiratory exchange ratio during intermittent incremental swimming test in well trained swimmers

Relationship between blood glucose response and respiratory exchange ratio during intermittent incremental swimming test in well trained swimmers

Using open big data sources for customizing bike sharing survey delivering and improving response rate

Convincing respondents to fulfil transport questionnaires is becoming a difficult task. To cope with this challenge, researchers and planners must use all the available resources and the most convenient methodologies. In this study, we evaluated the demand of Madrid's bike-sharing system, BiciMAD, by assessing Open Data from the service operator, to customize the survey plan. Based on this information, we deployed 22 surveyors during a seven-day campaign in the vicinity of the stations. The results of the tailored planning led to achieving a 14% of response ratio, by delivering 7,300 survey cards, versus 9.4% of the massive emailing distribution.

Channel and Delay Weighted Response Ratio Scheduler for 5G and Beyond Systems

Channel and Delay Weighted Response Ratio Scheduler for 5G and Beyond Systems

О возможной связи между магнитными бурями и землетрясениями в определенных тектонических условиях (на примере о. Сахалин)

The paper considers topical issues of geophysics related to the possible influence of disturbances in the magnetosphere on seismicity. The study was conducted based on a detailed catalog of seismic events in southern Sakhalin for the period from 2003 to 2023. The paper aims to test the assumption that such an influence can manifest itself in individual seismogenic zones during their proximity to discharge. The testing was carried out in randomly selected segments of the West Sakhalin (WSF) and Central Sakhalin (CSF) faults. The coincidence of the moments of some seismic events (with M > 2.7) and magnetic storms with a high index (G1 and higher) was revealed in these segments. The LURR (load-unload response ratio) method was used to identify periods when fault segments were in a subcritical stress-strain state. It was shown that the main part of the coincidences occurred during the periods of increased abnormal activity of the LURR parameter.

ТЕКТОНОФИЗИЧЕСКИЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ ПРОЯВЛЕНИЯ LURR (LOAD-UNLOAD RESPONSE RATIO) НА ПРИМЕРЕ ЗЕМЛЕТРЯСЕНИЯ ТОКАЧИ-ОКИ (25.09.2003, MW = 8.3)

The paper presents the results of retrospective and tectonophysical analysis in the source area of the September 25, 2003 Mw = 8.3 Tokachi-Oki earthquake. Particular attention is paid to the Hidaka tectonic belt, the structures of which are involved in the Tokachi-Oki earthquake. The load-unload response ratio (LURR) method was applied at sufficient spatial (a square with a side of about 400 km) and temporal (continuous 20-year period) intervals to consider the results reliable. The harbingers for the Tokachi-Oki earthquake were obtained (2 years on average before the event), which strictly determined the earthquake location. Findings of the characterization of weak cataclastic fault rocks together with LURR results showed the stages of instability development in the Hidaka collision zone. The Hidaka tectonic belt was delineated by destruction zones (mainly horizontal compression) from 1997 to 2003 (up to the Tokachi-Oki earthquake). The LURR anomalies were detected along the belt a couple of years before the earthquake. The Tokachi-Oki earthquake prediction by the LURR method is one of the best in our practice.

Parental Contingent Verbal Response to Early Vocalizations of Simultaneous Bilateral Cochlear Implantees

Objectives: The parental verbal response greatly influences infants’ speech-language development in early communication. This study aimed to investigate the features of parental verbal responses in infants who have undergone simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation compared to chronological age-matched (CA) and hearing age-matched (HA) children who have typical hearing.Methods: Thirteen pairs of infants with cochlear implants (CIs) and their parents, 13 pairs of CA infants and their parents, and 13 pairs of HA infants and their parents participated in this study. The parent-infant interaction task was conducted in a free-play situation. Infants’ vocalizations were classified into canonical and non-canonical vocalizations. Parental verbal responses were divided into parental contingent responses (PCRs), parental non-contingent responses (PNCRs), and no response (NR). PCRs were divided into the language expectant and language non-expectant responses.Results: There was no significant difference in the ratio of parental verbal responses between the three groups. The ratio of parental verbal responses to non-canonical vocalizations was higher than parental verbal responses to canonical vocalizations. Additionally, the ratio of PCRs was higher than that of PNCRs and NR, and the ratio of language expectant responses was higher than that of language non-expectant responses. However, the ratio of language development responses to non-canonical vocalizations is similar to that of canonical vocalizations in the CI group.Conclusion: Parents of the simultaneous bilateral CI group tend to respond quickly and sensitively to the vocalization of infants’ vocalizations. Parents in the CI group can adjust their language based on their infant’s vocalization and development. These findings can guide early intervention and coaching for parents of infants with CIs.

Verbal Imitation in Late Talkers

Objectives: This study was to examine the spoken language imitation abilities of 18 to 29 month old late-talking children to compared to typically developing children through the imitation of words and nonwords.Methods: The study included 15 late-talking children and 15 typically developing children matched for age and gender. The test words were 12 words and 12 nonwords, and spoken imitation was elicited by providing corresponding toys or references. Responses were categorized as correct, incorrect, or no response. Incorrect responses were further classified into whole-word errors, segmental errors, babbling, and different vocabulary responses. Whole-word errors and segmental errors were again classified into developmental and non-developmental error patterns.Results: Late-talking children exhibited significantly lower correct response ratios and higher no response ratios in verbal imitation of words and nonwords compared to typically developing children. Late-talking children had approximately 50% of their responses as no response, while typically developing children showed low ratios of no response. Both late-talking and typically developing children demonstrated better verbal imitations of words than of nonwords. Although whole-word errors were the most frequent in both groups during the verbal imitation of words, but late-talking children had higher rates of babbling responses for both words and nonwords imitation.Conclusion: This study confirmed that late-talking children exhibited limited verbal imitation abilities. Responses made by late-talking children may provide insights into their speech and language development status. Implications for research, clinical assessment, and management of late-talking children are discussed.

Polarization‐Sensitive Photodetectors Based on Highly In‐Plane Anisotropic Violet Phosphorus with Large Dichroic Ratio

AbstractAnisotropic 2D layered materials with distinctive anisotropic electronic band structures and optical response are promising for practical applications in polarization imaging and sensors. Nonetheless, many of the currently reported polarized photodetectors based on anisotropic 2D materials are constrained by the low polarization responsivity and low linear dichroism ratio. Here a high‐performance polarization‐sensitive photodetector based on the novel in‐plane anisotropy 2D violet phosphorus (VP) crystal is reported. The angle‐resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy (ARPRS) study and the anisotropic electrical transport measurements revealed the highly in‐plane anisotropy phonon vibration and electrical properties of VP crystal. The anisotropic ratio of electron mobility is calculated to be 2.7 at room temperature. Moreover, a polarization‐sensitive photodetector based on the VP nanosheet shows high photoresponsivity of up to 341 A W−1 and a linearly dichroic ratio of up to 3.9, which is much larger than most other anisotropic 2D materials. These results indicate that the anisotropic VP crystal would be suitable for polarization‐sensitive photodetectors, which leads to a promising perspective for future novel electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Simulation research on the characteristics of a minitype neutron reference radiation field

In order to research the characteristics of minitype neutron reference radiation field regulated by ISO 8529 series standards, Monte Carlo simulation method was applied to calculate the ratio of room-scattered neutron response to the direct neutron response, neutron fluence and energy spectra in the radiation field. Firstly, the characteristics of the field were investigated from the four physical factors as shielding materials, field sizes, shielding thicknesses and borated polyethylene with different boron contents. Secondly, the response of sphere instrument with different diameters in the field and the influence of instrument on the field were analyzed. The results showed that minitype neutron reference radiation field with a size of 2 m × 2 m × 2 m, a shielding material of 5 % borated polyethylene and a shielding thickness of 10 cm was expected to be used for the calibration of neutron measuring instrument.