bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case of myoepithelioma with cyst‐like structure in the maxilla
Authors: Tsuji Kaname , Matsuda Sakiko , Kotaki Shinya , Nakanishi Tamaki , Wato Masahiro , Iseki Tomio
Published: November 2022

Background

Myoepithelioma is a rare type of salivary gland tumor that mainly occurs in the parotid glands and palate.

Case presentation

A 43‐year‐old woman presented with swelling and pain in the right maxillary molar. We performed enucleation and curettage under general anesthesia. The tumor was cyst‐like. Histopathological examination revealed nests of tumor cells diffusely interspersed within fibrotic connective tissues. A few cells were positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3, α‐SMA, GFAP, and vimentin; S‐100 protein and calponin were also positive. Final diagnosis was myoepithelioma.

Conclusion

Over 7 years after the surgery, the postoperative course was good, with no recurrence of the tumor.
Termination of pregnancy after a prenatal diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Factors influencing the parental decision process
Authors: Horn‐Oudshoorn Emily J. J. , Peters Nina C. J. , Franx Arie , Eggink Alex J. , Cochius‐den Otter Suzan C. M. , Reiss Irwin K. M. , DeKoninck Philip L. J.
Published: November 2022

Objective

To evaluate the incidence of termination of pregnancies (TOP) and factors associated with the decision for TOP in prenatally detected congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Study Design

Single‐centre retrospective cohort includes all prenatally detected CDH cases born between January 2009 and December 2021. Parental factors, such as parity, and fetal characteristics, such as disease severity, were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. Differences between terminated and continued pregnancies were analysed.

Results

The study population consisted of 278 prenatally detected CDH cases of which 80% detected <24 weeks of gestation. The TOP rate was 28% in cases that were detected <24 weeks of gestation. Twenty continued pregnancies resulted in either intrauterine fetal demise (n = 6), preterm birth <24 weeks (n = 2), or comfort care after birth (n = 12). The survival rate was 70% in the remaining 195 live born cases. Factors associated with the decision for TOP were additional fetal genetic or anatomical abnormalities (p < 0.0001) and expected severity of pulmonary hypoplasia in left‐sided CDH (p = 0.0456).

Conclusion

The decision to terminate a pregnancy complicated by fetal CDH depends on the severity of pulmonary hypoplasia and the presence of additional abnormalities. This emphasises the importance of early referral to expertise centres for detailed evaluation and multidisciplinary counselling.
Research−implementation organisations and their role for sustainable development
Authors: Saric Jasmina , Breu Thomas , Fokou Gilbert , Gass Salome‐Joëlle , Kiteme Boniface , Masanja Honorati , Utzinger Jürg , Zeleke Gete , Käser Fabian
Published: November 2022

Over the past decade, considerable progress has been made by higher education institutions (HEIs) to align with sustainable development goals. Specifically, aspects of sustainable development have been integrated into the existing mandates of HEIs – education, research and operations. The main objective of the current study was to assess a sub‐group of African HEIs that have an explicit mandate for implementation science and pursue development assistance‐type services and to describe their added value to advance sustainable development. We conducted a qualitative situational assessment, including 22 institutions from 13 countries. Interviews and surveys were done with 42 participants composed of director‐level representatives and staff members engaged both in research and implementation. The data were subjected to qualitative content analysis. The main strengths of the participating organisations vis‐à‐vis implementation projects and wider sustainable development were the quality of implementation, local relevance of the research and uptake of research evidence into policy and practice. A major weakness was the challenge of operating such a bi‐sectoral model, while maintaining high‐level performance in both areas. Yet, the examined research−implementation institutions draw from and combine the competences of research, education and implementation and have a distinctive role to play in the attainment of sustainable development, especially when operating by an optimised support system and within strong research ecosystems. Based on our study, we provide a definition of research−implementation organisations that may serve institutions to enhance their standing, their operations and their significance for sustainable development.
Do the personal attributes of CEOs matter in the IPO pricing process? An examination of charisma and humility
Authors: Chandler Jeffrey A. , Petrenko Oleg V. , Hayes Nathan , Blake Andrew B. , Aime Federico
Published: November 2022

Research Summary

Building on upper echelons theory and implicit leadership theory, we examine if the personal attributes of CEOs of firms undertaking an initial public offering influence the pricing decisions of investment bankers. We argue that charisma and humility in CEOs alter two of the most important decisions of investment bankers: determining the firm's offer price range and setting the firm's actual offer price. Specifically, we argue that the perceptions and negotiation abilities of more charismatic CEOs result in higher offer prices and smaller offer price ranges for their firms. We also argue that the perceptions and negotiation abilities of more humble CEOs result in lower offer prices and broader offer price ranges for their firms.

Managerial Summary

We investigate how charisma and humility in CEOs of firms undertaking an initial public offering influence two of the most important decisions of investment bankers: determining the firm's offer price range and setting the firm's actual offer price. We show that firms led by more charismatic CEOs enjoy higher offer prices and smaller offer price ranges due to their perceptions of being an effective leader and their strong negotiation abilities. We also show that firms led by more humble CEOs have lower offer prices and broader offer price ranges since humble leaders fall outside of expected perceptions of effective leaders and lack strong negotiation abilities. Ultimately, our study demonstrates the importance of CEO characteristics on pricing decisions throughout the initial public offering process.
Turning rebellion into money? Social entrepreneurship as the strategic performance of systems change
Authors: Teasdale Simon , Roy Michael J. , Nicholls Alex , Hervieux Chantal
Published: November 2022

Research Summary

Critical scholars recognize a disjuncture between the problems identified by social entrepreneurs and the solutions they propose. Existing theory treats this as a problem to be rectified at the organizational level. In this essay, we widen attention to the macro‐oriented systems change strategies of social entrepreneurs. We develop a dynamic typology showing how strategies are reassembled over time to stimulate or deflect desire for systems change. Deriving inspiration from Goffman, we theorize the ways that different types of systems change actor perform systems change via interaction with their environments. Drawing on illustrative cases on the boundaries of social entrepreneurship, we show how the collective action frameworks developed by systems change actors can be adapted and repurposed by their (systems) audiences: effectively turning rebellion into money.

Managerial Summary

Social entrepreneurs often call for systems change to tackle wicked problems such as poverty or climate change. However, the strategies they propose for tackling these problems, such as lending money to poor people are considerably less radical. In this essay, we identify three types of systems change actor distinguished by the degree of systems change they call for. We trace their ideas over time to illustrate how strategies are mediated, and subsequently repurposed through interaction with the systems they seek to change. In conclusion, we call upon researchers and social entrepreneurs to widen their perspectives to incorporate more radical ideas and potentials for systems change, and for greater attention to be devoted to scrutinizing and protecting the integrity of systems change strategies.
Weathering a demand shock: The impact of prior vertical scope on post‐shock firm response
Authors: Lim Najoung , Kim Seojin , Agarwal Rajshree
Published: November 2022

Research Summary

We examine how and why pre‐existing vertical scope may cause differences in product market exit rates after sudden and exogenous decreases in demand. Our empirical context is the U.S. medical diagnostic imaging industry (2004–2009), wherein a major Medicare reform created a derived demand shock to equipment manufacturers. Using a difference‐in‐difference‐in‐difference design, we find integrated firms were more likely to exit than nonintegrated firms. Building on the literature conceptualizing firms' pre‐shock vertical scope as a representation of existing resources and governance choices, we explain that integrated and nonintegrated firms responded differently by leveraging their own distinctive capabilities. Our qualitative insights suggest that higher market exit of integrated firms was driven by their higher adjustment costs due to frictions across strategies for demand management versus cost reduction.

Managerial Summary

This study investigates whether having a dedicated sales force or utilizing third‐party distributors can help mitigate the adverse effect of an abrupt demand decrease on manufacturers. In the context of the US medical imaging equipment industry affected by the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act, we show that all firms implemented strategies for demand management, cost reduction, and product portfolio reconfiguration in response. Manufacturers using external distributors experienced fewer frictions across these strategies than those with an internal sales force and were less likely to exit. Thus, a firms' vertical scope can impact how they cope with environmental changes.
Improving the Oxygen Evolution Activity of Layered Double‐Hydroxide via Erbium‐Induced Electronic Engineering
Authors: Zhu Yu , Wang Xuan , Zhu Xiaoheng , Wu Zixin , Zhao Dongsheng , Wang Fei , Sun Dongmei , Tang Yawen , Li Hao , Fu Gengtao
Published: November 2022

Layered double‐hydroxide (LDH) has been considered an important class of electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), but the adsorption‐desorption behaviors of oxygen intermediates on its surface still remain unsatisfactory. Apart from transition‐metal doping to solve this electrocatalytic problem of LDH, rare‐earth (RE) species have sprung up as emerging dopants owing to their unique 4f valence‐electronic configurations. Herein, the Er is chosen as a RE model to improve OER activity of LDH via constructing nickel foam supported Er‐doped NiFe‐LDH catalyst (Er‐NiFe‐LDH@NF). The optimal Er‐NiFe‐LDH@NF exhibits a low overpotential (191 mV at 10 mA cm−2), high turnover frequency (0.588 s−1), and low activation energy (36.03 kJ mol−1), which are superior to Er‐free sample. Electrochemical in situ Raman spectra reveal the facilitated transition of Ni‐OH into Ni‐OOH for promoted OER kinetics through the Er doping effect. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that the introduction of Er facilitates the spin crossover of valence electrons by optimizing the d band center of NiFe‐LDH, which leads to the GO‐GHO closer to the optimal activity of the kinetic OER volcano by balancing the bonding strength of *O and *OH. Moreover, the Er‐NiFe‐LDH@NF presents high practicability in electrochemical water‐splitting devices with a low driving potential of and a well‐extended driving period.
Aspergillus flavus genetic structure at a turkey farm
Authors: Cherif Ghaya , Hadrich Ines , Harrabi Myriam , Kallel Aicha , Fakhfekh Nejla , Messaoud Mariem , Abdallah Hajer Ben , Azeiz Ons , Kallel Kalthoum , Ranque Stéphane
Published: November 2022

Background

The ubiquitous environmental fungus Aspergillus flavus is also a life‐threatening avian pathogen.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of A. flavus isolated from turkey lung biopsy or environmental samples collected in a poultry farm.

Methods

A. flavus isolates were identified using both morphological and ITS sequence features. Multilocus microsatellite genotyping was performed by using a panel of six microsatellite markers. Population genetic indices were computed using FSTAT and STRUCTURE. A minimum‐spanning tree (MST) and UPGMA dendrogram were drawn using BioNumerics and NTSYS‐PC, respectively.

Results

The 63 environmental (air, surfaces, eggshells and food) A. flavus isolates clustered in 36 genotypes (genotypic diversity = 0.57), and the 19 turkey lung biopsies isolates clustered in 17 genotypes (genotypic diversity = 0.89). The genetic structure of environmental and avian A. flavus populations were clearly differentiated, according to both F‐statistics and Bayesian model‐based analysis’ results. The Bayesian approach indicated gene flow between both A. flavus populations. The MST illustrated the genetic structure of this A. flavus population split in nine clusters, including six singletons.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the distinct genetic structure of environmental and avian A. flavus populations, indicative of a genome‐based adaptation of isolates involved in avian aspergillosis.
Vermifiltration: Strategies and techniques to enhance the organic and nutrient removal performance from wastewater
Authors: Dey Chowdhury Sanket , Bhunia Puspendu , Surampalli Rao Y.
Published: November 2022

The vermifiltration (VF) technology has gained significant attention as a green alternative for remediating domestic and industrial wastewater over the last few decades. Of late, the implementation of various modifications to the orthodox VF technology, including tweaks in the design and operation of the vermifilters, has been portrayed in the available literature. However, owing to the scatteredness of the available information, the knowledge regarding the execution of the modified vermifilters is still inadequate. Hence, an effort has been made to comprehensively overview the innovative strategies and techniques adopted to improve the organic and nutrient removal potential of the VFs from wastewater. In addition, future perspectives have been recognized to design more efficient and sustainable VFs. This review explores more of such novel tactics to improve the performance of the VF technology regarding organic and nutrient removal from wastewater.

Practitioner Points

Innovative strategies and techniques implemented to VF technology were comprehensively overviewed.

Design modification and advantages of each innovation were highlighted.

The pollutant removal performance of every modification was emphasized.

Modified vermifilters were better than the conventional vermifilters in terms of organic and nutrient removal from the wastewater.
Introduction
Authors: Ricarte Joana
Published: November 2022

This introductory chapter aims to situate the research puzzle by positioning its main object in the state-of-the-art. It introduces the main argument of the book which is that protracted peace processes occupy a central position in the cycle of protractedness insofar as the policies, narratives, norms and practices associated with them have the double potential of affecting identities in conflict by promoting dehumanization or reconciliation. While the former is the dominating feature of othering in protracted conflicts, what tends to be reinforced by the interactions and new grievances sparked by protracted peace processes through time, their parallel and coexisting dynamics point to the appearance of empirically observable activities and practices that have emerged alongside—as a consequence—and within the very framework—as a desired outcome—of the protracted peace process. By exploring the dual process of dehumanization and peace-less reconciliation in ongoing conflicts, this chapter delineates the contribution of the book connected with the analysis of the conditions that have allowed for one process to prevail over the other, which points to avenues for positive conflict transformation.
The Construction of Identities in Protracted Conflicts
Authors: Ricarte Joana
Published: November 2022

This chapter focuses on the concepts of identity and conflict. Drawing from many others who place identity as the central factor explaining the mutually reinforcing dynamics of protracted conflicts and protracted peace processes, this chapter suggests that the processes of identity building in protracted conflicts bear specific characteristics due to the multigenerational aspects of these contexts. The argument developed is that peace processes in this kind of conflicts tend to become protracted themselves, turning into a structure of their own that impact perceptions about the ‘self’ and the ‘other’, thus influencing the negative dimension of identity—the detachment or difference from others—and, therefore, the very behavior and interests of actors involved in the conflict. For this reason, identity and violence must be read as mutually constituted in the cases of historical conflicts, making it impossible to discuss conflict transformation without addressing the main categories of identity and violence, as well as their interconnectedness.
The Twenty-First Century ‘No War, No Peace’: From the Second Intifada to the Stalemate of the Protracted Peace Process
Authors: Ricarte Joana
Published: November 2022

This chapter examines the period from the Second Intifada (2001) to nowadays, following the failure of the implementation of the Oslo Accords. It suggests that a politics of ‘no war, no peace’ has been established and normalized, while cultural violence has deepened despite the efforts of the longest peace process in contemporary history. It examines the effects at the observable level of the stalemate of the protracted peace process and the institutionalization of dehumanization as a radical political agenda. One of the main effects of the now stalled peace process, it explores how peace has been subcontracted by the very actors of the dying peace process that act as donors and sponsors of an increasing number of civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have been involved in the peacebuilding process by bridging reconciliation in the societal level. The argument developed is that the dual and simultaneous processes of dehumanization and peace-less reconciliation that work in parallel in this conflict suggests that in the almost absence of the peace process there have emerged and intensified several activities that seek to counteract the already verified tendency of dehumanization in the societal level, pointing to alternative routes and their potential for peacemaking.
Conclusion: Unraveling the Cycle of Protractedness
Authors: Ricarte Joana
Published: November 2022

By unraveling the dimensions and dynamics of the ‘cycle of protractedness’, the concluding chapter contributes to the development and reexamination of key concepts in the field of International Relations, providing a renewed analysis of the role of the Israeli-Palestinian protracted peace process in the conflict and its transformation. It concludes that, even though dehumanization dominates in ongoing conflicts, it is possible to identify activities undertaken by local and international actors in the societal level that have developed alongside—as a consequence—and within the very framework—as a desired outcome—of the protracted peace process. In terms of policy design and policy making, the findings of this book provide some clues for the intensification of new—underexplored—avenues for conflict transformation that favor reconciliation rather than reinforcing dehumanization. Although focused on a single case study, being that of Israel and Palestine, the findings of this research can be applied to other cases of protracted social conflicts by way of lessons learned.
The Youth Guarantee in Eastern Europe. A Systematic Review
Authors: Neagu Gabriela
Published: November 2022

The Youth Guarantee (YG) is one of the most innovative European programs for young people. Given the complexity of the program for the analysis of its effectiveness and efficiency, it is necessary to provide clear information, supported by scientific evidence. This paper aims to examine the empirical evidence on the social outcomes of the YG program in the countries of Eastern Europe. The present analysis is based on a systematic review, a scientific method is effective for both decision-makers and the scientific community because the data they use and submit to the analysis are classified and evaluated based on scientific criteria, and objectives that allow obtaining a complete, up-to-date, and reliable images. The credibility of the investigated sources is ensured by including in the analysis only the reports published by the European institutions (European Commission, European Council, etc.) regarding YG. Through the analysis of these documents, we found that YG led to an increase in the employability rate of young people, their level of education, and social integration, to the development of self-confidence in their competencies but also in institutions (schools, PES, employers, etc.).
Jurisprudence Evolved in Cases Involving Standard Essential Patents
Authors: Bharadwaj Ashish , Devaiah Vishwas H. , Gupta Indranath
Published: November 2022

SSO IPR Policies generally require two specific commitments from members who intend to submit their underlying technology toward standard development process. The undertaking provided by a prospective implementer to an SSO is that it will make full disclosures of the existing patents and any pending patent applications that are relevant toward the standards development process. SSO members pledging patents toward standard development process are also under an obligation to issue licenses to all implementer on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms.
Infrared phases of 3D class R theories
Authors: Choi Sunjin , Gang Dongmin , Kim Hee-Cheol
Published: November 2022

Abstract

We study the IR phases of 3D class R theories associated with closed non-hyperbolic 3-manifolds. Non-hyperbolic 3-manifolds can be obtained by performing Dehn fillings on 1-cusped hyperbolic 3-manifolds along exceptional slopes. In 3D-3D correspondence, the ‘exceptional’ Dehn filling corresponds to the gauging of an SU(2) flavor symmetry in a superconformal field theory associated with a 1-cusped 3-manifold with ‘small’ Chern-Simons levels. With several explicit examples, we analyze various interesting non-perturbative IR phenomena (such as spontaneous SUSY breaking, generation of mass gap and supersymmetry enhancement) from the ‘exceptional’ gaugings. Interestingly, distinguished features of the IR phases can be captured by simple topological properties of non-hyperbolic 3-manifolds. We also find that 3D class R theories associated with certain classes of atoroidal non-hyperbolic 3-manifolds always exhibit supersymmetry enhancement at low energy and actually flow to 3D rank-0 $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SCFTs with trivial vacuum moduli space.
Nonrelativistic expansion of M2 branes and M theory backgrounds
Authors: Roychowdhury Dibakar
Published: November 2022

Abstract

We initiate a systematic analysis of the nonrelativistic membrane solutions of M theory using the notion of 11d membrane Newton-Cartan (MNC) geometry as well as considering a 1/c2 expansion for the embedding fields of the M2 brane world-volume theory. We discuss the associated boost and dilatation symmetries of the nonrelativistic world-volume theory at leading order in the 1/c expansion. We show that, in the static gauge, when the world-volume directions of the nonrelativistic M2 brane are stretched along the longitudinal axes of the target space geometry, the leading order action in the 1/c expansion becomes trivial. In other words, the nontrivial dynamics appears to be only at NLO and beyond. In our analysis, we focus on such embeddings only and obtain the corresponding dispersion relation associated with the nonrelativistic world-volume theory.
Projectivity in (bounded) commutative integral residuated lattices
Authors: Aglianò Paolo , Ugolini Sara
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we study projective algebras in varieties of (bounded) commutative integral residuated lattices. We make use of a well-established construction in residuated lattices, the ordinal sum, and the order property of divisibility. Via the connection between projective and splitting algebras, we show that the only finite projective algebra in $$\mathsf {{FL}_{ew}}$$

FL
ew

is the two-element Boolean algebra. Moreover, we show that several interesting varieties have the property that every finitely presented algebra is projective, such as locally finite varieties of hoops. Furthermore, we show characterization results for finite projective Heyting algebras, and finitely generated projective algebras in locally finite varieties of bounded hoops and BL-algebras. Finally, we connect our results with the algebraic theory of unification.
Reflection Formulas for Order Derivatives of Bessel Functions
Authors: González-Santander Juan Luis
Published: November 2022

From new integral representations of the n-th derivative of Bessel functions with respect to the order, we derive some reflection formulas for the first and second order derivatives of $$J_{\nu }\left( t\right) $$

J
ν

t

and $$Y_{\nu }\left( t\right) $$

Y
ν

t

for integral order, and for the n-th order derivatives of $$I_{\nu }\left( t\right) $$

I
ν

t

and $$K_{\nu }\left( t\right) $$

K
ν

t

for arbitrary real order. As an application of the reflection formulas obtained for the first order derivative, we extend some formulas given in the literature to negative integral order. Also, as a by-product, we calculate an integral which does not seem to be reported in the literature.
Impact of Age on Prognosis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: How Should Age be Incorporated into the Treatment Strategy?
Authors: Sugino Kiminori , Matsuzu Kenichi , Nagahama Mitsuji , Kitagawa Wataru , Suzuki Akifumi , Tomoda Chisato , Hames Kiyomi Yamada , Akaishi Junko , Masaki Chie , Yoshioka Kana , Saito Yoshiyuki , Ito Koichi
Published: November 2022

Background

Age has been recognized as one of the strong prognostic indicators for thyroid cancer. However, treatment strategies for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are usually determined only by the extent of disease progression, without considering the patient's age. The aim of this study was to investigate how the surgical strategy for PTC should take into account patient age.

Methods

To exclude the effect of treatment strategy, 837 patients treated with uniform treatment strategies (hemithyroidectomy without radioiodine therapy) between 1986 and 1995 were the subjects of this study. Using a Cox proportional hazard model, clinical risk factors related to disease‐specific survival (DSS), disease‐free survival (DFS), and distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS) were analyzed. A receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to identify the optimal cutoff points.

Results

Significant risk factors related to DSS and DMFS were age, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), and numbers of metastatic lymph nodes (NMLNs), but age was not significantly related to DFS. The 20‐year DSS and DMFS rates were fair in patients without ETE regardless of age or NMLNs. However, in patients with ETE, DSS and DMFS rates were significantly worse in elderly patients than in young patients. ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cutoff age was 48 years for discriminating DSS in patients with ETE.

Conclusion

Regardless of age, PTC patients without ETE are candidates for a treatment strategy not using RAI, and more aggressive treatment may be recommended for elderly PTC patients with ETE.
Acidic Exo-Polysaccharide Obtained from Bacillus sp. NRC5 Attenuates Testosterone-DMBA-Induced Prostate Cancer in Rats via Inhibition of 5 α-Reductase and Na+/K+ ATPase Activity Mechanisms
Authors: Ibrahim Abeer Y. , Mahmoud Manal G. , Asker Mohsen S. , Youness Eman R. , El-Newary Samah A.
Published: November 2022

Bacillus sp. NRC5 is a new strain that grows in Egyptian beaches. This strain produces acidic exo-polysaccharide that have excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. The current study aimed to introduce a new natural product feasible for prostate cancer therapies. The anti-prostate cancer of acidic exo-polysaccharide produced from marine Bacillus sp. NRC5 (EBPS) was determined using 7,12-dimethylbenz-(a)-anthracene; DMBA-induced prostate cancer in male Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were subcutaneously injected with testosterone (3 mg/kg/day for 3 months) and a single dose of DMBA (65 mg/kg) for induction of prostate cancer. EBPS was administrated orally at dose 200 mg/kg/day for 3 months. To study protective effect of EBPS, animals received EBPS before cancer induction, meanwhile in therapeutic effect animals received EBPS after cancer induction. EBPS debug oxidative stress and inflammatory conditions associated with prostate cancer. EBPS either protective or therapeutic material considerably reduced cancer growth rate-limiting enzyme—i.e., 5-α-reductase (46.89 ± 1.72 and 44.86 ± 2.56 µg Eq/mL) and Na+/K+ ATPase (0.44 ± 0.03 and 0.42 ± 0.02 µg Eq/mL), compared to cancer control (69.68 ± 3.46 µg Eq/mL). In addition, both cancer biomarkers—i.e., prostate-specific antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen were significantly lowered as evidence of the ability of EBPS to protect and treat prostate cancer in chemically induced rats. EBPS showed protective and therapeutic efficacy on testosterone–DMBA-induced prostate cancer rats with a good safety margin. This study may go to clinical trials after a repeated study on another type of small experimental animal, their offspring, and one big experimental animal.
Morphologie des Sickerkissens mittels optischer Kohärenztomographie
Authors: Hasan Somar M. , Theilig Theresa , Tarhan Melih , Papadimitriou Menelaos , Meller Daniel
Published: November 2022

Hintergrund

Die Implantation des XEN-Gel-Stents stellte eine innovative Methode zur filtrierenden Chirurgie mittels Ab-interno-Verfahren dar. Die morphologische Evaluation des resultierenden Sickerkissens (SK) ist für den chirurgischen Erfolg entscheidend. Häufig ist eine SK-Revision nach XEN-Implantation notwendig, die die Morphologie des SK beeinflussen könnte. Ziel dieser Studie ist, das SK mittels Vorderaugenabschnitt-OCT (AS-OCT) zu untersuchen und Unterschiede zwischen primärer XEN-Implantation und SK-Revision zu analysieren.

Material und Methoden

Retrospektiv wurden Augen nach primärer XEN-Implantation (Pr-X) bzw. SK-Revision nach XEN (Re-X-Gruppe) eingeschlossen. AS-OCT-Aufnahmen des SK wurden durchgeführt und mittels eines neuartigen Klassifikationssystems (des Jenaer Bleb Grading System [JBGS]) klassifiziert. Häufigkeit unterschiedlicher tomographischer Muster (M) und deren Korrelation mit dem Augeninnendruck (IOD) wurden analysiert

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Es wurden 69 Augen (40 in der Pr‑X, 29 in der Re-X-Gruppe) eingeschlossen. An der Ebene der Bindehaut (BH) wurden subkonjunktivale Wasserspalten (M-C2) am häufigsten gesehen in beiden Gruppen, gefolgt von intrakonjunktivalen Zysten (C1) und fehlenden BH-Veränderungen (C0). Keine Unterschiede der Häufigkeit zwischen beiden Gruppen oder des IOD zwischen den 3 M wurden beobachtet (p > 0,05 für alle). An der Tenon-Ebene wurden in der Pr-X-Gruppe die hyporeflektiven und kavernösen Veränderungen (M-T2, -T3) am häufigsten beobachtet, gefolgt von fehlenden und hyperreflektiven Veränderungen (T0, T1). In der Re-X- wurden die M‑T1 und T2 am häufigsten gesehen, gefolgt von M‑T3 und T0. Die M‑T2 und -T3 zeigten niedrigeren IOD in der Pr‑X und die T1 und T2 in der Re-X-Gruppe. Der episklerale See (M-ES1) wurde in der Pr-X-Gruppe signifikant seltener gesehen verglichen mit der Re-X-Gruppe und korrelierte in der Re-X-Gruppe mit niedrigerem IOD.

Schlussfolgerung

Hyperreflektive Veränderungen der Tenon und der episklerale See wurden nach SK-Revision häufiger beobachtet verglichen mit primärer XEN-Implantation und korrelierten mit niedrigerem IOD. Die Untersuchung der Sickerkissenmorphologie mittels AS-OCT soll in Bezug auf die chirurgische Technik interpretiert werden.
Facial beauty prediction fusing transfer learning and broad learning system
Authors: Gan Junying , Xie Xiaoshan , Zhai Yikui , He Guohui , Mai Chaoyun , Luo Heng
Published: November 2022

Facial beauty prediction (FBP) is an important and challenging problem in the fields of computer vision and machine learning. Not only it is easily prone to overfitting due to the lack of large-scale and effective data, but also difficult to quickly build robust and effective facial beauty evaluation models because of the variability of facial appearance and the complexity of human perception. Transfer Learning can be able to reduce the dependence on large amounts of data as well as avoid overfitting problems. Broad learning system (BLS) can be capable of quickly completing models building and training. For this purpose, Transfer Learning was fused with BLS for FBP in this paper. Firstly, a feature extractor is constructed by way of CNNs models based on transfer learning for facial feature extraction, in which EfficientNets are used in this paper, and the fused features of facial beauty extracted are transferred to BLS for FBP, called E-BLS. Secondly, on the basis of E-BLS, a connection layer is designed to connect the feature extractor and BLS, called ER-BLS. Finally, experimental results show that, compared with the previous BLS and CNNs methods existed, the accuracy of FBP was improved by E-BLS and ER-BLS, demonstrating the effectiveness and superiority of the method presented, which can also be widely used in pattern recognition, object detection and image classification.
An approximate randomization-based neural network with dedicated digital architecture for energy-constrained devices
Authors: Ragusa Edoardo , Gianoglio Christian , Zunino Rodolfo , Gastaldo Paolo
Published: November 2022

Variable energy constraints affect the implementations of neural networks on battery-operated embedded systems. This paper describes a learning algorithm for randomization-based neural networks with hard-limit activation functions. The approach adopts a novel cost function that balances accuracy and network complexity during training. From an energy-specific perspective, the new learning strategy allows to adjust, dynamically and in real time, the number of operations during the network’s forward phase. The proposed learning scheme leads to efficient predictors supported by digital architectures. The resulting digital architecture can switch to approximate computing at run time, in compliance with the available energy budget. Experiments on 10 real-world prediction testbeds confirmed the effectiveness of the learning scheme. Additional tests on limited-resource devices supported the implementation efficiency of the overall design approach.
Evaluation of simulation-based ultrasound education using a bladder simulator for medical students in Japan: a prospective observational study
Authors: Maita Hiroki , Kobayashi Tadashi , Akimoto Takashi , Hirano Takahiro , Osawa Hiroshi , Kato Hiroyuki
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of ultrasound education for medical students using a bladder simulator.

Methods

This prospective observational study included volunteer fifth- and sixth-year medical students. An intravesical urine volume measurement simulator and a pocket-sized hand-held ultrasound device were used. The ultrasound education comprised pre-learning, briefing, simulation, debriefing, and learning summary. The simulation consisted of two tests: bladder simulator cube evaluation and scenario-based clinical application. A self-rated confidence score of 0–10 points along with reasons for the scores was recorded before and after the ultrasound education.

Results

Twelve participants (median age, 23 years; female, 75%) met the inclusion criteria and were examined. Participants’ bladder simulator cube evaluation and scenario-based clinical application test results were good, and the educational difficulty level was appropriate. The mean confidence scores for main unit operation, probe control, image acquisition, image evaluation and clinical application before the ultrasound education were 1.0, 1.8, 1.3, 0.8 and 0.1 points, respectively. The mean confidence scores after the ultrasound education were 5.8, 5.9, 5.4, 5.5 and 5.1, respectively, with significant increases for all items (p < 0.01). The positive impression categories that affected confidence scores after ultrasound education were related to device operation, image acquisition, image evaluation, clinical application and learning.

Conclusion

Ultrasound education using a bladder simulator increases confidence scores by imparting competencies related to device operation, image acquisition, image evaluation and clinical application, and it improves students’ learning impression. This is a useful method for introductory ultrasound education for medical students.
Boundary Layer Height Characteristics in Mexico City from Two Remote Sensing Techniques
Authors: Burgos-Cuevas Andrea , Magaldi Adolfo , Adams David K. , Grutter Michel , García Franco Jorge L. , Ruiz-Angulo Angel
Published: November 2022

The Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) height is a key parameter in air quality research as well as for numerical simulations and forecasts. The identification of thermally stable layers, often with radiosondes, has been a common approach for estimating ABL height, though with limited temporal coverage. Remote sensing techniques offer essentially continuous measurements. Nevertheless, ABL height retrievals from different methods can vary greatly when compared, which is particularly notable for topographically complex terrains, such as that surrounding Mexico City. This study, employing one year of data in Mexico City, reveals that the daytime convective boundary layer height (retrieved from Doppler lidar data) is typically lower than the aerosol layer height (retrieved from ceilometer data). Although both estimated heights evolved diurnally, the more elevated aerosol layer decays more slowly, suggesting that the mechanisms that elevate aerosols are not limited to convective motions. Additionally, both diurnal and seasonal variability are investigated, comparing remotely sensed-retrieved heights with thermally stable layers estimated from radiosonde data. Multiple stable layers often develop, those at higher levels have similar values to the ceilometer-retrieved heights, while stable layers at lower heights are similar to Doppler lidar height retrievals. The present research constitutes the first detailed analysis of ceilometer backscatter and Doppler lidar thresholding methods for estimating ABL height over Mexico City, and our results illustrate the complexity of mixing mechanisms on the ABL in this region of complex orography.
Contribution of silica-scaled chrysophytes to ecosystems services: a review
Authors: Lengyel Edina , Barreto Sára , Padisák Judit , Stenger-Kovács Csilla , Lázár Diána , Buczkó Krisztina
Published: November 2022

Silica-scaled chrysophytes are a unique group of protists representing a major component of numerous aquatic habitats where they can significantly contribute to human well-being in many ways. In the present review, altogether 14 ecosystem services provided by silica-scaled chrysophytes were identified highlighting their importance and roles in aquatic ecosystems. The most important supporting services are related to primary production, nutrient- and biogeochemical cycling, as well as sediment formation. Additionally, they are involved in the regulation of climate, maintenance of air quality, biological control and water purification processes (as regulating services). The most relevant provisioning services include their usefulness in environmental monitoring (paleolimnology, ecological status assessment and climate modelling), production of biochemicals and provision of genetic resources. Cultural services are associated with aesthetic values, inspiration source and knowledge system as well. Although silica-scaled chrysophytes are one of the least studied groups of algae, here they are shown to provide important benefits and to have many further powerful opportunities for humans, thus their detailed research in the future is emphasised as an important key for human well-being.
On Non-ideal Chemical-Reaction Networks and Phase Separation
Authors: Miangolarra Ander Movilla , Castellana Michele
Published: November 2022

Much of the theory on chemical-reaction networks (CRNs) has been developed in the ideal-solution limit, where interactions between the solutes are negligible. However, there is a large variety of phenomena in biological cells and soft-matter physics which appear to deviate from the ideal-solution behaviour. Particularly striking is the case of liquid-liquid phase separation, which is typically caused by inter-particle interactions. Here, we revisit a number of known results in the domain of ideal CRNs, and we generalise and adapt them to arbitrary interactions between the solutes which stem from a given free energy. We start by reviewing the theory of chemical reaction networks, linking it to concepts in statistical physics. Then we obtain a number of new results for non-ideal complex-balanced networks, where the creation and annihilation rates are equal for all chemical complexes which appear as reactants or products in the CRN. Among these is the form of the steady-state probability distribution and Lyapunov functions for such networks. Finally, this allows us to draw a phase diagram for complex-balanced reaction-diffusion systems based on the minimisation of such Lyapunov function, with a rationale similar to that of equilibrium thermodynamics but for systems that may sustain non-equilibrium chemical currents at steady state. In addition, we show that for complex-balanced networks at steady-state, there are no diffusion currents.
Partially Hidden Markov Chain Multivariate Linear Autoregressive model: inference and forecasting—application to machine health prognostics
Authors: Dama Fatoumata , Sinoquet Christine
Published: November 2022

Time series subject to regime shifts have attracted much interest in domains such as econometry, finance or meteorology. For discrete-valued regimes, models such as the popular Hidden Markov Chain (HMC) describe time series whose state process isunknownat all time-steps. Sometimes, time series are annotated. Thus, another category of models handles the case with regimesobservedat all time-steps. We present a novel model which addresses the intermediate case: (i) state processes associated to such time series are modelled by Partially Hidden Markov Chains (PHMCs); (ii) a multivariate linear autoregressive (MLAR) model drives the dynamics of the time series, within each regime. We describe a variant of the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm devoted to PHMC-MLAR model learning. We propose a hidden state inference procedure and a forecasting function adapted to the semi-supervised framework. We first assess inference and prediction performances, and analyze EM convergence times for PHMC-MLAR, using simulated data. We show the benefits of using partially observed states as well as a fully labelled scheme with unreliable labels, to decrease EM convergence times. We highlight the robustness of PHMC-MLAR to labelling errors in inference and prediction tasks. Finally, using turbofan engine data from a NASA repository, we show that PHMC-MLAR outperforms or largely outperforms other models: PHMC and MSAR (Markov Switching AutoRegressive model) for the feature prediction task, PHMC and five out of six recent state-of-the-art methods for the prediction of machine useful remaining life.
A Model Solution: On the Compatibility of Predictive Processing and Embodied Cognition
Authors: Kersten Luke
Published: November 2022

Predictive processing (PP) and embodied cognition (EC) have emerged as two influential approaches within cognitive science in recent years. Not only have PP and EC been heralded as “revolutions” and “paradigm shifts” but they have motivated a number of new and interesting areas of research. This has prompted some to wonder how compatible the two views might be. This paper looks to weigh in on the issue of PP-EC compatibility. After outlining two recent proposals, I argue that further clarity can be achieved on the issue by considering a model of scientific progress. Specifically, I suggest that Larry Laudan’s “problem solving model” can provide important insights into a number of outstanding challenges that face existing accounts of PP-EC compatibility. I conclude by outlining additional implications of the problem solving model for PP and EC more generally.
Endoscopic endonasal approach for resection of a recurrent spheno-orbital meningioma resulting in complete resolution of visual symptoms: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Kim Won , Ghodrati Farinaz , Mozaffari Khashayar , Samarage H. Milan , Zhang Ashley B. , Pradhan Anjali , Lee Jivianne T. , Goldberg Robert A. , Yang Isaac
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Spheno-orbital meningiomas are rare tumors, accounting for up to 9% of all intracranial meningiomas. Patients commonly present with proptosis, and visual deficits. These slow growing tumors are hard to resect due to extension into several anatomical compartments, resulting in recurrence rates as high as 35–50%. Although open surgical approaches have been historically used for resection, a handful of endoscopic approaches have been reported in recent years. We aimed to review the literature and describe a case of spheno-orbital meningioma with severe vision loss which was resected with an endoscopic endonasal approach achieving complete resolution of visual symptoms.

Methods

A systematic review of literature was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were queried for spheno-orbital meningiomas resected via an endoscopic endonasal approach. Furthermore, the presentation, surgical management, and post-operative outcomes of a 53-year-old female with a recurrent spheno-orbital meningioma are described.

Results

The search yielded 26 articles, of which 8 were included, yielding 19 cases. Average age at presentation was 60.5 years (range: 44–82), and 68.4% of patients were female. More than half of the cases achieved subtotal resection. Common complications associated with endoscopic endonasal surgery included CN V2 or CN V2/V3 hypoesthesia. Following surgical intervention, visual acuity and visual field remained stable or improved in the majority of the patients.

Conclusion

Endoscopic approaches are slowly gaining momentum for treatment of spheno-orbital meningiomas. Further studies on the clinical benefits of this approach on patient outcomes and post-operative complications is warranted.
MicroRNA152-3p Protects Against Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Bbb Destruction Possibly Targeting the MAP3K2/JNK/c-Jun Pathway
Authors: Li Fei , Zhou Fangfang , Yang Binbin
Published: November 2022

In the current study, we reported that overexpression of miR-152-3p effectively ameliorated neurological deficits and protected blood-brain barrier(BBB) integrity in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats. In an in vitro model, the level of miR-152-3p was significantly decreased in bEnd.3 cells after oxygen–glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) insult. miR-152-3p overexpressing bEnd.3 cell monolayers were protected from OGD/R-induced microvascular hyperpermeability. The miR-152-3p-mediated protective effect was associated with lower apoptosis of endothelia by negatively modulating the MAP3K2/JNK/c-Jun pathway.