bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical characteristics of glioblastoma and peritumoral tumor-free human brain tissue
Authors: Kren Jessica , Skambath Isabelle , Kuppler Patrick , Buschschlüter Steffen , Detrez Nicolas , Burhan Sazgar , Huber Robert , Brinkmann Ralf , Bonsanto Matteo Mario
Published: February 2024

Background

The diagnosis of brain tumor is a serious event for the affected patient. Surgical resection is a crucial part in the treatment of brain tumors. However, the distinction between tumor and brain tissue can be difficult, even for experienced neurosurgeons. This is especially true in the case of gliomas. In this project we examined whether the biomechanical parameters elasticity and stress relaxation behavior are suitable as additional differentiation criteria between tumorous (glioblastoma multiforme; glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype; GBM) and non-tumorous, peritumoral tissue.

Methods

Indentation measurements were used to examine non-tumorous human brain tissue and GBM samples for the biomechanical properties of elasticity and stress-relaxation behavior. The results of these measurements were then used in a classification algorithm (Logistic Regression) to distinguish between tumor and non-tumor.

Results

Differences could be found in elasticity spread and relaxation behavior between tumorous and non-tumorous tissue. Classification was successful with a sensitivity/recall of 83% (sd = 12%) and a precision of 85% (sd = 9%) for detecting tumorous tissue.

Conclusion

The findings imply that the data on mechanical characteristics, with particular attention to stress relaxation behavior, can serve as an extra element in differentiating tumorous brain tissue from non-tumorous brain tissue.
The effect of nano silver fluoride, self-assembling peptide and sodium fluoride varnish on salivary cariogenic bacteria: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Atteya Sara M. , Amer Hala A. , Saleh Susan M. , Safwat Yara
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To compare the antibacterial effect of Nanosilver Fluoride varnish (NSF) varnish, P11-4 and Sodium Fluoride (NaF) varnish against salivary Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Lactobacilli.

Methods

66 patients aged 10–24 years old were randomly assigned to receive single application of NSF, P11-4 or NaF varnish. Baseline unstimulated saliva samples were collected before the agents were applied and S.mutans and Lactobacilli colony forming units (CFU) were counted. After one, three and six months, microbiological samples were re-assessed. Groups were compared at each time point and changes across time were assessed. Multivariable linear regression compared the effect of P11-4 and NSF to NaF on salivary S. mutans and Lactobacilli log count at various follow up periods.

Results

There was a significant difference in salivary S. mutans log count after 1 month between P11-4 (B= -1.29, p = 0.049) and NaF but not at other time points nor between NSF and NaF at any time point. The significant reduction in bacterial counts lasted up to one month in all groups, to three months after using P11-4 and NaF and returned to baseline values after six months.

Conclusion

In general, the antimicrobial effect of P11-4 and NSF on salivary S. mutans and Lactobacilli was not significantly different from NaF varnish. P11-4 induced greater reduction more quickly than the two other agents and NSF antibacterial effect was lost after one month.

Clinical relevance

NSF varnish and P11-4 have antimicrobial activity that does not significantly differ from NaF by 3 months. P11-4 has the greatest antibacterial effect after one month with sustained effect till 3 months. The antibacterial effect of NSF lasts for one month. NaF remains effective till 3 months.

Trial Registration

This trial was prospectively registered on the clinicaltrials.gov registry with ID: NCT04929509 on 18/6/2021.
Available and unavailable decoys in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.) decision-making
Authors: Marini Marco , Colaiuda Edoardo , Gastaldi Serena , Addessi Elsa , Paglieri Fabio
Published: February 2024

Decision-making has been observed to be systematically affected by decoys, i.e., options that should be irrelevant, either because unavailable or because manifestly inferior to other alternatives, and yet shift preferences towards their target. Decoy effects have been extensively studied both in humans and in several other species; however, evidence in non-human primates remains scant and inconclusive. To address this gap, this study investigates how choices in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.) are affected by different types of decoys: asymmetrically dominated decoys, i.e., available and unavailable options that are inferior to only one of the other alternatives, and phantom decoys, i.e., unavailable options that are superior to another available alternative. After controlling for the subjective strength of initial preferences and the distance of each decoy from its target in attribute space, results demonstrate a systematic shift in capuchins’ preference towards the target of both asymmetrically dominated decoys (whether they are available or not) and phantom decoys, regardless of what options is being targeted by such decoys. This provides the most comprehensive evidence to date of decoy effects in non-human primates, with important theoretical and methodological implications for future comparative studies on context effects in decision-making.
Identifying definite patterns of unmet needs in patients with multiple sclerosis using unsupervised machine learning
Authors: Maida Elisabetta , Abbadessa Gianmarco , Cocco Eleonora , Valentino Paola , Lerede Annalaura , Frau Jessica , Miele Giuseppina , Bile Floriana , Vercellino Marco , Patti Francesco , Borriello Giovanna , Cavalla Paola , Sparaco Maddalena , Lavorgna Luigi , Bonavita Simona
Published: February 2024

Introduction

People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) exhibit a spectrum of needs that extend beyond solely disease-related determinants. Investigating unmet needs from the patient perspective may address daily difficulties and optimize care. Our aim was to identify patterns of unmet needs among PwMS and their determinants.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional multicentre study. Data were collected through an anonymous, self-administered online form. To cluster PwMS according to their main unmet needs, we performed agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to visualize cluster distribution. Pairwise comparisons were used to evaluate demographics and clinical distribution among clusters.

Results

Out of 1764 mailed questionnaires, we received 690 responses. Access to primary care was the main contributor to the overall unmet need burden. Four patterns were identified: cluster C1, ‘information-seekers with few unmet needs’; cluster C2, ‘high unmet needs’; cluster C3, ‘socially and assistance-dependent’; cluster C4, ‘self-sufficient with few unmet needs’. PCA identified two main components in determining the patterns: the ‘public sphere’ (access to information and care) and the ‘private sphere’ (need for assistance and social life). Older age, lower education, longer disease duration and higher disability characterized clusters with more unmet needs in the private sphere. However, demographic and clinical factors failed in explaining the four identified patterns.

Conclusion

Our study identified four unmet need patterns among PwMS, emphasizing the importance of personalized care. While clinical and demographic factors provide some insight, additional variables warrant further investigation to fully understand unmet needs in PwMS.
Clinical evaluation of posterior flowable short fiber-reinforced composite restorations without proximal surface coverage
Authors: ElAziz Rawda H. Abd , ElAziz Sherifa A. Abd , ElAziz Possy M. Abd , Frater Mark , Vallittu Pekka K. , Lassila Lippo , Garoushi Sufyan
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this clinical trail was to assess the clinical behavior of posterior composite restorations supported by a substantial foundation of flowable short fiber-reinforced composite SFRC (everX Flow, GC, Japan) used without proximal surface coverage with particulate filler resin composite (PFC). Seventy patients (20 males, 50 females; mean age: 30 ± 10 years) were randomly enrolled in this trial. Patients received direct restorations of either SFRC covered only on the occlusal surface (1–2 mm) by conventional PFC composite (G-ænial Posterior, GC), or plain conventional PFC composite without fiber-reinforcement, in Class II cavities in premolar and molar vital teeth. One operator made all restorations using one-step, self-etch bonding agent (G-ænial Bond, GC) according to manufacturers’ recommendations. Two blinded trained operators evaluated the restorations at baseline, at 6, 12 and 18 months using modified USPHS criteria. Results indicated that, in both groups and at different follow-up intervals, according to evaluated criteria, restorations were rated mostly with best score (Alpha) (p > 0.05). For the marginal integrity after 6 months, a single case in the intervention [increased to 3 (8.8%) after 18 months] and 3 (9.7%) cases of the control group [increased to 4 (12.9%) after 18 months] had Bravo score but with no significant difference (p > 0.05). For color match measured after 6 and 18 months, three (8.8%) cases had Bravo score in the intervention group. The use of flowable SFRC composite without any PFC surface coverage proximally in Class II restorations demonstrated satisfactory clinical outcome throughout the 18-month follow-up.
The relevance of the superior cervical ganglion for cardiac autonomic innervation in health and disease: a systematic review
Authors: Chen H. Sophia , van Roon Lieke , Ge Yang , van Gils Janine M. , Schoones Jan W. , DeRuiter Marco C. , Zeppenfeld Katja , Jongbloed Monique R. M.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The heart receives cervical and thoracic sympathetic contributions. Although the stellate ganglion is considered the main contributor to cardiac sympathetic innervation, the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) is used in many experimental studies. The clinical relevance of the SCG to cardiac innervation is controversial. We investigated current morphological and functional evidence as well as controversies on the contribution of the SCG to cardiac innervation.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and COCHRANE Library. Included studies received a full/text review and quality appraisal.

Results

Seventy-six eligible studies performed between 1976 and 2023 were identified. In all species studied, morphological evidence of direct or indirect SCG contribution to cardiac innervation was found, but its contribution was limited. Morphologically, SCG sidedness may be relevant. There is indirect functional evidence that the SCG contributes to cardiac innervation as shown by its involvement in sympathetic overdrive reactions in cardiac disease states. A direct functional contribution was not found. Functional data on SCG sidedness was largely unavailable. Information about sex differences and pre- and postnatal differences was lacking.

Conclusion

Current literature mainly supports an indirect involvement of the SCG in cardiac innervation, via other structures and plexuses or via sympathetic overdrive in response to cardiac diseases. Morphological evidence of a direct involvement was found, but its contribution seems limited. The relevance of SCG sidedness, sex, and developmental stage in health and disease remains unclear and warrants further exploration.

Graphical abstract

An overview of the current literature derived from morphological and functional data on the involvement of SCG in cardiac innervation, relevance of sidedness, sex differences, and pre- and postnatal differences in various species. X = Information not available
A comprehensive investigation of geoenvironmental pollution and health effects from municipal solid waste landfills
Authors: Podlasek Anna , Vaverková Magdalena Daria , Jakimiuk Aleksandra , Koda Eugeniusz
Published: February 2024

This study investigates human health risks associated with heavy metals (HMs) occurrence in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. For testing of selected MSW landfills steps were involved, including site characterization, soil sampling and chemical testing, statistical analysis, as well as health risk assessment, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. For the Polish landfill (Radiowo) the average HMs concentrations were found in the following order: Zn (52.74 mg/kg DM) > Pb (28.32 mg/kg DM) > Cu (12.14 mg/kg DM) > Ni (4.50 mg/kg DM) > Cd (3.49 mg/kg DM), while for the Czech landfill (Zdounky): Zn (32.05 mg/kg DM) > Cu (14.73 mg/kg DM) > Ni (4.73 mg/kg DM) > Pb (0.10 mg/kg DM) = Cd (0.10 mg/kg DM). Strong positive correlations between selected HMs demonstrated identical origins. Principal component analysis (PCA) performed for the Radiowo landfill transferred the soil parameters into three principal components (PCs), accounting for 87.12% of the total variance. The results of the PCA analysis for the Zdounky landfill revealed three PCs responsible for 95.16% of the total variance. The exposure pathways of HMs for landfills were in the following order: ingestion > dermal absorption > inhalation. For both landfills, the values of hazard quotient were lower than 1, indicating no potential negative health effects. In terms of the hazard index (HI), for both landfills, no adverse human health effects occur (HI < 1). The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values indicated negligible or acceptable carcinogenic risk of HMs (average ILCR in the range from 5.01E−10 to 5.19E−06).
Investigating the walkability of primary, secondary and K-12 schools across metropolitan Perth, Western Australia
Authors: Gannett Anna , Hooper Paula , Saunders Julie , Trapp Gina
Published: February 2024

Having a walkable built environment is important to encourage active school transport. The aim of this study was to measure the walkability of all Perth, Western Australia (WA) schools and investigate whether differences in walkability exist by school type, socioeconomic status (SES) and/or subregion. Geographic Information Systems technology was used to measure walkability (i.e., traffic exposure and pedestrian connectivity) surrounding all Perth schools (n = 651) in 2021. Walkability scores and their individual components were compared using odds ratios and one-way ANOVAs with post-hoc comparisons by school type (primary, secondary and K-12; government and non-government), school SES and subregion. The majority of Perth schools (73.8%) were below the WA Planning Commission’s target for a walkable catchment area. Neighbourhoods surrounding high SES schools were significantly more walkable than neighbourhoods surrounding medium and low SES schools (mean walkability scores: 12.4, 10.5, 10.1, respectively, p < .001). Neighbourhoods surrounding schools located in the Central subregion (mean 12.3) were significantly more walkable than neighbourhoods surrounding schools located in the North-West (mean 11.0, p = .024), South Metropolitan (mean 10.0, p < .001) and North-East (mean 8.4, p < .001) subregions. No significant differences in walkability index scores were found for school type. This study found a large proportion of Perth schools were surrounded by disconnected street networks and that neighbourhoods surrounding high SES schools were, on average, more walkable than neighbourhoods surrounding medium and low SES schools. The results highlight the importance of modifying the built environment to increase opportunities for active school transport, particularly in low and medium socio-economic areas.
An embedded TensorFlow lite model for classification of chip images with respect to chip morphology depending on varying feed
Authors: Özçevik Yusuf , Sönmez Fikret
Published: February 2024

Turning is one of the fundamental machining processes used to produce superior machine parts. It is critical to manage the machining conditions to maintain the desired properties of the final product. Chip morphology and chip control are crucial factors to be monitored. In particular, the selection of an appropriate feed has one of the most significant effects. On the other hand, machine learning is an advanced approach that is continuously evolving and helping many industries. Moreover, mobile applications with learning models have been deployed in the field, recently. Taking these motivations into account, in this study, we propose a practical mobile application that includes an embedded learning model to provide chip classification based on chip morphology. For this purpose, a dataset of chips with different morphological properties is obtained and manually labeled according to ISO 3685 standards by using 20 different feeds on AISI 4140 material. Accordingly, TensorFlow Lite is used to train a learning model, and the model is embedded into a real-time Android mobile application. Eventually, the final software is evaluated through experiments conducted on the dataset and in the field, respectively. According to the evaluation results, it can be stated that the learning model is able to predict chip morphology with a test accuracy of 85.4%. Moreover, the findings obtained from the real-time mobile application satisfy the success rate by practical usage. As a result, it can be concluded that such attempts can be utilized in the turning process to adjust the relevant feed conditions.
Effect of Ag-doping process into the yttrium iron garnet (Y3Fe5O12) thin films on the structural, magnetic and optical properties
Authors: Demiryürek Nazan , Akyol Mustafa , Karadağ Faruk , Ekicibil Ahmet
Published: February 2024

In this work, the effect of Ag doping process (directly and as a nanoparticle) into the Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) thin films on the structural, morphological, optical and magnetic properties was studied in detail. Ag-doped YIG thin films were grown on thermally oxidized Si substrates by following sol–gel and spin-coating methods. All films were crystallized without cracks by two-stages heat treatment process. The XRD patterns confirm the formation of YIG peaks, and metallic Ag peaks which settled into the structure without bonding with the YIG components. In both Ag doping processes, the coercive field (Hc) and saturation magnetization (Ms) values of the samples containing 3% Ag are significantly lower than the other samples. The Ms values of 5% Ag doped samples were found the highest in both series. The Ms values of the films between in-plane and out-of-plane measurement increased with the Ag concentration. The optical measurements indicate an absorption peak in the range of 0–4 eV in both sample series and the optical band gap of the films decreased with the Ag doping due to its metallic characteristic. The ferromagnetic resonance measurements indicate that the lowest FMR linewidth as 92 Oe is seen in the 1% Ag-doped YIG sample. The relatively cheap and easy production of the used method and additive material may enable the widespread the usage of Ag-doped YIG thin films in magneto-optical devices.
Life in Suspension with Death: Biocultural Ontologies, Perceptual Cues, and Biomarkers for the Tibetan Tukdam Postmortem Meditative State
Authors: Tidwell Tawni L.
Published: February 2024

This article presents two cases from a collaborative study among Tibetan monastic populations in India on the postdeath meditative state called tukdam (thugs dam). Entered by advanced Tibetan Buddhist practitioners through a variety of different practices, this state provides an ontological frame that is investigated by two distinct intellectual traditions—the Tibetan Buddhist and medical tradition on one hand and the Euroamerican biomedical and scientific tradition on the other—using their respective means of inquiry. Through the investigation, the traditions
enact two paradigms of the body at the time of death alongside attendant conceptualizations of what constitutes life itself. This work examines when epistemologies of these two traditions might converge, under what ontological contexts, and through which correlated indicators of evidence. In doing so, this work explores how these two intellectual traditions might answer how the time course and characteristics of physiological changes during the postmortem period might exhibit variation across individuals. Centrally, this piece presents an epistemological
inquiry delineating the types of valid evidence that constitute exceptional processes post-clinical death and their potential ontological implications.
A message verification scheme based on physical layer-enabled data hiding for flying ad hoc network
Authors: Mallikarachchi Dilshani , Wong KokSheik , Lim Joanne Mun-Yee
Published: February 2024

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for military as well as civilian applications such as search and rescue operations, disaster management, parcel delivery and agriculture, is becoming increasingly popular, mainly due to their versatile nature and relatively inexpensive operating costs. However, one of the most significant barriers in the widespread adoption of UAVs for the aforementioned applications is the increasing concern for wireless communication security within the network. Unfortunately, the nodes that comprise these networks are extremely constrained in terms of storage space, processing power and battery life, which require light-weight security protocols that align with these limitations. The current standards for message authentication and verification predominantly rely on lightweight cryptographic techniques. However, there is continual scope for improvement, particularly in the realm of computational efficiency, to better align with the constraints inherent to UAVs. This paper explores data hiding in a multi-UAV environment, to form a light-weight message verification scheme to confirm the identity of the transmitting node. First, five venues having the potential to hide data are analyzed. Based on the analysis of bit error rate obtained from the simulated multi-UAV environment, both cyclic prefix and padding bits are selected. Next, a codeword is generated for each transmission and it is embedded along with the unique ID key, $$\kappa $$
κ
of the transmitting node into each venue respectively, and the output is transmitted as Hello packets. Subsequently, the receiving node extracts and decodes the codeword in order to verify the authenticity of the transmitting node. An evaluation of the proposed scheme has been conducted by using a simulated UAV environment. In the best case scenario, the proposed authentication scheme can achieve a successful verification rate of at least 80% at a maximum hop-count of 10 hops. Through computational cost analysis, in comparison to the conventional methods, the proposed scheme was found to have a significantly lower total execution time of $$1.7\mu s$$

1.7
μ
s

. In addition, the security analysis shows that when the proposed scheme is paired with physical unclonable functions (PUFs), it is able to resist common security attacks, including man-in-the-middle, replay and cloning attacks.
About Latent Roles in Forecasting Players in Team Sports
Authors: Scofano Luca , Sampieri Alessio , Re Giuseppe , Almanza Matteo , Panconesi Alessandro , Galasso Fabio
Published: February 2024

Forecasting players in sports has grown in popularity due to the potential for a tactical advantage and the applicability of such research to multi-agent interaction systems. Team sports contain a significant social component that influences interactions between teammates and opponents. However, it still needs to be fully exploited. In this work, we hypothesize that each participant has a specific function in each action and that role-based interaction is critical for predicting players’ future moves. We create RolFor, a novel end-to-end model for Role-based Forecasting. RolFor uses a new module we developed called Ordering Neural Networks (OrderNN) to permute the order of the players such that each player is assigned to a latent role. The latent role is then modeled with a RoleGCN. Thanks to its graph representation, it provides a fully learnable adjacency matrix that captures the relationships between roles and is subsequently used to forecast the players’ future trajectories. Extensive experiments on a challenging NBA basketball dataset back up the importance of roles and justify our goal of modeling them using optimizable models. When an oracle provides roles, the proposed RolFor compares favorably to the current state-of-the-art (it ranks first in terms of ADE and second in terms of FDE errors). However, training the end-to-end RolFor incurs the issues of differentiability of permutation methods, which we experimentally review. Finally, this work restates differentiable ranking as a difficult open problem and its great potential in conjunction with graph-based interaction models.
Research on Event Target Recognition Based on DRUNet and Multi-scale Attention
Authors: Liu Zi-Long , Tan Bing
Published: February 2024

Aiming at the problem of noise and insufficient feature extraction in event camera-based target recognition task, we proposes an event target recognition method based on DRUNet and multi-scale attention. Firstly, DRUNet is added as a filter to reduce the event noise during the conversion of the event stream into event tensor; secondly, a multi-scale convolutional layer is used instead of a single convolutional layer to extract feature information at different scales, and a depth-separable convolution is utilized to replace part of the standard convolution in the network structure to reduce the number of network parameters without losing the performance of the network; thirdly, multi-scale features are performed on different channel fusion and connecting the channel attention module to enhance the network’s representation of effective features; then the classifier is redesigned to reduce feature loss and improve recognition accuracy by compressing the semantic information layer-by-layer and step-by-step; finally, the Adam optimizer based on the gradient centered algorithm is used for training to improve the network’s generalization ability and training speed. On the N-Caltech101 and N-Cars datasets, the recognition accuracy of the model is 87.2$$\%$$
%
and 96.3$$\%$$
%
, respectively, which is significantly higher than other algorithms.
State estimation-based parameter identification for a class of nonlinear fractional-order systems
Authors: Oliva-Gonzalez Lorenz Josue , Martínez-Guerra Rafael
Published: February 2024

Parametric identification is an important part of system theory since knowledge of the parameters allows the analysis and control of the system. The aim of this paper is to propose a novel robust (against measurement noise) parameter identification method for a class of nonlinear fractional-order systems. In order to solve the parametric identification we carry out this problem to a state estimation problem, we introduce a Fractional Algebraic Identifiability (FAI) property which allows to represent the system parameters as a function of the inputs and outputs of the system, this parameter identification method provides an on-line identification process (while the system is operating), we also propose a fractional-order differentiator which allows to reduce the effect of measurement noise as well as to provide the estimation of a fractional-order derivative of the system output. Moreover, we use the Mittag–Leffler boundedness to demonstrate the convergence of this method, a different approach for this stability analysis method is given in this paper. Finally, we illustrate the accuracy and robustness of our proposed method by means of the parametric identification of two nonlinear fractional-order systems: a time-varying nonlinear fractional-order system and a nonlinear fractional-order mathematical model of a simple pendulum.
Molecular cross-talk between long COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Pszczołowska Magdalena , Walczak Kamil , Misków Weronika , Antosz Katarzyna , Batko Joanna , Karska Julia , Leszek Jerzy
Published: February 2024

The long COVID (coronavirus disease), a multisystemic condition following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, is one of the widespread problems. Some of its symptoms affect the nervous system and resemble symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—a neurodegenerative condition caused by the accumulation of amyloid beta and hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins. Multiple studies have found dependence between these two conditions. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease have a greater risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to increased levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and the infection itself promotes amyloid beta generation which enhances the risk of AD. Also, the molecular pathways are alike—misregulations in folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism, a deficit of Cq10, and disease-associated microglia. Medical imaging in both of these diseases shows a decrease in the volume of gray matter, global brain size reduction, and hypometabolism in the parahippocampal gyrus, thalamus, and cingulate cortex. In some studies, a similar approach to applied medication can be seen, including the use of amino adamantanes and phenolic compounds of rosemary. The significance of these connections and their possible application in medical practice still needs further study but there is a possibility that they will help to better understand long COVID.
The origins of human pluripotent stem cells: the road from a cancer to regenerative medicine
Authors: Andrews Peter W.
Published: February 2024

The notion of using pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) as a source of differentiated cell types for replacement of disease or damaged tissues in regenerative medicine is now an active area of research, with approaches to treating eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration or Parkinson’s disease now on the horizon. But the foundations for this research lie in a quite different area of science, namely the role of genetics of cancer. In this review, we trace the evolution of ideas starting with the discovery that strain 129 mice are particularly subject to develop germ cell tumors, through the identification of embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells as the stem cells of the teratocarcinoma manifestation of these tumors, to the recognition of their relationship to pluripotent cells of the early embryo, and eventually their role in the derivation of embryonic stem cells, first from mouse embryos and then from primates including humans. This is a story that illustrates how science commonly develops through the interests and insights of individual investigators, often with unexpected and unintended outcomes.
Revitalizing educational institutions through customer focus
Authors: Mittal Vikas , Jung Jihye
Published: February 2024

Despite the importance of education in terms of spending and its impact, dissatisfaction with traditional public schools is growing due to students’ underperformance. One reason, among many, is the lack of strategic focus among educational institutions. The authors theoretically and empirically demonstrate the benefits of a customer-focused approach to strategy planning and execution for improving student performance. A customer-focused strategy enables educational institutions to identify customer needs providing the most value to customers, align strategy execution to those needs, and ultimately improve customer loyalty and academic outcomes. We demonstrate the approach using data from qualitative interviews with school leaders and surveys from 10,644 K12 parents. We conclude that a customer-focused approach helps educational institutions satisfy their customers and achieve higher academic outcomes.
Mixed Subdivisions Suitable for the Greedy Canny–Emiris Formula
Authors: Checa Carles , Emiris Ioannis Z.
Published: February 2024

The Canny–Emiris formula (Canny and Emiris in International symposium on applied algebra, algebraic algorithms, and error-correcting codes, 1993) gives the sparse resultant as the ratio of the determinant of a Sylvester-type matrix over a minor of it, both obtained via a mixed subdivision algorithm. In Checa and Emiris (Proceedings of the 2022 international symposium on symbolic and algebraic computation, 2022), the same authors gave an explicit class of mixed subdivisions for the greedy approach so that the formula holds, and the dimension of the constructed matrices is smaller than that of the subdivision algorithm, following the approach of Canny and Pedersen (An algorithm for the Newton resultant, 1993). Our method improves upon the dimensions of the matrices when the Newton polytopes are zonotopes and the systems are multihomogeneous. In this text, we provide more such cases, and we conjecture which might be the liftings providing minimal size of the resultant matrices. We also describe two applications of this formula, namely in computer vision and in the implicitization of surfaces, while offering the corresponding JULIA code. We finally introduce a novel tropical approach that leads to an alternative proof of a result in Checa and Emiris (Proceedings of the 2022 international symposium on symbolic and algebraic computation, 2022).
Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles as Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immunomodulatory Therapeutics: A Systematic Review of Clinical and Preclinical Studies
Authors: Ahmed Sarah Hamdy , AlMoslemany Mohamed Atef , Witwer Kenneth Whitaker , Tehamy Ahmed Gamal , El-Badri Nagwa
Published: February 2024

Background

COVID-19 rapidly escalated into a worldwide pandemic with elevated infectivity even from asymptomatic patients. Complications can lead to severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which are the main contributors to death. Because of their regenerative and immunomodulatory capacities, stem cells and their derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are perceived as promising therapies against severe pulmonary conditions, including those associated with COVID-19. Herein, we evaluate the safety and efficacy of stem cell EVs in treating COVID-19 and complicating pneumonia, acute lung injury, and ARDS. We also cover relevant preclinical studies to recapitulate the current progress in stem cell EV-based therapy.

Methods

Using PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Web of Science, we searched for all English-language published studies (2000–2023) that used stem cell EVs as a therapy for COVID-19, ARDS, or pneumonia. The risk of bias (ROB) was assessed for all studies.

Results

Forty-eight studies met our inclusion criteria. Various-sized EVs derived from different types of stem cells were reported as a potentially safe and effective therapy to attenuate the cytokine storm induced by COVID-19. EVs alleviated inflammation and regenerated the alveolar epithelium by decreasing apoptosis, proinflammatory cytokines, neutrophil infiltration, and M2 macrophage polarization. They also prevented fibrin production and promoted the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and endothelial cell junction proteins.

Conclusion

Similar to their parental cells, stem cell EVs mediate lung tissue regeneration by targeting multiple pathways and thus hold promise in promoting the recovery of COVID-19 patients and improving the survival rate of severely affected patients.

Graphical Abstract
Evaluation of TRIM63 RNA in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) as a potential biomarker for alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS)
Authors: Taylor Alexander S. , Mannan Rahul , Pantanowitz Liron , Chinnaiyan Arul M. , Dhanasekaran Saravana M. , Hrycaj Steven , Cao Xuhong , Chan May P. , Lucas David , Wang Xiao-Ming , Mehra Rohit
Published: February 2024

Alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare soft tissue tumor with a broad morphologic differential diagnosis. While histology and immunohistochemistry can be suggestive, diagnosis often requires exclusion of other entities followed by confirmatory molecular analysis for its characteristic ASPSCR1-TFE3 fusion. Current stain-based biomarkers (such as immunohistochemistry for cathepsin K and TFE3) show relatively high sensitivity but may lack specificity, often showing staining in multiple other entities under diagnostic consideration. Given the discovery of RNA in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) for TRIM63 as a sensitive and specific marker of MiTF-family aberration renal cell carcinomas, we sought to evaluate its utility in the workup of ASPS. TRIM63 RNA-ISH demonstrated high levels (H-score greater than 200) of expression in 19/20 (95%) cases of ASPS (average H-score 330) and was weak or negative in cases of paraganglioma, clear cell sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, as well as hepatocellular and adrenal cortical carcinomas. Staining was also identified in tumors with known subsets characterized by TFE3 alterations such as perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasm (PEComa, average H-score 228), while tumors known to exhibit overexpression of TFE3 protein without cytogenetic alterations, such as melanoma and granular cell tumor, generally showed less TRIM63 ISH staining (average H-scores 147 and 96, respectively). Quantitative assessment of TRIM63 staining by RNA-ISH is potentially a helpful biomarker for tumors with molecular TFE3 alterations such as ASPS.
Empirical Examination of Factors that Influence Official Decisions in Criminal Cases Against Police Officers
Authors: Boateng Francis D. , Pryce Daniel K. , Dzordzormenyoh Michael K. , Hsieh Ming-Li , Cuff Alan
Published: February 2024

In the current paper, we examine departmental and court decision-making in criminal cases against police officers. The study has two objectives: 1) to examine variables that impact departmental decisions in criminal cases against police officers, and 2) to examine factors that affect case disposition/conviction decisions by the courts. To achieve these objectives, we analyzed nationally representative arrest data using multiple statistical approaches. The results obtained revealed important patterns that are critical to our understanding of how the courts and police departments decide matters relating to police criminality. For instance, victim characteristics significantly influenced decision-making by both the police agency and the court. Also, officer characteristics and crime types were important indicators of how offending officers were punished by both the courts and the agencies that employed them. Specifically, officers whose cases involved child victims and officers who were not familiar with their victims had greater odds of being convicted. The implications of our findings for policy and research in policing, especially research on police misconduct, are discussed.
Motor impulsivity and problematic online behaviours among university students: the potential mediating role of coping style
Authors: Sánchez-Fernández Magdalena , Borda-Mas Mercedes
Published: February 2024

Motor impulsivity may be a predictor for generalized and specific problematic Internet uses in university students. The possible mediating role of coping style needs to be further researched. Among a sample of 726 Spanish university students, the present study examined the direct and indirect associations of motor impulsivity with generalized problematic internet use (GPIU), problematic social media use (PSMU), and problematic online gaming (POG), and the potential mediational role of coping styles. Results reported that motor impulsivity was directly associated with GPIU, PSMU, and POG, and indirectly associated with these problematic behaviours via the disengagement coping style. However, the engagement coping style did not play a mediating role. These findings suggest that disengagement coping style may, in part, explain the association between motor impulsivity and university students´ GPIU, PSMU, and POG, and provide empirical evidence for the theoretical hypothesis that different types of online problem behaviours share some aetiological mechanisms.
Equivariant Solutions to the Optimal Partition Problem for the Prescribed Q-Curvature Equation
Authors: Fernández Juan Carlos , Palmas Oscar , Torres Orozco Jonatán
Published: February 2024

We study the optimal partition problem for the prescribed constant Q-curvature equation induced by the higher-order conformal operators under the effect of cohomogeneity one actions on Einstein manifolds with positive scalar curvature. This allows us to give a precise description of the solution domains and their boundaries in terms of the orbits of the action. We also prove the existence of least energy symmetric solutions to a weakly coupled elliptic system of prescribed Q-curvature equations under weaker assumptions and conclude a multiplicity result of sign-changing solutions to the prescribed constant Q-curvature problem induced by the Paneitz-Branson operator. Moreover, we study the coercivity of GJMS operators on Ricci solitons, compute the Q-curvature of these manifolds, and give a multiplicity result for the sign-changing solutions to the Yamabe problem with a prescribed number of nodal domains on the Koiso–Cao Ricci soliton.
Keita (Aptandraceae-Olacaceae s.l.), a new genus for African species previously ascribed to Anacolosa, including K. deniseae sp. nov., an Endangered submontane forest liana from Simandou, Republic of Guinea
Authors: Cheek Martin , Molmou Denise , Gosline George , Magassouba Sékou
Published: February 2024

We show that the two continental African species previously ascribed to the genusAnacolosa, differ in so many architectural, floral and vegetative characters from the remaining species of the genus (which occur from Madagascar to the western Pacific, including the type) that they clearly represent a separate genus. The African genus represented by these two species is unique within the Olacaceae s.l. (excluding Erythropalaceae) in being a climber (vs shrubs or trees inAnacolosasensu stricto). Climbing in the two African species is achieved by perennial hook-like structures formed by a combination of five separate traits each of which is unknown elsewhere in the Olacaceae s.l. We formally delimit, describe and name this new African genus asKeita. Placement is tentatively in Aptandraceae but confirmation by molecular studies is required. We describe a new species from Guinea asKeita deniseaesp. nov.and transfer the Central African (Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo & Gabon) species fromAnacolosato the new genus asKeita unciferacomb. nov.Keita deniseaeis assessed using the IUCN (2012) criteria as Endangered due to the threat of clearance or degradation of forest habitat for mining and agriculture, whileK. unciferais assessed as Least Concern in view of its large range, number of locations and low levels of threat. We review the discovery ofKeita deniseaein the light of other recent discoveries of new taxa in both Simandou and the Republic of Guinea.
The Photocatalytic Performance of Ag /TiO2/Nylon 6/PMMA System
Authors: Polat Kinyas , Bursalı Elif Ant , Yurdakoç Mürüvvet , Yurdakoç Kadir
Published: February 2024

Herein, Ag/TiO2/Nylon 6/PMMA catalyst system was developed, and its photocatalytic properties were fully analyzed. XRD, SEM, EDS, and PL analyses were carried out to get information on crystal structure, micromorphology, elemental composition, and band gap energy. Photocatalytic degradation was followed by UV–vis spectrophotometry. The band gap of the catalyst was found to be between 2.51 and 3.1 eV. Up to 80% degradation was achieved under UV light irradiation. No bulk adsorption was observed, which means that the reaction was completely carried by the photocatalytic process. pH 3 value was determined to be suitable for a high rate. Reaction kinetic was determined to be matched with the first-order rate law. The newly developed polymer blend matrix system here may have broad application prospects in the remediation of water resources.
Orlicz-Lorentz-Karamata Hardy martingale spaces: inequalities and fractional integral operators
Authors: Hao Zhiwei , Li Libo , Long Long , Weisz Ferenc
Published: February 2024

Let $$0<q\le \infty $$

0
<
q
≤
∞

, b be a slowly varying function and $$ \Phi : [0,\infty ) \longrightarrow [0,\infty ) $$

Φ
:
[
0
,
∞
)
⟶
[
0
,
∞
)

be an increasing function with $$\Phi (0)=0$$

Φ
(
0
)
=
0

and $$\lim \limits _{r \rightarrow \infty }\Phi (r)=\infty $$

lim

r
→
∞

Φ

(
r
)

=
∞

. In this paper, we introduce a new class of function spaces $$L_{\Phi ,q,b}$$

L

Φ
,
q
,
b

which unify and generalize the Lorentz-Karamata spaces with $$\Phi (t)=t^p$$

Φ

(
t
)

=

t
p

and the Orlicz-Lorentz spaces with $$b\equiv 1$$

b
≡
1

. Based on the new spaces, we introduce five new Hardy spaces containing martingales, the so-called Orlicz-Lorentz-Karamata Hardy martingale spaces and then develop a theory of these martingale Hardy spaces. To be precise, we first investigate several properties of Orlicz-Lorentz-Karamata spaces and then present Doob’s maximal inequalities by using Hardy’s inequalities. The characterization of these Hardy martingale spaces are constructed via the atomic decompositions. As applications of the atomic decompositions, martingale inequalities and the relation of the different martingale Hardy spaces are presented. The dual theorems and a new John-Nirenberg type inequality for the new framework are also established. Moreover, we study the boundedness of fractional integral operators on Orlicz-Lorentz-Karamata Hardy martingale spaces. The results obtained here generalize the previous results for Lorentz-Karamata Hardy martingale spaces as well as for Orlicz-Lorentz Hardy martingales spaces. Especially, we remove the condition that b is non-decreasing as in [38, 39] and the condition $$q_{\Phi ^{-1}}<1/q$$

q

Φ

-
1

<
1
/
q

in [24], respectively.
Evaluation of Candidates for Lung Transplant—A Review of Patient-Specific Risk Factors
Authors: Leard Lorriana E.
Published: February 2024

Purpose of review

The purpose of this paper is to review the evaluation of patients who are potential candidates for a lung transplant. Attention is paid to patient-specific risk factors considered when determining if an individual is a candidate for a lung transplant.

Recent findings

Recent consensus statements and a review of the literature support the notion that patient-specific risk factors associated with adverse outcomes following lung transplant should be identified and used to determine whether an individual patient is a candidate for lung transplant. The rationale for considering these risk factors is discussed. Early referral is encouraged to enable individuals time to reduce risk when modifiable risk factors are identified.

Patient-specific risk factors for adverse post-lung transplant outcomes should be identified and modified, if possible, to reduce risk. Additional research is required to better understand which ones place the recipient at the greatest risk and to guide the calculation of acceptable risk. Interprofessional teams at each lung transplant center must consider the combination of patient-specific risk factors in a risk-benefit analysis to make the determination as to whether the candidate will be listed for a lung transplant. These determinations should be transparent, equitable, and communicated clearly.
Goal-Directed Therapy in Liver Surgery
Authors: Marcus Sivan G. , Syed Shareef , Anderson Alexandra L. , Bokoch Michael P.
Published: February 2024

Purpose of Review

This review summarizes the updated literature on goal-directed therapy during liver surgery. It provides guidance for clinicians regarding physiologic concepts and clinical evidence related to fluid and hemodynamic management strategies during and after liver resection.

Recent Findings

Open liver resection presents unique anatomic and physiologic challenges for the anesthesiologist. Care must be taken to reduce hemorrhage via control of inflow and outflow of hepatic blood. Resuscitation should be individualized to the patient and primarily utilize balanced crystalloids, blood products, and possibly albumin. Administration of intravenous fluids should be guided by hemodynamic parameters. Minimally invasive liver resection may be beneficial to patients but presents additional considerations for goal-directed therapy.

Goal-directed therapy can be utilized to decrease blood loss and optimize the surgical field during liver resection. This strategy holds promise to improve patient outcomes after liver surgery.