bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The multifaceted consequences and economic costs of child anxiety problems: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pollard Jack , Reardon Tessa , Williams Chloe , Creswell Cathy , Ford Tamsin , Gray Alastair , Roberts Nia , Stallard Paul , Ukoumunne Obioha C. , Violato Mara
Published: April 2023

Background

Over a quarter of people have an anxiety disorder at some point in their life, with many first experiencing difficulties during childhood or adolescence. Despite this, gaps still exist in the current evidence base of the multiple consequences of childhood anxiety problems and their costs.

Methods

A systematic review of Medline, PsycINFO, EconLit and the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database was conducted for longitudinal and economic studies reporting on the association between childhood anxiety problems and at least one individual‐, family‐ or societal‐level outcome or cost. All studies were synthesised narratively. For longitudinal studies, ‘effect direction’ was used as a common metric, with random effects meta‐analysis undertaken where possible.

Results

Eighty‐three studies met inclusion criteria and were synthesised narratively. We identified 788 separate analyses from the longitudinal studies, which we grouped into 15 overarching outcome domains. Thirteen of the studies were incorporated into 13 meta‐analyses, which indicated that childhood anxiety disorders were associated with future anxiety, mood, behaviour and substance disorders. Narrative synthesis also suggested associations between anxiety problems and worse physical health, behaviour, self‐harm, eating, relationship, educational, health care, employment, and financial outcomes. ‘Effect direction’ was conflicting in some domains due to a sparse evidence base. Higher economic costs were identified for the child, their families, healthcare providers and wider society, although evidence was limited and only covered short follow‐up periods, up to a maximum of 2 years. Total annual societal costs per anxious child were up to £4040 (2021 GBP).

Conclusions

Childhood anxiety problems are associated with impaired outcomes in numerous domains, and considerable economic costs, which highlight the need for cost‐effective interventions and policies to tackle them. More economic evidence is needed to inform models of the long‐term, economic‐related, consequences of childhood anxiety problems.
An MRI‐Based Prognostic Stratification System for Medical Decision‐Making of Multinodular Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Beyond the Milan Criteria
Authors: Wu Fei , Ni Xiaoyan , Sun Haitao , Zhou Changwu , Huang Peng , Xiao Yuyao , Yang Li , Yang Chun , Zeng Mengsu
Published: April 2023

Background

The suitability of hepatectomy among patients with multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma (MHCC) beyond the Milan criteria remains controversial. There is a need for a reliable risk stratification tool among these patients for the selection of ideal candidates of curative resection.

Purpose

To determine the clinicoradiological prognostic factors for patients with MHCC beyond the Milan criteria to further develop a stratification system.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

176 patients with pathologically confirmed MHCC beyond the Milan criteria.

Field Strength/Sequence

The 1.5 T scanner, including T1‐, T2‐, diffusion‐weighted imaging, in/out‐phase imaging, and dynamic contrast‐enhanced imaging.

Assessment

Conventional MRI features and preoperative laboratory data including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) were collected and analyzed. Two nomograms incorporating clinicoradiological variables were independently constructed to predict recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) with Cox regression analyses and verified with 5‐fold cross validation. Based on the nomograms, two prognostic stratification systems for RFS and OS were further developed.

Statistical Tests

The Cohen's kappa/intraclass correlation coefficient, C‐index, calibration curve, Kaplan–Meier curve, log‐rank test. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

AST > 40 U/L, increased tumor burden score, radiological liver cirrhosis and nonsmooth tumor margin were independent predictors for poor RFS, while AST > 40 U/L, AFP > 400 ng/mL and radiological liver cirrhosis were independent predictors for poor OS. The two nomograms demonstrated good discrimination performance with C‐index of 0.653 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.602–0.794) and 0.685 (95% CI, 0.623–0.747) for RFS and OS, respectively. The 5‐fold cross validation further validated the discrimination capability of the nomograms. Based on the nomogram models, MHCC patients beyond the Milan criteria were stratified into low−/medium−/high‐risk groups with significantly different RFS and OS.

Data Conclusion

The proposed MRI‐based prognostic stratification system facilitates the refinement and further subclassification of patients with MHCC beyond the Milan criteria.

Evidence Level

4.

Technical Efficacy

2.
Proteotypic peptides of hairs for the identification of common European domestic and wild animal species revealed by in‐sample protein digestion and mass spectrometry analysis
Authors: Kuckova Stepanka , Smirnova Tatiana Anatolievna , Straka David , Meledina Alena , Santrucek Jiri , Humpolakova Karin , Hoskova Martina , Cejnar Pavel , Hynek Radovan
Published: April 2023

The aim of this work is to offer an alternative or complementary analytical tool to the time‐consuming and expensive methods commonly used for the recognition of animal species according to their hair. The paper introduces a simple and fast way for species differentiation of animal hairs called in‐sample digestion. A total of 10 European animal species, including cat, cow, common degu, dog, fallow deer, goat, horse, sika deer, rabbit, roe deer, and 17 different breeds of dogs were examined using specific tryptic cleavage directly in hair followed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight. Principal component analysis was used for the subsequent mass spectrometric data evaluation.

This novel approach demonstrates the ability to distinguish among individual animal species, which is supported by finding characteristic m/z values obtained by the mass spectrometry for each animal species. The approach was successfully tested on two “blind” samples. On the other hand, the attempt to distinguish among hairs of different dog breeds has not been successful due to the very similar protein composition and their amino acid sequences.
Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer based on dynamically established metal‐mediated binding sites for the determination of trace captopril in rat plasma
Authors: He Kunlin , Cao Yu , Chen Qian , Yang Shuling , Chen Min , Shan Lianhai
Published: April 2023

Therapeutic drug monitoring of captopril, which is a commonly used antihypertensive agent in clinical practice, is necessary. However, matrix effect‐induced pretreatment is the bottleneck for determination. Metal‐mediated molecularly imprinted polymers, an essential branch of molecularly imprinted polymers with better specificity and selectivity, have been used to separate/enrich analytes from complex matrices. In this work, Cu2+ was introduced to dynamically establish the binding sites of metal‐mediated molecularly imprinted polymer towards captopril. All evidence demonstrated that the metal‐mediated molecularly imprinted polymer based on Cu2+ coordination obtained a higher adsorption capacity (81.23 mg/g), faster adsorption rate (adsorption equilibrium within 50 min), and better selectivity (with the unrecognized analog). Subsequently, the Cu2+‐mediated molecularly imprinted polymer was used as dispersive molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction to successfully establish an analytical platform for the determination of trace captopril in rat plasma. The enrichment factor was up to 20, the detection limit was as low as 0.16 μg/ml, and the average recovery was in the range of 87.51%–98.28% with a relative standard deviation of less than 3.29%. This study provides a promising reference for the preparation of selective adsorbents to improve pretreatment.
Race and sex demographics in the surgical management of facial nerve palsy
Authors: Crawford Kayva L. , Ball Laurel L. , Kalavacherla Sandhya , Greene Jacqueline J. , Nguyen Quyen T. , Orosco Ryan K.
Published: April 2023

Objective

Facial palsy affects patients of all backgrounds, yet no existing studies describe differences in its treatment patterns between demographic groups.

Methods

We used the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database to investigate whether race and sex disparities exist in facial reanimation surgery. Patients were identified using CPT codes corresponding to facial‐nerve procedures.

Results

Seven hundred sixty‐one patients met criteria; 681 self‐identified as White (89.5%), 51 as Black (6.7%), 43 as Hispanic (5.6%), 23 as Asian (3.0%), and 5 patients as other (0.61%). White patients were more than twice as likely to undergo brow ptosis repair than Non‐White patients (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.16–6.15, p = .03). After controlling for malignancy, men had longer operative times than women (480.2 vs. 413.9 min, p = .04) and higher likelihood of free tissue transfer (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.9–9.8), fascial free tissue transfer (OR 10.7, 95% CI 2.1–195), and ectropion repair (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.8).

Conclusion

Most patients undergoing facial reanimation surgery in the United States are White. Men have longer operative times and a higher likelihood of undergoing free fascial grafts and cutaneous and fascial free tissue transfer than women regardless of malignancy status.

Level of Evidence

2c.
Pre‐clinical evaluation of APrevent® VOIS for unilateral vocal fold paralysis medialization
Authors: Ho Guan‐Min , Rast Jasmin , Hsieh Li‐Chun , Böttcher Arne , Meng Stefan , Reissig Lukas F. , Tzou Chieh‐Han , Hess Markus Maria , Schneider‐Stickler Berit , Jiang Jack , Lai Yin‐Ta , Yuan Sheng‐Po , Wang Ying‐Piao , Geyer Stefan H. , Weninger Wolfgang J.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To evaluate the concept and efficacy of an adjustable implant (Prototype SH30: porcine implant and APrevent® VOIS: human concept) for treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) via in vivo mini‐pig studies, human computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) image analysis, ex‐vivo aerodynamic and acoustic analysis.

Methods

Feasibility testing and prototype implantation were performed using in‐vivo UVFP porcine model (n = 8), followed by a dimensional finding study using CT and MR scans of larynges (n = 75) for modification of the implant prototypes. Acoustic and aerodynamic measurements were recorded on excised canine (n = 7) larynges with simulated UVFP before and after medialization with VOIS‐Implant.

Results

The prototype showed in the in‐vivo UVFP porcine model an improved glottic closure from grade 6 incomplete closure to complete closure (n = 5), to grade 2 incomplete closure (n = 2) and grade 3 incomplete closure (n = 1). On human CT/MR scans the identification of the correct size was successful in 97.3% using the thyroid cartilage alar “distance S” as the only parameter, which is an important step towards procedure standardization and implant design. Results were confirmed with implantation in human laryngeal cadavers (n = 44). Measurements of the acoustic and aerodynamic effects after implantation showed a significant decreased phonation threshold pressure (p = .0187), phonation threshold flow (p = .0001) and phonation threshold power (p = .0046) on excised canine larynges with simulated UVFP. Percent jitter and percent shimmer decreased (p = .2976; p = .1771) but not significant.

Conclusions

Based on the preclinical results four sizes, differing in medial length, implant width and expansion direction of silicone cushions, seem to be enough to satisfy laryngeal size variations. This concept is significantly effective in medializing UVFP and improving the aerodynamic and acoustic qualities of phonation as reported in a preliminary clinical outcome study with long‐term implantation.

Level of Evidence

N/A
Caffeic acid, but not ferulic acid, inhibits macrophage pyroptosis by directly blocking gasdermin D activation
Authors: Liu Mingjiang , Liu Dandan , Yu Chenglong , Fan Hua hao , Zhao Xin , Wang Huiwen , Zhang Chi , Zhang Minxia , Bo Ruonan , He Shasha , Wang Xuerui , Jiang Hui , Guo Yuhong , Li Jingui , Xu Xiaolong , Liu Qingquan
Published: April 2023

Regulated pyroptosis is critical for pathogen elimination by inducing infected cell rupture and pro‐inflammatory cytokines secretion, while overwhelmed pyroptosis contributes to organ dysfunction and pathological inflammatory response. Caffeic acid (CA) and ferulic acid (FA) are both well‐known antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory phenolic acids, which resemble in chemical structure. Here we found that CA, but not FA, protects macrophages from both Nigericin‐induced canonical and cytosolic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced non‐canonical pyroptosis and alleviates LPS‐induced mice sepsis. It significantly improved the survival of pyroptotic cells and LPS‐challenged mice and blocked proinflammatory cytokine secretion. The anti‐pyroptotic effect of CA is independent of its regulations in cellular lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial function, or pyroptosis‐associated gene transcription. Instead, CA arrests pyroptosis by directly associating with gasdermin D (GSDMD) and blocking its processing, resulting in reduced N‐GSDMD pore construction and less cellular content release. In LPS‐induced septic mice, CA inhibits GSDMD activation in peritoneal macrophages and reduces the serum levels of interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α as the known pyroptosis inhibitors, disulfiram and dimethyl fumarate. Collectively, these findings suggest that CA inhibits pyroptosis by targeting GSDMD and is a potential candidate for curbing the pyroptosis‐associated disease.
Using the exponential function of scrambling variable in quantitative randomized response models
Authors: Azeem Muhammad
Published: April 2023

In sample surveys, refusals and untruthful reporting by the respondents are serious issues often faced by the researchers during the data collection process. Over the past few decades, randomized response models have gained wide popularity among survey statisticians as a tool to reduce the non‐response rate. The existing literature on quantitative randomized response models utilize the scrambling variable either as an additive term or as a multiplicative factor. This paper introduces the novel idea of the use of the exponential function of scrambling variable in quantitative randomized response models. Two new quantitative randomized response models are proposed based on exponential scrambling variable. It is found that the new randomized response models are more efficient than the existing quantitative randomized response models. The mathematical properties of the mean estimator of the sensitive variable under the new proposed methods have been discussed. Moreover, the joint and separate measures of privacy protection and efficiency of the proposed and existing models have also been discussed. Further, to illustrate the practical implementation of the suggested models, an example of data collection is also presented.
Obesogenic Diet Cycling Produces Graded Effects on Cognition and Microbiota Composition in Rats
Authors: Kendig Michael D. , Leigh Sarah‐Jane , Hasebe Kyoko , Kaakoush Nadeem O. , Westbrook R. Fred , Morris Margaret J.
Published: April 2023

Scope

The effects of diet cycling on cognition and fecal microbiota are not well understood.

Method and Results

Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were cycled between a high‐fat, high‐sugar “cafeteria” diet (Caf) and regular chow. The impairment in place recognition memory produced by 16 days of Caf diet was reduced by switching to chow for 11 but not 4 days. Next, rats received 16 days of Caf diet in 2, 4, 8, or 16‐day cycles, each separated by 4‐day chow cycles. Place recognition memory declined from baseline in all groups and was impaired in the 16‐ versus 2‐day group. Finally, rats received 24 days of Caf diet continuously or in 3‐day cycles separated by 2‐ or 4‐day chow cycles. Any Caf diet access impaired cognition and increased adiposity relative to controls, without altering hippocampal gene expression. Place recognition and adiposity were the strongest predictors of global microbiota composition. Overall, diets with higher Caf > chow ratios produced greater spatial memory impairments and larger shifts in gut microbiota species richness and beta diversity.

Conclusion

Results suggest that diet‐induced cognitive deficits worsen in proportion to unhealthy diet exposure, and that shifting to a healthy chow for at least a week is required for recovery under the conditions tested here.
Proliferation kinetics and mineralization properties of MC3T3‐E1 cells on whey protein isolate scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration
Authors: Dvora Mia , Warwick Paityn , Henry James E.
Published: April 2023

The purpose of the study is to assess the influence of scaffold composition and properties on the cellular proliferation and scaffold mineralization on a whey protein isolate (WPI) scaffold. Scaffolds of varying concentrations of WPI, calcium chloride, and amylopectin are seeded with cells, and growth curves are constructed from cell density measurements following incubation. Non‐linear regression yields kinetic growth parameters which are compared for quantitative assessment of scaffold performance. Scaffolds show biocompatibility and the ability to sustain a culture for the length of the study. For up to 14 days, the data are well described by exponential growth. Thereafter, saturation behavior appears, and the data fit well to a sigmoidal model. The seeding efficiency improves with increasing WPI concentration, peaking at 5 mM CaCl2, and decreases with added amylopectin. The growth constant is almost independent of scaffold composition, with possible increases with added CaCl2 and amylopectin. The retardation constant is independent of composition. Scaffolds cultured in differentiation and mineralization conditions, shows development of a mineralized matrix both on acellular scaffold surfaces and in osteoblast cultures. The ability of the unmodified WPI gel surfaces to promote the growth and differentiation of a model preosteoblast provides valuable trends and concentration effects for further scaffold design.
Threatening sarcoma with combinational therapies: Magnetic hyperthermia using nanoparticles
Authors: Yazdanpanah Abolfazl , Ghaffari Maryam , Ahmadi Zarrin , Abrishamkar Amir Babak , Sattarzadeh Saem , Ramedani Arash , Arabyazdi Sahar , Moztarzadeh Fatollah
Published: April 2023

Despite technical and fundamental progress in conventional cancer treatment methods, there still exists a vital need for more effective methods to address the current limitations in treatment. Combinational therapies are strategies suggested to enhance the chance of recurrence‐free and disease‐free survival in sarcomas. Among them magnetic hyperthermia has been attracting more and more attention for use in multimodal bone sarcoma treatment. The magnetic hyperthermia supposed to be non‐invasive, more tissue‐specific, and more effective in deep tissues. Magnetic nanoparticles and other active agents can be delivered through various drug delivery administrations to the tumor site and be heated remotely via alternating magnetic fields. Designing favorable drug delivery platforms that contain magnetic particles besides other anti‐tumor agents is a vital key in hyperthermia combinational therapies. Nanomaterials and nanotechnology have been widely engaged for designing efficient platforms in multimodal treatments. The purpose of this review is to discuss the latest designed magnetic nanoparticle platforms in hyperthermia combinational treatment in bone sarcoma.
Concurrent topology optimization of multiple components sharing partial design domain based on distance regularized parameterized level set method
Authors: Sheng Zhongqi , Hu Qunyi , Xie Yunpeng
Published: April 2023

In this article, the distance regularized parameterized level set method (DRPLSM) is proposed, which introduces a specified energy functional into the level set equation as the distance regularization term. Geometric verification shows that the distance regularization scheme keeps the level set function near the structural boundary as an approximate signed distance function. Based on benchmark example of the cantilever beam, it is verified that the DRPLSM can avoid the re‐initialization of level set function in the optimization process and obtain smooth structural boundary. The DRPLSM is applied to multicomponent concurrent topology optimization with partially shared design domain for the first time. It makes the optimization results have smooth structural boundaries. The optimization objective of this algorithm is to minimize the structural compliance of all components. The sharing domain is divided into different design domains according to the strain energy of elements. The optimality of the proposed algorithm for partitioning the sharing domain is verified using the literature example with known optimal solutions. A symmetric structure example, a main and auxiliary optimization structure example and an example with design‐dependent boundary loads show that the proposed concurrent optimization algorithm has wide applicability.
Pony patrols campus as goodwill ambassador for Virginia Tech
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: April 2023

As students and staff walk the Virginia Tech campus, they hope to cross paths with their favorite miniature horse on patrol, blanketed in his very own Virginia Tech Police Department uniform and sporting VT bows in his mane and tail.
Colleges find creative ways to manage demographic decline
Authors: D'Orio Wayne
Published: April 2023

There's no arguing with the demographics. Starting in 2025, the number of high school graduates will decline by 100,000 annually for four years (tinyurl.com/2st6c896). And the shrinking number of graduates will persist at least 15 years.
A multi‐methods approach for assessing how conserving biodiversity interacts with other sustainable development goals in Nepal
Authors: Adhikari Biraj , Urbach Davnah , Chettri Nakul , Sharma Eklabya , Breu Thomas , Geschke Jonas , Fischer Markus , Prescott Graham W.
Published: April 2023

Achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) requires a context‐specific understanding of how actions to achieve one goal interact with others. We analyzed statistical data, and conducted online surveys and interviews with conservation professionals to understand how terrestrial conservation goals (SDG 15: Life on land) influence and are influenced by other goals in Nepal. Our findings suggest that SDG 15 synergized with economic growth (SDG 8), gender equality (SDG 5), water access (SDG 6), sustainable production and consumption (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13), but traded off with food security (SDG 2), energy access (SDG 7), poverty alleviation (SDG 1), and infrastructure development (SDG 9). Increased multi‐sectoral collaboration between conservation and development stakeholders is urgently needed to address the negative impacts of other goals on SDG 15. Additionally, conservation measures in Nepal can benefit from being more people‐focused, participatory, and contextualized to mitigate negative impacts on socioeconomic goals.
Towards robust and accurate estimates of the incubation time distribution, with focus on upper tail probabilities and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Arntzen Vera H. , Fiocco Marta , Leitzinger Nils , Geskus Ronald B.
Published: April 2023

Quarantine length for individuals who have been at risk for infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 has been based on estimates of the incubation time distribution. The time of infection is often not known exactly, yielding data with an interval censored time origin. We give a detailed account of the data structure, likelihood formulation and assumptions usually made in the literature: (i) the risk of infection is assumed constant on the exposure window and (ii) the incubation time follows a specific parametric distribution. The impact of these assumptions remains unclear, especially for the right tail of the distribution which informs quarantine policy. We quantified bias in percentiles by means of simulation studies that mimic reality as close as possible. If assumption (i) is not correct, then median and upper percentiles are affected similarly, whereas misspecification of the parametric approach (ii) mainly affects upper percentiles. The latter may yield considerable bias. We suggest a semiparametric method that provides more robust estimates without the need of a parametric choice. Additionally, we used a simulation study to evaluate a method that has been suggested if all infection times are left censored. It assumes that the width of the interval from infection to latest possible exposure follows a uniform distribution. This assumption gave biased results in the exponential phase of an outbreak. Our application to open source data suggests that focus should be on the level of information in the observations, as expressed by the width of exposure windows, rather than the number of observations.
Homochiral Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework with Defined Chiral Microenvironment for Electrochemical Enantioselective Recognition
Authors: Wu Ming‐Yang , Mo Ri‐Jian , Ding Xin‐Lei , Huang Li‐Qiu , Li Zhong‐Qiu , Xia Xing‐Hua
Published: April 2023

The recognition and separation of chiral molecules with similar structure are of great industrial and biological importance. Development of highly efficient chiral recognition systems is crucial for the precise application of these chiral molecules. Herein, a homochiral zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (c‐ZIF) functionalized nanochannel device that exhibits an ideal platform for electrochemical enantioselective recognition is reported. Its distinct chiral binding cavity enables more sensitive discrimination of tryptophan (Trp) enantiomer pairs than other smaller chiral amino acids owing to its size matching to the target molecule. It is found that introducing neighboring aldehyde groups into the chiral cavity will result in an inferior chiral Trp recognition due to the decreased adsorption‐energy difference of D‐ and L‐Trp on the chiral sites. This study may provide an alternative strategy for designing efficient chiral recognition devices by utilizing the homochiral reticular materials and tailoring their chiral environments.
Less‐Coordinated Atomic Copper‐Dimer Boosted Carbon–Carbon Coupling During Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Authors: Yang Kang , Sun Yuntong , Chen Sheng , Li Ming , Zheng Min , Ma Lushan , Fan Wenjun , Zheng Yao , Li Qiang , Duan Jingjing
Published: April 2023

This work reports a metal–organic framework (MOF) with less‐coordinated copper dimers, which displays excellent electrochemical CO2 reduction (eCO2RR) performance with an advantageous current density of 0.9 A cm−2 and a high Faradaic efficiency of 71% to C2 products. In comparison with MOF with Cu monomers that are present as Cu1O4 with a coordination number of 3.8 ± 0.2, Cu dimers exist as O3Cu1···Cu2O2 with a coordination number of 2.8 ± 0.1. In situ characterizations together with theoretical calculations reveal that two *CO intermediates are stably adsorbed on each site of less‐coordinated Cu dimers, which favors later dimerization via a key intermediate of *CH2CHO. The highly unsaturated dual‐atomic Cu provides large‐quantity and high‐quality actives sites for carbon–carbon coupling, achieving the optimal trade‐off between activity and selectivity of eCO2RR to C2 products.
Effect of Atmospheric Pressure Argon Plasma on Physicochemical, Structural and Rheological Properties of Sorghum Starch
Authors: Shokrollahi Fatemeh , Shahidi Fakhri , Varidi Mohammad Javad , Koocheki Arash , Sohbatzadeh Farshad , Motamedzadegan Ali
Published: April 2023

Nonthermal plasma is a physical method of starch modification. In this study, sorghum starch is subjected to dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) argon plasma at voltage levels of 21 and 29 kV for 1, 10, and 20 min. Plasma etching creates more pores on the surface of starch granules. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows that low intensity of plasma causes crosslinking of starch molecules, while longer time or higher voltage suppresses crosslinking and increases depolymerization. The plasma treatment of starch for 1 min decreases the clarity, while an increase in the time or voltage rises clarity. The swelling power of treated starch is higher than that of untreated one. By an increase in time or voltage, the solubility of untreated starch (16.95%) increases (up to 33.47%). After 1 min of treating starch, the viscosities of the paste increases, but then decreases with increases in voltage or time. According to the frequency sweep test, the gels of 1–21, 10–21, and 1–29 samples are stronger than those of the other samples and have greater complex viscosities than them. It can be concluded that DBD argon plasma can produce cross‐linked and depolymerized starch depending on different voltage and time of treatment.
Beyond sentence frames: Scaffolding emergent multilingual students' participation in science discourse
Authors: Alvarez Laura , Capitelli Sarah , Valdés Guadalupe
Published: April 2023

The discipline of science provides rich opportunities for language development as students engage collaboratively to investigate and make sense of compelling phenomena. Drawing from a design research study conducted in fifth grade classrooms, we describe how teachers can support emergent multilingual students' participation in science discourse. Attempts to support emergent multilingual students in content‐area discussions often emphasize the use of sentence stems and frames. However, we illustrate how an emphasis on sentence frames can interrupt students' collaborative sense‐making when students and teachers focus on language forms and correct written products rather than on the process of dialogic sense‐making. To move beyond sentence frames, we use transcripts to illustrate other more generative forms of scaffolding that support emergent multilingual students' participation in science discourse and disciplinary practices. We describe how teachers can ground discussion in hands‐on investigations, leverage multiple modalities for meaning making, and engage students in moving bidirectionally between writing and talk. These forms of scaffolding center emergent multilingual students in curricular design, rather than conceptualizing scaffolds as ancillary supports provided to certain students.
A Formal CHERI-C Semantics for Verification
Authors: Park Seung Hoon , Pai Rekha , Melham Tom
Published: April 2023

CHERI-C extends the C programming language by adding hardware capabilities, ensuring a certain degree of memory safety while remaining efficient. Capabilities can also be employed for higher-level security measures, such as software compartmentalization, that have to be used correctly to achieve the desired security guarantees. As the extension changes the semantics of C, new theories and tooling are required to reason about CHERI-C code and verify correctness. In this work, we present a formal memory model that provides a memory semantics for CHERI-C programs. We present a generalised theory with rich properties suitable for verification and potentially other types of analyses. Our theory is backed by an Isabelle/HOL formalisation that also generates an OCaml executable instance of the memory model. The verified and extracted code is then used to instantiate the parametric Gillian program analysis framework, with which we can perform concrete execution of CHERI-C programs. The tool can run a CHERI-C test suite, demonstrating the correctness of our tool, and catch a good class of safety violations that the CHERI hardware might miss.
Make Flows Small Again: Revisiting the Flow Framework
Authors: Meyer Roland , Wies Thomas , Wolff Sebastian
Published: April 2023

We present a new flow framework for separation logic reasoning about programs that manipulate general graphs. The framework overcomes problems in earlier developments: it is based on standard fixed point theory, guarantees least flows, rules out vanishing flows, and has an easy to understand notion of footprint as needed for soundness of the frame rule. In addition, we present algorithms for automating the frame rule, which we evaluate on graph updates extracted from linearizability proofs for concurrent data structures. The evaluation demonstrates that our algorithms help to automate key aspects of these proofs that have previously relied on user guidance or heuristics.
Optimal Stateless Model Checking for Causal Consistency
Authors: Abdulla Parosh , Atig Mohamed Faouzi , Krishna S. , Gupta Ashutosh , Tuppe Omkar
Published: April 2023

We present a framework for efficient stateless model checking (SMC) of concurrent programs under three prominent models of causal consistency, $${\texttt {CCv}}, {\texttt {CM}}, \texttt{CC}$$

CCv
,
CM
,
CC

. Our approach is based on exploring traces under the program order "Image missing" and the reads from "Image missing" relations. Our SMC algorithm is provably optimal in the sense that it explores each "Image missing" and "Image missing" relation exactly once. We have implemented our framework in a tool called Conschecker. Experiments show that Conschecker performs well in detecting anomalies in classical distributed databases benchmarks.
AutoHyper: Explicit-State Model Checking for HyperLTL
Authors: Beutner Raven , Finkbeiner Bernd
Published: April 2023

HyperLTL is a temporal logic that can express hyperproperties, i.e., properties that relate multiple execution traces of a system. Such properties are becoming increasingly important and naturally occur, e.g., in information-flow control, robustness, mutation testing, path planning, and causality checking. Thus far, complete model checking tools for HyperLTL have been limited to alternation-free formulas, i.e., formulas that use only universal or only existential trace quantification. Properties involving quantifier alternations could only be handled in an incomplete way, i.e., the verification might fail even though the property holds. In this paper, we present , an explicit-state automata-based model checker that supports full HyperLTL and is complete for properties with arbitrary quantifier alternations. We show that language inclusion checks can be integrated into HyperLTL verification, which allows to benefit from a range of existing inclusion-checking tools. We evaluate on a broad set of benchmarks drawn from different areas in the literature and compare it with existing (incomplete) methods for HyperLTL verification.
Das Verhältnis von Partizipation und Raum in stationären Altenhilfeeinrichtungen
Authors: Bleck Christian , Höppner Grit
Published: April 2023

Hintergrund

Partizipation hat in der Gerontologie, Altenhilfepolitik und -praxis seit einigen Jahren Konjunktur. Dabei spielt das Verhältnis von Partizipation und Raum in der Diskussion um Quartiersorientierung eine Rolle. Wenig berücksichtigt werden bisher Zusammenhänge zwischen Partizipation und Raum innerhalb stationärer Altenhilfeeinrichtungen.

Material und Methoden

Qualitative Daten aus 2 Studien zur stationären Altenhilfe werden sekundäranalytisch im Sinne einer „supra-analysis“ mittels der qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse hinsichtlich Partizipation in Bezug auf Raum und Raum in Bezug auf Partizipation untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Fast alle Stufen der berücksichtigten Partizipationsleiter sind hinsichtlich der Mitgestaltung von Räumen zu finden, wobei Bewohner:innen mit Demenz weniger Partizipationsmöglichkeiten eingeräumt werden. Zudem können Räume durch ihre Anordnung Voraussetzungen für Partizipation schaffen. Wechselseitige Bezüge verdichten sich in Prozessen der Raumaneignung, Raumgestaltung und Raumplanung. Fehlen hierfür Zugänge, ist eine selbstbestimmte Alltagsgestaltung eingeschränkt.

Diskussion

Die Ergebnisse tragen zu einer raumbezogenen Weiterentwicklung von Partizipationskonzepten bei, denn sie zeigen, in welchen räumlichen Zusammenhängen Partizipation in institutionellen Settings im Zusammenspiel unterschiedlicher Akteure hergestellt wird, und wie sie raumbezogen spezifisch verteilt ist. Zur Förderung von Partizipation in Einrichtungen ist eine Reflexion zu vorhandenen Möglichkeiten zur Raumaneignung, -gestaltung und -planung vor dem Hintergrund institutioneller Rahmenbedingungen bedeutend.
Comparative study of the effects of cigarette smoke versus next-generation tobacco and nicotine product extracts on inflammatory biomarkers of human monocytes
Authors: Giebe Sindy , Brux Melanie , Hofmann Anja , Lowe Frazer , Breheny Damien , Morawietz Henning , Brunssen Coy
Published: April 2023

Monocytes exhibiting a pro-inflammatory phenotype play a key role in adhesion and development of atherosclerotic plaques. As an alternative to smoking, next-generation tobacco and nicotine products (NGP) are now widely used. However, little is known about their pro-inflammatory effects on monocytes. We investigated cell viability, anti-oxidant and pro-inflammatory gene and protein expression in THP-1 monocytes after exposure to aqueous smoke extracts (AqE) of a heated tobacco product (HTP), an electronic cigarette (e-cig), a conventional cigarette (3R4F) and pure nicotine (nic). Treatment with 3R4F reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, whereas exposure to alternative smoking products showed no difference to control. At the highest non-lethal dose of 3R4F (20%), the following notable mRNA expression changes were observed for 3R4F, HTP, and e-cig respectively, relative to control; HMOX1 (6-fold, < 2-fold, < 2-fold), NQO1 (3.5-fold, < 2-fold, < 2-fold), CCL2 (4-fold, 3.5-fold, 2.5-fold), IL1B (4-fold, 3-fold, < 2-fold), IL8 (5-fold, 2-fold, 2-fold), TNF (2-fold, 2-fold, < 2-fold) and ICAM1 was below the 2-fold threshold for all products. With respect to protein expression, IL1B (3-fold, < 2-fold, < 2-fold) and IL8 (3.5-fold, 2-fold, 2-fold) were elevated over the 2-fold threshold, whereas CCL2, TNF, and ICAM1 were below 2-fold expression for all products. At higher doses, greater inductions were observed with all extracts; however, NGP responses were typically lower than 3R4F. In conclusion, anti-oxidative and pro-inflammatory processes were activated by all products. NGPs overall showed lower responses relative to controls than THP-1 cells exposed to 3R4F AqE.
Quantification of groundwater discharge into a shallow coastal lagoon applying a multi-tracer approach
Authors: Schubert Michael , Knoeller Kay , Scholten Jan , Daesslé L. Walter , Bravo Mauricio M. Reyes , Solís Efraín M. Chávez
Published: April 2023

In many cases, shallow coastal lagoons are, on the one hand, vulnerable habitats for birds and marine ecosystems and, on the other hand, threatened by discharging nutrient-laden surface waters and groundwater. In particular, the localization and quantification of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is of key concern in this regard. The presented study aimed at investigating SGD into a vulnerable coastal lagoon that is strongly impacted by evaporation applying a multi-tracer approach. The joint application of radionuclides (222Rn, 223Ra, 224Ra), stable water isotopes (δ18O, δ2H) and the water salinity as environmental water tracers allowed evaluating the suitability of the individual parameters in this specific type of environment. Whilst stable isotope and salinity data were difficult to construe in terms of SGD occurrence due to the intense impact of evaporation, a radon mass balance allowed localising SGD areas within the lagoon and quantifying the related SGD flux rates. In addition, a 224Ra/223Ra ratio analysis revealed information on the apparent age of the discharged groundwater, and hence on the flushing intensity of the lagoon. Besides these site-specific results, the study allowed the following general conclusions regarding the suitability of the applied tracers: (i) we verified the suitability of a radon mass balance approach for proving/disproving SGD occurrence and quantifying SGD fluxes in shallow coastal lagoons strongly impacted by evaporation; (ii) we showed that the impact of evaporation may impede the use of water stable isotope and salinity data as SGD indicators in such specific environments; (iii) we demonstrated that the tidal impact on a lagoon water body during a sampling campaign can be compensated by adapting sampling schedule and cruise track to the tidal cycle.
Application of modern portfolio theory to the European electricity mix: an assessment of environmentally optimal scenarios
Authors: deLlano-Paz Fernando , Cartelle-Barros Juan José , Martínez-Fernández Paulino
Published: April 2023

The proposed study analyzes the efficiency of the European energy mix of electricity generation technologies from two perspectives: environmental and economic. The context is that of European energy dependence and a technology mix conditioned by the import of fossil fuels. The impact is centered, among other elements, on the leakage of national income and the emission of polluting gases. The aim is to determine the participation that each type of power plant in each country should present in order to minimize the total environmental impact. In order to solve this problem, a double optimization is proposed through the use of two methodologies: one based on a multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM) model with which to evaluate the environmental performance of each power plant, and a second optimization based on a quadratic model of portfolios modern portfolio theory (MPT), with which to evaluate the efficiency of the portfolio of technologies from the cost/risk binomial. The results confirm that an environmentally efficient portfolio leads to higher levels of economic risk-taking, with a slight increase in the level of assumed cost. Nevertheless, from the results obtained, it is possible to say that hydro (with a share between 11 and 13%) and wind (37–44% mix participation) technologies resulted to be preferred options both environmentally and in terms of minimum risk efficiency. Nuclear power generation stands out as one of the main baseload technologies with shares between 25 and 35% in environmental and cost/risk efficiency. As main findings, Hydro, supercritical lignite, solar PV and wind are identified as preferential technologies to be present in both minimum risk and minimum cost efficient portfolios. In case European Union pursues for minimizing the cost of electricity production, the shares of supercritical lignite, nuclear, solar PV and wind energy go up to the maximum allowed limits. The novelty lies in the application of both methodologies with which to complement the analysis and design efficient portfolios of energy technologies from environmental and economic points of view. One possible future approach would be to assess (with the MPT model) new environmentally optimal portfolios obtained through the application of other MCDM techniques.
Additional Fire Exposure Time for the Effect of Spalling in Reinforced Concrete Columns
Authors: Peña D. L. , Ibáñez C. , Albero V. , Hospitaler A.
Published: April 2023

Concrete exposed to fire can experience spalling when the pore pressure increases due to water evaporation resulting in damage to part of the concrete cross-section which causes the loss of the initial cross-sectional symmetry, both thermal and geometrical. This may lead to what is, in essence, a biaxial bending problem in reinforced concrete columns. This study does not deal with the prediction of the occurrence of spalling for which a fully coupled hygro-thermo-mechanical analysis would be required. This work evaluates the consequences that corner spalling and surface spalling have on the fire resistance of reinforced concrete columns and presents a methodology based on the determination of a modified fire resistance time. An advanced fiber based numerical model for evaluating the fire resistance of RC sections exposed to fire is used as a tool to analyse the effect that spalling has on the performance of the columns. The model is able to generate the interaction surfaces of the columns subjected to uniaxial or biaxial bending and 4-sided exposed to the standard fire curve ISO 834. After a parametric analysis, it is observed that the negative effect of spalling can be quantified by means of an additional fire exposure time, which ranges between 0–35 min and depends on the column cross-section configuration, dimensions and load level. Finally, a proposal for the calculation of the modified fire resistance time for the effect of spalling is presented, which may be beneficial for practitioners in design.
The GAIN Registry — a New Prospective Study for Patients with Multi-organ Autoimmunity and Autoinflammation
Authors: Staus Paulina , Rusch Stephan , El-Helou Sabine , Müller Gabriele , Krausz Máté , Geisen Ulf , Caballero-Oteyza Andrés , Krüger Renate , Bakhtiar Shahrzad , Lee-Kirsch Min Ae , Fasshauer Maria , Baumann Ulrich , Hoyer Bimba Franziska , Farela Neves João , Borte Michael , Carrabba Maria , Hauck Fabian , Ehl Stephan , Bader Peter , von Bernuth Horst , Atschekzei Faranaz , Seppänen Mikko R. J. , Warnatz Klaus , Nieters Alexandra , Kindle Gerhard , Grimbacher Bodo
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Patient registries are a very important and essential tool for investigating rare diseases, as most physicians only see a limited number of cases during their career. Diseases of multi-organ autoimmunity and autoinflammation are especially challenging, as they are characterized by diverse clinical phenotypes and highly variable expressivity. The GAIN consortium (German multi-organ Auto Immunity Network) developed a dataset addressing these challenges. ICD-11, HPO, and ATC codes were incorporated to document various clinical manifestations and medications with a defined terminology. The GAIN dataset comprises detailed information on genetics, phenotypes, medication, and laboratory values. Between November 2019 and July 2022, twelve centers from Europe have registered 419 patients with multi-organ autoimmunity or autoinflammation. The median age at onset of symptoms was 13 years (IQR 3–28) and the median delay from onset to diagnosis was 5 years (IQR 1–14). Of 354 (84.5%) patients who were genetically tested, 248 (59.2%) had a defined monogenetic cause. For 87 (20.8%) patients, no mutation was found and for 19 (4.5%), the result was pending. The most common gene affected was NFkB1 (48, 11.5%), and the second common was CTLA4 (40, 9.5%), both genetic patient groups being fostered by specific research projects within GAIN. The GAIN registry may serve as a valuable resource for research in the inborn error of immunity community by providing a platform for etiological and diagnostic research projects, as well as observational trials on treatment options.
Questions worth asking for futures worth making: an effectual approach
Authors: Sarasvathy Saras
Published: April 2023

It is not unusual in the psychology and economics of entrepreneurship to focus on decision models based on predictive reasoning that explain outcomes such as venture creation (at the micro level), firm performance (meso level), or job creation (macro level). However, in this article, derived from the literature on entrepreneurial expertise, I argue for an embrace of uncertainty, where outcomes are not only unknown, but unknowable, hence undermining predictive criteria for actions and decisions. By focusing on principles and processes that do not entail predictive reasoning, effectuation offers both practical guidance for acting in the face of multiple uncertainties and novel research questions not yet examined through the lens of the entrepreneurial method. Specifically, I offer five possible new ventures for future research built on the five principles of effectuation. These pertain to new futures worth making, without prescribing or predicting what those would, could, or should be.