bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anxiety about the pandemic and trust in financial markets
Authors: Cerqueti Roy , Ficcadenti Valerio
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a novel context of global financial distress. This paper enters the related scientific debate and focuses on the relationship between the anxiety felt by the population of a wide set of countries during the pandemic and the trust in the future performance of financial markets. Precisely, we move from the idea—grounded on some recent literature contributions—that the volume of Google searches about “coronavirus” can be considered as a proxy of anxiety and, jointly with the stock index prices, can be used to produce indicators of the population mood—in terms of pessimism and optimism—at country level. We analyse the “very high human developed countries” according to the Human Development Index plus China and the main stock market indexes associated with them. Namely, we propose both a time-dependent and a global indicator of pessimism and optimism and classify indexes and countries accordingly. The results show the existence of different clusters of countries and markets in terms of pessimism and optimism. Moreover, specific regimes emerge, with optimism increasing around the middle of June 2020. Furthermore, countries with different government responses to the pandemic have experienced different levels of mood indicators, so countries with less stringent lockdown measures had a higher level of optimism.
Evaluating the quality of surface carbonized woods modified with a contact charring or a gas flame charring technique
Authors: Kymäläinen Maija , Dömény Jakub , Schwarzkopf Matthew , Šeda Vit , Rautkari Lauri
Published: September 2023

Surface carbonization, or charring, of wooden exterior cladding boards is a modification method that creates a fully organic barrier layer in resemblance to a coating. The process effectively degrades the wood and transforms it into a carbonaceous residue that protects the underlying unmodified wood from environmental stresses. The surface quality of wood modified in this manner is a combination of several factors and depends on the manufacturing method and wood species. To assess the quality of spruce and birch modified with contact and flame charring techniques, several experiments were set up from the nanoscale to macroscopic evaluation of surface resistance to different stresses. The changes in elemental composition are scaled with the modification severity with little differences between wood species. The carbon structures analyzed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) were found to be amorphous, but the electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) revealed higher ordering with what is assumed to be random graphitic stacking of carbon sheets. These carbon–carbon bonds are stable, so a higher ordering is hypothesized to induce improved resistance to exterior stresses. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a clear difference between contact-charred and flame-charred woods. The selected contact charring temperature was not high enough to induce the transformation of cell walls from anisotropic into an isotropic material but provided other benefits such as a relatively crack-free, smooth and scratch resistant surface. Surface roughness was able to adequately predict the surface quality of the contact-charred samples, and scratch tests were found to be suitable for evaluating the mechanical stress resistance of the surface instead of abrasion. In terms of overall quality, birch instead of spruce was concluded to better respond to both charring methods, although contact charring eliminates some species-specific characteristics, resulting in more homogeneous surfaces.
Assessing cancer risk in the anterior part of the prostate using micro-ultrasound: validation of a novel distinct protocol
Authors: Schaer Sandy , Rakauskas Arnas , Dagher Julien , La Rosa Stefano , Pensa Jake , Brisbane Wayne , Marks Leonard , Kinnaird Adam , Abouassaly Robert , Klein Eric , Thomas Lewis , Meuwly Jean-Yves , Parker Pamela , Roth Beat , Valerio Massimo
Published: September 2023

Purpose

To develop and validate a micro-ultrasound risk score that predicts the likelihood of significant prostate cancer in the anterior zone.

Methods

Patients were enrolled from three expert institutions familiar with micro-ultrasound. The study was conducted in two phases. First, the PRI-MUS anterior score was developed by assessing selected prostate videos from patients who subsequently underwent radical prostatectomy. Second, seven urology readers with varying levels of experience in micro-ultrasound examination evaluated prostate loops according to the PRI-MUS anterior score. Each reader watched the videos and recorded the likelihood of the presence of significant cancer in the anterior part of the prostate in a three-point scale. The coherence among the readers was calculated using the Fleiss kappa and the Cronbach alpha.

Results

A total of 102 selected prostate scans were used to develop the risk assessment for anterior zone cancer in the prostate. The score comprised three categories: likely, equivocal, and unlikely. The median (IQR) sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the seven readers were 72% (68–84), 68% (64–84), 75% (72–81), and 73% (71–80), respectively. The mean SD ROC AUC was 0.75 ± 2%, while the Fleiss kappa and the Cronbach alpha were 0.179 and 0.56, respectively.

Conclusion

Micro-ultrasound can detect cancerous lesions in the anterior part of the prostate. When combined with the PRI-MUS protocol to assess the peripheral part, it enables an assessment of the entire prostate gland. Pending external validation, the PRI-MUS anterior score developed in this study might be implemented in clinical practice.
Chopart dislocations: a review of diagnosis, treatment and outcomes
Authors: Metcalfe Tobias S. N. , Aamir Junaid , Mason Lyndon W.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Chopart injuries can be allocated into 4 broad groups, ligamentous injury with or without dislocation and fracture with or without dislocation, which must occur at the talonavicular joint (TNJ) and/or calcaneocuboid joint (CCJ). Chopart dislocations are comprised of pure-dislocations and fracture-dislocations. We aim to review the literature, to enable evidence-based recommendations.

Methods

A literature search was conducted to identify relevant articles from the electronic databases, PubMed, Medline and Scopus. The PRISMA flow chart was used to scrutinise the search results. Articles were screened by title, abstract and full text to confirm relevance.

Results

We identified 58 papers for analysis, 36 case reports, 4 cohort studies, 4 case series and 14 other articles related to the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of Chopart dislocations. Diagnostic recommendations included routine imaging to contain computed tomography (CT) and routine examination for compartment syndrome. Treatment recommendations included early anatomical reduction, with restoration and maintenance of column length and joint congruency. For both pure-dislocations and fracture-dislocations urgent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) provided the most favourable long-term outcomes.

Conclusions

Chopart dislocations are a complex heterogenous midfoot injury with historically poor outcomes. There is a relative paucity of research discussing these injuries. We have offered evidence-based recommendations related to the clinical and surgical management of these rare pathologies.
Prehabilitative versus rehabilitative exercise in prostate cancer patients undergoing prostatectomy
Authors: Singh Favil , Newton Robert U. , Taaffe Dennis R. , Lopez Pedro , Thavaseelan Jeff , Brown Matthew , Ooi Elayne , Nosaka Kazunori , Hayne Dickon , Galvão Daniel A.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The study compared the efficacy of commencing supervised exercise in men with prostate cancer before and after prostatectomy on objective and patient-reported outcomes, hospital length of stay, and urinary incontinence.

Methods

Forty-one men were randomised to a 6-week prehabilitation or rehabilitation exercise programme. Prehabilitation involved resistance and aerobic exercise thrice weekly pre-surgery, while rehabilitation comprised the same commencing 6-weeks post-surgery. Assessments included strength, function (chair rise, stair climb, 400-m, 6-m usual, fast, and backwards walk), body composition, fatigue and quality of life, undertaken at pre-surgery, early post-surgery and late post-surgery phase, with urinary incontinence (24-h pad test) assessed at 2, 6, and 12-weeks post-surgery. Intention-to-treat and sensitivity analyses were undertaken.

Results

Of thirty-eight men (48–73 years), 29 completed all assessments with most undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (92.1%). In the pre-surgery phase, prehabilitation improved muscle strength (leg press: 17.2 kg; chest press: 2.9 kg; p ≤ 0.001), 400-m, chair rise, 6-m fast and backward walk tests (p ≤ 0.001–0.028). Strength and function declines in the early post-surgery phase were maintained late post-surgery. Rehabilitation showed declines of these outcomes after surgery with improvement late post-surgery (leg press: 14.6 kg, p < 0.001; chest press: 6.8 kg, p < 0.001; 400-m walk: -12.0 s, p = 0.005), resulting in no difference between groups at 12 weeks. There were no significant differences between groups for patient-reported outcomes, hospital length of stay or urinary incontinence.

Conclusion

Pre-surgical exercise enhanced strength and function, protecting against post-surgery declines. Although exercise post-surgery is beneficial for recouping strength and function, where possible men undergoing prostatectomy are encouraged to exercise pre-surgery.

Trial registration

ACTRN12617001115325 registered 31 July 2017.
Robotic versus laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy in obese patients
Authors: Ausania Fabio , Landi Filippo , Martinie John B. , Vrochides Dionisios , Walsh Matthew , Hossain Shanaz M. , White Steven , Prabakaran Viswakumar , Melstrom Laleh G. , Fong Yuman , Butturini Giovanni , Bignotto Laura , Valle Valentina , Bing Yuntao , Xiu Dianrong , Di Franco Gregorio , Sanchez-Bueno Francisco , de’Angelis Nicola , Laurent Alexis , Giuliani Giuseppe , Pernazza Graziano , Esposito Alessandro , Salvia Roberto , Bazzocchi Francesca , Esposito Ludovica , Pietrabissa Andrea , Pugliese Luigi , Memeo Riccardo , Uyama Ichiro , Uchida Yuichiro , Rios José , Coratti Andrea , Morelli Luca , Giulianotti Pier C.
Published: September 2023

Background

Although robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP) has a lower conversion rate to open surgery and causes less blood loss than laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP), clear evidence on the impact of the surgical approach on morbidity is lacking. Prior studies have shown a higher rate of complications among obese patients undergoing pancreatectomy. The primary aim of this study is to compare short-term outcomes of RDP vs. LDP in patients with a BMI ≥ 30.

Methods

In this multicenter study, all obese patients who underwent RDP or LDP for any indication between 2012 and 2022 at 18 international expert centers were included. The baseline characteristics underwent inverse probability treatment weighting to minimize allocation bias.

Results

Of 446 patients, 219 (50.2%) patients underwent RDP. The median age was 60 years, the median BMI was 33 (31–36), and the preoperative diagnosis was ductal adenocarcinoma in 21% of cases. The conversion rate was 19.9%, the overall complication rate was 57.8%, and the 90-day mortality rate was 0.7% (3 patients). RDP was associated with a lower complication rate (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.52–0.89; p = 0.005), less blood loss (150 vs. 200 ml; p < 0.001), fewer blood transfusion requirements (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15–0.50; p < 0.001) and a lower Comprehensive Complications Index (8.7 vs. 8.9, p < 0.001) than LPD. RPD had a lower conversion rate (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.19–0.39; p < 0.001) and achieved better spleen preservation rate (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.13–3.39; p = 0.016) than LPD.

Conclusions

In obese patients, RDP is associated with a lower conversion rate, fewer complications and better short-term outcomes than LPD.
Oral health conditions in patients under antiresorptive therapy are comparable to unexposed during supportive periodontal care
Authors: Ciardo Antonio , Simon Marlinde M. , Awounvo Sinclair , Kim Ti-Sun
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To investigate oral health and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients under antiresorptive therapy (ART) during supportive periodontal care (SPC) considering history of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).

Materials and methods

In this cross-sectional study, 100 patients (50 receiving ART (exposed) and 50 without ART (unexposed)) in regular SPC were enrolled for a clinical oral examination and the evaluation of OHRQoL using the OHIP-G14-questionnaire. History of MRONJ was assessed by anamnesis and reviewing patient records.

Results

There were no statistically significant group differences in age (exposed: 70.00 ± 9.07 versus unexposed: 71.02 ± 8.22 years), sex, distribution of systemic diseases and duration of SPC (on average 8.61 ± 5.73 years). Number of teeth (21.02 ± 5.84 versus 21.40 ± 5.42), DMFT (18.38 ± 3.85 versus 17.96 ± 4.08), probing pocket depth (2.31 ± 0.20 versus 2.38 ± 0.26), clinical attachment level (3.25 ± 0.76 versus 3.46 ± 0.58) and bleeding on probing (15.07 ± 11.53 versus 15.77 ± 13.08) were also not significantly different. The OHIP-G14 sum-score was significantly higher in exposed participants (6.10 ± 6.76 versus 3.62 ± 5.22, p = 0.043). History of MRONJ was prevalent in 8% of patients under ART. Periodontal/peri-implant-related MRONJ were reported in three participants with cancer (n = 1 before and n = 2 after active periodontal therapy). History of MRONJ due to endodontic/restorative reasons was reported in one patient with osteoporosis.

Conclusions

Patients under ART in SPC demonstrated similar clinical periodontal and dental status but lower OHRQoL compared to unexposed (not statistically significant). Patient awareness of the MRONJ-risk and appropriate preventive measures should be ensured.

Clinical relevance

SPC in osteoporotic patients under ART appeared safe regarding MRONJ, but further investigations on the MRONJ-risk in patients with different risk-profiles are necessary.

Study registration: clinicaltrials.gov (#NCT04192188).
Structure/function studies of the NAD+-dependent DNA ligase from the poly-extremophile Deinococcus radiodurans reveal importance of the BRCT domain for DNA binding
Authors: Fernandes Andreia , Williamson Adele , Matias Pedro M. , Moe Elin
Published: September 2023

Bacterial NAD+-dependent DNA ligases (LigAs) are enzymes involved in replication, recombination, and DNA-repair processes by catalyzing the formation of phosphodiester bonds in the backbone of DNA. These multidomain proteins exhibit four modular domains, that are highly conserved across species, with the BRCT (breast cancer type 1 C-terminus) domain on the C-terminus of the enzyme. In this study, we expressed and purified both recombinant full-length and a C-terminally truncated LigA from Deinococcus radiodurans (DrLigA and DrLigA∆BRCT) and characterized them using biochemical and X-ray crystallography techniques. Using seeds of DrLigA spherulites, we obtained ≤ 100 µm plate crystals of DrLigA∆BRCT. The crystal structure of the truncated protein was obtained at 3.4 Å resolution, revealing DrLigA∆BRCT in a non-adenylated state. Using molecular beacon-based activity assays, we demonstrated that DNA ligation via nick sealing remains unaffected in the truncated DrLigA∆BRCT. However, DNA-binding assays revealed a reduction in the affinity of DrLigA∆BRCT for dsDNA. Thus, we conclude that the flexible BRCT domain, while not critical for DNA nick-joining, plays a role in the DNA binding process, which may be a conserved function of the BRCT domain in LigA-type DNA ligases.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of two combined β-lactamase inhibitors against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Domínguez Andrea Vila , Panadero Irene Molina , Smani Younes
Published: September 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of clavulanic acid (C/A) in combination with tazobactam against clinical strains of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The MIC of 24 clinical strains of A. baumannii was determined, and a checkerboard assay and time-kill curve analysis were performed in selected strains to determine the synergy between C/A and tazobactam. The efficacy of C/A in monotherapy and in combination with tazobactam was evaluated in vitro in cell culture experiments and in a murine peritoneal sepsis model. The C/A and C/A plus tazobactam MIC50 were 128 and <1 mg/L, respectively. The checkerboard assay showed that tazobactam (4 and 8 mg/L) demonstrated synergy with C/A against A. baumannii Ab40, an OXA-24 producer strain, and Ab293, a lacking OXA β-lactamase strain. The time-kill curve assay showed both bactericidal and synergistic effects against Ab40 and Ab293, with C/A 1xMIC and tazobactam (4 and 8 mg/L) at 24 h. In the murine peritoneal sepsis model with Ab293 strain, the combination of C/A and tazobactam reduced bacterial loads in tissues and blood by 2 and 4 log10 CFU/g or mL compared with C/A alone. Combining C/A with tazobactam could be considered as a potential alternative strategy to treat A. baumannii in some cases, and future work with more strains is needed to confirm this possibility.
Production of crude oil from industrial wastes and wastewaters by hydrothermal liquefaction
Authors: Mascarell J. J. , Ruiz-Jorge F. J. , Abelleira-Pereira Jose M. , Portela Juan R. , Martínez de la Ossa Enrique J.
Published: September 2023

Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) is a promising thermochemical treatment suitable for the valorization of a wide variety of organic wastes and wastewaters. Many research studies have demonstrated the suitability of HTL to produce bio-oil from biomass wastes, but few works have focused on the application of HTL to industrial wastes and wastewaters. The objective and novelty of this work are the study of HTL suitability over a specific selection of industrial residues that present notable drawbacks when treated by conventional waste management methods, including technical problems or high costs. Most of the wastes presented poor results from the technical or energetical point of view. However, liquid surfactant wastewaters were successfully treated by HTL at 300ºC and 100 bar in a 300 mL stirred batch reactor, producing a crude oil yield of around 16%, with a High Heating Value (HHV) of up to 30 MJ/kg. The composition and quality of the crude oils obtained have also been determined and compared against conventional biomass fuels.

Graphical abstract
A Millifluidic Chamber for Controlled Shear Stress Testing: Application to Microbial Cultures
Authors: Biagini Francesco , Botte Ermes , Calvigioni Marco , De Maria Carmelo , Mazzantini Diletta , Celandroni Francesco , Ghelardi Emilia , Vozzi Giovanni
Published: September 2023

In vitro platforms such as bioreactors and microfluidic devices are commonly designed to engineer tissue models as well as to replicate the crosstalk between cells and microorganisms hosted in the human body. These systems promote nutrient supply and waste removal through culture medium recirculation; consequently, they intrinsically expose cellular structures to shear stress, be it a desired mechanical stimulus to drive the cell fate or a potential inhibitor for the model maturation. Assessing the impact of shear stress on cellular or microbial cultures thus represents a crucial step to define proper environmental conditions for in vitro models. In this light, the aim of this study was to develop a millifluidic device enabling to generate fully controlled shear stress profiles for quantitatively probing its influence on tissue or bacterial models, overcoming the limitations of previous reports proposing similar devices. Relying on this millifluidic tool, we present a systematic methodology to test how adherent cellular structures react to shear forces, which was applied to the case of microbial biofilms as a proof of concept. The results obtained suggest our approach as a suitable testbench to evaluate culture conditions in terms of shear stress faced by cells or microorganisms.

Graphical Abstract
Medical students’ views on what professionalism means: an Ubuntu perspective
Authors: Mokhachane Mantoa , Green-Thompson Lionel , George Ann , Wyatt Tasha , Kuper Ayelet
Published: September 2023

Medical training has become a global phenomenon, and the Physician’s Charter (PC), as a missionary document, is key to training those outside the Global North. Undergraduate and postgraduate students in the medical profession are sometimes trained in contexts foreign to their social and ontological backgrounds. This might lead to confusion and blunders, creating an impression of what might look and feel unprofessional to those unfamiliar with the local context. Understanding the cultural backgrounds of the trainees is crucial, and the reverse is also as important. It is essential for clinicians and trainees to understand the cultural backgrounds of their patients to avoid miscommunication. In this phenomenological study, we recruited participants in 2020 who were in their first to fourth year of study of medical training during the #FeesMustFall protests. We used data from this extensive study looking at students’ experiences during their training amidst protest and social upheavals in a South African tertiary institution. For this paper, we examined what professionalism means to the student participants using an African Ubuntu lens. Ubuntu and the Collective Finger theory were used to investigate what professionalism means to participants. The Ubuntu philosophy was compared to the PC. In the findings, the clinical space is hierarchical, silencing and the opposite of what Ubuntu means. In comparison to the PC, respect is overarching while compassion and responsibility are the most comparable to the Charter. This study adds an African voice to the professionalism discourse while showing African elements that could be aligned to the PC to challenge the current global discourses.
Accelerator-mediated access to investors among early-stage start-ups
Authors: Dalle Jean-Michel , den Besten Matthijs , Morfin Jeremie
Published: September 2023

We study start-up accelerators, a new type of entrepreneurial support organization characterized by its coaching of regular cohorts of startup founders, that developed rapidly after pioneer accelerator Y-Combinator, founded in 2005, had ‘accelerated’ success stories Dropbox and AirBnB among others. We suggest that accelerators can be analysed as platforms whose function is to relate start-ups and investors within entrepreneurial ecosystems. According to our analysis, leading accelerators play a mediating role in enabling entrepreneurs to attract investors with a higher profile than they would have otherwise. Using propensity score matching, we compare participants to several accelerator programs in North America with similar non-participating start-ups. We measure the prominence of their investors using their centrality in the investor-network. For several top-tier accelerators, we observe that start-ups who participated in their programs attracted higher profile investors than other similar start-ups that were not accelerated. Furthermore, among accelerators, pioneer Y-Combinator appears to benefit from a winner-takes-all effect, which is typical of platform competition: Not only do investors it connects its participant startups to appear to be of a higher profile, but it is also the only accelerator in our sample whose participants gain access to an amount of early-stage funding that is significantly higher than those raised by the control group.
Guidelines for Evaluating the Comparability of Down-Sampled GWAS Summary Statistics
Authors: Williams Camille M. , Poore Holly , Tanksley Peter T. , Kweon Hyeokmoon , Courchesne-Krak Natasia S. , Londono-Correa Diego , Mallard Travis T. , Barr Peter , Koellinger Philipp D. , Waldman Irwin D. , Sanchez-Roige Sandra , Harden K. Paige , Palmer Abraham A. , Dick Danielle M. , Karlsson Linnér Richard
Published: September 2023

Proprietary genetic datasets are valuable for boosting the statistical power of genome-wide association studies (GWASs), but their use can restrict investigators from publicly sharing the resulting summary statistics. Although researchers can resort to sharing down-sampled versions that exclude restricted data, down-sampling reduces power and might change the genetic etiology of the phenotype being studied. These problems are further complicated when using multivariate GWAS methods, such as genomic structural equation modeling (Genomic SEM), that model genetic correlations across multiple traits. Here, we propose a systematic approach to assess the comparability of GWAS summary statistics that include versus exclude restricted data. Illustrating this approach with a multivariate GWAS of an externalizing factor, we assessed the impact of down-sampling on (1) the strength of the genetic signal in univariate GWASs, (2) the factor loadings and model fit in multivariate Genomic SEM, (3) the strength of the genetic signal at the factor level, (4) insights from gene-property analyses, (5) the pattern of genetic correlations with other traits, and (6) polygenic score analyses in independent samples. For the externalizing GWAS, although down-sampling resulted in a loss of genetic signal and fewer genome-wide significant loci; the factor loadings and model fit, gene-property analyses, genetic correlations, and polygenic score analyses were found robust. Given the importance of data sharing for the advancement of open science, we recommend that investigators who generate and share down-sampled summary statistics report these analyses as accompanying documentation to support other researchers’ use of the summary statistics.
Entanglement of Observables: Quantum Conditional Probability Approach
Authors: Khrennikov Andrei , Basieva Irina
Published: September 2023

This paper is devoted to clarification of the notion of entanglement through decoupling it from the tensor product structure and treating as a constraint posed by probabilistic dependence of quantum observable A and B. In our framework, it is meaningless to speak about entanglement without pointing to the fixed observables A and B,  so this is AB-entanglement. Dependence of quantum observables is formalized as non-coincidence of conditional probabilities. Starting with this probabilistic definition, we achieve the Hilbert space characterization of the AB-entangled states as amplitude non-factorisable states. In the tensor product case, AB-entanglement implies standard entanglement, but not vise verse. AB-entanglement for dichotomous observables is equivalent to their correlation, i.e., $$\langle AB\rangle _{\psi} \not = \langle A\rangle _{\psi} \langle B\rangle _{\psi} .$$

⟨
A
B
⟩

ψ

≠

⟨
A
⟩

ψ

⟨
B
⟩

ψ

.

We describe the class of quantum states that are $$A_{u} B_{u}$$

A
u

B
u

-entangled for a family of unitary operators (u). Finally, observables entanglement is compared with dependence of random variables in classical probability theory.
Soil respiration under different N fertilization and irrigation regimes in Bengaluru, S-India
Authors: Sourav Suman Kumar , Subbarayappa C. T. , Hanumanthappa D C. , Mudalagiriyappa  , Vazhacharickal Prem Jose , Mock Andrea , Ingold Mariko , Buerkert Andreas
Published: September 2023

Rapid urbanization in many countries of the Global South has led to intensification of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) whose effects on the soils’ physical, chemical, and microbial properties have been hardly studied. We therefore investigated the effects of different intensity levels, exemplified by three rates of mineral nitrogen (N) addition and irrigation on CO2 emissions in typical crops during the wet (Kharif) and dry (Rabi) season on a Nitisol in Bengaluru, S-India. Respiration data were collected from 2017 to 2021 in two two-factorial split-plot experiments conducted under rainfed and irrigated conditions. Test crops were maize (Zea mays L.), finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn.), and lablab (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet) under rainfed and irrigated conditions, as well as the vegetables cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) or chili (Capsicum annuum L.). Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were determined using a Los Gatos Research (LGR) multi-gas analyzer whereby under our study conditions CH4, NH3 and N2O were negligible. Measurements were conducted from 7:00 am to 11:30 am and repeated from 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Irrespective of irrigation, season, crops and N fertilizer level, CO2 emission rates during afternoon hours were significantly higher (2–128%) than during morning hours. In the irrigated field diurnal emission differences between afternoon and morning hours ranged from 0.04 to 1.61 kg CO2-C ha−1 h−1 while in the rainfed field they averaged 0.20–1.78 kg CO2-C ha−1 h−1. Irrespective of crops, in the rainfed field CO2 emissions in high N plots were 56.4% larger than in low N plots whereas in the irrigated field they were only 12.1% larger. The results of a linear mixed model analysis indicated that N fertilization enhanced CO2 emissions whereby these effects were highest in rainfed crops. Soil moisture enhanced emissions in rainfed crops but decreased them under irrigation where crop-specific CO2 emissions within a season were independent of N application. Soil temperature at 5 cm depth enhanced CO2 emissions in both fields. Overall, higher N and soil temperature enhanced CO2 fluxes whereas effects of soil moisture depended on irrigation.
Comparison of two enthalpic models for the thermodynamic characterization of the soil organic matter in beech and oak forests
Authors: Barros Nieves , Pérez-Cruzado César , Molina-Valero Juan Alberto , Martínez Calvo Adela , Proupín Jorge , Rodríguez-Añón Jose Antonio
Published: September 2023

The thermodynamic characterization of the soil organic matter could be achieved by different enthalpic models little explored for soil. This paper compares two of them for calculating the enthalpy change, the Gibbs energy change and the entropy change of the soil organic matter combustion reaction, by simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. Soil samples were collected in beech and oak forests from different geographical areas, and at different depths to represent theL/Fhorizon and the mineral soil, at each sampling site. The thermodynamic state variables were calculated using two different enthalpic models, to examine how they differed in relation to different types of SOM and different forest ecosystems. Both models yielded thermodynamic variables, which although closely and significantly correlated, were statistically significantly different. All the thermodynamic variables depended on the different forest types and the different nature of the soil organic matter under study. Results allowed to discern which of the models applied better to the SOM combustion reaction designed.
On the rigidity of cosmological space-times
Authors: Avalos Rodrigo
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we analyse a family of geometrically well-behaved cosmological space-times$$(V^{n+1},g)$$(Vn+1,g), which are foliated byintrinsically isotropicspace-like hypersurfaces$$\{M_t\}_{t\in \mathbb {R}}$${Mt}t∈R, which are orthogonal to a family of co-moving observers defined by a global time-like vector fieldU. In particular, this implies such space-times satisfy several of the well-known criteria for isotropic cosmological space-times, although, in the family in question, the simultaneity spaces$$(M_t,g_t)$$(Mt,gt)associated withUcan have as sectional curvature a sign-changing functionk(t). Being this clearly impossible in the FLRW family of standard cosmological space-times, it motivates us to revisit the geometric rigidity consequences of different definitions of isotropy available in the literature. In this analysis, we divide such definition according to whether the isometries involved are taken to be (local) space-time (STI space-times) or (local) space isometries (SI space-times) of$$(M_t,g_t)$$(Mt,gt)for eacht. This subtlety will be shown to be critical, proving that only when space-time isometries are considered one obtains the well-known rigidity properties associated with isotropic cosmological space-times. In particular, SI space-times will be shown to be a strictly larger class than the STI ones, allowing a family of basic cosmological curvature change models which are not even locally isometric to any FLRW space-time.
A privacy-preserving word embedding text classification model based on privacy boundary constructed by deep belief network
Authors: Ma Bo , Lai Edmund , Yan Wei Qi , Wu Jinsong
Published: September 2023

To effectively extract and classify the information from reports or documents and protect the privacy of the extracted results, we propose a privacy classification named Word Embedding Combination Privacy-preserving Support Vector Machine (WECPPSVM) model to classify the text. In addition, this paper also proposes the Privacy-preserving Distribution and Independent Frequent Subsequence Extraction Algorithm (PPDIFSEA), which calculates the degree of independence of the training data input to the classification model by training the Deep Belief Network(DBN) in PPDIFSEA, then obtains the Privacy Boundary(PB). PB is an indispensable condition for both data sampling and privacy noise generation. And this model can protect privacy by injecting the privacy noise into the classification result, this method can interfere with the background knowledge-based privacy attack. Our quantitative analysis shows that the WECPPSVM proposed in this paper can approach mainstream text classification algorithms in terms of text classification accuracy while preserving privacy without increasing computational complexity. In addition, the fusion study and privacy threat evaluation also verify that the proposed PPDIFSEA method combined with WECPPSVM achieves an acceptable level of classification accuracy and privacy protection.
Intuitionistic Modal Algebras
Authors: Celani Sergio A. , Rivieccio Umberto
Published: September 2023

Recent research on algebraic models of quasi-Nelson logic has brought new attention to a number of classes of algebras which result from enriching (subreducts of) Heyting algebras with a special modal operator, known in the literature as a nucleus. Among these various algebraic structures, for which we employ the umbrella term intuitionistic modal algebras, some have been studied since at least the 1970s, usually within the framework of topology and sheaf theory. Others may seem more exotic, for their primitive operations arise from algebraic terms of the intuitionistic modal language which have not been previously considered. We shall for instance investigate the variety of weak implicative semilattices, whose members are (non-necessarily distributive) meet semilattices endowed with a nucleus and an implication operation which is not a relative pseudo-complement but satisfies the postulates of Celani and Jansana’s strict implication. For each of these new classes of algebras we establish a representation and a topological duality which generalize the known ones for Heyting algebras enriched with a nucleus.
What is PA + con(PA) about, and where?
Authors: Azzouni Jody
Published: September 2023

Justin Clarke-Doane offers what purports to be a stand-alone argument, relying on Gödel’s second incompleteness theorem, that if we hold that PA + Con(PA) and PA + ~ Con(PA) are equally true of their intended subjects, then there is no objective fact as to whether PA is consistent. It is shown that the argument is fallacious, although illuminating: The fallaciousness of the argument arises from a 20th-century shift in our understanding of interpreted languages from the view—derived from our experience of language—of sentences as intrinsically interpreted to one which sharply distinguishes syntax and semantics, and treats uninterpreted syntactic forms as endowed with interpretations by models. It is shown that this syntax/semantic distinction, because it is “unintuitive” induces fallacies such as the one that Clarke-Doane’s argument exemplifies.
From Home to Heaven: The Spatial Imaginaries of Nonprofit Organizations
Authors: Karner Dominik , Maier Florentine , Meyer Michael
Published: September 2023

We investigate how nonprofit organizations (NPOs) construct imaginaries of their premises, their local environment, and beyond. Based on a qualitative analysis of the websites of 209 randomly sampled NPOs in a metropolitan region in Central Europe, we find four distinct spatial imaginaries: (1) The world polity imaginary constructs NPOs as a part of a spatial environment that is neatly divided into nation states, supranational structures, and subnational units. (2) In the world society imaginary, NPOs are active in blurred, fluid, and overlapping spaces such as networks, commercialized spaces, or natural habitats. (3) In a religious imaginary, the material world is complemented by a transcendental realm and categorized into spaces of the sacred and the evil. (4) Finally, in a lococentric imaginary, NPOs construct a dichotomy between "home" and the alien rest of the world. Each of these spatial imaginaries conveys distinctive ways of situating the organization in their spatial environment and implies specific organizational practices and emotional enchantments of space.
Comparative analysis of single-cell transcriptome reveals heterogeneity in the tumor microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma and brain metastases
Authors: Liang Jialu , Liang Ruihao , Lei Kai , Huang Jing , Lin Huayue , Wang Minghui
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Solid tumors such as lung adenocarcinoma include not only the tumor cells but also the microenvironment in which the tumor cells continuously interact with each other. An in-depth understanding of the oncological features and tumor microenvironment (TME) of lung adenocarcinoma and brain metastases at the single-cell level could provide new therapeutic strategies for brain metastases from lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

To solve this problem, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis on 15 lung adenocarcinoma samples and 10 brain metastasis samples.

Results

A total of 86,282 single cells were obtained and divided into 8 cell types, including epithelial cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, oligodendrocytes, T/NK cells, B cells, mast cells, and macrophages. In brain metastases, we found a significantly lower proportion of T/NK cells and mast cells, and more severe immune dysregulation. In addition, we found a subpopulation of macrophages with high expression of metastasis-promoting-related genes enriched in brain metastatic tissues. Moreover, in brain metastases, we found a significantly increased proportion of myofibroblastic cancer-associated fibroblasts (myCAFs) and a higher angiogenic capacity of endothelial cells. Epithelial cells in brain metastases were more malignant and underwent genomic reprogramming. Next, we found that DNA damage-inducible transcript 4 (DDIT4) expression was upregulated in epithelial cells in brain metastases and was associated with poor prognosis. Finally, we experimentally validated that the downregulation of DDIT4 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells.

Conclusions

This study depicts a single-cell atlas of lung adenocarcinoma and brain metastases by scRNA-seq and paves the way for the development of future therapeutic targets for brain metastases from lung cancer.
The artificial pancreas: two alternative approaches to achieve a fully closed-loop system with optimal glucose control
Authors: Åm M. K. , Teigen I. A. , Riaz M. , Fougner A. L. , Christiansen S. C. , Carlsen S. M.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus type 1 is a chronic disease that implies mandatory external insulin delivery. The patients must monitor their blood glucose levels and administer appropriate insulin boluses to keep their blood glucose within the desired range. It requires a lot of time and endeavour, and many patients struggle with suboptimal glucose control despite all their efforts.

Materials and methods

This narrative review combines existing knowledge with new discoveries from animal experiments.

Discussion

In the last decade, artificial pancreas (AP) devices have been developed to improve glucose control and relieve patients of the constant burden of managing their disease. However, a feasible and fully automated AP is yet to be developed. The main challenges preventing the development of a true, subcutaneous (SC) AP system are the slow dynamics of SC glucose sensing and particularly the delay in effect on glucose levels after SC insulin infusions. We have previously published studies on using the intraperitoneal space for an AP; however, we further propose a novel and potentially disruptive way to utilize the vasodilative properties of glucagon in SC AP systems.

Conclusion

This narrative review presents two lesser-explored viable solutions for AP systems and discusses the potential for improvement toward a fully automated system: A) using the intraperitoneal approach for more rapid insulin absorption, and B) besides using glucagon to treat and prevent hypoglycemia, also administering micro-boluses of glucagon to increase the local SC blood flow, thereby accelerating SC insulin absorption and SC glucose sensor site dynamics.
Developing a Patient and Public Involvement Training Course for People with Intellectual Disabilities: The Leicestershire Experience
Authors: Tromans Samuel , Marten Rosie , Jaggi Prabhleen , Lewin Gemma , Robinson Cath , Janickyj Anna , Joshi Karishma , Clarke Dave , Kiani Reza , Gangadharan Satheesh
Published: September 2023

There is a lack of meaningful involvement of people with intellectual disability in research, outside of the context of study participation. There is a need to develop adapted means of facilitating Patient and Public Involvement when working with people with intellectual disability, that takes account for their level of neurodevelopmental functioning. In this article we describe a Patient and Public Involvement course developed for people with intellectual disability, developed by professionals working with this group, which was subsequently piloted in Leicestershire UK. Different versions of the course were developed for student participants with different levels of neurodevelopmental functioning and communication impairment. For Part 1 of the course (‘What is Research?’), students from Pathway 1 (mild intellectual disability) and Pathway 2 (moderate intellectual disability) both had significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) mean knowledge test scores post-course relative to pre-course, with non-significant increases in mean confidence test scores for both pathway groups. For Part 2 of the course (‘Your Involvement in Research’), most participants agreed or strongly agreed with the statement ‘I found this interesting’ (Pathway 1: 8 of 9 students [89%]; Pathway 2: 8 of 10 students [80%]), but less students provided equivalent responses to the statement ‘I want to be involved in research in the future’ (Pathway 1: 2 of 9 students [22%]; Pathway 2: 8 of 10 students [80%]). This training course provides a template to provide basic training for people with intellectual disability with respect to research involvement, but requires further evaluation in larger student samples of diverse demographic and neurodevelopmental characteristics.
RCFT: re-parameterization convolution and feature filter for object tracking
Authors: Wang Yuanyun , Yang Wenhui , Yin Peng , Wang Jun
Published: September 2023

Siamese-based trackers have been widely studied for their high accuracy and speed. Both the feature extraction and feature fusion are two important components in Siamese-based trackers. Siamese-based trackers obtain fine local features by traditional convolution. However, some important channel information and global information are lost when enhancing local features. In the feature fusion process, cross-correlation-based feature fusion between the template and search region feature ignores the global spatial context information and does not make the best of the spatial information. In this paper, to solve the above problem, we design a novel feature extraction sub-network based on batch-free normalization re-parameterization convolution, which scales the features in the channel dimension and increases the receptive field. Richer channel information is obtained and powerful target features are extracted for the feature fusion. Furthermore, we learn a feature fusion network (FFN) based on feature filter. The FFN fuses the template and search region features in a global spatial context to obtain high-quality fused features by enhancing important features and filtering redundant features. By jointly learning the proposed feature extraction sub-network and FFN, the local and global information are fully exploited. Then, we propose a novel tracking algorithm based on the designed feature extraction sub-network and FFN with re-parameterization convolution and feature filter, referred to as RCFT. We evaluate the proposed RCFT tracker and some recent state-of-the-art (SOTA) trackers on OTB100, VOT2018, LaSOT, GOT-10k, UAV123 and the visual-thermal dataset VOT-RGBT2019 datasets, which achieves superior tracking performance with 45 FPS tracking speed.
Overwintering covered with soil or avoiding burial of wine grapes under cold stress: Chinese wine industry's past and future, challenges and opportunities
Authors: Wan Ningjing , Yang Bohan , Yin Dingze , Ma Tingting , Fang Yulin , Sun Xiangyu
Published: September 2023

In northwest China, where winter is extremely cold and the grapevine is vulnerable to freezing damage, the application of soil covering has promoted the vigorous development of the local grape and wine industries. However, in recent years, the negative effects of burying soil for cold protection on the environment have gradually emerged. In some viticultural regions, the phenomenon of "summer forest, winter desert" has appeared. Therefore, it is urgent for the Chinese grape industry to find a better solution to overwinter safely and environmentally friendly. This review summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of widely used solutions to overwinter such as covering vines with soil, breeding of cold-resistant grapes, cold-resistant cultivation model, physical and chemical covering materials, and protected grape facilities were reviewed. Future overwintering measures were proposed which avoid burial and grape overwintering research directions. It also provides a theoretical foundation and technical support to improve grape yield and quality in northwest China.