bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of a nomogram model for predicting peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer: focused on cardiophrenic angle lymph node features
Authors: Gu Xiaolong , Li Yang , Shi Gaofeng , Yang Li , Feng Hui , Yang Yang , Zhang Zhidong
Published: February 2023

Background

A different treatment was used when peritoneal metastases (PM) occurred in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Certain cancers' peritoneal metastasis could be predicted by the cardiophrenic angle lymph node (CALN). This study aimed to establish a predictive model for PM of gastric cancer based on the CALN.

Methods

Our center retrospectively analyzed all GC patients between January 2017 and October 2019. Pre-surgery computed tomography (CT) scans were performed on all patients. The clinicopathological and CALN features were recorded. PM risk factors were identified via univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were generated using these CALN values. Using the calibration plot, the model fit was assessed. A decision curve analysis (DCA) was conducted to assess the clinical utility.

Results

126 of 483 (26.1%) patients were confirmed as having peritoneal metastasis. These relevant factors were associated with PM: age, sex, T stage, N stage, enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes (ERLN), CALN, the long diameter of the largest CALN (LD of LCALN), the short diameter of the largest CALN (SD of LCALN), and the number of CALNs (N of CALNs). The multivariate analysis illustrated that the LD of LCALN (OR = 2.752, p < 0.001) was PM’s independent risk factor in GC patients. The area under the curve (AUC) of the model was 0.907 (95% CI 0.872–0.941), demonstrating good performance in the predictive value of PM. There is excellent calibration evident from the calibration plot, which is close to the diagonal. The DCA was presented for the nomogram.

Conclusion

CALN could predict gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis. The model in this study provided a powerful predictive tool for determining PM in GC patients and helping clinicians allocate treatment.
Einfluss der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die psychische Gesundheit während der Peripartalzeit – eine narrative Übersicht
Authors: Gries S. , Teichmann N. S. , Beck-Hiestermann F. M. L. , Strauß B. , Gumz A.
Published: February 2023

Hintergrund

Die Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie und die darauffolgenden Maßnahmen der Regierung waren mit drastischen Einschnitten in das Leben nahezu aller Menschen assoziiert. Betroffen waren v. a. vulnerable Gruppen, darunter schwangere Frauen und Mütter in der postpartalen Phase.

Fragestellung

Ziel des Reviews war die Untersuchung des Einflusses der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die psychische Gesundheit von schwangeren Frauen und Mütter in der Postpartalzeit anhand von Symptomen bezüglich Stress, Angst, Depression und posttraumatischer Belastungsstörung (PTBS). Weiterhin wurde nach Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren gesucht, die zur Entstehung oder zur Vorbeugung postpartaler psychischer Erkrankungen während der Pandemie beitragen.

Material und Methode

Die Literatursuche erfolgte via PsycArticles, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX und Ovid Medline von April bis Juni 2021. Extrahiert wurden Angst‑, Depressions‑, Stress- und PTBS-Symptome sowie potenzielle Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren.

Ergebnisse

Es wurden 19 relevante Studien mit 44.709 Teilnehmerinnen aufgenommen. Beinahe alle Studien verzeichneten einen Anstieg der Angst‑, Depressions‑, Stress- und PTBS-Symptome während der Pandemie. Finanzielle, intrafamiliäre Stressoren sowie die Sorge um das Kind wurden als Risikofaktor für die Entstehung postpartaler psychischer Erkrankungen während der Pandemie identifiziert. Die Zufriedenheit mit der Paarbeziehung schützte augenscheinlich vor Stress- und Depressionssymptomen. Angstsymptome wurden u. a. durch ein erhöhtes Ausmaß physischer Aktivität und die wahrgenommene soziale Unterstützung reduziert.

Schlussfolgerungen

Zukünftigen Untersuchungen wird empfohlen, die Risikofaktoren für die Entwicklung postpartaler psychischer Erkrankungen noch genauer zu untersuchen. Zudem sollten Präventionsprogramme für das medizinische Personal sowie Nachsorge- und Therapieprogramme für betroffene Mütter entwickelt werden, um schwere Verläufe zu verhindern.
X-ray dark-field chest radiography: a reader study to evaluate the diagnostic quality of attenuation chest X-rays from a dual-contrast scanning prototype
Authors: Kattau Margarete , Willer Konstantin , Noichl Wolfgang , Urban Theresa , Frank Manuela , De Marco Fabio , Schick Rafael , Koehler Thomas , Maack Hanns-Ingo , Renger Bernhard , Renz Martin , Sauter Andreas , Leonhardt Yannik , Fingerle Alexander , Makowski Marcus , Pfeiffer Daniela , Pfeiffer Franz
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To compare the visibility of anatomical structures and overall quality of the attenuation images obtained with a dark-field X-ray radiography prototype with those from a commercial radiography system.

Methods

Each of the 65 patients recruited for this study obtained a thorax radiograph at the prototype and a reference radiograph at the commercial system. Five radiologists independently assessed the visibility of anatomical structures, the level of motion artifacts, and the overall image quality of all attenuation images on a five-point scale, with 5 points being the highest rating. The average scores were compared between the two image types. The differences were evaluated using an area under the curve (AUC) based z-test with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. To assess the variability among the images, the distributions of the average scores per image were compared between the systems.

Results

The overall image quality was rated high for both devices, 4.2 for the prototype and 4.6 for the commercial system. The rating scores varied only slightly between both image types, especially for structures relevant to lung assessment, where the images from the commercial system were graded slightly higher. The differences were statistically significant for all criteria except for the bronchial structures, the cardiophrenic recess, and the carina.

Conclusions

The attenuation images acquired with the prototype were assigned a high diagnostic quality despite a lower resolution and the presence of motion artifacts. Thus, the attenuation-based radiographs from the prototype can be used for diagnosis, eliminating the need for an additional conventional radiograph.

Key Points

• Despite a low tube voltage (70 kVp) and comparably long acquisition time, the attenuation images from the dark-field chest radiography system achieved diagnostic quality for lung assessment.

• Commercial chest radiographs obtained a mean rating score regarding their diagnostic quality of 4.6 out of 5, and the grating-based images had a slightly lower mean rating score of 4.2 out of 5.

• The difference in rating scores for anatomical structures relevant to lung assessment is below 5%.
Guideline for schizophrenia: implementation status and attitude toward an upcoming living guideline
Authors: Khorikian-Ghazari Naiiri , Lorenz Carolin , Güler Duygu , Halms Theresa , Röh Astrid , Flick Marisa , Burschinski Angelika , Pielenz Charline , Salveridou-Hof Eva , Schneider-Axmann Thomas , Schneider Marco , Wagner Elias , Falkai Peter , Gaebel Wolfgang , Leucht Stefan , Hasan Alkomiet , Gaigl Gabriele
Published: February 2023

The implementation status of clinical guidelines is, despite their important role in connecting research with practice, frequently not satisfactory. This study aims to investigate the implementation status of the current German guideline for schizophrenia. Moreover, the attitude toward a living guideline has been explored for the first time by presenting screenshots of the German schizophrenia guideline transferred to a digital living guideline format called MAGICapp. A cross-sectional online survey was performed under the participation of 17 hospitals for psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine in Southern Germany and one professional association for German neurologists and psychiatrists. 439 participants supplied sufficient data for analysis. 309 provided complete data sets. Regarding the current guideline for schizophrenia and key recommendations, a large awareness-to-adherence gap was found. Group comparisons between different professions (caregivers, medical doctors, psychologists/psychotherapists, psychosocial therapists) detected differences in the implementation status showing higher awareness and agreement with the schizophrenia guideline and its key recommendations among medical doctors compared to psychosocial therapists and caregivers. Moreover, we detected differences in the implementation status of the guideline as a whole and its key recommendations between specialist and assistant doctors. The attitude toward an upcoming living guideline was mostly positive, especially among younger healthcare professionals. Our findings confirm an awareness-to-adherence gap, not only for the current schizophrenia guideline in general but also for its key recommendations with apparent differences between professions. Overall, our results show promising positive attitudes toward the living guideline for schizophrenia among healthcare providers, suggesting that a living guideline may be a supportive tool in everyday clinical practice.
Sjögren’s syndrome with and without neurological involvement
Authors: Seeliger Tabea , Kramer Emelie , Konen Franz Felix , Zehrfeld Nadine , Beider Sonja , Prenzler Nils Kristian , Gödecke Vega , Witte Torsten , Skripuletz Thomas , Ernst Diana
Published: February 2023

Objective

Neurological manifestations of Sjögren’s syndrome can be severe but also treatment-responsive. We aimed to systematically evaluate neurological manifestations of primary Sjögren’s syndrome and find clinical features allowing sufficient identification of affected patients (pSSN) among those with Sjögren’s syndrome without neurological involvement (pSS).

Methods

Para-/clinical features of patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria) were compared between pSSN and pSS. At our university-based center, patients with suggestive neurological symptoms undergo screening for Sjögren’s syndrome, and newly diagnosed pSS patients are thoroughly evaluated for neurologic involvement. pSSN disease activity was rated by the Neurological Involvement of Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Score (NISSDAI).

Results

512 patients treated for pSS/pSSN at our site between 04/2018 and 07/2022 were included (238 pSSN patients [46%] vs. 274 pSS patients [54%], cross-sectional design). Independent predictors of neurological involvement in Sjögren’s syndrome were male sex [p < 0.001], older age at disease onset [p < 0.0001], hospitalization at first presentation [p < 0.001], lower IgG levels [p = 0.04] and higher eosinophil values (treatment-naïve) [p = 0.02]. Univariate regression additionally showed older age at diagnosis [p < 0.001], lower prevalence of rheumatoid factor [p = 0.001], SSA(Ro)/SSB(La) antibodies [p = 0.03; p < 0.001], higher white blood cell count [p = 0.02] and CK levels [p = 0.02] (treatment-naïve) in pSSN.

Interpretation

Patients with pSSN had different clinical characteristics than patients with pSS and represented a large proportion of the cohort. Our data suggest that neurological involvement in Sjögren’s syndrome has been underestimated. Intensified screening for neurologic involvement should be included in the diagnostic algorithm for Sjögren’s syndrome, especially in males of older age and with severe disease course requiring hospitalization.
Analytical sensitivity of a multiplex quantitative PCR for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum
Authors: Truong Marcus , Šlapeta Jan
Published: February 2023

Cyst-forming coccidia, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, are recognised as important causes of animal disease. Molecular diagnostics based on the presence of DNA in animal tissue are required to specifically detect T. gondii and N. caninum while achieving high levels of analytical sensitivity. We optimised available single-plex probe base qPCR assays into a multiplexed qPCR panel to detect cyst-forming coccidia, i.e. T. gondii and N. caninum. The T. gondii assay is based on a 529-bp repetitive (REP) element and the N. caninum assay on the NC5 repetitive region. Using target sequence synthetic DNA, the limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be 100 copies, that is less than a single tachyzoite of either T. gondii or N. caninum. The T. gondii and N. caninum multiplexed qPCR assay optimised in this study can be used to effectively detect parasite DNA for diagnostic purposes in animal tissue.
Cross-trait analyses identify shared genetics between migraine, headache, and glycemic traits, and a causal relationship with fasting proinsulin
Authors: Islam Md Rafiqul ,   The International Headache Genetics Consortium (IHGC), Nyholt Dale R.
Published: February 2023

The co-occurrence of migraine and glycemic traits has long been reported in observational epidemiological studies, but it has remained unknown how they are linked genetically. We used large-scale GWAS summary statistics on migraine, headache, and nine glycemic traits in European populations to perform cross-trait analyses to estimate genetic correlation, identify shared genomic regions, loci, genes, and pathways, and test for causal relationships. Out of the nine glycemic traits, significant genetic correlation was observed for fasting insulin (FI) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) with both migraine and headache, while 2-h glucose was genetically correlated only with migraine. Among 1703 linkage disequilibrium (LD) independent regions of the genome, we found pleiotropic regions between migraine and FI, fasting glucose (FG), and HbA1c, and pleiotropic regions between headache and glucose, FI, HbA1c, and fasting proinsulin. Cross-trait GWAS meta-analysis with glycemic traits, identified six novel genome-wide significant lead SNPs with migraine, and six novel lead SNPs with headache (Pmeta < 5.0 × 10–8 and Psingle-trait < 1 × 10–4), all of which were LD-independent. Genes with a nominal gene-based association (Pgene ≤ 0.05) were significantly enriched (overlapping) across the migraine, headache, and glycemic traits. Mendelian randomisation analyses produced intriguing, but inconsistent, evidence for a causal relationship between migraine and headache with multiple glycemic traits; and consistent evidence suggesting increased fasting proinsulin levels may causally decrease the risk of headache. Our findings indicate that migraine, headache, and glycemic traits share a common genetic etiology and provide genetic insights into the molecular mechanisms contributing to their comorbid relationship.
Nitrogen fixation and nifH gene diversity in cyanobacteria living on feather mosses in a subalpine forest of Mt. Fuji
Authors: Kubota Masayuki , Matsushita Norihisa , Nakamura Toshihiko , Fukuda Kenji
Published: February 2023

In the boreal forests, feather mosses such as Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi are colonized by cyanobacteria, which provide large amounts of nitrogen to forest ecosystems through nitrogen fixation. Although these feather mosses are also ubiquitous in subalpine forests of East Asia, little is known regarding their associated cyanobacteria and their ability to fix nitrogen. In this study, we investigated (1) whether cyanobacteria co-exist and fix nitrogen in the two species of feather mosses that cover the ground surface in a subalpine forest of Mt. Fuji, (2) whether cyanobacteria belonging to a common cluster with boreal forests are found in feather mosses in Mt. Fuji, and (3) whether moss-associated nitrogen fixation rates differed among moss growing substrates, canopy openness, and moss nitrogen concentrations in the same forest area. Our results showed that cyanobacteria colonized feather mosses in the subalpine forests of Mt. Fuji and acetylene reduction rates as an index of nitrogen fixation tended to be higher in H. splendens than in P. schreberi. Based on analysis of the nifH gene, 43 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified, 28 of which represented cyanobacteria. Among the five clusters of cyanobacteria classified based on their nifH gene and identified in northern Europe, four (Nostoc cluster I, Nostoc cluster II, Stigonema cluster, and nifH2 cluster) were also found at Mt. Fuji. The acetylene reduction rate differed depending on the moss growing substrate and the total nitrogen concentration of moss shoots, and a strong negative correlation was observed with the total nitrogen concentration.
Entwicklung zweier ambulanter gruppentherapeutischer interdisziplinärer Therapiemodule in der Behandlung von Patienten mit Schmerzen und Chronifizierungsrisiko
Authors: Preißler Anke , Schouten Leonie , Hoffmann Greta , Deppe Karin , Lindena Gabriele , Petzke Frank , Gärtner Anne , Kaiser Ulrike
Published: February 2023

Hintergrund und Zielsetzung

Eine frühe Versorgung von Patient:innen, die Schmerzen und Risikofaktoren einer Chronifizierung aufweisen, ist sinnvoll; diese Patient:innen können von einer frühen interdisziplinären multimodalen Schmerztherapie (IMST) profitieren. Angesichts der unzureichenden Versorgung wurden im Rahmen von PAIN2020 zwei ambulante Therapiemodule für die Sekundärprävention einer Schmerzchronifizierung entwickelt werden: die edukative bzw. begleitende IMST (E‑IMST/B‑IMST).

Material und Methoden

Der Entwicklungsprozess der beiden IMST wird vorgestellt. Es wurden zwei Zielgruppen von Patient:innen definiert, für die in Abhängigkeit von Chronifizierung, Beeinträchtigung und Komplexität der Störung eine Sitzung (E‑IMST) bzw. 10 Interventionstermine (B‑IMST) vorgesehen waren. Die Konzeption erfolgte in 5 Schritten: Erarbeitung der Zielstellungen; Erarbeitung der Hauptinhalte; Workshop zur inhaltlichen und konzeptionellen Ausgestaltung (Inhalte, Vermittlung, Übungen); Erstellung eines Ablaufplans; Aufbereitung der Ergebnisse (Manual, Präsentationen, Arbeitsblätter, Handbuch). Zunächst wurde die B‑IMST entwickelt, woraus Inhalte für die E‑IMST extrahiert wurden. Daneben sollte ein Konzept zur Überprüfung der Umsetzbarkeit und ein Wirkmodell für eine Pilotierung entwickelt werden.

Ergebnisse

Zielstellungen für beide IMST-Formen sind die Verbesserung des Verständnisses von Schmerz und mitbedingenden Faktoren, die Erhöhung des Kontroll- und Selbstwirksamkeitserlebens und die Erhöhung der Eigenverantwortung hinsichtlich schmerzreduzierender Strategien. Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Therapiemodulen ergeben sich aus den Bedarfen und Rahmenbedingungen. Für beide IMST-Module wurden ärztliche, physio- und psychotherapeutische Inhalte und Abläufe ausgestaltet. Die B‑IMST setzt sich aus 5 Modulen mit je 2 Terminen als Gruppenintervention zusammen (biopsychosoziales Modell; Aktivierungsplanung; Bedürfnisregulation; Schlaf und Medikamente; Alltagstransfer). Die 3‑stündige E‑IMST-Gruppenintervention vermittelt in erster Linie Wissen über Schmerz und das biopsychosoziale Schmerzmodell. Es kommen theoretische und praktische Interventionen bzw. erfahrungs- und erlebnisorientierte Methoden zur Anwendung.

Schlussfolgerung

Es existieren nun zwei interdisziplinär ausgerichtete Manuale für die sekundärpräventive Behandlung von Patient:innen mit wiederkehrenden Schmerzen und Risikoprofil für eine Chronifizierung. Diese Ansätze müssen nun hinsichtlich Machbarkeit und Wirksamkeit überprüft werden.
Nutzungsorientierte Verwendung urbaner Wasserressourcen – Visionen, Potenziale und Herausforderungen
Authors: Prenner Flora , Kretschmer Florian , Pucher Bernhard
Published: February 2023

Der Klimawandel stellt urbane Räume durch vermehrte Trockenperioden und Starkregenereignisse vor große Herausforderungen und fordert Maßnahmen, um die Lebensqualität aufrecht zu erhalten. Urbane Begrünung spielt als Klimawandelanpassungsmaßnahme eine wichtige Rolle – allerdings können Pflanzen nur bei ausreichender Bewässerung einen mikroklimatischen Kühleffekt erzielen. Aktuell wird vorrangig Trinkwasser zur Bewässerung herangezogen, was langfristig als nicht nachhaltig einzustufen ist. Im urbanen Raum stehen weitere Wasserressourcen, wie Regenwasser, Abwasser oder Grauwasser (Abwasser ohne Fäkalien) als Brauchwasser, beispielsweise zur Bewässerung, zur Verfügung. Diese Wasserressourcen haben ein großes Potenzial zur kreislauforientierten Wiedernutzung, welches jedoch in Österreich aktuell nicht ausgeschöpft wird. Daher stellt sich die Frage, inwiefern Wasserwiedernutzung in österreichischen Strategien zur Klimawandelanpassung berücksichtigt wird und welche Potenziale sich daraus ergeben. Dazu werden in diesem Artikel Strategien zur Klimawandelanpassung auf Bundes- und Landesebene analysiert, das qualitative und quantitative Potenzial von Regen- und gereinigtem Grauwasser aufgezeigt und Herausforderungen in der praktischen Umsetzung von Wasserwiedernutzung identifiziert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass der Brauchwasserbedarf mit urbanen Wasserressourcen gedeckt werden kann (mit variierendem Deckungsgrad je nach Ressource) und damit eine nutzungsorientierte Verwendung dieser Ressourcen ein hohes Potenzial aufweist. Auch wird eine Brauchwasserversorgung als Teil des Maßnahmenpakets zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel gesehen. Allerdings zeigt sich, dass in der Praxis einige Herausforderungen bei der Umsetzung von und der Schaffung der Voraussetzungen für Wasserwiedernutzung gesehen werden. Diese Lücke zwischen der Vision einer klimawandelangepassten Zukunft und den identifizierten Herausforderungen in der Praxis muss geschlossen werden, um langfristig Brauchwasserbedarf – wo möglich – mit urbanen Wasserressourcen zu decken und die wertvolle Ressource Trinkwasser für den tatsächlichen Trinkwasserbedarf zu sichern.
ISSLS Prize in Bioengineering Science 2023: Age- and sex-related differences in lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration between patients with chronic low back pain and asymptomatic controls
Authors: Bonnheim Noah B. , Lazar Ann A. , Kumar Anika , Akkaya Zehra , Zhou Jiamin , Guo Xiaojie , O’Neill Conor , Link Thomas M. , Lotz Jeffrey C. , Krug Roland , Fields Aaron J.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Clinical management of disc degeneration in patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP) is hampered by the challenge of distinguishing pathologic changes relating to pain from physiologic changes related to aging. The goal of this study was to use imaging biomarkers of disc biochemical composition to distinguish degenerative changes associated with cLBP from normal aging.

Methods

T1ρ MRI data were acquired from 133 prospectively enrolled subjects for this observational study (80 cLBP, 53 controls; mean ± SD age = 43.9 ± 13.4 years; 61 females, 72 males). The mean T1ρ relaxation time in the nucleus pulposus (NP-T1ρ; n = 650 discs) was used as a quantitative biomarker of disc biochemical composition. Linear regression was used to assess associations between NP-T1ρ and age, sex, spinal level, and study group, and their interactions.

Results

NP-T1ρ values were lower in cLBP patients than controls (70.8 ± 22.8 vs. 76.4 ± 22.2 ms, p = 0.009). Group differences were largest at L5–S1 (ΔT1ρcLBP-control = −11.3 ms, p < 0.0001), representing biochemical deterioration typically observed over a 9–12 year period (NP-T1ρ declined by 0.8–1.1 ms per year [95% CI]). Group differences were large in younger patients and diminished with age. Finally, the age-dependence of disc degeneration was stronger in controls than cLBP patients.

Conclusion

Aging effects on the biochemical composition of the L5–S1 disc may involve a relatively uniform set of factors from which many cLBP patients deviate. NP-T1ρ values at L5–S1 may be highly relevant to clinical phenotyping, particularly in younger individuals.
Immersive virtual reality for improving cognitive deficits in children with ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Corrigan Niamh , Păsărelu Costina-Ruxandra , Voinescu Alexandra
Published: February 2023

Virtual reality (VR) shows great potential in treating and managing various mental health conditions. This includes using VR for training or rehabilitation purposes. For example, VR is being used to improve cognitive functioning (e.g. attention) among children with attention/deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of the current review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of immersive VR-based interventions for improving cognitive deficits in children with ADHD, to investigate potential moderators of the effect size and assess treatment adherence and safety. The meta-analysis included seven randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of children with ADHD comparing immersive VR-based interventions with controls (e.g. waiting list, medication, psychotherapy, cognitive training, neurofeedback and hemoencephalographic biofeedback) on measures of cognition. Results indicated large effect sizes in favour of VR-based interventions on outcomes of global cognitive functioning, attention, and memory. Neither intervention length nor participant age moderated the effect size of global cognitive functioning. Control group type (active vs passive control group), ADHD diagnostic status (formal vs. informal) and novelty of VR technology were not significant moderators of the effect size of global cognitive functioning. Treatment adherence was similar across groups and there were no adverse effects. Results should be cautiously interpreted given the poor quality of included studies and small sample.
A new perspective on low-rank optimization
Authors: Bertsimas Dimitris , Cory-Wright Ryan , Pauphilet Jean
Published: February 2023

A key question in many low-rank problems throughout optimization, machine learning, and statistics is to characterize the convex hulls of simple low-rank sets and judiciously apply these convex hulls to obtain strong yet computationally tractable relaxations. We invoke the matrix perspective function—the matrix analog of the perspective function—to characterize explicitly the convex hull of epigraphs of simple matrix convex functions under low-rank constraints. Further, we combine the matrix perspective function with orthogonal projection matrices—the matrix analog of binary variables which capture the row-space of a matrix—to develop a matrix perspective reformulation technique that reliably obtains strong relaxations for a variety of low-rank problems, including reduced rank regression, non-negative matrix factorization, and factor analysis. Moreover, we establish that these relaxations can be modeled via semidefinite constraints and thus optimized over tractably. The proposed approach parallels and generalizes the perspective reformulation technique in mixed-integer optimization and leads to new relaxations for a broad class of problems.
Substantial warming of Central European mountain rivers under climate change
Authors: Niedrist Georg H.
Published: February 2023

Water bodies around the world are currently warming with unprecedented rates since observations started, but warming occurs highly variable among ecoregions. So far, mountain rivers were expected to experience attenuated warming due to cold water input from snow or ice. However, air temperatures in mountain areas are increasing faster than the global average, and therefore warming effects are expected for cold riverine ecosystems. In decomposing multi-decadal water temperature data of two Central European mountain rivers with different discharge and water source regime, this work identified so far unreported (a) long-term warming trends (with river-size dependent rates between  +0.24 and  +0.44 °C decade−1); but also (b) seasonal shifts with both rivers warming not only during summer, but also in winter months (i.e., up to  +0.52 °C decade−1 in November); (c) significantly increasing minimum and maximum temperatures (e.g., temperatures in a larger river no longer reach freezing point since 1996 and maximum temperatures increased at rates between +0.4 and +0.7 °C decade−1); and (d) an expanding of warm-water periods during recent decades in these ecosystems. Our results show a substantial warming effect of mountain rivers with significant month-specific warming rates not only during summer but also in winter, suggesting that mountain river phenology continues to change with ongoing atmospheric warming. Furthermore, this work demonstrates that apart from a general warming, also seasonal shifts, changes in extreme temperatures, and expanding warm periods will play a role for ecological components of mountain rivers and should be considered in climate change assessments and mitigation management.
Active upper aerodigestive tract hemorrhage in patients with head and neck cancers: the “dot-in-sludge” sign
Authors: Goswami Abhishek , Fisicaro Ryan A. , Howard Brian M. , Patel Milind , Aiken Ashley H. , Baugnon Kristen L. , Wu Xin
Published: February 2023

Active extravasation into the upper aerodigestive tract is a dramatic and potentially life-threatening complication in patients with head and neck cancers. It prompts presentation to the emergency room and subsequent urgent imaging to identify the source of hemorrhage. Imaging of these patients may be complicated by treatment-altered anatomy, posing a challenge to the emergency radiologist who needs to rapidly identify the presence of active hemorrhage and the potential source vessel. This retrospective review summarizes the clinical and imaging findings of 6 oropharyngeal and oral cavity squamous cell cancer (SCC) patients with active upper aerodigestive tract hemorrhage. Most patients had advanced stage disease and prior radiation therapy. All CECT or CTA exams on presentation demonstrated the “dot-in-sludge” sign of active extravasation, as demonstrated by a “dot” of avidly enhancing extravasated contrast material layered against a background “sludge” of non-enhancing debris in the lumen of the upper aerodigestive tract. Common sources of hemorrhage included the lingual, facial, and superior thyroidal arteries. Familiarity with these findings will help radiologists increase their accuracy and confidence in interpreting these urgent, complex examinations.
Technical modifications for cost optimization in robot-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy: an initial experience
Authors: Marra A. A. , Campennì P. , De Simone V. , Parello A. , Litta F. , Ratto C.
Published: February 2023

Background

Robot-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy is considered a valid option in the treatment of rectal prolapse. However, it involves higher costs than the laparoscopic approach. The aim of this study is to determine if less expensive robotic surgery for rectal prolapse can be safely performed.

Methods

This study was conducted on consecutive patients who underwent robot-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, from 7 November 2020 to 22 November 2021. The cost of hospitalization, surgical procedure, robotic materials, and operating room resources in patients undergoing robot-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy with the da Vinci Xi Surgical Systems was analyzed before and after technical modifications, including the reduction of robotic arms and instruments, and the execution of a double minimal peritoneal incision at the pouch of Douglas and sacral promontory (instead of the traditional inverted J incision).

Results

Twenty-two robot-assisted ventral mesh rectopexies were performed [21 females, 95.5%, median age 62.0 (54.8–70.0) years]. After an initial experience performing traditional robot-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy in four patients, we adopted technical modifications in other cases. No major complication or conversion to open surgery occurred. In total, mean cost of hospitalization, surgical procedure, robotic materials, and operating room resources was €6995.5 ± 1058.0, €5912.7 ± 877.0, €2797.6 ± 545.6, and €2608.3 ± 351.5, respectively. Technical modifications allowed a significant reduction in the overall cost of hospitalization (€6604.5 ± 589.5 versus €8755.0 ± 906.4, p = 0.001), number of robotic instruments (3.1 ± 0.2 versus 4.0 ± 0.8 units, p = 0.026), and operating room time (201 ± 26 versus 253 ± 16 min, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Considering our preliminary results, robot-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy with appropriate technical modifications can be cost-effective and safe.
Improving the Quantitative Analysis of Breast Microcalcifications: A Multiscale Approach
Authors: Marasinou Chrysostomos , Li Bo , Paige Jeremy , Omigbodun Akinyinka , Nakhaei Noor , Hoyt Anne , Hsu William
Published: February 2023

Accurate characterization of microcalcifications (MCs) in 2D digital mammography is a necessary step toward reducing the diagnostic uncertainty associated with the callback of indeterminate MCs. Quantitative analysis of MCs can better identify MCs with a higher likelihood of ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive cancer. However, automated identification and segmentation of MCs remain challenging with high false positive rates. We present a two-stage multiscale approach to MC segmentation in 2D full-field digital mammograms (FFDMs) and diagnostic magnification views. Candidate objects are first delineated using blob detection and Hessian analysis. A regression convolutional network, trained to output a function with a higher response near MCs, chooses the objects which constitute actual MCs. The method was trained and validated on 435 screening and diagnostic FFDMs from two separate datasets. We then used our approach to segment MCs on magnification views of 248 cases with amorphous MCs. We modeled the extracted features using gradient tree boosting to classify each case as benign or malignant. Compared to state-of-the-art comparison methods, our approach achieved superior mean intersection over the union (0.670 ± 0.121 per image versus 0.524 ± 0.034 per image), intersection over the union per MC object (0.607 ± 0.250 versus 0.363 ± 0.278) and true positive rate of 0.744 versus 0.581 at 0.4 false positive detections per square centimeter. Features generated using our approach outperformed the comparison method (0.763 versus 0.710 AUC) in distinguishing amorphous calcifications as benign or malignant.
The stop-feed effect of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and the efficacy of brodifacoum combined with cholecalciferol in Y139C-resistant Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Authors: Klemann Nicole , Walther Bernd , Matuschka Franz-Rainer , Jacob Jens , Endepols Stefan
Published: February 2023

Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides potentially build persistent residues in animals and accordingly pose a risk of secondary poisoning. We examined the effect of a low concentration of cholecalciferol in brodifacoum bait on bait consumption by Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout 1769) and on the control success in a laboratory study and in field trials. Additionally, the efficacy of both baits was determined against resistant Y139C rats. Cholecalciferol caused a strong stop-feed effect after two days in the laboratory study. On two field study sites each, bait containing either 25 mg kg−1 brodifacoum or 25 mg kg−1 brodifacoum and 100 mg kg−1 cholecalciferol was applied to treat infestations of Norway rats. Infestations were assessed pre- and post-treatment. Rats were radio-tagged, and carcasses were searched for during the treatment period. DNA of each rat was genotyped to determine the resistance status conferred by the VKORC1 gene. On all farms, control success exceeded 90%. On farms treated with brodifacoum only, the ratio of total bait consumption to pre-treatment census was significantly higher (6.6 and 4.8 times) than on farms treated with the combination (2.7 and 2.9 times). 78.8% of 183 rats were confirmed Y139C resistant. Bait ingestion was reduced by almost fifty per-cent when cholecalciferol was added to the bait with no impact on control success. All treatments resulted in control levels exceeding 90%, despite a high proportion of anticoagulant-resistant rats. When the use of highly toxic compounds is required in resistance management, addition of cholecalciferol to these baits may reduce the transfer of residues to the environment.
Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of non-mass enhancement of the breast
Authors: Kubota Kazunori , Mori Mio , Fujioka Tomoyuki , Watanabe Kaoru , Ito Yuko
Published: February 2023

Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System magnetic resonance imaging (BI-RADS-MRI) classifies lesions as mass, non-mass enhancement (NME), or focus. BI-RADS ultrasound does not currently have the concept of non-mass. Additionally, knowing the concept of NME in MRI is significant. Thus, this study aimed to provide a narrative review of NME diagnosis in breast MRI. Lexicons are defined with distribution (focal, linear, segmental, regional, multiple regions, and diffuse) and internal enhancement patterns (homogenous, heterogeneous, clumped, and clustered ring) in the case of NME. Among these, linear, segmental, clumped, clustered ring, and heterogeneous are the terms that suggest malignancy. Hence, a hand search was conducted for reports of malignancy frequencies. The malignancy frequency in NME is widely distributed, ranging from 25 to 83.6%, and the frequency of each finding varies. Latest techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging and ultrafast dynamic MRI, are attempted to differentiate NME. Additionally, attempts are made in the preoperative setting to determine the concordance of lesion spread based on findings and the presence of invasion.
Nagoya Protocol and Africa’s willingness to share biological control agents, are we deterred by barriers instead of using opportunities to work together?
Authors: Ivey P. J. , Hill M. P. , Kenfack Voukeng S. N. , Weaver K. N.
Published: February 2023

Amongst members of the biological control community there is a range of perceptions regarding the Nagoya Protocol, at best it will hinder access to natural enemies of pests and invasive plants and at worst implementation of the Protocol will prevent access to these resources. In this preliminary study of Africa’s preparedness to implement the Nagoya Protocol and control access to potential biological control agents, we found that several countries have not yet established procedures and policies in this regard. Several factors including lack of awareness, insufficient relevant information and lack of capacity may cause delay in countries implementing access and benefit sharing legislation and processes. The lack of preparedness provides an opportunity for the research community to work with government officials to facilitate future access to natural enemies to act as biological control agents on invasive plants and agricultural pests. Collaboration between researchers, managers and bureaucrats in support of African countries could lead to collective action that develops policies and implements processes to foster exploration of African biodiversity. This collaboration could also foster the sharing of biological control agents that will benefit Africa through integrated pest management in agriculture, protection of human lives and livelihoods, and reduction of the impact of invasive alien species on biodiversity and environmental infrastructure.
Learning robot differential movements using a new educational robotics simulation tool
Authors: Gonzalez Fernando
Published: February 2023

The study of robotics has become a popular course among many educational programs, especially as a technical elective. A significant part of this course involves having the students learn how to program the movement of a robotic arm by controlling the velocity of its individual joint motors, a topic referred to as joint programming. They must learn how to develop algorithms to move the end effector of the arm by controlling the instantaneous velocity or some similar aspect, of each joint motor. To support this learning activity, physical or virtual robotic arms are typically employed. Visual observation of the movement of the arm provides feedback to the correctness of the student’s joint programming algorithms. A problem arises with supporting the student in learning how to move the robotic arm with precise velocity along some path, a subtopic of joint programming referred to as differential movements. To develop this knowledge, the student must produce and test differential movement algorithms and have the capability to verify its correctness. Regardless of the type of arm used, physical or virtual, the human eye cannot notice the difference between a correct or incorrect movement of the end effector as this will involve noticing small differences in velocities. This study found that by simulating the process of spray painting on a virtual canvas, the correctness of a differential movement algorithm may be accessed by observing the resulting paint on the canvas as opposed to observing the movement of the arm. A model of a set of spray-painting equipment and a canvas was added to an existing virtual robotic arm educational tool and used in an Introduction to Robotics class offered at Florida Gulf Coast University in Spring 2019 and Spring 2020. The class offered in Spring 2019 used the virtual arm but without the spray-painting feature while the class offered in Spring 2020 used the new spray-painting feature that was added to the virtual arm. Exam results show that 59.4% of the students that used the new feature scored at least an 85% on the corresponding differential movements exam question compared to only 5.6% of the class that did not use the added spray-painting feature. The differential movement exam question simply asked the student to produce a differential movements algorithm to move the arm with a specified velocity alone a straight line.
Foliar application of 6-benzyladenine after pollination improves hybrid rice seed vigor through modulating antioxidant system
Authors: Jing Fengge , Ding Yunqian , Zhu Minyi , Zhao Guangwu , Wang Xiaomin
Published: February 2023

Application of plant growth regulators emerges as one of the most reliable methods to enhance crop productivity and quality. However, knowledge is limited in seed quality of hybrid rice subjected to exogenous 6-Benzyladenine (6-BA) application during seed development. A 2-year experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of 6-BA treatment after pollination on seed vigor and its underlying regulatory mechanisms. Results showed that 6-BA treatment increased germination potential (GP) and vigor index (VI) of hybrid rice irrespective of cultivar and year, particularly with 50 mg/L. Consistently, seedling quality including seedling height, root length and dry weight was significantly enhanced under 6-BA treatment with 50 mg/L. Based on the results above, 50 mg/L was considered as the optimal concentration. Additionally, 6-BA treatment with 50 mg/L increased catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and it strongly induced the expression of OsAPX1 and OsCSD3 related to antioxidant enzyme activity at the early stage of seed emergence. Therefore, spraying 6-BA with 50 mg/L after pollination could be recommended as an agronomic practice for hybrid rice seed production with high seed vigor.
Optimization over decision trees: a case study for the design of stable direct-current electricity networks
Authors: Gutina Daria , Bärmann Andreas , Roeder Georg , Schellenberger Martin , Liers Frauke
Published: February 2023

In many real-world mixed-integer optimization problems from engineering, the side constraints can be subdivided into two categories: constraints which describe a certain logic to model a feasible allocation of resources (such as a maximal number of available assets, working time requirements, maintenance requirements, contractual obligations, etc.), and constraints which model physical processes and the related quantities (such as current, pressure, temperature, etc.). While the first type of constraints can often easily be stated in terms of a mixed-integer program (MIP), the second part may involve the incorporation of complex non-linearities, partial differential equations or even a black-box simulation of the involved physical process. In this work, we propose the integration of a trained tree-based classifier—a decision-tree or a random forest, into a mixed-integer optimization model as a possible remedy. We assume that the classifier has been trained on data points produced by a detailed simulation of a given complex process to represent the functional relationship between the involved physical quantities. We then derive MIP-representable reformulations of the trained classifier such that the resulting model can be solved using state-of-the-art solvers. At the hand of several use cases in terms of possible optimization goals, we show the broad applicability of our framework that is easily extendable to other tasks beyond engineering. In a detailed real-world computational study for the design of stable direct-current power networks, we demonstrate that our approach yields high-quality solutions in reasonable computation times.
Can an algorithm become delusional? Evaluating ontological commitments and methodology of computational psychiatry
Authors: Broeker Marianne D. , Broome Matthew R.
Published: February 2023

The computational approach to psychiatric disorders, including delusions, promises explanation and treatment. Here, we argue that an information processing approach might be misleading to understand psychopathology and requires further refinement. We explore the claim of computational psychiatry being a bridge between phenomenology and physiology while focussing on the ontological commitments and corresponding methodology computational psychiatry is based on. Interconnecting ontological claims and methodological practices, the paper illustrates the structure of theory-building and testing in computational psychiatry.

First, we will explain the ontological commitments computational psychiatry is grounded in, theBayesian Brain hypothesis(BBH) of unconscious inference, paired with normative deontic approaches applied to gauge psychopathology. We then turn to the steps taken in empirical paradigms, from definitions, which are used as starting points, to the operationalisation and isolation of cognitive processes and hypothesis testing based on algorithmic models, to consecutive interpretations regarding the aetiology of psychiatric disorders. We outline how experimental paradigms in computational psychiatry are specifically designed to confirm aberrations in assumed inferential processes, which are thought of as being the underlyingcore invariant features.

We will illustrate a gap between the ontological commitments of computational psychiatry and the operationalisation and testing of the cognition assumed to be relevant for psychopathology. This conceptual gap is of utmost importance when designing computational paradigms and may impede a crisp understanding of the approach. Lastly, in evaluating the conceptual gap, it becomes apparent that the information processing formalism used in computational psychiatry is still grounded in rational cognitive psychology.
Evidence and truth
Authors: White Roger
Published: February 2023

Among other interesting proposals, Juan Comesaña’s Being Rational and Being Right makes a challenging case that one’s evidence can include falsehoods. I explore some ways in which we might have to rethink the roles that evidence can play in inquiry if we accept this claim. It turns out that Comesaña’s position lends itself to the conclusion that while false evidence is possible and not even terribly uncommon, I can be rationally sure that I don’t currently have any and perhaps also that I won’t get any, and (absent certain evidence to the contrary) you are not afflicted with any either. This conclusion might seem too good to be true. I finish by raising a puzzle about one of the main motivations for Comesaña’s view.