bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coordinated trajectory tracking control for mining excavator with oscillating external disturbance
Authors: Fan Rujun , Li Yunhua , Yang Liman , Qin Tao , Zhang Yongwei , Wang Zhaoxiong
Published: October 2023

The mining excavator is a significant type of field robot, however, its ability to track excavation trajectories accurately is limited by model uncertainties and fast‐changing external digging force. This paper presents a novel trajectory tracking coordinate control approach for mining excavators by utilizing cross‐coupling control (CCS). The approach begins by defining the coordination error based on the motion relationship. A super‐twisting nonsingular sliding mode controller is then combined with an adaptive radial basis function neural network to compensate for the unknown nonlinear term that includes model uncertainties and external excavating forces. Moreover, CCS is introduced to enhance the coordination of different actuators. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme is validated through comparative simulations and experiments.
Exploring the Molecular Interactions between Acyclovir and Hormones: Insights from Density Functional Theory Calculations
Authors: Raman Anirudh Pratap Singh , Tomar Jaya , Jain Pallavi , Kumar Ajay , Singh Prashant , Kumari Kamlesh
Published: October 2023

Acyclovir, a widely used antiviral medication, is primarily known for its efficacy against viral infections caused by the herpes simplex virus and varicella‐zoster virus. While acyclovir‘s direct effects on viral DNA replication are well‐established, its potential interactions with hormone receptors and influence on hormone functioning remain relatively unexplored. This study employs computational study to investigate the hypothetical relationship between acyclovir and hormone activity. By utilizing DFT studies and NBO analysis, the interaction between acyclovir and hormones is assessed. The results show an increase in the dipole moment of complexes, and drug‐hormone complex conformation may be stabilised by hydrogen bonding. The computed ▵E of the complexes is found to be lesser than the hormone that improved the reactivity of the complexes. From the IR spectra analysis, the formation of hormones and their complexes with acyclovir is analysed.
Green and Low‐Cost Alkali‐Polyphenol Synergetic Self‐Catalysis System Access to Fast Gelation of Self‐Healable and Self‐Adhesive Conductive Hydrogels for Self‐Powered Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Zhang Hongmei , Xue Kai , Xu Xihang , Wang Xiaohui , Wang Bing , Shao Changyou , Sun Runcang
Published: October 2023

Biomass‐based hydrogels have attracted great attention in flexible and sustainable self‐powered power sources but struggled to fabricate in a green, high‐efficiency, and low‐cost manner. Herein, a novel and facile alkali‐polyphenol synergetic self‐catalysis system is originally employed for the fast gelation of self‐healable and self‐adhesive lignin‐based conductive hydrogels, which can be regarded as hydrogel electrodes of flexible triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). This synergy self‐catalytic system comprises aqueous alkali and polyphenol‐containing lignin, in which alkali‐activated ammonium persulfate (APS) significantly accelerates the generation of radicals and initiates the polymerization of monomers, while polyphenol acts as a stabilizer to avoid bursting polymerization from inherent radical scavenging ability. Furthermore, multiple hydrogen bonds between lignin biopolymers and polyacrylamide (PAM) chains impart lignin‐based hydrogels with exceptional adhesiveness and self‐healing properties. Intriguingly, the alkaline conditions not only contribute to the solubility of lignin but also impart superior ionic conductivity of lignin‐based hydrogel that is applicable to flexible TENG in self‐powered energy‐saving stair light strips, which holds great promise for industrial applications of soft electronics.
Enhancing Performance of Ultraviolet C Photodetectors Through Single‐Domain Epitaxy of Monoclinic β‐Ga2O3 Films and Tailored Anti‐Reflection Coating
Authors: Kim Byungsoo , Kim Seungju , Lee Tae Hyung , Yang Duyoung , Lee Dongyup , Sohn Woonbae , Yoon Euijoon , Park Yongjo , Jang Ho Won
Published: October 2023

Implementing high‐performance ultraviolet C photodetectors (UVC PDs) based on β‐Ga2O3 films is challenging owing to the anisotropic crystal symmetry between the epitaxial films and substrates. In this study, highly enhanced state‐of‐the‐art photoelectrical performance is achieved using single‐domain epitaxy of monoclinic β‐Ga2O3 films on a hexagonal sapphire substrate. Unlike 3D β‐Ga2O3 films with twin domains, 2D β‐Ga2O3 films exhibit a single domain with a smooth surface and low concentration of point defects, which enable efficient charge separation by suppressing boundary‐induced recombination. Furthermore, a tailored anti‐reflection coating (ARC) is adopted as a light‐absorbing medium to improve charge generation. The tailored nanostructure, which features a gradient refractive index, not only substantially reduces the reflection, but also suppresses the surface leakage current as a passivation layer. This study provides fundamental insights into the single‐domain epitaxy of β‐Ga2O3 films and the application of ARC for the development of high‐performance UVC PDs.
Enhanced Sensing Performance of SnXTi1‐XO2‐TiXSn1‐XO2 Core–Shell Heterostructure via Increasing the Density of Unsaturated Sn and Ti Atoms
Authors: Liu Junfang , Duan Zhiqing , Duan Yunqing
Published: October 2023

The strategy of combining different semiconductor materials is adjudged an effective approach to improve the sensing performances of semiconductor materials. However, the specific synergistic mechanism for the excellent gas‐sensitive performances of composite materials has not been elucidated. Herein, a facile solvothermal method is employed to synthesize SnXTi1‐XO2‐TiXSn1‐XO2 core–shell heterostructures using SnCl4•5H2O and tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT) as raw materials. When the molar ratio of SnCl4•5H2O/TBOT is 1.8/3.0, the afforded composite exhibited the highest gas sensing performances compared with other composites prepared with other molar ratios. The enhanced sensing performance is attributed to the simultaneous incorporation of Sn and Ti ions into each other's lattice, leading to an increase in the density of unsaturated Sn and Ti atoms on the surface. Ultimately, more oxygen vacancies are formed by the unsaturated Sn and Ti atoms, which benefits electron capture and the redox reaction of adsorbed gases. Thus, the concept of increased unsaturated metal atoms and oxygen vacancy resulting from the doping of different metal ions into each other's lattice has deepened the understanding of gas sensing and the catalytic reaction mechanisms. The lattice synergy of different metals provides a pathway for the design of advanced gas‐sensing materials and catalysts.
Genome‐wide dissection and haplotype analysis identified candidate loci for nitrogen use efficiency under drought conditions in winter wheat
Authors: Koua Ahossi Patrice , Siddiqui Md. Nurealam , Heß Katrin , Klag Nikko , Kambona Carolyn Mukiri , Duarte‐Delgado Diana , Oyiga Benedict Chijioke , Léon Jens , Ballvora Agim
Published: October 2023

Climate change causes extreme conditions like prolonged drought, which results in yield reductions due to its effects on nutrient balances such as nitrogen uptake and utilization by plants. Nitrogen (N) is a crucial nutrient element for plant growth and productivity. Understanding the mechanistic basis of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) under drought conditions is essential to improve wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield. Here, we evaluated the genetic variation of NUE‐related traits and photosynthesis response in a diversity panel of 200 wheat genotypes under drought and nitrogen stress conditions to uncover the inherent genetic variation and identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying these traits. The results revealed significant genetic variations among the genotypes in response to drought stress and nitrogen deprivation. Drought impacted plant performance more than N deprivation due to its effect on water and nutrient uptake. GWAS identified a total of 27 QTLs with a significant main effect on the drought‐related traits, while 10 QTLs were strongly associated with the NUE traits. Haplotype analysis revealed two different haplotype blocks within the associated region on chromosomes 1B and 5A. The two haplotypes showed contrasting effects on N uptake and use efficiency traits. The in silico and transcript analyses implicated candidate gene coding for cold shock protein. This gene was the most highly expressed gene under several stress conditions, including drought stress. Upon validation, these QTLs on 1B and 5A could be used as a diagnostic marker for NUE and drought tolerance screening in wheat.
Being Corpus: The Tourist Body as Place, Touch and Departure
Authors: Autrui AyA
Published: October 2023

Discussions of proximity in tourism emphasise the (re)discovery of places nearby, local destinations, short distances and physical closeness. This chapter aims to (re)discover this proximity through the body. Inspired by Jean-Luc Nancy’s (2008a) Corpus, we offer a philosophical reflection on ‘the body’ in relation to proximity and consider how we might begin to think it anew. Philosophising tourism is introduced as proximatising methodology; an approach to writing and reading that touches, connects body to thought and emphasises friendship as a way of knowing and being. These philosophical reflections are presented as an expressive collage of travelling, friendship and walking the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail (Japan) in January 2023. (T)here, the touring/toured body is reconsidered through three themes: place, touch and departure. First, Corpus challenges us to rethink the body as the place of existence, opening new understandings of what it means to visit some-body. We then explore how bodies take place through touch, but a touch that exposes and extends bodies: proximity as spacing. The body, as extension, is therefore always about to depart. A departing body carries with it its spacing, including the taking-place of the Arctic as body that exposes and extends the Arctic into the experiences in Japan, and perhaps into the here, now.
Cultivating Proximities: Re-visiting the Familiar
Authors: Jóhannesson Gunnar Thór , Ren Carina
Published: October 2023

In this contribution, we explore how proximity may be cultivated as a way to re-experience and retell tourism and how research might become more sensitive to modest and mundane tourism practices. By doing so, we wish to interfere with common binaries in the tourism studies literature, such as home and away and ordinary and extraordinary. Based on our personal experiences from places close to our hearts, we ask: How may we cultivate proximity as part of our research methodology to enact-through-knowing and care for (alternative) tourism? How may we cultivate collaborative ways of knowing tourism while at a distance? We invite you to two places close to our hearts, places that are—at first glance—mundane and unexceptional, to experiment with alternative methodologies. We make use of postcards from these places as probes to revisit the tourist gaze and the tourist experience, enacting these familiar places through alternative means. The postcard narratives exemplify how proximity can help us cultivate modest and situated tourism research practices and enact places and landscapes as tourism sites in proximate and sensitive ways.
Following Pollen Mobilities
Authors: Jensen Martin Trandberg , Barry Kaya
Published: October 2023

Inspired by more-than-human thinking and ‘follow-the-thing’ approaches in anthropology, this chapter discusses human–pollen relations in the context of climate change and the designed infrastructures of tourism. Through a creative methodical approach, we explore the different ways pollen emerges as an object of scrutiny and politicisation. Through three short cases (‘summer thunderstorms,’ the ‘aircraft cabin,’ and the ‘hotel room’), we tease out the relations between nature and culture as manifested through pollen controversies. These more-than-human accounts take the reader through tales that cut across traditional binaries within tourism research, such as local–global and nature–culture, to illustrate how proximities are assembled through socio-material, technological, and political contexts and practices. We outline a dynamic and multi-sited way of thinking about proximities and suggest that the processes and ambitions of ‘staying proximate’ are also a question of understanding how the built environments of tourism condition and shape proximities.
Introduction
Authors: Beffa Federico
Published: October 2023

Nonlinear systems are everywhere, yet most engineering curricula devote very little time, if any, to them. The reason is twofold: first of all, there is no general theory describing arbitrary nonlinear systems. Second, the theory of linear systems is effective in facilitating the design of many real-world systems. In fact, for sufficiently small input signals, the behaviour of most nonlinear systems can be approximated by a linear model. As a consequence the majority of engineered systems are designed based on linear system theory and their usability is limited in one way or another by the deviation of the real system from the assumed linear behaviour. This book is intended to give engineers a powerful tool to model, understand and reduce the impact of mild deviations from linear behaviour and thereby design better systems.
Summable Distributions
Authors: Beffa Federico
Published: October 2023

In this chapter we study a class of distributions, summable distributions, that can be extended on smooth bounded functions. These distributions have properties that are well suited to describe some classes of systems. However, the material is more technical than the rest of the book and can be skipped without loss of continuity.
Weakly Nonlinear Time Invariant Systems
Authors: Beffa Federico
Published: October 2023

As outlined in Chap. 1, the behavior of nonlinear systems is substantially richer than the one of linear systems. To deal with them there is a set of techniques, each one best suited to analyse particular aspects or particular classes of nonlinear systems. We target systems that are stable about an equilibrium point and that depend continuously on the input signal.
On the Kunsthalle for Music and (Music-)Institutional Critique
Authors: Meyers Ari Benjamin
Published: October 2023

Through an exploration of the motivations behind his ‘meta-institutional’ work Kunsthalle for Music, Ari Benjamin Meyers argues that the fundamental difference between working in the institutions of music and contemporary art is that the former lacks a sustained critique of its conditions of production, presentation, and perception. By working within visual arts spaces such as the white cube, Meyers argues he is able to draw on just such a tradition of critique and institutional boundary pushing in his practice, affording a greater degree of autonomy in self-defining the parameters of the artistic work. To achieve this in music, he argues, the concept of audience understood as the product of the fundamental separation of musical production from its reception (i.e. its commodification) must be overcome.
“Pockets of Obscure Skills”—Samson Young Interviewed by Brandon Farnsworth
Authors: Young Samson , Farnsworth Brandon
Published: October 2023

In an interview conducted by Brandon Farnsworth, Young speaks about his artistic practice starting as a composer of concert works now working mainly in visual arts contexts on musical topics. In discussing his practice, Young reveals a conception of the composer moving away from singular authorship towards collective creativity, and which fosters criticality through the dialogue it strikes with its audiences.
Introduction—Interfaces in Adhesion and Adhesive Bonding
Authors: Horiuchi Shin , Terasaki Nao , Miyamae Takayuki
Published: October 2023

The social background of research on adhesion and adhesive bonding is reviewed. Next, the interphase in the adhesive bond is defined, and the multi-scale and hierarchical structures contained in the interface are arranged based on their sizes. Finally, the analytical methodologies this book introduces to elucidate interfacial phenomena in adhesion and adhesive bonding are overviewed.
Direct Visualization of Mechanical Behavior During Adhesive Bonding Failure Using Mechanoluminescence (ML)
Authors: Terasaki Nao
Published: October 2023

In this chapter, we introduce recent progress in direct visualization of mechanical behavior in the failure process of adhesive bonding by mechanoluminescence (ML). Firstly, basic mechanoluminescence technologies are introduced in terms of materials, sensors, sensing technologies in Sects. 1 and 2. Then, for considering effective application of ML sensing that takes advantage of technological features, (Sect. 3) structural health monitoring (SHM)/Conditioning based monitoring (CBM), and (Sect. 4) innovation in design and prediction are discussed from the viewpoint of visualizing mechanical behavior, deterioration, and failure process as killer application of ML sensing. Furthermore, visualizing the mechanical behavior of adhesive joints, fracture initiation points, and fracture processes will be introduced based on time-series information of mechanoluminescence (ML) images, using internationally standardized adhesion strength tests.
Gravitational dynamics from collective field theory
Authors: de Mello Koch Robert
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We consider the relevance of a collective field theory description for the AdS/CFT correspondence. Collective field theory performs a systematic reorganization of the degrees of freedom of a (non-gravitational) field theory, replacing the original loop expansion parameter ℏ with 1/N. Collective fields are over complete signalling a redundancy inherent in the theory. We propose that this over completeness is the mechanism by which one arrives at a holographic description, to be identified with the gravity dual. We find evidence for this by studying the redundancy of the collective field theory, showing that degrees of freedom in the bulk can be expressed as a linear combination of degrees of freedom contained in an arbitrarily small neighbourhood of the boundary.
Six-dimensional one-loop divergences in quantum gravity from the $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 spinning particle
Authors: Bastianelli Fiorenzo , Comberiati Francesco , Fecit Filippo , Ori Fabio
Published: October 2023

Abstract

In this work, we investigate the computation of the counterterms necessary for the renormalization of the one-loop effective action of quantum gravity using both the worldline formalism and the heat kernel method. Our primary contribution is the determination of the Seleey-DeWitt coefficient a3(D) for perturbative quantum gravity with a cosmological constant, which we evaluate on Einstein manifolds of arbitrary D dimensions. This coefficient characterizes quantum gravity in a gauge-invariant manner due to the on-shell condition of the background on which the graviton propagates. Previously, this coefficient was not fully known in the literature. We employ the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 spinning particle model recently proposed to describe the graviton in first quantization and then use the heat kernel method to cross-check the correctness of our calculations. Finally, we restrict to six dimensions, where the coefficient corresponds to the logarithmic divergences of the effective action, and compare our results with those available in the literature.
On the Dynamics of Aeolian Sand Ripples
Authors: Coclite Giuseppe Maria , di Ruvo Lorenzo
Published: October 2023

The dynamics of aeolian sand ripples is described by a 1D non-linear evolutive fourth order equation. In this paper, we prove the well-posedness of the classical solutions of the Cauchy problem, associated with this equation.
Endoskopische Unterdrucktherapie
Authors: Loske Gunnar , Müller Johannes , Schulze Wolfgang , Riefel Burkhard , Reeh Matthias , Müller Christian Theodor
Published: October 2023

Einleitung

Der früh postoperative Reflux (PR) kann die Anastomosenheilung nach Ivor-Lewis-Ösophagektomie (ILE) beeinträchtigen und stellt ein Risiko für Aspirationen dar. Die Anastomoseninsuffizienz ist die bedrohlichste chirurgische Komplikation.Wir stellen die protektive Methode der pre-emptiven aktiven Refluxdrainage (PARD) mit gleichzeitiger enteraler Ernährung vor. Wir berichten über unsere Erfahrungen mit dem neuen Sicherheitskonzept für die Ösophaguschirurgie an einem Patientenkollektiv von 43 Patienten.

Materialien und Methoden

Zur PARD nutzen wir eine doppellumige offenporige Foliendrainage (dOFD). Zur Herstellung der dOFD wird der gastrale Schenkel einer Trelumina Sonde (Freka®Trelumina, Fresenius) über eine Länge von 25 cm mit einer doppellagigen offenporigen Drainagefolie (Suprasorb®CNP Drainagefolie, Lohmann & Rauscher) beschichtet. Die dOFD wird nach Fertigstellung der Anastomose intraoperativ endoskopisch im Schlauchmagen eingeführt. Es wird ein kontinuierlicher Unterdruck mit einer elektronischen Pumpe angelegt (−125 mm Hg). Der PR wird permanent komplett abgesaugt, der Magen und die Anastomosenregion dekomprimiert. Gleichzeitig wird über eine integrierte Intestinalsonde ernährt. Je nach den Ergebnissen der endoskopischen Kontrolle nach 5 Tagen wird PARD entweder fortgesetzt oder beendet.

Ergebnisse

Im Beobachtungszeitraum (2017–2023) wurde PARD bei allen Patienten (n = 43) mit ILE eingesetzt. Die Heilungsrate unter PARD betrug 100 %, bei allen Anastomosen wurde eine Abheilung beobachtet. Es wurden keine zusätzlichen endoskopischen Eingriffe oder chirurgische Revisionen an den Anastomosen erforderlich. Die mediane Dauer der PARD betrug 8 Tage (Spanne 4–21). Bei 20 von 43 Patienten (47 %) sahen wir Probleme in der Anastomosenheilung, für die wir endoskopische Kriterien der Risikoanastomose definierten.

Schlussfolgerung

Unsere Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass PARD einen starken protektiven Effekt auf die Anastomosenheilung hat und das Risiko der Anastomoseninsuffizienz reduzieren kann. Die integrierte Ernährungssonde der dOFD ermöglicht simultan zur Unterdruckausübung die frühpostoperative enterale Ernährung. PARD scheint die negativen Folgen einer gestörten Anastomosenheilung zu verhindern.
Postoperative quadriceps weakness and male sex are risk factors for patellofemoral articular cartilage lesions after anatomical anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Murakami Ryo , Taketomi Shuji , Yamagami Ryota , Kono Kenichi , Kawaguchi Kohei , Kage Tomofumi , Arakawa Takahiro , Inui Hiroshi , Tanaka Sakae
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Patellofemoral (PF) compartment cartilage lesions are a frequent problem after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. This study aimed to determine the factors that influence PF cartilage lesions after anatomical ACL reconstruction.

Methods

This study enrolled a total of 114 patients who did not manifest PF compartment cartilage lesions during anatomical ACL reconstruction and underwent second‐look arthroscopy 18 months postoperatively. Arthroscopy using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) classification was used to assess cartilage lesions. The correlation between surgical findings, radiographic factors, and clinical factors and change of ICRS grade was analysed. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to reveal the independent risk factors for PF cartilage lesions among patients’ demographic data and parameters that correlated with the change of ICRS grade in the correlation analyses.

Results

ICRS grade changes in PF cartilage were significantly correlated with age, sex, quadriceps strength at 1 year postoperatively, hamstrings strength at pre‐ and 1 year postoperatively, and single leg hop test at 1 year postoperatively. However, no significant correlation was found between the time between injury and surgery, posterior tibial slope angle, pre‐ and postoperative Tegner activity scale, graft type, initial graft tension, meniscus injury, meniscus injury treatment, pre‐ and postoperative range of motion, anteroposterior laxity and preoperative quadriceps strength, and the change in ICRS grade. Multivariate regression analysis revealed male (P = 0.019) and quadriceps strength weakness at 1 year postoperatively (P = 0.009) as independent risk factors for PF cartilage lesions.

Conclusions

Quadriceps strength weakness 1 year after ACL reconstruction and males were correlated with a new PF cartilage lesion after anatomical ACL reconstruction, with no significant correlation between bone‐patellar tendon‐bone autograft, initial graft tension, or extension deficit and new PF cartilage lesion. Rehabilitation that focuses on quadriceps strength after ACL reconstruction is recommended to prevent new PF cartilage lesions.

Level of evidence

Level IV.
Oral ketamine may offer a solution to the ketamine conundrum
Authors: Dutton Megan , Can Adem T. , Lagopoulos Jim , Hermens Daniel F.
Published: October 2023

Ketamine has received considerable attention for its rapid and robust antidepressant response over the past decade. Current evidence, in clinical populations, predominantly relates to parenterally administered ketamine, which is reported to produce significant undesirable side effects, with additional concerns regarding long-term safety and abuse potential. Attempts to produce a similar drug to ketamine, without the psychotomimetic side effects, have proved elusive. Orally administered ketamine has a different pharmacological profile to parentally administered ketamine, suggesting it may be a viable alternative. Emerging evidence regarding the efficacy and tolerability of oral ketamine suggests that it may be a favourable route of administration, as it appears to obtain similarly beneficial treatment effects, but without the cost and medical resources required in parenteral dosing. The pharmacological effects may be due to the active metabolite norketamine, which has been found to be at substantially higher levels via oral dosing, most likely due to first-pass clearance. Despite bioavailability and peak plasma concentrations both being lower than when administered parenterally, evidence suggests that low-dose oral ketamine is clinically effective in treating pain. This may also be due to the actions of norketamine and therefore, its relevance to the mental health context is explored in this narrative review.
Local Tumour Control Following Microwave Ablation: Protocol for the Prospective Observational CIEMAR Study
Authors: Pereira Philippe L. , Bale Reto , Fretland Åsmund Avdem , Goldberg S. Nahum , Helmberger Thomas , Meijerink Martijn R. , Orsi Franco , Stättner Stefan , Vogl Thomas , Kafkoula Anna , de Jong Niels , Zeka Bleranda , de Baère Thierry
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Microwave ablation (MWA) is a treatment modality for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). While potentially curative, more information is needed on factors that contribute to long-term local tumour control. The prospective multicentre observational study CIRSE Emprint Microwave Ablation Registry aims to prospectively collect real-world technical data and clinical outcomes on patients treated with MWA in CRLM.

Methods

Eligible patients are adults with up to 9 local treatment naïve CRLM of ≤ 3 cm completely treatable with either MWA alone or MWA with resection and/or radiotherapy within 8 weeks. Data are collected, at baseline, every 3 months until 12 months, and thereafter every 6 months until the end of the study. The primary outcome measure is local tumour control. Secondary outcome measures are overall survival, (hepatic-) disease-free survival, time-to-progression untreatable by ablation, systemic therapy vacation, safety, and quality of life. Covariates related to the primary outcome measure will be assessed using a stratified log-rank test and an univariable Cox proportional hazard regression. A sample size of 500 patients with 750 lesions produces a two-sided 95% confidence interval with a precision equal to 0.057.

Results

Between September 2019 and December 2022, 500 patients have been enrolled with at least 976 treated tumours.

Conclusion

The prospective observational CIEMAR study will provide valuable insights into the real-world use of MWA, helping in the future patient selection and clarifying factors that may contribute to long-term local tumour control.

Trial Registration: NCT03775980.

Graphical Abstract
Mathematical bounds on Shannon entropy given the abundance of the ith most abundant taxon
Authors: Morrison Maike L. , Rosenberg Noah A.
Published: October 2023

The measurement of diversity is a central component of studies in ecology and evolution, with broad uses spanning multiple biological scales. Studies of diversity conducted in population genetics and ecology make use of analogous concepts and even employ equivalent mathematical formulas. For the Shannon entropy statistic, recent developments in the mathematics of diversity in population genetics have produced mathematical constraints on the statistic in relation to the frequency of the most frequent allele. These results have characterized the ways in which standard measures depend on the highest-frequency class in a discrete probability distribution. Here, we extend mathematical constraints on the Shannon entropy in relation to entries in specific positions in a vector of species abundances, listed in decreasing order. We illustrate the new mathematical results using abundance data from examples involving coral reefs and sponge microbiomes. The new results update the understanding of the relationship of a standard measure to the abundance vectors from which it is calculated, potentially contributing to improved interpretation of numerical measurements of biodiversity.
Simultaneous quantification of perfusion, permeability, and leakage effects in brain gliomas using dynamic spin-and-gradient-echo echoplanar imaging MRI
Authors: Sanvito Francesco , Raymond Catalina , Cho Nicholas S. , Yao Jingwen , Hagiwara Akifumi , Orpilla Joey , Liau Linda M. , Everson Richard G. , Nghiemphu Phioanh L. , Lai Albert , Prins Robert , Salamon Noriko , Cloughesy Timothy F. , Ellingson Benjamin M.
Published: October 2023

Objective

To determine the feasibility and biologic correlations of dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC), dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE), and quantitative maps derived from contrast leakage effects obtained simultaneously in gliomas using dynamic spin-and-gradient-echo echoplanar imaging (dynamic SAGE-EPI) during a single contrast injection.

Materials and methods

Thirty-eight patients with enhancing brain gliomas were prospectively imaged with dynamic SAGE-EPI, which was processed to compute traditional DSC metrics (normalized relative cerebral blood flow [nrCBV], percentage of signal recovery [PSR]), DCE metrics (volume transfer constant [Ktrans], extravascular compartment [ve]), and leakage effect metrics: ΔR2,ss* (reflecting T2*-leakage effects), ΔR1,ss (reflecting T1-leakage effects), and the transverse relaxivity at tracer equilibrium (TRATE, reflecting the balance between ΔR2,ss* and ΔR1,ss). These metrics were compared between patient subgroups (treatment-naïve [TN] vs recurrent [R]) and biological features (IDH status, Ki67 expression).

Results

In IDH wild-type gliomas (IDHwt—i.e., glioblastomas), previous exposure to treatment determined lower TRATE (p = 0.002), as well as higher PSR (p = 0.006), Ktrans (p = 0.17), ΔR1,ss (p = 0.035), ve (p = 0.006), and ADC (p = 0.016). In IDH-mutant gliomas (IDHm), previous treatment determined higher Ktrans and ΔR1,ss (p = 0.026). In TN-gliomas, dynamic SAGE-EPI metrics tended to be influenced by IDH status (p ranging 0.09–0.14). TRATE values above 142 mM−1s−1 were exclusively seen in TN-IDHwt, and, in TN-gliomas, this cutoff had 89% sensitivity and 80% specificity as a predictor of Ki67 > 10%.

Conclusions

Dynamic SAGE-EPI enables simultaneous quantification of brain tumor perfusion and permeability, as well as mapping of novel metrics related to cytoarchitecture (TRATE) and blood–brain barrier disruption (ΔR1,ss), with a single contrast injection.

Clinical relevance statement

Simultaneous DSC and DCE analysis with dynamic SAGE-EPI reduces scanning time and contrast dose, respectively alleviating concerns about imaging protocol length and gadolinium adverse effects and accumulation, while providing novel leakage effect metrics reflecting blood–brain barrier disruption and tumor tissue cytoarchitecture.

Key Points

• Traditionally, perfusion and permeability imaging for brain tumors requires two separate contrast injections and acquisitions.

• Dynamic spin-and-gradient-echo echoplanar imaging enables simultaneous perfusion and permeability imaging.

• Dynamic spin-and-gradient-echo echoplanar imaging provides new image contrasts reflecting blood–brain barrier disruption and cytoarchitecture characteristics.

Graphical Abstract
Blowup Analysis of a Hysteresis Model Based Upon Singular Perturbations
Authors: Kristiansen K. U.
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we provide a geometric analysis of a new hysteresis model that is based upon singular perturbations. Here hysteresis refers to a type of regularization of piecewise smooth differential equations where the past of a trajectory, in a small neighborhood of the discontinuity set, determines the vector-field at present. In fact, in the limit where the neighborhood of the discontinuity vanishes, hysteresis converges in an appropriate sense to Filippov’s sliding vector-field. Recently (2022), however, Bonet and Seara showed that hysteresis, in contrast to regularization through smoothing, leads to chaos in the regularization of grazing bifurcations, even in two dimensions. The hysteresis model we analyze in the present paper—which was developed by Bonet et al in a paper from 2017 as an attempt to unify different regularizations of piecewise smooth systems—involves two singular perturbation parameters and includes a combination of slow–fast and nonsmooth effects. The description of this model is therefore—from the perspective of singular perturbation theory—challenging, even in two dimensions. Using blowup as our main technical tool, we prove existence of an invariant cylinder carrying fast dynamics in the azimuthal direction and a slow drift in the axial direction. We find that the slow drift is given by Filippov’s sliding vector-field to leading order. Moreover, in the case of grazing, we identify two important parameter regimes that relate the model to smoothing (through a saddle-node bifurcation of limit cycles) and hysteresis (through chaotic dynamics, due to a folded saddle and a novel return mechanism).
Does month of birth influence colorectal cancer prognosis?
Authors: Martín-Arévalo José , Moro-Valdezate David , Pla-Martí Vicente , García-Botello Stephanie , Moya-Marcos Pablo , Izquierdo-Moreno Ana , Pérez-Santiago Leticia , Casado-Rodrigo David , Roselló-Keränen Susana , Espí-Macías Alejandro
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The main aim of this study was to identify a possible association between month of birth of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS).

Methods

This observational study included all consecutive adult patients diagnosed with CRC undergoing oncological surgery from January 2005 to December 2019 with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. The outcome variables were locoregional recurrence, death due to cancer progression, OS and DFS. Non-supervised learning techniques (K-means) were conducted to identify groups of months with similar oncologic outcomes. Finally, OS and DFS were analysed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression tests. The model was calibrated with resampling techniques and subsequently a cross-validation was performed.

Results

A total of 2520 patients were included. Three birth month groups with different oncologic outcomes were obtained. Survival analysis showed between-group differences in OS (p < 0.001) and DFS (p = 0.03). The multivariable Cox proportional hazards model identified the clusters obtained as independent prognostic factors for OS (p < 0.001) and DFS (p = 0.031).

Conclusion

There is an association between month of birth and oncologic outcomes of CRC. Patients born in the months of January, February, June, July, October and December had better OS and DFS than those born in different months of the year.
The Limit of $$L_p$$ Voronoi Diagrams as $$p\rightarrow 0$$ is the Bounding-Box-Area Voronoi Diagram
Authors: Haverkort Herman , Klein Rolf
Published: October 2023

We consider the Voronoi diagram of points in the real plane when the distance between two points a and b is given by $$L_p(a-b)$$

L
p

(
a
-
b
)

where $$L_p((x,y)) = (|x|^p+|y|^p)^{1/p}.$$

L
p

(

(
x
,
y
)

)

=

(
|
x
|

p

+

|
y
|

p

)

1
/
p

.

We prove that the Voronoi diagram has a limit as p converges to zero from above or from below: it is the diagram that corresponds to the distance function $$L_*((x,y)) = |xy|$$

L

∗

(

(
x
,
y
)

)

=

|
x
y
|

. In this diagram, the bisector of two points in general position consists of a line and two branches of a hyperbola that split the plane into three faces per point. We propose to name $$L_*$$

L

∗

as defined above the geometric $$L_0$$

L
0

distance.
Future land use land cover changes in El-Fayoum governorate: a simulation study using satellite data and CA-Markov model
Authors: Atef Islam , Ahmed Wael , Abdel-Maguid Ramadan H.
Published: October 2023

This study aims to monitor the changes in land use land cover (LULC) in El-Fayoum governorate over time (past, present, and future) to provide current information for stakeholders involved in land use planning. The study utilized Landsat satellite images and applied the Support Vector Machine algorithm using ArcGIS Pro 2.8.3 to classify the images into four major LULC classes: water, desert, built-up, and agricultural. To evaluate the accuracy of the LULC maps, the study used kappa statistical parameters, which ranged from 0.91 to 0.94, indicating acceptable results for further analysis. To predict spatio-temporal LULC changes, the study considered biophysical and socioeconomic factors such as distance to canals, distance to roads, distance to urban areas, a digital elevation model, and slope. A combination of Multi-Criteria Evaluation, a Fuzzy Membership Function, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process were employed to develop a land cover suitability map. The Hybrid CA-Markov model of the IDRISI-TerrSet software was used to simulate LULC changes, and the accuracy of the simulation was validated using 2020 imagery data. The values gained from the kappa indices for agreement (standard) = 0.9006, kappa for lack of information (no) = 0.916, and kappa for location at grid cell level (location) = 0.9572 demonstrate that the results of the simulation of the LULC changes were deemed satisfactory. The future scenarios modeled in LULC indicate a significant change in the LULC classes over time, specifically for 2030. The change rates of agriculture, desert, built-up, and water areas in El-Fayoum in 2030 compared to 2020 are estimated to be 9.68%, − 17.58%, 133.62%, and 6.06%, respectively. These findings establish both past and future LULC trends and provide crucial data useful for planning and sustainable land use management.
Breast cancer patients’ needs and perspectives on a one-on-one peer support program: quantitative and qualitative analyses
Authors: Jansen Britt AM , Bargon Claudia A , Dinger Tessa L , van den Goor Myra , Postma Emily L , Young-Afat Danny A , Verkooijen Helena M , Doeksen Annemiek
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Although peer support programs as a health resource have become increasingly popular, only limited studies evaluated the added value of one-on-one peer support for breast cancer patients. This study aims to bridge the knowledge gap by focusing on two related research topics. First, we evaluated emotional well-being and (unmet) needs regarding supportive care. Second, we evaluated patients’ perspectives on their experiences after having one-on-one peer support.

Methods

A quantitative analysis was conducted to provide insight in patients’ symptoms of anxiety and depression (HADS), quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30), and supportive care needs (CaSUN-questionnaire). Furthermore, approximately 1 year after the implementation of a one-on-one peer support program, focus groups were conducted to evaluate patients’ perspectives regarding one-on-one peer support.

Results

Two hundred twenty-five of 537 patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 2019 and 2020 completed the questionnaires. Quantitative analysis showed increased symptoms of anxiety and depression among breast cancer patients and lower scores on all EORTC-QLQ-C30 domains compared to the Dutch normative population. Of all patients, 27.6% (95%CI = 0.22–0.34) reported to have unmet needs regarding emotional support and 23.1% (95%CI = 0.18–0.29) reported an unmet need to talk to someone who has experienced breast cancer. For the qualitative analysis, 19 breast cancer patients who were taking part in the one-on-one peer support program participated in three focus groups. Benefits, limitations, and wishes regarding the one-on-one peer support program were discussed.

Conclusion

Breast cancer patients showed increased anxiety and depression and lower quality of life, physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning compared to the Dutch normative population. Almost one-third of breast cancer patients reported unmet needs regarding emotional support and a desire to talk to other breast cancer patients. These (unmet) needs can successfully be met by providing a low-threshold one-on-one peer support program.
Predicted novel hypertrehalosaemic peptides of cockroaches are verified by mass spectrometry
Authors: Marco Heather G. , König Simone , Gäde Gerd
Published: October 2023

Small neuropeptides from the corpora cardiaca are responsible in cockroaches for the mobilisation of trehalose from the fat body into the haemolymph. Such hypertrehalosaemic hormones (HrTHs) belong to the large family of insect adipokinetic hormones (AKHs); a few HrTHs were previously sequenced from cockroaches, and from genomic and/or transcriptomic information one may predict the genes encoding HrTHs from more species. Definite elucidation of the primary structure of the mature peptide with putative modifications needs analytical chemical methods. In the current study, we use high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography to identify unequivocally the HrTHs of 13 cockroach species. Either genomic/transcriptomic information was available for most of the species examined, or from related species. We confirm predicted novel sequences and find hydroxyproline modification for the majority of the peptides. The novel decapeptides are structurally close to Bladi-HrTH, which is found in all seven of the investigated blaberid subfamilies. Bladi-HrTH and all the novel peptides elicit a hypertrehalosaemic response in Periplaneta americana, a blattid cockroach.
Dry Reforming of Methane over Dual Metal Oxide Al2O3 + MOx (M = Ti, Zr, Si, Y) Supported Ni Catalyst: A Simple and Practical Approach
Authors: Patel Naitik , Fakeeha Anis H. , Alreshaidan Salwa B. , Alotibi Mohammed F. , Osman Ahmed I. , Al-Muhtaseb Ala’a H. , Mahyoub Mohammed A. , Kumar Rawesh , Abasaeed Ahmed E. , Al-Fatesh Ahmed S.
Published: October 2023

The complex catalyst synthesis procedure is always a hurdle in the industrialization of catalysts. Industry eagerly needs catalysts for the dry reforming of methane, which can be prepared through straightforward, cheap processes by semi-skilled workers. Herein, dual metal oxide support 10 wt% MOx (M = Ti, Si, Zr, Y) & 90 wt% Al2O3 is prepared by just mixing mechanically and thereafter, catalytic active 5 wt% Ni is dispersed over the support by impregnation method. Metal oxide pairs in ZrO2 + Al2O3, TiO2-Al2O3, SiO2 + Al2O3, and Y2O3 + Al2O3 supports are non-interacting, partially-interacting, significantly interacting (through Si–O–Al) and highly interacting (with maximum covalence character) respectively. Ni dispersed over SiO2 + Al2O3 or Y2O3 + Al2O3 supports are strongly interacted, whereas Ni/Y2O3 + Al2O3 catalyst has oxide enrichment over the surface for potential oxidation of carbon deposit. The interacting nature of metal oxide pair in support, stability of active sites and extent of oxide enrichment over the surface confirms the following order of coke deposition, Ni/Y2O3 + Al2O3 (8%) < Ni/SiO2 + Al2O3 (17%) < Ni/TiO2-Al2O3 (38.2%) < Ni/ZrO2 + Al2O3 (52.3%), as well as reverse order of catalytic activity, Ni/Y2O3 + Al2O3 (60%) > Ni/SiO2 + Al2O3 (55%) > Ni/TiO2-Al2O3 (50%) > Ni/ZrO2 + Al2O3 (47%).

Graphical Abstract
Federated singular value decomposition for high-dimensional data
Authors: Hartebrodt Anne , Röttger Richard , Blumenthal David B.
Published: October 2023

Federated learning (FL) is emerging as a privacy-aware alternative to classical cloud-based machine learning. In FL, the sensitive data remains in data silos and only aggregated parameters are exchanged. Hospitals and research institutions which are not willing to share their data can join a federated study without breaching confidentiality. In addition to the extreme sensitivity of biomedical data, the high dimensionality poses a challenge in the context of federated genome-wide association studies (GWAS). In this article, we present a federated singular value decomposition algorithm, suitable for the privacy-related and computational requirements of GWAS. Notably, the algorithm has a transmission cost independent of the number of samples and is only weakly dependent on the number of features, because the singular vectors corresponding to the samples are never exchanged and the vectors associated with the features are only transmitted to an aggregator for a fixed number of iterations. Although motivated by GWAS, the algorithm is generically applicable for both horizontally and vertically partitioned data.
Soil Fertility and Phosphorus Leaching in Irrigated Calcareous Soils of the Mediterranean Region
Authors: Ortiz Carlos , Pierotti Silvia , Molina M. Gabriela , Bosch-Serra Àngela D.
Published: October 2023

To ensure soil quality and soil health, it is necessary to improve fertilization practices while minimizing environmental impacts. The aim of this study was to record the state of the art on soil fertility related to fertilization management (organic and/or mineral) and to detect environmental challenges in highly productive fields. A soil survey was set up in a new irrigated area (c. 20 years old), in the north-eastern part of Spain, which is mainly devoted to double annual crop rotations of cereals and maize. The area also supports an important animal rearing activity. The survey covered 733 ha of calcareous soils, owned by 35 farmers. At each farm, fertilization management was recorded, and soil was analyzed for nutrients and heavy metals. Multivariate analyses were performed. Total N, P, Cu and Zn, and available P, Cu, Zn and Mn soil concentrations were associated to the use of organic amendments. Heavy metals concentrations were below established thresholds. Available P (Olsen-P) was identified as an indicator of the previously adopted fertilization management and of the potential of P leaching towards deeper soil layers. Regression analyses were performed. A displacement of available P from the uppermost layer (0–0.3 m) occurs in the breakpoint of 86 mg P kg−1 soil. Preventative actions might be established from 53 mg P kg−1 soil due to the slowdown in P immobilization. Our results reinforce the importance of setting up P threshold soil levels for best practices of fertilization, as a basis for sustainable agriculture intensification.