bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Making of the Western Affluent Working Class: Class and Affluence Through Postwar Public Discussions and Academic Interpretations
Authors: Lahtinen Jussi
Published: May 2023

In this chapter I provide an analytic overview of the academic and public discussions on postwar Western affluence among the blue-collar working class. Using popular sociological interpretations, widespread media narratives, and influential political rhetoric as empirical evidence, I highlight how impactful public narratives of the working class are constructed, deconstructed, or reconstructed during the period of the so-called affluent society (1950s to early 1970s) and the age of deindustrialization (from the mid-1970s onwards). Focusing on the Western experience, the study draws parallels between different nations, from North America and France to the Nordic countries. I argue that even though societal and cultural realities change drastically throughout the West, portrayals and interpretations of the working class are constructed with analogous structural narrative materials.
From Survival Mode to Utopian Dreams: Conceptions of Society, Social Planning, and Historical Time in 1950s and 1960s Finland
Authors: Bergenheim Sophy
Published: May 2023

In this chapter, I examine conceptions of social planning, the role and interrelations of social and economic policy, and the part played by the empirical social sciences in public policy. I illustrate experiences of society by looking at ideational discourses in the Finnish Social Policy Association during the 1950s and 1960s, distinguishing three distinct societal conceptions that range from conservative policies and aversion to state intervention to societal utopias spurred by planning optimism. I contextualize and analyze them as three “historical presents,” each with its specific situational relationships to the past and the future. These notions of historical time were crucial elements in how society and its future were perceived.
Stories of Initiates: The Lived Experience of Female Social Workers in the Implementation of the Welfare State in Chile, 1925–1950
Authors: González Maricela , Caffarena Paula
Published: May 2023

This chapter opens a new perspective on the emergence of the Chilean welfare state by analysing the professional development of social workers in 1925–1950. The chapter explores the lived experiences—thoughts, emotions, problems and hierarchies—social workers faced as the first-hand implementers of the new social policy. The focus on experiences shows state-building as a dynamic, gendered and negotiated action carried out by the interaction of individuals. As the “female face of the state”, the social workers brought the state closer to families. The chapter indicates how the social workers’ commitment that was entailed in their professionalization carried a new experience of society and how their fieldwork aimed to build trust and membership in society, until the Pinochet dictatorship (1973) ended the development.
Previdência Social as an Experience of Society: A Case Study of Civil Servants in the Portuguese New State, 1933–1974
Authors: Azevedo Ana Carina
Published: May 2023

This chapter analyzes the special system of social protection called Previdência Social in the Portuguese dictatorship (1933–1974). Azevedo offers a novel view by focusing on social support for civil servants as the only case where the state had the duties of an employer. The chapter analyzes the impact of social benefits in the daily life of the social class, and its significance in the definition of the relationship between the individual and the state. Azevedo indicates how social benefits were used both as a legitimizing tool of the New State and as a means of guaranteeing social control. The chapter concludes with a glimpse at the transformation of the idea of Previdência Social, from a product of state generosity to a personal right.
Framing the Client’s Agency: Generational Layers of Lived Social Work in Finland, 1940–2000
Authors: Harjula Minna
Published: May 2023

As a local official implementing social legislation, the social worker of the Finnish social office represented society and the (emerging) welfare state. I approach encounters between social workers and their clients as a scene of experience, which as a socio-spatial setting frames the situated interaction. By combining social workers’ interviews with official material, I indicate two contested generational layers of experience in lived social work from 1940 to 2000. The two generations of social workers built their work on different interpretations of the individual–society relationship, which resulted in divergent expectations toward the clients. The generational approach nuances the macro interpretations of welfare state development by indicating how the experienced legacy of previous policies survived in welfare state institutions, framing the agency of clients.
Foundation Models for Text Generation
Authors: Paaß Gerhard , Giesselbach Sven
Published: May 2023

This chapter discusses Foundation Models for Text Generation. This includes systems for Document Retrieval, which accept a query and return an ordered list of text documents from a document collection, often evaluating the similarity of embeddings to retrieve relevant text passages. Question Answering systems are given a natural language question and must provide an answer, usually in natural language. Machine Translation models take a text in one language and translate it into another language. Text Summarization systems receive a long document and generate a short summary covering the most important contents of the document. Text Generation models use an autoregressive Language Model to generate a longer story, usually starting from an initial text input. Dialog systems have the task of conducting a dialog with a human partner, typically not limited to a specific topic.
$$ {B}_c^{-}\to J/\psi \left(\to {\mu}^{+}{\mu}^{-}\right){\tau}^{-}\left(\to {\pi}^{-}{\nu}_{\tau },{\rho}^{-}{\nu}_{\tau },{\ell}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\ell }{\nu}_{\tau}\right){\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$ decays with visible final-state kinematics
Authors: Li Xin-Qiang , Xu Xin , Yang Ya-Dong , Zheng Dong-Hui
Published: May 2023

Abstract

The semitauonic $$ {B}_c^{-}\to J/\psi {\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$

B
c
−

→
J
/
ψ

τ
−

ν
¯

τ

decay provides an ideal and clean mode to scrutinize possible new physics effects in $$ b\to c{\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$
b
→
c

τ
−

ν
¯

τ

transitions as indicated by the current data on R(D(*)) anomalies. In this work, we use the spin density matrix method to obtain the maximum information on the underlying physics of $$ {B}_c^{-}\to J/\psi {\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$

B
c
−

→
J
/
ψ

τ
−

ν
¯

τ

decay with both polarized τ lepton and J/ψ meson. Their subsequent decays, with J/ψ → μ+μ− as well as τ− → π−ντ, τ− → ρ−ντ and $$ {\tau}^{-}\to {\ell}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\ell }{\nu}_{\tau } $$

τ
−

→

ℓ
−

ν
¯

ℓ

ν
τ

, are exploited to extract the energy and angular distributions of the charged final-state particles in the processes. Starting with the most general effective Hamiltonian relevant for the $$ b\to c{\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$
b
→
c

τ
−

ν
¯

τ

transitions, including all possible Lorentz structures of the dimension-six operators with both left- and right-handed neutrinos, we first derive the five-fold differential decay rate in terms of the visible final-state kinematics. From this distribution, we then construct in total 34 normalized observables, among which nine refer to the CP-violating triple product asymmetries that vanish within the Standard Model. We also construct five new observables based on the combinations of these normalized observables that can only be attributed to the right-handed neutrinos. On the other hand, considering the low statistics of the fully differential distribution, we introduce some integrated observables with only one kinematic variable left, which are more promising to be measured due to the largely increased statistics. The sensitivities of all these observables to the different new physics scenarios are investigated in detail. Finally, assuming an ideal circumstance, we give an estimate of the statistical uncertainties of the nine CP-conserving observables at LHCb and found that τ− → π−ντ has the highest analyzing power among the three τ decay channels.
Two-loop bottom mass effects on the Higgs transverse momentum spectrum in top-induced gluon fusion
Authors: Pietrulewicz Piotr , Stahlhofen Maximilian
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We compute bottom mass (mb) corrections to the transverse momentum (qT) spectrum of Higgs bosons produced by gluon fusion in the regime qT ∼ mb ≪ mH at leading power in mb/mH and qT/mH, where the gluons couple to the Higgs via a top loop. To this end we calculate the quark mass dependence of the transverse momentum dependent gluon beam functions (aka gluon TMDPDFs) at two loops in the framework of SCET. These functions represent the collinear matrix elements in the factorized gluon-fusion cross section for small qT. We discuss in detail technical subtleties regarding rapidity regulators and zero-bin subtractions in the calculation of the virtual corrections present for massive quarks. Combined with the known soft function for mb ≠ 0 our results allow to determine the resummed Higgs qT distribution in the top-induced gluon fusion channel at NNLL′ (and eventually N3LL) with full dependence on mb/qT. We perform a first phenomenological analysis at fixed order, where the new corrections to the massless approximation lead to percent-level effects in the peak region of the Higgs qT spectrum. Upon resummation they may thus be relevant for state-of-the-art precision predictions for the LHC.
Recursion in the classical limit and the neutron-star Compton amplitude
Authors: Haddad Kays
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We study the compatibility of recursive techniques with the classical limit of scattering amplitudes through the construction of the classical Compton amplitude for general spinning compact objects. This is done using BCFW recursion on three-point amplitudes expressed in terms of the classical spin vector and tensor, and expanded to next-to-leading-order in ћ by using the heavy on-shell spinors. Matching to the result of classical computations, we find that lower-point quantum contributions are, in general, required for the recursive construction of classical, spinning, higher-point amplitudes with massive propagators. We are thus led to conclude that BCFW recursion and the classical limit do not commute. In possession of the classical Compton amplitude, we remove non-localities to all orders in spin for opposite graviton helicities, and to fifth order in the same-helicity case. Finally, all possible on-shell contact terms potentially relevant to black-hole scattering at the second post-Minkowskian order are enumerated and written explicitly.
N3LO spin-orbit interaction via the EFT of spinning gravitating objects
Authors: Kim Jung-Wook , Levi Michèle , Yin Zhewei
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We present the derivation of the third subleading order (N3LO) spin-orbit interaction at the state of the art of post-Newtonian (PN) gravity via the EFT of spinning objects. The present sector contains the largest and most elaborate collection of Feynman graphs ever tackled to date in sectors with spin, and in all PN sectors up to third subleading order. Our computations are carried out via advanced multi-loop methods. Their most demanding aspect is the imperative transition to a generic dimension across the whole derivation, due to the emergence of dimensional-regularization poles across all loop orders as of the N3LO sectors. At this high order of sectors with spin, it is also critical to extend the formal procedure for the reduction of higher-order time derivatives of spin variables beyond linear order for the first time. This gives rise to a new unique contribution at the present sector. The full interaction potential in Lagrangian form and the general Hamiltonian are provided here for the first time. The consequent gravitational-wave (GW) gauge-invariant observables are also derived, including relations among the binding energy, angular momentum, and emitted frequency. Complete agreement is found between our results, and the binding energy of GW sources, and also with the extrapolated scattering angle in the scattering problem, derived via traditional GR. In contrast with the latter derivation, our framework is free-standing and generic, and has provided theory and results, which have been critical to establish the state of the art, and to push the precision frontier for the measurement of GWs.
Numerical dynamics of integrodifference equations
Authors: Pötzsche Christian
Published: May 2023

Integrodifference equations are versatile models in theoretical ecology for the spatial dispersal of species evolving in non-overlapping generations. The dynamics of these infinite-dimensional discrete dynamical systems is often illustrated using computational simulations. This paper studies the effect of Nyström discretization to the local dynamics of periodic integrodifference equations having Hölder continuous functions over a compact domain as state space. We prove persistence and convergence for hyperbolic periodic solutions and their associated stable and unstable manifolds respecting the convergence order of the quadrature/cubature method.
Characterization of Orlicz admissibility
Authors: Hosfeld René , Jacob Birgit , Schwenninger Felix
Published: May 2023

We extend two characterizations of admissible operators with respect to $$\textrm{L}^p$$

L
p

to more general Orlicz spaces. The equivalent conditions are given by the property that an associated operator generates a strongly continuous semigroup and in terms of a resolvent estimate.
Polydatin radiosensitizes lung cancer while preventing radiation injuries by modulating tumor-infiltrating B cells
Authors: Guo Jiaming , Ding Wen , Cai Shanlin , Ren Pan , Chen Fengxu , Wang Jiawen , Fang Kai , Li Bailong , Cai Jianming
Published: May 2023

Background

Acquired radio-resistance and the undesired normal tissue radiation injuries seriously discount the therapeutic effect of lung cancer radiotherapy. In this study, we aimed to explore the role and potential mechanism of polydatin in simultaneously decreasing radioresistance and radiation injuries.

Methods

The tumor-bearing model of nude mice was used to investigate the tumor inhibition of polydatin on lung cancer and its effect on radiosensitivity, and the effect of polydatin on B cell infiltration in cancerous tissue was investigated. In addition, we performed systemic radiotherapy on BABL/C mice and evaluated the protective effect of polydatin on radiation injury by the Kaplan–Meier survival curve. Moreover, the regulation of polydatin on proliferation and apoptosis of A549 cells was also investigated in vitro.

Results

In this study, it is first found that polydatin inhibits the growth and promotes the radiosensitivity of lung cancer while reducing the radiation damage of the healthy tissue. Further, it is evidenced that the major mechanism relies on its regulation on body’s immune function, and in particular, the inhibition of radiation-induced B cell infiltration in tumor tissue.

Conclusion

These findings show that in addition to tumor inhibition, polydatin also promotes the sensitivity and reduces the adverse reactions of radiotherapy, making itself a promising candidate for boosting lung cancer radiotherapy efficacy.
Sudden-onset headache due to reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome
Authors: Goto Jion , Abe Yoshifusa , Watanabe Shuichiro
Published: May 2023

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by reversible segmental vasoconstriction of the cerebral arteries that spontaneously resolve within 3 months. Occurrence of RCVS peaks at around 40 years and the syndrome is common in women. Here, we report an adolescent boy case of RCVS.
Value of total tumor load as a clinical and pathological factor in the prognosis of breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment. Comparison of three populations with three different surgical approaches: NEOVATTL Pro 3 Study
Authors: Martín-Salvago María Dolores , Sancho Magdalena , López-García M. Ángeles , Cano Jiménez Alicia , Pérez-Luque Ana , Alfaro Lina , Vieites Begoña
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the prognosis in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) in three populations of women with breast cancer (BC) treated with neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NAST) in which axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was performed based on different total tumor load (TTL) thresholds in the sentinel nodes.

Methods

This was an observational, retrospective study carried out in three Spanish centers. Data from patients with infiltrating BC who underwent BC surgery after NAST and intraoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) performed by One Step Nucleic acid Amplification (OSNA) technique during 2017 and 2018 were analyzed. ALND was performed according to the protocol of each center, based on three different TTL cut-offs (TTL > 250, TTL > 5000, and TTL > 15,000 CK19-mRNA copies/μL for centers 1, 2, and 3, respectively).

Results

A total of 157 BC patients were included in the study. No significant differences in DFS were observed between centers (Hazard ratio [HR] center 2 vs 1: 0.77; p = 0.707; HR center 3 vs 1: 0.83; p = 0.799). Patients with ALND had a shorter DFS (HR 2.43; p = 0.136), albeit not statistically significant. Patients with a triple negative subtype had a worse prognosis than those with other molecular subtypes (HR 2.82; p = 0.056).

Conclusion

No significant differences in DFS were observed between three centers with different surgical approaches to ALND based on different TTL cut-offs in patients with BC after NAST. These results suggest that restricting ALND to those patients with TTL ≥ 15,000 copies/μL is a reliable approximation, avoiding unnecessary morbidities caused by ALND.
Completing Function Documentation Comments Using Structural Information
Authors: Ciurumelea Adelina , Alexandru Carol V. , Gall Harald C. , Proksch Sebastian
Published: May 2023

Source code comments are a cornerstone of software documentation facilitating feature development and maintenance. Well-defined documentation formats, like Javadoc, make it easy to include structural metadata used to, for example, generate documentation manuals. However, the actual usage of structural elements in source code comments has not been studied yet. We investigate to which extent these structural elements are used in practice and whether the added information can be leveraged to improve tools assisting developers when writing comments. Existing research on comment generation traditionally focuses on automatic generation of summaries. However, recent works have shown promising results when supporting comment authoring through a next-word prediction. In this paper, we present an in-depth analysis of commenting practice in more than 18K open-source projects written in Python and Java showing that many structural elements, particularly parameter and return value descriptions are indeed widely used. We discover that while a majority are rather short at about 6 to 9 words, many are several hundred words in length. We further find that Python comments tend to be significantly longer than Java comments, possibly due to the weakly-typed nature of the former. Following the empirical analysis, we extend an existing language model with support for structural information, substantially improving the Top-1 accuracy of predicted words (Python 9.6%, Java 7.8%).
The Relationship Between George Evelyn Hutchinson and Vladimir Ivanovic Vernadsky: Roots and Consequences of a Biogeochemical Approach
Authors: Pireddu Pier Luigi
Published: May 2023

Focusing on the relationship between two important scientists in the development of ecological thought during the first half of the twentieth century, this paper argues that Yale limnologist G. E. Hutchinson's adoption of the biogeochemical approach in the late 1930s builds on the 1920s work of the Russian scientist V. I. Vernadsky. An analysis of Hutchinson’s scientific publications shows that he first referred to Vernadsky in 1940, on two different occasions. This article analyzes the dynamics of Hutchinson’s formulation of the biogeochemical approach, providing historical context and linking its early application to the existing limnological tradition.
Synthesis of waterborne polyurethane aerogels-like materials via freeze-drying: an innovative approach
Authors: Cantero Darío , Pinilla-Peñalver Esther , Romero Amaya , Sánchez-Silva Luz
Published: May 2023

Waterborne polyurethane (WBPUR) aerogels using acetone method and freeze-drying procedure have been successfully synthesized. The morphology, chemical structure, and thermal and mechanical properties of obtained aerogels were analysed by means of scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis. In addition, the influence of the solids content in the hydrogel (2–15 wt.%), obtained by varying the amount of water added in the suspension, on the density and thermal conductivity was evaluated. Obtained results demonstrated that the properties of aerogels strongly depend on the solids content assayed in the parent solution. As the solids content in the WBPUR aerogels increases, the density and thermal conductivity for materials with 2.5 and 10% solids content follow an upward trend, while their elasticity decreases. Materials with solids content below 2.5% and above 10% have not demonstrated adequate processability due to their high deformity and hardness, respectively. The drying methodology (freeze-drying) can be profitably used to prepare aerogels-like materials in a cost-effective way.

Graphical abstract

Illustration of the alternative preparation process of WBPUR aerogels and its potential industrial application.
A new partition method for DIRECT-type algorithm based on minimax design
Authors: Jia Kai , Duan Xiaojun , Wang Zhengming , Yi Taihe , Yan Liang , Chen Xuan
Published: May 2023

This article presents a new DIRECT-type SCABALL (scattering balls) algorithm with a new partition method for derivation-free optimization problems. It does not focus on dividing the region of interest into specific geometric shapes, but rather scatters several balls to cover it. In SCABALL, several potential optimal regions are selected at each iteration, and they are covered by smaller balls sequentially. In this way, the SCABALL ensures the everywhere dense convergence. The center points and radii of the scattered balls significantly influence the efficiency of SCABALL; therefore, the minimax designs are used in the initial and sequential stages to obtain better coverage. The SCABALL parameters, including the number of balls and their radii, were analyzed by numerical investigation. We provided the empirical choices for those parameters and found that the balls’ radii can be contracted to balance efficiency and global convergence. Numerical experiments show that the SCABALL algorithm is locally biased and robust.
An Extended Range of Stable Flux Reconstruction Schemes on Quadrilaterals for Various Polynomial Bases
Authors: Trojak Will , Watson Rob , Vincent Peter
Published: May 2023

An extended range of energy stable flux reconstruction schemes, developed using a summation-by-parts approach, is presented on quadrilateral elements for various sets of polynomial bases. For the maximal order bases, a new set of correction functions which result in stable schemes is found. However, for a range of orders it is shown that only a single correction function can be cast as a tensor-product. Subsequently, correction functions are identified using a generalised analytic framework that results in stable schemes for total order and approximate Euclidean order polynomial bases on quadrilaterals—which have not previously been explored in the context of flux reconstruction. It is shown that the approximate Euclidean order basis can provide similar numerical accuracy as the maximal order basis but with fewer points per element, and thus lower cost.
Impacts of agricultural intensification on soil erosion and sustainability of olive groves in Alentejo (Portugal)
Authors: Rodríguez Sousa A. A. , Muñoz-Rojas J. , Brígido C. , Prats S. A.
Published: May 2023

Context

Olive groves are key features of Iberian Mediterranean landscapes. With the intensification of olive grove production, some negative environmental impacts on soils must be considered to achieve farm sustainability.

Objectives

To estimate, theoretically and empirically, soil erosion in olive groves of Alentejo (Portugal) considering different planting densities and soil managements (i.e. conventional, integrated, organic), and related impacts on soil loss and farm sustainability.

Methods

Soil erosion was empirically calculated using sediment traps. Soil loss was modelled using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model. The impact of erosion on farm sustainability was assessed by simulating future projections to 100 and 500 years.

Results

An overestimation of theoretical erosion rates for all olive management models compared to the empirical results was observed. Plant cover strongly contributed to reduce soil loss. Temporal simulations based on experimental data showed a longer sustainability of intensive groves than expected according to theoretical values.

Conclusions

Despite the negative impacts of intensive agriculture, this study highlights that it is essential to consider soil management impacts on erosion, an aspect that influences farm sustainability, regardless of planting density. Future studies should expand our experiments across a wider sample and locations of olive groves, to better discern how olive sustainability is impacted by different agricultural management options and decisions.
Genomes comparison of two Proteus mirabilis clones showing varied swarming ability
Authors: Gmiter Dawid , Pacak Ilona , Nawrot Sylwia , Czerwonka Grzegorz , Kaca Wieslaw
Published: May 2023

Background

Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative bacteria most noted for its involvement with catheter-associated urinary tract infections. It is also known for its multicellular migration over solid surfaces, referred to as ‘swarming motility’. Here we analyzed the genomic sequences of two P. mirabilis isolates, designated K38 and K39, which exhibit varied swarming ability.

Methods and results

The isolates genomes were sequenced using Illumina NextSeq sequencer, resulting in about 3.94 Mbp, with a GC content of 38.6%, genomes. Genomes were subjected for in silico comparative investigation. We revealed that, despite a difference in swarming motility, the isolates showed high genomic relatedness (up to 100% ANI similarity), suggesting that one of the isolates probably originated from the other.

Conclusions

The genomic sequences will allow us to investigate the mechanism driving this intriguing phenotypic heterogeneity between closely related P. mirabilis isolates. Phenotypic heterogeneity is an adaptive strategy of bacterial cells to several environmental pressures. It is also an important factor related to their pathogenesis. Therefore, the availability of these genomic sequences will facilitate studies that focus on the host–pathogen interactions during catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
Car make and model recognition system using rear-lamp features and convolutional neural networks
Authors: Bularz Michał , Przystalski Karol , Ogorzałek Maciej
Published: May 2023

Recognizing cars based on their features is a difficult task. We propose a solution that uses a convolutional neural network (CNN) and image binarization method for car make and model classification. Unlike many previous works in this area, we use a feature extraction method combined with a binarization method. In the first stage of the pre-processing part we normalize and change the size of an image. The image is then used to recognize where the rear-lamps are placed on the image. We extract the region and use the image binarization method. The binarized image is used as input to the CNN network that finds the features of a specific car model. We have tested the combinations of three different neural network architectures and eight binarization methods. The convolutional neural network with parameters of the highest quality metrics value is used to find the characteristics of the rear lamps on the binary image. The convolutional network is tested with four different gradient algorithms. We have tested the method on two data sets which differ in the way the images were taken. Each data set consists of three subsets of the same car, but is scaled to different image dimensions. Compared to related works that are based on CNN, we use rear view images in different position and light exposure. The proposed method gives better results compared to most available methods. It is also less complex, and faster to train compared to other methods. The proposed approach achieves an average accuracy of 93,9% on the first data set and 84,5% on the second set.
The use of purple carrot powder in the diet of laying quails improved some egg quality characteristics, including antioxidant capacity
Authors: Sarmiento-Garcia Ainhoa , Olgun Osman , Kilinç Gözde , Sevim Behlül , Gökmen Seyit Ahmet
Published: May 2023

The goal of the current experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary concentrations of purple carrot powder (PCP) on performance, egg production, egg quality, and the antioxidant capacity of the yolk in laying quails. A total of one hundred and fifty 22-week-old Japanese laying quails were allotted to 5 dietary treatments each with 6 replicates of 5 quails. Quails were allocated to five dietary treatments (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4%) with PCP addition at an increasing level from 0 to 4000 mg/kg diet respectively, which were fed ad-libitum throughout the duration of the experiment. No differences were detected between dietary treatments for any of the performance parameters or egg production. Eggshell weight and eggshell thickness (P < 0.05) were linearly affected by PCP dietary, reaching maximum levels at 0.4% of PCP supplementation, while the percentage of damaged egg and egg-breaking strength remained similar for all experimental groups (P < 0.05). Quails receiving PCP diets showed a yellowness (b*) (P < 0.05) egg yolk color than those fed the control diet, without affecting the rest of the color parameters and egg internal quality. Increasing PCP levels in diets reduced linearly yolk TBARS (P < 0.01) and increased linearly DPPH (P < 0.01). The addition of PCP, a safe and readily available agricultural by-product, as a component of the diet of laying quail was effective without adversely affecting quail production. Moreover, the inclusion of PCP in the diet might benefit laying quails’ eggs by improving some quality traits and enhancing the yolk’s antioxidant capacity, which could improve their shelf-life and acceptability.
Prospective validation of 18F-Fluoroethylcholine as a tracer in PET/MRI for the evaluation of breast lesions and prediction of lymph node status
Authors: Clauser Paola , Rasul Sazan , Kapetas Panagiotis , Fueger Barbara J. , Milos Ruxandra-Iulia , Balber Theresa , Berroterán-Infante Neydher , Hacker Marcus , Helbich Thomas Hans , Baltzer Pascal Andreas Thomas
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To assess 18F-Fluoroethylcholine (18F-FEC) as a PET/MRI tracer in the evaluation of breast lesions, breast cancer aggressiveness, and prediction of lymph node status.

Materials and methods

This prospective, monocentric study was approved by the ethics committee and patients gave written, informed consent. This clinical trial was registered in the EudraCT database (Number 2017-003089-29). Women who presented with suspicious breast lesions were included. Histopathology was used as reference standard. Simultaneous 18F-FEC PET/MRI of the breast was performed in a prone position with a dedicated breast coil. MRI was performed using a standard protocol before and after contrast agent administration. A simultaneous read by nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists collected the imaging data of MRI-detected lesions, including the maximum standardized 18F-FEC-uptake value of breast lesions (SUVmaxT) and axillary lymph nodes (SUVmaxLN). Differences in SUVmax were evaluated with the Mann–Whitney U test. To calculate diagnostic performance, the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) was used.

Results

There were 101 patients (mean age 52.3 years, standard deviation 12.0) with 117 breast lesions included (30 benign, 7 ductal carcinomas in situ, 80 invasive carcinomas). 18F-FEC was well tolerated by all patients. The ROC to distinguish benign from malignant breast lesions was 0.846. SUVmaxT was higher if lesions were malignant (p < 0.001), had a higher proliferation rate (p = 0.011), and were HER2-positive (p = 0.041). SUVmaxLN was higher in metastatic lymph nodes, with an ROC of 0.761 for SUVmaxT and of 0.793 for SUVmaxLN.

Conclusion

Simultaneous 18F-FEC PET/MRI is safe and has the potential to be used for the evaluation of breast cancer aggressiveness, and prediction of lymph node status.
A radiomics nomogram prediction for survival of patients with “driver gene-negative” lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD)
Authors: Guo Qi-Kun , Yang Hao-Shuai , Shan Shi-Chao , Chang Dan-Dan , Qiu Li-Jie , Luo Hong-He , Li He-Ping , Ke Zun-Fu , Zhu Ying
Published: May 2023

Background

To study the role of computed tomography (CT)-derived radiomics features and clinical characteristics on the prognosis of “driver gene-negative” lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and to explore the potential molecular biological which may be helpful for patients’ individual postoperative care.

Methods

A total of 180 patients with stage I-III “driver gene-negative” LUAD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from September 2003 to June 2015 were retrospectively collected. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) Cox regression model was used to screen radiomics features and calculated the Rad-score. The prediction performance of the nomogram model based on radiomics features and clinical characteristics was validated and then assessed with respect to calibration. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to explore the relevant biological pathways.

Results

The radiomics and the clinicopathological characteristics were combined to construct a nomogram resulted in better performance for the estimation of OS (C-index: 0.815; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.756–0.874) than the clinicopathological nomogram (C-index: 0.765; 95% CI: 0.692–0.837). Decision curve analysis demonstrated that in terms of clinical usefulness, the radiomics nomogram outperformed the traditional staging system and the clinicopathological nomogram. The clinical prognostic risk score of each patient was calculated based on the radiomics nomogram and divided by X-tile into high-risk (> 65.28) and low-risk (≤ 65.28) groups. GSEA results showed that the low-risk score group was directly related to amino acid metabolism, and the high-risk score group was related to immune and metabolism pathways.

Conclusions

The radiomics nomogram was promising to predict the prognosis of patients with “driver gene-negative” LUAD. The metabolism and immune-related pathways may provide new treatment orientation for this genetically unique subset of patients, which may serve as a potential tool to guide individual postoperative care for those patients.
New onset of hypomegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia with the potential for progression to aplastic anemia after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Kobayashi Mirei , Mori Akio , Oda Yoshitaka , Yokoyama Emi , Kanaya Minoru , Izumiyama Koh , Saito Makoto , Tanaka Shinya , Morioka Masanobu , Kondo Takeshi
Published: May 2023

Vaccination with a coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is an effective public health measure for reducing the risk of infection and severe complications from COVID-19. However, serious hematological complications after COVID-19 vaccination have been reported. Here, we report a case of new-onset hypomegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (HMT) with the potential for progression to aplastic anemia (AA) that developed in a 46-year-old man 4 days after the fourth mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. Platelet count rapidly decreased after vaccination and white blood cell count declined subsequently. Bone marrow examination immediately after disease onset showed severely hypocellular marrow (cellularity of almost 0%) in the absence of fibrosis, findings that were consistent with AA. Since the severity of pancytopenia did not meet the diagnostic criteria for AA, the patient was diagnosed with HMT that could progress to AA. Treatment with eltrombopag and cyclosporine was started immediately after diagnosis and cytopenia improved. Although it is difficult to determine whether the post-vaccination cytopenia was vaccine induced or accidental because the association was chronological, vaccination with an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine may be associated with development of HMT/AA. Therefore, physicians should be aware of this rare, but serious adverse event and promptly provide appropriate treatment.
Natural Protected Areas effect on the cover change rate of mangrove forests in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Osorio-Olvera Laura , Rioja-Nieto Rodolfo , Torres-Irineo Edgar , Guerra-Martínez Francisco
Published: May 2023

Mangrove forests provide important ecosystem services that support the maintenance of coastal socio-ecological systems. Strategies such as the establishment of Natural Protected Areas (NPAs) have been encouraged worldwide to promote their conservation. However, mangroves are still being lost as a consequence of anthropogenic disturbance and environmental variation. In here, we determine the change rate in mangrove cover, between 2005–2015, in eight coastal NPAs and the corresponding four km adjacent transition area in the Yucatan Peninsula (YP), and assess the relationship with location (inside or outside the protected area), their time since establishment and distance to roads. In general, we observed higher positive rates of change in mangrove cover inside the protected areas than in the adjacent transition zones (p < 0.05). Change was related to both the distance to roads and the time since establishment of the NPAs (p < 0.05). Higher (positive and negative) mangrove rates of change were observed in areas closer to roads, and more stable areas were detected as the distance to the roads increased. The positive rate of change also increased with the age of the protected area. These patterns were more evident inside the NPAs. The continuous monitoring of mangrove change dynamics in protected areas in this important region and their drivers, is necessary to establish effective management strategies considering the spatial and temporal variability of environmental and anthropogenic disturbances.
A structure-based gamma evaluation method for identifying clinically relevant dose differences in organs at risk
Authors: Yu Liting , Baker Anthony , Kairn Tanya , Livingstone Alexander , Trapp Jamie , Crowe Scott B
Published: May 2023

Gamma evaluation is currently the most widely used dose comparison method for patient specific quality assurance (PSQA). However, existing methods for normalising the dose difference, using either the dose at the global maximum dose point or at each local point, can respectively lead to under- and over-sensitivity to dose differences in organ-at-risk structures. This may be of concern for plan evaluation from clinical perspectives. This study has explored and proposed a new method called structural gamma, which takes structural dose tolerances into consideration while performing gamma analysis for PSQA. As a demonstration of the structural gamma method, a total of 78 retrospective plans on four treatment sites were re-calculated on an in-house Monte Carlo system and compared with doses calculated from the treatment planning system. Structural gamma evaluations were performed using both QUANTEC dose tolerances and radiation oncologist specified dose tolerances, then compared with conventional global and local gamma evaluations. Results demonstrated that structural gamma evaluation is especially sensitive to errors in structures with restrictive dose constraints. The structural gamma map provides both geometric and dosimetric information on PSQA results, allowing straightforward clinical interpretation. The proposed structure-based gamma method accounts for dose tolerances for specific anatomical structures. This method can provide a clinically useful method to assess and communicate PSQA results, offering radiation oncologists a more intuitive way of examining agreement in surrounding critical normal structures.
Exploring farmers’ perspectives on agrobiodiversity management: future options for quinoa smallholder organizations in the Peruvian high Andes
Authors: Andreotti Federico , Neher Charlotte M. , Speelman Erika N. , Bazile Didier
Published: May 2023

The intensification of crop production is widely recognized to negatively affect the agrobiodiversity in smallholder systems. This trend can also be observed in Quinoa production systems, where few varieties are commercialized while maintaining traditional varieties of quinoa remains a key agricultural activity in the high-Andes landscape. In recent decades, the “boom” of quinoa production has given rise to national projects intended to ensure that farmers benefit from their agricultural heritage, including the development of a collective trademark. However, little is known about the opinions of smallholder farmers regarding quinoa varieties cultivation, farming practices, market choices, or the development of a collective trademark as a tool to safeguard a position in the booming international quinoa market. To address these questions, we developed our research in three villages in the Puno region of Peru, quinoa’s center of origin. We applied a novel combination of participatory methods: the Q methodology to interpret the perceptions of smallholder quinoa farmers concerning the activities that are important on their farms, and the Four-Square Analysis workshops to explore quinoa biodiversity management. The results of our Q-analysis revealed three types of opinions emerging among farmers: (Type 1) Conservationist, (Type 2) Intensification sustainer, and (Type 3) Collaboration seeker. Type 1 assigns importance to maintaining and promoting quinoa biodiversity through collective practices and markets. Type 2 focuses on developing export-oriented production based on certified and improved varieties, combined with efficient ways of storing quinoa. Type 3 appears to value the collective aspects of organizations and cooperation among stakeholders. According to the results of the Four-Square Analysis, most landraces of quinoa are threatened by genetic erosion, as they are cultivated in situ in small plots and on few farms. Our results are an important baseline for further project development for biodiversity conservation in situ and market inclusion engaging local communities.
“They Don’t Really Consider Us Essential, But We Are”: a Qualitative Investigation of Vaccine Acceptance and Perceived Workplace Safety Among Black Transit Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ameen Khadijah , St Jean Denise T. , Woko Chioma
Published: May 2023

Black Americans face a higher risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) morbidity and mortality due to adverse social determinants of health, including their overrepresentation in the frontline workforce. Despite these inequities, increasing vaccine acceptance among this subpopulation has been challenging. We conducted semi-structured qualitative focus groups with Black public transit workers living in the USA to explore behavioral intentions regarding COVID-19 vaccine uptake, occupational health challenges, and the perceived impact of racism on workplace health and safety during the pandemic. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the final transcripts. We completed three focus groups (n=10 participants) in October and November of 2021. Enabling factors for vaccination included opportunities for vaccination in the workplace, flexible hours of operation, and walk-in vaccine clinics. Disabling factors included excessive wait times. Some participants also cited lack of cleanliness, inconsistent enforcement of COVID-19 safety protocols, and unclear workplace policies regarding sick and hazard pay as major safety barriers. Perceptions regarding the role of racism in their experiences with COVID-19 as transit workers were mixed. Though occupational health and safety concerns were high, there are opportunities for transit agencies and government officials to improve both vaccine uptake and working conditions for Black transit workers.
Moral imagination as an instrument for ethics education for biomedical researchers
Authors: Gerrits Elianne M. , Assen Lars S. , Noordegraaf-Eelens Liesbeth , Bredenoord Annelien L. , van Mil Marc H. W.
Published: May 2023

Moral sensitivity and moral reasoning are essential competencies biomedical researchers have to develop to make ethical decisions in their daily practices. Previous research has shown that these competencies can be developed through ethics education. However, it is unclear which underlying mechanisms best support the development of these competencies. In this article we argue that the development of moral sensitivity and moral reasoning can be fostered through teaching strategies that tap into students’ moral imagination. We describe how moral imagination can stimulate the development of these competencies through three different merits of moral imagination. Moral imagination can help students to 1) transfer and apply abstract moral concepts to concrete situations and contexts, 2) explore the perspective of others, 3) explore and foresee the moral consequences of different decisions and actions. We explain these three merits of moral imagination in the context of biomedical research and present a theoretical model for how these merits can be used to stimulate the development of moral sensitivity and moral reasoning. Furthermore, we describe multiple teaching strategies for biomedical curricula that tap into the three merits of moral imagination. These teaching strategies can inspire teachers to design ethics education that activates students’ moral imagination for the development of moral sensitivity and moral reasoning.
Experimental investigation on water/gas resistance and strength properties of clinoptilolite/Na-PAA amended compacted clay cover
Authors: Sun Xin-Po , Ding Ze-Hao , Bi Yu-Zhang , Pu Shao-yun
Published: May 2023

Compacted clay is an effective and economical engineering barrier for seepage prevention and gas blocking in landfills (including tailings pond, landfill, etc.). In addition to the lack of durability such as desiccation cracks of compacted clay modified by clinoptilolite and sodium polyacrylate, it is also necessary to consider the changes of engineering properties such as water holding capacity, water and gas resistance, and strength of compacted clay. Therefore, through oven evaporation test, flexible wall permeability test and unconfined compressive strength test, this paper studies the water retention, permeability and strength characteristics of compacted clay with different amounts of clinoptilolite and sodium polyacrylate. Orthogonal experiment L16(45) was used to optimize the amount of clinoptilolite and sodium polyacrylate and the compaction conditions, and further combined with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the factors affecting the water retention, permeability and strength of the compacted clay before and after the modification of clinoptilolite and sodium polyacrylate were discussed simply and quickly, and the applicability of the orthogonal experiment traditional analysis method and the analytic hierarchy process in the modified compacted clay of clinoptilolite and sodium polyacrylate was studied.