bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, characterization, and electromagnetic properties of polypyrrole–barium hexaferrite composites for EMI shielding applications
Authors: Darwish K. A. , Hemeda O. M. , Abdel Ati M. I. , Abd El-Hameed Anwer S. , Zhou Di , Darwish Moustafa A. , Salem M. M.
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the electromagnetic (EM) properties of hybrid materials made from polypyrrole (PPy) and barium hexaferrite (HF) for possible use in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy methods were used to confirm the presence of PPy and HF phases inside the hybrid structure. A scanning electron microscope analysis revealed that the HF particles were evenly dispersed throughout the PPy structure. The composites’ dielectric and magnetic attributes were evaluated across a spectrum of frequencies, with the highest values observed in the PPy specimen. Adding HF to the PPy matrix altered the dielectric and magnetic properties of the composite, with the percentage of HF in the composite influencing its dominance over these properties. It was determined that a 25% HF content produced the most stable and efficient composite for absorbing EM waves in the X-band. This study demonstrates the potential of conductive polymer composites for EMI shielding applications, with advantages, such as improved EMI shielding, lightweight, flexibility, corrosion resistance, and tailored properties. The novelty lies in optimizing the composition of the PPy/HF composite and the characterization of its EM properties, providing insights into the design of more efficient EMI shielding materials.
Bacterial immunotherapy is highly effective in reducing recurrent upper respiratory tract infections in children: a prospective observational study
Authors: Rebolledo Laura , Rodríguez-Vigil Carmen , Carmen Luis , Llorente Eva , Guallar María , Villoria Jesús , Vicente Eugenio
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Whilst immunotherapy is an appealing option as it could reduce the burden of recurrent pediatric respiratory tract infections (RTI), there is limited evidence on its effectiveness and more research was requested in order to better understand this therapeutic modality.

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study involving 57 subjects to assess the safety and effectiveness a 3-month regimen of either typified or patient-specific bacterial lysates could have in reducing the number of RTIs in children aged 0 to 11 years with histories of recurrent episodes.

Results

After a 6-month follow-up, the number of RTIs and school absenteeism dropped sharply and significantly, from an adjusted mean (standard error) of 0.6 (0.04) episodes/month to 0.1 (0.03) episodes/month (74.7% reduction, P < 0.001), and from an adjusted mean score of 4.6 (1.06) points to 0.0 (0.01) points over 10 (99.5% reduction, P < 0.001), respectively. There was also a significant decrease in the severity of symptoms. No adverse reactions were observed.

Conclusion

The use of the study product is associated with a decreased risk of recurrent RTIs in children, with a very favorable safety profile that warrants further investigation in randomized clinical trials.
Fluorescence use in minimally invasive metabolic and bariatric surgery — a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Wityk Mateusz , Dowgiałło-Gornowicz Natalia , Feszak Igor , Bobowicz Maciej
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This review aims to explore and summarise current knowledge of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence application in metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) and assess its potential in improving patient safety.

Methods

The review was prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Evidence from PubMed, ScienceDirect and Ovid MEDLINE databases was independently screened in October 2022. The primary information and outcomes were the type of fluorescence application with potential patient benefit and the complication rate. The secondary outcomes consisted of the kind of dye, the application protocol, and the equipment used.

Results

Thirteen publications were included, with six prospective observational studies, five case reports and two retrospective cohort studies and involved a total of 424 patients. The publications were categorized into four groups based on the method of fluorescence application. Sixty-six percent of the cases used fluorescence for LSG, 32.3% used it for RYGB, 1.2% for revisional surgery, 0.2% during removal of an adjustable gastric band, and 0.2% for LSG combined with Rossetti fundoplication. ICG was used on its own in the majority of studies, although in one case, it was used in combination with methylene blue. ICG administration protocols varied significantly. Complications occurred in three patients (0.71%): leaks were diagnosed in two cases, and one patient required a blood transfusion.

Conclusion

The most popular type of use is intraoperative assessment of the blood supply. ICG application may reduce the risk of complications, with potential benefits in detecting ischemia and leaks, searching for bleeding in areas inaccessible to endoscopy, and non-invasive hepatopathy evaluation.
The role of the atopy patch test in the diagnostic work-up of non-IgE gastrointestinal food allergy in children: a systematic review
Authors: Cuomo Barbara , Anania Caterina , D’Auria Enza , Decimo Fabio , Indirli Giovanni Cosimo , Manca Enrica , Marseglia Gian Luigi , Mastrorilli Violetta , Panetta Valentina , Santoro Angelica , Sartorio Marco Ugo Andrea , Veronelli Elisabetta , Calvani Mauro
Published: May 2023

The “Atopy Patch Test” (APT) has been proposed as a diagnostic tool for food allergies (FA), especially in children with FA-related gastrointestinal symptoms. However, its diagnostic accuracy is debated, and its usefulness is controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the APT diagnostic accuracy compared with the diagnostic gold standard, i.e., the oral food challenge (OFC), in children affected by non-IgE mediated gastrointestinal food allergies, including the evaluation in milk allergic subgroup. Both classical non-IgE mediated clinical pictures and food induced motility disorders (FPIMD) were considered. The search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus from January 2000 to June 2022 by two independent researchers. The patient, intervention, comparators, outcome, and study design approach (PICOS) format was used for developing key questions, to address the APT diagnostic accuracy compared with the oral food challenge (OFC). The quality of the studies was assessed by the QUADAS-2 system. The meta‐analysis was performed to calculate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR (diagnostic odds ratio), PLR (positive likelihood ratio), and NLR (negative likelihood ratio) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Out of the 457 citations initially identified via the search (196 on PubMed and 261 on Scopus), 37 advanced to full-text screening, and 16 studies were identified to be included in the systematic review. Reference lists from relevant retrievals were searched, and one additional article was added. Finally, 17 studies were included in the systematic review. The analysis showed that APT has a high specificity of 94% (95%CI: 0.88–0.97) in the group of patients affected by FPIMD. Data showed a high pooled specificity of 96% (95% CI: 0.89–0.98) and the highest accuracy of APT in patients affected by cow’s milk allergy (AUC = 0.93).

      Conclusion: APT is effective in identifying causative food in children with food-induced motility disorders.

 What is Known:• Atopy patch test could be a useful diagnostic test for diagnosing food allergy, especially in children with food allergy-related gastrointestinal symptoms.

What is New:• Atopy patch test may be a useful tool in diagnosing non IgE food allergy, especially in children with food-induced gastrointestinal motility disorders and cow's milk allergy.
Minor salivary gland stem cells: a comparative study of the biological properties under clinical-grade culture conditions
Authors: Andreadis Dimitrios , Angelopoulos Ioannis , Aggelidou Elena , Gousopoulou Evangelia , Volk Joachim , Poulopoulos Athanasios , Kritis Aristeidis , Geurtsen Werner , Bakopoulou Athina
Published: May 2023

Development of clinical-grade, cell preparations is central to cGMP (good manufacturing practice compliant) conditions. This study aimed to investigate the potential of two serum/xeno-free, cGMP (StemPro, StemMacs) culture media to maintain “stemness” of human minor salivary gland stem cell (mSG-SC) cultures compared to a complete culture medium (CCM). Overall, StemMacs resulted in higher proliferation rates after p.6 compared to the conventional serum-based medium, while StemPro showed substantial delays in cell proliferation after p.9. The mSG-SCs cultures exhibited two distinct cell populations at early passages a mesenchymal subpopulation and an epithelial-like subpopulation. Expression of several markers (CD146, STRO-1, SSEA-4, CD105, CD106, CD34, K 7/8, K14, K18) variably decreased with prolonged passaging (all three media). The percentage of SA-β-gal positive cells was initially higher for StemMacs compared to StemPro/CCM and increased with prolonged passaging in all cases. The telomere fragment length decreased with prolonged passaging in all three media but more pronouncedly for the CCM. Expansion under serum-free conditions caused pronounced upregulation of ALP and BMP-2, with parallel complete elimination of the baseline expressions of LPL (all three media) and ACAN (serum-free media), therefore, showing a preferential shift of the mSG-SCs towards osteogenic phenotypes. Finally, several markers (Nanog, SOX-2, PDX-1, OTX2, GSC, HCG) decreased with prolonged culture, indicating successive loss of “stemness”. Based on the findings, it seems that StemPro preserve stemness of the mSG-SCs after prolonged culture. Nevertheless, there is still a vacant role for the ideal development of clinical-grade culture conditions.
Chemometrics and electrochemistry: a useful tandem to be shown to university students
Authors: Bastos-Arrieta Julio , Pérez-Ràfols Clara , Serrano Núria , Díaz-Cruz José Manuel , Ariño Cristina , Esteban Miquel
Published: May 2023

A short discussion is given of the convenience of integrating electrochemistry and chemometrics in university degrees related to chemistry, and some selected examples are presented to illustrate the possibilities of combining both disciplines for solving (electro)chemical problems of different nature.
Towards rigorous understanding of neural networks via semantics-preserving transformations
Authors: Schlüter Maximilian , Nolte Gerrit , Murtovi Alnis , Steffen Bernhard
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we present an algebraic approach to the precise and global verification and explanation of Rectifier Neural Networks, a subclass of Piece-wise Linear Neural Networks (PLNNs), i.e., networks that semantically represent piece-wise affine functions. Key to our approach is the symbolic execution of these networks that allows the construction of semantically equivalent Typed Affine Decision Structures (TADS). Due to their deterministic and sequential nature, TADS can, similarly to decision trees, be considered as white-box models and therefore as precise solutions to the model and outcome explanation problem. TADS are linear algebras, which allows one to elegantly compare Rectifier Networks for equivalence or similarity, both with precise diagnostic information in case of failure, and to characterize their classification potential by precisely characterizing the set of inputs that are specifically classified, or the set of inputs where two network-based classifiers differ. All phenomena are illustrated along a detailed discussion of a minimal, illustrative example: the continuous XOR function.
Comparison of patient characteristics and treatment approaches for femoral and inguinal hernias utilizing dynamic ultrasound at a single institution
Authors: Chiu M. K. , Hadied M. O. , Klochko C. , van Holsbeeck M. T.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To assess the differences in management approach to femoral versus inguinal hernias and to identify patient characteristics associated with each hernia type.

Methods

Imaging studies for patients who had undergone dynamic ultrasound evaluation for the symptom of groin pain between January 1, 2010, and March 31, 2019, at a single institution Musculoskeletal Department were analyzed. Positive femoral hernia imaging studies were compared to studies for inguinal hernias and matching medical records for imaging studies were analyzed. Association of patient characteristics (age, sex, smoking, diabetes) with hernia type was assessed. Primary outcomes were surgical versus non-surgical approach, type of surgery, number of follow-up visits, and pain resolution.

Results

A total of 1319 patients presented with groin pain and were assessed with dynamic ultrasound (534 female; 785 male; mean [± SD] age 48.2 ± 16.5). While 409 (31.0%) patients had a femoral hernia detected, 666 (50.6%) had an inguinal hernia detected (p < .05). Significantly more inguinal hernias were surgically repaired than femoral hernias (65.0% vs 53.9% p = .008), and more inguinal hernias than femoral hernias were treated with open surgery (71.0% vs 57.7%; p = .014). Patients with femoral hernias had significantly more follow-up clinic visits than patients with inguinal hernias (mean [± SD] 2.65 ± 4.80 vs 1.76 ± 1.27; p = .010). No difference in the percentage of patients who had pain resolution was observed (82.2% inguinal vs 75.0% femoral; p = .13).

Conclusions

Femoral hernias were managed more conservatively than inguinal hernias at our institution.
Do high local customer and supply densities foster firm growth?
Authors: Behr Andreas , Schiwy Christoph , Hong Lucy
Published: May 2023

We analyze the effect of local supplier and customer densities on employment growth, using a sample of $$19\,275$$
19 275
German firms. We suggest a new approach to estimating firm-specific customer and supply densities through combining input-output data from the German Federal Statistical Office and firm-level data from the Orbis database. Existing empirical analyses are primarily conducted on a regional level, so that findings may depend on the regarded regional level and only provide limited insights into the existence and effects of agglomeration on growth at the firm-level. We use kernel density estimation to avoid the arbitrariness of spatial boundaries and scales, and find that the regional agglomeration patterns vary considerably between different sectors. Our econometric analysis reveals that input supplier and customer densities have a statistically significant effect on firm growth and that the firms’ age plays a crucial role in analyzing agglomeration economies.
How to shoot yourself right with a smartphone?
Authors: Tesařová Alena , Herout Adam , Bambušek Daniel , Juřík Vojtěch
Published: May 2023

This article presents a new use case of using handheld augmented reality to set up a smartphone camera for taking a self-photograph needed for evaluating the user’s sports exercise. The problem addressed is that of settings up the rear smartphone camera so that users can take photographs of themselves performing sports poses without the need for assistance from another person. The proposed solution uses an augmented reality avatar with the same body properties as the user, which is placed into the scene so that the user can set up the camera to best capture the avatar. We also propose a straightforward mode of interaction for placing the avatar into the scene and setting up the camera for the desired purpose. We conducted a user study to explore the usability and user experience of the proposed solution. The results showed that the augmented reality visual aids, especially the avatar, enhanced the effectiveness of taking the self-photograph and that users perceived augmented reality elements favorably.
Red flags and adjusted suspicion index for distinguishing hereditary transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy from idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy
Authors: Warendorf Janna K. , van der Star Gerjan M. , Dooijes Dennis , Notermans Nicolette C. , Vrancken Alexander F. J. E.
Published: June 2023

Background

Early diagnosis of hereditary ATTR polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) is important since treatment options have become available, which are most effective early in the disease course. ATTRv-PN is likely underdiagnosed as patients might be misdiagnosed with idiopathic polyneuropathy. It is uncertain if it is useful to test for TTR gene mutations in patients with a typical presentation for chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP) and which are the distinguishing clinical features.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective cohort study to assess the yield of TTR gene sequencing in patients with polyneuropathy and assessed if the identified patients with ATTRv-PN had a clinical presentation typical of CIAP. Additionally, we assessed which clinical features, including previously defined red flag symptoms, can differentiate between patients with CIAP and ATTRv-PN and assessed the performance of the TTR suspicion index.

Results

Out of 338 patients with polyneuropathy, 10 patients had a pathogenic TTR gene mutation (all p.Val50Met) and none had a clinical presentation typical of CIAP. Patients with ATTRv-PN more often had bilateral CTS, motor involvement of arms, cardiac involvement, family history suggestive of hATTRv, and autonomic symptoms than patients with CIAP. All patients with ATTRv-PN as well as 70% of patients with CIAP fulfilled the suspicion index.

Conclusion

Routine TTR gene sequencing in patients with a typical presentation for CIAP is not useful. However, red flag symptoms can differentiate patients with ATTRv-PN from patients with CIAP. We propose an adjusted version of the TTR suspicion index to increase diagnostic yield.
Combined loss of CDH1 and downstream regulatory sequences drive early-onset diffuse gastric cancer and increase penetrance of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer
Authors: São José Celina , Garcia-Pelaez José , Ferreira Marta , Arrieta Oscar , André Ana , Martins Nelson , Solís Samantha , Martínez-Benítez Braulio , Ordóñez-Sánchez María Luisa , Rodríguez-Torres Maribel , Sommer Anna K. , te Paske Iris B. A. W. , Caldas Carlos , Tischkowitz Marc , Tusié Maria Teresa ,   Solve-RD DITF-GENTURIS, Aretz Stefan , Capella Gabriel , Castedo Sérgio , de Voer Richarda M. , Evans Gareth , Fernandes Susana , Garcia-Pelaez José , Garrido Luzia , Holinski-Feder Elke , Hoogerbrugge Nicoline , Huntsman David , Jahn Arne , Kets C. Marleen , Laner Andreas , Ligtenberg Marjolijn , Meinhardt Andrea , Mensenkamp Arjen , Oliveira Carla , Peters Sophia , Quintana Isabel , Schröck Evelin , Sommer Anna , Spier Isabel , Spruijt Liesbeth , Steinke-Lange Verena , Paske Iris te , Tischkowitz Marc , Valle Laura , van der Post Rachel , van Herwaarden Yasmijn , van Zelst-Stams Wendy , William Doreen , Hoogerbrugge Nicoline , Demidov German , de Voer Richarda M. , Laurie Steve , Oliveira Carla
Published: May 2023

Background

Germline CDH1 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants cause hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC). Once a genetic cause is identified, stomachs’ and breasts’ surveillance and/or prophylactic surgery is offered to asymptomatic CDH1 carriers, which is life-saving. Herein, we characterized an inherited mechanism responsible for extremely early-onset gastric cancer and atypical HDGC high penetrance.

Methods

Whole-exome sequencing (WES) re-analysis was performed in an unsolved HDGC family. Accessible chromatin and CDH1 promoter interactors were evaluated in normal stomach by ATAC-seq and 4C-seq, and functional analysis was performed using CRISPR-Cas9, RNA-seq and pathway analysis.

Results

We identified a germline heterozygous 23 Kb CDH1-TANGO6 deletion in a family with eight diffuse gastric cancers, six before age 30. Atypical HDGC high penetrance and young cancer-onset argued towards a role for the deleted region downstream of CDH1, which we proved to present accessible chromatin, and CDH1 promoter interactors in normal stomach. CRISPR-Cas9 edited cells mimicking the CDH1-TANGO6 deletion display the strongest CDH1 mRNA downregulation, more impacted adhesion-associated, type-I interferon immune-associated and oncogenic signalling pathways, compared to wild-type or CDH1-deleted cells. This finding solved an 18-year family odyssey and engaged carrier family members in a cancer prevention pathway of care.

Conclusion

In this work, we demonstrated that regulatory elements lying down-stream of CDH1 are part of a chromatin network that control CDH1 expression and influence cell transcriptome and associated signalling pathways, likely explaining high disease penetrance and very young cancer-onset. This study highlights the importance of incorporating scientific–technological updates and clinical guidelines in routine diagnosis, given their impact in timely genetic diagnosis and disease prevention.

Graphical abstract
Surgery as first-line treatment for prolactinoma? Discussion of the literature and results of a consecutive series of surgically treated patients
Authors: Ottenhausen Malte , Conrad Jens , Wolters Lea-Marie , Ringel Florian
Published: May 2023

Initial treatment for prolactinoma is usually conservative with dopamine agonists. However, the duration of treatment is often lifelong and can be associated with significant side effects. Surgical outcomes are usually favorable and treatment complications low, raising the question whether surgical therapy should be included earlier in the treatment of prolactinoma. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of surgical resection of prolactinomas at our institution, to compare it with other published surgical and conservative series and to discuss the role of surgery in modern prolactinoma therapy. The authors reviewed a database of single-center consecutively operated prolactinoma cases and analyzed the extent of resection (EOR), endocrinological and neurological outcomes, and complications. Thirty patients were analyzed. Mean patient age was 37.2 ± 15.5 years (range 16–76) and consisted of 17 (56.7%) females and 13 (43.3%) males. Twenty-one patients (70%) failed medical therapy, the main reasons being intolerable side effects in 11 cases (52.4%) and insufficient response in 10 cases (47.6%). Nine patients (30%) received no medical treatment prior to surgery, of which five (55.6%) were operated because of pituitary apoplexy, two (22.2%) because of acute visual deterioration and two (22.2%) refused medical treatment and opted for surgery as first-line treatment. Of the 30 operated tumors, 56.7% (n = 17) were microadenomas, 30% (n = 9) were macroadenomas (≥ 10 mm), and 13.3% (n = 4) were giant adenomas (≥ 40 mm). GTR was achieved in 75% (n = 21) of cases. The overall remission rate was 63.3%. MRI showed a residual tumor in seven patients (25%), typically with invasive growth. Postoperative CSF leaks did not occur. Mean follow-up was 34.9 ± 60.3 months (range 0–246 months). Endocrine remission was defined as a morning fasting basal PRL level of 22.3 < ng/mL and measured at the last available follow-up. Postoperative Prolactine levels were missing in three patients. Our analysis describes a highly selected sample with a disproportionate number of larger, invasive tumors and emergency cases. Nevertheless, the results are satisfactory and comparable with other published series. The consistently good results of transphenoidal surgery, especially for microprolactinomas, have led to a greater acceptance of surgery in the treatment of prolactinomas in recent years. The timing of surgery in each individual case must be determined by a multidisciplinary team to ensure the best possible outcome.
A personalized learning theory-based cyber-security training exercise
Authors: Chowdhury Nabin , Gkioulos Vasileios
Published: June 2023

Current enterprises’ needs for skilled cyber-security (CS) professionals have prompted the development of diverse CS training programs and offerings. It has been noted that even though enterprise staff is now more aware of security threats, the number of successful attacks against companies has all but decreased over the years. Several criticisms were raised against current CS training offerings, which often made them inadequate, or unable to change participants’ behavior and security attitude. One of the main factors CS training programs are often not very effective is the lack of engagement or motivation of participants. This is often the result of training not being tailored to the needs or preferences of participants. In our previous work, we tackled this issue by developing a personalized learning theory-based model for developing CS training frameworks. In this work, we utilize the model to develop two CS training exercises: two game-based scenarios using the CS training video game Cyber CIEGE and one table-top team exercise. The exercises are later tested by involving a group of 12 students from the Norwegian Institute of Science and Technology (NTNU) Information Security master’s degree program. According to the results of the experiment and the feedback from the students, students felt more engaged during the exercises due to having been participants in their development process. This has in turn motivated them to continue using the training tools independently in their spare time. Further research is recommended to establish whether the training development model is adequate for different target groups, as well as better performing than other models when developing full-fledged training programs.
Reductions: precontact versus presymplectic
Authors: Grabowska Katarzyna , Grabowski Janusz
Published: June 2023

We show that contact reductions can be described in terms of symplectic reductions in the traditional Marsden–Weinstein–Meyer as well as the constant rank picture. The point is that we view contact structures as particular (homogeneous) symplectic structures. A group action by contactomorphisms is lifted to a Hamiltonian action on the corresponding symplectic manifold, called the symplectic cover of the contact manifold. In contrast to the majority of the literature in the subject, our approach includes general contact structures (not only co-oriented) and changes the traditional view point: contact Hamiltonians and contact moment maps for contactomorphism groups are no longer defined on the contact manifold itself, but on its symplectic cover. Actually, the developed framework for reductions is slightly more general than purely contact, and includes a precontact and presymplectic setting which is based on the observation that there is a one-to-one correspondence between isomorphism classes of precontact manifolds and certain homogeneous presymplectic manifolds.
Quantifying whole bladder biomechanics using the novel pentaplanar reflected image macroscopy system
Authors: Hennig Grant , Saxena Pragya , Broemer Eli , Herrera Gerald M. , Roccabianca Sara , Tykocki Nathan R.
Published: May 2023

Optimal bladder compliance is essential to urinary bladder storage and voiding functions. Calculated as the change in filling volume per change in pressure, bladder compliance is used clinically to characterize changes in bladder wall biomechanical properties that associate with lower urinary tract dysfunction. But because this method calculates compliance without regard to wall structure or wall volume, it gives little insight into the mechanical properties of the bladder wall during filling. Thus, we developed Pentaplanar Reflected Image Macroscopy (PRIM): a novel ex vivo imaging method to accurately calculate bladder wall stress and stretch in real time during bladder filling. The PRIM system simultaneously records intravesical pressure, infused volume, and an image of the bladder in five distinct visual planes. Wall thickness and volume were then measured and used to calculate stress and stretch during filling. As predicted, wall stress was nonlinear; only when intravesical pressure exceeded ~ 15 mmHg did bladder wall stress rapidly increase with respect to stretch. This method of calculating compliance as stress vs stretch also showed that the mechanical properties of the bladder wall remain similar in bladders of varying capacity. This study demonstrates how wall tension, stress and stretch can be measured, quantified, and used to accurately define bladder wall biomechanics in terms of actual material properties and not pressure/volume changes. This method is especially useful for determining how changes in bladder biomechanics are altered in pathologies where profound bladder wall remodeling occurs, such as diabetes and spinal cord injury.
Extended mechanical loads for the analysis of acetabular cages
Authors: Dóczi Martin O. , Sződy Róbert , Zwierczyk Péter T.
Published: June 2023

To analyse the strength and mechanical behaviour of hip implants, it is essential to employ an appropriate loading model. Generating computational models supplemented with muscle forces is a complicated task, especially in the initial phase of implant development. This research aims to expand the possibilities of the simpler acetabular cage model based on joint loads without significantly increasing the demand for computing resources. A Python script covered and grouped the loads from daily activities. The ten calculated major loads were compared with the maximum of the walking and stair climbing loads through the finite element analyses of a custom-made acetabular cage. Sensitivity analyses were performed for the surrounding bones’ elastic modulus and the pelvis boundary conditions. The major loads can geometrically cover the entire load spectrum of daily activities. The effect of many high-magnitude force vectors is uncertain in the approach that uses the most common maximum loads. Using these resultant major loads, a new stress concentration area could be detected on the acetabular cage, besides the stress concentration areas induced by the loads reported in the literature. The qualitative correctness of the results is also supported by a control computed tomography scan: a fracture occurred in an extensive, high-stress zone. The results are not sensitive to changes in the elastic modulus of the surrounding bone and the boundary conditions of the model. The presented load vectors and the algorithm make more extensive static analyses possible with little computational overhead. The proposed method can be used for checking the static strength of similar implants.
Numerical modelling for the seismic assessment of complex masonry heritage buildings: the case study of the Giralda tower
Authors: Romero-Sánchez Emilio , Morales-Esteban Antonio , Bento Rita , Navarro-Casas Jaime
Published: June 2023

Existing heritage buildings can be especially vulnerable to earthquakes. They were designed only considering gravity loads and some of them are located in earthquake prone areas, such as the southwestern Iberian Peninsula. Besides, there is a high uncertainty in the definition of their constructive parameters and complex geometry. Due to that, it is paramount to develop accurate numerical models to obtain a reliable assessment of their seismic behaviour. Given this, the main objective of this manuscript is to analyse the seismic behaviour of the Giralda tower, located in Seville (Spain). It was declared as a Word Heritage Site of Outstanding Universal Value by the UNESCO in 1987. Seville has a moderate seismic hazard, but it has been shown that the soft alluvial strata amplify the seismic action. The tower has a brick and stone masonry structure, which was constructed in several construction phases. A 3D Finite Element Model of the tower has been developed using OpenSees software, employing a 3D CAD model. Modal analyses and nonlinear static analyses have been applied to calibrate and to assess the tower’s seismic behaviour. The results showed significant differences in function of the load pattern. It should be remarked that the boundary conditions have a notable effect upon getting a good calibration of the model. Regarding the damage, it has been found to match the historic records: the ramps would be ruined and, in the outer wall, it would be concentrated near the openings, especially close to the belfry.
PAM50 intrinsic subtypes, risk of recurrence score and breast cancer survival in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients—a South African cohort study
Authors: Phakathi Boitumelo , Dix-Peek Therese , Van Den Berg Eunice , Dickens Caroline , Nietz Sarah , Cubasch Herbert , Joffe Maureen , Neugut Alfred I. , Jacobson Judith S. , Ruff Paul , Duarte Raquel
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Treatment decision making for patients with breast cancer increasingly depends on analysis of markers or systems for estimating risk of breast cancer recurrence. Breast cancer intrinsic subtypes and risk of recurrence (ROR) scores have been found to be valuable in predicting survival and determining optimal treatment for individual patients. We studied the association of breast cancer survival with the PAM50 gene expression assay in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients.

Method

RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens of histologically confirmed invasive carcinoma and was purified using the AllPrep® DNA/RNA FFPE kit, Qiagen (Hilden, Germany). The NanoString RUO PAM50 algorithm was used to determine the molecular subtype and the risk of recurrence score of each sample. The overall and disease-free survival were determined with comparison made among HIV-positive and -negative patients. We then generated Kaplan–Meier survival curves, calculated p-values and estimated hazard ratios and their 95% confidence intervals using Cox regression models.

Results

Of the 384 RNA samples analysed, 98.4% met the required RNA quality standard and the specified QC threshold for the test. Luminal B was the most common PAM50 intrinsic subtype and 82.1% of patients were at high risk for disease recurrence based on ROR score. HIV infection, PAM50-based HER2-enriched and basal-like intrinsic subtypes, and high ROR were associated with poor overall and disease-free survival. HIV-positive patients with luminal A & B subtypes had significantly worse survival outcomes than HIV-negative luminal patents.

Conclusion

Aggressive tumour biology was common in our cohort. HIV infection, PAM50 HER2-enriched,basal-like intrinsic subtypes and high ROR score were associated with poor overall and disease-free survival. HIV infection impacted survival in patients with luminal subtypes only.
Local variability, human factor or vague procedure? Searching for the reasons of excessive mortality in free living aquatic insects, resulting from biological monitoring
Authors: Koperski Paweł
Published: June 2023

During the analysis of the biomonitoring data of Polish watercourses, it was found that the vast majority of aquatic insects (83–95% of more than 8.8 million individuals collected between 2012 and 2019) die unnecessarily during sampling, as a result of the sub-sampling procedure. Great, in some cases 30-fold differences in the mortality of insects, including those belonging to protected taxa, were observed between the samples analyzed by various regional laboratories. The most important reason for these differences appears to be factors that can be collectively referred to as the ‘human factor’, related to removing insects from the sphere of ethical protection, makes their killing an activity ethically neutral. This kind of attitude, which does not attach any importance to the life and suffering of insects interacts with the lack of precise requirements for the sampling equipment used. Those factors seem to be the most important in explaining the causes of excessive mortality of aquatic insects during sampling and the huge differences between laboratories. Principal component analysis and the analysis of variability measures showed that ecological differences between sampling sites can only be considered as a secondary determinant.

Implications for insect conservation

Improperly planned and conducted monitoring procedures, through excessive mortality of free-living aquatic insects, have or may have a negative impact on the environment and biodiversity. Therefore, it seems very important to promote alternative solutions that reduce such mortality in biological monitoring, such as: non-lethal methods of animal sampling, the use of pre-sampling areas to estimate the density of animals before sampling and estimation of the maximum abundance of a sample necessary for a reliable estimate of taxonomic richness using rarefaction.
Collusion Revisited: A Narrative Review of Dyadic Collusions
Authors: Stiefel F. , Bourquin C. , Saraga M.
Published: June 2023

Collusion is a specific and potentially harmful transference-countertransference interaction. At its core is an unconscious, unresolved issue shared by two or more participants, who are interlocked in a defensive maneuver. The issue at stake, which is avoided at the intrapsychic level, externalized, and circulating in the interpersonal space, may pertain to control, intimacy, loss, or domination, among other possibilities. Collusion occurs not only in psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, psychiatry, and medicine but also in couples and both within and between groups. This critical narrative review is based on a comprehensive consultation of the literature and our experiences as psychotherapists, supervisors, and researchers. We situate and delineate collusion, engage in a critical dialog with the literature and question some conceptual aspects of collusion. The aim of this review is to stimulate the interest of clinicians, supervisors, and researchers in this somewhat neglected phenomenon and to demonstrate and illustrate the challenges and pitfalls that clinicians face in collusive encounters. Finally, we provide clues to identify and ways of working through collusion in the context of psychotherapy and supervision.
Déclin et célébration du vivant dans l’écriture d’Émile Verhaeren
Authors: Ninanne Dominique
Published: June 2023

This article is an ecopoetic reading of a selection of works (poetry and theatre) of the Belgian symbolist Émile Verhaeren. Its aim is to highlight the critical discourse and the constructive discourse of the author about the environmental question and the relationship between culture and nature. We will start with his “social trilogy”, Les Campagnes hallucinées, Les Villes tentaculaires and Les Aubes, and analyze the representation of the pollution and the transformation of the countryside landscape which was triggered by unbridled industrialization in the late nineteenth century, while focusing on the materialist writing and the decadent imaginary.

We will then examine his vitalist collections, Les Visages de la vie, Les Forces tumultueuses and La Multiple splendeur, and analyze how the poet imagines the return of harmony between humans and nature and also see how his thinking was close to his contemporaries’ utopian projections. We will lastly demonstrate that his poetic art celebrates the living world from an internal and sensitive vision.
Epistemic Health, Epistemic Immunity and Epistemic Inoculation
Authors: Piovarchy Adam , Siskind Scott
Published: June 2023

This paper introduces three new concepts: epistemic health, epistemic immunity, and epistemic inoculation. Epistemic health is a measure of how well an entity (e.g. person, community, nation) is functioning with regard to various epistemic goods or ideals. It is constituted by many different factors (e.g. possessing true beliefs, being disposed to make reliable inferences), is improved or degraded by many different things (e.g. research funding, social trust), and many different kinds of inquiry are relevant to its study. Epistemic immunity is the robustness with which an entity is resistant to performing certain kinds of epistemic activity, such as questioning certain ideas, believing certain sources, or making certain inferences. Epistemic inoculation occurs when social, political or cultural processes cause an entity to become immune to engaging in certain epistemic activities. After outlining each of these concepts, we close by considering some of the risks associated with attempts to improve others’ epistemic health.
Widening mismatch between UK seafood production and consumer demand: a 120-year perspective
Authors: Harrison Luke O. J. , Engelhard Georg H. , Thurstan Ruth H. , Sturrock Anna M.
Published: June 2023

﻿Abstrac﻿﻿t

Developed countries are increasingly dependent on international trade to meet seafood requirements, which has important social, environmental, and economic implications. After becoming an independent coastal state following Brexit, the UK faces increased trade barriers and changes in seafood availability and cost. We compiled a long-term (120-year) dataset of UK seafood production (landings and aquaculture), imports, and exports, and assessed the influence of policy change and consumer preference on domestic production and consumption. In the early twentieth century, distant-water fisheries met an increasing demand for large, flaky fish such as cod and haddock that are more abundant in northerly waters. Accordingly, from 1900 to 1975, the UK fleet supplied almost 90% of these fish. However, policy changes in the mid-1970s such as the widespread establishment of Exclusive Economic Zones and the UK joining the European Union resulted in large declines in distant-water fisheries and a growing mismatch between seafood production versus consumption in the UK. While in 1975, UK landings and aquaculture accounted for 89% of seafood consumed by the British public, by 2019 this was only 40%. The combination of policy changes and staunch consumer preferences for non-local species has resulted in today’s situation, where the vast majority of seafood consumed in the UK is imported, and most seafood produced domestically is exported. There are also health considerations. The UK public currently consumes 31% less seafood than is recommended by government guidelines, and even if local species were more popular, total domestic production would still be 73% below recommended levels. In the face of climate change, global overfishing and potentially restrictive trade barriers, promoting locally sourced seafood and non-seafood alternatives would be prudent to help meet national food security demands, and health and environmental targets﻿﻿.﻿
Efficient and Low-Cost Surfactant-Assisted Solid Phase Extraction Procedure For Removal Of Methylene Blue Using Natural Dolomite
Authors: Mortada Wael I. , Nabieh Kareem A. , Abdelghany Amr M.
Published: May 2023

Water pollution results from rapid urbanization and industrialization which has harmful effects on human health. Adsorption is one of the most efficient processes to remove pollutants from contaminated water. Natural minerals, such as dolomite, are widely spread around the world and may be easily collected in huge quantities. In this work, dolomite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and was investigated for its applicability for removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous medium in a surfactant-assisted procedure. Using the one-factor one-time approach, batch adsorption studies were performed to establish the best experimental conditions (pH, sorbent amount, shaking time, type and concentration of surfactant and ionic strength) for removal of MB by dolomite. At optimum conditions (pH 8.0, shaking time 90 min, 1.0 g L−1 dolomite, 0.1% w/v sodium dodecyl sulfate, 25 °C), the maximum adsorption capacity was 22.2 mg g−1 and the adsorption process obeyed Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The findings show that dolomite effectively adsorbs MB and may be used as a less expensive sorbent in wastewater treatment to remove MB.

Graphical Abstract
Sea surface surveys for microplastic and floating marine macro litter items in coastal waters of Cabrera Archipelago Maritime Terrestrial National Park
Authors: Compa Montserrat , Alomar Carme , Rios-Fuster Beatriz , Fagiano Valentina , Deudero Salud
Published: June 2023

This study is aimed at identifying and comparing microplastics and floating marine litter along the sea surface in the marine protected area of Cabrera Archipelago Maritime Terrestrial National Park (Cabrera MPA) in the Balearic Islands. A total of 52 net surveys and 22 visual surveys were carried out between July and August in 2019 and 2020. The abundance of microplastic (MP) items was highest in the southern and eastern regions, with an average of 381,244.4 ± 1,031,082.8 items/km2 weighing an average of 927.1 ± 2731.4 g/km2. Most of these items were < 5 mm (81%) in size and were mainly composed of polyethylene and polypropylene (98%). In terms of floating marine macro litter (ML) from visual surveys, an average of 2028 ± 2084 items/km2 were observed. In this case, the majority of the ML items were plastic pieces (69%) measuring 2.5 to 50 cm. Furthermore, ML quantified by visual surveys was an order of magnitude higher than in similar studies carried out on large vessels, highlighting the importance of vessel height and speed for identifying the smallest size fractions (81%). The results of this study document the intensity of MPs and ML, primarily plastic, in coastal waters, and provide a baseline for management efforts to mitigate floating litter, in addition to raising awareness of the transferability of marine litter from other regions.
Germanium speciation study in soil from an electronic waste processing plant area
Authors: Jabłońska-Czapla Magdalena , Grygoyć Katarzyna , Rachwał Marzena , Fornalczyk Agnieszka , Willner Joanna
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Germanium (Ge) is known as a Technology Critical Element (TCE) and has been widely used in electronic and industrial products. Waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) containing germanium goes to WEEE treatment plants. The transfer of Ge in the environment makes it necessary to get to know its mobility, reactivity, and chemical transformations in soil. The objective of this research was to develop a methodology for germanium speciation in soil under pressure from storage, processing, and recovery from electrowaste.

Materials and methods

Thirty soil cores (30 cm long) were collected from an area around a WEEE plant, using a Humax soil sampler. Soil magnetometry methods were used for the first time during the determination of soil sampling points for germanium. After basic physicochemical analysis (pH, Eh, total element concentration using the ICP-MS technique), soil samples were prepared for germanium speciation. The optimisation and validation of a methodology for determining Ge species in easily-leached fractions of soil collected from areas around an electrowaste plant, was studied using Ion Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS). Chromatographic conditions were optimised, taking soil matrix effects into account. Optimised Ge extraction from the soil included: extraction time, type of extractants, extraction support using shaking, and ultrasound.

Results and discussion

The Ge species (Ge(IV), monomethylgermanium (MMGe), and dimethylgermanium (DMGe)) were successfully separated after 12 min on a Dionex IonPac AS9-HC column with ammonium nitrate and potassium sodium tartrate as an elution phase. The highest extraction efficiency was achieved by using 100 mM NH4NO3 with 1 mM potassium sodium tartrate as an extractant, that washes out Ge from soils within 4 h. In most cases, the soils contained a Ge(IV) form. Germanium methyl derivatives were only found in a few soil samples. Our research showed that germanium concentration in the studied area was as high as 7.64 mg.kg−1, with an average concentration of 3.51 mg.kg−1. The results allowed the creation of a correlation matrix, which identified many strong correlations.

Conclusion

This research confirmed the impact of a WEEE plant on the increase of the Ge content in topsoil, when in direct proximity. Increased germanium content occurred in soil samples located north of the emitter, which is consistent with the prevailing wind direction. The study confirmed that the soil magnetometry method is applicable for detecting TCE. Soil samples with the highest content of germanium had a very high magnetic susceptibility and there is a correlation between these parameters.