bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental and ecological factors affecting tick infestation in wild birds of the Americas
Authors: Busi Ana , Martínez-Sánchez Estefani T. , Alvarez-Londoño Johnathan , Rivera-Páez Fredy A. , Ramírez-Chaves Héctor E. , Fontúrbel Francisco E. , Castaño-Villa Gabriel J.
Published: June 2024

The Americas hold the greatest bird diversity worldwide. Likewise, ectoparasite diversity is remarkable, including ticks of the Argasidae and Ixodidae families – commonly associated with birds. Considering that ticks have potential health implications for humans, animals, and ecosystems, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effects of bioclimatic, geographic variables, and bird species richness on tick infestation on wild birds across the Americas. We identified 72 articles that met our inclusion criteria and provided data on tick prevalence in wild birds. Using Generalized Additive Models, we assessed the effect of environmental factors, such as habitat type, climatic conditions, bird species richness, and geographic location, on tick infestation. Our findings show that most bird infestation case studies involved immature ticks, such as larvae or nymphs, while adult ticks represented only 13% of case studies. We found birds infested by ticks of the genera Amblyomma (68%), Ixodes (22%), Haemaphysalis (5%), Dermacentor (1%), and Rhipicephalus (0.8%) in twelve countries across the Americas. Our findings revealed that temperature variation and bird species richness were negatively associated with tick infestation, which also varied with geographic location, increasing in mid-latitudes but declining in extreme latitudes. Our results highlight the importance of understanding how environmental and bird community factors influence tick infestation in wild birds across the Americas and the dynamics of tick-borne diseases and their impact on biodiversity.
Coarse Embeddability of Wasserstein Space and the Space of Persistence Diagrams
Authors: Pritchard Neil , Weighill Thomas
Published: June 2024

We prove an equivalence between open questions about the embeddability of the space of persistence diagrams and the space of probability distributions (i.e. Wasserstein space). It is known that for many natural metrics, no coarse embedding of either of these two spaces into Hilbert space exists. Some cases remain open, however. In particular, whether coarse embeddings exist with respect to the p-Wasserstein distance for $$1\le p\le 2$$

1
≤
p
≤
2

remains an open question for the space of persistence diagrams and for Wasserstein space on the plane. In this paper, we show that embeddability for persistence diagrams is equivalent to embeddability for Wasserstein space on $$\mathbb {R}^2$$

R

2

. When $$p > 1$$

p
>
1

, Wasserstein space on $$\mathbb {R}^2$$

R

2

is snowflake universal (an obstruction to embeddability into any Banach space of non-trivial type) if and only if the space of persistence diagrams is snowflake universal.
Applied climatology for heritage
Authors: Brimblecombe Peter , Richards Jenny
Published: June 2024

The protection of heritage from a changing climate has been of increasing interest over the last few decades, which creates a need for a systematic approach to the impacts of climate on tangible and intangible heritage. We present heritage climatology as an applied, interdisciplinary field of science that examines aspects of climate that affect heritage and provides data, statistics, well-tuned climate parameters and projections that can aid interpreting past changes and future management of heritage. It must consider the impact of extreme events, cyclic processes and the gradual accumulation of damage. Climate threats to heritage need to be represented at the appropriate temporal and spatial scales, and transferred using dose–response functions such that they can be interpreted in terms of management decisions yet be resistant to errors from both the representation of the climate threat and its translation into policy.
The first evaluation of the in vitro effects of silver(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes on Encephalitozoon intestinalis and Leishmania major promastigotes
Authors: Ataş Ahmet Duran , Akın-Polat Zübeyda , Gülpınar Derya Gül , Şahin Neslihan
Published: June 2024

Encephalitozoon intestinalis is an opportunistic microsporidian parasite that primarily infects immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing organ transplantation. Leishmaniasis is responsible for parasitic infections, particularly in developing countries. The disease has not been effectively controlled due to the lack of an effective vaccine and affordable treatment options. Current treatment options for E. intestinalis infection and leishmaniasis are limited and often associated with adverse side effects. There is no previous study in the literature on the antimicrosporidial activities of Ag(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene compounds. In this study, the in vitro antimicrosporidial activities of previously synthesized Ag(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes were evaluated using E. intestinalis spores cultured in human renal epithelial cell lines (HEK-293). Inhibition of microsporidian replication was determined by spore counting. In addition, the effects of the compounds on Leishmania major promastigotes were assessed by measuring metabolic activity or cell viability using a tetrazolium reaction. Statistical analysis was performed to determine significant differences between treated and control groups. Our results showed that the growth of E. intestinalis and L. major promastigotes was inhibited by the tested compounds in a concentration-dependent manner. A significant decrease in parasite viability was observed at the highest concentrations. These results suggest that the compounds have potential anti-microsporidial and anti-leishmanial activity. Further research is required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and to evaluate the efficacy of the compounds in animal models or clinical trials.

Graphical abstract
Enabling personalized VR experiences: a framework for real-time adaptation and recommendations in VR environments
Authors: Valmorisco Sergio , Raya Laura , Sanchez Alberto
Published: June 2024

The personalization of user experiences through recommendation systems has been extensively explored in Internet applications, but this has yet to be fully addressed in Virtual Reality (VR) environments. The complexity of managing geometric 3D data, computational load, and natural interactions poses significant challenges in real-time adaptation in these immersive experiences. However, tailoring VR environments to individual user needs and interests holds promise for enhancing user experiences. In this paper, we present Virtual Reality Environment Adaptation through Recommendations (VR-EAR), a framework designed to address this challenge. VR-EAR employs customizable object metadata and a hybrid recommendation system modeling implicit user feedback in VR environments. We utilize VR optimization techniques to ensure efficient performance. To evaluate our framework, we designed a virtual store where product locations dynamically adjust based on user interactions. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of VR-EAR in adapting and personalizing VR environments in real time. domains.
Mechanical and hydraulic properties of unsaturated layered pyroclastic ashes in landslide-prone areas of Campania (Italy)
Authors: Roman Quintero Daniel Camilo , Damiano Emilia , Olivares Lucio , Greco Roberto
Published: June 2024

Air-fall pyroclastic soil deposits usually display a loose fabric composed of alternating layers of ashes and pumices. Such deposits, when lying on steep slopes, represent a major geohazard due to the occurrence of landslides. This is the case of the carbonate massifs in Campania (southern Italy), a wide landslide-prone area of approximately 400 km2 covered with pyroclastic soils. In such cohesionless deposits, the additional shear strength provided by soil suction in unsaturated conditions is important for ensuring slope stability and can be jeopardized by soil wetting during rainwater infiltration. This paper provides a comprehensive view of the hydraulic and shear strength characteristics of different layers of pyroclastic deposits at different sites in Campania, revealing a broad view of their similarities and differences. To that end, some datasets from previous studies and novel data are gathered, linking the index properties, the hydraulic behavior of the soils and the contribution of suction to the shear strength of the studied materials. Two types of ashes at different positions within the stratigraphic sequence are identified: ashes interbedded between pumice layers, where landslide failure surfaces usually occur, and altered ashes in contact with the bedrock, which affects water leakage from the overlying soil profile. The former show quite uniform characteristics, and this allowed testing some predictive models for the assessment of the unsaturated shear strength of pyroclastic ashes in the absence of direct measurements. In contrast, the latter may exhibit significantly different behaviors, with great variability in hydraulic and mechanical properties.
Microbiological risk factors, ICU survival, and 1-year survival in hematological patients with pneumonia requiring invasive mechanical ventilation
Authors: Seybold Benjamin , Funk Timo , Dreger Peter , Egerer Gerlinde , Brandt Juliane , Mueller-Tidow Carsten , Giesen Nicola , Merle Uta
Published: June 2024

Purpose

To identify pathogenic microorganisms and microbiological risk factors causing high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation due to pneumonia.

Methods

A retrospective single-center study was performed at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Department of Internal Medicine at Heidelberg University Hospital (Germany) including 246 consecutive patients with hematological malignancies requiring invasive mechanical ventilation due to pneumonia from 08/2004 to 07/2016. Microbiological and radiological data were collected and statistically analyzed for risk factors for ICU and 1-year mortality.

Results

ICU and 1-year mortality were 63.0% (155/246) and 81.0% (196/242), respectively. Pneumonia causing pathogens were identified in 143 (58.1%) patients, multimicrobial infections were present in 51 (20.7%) patients. Fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens were detected in 89 (36.2%), 55 (22.4%) and 41 (16.7%) patients, respectively. Human herpesviruses were concomitantly reactivated in 85 (34.6%) patients. As significant microbiological risk factors for ICU mortality probable invasive Aspergillus disease with positive serum-Galactomannan (odds ratio 3.1 (1.2-8.0), p = 0.021,) and pulmonary Cytomegalovirus reactivation at intubation (odds ratio 5.3 (1.1–26.8), p = 0.043,) were identified. 1-year mortality was not significantly associated with type of infection. Of interest, 19 patients had infections with various respiratory viruses and Aspergillus spp. superinfections and experienced high ICU and 1-year mortality of 78.9% (15/19) and 89.5% (17/19), respectively.

Conclusions

Patients with hematological malignancies requiring invasive mechanical ventilation due to pneumonia showed high ICU and 1-year mortality. Pulmonary Aspergillosis and pulmonary reactivation of Cytomegalovirus at intubation were significantly associated with negative outcome.
Potent therapeutic strategy in gastric cancer with microsatellite instability-high and/or deficient mismatch repair
Authors: Ooki Akira , Osumi Hiroki , Yoshino Koichiro , Yamaguchi Kensei
Published: June 2024

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignancy that presents challenges in patient care worldwide. The mismatch repair (MMR) system is a highly conserved DNA repair mechanism that protects genome integrity during replication. Deficient MMR (dMMR) results in an increased accumulation of genetic errors in microsatellite sequences, leading to the development of a microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) phenotype. Most MSI-H/dMMR GCs arise sporadically, mainly due to MutL homolog 1 (MLH1) epigenetic silencing. Unlike microsatellite-stable (MSS)/proficient MMR (pMMR) GCs, MSI-H/dMMR GCs are relatively rare and represent a distinct subtype with genomic instability, a high somatic mutational burden, favorable immunogenicity, different responses to treatment, and prognosis. dMMR/MSI-H status is a robust predictive biomarker for treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) due to high neoantigen load, prominent tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) overexpression. However, a subset of MSI-H/dMMR GC patients does not benefit from immunotherapy, highlighting the need for further research into predictive biomarkers and resistance mechanisms. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical, molecular, immunogenic, and therapeutic aspects of MSI-H/dMMR GC, with a focus on the impact of ICIs in immunotherapy and their potential as neoadjuvant therapies. Understanding the complexity and diversity of the molecular and immunological profiles of MSI-H/dMMR GC will drive the development of more effective therapeutic strategies and molecular targets for future precision medicine.
Eureka: objective assessment of the empty pelvis syndrome to measure volumetric changes in pelvic dead space following pelvic exenteration
Authors: West C. T. , Tiwari A. , Matthews L. , Drami I. , Mai D. V. C. , Jenkins J. T. , Yano H. , West M. A. , Mirnezami A. H.
Published: June 2024

Background

Large tissue defects following pelvic exenteration (PE) fill with fluid and small bowel, leading to the empty pelvis syndrome (EPS). EPS causes a constellation of complications including pelvic sepsis and reduced quality of life. EPS remains poorly defined and cannot be objectively measured. Pathophysiology of EPS is multifactorial, with increased pelvic dead space potentially important. This study aims to describe methodology to objectively measure volumetric changes relating to EPS.

Methods

The true pelvis is defined by the pelvic inlet and outlet. Within the true pelvis there is physiological pelvic dead space (PDS) between the peritoneal reflection and the inlet. This dead space is increased following PE and is defined as the exenteration pelvic dead space (EPD). EPD may be reduced with pelvic filling and the volume of filling is defined as the pelvic filling volume (PFV). PDS, EPD, and PFV were measured intraoperatively using a bladder syringe, and Archimedes’ water displacement principle.

Results

A patient undergoing total infralevator PE had a PDS of 50 ml. A rectus flap rendered the pelvic outlet watertight. EPD was then measured as 540 ml. Therefore there was a 10.8-fold increase in true pelvis dead space. An omentoplasty was placed into the EPD, displacing 130 ml; therefore, PFV as a percentage of EPD was 24.1%.

Conclusions

This is the first reported quantitative assessment of pathophysiological volumetric changes of pelvic dead space; these measurements may correlate to severity of EPS. PDS, EPD, and PFV should be amendable to assessment based on perioperative cross-sectional imaging, allowing for potential prediction of EPS-related outcomes.
The role of social network diversity in self-perceptions of aging in later life
Authors: Meyer-Wyk Frauke , Wurm Susanne
Published: June 2024

While the link between self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and healthy aging is well established, less is known about the association between social factors and SPA. The present study investigated whether higher social network diversity is associated with more positive and less negative SPA and whether this association is moderated by age. We examined cross-sectional data from the German Ageing Survey of 2008 (DEAS; N = 6205, 40–85 years, 49.5% female). Network diversity was assessed as the number of social roles in an individual’s network (such as spouse, friend and colleague). Three domains of SPA were measured using the Aging-Related Cognitions Scale (AgeCog): ongoing development (positive SPA), social losses (negative SPA) and physical losses (negative SPA). We conducted multiple linear regression models and tested for a moderator effect of age using an interaction term of age and network diversity. Results showed that at higher ages older adults with higher network diversity reported more positive SPA related to ongoing development and more negative SPA related to social losses than those with less diverse networks, indicating that age has a moderating effect. We found no association between network diversity and negative SPA related to physical losses and no indication that age was relevant to this relationship. The present study adds to evidence on the role of social networks in SPA. Our findings suggest that in certain SPA domains and depending on age, network diversity is related to both more positive and more negative SPA, which emphasizes the importance of considering domain-specific SPA.
Silent no more: a comprehensive review of artificial intelligence, deep learning, and machine learning in facilitating deaf and mute communication
Authors: ZainEldin Hanaa , Gamel Samah A. , Talaat Fatma M. , Aljohani Mansourah , Baghdadi Nadiah A. , Malki Amer , Badawy Mahmoud , Elhosseini Mostafa A.
Published: June 2024

People who often communicate via sign language are essential to our society and significantly contribute. They struggle with communication mostly because other people, who often do not understand sign language, cannot interact with them. It is necessary to develop a dependable system for automatic sign language recognition. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning (DL), and machine learning (ML) technologies that have been used to facilitate communication for individuals who are deaf and mute (D–M). This study explores various applications of these technologies, including sign language interpretation, speech recognition, and text-to-speech synthesis. By examining the current state of research and development in AI, ML, and DL for the D–M field, the survey sheds light on the potential and challenges faced in utilizing AI, deep learning, and ML to bridge the communication gap for the D–M community. The findings of this survey will contribute to a greater understanding of the potential impact of these technologies in improving access to communication for individuals who are D–M, thereby aiding in the development of more inclusive and accessible solutions.
A support system for the detection of abusive clauses in B2C contracts
Authors: Dadas Sławomir , Kozłowski Marek , Poświata Rafał , Perełkiewicz Michał , Białas Marcin , Grębowiec Małgorzata
Published: June 2024

Many countries employ systemic methods of protecting consumers from unfair business practices. One such practice is the use of abusive clauses in business-to-consumer (B2C) contracts, which unfairly impose additional obligations on the consumer or deprive them of their due rights. This article presents an information system that utilizes artificial intelligence methods to automate contract analysis and to detect abusive clauses. The goal of the system is to support the entire administrative process, from contract acquisition, through text extraction and the recommendation of potentially abusive clauses, to the generation of official administrative documents that can be sent to court or to the owners of firms. This article focuses on the components that use machine learning methods. The first is an intelligent crawler that is responsible for automatically detecting contract templates on websites and retrieving them into the system. The second is a document analysis module that implements a clause recommendation algorithm. The algorithm employs transformer-based language models and information retrieval methods to identify abusive passages in text. Our solution achieved first place in a competition on the automatic analysis of B2C contracts organized by the Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), and has since been implemented as an official tool to support the contract analysis process in Poland.
Non-native herpetofauna of Aruba island (Caribbean): patterns and insights
Authors: Busala Gianna M. , Helmus Matthew R. , Behm Jocelyn E.
Published: June 2024

Islands harbor a significant proportion of global biodiversity and also have disproportionately high richness of introduced species relative to continents. Given the sensitivity of island ecosystems to introduced species, data deficiencies on introduction pathways, patterns of establishment, and potential impacts of introduced species can hamper mitigation and conservation efforts on islands. The Caribbean region is emerging as a hotspot for introduced amphibian and reptile (herpetofaunal) species, but patterns associated with herpetofaunal introductions on specific islands are not well explored. Here, we perform a detailed investigation of Aruba, a small Caribbean island with an exceptionally high number of introduced herpetofaunal species. We compile a database from the literature of introduction pathways, introduction years, source locations, native ranges, establishment outcomes, habitat use, and ecological impacts for three newly documented species and the 12 previously documented introduced herpetofaunal species on Aruba. From this database we synthesize emergent introduction patterns on Aruba and highlight areas of data deficiency. Overall, the patterns on Aruba echo the patterns exhibited in the greater Caribbean region. Introduction rates on Aruba have been increasing exponentially, yet the introduction pathways and source locations of most species are unknown. Following introduction, most species successfully establish localized populations in anthropogenic habitat, but the ecological impacts of most species have not been well-assessed. We suggest increased monitoring of shipments will help identify potential pathways to slow the introduction of new species, and further studies of ecological impacts of introduced species are needed.
A Qualitative Phenomenological Philosophy Analysis of Affectivity and Temporality in Experiences of COVID-19 and Remaining Symptoms after COVID-19 in Sweden
Authors: Zeiler Kristin , Jämterud Sofia Morberg , Bredström Anna , Divanoglou Anestis , Levi Richard
Published: June 2024

This article explores affectivity, temporality, and their interrelation in patients who contracted COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden and with symptoms indicative of post-COVID-19 Condition (PCC) that remained one year after the infection. It offers a qualitative phenomenological philosophy analysis, showing how being ill with acute COVID-19 and with symptoms indicative of PCC can entail a radically altered self-world relation. We identify two examples of pre-intentional (existential) feelings: that of listlessness and that of not being able to sense what is real and not real, both of which, in different ways, imply a changed self-world relation. We offer an analysis of intentional feelings: how the fear of not “returning” to one’s previous self and the hope of such a return weave together the present and the absent, as well as the past and the future, in ways that make the future appear as constricted, disquieting, or lost. We argue that a phenomenological differentiation among experiences of living with symptoms indicative of PCC—through attention to the way intentional affectivity and pre-intentional affectivity help shape the embodied self’s attunement to the world—is apt to yield a better understanding of the variations within these experiences and contribute to clinical practice.
Gudermannian Neural Networks for Two-Point Nonlinear Singular Model Arising in the Thermal-Explosion Theory
Authors: Fatima Samara , Sabir Zulqurnain , Baleanu Dumitru , Alhazmi Sharifah E.
Published: June 2024

The goal of this research is to design the Gudermannian neural networks (GNNs) to solve a type of two-point nonlinear singular boundary value problems (TPN-SBVPs) that arise within thermal-explosion theory. The results of these investigation are provided for different neurons (4, 12 and 20), as well as absolute error along with the time complexity. For solving the TPN-SBVPs, a genetic algorithm (GA) and sequential quadratic programming (SQP) are used to optimize the error function. The accuracy of designed GNNs is provided by using a hybrid GA–SQP combination, which is based on a comparison of obtained and actual solutions. Furthermore, statistical analysis of the data is proposed in order to establish the competence as well as effectiveness of designed and the efficacy of the designed computing framework for solving the TPN-SBVPs.
“Education as the Art of Making Oneself at Home in the World with and Through Others”: The Call to Bildung in Meister Eckhart and the Film Of Gods and Men
Authors: Frimberger Katja
Published: June 2024

This paper explores the mystical structure of education as Bildung in medieval theologian and Dominican friar Meister Eckhart’s work and the 2010 French film Of Gods and Men (Des Hommes et Des Dieux). I start this paper with a short introductory sketch of the Bildung tradition, in order to situate my discussion of Eckhart within the more well-known humanist tradition. Here, I claim that Bildung (as we understand it today through the classic Bildung philosophers) points back to its theological heritage and horizon of meaning, when it is claimed as the general tekhnê (art, craft) of making oneself at home in the world with and through others. In my first step, I then explore the intellectual heritage of this mystical structure of Bildung. Drawing on a range of Meister Eckhart’s writings (esp. his German sermons), I elaborate three features pivotal to his concept of Bildung (as image-ing) of the imago Dei (image of God) in the human soul/action: (1) divine grace, (2) human cultivation and (3) the harmonisation of both in (what I shall call) ‘careful gestures'. In my concluding second step, I illustrate this mystical structure of Eckhartian Bildung—with a particular focus on the emergence of careful gestures—through the motion picture Des Hommes et Des Dieux.
Structured prior distributions for the covariance matrix in latent factor models
Authors: Heaps Sarah Elizabeth , Jermyn Ian Hyla
Published: June 2024

Factor models are widely used for dimension reduction in the analysis of multivariate data. This is achieved through decomposition of a $$p \times p$$

p
×
p

covariance matrix into the sum of two components. Through a latent factor representation, they can be interpreted as a diagonal matrix of idiosyncratic variances and a shared variation matrix, that is, the product of a $$p \times k$$

p
×
k

factor loadings matrix and its transpose. If $$k \ll p$$

k
≪
p

, this defines a parsimonious factorisation of the covariance matrix. Historically, little attention has been paid to incorporating prior information in Bayesian analyses using factor models where, at best, the prior for the factor loadings is order invariant. In this work, a class of structured priors is developed that can encode ideas of dependence structure about the shared variation matrix. The construction allows data-informed shrinkage towards sensible parametric structures while also facilitating inference over the number of factors. Using an unconstrained reparameterisation of stationary vector autoregressions, the methodology is extended to stationary dynamic factor models. For computational inference, parameter-expanded Markov chain Monte Carlo samplers are proposed, including an efficient adaptive Gibbs sampler. Two substantive applications showcase the scope of the methodology and its inferential benefits.
Salmón, Schiffer and Frege’s Constraint
Authors: Bonardi Paolo
Published: June 2024

In his (Philosophical Perspectives 1:455–480, 1987) and (Noûs, 40:361–368, 2006), Schiffer devised a puzzle about Salmón’s (in: Frege’s puzzle, MIT Press, 1986a) Millian-Russellian theory of belief reports, which Salmón resolved in his (Philosophical Perspectives 3:243–285, 1989) and (Noûs, 40:369–375, 2006). My paper has three objectives. First, I will argue that the strategy employed by Salmón (in: Noûs 40:369–375, 2006) to solve Schiffer’s puzzle and his argument for such a strategy are disputable. Second, I will raise a new puzzle, inspired by ideas from Saul (in: Analysis 57:102–108, 1997) and Braun and Saul (in: Philos Stud 111:1–41, 2002), which achieves similar results to Schiffer’s puzzle but to which Salmón’s overall strategy for resolving the latter does not apply. Third, I will contend that the import of both puzzles is neither what Salmón maintains nor the alleged inadequacy of the Millian-Russellian semantics of belief reports as Schiffer suggests, but is the failure of Frege’s Constraint—a constraint to which several conceptions of modes of presentation, including Salmón’s (in: Frege’s puzzle, MIT Press, 1986a) in terms of guises and Schiffer’s (in: The things we mean, Oxford University Press, 2003) in terms of unstructured and fine-grained concepts/propositions, are committed.
Oncologic control and predictors of urologic reconstruction after Mohs micrographic surgery for low-risk penile malignancy
Authors: Cortese Brian D. , Chelluri Raju , Skokan Alexander J. , Xia Leilei , Ostrowski David A. , Roberson Daniel S. , Schwartz Lauren , Lee Daniel J. , Lukowiak Tess M. , Guzzo Thomas J. , Malkowicz S. Bruce , Miller Christopher J. , Kovell R. Caleb
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a low-risk penile cancer management option. However, contemporary patients’ short-term oncologic control and preoperative characteristics predicting reconstruction needs are undefined. This study assesses MMS’s oncologic efficacy for low-risk penile cancer and identifies baseline predictors of post-resection reconstruction referral.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 73 adult males with 78 penile cutaneous malignancies treated with MMS from 2005 to 2019. Patients underwent MMS with or without surgical reconstruction. Demographic information, MMS operative details, lesion pathology, and short-term outcomes were recorded. Descriptive statistics for all variables were calculated, and logistic regression identified predictive factors for urologic referral for complex reconstruction.

Results

Seventy-three men with 78 lesions, all staged ≤ cT1a prior to MMS, were identified. Twenty-one men were found to have invasive SCC. Median follow-up was 2.0 years (IQR 0.8–5.2 years). MMS was able to clear the disease in 90.4% of cases. One patient had disease related death following progression. Dermatology closed primarily in 68% of patients. Twenty percent of patients had a complication, most commonly poor wound healing. On univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis, lesion size > 3 cm and involvement of the glans independently predicted the need for referral to a reconstructive surgeon.

Conclusions

MMS for penile cancer appears to provide sound oncologic control in the properly selected patient. Involvement of a reconstructive surgeon may be needed for glandular and large lesions, necessitating early referral to a comprehensive multidisciplinary care team.
Guideline for designing microbiome studies in neoplastic diseases
Authors: Mikó Edit , Sipos Adrienn , Tóth Emese , Lehoczki Andrea , Fekete Monika , Sebő Éva , Kardos Gábor , Bai Péter
Published: June 2024

Oncobiosis has emerged as a key contributor to the development, and modulator of the treatment efficacy of cancer. Hereby, we review the modalities through which the oncobiome can support the progression of tumors, and the emerging therapeutic opportunities they present. The review highlights the inherent challenges and limitations faced in sampling and accurately characterizing oncobiome. Additionally, the review underscores the critical need for the standardization of microbial analysis techniques and the consistent reporting of microbiome data. We provide a suggested metadata set that should accompany microbiome datasets from oncological settings so that studies remain comparable and decipherable.
Influence of Selenium Oxide on Structure and Properties of New Zinc Boroselenite Glasses
Authors: Elhelw Aya K. , Hassan Abdelmeguid K. , Mostafa Yosry M. , El-Damrawi Gomaa M.
Published: June 2024

The traditional melt quenching method was used to prepare new zinc boroselenite glasses in the system xSeO2·(50 − x)ZnO·50B2O3 with varying SeO2/ZnO molar ratio. X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) have revealed an amorphous structure in glasses of up to 40 mol pct SeO2. On the other hand, the presence of sharp diffraction peaks on the XRD spectra of samples containing 40 and 50 mol pct SeO2 confirms a formation of some polycrystalline phases distributed in the host glass network. Based on FTIR and NMR data, the glass structure at a short-range order exhibited a similar value of the fraction of tetrahedral boron (N4), particularly, for both samples of 0 and 5 mol pct SeO2. In this situation, SeO2 is as well as ZnO both played a modifier role. On the other hand, increasing SeO2 on expense of ZnO decreases the N4 fraction gradually. However, in SeO2-rich glass, most of boron atoms are mainly placed in three coordinated sites in BO3 units coordinated with SeO4 groups. Decreasing N4 fraction and increasing crystallization confirmed that SeO2 operates as a glass former and mainly as a crystalline agent. The results based on the TEM of the selected area of electron diffraction patterns (EDP) agree well with the ones obtained by XRD. The diffraction patterns clearly displayed two sets of diffraction rings: one is caused by boroselenite nanocrystals and the other by zinc selenite. In contrast, a broader halo of dispersed structure, known as an amorphous structure, is present in the diffraction pattern obtained from SeO2-free glass.
Long-Term Functional Outcome After Early vs. Late Stoma Closure in Rectal Cancer Surgery: Sub-analysis of the Multicenter FORCE Trial
Authors: Meyer V. M. , Bosch N. , van der Heijden J. A. G. , Kalkdijk-Dijkstra A. J. , Pierie J. P. E. N. , Beets G. L. , Broens P. M. A. , Klarenbeek B. R. , van Westreenen H. L.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of early stoma closure on bowel function after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer.

Methods

Patients participating in the FORCE trial who underwent LAR with protective stoma were included in this study. Patients were subdivided into an early closure group (< 3 months) and late closure group (> 3 months). Endpoints of this study were the Wexner Incontinence, low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), EORTC QLQ-CR29, and fecal incontinence quality of life (FIQL) scores at 1 year.

Results

Between 2017 and 2020, 38 patients had received a diverting stoma after LAR for rectal cancer and could be included. There was no significant difference in LARS (31 vs. 30, p = 0.63) and Wexner score (6.2 vs. 5.8, p = 0.77) between the early and late closure groups. Time to stoma closure in days was not a predictor for LARS (R2 = 0.001, F (1,36) = 0.049, p = 0.83) or Wexner score (R2 = 0.008, F (1,36) = 0.287, p = 0.60) after restored continuity. There was no significant difference between any of the FIQL domains of lifestyle, coping, depression, and embarrassment. In the EORTC QLQ-29, body image scored higher in the late closure group (21.3 vs. 1.6, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Timing of stoma closure does not appear to affect long-term bowel function and quality of life, except for body image. To improve functional outcome, attention should be focused on other contributing factors.
Preliminary developmental challenges of children at risk for specific learning disabilities: Insights from parents and teachers—a qualitative study
Authors: İzoğlu-Tok Aslı , Doğan Özcan
Published: June 2024

This study aims to uncover the preliminary developmental challenges experienced by children from infancy to their primary school years, who are subsequently diagnosed with specific learning disabilities during their primary education. The ultimate goal is to develop an item pool to identify early symptoms of specific learning disabilities. This qualitative descriptive design study employed semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, comprising both parents and teachers of 10 children aged 8–11. The interviews lasted between 45 and 60 min. To ensure the research's quality and reliability, we applied evaluation criteria and performed six-stage thematic analysis framework. The results indicate that children experienced developmental difficulties from infancy to preschool period that impacted their social-emotional development, language and communication, motor and self-care skills, as well as their perception, memory, attention, and self-regulation capabilities. These challenges were exacerbated during the school years by motivation-related issues. Parental observations primarily highlighted difficulties in language and communication, such as pronunciation, initiating conversations, and speech, during the first three years of life. Significant issues in social-emotional development included introversion, a need for physical contact, challenges in maintaining relationships, and adherence to rules. These challenges emerged during the first three years of children and progressively worsened across all developmental domains. This study contributes valuable insights into the literature by providing past observations from parents and teachers, thus enhancing understanding of the preliminary developmental challenges faced by children at risk of specific learning disabilities.
The roles of intolerance of uncertainty and mindfulness in psychological distress: a two-wave longitudinal study
Authors: Altan-Atalay Ayse , Abdulcebbar Amal , Kantarcı Laçin , Yılmaz Ertürk
Published: June 2024

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is a vulnerability factor that is believed to play a significant role in the development and maintenance of many affective disorders. Previous research indicated that the strength of the association between IU and psychological distress tend to change depending on certain trait characteristics. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine whether the interaction between IU and mindfulness will prospectively predict anxiety and depression measured five weeks later. The data were collected from 243 university students (129 female) between ages 18 and 29 at two different time points via questionnaires assessing intolerance of uncertainty, mindfulness, anxiety, and depression at time 1, followed by only measures of anxiety and depression at time 2. The results revealed that higher IU scores were associated with higher levels of depression for the participants who have low levels of mindfulness. A similar pattern was not observed for anxiety. The findings indicated that mindfulness prospectively predicts lower levels of depression only for the individuals who have lower levels of intolerance of uncertainty.
Gender and schooling in Australia
Authors: Gannon Susanne , Higham Leanne , Smith Erika K.
Published: June 2024

This special issue presents a collection of recent papers drawing on qualitative research in and about schooling in Australia and the ways in which gender-related issues in the broadest sense continue to shape people’s educational experiences. These papers from the present are positioned in relation to the long histories of policy and research attention to gender equity in Australian education. We set the context for work in the present by scanning the past, noting the ambitions, the gaps and the failures of earlier policies, and drawing attention to the quality and volume of research that has previously been undertaken in this area. We explore the current policy vacuum regarding gender to consider some of the pressures and complexities that have led to the erasure or avoidance of gender-related issues. Each of the papers that form this special issue demonstrate—despite different methods, theoretical frameworks, settings and participant cohorts—how stereotypes and limitations circulate in everyday life in schools and beyond them, and how these impact on people. They each explore from a different starting point how gender injustices are perpetuated and produced, in often subtle and nuanced ways that require concerted effort to unpack. They simultaneously offer insights into the critical and creative ways that young people and those around them are reconfiguring gender and seeking more hopeful and more equitable educational experiences and outcomes. Collectively, the papers that form this special issue advocate for policies and practices that embrace the complexities of young people's lives and are oriented towards inclusive and equitable educational environments.
More Than What You Eat: A Review on the Association Between Childhood Maltreatment and Elevated Adult BMI
Authors: Wallace Carmelle , Krugman Richard
Published: June 2024

Purpose of Review

Obesity is an overwhelmingly common medical entity seen in the adult population. A growing body of research demonstrates that there is a significant relationship between child maltreatment and adult obesity.

Recent Findings

Emerging research demonstrates a potential dose–response relationship between various types of child abuse and adulthood BMI. Recent work also explores the potential role of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and other hormonal mediators such as sex-hormone binding globulin and leptin. There are also studies that suggest factors such as depression and socioeconomic and environmental influences mediate this relationship. Comorbidities that have been reported include cardiovascular and metabolic disease, diabetes, and insulin resistance. Preliminary work also demonstrates potential gender and racial disparities in the effect of abuse on adulthood obesity.

In this narrative review, we summarize the existing work describing the different child maltreatment types (physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, and child neglect) and their relation to adult obesity, what is known about a potential dose-response relationship, potential mediators and pathophysiology, comorbidities, and preliminary work on gender and racial/ethnic disparities. We review the limited data on interventions that have been studied, and close with a discussion of implications and suggestions for clinicians who treat adult obesity, as well as potential future research directions.
Repurposing metformin as a potential anticancer agent using in silico technique
Authors: Mahfauz Mona , Yuruker Ozel , Kalkan Rasime
Published: June 2024

Background

The focus on repurposing readily available, well-known drugs for new, creative uses has grown recently. One such medication is metformin, a drug commonly used to manage diabetes, which shows a favorable correlation between its use and lower cancer morbidity and death. Numerous investigations and clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the possible application of metformin as an anticancer medication in light of this conclusion.

Objective

This study used 'pathway/gene-set analysis' Gene2drug, a resource for Gene Ontology (GO), and DepMap to determine whether metformin would be potentially advantageous for treating cancer.

Methods

A total of 1826 tumor cell lines were analyzed using the Drug Sensitivity (Primary Purposing Primary Screening) 19Q4 Tool.

Results

9 genes from 402 genes, SGPL1, CXCR6, ATXN2L, LAMP3, RTN3, BTN2A1, FOXM1, NQO1, and L1TD1 in 1826 cancer cell line showed statistical sensitivity to metformin.

Conclusion

This in-silico study showed the sensitivity of specific cancer cell lines to metformin. Therefore, holding promises for metformin and tumor-targeted treatment strategies. It is recommended, however, to conduct further research into its potential effectiveness and mechanism of action.

Graphical Abstract
Aktuelle Evidenz zu Umfang und gesundheitlichen Auswirkungen von arbeitsbezogenem sedentärem Verhalten
Authors: Engeroff Tobias , Giesche Florian , Fischer Martin , Groneberg David A.
Published: June 2024

Erkenntnisse zum Umfang und den Auswirkungen sedentären Verhaltens wurden initial aus Befragungen und Bettruhe-Experimenten abgeleitet. Um die Relevanz sedentären Verhaltens als arbeitsplatzbezogenen Risikofaktor zu bestätigen, sind jedoch objektiv und im Längsschnitt erhobene epidemiologische Daten sowie ein experimenteller Nachweis von Pathomechanismen notwendig. Die vorliegende narrative Übersichtsarbeit analysiert die Studienlage zur Epidemiologie sedentären Verhaltens und dem kausalen Zusammenhang mit Risikofaktoren und chronischen Erkrankungen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Einflusses sitzender Arbeitstätigkeiten. Basis hierfür ist eine Literaturrecherche in englisch- und deutschsprachigen Datenbanken (PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, Google Scholar). Bezüglich der Dauer sedentären Verhaltens während der Arbeitstätigkeit umspannen die Angaben aus englischsprachigen systematischen Übersichtsarbeiten und deutschsprachigen Beobachtungsstudien eine Dauer von 4–7 h täglich. Experimentelle Studien bestätigen akute positive Effekte der Unterbrechung sedentären Verhaltens auf ausgewählte metabolische Marker. Längsschnittuntersuchungen deuten auf einen Kausalzusammenhang zwischen sedentärem Verhalten und dem Auftreten und Schweregrad von internistischen Erkrankungen (Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen, Diabetes mellitus Typ 2, Krebserkrankungen) hin. Ein Nachweis der Pathomechanismen der langfristigen negativen Effekte sedentären Verhaltens steht weiterhin aus. Wenige Studien analysieren den gesundheitlichen Einfluss sedentärer Arbeitstätigkeit. Zusammenfassend kann ein Zusammenhang sedentären Verhaltens mit dem Risiko für ausgewählte chronische Erkrankungen vermutet werden. Eine objektive Erfassung des Umfangs sedentären Verhaltens in unterschiedlichen Berufsgruppen sowie eine längsschnittliche Analyse des Zusammenhangs mit relevanten gesundheitlichen Kenngrößen sollte Inhalt zukünftiger arbeitsmedizinischer Forschung sein.
Comparative analysis of course prerequisite networks for five Midwestern public institutions
Authors: Yang Bonan , Gharebhaygloo Mahdi , Rondi Hannah Rachel , Hortis Efrosini , Lostalo Emilia Zeledon , Huang Xiaolan , Ercal Gunes
Published: June 2024

We present the first formal network analysis of curricular networks for public institutions, focusing around five midwestern universities. As a first such study of public institutions, our analyses are primarily macroscopic in nature, observing patterns in the overall course prerequisite networks (CPNs) and Curriculum Graphs (CGs). An overarching objective is to better understand CPN variability and patterns across different institutions and how these patterns relate to curricular outcomes. In addition to computing well known network centrality measures to capture courses of importance in the CPNs studied, we have also formulated some newer methods with specific relevance to the curricular domains and corresponding graph types at hand. We have discovered that a new graph theoretic measure of node importance which we call reach, based on the well-known concept of reachability, is needed to more accurately express the critical nature of some introductory courses in a university. Another analytical novelty that we introduce and apply to the subject of CPNs is the Longest Paths Induced sub-Graph (LPIG) of the CPN, which yields information on relatively constrained programs and pathways. Finally, we have established a new connection between clustering of the CG and meta-majors at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), providing clusterings of the other public institution CGs as useful heuristics of major groupings as well. This work is borne from collaboration between academic units and academic advising with hopes of practical benefits towards aiding student advising.