bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Heterogeneity on Cancer: A Game Theory Perspective
Authors: Laruelle Annick , Rocha André , Manini Claudia , López José I. , Inarra Elena
Published: June 2023

In this study, we explore interactions between cancer cells by using the hawk–dove game. We analyze the heterogeneity of tumors by considering games with populations composed of 2 or 3 types of cell. We determine what strategies are evolutionarily stable in the 2-type and 3-type population games and what the corresponding expected payoffs are. Our results show that the payoff of the best-off cell in the 2-type population game is higher than that of the best-off cell in the 3-type population game. When these mathematical findings are transferred to the field of oncology they suggest that a tumor with low intratumor heterogeneity pursues a more aggressive course than one with high intratumor heterogeneity. Some histological and genomic data on clear cell renal cell carcinomas is consistent with these results. We underline the importance of identifying intratumor heterogeneity in routine practice and suggest that therapeutic strategies that preserve heterogeneity may be promising as they may slow down cancer growth.
Fungi associated with stem collar necroses of Fraxinus excelsior affected by ash dieback
Authors: Peters Sandra , Fuchs Sebastian , Bien Steffen , Bußkamp Johanna , Langer Gitta Jutta , Langer Ewald Johannes
Published: June 2023

In recent decades the vitality and physical stability of European ash trees in Germany have been reduced by European ash dieback, especially when associated with stem collar necroses and rots. This study was carried out to investigate the composition of the fungal communities associated with stem collar necroses. Filamentous fungi were isolated from 58 ash trees out of nine forest stands in northern, eastern, and central Germany. Obtained isolates were identified to a genus or species level by means of morphological and molecular analyses. In total 162 morphotypes including endophytic, saprotrophic, and pathogenic fungi were isolated. For 33 species found no prior reports from Fraxinus excelsior were recognised, including Cryptostroma corticale and Diplodia sapinea. None of the identified species were found at all studied sites, though Diplodia fraxini was the most common fungus with regard to frequency within all isolates, occurring at seven sample sites. This species is followed by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, Armillaria spp., Neonectria punicea, Diaporthe cf. eres, Fusarium cf. lateritium, and Paracucurbitaria sp. in order of frequency within all isolates. The aforementioned species are characterised and analysed in respect to their occurrence in stem collar necroses and at sample sites. The influence of site conditions on the fungal composition was described for five intensively sampled sites with a minimum of five studied trees (Schwansee, Rhüden, Berggießhübel, Satrup, and Schlangen). The sampling site of Schlangen was further subdivided into four subplots with different positions in the terrain. In the remaining four extensive sample sites, either one or two trees, respectively, were sampled and analysed (Oranienbaumer Heide, Woltershausen, Wolfenbüttel, and Neuhege). Over all sample sites, fungal communities of symptomatic stem tissue are similar concerning the most frequent fungi, but vary greatly according to singularly isolated fungi.
Promoting pre-service teachers’ professionalism in steam education and education for sustainable development through mathematical modelling activities
Authors: Wiegand Sabine , Borromeo Ferri Rita
Published: June 2023

To successfully solve the complex challenges facing us in the 21st century, people with expertise in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) fields and other fields are needed, especially for their interdisciplinary way of thinking and working. These competencies should be learned in school, which first implies teacher education to that effect. In this article, a detailed theoretical reflection on the connections or overlapping areas between STEAM education and the dimension of sustainability in a model-like way is presented. It is also argued that mathematical modelling can be a possible instrument for promoting pre-service teachers’ professionalism in STEAM education and education for sustainable development (ESD). Based on authors’ developed model of this theoretical framework, an ESD-modelling seminar was created for pre-service mathematics teachers in which they also worked on that ESD and STEAM-based modelling problems. In the written reflections on the seminar, which were used as the survey instrument within the conducted empirical study, the teachers presented their subjective views on the connection between modelling and ESD. Based on an evaluation of these written reports by type-forming qualitative content analysis, three teacher profiles for handling ESD within mathematical modelling were developed. These types of teachers illustrate a strong awareness of promoting STEAM and ESD through modelling activities in their upcoming teacher life.
Diagnostic challenges and forensic implications in a case of infantile fatal myocarditis
Authors: Grimaldi Federica , Bonasoni Maria Paola , Pelletti Guido , Gabrielli Liliana , Pelotti Susi
Published: June 2023

We present the case of a 23-month-old child who died less than 24 h after the onset of cardiac symptoms, despite being admitted to the hospital 72 h earlier. Autopsy revealed no significant macroscopic changes, and histologic examination revealed focal lymphocytic myocarditis with myocyte disruption, diffuse alveolar damage in the exudative phase, and generalized lymphocytic immune activation in other organs. Ante-mortem and post-mortem microbiological exams did not clearly prove a causative role of infectious agents. The peculiarity of this case was characterized by the contrast between the severe clinical features and the mild cardiac histological findings. This discrepancy, coupled with the suspicion of a viral causative role based on both ante-mortem and post-mortem microbiological examinations, presented significant challenges in reaching an etiological diagnosis. This case also confirms that the diagnosis of myocarditis in children cannot be made solely on the basis of histological cut-offs or microbiological results. Using abductive reasoning, various diagnostic hypotheses were formulated and evaluated to arrive at the final diagnosis of fatal myocarditis of viral or post-viral origin. Data from post-mortem examination are often the only source of information that is available to the experts, especially in cases of sudden infant death syndrome. In such cases, the forensic pathologists should accurately evaluate findings that may appear to indicate a different etiology, and, in the absence of clinical or radiological data, interpret post-mortem data in a logically correct manner. The autopsy is the first essential step to evaluate the cause of death and must be integrated with the results of ante- and post-mortem diagnostic tests in a holistic approach, which is crucial to allow forensic pathologists to provide an appropriate and relevant opinion.
Perioperative Blood Transfusions and Anastomotic Leak After Colorectal Surgery for Cancer in an Australian Hospital
Authors: Simpson Fraser Hugh , Kulendran Krish , Yerkovich Stephanie , Beatty Andrew , Flynn David , Mao Derek , Brooks Taylor , Wood Phoebe , Chandrasegaram Manju D.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Peri-operative blood transfusion has been identified as a risk factor for anastomotic leak in recent studies, but little is known about which patients are at risk for blood transfusion. This study aims to assess the relationship between blood transfusion and anastomotic leak and factors predisposing to leak in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia, between 2010 and 2019. A total of 522 patients underwent resection of colorectal cancer with primary anastomosis with no covering stoma and the prevalence of anastomotic leak was compared between those who had had perioperative blood transfusion(s) and those who had not.

Results

A total of 19 of 522 patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer had developed an anastomotic leak (3.64%). 11.3% of patients who had had a perioperative blood transfusion developed an anastomotic leak whereas 2.2% of patients who had not had a blood transfusion developed an anastomotic leak (p = 0.0002). Patients undergoing procedure on their right colon had proportionally more blood transfusions and this approached statistical significance (p = 0.06). Patients who received a greater quantity of units of blood transfusion prior to their diagnosis of anastomotic leak were more likely to develop an anastomotic leak (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Perioperative blood transfusions are associated with a significantly increased risk of an anastomotic leak following bowel resection with primary anastomosis for colorectal cancer.
Application of Lineage Tracing in Central Nervous System Development and Regeneration
Authors: Li Hao , Zhuang Yuan , Zhang Bin , Xu Xiaojian , Liu Baiyun
Published: June 2023

The central nervous system (CNS) is a complicated neural network. The origin and evolution of functional neurons and glia cells remain unclear, as do the cellular alterations that occur during the course of cerebral disease rehabilitation. Lineage tracing is a valuable method for tracing specific cells and achieving a better understanding of the CNS. Recently, various technological breakthroughs have been made in lineage tracing, such as the application of various combinations of fluorescent reporters and advances in barcode technology. The development of lineage tracing has given us a deeper understanding of the normal physiology of the CNS, especially the pathological processes. In this review, we summarize these advances of lineage tracing and their applications in CNS. We focus on the use of lineage tracing techniques to elucidate the process CNS development and especially the mechanism of injury repair. Deep understanding of the central nervous system will help us to use existing technologies to diagnose and treat diseases.
Exploring the persistence and transience of energy poverty: evidence from a Greek household survey
Authors: Halkos George , Kostakis Ioannis
Published: June 2023

The present study uses four rounds of household panel data to investigate consensual-based energy poverty in Greece. Employing dynamic Probit random effects and Wooldridge conditional maximum likelihood (WCML) estimators, we find evidence of genuine state dependence effects in consensual-based energy poverty among Greek households. Poverty persistence (10-12%) effects are also evident in our data. Socioeconomic, demographic, market, household, and climatic characteristics are essential predictors of energy poverty. Around 9–10% of the households seem chronically energy poor, while education, income level, dwelling characteristics, migration background, and employment status affect the chances of suffering and exiting from energy poverty. Empirical results have significant policy implications that could mitigate residential energy poverty.
Treatment Outcomes of Childhood Medulloblastoma with the SIOP/UKCCSG PNET-3 Protocol
Authors: Kartal İbrahim , Dağdemir Ayhan , Dinçer Oğuz Salih , Şimşek Hülya Kangal , Uygun Alper , Gürsel Şükriye Bilge
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To retrospectively compare the overall and event-free survival rates of patients with standard and high risk medulloblastoma who received postoperative radiotherapy (RT) followed by maintenance chemotherapy.

Methods

The study included 48 patients with medulloblastoma who were treated and followed-up between 2005 and 2021. Patients were classified according to the Chang classification because no molecular analysis was done. Immediately after surgery all patients received postoperative RT followed by eight cycles of chemotherapy (SIOP/UKCCSG PNET-3 protocol); if thrombocytopenia developed, carboplatin was replaced by cisplatin to avoid treatment delay. The clinical characteristics, risk categories and treatment outcomes of all patients were analyzed.

Results

The mean age of the 48 patients (26 males, 22 females) at diagnosis was 7.27±4.21 y. The median start time of RT after surgery was 37 (range 19–80) d. The median follow-up was 56 (3–216) mo. The 5-year event-free survival was 61.2±10% in the high-risk group and 82.5±11.5% in the standard-risk group. The 5-year overall survival was 73.2±7.1%; it was 61.2±10% and 92.9±6.9% for high- and standard-risk patients, respectively (p = 0.026).

Conclusions

The outcomes of patients who were started on the modified SIOP/UKCCSG PNET-3 chemotherapy protocol, in which RT was begun as soon as possible after surgery, were comparable to those of current treatment protocols. Although a definitive conclusion is difficult, given the limited number of patients in the present study, authors suggest that their treatment protocol is a viable option for centers with limited facilities (such as an inability to perform molecular analysis).
What Makes a Qualified Chef? Olfactory and Sociodemographic Predictors of Vocational Exam Results in Culinary School Students
Authors: Pieniak Michal , Rönsch Markus , Oleszkiewicz Anna , Abele Stephan , Hummel Thomas
Published: June 2023

Research has demonstrated links between sociodemographic background and educational achievements in vocational education and training. Student achievements may be additionally impacted by individual characteristics specifically relevant to the domain of the professional training. In the context of professional culinary education, student achievement may be related to their olfactory ability as the human sense of smell is involved in food perception and preparation. However, whether sociodemographic factors and olfactory ability predict educational achievements has not been directly compared in the context of culinary vocational education, which formed the aim of the current study. To identify the strength of these predictors, we measured participants’ odor detection threshold, discrimination and identification ability with the “Sniffin’ Sticks” test battery and assessed individual significance of olfaction via a self-report survey. In addition to olfactory measures, sociodemographic data (student and parental educational background, financial status) were also analyzed to determine if they predict theoretical and/or practical exam scores. The results demonstrated that a student’s educational background was a significant predictor of scores in the theoretical (but not practical) exam. Parental educational background, financial status, and olfactory ability did not predict exam scores.
Efficacy and safety of different PD-1 inhibitors in combination with lenvatinib in the treatment of unresectable primary liver cancer: a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Li Qi-mei , Sun Qing-can , Jian Yan , He Jing-zhe , Zhu Hong-bo , Hong Chang , Zeng Lin , Li Rui-ning , Wang Jia-ren , Li Yan , Chen Li-ya , Weng Xie , Liu Li , Dong Han-zhi , Xiao Lu-shan , Cui Hao
Published: June 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are safe and efficacious treatments for advanced primary liver cancer (PLC). The efficacy of different ICIs in the treatment of liver cancer remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore whether there is a difference in the efficacy and safety of various programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors in combination with lenvatinib in the treatment of unresectable PLC. Patients with PLC treated with lenvatinib in combination with PD-1 inhibitors (camrelizumab, tislelizumab, sintilimab, or pembrolizumab) between January 2018 and December 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. Tumor response, adverse events, and grades were evaluated. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank test were used to compare the overall survival and progression-free survival of patients treated with different PD-1 inhibitors. Cox regression analysis was used for univariate and multivariate analyses to identify clinical variables related to treatment efficacy. This study included a total of 176 patients who received a combination of lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitors. Of these, 103 patients received camrelizumab, 44 received tislelizumab, 20 received sintilimab, and 9 received pembrolizumab. There was no significant difference in the pairwise comparison of camrelizumab, tislelizumab, sintilimab, and pembrolizumab using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Adverse events occurred in 40 (22.7%) patients (grade ≥ 3, 2.3%). The incidence of grade 3 adverse events among the four PD-1 inhibitor groups was below 5%. Camrelizumab, tislelizumab, sintilimab, and pembrolizumab are viable options for patients with unresectable PLC. These PD-1 inhibitors in combination with lenvatinib showed good safety profiles. The results guide selecting treatment for patients with unresectable PLC.
Development of an Extracellular Matrix Plate for Drug Screening Using Patient-Derived Tumor Organoids
Authors: Jung Yong Hun , Park Kyungwon , Kim Minseop , Oh Hyunjik , Choi Dong-Hee , Ahn Jinchul , Lee Sat-byol , Na Kyuhwan , Min Byung Soh , Kim Jin-A. , Chung Seok
Published: June 2023

With the advances in organoid culture, patient-derived organoids are utilized in diverse fields to broaden our understanding of conventional 2-dimensional (2D) culture methods and animal models. Patient-derived organoids have found new applications, such as screening for patient-matching drugs, immune checkpoint drugs, and mutation-target drugs, in the field of drug screening. However, conventional dome-shaped Matrigel drop-based screening methods using 24-, 48-, and 96-well plates are not effective for carrying out large-scale drug screening using organoids. Here, we present a newly developed 96-well plate-based method for the effective screening of patient-derived tumor organoids embedded in Matrigel. The new screening plate has a central hole with a diameter of 3 or 5 mm to provide a definite space for placing Matrigel in a cylindrical shape. Compared to the conventional dome-shaped Matrigel where the Matrigel drop is located arbitrarily, a cylinder-shaped Matrigel position in confined central wells allowed for faster and cost-effective tumor organoid screening. Importantly, the cylinder-shaped Matrigel ensures better consistency in high-throughput image-based analysis, which is used worldwide. Our results demonstrate the possibility of replacing the conventional 24-, 48-, and 96-well plates with the newly developed plates for effective tumor organoid screening.
Three new pathogenicity genes in Leptosphaeria maculans identified by Agrobacterium-mediated insertional mutagenesis
Authors: Urquhart Andrew S. , Idnurm Alexander
Published: June 2023

Leptosphaeria maculans causes blackleg disease of Brassica napus, but the genetic basis for how this filamentous fungus damages canola plants is not well understood. Here, non-pathogenic mutants were identified from an Agrobacterium-mediated insertional mutagenic screen, and three of the mutants were complemented to indicate their involvement in pathogenicity. The genes encode a putative flavoprotein, a HEAT repeat-containing protein and a homolog of the Spt8 component of the Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex. The little commonality between known pathogenicity genes of this species suggests that the quest for understanding how L. maculans causes disease from a gene perspective is still at an early stage.
Fairness and Risk: An Ethical Argument for a Group Fairness Definition Insurers Can Use
Authors: Baumann Joachim , Loi Michele
Published: June 2023

Algorithmic predictions are promising for insurance companies to develop personalized risk models for determining premiums. In this context, issues of fairness, discrimination, and social injustice might arise: Algorithms for estimating the risk based on personal data may be biased towards specific social groups, leading to systematic disadvantages for those groups. Personalized premiums may thus lead to discrimination and social injustice. It is well known from many application fields that such biases occur frequently and naturally when prediction models are applied to people unless special efforts are made to avoid them. Insurance is no exception. In this paper, we provide a thorough analysis of algorithmic fairness in the case of insurance premiums. We ask what “fairness” might mean in this context and how the fairness of a premium system can be measured. For this, we apply the established fairness frameworks of the fair machine learning literature to the case of insurance premiums and show which of the existing fairness criteria can be applied to assess the fairness of insurance premiums. We argue that two of the often-discussed group fairness criteria, independence (also called statistical parity or demographic parity) and separation (also known as equalized odds), are not normatively appropriate for insurance premiums. Instead, we propose the sufficiency criterion (also known as well-calibration) as a morally defensible alternative that allows us to test for systematic biases in premiums towards certain groups based on the risk they bring to the pool. In addition, we clarify the connection between group fairness and different degrees of personalization. Our findings enable insurers to assess the fairness properties of their risk models, helping them avoid reputation damage resulting from potentially unfair and discriminatory premium systems.
Zingiber officinale powder as a biosorbent for adsorption of acid violet 90 from aqueous solutions
Authors: Hashem A. , Dubey S. , Sharma Y. C. , Farag S. , Aly A. A.
Published: June 2023

The potential of Zingiber officinale powder was explored as a biosorbent for the uptake of Acid Violet 90 dye from the aqueous solutions. The biosorbent was characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and Zeta potential techniques. The impact of various experimental parameters such as pH, dye concentration, adsorbent dose, contact time, and temperature on the adsorption capacity of biosorbent was investigated using batch adsorption. The Zingiber officinale powder showed a dye adsorption efficiency of 342.68 mg/g. The optimum adsorption was achieved at pH 2, adsorbent dose of 0.2 g/L, contact time of 10 min, and 40 mg/L dye concentration at a temperature of 30 °C. The experimental isotherm data was analyzed by two-parameter and three-parameter models and best explained by the Freundlich model. The pseudo-second-order model elucidated the kinetic behavior of the uptake with pore-diffusion as the rate-determining step. The thermodynamic study suggested the uptake of dye was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic in nature. The results revealed that the Zingiber officinale powder has the potential to be used as an adsorbent for the treatment of water.
Advanced age is an independent prognostic factor of disease progression in high-risk prostate cancer: results in 180 patients treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection in a tertiary referral center
Authors: Porcaro Antonio Benito , Bianchi Alberto , Gallina Sebastian , Panunzio Andrea , Serafin Emanuele , Mazzucato Giovanni , Orlando Rossella , Montanaro Francesca , Patuzzo Giulia Marafioti , Baielli Alberto , Artoni Francesco , Ditonno Francesco , Vidiri Stefano , D’Aietti Damiano , Migliorini Filippo , Rizzetto Riccardo , Veccia Alessandro , Gozzo Alessandra , Brunelli Matteo , Tafuri Alessandro , Cerruto Maria Angela , Antonelli Alessandro
Published: June 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to assess more clinical and pathological factors associated with prostate cancer (PCa) progression in high-risk PCa patients treated primarily with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) in a tertiary referral center.

Materials and methods

In a period ranging from January 2013 to October 2020, RARP and ePLND were performed on 180 high-risk patients at Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona (Italy). PCa progression was defined as biochemical recurrence/persistence and/or local recurrence and/or distant metastases. Statistical methods evaluated study endpoints, including Cox’s proportional hazards, Kaplan-Meyer survival curves, and binomial logistic regression models.

Results

The median age of included patients was 66.5 [62–71] years. Disease progression occurred in 55 patients (30.6%), who were more likely to have advanced age, palpable tumors, and unfavorable pathologic features, including high tumor grade, stage, and pelvic lymph node invasion (PLNI). On multivariate analysis, PCa progression was predicted by advanced age (≥ 70 years) (HR = 2.183; 95% CI = 1.089–4377, p = 0.028), palpable tumors (HR = 3.113; 95% CI = 1.499–6.465), p = 0.002), and PLNI (HR = 2.945; 95% CI = 1.441–6.018, p = 0.003), which were associated with clinical standard factors defining high-risk PCa. Age had a negative prognostic impact on elderly patients, who were less likely to have palpable tumors but more likely to have high-grade tumors.

Conclusions

High-risk PCa progression was independently predicted by advanced age, palpable tumors, and PLNI, which is associated with standard clinical prognostic factors. Consequently, with increasing age, the prognosis is worse in elderly patients, who represent an unfavorable age group that needs extensive counseling for appropriate and personalized management decisions.
Hierarchical Interconnected NiMoN with Large Specific Surface Area and High Mechanical Strength for Efficient and Stable Alkaline Water/Seawater Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Ning Minghui , Wang Yu , Wu Libo , Yang Lun , Chen Zhaoyang , Song Shaowei , Yao Yan , Bao Jiming , Chen Shuo , Ren Zhifeng
Published: June 2023

NiMo-based nanostructures are among the most active hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts under an alkaline environment due to their strong water dissociation ability. However, these nanostructures are vulnerable to the destructive effects of H2 production, especially at industry-standard current densities. Therefore, developing a strategy to improve their mechanical strength while maintaining or even further increasing the activity of these nanocatalysts is of great interest to both the research and industrial communities. Here, a hierarchical interconnected NiMoN (HW-NiMoN-2h) with a nanorod-nanowire morphology was synthesized based on a rational combination of hydrothermal and water bath processes. HW-NiMoN-2h is found to exhibit excellent HER activity due to the accomodation of abundant active sites on its hierarchical morphology, in which nanowires connect free-standing nanorods, concurrently strengthening its structural stability to withstand H2 production at 1 A cm−2. Seawater is an attractive feedstock for water electrolysis since H2 generation and water desalination can be addressed simultaneously in a single process. The HER performance of HW-NiMoN-2h in alkaline seawater suggests that the presence of Na+ ions interferes with the reation kinetics, thus lowering its activity slightly. However, benefiting from its hierarchical and interconnected characteristics, HW-NiMoN-2h is found to deliver outstanding HER activity of 1 A cm−2 at 130 mV overpotential and to exhibit excellent stability at 1 A cm−2 over 70 h in 1 M KOH seawater.
A decomposition theorem for finite-dimensional Jordan superalgebras whose simple part is $$\mathfrak {K}\textrm{an}(2)$$
Authors: González F. A. Gómez , Bermúdez J. A. Ramírez
Published: June 2023

We consider a finite-dimensional Jordan superalgebra $$\mathcal {A}$$
A
over a field of characteristic zero $$\mathbb {F}$$
F
such that $$\mathcal {N}$$
N
is the solvable radical of $$\mathcal {A}$$
A
. We proved that if $$\mathcal {N}\,^2=0$$

N

2

=
0

and $$\mathcal {A}/\mathcal {N}$$

A
/
N

is isomorphic to simple Jordan superalgebra of Grassmann Poisson bracket $$\mathfrak {K}\textrm{an}(2)$$

K
an
(
2
)

, then an analogous to Wedderburn Principal Theorem (WPT) holds.
Phylogenomic resolution of Imparidentia (Mollusca: Bivalvia) diversification through mitochondrial genomes
Authors: Wang Yu , Yang Yi , Kong Lingfeng , Sasaki Takenori , Li Qi
Published: June 2023

Despite significant advances in the phylogenomics of bivalves over the past decade, the higher-level phylogeny of Imparidentia (a superorder of Heterodonta) remains elusive. Here, a total of five new mitochondrial sequences (Chama asperella, Chama limbula, Chama dunkeri, Barnea manilensis and Ctena divergens) was added to provide resolution in nodes that required additional study. Although the monophyly of Lucinida remains less clear, the results revealed the overall backbone of the Imparidentia tree and the monophyly of Imparidentia. Likewise, most relationships among the five major Imparidentia lineages—Lucinida, Cardiida, Adapedonta, Myida and Venerida—were addressed with a well-supported topology. Basal relationships of Imparidentia recovered Lucinidae as the sister group to all remaining imparidentian taxa. Thyasiridae is a sister group to other imparidentian bivalves (except Lucinidae species) which is split into Cardiida, Adapedonta and the divergent clade of Neoheterodontei. Neoheterodontei was comprised of Venerida and Myida, the former of which now also contains Chamidae as the sister group to all the remaining venerid taxa. Moreover, molecular divergence times were inferred by calibrating nine nodes in the Imparidentia tree of life by extinct taxa. The origin of these major clades ranged from Ordovician to Permian with the diversification through the Palaeozoic to Mesozoic. Overall, the results obtained in this study demonstrate a better-resolved Imparidentia phylogeny based on mitochondrial genomes.
Fostering social cohesion at the neighbourhood scale: the role of two Social Streets in Ferrara and Verona
Authors: Ganugi Giulia , Prandini Riccardo
Published: June 2023

Social cohesion is often regarded as a remedy for many societal problems, among which the increasing isolation and the crisis of public space in urban contexts. Focusing on the Social Street phenomenon as an alternative urbanity, this paper reflects on social cohesion at the neighbourhood scale, by analysing its cultural and political perspectives and taking into consideration the role of individuals, communities and institutions in fostering it. Participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups are applied to two cases of Social Street. Besides highlighting the enabling conditions for social cohesion, the results show the intertwining between the individual, community and institutional levels. These links are defined as reflexive interfaces, which are organized moments and places where different actors can meet, dialogue and negotiate, accepting the other participants’ interests, values and aims.
Carbonizing hollow metal–organic framework/layered double hydroxide (MOF/LDH) nanocomposite with excellent adsorption capacity for removal of Pb(II) and organic dyes from wastewater
Authors: Cai Haishuang , Ma Kaiming , Zhang Ye , Li Xiang , Wang Wentao , Tong Shanshan
Published: June 2023

A novel sorbent ZIF-67/LDH@C was synthesised using mild etching and co-precipitation and carbonization calcination for the elimination of lead ions (Pb2+), malachite green (MG), and congo red (CR) from water. The three-dimensional hollow MOF structure and two-dimensional LDH nanosized layers of ZIF-67/LDH@C were demonstrated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption/desorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization. The maximal adsorption capability of Pb2+, MG, and CR could reach 662.25, 1729.83 and 526.32 mg∙g−1, respectively. The kinetic study proved that the adsorption was chemisorption or strong complexation and the rate-limiting step was intraparticle diffusion. The isotherms effectively indicated the monomolecular-type adsorption. Thermodynamic studies showed the spontaneous and endothermic nature of Pb2+, MG and CR adsorption onto ZIF-67/LDH@C. The adsorption mechanisms of ZIF-67/LDH@C may be attributed to electrostatic attraction, π-π interaction, hydrogen-bonding interaction, and surface complexation between ZIF-67/LDH@C and pollutants. Furthermore, favourable stability and negligible interference from other metal ions could promote the viability of the practical application of ZIF-67/LDH@C in wastewater purification.

Graphical Abstract
Attitudes of Islamic Clerics to Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine in Iraqi Kurdistan: A Focus Group Study
Authors: Abdulah Deldar Morad , Ahmed Hamdia Mirkhan
Published: June 2023

Objectives:

Religious beliefs may play a role in the rejection and acceptance of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines. We aimed to explore attitudes of Islamic clerics toward receiving the COVID-19 vaccines in a semi-structured qualitative focus group study.

Methods:

The clerics of members of the Union of Muslim Scholars of the Erbil branch were included through their representative in Iraqi Kurdistan in 2021.

Results:

This study found that both acceptance and non-acceptance focus groups approved of the existence and importance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The acceptance group intended to receive COVID-19 to protect themselves and tried to convince people to receive the vaccine. However, the non-acceptance focus group did not believe in the COVID-19 vaccine due to different reasons: (1) COVID-19 vaccines have been commercialized and politicized by the governments; (2) the government makes limitations for the people due to COVID-19; (3) making fake vaccine cards; and (4) several serious side effects of COVID-19 (death, etc.) and not receiving by health care workers. The acceptance group reported that some rumors are spread in our community and impact the public to not receive COVID-19 vaccines.

Conclusions:

This study showed that some Islamic clerics have serious concerns about the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines.
Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway in breast cancer cells and its effect on reversing tumour drug resistance by alkaloids extracted from traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Wu Xin-Lei , Lin Shen-Guo , Mao Yi-Wen , Wu Jun-Xian , Hu Chen-Da , Lv Rui , Zeng Hong-Dou , Zhang Ming-Hao , Lin Li-Zi , Ouyang Shan-Shan , Zhao Ya-Xin
Published: June 2023

Breast cancer is a high-risk disease with a high mortality rate among women. Chemotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of breast cancer. However, chemotherapy eventually results in tumours that are resistant to drugs. In recent years, many studies have revealed that the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling is crucial for the emergence and growth of breast tumours as well as the development of drug resistance. Additionally, drugs that target this pathway can reverse drug resistance in breast cancer therapy. Traditional Chinese medicine has the properties of multi-target and tenderness. Therefore, integrating traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine into chemotherapy provides a new strategy for reversing the drug resistance of breast tumours. This paper mainly reviews the possible mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin in promoting the process of breast tumour drug resistance, and the progress of alkaloids extracted from traditional Chinese medicine in the targeting of this pathway in order to reverse the drug resistance of breast cancer.
A note on preimage entropy
Authors: WANG TAO
Published: June 2023

Cheng and Newhouse (Ergod. Th. & Dynam. Sys.25 (2005), 1091–1113) proved a variational principle for topological preimage entropy
$h_{\mathrm {pre}}(f)$
:
$$ \begin{align*} h_{\mathrm{pre}}(f)=\sup_{\mu\in\mathcal{M}(X,f)}h_{\mathrm{pre},\mu}(f). \end{align*} $$

Unfortunately, we show in this note that this variational principle is not true.
The impact of autocancellation of uncollected Clostridioides difficile specimens after 24 hours on reported healthcare-associated infections: A quality improvement intervention
Authors: Berg Madeline L. , Baxter Carla , Ayres Ashley M. , Chung Ashley , Slaughter Julie , Bilderback Andrew , Feterik Kristian , Ambrosino Richard , Wagester Suzanne , Snyder Graham M.
Published: June 2023

Objective:

To assess the impact of a 24-hour autocancellation of uncollected Clostridioides difficile samples in reducing reported healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Design:

Quality-improvement, before-and-after implementation study.

Setting:

The study was conducted in 17 hospitals in Pennsylvania.

Interventions:

Clostridioides difficile tests that are not collected within 24 hours are automatically canceled (“autocancel”) through the electronic health record. The intervention took place at 2 facilities (intervention period November 2021–July 2022) and subsequently at 15 additional facilities (April 2022–July 2022). Quality measures included percentage of orders canceled, C. difficile HAI rate, percent positivity of completed tests, and potential adverse outcomes of canceled or delayed testing.

Results:

Of 6,101 orders, 1,090 (17.9%) were automatically canceled after not being collected for 24 hours during the intervention periods. The reported C. difficile HAI rates per 10,000 patient days did not significantly change. These rates were 8.07 in the 6-month preintervention period and 8.77 in the intervention period for facilities A and B combined (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.09; 95% CI, 0.88–1.34; P = .43), and were 5.23 HAIs per 10,000 patient days in the 6-month preintervention period and 5.33 in the intervention period for facilities C–Q combined (IRR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.79–1.32; P = .87). From the preintervention to the intervention periods, the percent positivity rates of completed C. difficile tests increased by 1.1% for facilities A and B and by 1.4% for facilities C–Q. No adverse outcomes were observed.

Conclusions:

The 24-hour autocancellation of uncollected C. difficile orders reduced testing but did not result in reported HAI reduction.
Monotonicity of implied volatility for perpetual put options
Authors: Ekström Erik , Mellquist Ebba
Published: June 2023

We define and study properties of implied volatility for American perpetual put options. In particular, we show that if the market prices are derived from a local volatility model with a monotone volatility function, then the corresponding implied volatility is also monotone as a function of the strike price.
CURRENT AND POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF 3D PRINTING IN A GENERAL HOSPITAL
Authors: Eddous Sayfeddine , Lamé Guillaume , Decante Benoît , Yannou Bernard , Agathon Antoine , Aubrège Laure , Talon Valérie , Dacosta-Noble Éléonore
Published: June 2023

3D printing is widely touted as a game changer in medicine and surgery, paving the way for point-of-care production of personalised medical devices. Nonetheless, to date, most reported applications of 3D printing in healthcare are restricted to specific scenarios in a few surgical disciplines, and little research exists on how 3D printing can be deployed more systematically beyond pioneer surgical departments. To understand the potential for 3D printing at a hospital level, we report the results of an interview study in a French general hospital. We analyse the current use of 3D printing and estimate the potential for new applications. We explore what share of these applications could be internalised, and what would be the organisational implications and the key success factors for an internal 3D printing unit. We find a large untapped potential for internal production of 3D printed products, spanning a much broader range of applications and hospital departments than what currently exists in the hospital. We then discuss important criteria to develop in-house 3D printing.
DERIVE AND INTEGRATE SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA IN DESIGN SPACE EXPLORATION OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURED COMPONENTS
Authors: Mallalieu Adam , Martinsson Bonde Julian , Watz Matilda , Wallin Nylander Johanna , Hallstedt Sophie I. , Isaksson Ola
Published: June 2023

Additive manufacturing has the potential to decrease the climate impact of aviation by providing more light-weight designs. Sustainability is however required to be assessed from a systemic view, including all lifecycle phases, and from a social, ecologic, and economic dimension. This is however challenging in early phase design, where also a large design space need to be explored. A case study is carried out with an aerospace company where two candidate engineering design tools are combined to address this. The integration of these two engineering tools are applied on a Turbine Rear Structure, and shows promising results in enabling a systemic view of sustainability to be integrated and assessed in early phase design space explorations of additive manufactured components. It is recommended that the integration between the two tools is further established and validated.
DEVOPS FOR MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS: SPEEDING UP SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Blüher Till , Maelzer Daniel , Harrendorf Jessica , Stark Rainer
Published: June 2023

The increasing importance of software as an essential functional provider in products and processes requires that companies master the development capabilities to continiously and quickly deliver high-quality software features. DevOps (acronym for Development and Operations) is an essential approach to these capabilities, which has so far been used predominantly in software-driven companies. This paper investigates the conditions under which DevOps can also be used in the industrial context of series manufacturing in order to be able to steadily develop and provide software features used in these environments (e.g. for monitoring and maintenance of manufacturing machines). A concept for DevOps for manufacturing systems was developed based on current best practices and the specific situation in the industrial company. The concept was then implemented and validated with experts on the basis of initial development cycles, demonstrating the usefulness of DevOps for manufacturing systems.
DIFFERENCES IN ANALOGICAL SOURCE SELECTIONS BETWEEN DESIGNERS AND NON-DESIGNERS DURING THE COLLABORATIVE ANALOGICAL DESIGN PROCESS
Authors: Lu Han , Sun Gang , Xu Jingyu , Su Pujie , Tang Xingyue , Zhang Yajing
Published: June 2023

The selection of an analogical source is a critical step in the design-by-analogy process. Previous researchers have explored the reasons and preferences of individual designers or design teams in selecting analogical sources. Non-designers, who instead have more knowledge of other fields, may offer new possibilities for retrieving novel analogical sources. This study focuses on differences in the selection of analogical sources between collaborative design teams composed of designers and nondesigners. There are indeed significant differences in the selection of the source type, the reasons for selecting the source, the level of abstraction in inspiration stimuli, and the novelty of design ideas between designers and non-designers. This work may provide theoretical guidance for the development of collaborative design tools and methods for teams composed of designers and non-designers with different knowledge bases.
EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF GENERATIVE STIMULI ON THE CREATIVITY OF DESIGNERS IN COMBINATIONAL DESIGN
Authors: Wang Da , Han Ji
Published: June 2023

The ideation process has a significant impact on the initial concept generation and final product creativity of the design. Visual stimuli play an important role in the process of innovative product design. With the increase in computing capability, generative design methods are widely implemented. In this paper, features of design targets and combinational objects in 2 combinational design tasks are fused using adversarial neural generative networks to form the generated stimuli. It is also used with combinational object pictures to investigate the impact on creativity in design ideation. The study invited designers to use and subjectively self-evaluate the two stimuli in a design task. Through analysis of participant data (n=20), the results showed that the generative stimuli had an advantage over the combinational image stimuli in terms of the smoothness of creativity in the design ideation of outcomes. And there is a positive correlation between designers' years of design education and their tendency to prefer generative stimuli. Based on the results obtained, ideas are provided for the study of the influence of visual and generative stimuli on the designer's ideation process.
EXPLORING THE ROLE OF TEXT-TO-IMAGE AI IN CONCEPT GENERATION
Authors: Brisco Ross , Hay Laura , Dhami Sam
Published: June 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) capable of generating images from a text prompt are becoming increasingly prevalent in society and design. The general public can use their computers and mobile devices to ask a complex text-to-image AI to create an image which is in some cases indistinguishable from that which a human could create using a computer graphics package. These images are shared on social media and have been used in the creation of art projects, documents and publications. This exploratory study aimed to identify if modern text-to-image AI (Midjourney, DALL-E 2, and Disco Diffusion) could be used to replace the designer in the concept generation stage of the design process. Teams of design students were asked to evaluate AI generated concepts from 15 to a final concept. The outcomes of this research are a first of its kind for the field of engineering design, in the identification of barriers in the use of current text-to-image AI for the purpose of engineering design. The discussion suggests how this can be overcome in the short term and what knowledge the research community needs to build to overcome these barriers in the long term.
FILE FORMAT SELECTION FOR EFFICIENT DIGITAL PROCESS CHAINS IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
Authors: Krueckemeier Slim , Anderl Reiner , Schleich Benjamin
Published: June 2023

Selecting a suitable file format for data exchange in additive manufacturing is fundamental when designing these digital process chains. Within the scope of this investigation, alternatives to the de-facto industry standard STL are to be found to overcome the disadvantages of the STL-based digital process chain.

Therefore, suitable file formats are identified by conducting literature and market research and evaluated regarding their suitability to support a continuous digital process chain. In addition, typical use cases in additive manufacturing are defined, and their requirements for a file format for data exchange are derived. Finally, for each use case defined, recommended and suitable file formats are proposed.
INFORMATION FLOW ANALYSIS ENABLING THE INTRODUCTION OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING FOR PRODUCTION TOOLS-INSIGHTS FROM AN INDUSTRIAL CASE
Authors: Hajali Tina , Mallalieu Adam , Brahma Arindam , Panarotto Massimo , Isaksson Ola , Stålberg Lina , Malmqvist Johan
Published: June 2023

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has traditionally been used for prototyping of products, however, in the last few decades, it has seen a rising growth in the manufacture of final products. The addition of AM as a manufacturing method in the portfolio of a company's production capabilities increases the complexity of decision-making. This is because the decisions are often not based on the same criteria and constraints, as related to conventional manufacturing processes. In this paper, we investigate this challenge by studying how AM affects the current workflow and the associated information flow for a design-make process in a Swedish manufacturer before and after the integration of AM. In this paper, it is argued that apart from an understanding of how to design for AM, it is equally important to consider how introducing AM alters the existing information flow and how to benefit from information available in various design-make process steps to facilitate decision making process. The result clarifies that the current process relies largely on tacit and experiences-based knowledge, whereas to take advantage of AM, more precision is required to capture and process the available information.