bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embedding Nano‐Piezoelectrics into Heterointerfaces of S‐Scheme Heterojunctions for Boosting Photocatalysis and Piezophotocatalysis
Authors: Wang Shihong , Li Zengrong , Yang Guodong , Xu Yanbo , Zheng Yiyi , Zhong Shuxian , Zhao Yuling , Bai Song
Published: June 2023

Step‐scheme (S‐scheme) heterojunctions have exhibited great potential in photocatalysis due to their extraordinary light harvesting and high redox capacities. However, inadequate S‐scheme recombination of useless carriers in weak redox abilities increases the probability of their recombination with useful ones in strong redox capabilities. Herein, a versatile protocol is demonstrated to overcome this impediment based on the insertion of nano‐piezoelectrics into the heterointerfaces of S‐scheme heterojunctions. Under light excitation, the piezoelectric inserter promotes interfacial charge transfer and produces additional photocarriers to recombine with useless electrons and holes, ensuring a more thorough separation of powerful ones for CO2 reduction and H2O oxidation. When introducing extra ultrasonic vibration, a piezoelectric polarization field is established, which allows efficient separation of charges generated by the embedded piezoelectrics and expedites their recombination with weak carriers, further increasing the number of strong ones participating in the redox reactions. Encouraged by the greatly improved charge utilization, significantly enhanced photocatalytic and piezophotocatalytic activities in CH4, CO, and O2 production are achieved by the designed stacked catalyst. This work highlights the importance in strengthening the necessary charge recombination in S‐scheme heterojunctions and presents an efficient and novel strategy to synergize photocatalysis and piezocatalysis for renewable fuels and value‐added chemicals production.
Carboxylated Poly (p‐Phenylene Terephthalamide) Reinforced Polyetherimide for High‐Temperature Dielectric Energy Storage
Authors: Yan Jingjing , Wang Huan , Zeng Junyang , Zhang Xin , Nan Ce‐Wen , Zhang Shujun
Published: June 2023

Dielectric energy storage polymers play a vital role in advanced electronics and electrical systems, due to their high breakdown strength, excellent reliability, and easy fabrication. However, the low dielectric constant and poor thermal resistance of dielectric polymers limit their energy storage density and working temperatures, making them less versatile for broader applications. In this work, a novel carboxylated poly (p‐phenylene terephthalamide) (c‐PPTA) is synthesized and employed to simultaneously enhance the dielectric constant and thermal resistance of polyetherimide (PEI), leading to a discharged energy density of 6.4 J cm−3 at 150 °C. The introduction of c‐PPTA molecules effectively reduces the ΠΠ stacking effect and increases the average chain spacing between polymer molecules, which is conducive to improving the dielectric constant. Additionally, c‐PPTA molecules with stronger positive charges and high dipole moments can capture electrons, resulting in reduced conduction loss and enhanced breakdown strength at high temperatures. The coiled capacitor fabricated with the PEI/c‐PPTA film exhibits superior capacitance performances and higher working temperatures compared to commercial metalized PP capacitors, demonstrating great potential for dielectric polymers in high‐temperature electronic and electrical energy storage systems.
Rock Mechanics in Hydraulic Fracturing Operations
Authors: Zhao Yu , Zhang Yongfa , He Pengfei
Published: June 2023

Rock, fracture and fluid mechanics are crucial elements in understanding and engineering design of hydraulic fracture treatments.
Fracture Initiation
Authors: Zhao Yu , Zhang Yongfa , He Pengfei
Published: June 2023

Field in-situ constant-flow hydraulic fracturing test is an important technique to determine the tectonic stress field. Classical hydraulic fracturing mechanics regards the maximum tensile stress criterion as the critical initiation condition, which assumes that the hydraulic fracture initiates and expands when the maximum effective tangential stress around the wellbore is larger than the tensile strength of the rock, resulting in tensile failure of the rock.
Formation of Complex Networks
Authors: Zhao Yu , Zhang Yongfa , He Pengfei
Published: June 2023

When a hydraulic fracture interacts with multiple natural fractures (such as bedding planes, faults, weak interlayers, and formation interfaces) in the formation, arrests, bifurcations, crossings, and openings may occur, contributing to forming a complex fracture network (referred as CFN). Shale differs from other types of rocks due to its apparent bedding anisotropy, making it easier to form complex fracture networks during hydraulic fracturing. A mass of field hydraulic fracturing data and laboratory studies have confirmed that the hydraulic fractures generated in shale reservoirs are not bi-wing planar fractures in homogeneous media, but multi-dimensional, asymmetric, and non-planar complex hydraulic fractures (as shown in Fig. 9.1) (Liu et al. in Guti Lixue Xuebao/Acta Mech Solida Sin 37:34–49, 2016; Xiao in Research of hydraulic fracturing dynamic propagation in fractured reservoirs, 2014; Guo and Wang in J Eng Geol 26:118–128, 2016).
Anomalous Ward identities for on-shell amplitudes at the conformal fixed point
Authors: Chicherin Dmitry , Henn Johannes , Zoia Simone
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Conformal symmetry underlies many massless quantum field theories, but little is known about the consequences of this powerful symmetry for on-shell scattering amplitudes. Working in a dimensionally-regularised ϕ3 model at the conformal fixed point, we show that the on-shell renormalised amplitudes satisfy anomalous conformal Ward identities. Each external on-shell state contributes two terms to the anomaly. The first term is proportional to the elementary field anomalous dimension, and thus involves only lower-loop information. We show that the second term can be given as the convolution of a universal collinear function and lower-order amplitudes. The computation of the conformal anomaly is therefore simpler than that of the amplitude at the same perturbative order, which gives our anomalous conformal Ward identities a strong predictive power in perturbation theory. Finally, we show that our result is also of practical importance for dimensionally-regularised amplitudes away from the conformal fixed point.
A network of hyperloops
Authors: Kong Ziwen
Published: June 2023

Abstract

In this paper we complete the exploration of connected components of the space of BPS Wilson loops in three-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 Chern-Simons-matter theory on S3. The algorithm is to start with a supersymmetric Wilson loop, choose a preserved supercharge, and look for BPS deformations built out of the matter fields in the proper representations. Using this, we discover many new moduli spaces of nonconformal BPS Wilson loops preserving a single or two supercharges, which are subsets of the symmetries of the 1/4 and 3/8 BPS operators. Along with the those previously found in [1, 2] and [3], the total moduli spaces are closed under this formalism.
Are Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Antibodies Friends or Foes for Covid-19 Disease?
Authors: Salamony Azza , Shamikh Yara , Amer Khaled , Elnagdy Tarek , Elnakib Mostafa , Yehia Abd Allah , Hassan Wael , Abdelsalam Maha
Published: June 2023

Many factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis and severity of COVID-19 pandemic. A wide variation in the susceptibility for SARS-CoV-2 infection among different population, gender and age has been observed. Multiple studies investigated the relationship between the antibody’s titre of previously vaccinated individuals and the susceptibility of coronavirus infection, to find a rapid effective therapy for this pandemic. This study focused on the association between measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) antibodies titre and the severity of COVID-19 infection. We aimed to investigate the correlation between the antibody’s titre of MMR and the SARS-CoV-2 infection susceptibility and disease severity, in a cohort of COVID-19 Egyptian patients, compared to a control group. MMR antibody titre was measured using enzyme Linked Immune Sorbent Assay; (ELISA) for 136 COVID-19 patients and 44 healthy individuals, as control group. There were high levels of measles and mumps antibodies titer in the deteriorating cases, which could not protect from SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the rubella antibodies might protect from SARS-CoV-2 infection, but once the infection occurs, it may aggravate the risk of case deterioration. MMR antibodies could be used as a guideline for COVID-19 symptom-severity and, in turn, may be considered as an economic prognostic marker used for early protection from multiple autoimmune organ failure.
Assessing the toxicity after moderately hypofractionated prostate and whole pelvis radiotherapy compared to conventional fractionation
Authors: Moll Matthias , Goldner Gregor
Published: June 2023

Objective

To evaluate acute and late gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities after moderately hypofractionated (HF) or conventionally fractionated (CF) primary whole-pelvis radiotherapy (WPRT).

Methods

Primary prostate-cancer patients treated between 2009 and 2021 with either 60 Gy at 3 Gy/fraction to the prostate and 46 Gy at 2.3 Gy/fraction to the whole pelvis (HF), or 78 Gy at 2 Gy/fraction to the prostate and 50/50.4 Gy at 1.8–2 Gy/fraction to the whole pelvis (CF). Acute and late GI and GU toxicities were retrospectively assessed.

Results

106 patients received HF and 157 received CF, with a median follow-up of 12 and 57 months. Acute GI toxicity rates in the HF and CF groups were, respectively, grade 2: 46.7% vs. 37.6%, and grade 3: 0% vs. 1.3%, with no significant difference (p = 0.71). Acute GU toxicity rates were, respectively, grade 2: 20.0% vs. 31.8%, and grade 3: 2.9% vs. 0%, (p = 0.04). We compared prevalence of late GI and GU toxicities between groups after 3, 12, and 24 months and did not find any significant differences (respectively, p = 0.59, 0.22, and 0.71 for GI toxicity; p = 0.39, 0.58, and 0.90 for GU toxicity).

Conclusion

Moderate HF WPRT was well tolerated during the first 2 years. Randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings.
ChatGPT: deconstructing the debate and moving it forward
Authors: Coeckelbergh Mark , Gunkel David J.
Published: June 2023

Large language models such as ChatGPT enable users to automatically produce text but also raise ethical concerns, for example about authorship and deception. This paper analyses and discusses some key philosophical assumptions in these debates, in particular assumptions about authorship and language and—our focus—the use of the appearance/reality distinction. We show that there are alternative views of what goes on with ChatGPT that do not rely on this distinction. For this purpose, we deploy the two phased approach of deconstruction and relate our finds to questions regarding authorship and language in the humanities. We also identify and respond to two common counter-objections in order to show the ethical appeal and practical use of our proposal.
Collapse-resistance optimization of fabricated single-layer grid shell based on sequential approximate optimization
Authors: Zhang Zhijie , Kanno Yoshihiro , Feng Ruoqiang
Published: June 2023

In this work, the surrogate model of the collapse load in terms of the structural morphology is established based on the radial basis function (RBF) network, and the form-finding optimization of the fabricated single-layer grid shell aiming at the improvement of collapse-resistance capacity is realized. To improve the accuracy of the optimal solution, the density function is used to determine the sparse region in the design domain and add new sample points in the sparse region. Avoiding that the optimization is trapped in a poor local optimum, the starting point is updated to approach the global optimum. Three types of fabricated single-layer grid shells, including cylindrical surface, free-form surface with symmetric supports, and free-form surface with asymmetric supports, are selected for form-finding optimization. The results prove the efficiency of the optimization algorithm. The proposed optimization method considers the mechanical properties of assemble joints and reflects the mechanical characteristics of the actual structure. It can be used for form-finding optimization and shape selection in structural design and thus has engineering significance.
Trends in the two-component system’s role in the synthesis of antibiotics by Streptomyces
Authors: Cruz-Bautista Rodrigo , Ruíz-Villafán Beatriz , Romero-Rodríguez Alba , Rodríguez-Sanoja Romina , Sánchez Sergio
Published: June 2023

Despite the advances in understanding the regulatory networks for secondary metabolite production in Streptomyces, the participation of the two-component systems (TCS) in this process still requires better characterization. These sensing systems and their responses to environmental stimuli have been described by evaluating mutant strains with techniques that allow in-depth regulatory responses. However, defining the stimulus that triggers their activation is still a task. The transmembrane nature of the sensor kinases and the high content of GC in the streptomycetes represent significant challenges in their study. In some examples, adding elements to the assay medium has determined the respective ligand. However, a complete TCS description and characterization requires specific amounts of the involved proteins that are most difficult to obtain. The availability of enough sensor histidine kinase concentrations could facilitate the identification of the ligand–protein interaction, and besides would allow the establishment of its phosphorylation mechanisms and determine their tridimensional structure. Similarly, the advances in the development of bioinformatics tools and novel experimental techniques also promise to accelerate the TCSs description and provide knowledge on their participation in the regulation processes of secondary metabolite formation. This review aims to summarize the recent advances in the study of TCSs involved in antibiotic biosynthesis and to discuss alternatives to continue their characterization.

Key points

• TCSs are the environmental signal transducers more abundant in nature.

• The Streptomyces have some of the highest number of TCSs found in bacteria.

• The study of signal transduction between SHKs and RRs domains is a big challenge.
Stem Cell Enriched Fat Grafts versus Autologous Fat Grafts in Reconstructive Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Karam Mohammad , Abul Ahmad , Rahman Shafiq
Published: June 2023

Objective

To compare the outcomes of stem cell-enrichment fat grafting (SCEFG) versus autologous fat grafting (AFG) for reconstructive purposes.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed as per the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Guidelines and a search of electronic information was conducted to identify all Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs), case-control studies and cohort studies comparing the outcomes of SCEFG versus AFG. Volume retention, fat necrosis, cancer recurrence, redness and swelling, infection, and cysts were primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures included patient satisfaction post-surgery, scar assessment, operation time and number of fat grafting sessions. Fixed and random effects modelling were used for the analysis.

Results

16 studies enrolling 686 subjects were selected. Significant differences between the SCEFG and AFG groups were seen in mean volume retention (standardised mean difference = 3.00, P < 0.0001) and the incidence of redness and swelling (Odds Ratio [OR] = 441, P = 0.003). No significant difference between the two groups in terms of fat necrosis (OR = 2.23, P = 0.26), cancer recurrence (OR = 1.39, P = 0.58), infection (OR = 0.30, P = 0.48) and cysts (OR = 0.88, P = 0.91). For secondary outcomes, both cohorts had similar results in patient satisfaction, scar assessment and number of fat grafting sessions. Operation time was longer for the intervention group.

Conclusions

SCEFG offers better outcomes when compared to AFG for reconstructive surgery as it improves the mean volume retention and does not worsen patient satisfaction and surgical complications except for self-limiting redness and swelling. Further clinical trials are recommended to support this argument and validate the use of SCEFG in clinical practice.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Routine Pediatric Surgical Emergencies: Incidence, Morbidity, and Mortality During the 1st 8000 Days of Life—A Narrative Review
Authors: Abbas Alizeh , Laverde Ruth , Yap Ava , Stephens Caroline Q. , Samad Lubna , Seyi‐Olajide Justina O. , Ameh Emmanuel A. , Ozgediz Doruk , Lakhoo Kokila , Bickler Stephen W. , Meara John G. , Bundy Donald , Jamison Dean T. , Klazura Greg , Sykes Alicia , Philipo Godfrey Sama ,   GICS
Published: June 2023

Background

Many potentially treatable non‐congenital and non‐traumatic surgical conditions can occur during the first 8000 days of life and an estimated 85% of children in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) will develop one before 15 years old. This review summarizes the common routine surgical emergencies in children from LMICs and their effects on morbidity and mortality.

Methods

A narrative review was undertaken to assess the epidemiology, treatment, and outcomes of common surgical emergencies that present within the first 8000 days (or 21.9 years) of life in LMICs. Available data on pediatric surgical emergency care in LMICs were aggregated.

Results

Outside of trauma, acute appendicitis, ileal perforation secondary to typhoid fever, and intestinal obstruction from intussusception and hernias continue to be the most common abdominal emergencies among children in LMICs. Musculoskeletal infections also contribute significantly to the surgical burden in children. These “neglected” conditions disproportionally affect children in LMICs and are due to delays in seeking care leading to late presentation and preventable complications. Pediatric surgical emergencies also necessitate heavy resource utilization in LMICs, where healthcare systems are already under strain.

Conclusions

Delays in care and resource limitations in LMIC healthcare systems are key contributors to the complicated and emergent presentation of pediatric surgical disease. Timely access to surgery can not only prevent long‐term impairments but also preserve the impact of public health interventions and decrease costs in the overall healthcare system.
Tau seeding and spreading in vivo is supported by both AD-derived fibrillar and oligomeric tau
Authors: Mate De Gerando Anastasie , Welikovitch Lindsay A. , Khasnavis Anita , Commins Caitlin , Glynn Calina , Chun Joshua E. , Perbet Romain , Hyman Bradley T.
Published: June 2023

Insoluble fibrillar tau, the primary constituent of neurofibrillary tangles, has traditionally been thought to be the biologically active, toxic form of tau mediating neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. More recent studies have implicated soluble oligomeric tau species, referred to as high molecular weight (HMW), due to their properties on size-exclusion chromatography, in tau propagation across neural systems. These two forms of tau have never been directly compared. We prepared sarkosyl-insoluble and HMW tau from the frontal cortex of Alzheimer patients and compared their properties using a variety of biophysical and bioactivity assays. Sarkosyl-insoluble fibrillar tau comprises abundant paired-helical filaments (PHF) as quantified by electron microscopy (EM) and is more resistant to proteinase K, compared to HMW tau, which is mostly in an oligomeric form. Sarkosyl-insoluble and HMW tau are nearly equivalent in potency in HEK cell bioactivity assay for seeding aggregates, and their injection reveals similar local uptake into hippocampal neurons in PS19 Tau transgenic mice. However, the HMW preparation appears to be far more potent in inducing a glial response including Clec7a-positive rod microglia in the absence of neurodegeneration or synapse loss and promotes more rapid propagation of misfolded tau to distal, anatomically connected regions, such as entorhinal and perirhinal cortices. These data suggest that soluble HMW tau has similar properties to fibrillar sarkosyl-insoluble tau with regard to tau seeding potential, but may be equal or even more bioactive with respect to propagation across neural systems and activation of glial responses, both relevant to tau-related Alzheimer phenotypes.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 study of intratympanic OTO-313 in patients with moderate to severe subjective tinnitus
Authors: Searchfield Grant D. , Robinson James M. , Skarinsky David , Wang Yiwei , Anderson Jeffery J.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intratympanic OTO-313 in patients with subjective unilateral tinnitus.

Methods

Patients with moderate to severe unilateral tinnitus of 2–12 months duration were enrolled. A single intratympanic injection of OTO-313 or placebo was administered to the affected ear and patients were evaluated during a 16-weeks follow-up period. Efficacy was assessed using the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), daily ratings of tinnitus loudness and annoyance, and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC).

Results

Intratympanic administration of OTO-313 and placebo produced reductions in tinnitus with a similar percentage of TFI responders at Weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16. Reductions in daily ratings of tinnitus loudness and annoyance, and PGIC scores were also similar between OTO-313 and placebo groups. No significant differences in mean TFI scores between OTO-313 and placebo were observed for pre-specified strata regarding tinnitus duration (≥ 2 to ≤ 6 months and > 6 to ≤ 12 months) and TFI baseline scores (≥ 32 to ≤ 53 points and ≥ 54 to 100 points), although the results numerically favored OTO-313 in patients in the ≥ 2 to ≤ 6 months strata. These results also demonstrated an unexpectedly high placebo response particularly amongst patients with chronic tinnitus, despite training implemented to mitigate placebo response. OTO-313 was well-tolerated with a similar incidence of adverse events compared to placebo.

Conclusions

OTO-313 did not demonstrate a significant treatment benefit relative to placebo due in part to a high placebo response. OTO-313 was safe and well-tolerated.
Computational fluid dynamics calculations in inferior turbinate surgery: a cohort study
Authors: Ormiskangas Jaakko , Valtonen Olli , Harju Teemu , Rautiainen Markus , Kivekäs Ilkka
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To investigate how the results of nasal computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations change due to inferior turbinate surgery and how the results correlate with patient specific subjective assessment and volumetric results in the nasal cavities.

Methods

The steady inspiratory airflow of 25 patients was studied pre- and postoperatively with heat transfer from the mucous membrane by performing CFD calculations to patient-specific nasal cone beam computed tomography images. These results were then compared to the severity of the patients’ nasal obstruction Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Glasgow Health Status Inventory assessments, and acoustic rhinometry measurements.

Results

Total wall shear forces decreased statistically significantly (p < 0.01) in the operated parts of the inferior turbinates. Patients’ subjective nasal obstruction VAS assessment changes between the pre- and postoperative conditions correlated statistically significantly (p = 0.04) with the wall shear force results.

Conclusion

Inferior turbinate surgery lead to decreased total wall shear force values postoperatively. Changes in subjective nasal obstruction VAS results against total wall shear force changes between the pre- and postoperative conditions were statistically significant. CFD data have a potential to be used for the evaluation of nasal airflow.
A cost–benefit analysis for use of large SNP panels and high throughput typing for forensic investigative genetic genealogy
Authors: Budowle Bruce , Arnette Andrew , Sajantila Antti
Published: June 2023

Next-generation sequencing (NGS), also known as massively sequencing, enables large dense SNP panel analyses which generate the genetic component of forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG). While the costs of implementing large SNP panel analyses into the laboratory system may seem high and daunting, the benefits of the technology may more than justify the investment. To determine if an infrastructural investment in public laboratories and using large SNP panel analyses would reap substantial benefits to society, a cost–benefit analysis (CBA) was performed. This CBA applied the logic that an increase of DNA profile uploads to a DNA database due to a sheer increase in number of markers and a greater sensitivity of detection afforded with NGS and a higher hit/association rate due to large SNP/kinship resolution and genealogy will increase investigative leads, will be more effective for identifying recidivists which in turn reduces future victims of crime, and will bring greater safety and security to communities. Analyses were performed for worst case/best case scenarios as well as by simulation sampling the range spaces with multiple input values simultaneously to generate best estimate summary statistics. This study shows that the benefits, both tangible and intangible, over the lifetime of an advanced database system would be huge and can be projected to be for less than $1 billion per year (over a 10-year period) investment can reap on average > $4.8 billion in tangible and intangible cost-benefits per year. More importantly, on average > 50,000 individuals need not become victims if FIGG were employed, assuming investigative associations generated were acted upon. The benefit to society is immense making the laboratory investment a nominal cost. The benefits likely are underestimated herein. There is latitude in the estimated costs, and even if they were doubled or tripled, there would still be substantial benefits gained with a FIGG-based approach. While the data used in this CBA are US centric (primarily because data were readily accessible), the model is generalizable and could be used by other jurisdictions to perform relevant and representative CBAs.
Effect of segmental versus marginal mandibular resection on local and lymph node recurrences in oral squamous cell carcinoma: is tumorous bone infiltration or location and resulting soft tissue recurrences a long-term problem?
Authors: Ritschl Lucas M. , Niu Minli , Sackerer Valeriya , Claßen Carolina , Stimmer Herbert , Fichter Andreas M. , Wolff Klaus-Dietrich , Grill Florian D.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) adjacent to the mandible or with clinically suspected bone infiltration are surgically treated either with marginal or segmental resections. This retrospective study compared both resections regarding local recurrence and lymph node recurrence or secondary lymph node metastases.

Methods

All consecutive primary OSCC cases between January 2007 and December 2015 that underwent mandibular marginal or segmental resection were included. Rates of local and lymph node recurrences or secondary metastases and possible risk factors such as tumor localization according to Urken’s classification were recorded.

Results

In total, 180 patients with 85 marginal (group I) and 95 segmental (group II) mandibular resections were analyzed. The local recurrence rates were comparable between the groups (28.2% vs. 27.4%; p = 0.897). Lymph node recurrences or secondary metastases were higher in group I (9.4% (n = 8) vs. 6.2% (n = 6); p = 0.001). Tumor localization appears to affect the outcomes. Significantly fewer local and lymph node recurrences/metastases were found for Urken’s classification SB and S calculated by two-proportion z-test (p = 0.014 and 0.056, respectively). Local recurrences mostly emerged from soft tissues, which should be resected more radically than the bones.

Conclusion

While bone infiltration appears technically well controllable from an oncologic point of view, local recurrences and lymph node recurrences/metastases remain an issue. Regular clinical aftercare with imaging is crucial to detect recurrences.
Mathematische Gesellschaft der DDR – die Vorgeschichte
Authors: Sperber Wolfram
Published: June 2023

Die Mathematische Gesellschaft der DDR (MGDDR) ist seit 1991 Geschichte. Die MGDDR spaltete sich 1962 auf Betreiben der Sozialistischen Einheitspartei (SED) der DDR von der Deutschen Mathematiker-Vereinigung (DMV) ab und beschloss 1990 den Zusammenschluss mit der DMV. Die Geschichte der MGDDR ist spannend, angefangen von der Vorgeschichte, ihren Aktivitäten in der DDR-Zeit bis zur Neupositionierung nach der Wende. Und die MGDDR hat ihre Spuren in der DMV hinterlassen. Etliche Ansätze und Aktivitäten der MGDDR wurden von der DMV fortgeführt und weiterentwickelt. Aus der Literatur sind bisher nur Darstellungen einzelner Aspekte der MGDDR bekannt. Dieser Artikel unternimmt den Versuch einer Gesamtdarstellung der Geschichte der MGDDR und soll die Ausführungen in [1] und [2] ergänzen und erweitern. Die MGDDR war ein Ergebnis des Kalten Krieges und – wesentlich stärker als bisher der Öffentlichkeit bekannt – ein Produkt der Wissenschaftspolitik von Partei und Staat der DDR. Der politische Einfluss wird in diesem Artikel durch Unterlagen belegt, die in verschiedenen Archiven gefunden wurden. Von besonderer Bedeutung bei der Recherche war das Archivgut der Stiftung Archiv der Parteien und Massenorganisationen der DDR im Bundesarchiv(SAPMO), wo seit 1990 die Unterlagen der SED, staatlicher Stellen und Massenorganisatioen der DDR systematisch aufbereitet und verfügbar gemacht worden sind. Die Mathematiker der DDR standen der Vereinnahmung durch Partei und Staat mehrheitlich kritisch gegenüber. Dies gilt insbesondere für die Zeit vor dem Mauerbau. Nach dem Mauerbau und den Einschränkungen des Reiseverkehrs war für die meisten Mathematiker der DDR die Gründung einer eigenen Fachgesellschaft alternativlos. Diese erfolgte am 8. Juni 1962. Nach dem Mauerbau war für die Mathematiker in der DDR wissenschaftlicher Austausch ohne Einbeziehung der MGDDR nahezu unmöglich. Für die Arbeit der MGDDR standen aber immer mathematische Ziele im Zentrum und die MGDDR war dabei – trotz einiger Behinderungen – durchaus erfolgreich. Nach der Wende positionierte sich die MGDDR neu und beschloss auf dem Mathematiker-Kongress der DDR im September 1990 den Zusammenschluss mit der DMV. Der vorliegende Artikel umfasst die Vorgeschichte der MGDDR bis zu deren Gründung am 08.06.1962. In zwei weiteren Publikationen soll die Arbeit der MGDDR bis zur Wende und dem Zusammenschluss mit der DMV dargestellt werden.
Acetyl group for proper protection of β-sugar-amino acids used in SPPS
Authors: Varga István , Goldschmidt Gőz Viktória , Pintér István , Csámpai Antal , Perczel András
Published: June 2023

The synthesis of d-glucosamine-1-carboxylic acid based β-sugar amino acids (β-SAAs) is typically performed in nine consecutive steps via an inefficient OAc → Br → CN conversion protocol with low overall yield. Here, we present the improved and more efficient synthesis of both Fmoc-GlcAPC-OH and Fmoc-GlcAPC(Ac)-OH, β-SAAs consisting of only 4–5 synthetic steps. Their active ester and amide bond formation with glycine methyl ester (H-Gly-OMe) was completed and monitored by 1H NMR. The stability of the pyranoid OHs protecting the acetyl groups was investigated under three different Fmoc cleavage conditions and was found to be satisfactory even at high piperidine concentration (e.g. 40%). We designed a SPPS protocol using Fmoc-GlcAPC(Ac)-OH to produce model peptides Gly-β-SAA-Gly as well as Gly-β-SAA-β-SAA-Gly with high coupling efficiency. The products were deacetylated using the Zemplén method, which allows the hydrophilicity of a building block and/or chimera to be fine-tuned, even after the polypeptide chain has already been synthesized.
A dynamic network model to measure exposure concentration in the Austrian interbank market
Authors: Hledik Juraj , Rastelli Riccardo
Published: June 2023

Motivated by an original financial network dataset, we develop a statistical methodology to study non-negatively weighted temporal networks. We focus on the characterization of how nodes (i.e. financial institutions) concentrate or diversify the weights of their connections (i.e. exposures) among neighbors. The approach takes into account temporal trends and nodes’ random effects. We consider a family of nested models on which we define and validate a model-selection procedure that can identify those models that are relevant for the analysis. We apply the methodology to an original dataset describing the mutual claims and exposures of Austrian financial institutions between 2008 and 2011. This period allows us to study the results in the context of the financial crisis in 2008 as well as the European sovereign debt crisis in 2011. Our results highlight that the network is very heterogeneous with regard to how nodes send, and in particular receive edges. Also, our results show that this heterogeneity does not follow a significant temporal trend, and so it remains approximately stable over the time span considered.
Long COVID and possible preventive options
Authors: Sebők Szilvia , Gyires Klara
Published: June 2023

Most of the people who suffered from COVID-19 fully recovered, but approximately 10–20% of them developed a wide variety of symptoms after they recover from their initial illness. Long COVID can develop at any patient; however, several studies suggest that the development of Long Covid syndrome may be linked to severity of acute illness. Some of the risk factors are hospitalization (with mechanical ventilation), Intensive Care Unit admission, age (over 50 years), gender (female) and comorbidities. Since the precise mechanism of Long COVID has not been clarified, neither the management of Long COVID-19 syndrome has been solved yet. Promising results have been published with vaccines as they effectively reduced the risk of Long COVID; however, other data suggest that vaccination results only partial protection in the post-acute phase of the disease. Recently, the orally effective antiviral agents (Paxlovid, molnupiravir) are preferred for outpatient management, and they highly reduce the progression of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 to severe one, and consequently, might reduce the development of Long COVID. Finally, recently, several clinical trials are in progress with either dietary supplements or drugs with different mechanisms of action. Additional information on the precise mechanisms, risk factors of Long COVID may result in successful preventive and therapeutic management of Long Covid 19 syndrome.
The relationship between Chinese zhiyou ‘only’ and cai: a matter of morphosyntax
Authors: Hole Daniel
Published: June 2023

This short article pursues two goals. First, it critically reviews some results arrived at by Sun (2021), an article that discusses the interplay of Chinesezhiyou‘only’ with an empty exclusive operator while denying any interesting interaction betweenzhiyouand the scalar particlecai(against the view defended by Hole, 2004, 2017). Second, it develops a featural account to analyze the morphosyntactic interaction betweenzhiyouandcai. In sum, the gist of Sun’s and Hole’s views complement each other.
Plain film of the abdomen remains a low sensitivity test in A&E
Authors: McKenna Daniel P. , McMonagle Morgan P.
Published: June 2023

Background

Plain film abdomens (PFA) are frequently used in the emergency department to help guide the management of patients presenting with abdominal symptoms. A plain film abdomen contributes minimally to clinical scenarios due to low sensitivity and specificity. Is a PFA useful in the emergency setting or does it serve to further complicate decision making?

Aim

We hypothesise that PFAs in the emergency department are over utilised to falsely reassure clinicians and patients alike.

Methods

A search of the National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS) database in an Irish tertiary referral hospital was conducted. All plain film abdominal radiographs requested by the emergency department between 01/01/2022 and 31/08/2022 were identified. Requests where there was suspicion of foreign body were excluded. A retrospective search of the NIMIS database identified subjects who underwent subsequent imaging.

Results

A total of 619 abdominal films were deemed suitable for inclusion. These comprised of 338 male and 282 female subjects. Subjects had an average age of 64 years. Fifty-seven per cent of PFAs detected no abnormality. Forty-two per cent of subjects had subsequent imaging. The plain film findings correlated with further imaging in only 15% of cases. One case of ruptured aortic aneurysm and 11 perforations were detected on computerised tomography, none of these cases were evident on abdominal X-ray.

Conclusion

Plain film abdomen requests are over utilised in the emergency department. PFAs are not sensitive for detecting acute pathology and should not be used to decide if a patient requires further imaging or a full clinical assessment.
Differential Expression of the β3 Subunit of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channel in Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Kjær Christina , Palasca Oana , Barzaghi Guido , Bak Lasse K. , Durhuus Rúna K. J. , Jakobsen Emil , Pedersen Louise , Bartels Emil D. , Woldbye David P. D. , Pinborg Lars H. , Jensen Lars Juhl
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study was to identify and validate new putative lead drug targets in drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) starting from differentially expressed genes (DEGs) previously identified in mTLE in humans by transcriptome analysis. We identified consensus DEGs among two independent mTLE transcriptome datasets and assigned them status as “lead target” if they (1) were involved in neuronal excitability, (2) were new in mTLE, and (3) were druggable. For this, we created a consensus DEG network in STRING and annotated it with information from the DISEASES database and the Target Central Resource Database (TCRD). Next, we attempted to validate lead targets using qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot on hippocampal and temporal lobe neocortical tissue from mTLE patients and non-epilepsy controls, respectively. Here we created a robust, unbiased list of 113 consensus DEGs starting from two lists of 3040 and 5523 mTLE significant DEGs, respectively, and identified five lead targets. Next, we showed that CACNB3, a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel subunit, was significantly regulated in mTLE at both mRNA and protein level. Considering the key role of Ca2+ currents in regulating neuronal excitability, this suggested a role for CACNB3 in seizure generation. This is the first time changes in CACNB3 expression have been associated with drug-resistant epilepsy in humans, and since efficient therapeutic strategies for the treatment of drug-resistant mTLE are lacking, our finding might represent a step toward designing such new treatment strategies.
Concurrent Dyeing and Finishing of Textile Fabrics Using Chemically Modified Peanut Red Skin Extract
Authors: Rehan M. , El-Hawary N. S. , Mashaly H. , El-Shemy N. S. , El-Sayed H.
Published: June 2023

Progressive environmental awareness and legislation regarding the pollutants discharged from textile coloration plants allocate natural colorants in the forefront position for the dyeing and printing of many textile substrates. In this study, a genuine dye was synthesized by combining the diazonium salt of m-anisidine with a crude extract of peanut skin. The melting point of the synthesized dye (SD) as well as its Fourier transform infrared and UV–Visible spectra was recorded. The SD was used in the dyeing of wool, cotton, Lyocell®, and polyester fabrics with different dye shades, pH, time, and temperature. The color strength, colorimetric data, fastness properties, antimicrobial efficiency, ultraviolet protection factor, and tensile properties of the dyed fabrics were evaluated. The SD was a good colorant for wool and polyester fabrics but of lower substantivity for cotton and Lyocell®. The fastness properties of the dyed fabrics against light, washing, crocking, and perspiration were good to excellent. The dyed fabrics exhibited antimicrobial properties against Gram + ve bacteria, Gram − ve bacteria, and pathogenic fungus (Candida albicans) to different extents, depending on the dyed fabric and test species. Most of the dyed wool samples retained their antimicrobial properties even after ten washing cycles. The ultraviolet protection factor of the dyed fabrics was enhanced without deterioration of their tensile properties.
Creating a root architecture model: taprooted or adventitious-rooted Plantago lanceolata
Authors: Lubbe F. Curtis , Hrouda Adam , Bartoš Michael , Klimeš Adam , Míčková Karolína , Vergricht Jan , Karlová Nela , Klimešová Jitka
Published: June 2023

Herbaceous plants can form root systems by investing in one main taproot or many adventitious roots. While monocots have adventitious systems, eudicots can have either type in different species and even within a single species depending on its age, environment, or injury. Although clearly different, we know little about their relationship to ecological functions and response. We used Plantago lanceolata, a species that can have either root system and forms adventitious buds on roots, to test methods to form plants with a taproot, adventitious roots, or that grow from a root fragment, to obtain individuals of comparable size. We first evaluated injury response and root traits, then used selected models in a pilot study. For the pilot study, we selected an adventitious root model procedure with root removal from approximately 5-day-old seedlings at 1-2 mm below the stem base (hypocotyl) and rootsprout model of the topmost 4 cm of the taproot from 4-week-old plants. We planted adventitious and taprooted plants in three urban lawns and harvested them after three months. Adventitious and tap-rooted plants were similarly affected by competition, producing lower biomass of leaves and stem in more competitive lawns. Root and leaf traits were consistent regardless of architecture type. Plantago lanceolata fully compensated early loss of the taproot when injured at about 10 days old, and in mesic conditions both root architectures perform similarly. These model systems can be used for investigating the role of root architecture in a variety of ecological topics, for example, its function along a moisture gradient.
Believing in the Powers of Mindfulness: A Thematic Narrative Approach and the Development of a New Scale
Authors: Rahmani Masoumeh , van Mulukom Valerie , Farias Miguel
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The beliefs and expectations people bring into mindfulness practice can affect the measurement outcomes of interventions. The aim of this mixed-method study was to examine the key beliefs in the powers of mindfulness—understood as non-judgmental awareness of the present moment—to transform the individual and the society, and to develop and validate the Belief in the Powers of Mindfulness Scale (BPMS).

Method

In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with mindfulness meditators (n = 32), including follow-up interviews (n = 22). Qualitative data were analysed through a thematic narrative approach. Participants (n = 458) completed a questionnaire that included the new scale.

Results

Participants’ key beliefs were thematically analysed in three transformation themes: interpersonal relationships and compassion, peace and violence, and the inner world—themes were encapsulated in the BPMS. Ideas presented in each theme were undergirded by a host of ideologies, epistemic claims, and metaphysical assumptions about the nature of mind, self, and reality—which are predicated by broader cultural trends such as expressive individualism, perennial philosophy, and New Age sentiments and ideals. The BPMS showed strong internal consistency and convergent validity, and individuals who were older and more spiritual practised mindfulness more often and for longer, and self-reported greater mindfulness skills, and scored higher on the BPMS.

Conclusions

Findings illustrate the persisting importance of attending to people’s beliefs and expectations in mindfulness interventions and further the call for a contextual approach that accounts for cultural factors. The newly developed BPMS may assist with the measuring of peoples’ beliefs and expectations.
On convergence of infinite products of convex combinations of mappings in CAT(0) spaces
Authors: Espínola-García Rafael , Huczek Aleksandra
Published: June 2023

We study the weak convergence of infinite products of convex combinations of operators in complete CAT(0) spaces. We provide a new approach to this problem by considering a constructive selection of convex combinations in CAT(0) spaces that does not depend on the order of the involved elements and retain continuity properties with respect to them.
Positive nutrition: shifting the focus from nutrients to diet for a healthy lifestyle
Authors: Martini Daniela , da Costa Ribeiro Hugo , Gately Paul , Mattes Richard , Re Roberta , Bier Dennis
Published: June 2023

Purpose and methods

This summary is based on a scientific symposium organized by the Mediterranean Diet Roundtable and the American Italian Food Coalition titled, ‘Positive Nutrition: shifting focus from nutrients to diet for a healthy lifestyle.’ It was held at the Embassy of Italy in Washington DC in September of 2022. The panel of experts discussed how science can inform policy, what insights may be gleaned from different countries’ approaches to healthy eating and what principles of the Mediterranean diet will inform strategies for a healthy future. Recognizing that isolated actions have limited impact on the complex relationship between diet and obesity, the panel discussed the importance of a system approach. In particular, the panel emphasized that focusing on single ingredients, isolated food categories and narrow approaches to policy have had limited success across the globe.

Results and conclusion

The panel agreed that there is a need for change of perspective that embraces complexity and emphasizes more positive nutrition messaging and policies.

Level of evidence: V, Opinions of respected authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.
Long and short-range relevance context network for semantic segmentation
Authors: Liu Qing , Dong Yongsheng , Pei Yuanhua , Zheng Lintao , Zhang Lei
Published: June 2023

The semantic information can ensure better pixel classification, and the spatial information of the low-level feature map can ensure the detailed location of the pixels. However, this part of spatial information is often ignored in capturing semantic information, it is a huge loss for the spatial location of the image semantic category itself. To better alleviate this problem, we propose a Long and Short-Range Relevance Context Network. Specifically, we first construct a Long-Range Relevance Context Module to capture the global semantic context of the high-level feature and the ignored local spatial context information. At the same time, we build a Short-Range Relevance Context Module to capture the piecewise spatial context information in each stage of the low-level features in the form of jump connections. The whole network adopts a coding and decoding structure to better improve the segmentation results. Finally, we conduct a large number of experiments on three semantic segmentation datasets (PASCAL VOC2012, Cityscapes and ADE20K datasets) to verify the effectiveness of the network.