bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the optimal number of positive biopsy cores to discriminate between cancer‐specific mortality in high‐risk versus very high‐risk prostate cancer patients
Authors: Wenzel Mike , Würnschimmel Christoph , Chierigo Francesco , Tian Zhe , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Terrone Carlo , Saad Fred , Tilki Derya , Graefen Markus , Roos Frederik C. , A Kluth Luis , Mandel Philipp , Chun Felix K. H. , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: July 2021

Background

Number of positive prostate biopsy cores represents a key determinant between high versus very high‐risk prostate cancer (PCa). We performed a critical appraisal of the association between the number of positive prostate biopsy cores and CSM in high versus very high‐risk PCa.

Methods

Within Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2010–2016), 13,836 high versus 20,359 very high‐risk PCa patients were identified. Discrimination according to 11 different positive prostate biopsy core cut‐offs (≥2–≥12) were tested in Kaplan–Meier, cumulative incidence, and multivariable Cox and competing risks regression models.

Results

Among 11 tested positive prostate biopsy core cut‐offs, more than or equal to 8 (high‐risk vs. very high‐risk: n = 18,986 vs. n = 15,209, median prostate‐specific antigen [PSA]: 10.6 vs. 16.8 ng/ml, <.001) yielded optimal discrimination and was closely followed by the established more than or equal to 5 cut‐off (high‐risk vs. very high‐risk: n = 13,836 vs. n = 20,359, median PSA: 16.5 vs. 11.1 ng/ml, p < .001). Stratification according to more than or equal to 8 positive prostate biopsy cores resulted in CSM rates of 4.1 versus 14.2% (delta: 10.1%, multivariable hazard ratio: 2.2, p < .001) and stratification according to more than or equal to 5 positive prostate biopsy cores with CSM rates of 3.7 versus 11.9% (delta: 8.2%, multivariable hazard ratio: 2.0, p < .001) in respectively high versus very high‐risk PCa.

Conclusions

The more than or equal to 8 positive prostate biopsy cores cutoff yielded optimal results. It was very closely followed by more than or equal to 5 positive prostate biopsy cores. In consequence, virtually the same endorsement may be made for either cutoff. However, more than or equal to 5 positive prostate biopsy cores cutoff, based on its existing wide implementation, might represent the optimal choice.
Local input‐to‐state stability analysis on compact set for disturbance observer‐based uncertain multivariable nonlinear control systems
Authors: Umemoto Kazuki , Endo Takahiro , Matsuno Fumitoshi
Published: July 2021

This article proposes a local input‐to‐state stability (LISS) analysis as a practical stability analysis approach. In existing LISS analysis approaches, a region including a state trajectory is not specified, and the decrement of a Lyapunov function must be guaranteed in the entire domain of the system state. This reduces the advantage of LISS by limiting the state region, and limits the class of systems for which stability can be guaranteed. To expand the class of systems for which stability can be guaranteed, the LISS Lyapunov function on a compact set (LISS LF CS) is proposed to guarantee LISS. By using the LISS LF CS, the region containing the state trajectory was revealed and the LISS condition was relaxed. In addition, the convergence rate and steady state error bound were determined for systems with LISS LF CS. The input‐to‐state stability (ISS) and LISS were analyzed for a multivariable disturbance observer‐based control system using the ISS and LISS LFs, respectively. The advantages of the proposed LISS analysis are demonstrated by comparing the ISS and LISS conditions. The analytical results were verified by conducting numerical simulations.
An Ultrastable Virus‐Like Particle with a Carbon Dot Core and Expanded Sequence Plasticity
Authors: Zhang Wenjing , Jia Qingyan , Teng Yibo , Yang Mengsi , Zhang Hui , Zhang Xian‐En , Wang Pengfei , Ge Jiechao , Cao Sheng , Li Feng
Published: July 2021

Ordered bio‐inorganic hybridization has evolved for the generation of high‐performance materials in living organisms and inspires novel strategies to design artificial hybrid materials. Virus‐like particles (VLPs) are attracting extensive interest as self‐assembling systems and platforms in the fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology. However, as soft nanomaterials, their structural stability remains a general and fundamental problem in various applications. Here, an ultrastable VLP assembled from the major capsid protein (VP1) of simian virus 40 is reported, which contains a carbon dot (C‐dot) core. Co‐assembly of VP1 with C‐dots led to homogeneous T = 1 VLPs with a fourfold increase in VLP yields. The resultant hybrid VLPs showed markedly enhanced structural stability and sequence plasticity. C‐dots and a polyhistidine tag fused to the inner‐protruding N‐terminus of VP1 contributed synergistically to these enhancements, where extensive and strong noncovalent interactions on the C‐dot/VP1 interfaces are responsible according to cryo‐EM 3D reconstruction, molecular simulation, and affinity measurements. C‐dot‐enhanced ultrastable VLPs can serve as a new platform, enabling the fabrication of new architectures for bioimaging, theranostics, nanovaccines, etc. The hybridization strategy is simple and can easily be extended to other VLPs and protein nanoparticle systems.
Phase Transition Modulation and Defect Suppression in Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by a Self‐Sacrificed Template
Authors: Xiong Zhuang , Chen Shanshan , Zhao Pengjun , Cho Yongjoon , Odunmbaku George Omololu , Zheng Yujie , Jones David J. , Yang Changduk , Sun Kuan
Published: July 2021

Tunable crystal growth offering highly aligned perovskite crystallites with suppressed deep‐level defects is vital for efficient charge transport, which in turn significantly influences the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a “precursor to perovskite‐like template to perovskite” (PPP) growth strategy is developed, using either MAAc or GuaCl precursor to induce a sacrificial thermal–unstable perovskite‐like template for (FAPbI3)x(MAPbI3)y perovskite growth. The self‐sacrificed intermediate template induces the formation of highly aligned perovskite crystals with greatly enhanced film crystallinity and suppresses deep‐level defect formation. Furthermore, it is proved that MAAc or GuaCl completely evaporates during the high‐temperature annealing process. The reduction in defect densities and nonradiative recombination enhances both carrier lifetime and charge dynamics, yielding impressive PCEs of 22.3% and 22.8% with a high open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.16 V and an incredible fill factor (FF) of 81.5% and 79.4% for MAAc‐ and GuaCl‐based devices, respectively. These results suggest that the formation of the thermal–unstable perovskite‐like sacrificial template is a promising strategy to restrain the deep‐level defects in perovskite films toward the attainment of highly efficient and stable large‐scale PSCs as well as other perovskite‐based electronics.
Characterization of Nonmetallic Inclusions in Different Ferroalloys used in the Steelmaking Processes
Authors: Wang Yong , Karasev Andrey , Jönsson Pär G.
Published: July 2021

Ferroalloys are one of the most important raw materials widely used in the steelmaking processes. Depending on the cleanliness of used ferroalloys, they can be an inevitable source of impurities and nonmetallic inclusions (NMIs) in steelmaking products. Herein, the inclusions in five different industrial ferroalloys (FeTi, FeMo, FeW, MnN, and FeCrN) are investigated. This is done using 2D investigations on polished cross sections of ferroalloy samples and using 3D investigations of NMIs on film filters and metal surfaces after electrolytic extraction (EE) using scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS). Moreover, the characteristics of the main types of inclusions presented on film filters and metal surfaces after EE are compared and their possible transformations in Al‐killed steel are evaluated. The results show that the main inclusions are more likely the oxidization products of the reductant and some unreduced ore during the ferroalloy production process. The 3D investigations of inclusions on metal surfaces after extraction are found to be very useful in detection and evaluation of larger‐sized inclusions. Overall, this study helps to better understand the impurities in different ferroalloys and their possible effect on the steel cleanliness.
The influence of industrial clusters on SMEs earliness and postentry speed: Exploring the role of innovation activities
Authors: Mendes Telma , Braga Vítor , Silva Carina , Ratten Vanessa , Braga Alexandra
Published: July 2021

Despite the existing contributions on the economic and social relevance of industrial clusters in the firms' internationalization, research on these topics is still scarce and, particularly, controversial at an empirical level. This study contributes to the extant literature on international development, proposing to explore the impact that industrial clusters and innovation activities exert in the most relevant temporal dimension of the firm's foreign expansion—internationalization speed (earliness and postentry speed). Further, this research seeks to ascertain whether the relationship between industrial clusters and internationalization speed is significantly different for low and high‐technology businesses. Based on a sample of 3,537 Portuguese firms, collected in the SABI database, the results suggest that firms belonging to industrial clusters and developing innovation activities tend to exhibit a higher postentry speed, not observing the same impact in terms of early internationalization. The findings also reveal that low‐technology firms have an additional incentive to become involved in industrial clusters, since these actions will be reflected to a greater extent in their postentry speed than those of high‐technology firms.
Competition-free gaps are essential for the germination and recruitment of alpine species along an elevation gradient in the European Alps
Authors: Margreiter Vera , Walde Janette , Erschbamer Brigitta
Published: July 2021

Seed germination and seedling recruitment are key processes in the life cycle of plants. They enable populations to grow, migrate, or persist. Both processes are under environmental control and influenced by site conditions and plant–plant interactions. Here, we present the results of a seed-sowing experiment performed along an elevation gradient (2000–2900 m a.s.l.) in the European eastern Alps. We monitored the germination of seeds and seedling recruitment for 2 years. Three effects were investigated: effects of sites and home sites (seed origin), effects of gaps, and plant–plant interactions. Seeds of eight species originating from two home sites were transplanted to four sites (home site and ± in elevation). Seed sowing was performed in experimentally created gaps. These gap types (‘gap + roots’, ‘neighbor + roots’, and ‘no-comp’) provided different plant–plant interactions and competition intensities. We observed decreasing germination with increasing elevation, independent of the species home sites. Competition-released gaps favored recruitment, pointing out the important role of belowground competition and soil components in recruitment. In gaps with one neighboring species, neutral plant–plant interactions occurred (with one exception). However, considering the relative vegetation cover of each experimental site, high vegetation cover resulted in positive effects on recruitment at higher sites and neutral effects at lower sites. All tested species showed intraspecific variability when responding to the experimental conditions. We discuss our findings considering novel site and climatic conditions.
Opportunities and limits of controlled-environment plant phenotyping for climate response traits
Authors: Langstroff Anna , Heuermann Marc C. , Stahl Andreas , Junker Astrid
Published: July 2021

Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns will affect agricultural production substantially, exposing crops to extended and more intense periods of stress. Therefore, breeding of varieties adapted to the constantly changing conditions is pivotal to enable a quantitatively and qualitatively adequate crop production despite the negative effects of climate change. As it is not yet possible to select for adaptation to future climate scenarios in the field, simulations of future conditions in controlled-environment (CE) phenotyping facilities contribute to the understanding of the plant response to special stress conditions and help breeders to select ideal genotypes which cope with future conditions. CE phenotyping facilities enable the collection of traits that are not easy to measure under field conditions and the assessment of a plant‘s phenotype under repeatable, clearly defined environmental conditions using automated, non-invasive, high-throughput methods. However, extrapolation and translation of results obtained under controlled environments to field environments is ambiguous. This review outlines the opportunities and challenges of phenotyping approaches under controlled environments complementary to conventional field trials. It gives an overview on general principles and introduces existing phenotyping facilities that take up the challenge of obtaining reliable and robust phenotypic data on climate response traits to support breeding of climate-adapted crops.
The potential impact of hydrodynamic leveling on the quality of the European vertical reference frame
Authors: Afrasteh Y. , Slobbe D. C. , Verlaan M. , Sacher M. , Klees R. , Guarneri H. , Keyzer L. , Pietrzak J. , Snellen M. , Zijl F.
Published: July 2021

The first objective of this paper is to assess by means of geodetic network analyses the impact of adding model-based hydrodynamic leveling data to the Unified European Leveling Network (UELN) data on the precision and reliability of the European Vertical Reference Frame (EVRF). In doing so, we used variance information from the latest UELN adjustment. The model-based hydrodynamic leveling data are assumed to be obtained from not-yet existing hydrodynamic models covering either all European seas surrounding the European mainland or parts of it that provide the required mean water level with uniform precision. A heuristic search algorithm was implemented to identify the set of hydrodynamic leveling connections that provide the lowest median of the propagated height standard deviations. In the scenario in which we only allow for connections between tide gauges located in the same sea basin, all having a precision of 3 cm, the median of the propagated height standard deviations improved by$$38\%$$38%compared to the spirit leveling-only solution. Except for the countries around the Black Sea, coastal countries benefit the most with a maximum improvement of$$60\%$$60%for Great Britain. We also found decreased redundancy numbers for the observations in the coastal areas and over the entire Great Britain. Allowing for connections between tide gauges among all European seas increased the impact to 42%. Lowering the precision of the hydrodynamic leveling data lowers the impact. The results show, however, that even in case the assumed precision is 5 cm, the overall improvement is still 29%. The second objective is to identify which tide gauges are most profitable in terms of impact. Our results show that these are the ones located in Sweden in which most height markers are located. The impact, however, hardly depends on the geographic location of the tide gauges within a country.
Predation risk increases in estuarine bivalves stressed by low salinity
Authors: Domínguez Rula , Vázquez Elsa , Smallegange Isabel M. , Woodin Sarah A. , Wethey David S. , Peteiro Laura G. , Olabarria Celia
Published: July 2021

Salinity drops in estuaries after heavy rains are expected to increase in frequency and intensity over the next decades, with physiological and ecological consequences for the inhabitant organisms. It was investigated whether low salinity stress increases predation risk on three relevant commercial bivalves in Europe. In laboratory, juveniles of Venerupis corrugata, Cerastoderma edule, and the introduced Ruditapes philippinarum were subjected to low salinities (5, 10 and control 35) during two consecutive days and, afterwards, exposed to one of two common predators in the shellfish beds: the shore crab Carcinus maenas and the gastropod Bolinus brandaris, a non-indigenous species present in some Galician shellfish beds. Two types of choice experiment were done: one offering each predator one prey species previously exposed to one of the three salinities, and the other offering each predator the three prey species at the same time, previously exposed to one of the three salinities. Consumption of both predators and predatory behaviour of C. maenas (handling time, rejections, consumption rate) were measured. Predation rates and foraging behaviour differed, with B. brandaris being more generalist than C. maenas. Still, both predators consumed significantly more stressed (salinity 5 and 10) than non-stressed prey. The overall consumption of the native species C. edule and V. corrugata was greater than that of R. philippinarum, likely due to their vulnerability to low salinity and physical traits (e.g., thinner shell, valve gape). Increasing precipitations can alter salinity gradients in shellfish beds, and thus affect the population dynamics of harvested bivalves via predator–prey interactions.
KD determination from time-resolved experiments on live cells with LigandTracer and reconciliation with end-point flow cytometry measurements
Authors: Spiegelberg Diana , Stenberg Jonas , Richalet Pascale , Vanhove Marc
Published: July 2021

Design of next-generation therapeutics comes with new challenges and emulates technology and methods to meet them. Characterizing the binding of either natural ligands or therapeutic proteins to cell-surface receptors, for which relevant recombinant versions may not exist, represents one of these challenges. Here we report the characterization of the interaction of five different antibody therapeutics (Trastuzumab, Rituximab, Panitumumab, Pertuzumab, and Cetuximab) with their cognate target receptors using LigandTracer. The method offers the advantage of being performed on live cells, alleviating the need for a recombinant source of the receptor. Furthermore, time-resolved measurements, in addition to allowing the determination of the affinity of the studied drug to its target, give access to the binding kinetics thereby providing a full characterization of the system. In this study, we also compared time-resolved LigandTracer data with end-point KD determination from flow cytometry experiments and hypothesize that discrepancies between these two approaches, when they exist, generally come from flow cytometry titration curves being acquired prior to full equilibration of the system. Our data, however, show that knowledge of the kinetics of the interaction allows to reconcile the data obtained by flow cytometry and LigandTracer and demonstrate the complementarity of these two methods.
The Lodwick classification for grading growth rate of lytic bone tumors: a decision tree approach
Authors: Benndorf Matthias , Bamberg Fabian , Jungmann Pia M.
Published: July 2021

The estimation of growth rate of lytic bone tumors based on conventional radiography has been extensively studied. While benign tumors exhibit slow growth, malignant tumors are more likely to show fast growth. The most frequently used algorithm for grading of growth rate on conventional radiography was published by Gwilym Lodwick. Based on the evaluation of the four descriptors (1) type of bone destruction (including the subdescriptor “margin” for geographic lesions), (2) penetration of cortex, (3) presence of a sclerotic rim, and (4) expanded shell, an overall growth grade (IA, IB, IC, II, III) can be assigned, with higher grade representing faster tumor growth. In this article, we provide an easy-to-use decision tree of Lodwick’s original grading algorithm, suitable for teaching of students and residents. Subtleties of the grading algorithm and potential pitfalls in clinical practice are explained and illustrated. Exemplary conventional radiographs provided for each descriptor in the decision tree may be used as a guide and atlas for assisting in evaluation of individual features in daily clinical practice.
Robotic Dual‐Console Distal Pancreatectomy: Could it be Considered a Safe Approach and Surgical Teaching even in Pancreatic Surgery? A Retrospective Observational Study Cohort
Authors: De Pastena M. , Salvia R. , Paiella S. , Deiro G. , Bannone E. , Balduzzi A. , Giuliani T. , Casetti L. , Ramera M. , Filippini C. , Montagnini G. , Landoni L. , Esposito A.
Published: July 2021

Background

The study aims to assess the safety and feasibility of the robotic dual‐console during a robotic distal pancreatectomy

Methods

The data of the consecutive patients submitted to RDP from 2012 to 2019 at the Verona University were retrieved from a prospectively maintained database. The patients submitted to RDP were divided into the dual‐console platform group (DG) and compared to the standard robotic procedure group (SG).

Results

In the study period, 102 robotic distal pancreatectomies were performed, of whom 42 patients (41%) belonged to the DG and 60 patients (59%) to the SG. Higher operation time was recorded in the DG compared to the SG (410 vs. 265 min, p < 0.001). The overall conversion rate of the series was 7% (n 7 patients). All the conversions were observed in the SG (p = 0.021). No differences in morbidity or pancreatic fistula rate were recorded (p > 0.05). No mortality events in the 90th postoperative days were reported in this series.

Conclusions

The robotic dual‐console approach for distal pancreatectomy is safe, feasible, and reproducible. The postoperative surgical outcomes are comparable to the standard RDP with the single‐console da Vinci Surgical System®. This surgical technique can widely and safely improve the robotic surgical training program.
Pulmonary Hamartoma Associated With Lung Cancer (PHALC Study): Results of a Multicenter Study
Authors: Fiorelli Alfonso , D’Andrilli Antonio , Carlucci Annalisa , Vicidomini Giovanni , Argento Giacomo , Trabalza Marinucci Beatrice , Ardissone Francesco , Rapanà Roberta , Sobrero Simona , Carbognani Paolo , Ventura Luigi , Bocchialini Giovanni , Ragusa Mark , Tassi Valentina , Sollitto Francesco , Loizzi Domenico , Ardò Nicoletta Pia , Anile Marco , Puma Francesco , Rendina Erino Angelo , Venuta Federico , Serra Nicola , Santini Mario
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Pulmonary hamartoma is the most common benign tumor of the lung. We analyzed a 20-year historical series of patients with pulmonary hamartoma undergoing surgical resection, aiming to evaluate the characteristics, the outcomes, and the association between hamartoma and lung cancer.

Methods

It was a retrospective multicenter study including the data of all consecutive patients with pulmonary hamartoma undergoing surgical resection. The end-points were to evaluate: (i) the characteristics of hamartoma, (ii) outcomes, and (iii) whether hamartoma was a predictive factor for lung cancer development

Results

Our study population included 540 patients. Upfront surgical or endoscopic resection was performed in 385 (71%) cases while in the remaining 155 (29%) cases, the lesions were resected 20 ± 3.5 months later due to increase in size. In most cases, lung sparing resection was carried out including enucleation (n = 259; 48%) and wedge resection (n = 230; 43%) while 5 (1%) patients underwent endoscopic resection. Only two patients (0, 2%) had major complications. One patient (0.23%) had recurrence after endoscopic resection, while no cases of malignant degeneration were seen (mean follow-up:103.3 ± 93 months). Seventy-six patients (14%) had associated lung cancer, synchronous in 9 (12%) and metachronous in 67 (88%). Only age > 70-year-old (p = 0.0059) and smokers > 20 cigarettes/day (p < 0.0001) were the significant risk factors for lung cancer.

Conclusion

PH was a benign tumor, with no evidence of recurrence and/or of malignant degeneration after resection. The association between hamartoma and lung cancer was a spurious phenomenon due to common risk factors.
On the heat content functional and its critical domains
Authors: Savo Alessandro
Published: July 2021

We study and classify smooth bounded domains in an analytic Riemannian manifold which are critical for the heat content at all times $$t>0$$

t
>
0

. We do that by first computing the first variation of the heat content, and then showing that $$\Omega $$
Ω
is critical if and only if it has the so-called constant flow property, so that we can use a previous classification result established in [33] and [34]. The outcome is that $$\Omega $$
Ω
is critical for the heat content at time t, for all $$t>0$$

t
>
0

, if and only if $$\Omega $$
Ω
admits an isoparametric foliation, that is, a foliation whose leaves are all parallel to the boundary and have constant mean curvature. Then, we consider the sequence of functionals given by the exit-time moments $$T_1(\Omega ),T_2(\Omega ),\dots $$

T
1

(
Ω
)

,

T
2

(
Ω
)

,
⋯

, which generalize the torsional rigidity $$T_1$$

T
1

. We prove that $$\Omega $$
Ω
is critical for all $$T_k$$

T
k

if and only if $$\Omega $$
Ω
is critical for the heat content at every time t, and then we get a classification as well. The main purpose of the paper is to understand the variational properties of general isoparametric foliations and their role in PDE’s theory; in some respects they generalize the properties of the foliation of $$\mathbf{R}^{n}$$

R

n

by Euclidean spheres.
Current state of social media utilization in neurosurgery amongst European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) member countries
Authors: Nouri Aria , Haemmerli Julien , Lavé Alexandre , Vayssiere Pia , Constanthin Paul , Al-Awadhi Abdullah , Zegarek Gregory , Janssen Insa , Clusmann Hans , Freyschlag Christian F. , Goldberg Johannes , Czabanka Marcus , Stienen Martin N. , Bijlenga Philippe , Schaller Karl
Published: July 2021

Background

Social Media (SoMe) is becoming increasingly used in the medical community, and its use has been related with academic productivity. However, utilization of SoMe in the European neurosurgical community has not been assessed systematically.

Methods

An online search was undertaken to discover SoMe accounts of (1) national and related neurosurgical societies listed on the EANS website, (2) neurosurgical journals present on EANS website, (3) neurosurgery centers within EANS member countries, as listed on their website. SoMe accounts of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram were searched for journals and societies, and Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for neurosurgery departments. The number of likes/followers/subscribers was recorded.

Results

Five (31%) neurosurgery journals had a SoMe presence. The highest number of followers, likes, and tweets was found for JNNP, and Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B had the most subscribers and video views. SoMe usage was identified for 11 national (28.2%) and 2 multi-national neurosurgical societies. From these, the French Society of Neurosurgery had the largest number of Facebook followers (> 2800) and Likes (> 2700), the Society of British Neurological Surgeons had the largest number of Twitter followers (> 2850), whereas EANS overall had the most followers on Twitter > 5100 and Facebook > 5450. A total of 87 SoMe neurosurgery center accounts were found on either Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, for 64 of 1000 centers (6.4%) in 22 of 40 different countries (55%). Of these 67% (n = 43/64) arose from 6 countries (England, Germany, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine). There were more Facebook accounts (n = 42) than Instagram accounts (n = 23) or Twitter accounts (n = 22).

Conclusion

SoMe use amongst neurosurgical societies and departments in Europe is very limited. From our perspective, explanations are lacking for the correlated numbers to the market shares of SoMe in the respective countries. Further research, including a survey, to follow up on this important topic should be undertaken among EANS members.
Circulation pattern controls of wet days and dry days in Free State, South Africa
Authors: Ibebuchi Chibuike Chiedozie
Published: July 2021

Atmospheric circulation is a vital process in the transport of heat, moisture, and pollutants around the globe. The variability of rainfall depends to some extent on the atmospheric circulation. This paper investigates synoptic situations in southern Africa that can be associated with wet days and dry days in Free State, South Africa, in addition to the underlying dynamics. Principal component analysis was applied to the T-mode matrix (variable is time series and observation is grid points at which the field was observed) of daily mean sea level pressure field from 1979 to 2018 in classifying the circulation patterns in southern Africa. 18 circulation types (CTs) were classified in the study region. From the linkage of the CTs to the observed rainfall data, from 11 stations in Free State, it was found that dominant austral winter and late austral autumn CTs have a higher probability of being associated with dry days in Free State. Dominant austral summer and late austral spring CTs were found to have a higher probability of being associated with wet days in Free State. Cyclonic/anti-cyclonic activity over the southwest Indian Ocean, explained to a good extent, the inter-seasonal variability of rainfall in Free State. The synoptic state associated with a stronger anti-cyclonic circulation at the western branch of the South Indian Ocean high-pressure, during austral summer, leading to enhanced low-level moisture transport by southeast winds was found to have the highest probability of being associated with above-average rainfall in most regions in Free State. On the other hand, the synoptic state associated with enhanced transport of cold dry air, by the extratropical westerlies, was found to have the highest probability of being associated with (winter) dryness in Free State.
Winter survival of the unicellular green alga Micrasterias denticulata: insights from field monitoring and simulation experiments
Authors: Steiner Philip , Buchner Othmar , Andosch Ancuela , Holzinger Andreas , Lütz-Meindl Ursula , Neuner Gilbert
Published: July 2021

Peat bog pools around Tamsweg (Lungau, Austria) are typical habitats of the unicellular green algaMicrasterias denticulata. By measurement of water temperature and irradiation throughout a 1-year period (2018/2019), it was intended to assess the natural environmental strain in winter. Freezing resistance ofMicrasteriascells and their ability to frost harden and become tolerant to ice encasement were determined after natural hardening and exposure to a cold acclimation treatment that simulated the natural temperature decrease in autumn. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed in laboratory-cultivated cells, after artificial cold acclimation treatment and in cells collected from field. Throughout winter, the peat bog pools inhabited byMicrasteriasremained unfrozen. Despite air temperature minima down to −17.3 °C, the water temperature was mostly close to +0.8 °C. The alga was unable to frost harden, and upon ice encasement, the cells showed successive frost damage. Despite an unchanged freezing stress tolerance, significant ultrastructural changes were observed in field-sampled cells and in response to the artificial cold acclimation treatment: organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum and thylakoids of the chloroplast showed distinct membrane bloating. Still, in the field samples, the Golgi apparatus appeared in an impeccable condition, and multivesicular bodies were less frequently observed suggesting a lower overall stress strain. The observed ultrastructural changes in winter and after cold acclimation are interpreted as cytological adjustments to winter or a resting state but are not related to frost hardening asMicrasteriascells were unable to improve their freezing stress tolerance.
Poverty, social exclusion, and mental health: the role of the family context in children aged 7–11 years INMA mother-and-child cohort study
Authors: González Llúcia , Estarlich Marisa , Murcia Mario , Barreto-Zarza Florencia , Santa-Marina Loreto , Simó Sandra , Larrañaga María Isabel , Ruiz-Palomino Estefanía , Ibarluzea Jesús , Rebagliato Marisa
Published: July 2021

Mental health problems are common in childhood and tend to be more frequent in populations at risk of poverty or social exclusion (AROPE). The family environment can play a role in reducing the impact of economic hardship on these problems. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of multidimensional poverty on the mental health of children aged 7–11 years and the role of the family environment in two areas of Spain. Participants were 395 and 382 children aged 7 and 11 from Gipuzkoa and Valencia, respectively. Internalizing and externalizing problem scales of the child behaviour checklist (CBCL) were used. AROPE indicators were obtained by questionnaire, and three dimensions of the family context (Organization of the Physical Environment and Social Context, Parental Stress and Conflict, and Parental Profile Fostering Development) were measured through subscales 3, 4 and 5 of the Haezi-Etxadi family assessment scale (7–11) (HEFAS 7–11), respectively. Data were analysed using negative binomial regression and Structural Equation Modelling. AROPE prevalence was 7.1 and 34.5% in Gipuzkoa and Valencia, respectively. In both cohorts, there was a significant increase in internalizing and externalizing problems among participants with a higher AROPE score. However, AROPE did not affect internalizing problems in children from families living in a better physical environment and with social support (Subscale 3). The AROPE effect was jointly mediated by subscales 4 and 5 in 42 and 62% of internalizing and externalizing problems, respectively. Preventing economic inequities by economic compensation policies, improving the neighbourhood and immediate environment around the school, and promoting positive parenting programmes can improve mental health in childhood.
Evaluation of functional outcomes following rectus diastasis repair—an up-to-date literature review
Authors: Olsson A. , Kiwanuka O. , Sandblom G. , Stackelberg O.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Over the last decade rectus diastasis has gained attention as a condition that may benefit from surgery. Numerous surgical techniques have been presented but scientifically proper studies reporting functional outcome are few and evidence is incomplete. The aim of this up-to-date review is to analyse the outcomes of rectus diastasis repair in recently published papers, focusing on functional changes following surgery.

Method

A comprehensive search in PubMed and Web of Science was performed. Suitable papers were selected using titles and abstracts with terms suggesting surgical treatment of rectus diastasis. All abstracts were scrutinised, and irrelevant studies excluded in four stages. Reports providing original data, including outcome assessment following surgery, were included.

Result

Ten papers with a total of 780 patients were found to fulfil the search criteria. Study design, surgical procedure, follow-up time, functional outcome and assessment instruments were compiled. All included studies reported improvements in a variety of functional aspects regardless of surgical method. The outcomes assessed include core stability, back pain, abdominal pain, posture, urinary incontinence, abdominal muscle strength and quality of life.

Conclusion

The results of this review show that surgical repair of rectus diastasis is a safe and effective treatment that improves functional disability. However, the absence of standardized instruments for assessing outcome makes it impossible to compare studies. Since indications for surgery are relative and related to core function, valid instruments for assessing indication and outcome are needed to ensure benefit of the procedure.
Radial integral boundary element method for simulating phase change problem with mushy zone
Authors: Yao Hongxiao , Yao Weian , Zuo Chong , Hu Xiaofei
Published: July 2021

A radial integral boundary element method (BEM) is used to simulate the phase change problem with a mushy zone in this paper. Three phases, including the solid phase, the liquid phase, and the mushy zone, are considered in the phase change problem. First, according to the continuity conditions of temperature and its gradient on the liquid-mushy interface, the mushy zone and the liquid phase in the simulation can be considered as a whole part, namely, the non-solid phase, and the change of latent heat is approximated by heat source which is dependent on temperature. Then, the precise integration BEM is used to obtain the differential equations in the solid phase zone and the non-solid phase zone, respectively. Moreover, an iterative predictor-corrector precise integration method (PIM) is needed to solve the differential equations and obtain the temperature field and the heat flux on the boundary. According to an energy balance equation and the velocity of the interface between the solid phase and the mushy zone, the front-tracking method is used to track the move of the interface. The interface between the liquid phase and the mushy zone is obtained by interpolation of the temperature field. Finally, four numerical examples are provided to assess the performance of the proposed numerical method.
Commentary on “2019 Academic Marketing Climate Survey: motivation, results and recommendations”
Authors: Deighton John
Published: July 2021

This paper reflects on the conclusions of a survey by Galak and Kahn on the climate experienced by faculty of all genders and ethnicities in the marketing departments of US business schools.
A qualitative exploration of the healthcare challenges and pharmaceutical care needs of people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers
Authors: Jacob Sabrina Anne , Wong Zhi Jean , Cheong Wing Loong , Chong Elizabeth Yie-Chuen , Wong Yin Xuan , Lew Sara Lai Heong
Published: July 2021

Background People with Parkinson’s are at higher risk of healthcare and pharmaceutical care issues. Objective To determine the healthcare challenges, pharmaceutical care needs, and perceived need of a pharmacist-run clinic by people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. Setting Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association. Method A focus group discussion adopting a descriptive qualitative approach was conducted involving people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. A semi-structured interview guide was used to determine the challenges they faced with their medications and healthcare system, their pharmaceutical care needs, and their views on a pharmacist-run clinic. Data was thematically analysed. Main outcome measure: Healthcare challenges faced by people with Parkinson’s and caregivers along with their pharmaceutical care needs and perceived need of a pharmacist-run clinic. Results Nine people with Parkinson’s and four caregivers participated. Six themes were developed: (1) “It’s very personalised”: the need for self-experimentation, (2) “Managing it is quite difficult”: challenges with medication, (3) “The doctor has no time for you”: challenges with healthcare providers, (4) “Nobody can do it except me”: challenges faced by caregivers, (5) “It becomes a burden”: impact on quality of life, and (6) “Lack of consistency could be counterproductive”: views on pharmacist-run clinic. Conclusion The provision of pharmaceutical care services by pharmacists could help overcome issues people with Parkinson’s face, however there is a need for them to first see pharmacists in their expanded roles and change their limited perception of pharmacists. This can be achieved through integration of pharmacists within multidisciplinary teams in specialist clinics which they frequent.
Modelling height-diameter relationships in complex tropical rain forest ecosystems using deep learning algorithm
Authors: Ogana Friday Nwabueze , Ercanli Ilker
Published: July 2021

Modelling tree height-diameter relationships in complex tropical rain forest ecosystems remains a challenge because of characteristics of multi-species, multi-layers, and indeterminate age composition. Effective modelling of such complex systems required innovative techniques to improve prediction of tree heights for use for aboveground biomass estimations. Therefore, in this study, deep learning algorithm (DLA) models based on artificial intelligence were trained for predicting tree heights in a tropical rain forest of Nigeria. The data consisted of 1736 individual trees representing 116 species, and measured from 52 0.25 ha sample plots. A K-means clustering was used to classify the species into three groups based on height-diameter ratios. The DLA models were trained for each species-group in which diameter at beast height, quadratic mean diameter and number of trees per ha were used as input variables. Predictions by the DLA models were compared with those developed by nonlinear least squares (NLS) and nonlinear mixed-effects (NLME) using different evaluation statistics and equivalence test. In addition, the predicted heights by the models were used to estimate aboveground biomass. The results showed that the DLA models with 100 neurons in 6 hidden layers, 100 neurons in 9 hidden layers and 100 neurons in 7 hidden layers for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, outperformed the NLS and NLME models. The root mean square error for the DLA models ranged from 1.939 to 3.887 m. The results also showed that using height predicted by the DLA models for aboveground biomass estimation brought about more than 30% reduction in error relative to NLS and NLME. Consequently, minimal errors were created in aboveground biomass estimation compared to those of the classical methods.
Assessment of drinking water contamination in food stalls of Jashore Municipality, Bangladesh
Authors: Shaibur Molla Rahman , Hossain Mohammed Sadid , Khatun Shirina , Tanzia F. K. Sayema
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to determine the quality of drinking water supplied in different types of food stalls in Jashore Municipality, Bangladesh. A total of 35 water samples were collected from different tea stalls, street side fast food stalls, normal restaurants and well-furnished restaurants. The water quality was evaluated by determining the distinct physical, chemical and biological parameters. The results revealed that the water used in the food stalls and restaurants for drinking purpose was in desired quality in terms of turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, nitrate (NO3−), sulfate (SO42−), phosphate (PO43−), chloride (Cl−), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) concentrations. The values were within the permissible limit proposed by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and the World Health Organization. Concentrations of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) found in several samples were higher than the World Health Organization standard. Iron (Fe) concentrations were higher than the permissible limit of the World Health Organization. Only 46% exceeded the permissible limit of Bangladesh Bureau Statistics. The threatening result was that the samples were contaminated by fecal coliform, indicating that the people of Jashore Municipality may have a greater chance of being affected by pathogenic bacteria. The drinking water provided in the street side fast food stalls was biologically contaminated. The findings demonstrate that the drinking water used in food stalls and restaurants of Jashore Municipality did not meet up the potable drinking water quality standards and therefore was detrimental to public health.
Influence of depth on induced geo-mechanical, chemical, and thermal poromechanical effects
Authors: Ezendiokwere Nnamdi E. , Aimikhe Victor J. , Dosunmu Adewale , Joel Ogbonna F.
Published: July 2021

Delivering efficient and cost-effective drilled and excavated holes require effective prediction of instability along the hole profile. Most drilled and excavated hole stability analyses in the literature are performed for a given zone without considering the influence of depth. This study focused on determining the influence of depth on induced geo-mechanical, chemical, and thermal stresses and strains in drilled or excavated holes. To this end, a new porochemothermoelastic model was developed based on extended poroelastic theory, and the developed model was employed in determining induced strains and stresses for an oil and gas well case study, using data from the literature. The study delineated the different significance levels of geo-thermal-, chemical-, and thermal-induced strains and stresses as depth increased. From the results obtained, it was clear that at shallow depths, chemically induced strains and stress were the most significant formation perturbations responsible for instability of drilled and excavated holes. On the other hand, at deeper depths, geo-mechanical-induced strains and stress were the most predominant. Comparatively, thermally induced strains and stresses were found to be the least significant formation perturbations responsible for instability of drilled and excavated holes. For this case study, the results indicated that chemical strains and stresses were more prominent at depths below 170 m, accounting for more than 50% of the total stresses and strains. At 170 m, both chemical and geo-mechanical stress and strain had equal contributions to the overall stress and strain. However, as depth increased, the percentage contribution of the geo-mechanical component increased and accounted for about 80% of the total strains and stresses at 1000 m, which increased to 98.48% at depths of 6000 m and beyond. The findings of this study will provide guide for future studies on the application of extended poroelasticity theory in solving instability problems of drilled and excavated holes.