bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Synthesis Strategy for the Use of Silica‐Based Composites Modified With Styrene‐Acrylic Copolymer as High‐Performance Adsorbents for Cationic Dyes Removal From Aqueous Environment
Authors: Kyshkarova Viktoriia , Yankovych Halyna , Wzorek Zbigniew , Nowak Anna K. , Václavíková Miroslava , Melnyk Inna
Published: August 2023

Adsorption is a reliable method for removing organic pollutants from water. This article provides data on the use of hybrid composites as adsorbents for Methylene Blue (MB) and Rhodamine 6G (R6G) uptake from aqueous solutions. The organo‐inorganic spherical particles were prepared using tetraethyl orthosilicate and a styrene‐acrylic copolymer through a one‐pot sol‐gel technique. The powder structures were characterised using various methods, including elemental analysis, acid‐base titration, zeta potential measurement, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, low‐temperature nitrogen adsorption, and scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that the adsorption process demonstrated a preference for a pH of 6 in the case of MB, whereas for R6G, the optimal pH for adsorption was observed to be 7. The findings indicated that the pseudo‐second‐order model accurately described the kinetic data, while the equilibrium data aligned with the Freundlich model. The maximum adsorption capacities were determined to be 212.5 mg/g for MB and 323.1 mg/g for R6G, suggesting that both chemisorption and physical adsorption occurred on the surface of the adsorbent material. The composites were found to be regenerable with an HCl:EtOH mixture up to 3 cycles. These findings suggest that silica/styrene‐acrylic copolymer composites are promising sorbents for removing MB and R6G dyes from aqueous solutions.
Surgical correction of a bilateral lateral luxation of the patella in an adult alpaca
Authors: de la Rebière de Pouyade Geoffroy , Storms Nazaré , Dupont Julien , Rigaux Goulven , Deleuze Stefan
Published: August 2023

A bilateral lateral luxation of the patella was diagnosed in an 8‐year‐old, 54 kg, neutered, male alpaca presented with hindquarter weakness progressing to periods of prolonged recumbency over the last 2 weeks. The patient underwent a correction of the condition using a block recess trochleoplasty combined with a medial imbrication on both hindlimbs, performed 15 days apart. Postoperative radiographs confirmed the correct repositioning of the patella. Immediately after the second surgery, the alpaca was able to get up and move freely. No postoperative complications occurred, and the alpaca was discharged from the clinic 15 days after the second surgery. Two years after discharge, the alpaca is doing well with no recurrence of the luxation. Considering the quick recovery and the safe and relatively simple procedure, this technique may be considered an option in unilateral or bilateral patellar luxations in alpacas.
Policy conflict around the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
Authors: You Jongeun
Published: August 2023

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is the largest hydroelectric power project in Africa in terms of installed capacity. With global attention focused on the impact of this megadam, questions about how GERD‐related conflict developed are coming to the fore. This discussion paper describes policy conflict around this new hydroelectric dam over the past decade among three nations in the Nile River basin—Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan. Relying on the insights from the Policy Conflict Framework (a policy process theory that clarifies policy conflict characteristics and episodes) and the method of document analysis, this paper reviews the policy setting around the GERD conflict at the macro level. The paper concludes by proposing three recommendations to mitigate policy conflict: (1) address hydrologic information loopholes, (2) leverage a new mediator, and (3) recognize the multifaceted nature of policy conflict.
The Political Potential of Glamour: The Example of Underwear
Authors: Adamo Fabiola
Published: August 2023

This research project aims to investigate the symbolic and cultural meanings behind an underwear targeted to women in order to analyze the glamorous elements of a garment which is often presented in scenarios that allude to sexuality and transgression. The focus is on the underwear production of the last ten years, as the fashion world has lately been hit by discussions around the need to make fashion accessible for non-normative bodies. Now that fashion is called to play a role in terms of inclusivity on the symbolic as well as on the material level, the question behind this research is: what kind of relationship can be found between an inclusive underwear and glamour? The first part of this research will provide a complex definition of glamour, an ambiguous phenomenon that can either be conservative or subversive. The study will then proceed with an analysis on the relationship between glamour and underwear in the case of the two mainstream lingerie brands Victoria’s Secret and Calvin Klein. Finally, such relationship will be then investigated in the realm of a newborn inclusive lingerie brand named Chitè through an in situ ethnographic investigation.
The two scales of new physics in Higgs couplings
Authors: D’Agnolo Raffaele Tito , Nortier Florian , Rigo Gabriele , Sesma Pablo
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Higgs coupling deviations from Standard Model predictions contain information about two scales of Nature: that of new physics responsible for the deviation, and the scale where new bosons must appear. The two can coincide, but they do not have to. The scale of new bosons can be calculated by going beyond an effective field theory description of the coupling deviation. We compute model-independent upper bounds on the scale of new bosons for deviations in Higgs toWWandZZcouplings, finding that any measured deviation at present or future colliders requires the existence of new bosons within experimental reach. This has potentially interesting implications for naturalness.
Ultraviolet extensions of the Scotogenic model
Authors: Portillo-Sánchez Diego , Escribano Pablo , Vicente Avelino
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The Scotogenic model is a popular scenario that induces radiative Majorana neutrino masses and includes a weakly-interacting dark matter candidate. We classify all possible ultraviolet extensions of the Scotogenic model in which (i) the dark ℤ2 parity emerges at low energies after the spontaneous breaking of a global U(1)L lepton number symmetry, and (ii) the low-energy effective theory contains a naturally small lepton number breaking parameter, suppressed by the mass of a heavy mediator integrated out at tree-level. We find 50 such models and discuss two of them in detail to illustrate our setup. We also discuss some general aspects of the phenomenology of the models in our classification, exploring possible lepton flavor violating signals, collider signatures and implications for dark matter. The phenomenological prospects of these scenarios are very rich due to the presence of additional scalar states, including a massless Goldstone boson.
Injectivity Conditions for STFT Phase Retrieval on $${\mathbb {Z}}$$, $${\mathbb {Z}}_d$$ and $${{\mathbb {R}}}^d$$
Authors: Bartusel David
Published: August 2023

We study the phase retrieval problem for the short-time Fourier transform on the groups $${\mathbb {Z}}$$
Z
, $${\mathbb {Z}}_d$$

Z
d

and $${{\mathbb {R}}}^d$$

R

d

. As is well-known, phase retrieval is possible once the windows’s ambiguity function vanishes nowhere. However, there are only few results for windows that fail to meet this condition. The goal of this paper is to establish new and complete characterizations for phase retrieval with more general windows and compare them to existing results. For a fixed window, our uniqueness conditions usually only depend on the signal’s support and are therefore easily comprehensible. In the discrete settings, we also provide examples which show that a non-vanishing ambiguity function is not necessary for a window to do phase retrieval.
Risk factors for mortality after hospitalization for suicide attempt: results of 11-year follow-up study in Piedmont Region, Italy
Authors: Mehanović Emina , Rosso Gianluca , Cuomo Gian Luca , Diecidue Roberto , Maina Giuseppe , Costa Giuseppe , Vigna-Taglianti Federica
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Suicide attempters are at high risk of premature death, both for suicide and for non-suicidal causes. The aim of this study is to investigate risk factors and temporal span for mortality in a cohort of cases admitted to hospital for suicide attempt.

Methods

The cohort included 1489 patients resident in Piedmont Region, North West of Italy, who had been admitted to hospital or emergency department for suicide attempt between 2010 and 2020. Cox regression models were used to identify risk factors for death. The final multivariate model included gender, age, area deprivation index, family composition, psychiatric disorders, malignant neoplasms, neurological disorders, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and intracranial injury or skull fracture.

Results

During the observation period, 7.3% of patients died. The highest mortality was observed within the first 12 months after suicide attempt, and remained elevated for many years afterwards. Male gender, older age, high deprivation index of the census area, single-parent family, mood disorders, malignant neoplasms, diabetes mellitus and intracranial injuries or skull fracture were independent predictors of death. Risk factors for natural and unnatural causes of death were also identified.

Conclusions

The mortality risk of suicide attempters is very high, both in the months immediately following the attempt and afterwards. The identification of high-risk groups can help to plan outpatient care following the hospital discharge. Our findings urge the need to design strategies for the assistance and care of these patients at long term in order to reduce the unfavourable outcomes.
Fiat–Shamir Transformation of Multi-Round Interactive Proofs (Extended Version)
Authors: Attema Thomas , Fehr Serge , Klooß Michael
Published: August 2023

The celebrated Fiat–Shamir transformation turns any public-coin interactive proof into a non-interactive one, which inherits the main security properties (in the random oracle model) of the interactive version. While originally considered in the context of 3-move public-coin interactive proofs, i.e., so-called$$\varSigma $$Σ-protocols, it is now applied to multi-round protocols as well. Unfortunately, the security loss for a$$(2\mu + 1)$$(2μ+1)-move protocol is, in general, approximately$$Q^\mu $$Qμ, whereQis the number of oracle queries performed by the attacker. In general, this is the best one can hope for, as it is easy to see that this loss applies to the$$\mu $$μ-fold sequential repetition of$$\varSigma $$Σ-protocols, but it raises the question whether certain (natural) classes of interactive proofs feature a milder security loss. In this work, we give positive and negative results on this question. On the positive side, we show that for$$(k_1, \ldots , k_\mu )$$(k1,…,kμ)-special-sound protocols (which cover a broad class of use cases), the knowledge error degrades linearly inQ, instead of$$Q^\mu $$Qμ. On the negative side, we show that fort-foldparallel repetitionsof typical$$(k_1, \ldots , k_\mu )$$(k1,…,kμ)-special-sound protocols with$$t \ge \mu $$t≥μ(and assuming for simplicity thattandQare integer multiples of$$\mu $$μ), there is an attack that results in a security loss of approximately $$\frac{1}{2} Q^\mu /\mu ^{\mu +t}$$12Qμ/μμ+t.
Assessing thermal properties of multipass weld beads using active thermography: microstructural variations and anisotropy analysis
Authors: Sesana Raffaella , Santoro Luca , Curà Francesca , Molica Nardo Rosario , Pagano Piergiorgio
Published: August 2023

In the present paper, the results of a research focused on microstructure investigation of steel welded joints by means of non destructive thermographic technique are presented. In particular, two rough joints obtained by means of irregular manual welding are analyzed. Active lock in thermography phase analysis is applied, basing on the evidence that thermal diffusivity is related to the thermal diffusion length, using the phase contrast trend as a function of the distance from the laser spot. Diffusivity is expected to be dependent on the local microstructure and vary through different directions. By the variation in diffusivity, it is possible to investigate the level of anisotropy.The results are compared with micrographic analysis. The proposed method provides an active lock-in infrared thermography analysis by means of a thermal camera and an exciting laser head to evaluate thermal diffusivity.
Operant novelty seeking predicts cue-induced reinstatement following cocaine but not water reinforcement in male rats
Authors: Gancarz Amy M. , Hagarty Devin P. , Cobb Moriah M. , Kausch Michael A. , Krieg Brandon , Alammari Nora , Gilbert Kameron , Russo Jacqueline , Dietz David M.
Published: August 2023

Rationale

An important facet of cocaine addiction is a high propensity to relapse, with increasing research investigating factors that predispose individuals toward uncontrolled drug use and relapse. A personality trait linked to drug addiction is high sensation seeking, i.e., a preference for novel sensations/experiences. In an animal model of sensation seeking, operant novelty seeking predicts the acquisition of drug self-administration.

Objective

The primary goal of this research was to evaluate the hypothesis that sensitivity to the reinforcing effects of novel sensory stimuli predicts more intensive aspects of drug-taking behaviors, such as relapse.

Methods

Rats were first tested for Operant Novelty Seeking, during which responses resulted in complex visual/auditory stimuli. Next, rats were trained to respond to water/cocaine reinforcers signaled by a cue light. Finally, rats were exposed to extinction in the absence of discrete cues and subsequently tested in a single session of cue-induced reinstatement, during which active responses resulted in cues previously paired with water/cocaine delivery.

Results

The present study showed operant responses to produce novel sensory stimuli positively correlate with responding for cocaine during self-administration and during discrete cue-induced reinstatement, but no association with performance during extinction. A different pattern of associations was observed for a natural reward, in this case, water reinforcement. Here, the degree of novelty seeking also correlated with responding to water reinforcement and extinction responding; however, operant novelty seeking did not correlate with responding to water cues during testing of cue-induced reinstatement. Taken together, the incongruence of relationships indicates an underlying difference between natural and drug reinforcers.

Conclusion

In summary, we found a reinforcer-dependent relationship between operant novelty seeking (i.e., sensation seeking) and responsivity to extinction and discrete cues signaling availability for cocaine (i.e., craving), demonstrating the validity of the operant novelty seeking model to investigate drug seeking and relapse.
A multi-residue method for trace analysis of pesticides in soils with special emphasis on rigorous quality control
Authors: Rösch Andrea , Wettstein Felix E. , Wächter Daniel , Reininger Vanessa , Meuli Reto G. , Bucheli Thomas D.
Published: August 2023

A multi-residue trace analytical method is presented to accurately quantify 146 currently used pesticides in (agricultural) soils with varying soil properties. Pesticides were extracted using an optimized quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) approach and chemical analysis was carried out by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (triple quadrupole). Quantification was based on matrix-matched internal standards calibration, using 95 isotopically labeled analyte analogues. In contrast to the common approach of method validation using soils freshly spiked with analytes shortly before the extraction, our method is additionally validated via an in-house prepared partly aged soil, which contains all target pesticides and via agricultural field soils with native pesticide residues. The developed method is highly sensitive (median method limit of quantification: 0.2 ng/g), precise (e.g., median intra-day and inter-day method precision both ~ 4% based on field soils), and true ((i) quantified pesticide concentrations of the partly aged soil remained stable during 6 months, were close to the initially spiked nominal concentration of 10 ng/g, and thus can be used to review trueness in the future; (ii) median freshly spiked relative recovery: 103%; and (iii) participation in a ring trial: median z-scores close to one (good to satisfactory result)). Its application to selected Swiss (agricultural) soils revealed the presence of in total 77 different pesticides with sum concentrations up to 500 ng/g. The method is now in use for routine soil monitoring as part of the Swiss Action Plan for Risk Reduction and Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products.

Graphical abstract
Upper Bound on the Regularity of the Lyapunov Exponent for Random Products of Matrices
Authors: Bezerra Jamerson , Duarte Pedro
Published: August 2023

We prove that if $${\varvec{\mu }}$$

μ

is a finitely supported measure on $${\varvec{SL}}_{\textbf{2}}({\mathbb {R}})$$

SL

2

(
R
)

with positive Lyapunov exponent but not uniformly hyperbolic, then the Lyapunov exponent function is not $${\varvec{\alpha }}$$

α

-Hölder around $${\varvec{\mu }}$$

μ

for any $${\varvec{\alpha }}$$

α

exceeding the Shannon entropy of $${\varvec{\mu }}$$

μ

over the Lyapunov exponent of $${\varvec{\mu }}$$

μ

.
Quantification of P-glycoprotein function at the human blood-brain barrier using [18F]MC225 and PET
Authors: Mossel Pascalle , Arif Wejdan M. , De Souza Giordana Salvi , Varela Lara Garcia , van der Weijden Chris W. J. , Boersma Hendrikus H. , Willemsen Antoon T. M. , Boellaard Ronald , Elsinga Philip H. , Borra Ronald J. H. , Dierckx Rudi A. J. O. , Lammertsma Adriaan A. , Bartels Anna L. , Luurtsema Gert
Published: August 2023

Introduction

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is one of the most studied efflux transporters at the blood-brain barrier. It plays an important role in brain homeostasis by protecting the brain from a variety of endogenous and exogeneous substances. Changes in P-gp function are associated both with the onset of neuropsychiatric diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, and with drug-resistance, for example in treatment-resistant depression. The most widely used approach to measure P-gp function in vivo is (R)-[11C]verapamil PET. (R)-[11C]verapamil is, however, an avid P-gp substrate, which complicates the use of this tracer to measure an increase in P-gp function as its baseline uptake is already very low. [18F]MC225 was developed to measure both increases and decreases in P-gp function.

Aim

The aim of this study was (1) to identify the pharmacokinetic model that best describes [18F]MC225 kinetics in the human brain and (2) to determine test-retest variability.

Methods

Five (2 male, 3 female) of fourteen healthy subjects (8 male, 6 female, age 67 ± 5 years) were scanned twice (injected dose 201 ± 47 MBq) with a minimum interval of 2 weeks between scans. Each scanning session consisted of a 60-min dynamic [18F]MC225 scan with continuous arterial sampling. Whole brain grey matter data were fitted to a single tissue compartment model, and to reversible and irreversible two tissue-compartment models to obtain various outcome parameters (in particular the volume of distribution (VT), Ki, and the rate constants K1 and k2). In addition, a reversible two-tissue compartment model with fixed k3/k4 was included. The preferred model was selected based on the weighted Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) score. Test-retest variability (TRTV) was determined to assess reproducibility.

Results

Sixty minutes post-injection, the parent fraction was 63.8 ± 4.0%. The reversible two tissue compartment model corrected for plasma metabolites with an estimated blood volume (VB) showed the highest AIC weight score of 34.3 ± 17.6%. The TRVT of the VT for [18F]MC225 PET scans was 28.3 ± 20.4% for the whole brain grey matter region using this preferred model.

Conclusion

[18F]MC225 VT, derived using a reversible two-tissue compartment model, is the preferred parameter to describe P-gp function in the human BBB. This outcome parameter has an average test-retest variability of 28%.

Trial registration

EudraCT 2020-001564-28. Registered 25 May 2020.
Prognostic utility of RECIP 1.0 with manual and AI-based segmentations in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer from [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET images
Authors: Kendrick Jake , Francis Roslyn J , Hassan Ghulam Mubashar , Rowshanfarzad Pejman , Ong Jeremy SL , McCarthy Michael , Alexander Sweeka , Ebert Martin A
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to (i) validate the Response Evaluation Criteria in PSMA (RECIP 1.0) criteria in a cohort of biochemically recurrent (BCR) prostate cancer (PCa) patients and (ii) determine if this classification could be performed fully automatically using a trained artificial intelligence (AI) model.

Methods

One hundred ninety-nine patients were imaged with [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT once at the time of biochemical recurrence and then a second time a median of 6.0 months later to assess disease progression. Standard-of-care treatments were administered to patients in the interim. Whole-body tumour volume was quantified semi-automatically (TTVman) in all patients and using a novel AI method (TTVAI) in a subset (n = 74, the remainder were used in the training process of the model). Patients were classified as having progressive disease (RECIP-PD), or non-progressive disease (non RECIP-PD). Association of RECIP classifications with patient overall survival (OS) was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log rank test and univariate Cox regression analysis with derivation of hazard ratios (HRs). Concordance of manual and AI response classifications was evaluated using the Cohen’s kappa statistic.

Results

Twenty-six patients (26/199 = 13.1%) presented with RECIP-PD according to semi-automated delineations, which was associated with a significantly lower survival probability (log rank p < 0.005) and higher risk of death (HR = 3.78 (1.96–7.28), p < 0.005). Twelve patients (12/74 = 16.2%) presented with RECIP-PD according to AI-based segmentations, which was also associated with a significantly lower survival (log rank p = 0.013) and higher risk of death (HR = 3.75 (1.23–11.47), p = 0.02). Overall, semi-automated and AI-based RECIP classifications were in fair agreement (Cohen’s k = 0.31).

Conclusion

RECIP 1.0 was demonstrated to be prognostic in a BCR PCa population and is robust to two different segmentation methods, including a novel AI-based method. RECIP 1.0 can be used to assess disease progression in PCa patients with less advanced disease.

This study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12615000608561) on 11 June 2015.
The addition of rituximab to chemotherapy improves overall survival in mantle cell lymphoma—a pooled trials analysis
Authors: Fischer Luca , Jiang Linmiao , Bittenbring Joerg Thomas , Huebel Kai , Schmidt Christian , Duell Johannes , Metzner Bernd , Krauter Juergen , Glass Bertram , Huettmann Andreas , Schaefer-Eckart Kerstin , Silkenstedt Elisabeth , Klapper Wolfram , Hiddemann Wolfgang , Unterhalt Michael , Dreyling Martin , Hoster Eva ,   on behalf of the German Lymphoma Alliance (GLA) and the German Low-Grade Lymphoma Study Group (GLSG)
Published: August 2023

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a distinct subtype of B-cell lymphoma and commonly used induction immunochemotherapies include the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab. However, efficacy data for rituximab regarding overall survival (OS) in first line MCL therapy remain conflicting.

We report long-term outcomes of a pooled trials analysis comparing Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicine, Vincristine, Prednisone (CHOP) to R-CHOP in MCL to confirm efficacy on failure free survival (FFS) and OS in relevant subgroups. Untreated, adult MCL patients of two prospective trials assigned to CHOP or R-CHOP were included. Primary endpoints were FFS and OS, secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), secondary malignancies and OS after relapse. Between 1996 and 2003, 385 MCL patients were assigned to CHOP (201) or R-CHOP (184). After a median follow-up of 13.4 years, the addition of Rituximab significantly improved FFS (1.36 vs. 2.07 years, HR 0.62 (0.50–0.77)), OS (4.84 vs. 5.81 years, HR 0.78 (0.61–0.99)) and DOR (1.48 vs. 2.08 years, HR 0.67 (0.53–0.86)). Furthermore, Rituximab improved survival across different MCL risk groups. In a post-hoc analysis of OS after relapse comparing patients receiving chemotherapy with / without rituximab, rituximab maintained efficacy with a median OS of 3.10 vs. 2.11 years (HR 0.70, 0.54–0.91). The rate of secondary malignancies was 0.5 and 3.9% for hematological and 7 and 8% for non-hematological malignancies for CHOP and R-CHOP patients, respectively. We present mature results of a pooled MCL cohort, demonstrating prolonged FFS, OS and DOR for the combined immuno-chemotherapy, confirming the standard of care in first line treatment.
Gender differences in self-assessed performance and stress level during training of basic interventional radiology maneuvers
Authors: Reder Sebastian R. , Rohou Annaig , Keric Naureen , Beiser Katja U. , Othman Ahmed E. , Abello Mercado Mario Alberto , Altmann Sebastian , Petrowski Katja , Brockmann Marc A. , Brockmann Carolin
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Gender differences have been reported to influence medical training. We investigated gender differences encountered during training in interventional radiology maneuvers.

Methods

Catheter handling was analyzed under standardized conditions in 64 participants naïve to endovascular procedures (26 women, 38 men). Objective (e.g., catheter pathway, catheter movements, required time) and subjective parameters (stress level) were recorded. The NASA-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX; 1–20 points) was used to assess participants’ stress levels and perceived workload.

Results

In the easier tasks, no significant differences between male and female participants regarding catheter handling were observed. In the most complex task, female participants took themselves more time (688 ± 363 vs. 501 ± 230 s; p = 0.02), asked for help more frequently (n = 19 vs. n = 8) and earlier than men (203 ± 94 vs. 305 ± 142 s; p = 0.049), whereas men stood out by more agitated catheter handling (6.0 ± 1.8 vs. 4.8 ± 1.6 movements/s; p = 0.005). Overall, female participants perceived tasks to be more difficult (11.5 ± 4.2 vs. 9.6 ± 3.3; p = 0.016), perceived higher stress levels (8.9 ± 4.9 vs. 6.3 ± 4.4; p = 0.037), and rated their own performance lower (9.12 ± 3.3 vs. 11.3 ± 3.3; p = 0.009). However, female participants were able to correlate self-assessed with objective parameters correctly (r between −0.555 and −0.469; p = 0.004–0.018), whereas male participants failed to correctly rate their performance (p between 0.34 and 0.73). Stress levels correlated with objective parameters in males (r between 0.4 and 0.587; p < 0.005), but not in female participants.

Conclusion

Perceived stress levels, self-evaluation skills, and catheter handling differ greatly between untrained male and female participants trying to solve interventional radiological tasks. These gender-specific differences should be considered in interventional radiology training.

Clinical relevance statement

As psychological aspects may influence individual working strategies gender-specific differences in self-perception while learning interventional radiology maneuvers could be essential regarding success in teaching and treatment outcomes.

Key Points

• After performing standardized training, 38 male and 26 female volunteers showed significant differences regarding objective and self-assessed performance, as well as in perceived workload while performing simulated endovascular catheter maneuvers.

• After solving simulated endovascular radiological tasks, female participants were able to self-assess their objective performance much more accurately than male participants.

• Women took more time to solve simulated endovascular tasks and asked earlier and more frequently for help than men.
Urology: a trip into metaverse
Authors: Randazzo Gianmarco , Reitano Giuseppe , Carletti Filippo , Iafrate Massimo , Betto Giovanni , Novara Giacomo , Dal Moro Fabrizio , Zattoni Fabio
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Metaverse is becoming an alternative world in which technology and virtual experiences are mixed with real life, and it holds the promise of changing our way of living. Healthcare is already changing thanks to Metaverse and its numerous applications. In particular, Urology and urologic patients can benefit in many ways from Metaverse.

Methods

A non-systematic literature review identified recently published studies dealing with Metaverse. The database used for this review was PubMed, and the identified studies served as the base for a narrative analysis of the literature that explored the use of Metaverse in Urology.

Results

Virtual consultations can enhance access to care and reduce distance and costs, and pain management and rehabilitation can find an incredible support in virtual reality, reducing anxiety and stress and improving adherence to therapy. Metaverse has the biggest potential in urologic surgery, where it can revolutionize both surgery planning, with 3D modeling and virtual surgeries, and intraoperatively, with augmented reality and artificial intelligence. Med Schools can implement Metaverse in anatomy and surgery lectures, providing an immersive environment for learning, and residents can use this platform for learning in a safe space at their own pace. However, there are also potential challenges and ethical concerns associated with the use of the metaverse in healthcare.

Conclusions

This paper provides an overview of the concept of the metaverse, its potential applications, challenges, and opportunities, and discusses the implications of its development in Urology.
A hybrid ensemble-based automated deep learning approach to generate 3D geo-models and uncertainty analysis
Authors: Abbaszadeh Shahri Abbas , Chunling Shan , Larsson Stefan
Published: August 2023

There is an increasing interest in creating high-resolution 3D subsurface geo-models using multisource retrieved data, i.e., borehole, geophysical techniques, geological maps, and rock properties, for emergency managements. However, dedicating meaningful, and thus interpretable 3D subsurface views from such integrated heterogeneous data requires developing a new methodology for convenient post-modeling analyses. To this end, in the current paper a hybrid ensemble-based automated deep learning approach for 3D modeling of subsurface geological bedrock using multisource data is proposed. The uncertainty then was quantified using a novel ensemble randomly automated deactivating process implanted on the jointed weight database. The applicability of the automated process in capturing the optimum topology is then validated by creating 3D subsurface geo-model using laser-scanned bedrock-level data from Sweden. In comparison with intelligent quantile regression and traditional geostatistical interpolation algorithms, the proposed hybrid approach showed higher accuracy for visualizing and post-analyzing the 3D subsurface model. Due to the use of integrated multi-source data, the approach presented here and the subsequently created 3D model can be a representative reconcile for geoengineering applications.
Revisiting Javal’s rule: a fresh and improved power vector approach according to age
Authors: Salvador-Roger Raquel , Albarrán-Diego César , Garzón Nuria , García-Montero María , Muñoz Gonzalo , Micó Vicente , Esteve-Taboada José J.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The scientific community has established Javal’s rule as a model linking refractive (RA) and keratometric (KA) astigmatism since its appearance more than 100 years ago. The aim was to improve the accuracy of this relationship according to subject’s age by applying the power vector analysis. Posterior corneal curvature has also been studied.

Methods

The IOLMaster 700 optical biometer was used to measure the corneal thickness and the radius of curvature of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces. Refractive error was determined by a non-cycloplegic subjective refraction process with trial lenses. Linear regression analyses were applied using J0 and J45 power vector components. An evaluation was carried out according to the subject’s age resulting into eight regression relationships for each astigmatic vector component for each relationship.

Results

A total of 2254 right eyes from 2254 healthy subjects were evaluated. A trend towards against-the-rule astigmatism (ATR) was found with aging, both for refractive astigmatism (RA) and keratometric astigmatism (KA), with 95.2% of subjects under 20 years old having with-the-rule (WTR) KA, and only 22.8% above 79 years old. The following regression equations were found between RA and KA: $${J}_0^{\textrm{RA}}$$

J
0
RA

= 0.73 × $${J}_0^{\textrm{KA}}$$

J
0
KA

− 0.18 (R = 0.78) and $${J}_{45}^{\textrm{RA}}$$

J

45

RA

= 0.70 × $${J}_{45}^{\textrm{KA}}$$

J

45

KA

+ 0.04 (R = 0.69) and between RA and total corneal astigmatism (TCA): $${J}_0^{\textrm{RA}}$$

J
0
RA

= 0.73 × $${J}_0^{\textrm{TCA}}$$

J
0
TCA

+ 0.13 (R=0.78) and $${J}_{45}^{\textrm{RA}}$$

J

45

RA

= 0.70 × $${J}_{45}^{\textrm{TCA}}$$

J

45

TCA

− 0.06 (R = 0.68) for the whole sample, but with sensible differences among age groups, both in the slope and in the intercept.

Conclusion

Ignoring the age of the subject when using Javal’s rule could lead to an error in the final cylinder calculation that would increase in high astigmatisms. Applying this new power vector approach based on subject’s age could improve the accuracy of the astigmatism prediction.
Short-term outcomes and costs analysis of robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy—a retrospective single-center analysis
Authors: Gantschnigg Antonia , Koch Oliver Owen , Singhartinger Franz , Tschann Peter , Hitzl Wolfgang , Emmanuel Klaus , Presl Jaroslav
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Robotic-assisted surgery is an alternative technique for patients undergoing minimal invasive cholecystectomy (CHE). The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes and costs of laparoscopic versus robotic CHE, previously described as the major disadvantage of the robotic system, in a single Austrian tertiary center.

Methods

A retrospective single-center analysis was carried out of all patients who underwent an elective minimally invasive cholecystectomy between January 2010 and August 2020 at our tertiary referral institution. Patients were divided into two groups: robotic-assisted CHE (RC) and laparoscopic CHE (LC) and compared according to demographic data, short-term postoperative outcomes and costs.

Results

In the study period, 2088 elective minimal invasive cholecystectomies were performed. Of these, 220 patients met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. One hundred ten (50%) patients underwent LC, and 110 patients RC. There was no significant difference in the mean operation time between both groups (RC: 60.2 min vs LC: 62.0 min; p = 0.58). Postoperative length of stay was the same in both groups (RC: 2.65 days vs LC: 2.65 days, p = 1). Overall hospital costs were slightly higher in the robotic group with a total of €2088 for RC versus €1726 for LC.

Conclusions

Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy is a safe and feasible alternative to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Since there are no significant clinical and cost differences between the two procedures, RC is a justified operation for training the whole operation team in handling the system as a first step procedure. Prospective randomized trials are necessary to confirm these conclusions.
Anxiety, depression, and sleep quality among breast cancer patients in North China: Mediating roles of hope and medical social support
Authors: Zhu Wenjuan , Gao Jinnan , Guo Jun , Wang Linying , Li Wanling
Published: August 2023

Background

Sleep disorders are highly prevalent among breast cancer patients and have a detrimental impact on their quality of life. This study aims to investigate the serial multiple mediating roles of social support and hope in the relationship between anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in breast cancer patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in China from October 2021 to February 2022. A total of 315 breast cancer patients were assessed using self-reported questionnaires, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS), Herth Hope Index (HHI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Mediation analysis was performed using the R Statistical Software.

Results

Sleep quality exhibited a negative correlation with hope and medical social support (P < 0.01), and a positive correlation with anxiety and depression (P < 0.01). Anxiety and depression accounted for 18.8% and 12.8% of the variance in sleep quality, respectively. Bootstrap analyses of the anxiety-medical social support-hope-sleep quality pathway indicated the presence of direct effects [B = 0.331, 95%CI (0.215, 0.493)] and indirect effects of anxiety on sleep quality mediated solely by medical social support [B = 0.054, 95%CI (0.015, 0.108)] and hope [B = 0.041, 95%CI (0.018, 0.073)], as well as combined effects [B = 0.012, 95%CI (0.004, 0.025)]. Similarly, the depression-medical social support-hope-sleep quality pathway revealed direct effects [B = 0.235, 95%CI (0.104, 0.372)] and indirect effects of depression on sleep quality mediated solely by medical social support [B = 0.078, 95%CI (0.016, 0.150)] and hope [B = 0.049, 95%CI (0.018, 0.086)], as well as combined effects [B = 0.017, 95%CI (0.004, 0.034)].

Conclusions

This research validates the hypothesis that medical social support and hope serve as mediators between anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in breast cancer patients. Interventions targeting anxiety, depression, medical social support, and hope have the potential to effectively enhance sleep quality.
Exploring motivations for participating in research among Australian women with advanced gynaecological cancer: a qualitative study
Authors: Wigginton B , Reeves M M , DiSipio T
Published: August 2023

Purpose

With global moves to increase research among those living with advanced cancer and legitimise consumers as part of cancer research, this article aims to build an understanding of women’s motivations and reasons for participating in gynaecological cancer research. As a secondary aim, we considered the role of qualitative methods in enabling active involvement of consumers in research.

Methods

We applied thematic discursive analysis to 18 in-depth interviews with women diagnosed with advanced (stage III–IV) gynaecological cancer living in Australia.

Results

We found that women viewed research as a vehicle for change in two directions: improving the lives of future generations and improving education and awareness. Underpinning these two framings of research, women spoke about their own role and reasons for participating in this interview study. Women’s stories were painted against a backdrop of social and medical silences around gynaecological cancer. It was from such silence that women chose to speak up and position themselves as participating in service for knowledge production.

Conclusion

We learned that trust, reciprocity and relationships are central to women’s decisions to participate in cancer research. Legitimising consumers in cancer research requires methods, methodologies and practices that pay careful attention to power, control and representation.
Do peri-operative parathyroid hormone (PTH) analogues improve bone density and decrease mechanical complications in spinal deformity correction?—a minimum 2-year radiological study measuring Hounsfield units
Authors: Chung Andrew , Robinson Jerry , Gendelberg David , Jimenez Jose , Anand Anita , Rao Arya , Khandehroo Bardia , Khandehroo Babak , Kahwaty Sheila , Anand Neel
Published: August 2023

Objective

To delineate whether use of a PTH analogue in the 1-year peri-operative period improves lumbar bone density.

Methods

A prospectively collected data registry of 254 patients who underwent CMIS correction of ASD (Cobb angle > 20 or SVA > 50 mm or (PI-LL) > 10) from Jan 2011 to Jan 2020 was analysed. Patients who were placed on PTH analogues for one year in conjunction with surgery were included in the study. Ultimately, 41 patients who had pre- and two-year post-operative CT scans for review were included in this study. Hounsfield units were measured off of the L1–L3 levels for all patients before and after surgery on pre-op and post-op CT scans.

Result

The mean age of patients in this study was 70 (52–84, SD 7). Mean follow-up was 66 (24–132, SD 33) months. Twenty-three patients met criteria for severe deformity (Cobb angle > 50 degrees or SVA > 95 mm or PI/LL mismatch > 20 or PT > 30). Based off 2-year post-op CT scan, there were significant improvements in L1 Hounsfield units when comparing pre-op values (96; SD 55) to post-op values (185 SD 102); p. < 0.05. There was no screw loosening or screw pull out. There were 2 patients with PJF (4.8%). Both these patients had not completed their PTH treatment: one only took PTH for 3 months (PJF at 2-year post-op) and the other one took it only for 1 month (PJF at 1-year post-op). No increase in bone density was noted (based off of Hounsfield units) in five patients (12%) despite completion of their PTH therapy. Only one patient experienced nausea from PTH therapy. There were no other PTH related adverse events.

Conclusion

The incidence of PTH analogues failing to increase bone density in our series was low at 12%. This study shows that PTH analogues may be a powerful adjunct for increasing bone density and may help to mitigate the risk of mechanical complications in patients undergoing deformity correction with minimally invasive techniques. Future comparative studies are warranted to confirm these latter findings and to potentially protocolize the ideal peri-operative bone health optimization strategy.
Arthroscopic assistance during open reduction and fixation for complex acetabular fractures
Authors: Aprato Alessandro , Giachino Matteo , Cipolla Alessandra , Massè Alessandro
Published: August 2023

Achieving an anatomical reduction in acetabular fracture is essential but may also be challenging. Most of complex fractures are treated with anterior approaches without direct visualization of the acetabular surface. In this paper, we present the surgical technique for arthroscopic assistance during open reduction and fixation for complex acetabular fractures. To our knowledge, this technique has not been described in the literature yet.
Calculation method for wear of steel-bronze rolling-sliding contacts relating to worm gears
Authors: Schnetzer Philipp E. , Pellkofer Josef , Stahl Karsten
Published: August 2023

Worm gears are usually used in industrial applications with the material pairing of hard worm and softer worm wheel, where the failure mode wear often limits the service life. Up to now, extensive, costly and time-consuming component wear tests need to be carried out for each tribological pairing in order to calculate the amount of wear on worm wheels. Therefore, no practical and efficient experimental method is currently available to optimize material-lubricant pairings with respect to wear capacity for worm gear drives. For this reason, a model contact wear test was developed applying a twin-disk test rig. Based on this, the paper covers a new wear calculation method to characterize the wear behavior of steel-bronze rolling-sliding contacts regarding worm wheels. Therefore, the basics for the new calculation method for a model contact will be presented. Furthermore, the validation of the newly developed wear calculation method on the basis of test results of experimental investigations using the twin-disk test rig is addressed. Subsequently, results of the new wear calculation method are compared to results of the wear calculation method for worm wheels for individual tribosystems. Special focus will be given to similar trends in the calculated wear between the worm gear contact and the model contact. This new calculation method enables, in combination with wear tests on the twin-disk machine, efficient information on the wear behavior of worm gears and the development of optimized material-lubricant pairings concerning wear performance for worm gear drives.
Improved patient-reported outcomes after open preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair compared to anterior Lichtenstein repair: 10-year ACHQC analysis
Authors: Agarwal Divyansh , Bharani Tina , Fullington Nora , Ott Lauren , Olson Molly , Poulose Benjamin , Warren Jeremy , Reinhorn Michael
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The Lichtenstein repair has been synonymous with “open” inguinal hernia repair (IHR) for 40 years. However, international guidelines have suggested that posterior mesh placement results in advantageous biomechanics and reduced risk of nerve-related chronic pain. Additionally, the use of local anesthetics has been shown to reduce postoperative pain and complication risks. An open transrectus preperitoneal/open preperitoneal (TREPP/OPP) repair combines posterior mesh placement with the use of local anesthetic and as such could be the ideal repair for primary inguinal hernia. Using the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC) registry, we compared open anterior mesh with open posterior mesh repairs.

Methods

We performed a propensity score matched analysis of patients undergoing open IHR between 2012 and 2022 in the ACHQC. After 1:1 optimal matching, both the TREPP/OPP and Lichtenstein cohorts were balanced with 451 participants in each group. Outcomes included patient-reported quality of life (QoL), hernia recurrence, and postoperative opioid use.

Results

Improvement was seen after TREPP/OPP in EuraHS QoL score at 30 days (OR 0.558 [0.408, 0.761]; p = 0.001), and the difference persisted at 1 year (OR 0.588 [0.346, 0.994]; p = 0.047). Patient-reported opioid use at 30-day follow-up was significantly lower in the TREPP/OPP cohort (OR 0.31 [0.20, 0.48]; p < 0.001). 30-day frequency of surgical-site occurrences was significantly higher in the Lichtenstein repair cohort (OR 0.22 [0.06–0.61]; p = 0.007). There were no statistically significant differences in hernia recurrence risk at 1 year, or rates of postoperative bleeding, peripheral nerve injury, DVTs, or UTIs.

Conclusion

Our analysis demonstrates a benefit of posterior mesh placement (TREPP/OPP) over anterior mesh placement (Lichtenstein) in open inguinal hernia repair in patient-reported QoL and reduced opioid use.