bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PSA density does not improve predictive accuracy of the UCSF‐CAPRA score
Authors: Parker Robert , Bell Alexander , Chang Kevin , Greenberg Scott , Washington Samuel L. , Cowan Janet E. , Carroll Peter R. , Cooperberg Matthew R.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The University of California, San Francisco Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) score is a validated tool using factors at diagnosis to predict prostate cancer outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP). This study evaluates whether substitution of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) density for serum PSA improves predictive performance of the clinical CAPRA model.

Methods

Participants were diagnosed in 2000–2019 with stage T1/T2 cancer, underwent RP, with at least a 6‐month follow‐up. We computed standard CAPRA score using diagnostic age, Gleason grade, percent positive cores, clinical T stage, and serum PSA, and an alternate score using similar variables but substituting PSA density for PSA. We reported CAPRA categories as low (0–2), intermediate (3–5), and high (6–10) risk. Recurrence was defined as two consecutive PSA ≥ 0.2 ng/mL or receipt of salvage treatment. Life table and Kaplan–Meier analysis evaluated recurrence‐free survival after prostatectomy. Cox proportional hazards regression models tested associations of standard or alternate CAPRA variables with recurrence risk. Additional models tested associations between standard or alternate CAPRA score with recurrence risk. Cox log‐likelihood ratio test (−2 LOG L) assessed model accuracy.

Results

A total of 2880 patients had median age 62 years, GG1 30% and GG2 31%, median PSA 6.5, and median PSA density 0.19. Median postoperative follow‐up was 45 months. Alternate CAPRA model was associated with shifts in risk scores, with 16% of patients increasing and 7% decreasing (p < 0.01). Recurrence‐free survival after RP was 75% at 5 years and 62% at 10 years. Both CAPRA component models were associated with recurrence risk after RP on Cox regression. Covariate fit statistics showed better fit for standard CAPRA model versus alternate (p < 0.01). Standard (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50–1.61) and alternate (HR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.44–1.55) CAPRA scores were associated with recurrence risk, with better fit for standard model (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

In a 2880 patient cohort followed for median 45 months after RP, alternate CAPRA model using PSA density was associated with higher biochemical recurrence (BCR) risk, but performed inferior to standard CAPRA at predicting BCR. While PSA density is an established prognostic variable in prediagnostic settings and sub‐stratifying low‐risk disease, it does not improve BCR model predictive accuracy when applied across a range of cancer risk.
Absorption, metabolism, and excretion of [14C]dersimelagon, an investigational oral selective melanocortin 1 receptor agonist, in preclinical species and healthy volunteers
Authors: Tsuda Minoru , Ogawa Kei , Endou Tadashi , Goto Takahiro , Ogasawara Yuko , Ogasawara Akihito
Published: April 2023

Dersimelagon (formerly MT‐7117) is a novel, orally administered nonpeptide small molecule selective agonist for melanocortin 1 receptor currently being investigated for the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria, X‐linked protoporphyria, and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). Findings of studies evaluating the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of dersimelagon following a single dose of [14C]dersimelagon in healthy adult volunteers (N = 6) who participated in phase 1, single‐center, open‐label, mass balance study (NCT03503266), and in preclinical animal models are presented. Rapid absorption and elimination were observed following oral administration of [14C]dersimelagon in clinical and nonclinical studies, with a mean Tmax of 30 min in rats and 1.5 h in monkeys, and a median Tmax of 2 h in humans. In rats, there was a widespread distribution of [14C]dersimelagon‐related material, but little or no radioactivity was detected in the brain or fetal tissues. In humans, elimination of radioactivity in urine was negligible (excretion of radioactivity into the urine: 0.31% of dose), and the primary route of excretion was feces, with more than 90% of the radioactivity recovered through 5 days postdose. Based on these findings, dersimelagon is not retained in the human body. Findings from humans and animals suggest dersimelagon is extensively metabolized to the glucuronide in the liver, which is eliminated in bile, and hydrolyzed to unchanged dersimelagon in the gut. The results to date for this orally administered agent elucidate the ADME of dersimelagon in human and animal species and support its continued development for the treatment of photosensitive porphyrias and dcSSc.
Effect of food simulants on stability of copper oxide in bionanocomposite food packaging film
Authors: Bumbudsanpharoke Nattinee , Chongcharoenyanon Busarin , Harnkarnsujarit Nathdanai , Kwon Seongyoung , Ko Seonghyuk
Published: April 2023

Addition of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) to poly (butylene‐adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) biopolymer blend produced bionanocomposite films with improved mechanical and oxygen barrier properties, as well as enhanced other benefits including antimicrobial activity. In this study, the PBAT/TPS‐CuO bionanocomposite films with varying CuONPs contents (0.05%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%) were challenged by food simulants (10% ethanol represented to aqueous food and 3% acetic acid represented to acidic food) in accordance with European Regulation 10/2011. CuONPs in the bionanocomposite films demonstrated good stability when exposed to 10% ethanol; however, it was dissolved in 3% acetic acid. The X‐ray diffraction and the energy dispersive spectroscopy results showed that CuONPs in the film were completely lost after acid exposure, whereas CuONPs in the films exposed to 10% EtOH were preserved. The maximum overall migration value was 5.0 mg/dm2. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of Cu in the simulants. The highest soluble Cu value of 12.39 mg/kg was detected from PBAT/TPS‐CuO2%, while migration value decreased as concentration ratio in film decreased. Although both values were within the threshold limits established by current legislation for non‐specific migration limit substances in food contact materials, the properties of bionanocomposite were altered. The mechanical properties of a post‐migrated PBAT‐TPS/CuO films taken from acidic conditions were reduced by 22% in tensile strength and 53% in elongation at break due to holes and microcracks on the film surface observed by scanning electron microscope. The average sealing strength of all bionanocomposite films decreased by about 25% after acid exposure. The oxygen permeability, on the other hand, was significantly improved, with a 16.3% reduction. Because the film had lost all of its active agent, film was unable to inhibit Escherichia coli growth. While 3% acetic acid caused dissolution of CuONPs and significant changes in properties of PBAT/TPS‐CuO film, 10% ethanol caused very minor to no changes in bionanocomposite film properties.
Determination of the remediability score for remediation liability allocation among polluters
Authors: Priya Lakshmi , Varghese George K. , Pivato Alberto
Published: April 2023

When a pollution incident occurs, there can be impact liability and/or remediation liability on the polluter. The impact liability pays for the loss of life and property due to pollution. The remediation liability is to pay for remediating the environment in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. If there is only one polluter in a pollution incident, the entire liability can be placed on the sole polluter. However, liability allocation becomes complex when there are multiple polluters. To allocate the fractional remediation liability among multiple polluters, it is important to identify the factors that determine the cost of remediation so that a just distribution of liability can be made based on the contribution of each polluting party to the factors identified. Along with factors such as “quantity of the chemical released by the polluter,” “distribution of the chemical in the environmental medium,” “persistence of the chemical in the environmental medium,” and so forth, the ease with which the chemical pollutant can be separated from the contaminated medium, which we name as “remediability,” is important in deciding the remediation liability. The “remediability” of a chemical is critical in selecting the remediation technologies to be adopted and, consequently, in deciding the cost of remediation. Determination of a remediability score (RS) for each “chemical–environment medium” pair will help in quantifying the ease with which the site can be remediated. The score is envisaged on a 0–100 scale. The higher the score, the more difficult it is to remediate the chemical in the environmental medium under consideration. The score is estimated based on a set of predetermined factors that are characteristic to the technologies available for remediation. The factors are then subjected to a Delphi process to arrive at the weights. The overall RS is determined by determining the weighted impact of the identified factors after the normalization of the magnitudes of factors.
Biomarker‐based Bayesian randomized clinical trial design for identifying a target population
Authors: Sugitani Yasuo , Morita Satoshi , Nakakura Akiyoshi , Yamamoto Hideharu
Published: April 2023

The challenges and potential benefits of incorporating biomarkers into clinical trial designs have been increasingly discussed, in particular to develop new agents for immune‐oncology or targeted cancer therapies. To more accurately identify a sensitive subpopulation of patients, in many cases, a larger sample size—and consequently higher development costs and a longer study period—might be required. This article discusses a biomarker‐based Bayesian (BM‐Bay) randomized clinical trial design that incorporates a predictive biomarker measured on a continuous scale with pre‐determined cutoff points or a graded scale to define multiple patient subpopulations. We consider designing interim analyses with suitable decision criteria to achieve correct and efficient identification of a target patient population for developing a new treatment. The proposed decision criteria allow not only the take‐in of sensitive subpopulations but also the ruling‐out of insensitive ones on the basis of the efficacy evaluation of a time‐to‐event outcome. Extensive simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the operating characteristics of the proposed method, including the probability of correct identification of the desired subpopulation and the expected number of patients, under a wide range of clinical scenarios. For illustration purposes, we apply the proposed method to design a randomized phase II immune‐oncology clinical trial.
The Ordered Mesoporous Barium Ferrite Compounded with Nitrogen‐Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide for Microwave Absorption Materials
Authors: He Fuling , Zhao Wei , Cao Lei , Liu Zhifu , Sun Linquan , Zhang Zhiyu , Zhang Hui , Qi Tao
Published: April 2023

Nanocomposites with hierarchical pore structure hold great potentials for applications in the field of microwave‐absorbing materials because of their lightweight and high‐efficiency absorption properties. Herein, M‐type barium ferrite (BaM) with ordered mesoporous structure (M‐BaM) is prepared via a sol–gel process enhanced by mixed anionic and cationic surfactants. The surface area of M‐BaM is enhanced almost ten times compared with BaM together with 40% reflection loss enhancing. Then M‐BaM compounded with nitrogen‐doped reduced graphene oxide (MBG) is synthesized via hydrothermal reaction in which the reduction and nitrogen doping of graphene oxide (GO) in situ occur simultaneously. Interestingly, the mesoporous structure is able to provide opportunity for reductant to enter the bulk M‐BaM reducing its Fe3+ to Fe2+ and further forms Fe3O4. It requires an optimal balance among the remained mesopores in MBG, formed Fe3O4, and CN in nitrogen‐doped graphene (N‐RGO) for optimizing impedance matching and greatly increasing multiple reflections/interfacial polarization. MBG‐2 (GO:M‐BaM = 1:10) achieves the minimum reflection loss of −62.6 dB with an effective bandwidth of 4.2 GHz at an ultra‐thin thickness of 1.4 mm. In addition, the marriage of mesoporous structure of M‐BaM and light mass of graphene reduces the density of MBG.
Tuning the Surface Electron Accumulation Layer of In2O3 by Adsorption of Molecular Electron Donors and Acceptors
Authors: Wang Rongbin , Schultz Thorsten , Papadogianni Alexandra , Longhi Elena , Gatsios Christos , Zu Fengshuo , Zhai Tianshu , Barlow Stephen , Marder Seth R. , Bierwagen Oliver , Amsalem Patrick , Koch Norbert
Published: April 2023

In2O3, an n‐type semiconducting transparent transition metal oxide, possesses a surface electron accumulation layer (SEAL) resulting from downward surface band bending due to the presence of ubiquitous oxygen vacancies. Upon annealing In2O3 in ultrahigh vacuum or in the presence of oxygen, the SEAL can be enhanced or depleted, as governed by the resulting density of oxygen vacancies at the surface. In this work, an alternative route to tune the SEAL by adsorption of strong molecular electron donors (specifically here ruthenium pentamethylcyclopentadienyl mesitylene dimer, [RuCp*mes]2) and acceptors (here 2,2′‐(1,3,4,5,7,8‐hexafluoro‐2,6‐naphthalene‐diylidene)bis‐propanedinitrile, F6TCNNQ) is demonstrated. Starting from an electron‐depleted In2O3 surface after annealing in oxygen, the deposition of [RuCp*mes]2 restores the accumulation layer as a result of electron transfer from the donor molecules to In2O3, as evidenced by the observation of (partially) filled conduction sub‐bands near the Fermi level via angle‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy, indicating the formation of a 2D electron gas due to the SEAL. In contrast, when F6TCNNQ is deposited on a surface annealed without oxygen, the electron accumulation layer vanishes and an upward band bending is generated at the In2O3 surface due to electron depletion by the acceptor molecules. Hence, further opportunities to expand the application of In2O3 in electronic devices are revealed.
Supramolecular Chemistry of Carbon‐Based Dots Offers Widespread Opportunities
Authors: Arcudi Francesca , Đorđević Luka
Published: April 2023

Carbon dots are an emerging class of nanomaterials that has recently attracted considerable attention for applications that span from biomedicine to energy. These photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles are defined by characteristic sizes of <10 nm, a carbon‐based core and various functional groups at their surface. Although the surface groups are widely used to establish non‐covalent bonds (through electrostatic interactions, coordinative bonds, and hydrogen bonds) with various other (bio)molecules and polymers, the carbonaceous core could also establish non‐covalent bonds (ππ stacking or hydrophobic interactions) with π‐extended or apolar compounds. The surface functional groups, in addition, can be modified by various post‐synthetic chemical procedures to fine‐tune the supramolecular interactions. Our contribution categorizes and analyzes the interactions that are commonly used to engineer carbon dots‐based materials and discusses how they have allowed preparation of functional assemblies and architectures used for sensing, (bio)imaging, therapeutic applications, catalysis, and devices. Using non‐covalent interactions as a bottom‐up approach to prepare carbon dots‐based assemblies and composites can exploit the unique features of supramolecular chemistry, which include adaptability, tunability, and stimuli‐responsiveness due to the dynamic nature of the non‐covalent interactions. It is expected that focusing on the various supramolecular possibilities will influence the future development of this class of nanomaterials.
Nonfullerene Agent Enables Efficient and Stable Tin‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Cao Xiangrong , Li Peizhou , Zhu Xinyi , Li Haomiao , Xu Ruoyao , Li Jingrui , Ma Lin , Dong Hua , Wu Zhaoxin
Published: April 2023

Tin‐based perovskites have emerged as the most promising lead‐free perovskite materials due to the characteristics of the environmentally friendly and more suitable bandgap. However, the power conversion efficiency still lags behind the lead perovskite owing to unfavorable defects of the perovskite film and poor interface contact between tin perovskite and electron transporting layers. Herein, an n‐type conjugated nonfullerene molecule, termed IO‐4Cl, is developed for efficient and stable tin perovskite solar cells (TPSCs). The IO‐4Cl possesses electron‐donating functional groups that can enlarge grain size and passivate defect states of perovskite films through Lewis acid–base interactions. Besides, the IO‐4Cl exhibits an appropriate lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level and interface‐modification ability, enabling superior electron extraction and transport ability of TPSCs. More importantly, the hydrophobic characteristic of IO‐4Cl prevents the decomposition of perovskite films under moisture conditions, improving the moisture stability of TPSCs. Consequently, the TPSCs with IO‐4Cl achieve a champion efficiency of 11.49% with an open‐circuit voltage increase of 100 mV, and excellent moisture stability under ambient air condition with 30% relative humidity, without encapsulation. The work provides a new inspiration for the introduction of functional nonfullerene materials to obtain highly efficient and stable TPSCs.
Lean 4.0 in the value co‐creation in agro‐industrial services: An agenda for future studies for the efficient resource use
Authors: Bonamigo Andrei , de Azeredo Raíssa Ribeiro , Monteiro de Camargo Filho José Eugênio , de Souza Andrade Herlandí
Published: April 2023

Over the last few years, the Lean 4.0 concept has emerged and gained prominence on the world stage for waste and efficient natural resources management, once including the Lean thinking philosophy for management and technologies from Industry 4.0 for supporting and sharing data and information among the actors in the supply chain. This new management technic allows reorganizes the business process and stimulates the circular supply chain based on intelligent services and sharing data, information and know‐how among the actors in production systems. However, it is not clear in the current literature that the opportunities are linked to the relationship between Lean 4.0 and the efficient use of resources in the agro‐industrial environment. Based on the exposure, this paper intends to show an agenda for future research linked to Lean 4.0 in the value co‐creation in agro‐industrial services. We identified five topics for future research that are related to Lean 4.0 for efficient resource use.
Characterization and Applications of Red Mud, an Aluminum Industry Waste Material, in the Construction and Building Industries, as well as Catalysis
Authors: Al‐Fakih Amin , Mohamed Nor Zakaria , Inayath Basha Shaik , Nasiruzzaman Shaikh M. , Ahmad Shamsad , Al‐Osta Mohammed A. , Aziz Md. Abdul
Published: April 2023

The disposal of red mud (RM), a waste material generated by the aluminum industry, remains a global environmental concern because of its high alkalinity and smaller particle size, which have the potential to pollute air, soil, and water. Recently, efforts have been made to develop a strategy for reusing industrial byproducts, such as RM, and turning waste into value‐added products. The use of RM as (i) a supplementary cementitious material for construction and building materials, such as cement, concrete, bricks, ceramics, and geopolymers, and (ii) a catalyst is discussed in this review. Furthermore, the physical, chemical, mineralogical, structural, and thermal properties of RM, as well as its environmental impact, are also discussed in this review. It is possible to conclude that using RM in catalysis, cement, and construction industries is the most efficient way to recycle this byproduct on a large scale. However, the low cementitious properties of RM can be attributed to a reduction in the fresh and mechanical properties of composites incorporating RM. On the other hand, RM can be used as an efficient active catalyst to synthesize organic molecules and reduce air pollution, which not only makes use of solid waste but also lowers the price of the catalyst. The review provides basic information on the characterization of RM and its suitability in various applications, paving the way for more advanced research on the sustainable disposal of RM waste. Future research perspectives on the utilization of RM are also addressed.
Control Strategy for Array Buoy Type Wave Energy Converters' Power Conversion
Authors: Huang Ping , Zheng Jinpao , Goh Hui Hwang , Wang Sen , Qin Honglin , Xu Shijie
Published: April 2023

In order to solve the problem of complex inner‐loop control structure, difficult debugging of control parameters and poor anti‐interference ability in the double PI power conversion control method of array buoy type wave energy converter, this article proposes a power conversion control strategy in which the one step delay compensation model predictive current control strategy is proposed for the machine side rectifier and the three closed‐loop control structure with PI voltage outer‐loop, quasi‐proportional resonant (QPR) current inner‐loop and proportional capacitor current inner‐loop is proposed for the grid‐side LCL inverter. In addition, this article proposes a graded power generation scheme for a single oscillating buoy and two power generation branches, which aims to address the issue of a restricted safe working pressure range for the accumulator in the single buoy and single power generation branch mode. Based on the mathematical model of the system's key components, the MATLAB/Simulink program is applied for modeling and simulation. The results indicate that the recommended graded power generation scheme and power conversion control mechanism may accomplish stable operation of the system under three diverse wave conditions, showing the scheme's practicality. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
An exploratory study examining the experiences of international students in an intensive English program
Authors: Ammigan Ravichandran , Bentahar Adil
Published: April 2023

Understanding the experiences and preferences of international students during their programs of study can be crucial for how institutions of higher education recruit, retain, and ensure the success of students in an increasingly competitive global market. While there is a well‐established body of literature on the academic and living experiences of students in general, few empirical studies have examined the perspectives of those specifically enrolled in intensive English programs (IEPs). This quantitative study investigates the degree to which international students were satisfied with various aspects of their IEP experience at a university located in the mid‐Atlantic region of the United States. It uses data from the International Student Barometer, a global benchmarking tool for assessing student satisfaction, to evaluate associations between international students' overall program experiences and 67 different satisfaction variables within their arrival, learning, living, and support services environments. Bivariate correlation analyses reveal the most prominent associations with students' overall program experiences, including the need for orientation programs and a sense of belonging upon arrival on campus; access to and personal support from instructors and academic staff; opportunities to engage socially and culturally; and support services on immigration issues and mental wellness. Findings from this study highlight the importance of university‐wide curricular and co‐curricular support services for enhancing the experiences of IEP international students. They also point to a few recommendations around strengthening language learning support, remote learning options, teacher professional development, and assessment practices for international educators and university administrators.
A rapid and universal method for depth estimation of lesions in heterogeneous tissues via photosafe ratiometric transmission Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Yumin , Lin Li , Ye Jian
Published: April 2023

Noninvasive detection of deep lesions remains a long‐standing goal for clinical applications, with depth estimation of a single lesion in heterogeneous tissues being a key challenge. Currently, optical techniques are widely applied for lesion detection, but they face difficulties in achieving rapid and precise lesion depth estimation, particularly when the lesions are buried in thick heterogeneous tissues and the applied irradiance is below clinically maximum permissible exposure. Herein, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate a universal method for depth prediction of phantom lesions labeled with surface‐enhanced Raman scattering nanotags in thick biological tissues using ratiometric transmission Raman spectroscopy (TRS). We begin by highlighting the linear relationship between the natural logarithm of Raman peak‐to‐peak ratio and the lesion depth and establishing a home‐built TRS system with the clinically safe irradiance. We achieve an accurate depth prediction for phantom lesions hidden in 6‐cm‐thick ex vivo homogeneous tissue with a root mean squared error (RMSE) as low as 2.42%. Additionally, we predict the depth of phantom lesions buried in 5‐cm‐thick ex vivo heterogeneous tissues with an RMSE of down to 8.35%. We also demonstrate the applicability of this method theoretically for highly heterogeneous tissues such as complex in vivo environments. This work provides a rapid, robust, and universal method to estimate the depth of lesions in complex biological samples, demonstrating the potential of ratiometric Raman spectroscopy for lesion localization in clinical applications.
The eastern Mediterranean extreme snowfall of January 2022: synoptic analysis and impact of sea‐surface temperature
Authors: Patlakas Platon , Chaniotis Ioannis , Hatzaki Maria , Kouroutzoglou John , Flocas Helena A.
Published: April 2023

The Mediterranean Sea is affected by cyclonic activity often associated with extreme weather. Intense snowfall events are rare, but when they occur they can lead to severe impacts especially due to the lack of infrastructure and public awareness. This study focuses on the mechanisms that can trigger extreme snowstorms over the eastern Mediterranean and the quantification of the influence of sea‐surface temperature (SST) anomalies on them. Different scenarios show that positive SST anomalies lead to more severe snowfall over higher altitudes, whereas negative anomalies lead to longer duration of snow cover on lower altitudes and seaside areas.

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The mass mortality of Asia's native pigs induced by African swine fever
Authors: Luskin Matthew Scott , Moore Jonathan H. , Mendes Calebe P. , Nasardin Musalmah Bt , Onuma Monubu , Davies Stuart J.
Published: April 2023

Asia's wild pigs are ecosystem engineers and a key food for predators and people. The arrival of African swine fever (ASF) in 2018 induced near‐100% fatality in domestic pigs and decimated the Chinese pork industry in 2020 but outcomes for wild pigs have been delayed and unclear. Here we report on the mass mortality of native wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Peninsular Malaysia. ASF was confirmed at our long‐term study site in February 2022 and wild boar carcasses increased >100‐fold in June 2022 compared to prior years. Camera trapping revealed an 87% decline in wild boar activity in 2022 compared to five prior surveys. Wild boars retired in old birthing nests and pairs of animals died next to each other in the open. Similar results are being anecdotally reported across the region with immense repercussions suspected on ecology and conservation. We urge a rapid research response to take advantage of this unique natural experiment.
Transforming the Politics of the Black Body: Trans-corporeality, Epistemological Resistance, and Spencerism in Charles W. Chesnutt
Authors: Klestil Matthias
Published: April 2023

This chapter considers Charles W. Chesnutt’s Uncle Julius stories as texts that revise the black body as an environmental entity. Conjure stories such as “Po’ Sandy,” “Sis’ Becky’s Pickaninny,” or “The Gray Wolf’s Ha’nt” can be read as expressions of a trans-corporeal (Alaimo) African American environmental knowledge. Beyond drawing attention self-reflexively to the difficulties and potentials of depicting links between black bodies and non-human nature, Chesnutt’s trans-corporeal environmental knowledge also signifies, I argue, on Spencer’s social evolutionary ideas. Moreover, Chesnutt’s texts thereby offer a deeply philosophical reflection on the possibilities and limits of environmental knowledge, which makes them thought provoking comments on the epistemological and ethical interrelations between race and nature more generally and particularly rich environmental texts.
Conclusion: African American Environmental Knowledge at Yellowstone
Authors: Klestil Matthias
Published: April 2023

Summarizing the main findings of Environmental Knowledge, Race, and African American Literature, this chapter offers a brief reflection on Barack Obama’s 2009 visit of Yellowstone and draws attention to the broader implications of studying African American environmental knowledge.
Unboundedness Problems for Machines with Reversal-Bounded Counters
Authors: Baumann Pascal , D’Alessandro Flavio , Ganardi Moses , Ibarra Oscar , McQuillan Ian , Schütze Lia , Zetzsche Georg
Published: April 2023

We consider a general class of decision problems concerning formal languages, called “(one-dimensional) unboundedness predicates”, for automata that feature reversal-bounded counters (RBCA). We show that each problem in this class reduces—non-deterministically in polynomial time—to the same problem for just finite automata. We also show an analogous reduction for automata that have access to both a pushdown stack and reversal-bounded counters (PRBCA).

This allows us to answer several open questions: For example, we show that it is$$\textsf{coNP}$$coNP-complete to decide whether a given (P)RBCA languageLis bounded, meaning whether there exist words$$w_1,\ldots ,w_n$$w1,…,wnwith$$L\subseteq w_1^*\cdots w_n^*$$L⊆w1∗⋯wn∗. For PRBCA, even decidability was open. Our methods also show that there is no language of a (P)RBCA of intermediate growth. This means, the number of words of each length grows either polynomially or exponentially. Part of our proof is likely of independent interest: We show that one can translate an RBCA into a machine with$$\mathbb {Z}$$Z-counters in logarithmic space, while preserving the accepted language.
Weighted and Branching Bisimilarities from Generalized Open Maps
Authors: Dubut Jérémy , Wißmann Thorsten
Published: April 2023

In the open map approach to bisimilarity, the paths and their runs in a given state-based system are the first-class citizens, and bisimilarity becomes a derived notion. While open maps were successfully used to model bisimilarity in non-deterministic systems, the approach fails to describe quantitative system equivalences such as probabilistic bisimilarity. In the present work, we see that this is indeed impossible and we thus generalize the notion of open maps to also accommodate weighted and probabilistic bisimilarity. Also, extending the notions of strong path and path bisimulations into this new framework, we show that branching bisimilarity can be captured by this extended theory and that it can be viewed as the history preserving restriction of weak bisimilarity.
Compositional Learning for Interleaving Parallel Automata
Authors: Labbaf Faezeh , Groote Jan Friso , Hojjat Hossein , Mousavi Mohammad Reza
Published: April 2023

Active automata learning has been a successful technique to learn the behaviour of state-based systems by interacting with them through queries. In this paper, we develop a compositional algorithm for active automata learning in which systems comprising interleaving parallel components are learned compositionally. Our algorithm automatically learns the structure of systems while learning the behaviour of the components. We prove that our approach is sound and that it learns a maximal set of interleaving parallel components. We empirically evaluate the effectiveness of our approach and show that our approach requires significantly fewer numbers of input symbols and resets while learning systems. Our empirical evaluation is based on a large number of subject systems obtained from a case study in the automotive domain.
Kantorovich Functors and Characteristic Logics for Behavioural Distances
Authors: Goncharov Sergey , Hofmann Dirk , Nora Pedro , Schröder Lutz , Wild Paul
Published: April 2023

Behavioural distances measure the deviation between states in quantitative systems, such as probabilistic or weighted systems. There is growing interest in generic approaches to behavioural distances. In particular, coalgebraic methods capture variations in the system type (nondeterministic, probabilistic, game-based etc.), and the notion of quantale abstracts over the actual values distances take, thus covering, e.g., two-valued equivalences, (pseudo)metrics, and probabilistic (pseudo)metrics. Coalgebraic behavioural distances have been based either on liftings of $$\textsf{Set}$$
Set
-functors to categories of metric spaces, or on lax extensions of $$\textsf{Set}$$
Set
-functors to categories of quantitative relations. Every lax extension induces a functor lifting but not every lifting comes from a lax extension. It was shown recently that every lax extension is Kantorovich, i.e. induced by a suitable choice of monotone predicate liftings, implying via a quantitative coalgebraic Hennessy-Milner theorem that behavioural distances induced by lax extensions can be characterized by quantitative modal logics. Here, we essentially show the same in the more general setting of behavioural distances induced by functor liftings. In particular, we show that every functor lifting, and indeed every functor on (quantale-valued) metric spaces, that preserves isometries is Kantorovich, so that the induced behavioural distance (on systems of suitably restricted branching degree) can be characterized by a quantitative modal logic.
A Logical Framework with Higher-Order Rational (Circular) Terms
Authors: Chen Zhibo , Pfenning Frank
Published: April 2023

Logical frameworks provide natural and direct ways of specifying and reasoning within deductive systems. The logical framework LF and subsequent developments focus on finitary proof systems, making the formalization of circular proof systems in such logical frameworks a cumbersome and awkward task. To address this issue, we propose$$ \text {CoLF} $$CoLF, a conservative extension of LF with higher-order rational terms and mixed inductive and coinductive definitions. In this framework, two terms are equal if they unfold to the same infinite regular Böhm tree. Both term equality and type checking are decidable in$$ \text {CoLF} $$CoLF. We illustrate the elegance and expressive power of the framework with several small case studies.
A Programming Language Characterizing Quantum Polynomial Time
Authors: Hainry Emmanuel , Péchoux Romain , Silva Mário
Published: April 2023

We introduce a first-order quantum programming language, named foq, whose terminating programs are reversible. We restrict foq to a strict and tractable subset, named pfoq, of terminating programs with bounded width, that provides a first programming language-based characterization of the quantum complexity class fbqp. We finally present a tractable semantics-preserving algorithm compiling a pfoq program to a quantum circuit of size polynomial in the number of input qubits.
Carbonate budgets in Lakshadweep Archipelago bear the signature of local impacts and global climate disturbances
Authors: Divan Patel Farai , Pinto Wenzel , Dey Mayukh , Alcoverro Teresa , Arthur Rohan
Published: April 2023

Predicted sea-level rise and increased storm frequency caused by climate change drastically threaten low-lying inhabited coral atolls. Coral reef frameworks are the atolls’ primary defence from these changes. The growth and integrity of these frameworks is reflected in their carbonate budgets, a dynamic balance between biogenic accretion through coral growth and erosional forces, both of which are affected by factors acting at different spatial scales. We explored how carbonate budgets, estimated using the ReefBudget methodology, vary between three inhabited atolls that face differing anthropogenic stressors in the Lakshadweep Archipelago in the Northern Indian Ocean. We surveyed ten reefs, at two depths each, across the three islands. Overall, net carbonate budgets of reefs across all atolls were below optimal production rates needed to continue protecting shorelines (5 G measured on healthy reefs). This was a result of repeated mass bleaching events as well as local impacts. Carbonate production was influenced by a recent mass bleaching event in 2016 and a cyclone in 2018, and varied between depths and exposures, potentially due to differential recovery and mortality dynamics. Erosional processes were locally mediated with both urchin and parrotfish density showing large differences between islands, possibly linked to nutrient outflow and fishing intensity. We also find that by the year 2100, a large proportion of shallow sites will experience an increase in water depth above half a metre under moderate and high emissions scenarios, but none will breach this threshold under a low emissions scenario. Our results show that patterns of carbonate production were largely mediated by the history of global/regional disturbances, while erosional rates were much more dependent on local factors.
Efficacy and safety of intravenous iron repletion in patients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Vukadinović Davor , Abdin Amr , Emrich Insa , Schulze P. Christian , von Haehling Stephan , Böhm Michael
Published: April 2023

Introduction

AFFIRM-AHF and IRONMAN demonstrated lower rates of the combined endpoint recurrent heart failure (HF) hospitalizations and cardiovascular death (CVD) using intravenous (IV) ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) and ferric derisomaltose (FDI), respectively in patients with HF and iron deficiency (ID) utilizing prespecified COVID-19 analyses.

Material and methods

We meta-analyzed efficacy, between trial heterogeneity and data robustness for the primary endpoint and CVD in AFFIRM-AHF and IRONMAN. As sensitivity analysis, we analyzed data from all eligible exploratory trials investigating FCM/FDI in HF.

Results

FCM/FDI reduced the primary endpoint (RR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.69–0.95, p = 0.01, I2 = 0%), with the number needed to treat (NNT) being 7. Power was 73% and findings were robust with fragility index (FI) of 94 and fragility quotient (FQ) of 0.041. Effects of FCM/FDI were neutral concerning CVD (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.71–1.09, p = 0.24, I2 = 0%). Power was 21% while findings were fragile with reverse FI of 14 and reversed FQ of 0.006. The sensitivity analysis from all eligible trials (n = 3258) confirmed positive effects of FCM/FDI on the primary endpoint (RR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.66–0.90, p = 0.0008, I2 = 0%), with NNT being 6. Power was 91% while findings were robust (FI of 147 and FQ of 0.045). Effect on CVD was neutral (RR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.71–1.07, p = 0.18, I2 = 0%). Power was 10% while findings were fragile (reverse FI of 7 and reverse FQ of 0.002). Rate of infections (OR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.71–1.02, p = 0.09, I2 = 0%), vascular disorder (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.57–1.25, p = 0.34, I2 = 0%) and general or injection-site related disorders (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 0.88–1.29, p = 0.16, I2 = 30%) were comparable between groups. There was no relevant heterogeneity (I2 > 50%) between the trials for any of the analyzed outcomes.

Conclusions

Use of FCM/FDI is safe and reduces the composite of recurrent HF hospitalizations and CVD, while effects on CVD alone are based on available level of data indeterminate. Findings concerning composite outcomes exhibit a high level of robustness without heterogeneity between trials with FCM and FDI.

Graphical Abstract
Iodine intake assessment in the staff of a Porto region university (Portugal): the iMC Salt trial
Authors: Machado Ana , Gonçalves Carla , Moreira Pedro , Pinho Olívia , Padrão Patrícia , Silva-Santos Tânia , Rodrigues Micaela , Norton Pedro , Bordalo Adriano A.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is an ongoing worldwide recognized problem with over two billion individuals having insufficient iodine intake. School-aged children and pregnant women are often target groups for epidemiological studies, but there is a lack of knowledge on the general adult population. The aim of this study was to assess the iodine status among a Portuguese public university staff as a proxy for the adult working population.

Methods

The population study covered 103 adults within the iMC Salt randomized clinical trial, aged 24–69 years. Urinary iodine concentration was measured spectrophotometrically using the Sandell–Kolthoff reaction. Iodine food intake was assessed using a 24-h dietary recall. The contribution of discretionary salt to the iodine daily intake was assessed through 24-h urinary sodium excretion (UIE) and potentiometric iodine determination of household salt.

Results

The mean urine volume in 24 h was 1.5 L. The median daily iodine intake estimated from 24-h UIE was 113 µg/day, being lower among women (p < 0.05). Only 22% of participants showed iodine intake above the WHO-recommended cutoff (150 µg/day). The median daily iodine intake estimated from the 24-h dietary recall was 58 µg/day (51 and 68 µg/day in women and men, respectively). Dairy, including yoghurt and milk products, were the primary dietary iodine source (55%). Iodine intake estimated from 24-h UIE and 24-h dietary recall was moderately correlated (Spearman rank correlation coefficient r = 0.34, p < 0.05). The average iodine concentration in household salt was 14 mg I/kg, with 45% of the samples below the minimum threshold preconized by WHO (15 mg I/kg). The contribution of discretionary salt to the daily iodine intake was around 38%.

Conclusion

This study contributes new knowledge about iodine status in Portuguese working adults. The results revealed moderate iodine deficiency, particularly in women. Public health strategies and monitoring programs are needed to ensure iodine adequacy in all population groups.
Characterisation and differential diagnosis of neurological complications in adults with phenylketonuria: literature review and expert opinion
Authors: Merkel Martin , Berg Daniela , Brüggemann Norbert , Classen Joseph , Mainka Tina , Zittel Simone , Muntau Ania C.
Published: April 2023

Objective

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder characterised by elevated phenylalanine (Phe) concentrations that can exert neurotoxic effects if untreated or upon treatment discontinuation. This systematic review supported by expert opinion aims to raise awareness among the neurological community on neurological complications experienced by adults with PKU (AwPKU).

Methods

The PubMed database was searched for articles on neurological signs and symptoms in AwPKU published before March 2022. In addition, two virtual advisory boards were held with a panel of seven neurologists and two metabolic physicians from Germany and Austria. Findings are supported by three illustrative patient cases.

Results

Thirty-nine articles were included. Despite early diagnosis and treatment, neurological signs and symptoms (e.g. ataxia, brisk tendon reflexes, tremor, visual impairment) can emerge in adulthood, especially if treatment has been discontinued after childhood. In PKU, late-onset neurological deficits often co-occur with cognitive impairment and psychiatric symptoms, all of which can be completely or partially reversed through resumption of treatment.

Conclusion

Ideally, neurologists should be part of the PKU multidisciplinary team, either to bring lost to follow-up patients back to clinic or to manage symptoms in referred patients, considering that symptoms are often reversible upon regaining metabolic control. The current findings have been combined in a leaflet that will be disseminated among neurologists in Germany and Austria to create awareness.
Adaptability of the load sharing between the longissimus and components of the multifidus muscle during isometric trunk extension in healthy individuals
Authors: Tier Louise , Salomoni Sauro E. , Hug François , Besomi Manuela , Hodges Paul W.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Redundancy of the musculoskeletal system implies multiple strategies are theoretically available to coordinate back extensor muscles. This study investigated whether coordination between back muscles during a tightly constrained isometric trunk extension task varies within and between individuals, and whether this changes following brief exposure to activation feedback of a muscle.

Methods

Nine healthy participants performed three blocks of two repetitions of ramped isometric trunk extension in side-lying against resistance from 0–30% of maximum voluntary contraction over 30 s (force feedback). Between blocks, participants repeated contractions with visual feedback of electromyography (EMG) from either superficial (SM) or deep multifidus (DM), in two conditions; ‘After SM’ and ‘After DM’. Intramuscular EMG was recorded from SM, DM, and longissimus (LG) simultaneously with shear wave elastography (SWE) from SM or DM.

Results

In the ‘Natural’ condition (force feedback only), group data showed incremental increases in EMG with force, with minor changes in distribution of activation between muscles as force increased. SM was the most active muscle during the ‘Natural’ condition, but with DM most active in some participants. Individual data showed that coordination between muscles differed substantially between repetitions and individuals. Brief exposure to EMG feedback altered coordination. SWE showed individual variation, but findings differed from EMG.

Conclusion

This study revealed substantial variation in coordination between back extensor muscles within and between participants, and after exposure to feedback, in a tightly constrained task. Shear modulus revealed similar variation, but with an inconsistent relationship to EMG. These data highlight highly flexible control of back muscles.