bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) of early breast cancer with low-energy x-rays in breast-conserving surgery
Authors: Grimm Anja , Wollmann Eva , Sperk Elena , Weiß Christel , Sütterlin Marc , Berlit Sebastian , Tuschy Benjamin
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to identify pre- and intraoperative factors indicating the feasibility of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) during breast-conserving surgery (BCS).

Materials and methods

From January 2018 to December 2019, a total of 128 women undergoing BCS due to early breast cancer were included in this prospective observational study, independent of whether IORT was planned or not. Patient and tumor characteristics as well as surgical parameters that could potentially influence the feasibility of IORT were recorded for the entire collective. In addition, a preoperative senological assessment was performed and analyzed to assess the feasibility of IORT. Logistic regression was then used to identify relevant preoperative parameters and to generate a formula predicting the feasibility of IORT.

Results

Of the 128 included women undergoing BCS, 46 were preoperatively rated to be feasible, 20 to be questionably feasible for IORT. Ultimately, IORT was realized in 30 patients. The most frequent reasons for omission of IORT were insufficient tumor-to-skin distance and/or an excessively large tumor cavity. Small clinical tumor size and large tumor-to-skin distance according to preoperative ultrasound were significantly related to accomplishment of IORT.

Conclusion

We observed that preoperative ultrasound-based tumor–skin distance is a significant factor in addition to already known parameters to predict feasibility of IORT. Based on our findings we developed a formula to optimize IORT planning which might serve as an additional tool to improve patient selection for IORT in early breast cancer.
Better forgotten joint scores when the angle of the prosthetic trochlea is lateral to the quadriceps vector in kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Howell Stephen M. , Sappey‐Marinier Elliot , Niesen Abigail E. , Nedopil Alexander J. , Hull Maury L.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The primary aim was to analyze unrestricted kinematic alignment (unKA) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and determine the frequency of medial deviation of the prosthetic trochlear angle (PTA) of the femoral component relative to the quadriceps vector (QV) that terminates at the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS), and whether patients with medial deviation had a worse Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) and Oxford Knee Score (OKS) relative to those with lateral deviation. The secondary aim was to determine the frequency of medial deviation for mechanical alignment (MA) TKA simulations.

Methods

From a database of a single surgeon, the study extracted de‐identified data on 147 patients with a CT scanogram showing the pelvis and AIIS, a limb with an unKA TKA, and a native (i.e., healthy) opposite limb. On the scanogram, an examiner, blinded to the PROMs, measured the PTA‐QV angle on the unKA TKA and on the opposite limb simulated MA TKA by drawing the PTA at 6° valgus relative to the femoral mechanical axis and measuring the PTA‐QV angle.

Results

Medial deviation of the PTA occurred in 86% of patients with unKA TKA, and the 126 with medial deviation had a 17/1 point worse median FJS/OKS than the 21 with lateral deviation at a mean follow‐up of 47 ± 8 months, respectively (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0053). In addition, 21%, 17%, and 8% of MA TKA had medial deviation after radiographic simulation using reported surgical errors for manual, patient‐specific, and robotic instrumentation, respectively.

Conclusion

In most patients with unKA TKA and a smaller proportion with MA TKA, a PTA of 6° valgus was medial to the QV, which, by excluding the patient’s Q‐angle, might alter patellofemoral kinematics like an incorrectly oriented trochleoplasty. The 17‐point worse FJS in the patients with an unKA TKA and medial deviation of the PTA suggests the surgical target should be to orient the PTA lateral to the QV.

Level of evidence

IV.
Image quality optimization: dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the abdomen at 3T using a continuously acquired radial golden-angle compressed sensing acquisition
Authors: Pan Jiangyang , Shao Xian , Liu Hui , Li Yang , Wang Qi
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The image quality of continuously acquired free-breathing Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced (DCE) golden-angle radial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of abdomen suffers from motion artifacts and motion-related blurring. We propose a scheme by minimizing patients’ motion status from breathing as well as optimizing the acquiring parameters to improve image quality and diagnostic performance of DCE-MRI with Golden-Angle Radial Sparse Parallel (GRASP) sequence of abdomen.

Methods

The optimization scheme follows two principles: (1) reduce the impact on images from unpredictable and irregulate motions during examination and (2) adjust the sequence parameters to increase the number of radial views in each partition. For the assessment of image quality, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), the severity of radial artifact, the degree of image sharpness, and a visual scoring of image quality with a 5-point scale were assessed.

Results

A total of 64 patients were included in this study before (16 men, 14 women, age: 54.9 ± 17.0) and after (18 men, 16 women, age: 58.6 ± 12.6) the optimization scheme was performed. The results showed that the SNR values of right and left lobe of liver in both plain phase and arterial phase were significantly increased (All P < 0.001) after the GRASP sequence been optimized. Significant improvements in CNR values were observed in the arterial phase (All P < 0.05). The significant differences in scores at each phase for visual scoring of image quality, noise of the right and left lobe of liver, radial artifact, and sharpness indicating that the image quality was significantly improved after the optimization (All P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that the optimized scheme significantly improved the image quality of liver DCE-MRI with GRASP sequence both in plain and arterial phases. The optimized scheme of GRASP sequence could be a superior alternative to conventional approach for the assessment of liver.
Toxicity-specific peripheral blood T and B cell dynamics in anti-PD-1 and combined immune checkpoint inhibition
Authors: van Eijs Mick J. M. , Verheijden Rik J. , van der Wees Stefanie A. , Nierkens Stefan , van Lindert Anne S. R. , Suijkerbuijk Karijn P. M. , van Wijk Femke ,   the UNICIT consortium, Meyaard Linde , Kuball Jürgen H. E. , Oldenburg Bas , Leusen Jeanette H. W.
Published: October 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment landscape of advanced malignancies, but come with a diverse spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Mechanistic studies can aid the transition from expert-opinion to evidence-based irAE treatment strategies. We aimed to longitudinally characterize peripheral blood T and B cell dynamics in ICI-treated patients by multicolor flow cytometry and serum multiplex immunoassay at baseline, ± 3 weeks and ± 6 weeks or upon clinically relevant irAEs. We analyzed samples from 44 ICI-treated patients (24 anti-PD-1 monotherapy, 20 combined anti-PD-1/anti-CTLA-4; cICI), of whom 21 developed irAEs, and 10 healthy donors. IrAEs after cICI were characterized by significantly enhanced proliferation of Th1-associated, mainly (CD4+) CD27− effector memory T cells, as well as Th17-associated immune responses and germinal center activation (reflected by CXCL13 and IL-21 increases). We observed no changes in CD21lo, memory, class-switched or newly activated B cell subsets. Particularly double-positive PD-1+LAG-3+ CD8+ T cells showed enhanced cytotoxic capacity in patients with irAEs after cICI. Within anti-PD-1 monotherapy, irAEs were associated with modestly enhanced Th1-associated responses reflected by increased serum CXCL9 and CXCL10. In conclusion, ICI-induced toxicity is dominated by enhanced Th1-associated responses, but in cICI we also found evidence for Th17-associated responses and germinal center activation. Together, our data add to the growing body of evidence that irAEs may be driven by newly activated CD4+ helper T cells, specifically after cICI. This study also supports tailored irAE treatment, based on ICI regimen, and to deploy specific strategies such as Th17 inhibition especially in cICI-associated irAEs.

Graphical abstract
Candida spondylodiscitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of seventy two studies
Authors: Adelhoefer Siegfried J. , Gonzalez Marcos R. , Bedi Angad , Kienzle Arne , Bäcker Henrik C. , Andronic Octavian , Karczewski Daniel
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Knowledge of Candida spondylodiscitis is limited to case reports and smaller case series. Controversy remains on the most effective diagnostical and therapeutical steps once Candida is suspected. This systematic review summarized all cases of Candida spondylodiscitis reported to date concerning baseline demographics, symptoms, treatment, and prognostic factors.

Methods

A PRISMA-based search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and OVID Medline was performed from database inception to November 30, 2022. Reported cases of Candida spondylodiscitis were included regardless of Candida strain or spinal levels involved. Based on these criteria, 656 studies were analyzed and 72 included for analysis. Kaplan-Meier curves, Fisher’s exact, and Wilcoxon’s rank sum tests were performed.

Results

In total, 89 patients (67% males) treated for Candida spondylodiscitis were included. Median age was 61 years, 23% were immunocompromised, and 15% IV drug users. Median length of antifungal treatment was six months, and fluconazole (68%) most commonly used. Thirteen percent underwent debridement, 34% discectomy with and 21% without additional instrumentation. Median follow-up was 12 months. The two year survivorship free of death was 80%. The two year survivorship free of revision was 94%. Younger age (p = 0.042) and longer length of antifungal treatment (p = 0.061) were predictive of survival.

Conclusion

Most patients affected by Candida spondylodiscitis were males in their sixties, with one in four being immunocompromised. While one in five patients died within two years of diagnosis, younger age and prolonged antifungal treatment might play a protective role.
Thermal stress response of Antipathella wollastoni (Gray, 1857) from the Canary Islands archipelago
Authors: Gouveia Adriana , Godefroid Mathilde , Dubois Philippe , Espino Fernando , Tuya Fernando , Haroun Ricardo , Herrera Alicia , Otero-Ferrer Francisco
Published: October 2023

The present study aims at assessing the thermal tolerance of the black coral Antipathella wollastoni (Gray, 1857), which forms extensive forests in multiple Macaronesian islands. Fragments of A. wollastoni were exposed for 15 d to temperature conditions ranging from 19 to 26.5 °C, and multiple endpoints were investigated. No mortality was observed, and total antioxidant capacity remained unaffected by temperature increase. Respiration rates described a Gaussian relationship and tissue necrosis a linear increase with temperature. Increased temperature triggered the formation of bailout propagules, a process that may be used by the species as an escape strategy under unfavourable environmental conditions. Propagules of A. wollastoni were described for the first time. Altogether, A. wollastoni was suggested to have low vulnerability to increased temperatures, owing to its wide thermal window of performance (9.7 °C) and thermal safety margin (1.2 °C), similar to its congeneric Mediterranean Antipathella subpinnata.
Stable Gabor Phase Retrieval in Gaussian Shift-Invariant Spaces via Biorthogonality
Authors: Grohs Philipp , Liehr Lukas
Published: October 2023

We study the phase reconstruction of signals f belonging to complex Gaussian shift-invariant spaces $$V^\infty (\varphi )$$

V
∞

(
φ
)

from spectrogram measurements $$|{\mathcal {G}} f(X)|$$

|
G
f
(
X
)
|

where $${\mathcal {G}}$$
G
is the Gabor transform and $$X \subseteq {{\mathbb {R}}}^2$$

X
⊆

R

2

. An explicit reconstruction formula will demonstrate that such signals can be recovered from measurements located on parallel lines in the time-frequency plane by means of a Riesz basis expansion. Moreover, connectedness assumptions on |f| result in stability estimates in the situation where one aims to reconstruct f on compacts intervals. Driven by a recent observation that signals in Gaussian shift-invariant spaces are determined by lattice measurements (Grohs and Liehr in Injectivity of Gabor phase retrieval from lattice measurements. Appl. Comput. Harmon. Anal. 62, 173–193 (2023)) we prove a sampling result on the stable approximation from finitely many spectrogram samples. The resulting algorithm provides a provably stable and convergent approximation technique. In addition, it constitutes a method of approximating signals in function spaces beyond $$V^\infty (\varphi )$$

V
∞

(
φ
)

, such as Paley–Wiener spaces.
Outcome nach Gelenkersatz bei Patienten mit rheumatoider Grunderkrankung
Authors: Holzapfel Dominik Emanuel , Thieme Max , Kappenschneider Tobias , Holzapfel Sabrina , Maderbacher Günther , Weber Markus , Grifka Joachim , Meyer Matthias
Published: October 2023

Hintergrund

Der künstliche Gelenkersatz ist für Patienten mit fortgeschrittenen rheumatisch degenerativen Gelenkveränderungen eine sinnvolle Therapieoption. Ziel dieser Studie war es, den Einfluss rheumatischer Grunderkrankungen auf postoperative Komplikationen und „patient-reported outcome“ (PRO) nach elektivem Gelenkersatz („total joint replacement“ [TJR]) zu untersuchen.

Materialien und Methoden

In einer retrospektiven Analyse von 9149 Patienten nach elektiver Knie- oder Hüfttotalendoprothesenimplantation (TKR und THR) wurden Komplikationsraten und PRO von Patienten mit und ohne rheumatische Grunderkrankung („rheumatic disease“ [RD]) verglichen. Multivariate logistische Regressionsmodelle wurden verwendet, um festzustellen, ob rheumatische Grunderkrankungen einen unabhängigen Risikofaktor für verschiedene Komplikationen darstellen.

Ergebnisse

RD-Patienten hatten nach TJR in den univariaten Analysen ein erhöhtes Risiko für internistische Komplikationen (7,1 % vs. 5,2 %, p = 0,028) und Clavien-Dindo-Grad-IV-Komplikationen (2,8 % vs. 1,8 %, p = 0,048). Dies konnte in multivariaten statistischen Analysen bestätigt werden (p = 0,034). Die Raten für operative Revisionen und chirurgische Komplikationen waren vergleichbar (2,5 % vs. 2,4 %, p = 0,485). Die Analyse des PRO ergab eine höhere Responderrate bei Patienten mit RD nach TKR (91,9 % vs. 84,5 %, p = 0,039). Die Responderrate nach THR war hingegen vergleichbar (93,4 % vs. 93,2 %, p = 0,584).

Schlussfolgerung

Trotz teilweise erhöhter postoperativer Komplikationsraten zeigen Patienten mit rheumatischer Grunderkrankung 1 Jahr nach Operation ein vergleichbares Outcome nach TJR. RD-Patienten nach TKR zeigen sogar höhere Responderraten. RD-Patienten sind zwar eine vulnerable Patientengruppe, können aber dennoch von einem Gelenkersatz profitieren.
Ultrasonographic diagnosis of adnexal masses: interobserver agreement in the interpretation of videos, using IOTA terminology
Authors: Massobrio Roberta , Mariani Luca Liban , Conti Daniele , De Grandis Tiziana , Buonomo Francesca , Badellino Enrico , Novara Lorenzo , Bounous Valentina Elisabetta , Perotto Stefania , Mancarella Matteo , Ferrero Annamaria , Biglia Nicoletta , Fuso Luca
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Aim of this study is to estimate interobserver agreement in classifying adnexal tumors using IOTA terms, simple rules and subjective assessment. In addition, we related observers’ accuracy with their experience in gynecological ultrasonography and the year of IOTA certification.

Methods

Eleven observers with three different levels of experience evaluated videoclips of 70 adnexal masses, defining tumor type according to IOTA terms and definitions, classifying the mass using IOTA Simple rules and Subjective assessment as well as providing Color Score evaluation. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the ROC curve were calculated and the year of IOTA certification was related with operators’ accuracy through Pearson correlation coefficient. Interobserver agreement was estimated calculating percentage of agreement, Fleiss kappa and Cohen’s kappa.

Results

We found a positive correlation between the year of IOTA certification and operators’ accuracy (Pearson coefficient 0.694), especially among the observers with the least experience, the residents (p = 0.003). For tumor type classification, identification of papillary projections and classification of tumors using subjective assessment, agreement among all observers was moderate (Fleiss kappa 0.455, 0.552, and 0.476, respectively) and increased with the years of experience. Agreement in the application of Simple Rules was moderate in all examiners with IOTA certification, with Fleiss kappa in the range of (0.403, 0.498). For Color Score assignment interobserver agreement among all observers was fair (Cohen’s kappa 0.380).

Conclusions

Even among expert examiners, the results of adnexal lesion assessment can be inconsistent. Experience impacts on accuracy and agreement in subjective assessment, while the application of Simple Rules can mitigate the role of experience in interobserver agreement. The knowledge of IOTA models among residents seams to improve their diagnostic accuracy, showing the benefits of IOTA terminology for in training sonographers.
The clinical phenotype of psychiatric-onset prodromal dementia with Lewy bodies: a scoping review
Authors: Gunawardana Chaminda Withanachchi , Matar Elie , Lewis Simon J. G.
Published: October 2023

Background

Recent consensus research criteria have identified a ‘psychiatric onset’ form of prodromal dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) characterised by prominent late-onset psychiatric symptoms. Although recognised as important to raise the index of diagnostic suspicion, evidence regarding this cohort was deemed too limited to impose formal criteria. We reviewed the published literature on psychiatric-onset DLB to identify key clinical characteristics and evidence gaps to progress our understanding of this entity.

Methods

Medline, PubMed and Embase were searched for relevant articles containing longitudinal follow-up of patients initially presenting with a psychiatric illness who subsequently developed DLB according to the diagnostic criteria available at the time.

Results

Two cohort studies (18 and 21 patients) along with 12 case series (13 cases) were identified totalling 52 patients (63% female). Initial psychiatric presentation occurred at a mean of 63 years (range 53–88), with depression being the most frequently reported psychiatric presentation (88%). Psychotic presentations were less common on presentation (11%) but became more prevalent throughout the prodromal period before the diagnosis of DLB (83%). Relapses of the psychiatric disease were common occurring in 94% (32/34) of patients. Parkinsonism, cognitive fluctuations, visual hallucinations, and REM sleep behaviour disorder were uncommonly reported at initial presentation (3.8%).

Conclusions

Psychiatric-onset DLB is characterized by a female predominant relapsing–remitting psychiatric illness presenting with affective symptoms but later developing psychotic features prior to the onset of DLB. Additional prospective studies including other neurodegenerative cohorts with harmonised assessments are required to inform definitive diagnostic criteria for this condition.
Potency in soluble groups
Authors: Wehrfritz B. A. F.
Published: October 2023

We prove in particular that if G is a soluble group with no non-trivial locally finite normal subgroups, then G is p-potent for every prime p for which G has no Prüfer p-sections. (A group G is p-potent if for every power n of p and for any element x of G of infinite order or of finite order divisible by n there is a normal subgroup N of G of finite index such that the order of x modulo N is n. A Prüfer p-group is an infinite locally cyclic p-group.) This extends to soluble groups in general, and gives a more direct proof of, recent results of Azarov on polycyclic groups and soluble minimax groups.
Review of different calculation approaches for the mean coefficient of friction in ISO 6336
Authors: Blech Niklas , Paschold Constantin , Amar Luc , Lohner Thomas , Tobie Thomas , Stahl Karsten
Published: October 2023

Important goals in gear design are high load carrying capacity, good noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) performance and high efficiency. Regarding the load carrying capacity, the international series of standards ISO 6336 [13–15] is the state of the art for its calculation.

To ensure reliable calculation of the load carrying capacity of gears and the temperatures occurring during operation, knowledge of the friction in the gear mesh is crucial. Currently, various approaches exist in the literature for calculating the mean coefficient of friction, which weight the influencing variables to varying degrees.

In this publication, the empirical approaches for calculating the mean coefficient of friction given in the international series of standards ISO 6336 [13–15] are to be analyzed in terms of their origin and validated ranges, systematically compared, and contrasted. These calculation approaches are mainly covered in the parts ISO/TS 6336-20 [14], ISO/TS 6336-21 [15], and ISO/TS 6336-22 [13], which address the calculation of the scuffing load carrying capacity according to the flash and integral temperature method and the calculation of the micropitting load carrying capacity, respectively. Additionally, ISO/TR 14179‑2 [12] which describes a calculation approach for the thermal load carrying capacity will be included in this review. Besides the analysis of their origin, exemplary comparative calculations for various applications are intended to show possible differences between the various calculation approaches and enable a quantitative evaluation.

The overall, long-term goal is to merge and standardize the various calculation approaches for the mean coefficient of friction in the international series of standards ISO 6336.
Computing the Non-properness Set of Real Polynomial Maps in the Plane
Authors: El Hilany Boulos , Tsigaridas Elias
Published: October 2023

We introduce novel mathematical and computational tools to develop a complete algorithm for computing the set of non-properness of polynomials maps in the plane. In particular, this set, which we call the Jelonek set, is a subset of $$\mathbb {K}^2$$

K

2

, where a dominant polynomial map $$f: \mathbb {K}^2 \rightarrow \mathbb {K}^2$$

f
:

K

2

→

K

2

is not proper; $$\mathbb {K}$$
K
could be either $$\mathbb {C}$$
C
or $$\mathbb {R}$$
R
. Unlike all the previously known approaches we make no assumptions on f whenever $$\mathbb {K} = \mathbb {R}$$

K
=
R

; this is the first algorithm with this property. The algorithm takes into account the Newton polytopes of the polynomials. As a byproduct we provide a finer representation of the set of non-properness as a union of semi-algebraic curves, that correspond to edges of the Newton polytopes, which is of independent interest. Finally, we present a precise Boolean complexity analysis of the algorithm and a prototype implementation in maple.
Why are ravens smart? Exploring the social intelligence hypothesis
Authors: Bugnyar Thomas
Published: October 2023

Ravens and other corvids are renowned for their ‘intelligence’. For long, this reputation has been based primarily on anecdotes but in the last decades experimental evidence for impressive cognitive skills has accumulated within and across species. While we begin to understand the building blocks of corvid cognition, the question remains why these birds have evolved such skills. Focusing on Northern Ravens Corvus corax, I here try to tackle this question by relating current hypotheses on brain evolution to recent empirical data on challenges faced in the birds’ daily life. Results show that foraging ravens meet several assumptions for applying social intelligence: (1) they meet repeatedly at foraging sites, albeit individuals have different site preferences and vary in grouping dynamics; (1) foraging groups are structured by dominance rank hierarchies and social bonds; (3) individual ravens memorize former group members and their relationship valence over years, deduce third-party relationships and use their social knowledge in daily life by supporting others in conflicts and intervening in others’ affiliations. Hence, ravens’ socio-cognitive skills may be strongly shaped by the ‘complex’ social environment experienced as non-breeders.
Compressive Strength Testing of Glass-Fibre-Reinforced Tooth Crown Tissues After Endodontic Treatment
Authors: Ostapiuk Monika , Tarczydło Janusz , Kamińska Katarzyna , Surowska Barbara , Tarczydło Bożena
Published: October 2023

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of using short and continuous fibres for repairing compression-induced tooth crown damage. Human teeth were used for the study. They were upper medial incisors and maxillary first premolars lost due to periodontal causes. The teeth were divided into two groups with Hahnenkratt and short glass fibres. Teeth compressive strength tests were carried out. Then micro-CT imaging of the teeth and their fractures obtained after compression was performed. The teeth restored with Hahnenkratt’s glass fibre posts showed higher compressive strength than the teeth restored using the EverX Posterior material. The tooth’s most weakened and sensitive point after endodontic treatment was the cervical area of the tooth. All cracks were parallel to the root canal.
Perinatal depression screening in community pharmacy: Exploring pharmacists’ roles, training and resource needs using content analysis
Authors: Strowel Clara , Raynes-Greenow Camille , Pham Lily , Carter Stephen , Birkness Katharine , Moles Rebekah J. , O’Reilly Claire L. , Chen Timothy F. , Raduescu Corina , Murphy Andrea , Gardner David , El-Den Sarira
Published: October 2023

Background

Perinatal depression (PND) screening is often recommended in primary care settings, which includes the community pharmacy setting. However, there is limited research exploring pharmacists’ perspectives on their roles in screening for perinatal mental illness.

Aim

This study aimed to explore pharmacists’ views of pharmacists’ roles in PND screening, as well as training and resource needs for PND screening in community pharmacy settings.

Method

A questionnaire including three open-ended questions focusing on pharmacists’ perspectives of their role in PND screening, their training, and resource needs in this area, was disseminated to pharmacists across Australia via professional organisations and social media. Each open-ended question was separately analysed by inductive content analysis. Subcategories were deductively mapped to the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability.

Results

Responses (N = 149) from the first open-ended question about pharmacists’ roles in PND screening resulted in three categories (PND screening in primary care settings will support the community, community pharmacy environment, and system and policy changes) and ten subcategories. Responses to question two on training needs (n = 148) were categorised as: training content, training length, and training delivery while responses about resource needs (n = 147) fell into three categories: adapting community pharmacy operating structures, pharmacist-specific resources, and consumer-specific resources.

Conclusion

While some pharmacists were accepting of a role in PND screening due to pharmacists’ accessibility and positive relationships with consumers, others had concerns regarding whether PND screening was within pharmacists’ scope of practice. Further training and resources are needed to facilitate pharmacists’ roles in PND screening, referral and care.
Characterization of novel mouse models to study the role of necroptosis in aging and age-related diseases
Authors: Selvarani Ramasamy , Van Michelle Nguyen Hoang , Thadathil Nidheesh , Wolf Roman F. , Freeman Willard M. , Wiley Christopher D. , Deepa Sathyaseelan S. , Richardson Arlan
Published: October 2023

To study the impact of necroptosis-induced chronic inflammation on age-related diseases and aging, two knockin mouse models (Ripk3-KI and Mlkl-KI) were generated that overexpress two genes involved in necroptosis (Ripk3 or Mlkl) when crossed to Cre transgenic mice. Crossing Ripk3-KI or Mlkl-KI mice to albumin-Cre transgenic mice produced hepatocyte specific hRipk3-KI or hMlkl-KI mice, which express the two transgenes only in the liver. Ripk3 and Mlkl proteins were overexpressed 10- and fourfold, respectively, in the livers of the hRipk3-KI or hMlkl-KI mice. Treating young (2-month) hRipk3-KI or hMlkl-KI mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a chemical inducer of oxidative stress, resulted in increased necroptosis (Mlkl-oligomers) and inflammation in the liver compared to control mice receiving CCl4. Mlkl-oligomerization also was significantly increased in old (18-month) hRipk3-KI and hMlkl-KI mice compared to old control (Cre negative, Ripk3-KI and Mlkl-KI) mice. The increase in necroptosis was associated with an increase in inflammation, e.g., inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-6) and macrophage markers (F4/80, CD68). Importantly, steatosis (triglycerides) and fibrosis (e.g., picrosirius red staining, hydroxyproline levels, and transcripts for TGFβ, Col1α1, and Col3α1) that increase with age were significantly higher in the livers of the old hRipk3-KI or hMlkl-KI mice compared to old control mice. In addition, markers of cellular senescence were significantly increased in the livers of the old hRipk3-KI and hMlkl-KI mice. Thus, the first mouse models have been developed that allow researchers to study the impact of inducing necroptosis in specific cells/tissues on chronic inflammation in aging and age-related diseases.
An Adaptive Generalized Leaky Integrate-and-Fire Model for Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons and Interneurons
Authors: Marasco Addolorata , Spera Emiliano , De Falco Vittorio , Iuorio Annalisa , Lupascu Carmen Alina , Solinas Sergio , Migliore Michele
Published: October 2023

Full-scale morphologically and biophysically realistic model networks, aiming at modeling multiple brain areas, provide an invaluable tool to make significant scientific advances from in-silico experiments on cognitive functions to digital twin implementations. Due to the current technical limitations of supercomputer systems in terms of computational power and memory requirements, these networks must be implemented using (at least) simplified neurons. A class of models which achieve a reasonable compromise between accuracy and computational efficiency is given by generalized leaky integrate-and fire models complemented by suitable initial and update conditions. However, we found that these models cannot reproduce the complex and highly variable firing dynamics exhibited by neurons in several brain regions, such as the hippocampus. In this work, we propose an adaptive generalized leaky integrate-and-fire model for hippocampal CA1 neurons and interneurons, in which the nonlinear nature of the firing dynamics is successfully reproduced by linear ordinary differential equations equipped with nonlinear and more realistic initial and update conditions after each spike event, which strictly depends on the external stimulation current. A mathematical analysis of the equilibria stability as well as the monotonicity properties of the analytical solution for the membrane potential allowed (i) to determine general constraints on model parameters, reducing the computational cost of an optimization procedure based on spike times in response to a set of constant currents injections; (ii) to identify additional constraints to quantitatively reproduce and predict the experimental traces from 85 neurons and interneurons in response to any stimulation protocol using constant and piecewise constant current injections. Finally, this approach allows to easily implement a procedure to create infinite copies of neurons with mathematically controlled firing properties, statistically indistinguishable from experiments, to better reproduce the full range and variability of the firing scenarios observed in a real network.
Cyclophilins and gibberellin-regulated proteins in IgE-mediated allergic diseases
Authors: Potapova Ekaterina , Sénéchal Hélène , Scala Enrico , Matricardi Paolo Maria , Poncet Pascal
Published: October 2023

The prevalence of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic diseases is currently experiencing an epidemic trend characterized by an increase in both the number of affected individuals and the proportion of patients with multiple sensitizations. The majority of these multiple sensitizations are attributed to IgE reactions to genuine allergenic proteins from unrelated species. However, there is a growing trend of patients becoming sensitized to highly cross-reactive molecules, such as profilins, polcalcins, lipocalins, serum albumins, tropomyosins, and non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs). In addition, allergen families that were previously considered of minimal importance are now gaining recognition for their role in the pathogenesis of IgE-mediated allergic diseases. Consequently, these allergen families are increasingly being considered in the diagnostic process. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary of the biochemical and allergological information about two of these “new” allergen families: cyclophilins (Cyp) and gibberellin-regulated proteins (GRP).
Impact of loading rate on the mechanical behavior of jointed rock
Authors: Wang Tao , Elsworth Derek , He Yunlong , Zhao Xianyu , Wang Suifeng , Xu Dapeng , Lei Ming
Published: October 2023

The impact of loading rate is a vital issue in the study of the time-dependent behavior of rock masses. A sample containing a single inclined joint is represented by the particle flow code and used as an analog to examine the rate-dependent behavior of jointed rock. A series of numerical triaxial compression tests are completed at various loading rates on specimens containing this single joint inclined at 30°, 45°, and 60° with respect to the orientation of the confining stress of 5 MPa. Observations are recovered for the evolution of stress–strain, deformation and energy release together with resulting failure mode. Rate sensitivities of four parameters defining a smooth joint model (normal stiffness, shear stiffness, stiffness ratio and friction coefficient) are used to represent observed response. We find that competition between mechanical damping and inertial force results in the strain rate effect and that the peak strength of the rock specimens increases with increasing loading rate. The step-wise form of both the stress–strain and kinetic energy can be used as indicators of the onset of dynamic failure. These numerical experiments are consistent with observations from laboratory experiments on identical samples where rate effects in the jointed rock are accentuated over those apparent in intact rocks. Change in the loading rate has a significant effect on the failure mode for specific joint angles relative to the confining stress. The joint friction coefficient is the main rate dependent factor controlling behavior and is an important factor in defining the significance of loading rate effects.
„Unheimlich viele Perspektiven und auch Chancen, in alle möglichen Richtungen“: Eine empirische Analyse der praktischen Regulation von Weiterbildungsbeteiligung im Kontext des Lebensentwurfs
Authors: Elven Julia
Published: October 2023

Der Beitrag diskutiert das Konzept der Beteiligungsregulation als Fluchtpunkt einer relationalen Reflexion von Weiterbildungsbeteiligung. Im Zentrum des Konzepts stehen unterschiedliche Bedeutungsgefüge, in denen Weiterbildung jeweils auf eine bestimmte Weise verortet ist und die sich regulierend auf Bildungsentscheidungen auswirken. Im Rahmen des Beitrags werden nun Lebensentwürfe als solche Bedeutungsgefüge analysiert: Auf Basis einer sinngenetischen Typenbildung (dokumentarische Methode) konnten drei Lebensentwurfsformen herausgearbeitet werden, in die ein pragmatisches (‚Pfad‘), ein affektives, selbstentfaltungsorientiertes (‚Drift‘) bzw. ein eher ambivalentes (‚Fügung‘) Verhältnis zu Weiterbildung eingelassen ist. Zugleich kommt der gegenwärtig zentrale (politische) Begründungsrahmen für Weiterbildung, lebenslanges Lernen, als spezifischer Kontext in den Blick, der seinerseits an der Beteiligungsregulation mitwirkt, insofern er verschiedene und in unterschiedlicher Weise anschlussfähige (teils implizit bleibende) Lern-Appelle umfasst. Die Reflexion dieser Anschlussmöglichkeiten stärkt sowohl die gegenwartsdiagnostische als auch die ungleichheitsanalytische Dimension des Konzepts der Beteiligungsregulation.
Conelike radiant structures
Authors: Fox Daniel J. F.
Published: October 2023

Analogues of the classical affine-projective correspondence are developed in the context of statistical manifolds compatible with a radiant vector field. These utilize a formulation of Einstein equations for special statistical structures that generalizes the usual Einstein equations for pseudo-Riemannian metrics and is of independent interest. A conelike radiant structure is a not necessarily flat affine connection equipped with a family of surfaces that behave like the intersections of the planes through the origin with a convex cone in a real vector space. A radiant structure is a torsion-free affine connection and a vector field whose covariant derivative is the identity endomorphism. A radiant structure is conelike if for every point and every two-dimensional subspace containing the radiant vector field there is a totally geodesic surface passing through the point and tangent to the subspace. Such structures exist on the total space of any principal bundle with one-dimensional fiber and on any Lie group with a quadratic structure on its Lie algebra. The affine connection of a conelike radiant structure can be normalized in a canonical way to have antisymmetric Ricci tensor. Applied to a conelike radiant structure on the total space of a principal bundle with one-dimensional fiber this yields a generalization of the classical Thomas connection of a projective structure. The compatibility of radiant and conelike structures with metrics is investigated and yields a construction of connections for which the symmetrized Ricci curvature is a constant multiple of a compatible metric that generalizes well-known constructions of Riemannian and Lorentzian Einstein–Weyl structures over Kähler–Einstein manifolds having nonzero scalar curvature. A formulation of Einstein equations for special statistical manifolds is given that generalizes the Einstein–Weyl equations and encompasses these more general examples. There are constructed left-invariant conelike radiant structures on a Lie group endowed with a left-invariant nondegenerate bilinear form, and the case of three-dimensional unimodular Lie groups is described in detail.
An Improved Parallel Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Charilogis Vasileios , Tsoulos Ioannis G. , Tzallas Alexandros
Published: October 2023

In the area of global optimization, a variety of techniques have been developed to find the global minimum. These techniques, in most cases, require a significant amount of computational resources and time to complete and therefore there is a need to develop parallel techniques. In addition, the wide spread of parallel architectures in recent years greatly facilitates the implementation of such techniques. Among the most widely used global optimization techniques is the particle swarm optimization technique. In this work, a series of modifications are proposed in the direction of efficient parallelization for particle swarm optimization. These modifications include an innovative velocity calculation mechanism that has also been successfully used in the serial version of the method, mechanisms for propagating the best particles between parallel computing units, but also a process termination mechanism, which has been properly configured for efficient execution in parallel computing environments. The proposed technique was applied to a multitude of computational problems from the relevant literature and the results were more than promising, since it was found that increasing the computational threads can significantly reduce the required number of function calls to find the global minimum. The proposed technique is at rate of 50–70% of the required number of function calls compared to other optimization techniques. This reduction is visible even if one to two parallel processing units are used. In addition, with the increase in parallel processing units, a drastic reduction in the number of calls is observed and therefore a reduction in the required computing time, which can reach up to 70%.
Insulin resistance syndrome presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis — a rare presentation
Authors: Batra Nisha , Kaur Kirandeep , Kadian Kavita , Sridharan Kalyani , Batra Nisha
Published: October 2023

We report an adolescent male who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). He was diagnosed to have type 1 diabetes mellitus at the age of 12 years and had been initiated on insulin. On physical examination, he had a distinct senile-looking coarse facies with clinical stigmata of insulin resistance in the form of acanthosis nigricans and hypertrichosis. Additionally, he required more than 3 units/kg/day of insulin during recovery from DKA. The clinical and biochemical profile of the patient led to the suspicion of insulin resistance syndrome which was confirmed by the detection of homozygous missense variation in exon 2 of the insulin receptor gene (INSR) on clinical exome testing. The patient was put on insulin sensitizers along with insulin which led to a marked improvement in glycemic control. The case highlights the importance of a good clinical examination for a correct diagnosis and discusses the challenges in management.
Smooth Compactifications of the Abel-Jacobi Section
Authors: Molcho Sam
Published: October 2023

For

$\theta $

a small generic universal stability condition of degree

$0$

and A a vector of integers adding up to

$-k(2g-2+n)$

, the spaces

$\overline {\mathcal {M}}_{g,A}^\theta $

constructed in [AP21, HMP+22] are observed to lie inside the space

$\textbf {Div}$

of [MW20], and their pullback under

$\textbf {Rub} \to \textbf {Div}$

of loc. cit. to be smooth. This provides smooth and modular modifications

$\widetilde {\mathcal {M}}_{g,A}^\theta $

of

$\overline {\mathcal {M}}_{g,n}$

on which the logarithmic double ramification cycle can be calculated by several methods.
Lift generation mechanism of the leading-edge vortex for an unsteady plate
Authors: Li Zhen-Yao , Feng Li-Hao , Wang Tong , Liang Yan
Published: October 2023

The lift generation mechanism of leading-edge vortex (LEV) in the case of a pitching and plunging plate is studied using an experimental approach and the improved discrete vortex method in this research. A formation condition of the secondary structure is introduced into the traditional discrete vortex method to compensate for the shortcomings in the simulation of the viscous effect between LEV and plate. The simulation of the secondary structure helps the improved method perform better in flow-field reconstruction and lift prediction. Accordingly, the lift generation mechanism of the LEV and influence of the secondary structure are studied. The lift contribution of the vortex structure is isolated and linearly decomposed into two parts according to sources of flow field: the quasi-potential flow part and the vortex-induced flow part. The vortex lift is defined as the lift contribution of the vortex structure in vortex-induced flow, which gives a new insight into the production of lift of the LEV. The lift generation mechanism through the discrete vortex method is verified and extended in viscous flow through experimental measurement. In addition, a vortex lift indicator based on the reverse flow of the LEV is proposed to examine the change of vortex lift in experimental measurement. The flow mechanism for the decline of vortex lift for different maximum effective angles of attack is revealed based on the vortex lift indicator. Furthermore, for the LEV-dominating flow, the indicator can also be applied in estimating the maximum value and corresponding critical time of overall lift in experiments.
Taking One for the Team? Some Reflections on the Trial of Malawi's Hyena-man
Authors: Nkhata Mwiza Jo
Published: October 2023

Following a public outcry about Eric Aniva being hired to have sex with children, he was arrested, tried and convicted of attempting to engage in a harmful practice and also of engaging in a harmful practice, contrary to Malawi's Gender Equality Act. Aniva's trial attracted significant public attention and highlighted kulowa kufa, the cultural practice at the centre of his trial. This article revisits Aniva's trial. By focusing on the operation of the law in judicial processes as well as the dynamics of judicial decision-making, it demonstrates and concludes that Aniva's trial may have been compromised. Specifically, the article analyses the state's failure to identify and parade material witnesses notwithstanding the alleged multiplicity of Aniva's victims, the role of the media in the trial as well as the probable effects of the trial court's selective recourse to international human rights standards.
Purity is still a problem
Authors: DiMaggio Nicholas , Gray Kurt , Kachanoff Frank
Published: October 2023

Our recent review demonstrates that “purity” is a messy construct with at least nine popular scientific understandings. Cultural beliefs about self-control help unify some of these understandings, but much messiness remains. The harm-centric theory of dyadic morality suggests that purity violations can be comprehensively understood as abstract harms, acts perceived by some people (and not others) to indirectly cause suffering.
Purity is linked to cooperation but not necessarily through self-control
Authors: Murray Samuel , Amaya Santiago , Jiménez-Leal William
Published: October 2023

Fitouchi et al. claim that seemingly victimless pleasures and nonproductive activities are moralized because they alter self-control. Their account predicts that: (1) victimless excesses are negatively moralized because they diminish self-control, and (2) restrained behaviors are positively moralized because they enhance self-control. Several examples run contrary to these predictions and call into question the general relationship between self-control and cooperation.
“WEIRD” societies still value (even needless) self-control and self-sacrifice
Authors: Olivola Christopher Y.
Published: October 2023

Some aspects of moral disciplining theory (MDT) – the association between cooperation and self-control; the notion that people and societies value sacrifice and costly prosocial behaviors – are well supported. However, other aspects of MDT – the association between religion/religiosity and cooperation; the notion that sacrifice and costly prosocial behaviors are no longer valued in “western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic” (WEIRD) societies – are inconsistent with existing evidence.
Moralistic punishment is not for cooperation
Authors: DeScioli Peter , Kurzban Robert
Published: October 2023

The theory proposed by Fitouchi et al. misses the core of puritanical morality: Cruel punishment for harmless actions. Punishment is mutually harmful, unlike cooperation which is mutually beneficial. Theories of moral judgment should not obscure this fundamental distinction.
The many faces of moralized self-control: Puritanical morality is not reducible to cooperation concerns
Authors: Weinstein Netanel Y. , Baldwin Dare A.
Published: October 2023

Fitouchi et al.'s moral disciplining approach highlights the significant role social evaluations of self-control appear to play in human moral judgment. At the same time, attributing the wide range of puritanical concerns to a singular focus on self-control seems unwarranted. A more pluralistic approach would enrich understanding of moral judgment in all its cultural and historical diversity.