bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Similar toxicity potential of glyphosate and glyphosate‐based herbicide on cerebellar development after maternal exposure in rats
Authors: Ojiro Ryota , Ozawa Shunsuke , Zou Xinyu , Tang Qian , Woo Gye‐Hyeong , Shibutani Makoto
Published: February 2024

Studies on the effects of glyphosate (GlyP) and glyphosate‐based herbicides (GBHs) on cerebellar development are extremely limited. This study examined the effects of maternal exposure to GlyP and GBH on rat cerebellar development in male offspring. From day 6 of gestation until day 21 postpartum at weaning, dams were given GlyP at 1.5% or 3.0% in diet or GBH at 1.0% in drinking water (corresponding to 0.36% GlyP). At weaning, GBH exposure was linked to increased numbers of DCX+ migrating granule cells in the cortex and TUNEL+ apoptotic cells in the internal granular layer (IGL), suggesting the disappearance of mismigrated granule cells via apoptosis. GBH also upregulated Nr4a3 and downregulated Cdk5 in the cerebellar vermis, suggesting a causal relation with the impaired granule cell development at this time. GlyP (3.0%) tended to increase in the number of DCX+ migrating granule cells in the IGL and upregulated Nr4a3 at weaning. Both compounds also upregulated genes related to granule cell migration (Astn1, Astn2, Nfia, and/or Nfix) at weaning and in adulthood, which might be an ameliorative response to delayed granule cell migration. Moreover, GBH induced Purkinje cell misalignment at weaning, which could be the result of delayed granule cell migration. In adulthood, GBH was associated with upregulation of the reelin signaling‐related genes Reln, Dab1, and Efnb1, suggesting a compensatory response to Purkinje cell misalignment. GlyP induced the same gene expression changes. These results suggest that GBH reversibly disrupts cerebellar development, primarily by targeting granule cell migration and differentiation, whereas GlyP exhibited similar toxic potential as GBH.
Cyclizine induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in macrophages through the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways
Authors: Lu Yin‐Che , Chiang Chen‐Yu , Hsu Yu‐Wei , Chen Chun‐Jung , Chen Wen‐Ying , Tseng Ching‐Chi , Deng Lie‐Hua , Chen Shih‐Pin , Kuan Yu‐Hsiang
Published: February 2024

Cyclizine, an over‐the‐counter and prescription antihistamine, finds widespread application in the prevention and treatment of motion sickness, encompassing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, along with its effectiveness in managing vertigo. However, the overuse or misuse of cyclizine may lead to hallucinations, confusion, tachycardia, and hypertension. The molecular mechanisms underlying cyclizine‐induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis remain unclear. During the 24 h incubation duration, RAW264.7 macrophages were exposed to different concentrations of cyclizine. Cytotoxicity was assessed through the lactate dehydrogenase assay. Flow cytometry employing annexin V‐fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide was utilized to evaluate apoptosis and necrosis. Caspase activity and mitochondrial dysfunction were evaluated through a fluorogenic substrate assay and JC‐1 dye, respectively. Flow cytometry employing fluorogenic antibodies was utilized to evaluate the release of cytochrome c and expression of death receptor, including tumor necrosis factor‐α receptor and Fas receptor. Western blotting was utilized to evaluate the expression of the Bcl2 and Bad apoptotic regulatory proteins. The findings unveiled from the present study demonstrated that cyclizine exerted a concentration‐dependent effect on RAW264.7 macrophages, leading to the induction of cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and necrosis. This compound further activated the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, Bcl2/Bad exchange expression, cytochrome c liberation, and activation of caspases contained caspase 3, 8, and 9. Moreover, the activation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway was observed as cyclizine induced the upregulation of death receptors and increased caspase activities. Based on our investigations, it can be inferred that cyclizine prompts cytotoxicity and apoptosis in RAW264.7 macrophages in a concentration‐dependent manner by triggering both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways.
Environmental surveillances of River Ogio in Edo State, Nigeria
Authors: Onobun Desmond Odiamehi , Ugbenyen Anthony Moses , Olulope Ajayi , Irobehian Young Godwin
Published: February 2024

The study assessed the quality of water obtained from River Ogio in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Using standard procedures, the water samples obtained from three points of the river were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, Total heterotrophic bacteria count and Total coliform count. With exception of upstream samples, the temperature of midstream and downstream samples was lower than the range specified by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Cadmium and Arsenic levels, Total heterotrophic bacteria count and Total coliform count were above the WHO recommended limits. A total of four genera of bacteria were isolated from the water samples. Correlational analysis revealed no significant (p > 0.05) relationship between the physicochemical parameters and bacteriological properties of water obtained from River Ogio. The water obtained from River Ogio is considered unsafe for domestic consumption due to its high heavy metal content and bacteria load.
Differentiating MCI from depression through verbal memory scores
Authors: Cankaya Seyda , Yalciner Betul , Yilmaz Melek Kandemir , Yulug Burak
Published: February 2024

INTRODUCTION

The present study aims to assess the differences between major depressive disorder (MDD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in terms of verbal learning profile together with structural changes in the brain on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to reveal predictive factors for MCI.

METHODS

Fifty‐six patients with MDD and 31 MCI subjects were assessed using the Turkish Verbal Memory Processes Test (VMPT). Brain MRI was used to evaluate sulcal atrophy (SA), ventricular atrophy, periventricular white matter hyperintensity (WMH), subcortical WMH, basal ganglia infarct, medial temporal lobe atrophy, and infratentorial infarct scores based on the Modified Visual MRI Rating Scale (MVMRS). The symptoms of depression were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory in both groups. Demographic factors, VMPT scores, and MVMRS scores between MDD and MCI groups were compared. Also, potential predictors of MCI were analyzed by binary logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The total scores of VMPT and the scores of VMPT subgroups, including immediate memory, highest learning, total learning, and delayed recall, were significantly higher in the MDD groups compared to MCI patients (Mann‐Whitney U, Student's t‐test, p < 0.05), indicating that higher scores were associated with better memory. The total MVMRS score and a subgroup of MVMRS, the SA score, were significantly higher in MCI patients compared to the MDD group, suggesting more atrophic changes and a higher burden of infarction in MCI patients. In our statistical analyses, impaired immediate memory (p < 0.001; OR = 6.002; 95% CI: 1.996−18.042), increased SA (p = 0.008; OR = 1.522; 95% CI: 1.118−2.073), and education (p = 0.028; OR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.719−0.981) were significant predictive values obtained through backward Wald elimination in the binary logistic regression model for detecting MCI.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that VMPT may potentially represent a novel neuropsychiatric test that might be combined with MRI‐based morphometric evaluation methods, such as MVMRS.
Beyond Representation: Using Nonfiction Children's Literature to Address Ableism
Authors: Hollins Kara G. , Schlessinger Sarah L.
Published: February 2024

Educators who take an inclusive, anti‐ableist stance value human variation. Teaching in pursuit of anti‐ableism requires open dialogue about aspects of human diversity, complex social identities, and the contributions of people with disabilities. In this column, we build from the rich work exploring ableism via children's literature in order to push beyond representation and into the critical work of directly confronting and disrupting ableism in the classroom.
Effect of chitosan crosslinking time on the structure and antifouling performance of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane by surface gelation‐immersion precipitation phase inversion
Authors: Sun Shuo , Xu Lang , Li Hongjun , Du Wei , Zhang Hongwei , Zuo Danying
Published: February 2024

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) porous membrane was prepared by a two‐step method of surface gelation‐immersion precipitation phase inversion. Chitosan/acetic acid solution and glutaraldehyde aqueous solution were sequentially sprayed onto the surface of the PVDF solution film, with chitosan crosslinking and gelation occurring simultaneously on the film surface. The solution film was then immersed in a coagulation bath to obtain a modified PVDF porous membrane. The effect of the crosslinking time of chitosan and glutaraldehyde on the structure and properties of the PVDF porous membrane was discussed. The results showed that with the prolongation of crosslinking time, the surface structure of the membrane changed from a dense skin layer to a porous structure; the porosity and the mean pore size of the modified PVDF membranes increased first and then decreased, and the contact angle gradually decreased. When the crosslinking time extended to 15 min, the water flux of modified membrane (M153) reached a maximum value. BSA dynamic cyclic filtration experiment showed that the retention rate (R) of the modified membrane was significantly improved, compared to 68.3% retention rate of the blank membrane (M000), but the crosslinking time had little effect on the retention rates of the four modified membranes. The antifouling data showed that the flux recovery rate of the blank membrane was 73.0%, while the flux recovery rate of the modified membrane can reach as high as 84.40%, and the irreversible pollution rate of the blank membrane was 27.7%, while the irreversible pollution rate of the modified membrane reduced to 15.6%. These results indicated that, after surface chitosan crosslinking, the hydrophilicity and antifouling properties of PVDF membranes were improved.

Practitioner Points

Modified PVDF membranes with crosslinking CS coating were prepared by a two‐step method of surface gelation‐immersion precipitation phase inversion.

‐OH groups and ‐NH2 groups of CS coating improve the hydrophilicity and the antifouling property of modified PVDF membranes.

Modified PVDF membranes had larger mean pore size and higher porosity than unmodified membrane.

Flux recovery rates of the modified membranes were higher than that of unmodified membrane.

Pollution degree, reversible pollution rate, and irreversible pollution rate of modified membranes were lower than those of unmodified membrane.
Didaktisch-methodische Aspekte der Projektentwicklung
Authors: Barton Daniel
Published: February 2024

In diesem Kapitel werden bedeutsame didaktisch-methodische Aspekte des geplanten Projektes theoretisch aufgearbeitet und dargestellt. Zunächst wird der mathematische Inhaltsbereich unter Bezugnahme der Bildungsstandards für das Fach Mathematik beschrieben. An den in den Bildungsstandards erläuterten fachbezogenen Kompetenzen orientiert sich die konzeptionelle Ausrichtung des geplanten Unterrichtsvorhabens. Danach wird die rahmengebende Unterrichtsmethode, das Unterrichtsprojekt, unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Merkmale des kooperativen und selbstregulierten Lernens erläutert. Anschließend wird auf Besonderheiten im Hinblick auf Projekte im Mathematikunterricht eingegangen. Zum Abschluss dieses Kapitels werden Videos im Unterricht als weiteres grundlegendes Element des Unterrichtsprojekts thematisiert. Dazu werden sowohl die Rezeption als auch die Erstellung von Videos in Bezug auf deren Lernwirksamkeit im Bildungskontext dargestellt.
Zusammenfassung und Perspektiven
Authors: Barton Daniel
Published: February 2024

In diesem Kapitel werden die Ergebnisse der Datenerhebungen mit den dieser Studie zugrundeliegenden Theorien sowie dargestellten Studien in Bezug gesetzt, um Ansätze und Erklärungen zur Wirkung des durchgeführten Unterrichtsprojekts zu finden. Die Ergebnisse werden hinsichtlich der einzelnen Forschungsfragen und deren Ausdifferenzierung diskutiert.
A Metric Fixed Point Theorem and Some of Its Applications
Authors: Karlsson Anders
Published: February 2024

A general fixed point theorem for isometries in terms of metric functionals is proved under the assumption of the existence of a conical bicombing. It is new for isometries of convex sets of Banach spaces as well as for non-locally compact CAT(0)-spaces and injective spaces. Examples of actions on non-proper CAT(0)-spaces come from the study of diffeomorphism groups, birational transformations, and compact Kähler manifolds. A special case of the fixed point theorem provides a novel mean ergodic theorem that in the Hilbert space case implies von Neumann’s theorem. The theorem accommodates classically fixed-point-free isometric maps such as those of Kakutani, Edelstein, Alspach and Prus. Moreover, from the main theorem together with some geometric arguments of independent interest, one can deduce that every bounded invertible operator of a Hilbert space admits a nontrivial invariant metric functional on the space of positive operators. This is a result in the direction of the invariant subspace problem although its full meaning is dependent on a future determination of such metric functionals.
Digitale Technologien in der Pflege – Was können sie leisten?
Authors: Wolf-Ostermann Karin , Rothgang Heinz
Published: February 2024

Digitale Pflegetechnologien gewinnen in der Langzeitpflege zunehmend an Bedeutung. Sie umfassen alle Technologien, die mittels Vernetzung und/oder Sensorik Prozesse und/oder Produkte verändern, und schließen künstliche Intelligenz, also Verfahren, Methoden und Algorithmen, um mittels Daten zu lernen und darauf aufbauend zielorientierte Handlungen zu ermöglichen, ein. Ihre Anwendung reicht von der Förderung professioneller Zusammenarbeit über Steuerung und Verwaltung, Wissenserwerb und -weitergabe, Interaktion und Beziehung bis zur körpernahen Pflege.

Digitale Pflegetechnologien haben das Potenzial, gleichzeitig die Qualität der Pflege zu erhöhen und die Arbeitsbedingungen in der Pflege zu verbessern. Allerdings stehen dem Hemmnisse auf verschiedenen Ebenen entgegen: Die Entwicklung dieser Technologien wird häufig von den technischen Möglichkeiten getrieben, sodass Produkte entstehen, die im Pflegealltag keinen konkreten Nutzen entfalten. Bei der Implementation wird nur die Bedienung geschult; es erfolgt aber keine Organisationsentwicklung zur systematischen Integration der Technologien in den Arbeitsalltag. Zudem fehlen hochwertige Evaluationen, die den tatsächlichen Nutzen im Arbeitsalltag abbilden, um so potenzielle Anwender:innen für die Technologie zu gewinnen. Schließlich ist die nachhaltige Finanzierung, insbesondere der Unterhaltung dieser Technologien, nicht gesichert.

Eine gelingende Digitalisierung in der Pflege setzt daher voraus, dass Technikentwickler:innen und -anwender:innen ebenso wie Politik und Wissenschaft gemeinsam diese Hemmnisse überwinden. Das impliziert, dass Pflegende von Anfang an in den Entwicklungsprozess einbezogen sind, aber auch dass Orte geschaffen werden, in denen die Wirkung digitaler Pflegetechnologien im tatsächlichen Versorgungsgeschehen evaluiert werden kann.
Risk management during the COVID-19 crisis: insights from an exploratory case study of medium-sized family businesses
Authors: Riepl Julia , Mitter Christine , Kuttner Michael
Published: February 2024

Current crises pose uncertainties and threats to family businesses (FBs), demonstrating the importance of risk management (RM). Based on an explorative case study of nine Austrian medium-sized FBs, we examine the design of RM in FBs and how the COVID-19 crisis impacts their RM practices. The findings highlight that the medium-sized FBs analyzed generally rely on both formal and informal RM, and that these structures are strongly connected to their unique stewardship culture. In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, formal RM gained increased relevance, prompting FBs to allocate additional resources for its professional upgrading. Likewise, when confronted with heightened risks during the COVID-19 crisis, informal practices such as family bonds and close ties to employees and customers are not only reinforced but also proven highly effective, resulting in increased loyalty. The COVID-19 crisis serves as a compelling illustration of how both informal and formal RM methods have grown in strength. The synergy between these RM methods enhances risk awareness within FBs, ultimately fostering resilience during unpredictable and uncertain times.
Assessing human exposure to pesticides and mycotoxins: optimization and validation of a method for multianalyte determination in urine samples
Authors: Marín-Sáez Jesús , Hernández-Mesa Maykel , Gallardo-Ramos Jose A. , Gámiz-Gracia Laura , García-Campaña Ana M.
Published: February 2024

Humans are exposed to an increasing number of contaminants, with diet being one of the most important exposure routes. In this framework, human biomonitoring is considered the gold standard for evaluating human exposure to chemicals. Pesticides and mycotoxins are chemicals of special concern due to their health implications. They constitute the predominant border rejection notifications for food and feed in Europe and the USA. However, current biomonitoring studies are focused on a limited number of compounds and do not evaluate mycotoxins and pesticides together. In this study, an analytical method has been developed for the determination of 30 pesticides and 23 mycotoxins of concern in urine samples. A salting-out liquid–liquid extraction (SALLE) procedure was optimized achieving recoveries between 70 and 120% for almost all the compounds and limits as lower as when QuEChERS was applied. The compounds were then determined by liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Different chromatographic conditions and analytical columns were tested, selecting a Hypersild gold aQ column as the best option. Finally, the method was applied to the analysis of 45 urine samples, in which organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides (detection rates (DR) of 82% and 42%, respectively) and ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol (DR of 51% and 33%, respectively) were the most detected compounds. The proposed analytical method involves the simultaneous determination of a diverse set of pesticides and mycotoxins, including their most relevant metabolites, in human urine. It serves as an essential tool for biomonitoring the presence of highly prevalent contaminants in modern society.

Graphical Abstract
Late relapse of chronic myeloid leukemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation points to KANSARL (KANSL1::ARL17A) alteration: a case report with insights on the molecular landscape
Authors: Fontana Diletta , Zambrotta Giovanni Paolo Maria , Scannella Antonio , Piazza Rocco , Gambacorti-Passerini Carlo
Published: February 2024

Chronic myeloid leukemia is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome and the consequent BCR::ABL1 oncoprotein. In the era before the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the only potentially curative treatment was allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Here, we present the case of a patient affected by CML who experienced a relapse 20 years after allogeneic HSCT. Following relapse, the patient was treated with imatinib and bosutinib, resulting in a deep molecular response and successfully discontinued treatment. Additional analysis including whole-exome sequencing and RNA sequencing provided some insights on the molecular mechanisms of the relapse: the identification of the fusion transcript KANSL1::ARL17A (KANSARL), a cancer predisposition fusion gene, could justify a condition of genomic instability which may be associated with the onset and/or probably the late relapse of his CML.
Demographic recovery of corals at a wave-exposed reef following catastrophic disturbance
Authors: Lachs Liam , Biondi Piera , Gouezo Marine , Nestor Victor , Olsudong Dawnette , Guest James , Golbuu Yimnang
Published: February 2024

Rapid recovery of coral cover following acute disturbance has been documented on many reefs. Yet measuring coverage alone can mask shifts in community and demographic structure. Here, we quantify long-term changes in population size structure for three common genera (Acropora, Pocillopora, and Stylophora) at an eastern outer reef in Palau, Micronesia, following catastrophic loss of corals due to typhoon Bopha in 2012, based on size measurements from 3648 coral colonies. Mean colony size returned to pre-disturbance levels within 4 and 6 years for Stylophora and Pocillopora, respectively. By 2020, Pocillopora colony density far exceeded pre-disturbance levels, with rapid successful recruitment following typhoon Bopha. Despite recovery of Acropora colony density by 2020, populations remained dominated by smaller colonies. We demonstrate that full demographic recovery can occur more rapidly for pocilloporids (within 6 years) compared to Acropora which had not fully recovered by 8 years post-disturbance, possibly due to fewer annual recruitment events and larger maximum colony sizes. Our results highlight the value of demographic metrics as early indicators of recovery.
Coupling of bond-based peridynamics and continuous density-based topology optimization methods for effective design of three-dimensional structures with discontinuities
Authors: Kendibilir A. , Bilgin M. H. , Kefal A.
Published: February 2024

This study proposes continuous density-based three-dimensional topology optimization (TO) approaches developed by coupling the peridynamic theory (PD) with optimality criteria (OC) and proportional approach (PROP). These frameworks, abbreviated as PD-OC-TO and PD-PROP-TO, can be practically utilized to enhance the fracture toughness of the structures during the optimization process by taking critical regions into account as pre-defined cracks. Breaking the non-local interactions (bonds) between relevant PD particles enables us to readily model cracks. Utilizing this advantage, we solve several benchmark optimization problems including different numbers, positions, and alignments of the cracks. The major differences between the proposed methods are examined by comparing optimum topologies for various cracked scenarios. Moreover, the mechanical behaviour of the optimized structures is investigated under dynamic loads to prove the significant improvements achieved by the present approach in the final designs. The results of dynamic analyses reveal the viability of both PD-TO methods for increasing the fracture toughness of the structure in the optimization stage. Overall, the proposed approach is confirmed as a superior design and optimization tool for future engineering structures.

Graphical abstract
Epicardial ventricular tachycardia ablation: safety and efficacy of access and ablation using low-iodine content
Authors: Müller Julian , Chakarov Ivaylo , Halbfass Philipp , Nentwich Karin , Berkovitz Artur , Sonne Kai , Barth Sebastian , Lehrmann Heiko , Deneke Thomas
Published: February 2024

Background

Epicardial ablation has become an integral part of the treatment of ventricular tachycardias (VT). This study reports the safety of epicardial access as well as the efficacy of epicardial ablation of structural heart disease in a tertiary single-center experience.

Methods

Between January 2016 and February 2022, consecutive patients undergoing an epicardial access for VT ablation were included. Different puncture techniques and occurrence of epicardial access-related complications as well as the safety of ablation using non-ionic 5% dextrose in water (D5W) compared to standard 0.9% normal saline (NS) irrigation were analyzed. VT recurrence rates during a mean follow-up of 37 ± 23 months were reported.

Results

In total, 197 patients undergoing a total of 239 procedures were included (59.8 ± 15.3 years, 86% males). A total of 154 patients (78%) had non-ischemic cardiomyopathies with a mean LVEF of 37 ± 14. Anterior-oriented epicardial access was aimed for in all cases and was successful in 217 (91%) of all procedures, whereas access was achieved in 19 procedures (8%) only using an inferior oriented access and in three procedures (1%) using surgical access due to severe adhesions or anatomical requirements. Overall epicardial puncture-related complications occurred in 18 (8%) of all procedures with minor pericardial bleeding in nine, pericardial tamponade in one, pneumothorax in five, pneumopericardium in one, and abdominal puncture in two cases. Presence of adhesions could be identified as the only independent predictor of epicardial access-related complications. D5W was used in 79 cases and regular 0.9% saline in 117 procedures. No differences were seen regarding acute ablation success or complications. During follow-up, 47% of all patients were free from any VTs (56% D5W vs. 40% NS; log-rank p = 0.747) and 92% of clinical VTs (98% D5W vs. 91% NS; log-rank p = 0.139).

Conclusions

In this large single-centre experience, epicardial access and ablation were safe and feasible. Although long-term clinical VT recurrence rates were low, overall VT recurrences as well as mortality were high advocating for a highly experienced, interdisciplinary approach including intense management of underlying cardiac disease/heart failure. Routine usage of D5W was safe and associated with comparable short- or long-term clinical or overall VT freedom.

Graphical abstract
The effect of robotic surgery on low anterior resection syndrome in patients with lower rectal cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Zhang Lei , Hu Chenhao , Zhao Jiamian , Wu Chenxi , Zhang Zhe , Li Ruizhe , Liu Ruihan , She Junjun , Shi Feiyu
Published: February 2024

Background

Many patients experience anorectal dysfunction after rectal surgery, which is known as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Robotic systems have many technical advantages that may be suitable for functional preservation after low rectal resection. Thus, the study aimed to explore whether robotic surgery can reduce the incidence and severity of LARS.

Methods

Patients undergoing minimally invasive sphincter-sparing surgery for low rectal cancer were enrolled between January 2015 and December 2020. The patients were divided into robotic or laparoscopic groups. The LARS survey was conducted at 6, 12 and 18 months postoperatively. Major LARS scores were analysed as the primary endpoint. In order to reduce confounding factors, one-to-two propensity score matches were used.

Results

In total, 342 patients were enrolled in the study. At 18 months postoperatively, the incidence of LARS was 68.7% (235/342); minor LARS was identified in 112/342 patients (32.7%), and major LARS in 123/342 (36.0%). After matching, the robotic group included 74 patients, and the laparoscopic group included 148 patients. The incidence of major LARS in the robotic group was significantly lower than that in the laparoscopic group at 6, 12, and 18 months after surgery. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, tumour location, laparoscopic surgery, intersphincteric resection, neoadjuvant therapy, and anastomotic leakage were independent risk factors for major LARS after minimally invasive sphincter-sparing surgery for low rectal cancer. Furthermore, a major LARS prediction model was constructed. Results of model evaluation showed that the nomogram had good prediction accuracy and efficiency.

Conclusions

Patients with low rectal cancer may benefit from robotic surgery to reduce the incidence and severity of LARS. Our nomogram could aid surgeons in setting an individualized treatment program for low rectal cancer patients.
Modified Coot bird optimization algorithm for solving community detection problem in social networks
Authors: Aslan Murat , Koç İsmail
Published: February 2024

Community detection (CD) is a powerful way to extract meaningful information from networks such as political election networks, biological networks, social networks, technological networks. This study proposes a modified discrete version of Coot bird natural life model (COOT) optimization algorithm to solve CD problem in the networks. The basic COOT method is based on the different collective behaviors of the birds of the coot family. These collective actions of coots are regular and irregular movements on the water surface. The position update rule of the basic COOT method does not provide a balance between exploitation and exploration ability for the problem addressed in this study. Therefore, a new update mechanism is integrated into the basic COOT method to extend the local and global search tendencies of the basic COOT method. In the proposed COOT method (for short MCOOT), in order to create a new position for the current coot individual, first the original update mechanism of COOT method is carried out; then, the proposed update mechanism is executed. Three important modifications have been made in the new update mechanism: (1) Some dimensions of the current coot individual are randomly selected in the range of 1 to the dimension size of the problem; (2) the selected dimensions of the coot individual are updated according to the proposed update rule; (3) a genetic mutation operator is executed on the current coot position according to a mutation probability to improve the exploration ability. Furthermore, in the proposed MCOOT method, the continuous values of the current coot positions are converted to discrete values, because the CD problem is a discrete problem. Based on these modifications, in order to analyze and validate the effectiveness of the proposed MCOOT, it is applied on ten different small-sized or large-sized network problems. Finally, the experimental results of MCOOT method are compared with those of some state-of-the-art optimization methods in terms of solution quality and time evaluation. According to the experiments of our study, the proposed algorithm is obtained the best results for all community detection problems used in this study when compared with 22 other algorithms. As a result, the proposed method achieves superior or comparable performance in terms of solution quality and robustness according to the general results. Therefore, the proposed method can be much more competitive, especially for discrete problems.
Masquerade/okuläres Lymphom
Authors: Deák Gábor Gy. , El-Shabrawi Yosuf
Published: February 2024

Intraokulare Lymphome und insbesondere vitreoretinale Lymphome (VRL) gehören zu den am schwierigsten zu diagnostizierenden ophthalmologischen Erkrankungen, da sie sich als eine Reihe häufigerer Augenerkrankungen tarnen können und die Labordiagnostik zu ihrem Nachweis häufig falsch-negative Ergebnisse liefert. In dieser aktuellen Übersichtsarbeit diskutieren wir die Ätiologie der VRL und geben eine aktuelle Zusammenfassung der diagnostischen und therapeutischen Möglichkeiten.
Horizon Europe: a green window of opportunity for european peripheral regions?
Authors: Peñalosa Patricia , Castaldi Carolina
Published: February 2024

An emerging field of research suggests that the policy and societal pressures for a green transition represent a “green window of opportunity” for peripheral regions. These regions often lag behind in overall innovation performance and may suffer from being places that don’t matter. At the same time, these are exactly the regions that the European Union is trying to support through several programmes, including Horizon Europe. This paper investigates the participation of organisations from peripheral regions in environmental projects funded by the Horizon Europe programme. To account for the multidimensional nature of regional peripherality, we define peripheral regions from a geographical, innovation and socio-economic perspective. We then analyse the relationship between these dimensions of regional peripherality and the extent to which regions benefit from Horizon environmental innovation projects in terms of participation, amount of funding and position in the overall network of project consortia.

Our findings show a greater participation in Horizon environmental innovation projects for regions in Southern and Northern Europe, while within-country peripherality is negatively related to participation. At the same time, regions that are lagging in terms of innovation and socio-economic performance also receive less of this specific funding. Overall, geographical peripherality only tells a part of the story as several “places that don’t matter” for innovation and economic dynamism are also unable to benefit from these specific green windows of opportunity.
Systems Perspectives on Business and Peace: The Contingent Nature of Business-Related Action with Respect to Peace Positive Impacts
Authors: Cechvala Sarah , Ganson Brian
Published: February 2024

We examine three business-related initiatives designed to achieve peace positive impacts in the Cape Town township of Langa. Each was seemingly straightforward in its purpose, logic, and implementation. However, their positive intent was frustrated and their impacts ultimately harmful to their articulated goals. Understanding why this is so can be difficult in violent, turbulent, and information-poor environments such as Langa, confounding progress even by actors with ethical intentions. To aid in sense making and to provide insight for more positive future action, we develop from 125 interviews conducted for this study causal loop models for these initiatives within their conflict subsystems. These explain the perverse impacts of these initiatives by illuminating their (lack of) salience to key conflict factors, their (in)sufficiency to effect positive change in light of competing systems dynamics, and their (in)attentiveness to interdependencies with the intentions and actions of others. We thus contribute to understanding of the factors required to achieve positive social outcomes in more extreme contexts. More generally, we demonstrate the value of systems analysis both for scholarship related to business and peace and for reducing blind spots that can inhibit sound planning for ethical business action amidst complexity.
When doubts take over: a longitudinal study on emerging disengagement in the PhD process
Authors: Alisic Aida , Noppeney Ruth , Wiese Bettina S.
Published: February 2024

The purpose of the present investigation is to shed light on the intraindividual (i.e., within-person) process of distancing from the goal of obtaining a PhD. Based on the motivational theory of action crisis, we assume that a lack of both individual (here: self-directed career management) and external (here: social support) resources may fuel doubts concerning PhD completion. An action crisis, in turn, is proposed to undermine the subsequent motivation to engage in proactive behavior and seek out social support. We analyzed five waves of longitudinal self-report data (NT1 = 2011 PhD students, 61.7% men; half-year intervals) with the random-intercept cross-lagged panel model. This method allows to separate between-person from within-person effects. As expected, we found intraindividual increases in self-directed career management and perceived social support to reduce the development of an action crisis, and vice versa. Practical implications on how to avoid a loss spiral in the PhD process are discussed.
Characterization of pure and admixed brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations of high conservation value in the upper Danubian contact zone using ddRADseq genotyping
Authors: Englmaier Gernot K. , Lecaudey Laurène A. , Schliewen Ulrich K. , Schmidt Thomas , Schenekar Tamara , Weiss Steven J.
Published: February 2024

Increasing rates of hybridization and introgression in managed populations of freshwater fish are a major threat to the long-term viability of native species. The conservation challenge begins with identifying native gene pools. For brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758) in the Upper Danube drainage, this task is complicated by the presence of both naturally and anthropogenically induced admixture of highly divergent lineages (Atlantic and Danubian). Herein, a ddRADseq protocol was used to type 377 individuals from 24 populations in the Upper Danube in Austria and Germany, and from reference populations from adjacent drainages and commercial hatcheries. High genetic differentiation at small geographic scales was found among pure Danubian-lineage populations, especially in the Kalkalpen National Park (Austria). In the Upper Danube drainage of Germany, as well as in the Rhine and Elbe drainages, brown trout populations were predominantly of Atlantic-lineage origin – as were those of all commercial hatcheries. Most populations, however, showed various degrees of admixture between Danubian and Atlantic lineages, hypothesized to be the result of both natural and anthropogenic processes. We highlight the conservation value of pure Danubian-lineage populations, and the challenges promoting conservation of naturally admixed populations, while discouraging continued stocking and admixture via management activities.
Patterns of Competitiveness in Russian Gubernatorial Elections
Authors: Eichhorn Kristin , Linhart Eric
Published: February 2024

Competitiveness in electoral authoritarian regimes is compromised by management of the electoral arena through various kinds of manipulation. This study links two dimensions of competitiveness, namely fairness and contestation. We analyze the regional heterogeneity of both dimensions for Russian gubernatorial elections held between 2012 and 2019. To assess competitiveness, we use crowd-sourced electoral observation reports and data from the Central Election Commission. Our analysis reveals significant regional variation in both dimensions. Nevertheless, opposition victories are rare and only occur in exceptional cases. Low levels of electoral malpractices seem to be a necessary but not sufficient condition for close election results. Windows of opportunity for the opposition arise only if the regime misperceives the closeness of the race and if the opposition nominates prominent candidates. Overall, these findings shed light on the complex factors influencing the competitiveness of elections in electoral authoritarian regimes like Russia.
Evaluating the heterogeneous effect of extended culture to blastocyst transfer on the implantation outcome via causal inference in fresh ICSI cycles
Authors: Kan-Tor Yoav , Srebnik Naama , Gavish Matan , Shalit Uri , Buxboim Amnon
Published: February 2024

Purpose

In IVF treatments, extended culture to single blastocyst transfer is the recommended protocol over cleavage-stage transfer. However, evidence-based criteria for assessing the heterogeneous implications on implantation outcomes are lacking. The purpose of this work is to estimate the causal effect of blastocyst transfer on implantation outcome.

Methods

We fit a causal forest model using a multicenter observational dataset that includes an exogenous source of variability in treatment assignment and has a strong claim for satisfying the assumptions needed for valid causal inference from observational data.

Results

We quantified the probability difference in embryo implantation if transferred as a blastocyst versus cleavage stage. Blastocyst transfer increased the average implantation rate; however, we revealed a subpopulation of embryos whose implantation potential is predicted to increase via cleavage-stage transfer.

Conclusion

Relative to the current policy, the proposed embryo transfer policy retrospectively improves implantation rate from 0.2 to 0.27. Our work demonstrates the efficacy of implementing causal inference in reproductive medicine and motivates its utilization in medical disciplines that are dominated by retrospective datasets.
Predicting the suitable habitat distribution of berry plants under climate change
Authors: Hamilton Casey W. , Smithwick Erica A. H. , Spellman Katie V. , Baltensperger Andrew P. , Spellman Blaine T. , Chi Guangqing
Published: February 2024

Context

Climate change is altering suitable habitat distributions of many species at high latitudes. Fleshy fruit-producing plants (hereafter, “berry plants”) are important in arctic food webs and as subsistence resources for human communities, but their response to a warming and increasingly variable climate at a landscape scale has not yet been examined.

Objectives

We aimed to identify environmental determinants of berry plant distribution and predict how climate change might shift these distributions.

Methods

We used species distribution models to identify characteristics and predict the distribution of suitable habitat under current (2006–2013) and future climate conditions (2081–2100; representative concentration pathways 4.5, 6.0, & 8.5) for five berry plant species: Vaccinium uliginosum L., Empetrum nigrum L., Rubus chamaemorus L., Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., and Viburnum edule (Michx.) Raf..

Results

Elevation, soil characteristics, and January and July temperatures were important drivers of habitat distributions. Future suitable habitat predictions showed net declines in suitable habitat area for all species modeled under almost all future climate scenarios tested.

Conclusions

Our work contributes to understanding potential geographic shifts in suitable berry plant habitat with climate change at a landscape scale. Shifting and retracting distributions may alter where communities can harvest, suggesting that access to these resources may become restricted in the future. Our prediction maps may help inform climate adaptation planning as communities anticipate shifting access to harvesting locations.
Kairos in diagnostics
Authors: Hofmann Bjørn , Wiesing Urban
Published: February 2024

Kairos has been a key concept in medicine for millennia and is frequently understood as “the right time” in relation to treatment. In this study we scrutinize kairos in the context of diagnostics. This has become highly topical as technological developments have caused diagnostics to be performed ever earlier in the disease development. Detecting risk factors, precursors, and predictors of disease (in biomarkers, pre-disease, and pre-pre-disease) has resulted in too early diagnoses, i.e., overdiagnoses. Nonetheless, despite vast advances in science and technology, diagnoses also come too late. Accordingly, timing diagnostics right is crucial. In this article we start with giving a brief overview of the etymology and general use of the concepts of kairos and diagnosis. Then we delimit kairos in diagnostics by analysing “too early” and “too late” diagnosis and by scrutinizing various phases of diagnostics. This leads us to define kairos of diagnostics as the time when there is potential for sufficient information for making a diagnosis that is most helpful for the person. It allows us to conclude that kairos is as important in diagnostics as in therapeutics.
Automated multifocus pollen detection using deep learning
Authors: Gallardo Ramón , García-Orellana Carlos J. , González-Velasco Horacio M. , García-Manso Antonio , Tormo-Molina Rafael , Macías-Macías Miguel , Abengózar Eugenio
Published: February 2024

Pollen-induced allergies affect a significant part of the population in developed countries. Current palynological analysis in Europe is a slow and laborious process which provides pollen information in a weekly-cycle basis. In this paper, we describe a system that allows to locate and classify, in a single step, the pollen grains present in standard glass microscope slides. Besides, processing the samples in the z-axis allows us to increase the probability of detecting grains compared to solutions based on one image per sample. Our system has been trained to recognise 11 pollen types, achieving 97.6 % success rate locating grains, of which 96.3 % are also correctly identified (0.956 macro–F1 score), and with a 2.4 % grains lost. Our results indicate that deep learning provides a robust framework to address automated identification of various pollen types, facilitating their daily measurement.
A Vision Enhancement and Feature Fusion Multiscale Detection Network
Authors: Qian Chengwu , Qian Jiangbo , Wang Chong , Ye Xulun , Zhong Caiming
Published: February 2024

In the field of object detection, there is often a high level of occlusion in real scenes, which can very easily interfere with the accuracy of the detector. Currently, most detectors use a convolutional neural network (CNN) as a backbone network, but the robustness of CNNs for detection under cover is poor, and the absence of object pixels makes conventional convolution ineffective in extracting features, leading to a decrease in detection accuracy. To address these two problems, we propose VFN (A Vision Enhancement and Feature Fusion Multiscale Detection Network), which first builds a multiscale backbone network using different stages of the Swin Transformer, and then utilizes a vision enhancement module using dilated convolution to enhance the vision of feature points at different scales and address the problem of missing pixels. Finally, the feature guidance module enables features at each scale to be enhanced by fusing with each other. The total accuracy demonstrated by VFN on both the PASCAL VOC dataset and the CrowdHuman dataset is better than that of other methods, and its ability to find occluded objects is also better, demonstrating the effectiveness of our method.The code is available at https://github.com/qcw666/vfn.
On-line condition monitoring for rotor systems based on nonlinear data-driven modelling and model frequency analysis
Authors: Zhao Yulai , Liu Zepeng , Zhang Hongxu , Han Qingkai , Liu Yang , Wang Xuefei
Published: February 2024

This paper proposes a novel on-line rotor system condition monitoring approach using nonlinear data-driven modelling and model frequency analysis. First, the dynamic process model of the vibration transmission path between the vibration measurement points of two fulcrum structures is established by utilizing nonlinear data-driven modelling. Then, the unique frequency properties are extracted from the established model to reveal, in real time, the health condition of the rotor system. Finally, using the frequency properties as features, the unsupervised learning technology is applied to the on-line monitoring of the rotor system. Compared to conventional condition monitoring methods, the proposed approach can output an early warning 26 min before a shaft fracture occurs, without generating false alarms. Consequently, this approach can greatly enhance diagnostic accuracy, demonstrating its potential to contribute to the advancement of rotor system condition monitoring techniques.
Microlensing of Strongly Lensed Quasars
Authors: Vernardos G. , Sluse D. , Pooley D. , Schmidt R. W. , Millon M. , Weisenbach L. , Motta V. , Anguita T. , Saha P. , O’Dowd M. , Peel A. , Schechter P. L.
Published: February 2024

Strong gravitational lensing of quasars has the potential to unlock the poorly understood physics of these fascinating objects, as well as serve as a probe of the lensing mass distribution and of cosmological parameters. In particular, gravitational microlensing by compact bodies in the lensing galaxy can enable mapping of quasar structure to $<10^{-6}$
<

10

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6

arcsec scales. Some of this potential has been realized over the past few decades, however the upcoming era of large sky surveys promises to bring this promise to full fruition. In this article, we review the theoretical framework of this field, describe the prominent current methods for parameter inference from quasar microlensing data across different observing modalities, and discuss the constraints so far derived on the geometry and physics of quasar inner structure. We also review the application of strong lensing and microlensing to constraining the granularity of the lens potential, i.e. the contribution of the baryonic and dark matter components, and the local mass distribution in the lens, i.e. the stellar mass function. Finally, we discuss the future of the field, including the new possibilities that will be opened by the next generation of large surveys and by new analysis methods now being developed.