bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of thoracic radiotherapy for extensive stage small cell lung cancer after immunotherapy in real world
Authors: Fang Min , Wang Le , Gu Qing , Wu Huiwen , Du Xianghui , Lai Xiaojing
Published: May 2023

Purpose The immunotherapy combined chemotherapy has been the standard treatment strategy for extensive-stage small lung cancer (ES-SCLC). The CREST trial reported consolidative thoracic radiotherapy (cTRT) improved overall survival (OS) for ES-SCLC with intrathoracic residual after chemotherapy. This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TRT for ES-SCLC after first line chemoimmunotherapy.Methods ES-SCLC patients who received immunotherapy in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital has been retrospectively analyzed between January 2020 and November 2021. Patients were assigned to receive either TRT or no TRT. Oligo-metastatic disease was defined as 3 or less discrete distant metastases with no more than 2 organs. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed in two groups. The main outcome measures were progression-free survival (PFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and OS.Results 111 patients with ES-SCLC were enrolled in this study, the median OS was 14 months. 39 patients received TRT after chemoimmunotherapy (TRT group) and 72 patients did not receive TRT (no TRT group). TRT group improved OS (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.34–0.99, p = 0.0445), PFS (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38–0.90, p = 0.0149) and LRFS (HR 0.3, 95% CI 0.16–0.56, p = 0.0001). Further sub-cohort analysis, TRT significantly improved LRFS in patients with oligo-metastasis and without liver metastasis. This trend persisted after PSM. However, OS in oligo-metastasis and non-liver metastasis subgroup was without significant difference.Conclusion TRT improved LRFS, PFS and OS for ES-SCLC with thoracic residual after chemoimmunotherapy with well tolerated toxicity.
Collaborative Profit Tax Evasion, Wage Inequality and Income Distribution: A General Equilibrium Analysis
Authors: Wang Leonard F. S. , Sun Ji
Published: May 2023

In this paper, in a general equilibrium setting, we address the issue of collaborative profit tax evasion in a given number of homogenous Cournot oligopoly with the consensus of unskilled workers, wherein the profit-maximizing firm is over-reporting the wage payment to evade the corporate profit tax and the unskilled labor receives a part of cost-saving ex-ante. We show that (1) When there is collaborative profit tax evasion in industrial sector, the behavior of over-reporting production cost will incentivize manufacturing firms to produce more, thereby raise capital rental rate and skilled labor wage, while decrease unskilled labor wage; (2) A higher wage-saving sharing ratio will increase the total output of agricultural sector and decrease the output per firm in industrial sector which results in widening wage inequality and exacerbating income distribution, while narrowing income inequality and wage gap within industrial sector.
JEL Classifications: J31, O18, H25
A dynamic model for estimation of the tire contact patch by using machine vision techniques
Authors: derafshpour sajjad , mardani aref , valizadeh morteza
Published: May 2023

The maximum acceleration that can be achieved by the car is limited by two main factors of maximum torque in the drive wheels and the maximum traction force in the contact patch. The first factor depends on the performance of the engine and the transmission system in the drivetrain dynamics, and the second factor depends on the friction between the tire and the contact patch. The importance of investigating the contact patch is valuable from perspective of increasing traction efficiency to reducing fuel consumption. In this study, a novel method based on image processing techniques was utilized to dynamically measure contact patch. Then, contact patch was modeled by the Bat algorithm considering the load on the tire and inflation pressure. Finally, the model was evaluated visually and statistically. Coefficient of determination (R2) for this model was 0.95.
Urea-creatinine ratio (UCR) predicts the long-term prognosis of colorectal cancer patients after surgery
Authors: Yuan Qinggang , Yuan Lihua , Zhang Liang , Liu Lixiang , Zhou Shizhen , Zhang Tiantian , Ding Chao , Guan Wenxian
Published: May 2023

Background
The muscle mass of tumor patients could significantly affect the prognosis of patients. Urea-creatinine ratio (UCR) was considered related to skeletal muscle catabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of preoperative UCR to predict postoperative long-term prognosis and to verify the relationship between UCR and muscle mass in colorectal cancer patients.
Method
221 patients with colorectal cancer underwent surgery in the study. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were used to determine the risk factors for long-term prognosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to determine the optimal prognostic cut-off value of UCR. The patients were divided into two groups according to the cut-off value to explore the relationship between UCR and the long-term prognosis of colorectal cancer patients. The same approach was used for subgroup analysis of patients with stage III tumors. Correlation analysis was implemented between the patient's preoperative UCR and the muscle parameters of the L3 cross-section scanned by CT.
Results
221 patients were included from January 2015 to January 2019. Among them, 22 died, and 29 relapsed within 3 years. Multivariate analysis showed that age, BMI, serum creatinine (Scr), UCR, and tumor stage were associated with postoperative overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (P<0.05). The area under the ROC for predicting 3-year overall survival and recurrence was 0.789 (95%CI: 0.691-0.888, p<0.001), 0.739 (95%CI: 0.581-0.847, p<0.001) in all patients respectively, and in stage III patients were 0.704 (95%CI:0.581-0.826, p=0.007), 0.709 (95%CI:0.595-0.824, p=0.003) respectively. Compared with the UCR low group stratified by a cut-off value of 2.65, the UCR high group had increased risk both for death 0.704 (95%CI:0.581-0.826, p=0.007) and recurrence (0.709 (95%CI:0.595-0.824, p=0.003). In addition, UCR level was significantly associated with skeletal muscle mass (R2=0.320, p<0.01).
Conclusion
UCR level could effectively predict the long-term prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer after surgery. Patients with UCR above 2.65 had an increased risk of death and tumor recurrence. Moreover, UCR was positively associated with skeletal muscle mass.
Remanent Magnetization in the Proterozoic Basement Rocks of Iraq: the Southern Desert in Focus
Authors: Al-Bahadily Hayder A. , Al-Rahim Ali M.
Published: May 2023

Utilizing aeromagnetic data, this research examines basement rocks in Iraq, focusing on the southwestern part, known as the Southern Desert. The basement has particular importance since it is deep and has not been discovered directly yet. The purpose of this study is to outline regions of remanent magnetization, which have lithological, structural, and tectonic implementations using a recently proposed method by Smith et al. (2022) that transforms the magnetic data to the pole and vertical dip and subsequently estimates the apparent magnetic susceptibility. The results show the presence of remanent magnetization in the basement with different shapes and spatial extensions that predominately aligns in northwest-southeast and north-south directions in accordance with basement inherited weak zones. Further, these occurrences lie in particular tectonic zones and sub-zones. The results in the Southern Desert are consistent with a previous study that used two-dimensional forward modeling and mentioned remanent magnetization in two north-south-trending zones. Concerning the origin of the reversely magnetized bodies in Iraq, their distribution may suggest either faulting in a basement terrane (of reverse magnetization) with different displacement or intrusions of basic rocks within structural basins that are resulting from extensional tectonics.
Impact of Prophylactic Dexamethasone on the Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Plus Platinum-based Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Non-Squamous Non-Small- Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: HUI YU , Chen Jing-yu , Sheng Jin , Zhou Yi-xin , Zhang Xuanye , He Lina , Chu Qian , Zhang Li , Hong Shaodong
Published: May 2023

Background Baseline corticosteroids exposure was reportedly associated with inferior clinical outcomes in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) axis blockade. Dexamethasone is a long-acting, potent corticosteroid that is regularly used in the prevention of chemotherapy-associated adverse events (CAAEs). Given that dexamethasone has potential immunosuppressive properties, it is important to consider its effects on the efficacy of immunotherapy plus chemotherapy in patients with non-squamous NSCLC.Methods The study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 254 advanced non-squamous NSCLC patients who received front-line treatment with a PD-1 pathway inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapy at three academic institutions—Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC), Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College (TJH) and Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University (SRRSH). The average dosage of prophylactic dexamethasone per chemotherapy cycle was calculated. Patients were divided into three groups based on the dosage of dexamethasone: High-d (≥ 24 mg), Moderate-d (12–24 mg), and Low-d (< 12 mg). Spearman's rank correlation was used to assess the correlation between the dosage of dexamethasone and progression-free survival (PFS) time. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to analyze the differences in PFS among the different groups of dexamethasone dosages.Result The dosage of prophylactic dexamethasone was not significantly correlated with PFS time (Spearman’s rho = -0.103, P = 0.098). The results from the univariate [hazard ratio (HR)Low−d/High−d, 1.00; P = 0.997; HRModerate−d/High−d, 0.85; P = 0.438] and multivariate (HRLow−d/High−d, 0.71; P = 0.174; HRModerate−d/High−d, 0.87; P = 0.512) analyses showed no significant association between dexamethasone and PFS. Dexamethasone also was not significantly linked to the objective response rate or disease control rate.Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the use of prophylactic dexamethasone did not have an adverse effect on the clinical outcomes of non-squamous NSCLC patients treated with PD-1 blockade therapy and chemotherapy. Routine use of dexamethasone for preventing CAAEs should be recommended for patients undergoing combined immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
Review of High-dose Insulin Infusion for the Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemia-induced Pancreatitis
Authors: Paplaczyk Krista , Mahmoud Ahmed A
Published: May 2023

Background: Hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis (HTGP) is defined as pancreatitis associated with serum triglyceride (TG) levels exceeding 1,000 mg/dL. Current guidelines are lacking in regards to the optimum dose of high-dose insulin infusion (HDII).
Aim: We sought to describe our institutional HDII experience for the treatment of HTGP.
Method: This was a retrospective, single-center study of patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit between 9/1/2018 and 9/30/2020. Baseline patient characteristics, HDII dose and duration, TG response and use of rescue dextrose or potassium interventions were collected. Patients were excluded if they received therapeutic anticoagulation, plasmapheresis, or an insulin infusion not for HTGP. The primary outcome was the insulin infusion dose and the duration of HDII in relation to the change in serum TG levels. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of hypokalemic and hypoglycemic events.
Results: Twelve patients were included in the study. The median admission TG level was 2889.5 mg/dL with a subsequent decrease of 56% at the 24 hour time mark. The median starting dose was 0.09 units/kg/hr which remained stable throughout the treatment period. The median infusion duration was 51.5 hours. Hypokalemia was more common than hypoglycemia, however HDII was not discontinued due to any side effects.
Conclusion: Initiating HDII at approximately 0.1 units/kg/hr for HTGP is a safe and effective dose. Half of the patients responded by approximately the 48th hour. Judicious monitoring of serum potassium, glucose and maintenance fluids were required to avoid side effects. Further research comparing different HDII dosages is warranted.
The immune MEKK1-MKK1/2-MPK4 signaling cascade prevents invasive pollen tube growth in young seeds
Authors: Vӧlz Ronny , Harris William , Lee Yong-Hwan
Published: May 2023

Pollen tubes (PT) deliver the immotile sperm cells to the female gametes thereby enabling double fertilization. In Arabidopsis, several factors have been reported that restrict the entrance of a single PT in the female gametophyte. These factors are located in or are associated with the female gametophyte. However, sporophytic-originating signaling cascades, that govern PT reception and entrance in the female gametophyte, remained largely elusive. Disruption of the MEKK1-MKK1/2-MPK4 cascade by pathogenic effectors activates the resistance protein SUMM2-mediated immunity. The knockout of SUMM2 in the mekk1 and mkk1/mkk2 mutant reduces their strong autoimmunity and enables flowering and pollen tube attraction. Here, we present evidence that the plant immune-associated MEKK1-MKK1/2-MPK4 signaling cascade prevents supernumerary PT invasion in the young seed. We found invasive PT growth after fertilization in mekk1/summ2 and mkk1/2/summ2 accompanied by a reduced seed formation. Deep inspection of the mpk4 single and mpk4/summ2 double mutant further revealed a SUMM2-independent invasive PT growth phenotype. The allele-transmission analysis of mpk4 indicates a sporophytic origin of this observed phenomenon. This outcome highlights a function of the defense-associated MEKK1-MKK1/2-MPK4 signaling cascade in the prevention of invasive PT. Our results demonstrate that the sporophytic control of PT reception and entrance is adapted from defense mechanisms.
WITHDRAWN: Long-term monitoring of a permanent plot revealing the disturbance-recovery regime of the coniferous forest in subalpine Changbai Mountain of northeast China
Authors: Wu Shixiong , Deng Zhenyong , Liu Ying , Sun Zhen , Cong Mingzhu , Liu Qijing
Published: May 2023

Understanding long-term successional changes in old-growth forests affected by natural disturbance is particularly important in the context of contemporary climate changes. Quantitative descriptions of natural disturbance regimes require direct observations of tree populations over multiple decades, yet such studies are rare in the late-successional forest, particularly in the subalpine coniferous forest. Thus, we use four decades (1981–2022) monitoring of permanent plot in old-growth forest to reveal how tree species composition and structure changed. Results indicated that there was a significant decrease in the total density and basal area and standing volume, which was caused by the gradual decline of largePicea jezoensisvar.komarovii. Meanwhile,Betula ermaniidominance increased over time. Analysis of spatial distribution patterns suggested that gap formation facilitatedBetula ermaniiadults andPicea jezoensisvar.komaroviioffspring naturally regenerate to coexist. Future canopy composition would mainly depend on a balance betweenBetula ermanii's saplings probability of entering the canopy layer and the co-dominants’ survival there. Taken together, we concluded that the late-successional spruce-fir forest is dynamic and does not show quasi-equilibrial properties at a small scale, whereas, climax vegetation is a complex shifting mosaic that is comprised of patches in different successional stages. Natural disturbance is the main reason for maintaining the climax vegetation distribution pattern. In the absence of large catastrophic disturbances, we expect the mosaic pattern may persist for long under a certain climate regime.
A Block Chain Approach to Extract Design Patterns from Source Code
Authors: Rezaei Shahla , Esmaeilpour Mansour , Hatamlou Abdolreza , Adabi Sepideh
Published: May 2023

Design patterns are an effective technique to develop software. However, a lack of suitable documents often reduces traceability, and advantages remain unclear in source lines of code (SLOC). Design patterns have proved to be reliable solutions to a number of frequent problems in object-oriented software design. The detection of design patterns in a software system contributes to maintainability and re-engineering and facilitates the understanding of codes. Furthermore, different implementations of a design pattern impede the detection of code pattern instances. A design pattern is a set of roles played by the code classes. Roles are the main details and determinants in patterns. A pattern can be detected in its defined role since it is an instance of a role. It is also of great importance in system documentation. The proposed method exploits blockchain-based approaches in order to identify code links, inter-code relationships, and pattern similarities to the code. The results demonstrate that the blockchain is effective and efficient in extracting the connections of features from source codes and adapting to design patterns with precision 97%.
Meteorological Drought Modelling by Explainable Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Baykal Tahsin , Terzi Özlem , Yıldırım Gülsün , Taylan Dilek
Published: May 2023

The accurate prediction of drought events is important to relieve the negative consequences on water resources, ecosystems, and agriculture. Machine learning algorithms require less time and minimum input and are promising methods to predict drought because it is relatively less complicated than conventional models. In this study, the standardized precipitation index (SPI) is calculated for 3-, 6-, 9- and 12- months by using the monthly precipitation data of the Isparta, Eğirdir, Senirkent, Uluborlu, and Yalvaç meteorology measurement stations in Isparta, Turkey between 1964-2019. The calculated SPI values were used to develop the drought models by machine learning algorithms (Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbors, Extra Trees Regression, Support Vector Regression, Gradient Boosting, and Extreme Gradient Boost). The R2 and RMSE values are used in the assessment of the model results. In general, these algorithms gave good results for all calculated drought periods. Also, the results showed that the best result is obtained as 0.80 R2 by using Extra Trees algorithms for testing set of 12- month model. The relationship between model results and input parameters was interpreted using the Shapley Additive exPlanations algorithm one of the explainable artificial intelligences. It was seen that the most effective input on the Isparta station SPI values is Senirkent station.
HIV viral load suppression among people with mental disorders at two urban HIV Clinics in Uganda: a parallel convergent mixed methods study using the Social Ecological Model
Authors: Ndagire Regina , Wangi Rachel Nante , Ojiambo Kevin Ouma , Nangendo Joanita , Nakku Juliet , Muyinda Herbert , Semitala Fred Collins
Published: May 2023

Background
Uganda adopted and implemented the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) guidelines in 2017, which require HIV-infected persons to be initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at any CD4 + cell count, and to be routinely monitored for viral load to assess response to ART. However, there is paucity of data on viral load suppression (VLS) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) with mental disorders. We conducted a parallel convergent mixed methods study to determine HIV VLS among people with a mental disorder and explored the socio-cultural determinants of VLS at Butabika hospital and Mulago (ISS) HIV Clinics in Uganda.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective medical records review; seven key informant interviews (KII) among purposively selected healthcare providers and 12 in-depth interviews (IDI) among clinically stable PLHIV with a mental disorder. Data was collected on demographics, mental disorder, ART, viral load status, social support, stigma, and disclosure of HIV status. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and modified Poisson regression, while Inductive thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data.
Results
Of the 240 PLHIV with a mental disorder who were enrolled, 161 (67.1%) were female with mean age 38.9 (± 11.2) years. Overall, 88.8% (95% Cl: 84.0% – 92.2%) achieved VLS. Age (aPR = 1.01, 95%Cl = 1.00-1.01), male gender (aPR = 0.95, 95%Cl = 0.95–0.95), divorced (aPR = 0.89, 95%Cl = 0.87–0.91), widowed (aPR = 0.84, 95%Cl = 0.79–0.90), baseline CD4 count < 200 (aPR = 0.89, 95%Cl = 0.82–0.95), and fair (85–94%) ART adherence level (aPR = 0.68, (95%Cl = 0.54–0.87) were associated with HIV VLS. Social support from family members, knowledge of impact of negative thoughts on VLS, fear of breaking up with partners and compassionate healthcare providers positively influenced VLS. Stigma and discrimination from the community, self-perceived stigma hindering social relations, socio-economic challenges and psychiatric drug stock-outs negatively affected VLS.
Conclusion and recommendations
HIV VLS among PLHIV with mental disorders at institutions that provide integrated HIV and mental health care is still below the UNAIDS 95% target. Health promotion messaging focusing on benefits of VLS and countering stigma to create a safe environment; and active involvement of family members in care could improve HIV treatment outcomes for PLHIV with mental disorders.
Evaluation of Phytoconstituents, Antioxidant and Acute Oral Toxicity of Whole Plants of D. Annulatum & S. Bengalense and Flower of R. Tuberose
Authors: Singh Shalini , Sharma Neeraj , Jhade Deenanath
Published: May 2023

From the ancient times plants have provided huge amount of important ingredients in most of the traditional medicinal systems. The present study was based on the evaluation of phytoconstituents, antioxidant and acute oral toxicity profiles of the methanolic extracts of three indigenous Indian medicinal plants, e.g., R. tuberosa, D. Annulatum, and S. bengalense. The whole plants of Dichanthium Annulatum, Saccharum bengalense and Ruellia tuberosa were collected from Hooghly, West Bengal; India. Central National Herbarium (CNH), Botanical Survey of India, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt. of India has identified specimens of whole plants of D. Annulatum (Ref No. CNH/50/2014/Tech.II/103) and R. tuberosa (Ref No. CNH/2017/Tech. II/19). Soxhlet apparatus was used for the extraction process. Qualitative phytochemical analyses of D. Annulatum, S. bengalense and R. tuberosa methanolic extracts were performed according to the methods described previously. Total phenolic, total flavonoid content, free radical scavenging and acute oral toxicity studies were performed. In results, phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids were present as major groups of important secondary metabolites and carbohydrates as important biomolecules in the methanolic extracts of Dichanthium Annulatum Whole Plant (DAW), Saccharum bengalense Whole Plant (SBW), and Ruellia Tuberose Flowers (RTF). No death of the animals was observed within this dose regimen up to 72 hours of routine observation for all the three extracts, e.g., DAW, SBW or RTF. Therefore, 1/10th to1/20th of these doses, i.e., 200 to 100 mg/kg for DAW, 400 to 200 mg/kg for SBW and 100 to 50 mg/kg for RTF were considered safe. It concluded that all these three plants Dichanthium Annulatum Whole Plant (DAW), Saccharum Bengalense Whole Plant (SBW), and Ruellia Tuberose Flowers (RTF) are rich source of flavonoids, phenolic contents etc. and found safe in acute oral toxicity profile.
Association between Serum Uric Acid and Obesity Indices in a Male T2DM population
Authors: Diao Hongcui , Sun Pei , Hou Lulu , Pang Shuguang
Published: May 2023

Background
Hyperuricemia (HUA), a growing global health issue, is a constant complication of type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) in male patients. Previous research has shown that obesity and the development of hyperuricemia are closely related. The purpose of this study is to assess how these new lipid and obesity-related indices and UA levels in male T2DM patients relate to one another.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1160 male patients with T2DM in Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, China. Multivariate logistic analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the lipid and obesity-related indices and hyperuricemia after dividing these indices into four quartiles. Area under the curve (AUC) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the ability of the indices to predict hyperuricemia values.
Results
Except for body mass index (BMI), other indices including atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), a body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), cardiometabolic index (CMI), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, lipid accumulation product (LAP) index, triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) exhibited stronger associations with hyperuricemia. According to the maximum Youden index of 0.32, the LAP index had the highest AUC value of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.67–0.74, P = 0.00), with a cut-off value of 39.37 and sensitivity and specificity values of 80.00% and 52.00%, respectively.
Conclusion
The LAP index may be used as a possible monitoring indicator for hyperuricemia management in male T2DM patients since it is more significantly related with hyperuricemia than other anthropometric indices.
Level II, controlled trial without randomization.
Supervised Feature Selection to Improve the Accuracy for Malware Detection
Authors: Smith Daryle , Khorsandroo Sajad , Roy Kaushik
Published: May 2023

Malware is becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect with traditional monitoring tools and antivirus software. As a result, machine learning has become a popular approach for classifying and detecting malware-related data. In this study, two distinct datasets, Malware-Exploratory and CIC-MalMem-2022, were subjected to a series of supervised and unsupervised learning procedures to gather information for observation. The developed model in this research uses three clustering algorithms for analysis, namely K-Means, Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise, and Gaussian Mixture Model, and seven classification algorithms for predicting malware, namely Decision Tree, Random Forest, Ada Boost, KNeighbors, Stochastic Gradient Descent, Extra Trees, and Gaussian Naïve Bayes. Results show that the Malware-Exploratory dataset achieved an accuracy score of 90%, while the CIC-MalMem-2022 dataset achieved a score of 99%. Additionally, both datasets demonstrated consistency across all three clustering algorithms, indicating that variables need not be highly correlated for successful malware detection. Future studies will determine the stability of the results against feature selection and genetic algorithms.
[68Ga]-DOTATATE PET/MR-based Evaluation of Physiologic Somatostatin Receptor 2 Expression in the Adult Pituitary Gland as a Function of Age and Sex in a Prospective Cohort.
Authors: Kim Sean , Chang Se Jung Chris , Dobri Georgiana , Strauss Sara , Lin Eaton , Zavaletta Vaz , Pannullo Susan C. , Osborne Joseph R. , Schwartz Theodore H. , Knisely Jonathan P.S. , Ivanidze Jana
Published: May 2023

Purpose The pituitary gland has the fourth highest physiologic avidity of [68Ga]-DOTATATE. In order to guide our understanding of [68Ga]-DOTATATE PET in clinical contexts, accurate characterization of the normal pituitary gland is first required. This study aimed to characterize the normal pituitary gland using dedicated brain [68Ga]-DOTATATE PET/MRI as a function of age and sex.Methods A total of 95 patients with a normal pituitary gland underwent brain [68Ga]-DOTATATE PET examinations for the purpose of diagnosing CNS SSTR2 positive tumors (mean age: 58.9, 73% female). Maximum SUV of the pituitary gland was obtained in each patient. SUV of superior sagittal sinus was obtained to calculate normalized SUV score (SUVR) of the gland. The anatomic size of the gland was collected as maximum sagittal height (MSH). Correlations with age and sex were analyzed.Results The mean SUV and SUVR of the pituitary gland were 17.6 (range: 7-59.5, SD = 7.1) and 13.8 (range: 3.3–52.6, SD = 7.2), respectively. Older females had significantly higher SUV of the pituitary gland compared to younger females. When stratified by age and sex, both older and younger females had significantly higher pituitary SUV than older males. SUVR did not differ significantly by age or sex. MSH of the pituitary gland in younger females was significantly greater than in younger males at all age cutoffs.Conclusion This study provides an empiric profiling of the physiological [68Ga]-DOTATATE avidity of the pituitary gland. The findings suggest that SUV may vary by age and sex and can help guide the use of [68Ga]-DOTATATE PET/MRI in clinical and research settings. Future studies can build on these findings to investigate further the relationship between pituitary biology and demographic factors.
Medulloblastoma at relapse: for which patients and which tumors reirradiation is the better choice
Authors: Massimino Maura , Vennarini Sabina , Buttarelli Francesca Romana , Antonelli Manila , Colombo Francesca , Minasi Simone , Pecori Emilia , Ferroli Paolo , Giussani Carlo , Schiariti Marco , Schiavello Elisabetta , Biassoni Veronica , Erbetta Alessandra , Chiapparini Luisa , Nigro Olga , Boschetti Luna , Gianno Francesca , Miele Evelina , Modena Piergiorgio , De Cecco Loris , Pollo Bianca , Barretta Francesco
Published: May 2023

Background. First-line therapies for medulloblastoma(MBL) are obtaining higher survival-rates while decreasing late-effects, but treatment at relapse is not standardized. We report the experience with MBL re-irradiation(re-RT), its timing and outcome in different clinical settings and tumor groups.
Methods. Patient’s staging/treatment at diagnosis, histotypes/molecular subgroups, relapse site/s, re-treatments outcome are reported.
Results. Patients were 25, median age 11.4 years, 8 had metastases, three LCA histotype. According to 2016-2021 WHO-classification, 14 had SHH subgroup tumors(6 TP53 mutated,1 + MYC and 1 + NMYC amplification), 11 non-WNT/non-SHH (2 with MYC/MYCN amplification).Thirteen had received HART-CSI, 11 standard-CSI, one HFRT; all post-radiation chemotherapy(CT), 16 also pre-RT. Median time to relapse (local-LR in 9, distant-DR in 14, LR+DR in two) was 26 months. Fourteen patients were re-operated, in 5 excising single DR-sites, thereafter 3 received CT, two after re-RT; out of 11 not re-operated patients, 4 had re-RT as first treatment and 7 after CT. Re-RT was administered at median 32 months after first RT: focally in 20 cases, CSI in 5, never resulting in radionecrosis. Median post-relapse-PFS/after re-RT were 16.7/8.2 months, while overall survival-OS were 35.1/23.9 months, respectively. Metastatic status both at diagnosis/relapse negatively affected outcome and re-surgery was prognostically favorable.MYC,MYCN,P53 status and molecular subgroups, RT extension/fractionation, gender and age were not statistically prognostic; in the multivariable model, OSs were positively influenced by longer intervals before re-RT, re-surgery and not-SHH subgroups (P=0.019 from recurrence and 0.004 from second RT).
Conclusions. Re-surgery+reRT can prolong survival; a substantial fraction of patients with worse outcome belongs to SHH-subgroup.
Prevalence and Imaging-Based Classification of Pituitary Adenomas with Hard Consistency: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gaia Felipe , Pokorny Gabriel , Cortez Gustavo M , Zymberg Samuel Tau , Cruz Oswaldo Laércio Mendonça
Published: May 2023

OBJECTIVE Transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas can be challenging in patients with tumors with a hard consistency. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to identify the true incidence and the performance of radiological findings in identifying pituitary adenomas with a hard consistency.METHODS A literature search was conducted and included studies that compared intraoperative pituitary tumor consistency and pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using random-effects meta-analysis and univariate analysis, we evaluate the prevalence of hard pituitary tumors.RESULTS Of studies the 916 studies, 888 studies were excluded. Finally, 28 studies harboring 1116 patients with pituitary tumors were included. Of them, hard-consistency tumors were intraoperatively adjudicated in 219 patients (weighted incidence of 16,82%,95% CI, 12.35–22.48%; I2 = 65,1%). Seventeen (60%) reported a relation between radiological findings and intraoperative tumor consistency in at least one MRI sequence, with a weighted proportion of 15%, 95% CI, 10,31% − 22,70%). Apparent diffusion correlation(ADC), and T2-weighted sequences were associated with tumor consistency in 31% and 53% of the studies, respectively. Nonetheless, conflicting signal intensities across the studies precluded conventional MRI sequences from accurately predicting pituitary tumor consistency.CONCLUSION The weighted incidence of pituitary tumors adjudicated as having a hard consistency was 16% in the present sample of studies.
Modeling of Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Nanofluid
Authors: Godiwal Rishabh , Mandal Monisha Mridha
Published: May 2023

The demand for energy has been increasing exponentially and at present time, this cannot be fulfilled by renewable energy alone. Crude oil has remained one of the major mineral resources for energy. It is difficult for a populated developing country like India, to keep a balance between the supply and demand of crude oil. In recent years, considerable studies have beenconducted to search for efficient technologies for recovering oil from old oil reservoirs since about two-thirds of the oil in the reservoir cannot be recovered by conventional methods. The trapped oil in the reservoir can be recovered by enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods such as chemical, thermal, gas, and microbial methods. Nanofluid flooding is found to be one of the efficient methods that have gained importance as nanoparticles have been found to alter the rock wettability which helps in oil recovery. It has also been found that the use of modeling to evaluate the performance of any process before conducting any experiments is found to be a more economical and effective practice. Therefore, the present modeling work was carried out to explore the application of nanofluid in EOR using COMSOL Multiphysics. This study investigates the effect of different parameters on EOR such as the addition of nanoparticles (Al2O3) in water, the porosity of the reservoir, and diffusion coefficients of nanofluid on oil saturation in reservoirs. Velocity contours, temperature contours, and oil saturation contours within the reservoir were investigated. In the future, this model may be used to screen the performance of other nanofluids or chemical agents.
Novel VHL Germline Mutations in Iranian RCH Patients
Authors: Naseripour Masood , Bagherzadeh Kowsar , Khakpoor Golnaz Golnaz , Sedaghat Ahad , Mirshahi Reza , Kasraei Hengameh , Kiaee Reza Afshar , Azimi Fatemeh
Published: May 2023

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is an autosomal dominant inherited multisystem neoplasia disorder caused by the VHL tumor suppressor gene, coding for VHL protein (pVHL), variants. Various types of VHLvariants present different clinical phenotypes that later lead to events resulting in benign or malignant lesions including Retinal Capillary Hemangioblastoma (RCH).
In this case series study, 3 families (5 RCH patients) with novel mutations were included. VHL mutational analysis was performed by Sanger sequencing. We reported on 3 novel mutation sites, including c.511A>C, c.514C>T, and c.511A>T in exon 3 of the VHL gene. According to the ACMG classifications, c.514C>T and c.511A>T variations are likely pathogenic, and c.511A>C is a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) and in accordance with autosomal dominant inheritance. The location and impact of the incidence mutations on pVHL were computed using in silico analysis. The obtained structural information and computational analysis showed that the studied mutations induce conformational changes that limit the flexibility of the pVHL interaction interface with elonginB/C, elongin C/B, and cullin2, which is necessary for HIF1 alpha binding. The recently added gene variants and their related clinical phenotypes will improve the VHL diagnosis accuracy and the patients’ population carrying VHLgene mutations. These pioneering results could be a model for future functional studies.
Field deployable automated nucleic acid extraction system enables rapid on-site measurement of microbial diversity of Yellowstone National Park hot springs
Authors: Wood Jason M. , Urbaniak Camilla , Parker Ceth W. , Singh Nitin Kumar , Wong Season , Arumugam Arunkumar , Skorupa Dana , Hemmah Ashlyn , Laaguiby Phoebe , Karouia Fathi , Peyton Brent , Tighe Scott , VENKATESWARAN KASTHURI
Published: May 2023

Background: Microbial diversity estimation relies heavily on the extraction of nucleic acids from complex sample matrixes, regardless of the location of the laboratory used to recover the DNA, including those on Earth or in space. Nucleic acid sample preparation steps are labor intensive and require the effective lysis of cells and recovery of pure inhibitor free purification prior to downstream applications. An automated system is desirable for field deployment because easy of use and autonomous rapid results. This extends to use in remote filed locations by NASA for the in situ measurements of life. The goal of this study was to setup a field-deployable lab in a remote setting with limited resources and demonstrate the ability to process and sequence nucleic acid samples on-site. Microbial mat and sediment samples were collected from several hot springs in Yellowstone National Park (YNP), targeting the Five Sister Springs (FSS), spring LNN010, and Octopus Spring (OS). Samples were processed on site and analyzed for microbial diversity using the field-deployable lab instrument.
Results: Microbial diversity measured with both the Illumina (short reads) and Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT; long reads) sequencing systems was highly similar. In general, for both the FSS and OS hot spring sites, bacteria (>90%) dominated over archaea (<10%). Metagenomic results were binned to existing databases such that the taxonomic ID represents the closest known organism with a sequenced genome. With this caveat the presence of, the most common archaeal community member in both the mat and sediment was related to Candidatus Caldiarchaeum subterraneum. Among the bacterial members, Roseiflexus sp. RS-1 was found to be highly abundant in the mat environment, as already reported. Notably, however, organisms related to Bacterium HR17 was abundant several FSS/OS mat samples. The detection of this novel bacterial community member warrants additional research.
Conclusion: This is the first study to deploy an automated nucleic acid extraction system in YNP) to rapidly (~8 to 9 hrs) measure the environmental microbiome of hot springs. The demonstration of a field deployable system for nucleic acids extraction from complex materials (mats and sediments) highlights its utility not only in extreme environments on Earth but its potential benefit to NASA and deployment in space, once performance under microgravity is refined. The benefits of this new field-deployable lab include sample processing (extracting nucleic acids), shotgun metagenome library preparation, and sequencing utilizing the space-tested Nanopore sequencing platform.
Most effective counter measure for Castryck-Decru attackagainst SIDH-Isogeny Problems with masked torsion point images
Authors: R Krishnaprabha
Published: May 2023

One of the newest areas in post-quantum cryptography is isogeny-based cryptography.Collisionresistant hashing and key exchange are two crucial issues in Post Quantum cryptography that arebased on isogeny.Finding an isogeny between two supersingular elliptic curves formed over a finitefield Fq is the challenge in isogeny-based encryption. Finding End(E1) and End(E2) is the issuethat this problem is comparable to.It is claimed that supersingular isogeny Diffie Hellman (SIDH)key exchange is quantum safe.In this instance, we take advantage of the endomorphism ring’s non-commutative property.Both the initiator and the response contribute equally to the sharedsecret in SIDH.Here, both public and private keys are created and sent through an unsecuredchannel.Finding isogenies between supersingular elliptic curves is the fundamentally difficult task.To calculate the necessary isogeny, we use information about torsion points and the degree of the secret isogeny.
How Do Junior Faculty Compete for Research Dollars?
Authors: Boyer Patricia
Published: May 2023

Institutions of higher learning are currently encountering numerous financial problems. These problems present several dilemmas for faculty such as questions concerning their workload and the demand for more accountability of how their time is spent. Women and junior faculty are the two groups most negatively affected by the demand for greater productivity and the demand for accountability (Meyer, 1998). One approach to handling this financial crisis is for faculty to seek external funds to support their research projects. Limited research dollars are available so faculty must be skillful in how to acquire them and must be aggressive when competing for them. Acquiring and competing for these limited funds are important issues to faculty because tenure and promotion decisions are based on successful research.
Lacunae Iuris dalam Hukum Kebebasan Beragama di Indonesia
Authors: Binawan Al. Andang L.
Published: May 2023

AbstractBy examining the lacunae iuris, or legal “holes,” in the theoretical sense of Indonesian law on religious freedom, this article falls short of normative juridical research. In particular, the seven points linked tothe law of religious freedom—the meaning of religion, the meaning of divinity, the meaning of freedom, its contents, its subject, its boundaries, and the role of the state—will be examined in more depth in this article. This research employs the legal approach method, contrasting ideas of Indonesian laws with international law, which is also acknowledged as a fundamental component of Indonesian law. When these seven points of the law of religious freedom are compared, it becomes clear that Indonesia’s law of religious freedom has some significant gaps, particularly in the areas where freedom is still restricted and where it relates to concepts of divinity and religion that are also severely constrained. The findings of this research may serve as the foundation for initiatives aimed at enhancing Indonesia’s freedom law and ensuring greater justice and certainty.
AbstrakArtikel ini adalah sebuah penelitian yuridis normatif dengan mencermati lacunae iuris atau ‘lubang’ hukum dalam arti teoretis dari hukum kebebasan agama di Indonesia. Tujuan artikel ini adalah melihat lacunae iuris itu secara lebih detail, terutama yang tampak dalam tujuh pokok terkait hukum kebebasan beragama itu, yaitu makna agama, makna ketuhanan, makna kebebasan, isinya, subjeknya, pembatasannya, dan peran negara. Metode penelitian ini adalah statute approach, dengan cara membandingkan isi (notions) hukum yang berlaku di Indonesia dengan hukum internasional yang juga diakui sebagai bagian integral hukum. Hasil perbandingan dari isi dari tujuh pokok hukum kebebasan beragama, lacunae iuris hukum kebebasan beragama di Indonesia tampak sangat jelas, terutama dalam isi kebebasan yang masih sempit, terkait dengan konsep tentang ketuhanan dan konsep tentang agama yang sangat terbatas. Hal ini bisa menjadi dasar untuk upaya perbaikan hukum kebebasan di Indonesia agar bisa memberi kepastian dan keadilan yang lebih baik.
Heteroseksual sebagai Politik Identitas: Kajian Sosio-ideologi Larangan Homoseksual dalam Imamat 18:22 melalui Perspektif LGBT
Authors: Sihotang Albert Parsaoran
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis article offers a different interpretation of Leviticus 18:22, which has traditionally been seen as a scripture that forbids homosexuality. The Bible outright condemns various sexual orientations such as homosexuality, bisexuality, and bestiality; as a result, the Old Testament portrays heterosexuality as the proper sexual identity. The general reading of texts frequently devolves into pros and contras but leaves little room for other aspects of the text that can allow for a more transformative interpretation. In fact, when texts and the reality of today’s plurality in sexual orientations collide, dominant and judgmental meanings often result. Due to this, socio-ideological studies reread Leviticus 18:22 from an LGBT viewpoint in order to shed light on the Priest’s Tradition’s ideological role in promoting heterosexuality as its identity politics. This analysis gives space to the sociopolitical situation that gives the book its shape, departing fromawareness and skepticism of the existence of other realities that are not described or even repressed in the text (behind the text). Hence, it is hoped that the text’s true meaning, one that liberates prejudice via conversation and creativity, might be recovered. 
AbstrakArtikel ini memberikan pembacaan alternatif terhadap teks Imamat 18:22 yang selama ini cenderung dipahami sebagai teks yang mengecam homoseksual. Teks secara eksplisit menolak beragam orientasi seksual seperti homoseksual, biseksual, bestialitas; dan dengan demikian menggambarkan heteroseksual sebagai identitas seksual yang benar dalam Perjanjian Lama. Pembacaan umum terhadap teks acap kali sekadar jatuh pada persoalan pro-kontra, namun tidak memberikan ruang terhadap dimensi lain dari teks yang mungkin memberikan pembacaan yang lebih transformatif. Sebab dalam faktanya, perjumpaan teks dengan realitas keberagaman orientasi seksual di masa kini cenderung memberikan makna yang menghegemoni dan menghakimi. Untuk itu, kajian sosio-ideologis berupaya menguak peran ideologis dari Tradisi Imam yang mempropagandakan heteroseksual sebagai politik identitasnya, serta membaca ulang teks Imamat 18:22 melalui perspektif LGBT. Berangkat dari kesadaran dan kecurigaan akan adanya realitas lain yang tidak digambarkan bahkan dibungkam dalam teks, kajian ini memberikan ruang terhadap situasi sosial-politik yang membentuk teks (di balik teks). Dengan demikian, diharapkan tercapai pemulihan makna dari teks yang membebaskan prasangka secara jujur, dialogis, dan kreatif.
Why Do Consumers Use Ride-Hailing? Evidence from China and Indonesia
Authors: Gunarso Gatot
Published: May 2023

Consumers’ attitudes and preferences in developing countries differ from those in developed countries. The research compared the motivation to use ride-hailing in developing and developed countries to understand consumers better. The research applied a qualitative survey with 52 drivers, followed by a quantitative survey with 741 passengers. It was finalized by one quantitative survey of 818 respondents to answer the research questions. The passengers in both quantitative surveys were from Indonesia and China who were Chinese, Indonesian, and Expatriates in China. Indicators in Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) were used to capture ride-hailing phenomena closer to actual business situations and made more robust measurements for future testing of consumers’ decisions in sharing economy setting. The results show that the habit factor influences the decision to use ride-hailing among Indonesian, Chinese, and Expatriate respondents. Meanwhile, the financial factor only influences Indonesian respondents. Safety factor affects Expatriate respondents, and utility and convenience factors influence the decision of Chinese respondents. Innovation and social factors are significant when the significance level is reduced to the exploratory level. In conclusion, managers of sharing economy companies in developing and developed countries can use Importance-Performance Mapping Analysis (IPMA) result in the research to identify important but weak factors that can be improved.