bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of physical fitness between healthy and mild‐to‐moderate asthmatic children with exercise symptoms: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Sanz‐Santiago Verónica , Diez‐Vega Ignacio , Donadio Márcio Vinícius Fagundes , Schiwe Daniele , Lopez‐Nuevo Carlos , Vendrusculo Fernanda M. , Santana‐Sosa Elena , Burgos Silvia , Escribano‐Ceruelo Eva , Villa‐Asensi Jose R. , Perez‐Ruiz Margarita
Published: June 2021

Objective

Asthma is a chronic disease that may affect physical fitness, although its primary effects on exercise capacity, muscle strength, functionality and lifestyle, in children and adolescents, are still poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, lifestyle, lung function, and functionality between asthmatics with exercise symptoms and healthy children. In addition, we have analyzed the association between clinical history and the presence of asthma.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study including 71 patients with a diagnosis of asthma and 71 healthy children and adolescents (7–17 years of age). Anthropometric data, clinical history, disease control, lifestyle (KIDMED and physical activity questionnaires), lung function (spirometry), exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction test, aerobic fitness (cardiopulmonary exercise test), muscle strength and functionality (timed up and go; timed up and down stairs) were evaluated.

Results

Seventy‐one patients with asthma (mean age 11.5 ± 2.7) and 71 healthy subjects (mean age 10.7 ± 2.5) were included. All asthmatic children had mild to moderate and stable asthma. EIB occurred in 56.3% of asthmatic children. Lung function was significantly (p < .05) lower in the asthmatic group when compared to healthy peers, as well as the cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, lifestyle and functionality. Moreover, asthmatic children were more likely to have atopic dermatitis, allergic reactions, food allergies, and a family history of asthma when compared to healthy children.

Conclusions

Children with mild‐to‐moderate asthma presenting exercise symptoms show a reduction in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, lung function, functionality, and lifestyle when compared to healthy peers. The study provides data for pediatricians to support exercise practice aiming to improve prognosis and quality of life in asthmatic children.
Free energy calculations of ALS‐causing SOD1 mutants reveal common perturbations to stability and dynamics along the maturation pathway
Authors: Wells Nicholas G. M. , Tillinghast Grant A. , O'Neil Alison L. , Smith Colin A.
Published: June 2021

With over 150 heritable mutations identified as disease‐causative, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) has been a main target of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research and therapeutic efforts. However, recent evidence has suggested that neither loss of function nor protein aggregation is responsible for promoting neurotoxicity. Furthermore, there is no clear pattern to the nature or the location of these mutations that could suggest a molecular mechanism behind SOD1‐linked ALS. Here, we utilize reliable and accurate computational techniques to predict the perturbations of 10 such mutations to the free energy changes of SOD1 as it matures from apo monomer to metallated dimer. We find that the free energy perturbations caused by these mutations strongly depend on maturational progress, indicating the need for state‐specific therapeutic targeting. We also find that many mutations exhibit similar patterns of perturbation to native and non‐native maturation, indicating strong thermodynamic coupling between the dynamics at various sites of maturation within SOD1. These results suggest the presence of an allosteric network in SOD1 which is vulnerable to disruption by these mutations. Analysis of these perturbations may contribute to uncovering a unifying molecular mechanism which explains SOD1‐linked ALS and help to guide future therapeutic efforts.
Method for integrating classical and network reliability: A time varying network reliability evaluation
Authors: Chang Ping‐Chen , Huang Ding‐Hsiang , Fiondella Lance , Lin Yi‐Kuei , Lai Kuei‐Kuei
Published: June 2021

Many capacitated flow network papers treat reliability as a time‐invariant property. However, network components degrade over time suggesting that methods to quantify the time‐varying reliability of a network are appropriate. This paper proposes a method to compute the reliability of a multistate capacitated flow network in terms of multistate components characterized by a life distribution. The approach enables the calculation of the probability that demand can be satisfied over period of time despite component degradation. Examples are provided to clarify the steps required and to illustrate the assessments enabled. Based on the classical reliability theory, the Weibull reliability function is employed to characterize the degradation of network components. However, the approach is general and other distributions are also possible. The results indicate that the approach can assist a network supervisor determine reasonable demand rate and time constraint to satisfy demand as well as reason about alternative reliability improvement strategies.
The expected values of Sombor indices in random hexagonal chains, phenylene chains and Sombor indices of some chemical graphs
Authors: Fang Xiaona , You Lihua , Liu Hechao
Published: June 2021

Hexagonal chains are a special class of catacondensed benzenoid system and phenylene chains are a class of polycyclic aromatic compounds. Recently, A family of Sombor indices was introduced by Gutman in the chemical graph theory. It had been examined that these indices may be successfully applied on modeling thermodynamic properties of compounds. In this paper, we study the expected values of the Sombor indices in random hexagonal chains, phenylene chains, and consider the Sombor indices of some chemical graphs such as graphene, coronoid systems and carbon nanocones.
Recent Progress in Detection and Profiling of Cancer Cell‐Derived Exosomes
Authors: Xiong Huiwen , Huang Zhipeng , Yang Zhejun , Lin Qiuyuan , Yang Bin , Fang Xueen , Liu Baohong , Chen Hui , Kong Jilie
Published: June 2021

Exosomes, known as nanometer‐sized vesicles (30–200 nm), are secreted by many types of cells. Cancer‐derived exosomes have great potential to be biomarkers for early clinical diagnosis and evaluation of cancer therapeutic efficacy. Conventional detection methods are limited to low sensitivity and reproducibility. There are hundreds of papers published with different detection methods in recent years to address these challenges. Therefore, in this review, pioneering researches about various detection strategies are comprehensively summarized and the analytical performance of these tests is evaluated. Furthermore, the exosome molecular composition (protein and nucleic acid) profiling, a single exosome profiling, and their application in clinical cancer diagnosis are reviewed. Finally, the principles and applications of machine learning method in exosomes researches are presented.
Perspective towards atomic‐resolution imaging of two‐dimensional polymers
Authors: Qi Haoyuan , Liang Baokun , Kaiser Ute
Published: June 2021

Recent years have witnessed the rise of an emerging class of synthetic two‐dimensional (2D) materials‐2D polymers. The combination of organic chemistry and rational design of polymeric crystals has stimulated tremendous research efforts in the controlled synthesis of 2D polymers. However, despite the advancement in synthetic methodologies, the structural characterization of 2D polymers remains a significant challenge. Although aberration‐corrected high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (AC‐HRTEM) is capable of direct imaging of atomic structures with sub‐Ångström resolution, electron radiation damage poses a substantial limit on the achievable image resolution due to instant decomposition of the molecular framework. In this Perspective, we will briefly discuss radiation damage mitigation strategies, which may eventually result in AC‐HRTEM imaging of 2D polymers down to the atomic scale.
Liquid‐phase exfoliation of violet phosphorus for electronic applications
Authors: Lin Shenghuang , Lai Wai Kin , Li Yanyong , Lu Wei , Bai Gongxun , Lau Shu Ping
Published: June 2021

Large‐scale production of two‐dimensional (2D) materials still is a crucial point toward its practical applications. Violet phosphorus (VP) with a wide bandgap accelerates and broadens the potential applications of elemental phosphorus in optoelectronics. Here, we demonstrate the scalable production of solution‐processable violet phosphorus flakes stably dispersed in several solvents. The exfoliated VP flakes exhibit thickness‐dependent visible photoluminescence characteristics, which covers the shortcoming of black phosphorus. Meanwhile, the VP‐based field‐effect transistor reveals relatively competitive electrical properties to other liquid‐phase exfoliated 2D materials. Our study paves the way for a wide range of applications of optical devices, energy storage, catalysis, and sodium batteries based on large‐scale VP flakes.
TRIP13 exerts a cancer‐promoting role in cervical cancer by enhancing Wnt/β‐catenin signaling via ACTN4
Authors: Liu Xiaoying , Shen Xin , Zhang Jing
Published: June 2021

Increasing evidence has indicated that thyroid hormone receptor interacting protein 13 (TRIP13) exerts a cancer‐promoting role in a broad spectrum of cancers. However, the detailed relevance and function of TRIP13 in cervical cancer remain undefined. The goal of this work was to evaluate the functional significance and mechanism of TRIP13 in cervical cancer. Our data demonstrated that TRIP13 expression was markedly increased in cervical cancer tissue, and high expression of TRIP13 predicted a low survival rate in cervical cancer patients. Knockdown of TRIP13 caused a significant reduction in the proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer cells. By contrast, over‐expression of TRIP13 accelerated the proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer cells. Further data revealed that TRIP13 enhanced the activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling associated with modulation of α‐Actinin‐4 (ACTN4). Knockdown of ACTN4 markedly reversed TRIP13‐mediated activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. In addition, inhibition of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling reversed TRIP13‐induced cancer‐promoting effects in cervical cancer cells. Knockdown of TRIP13 markedly retarded the tumor formation and growth of cervical cells in vivo in nude mice. Taken together, the data of this work indicate that TRIP13 accelerates the proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer by enhancing Wnt/β‐catenin signaling via regulation of ACTN4. These findings underscore a relevance of the TRIP13/ACTN4/Wnt/β‐catenin signaling axis in the progression of cervical cancer and suggest TRIP13 as a potential target for treatment of cervical cancer.
Brucine promotes apoptosis in cervical cancer cells (ME‐180) via suppression of inflammation and cell proliferation by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Seshadri Vidya Devanathadesikan
Published: June 2021

Brucine are the main constituents of Strychnos nux‐vomica. Earlier reports have determined brucine shows anti‐inflammatory, analgesic and excellent anti‐tumor drug. Even though its anticervical cancer cells remains not clearly evaluated. So that, we hypothesized the anti‐cervical cancer activity of brucine against the cervical (ME‐180) cells. Brucine inhibited the inflammation, cell proliferation and promoted rate of apoptotic cell death ad reduced the mitochondrial potential, which is evidenced by respective (AO/EB, Rh‐123, and PI) staining. Furthermore ELISA and real time PCR reaction determined that brucine were down regulated inflammatory (TNF‐α, NF‐kB, IL‐6 & COX‐2) cell proliferation (Cyclin D1) and apoptotic marker Bax, caspase‐3, PI3K (phosphoinosital 3 kinase), AKT, mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) and over expression Bcl‐2, associated death promoter. These findings were confirmed and finally suggested that brucine inhibited inflammation, cell proliferation and promoted the apoptosis through the down‐regulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Taken together, these data were exhibited brucine as a good therapeutic agents for the prevention of anticancer cervical cancer drugs.
Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine‐B dye using composite prepared from drinking water treatment sludge and nano TiO2
Authors: Rashed Mohamed Nageeb , El Taher M.A.El‐Daim , Fadlalla Somaya M. M.
Published: June 2021

In this study, composite Sludge adsorbent (ASN)/TiO2 was prepared from the drinking water treatment sludge ASN (activated with nitric acid) and nanoparticle TiO2 by the sol‐gel method, followed by using it to remove Rhodamine‐B (RB) dye from polluted water. The prepared composite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, and surface area N2‐adsorption/desorption analysis. Photocatalytic degradation of RB dye was investigated by UV and UV/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) irradiation. Parameters such as composite dosage, initial dye concentration, UV irradiation time, and solution pH were applied to obtain the optimum conditions for high RB dye degradation. The results showed that the highest RB dye degradation (96.7%) was using a 2:1 ratio of ASN/TiO2. High degradation of dye was achieved within 4 h at pH 7, 50 ppm dye concentration, and 0.125 g/50 ml composite dose. The maximum degradation of RB dye using the prepared composite under UV irradiation with H2O2 (99.85%) was higher than that with UV irradiation only (96.85%). The rate of the dye photocatalytic degradation followed the first‐order kinetics.
Implementation of endoscopic submucosal dissection in a country with a low incidence of gastric cancer: Results from a prospective national registry
Authors: Fernández‐Esparrach Gloria , Marín‐Gabriel José‐Carlos , de Tejada Alberto H. , Albéniz Eduardo , Nogales Oscar , del Pozo‐García Andres J. , Rosón Pedro J. , Goicotxea Unai , Uchima Hugo , Terán Alvaro , Alberto Alvarez , Joaquín Rodríguez‐Sánchez , Liseth Rivero‐Sánchez , José Santiago ,   en representación del grupo de DSE de la SEED
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become the treatment of choice for early gastric malignancies. In recent years, the ESD technique has been implemented in Western countries with increasing use.

Objectives

To describe the results of gastric ESD in a Western country with a low incidence of gastric cancer.

Patients and Methods

The prospective national registry was conducted over 4 years in 23 hospitals, including 30 endoscopists. Epithelial and subepithelial lesions (SEL) qualified to complete removal with ESD were assessed. The technique, instruments, and solution for submucosal injection varied at the endoscopist's discretion. ESD was defined as difficult when: en‐bloc resection was not achieved, had to be converted to a hybrid resection, lasted more than 2 h or an intraprocedural perforation occurred. Additionally, independent risk factors for difficult ESD were analyzed.

Results

Two hundred and thirty gastric ESD in 225 patients were performed from January 2016 to December 2019 (196 epithelial and 34 SEL). Most lesions were located in the lower stomach (111; 48.3%). One hundred and twenty‐eight (55.6%) ESD were considered difficult. The median procedure time was 105 min (interquartile range [IQR]: 60–150). The procedure time for SEL was shorter than for epithelial lesions (90 min [45–121] vs. 110 min [62–160]; p = 0.038). En‐bloc, R0, and curative resection rates were 91.3%, 75.2%, and 70.9%, respectively. Difficult ESD had lower R0 resection rates than ESD that did not meet the difficulty criteria (64.8% and 87.6%; p = 0.000, respectively). Fibrosis and poor maneuverability were independent factors associated with difficult ESD (OR 3.6, 95%CI 1.1–11.74 and OR 5.07, 95%CI 1.6–16.08; respectively).

Conclusions

Although the number of cases is limited, the results of this analysis show acceptable en‐bloc and R0 rates in gastric ESD considering the wide variability in experience among the operators. Fibrosis and poor maneuverability were associated with more difficulty in completing ESD.
Adsorption–biodegradation coupled remediation process for the efficient removal of a textile dye through chemically functionalized sugarcane bagasse
Authors: Gita Samchetshabam , Shukla Satya Prakash , Deshmukhe Geetanjali , Singh Arvind Rajdeo , Choudhury Tanmoy Gon , Singh Ashutosh Kumar
Published: June 2021

Textile dye effluents have many deleterious effects; therefore, it is essential to remove before releasing into waterbodies. This study developed a two‐step process for decolorization of textile dye using sugarcane bagasse (SCB). The first step of the process involved functionalization of SCB with alginic acid and applying as packing material in column and assessing its performance for adsorptive removal of Drimarene red. The designed column showed 90% removal of the dye in dye‐aqueous solution whereas 80% removal in dye‐house wastewater. Adsorption capacity was increased at first 10 min and then gradually decreased with time. Breakthrough point was not achieved during the 60 min of experiment. Three non‐equilibrium models were applied to understand the column bed properties. In the second step, the adsorbed dye molecules in SCB were degraded using an edible fungus Pleurotus sp. to obtain a dye‐free nitrogen‐rich bagasse. The fungus‐treated SCB showed no residual toxicity and a considerable improvement in nitrogen content (from 0.14% to 0.62%) was noticed after the study of elemental profile. New design of the column bed, the processes of the chemical functionalization of the SCB, and bioremediation of dye treated bagasse through Pleurotus sp. offer a novel solution for efficient and safe disposal of textile dyes.

Practitioner Points

Two‐step process for remediation of a textile dye using an agrowaste and Pleurotus sp.

Chemical functionalization of an agrowaste for enhanced dye removal.

New process of adsorption–fungal degradation for safe disposal of the dyes.

Novel technology for a sustainable use of the agrowaste for environmental safety.
Attitudes Towards a Transient Carnivore Prior to Recolonization
Authors: Olson Erik R. , Goethlich Jamie , Goudos‐Weisbecker Brittany
Published: June 2021

Cougars (Puma concolor) have been recolonizing portions of their historic range over the last few decades and are currently a rare, transient species in the western Great Lakes Region. Anticipatory attitude surveys can identify potential management challenges, stakeholder groups, and conservation and educational priorities for recolonizing cougars. We implemented an anticipatory attitude survey to better understand attitudes towards transient cougars in northern Wisconsin, USA. We distributed the survey in fall and early winter of 2014–15 (n = 423) and 2015–16 (n = 594). We compared attitudes towards transient cougars to attitudes towards other established large carnivores and white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We also explored factors that may affect human attitudes towards cougars, such as hunter identity, livestock ownership, risk perception, and the loss of a domestic animal to wildlife. Despite the rare, transient status of cougars in Wisconsin, many respondents (mean of 29%) reported to have observed a cougar or sign of one in the wild in Wisconsin. Cougars had a mean favorability score similar to coyotes (Canis latrans) and wolves (Canis lupus) and less than bobcats (Lynx rufus), bear (Ursus americanus), and white‐tailed deer. Comparatively, respondents’ risk perception for all categories of risk (i.e., fear for personal safety, the safety of children, and the safety of domestic animals) was higher for cougars than for wolves. Hunter identity and loss of livestock to wildlife were determined by multinomial logistic regression as the most important parameters affecting respondents’ favorability towards cougars (ωi = 0.71). Using the 2015–2016 survey data, we found that as cougar risk perception increased, favorability towards cougars decreased similarly for both hunters and non‐hunters. Hunters were less likely to be favorable towards cougars, more likely to be neutral, and equally likely to be unfavorable towards cougars compared to nonhunters. We identify potential management challenges, stakeholder groups (e.g., hunters and those who have experienced loss of livestock to wildlife), and conservation and educational priorities for recolonizing cougars. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Aliovalent substitution in phosphide‐based materials – Crystal structures of Na10AlTaP6 and Na3GaP2 featuring edge‐sharing EP4 tetrahedra (E=Al/Ta and Ga)
Authors: Restle Tassilo M. F. , Zeitz Sabine , Meyer Jan , Klein Wilhelm , Raudaschl‐Sieber Gabriele , Karttunen Antti J. , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: June 2021

Recently, ternary lithium phosphides have been studied intensively owing to their high lithium ion conductivities. Much less is known about the corresponding sodium‐containing compounds, and during investigations aiming for sodium phosphidotrielates, two new compounds have been obtained. The sodium phosphidoaluminumtantalate Na10AlTaP6, at first obtained as a by‐product from the reaction with the container material, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n (no. 14) with lattice parameters of a=8.0790(3) Å, b=7.3489(2) Å, c=13.2054(4) Å, and β=90.773(2)°. The crystal structure contains dimers of edge‐sharing [(Al0.5Ta0.5)P4] tetrahedra with a mixed Al/Ta site. DFT calculations support the presence of this type of arrangement instead of homonuclear Al2P6 or Ta2P6 dimers. The 31P and 23Na MAS NMR as well as the Raman spectra confirm the structure model. The assignment of the chemical shifts is confirmed applying the DFT‐PBE method on the basis of the ordered structural model with mixed AlTaP6 dimers. The sodium phosphidogallate Na3GaP2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Ibam (no. 72) with lattice parameters of a=13.081(3) Å, b=6.728(1) Å, and c=6.211(1) Å and is isotypic to Na3AlP2. Na3GaP2 exhibits linear chains of edge‐sharing 1∞[GaP4/2] tetrahedra. For both compounds band structure calculations predict indirect band gaps of 2.9 eV.
Age‐based variation in calf independence, social behavior and play in a captive population of African elephant calves
Authors: Freeman Patrick T. , Anderson Erica L. , Allen Kristin B. , O'Connell‐Rodwell Caitlin E.
Published: June 2021

African elephant calves are highly social and their behavioral development depends heavily on interactions with other elephants. Evaluating early social behaviors offers important information that can inform management decisions and maximize individual‐ and population‐level welfare. We use data collected from the population of elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, CA to evaluate developmental trajectories of spatial independence and social behavior in nine elephant calves across a range of ages. As calves aged, the probability of being further from mothers also increased. Tactile interactions were common among calves, with all individuals either initiating or receiving physical touches from other elephants in a large proportion of focal scans. While the probability of initiating tactile interactions tended to decline with increases in calf age, the probability of receiving tactile interactions from other elephants remained invariant with regard to this variable. The social play was also common, occurring in a fifth of all focal scans. While there was evidence that social play tended to decline with increases in calf age, results suggest additional factors may be useful in characterizing patterns in play behavior at the individual level. Calves most frequently engaged in play with individuals of similar age but showed substantial variation in play partner choice. Results of this study suggest that maintaining groups of elephants in captivity with diverse age structure positively contribute to their healthy social development.
Prognostic Role of p16/HPV in Non-oropharyngeal Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer (HNSCC)
Authors: Gkolfinopoulos Stavros , Economopoulou Panagiota , Psyrri Amanda
Published: June 2021

Transcriptionally active HPV infection is recognized as a prognostic factor in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Also, p16 positivity has been established as an effective surrogate biomarker for HPV and shares its prognostic significance in cancer of the oropharynx. Less clear is the prognostic role of p16/HPV status in non-oropharyngeal head and neck cancers since relevant studies have produced conflicting results. The existing evidence suggests that p16 is a poor surrogate marker for HPV infection in non-oropharyngeal cancers, while the prognostic impact of HPV positivity is reserved for the oropharynx. Consequently, routine HPV testing is not recommended for disease sites of the head and neck outside oropharynx.
Re-Irradiation for Local Relapses or Second Primaries: When and how?
Authors: Budach Volker , Thieme Alexander
Published: June 2021

With modern radiotherapy techniques, re-irradiation is a potentially curative treatment approach. However, it carries still a serious risk of severe radiation morbidity including treatment-related death. High-level evidence for an adequate treatment of these patients is still lacking since the majority of trials are retrospective. Thus, inherent biases like unbalanced patients’ characteristics in terms of the relapse intervals, sites of recurrence, and inhomogeneous re-irradiation volumes, total tumor doses, and fractionation are by definition competing risks that will flaw the validity of these studies. Hence, future well-designed prospective randomized trials are still urgently needed.
Update of Immune Therapies in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Rischin Danny
Published: June 2021

Since the initial reports of activity of pembrolizumab in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), investigation of the role of immune therapies has been the major focus of clinical trials in R/M HNSCC. Randomised trials initially with nivolumab and later with pembrolizumab established overall survival benefit in patients with R/M HNSCC previously treated with platinum compared to physicians choice of 2nd line therapy, and have led to regulatory approval around the world. More recently the Keynote-048 trial has compared both pembrolizumab monotherapy and pembrolizumab + platinum/5FU to the Extreme regimen of platinum/5FU/cetuximab in the first-line R/M setting. The key findings from this trial are that pembrolizumab monotherapy compared to Extreme improved overall survival in patients with PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 20 and ≥ 1, and that pembro/chemotherapy improved OS in CPS ≥ 20, CPS ≥ 1 and the total population. Relative to Extreme there was less toxicity in the monotherapy arm and comparable toxicity in the pembro/chemo arm. Based on this trial use of pembrolizumab as part of first-line treatment for R/M HNSCC is appropriate for the majority of patients, and represents a new standard of care. The focus has now moved to identifying combinations that may be superior to pembrolizumab monotherapy or to chemotherapy + pembrolizumab. Some of the more promising approaches under investigation in HNSCC are discussed in this chapter. In summary, immune therapies are now the cornerstone of management of R/M HNSCC with the approval of pembrolizumab in the first-line R/M setting.
New Developments in the Management of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Niu Xiaoshuang , Tao Yungan
Published: June 2021

Nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) have unique characteristics with a specific geographic distribution and radiotherapy (RT) is the cornerstone of initial treatment due to its radiosensitive behaviour and deep-seated location. Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has become the standard RT technique compared with 2D/3D and could reduce the late toxicities such as xerostomia. We established the international guideline for the delineation of clinical target volumes (CTV) and dose prioritization and constraint guideline for a better implementation of IMRT for NPC. The role of RT in addition to systemic therapy for the initially diagnosed metastatic NPC has recently been investigated in a randomized trial. The meta-analysis MAC-NPC confirmed the role of chemotherapy in addition to RT for NPC and established concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) as a standard of care in locally advanced (LA) NPC. In the recent actualization of MAC-NPC and network meta-analysis, more chemotherapy (adjuvant or induction) has been suggested to further improve treatment efficacy. However, a randomized trial did not shown survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in addition to CCRT in LA-NPC. More recently, several phase III trials (French GORTEC trial and Chinese trials) showed benefit of induction chemotherapy (PF/TPF/GP) when added to cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy. Preliminary study has failed to show benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for the patients with detectable plasma Epstein Barr virus (EBV) DNA after chemoradiotherapy. The presentation will also focus on the ongoing trials with association of immune checkpoint inhibitors with chemoradiotherapy and the role of EBV DNA during or after treatment among others.
Damage Assessment in Japan and Potential Use of New Technologies in Damage Assessment
Authors: Kusunoki K.
Published: June 2021

Right after an earthquake, it is quite important to evaluate the damage level of the buildings in the affected area. In Japan, a rapid inspection is conducted to evaluate the risk of collapse due to an aftershock. If any damage is detected, it is required to conduct damage classification, which takes time but categorizes its damage into five damage categories. Japan has a standard for both rapid inspection and damage classification. They are briefed in this chapter. Similar to the damage classification, the loss of the house and home contents for the earthquake insurance. The method for earthquake insurance is also introduced. Since they are based on visual inspection, it is quite difficult to investigate the damage of the high-rise buildings and buildings covered by finishing. Recently, many kinds of research are conducted to use sensors for automatic and realtime damage classification. A structural health monitoring method with accelerometers based on the capacity spectrum method, which is currently installed into more than 40 buildings, is also introduced.
EU–Turkey Energy Dialogue: Moving Beyond the Accession Negotiations Framework
Authors: Sartori Nicolò
Published: June 2021

Energy has long been perceived as a policy field where mutual strategic interests could lead to progressive policy convergence and enhanced cooperation between the EU and Turkey. This chapter evaluates the evolution of energy relations between the EU and Turkey, starting from early 2000s, paying specific attention to the key energy policies and the main bilateral dynamics in place in the energy domain. It analyzes the energy profiles and interests of Brussels and Ankara in order to evaluate whether or not the EU and Turkey have adopted mutually beneficial initiatives that foster convergence between the parties. Despite Ankara’s attempt to link energy cooperation primarily to the accession negotiations process, the EU has been able to keep the two tracks separated through the launch of parallel institutional initiatives which led to progressive policy alignment as long as the bilateral political conditions allowed it to maintain a structured dialogue. In recent years, the stalemate in accession negotiations and the rising tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean brought EU–Turkey energy dialogue to its historical low. Bottom-up technical and regulatory collaboration represents the most effective way to progress in bilateral energy cooperation, by decoupling energy dialogue from the formal accession negotiation process and underplaying the effects of high level political conflicts.
The European Council as a Key Driver of EU–Turkey Relations: Central Functions, Internal Dynamics, and Evolving Preferences
Authors: Turhan Ebru , Wessels Wolfgang
Published: June 2021

The many faces of the European Council make it a core component of the institutional machinery maintaining relations between the EU and third countries, including Turkey. This chapter identifies the European Council’s roles as the EU’s ‘master of enlargement’, ‘external voice and crisis manager’, and ‘agenda and direction setter’ as its three primary functions that drive the EU–Turkey relationship. The central focus of the chapter is the evolution of the European Council in framing relations with a candidate country—or what many now call a ‘strategic partner’—and the identification of the critical turning points and shifts in the central functions, internal dynamics, and preferences of this key institution. The findings indicate a growing trend toward a more conflictual, relatively hostile relationship between the European Council and Turkey as a result of diverging geopolitical interests—especially in the Eastern Mediterranean—and normative considerations. Furthermore, the analysis reveals an expanding impact of bilateral issues and member states’ individual preferences on the European Council’s role as a driver of EU–Turkey relations. Still, with their powers, the Heads of State or Government are likely to remain a key driver of the future trajectory of the relationship, demonstrating an increased interest in ‘thinking outside of the accession box’ and in framing a relationship model that would safeguard EU–Turkey relations amidst growing disagreements with Ankara.
Modeling the gravitational field by using CFD techniques
Authors: Yin Zhi , Sneeuw Nico
Published: June 2021

A harmonic scalar field has a Laplacian (i.e., both source-free and curl-free) gradient vector field and vice versa. Despite the good performance of spherical harmonic series on modeling the gravitational field generated by spheroidal bodies (e.g., the Earth), the series may diverge inside the Brillouin sphere enclosing all field-generating mass. Divergence may realistically occur when determining the gravitational fields of asteroids or comets that have complex shapes, which is known as the complex-boundary value problem (CBVP). To overcome this weakness, we propose a new spatial-domain numerical method based on the equivalence transformation which is well known in the fluid dynamics community: a potential-flow velocity field and a gravitational force vector field are equivalent in a mathematical sense, both referring to a Laplacian vector field. The new method abandons the perturbation theory based on the Laplace equation, and, instead, derives the governing equation and the boundary condition of the potential flow from the conservation laws of mass, momentum and energy. Correspondingly, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques are introduced as a numerical solving scheme. We apply this novel approach to the gravitational field of the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko which has an irregular shape. The method is validated in a closed-loop simulation by comparing the result with a direct integration of Newton’s formula. Both methods are consistent with a relative magnitude discrepancy at the percentage level and with a small directional difference root-mean-square value of $$0.78^{\circ }$$

0
.

78
∘

. Moreover, the Laplacian property of the potential flow’s velocity field is proved mathematically. From both theoretical and practical points of view, the new numerical method is able to overcome the divergence problem and, hence, has a good potential for solving CBVPs.
Reconfiguring Dominating Sets in Minor-Closed Graph Classes
Authors: Rautenbach Dieter , Redl Johannes
Published: June 2021

For a graph G, two dominating sets D and $$D'$$

D
′

in G, and a non-negative integer k, the set D is said to k-transform to $$D'$$

D
′

if there is a sequence $$D_0,\ldots ,D_\ell $$

D
0

,
…
,

D
ℓ

of dominating sets in G such that $$D=D_0$$

D
=

D
0

, $$D'=D_\ell $$

D
′

=

D
ℓ

, $$|D_i|\le k$$

|

D
i

|
≤
k

for every $$i\in \{ 0,1,\ldots ,\ell \}$$

i
∈
{
0
,
1
,
…
,
ℓ
}

, and $$D_i$$

D
i

arises from $$D_{i-1}$$

D

i
-
1

by adding or removing one vertex for every $$i\in \{ 1,\ldots ,\ell \}$$

i
∈
{
1
,
…
,
ℓ
}

. We prove that there is some positive constant c and there are toroidal graphs G of arbitrarily large order n, and two minimum dominating sets D and $$D'$$

D
′

in G such that Dk-transforms to $$D'$$

D
′

only if $$k\ge \max \{ |D|,|D'|\}+c\sqrt{n}$$

k
≥

max
{
|
D
|
,
|

D
′

|
}

+
c

n

. Conversely, for every hereditary class $$\mathcal{G}$$
G
that has balanced separators of order $$n\mapsto n^\alpha $$

n
↦

n
α

for some $$\alpha <1$$

α
<
1

, we prove that there is some positive constant C such that, if G is a graph in $$\mathcal{G}$$
G
of order n, and D and $$D'$$

D
′

are two dominating sets in G, then Dk-transforms to $$D'$$

D
′

for $$k=\max \{ |D|,|D'|\}+\lfloor Cn^\alpha \rfloor $$

k
=

max
{
|
D
|
,
|

D
′

|
}

+

⌊
C

n
α

⌋

.
Analysis of the subcapital two-part humerus fracture by fluoroscopy: objective criteria for classification and decision making
Authors: Bless Nicolas , Keller Nicola , Steinitz Amir , Klein Thibaut , Rikli Daniel
Published: June 2021

Background

Surgical decision making in the treatment of proximal humerus fractures (PHFx) is primarily based on fracture classification using standard radiographs. Due to the lack of objective criteria, this classification process is associated with high interobserver variation. In this study, we investigate the fluoroscopic analysis of humerus fractures through the surgical neck using a semi-quantitative determination of distinct angulation patterns of the proximal humerus as they appear in the image intensifier.

Methods

Using a saw bone model, defined subcapital 2-part fracture configurations were generated and assessed radiographically. Anatomical landmarks—including the greater and lesser tuberosity as well as anatomical neck—were identified using an image converter, and the exact degree of fracture displacement with 10° up to 70° (in 10° increments) of posterior, varus or combined posterior-varus angulation was compared to nondisplaced controls. From the resultant series of radiographs, the appearance of these angulations in anteroposterior (AP) and scapular Y-views were also visualized and defined.

Results

An angulation of 50° or more of any given 2-part fracture through the surgical neck is present when the greater tuberosity becomes the most proximal point in AP view (varus and combined posterior-varus angulation) or a bimodal form is found for the superior contour of the head with the lesser tuberosity being the most proximal point in the Y-view (posterior angulation).

Conclusion

The radiological appearance of various PHFx constellations can be well visualized using the saw bone shoulder model. The presence of angulation in accordance with the Neer classification for group III fractures can be adequately determined by analyzing the relative position of the greater or lesser tuberosity to the humeral head calotte. This can assist the surgeon’s decision on whether to operate or opt for a conservative approach.

Level of evidence

Basic Science, Anatomy Study, Imaging.
Plant and soil nitrogen in oligotrophic boreal forest habitats with varying moss depths: does exclusion of large grazers matter?
Authors: Väisänen Maria , Tuomi Maria , Bailey Hannah , Welker Jeffrey M.
Published: June 2021

The boreal forest consists of drier sunlit and moister-shaded habitats with varying moss abundance. Mosses control vascular plant–soil interactions, yet they all can also be altered by grazers. We determined how 2 decades of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) exclusion affect feather moss (Pleurozium schreberi) depth, and the accompanying soil N dynamics (total and dissolvable inorganic N, δ15N), plant foliar N, and stable isotopes (δ15N, δ13C) in two contrasting habitats of an oligotrophic Scots pine forest. The study species were pine seedling (Pinus sylvestris L.), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea L.), and feather moss. Moss carpet was deeper in shaded than sunlit habitats and increased with grazer exclusion. Humus N content increased in the shade as did humus δ15N, which also increased due to exclusion in the sunlit habitats. Exclusion increased inorganic N concentration in the mineral soil. These soil responses were correlated with moss depth. Foliar chemistry varied due to habitat depending on species identity. Pine seedlings showed higher foliar N content and lower foliar δ15N in the shaded than in the sunlit habitats, while bilberry had both higher foliar N and δ15N in the shade. Thus, foliar δ15N values of co-existing species diverged in the shade indicating enhanced N partitioning. We conclude that despite strong grazing-induced shifts in mosses and subtler shifts in soil N, the N dynamics of vascular vegetation remain unchanged. These indicate that plant–soil interactions are resistant to shifts in grazing intensity, a pattern that appears to be common across boreal oligotrophic forests.
Endoscopic techniques to reduce recurrence rates after colorectal EMR: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kemper Gijs , Turan Ayla S. , Schoon Erik J. , Schrauwen Ruud W. M. , Epping Ludger S. M. , Gerges Christian , Beyna Torsten , Neuhaus Horst , Gündug Ufuk , Siersema Peter D. , van Geenen Erwin J. M. ,   the ENDOCARE Study Group
Published: June 2021

Background

Colorectal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is an effective, safe, and minimally invasive treatment for large lateral spreading and sessile polyps. The reported high recurrence rate of approximately 20% is however one of the major drawbacks. Several endoscopic interventions have been suggested to reduce recurrence rates. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of endoscopic interventions targeting the EMR margin to reduce recurrence rates.

Methods

We searched in PubMed and Ovid for studies comparing recurrence rates after interventions targeting the EMR margin with standard EMR. The primary outcome was the recurrence rate at the first surveillance colonoscopy (SC1) assessed histologically or macroscopically. For the meta-analysis, risk ratios (RRs) were calculated and pooled using a random effects model. The secondary outcome was post-procedural complication rates.

Results

Six studies with a total of 1335 lesions were included in the meta-analysis. The techniques performed in the intervention group targeting the resection margin were argon plasma coagulation, snare tip soft coagulation, extended EMR, and precutting EMR. The interventions reduced the adenoma recurrence rate with more than 50%, resulting in a pooled RR of 0.37 (95% CI 0.18, 0.76) comparing the intervention group with the control groups. Overall post-procedural complication rates did not increase significantly in the intervention arm (RR 1.30; 95% CI 0.65, 2.58).

Conclusion

Interventions targeting the EMR margin decrease recurrence rates and may not result in more complications.
Evaluating the Efficiency of a New Cutterhead Design to Counteract the Drawbacks of Excavation through Very Hard Rocks
Authors: Narimani Dehnavi Roohollah , Sadeghi Masoud , Sifferlinger Nikolaus August , Hasanpour Rohola
Published: June 2021

The application of appropriate excavation equipment in difficult grounds is of crucial importance and consequently improves the performance of hard rock Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). The cutterhead is one of the main components of TBMs which is directly involved in the excavation process, and its design can highly affect the cutting efficiency, the overall balance of the head, the performance of main bearing in long term, and the wear of the whole cutting face and muck buckets. This paper mainly focuses on the significant role of a proper design on the cutting efficiency with reference to a TBM tunneling project. Due to existence of very hard and abrasive rocks on the path of Kerman water conveyance tunnel, a new cutterhead was designed to be applied on a second hand TBM. The new cutterhead contains larger 19-inch disc cutters with a new disc cutter layout. Since the new cutterhead was launched following the excavation of the old one in a specific chainage of the tunnel, the performance of the two cutterheads in pyroclastic rocks could be compared with respect to the cutting efficiency, and lower specific energy values were observed for the new cutterhead which is the indicator of a better cutting efficiency in this geological condition.
Tidy Tuples and Flying Start: fast compilation and fast execution of relational queries in Umbra
Authors: Kersten Timo , Leis Viktor , Neumann Thomas
Published: June 2021

Although compiling queries to efficient machine code has become a common approach for query execution, a number of newly created database system projects still refrain from using compilation. It is sometimes claimed that the intricacies of code generation make compilation-based engines too complex. Also, a major barrier for adoption, especially for interactive ad hoc queries, is long compilation time. In this paper, we examine all stages of compiling query execution engines and show how to reduce compilation overhead. We incorporate the lessons learned from a decade of generating code in HyPer into a design that manages complexity and yields high speed. First, we introduce a code generation framework that establishes abstractions to manage complexity, yet generates code in a single fast pass. Second, we present a program representation whose data structures are tuned to support fast code generation and compilation. Third, we introduce a new compiler backend that is optimized for minimal compile time, and simultaneously, yields superior execution performance to competing approaches, e.g., Volcano-style or bytecode interpretation. We implemented these optimizations in our database system Umbra to show that it is possible to unite fast compilation and fast execution. Indeed, Umbra achieves unprecedentedly low query latencies. On small data sets, it is even faster than interpreter engines like DuckDB and PostgreSQL. At the same time, on large data sets, its throughput is on par with the state-of-the-art compiling system HyPer.
Learning in a double-phase cobweb model
Authors: Cavalli Fausto , Naimzada Ahmad , Parisio Lucia
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we study a class of markets, among which we can mention agricultural and energy markets, characterized by seasonality, i.e., in which demand and/or supply conditions cyclically alternate with a precise and known periodicity. We propose a new theoretical framework based on a cobweb model with adaptive expectations, accordingly modified to be consistent with market’s seasonality. The model, consisting in a second-order non-autonomous difference equation, is investigated with the aim of understanding how the periodical nature of the market together with the agents’ expectation formation mechanism affects the resulting dynamics. We analytically prove the emergence of dynamical scenarios that are missing in the classic cobweb model for non-seasonal markets, such as quasi-periodic dynamics and an ambiguous role on stability of the expectation weight. Finally, we discuss their economic rationale with the help of numerical simulations. In such a peculiar economic framework, agents’ learning plays a key role to explain the dynamical properties of economic observables.