bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alterations to biomarkers related to long-term exposure to diesel exhaust at concentrations below occupational exposure limits in the European Union and the USA
Authors: Wong Jason YY , Blechter Batel , Bassig Bryan A , Dai Yufei , Vermeulen Roel , Hu Wei , Rahman Mohammad L , Duan Huawei , Niu Yong , Downward George S , Leng Shuguang , Ji Bu-Tian , Fu Wei , Xu Jun , Meliefste Kees , Zhou Baosen , Yang Jufang , Ren Dianzhi , Ye Meng , Jia Xiaowei , Meng Tao , Bin Ping , Hosgood H. Dean , Rothman Nathaniel , Silverman Debra T , Zheng Yuxin , Lan Qing
Published: March 2023

Background

We previously found that occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) was associated with alterations to 19 biomarkers that potentially reflect the mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Whether DEE is associated with biological alterations at concentrations under existing or recommended occupational exposure limits (OELs) is unclear.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study of 54 factory workers exposed long-term to DEE and 55 unexposed controls, we reanalysed the 19 previously identified biomarkers. Multivariable linear regression was used to compare biomarker levels between DEE-exposed versus unexposed subjects and to assess elemental carbon (EC) exposure-response relationships, adjusted for age and smoking status. We analysed each biomarker at EC concentrations below the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) OEL (<106 µg/m3), below the European Union (EU) OEL (<50 µg/m3) and below the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommendation (<20 µg/m3).

Results

Below the MSHA OEL, 17 biomarkers were altered between DEE-exposed workers and unexposed controls. Below the EU OEL, DEE-exposed workers had elevated lymphocytes (p=9E-03, false discovery rate (FDR)=0.04), CD4+ count (p=0.02, FDR=0.05), CD8+ count (p=5E-03, FDR=0.03) and miR-92a-3p (p=0.02, FDR=0.05), and nasal turbinate gene expression (first principal component: p=1E-06, FDR=2E-05), as well as decreased C-reactive protein (p=0.02, FDR=0.05), macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (p=0.04, FDR=0.09), miR-423-3p (p=0.04, FDR=0.09) and miR-122-5p (p=2E-03, FDR=0.02). Even at EC concentrations under the ACGIH recommendation, we found some evidence of exposure-response relationships for miR-423-3p (ptrend=0.01, FDR=0.19) and gene expression (ptrend=0.02, FDR=0.19).

Conclusions

DEE exposure under existing or recommended OELs may be associated with biomarkers reflective of cancer-related processes, including inflammatory/immune response.
Efficacy and safety of early anticoagulation after endovascular treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Xu Yaning , Liu Chengchun , Li Wei , Nie Ximing , Huang Shuhan , Li Xiaoshu , Wu Ya , Jin Wang-Sheng , Jiang Jiaojin , Dong Jun , Yang Yi , Sun Zhiqiang , Han Wenjun , Wang Yanjiang , Liu Liping , Zhang Meng
Published: March 2023

Background

The timing for initiating anticoagulant therapy in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients with atrial fibrillation who recanalised after endovascular treatment (EVT) is unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of early anticoagulation after successful recanalisation in AIS patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods

Patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion and atrial fibrillation who were successfully recanalised by EVT within 24 hours after stroke in the Registration Study for Critical Care of Acute Ischemic Stroke after Recanalization registry were analysed. Early anticoagulation was defined as the initiation of unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) within 72 hours after EVT. Ultra-early anticoagulation was defined if it was initiated within 24 hours. The primary efficacy outcome was the score on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at day 90, and the primary safety outcome was symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage within 90 days.

Results

Overall, 257 patients were enrolled, of whom 141 (54.9%) initiated anticoagulation within 72 hours after EVT, including 111 within 24 hours. A significant shift towards better mRS scores at day 90 was associated with early anticoagulation (adjusted common OR 2.08 (95% CI 1.27 to 3.41)). Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage was comparable between patients treated with early and routine anticoagulation (adjusted OR 0.20 (95% CI 0.02 to 2.18)). Comparison of different early anticoagulation regimens showed that ultra-early anticoagulation was more significantly associated with favourable functional outcomes (adjusted common OR 2.03 (95% CI 1.20 to 3.44)) and reduced the incidence of asymptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (OR 0.37 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.94)).

Conclusions

In AIS patients with atrial fibrillation, early anticoagulation with UFH or LMWH after successful recanalisation is associated with favourable functional outcomes without increasing the risk of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhages.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR1900022154.
Diagnosis and treatment outcomes from prebronchodilator spirometry performed alongside lung cancer screening in a Lung Health Check programme
Authors: Bradley Claire , Boland Alison , Clarke Louisa , Dallinson Naomi , Eckert Claire , Ellames Deborah , Finn Jonathan , Gabe Rhian , Hancock Neil , Kennedy Martyn PT , Lindop Jason , Mohamed Ayad , Mullen Gabriel , Murray Rachael L , Rogerson Suzanne , Shinkins Bethany , Simmonds Irene , Upperton Sara , Wilkinson Anne , Crosbie Philip A , Callister Matthew EJ
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Incorporating spirometry into low-dose CT (LDCT) screening for lung cancer may help identify people with undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), although the downstream impacts are not well described.

Methods

Participants attending a Lung Health Check (LHC) as part of the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial were offered spirometry alongside LDCT screening. Results were communicated to the general practitioner (GP), and those with unexplained symptomatic airflow obstruction (AO) fulfilling agreed criteria were referred to the Leeds Community Respiratory Team (CRT) for assessment and treatment. Primary care records were reviewed to determine changes to diagnostic coding and pharmacotherapy.

Results

Of 2391 LHC participants undergoing prebronchodilator spirometry, 201 (8.4%) fulfilled the CRT referral criteria of which 151 were invited for further assessment. Ninety seven participants were subsequently reviewed by the CRT, 46 declined assessment and 8 had already been seen by their GP at the time of CRT contact. Overall 70 participants had postbronchodilator spirometry checked, of whom 20 (29%) did not have AO. Considering the whole cohort referred to the CRT (but excluding those without AO postbronchodilation), 59 had a new GP COPD code, 56 commenced new pharmacotherapy and 5 were underwent pulmonary rehabilitation (comprising 2.5%, 2.3% and 0.2% of the 2391 participants undergoing LHC spirometry).

Conclusions

Delivering spirometry alongside lung cancer screening may facilitate earlier diagnosis of COPD. However, this study highlights the importance of confirming AO by postbronchodilator spirometry prior to diagnosing and treating patients with COPD and illustrates some downstream challenges in acting on spirometry collected during an LHC.
Shedding light on X17: community report
Authors: Alves Daniele S. M. , Barducci Daniele , Cavoto Gianluca , Darmé Luc , Delle Rose Luigi , Doria Luca , Feng Jonathan L. , Frankenthal André , Gasparian Ashot , Goudzovski Evgueni , Gustavino Carlo , Khalil Shaaban , Kozhuharov Venelin , Krasznahorkay Attila J. , Marchi Tommaso , Meucci Manuel , Miller Gerald A. , Moretti Stefano , Nardecchia Marco , Nardi Enrico , Natal da Luz Hugo , Organtini Giovanni , Papa Angela , Perrevoort Ann-Kathrin , Petousis Vlasios , Piperno Gabriele , Raggi Mauro , Renga Francesco , Schwendimann Patrick , Sýkora Rudolf , Toni Claudio , Valente Paolo , Voena Cecilia , Wong Cheuk-Yin , Zhang Xilin
Published: March 2023

The workshop “Shedding light on X17” brings together scientists looking for the existence of a possible new light particle, often referred to as X17. This hypothetical particle can explain the resonant structure observed at $$\sim $$
∼
 17 MeV in the invariant mass of electron-positron pairs, produced after excitation of nuclei such as $$^8\hbox {Be}$$

8

Be

and $$^4\hbox {He}$$

4

He

by means of proton beams at the Atomki Laboratory in Debrecen. The purpose of the workshop is to discuss implications of this anomaly, in particular theoretical interpretations as well as present and future experiments aiming at confirming the result and/or at providing experimental evidence for its interpretation.
On multiple solitons of glycolysis reaction–diffusion system for the chemical concentration
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad S. , Baber Muhammad Z. , Inc Mustafa , Younis Muhammad , Ahmed Nauman , Qasim Muhammad
Published: March 2023

In this research, the nonlinear mathematical model for enzyme-catalyzed reaction–diffusion phenomena has been analyzed for the exact solutions investigated analytically. As a result, it is critical to investigate this concept from a mathematical standpoint. The [Formula: see text]-model expansion method is used to extract the analytical solutions which give the chemical concentration. These variables behave differently depending on the diffusion and dimensionless input flux rate parameter. Furthermore, the existence of these solutions is also discussed under different constraint conditions and variables of chemical concentrations are represented in hyperbolic, trigonometric and rational forms. For various values, the 3D behavior of these concentrations is also depicted.
Coulomb self-energy of a solid hemisphere with uniform volume charge density
Authors: Ciftja Orion
Published: March 2023

Calculation of the Coulomb self-energy of a solid hemisphere with uniform volume charge density represents a very challenging task. This system is an interesting example of a body that lacks spherical symmetry though it can be conveniently dealt with in spherical coordinates. In this work, we explain how to calculate the Coulomb self-energy of a solid hemisphere with uniform volume charge density by using a method that relies on the expansion of the Coulomb potential as an infinite series in terms of Legendre polynomials. The final result for the Coulomb self-energy of a uniformly charged solid hemisphere turns out to be quite simple.
The electronic, optical, and vibrational properties of Ag3X (X = S, Se) with density functional theory
Authors: Tse Geoffrey
Published: March 2023

Using ab initio first-principles calculations, we investigate the structural, electronic, optical, and vibrational properties of Silver Sulphide Ag3S and Selenide Ag3Se with nonlocal hybrids exchange-correlation functional. With our computational predictions, we manage to classify the material to be Fermi-Dirac semi-metal, rather than Weyl metal. Our calculated results show that the electronic band in between the Fermi-Dirac cone shifts downward when we replace the element Sulphide S with Selenide Se. The obtained optical results such as absorption coefficients and dielectric functions (conductivity, reflectivity, etc.) are similar for both Ag3S and Ag3Se. A high absorption coefficient of [Formula: see text] cm[Formula: see text] has been reported, and about 50% of light is reflected. In Raman spectra, the A[Formula: see text] managed to shift downward when replacing the element X, sulphide S with selenide Se, while the A[Formula: see text] shifts upward (to higher wavelength). The rotation and vibration of the bonding between atoms have also been explained. The calculated results of Silver-VI compounds provide useful information in the exploitation of more complicated structures.
Conflict Optimization for Binary CSP Applied to Minimum Partition into Plane Subgraphs and Graph Coloring
Authors: Crombez Loïc , Da Fonseca Guilherme D. , Fontan Florian , Gerard Yan , Gonzalez-Lorenzo Aldo , Lafourcade Pascal , Libralesso Luc , Momège Benjamin , Spalding-Jamieson Jack , Zhang Brandon , Zheng Da Wei
Published: March 2023

CG:SHOP is an annual geometric optimization challenge and the 2022 edition proposed the problem of coloring a certain geometric graph defined by line segments. Surprisingly, the top three teams used the same technique, called conflict optimization. This technique has been introduced in the 2021 edition of the challenge, to solve a coordinated motion planning problem. In this article, we present the technique in the more general framework of binary constraint satisfaction problems (binary CSP). Then, the top three teams describe their different implementations of the same underlying strategy. We evaluate the performance of those implementations to vertex color not only geometric graphs, but also other types of graphs.
To Re-experience the Web: A Framework for the Transformation and Replay of Archived Web Pages
Authors: Berlin John , Kelly Mat , Nelson Michael L. , Weigle Michele C.
Published: March 2023

When replaying an archived web page, or
memento
, the fundamental expectation is that the page should be viewable and function exactly as it did at the archival time. However, this expectation requires web archives upon replay to modify the page and its embedded resources so that all resources and links reference the archive rather than the original server. Although these modifications necessarily change the state of the representation, it is understood that without them the replay of mementos from the archive would not be possible. The process of replaying mementos and the modifications made to the representations by web archives varies between archives. Because of this, there is no standard terminology for describing the replay and needed modifications. In this article, we propose terminology for describing the existing styles of replay and the modifications made on the part of web archives to mementos to facilitate replay. Because of issues discovered with server-side only modifications, we propose a general framework for the auto-generation of client-side rewriting libraries. Finally, we evaluate the effectiveness of using a generated client-side rewriting library to augment the existing replay systems of web archives by crawling mementos replayed from the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine with and without the generated client-side rewriter. By using the generated client-side rewriter, we were able to decrease the cumulative number of requests blocked by the content security policy of the Wayback Machine for 577 mementos by 87.5% and increased the cumulative number of requests made by 32.8%. We were also able to replay mementos that were previously not replayable from the Internet Archive. Many of the client-side rewriting ideas described in this work have been implemented into Wombat, a client-side URL rewriting system that is used by the Webrecorder, Pywb, and Wayback Machine playback systems.
Truncated Log-concave Sampling for Convex Bodies with Reflective Hamiltonian Monte Carlo
Authors: Chalkis Apostolos , Fisikopoulos Vissarion , Papachristou Marios , Tsigaridas Elias
Published: March 2023

We introduce Reflective Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (ReHMC), an HMC-based algorithm to sample from a log-concave distribution restricted to a convex body. The random walk is based on incorporating reflections to the Hamiltonian dynamics such that the support of the target density is the convex body. We develop an efficient open source implementation of ReHMC and perform an experimental study on various high-dimensional datasets. The experiments suggest that ReHMC outperforms Hit-and-Run and Coordinate-Hit-and-Run regarding the time it needs to produce an independent sample, introducing practical truncated sampling in thousands of dimensions.
Surface Film Formation on Al-V Alloys with Far-From-Equilibrium Microstructure
Authors: Christudasjustus J. , Witharamage C. S. , Vukkum V. B. , Walunj G. , Borkar T. , Gupta R. K.
Published: March 2023

Nanocrystalline supersaturated Al-V alloys produced by high-energy ball milling have been reported to exhibit enhanced corrosion resistance and mechanical properties compared to commercial Al alloys. Corrosion of passive alloys such as Al-V alloy relies on the characteristics of the surface film, which is studied using scanning/transmission electron microscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The effect of microstructure and composition on the surface film has been investigated after different immersion periods (30 min, 2 h, and 1 day) in 0.1 M NaCl. The surface film was complex and composed of oxidized Al and V. The heterogeneous surface film was observed due to the presence of secondary phases and initiation of localized corrosion. The void formation was observed beneath the surface film that would potentially cause pitting corrosion. The generation of nano-sized voids was dependent on grain orientation. Compared to pure Al, the chloride penetration is suppressed in Al-V alloys. The effect of composition and microstructure on surface film formation and attendant corrosion behavior is discussed herein.
Enhanced Electro-Oxidation of Ethylene Glycol over Cu/C Catalysts Using Different Forms of Carbon
Authors: Gupta Saptarshi , De Mahuya
Published: March 2023

In present work copper has been studied as the active material supported on different forms of carbons, such as activated carbon (AC), reduced graphene oxide (RGO), alumina based templated carbon (TC) and vulcan carbon (VC), for electro-oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG). Different carbon supports were observed to impart different physical and electrochemical characteristics to the catalysts in spite of presence of same active metal with similar loadings of 20 wt%. 20Cu-RGO showed highest current density of 5.61 mA/cm2 followed by 20Cu-VC at 2.59 mA/cm2 in acidic medium. The higher electrochemical surface area, pore size, metal dispersion, work function and content of oxygen containing functional groups were observed to favour better performance for electro-oxidation. The time constants for all the catalysts decreased in acidic medium and increased in basic medium upon addition of ethylene glycol. It was observed that electrochemical reaction was slower process in comparison to charge transfer irrespective of the type of medium. Oxalic acid was obtained as the main product during electro-oxidation of EG in both medium. The glyoxylic acid was detected as intermediate only in basic medium. The catalysts proved to be physically and chemically stable in both mediums.
Low-Pressure Argon/Hydrogen/Oxygen Plasma Treatment on LiMn2O4 Li-Ion Hybrid Supercapacitors
Authors: Chen Hong-Kai , Ni I-Chih , Wu Chih-I , Cheng I-Chun , Chen Jian-Zhang
Published: March 2023

LiCl + Mn(NO3)2·4H2O pastes are screen-printed on a carbon cloth substrate and then calcined at 400 °C for 6 h in a tube furnace to convert them into LiMn2O4. Ar, Ar+5%H2, or Ar+5%O2 low-pressure plasma is then used to treat the LiMn2O4/carbon cloth. The treated LiMn2O4/carbon cloth is then used as the electrode for a Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors (Li-HSCs) with a three-electrode configuration in 1-M Li2SO4 liquid electrolyte. Ag/AgCl and Pt electrodes were used as reference and counter electrodes, respectively. Li-HSCs are characterized by galvanostatic charging/discharging, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate that plasma treatment improves the Li-HSCs performance. In particular, Ar+5%O2 plasma treatment increases the areal capacity by ∼24% to 23.12 μA h cm−2. It also improves the coulomb efficiency and capacity retention rate of LiMn2O4 Li-HSCs.
Charge Carrier Statistics-Based Analytical Model and Simulation of Optical Mechanisms in White Graphene for High-Quality FETs and Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Rahmani Komeil , Mohammadi Saeed , Abbasi Abdollah
Published: March 2023

The aim of the present paper is to investigate the scaling behaviors of charge carriers and optical mechanisms in white graphene. The approach in this work is to provide analytical models for carrier velocity, carrier mobility, relaxation time and optical mechanisms of white graphene such as optical conductivity, absorption, transmittance, reflectivity, extinction coefficients and electron energy loss function. For doing so, one starts with identifying the analytical modeling of carrier concentration in the degenerate and nondegenerate regions. The computational models of carrier velocity, mobility and relaxation time with numerical solutions are analytically derived, in which the normalized Fermi energy, carrier concentration and temperature characteristics dependence are highlighted. Moreover, the optical mechanisms of white graphene are analytically modeled based on degenerate conductance. The proposed analytical models demonstrate a rational agreement with our simulation results and previous experiments in terms of trend and value. The remarkable properties of white graphene mentioned in this paper and obtained results bring new hopes for using of white graphene as a good substrate for nanomaterials such as graphene, germanene, stanene and silicene in electronics and optoelectronic applications.
Head to Toe Psychiatry: The Lady Who Limped in front of a Psychiatrist
Authors: Stip Emmanuel , Ahmed Hind Mohammed , Javaid Syed Fahad , Amiri Leena
Published: March 2023

Physical examination is a core component of any assessment done by a physician. Despite that, a physical examination is not always a top priority in many patients with psychiatric illnesses. We present the case of a woman with a prior diagnosis of a delusional disorder with overinvested religious beliefs. The patient had been stable on treatment for many years and only recently presented with a physical complaint, and manifestation assumed to be due to the nature of her psychiatric illness and, hence, overlooked by many physicians before being examined by her last psychiatrist. This resulted in a significant mobility problem for the patient. The patient showed partial insight, linking her pain to a “message from God.” Despite the delusional context, the psychiatrist was allowed to examine her feet and discovered significant neglect and poor foot hygiene. This case emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough physical examinations in psychiatric settings. Moreover, it presents an example of situations preventing psychiatric patients from being examined despite displaying obvious physical signs.
InSAR Phase Unwrapping Algorithm Based on Deep GAN
Authors: Wang Chenxia , Sun Pingli , Li Zheng , Tang Linlin
Published: March 2023

At present, the traditional phase unwrapping algorithm is difficult to balance the accuracy and unwrapping efficiency. The traditional phase unwrapping algorithm is difficult to balance the accuracy and efficiency in the phase unwrapping experiments of simulated and measured topographic interferograms. In this paper, the phase unwrapping technology will be studied under the framework of deep learning theory according to the development trend of InSAR intelligence. A phase unwrapping algorithm based on deep GAN is proposed. The model structure includes dense convolution layer blocks and series structure, so that the network can achieve a better balance between feature extraction and detail preservation of interferogram. This is helpful to improve the phase unwrapping accuracy and training efficiency of the network. The experimental results show that the algorithm has a good expansion effect on the interferogram with high signal-to-noise ratio. The synthesis algorithm makes full use of the advantages of the branch cutting method and the finite element method. The phase reliable region and unreliable region are determined, and the transmission of phase error from the unreliable region to reliable region is effectively avoided. The accuracy of the phase unwrapping results in the reliable region is ensured, and the overall phase unwrapping convergence accuracy is greatly improved.
[Retracted] Application of GIS and Multisensor Technology in Green Urban Garden Landscape Design
Authors: Shen Dongli
Published: March 2023

In order to solve the problem of low definition of the original 3D virtual imaging system, the author proposes the application method of GIS and multisensor technology in green urban garden landscape design. By formulating a hardware design framework, an image collector is selected for image acquisition according to the framework, the image is filtered and denoised by a computer, the processed image is output through laser refraction, and a photoreceptor and a transparent transmission module are used for virtual imaging. Formulate a software design framework, perform noise reduction processing on the collected image through convolutional neural network calculation, and use pixel grayscale calculation to obtain the feature points of the original image, and use C language to set and output the virtual imaging, thus completing the software design. Combined with the above hardware and software design, the design of 3D virtual imaging system in garden landscape design is completed. Construct a comparative experiment to compare with the original system. The results showed the following: The designed system has a significant improvement in the clarity, the original system clarity is 82%~85%, and the image clarity of this system is 85%~90%. In conclusion, the author designed the method to be more effective.
Dual Impact of IGF2 on Alveolar Stem Cell Function during Tobacco-Induced Injury Repair and Development of Pulmonary Emphysema and Cancer
Authors: Boo Hye-Jin , Min Hye-Young , Park Choon-Sik , Park Jong-Sook , Jeong Ji Yun , Lee Shin Yup , Kim Woo-Young , Lee Jae-Won , Oh Sei-Ryang , Park Rang-Woon , Lee Ho-Young
Published: March 2023

Pulmonary emphysema is a destructive inflammatory disease primarily caused by cigarette smoking (CS). Recovery from CS-induced injury requires proper stem cell (SC) activities with a tightly controlled balance of proliferation and differentiation. Here we show that acute alveolar injury induced by two representative tobacco carcinogens, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone and benzo[a]pyrene (N/B), increased IGF2 expression in alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells to promote their SC function and facilitate alveolar regeneration. Autocrine IGF2 signaling upregulated Wnt genes, particularly Wnt3, to stimulate AT2 proliferation and alveolar barrier regeneration after N/B-induced acute injury. In contrast, repetitive N/B exposure provoked sustained IGF2-Wnt signaling through DNMT3A-mediated epigenetic control of IGF2 expression, causing a proliferation/differentiation imbalance in AT2s and development of emphysema and cancer. Hypermethylation of the IGF2 promoter and overexpression of DNMT3A, IGF2, and the Wnt target gene AXIN2 were seen in the lungs of patients with CS-associated emphysema and cancer. Pharmacologic or genetic approaches targeting IGF2-Wnt signaling or DNMT prevented the development of N/B-induced pulmonary diseases. These findings support dual roles of AT2 cells, which can either stimulate alveolar repair or promote emphysema and cancer depending on IGF2 expression levels.

Significance:

IGF2-Wnt signaling plays a key role in AT2-mediated alveolar repair after cigarette smoking–induced injury but also drives pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema and cancer when hyperactivated.
Randomized Trial of Tepotinib Plus Gefitinib versus Chemotherapy in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC with EGFR Inhibitor Resistance Due to MET Amplification: INSIGHT Final Analysis
Authors: Liam Chong Kin , Ahmad Azura Rozila , Hsia Te-Chun , Zhou Jianying , Kim Dong-Wan , Soo Ross Andrew , Cheng Ying , Lu Shun , Shin Sang Won , Yang James Chih-Hsin , Zhang Yiping , Zhao Jun , Berghoff Karin , Bruns Rolf , Johne Andreas , Wu Yi-Long
Published: March 2023

Purpose:

The final analyses of the INSIGHT phase II study evaluating tepotinib (a selective MET inhibitor) plus gefitinib versus chemotherapy in patients with MET-altered EGFR-mutant NSCLC (data cut-off: September 3, 2021).

Patients and Methods:

Adults with advanced/metastatic EGFR-mutant NSCLC, acquired resistance to first-/second-generation EGFR inhibitors, and MET gene copy number (GCN) ≥5, MET:CEP7 ≥2, or MET IHC 2+/3+ were randomized to tepotinib 500 mg (450 mg active moiety) plus gefitinib 250 mg once daily, or chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). MET-amplified subgroup analysis was preplanned.

Results:

Overall (N = 55), median PFS was 4.9 months versus 4.4 months [stratified HR, 0.67; 90% CI, 0.35–1.28] with tepotinib plus gefitinib versus chemotherapy. In 19 patients with MET amplification (median age 60.4 years; 68.4% never-smokers; median GCN 8.8; median MET/CEP7 2.8; 89.5% with MET IHC 3+), tepotinib plus gefitinib improved PFS (HR, 0.13; 90% CI, 0.04–0.43) and overall survival (OS; HR, 0.10; 90% CI, 0.02–0.36) versus chemotherapy. Objective response rate was 66.7% with tepotinib plus gefitinib versus 42.9% with chemotherapy; median duration of response was 19.9 months versus 2.8 months. Median duration of tepotinib plus gefitinib was 11.3 months (range, 1.1–56.5), with treatment >1 year in six (50.0%) and >4 years in three patients (25.0%). Seven patients (58.3%) had treatment-related grade ≥3 adverse events with tepotinib plus gefitinib and five (71.4%) had chemotherapy.

Conclusions:

Final analysis of INSIGHT suggests improved PFS and OS with tepotinib plus gefitinib versus chemotherapy in a subgroup of patients with MET-amplified EGFR-mutant NSCLC, after progression on EGFR inhibitors.
Mapping Human Brain Pathways: Challenges and Opportunities in the Integration of Scales
Authors: Charvet Christine J.
Published: March 2023

The human brain is composed of a complex web of pathways. Diffusion magnetic resonance (MR) tractography is a neuroimaging technique that relies on the principle of diffusion to reconstruct brain pathways. Its tractography is broadly applicable to a range of problems as it is amenable for study in individuals of any age and from any species. However, it is well known that this technique can generate biologically implausible pathways, especially in regions of the brain where multiple fibers cross. This review highlights potential misconnections in two cortico-cortical association pathways with a focus on the aslant tract and inferior frontal occipital fasciculus. The lack of alternative methods to validate observations from diffusion MR tractography means there is a need to develop new integrative approaches to trace human brain pathways. This review discusses integrative approaches in neuroimaging, anatomical, and transcriptional variation as having much potential to trace the evolution of human brain pathways.
High performance of optimizers in deep learning for cloth patterns detection
Authors: Amelia Dewi Irma , Negara Ekha Salawangi Mahesa Atmawidya
Published: March 2023

In Deep learning, optimization methods are an essential role. Optimizers are used to change weights and learn rates to reduce or minimize losses in a neural network. Nowadays, Deep Learning is widely used, especially in object detection tasks. In this case, cloth patterns are considered for object detection and assist visually impaired people. The visually impaired person had many limitations when doing their activity, not least when choosing clothes; it would be difficult without guidance or tools like Braille labels. In this research, a system was researched to detect 11 different cloth patterns (Argyle, Batik, Camouflage, Gingham, Dotted, Floral, Leopard, Solid, Striped, Zebra, and Zigzag) using RetinaNet with ResNet-152 architecture. To achieve the best model performance, compare 6 optimizers, such as Stochastic Gradient Descent, Root Mean Square Propagation, Adaptive Moment Estimation, Adaptive Delta, Adaptive Norm, and Adaptive Gradient was conducted. Each optimizer has trained with three different learning rates (1E-3, 1E-4, and 1E-5). A model with Adamax optimizer and learning rate 1E-4 was achieved with the highest accuracy with mAP (mean Average Precision) 91.28% during the training process. Based on the testing result this model was achieved precision 93.01%, recall 92.91%, F1-Score 92.79%, and accuracy 92.91%.
mySmartCart: a smart shopping list for day-to-day supplies
Authors: Kyathanahalli Nanjappa Sowmya , Prakash Sowmya , Burle Aiswarya , Nagabhushan Nandish , Shashi Kumar Chaitanya
Published: March 2023

Shopping of day-to-day items and keeping track of the shopping list can be a tedious and a time-consuming procedure, especially if it has to be done frequently. mySmartCart is a mobile application design proposed to transform the traditional way of writing a shopping list to a digitalized smart list which implements voice recognition and handwriting recognition for processing the natural language input of the user. The system design comprises four modules: i) input- which takes voice and handwritten list image input from the user; ii) processing- natural language processing of input data and converted to digital shopping list; iii) classification - list items classified into respective categories using machine learning algorithms; iv) output - searching on e-commerce applications and adding to shopping cart. The design proposed utilizes natural languages to communicate with the user thus enhancing their shopping experience. Google cloud speech recognition and tesseract optical character recognition (OCR) for natural language processing have been utilized in the prototype along with Support Vector Machine classifier for categorization.
Empreendedorismo feminino e feminismo neoliberal: uma perspectiva comunicacional e crítica a partir de perfis de empreendedoras no Instagram
Authors: Porém Maria Eugênia , Carvalho Taynara Ferrarezi , Braz Michelle Moreira
Published: March 2023

Este artigo busca refletir acerca das relações de sentidos implicadas no fenômeno do empreendedorismo feminino, a partir da análise de quatro perfis no Instagram. Num cruzamento entre a perspectiva comunicacional e a análise crítica do discurso, verificamos que tais perfis apresentam a mulher como prolongamento de sua empresa, racionalidade presente na cultura empreendedora e em intersecção com a visão estabelecida pelo feminismo neoliberal na qual barreiras de gênero podem ser superadas se as mulheres tiverem consciência de suas capacidades individuais.
Olha de novo: reconstrução da cena dos feminismos contemporâneos a partir de campanhas da Avon
Authors: Altheman Francine , Lins Letícia Alves
Published: March 2023

A partir de cenas dos movimentos feministas contemporâneos, e trabalhando conceitos como cultura das marcas e femvertising, o objetivo deste trabalho é compreender o modo como a Avon se adequa a esse cenário, assim como os arranjos e disrupções que essas cenas promovem em torno de processos emancipatórios. Apostando no método da cena de Rancière para observar duas campanhas recentes, #OlhadeNovo e #VemdeAvon, constatamos que as transformações acontecem mais no âmbito da micropolítica do que de emancipações que transformam a realidade como um todo.
Interpreting Incidentally Identified Variants in Genes Associated With Heritable Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Landstrom Andrew P. , Chahal Anwar A. , Ackerman Michael J. , Cresci Sharon , Milewicz Dianna M. , Morris Alanna A. , Sarquella-Brugada Georgia , Semsarian Christopher , Shah Svati H. , Sturm Amy C. ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Data Science and Precision Medicine Committee of the Council on Genomic and Precision Medicine and Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Hypertension; Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young; Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; and Stroke Council
Published: March 2023

Rapid advances in genetic technologies have led to expanding use of diagnostic, research, and direct-to-consumer exome and genome sequencing. Incidentally identified variants from this sequencing represent a significant and growing challenge to interpret and translate into clinical care and include variants in genes associated with heritable cardiovascular disease such as cardiac ion channelopathies, cardiomyopathies, thoracic aortic disease, dyslipidemias, and congenital/structural heart disease. These variants need to be properly reported, the risk of associated disease accurately assessed, and clinical management implemented to prevent or lessen the disease so that cardiovascular genomic medicine can become both predictive and preventive. The goal of this American Heart Association consensus statement is to provide guidance to clinicians who are called on to evaluate patients with incidentally identified genetic variants in monogenic cardiovascular disease genes and to assist them in the interpretation and clinical application of variants. This scientific statement outlines a framework through which clinicians can assess the pathogenicity of an incidental variant, which includes a clinical evaluation of the patient and the patient’s family and re-evaluation of the genetic variant in question. Furthermore, this guidance underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary team to address these challenging clinical evaluations and highlights how clinicians can effectively interface with specialty centers.
Trends in Disparities in Advanced Neuroimaging Utilization in Acute Stroke: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Vagal Achala , Sucharew Heidi , Wang Lily L. , Kissela Brett , Alwell Kathleen , Haverbusch Mary , Woo Daniel , Ferioli Simona , Mackey Jason , De Los Rios La Rosa Felipe , Mistry Eva A. , Demel Stacie L. , Coleman Elisheva , Jasne Adam S. , Walsh Kyle , Khatri Pooja , Slavin Sabreena , Star Michael , Stephens Cody , Kleindorfer Dawn
Published: March 2023

Background:

Our primary objective was to evaluate if disparities in race, sex, age, and socioeconomic status (SES) exist in utilization of advanced neuroimaging in year 2015 in a population-based study. Our secondary objective was to identify the disparity trends and overall imaging utilization as compared with years 2005 and 2010.

Methods:

This was a retrospective, population-based study that utilized the GCNKSS (Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study) data. Patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack were identified in the years 2005, 2010, and 2015 in a metropolitan population of 1.3 million. The proportion of imaging use within 2 days of stroke/transient ischemic attack onset or hospital admission date was computed. SES determined by the percentage below the poverty level within a given respondent’s US census tract of residence was dichotomized. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the odds of advanced neuroimaging use (computed tomography angiogram/magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiogram) for age, race, gender, and SES.

Results:

There was a total of 10 526 stroke/transient ischemic attack events in the combined study year periods of 2005, 2010, and 2015. The utilization of advanced imaging progressively increased (48% in 2005, 63% in 2010, and 75% in 2015 [
P
<0.001]). In the combined study year multivariable model, advanced imaging was associated with age and SES. Younger patients (≤55 years) were more likely to have advanced imaging compared with older patients (adjusted odds ratio, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.62–2.12];
P
<0.01), and low SES patients were less likely to have advanced imaging compared with high SES (adjusted odds ratio, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.75–0.93];
P
<0.01). A significant interaction was found between age and race. Stratified by age, the adjusted odds of advanced imaging were higher for Black patients compared with White patients among older patients (>55 years; adjusted odds ratio, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.15–1.57];
P
<0.01), but no racial differences among the young.

Conclusions:

Racial, age, and SES-related disparities exist in the utilization of advanced neuroimaging for patients with acute stroke. There was no evidence of a change in trend of these disparities between the study periods.
Genetically Proxied CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Levels and Lobar Intracerebral Hemorrhage Risk
Authors: Myserlis Evangelos Pavlos , Anderson Christopher D. , Georgakis Marios K.
Published: March 2023

Background:

Recent evidence suggests that higher CRP (C-reactive protein) levels are associated with lower risk of Alzheimer disease, speculating that CRP might be involved in Aβ clearance mechanisms. Testing this hypothesis, we explored whether genetically proxied CRP levels are also associated with lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), commonly caused by cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

Methods:

We used 4 genetic variants within the
CRP
gene that explain up to 64% of the variance of circulating CRP levels and explored in 2-sample Mendelian randomization analyses associations with risk of any, lobar, and deep ICH (1545 cases and 1481 controls).

Results:

Higher genetically proxied CRP levels were associated with lower odds of lobar ICH (odds ratio per SD increment in CRP, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.25–0.73]) but not deep ICH (odds ratio, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.45–1.14]). There was evidence of colocalization (posterior probability of association, 72.4%) in the signals for CRP and lobar ICH.

Conclusions:

Our results provide supportive evidence that high CRP levels may have a protective role in amyloid-related pathology.
TEACHING METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES ON THE STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: CASE OF TÜRKİYE
Authors: GÖKÇE Emrah Utku
Published: March 2023

This study focuses on the contents of the syllabuses of scientific research methods and equivalent courses in International Relations (IR) graduate programs in Türkiye. The study aims at analyzing what the subjects in the syllabus are and which subjects are taught. To display the distributions, two categories were determined under the theme of methodology and method. The first is the “meaning of science, philosophy of science and methodology” category, which represents the more philosophical and theoretical dimension, and the second is the “research methods” category, which represents the more technical dimension. Among 133 graduate programs, 141 syllabuses were scanned, and 68 syllabuses were examined. The research was designed according to the case study within the qualitative research approach. The data collection method of the study is document analysis. The data analysis method is content analysis. According to the findings, it was observed that there was a concentration on the “research methods” category at a rate of 81% and the category of “meaning of science, philosophy of science and methodology” at a rate of 19%. It was seen that the subjects of data collection methods, research designs, and data analysis methods were mostly covered in the category of “research methods”. The mixed research approach is almost non-existent in the syllabuses. It was determined that there is a concentration on the meaning of science and positivism within the category of the meaning of science, philosophy of science and methodology. Critical realism, anti-positivism, and pragmatism are among the least covered subjects. As a result, it showed that the syllabuses were not up-to-date, and the philosophical and theoretical part of the method was not discussed in depth in the lessons. In the study, a syllabus for research method courses was presented. This syllabus proposal is considered to be a guide for bringing method courses up-to-date.
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns Associated with Extreme Wind Events in Canadian Cities
Authors: Morris Michael , Kushner Paul J. , Moore G. W. K. , Mercan Oya
Published: March 2023

Extreme near-surface wind speeds in cities can have major societal impacts but are not well represented in climate models. Despite this, large-scale dynamics in the free troposphere, which models resolve better, could provide reliable constraints on local extreme winds. This study identifies synoptic circulations associated with midlatitude extreme wind events and assesses how resolution affects their representation in analysis products and a climate model framework. Composites of reanalysis (ERA5) sea level pressure and upper-tropospheric winds during observed extreme wind events reveal distinct circulation structures for each quadrant of the surface-wind rose. Enhanced resolution of the analysis product (ERA5 versus the higher-resolution ECMWF Operational Analysis) reduced wind speed biases but has little impact on capturing occurrences of wind extremes seen in station observations. Composite circulations for surface wind extremes in a climate model (CESM) skillfully reproduce circulations found in reanalysis. Regional refinement of CESM over a region centered on southern Ontario, Canada, using variable resolution (VR-CESM) improves representation of surface ageostrophic circulations and the strength of vertical coupling between upper-level and near-surface winds. We thus can distinguish situations for which regional refinement (dynamical downscaling) is necessary for realistic representation of the large-scale atmospheric circulations associated with extreme winds, from situations where the coarse resolution of standard GCMs is sufficient.

Significance Statement

In this study we identify the large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns that drive extreme wind speeds in Canadian cities, and how well numerical climate models, which are used for producing climate change projections, represent these circulation patterns. Climate models do not simulate local winds as accurately as larger-scale phenomena, so this work can help identify useful information that models contain regarding extreme winds. For cities in eastern Canada, a benchmark model generally performs well, but a model with refined spatial resolution over southern Ontario improves agreement with patterns for observed extreme winds in that region.
Contested by the State: Institutional Offloading in the Case of Crossover Youth
Authors: Sirois Catherine
Published: March 2023

How do people become the responsibility of one state institution over another? Prevailing theory suggests that marginalized groups are funneled toward increasingly coercive control over the life course, yet more coercive institutions may not always assume responsibility for people sent their way. This article uses the unique case of crossover youth—children at the junction of child welfare and juvenile justice systems—to illustrate how state institutions negotiate and contest responsibility for marginalized groups. To explain this process, I advance a conceptual framework of institutional offloading, which contends that institutional actors seek to offload responsibility for eligible tasks or clients they perceive to unduly strain the resources at their disposal and expose them to blame. Drawing on ethnographic data from a California juvenile court and interviews with court actors, the analysis demonstrates how actors from Social Services, on one side, and Probation, on the other, attempt to offload responsibility for crossover youth. In this process, institutional actors construct and contest crossover youths’ status as dependent or delinquent. The findings highlight the importance of analyzing governance decisions as interlocking state processes and illuminate mechanisms by which the pipeline to prison for marginalized groups may be perpetuated and potentially disrupted.
Examining Train Stations as Crime Generators and the Protective Effect of “Regular” Riders
Authors: Zahnow Renee
Published: March 2023

Understanding whose eyes make up the ambient population is an important development of crime opportunities research. We hypothesize that regularity at train stations will influence place-awareness and therefore the balance between potential crime offenders, targets, and victims in the ambient population. Drawing on one year of travel card and police-recorded crime data we examine the association between percentage of regular passengers and crime at 134 train stations, controlling for land use and neighborhood social demographic characteristics. We find regularity has a buffering impact on theft and property damage at stations but this effect is curvilinear in the case of theft. Regularity was not associated with assault or motor vehicle crime, we discuss implications for theory and practice.