bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term parental distress after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for nonmalignant diseases
Authors: Bense Joëll E. , Stiggelbout Anne M. , Lankester Arjan C. , de Pagter Anne P. J.
Published: August 2023

Background

Survival rates have continued to increase for pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for nonmalignant diseases. Despite the crucial role of caregivers in this high‐intensity treatment, knowledge about long‐term parental impact is lacking.

Procedure

This cross‐sectional study assessed parental distress and everyday problems in parents of patients 2 years and older after pediatric HSCT for a nonmalignant disease using Distress Thermometer for Parents (DT‐P), and compared outcomes to matched Dutch parents of healthy children and Dutch parents of children with a chronic condition (CC).

Results

Median follow‐up was 5.3 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.9–8.6). Underlying diseases were inborn errors of immunity (N = 30), hemoglobinopathies (N = 13), and bone marrow failure (N = 27). Mothers of pediatric HSCT recipients (N = 70) reported comparable overall distress levels to mothers of healthy children, but experienced more distress related to parenting problems, specifically managing their child's emotions, discussing disease consequences, and fostering independence. Fathers of HSCT recipients (N = 45) reported higher overall distress levels and had more emotional distress compared to fathers of healthy children.

Conclusions

Overall, parental distress and everyday problems of parents of HSCT recipients are comparable to those of parents of children with CC. However, there is ongoing parental burden, both emotional and in parenting, long‐term after HSCT compared to parents of healthy children, and the type of burden differs between mothers and fathers. These results indicate that individualized parental supportive care should not remain restricted to the acute hospitalization phase, but also be actively offered during long‐term follow‐up after pediatric HSCT.
Overcoming refusal of treatment in pediatric cancer without legal involvement: A descriptive case series from interviews with pediatric oncologists
Authors: Benedetti Daniel J. , Beskow Laura M. , Brown Amy E. Caruso
Published: August 2023

To describe strategies that pediatric oncologists utilize to persuade families to initiate or continue chemotherapy after refusing treatment, we examined transcripts from interviews of oncologists with relevant experience. We identified three cases in which the pediatric oncologists’ approaches led to voluntary acceptance of recommended treatment without legal intervention. Strategies used include direct communication with alternative medicine providers, time‐limited trial of alternative therapy, and praying with the family. While we cannot conclude whether these approaches could be generalized to other cases, they offer ideas for pediatric oncologists to consider when facing the decision to seek judicial involvement or discontinue persuasive efforts.
Effects of anisotropy and off‐axis angle on buckling behavior of carbon/epoxy Z‐pin under axial pressure
Authors: Lin Chengxiang , Song Xiaowen , Wang Han , Cheng Liang , Wang Qing , Ke Yinglin
Published: August 2023

The axial buckling load of single carbon fiber or composite strands is typically predicted using Euler's formula, developed for isotropic materials. This study introduces anisotropy in a mechanical carbon/epoxy Z‐pin model under axial pressure. It examines the influence of compressive modulus, shear modulus, off‐axis angle, and aspect ratio on its buckling behavior. Results show that the axial instability performance of the Z‐pin decreases with lower compression, shear modulus, and aspect ratio while keeping the tensile modulus fixed. Anisotropy decreases buckling load by up to 14% compared with Euler's formula, which only considers tensile modulus. Additionally, the impact of the deflection Angle between the pressure and pin‐axis can be ignored when it is less than 3°.

Highlights

Euler formula overestimates composite Z‐pin buckling force under axial pressure.

Anisotropy decreases buckling load by up to 14% for carbon/epoxy.

Shear modulus is more influential on Z‐pin with a small aspect ratio.

For off‐axial compression angles <3°, influence can be ignored.
Simulation of mechanical properties of HTPB‐based propellant by a viscoelastic spring lattice model
Authors: Xu Zhuoran , Hu Xu , Huang Yongmin
Published: August 2023

An improved lattice spring model extended by viscoelastic part using the Maxwell model was applied to predict the mechanical properties of HTPB‐based solid propellants. The influence of both strain rate and temperature on the maximum elongation of HTPB‐based propellants was quantitatively analyzed by simulating the uniaxial tensile test, as well as the process of crack development during tensile loads. The results show that the maximum elongation of HTPB‐based propellant decreases as a power function along with the linear increase of strain rate. In contrast, the maximum stress increases as a power function. Increasing the temperature linearly, both the maximum stress and the maximum elongation decrease as a power function.
Urea‐Hydrogen Peroxide (UHP): Comparative study on the experimental detonation pressure of a non‐ideal explosive
Authors: Halleux Francis , Pons Jean‐François , Wilson Ian , Stennett Chris , Van Riet Romuald , Lefebvre Michel
Published: August 2023

Carbamide Peroxide, an adduct of Urea and Hydrogen Peroxide (UHP) industrially used as a solid source of hydrogen peroxide, exhibits the behaviour of a tertiary explosive but a detailed performance characterisation is still lacking in the literature. In this work, we calculated a 20 % experimental TNT equivalence for brisance, i. e. the shattering effect from the shock wave transmitted from the detonating high explosive into adjacent materials, by experimental indirect measurement of UHP detonation pressure. We determined a 3.5 GPa detonation pressure for 5 kg unconfined UHP charges (0.87 g/cm3, 120 mm charge diameter) by measuring the attenuated shock wave velocity (ASV) in adjacent inert materials using passive optical probes. Particle velocity measurements at the interface of a PMMA impedance window carried out with Photonic Doppler Velocimetry on scaled‐down charges of 90 g UHP under heavy confinement (0.85 g/cm3, 30 mm charge diameter, 4 mm thick steel) are consistent with ASV results in the PMMA acceptors but further investigations are required to determine the detonation pressure, using a small‐scale experimental setup. The ASV method has proven reliable to assess the brisance of a non‐ideal explosive for risk assessment purposes.
Links assignment scheme based on potential edges importance in dual‐layer wavelength routing optical satellite networks
Authors: Yang Jingkai , Ran Qiwen , Wu Hongyu , Ma Jing
Published: August 2023

With the development of the massive satellite constellation and the on‐orbit laser‐based communication equipment, wavelength routing optical satellite networks (WROSN) becomes a potential solution for on‐orbit, high‐capacity, and high‐speed communication. Since the inter‐satellite links (ISLs) are time‐varying, one of the fundamental considerations in the construction of the WROSN is assigning limited laser communication terminals for each satellite to establish ISLs with the visible satellites. Therefore, we propose a links assignment scheme (LAS) based on the potential edges importance matrix (PEIM) algorithm to construct a temporarily stable topology for a dual‐layer WROSN (DWROSN). The simulation results showed that the LAS based on the PEIM algorithm diminishes the long‐hops route path, reduces the average node‐to‐node distance, and saves the wavelength demand of the DWROSN. The node pair connectivity and wavelength demand in the DWROSN is a trade‐off problem. The research in this paper also brings a novel method for optimizing the route paths and reducing the wavelength demand of wavelength routing optical satellite networks, that is through designing the topology with a links assignment algorithm.
Observing the Evolution of Metal Oxides in Liquids
Authors: Kang Zewen , Zhang Junyu , Guo Xiaohua , Mao Yangfan , Yang Zhimin , Kankala Ranjith Kumar , Zhao Peng , Chen Ai‐Zheng
Published: August 2023

Metal oxides with diverse compositions and structures have garnered considerable interest from researchers in various reactions, which benefits from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in determining their morphologies, phase, structural and chemical information. Recent breakthroughs have made liquid‐phase TEM a promising imaging platform for tracking the dynamic structure, morphology, and composition evolution of metal oxides in solution under work conditions. Herein, this review introduces the recent advances in liquid cells, especially closed liquid cell chips. Subsequently, the recent progress including particle growth, phase transformation, self‐assembly, core–shell nanostructure growth, and chemical etching are introduced. With the late technical advances in TEM and liquid cells, liquid‐phase TEM is used to characterize many fundamental processes of metal oxides for CO2reduction and water‐splitting reactions. Finally, the outlook and challenges in this research field are discussed. It is believed this compilation inspires and stimulates more efforts in developing and utilizing in situ liquid‐phase TEM for metal oxides at the atomic scale for different applications.
Piezoelectric Effect Modulates Nanozyme Activity: Underlying Mechanism and Practical Application
Authors: Yu Xin , Wang Longwei , Zhu Zhiling , Han Xun , Zhang Jian , Wang Aizhu , Ding Longhua , Liu Jing
Published: August 2023

Nanozyme activity relies on surface electron transfer processes. Notably, the piezoelectric effect plays a vital role in influencing nanozyme activity by generating positive and negative charges on piezoelectric materials' surfaces. This article comprehensively reviews the potential mechanisms and practical applications of regulating nanozyme activity through the piezoelectric effect. The article first elucidates how the piezoelectric effect enables nanozymes to exhibit catalytic activity. It is highlighted that the positive and negative charges produced by this effect directly participate in redox reactions, leading to the conversion of materials from an inactive to an active state. Moreover, the piezoelectric field generated can enhance nanozyme activity by accelerating electron transfer rates or reducing binding energy between nanozymes and substrates. Practical applications of piezoelectric nanozymes are explored in the subsequent section, including water pollutant degradation, bacterial disinfection, biological detection, and tumor therapy, which demonstrate the versatile potentials of the piezoelectric effect in nanozyme applications. The review concludes by emphasizing the need for further research into the catalytic mechanisms of piezoelectric nanozymes, suggesting expanding the scope of catalytic types and exploring new application areas. Furthermore, the promising direction of synergistic catalytic therapy is discussed as an inspiring avenue for future research.
On the Robustness of the Determination of Metal‐Induced Recombination from Photoluminescence Images on Solar Cells
Authors: Leon Cyril , Saint-Cast Pierre , Fell Andreas , Greulich Johannes M. , Rein Stefan
Published: August 2023

The robustness of a recently developed method to obtain the recombination current–density (J0,met) under the front metallization fingers of silicon solar cells is investigated. This method requires a voltage‐calibrated photoluminescence (PL) imaging setup and can be applied on finished solar cells without any dedicated sample preparation. The Fourier‐transform photoluminescence method (FTPL) compares the Fourier spectrum of a PL image with an analytical model to deduce J0,met. It is demonstrated here, from sensitivity analysis, repeated measurements, and case studies, that the method allows to differentiate groups of solar cells having undergone different metallization conditions. Moreover, the comparison of the FTPL method with I–V measurements and with the area‐weighted approach for the J0,met determination shows similar results. Finally, using Quokka modeling, some limitations of the method are identified, and opportunities for improvement are proposed to further enhance this characterization technique.
Isolation, resilience, and faith: Experiences of Black Christian students in biology graduate programs
Authors: Google Angela N. , Bowen Chloe D. , Brownell Sara E. , Barnes M. Elizabeth
Published: August 2023

To increase participation of students of color in science graduate programs, research has focused on illuminating student experiences to inform ways to improve them. In biology, Black students are vastly underrepresented, and while religion has been shown to be a particularly important form of cultural wealth for Black students, Christianity is stigmatized in biology. Very few studies have explored the intersection of race/ethnicity and Christianity for Black students in biology where there is high documented tension between religion and science. Since graduate school is important for socialization and Black students are likely to experience stigmatization of their racial and religious identity, it is important to understand their experiences and how we might be able to improve them. Thus, we interviewed 13 Black Christian students enrolled in biology graduate programs and explored their experiences using the theoretical lens of stigmatized identities. Through thematic content analysis, we revealed that students negotiated experiences of cultural isolation, devaluation of intelligence, and acts of bias like other racially minoritized students in science. However, by examining these experiences at the intersection of race/ethnicity and religion, we shed light on interactions students have had with faculty and peers within the biology community that cultivated perceptions of mistrust, conflict, and stigma. Our study also revealed ways in which students' religious/spiritual capital has positively supported their navigation through biology graduate school. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of why Black Christian graduate students are more likely to leave or not pursue advanced degrees in biology with implications for research and practice that help facilitate their success.
Multi‐Objective Optimization Design of Vacuum Interrupter Structure Based on Improved Artificial Jellyfish Search Algorithm
Authors: Dai LingRui
Published: August 2023

An improved multi‐objective optimization method based on artificial jellyfish search algorithm is proposed to solve the multivariable and multi‐objective optimization problem of vacuum interrupter with mutual coupling of structural parameters and mutual restriction of performance indexes. The finite element model of 40.5 kV/31.5kA vacuum interrupter is established. The structural parameters of seven important parts such as contact diameter and contact sheet thickness in vacuum interrupter are taken as optimization variables. The optimization objective is to maximize the longitudinal magnetic field strength and minimize the conductor resistance at the peak breaking short‐circuit current of vacuum interrupter. The artificial jellyfish search algorithm is improved on the population position initialization strategy and the population mutation cross‐update strategy. The Pareto front solution of the structural parameters of the vacuum interrupter is obtained by the joint simulation of finite element analysis and numerical calculation software. Finally, the multi‐parameter and multi‐objective optimization design of vacuum interrupter structure is realized. The comprehensive performance index is introduced into the optimal parameter group of jellyfish on the Pareto front. Under the constraint of weight variables, the optimal structural parameters of contact system are obtained. The axial magnetic induction intensity of the optimized vacuum interrupter contact is increased by 13.2%, and the conductor resistance is reduced by 25.4%. The comprehensive performance of vacuum interrupter is improved by 17.8%, and the stability and reliability of the power system are further improved. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A meta‐analysis investigating the effects of energy infrastructure proximity on grouse demography and space use
Authors: LeBeau Chad , Smith Kurt , Howlin Shay , Tredennick Andrew , Kosciuch Karl
Published: August 2023

The increased global demand for energy will require additional tools to help guide policy and management actions to conserve wildlife. Grouse (Tetraoninae) are adversely affected by infrastructure associated with energy development but the magnitude of effects are difficult to quantify in a singular management prescription. Advancement in monitoring and analysis techniques have allowed researchers to evaluate complex questions surrounding the effects of infrastructure on grouse populations, rapidly increasing our knowledge. To better inform management decisions, especially with the emergence of renewable energy, a quantitative synthesis of previous research evaluating the effects of infrastructure on grouse populations is needed. We reviewed studies evaluating the effect of energy infrastructure on grouse, with the main objective to determine the magnitude of effect on grouse lek attendance, resource selection, and survival to help inform future conservation actions. We modeled slope coefficients for distance to energy infrastructure, standardized by scale, on various behaviors to determine overall effect sizes in a meta‐analysis. We used 93 study‐result combinations from 21 studies that directly evaluated resource selection, survival, or lek attendance relative to energy infrastructure. Trends in overall effect sizes suggest an adverse effect of distance to energy infrastructure on grouse behavior; however, the combination of non‐significant pooled regression slopes and high among‐study heterogeneity suggest the effect of distance to energy infrastructure is context dependent. While distance to infrastructure is a common metric used in many grouse management plans, our results suggest distance to infrastructure may not be a reliable predictor of grouse behavior and the effect is context dependent making management prescriptions based solely on distance to infrastructure in a one size fits all approach difficult. Our analysis points to numerous aspects that scientists can improve upon by evaluating density in conjunction with distance to energy infrastructure as well as reporting the necessary statistics for future meta‐analyses.
Datasets for Artificial Intelligence in Education: The Case of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Bueno Marcos L. P. , Thill Serge
Published: August 2023

Artificial intelligence has shown promise for supporting children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in educational settings. For such vulnerable population, aspects such as emotion, communication, and motivation are very relevant, but also challenging to be modeled. In this work, we focus on the machine learning technology used in such scenarios, in particular the characteristics of datasets used for model training. We do this by analyzing recent papers on children with NDDs. This will give insight into existing trade-offs, such as data annotation involved in data collection, as well as automation aspects. We also analyze opportunities offered by the functionalities of ML models trained on such datasets. In addition, we point out limitations and future challenges to help advance the area.
WC–Co/316L stainless steel bonding enhancement by laser surface texturing and pressure-assisted sintering
Authors: Basílio Liudmila , Guimarães Bruno , Carvalho Óscar , Fernandes Cristina , Figueiredo Daniel , Silva Filipe , Miranda Georgina
Published: August 2023

WC–Co cutting tools are widely used in harsh conditions, but the brittleness of this material can limit their use. Joining steels to WC–Co can provide an alternative, by combining the toughness of steel with the high hardness and wear resistance of WC–Co. The creation of textures at the bonding interface is known to increase the adhesion between materials, through a mechanical interlocking effect and an increase in the contact area. In this sense, this work proposes the laser surface texturing of WC–Co green compacts with cross-hatched and circular micropatterns and subsequent pressure-assisted sintering of the textured and sintered WC–Co with 316L SS powder to improve the bonding between materials. Results showed that the bonding of the textured multi-material was successfully processed and an interdiffusion zone was formed at the bonding interface without the presence of detrimental compounds. The addition of textures showed a tendency to increase the shear bond strength, with the cross-hatched micropatterns generally showing a higher bonding strength than the circular micropatterns. This approach showed to have the potential to improve the bonding between materials, thus contributing to the development of novel multi-material WC–Co/316L stainless steel cutting tools with enhanced properties and performance.
Cysteine conjugates of acetaminophen and p-aminophenol are potent inducers of cellular impairment in human proximal tubular kidney HK-2 cells
Authors: Rousar Tomas , Handl Jiri , Capek Jan , Nyvltova Pavlina , Rousarova Erika , Kubat Miroslav , Smid Lenka , Vanova Jana , Malinak David , Musilek Kamil , Cesla Petr
Published: August 2023

Acetaminophen (APAP) belong among the most used analgesics and antipyretics. It is structurally derived from p-aminophenol (PAP), a potent inducer of kidney toxicity. Both compounds can be metabolized to oxidation products and conjugated with glutathione. The glutathione-conjugates can be cleaved to provide cysteine conjugates considered as generally nontoxic. The aim of the present report was to synthesize and to purify both APAP- and PAP-cysteine conjugates and, as the first study at all, to evaluate their biological effects in human kidney HK-2 cells in comparison to parent compounds. HK-2 cells were treated with tested compounds (0–1000 µM) for up to 24 h. Cell viability, glutathione levels, ROS production and mitochondrial function were determined. After 24 h, we found that both APAP- and PAP-cysteine conjugates (1 mM) were capable to induce harmful cellular damage observed as a decrease of glutathione levels to 10% and 0%, respectively, compared to control cells. In addition, we detected the disappearance of mitochondrial membrane potential in these cells. In the case of PAP-cysteine, the extent of cellular impairment was comparable to that induced by PAP at similar doses. On the other hand, 1 mM APAP-cysteine induced even larger damage of HK-2 cells compared to 1 mM APAP after 6 or 24 h. We conclude that cysteine conjugates with aminophenol are potent inducers of oxidative stress causing significant injury in kidney cells. Thus, the harmful effects cysteine-aminophenolic conjugates ought to be considered in the description of APAP or PAP toxicity.
Evaluation of the effect of previous endometriosis surgery on clinical and surgical outcomes of subsequent endometriosis surgery
Authors: Tummers Fokkedien H. M. P. , Peltenburg Sophie I. , Metzemaekers Jeroen , Jansen Frank Willem , Blikkendaal Mathijs D.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Patients often undergo repeat surgery for endometriosis, due to recurrent or residual disease. Previous surgery is often considered a risk factor for worse surgical outcome. However, data are scarce concerning the influence of subsequent endometriosis surgery.

Methods

A retrospective study in a centre of expertise for endometriosis was conducted. All endometriosis subtypes and intra-operative steps were included. Detailed information regarding surgical history of patients was collected. Surgical time, intra-operative steps and major post-operative complications were obtained as outcome measures.

Results

595 patients were included, of which 45.9% had previous endometriosis surgery. 7.9% had major post-operative complications and 4.4% intra-operative complications. The patient journey showed a median of 3 years between previous endometriosis surgeries. Each previous therapeutic laparotomic surgery resulted on average in 13 additional minutes (p = 0.013) of surgical time. Additionally, it resulted in more frequent performance of adhesiolysis (OR 2.96, p < 0.001) and in a higher risk for intra-operative complications (OR 1.81, p = 0.045), however no higher risk for major post-operative complications (OR 1.29, p = 0.418). Previous therapeutic laparoscopic endometriosis surgery, laparotomic and laparoscopic non-endometriosis surgery showed no association with surgical outcomes. Regardless of previous surgery, disc and segmental bowel resection showed a higher risk for major post-operative complications (OR 3.64, p = 0.017 respectively OR 3.50, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Previous therapeutic laparotomic endometriosis surgery shows an association with longer surgical time, the need to perform adhesiolysis, and more intra-operative complications in the subsequent surgery for endometriosis. However, in a centre of expertise with experienced surgeons, no increased risk of major post-operative complications was observed.
Construction of the survival nomograms for colon cancer patients of different ages based on the SEER database
Authors: Yang Yuzhou , Xu Peng , Zhang Cheng
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Three nomograms for predicting the outcomes of early- and late-onset colon cancer (COCA) among patients not stratified by age were constructed using data in the Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database (1975–2019). The accuracy of the nomogram was then assessed.

Method

Clinical data of 6107 patients with COCA were obtained from the SEER database. The patients were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts in a ratio of 7:3. Univariate and multivariate COX analyses of factors that could independently impact the prognosis of COCA were performed, and the corresponding nomograms for early-onset and late-onset COCA were constructed. Calibration curves, ROC curves, and C-index were used to determine the predictive accuracy. The discriminatory ability of the nomograms to assess their clinical utility, which was compared with the TNM staging system of the 8th edition of AJCC, was verified using survival analysis.

Result

Tumor primary site, ethnicity, and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level significantly impacted the prognosis of colon cancer. Race, brain metastasis, and CEA were independent factors for predicting COCA prognosis. C-index, ROC, and calibration curves demonstrated that the three nomograms were accurate and superior to the traditional TNM staging system. Among the three nomograms, the early-onset COCA nomogram had the highest predictive accuracy, followed by that of colon cancer not stratified by age.

Conclusion

Three nomograms for patients not stratified by age, early-onset colon cancer, and late-onset colon cancer were constructed. The accuracies of the nomograms were good and were all superior to the conventional TNM staging system. The early- and late-onset COCA nomograms are useful for clinical management and individualized treatment of COCA patients at different ages.
Indications, complications, and clinical outcomes of fixation and acute total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of acetabular fractures: A systematic review
Authors: Giustra Fortunato , Cacciola Giorgio , Pirato Francesco , Bosco Francesco , De Martino Ivan , Sabatini Luigi , Rovere Giuseppe , Camarda Lawrence , Massè Alessandro
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Acetabular fracture fixation can be challenging, especially in the elderly. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) alone may not allow for early weight bearing and is associated with a high rate of secondary osteoarthritis; therefore, a combined hip procedure (CHP) or ORIF with acute total hip arthroplasty, may be beneficial in this population. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of all reported cases of CHP.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies analyzing acetabular fractures in the elderly managed with a combined hip procedure (CHP). The research was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. The included studies' methodological quality was evaluated using the MINORS score. The present study was registered on PROSPERO.

Results

Eleven clinical studies were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 74.4 (63.2–78) years. Low-energy trauma was the most common mechanism of injury (64%). The most prevalent fracture pattern was the anterior column and posterior hemitransverse (ACPHT) (30.6%). The Kocher-Langenbeck approach was preferred for ORIF of posterior fractures and hip arthroplasty. The ilioinguinal approach and modified Stoppa were generally used for anterior fractures. The overall complication rate was 12.2%, and hip dislocation was the most frequent cause of reoperation (4.4%). The average Harris Hip Score reported postoperatively was 81.6 points, which was considered “good.”

Conclusions

CHP is a safe treatment for elderly acetabular fractures with an acceptable complication and reoperation rate that results in good clinical outcomes.

Level of evidence

Level of evidence IV.
Analysis, characterization, prediction, and attribution of extreme atmospheric events with machine learning and deep learning techniques: a review
Authors: Salcedo-Sanz Sancho , Pérez-Aracil Jorge , Ascenso Guido , Del Ser Javier , Casillas-Pérez David , Kadow Christopher , Fister Dušan , Barriopedro David , García-Herrera Ricardo , Giuliani Matteo , Castelletti Andrea
Published: August 2023

Atmospheric extreme events cause severe damage to human societies and ecosystems. The frequency and intensity of extremes and other associated events are continuously increasing due to climate change and global warming. The accurate prediction, characterization, and attribution of atmospheric extreme events is, therefore, a key research field in which many groups are currently working by applying different methodologies and computational tools. Machine learning and deep learning methods have arisen in the last years as powerful techniques to tackle many of the problems related to atmospheric extreme events. This paper reviews machine learning and deep learning approaches applied to the analysis, characterization, prediction, and attribution of the most important atmospheric extremes. A summary of the most used machine learning and deep learning techniques in this area, and a comprehensive critical review of literature related to ML in EEs, are provided. The critical literature review has been extended to extreme events related to rainfall and floods, heatwaves and extreme temperatures, droughts, severe weather events and fog, and low-visibility episodes. A case study focused on the analysis of extreme atmospheric temperature prediction with ML and DL techniques is also presented in the paper. Conclusions, perspectives, and outlooks on the field are finally drawn.
Implicitisation and Parameterisation in Polynomial Functors
Authors: Blatter Andreas , Draisma Jan , Ventura Emanuele
Published: August 2023

In earlier work, the second author showed that a closed subset of a polynomial functor can always be defined by finitely many polynomial equations. In follow-up work on $${\text {GL}}_\infty $$

GL
∞

-varieties, Bik–Draisma–Eggermont–Snowden showed, among other things, that in characteristic zero every such closed subset is the image of a morphism whose domain is the product of a finite-dimensional affine variety and a polynomial functor. In this paper, we show that both results can be made algorithmic: there exists an algorithm $$\textbf{implicitise}$$
implicitise
that takes as input a morphism into a polynomial functor and outputs finitely many equations defining the closure of the image; and an algorithm $$\textbf{parameterise}$$
parameterise
that takes as input a finite set of equations defining a closed subset of a polynomial functor and outputs a morphism whose image is that closed subset.
Lipid metabolic vulnerabilities of multiple myeloma
Authors: Torcasio Roberta , Gallo Cantafio Maria Eugenia , Ikeda Raissa Kaori , Ganino Ludovica , Viglietto Giuseppe , Amodio Nicola
Published: August 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy worldwide, characterized by abnormal proliferation of malignant plasma cells within a tumor-permissive bone marrow microenvironment. Metabolic dysfunctions are emerging as key determinants in the pathobiology of MM. In this review, we highlight the metabolic features of MM, showing how alterations in various lipid pathways, mainly involving fatty acids, cholesterol and sphingolipids, affect the growth, survival and drug responsiveness of MM cells, as well as their cross-talk with other cellular components of the tumor microenvironment. These findings will provide a new path to understanding the mechanisms underlying how lipid vulnerabilities may arise and affect the phenotype of malignant plasma cells, highlighting novel druggable pathways with a significant impact on the management of MM.
The effects of Paulownia leaf extract dietary administration on growth, redox status, immune responses, and modulate intestinal microbial content in Nile tilapia
Authors: El-Refiae Nagham M. , Ayyat Mohamed S. , Mahmoud Hemat K. , Naiel Mohammed A. E.
Published: August 2023

The primary goal of this trial was to examine how Paulownia leaf extract (PLE) dietary supplementation affected performance, feed utilization and efficiency, redox status, immunological responses, intestinal microbial content, and disease resistance of Oreochromis niloticus. Nile tilapia fry (0.52 ± 0.19 g) were fed four formulated diets enriched with graded amounts of PLE at 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g kg−1 diet, respectively, for 60 days. At the end of the feeding trial, fish were intraperitoneal injected with Aeromonas hydrophila then the survival percentage was recorded daily and calculated mortality rate in all treated groups for 14 days. The performance findings showed that enriched tilapia diets with modest levels of PLE (0.25 or 0.5 g kg−1) substantially enhanced performance, consumed feed, feed efficiency, and feed utilization parameters compared to the control and other treatment groups, whereas the total serum protein and globulin concentrations were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the fish provided a small quantity of PLE (2.5 g kg-1 diet) than in the control group. Compared to other treatment groups, all estimated liver enzymes and kidney function indicators improved significantly (P < 0.001) at PLE0.5, followed by PLE2.5, whereas the digestive enzymes’ activity increased significantly (P < 0.001) with increasing PLE level up to 0.5 g/kg diet compared to the un-supplemented group. In the same context, enriched tilapia diets with 0.5 g PLE/kg significantly (P < 0.001) boosted redox status and innate immune parameters as compared to other groups. Furthermore, increased PL inclusion levels in tilapia diets significantly (P < 0.05) increased crude protein and ash contents while decreasing fat levels in fish flesh. Moreover, fortified tilapia diets with high PLE levels significantly enhanced the survival percentage and diminished the development of all gram-negative intestinal microbial content. Finally, the results strongly recommend enriched tilapia diets with 0.25 or 0.5 g /Kg for promoting performance and health status.
Is HER2 ultra-low breast cancer different from HER2 null or HER2 low breast cancer? A study of 1363 patients
Authors: Chen Zhaoxu , Jia Huiqing , Zhang Huina , Chen Lifang , Zhao Peng , Zhao Jing , Fu Guangming , Xing Xiaoming , Li Yujun , Wang Chengqin
Published: August 2023

Objective

This study aims to analyze whether there are any differences in clinicopathological features and prognosis between HER2 ultra-low, HER2-null, and HER2-low expression in Chinese breast cancer (BC) patients.

Methods

The clinicopathological data of 1363 HER2-negative BC patients were retrospectively collected (from January 2018 to December 2019). HER2 status was further classified into HER2-null, HER2 ultra-low, and HER2-low. HER2-null expression is defined as infiltrating cancer cells completely free of staining. HER2 ultra-low expression is defined as ≤10% of infiltrating cancer cells showing incomplete and faint/weak membrane staining. HER2-low expression is defined as HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ or 2+ with negative in situ hybridization (ISH) assay.

Results

Of 1363 patients, there were 86 (6.3%) HER2-null patients, 395 (29.0%) HER2 ultra-low patients, and 882 (64.7%) HER2-low patients. HER2 ultra-low patients were different from HER2-low patients in terms of N stage, hormone receptor (HR) status, Ki-67 expression, and type of surgery. There were also significant differences in histologic type and postoperative endocrine therapy between HER2 ultra-low and HER2-null patients. HR+ (81.0%) tumors was more common than HR− (19.0%) in HER2 ultra-low patients. In addition, there was a significant difference in HR status between HER2 ultra-low and HER2-low patients (P = 0.001). The survival analysis showed that HER2 status had no effect on disease-free survival (DFS) in HER2-negative patients (all P > 0.05). However, regardless of HER2 status, HR+ patients had better DFS than HR− patients (P = 0.003). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that age (HR [95% CI] = 0.950 [0.928, 0.972], P < 0.001), HR status (HR [95% CI] = 3.342 [1.658, 6.736], P = 0.001), and postoperative endocrine therapy (HR [95% CI] = 0.048 [0.048, 0.023], P < 0.001) were important influencing factors of DFS in HER2-negative BC patients.

Conclusion

HER2 ultra-low BC patients demonstrated distinct clinicopathological features from HER2-null and HER2-low tumors; while, HER2 status (null, ultra-low, or low) had no prognostic value in these HER2-negative BC population. Consistent with the published literature, HR status was an independent prognostic factor for DFS in HER2-negative BC patients.
A Critical Introduction to the Usual Robust Control Framework in Macroeconomics
Authors: Tucci Marco P.
Published: August 2023

By applying robust control the decision maker wants to make good decisions when his model is only a good approximation of the true one. Such decisions are said to be robust to model misspecification. In this paper it is shown that the application of the usual robust control framework in discrete time problems is associated with some interesting, if not unexpected, results. Results that have far reaching consequences when robust control is applied sequentially, say every year in fiscal policy or every quarter (month) in monetary policy. This is true when unstructured uncertainty à la Hansen and Sargent is used, both in the case of a “probabilistically sophisticated” and a non- “probabilistically sophisticated” decision maker, or when uncertainty is related to unknown structural parameters of the model.
Topical application of dsRNAs targeting Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) reduces its titer in the CTV infected sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
Authors: Borah Munmi , Nath Palash Deb , Chaudhury Supratik Pal , Biswas Kajal Kumar , Patil Basavaprabhu L. , Voloudakis Andreas
Published: August 2023

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is found worldwide wherever citrus is cultivated, causing Citrus tristeza disease resulting in significant yield losses and sometimes the death of the plant. Transgenic citrus plants encoding CTV gene sequences have shown to exhibit pathogen-derived resistance to CTV. Exogenous application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is an established strategy for plant virus control, making this method an attractive alternative to transgenic RNA interference (RNAi). The dsRNA molecules targeting the CP, p20, and p23 genes of CTV G8 strain were synthesized in vitro and topically applied onto the leaves of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) infected with CTV strain G8. The exogenous application of all the dsRNAs reduced CTV titer at 10 days post application (dpa) as revealed by quantitative RT-PCR assay done at four different time points. These results provide a proof-of-concept for a non-transgenic approach of controlling CTV, a closterovirus, in a perennial fruit crop such as citrus.
FDI, new development philosophy and China’s high-quality economic development
Authors: Zhang Shaohui , Han Zhongxian , Guo Mingwei
Published: August 2023

Numerous studies have extensively investigated the influence of foreign direct investment (FDI) on China's economic development from diverse angles, encompassing technological innovation, industrial structure, environmental pollution, foreign trade, and more. However, there is a scarcity of studies that comprehensively examine the hollistic impact of FDI on China's present model of "high-quality" economic development. Therefore, this study proposes a multi-path mechanism using the partial least-squares structural equation modeling to investigate the direct and indirect effects of them from 2012 to 2021. The findings show that, in general, FDI has played a crucial role in promoting high-quality economic development of China nationally and regionally, such as innovative development, green development, shared development, foreign trade, and economic security. Meanwhile, FDI has had a negative impact on harmonized development. Moreover, FDI has had a negative impact on the foreign trade in the middle region; while, FDI has not promoted high-quality economic development directly in the western region. Therefore, a scientific understanding of the relative importance of different paths can help decision-makers make more valid decisions, such as scientifically guiding FDI into rural areas and the tertiary industry; encouraging FDI firms to export in the middle region, increasing the entry threshold for FDI in the west region.
Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Brazilian pepper) leaves extract: in vitro and in vivo evidence of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Authors: da Silva Nascimento Marcel , dos Santos Péligris H. , de Abreu Fabiula F. , Shan Andrea Y. K. V. , Amaral Ricardo G. , Andrade Luciana N. , Souto Eliana B. , Santos Matheus I. S. , de Souza Graça Ariel , Souza Jesica B. , Raimundo e Silva Joanda P. , Tavares Josean F. , de Oliveira e Silva Ana M. , Correa Cristiane B. , Montalvão Monalisa M. , Piacente Sonia , Pizza Cosimo , Camargo Enilton A. , dos Santos Estevam Charles
Published: August 2023

The aim of this work was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of ethyl acetate extract obtained from the leaves of Brazilian peppertree Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (EAELSt). Total phenols and flavonoids, chemical constituents, in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH and lipoperoxidation assays), and cytotoxicity in L929 fibroblasts were determined. In vivo anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties were evaluated using TPA-induced ear inflammation model in mice. Phenol and flavonoid contents were 19.2 ± 0.4 and 93.8 ± 5.2 of gallic acid or quercetin equivalents/g, respectively. LC–MS analysis identified 43 compounds, of which myricetin-O-pentoside and quercetin-O-rhamnoside were major peaks of chromatogram. Incubation with EAELSt decreased the amount of DPPH radical (EC50 of 54.5 ± 2.4 µg/mL) and lipoperoxidation at 200–500 µg/mL. The incubation with EAELSt did not change fibroblast viability up to 100 µg/mL. Topical treatment with EAELSt significantly reduced edema and myeloperoxidase activity at 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/ear when compared to the vehicle-treated group. In addition, EAELSt decreased IL-6 and TNF-α levels and increased IL-10 levels. Besides, it modulated markers of oxidative stress (reduced total hydroperoxides and increased sulfhydryl contents and ferrium reduction potential) and increased the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase, without altering GPx activity.
Research ethics in practice: An analysis of ethical issues encountered in qualitative health research with mental health service users and relatives
Authors: Potthoff Sarah , Hempeler Christin , Gather Jakov , Gieselmann Astrid , Vollmann Jochen , Scholten Matthé
Published: August 2023

The ethics review of qualitative health research poses various challenges that are due to a mismatch between the current practice of ethics review and the nature of qualitative methodology. The process of obtaining ethics approval for a study by a research ethics committee before the start of a research study has been described as “procedural ethics” and the identification and handling of ethical issues by researchers during the research process as “ethics in practice.” While some authors dispute and other authors defend the use of procedural ethics in relation to qualitative health research, there is general agreement that it needs to be supplemented with ethics in practice. This article aims to provide an illustration of research ethics in practice by reflecting on the ways in which we identified and addressed ethical and methodological issues that arose in the context of an interview study with mental health service users and relatives. We describe the challenges we faced and the solutions we found in relation to the potential vulnerability of research participants, the voluntariness of consent, the increase of participant access and the heterogeneity of the sample, the protection of privacy and internal confidentiality, and the consideration of personal and contextual factors.
A Marxist-Humanist perspective on Stuart Hall’s communication theory
Authors: Fuchs Christian
Published: August 2023

At the end of his life, Stuart Hall called for the reengagement of Cultural Studies and Marxism. This paper contributes to this task. It analyses Stuart Hall’s works on communication and the media.

The goal of the paper is to read Stuart Hall in a manner that can inform the renewal of Marxist Humanism and the development of a Marxist-Humanist theory of communication. This involves reconstructing elements of Hall’s approach, criticising certain aspects of his work, and through this engagement developing new theory elements.

The article’s analysis of Stuart Hall’s theory of communication and the media is conducted in four steps. First, the paper reengages and re-evaluates what Hall called the two paradigms of Cultural Studies: Structuralism and “Culturalism”/Humanism. It discusses the role of human agency in society. Second, the paper engages with Hall’s and Althusser’s notions of articulation and sets the notion of articulation in relation to the concept of communication. Third, it discusses the relationship between communication and work in the context of Hall’s works. Fourth, the article revisits and engages with Hall’s encoding/decoding-model in the context of digitalisation.

This paper grounds a dialectical concept of communication that is based on the dialectic of articulating and articulatedness, the dialectic of work and communication, as well as the dialectic of communication in the public sphere and society’s power forcefields. It shows how a critical, dialectical theory of communication benefits from engagement with Stuart Hall’s works. The present work argues with, for, against, and beyond Stuart Hall in order or productively draw on ideas that emerge from this engagement.
Detecting bots with temporal logic
Authors: Pedersen Mina Young , Slavkovik Marija , Smets Sonja
Published: August 2023

Social bots are computer programs that act like human users on social media platforms. Social bot detection is a rapidly growing field dominated by machine learning approaches. In this paper, we propose a complementary method to machine learning by exploring bot detection as a model checking problem. We introduce Temporal Network Logic (TNL) which we use to specify social networks where agents can post and follow each other. Using this logic, we formalize different types of social bot behavior with formulas that are satisfied in a model of a network with bots. We also consider an extension of the logic where we explore the expressive power of including elements from hybrid logic in our framework. We give model checking algorithms for TNL and its hybrid extension, and show that the complexity of the former is in p and the latter in pspace.