bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Intricacies and Advances in Neuroendocrine Tumors: An Organ-Based Multidisciplinary Approach
Authors: Asmundo Luigi , Ambrosini Valentina , Anderson Mark A. , Fanti Stefano , Bradley William R. , Campana Davide , Mojtahed Amirkasra , Chung Ryan , Mcdermott Shaunagh , Digumarthy Subba , Ursprung Stephan , Nikolau Konstantin , Fintelmann Florian J. , Blake Michael , Fernandez-del Castillo Carlos , Qadan Motaz , Pandey Ankur , Clark Jeffrey W. , Catalano Onofrio A.
Published: April 2024

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare neoplasms originating from neuroendocrine cells, with increasing incidence due to enhanced detection methods. These tumors display considerable heterogeneity, necessitating diverse management strategies based on factors like organ of origin and tumor size. This article provides a comprehensive overview of therapeutic approaches for NENs, emphasizing the role of imaging in treatment decisions. It categorizes tumors based on their locations: gastric, duodenal, pancreatic, small bowel, colonic, rectal, appendiceal, gallbladder, prostate, lung, gynecological, and others. The piece also elucidates the challenges in managing metastatic disease and controversies surrounding MEN1–neuroendocrine tumor management. The article underscores the significance of individualized treatment plans, underscoring the need for a multidisciplinary approach to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Portal Hemodynamics in Liver Resection and Transplantation
Authors: Rela Mohamed , Rammohan Ashwin , Rajalingam Rajesh , Clavien Pierre-Alain
Published: April 2024

The hepatic blood supply and its several homeostatic and pathologic processes has always been a matter of great interest. Many views commonly held today are derived from an earlier era, but major reorientations have occurred recently in almost all aspects of knowledge of the role and regulation of hepatic blood flow. Moreover, with the advent of liver transplantation (LT), especially living donor LT (LDLT) there has been a resurgence of interest in attempting to comprehend this deceptively simple topic. It is nonetheless important to concede that even though our knowledge on the practical modulation of hepatic hemodynamics has expanded enormously, there still remain the need to explore the depths of our remaining ignorance to further improve outcomes in LDLT. This review focuses on the current view, controversies and gaps in knowledge of the hepatic vascular bed, with an emphasis on the importance of portal hemodynamics in liver disease and its impact on liver regeneration and LT.
‘Space Weather Sentinels’: Halley and the evolution of geospace science
Authors: Oates Alice E.
Published: April 2024

The words ‘Antarctic science’ are often synonymous with dramatic, sublime images of penguins and frozen landscapes, but not all Antarctic science looks to the ice or its megafauna. While Antarctica is an important focus of scientific research in its own right, it is also a platform ideally suited to the pursuit of geophysical science—such as solar–terrestrial physics. Investigating the histories of these fields of science contributes not only to our understanding of the history of Antarctic science, but also to the evolution of Antarctic research stations as sites entangled in international networks of people and places beyond Earth's coldest continent. This paper presents the case of Halley VI research station, a British Antarctic Survey station on the Brunt Ice Shelf in East Antarctica, and its co-evolution with geospace science throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Halley's infrastructure and science shaped, and were shaped by, the evolution of geospace science in this period, via Halley's involvement in a series of international geospace collaborations. This co-evolution also affected how the British Antarctic Survey was able to respond to changing UK science policies in later decades. This case demonstrates that Antarctic stations, while physically remote, have historically been entangled in complex networks of people, politics and science that range far beyond Antarctica itself.
Microbaculum marinisediminis sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment
Authors: Zhang Zi-Rui , Yuan Si-Mo , Ye Yu-Qi , Zhang Xin-Yue , Du Zong-Jun
Published: April 2024

A novel Gram-stain-negative and facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated A6E488T, was isolated from intertidal sediment collected from Xiaoshi Island, Weihai, PR China (122° 1′ E 37° 31′ N). Cells of strain A6E488T were rod-shaped with widths of 0.3–0.4 µm and lengths of 1.1–1.8 µm. The optimal growth conditions were determined to be in 1 % (w/v) NaCl, at 37 °C, and at pH 7.0. The predominant fatty acids (≥10 %) were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (59.7 %) and summed feature 8 (13.8 %, C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c). The sole isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. Oxidase activity was negative but catalase activity was positive. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified glycolipid, and one unidentified lipid. Based on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain A6E488T showed the highest sequence similarity to Microbaculum marinum MCCC 1K03192T (97.6 %). The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain A6E488T and M. marinum MCCC 1K03192T did not exceed 78 and 22 %, respectively. These values are below the recommended thresholds of 95 % (ANI) and 70 % (dDDH) for prokaryotic species delineation. On the basis of gene annotation, it was observed that strain A6E488T possesses the capability for thiosulphate oxidation, suggesting that this strain might be important in the sulphur cycle. Based on the results of phenotypic, genotypic, and chemical characterization, strain A6E488T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Microbaculum, for which the name Microbaculum marinisediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A6E488T (=KCTC 92197T=MCCC 1H00516T).
Ecology shapes the genomic and biosynthetic diversification of Streptomyces bacteria from insectivorous bats
Authors: Montoya-Giraldo Manuela , Piper Kathryn R. , Ikhimiukor Odion O. , Park Cooper J. , Caimi Nicole A. , Buecher Debbie C. , Valdez Ernest W. , Northup Diana E. , Andam Cheryl P.
Published: April 2024

Streptomyces are prolific producers of secondary metabolites from which many clinically useful compounds have been derived. They inhabit diverse habitats but have rarely been reported in vertebrates. Here, we aim to determine to what extent the ecological source (bat host species and cave sites) influence the genomic and biosynthetic diversity of Streptomyces bacteria. We analysed draft genomes of 132 Streptomyces isolates sampled from 11 species of insectivorous bats from six cave sites in Arizona and New Mexico, USA. We delineated 55 species based on the genome-wide average nucleotide identity and core genome phylogenetic tree. Streptomyces isolates that colonize the same bat species or inhabit the same site exhibit greater overall genomic similarity than they do with Streptomyces from other bat species or sites. However, when considering biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) alone, BGC distribution is not structured by the ecological or geographical source of the Streptomyces that carry them. Each genome carried between 19–65 BGCs (median=42.5) and varied even among members of the same Streptomyces species. Nine major classes of BGCs were detected in ten of the 11 bat species and in all sites: terpene, non-ribosomal peptide synthetase, polyketide synthase, siderophore, RiPP-like, butyrolactone, lanthipeptide, ectoine, melanin. Finally, Streptomyces genomes carry multiple hybrid BGCs consisting of signature domains from two to seven distinct BGC classes. Taken together, our results bring critical insights to understanding Streptomyces-bat ecology and BGC diversity that may contribute to bat health and in augmenting current efforts in natural product discovery, especially from underexplored or overlooked environments.
Accurate determination of breed origin of alleles in a simulated smallholder crossbred dairy cattle population
Authors: Welderufael Berihu , Houaga Isidore , Gaynor Chris R , Gorjanc Gregor , Hickey John M
Published: April 2024

Background

Accurate assignment of breed origin of alleles at a heterozygote locus may help to introduce a resilient or adaptive haplotype in crossbreeding. In this study, we developed and tested a method to assign breed of origin for individual alleles in crossbred dairy cattle. After generations of mating within and between local breeds as well as the importation of exotic bulls, five rounds of selected crossbred cows were simulated to mimic a dairy breeding programme in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In each round of selection, the alleles of those crossbred animals were phased and assigned to their breed of origin (being either local or exotic).

Results

Across all core lengths and modes of phasing (with offset or no), the average percentage of alleles correctly assigned a breed origin was 95.76%, with only 1.39% incorrectly assigned and 2.85% missing or unassigned. On consensus, the average percentage of alleles correctly assigned a breed origin was 93.21%, with only 0.46% incorrectly assigned and 6.33% missing or unassigned. This high proportion of alleles correctly assigned a breed origin resulted in a high core-based mean accuracy of 0.99 and a very high consensus-based mean accuracy of 1.00. The algorithm’s assignment yield and accuracy were affected by the choice of threshold levels for the best match of assignments. The threshold level had the opposite effect on assignment yield and assignment accuracy. A less stringent threshold generated higher assignment yields and lower assignment accuracy.

Conclusions

We developed an algorithm that accurately assigns a breed origin to alleles of crossbred animals designed to represent breeding programmes in the LMICs. The developed algorithm is straightforward in its application and does not require prior knowledge of pedigree, which makes it more relevant and applicable in LMICs breeding programmes.
Hepatitis E Virus-induced antiviral response by plasmacytoid dendritic cells is modulated by the ORF2 protein
Authors: Joshi Garima , Décembre Elodie , Brocard Jacques , Montpellier Claire , Ferrié Martin , Allatif Omran , Mehnert Ann-Kathrin , Pons Johann , Galiana Delphine , Dao Thi Viet Loan , Jouvenet Nolwenn , Cocquerel Laurence , Dreux Marlène
Published: April 2024

Type I and III interferons (IFN-I/III) are critical to protect the host during viral infection. Previous studies have shown that IFN-mediated antiviral responses against hepatitis E virus (HEV) are suppressed and defeated by viral escape mechanisms at play in infected hepatocytes. Here, we studied the anti-HEV function of IFN secreted by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which are specialized producers of IFNs. We showed that pDCs co-cultured with HEV-replicating cells secreted IFN in a cell-to-cell contact-dependent manner. Pharmacological inhibitor and antibodies targeting contact proteins revealed that pDC response against HEV required the endosomal nucleic-acid sensor TLR7 and adhesion molecules, such as ICAM-I and αLβ2-integrin. IFNs secreted by pDCs reduced viral spread. Intriguingly, ORF2, the capsid protein of HEV, can be produced in various forms by the infected cells. During infection, a fraction of the intracellular ORF2 protein localizes into the nucleus while another ORF2 fraction packages viral genomes to produce infectious virions. In parallel, glycosylated forms of ORF2 are also massively secreted by infected cells. Using viral genome expressing ORF2 mutants, we showed that glycosylated ORF2 forms contribute to better recognition of infected cells by pDCs via regulation of contacts between infected cells and pDCs. ORF2 forms may thus modulate pDC-mediated anti-HEV response. Together, our results suggest that liver-resident pDCs, which exhibit comparable IFN-producing ability as blood-derived pDCs, may be essential to control HEV replication.
The DNA event horizon in the Guaymas Basin subsurface biosphere: technical advances and re-defined limits in bulk extractions of nucleic acids from deep marine sediments
Authors: Ramirez Gustavo A , Mara Paraskevi , Beaudoin David , Bojanova Diana , Hinkle John E , Kingham Brewster , Edgcomb Virginia P , Morono Yuki , Teske Andreas
Published: April 2024

We compiled DNA and RNA isolation protocols for sediment bulk extraction and their yields from Guaymas Basin subsurface sediments, and evaluated their sensitivity for metagenomic and amplicon analyses of subsurface microbial communities. Guaymas Basin sediments present a challenge for DNA and RNA recovery due to high concentrations of hydrocarbons, steep thermal gradients and rapidly declining cell numbers downcore. Metagenomic library construction and sequencing was possible from as little as 0.2 to 0.5 ng DNA/cm3 sediment; PCR amplification of 16S rRNA genes required in most cases approx. 1-2 ng DNA/cm3 sediment. At in-situ temperatures of 50 to 60 degrees C, decreasing DNA recovery leads to increasingly uncertain "hit or miss" outcomes and to failures for metagenomic and amplicon analyses. DNA concentration profiles show that, even before these hot temperatures are reached, relatively moderate temperatures have a major effect on microbial abundance and DNA yield. Comparison with cell count profiles shows that hydrothermal influence is reducing downcore cell densities by multiple orders of magnitude faster compared to non-hydrothermal sediments; this effect is also visible at relatively moderate temperatures. To an even greater degree than DNA, RNA recovery is highly sensitive to downcore increasing temperatures and decreasing cell numbers, and worked best for microbial communities in cool, relatively shallow subsurface sediments.
General purpose potential for glassy and crystalline phases of Cu-Zr alloys based on the ACE formalism
Authors: Leimeroth Niklas , Rohrer Jochen , Albe Karsten
Published: April 2024

A general purpose machine-learning interatomic potential (MLIP) for the Cu-Zr system is presented based on the atomic cluster expansion formalism [R. Drautz, ]. By using an extensive set of Cu-Zr training data generated withdensity functional theory, this potential describes a wide range of properties of crystalline as well as amorphous phases within the whole compositional range. Therefore, the machine learning interatomic potential (MLIP) can reproduce the experimental phase diagram and amorphous structure with considerably improved accuracy. A massively different short-range order compared to classica interatomic potentials is found in glassy Cu-Zr samples, shedding light on the role of the full icosahedral motif in the material. Tensile tests of B2-CuZr inclusions in an Cu50Zr50 amorphous matrix reveal the occurrence of martensitic phase transformations in this crystal-glass nanocomposite.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Low-depth random Clifford circuits for quantum coding against Pauli noise using a tensor-network decoder
Authors: Darmawan Andrew S. , Nakata Yoshifumi , Tamiya Shiro , Yamasaki Hayata
Published: April 2024

Recent work [M. J. Gullans , ] has shown that quantum error correcting codes defined by random Clifford encoding circuits can achieve a nonzero encoding rate in correcting errors even if the random circuits on n qubits, embedded in one spatial dimension (1D), have a logarithmic depth d=O(logn). However, this was demonstrated only for a simple erasure noise model. In this work, we discover that, for the same class of codes, this desired property indeed holds for the conventional Pauli noise model. Specifically, we numerically demonstrate that the hashing bound, i.e., a rate known to be achieved with d=O(n)-depth random encoding circuits, can be attained for the above codes even when the circuit depth is restricted to d=O(logn) in 1D for depolarizing noise of various strengths. This analysis is made possible with our development of a tensor-network maximum-likelihood decoding algorithm that works efficiently for log-depth encoding circuits in 1D.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Topologically protected Casimir effect for lattice fermions
Authors: Beenakker C. W. J.
Published: April 2024

The electromagnetic Casimir effect has a fermionic counterpart in topological insulators: Zero-point fluctuations of a massless Dirac fermion field mediate a force between magnetic scatterers. The Casimir force is insensitive to disorder that preserves the topological protection of an unpaired Dirac cone. The protection may be broken if the Dirac equation is discretized, and an exponential suppression of the Casimir effect will result if a gap opens at the Dirac point. Here, we show how this lattice artifact may be avoided, by applying a recently developed local discretization of the Euclidean action that does not suffer from the fermion-doubling obstruction of local discretizations of the Hamiltonian.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Amoeba Formulation of Non-Bloch Band Theory in Arbitrary Dimensions
Authors: Wang Hong-Yi , Song Fei , Wang Zhong
Published: April 2024

The non-Hermitian skin effect dramatically reshapes the energy bands of non-Hermitian systems, meaning that the usual Bloch band theory is fundamentally inadequate as their characterization. The non-Bloch band theory, in which the concept of Brillouin zone is generalized, has been widely applied to investigate non-Hermitian systems in one spatial dimension. However, its generalization to higher dimensions has been challenging. Here, we develop a formulation of the non-Hermitian skin effect and non-Bloch band theory in arbitrary spatial dimensions, which is based on a natural geometrical object known as the amoeba. Our theory provides a general framework for studying non-Hermitian bands beyond one dimension. Key quantities of non-Hermitian bands, including the energy spectrum, eigenstates profiles, and the generalized Brillouin zone, can be efficiently obtained from this approach.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Nernst Effect of High-Mobility Weyl Electrons in NdAlSi Enhanced by a Fermi Surface Nesting Instability
Authors: Yamada Rinsuke , Nomoto Takuya , Miyake Atsushi , Terakawa Toshihiro , Kikkawa Akiko , Arita Ryotaro , Tokunaga Masashi , Taguchi Yasujiro , Tokura Yoshinori , Hirschberger Max
Published: April 2024

The thermoelectric Nernst effect of solids converts heat flow to beneficial electronic voltages. Here, using a correlated topological semimetal with high carrier mobility μ in the presence of magnetic fluctuations, we demonstrate an enhancement of the Nernst effect close to a magnetic phase transition. A magnetic instability in NdAlSi modifies the carrier relaxation time on “hot spots” in momentum space, causing a strong band filling dependence of μ. We quantitatively derive electronic band parameters from a novel two-band analysis of the Nernst effect Sxy, in good agreement with quantum oscillation measurements and band calculations. While the Nernst response of NdAlSi behaves much like conventional semimetals at high temperatures, an additional contribution ΔSxy from electronic correlations appears just above the magnetic transition. Our work demonstrates the engineering of the relaxation time, or the momentum-dependent self-energy, to generate a large Nernst response independent of a material’s carrier density, i.e., for metals, semimetals, and semiconductors with large μ.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Online harvesting of municipality websites into trusted digital repository
Authors: Luthuli Lungile Precious , Ngoepe Mpho
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Municipalities, as the front lines of service delivery, use websites as one of the tools to communicate information to the public. While it is considered a record, many organisations, including municipalities, do not manage websites as such. This study aims to explore the archiving of websites as records in the municipalities of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province in South Africa by using the web archiving life cycle model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a mixed-methods research with an explanatory design, with quantitative data collected first through content analysis of websites and qualitative data collected through interviews. Researchers used multilevel sampling, first quantitatively analysing all available websites of the municipalities (52) in KZN, and then qualitatively selecting only records managers, information managers, web administrators, communication managers and website managers or designers from municipalities because of their understanding and involvement with websites in some way.

Findings

This study established that some records on municipal websites are often in paper format in record-keeping systems, whereas others are born digital and are not captured in the systems. Municipalities lack a dedicated web online harvesting tool as well as an archiving policy or strategy to guide website archiving. Furthermore, municipalities placed a high reliance on service providers to keep their websites operational.

Research limitations/implications

It became clear during the interviews that most of the participants were unfamiliar with web archiving. As a result, only 12 of the 56 selected participants from the municipalities provided the required information in relation to the current study as others could not provide answers. Data for other participants were not analysed.

Originality/value

Due to a lack of infrastructure for ingesting digital records into archival custody, a framework for harvesting web content of value is proposed both internally in municipalities and externally to an archive repository.
Spatial and temporal diffusion of property prices and sales across British regions
Authors: Salov Anton
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to reveal the dynamics of house prices and sales in spatial and temporal dimensions across British regions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper incorporates two empirical approaches to describe the behaviour of property prices across British regions. The models are applied to two different data sets. The first empirical approach is to apply the price diffusion model proposed by Holly et al. (2011) to the UK house price index data set. The second empirical approach is to apply a bivariate global vector autoregression model without a time trend to house prices and transaction volumes retrieved from the nationwide building society.

Findings

Identifying shocks to London house prices in the GVAR model, based on the generalized impulse response functions framework, I find some heterogeneity in responses to house price changes; for example, South East England responds stronger than the remaining provincial regions. The main pattern detected in responses and characteristic for each region is the fairly rapid fading of the shock. The spatial-temporal diffusion model demonstrates the presence of a ripple effect: a shock emanating from London is dispersed contemporaneously and spatially to other regions, affecting prices in nondominant regions with a delay.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this work is the betterment in understanding how house price changes move across regions and time within a UK context.
Corporate board, assurance and sustainability reporting practices: a focus on selected African countries
Authors: Erin Olayinka Adedayo , Ackers Barry
Published: April 2024

Purpose

In recent times, stakeholders have called on corporate organizations especially those charged with governance to embrace full disclosure on non-financial issues, especially sustainability reporting. Based on this premise, this study aims to examine the influence of corporate board and assurance on sustainability reporting practices (SRP) of selected 80 firms from 8 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

To measure the corporate board, the authors use both board variables and audit committee variables. Also, the authors adapted the sustainability score model as used by previous authors in the field of sustainability disclosure to measure SRPs. The analysis was done using both ordered logistic regression and probit regression models.

Findings

The results show that the combination of board corporate and assurance has a positive and significant impact on the sustainability reporting practice of selected firms in sub-Saharan Africa.

Practical implications

The study places emphasis on the need for strong collaboration between the corporate board and external assurance in evaluating and enhancing the quality of sustainability disclosure.

Originality/value

The study bridged the gap in the literature in the area of corporate board, assurance and SRP of corporate firms which has received little attention within sub-Saharan Africa.
The effect of tax avoidance on earnings persistence: evidence from China
Authors: Xu Yan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between tax avoidance and earnings persistence in the light of a developing economy, with the main focus on China.

Design/methodology/approach

In the analysis, the author conducts a survey on the tax avoidance situation of Chinese listed companies from 2012 to 2020. Then, a multivariate regression analysis is performed in order to analyse the relationship between corporate tax avoidance and earnings persistence.

Findings

The findings of the present study show that tax avoidance has a significant positive effect on earnings persistence. However, when the degree of tax avoidance is high, the “risk effect” of tax avoidance exceeds the “value effect”, and tax avoidance will reduce the persistence of earnings. This conclusion is even more prominent when the company is non-state-owned. Further research shows the increase of institutional investors’ shareholding ratio can improve “value effect” of tax avoidance, lessen “risk effect” of tax avoidance, and positively affect the relationship between tax avoidance and earnings persistence.

Practical implications

This study provides evidence for investors to understand the dual effect of tax avoidance on earnings persistence. The results may have implications for regulatory bodies. They can provide a better understanding of the corporate governance role of institutional investors in curbing opportunistic tax avoidance.

Originality/value

This study enriches the research on tax avoidance effects by analysing the impact of tax avoidance on earnings persistence. This study also compensates for the shortcomings of analysing earnings persistence mainly from the perspective of tax differences in the past, and promotes the study of the corporate governance effects of institutional investors under different levels of tax avoidance.
Leadership identity development, meaning-making and the intersection of marginalized social identities: a scoping review
Authors: Orsini Jonathan , Sunderman Hannah M.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The current paper is part of a larger scoping review project investigating the intersection of leader(ship) identity development and meaning-making. In this review, we analyzed 100 articles to determine the current extent of literature that covers the intersection of leader(ship) identity development, meaning-making and marginalized social identities.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the extant literature is included, and a conceptual model is suggested for further exploration into this critical and under-researched domain.

Findings

More research is needed at the intersection of leadership identity development, meaning-making and marginalized social identities.

Originality/value

As this area of study has expanded, scholars have noted an absence of research on the effect of multiple social identities, especially marginalized identities, on meaning-making and leadership identity construction.
Research on decoupling control of single leg joints of hydraulic quadruped robot
Authors: Gao Bingwei , Zhao Hongjian , Han Wenlong , Xue Shilong
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study proposes a predictive neural network model reference decoupling control method for the coupling problem between the leg joints of hydraulic quadruped robots, and verifies its decoupling effect..

Design/methodology/approach

The machine–hydraulic cross-linking coupling is studied as the coupling behavior of the hydraulically driven quadruped robot, and the mechanical dynamics coupling force of the robot system is controlled as the disturbance force of the hydraulic system through the Jacobian matrix transformation. According to the principle of multivariable decoupling, a prediction-based neural network model reference decoupling control method is proposed; each module of the control algorithm is designed one by one, and the stability of the system is analyzed by the Lyapunov stability theorem.

Findings

The simulation and experimental research on the robot joint decoupling control method is carried out, and the prediction-based neural network model reference decoupling control method is compared with the decoupling control method without any decoupling control method. The results show that taking the coupling effect experiment between the hip joint and knee joint as an example, after using the predictive neural network model reference decoupling control method, the phase lag of the hip joint response line was reduced from 20.3° to 14.8°, the amplitude attenuation was reduced from 1.82% to 0.21%, the maximum error of the knee joint coupling line was reduced from 0.67 mm to 0.16 mm and the coupling effect between the hip joint and knee joint was reduced from 1.9% to 0.48%, achieving good decoupling.

Originality/value

The prediction-based neural network model reference decoupling control method proposed in this paper can use the neural network model to predict the next output of the system according to the input and output. Finally, the weights of the neural network are corrected online according to the predicted output and the given reference output, so that the optimization index of the neural network decoupling controller is extremely small, and the purpose of decoupling control is achieved.
Impact of concurrent medications on the outcome of immunotherapy in non‐small cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Yamada Jun , Fukui Takafumi , Yatani Atsuhiko , Mimura Chihiro , Fukuda Kiyoko , Hazama Daisuke , Katsurada Naoko , Nagano Tatsuya , Yamamoto Masatsugu , Tachihara Motoko
Published: April 2024

Background

There have been reports on the impact of concurrent drugs on the outcome of immunotherapy for non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). However, the effect of some drugs, such as antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), has not been clarified in patients with NSCLC. In the present study, we aimed to assess the association between concurrent drugs and the outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) alone or in combination with chemotherapy for patients with advanced NSCLC.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed patients with advanced NSCLC who underwent ICI treatment between September 2017 and December 2021 at Kobe University Hospital. We evaluated the data regarding the use of antibiotics within 30 days before ICI initiation, as well as the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and NSAIDs during ICI initiation.

Results

A total of 127 patients were assessed, among whom 28 (22.0%) patients received antibiotics, 39 (30.7%) PPIs, and 36 (28.3%) NSAIDs. No significant differences were observed between the patients with and without antibiotic use. However, patients using NSAIDs had significantly worse objective response rates (ORR) and progression‐free survival (PFS) with ICI alone or in combination with chemotherapy compared to those who did not (ORR, 47.2% vs. 67.0%; p = 0.045. PFS, 6.3 months vs. 10.8 months; p = 0.02). Patients using PPIs demonstrated a worse ORR of ICI in combination with chemotherapy compared to those who did not (ORR, 45.2% vs. 72.6%; p = 0.013).

Conclusions

The unnecessary use of NSAIDs along with immunotherapy should be discouraged.
Effect of 3 months and 12 months of financial incentives on 12‐month postpartum smoking cessation maintenance: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ussher Michael , Best Catherine , Lewis Sarah , McKell Jennifer , Coleman Tim , Cooper Sue , Orton Sophie , Bauld Linda
Published: April 2024

Background and aims

Offering financial incentives is effective for smoking cessation during pregnancy. We tested the effectiveness of financial incentives for maintaining postpartum cessation, comparing 12‐month and 3‐month incentives with each other and with usual care (UC).

Design, setting and participants

This study was a pragmatic, multi‐centre, three‐arm randomized controlled trial involving four English, National Health Service, stop smoking services. A total of 462 postpartum women (aged ≥ 16 years) took part, who stopped smoking during pregnancy with financial incentives, validated as abstinent from smoking at end of pregnancy or early postpartum.

Interventions

Interventions comprised (i) UC; (ii) UC plus up to £60 of financial voucher incentives offered to participants and £60 offered to an optional significant‐other supporter, over 3 months postpartum, contingent upon validated abstinence (‘3‐month incentives’); or (iii) UC plus ‘3‐month incentives’ plus £180 of vouchers offered to participants over 9 months postpartum, contingent upon abstinence (‘12‐month incentives’).

Measurements

Primary outcome: biochemically validated abstinence at 1 year postpartum. To adjust for testing all comparisons between groups with equal precision, P < 0.017 was necessary for significance. Secondary outcomes: self‐reported and validated abstinence at 3 months postpartum; self‐reported abstinence at 1 year postpartum.

Findings

Primary outcome ascertainment: abstinence was 39.6% (63/159) 12 months incentives, 21.4% (33/154) 3 months incentives and 28.2% (42/149) UC. Adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 12‐month versus 3‐month incentives OR = 2.41 (95% CI = 1.46−3.96), P = 0.001; 12 months versus UC 1.67 (1.04−2.70), P = 0.035; 3 months versus UC 0.69 (0.41−1.17), P = 0.174. Bayes factors indicated that for 12‐month versus 3‐month incentives and 12 months versus UC there was good evidence for the alternative hypothesis, and for 3 months versus UC there was good evidence for the null hypothesis.

Conclusions

This randomized controlled trial provides weak evidence that up to £300 of voucher incentives over 12 months is effective for maintaining smoking abstinence postpartum compared with usual care. There was good evidence that 12‐month incentives are superior to those over only 3 months, for which there was no evidence of effectiveness relative to usual care.
IGSF3 tissue expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx: a novel tool for prognosis assessment in HPV‐related and HPV‐unrelated disease
Authors: Sjöblom Anni , Jouhi Lauri , Laakkonen Pirjo , Randén‐Brady Reija , Tarkkanen Jussi , Haglund Caj , Mattila Petri , Carpén Timo , Hagström Jaana , Mäkitie Antti
Published: April 2024

Biomarkers are not broadly used in the management of head and neck cancers (HNCs). Biomarkers have been beneficial in the management of other cancers, however, not in HNCs. Therefore, we observed the immunopositivity of a novel biomarker called immunoglobulin superfamily member 3 (IGSF3) in tumor tissues in HPV‐related and HPV‐unrelated OPSCC. Two patient cohorts (C1 and C2) from separate time periods were available for this study (total N = 282). Both consisted of OPSCC patients treated at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS, Helsinki, Finland) during 2000–2016. For HPV determination, HPV mRNA in situ hybridization was used. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess IGSF3 immunopositivity in cancer tissues. Overall survival (OS) was used as endpoint in the statistical analysis. In C1, stronger immunopositivity of IGSF3 in tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) correlated with favorable OS (p = 0.005). Stronger IGSF3 immunopositivity in tumor cells (TCs) was associated with HPV negativity (p = 0.017). Stronger IGSF3 immunopositivity in TILs correlated with HPV positivity (p < 0.001). Elevated IGSF3 immunopositivity in TILs associates with HPV‐related tumors and may signify favorable prognosis. The immunopositivity of IGSF3 differs between HPV‐related and HPV‐unrelated OPSCC.
Robot‐assisted distal gastrectomy and local resection for gastric cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumor
Authors: Ishizuka Chihiro , Ishikawa Takahisa , Yagi Hayato , Yamamoto Yoichi , Koro Daisuke , Nishikoshi Takahiro , Koshizuka Yasuyuki , Yanagida Naoyuki , Shibaki Taiichiro , Akabane Hiromitsu , Yasuda Shunsuke , Ishibashi Kei , Taketomi Akinobu
Published: April 2024

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors surrounding the esophagogastric junction are often challenging to resect, with no consensus regarding the optimal surgical technique. Here in, we present a case of concurrent gastric cancer in the antrum and gastrointestinal stromal tumors adjacent to the esophagogastric junction. The patient underwent simultaneous distal gastrectomy and local resection assisted by a surgical robot, avoiding the need for total gastrectomy. The utilization of robot‐assisted surgery has become an increasingly popular technique, holding promise for simplifying complex surgical procedures across diverse medical settings.
EZH2 suppresses ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma and reduces sorafenib sensitivity through epigenetic regulation of TFR2
Authors: Lai Yongwei , Han Xu , Xie Bo , Xu Yan , Yang Zhengyi , Wang Didi , Li Wei , Xie Yaohong , Song Wenqi , Zhang Xiaohong , Xia Jia Qi , Zhang Pengxia
Published: April 2024

Enhancing sensitivity to sorafenib can significantly extend the duration of resistance to it, offering substantial benefits for treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of ferroptosis in influencing sorafenib sensitivity within HCC remains pivotal. The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) plays a significant role in promoting malignant progression in HCC, yet the relationship between ferroptosis, sorafenib sensitivity, and EZH2 is not entirely clear. Bioinformatic analysis indicates elevated EZH2 expression in HCC, predicting an unfavorable prognosis. Overexpressing EZH2 can drive HCC cell proliferation while simultaneously reducing ferroptosis. Further analysis reveals that EZH2 amplifies the modification of H3K27 me3, thereby influencing TFR2 expression. This results in decreased RNA polymerase II binding within the TFR2 promoter region, leading to reduced TFR2 expression. Knocking down EZH2 amplifies sorafenib sensitivity in HCC cells. In sorafenib‐resistant HepG2(HepG2‐SR) cells, the expression of EZH2 is increased. Moreover, combining tazemetostat—an EZH2 inhibitor—with sorafenib demonstrates significant synergistic ferroptosis‐promoting effects in HepG2‐SR cells. In conclusion, our study illustrates how EZH2 epigenetically regulates TFR2 expression through H3K27 me3, thereby suppressing ferroptosis. The combination of the tazemetostat with sorafenib exhibits superior synergistic effects in anticancer therapy and sensitizes the HepG2‐SR cells to sorafenib, shedding new light on delaying and ameliorating sorafenib resistance.
1081. Parthenium integrifolium L.: Compositae
Authors: Hind Nicholas , King Christabel
Published: April 2024

The North American Prairie plant, Parthenium integrifolium L. (Compositae: Heliantheae: Ambrosiinae) is described and illustrated. Related genera in the subtribe are commented on, as well as the better‐known species, P. argentatum A. Gray, the Guayule Rubber Plant, and infrageneric taxonomy within Parthenium L., in addition to the characteristics of the genus. Aspects of cultivation, propagation, pests and diseases and availability for P. integrifolium are also noted. A full synonymy of this rather variable species is provided, together with type citations, locations of known types, and related commentary. The distribution, habitat and ecology, phenology, common names and conservation status are stated or discussed, together with comments on usage, and the species' roots being used as an adulterant in preparations of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench.
1083. Liatris aspera Michx.: Compositae
Authors: Hind Nicholas , Lambkin Deborah
Published: April 2024

The North American Prairie plant Liatris aspera Michx. (Compositae: Eupatorieae: Liatrinae) is illustrated and described. The tribe Eupatorieae, subtribe Liatrinae and the genus Liatris Gaertn. ex Schreb. are discussed, along with comments on cultivated members of the tribe, and the position of Liatris aspera in the genus indicated, as well as the existence of sympatry with two other species, and the presence of natural hybrids between the three. Notes on cultivation, propagation, pests and diseases and availability of L. aspera are given, along with indications of the distribution of the species, its habitat and ecology, etymology, phenology, conservation status and known vernacular names. The lack of type material of Liatris aspera Michx. and Liatris spheroidea [sic!] Michx. in Paris, the acceptance of infraspecific taxa in Liatris aspera, and the controversy over the ability to age plants via ‘growth rings’, are discussed, along with concerns how early research might have been covered by ‘guilt‐free collection’.
Kelp forest diversity under projected end‐of‐century climate change
Authors: Assis Jorge , Fragkopoulou Eliza , Gouvêa Lidiane , Araújo Miguel B. , Serrão Ester A.
Published: April 2024

Aim

Future climate change threatens marine forests across the world, potentially disrupting ecosystem function and services. Nonetheless, the direction and intensity of climate‐induced changes in kelp forest biodiversity remain unknown, precluding well‐informed conservation and management practices.

Location

Global.

Methods

We use machine‐learning models to forecast global changes in species richness and community composition of 105 kelp forest species under contrasting Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios of climate change (decade 2090–2100): one aligned with the Paris Agreement and another of substantially higher emissions.

Results

A poleward and depth shift in species distributions is forecasted, translating into ~15% less area in the extent of the global biome, coupled with marked regional biodiversity changes. Community composition changes are mostly projected in the Arctic, the Northern Pacific and Atlantic, and Australasia, owing to poleward range expansions and wide low latitude losses.

Main Conclusions

By surpassing the Paris Agreement expectations, species reshuffling may simplify and impair ecosystem services in numerous temperate regions of Australasia, Southern Africa, Southern America and the Northern Atlantic, and in the tropical Pacific, where complete species losses were projected without replacement. These estimates, flagging threatened regions and species, as well as refugial areas of population persistence, can now inform conservation, management and restoration practices considering future climate change.
Taxing the informal sector: Coping with Coercion in Bamako, Mali
Authors: Haavik Viljar , Cissé Abdoul Wahab
Published: April 2024

Motivation

In recent years, research has shown that informal workers and businesses in low‐income countries are increasingly taxed by the state. While rarely a significant revenue source, informal sector taxation in highly informalized economies affects a large proportion of the working population. Under such circumstances the question of whether taxing informal economic activity either improves or undermines state–society relations are still debated, particularly in the case of fragile states whose tax systems tend to be characterized by a high degree of coercion towards poor actors.

Purpose

Previous research has tended to focus on tax evasion and how to increase tax compliance in the informal economy. In this article, we aim to explore how informal sector actors in Bamako, Mali, interact with local tax collectors in various ways with varying levels of agency. On this basis, we develop a broader analytical framework for understanding local government–taxpayer relations.

Approach and methods

In a case study of Mali, a fragile state with violent conflict and a highly informalized economy, we made use of qualitative research methods with semi‐structured interviews and focus group discussions with different actors in the informal economy.

Findings

We find four main modes of interaction: (1) “tax evasion,” where individuals evade or minimize their tax obligations; (2) “tax bargaining,” where groups with limited political resources negotiate with local authorities; (3) “forced taxation,” where disadvantaged groups pay taxes without tangible returns or a voice in protest; and (4) “harsh sanctions” faced by those unable to pay or evade taxes. Informal sector actors show a different capacity for collective action impacting their agency vis‐à‐vis state authorities.

Policy implications

The informal sector needs to be unpacked in fragile states, focusing on understanding existing fiscal pressures on different informal actors and their various strategies for navigating tax systems. Tax administrations should promote dialogue and trust‐building measures and avoid strategies that exacerbate social division and undermine state–society relations.
MicroRNA in cardiometabolic health and disease: The perspectives of sex, gender and personalised medicine
Authors: Ministrini Stefano , Padro Teresa
Published: April 2024

Background

Personalized medicine represents a novel and integrative approach that focuses on an individual's genetics and epigenetics, precision medicine, lifestyle and exposures as key players of health status and disease phenotypes.

Methods

In this narrative review, we aim to carefully discuss the current knowledge on gender disparities in cardiometabolic diseases, and we consider the sex‐ specific expression of miRNAs and their role as promising tool in precision medicine.

Results

Personalised medicine overcomes the restricted care of patient based on a binomial sex approach, by enriching itself with a holistic and dynamic gender integration. Recognized as a major worldwide health emergency, cardiometabolic disorders continue to rise, impacting on health systems and requiring more effective and targeted strategies. Several sex and gender drivers might affect the onset and progression of cardiometabolic disorders in males and females at multiple levels. In this respect, distinct contribution of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, molecular and physiological pathways, sex hormones, visceral fat and subcutaneous fat and lifestyle lead to differences in disease burden and outcomes in males and females.

Conclusions

Sex and gender play a pivotal role in precision medicine because the influence the physiology of each individual and the way they interact with environment from intrauterine life.