bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prolonged exercise shifts ventilatory parameters at the moderate-to-heavy intensity transition
Authors: Stevenson Julian D. , Kilding Andrew E. , Plews Daniel J. , Maunder Ed
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To quantify the effects of prolonged cycling on the rate of ventilation ($${\dot{\text{V}}}_{{\text{E}}}$$

V
˙

E

), frequency of respiration (FR), and tidal volume (VT) associated with the moderate-to-heavy intensity transition.

Methods

Fourteen endurance-trained cyclists and triathletes (one female) completed an assessment of the moderate-to-heavy intensity transition, determined as the first ventilatory threshold (VT1), before (PRE) and after (POST) two hours of moderate-intensity cycling. The power output, $${\dot{\text{V}}}_{{\text{E}}}$$

V
˙

E

, FR, and VT associated with VT1 were determined PRE and POST.

Results

As previously reported, power output at VT1 significantly decreased by ~ 10% from PRE to POST. The $${\dot{\text{V}}}_{{\text{E}}}$$

V
˙

E

associated with VT1 was unchanged from PRE to POST (72 ± 12 vs. 69 ± 13 L.min−1, ∆ − 3 ± 5 L.min−1, ∆ − 4 ± 8%, P = 0.075), and relatively consistent (within-subject coefficient of variation, 5.4% [3.7, 8.0%]). The $${\dot{\text{V}}}_{{\text{E}}}$$

V
˙

E

associated with VT1 was produced with increased FR (27.6 ± 5.8 vs. 31.9 ± 6.5 breaths.min−1, ∆ 4.3 ± 3.1 breaths.min−1, ∆ 16 ± 11%, P = 0.0002) and decreased VT (2.62 ± 0.43 vs. 2.19 ± 0.36 L.breath−1, ∆ − 0.44 ± 0.22 L.breath−1, ∆ − 16 ± 7%, P = 0.0002) in POST.

Conclusion

These data suggest prolonged exercise shifts ventilatory parameters at the moderate-to-heavy intensity transition, but $${\dot{\text{V}}}_{{\text{E}}}$$

V
˙

E

remains stable. Real-time monitoring of $${\dot{\text{V}}}_{{\text{E}}}$$

V
˙

E

may be a useful means of assessing proximity to the moderate-to-heavy intensity transition during prolonged exercise and is worthy of further research.
Expression of posterior Hox genes and opisthosomal appendage development in a mygalomorph spider
Authors: Janssen Ralf , Pechmann Matthias
Published: July 2023

Spiders represent an evolutionary successful group of chelicerate arthropods. The body of spiders is subdivided into two regions (tagmata). The anterior tagma, the prosoma, bears the head appendages and four pairs of walking legs. The segments of the posterior tagma, the opisthosoma, either lost their appendages during the course of evolution or their appendages were substantially modified to fulfill new tasks such as reproduction, gas exchange, and silk production. Previous work has shown that the homeotic Hox genes are involved in shaping the posterior appendages of spiders. In this paper, we investigate the expression of the posterior Hox genes in a tarantula that possesses some key differences of posterior appendages compared to true spiders, such as the lack of the anterior pair of spinnerets and a second set of book lungs instead of trachea. Based on the observed differences in posterior Hox gene expression in true spiders and tarantulas, we argue that subtle changes in the Hox gene expression of the Hox genes abdA and AbdB are possibly responsible for at least some of the morphological differences seen in true spiders versus tarantulas.
Carboxyhemoglobin as biomarker of late-onset sepsis in preterm infants
Authors: Dani Carlo , Remaschi Giulia , Monti Nicolò , Pratesi Simone
Published: July 2023

Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) is considered a biomarker of oxidative stress and previous studies reported an increase in COHb levels in preterm infants who develop late-onset sepsis (LOS). Our aim was to assess the correlation between COHb levels and the risk for LOS development. We retrospectively studied 100 preterm infants, 50 in the LOS and 50 in the no LOS group. COHb levels were measured on the day of diagnosis of the first episode of LOS, 3, 2, and 1 days before and 1 and 4 days after the onset of LOS. Logistic regression analysis showed that a higher level of COHb 2 days before the diagnosis of LOS increases the risk for LOS development (OR 12.150, 95% Cl 1.311–12.605; P = 0.028). A COHb level of 1.55% measured 2 days before the diagnosis of LOS is the best predictive threshold for LOS with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 70%.

    Conclusion: Increased levels of COHb may predict the diagnosis of LOS in very preterm infants with a good accuracy. If further studies confirm our findings, this easy-to-measure biomarker could provide neonatologists with another tool for monitoring and early diagnosis of sepsis in high-risk patients.

What is Known:• Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) is a biomarker of oxidative stress.• Previous studies reported an increase in COHb levels in preterm infants who develop late-onset sepsis (LOS).

What is New:• COHb levels increased two days before the diagnosis of LOS and this increase was associated with the risk for developing LOS.• ROC curve analysis for COHb measured two days before the diagnosis of LOS showed that 1.55% is the best predictive threshold for LOS with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 70%.
Identification of variants in genes associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Mexican patients
Authors: García-Vielma Catalina , Lazalde-Córdova Luis Gerardo , Arzola-Hernández José Cruz , González-Aceves Erick Noel , López-Zertuche Herminio , Guzmán-Delgado Nancy Elena , González-Salazar Francisco
Published: July 2023

The objective of this work was to identify genetic variants in Mexican patients diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). According to world literature, the genes mainly involved are MHY7 and MYBPC3, although variants have been found in more than 50 genes related to heart disease and sudden death, and to our knowledge there are no studies in the Mexican population. These variants are reported and classified in the ClinVar (PubMed) database and only some of them are recognized in the Online Mendelian Information in Men (OMIM). The present study included 37 patients, with 14 sporadic cases and 6 familial cases, with a total of 21 index cases. Next-generation sequencing was performed on a predesigned panel of 168 genes associated with heart disease and sudden death. The sequencing analysis revealed twelve (57%) pathogenic or probably pathogenic variants, 9 of them were familial cases, managing to identify pathogenic variants in relatives without symptoms of the disease. At the molecular level, nine of the 12 variants (75%) were single nucleotide changes, 2 (17%) deletions, and 1 (8%) splice site alteration. The genes involved were MYH7 (25%), MYBPC3 (25%) and ACADVL, KCNE1, TNNI3, TPM1, SLC22A5, TNNT2 (8%). In conclusion; we found five variants that were not previously reported in public databases. It is important to follow up on the reclassification of variants, especially those of uncertain significance in patients with symptoms of the condition. All patients included in the study and their relatives received family genetic counseling.
Percutaneous endoscopic cecostomy for management of Ogilvie’s syndrome: a case series and literature review with an update on current guidelines (with video)
Authors: Vanek Petr , Urban Ondrej , Falt Premysl
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Percutaneous endoscopic cecostomy (PEC) is a viable treatment option for patients with persistent or recurrent acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO; Ogilvie’s syndrome). It should be generally considered in patients that are refractory to pharmacologic and endoscopic decompression, especially those not amenable to surgical intervention due to an increased perioperative risk. Physicians are rather unfamiliar with this approach given the limited number of reports in the literature and paucity of guideline resources, although guidelines concerning ACPO and covering the role of endoscopy were recently published by three major expert societies, all within the last 2 years.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively identified three consecutive patients who underwent PEC placement at a Czech tertiary referral center between May 2018 and December 2021: all for recurrent ACPO. In addition, we summarized the current guidelines in order to present the latest knowledge related both to the procedure and management approach in patients with ACPO.

Results

The placement of PEC was successful and resulted in clinical improvement in all cases without any adverse events.

Conclusion

The results of our experience are in line with previous reports and suggest that PEC may become a very useful tool in the armamentarium of modalities utilized to treat ACPO. Furthermore, the availability of guideline resources now offers comprehensive guidance for informed decision-making and the procedural aspects.
LPR: learning point-level temporal action localization through re-training
Authors: Fang Zhenying , Fan Jianping , Yu Jun
Published: July 2023

Point-level temporal action localization (PTAL) aims to locate action instances in untrimmed videos with only one timestamp annotation for each action instance. Existing methods adopt the localization-by-classification paradigm to locate action boundaries in the temporal class activation map (TCAM) by thresholding, also known as TCAM-based method. However, TCAM-based methods are limited by the gap between classification and localization tasks, since TCAM is generated by a classification network. To address this issue, we propose a re-training framework for the PTAL task, also known as LPR. This framework consists of two stages: pseudo-label generation and re-training. In the pseudo-label generation stage, we propose a feature embedding module based on a transformer encoder to capture global context features and optimize pseudo-labels’ quality by leveraging point-level annotations. In the re-training stage, LPR uses the above pseudo-labels as supervision to locate action instances with a temporal action localization network rather than generating TCAMs. Furthermore, to alleviate the effects of label noise in the pseudo-labels, we propose a joint learning classification module (JLCM) in the re-training stage. This module contains two classification sub-modules that simultaneously predict action categories and are guided by a jointly determined clean set for network training. The proposed framework achieves state-of-the-art localization performance on both the THUMOS’14 and BEOID datasets.
Subregion specific neuroadaptations in the female rat striatum during acute and protracted withdrawal from nicotine
Authors: Lagström Oona , Vestin Edvin , Söderpalm Bo , Ericson Mia , Adermark Louise
Published: July 2023

Epidemiological studies and clinical observations suggest that nicotine, a major contributor of the global burden of disease, acts in a partially sex specific manner. Still, preclinical research has primarily been conducted in males. More research is thus required to define the effects displayed by nicotine on the female brain. To this end, female rats received 15 injections of either nicotine (0.36mg/kg) or saline, over a 3-week period and were then followed for up to 3 months. Behavioral effects of nicotine were assessed using locomotor activity measurements and elevated plus maze, while neurophysiological changes were monitored using ex vivo electrophysiological field potential recordings conducted in subregions of the dorsal and ventral striatum. Behavioral assessments demonstrated a robust sensitization to the locomotor stimulatory properties of nicotine, but monitored behaviors on the elevated plus maze were not affected during acute (24 h) or protracted (3 months) withdrawal. Electrophysiological recordings revealed a selective increase in excitatory neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens shell and dorsomedial striatum during acute withdrawal. Importantly, accumbal neuroadaptations in nicotine-treated rats correlated with locomotor behavior, supporting a role for the nucleus accumbens in behavioral sensitization. While no sustained neuroadaptations were observed following 3 months withdrawal, there was an overall trend towards reduced inhibitory tone. Together, these findings suggest that nicotine produces selective transformations of striatal brain circuits that may drive specific behaviors associated with nicotine exposure. Furthermore, our observations suggest that sex-specificity should be considered when evaluating long-term effects by nicotine on the brain.
Radiographic and immuno-histochemical evaluation of root perforation repair using MTA with or without platelet-rich fibrin or concentrated growth factors as an internal matrix in dog’s teeth: in vivo animal study
Authors: Mohamed Dalia Abd-Allah , Abdelwahab Safinaz AbdelFatah , Mahmoud Rania Hanafi , Taha Rasha Mohamed
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To comparatively evaluate the in vivo outcome of MTA repair for contaminated and non-contaminated furcation perforations (FP) with or without PRF and CGF as a matrix in dogs’ teeth.

Methods

Ninety dog teeth were divided into five groups based on the iatrogenic FP repair approach after doing root canal treatment: negative control (without FP), positive control (FP without repair), MTA, MTA + PRF and MTA + CGF groups, where FP were repaired promptly in subdivision 1 (n = 10; non-contaminated) and after 4 weeks of oral contamination in subdivision 2 (n = 10;contaminated). After 3 months, the perforation site was assessed radiographically (vertical bone density), histologically (inflammatory cell count, epithelial proliferation, cementum and bone deposition) and immunohistochemically (OPN and TRAP antibodies localisation). Data collected were statistically analysed using SPSS software at a 0.05 significance level.

Results

The MTA + PRF and MTA + CGF groups demonstrated significantly more bone formation, OPN immunolocalisation and fewer inflammatory cell counts than MTA group. MTA, MTA + PRF and MTA + CGF groups showed significantly favourable radiographic, histological and immunohistochemical healing features than the positive control, especially in non-contaminated subdivisions, that significantly showed better features than the contaminated subdivisions (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The use CGF and PRF as a matrix beneath MTA in FP repair in dog’s teeth is promising as it could increase hard and soft tissue regeneration in non-contaminated and contaminated perforations.

Clinical relevance

The repair of FP is challenging especially when associated with contaminated inter-radicular bone loss. Radiographic, histological and immunohistochemical comprehensive evaluation of the root and surrounding attachment apparatus response to different perforation repair protocols could give a predictable clinical outcome.
Evaluation of the relationship between incisor torque and profile aesthetics in patients having orthodontic extractions compared to non-extractions
Authors: Tepedino Michele , Esposito Rosa , Potrubacz Maciej Iancu , Xhanari Doniano , Ciavarella Domenico
Published: July 2023

Objective

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between soft tissues aesthetics and incisor torque, as well as the effect of crowding, anchorage, and extraction pattern, in adult patients treated without extraction or with two or four extractions.

Materials and methods

Seventy-seven subjects with permanent dentition were selected retrospectively. Among these, 24 patients were treated with four extractions, 24 with two extractions and 29 without extractions. Lateral cephalograms and photographies taken before (T0) and after (T1) treatment were retrieved. The amount of crowding and the type of anchorage were recorded, and a cephalometric analysis was performed. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare the variables within and between groups. Linear regressions were performed to evaluate the effect of different predictors on soft tissues variables at T1.

Results

The statistical analysis showed no differences within and between groups for soft tissue aesthetics. A significant reduction of the angle obtained from the intersection of Frankfurt plane and mandibular plane was observed in the four-extractions group, and a significant proclination of the lower incisors was observed in the two-extraction group. Linear regressions revealed that the change in soft tissue profile aesthetics was affected by the type of anchorage and the two-extractions pattern.

Conclusions

Similar soft tissue aesthetics were observed after treatment in the three groups, despite the presence of some skeletal and dental differences.

Clinical relevance

A well-controlled incisor torque helps to preserve soft tissues aesthetics. The type of anchorage could influence soft tissues.
Resection of the contrast-enhancing tumor in diffuse gliomas bordering eloquent areas using electrophysiology and 5-ALA fluorescence: evaluation of resection rates and neurological outcome—a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Peters David R. , Halimi Floriana , Ozduman Koray , Levivier Marc , Conti Alfredo , Reyns Nicolas , Tuleasca Constantin
Published: July 2023

Independently, both 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) have been shown to improve outcomes with high-grade gliomas (HGG). The interplay and overlap of both techniques are scarcely reported in the literature. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on the concomitant use of 5-ALA and intraoperative mapping for HGG located within eloquent cortex. Using PRISMA guidelines, we reviewed articles published between May 2006 and December 2022 for patients with HGG in eloquent cortex who underwent microsurgical resection using intraoperative mapping and 5-ALA fluorescence guidance. Extent of resection was the primary outcome. The secondary outcome was new neurological deficit at day 1 after surgery and persistent at day 90 after surgery. Overall rate of complete resection of the enhancing tumor (CRET) was 73.3% (range: 61.9–84.8%, p < .001). Complete 5-ALA resection was performed in 62.4% (range: 28.1–96.7%, p < .001). Surgery was stopped due to mapping findings in 20.5% (range: 15.6–25.4%, p < .001). Neurological decline at day 1 after surgery was 29.2% (range: 9.8–48.5%, p = 0.003). Persistent neurological decline at day 90 after surgery was 4.6% (range: 0.4–8.7%, p = 0.03). Maximal safe resection guided by IONM and 5-ALA for high-grade gliomas in eloquent areas is achievable in a high percentage of cases (73.3% CRET and 62.4% complete 5-ALA resection). Persistent neurological decline at postoperative day 90 is as low as 4.6%. A balance between 5-ALA and IONM should be maintained for a better quality of life while maximizing oncological control.
Tumor immune microenvironment and clinical outcomes in stage IV urothelial cancer: YODO study
Authors: Nishiyama Hiroyuki , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Ohyama Chikara , Matsuyama Hideyasu , Shinozaki Kenta , Hayashi Yuko , Hayashi Nobuya , Koto Ryo , Shin Eisei , Ogawa Osamu
Published: July 2023

Background

Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer globally, with a growing incidence in Japan. Evaluation of molecular, genetic, and cellular biomarkers that predict treatment response and prognosis in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) may help optimize sequential treatment strategies with chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods

This multicenter, retrospective cohort study, evaluated programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and cancer-immune phenotype as predictive prognostic biomarkers following first-/second-line treatment in Japanese adult patients with mUC. The primary endpoint was prevalence of PD-L1 expression. Secondary endpoints were TMB, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) from initiation of first-line treatment, and exploratory endpoints were cancer-immune phenotype, OS, PFS, and treatment response according to potential biomarker status.

Results

Of the 143 patients included (mean age 71.7 years), PD-L1 expression was high in 29.4% of patients. Non-synonymous TMB was high in 33.6% and low in 66.4%. Cancer-immune phenotype was immune-desert in 62.9%, immune-excluded in 30.8%, and inflamed in 6.3%. Median OS and PFS following first-line treatment were 18.2 and 7.4 months, respectively. Overall response to second-line treatment was slightly better with high versus low/negative PD-L1 expression. PD-L1 expression and TMB were non-significant predictors of OS or PFS, whereas immune-excluded phenotype was associated with better OS in comparison with immune-desert phenotype.

Conclusion

PD-L1 expression and TMB were non-significant predictors of prognosis after first-line treatment in Japanese patients with mUC, but cancer-immune phenotype may be an important prognostic factor in chemotherapy-ICI sequential treatment strategies.

Clinical trial registration number UMIN000037727.
Evaluating the risk factors for the development of benign disorders of defaecation: a surgical perspective
Authors: Chaichanavichkij P. , Hartmann M. , Scott S. M. , Fenton N. , Knowles C. H. ,   Disorders of Defaecation Delphi Group, Carrington E. V. , Chew C. , Curry A. , Gorissen K. , Morris S. , Siddiqi S. , Williams A.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

There remains uncertainty as to which risk factors are important for the development of defaecatory problems as a result of heterogeneity of published evidence. Understanding the impact of risk factors may be important in selecting targets for disease prevention or reversal. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate risk factors for faecal incontinence and chronic constipation.

Methods

Risk factors for chronic constipation and faecal incontinence were long-listed from scientific literature, then anonymously evaluated (by 50 predominantly colorectal surgical experts from the UK Pelvic Floor Society) using a Delphi technique. Each risk factor was rated as independent, a co-factor, or not a risk factor. Independent risk factors were rated between 1 (not important) and 10 (critically important) with mean (± standard deviation) calculated.

Results

Thirty-eight risk factors for chronic constipation were evaluated. Eighteen were classed as independent and 16 as co-factors. Opioid analgesia (7.87 ± 2.05), eating disorders (7.80 ± 1.72), and history of abuse (7.70 ± 1.89) were scored as most important independent risk factors. Female sex (6.60 ± 2.02) was considered an independent risk factor but increasing age was rated a co-factor. Thirty-three risk factors for faecal incontinence were evaluated. Twenty were classed as independent and eight as co-factors. Third- or fourth-degree tear (8.88 ± 1.57), instrumental delivery (8.47 ± 1.58), and grand multiparity (8.00 ± 1.63) were rated most important. Increasing age (7.41 ± 2.14) and female sex (7.58 ± 2.05) were both considered independent risk factors.

Conclusions

Several risk factors for chronic constipation and faecal incontinence were selected by Delphi approach. These factors will feed forward into Bayesian models of disease prediction that combine data and expert knowledge.
Climate risk and the nexus of clean energy and technology stocks
Authors: Bouri Elie , Dudda Tom L. , Rognone Lavinia , Walther Thomas
Published: July 2023

We examine the impact of climate risks on the nexus of clean energy and technology stocks using a time-varying correlation model. We find that physical and transition climate risks are positively associated with the long-term correlation between clean energy and technology stock indices, whereas the effect of transition risk is more robust to different sample periods and alternative stock indices. On the contrary, the short-term correlation tends to decrease after shocks to physical risk, since clean energy stocks react more strongly to physical risk shocks than technology stocks.
Nonconvex multi-period mean-variance portfolio optimization
Authors: Wu Zhongming , Xie Guoyu , Ge Zhili , De Simone Valentina
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we address the problem of long-term investment by exploring optimal strategies for allocating wealth among a finite number of assets over multiple periods. Based on the classical Markowitz mean-variance philosophy, we develop a new portfolio optimization framework which can produce sparse portfolios. The sparsity of the portfolio at each and across periods is characterized by the possibly nonconvex penalties. For the constructed nonconvex and nonsmooth constrained model, we propose a generalized alternating direction method of multipliers and its global convergence to a stationary point can be guaranteed theoretically. Moreover, some numerical experiments are conducted on several datasets generated from practical applications to illustrate the effectiveness and advantage of the proposed model and solving method.
Sea level rise adaptation pushes an insular endemic rodent closer to extinction
Authors: Taillie Paul J. , Sneckenberger Sandra , Perry Neil , Anderson Chad , Kalasz Kevin , McCleery Robert A.
Published: July 2023

Understanding how species will respond to a rapidly changing global climate is requisite to conserving biodiversity. Though habitat losses from human development and land use change remain the most critical threats to biodiversity globally, some regions, such as low-lying islands, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Despite this vulnerability, there may be opportunities for imperiled species on islands to adapt to the effects of climate-induced sea level rise. To understand how the response to rising seas may influence the amount of future habitat, we investigated shifts in the elevational range of the endangered silver rice rat (Oryzomys palustris natator; hereafter “rice rat”), a species endemic to tidal environments of the Lower Florida Keys, USA. We quantified fine-scale habitat use using radio telemetry of collared animals, first in 2004, and again in 2021, thus spanning a 17-year period during which the local sea level rose by 0.142 m. We observed a shift in the elevational range limits of rice rats which closely mirrored the rise in sea level, and that this apparent ability to adapt to rising sea level decreased the extent of habitat loss in subsequent decades. However, over longer time scales (~ 100 yrs), the extent of habitat loss from sea level rise outpaced rice rats’ ability to adapt. As such, the conservation of biodiversity on low-lying islands hinges on the ability of the global community to decrease anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the associated consequences for the global climate. Otherwise, conservation practitioners will be increasingly forced to make difficult decisions about how to conserve imperiled species on low-lying islands.
Quantifying hormone receptor status in lobular breast cancer in an institutional series: the relationship between estrogen and progesterone receptor status and outcomes
Authors: Clelland Elle N. , Rothschild Harriet T. , Patterson Anne , Molina-Vega Julissa , Kaur Mandeep , Symmans W. Fraser , Schwartz Christopher J. , Chien A. Jo , Benz Christopher C. , Mukhtar Rita A.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Recent guidelines defined a new reporting category of ER-low-positive breast cancer based on immunohistochemistry (IHC). While low positivity of either hormone receptor is uncommon in invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), we sought to investigate whether relatively low hormone receptor positivity was associated with tumor characteristics and patient outcomes in a single institutional cohort.

Methods

We searched an institutional database for cases of stage I-III ILC with available IHC reports. Based on prior published categories in ILC, ER was classified as low, medium, or high as defined by ER staining of 10–69%, 70–89%, and ≥ 90% respectively. PR low and high tumors were defined by < 20%, or ≥ 20% staining respectively. We used chi-squared tests, t-tests, and Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate associations between ER/PR categories and tumor characteristics or disease-free survival (DFS).

Results

The cohort consisted of 707 ILC cases, with 11% of cases categorized as ER low, 15.1% as medium, and 73.8% as high. The majority (67.6%) were PR high. Patients with ER low/medium expression were significantly younger, and more likely to also have PR low and/or HER2 positive tumors compared to those that were ER high. In a Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for age, stage, grade, pleomorphic histology, and treatment, ER category was not prognostic for DFS, but PR negative and PR low status each had significantly worse DFS compared to PR high status (HR 3.5, 95% CI 1.8–6.7, p < 0.001; and HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.5, p = 0.015, respectively).

Conclusion

These findings highlight the relevance of quantifying ER and PR within ILC.
Impact of analysis of the sentinel lymph node by one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) compared to conventional histopathology on axillary and systemic treatment: data from the Dutch nationwide cohort of breast cancer patients
Authors: van Haaren Elisabeth R. M. , Poodt Ingrid G. M. , Spiekerman van Weezelenburg Merel A. , van Bastelaar James , Janssen Alfred , de Vries Bart , Lobbes Marc B. I. , Bouwman Lee H. , Vissers Yvonne L. J.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The outcome of the sentinel lymph node in breast cancer patients affects adjuvant treatment. Compared to conventional histopathology, analysis by one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) harvests more micrometastasis, potentially inducing overtreatment. In this study we investigated the impact of OSNA analysis on adjuvant treatment, compared to histopathological analysis.

Methods

Data from T1–3 breast cancer patients with sentinel nodes analysed between January 2016 and December 2019 by OSNA (OSNA group, n = 1086) from Zuyderland Medical Centre, the Netherlands, were compared to concurrent data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NKR) where sentinel nodes were examined by histology (histology group, n = 35,143). Primary outcomes were micro- or macrometastasis, axillary treatments (axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or axillary radiotherapy (ART)), chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy. Statistics with Pearson Chi-square.

Results

In the OSNA group more micrometastasis (14.9%) were detected compared to the histology group (7.9%, p < 0.001). No difference in axillary treatment between groups was detected (14.3 vs. 14.4%). In case of mastectomy and macrometastasis, ALND was preferred over ART in the OSNA group (14.9%) compared to the histology group (4.4%, p < 0.001). In cases of micrometastasis, no difference was seen. There was no difference in administration of adjuvant chemotherapy between groups. Endocrine treatment was administrated less often in the OSNA group compared to the histology group (45.8% vs. 50.8%, p < 0.002).

Conclusion

More micrometastasis were detected by OSNA compared to histopathology, but no subsequent increase in adjuvant axillary and systematic treatment was noticed. When performing mastectomy and OSNA, there was a preference for ALND compared to ART.
Parent to Offspring Fear Transmission via Modeling in Early Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nimphy Cosima Anna , Venetikidi Marianna , Elzinga Bernet , van der Does Willem , Aktar Evin
Published: July 2023

Infants can acquire fears vicariously by observing parents’ fearful reactions to novel stimuli in everyday situations (i.e., modeling). To date, no systematic or meta-analytic review examined the role of modeling in parent–child transmission of fear and avoidance in early life. In our systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the effect of modeling parents’ fearful reactions on infants’ acquisition of fear and avoidance of novel stimuli and explore the moderation of this effect by child behavioral inhibition (BI) and parent trait anxiety. The search conducted in Web Of Science, Pubmed, Embase, and PsycINFO revealed 23 eligible studies for the systematic review and 19 for the meta-analysis. Eligible studies included published studies that measured infant fear and avoidance (infants aged up to 30 months) of novel stimuli following exposure to parental fearful expressions. Meta-analysis findings revealed a significant causal effect of modeling of parental fear on infants’ fear [g = .44] and avoidance of novel stimuli [g = .44]. The findings support moderation by child BI on infant avoidance (not fear) acquisition, with the effects being larger for infants with higher BI. However, this moderation was only found, when including both experimental and correlational studies (p > .05), but not when exclusively including experimental studies (p = .17). This meta-analysis provides support for early parent-to-offspring fear transmission: a causal small to medium effect of parents’ fearful reactions was shown on infants’ fear and avoidance of novel stimuli. Elucidating parent-to-offspring anxiety transmission pathways can inform us about potential fear reduction and prevention strategies.
Nonlinear domain-decomposition preconditioning for robust and efficient field-scale simulation of subsurface flow
Authors: Møyner Olav , Rasmussen Atgeirr F. , Klemetsdal Øystein , Nilsen Halvor M. , Moncorgé Arthur , Lie Knut-Andreas
Published: July 2023

We discuss a nonlinear domain-decomposition preconditioning method for fully implicit simulations of multicomponent porous media flow based on the additive Schwarz preconditioned exact Newton method (ASPEN). The method efficiently accelerates nonlinear convergence by resolving unbalanced nonlinearities in a local stage and long-range interactions in a global stage. ASPEN can improve robustness and significantly reduce the number of global iterations compared with standard Newton, but extra work introduced in the local steps makes each global iteration more expensive. We discuss implementation aspects for the local and global stages. We show how the global-stage Jacobian can be transformed to the same form as the fully implicit system, so that one can use standard linear preconditioners and solvers. We compare the computational performance of ASPEN to standard Newton on a series of test cases, ranging from conceptual cases with simplified geometry or flow physics to cases representative of real assets. Our overall conclusion is that ASPEN is outperformed by Newton when this method works well and converges in a few iterations. On the other hand, ASPEN avoids time-step cuts and has significantly lower runtimes in time steps where Newton struggles. A good approach to computational speedup is therefore to adaptively switch between Newton and ASPEN throughout a simulation. A few examples of switching strategies are outlined.
Factors affecting parental intention to use AI-based social robots for children’s ESL learning
Authors: Lin Guan-Yu , Jhang Ciao-Chun , Wang Yi-Shun
Published: July 2023

The use of AI-based social robots has been shown to be beneficial for learning English as a Second Language (ESL). Not much is known, however, about the drivers of parental intention to use those robots in support of their children’s ESL learning. This study aims to explore the factors that drive parental intention to adopt AI-based social robots for children’s ESL learning. The research model is proposed based on the theories and literature regarding motivations, product smartness, personality traits and physical risk perception. Data collected from 315 participants are analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method. The results show that utilitarian and hedonic motivations positively affect parental intention to adopt AI-based social robots. In addition, utilitarian motivation is influenced by robots’ autonomy and parental personal innovativeness, while hedonic motivation is influenced by robots’ autonomy and humanlike interaction, and parental personal innovativeness. From the findings, important implications for promoting parental intention to adopt AI-based social robots in children’s ELS learning are offered.
Local Knowledge, Perceptions, and Uses of the Potentially Conflict-Generating Plant Species, Moringa oleifera Lam.: A case Study in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Mashamaite Chuene Victor , Albien Anouk Jasmine , Mothapo Palesa Natasha , Pieterse Petrus Jacobus , Phiri Ethel Emmarantia
Published: July 2023

Moringa oleifera Lam. is listed In South Africa as Species Under Surveillance for Possible Eradication or Containment Targets (SUSPECT) under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 (NEM:BA), although it is widely used in some communities. We conducted this study to investigate local ecological knowledge (LEK) and perceptions about moringa in the rural communities of Limpopo Province (South Africa). We used a structured questionnaire and open-ended interviews with 106 informants to gather ethnobotanical data associated with utilisation and perceptions of moringa. We found that moringa is generally perceived positively and is used primarily for medicinal purposes, its nutrition value, as livestock feed, and for skin care. Most participants (76%) were unaware that moringa is an alien species and disagreed with NEM:BA regulations to restrict its spread or to eradicate it entirely due to the benefits they associate with it. We argue that listing moringa as SUSPECT could fuel conflict between rural communities that use it and management authorities. Rather, we would urge policymakers to adopt a holistic approach to sustainable conservation strategies that incorporates LEK in future planning.
Effect of carbon quantum dots and Zn2+ ion on perovskite solar cells
Authors: Hussien Hadeer , Ghatass Zekry , Hassan M. S. , Soliman Moataz , Ebrahim Shaker
Published: July 2023

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have a great attention due to their remarkable performance and a high-quality perovskite film is necessary to achieve high power conversion efficiency (PCE). The effect of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and Zn2+ ions on perovskite layer of methyl ammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) was investigated. The optical, structural, and morphological properties of perovskite films with different Zn2+ ratios and CQDs contents were investigated. It was observed that 1% ZnCl2 /0.05 mg/mL CQDs perovskite film composed of uniform grains distribution, complete surface coverage with negligible pinholes, and a larger grain size of 1.8 μm. In addition, it was found that increasing CQDs contents to 0.1 and 0.25 mg/mL enlarged the grain size to ~ 4.2 μm. Moreover, the incorporation of CQDs enhanced crystallinity and grain size. Consequently, these improvements were reflected on the solar cell performance and the efficiency of PSCs with additive of 1% ZnCl2-0.05 mg/mL CQDs was improved from 4.21 to 8.08%.
Space-Time Mixed System Formulation of Phase-Field Fracture Optimal Control Problems
Authors: Khimin Denis , Steinbach Marc Christian , Wick Thomas
Published: July 2023

In this work, space-time formulations and Galerkin discretizations for phase-field fracture optimal control problems are considered. The fracture irreversibility constraint is formulated on the time-continuous level and is regularized by means of penalization. The optimization scheme is formulated in terms of the reduced approach and then solved with a Newton method. To this end, the state, adjoint, tangent, and adjoint Hessian equations are derived. The key focus is on the design of appropriate function spaces and the rigorous justification of all Fréchet derivatives that require fourth-order regularizations. Therein, a second-order time derivative on the phase-field variable appears, which is reformulated as a mixed first-order-in-time system. These derivations are carefully established for all four equations. Finally, the corresponding time-stepping schemes are derived by employing a dG($$r$$
r
) discretization in time.
Formation of a molecularly and mesoscopically ordered structure from cage siloxanes with a long alkyl chain and dimethylsilanol groups
Authors: Hattori Yuta , Hayashi Taiki , Hikino Takuya , Miwa Ryuta , Oka Yosuke , Fujino Koki , Sato Naoto , Matsuno Takamichi , Wada Hiroaki , Kuroda Kazuyuki , Shimojima Atsushi
Published: July 2023

Structural control of siloxane-based materials at multiple length scales is important for various applications. In this study, we report the controlled assembly of cage oligosiloxane building blocks by both intermolecular hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. A cage siloxane molecule modified with seven dimethylsilanol groups and an octadecyldimethylsilyl group was synthesized by stepwise silylation of double-four-ring (D4R) cage octasilicate anions. This molecule self-assembled to form a molecularly and mesoscopically ordered structure by solvent evaporation. Furthermore, the silanol groups in the assembled solids were cross-linked by silylation with dichlorodimethylsilane. This approach will allow for the creation of various hierarchically ordered siloxane-based materials by molecular design.

Graphical Abstract
The affirmed (White) teacher in a cross-race context
Authors: Brady Shannon T. , Griffiths Camilla Mutoni , Cohen Geoffrey L.
Published: July 2023

Within psychology, efforts to address racial-ethnic disparities in students’ academic outcomes have focused primarily on students themselves. But there is another important person in classrooms: the teacher. In the United States, most racial-ethnically minoritized students are taught by White teachers. Drawing on research on cross-race interactions, we argue that for White teachers—especially those new to the profession—this dynamic is likely to elicit psychological threat, which then undermines their relationships with students, their well-being, and their effectiveness as an instructor. We hypothesized that values affirmation, a technique to mitigate threat and stress, could improve these outcomes. We randomly assigned White public school teachers (N = 109) at schools serving predominantly minoritized students to complete a values affirmation exercise or a matched control exercise in the fall of their first year of teaching. Five months later, affirmed teachers reported greater well-being and better teacher–student relationships than their control counterparts, and their classrooms were rated as more rigorous and more supportive of students’ academic growth by trained observers.
Hydrogen-bonded supramolecular structures in copper(II) nitrobenzoates with N-methylnicotinamide: synthesis, supramolecular structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, spectral and DFT study
Authors: Piroš Milan , Vasková Zuzana , Mazúr Milan , Moncoľ Ján , Švorec Jozef
Published: July 2023

The synthesis of six new copper(II) nitrobenzoate complexes with N-methylnicotinamide, used as an auxiliary ligand for a supramolecular interaction study, is reported. Crystal structures of six novel compounds [Cu(2-NO2bz)2(mna)2(H2O)2] (1), [Cu(2-NO2bz)2(mna)2(H2O)2]∙2H2O (2), [Cu(3-NO2bz)2(mna)2(H2O)2] (3), [Cu(3,5-(NO2)2bz)2(mna)2(H2O)2]∙2H2O (4), [Cu(4-NO2bz)2(mna)2(H2O)2]∙2(4-NO2bzH) (5) and [Cu(3,5-(NO2)2bz)2(mna)(H2O)3] (6) (mna = N-methylnicotinamide, 2-NO2bz = 2-nitrobenzoate, 3-NO2bz = 3-nitrobenzoate, 4-NO2bz = 4-nitrobenzoate, 3,5-(NO2)2bz = 3,5-dinitrobenzoate) were determined by X-ray analysis. Compounds 1–6 are mononuclear with a tetragonal-bipyramidal geometry around the Cu2+ ion. The molecules of the studied complexes are mostly linked by a combination of N–H…O and O–H…O hydrogen bonds between N-methylnicotinamide and water molecules into supramolecular hydrogen-bonded coordination chains and networks. Intermolecular interactions in the supramolecular structures were also studied using Hirshfeld surface analysis. In addition, the complexes 1–6 have been characterised by elemental analysis, IR, UV–Vis and EPR spectroscopy. Density functional theory calculations were performed in order to reproduce the EPR magnetic parameters. DFT calculations of the EPR parameters show a good agreement with the experimental results.
Role of Minimum Adhesive Wear Particle Size in Third-Body Layer Properties
Authors: Pham-Ba Son , Molinari Jean-François
Published: July 2023

We employ a novel discrete element method (DEM) force formulation to simulate adhesive wear and assess the effects of material and loading parameters on the properties of the third-body layer (TBL) formed during sliding motion. The study emphasizes the role of a material’s critical length scale $$d^{*}$$

d

∗

in the rheology of the TBL. This critical length scale is already known for controlling the size of smallest wear particles. We observe the emergence of a several wear regimes involving wear particle creation and aggregation, with limited effect from $$d^{*}$$

d

∗

on TBL properties. Instead, material strength and surface energy have a profound influence. This study opens up new avenues for exploration of larger systems, three-dimensional setups, and other loading conditions.
Systemic inflammation and biological aging in the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Meier Helen C. S. , Mitchell Colter , Karadimas Thomas , Faul Jessica D.
Published: July 2023

Chronic, low-level systemic inflammation associated with aging, or inflammaging, is a risk factor for several chronic diseases and mortality. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we generated a continuous latent variable for systemic inflammation from seven measured indicators of inflammation and examined associations with another biomarker of biological aging, DNA methylation age acceleration measured by epigenetic clocks, and 4-year mortality (N = 3,113). We found that greater systemic inflammation was positively associated with DNA methylation age acceleration for 10 of the 13 epigenetic clocks, after adjustment for sociodemographics and chronic disease risk factors. The latent variable for systemic inflammation was associated with 4-year mortality independent of DNA methylation age acceleration and was a better predictor of 4-year mortality than any of the epigenetic clocks examined, as well as mortality risk factors, including obesity and multimorbidity. Inflammaging and DNA methylation age acceleration may represent different biological processes contributing to mortality risk. Leveraging multiple measured inflammation markers to capture inflammaging is important for biology of aging research.
Enhancing electromagnetic tracking accuracy in medical applications using pre-trained witness sensor distortion models
Authors: Cavaliere Marco , Cantillon-Murphy Pádraig
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Electromagnetic tracking (EMT) accuracy is affected by the presence of surrounding metallic materials. In this work, we propose measuring the magnetic field's variation due to distortion at a witness position to localise the instrument causing distortion based on a pre-trained model and without additional sensors attached to it.

Methods

Two experiments were performed to demonstrate possible applications of the technique proposed. In the first case, the distortion introduced by an ultrasound (US) probe was characterised and subsequently used to track the probe position on a line. In the second application, the measurement was used to estimate the distance of an interventional fluoroscopy C-arm machine and apply the correct compensation model.

Results

Tracking of the US probe using the proposed method was demonstrated with millimetric accuracy. The distortion created by the C-arm caused errors in the order of centimetres, which were reduced to 1.52 mm RMS after compensation.

Conclusions

The distortion profile associated with medical equipment was pre-characterised and used in applications such as object tracking and error compensation map selection. In the current study, the movement was limited to one degree of freedom (1 DOF) and simple analytical functions were used to model the magnetic distortion. Future work will explore advanced AI models to extend the method to 6 DOF tracking using multiple witness sensors.