bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the mechanism of the diversion of flow and sediment in the complex Estuarine River network
Authors: Dong Haoyan , He Zixiao , Jia Liangwen
Published: January 2024

The anomalous variation in the diversion of flow and sediment at the major bifurcation nodes of the Pearl River network in recent years has been generally recognised and accepted, yet the underlying mechanisms have not been revealed. In this study, a large‐scale two‐dimensional flow‐sediment numerical model of the Pearl River estuary was constructed using the TELEMAC‐MASCARET modelling system. Additionally, synchronous field surveys from the dry season of 2016 and wet season of 2017 were used to validate the model. The complex branches system of the Pearl River network was generalised. The theoretical models for calculating the water diversion ratio (WDR) of complex estuarine river networks were proposed. The WDR at each river network node is related to Manning's roughness coefficient, the average cross‐sectional water depth, the water surface slope, the length of the branches and the average cross‐sectional area from the river network nodes to the main estuary outlets. Specifically, the average cross‐sectional water depth is the main driver of the formation of the WDRs at the nodes in the Pearl River network. The sediment SDRs at the primary and secondary lateral branching nodes are significantly higher than the WDRs in the dry season, which explains the uneven distribution of flow and sediment. Sediment mining and reclamation are the main factors that have affected the variation in flow and SDRs in the Pearl River network over recent decades.
Valorization of Lignocellulosic Molecules through Homogeneous Ru‐Catalyzed C−C and C−N Bond Forming Reactions
Authors: Fiorito Daniele , Ferraccioli Raffaella
Published: January 2024

A sustainable upgrading of renewable bulk materials, obtained by decomposition of biomass lignocellulose, could facilitate their use in the industrial production of chemicals. Homogeneous ruthenium catalysis plays a fundamental role in this area. The review deals with the upgradation of lignocellulosic molecules through the formation of new C−C and C−N bonds. Selected examples of catalytic bond forming reactions reported until mid of 2023, include: (a) dehydrogenative based couplings of alcohols, (b) reductive amination of carbonyl compounds, (c) direct C−H functionalization of (hetero)aromatic compounds. These approaches fulfill the requirements of sustainability: application occurs without any previous substrate activation, thus reducing the production of waste. New chemicals containing the intrinsic molecular structure of lignocellulose substrates, showed a broad range of applications: green fuels, hydrogen carriers, monomers of polymers, intermediates of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The results discussed in the review could inspire the reader to improve the valorization process, in terms of bio‐substrate scope as well as product complexity, through more strategic applications of the catalytic methods.
Proposing a Selective Electrochemical Sensor for Pb2+ Prepared from Fish‐Waste‐Derived Hydroxyapatite/Gelatin nanocomposite
Authors: Ghaneh Mohammad Ali , Hashemi Majid , Hashemnia Sedigheh , Solati Zahra
Published: January 2024

Lead is one of the toxic heavy metals in the environment and its concentration in oceans, seas, lakes and rivers should be controlled. Both hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and gelatin were extracted from the bone wastes of Talang queenfish and were used for preparation of a hydroxyapatite‐gelatin nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was used as a modifier in fabrication of a carbon paste electrode (CPE) for determination of Pb2+ concentration. The behavior of the prepared electrode was studied with respect of changes in the amount of modifier and pH of the solution. The best response was obtained with 5 % wt of composite in CPE and at pH 5. The prepared electrode showed a linear response in the concentration range of 2–290 μM of Pb2+ with a good detection limit and acceptable stability, reproducibility and selectivity. The modified electrode showed an excellent selectivity towards Pb2+ in the presence of other metal ions such as Cd2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Co2+ and Mg2+. The electrode can also be used for simultaneous determination of Cd2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+ without considerable interference with each other or Pb2+ ions. This electrode is convenient for determination of Pb2+ in real water samples without using a pre‐concentration step.
Adhesive Nanoparticle‐in‐Microgel System with ROS Scavenging Capability and Hemostatic Activity for Postoperative Adhesion Prevention
Authors: Chen Jianmei , An Xueying , Xu Li , Gao Ya , Zhou Mengqin , Liu Zongguang
Published: January 2024

Postoperative adhesion is a noteworthy clinical complication in abdominal surgery due to the existing physical barriers are unsatisfactory and inefficient in preventing its occurrence. In this work, an elaborate nanoparticle‐in‐microgel system (nMGel) is presented for postoperative adhesion prevention. nMGel is facilely formed by crosslinking manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoparticles‐loaded gelatin microspheres with polydopamine using a modified emulsification‐chemical crosslinking method, generating a nano‐micron spherical hydrogel. After drying, powdery nMGel with sprayability can perfectly cover irregular wounds and maintains robust tissue adhesiveness even in a wet environment. Additionally, nMGel possesses prominent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, which protects cell viability and preserves cell biological functions in an oxidative microenvironment. Furthermore, nMGel displays superior hemostatic property as demonstrated in mouse tail amputation models and liver trauma models. Importantly, nMGel can be conveniently administrated in a mouse cecal defect model to prevent adhesion between the injured cecum and the peritoneum by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, collagen synthesis, and angiogenesis. Thus, the bioactive nMGel offers a practical and efficient approach for ameliorating postsurgical adhesion.
Boron Nitride Nanosheets Induce Lipid Accumulation and Autophagy in Human Alveolar Lung Epithelial Cells Cultivated at Air‐Liquid Interface
Authors: Gupta Govind , Wang Ziting , Kissling Vera M. , Gogos Alexander , Wick Peter , Buerki‐Thurnherr Tina
Published: January 2024

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is an emerging 2D material attracting significant attention due to its superior electrical, chemical, and therapeutic properties. However, inhalation toxicity mechanisms of hBN in human lung cells are poorly understood. Here, cellular interaction and effects of hBN nanosheets is investigated in alveolar epithelial cells cultured on porous inserts and exposed under air−liquid interface conditions for 24 h. hBN is taken up by the cells as determined in a label‐free manner via RAMAN‐confocal microscopy, ICP‐MS, TEM, and SEM‐EDX. No significant (p > 0.05) effects are observed on cell membrane integrity (LDH release), epithelial barrier integrity (TEER), interleukin‐8 cytokine production or reactive oxygen production at tested dose ranges (1, 5, and 10 µg cm−2). However, it is observed that an enhanced accumulation of lipid granules in cells indicating the effect of hBN on lipid metabolism. In addition, it is observed that a significant (p < 0.05) and dose‐dependent (5 and 10 µg cm−2) induction of autophagy in cells after exposure to hBN, potentially associated with the downstream processing and breakdown of excess lipid granules to maintain lipid homeostasis. Indeed, lysosomal co‐localization of lipid granules supporting this argument is observed. Overall, the results suggest that the continuous presence of excess intracellular lipids may provoke adverse outcomes in the lungs.
High‐Performance Flexible Broadband Photoelectrochemical Photodetector Based on Molybdenum Telluride
Authors: Xu Xiang , Wang Ying , Ji Yeqin , Chen Zhijian , Lu Chunhui , Xu Xinlong , Hua Dengxin
Published: January 2024

Flexible broadband photodetectors are desired but challenging to be fabricated for next‐generation wearable intelligent optoelectronic devices. Considering the narrow bandgap and strong light absorption, molybdenum telluride (MoTe2) based photoelectrochemical photodetectors are successfully assembled by liquid phase exfoliation accompanied with the electrophoretic deposited method. This MoTe2‐based photodetector shows a broadband detection in ultraviolet–near‐infrared band, long‐term stability within 18000 s, and fast response in millisecond‐level (response time≈19 ms, recovery time≈26 ms). More importantly, even though the MoTe2 photodetector is bent and twisted at a high degree for several hundred times, it still shows excellent flexibility with stable on‐off switching characteristics. Additionally, this photodetector displays a good response for rotation angles in the range from 0° to 360°, and the extracted Iph maintain almost the same value approximately 0.97 µA cm−2, suggesting an omnidirectional detection capability. This work demonstrates the proposed flexible photoanode shows a great potential in future broadband omnidirectional detection systems.
pH‐Dependent Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Mesophase and Ionization Behavior of Phytantriol‐Based Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticles
Authors: Yu Haitao , Dyett Brendan , Kirby Nigel , Cai Xudong , Mohamad Mohamad El , Bozinovski Steven , Drummond Calum J. , Zhai Jiali
Published: January 2024

Self‐assembled lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), serving as essential nanocarriers in recent COVID‐19 mRNA vaccines, provide a stable and versatile platform for delivering a wide range of biological materials. Notably, LNPs with unique inverse mesostructures, such as cubosomes and hexosomes, are recognized as fusogenic nanocarriers in the drug delivery field. This study delves into the physicochemical properties, including size, lyotropic liquid crystalline mesophase, and apparent pKa of LNPs with various lipid components, consisting of two ionizable lipids (ALC‐0315 and SM‐102) used in commercial COVID‐19 mRNA vaccines and a well‐known inverse mesophase structure‐forming helper lipid, phytantriol (PT). Two partial mesophase diagrams are generated for both ALC‐0315/PT LNPs and SM‐102/PT LNPs as a function of two factors, ionizable lipid ratio (α, 0–100 mol%) and pH condition (pH 3–11). Furthermore, the impact of different LNP stabilizers (Pluronic F127, Pluronic F108, and Tween 80) on their pH‐dependent phase behavior is evaluated. The findings offer insights into the self‐assembled mesostructure and ionization state of the studied LNPs with potentially enhanced endosomal escape ability. This research is relevant to developing innovative next‐generation LNP systems for delivering various therapeutics.
3D Printable Active Hydrogels with Supramolecular Additive‐Driven Adaptiveness
Authors: Li Xiao , Guan Zhecun , Zhao Jiayu , Bae Jinhye
Published: January 2024

Smart hydrogels are a promising candidate for the development of next‐generation soft materials due to their stimuli‐responsiveness, deformability, and biocompatibility. However, it remains challenging to enable hydrogels to actively adapt to various environmental conditions like living organisms. In this work, supramolecular additives are introduced to the hydrogel matrix to confer environmental adaptiveness. Specifically, their microstructures, swelling behaviors, mechanical properties, and transparency can adapt to external environmental conditions. Moreover, the presence of hydrogen bonding provides the hydrogel with applicable rheological properties for 3D extrusion printing, thus allowing for the facile preparation of thickness‐dependent camouflage and multistimuli responsive complex. The environmentally adaptive hydrogel developed in this study offers new approaches for manipulating supramolecular interactions and broadens the capability of smart hydrogels in information security and multifunctional integrated actuation.
Are sonographers the future ‘gold standard’ in the diagnosis of endometriosis?
Authors: Deslandes Alison , Panuccio Catrina , Avery Jodie , Condous George , Leonardi Mathew , Knox Steven , Chen Hsaing‐Ting , Hull Mary Louise
Published: January 2024

Diagnosis of endometriosis has traditionally relied on laparoscopic surgery, which was considered the ‘gold standard’ diagnostic tool. This is not ideal as surgery carries risk, is expensive, is difficult to access, and disrupts patients work or education due to the recovery time needed. As such, imaging has been investigated as a potential method for non‐invasive diagnosis, with transvaginal ultrasound showing high diagnostic accuracy for ovarian endometriomas and deep endometriosis. The advances in imaging capability led to recent international guidelines suggesting laparoscopy is no longer the ‘gold‐standard’ for diagnosis and encouraging clinicians to utilise medical imaging as part of their diagnostic work‐up for endometriosis. Imaging is emerging as not only a tool for planning endometriosis surgery but increasingly as the first approach for initial diagnosis. Given that transvaginal ultrasound is the primary imaging modality for assessment of gynaecological conditions, it is inevitable that sonographers will have a significant future role in endometriosis diagnosis. This moves away from endometriosis diagnosis being the exclusive realm of laparoscopic surgeons and increasingly involves medical imaging specialists. This review article will describe the origins of endometriosis ultrasound and the current capabilities of transvaginal ultrasound in this field. The expectations of sonographers in this evolving space will be explored, as well as recent novel research findings to gain insight into what the future of endometriosis diagnosis with ultrasound may look like.
Heavy metal concentration in agricultural soil near industrial clusters around Raipur city: A geochemical appraisal
Authors: Baruah Manash Protim , Singha Kiranjit , Jha Priyanka
Published: January 2024

A detailed assessment of heavy metal concentration has been done through a regional geochemical survey near an industrial area in the outskirts of Raipur City. The multi‐metal analysis was carried out through detailed sampling of stream sediments and slope wash samples. All heavy metals like Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), and Arsenic (As) are found to present at higher concentrations than their permissible limits. The maximum concentration of heavy metals in descending order of occurrences for Cr, Pb, Cu, Co, Ni, and As were 213, 68, 55, 54, 45, and 35, ppm, respectively. The weathering of the carbonate rocks present in the area is found to be the source of a few metals like Ni, Cr, and Cu. Other metals like Co, Pb, and As are observed at higher concentrations near the industrial areas in the northwestern part. The chemical effluents released from the steel industries are believed to be the prime source of these metals, which also confirmed through field validation. This study emphasizes the significance of the geochemical database generated by National Geochemical Mapping (NGCM) for social and environmental goals.
Per‐ and poly‐fluoroalkyl substances removal in multi‐barrier advanced water purification system for indirect potable reuse
Authors: Li Lin , Haak Laura , Guarin Tatiana C. , Teel Lydia , Sundaram Vijay , Pagilla Krishna R.
Published: January 2024

The study evaluated the removal efficacy of per‐ and poly‐fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across various advanced water treatment (AWT) processes in a field‐scale AWT train using secondary effluent samples from a full‐scale water reclamation facility (WRF). Samples collected from April to October 2020 revealed PFCAs as the dominant PFAS compounds in the WRF secondary effluent, with PFPeA having the highest average concentration and PFSAs in notably lower amounts. Temporal fluctuations in total PFAS concentrations peaked in September 2020, which may reflect the seasonality in PFAS discharges related to applications like AFFFs and pesticides. In assessing AWT processes, coagulation‐flocculation‐clarification‐filtration system showed no notable PFAS reduction, while ozonation resulted in elevated PFBS and PFBA concentrations. Biological activated carbon (BAC) filtration effectively removed long‐chain PFAS like PFOS and PFHxS but saw increased concentrations of short‐chain PFAS post‐treatment. Granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration was the most effective treatment, reducing all PFSAs below the detection limits and significantly decreasing most PFCAs, though short‐chain PFCAs persisted. UV treatment did not remove short‐chain PFCAs such as PFBA, PFPeA, and PFHxA. The findings highlight the efficacy of AWT processes like GAC in PFAS reduction for potable reuse, but also underscore the challenge presented by short‐chain PFAS, emphasizing the need for tailored treatment strategies.

Practitioner Points

Secondary effluents showed higher concentrations of PFCAs compared to PFSAs.

Advanced water treatment effectively removes long‐chain PFAS but not short‐chain.

Ozonation may contribute to formation of short‐chain PFAS.

BAC is less effective on short‐chain PFAS, requiring further GAC treatment.
Preparation of Copper‐containing Nanocomposites by Thermolysis of Copper (II) Complex and Their Use as Anti‐friction and Anti‐wear Additives to Lubricant Oils
Authors: Drogan Ekaterina G. , Tautieva Marina A. , Burlakova Victoria E. , Popov Leonid D. , Estrin Igor A. , Uflyand Igor E.
Published: January 2024

A simple and accessible method has been developed for the preparation of copper‐containing nanocomposites by thermolysis of a copper(II) complex with a Schiff base based on 3‐formyl‐4‐hydroxycoumarin and octadecylamine at 500 °C. The resulting nanoparticles with a particle size of up to 85 nm were used as additives to lubricants. It has been established that copper oxide nanoparticles with a concentration of 0.5 % and 1 % increase the anti‐wear and anti‐friction properties of the lubricant.
Sex determination by ultrasonography prior to artificial breeding of the pufferfish Arothron manilensis (Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontidae)
Authors: Doi Hiroyuki , Murakami Shoki , Momota Kazuyuki , Obata Hiroshi , Sakai Harumi
Published: January 2024

Artificial breeding was induced in the pufferfish Arothron manilensis following ultrasonographic sex determination. Hormonal treatment of mature male and female specimens followed the collection (and measurement) of fully developed eggs by cannulation. Fertilized eggs (0.85 ± 0.02 mm diameter) were spherical, demersal and individually adhesive. Hatching occurred 5 days after fertilization, larvae being 2.23 ± 0.15 mm in total length and 2.08 ± 0.14 mm in notochord length. The larvae had all died within 14 days of hatching. To improve artificial breeding techniques for A. manilensis, it is necessary to determine more appropriate timing for hormone injection, as well as feeding nutrient‐enhanced SS type Brachionus sp. to newly hatched larvae.
Interpretable Structural Analysis for Evolutionary Generative Design of Coastal Breakwaters
Authors: Sidorenko Denis O. , Starodubcev Nikita O. , Pinchuk Maiia , Nikitin Nikolay O.
Published: January 2024

This paper presents an interpretable approach for the generative design of coastal breakwaters that combines evolutionary optimization and structural analysis of solutions. It allows both to improve the convergence of optimization for breakwaters structure and analyze the sensitivity of each sub-part of the solution to various changes. We conduct experiments on synthetic harbour configuration to validate this approach. The results confirm the effectiveness of our method in generating high-quality and explainable breakwater designs.
New insights into the genetics of mandibular retrognathism: novel candidate genes
Authors: Paddenberg-Schubert Eva , Küchler Erika , Bitencourt Reis Caio Luiz , Silva-Sousa Alice Corrêa , Kirschneck Christian
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Mandibular retrognathism (MR) is a common skeletal malocclusion in humans with a strong genetic component. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptor (EGFR) could be involved in the etiology of mandibular retrognathism. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether SNPs in the genes encoding for EGF and EGFR are associated with MR in German teenagers.

Methods

This nested case–control study evaluated German orthodontic patients, aged 10–18 years. DNA, which was isolated from buccal epithelial cells using two cytobrushes, was used for genotyping analysis and digital pretreatment lateral cephalograms were examined to calculate SNB and ANB. Patients with a retrognathic mandible (SNB < 78°) were included as cases, while patients with an orthognathic mandible (SNB = 78–82°) were included as controls. Four SNPs in the genes encoding for EGF and EGFR were chosen and genotyped using real-time PCR. Allele, genotype, and haplotype frequency were compared across groups (α = 5%).

Results

Finally, 119 patients were included in this study (45 orthognathic mandible, 74 retrognathic mandible). The minor allele G in rs4444903 (EGF) was statistically more frequent in individuals with an orthognathic mandible (p = 0.008). The haplotype formed by the mutant alleles for rs4444903|rs2237051 (EGF; G|A) was statistically more frequent in the orthognathic mandible group (p = 0.007). The SNPs rs4444903 and rs2237051 in EGF, and rs2227983 in EGFR were statistically associated with a decreasing risk of developing a retrognathic mandible according to univariate and multivariate statistical analysis (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

SNPs in EGF (rs4444903 and rs2237051) and EGFR (rs2227983) were associated with MR in our German sample and could be genetic biomarkers for early and individualized diagnostic identification of retrognathic mandibular development by means of genetic screening tests.
Regressive versions of Hindman’s theorem
Authors: Carlucci Lorenzo , Mainardi Leonardo
Published: January 2024

When the Canonical Ramsey’s Theorem by Erdős and Rado is applied to regressive functions, one obtains the Regressive Ramsey’s Theorem by Kanamori and McAloon. Taylor proved a “canonical” version of Hindman’s Theorem, analogous to the Canonical Ramsey’s Theorem. We introduce the restriction of Taylor’s Canonical Hindman’s Theorem to a subclass of the regressive functions, the $$\lambda $$
λ
-regressive functions, relative to an adequate version of min-homogeneity and prove some results about the Reverse Mathematics of this Regressive Hindman’s Theorem and of natural restrictions of it. In particular we prove that the first non-trivial restriction of the principle is equivalent to Arithmetical Comprehension. We furthermore prove that the well-ordering-preservation principle for base-$$\omega $$
ω
exponentiation is reducible to this same principle by a uniform computable reduction.
Stefin B alleviates the gouty arthritis in mice by inducing the M2 polarization of macrophages
Authors: Lin Shishui , Hu Xu , Li Yang , Huang Jiyue , Zhang Rui , Bai Xinxin , Weng Shaohuang , Chen Min
Published: January 2024

The present study aims to explore the therapeutic effect of Stefin B on gouty arthritis (GA) and the polarization of macrophages in mice. Stefin B-overexpressed or knockdown M0 macrophages were constructed. The GA model was established in mice by injecting 25 mg/mL MSU, followed by a single injecting of Stefin B-overexpressing adenovirus vector (GA model + Stefin B OE) or an empty vector (GA model + Stefin B OE NC). Stefin B was found lowly expressed in M1 macrophages. CD206 was markedly upregulated and IL-10 release was signally increased in Stefin B-overexpressed macrophages. In gouty arthritis mice, marked redness and swelling were observed in the ankle joint. Dramatical infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in the GA model and GA model + Stefin B OE NC groups, which was suppressed in the Stefin B OE group. Increased proportion of F4/80+CD86+ cells observed in GA mice was markedly repressed by Stefin B overexpression, accompanied by the declined level of Caspase-1 and IL-17. Collectively, Stefin B alleviated the GA in mice by inducing the M2 polarization of macrophages.
Pulmonary lesions in early response assessment in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma: prevalence and possible implications for initial staging
Authors: Stoevesandt Dietrich , Ludwig Christiane , Mauz-Körholz Christine , Körholz Dieter , Hasenclever Dirk , McCarten Kathleen , Flerlage Jamie E. , Kurch Lars , Wohlgemuth Walter A. , Landman-Parker Judith , Wallace William H. , Fosså Alexander , Vordermark Dirk , Karlén Jonas , Cepelová Michaela , Klekawka Tomasz , Attarbaschi Andishe , Hraskova Andrea , Uyttebroeck Anne , Beishuizen Auke , Dieckmann Karin , Leblanc Thierry , Daw Stephen , Steglich Jonas
Published: January 2024

Background

Disseminated pulmonary involvement in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (pHL) is indicative of Ann Arbor stage IV disease. During staging, it is necessary to assess for coexistence of non-malignant lung lesions due to infection representing background noise to avoid erroneously upstaging with therapy intensification.

Objective

This study attempts to describe new lung lesions detected on interim staging computed tomography (CT) scans after two cycles of vincristine, etoposide, prednisolone, doxorubicin in a prospective clinical trial. Based on the hypothesis that these new lung lesions are not part of the underlying malignancy but are epiphenomena, the aim is to analyze their size, number, and pattern to help distinguish true lung metastases from benign lung lesions on initial staging.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of the EuroNet-PHL-C1 trial re-evaluated the staging and interim lung CT scans of 1,300 pediatric patients with HL. Newly developed lung lesions during chemotherapy were classified according to the current Fleischner glossary of terms for thoracic imaging. Patients with new lung lesions found at early response assessment (ERA) were additionally assessed and compared to response seen in hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes.

Results

Of 1,300 patients at ERA, 119 (9.2%) had new pulmonary lesions not originally detectable at diagnosis. The phenomenon occurred regardless of initial lung involvement or whether a patient relapsed. In the latter group, new lung lesions on ERA regressed by the time of relapse staging. New lung lesions on ERA in patients without relapse were detected in 102 (7.8%) patients. Pulmonary nodules were recorded in 72 (5.5%) patients, the majority (97%) being<10 mm. Consolidations, ground-glass opacities, and parenchymal bands were less common.

Conclusion

New nodules on interim staging are common, mostly measure less than 10 mm in diameter and usually require no further action because they are most likely non-malignant. Since it must be assumed that benign and malignant lung lesions coexist on initial staging, this benign background noise needs to be distinguished from lung metastases to avoid upstaging to stage IV disease. Raising the cut-off size for lung nodules to ≥ 10 mm might achieve the reduction of overtreatment but needs to be further evaluated with survival data. In contrast to the staging criteria of EuroNet-PHL-C1 and C2, our data suggest that the number of lesions present at initial staging may be less important.
Autoantikörperdiagnostik bei idiopathisch inflammatorischen Myopathien
Authors: Biesen Robert , Schneider Udo , Lindae Antje , Mierau Rudolf
Published: January 2024

Idiopathische inflammatorische Myopathien (IIM) sind eine Gruppe seltener und heterogener Systemerkrankungen, die sich nicht nur an der Muskulatur, sondern auch an der Haut, den Gelenken und der Lunge manifestieren. Die Erstsymptome können isoliert und variabel auftreten, und so stellt die Diagnosefindung verschiedene Fachgruppen vor Herausforderungen. Da Autoantikörper mitunter die einzigen spezifischen Befunde sind, die zur Diagnose und einer angepassten Therapie führen, sind grundlegende Kenntnisse über diese unabdingbar. In dieser Arbeit erklären wir verfügbare Testsysteme, benennen die klinischen notwendigen Indikationen zur Veranlassung einer Autoantikörperdiagnostik, geben Informationen zu Etymologie, Antigenen, Synonymen und Erstbeschreibern, beschreiben die durch Myositisantikörper induzierte indirekte Immunfluoreszenz auf HEp-2-Zellen und geben die klinisch-serologischen Assoziationen wieder. Der Abgleich des Autoantikörperbefundes mit der klinischen Symptomatik und laborchemischen Befunden ermöglicht im Sinne einer Plausibilitätsprüfung, falsch positive oder auch falsch negative Laborbefunde zu identifizieren.
Reconstruction of rock avalanche history in Val Viola, (Upper Valtellina, Italian Central Alps) through 10Be exposure ages, Schmidt Hammer R values, and surface roughness
Authors: Longhi Alessandro , Morgan Daniel , Guglielmin Mauro
Published: January 2024

We investigated the paraglacial evolution and permafrost degradation of Val Viola (Upper Valtellina, Central Italian Alps) through a geomorphologic survey, cosmogenic dating, Schmidt’s Hammer, and surface roughness measurements. Our results reveal that the previously mapped Val Viola rock avalanche is probably derived by three different events that occurred 7.7 ± 0.2 ka (Orthogneiss_ 1), 7.0 ± 0.2 ka (Paragneiss), and 5.0 ± 0.3 ka (Orthogneiss_2). Because the main valley bottom has been ice free since at least 12.6 ka, it is unlikely that the triggering factor of these events was the debutressing stress caused by the melting of local valley glaciers. Therefore, permafrost that formed in this area down to 2525 m a.s.l. at 9.3–8 ka and degraded successively between 7.8 and 6.5 ka was likely the main triggering factor of the first two rock avalanche events, as well as for the third event that happened during the warm and wet period of the Holocene Thermal Maximum around 5 ka.
A novel triple periodic minimal surface-like plate lattice and its data-driven optimization method for superior mechanical properties
Authors: Wang Yanda , Lian Yanping , Wang Zhidong , Wang Chunpeng , Fang Daining
Published: January 2024

Lattice structures can be designed to achieve unique mechanical properties and have attracted increasing attention for applications in high-end industrial equipment, along with the advances in additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. In this work, a novel design of plate lattice structures described by a parametric model is proposed to enrich the design space of plate lattice structures with high connectivity suitable for AM processes. The parametric model takes the basic unit of the triple periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattice as a skeleton and adopts a set of generation parameters to determine the plate lattice structure with different topologies, which takes the advantages of both plate lattices for superior specific mechanical properties and TPMS lattices for high connectivity, and therefore is referred to as a TPMS-like plate lattice (TLPL). Furthermore, a data-driven shape optimization method is proposed to optimize the TLPL structure for maximum mechanical properties with or without the isotropic constraints. In this method, the genetic algorithm for the optimization is utilized for global search capability, and an artificial neural network (ANN) model for individual fitness estimation is integrated for high efficiency. A set of optimized TLPLs at different relative densities are experimentally validated by the selective laser melting (SLM) fabricated samples. It is confirmed that the optimized TLPLs could achieve elastic isotropy and have superior stiffness over other isotropic lattice structures.
Trastuzumab and first-line taxane chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer patients with a HER2-negative tumor and HER2-positive circulating tumor cells: a phase II trial
Authors: Verschoor Noortje , Bos Manouk K. , de Kruijff Ingeborg E. , Van Mai N. , Kraan Jaco , Drooger Jan C. , Zuetenhorst Johanna M. , Wilting Saskia M. , Sleijfer Stefan , Jager Agnes , Martens John W. M.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

HER2 overexpressing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are observed in up to 25% of HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer patients. Since targeted anti-HER2 therapy has drastically improved clinical outcomes of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, we hypothesized that patients with HER2 overexpressing CTCs might benefit from the addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy.

Methods

In this single-arm, phase II trial, patients with HER2-positive CTCs received trastuzumab as addition to first-line treatment with taxane chemotherapy. Patients with detectable CTCs but without HER2 overexpression that received taxane chemotherapy only, were used as control group. The primary outcome measure was progression-free rate at 6 months (PFR6), with a target of 80%. In November 2022, the study was terminated early due to slow patient accrual.

Results

63 patients were screened, of which eight patients had HER2-positive CTCs and were treated with trastuzumab. The median number of CTCs was 15 per 7.5 ml of blood (range 1–131) in patients with HER2-positive CTCs, compared to median 5 (range 1–1047) in the control group. PFR6 was 50% in the trastuzumab group and 54% in the taxane monotherapy group, with no significant difference in median PFS (8 versus 9 months, p = 0.51).

Conclusion

No clinical benefit of trastuzumab was observed, although this study was performed in a limited number of patients. Additionally, we observed a strong correlation between the number of evaluable CTCs and the presence of HER2-positive CTCs. We argue that randomized studies investigating agents that are proven to be solely effective in the HER2-positive patient group in patients with HER2-positive CTCs and HER2-negative tissue are currently infeasible. Several factors contribute to this impracticality, including the need for more stringent thresholds, and the rapidly evolving landscape of cancer treatments.
RESTBERTa: a Transformer-based question answering approach for semantic search in Web API documentation
Authors: Kotstein Sebastian , Decker Christian
Published: January 2024

To enable machines to process state-of-practice Web API documentation, we propose a Transformer model for the generic task of identifying a Web API element within a syntax structure that matches a natural language query. We solve this semantic-search task with Transformer-based question answering and demonstrate the applicability of our approach to two different tasks, namely the discovery of endpoints and the identification of parameters in payload schemas. With samples from 2321 OpenAPI documentation, we prepare different datasets and fine-tune pre-trained BERT models to these two tasks. We evaluate the generalizability and the robustness of our fine-tuned models. We achieve accuracies of 81.95% for the parameter-matching and 88.44% for the endpoint-discovery task.
To Nod or Not to Nod: How Does Interviewer Nonverbal Behavior Affect Rapport Perceptions and Recall in Truth Tellers and Lie Tellers?
Authors: Deeb Haneen , Leal Sharon , Vrij Aldert , Mann Samantha , Dabrowna Oliwia
Published: January 2024

Researchers have often claimed that the interviewer’s nonverbal behavior such as nodding facilitates rapport building, the number of recalled details, and verbal veracity cues. However, there is no experiment to-date that isolated the effects of nodding in information gathering interviews. We thus examined the effects of interviewer’s nodding behavior on rapport perceptions and on the number and accuracy of total details provided by truth tellers and lie tellers. Participants (N = 150) watched a video recording and then reported it truthfully or falsely to an interviewer. The interviewer showed demeanor that was either supportive with nodding, supportive without nodding, or neutral. Truth tellers reported more total details than lie tellers and these effects were similar across demeanor conditions. No significant effects emerged for rapport perceptions and accuracy of total details. These results suggest that the interviewer’s nodding behavior does not affect rapport perceptions and details provided by truth tellers and lie tellers.
“MAMA’s is like a second mom:” Client and Staff Experiences in a Comprehensive Social Risk Care Management Program Within a Perinatal Medical Home
Authors: Houston Kasee , Arellano Flor , Imany-Shakibai Helia , Jackson Ashaki , Saleeby Erin , Dudovitz Rebecca , Schickedanz Adam
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Addressing persistent racial inequities in preterm birth requires innovative health care approaches. The Los Angeles County Maternity Assessment and Management Access Service Synergy Neighborhood program (MAMA’s) is a perinatal medical home program designed to alleviate the impacts of chronic stress by addressing social determinants of health. It reduced odds of preterm birth rates in Black participants, yet it is unclear which program components most contributed to this reduction. This study seeks to understand the experiences of staff and clients within the MAMA’s program to identify what factors decrease stress, how the program addresses racism and the challenges and opportunities of optimizing health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

21 staff and 34 clients completed semi-structured interviews from November 2020–December 2021. Separate interview guides for staff and clients explored experiences within the program, experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how racism affects clients. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Analysis used a phenomenologic framework. Coding was performed using grounded theory to identify themes.

Results

Analysis revealed six key themes: Stressors clients face, barriers for undocumented, Latina, and Spanish-speaking clients, exceptional care, emotional support, naming and responding to racism and discrimination, and impacts of COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion

Staff and clients work together to address social needs in order to address chronic stress and racism in their lives, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews revealed relationship building is a cornerstone of the program’s success and plays a significant role in alleviating chronic stress in this population.
Pituitary hypophysitis in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA): a case series
Authors: Alameri Majid , Alnuaimi Abdulla , Martin Niamh M. , Meeran Karim , Gontsarova Anastasia , Barwick Tara D. , Ellis Spencer , McAdoo Stephen , Tomlinson James , Wernig Florian
Published: January 2024

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) rarely involves the pituitary gland. Pituitary involvement has been reported in ~ 1% of all cases of GPA. Most commonly, pituitary swelling and inflammation results in symptoms due to pituitary mass effect and arginine vasopressin deficiency. To date, there are no pituitary-specific treatment guidelines for this rare condition. We present three patients with GPA-related hypophysitis highlighting the spectrum of pituitary involvement. All three patients were successfully treated with immunosuppressive regimens that included rituximab (RTX). Following remission induction with high-dose glucocorticoids, patients received 6 monthly RTX for remission maintenance. RTX was well tolerated without significant side effects.
Pragmatist reflective equilibrium
Authors: van der Burg Wibren
Published: January 2024

Rawls’ notion of reflective equilibrium has a hybrid character. It is embedded in the pragmatist tradition, but also includes various Kantian and other non-pragmatist elements. I argue that we should discard all non-pragmatist elements and develop reflective equilibrium in a consistently pragmatist manner. I argue that this pragmatist approach is the best way to defend reflective equilibrium against various criticisms, partly by embracing the critiques as advantages. I begin with discussing how each of the three versions of reflective equilibrium in Rawls’ work combines pragmatist and non-pragmatist elements. For Rawls, the primary purpose of reflective equilibrium is epistemic: namely, to construct moral theories or judgments. In a pragmatist approach, there are three connected purposes for moral inquiry: right action, reliable understanding and self-improvement. Depending on the specific context of a reflective equilibrium process, these general purposes can give rise to a variety of specific purposes. In the next sections, I develop a pragmatist approach to reflective equilibrium and discuss the implications of this approach for core elements of reflective equilibrium. These elements are: the initial convictions, facts, personal commitments and comprehensive views of life, coherence and additional methods for critical scrutiny.
Sustainable planning: the case study of the Strait of Messina ports
Authors: Enea Daniele , Mastrilli Alberto
Published: January 2024

The energy and environmental policy carried out by the Port System Authority of the Strait (AdSP), in charge of the management of the ports spread along the Strait of Messina, is reported. The Environmental and Energy Planning Document of Port Systems (DEASP, the Italian acronym) is the document explaining the AdSP sustainable strategy to reduce GHG emissions. It defines specific measures, in order to improve energy efficiency in buildings and infrastructures, promote the use of renewable energy in the port area, and confer environmental benefits for the citizens of neighboring territories and port users. The main actions developed are as follows: photovoltaic solar plants and tidal energy systems, electrification of the docks to allow the shore supply of ships, and the construction of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage plant to replace more polluting marine fuels, together with awareness campaigns on “green” issues, involving the 3 million users of these ports. Starting from the socio-economic and environmental analysis of the territorial context managed by AdSP, the DEASP analyses all the activities carried out inside port areas and reports the energy consumptions of the concessionaries, in the way to calculate the carbon footprint and develop an environmental sustainable strategy to reduce pollutant emissions. The interventions foreseen are assessed through the cost-benefit analysis and allow reducing the GHG emissions in 2030 up to 46%.
Ranked Subtree Prune and Regraft
Authors: Collienne Lena , Whidden Chris , Gavryushkin Alex
Published: January 2024

Phylogenetic trees are a mathematical formalisation of evolutionary histories between organisms, species, genes, cancer cells, etc. For many applications, e.g. when analysing virus transmission trees or cancer evolution, (phylogenetic) time trees are of interest, where branch lengths represent times. Computational methods for reconstructing time trees from (typically molecular) sequence data, for example Bayesian phylogenetic inference using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, rely on algorithms that sample the treespace. They employ tree rearrangement operations such as $$\textrm{SPR}$$
SPR
(Subtree Prune and Regraft) and $$\textrm{NNI}$$
NNI
(Nearest Neighbour Interchange) or, in the case of time tree inference, versions of these that take times of internal nodes into account. While the classic $$\textrm{SPR}$$
SPR
tree rearrangement is well-studied, its variants for time trees are less understood, limiting comparative analysis for time tree methods. In this paper we consider a modification of the classical $$\textrm{SPR}$$
SPR
rearrangement on the space of ranked phylogenetic trees, which are trees equipped with a ranking of all internal nodes. This modification results in two novel treespaces, which we propose to study. We begin this study by discussing algorithmic properties of these treespaces, focusing on those relating to the complexity of computing distances under the ranked $$\textrm{SPR}$$
SPR
operations as well as similarities and differences to known tree rearrangement based treespaces. Surprisingly, we show the counterintuitive result that adding leaves to trees can actually decrease their ranked $$\textrm{SPR}$$
SPR
distance, which may have an impact on the results of time tree sampling algorithms given uncertain “rogue taxa”.
Automated magnetic resonance imaging quantification of cerebral parenchymal and ventricular volume following subarachnoid hemorrhage: associations with cognition
Authors: Jorna Lieke S. , Khosdelazad Sara , Kłos Justyna , Rakers Sandra E. , van der Hoorn Anouk , Potze Jan Hendrik , Borra Ronald J. H. , Groen Rob J. M. , Spikman Jacoba M. , Buunk Anne M.
Published: January 2024

This study aims to investigate cerebral parenchymal and ventricular volume changes after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and their potential association with cognitive impairment. 17 patients with aneurysmal SAH (aSAH) and 21 patients with angiographically negative SAH (anSAH) without visually apparent parenchymal loss on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included, along with 76 healthy controls. Volumetric analyses were performed using an automated clinical segmentation and quantification tool. Measurements were compared to on-board normative reference database (n = 1923) adjusted for age, sex, and intracranial volume. Cognition was assessed with tests for psychomotor speed, attentional control, (working) memory, executive functioning, and social cognition. All measurements took place 5 months after SAH. Lower cerebral parenchymal volumes were most pronounced in the frontal lobe (aSAH: n = 6 [35%], anSAH n = 7 [33%]), while higher volumes were most substantial in the lateral ventricle (aSAH: n = 5 [29%], anSAH n = 9 [43%]). No significant differences in regional brain volumes were observed between both SAH groups. Patients with lower frontal lobe volume exhibited significantly lower scores in psychomotor speed (U = 81, p = 0.02) and attentional control (t = 2.86, p = 0.004). Additionally, higher lateral ventricle volume was associated with poorer memory (t = 3.06, p = 0.002). Regional brain volume changes in patients with SAH without visible parenchymal abnormalities on MRI can still be quantified using a fully automatic clinical-grade tool, exposing changes which may contribute to cognitive impairment. Therefore, it is important to provide neuropsychological assessment for both SAH groups, also including those with clinically mild symptoms.
The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital After Completion of Therapy Clinic
Authors: Hudson Melissa M.
Published: January 2024

The St. Jude’s After Completion of Therapy (ACT) Clinic was established in 1984 to address the needs of long-term survivors treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Survivors eligible for transfer to ACT Clinic include those treated at St. Jude who are cancer-free, 5 years from diagnosis (5 years after completion of relapse therapy), and 2 years after completion of therapy. Services provided to clinic attendees include transportation, housing, and medical care costs not covered by insurance. The clinic’s mission is to improve the quality of life of survivors by facilitating their access to resources that optimize physical and emotional health, social functioning, and educational and vocational achievement. ACT evaluations are undertaken by a multidisciplinary team comprised of nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, social workers, psychologists, and other medical subspecialists as needed. ACT interventions include the organization of a survivorship care plan/treatment summary, risk-based health screening, counseling about health risks/risk mitigation, comprehensive psychosocial assessment, assistance with care transitions, and case management for identification of local resources. The ACT Clinic offers educational opportunities to graduate medical trainees and precepts national and international visitors seeking guidance in the development of survivorship programs. The ACT Clinic also provides a robust infrastructure for research investigations that have aimed to characterize health outcomes in long-term survivors and test interventions to prevent/remediate adverse effects of childhood cancer and its therapy. Findings from research facilitated by the ACT Clinic have informed health surveillance recommendations for long-term survivors and guided interventions to promote healthy aging among this growing population.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

This review describes a model of care that addresses the medical and psychosocial challenges of survivorship while integrating research investigations to improve health outcomes among childhood cancer survivors.