bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Block‐structured mesh generation from implicit geometries for cardiovascular applications
Authors: Bošnjak Domagoj , Fries Thomas‐Peter
Published: September 2023

Generation of suitable meshes for patient‐specific vascular domains remains a major obstacle in the context of numerical simulations relying on the finite element method, as well as many similar methods. Herein, we discuss a skeleton‐based structured meshing approach, revolving around block‐structures. We rely on an implicitly represented surface, either via a signed distance function, or a convolution surface. The mesh generation using the aforementioned concepts is performed through the proper utilisation of transfinite maps. Application‐wise, we consider healthy blood vessels, and extensions required to tackle aortas afflicted by aortic dissection. The high quality of the resulting meshes is affirmed through common mesh quality metrics. Our approach features large flexibility in terms of spatial resolution, as well as mesh order.
Not just having fun: Experiential‐learning–based school field trips improved local children's mental models of the mangrove nature reserve in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Wu Meng , Zhang Weizhe , Zeng Zhuo , Liu Chi‐Chang , Liu Kuei‐Pin
Published: September 2023

Nature‐based school field trips gained policy support from China governments. However, in a highly exam‐oriented education system, schools might be unwilling to implement such activities which they believe are merely fun journeys and useless for knowledge acquisition.

We designed an experiential learning field trip to a local mangrove reserve for third graders and assessed how it changed their mental models about the mangrove ecosystem through pre‐ and post‐drawings.

We analysed and scored the paired drawings through a rubric developed based on grounded theory coding procedures, used paired t‐tests to examine the changes, and qualitatively interpreted three example pairs from three groups divided by pre‐drawing scores. We deemed that participants' mental models improved, reflecting better knowledge about the mangrove ecosystem.

We suggest that the notion of mental models of the environment is relevant to the needs of both formal schools and environmental organizations.

By demonstrating a relatively successful nature‐based school field trip case involving pupils from China, we hope that formal schools of this country in the exam‐oriented educational context could utilize it as a justification and vicarious experience to participate in or implement such trips.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Integration of peripheral blood‐ and tissue‐based biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint blockade in urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Vanguri Rami S , Smithy James W , Li Yanyun , Zhuang Mingqiang , Maher Colleen A , Aleynick Nathaniel , Peng Xiyu , Al‐Ahmadie Hikmat , Funt Samuel A , Rosenberg Jonathan E , Iyer Gopa , Bajorin Dean , Mathews James C , Nadeem Saad , Panageas Katherine S , Shen Ronglai , Callahan Margaret K , Hollmann Travis J
Published: September 2023

As predictive biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remain a major unmet clinical need in patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC), we sought to identify tissue‐based immune biomarkers of clinical benefit to ICIs using multiplex immunofluorescence and to integrate these findings with previously identified peripheral blood biomarkers of response. Fifty‐five pretreatment and 12 paired on‐treatment UC specimens were identified from patients treated with nivolumab with or without ipilimumab. Whole tissue sections were stained with a 12‐plex mIF panel, including CD8, PD‐1/CD279, PD‐L1/CD274, CD68, CD3, CD4, FoxP3, TCF1/7, Ki67, LAG‐3, MHC‐II/HLA‐DR, and pancytokeratin+SOX10 to identify over three million cells. Immune tissue densities were compared to progression‐free survival (PFS) and best overall response (BOR) by RECIST version 1.1. Correlation coefficients were calculated between tissue‐based and circulating immune populations. The frequency of intratumoral CD3+LAG‐3+ cells was higher in responders compared to nonresponders (p = 0.0001). LAG‐3+ cellular aggregates were associated with response, including CD3+LAG‐3+ in proximity to CD3+ (p = 0.01). Exploratory multivariate modeling showed an association between intratumoral CD3+LAG‐3+ cells and improved PFS independent of prognostic clinical factors (log HR −7.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] −12.7 to −1.4), as well as established biomarkers predictive of ICI response (log HR −5.0; 95% CI −9.8 to −0.2). Intratumoral LAG‐3+ immune cell populations warrant further study as a predictive biomarker of clinical benefit to ICIs. Differences in LAG‐3+ lymphocyte populations across the intratumoral and peripheral compartments may provide complementary information that could inform the future development of multimodal composite biomarkers of ICI response. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
The influence of geometric characteristic on the pullout behavior of basalt FRP minibar embedded in concrete
Authors: Xia Liu , Xin Wang , Kaidi Jiang , Zhiyuan Chen , Yujin Hu , Zhishen Wu
Published: September 2023

With the increasing demand on structural toughness and energy absorption capacity, the addition of fiber to concrete has become an issue of significance. This paper studies the bond behavior of Basalt FRP (BFRP) minibar with straight, twisted and crimped geometric characteristics. The failure modes, pullout curves and bond strength were compared, and their interface degradation, damage evolution and failure mechanism between single fiber and concrete matrix were analyzed. Additionally, commercial steel fibers and polypropylene fibers were compared with the BFRP minibars to clarify the effect of fiber type on failure morphology, bond strength and interface properties. The results showed that the pulling out process for straight BFRP minibars, twisted BFRP minibars and crimped BFRP minibars was constituted by the elastic bonding stage, the partial de‐bonding stage, the complete de‐bonding stage and the pullout of fiber. The bond strength was composed of chemical adhesion and mechanical bond, where the mechanical bond play important role after the initial failure of chemical adhesion. The bond strength of crimped BFRP minibar, the hooked steel fiber, the indented polypropylene fibers and the twisted BFRP minibar were enhanced by 358%, 324%, 115%, and 54.5% compared to straight BFRP minibars. The interface bonding strengths improve with the increase of matrix strength. Dense microstructures of matrix improve the bond strength. The bond‐slip constitutive model was proposed for crimped, twisted and straight BFRP minibars with regression coefficient of 0.978, 0.891, and 0.992, respectively.

Highlights

Influence of fiber geometry and concrete strength on the pullout behavior

Interface degradation, damage evolution and failure mechanism between minibar and concrete

Bond‐slip constitutive model of straight, twisted and crimped BFRP minibars
Critique of “Evaluation of Addition of Intravenous Metronidazole to Oral Vancomycin Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with Non‐Fulminant Severe Clostridioides difficile Infection”
Authors: Ito Hiroshi
Published: September 2023

See also: Vega et al.
Dynamic covalent polymers generated from X‐yne click polymerization
Authors: Fu Xinyao , Qin Anjun , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: September 2023

Dynamic covalent polymers have gained more and more attention for their fascinating dynamic features and broad application prospects. As an emerging and powerful synthetic tool, X‐yne click polymerization, mainly including thiol‐yne, amino‐yne and hydroxyl‐yne click polymerizations, has been rapidly developed and widely applied in the preparation of functional polymers in recent years. Moreover, dynamic exchange processes have been successively observed in different X‐yne adducts, and then several dynamic covalent polymers have been obtained by X‐yne click polymerization. The combination of these two aspects not only provides a highly efficient synthetic approach for dynamic covalent polymers, but also further expands the application scope of X‐yne click polymerization, achieving a win–win situation. In this review, we sort out the dynamic exchange mechanisms based on the formation of β‐heteroatom enolate intermediates and give a detailed account of the progress of dynamic covalent polymers generated from X‐yne click polymerization and their applications in covalent adaptable networks (CANs), self‐healing injectable polymer hydrogels and functional porous polymeric films, etc. The existing deficiencies and future prospects in this field are also discussed.
Small and in‐country herbaria are vital for accurate plant threat assessments: A case study from Peru
Authors: Delves Jay , Albán‐Castillo Joaquina , Cano Asunción , Fernández Aviles Carmen , Gagnon Edeline , Gonzáles Paúl , Knapp Sandra , León Blanca , Marcelo‐Peña Jose Luis , Reynel Carlos , Rojas Gonzáles Rocío del Pilar , Rodríguez Rodríguez Eric F. , Särkinen Tiina , Vásquez Martínez Rodolfo , Moonlight Peter W.
Published: September 2023

Societal Impact Statement

Herbaria can be considered plant libraries, each holding collections of dried specimens documenting plant diversity in space and time. For many plant species, these are our only evidence of their existence and the only means of assessing their conservation status. Specimens in all herbaria, especially those in small and often under‐resourced herbaria in megadiverse countries, are key to achieving accurate estimates of the conservation status of the world's plant species. They are also part of a country's shared heritage and critical contributions to knowledge of the world's diversity.

Internationally agreed targets to assess the conservation status of all plant species rely largely on digitised distribution data from specimens held in herbaria.

Using taxonomically curated databases of herbarium specimen data for the mega‐diverse genera Begonia (Begoniaceae) and Solanum (Solanaceae) occurring in Peru, we test the value added from including data from local herbaria and herbaria of different sizes on estimations of threat status using International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria.

We find that the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) has little data from Peruvian herbaria and adding these data influences the estimated threat status of these species, reducing the numbers of Critically Endangered and Vulnerable species in both genera. Similarly, adding data from small‐ and medium‐sized herbaria, whether in‐country or not, also improves the accuracy of threat assessments. [Correction added on 08 September 2023, after first online publication: In the preceding sentence, “litter” has been corrected to “little” in this version.]

A renewed focus on resourcing and recognising the contribution of small and in‐country herbaria is required if we are to meet internationally agreed targets for plant conservation. We discuss our case study in the broader context of democratising and increasing participation in global botanical science.
Evaluation of postprandial total triglycerides within the TIGG model for characterizing postprandial response of glucose, insulin, and GLP‐1
Authors: Leohr Jennifer , Kjellsson Maria C.
Published: September 2023

The TIGG model is the first model to integrate glucose and insulin regulation, incretin effect, and triglyceride (TG) response in the lipoprotein subclasses of chylomicrons and VLDL‐V6. This model described the response following a high‐fat meal in individuals who are lean, obese, and very obese and provided insights into the possible regulation of glucose homeostasis in the extended period following a meal. Often, total TGs are analyzed within clinical studies, instead of lipoprotein subclasses. We extended the existing TIGG model to capture the observed total TGs and determined if this model could be used to predict the postprandial TG response of chylomicron and VLDL‐V6 when only total TGs are available. To assess if the lipoprotein distinction was important for the model, a second model (tTIGG) was developed using only the postprandial response in total TGs, instead of postprandial TG response in chylomicrons and VLDL‐V6. The two models were compared on their predictability to characterize the postprandial response of glucose, insulin, and active GLP‐1. Both models were able to characterize the postprandial TG response in individuals who are lean, obese, or very obese following a high‐fat meal. The extended TIGG model resulted in a better model fit of the glucose data compared to the tTIGG model, indicating that chylomicron and VLDL‐V6 provided additional information compared to total TGs. Furthermore, the expanded TIGG model was able to predict the postprandial TG response of chylomicrons and VLDL‐V6 using the total TGs and could therefore be used in studies where only total TGs were collected.
Flexible instrument with contact‐aided structure and force feedback for endoscopic surgery
Authors: Zhang Chi , Ping Zhongyuan , Zuo Siyang
Published: September 2023

Background

Robot‐assisted surgery can effectively reduce the difficulty and improve the success rate of the surgeries. However, currently available flexible instruments have several limitations, such as large size, few degrees of freedom, and lack of contact force perception.

Methods

This study proposes a master‐slave flexible instrument capable of force feedback. The instrument has a maximum outer diameter of 3 mm and an overall length of 1200 mm. With the internal working channel unoccupied, a three‐dimensional force sensing unit is designed based on the neural network. The corresponding master‐slave control method with proportional force feedback was also designed to effectively control the instrument.

Results

To verify the effectiveness of the system, in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted. The corresponding tasks were successfully completed.

Conclusions

The animal trial conducted in the digestive tract of a live swine proved that the system has the potential for clinical use.
Gain margin and Lyapunov analysis of discrete‐time network synchronization via Riccati design
Authors: Zhang Liangyin , Chen Michael Z. Q. , Zou Yun , Chen Guanrong
Published: September 2023

This paper deals with solution analysis and gain margin analysis of a modified algebraic Riccati matrix equation, and the Lyapunov analysis for discrete‐time network synchronization with directed graph topologies. First, the structure of the solution to the Riccati equation associated with a single‐input controllable system is analyzed. The solution matrix entries are represented using unknown closed‐loop pole variables that are solved via a system of scalar quadratic equations. Then, the gain margin is studied for the modified Riccati equation for both multi‐input and single‐input systems. A disc gain margin in the complex plane is obtained using the solution matrix. Finally, the feasibility of the Riccati design for the discrete‐time network synchronization with general directed graphs is solved via the Lyapunov analysis approach and the gain margin approach, respectively. In the design, a network Lyapunov function is constructed using the Kronecker product of two positive definite matrices: one is the graph positive definite matrix solved from a graph Lyapunov matrix inequality involving the graph Laplacian matrix; the other is the dynamical positive definite matrix solved from the modified Riccati equation. The synchronizing conditions are obtained for the two Riccati design approaches, respectively.
Selective Deposition of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Monolayers on Designated Au Microelectrodes within an Electrode Array
Authors: Amit Einav , Berg Iris , Zhang Wenhao , Mondal Rajarshi , Shema Hadar , Gutkin Vitaly , Kravchuk Tatyana , Toste F. Dean , Nairoukh Zackaria , Gross Elad
Published: September 2023

The incorporation of organic self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) in microelectronic devices requires precise spatial control over the self‐assembly process. In this work, selective deposition of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) on specific electrodes within a two‐microelectrode array is achieved by using pulsed electrodeposition. Spectroscopic analysis of the NHC‐coated electrode arrays reveals that each electrode is selectively coated with a designated NHC. The impact of NHC monolayers on the electrodes’ work function is quantified using Kelvin probe force microscopy. These measurements demonstrate that the work function values of each electrode can be independently tuned by the adsorption of a specific NHC. The presented deposition method enables to selectively coat designated microelectrodes in an electrode array with chosen NHC monolayers for tuning their chemical and electronic functionality.
Surface Segregation Methods toward Molecular Separation Membranes
Authors: Liu Yanan , Zhang Zhao , Li Zongmei , Wei Xiaocui , Zhao Fu , Fan Chunyang , Jiang Zhongyi
Published: September 2023

As a highly promising approach to solving the issues of energy and environment, membrane technology has gained increasing attention in various fields including water treatment, liquid separations, and gas separations, owing to its high energy efficiency and eco‐friendliness. Surface segregation, a phenomenon widely found in nature, exhibits irreplaceable advantages in membrane fabrication since it is an in situ method for synchronous modification of membrane and pore surfaces during the membrane forming process. Meanwhile, combined with the development of synthesis chemistry and nanomaterial, the group has developed surface segregation as a versatile membrane fabrication method using diverse surface segregation agents. In this review, the recent breakthroughs in surface segregation methods and their applications in membrane fabrication are first briefly introduced. Then, the surface segregation phenomena and the classification of surface segregation agents are discussed. As the major part of this review, the authors focus on surface segregation methods including free surface segregation, forced surface segregation, synergistic surface segregation, and reaction‐enhanced surface segregation. The strategies for regulating the physical and chemical microenvironments of membrane and pore surfaces through the surface segregation method are emphasized. The representative applications of surface segregation membranes are presented. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives are highlighted.
Comparative Structural Characterization of Jujube Polysaccharides by Different Levels of Purification
Authors: Guo Xudan , Shen Haoran , Gao Fan , Wang Xueting , Deng Xinyuan , Zhai Jiahui , Zhang Jing , Ji Xiaolong
Published: September 2023

The objective of this paper is to analyze and contrast the features of the structure of jujube polysaccharides extracted and purified using various techniques, four fractions, namely hot water extraction and 0.3 M NaCl‐PBS purification (PZMP3‐1 and PZMP3‐2), alkaline extraction and 0.3 M NaCl purification (SAZMP4), alkaline extraction and 0.3 M‐PBS NaCl purification (PZJRP), are obtained by column chromatography (Sephacryl S‐300) and Fast Flow (DEAE‐Sepharose). Chemical testing, gas chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, methylation analysis, high‐performance gel permeation chromatography, and atomic force microscopy are used to examine and evaluate their properties. Different purification methods have certain effects on the structural characteristics of a series of jujube polysaccharides. The results can provide fundamental knowledge to select desirable extraction and purification technologies for the preparation of pure jujube polysaccharides.
Dihydroazolopyrimidines: Past, Present and Perspectives in Synthesis, Green Chemistry and Drug Discovery
Authors: Desenko Serhiy M. , Gorobets Mykola Yu. , Lipson Victoria V. , Sakhno Yana I. , Chebanov Valentyn A.
Published: September 2023

Dihydroazolopyrimidines are an important class of heterocycles that are isosteric to natural purines and are therefore of great interest primarily as drug‐like molecules. In contrast to the heteroaromatic analogs, synthetic approaches to these compounds were developed much later, and their chemical properties and biological activity have not been studied in detail until recently. In the review, different ways to build dihydroazolopyrimidine systems from different building blocks are described – via the initial formation of a partially hydrogenated pyrimidine ring or an azole ring, as well as a one‐pot assembly of azole and azine fragments. Special attention is given to modern approaches: multicomponent reactions, green chemistry, and the use of non‐classical activation methods. Information on the chemical properties of dihydroazolopyrimidines and the prospects for their use in the design of drugs of various profiles are also summarized in this review.
Partner with your Financial Aid Office for improved processes, compliance
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: September 2023

Planning for fall 2020 classes — that was one of the moments when Adrienne Bricker was reminded of the importance of having a good relationship with the Financial Aid Office at her institution.
Boost productivity, decrease stress by engaging in authentic conversations
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: September 2023

Remote work, Zoom meetings, emails, texts, and social media can help you stay connected to career and family while limiting your exposure to the COVID‐19 virus, but they won't protect you from catching the loneliness bug triggered by limiting your exposure to chit‐chat. Even before the shutdown brought on by the COVID‐19 pandemic, “the world was already experiencing a loneliness epidemic,” according to Celeste Headlee, an award‐winning journalist, professional speaker, and author of Heard Mentality and We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter. She spoke during a webinar hosted by NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. “The human voice is healing,” she explained, and authentic interactions boost the immune systems of those involved.
Prevalence of intestinal parasites in street dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) with highlights on zoonosis in Lalitpur, Nepal
Authors: Adhikari Roshan Babu , Dhakal Madhuri Adhikari , Ghimire Tirth Raj
Published: September 2023

Background

The presence of intestinal parasites influences the growth and well‐being of canids. Additionally, infected dogs and their faeces with considerably higher eggs/oocysts released per gram (epg/opg) of zoonotic parasites contribute to parasitic spillover to humans, domestic animals and sympatric wildlife.

Objectives

The current study aimed to reveal the prevalence of intestinal parasites (protozoa and helminths) and to list the zoonotically significant parasites in free‐roaming street dogs in Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Nepal.

Methods

Fresh faecal samples (n = 332) were collected from feral dogs of varying ages and sexes and transported to the research laboratory. The copro microscopic examination was carried out via direct wet mount, formalin ethyl acetate sedimentation, saturated salt flotation, acid‐fast staining and sporulation techniques.

Results

Coproscopy revealed an overall 95.7% (318/332) prevalence rate with 23 diverse species of intestinal parasites (10 protozoa and 13 helminths). Among them, 5 protozoa and 11 helminths possessed zoonotic potential, and their overall prevalence was 92.5%. Helminth's overall prevalence was double that of the protozoa (87.7% vs. 43%). Polyparasitism was dominant over mono parasitism (79.5% vs. 16.3%), and co‐infection of up to seven species of parasites at a time was recorded.

Conclusions

Urban street dogs harboured a higher prevalence of intestinal parasites that varied with age and sex. Since most of the reported parasites are zoonotic, dog density and parasitic richness indicate a greater spillover risk to humans and domestic animals. Furthermore, this study also provides appropriate ‘baseline’ data for assessing effective control measures against parasitic infestations among street dogs and controlling their transmission to humans.
Ultrasonography and CT examination of ovarian follicular development in ‘Testudo graeca’ during 1 year in captivity
Authors: Amiri Banafsheh Shateri , Soroori Sarang , Rostami Amir , Molazem Mohammad , Bahonar Alireza
Published: September 2023

Background

The Greek or Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo graeca), commonly known as the spur‐thighed tortoise, is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae that is found in North Africa, Western Asia and Europe. Several species of this genus are under threat in the wild, mainly from habitat destruction therefore, accurate information about the sexual cycle and the exact time of follicular development can be effective in successful reproduction planning and preventing species extinction.

Objective

The experimental part of this study is focused on the evaluation of the reproductive apparatus of tortoises and development of follicles in ovaries during 1 year by ultrasonography and computed tomography.

Methods

Ultrasonography and CT scanning was carried out on 10 female ‘T. Graeca’ tortoises which were maintained at Tehran Eram Zoo from November 2021 to November 2022 (1 year). Ultrasonography and CT exams were performed on all animals.

Results

In the first study, on 28 November 2021, the ovarian cycle was characterized by the presence of previtellogenic follicles and atretic follicles. The numbers of follicles were best demonstrated on CT examination. Ultrasonography and CT scan in the second study showed no change in type of follicles from previous study. In the third study, atretic follicles were more than previtellogenic follicles, whereas in the fourth one, the numbers of previtellogenic follicles were more than atretic follicles. In following, at 6 and 29 June 2022, the absence of atretic follicles and just presence of previtellogenic follicles were observed. On 20 July 2022, the presence of a few number of atretic follicles and more previtellogenic follicles were noticed. On 30 July 2022, the absence of atretic follicles and presence of previtellogenic follicles and, for the first time, preovulatory follicles were obvious. In four following studies the absence of atretic follicles and the presence of previtellogenic follicles were diagnosed. In the last study, the absence of atretic follicles and the presence of preovulatory and previtellogenic follicles were observed.

Conclusion

In current study, the reproductive cycle of female T. Graeca is evaluated during 1 year in captivity with ultrasonography and CT scan. It can be concluded that in captivity, the reproductive cycle does not result in the formation of eggs or calcareous shells and atretic follicles in the study year continued as before; so this should be highly considered in captivity breeding programmes. This study also revealed that among imaging modalities, CT scan is the best modality for detecting the shape, size, type and numbers of the follicles for further evaluation of location and shape of the follicles.
A review on client selection models in federated learning
Authors: Panigrahi Monalisa , Bharti Sourabh , Sharma Arun
Published: September 2023

Federated learning (FL) is a decentralized machine learning (ML) technique that enables multiple clients to collaboratively train a common ML model without them having to share their raw data with each other. A typical FL process involves (1) FL client(s) selection, (2) global model distribution, (3) local training, and (4) aggregation. As such FL clients are heterogeneous edge devices (i.e., mobile phones) that differ in terms of computational resources, training data quality, and distribution. Therefore, FL client(s) selection has a significant influence on the execution of the remaining steps of an FL process. There have been a variety of FL client(s) selection models proposed in the literature, however, their critical review and/or comparative analysis is much less discussed. This paper brings the scattered FL client(s) selection models onto a single platform by first categorizing them into five categories, followed by providing a detailed analysis of the benefits/shortcomings and the applicability of these models for different FL scenarios. Such understanding can help researchers in academia and industry to develop improved FL client(s) selection models to address the requirement challenges and shortcomings of the current models. Finally, future research directions in the area of FL client(s) selection are also discussed.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Machine Learning

Technologies > Artificial Intelligence
Kapitel 15. Globalisierung: Globale Warenketten und Arbeitsteilung
Authors: Fischer Karin
Published: September 2023

Um Österreichs Rolle in der Klimakrise zu verstehen, braucht es eine Analyse seiner Einbettung in globale Wirtschaftsstrukturen. Wie es auch für andere Hocheinkommensländer der Fall ist, werden für die österreichischen Importe an Waren und Dienstleistungen an anderen Orten – und zwar in zumeist ärmeren Volkswirtschaften – Treibhausgase emittiert und Umweltschäden verursacht. Das Kapitel beschreibt, auf welche Weise Österreich hinsichtlich Produktion und Endkonsum in globale Warenketten involviert ist und trifft, soweit es Forschung und Datenlage zulassen, eine Abschätzung der dadurch bedingten Umweltfolgen. Daran anschließend werden bestehende Regulierungen und Gestaltungsoptionen diskutiert, die Warenketten ökologischer machen sollen. Diese betreffen mehrere Ebenen (UNO, EU, Österreich) und reichen von ressourcenleichten Lebensstilen über Emissionshandel und Lieferkettengesetze bis zu kreislauforientierten Umbauplänen. Die Bestandsaufnahme zeigt, dass viel mehr Forschung nötig ist, um Informationen über die Auswirkungen bestehender Maßnahmen zu erhalten und künftige, sektorübergreifende Strategien zur ökologischen und sozial gerechten Umgestaltung von globalen Warenketten zu entwerfen.
Axial-vector transition form factors and e+e− → f1π+π−
Authors: Hoferichter Martin , Kubis Bastian , Zanke Marvin
Published: September 2023

Abstract

We study the transition form factors (TFFs) of axial-vector mesons in the context of currently available experimental data, including new constraints from e+e− → f1(1285)π+π− that imply stringent limits on the high-energy behavior and, for the first time, allow us to provide an unambiguous determination of the couplings corresponding to the two antisymmetric TFFs. We discuss how these constraints can be implemented in a vector-meson-dominance picture, and, in combination with contributions from the light-cone expansion, construct TFFs as input for the evaluation of axial-vector contributions to hadronic light-by-light scattering in the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon.
Leptin-mediated meta-inflammation may provide survival benefit in patients receiving maintenance immunotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC)
Authors: Vita Emanuele , Stefani Alessio , Piro Geny , Mastrantoni Luca , Cintoni Marco , Cicchetti Giuseppe , Sparagna Ileana , Monaca Federico , Horn Guido , Russo Jacopo , Barone Diletta , Di Salvatore Mariantonietta , Trisolini Rocco , Lococo Filippo , Mazzarella Ciro , Cancellieri Alessandra , Carbone Carmine , Larici Anna Rita , Mele Maria Cristina , Pilotto Sara , Milella Michele , Tortora Giampaolo , Bria Emilio
Published: September 2023

Background

Only few ES-SCLC patients experience long-term survival benefit by maintenance IT. Adipokines-induced metabolic meta-inflammation has been related to enhanced responsiveness to IT in obese patients; however, their prognostic role in SCLC is currently controversial.

Methods

Pre-treatment CT scan was used for determining distribution of abdominal adiposity, and blood samples were collected at fasting for measuring glycemia, insulin, ghrelin, leptin and adipokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6 and MCP-1). Patients with known history of DM type II or metabolic syndrome with HOMA index > 2.5 were considered insulin resistant (IR).

Results

In ES-SCLC pts receiving maintenance IT, increased leptin concentration and higher leptin/visceral adipose tissue (VAT) ratio were significantly associated with prolonged PFS. By applying a hierarchical clustering algorithm, we identified a cluster of patients characterized by higher leptin values and lower pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6) who experienced longer PFS (13.2 vs 8.05 months; HR: 0.42 [0.18–0.93] p = 0.02) and OS (18.04 vs 12.09 mo; HR: 0.53 [0.25–1.29] p = 0.07).

Conclusions

Adipokines can play a crucial role to determining effectiveness of anti-cancer immunotherapy. The role of metabolic immune dysfunctions needs further pre-clinical validation and is currently investigated in the larger prospective cohort.
Mesophotic vs. shallow water reefs: ecosystem connectivity in the Silurian of Gotland
Authors: Łuczyński Piotr , Skompski Stanisław , Zapalski Mikołaj K.
Published: September 2023

The Lower Silurian Visby Beds (ca. 430 Ma) exposed on the island of Gotland (Sweden) yield the oldest so far described MCE’s (mesophotic coral ecosystems). Several basic questions concerning these ecosystems, including their extent, positioning, and particularly their spatial relation and affinity with the shallow water reefs, remain unanswered. We describe a deeply incised erosional channel infilled by redeposited detrital and biodetrital material including corals and stromatoporoids, which represents a unique example of a fossil depositional structure connecting shallow- and deep-water reef environments of that time. The mesophotic environment is embodied by limestones and marls, in which the channel is incised, while the shallow water habitats are represented by the redeposited material infilling the channel. The erosional channel contains material derived from hypothetical adjacent shallow-water reefal settings, which indicates that it served as an interconnecting zone between shallow- and deep-water benthic communities. The vertical connectivity of the shallow-water reefs and the adjacent mesophotic ecosystems results in a significant taxonomic overlap between these communities. This is especially important when taking into account that the Visby Beds are the oldest example of a fossil mesophotic ecosystem described so far. This indicates that the development of the earliest mesophotic ecosystems should not be attributed solely to gradual expansion of corals and stromatoporoids into greater depths, but probably took place also by means of redistribution of shallow water taxa during high-energy sedimentary events.
State of the art and future challenges of urethra-sparing stereotactic body radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a systematic review of literature
Authors: Le Guevelou Jennifer , Bosetti Davide Giovanni , Castronovo Francesco , Angrisani Antonio , de Crevoisier Renaud , Zilli Thomas
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Doses delivered to the urethra have been associated with an increased risk to develop long-term urinary toxicity in patients undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer (PCa). Aim of the present systematic review is to report on the role of urethra-sparing SBRT (US-SBRT) techniques for prostate cancer, with a focus on outcome and urinary toxicity.

Method

A systematic review of the literature was performed on the PubMed database on May 2023. Based on the urethra-sparing technique, 13 studies were selected for the analysis and classified in the two following categories: “urethra-steering” SBRT (restriction of hotspots to the urethra) and “urethra dose-reduction” SBRT (dose reduction to urethra below the prescribed dose).

Results

By limiting the urethra Dmax to 90GyEQD2 (α/β = 3 Gy) with urethra-steering SBRT techniques, late genitourinary (GU) grade 2 toxicity remains mild, ranging between 12.1% and 14%. With dose-reduction strategies decreasing the urethral dose below 70 GyEQD2, the risk of late GU toxicity was further reduced (< 8% at 5 years), while maintaining biochemical relapse-free survival rates up to 93% at 5 years.

Conclusion

US-SBRT techniques limiting maximum doses to urethra below a 90GyEQD2 (α/β = 3 Gy) threshold result in a low rate of acute and late grade ≥ 2 GU toxicity. A better understanding of clinical factors and anatomical substructures involved in the development of GU toxicity, as well as the development and use of adapted dose constraints, is expected to further reduce the long-term GU toxicity of prostate cancer patients treated with SBRT.
Management of adhesive small bowel obstruction: the results of a large retrospective study
Authors: Maienza E. , Godiris-Petit G. , Noullet S. , Menegaux F. , Chereau N.
Published: September 2023

Background

Postoperative adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a frequent cause of hospital admission in a surgical department. Emergency surgery is needed in a majority of patients with bowel ischemia or peritonitis; most adhesive SBO can be managed nonoperatively. Many studies have investigated benefits of using oral water-soluble contrast to manage adhesive SBO. Treatment recommendations are still controversial.

Methods

We conducted an observational retrospective monocentric study to test our protocol of management of SBO using Gastrografin®, enrolling 661 patients from January 2008 to December 2021. An emergency surgery was performed in patients with abdominal tenderness, peritonitis, hemodynamic instability, major acute abdominal pain despite gastric decompression, or CT scan findings of small bowel ischemia. Nonoperative management was proposed to patients who did not need emergency surgery. A gastric decompression with a nasogastric tube was immediately performed in the emergency room for four hours, then the nasogastric tube was clamped and 100 ml of nondiluted oral Gastrografin® was administered. The nasogastric tube remained clamped for eight hours and an abdominal plain radiograph was taken after that period. Emergency surgery was then performed in patients who had persistent abdominal pain, onset of abdominal tenderness or vomiting during the clamping test, or if the abdominal plain radiograph did not show contrast product in the colon or the rectum. In other cases, the nasogastric tube was removed and a progressive refeeding was introduced, starting with liquid diet.

Results

Seventy-eight percent of patients with SBO were managed nonoperatively, including 183 (36.0%) who finally required surgery. Delayed surgery showed a complete small bowel obstruction in all patients who failed the conservative treatment, and a small bowel resection was necessary in 19 patients (10.0%): among them, only 5 had intestinal ischemia.

Conclusions

Our protocol is safe, and it is a valuable strategy in order to accelerate the decision-making process for management of adhesive SBO, with a percentage of risk of late small bowel resection for ischemia esteemed at 0.9%.
Diagnosing post-capillary hypertension in patients with left heart disease: impact of new guidelines
Authors: Güder Gülmisal , Reiter Theresa , Fette Georg , Hundertmark Moritz , Frantz Stefan , Morbach Caroline , Störk Stefan , Held Matthias
Published: September 2023

Background

In 2022, the definition of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the presence of left heart disease was updated according to the new joint guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS). The impact of the new ESC/ERS definition on the prevalence of post-capillary PH (pc-PH) and its subgroups of isolated post-capillary (Ipc-PH) and combined pre- and post-capillary PH (Cpc-PH) in patients with left heart disease is unclear.

Methods

We retrospectively identified N = 242 patients with left heart disease with available data on right heart catheterisation (RHC) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). The proportion of pc-PH and its subgroups was calculated according to the old and new ESC/ERS PH definition. As the old definition did not allow the exact allocation of all patients with pc-PH into a respective subgroup, unclassifiable patients (Upc-PH) were regarded separately.

Results

Seventy-six out of 242 patients had pc-PH according to the new ESC/ERS definitions, with 72 of these patients also meeting the criteria of the old definition. Using the old definition, 50 patients were diagnosed with Ipc-PH, 4 with Cpc-PH, and 18 with Upc-PH. Applying the new definition, Ipc-PH was diagnosed in 35 patients (4 newly), and Cpc-PH in 41 patients. No CMR parameter allowed differentiating between Ipc-PH and Cpc-PH, regardless of which guideline version was used.

Conclusion

Applying the new ESC/ERS 2022 guideline definitions mildly increased the proportion of patients diagnosed with pc-PH (+ 5.5%) but markedly increased Cpc-PH diagnoses. This effect was driven by the allocation of patients with formerly unclassifiable forms of post-capillary PH to the Cpc-PH subgroup and a significant shift of patients from the Ipc-PH to the Cpc-PH subgroup.

Graphical abstract
Combining different ion-selective channelrhodopsins to control water flux by light
Authors: Lin Fei , Tang Ruijing , Zhang Chong , Scholz Nicole , Nagel Georg , Gao Shiqiang
Published: September 2023

Water transport through water channels, aquaporins (AQPs), is vital for many physiological processes including epithelial fluid secretion, cell migration and adipocyte metabolism. Water flux through AQPs is driven by the osmotic gradient that results from concentration differences of solutes including ions. Here, we developed a novel optogenetic toolkit that combines the light-gated anion channel GtACR1 either with the light-gated K+ channel HcKCR1 or the new Na+ channelrhodopsin HcNCR1 with high Na+ permeability, to manipulate water transport in Xenopus oocytes non-invasively. Water efflux through AQP was achieved by light-activating K+ and Cl- efflux through HcKCR1 and GtACR1. Contrarily, when GtACR1 was co-expressed with HcNCR1, inward movement of Na+ and Cl- was light-triggered, and the resulting osmotic gradient led to water influx through AQP1. In sum, we demonstrate a novel optogenetic strategy to manipulate water movement into or out of Xenopus oocytes non-invasively. This approach provides a new avenue to interfere with water homeostasis as a means to study related biological phenomena across cell types and organisms.
CHD7 variants associated with hearing loss and enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct
Authors: Roux Isabelle , Fenollar-Ferrer Cristina , Lee Hyun Jae , Chattaraj Parna , Lopez Ivan A. , Han Kyungreem , Honda Keiji , Brewer Carmen C. , Butman John A. , Morell Robert J. , Martin Donna M. , Griffith Andrew J.
Published: September 2023

Enlargement of the endolymphatic sac, duct, and vestibular aqueduct (EVA) is the most common inner ear malformation identified in patients with sensorineural hearing loss. EVA is associated with pathogenic variants in SLC26A4. However, in European–Caucasian populations, about 50% of patients with EVA carry no pathogenic alleles of SLC26A4. We tested for the presence of variants in CHD7, a gene known to be associated with CHARGE syndrome, Kallmann syndrome, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, in a cohort of 34 families with EVA subjects without pathogenic alleles of SLC26A4. In two families, NM_017780.4: c.3553A > G [p.(Met1185Val)] and c.5390G > C [p.(Gly1797Ala)] were detected as monoallelic CHD7 variants in patients with EVA. At least one subject from each family had additional signs or potential signs of CHARGE syndrome but did not meet diagnostic criteria for CHARGE. In silico modeling of these two missense substitutions predicted detrimental effects upon CHD7 protein structure. Consistent with a role of CHD7 in this tissue, Chd7 transcript and protein were detected in all epithelial cells of the endolymphatic duct and sac of the developing mouse inner ear. These results suggest that some CHD7 variants can cause nonsyndromic hearing loss and EVA. CHD7 should be included in DNA sequence analyses to detect pathogenic variants in EVA patients. Chd7 expression and mutant phenotype data in mice suggest that CHD7 contributes to the formation or function of the endolymphatic sac and duct.
LET-Net: locally enhanced transformer network for medical image segmentation
Authors: Ta Na , Chen Haipeng , Liu Xianzhu , Jin Nuo
Published: September 2023

Medical image segmentation has attracted increasing attention due to its practical clinical requirements. However, the prevalence of small targets still poses great challenges for accurate segmentation. In this paper, we propose a novel locally enhanced transformer network (LET-Net) that combines the strengths of transformer and convolution to address this issue. LET-Net utilizes a pyramid vision transformer as its encoder and is further equipped with two novel modules to learn more powerful feature representation. Specifically, we design a feature-aligned local enhancement module, which encourages discriminative local feature learning on the condition of adjacent-level feature alignment. Moreover, to effectively recover high-resolution spatial information, we apply a newly designed progressive local-induced decoder. This decoder contains three cascaded local reconstruction and refinement modules that dynamically guide the upsampling of high-level features by their adaptive reconstruction kernels and further enhance feature representation through a split-attention mechanism. Additionally, to address the severe pixel imbalance for small targets, we design a mutual information loss that maximizes task-relevant information while eliminating task-irrelevant noises. Experimental results demonstrate that our LET-Net provides more effective support for small target segmentation and achieves state-of-the-art performance in polyp and breast lesion segmentation tasks.
Universitätslehrgang Substanzgebrauchsstörungen
Authors: Sitte Harald H. , Willeit Matthäus
Published: September 2023

Der Universitätslehrgang Substanzgebrauchsstörungen (SGS) widmet sich einem zunehmenden gesellschaftlich und klinisch relevanten Phänomen und möchte den teilnehmenden Studierenden einen rationalen und evidenzbasierten Zugang zu Substanzgebrauch und Menschen mit SGS vermitteln. Es sollen psychiatrische, pharmakologische, neurowissenschaftliche und soziale Grundlagen zu SGS erlernt werden. Weiters sollen evidenzbasierte Kenntnisse über genuine und vermeidbare medizinische Risiken von Gebrauch und Entzug einzelner Substanzen, rechtliche Grundlagen im Umgang mit Suchtmitteln oder psychotropen Substanzen sowie Intoxikationen und Folgeschäden durch Substanzen erarbeitet werden. Ein praxisbezogener Teil sowie die Anwendung von wissenschaftlichen Methoden zur Erarbeitung einer möglichst praxisbezogenen Masterarbeit werden die berufsbegleitende Ausbildung abrunden.