bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous emotional regulation under experimental emotional condition: The role of working memory
Authors: Calero Alejandra Daniela , Formoso Jésica , Injoque‐Ricle Irene , Barreyro Juan Pablo , Burin Débora Inés
Published: September 2023

The present research studied the bidirectional effects of working memory (WM) capacity and emotional regulation; that is, the effect of WM capacity on spontaneous emotional regulation and whether the emotional valence to be regulated has a differential impact on performance in a second WM task. Participants (79) first completed a WM span task (Digit Span), then a self‐report emotional intelligence task, which was followed by randomly assigned mock Positive‐feedback, Negative‐feedback, or No‐feedback. In the Negative‐feedback and Positive‐feedback conditions, a dummy report based on participants’ responses to the Trait Meta Mood‐ 21 was shown on the screen. After that, participants completed another WM task (Running Span). An ordinary least squares multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the predictive power of WM span and experimental condition on post‐feedback test performance. The model yielded a significant effect on post‐feedback test performance for Negative‐feedback and a marginal significant effect for the interaction of this parameter with WM span. The results showed that participants in the Negative‐feedback condition performed worse than those assigned to other conditions, and individuals with a higher WM capacity were less susceptible to negative experimental stimuli.
Switching from intravenous vancomycin to oral antibiotics reduces adverse events in a retrospective cohort of outpatients with orthopedic infections
Authors: Gallagher Chanah K. , Cummins Heather , Benefield Russell J. , Certain Laura K.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Vancomycin is frequently used for prolonged courses in treating osteoarticular infections despite a high rate of adverse drug events (ADE). The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transitioning to oral therapy compared to continuing parenteral vancomycin in patients with orthopedic infections.

Methods

We conducted a single‐center, retrospective cohort study of patients with orthopedic infections discharged on parenteral vancomycin with a planned duration of at least 4 weeks. We compared rates of ADE while on vancomycin to rates of ADE after switching to an oral regimen. As a secondary analysis, we compared unplanned hospital readmission within 60 days and treatment failure at 1 year between patients who were transitioned to oral antibiotics within 4 weeks of vancomycin initiation and those that were not.

Results

Two hundred twenty‐eight patients met the inclusion criteria. Vancomycin was associated with significantly greater toxicity compared to oral regimens. Fifty‐one patients had an adverse event while on vancomycin (5.87 ADE per 1000 patient‐days) while 9 patients had an adverse event on oral therapy (1.49 ADE per 1000 patient‐days) (Rate difference 4.39 per 1000 patient days, 95% CI: 2.52 to 6.26 events per 1000 patient‐days). In proportional hazards analysis, transition to an oral antibiotic regimen was independently associated with a lower rate of ADE (aHR 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02–0.86). Forty‐one patients (18%) were transitioned to oral therapy within 4 weeks; these patients did not have an increased rate of unplanned readmission (12.2% vs 17.1%) or treatment failure (17.1% vs 21.9%).

Conclusions

Patients transitioned to oral therapy within 4 weeks of discharge had significantly fewer adverse events and similar incidences of 1‐year treatment failure compared to patients maintained on parenteral vancomycin. Substituting oral antibiotics for parenteral vancomycin is a potential strategy to minimize vancomycin toxicity during the treatment of orthopedic infections.
4D printable shape memory polyurethane with quadruple hydrogen bonding assembly
Authors: Xu Yuanyang , Wang Yanjun , Wei Hongxiu , Dai Tiancheng , Li Zhen , Li Jiehua , Luo Feng , Tan Hong
Published: September 2023

Four‐dimensional (4D) printing is an emerging technology for fabricating customizable tissue engineering implants. 4D printed implants with shape memory properties are expected to provide new application opportunities for minimally invasive surgery. A great challenge is to prepare the biodegradable materials with robust mechanical properties for 4D printing ink. Herein, biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) based on IPDI, PEG, PCL, and diols with UPy motifs are synthesized. The pendant UPy motifs can dimerize to form physical crosslinking by quadruple hydrogen bonding assembly, accompanying with significant improving the mechanical properties, self‐healing capability and shape memory effect. With an optimal UPy content, the PU‐U2‐25% shows robust mechanical properties and much better shape memory effect compared with the PU‐U2‐0% without UPy. Moreover, the TPUs show a facile processing at relative low temperature approximately 100 °C which avoid degradation at high processing temperature. Combined with the good processability, self‐healing capacity and shape memory effect of the PU‐U2‐25%, we primary demonstrated its 4D printing potential for various specimens. This work proposed a new strategy to design TPUs integrating the merits of linear and pendant physical crosslinking motifs to obtained excellent comprehensive properties, which would develop the 4D printable materials for applications of personalized and minimally invasive treatment.
A nonparametric control chart for monitoring count data mean
Authors: Tang Linli , Li Jun
Published: September 2023

Count data monitoring has important applications in many fields. However, most of the existing control charts for monitoring count data are parametric. Parametric control charts can be problematic when the underlying parametric distributional assumption does not hold for the particular application. On the other hand, nonparametric control charts do not require such distributional assumptions, and are more desirable in real‐world situations where the underlying distribution cannot be easily described using a parametric distribution. In this paper, we extend the nonparametric control chart for continuous data monitoring proposed by Li to count data monitoring. To guarantee a desired in‐control performance, we further adopt the bootstrap procedure proposed by Gandy and Kvaløy to help determine the control limit of our proposed control chart. Our simulation studies and real data analysis show that the proposed control chart performs well across a variety of settings, and compares favorably with other existing nonparametric control charts for count data.
Depressed, stressed, and inflamed: C‐reactive protein linked with depression symptoms in midlife women with both childhood and current life stress
Authors: Metcalf Christina A. , Johnson Rachel L. , Duffy Korrina A. , Freeman Ellen W. , Sammel Mary D. , Epperson C. Neill
Published: September 2023

To determine whether the relationship between inflammatory factors and clinically significant depression symptoms is moderated by high exposure to adverse childhood experiences and current life stressors in a longitudinal community cohort of midlife women. Methods: Participants from the Penn Ovarian Ageing Study community cohort (age at baseline: M = 45.3 [SD = 3.8]) were included in analyses if they had a blood sample measuring basal inflammatory markers during at least one visit where depression symptom severity and current stressful life events were also assessed (N = 142, average number of visits per participant = 1.75 [SD = 0.92]). Approximately annually over the course of 16 years, participants self‐reported depression symptom severity using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) Scale, provided menstrual diaries to determine menopause stage, and contributed blood samples. Residual blood samples were assayed for interleukin (IL)‐6, IL 1‐beta (IL‐1β), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), and high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP). Early life stress was quantified using the Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire (low [0–1 experience(s)] versus high [≥ 2 experiences]). Current stressful life events were assessed using a structured interview (low [0–1 events] vs. high [≥ 2 events]). Generalised estimating equation models were used to model associations with the outcome of interest—clinically significant depression symptoms (CESD ≥16)—and risk factors: inflammatory marker levels (log transformed), adverse childhood experiences group, and current life stressors group. Covariates included menopause stage, age at study baseline, body mass index, race, and smoking status. We found a significant three‐way interaction between log hsCRP levels, adverse childhood experiences group, and current life stressors group on likelihood of experiencing clinically significant depression symptoms (OR: 4.33; 95% CI: 1.22, 15.46; p = 0.024) after adjusting for covariates. Solely for women with high adverse childhood experiences and with high current life stressors, higher hsCRP was associated with higher odds of having clinically significant depression symptoms (OR: 1.46; 95% CI 1.07, 1.98; p = 0.016). This three‐way interaction was not significant for IL‐6, IL‐1β, or TNF‐α. For women in midlife with exposure to high adverse childhood experiences and multiple current life stressors, elevated levels of CRP were uniquely associated with clinically significant depression symptoms. Early life adversity and current life stressors represent identifiable individual risk factors whose negative impact may be curtailed with inventions to target inflammation in midlife women.
Plastic entanglement causing hedgehog deaths
Authors: Mills Georgina
Published: September 2023

Georgina Mills discusses research looking at the issue of plastic waste and how it affects hedgehogs in Great Britain.
CANTERing towards more sustainable helminth control
Authors: Colgate V
Published: September 2023

Victoria Colgate of Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance introduces CANTER, a voluntary pan‐industry initiative that is aiming to inspire behaviour change among horse owners and promote a more sustainable approach to controlling parasites in their animals.
Navigating challenges, embracing change
Authors: Morley Malcolm
Published: September 2023

As his BVA presidential year draws to a close, Malcolm Morley reflects on achievements and the challenges ahead.
Cyclin D1—Cdk4 regulates neuronal activity through phosphorylation of GABAA receptors
Authors: Pedraza Neus , Monserrat Ma Ventura , Ferrezuelo Francisco , Torres-Rosell Jordi , Colomina Neus , Miguez-Cabello Federico , Párraga Javier Picañol , Soto David , López-Merino Esperanza , García-Vilela Celia , Esteban José A. , Egea Joaquim , Garí Eloi
Published: September 2023

Nuclear Cyclin D1 (Ccnd1) is a main regulator of cell cycle progression and cell proliferation. Interestingly, Ccnd1 moves to the cytoplasm at the onset of differentiation in neuronal precursors. However, cytoplasmic functions and targets of Ccnd1 in post-mitotic neurons are unknown. Here we identify the α4 subunit of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptors (GABAARs) as an interactor and target of Ccnd1–Cdk4. Ccnd1 binds to an intracellular loop in α4 and, together with Cdk4, phosphorylates the α4 subunit at threonine 423 and serine 431. These modifications upregulate α4 surface levels, increasing the response of α4-containing GABAARs, measured in whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. In agreement with this role of Ccnd1–Cdk4 in neuronal signalling, inhibition of Cdk4 or expression of the non-phosphorylatable α4 decreases synaptic and extra-synaptic currents in the hippocampus of newborn rats. Moreover, according to α4 functions in synaptic pruning, CCND1 knockout mice display an altered pattern of dendritic spines that is rescued by the phosphomimetic α4. Overall, our findings molecularly link Ccnd1–Cdk4 to GABAARs activity in the central nervous system and highlight a novel role for this G1 cyclin in neuronal signalling.
What makes German manufacturing plants move locations?
Authors: Krenz Astrid
Published: September 2023

In this paper, the relocation decisions of manufacturing plants across the NUTS-3 regions of the German economy are investigated. A relocation decision concerns whether a plant (an incumbent) moves its location from one region to another over a given time period or whether it remains in the same region. This decision is distinct from a location decision (of a start-up). To analyze the relocations of plants, the rich information of the official German regional statistics as well as the official German firm statistics that are maintained by the German Federal Statistical Office and the Statistical Offices of the Federal States is exploited for the first time. Both pull and push factors that influence relocation decisions are investigated. The results reveal that, in particular, regional road infrastructure and accessibility of regions as well as the quality of the available labor force positively affect the decision to relocate a plant in the German economy. A reduction of 10% in travel time by road to reach the three nearest agglomeration centers leads to an increase in relocation probability of about 9.5% on average. Policy implications involve the need for improvement of accessibility and infrastructure as well as incentives to support human capital in order to attract businesses to move to a region.
Quantitative diffusion-weighted MRI response assessment in rhabdomyosarcoma: an international retrospective study on behalf of the European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group Imaging Committee
Authors: van Ewijk Roelof , Chatziantoniou Cyrano , Adams Madeleine , Bertolini Patrizia , Bisogno Gianni , Bouhamama Amine , Caro-Dominguez Pablo , Charon Valerie , Coma Ana , Dandis Rana , Devalck Christine , De Donno Giulia , Ferrari Andrea , Fiocco Marta , Gallego Soledad , Giraudo Chiara , Glosli Heidi , ter Horst Simone A. J. , Jenney Meriel , Klein Willemijn M. , Leemans Alexander , Leseur Julie , Mandeville Henry C. , McHugh Kieran , Merks Johannes H. M. , Minard-Colin Veronique , Moalla Salma , Morosi Carlo , Orbach Daniel , Ording Muller Lil-Sofie , Pace Erika , Di Paolo Pier Luigi , Perruccio Katia , Quaglietta Lucia , Renard Marleen , van Rijn Rick R. , Ruggiero Antonio , Sirvent Sara I. , De Luca Alberto , Schoot Reineke A.
Published: September 2023

Objective

To investigate the feasibility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) as a predictive imaging marker after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with rhabdomyosarcoma.

Material and methods

We performed a multicenter retrospective study including pediatric, adolescent and young adult patients with rhabdomyosarcoma, Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study group III/IV, treated according to the European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) RMS2005 or MTS2008 studies. DW-MRI was performed according to institutional protocols. We performed two-dimensional single-slice tumor delineation. Areas of necrosis or hemorrhage were delineated to be excluded in the primary analysis. Mean, median and 5th and 95th apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were extracted.

Results

Of 134 included patients, 82 had measurable tumor at diagnosis and response and DW-MRI scans of adequate quality and were included in the analysis. Technical heterogeneity in scan acquisition protocols and scanners was observed. Mean ADC at diagnosis was 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–1.2) (all ADC expressed in * 10−3 mm2/s), versus 1.6 (1.5–1.6) at response assessment. The 5th percentile ADC was 0.8 (0.7–0.9) at diagnosis and 1.1 (1.0–1.2) at response. Absolute change in mean ADC after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 0.4 (0.3–0.5). Exploratory analyses for association between ADC and clinical parameters showed a significant difference in mean ADC at diagnosis for alveolar versus embryonal histology. Landmark analysis at nine weeks after the date of diagnosis showed no significant association (hazard ratio 1.3 [0.6–3.2]) between the mean ADC change and event-free survival.

Conclusion

A significant change in the 5th percentile and the mean ADC after chemotherapy was observed. Strong heterogeneity was identified in DW-MRI acquisition protocols between centers and in individual patients.

Graphical Abstract
Impact of residual tumor cells in the stem cell collection on multiple myeloma patients receiving autologous stem cell transplantation
Authors: Xu Jingyu , Yan Wenqiang , Fan Huishou , Liu Jiahui , Li Lingna , Du Chenxing , Deng Shuhui , Sui Weiwei , Xu Yan , Qiu Lugui , An Gang
Published: September 2023

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard therapy for patients with transplant-eligible multiple myeloma (TEMM). However, the ideal depth of response required before ASCT and the impact of residual tumor cells in the stem cell collection (SCC) on survival remains unclear. Here we collected data of 89 patients with TEMM undergoing ASCT and analyzed the minimal residual disease of SCC (cMRD) and bone marrow (BM) (mMRD) before transplantation. Before ASCT, 31.5% and 76.4% of patients achieved MRD negativity in BM and SCC, respectively. Tumor cells were less in SCC samples than that in BM samples. Neoplastic cells in SCC could be observed in patients with different responses after induction therapy, and there were no significant differences in the percentage and level of cMRD among these subgroups (P > 0.05). No correlation was found between the cMRD status and the response patients achieved after ASCT (P > 0.05). The median follow-up was 26.8 months. mMRD negativity before ASCT was associated with longer PFS (55.9 vs. 27.1 months; P = 0.009) but not OS (not reached vs. 58.9 months; P = 0.115). Patients with different cMRD statuses before ASCT experienced similar PFS (40.5 vs. 76.4 months for negativity vs. positivity; P = 0.685) and OS (not reached vs. 58.8 months for negativity vs. positivity; P = 0.889). These results suggested that detectable cMRD does not significantly predict the inferior post-ASCT response or shorter survival, and patients are eligible to undergo ASCT upon achieving partial response.
Considerations on surgical strategies and associated risk profiles for endoscopic tumor biopsies within the third ventricle and periaqueductal region
Authors: Teping Fritz , Oertel Joachim
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Neuroendoscopic techniques have proven to be a successful and minimally-invasive technique for tumor biopsies within the third ventricle in pediatric patients. However, a comprehensive assessment of associated surgical strategies, techniques, and morbidity is essential to optimize patient outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed full endoscopic tumor biopsies in pediatric patients with tumors in the third ventricle and periaqueductal region. Data from 1995 to 2022 were collected from medical records, imaging, and intraoperative video documentation.

Results

In this study, 16 shear endoscopic tumor biopsies were performed using the transventricular transforaminal approach. Tumors were located in the anterior or mid part of the third ventricle (50%) or in the periaqueductal and pineal recess region (50%). Preoperative hydrocephalus was seen in 81.25%. Tumor biopsies were harvested successfully in all cases. Simultaneous ETV was performed in 12 (75%) cases and additional septostomy in 3 (18.75%). Significant intraoperative bleeding occurred in 3 cases (18.75%). All bleeding situations could be successfully managed with continuous irrigation. Histopathology revealed astrocytoma as the predominant diagnosis (75%). No new neurologic deficits were observed, except for one case of transient oculomotor nerve paralysis after ETV. Hydrocephalus persisted in 18.6% of all cases with the need of urgent ventriculoperitoneal shunting in two patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, neuroendoscopy emerges as an effective technique for tumor biopsies within the third ventricle in pediatric patients, offering the added advantage of simultaneous treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus. However, it is essential to acknowledge the specific intra- and postoperative risks associated with various surgical strategies. The safe management and achievement of favorable clinical results demand extensive experience and expertise.
Relationship of early brain growth pattern measured by ultrasound with neurological outcome at two years of age in very low birth weight infants
Authors: Ruiz-González Estefanía , Lubián-López Simón P. , Jiménez Luque Natalia , Segado-Arenas Antonio , Lubián-Gutiérrez Manuel , Almagro Yolanda Marín , Zafra-Rodríguez Pamela , Méndez-Abad Paula , Benavente-Fernández Isabel
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study is to define the impact of early brain growth trajectory in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) on neurological prognosis at 2 years, assessed using sequential ultrasound (US) scans. This is a prospective cohort study with consecutive inclusion of VLBWI ≤ 32 weeks gestational age and ≤ 1500 g at birth. Total brain volume (TBV) was assessed using sequential 3D-US from birth to discharge. Prognosis at 2 years (corrected age) was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Third Edition. TBV showed slower growth with postmenstrual age (PMA) in those VLBWI who had an adverse cognitive prognosis compared to those with good cognitive prognosis (mean difference in TBV between prognostic groups from 4.56 cm3 at 28 weeks to 42.58 cm3 at 43 weeks) as well as in those with adverse language prognosis (mean difference in TBV from 2.21 cm3 at 28 weeks to 26.98 cm3 at 43 weeks) although other variables showed more impact than TBV on language prognosis (gestational age at birth, brain injury at term, and socioeconomic status). No association was found between TBV and motor prognosis. Brain growth rate was also significantly higher in those VLBWI who presented good cognitive scores (18.78 + (0.33 × (PMA-33)) cm3/week) compared to those with adverse cognitive outcome (13.73 + (0.64 × (PMA-33)) cm3/week).

  Conclusion: Early altered brain growth is associated with poor cognitive prognosis at 2 years of age. Using sequential US monitoring, we can detect early brain growth deviation in patients who will have adverse cognitive outcomes.

What is known:• The prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome of VLBWI is mostly based on the presence of brain injury in US and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term. • Some studies have related brain volume measured on MRI at term with neurodevelopment outcome.

What is new:• VLBWI with adverse cognitive prognosis at two years of age present smaller brain volumes detectable by sequential US during NICU admission.• Brain volume can be estimated from 2D and 3D US and has prognostic value in VLBWI.
Review of age and gender detection methods based on handwriting analysis
Authors: Alaei Fahimeh , Alaei Alireza
Published: September 2023

Handwriting recognition and analysis has been an active area of research in the last two decades. Handwriting analysis is being studied in various fields of science, such as graphology, neurology, psychology, and computer science. Furthermore, automated handwriting analysis has several applications, including forensic, security, medical, and disease prediction. This paper presents the most recent handwriting analysis techniques and advancements available in the literature for age and gender classification/detection. Different steps, including feature extraction and classification, frequently used in the literature for age and gender detection, are discussed, and the presented works are classified according to the applied feature extraction and classification methods. The online and offline benchmark databases are also reviewed. We used a text mining technique to perform a quantitative content analysis of the presented research and better understand the co-occurrence network diagrams of age and gender classification/detection. This study is a valuable resource that provides new research directions to students and researchers interested in this field for further research and investigation.
A Mathematical Modelling Study of Chemotactic Dynamics in Cell Cultures: The Impact of Spatio-temporal Heterogeneity
Authors: Ayensa-Jiménez Jacobo , Doweidar Mohamed H. , Doblaré Manuel , Gaffney Eamonn A.
Published: September 2023

As motivated by studies of cellular motility driven by spatiotemporal chemotactic gradients in microdevices, we develop a framework for constructing approximate analytical solutions for the location, speed and cellular densities for cell chemotaxis waves in heterogeneous fields of chemoattractant from the underlying partial differential equation models. In particular, such chemotactic waves are not in general translationally invariant travelling waves, but possess a spatial variation that evolves in time, and may even oscillate back and forth in time, according to the details of the chemotactic gradients. The analytical framework exploits the observation that unbiased cellular diffusive flux is typically small compared to chemotactic fluxes and is first developed and validated for a range of exemplar scenarios. The framework is subsequently applied to more complex models considering the chemoattractant dynamics under more general settings, potentially including those of relevance for representing pathophysiology scenarios in microdevice studies. In particular, even though solutions cannot be constructed in all cases, a wide variety of scenarios can be considered analytically, firstly providing global insight into the important mechanisms and features of cell motility in complex spatiotemporal fields of chemoattractant. Such analytical solutions also provide a means of rapid evaluation of model predictions, with the prospect of application in computationally demanding investigations relating theoretical models and experimental observation, such as Bayesian parameter estimation.
Best Practices for LGBTQIA + Patient Care in Otolaryngology
Authors: Stone Ari M. , Russel Sarah M. , Flaherty A. J. , Faucett Erynne A.
Published: September 2023

Purpose of Review

This chapter introduces LGBTQIA + concepts, communities, and terminology in an effort to improve health care provider education, patient communication, and patient care.

Recent Findings

This chapter provides an overview of best practices to incorporate when treating LGBTQIA + patients in health care and more specifically in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery. We discuss issues unique to this population that may influence patient care.

This review aims to provide an overview of best practices to use in the care of sex and gender-minority patients while also illuminating some of the unique joys and challenges of serving this diverse population. Best practices should be shared with all clinic and operating room staff to ensure that LGBTQIA + patients feel safe and welcomed at every step of their visits.
NFT-based identity management in metaverses: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Banaeian Far Saeed , Hosseini Bamakan Seyed Mojtaba
Published: September 2023

A considerable number of people worldwide start their second lives in the digital world soon. The 3D Internet reflects the digital world. Metaverse, the most famous example of the 3D Internet, is very popular and practical in people’s daily lives. However, combining Metaverse with newly-emerging technologies (e.g., blockchain) provides new user-friendly features such as autonomy, accessibility, removing central authorities, etc. Despite the mentioned attractive features, blockchain-based metaverses suffer various challenges, such as one user with multiple identities, certificate issuing for users in Metaverse, authentication-related issues, and arresting malicious users. Generally, identity management in a distributed environment where no central authority exists is a challenging issue. This study focuses on the challenge of distributed identity management in Metaverses to strike a balance between users’ privacy and regulation. The study proposes the use of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) as a tool for managing identities in metaverses, as they are considered an excellent choice for this purpose. In addition to explaining the importance of this idea, this paper identifies its challenges, including distributed identity management, authentication issues, and security and privacy aspects. It then proposes possible solutions (e.g., using cryptographic tools). Despite existing challenges, there are many opportunities in the popularization of Metaverse, such as relying on blockchain technology, emerging many Metaverse-related jobs, in-Metaverse investments for huge revenues, and applying digital twins to provide realistic senses. This study also highlights the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) in metaverses.
Writing the World in Early Medieval England
Authors: Discenza Nicole Guenther , Estes Heide
Published: September 2023

The early medieval English were far more diverse and better connected to a broader world. Their writings reveal substantial interest in Europe, Asia, and Africa while they situated themselves firmly within Christian Europe. They drew many ideas from textual sources and filled out their conceptions from their own travels and interactions with visitors. Chronicles, histories, poetry, homilies, saints' lives, and occasionally maps tell of peoples and lands from the British Isles to their near neighbors in Scandinavia to such distant places as Jerusalem, North Africa, and India. They also imagined geographies that veered into the fantastic and vividly depicted hell, purgatory, and heaven. This Element provides insights about early medieval English who were engaged deeply in a variety of modes with other parts of their world. Both the connections and the divisions they constructed still have impact today.
Risk of Stroke Recurrence After Intravenous Thrombolysis in Patients with Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis
Authors: Nordanstig Annika , Gu Thomas , Henze Alexander , Wester Per , Fox Allan J. , Johansson Elias
Published: September 2023

Objective:

To assess if intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) affects the risk of recurrent preoperative cerebrovascular events before carotid surgery or stenting in patients with symptomatic ≥ 50% carotid stenosis.

Methods:

Three cohorts of symptomatic ≥ 50% carotid stenosis patients were merged. To make the control group relevant, we excluded patients not presenting with stroke on the day of symptom onset. The risk of preoperative cerebrovascular events up to 30 days was compared between the IVT-treated and non-IVT-treated.

Results:

In total, 316 patients were included, 64 (20%) treated with IVT. Those treated with IVT had similar risk of recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke or retinal artery occlusion (12% at day 7, 12% at day 30) as those not treated (9% at day 7, 15% at day 30; adjusted HR 0.9, 95% CI 0.4–2.2). There was a tendency (p = 0.09) towards time-dependency in the data where the recurrence risk was higher in IVT-treated at day 0 (6% in IVT-treated, 1% in non-IVT-treated, OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.2–25.4, p = 0.03). This was not significant when adjusting for co-factors (adjusted OR 4.4, 95% CI 0.9–21.8, p = 0.07) and was offset by a later risk decrease, with no remaining risk difference between IVT-treated and non-IVT-treated at day 7.

Conclusions:

Intravenous thrombolysis treatment does not seem to affect the risk of recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke in patients with symptomatic ≥50% carotid stenosis: The risk is high in both IVT-treated and non-IVT-treated. However, there might be a risk increase on the day of IVT treatment that is offset by a risk decrease during the first week.
Context-Dependent Responses to the Spread of COVID-19 Among National and International Students During the First Lockdown: An Online Survey
Authors: Andreatta Marta , Jongerling Joran , Wieser Matthias J.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Restrictions to minimize social contact was necessary to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus but may have impacted individuals’ mental well-being. Emotional responses are modulated by contextual information. Living abroad during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have boosted the feeling of isolation as the context is unfamiliar.

Objectives:

This study compared the psychological impact of social distancing in national students (living in a familiar context) versus international students (living in an unfamiliar context).

Methods:

During March/April 2020 (first lockdown in the Netherlands), 850 university students completed an online survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to compare how students’ responses to the virus were predicted by health anxiety, emotional distress, and personal traits.

Results:

Compared with national students, international students showed higher levels in 4 identified factors (COVID-19-related worry, perceived risk of infection, distance from possibly contaminated objects, distance from social situations). The factors were mainly predicted by health anxiety across international students, while emotional distress and individual traits (eg, intolerance of uncertainty) played a role across national students.

Conclusions:

In the familiar context, individual characteristics (traits) predicted the responses to the virus, while the unfamiliar context drove individuals’ health-focused responses. Living in a foreign country is associated with psychological burdens and this should be considered by universities for more pronounced social support and clear references to health-related institutions.
On the Role of Erotetic Constraints in Noncausal Explanations
Authors: Kostić Daniel
Published: September 2023

In noncausal explanations, some noncausal facts (such as mathematical, modal, or metaphysical) are used to explain some physical facts. However, precisely because these explanations abstract away from causal facts, they face two challenges: (1) it is not clear why one rather than the other noncausal explanantia would be relevant for the explanandum; and (2) why would standing in a particular explanatory relation (e.g., “counterfactual dependence,” “constraint,” “entailment,” “constitution,” and “grounding”), and not in some other, be explanatory. I develop an explanatory relevance account that is based on erotetic constraints and show how it addresses these two challenges.
Improved conversational recommender system based on dialog context
Authors: Wang Xiaoyi , Liu Jie , Duan Jianyong
Published: September 2023

Conversational recommender system (CRS) needs to be seamlessly integrated between the two modules of recommendation and dialog, aiming to recommend high-quality items to users through multiple rounds of interactive dialogs. Items can typically refer to goods, movies, news, etc. Through this form of interactive dialog, users can express their preferences in real time, and the system can fully understand the user’s thoughts and recommend corresponding items. Although mainstream dialog recommendation systems have improved the performance to some extent, there are still some key issues, such as insufficient consideration of the entity’s order in the dialog, the different contributions of items in the dialog history, and the low diversity of generated responses. To address these shortcomings, we propose an improved dialog context model based on time-series features. Firstly, we augment the semantic representation of words and items using two external knowledge graphs and align the semantic space using mutual information maximization techniques. Secondly, we add a retrieval model to the dialog recommendation system to provide auxiliary information for generating replies. We then utilize a deep timing network to serialize the dialog content and more accurately learn the feature relationship between users and items for recommendation. In this paper, the dialog recommendation system is divided into two components, and different evaluation indicators are used to evaluate the performance of the dialog component and the recommendation component. Experimental results on widely used benchmarks show that the proposed method is effective.
Digital Communication, Family Identity, and Markers of Emerging	Adulthood
Authors: LeBouef Samantha , Dworkin Jodi
Published: September 2023

Abstract: In the current study, we examined the relationships between key markers of emerging adulthood (unique combinations of work and school in particular), family identity, and frequency of digital communication with mother, father, and closest sibling to address several gaps in the literature. The goal of this study was to examine how work and school status were associated with family identity, and frequency of digital communication with mothers, fathers, and siblings. This study utilized a subsample ( n = 355) of emerging adults who reported on digital communication with three family members (mother, father, and closest sibling) as part of a larger study. Data were collected through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and participants were compensated $0.50 for their time. A series of descriptive analyses, MANCOVAs, and moderated regressions were conducted using SPSS version 25. Analyses revealed that family identity was associated with digital communication with mother and father, and social well-being moderated the relationship between digital communication with mother and family identity; these relationships did not vary by markers of emerging adulthood. Limitations and future directions for research are considered.
Decoding an Ancient Tsunami from the Ground Up
Authors: White Mackenzie
Published: September 2023

The seafloor around Santorini is helping scientists investigate forces behind the devastating Minoan tsunami.
Atomistic study of liquid fragility and spatial heterogeneity of glassy solids in model binary alloys
Authors: Wakeda Masato , Ichitsubo Tetsu
Published: September 2023

Fragility is a fundamental property of glass-forming liquids. Here, we evaluated the liquid fragility and structural and dynamic heterogeneity of glassy solids for four model binary alloys. The most fragile alloy exhibited the maximum dynamic heterogeneity in the mechanical unfreezing process. The local atomic order contributed to structural and dynamic heterogeneities in the glassy solid. We observed that atomic displacement significantly correlated with degrees of clustering of local atomic orders. The clustering produced during the glass-forming quenching process enhanced structural and dynamic heterogeneities, especially in fragile glass alloys. Therefore, this alloy system exhibited correlations among liquid fragility, dynamic heterogeneity in liquid alloys, and dynamic and structural heterogeneities in glassy solids. We discussed the underlying physics of the correlation based on a theoretical model for fragility. These structural and dynamic analyses also provided deeper insights into the features of structural heterogeneity in glassy solids. The alloy with the most fragility exhibited the largest difference in atomic mobility between the densely and loosely packed local atomic orders, implying the greatest heterogeneity in the degree of packing density.
Emerging systemic therapy options beyond CDK4/6 inhibitors for hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative advanced breast cancer
Authors: Ma Jun , Chan Jack Junjie , Toh Ching Han , Yap Yoon-Sim
Published: September 2023

Endocrine therapy (ET) with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) is currently the standard first-line treatment for most patients with hormone receptor (HR) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) negative advanced breast cancer. However, resistance to ET and CDK4/6i inevitably ensues. The optimal post-progression treatment regimens and their sequencing continue to evolve in the rapidly changing treatment landscape. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of resistance to ET and CDK4/6i, which can be broadly classified as alterations affecting cell cycle mediators and activation of alternative signaling pathways. Recent clinical trials have been directed at the targets and pathways implicated, including estrogen and androgen receptors, PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways, tyrosine kinase receptors such as FGFR and HER2, homologous recombination repair pathway, other components of the cell cycle and cell death. We describe the findings from these clinical trials using small molecule inhibitors, antibody–drug conjugates and immunotherapy, providing insights into how these novel strategies may circumvent treatment resistance, and discuss how some have not translated into clinical benefit. The challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity, adaptive rewiring of signaling pathways and dose-limiting toxicities underscore the need to elucidate the latest tumor biology in each patient, and develop treatments with improved therapeutic index in the era of precision medicine.
Comparative physiology of canopy tree leaves in evergreen and deciduous forests in lowland Thailand
Authors: Ishida Atsushi , Yamaji Keiko , Nakano Takashi , Ladpala Phanumard , Popradit Ananya , Yoshimura Kenichi , Saiki Shin-Taro , Maeda Takahisa , Yoshimura Jin , Koyama Kohei , Diloksumpun Sapit , Marod Dokrak
Published: September 2023

The typical seasonally dry forests in Southeast Asia are the mixed deciduous forest (MDF), dry dipterocarp (deciduous) forest (DDF), and dry evergreen forest (DEF). We obtained 21 physiological traits in the top/sunlit leaves of 107, 65 and 51 tree species in MDF, DEF and DDF, respectively. Approximately 70%, 95% and 95% of canopy tree species which consist of MDF, DEF and DDF are sampled, respectively. Light-saturated photosynthetic rates (Asat) exhibit a positive correlation with foliar nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on leaf mass and area bases across tree species. Decreased leaf mass-based P reduces the positive slope of the mass-based N and Asat relationship across species and habitats. The differences in nutrient and water use and leaf habits are well matched to the variation in soil properties among the forest types, highlighting the reliability of this comprehensive database for revealing the mechanism of niche segregation based on edaphic factors.
An RFI-suppressed SMOS L-band multi-angular brightness temperature dataset spanning over a decade (since 2010)
Authors: Peng Zhiqing , Zhao Tianjie , Shi Jiancheng , Kerr Yann H. , Rodríguez-Fernández Nemesio J. , Yao Panpan , Che Tao
Published: September 2023

The Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) was the first mission providing L-band multi-angular brightness temperature (TB) at the global scale. However, radio frequency interferences (RFI) and aliasing effects degrade, when present SMOS TBs, and thus affect the retrieval of land parameters. To alleviate this, a refined SMOS multi-angular TB dataset was generated based on a two-step regression approach. This approach smooths the TBs and reconstructs data at the incidence angle with large TB uncertainties. Compared with Centre Aval de Traitement des Données SMOS (CATDS) TB product, this dataset shows a better relationship with the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) TB and enhanced correlation with in-situ measured soil moisture. This RFI-suppressed SMOS TB dataset, spanning more than a decade (since 2010), is expected to provide opportunities for better retrieval of land parameters and scientific applications.
SC2EGSet: StarCraft II Esport Replay and Game-state Dataset
Authors: Białecki Andrzej , Jakubowska Natalia , Dobrowolski Paweł , Białecki Piotr , Krupiński Leszek , Szczap Andrzej , Białecki Robert , Gajewski Jan
Published: September 2023

As a relatively new form of sport, esports offers unparalleled data availability. Our work aims to open esports to a broader scientific community by supplying raw and pre-processed files from StarCraft II esports tournaments. These files can be used in statistical and machine learning modeling tasks and compared to laboratory-based measurements. Additionally, we open-sourced and published all the custom tools that were developed in the process of creating our dataset. These tools include PyTorch and PyTorch Lightning API abstractions to load and model the data. Our dataset contains replays from major and premiere StarCraft II tournaments since 2016. We processed 55 “replaypacks” that contained 17930 files with game-state information. Our dataset is one of the few large publicly available sources of StarCraft II data upon its publication. Analysis of the extracted data holds promise for further Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), psychological, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and sports-related studies in a variety of supervised and self-supervised tasks.
Whole genome sequencing and analysis of multiple isolates of Ceratocystis destructans, the causal agent of Ceratocystis canker of almond in California
Authors: Maguvu Tawanda E. , Travadon Renaud , Cantu Dario , Trouillas Florent P.
Published: September 2023

Ceratocystis canker caused by Ceratocystis destructans is a severe disease of almond, reducing the longevity and productivity of infected trees. Once the disease has established in an individual tree, there is no cure, and management efforts are often limited to removing the infected area of cankers. In this study, we present the genome assemblies of five C. destructans isolates isolated from symptomatic almond trees. The genomes were assembled into a genome size of 27.2 ± 0.9 Mbp with an average of 6924 ± 135 protein-coding genes and an average GC content of 48.8 ± 0.02%. We concentrated our efforts on identifying putative virulence factors of canker pathogens. Analysis of the secreted carbohydrate-active enzymes showed that the genomes harbored 83.4 ± 1.8 secreted CAZymes. The secreted CAZymes covered all the known categories of CAZymes. AntiSMASH revealed that the genomes had at least 7 biosynthetic gene clusters, with one of the non-ribosomal peptide synthases encoding dimethylcoprogen, a conserved virulence determinant of plant pathogenic ascomycetes. From the predicted proteome, we also annotated cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, and transporters, these are well-established virulence determinants of canker pathogens. Moreover, we managed to identify 57.4 ± 2.1 putative effector proteins. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation was applied to compare gene content with two closely related species C. fimbriata, and C. albifundus. This study provides the first genome assemblies for C. destructans, expanding genomic resources for an important almond canker pathogen. The acquired knowledge provides a foundation for further advanced studies, such as molecular interactions with the host, which is critical for breeding for resistance.