bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric undular bores
Authors: Constantin A. , Johnson R. S.
Published: April 2023

We show that a recently-derived model for the propagation of nonlinear waves in the atmosphere admits undular bores as travelling-wave solutions. These solutions represent waves consisting of a damped oscillation behind a front that is preceded by a uniform breeze-type flow. The generation of such wave profiles requires a jump in the heat source across the leading front of the wave, a feature that is consistent with observations.
femtoPro: virtual-reality interactive training simulator of an ultrafast laser laboratory
Authors: Brixner Tobias , Mueller Stefan , Müller Andreas , Knote Andreas , Schnepp Wilhelm , Truman Samuel , Vetter Anne , von Mammen Sebastian
Published: April 2023

The huge field of optics and photonics research and development is in constant demand of well-trained experts. However, it is challenging to teach efficiently the setup process of complicated optical experiments due to limited hardware availability and eye-safety concerns, in particular, in the case of femtosecond lasers. We have developed an interactive simulation of an ultrafast laser laboratory (“femtoPro”) for teaching and training, implementing physical models for the calculation and visualization of Gaussian laser beam propagation, ultrashort optical pulses, their modulation by typical optical elements, and linear as well as nonlinear light–matter interaction. This facilitates the setup and simulated measurement procedure, in virtual reality (VR) and at real-time speeds, of various typical optical arrangements and spectroscopy schemes such as telescopes, interferometers, or pulse characterization. femtoPro can be employed to supplement academic teaching in connection with regular courses in optics or spectroscopy, to train future scientists and engineers in the field of (ultrafast) optics in practical skills, to communicate to other researchers how to set up and align a particular experiment, to “test-build” and simulate new designs of optical setups, to simulate ultrafast spectroscopy data, to offer practical exercises to high-school students, and to reach out to the general public.
The spherical ensemble and quasi-Monte-Carlo designs
Authors: Berman Robert J.
Published: April 2023

The spherical ensemble is a well-known ensemble of N repulsive points on the two-dimensional sphere, which can realized in various ways (as a random matrix ensemble, a determinantal point process, a Coulomb gas, a Quantum Hall state...). Here we show that the spherical ensemble enjoys remarkable convergence properties from the point of view of numerical integration. More precisely, it is shown that the numerical integration rule corresponding to N nodes on the two-dimensional sphere sampled in the spherical ensemble is, with overwhelming probability, nearly a quasi-Monte-Carlo design in the sense of Brauchart-Saff-Sloan-Womersley for any smoothness parameter $$s\le 2.$$

s
≤
2
.

The key ingredient is a new explicit sub-Gaussian concentration of measure inequality for the spherical ensemble.
Associations of dietary patterns with risk of incident atrial fibrillation in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS)
Authors: Garg Parveen K. , Wilson Nicole , Levitan Emily B. , Shikany James M. , Howard Virginia J. , Newby P. K. , Judd Suzanne , Howard George , Cushman Mary , Soliman Elsayed Z.
Published: April 2023

Background

We examined whether the risk of incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in a large, biracial, prospective cohort is lower in participants who adhere to heart-healthy dietary patterns and higher in participants who adhere to less heart-healthy diets.

Methods

Between 2003 and 2007, the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort study enrolled 30,239 Black and White Americans aged 45 years or older. Dietary patterns (convenience, plant-based, sweets, Southern, and alcohol and salads) and the Mediterranean diet score (MDS) were derived based on food frequency questionnaire data. The primary outcome was incident AF at the follow-up visit 2013–2016, defined by either electrocardiogram or self-reported medical history of a physician diagnosis.

Results

This study included 8977 participants (mean age 63 ± 8.3 years; 56% women; 30% Black) free of AF at baseline who completed the follow-up exam an average of 9.4 years later. A total of 782 incident AF cases were detected. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, neither the MDS score (odds ratio (OR) per SD increment = 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95–1.11) or the plant-based dietary pattern (OR per SD increment = 1.03; 95% CI 0.94–1.12) were associated with AF risk. Additionally, an increased AF risk was not associated with any of the less-healthy dietary patterns.

Conclusions

While specific dietary patterns have been associated with AF risk factors, our findings fail to show an association between diet patterns and AF development.
No clinically significant difference in postoperative pain and side effects comparing conventional and enhanced recovery total hip arthroplasty with early mobilization
Authors: Reinhard Jan , Schindler Melanie , Leiss Franziska , Greimel Felix , Grifka Joachim , Benditz Achim
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) leads to less morbidity, faster recovery, and, therefore, shorter hospital stays. The expected increment of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the U.S. highlights the need for sufficient pain management. The favorable use of short-lasting spinal anesthesia enables early mobilization but may lead to increased opioid consumption the first 24 h (h) postoperatively.

Methods

In a retrospective study design, we compared conventional THA with postoperative immobilization for two days (non-ERAS) and enhanced recovery THA with early mobilization (ERAS group). Data assessment took place as part of the “Quality Improvement in Postoperative Pain Treatment project” (QUIPS). Initially, 2161 patients were enrolled, resulting in 630 after performing a matched pair analysis for sex, age, ASA score (American-Society-of-Anesthesiology) and preoperative pain score. Patient-reported pain scores, objectified by a numerical rating scale (NRS), opioid consumption and side effects were evaluated 24 h postoperatively.

Results

The ERAS group revealed higher activity-related pain (p = 0.002), accompanied by significantly higher opioid consumption (p < 0.001). Maximum and minimum pain as well as side effects did not show significant differences (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

This study is the first to analyze pain scores, opioid consumption, and side effects in a matched pair analyses at this early stage and supports the implementation of an ERAS concept for THA. Taking into consideration the early postoperative mobilization, we were not able to detect a difference regarding postoperative pain. Although opioid consumption appeared to be higher in ERAS group, occurrence of side effects ranged among comparable percentages.
The impact of perinatal brain injury on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and optic nerve head parameters of premature children
Authors: Wenner Yaroslava , Kunze Kira , Lazaridis Apostolos , Brauer Vanessa , Besgen Volker , Davidova Petra , Sekundo Walter , Maier Rolf F.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the impact of birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and perinatal brain injury (PBI) on optic nerve head (ONH) parameters and nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) in preterm children.

Methods

ONH parameters and RNFLT were examined prospectively in 5–15-year-old preterm and full-term children with RTVue-100 OCT (Optovue, USA). The parameters of the two groups were compared and possible influences of BW, GA, ROP, and PBI analyzed in preterm children.

Results

In total, 51 full-term and 55 preterm children were included. The mean age was 9.98 ± 3.4 years in full-term and 10.0 ± 2.5 years in preterm children. The mean GA in preterm children was 29.6 ± 3.8 weeks with a BW of 1523 ± 732 g. RNFLT was significantly lower in preterm than in full-term children in all but temporal quadrants. Cup area, volume, cup/disc area ratio, and horizontal cup/disc ratio (CDR) were significantly larger and rim area significantly thinner in preterm children. GA was positively correlated with superior, nasal, and overall RNFLT and negatively correlated with cup area, volume, and horizontal CDR. ROP stage correlated negatively with superior and nasal RNFLT. PBI was the only significant predicting factor for RNFL thinning in all but temporal quadrant in multiple regression analysis. Preterm children with PBI had a significantly larger optic cup (CDR 0.70 ± 0.33 vs. 0.37 ± 0.27) and thinner optic rim.

Conclusion

PBI correlated strongest with RNFL thinning, a thinner optic rim, and a larger optic cup in preterm children and should be evaluated in each patient to prevent incorrect diagnosis like glaucoma.
Oxygen uptake and heart rate responses to 4 weeks of RPE-guided handcycle training
Authors: Hutchinson Michael J. , Paulson Thomas A. W. , Leicht Christof A. , Bennett Hunter , Eston Roger , Goosey-Tolfrey Victoria L.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To investigate the efficacy of using Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) to prescribe and regulate a 4-week handcycle training intervention.

Methods

Thirty active adults, untrained in upper body endurance exercise, were divided into three groups to complete a 4-week intervention: (i) RPE-guided training (n = 10; 2 female), (ii) power output (PO)-guided (n = 10; 2 female) training, or (iii) non-training control (n = 10; 4 female). Training groups performed three sessions of handcycling each week. Oxygen uptake ($${\dot{\text{V}}}O_{2}$$

V
˙

O
2

), heart rate (HR), and Feeling Scale (FS) rating were collected during training sessions. RPE-guided training was performed at RPE 13. PO-guided training was matched for percentage of peak PO per session, based upon that achieved by the RPE-guided training group.

Results

There were no differences in percentage of peak $$\dot{V}O_{2}$$

V
˙

O
2

(66 ± 13% vs 61 ± 9%, p = 0.22), peak HR (75 ± 8% vs 71 ± 6%, p = 0.11) or FS rating (1.2 ± 1.9 vs 0.8 ± 1.6, p = 0.48) between RPE- and PO-guided training, respectively. The average coefficient of variation in percentage of peak HR between consecutive training sessions was 2.8% during RPE-guided training, and 3.4% during PO-guided training.

Conclusion

Moderate-vigorous intensity handcycling exercise can be prescribed effectively using RPE across a chronic training intervention, suggesting utility for practitioners in a variety of rehabilitation settings.
Effect of thoracic epidural anesthesia on postoperative outcome in major liver surgery: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Behem Christoph R. , Wegner Juliane C. , Pinnschmidt Hans O. , Greiwe Gillis , Graessler Michael F. , Funcke Sandra , Nitzschke Rainer , Trepte Constantin J. C. , Haas Sebastian A.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Postoperative complications after major liver surgery are common. Thoracic epidural anesthesia may provide beneficial effects on postoperative outcome. We strove to compare postoperative outcomes in major liver surgery patients with and without thoracic epidural anesthesia.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study in a single university medical center. Patients undergoing elective major liver surgery between April 2012 and December 2016 were eligible for inclusion. We divided patients into two groups according to whether or not they had thoracic epidural anesthesia for major liver surgery. The primary outcome was postoperative hospital length of stay, i.e., from day of surgery until hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included 30-day postoperative mortality and major postoperative complications. Additionally, we investigated the effect of thoracic epidural anesthesia on perioperative analgesia doses and the safety of thoracic epidural anesthesia.

Results

Of 328 patients included in this study, 177 (54.3%) received thoracic epidural anesthesia. There were no clinically important differences in postoperative hospital length of stay (11.0 [7.00–17.0] vs. 9.00 [7.00–14.0] days, p = 0.316, primary outcome), death (0.0 vs. 2.7%, p = 0.995), or the incidence of postoperative renal failure (0.6 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.99), sepsis (0.0 vs. 1.3%, p = 0.21), or pulmonary embolism (0.6 vs. 1.4%, p = 0.59) between patients with or without thoracic epidural anesthesia. Perioperative analgesia doses — including the intraoperative sufentanil dose (0.228 [0.170–0.332] vs. 0.405 [0.315–0.565] μg·kg−1·h−1, p < 0.0001) — were lower in patients with thoracic epidural anesthesia. No major thoracic epidural anesthesia-associated infections or bleedings occurred.

Conclusion

This retrospective analysis suggests that thoracic epidural anesthesia does not reduce postoperative hospital length of stay in patients undergoing major liver surgery — but it may reduce perioperative analgesia doses. Thoracic epidural anesthesia was safe in this cohort of patients undergoing major liver surgery. These findings need to be confirmed in robust clinical trials.
STING is a prognostic factor related to tumor necrosis, sarcomatoid dedifferentiation, and distant metastasis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Marletta Stefano , Caliò Anna , Bogina Giuseppe , Rizzo Mimma , Brunelli Matteo , Pedron Serena , Marcolini Lisa , Stefanizzi Lavinia , Gobbo Stefano , Princiotta Alessandro , Porta Camillo , Pecoraro Angela , Antonelli Alessandro , Martignoni Guido
Published: April 2023

STING is a molecule involved in immune reactions against double-stranded DNA fragments, released in infective and neoplastic diseases, whose role in the interactions between immune and neoplastic cells in clear cell renal cell carcinoma has not been studied yet. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of STING in a series of 146 clear-cell renal cell carcinomas and correlated it with the main pathological prognostic factors. Furthermore, tumoral inflammatory infiltrate was evaluated and studied for the subpopulations of lymphocytes. Expression of STING was observed in 36% (53/146) of the samples, more frequently in high-grade (G3–G4) tumors (48%,43/90) and recurrent/metastatic ones (75%, 24/32) than in low grade (G1–G2) and indolent neoplasms (16%, 9/55). STING staining correlated with parameters of aggressive behavior, including coagulative granular necrosis (p = 0.001), stage (p < 0.001), and development of metastases (p < 0.001). Among prognostic parameters, STING immune expression reached an independent statistical significance (p = 0.029) in multivariable analysis, along with the stage and the presence of coagulative granular necrosis. About tumor immune-environment, no significant statistical association has been demonstrated between tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and STING. Our results provide novel insights regarding the role of STING in aggressive clear cell renal cell carcinomas, suggesting its adoption as a prognostic marker and a potentially targetable molecule for specific immunotherapies.
The experiences and needs of metastatic spinal cancer family caregivers at home: a systematic review
Authors: Kardosod Apichat , Needham Judith , Coyne Elisabeth
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Family caregivers have high responsibilities for caring for persons with metastatic spinal cancer; however, understanding the experiences and needs of family caregivers face to overall recent, what is nurse-led could support them to meet their needs appropriately? Thus, the study aimed to review the experiences and needs of metastatic spinal cancer caregivers at home in the past decades.

Methods

A qualitative systematic review of 8 studies was undertaken. Analysed studies were conducted in different countries (Australia, Cyprus, Italy, Kenya, Pakistan, Thailand, and Turkey), covering a population of 92 caregivers. Thematic analysis was applied to identify family caregiver experiences and needs.

Results

Thematic analysis identified four key themes from the included studies: (1) complexity of needs, (2) caregivers’ role and physical needs, (3) complexity of psychosocial needs, and (4) understanding supportive care.

Conclusions

The results across 8 different countries indicate that family caregivers of metastatic spinal cancer commonly face diverse challenges in many diverse geographical contexts across cultures, requiring biomedical, practical, physical, and psychosocial support from healthcare systems within the matrix of broader challenges and resources available to improve supportive care for such service users.
Employing machine learning techniques in monitoring autocorrelated profiles
Authors: Yeganeh Ali , Johannssen Arne , Chukhrova Nataliya , Abbasi Saddam Akber , Pourpanah Farhad
Published: April 2023

In profile monitoring, it is usually assumed that the observations between or within each profile are independent of each other. However, this assumption is often violated in manufacturing practice, and it is of utmost importance to carefully consider autocorrelation effects in the underlying models for profile monitoring. For this reason, various statistical control charts have been proposed to monitor profiles when between- or within-data is correlated in Phase II, in which the main aim is to develop control charts with quicker detection ability. As a novel approach, this study aims to employ machine learning techniques as control charts instead of statistical approaches in monitoring profiles with between-profile autocorrelations. Specifically, new input features based on conventional statistical control chart statistics and normalized estimated parameters are defined that are capable of adequately accounting for the between-autocorrelation effect of profiles. In addition, six machine learning techniques are extended and compared by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The simulation results indicate that machine learning techniques can obtain more accurate results compared with statistical control charts. Moreover, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems outperform other machine learning techniques and the conventional statistical control charts.
Causes and treatment of temporomandibular luxation—a retrospective analysis of 260 patients
Authors: Tarhio Reetta , Toivari Miika , Snäll Johanna , Uittamo Johanna
Published: April 2023

Objectives

We aimed to clarify the etiology, diagnostic process, and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) luxation, as the standard care is mainly based on case-reports and systematic studies are lacking. The hypotheses were that luxation occurs spontaneously, recurrence manifests particularly among geriatric patients, and surgery is needed infrequently.

Patients and materials

A retrospective study of TMJ luxation patients (n = 260) from 2007 to 2020 was designed and implemented. The primary outcome was type of TMJ luxation (i.e., recurrent or non-recurrent), and secondary outcomes were the need for and type of surgical intervention. Predictor variables comprised age, sex, presence of neurological condition, and mechanism of luxation. Administered treatment and clinical outcomes were recorded.

Results

Of luxation, 61.9% was recurrent and 40.0% due to spontaneous cause. Only 1.9% of patients underwent surgical intervention. The presence of neurological condition caused a 1.34-fold risk for recurrence of luxation and general condition a 1.57-fold risk.

Conclusions

TMJ luxation is often recurrent, bilateral, and spontaneous. Recurrent luxation is associated with geriatric and neurological conditions, and in this group recurrent TMJ luxation predicted death.

Clinical relevance

Our findings contribute to more effective diagnostics and treatment of TMJ luxation patients. We show that there is a need to standardize diagnostic measures and treatment patterns. Moreover, collaboration with other specialities, especially neurology and geriatrics, is important.
Ultrasound diagnosis of non-mass MRI-detected lesions
Authors: Izumori Ayumi , Kokubu Yumi
Published: April 2023

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected lesions are often category 2 or 3 lesions on initial ultrasound examination. In addition, in the case of new non-mass lesions detected on MRI, one would expect to find lesions with ductal dilatation with minimal secretory accumulation, single short lesions with ductal dilatation, cyst-like lesions less than 5 mm in size, mammary gland-like lesions less than 8 mm in size, and very indistinct lesions. Detection is expected to be even more difficult. Currently, there are no clear uniform criteria for the indication of second-look ultrasonography (US) for MRI-detected lesions, so it is not possible to make a general comparison, but recent studies have indicated that the ratio of mass to non-mass MRI-detected lesions is 7:3. And it has been pointed out that the percentage of malignancy is about 30% for each. Before about 2012, the US detection rate was about 70%, and MRI-guided biopsies of undetected lesions showed a small percentage of malignant lesions. Therefore, some observers believe that lesions not detected on US should be followed up, while others believe that MRI-guided biopsy should be performed. Recently, however, the use of surrounding anatomical structures as landmarks for second-look US has increased the detection rate to as high as 87–99%, and the percentage of malignancy remains the same. In addition, recent surveillance of high-risk breast cancer requires careful management of MRI-detected lesions. In this review, we will discuss the literature on MRI-detected lesions and describe ultrasound techniques to accurately detect small lesions and reliably reveal pale lesions based on their structural differences from their surroundings.
On modelling fluid/body interactions, impacts and lift-offs
Authors: Smith Frank T. , Jolley Ellen M. , Palmer Ryan A.
Published: April 2023

A description is given of recent progress in the understanding of mechanisms in fluid-body interactions where the motion of a body and the motion of the surrounding fluid affect each other substantially. The mathematical modelling of such unsteady interactions is for internal channel and external near-wall flows in two spatial dimensions and time. The emphasis throughout is on analytical developments with accompanying reduced computation. The successive aspects studied here are interactions and impacts in inviscid flows, skimming and sinking, the lift-off, fly-away or bouncing of a body, and viscous effects including especially the interplay between viscous and inviscid contributions. The main findings are concerned with physical and mechanical insights into impact times, lift-off criteria, the borders between impact and fly-away, the principal parameters and their ranges and the influences from body shape and mass.
Effect of erythrophagocytosis-induced ferroptosis during angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaques
Authors: Puylaert Pauline , Roth Lynn , Van Praet Melissa , Pintelon Isabel , Dumitrascu Catalina , van Nuijs Alexander , Klejborowska Greta , Guns Pieter-Jan , Berghe Tom Vanden , Augustyns Koen , De Meyer Guido R. Y. , Martinet Wim
Published: April 2023

Intraplaque (IP) angiogenesis is a key feature of advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Because IP vessels are fragile and leaky, erythrocytes are released and phagocytosed by macrophages (erythrophagocytosis), which leads to high intracellular iron content, lipid peroxidation and cell death. In vitro experiments showed that erythrophagocytosis by macrophages induced non-canonical ferroptosis, an emerging type of regulated necrosis that may contribute to plaque destabilization. Erythrophagocytosis-induced ferroptosis was accompanied by increased expression of heme-oxygenase 1 and ferritin, and could be blocked by co-treatment with third generation ferroptosis inhibitor UAMC-3203. Both heme-oxygenase 1 and ferritin were also expressed in erythrocyte-rich regions of carotid plaques from ApoE−/−Fbn1C1039G+/− mice, a model of advanced atherosclerosis with IP angiogenesis. The effect of UAMC-3203 (12.35 mg/kg/day) on atherosclerosis was evaluated in ApoE−/−Fbn1C1039G+/− mice fed a western-type diet (WD) for 12 weeks (n = 13 mice/group) or 20 weeks (n = 16–21 mice/group) to distinguish between plaques without and with established IP angiogenesis, respectively. A significant decrease in carotid plaque thickness was observed after 20 weeks WD (87 ± 19 μm vs. 166 ± 20 μm, p = 0.006), particularly in plaques with confirmed IP angiogenesis or hemorrhage (108 ± 35 μm vs. 322 ± 40 μm, p = 0.004). This effect was accompanied by decreased IP heme-oxygenase 1 and ferritin expression. UAMC-3203 did not affect carotid plaques after 12 weeks WD or plaques in the aorta, which typically do not develop IP angiogenesis. Altogether, erythrophagocytosis-induced ferroptosis during IP angiogenesis leads to larger atherosclerotic plaques, an effect that can be prevented by ferroptosis inhibitor UAMC-3203.
Cliques within the crowd: identifying medical conference attendee subgroups by their motivations for participation
Authors: Ram Sai Sreenidhi , Stricker Daniel , Pannetier Carine , Tabin Nathalie , Costello Richard W. , Stolz Daiana , Eva Kevin W. , Huwendiek Sören
Published: April 2023

Conferences enable rapid information sharing and networking that are vital to career development within academic communities. Addressing diverse attendee needs is challenging and getting it wrong wastes resources and dampens enthusiasm for the field. This study explores whether, and how, motivations for attendance can be grouped in relation to preferences to offer guidance to organizers and attendees. A pragmatic constructivist case study approach using mixed methods was adopted. Semi-structured interviews completed with key informants underwent thematic analysis. Survey results outlining attendees’ perspectives underwent cluster and factor analysis. Stakeholder interviews (n = 13) suggested attendees could be grouped by motivations predictable from level of specialisation in a field and past engagement with conferences. From n = 1229 returned questionnaires, motivations were clustered into three factors: learning, personal and social. Three groups of attendees were identified. Group 1 (n = 500; 40.7%) was motivated by all factors. Group 2 (n = 345; 28.1%) was mainly motivated by the learning factor. Group 3 (n = 188; 15.3%) scored the social factor highest for in-person conferences and the learning factor highest for virtual meetings. All three groups expressed a preference for hybrid conferences in the future. This study indicates that medical conference attendees can be clustered based on their learning, personal and social motivations for attendance. The taxonomy enables organizers to tailor conference formats with guidance on how to utilize hybrid conferences, thereby enabling better catering to attendees’ desires for knowledge gain relative to networking.
What is a food system? Exploring enactments of the food system multiple
Authors: Brock Samara
Published: April 2023

Recent years have seen widespread calls to transform food systems to address complex demands such as feeding a growing global population while reducing environmental impacts. But what is a food system and how can we most effectively work to change it? “Food System” can be found describing more limited dietary regimens as well as sector-specific supply chains going back to the 1930s, but its use to describe very large, dynamic, coupled socio-ecological systems gained traction in academic and civil society publications in the 1990s and this use of the term has increased dramatically in recent years. When the influential food system actors from non-governmental organizations, foundations, consultancies, and the UN that this research focuses on talk about food systems, they seem to be talking about the same thing. Yet the interpretive flexibility of the concept obfuscates that people may have very different framings that may be deeply incompatible. Drawing from interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, this paper examines what food systems thinking does in terms of setting the stage for how we enact the food system and efforts to intervene in it. It reveals that rather than leading to more expansive understanding, the unexamined use of the concept food system might actually serve to sharpen divides.
A Scoping Review of Oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for Cisgender and Transgender Adolescent Girls and Young Women: What Works and Where Do We Go from Here?
Authors: Dayton Robyn L. , Fonner Virginia A. , Plourde Kate F. , Sanyal Ameya , Arney Jennifer , Orr Tracy , Nhamo Definate , Schueller Jane , Limb Annaliese M. , Torjesen Kristine
Published: April 2023

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are disproportionately affected by HIV, and oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce HIV acquisition. The purpose of this scoping review was to synthesize results from interventions along the PrEP continuum for AGYW to inform research and programs. We searched electronic databases for studies published between January 2012–July 2021 and conducted secondary reference searching. Studies were included if they assessed interventions to increase PrEP interest, uptake, or continuation among AGYW. Results were synthesized narratively. Of 2168 citations identified, 50 studies were eligible for inclusion, and 20 contained AGYW-specific data. Among cisgender and transgender AGYW, studies overall demonstrated a positive impact on PrEP interest and uptake but generally attained suboptimal continuation rates. Results demonstrate feasibility of deploying PrEP across diverse settings—particularly when interventions are layered, tailored to AGYW, and include differentiated delivery—but also highlight knowledge gaps and the need for more holistic metrics of success.
Optimal bailout strategies resulting from the drift controlled supercooled Stefan problem
Authors: Cuchiero Christa , Reisinger Christoph , Rigger Stefan
Published: April 2023

We consider the problem faced by a central bank which bails out distressed financial institutions that pose systemic risk to the banking sector. In a structural default model with mutual obligations, the central agent seeks to inject a minimum amount of cash in order to limit defaults to a given proportion of entities. We prove that the value of the central agent’s control problem converges as the number of defaultable institutions goes to infinity, and that it satisfies a drift controlled version of the supercooled Stefan problem. We compute optimal strategies in feedback form by solving numerically a regularized version of the corresponding mean field control problem using a policy gradient method. Our simulations show that the central agent’s optimal strategy is to subsidise banks whose equity values lie in a non-trivial time-dependent region.
Synthesising 35 years of invasive non-native species research
Authors: Stevenson Emily A. , Robertson Peter , Hickinbotham Emily , Mair Louise , Willby Nigel J. , Mill Aileen , Booy Olaf , Witts Kirsty , Pattison Zarah
Published: April 2023

The growing focus on the threat of invasive non-native species (INNS) in international biodiversity targets highlights a need for targeted research to support effective understanding, legislation, and management. However, the publishing landscape of invasion biology is complex and expanding rapidly, making consolidation of information increasingly challenging. To identify the major research themes in the INNS literature and to understand how these have changed over the last 35 years, we applied a topic modelling approach. We analysed approximately 10,000 peer-reviewed article abstracts to identify 50 key topics being discussed in the literature. We also quantified how publications on these topics changed over time and how commonly different topics interacted within articles as a measure of their connectedness. Topics covering Population genetics, Policy, First records and Insect biocontrol were the most frequent. Topics were grouped into broad themes, with the largest theme related to Ecosystems, followed by Monitoring, then Management and decision-making. Significant overrepresentation for particular geographical regions and taxa in the literature were apparent. Considering relative changes through time, the most prevalent topics in each decade reflected policy influences, and technological developments. When assessing the degree of connectedness- Policy, Population Genetics and Management Strategies showed low levels of co-occurrence with other topics. This is of particular concern for topics focussed on Policy and Management Strategy as it suggests a weakness at the science-policy interface around accessing and exchanging of evidence. If progress towards future global targets is to be made, we argue that more interdisciplinary research must be encouraged, in particular to better incorporate policy and management considerations into the wider research landscape.
Discretization of inherent ODEs and the geometric integration of DAEs with symmetries
Authors: Kunkel Peter , Mehrmann Volker
Published: April 2023

Discretization methods for differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) are considered that are based on the integration of an associated inherent ordinary differential equation (ODE). This allows to make use of any discretization scheme suitable for the numerical integration of ODEs. For DAEs with symmetries it is shown that the inherent ODE can be constructed in such a way that it inherits the symmetry properties of the given DAE and geometric properties of its flow. This in particular allows the use of geometric integration schemes with a numerical flow that has analogous geometric properties.
Computation of the unit in the first place (ufp) and the unit in the last place (ulp) in precision-p base $$\beta $$
Authors: Rump Siegfried M.
Published: April 2023

There are simple algorithms to compute the predecessor, successor, unit in the first place, unit in the last place etc. in binary arithmetic. In this note equally simple algorithms for computing the unit in the first place and the unit in the last place in precision-pbase-$$\beta $$βarithmetic with$$p \geqslant 1$$p⩾1and with$$\beta \geqslant 2$$β⩾2are presented. The algorithms work in the underflow range, and numbers close to overflow are treated by scaling. The algorithms use only the basic operations with directed rounding. If the successor (or predecessor) of a floating-point number is available, an algorithm in rounding to nearest is presented as well.
Increased Cortical Activity in Novices Compared to Experts During Table Tennis: A Whole-Brain fNIRS Study Using Threshold-Free Cluster Enhancement Analysis
Authors: Carius Daniel , Herold Fabian , Clauß Martina , Kaminski Elisabeth , Wagemann Florian , Sterl Clemens , Ragert Patrick
Published: April 2023

There is a growing interest to understand the neural underpinnings of high-level sports performance including expertise-related differences in sport-specific skills. Here, we aimed to investigate whether expertise level and task complexity modulate the cortical hemodynamics of table tennis players. 35 right-handed table tennis players (17 experts/18 novices) were recruited and performed two table tennis strokes (forehand and backhand) and a randomized combination of them. Cortical hemodynamics, as a proxy for cortical activity, were recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and the behavioral performance (i.e., target accuracy) was assessed via video recordings. Expertise- and task-related differences in cortical hemodynamics were analyzed using nonparametric threshold-free cluster enhancement. In all conditions, table tennis experts showed a higher target accuracy than novices. Furthermore, we observed expertise-related differences in widespread clusters compromising brain areas being associated with sensorimotor and multisensory integration. Novices exhibited, in general, higher activation in those areas as compared to experts. We also identified task-related differences in cortical activity including frontal, sensorimotor, and multisensory brain areas. The present findings provide empirical support for the neural efficiency hypothesis since table tennis experts as compared to novices utilized a lower amount of cortical resources to achieve superior behavioral performance. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the task complexity of different table tennis strokes is mirrored in distinct cortical activation patterns. Whether the latter findings can be useful to monitor or tailor sport-specific training interventions necessitates further investigations.
Class structuration, reproduction, and the politics of labour in India
Authors: Strümpell Christian
Published: April 2023

The statement discusses Jonathan Parry’s recent monograph, Classes of Labour, and in particular his “labour aristocracy” thesis of the most privileged sections of India’s workforces that had been widely accepted in the social sciences in the 1970s but that had later been discarded. It is argued that the ethnography of an industrial town in Central India he presents in the monograph convincingly demonstrates that the relative privileges of public-sector employment have fostered the bifurcation of the town’s industrial workers into two major distinct classes with different life chances, different attitudes to caste, and with often antagonistic political interests. Classes of Labour also demonstrates that Giddens’ concept of “class structuration” offers a suitable theoretical grounding for identifying the major fault lines and driving forces of class formation in his case study but also for a controlled comparison between case studies across India and beyond. This statement moreover argues that this approach conceives of class as an historical, dynamic object, and it asks whether the current crises of class reproduction in the times of jobless growth might provoke a major change in the structuration of classes in India.
Leader support and the integration of innovative teaching–learning technologies: the mediating role of technological level of knowledge
Authors: Landa Elizabeth , Zhu Chang , Sesabo Jennifer , Machumu Haruni
Published: April 2023

While there have been recent trends in investigating the role of leader support on technological integration, such research in educational settings is rare. Moreover, the attention paid towards investigating leadership support for the integration of technological changes in education has not led to the explicit specification of what support teachers would entail from their mid-level academic leaders regarding the current challenge of ITLTs-low uptake in developing countries. Therefore, the present study investigates the influence of leader support and integration of ITLTs among academicians of the selected Tanzanian universities, mediating the effect of the Technological Knowledge Level (TKL). A questionnaire was used as the main collection tool to collect data from 192 academic staff. The study used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyse the extent to which leader support influences the integration of ITLTs, mediated by the TKL when controlled for demographic factors such as age, gender, and ITLTs prior knowledge. The yielded results reveal that the integration of ITLTs among academics is positively influenced by leader support; the higher the support the academics receive from their leaders, the better the integration of ITLTs. Furthermore, the perceived leader support is also predictive of academicians’ technological knowledge level; however, no significant effect of technological knowledge level was found when mediating the two variables, indicating that leaders support strongly influenced the integration of ITLTs. This study, therefore, proves the inclusive findings and extends the research on the potential of mid-level academic leadership to bring about educational change in higher learning and thus, enhance the integration of ITLTs.
Hematologic toxicities of chemotherapy in breast and ovarian cancer patients carrying BRCA1/BRCA2 germline pathogenic variants. A single center experience and review of the literature
Authors: Hu-Heimgartner Ketty , Lang Noémie , Ayme Aurélie , Ming Chang , Combes Jean‑Damien , Chappuis Victor N. , Vazquez Carla , Friedlaender Alex , Vuilleumier Aurélie , Bodmer Alexandre , Viassolo Valeria , Sandoval José L , Chappuis Pierre O. , Labidi-Galy S. Intidhar
Published: April 2023

BRCA1 and BRCA2 play a central role in DNA repair and their germline pathogenic variants (gBRCA) confer a high risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer. Standard chemotherapy regimens for these cancers include DNA-damaging agents. We hypothesized that gBRCA carriers might be at higher risk of developing chemotherapy-related hematologic toxicity and therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MN). We conducted a retrospective study of women newly diagnosed with invasive breast or ovarian cancer who were screened for gBRCA1/gBRCA2 at Geneva University Hospitals. All patients were treated with (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy. We evaluated acute hematologic toxicities by analyzing the occurrence of febrile neutropenia and severe neutropenia (grade 4) at day 7–14 of the first cycle of chemotherapy and G-CSF use during the entire chemotherapy regimen. Characteristics of t-MN were collected. We reviewed medical records from 447 patients: 58 gBRCA1 and 40 gBRCA2 carriers and 349 non-carriers. gBRCA1 carriers were at higher risk of developing severe neutropenia (32% vs. 14.5%, p = 0.007; OR = 3.3, 95% CI [1.6-7], p = 0.001) and of requiring G-CSF for secondary prophylaxis (58.3% vs. 38.2%, p = 0.011; OR = 2.5, 95% CI [1.4–4.8], p = 0.004). gBRCA2 carriers did not show increased acute hematologic toxicities. t-MN were observed in 2 patients (1 gBRCA1 and one non-carrier). Our results suggested an increased acute hematologic toxicity upon exposure to chemotherapy for breast and ovarian cancer among gBRCA1 but not gBRCA2 carriers. A deeper characterization of t-MN is warranted with the recent development of PARP inhibitors in frontline therapy in gBRCA breast and ovarian cancer.
On Gravimetric Detection of Thin Elongated Sources Using the Growth Inversion Approach
Authors: Bódi Jozef , Vajda Peter , Camacho Antonio G. , Papčo Juraj , Fernández José
Published: April 2023

Thin elongated sources, such as dykes, sills, chimneys, inclined sheets, etc., often encountered in volcano gravimetric studies, pose great challenges to gravity inversion methods based on model exploration and growing sources bodies. The Growth inversion approach tested here is based on partitioning the subsurface into right-rectangular cells and populating the cells with differential densities in an iterative weighted mixed adjustment process, in which the minimization of the data misfit is balanced by forcing the growing subsurface density distribution into compact source bodies. How the Growth inversion can cope with thin elongated sources is the subject of our study. We use synthetic spatiotemporal gravity changes caused by simulated sources placed in three real volcanic settings. Our case studies demonstrate the benefits and limitations of the Growth inversion as applied to sparse and noisy gravity change data generated by thin elongated sources. Such sources cannot be reproduced by Growth accurately. They are imaged with smaller density contrasts, as much thicker, with exaggerated volume. Despite this drawback, the Growth inversion can provide useful information on several source parameters even for thin elongated sources, such as the position (including depth), the orientation, the length, and the mass, which is a key factor in volcano gravimetry. Since the density contrast of a source is not determined by the inversion, but preset by the user to run the inversion process, it cannot be used to specify the nature of the source process. The interpretation must be assisted by external constraints such as structural or tectonic controls, or volcanological context. Synthetic modeling and Growth inversions, such as those presented here, can serve also for optimizing the volcano monitoring gravimetric network design. We conclude that the Growth inversion methodology may, in principle, prove useful even for the detection of thin elongated sources of high density contrast by providing useful information on their position, shape (except for thickness) and mass, despite the strong ambiguity in determining their differential density and volume. However, this yielded information may be severely compromised in reality by the sparsity and noise of the interpreted gravity data.
Towards autoregulation-oriented management after traumatic brain injury: increasing the reliability and stability of the CPPopt algorithm
Authors: Beqiri Erta , Ercole Ari , Aries Marcel J. H. , Placek Michal M. , Tas Jeanette , Czosnyka Marek , Stocchetti Nino , Smielewski Peter ,   CENTER-TBI High Resolution (HR ICU) Sub-Study Participants and Investigators, Anke Audny , Beer Ronny , Bellander Bo-Michael , Beqiri Erta , Buki Andras , Cabeleira Manuel , Carbonara Marco , Chieregato Arturo , Citerio Giuseppe , Clusmann Hans , Czeiter Endre , Czosnyka Marek , Depreitere Bart , Ercole Ari , Frisvold Shirin , Helbok Raimund , Jankowski Stefan , Kondziella Daniel , Koskinen Lars-Owe , Kowark Ana , Menon David K. , Meyfroidt Geert , Moeller Kirsten , Nelson David , Piippo-Karjalainen Anna , Radoi Andreea , Ragauskas Arminas , Raj Rahul , Rhodes Jonathan , Rocka Saulius , Rossaint Rolf , Sahuquillo Juan , Sakowitz Oliver , Smielewski Peter , Stocchetti Nino , Sundström Nina , Takala Riikka , Tamosuitis Tomas , Tenovuo Olli , Unterberg Andreas , Vajkoczy Peter , Vargiolu Alessia , Vilcinis Rimantas , Wolf Stefan , Younsi Alexander , Zeiler Frederick A.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

CPPopt denotes a Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP) value at which the Pressure-Reactivity index, reflecting the global state of Cerebral Autoregulation, is best preserved. CPPopt has been investigated as a potential dynamically individualised CPP target in traumatic brain injury patients admitted in intensive care unit. The prospective bedside use of the concept requires ensured safety and reliability of the CPP recommended targets based on the automatically-generated CPPopt. We aimed to: Increase stability and reliability of the CPPopt automated algorithm by fine-tuning; perform outcome validation of the adjusted algorithm in a multi-centre TBI cohort.

Methods

ICM + software was used to derive CPPopt and fine-tune the algorithm. Parameters for improvement of the algorithm were selected based on qualitative and quantitative assessment of stability and reliability metrics. Patients enrolled in the Collaborative European Neuro Trauma Effectiveness Research in TBI (CENTER-TBI) high-resolution cohort were included for retrospective validation. Yield and stability of the new algorithm were compared to the previous algorithm using Mann–U test. Area under the curves for mortality prediction at 6 months were compared with the DeLong Test.

Results

CPPopt showed higher stability (p < 0.0001), but lower yield compared to the previous algorithm [80.5% (70—87.5) vs 85% (75.7—91.2), p < 0.001]. Deviation of CPPopt could predict mortality with an AUC of [AUC = 0.69 (95% CI 0.59–0.78), p < 0.001] and was comparable with the previous algorithm.

Conclusion

The CPPopt calculation algorithm was fine-tuned and adapted for prospective use with acceptable lower yield, improved stability and maintained prognostic power.