bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caregiver condition management and family functioning after pediatric cancer treatment: Moderation by race and ethnicity
Authors: Perez Megan N. , Deatrick Janet A. , Barakat Lamia P.
Published: December 2023

Objective

End of pediatric cancer treatment requires family adjustment. Caregivers who struggle to incorporate the child's condition into family life have poorer family outcomes. To better understand factors that contribute to successful transition off active childhood cancer treatment, we sought to examine caregiver perceived management ability of the youth's condition and family functioning as predictors of caregiver distress, evaluate family functioning as a mediator between perceived ability and distress, and explore race and ethnicity as a moderator between perceived ability and family functioning.

Methods

Caregivers (N = 141) completed measures assessing family management (condition management ability; CMA), family functioning, and distress as part of a clinical education and screening program within 1 year of the end of treatment. Bias‐corrected bootstrap regression analyses examined mediation and moderated mediation models with patient race and ethnicity as the moderator.

Results

The overall mediation model was statistically significant for CMA→family functioning→distress. Race and ethnicity moderated the relationship between CMA and family functioning, but the full model was not significant. CMA was related to family functioning for caregivers of non‐Hispanic white youth, but not caregivers of Hispanic youth. Family functioning was related to distress for all caregivers.

Conclusions

Family functioning serves as an initial intervention target to reduce caregiver distress. Caregiver perceived management ability of their child's condition is a meaningful predictor of family functioning and distress for caregivers of non‐Hispanic white youth, yet CMA may be limited as a screener of family management patterns for diverse populations, and other family management dimension may be more applicable.
The N‐terminal intrinsically disordered region of Ncb5or docks with the cytochrome b5 core to form a helical motif that is of ancient origin
Authors: Benson David R. , Deng Bin , Kashipathy Maithri M. , Lovell Scott , Battaile Kevin P. , Cooper Anne , Gao Philip , Fenton Aron W. , Zhu Hao
Published: December 2023

NADH cytochrome b5 oxidoreductase (Ncb5or) is a cytosolic ferric reductase implicated in diabetes and neurological conditions. Ncb5or comprises cytochrome b5 (b5) and cytochrome b5 reductase (b5R) domains separated by a CHORD‐Sgt1 (CS) linker domain. Ncb5or redox activity depends on proper inter‐domain interactions to mediate electron transfer from NADH or NADPH via FAD to heme. While full‐length human Ncb5or has proven resistant to crystallization, we have succeeded in obtaining high‐resolution atomic structures of the b5 domain and a construct containing the CS and b5R domains (CS/b5R). Ncb5or also contains an N‐terminal intrinsically disordered region of 50 residues that has no homologs in other protein families in animals but features a distinctive, conserved L34MDWIRL40 motif also present in reduced lateral root formation (RLF) protein in rice and increased recombination center 21 in baker's yeast, all attaching to a b5 domain. After unsuccessful attempts at crystallizing a human Ncb5or construct comprising the N‐terminal region naturally fused to the b5 domain, we were able to obtain a high‐resolution atomic structure of a recombinant rice RLF construct corresponding to residues 25–129 of human Ncb5or (52% sequence identity; 74% similarity). The structure reveals Trp120 (corresponding to invariant Trp37 in Ncb5or) to be part of an 11‐residue α‐helix (S116QMDWLKLTRT126) packing against two of the four helices in the b5 domain that surround heme (α2 and α5). The Trp120 side chain forms a network of interactions with the side chains of four highly conserved residues corresponding to Tyr85 and Tyr88 (α2), Cys124 (α5), and Leu47 in Ncb5or. Circular dichroism measurements of human Ncb5or fragments further support a key role of Trp37 in nucleating the formation of the N‐terminal helix, whose location in the N/b5 module suggests a role in regulating the function of this multi‐domain redox enzyme. This study revealed for the first time an ancient origin of a helical motif in the N/b5 module as reflected by its existence in a class of cytochrome b5 proteins from three kingdoms among eukaryotes.
Evaluation of SYP‐34773's resistance risk and its impact on the activity of mitochondrial respiratory electron transport chain complex I in Phytophthora litchii
Authors: Li Chengcheng , Fu Yixin , Li Xinyue , Zhang Can , Liu Pengfei , Miao Jianqiang , Liu Xili
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

SYP‐34773 is a low‐toxicity pyrimidine amine compound, which was synthesized by modifying the lead compound diflumetorim. Previous literature has shown that it can strongly inhibit the mycelial growth of several important plant pathogens, including Phytophthora litchii. However, the resistance risk of SYP‐34773 has not been reported for P. litchii.

RESULTS

The mean effective concentration (EC50) value of SYP‐34773 against the mycelial growth of 111 P. litchii isolates was 0.108 ± 0.008 μg mL−1, which can be used as the baseline sensitivity for SYP‐34773 resistance detection in the future. Six mutants were obtained from two parental strain through fungicide induction, whose resistance factors fell between 194‐ and 687‐fold, with stability. Results regarding mycelial growth, sporangial production, sporangial germination, zoospore release, cystspore germination, and pathogenicity showed that the mutants' compound fitness index values were significantly lower than those of their parental isolate. Furthermore, there was no cross‐resistance between SYP‐34773 and diflumetorim in P. litchii. Significant inhibition of the mitochondrial complex I enzyme activity in two wild‐type P. litchii isolates, but not in mutants, was observed upon treatment with SYP‐34773.

CONCLUSION

The resistance risk of SYP‐34773 in P. litchii is moderate, and resistance management strategies should be adopted in field use. SYP‐34773 is a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, and SYP‐34773‐resistant P. litchii isolates did not show cross‐resistance against diflumetorim. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic model of sparsentan to evaluate drug–drug interaction potential
Authors: Patel Nikunjkumar K. , Chen Kuan‐Fu , Chen Shang‐Chiung , Liu Kai
Published: December 2023

Sparsentan is a dual endothelin/angiotensin II receptor antagonist indicated to reduce proteinuria in patients with primary IgA nephropathy at high risk of disease progression. In vitro data indicate that sparsentan is likely to inhibit or induce various CYP enzymes at therapeutic concentrations. Sparsentan as a victim and perpetrator of CYP3A4 mediated drug–drug interactions (DDIs) has been assessed clinically. A mechanistic, bottom‐up, physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PK) model for sparsentan was developed based on in vitro data of drug solubility, formulation dissolution and particle size, drug permeability, inhibition and induction of metabolic enzymes, and P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) driven efflux. The model was verified using clinical PK data from healthy adult volunteers administered single and multiple doses in the fasted and fed states for a wide range of sparsentan doses. The model was also verified by simulation of clinically observed DDIs. The verified model was then used to test various DDI simulations of sparsentan as a perpetrator and victim of CYP3A4 using an expanded set of inducers and inhibitors with varying potency. Additional perpetrator and victim DDI simulations were performed using probes for CYP2C9 and CYP2C19. Simulations were conducted to predict the effect of complete inhibition of P‐gp inhibition on sparsentan absorption and clearance. The predictive simulations indicated that exposure of sparsentan could increase greater than two‐fold if co‐administered with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, such as itraconazole. Other potential DDI interactions as victim or perpetrator were all within two‐fold of control. The effect of complete P‐gp inhibition on sparsentan PK was negligible.
Selective Manipulation of the Mitochondria Oxidative Stress in Different Cells Using Intelligent Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles to Activate On‐Demand Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Chang Xiaowei , Zhu Zeren , Weng Lin , Tang Xiaoyu , Liu Tao , Zhu Man , Liu Jie , Tang Wenjun , Zhang Yanmin , Chen Xin
Published: December 2023

Herein, the vitamin K2 (VK2)/maleimide (MA) coloaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), functional molecules including folic acid (FA)/triphenylphosphine (TPP)/tetrapotassium hexacyanoferrate trihydrate (THT), as well as CaCO3 are explored to fabricate a core‐shell‐corona nanoparticle (VMMFTTC) for on‐demand anti‐tumor immunotherapy. After application, the tumor‐specific acidic environment first decomposed CaCO3 corona, which significantly levitates the pH value of tumor tissue to convert M2 type macrophage to the antitumor M1 type. The resulting VMMFTT would then internalize in both tumor cells and macrophages via FA‐assisted endocytosis and free endocytosis, respectively. These distinct processes generate different amount of VMMFTT in above two cells followed by 1) TPP‐induced accumulation in the mitochondria, 2) THT‐mediated effective capture of various signal ions to cut off signal transmission and further inhibit glutathione (GSH) generation, 3) ions catalyzed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through Fenton reaction, 4) sustained release of VK2 and MA to further enhance the ROS production and GSH depletion, which caused significant apoptosis of tumor cells and additional M2‐to‐M1 macrophage polarization via different processes of oxidative stress. Moreover, the primary tumor apoptosis further matures surrounding immature dendritic cells and activates T cells to continuously promote the antitumor immunotherapy.
Spectral Effects on the Energy Harvesting Efficiency of Two‐ and Four‐Terminal Tandem Photovoltaics
Authors: Witteck Robert , Geisz John F. , Warren Emily L. , McMahon William E.
Published: December 2023

In this work, the effect of a varying spectral irradiance and top cell bandgap on the energy harvesting efficiency of two‐terminal (2T) and four‐terminal (4T) perovskite//silicon tandem solar cells under outdoor operating conditions is investigated. For the comparison, an optoelectronic model employing a 1 year outdoor data set for a 4T mechanical stacked gallium arsenide (GaAs) on crystalline silicon (Si) tandem device is first validated. Then, the verified model is used to simulate perovskite//silicon tandem devices with a varying perovskite top cell bandgap for a location in Golden, Colorado, USA. A spectral binning method to efficiently reduce and improve the visualization of the 1 min‐resolved environmental data while maintaining the simulation accuracy is introduced. The findings reveal that, for a device that is current matched under standard testing conditions, the annual spectral deviation reduces the energy harvesting efficiency by only 2%rel. When additional realistic losses for the 4T are taken into account, 2T devices are shown to have an energy‐harvesting efficiency that is at parity or higher. Deviations in the top cell bandgap are more than 0.1 eV from current matching result in a reduced energy harvesting efficiency of more than 5%relfor the 2T tandem device.
Gut microbiota signatures in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Vestergaard Marie Vibeke , Allin Kristine H. , Eriksen Carsten , Zakerska‐Banaszak Oliwia , Arasaradnam Ramesh P. , Alam Mohammad T. , Kristiansen Karsten , Brix Susanne , Jess Tine
Published: December 2023

Background

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), affect millions of people worldwide with increasing incidence.

Objectives

Several studies have shown a link between gut microbiota composition and IBD, but results are often limited by small sample sizes. We aimed to re‐analyze publicly available fecal microbiota data from IBD patients.

Methods

We extracted original fecal 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data from 45 cohorts of IBD patients and healthy individuals using the BioProject database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Unlike previous meta‐analyses, we merged all study cohorts into a single dataset, including sex, age, geography, and disease information, based on which microbiota signatures were analyzed, while accounting for varying technical platforms.

Results

Among 2518 individuals in the combined dataset, we discovered a hitherto unseen number of genera associated with IBD. A total of 77 genera associated with CD, of which 38 were novel associations, and a total of 64 genera associated with UC, of which 28 represented novel associations. Signatures were robust across different technical platforms and geographic locations. Reduced alpha diversity in IBD compared to healthy individuals, in CD compared to UC, and altered microbiota composition (beta diversity) in UC and especially in CD as compared to healthy individuals were found.

Conclusions

Combining original microbiota data from 45 cohorts, we identified a hitherto unseen large number of genera associated with IBD. Identification of microbiota features robustly associated with CD and UC may pave the way for the identification of new treatment targets.
PHACE syndrome: not always ‘tilting telephones’ and Dandy–Walker malformations…
Authors: Paladini D. , Cecchi A. , Gandolfo C. , Rossi A.
Published: December 2023

Linked article: This Editorial comments on Pomar et al. Click here to view the article.
A stagnation point flow of cross nanofluid flow: Levenberg Marquardt backpropagation computational approach
Authors: Shoaib Muhammad , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Raja Muhammad Asif Zahoor , Tabassum Rafia , Sabir Zulqurnain
Published: December 2023

In the present article, the intelligence based numerical investigation by Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm with Back‐propagated Artificial Neural Networks (LMA–BANN) is exploited to analyze the nonlinear radiative stagnation point flow of cross nanofluid system (NRS‐CNFS) past a stretching surface. The designed NRS‐CNFS, initially represented by system of partial differential equations (PDEs), is converted into system of non‐linear ODEs through the applicability of mathematical conversion analysis. The desired reference solution in the form of a dataset for LMA–BANN is achieved from the Adam method for NRS‐CNFS's different scenarios by varying the magnetic parameter (Ha), Prandlt number (Pr), thermal radiation parameter(R), Eckert number (Ec), thermophoresis diffusion coefficients (Nt), and non‐dimensional activation energy (E). The obtained results are construed for the NRS‐CNFS through the performances of the testing, validation, and training. In addition, the comparison is provided using the LMA ‐BANN analysis, which is validated in terms of regression, fitness estimations, and histograms along with MSE performances. Hence, the article provides an impeccable innovative approach to problem‐solving by implementing a soft computation paradigm. It promotes the use of an effective and dependable alternative framework that is based on soft computing environments and emphasizes descriptive analysis to successfully handle the problems brought on by varied physical features.
Original Sin or Wayward Practice? Living Standards as a Trickle-Down, Residual Consideration of Modern Economics
Authors: Samans Richard
Published: December 2023

This chapter investigates whether modern economics’ shortcomings with respect to inclusion, sustainability and resilience—its treatment of living standards as a residual consideration—can be attributed to the original conceptualization of liberal political economy or a subsequent misapplication of its founding principles. It finds that the discipline’s most influential early theorists and codifiers—Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill and Alfred Marshall—explicitly contextualized their insights about the power of market-based resource allocation in a larger perspective and complementary set of prescriptions. These emphasized the important role of institutions—legal and other norms, policy incentives and public administrative capacities in multiple domains—in helping to translate the increased economic growth enabled by market-based resource allocation into broad improvement in social welfare. Each of these pioneers considered increased production and national income, the wealth of a nation, as a means and not an end in itself. Each emphasized that the ultimate purpose of an economy is to advance the material well-being, or standard of living, of society as a whole. The chapter makes extensive reference to their original texts and traces how their shared view of the crucial institutional underpinnings of inclusion, sustainability and resilience got lost in translation during the evolution of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century political economy into twentieth-century economic science.
Conclusion: Building on Keynes’s Middle Way to Renew the Liberal Tradition and Multilateral System in the 21st Century
Authors: Samans Richard
Published: December 2023

This chapter argues that rebalancing liberal economics through the new macroeconomic approach to welfare and institutional economics described in the book would reinforce Keynes’s “Middle Way” reforms of the 1930s, which were aimed at better reconciling capitalism with social justice by maintaining full employment in decent work through robust domestic demand and investor confidence. It would add a systematic institutional dimension to Keynes’s fiscal and monetary strategies, expanding the toolbox available to policymakers to run their economies relatively hot on a sustainable basis through ongoing improvement in the fundamental conditions underpinning of supply and demand rather than the mainly transitory macroeconomic or deregulatory stimulus measures traditionally favoured by the social democratic centre-left and conservative centre-right. Moreover, the Paris climate agreement requires a new Middle Way in economics to be forged over the next generation, this time between environmentally destructive growth and socially destructive stagnation or degrowth. By internalizing the relevant institutional drivers of a just climate transition in macroeconomic theory and policy, the concepts and tools of human-centred economics create the possibility of a such a “neoclassical-Keynesian-ecological synthesis” focused as much on the social and environmental quality of growth as its quantity. Policymakers must abandon the reflex of standard liberal economics to assume, whether explicitly or implicitly, that broad and sustainable progress in household living standards trickles down inevitably from higher national income. A certain intentionality is required to optimize both—a sustained process of institutional deepening and investment to foster movement closer to the frontier of good policy and institutional practice in the aggregate distribution function’s five domains. The chapter concludes by explaining how operationalizing this forgotten aspect of liberal political economy’s founding principles holds the key not only to satisfying societal demands for greater inclusion, sustainability and resilience but also to reversing liberalism’s declining political prospects within countries and the international system.
The magic renormalisability of affine Gaudin models
Authors: Hassler Falk , Lacroix Sylvain , Vicedo Benoît
Published: December 2023

Abstract

We study the renormalisation of a large class of integrable σ-models obtained in the framework of affine Gaudin models. They are characterised by a simple Lie algebra $$ \mathfrak{g} $$
g
and a rational twist function φ(z) with simple zeros, a double pole at infinity but otherwise no further restrictions on the pole structure. The crucial tool used in our analysis is the interpretation of these integrable theories as $$ \mathcal{E} $$
E
-models, which are σ-models studied in the context of Poisson-Lie T-duality and which are known to be at least one- and two-loop renormalisable. The moduli space of $$ \mathcal{E} $$
E
-models still contains many non-integrable theories. We identify the submanifold formed by affine Gaudin models and relate its tangent space to curious matrices and semi-magic squares. In particular, these results provide a criteria for the stability of these integrable models under the RG-flow. At one loop, we show that this criteria is satisfied and derive a very simple expression for the RG-flow of the twist function, proving a conjecture made earlier in the literature.
Exploring the β symmetry of supergravity
Authors: Baron Walter H. , Marqués Diego , Núñez Carmen A.
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Kaluza-Klein reductions of low energy string effective actions possess a continuous O(d, d) symmetry. The non-geometric elements of this group, parameterized by a bi-vector β, are not inherited from the symmetries of the higher-dimensional theory, but constitute instead a symmetry enhancement produced by the isometries of the background. The realization of this enhancement in the parent theory was recently defined as β symmetry, a powerful tool that allows to avoid the field reparameterizations of the Kaluza-Klein procedure. In this paper we further explore this symmetry and its impact on the first order α′-corrections. We derive the β transformation rules from the frame formulation of Double Field Theory (DFT), and connect them to the corresponding rules in the Metsaev-Tseytlin and Bergshoeff-de Roo supergravity schemes. It follows from our results that β symmetry is a necessary condition for the uplift of string α′-expansions to DFT.
Exponential Rationals
Authors: Sablik Maciej , Shulman Ekaterina
Published: December 2023

Several authors studied the so called exponential polynomials, characterized as solutions to the equation $$\begin{aligned} f(x+y) = \sum _{k=1}^nu_i(x)v_i(y). \end{aligned}$$

f

(
x
+
y
)

=

∑

k
=
1

n

u
i

(
x
)

v
i

(
y
)

.

In the present paper we deal with a more general equation $$\begin{aligned} \sum _{j=1}^M P_j(x,y) f_j(a_jx + c_j y) = \sum _{k=1}^n u_k(x)v_k(y). \end{aligned}$$

∑

j
=
1

M

P
j

(
x
,
y
)

f
j

(

a
j

x
+

c
j

y
)

=

∑

k
=
1

n

u
k

(
x
)

v
k

(
y
)

.

Here all $$f_j, \ u_k, \ v_k$$

f
j

,

u
k

,

v
k

are assumed to be unknown scalar functions on $${\mathbb {R}}^d,$$

R

d

,

  while $$P_j$$

P
j

are polynomials. We prove that $$f_j$$

f
j

are ratios of exponential polynomials and polynomials, or sums of exponential functions multiplied by rational functions.
Injury to the posterior malleolus in Maisonneuve fractures
Authors: Tuček Michal , Bartoníček Jan , Fojtík Petr , Kamin Konrad , Rammelt Stefan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe the incidence and a complex pathoanatomy of posterior malleolus fractures in a Maisonneuve fracture.

Methods

The study included 100 prospectively collected patients with a complete clinical and radiological documentation of an ankle fracture or fracture-dislocation including a fracture of the proximal quarter of the fibula.

Results

A posterior malleolus fracture was identified in 74 patients, and in 27% of these cases it carried more than one quarter of the fibular notch. Displacement of the posterior fragment by more than 2 mm was shown by scans in 72% of cases. Small intercalary fragments were identified in 43% of cases. Fractures of the Tillaux–Chaput tubercle were identified in 20 patients.

Conclusion

Our study has proved a high rate of posterior malleolus fractures associated with a Maisonneuve fracture, and documented their considerable variability in terms of involvement of the fibular notch, tibiotalar contact area, direction of displacement and frequency of intercalary fragments. Of no less importance is a combination of Tillaux–Chaput fractures with a Maisonneuve fracture.
A narrative commentary about interoperability in medical devices and data used in diabetes therapy from an academic EU/UK/US perspective
Authors: Jendle Johan , Adolfsson Peter , Choudhary Pratik , Dovc Klemen , Fleming Alexander , Klonoff David C. , Mader Julia K. , Oliver Nick , Sherr Jennifer L. , Šoupal Jan , Heinemann Lutz
Published: December 2023

People living with diabetes have many medical devices available to assist with disease management. A critical aspect that must be considered is how systems for continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pumps communicate with each other and how the data generated by these devices can be downloaded, integrated, presented and used. Not only is interoperability associated with practical challenges, but also devices must adhere to all aspects of regulatory and legal frameworks. Key issues around interoperability in terms of data ownership, privacy and the limitations of interoperability include where the responsibility/liability for device and data interoperability lies and the need for standard data-sharing protocols to allow the seamless integration of data from different sources. There is a need for standardised protocols for the open and transparent handling of data and secure integration of data into electronic health records. Here, we discuss the current status of interoperability in medical devices and data used in diabetes therapy, as well as regulatory and legal issues surrounding both device and data interoperability, focusing on Europe (including the UK) and the USA. We also discuss a potential future landscape in which a clear and transparent framework for interoperability and data handling also fulfils the needs of people living with diabetes and healthcare professionals.

Graphical Abstract
An enhanced stress resultant plasticity model for shell structures with application in sheet metal roll forming
Authors: Kocbay Emin , Scheidl Jakob , Schwarzinger Fabian , Vetyukov Yury
Published: December 2023

The proposed Kirchhoff-Love shell stress resultant plasticity model extends a previously reported model for plates by complementing the constitutive law of elastoplasticity with membrane effects. This enhanced model is designed for bending dominant settings with small to moderate membrane forces. It is thus implemented in a purpose-built nonlinear mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian finite element scheme for the simulation of sheet metal roll forming. Numerical experiments by imposing artificial strain histories on a through-the-thickness element are conducted to test the model against previously reported stress resultant plasticity models and to validate it against the traditional continuum plasticity approach that features an integration of relations of elastoplasticity in a set of grid points distributed over the thickness. Results of actual roll forming simulations demonstrate the practicality in comparison to the computationally more expensive continuum plasticity approach.
Microstructure-induced anisotropic tribological properties of Sc-Zr modified Al–Mg alloy (Scalmalloy®) produced via laser powder bed fusion process
Authors: Abdi Ata , Salehi Majid Seyed , Fatemi Seyed Ali , Iuliano Luca , Saboori Abdollah
Published: December 2023

In this study, the correlation between the microstructure and tribological performance of Sc and Zr-modified Al–Mg alloy (Scalmalloy®) samples produced via laser powder bed fusion process was evaluated via a dry sliding Pin-on-Disc wear test under different planes, directions, and various normal applied loads. The results revealed a remarkable dependency of wear properties on the as-built microstructure so that different behaviors were observed along the scanning and building planes. The microstructural examination indicated the presence of bi-modal grains and finely shaped equiaxed grains observed in the building and scanning planes, respectively. Increasing the applied loads from 20 to 40 N led to a significant increase in the coefficient of friction (COF) while increasing the load from 40 to 60 N, slightly decreasing the COF for the studied samples. No dependency was found between the COF and the corresponding microstructure at the highest applied load. The anisotropic wear resistance and COF values were predominant at the lowest applied load. Due to tailored as-built microstructural features and different microhardness values, lower wear rates were noticed along the scanning plane for all applied loads. Under the 20 N applied load, however, the worn surface of the scanning plane showed a clearer and smoother surface compared to the building plane surfaces. Ultra-fine equiaxed grains along the scanning plane and columnar grains along the building plane were determined as the main factors creating anisotropic tribological behavior. The outcomes of this study can pave the way toward producing more wear-resistant surfaces and developing components for critical wear applications in as-built conditions with no need for expensive and time-consuming surface treatments.
All eyes on PCS: analysis of the retinal microvasculature in patients with post-COVID syndrome—study protocol of a 1 year prospective case–control study
Authors: Kuchler Timon , Hausinger Renate , Braunisch Matthias C. , Günthner Roman , Wicklein Rebecca , Knier Benjamin , Bleidißel Nathalie , Maier Matthias , Ribero Andrea , Lech Maciej , Adorjan Kristina , Stubbe Hans , Kotilar Konstantin , Heemann Uwe , Schmaderer Christoph
Published: December 2023

Since widespread vaccination against COVID-19, the development of effective antiviral drugs, and the decreasing number of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care, the risk from SARS-CoV-2 infection appears less threatening. However, studies show that a significant number of patients suffer from long-term sequelae, even months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The so-called post-COVID syndrome (PCS) often presents a diagnostic and treatment challenge for physicians. This study protocol describes the “All Eyes on PCS” study, which aims to investigate the retinal microvasculature in PCS patients and COVID-19-recovered patients to provide new insights into the pathophysiology of PCS. “All Eyes on PCS” is a prospective, case–control study with the primary objective of detecting endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with PCS. Therefore, we intend to recruit patients with PCS, fully SARS-CoV-2-infection-recovered (CR) participants, and SARS-CoV-2-infection-naïve (CN) participants. Baseline measurements will include: (1) patient-specific characteristics, (2) biochemistry, (3) retinal vessel analysis (RVA), (4) survey questionnaires as patient-reported outcomes measurements (PROMs), (5) optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography (OCTA), and adaptive optics (AO), (6) blood pressure recordings, (7) handgrip strength test. After 6 months, baseline measurements will be repeated in the PCS cohort, and after 1 year, a telephone query will be conducted to assess residual symptoms and treatment needs. The aim of this study is to gain insight into the pathophysiology of PCS and to provide an objective biomarker for diagnosis and treatment, while also creating a comprehensive clinical database of PCS patients.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05635552; Date: 2.12.2022.
Corporate sustainability, investment, and capital structure
Authors: Nishihara Michi
Published: December 2023

This study develops a real options model in which a firm invests in either a sustainable project or an unsustainable project. The sustainable project requires a high investment cost and yields cash flows perpetually, whereas the unsustainable project requires a low investment cost and yields cash flows until a random maturity. The random termination of cash flows reflects the project’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risk. In the model, the optimal investment choice and timing are analytically derived, and the effects of key parameters on the choice are also examined. Higher ESG risk, growth rate, and volatility, and lower discount rate encourage sustainable investing mainly through their impacts on the net present value and timing option value. The less sustainable firm chooses higher leverage because it cares less about the disadvantages of debt. Therefore, access to debt financing and a higher corporate tax rate (tax shield) discourage sustainable investing.
The $$\kappa $$-core and the $$\kappa $$-balancedness of TU games
Authors: Bartl David , Pintér Miklós
Published: December 2023

We consider transferable utility cooperative games with infinitely many players. In particular, we generalize the notions of core and balancedness, and also the Bondareva–Shapley Theorem for infinite TU games with and without restricted cooperation, to the cases where the core consists of $$\kappa $$
κ
-additive set functions. Our generalized Bondareva–Shapley Theorem extends previous results by Bondareva (Problemy Kibernetiki 10:119–139, 1963), Shapley (Naval Res Logist Q 14:453–460, 1967), Schmeidler (On balanced games with infinitely many players, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 1967), Faigle (Zeitschrift für Oper Res 33(6):405–422, 1989), Kannai (J Math Anal Appl 27:227–240, 1969; The core and balancedness, handbook of game theory with economic applications, North-Holland, 1992), Pintér (Linear Algebra Appl 434(3):688–693, 2011) and Bartl and Pintér (Oper Res Lett 51(2):153–158, 2023).
Parametric pushover curve model for seismic performance assessment of building stock
Authors: Fazarinc Neja , Babič Anže , Dolšek Matjaž
Published: December 2023

An effective assessment of the seismic risk of building stock is important for informing stakeholders and developing strategies to improve community seismic resilience. To address this need, a parametric pushover curve model for seismic performance assessment of building stock is introduced. The model employs twelve parameters for estimating the trilinear pushover curve. The models of these parameters are developed specifically for reinforced concrete and masonry buildings in Slovenia by focusing on the low level of knowledge about the building. Consequently, it can be used for preliminary studies of seismic performance assessment of building stock to raise awareness about seismic risk. To evaluate its efficacy, the model was applied to assess the seismic performance of the University of Ljubljana’s building stock. Because of uncertainties arising from the lack of knowledge about the buildings and the associated assumptions, the results were interpreted relative to those obtained for a new building stock scenario. The case study revealed that the seismic capacity in terms of the limit state peak ground acceleration of the building stock is only half of what would be expected in the new building stock scenario, highlighting a significant seismic risk. These findings emphasise the need for systematic efforts to enhance the seismic safety of the building stock under consideration. Further research is recommended to explore the model's accuracy concerning the level of knowledge about the building, which will contribute to a better understanding of its applicability.
Intraspecific divergence of sexual size dimorphism and reproductive strategies in a polytypic poison frog
Authors: Schlippe Justicia Lia , Mayer Martin , Lorioux-Chevalier Ugo , Dittrich Carolin , Rojas Bibiana , Chouteau Mathieu
Published: December 2023

Intraspecific variation in body size, both among populations and between sexes, is an important factor influencing life-history strategies. This variation might be the response to different environmental conditions, as well as natural and sexual selection, and can result in differences in behavior and reproductive strategies among populations. Here, we use the dyeing poison frog (Dendrobates tinctorius) as a model to investigate how interpopulation variation in body size and sexual size dimorphism affects reproductive strategies. As body size increased, sexual size dimorphism also increased, i.e., females were larger than males, and more so in populations with overall larger frogs. This indicates that there is a stronger selection for body size in females than in males, likely as a response to divergent reproductive investment between the sexes. Females from larger-bodied populations produced larger clutches, but the overall number of froglets produced per clutch did not differ among populations. We discuss potential causes and mechanisms that might be responsible for the observed divergence in body size, sexual size dimorphism, and reproductive strategies among populations that likely represent local adaptations. Our findings demonstrate the importance of cross-population studies, cautioning against drawing general conclusions about a species’ ecology without accounting for intraspecific variation.
On-farm use of recycled liquid ammonium sulphate in Southwest Germany using a participatory approach
Authors: Müller Benedikt , Hartung Jens , von Cossel Moritz , Lewandowski Iris , Müller Torsten , Bauerle Andrea
Published: December 2023

For political and environmental reasons, there is an urgent need for alternatives to energy-intensive synthetic fertilizers. One solution is the targeted recycling of nutrients within agriculture. In this study, liquid ammonium sulphate (LAS) as a recycling product derived from digestate treatment was compared to calcium ammonium nitrate, manure and original digestates in an on-farm experiment using a participatory approach. Based on regular meetings with the farmers involved, a flexible experimental design was developed which integrated the fertilization legislation and the farmers’ operational structures already in place, such as crop rotation, available application techniques and manure management demands. The aim was to achieve both implementation practicability and acceptance of the study results by the farmers. Results from the year 2020 showed that LAS applied with three-jet nozzles in barley and wheat had significantly lower yields than the other fertilizers. Applied with a slurry tanker trailing shoe applicator in 2021, LAS had comparable yields to the other fertilizers in maize (51.2 t ha−1) and comparable yields to digestate in rapeseed (4.4 t ha−1). Application techniques that minimize environmental impacts and lower the LAS pH could potentially increase the effectiveness of the fertilizer. We recommend that farmers use this fertilizer not as a single solution but as a mineral compensatory fertilizer in addition to organic fertilizers following local fertilizer legislation. In this case, LAS could potentially substitute calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN).
Online Distributed Relative Positioning Utilizing Multiple Cooperative Autonomous Agents
Authors: Souli Nicolas , Kolios Panayiotis , Ellinas Georgios
Published: December 2023

Currently, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) utilizes global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) in conjunction with other modalities for localization purposes. Nevertheless, this approach faces robustness issues when GNSS signals become unavailable or sensors malfunction. Clearly, the robustness of the system increases considerably when multiple UAV agents are employed to perform collaborative positioning. In this work, an online distributed solution is proposed for relative localization, which incorporates multiple UAVs together with Signals of Opportunity (SOPs) as well as inertial, visual, and optical flow measurements. The proposed localization system includes relative self-localization of each UAV agent, as well as a reliable distributed relative positioning system (DRPS) for each UAV based on the relative positions from other UAV agents in its vicinity. The latter positioning strategy is required in case the relative self-localization fails, mainly due to such problems as inertial measurement unit (IMU) accumulated error drift, camera sensor errors, or SOP shortfalls due to multipath or antenna obstruction. Extensive field experiments validate the proposed technique and demonstrate increased localization accuracy and robustness when compared to the benchmark approach that does not include cooperation between UAVs.
Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of either or both mirabegron and silodosin, as a medical expulsive therapy for distal ureteric stones
Authors: Abdel-Kader Mohammad Sayed , Sayed Ahmed Mohammad , Sayed Sondos Mohammad , AbdelRazek Mostafa
Published: December 2023

Objective

To evaluate efficacy and safety of either or both silodosin and mirabegron as MET for distal ureteric stones ≤ 10 mm.

Patients and methods

This study enrolled a total of 105 patients, aged between 20 and 56 years, diagnosed by single radiopaque distal ureteral stone measuring ≤ 10 mm. The recruitment period spanned from May 2020 to December 2021. The patients were randomly divided into three groups, with each group consisting of 35 participants. Group A received a once-daily dose of 8 mg of silodosin, group B received a once-daily dose of 50 mg of mirabegron, and group C received a combination of both medications. Treatment was administered to all patients until the stone was expelled or for a maximum duration of four weeks. The stone-free rate was determined by analyzing KUB films with or without ultrasonography.

Results

The rate of stone expulsion was significantly higher in group C compared to groups A and B (P = 0.04 and P = 0.004, respectively). The mean (standard deviation) time for stone expulsion in groups A, B, and C was 14 ± 2.3 days, 11 ± 3.1 days, and 7 ± 2.2 days, respectively. Group C demonstrated a significantly shorter stone expulsion time compared to groups A and B (P = 0.001 and P = 0.04, respectively). The frequency of renal colic in group C was significantly lower than that in groups A and B, resulting in a reduced requirement for analgesics (P < 0.05). Anejaculation occurred at a significantly higher rate in the silodosin group (73.9%) and combination group (84%) compared to the mirabegron group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest that both silodosin and mirabegron are effective treatments for the expulsion of lower ureteric stones. Furthermore, the combination of these medications leads to an increased rate of stone expulsion and a reduced duration of expulsion.
Detection of Urban Flood Inundation from Traffic Images Using Deep Learning Methods
Authors: Zhong Pengcheng , Liu Yueyi , Zheng Hang , Zhao Jianshi
Published: December 2023

Urban hydrological monitoring is essential for analyzing urban hydrology and controlling storm floods. However, runoff monitoring in urban areas, including flood inundation depth, is often inadequate. This inadequacy hampers the calibration of hydrological models and limits their capacity for early flood warning. To address this limitation, this study established a method for evaluating the depth of urban floods using image recognition and deep learning. This method utilizes the object recognition model YOLOv4 to identify submerged objects in images, such as the legs of pedestrians or the exhaust pipes of vehicles. In a dataset of 1,177 flood images, the mean average precision for water depth recognition reached 89.29%. The study also found that the accuracy of flood depth recognition by YOLOv4 is influenced by the type of reference object submerged by the flood; the use of a vehicle as the reference object yielded higher accuracy than using a person. Furthermore, image augmentation with Mosaic technology effectively enhanced the accuracy of recognition. The developed method extracts on-site, real-time, and continuous water depth data from images or video data provided by existing traffic cameras. This system eliminates the need for installing additional water gauges, offering a cost-effective and immediately deployable solution.
Astaxanthin and meclizine extend lifespan in UM-HET3 male mice; fisetin, SG1002 (hydrogen sulfide donor), dimethyl fumarate, mycophenolic acid, and 4-phenylbutyrate do not significantly affect lifespan in either sex at the doses and schedules used
Authors: Harrison David E. , Strong Randy , Reifsnyder Peter , Rosenthal Nadia , Korstanje Ron , Fernandez Elizabeth , Flurkey Kevin , Ginsburg Brett C. , Murrell Meredith D. , Javors Martin A. , Lopez-Cruzan Marisa , Nelson James F. , Willcox Bradley J. , Allsopp Richard , Watumull David M. , Watumull David G. , Cortopassi Gino , Kirkland James L. , Tchkonia Tamar , Choi Young Geun , Yousefzadeh Matthew J. , Robbins Paul D. , Mitchell James R. , Acar Murat , Sarnoski Ethan A. , Bene Michael R. , Salmon Adam , Kumar Navasuja , Miller Richard A.
Published: December 2023

In genetically heterogeneous (UM-HET3) mice produced by the CByB6F1 × C3D2F1 cross, the Nrf2 activator astaxanthin (Asta) extended the median male lifespan by 12% (p = 0.003, log-rank test), while meclizine (Mec), an mTORC1 inhibitor, extended the male lifespan by 8% (p = 0.03). Asta was fed at 1840 ± 520 (9) ppm and Mec at 544 ± 48 (9) ppm, stated as mean ± SE (n) of independent diet preparations. Both were started at 12 months of age. The 90th percentile lifespan for both treatments was extended in absolute value by 6% in males, but neither was significant by the Wang–Allison test. Five other new agents were also tested as follows: fisetin, SG1002 (hydrogen sulfide donor), dimethyl fumarate, mycophenolic acid, and 4-phenylbutyrate. None of these increased lifespan significantly at the dose and method of administration tested in either sex. Amounts of dimethyl fumarate in the diet averaged 35% of the target dose, which may explain the absence of lifespan effects. Body weight was not significantly affected in males by any of the test agents. Late life weights were lower in females fed Asta and Mec, but lifespan was not significantly affected in these females. The male-specific lifespan benefits from Asta and Mec may provide insights into sex-specific aspects of aging.
Law Abidance Leadership Education for University Students in Hong Kong: Subjective Outcome Evaluation
Authors: Li Xiang , Shek Daniel T.L. , Dou Diya , Zhu Xiaoqin , Wu Xue
Published: December 2023

Adolescence is an “age of rebellion” when adolescents challenge authority and break rules on an experimental basis. Hence, it is important to promote law abidance, particularly when we expect young people to become future leaders. In this study, we implemented a 3-hour face-to-face module on law abidance leadership with national security as a part of the contents. To understand the perceptions of university students taking the lecture (N = 1,285), we employed a 26-item post-lecture evaluation questionnaire to conduct subjective outcome evaluation. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) as well as multi-group CFAs based on two randomly selected samples, demonstrated the three dimensions intrinsic to the scale (i.e., lecture attributes, teachers’ qualities, and appreciation of law abidance leadership) replicated the previous findings, hence supporting the construct validity of the instrument. Regarding perceptions of all respondents (N = 985), students generally held positive views on lecture design and delivery. Besides, they agreed that this module benefited their personal development in critical thinking, problem-solving ability, moral competence, interpersonal communication skills, law abidance leadership, and their understandings about the significance of national security. More than 95% of the participants expressed their desire to become law-abiding citizens and take on social responsibility. The qualitative responses also triangulated the quantitative findings, with most of which being positive responses. This study replicated our previous research, and enriched the scientific database on teaching politically sensitive topics in the context of higher education.