bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training and duloxetine on urinary continence recovery following radical prostatectomy: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Sanchez‐Salas Rafael , Tourinho‐Barbosa Rafael , Sivaraman Arjun , Borges Rafael Castilho , Candela Luigi , Cathala Nathalie , Mombet Annick , Marra Giancarlo , Sanchez Lara Rodriguez , Boumezrag Chahrazad Bey , Lanz Camille , Macek Petr , Korkes Fernando , Cathelineau Xavier
Published: October 2023

Background

Urinary incontinence (UI) can negatively impact quality of life (QoL) after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and duloxetine are used to manage post‐RARP UI, but their efficacy remains uncertain. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of PFMT and duloxetine in promoting urinary continence recovery (UCR) after RARP.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial involving patients with urine leakage after RARP from May 2015 to February 2018. Patients were randomized into 1 of 4 arms: (1) PFMT‐biofeedback, (2) duloxetine, (3) combined PFMT‐biofeedback and duloxetine, (4) control arm. PFMT consisted of pelvic muscle exercises conducted with electromyographic feedback weekly, for 3 months. Oral duloxetine was administered at bedtime for 3 months. The primary outcome was prevalence of continence at 6 months, defined as using ≤1 security pad. Urinary symptoms and QoL were assessed by using a visual analogue scale, and validated questionnaires.

Results

From the 240 patients included in the trial, 89% of patients completed 1 year of follow‐up. Treatment compliance was observed in 88% (92/105) of patients receiving duloxetine, and in 97% (104/107) of patients scheduled to PFMT‐biofeedback sessions. In the control group 96% of patients had achieved continence at 6 months, compared with 90% (p = 0.3) in the PMFT‐biofeedback, 73% (p = 0.008) in the duloxetine, and 69% (p = 0.003) in the combined treatment arm. At 6 months, QoL was classified as uncomfortable or worse in 17% of patients in the control group, compared with 44% (p = 0.01), 45% (p = 0.008), and 34% (p = 0.07), respectively. Complete preservation of neurovascular bundles (NVB) (OR: 2.95; p = 0.048) was the only perioperative intervention found to improve early UCR.

Conclusions

PFMT‐biofeedback and duloxetine demonstrated limited impact in improving UCR after RP. Diligent NVB preservation, along with preoperative patient and disease characteristics, are the primary determinants for early UCR.
Luteolin induces ferroptosis in prostate cancer cells by promoting TFEB nuclear translocation and increasing ferritinophagy
Authors: Fu Wei , Xu Lei , Chen Yingwen , Zhang Zezheng , Chen Shuchao , Li Qixin , You Xujun
Published: October 2023

Background

As the second most common cancer in men and the leading cause of cancer‐related death, prostate cancer (PCa) could potentially be treated by inducing ferroptosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether luteolin could induce ferroptosis in PCa cells through the transcription Factor EB (TFEB).

Methods

Different concentrations of luteolin were applied to treat normal prostate epithelial cells RWPE‐1 and PCa cell lines DU145, PC‐3, VCaP, and LNcaP. Ferrostatin‐1 (Fer‐1), Necrostain‐1 (Nec‐1), 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA), chloroquine (CQ), and the apoptosis inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl‐Val‐Ala‐Asp(OMe)‐fluoromethylketone (Z‐VAD‐FMK) were added to treat DU145 and PC‐3 cells. Additionally, we knocked down TFEB and performed in vitro cell experiments. Finally, tumor‐forming experiments in nude mice were conducted to verify luteolin mechanism in PCa after knocking down TFEB.

Results

There was no significant difference in RWPE‐1 at 12, 24, and 48 h after treatment with 60 μM luteolin. However, a significant difference was observed between DU145 and PC‐3 cells. Luteolin exhibited a promoting effect on PCa cell death. After treatment with luteolin, cell viability, and Ki67 expression were decreased, and AnV‐PI‐positive dead cells were increased. Fer‐1, Nec‐1, 3‐MA, and Z‐VAD‐FMK reversed luteolin effects on DU145 and PC‐3 cell viability, proliferation, and AnV‐PI‐positive dead cells. Among them, Fer‐1 and 3‐MA were more effective. Luteolin‐induced increased autophagy and ferroptosis in DU145 and PC‐3 cells. Moreover, luteolin promoted ferroptosis by inducing increased autophagy in DU145 and PC‐3 cells. However, knockdown of TFEB reversed the ability of luteolin to induce lysosome degradation of ferritin. In addition, luteolin promoted PCa ferroptosis by inducing ferritinophagy in vivo.

Conclusions

Luteolin‐induced ferroptosis in PCa cells by promoting TFEB nuclear translocation and increasing ferritinophagy.
Vasectomy and risk of prostate cancer: A Mendelian randomization study and confounder analysis
Authors: Di Huajie , Wen Yi
Published: October 2023

Background

Previous reports have shown a potential causal impact of vasectomy on prostate cancer (PCa). The objective of this study was to investigate the association between vasectomy and PCa, while evaluating the influence of confounding factors such as prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening and body mass index (BMI).

Methods

Mendelian randomization (MR) study using summary statistics from genome‐wide associations of vasectomy (462,933 European ancestry), ever had PSA test (200,410 European ancestry), time since last PSA test (46,104 European ancestry), BMI (152,893 European males) and PCa (79,148 cases, 61,106 controls, European ancestry). This study was conducted using summary statistic data from large, previously described cohorts. Data analyses were conducted from November 2022 to June 2023.

Results

Genetic liability to vasectomy was not associated with PCa (OR = 0.07, 95% CI: 2.95  10−3, 1.54, p = 0.09). Genetic liability to vasectomy was not associated with ever had PSA test (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.49−2.39, p = 0.83) and time since last PSA test (OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 0.71−8.79, p = 0.16). After controlling for PSA test and BMI, there remains no causal relationship between vasectomy and PCa risk (OR = 5.56  10−4, 95% CI: 7.29  10−8, 4.24, p = 0.10). The reverse MR results showed a weak association between PCa and vasectomy patients (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 1.0003−1.0033, p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Based on the available evidence from MR analysis, the current findings did not support vasectomy being a risk factor for PCa. Further work is required to provide additional confirmation and validation of the potential link.
X ‐linked inheritance of primary ciliary dyskinesia and retinitis pigmentosa due to RPGR variant: A case report and literature review
Authors: Kuroda Aoi , Namkoong Ho , Iwami Eri , Tsutsumi Akihiro , Nakajima Takahiro , Shinoda Hajime , Katada Yusaku , Iimura Jiro , Suzuki Hisato , Kosaki Kenjiro , Terashima Takeshi
Published: October 2023

Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by irreversible bronchial dilation, often caused by infection or inflammation. It can be associated with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a hereditary disorder affecting cilia function in various organs and flagella. PCD's genetic heterogeneity leads to varying disease severity. PCD may be more prevalent in Asia, but its diagnosis is often delayed in Japan. This study reviewed a case of PCD and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) with the relevant literature. The patient had a persistent cough, sputum, and diffuse bronchiectasis. He was diagnosed with a combination of PCD and RP, with the presence of an X‐linked retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) variant confirmed through electron microscopy, retinal scan, and genetic testing. Although co‐occurrence of bronchiectasis and RP is rare, PCD should be considered in cases of persistent wet cough in childhood or unidentified bronchiectasis aetiology. Ophthalmologists should consider concomitant PCD in RP patients.
The surgical treatment of female primary pelvic retroperitoneal tumours: A retrospective study of 99 patients from a single centre in China
Authors: Liu Xueyan , Zhao Mengling , Fu Hanlin , Si Lulu , Wang Qian , Mao Meng , Zhu Ying , Guo Ruixia
Published: October 2023

Background

To summarise the application of minimally invasive surgery for female primary pelvic retroperitoneal tumours (PPRTs).

Methods

The clinical data of PPRT in a hospital between January 2017 and August 2022 were retrospectively collected. Surgical outcomes for cystic and solid tumours and two minimally invasive techniques were compared.

Results

99 patients were included. Cystic tumours had fewer intraoperative injuries (4.0% vs. 28.0%, p < 0.001) than solid tumours. Robot‐assisted laparoscopy (RALS) seemed to have fewer intraoperative complications (8.3% vs. 35.1%, p = 0.156) than conventional laparoscopy (CLS) in solid tumours. For cystic tumours, RALS included larger tumour sizes and longer operative times (p < 0.05), but intraoperative injury was comparable to CLS. RALS exhibited a higher cost than CLS in all tumours.

Conclusions

Minimally invasive surgery for solid PPRTs tends to be more difficult than for cystic tumours, and RALS has a slight advantage over CLS with respect to short‐term PPRT outcomes.
Trends and insights in e‐learning in medical education: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Oluwadele Deborah , Singh Yashik , Adeliyi Timothy T.
Published: October 2023

Medical education is vital in producing competent healthcare professionals and advancing medical knowledge. The integration of e‐learning has emerged as a transformative approach to enhance medical education by improving accessibility, cost‐effectiveness and interactive learning experiences. With the COVID‐19 pandemic further accelerating e‐learning adoption, analysing the trends, publication collaborations and publication patterns in this domain is crucial. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of published documents on the Scopus database in e‐learning in medical education to explore the trends in scientific productivity. Publications in the domain has sporadically increased since the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The pandemic introduces a changing focus in research and emerging trends, with COVID‐19 becoming a dominant topic and emerging theme. A collaborative research environment exists between authors; however, there is a divide between developed and developing countries in publication distribution, emphasising the need for equitable participation. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of e‐learning in medical education, emphasising collaboration, publication patterns, emerging trends, and the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Researchers can leverage these findings to advance e‐learning in medical education and enhance the quality of medical training and education.

Context and implications

Rationale for this study

The COVID‐19 pandemic reshaped medical education, emphasising e‐learning's potential for teaching and learning continuity during lockdowns. Bibliometric analysis is needed to examine trends in e‐learning within medical education.

Why the new findings matter

The landscape of publications in e‐learning in medical education has changed; the bibliometric analysis of trends in the domain reveals key themes, pandemic response, challenges and opportunities to inform future research in the domain.

Implications for educational researchers and policy makers

Funders and institutions need to encourage collaboration between developed and developing countries to bridge the publication disparities in the domain. Developed countries can share resources, while developing countries bring fresh perspectives in their context. It is important for educators and researcher in medical education to report the implementation of e‐learning with specific details on the critical success factor of e‐learning in their context. This can provide a baseline for others to understand how to optimise the implementation of e‐learning to make it more suitable in their context.
A Color‐Changing Biomimetic Material Closely Resembling the Spectral Characteristics of Vegetation Foliage
Authors: Huang Zizhen , Long Linshuang , Gao Yufei , Tang Zhipeng , Zhang Jialei , Xu Kai , Ye Hong , Liu Minghou
Published: October 2023

Multispectral/hyperspectral technologies can easily detect man‐made objects in vegetation by subtle spectral differences between the object and vegetation, and powerful reconnaissance increases the demand for camouflage materials closely resembling vegetation spectra. However, previous biomimetic materials have only presented static colors that cannot change color, and camouflage in multiple bands is difficult to achieve. To address this challenge, inspiration is drawn from the color change of foliage, and a color‐change model is proposed with active and static pigments embedded in a matrix medium. The color of a composite material is dominated by the colored active pigment, which conceals the color of the static pigments and the color is revealed when the active pigment fades. A color‐changing biomimetic material (CCBM) is developed with a solution casting method by adopting microcapsuled thermochromic pigments and chrome titanate yellow pigments as fillers in a base film with polyvinyl alcohol and lithium chloride. A Kubelka–Munk four‐flux model is constructed to optimize the component proportions of the CCBM. The material has a reversible color change, closely resembles the foliage spectrum in UV–vis–NIR ranges, and imitates the thermal behavior of natural foliage in the mid‐infrared regime. These results provide a novel approach to multispectral and hyperspectral camouflage.
Heat Transfer and Melting Characteristics of Calcium‐Cored Wire in Molten Steel
Authors: Guo Qing , Chen Min , Xu Lei
Published: October 2023

To accurately describe the heat transfer and melting characteristics of a calcium‐cored wire in molten steel, the finite difference method is used in theoretical calculations to solve the relationship between the melting temperature, radius, and time. Numerical simulations are performed using the Eulerian–Eulerian method to characterize the temperature distribution at different periods. The results show that the radius of the calcium wire and steel shell both decrease and the melting rate gradually increases. The calcium‐cored wire has a fish‐scale temperature distribution, with the temperature decreasing from a maximum at the front down to the tail end and increasing outward from the center axis. The temperature of the wire core is 1120 K at 0.272 s, indicating the complete melting of the pure internal calcium. The temperature of the calcium wire–steel shell interface reaches 1793 K at 0.979 s and remains from 1645 to 1757 K at the front of calcium wire. The steel shell melts through, and calcium flows into the molten steel in liquid form. The numerical simulation results generally agree with the theoretical calculations, and the reliability of the model is verified by comparison with published studies.
Micro‐irrigation in Niger: The state of the art and the country's need
Authors: Aboubacar Issaka Ousman Gaoh
Published: October 2023

After its independence in 1960, following the droughts that occurred in particular that of 1973, 1984, and 2005, Niger promoted irrigation to feed its population through state‐led large‐scale projects. Over the years, structural problems, including the fast growing population and the effects of climate change and variability, have rendered the approach less efficient. The 2000s were marked by a change in approach that put producers at the heart. Thus, projects and programs have been initiated with the I3N initiative Nigeriens Feeding Nigeriens as a guiding strategy since 2011 to ensure sustainable agriculture and food security. Most of the projects aimed at the development of small‐scale irrigation through increased financing and new technologies to take advantage of the significant irrigable potential. Despite these efforts, the irrigation sector is yet to meet food security. This article assesses the situation of micro‐irrigation and identifies current needs. The methodology adopted consists of a review of official documentation on irrigation in Niger, data collected during agricultural fairs, such as the Sahel Niger 2020, and the 4th Edition of the Fair of Irrigation and Drainage (SAFID), combined with related literature. Results revealed the existence of an estimated irrigable land potential of 270,000 ha and 10,942,568 ha, depending on the groundwater depth. Drip technology is proving to be in full expansion, with growing interest from start‐ups and the private sector. Technological innovation is dominated by locally made and imported technologies, the emergence of digitalization, and remote irrigation. Currently, micro‐irrigation is a top priority among climate‐smart technologies, in addition to strengthening technologies for access to water resources, technical capacities of producers, particularly advisories, the strengthening of research, the popularization of micro‐irrigation technologies, access to financing and securing land tenure. Other needs persist in terms of strengthening science‐society‐policy interfaces and effective climate services for risk management.
Coral Reefs of the Emirates
Authors: Burt John A.
Published: October 2023

Coral reefs represent the most biodiverse ecosystem in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and these habitats support high fisheries productivity, an economic resource sector second only to oil, and a burgeoning ecotourism sector. Corals occur in all seven Emirates, with the highest coral diversity occurring on the east coast along the Sea of Oman and declining along a gradient from the Strait of Hormuz to western Abu Dhabi, reflecting the more extreme environmental conditions towards the southwestern Gulf. Coral reefs of the Emirates are among the most heat tolerant in the world, and as a result have come to represent an important natural asset for international science. However, impacts from coastal development and recent severe marine heat waves have pushed these robust corals past their physiological thresholds, and reefs have become heavily degraded in the past decade across much of the UAE. Active management intervention is needed to conserve and restore the important reef ecosystems to ensure these vibrant habitats are retained for the next generation.
Marine Mammals of the Emirates: Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises and Dugongs
Authors: Natoli Ada , Al Hameli Shamsa
Published: October 2023

Marine mammals have always captured the imagination of the people they share their environment with, but few people know that various species populate the waters of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The world’s second largest population of dugongs reside in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, while two species of dolphins (Indian Ocean humpback and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin) and the elusive finless porpoises inhabit Abu Dhabi and Dubai waters. Facing both the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Gulf, the UAE hosts a total of 18 species of marine mammals. These include the biggest animal on Earth, the blue whale, Bryde’s, humpback whales and killer whales, to name a few. However, ecological information about these species is still scarce. With the exponential increase of anthropogenic pressure and effects of climate change on the UAE marine environment, they are facing the risk of disappearing unnoticed. It is imperative to gain a better understanding of their ecology and main threats that affect them to support the implementation of effective conservation measures. Here we review the evolutionary history and adaptation to the water environment of these charismatic group of animals and provide the most up-to-date information on their status in UAE.
Governing the Meta-World Finances
Authors: Mooij Annelieke
Published: October 2023

Imagine that you live in London and are a fan of musicals. You have grown particularly fond of the musical Hamilton. As a special rendition the musical plays in New York with your favorite star singing the lead. It provides a great way for you to see the musical and catch up with your old classmate who moved to New York. Unfortunately, you live in Europe and you cannot find the time to travel to New York and back. Your option is to buy a ticket to a live screening and have a video call with your friend afterwards. Most people will agree that this is not a real alternative to seeing the musical in real life. Whilst streaming is less expensive and will save you the trouble of travelling, it does not offer the same experience. The videocall with your friend will provide you with some interaction but not on the same level as sitting next to each other at the theatre. In comes the Metaverse to provide you the immersive 3D alternative. Instead of sitting at home or in your local cinema watching the live screen in 2D, the Metaverse will allow you to buy a ticket to a virtual seat in the theatre. Your friend is sitting on the virtual seat next to you, so you both chat before the curtain call. In the break you both have a drink from your own kitchen but with the experience of being in the café of the theatre.
Regulating the Technology (Placement)
Authors: Mooij Annelieke
Published: October 2023

This chapter examines the placement phase of MLFT. This chapter starts in Sect. 5.2 by examining the definition of virtual wallets under the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive. Section 5.2 examines the definition of entity under this Directive. It concludes that whilst the term entity is broadly formulated it creates risk by excluding the non-custodian wallets. Section 5.3 therefore discusses whether non-custodian wallets should be supervised or remain anonymous. This section concludes that non-custodian wallets should supervise itself. Section 5.4 then continues by discussing how these non-custodian wallets can supervise themselves through smart assets and AI. Section 5.5 then continues by analysing the legal requirements for such a supervisory approach. This approach includes creating a digital legal personality for the digital wallet. The digital legal personality could be used to create an insurance system for such wallets in case of damages. In such a case the insurer would have the power to represent the wallet in legal proceedings. Section 5.6 then continues by discussing how such a system could aid in the prevention of digital scams and how transactions to third-countries should be incorporated. Section 5.7 continues by discussing incorporating smart contracts into the regulatory system. Particular attention is paid to regulating the criminal smart contracts (csc). Section 5.8 provides a conclusion and recommendations.
Integration into the Legal Economy
Authors: Mooij Annelieke
Published: October 2023

This chapter discusses the third phase of MLFT; integration. The integration into the legal economy is difficult to define with the introduction of virtual property. Section 7.2 therefore starts by defining the contours of the economy. After defining the economy, Sect. 7.3 continues by analysing integration through valuable objects in gaming environments. Section 7.4 continues by analysing the MLFT risks of currencies introduced by cities. This chapter ends in Sect. 7.5 with a conclusion and recommendations.
“All Humans Are Strangers—Almost Everywhere”: Reflections on Human Belonging
Authors: Luetz Johannes M.
Published: October 2023

This chapter is an attempt to approach interfaith consciousness from the vantage point of personal lived experience. To this end, I give an autoethnographic account of living across cultures, countries and communities comprising diverse faith orientations. These lived experiences have formed and informed my interfaith awareness, which was nurtured over a lifetime of what I call ‘longing for belonging’. I complement this autoethnographic account with biblical reflections on home and homelessness and conclude that my own sense of ‘strangeness’ can lead to a deferential appraisal and appreciation of the perceived ‘foreignness’ of others. This implies extending intellectual hospitality to adherents and proponents of other faiths as a conduit for nurturing and propagating interfaith awareness and practice. The reason is simply this: on the face of it, everybody alive today is a stranger in this world—almost everywhere.
Burns space and holography
Authors: Costello Kevin , Paquette Natalie M. , Sharma Atul
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We elaborate on various aspects of our top-down celestial holographic duality wherein the semiclassical bulk spacetime is a 4d asymptotically flat, self-dual Kähler geometry known as Burns space. The bulk theory includes an open string sector comprising a 4d WZW model and a closed string sector called “Mabuchi gravity” capturing fluctuations of the Kähler potential. Starting with the type I topological B-model on the twistor space of flat space, we obtain the twistor space of Burns space from the backreaction of a stack ofNcoincident D1 branes, while the chiral algebra is obtained from (a twist of) the brane worldvolume theory. One striking consequence of this duality is that all loop-level scattering amplitudes of the theory on Burns space can be expressed as correlation functions of an explicit 2d chiral algebra.

We also present additional large-Nchecks, matching several 2 and 3-point amplitudes and their collinear expansions in the WZW4sector, and the mixed WZW4-Mabuchi sector, of the bulk theory to the corresponding 2 and 3-point vacuum correlators and operator product expansions in the dual chiral algebra. Key features of the duality, along with our main results, are summarized in the introduction.
Benzophenone-3 does not Cause Oxidative Stress or B-esterase Inhibition During Embryo Development of Octopus maya (Voss and Solís Ramírez, 1966)
Authors: Moreno-Ortiz Gissela , Aguilar Letícia , Caamal-Monsreal Claudia , Noreña-Barroso Elsa , Rosas Carlos , Rodríguez-Fuentes Gabriela
Published: October 2023

Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) is an active ingredient in sunscreen lotions and personal-care products that protects against the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays. Given its worldwide dissemination, it has been linked with harmful effects on aquatic biota; however, its impact is not fully understood calling for further studies. To understand the impacts on an important economically and ecologically species, we evaluated the toxicity of BP-3 during the embryonic development of Octopus maya. Embryos were exposed to increasing concentrations of up to 500 µg BP-3/L until hatching. Antioxidant enzyme activities, oxidative-stress indicators, and B-esterases activities were measured at different developmental phases (organogenesis, activation, and growth). There were no significant differences between treatments, suggesting the lack of production of toxic metabolites that may be related to a protective chorion, an underdeveloped detoxification system, and the experimental conditions that limited phototoxicity.
Comparing continent ileostomy (CI) conversion to repair/redo IPAA: favorable outcomes
Authors: Ecker Nils Karl Josef , Dinh Christian , Möslein Gabriela , Ecker Karl-Wilhelm
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to compare the outcomes of repair/redo ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (repair/redo-IPAA) with the conversion of IPAA to continent ileostomy (CI) in an effort to prevent the need for a permanent ileostomy (IS) following IPAA failure.

Methods

This research involved a retrospective analysis of surgical records, employing descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

Results

Among 57 patients with an IPAA, up to three revisions were necessary due to complications or complete failure. Ultimately, repair/redo-IPAA preserved the IPAA in 14 patients (24.6%), conversion to CI salvaged the pouch in 21 patients (36.8%), and IS was unavoidable in 22 patients (38.6%). The cumulative probability of requiring conversion surgery was calculated to be 54.0% at 20 years, thereby reducing the cumulative risk of IS to 32.3%. The 20-year cumulative probability of pouch salvage by repair/redo IPAA was only 21.9%. However, this rate increased to 67.7% when conversion procedures were considered. Following repair/redo-IPAA, only 8.3% of patients reported evacuation frequencies of ≤ 4 during the day, and 16.7% were evacuation-free at night. In contrast, after conversion to CI, 98.0% of patients reported a maximum of four evacuations in a 24-h period. After undergoing repair/redo IPAA, between half and two-thirds of patients reported experiencing incontinence or soiling, while complete continence was achieved in all patients following conversion to CI. Notably, the majority of patients expressed overall satisfaction with their respective procedures. A positive correlation was identified between very high subjective satisfaction and positive objective surgical outcomes exclusively in patients who underwent conversion to CI.

Conclusion

When complications or failure of IPAA occur, conversion to CI emerges as a highly viable alternative to repair/redo IPAA. This conclusion is supported by the observation that patient satisfaction appears to be closely tied to stable surgical outcomes. To reinforce these findings, further prospective studies are warranted.
Primary progressive aphasia: six questions in search of an answer
Authors: Belder Christopher R. S. , Marshall Charles R. , Jiang Jessica , Mazzeo Salvatore , Chokesuwattanaskul Anthipa , Rohrer Jonathan D. , Volkmer Anna , Hardy Chris J. D. , Warren Jason D.
Published: October 2023

Here, we review recent progress in the diagnosis and management of primary progressive aphasia—the language-led dementias. We pose six key unanswered questions that challenge current assumptions and highlight the unresolved difficulties that surround these diseases. How many syndromes of primary progressive aphasia are there—and is syndromic diagnosis even useful? Are these truly ‘language-led’ dementias? How can we diagnose (and track) primary progressive aphasia better? Can brain pathology be predicted in these diseases? What is their core pathophysiology? In addition, how can primary progressive aphasia best be treated? We propose that pathophysiological mechanisms linking proteinopathies to phenotypes may help resolve the clinical complexity of primary progressive aphasia, and may suggest novel diagnostic tools and markers and guide the deployment of effective therapies.
The porosity of felsic pyroclasts: laboratory validation of field-based approaches
Authors: Pisello Alessandro , Kueppers Ulrich , Düffels Kai , Nomikou Paraskevi , Dingwell Donald B. , Perugini Diego
Published: October 2023

Volcanic eruptions are driven by magma rising through Earth’s crust. The style of an eruption depends on intrinsic and extrinsic parameters and is commonly a dynamic process. Thorough and holistic investigation of the related products is key to understanding eruptive phenomena and assessment of volcano-specific hazards. Models of such phenomena are constrained by quantification of the dispersal, the grain size distribution, and pyroclast textures. Pyroclast texture may be described in part by measurements of density and porosity, which depend on pyroclast volume determination. Yet volume determination of irregularly shaped pyroclasts cannot be achieved with geometrical laws, instead necessitating the use of alternative methodologies. Here, we test three methodologies to quantify pyroclast volume on a set of clasts collected from the Minoan eruption deposits from Santorini, Greece. We compare (1) a manual method for obtaining the lengths of three orthogonal axes of the pyroclast with a caliper, (2) an optical method to measure the longest and shortest axes of the pyroclast via multiple photographs, and (3) an Archimedean buoyancy-based method. While the optical and manual methods provide almost identical values of pyroclast volume when tested under laboratory conditions, there is a discrepancy between these two methods and the Archimedean method, which produces an overestimation of ca. 13% in volume. This discrepancy has little impact on the subsequent assessment of porosity and density for which the natural variability of values is observed to be broader. We therefore propose using the manual approach in the field as a simple and fast, yet reliable, method to obtain large volumes of quantitative data on the texture of erupted products, and we also provide a correction factor for in-field volume assessment of rhyodacitic pumices.
An analysis of precision: occlusion and perspective geometry’s role in 6D pose estimation
Authors: Choate Jeffrey , Worth Derek , Nykl Scott , Taylor Clark , Borghetti Brett , Schubert Kabban Christine
Published: October 2023

Achieving precise 6 degrees of freedom (6D) pose estimation of rigid objects from color images is a critical challenge with wide-ranging applications in robotics and close-contact aircraft operations. This study investigates key techniques in the application of YOLOv5 object detection convolutional neural network (CNN) for 6D pose localization of aircraft using only color imagery. Traditional object detection labeling methods suffer from inaccuracies due to perspective geometry and being limited to visible key points. This research demonstrates that with precise labeling, a CNN can predict object features with near-pixel accuracy, effectively learning the distinct appearance of the object due to perspective distortion with a pinhole camera. Additionally, we highlight the crucial role of knowledge about occluded features. Training the CNN with such knowledge slightly reduces pixel precision, but enables the prediction of 3 times more features, including those that are not initially visible, resulting in an overall better performing 6D system. Notably, we reveal that the data augmentation technique ofscalecan interfere with pixel precision when used during training. These findings are crucial for the entire system, which leverages the Solve Perspective-N-Point (Solve-PnP) algorithm, achieving 6D pose accuracy within 1$$^\circ$$∘and 7 cm at distances ranging from 7.5 to 35 m from the camera. Moreover, this solution operates in real-time, achieving sub-10ms processing times on a desktop PC.
Survival and complication rates of two dental implant systems supporting fixed restorations: 10-year data of a randomized controlled clinical study
Authors: Gadzo Naida , Ioannidis Alexis , Naenni Nadja , Hüsler Jürg , Jung Ronald E. , Thoma Daniel S.
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To compare clinical, radiographic, biological and technical long-term outcomes of two types of dental implants over a period of 10 years.

Materials and methods

Ninety-eight implants were placed in 64 patients, randomly allocated to one of two manufacturers (AST and STM). All implants were loaded with fixed restorations. Outcome measures were assessed at implant insertion (Ti), at baseline examination (TL), at 1, 3, 5, 8 and 10 (T10) years. Data analysis included survival, bone level changes, complications and clinical measures.

Results

Re-examination was performed in 43 patients (23 AST and 20 STM) at 10 years. The implant level analysis was based on 37 (AST) and 32 (STM) implants. Survival rates of 100% were obtained for both groups. The median changes of the marginal bone levels between baseline and T10 (the primary endpoint) amounted to a loss of 0.07 mm for group AST and a gain of 0.37 mm for group STM (intergroup p = 0.008).

Technical complications occurred in 27.0% of the implants in group AST and in 15.6% in group STM.

The prevalence of peri-implant mucositis was 29.7% (AST) and 50.1% (STM). The prevalence of peri-implantitis amounted to 0% (AST) and 6.3% (STM).

Conclusions

Irrespective of the implant system used, the survival rates after 10 years were high. Minimal bone level changes were observed, statistically significant but clinically negligible in favor of STM. Technical complications were more frequently encountered in group AST, while group STM had a higher prevalence of peri-implant mucositis.
GaMD simulations as an alternative in the TFE-water mixture description
Authors: Pérez-Trejo Itzel , Dominguez Laura
Published: October 2023

Context: 2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol has been widely used to study the structure and dynamic properties of intrinsically disordered proteins. Experimentally, it is known that TFE-water mixtures stabilize secondary structures of IDPs, and therefore, it allows the studying of conformational ensembles of these proteins. In the last decades, molecular dynamic simulations have helped study the IDPs’ conformational ensemble. Unfortunately, conventional MD requires very long simulation times to describe the properties of IDPs. Therefore, a variety of accelerated sampling techniques have been developed and employed. The TFE-water mixture arrangement description through MD has faced substantial difficulties since emulating the TFE nanocrowding at certain TFE:H$$_2$$

2

O ratios (around 15–40% of TFE). In this work, we determine the most suitable conditions that reproduce experimentally reported properties of TFE-water mixtures. We compared the employment of conventional MD and GaMD simulations and various water parameters. Our results show that the combination of parameters that better reproduce the experimental information is the combination of the TIP4PD water model and GaMD simulations. Therefore, these conditions help accurately describe the structural ensemble of IDPs in TFE-water mixtures. Methods: Conventional MD and GaMD simulations were performed under AMBER 18 software. The TFE and water molecules were described using GAFF2 and a variety of water models, such as TIP3P, TIP4P2005, TIP4PD, and TIP5P, respectively. The systems were simulated a 100 ns at 298 K.

Graphical abstract
An overview of groundwater response to a changing climate in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia: potential implications for the basin system and opportunities for management
Authors: Doble Rebecca , Walker Glen , Crosbie Russell , Guillaume Joseph , Doody Tanya
Published: October 2023

The Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) is a highly allocated and regulated, mostly semiarid basin in south-eastern Australia, where groundwater is a significant water resource. Future climate predictions for the MDB include an expansion of arid and semiarid climate zones to replace temperate areas. The impacts of climate change are already evident in declining groundwater levels and changes in the connection status between rivers and groundwater, and modelling has predicted a further reduction in future groundwater recharge and ongoing declines in groundwater levels. This is predicted to further reduce river baseflow and negatively impact groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs), and these system responses to a changing climate and extreme events are complex and not always well understood. This report provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of groundwater response to a changing climate for the MDB, and outlines challenges and opportunities for future groundwater research and management. Opportunities for the region include improving data systems and acquisition through automation and novel data sources, and growing capability in integrated, risk-based modelling. Quantification of the groundwater/surface-water connection response to declining groundwater levels, and assessing GDE water requirements and thresholds, would enable identification of vulnerable systems and inform the development of metrics for adaptive management, improving the ability to respond to climate extremes. There is potential to adapt policy to support active management of groundwater where required, including conjunctive use and water banking. Improving knowledge sharing and water literacy, including understanding community values of groundwater and GDEs, would support future decision-making.
Adjusting Residual Stresses During Cold Spray Deposition of IN718
Authors: Schmitt J. , Fiebig J. , Schrüfer S. , Guillon O. , Vaßen R.
Published: October 2023

The residual stress state in cold spray coatings, which is typically compressive in nature, can be crucial for the coating integrity at high levels or for thick coatings. As an alternative, the analysis using the curvature measurement was applied in this study. The stress measurement during cold spray deposition was made by using an in situ coating property sensor (ICP sensor), which is relatively widely used in thermal spray and enables a fast comparison of several process parameters. The results were then compared to post-deposition curvature measurements. It could be revealed that the usage of a very slow robot traverse speed can lead to tensile residual stresses in cold-sprayed coatings. This finding was explained by the high local temperature during deposition and the formation of tensile stresses during cooling of the deposited material to the average substrate temperature. The increase in the powder feed rate can increase this effect. Preheating did not influence the final stress state. An analytical model is presented which can at least semi-quantitatively explain the observed findings. As an outcome of the research work, it is now possible to adjust the residual stress state in cold spray coatings from tensile to compressive and vice versa with the opportunity of a zero stress state.
A Green Method for Nanoencapsulation of Thymol in Chitosan–Gelatin with Antioxidant Capacity
Authors: Ojeda-Piedra Sergio A. , Quintanar-Guerrero David , Cornejo-Villegas María A. , Zambrano-Zaragoza María L.
Published: October 2023

Nanostructures are usually formed by solvent dissolution, but this paper proposes a green-chemistry method for thymol nano-encapsulation based on a chitosan–gelatin bio-copolymer matrix formation that enhances the physical stability to obtain a thymol-modified release system, with antioxidant capacity. Various ratios of chitosan–gelatin, gelatin types A and B, and crosslinkers were evaluated at a constant thymol concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. Gallic acid was chosen as the crosslinker. All batches were ultrasonicated to reduce particle size. The best conditions were obtained using a chitosan–gelatin ratio of 1:4 with type A gelatin, as those nanoparticles had higher physical stability, together with a smaller particle size (316.5 ± 2 nm) and higher thymol encapsulation efficiency (88 ± 3%). Antioxidant capacity was evaluated by DPPH, ABTS (radical inhibition 87.06 ± 4.38%, and 88.5 ± 4.42%, respectively), and a FRAP assay (1084.68 ± 54.32 µM Trolox equivalents). Release profiles were evaluated at two pH values (5.5, 7.0) and environmental temperatures (4, 25 °C). Diffusion was non-Fickian in all treatments. Gelatin type A systems exhibited a major physical stability, influencing the reduction of released thymol significantly. The research findings suggest that this submicronic dispersion can be used as a modified release system with high antioxidant activity and potentially serve as a preservative system during food storage.
Message-in-a-bottle: engaging stories around sustainable and safe wine products
Authors: Papadakos Panagiotis , Chrysakis Ioannis , Patkos Theodore , Flouris Giorgos , Samaritakis Giorgos , Angelakis Dimitris , Basina Nena , Tsampanaki Nikoleta , Pratikaki Ariadne , Baritakis Pavlos , Loulakakis Ilias , Gouma Maria , Kioupakis Akis , Apostolidi Christina , Lyrarakis Bart
Published: October 2023

The wine industry has evolved thanks to the introduction of digital technologies in every aspect of the wine production chain and the emerging need of the food industry for qualitative, sustainable, and safe products. As a result, the incorporation of digital services that facilitate access to related data of wine products is crucial for wine enterprises to increase their competitiveness, customer loyalty, and market share in this highly competitive domain. In this work, we present the Message-in-a-Bottle (MiB) ecosystem, which exploits multi-dimensional and multi-sourced data for creating engaging and interactive stories around wine labels. We especially focus on the sustainability and safety issues in the wine industry and showcase how MiB addresses them. The ecosystem is developed in the context of the MiB project and has already started to be available in the market through the Lyrarakis wine enterprise.
Existence of renormalized solutions to fully anisotropic and inhomogeneous elliptic problems
Authors: Budnarowski Bartosz , Li Ying
Published: October 2023

We will present the proof of existence and uniqueness of renormalized solutions to a broad family of strongly non-linear elliptic equations with lower order terms and data of low integrability. The leading part of the operator satisfies general growth conditions settling the problem in the framework of fully anisotropic and inhomogeneous Musielak–Orlicz spaces. The setting considered in this paper generalized known results in the variable exponents, anisotropic polynomial, double phase and classical Orlicz setting.
Stakeholder Value: A Convenient Excuse for Underperforming Managers?
Authors: Flugum Ryan , Souther Matthew E.
Published: October 2023

Firms falling short of earnings expectations are more likely to cite stakeholder-focused objectives in their public communications following earnings announcements. This behavior is consistent with managers preferring to be evaluated by subjective stakeholder-based performance criteria when falling short on objective shareholder-based measures. This increased use of stakeholder language is most evident among firms narrowly missing earnings estimates and appears unrelated to a firm’s actual environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-related activity. Stakeholder language appears to influence the evaluation of CEOs; turnover–performance sensitivity is lower for managers citing stakeholder value. Collectively, our findings are consistent with concerns that stakeholder objectives reduce managerial accountability for poor performance.
SDR, EVC, and SDREVC: Limitations and Extensions
Authors: Hunter E.D. , Amsler C. , Breuker H. , Bumbar M. , Chesnevskaya S. , Costantini G. , Ferragut R. , Giammarchi M. , Gligorova A. , Gosta G. , Higaki H. , Killian C. , Kraxberger V. , Kuroda N. , Lanz A. , Leali M. , Maero G. , Malbrunot C. , Mascagna V. , Matsuda Y. , Mäckel V. , Migliorati S. , Murtagh D.J. , Nanda A. , Nowak L. , Parnefjord Gustafsson F. , Rheinfrank S. , Romé M. , Simon M.C. , Tajima M. , Toso V. , Ulmer S. , Venturelli L. , Weiser A. , Widmann E. , Yamazaki Y. , Zmeskal J. ,   (The ASACUSA-Cusp Collaboration)
Published: October 2023

Methods for reducing the radius, temperature and space charge of a non-neutral plasma are usually reported for conditions which approximate an ideal Penning Malmberg trap. Here, we show that (i) similar methods are still effective under surprisingly adverse circumstances: we perform strong drive regime (SDR) compression and SDREVC in a strong magnetic mirror field using only 3 out of 4 rotating wall petals. In addition, we demonstrate (ii) an alternative to SDREVC, using e-kick instead of evaporative cooling (EVC) and (iii) an upper limit for how much plasma can be cooled to

$T<20\ \mathrm {K}$

using EVC. This limit depends on the space charge, not on the number of particles or the plasma density.