bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the potential of ChatGPT as a supplementary tool for providing orthopaedic information
Authors: Kaarre Janina , Feldt Robert , Keeling Laura E. , Dadoo Sahil , Zsidai Bálint , Hughes Jonathan D. , Samuelsson Kristian , Musahl Volker
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To investigate the potential use of large language models (LLMs) in orthopaedics by presenting queries pertinent to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery to generative pre‐trained transformer (ChatGPT, specifically using its GPT‐4 model of March 14th 2023). Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate the depth of the LLM’s knowledge and investigate its adaptability to different user groups. It was hypothesized that the ChatGPT would be able to adapt to different target groups due to its strong language understanding and processing capabilities.

Methods

ChatGPT was presented with 20 questions and response was requested for two distinct target audiences: patients and non‐orthopaedic medical doctors. Two board‐certified orthopaedic sports medicine surgeons and two expert orthopaedic sports medicine surgeons independently evaluated the responses generated by ChatGPT. Mean correctness, completeness, and adaptability to the target audiences (patients and non‐orthopaedic medical doctors) were determined. A three‐point response scale facilitated nuanced assessment.

Results

ChatGPT exhibited fair accuracy, with average correctness scores of 1.69 and 1.66 (on a scale from 0, incorrect, 1, partially correct, to 2, correct) for patients and medical doctors, respectively. Three of the 20 questions (15.0%) were deemed incorrect by any of the four orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon assessors. Moreover, overall completeness was calculated to be 1.51 and 1.64 for patients and medical doctors, respectively, while overall adaptiveness was determined to be 1.75 and 1.73 for patients and doctors, respectively.

Conclusion

Overall, ChatGPT was successful in generating correct responses in approximately 65% of the cases related to ACL surgery. The findings of this study imply that LLMs offer potential as a supplementary tool for acquiring orthopaedic knowledge. However, although ChatGPT can provide guidance and effectively adapt to diverse target audiences, it cannot supplant the expertise of orthopaedic sports medicine surgeons in diagnostic and treatment planning endeavours due to its limited understanding of orthopaedic domains and its potential for erroneous responses.

Level of evidence

V.
BLU‐DAT: a new reliable and accurate arthrometer for measuring anterior knee laxity
Authors: Colosio Alessandro , Scaini Alessandra , Motta Marcello , Paderno Marco , Saccomanno Maristella F. , Bettinsoli Pierfrancesco , Bonaspetti Giovanni , Milano Giuseppe
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Although many arthrometers have been developed to assess anterior knee laxity, reliability and diagnostic accuracy of these devices are still debated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of a new arthrometer in the outpatient setting, with the hypothesis that it had good validity in terms of reliability and diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

Seventy‐eight subjects (39 with ACL injury and 39 with normal ACL) were tested. ATT was assessed by means of the Lachman test at 30° of flexion with a new testing device (BLU‐DAT) under three different loading conditions: 7 kg (69 N), 9 kg (88 N) and maximum (MMT). The tests were performed on both knees to obtain SSD. In the ACL injury group, the tests were performed by two examiners and one of them repeated a second test series. Inter‐ and intra‐observer reliability were assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the average SSD measures. In the normal‐ACL group, the analysis was performed with the same testing setup. Side‐to‐side difference measures of the two groups at every loading condition were compared by Student’s t test. Data of test series were dichotomized based on the threshold value of 3‐mm SSD as pathological ATT and 2 × 2 contingency tables were used to assess diagnostic accuracy.

Results

The ICCs for intra‐observer reliability at 7‐kg (69 N), 9‐kg (88 N) and MMT measurements were 0.781, 0.855 and 0.913, respectively. The ICC for inter‐observer reliability at 7‐kg (69 N), 9‐kg (88 N) and MMT measurements were 0.701, 0.845 and 0.834, respectively. Comparison between the two groups showed a significant mean difference ranging from 3.4 mm for 7‐kg (69 N) load to 4.6 mm for MMT. Overall accuracy ranged from 84.6% for 7‐kg load to 98.7% for MMT.

Conclusion

The BLU‐DAT has proven to be an instrument with good intra‐ and inter‐observer reliability and very good accuracy in the diagnosis of ACL injuries in the outpatient setting. So, the BLU‐DAT can be a new useful tool in everyday clinical practice to assist in the diagnosis of ACL injury.

Level of evidence

II.
Nonuniqueness of Solutions to the Euler Equations with Vorticity in a Lorentz Space
Authors: Brué Elia , Colombo Maria
Published: August 2023

For the two dimensional Euler equations, a classical result by Yudovich states that solutions are unique in the class of bounded vorticity; it is a celebrated open problem whether this uniqueness result can be extended in other integrability spaces. We prove in this note that such uniqueness theorem fails in the class of vector fields u with uniformly bounded kinetic energy and vorticity in the Lorentz space $$L^{1, \infty }$$

L

1
,
∞

.
Environmental modulation of exopolysaccharide production in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803
Authors: Madsen Mary Ann , Semerdzhiev Stefan , Twigg Jordan D , Moss Claire , Bavington Charles D , Amtmann Anna
Published: August 2023

Microorganisms produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS, also known as exopolysaccharides) of diverse composition and structure. The biochemical and biophysical properties of these biopolymers enable a wide range of industrial applications. EPS from cyanobacteria are particularly versatile as they incorporate a larger number and variety of building blocks and adopt more complex structures than EPS from other organisms. However, the genetic makeup and regulation of EPS biosynthetic pathways in cyanobacteria are poorly understood. Here, we measured the effect of changing culture media on titre and composition of EPS released by Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, and we integrated this information with transcriptomic data. Across all conditions, daily EPS productivity of individual cells was highest in the early growth phase, but the total amount of EPS obtained from the cultures was highest in the later growth phases due to accumulation. Lowering the magnesium concentration in the media enhanced per-cell productivity but the produced EPS had a lower total sugar content. Levels of individual monosaccharides correlated with specific culture media components, e.g. xylose with sulfur, glucose and N-acetyl-galactosamine with NaCl. Comparison with RNA sequencing data suggests a Wzy-dependent biosynthetic pathway and a protective role for xylose-rich EPS. This multi-level analysis offers a handle to link individual genes to the dynamic modulation of a complex biopolymer.

Key points

• Synechocystis exopolysaccharide amount and composition depends on culture condition

• Production rate and sugar content can be modulated by Mg and S respectively

• Wzy-dependent biosynthetic pathway and protective role proposed for xylose-rich EPS

Graphical Abstract
Intraoperative molecular imaging of colorectal lung metastases with SGM-101: a feasibility study
Authors: Meijer Ruben P. J. , Galema Hidde A. , Faber Robin A. , Bijlstra Okker D. , Maat Alexander P. W. M. , Cailler Françoise , Braun Jerry , Keereweer Stijn , Hilling Denise E. , Burggraaf Jacobus , Vahrmeijer Alexander L. , Hutteman Merlijn ,   On behalf of the SGM-CLM study group, Warmerdam Mats I. , Azari Feredun , Singhal Sunil , Almandawi Dima D. A. , Mahtab Edris A. F. , Shahin Ghada M. M. , Doukas Michail , Verhoef Cornelis , Framery Bérénice
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Metastasectomy is a common treatment option for patients with colorectal lung metastases (CLM). Challenges exist with margin assessment and identification of small nodules, especially during minimally invasive surgery. Intraoperative fluorescence imaging has the potential to overcome these challenges. The aim of this study was to assess feasibility of targeting CLM with the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) specific fluorescent tracer SGM-101.

Methods

This was a prospective, open-label feasibility study. The primary outcome was the number of CLM that showed a true positive fluorescence signal with SGM-101. Fluorescence positive signal was defined as a signal-to-background ratio (SBR) ≥ 1.5. A secondary endpoint was the CEA expression in the colorectal lung metastases, assessed with the immunohistochemistry, and scored by the total immunostaining score.

Results

Thirteen patients were included in this study. Positive fluorescence signal with in vivo, back table, and closed-field bread loaf imaging was observed in 31%, 45%, and 94% of the tumors respectively. Median SBRs for the three imaging modalities were 1.00 (IQR: 1.00–1.53), 1.45 (IQR: 1.00–1.89), and 4.81 (IQR: 2.70–7.41). All tumor lesions had a maximum total immunostaining score for CEA expression of 12/12.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the potential of fluorescence imaging of CLM with SGM-101. CEA expression was observed in all tumors, and closed-field imaging showed excellent CEA specific targeting of the tracer to the tumor nodules. The full potential of SGM-101 for in vivo detection of the tracer can be achieved with improved minimal invasive imaging systems and optimal patient selection.

Trial registration

The study was registered in ClinicalTrial.gov under identifier NCT04737213 at February 2021.
Nomograms containing body dose parameters for predicting survival in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Jiang Jianyun , Zhai Ruiping , Kong Fangfang , Du Chengrun , Ying Hongmei
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To assess the impact of body dose on survival outcomes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients and to create novel nomograms incorporating body dose parameters for predicting survival.

Methods

594 of non-metastasis NPC patients (training group, 396; validation group, 198) received intensity-modulated radiation therapy at our institution from January 2012 to December 2016. Patient characteristics, body dose parameters in dose–volume histogram (DVH) and hematology profiles were collected for predicting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Nomograms for OS and PFS were developed using the selected predictors. Each nomogram was evaluated based on its C-index and calibration curve.

Results

Body dose-based risk score for OS (RSOS), N stage, age, and induction chemotherapy were independent predictors for OS, with a C-index of 0.784 (95% CI 0.749–0.819) in the training group and 0.763 (95% CI 0.715–0.810) in the validation group for the nomogram. As for PFS, the most important predictors were the body dose-based risk score for PFS (RSPFS), N stage, and induction chemotherapy. C-index of PFS nomogram was 0.706 (95% CI 0.681–0.720) in the training group and 0.691 (95% CI 0.662–0.711) in the validation group. The two models outperformed the TNM staging system in predicting outcomes.

Conclusions

Body dose coverage is a useful predictor of prognosis in clinical routine patients. The novel nomograms integrating body dose parameters can precisely predict OS and PFS in NPC patients.
Measured GFR in murine animal models: review on methods, techniques, and procedures
Authors: Teixido-Trujillo Silvia , Luis-Lima Sergio , López-Martínez Marina , Navarro-Díaz Maruja , Díaz-Martín Laura , Escasany-Martínez Elia , Gaspari Flavio , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Ana Elena
Published: August 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide, with increasing rates of morbidity and mortality. Thus, early detection is essential to prevent severe adverse events and the progression of kidney disease to an end stage. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the most appropriate index to evaluate renal function in both clinical practice and basic medical research. Several animal models have been developed to understand renal disease induction and progression. Specifically, murine models are useful to study the pathogenesis of renal damage, so a reliable determination of GFR is essential to evaluate the progression of CKD. However, as in clinical practise, the estimation of GFR in murine by levels of serum/urine creatinine or cystatin-C could not be accurate and needed other more reliable methods. As an alternative, the measurement of GFR by the clearance of exogenous markers like inulin, sinistrin, 51Cr-EDTA, 99mTc-DTPA, 125I-iothalamate, or iohexol could be performed. Nevertheless, both approaches—estimation or measurement of GFR—have their limitations and a standard method for the GFR determination has not been defined. Altogether, in this review, we aim to give an overview of the current methods for GFR assessment in murine models, describing each methodology and focusing on their advantages and limitations.
The genomic landscape of mammal domestication might be orchestrated by selected transcription factors regulating brain and craniofacial development
Authors: Benítez-Burraco Antonio , Uriagereka Juan , Nataf Serge
Published: August 2023

Domestication transforms once wild animals into tamed animals that can be then exploited by humans. The process entails modifications in the body, cognition, and behavior that are essentially driven by differences in gene expression patterns. Although genetic and epigenetic mechanisms were shown to underlie such differences, less is known about the role exerted by trans-regulatory molecules, notably transcription factors (TFs) in domestication. In this paper, we conducted extensive in silico analyses aimed to clarify the TF landscape of mammal domestication. We first searched the literature, so as to establish a large list of genes selected with domestication in mammals. From this list, we selected genes experimentally demonstrated to exhibit TF functions. We also considered TFs displaying a statistically significant number of targets among the entire list of (domestication) selected genes. This workflow allowed us to identify 5 candidate TFs (SOX2, KLF4, MITF, NR3C1, NR3C2) that were further assessed in terms of biochemical and functional properties. We found that such TFs-of-interest related to mammal domestication are all significantly involved in the development of the brain and the craniofacial region, as well as the immune response and lipid metabolism. A ranking strategy, essentially based on a survey of protein-protein interactions datasets, allowed us to identify SOX2 as the main candidate TF involved in domestication-associated evolutionary changes. These findings should help to clarify the molecular mechanics of domestication and are of interest for future studies aimed to understand the behavioral and cognitive changes associated to domestication.
The incidence of type 1 diabetes in children under 15 years of age is rising again—a nationwide study
Authors: Roche Edna F. , McKenna Amanda M. , O’Regan Myra , Ryder Kerry J. , Fitzgerald Helen M. , Hoey Hilary M. C. V.
Published: August 2023

International incidence rates (IRs) and trends of childhood type 1 diabetes (T1D) vary. Recent data from Ireland and other high incidence countries suggested a stabilisation in IRs of T1D in children aged under 15 years. Our primary objective was to report the IR of T1D in children in Ireland from 2019 to 2021 and evaluate if age, sex and season of diagnosis had changed. Incident cases of T1D in those aged under 15 years were identified prospectively by clinicians nationally and reported to the Irish Childhood Diabetes National Register (ICDNR). Following case verification, capture-recapture methodology was applied, and IRs calculated. Numbers of children including age, sex and season of diagnosis per year were evaluated. There were 1027 cases, 542 males (53%). The direct standardised incidence rates (SIRs) increased by 21% overall and were 31.1, 32.2 and 37.6/100,000/year, respectively, with no significant sex difference. The highest IRs were in the 10–14-year category until 2021, then changed to the 5–9-year category (40% of cases). Whilst autumn and winter remain dominant diagnostic seasons, seasonality differed in 2021 with a greater number presenting in spring.

Conclusion: The incidence of childhood T1D in Ireland is increasing, observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and shifting to an earlier age at diagnosis for the first time. The pattern of seasonality also appears to have changed. This may reflect an increased severity of diabetes with important implications for healthcare providers.

What is Known:• Ireland has a very high incidence of T1D in childhood, which had stabilised following a rapid rise, similar to other high incidence countries.• The incidence rate is consistently highest in older children (10–14 years).

What is New:• Irish IR is no longer stable and has increased again, with the highest incidence occurring in the younger 5-9 age category for the first time.• The seasonality of diagnosis has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020–2021.
A user experience analysis for a mobile Mixed Reality application for cultural heritage
Authors: De Luca Valerio , Barba Maria Cristina , D’Errico Giovanni , Nuzzo Benito Luigi , De Paolis Lucio Tommaso
Published: August 2023

Mixed Reality has emerged as a valuable tool for the promotion of cultural heritage. In this context, in particular, the metaphor of virtual portals allows the virtual visit of monuments that are inaccessible or no longer exist in their original form, integrating them into the real environment. This paper presents the development of a Mixed Reality mobile application that proposes a virtual reconstruction of the church of Sant’Elia in Ruggiano, in the southern province of Lecce (Italy). By placing the virtual portal in the same place where the entrance of the church was located, the user can cross this threshold to enter inside and make a virtual journey into the past. The user experience was evaluated by administering a questionnaire to 60 users who tried the application. From the data collected, four user experience factors were identified (interest, focus of attention, presence and usability), which were compared between young and old, male and female users, and between users who had already visited the church in person and all other users. In general, the scores reveal a total independence of the other three factors from usability and a very high level of interest.
The impact of an ultrasound atlas for scoring salivary glands in primary Sjögren’s syndrome: a pilot study
Authors: Schmidt Nanna S. , Fana Viktoria , Danielsen Mads Ammitzbøll , Lindegaard Hanne M. , Voss Anne , Horn Hans Christian , Knudsen John B. , Byg Keld-Erik , Morillon Melanie Birger , Just Søren Andreas , Døhn Uffe M. , Terslev Lene
Published: August 2023

The objective of this pilot study was to assess the impact of a salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) atlas for scoring parenchymal changes in Sjögren’s syndrome by assessing the reliability of the scoring system (0–3), without and with the use of the SGUS atlas. Ten participants with varying experience in SGUS contributed to the reliability exercise. Thirty SGUS images of the submandibular and parotid gland with abnormalities ranging from 0 to 3 were scored using the written definitions of the OMERACT SGUS scoring system and using the SGUS atlas based on the OMERACT scoring system. For intra-reader reliability, two rounds were performed without and with the atlas—in the 2nd round the 30 images were rearranged in random order by a physician not included in the scoring. Inter-reader reliability was also determined in both rounds. Without using the atlas, the SGUS OMERACT scoring system showed fair inter-reader reliability in round 1 (mean kappa 0.36; range 0.06–0.69) and moderate intra-reader reliability (mean kappa 0.55; range 0.28–0.81). With the atlas, inter-reader reliability improved in round 1 to moderate (mean kappa 0.52; range 0.31–0.77) and intra-reader reliability to good (mean kappa 0.69; range 0.46–0.86). Higher intra-reader reliability was noted in participants with previous SGUS experience. The SGUS atlas increased both intra- and inter-reader reliability for scoring gland pathology in participants with varying SGUS experience suggesting a possible future role in clinical practice and trials.

Key Points• Ultrasonography can detect parenchymal changes in salivary glands in patients with Sjögren’s disease.• An ultrasound atlas may improve reliability of scoring parenchymal changes in salivary glands.
Transcriptome and methylome sequencing reveals altered long non-coding RNA genes expression and their aberrant DNA methylation in equine sarcoids
Authors: Semik-Gurgul Ewelina , Gurgul Artur , Szmatoła Tomasz
Published: August 2023

Recent publications confirmed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) perform an essential function in gene-specific transcription regulation. Nevertheless, despite its important role, lncRNA has not yet been described in equine sarcoids, the skin neoplasia of horses. Therefore, the aim of this study is to deepen the knowledge about lncRNA expression in the pathogenesis of equine sarcoids and provide new insight into the regulatory function of lncRNA in the bovine papillomavirus–dependent neoplasia of horse dermal tissues. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from 12 equine sarcoid samples and the corresponding controls were reanalyzed in this study. A total of 3396 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and 128 DElncRNA-DE genes (DEGs) pairs were identified. Differentially expressed lncRNAs predicted target genes were enriched in pathways associated with inter alia the extracellular matrix disassembly and cancer pathways. Furthermore, methylation data from the same samples were integrated into the analysis, and 12 DElncRNAs were described as potentially disturbed by aberrant methylation. In conclusion, this study presents novel data about lncRNA’s role in the pathogenesis of equine sarcoids.
Contested agri-food futures: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Gugganig Mascha , Burch Karly Ann , Guthman Julie , Bronson Kelly
Published: August 2023

Over recent decades, influential agri-food tech actors, institutions, policymakers and others have fostered dominant techno-optimistic, future visions of food and agriculture that are having profound material impacts in present agri-food worlds. Analyzing such realities has become paramount for scholars working across the fields of science and technology studies (STS) and critical agri-food studies, many of whom contribute to STSFAN—the Science and Technology Studies Food and Agriculture Network. This article introduces a Special Issue featuring the scholarship of STSFAN members, which cover a range of case studies and interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary engagements involving such contested agri-food futures. Their contributions are unique in that they emerged from the network’s specific modus operandi: a workshopping practice that supports the constructive, interdisciplinary dialogue necessary for critical research and rigorous analyses of science and technology in agri-food settings. This introduction offers an overview of STS and critical agri-food studies scholarship, including their historical entanglements in respective studies of food scandals, scientific regimes and technological determinism. We illustrate how interdisciplinary engagement across these fields has contributed to the emergent field of what we term agri-food technoscience scholarship, which the contributions of this Special Issue speak to. After a brief discussion of STS concepts, theories and methods shaping agri-food policy, technology design and manufacturing, we present the eleven Special Issue contributions in three thematic clusters: influential actors and their agri-food imaginaries; obfuscated (material) realities in agri-food technologies; and conflictual and constructive engagements in academia and agri-food. The introduction ends with a short reflection on future research trajectories in agri-food technoscience scholarship.
Single-trial ERP Quantification Using Neural Networks
Authors: Depuydt Emma , Criel Yana , De Letter Miet , van Mierlo Pieter
Published: August 2023

Traditional approaches to quantify components in event-related potentials (ERPs) are based on averaging EEG responses. However, this method ignores the trial-to-trial variability in the component’s latency, resulting in a smeared version of the component and underestimates of its amplitude. Different techniques to quantify ERP components in single trials have therefore been described in literature. In this study, two approaches based on neural networks are proposed and their performance was compared with other techniques using simulated data and two experimental datasets. On the simulated dataset, the neural networks outperformed other techniques for most signal-to-noise ratios and resulted in better estimates of the topography and shape of the ERP component. In the first experimental dataset, the highest correlation values between the estimated latencies of the P300 component and the reaction times were obtained using the neural networks. In the second dataset, the single-trial latency estimation techniques showed an amplitude reduction of the N400 effect with age and ascertained this effect could not be attributed to differences in latency variability. These results illustrate the applicability and the added value of neural networks for the quantification of ERP components in individual trials. A limitation, however, is that simulated data is needed to train the neural networks, which can be difficult when the ERP components to be found are not known a priori. Nevertheless, the neural networks-based approaches offer more information on the variability of the timing of the component and result in better estimates of the shape and topography of ERP components.
Treatment Outcomes of Children with Primary Versus Secondary Callous-Unemotional Traits
Authors: Fleming Georgette E. , Neo Bryan , Kaouar Silvana , Kimonis Eva R.
Published: August 2023

Objective: Recent efforts to improve outcomes for young children with conduct problems and callous-unemotional (CU) traits involve adapting treatments to meet the unique needs of this subgroup. However, these efforts have ignored accumulating evidence for distinct primary and secondary variants within the CU subgroup. Existing treatment adaptations uniformly target risk factors associated with primary CU traits and no studies have investigated variant-specific patterns of responsiveness to treatment adaptations among young children with CU-type conduct problems. Method: Participants were 45 families with a 3- to 7-year-old clinic-referred child (M = 4.84 years, SD = 1.08, 84% boys) with conduct problems and CU traits. Primary and secondary CU variants were defined based on baseline parent-rated anxiety scores. All families received Parent-Child Interaction Therapy adapted for CU traits (PCIT-CU) at an urban university-based research clinic. Families completed five assessments measuring child conduct problems and affective outcomes. Results: Linear mixed-effects modeling showed that the rate and shape of change over time in conduct problems differed between variants, such that children with secondary CU traits showed deterioration in defiant and dysregulated behaviors from post-treatment to follow-up, whereas primary CU traits were associated with maintained gains. There were no variant differences in rate of improvement in CU traits. Affective empathy did not improve for either variant. Internalizing problems meaningfully improved by follow-up for children with secondary CU traits. Conclusions: Findings suggest that PCIT-CU is a promising intervention for children with conduct problems and primary CU traits, but may require further personalization for children with secondary CU traits. This trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616000280404).
Nach den Berufswahlpraktika ist vor der Wahl des Ausbildungsberufs: Vorhersage des Entscheids für die Weiterverfolgung eines Praktikumberufs im Berufswahlprozess
Authors: Hofmann Jan , Neuenschwander Markus P.
Published: August 2023

In diesem Artikel wurde untersucht, welche Faktoren dazu führen, dass Jugendliche einen in ihren Schnupperlehren und Berufswahlpraktika ausprobierten Beruf (Praktikumberuf) in ihrem Berufswahlprozess als potenzieller Ausbildungsberuf weiterverfolgen. Als theoretische Grundlage für die Analysen diente Gottfredsons Theory of Circumscription, Compromise, and Self-Creation (TCCSC). Nach Geschlechter getrennt wurde eine Längsschnittstichprobe von 128 weiblichen und 202 männlichen Jugendlichen analysiert, die im siebten und neunten Schuljahr standardisierte Fragebögen ausfüllten und angaben, nach der obligatorischen Schulzeit eine berufliche Grundbildung zu beginnen. Die gerechneten Regressionsmodelle zeigten, dass das Lehrstellenangebot den Weiterverfolgungsentscheid für weibliche wie auch für männliche Jugendliche am stärksten beeinflusst (positiver Effekt). Ausschließlich bei den weiblichen Jugendlichen hat sich gezeigt, dass neben dem Lehrstellenangebot das Ausmaß führend-verkaufender Anforderungen des ausprobierten Praktikumberufs den Entscheid signifikant negativ beeinflusst. Die Ergebnisse stützen die in der TCCSC postulierte Zugänglichkeitsthese, wonach Personen Berufe mit größerer Wahrscheinlichkeit weiterverfolgen, wenn für diese Berufe eine gute Zugänglichkeit im Sinne eines großen Lehrstellenangebots besteht. Eine mögliche Erklärung für den negativen Einfluss führend-verkaufender Anforderungen auf den Weiterverfolgungsentscheid bei weiblichen Jugendlichen ist vor dem Hintergrund des in der TCCSC enthaltenen Kompatibilitätsgedankens, dass weibliche Jugendliche ihre führend-verkaufenden Fähigkeiten möglicherweise als zu gering einschätzen. Infolgedessen nehmen sie Berufe mit hohen führend-verkaufenden Anforderungen als für sich inkompatibel wahr und wenden sich von diesen Berufen ab. Diese Studie konnte mit der Untersuchung der Rolle von Praktikaberufen für den weiteren beruflichen Verlauf eine Lücke in der Berufswahlforschung angehen und bietet wichtige Anknüpfungspunkte für zukünftige Analysen.
Triple assessment breast clinics: The value of clinical core biopsies
Authors: Maha Rahmani , Alison Johnston , Michael Sugrue , Manvydas Varzgalis
Published: August 2023

Background

Triple Assessment Breast Clinics are designed for rapid diagnosis of symptomatic patients. When there is no concordance between clinical and radiological assessment, clinicians perform clinical core biopsies. In patients with a clinically suspicious examination (S4, S5) and normal imaging, clinically guided core biopsy should be performed as per NCCP guidelines. However, substantial research does not exist on the diagnostic value or use of clinical core biopsies in non-suspicious palpable (S3) lesions and practices differ in each health system.

Aims

The aim of this research was to assess the diagnostic value of clinical core biopsies in nonsuspicious, probably benign palpable breast lesions (S3) where image guided cores were not indicated (R1/R2).

Methods

The cohort consisted of patients undergoing clinical core biopsies at a Symptomatic Breast Unit from January 2014 to 2019. Data regarding patient demographics, outcome of triple-assessment and incidence of malignancy were obtained from a prospectively maintained database and results were analysed using Minitab 2018.

Results

Three hundred and sixty patients had a clinical core biopsy performed in this period. Clinical examination scores for these patients were S1/S2 (66), S3 (277), S4 (15), and S5 (2). Radiology Scores were R1/R2 (355) and R3(5). Two patients with clinical score S3 (0.6%) were diagnosed with breast cancer due to their clinical cores. Both patients had normal mass imaging. There was no association between uncertain palpable breast lesions (S3), and atypia or malignancy on biopsy results when breast imaging was normal (P = 0.43, χ2 test).

Conclusion

Despite clinical core biopsies being used in triple assessment, there is no certainty in their value except that there is high clinical suspicion. Imaging modalities are constantly improving and are already well established. When the patient is assigned a clinical score of S3 and has normal radiology, a clinical core biopsy is not required in most cases.
Long noncoding RNA CASC11 suppresses sorafenib-triggered ferroptosis via stabilizing SLC7A11 mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Chen Fei , Wang Liang
Published: August 2023

As a frontline treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), sorafenib is an effective drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Ferroptosis, a newly defined programmed cell death process with the hallmark of the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides, can be induced by sorafenib treatment. Our previous study identified oncogenic roles of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) Cancer susceptibility candidate 11 (CASC11) in HCC progression. However, the relationship between CASC11 and sorafenib-induced ferroptosis in HCC remains unclear. In the present study, we aim to investigate the role of CASC11 in sorafenib-induced ferroptosis in HCC cell lines and determine the involved molecular mechanisms. Here, we demonstrated that sorafenib decreased CASCL11 expression. Knockdown of CASC11 enhanced sorafenib-induced ferroptosis, while overexpression of CASC11 exerted the opposite effect in HCC cells. Moreover, CASC11 led to the accumulation of intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Fe2+ while depleting glutathione (GSH), thereby suppressing sorafenib-induced ferroptosis and cell death. Ferrostatin-1 (Ferr-1), a ferroptosis inhibitor, reversed the enhanced anticancer effect of sorafenib caused by the silence of CASC11 in HCC cells. Mechanistically, CASC11 upregulated the expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) which is critical for ferroptosis inhibition. CASC11 associated with and stabilized SLC7A11 mRNA. In summary, our data revealed, for the first time, that CASC11 inhibits the sorafenib-induced ferroptosis in HCC cells via regulating SLC7A11, providing a new basis for clinical therapeutic strategies for patients with HCC.
Injuries Due to Law Enforcement Use of Force in the United States, 2006-2015: Trends in Severity and by Race
Authors: Strömmer E. M. F. , Leith Wendy , Zeegers Maurice P. , Freeman Michael D.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to assess incidence and severity of hospital reported injuries related to law enforcement Use of Force (UoF) in the US over time, and by race.

Methods

Data from the National Emergency Department Sample from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project and the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS-AIP) from US Consumer Product Safety Commission were queried to identify UoF injuries. Regression analysis, t-tests, and chi-square tests were used in the analysis.

Results

Between 2006-15, there were 529,259 emergency department admissions for UoF injury in the NEDS, and 870,779 admissions in the NEISS-AIP. In a model adjusting for year, sex, and age, the Injury Severity Score increased by 1.1% annually (p<0.0001). Black people were 6 times as likely to be admitted to the ED as White people or Native Americans/Alaska Natives, and 25 times as likely as Asians/Pacific Islanders. Black patients were 4 times as likely as White patients to be admitted as inpatients. Per arrest rate by race using FBI uniform crime reporting data, Black arrestees were 2.5-3.1 times as likely as any other race to be hospitalized for UoF injury.

Conclusion

The results of the study demonstrate that US law enforcement are injuring civilians more frequently and severely over time, and that Black people are disproportionately affected.
An international simulated-use study to assess nurses’ preferences between two lanreotide syringes for patients with neuroendocrine tumours or acromegaly (PRESTO 3)
Authors: Ferone D. , Martin W. , Williams J. , Houchard A. , Pommie C. , Ribeiro-Oliveira A. , Grossman A. B.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

PRESTO 3 evaluated nurses’ preference for the Somatuline® Autogel® syringe versus the Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe after injection-pad testing.

Methods

This international simulated-use study included oncology/endocrinology nurses with ≥ 1 years’ experience in managing neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and/or acromegaly. Each nurse tested both syringes twice in a randomised order before completing an electronic survey. The primary objective was to assess overall preference (%, 95% confidence interval [CI]) for the Somatuline Autogel syringe versus the Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe. Secondary objectives included rating syringe performance and ranking the importance of syringe attributes.

Results

Ninety-four nurses were enrolled: mean age, 41.0 (SD, 11.5) years. The percentage of nurses stating a preference (“strong” or “slight”) for the Somatuline Autogel syringe (86.2% [95% CI 77.5–92.4%]) was significantly higher than 50% (p < 0.0001). Performance rating was significantly higher for the Somatuline Autogel syringe versus Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe for 10 of the 11 attributes tested (p < 0.05). The syringe attributes considered most important when injecting patients in routine clinical practice were “easy to use from preparation to injection” (30.9%) and “comfortable to handle during use from preparation to injection” (16.0%). The attribute most commonly rated as least important was “fast administration from preparation to injection” (26.6%).

Conclusion

Nurses strongly preferred the user experience of the Somatuline Autogel syringe over the Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe. “Ease of use” and “comfortable to handle” were the most important syringe attributes, and performance rating was significantly higher with Somatuline Autogel versus Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe for all but one attribute.

Graphical abstract
Bayesian Analysis of Change Point Problems Using Conditionally Specified Priors
Authors: Shahtahmassebi G. , Sarabia José María
Published: August 2023

In data analysis, change point problems correspond to abrupt changes in stochastic mechanisms generating data. The detection of change points is a relevant problem in the analysis and prediction of time series. In this paper, we consider a class of conjugate prior distributions obtained from conditional specification methodology for solving this problem. We illustrate the application of such distributions in Bayesian change point detection analysis with Poisson processes. We obtain the posterior distribution of model parameters using general bivariate distribution with gamma conditionals. Simulation from the posterior are readily implemented using a Gibbs sampling algorithm. The Gibbs sampling is implemented even when using conditional densities that are incompatible or only compatible with an improper joint density. The application of such methods will be demonstrated using examples of simulated and real data.
Primitive decomposition of Bott–Chern and Dolbeault harmonic (k, k)-forms on compact almost Kähler manifolds
Authors: Holt Tom , Piovani Riccardo
Published: August 2023

We consider the primitive decomposition of $$\overline{\partial }, \partial $$

∂
¯

,
∂

, Bott–Chern and Aeppli-harmonic (k, k)-forms on compact almost Kähler manifolds $$(M,J,\omega )$$

(
M
,
J
,
ω
)

. For any $$D \in \{\overline{\partial }, \partial , \textrm{BC}, \textrm{A}\}$$

D
∈
{

∂
¯

,
∂
,
BC
,
A
}

, it is known that the $$L^k P^{0,0}$$

L
k

P

0
,
0

component of "Equation missing" is a constant multiple of $$\omega ^k$$

ω
k

up to real dimension 6. In this paper we generalise this result to every dimension. We also deduce information on the components $$L^{k-1} P^{1,1}$$

L

k
-
1

P

1
,
1

and $$L^{k-2} P^{2,2}$$

L

k
-
2

P

2
,
2

of the primitive decomposition. Focusing on dimension 8, we give a full description of the spaces "Equation missing" and "Equation missing", from which follows "Equation missing" and "Equation missing". We also provide an almost Kähler 8-dimensional example where the previous inclusions are strict and the primitive components of a harmonic form "Equation missing" are not D-harmonic, showing that the primitive decomposition of (k, k)-forms in general does not descend to harmonic forms.
Effect of Refresh Time on XeF2 Gas-assisted FIB Milling of GaAs
Authors: Sun Jining , Zhang Lei , Zhang Yi , Han Yunlong , Zhang Lei
Published: August 2023

Focused ion beam (FIB) machining can be used to fabricate gallium arsenide-based devices, which have a surface finish of several nanometers, and the FIB machining speed and surface finish can be greatly improved using xenon difluoride (XeF2) gas-assisted etching. Although the refresh time is one of the most important parameters in the gas-assisted etching process, its effect on the machining quality of the surface finish has rarely been studied. Therefore, in this work, we investigated the effect of the refresh time on the etching process, including the dissociation process of XeF2, the refresh time dependency of the sputter in yield under different incident angles, and the surface finish under different refresh times. The results revealed that a selective etching mechanism occurred at different refresh times. At an incidence angle of 0°, the sputtering yield increased with the refresh time and reached its maximum value at 500 ms; at an incidence angle of 30°, the sputtering yield reached its minimum value at a refresh time of 500 ms. For surface roughness, the incident angle played a more important role than the refresh time. The surface finish was slightly better at an incidence angle of 30° than at 0°. In addition, both F and Xe elements were detected in the processed area: Xe elements were evenly distributed throughout the processing area, while F elements tended to accumulate in the whole processing area. The results suggest that the optimum surface can be obtained when a larger refresh time is employed.
Assessment of New Adaptive Finite Elements Based on Carrera Unified Formulation for Meshes with Arbitrary Polygons
Authors: Cinefra M. , Rubino A.
Published: August 2023

The meshing technique represents the capability to discretize the domain of interest, to fit the real physical continuum in the best possible way. The most used approach is the finite-element method (FEM), a numerical method to solve partial differential equations. To overcome the classical issues presented by FEM, other models are investigated. The goal is to allow the problem domain to be discretized by elements represented by arbitrary polygons, which can be concave and convex. Moreover, different polynomial consistency is sought within these methods with the possibility to handle non-conforming discretizations, mainly for local refinement and so on. This work aims to present the new adaptive elements, which are finite elements based on Carrera unified formulation, to demonstrate that all the previous capabilities can be done with these new elements, with easy implementation of the relative model. First, a classical patch test is done to investigate the mesh distortion sensitivity. Then, different study cases are presented with more complex meshes combining very distorted concave and convex elements.
Energy equality of MHD system under a weaker condition on magnetic field
Authors: Eguchi Taichi
Published: August 2023

We prove the energy equality of MHD system in the space founded by Cheskidov et al. (Nonlinearity 21:1233–1252, 2008) and Berselli and Chiodaroli (Nonlinear Anal 192:111704, 2020). It is clarified that the energy equality is established for a larger class of the magnetic field than that of velocity field. Most of the cases, we deal with the energy equality of MHD system in bounded domain. On the other hand, if the spacial integrability exponents of the weak solution are large, it is necessary to use the Besov space, which is suitable for us to handle freely derivatives of the nonlinear convection term. Only in this case we deal with the energy equality of MHD system in the whole space. Our result covers most of previous theorems on validity of the energy equality on the Navier–Stokes equations.
Comparative analysis of a private telehealth clinic and country-wide COVID-19 patient management results
Authors: Chakhunashvili Konstantine , Chakhunashvili Davit G. , Kvirkvelia Eka , Kiknadze Nino
Published: August 2023

The first majorly destructive pandemic of the twenty-first century broke out due to the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 worldwide. Remote management was put in place to efficiently assess the patients to prevent unnecessary hospitalization and educate the infected on the red flags. This study is a retrospective case control study that will contain a retrospective include analysis of medical records of 13,174 pediatric and adult patients with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease and were undergoing remote management at REDMED online clinic in the period of July, 2021 and March, 2022. The retrieved data will be analyzed in specific detail and the hospitalization rate will be compared with country-wide results. The analysis helped us conclude, that there is a statistically significant difference between the country-wide hospitalization rate (16.8% by December 31, 2021 and 15.1% by July, 2022) and hospitalization rate (total mean value—1.8%) recorded at REDMED (×2 = 2123.488, df = 1, p < 0.0001 and ×2 = 1824.761, df = 1, p < 0.0001). This type of discrepancy requires further investigation. However, we have a reason to believe that direct communication with your doctor through an application might be the reason for being compliant and trusting the service provider. Well-managed and organized telemedicine is an efficient tool to manage Coronavirus or other Infectious Diseases remotely, especially when direct patient-to-doctor audiovisual communication is enabled..
DATING ANCIENT CANAL SYSTEMS USING RADIOCARBON DATING AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE AT TELLO/GIRSU, SOUTHERN MESOPOTAMIA, IRAQ
Authors: Egberts Ella , Jotheri Jaafar , Di Michele Angelo , Baxter Antony , Rey Sebastien
Published: August 2023

Mesopotamia is often regarded the “cradle of civilization.” The development of water management practices in the region is thought to have played a key role in the emergence of these early civilizations. We present the first direct dating of a palaeo-canal system at the ancient city of Girsu, Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) (occupied between 4800 and 1600 BC). We describe the use of archaeological and radiocarbon (14C) dating techniques to establish the age of this canal system. Our results show considerable differences between shell 14C dates on the one hand and charcoal 14C dates and archaeological evidence on the other. This likely reflects the impact of freshwater reservoir effects from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Although the FRE from rivers is widely acknowledged, its impact on 14C dates in Mesopotamia is rarely discussed and poorly understood. Our results provide a first indication of its variability and magnitude. With the publication of our results we aim to highlight the problem and re-initiate collaborative research efforts in improving 14C dating in this important region.