bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacy students' knowledge and confidence of COVID‐19 following an interactive didactic class
Authors: Kufel Wesley D. , Blaine Bruce E. , Avery Lisa M.
Published: July 2022

Background

COVID‐19 education for the pharmacy workforce is important to ensure pharmacists are optimizing patient care for the prevention and management of COVID‐19. However, there are currently no reports to our knowledge of education and training experiences for COVID‐19 prevention and management in the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curricula.

Objective

To evaluate pharmacy students' knowledge and confidence regarding COVID‐19 prevention and management before and after an interactive didactic class (IDC).

Methods

A multicenter, quasi‐experimental, cross‐sectional survey study was performed among pharmacy students before and after IDC on COVID‐19 at two schools of pharmacy. The IDC on COVID‐19 consisted of student‐led presentations on a COVID‐19 drug, an infectious disease pharmacist faculty‐led interactive lecture on COVID‐19 prevention and management, and clinical case vignettes to assess COVID‐19 management strategies. An anonymous, voluntary, electronic survey was distributed to students (n = 85) before and after. The pre‐ and postintervention survey contained 10 COVID‐19 knowledge‐based questions and multi‐step, 5‐point Likert scale statements related to COVID‐19 prevention and management confidence. The postintervention survey also evaluated students' perceptions of the COVID‐19 IDC. Descriptive statistics were performed, and Student t test was used to compare pre‐ and postintervention responses.

Results

About 61 surveys were completed resulting in a response rate of 72%. COVID‐19 knowledge scores (mean ± SD) increased overall following the IDC (5.9 ± 1.31 vs 8.6 ± 1.29). Pharmacy students' COVID‐19 confidence scores (mean ± SD) also improved following the IDC (2.66 ± 0.75 vs 4.03 ± 0.53). Students performed well on the COVID‐19 clinical case vignettes with a mean ± SD score of 22.41 ± 0.46 out of 25. Pharmacy students' perceptions of the IDC on COVID‐19 were also positive overall.

Conclusion

Pharmacy students' knowledge and confidence of COVID‐19 prevention and management improved following an IDC. This may be an effective strategy to provide COVID‐19 education during the PharmD curricula.
A qualitative analysis of bank credit risk disclosure: Evidence from the Canadian and Italian banking sectors
Authors: Lajili Kaouthar , Mohsni Sana , Polizzi Salvatore , Scannella Enzo
Published: July 2022

This paper aims to analyze bank credit risk disclosure practices in two different geographical contexts characterized by a homogeneous regulatory framework (Canada and Italy), by means of a qualitative content analysis methodology. We employ an innovative approach, which allows us to investigate both the qualitative and quantitative profiles of disclosures. Unlike an entirely quantitative approach, this comprehensive methodology allows us to analyze in depth the disclosure practices of Canadian and Italian banks and detect their commonalities, differences, points of strength, and weaknesses. Our results show that although there are some variations in the disclosure practices of Canadian and Italian banks, the quality of their disclosures is not significantly different. Among the most relevant differences, it emerges that while Italian banks provide more comprehensive disclosures, Canadian banks offer a more holistic view on credit risk. We contribute to the scant literature on credit risk disclosure by identifying room for improvement for both Canadian and Italian banks.
Flocking dynamics for a multiagent system involving task strategy
Authors: Chen Yipeng , Liu Yicheng
Published: July 2022

Collective behavior sometimes requires forming a particular formation or reaching a certain velocity to accomplish a specific task, such as bird migration. In this paper, we investigate the collective migration model, which consists of two parts: Cucker–Smale type interaction and target velocity. Each agent has a strategy to allocate limited energy to group interaction and velocity tracking. In this case, if the system achieves monocluster flocking then the final velocity is equal to target velocity. When the strategy is invariant, we show that 1/2 is a critical threshold which is consistent with the classical Cucker–Smale model. When the strategy is time varying, we provide a time‐varying strategy named threshold strategy to ensure that for any initial state the system achieves monocluster flocking and the final velocity reaches target velocity. In addition, the case of multiple target velocities is considered. According to the theory of bicluster flocking, we obtain a sufficient framework to guarantee that the system achieves bicluster flocking and two groups would reach their target velocities, respectively.
Oligofructose restores postprandial short‐chain fatty acid levels during high‐fat feeding
Authors: Meyer Rachel K. , Lane Adelina I. , Weninger Savanna N. , Martinez Taylor M. , Kangath Archana , Laubitz Daniel , Duca Frank A.
Published: July 2022

Objective

Obesity is associated with consumption of a Western diet low in dietary fiber, while prebiotics reduce body weight. Fiber induces short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and SCFA administration is beneficial to host metabolic homeostasis. However, the role of endogenous SCFA signaling in the development of obesity is contentious. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to evaluate the postprandial time course of SCFA production and uptake in healthy (chow‐fed), Western diet‐fed (high‐fat diet [HFD]) obese, and oligofructose‐treated HFD‐fed (HFD + OFS) rats.

Methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats were maintained on chow or HFD for 5 weeks, with or without supplementation of 10% OFS for 3 weeks. SCFAs were measured in the ileum, cecum, colon, portal vein, and vena cava at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours postprandially.

Results

Postprandial cecal and portal vein SCFAs were decreased in obese rats compared with lean chow controls, whereas no differences were observed in fasting SCFA concentrations. OFS supplementation increased SCFA levels in the cecum and portal vein during obesity. Butyrate levels were positively associated with portal glucagon‐like peptide 1 and adiposity and with Roseburia relative abundance.

Conclusions

The current study demonstrates that obesity is associated with reduced SCFA production, and that OFS supplementation increases SCFA levels. Additionally, postprandial butyrate production appears to be beneficial to host energy homeostasis.
Weight‐change trajectory in relation to cancer risk: findings from a nationwide cohort study in South Korea
Authors: Tran Thi Phuong Thao , Luu Ngoc Minh , Bui Thi Tra , Han Minji , Lim Min Kyung , Oh Jin‐Kyoung
Published: July 2022

Objective

This study examined relationships between weight‐change trajectories and all cancers and obesity‐related cancer risks.

Methods

A total of 1,882,304 men and 899,912 women from the 2002 to 2017 National Health Insurance Service cohort were included. Weight‐change trajectories in 2002 to 2009, according to BMI, were determined using group‐based trajectory modeling. Cox proportional hazards regression assessed associations between trajectories and cancer incidence.

Results

Overall, >50% of individuals maintained stable weight, as did two‐thirds of those in the overweight and obesity groups. A total of 64,725 men and 37,608 women developed incident cancer. Weight stability in overweight or obesity groups was associated with greater cancer risk. In both sexes, higher weight across BMI groups increased risks of all cancers, obesity‐related cancers and thyroid, colorectal, stomach, liver, prostate, and postmenopausal breast cancer. Stratified by BMI, weight gain increased risks of all cancers and obesity‐related cancers in men with obesity class I and women with overweight. Weight loss decreased risks of obesity‐related cancers, thyroid cancer, and kidney cancer among men with overweight, premenopausal breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer in women with overweight, and obesity‐related cancers and thyroid cancer in women with class I obesity.

Conclusions

Maintaining weight and avoiding weight gain are crucial for reducing cancer risk, but achieving a stable, normal BMI optimizes cancer prevention.
A randomized diet‐induced weight‐loss intervention reduces plasma complement C3: Possible implication for endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Jin Shunxin , Kusters Yvo H. A. M. , Houben Alfons J. H. M. , Plat Jogchum , Joris Peter J. , Mensink Ronald P. , Schalkwijk Casper G. , Stehouwer Coen D. A. , van Greevenbroek Marleen M. J.
Published: July 2022

Objective

Complement C3 and other components of the alternative pathway are higher in individuals with obesity. Moreover, C3 has been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study investigated whether, and how, a weight‐loss intervention reduced plasma C3, activated C3 (C3a), and factor D and explored potential biological effects of such a reduction.

Methods

The study measured plasma C3, C3a, and factor D by ELISA and measured visceral adipose tissue, subcutaneous adipose tissue, and intrahepatic lipid by magnetic resonance imaging in lean men (n = 25) and men with abdominal obesity (n = 52). The men with obesity were randomized to habitual diet or an 8‐week dietary weight‐loss intervention.

Results

The intervention significantly reduced C3 (−0.15 g/L [95% CI: −0.23 to −0.07]), but not C3a or factor D. The C3 reduction was mainly explained by reduction in visceral adipose tissue but not subcutaneous adipose tissue or intrahepatic lipid. This reduction in C3 explained a part of the weight‐loss‐induced improvement of markers of endothelial dysfunction, particularly the reduction in soluble endothelial selectin and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule.

Conclusions

Diet‐induced weight loss in men with abdominal obesity could be a way to lower plasma C3 and thereby improve endothelial dysfunction. C3 reduction may be part of the mechanism via which diet‐induced weight loss could ameliorate the risk of cardiovascular disease in men with abdominal obesity.
Comment on Comment on “Anomalous structural recovery in the near glass transition range in a polymer glass: Data revisited in light of temperature variability in vacuum oven‐based experiments”*
Authors: Jin Shuang , McKenna Gregory B.
Published: July 2022

Cangialosi, Alegría, and Colmenero have made a comment on a paper of ours [Polym. Eng. Sci. 2022:1–13], in which we discussed the concern that the enthalpy recovery data reported by Cangialosi and co‐workers [Phys. Rev. Lett. 2013;111(9):095701] for polystyrene aged up to 15 K below glass transition temperature was anomalous and contradicted existing experimental results from the literature over a similar range of aging conditions. Their response shifts the focus away from the raised questions about their experimental results and attempts to invalidate the data that we cited in support of our argument. Here we respond to the comment and add additional analysis that suggests the structural recovery response of glassy materials exhibits smooth behavior over the full range of measurements, up to 7 or 8 logarithmic decades. We do this by referring to the work on the intrinsic isotherm down‐jump and memory responses of poly(vinyl acetate) between 40°C and 15°C over six logarithmic decades by Kovacs [Fortsch. Hochpolym. Fo. 1963;3(1/2):394–508], the small‐strain tensile creep of poly(vinyl chloride) quenched from 90°C to 40°C (approximately 40°C below Tg) over seven logarithmic decades from Struik [Polym Eng. Sci., 1977;17:165–173], and the volume recovery behavior for aging times up to 3 months in a temperature range between 95°C and −50°C by Greiner and Schwarzl [Rheol. Acta. 1984;23(4):378–395]. We also add discussion that an isothermal aging procedure using a vacuum oven is highly vulnerable to temperature errors due to the problem of good temperature control when the heat transfer mechanism is primarily radiative.
Structure elucidation and toxicological evaluation of cyclic Polyethersulfone oligomers present in extracts of membrane filters
Authors: Menzel Roberto , Maier Tanja , Täuscher Eric , von Mertz Franziska Spruner , Freiberger Emma , Golz Christopher , Fruth Lothar , Pahl Ina , Hauk Armin
Published: July 2022

Polyethersulfone (PES) is a widely used polymer in consumer and technical products. An important application is PES membranes used in the biopharmaceutical industry for sterilizing‐grade filtration and for filtration of food and beverages. For both uses, detailed information about migrating compounds that can be extracted from the polymeric material into a liquid must be gathered. In the pharmaceutical industry, comprehensive extractables studies are required for contact materials, and the data is used in the qualification of the process equipment. PES is generated via polycondensation, which forms cyclic oligomers as a by‐product of the reaction. However, no structural information is available for these cyclic oligomers so far. In this publication, we present the analytical determination of PES cyclic oligomers. Their presence in extracts of PES membrane filters is confirmed. The structure of the PES cyclic trimer is elucidated by X‐ray and NMR investigation, obtained as crystals from the sublimation of the PES raw material. A strategy is shown to assess the toxicity of such cyclic oligomers and to derive a permitted daily exposure (PDE). The data will reduce the levels of unknowns in extractables and leachables screenings and supports the risk assessment of PES sterile filters.
Social bonding strategies in the context of retirement migration to nonmetropolitan areas in the United States—Insights from Michigan and North Carolina
Authors: Matysiak Ilona
Published: July 2022

This article aims to explore social bonding strategies of 35 older Americans who in‐migrated to nonmetropolitan areas in the United States upon their retirement. The qualitative research covered Leelanau County in Michigan and Transylvania County in North Carolina as examples of important but less studied retirement destinations compared to the elderly's residential mobility to the Sun Belt region. The main research problem addressed was to what extent older in‐migrants create and develop social bonds in their new places of residence, how and with whom. The analysis showed that the interviewees connect with others mostly through volunteering and community engagement, practices related to hobbies and leisure, as well as by joining local churches and religious groups. Their social relationships, however, are often limited to other ‘transplants’, and raise concerns about support needed when their health deteriorates.
Computing and analyzing the normalized Laplacian spectrum and spanning tree of the strong prism of the dicyclobutadieno derivative of linear phenylenes
Authors: Liu Jia‐Bao , Gu Jiao‐Jiao
Published: July 2022

The study of topological indices of some special chemical graphs has become a hot topic in chemical theory. Let Ln be the dicyclobutadieno derivative of linear phenylene which consists of n hexagons and (n + 1) quadrangles and let be the strong prism of the dicyclobutadieno derivative of linear phenylenes. Firstly, we obtain that the normalized Laplacian spectrum of consists of the eigenvalues of symmetric matrices and according to the decomposition theorem of normalized Laplacian characteristic polynomial. Then, by taking full advantage of the relationship between the roots and coefficients of the characteristic polynomials of the above two matrices, we determine the explicit expressions of the multiplicative degree‐Kirchhoff index and the number of spanning trees of the graph .
Carbon sequestration efficiency in red paddy soil originating from different parent materials in Jiangxi, China
Authors: Liao Qianyi , Liang Feng , He Xiaolin , Miao Yulin , Wang Lu , Zheng Qin , Li Xiaomao , Li Xizhen , Zhang Qin , Zhao Xiaomin
Published: July 2022

Red paddy soils in southern China originate from various parent materials; however, the respective characteristics of C sequestration efficiency (CSE) are unclear. Here, three cultivated land monitoring sites in Jiangxi province were examined, with soils originating from argillaceous rock, quaternary red clay, and granite. We assessed crop yield and soil physicochemical properties over several years and measured soil organic C (SOC) storage, SOC fractions, and chemical structure in 2019 to test differences in CSE characteristics, SOC structure stability, and factors affecting red paddy soils. The change in SOC storage under long‐term fertilization showed the following descending order: red paddy soils derived from argillaceous rock (1.10 t ha−1 yr−1) > granite (0.75 t ha−1 yr−1) > quaternary red clay (0.12 t ha−1 yr−1); the order of CSE was granite (0.24) > argillaceous rock (0.22) > quaternary red clay (0.08). Red paddy soil from argillaceous rock had the highest proportion of recalcitrant organic C (ROC) and SOC stability (aromaticity 0.45). Red paddy soil originating from granite had the lowest ROC proportion (54%) and SOC stability (aromaticity 0.35). Soil properties, organic C input, and amount of N fertilizer explained 53.6% of the total CSE variation. SOC, pH, and organic C input were the main factors affecting CSE, with relative contribution rates of 36.4, 6.2, and 6.3%, respectively. pH (30.4%) was the main factor affecting CSE variation in argillaceous rock paddy soil. Soil organic C (52.2%) was the main factor explain CSE variation in quaternary red clay‐derived red paddy soil. Soil organic C and organic C input explained 39.4 and 21.3% of the variation in CSE in granite‐derived paddy soils. The parent material can directly or indirectly affect CSE through soil texture.
Thermo‐controlled, self‐released smart wood tailored by nanotechnology for fast clean‐up of highly viscous liquids
Authors: Cai Yahui , Wu Jianfei , Wang Kaili , Dong Youming , Hu Jundie , Qu Jiafu , Tian Dan , Li Jianzhang , Fu Qiliang
Published: July 2022

Designing highly porous materials is of great importance for liquid separation, water purification, and disinfection, such as spill oil cleaning and recycling, seawater desalting, and oil/water separation. However, a remaining challenge is to produce porous materials with the characteristics of fast absorption, continuous directional transport, and self‐release of viscous liquid. Herein, a functional cellulosic composite is reported by the chemical treatment and functionalization of wood resulting in a smart wood that can thermally self‐release and separate high viscosity oil. The smart wood has a high absorption speed of 1398 mL/(m2·s) (ethylene glycol) and a maximum absorption capacity of 47.2 g/g (chloroform) due to its intrinsic vertical micro/nanoscale channel structure, low tortuosity, and high porosity. Moreover, the switchable wettability is achieved by the surface coating of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) on the porous wood, which enables the collection and removal of oil from the oil/water mixture. The high viscosity oil can be automatically released due to the passive oil release at room temperature. The release capacity of the smart wood remains above 91% after 15 cyclic tests. We envision that this functional smart wood could be extended to a wide range of applications in smart hydrogels, microfluidics, artificial drug release, and environmental restoration.
Scientific Challenges and Improvement Strategies of Zn‐Based Anodes for Aqueous Zn‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Yuxiu , Li Luping , Ji Xu , Cheng Shuang
Published: July 2022

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted widespread attention due to the intrinsic features of Zn‐based anodes, mainly including high capacity, low cost, and low working potential together with high over‐potential for hydrogen evolution reaction. Aqueous ZIBs are considered to be strong competitors and substitutes for lead‐acid, nickel‐metal hydrogen, nickel‐cadmium, and even lithium‐ion batteries. Great efforts have been made in the past few years towards the issues existed in aqueous ZIBs, mainly including alkaline and mild acidic systems. In this perspective, we illustrate the advantages, the main challenges, and the corresponding solution strategies of Zn‐based anodes in various aqueous rechargeable ZIBs with alkaline and mild acidic electrolytes. Furthermore, feasible aqueous ZIBs for practical use are prospected.
Evidence of bovine immunodeficiency virus: A molecular survey in water buffalo populations of Iran
Authors: Keshavarz Haniyeh , Mohammadi Ali , Morovati Solmaz
Published: July 2022

Background

Bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) is a member of the Retroviridae family causing a progressive lifelong infection in cattle and buffaloes.

Objective

Despite the worldwide distribution of the virus, the studies concerning the prevalence of BIV in buffalo populations have not been conducted in Iran as yet.

Methods

The BIV proviral DNA was surveyed in 120 whole blood samples of water buffaloes in southwestern Iran. Nested PCR was employed to amplify a 298‐bp fragment of the pol gene. The BIV Pol sequence was detected in 9.1% of the samples. Among PCR‐positive samples, two amplified fragments were confirmed by nucleotide sequencing.

Results and conclusions

The studied sequences were completely identical to each other and had more than 98%–99% nucleotide homology to R‐29 and HXB3 sequences previously deposited in GenBank. Some point mutations that caused coding substitutions were observed in the studied isolates, compared to other strains. A phylogenetic tree was generated based on the BIV Pol nucleotide sequences reported from other countries. All the BIV strains originated from a unique main cluster and then separated from each other over time. This is the first report on the molecular detection of BIV infections in water buffalo populations in Iran. The wide distribution of BIV in different countries including Iran indicates the importance of the infection as it relates to animal health. Although buffaloes show greater resistance to diseases, they should be considered a health risk to cattle. Furthermore, BIV has negative effects on buffalo milk production and can predispose them to secondary infections. Hence, the findings of this study can advance our understanding of the occurrence of BIV infection in Iran, which can play an important role in the distribution of the disease worldwide.
Return, Precarity and Vulnerability in West Africa: Evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Bisong Amanda
Published: July 2022

This chapter analyses how return and reintegration programmes for irregular migrants and rejected asylum seekers construct and create vulnerabilities. The chapter analyses the lived experiences of returnees in Edo state, Nigeria. It examines the experiences of irregular migrants and rejected asylum seekers who were returned to their places of origin through AVRR programmes or other forms of return assistance programmes. First it examines the context of return migration in Nigeria and the legal-bureaucratic construction of vulnerability in the Nigerian context. Then it proceeds to analyse the efforts of the Nigerian state in implementing return and reintegration programmes. Based on 15 in-depth interviews with returnees, civil society organisations and government officials, it examines the experiences of returnees and their perspectives of vulnerability and precarity in returning to their communities of origin. The research finds that poorly implemented return programmes, may worsen the vulnerabilities of migrants instead of promoting their integration. However, migrants may reinforce their vulnerabilities in order to benefit from perceived advantages offered by the state or international organisations. Lastly, family and community efforts help migrants cope with the vulnerabilities they are exposed to in their communities of origin.
International Remittances and Development in West Africa: The Case of Burkina Faso
Authors: Tapsoba Tebkieta Alexandra , Hubert Dabiré Bonayi
Published: July 2022

Remittances are one of the precious spin-offs of international migration in developing countries. They have been fast growing for the last decade, but like any other income, they fluctuate with economic conditions which are affected by several shocks, such as the ongoing covid 19 pandemic. Nevertheless, these transfers sometimes exceed Official Development Aid (ODA) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in some parts of the World such as Sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating their importance for promoting socio-economic development. This chapter focuses on Burkina Faso, a West African country where more than 80% of the population practice subsistence agriculture, and bear heavily the consequences of poor climatic conditions, exacerbated by the ongoing climate change. The country also has a great history of migration mainly written by its colonial past. Using data from several sources such as the World Bank indicators and national surveys, this chapter aims firstly to understand the trends of remittances flows in the country for the last decade. Secondly, using a national survey on migration conducted in the country, we found that receiving international remittances increases the probability of setting up a non-agricultural business. This result suggests that remittances can help households to set up businesses and be less dependent on climatic conditions.
The Classic Ontology of Leadership
Authors: Tipurić Darko
Published: July 2022

This chapter argues that leadership can be viewed from more than one perspective. Leadership is conceptualized both as the concept that denotes an individual or a group of individuals whose authority has been accepted by others and, a process in which the set goals, plans and tasks are realized through exerting influence on one’s followers and their behaviour. The chapter describes three types of theoretical approaches according to the classic ontology of leadership: (1) leader-focused based on leadership traits, skills and styles, (2) follower-focused based on information processing, social constructivism paradigm and implicit leadership theories, and (3) situation-focused centered on the impact of the situation on leadership and its manifestations).
Facing Tensions in Strategic Leadership
Authors: Tipurić Darko
Published: July 2022

This chapter leads readers beyond the known boundaries of previous thinking in strategic leadership and confronts the tensions and paradoxes that this phenomenon carries, thus giving a whole new dimension and category of thinking on strategic leadership. Paradoxes and incongruities are undoubtedly the defining characteristics of organizational ambience, and it is the strategic leader’s task to overcome them, orchestrate the organizational tensions and develop mechanisms that will contribute to the organization’s better embeddedness in the present and future social context. Conflicting discourses, concepts, interests, understandings, or aspirations lead to much organizational tension and many paradoxes that strategic leaders must deal with on a daily basis.
Strategic Leadership Between Hegemony and Ideology
Authors: Tipurić Darko
Published: July 2022

This chapter introduces the construct of hegemony of strategic leadership and the categories of power and how it reflects on strategic leadership. Within an organization, hegemony gets an additional meaning. It refers to the members ‘and the entire collective’s acceptance of the dominant organizational ideology and aspirations established by the managerial elite. Further, power is an inevitable category when it comes to understanding social relations and structures. Having power means being able to influence the behaviour of others but not necessarily to also modify their behaviour. In this chapter, the author skilfully fills the philosophical gap in the field of strategic leadership, defending the thesis that strategic leadership is inseparable from organizational ideology.
Prerequisites for the clinical implementation of a markerless SGRT-only workflow for the treatment of breast cancer patients
Authors: Sauer Tim-Oliver , Ott Oliver J. , Lahmer Godehard , Fietkau Rainer , Bert Christoph
Published: July 2022

Purpose

A markerless workflow for the treatment of breast cancer patients has been introduced and evaluated retrospectively. It includes surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT)-only positioning for patients with small cone beam CT (CBCT) position corrections during the first five fractions. Prerequisites and the frequency of its clinical application were evaluated, as well as potential benefits in terms of treatment time and dose savings, the frequency of CBCT scans, and the accuracy of the positioning.

Methods

A group of 100 patients treated with the new workflow on two Versa HD linacs has been compared to a matched control group of patients treated with the former workflow, which included prepositioning with skin markings and lasers, SGRT and daily CBCT. The comparison was based on the evaluation of logfiles.

Results

Of the patients treated with the new workflow, 40% did not receive daily CBCT scans. This resulted in mean time savings of 97 s, 166 s and 239 s per fraction for the new workflow, for patients treated without daily CBCT and for SGRT-only fractions, respectively, when compared to the old workflow. Dose savings amounted to a weighted computed tomography dose index reduction of CTDIW = 2.56 cGy on average for normofractionated treatment and weekly CBCTs, while for patients not treated with daily CBCT, SGRT-based positioning accuracy was 5.2 mm for the mean translational magnitude, as evaluated by CBCT.

Conclusion

For 40% of the patients, after five fractions with small CBCT corrections, the workflow could be changed to SGRT-only positioning with weekly CBCT. This leads to imaging dose and time savings and thus also reduced intrafraction motion, potentially increased patient throughput and patient comfort, while assuring appropriate positioning accuracy.
Development and evaluation of an automated solvent-assisted flavour evaporation (aSAFE)
Authors: Schlumpberger Philipp , Stübner Christine A. , Steinhaus Martin
Published: July 2022

Artefact-avoiding isolation of the volatiles from foods is a crucial step before analysis of odour-active compounds by gas chromatography (GC). In the past 20 years, solvent extraction followed by solvent-assisted flavour evaporation (SAFE) has become the standard approach, particularly prior to GC–olfactometry. The manual valve of the SAFE equipment, however, leads to suboptimal yields and the risk of a contamination of the volatile isolate with non-volatiles. We thus developed an automated SAFE (aSAFE) approach by replacing the manual valve with an electronically controlled pneumatic valve. The aSAFE provides clearly higher yields than the manual SAFE (mSAFE), notably from extracts high in lipids and for odorants with comparably high boiling points. Additionally, aSAFE substantially reduces the risk of non-volatiles being transferred to the volatile isolate. Full automatisation is possible by combining the aSAFE approach with an automated liquid nitrogen refill system as well as an endpoint recognition and shut-off system.
Antioxidative potential of Lactobacillus sp. in ameliorating D-galactose-induced aging
Authors: Kumar Harsh , Bhardwaj Kanchan , Valko Marian , Alomar Suliman Y. , Alwasel Saleh H. , Cruz-Martins Natália , Dhanjal Daljeet Singh , Singh Reena , Kuča Kamil , Verma Rachna , Kumar Dinesh
Published: July 2022

Aging is a progressive, unalterable physiological degradation process of living organisms, which leads to deterioration of biological function and eventually to senescence. The most prevalent factor responsible for aging is the accumulation of damages resulting from oxidative stress and dysbiosis. D-galactose-induced aging has become a hot topic, and extensive research is being conducted in this area. Published literature has reported that the continuous administration of D-galactose leads to the deterioration of motor and cognitive skills, resembling symptoms of aging. Hence, this procedure is employed as a model for accelerated aging. This review aims to emphasize the effect of D-galactose on various bodily organs and underline the role of theLactobacillussp. in the aging process, along with its anti-oxidative potential. A critical consideration to the literature describing animal models that have used theLactobacillussp. in amending D-galactose-induced aging is also given.

Key points

• D-Galactose induces the aging process via decreasing the respiratory chain enzyme activity as well as ATP synthesis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased ROS production.

• D-Galactose induced aging primarily affects the brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and skin.

• The anti-oxidative potential of Lactobacillus sp. in improving D-galactose-induced aging in animal models via direct feeding and feeding of Lactobacillus-fermented food.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment in Alzheimer’s disease: a meta-analysis of its efficacy as a function of protocol characteristics and degree of personalization
Authors: Menardi Arianna , Dotti Lisa , Ambrosini Ettore , Vallesi Antonino
Published: July 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents the most common type of neurodegenerative disorder. Although our knowledge on the causes of AD remains limited and no curative treatments are available, several interventions have been proposed in trying to improve patients’ symptomatology. Among those, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been shown a promising, safe and noninvasive intervention to improve global cognitive functioning. Nevertheless, we currently lack agreement between research studies on the optimal stimulation protocol yielding the highest efficacy in these patients. To answer this query, we conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases and meta-analysis of studies published in the last 10 years (2010–2021) according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Differently from prior published meta-analytic work, we investigated whether protocols that considered participants-specific neuroimaging scans for the selection of individualized stimulation targets held more successful outcomes compared to those relying on a generalized targeting selection criteria. We then compared the effect sizes of subsets of studies based on additional protocol characteristics (frequency, duration of intervention, number of stimulation sites, use of concomitant cognitive training and patients’ educational level). Our results confirm TMS efficacy in improving global cognitive functioning in mild-to-moderate AD patients, but also highlight the flaws of current protocols characteristics, including a possible lack of sufficient personalization in stimulation protocols.
Delayed gastric emptying after classical Whipple or pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: a randomized clinical trial (QUANUPAD)
Authors: Busquets J. , Martín S. , Secanella Ll. , Sorribas M. , Cornellà N. , Altet J. , Peláez N. , Bajen M. , Carnaval T. , Videla S. , Fabregat J.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) has been the gold standard for pancreatic head lesion resection for several years. Some studies have noted that it involves more delayed gastric emptying (DGE) than classical Whipple (i.e., pancreatoduodenectomy with antrectomy). Our working hypothesis was that the classical Whipple has a lower incidence of DGE. We aimed to compare the incidence of DGE among pancreatoduodenectomy techniques.

Methods

This pragmatic, randomized, open-label, single-center clinical trial involved patients who underwent classical Whipple (study group) or PPPD (control group). Gastric emptying was clinically evaluated using scintigraphy. DGE was defined according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) criteria. The secondary endpoints were postoperative morbidity, length of hospital stay, anthropometric measurements, and nutritional status.

Results

A total of 84 patients were randomized (42 per group). DGE incidence was 50% (20/40, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 35–65%) in the study group and 62% (24/39, 95% CI: 46–75%) in the control group (p = 0.260). No differences were observed between both groups regarding postoperative morbidity or length of hospital stay. Anthropometric measurements at 6 months post-surgery: triceps fold measurements were 12 mm and 16 mm (p = 0.021). At 5 weeks post-surgery, triceps fold measurements were 13 mm and 16 mm (p = 0.020) and upper arm circumferences were 26 cm and 28 cm (p = 0.030). No significant differences were observed in nutritional status.

Conclusion

DGE incidence and severity did not differ between classical Whipple and PPPD. Some anthropometric measurements may indicate a better recovery with PPPD.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03984734.
Introducing heart rate variability monitoring combined with biomarker screening into a level IV NICU: a prospective implementation study
Authors: Kurul Şerife , van Ackeren Nicky , Goos Tom G. , Ramakers Christian R. B. , Been Jasper V. , Kornelisse René F. , Reiss Irwin K. M. , Simons Sinno H. P. , Taal H. Rob
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the implementation of a local heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring guideline combined with determination of inflammatory biomarkers and mortality, measures of sepsis severity, frequency of sepsis testing, and antibiotic usage, among very preterm neonates. In January 2018, a guideline was implemented for early detection of late-onset neonatal sepsis using HRV monitoring combined with determination of inflammatory biomarkers. Data on all patients admitted with a gestational age at birth of < 32 weeks were reviewed in the period January 2016–June 2020 (n = 1,135; n = 515 pre-implementation, n = 620 post-implementation). Outcomes of interest were (sepsis-related) mortality, sepsis severity (neonatal sequential organ failure assessment (nSOFA)), sepsis testing, and antibiotic usage. Differences before and after implementation of the guideline were assessed using logistic and linear regression analysis for binary and continuous outcomes respectively. All analyses were adjusted for gestational age and sex. Mortality within 10 days of a sepsis episode occurred in 39 (10.3%) and 34 (7.6%) episodes in the pre- and post-implementation period respectively (P = 0.13). The nSOFA course during a sepsis episode was significantly lower in the post-implementation group (P = 0.01). We observed significantly more blood tests for determination of inflammatory biomarkers, but no statistically significant difference in number of blood cultures drawn and in antibiotic usage between the two periods.

Conclusion: Implementing HRV monitoring with determination of inflammatory biomarkers might help identify patients with sepsis sooner, resulting in reduced sepsis severity, without an increased use of antibiotics or number of blood cultures.

What is Known:• Heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring might be used as an early warning system to diagnose preterm neonates at risk of developing sepsis.• It has already been shown that HRV monitoring could reduce mortality; however, there are concerns that HRV monitoring alone could lead to higher rates of blood cultures and overuse of antibiotics.

What is New:• Implementing HRV monitoring with determination of inflammatory biomarkers might help identify patients with sepsis sooner, resulting in reduced sepsis severity, without an increased use of antibiotics or number of blood cultures.
Complex geometry of volcanic vents and asymmetric particle ejection: experimental insights
Authors: Schmid Markus , Kueppers Ulrich , Cigala Valeria , Dingwell Donald B.
Published: July 2022

Explosive volcanic eruptions eject a gas-particle mixture into the atmosphere. The characteristics of this mixture in the near-vent region are a direct consequence of the underlying initial conditions at fragmentation and the geometry of the shallow plumbing system. Yet, it is not possible to observe directly the sub-surface parameters that drive such eruptions. Here, we use scaled shock-tube experiments mimicking volcanic explosions in order to elucidate the effects of a number of initial conditions. As volcanic vents can be expected to possess an irregular geometry, we utilise three vent designs, two “complex” vents and a vent with a “real” volcanic geometry. The defining geometry elements of the “complex” vents are a bilateral symmetry with a slanted top plane. The “real” geometry is based on a photogrammetric 3D model of an active volcanic vent with a steep and a diverging vent side. Particle size and density as well as experimental pressure are varied. Our results reveal a strong influence of the vent geometry, on both the direction and the magnitude of particle spreading and the velocity of particles. The overpressure at the vent herby controls the direction of the asymmetry of the gas-particle jet. These findings have implications for the distribution of volcanic ejecta and resulting areas at risk.
Provenance of Oligocene–Miocene sedimentary rocks in the Cuu Long and Nam Con Son basins, Vietnam and early history of the Mekong River
Authors: Breitfeld H. Tim , Hennig-Breitfeld Juliane , BouDagher-Fadel Marcelle , Schmidt William J. , Meyer Kevin , Reinprecht Jeff , Lukie Terrence , Cuong Trinh Xuan , Hall Robert , Kollert Nils , Gough Amy , Ismail Rafika
Published: July 2022

The offshore Cuu Long (CLB) and Nam Con Son (NCSB) basins of SE Vietnam are two important Cenozoic hydrocarbon-bearing basins in the southern South China Sea (SCS), which can contribute to understanding the evolution of major SE Asian river systems, in particular the Mekong River. The Oligocene to Early Miocene basin fill of the Cuu Long Basin is dominated by sediment sourced locally from the Da Lat Zone basement on land. Sandstones have abundant Cretaceous detrital zircons and heavy mineral assemblages dominated by apatite and epidote. The Bach Ho Unconformity at c. 16 to 20.5 Ma marks a major provenance change and the overlying Middle to Late Miocene Con Son and Dong Nai formations were sourced by a large river system, which drained Indochina or even the Himalaya, resembling the present-day Mekong River. These formations have heterogeneous detrital zircon populations dominated by Triassic ages and zircon–rutile–tourmaline-dominated heavy mineral assemblages. The Oligocene Cau and Early Miocene Dua formations of the Nam Con Son Basin have a similar provenance to the CLB Con Son and Dong Nai formations, indicating a comparable drainage history of a large proto-Chao Phraya. At the Dua Unconformity at c. 15.4 to 17 Ma the Indochina provenance signature changes to a predominant Sibumasu signature.

The early Mekong River evolution is suggested to have involved two river systems. A proto-Mekong 1 initially filled the CLB, while at the same time a proto-Chao Phraya River with a capture area into the Himalaya filled the Malay Basin and/or the NCSB. At the end of the Early Miocene drainage was completely reorganised, and the proto-Mekong 1 captured the headwaters of the proto-Chao Phraya and became the proto-Mekong 2, while the NCSB was filled by sediment from the Malay–Thai Peninsula. This major change marks a very important drainage reorganisation in the southern SCS region.
Evidence of Early Permian extension during the post-Variscan evolution of the central Southern Alps (N Italy)
Authors: Locchi Sofia , Zanchetta Stefano , Zanchi Andrea
Published: July 2022

In the central Southern Alps (N Italy) some well-preserved Permian extensional structures, that exceptionally escaped the Alpine deformation, have been recently identified. Their analysis offers important insights for the interpretation of the post-Variscan tectonics affecting the Southern Alps during the Permian. We describe here a previously unknown fault system related to the development of the Early Permian Orobic Basin, where large exposures of the Variscan basement preserve their original tectonic contacts with the overlying Lower Permian cover. The fault system consists of Low-Angle Normal Faults (LANFs) accompanied by High-Angle Normal faults (HANFs), these last entirely developed within the volcanic, volcaniclastic and terrigenous deposits. The studied structures occurring in the upper part of the Gerola Valley, share several features with Early Permian normal faults already recognized in other areas of the central Southern Alps. The low-angle normal fault planes are characterized by a continuous layer of coarse-grained fault breccias, locally impregnated by tourmalinites. The fault rocks have been invariably observed along the fault surface at the basement-cover contact all across the study area. This newly identified fault system with its characteristic combination of low- and high-angle normal faults suggests a tectonic regime characterized by pure extension in the central Southern Alps, rather than by a transtensional regime during the Early Permian. The provided data give new insights into the Early Permian geodynamic scenario, which is discussed in light of the transition from the Pangea B to the Pangea A configuration.
Patterns for legal compliance checking in a decidable framework of linked open data
Authors: Francesconi Enrico , Governatori Guido
Published: July 2022

This paper presents an approach for legal compliance checking in the Semantic Web which can be effectively applied for applications in the Linked Open Data environment. It is based on modeling deontic norms in terms of ontology classes and ontology property restrictions. It is also shown how this approach can handle norm defeasibility. Such methodology is implemented by decidable fragments of OWL 2, while legal reasoning is carried out by available decidable reasoners. The approach is generalised by presenting patterns for modeling deontic norms and norms compliance checking.
A knowledge graph embeddings based approach for author name disambiguation using literals
Authors: Santini Cristian , Gesese Genet Asefa , Peroni Silvio , Gangemi Aldo , Sack Harald , Alam Mehwish
Published: July 2022

Scholarly data is growing continuously containing information about the articles from a plethora of venues including conferences, journals, etc. Many initiatives have been taken to make scholarly data available in the form of Knowledge Graphs (KGs). These efforts to standardize these data and make them accessible have also led to many challenges such as exploration of scholarly articles, ambiguous authors, etc. This study more specifically targets the problem of Author Name Disambiguation (AND) on Scholarly KGs and presents a novel framework, Literally Author Name Disambiguation (LAND), which utilizes Knowledge Graph Embeddings (KGEs) using multimodal literal information generated from these KGs. This framework is based on three components: (1) multimodal KGEs, (2) a blocking procedure, and finally, (3) hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering. Extensive experiments have been conducted on two newly created KGs: (i) KG containing information from Scientometrics Journal from 1978 onwards (OC-782K), and (ii) a KG extracted from a well-known benchmark for AND provided by AMiner (AMiner-534K). The results show that our proposed architecture outperforms our baselines of 8–14% in terms of F1 score and shows competitive performances on a challenging benchmark such as AMiner. The code and the datasets are publicly available through Github (https://github.com/sntcristian/and-kge) and Zenodo (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6309855) respectively.