bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The acquisition of thin sections of açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) seed with elevated potassium content for molecular mapping by mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Brum Felipe Lopes , Martins Gabriel R. , Mohana‐Borges Ronaldo , Sant'Ana da Silva Ayla
Published: January 2023

Rationale

Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI‐IMS) of tissues became popular in the last decade. Consequently, adapting sample preparation methods for different materials turned out to be a pivotal step for successful analysis due to the requirement of sample slices of 12–20 μm thickness. However, acquiring thin sections compatible with MALDI‐IMS for unusual samples is challenging, as existing histological protocols may not be suitable, thus requiring new methods. Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) seed is an example of a challenging material due to its toughness and resistance to crack, therefore our goal was to develop a methodology to obtain thin (12–20 μm) and entire sections of açaí seeds for MALDI‐IMS analysis.

Methods

Different strategies were evaluated for obtaining thin sections of seeds, and the combination of the following steps was found to be the most suitable option: (i) softening of seeds by water immersion for 24 h; (ii) transversal cut of seeds to obtain half‐seeds using a razor blade and a hammer; (iii) half‐seeds imbibition in gelatin; (iv) samples sectioning using a cryostat at −20°C to obtain samples with 12–20 μm thickness; (v) collection of samples in an indium tin oxide‐coated glass slide covered by double‐sided copper tape to avoid sample wrapping and ensure adhesion after unfreezing; and (vi) storage of samples in a −80°C freezer, if necessary.

Results

This adapted sample preparation method enabled the analysis of açaí seeds by MALDI‐IMS, providing spatial distribution of carbohydrates in the endosperm.

Conclusions

The adaptations developed for sample preparation will help investigate the metabolic and physiological properties of açaí seeds in future studies.
The limits of limit cases: Sexual ethics and graduate student–staff relationships
Authors: Sikka Tina
Published: January 2023

This article examines whether, and if so how, the alternative model of sexual ethics, namely, apleasure and care‐centred ethic of embodied and relational sexual Otherness, performs when given scenarios or case studies that push up against its ethico‐political limits. I focus here on the case of intimate relationships that emerge between graduate students and their supervisors. The two case studies examined are the Avital Ronell case and a composite case constructed from the lived experience and personal stories of women who have what they deem are/were successful intimate relationships with their PhD supervisors—sometimes resulting in marriage. Following a critique of sexual consent, the article engages in a close critical analysis of each case in line with the pleasure and care‐centered ethic of embodied and relational sexual Otherness and, in doing so, engages with issues of power, ethicality, pleasure, justice, and gender norms before offering ways forward.
Propensity score matching after multiple imputation when a confounder has missing data
Authors: Ségalas Corentin , Leyrat Clémence , Carpenter James R. , Williamson Elizabeth
Published: January 2023

One of the main challenges when using observational data for causal inference is the presence of confounding. A classic approach to account for confounding is the use of propensity score techniques that provide consistent estimators of the causal treatment effect under four common identifiability assumptions for causal effects, including that of no unmeasured confounding. Propensity score matching is a very popular approach which, in its simplest form, involves matching each treated patient to an untreated patient with a similar estimated propensity score, that is, probability of receiving the treatment. The treatment effect can then be estimated by comparing treated and untreated patients within the matched dataset. When missing data arises, a popular approach is to apply multiple imputation to handle the missingness. The combination of propensity score matching and multiple imputation is increasingly applied in practice. However, in this article we demonstrate that combining multiple imputation and propensity score matching can lead to over‐coverage of the confidence interval for the treatment effect estimate. We explore the cause of this over‐coverage and we evaluate, in this context, the performance of a correction to Rubin's rules for multiple imputation proposed by finding that this correction removes the over‐coverage.
Mitochondria‐Targeted Nanosystem with Reactive Oxygen Species‐Controlled Release of CO to Enhance Photodynamic Therapy of PCN‐224 by Sensitizing Ferroptosis
Authors: Yang Futing , Yu Wenjie , Yu Qiying , Liu Xiyu , Liu Chunping , Lu Chong , Liao Xinghua , Liu Yi , Peng Na
Published: January 2023

The apoptosis‐resistant mechanism of photodynamic therapy (PDT) usually results in limited therapeutic efficacy. The development of new strategies for sensitizing targeted ferroptosis that bypass apoptosis resistance is of great significance to improve the antitumor efficacy of PDT. In this study, a novel amphiphilic copolymer whose main chain contains reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐responsive groups and the end of side chains contains triphenylphosphine is synthesized, to encapsulate porphyrinic metal–organic framework PCN‐224 via self‐assembly which are hydrothermally synthesized by coordination of zirconium (IV) with tetra‐kis(4‐caboxyphenyl) porphyrin, and loaded carbon monoxide releasing molecule 401 (CORM‐401) by their hollow structures (PCN‐CORM), and finally, surface‐coated with hyaluronic acid. The nanosystem can sequentially localize to mitochondria which is an important target to induce apoptosis and ferroptosis in cancer cells. Upon excitation with near‐infrared light, PCN‐224 is activated to produce amounts of ROS, and simultaneously triggers the rapid intracellular release of CO. More importantly, the released CO can sensitize ferroptosis and promote apoptosis to significantly enhance the antitumor efficacy of PCN‐224 both in vitro and in vivo. These results illustrate that the mitochondria‐targeted drug delivery system combined PDT with CO leads to an effective antitumor efficacy, which maybe a promising way to enhance the treatment efficiency of PDT.
CRISPR/Cas9 and Chlorophyll Coordination Micelles for Cancer Treatment by Genome Editing and Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Zhang Chen , Wang Xiaojie , Liu Gengqi , Ren He , Liu Jingang , Jiang Zhen , Zhang Yumiao
Published: January 2023

CRISPR/Cas9‐based gene therapy and photodynamic therapy both show promise for cancer treatment but still have their drawbacks limited by tumor microenvironment and long treatment duration. Herein, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and photodynamic strategy for a synergistic anti‐tumor therapeutic modality is merged. Chlorophyll (Chl) extracted from natural green vegetables is encapsulated in Pluronic F127 (F127) micelles and Histidine‐tagged Cas9 can be effectively chelated onto micelles via metal coordination by simple incubation, affording Cas9‐Chl@F127 micelles. Mg2+ acts as an enzyme cofactor to correlatively enhance Cas9 gene‐editing activity. Upon laser irradiation, Chl as an effective photosensitizer generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill tumor cells. Meanwhile, CRISPR/Cas9, mediated by dual deliberately designed gRNAs of APE1 and NRF2, can reprogram the tumor microenvironment by increasing the intracellular oxygen accumulation and impairing the oxidative defense system of tumor cells. Cas9‐Chl@F127 micelles can responsively release Cas9 in the presence of abundant ATP or low pH in tumor cells. In a murine tumor model, Cas9‐Chl@F127 complexed with dual gRNAs including APE1 and NRF2 significantly inhibits the tumor growth. Taken together, Cas9‐Chl@F127 micelles, representing the first Chl‐based green biomaterial for the delivery of Cas9, show great promise for the synergistic anti‐tumor treatment by PDT and gene editing.
Utilizing Metal‐Thiocatecholate Functionalized UiO‐66 Framework for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Zhong Hao , Chen Song , Jiang Zhixin , Hu Jieying , Dong Jiale , Chung Lai‐Hon , Lin Qia‐Chun , Ou Weihui , Yu Lin , He Jun
Published: January 2023

Exploiting clean energy is essential for sustainable development and sunlight‐driven photocatalytic water splitting represents one of the most promising approaches toward this goal. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are competent photocatalysts owing to their tailorable functionality, well‐defined structure, and high porosity. Yet, the introduction of the unambiguous metal‐centered active site into MOFs is still challenging since framework motifs capable of anchoring metal ions firmly are lacking. Herein, the assembly using 1,4‐dicarboxylbenzene‐2,3‐dithiol (H2dcbdt) and Zr‐Oxo clusters to give a thiol‐functionalized UiO‐66 type framework, UiO‐66‐dcbdt, is reported. The thiocatechols on the struts are allowed to capture transition metal (TM) ions to generate UiO‐66‐dcbdt‐M (M  = Fe, Ni, Cu) with unambiguous metal‐thiocatecholate moieties for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). UiO‐66‐dcbdt‐Cu is found the best catalyst exhibiting an HER rate of 4.18 mmol g−1 h−1 upon irradiation with photosensitizing Ru‐polypyridyl complex. To skip the use of the external sensitizer, UiO‐66‐dcbdt‐Cu is heterojunctioned with titanium dioxide (TiO2) and achieves an HER rate of 12.63 mmol g−1 h−1 (32.3 times that of primitive TiO2). This work represents the first example of MOF assembly employing H2dcbdt as the mere linker followed by chelation with TM ions and undoubtedly fuels the rational design of MOF photocatalysts bearing well‐defined active sites.
Climate reparations: Why the polluter pays principle is neither unfair nor unreasonable
Authors: Tan Kok‐Chor
Published: January 2023

The polluter pays principle (PPP) has the form of a reparative principle. It holds that since some countries have historically contributed more to global warming than others, these countries have the follow‐up responsibility now to do more to address climate change. Yet in the climate justice debate, PPP is often rejected for two reasons. First, so the objection goes, it wrongly burdens present‐day individuals because the actions of their predecessors. This is the unfairness objection. The second objection is that early polluters were not aware of the harm that they were doing, and so ought not to be held culpable. This is the objection from excusable ignorance. In this commentary, I defend PPP against these two objections. The aim of this short reflection is not to provide a full justification of PPP, or to respond to all objections that have been made against it. My more limited but, I hope, important goal is to show that PPP is neither immediately unfair (in making innocent parties pay) nor immediately unreasonable (in making excusably ignorant parties pay) as is commonly noted, and is therefore worthy of further consideration as a principle of climate justice.

This article is categorized under:

Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Climate Change and Global Justice

Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Ethics and Climate Change
Privacy‐preserving data mining and machine learning in healthcare: Applications, challenges, and solutions
Authors: Naresh Vankamamidi S. , Thamarai Muthusamy
Published: January 2023

Data mining (DM) and machine learning (ML) applications in medical diagnostic systems are budding. Data privacy is essential in these systems as healthcare data are highly sensitive. The proposed work first discusses various privacy and security challenges in these systems. To address these next, we discuss different privacy‐preserving (PP) computation techniques in the context of DM and ML for secure data evaluation and processing. The state‐of‐the‐art applications of these systems in healthcare are analyzed at various stages such as data collection, data publication, data distribution, and output phases regarding PPDM and input, model, training, and output phases in the context of PPML. Furthermore, PP federated learning is also discussed. Finally, we present open challenges in these systems and future research directions.

This article is categorized under:

Application Areas > Health Care

Technologies > Machine Learning

Commercial, Legal, and Ethical Issues > Security and Privacy
The use of Quality Talk to foster critical thinking in a low socio-economic secondary Geography classroom
Authors: Davies Maree J. , Esling Simon
Published: January 2023

This small case study investigated the use of the Quality Talk framework to empower students to pool their knowledge in group discussions around a novel topic or event. The main goals of the Quality Talk approach were to provide teachers with a prescriptive framework for increasing their students’ critical-analytical thinking by providing greater opportunity for student voice. The quasi-experimental methodology involved students and a teacher from a low socioeconomic secondary school in a large city in New Zealand in the curriculum area of Geography. The students, on self-report, identified as coming from predominantly Pasifika backgrounds. Following the intervention and additional opportunities to conduct group discussions, many of the students identified how other opinions contributed to their understanding of the topic. An episode of talk is considered a ‘dialogic spell’, rather than a discussion, if the discussion begins with a student’s question and is followed by at least two more questions from other students. When students used higher numbers of uptake questions and high-level questions, they increased their levels of ‘dialogic spell’. The students’ increase of critical-analytical thinking in their pre- and post-test was assessed and graded. The study was important because it also showed that when the teacher relinquished their role as facilitator of the discussions, the students self-facilitated the dialogue amongst themselves.
Mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate induces transcriptomic changes in placental cells based on concentration, fetal sex, and trophoblast cell type
Authors: Lapehn Samantha , Houghtaling Scott , Ahuna Kylia , Kadam Leena , MacDonald James W. , Bammler Theo K. , LeWinn Kaja Z. , Myatt Leslie , Sathyanarayana Sheela , Paquette Alison G.
Published: January 2023

Phthalates are ubiquitous plasticizer chemicals found in consumer products. Exposure to phthalates during pregnancy has been associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and differences in placental gene expression in human studies. The objective of this research was to evaluate global changes in placental gene expression via RNA sequencing in two placental cell models following exposure to the phthalate metabolite mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP). HTR-8/SVneo and primary syncytiotrophoblast cells were exposed to three concentrations (1, 90, 180 µM) of MEHP for 24 h with DMSO (0.1%) as a vehicle control. mRNA and lncRNAs were quantified using paired-end RNA sequencing, followed by identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), significant KEGG pathways, and enriched transcription factors (TFs). MEHP caused gene expression changes across all concentrations for HTR-8/SVneo and primary syncytiotrophoblast cells. Sex-stratified analysis of primary cells identified different patterns of sensitivity in response to MEHP dose by sex, with male placentas being more responsive to MEHP exposure. Pathway analysis identified 11 KEGG pathways significantly associated with at least one concentration in both cell types. Four ligand-inducible nuclear hormone TFs (PPARG, PPARD, ESR1, AR) were enriched in at least three treatment groups. Overall, we demonstrated that MEHP differentially affects placental gene expression based on concentration, fetal sex, and trophoblast cell type. This study confirms prior studies, as enrichment of nuclear hormone receptor TFs were concordant with previously published mechanisms of phthalate disruption, and generates new hypotheses, as we identified many pathways and genes not previously linked to phthalate exposure.
Probabilistically nilpotent groups of class two
Authors: Eberhard Sean , Shumyatsky Pavel
Published: January 2023

For G a finite group, let $$d_2(G)$$

d
2

(
G
)

denote the proportion of triples $$(x, y, z) \in G^3$$

(
x
,
y
,
z
)

∈

G
3

such that $$[x, y, z] = 1$$

[
x
,
y
,
z
]
=
1

. We determine the structure of finite groups G such that $$d_2(G)$$

d
2

(
G
)

is bounded away from zero: if $$d_2(G) \ge \epsilon > 0$$

d
2

(
G
)

≥
ϵ
>
0

, G has a class-4 nilpotent normal subgroup H such that [G : H] and $$|\gamma _4(H)|$$

|

γ
4

(
H
)

|

are both bounded in terms of $$\epsilon $$
ϵ
. We also show that if G is an infinite group whose commutators have boundedly many conjugates, or indeed if G satisfies a certain more general commutator covering condition, then G is finite-by-class-3-nilpotent-by-finite.
Unitarity of Minimal W-Algebras and Their Representations I
Authors: Kac Victor G. , Möseneder Frajria Pierluigi , Papi Paolo
Published: January 2023

We begin a systematic study of unitary representations of minimal W-algebras. In particular, we classify unitary minimal W-algebras and make substantial progress in classification of their unitary irreducible highest weight modules. We also compute the characters of these modules.
Endomorphisms of the projective plane and the image of the Suslin–Hurewicz map
Authors: Röndigs Oliver
Published: January 2023

The endomorphism ring of the projective plane over a field F of characteristic neither two nor three is slightly more complicated in the Morel–Voevodsky motivic stable homotopy category than in Voevodsky’s derived category of motives. In particular, it is not commutative precisely if there exists a square in F which does not admit a sixth root. A byproduct of these computations is a proof of Suslin’s conjecture on the Suslin–Hurewicz homomorphism from Quillen to Milnor K-theory in degree four, based on work of Asok et al. (Invent Math 219:39-73, 2020).
Transfemoral Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect Device Closure in Infants Weighing ≤ 10 kg
Authors: Alshahrani Dhafer , Linnane Niall , McCrossan Brian , Oslizlok Paul , McMahon Colin J. , Walsh Kevin P. , Kenny Damien P.
Published: January 2023

Transcatheter closure of Perimembranous VSDs (PMVSD) remains challenging particularly in infants. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transfemoral PMVSD device closure in infants weighing ≤ 10 kg in a single centre. Retrospective review of departmental databases and medical charts to define patient cohort and collect demographic, procedural and follow-up data. Between July 2014 and March 2021, 16 patients underwent attempted transfemoral PMVSD device closure (12 retrograde) at a median age of 11 months (interquartile range [IQR] 9–15.5) and a median weight of 8.3 kg (IQR 7.2–9.5). All patients were either symptomatic, had progressive left heart dilation or had VSD associated valve regurgitation. Median defect size on pre-procedural transoesophageal echocardiography was 6.8 mm (IQR 6–8.5). Median device waist size was 6 mm (IQR 4.5–8). Successful device placement was achieved in 14 patients (88%). One patient developed moderate aortic and tricuspid valve regurgitation upon retrograde and antegrade device deployment, respectively, and subsequently underwent surgical closure. The second patient developed progressive aortic regurgitation (AR) 2 days post procedure, and also underwent surgical removal with no residual AR. There was no cases of device embolization and no femoral arterial compromise. On median follow-up of 40.5 months (IQR 25–64), none of the patients developed complete heart block. Three patients (18.75%) had small residual shunts at latest follow-up which have not required any further intervention. Device closure of PMVSD’s in children weighing ≤ 10 kg is feasible and safe with good procedural success rates. Use of both the antegrade and retrograde approaches may be necessary depending on anatomical variances.
Association of Surgical Timing with Outcomes in Early Stage Lung Cancer
Authors: Banks Kian C. , Dusendang Jennifer R. , Schmittdiel Julie A. , Hsu Diana S. , Ashiku Simon K. , Patel Ashish R. , Sakoda Lori C. , Velotta Jeffrey B.
Published: January 2023

Background

Optimal time to surgery for lung cancer is not well established. We aimed to assess whether time to surgery correlates with outcomes.

Methods

We assessed patients 18–84 years old who were diagnosed with stage I/II lung cancer at our integrated healthcare system from 2009 to 2019. Time to surgery was defined to start with disease confirmation (imaging or biopsy) prior to the surgery scheduling date. Outcomes of unplanned return to care within 30 days of lung cancer surgery, all‐cause mortality, and disease recurrence were compared based on time to surgery before and after 2, 4, and 12 weeks.

Results

Of 2861 included patients, 70% were over 65 years old and 61% were female. Time to surgery occurred in 1–2 weeks for 6%, 3–4 weeks for 31%, 5–12 weeks for 58%, and 13–26 weeks for 5% of patients. Patients with time to surgery > 4 (vs. ≤ 4) weeks had greater risk of both death (hazard ratio (HR) 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.39) and recurrence (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.10–1.62). Associations were not statistically significant when dichotomizing time to surgery at 2 or 12 weeks for death (2 week HR 1.23, 95% CI 0.93–1.64; 12 week HR 1.35, 95% CI 0.97–1.88) and recurrence (2 week HR 1.54, 95% CI 0.85–2.80; 12 week HR 2.28, 95% CI 0.80–6.46).

Conclusions

Early stage lung cancer patients with time to surgery within 4 weeks experienced lower rates of recurrence. Optimal time to surgical resection may be shorter than previously reported.
An accessory muscle belly or an accessory muscle head? An unusual arrangement of muscles in the anterior compartment of the forearm
Authors: Gabríková Klára , Kachlík David , Belbl Miroslav , Kunc Vojtěch
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Knowledge of the unusual arrangement of the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) muscle is important as the variable tendon may be a rare cause of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods

During a routine dissection at the Department of Anatomy, an unusual formation of the FPL muscle was observed in a formalin embalmed Central European cadaver.

Results

This report presents a variation of the FPL muscle, where the muscle split and formed a separate accessory head inserting into the first lumbrical muscle. Moreover, a tendinous interconnection was present between the FPL muscle tendon and the tendon of the aberrant muscle head.

Conclusion

The cases described by previous literature, concerning the Linburg–Comstock variation or the accessory head of the first lumbrical muscle originating from the FPL muscle, are closest to the present case. Such variation has a clinical significance ranging from the functional limitation of the thumb and index finger movement to the potential median nerve compression.
Different treatment strategies versus a common standard arm (CSA) in patients with newly diagnosed AML over the age of 60 years: a randomized German inter-group study
Authors: Niederwieser Dietger , Lang Thomas , Krahl Rainer , Heinicke Thomas , Maschmeyer Georg , Al-Ali Haifa Kathrin , Schwind Sebastian , Jentzsch Madlen , Cross Michael , Kahl Christoph , Wolf Hans-Heinrich , Sayer Herbert , Schulze Antje , Dreger Peter , Hegenbart Ute , Krämer Alwin , Junghanss Christian , Mügge Lars-Olof , Hähling Detlev , Hirt Carsten , Späth Christian , Peter Norma , Opitz Bernhard , Florschütz Axel , Reifenrath Kolja , Zojer Niklas , Scholl Sebastian , Pönisch Wolfram , Heyn Simone , Vucinic Vladan , Hochhaus Andreas , Aul Carlo , Giagounidis Aristoteles , Balleisen Leopold , Oldenkott Bernd , Staib Peter , Kiehl Michael , Schütte Wolfgang , Naumann Ralph , Eimermacher Hartmut , Dörken Bernd , Sauerland Cristina , Lengfelder Eva , Hiddemann Wolfgang , Wörmann Bernhard , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Serve Hubert , Schliemann Christoph , Hehlmann Rüdiger , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Pfirrmann Markus , Krug Utz , Hoffmann Verena S.
Published: January 2023

A randomized inter-group trial comparing more intensive treatment strategies to a common standard arm 3 + 7 (CSA) was conducted in patients with non-M3 AML. Untreated patients ≥ 60 years were allocated to the CSA (n = 132) or to the study group arms (n = 1154) of the AMLCG (TAD/HAM versus HAM/HAM ± G-CSF followed by TAD and maintenance) and the OSHO (intermediate-dose ara-C/mitoxantrone followed by ara-C/mitoxantrone). Median age of the 1147 eligible patients was 69 (range 60–87) years. CR/CRi status at 90 days was not significantly different between the CSA (54% (95%CI: 45–64)) and the study group arms (53% (95%CI: 47–60) and 59% (95%CI: 58–63)). The five-year event-free survival (EFS) probability (primary endpoint) was 6.2% (95%CI: 2.7–14.0) in the CSA, 7.6% (95%CI: 4.5–12.8) in study group A and 11.1% (95%CI: 9.0–13.7) in B. The 5-year OS was 17.2% (95%CI: 11.0–26.9), 17.0% (95%CI: 2.0–23.9), and 19.5% (95%CI: 16.7–22.8) in CSA, study group A and B, respectively. Neither study group differed significantly from the CSA regarding EFS, OS, or relapse-free survival. In multivariate analyses, allocation to the treatment strategy was not significantly associated with the time-to-event endpoints. The evaluation of more intensive treatment strategies did not show clinically relevant outcome differences when compared to CSA.
Scalable computational kernels for mortar finite element methods
Authors: Mayr Matthias , Popp Alexander
Published: January 2023

Targeting simulations on parallel hardware architectures, this paper presents computational kernels for efficient computations in mortar finite element methods. Mortar methods enable a variationally consistent imposition of coupling conditions at high accuracy, but come with considerable numerical effort and cost for the evaluation of the mortar integrals to compute the coupling operators. In this paper, we identify bottlenecks in parallel data layout and domain decomposition that hinder an efficient evaluation of the mortar integrals. We then propose a set of computational strategies to restore optimal parallel communication and scalability for the core kernels devoted to the evaluation of mortar terms. We exemplarily study the proposed algorithmic components in the context of three-dimensional large-deformation contact mechanics, both for cases with fixed and dynamically varying interface topology, yet these concepts can naturally and easily be transferred to other mortar applications, e.g. classical meshtying problems. To restore parallel scalability, we employ overlapping domain decompositions of the interface discretization independent from the underlying volumes and then tackle parallel communication for the mortar evaluation by a geometrically motivated reduction of ghosting data. Using three-dimensional contact examples, we demonstrate strong and weak scalability of the proposed algorithms up to 480 parallel processes as well as study and discuss improvements in parallel communication related to mortar finite element methods. For the first time, dynamic load balancing is applied to mortar contact problems with evolving contact zones, such that the computational work is well balanced among all parallel processors independent of the current state of the simulation.
The polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate lowers circulating catecholamine concentrations and alters lipid metabolism during graded exercise in man: a randomized cross-over study
Authors: Churm Rachel , Williams Liam M. , Dunseath Gareth , Prior Sarah L. , Bracken Richard M.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Physical exercise is shown to mitigate catecholamine metabolites; however, it is unknown if exercise-induced increases in sympatho-adrenal activity or catecholamine metabolites are influenced by ingestion of specific catechins found within green tea. This study explored the impact of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) ingestion on catecholamine metabolism during graded cycle exercise in humans.

Methods

Eight males (22.4 ± 3.3 years, BMI:25.7 ± 2.4 kg.m2) performed a randomised, placebo-controlled, single-blind, cross-over trial after consumption (1450 mg) of either EGCG or placebo (PLAC) and performed graded cycling to volitional exhaustion. Venous bloods were taken at rest, 2 h post-ingestion and after every 3-min stage. Blood variables were analysed for catecholamines, catecholamine metanephrines and metabolic variables at rest, 2 h post-ingestion (POST-ING), peak rate of lipid oxidation (FATpeak), lactate threshold (LT) and peak rate of oxygen consumption (VO2peak). Data were analysed using SPSS (Version 26).

Results

Resting catecholamine and metanephrines were similar between trials. Plasma adrenaline (AD) was lower in ECGC treatment group between trials at FATpeak (P < 0.05), LT (P < 0.001) and VO2peak (P < 0.01). Noradrenaline (NA) was lower under EGCG at POST (P < 0.05), FATpeak (P < 0.05), LT (P < 0.01) and VO2peak (P < 0.05) compared to PLAC. Metanephrines, glucose and lactate increased similarly with exercise intensity in both trials. Lipid oxidation rate was 32% lower in EGCG at FATpeak (EGCG 0.33 ± 0.14 vs. PLAC 0.49 ± 0.11 g.min−1, P < 0.05). Cycle time to exhaustion was similar (NS).

Conclusion

Acute EGCG supplementation reduced circulating catecholamines but not; metanephrine, glucose or lactates, response to graded exercise. Lower circulating catecholamines may explain a lower lipid oxidation rate.
Health-related quality of life after robotic surgery for endometrial cancer: a prospective longitudinal one-year follow-up study
Authors: Lindfors Anna , Järvholm Stina , Dahm-Kähler Pernilla
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to explore how patients treated for endometrial cancer (EC) with robotic surgery are affected in symptoms of anxiety and depression and HRQoL in the long term.

Methods

Women scheduled for primary robotic surgery for EC were included (n = 64), in this single-center study. Socioeconomic variables were obtained at baseline. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancers Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30), its module for EC (EN24), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-9) were followed prospectively from baseline to 2 weeks, 3 months and 1 year postoperatively.

Results

The number of patients scoring above the clinical threshold for anxiety decreased from 17 (27.0%) at baseline to 4 (7.0%) at 2 weeks (p = 0.012). Depressive symptoms were reported in 20% of patients at baseline and did not change significantly during the one-year follow-up (p = 0.58). A significant decrease in Global health status was seen at 2 weeks (from 69.8 to 62.7;p = 0.048), with return to baseline levels after 3 months (68.5;p = 0.32) and stable at 1 year. Unemployment, low income, and adjuvant therapy correlated with lower Global health status at 3 months.

Conclusion

The significant proportion of patients with anxiety symptoms preoperatively reduced prompt after surgery, while the proportion with depression remained constant, indicating that the primary treatment has no long-term negative effect on patients’ mental health. At 3 months, there is no obvious remaining negative impact on patients’ HRQoL, and these results are consistent after 1 year.
Association between malformation type, location and functional deficits in lymphatic malformations of the head and neck in children
Authors: Wiegand Susanne , Wichmann G. , Dietz A. , Werner J. A.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Lymphatic malformations (LM) are congenital malformations of the lymphatic system, mainly located in the head and neck area. They can be staged based on location according to de Serres and based on different morbidity items using the Cologne Disease Score (CDS), a clinical staging system. In many cases, functional impairment greatly affects the life of patients suffering from lymphatic malformations. The present study aims to analyze a cohort of pediatric patients with LM.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 144 pediatric patients with head and neck LM was performed. Location, type of malformation (microcystic, macrocystic, mixed), scoring according to two different scoring systems and therapy were analyzed. Kruskal–Wallis test was used to analyze the difference in CDS between the patient groups and Dunn’s test was used for post-hoc pairwise comparison.

Results

The average age at presentation was 6.1 years. The most common sites were neck (47%), cheek/parotid gland (26%), tongue (17%) and orbit (8%). Macrocystic malformations dominated the lateral neck, while microcystic malformations were predominantly localized in the tongue and floor of mouth. Macrocystic malformations (mean CDS 9.44) were associated with significantly better CDS than microcystic (mean CDS 7.11) and mixed (mean CDS 5.71) malformations (p < 0.001). LM in stage V according to de Serres had the lowest values (mean CDS: 4.26). The most common therapeutic procedures were conventional surgical (partial) resection, laser therapy and sclerotherapy with OK-432.

Conclusions

There is an association between malformation type, location according to de Serres and CDS in children with LM of the head and neck. Patients with microcystic and mixed malformations in stage V had lowest CDS levels.
Effect of interaural electrode insertion depth difference and independent band selection on sentence recognition in noise and spatial release from masking in simulated bilateral cochlear implant listening
Authors: Fathima Hasna , Bhat Jayashree S. , Pitchaimuthu Arivudai Nambi
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Inter-aural insertion depth difference (IEDD) in bilateral cochlear implant (BiCI) with continuous interleaved sampling (CIS) processing is known to reduce the recognition of speech in noise and spatial release from masking (SRM). However, the independent channel selection in the ‘n-of-m’ sound coding strategy might have a different effect on speech recognition and SRM when compared to the effects of IEDD in CIS-based findings. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bilateral ‘n-of-m’ processing strategy and interaural electrode insertion depth difference on speech recognition in noise and SRM under conditions that simulated bilateral cochlear implant listening.

Methods

Five young adults with normal hearing sensitivity participated in the study. The target sentences were spatially filtered to originate from 0° and the masker was spatially filtered at 0°, 15°, 37.5°, and 90° using the Oldenburg head-related transfer function database for behind the ear microphone. A 22-channel sine wave vocoder processing based on ‘n-of-m’ processing was applied to the spatialized target-masker mixture, in each ear. The perceptual experiment involved a test of speech recognition in noise under one co-located condition (target and masker at 0°) and three spatially separated conditions (target at 0°, masker at 15°, 37.5°, or 90° to the right ear).

Results

The results were analyzed using a three-way repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA). The effect of interaural insertion depth difference (F (2,8) = 3.145, p = 0.098, ɳ2 = 0.007) and spatial separation between target and masker (F (3,12) = 1.239, p = 0.339, ɳ2 = 0.004) on speech recognition in noise was not significant.

Conclusions

Speech recognition in noise and SRM were not affected by IEDD ≤ 3 mm. Bilateral ‘n-of-m’ processing resulted in reduced speech recognition in noise and SRM.
The contralateral effects of foam rolling on range of motion and muscle performance
Authors: Konrad Andreas , Nakamura Masatoshi , Warneke Konstantin , Donti Olyvia , Gabriel Anna
Published: January 2023

A single bout of foam rolling (FR) can acutely increase joint range of motion (ROM) without detrimental effects on subsequent muscle performance. Similarly, long-term FR training can increase ROM, while muscle performance seems to be unaffected. Although the acute and long-term effects of FR on the treated muscle are understood, the impact of FR on the contralateral side is not well known. Therefore, this scoping review aims to summarize the current evidence on the acute and long-term effect of FR on the ipsilateral limb on ROM and muscle performance (i.e., maximum force, rate of force development, jump height) for the contralateral (non-treated) limb. Potential explanatory mechanisms are also discussed. There is evidence that a single bout of FR on the ipsilateral limb increases ROM of the contralateral limb; however, evidence is limited for long-term effects. The most likely mechanism for contralateral ROM increases is a reduced perception of pain. With regard to isolated muscle contractions, no changes in muscle performance (i.e., maximum voluntary isometric contraction, maximum voluntary dynamic contraction) were found in the contralateral limb after a single bout of FR on the ipsilateral limb. Notably, only one study reported large impairments in rate of force development of the contralateral limb following FR on the ipsilateral leg, possibly due to decreased motor unit recruitment. Furthermore, to date there are only two studies examining the long-term FR training of the ipsilateral limb on performance (i.e., maximal strength and jump performance) which reported moderate improvements. Although, trivial to very large changes on a variety of parameters were found in this study, the functional and practical relevance of our findings should be interpreted with caution.
Automated oxygen control for very preterm infants and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years−a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Salverda Hylke H. , Oldenburger N.Nathalie J. , Rijken Monique , Tan R.Ratna N. G. B. , Pas Arjan B. te , van Klink Jeanine M. M.
Published: January 2023

Faster resolution of hypoxaemic or hyperoxaemic events in preterm infants may reduce long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. Automatic titration of inspiratory oxygen increases time within the oxygen saturation target range and may provide a more prompt response to hypoxic and hyperoxic events. We assessed routinely performed follow-up at 2 years of age after the implementation of automated oxygen control (AOC) as standard care and compared this with a historical cohort. Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age were compared for infants born at 24–29 weeks gestational age before (2012–2015) and after (2015–2018) the implementation of AOC as standard of care. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of either mortality or severe neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI), and other outcomes assessed were mild-moderate NDI, Bayley-III composite scores, cerebral palsy GMFCS, and CBCL problem behaviour scores. A total of 289 infants were included in the pre-AOC epoch and 292 in the post-AOC epoch. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different. Fifty-one infants were lost to follow-up (pre-AOC 6.9% (20/289), post-implementation 10.6% (31/292). The composite outcome of mortality or severe NDI was observed in 17.9% pre-AOC (41/229) vs. 24.0% (47/196) post-AOC (p = 0.12). No significant differences were found for the secondary outcomes such as mild-moderate NDI, Bayley-III composite scores, cerebral palsy GMFCS, and problem behaviour scores, with the exception of parent-reported readmissions until the moment of follow-up which was less frequent post-AOC than pre-AOC.

Conclusion: In this cohort study, the implementation of automated oxygen control in our NICU as standard of care for preterm infants led to no statistically significant difference in neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age.

What is Known:• Neurodevelopmental outcome is linked to hypoxemia, hyperoxaemia and choice of SpO2 target range.• Automated titration of inspired oxygen may provide a faster resolution of hypoxaemic and hyperoxaemic events.

What is New: • This cohort study did not find a significant difference in neurodevelopmental outcome at two years of age after implementing automated oxygen control as standard of care.
Single-port nipple-sparing subcutaneous mastectomy with immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction for breast cancer
Authors: Wang Zi-Han , Gao Guo-Xuan , Liu Wei-Hua , Wu Shan-Shan , Xie Fang , Xu Wei , Ding Guo-qian , Xu Ya-qian , Zhang Zhong-tao , Qu Xiang
Published: January 2023

Introduction

This study compares the perioperative results, aesthetic outcome and oncologic safety of single-port insufflation endoscopic nipple-sparing subcutaneous mastectomy combined with immediate reconstruction using prosthesis implantation (SIE-NSM-IRPI) with those of conventional open-nipple and areola-sparing subcutaneous mastectomy combined with immediate reconstruction using prosthesis implantation (C-NSM-IRPI).

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, 64 early-stage breast cancer patients were divided into SIE-NSM-IRPI (n = 38) and C-NSM-IRPI (n = 26) groups. Perioperative results (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, drainage duration, and recent complications) were then compared between the two groups. Differences in satisfaction with the breasts, psychosocial well-being, physical well-being (chest) and sexual well-being were analyzed according to the BREAST-Q scale, and survival outcomes were also compared.

Results

The median follow-up time was 51.5 months. The incision length of SIE-NSM-IRPI was shorter than that of C-NSM-IRPI (P < 0.001). SIE-NSM-IRPI achieved the same detection rate and median number of sentinel lymph nodes as C-NSM-IRPI (3.00vs. 4.00, P = 0.780). The incidence of prosthesis removal due to infection or prosthesis exposure in the SIE-NSM-IRPI group was lower than that in the C-NSM-IRPI group (P = 0.015). Satisfaction with breasts (82.00vs.59.00, P < 0.001), psychosocial well-being (93.00vs.77.00, P = 0.001) and physical well-being (chest) (89.00vs.82.00, P < 0.001) scores were higher in the SIE-NSM-IRPI group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in disease-free survival (hazard ratio = 0.829, 95% confidence interval = 0.182–3.779) and overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.919, 95% confidence interval = 0.169–21.842).

Conclusion

In this selected cohort of patients with early breast cancer, SIE-NSM-IRPI was comparable to C-NSM-IRPI, considering oncologic safety and detection of sentinel lymph nodes. It had a lower incidence of prosthesis removal, shorter incision length, and was associated with better patient satisfaction with the breasts. More random clinical trials of this novel approach in a larger cohort of Chinese patients with an extended follow-up period are needed in the future.
Synthesis of poly(n-alkyl acrylamides) and evaluation of nanophase separation effects by temperature-dependent infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Leibetseder Felix , Bičvić Julia , Bretterbauer Klaus
Published: January 2023

Common linear polymers are known to undergo phase changes at the glass-transition temperature (Tg) and the melting point (Tm). In recent years, it has also been shown that molecules with long aliphatic side chains can give rise to a backbone-independent melting phenomenon, known as nanophase separation. This effect describes the self-assembly — independent of the polymer backbone — of alkyl side chains into semi-crystalline nanostructures. This work presents optimized, gram scale synthesis routes for dodecyl and octadecyl acrylamide and their respective homopolymers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments detected a broad endothermal signal for poly(n-dodecyl acrylamide) at − 29 °C and a narrower, more intense signal for poly(n-octadecyl acrylamide) at 34 °C. These signals indicate the nanophase separation TM of the alkyl side chains. We undertook the first temperature-controlled infrared spectroscopy investigations of these materials revealing a clear hypsochromic shift of the C–H stretching signals above TM and the amide I signal shifts that occurred only above and below Tg. These results provide further evidence, that the side chains act independently of the polymer backbone and show that infrared spectroscopy is a powerful tool for monitoring conformational changes in polymer side chains.

Graphical abstract
Landwirtschaftlicher Gunststandort Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – Eine
Herausforderung für die Trinkwasserversorgung
Authors: Hennig Heiko , Löffler Sebastian , Malik Christoph
Published: January 2023

Die zukünftige Trinkwasserversorgung in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern steht vor
verschiedenen Herausforderungen, wie z. B. möglichen klimatischen Änderungen, dem
demographischen Wandel oder einem stetig steigenden Wasserbedarf in touristischen
Zentren. Im Rahmen einer vom Ministerium für Klimaschutz, Landwirtschaft, ländliche
Räume und Umwelt Mecklenburg-Vorpommern beauftragten landesweiten
Trinkwasserversorgungskonzeption wurde untersucht, welche Faktoren eine besondere
Gefährdung für die Trinkwasserbereitstellung in den kommenden Jahren und Jahrzehnten
darstellen. Dabei zeigte sich eindeutig, dass die größte Herausforderung in einem
Interessenausgleich zwischen der Trinkwasserversorgung und der Landwirtschaft besteht.
Potenzielle Konflikte sind sowohl in quantitativer als auch in qualitativer Hinsicht zu
verzeichnen und können durch klimatische Änderungen noch verstärkt werden. Im Ergebnis
der quantitativen und qualitativen Zustandsbewertungen wurden Handlungserfordernisse
herausgearbeitet und mögliche Präventions- und Anpassungsmaßnahmen diskutiert.
Beyond the trade-offs on Facebook: the underlying mechanisms of privacy choices
Authors: Shih Hung-Pin , Liu Wuqiang
Published: January 2023

The theory of privacy calculus in terms of the trade-offs between benefits and risks is believed to explain people’s willingness to disclose private information online. However, the phenomenon ofprivacy paradox, referring to the preference-behavior inconsistency, misfits the risk–benefit analysis. The phenomenon of privacy paradox matters because it reflects an illusion of personal control over privacy choices. The anomaly of privacy paradox is perhaps attributed to cognitive heuristics and biases in making privacy decisions. We consider the stability-instability of privacy choices is better used to explain the underlying mechanisms of paradoxical relationship. A rebalanced trade-off, referring to the embeddedness of “bridging” and “bonding” social support in privacy calculus, is derived to develop the risk–benefit paradigms to explain the underlying mechanisms. In this study we address the underlying mechanisms of privacy choices in terms of self-disclosure and user resistance. To test the hypotheses (or mechanisms) of the research model, we developed the instrument by modifying previous scales. A general sample of 311 experienced Facebook users was collected via online questionnaire survey. From the empirical results, perceived benefits based on information support rather than emotion support can motivate self-disclosure willingness. In contrast, privacy risks rather than privacy concerns inhibit the willingness to disclose private information. The risk–benefit paradigms instead of the imbalanced trade-offs help to explain the instability of privacy choices where privacy calculus sticks with the stability view. Implications for the theory and practice of privacy choices are discussed accordingly.