bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical analysis of phased arrays with random excitation errors using a unified neural network architecture
Authors: Zhao Yunru , Wu Qi
Published: March 2023

Radiation patterns of a phased array tend to be affected by random excitation errors. In this paper, a unified neural network (UNN) architecture is presented to study the statistical characteristics of radiation patterns. Benefited from the inherent symmetry of the array manifolds and efficient data preprocessing, the UNN architectures are almost identical for planar arrays consisting of 4–10 000 elements except for a slight difference existed in the output layer. Therefore, this merit avoids repetitive selections of training hyperparameters and network architectures. This method can efficiently treat the problems with multiple observation points in order to obtain statistical radiation patterns, and an analytic or closed‐form solution is not required. Moreover, it can combine with the method of moments (MoM), which takes account of the element pattern and mutual coupling effects. The trained UNN models can predict the probability density function (PDF) of radiation characteristics at any spatial location. Numerical results show that the UNN and Monte Carlo (MC) results are comparable in accuracy.
Circular RNA circDLG1 (has_circ_0068706) functions as an oncogene in nonsmall cell lung cancer through regulating AKT/mTOR signaling and direct binding to miR‐144
Authors: Chen Yong‐Feng , Xu Ai‐Ping
Published: March 2023

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major subtype of lung cancer, causing substantial cancer‐related deaths worldwide. However, the molecular basis of NSCLC development and progression remains understudied. Recently, a circular RNA, circDLG1, has been implicated in carcinogenesis and cancer metastasis. Yet, how circDLG1 affects NSCLC progression has not been reported. Here this study aims to elucidate the role of circDLG1 in NSCLC. First, we found that circDLG1 was significantly upregulated in both the GEO dataset and NSCLC tissues. Next, we silenced the expression of circDLG1 in NSCLC cell lines. Knockdown of circDLG1 upregulated miR‐144 and downregulated Protein kinase B (AKT)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), resulting in suppression of the proliferation activity and metastasis ability of NSCLC. In addition, circDLG1 knockdown significantly decreased the expression of the mesenchymal markers, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and N‐cadherin, while increasing the expression level of E‐cadherin. In conclusion, we demonstrate that circDLG1 promotes the pathogenesis and progression of NSCLC by regulating the miR‐144/AKT/mTOR signaling axis, providing potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for designing innovative treatment strategies.
Validation and psychometric evaluation of the Swedish version of the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale
Authors: Sunnergren Ola , Pakpour Amir H. , Bergquist Henrik , Sahlstrand‐Johnson Pernilla , Stjärne Pär , Broström Anders
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale is a symptom‐specific quality‐of‐life questionnaire for patients suffering from nasal obstruction. The instrument is designed specifically for patients with septal deviation and for the evaluation of the outcome of septoplasty. The aim of this study was to validate a Swedish version of the NOSE instrument for use in clinical practice and research.

Methods

A Swedish version of the NOSE was tested in a case group consisting of 125 subjects with nasal obstruction (of which 31 underwent septoplasty) and a control group consisting of 65 healthy subjects. Base line data for the case and control groups were used to evaluate face validity, known groups validity, construct validity, internal consistency and factor structure analysis. Fifty participants in both the case groups and control groups were assessed both at baseline and after 2 weeks to evaluate test–retest reliability. The participants who underwent septoplasty were assessed at baseline and after 3–6 months to evaluate responsiveness.

Results

The S‐NOSE was found to be reliable, valid, and responsive. Both Cronbach's α and McDonald Omega coefficients were >0.7, and the intra class coefficient was 0.942. The S‐NOSE scores were significantly correlated with nasal patency VAS in both the case group and the control group (p < .001 and p = .018, respectively). After septoplasty, the mean S‐NOSE score were significantly improved (p < .001). Furthermore, the S‐NOSE was shown to have excellent and robust psychometric properties.

Conclusion

The S‐NOSE can be recommended in both clinical practice and research to evaluate the outcome of septoplasty in Swedish‐speaking populations.

Level of Evidence

NA.
Recent Advances in Cell‐Based Nanotherapy for Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Hao Xuefang , Li Qian
Published: March 2023

Cell‐based nanotherapy holds great potential to transform diagnosis and treatment patterns for human diseases, especially for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Surface coating with cell membrane has become a powerful strategy for functionalization of therapeutic nanoparticles to achieve biological performances of superior biocompatibility, immune evasion, and specificity. Additionally, extracellular vesicles (EVs) play key roles in the progression of CVDs with their ability of transferring cargos to distant tissues, thus emerging as an appealing option for the diagnosis and therapy of CVDs. In this review, recent progress in cell‐based nanotherapy for CVDs is summarized, and different sources of EVs and biomimetic nanoplatforms derived from natural cells are highlighted. Meanwhile, their promising biomedical applications in the diagnosis and targeted treatment of different CVDs are also provided, followed by a discussion of their potential challenges and future prospects.
Mathematical model for Sagittarius A* and related Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equations
Authors: Bors Dorota , Stańczy Robert
Published: March 2023

We analyze the model describing the interaction of relativistic gravitationally attracting diffusive fermionic particles evaporating at high energy motivated by the recent observations of star trajectories under the influence of the dark matter. We extend to the relativistic case the results for the Michie–King distribution obtained in our previous paper. We consider more general equation of state for the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equation. By fixed point arguments, we prove the existence of solutions. Next, by pressure‐density estimates, we show some restrictions on the data of the system. Finally, by numerical simulations, we depict the density profile governed by the specific equation of state adapted to the Sagittarius A* located in the centre of the Milky Way.
Asymptotic regularity for the generalized MHD‐Boussinesq equations
Authors: Liu Hui , Gao Hongjun
Published: March 2023

The three‐dimensional generalized MHD‐Boussinesq equations are studied in this paper. Well‐posedness of the strong solutions for the 3D generalized MHD‐Boussinesq equations is proved. Asymptotic regularity for the 3D generalized MHD‐Boussinesq equations is proved in
, and furthermore, higher regularity for the 3D generalized MHD‐Boussinesq equations is proved in
for
.
Design of compact dual‐band shared‐aperture antenna system based on frequency selective surface
Authors: Li Jinge , Yin Jiao , Jia Yuxin , Lu Yinbo , Zhai Huiqing , Liu Changyuan
Published: March 2023

A miniaturized dual‐band dual‐polarization base station antenna array operating at 2.4–2.8 and 4.6–5.0 GHz is proposed in this paper. The upper‐band unit is embedded in the lower‐band unit to miniature the array size. The size of the proposed shared‐aperture antenna element is 0.28 × 0.28 . To ensure the normal radiation of dual‐band under the small frequency ratio, a meander slot frequency selective surface structure is introduced, which is electromagnetically transparent to the lower‐band unit and function as metal ground for the upper‐band unit to ensure the normal radiation of the upper and lower‐band units, respectively. Simulation and measured results show that the antenna array meets the following design specifications: dual‐band operating (voltage standing wave ratio [VSWR] < 2), mutual coupling less than −20 dB basically, satisfactory gain and radiation characteristics.
Adapting for remote delivery during COVID‐19: Insights from a science engagement project
Authors: Hartley Jackie , Hobbs Laura , Stevens Carly
Published: March 2023

Science Hunters is an established outreach program using the computer game Minecraft to engage children in science. Before the pandemic, Science Hunters regularly delivered sessions in schools but ceased delivering face‐to‐face sessions during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Online remote delivery was trialed in eight schools, with 201 children of age 9–11 years and 21 school teachers and classroom assistants. This paper aims to evaluate the success of making the change from face‐to‐face to remote delivery. Children's feedback indicated they were as positive about online sessions of Science Hunters as about those previously delivered in‐person. Teachers rated the session organization, delivery, and student benefit on a scale of 1 (lowest)–5 (highest); mean scores of 4.47–4.76 were returned and 100% would repeat the session. The study found that pre‐session discussions with teachers covering expectations, training, and technical setup were key to running session successfully. Using activities to run alongside Minecraft sections made the session more immersive and videos at the start of the activity were particularly successful and were carried forward to face‐to‐face sessions.
Metabolic profiling of MRI‐measured liver fat in the UK Biobank
Authors: Gnatiuc Friedrichs Louisa , Trichia Eirini , Aguilar‐Ramirez Diego , Preiss David
Published: March 2023

Objective

Liver fat associates with obesity‐related metabolic disturbances and may precede incident diseases. Metabolomic profiles of liver fat in the UK Biobank were investigated.

Methods

Regression models assessed the associations between 180 metabolites and proton density liver fat fraction (PDFF) measured 5 years later through magnetic resonance imaging, as the difference (in SD units) of each log metabolite measure with 1‐SD higher PDFF among those without chronic disease and not taking statins, and by diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Results

After accounting for confounders, multiple metabolites were associated positively with liver fat (p < 0.0001 for 152 traits), particularly extremely large and very large lipoprotein particle concentrations, very low‐density lipoprotein triglycerides, small high‐density lipoprotein particles, glycoprotein acetyls, monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, and amino acids. Extremely large and large high‐density lipoprotein concentrations had strong inverse associations with liver fat. Associations were broadly comparable among those with versus without vascular metabolic conditions, although negative, rather than positive, associations were observed between intermediate‐density and large low‐density lipoprotein particles among those with BMI ≥25 kg/m2, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases. Metabolite principal components showed a 15% significant improvement in risk prediction for PDFF relative to BMI, which was twice as great (but nonsignificant) compared with conventional high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides.

Conclusions

Hazardous metabolomic profiles are associated with ectopic hepatic fat and are relevant to risk of vascular‐metabolic disease.
Synthesis of nitroxyethylnitramine (NENA) plasticizers and dinitroxydiethylnitramine (DINA) in continuous flow**
Authors: Fredriksen Kim A. , Kristensen Tor E.
Published: March 2023

Nitroxyethylnitramines (NENAs) and dinitroxydiethylnitramine (DINA) are useful energetic plasticizer components in propellants and explosives. However, their synthesis at large scale can be delicate because it involves two dissimilar nitration reactions: nitrate ester formation and halide‐catalyzed nitramine formation. Consequently, these preparations, and particularly when conducted in a single‐stage/pot operation, are problematic with respect to issues such as process safety (heat transfer, temperature control), product purity, replicability and operability. Herein, we briefly review procedures for preparation of NENAs and/or DINA and then report on our own work on continuous flow synthesis of this family of nitramine‐nitrate ester compounds. We find them to be particularly suited for flow synthesis. Our studies are first and foremost distinguished from previous ones by focusing on the use of acetyl chloride as a metal‐free, convenient chloride catalyst and the application of glacial acetic acid as a salt‐forming secondary amine solvent, thus facilitating pumping of the amino alcohols and preventing local exotherms. We have also incorporated post‐reaction simmering of the final flow effluent to enhance product purities by removal of nitroso impurities.
A new control chart to monitor the mean vector of a trivariate process
Authors: Gadre Mukund P.
Published: March 2023

For trivariate normal processes, ‘Trivariate Weighted Alternated Charting Statistic’ (Tri‐WACS) control chart is proposed to monitor a mean vector. In ACS chart, two/three quality characteristics (X, Y)/(X, Y, Z) are monitored alternately. The proposed Tri‐WACS chart is based on the weights of each of the quality characteristics. These weights are used to decide how many samples are to be inspected successively corresponding to the respective quality characteristic, and to make a decision whether the production process is under statistical control or not. It is numerically illustrated that Tri‐WACS chart is more efficient as compared to the related control charts.
Evaluating the performance of variable sampling interval HotellingT2charting scheme for compositional data in the presence of measurement error
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Sun Jinsheng , Zaidi Fatima Sehar , Abbas Zameer , Nazir Hafiz Zafar
Published: March 2023

The variable sampling interval (VSI) scheme is a well‐known technique for improving the detection ability of control charts (CCs). In the proposed study, measurement error (ME) has been applied to investigate the effectiveness of the HotellingT2charting scheme for compositional data (CoDa) using VSI. The current study considered the case of the monitoring phase, assuming that process parameters are known using the continuous times Markov chain model. The evaluation of the proposed scheme has been done using the average time to signal. The authors studied the impact of MEs on the performance of the HotellingT2CC for CoDa using VSI, and additionally, the authors also examined the impact of linearly covariate error model parameters on the performance of HotellingT2VSI CoDa CC. Six cases for the variance–covariance matrix were used to study the impact of different involved parameters. The effect of ME, sampling interval (SI), powering operator (b), error variance (, and subgroup size (m) has been studied on the performance of proposed CCs by increasing the value of one parameter while keeping the other parameters fixed. The ME and σ have a negative impact on the performance of the proposed CC, while SI,bandmhave a positive impact on the performance of the proposed CC. Among all the six cases, the correlated cases (negatively and positively) with equal variance performed better than all the other four cases. In the end, an illustrative example of muesli production with part CoDa (wherepis the number of variables in CoDa vector) is provided for the practical implementation of the HotellingT2VSI CoDa CC in the presence of ME.
Poisson hurdle model for monitoring the inflation of zeros
Authors: Asghar Maria , Ali Sajid , Shah Ismail
Published: March 2023

Several control charts have been developed in the literature to monitor zero inflation using classic and simple linear regression models with covariates. Simple linear regression models may not be appropriate, especially when the response variable is skewed or count. When the response distribution follows the exponential family; however, the generalized linear model (GLM) gives a more flexible approach. The goal of this study is to use the Poisson hurdle model to provide GLM‐based Shewhart‐type control charts. To calculate monitoring statistics, the Pearson residuals (PRs) are obtained using the Poisson hurdle model. A detailed Monte Carlo simulation analysis is used to analyze the attributes of the suggested charts. Besides this, a real‐life data set is used to show the practical application of the charts.
The accuracy of sonographers in reporting abnormal ultrasound findings: A prospective study comparing sonographers' and radiologists' reports in 1000 hospital patients
Authors: Necas Martin , Prout Kara , Wackrow Wendy , Manunui Emma , Lewis Elizabeth
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The aim of this study was to compare the ultrasound (US) findings independently reported by sonographers with final reports issued by radiologists in a complex working environment of an acute and inpatient US service in a large tertiary teaching hospital.

Methods

This study was a prospective review of 1000 unique hospital patients who received 1142 US examinations. Sonographers performed the requested examinations and reported their findings independently before consulting with radiologists. Radiologists reviewed the sonographers' findings, consulted with sonographers, and issued their final reports. Any disagreements between the findings of the sonographer and radiologist were captured, analysed and separated into errors or discrepancies according to commonly accepted definitions. Patient outcomes were determined from electronic clinical records.

Results

Examinations were performed by a team of 11 sonographers with a median of 9.5 years of experience and standard US qualifications. Sonographers independently reported 1484 abnormal findings in 268 categories. Radiologists were in complete agreement in 93.6% of cases, 5.3% cases included minor discrepancies and 1.1% of cases contained errors of which sonographers were responsible for 9 and radiologists 7. The severity of errors was comparable between sonographers and radiologists.

Conclusion

Sonographers and radiologists demonstrate a high degree of agreement in reporting abnormal US findings. Sonographers and radiologists committed a comparable number of errors, and the error severity scores were also comparable. The customary, routine involvement of a radiologist in the second reading and reporting of all US examinations is unnecessary.
Toward the internet of things forensics: A data analytics perspective
Authors: Khanpara Pimal , Shah Ishwa , Tanwar Sudeep , Verma Amit , Sharma Ravi
Published: March 2023

The widespread use of networked, intelligent, and adaptable devices in various domains, such as smart cities and home automation, climate control, manufacturing and logistics, healthcare, education, and agriculture, has been hastened by recent developments in hardware and software technologies. In all these application domains, the concept of the Internet of Things helps to achieve process automation and decrease labor costs. While IoT has been an established domain for quite a while, it has seen a lot of advances and challenges in different subdomains over the years. One such subdomain is IoT Forensics which involves digital forensics concerning IoT devices, networks, or clouds. In this process of obtaining substantial evidence from the devices, networks, or cloud, a large amount of data and operations on said data are involved. Hence, looking through IoT Forensics through the methodology dealing with data, known as data analytics, is essential. This paper presents an interpretation of IoT Forensics from the standpoint of data analytics. To explain the same in detail, the paper focuses on IoT Forensics, its methodologies, and how they relate to data analytics stages. Toward the end, the paper discusses current developments in IoT Forensics from the data analytics perspective, limitations observed in the existing technologies, adoption challenges, and possible future advancements.
A reading of Alexander Bogdanov in times of crisis
Authors: Rendon‐Sanchez Juan F.
Published: March 2023

Reading Bogdanov today can surprise us with the relevance of his work, the coincidence of some of his ideas with contemporary thought and the productivity of his approaches. Systems thinking, with its capacity to engage with diverse areas, including science and philosophy, is an appropriate avenue for approaching some of our present global problems. I attempt in this article to highlight key ideas and observations from Bogdanov along a line demarcated by some critical thinkers including G. K Chesterton and S. Žižek. This dialogue can illuminate useful paths in our times of crisis: I highlight some commonalities in the organisational tendency urgently suggested by our circumstances and proposed in different manners; I then propose to rekindle the idea of scientific organisation of experience and the formulation of some questions around our dynamic equilibrium/disequilibrium with nature, by using Tektology concepts. Lastly I pose the case for systematically studying human excess.
Interdigitated Back‐Contacted Carbon Nanotube–Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Bai Yuhua , Gao Qing , Chen Bingbing , Li Wenheng , Zhang Xuning , Yang Dehua , Yang Xueliang , Yan Jun , Chen Jingwei , Wang Jianming , Song Dengyuan , Wang Shufang , Li Han , Flavel Benjamin S. , Chen Jianhui
Published: March 2023

Carbon/silicon heterojunctions provide a new perspective for silicon solar cells and in particular those made from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have already achieved industrial‐level power conversion efficiency and device size when using organic passivation and a back‐junction design. However, the current state of the art device geometry for silicon photovoltaics is the interdigitated back contact (IBC) cell and this has yet to be demonstrated for CNT/Si solar cells due to the complexity of fabricating the required patterns. Herein, IBC‐CNT solar cells are demonstrated via the simple spin coating of a conductive hole‐selective passivating film and the evaporation of buried silicon oxide/magnesium electron‐selective contacts for both polarities. The CNT coverage area fraction (fCNT) and the gap between the two polarities are optimized to minimize electrical shading loss and ensure high photocarrier collection. Large‐area (4.76 cm2) highly efficient (17.53%) IBC‐CNT solar cells with a Voc of 651 mV and Jsc of 40.56 mA cm−2 are demonstrated and are prepared with one alignment step for the CNT/Si contact, and photolithographic‐free and room‐temperature processes. These performance parameters are among the best for solution‐processed dopant‐free IBC schemes and indicate the feasibility of using low‐dimensional carbon materials in IBC solar cells.
A survey on what users think about SysML
Authors: Santos Tauany L. S. , Soares Michel S.
Published: March 2023

Systems Modeling Language (SysML) has been applied in the past years to a variety of software and systems engineering projects, by hundreds of researchers, engineers, and other systems and software professionals. Thus, it is expected that all this experience has been described in research articles. Therefore, we propose a survey describing what practitioners and researchers think about this modeling language, the actual use of SysML, and how SysML is used in the software and system engineering life cycle. This article describes a survey on SysML, answering questions such as the most used diagrams for each phase of the development of a system, the most common domains, and other data about the participants. The survey was answered by 343 participants from 38 countries, mostly systems engineers, software and systems architects, and researchers. Industry and academia can use our results (i) for assisting researchers and engineers to select appropriate diagrams for each software and systems development phase, (ii) for a better understanding of which industry domains SysML is most commonly applied, (iii) as a reference for identifying which types of systems are modeled with SysML, (iv) for knowing which software tools are most used, and (v) which other modeling languages are most commonly integrated with SysML for software and systems development.
Testing coverage‐based software reliability growth model considering uncertainty of operating environment
Authors: Pradhan Vishal , Dhar Joydip , Kumar Ajay
Published: March 2023

Software reliability is one of the standard critical inherent characteristics of software systems. The testing coverage function (TCF) is a significant parameter for identifying the completeness and effectiveness of software testing. It is defined as the proportion of the code that has been tested up to timet. To capture the dynamic behavior of the number of faults detected over a period of time, several distributions, namely S‐shaped, inflection S‐shaped, logistic, log‐logistic, Weibull, Rayleigh, Erlang, and logarithmic exponentiated, have been used as TCF in literature. However, these distributions are not sufficient to describe TCF's practical behavior due to complexity and vagueness in the collected data. This study proposes two software reliability growth models (SRGMs), which incorporate the generalized inflection S‐shaped (GISS) distribution as TCF. The models have been developed in perfect and imperfect debugging environments while considering fault removal efficiency, error generation, and uncertainty in the operating environment. To analyze the effectiveness, the proposed models are then tested with six failure data sets. The choice of GISS distribution as a TCF improves the software reliability estimation in comparison with the existing models in the literature. Finally, single and multiple parameters sensitivity analysis also has been done and based on it, the critical parameters have been detected. The proposed models may be helpful for the system analyst to predict various parameters about some software systems.
The challenges of classifying big genera such asIpomoea
Authors: Muñoz‐Rodríguez Pablo , Wood John R.I. , Wells Tom , Carruthers Tom , Sumadijaya Alex , Scotland Robert W.
Published: March 2023

Big genera represent a significant proportion of the world's plants. However, comprehensive taxonomic and evolutionary studies of these genera are often complicated by their size and geographic spread. This paper explores the challenges faced in classifying these megadiverse plant groups consequent to the existing tension between diagnosability and increasing levels of resolution from molecular sequence data. We use recent examples from across angiosperms to illustrate how monophyly, diagnosability and completeness interplay with each other in attempts to classify several big genera and, specifically, the genusIpomoea(Convolvulaceae).Ipomoeaand the tribe Ipomoeeae have been the object of recent taxonomic and phylogenetic studies that highlight the limitations of previous attempts to classify the group, and show that the smaller segregate genera traditionally recognised in Ipomoeeae are nested withinIpomoeaand are neither monophyletic nor diagnosable. We argue that existing classifications must be abandoned, and that recognising an expandedIpomoeathat incorporates all segregate genera of the Ipomoeeae is the most appropriate solution as it reconciles the properties of monophyly, diagnosability and completeness, and favours nomenclatural stability.
An Enhanced Interval‐Based Approach for Anomaly Detection in Time Series
Authors: Li Xiaoping , Zhou Yanjun
Published: March 2023

Since anomalies are usually caused by changes in shape and amplitude in time series data, and most of the interval‐based methods utilized appear in the literature from a global perspective to detect anomalies. Nevertheless, the anomalies are also usually caused by local changes in shape and amplitude. Following these limitations, an enhanced interval‐based approach based on the interval information granules with the principle of justifiable granularity, viz., the EIA method, is formulated in this study for anomaly detection. First, the interval information granules are produced separately from the global and local perspectives in an abstracted manner on the basis of this principle. An interval‐based similarity measurement algorithm is then designed based on the abstraction results to calculate the anomaly scores from the various interval information granules for anomaly detection. Compared with classical methods, the proposed approach exhibits better performance in terms of data anomaly resolution and detection accuracy, which have been verified and supported in much of real‐world data. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Institutional networks in cooperative population management: Exploring patterns in transfer fulfillment
Authors: Gray Steven M. , Parsons Arielle W. , Andrews John E. , Schad Eebes Kristine , Faust Lisa J. , Che‐Castaldo Judy
Published: March 2023

Long‐term sustainability of ex‐situ animal populations is important for zoos and aquariums, but challenging due to inconsistent compliance with Breeding and Transfer Plans. Transfer recommendations are key to promoting the sustainability of ex‐situ animal populations by ensuring cohesive populations, genetic diversity, and demographic stability, but factors affecting their fulfillment are poorly understood. We used a network analysis framework to analyze data compiled from PMCTrack from 2011 to 2019 for three taxonomic classes (mammals, birds, and reptiles/amphibians) within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to assess factors affecting transfer recommendation fulfillment. Of 2505 compiled transfer recommendations spanning 330 Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Programs and 156 institutions, 1628 (65%) of them were fulfilled. Transfers were most likely to be fulfilled between institutions in close proximity with an established relationship. Annual operating budget, SSP Coordinator experience, number of staff, and diversity of Taxonomic Advisory Groups in which an institution participates also influenced transfer recommendations and/or fulfillment, but effects varied with taxonomic class. Our results suggest that current practices of focusing on transfers between institutions in close proximity are working to maximize transfer success and that institutions with larger budgets and some degree of taxonomic specialization play important roles in promoting success. Success could be further enhanced by building reciprocal transfer relationships and encouraging further development of relationships between smaller institutions and larger ones. These results emphasize the utility of examining animal transfers using a network approach, which accounts for attributes of both sending and receiving institutions, describing novel patterns otherwise left undetected.
Systematic analysis of the pharmacological content of the Tatort (scene of crime) TV series from 2019 to 2021
Authors: Borchert Marcel , Seifert Roland
Published: March 2023

Tatort (scene of crime) is a must-see programme on Sunday evenings for many Germans. With its enormous reach, the crime series also deals in more than half of its episodes with active pharmacological substances, surprisingly most of them are used curatively. There are lots of ways representing the active pharmacological substances: simply naming the preparation to details such as information on how to take it or how it is manufactured illegally. Diseases of great interest to the public such as hypertension or depression are taken up. In addition to the correct presentation, in 20% of cases the active pharmacological substances were presented incorrectly or implausibly. But even with correct presentation, it may yield a harmful influence on viewers: Stigmatisation of preparations occurred in 14%, especially in the case of active pharmacological substances that are used in psychiatric therapies; presentations that could be considered dangerous occurred in 21% of the mentions. In 29%, content was presented positively to the audience beyond the correct presentation. Analgesics and active pharmacological substances used in psychiatry are frequently titled. But drugs such as amiodarone, insulin or "cortisone" are also mentioned. The potential for misuse is also presented. Tatort also educates the audience about common diseases and their treatment, for example hypertension, depression or the use of antibacterial drugs. However, the series does not educate the general public on the mechanism of action of commonly used drugs. There is a natural dilemma between informing the public and guiding them to misuse medicines. Finally, we discuss how future episodes could be improved with respect to pharmacological content.
Non-target estrogenic screening of 60 pesticides, six plant protection products, and tomato, grape, and wine samples by planar chromatography combined with the planar yeast estrogen screen bioassay
Authors: Mehl Annabel , Seiferling Sophia , Morlock Gertrud E.
Published: March 2023

For non-target residue analysis of xenoestrogens in food, sophisticated chromatographic–mass spectrometric techniques lack in biological effect detection. Various in vitro assays providing sum values encounter problems when opposing signals are present in a complex sample. Due to physicochemical signal reduction, cytotoxic or antagonistic effect responses, the resulting sum value is falsified. Instead, the demonstrated non-target estrogenic screening with an integrated planar chromatographic separation differentiated opposing signals, detected and prioritized important estrogenic compounds, and directly assigned tentatively the responsible compounds. Sixty pesticides were investigated, ten of which showed estrogenic effects. Exemplarily, half-maximal effective concentrations and 17β-estradiol equivalents were determined. Estrogenic pesticide responses were confirmed in six tested plant protection products. In food, such as tomato, grape, and wine, several compounds with an estrogenic effect were detected. It showed that rinsing with water was not sufficient to remove selected residues and illustrated that, though not usually performed for tomatoes, peeling would be more appropriate. Though not in the focus, reaction or breakdown products that are estrogenic were detected, underlining the great potential of non-target planar chromatographic bioassay screening for food safety and food control.

Graphical Abstract
Natural deep eutectic solvent-based microextraction for mercury speciation in water samples
Authors: Ripoll Laura , Rayos Javier , Aguirre Miguel Ángel , Vidal Lorena , Canals Antonio
Published: March 2023

A new natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES)-based analytical method for mercury speciation in water samples is presented. A NADES (i.e., decanoic acid:DL-menthol in a molar ratio of 1:2) is used as an environmentally friendly extractant for separation and preconcentration using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction before LC-UV–Vis. Under optimal extraction conditions (i.e., NADES volume, 50 µL; sample pH, 12; volume of the complexing agent, 100 µL; extraction time, 3 min; centrifugation speed, 3000 rpm; and centrifugation time, 3 min), the limit of detection values were 0.9 µg L−1 for the organomercurial species and 3 µg L−1 for Hg2+, which had a slightly higher value. The relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 6) has been evaluated at two concentration levels (25 and 50 µg L−1) obtaining values for all the mercury complexes within the range of 6–12% and 8–12%, respectively. The trueness of the methodology has been evaluated using five real water samples from four different sources (i.e., tap, river, lake, and wastewater). The recovery tests have been performed in triplicate obtaining relative recoveries between 75 and 118%, with RSD (n = 3) between 1 and 19%, for all the mercury complexes in surface water samples. However, wastewater sample showed a significant matrix effect (recoveries ranged between 45 and 110%), probably due to the high amount of organic matter. Finally, the greenness of the method has also been evaluated by the analytical greenness metric for sample preparation (i.e., AGREEprep).

Graphical Abstract
Effect of digoxin on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation with and without heart failure: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and 12 meta-analyses
Authors: Gazzaniga Gianluca , Menichelli Danilo , Scaglione Francesco , Farcomeni Alessio , Pani Arianna , Pastori Daniele
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To perform a systematic umbrella review with meta-analysis to evaluate the certainty of evidence on mortality risk associated with digoxin use in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with or without heart failure (HF).

Methods

We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases from inception to 19 October 2021. We included systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies investigating digoxin effects on mortality of adult patients with AF and/or HF. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality; secondary outcome was cardiovascular mortality. Certainty of evidence was evaluated by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool and the quality of systematic reviews/meta-analyses by the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2) tool.

Results

Eleven studies accounting for 12 meta-analyses were included with a total of 4,586,515 patients. AMSTAR2 analysis showed a high quality in 1, moderate in 5, low in 2, and critically low in 3 studies. Digoxin was associated with an increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.19, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.14–1.25) with moderate certainty of evidence and with an increased cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.19, 95%CI 1.06–1.33) with moderate certainty of evidence. Subgroup analysis showed that digoxin was associated with all-cause mortality both in patients with AF alone (HR 1.23, 95%CI 1.19–1.28) and in those with AF and HF (HR 1.14, 95%CI 1.12–1.16).

Conclusion

Data from this umbrella review suggests that digoxin use is associated with a moderate increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in AF patients regardless of the presence of HF.

Trial registration

This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022325321).
Can colony resizing represent a strategy for octocorals to face climate warming? The case of the precious red coral Corallium rubrum
Authors: Roveta Camilla , Pulido Mantas Torcuato , Bierwirth Jan , Calcinai Barbara , Coppari Martina , Di Camillo Cristina Gioia , Puce Stefania , Villechanoux Juliette , Cerrano Carlo
Published: March 2023

Modular colonial benthic organisms exhibit high phenotypic plasticity, which is considered an effective strategy when faced with fluctuations in abiotic and biotic factors. However, when environmental changes occur abruptly, organisms’ adaptive capabilities can be limited, leading to the death of some colonies or to mass mortalities. Additionally, a decrease in body size has been proposed as one of the most common responses in both terrestrial and aquatic organisms to face global warming. Here, temperate corals’ response to thermal stress was documented using the precious red coral Corallium rubrum as a model species. The increased frequency of marine heat waves recorded in the north-western Mediterranean has led to a decrease in the total number of colonies of the analysed populations and reduced colony size in those that have survived, likely through fragmentation and branch loss. The laboratory analyses carried out on collected fragments showed an unexpected swelling, similar to resorption. Additionally, the occurrence of regular sclerite-like protuberances, typical of a normal skeleton surface, suggested a regeneration process. The documented phenomenon supports the hypothesis that C. rubrum exhibits an adaptive behaviour via the autotomy of branches, providing it with an unexpected resilience against climate anomalies thanks to phenotypic plasticity.
The Odd Chromatic Number of a Planar Graph is at Most 8
Authors: Petr Jan , Portier Julien
Published: March 2023

Petruševski and Škrekovski recently introduced the notion of an odd colouring of a graph: a proper vertex colouring of a graph G is said to be odd if for each non-isolated vertex $$x \in V(G)$$

x
∈
V
(
G
)

there exists a colour c appearing an odd number of times in its neighbourhood N(x). Petruševski and Škrekovski proved that for any planar graph G there is an odd colouring using at most 9 colours and, together with Caro, showed that 8 colours are enough for a significant family of planar graphs. We show that 8 colours suffice for all planar graphs.
Back to the future: breast surgery with tumescent local anesthesia (TLA)?
Authors: Boeer B. , Helms G. , Pasternak J. , Roehm C. , Kofler L. , Haefner H. M. , Moehrle M. , Heim E. , Fischer H. , Brucker S. Y. , Hahn M.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Breast surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. Tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) offers the possibility to anesthetize large areas with highly diluted local anesthetic.

Methods

In this paper, the implementation, and experiences with TLA in the field of breast surgery are discussed.

Conclusion

For carefully selected indications, breast surgery in TLA represents an alternative to ITN.
Clinico-histopathological review of 255 patients who underwent parotidectomy for pleomorphic adenoma: a 10-year retrospective study—a proposal for an optimal diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for patients with recurrent pleomorphic adenoma
Authors: Zoccali Federica , Cialente Fabrizio , Colizza Andrea , Ralli Massimo , Greco Antonio , de Vincentiis Marco
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Pleomorphic adenoma (mixed tumor) is the most common neoplasm of the parotid gland and one of the most frequent types of salivary gland tumor, generally with benign behavior and relatively slow growing. The adenomas could arise from the superficial, deep or from both superficial and deep parotid’s lobes.

Methods

The aim of this review is to retrospectively analyze the surgical management of patients with pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland performed at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (Department of Sense Organs of “Azienda Policlinico Umberto I” in Rome), from 2010 to 2020, with a focus on the percentage of recurrence and on the complication related to surgery to suggest an optimal diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for patients with recurrent pleomorphic adenoma. The analysis of the complications observed in case of different surgical approaches was performed using the X2 test.

Results

The choice of a surgical approach (superficial parotidectomy—SP, total parotidectomy—TP, extracapsular dissection—ECD) depends on several elements, such as the location and the size of the adenoma, the availability of existing technical facilities and the professional experience of the surgeon. A transient facial palsy was present in 37.6%, 2.7% reported a permanent facial nerve palsy, 1.6% developed a salivary fistula, 1.6% a post-operative bleeding and 2.3% showed Frey Syndrome.

Conclusion

The surgical management of this benign lesion is required, even in asymptomatic cases, to prevent the progressive growing and to reduce the risk of malignant transformation. The goal of surgical excision is to obtain the complete resection to minimize the risk of tumor recurrence and avoiding facial nerve disability. Therefore, an accurate preoperative study of the lesion and the choice of the most appropriate surgical treatment are essential to minimize the rate of recurrence.
Circadian rhythmicity in schizophrenia male patients with and without substance use disorder comorbidity
Authors: Adan Ana , Marquez-Arrico Julia E. , Río-Martínez Laura , Navarro José Francisco , Martinez-Nicolas Antonio
Published: March 2023

Circadian rhythmicity is associated to clinical variables that play an important role in both schizophrenia (SZ) and substance use disorders (SUD), although the characteristics of the coexistence of these two diagnoses (SZ +) remain mostly unknown. Hence, we studied a sample of 165 male patients divided in three groups each of 55, according to their diagnoses (SZ + , SZ, and SUD), as well as a healthy control (HC; n = 90) group. Alongside with sociodemographic and clinical variables, circadian rhythms were registered through a sleep–wake data structured interview, a circadian typology questionnaire, and distal skin temperature (DST) using the Thermochron iButton every 2 min during 48 h. Analyses showed that SZ + and SZ patients presented a longer sleep (delay in wake-up time) and mostly an intermediate circadian typology, while SUD patients slept less hours, displaying a morning typology. The DST showed the highest daily activation and stability for the SUD group, even when compared with the HC group. The presence of schizophrenia (SZ + and SZ) was related to a DST pattern with a reduced amplitude determined by a wakefulness impairment, which was more pronounced for SZ patients whose sleep period was adequate. The assessment of circadian rhythms in under treatment male patients with SZ should be focused on the diurnal period as a possible marker of either treatment adherence or patient's recovery, irrespective of the presence of a comorbid SUD. Further research with additional objective measures may provide knowledge transferable to therapeutic strategies and could be useful to establish possible endophenotypes in the future.
Evaluation of long-term data on surface contamination by antineoplastic drugs in pharmacies
Authors: Quartucci Caroline , Rooney James P. K. , Nowak Dennis , Rakete Stefan
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The handling of antineoplastic drugs represents an occupational health risk for employees in pharmacies. To minimize exposure and to evaluate cleaning efficacy, wipe sampling was used to analyze antineoplastic drugs on surfaces. In 2009, guidance values were suggested to facilitate the interpretation of results, leading to a decrease in surface contamination. The goal of this follow-up was to evaluate the time trend of surface contamination, to identify critical antineoplastic drugs and sampling locations and to reassess guidance values.

Methods

Platinum, 5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, gemcitabine, methotrexate, docetaxel and paclitaxel were analyzed in more than 17,000 wipe samples from 2000 to 2021. Statistical analysis was performed to describe and interpret the data.

Results

Surface contaminations were generally relatively low. The median concentration for most antineoplastic drugs was below the limit of detection except for platinum (0.3 pg/cm2). Only platinum and 5-fluorouracil showed decreasing levels over time. Most exceedances of guidance values were observed for platinum (26.9%), cyclophosphamide (18.5%) and gemcitabine (16.6%). The most affected wipe sampling locations were isolators (24.4%), storage areas (17.6%) and laminar flow hoods (16.6%). However, areas with no direct contact to antineoplastic drugs were also frequently contaminated (8.9%).

Conclusion

Overall, the surface contaminations with antineoplastic drugs continue to decrease or were generally at a low level. Therefore, we adjusted guidance values according to the available data. The identification of critical sampling locations may help pharmacies to further improve cleaning procedure and reduce the risk of occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs.