bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energetics of sinusoidal exercise below and across critical power and the effects of fatigue
Authors: Borrelli Marta , Shokohyar Sheida , Rampichini Susanna , Bruseghini Paolo , Doria Christian , Limonta Eloisa Guglielmina , Ferretti Guido , Esposito Fabio
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Previous studies investigating sinusoidal exercise were not devoted to an analysis of its energetics and of the effects of fatigue. We aimed to determine the contribution of aerobic and anaerobic lactic metabolism to the energy balance and investigate the fatigue effects on the cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to sinusoidal protocols, across and below critical power (CP).

Methods

Eight males (26.6 ± 6.2 years; 75.6 ± 8.7 kg; maximum oxygen uptake 52.8 ± 7.9 ml·min−1·kg−1; CP 218 ± 13 W) underwent exhausting sinusoidal cycloergometric exercises, with sinusoid midpoint (MP) at CP (CPex) and 50 W below CP (CP-50ex). Sinusoid amplitude (AMP) and period were 50 W and 4 min, respectively. MP, AMP, and time-delay (tD) between mechanical and metabolic signals of expiratory ventilation ($${\dot{V}}_{E}$$

V
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E

), oxygen uptake ($${\dot{V}}_{{{\text{O}}}_{2}}$$

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), and heart rate ($${f}_{H}$$

f
H

) were assessed sinusoid-by-sinusoid. Blood lactate ([La−]) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined at each sinusoid.

Results

$${\dot{V}}_{{{\text{O}}}_{2}}$$

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AMP was 304 ± 11 and 488 ± 36 ml·min−1 in CPex and CP-50ex, respectively. Asymmetries between rising and declining sinusoid phases occurred in CPex (36.1 ± 7.7 vs. 41.4 ± 9.7 s for $${\dot{V}}_{{{\text{O}}}_{2}}$$

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tD up and tD down, respectively; P < 0.01), with unchanged tDs. $${\dot{V}}_{{{\text{O}}}_{2}}$$

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MP and RPE increased progressively during CPex. [La−] increased by 2.1 mM in CPex but remained stable during CP-50ex. Anaerobic contribution was larger in CPex than CP-50ex.

Conclusion

The lower aerobic component during CPex than CP-50ex associated with lactate accumulation explained lower $${\dot{V}}_{{{\text{O}}}_{2}}$$

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AMP in CPex. The asymmetries in CPex suggest progressive decline of muscle phosphocreatine concentration, leading to fatigue, as witnessed by RPE.
Maximum Anterior Tongue Strength and Maximum Lip Strength in Healthy Spanish Adults: A Proposal of Reference Values
Authors: Marín-Bernard Enrique , Ruiz-López María Dolores , Gómez-Pozo Basilio , Artacho Reyes
Published: January 2024

Adequate tongue and lip strengths are needed for normal speech, chewing, and swallowing development. The aim was to evaluate the influence of sex and age on maximum anterior tongue strength (MTS) and maximum lip strength (MLS) in healthy Spanish adults to establish reference values that can be used in clinical practice.

This cross-sectional study comprises 363 subjects (mean age 47.5 ± 20.7 years) distributed by sex (258 women and 105 men) and across three age groups: Young (18–39 years), middle-aged (40–59 years), and older adults (> 59 years). MTS and MLS were determined using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). The mean MTS was 49.63 ± 13.81 kPa, regardless of sex, and decreased with age. The mean MLS was statistically higher for men (28.86 ± 10.88 kPa) than for women (23.37 ± 6.92 kPa, p = 0.001), regardless of age.

This study provides the first reference values for the standardized measurement of MTS and MLS in a healthy adult Spanish-speaking population using the IOPI.
Anemia diagnosis and therapy in malignant diseases: implementation of guidelines—a representative study
Authors: Link Hartmut , Kerkmann Markus , Holtmann Laura , Detzner Markus
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Anemia in cancer should be diagnosed and treated according to guideline recommendations. The implementation of ESMO and German guidelines and their effect on anemia correction was analyzed.

Methods

This retrospective epidemiological study, representative for Germany, analyzed data on anemia management of cancer patients with anemia ≥ grade 2. The Guideline Adherence Score (GLAD) for diagnosis (GLAD-D) and therapy (GLAD-T) was defined as follows: 2 points for complete, 1 point for partial, 0 point for no adherence.

Results

Data were analyzed for 1046 patients. Hb levels at diagnosis of anemia were 8–10 g/dL in 899 (85.9%) patients, 7–8 g/dL in 92 (8.7%), and < 7 g/dL (5.0%) in 52. Transferrin saturation was determined in 19% of patients. Four hundred fifty-six patients received RBC (43.6%), 198 (18.9%) iron replacement, 106 (10.1%) ESA, and 60 (5.7%) vitamin B12 replacement. 60.6% of patients receiving iron replacement were treated intravenously and 39.4% were treated orally. Two hundred eighty-eight (36.6%) of 785 patients receiving transfusions had no guideline-directed indication. GLAD-D was 2 in 310 patients (29.6%), 1 in 168 (16.1%), and 0 in 568 (54.3%). GLAD-T was 2 in 270 patients (25.8%), 1 in 320 patients (30.6%), and 0 in 456 patients (43.6%). Higher GLAD-D significantly correlated with higher GLAD-T (τB = 0.176, p < 0.001). GLAD-T 2 was significantly associated with greater Hb increase than GLAD-T 0/1 (p < 0.001) at 28 days (10.2 vs. 9.7 g/dL) and at 2 months (10.4 vs. 9.9 g/dL).

Conclusions

Anemia assessment is inadequate, transfusion rates too high, and iron and ESA therapy too infrequent.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05190263, date: 2022–01-13.
Use of artificial neural networks in architecture: determining the architectural style of a building with a convolutional neural networks
Authors: Cantemir Ece , Kandemir Ozlem
Published: January 2024

The discussion of "can machines think?" which started with the invention of the modern computer, brought along the question of "can machines design?" by researchers in the design field. These developments in information technologies have also affected the architecture. Artificial intelligence applications are encountered in many areas such as pricing estimation, energy conservation security systems of buildings, ventilation systems, user-oriented interactive design solutions, computer-aided programs used in the plan production phase and design process. When the literature on artificial intelligence applications in the architecture is reviewed, it can be seen that it generally includes shape grammars, graph theory, decision trees, constraint-based models, machine learning methods, RNN (Recursive Neural Networks), CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) and GAN (Generative Adversarial Network) algorithms. In this study, the use of artificial intelligence algorithms in architecture was examined, and an example was designed to determine the architectural structures of different periods by using CNN (Convolutional Neural Network). In the study, the open source TensorFlow library developed by Google and the Python programming language were used. Employing a statistical approach and utilizing convolutional neural networks (CNNs), a study has successfully classified the current flow patterns of buildings based on datasets comprising facades of Gothic, Modern, and Deconstructivist architectural styles. The findings demonstrate the efficacy of CNNs in accurately distinguishing the intricate details of diverse architectural styles. Recognizing elements from different periods using the CNN algorithm can examine not only individual buildings but also the relationship of buildings with their environments. It can also gain an important place in the field of conservation of the architectural discipline. The historical processes, aesthetic features and changes of protected buildings can be learned with the CNN algorithm and can guide restoration decisions. As a result of the study, the employed CNN-based model can correctly classify structures with 84.66% accuracy rate.
Micromotor-based dual aptassay for early cost-effective diagnosis of neonatal sepsis
Authors: Gordón Pidal José M. , Arruza Luis , Moreno-Guzmán María , López Miguel Ángel , Escarpa Alberto
Published: January 2024

Given the long-life expectancy of the newborn, research aimed at improving sepsis diagnosis and management in this population has been recognized as cost-effective, which at early stages continues to be a tremendous challenge. Despite there is not an ideal-specific biomarker, the simultaneous detection of biomarkers with different behavior during an infection such as procalcitonin (PCT) as high specificity biomarker with one of the earliest biomarkers in sepsis as interleukin-6 (IL-6) increases diagnostic performance. This is not only due to their high positive predictive value but also, since it can also help the clinician to rule out infection and thus avoid the use of antibiotics, due to their high negative predictive value. To this end, we explore a cutting-edge micromotor (MM)-based OFF–ON dual aptassay for simultaneous determination of both biomarkers in 15 min using just 2 μL of sample from low-birth-weight neonates with gestational age less than 32 weeks and birthweight below 1000 g with clinical suspicion of late-onset sepsis. The approach reached the high sensitivities demanded in the clinical scenario (LODPCT = 0.003 ng/mL, LODIL6 = 0.15 pg/mL) with excellent correlation performance (r > 0.9990, p < 0.05) of the MM-based approach with the Hospital method for both biomarkers during the analysis of diagnosed samples and reliability (Er < 6% for PCT, and Er < 4% for IL-6). The proposed approach also encompasses distinctive technical attributes in a clinical scenario since its minimal sample volume requirements and expeditious results compatible with few easy-to-obtain drops of heel stick blood samples from newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. This would enable the monitoring of both sepsis biomarkers within the initial hours after the manifestation of symptoms in high-risk neonates as a valuable tool in facilitating prompt and well-informed decisions about the initiation of antibiotic therapy.

These results revealed the asset behind micromotor technology for multiplexing analysis in diagnosing neonatal sepsis, opening new avenues in low sample volume-based diagnostics.

Graphical Abstract
Omics approaches to understand the MADS-box gene family in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) against drought stress
Authors: Okay Aybüke , Kırlıoğlu Tarık , Durdu Yasin Şamil , Akdeniz Sanem Şafak , Büyük İlker , Aras E.Sümer
Published: January 2024

MADS-box genes are known to play important roles in diverse aspects of growth/devolopment and stress response in several plant species. However, no study has yet examined about MADS-box genes in P. vulgaris. In this study, a total of 79 PvMADS genes were identified and classified as type I and type II according to the phylogenetic analysis. While both type I and type II PvMADS classes were found to contain the MADS domain, the K domain was found to be present only in type II PvMADS proteins, in agreement with the literature. All chromosomes of the common bean were discovered to contain PvMADS genes and 17 paralogous gene pairs were identified. Only two of them were tandemly duplicated gene pairs (PvMADS-19/PvMADS-23 and PvMADS-20/PvMADS-24), and the remaining 15 paralogous gene pairs were segmentally duplicated genes. These duplications were found to play an important role in the expansion of type II PvMADS genes. Moreover, the RNAseq and RT-qPCR analyses showed the importance of PvMADS genes in response to drought stress in P. vulgaris.
Child temperament as a longitudinal predictor of mother–adolescent interaction quality: are effects independent of child and maternal mental health?
Authors: Fleck Leonie , Fuchs Anna , Williams Katharina , Moehler Eva , Resch Franz , Koenig Julian , Kaess Michael
Published: January 2024

Adaptive parent–child interaction plays a major role in healthy child development. Caregiver mental health problems can negatively impact parent–child interaction. In turn, interactional quality is often studied as a predictor of child outcome. However, child characteristics supposedly shape parent–child interactions as well. Given associations between child and caregiver mental health and child temperament, this study aimed at differentiating their effects on dyadic interaction quality in adolescence. Child temperament and character at age 5 were investigated as longitudinal predictors of observed mother–adolescent interactional quality at age 14 in a community sample (N = 76). It was examined whether these effects were independent of maternal and child mental health and earlier dysfunctional interaction. Lower novelty seeking, higher reward dependence, and higher cooperativeness separately predicted higher dyadic interactional quality at age 14. Controlling regressions for dysfunctional interaction at age 5, which was a significant negative predictor of later interactional quality, cancelled out the effects of novelty seeking and cooperativeness. Past or concurrent maternal or child psychopathology did not explain variance in mother–adolescent interaction. Applying backward selection, a model including reward dependence and dysfunctional interaction at age 5 and concurrent maternal stress showed the best fit for explaining dyadic interaction quality. Results suggest that enduring rather than transient child features predict interactional quality in a community sample. Effects of temperament are not better explained by those of psychopathology, but a combination of child, maternal, and dyadic features predicted dyadic behaviour best. Selective prevention should target parenting in the context of challenging child characteristics specifically.
Pd-H as an irreplaceable model system for the study of hydrogen electrosorption in aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes
Authors: Hubkowska K. , Pająk M. , Monikowska D. , Czerwiński A.
Published: January 2024

Even though Pd-H system has been known since the nineteenth century, it is still of interest to scientists. Pd thin film electrode (called as a Limited Volume Electrode – LVE) is able to electrosorb hydrogen form aqueous (acid, base) and non-aqueous electrolytes (e.g. ionic liquids). Therefore Pd-H is an irreplaceable model system for the study of hydrogen electrosorption in different media. The paper presents: (1) short overview of the study of hydrogen sorption in Pd, (2) the detailed description of the electrochemical measurement methods and (3) the equations for the determination of hydrogen electrosorption charges needed to hydrogen electrosorption isotherms creation. The presented approach can be applied for laboratory work. The results show that Pd-LVE can be effectively used as a model system before the studies of multicomponent hydrogen storage alloys (e.g. AB5 alloys).

Graphical abstract
Continuum modelling of a just-saturated inertial column collapse: capturing fluid-particle interaction
Authors: Webb William , Turnbull Barbara , Johnson Chris
Published: January 2024

This work presents a simple two-phase flow model to analyse a series of axisymmetric granular column collapse tests conducted under elevated gravitational accelerations. These columns were prepared with a just-saturated condition, where the granular pores were filled with a Newtonian fluid up to the column’s free surface. In this configuration, unlike the fully submerged case, air-water-grain contact angles may be important to flow dynamics. The interaction between a Newtonian fluid phase and a monodispersed inertial particle phase was captured by an inter-phase interaction term that considers the drag between the two phases as a function of the particle phase porosity. While this experimental setup has broad applications in understanding various industrial processes and natural phenomena, the focus of this study is on its relevance to predicting the motion of debris flows. Debris flows are challenging to model due to their temporally evolving composition, which can lead to the development of complex numerical models that become intractable. The developed numerical scheme in this study reasonably reproduces the particle-size and gravitational acceleration dependencies observed within the experimental runout and basal fluid pressure dissipation data. However, discrepancies between the model and physical experiments primarily arise from the assumption of modelling the granular phase as a continuum, which becomes less appropriate as particle size increases.

Graphical Abstract
Individualized foveated rendering with eye-tracking head-mounted display
Authors: Kim Jihwan , Kim Jejoong , Jung Myeongul , Kwon Taesoo , Kim Kwanguk Kenny
Published: January 2024

Foveated rendering (FR) technology is designed to improve the efficiency of graphical rendering processes. In rendering, individualized approaches can help to balance users’ experiences of visual quality and saving computational resource. However, previous studies have not rigorously examined it related with the FR techniques. To address this issue, we developed an individualized FR (IFR) method using different central vision sizes and peripheral vision resolutions across individuals in virtual reality. In three user studies with 88 participants who were divided into groups designated as “large central area (LCA)” and “small central area (SCA),” the effects of IFR were compared with those of using the full-resolution condition and the average FR condition. The results indicate that the LCA group experienced higher visual quality under the IFR and full-resolution conditions than under the average FR condition. In contrast, the SCA group exhibited comparable levels of dependent measures between the IFR and average FR conditions, but both were lower than those of the full-resolution condition. We also evaluated the computational benefits of the proposed IFR method, and the results demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach in saving resources across the two groups. Although lower-bound adjustments may be required for some users, our overall results suggest that IFR is a malleable technology for enhancing rendering efficiency in virtual reality.
Dural arteriovenous fistula presenting with recurrent focal status epilepticus and lateralised periodic epileptiform discharges
Authors: Dunbabin Isobel , Banez Ramon M. , de Souza Aaron
Published: January 2024

Background

Dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVF) are relatively infrequently encountered, and status epilepticus (SE) and lateralised periodic discharges (LPDs) on electroencephalography (EEG) have only rarely been associated with these arteriovenous malformations.

Methods

We present a patient with recurrent presentations with focal SE, aphasia and other focal deficits of cortical function and ictal and peri-ictal LPDs on serial EEG, who was shown to have a left hemispheric dAVF associated with left transverse and sigmoid sinus thrombosis. Seizures proved refractory to four anti-seizure medications but became more amenable to control after successful embolisation of the dAVF, with subsequent resolution of the focal cortical deficits. We discuss the co-occurrence of SE and LPDs with dAVF and review previously reported cases with this rare association.

Conclusions

Our report supports a causative relationship between dAVF and focal SE, manifesting as ictal LPDs on EEG, and highlights the importance of active dAVF management in achieving seizure control. The relatively good patient outcome contrasts to the few similar case reports. Whilst rare, it is important to consider dAVF as a potentially treatable condition underlying new-onset seizures, including SE.
Transcriptomic Response of the Atlantic Surfclam (Spisula solidissima) to Acute Heat Stress
Authors: Acquafredda Michael , Guo Ximing , Munroe Daphne
Published: January 2024

There is clear evidence that the oceans are warming due to anthropogenic climate change, and the northeastern coast of USA contains some of the fastest warming areas. This warming is projected to continue with serious biological and social ramifications for fisheries and aquaculture. One species particularly vulnerable to warming is the Atlantic surfclam (Spisula solidissima). The surfclam is a critically important species, linking marine food webs and supporting a productive, lucrative, and sustainable fishery. The surfclam is also emerging as an attractive candidate for aquaculture diversification, but the warming of shallow coastal farms threatens the expansion of surfclam aquaculture. Little is known about the adaptive potential of surfclams to cope with ocean warming. In this study, the surfclam transcriptome under heat stress was examined. Two groups of surfclams were subjected to heat stress to assess how artificial selection may alter gene expression. One group of clams had been selected for greater heat tolerance (HS) and the other was composed of random control clams (RC). After a 6-h exposure to 16 or 29 °C, gill transcriptome expression profiles of the four temperature/group combinations were determined by RNA sequencing and compared. When surfclams experienced heat stress, they exhibited upregulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs), inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs), and other stress-response related genes. RC clams differentially expressed 1.7 times more genes than HS clams, yet HS clams had a stronger response of key stress response genes, including HSPs, IAPs, and genes involved with mitigating oxidative stress. The findings imply that the HS clams have a more effective response to heat stress after undergoing the initial selection event due to genetic differences created by the selection, epigenetic memory of the first heat shock, or both. This work provides insights into how surfclams adapt to heat stress and should inform future breeding programs that attempt to breed surfclam for greater heat tolerance, and ultimately bring greater resiliency to shellfish farms.
Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio diurnal variation rate predicts outcomes in idiopathic membranous nephropathy
Authors: Chen Xiaoqing , Zhang Yong , Yan Liqun , Xie Yangbin , Li Shujing , Zhuang Yongze , Wang Liping
Published: January 2024

Background

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) diurnal variation rate calculated by spot urinary protein test predicts 1-year nephrotic outcomes as a biomarker of proteinuria severity in patients with IMN.

Methods

Patients’ baseline demographics, blood and urinary biomarkers, and clinical and pathological characteristics were collected retrospectively. Urine samples were collected at 7:00 (before breakfast) and 19:00 (after dinner) to calculate the UACR diurnal variation rate. A prediction model for no remission (NR) was developed statistically based on differences between prognosis groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate prediction abilities and determine optimal cut-off points of the model and UACR diurnal variation rate alone.

Results

The formula for calculating the probability of NR was exp(L)/(1 + exp(L)), where the linear predictor L =  – 22.038 + 0.134 × Age (years) + 0.457 × 24-h urinary protein + 0.511 × blood urea nitrogen (BUN) + 0.014 × serum uric acid (SUA) + 2.411 if glomerular sclerosis + 0.816 × fasting blood glucose (FBG)-0.039 × UACR diurnal variation rate (%). Optimal cut-off points for NR prediction by the final model and UACR diurnal variation rate alone were 0.331 and 58.5%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 0.889 and 0.859 for the final model, and 0.926 and 0.676 for UACR diurnal variation rate alone.

Conclusion

UACR diurnal variation using spot urinary protein is a simpler way to predict nephrotic outcomes and is a highly sensitive screening tool for identifying patients who should undergo further comprehensive risk assessment.
Recent nanotheranostic approaches in cancer research
Authors: Gupta Deepshikha , Roy Priyanka , Sharma Rishabh , Kasana Richa , Rathore Pragati , Gupta Tejendra Kumar
Published: January 2024

Humanity is suffering from cancer which has become a root cause of untimely deaths of individuals around the globe in the recent past. Nanotheranostics integrates therapeutics and diagnostics to monitor treatment response and enhance drug efficacy and safety. We hereby propose to discuss all recent cancer imaging and diagnostic tools, the mechanism of targeting tumor cells, and current nanotheranostic platforms available for cancer. This review discusses various nanotheranostic agents and novel molecular imaging tools like MRI, CT, PET, SPEC, and PAT used for cancer diagnostics. Emphasis is given to gold nanoparticles, silica, liposomes, dendrimers, and metal-based agents. We also highlight the mechanism of targeting the tumor cells, and the limitations of different nanotheranostic agents in the field of research for cancer treatment. Due to the complexity in this area, multifunctional and hybrid nanoparticles functionalized with targeted moieties or anti-cancer drugs show the best feature for theranostics that enables them to work on carrying and delivering active materials to the desired area of the requirement for early detection and diagnosis. Non-invasive imaging techniques have a specificity of receptor binding and internalization processes of the nanosystems within the cancer cells. Nanotheranostics may provide the appropriate medicine at the appropriate dose to the appropriate patient at the appropriate time.

Graphical abstract
Evaluation of NTRK expression and fusions in a large cohort of early-stage lung cancer
Authors: Dyrbekk Anne Pernille Harlem , Warsame Abdirashid Ali , Suhrke Pål , Ludahl Marianne Odnakk , Zecic Nermin , Moe Joakim Oliu , Lund-Iversen Marius , Brustugun Odd Terje
Published: January 2024

Tropomyosin receptor kinases (TRK) are attractive targets for cancer therapy. As TRK-inhibitors are approved for all solid cancers with detectable fusions involving the Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK)-genes, there has been an increased interest in optimizing testing regimes. In this project, we wanted to find the prevalence of NTRK fusions in a cohort of various histopathological types of early-stage lung cancer in Norway and to investigate the association between TRK protein expression and specific histopathological types, including their molecular and epidemiological characteristics. We used immunohistochemistry (IHC) as a screening tool for TRK expression, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) as confirmatory tests for underlying NTRK-fusion. Among 940 cases, 43 (4.6%) had positive TRK IHC, but in none of these could a NTRK fusion be confirmed by NGS or FISH. IHC-positive cases showed various staining intensities and patterns including cytoplasmatic or nuclear staining. IHC-positivity was more common in squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) (10.3%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (40.0%), where the majority showed heterogeneous staining intensity. In comparison, only 1.1% of the adenocarcinomas were positive. IHC-positivity was also more common in men, but this association could be explained by the dominance of LUSC in TRK IHC-positive cases. Protein expression was not associated with differences in time to relapse or overall survival. Our study indicates that NTRK fusion is rare in early-stage lung cancer. Due to the high level of false positive cases with IHC, Pan-TRK IHC is less suited as a screening tool for NTRK-fusions in LUSC and adenoid cystic carcinoma.
Second-line tislelizumab versus chemotherapy in Japanese patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: subgroup analysis from RATIONALE-302
Authors: Hara Hiroki , Satoh Taroh , Kojima Takashi , Tsushima Takahiro , Sunakawa Yu , Okada Morihito , Ding Ningning , Wu Hongqian , Li Liyun , Yu Tian , Barnes Gisoo , Kato Ken
Published: January 2024

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has a poor prognosis, with limited second-line systemic therapy options, and represents an increasing disease burden in Japan. In the phase 3 RATIONALE-302 study, the anti-programmed cell death protein 1 antibody, tislelizumab, significantly improved overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy as second-line treatment for advanced/metastatic ESCC. Here, we report the Japanese patient subgroup results.

Methods

Patients with advanced/metastatic ESCC, with disease progression during/after first-line systemic therapy were randomized 1:1 to open-label tislelizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks or investigator’s choice of chemotherapy (paclitaxel/docetaxel). Efficacy and safety were assessed in all randomized Japanese patients.

Results

The Japanese subgroup comprised 50 patients (n = 25 per arm). Tislelizumab improved OS versus chemotherapy (median: 9.8 vs. 7.6 months; HR 0.59; 95% CI 0.31, 1.12). Among patients with programmed death-ligand 1 score ≥ 10%, median OS was 12.5 months with tislelizumab (n = 10) versus 2.9 months with chemotherapy (n = 6) (HR 0.31; 95% CI 0.09, 1.03). Tislelizumab improved progression-free survival versus chemotherapy (median: 3.6 vs. 1.7 months, respectively; HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.27, 0.95). Objective response rate was greater with tislelizumab (32.0%) versus chemotherapy (20.0%), and responses were more durable (median duration of response: 8.8 vs. 2.6 months, respectively). Fewer patients experienced ≥ grade 3 treatment-related adverse events with tislelizumab (24.0%) versus chemotherapy (47.8%). Tislelizumab demonstrated an improvement in health-related quality of life versus chemotherapy.

Conclusions

As second-line therapy for advanced/metastatic ESCC, tislelizumab improved OS versus chemotherapy, with a favorable safety profile, in the Japanese patient subgroup, consistent with the overall population.

Clinical trial registry

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03430843.
Using recent genetic history to inform conservation options of two Lesser Caymans iguana (Cyclura nubila caymanensis) populations
Authors: Rogers Thea F. , Stenhouse Ewan H. , Wilson Hannah , Pendaries Morgan , Bruford Michael W. , Goetz Matthias , Orozco-terWengel Pablo
Published: January 2024

The Sister Islands rock iguana (Cyclura nubila caymanensis) is critically endangered and endemic to the Caribbean islands Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. The Cayman Brac population and indeed the entire species is under threat from habitat destruction, invasive species, and anthropogenic impacts on the island. We assessed the genetic diversity, estimated effective population sizes, and tested for differentiation of populations between these two islands to inform potential future translocation should this be needed for the Cayman Brac population. Two mitochondrial DNA markers (cytochrome b and NADH subunit 4) and seven DNA microsatellite markers were used to assess the genetic diversity, genetic structure, demographic history, and effective population size of the two iguana populations. Mitochondrial DNA showed no genetic differentiation between populations; however, we found little to moderate divergence with microsatellites. We compared multiple demographic scenarios and revealed that ongoing gene flow is likely. The demographic history implied a significant genetic bottleneck around 10,000 years ago, coinciding with the sea level rise at the close of the last glacial period, and the start of the Holocene. Estimates of current effective population sizes indicate a small-scale number of breeders on each island of similar magnitude to the census mature population size (between 100 and 800 individuals). The relatively low differentiation between populations supports the possible development of active genetic management plans to manage the declining populations of the Sister Islands rock iguana.
Research Avenues Supporting Embodied Cognition in Learning and Instruction
Authors: Castro-Alonso Juan C. , Ayres Paul , Zhang Shirong , de Koning Björn B. , Paas Fred
Published: January 2024

Research on embodied cognition acknowledges that cognitive processing is tightly coupled with bodily activities and the environment. An important implication for education is that learning can be enhanced when the brain, body, and environment mutually influence each other, such as when making or observing human actions, especially those involving hand gestures and manipulation of objects. In this narrative review article, we describe the evidence from six research avenues that can help explain why embodied cognition can enhance learning and instruction. Through the exploration of these six interconnected research pathways, we aim to make a significant contribution by proposing innovative directions for learning and instruction research, all rooted in the principles of embodied cognition. We establish a direct link between the six research pathways and embodied phenomena, both in the contexts of making and observing human movements. When making human movements, the research avenues explaining the learning benefits due to these movements are physical activity, generative learning, and offloaded cognition. When observing human movements, the avenues researching these phenomena are specialized processor and signaling. Lastly, the research avenue social cognition is integral to both making and observing human movements. With originality in focus, we also include research that has not been traditionally associated with embodied cognition or embodiment. This article offers comprehensive discussions, substantiated with evidence and influencing features, for each of these research avenues. We conclude by outlining the implications of these findings for instruction and charting potential directions for future investigation.
Impulse Control of Conditional McKean–Vlasov Jump Diffusions
Authors: Agram Nacira , Pucci Giulia , Øksendal Bernt
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we consider impulse control problems involving conditional McKean–Vlasov jump diffusions, with the common noise coming from the $$\sigma $$
σ
-algebra generated by the first components of a Brownian motion and an independent compensated Poisson random measure. We first study the well-posedness of the conditional McKean–Vlasov stochastic differential equations (SDEs) with jumps. Then, we prove the associated Fokker–Planck stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) with jumps. Next, we establish a verification theorem for impulse control problems involving conditional McKean–Vlasov jump diffusions. We obtain a Markovian system by combining the state equation with the associated Fokker–Planck SPDE for the conditional law of the state. Then we derive sufficient variational inequalities for a function to be the value function of the impulse control problem, and for an impulse control to be the optimal control. We illustrate our results by applying them to the study of an optimal stream of dividends under transaction costs. We obtain the solution explicitly by finding a function and an associated impulse control, which satisfy the verification theorem.
Structure versus hydrolytic and thermal stability of bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers composed of hard and soft building blocks with high content of green carbon
Authors: Głowińska Ewa , Smorawska Joanna , Niesiobędzka Joanna , Datta Janusz
Published: January 2024

Nowadays, sustainability plays a key role in the design and synthesis of new materials. One of the methods for the preparation of green materials is incorporation into their structure the monomers with a high content of green carbon. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the influence of the type and molecular mass of two bio-based polyester polyols and bio-glycol on the properties of aliphatic partially bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (bio-TPU). Two series of bio-TPUs materials composed of hard and soft building blocks with high green carbon content were prepared via the two-step method (prepolymer method). Two amorphous bio-based polyester polyols with the molecular mass ~ 2000 (P1) and ~ 3000 (P2) were used. Bio-TPUs were prepared at three different molar ratio of [NCO]/[OH]: 0.9, 0.95, and 1.0. In order to determine the influence of bio-based polyols and the content of hard segments on the properties of bio-TPU, relevant test methods were used. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry (TG) revealed hydrolytic and thermal stability of bio-TPUs. Viscoelastic behavior, mechanical and physical properties were examined in terms of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), tensile test, hardness, and density. Analysis of the measurement results confirmed the significant influence of the molecular mass of the bio-based polyols and the molar ratio of [NCO]/[OH] on the bio-TPUs properties. Due to good mechanical properties, low density, and thermal stability up to 300 °C, the obtained materials can find many useful applications. This issue is essential in terms of sustainable development and reduction in the CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.
Host-to-target region testing of machine learning models for seismic damage prediction in buildings
Authors: Ghimire Subash , Guéguen Philippe
Published: January 2024

Assessing or predicting seismic damage in buildings is an essential and challenging component of seismic risk studies. Machine learning methods offer new perspectives for damage characterization, taking advantage of available data on the characteristics of built environments. In this study, we aim (1) to characterize seismic damage using a classification model trained and tested on damage survey data from earthquakes in Nepal, Haiti, Serbia and Italy and (2) to test how well a model trained on a given region (host) can predict damage in another region (target). The strategy adopted considers only simple data characterizing the building (number of stories and building age), seismic ground motion (macroseismic intensity) and a traffic-light-based damage classification model (green, yellow, red categories). The study confirms that the extreme gradient boosting classification model (XGBC) with oversampling predicts damage with 60% accuracy. However, the quality of the survey is a key issue for model performance. Furthermore, the host-to-target test suggests that the model’s applicability may be limited to regions with similar contextual environments (e.g., socio-economic conditions). Our results show that a model from one region can only be applied to another region under certain conditions. We expect our model to serve as a starting point for further analysis in host-to-target region adjustment and confirm the need for additional post-earthquake surveys in other regions with different tectonic, urban fabric and socio-economic contexts.
Pitfalls of distinguishing anthropogenic and geogenic reasons for risk elements in soils around coal-fired power plants: from a case study in the Northwestern Czech Republic to general recommendations
Authors: Adamec Slavomír , Tůmová Štěpánka , Hošek Michal , Lučić Mavro , Grygar Tomáš Matys
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Many historical industrial activities, including coal mining and burning, have started near geogenic anomalies. It resulted in spatial overlap of anthropogenic and natural causes of elevated soil risk element contents. Here, distinguishing between anthropogenic and geogenic contributions cannot be achieved by conventional geochemical soil mapping, in particular, when only pseudo-total contents of risk elements were obtained, soil depth profiles were not acquired, and geological maps were not implemented.

Methods

The local geology, topography and anthropogenic activities were taken into account when planning the soil sampling. Soil profiles were obtained using an auger sampler. Total contents of risk and lithogenic elements were obtained by X-ray fluorescence. Aqua regia extraction and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were also used for analyses.

Results

Coal use in the study area increased the soil contents of Cd, Hg, and Zn in 7 km circle east of the major power plant, typically to 2 × local background in topsoils. In the profiles closest to that plant, Cd emissions have already been translocated to soils below ploughed horizons that weaken the contamination signal in topsoils. The highest As and Pb contents in the Most Basin soils originated from a local geogenic anomaly and not coal burning.

Conclusion

Common soil mapping projects and data mining routines cannot decipher anthropogenic contribution to the soil risk elements unequivocally, as it is demonstrated in this paper. When working in geogenically anomalous areas, a fundamental knowledge of the mechanisms controlling the content of risk elements in soils is required.
Normative Error Theory and No Self-Defeat: A Reply to Case
Authors: Khuramy Mustafa , Schulz Erik
Published: January 2024

Many philosophers have claimed that normative error theorists are committed to the claim ‘Error theory is true, but I have no reason to believe it’, which to some appears paradoxical. Case (2019) has claimed that the normative error theorist cannot avoid this paradox. In this paper, we argue that there is no paradox in the first place, that is once we clear up the ambiguity of the word ‘reason’, both on the error theorist’s side and those that claim that there is a self-defeat problem. Upon clarification, we also raise scepticism to what exactly the nature of self-defeat is meant to be.
Gender Affirming Hormone Treatment for Trans Adolescents: A Four Principles Analysis
Authors: Maung Hane Htut
Published: January 2024

Gender affirming hormone treatment is an important part of the care of trans adolescents which enables them to develop the secondary sexual characteristics congruent with their identified genders. There is an increasing amount of empirical evidence showing the benefits of gender affirming hormone treatment for psychological health and social well-being in this population. However, in several countries, access to gender affirming hormone treatment for trans adolescents has recently been severely restricted. While much of the opposition to gender affirming hormone treatment for trans adolescents has in part been ideologically motivated, it also reflects a debate about whether there are harms that outweigh the benefits of the treatment. Accordingly, a systematic and comprehensive philosophical analysis of the ethics of gender affirming hormone treatment for trans adolescents is needed. Herein, I offer such an analysis that draws on the four principles of biomedical ethics by Tom Beauchamp and James Childress. Based on the considerations of beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice, I argue that the provision of access to gender affirming hormone treatment for consenting trans adolescents is ethically required and that the current restrictions to such treatment are ethically wrong.
Transverse foliations in the rotating Kepler problem
Authors: Kim Seongchan
Published: January 2024

We construct finite energy foliations and transverse foliations of neighbourhoods of the circular orbits in the rotating Kepler problem for all negative energies. This paper would be a first step towards our ultimate goal that is to recover and refine McGehee’s results on homoclinics [23] and to establish a theoretical foundation to the numerical demonstration of the existence of a homoclinic–heteroclinic chain in the planar circular restricted three-body problem [20], using pseudoholomorphic curves.
Review of the IMO Initiatives for Ship Energy Efficiency and Their Implications
Authors: Tadros M. , Ventura M. , Guedes Soares C.
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a review of the different International Maritime Organization (IMO) initiatives to improve the ship energy efficiency of new and existing ships, which is considered one of the essential tasks to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) in the maritime industry. First, the IMO effort and initiatives and the different indices suggested by the IMO are presented till the last version of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), showing the effect of different technologies on reducing the level of indices and the suggested improvement of the terms of indices in the next years. Second, the short- and long-term strategies suggested by the IMO are presented, showing that the effect of indices will be noticed in the short term, while the new fuels will show a significant improvement in the long term. Finally, several examples of cooperation between the different organizations are presented, showing that transferring knowledge and experience will significantly impact the maritime industry and thus lead to the concept of green ships in the near future. This paper shows that the combination of different solutions, the cooperation between stakeholders and the sharing of the data and information are important to achieve the required goal.
Mitigation of Acute Hepatotoxicity Induced by Cadmium Through Morin: Modulation of Oxidative and Pro-apoptotic Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Inflammatory Responses in Rats
Authors: Sengul Emin , Yildirim Serkan , Cinar İrfan , Tekin Samet , Dag Yusuf , Bolat Merve , Gok Melahat , Warda Mohamad
Published: January 2024

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal with significant environmental health hazards. It enters the body through various routes with tissue accumulation. The relatively longer half-life with slow body clearance significantly results in hepatotoxicity during its liver detoxification. Therefore, researchers are exploring the potential use of herbal-derived phytocomponents to mitigate their toxicity. Here, we investigated, for the first time, the possible ameliorative effect of the phytochemical Morin (3,5,7,29,49-pentahydroxyflavone) against acute Cd-induced hepatotoxicity while resolving its underlying cellular mechanisms in a rat animal model. The study involved 50 adult male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 200–250 g. The animals were divided into five equal groups: control, Cd, Morin100 + Cd, Morin200 + Cd, and Morin200. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th groups were intraperitoneally treated with Cd (6.5 mg/kg), while the 3rd, 4th, and 5th groups were orally treated with Morin (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days. On the 6th day, hepatic function (serum ALT, AST, ALP, LDH enzyme activities, and total bilirubin level) testing, transcriptome analysis, and immunohistochemistry were performed to elucidate the ameliorative effect of Morin on hepatotoxicity. In addition to restoring liver function and tissue injury, Morin alleviated Cd-induced hepatic oxidative/endoplasmic reticulum stress in a dose-dependent manner, as revealed by upregulating the expression of antioxidants (SOD, GSH, Gpx, CAT, and Nrf2) and decreasing the expression of ER stress markers. The expression of the proinflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1-β, and IL-6) was also downregulated while improving the anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-4) expression levels. Morin further slowed the apoptotic cascades by deregulating the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and Caspase 12 markers concomitant with an increase in anti-apoptotic Blc2 mRNA expression. Furthermore, Morin restored Cd-induced tissue damage and markedly suppressed the cytoplasmic expression of JNK and p-PERK immunostained proteins. This study demonstrated the dose-dependent antioxidant hepatoprotective effect of Morin against acute hepatic Cd intoxication. This effect is likely linked with the modulation of upstream p-GRP78/PERK/ATF6 pro-apoptotic oxidative/ER stress and the downstream JNK/BAX/caspase 12 apoptotic signaling pathways.