bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modifiable statin characteristics associated with potentialstatin‐relatedprescribing cascades
Authors: Wang Grace Hsin‐Min , Morris Earl , Vouri Scott M. , Keshwani Shailina , Schmidt Stephan , Pepine Carl J. , Smith Steven M.
Published: September 2023

Study Objective

Clinicians may prescribe new medications (marker drug) to treat statin‐related (index drug) adverse events, constituting a prescribing cascade. We aimed to identify modifiable statin characteristics (intensity and individual statin agents) associated with lower risk of prescribing cascades to inform clinical decisions in the presence of statin‐related adverse events.

Design

A secondary analysis based on our previous work, a high‐throughput sequence symmetry analysis screening for potential statin‐related prescribing cascades.

Data Source

MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Insurance claims databases between 2005 and 2019.

Patients

Adults who initiated a statin between 2007 and 2018, and who were continuously enrolled in the same healthcare plan for at least 720 days before and 360 days after statin initiation.

Intervention

Among the previously identified 57 potential prescribing cascades, 42 statin‐marker class dyad with a sample size of ≥ 500 were assessed in this study.

Measurements

We measured patients’ baseline characteristics within −360 days of statin initiation and reported by modifiable statin characteristics. We also performed logistic regression and reported the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of modifiable statin characteristics after adjusting for baseline characteristics.

Main Results

We identified 1,307,867 statin initiators who met the study criteria (21% elderly, 52% female). Compared with patients initiating low‐intensity statins, those initiating moderate‐ or high‐intensity statins had significantly greater odds to develop 29 (69%) prescribing cascades, including antidiabetic drugs such as dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors (aOR 1.22; 95% CI, 1.11–1.35) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) analogs (aOR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.16–1.47), and opioids (aOR 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13–1.23). Individual statin agent selection also had a differential effect on 34 (81%) of the prescribing cascades. For example, compared with simvastatin initiators, the probability of initiating osmotically acting laxatives was significantly higher for lovastatin initiators (aOR 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03–1.15) and significantly lower in atorvastatin initiators (aOR 0.92; 95% CI, 0.89–0.94).

Conclusion

Compared with low‐intensity statins, high‐intensity statins are associated with increased risk in many potential prescribing cascades, while the choice of individual statin agents affects the risk of prescribing cascades bidirectionally.
Registration of HA‐DM15 and HA‐DM16 oilseed sunflower germplasms with resistance to sunflower downy mildew
Authors: Qi L. L. , Seiler G. J.
Published: September 2023

Sunflower (Helianthus L.) production ranked third in global oilseed production in 2021. Downy mildew (DM), caused by the oomycete pathogen Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. et de Toni, is a major constraint for worldwide sunflower production, causing significant yield losses in susceptible hybrids. The search for new sources of resistance to DM is the primary objective of all sunflower breeding programs. Germplasms HA‐DM15 (Reg. no. GP‐385, PI 702359) and HA‐DM16 (Reg. no. GP‐386, PI 702360) were developed by introgressing two new DM resistance genes, Pl37 and Pl38, from the wild sunflower species H. annuus and H. praecox into oilseed sunflower, respectively. The BC1F3‐derived HA‐DM15 harboring the Pl37 gene was selected from the cross of HA 89//NMS HA 89/wild H. annuus PI 435417. The germplasm line HA‐DM16 carrying the Pl38 gene is an improved oilseed derivative of Rf PRA‐417 with DM resistance originally derived from the wild H. praecox PRA‐417 from the cross of cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) HA89*2/wild H. praecox PRA‐417. HA‐DM15/Pl37 and HA‐DM16/Pl38 are immue to the most predominant and virulent DM races idenfied in North America and Europe. Pl37 and Pl38 have been genetically mapped to sunflower chromosomes 4 and 2, respectively, with single nucleotide polymorphism markers linked to the both genes facilitating their transfer to elite sunflower lines by marker‐assisted selection, providing new and diverse sources for sunflower DM‐resistance breeding.
Water insoluble polymeric materials with well‐oriented structures prepared by ice‐templating: A mini‐review
Authors: Ren Yao , He Lirong , Xia Hesheng
Published: September 2023

Water insoluble polymeric materials with well‐oriented structures have attracted great attention in the area of membrane science, biological tissues, and organs, electromagnetic interference shielding device as well as piezoelectric/piezoresistive sensors due to its unique and essential functions originating from the anisotropic structures. Ice‐templating is a facile method to prepare directional porous materials with regulable pore size and cell thickness which is only applicable to aqueous systems. Derived from this methodology, crystallizable solvent templating methods have been utilized to architect water insoluble polymeric materials with anisotropic pores. This review is aimed to elaborate the fundamental principles of the critical factors that influence the physics involved in directional freezing of the particulate non‐aqueous systems. Solvent templates with low melting point and high melting point are discussed, which both allow the easy removal of crystallizable templates while keeping the aligned channels within the polymeric matrix intact. Last but not least, cryo‐polymerization and removal of water‐soluble polymers to obtain special forms of water‐insoluble polymer‐oriented pore materials are also included. This review provides prompt advancement and valuable information about the preparation and application of water insoluble polymeric materials with oriented structures using ice‐templating.
Phosphorus addition predominantly influences the soil fungal community and functional guilds in a subtropical mountain forest
Authors: Yang Hao , Wang Quan‐Cheng , Jin Sheng‐Sheng , Lin Yongxin , He Ji‐Zheng , Zheng Yong
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Fungal communities are key players in the soil biogeochemical processes of forest ecosystems. Although it has been illustrated that soil fungi are susceptible to environmental changes, little is known about the interactive effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) enrichment on the soil fungal functional guild.

Materials and Methods

Here, a 5‐year N and P addition manipulation experiment was conducted in two growing stages (i.e., tree ages <40 and >80 years) of a subtropical forest, in which soil fungal diversity and functional guilds were investigated using a multiple‐time sampling strategy.

Results

Fungal species richness and Shannon indices were significantly different across sampling times. Fungal community composition was significantly affected by both N and P addition but not by forest age. Old forest had a higher fungal network complexity than young forest, and fertilisation decreased soil fungal network complexity and generated looser and more random networks in comparison with the control. The community composition of symbiotrophic and saprotrophic fungi was significantly impacted by N and P addition and correlated with soil available P and total P contents and soil C:P and N:P.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight that soil P availability has a strong effect on soil fungal communities and their functional guild composition in the subtropical forest.
Von der Macht des Alltags zu den Sinnbildern in politikdidaktischen Konzeptionen
Authors: Hammermeister Juliane
Published: September 2023

In den letzten Jahrzehnten hat sich die Schulkritik zu einem konstituierenden Element der deutschen Bildungskultur entwickelt. Nahezu jede empirische Studie zur Bildungsrealität in Deutschland zeigt desolate Schulverhältnisse. Dies gilt nicht erst seit PISA, wenn auch seither medienwirksam darauf aufmerksam gemacht wird.
Methodische Umsetzung
Authors: Schindler Johanna
Published: September 2023

Im Folgenden wird das methodische Vorgehen zur Beantwortung der unter 3.3.2 vorgestellten Forschungsfragen beschrieben. Dazu wird als erstes ein Überblick über das verwendete Mixed-Methods-Design gegeben (siehe 4.1). Daraufhin wird das für diese Arbeit ausgearbeitete standardisierte Befragungsinstrument für Kleingruppen vorgestellt (siehe 4.2), da es die Grundlage für beide empirischen Studien bildet. Als Nächstes wird das methodische Vorgehen von Studie I dokumentiert, in der eine qualitative Beobachtung und Diskussion von bzw. mit acht natürlichen Kleingruppen durchgeführt wurde (siehe 4.3). Sie diente dem Test, der Validierung und der Weiterentwicklung des Befragungsinstrumentes für Gruppen, das den methodischen Beitrag dieser Arbeit darstellt. Abschließend wird das methodische Vorgehen von Studie II – der quantitativen Befragung von n = 182 natürlichen Kleingruppen – vorgestellt (siehe 4.4). Ihre Ergebnisse zur Funktionsweise kollektiver Medienrezeption stellen den zentralen empirischen Beitrag der vorliegenden Arbeit dar.
Fazit
Authors: Schindler Johanna
Published: September 2023

Zum Abschluss wird der zentrale theoretische, methodische und empirische Beitrag der vorliegenden Arbeit zusammengefasst und diskutiert (siehe 7.1). Danach werden die Einschränkungen ihrer Beiträge reflektiert (siehe 7.2) und ein allgemeiner Ausblick gegeben (siehe 7.3).
Die Methode der didaktisch orientierten Rekonstruktion
Authors: Huget Judith
Published: September 2023

In diesem Kapitel soll nun die Systematisierung der didaktisch orientierten Rekonstruktion als Methode nach methodischen Grundlagen dargestellt werden als ein zentrales Ziel der Arbeit. Dafür werden zunächst die Zielsetzung der Methode und die einzelnen Schritte der Didaktisierung aufgeführt und theoretisch fundiert. Anschließend wird der rekonstruierende Teilprozess der Methode beschrieben und theoretisch begründet. Im Anschluss daran wird die Methode als Ganzes reflektiert und legitimiert.
Exemplarische Darstellung der didaktisch orientierten Rekonstruktion am Beispiel der Gesetze der großen Zahlen
Authors: Huget Judith
Published: September 2023

Nachdem im vorherigen Kapitel eine Systematisierung der didaktisch orientierten Rekonstruktion zur Strukturierung mathematischer Inhalte (Ziel 1) beschrieben wurde, ist das Ziel dieses Abschnitts einen Kanon möglicher Wissenselemente zu den Gesetzen der großen Zahlen innerhalb der Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung exemplarisch darzustellen (Ziel 2). Es geht also um eine exemplarische Anwendung der zuvor beschriebenen Methode.
Vorschlag für ein Verfahren zur Teilnahme an intensiv- und notfallmedizinischen Studien bei nichteinwilligungsfähigen Patient*innen (Kölner Modell)
Authors: Kochanek M. , Grass G. , Böll B. , Eichenauer D. A. , Shimabukuro-Vornhagen A. , Hallek M. , Zander T. , Mertens J. , Voltz R.
Published: September 2023

Bei der Durchführung von klinischen Studien in der Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin bestehen bei nichteinwilligungsfähigen Patient*innen unterschiedliche Ansichten von Mediziner*innen, Ethikkommissionen und Jurist*innen. Durch differente Ansichten über die Teilnahme von nichteinwilligungsfähigen Patient*innen wird damit zusätzlich die Vorbereitung und Durchführung von klinischen Prüfungen erschwert. Mittels entsprechender Literaturrecherche konnte ein Konsensmodell (Kölner Modell) durch klinisch forschende Ärzt*innen, Ethikkommission und Jurist*innen erstellt werden, dass sowohl Patient*innen, den für die Studie wissenschaftlich Verantwortlichen als auch Ethikkommissionen und Betreuungsrichter*innen ein Höchstmaß an Patient*innensicherheit sowie Rechtssicherheit bringt und gleichzeitig wissenschaftliche Forschung ermöglicht.
The role of galectin-3 in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Procyk Grzegorz , Czapla Aleksandra , Jałocha Kamila , Tymińska Agata , Grabowski Marcin , Gąsecka Aleksandra
Published: September 2023

Numerous risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) progression have been identified. However, the biomarkers mentioned in the guidelines do not have any clinically relevant predictive value. Some research groups investigated the potential utility of galectin-3 (gal-3) as a diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarker in AF. In this review, we have thoroughly summarized the current data on the role of gal-3 in AF based on the original research in this field. Patients suffering from AF present with increased levels of gal-3. The concentration of gal-3 differs between patients with AF depending on the type of AF — it is higher in patients with persistent AF than in patients with paroxysmal AF. Multiple studies investigating the reappearance of AF in patients who underwent ablation have shown that gal-3 is a promising biomarker to predict the outcome of this therapy. Patients with increased levels of gal-3 are at higher risk of AF recurrence. Although the research considered in this work addressed many aspects of the role of gal-3 in AF, most of it has been conducted on a small group of patients. Therefore, further research and extensive clinical trials confirming described findings are highly warranted.
Delamination of rotator cuff tears impairs healing after repair: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liang Junwen , Liang Qianrun , Wang Xihao , Yang Zhitao , Liu Tao , Zhang Borong , Yang Xudong , Fang Sen , Daoji Cairang , Yun Xiangdong , Jiang Jin
Published: September 2023

Purpose

To compare the clinical outcomes and retear rates after rotator cuff repair (RCR) between delaminated and non‐delaminated tears.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses guidelines using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, the Web of Science and Embase databases. Only articles on arthroscopic RCR with clinical outcome scores and data on the number of rotator cuff retears and complete healing were included. This study’s relevant data were extracted and statistically analyzed. The methodological index for nonrandomized studies was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. After conducting a heterogeneity test and sensitivity analysis to determine whether the samples were heterogeneous, the study also detected publication bias. A sub‐group test was used to evaluate the influences of the imaging follow‐up period on retear rates.

Results

Ten eligible articles were identified with 2,061 patients (925 in the delaminated group and 1,136 in the non‐delaminated group). The meta‐analysis demonstrated that delamination was significantly associated with higher retear rates (P = 0.026; odds ratio = 1.873, 95% confidence interval 1.079–3.252; I2 = 51.6%) with an imaging follow‐up period of > 1 year and lower rates of complete healing (P = 0.036; odds ratio = 0.659, 95% confidence interval 0.446–0.973; I2 = 9.0%) in patients after rotator cuff repair. However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups based on American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant score, visual analog scale score, external rotation, internal rotation, or forward elevation.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis found that delamination was significantly associated with higher retear rates with imaging follow‐up period of > 1 year, and lower rates of complete healing. In addition, the preoperative and postoperative clinical scores and shoulder joint range of motion were similar between patients with delaminated and non‐delaminated tears.

Level of evidence

Level IV.
Polarize, catalyze, and stabilize: how a minority of norm internalizers amplify group selection and punishment
Authors: Odouard Victor Vikram , Smirnova Diana , Edelman Shimon
Published: September 2023

Many mechanisms behind the evolution of cooperation, such as reciprocity, indirect reciprocity, and altruistic punishment, require group knowledge of individual actions. But what keeps people cooperating when no one is looking? Conformist norm internalization, the tendency to abide by the behavior of the majority of the group, even when it is individually harmful, could be the answer. In this paper, we analyze a world where (1) there is group selection and punishment by indirect reciprocity, but (2) many actions (half) go unobserved and therefore unpunished. Can norm internalization fill this “observation gap” and lead to high levels of cooperation, even when agents may in principle cooperate only when likely to be caught and punished? Specifically, we seek to understand whether adding norm internalization to the strategy space in a public goods game can lead to higher levels of cooperation when both norm internalization and cooperation start out rare. We found the answer to be positive, but, interestingly, not because norm internalizers end up making up a substantial fraction of the population, nor because they cooperate much more than other agent types. Instead, norm internalizers, by polarizing, catalyzing, and stabilizing cooperation, can increase levels of cooperation of other agent types, while only making up a minority of the population themselves.

Significance statement

What keeps people cooperating when no one is looking? Group selection favoring cooperative groups does not require observers, but often works best when there is some other norm enforcement mechanism to supplement it. But most norm enforcement mechanisms require observers in order to function. Here, we examine whether norm internalization could fill this enforcement gap, by acting as an “internal enforcer” of norms. Perhaps surprisingly, we discovered in our simulations that the population of norm internalizers always remained quite small, and norm internalizers did not necessarily cooperate more than other agent types. Nevertheless, under certain conditions, they were able to spark significantly higher mean levels of cooperation, by causing other agents to cooperate more—partly by setting off bouts of high cooperation after periods of very low cooperation, and partly by helping maintain those bouts of high cooperation for longer.
Impact of formalin fixation on mismatch repair protein evaluation by immunohistochemistry
Authors: Grillo Federica , Ali Murad , Paudice Michele , Pigozzi Simona , Anselmi Giorgia , Scabini Stefano , Sciallero Stefania , Piol Nataniele , Mastracci Luca
Published: September 2023

Mismatch repair/microsatellite instability (MMR/MSI) status in colorectal cancer (CRC) has become fundamental as a diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive factor. MMR immunohistochemistry (IHC) is considered a simple and reliable approach; however, its effectiveness depends on pre-analytic factors. Aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different fixation times/protocols on MMR protein IHC quality. Left over tissue from surgically resected CRC samples (cold ischemia time < 30 min) where fixed as follows: standard formalin fixation (24–48 h); hypo-fixation (<20 h); hyper-fixation (>90 h); cold (4°C) fixation (24–48 h); standard fixation for small sample size (0.5×0.5 cm). Samples for each group were collected from 30 resected CRC and the following parameters were evaluated on 600 immunohistochemical stains: intensity of expression; patchiness of staining; presence of central artefact. Forty-six immunoreactions were inadequate (score 0 intensity), the majority regarding MLH1 or PMS2 in the hypo-fixation group (47.8%), followed by the hyper-fixation group (28.1%); cold formalin fixation showed the least inadequate cases. Patchiness and central artefact were more frequent in hypo-fixation and standard fixation group compared to the others. MLH1 (closely followed by PMS2) performed worse with regard to immunostaining intensity (p=0.0002) in the standard and in the hypo-fixation group (p< 0.00001). Using a small sample size improved patchiness/central artefacts. This is the first study specifically created to evaluate the impact of fixation on MMR protein IHC, showing that both formalin hypo- and hyper-fixation can cause problems; 24-h formalin fixation as well as cold (4°C) formalin fixation are recommended for successful IHC MMR evaluation.
Revisiting the computation of the critical points of the Keplerian distance
Authors: Gronchi Giovanni F. , Baù Giulio , Grassi Clara
Published: September 2023

We consider the Keplerian distance d in the case of two elliptic orbits, i.e., the distance between one point on the first ellipse and one point on the second one, assuming they have a common focus. The absolute minimum $$d_{\textrm{min}}$$

d
min

of this function, called MOID or orbit distance in the literature, is relevant to detect possible impacts between two objects following approximately these elliptic trajectories. We revisit and compare two different approaches to compute the critical points of $$d^2$$

d
2

, where we squared the distance d to include crossing points among the critical ones. One approach uses trigonometric polynomials, and the other uses ordinary polynomials. A new way to test the reliability of the computation of $$d_{\textrm{min}}$$

d
min

is introduced, based on optimal estimates that can be found in the literature. The planar case is also discussed: in this case, we present an estimate for the maximal number of critical points of $$d^2$$

d
2

, together with a conjecture supported by numerical tests.
Climate change information tailored to the agricultural sector in Central Europe, exemplified on the region of Lower Franconia
Authors: Paeth Heiko , Schönbein Daniel , Keupp Luzia , Abel Daniel , Bangelesa Freddy , Baumann Miriam , Büdel Christian , Hartmann Christian , Kneisel Christof , Kobs Konstantin , Krause Julian , Krech Martin , Pollinger Felix , Schäfer Christian , Steininger Michael , Terhorst Birgit , Ullmann Tobias , Wilde Martina , Ziegler Katrin , Zimanowski Bernd , Baumhauer Roland , Hotho Andreas
Published: September 2023

There is a growing societal, economic, and political demand to translate available data on regional climate change into sector-specific, practice-oriented, and user-friendly information. The study presents a demand-driven approach to specify the impacts of regional climate change on agriculture, viticulture, and fruit and vegetable growing in Lower Franconia, southern Germany, a region with heterogeneous topography, diversified land use patterns, and intense activities in the sectors specified above. The approach is based on an ensemble of high-resolution regional climate model projections, a bias correction tool, and a large spectrum of meteorological (extreme) indicators that are crucial to the agricultural sector in Central Europe, as inferred from a stakeholder survey.

For several decades, Lower Franconia represents a hotspot region of climate change with enhanced heat waves, prolonged droughts, and intermittent local flooding by heavy rainfall events. Results of the high-resolution regional climate model projections indicate an increase of hot days and tropical nights by a factor of 5 and 12, respectively, if greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow until 2100 according to the RCP8.5 emission scenario. At the same time, droughts will occur more frequently and last longer while rainfall intensity enhances. A longer growing period starting more than 40 days earlier (compared to the reference period 1970 to 1999) implies a higher risk of late frost damage for crops, fruits, grapes, and even some tree species. In contrast, the thermal prerequisites for viticulture will be satisfied across the entire region, even at higher-elevation sites. These facets of regional climate change are made accessible to users and the public via an interactive field-resolving web portal. Altogether, they gravely challenge the historically developed land use systems in Lower Franconia and require timely adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Restoration of vision by combined experimental antithymocyte therapy, and orbital radiation with high-dose steroids for severe, acute, steroid-refractory, congestive thyroid orbitopathy
Authors: Sarnat-Kucharczyk Monika , Pojda-Wilczek Dorota , Świerkot Maria , Kulawik Grażyna , Mrukwa-Kominek Ewa
Published: September 2023

Purpose

We report diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas in the difficult case of compressive optic neuropathy with severe visual acuity and visual field loss with subsequent visual recovery in both eyes, in a patient with Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) by a combination of experimental antithymocyte therapy, orbital radiotherapy with high-dose steroids.

Methods

A 72-year-old man presented with severe vision loss in both eyes. The visual symptoms had appeared over a year before the GO diagnosis. He was initially misdiagnosed with neuroborreliosis and optic neuritis based on brain and orbital magnetic resonance imaging. There was no exophthalmos. The ophthalmological examination included visual acuity, visual field, tonometry in primary and upgaze eye position, optical coherence tomography (OCT), pattern electroretinogram (PERG), pattern, and flash visual evoked potentials (PVEP and FVEP). The patient received experimental therapy with ATG, followed by high-dose of intravenous steroids and orbital radiotherapy.

Results

Delayed VEP peaks became shorter after treatment. After systemic and local therapy lowering of intraocular pressure was achieved. Abnormal PERG has been found three months before ganglion cells atrophy was detected in OCT. Visual acuity and visual field improvement occurred in both eyes after therapy, despite partial left optic nerve atrophy. The patient regained full decimal visual acuity (1.0 right from as poor as 0.3  to 1.0 in the right eye and from hand movements to 0.9 in the left. Severe visual field loss with advanced absolute scotomata has improved to slight relative scotomata. The duration of follow-up time after the treatment was 4 months.

Conclusions

Intensive treatment of steroid-resistant Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) may prevent total optic nerve atrophy. Despite severely advanced optic neuropathy, this report emphasizes the necessity of therapy even with nearly complete visual function loss hence there is always a possibility to regain full visual acuity and visual field. Patients with tense orbital septum may not present with significant exophthalmos, thus delaying the correct diagnosis of orbitopathy. A supporting sign of GO was the difference in intraocular pressure in the primary and upgaze eye positions. Electrophysiological examinations are helpful in the diagnosis and monitoring of GO therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this kind presenting visual function restoration and structural recovery in a patient with advanced optic neuropathy in GO.
Influence of a polymeric gel on the in situ electropolymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene and application in irreversible electrochemical indicators
Authors: Howard Elin L. , Laia Cesar A. T. , Pinheiro Carlos , Parola A. Jorge
Published: September 2023

Electropolymerization triggered inside of a pre-assembled device can produce a high-contrast, visually irreversible color change. This format of electrochemical indicator has potential applications in a broad range of commercial sectors, including authenticity labeling, healthcare, food packaging, and logistics. However, there is limited work exploring how polymer gel electrolytes, which are commonly employed in flexible electrochemical devices, influence the electropolymerization process. Here, we study the electrochemical polymerization of 3–4-ethylenedioxythiphene (EDOT) in a UV-curable ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether (EO-PO-AGE) polymer gel electrolyte. Using potential step methods and cyclic voltammetry, we find that the addition of the polymer gel matrix lowers the overpotential required for film formation by 0.1 V compared to the liquid electrolyte. Furthermore, indicators with the polymer gel electrolyte show an increase in coloration efficiency, and greater visual homogeneity compared to indicators with the liquid electrolyte.

Graphical Abstract
Preservation of fertility in female and male prepubertal patients diagnosed with cancer
Authors: Albamonte María Itatí , Vitullo Alfredo D.
Published: September 2023

Over the past two decades, the importance of fertility preservation has grown not only in the realm of medical and clinical patient care, but also in the field of basic and applied research in human reproduction. With advancements in cancer treatments resulting in higher rates of patient survival, it is crucial to consider the quality of life post-cure. Therefore, fertility preservation must be taken into account prior to antitumor treatments, as it can significantly impact a patient’s future fertility. For postpubertal patients, gamete cryopreservation is the most commonly employed preservation strategy. However, for prepubertal patients, the situation is more intricate. Presently, ovarian tissue cryopreservation is the standard practice for prepubertal girls, but further scientific evidence is required in several aspects. Testicular tissue cryopreservation, on the other hand, is still experimental for prepubertal boys. The primary aim of this review is to address the strategies available for possible fertility preservation in prepubertal girls and boys, such as ovarian cryopreservation/transplantation, in vitro follicle culture and meiotic maturation, artificial ovary, transplantation of cryopreserved spermatogonia, and cryopreservation/grafting of immature testicular tissue and testicular organoids.
The Robot and Human Futures: Visualising Autonomy in Law and Science Fiction
Authors: Goding Vincent , Tranter Kieran
Published: September 2023

This article argues that legal discourses about robots are framed within a limiting ‘human paradigm.’ While this is not a specific failure of lawyers, it has significant consequences for law in a digital future. This visualising of robots has its origins in mainstream twentieth-century science fictional tropes of artificial beings. This article begins by identifying the predominant science fiction tropes regarding artificial beings as a source of anxiety for human futures, as located in discrete bodies and as separate from humans. The article then traces this ‘human paradigm’ in robot law scholarship. It is shown how a focus on embodiment and separation disrupts appreciation of the emerging partial disembodiment and hybridity of digital autonomy. There is a continual sense of needing to keep robots and humans distinct and separate, which is not how digital futures are manifesting.
Perennial intermediate wheatgrass accumulates more soil organic carbon than annual winter wheat – a model assessment
Authors: Tang Fiona H. M. , Crews Timothy E. , Brunsell Nathaniel A. , Vico Giulia
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Perennial crops have been suggested as a more sustainable alternative to the currently most common cropping systems. Compared with annual plants, perennial plants produce more biomass and have deeper roots, and are expected to lead to higher soil organic carbon (SOC). This hypothesis, however, has not been well tested for grain crops.

Methods

Using perennial intermediate wheatgrass (IWG, Thinopyrum intermedium) and annual winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) as focal species, and native grassland as reference, we quantified the SOC accumulation via a process-based model, describing water and heat exchanges and carbon-nitrogen cycling in the canopy and soil to a depth of 2 m. The model includes C fixation via photosynthesis, plant biomass growth and litter production, physical protection of SOC, depolymerisation, C mineralisation, nitrification, denitrification, microbial growth, and necromass turnover in the soil. While of general applicability, we considered a sandy loam under warm-summer humid continental climate.

Results

Following a conversion from native grassland, IWG reduced SOC losses by at least 38%, especially in the particulate organic carbon (POC) pool, within the top 2 m of soil, compared with annual wheat. Soil microbial biomass and soil respiration were higher in IWG than annual wheat. Shifting from annual wheat to high photosynthetic capacity IWG increased SOC by about 33 g C m−2 y−1 (averaged over a 4-year continuous IWG cropping), with a large fraction of SOC gain stemming from restoring POC.

Conclusion

Compared with annual grains, perennial grains can increase soil carbon sequestration and maintain SOC at levels nearer to that of native grasslands.
Integration of high-rate filtration using waste-derived biochar as a potential sustainable technology for drinking water supply
Authors: García-Ávila Fernando , Galarza-Guamán Andrés , Barros-Bermeo Mónica , Alfaro-Paredes Emigdio Antonio , Avilés-Añazco Alex , Iglesias-Abad Sergio
Published: September 2023

This research aimed to evaluate the efficiency of eucalyptus (E) and bamboo (B) residual biomass biochars as filter materials for drinking water treatment. The efficiencies of these two biochars in the rapid filtration process were evaluated using water (raw, flocculated and settled) at the rate of 120 m3/m2/d. Finding that bamboo biochar manufactured under a slow pyrolysis process "b" (Bb) had the best performance. Subsequently, Bb was evaluated with three different granulometries, and it was found that the effective size with the best performance was the finest (0.6–1.18 mm). Subsequently, this biochar was compared with conventional filter materials such as gravel, sand and anthracite, using different types of water (raw, flocculated and settled) and at different filtration rates (120 and 240 m3/m2/d), and it was found that the filter material with the best performance was precisely biochar, with average removal efficiencies of 64.37% turbidity and 45.08% colour for raw water; 93.9% turbidity and 90.75% colour for flocculated water, and 80.79% turbidity and 69.03% colour for settled water. The efficiency using simple beds of sand, biochar, anthracite and gravel at the rate of 180 m3/m2/d was 75.9% copper, 90.72% aluminium, 95.7% iron, 10.9% nitrates, 94.3% total coliforms and 88.9% fecal coliforms. The efficiencies achieved by biochar were higher compared to those of conventional filter materials. It was also found that biochar contributes to improving the performance of sand and anthracite in mixed beds. Additionally, it was possible to demonstrate that the volume of washing water required for the biochar is lower compared to the other filter beds. Finally, it is recommended to carry out more tests for the purification of water with biochars from rural areas affected by the mining and oil exploitation, as well as the purification of seawater with biochars from coastal areas with residues from dry forests and organic residues from municipalities.

Graphical abstract
Blockchain and Emerging Distributed Ledger Technologies for Decentralized Multi-robot Systems
Authors: Queralta Jorge Peña , Keramat Farhad , Salimi Salma , Fu Lei , Yu Xianjia , Westerlund Tomi
Published: September 2023

Purpose of Review:

Distributed ledger technologies (DLTs), particularly blockchain, are paving the way to securing and managing distributed and large-scale systems of autonomous agents. We look into how these technologies are moving out of the lab and into the real world within the robotics field.

Recent Findings:

Despite the scalability and real-world applicability concerns, new solutions have emerged that show resilience to intermittent connectivity, as well as scalable solutions for managed or permissioned networks.

We present a review on the various use cases that different DLTs can support in multi-robot systems. We argue that the majority of the work to date on open and permissionless blockchains is only applicable to a subset of robotics use cases, with novel DLT architectures and permissioned blockchains driving adoption across industrial and more mature application scenarios.
Pharmacist interventions for appropriate COVID-19 antiviral therapy in long-term care facilities: A public health initiative
Authors: Preusker Jenna , Schroeder Daniel , Soma Mounica , Bergman Scott , Rupp Mark , Scott Brandon , Schooneveld Trevor Van , Watkins Andrew , Donahue Matthew , Ashraf Muhammad Salman
Published: September 2023

Background: Prescribing errors related to the COVID-19 oral antiviral agent nirmatrelvir-ritonavir have been reported and are primarily due to improper renal dosing and significant drug–drug interactions. These patient safety issues are particularly concerning in the long-term care facility (LTCF) population. The Nebraska Antimicrobial Stewardship Assessment and Promotion Program (ASAP) is a unique collaborative partnership involving the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medicine, and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). ASAP is funded through the Nebraska DHHS healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance (HAI/AR) program and was established in 2016, with a primary focus of promoting safe and effective antimicrobial use in Nebraska. In 2022, ASAP developed a statewide pharmacist-led service to assist LTCFs in evaluating prescriptions for COVID-19 oral therapeutics. We studied the impact of ASAP pharmacist intervention on COVID-19 oral antiviral prescriptions. Methods: ASAP created a centralized LTCF treatment request process for oral antivirals. A REDCap survey hosted on a dedicated program webpage was used to collect requests for treatment submitted by any LTCF in Nebraska, including assisted living facilities. An ASAP pharmacist reviewed each survey submission for renal and hepatic function, drug–drug interactions, date of symptom onset, and ability to take oral medications. After pharmacist approval, delivery of the appropriate COVID-19 therapeutic to the LTCF was coordinated with the dispensing pharmacy. The pharmacists recorded the specific interventions for each treatment in the program database. Descriptive analyses were used to study the program impact. Results: In total, 630 courses of oral COVID-19 antivirals were administered to Nebraska LTCF residents through the ASAP program in 2022. The median patient age was 84 years, and 59% were female. Most dispensed courses (n = 410, 65%) needed pharmaceutical interventions upon review for 506 individual interventions. The most frequent intervention was to hold or adjust doses of concomitant medications in 205 patients (33%), followed by antiviral dose adjustment for renal function in 117 patients (19%), and selecting an alternative COVID-19 therapy due to drug–drug interactions in 108 patients (17%). COVID-19 therapeutic agents were changed upon ASAP intervention to be in compliance with the National Institute of Health COVID-19 treatment guidelines in 37 patients (6%). Conclusions: Pharmacist review of oral antiviral prescriptions for COVID-19 through a public health–supported initiative identified and prevented potential patient safety issues in LTCF residents. Future studies should analyze the impact of similar interventions on patient outcomes.

Disclosures: None
“Systemic Violations” in EU Asylum Law: Cover or Catalyst?
Authors: Tsourdi Evangelia (Lilian) , Costello Cathryn
Published: September 2023

The concept of a systemic fundamental rights violation refers to a particular set of violations that are both widespread and embedded, so their reoccurrence may be assumed to be likely. It takes on at least two distinctive roles in EU asylum law and policy. One role is linked with the functioning of the principle of mutual trust, a principle that obliges Member States to recognise each others’ systems and decisions, presuming them to be legal, apart from exceptional cases. In this context, the principle sets the standard from when the presumption of legality is rebutted. In its conceptualisation and application, it is in tension with European human rights law, and, for a period, set up frictions between the CJEU (in NS/ME and Opinion 2/13) and the ECtHR (in MSS and Tarakhel). This tale of judicial frictions is not merely of historical interest. Its legacy is, we conclude, a thin concept of systemic breach, characterised by an over-individualized approach to assessing the human rights risks. The second role for the concept of systemic violations relates to embedded violations, including at the EU’s external borders. We demonstrate the utility of this other invocation, in particular as systemic breaches often signal deeper rule of law issues both within particular national systems and embedded within the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). We illustrate that the CEAS itself brings about systemic human rights violations. Identifying and responding to the “systemic” in asylum increasingly relates to the credibility of the EU as a Union based on the respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law.
How “Systematic” is the European Court of Human Rights’ Approach to “Systemic” Violations of the Convention?
Authors: Lemmens Koen , Van Drooghenbroeck Sébastien
Published: September 2023

In analyzing the mission of the European Court of Human Rights, it is common to distinguish between what is akin to “individual justice” and what is more akin to “constitutional justice.” The way in which the Court combines the two depends on its “judicial policy.” In this contribution, we will examine how the “systemic” nature of the violations complained of affects the “judicial policy.”
The Systemic and the Particular in European Law—Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters
Authors: Mancano Leandro
Published: September 2023

The article discusses the role for systemic and particular deficiencies in EU criminal law. It does so by analyzing in depth that law as regards the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), but also across measures of EU criminal law that have not yet been explored under this light. While the attention of the literature has been mainly on the EAW and the way those deficiencies can led to refusing the execution of the warrant, a wider assessment reveals the existence of a latent law of the systemic and the particular in this field. The conclusions reveal that the understanding and application of systemic and particular deficiencies in EU criminal law have significant implications in terms of the principle of mutual trust and the complex interaction between different EU values.
The Systemic Equivalence Test and the Presumption of Equivalent Protection in European Human Rights Law—A Critical Appraisal
Authors: Rizcallah Cecilia
Published: September 2023

The systemic equivalence test constitutes an important tool in European Human Rights Law: It is used in order to structure the different systems of protection that apply in a common space and to common addressees. More precisely, where there is “systemic” equivalence between different legal orders protecting fundamental rights, a presumption of compatibility of concrete legal acts is applied. While this technique is very useful in the context of a multi-layered legal landscape, this systemic approach currently seems to be very poorly conceptualized by the various judicial instances calling upon it. This may entail risks for the protection of fundamental rights in Europe, as certain acts may benefit from a presumption of conformity even though they are adopted by legal systems that do not have the qualities required to benefit from it. This article critically assesses this technique, and provides avenues for improvement of its use.
Accelerating turbulence in heated micron tubes at supercritical pressure
Authors: Cao Yuli , Xu Ruina , He S. , Jiang Peixue
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this research was to provide further understanding of turbulent dynamics and heat transfer mechanisms in accelerating flows with thermophysical variations and pressure drops in micron tubes. Direct numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the turbulence to supercritical pressure

${\rm CO}_2$

in heated micron tubes with inner diameter

$99.2~\mathrm {\mu }$

m. In general, the turbulent heat transfer enhancement/deterioration at supercritical pressure is dominated by variations in thermophysical properties, buoyancy and thermal acceleration; however, the mechanism differs in micron tubes (

$d^* < 100\ \mathrm {\mu }$

m). The results showed that the pressure drop and scale effect made significant contributions to the development of turbulence flows heated at supercritical pressure in micron tubes, leading to the prominent property change and flow acceleration in the inlet fully developed turbulent flow. The deviation on temperature distribution because of pressure changes was non-negligible. The primary contribution of the acceleration was the decay of a boundary layer, which significantly suppressed the production of turbulence and decreased heat transfer. The acceleration had stabilizing effects on the ejection and sweep motions of the turbulent flow. The high-speed fluid contributed to a new disturbance scenario of the flow with a larger spanwise wavenumber superimposed on existing perturbations. The high-speed streak width in the quasilaminar region was approximately

$150$

–

$160\nu /u_\tau$

in accelerating flow. In the micron tubes, the Reynolds stress events of quadrant Q4 contributed 60 % of the Reynolds stress, greater than those of quadrant Q2.
Scaling law of structure function of Richtmyer–Meshkov turbulence
Authors: Zhou Zhangbo , Ding Juchun , Cheng Wan , Luo Xisheng
Published: September 2023

The scaling law of the structure function of Richtmyer–Meshkov (RM) turbulence is investigated both numerically and theoretically. High-fidelity simulations with a minimum-dispersion, adaptive-dissipation scheme are first performed. Results show that the mixing width experiences an exponential growth and the turbulent kinetic energy has a visible

$-3/2$

spectrum. The scalar field exhibits a greater degree of intermittency than the velocity field, and also the small-scale statistics suffer a larger influence of large scales. Visible differences in the scaling law of the structure function among the RM turbulence and other types of turbulence are observed, which reveal the unique characteristic of RM turbulence. A phenomenological theory, which gives the spatial and temporal scaling laws of the structure functions of velocity and scalar of RM turbulence, is developed for the first time by introducing an external agent. The spatial scaling exponents of structure functions from simulation deviate from the Kolmogorov exponents, but are quite close to the RM-modified anomalous exponents. This demonstrates the validity of the present phenomenological theory. The temporal scaling exponents of structure functions first meet the RM-modified anomalous exponents, and then approach the Kolmogorov–Obukhov–Corrsin non-intermittent ones.