bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ESMO update: upper gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Bergen Elisabeth S. , Ihan-Mutlu Aysegül
Published: May 2023

At the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2022 annual meeting, several pertinent studies in the field of upper gastrointestinal cancer were presented. The most practice-changing study appeared to be the Destiny-Gastric02 study evaluating trastuzumab–deruxtecan as a second-line treatment option in patients with Her2-positive gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer. The median overall survival was 12.1 months with a confirmed overall response rate of 41.8%. 55.7% of patients experienced grade ≥ 3 events with nausea, vomiting, and fatigue being the most frequently observed. This study led to the approval of trastuzumab–deruxtecan as second-line therapy in patients with Her2-positive gastric and gastroesophageal junction tumors who have experienced disease progression after first-line trastuzumab-containing therapy.
Permeability of Dimethyl Phthalate Through Human Skin Models – Health Risk Assessment
Authors: Olkowska Ewa
Published: May 2023

Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) is used widely in cosmetics and personal care products as a solvent, skin penetrant, moisturizer and softener as well as an anti-cracking agent. Dermal absorption is one of the major exposure routes for lower molecular weight phthalates such as DMP and assessing their dermal permeability is important for evaluating the impact and toxicity of such compounds in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate DMP permeability through different human skin models (Strat-M® synthetic membrane, in vitro reconstructed human epidermis and human dermatomed skin) using solutions containing various types of surfactants, as a simulation of the types of mixtures occurring in cosmetics and personal care products, in order to ascertain the impact that surfactants can have on skin permeability. The results have shown that human skin is the least permeable of the used skin models, and that surfactants (in particular cationic and non-ionic) lead to a significant increase of DMP permeability through all skin models. The performed risk assessment however shows that, for all tested models, the margin of safety was not exceeded.
A prospective study of the association of weekend catch-up sleep and sleep duration with mortality in middle-aged adults
Authors: Yoshiike Takuya , Kawamura Aoi , Utsumi Tomohiro , Matsui Kentaro , Kuriyama Kenichi
Published: May 2023

Health effects of weekend catch-up sleep (CUS) could differ depending on both the ability to obtain sufficient sleep during weekdays and amount of weekend CUS required to compensate for sleep lost during the week. ﻿Using data from 3128 middle-aged (40–64 years) participants of the Sleep Heart Health Study, we examined the longitudinal association of these two aspects of sleep with all-cause mortality. CUS was calculated as the difference in self-reported habitual sleep duration between weekends and weekdays, and classified into no, short (1 h), and long (2 h or more) CUS. Polysomnography-measured total sleep time, representing the ability to obtain sufficient sleep, was classified into short (< 360 min) or normal (≥ 360 min) sleep durations. We estimated multivariable-adjusted mortality hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for six groups divided by the extent of CUS and sleep duration. Participants were followed up for a median (interquartile range) of 12.3 (11.3–13.5) years. Short weekend CUS with normal sleep duration was associated with lower mortality compared to no CUS with normal sleep duration (﻿HR, 0.48; 95% CI 0.27–0.83). When stricter cutoffs were applied for sleep durations, while the protective effect of short CUS with normal sleep duration (≥ 390 min) was strengthened (HR, 0.36; 95% CI 0.17–0.78), the harmful effect of short CUS with short sleep duration (< 330 min) emerged (HR, 1.84; 95% CI 1.08–3.14). Results highlight the importance of balancing sleep ability and CUS. Sufficient sleep may reduce weekday sleep debt and only a short CUS would be required on weekends, improving mortality in middle-aged adults.
A Companion to Luis Buñuel
Authors: Edwards Gwynne
Published: May 2023

Luis Buñuel was one of the great film-makers of the twentieth century. Gwynne Edwards analyses his work in the context of Buñuel's personal obsessions - sex, bourgeois values and religion.
Bargaining Power in a Globalized World: The Effect of Global Value Chains in Trade Negotiations
Authors: Stiller Yannick
Published: May 2023

What determines the bargaining power of states in international trade negotiations? The literature focuses predominantly on economic strength as the determinant of bargaining power. However, this explanation neglects the reality of modern trade, which is characterized by the globalization of production and high levels of economic interdependence. I argue that this interdependence undermines the effect of economic strength on the bargaining power of states. Specifically, I hypothesize that the effect of economic strength declines when a country's companies rely on inputs for their production from a negotiation partner because they are integrated into global value chains. The more a country's firms are dependent on a partner country, the less that country is able to coerce concessions from the partner country by bringing to bear its economic strength. To test this hypothesis, I use a dataset covering concessions on liberalization of the services sector made by 54 countries in 61 preferential trade agreements. By calculating the relative concessions of each partner, I construct a quantitative indicator of the outcome of trade negotiations. This indicator should reflect the underlying bargaining power of each negotiating party. The results of a regression analysis of these negotiation outcomes mostly support my hypotheses.
Examining the value of satellite data in halting transmission of polio in Nigeria: A socioeconomic analysis
Authors: Borowitz Mariel , Zhou Janet , Azelton Krystal , Nassar Isabelle-Yara
Published: May 2023

In 2014, Nigeria halted transmission of wild poliovirus for the first time in its history. A critical enabling component in this historic achievement was the use of satellite data to produce more accurate maps and population estimates used in planning and implementing vaccination campaigns. This article employs a value-of-information approach to estimate the net socioeconomic benefits associated with this use of satellite data. We calculate the increase in the likelihood of halting transmission of polio associated with the use of satellite-based information compared to traditional data sources, and we consider the benefits associated with savings to the healthcare system as well as health benefits. Using a conservative approach focused on just 1 year of benefits, we estimate net socioeconomic benefits of between $46.0 million and $153.9 million. In addition to these quantified benefits, we also recognize qualitative benefits associated with improving human health, reaching marginalized communities, and building capacity among local populations. We also explore the substantial benefits associated with follow-on projects that have made use of the satellite-based data products and methodologies originally developed for the Nigeria polio eradication effort.
On Inferring Explanations and Inference to the Best Explanation
Authors: Davey Kevin
Published: May 2023

Although the inferring of explanations plays an important role in both our everyday lives and in the workings of science, I argue that inference to the best explanation as it is commonly conceived is often not the best way to capture this sort of reasoning. I suggest that a different form of reasoning – so-called immediate explanatory inference – is instead often much better suited to this task. This is a form of inference in which we are justified in believing explanations for the evidence before us purely in virtue of this evidence, and not in virtue of the evidence plus some general principle or rule of non-deductive reasoning. I defend the idea of such a notion of inference, and argue that it plays a central role in both ordinary life and science.
Neural-network-based mixed subgrid-scale model for turbulent flow
Authors: Kang Myeongseok , Jeon Youngmin , You Donghyun
Published: May 2023

An artificial neural-network-based subgrid-scale (SGS) model, which is capable of predicting turbulent flows at untrained Reynolds numbers and on untrained grid resolution is developed. Providing the grid-scale strain-rate tensor alone as an input leads the model to predict a SGS stress tensor that aligns with the strain-rate tensor, and the model performs similarly to the dynamic Smagorinsky model. On the other hand, providing the resolved stress tensor as an input in addition to the strain-rate tensor is found to significantly improve the prediction of the SGS stress and dissipation, and thereby the accuracy and stability of the solution. In an attempt to apply the neural-network-based model trained for turbulent flows with a limited range of the Reynolds number and grid resolution to turbulent flows at untrained conditions on untrained grid resolution, special attention is given to the normalisation of the input and output tensors. It is found that the successful generalization of the model to turbulence for various untrained conditions and resolution is possible if distributions of the normalised inputs and outputs of the neural network remain unchanged as the Reynolds number and grid resolution vary. In a posteriori tests of the forced and the decaying homogeneous isotropic turbulence and turbulent channel flows, the developed neural-network model is found to predict turbulence statistics more accurately, maintain the numerical stability without ad hoc stabilisation such as clipping of the excessive backscatter, and to be computationally more efficient than the algebraic dynamic SGS models.
Paleobiological implications of the bone histology of the extinct Australian marsupial Nimbadon lavarackorum
Authors: Chinsamy Anusuya , Black Karen H. , Hand Suzanne J. , Archer Michael
Published: May 2023

Despite the recognition that bone histology provides much information about the life history and biology of extinct animals, osteohistology of extinct marsupials is sorely lacking. We studied the bone histology of the ca. 15-million-year-old Nimbadon lavarackorum from Australia to obtain insight into its biology. The histology of thin sections of five femora and five tibiae of juveniles, subadult, and adult Nimbadon lavarackorum was studied. Growth marks in the bones suggest that N. lavarackorum took at least 7–8 years (and likely longer) to reach skeletal maturity. The predominant bone tissue during early ontogeny is parallel-fibered bone, whereas an even slower rate of bone formation is indicated by the presence of lamellar bone tissue in the periosteal parts of the compacta in older individuals. Deposition of bone was interrupted periodically by lines of arrested growth or annuli. This cyclical growth strategy indicates that growth in N. lavarackorum was affected by the prevailing environmental conditions and available resources, as well as seasonal physiological factors such as decreasing body temperatures and metabolic rates.
Lane formation in 3D driven pair-ion plasmas: I Parallel External Forcing
Authors: Prajapati Vishal Kumar , Baruah Swati , Ganesh Rajaraman
Published: May 2023

Lane formation dynamics of driven three-dimensional pair-ion plasmas (PIP) is investigated. Extensive Langevin dynamics simulation is performed to study the influence of an external electric field on the behaviour of the PIP system. In our model, one half of the particles are pushed into the field direction by an external force

$\boldsymbol {F}_{A}$

while the other half are pulled into the opposite direction by an external force

$\boldsymbol {F}_{B}$

. We show that if

$\boldsymbol {F}_{A}$

and

$\boldsymbol {F}_{B}$

are parallel, the system undergoes a non-equilibrium phase transition from a disordered state to a lane formation state parallel to the field direction with increasing field strength. The lanes are formed by the same kind of particles moving collectively with the field. The lane order parameter has been implemented to detect phase transition. Further, we show the lane formation in the presence of a time-varying external electric field. In particular, the effect of parallel forces are investigated. Unlike the previously reported two-dimensional case (Sarma, et al., Phys. Plasmas, vol. 27, 2020, p. 012106; Baruah, et al., J. Plasma Phys., vol. 87, issue 2, 2021, p. 905870202), for the time-varying electric field case, spontaneous formation and the breaking of lanes are not observed for all values of applied frequencies; however, the orderness varies and spontaneous formation and breaking of lanes is observed for values close to a critical frequency

$\omega _c$

. Further, some aspects of the lane formation dynamics of a PIP system are also studied in the presence of an external magnetic field, which reveals that the presence of an external magnetic field accelerates the lane formation process and introduces a drift of the lanes in a direction perpendicular to both electric and magnetic fields.
Democratic Performance with the Jana Natya Manch in India
Authors: Bellucci Aurélien
Published: May 2023

In the winter of 2020, the Jana Natya Manch (People’s Theatre Front), a political performance group and street-theatre pioneer in India, created a new kind of performance in response to current events. The Hindu-nationalist government was then implementing discriminatory laws targeting Muslims. The very constitution of India, a ‘sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic’ (Constitution Preamble) was under threat. Instead of a conventional street play, the Jana Natya Manch set up a participatory ‘game’ or ‘interactive presentation’ that brought together random and diverse audiences to act, or play, as a united people. The group put into place an inclusive experiment, rather than a didactic one, to counter exclusionary rules and address democratic deficits. Thus this Indian ‘people’s theatre’ produced ‘democratic performances’ that questioned both artistic and political representations. This article, based on fieldwork with the Jana Natya Manch, offers a script translation and an analysis of a new kind of performance developed in active circumstances.
SoloSIRENs Collective’s Cessair: Feminist Performed Ethnography
Authors: Grile Courtney Helen
Published: May 2023

The SoloSIRENs Collective’s production Cessair, staged in South Dublin in the summer of 2021, represents the second production of this burgeoning company. The Collective is a community-based theatre group comprised of an all-female ensemble that has been creating together since 2019. For this production, it used the Irish myth of Cessair as a starting point to consider the female experience, and invited women from across the world to share their stories and lived experiences. Drawing on close observation of the devising process, analysis of the final production, and conversations with members of the Collective, this article argues that the production should be considered as an example of feminist performed ethnography.
Epidemiological characteristics of paediatric Omicron infection during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection during March–May in 2022 in Shanghai, China
Authors: Chang Hailing , Zhang Xuanzhao , Su Hualin , Cai Jiehao , Liu Xiaohua , Li Jingjing , Wang Yating , Zhang Zhaowen , Zhu Minghui , Zhao Lifang , Zhang Sijia , Mei Kewen , Zhang Liping , Wang Xiaoguang , Yan Hongjin , Luo Lingfei , Xu Zhiyin , Zeng Mei
Published: May 2023

This study aims to understand the epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the paediatric population during the outbreak of the Omicron variant in Shanghai. We retrospectively analysed the population-based epidemiological characteristics and clinical outcome of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection in children in Minhang District, Shanghai, based on the citywide surveillance system during the outbreak period in 2022 (March to May). During this time, a total of 63,969 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were notified in Minhang District, out of which 4,652 (7.3%) were children and adolescents <18 years. The incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections in children was 153 per 10,000. Of all paediatric cases, 50% reported to be clinically symptomatic within 1–3 days after PCR confirmation by parents or themselves, with 36.3% and 18.9% of paediatric cases reporting fever and cough. Also, 58.4% of paediatric cases had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 52.1% had received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination. Our findings are informative for the implementation of appropriate measures to protect children from the threat of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Early childhood impulsivity and parenting predict children’s development of externalizing psychopathology
Authors: Stewart Emma K. , Kotelnikova Yuliya , Olino Thomas M. , Hayden Elizabeth P.
Published: May 2023

Parenting and child impulsivity are consistent predictors of children’s externalizing symptoms; however, the role of the range of parenting (i.e., variation in parenting across contexts), and its interactions with child impulsivity, are poorly understood. We examined whether characteristic parenting practices and parenting range predicted the course of externalizing symptoms in 409 children (Mage = 3.43 years at baseline, 208 girls) across ages 3, 5, 8, and 11. We assessed parent positive affectivity (PPA), hostility, and parenting structure at child age 3 using three behavioral tasks that varied in context, examining range by modeling a latent difference score for each parenting dimension. Greater PPA range, mean structure, and parenting structure range all predicted fewer symptoms at age 3 for children with higher impulsivity. Lower mean hostility predicted fewer symptoms at age 3 for children with lower impulsivity. Greater PPA, and smaller PPA range, predicted a decrease in symptoms for children higher in impulsivity. Lower hostility range predicted a decrease in symptoms for children with lower impulsivity but predicted maintaining symptoms for children with higher impulsivity. Results demonstrate the differential roles average parenting practices and parenting range play in the development of child externalizing psychopathology, especially in the context of child impulsivity.
Agents of Change? Families, Welfare and Democracy in Mid-to-Late Twentieth-Century Europe
Authors: Crane Jennifer
Published: May 2023

Families have always been vulnerable. They have long been torn apart by the mass migrations of warfare, the oppression of minority groups, the closure of international borders and the refugee crises governed ‘from above’. Families have also always been powerful symbols. Nationalist–populist movements have capitalised on fears about familial decline and liberal democracies have built moralistic views of the family into their welfare systems. Yet, this special issue aims to demonstrate that families have not merely been objects or subjects buffeted by political and social change. Rather, families have also consistently acted as ‘agents of change’. This is not to valorise the family – families have been patriarchal, damaging and oppressive as well as supportive, empowering and caring. However, this is to say that historical work must take ‘the family’ seriously as an active participant in shaping historical change.
The Bronze Serpent: Abuse, Trauma and the Lifted Healer in the Wilderness
Authors: King Fergus J. , Poobalan Isaac
Published: May 2023

Many Christian groups and churches have been forced to recognize that they have been complicit in behaviour which has betrayed the gospel. How then is the church to address the historical reality of being an abusive healer? The image of the bronze serpent (Num. 21.4-9; 2 Kgs 18.4; Jn 3.14) offers an ambiguous image which may reveal the reality of the church as both a source of abuse and trauma as well as an instrument of healing within a pattern of restorative justice.
Circuits for 5G RF front-end modules
Authors: Balteanu Florinel
Published: May 2023

Worldwide adoption of fourth-generation wireless (4G) long-term evolution (LTE) smartphones and the actual transition to fifth-generation wireless(5G) is the main driving engine for semiconductor industry. 5G is expected to reach high data rate speeds (1 Gbps) and low latency (<1 ms). 5G requires more RF bandwidth and therefore an increase in the number of components such as RF switches, acoustic filters, and power amplifiers integrated in few RF front-end modules. Also, there is an increase in the number of RF radio transmitters and receivers operating at the same time. This paper presents new architecture elements for 5G RF front-end modules. Circuit details and measurements are presented to reduce the RF noise, improve the efficiency, and help the coexistence of multiple radio transmitters. These circuits will help extend the 5G applications with radar-like sensing applications, remote medicine, and autonomous driving.
Preclinical atherosclerotic burden in carotid and lower extremity	arteries in adults with congenital heart disease
Authors: Momcilovic Diana , Begrich Charlotte , Stumpf Max Jonathan , Bosse Franziska , Reznakova Barbora , Schaefer Christian Alexander , Schahab Nadjib , Nickenig Georg , Skowasch Dirk , Pizarro Carmen
Published: May 2023

Summary: Background: Over 90% of patients with congenital heart defects now reach adulthood, due to significant medical advances in recent decades. With advancing age, the risk of acquired cardiovascular diseases increases in addition to the already existing risk due to the congenital defect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of atherosclerotic lesions in carotid and lower extremity arteries in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). Patients and methods: A total number of 108 ACHD patients (40.6±15.0 years, 50.0% male) and 22 healthy controls (39.3±16.6 years, 40.9% male) were included in this prospective study and underwent a comprehensive angiological examination that included vascular strain analysis on the common carotid artery. Results were stratified by the underlying ACHD lesion groups: shunt lesions (n=26), left-sided obstructive lesions (n=29), right-sided lesions (n=26) and complex lesions (n=27). Results: Colour-coded duplex sonography revealed atherosclerotic lesions in lower extremity arteries in 19 ACHD patients (17.6%). This prevalence did not significantly differ from the one assessed in controls (13.6%, p=0.77). All cases were asymptomatic and therefore classified as Fontaine stage I. 20.4% of ACHD patients presented atherosclerotic lesions in extracranial carotid arteries; amongst controls, the corresponding proportion was 18.4% (p=1.00). No significant differences were observed in atherosclerotic burden in extracranial carotid and lower limb arteries across the four ACHD patient groups (p=0.67 and p=0.89, respectively). Vascular strain analysis revealed no differences between patients and controls. Though circumferential strain varied over ACHD groups (p<0.05), comparison of strain measurements across all specific underlying defect subgroups revealed no significant difference for any of the studied strain parameters. Conclusions: ACHD patients present an atherosclerotic burden in extracranial carotid and lower limb arteries and a vascular stiffness that is comparable to healthy controls.
Study on Differential Phase Delay of Same‐Beam VLBI in Rendezvous and Docking of Chang'E‐5
Authors: Wang Zhichao , Li Peijia , Zheng Xin , Liu Qinghui , Ma Maoli , He Qingbao , Rui Ping , Xu Zhijun , Zhang Juan , Tong Fengxian
Published: May 2023

The Chang'E‐5 (CE5) ascender achieved lunar orbit autonomous rendezvous and docking with orbiter‐returner successfully on 5 December 2020. Same‐beam Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) (SBI) observations were performed for the first time for autonomous rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit. In this paper, by studying the CE5 rendezvous and docking data observed by the Chinese VLBI network and analyzing the residual differential phase delay of the autonomous control phase, we successfully captured the maneuver of the 5 km holding of the orbiter‐returner. The differential phase delay (DPD) data of the far‐range guidance phase were used to perform orbit determination of the ascender and orbiter‐returner successfully. The results of orbit determination show that the DPD data can improve the relative position accuracy between the ascender and the orbiter‐returner, and the residual root mean square of the DPD data is 5 ps. Furthermore, when one of the probes has only DPD data, its orbit can also be determined.
Light People: Academician Junhao Chu
Authors: Wang Hui , Zhang Rongjun , Yu Cun
Published: May 2023

Editorial

The industrial revolutions of steam power, electric power and digital power have been three key steps in the development of science and technology. Now, the fourth industrial revolution has quietly begun, a revolution which will combine the powers of modern technologies such as the Internet, industrial digitalization and virtual reality to trigger a major change of science and technology, and sensor technology is of vital importance to this process.

A famous physicist specialized in infrared and semiconductors, our featured guest not only discovered the intrinsic absorption spectra of the optical transition between narrow gap semiconductor mercury cadmium telluride bands, but also developed the theory of the band structure of mercury cadmium telluride and the theory of optical transition, put forward a series of expressions such as the gap width of mercury cadmium telluride bands, making outstanding contributions.

Born into a scholarly family, he inherited a love for knowledge, especially physics and enjoyed all the challenges it presented. In research, he believes that technological development should be guided by the laws of physics. As a teacher, he asks his students to focus on the depth and breadth of learning. In life, he is famed for being easygoing, modest, well-mannered and meticulous.

He is Academician Junhao Chu of the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics (SITP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Please follow Light People and discover what challenges Prof. Chu had to overcome in the study of mercury cadmium telluride.
Robust online learning based on siamese network for ship tracking
Authors: Hu Zhongyi , Shao Jingjing , Nie Feiyan , Luo Zhenzhen , Chen Changzu , Xiao Lei
Published: May 2023

The complex and changeable inland river scenes resulting out of frequent occlusions of ships in the available tracking methods are not accurate enough to estimate the motion state of the target ship leading to object tracking drift or even loss. In view of this, an attempt is made to propose a robust online learning ship tracking algorithm based on the Siamese network and the region proposal network. Firstly, the algorithm combines the off-line Siamese network classification score and the online classifier score for discriminative learning, and establishes an occlusion determination mechanism according to the classification the fusion score. When the target is in the occlusion state, the target template is not updated, and the global search mechanism is activated to relocate the target, thereby avoiding object tracking drift. Secondly, an efficient adaptive online update strategy, UpdateNet, is introduced to improve the template degradation in the tracking process. Finally, on comparing the state-of-the-art tracking algorithms on the inland river ship datasets, the experimental results of the proposed algorithm show strong robustness in occlusion scenarios with an accuracy and success rate of 56.8% and 57.2% respectively. Supportive source codes for this research are publicly available at https://github.com/Libra-jing/SiamOL.
Anti-inflammatory effects of CBD in human microglial cell line infected with HIV-1
Authors: Yndart Arias Adriana , Kolishetti Nagesh , Vashist Arti , Madepalli Lakshmana , Llaguno Lorgeleys , Nair Madhavan
Published: May 2023

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with a chronic inflammatory stage and continuous activation of inflammasome pathway. We studied the anti-inflammatory effects of the compound cannabidiol (CBD) in comparison with Δ (9)-tetrahydrocannabinol [Δ(9)-THC] in human microglial cells (HC69.5) infected with HIV. Our results showed that CBD reduced the production of various inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as MIF, SERPIN E1, IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF, MCP-1, CXCL1, CXCL10, and IL-1 β compared to Δ(9)-THC treatment. In addition, CBD led to the deactivation of caspase 1, reduced NLRP3 gene expression which play a crucial role in the inflammasome cascade. Furthermore, CBD significantly reduced the expression of HIV. Our study demonstrated that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and exhibits significant therapeutic potential against HIV-1 infections and neuroinflammation.
The effects of muscle mass and quality on mortality of patients with acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Jung Jiyun , Lee Jangwook , Lim Jeong-Hoon , Kim Yong Chul , Ban Tae Hyun , Park Woo Yeong , Kim Kyeong Min , Kim Kipyo , Lee Sung Woo , Shin Sung Joon , Han Seung Seok , Kim Dong Ki , Ko Yousun , Kim Kyung Won , Kim Hyosang , Park Jae Yoon
Published: May 2023

This study examined the effects of muscle mass on mortality in patients with acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. It was conducted in eight medical centers between 2006 and 2021. The data of 2200 patients over the age of 18 years with acute kidney injury who required continuous renal replacement therapy were retrospectively collected. Skeletal muscle areas, categorized into normal and low attenuation muscle areas, were obtained from computed tomography images at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the association between mortality within 1, 3, and 30 days and skeletal muscle index. Sixty percent of patients were male, and the 30-day mortality rate was 52%. Increased skeletal muscle areas/body mass index was associated with decreased mortality risk. We also identified a 26% decreased risk of low attenuation muscle area/body mass index on mortality. We established that muscle mass had protective effects on the mortality of patients with acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. This study showed that muscle mass is a significant determinant of mortality, even if the density is low.
Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents with obesity
Authors: Johansson Linnea , Putri Resthie R. , Danielsson Pernilla , Hagströmer Maria , Marcus Claude
Published: May 2023

It is unclear if associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and cardiometabolic risk factors are independent of degree of obesity, in children with obesity. The aim of this cross-sectional study on 151 children (36.4% girls), 9–17 years, from a Swedish obesity clinic, was to investigate associations between CRF and cardiometabolic risk factors, adjusted for body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS), in children with obesity. CRF was objectively assessed with the Åstrand-Rhyming submaximal cycle ergometer test, and blood samples (n = 96) and blood pressure (BP) (n = 84) according to clinical routine. Obesity specific reference values for CRF were used to create CRF levels. CRF was inversely associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), independent of BMI SDS, age, sex, and height. The inverse associations between CRF and diastolic BP did not remain significant when adjusted for BMI SDS. CRF and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol became inversely associated when adjusted for BMI SDS. Independent of degree of obesity, lower CRF is associated with higher levels of hs-CRP, as a biomarker of inflammation, in children with obesity and regular assessment of CRF should be encouraged. Future research in children with obesity should investigate if low-grade inflammation decreases when CRF is improved.
Novel hazards of waterpipe tobacco and the benefits of stop smoking in men, a prospective cohort study
Authors: Kieu Hung Dinh , Van Phan Can , Tran Hoc Hieu , Le Ngoan Tran
Published: May 2023

Waterpipe smoking is an emerging epidemic and a severe public health problem worldwide. Observational studies on the hazards of a specific new waterpipe tobacco product are timely needed. The objectives were to analyze how dangerous waterpipe tobacco smoking is on the causes of all mortality, including cancer, and how effective smoking cessation is for improving health. We analyzed the hazards of exclusive waterpipe smoking through a prospective cohort study in Northern Vietnam. We obtained exposure data on the smoking status of specific cigarette and waterpipe and smoking cessation histories from each study participant. The outcome includes deaths due to all causes. The cause of death for each case is determined based on medical records. HR (95%CI) was estimated using a Cox proportional-hazards–regression analysis for overall mortality and all cancers. The ever-cigarette smoking group as the reference group, the exclusive waterpipe smoking group had a statistical increase in the risk for overall mortality HR (95% CI): 1.63 (1.32, 2.00), and all cancers HR (95%CI): 1.67 (1.18, 2.38). The risk of death increased statistically in the group of waterpipe smoking over 20 years for overall mortality HR (95%CI): 1.82 (1.45, 2.29), and all cancers HR (95%CI): 1.91 (1.27, 2.88). After stopping smoking, the risk of death decreased steadily. The risk of death was reduced by 41% for overall mortality HR (95%CI): 0.59 (0.39, 0.89), and 74% for death from cancers HR (95%CI): 0.26 (0.08, 0.83) after ten years or longer of cessation. Life expectancy was shortened by more than six years for the group of exclusive waterpipe smokers compared to non-smokers. This study found new novel hazards of exclusive waterpipe tobacco smoking. The findings are scientific evidence for developing strategies, policies, and budget allocations to control this novel tobacco product and promote cessation to improve life expectancy.
The factors associated with mortality and progressive disease of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hwang Hyeontaek , Lee Jung-Kyu , Heo Eun Young , Kim Deog Kyeom , Lee Hyun Woo
Published: May 2023

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the factors associated with mortality and progressive disease in NTM-LD patients. We conducted a literature search to identify the eligible studies, dated between January 1, 2007, and April 12, 2021. Forty-one studies with total 10,452 patients were included. The overall all-cause mortality rate was 20% (95% CI 17–24%). The overall rates of clinical and radiographic progressive disease were 46% (95% CI 39–53%) and 43% (95% CI 31–55%), respectively. Older age, male sex, history of TB, diabetes, chronic heart disease, malignancy, systemic immunosuppression, chronic liver disease, presence of cavity, consolidative radiologic features, acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear positivity, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, increasing platelet count, high CRP, and high ESR were significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality, whereas increasing body mass index (BMI), hemoptysis, and treatment with rifamycin regimen (in M. xenopi) were significantly associated with decreased all-cause mortality in multivariable analysis. History of TB, Aspergillus co-infection, cough, increased sputum, weight loss, presence of cavity, and AFB smear positivity were significantly associated with increased clinical progression with treatment, while older age and low BMI were significantly associated with decreased clinical progression in multivariable analysis. Older age, interstitial lung disease, presence of cavity, consolidative radiologic feature, anemia, high CRP, and leukocytosis were significantly associated with increased radiographic progression after adjusting for covariates. Older age, history of tuberculosis, presence of cavity, consolidative radiologic features, AFB smear positivity, anemia, and high C-reactive protein were common significant factors associated with the all-cause mortality and clinical or radiographic progressive disease of NTM-LD. These factors are thought to directly affect NTM-LD related mortality. The future prediction models for the prognosis of NTM-LD should be established considering these factors.
Effects of exogenous protease addition on fermentation and nutritive value of rehydrated corn and sorghum grains silages
Authors: Roseira João Paulo Santos , Pereira Odilon Gomes , da Silveira Tâmara Chagas , da Silva Vanessa Paula , Alves Wagner Sousa , Agarussi Mariele Cristina Nascimento , Ribeiro Karina Guimarães
Published: May 2023

The study objective was to evaluate the effects of the addition of exogenous protease on the fermentation and nutritive value of rehydrated corn and sorghum grain silages during various storage periods. Treatments were applied using a 2 × 6 × 3 factorial combination, with 2 types of rehydrated grains (corn and sorghum), 6 doses of the enzyme (0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, and 1.5%, based on natural matter) and 3 fermentation periods (0, 60, and 90 days) in a completely randomized design, with 4 replications. The protease aspergilopepsin I, of fungal origin, produced by Aspergillus niger, was used. The lactic acid concentration increased linearly as the enzyme dose increased in corn (CG) and sorghum (SG) grain silages, at 60 and 90 days of fermentation. There was an increase in the concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and soluble protein, as well as the in situ starch digestibility in rehydrated CG and SG silages, compared to the treatment without the addition of protease. The addition of 0.3% exogenous protease at the moment of CG ensiling and 0.5% in rehydrated SG increased the proteolytic activity during fermentation, providing an increase in in situ starch digestibility in a shorter storage time.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of performance of wearable artificial intelligence in detecting and predicting depression
Authors: Abd-Alrazaq Alaa , AlSaad Rawan , Shuweihdi Farag , Ahmed Arfan , Aziz Sarah , Sheikh Javaid
Published: May 2023

Given the limitations of traditional approaches, wearable artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the technologies that have been exploited to detect or predict depression. The current review aimed at examining the performance of wearable AI in detecting and predicting depression. The search sources in this systematic review were 8 electronic databases. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were carried out by two reviewers independently. The extracted results were synthesized narratively and statistically. Of the 1314 citations retrieved from the databases, 54 studies were included in this review. The pooled mean of the highest accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and root mean square error (RMSE) was 0.89, 0.87, 0.93, and 4.55, respectively. The pooled mean of lowest accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and RMSE was 0.70, 0.61, 0.73, and 3.76, respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed that there is a statistically significant difference in the highest accuracy, lowest accuracy, highest sensitivity, highest specificity, and lowest specificity between algorithms, and there is a statistically significant difference in the lowest sensitivity and lowest specificity between wearable devices. Wearable AI is a promising tool for depression detection and prediction although it is in its infancy and not ready for use in clinical practice. Until further research improve its performance, wearable AI should be used in conjunction with other methods for diagnosing and predicting depression. Further studies are needed to examine the performance of wearable AI based on a combination of wearable device data and neuroimaging data and to distinguish patients with depression from those with other diseases.
Denticity governs the formation of β-thioketiminato tri-copper(i) and mono-copper(i) complexes
Authors: Penki Venkata Sai Sashankh , Chang Yu-Lun , Chen Hsing-Yin , Chu Yu-Ting , Kuo Yu-Ting , Dorairaj Dorothy Priyanka , Sudewi Sri , Ding Shang-Wu , Hsu Sodio C. N.
Published: May 2023

Two classes of β-thioketiminate ligands, SN chelators (HL1 and HL2) and SNN chelators (HL3 and HL4), were prepared to understand their coordination behavior in copper(i) complex formation.
Rational design of a Ru(ii) complex with a donor–acceptor–donor structure for organic resistive memory devices
Authors: Wang Mengzhu , He Nan , Tang Runze , Li Feiyang , Liu Shujuan , Xu Feng , Zhao Jian , Tong Yi , Zhao Qiang
Published: May 2023

We have successfully prepared a new type of organic memory device based on a Ru(ii) complex, which exhibited obvious bipolar resistance switching behavior with a low switching voltage (∼1.13 V) and a large ON/OFF ratio (105).
Mechanistic study of the complex photooxidation of allyl methyl sulfide (AMS): reaction paths and products of addition under different atmospheric conditions
Authors: Cardona Alejandro L. , Blanco María B. , Teruel Mariano A. , Ventura Oscar N.
Published: May 2023

The addition mechanism of the OH-initiated oxidation of allyl methyl sulfide (AMS) under atmospheric conditions was studied theoretically using both density functional theory (DFT) and the SVECV-f12 composite method.
N,O symmetric double coordination of an unsaturated Fe single-atom confined within a graphene framework for extraordinarily boosting oxygen reduction in Zn–air batteries
Authors: Li Yuejiao , Ding Yajun , Zhang Bo , Huang Yuanchao , Qi Haifeng , Das Pratteek , Zhang Liangzhu , Wang Xiao , Wu Zhong-Shuai , Bao Xinhe
Published: May 2023

A novel N,O symmetric double-coordinated configuration of unsaturated Fe single atoms confirmed within a graphene framework (Fe–N,O/G) is demonstrated experimentally and theoretically for a highly active and durable ORR catalyst in Zn-air batteries.
Study on a modified spectral standardization method and quantitative analysis of cement based on microwave plasma torch
Authors: Yu Dengjie , Wei Haoze , Li Yarui , Shao Yibo , Jin Wei , Yu Bingwen
Published: May 2023

In this study, we used a powder aerosol generator (PAG) to introduce cement powder aerosol directly into a microwave plasma torch (MPT) for quantitative analysis, which demonstrated the feasibility of MPT for the analysis of cement powder.
The role of hormones in sepsis: an integrated overview with a focus on mitochondrial and immune cell dysfunction
Authors: Melis Miranda J. , Miller Muska , Peters Vera B.M. , Singer Mervyn
Published: May 2023

Sepsis is a dysregulated host response to infection that results in life-threatening organ dysfunction. Virtually every body system can be affected by this syndrome to greater or lesser extents. Gene transcription and downstream pathways are either up- or downregulated, albeit with considerable fluctuation over the course of the patient’s illness. This multi-system complexity contributes to a pathophysiology that remains to be fully elucidated. Consequentially, little progress has been made to date in developing new outcome-improving therapeutics. Endocrine alterations are well characterised in sepsis with variations in circulating blood levels and/or receptor resistance. However, little attention has been paid to an integrated view of how these hormonal changes impact upon the development of organ dysfunction and recovery. Here, we present a narrative review describing the impact of the altered endocrine system on mitochondrial dysfunction and immune suppression, two interlinked and key aspects of sepsis pathophysiology.
Ionised gas outflows over the radio AGN life cycle
Authors: Kukreti Pranav , Morganti Raffaella , Tadhunter Clive , Santoro Francesco
Published: May 2023

Feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGN) is known to affect the host galaxy’s evolution. In radio AGN, one manifestation of feedback is seen in gas outflows. However, it is still not well understood whether the effect of feedback evolves with the radio AGN life cycle. In this study, we aim to investigate this link using the radio spectral shape as a proxy for the evolutionary stage of the AGN. We used [O III] emission line spectra to trace the presence of outflows on the ionised gas. Using a sample of uniformly selected 129 radio AGN with L1.4 GHz ≈ 1023 − 1026 W Hz−1, and a mean stacking analysis of the [O III] profile, we conclude that the ionised gas outflow is linked to the radio spectral shape, and it evolves with the evolution of the radio source. We find that sources with a peak in their radio spectra (optically thick), on average, drive a broad outflow (FWHM ≈ 1330  ±  418 km s−1) with a velocity vout ≈ 240 km s−1. However, we detect no outflow in the stacked [O III] profile of sources without a peak in their radio spectrum (optically thin). We estimate a mass outflow rate of 0.09 − 0.41 M⊙ yr−1, and a kinetic power of 0.1 − 1.8 × 1041 erg s−1 for the outflow. In addition, we find that individual outflow detections are kinematically more extreme in peaked than non-peaked sources. We conclude that radio jets are most effective at driving gas outflows when young, and the outflow is typically short lived. Our stacking analysis shows no significant dependence of the presence of ionised gas outflows on the radio morphology, 1.4 GHz luminosity, optical luminosity and Eddington ratio of these sources. This suggests that in our sample, these properties do not play a defining role in driving the impact of the nuclear activity on the surrounding gas. We also identify candidate restarted AGN in our sample, whose [O III] profiles suggest that they have more disturbed gas kinematics than their evolved counterparts, although the evidence for this is tentative. Our findings support the picture where the impact of AGN feedback changes as the source evolves, and young radio jets interact with the ambient medium, clearing a channel of gas as they expand.
Research on the construction of “Internet of Things + X” compound characteristic course cluster in vocational normal education
Authors: Lin Xingzhi , Pan Xiang
Published: May 2023

The construction of “Internet of Things+X” compound characteristic course cluster is an important link in the development of new engineering subjects in vocational normal education. This paper analyzes the mechanism of the “Internet of Things+X” composite course cluster, and puts forward the construction idea of “Internet of Things+X” compound characteristic course cluster, including the condensation of the characteristics of the course cluster based on specific industries, the integration of the four chains of “training objectives - course content - professional ability - teacher training ability”, and the introduction of composite characteristic course resources. Then it puts forward some suggestions on the construction of compound characteristic course cluster in vocational normal colleges.
A study of China-ASEAN “University-Enterprise” new engineering collaborative education with multiple subjects
Authors: Pan Xiang , Lin Xingzhi
Published: May 2023

The integration of industry and education has become an important way for universities to cultivate new engineering talents. The cooperation to create “university-enterprise” alliances can improve the collaborative education mechanism of multiple subjects by building a bridge of communication for the new engineering, which is an important means of integration of industry and education. This study of “university-enterprise” new engineering collaborative education with multiple subjects analyzes the collaborative education mode and its implementation path for China-ASEAN new engineering cooperative education of multiple subjects from the perspective of discipline professional construction and industrial transformation and upgrading, discipline professional group and industrial agglomeration development, and the effect of the ability of multiple subjects.