bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of endocrine therapy combined with intensity modulated radiation therapy in patients with advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Ma Xiulong , Ma Hongbing , Ruan Dongli
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to study the effect of endocrine therapy combined with intensity-modulated radiation therapy in patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Methods

The clinical data of 231 patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy in our hospital from May 2010 to March 2018 were collected. A total of 135 patients were treated with endocrine therapy combined with intensity-modulated radiotherapy, and 96 patients were treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy only because of drug allergy, serious adverse reactions, and economic reasons. Two months after the end of the treatment, the short-term curative effect was evaluated using imaging reexamination. The total prostate-specific antigen (TPSA) and free prostate-specific antigen (FPSA) were detected before and 2 months after the end of the treatment. All patients were followed up for at least 3 years, and the metastasis-free survival rate and cumulative survival rate of the two groups were calculated.

Results

The remission rates (RRs) of the observation and control groups were 64.45% and 46.87%, respectively; the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05); however, the efficacy distribution of the endocrine therapy combined with intensity-modulated radiotherapy group was significantly better than that of the intensity-modulated radiotherapy group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in clinical efficacy between the two groups in different TNM stages and Gleason grades. After treatment, the levels of TPSA and FPSA were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment; however, the decrease in the endocrine therapy combined with the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) group was significantly higher than that in the IMRT group (P < 0.05). Although there were no significant differences in the 1-year and 3-year cumulative survival rates between the two groups, the 1-year and 3-year metastasis-free survival rates of the endocrine therapy combined with the IMRT group were 60% and 38.17%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the IMRT group (37.5% and 20.83%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Endocrine therapy combined with IMRT significantly improved the clinical efficacy of advanced prostate cancer, reduced PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels, and improved the metastasis-free survival rates.
Malnutrition as a predictor of prolonged length of hospital stay in patients with gynecologic malignancy: A comparative analysis*
Authors: Chen Yongning , Li Runrong , Zheng Li , Liu Wenlian , Zhang Yadi , Gong Shipeng
Published: June 2023

Objective

To explore the consistency of the Patient-generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002) for nutritional evaluation of patients with gynecologic malignancy and their predictive effect on the length of hospital stay (LOS).

Methods

We recruited 147 hospitalized patients with gynecologic malignancy from Nanfang Hospital in 2017. Their nutritional status was assessed using the PG-SGA and NRS-2002. The consistency between the two assessments was compared via the Kappa test. The relationship between malnutrition and LOS was analyzed using crosstabs and Spearman’s correlation.

Results

The PG-SGA demonstrated that 66.7% and 54.4% of patients scoring ≥ 2 and ≥ 4 were malnourished, respectively. Furthermore, the NRS-2002 indicated that 55.8% of patients were at nutritional risk. Patients with ovarian cancer had a relatively high incidence of malnutrition. However, this was only significant for patients who scored ≥ 4 in the PG-SGA (P = 0.001 and P = 0.019 for endometrial carcinoma and cervical cancer, respectively). The PG-SGA and NRS-2002 showed good consistency in evaluating the nutritional status of patients with gynecologic malignancy (0.689, 0.643 for PG-SGA score ≥ 2, score ≥ 4 and NRS-2002, respectively). Both the scores of PG-SGA and NRS-2002 were positively correlated with LOS. Furthermore, prolonged LOS was higher in patients with malnutrition than in those with adequate nutrition.

Conclusion

The PG-SGA and NRS-2002 shared a good consistency in evaluating the nutritional status of patients with gynecologic malignancy. Both assessments could be used as predictors of LOS.
Correlation analysis of breast fibroadenoma and the intestinal flora based on 16S rRNA sequencing*
Authors: Wang Bingdong , Liu Xin , Bian Yahong , Sun Guoxin , Wang Huizhe , Zhang Jingjin , Zhang Zhengfu , Zou Xiao
Published: June 2023

Objective

To analyze the characteristics of the intestinal microflora in patients with breast fibroadenoma using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) high-throughput sequencing.

Methods

Fecal samples from 20 patients with breast fibroadenoma and 36 healthy subjects were randomly collected and analyzed using high-throughput sequencing technology for 16S rRNA V4 region sequencing, and the alpha diversity (Chao index, Shannon index) was calculated using Mothur (v.1.39.5) software. Beta diversity was analyzed using QIIME (v1.80). SPSS software (version 23.0) and the t-test of two independent samples were used to analyze differences in the abundance of bacteria between the two groups.

Results

Compared with that in the healthy control group, the α diversity of the intestinal microflora in breast fibroadenoma patients increased, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). At the phylum level, significant differences were observed between the two groups. The abundance of Firmicutes was higher in the breast fibroadenoma group (P < 0.05), whereas the abundance of Synergistetes was higher in the healthy control group (P < 0.005). A total of five bacterial genera showed significant differences between the two groups: the breast fibroadenoma group showed higher levels of Bautia (P < 0.005), Coprococcus (P < 0.005), Roseburia (P < 0.05), and Ruminococcus (P < 0.005), whereas Sutterella was more abundant in the healthy control group than in the breast fibroadenoma group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The diversity and abundance of the intestinal flora in patients with breast fibroadenoma are significantly different from those in healthy subjects, suggesting that an imbalance in the intestinal flora is correlated with the occurrence of breast fibroadenoma.
SMARCC1 copy number variation is related to metastatic colon cancer: an investigation based on TCGA data*
Authors: Feng Libo , Liu Yu , Xia Dong , Chen Xiaolong
Published: June 2023

Objective

There are no well-defined genetic indicators for distant metastatic illness in patients with colon cancer (CC). The discovery of genetic changes linked to metastatic CC might aid in the development of systemic and local therapeutic approaches. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we examined the relationship between copy number variation (CNV) of SWI/SNF-related matrix-associated actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily C member 1 (SMARCC1) and distant metastatic illness in patients with CC.

Methods

Genetic sequencing data of all relevant CC patients and clinical features were collected from TCGA using R. There were 506 CC patients with CNV and clinical outcome data. The CNV of SMARCC1 was examined for its correlation with distant metastatic disease using the TCGA CC dataset (M1 vs. M0). After adjusting for age, sex, T stage, N stage, adjuvant chemotherapy, microsatellite instability (MSI), and surgical margin status, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

SMARCC1 CNV was linked to distant metastatic disease (P = 0.012 and 0.008 in univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively); positive lymph nodes and margin status were also associated with distal metastases (all P < 0.01). MSI, T stage, N stage, adjuvant treatment, sex, race, and MSI were not associated with metastases (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

SMARCC1 CNV is associated with distant metastatic disease in patients with CC. In individuals with CC, such genetic profiles might be utilized therapeutically to support optimal systemic treatment options against local treatments for CC, such as radiation therapy, pending additional confirmation.
Risk factors for lymph node metastasis of cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Niu Guangcai , Guo Hao
Published: June 2023

Objective

To investigate the risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis of clinically lymph node-negative (cN0) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

Patients and Methods: The clinicopathologic data of patients with cN0 PTC who underwent at least one lobectomy plus central lymph node dissection at Xuzhou Central Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected and the risk factors of lymph node metastasis analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to detect the risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis.

Results

A total of 312 patients with cN0 PTC were enrolled in this study. The postoperative pathology results showed that 134 patients (42.9%) had central lymph node metastasis, of whom 24 (17.9%) had lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM). The univariate analysis results showed that male gender, age <45 years, tumor diameter ≥10 mm, bilateral cancer, capsule invasion, and multiple foci were associated with cervical lymph node metastasis of cN0 PTC (P < 0.05). Further logistic regression analysis results showed that these factors, except age, were independent risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis of cN0 PTC (P < 0.05). The results also showed that the risk of LLNM increased with an increase in the number of positive central lymph nodes in patients with cN0 PTC (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Cervical lymph node metastasis of cN0 PTC is related to many factors, and a high number of positive central lymph nodes indicates a high risk of LLNM. Patients with risk factors should undergo preventive central lymph node dissection at the first surgery, and in patients with a high number of positive central lymph nodes, lateral lymph node dissection should be discreetly performed.
Case report of a mixed pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma
Authors: Quan Xiaoying , Chen Xiaoyan , Lei Lei , Jia Xiaoli , Wu Chunzhi , Ye Bin
Published: June 2023

A 57 year-old male patient was found to have a lesion in the middle lobe of his right lung using chest computed tomography (CT). Tumor cells were detected, and surgical excision was performed. The patient was diagnosed with mixed large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and underwent six cycles of a chemotherapy regimen comprising etoposide combined with cisplatin. Genetic testing revealed an EGFR mutation, which prompted oxitinib-targeted therapy. To date, no signs of recurrence or metastasis have been reported.
Immunotherapy induced hypothyroidism with hyperlipidemia: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yang Yang , He Lilin
Published: June 2023

In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been increasingly used in clinical practice. While considering the efficacy of immunotherapy, it is also necessary to be alert to immune-related adverse effects (irAEs). These include skin, gastrointestinal, liver, endocrine, and pulmonary toxicities. Here, we report a case of irAEs of hypothyroidism with marked hyperlipidemia during sintilimab administration.
One-stage limb Pelnac® reconstruction after removal of skin cancer: safety, efficacy, and aesthetic outcomes
Authors: Shi Jia , Gao Min , Zhu Haijun , Lu Weiwei
Published: June 2023

Objective

To assesse the outcomes of one-stage limb reconstruction after removal of skin cancers defect.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted from September 2017 to January 2020 and included 15 patients. All patients underwent extensive tumor resection and one-stage Pelnac® reconstruction of large skin defects, and regular postoperative follow-up was scheduled. At the 6-month follow-up, tumor recurrence and scar quality was assessed using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). None of the patients exhibited infection, wound necrosis, hematoma, seroma, or recurrence.

Results

All the skin grafts were well accepted by the patients. Nine patients reported normal or near-normal sensory function, while six reported slight sensory loss. No cases of significant functional loss were observed. We enrolled 10 men and 5 women with a mean age of 63.9 years (range: 46-78 years). The mean follow-up duration was 20.6 months (range: 12-36 months). The skin tumors were located on the feet (n = 4), forearms (n = 3), and legs (n = 8). The malignant tumors included malignant melanomas (13.3%), basal cell carcinomas (33.3%), and squamous cell carcinomas (53.3%). The mean operative time was 40.7 min. Two patients underwent radiotherapy. The average length of hospital stay was 2.6 days. The mean skin defect area was 33.2 cm2 (range: 16.6-51.6 cm2). The patient satisfaction score (regarding the aesthetic appearance of the grafted area) was 79.7/100, and the VSS score was 3.8.

Conclusion

Pelnac® dermal templates facilitate efficient and reliable reconstruction of skin defects after skin cancer resection.
Prognostic value of the long noncoding RNA AFAP1-AS1 in cancers*
Authors: Zhu Lixiu , Yan Jiawen , Xu Guoqiang , Wang Qiaoli , Xu Tianrui , Cao Ruixue , Sun Chuanzheng , Xi Yan , Xiong Wei
Published: June 2023

Objective

This meta-analysis explored whether the expression of actin filament-associated protein 1 antisense RNA 1 (AFAP1-AS1) is related to the prognosis and clinicopathological features of patients with cancer.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the prognostic value based on overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and progression-free survival (PFS). Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were used to determine the relationships between AFAP1-AS1 and clinicopathological features, such as large tumor size (LTS), high tumor stage (HTS), poor histological grade (PHG), lymph node metastasis (LNM), and distant metastasis (DM).

Results

Thirty-five eligible articles and 3433 cases were analyzed. High AFAP1-AS1 expression, compared to low AFAP1-AS1 expression, correlated with significantly shorter OS (HR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.97-2.34, P < 0.001), DFS (HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.19-1.57, P < 0.001), and PFS (HR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.56-2.50, P < 0.001) in patients with cancer. In various cancers, elevated AFAP1-AS1 expression was significantly associated with LTS (OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 2.16-3.53, P < 0.001), HTS (OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.83-2.71, P < 0.001), and PHG (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.08-1.79, P = 0.01) but not LNM (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 0.88-2.85, P = 0.12) or DM (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 0.90-3.66, P = 0.10).

Conclusion

High AFAP1-AS1 expression was associated with prognostic and clinicopathological features, suggesting that AFAP1-AS1 is a prognostic biomarker for human cancers.
EZH2 is a biomarker associated with lung cancer diagnosis and immune infiltrates without prognostic specificity: a study based on the cancer genome atlas data*
Authors: Wang Xiaokun , Qi Min , Zhu Xu , Zhao Zhengtong , Cao Yufeng , Xing Daijun , Wang Fuman , Lin Gaoyang
Published: June 2023

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Dysregulation of EZH2 causes alteration of gene expression and functions, thereby promoting cancer development. Recent studies suggest that EZH2 has a potential prognostic role in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the prognostic value of EZH2 expression levels in NSCLC is controversial. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value in lung cancer (LC-LUAD/LUSC) based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and logistic regression were used to evaluate the relationship between EZH2 expression and clinicopathological features. Cox regression and the Kaplan-Meier method were adopted to evaluate prognosis-related factors. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify the key pathways related to EZH2. The correlations between EZH2 and cancer immune infiltrates were investigated by single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA). EZH2 was found to be up regulated with amplification in tumor tissues in multiple LC cohorts. High EZH2 expression was associated with poorer overall survival (OS). GSEA suggested that EZH2 regulates innate immune system, ECM affiliated, matrisome, surfactant metabolism. Notably, ssGSEA indicated that EZH2 expression was positively correlated with infiltrating levels of Th2 cells and significantly negatively correlated with mast cell infiltration level. These results suggest that EZH2 is associated with LC immune infiltration and significantly over-expressed in lung cancer, and its diagnostic value is better than prognosis, which lays a foundation for further study of the immunomodulatory role of EZH2 in LC.
Xiaoaiping injection affects the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by controlling AFP expression
Authors: Huang Shu , Wang Ganxin
Published: June 2023

Objective

Xiaoaiping (XAP) is a traditional Chinese medicine that is a commonly used as an anticancer drug in clinical practice owing to its high efficiency and low toxicity. Specifically, XAP can effectively inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a key HCC diagnostic marker and is closely related to certain malignant cytological behaviors of HCC. However, whether AFP expression and XAP treatment are related to the invasion and metastasis of HCC remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects and underlying mechanism of XAP on the invasion and metastasis of HCC..

Methods

Using a cell scratch assay, Transwell technology, and western blotting we detected the different invasion and metastatic abilities of Hep3B cells in XAP treatment and blank control groups. This allowed comparison of the invasion and metastatic abilities of Hep3B cells with differing levels of AFP expression. AFP mRNA sequencing technology was used to analyze the mechanism of tumor invasion and metastasis associated with AFP and XAP treatment.

Results

Cell invasion and metastasis abilities in the XAP group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, compared to the control group, the expression of AFP significantly decreased after XAP treatment (P < 0.05). The ability of Hep3B cells to invade and metastasize was promoted when AFP expression was up-regulated, whereas it was inhibited when AFP was silenced. XAP injection and AFP regulate the invasion and metastatic ability of HCC by affecting matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

Conclusion

XAP injection inhibits the invasion and metastatic ability of HCC by influencing the expression of AFP; additionally, this inhibition of AFP is achieved by affecting MMPs.
AGAP2-AS1 affects TNM staging and prognosis of lung cancer patients by acting on SLC7A11 mRNA stability and ferroptosis*
Authors: Huang Lin , Li Bin , Hu Zuowei
Published: June 2023

Objective

The initiation and progression of lung carcinomas are critically regulated by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, the role of lncRNAs in the pathways causing lung cancer remains unknown.

Methods

Cell morphology was regularly observed using an inverted phase-contrast microscope. Cell viability was assessed using CCK-8 according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Total RNA was retrotranscribed from each specimen using the RNAiso Plus Kit. The RT-PCR data were calculated using the Ct approach for comparison. Flow cytometric analyses were prepared by Click-iT™ Plus TUNEL Assay for In Situ apoptosis detection, with Alexa Fluor™ 594 dye, as instructed. RNA immunoprecipitation assays were used to determine RNA concentration.

Results

Activated natural killer cells repeat and PH domain-containing protein 2 antisense RNA 1 (AGAP2-AS1) levels in cancerous tissues were significantly correlated with cancerous tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, with cancerous AGAP2-AS1 levels being higher in cancerous tissues than healthy tissues. Patients withelevated AGAP2-AS1 levels had considerably worse outcomes than those with reduced AGAP2-AS1 levels, regardless of the progression-free or overall survival. Functionally, AGAP2-AS1 downregulation represseslung cancer cell growth. AGAP2-AS1 elimination induces erastin-mediated ferroptosis in lung cancer cells.However, the ferritin inhibitor FERSINT-1 negated this result, whereas ERASTIN induced lung cancer cellmortality. After AGAP2-AS1 silencing, erastin-treated lung cancer cells showed a remarkable decrease inGSH levels. These results indicated that AGAP2-AS1 enhanced the stabilization of SLC7A11 mRNA via Recombinant Insulin Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2(IGF BP2). Patients with elevated AGAP2-AS1 had considerably worse outcomes. Down-regulating AGAP2-AS1 was able to repress lung cancer cell growth and induce greater Erastin-mediated ferroptosis. Lungcancer cells treated with Erastin exhibited a remarkable decrease inglutathione (GSH) levels. The mechanical findingsindicated that AGAP2-AS1 enhanced the stabilization of SLC7A11 mRNA via the IGF2BP2.

Conclusion

We identified a novel effect of AGAP2-AS1 on TNM staging and the prognosis of patientswith lungcancer by modulating SLC7A11 mRNA stability and ferroptosis.
Chinese expert consensus on managing thrombocytopenia in patients with cancer and liver injury
Authors: Yuan Xianglin
Published: June 2023

Thrombocytopenia and liver injury are serious clinical problems in patients with cancer. The etiology of thrombocytopenia in patients with cancer and liver injury (TCLI) is complicated. Managing cancer therapy-induced thrombocytopenia has gradually become standardized, and managing liver injury-associated thrombocytopenia has become more effective with the approval and marketing of relevant drugs. However, the optimal strategy for managing thrombocytopenia in patients with cancer and liver injury remains unclear, and the superposition of thrombocytopenia and liver injury further increases the difficulty of cancer treatment. Therefore, the Committee of Cancer Support Therapy of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association has organized experts to analyze and discuss relevant literature to form a Chinese expert consensus on managing thrombocytopenia in patients with cancer and liver injury (2022 Edition) to guide clinical practice.
Research progress on immunotherapy targeting the tumor immune microenvironment for cholangiocarcinoma*
Authors: Ma Tianyin , Chen Zhang , Chai Yibo , Gongye Xiangdong , Xia Peng , Qu Chenming , Tian Ming , Yuan Yufeng
Published: June 2023

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common hepatobiliary cancer, and its incidence has increased significantly in recent years. CCA has poor prognosis owing to the limited diagnosis and treatment options. The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), which comprises immune cells, cytokines, and chemokines, plays a significant role in cancer progression, the evasion of immune surveillance, and therapeutic responses. Immunotherapeutic strategies targeting the TIME offer the potential for the recognition and eradication of CCA. This review discusses the cellular and molecular components of the TIME in CCA and immunotherapeutic strategies targeting it.
Programmatic Support for Peer Specialists that Serve Transition Age Youth Living with Serious Mental Illness: Perspectives of Program Managers from Two Southern California Counties
Authors: Magana Christopher , Gilmer Todd P. , Munson Michelle R. , Jones Nev , Burgos Jose Luis , Ojeda Victoria D.
Published: June 2023

Peer Specialists (PS) often work in outpatient mental health programs serving transition age youth (TAY). This study examines program managers’ perspectives on efforts to strengthen PS’ professional development. In 2019, we interviewed program managers (n = 11) from two Southern California Counties employed by public outpatient mental health programs (n = 8) serving TAY and conducted thematic analyses. We present themes and illustrative quotes. PS’ roles are highly flexible; thus, PM support PS to strengthen skills to address organization-facing and client-facing responsibilities. PM addressed time management, documentation, PS integration into the organization, and workplace relationships. Trainings to better support clients included addressing cultural competency to serve LGBTQ TAY and racial/ethnic subgroups. Diverse supervision modalities address PS’ diverse needs. Supporting PS’ technical and administrative skills (e.g., planning, interpersonal communication skills) may aid their implementation of a complex role. Longitudinal research can examine the impact of organizational supports on PS’ job satisfaction, career trajectories, and TAY clients’ engagement with services.
Assessing Psychopathic Traits Early in Development: Testing Potential Associations with Social, Behavioral, and Affective Factors
Authors: Demetriou Chara A. , Colins Olivier F. , Andershed Henrik , Fanti Kostas A.
Published: June 2023

The Child Problematic Traits Inventory (CPTI) enables the assessment of psychopathy dimensions as early as age three. The current study employs a multi-informant approach (i.e., fathers, mothers, and teachers) to further investigate the unique associations between psychopathy dimensions, as measured by the CPTI, with theoretically relevant constructs of interest, such as conduct problems, oppositionality, empathy, and social relations, in early childhood (N = 1283, M age = 6.35). Although associations with conduct, aggressive, and oppositional behaviours differed in strength, our findings supported the importance of all psychopathy dimensions in predicting behavioral problems. Our findings also suggested a unique association of the callous-unemotional dimension with affective empathy. Furthermore, stronger associations were identified between the callous-unemotional and impulsive need for stimulation dimensions with social problems (e.g., peer and family relations) compared to the grandiose-deceitful dimension. Current findings can inform prevention and intervention efforts aiming to alter the development of psychopathic traits.
Unprecedented rainfall index for reducing fatalities caused by sediment-related disasters
Authors: Kosugi Ken′ichirou
Published: June 2023

This study evaluated effectiveness of the unprecedented rainfall index, TP, proposed by Kosugi (2022) in achieving appropriate evacuation actions by municipalities and residents for reducing victims caused by rainfall-induced landslides and debris flows. TP is defined as the time stamp representing the situation that “current rainfall is the largest since TP”; namely, if we go back to time before TP, the rainfall at the current time is of a magnitude that has been experienced in the past (i.e., the situation is within the historical range) in every evaluation criterion used in analyses. In other words, the rainfall at the current time is of a magnitude never experienced in the period from TP through the present for at least one criterion. TP was computed for all disasters that caused death and missing of people in Japan in 2021: the Atami, Unzen, and Okaya disasters. In every disaster, at the time of the landslide and debris flow occurrences, TP reached the beginning of rainfall record, indicating that the rainfall reached a magnitude never experienced in the past. Based on these results, it was confirmed that (1) TP time series has a large potential to reduce the normalcy bias in all 3 disasters studied, (2) for evaluating anomaly in rainfall, rainfall features should be analyzed based on various evaluation criteria, and (3) the time of past land alteration at an individual location, such as an occurrence time of historical storm event and a construction time of embankment slope, might be set as a TP threshold.
Efficiency measurement in the tendering of road surface renewal contracts
Authors: Smith Andrew S. J. , Nilsson Jan-Eric , Ridderstedt Ivan , Johansson Oskar
Published: June 2023

The problem of slow productivity growth in the road construction (and wider construction) industry is well known. The present paper suggests a means for efficiency analysis in one part of this industry, namely road surface renewal in Sweden, built upon the application of Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) techniques. The paper is novel in that it focuses on project level rather than firm or contractor level performance and takes the perspective of the inefficiency that may result from the way the contracts are specified by the highway agency’s pavement engineers (client side). We compare 233 renewal contracts tendered over a four-year period via the estimation of a cost frontier, with controls for heterogeneity between projects. Our results produce first estimates that expose substantive differences in the relative efficiency performance of different engineers within the Swedish highways procurement organisation (Trafikverket); with indicative savings of around €40 m out of a total road renewals budget in Sweden of €200 m. We also find substantial economies of scale that could, in principle, point to further cost savings if road renewal projects can be packaged up as larger projects. These client-side savings represent potentially important sources of savings in addition to those that can be achieved through the pressure of competitive tendering on the supplier side. The paper therefore illustrates how disaggregate analysis of project level information can readily be used for revealing important information about how best to frame the procurement process and thus deliver productivity and unit cost improvements over time.
DOVE: Learning Deformable 3D Objects by Watching Videos
Authors: Wu Shangzhe , Jakab Tomas , Rupprecht Christian , Vedaldi Andrea
Published: June 2023

Learning deformable 3D objects from 2D images is often an ill-posed problem. Existing methods rely on explicit supervision to establish multi-view correspondences, such as template shape models and keypoint annotations, which restricts their applicability on objects “in the wild”. A more natural way of establishing correspondences is by watching videos of objects moving around. In this paper, we present DOVE, a method that learns textured 3D models of deformable object categories from monocular videos available online, without keypoint, viewpoint or template shape supervision. By resolving symmetry-induced pose ambiguities and leveraging temporal correspondences in videos, the model automatically learns to factor out 3D shape, articulated pose and texture from each individual RGB frame, and is ready for single-image inference at test time. In the experiments, we show that existing methods fail to learn sensible 3D shapes without additional keypoint or template supervision, whereas our method produces temporally consistent 3D models, which can be animated and rendered from arbitrary viewpoints. Project page: https://dove3d.github.io/.
NT-3 Combined with TGF-β Signaling Pathway Enhance the Repair of Spinal Cord Injury by Inhibiting Glial Scar Formation and Promoting Axonal Regeneration
Authors: Chen Taibang , He Xiaoqing , Wang Jing , Du Di , Xu Yongqing
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the mechanism of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in promoting spinal cord injury repair through the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway. A mouse model of spinal cord injury was established. Forty C57BL/6J mice were randomized into model, NT-3, NT-3 + TGF-β1 and NT-3 + LY364947 groups. The Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) scores of the NT-3 and NT-3 + LY364947 groups were significantly higher than the model group. The BBB score of the NT-3 + TGF-β1 group was significantly lower than NT-3 group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy showed reduction in myelin sheath injury, more myelinated nerve fibers in the middle section of the catheter, and relatively higher density and more neatly arranged regenerated axons in the NT-3 and NT-3 + LY364947 groups compared with the model and NT-3 + TGF-β1 groups. Immunofluorescence, TUNEL and Western blot analysis showed that compared with model group, the NEUN expression increased, and the apoptosis and Col IV, LN, CSPG, tenascin-C, Sema 3 A, EphB2 and Smad2/3 protein expression decreased significantly in the NT-3 and NT-3 + LY364947 groups; the condition was reversed in the NT-3 + TGF-β1 group compared with the NT-3 group. NT-3 combined with TGF-β signaling pathway promotes astrocyte differentiation, reduces axon regeneration inhibitory molecules, apoptosis and glial scar formation, promotes axon regeneration, and improves spinal cord injury.
Optical engineering of infrared PbS CQD photovoltaic cells for wireless optical power transfer systems
Authors: Zhu Mengqiong , Zhang Yuanbo , Lu Shuaicheng , Wang Zijun , Zhou Junbing , Ma Wenkai , Zhu Ruinan , Chen Guanyuan , Zhang Jianbing , Gao Liang , Yu Jiancan , Gao Pingqi , Tang Jiang
Published: June 2023

Infrared photovoltaic cells (IRPCs) have attracted considerable attention for potential applications in wireless optical power transfer (WOPT) systems. As an efficient fiber-integrated WOPT system typically uses a 1550 nm laser beam, it is essential to tune the peak conversion efficiency of IRPCs to this wavelength. However, IRPCs based on lead sulfide (PbS) colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) with an excitonic peak of 1550 nm exhibit low short circuit current (Jsc) due to insufficient absorption under monochromatic light illumination. Here, we propose comprehensive optical engineering to optimize the device structure of IRPCs based on PbS CQDs, for 1550 nm WOPT systems. The absorption by the device is enhanced by improving the transmittance of tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) in the infrared region and by utilizing the optical resonance effect in the device. Therefore, the optimized device exhibited a high short circuit current density of 37.65 mA/cm2 under 1 sun (AM 1.5G) solar illumination and 11.91 mA/cm2 under 1550 nm illumination 17.3 mW/cm2. Furthermore, the champion device achieved a record high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.17% under 1 sun illumination and 10.29% under 1550 nm illumination. The PbS CQDs IRPCs under 1550 nm illumination can even light up a liquid crystal display (LCD), demonstrating application prospects in the future.

Graphical Abstract
A Daily Breathing Practice Bolsters Girls’ Prosocial Behavior and Third and Fourth Graders’ Supportive Peer Relationships: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: von Salisch Maria , Voltmer Katharina
Published: June 2023

Objectives

In order to promote mindfulness in primary school, the Breathing Break Intervention was developed. This collection of short daily breath-based mindfulness practices was introduced to 15 teachers who delivered them up to 3 times a day to their students.

Method

In a randomized controlled trial, 146 third and fourth graders (49% female) either received the intervention (n = 81) or participated in the active wait list control group (n = 65). Students were asked to nominate prosocial peers and to report on supportive peer relationships in their classrooms before (pretest) and after (posttest) the 9 weeks of the Breathing Break Intervention, and in a follow-up 5 months later.

Results

Mixed multilevel models indicated a group × sex × posttest interaction (t(211) = 2.64, p < 0.01) suggesting that girls in the intervention group were rated to be more prosocial by their peers at posttest than at pretest and than girls in the active control group when children’s age and parents’ education were accounted for. Supportive peer relationships in the active control group deteriorated between pretest and posttest, which occurred immediately before the second school lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas they remained the same in the intervention group (t(223) = 2.56, p < 0.05). Both effects were not maintained at follow-up, probably due to children’s irregular school attendance during the lockdown.

Conclusions

Introducing a short daily breathing practice in primary school classrooms seems to be effective in maintaining supportive peer relationships and in stimulating girls’ prosocial behavior.

Preregistration

The study was preregistered at aspredicted.org (#44925).
Quality, Understandability and Reliability of YouTube Videos on Skin Cancer Screening
Authors: Reinhardt Lydia , Steeb Theresa , Mifka Anika , Berking Carola , Meier Friedegund ,   on behalf of the German Skin Cancer Council
Published: June 2023

In 2008, a nationwide skin cancer screening (SCS) program was implemented in Germany. However, participation rates remain low. YouTube videos on SCS might educate eligible persons to undergo SCS. Until now, no scientific evaluation of the quality of videos available for German-speaking persons eligible for SCS has been performed. Here, we identified and evaluated videos on SCS provided on YouTube. YouTube was searched in May 2022 for German terms related to SCS. Two authors evaluated the videos of the first three pages that met the predefined eligibility criteria. The quality of the videos´ information was evaluated using DISCERN and the Global Quality Scale (GQS). The understandability and actionability were assessed with the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT). The reliability was assessed with the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) score. Subgroup differences were identified by the Kruskal–Wallis test. Overall, 38 videos were included in the evaluation. Most videos were provided by health professionals (clinics and practices). The average scores (mean (SD)) for the individual tools were as follows: DISCERN 3.1/5 points (± 0.52), GQS 3.72/5 points (± 0.7), understandability 64,27% (± 13.53%), actionability 58.22% (± 15.18%), JAMA 37.17% (± 18.94%). These results indicate a mediocre to good understandability, a mediocre quality and actionability, and a low reliability. Videos that were assessed as useful were of significantly better quality. An improvement of freely available informational videos on SCS, especially with regard to the reliability criteria, is urgently needed.
The single flapping rotor: detailed physical explanations
Authors: Geißler W.
Published: June 2023

A motor-driven helicopter rotor generates a reaction torque. This torque would accelerate the airframe of the helicopter about the yaw axis opposite to the rotor rotation if no measures are taken to compensate it. In the early days of helicopter development, a diversity of measures was considered: Henrich Focke has discussed these different measures. Not well known is a torque compensation measure which is restricted to only one main rotor, thus skipping the tail rotor or any additional rotor as well. This principle is worth looking into the details of the physical mechanism involved. The German scientist Prof. Hans-Georg Küssner of the AVA-Göttingen, Germany (Aerodynamic Research Institute with heads at this time: L. Prandtl and A. Betz) was the first to study the method successfully. He constructed a wind tunnel model and showed that the reaction torque could indeed be completely compensated. The present author has reviewed Küssner’s experimental data and could show that numerical calculations are in good correspondence with the measured results. In the present paper, the details of the method to compensate the reaction torque will be discussed. Corresponding numerical data will be presented taking into account Navier–Stokes calculations on rotor blade sections. Blade element theory will then be applied and combined with the Navier–Stokes data. Calculated forces and moments of a complete four-bladed helicopter rotor will be presented.
Reconceptualizing coastal fisheries conflicts: a Swedish case study
Authors: Arias Schreiber Milena , Gillette Maris B.
Published: June 2023

Fisheries conflicts have often been interpreted as arising from disputes over access to fish. Competition for fishing stocks among resource users (human and non-human) and fisheries managers’ attempts to control access to fish are depicted as main causes of conflicts. From this perspective, rampant environmental degradation, climate change, and a growing human population will only exacerbate tensions in fisheries. Yet is it only competition for fish that drives conflicts? Research on coastal and small-scale fishers has shown that they fish not only to achieve economic (material) goals but also to fulfill social and immaterial needs. Drawing on Burton’s theory of human needs, in this exploratory study, we consider how attention to coastal fishers’ material and immaterial needs might illuminate aspects of fisheries disagreements that are missed when conflicts are theorized solely in terms of material interests. Our data comes from 46 voluntary written statements provided at the end of a self-administered survey on the fishing sector sent to all holders of a Swedish commercial fishing license in June 2019. Results suggest that coastal fisheries conflicts are not solely about access to fish but also about social and emotional needs for respect, identity, belongingness, and status. In particular, fishers’ demands for actions to boost the number of coastal fishers – and subsequently the number of potential competitors – challenges the narrowly emphasis on materiality. We argue that an overemphasis on material needs may divert attention away from other causes of tension and thus prevent actions that could alleviate or mitigate fisheries conflicts.
Sustainable assessment of a milling manufacturing process based on economic tool life and energy modeling
Authors: Minquiz Gustavo M. , Meraz-Melo M. A. , Flores Méndez Javier , González-Sierra N. E. , Munoz-Hernandez German Ardul , Piñón Reyes Ana Cecilia , Moreno Moreno Mario
Published: June 2023

Greenhouse gas emissions are caused by human activities, one of which is the manufacturing process, which is the main driver of global warming. The machining process is a common practice in sectors such as aerospace and automotive. Based on the latter, this research focuses on understanding and testing an alternative way to make an economically sustainable machining process. This study reports on the performance of tool life analysis under dry settings, and the cutting speed calculation considers machining and tooling costs. Developing a design of the experiment established the power demand equation, which is part of the energy model presented in this research, and it also helps to understand the carbon dioxide emissions to the environment before starting the milling process. Based on the results, the tool life evaluation shows the longest working time under good tool conditions with a measured surface roughness of less than 0.6 μm. The energy model shows the alternative to improve energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 0.11 kWh and 0.055 kg CO2, respectively, which is essential to understand the challenge of reducing the manufacturing footprint.
Lessons Learned in Qatar: The Role of the Netherlands and Its Businesses in Addressing Human Rights Abuses in Mega-Sporting Events
Authors: Heerdt Daniela , Roorda Lucas
Published: June 2023

Mega-sporting events (MSEs) can have a negative impact on human rights throughout their lifecycle, from the bidding stage, over to the planning and preparation stage, the delivery of the event, and also as part of their legacy after the event has concluded. They can be linked to land grabbing, forced evictions, forced labour and many other human rights abuses. The problem is that only a very few of these cases are actually addressed in the sense that rights-holders receive an effective remedy and those responsible for the abuse are held to account. MSEs are jointly organized and staged by public, private, national, and international actors, which each contribute in different ways to the associated human rights impact. Rather than looking at the responsibility of those actors directly involved in organizing and staging the event, this article looks at the responsibility of the participating actors of states that are represented at the event, namely businesses and sports bodies, using the Netherlands and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as the guiding example. The central questions it tries to explore based on lessons learned and opportunities missed in Qatar are how such actors are connected to adverse human rights impacts associated with MSEs, which responsibilities under the human rights framework flow from those connections, and how participating states should then ensure that businesses live up to their responsibilities.
Eliciting policy-relevant stated preference values for water quality: An application to New Zealand
Authors: Walsh Patrick J. , Guignet Dennis , Booth Pamela
Published: June 2023

Governments need tools to analyze trade-offs for freshwater policy, yet valuation estimates from the literature can be difficult to deploy in a policy setting. Obstacles to benefit transfer include (i) difficulties in scaling up local estimates, (ii) water quality attributes that cannot be linked to policy, and (iii) surveys positing large, unrealistic water quality changes. Focusing on freshwater rivers and streams in New Zealand, we develop and implement a nationwide discrete choice stated preference study aimed at future benefit transfer. The stated provision mechanism and environmental commodity being valued are specified at the regional council level, which is the administrative unit for policy implementation. The survey is administered on a national scale with three attributes – nutrients, water clarity, and E. coli levels – which were chosen to align with government policy levers and salience to the public. Estimation results demonstrate positive and significant willingness to pay values for improvements in each attribute, with magnitudes that are comparable to a recent referendum vote on a water quality tax. To illustrate the utility of our study, we apply the results to a recent policy analyzed by New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment and estimate nationwide annual benefits of NZ $115 million ($77 million USD).
Squamarina subcetrarioides comb. & stat. nov. (Stereocaulaceae), a separate species from the type species of Squamarina
Authors: Zhang Yanyun , Wang Lun , Wang Xinyu , Printzen Christian , Timdal Einar , Wang Lisong
Published: June 2023

The type species of Squamarina has two varieties, S. gypsacea var. gypsacea and S. gypsacea var. subcetrarioides. In this study, a phylogenetic and taxonomic analysis of these two varieties shows that S. var. subcetrarioides merits treatment as a species separate from S. gypsacea. Therefore, we raise this variety to species level as S. subcetrarioides (Zahlbr.) Y. Y. Zhang. Squamarina subcetrarioides is phylogenetically not closely related to S. gypsacea and differs from that species in the thallus forming rosettes when young, later becoming cracked and irregular in outline, and consisting of numerous small squamules.
Translating transactions: Markets as epistemic and moral spheres
Authors: Gandhi Ajay , Harriss-White Barbara , Haynes Douglas E. , Schwecke Sebastian
Published: June 2023

In this Modern Asian Studies book symposium, scholars of South Asia analyse the political, ethical, and epistemic aspects of market life. They build on the 2020 Cambridge volume, Rethinking Markets in Modern India: Embedded Exchange and Contested Jurisdiction, edited by Ajay Gandhi, Barbara Harriss-White, Douglas Haynes, and Sebastian Schwecke. This interdisciplinary conversation approaches transactional realms from the disciplines of history, anthropology, development studies, and political economy. The symposium’s contributors examine a range of pertinent issues that encompass customary forms of exchange and capitalist aspects of trade. Among the topics discussed are those of market fetishism, bazaar knowledge, social embeddedness, forms of transactional representation and translation, and institutional and regulatory contexts for commerce.