bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying experiences of supportive care of children and young people affected by kidney failure: A qualitative systematic review
Authors: Paterson C. , Turner M. , Hooper M.‐E. , Ladbrook E. , Macauley L. , McKie A.
Published: December 2023

Background

Children and young people affected by kidney failure experience complexities in their care. Little is known about the unique needs of this young patient population group living with a long‐term condition.

Objective

A meta‐aggregation of all qualitative studies was conducted to identify experiences of supportive care among children and young people living with kidney failure.

Methods

A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute meta‐aggregation method. This review has been reported according to the PRISMA statement guidelines. Six electronic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Proquest, PsycINFO, and Scopus) were comprehensively searched by an expert systematic review librarian using keywords and subject headings, from inception to September 2022. All studies were accessed using a predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Methodological quality assessment and data extraction performed. Qualitative findings accompanied by illustrative quotes from included studies were extracted and grouped into categories which created the overall synthesised findings.

Results

A total of 34 studies were included in this review representing a total of 613 children and young people affected by kidney failure. There was a total of 190 findings which created 13 categories representing experiences of supportive care. The meta‐aggregation developed five synthesised findings namely: ‘physical needs’, ‘information and technology’, ‘treatment and healthcare’, ‘social needs’ and ‘psychological impacts’.

Conclusion

This systematic review identified that children and young people affected by kidney failure can experience a range of unmet supportive care needs in routine clinical services. Kidney failure impacted children and young people's self‐identify, social and peer networks, introduced daily practical needs because of inherent physical and psychological burden due to the failure and associated treatments. Despite improvements in the medical management of kidney failure in children and young people, further attention is needed to optimise supported self‐management in this young patient group.
Use of genome‐wide DNA methylation analysis to identify prognostic CpG site markers associated with longer survival time in dogs with multicentric high‐grade B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Teoh Yong Bin , Ishizaki Teita , Kagawa Yumiko , Yokoyama Shoko , Jelinek Jaroslav , Matsumoto Yuki , Tomiyasu Hirotaka , Tsujimoto Hajime , Takiguchi Mitsuyoshi , Yamazaki Jumpei
Published: December 2023

Background

DNA methylation analysis might identify prognostic CpG sites in CHOP‐treated dogs with multicentric high‐grade B‐cell lymphoma (MHGL) with heterogenous prognosis.

Objective

To identify prognostic CpG sites of MHGL through genome‐wide DNA methylation analysis with pyrosequencing validation.

Animals

Test group: 24 dogs. Validation group: 100 dogs. All client‐owned dogs were diagnosed with MHGL and treated with CHOP chemotherapy.

Methods

Cohort study. DNA was extracted from lymph node samples obtained via FNA. Genome‐wide DNA methylation analysis using Digital Restriction Enzyme Analysis of Methylation (DREAM) was performed on the test group to identify differentially methylated CpG sites (DMCs). Bisulfite pyrosequencing was used to measure methylation status of candidate DMCs in the validation group. Median survival times (MST) were analyzed using Kaplan‐Meier (log‐rank) product limit method.

Results

DREAM analyzed 101 576 CpG sites. Hierarchical clustering of 16 262 CpG sites in test group identified group with better prognosis (MST = 55‐477 days vs 10‐301 days, P = .007). Volcano plot identified 1371 differentially methylated CpG sites (DMCs). DMC near the genes of FAM213A (DMC‐F) and PHLPP1 (DMC‐P) were selected as candidates. Bisulfite‐pyrosequencing performed on validation group showed group with methylation level of DMC‐F < 40% had favorable prognosis (MST = 11‐1072 days vs 8‐1792 days, P = .01), whereas group with the methylation level combination of DMC‐F < 40% plus DMC‐P < 10% had excellent prognosis (MST = 18‐1072 days vs 8‐1792 days, P = .009).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Methylation status of prognostic CpG sites delineate canine MGHL cases with longer MST, providing owners with information on expectations of potential improved treatment outcomes.
Cell death induction facilitates egress of Coxiella burnetii from infected host cells at late stages of infection
Authors: Schulze‐Luehrmann Jan , Liebler‐Tenorio Elisabeth , Felipe‐López Alfonso , Lührmann Anja
Published: December 2023

Intracellular bacteria have evolved mechanisms to invade host cells, establish an intracellular niche that allows survival and replication, produce progeny, and exit the host cell after completion of the replication cycle to infect new target cells. Bacteria exit their host cell by (i) initiation of apoptosis, (ii) lytic cell death, and (iii) exocytosis. While bacterial egress is essential for bacterial spreading and, thus, pathogenesis, we currently lack information about egress mechanisms for the obligate intracellular pathogen C. burnetii, the causative agent of the zoonosis Q fever. Here, we demonstrate that C. burnetii inhibits host cell apoptosis early during infection, but induces and/or increases apoptosis at later stages of infection. Only at later stages of infection did we observe C. burnetii egress, which depends on previously established large bacteria‐filled vacuoles and a functional intrinsic apoptotic cascade. The released bacteria are not enclosed by a host cell membrane and can infect and replicate in new target cells. In summary, our data argue that C. burnetii egress in a non‐synchronous way at late stages of infection. Apoptosis‐induction is important for C. burnetii egress, but other pathways most likely contribute.
Emily's struggle for dignity: An idiographic case study of a woman with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Podolinská Lucia , Čáp Juraj
Published: December 2023

Dignity is one of the essential values and central concepts in nursing care. Dignity can be threatened due to radical life changes; therefore, this idiographic case study aimed to explore the sense of dignity experienced by a woman with multiple sclerosis. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was adopted, using data collected through a face‐to‐face semistructured interview with Emily, a 45‐year‐old woman. The study was approved by the local ethics committee. Six personal experiential themes were identified: To be ruled by a sick body; Silent progression; Loss of independence as a burden for the family; Will to fight for the meaning of life; Maintaining dignity‐in‐relation; Dignified care in a period of greater vulnerability. Emily's dignity is based on the effort to fight for a meaningful life, utilization of her full potential, maintain independence in activities of daily living and support in relationships. Continuous changes in functional ability, loss of self‐control and an uncertain future have a negative impact on the experience of her dignity. In the context of dignified health care, she considers individual care and maintaining autonomy important. The idiographic case study can contribute to a better understanding of the experience of a woman suffering from multiple sclerosis. It is possible to carry out interventions that aim to support her dignity, improve her quality of life and contribute to individually oriented health care.
Blood Pressure Fluctuation Pattern Associated with 90‐Day Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack After Total Knee Arthroplasty—A Retrospective Study
Authors: An Xiao , Zhang Yan , Li Zhirui , Song Yuxiang , Chen Jiying
Published: December 2023

Objective

Blood pressure (BP) fluctuation has been demonstrated to be closely associated with stroke. However, at present, no attention is paid to the BP fluctuation following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aim of this study is to investigate what is BP fluctuation patterns in stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients after primary TKA, compare clinical characteristics among different BP fluctuation patterns and determine whether it could predict the occurrence of a 90‐day stroke.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted from February 1, 2011 to February 15, 2021. Stroke or TIA patients within 90 days after TKA were included. Data from a hospitalization management system were analyzed, including demographics, smoking status, comorbidities, medications, surgical variables, and 90‐day stroke, mortality, and readmission rates. BP fluctuation patterns were defined based on the average BP in the first 3 days after TKA. A logistic regression analysis model was used to identify risk factors for 90‐day stroke or TIA following TKA.

Results

Of the 1687 patients who underwent primary TKA, 4.0% (68/1687) experienced a 90‐day stroke or TIA. A total of 63 patients met the inclusion criteria, with an average age of 67.5 years and 55.6% (35/63) female. The number of stroke or TIA patients in each BP fluctuation pattern (T1–T5) was 6 (9.5%), 5 (7.9%), 4 (6.3%), 13 (20.6%), and 35 (55.6%) respectively. Patients with a T5 pattern tended to be older and had a greater reduction in average systolic blood pressure (SBP) 3 days after surgery compared to other patterns. The T5 pattern was associated with a higher occurrence of stroke and a lower occurrence of TIA. Patients with a T5 pattern also had a longer length of stay within 90 days following TKA. After adjusting for confounding factors, average SBP fluctuation ≥40 mmHg and the T5 pattern of BP fluctuation remained risk factors for 90‐day stroke or TIA after TKA.

Conclusion

BP fluctuation patterns in the early postoperative period are associated with 90‐day stroke and TIA following primary TKA.
Los desafíos de la Nación: una aproximación histórica a los procesos de construcción nacional en España y Colombia
Authors: Barrio Alonso Ángeles , Gómez Ochoa Fidel Ángel , Hoyo Aparicio Andrés , Pérez Benavides Amada Carolina , Pohl-Valero Stefan , Saavedra Arias Rebeca , Suárez Cortina Manuel , Vargas Álvarez Sebastián , Zapata Villamil María Isabel
Published: December 2023

En la actualidad, cuando la globalización ha llegado a su apogeo y las fronteras nacionales parecen debilitadas, cuando miles de personas arriesgan todo por cruzar a otros territorios y otras dan su vida por su país en medio de guerras, reflexionar sobre la nación y su formación como institución no solo resulta pertinente, sino que es urgente. En este sentido, el estudio de los procesos de construcción del Estado nacional da pistas sobre cómo se ha estructurado el orden político y hegemónico en los últimos dos siglos; además, da cuenta del modo en el que determinadas imágenes, representaciones, actores, discursos, dinámicas e identidades disputan y le dan forma a esta institución. Precisamente Los desafíos de la nación presenta diferentes investigaciones sobre el proceso de construcción nacional de Colombia y España a finales del siglo xix y en la primera mitad del siglo xx, para dar cuenta de la historicidad, el carácter contingente y las particularidades de la conformación del Estado en estos países. Reflexionar y comparar estos procesos a ambos lados del Atlántico permite comprender las particularidades y las similitudes de cada caso, en especial, aquellas referidas a políticas culturales centradas en el hispanismo y el hispanoamericanismo y a los debates en torno a la ciudadanía o el control de la población, entre otros. De ahí que pensar la nación no tenga que ver solo con conceptos abstractos e imágenes difusas, sino que implica un desafío esencial que nos compele a todos y que cuestiona nuestra existencia, nuestro pasado y nuestra identidad.
La ciudad en las sombras: imaginarios urbanos en la novela bogotana durante la primera mitad del siglo XX
Authors: Murillo Javier H.
Published: December 2023

A partir del análisis de novelas escritas durante las primeras décadas del siglo XX en la capital colombiana, La ciudad en las sombras explora la percepción que tenía la naciente burguesía de la ciudad, para encontrar aquellos imaginarios que han constituido el rostro de la Bogotá moderna entre una sombra de posibilidades: la ciudad letrada y poética, la ciudad ajena, la ciudad europea, la ciudad del norte higiénico, la ciudad trampa, la ciudad mediocre, la ciudad sin calle y la ciudad ágrafa. El libro propone esta metodología de análisis narrativo para el hallazgo de los imaginarios en cuanto estos resultan un recurso invaluable para comprender las ciudades, sus procesos y sus dinámicas, pero sobre todo posibilitan nuevas perspectivas investigativas en la actualidad. Así como son un instrumento para dar cuenta del presente de una ciudad, también pueden dar luces acerca del pasado y de la forma en la que las formas de representación urbana se han construido y han dado lugar a las ciudades en las que vivimos hoy en día.
The electron transport chain of
Shewanella oneidensis
MR-1 can operate bidirectionally to enable microbial electrosynthesis
Authors: Ford Kathryne C. , TerAvest Michaela A.
Published: December 2023

Extracellular electron transfer is a process by which bacterial cells can exchange electrons with a redox-active material located outside of the cell. In
Shewanella oneidensis
, this process is natively used to facilitate respiration using extracellular electron acceptors such as Fe(III) or an anode. Previously, it was demonstrated that this process can be used to drive the microbial electrosynthesis (MES) of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) in
S. oneidensis
exogenously expressing butanediol dehydrogenase (BDH). Electrons taken into the cell from a cathode are used to generate NADH, which in turn is used to reduce acetoin to 2,3-BDO via BDH. However, generating NADH via electron uptake from a cathode is energetically unfavorable, so NADH dehydrogenases couple the reaction to proton motive force. We therefore need to maintain the proton gradient across the membrane to sustain NADH production. This work explores accomplishing this task by bidirectional electron transfer, where electrons provided by the cathode go to both NADH formation and oxygen (O
2
) reduction by oxidases. We show that oxidases use trace dissolved oxygen in a microaerobic bioelectrical chemical system (BES), and the translocation of protons across the membrane during O
2
reduction supports 2,3-BDO generation. Interestingly, this process is inhibited by high levels of dissolved oxygen in this system. In an aerated BES, O
2
molecules react with the strong reductant (cathode) to form reactive oxygen species, resulting in cell death.

IMPORTANCE

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is increasingly employed for the generation of specialty chemicals, such as biofuels, bioplastics, and cancer therapeutics. For these systems to be viable for industrial scale-up, it is important to understand the energetic requirements of the bacteria to mitigate unnecessary costs. This work demonstrates sustained production of an industrially relevant chemical driven by a cathode. Additionally, it optimizes a previously published system by removing any requirement for phototrophic energy, thereby removing the additional cost of providing a light source. We also demonstrate the severe impact of oxygen intrusion into bioelectrochemical systems, offering insight to future researchers aiming to work in an anaerobic environment. These studies provide insight into both the thermodynamics of electrosynthesis and the importance of the bioelectrochemical systems’ design.
Prisoner's science
Authors: Casadevall Arturo , Fang Ferric
Published: December 2023

Decisions involving cooperation or competition are common in science. Here, we consider three situations frequently encountered in the biomedical sciences, namely, establishing priority, sharing reagents, and selecting a journal for publication, through the lens of the prisoner's dilemma. In each situation, cooperation is the best strategy for scientists and for science.
Draft genome sequence of
Planococcus sp
. SK3692
Authors: Kiehl Sophie M. , Anderson Riley , Kinkel Traci L. , Stenglein Mark D.
Published: December 2023

Whole-genome sequencing was performed for a
Planococcus sp
. isolate. This bacterium was of interest because of its vibrant orange pigmentation.
Isolated adult ileocecal intussusception in sigmoid colon due to non-specific inflammation
Authors: Yadav Moorat Singh , Singh Raghvendra Pratap , Lal Shyam , Yadav Shakti Kumar
Published: December 2023

Adult ileocecal intussusception due to non-specific inflammation is a rare condition. Intussusception is the intestinal segment telescoping into the adjacent intestinal lumen. Typically, a pathological lesion is discovered with a high percentage of malignancy. Intussusception of the most common ileocolic kind includes the appendix, but it is uncommon for an appendix to serve as the lead point. The patient was admitted to the emergency department with a complaint of acute intestinal obstruction. After getting a diagnostic workup, an exploratory laparotomy was done, and the ileocecal and ascending colon segment was intussuscepted directly into the sigmoid colon. Transverse and descending colon were normal, and resection of necrosed intussuscepted bowel, primary repair of sigmoid colon with ileostomy with transverse colon as distal mucus fistula done, after the 3-month restoration of bowel continuity done, patient discharged and doing well. After the diagnosis of intussusception, the best surgical choice is in the hands of an experienced surgeon.
Formation of a border ischemic zone depends on plasma potassium concentration
Authors: Bernikova Olesya , Durkina Aleksandra , Gonotkov Mikhail , Minnebaeva Elena , Arteyeva Natalia , Azarov Jan
Published: December 2023

Extracellular potassium concentration might modify electrophysiological properties in the border zone of ischemic myocardium. We evaluated the depolarization and repolarization characteristics across the ischemic–normal border under [K+] variation. Sixty-four-lead epicardial mapping was performed in 26 rats ([K+] 2.3–6.4 mM) in a model of acute ischemia/reperfusion. The animals with [K+] < 4.7 mM (low–normal potassium) had an ischemic zone with ST-segment elevation and activation delay, a border zone with ST-segment elevation and no activation delay, and a normal zone without electrophysiological abnormalities. The animals with [K+] >4.7 mM (normal-high potassium) had only the ischemic and normal zones and no transitional area. Activation–repolarization intervals and local conduction velocities were inversely associated with [K+] in linear regression analysis with adjustment for the zone of myocardium. The reperfusion extrasystolic burden (ESB) was greater in the low–normal as compared to normal-high potassium animals. Ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation incidence did not differ between the groups. In patch-clamp experiments, hypoxia shortened action potential duration at 5.4 mM but not at 1.3 mM of [K+]. IK(ATP) current was lower at 1.3 mM than at 5.4 mM of [K+]. We conclude that the border zone formation in low–normal [K+] was associated with attenuation of IK(ATP) response to hypoxia and increased reperfusion ESB.
A class of rotating metrics in the presence of a scalar field
Authors: Mirza Behrouz , Kangazi Parichehr Kangazian , Sadeghi Fatemeh
Published: December 2023

We consider a class of three parameter static and axially symmetric metrics that reduce to the Janis–Newman–Winicour (JNW) and $$ \gamma $$
γ
-metrics in certain limits of the parameters. We obtain rotating form of the metrics that are asymptotically flat, stationary and axisymmetric. In certain values of the parameters, the solutions represent the rotating JNW metric, rotating $$ \gamma $$
γ
-metric and Bogush–Gal’tsov (BG) metric. The singularities of rotating metrics are investigated. Using the light-ring method, we obtain the quasi normal modes (QNMs) related to rotating metrics in the eikonal limit. Finally, we investigate the precession frequency of a test gyroscope in the presence of the rotating metrics.
Asymmetric link between energy market and crypto market
Authors: Agrawal Anshul
Published: December 2023

This paper examines the nonlinear (NL) asymmetric long- and short-run interconnections between energy indices (S&P 500-ENERGY, MSCI-CHINA, and MSCI-WORLD) and the crypto (Bitcoin) market. The daily data have been used from January 1, 2013, to February 24, 2023, archived from the wind database. We use a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) framework for the research to be empirical. The NARDL test reveals the presence of a nonlinear asymmetric relationship, both in the long-run and short-run, among the MSCI-China, MSCI-World, S&P500-ENERGY indices, and the price of Bitcoin. The S&P 500 energy index and Bitcoin price have an inverse asymmetric connection. The prices of Bitcoin are positively influenced by both positive and negative shifts in the MSCI-CHINA and MSCI-WORLD indices. Overall, this study underscores the growing significance of the cryptocurrency market as a hedge against risks, offering evidence that Bitcoin can be perceived as a safe haven amidst the turbulence of the energy market. This insight holds implications for Bitcoin investors, suggesting its potential as a refuge in times of energy market instability.
Development of a drought-resilient water supply from dolomitized limestones of the Irish Midlands
Authors: Higgins O. D.
Published: December 2023

A hydrogeological investigation is presented that focused on the development of a drought-resilient groundwater supply for a town (Carlow) in the Irish Midlands. The combination of thick overlying glacial deposits and Carboniferous limestones of low primary permeability posed a challenge to identifying a groundwater source. The source exploration strategy comprised surface geophysics and follow-on pilot well drilling to identify zones of high (secondary) permeability in bedrock. The study identified a previously unrecorded large (
c
. 3.5 km long) and deep infilled karst feature that possibly extends 2 km further to a nearby area of known Neogene-aged karst infill. Separately, the investigation revealed new areas of dolomitized limestone, suitable for water supply development, where two production wells were constructed. A programme of pumping tests showed that dolomitized limestone areas exhibited low-nitrate groundwater quality, relatively high transmissivity and sustained recharge boundaries (leakage from a nearby riverbed). Analysis of data from the operational stage provided further insights into recharge behaviour, and showed that groundwater levels are resilient during droughts at current abstraction rates. The analysis concluded that the wellfield could sustain higher abstraction volumes, even through extended periods of low effective rainfall.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Climate change and resilience in Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/climate-change-and-resilience-in-engineering-geology-and-hydrogeology
Supervised Clustering of Persian Handwritten Images Using Regularization and Dimension Reduction Methods
Authors: Moradnia Sajedeh , Golalizadeh Mousa
Published: December 2023

Clustering, as a fundamental exploratory data technique, not only is used to discover patterns and structures in complex datasets but also is utilized to group variables in high-dimensional data analysis. Dimension reduction through clustering helps identify important variables and reduce data dimensions without losing significant information. High-dimensional image datasets, such as Persian handwritten images, have numerous pixels, making statistical inference difficult. Such high-dimensionality property pose challenges for analysis and processing, requiring specialized techniques like clustering to extract information. Incorporating response variable information enhances clustering analysis, transforming it into a supervised method. This article evaluates a supervised clustering approach using Ridge and Lasso penalties, comparing them in analyzing a real dataset while identifying important variables. We demonstrate that despite choosing a small number of variables as important variables, Lasso penalty performs relatively well in predicting the labels of new observations for this multi-class dataset.
The Impact of Weighted Blanket Use on Adults with Sensory Sensitivity and Insomnia
Authors: Davis-Cheshire Rhonda , Bennington Savannah , Hartsek Allison , Kelly Teresa , Marinelli Janeene , Perez Amanda
Published: December 2023

Purpose. This study’s purpose was to determine the impact of weighted blanket use on moderate to severe insomnia in adults with sensory sensitivity greater than the average population. Methods. For this study, a four-week, single-case, multiple-participant ABA study design was used. Through convenience sampling, four participants scoring 15 or greater on the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), which categorizes them as having moderate to severe insomnia, and much more than most people in sensory sensitivity on the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile were recruited. First, seven-day baseline sleep data was gathered, followed by two weeks of weighted blanket use, concluding with a seven-day withdrawal phase. Additional outcome measures included: Tuck and Snooze Survey, Consensus Sleep Diary Morning, and Additional Sleep Diary Questions. Data analysis included visual analysis, mean comparisons, Tau-U calculations, and pre- to post-ISI category comparisons. Results. All participants’ ISI scores were categorized as one level less severe postintervention. All participants demonstrated increased sleep quality, and three participants showed an increase in sleep duration based on individual mean comparisons between baseline and intervention phases. Conclusion. Weighted blankets appear beneficial in reducing insomnia severity in adults with much more than the average population sensory sensitivity. In addition, those with self-reported anxiety may have increased benefit from this intervention.
Power Ultrasound Coupled with Modified Atmosphere Packaging: Synergistic Effects on the Shelf-Life of White Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)
Authors: Vazirianjafari Kiana , Omid Mahmoud , Soltani Firouz Mahmoud
Published: December 2023

This study investigated the application of ultrasound (US) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), alone and in combination, on the mechanical and physicochemical properties and appearance of button mushrooms to increase their shelf-life. The mushrooms were treated with US (40 kHz, 100 W) for 5, 10, and 15 min; packaged in modified atmosphere of 10% O2, 5% CO2, and 85% N2; and stored at ambient temperature of 4°C and 30±5% relative humidity for 12 days. The synergistic effect of 10 min US in combination with MAP had the best protective role on the quality characteristics of mushrooms such as total soluble solids, pH, lightness, total color changes, browning index, and weight loss. Also, the treatment recorded fairly appropriate effect on preserving the firmness of mushrooms. The result proved that US is effective to enhance storage quality and is a promising tool to improve storage quality and the preservative effect of MAP for mushrooms.
Modeling the Causes of Power-Related Network Outages Using Discrete-Time Markov Chains
Authors: Gedel Ibrahim A. , Iddrisu Wahab A.
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we model the causes of power-related network outages in Ghana using discrete-time Markov chains. We used data consisting of 2,756 small-scale carrier telecommunications outages occurring in Ghana, with accompanying root causes over a period of 5 years and 8 months, from August 2015 to April 2021. The results indicate that the majority (n = 1,404) of the network outages were caused by the generators while the least number (18) of outages were caused by a communication equipment. However, longer network outages were caused by fuel issues with an average outage time of 1,027.82 min over the study period. The transition probability matrix obtained from the data revealed that regardless of the present cause of the network outage, the probability that the next network outage will be caused by the generators is higher than the probability that the outage will be attributable to any other cause. The steady-state distribution indicates that in the long run (n ≥ 16), 51% of the network outages will be caused by the “Generators” while 10.8% of the network outages will be caused by the “Batteries.” We also checked and simulated the probabilities of a network outage caused by any of the 12 possible root causes for 12 steps. It seemed apparent from the simulations that generators are the most likely cause of network outages from Step 1 up to Step 7, irrespective of what the initial cause of the network outage is. With these findings, players in the telecommunications industry can clearly plan better to reduce future network outages.
Convex Combination for Wireless Localization Using Biased RSS Measurements
Authors: Wang Qi , Li Fei , Shao Teng , Xu Chao
Published: December 2023

Received signal strength- (RSS-) based localization in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) has attracted significant attention due to its advantages of low cost and simple implementation. In practice, RSS measurements may suffer from sensor biases, which deteriorates the localization accuracy. However, most of the existing localization methods are designed for bias-free measurements. In this paper, we propose a convex combination method for RSS localization in the presence of sensor biases. The parameter vector composed of unknown location and sensor biases is estimated simultaneously by using a convex combination of some virtual points. These virtual points form a convex hull, into which the parameter vector falls with large probability. By this, the original nonconvex estimation problem is converted to be convex. Numerical examples demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method in terms of localization accuracy, compared to the existing semidefinite programming (SDP) methods.
A Large-Scale Meta-Analysis Reveals Positive Feedback between Macrophages and T Cells That Sensitizes Tumors to Immunotherapy
Authors: Yang Jing , Liu Qi , Shyr Yu
Published: December 2023

Although considerable efforts have been dedicated to identifying predictive signatures for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment response, current biomarkers suffer from poor generalizability and reproducibility across different studies and cancer types. The integration of large-scale multiomics studies holds great promise for discovering robust biomarkers and shedding light on the mechanisms of immune resistance. In this study, we conducted the most extensive meta-analysis involving 3,037 ICI-treated patients with genetic and/or transcriptomics profiles across 14 types of solid tumor. The comprehensive analysis uncovered both known and novel reliable signatures associated with ICI treatment outcomes. The signatures included tumor mutational burden (TMB), IFNG and PDCD1 expression, and notably, interactions between macrophages and T cells driving their activation and recruitment. Independent data from single-cell RNA sequencing and dynamic transcriptomic profiles during the ICI treatment provided further evidence that enhanced cross-talk between macrophages and T cells contributes to ICI response. A multivariable model based on eight nonredundant signatures significantly outperformed existing models in five independent validation datasets representing various cancer types. Collectively, this study discovered biomarkers predicting ICI response that highlight the contribution of immune cell networks to immunotherapy efficacy and could help guide patient treatment.

Significance:

Identification of robust immunogenomic connections, particularly macrophage T-cell interactions, in a large-scale pan-cancer meta-analysis and development of a predictive model for immunotherapy response that outperformed existing models could facilitate clinical decision-making.
Diet Matters in Breast Cancer Prognosis: Clinical Trial Evidence and Questions
Authors: McTiernan Anne
Published: December 2023

Diet and weight matter in breast cancer prognosis. The DIANA-5 randomized controlled trial found no effect of a Mediterranean macrobiotic diet on 5-year breast cancer recurrence, but high adherence was associated with a 41% lower risk of recurrence versus controls. The effects of substantial weight loss on prognosis remain unknown.

See related article by Berrino et al., p. 965
Risk of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Li Meng-Chieh , Wu Chun-Ying , Chang Yun-Ting , Lyu Ying-Syuan , Wu Chen-Yi
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a disease frequently occurring in children. The immune response is characterized by T-helper (Th)-2-dependent inflammation. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease that destroys pancreatic islet beta cells. In contrast, it is mainly mediated by a Th-1-dependent response. An inverted association has been hypothesized between T1DM and AD since Th1 and Th2 responses are mutually inhibitory. Methods: Data was retrieved from a nationwide healthcare database in Taiwan. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association of T1DM in patients with AD within a year. A Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to evaluate the subsequent risk of developing T1DM 1 year after AD diagnosis. Results: We identified 396,461 patients with AD and 1,585,844 age- and sex-matched controls. During the first year of follow-up, after adjusting variates, the association between T1DM and AD showed no statistical differences (odds ratio: 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83–2.38, p = 0.207). After excluding those T1DM cases within 1 year of AD diagnosis and those with a follow-up duration of less than 1 year, AD did not significantly increase the risk of T1DM (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.02; 95% CI, 0.83–1.25, p = 0.843). Conclusions: Our study revealed that there was no significant association between AD and T1DM in the first year after AD diagnosis, and there was no increased risk of T1DM in AD patients in the average 5-year follow-up in our study.
Mallomonas rimosa sp. nov. (Synurales, Chrysophyceae)—a rare tropical species from Vietnam
Authors: GUSEV EVGENIY , TRAN HOAN , SHKURINA NATALIYA , MARTYNENKO NIKITA
Published: December 2023

A new species, Mallomonas rimosa sp. nov., is described from Vietnam based on silica-scale morphology observed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Mallomonas rimosa belongs to section Torquatae and is most similar to M. eoa, M. prora, M. serrata, M. scrobiculata, M. pumilio var. dispersa, M. caverna, and M. lanalhuensis. The main distinctive features of scales of the newly described species are the shield ornamentation with small, circular, and evenly spaced pits and the single row of papillae on each side of the anterior flange. Mallomonas rimosa was found in water bodies with acidic conditions, low mineralization, and high temperature.
Revision of the genus Ultragryllacris (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae: Gryllacridinae), with description of new species
Authors: DAWWRUENG PATTARAWICH , GOROCHOV ANDREI V. , SUWANNAPOOM CHATMONGKON
Published: December 2023

The genus Ultragryllacris was revised. All its species and subspecies, including U. jiaranaisakuli sp. nov., U. chandra sp. nov. from Western Thailand and U. intermediata sp. nov. from Northern Thailand are here described and redescribed. They are known from Thailand and China. The new species differs from all the other representatives of this genus mainly in different body coloration, shape of projection of male 9th abdominal tergite and sclerotized area of female subgenital plate. The following taxonomical changes are also proposed: U. pulchra alboclypeata Gorochov et Dawwrueng, 2015, U. p. nan Ingrisch, 2018 and U. p. rubricapitis Bin et Bian, 2021 are raised to species status (U. alboclypeata stat. nov., U. nan stat. nov. and U. rubricapitis stat. nov.) due to some characteristic structures in both male and female; U. triangula Ingrisch, 2018 is downgraded to subspecies of U. alboclypeata (U. a. triangula stat. nov.). Previously unknown male of U. a. alboclypeata and female of U. nan are described. A key to all known species is given.
ERA5 Precipitation over China: Better Relative Hourly and Daily Distribution than Absolute Values
Authors: Wu Guocan , Lv Pengfei , Mao Yuna , Wang Kaicun
Published: December 2023

The temporal distribution of precipitation is of great importance in water availability and the hydrological cycle. Existing studies, directly comparing observed and simulated precipitation amount and intensity over different temporal intervals, show that reanalyses overestimate precipitation frequency and underestimate precipitation intensity, and therefore cannot characterize extreme precipitations. In this study, relative values of precipitation (i.e., the cumulative fractions of precipitation on different percentiles of wettest hours or days to the annual total) were used to evaluate ERA5 over China during the warm seasons of from 1979 to 2015. We found that ERA5 well reproduced the relative values of daily precipitation to the annual total, although hourly results were less satisfied. The cumulative fractions at the hourly time scale at the 99th, 95th, and 90th percentiles were 15.2% ± 3.4%, 38.7% ± 6.6%, and 54.5% ± 7.4% for the gauge observations, and 9.0% ± 1.7%, 27.2% ± 4.0%, and 41.5% ± 5.0% for ERA5, respectively. ERA5 had excellent agreement with gauge observations at daily time scales: gauge observations were 13.0% ± 3.4%, 32.1% ± 5.1%, and 47.6% ± 5.7%, compared to 11.5% ± 3.7%, 30.7% ± 7.0%, and 46.0% ± 8.8% for ERA5, respectively. This difference was mainly due to the high frequency of hourly precipitation in the reanalyses, which were cancelled out at the daily scale. Gauge observations at the hourly scale showed an increase cumulative fraction at the 99th, 95th, and 90th percentiles (0.07% ± 0.03% decade−1, 0.15% ± 0.03% decade−1, and 0.17% ± 0.03% decade−1, respectively) from 1979 to 2015, but did not show an obvious trend at the daily scale. These tendencies were underestimated at the hourly scale but overestimated at the daily scale in ERA5. The results helped us to characterize the temporal distributions and variations of precipitation, and to deepen our understanding of hydrological processes and reanalyses performance.
Plots, Attacks, and the Measurement of Terrorism
Authors: Hegghammer Thomas , Ketchley Neil
Published: December 2023

How should we measure terrorism? Political scientists typically use executed attacks as the dependent variable and test covariates to identify factors that produce terrorism. But attacks are an imperfect measure of terrorist activity because of ‘plot attrition’ — the tendency for plots to derail due to police intervention or other factors. We examine whether the exclusion of foiled plots from event datasets constitutes a measurement problem in terrorism studies. Building on recent advances in plot data collection, we study the correlation between plots and attacks and conduct an original analysis of jihadism in Europe. Our results suggest common research designs predicting terrorism can produce different results depending on whether incidents are operationalized as plots or attacks. Adjusting for state security capability does not solve the problem. Despite its limitations, plot data is a more complete measure of terrorist activity that should be incorporated, when available, in quantitative studies of terrorism.
Unleashing the True Potential of a Social Enterprise: Constructive Engagement and Integrative Justice Model in the Indian Subsistence Context-Future Direction?
Authors: Jagadale Sujit Raghunathrao
Published: December 2023

This paper delves into the operations of Paryavaran Mitra (Friends of the Environment), a social enterprise based in India. It encourages a critical examination of the notions of justice and fairness within the context of a market dominated by exploitation in a Solid Waste Management setting. We encourage readers to adopt the macromarketing perspective to appreciate the settings and factors that shape the business practices and outcomes. Paryavaran Mitra (hereafter, PM) and its interventions are lauded as path-breaking initiatives, providing a perfect engagement model with disenfranchised populations. However, limitations of this model become apparent by the mere size of the rag-picking community in India (30000 in Ahmedabad alone). Now, a founder managing director of PM, Ajit, finds himself in a dilemma. The pivotal challenge is optimizing engagement with a greater number of rag-picking women and ensuring equitable and just outcomes for them. The paper study also attempts to exemplify how the ethical marketing model of the Integrative Justice Model (IJM) can be operationalized by adapting Constructive Engagement (CE) as a macromarketing mindset. PM has adopted these principles to guide its business practices while engaging constructively with rag-picking women. Readers are encouraged to deconstruct the setting and PM's interventions to better understand how ethical marketing principles result in desired outcomes of fairness and justice rooted in dignity within such marketplaces.
Topological belief space planning for active SLAM with pairwise Gaussian potentials and performance guarantees
Authors: Kitanov Andrej , Indelman Vadim
Published: December 2023

Determining a globally optimal solution of belief space planning (BSP) in high-dimensional state spaces directly is computationally expensive, as it involves belief propagation and objective function evaluation for each candidate action. However, many problems of interest, such as active SLAM, exhibit structure that can be harnessed to expedite planning. Also, in order to choose an optimal action, an exact value of the objective function is not required as long as the actions can be sorted in the same way. In this paper we leverage these two key aspects and present the topological belief space planning (t-bsp) concept that uses topological signatures to perform this ranking for information-theoretic cost functions, considering only topologies of factor graphs that correspond to future posterior beliefs. In particular, we propose a highly efficient topological signature based on the von Neumann graph entropy that is a function of graph node degrees and supports an incremental update. We analyze it in the context of active pose SLAM and derive error bounds between the proposed topological signature and the original information-theoretic cost function. These bounds are then used to provide performance guarantees for t-bsp with respect to a given solver of the original information-theoretic BSP problem. Realistic and synthetic simulations demonstrate drastic speed-up of the proposed method with respect to the state-of-the-art methods while retaining the ability to select a near-optimal solution. A proof of concept of t-bsp is given in a small-scale real-world active SLAM experiment.
Incidental findings on staging rectal MRI: clinical significance and outcomes
Authors: Tang Yen Zhi , Alabousi Abdullah
Published: December 2023

Background

Incidental findings (IFs) are commonly seen in staging rectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Their prevalence and clinical significance have not been previously documented.

Purpose

To assess the prevalence, clinical significance, and outcomes of incidental findings in MRI scans performed for the staging of rectal cancer.

Material and Methods

A retrospective study was performed at a tertiary colorectal imaging institution. Consecutive MRI rectal staging scans with correlative pathology confirmed primary rectal cancer between March 2014 and March 2021 were identified. The respective imaging reports were reviewed for IFs, which were classified as high, moderate, and low, according to their clinical significance. Medical records were reviewed to assess the outcomes of the highly significant IFs.

Results

There were 266 eligible patients (97 women; mean age = 64.2 years) during the study period. A total of 120 (45%) patients did not have any IFs. A total of 238 IFs in 146 (55%) patients were found. There were 21 (9%) IFs of high clinical significance, 122 (51%) of moderate clinical significance, and 95 (40%) of low clinical significance. The prostate and uterus had the most IFs of high clinical significance, two of which were subsequently pathology confirmed as prostate adenocarcinomas.

Conclusion

IFs were seen in more than half of the staging MRI scans in rectal cancer but less than 10% of these were of high clinical significance. The results of this study highlight the range of potential IFs and can guide future research assessing the potential impact of these IFs on patients and the healthcare system.
Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of stroke and myocardial infarction prevention in hypertensive patients: Markov model based on the ACCOMPLISH trial
Authors: Feng Aozi , Lin Weizhao , Li Li , Zeng Mengnan , Lyu Jun
Published: December 2023

Objective

We evaluated the pharmacoeconomics of amlodipine combined with benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide combined with benazepril in the treatment of hypertension using a Markov model to provide an evidence-based reference for clinical drug use.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we constructed two types of Markov model using data from the ACCOMPLISH (Avoiding Cardiovascular Events through Combination Therapy in Patients Living with Systolic Hypertension) trial to dynamically simulate the development of hypertension. The models were subjected to rollback analysis and cohort analysis to obtain the cost and effectiveness of the two drug regimens in preventing stroke and myocardial infarction in hypertensive patients. We conducted sensitivity analysis to determine the stability of the results.

Results

The cost-effectiveness of amlodipine combined with benazepril was 66,196.97 RMB with 6.59 QALYs and that of hydrochlorothiazide combined with benazepril was 74,588.50 RMB with 6.46 QALYs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of hydrochlorothiazide + benazepril was −64,550.23 compared with amlodipine + benazepril. The amlodipine + benazepril regimen was therefore more cost-effective than hydrochlorothiazide combined with benazepril. The sensitivity analysis results showed that the model was robust.

Conclusion

Compared with the hydrochlorothiazide + benazepril treatment regimen, the amlodipine + benazepril regimen showed greater economic benefits.