bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bi‐Frequency Illumination: A Quantum‐Enhanced Protocol
Authors: Casariego Mateo , Omar Yasser , Sanz Mikel
Published: October 2022

Quantum‐enhanced, idler‐free sensing protocol to measure the response of a target object to the frequency of a probe in a noisy and lossy scenario is proposed. In this protocol, a target with frequency‐dependent reflectivity embedded in a thermal bath is considered. The aim is to estimate the parameter , since it contains relevant information for different problems. For this, a bi‐frequency quantum state is employed as the resource, since it is necessary to capture the relevant information about the parameter. Computing the quantum Fisher informationHrelative to the parameter λ in an assumed neighborhood of for a two‐mode squeezed state (), and a pair of coherent states (), a quantum enhancement is shown in the estimation of λ. This quantum enhancement grows with the mean reflectivity of the probed object, and is noise‐resilient. Explicit formulas are derived for the optimal observables, and an experimental scheme based on elementary quantum optical transformations is proposed. Furthermore, this work opens the way to applications in both radar and medical imaging, in particular in the microwave domain.
Adaptive fixed‐time prescribed performance control of vehicular platoons with unknown dead‐zone and actuator saturation
Authors: Gao Zhenyu , Zhang Yi , Guo Ge
Published: October 2022

This article focuses on the problem of fixed‐time prescribed performance platoon control for heterogeneous vehicles with unknown dead‐zone and actuator saturation. First, an equivalent transformation is developed to approximate the actuator nonlinearity (i.e., dead‐zone and saturation), which reduces the complexity of controller design. Then, to guarantee the tracking errors converge to the predetermined region in the given time, a modified prescribed performance function is presented. Based on this, a novel adaptive sliding mode control scheme is developed in the context of fixed‐time theory, which is proved to be capable of ensuring individual vehicle stability and string stability in fixed time. In addition, under the proposed control scheme, the convergence time is independent of initial conditions of the system. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Pharmacological Investigations of Selected Multitarget‐Direct Ligands for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Manzoor Shoaib , Prajapati Santosh Kumar , Majumdar Shreyasi , Khurana Shilpi , Krishnamurthy Sairam , Hoda Nasimul
Published: October 2022

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex, degenerative condition linked to memory loss and cognitive degradation. The phenyl sulfonyl‐pyrimidine derivatives containing dimethoxy‐chloro substituent (BS‐10 and BS‐22) were previously recognized as multitarget‐directed ligands (MTDLs) due to their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) at low nanomolar concentrations (IC50=47.33±0.02 and 51.36±0.04 nM respectively) while also reducing amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation. In the current investigation, we investigated the in vivo and ex‐vivo effects of BS‐10 and BS‐22 chemicals on cognition and the cholinergic system. We have used scopolamine and Aβ1‐42 models of cognitive impairment which were measured during Y‐maze and passive avoidance apparatus. Results showed that BS‐10 at 10 mg/kg compared to BS‐22 at 20 mg/kg rescued memory impairment more significantly. Moreover, ex‐vivo and biochemical studies exhibited both compounds improved the hippocampal acetylcholine (Ach) level by reducing AChE activity as well as antioxidant properties. In addition, BS‐10 and BS‐22 attenuated Aβ1‐42 induced cognitive deficiency in rats during Y‐maze tests and significantly restored mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced the tau protein level in rats (p<0.05). In summary, our results indicated that MTDLs BS‐10 and BS‐22 would be a promising therapeutic approach in AD.
Selective and Mild Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural to 5‐Hydroxymethyl‐2‐furancarboxylic Acid over Organic Polymer‐Supported Peroxidoniobium(V) Catalysts
Authors: Talukdar Hiya , Sultana Sazida Yasmin , Kalita Arnab , Islam Nashreen S.
Published: October 2022

Niobium‐based homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts were prepared by immobilizing triperoxidoniobium, [Nb(O2)3]− species on poly(sodium methacrylate), a linear water‐soluble polymer, and glycine functionalized poly(styrene‐divinylbenzene), a cross‐linked polymer resin, respectively. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR (1H, 13C, and 93Nb), FTIR, Raman, XRD, XPS, SEM, EDX, UV‐Visible, BET, and TGA analysis. The catalysts were successfully applied in the targeted synthesis of 5‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐furancarboxylic acid (HMFCA) via 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) oxidation with H2O2 as oxidant, under eco‐compatible reaction condition. Both the catalysts displayed excellent activity with 100 % conversion of HMF to yield HMFCA with 100 % selectivity. The oxidation protocol provided the highest TON and TOF values of 50 and of 78 h−1, respectively. The heterogeneity of the insoluble catalyst was confirmed by a hot filtration test. The heterogeneous catalyst showed impressive recyclability at least up to five consecutive cycles without any significant alteration in its activity or HMFCA selectivity. Overall, the use of water as a solvent, environmentally benign H2O2 as oxidant, reasonably low catalyst: substrate ratio, workable reaction temperature (60 °C), and acceptable reaction time (1.5 h), are the distinct green attributes of the developed catalytic procedure.
First‐Principles Study on the Electronic Properties and Mechanical Stabilities of Anion‐Cation Multiple‐Doped LiFePO4
Authors: Chen Jiaolan , Wang Fazhan , Yin Manxiang , Yao Chi
Published: October 2022

In this paper, N, Nb composite doped lithium iron phosphate structure was constructed, and its thermodynamic stability, intercalation voltages, volume change rate, electronic structure properties, and mechanical properties were systematically investigated using the first principles. The results of formation energy demonstrate that the N and Nb composite doping system meets the thermodynamic stability requirements and can exist consistently. In the process of de‐lithium, the volume change rate of the anion‐cation hybrid doping system is significantly decreased, and the intercalation voltage is increased, which indicates that the doping makes the cycling performance and energy density of the material improved. A radical shift in the material's electronic structure after doping is conducive to the enhanced conductivity of lithium iron phosphate. Besides, studies on the elastic properties of materials demonstrated that both N and Nb doping inhibited the generation of microcracks and diminished the occurrence of shear deformation.
Passivating Defects at the Bottom Interface of Perovskite by Ethylammonium to Improve the Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ren Jiahao , Liu Tanghao , He Bingchen , Wu Guangbao , Gu Hao , Wang Bingzhe , Li Jielei , Mao Yulin , Chen Shi , Xing Guichuan
Published: October 2022

The interface of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) plays a significant role in influencing their performance, yet there is still scarce research focusing on their difficult‐to‐expose bottom interfaces. Herein, ethylammonium bromide (EABr) is introduced into the bottom interface and its passivation effects are studied directly. First, EABr can improve substrate wettability, which is beneficial for the perovskite‐film deposition. By lifting off the perovskite film spontaneously from the substrate, it is found that EABr can significantly reduce the amount of unreacted PbI2 at the bottom interface. These PbI2 crystals have been recently identified as a major defect source and degradation site for perovskite film. Meanwhile, EABr also lifts the valence band maximum at the bottom side of perovskite from ‐5.38 to ‐5.09 eV, facilitating better hole transfer. Such a improvement is also verified by the study of charge carrier dynamics. Through introducing EABr, all photovoltaic parameters of the inverted PSCs are improved, and their power conversion efficiency (PCE) increases from 20.41% to 21.06%. The study highlights the importance of direct characterization of the bottom interface for a better passivation effect.
Cu–O/N Single Sites Incorporated 2D Covalent Organic Framework Ultrathin Nanobelts for Highly Selective Visible‐Light‐Driven CO2 Reduction to CO
Authors: Tu Wenguang , Yang Yanqin , Chen Chunping , Zhou Tianhua , Li Tianhao , Wang Haojing , Wu Shuyang , Zhou Yong , O’Hare Dermot , Zou Zhigang , Xu Rong
Published: October 2022

Developing heterogeneous catalysts with identifiable catalytic sites provides opportunities to explore their structure–activity relationship. Covalent organic framework (COF) represents an emerging class of porous materials that have exhibited great potential in various applications. Herein, a single‐site heterogeneous photocatalyst consisting of 2D COF ultrathin nanobelts coordinated with single Cu–O/N sites (defined as Cu–COF) is synthesized and investigated for visible‐light‐driven CO2 reduction. The relatively weak N and O binding sites from the imine and methoxy groups of the organic linkers result in active Cu–O/N sites for charge transfer and CO2 reduction. The resultant Cu–COF with 0.2 wt% Cu only serves as a bifunctional photocatalyst for visible‐light‐driven CO2 reduction in the absence of a photosensitizer with triethanolamine as the sacrificial reagent. A high CO selectivity of 94% is obtained. This study further demonstrates the great potential of COFs in heterogeneous catalysis with the abundant choices of functional groups in the organic linkers.
Preparation and Characteristics of Starch‐Based Pickering Emulsions: Effects of Rosin Acid and Starch Size
Authors: Bi Huimin , Zhao Guoyu , Fan Fangyu
Published: October 2022

This study aims to research the effects of rosin acid (RA) and size of starch on the properties of Pickering emulsifier. Potato (PS, 10–100 µm), corn (CS, 5–25 µm), and rice (RS, 3–8 µm) starches are modified with RA, and their starch ester is used to prepare Pickering emulsions. The results of scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrum analysis reveal that the structure of native starch is largely destroyed, and esterification occurs between starch and RA. The starch‐based Pickering emulsion, which is esterified by RA, has the uniform particle size and higher stability than native starch. With prolonged storage, the emulsion of large‐sized RA–starch (PS and CS) show a stable gel phenomenon, and the emulsion of small‐sized RA–starch (RS) is a Newton fluid. In addition, the results indicate that RA–starch displays high viscosity and emulsifying properties.
Mobilizing Scandinavian Children and Youth for the Environment: Launching a Transnational Campaign 1968–1971
Authors: Lundberg Björn , Larsson Heidenblad David
Published: October 2022

In 1968, Swedish insurance company Folksam launched the information campaign Front mot miljöförstöringen (“Front against Environmental Degradation”). The campaign culminated in 1969 with large public hearings where young people addressed local politicians and industry leaders about environmental problems. Throughout this campaign, the aim was to activate youth and make them co-creators of large-scale social change. Within a year, initiatives were taken to launch the campaign in other Nordic countries as well. In this chapter, we explore this early transnational Nordic initiative to raise environmental awareness and the role of children and youth in advancing these issues in the Swedish and Norwegian editions of the campaign. By analysing the various media involved, we specifically discuss the interplay between information and activation.
Green States in a Dirty World: 1975 and the Performance of Nordic Green Modern
Authors: Buns Melina Antonia , Hinde Dominic
Published: October 2022

This chapter examines the 1975 Nordic Council conference at Frostavallen in Sweden as a transnational media event which specifically sought to articulate a green modernity to the outside world. It argues that the Nordic countries used Frostavallen to perform and formulate a green modernity based around international cooperation and progressive solutions blending policy and technology. This performance allowed the Nordics to not only claim and legitimize environmental leadership to domestic and international audiences, but also place brand themselves as an environmentally progressive region. Facilitated by institutionalized Nordic cooperation, the conference can be regarded as the progenitor of contemporary Nordic environment and climate change campaigns, whereby the Nordic states communicate a uniform Nordic sustainable modernity to the world as a political strategy.
The Diversity Principle Taken to Its Extreme: East Asian Propaganda on Finnish Television
Authors: Saarenmaa Laura
Published: October 2022

This chapter explores the travels of 1970s’ Maoist ballet films from the People’s Republic of China to Finnish television and outlines the political context for these broadcasts. The study centres on Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE’s Film Service, an independent unit responsible for rental of foreign films and series for television from 1967 to 1987. By broadcasting a wide selection of foreign films from around the world, YLE Film Service participated in shaping a national collective mindset and people’s views of the world.
Afterword 1
Authors: Cull Nicholas J.
Published: October 2022

In this afterword, Nicholas J. Cull ties together the chapters in Nordic Media Histories of Propaganda and Persuasion and argues that they tell a wider story of political communication, in which the Nordic region comes to express itself through a distinctive and characteristic take on global concerns. External threats emerged at several points as drivers of identity, both physical and cultural. Furthermore, Cull observes that the book shows how the strong image of the Nordic region and its component nations is the product of effort and inventive communication; its strong image and effective work has been based on a foundation of positive reality.
Promoting Norden and Nordic Cooperation in the 1930s: Social Democratic Visions and Transmedial Manifestations
Authors: Hemstad Ruth
Published: October 2022

The 1930s represent a pivotal period for reinventing and consolidating Norden as a distinct region, characterized by increasing inter-Nordic cooperation. This chapter examines how modern mass media, in particular radio, was combined with older communication channels, from public mass meetings to newspapers, posters and pamphlets, in successfully promoting and propagating Nordic ideas to broader segments of the population. Two interrelated transnational and transmedial events are of particular interest: The public meeting of the Scandinavian social democratic leaders in Copenhagen in 1934 and the massive and spectacular celebration of Nordic Day 27 October 1936. This manifestation of Nordic cooperation was a joint effort by the Social Democratic parties, building on a longer tradition of what was termed labour Scandinavianism and the transnational network of the Norden Associations.
Introduction: History of Sexual Medicine
Authors: Jannini Emmanuele A.
Published: October 2022

Sexual medicine is a young science that arises from the renewed scientific activity of apparently distant fields such as psychiatry, endocrinology, and urology, merging andrological and gynecological skills. The medicine of sexuality is firmly rooted in the roots of the human sciences, such as psychology (psychosexology) and sociology. The latter, however, had perhaps lost in the past the objective of producing data and not just opinions. in this sense, the medicine of sexuality is positioned as a modern evolution capable of using any methodological tool (from basic sciences to clinical ones, epidemiological ones, and human and humanistic ones), as well the most modern diagnostic and therapeutic instruments and solutions.

In conclusion, these last 25–30 years have seen the blossoming of sexual medicine, a splendid new chapter of internal medicine, becoming an essential and indispensable part of this.
Clinical Interpretation of Semen Analysis
Authors: Krausz Csilla , Farnetani Ginevra
Published: October 2022

Semen analysis is a fundamental step in the evaluation of the male fertility potential. However, fertility is a “couple-concept” implying the importance of the partner’s fertility status. In fact, a part from extreme conditions (e.g., azoospermia, necrozoospermia, total immotile spermatozoa, etc.) sperm parameters are not fully predictive for natural pregnancy. Semen analysis is divided into macroscopic and microscopic evaluation, and it provides information on the efficiency of spermatogenesis and the integrity of post-testicular structures. Based on the WHO reference values, it is possible to identify alterations of semen parameters, which may derive from many different etiologies. It is essential that the laboratory performs the analysis according to the current WHO guidelines and participate at an external quality control (EQC) program. The clinical interpretation of these alterations is the focus of this chapter.
Erectile Dysfunction, Surgical and Regenerative Therapy
Authors: Bettocchi Carlo , Castiglione Fabio , Cakir Omer Onur , Falagario Ugo , Ricapito Anna
Published: October 2022

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the failure to achieve and/or maintain a penile erection that is satisfactory for sexual intercourse.

The implantation of a penile prosthesis may be considered in patients who are not suitable for different pharmacotherapies and do not respond to the first and the second line of medical treatment.

Intraoperative complications include hematoma formation, floppy glans, perforation of the corpora cavernosa, and urethral injury. Bladder, vascular, and bowel injury are the most dangerous events and should be prevented. Postoperative complications are represented by infections, erosions, and glandular ischemia.

There is an increasing interest in the hypothesis of “regenerative” cures for ED aimed at decreasing fibrosis of the corpora cavernosa and rebuilding their normal biological architecture. These new regenerative treatments include stem cell injections, platelet-rich plasma, and low-intensity shock wave therapy.
Orgasm and Ejaculation Disorders
Authors: Belladelli Federico , Pozzi Edoardo , Fallara Giuseppe , Capogrosso Paolo , Salonia Andrea
Published: October 2022

Disorders of ejaculations are among the most complex complaints of patients seeking first medical help for sexual dysfunction. Among these, premature ejaculation (PE), delayed ejaculation (DE), retrograde ejaculation, and anorgasmia are the most frequently reported, and their impact on patients’ quality of life can be major. Although numerous preclinical and clinical studies have been published over the last two decades, the true pathophysiological mechanisms behind ejaculation remain unclear. In this context, this chapter aims at providing the latest evidence regarding ejaculation physiology together with detailed epidemiological data, diagnostic work-up, and treatment options upon PE, DE, retrograde ejaculation, and anorgasmia.
Flux vacua with approximate flat directions
Authors: Cicoli Michele , Licheri Matteo , Mahanta Ratul , Maharana Anshuman
Published: October 2022

Abstract

We present a novel method to obtain type IIB flux vacua with flat directions at tree level. We perform appropriate choices of flux quanta that induce relations between the flux superpotential and its derivatives. This method is implemented in toroidal and Calabi-Yau compactifications in the large complex structure limit. Explicit solutions are obtained and classified on the basis of duality equivalences. In the toroidal case we present solutions with N = 1 and N = 2 supersymmetry and arbitrarily weak coupling. In Calabi-Yaus we find novel perturbatively flat vacua, as well as solutions with non-zero flux superpotential and an axionic flat direction which represent a promising starting point for de Sitter constructions from non-zero F-terms in the complex structure sector. The higher order (perturbative and non-perturbative) effects that can lift these flat directions are discussed. We also outline applications in a wide variety of settings involving the classical Regge growth conjecture, inflation and quintessence, supersymmetry breaking and F-term de Sitter uplifting.
HERC2 deficiency activates C-RAF/MKK3/p38 signalling pathway altering the cellular response to oxidative stress
Authors: Sala-Gaston Joan , Pedrazza Leonardo , Ramirez Juanma , Martinez-Martinez Arturo , Rawlins Lettie E. , Baple Emma L. , Crosby Andrew H. , Mayor Ugo , Ventura Francesc , Rosa Jose Luis
Published: October 2022

HERC2 gene encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in several cellular processes by regulating the ubiquitylation of different protein substrates. Biallelic pathogenic sequence variants in the HERC2 gene are associated with HERC2 Angelman-like syndrome. In pathogenic HERC2 variants, complete absence or marked reduction in HERC2 protein levels are observed. The most common pathological variant, c.1781C > T (p.Pro594Leu), encodes an unstable HERC2 protein. A better understanding of how pathologic HERC2 variants affect intracellular signalling may aid definition of potential new therapies for these disorders. For this purpose, we studied patient-derived cells with the HERC2 Pro594Leu variant. We observed alteration of mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways, reflected by increased levels of C-RAF protein and p38 phosphorylation. HERC2 knockdown experiments reproduced the same effects in other human and mouse cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that HERC2 and RAF proteins form molecular complexes, pull-down and proteomic experiments showed that HERC2 regulates C-RAF ubiquitylation and we found out that the p38 activation due to HERC2 depletion occurs in a RAF/MKK3-dependent manner. The displayed cellular response was that patient-derived and other human cells with HERC2 deficiency showed higher resistance to oxidative stress with an increase in the master regulator of the antioxidant response NRF2 and its target genes. This resistance was independent of p53 and abolished by RAF or p38 inhibitors. Altogether, these findings identify the activation of C-RAF/MKK3/p38 signalling pathway in HERC2 Angelman-like syndrome and highlight the inhibition of RAF activity as a potential therapeutic option for individuals affected with these rare diseases.
Machining characteristics of various powder-based additives, dielectrics, and electrodes during EDM of micro-impressions: a comparative study
Authors: Ishfaq Kashif , Maqsood Muhammad Asad , Mahmood Muhammad Arif
Published: October 2022

Electric discharge machining (EDM) has great acceptance in different application sectors to wipe out intrinsic problems, like product miniaturizing and tight tolerances, during the fabrication of micro-size products. Many researchers have worked well in the micro-cutting of various alloys through the EDM process. However, limited work has been reported on the EDM of SS 316 for micro-impression fabrication using EDM. The selection of the best dielectric, electrode material, and powder-based additives has never been targeted so far to have dimensionally accurate micro-impression at an appreciable cutting rate with no/less electrode damage in the EDM of the said alloy. Therefore, in this research, the collective influence of various dielectrics (kerosene oil, transformer oil, and canola oil), powders (alumina, graphite, and silicon carbide), and electrodes (copper, brass, and aluminum) have been comprehensively examined for the fabrication of micro-impressions in AISI 316 using EDM. Taguchi L9 orthogonal technique was applied to study the effect of four input parameters on material removal rate, overcut, and tool wear rate. Results were statistically explored using main effect plots and supplemented by scanning electron microscopy, surface profilometry, and optical microscopy. The results show that material removal and tool wear rates notably improved from the mean value by 29% and 89.4%, respectively, when the machining is carried out under silicon carbide mixed kerosene dielectric against silicon carbide the aluminum tool at a pulse time ratio of 1.5. Furthermore, for dimensional overcut, 5.3 times lesser value is observed from the average magnitude of 0.189 mm when the proposed EDM setup is employed for cutting AISI 316. An optimized setting has also been proposed by grey relational analysis and then validated through a confirmation experiment.
Transurethral resection of the prostate in 85+ patients: a retrospective, multicentre study
Authors: Lotterstätter Michael , Seklehner Stephan , Wimpissinger Florian , Gombos Jozsef , Bektic Jasmin , Stolzlechner Philipp , Laimer Sarah , Herrmann Thomas R. W. , Madersbacher Stephan , Lusuardi Lukas , Sieberer Manuela , Ramesmayer Christian
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To determine the safety and efficacy of transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) in patients 85 years or older.

Methods

In this retrospective, multicentre study, patients equal or older than 85 years at the time of surgery (2015–2020) were included. Several pre-, peri- and postoperative parameters were collected. The main outcome criterion was spontaneous voiding with a post-void residual (PVR) volume < 100 ml at dismission and at 12 months after surgery.

Results

One hundred sixty-eight patients (median age: 87 years, interquartile range [IQR]: 86–89) were recruited. The patients took on average 5.2 permanent medications (3–8), 107 (64%) were anticoagulated preoperatively and neurological co-morbidities were present in 29 (17%). The indication for surgery was recurrent urinary retention in 66.3% (n = 110) with a mean retention volume of 849 ml. The mean PVR volume of the remaining 35% was 146 ml. Surgery was successfully completed in all patients. A perioperative surgical revision had to be performed in 3% and 13 patients (7.7%) required blood transfusion. After catheter removal, 85% of patients were able to void spontaneously with a PVR < 100 ml, and 14.3% were dismissed with a catheter. Twelve months data were available for 93 patients (55%). Of this cohort, 78 (83.9%) were able to void spontaneously with a PVR < 100 ml, 12 (12.9%) were on permanent catheterization. One patient (0.6%) died perioperatively. The only significant factor associated with an unsuccessful outcome was the number of permanent medications (6.8 vs. 5.0, p = 0.005).

Conclusion

This retrospective multicentre study documents the safety and efficacy of TURP (monopolar and bipolar) in the old-old cohort.
Frequency of subclavian artery stenosis in patients with mammarian artery coronary bypass and suspected coronary artery disease progression
Authors: Müller Arne M. , Bertram Justus , Bradaric Christian , Koppara Tobias , Cassese Salvatore , Xhepa Erion , Heilmeier Britta , Ott Ilka , Kastrati Adnan , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Ibrahim Tareq , Dirschinger Ralf J.
Published: October 2022

We retrospectively analyzed patient records of all patients with a history of internal mammarian artery (IMA) coronary bypass undergoing coronary angiography at two cardiovascular centers between January 1st 1999 and December 31st 2019. A total of 11,929 coronary angiographies with or without percutaneous coronary intervention were carried out in 3921 patients. Our analysis revealed 82 (2%) patients with documented subclavian artery stenosis. Of these, 8 (10%) patients were classified as having mild, 18 (22%) moderate, and 56 (68%) severe subclavian artery stenosis. In 7 (9%) patients with subclavian artery stenosis, angiography revealed occlusion of the IMA graft. 26 (32%) patients with severe subclavian artery stenosis underwent endovascular or surgical revasculararization of the subclavian artery. In this retrospective multicenter study, subclavian artery stenosis was a relevant finding in patients with an internal mammarian artery coronary bypass graft undergoing coronary angiography. The development of dedicated algorithms for screening and ischemia evaluation in affected individuals may improve treatment of this potentially underdiagnosed and undertreated condition.
Robotic-assisted TKA reduces surgery duration, length of stay and 90-day complication rate of complex TKA to the level of noncomplex TKA
Authors: Stauss Ricarda , Savov Peter , Tuecking Lars-René , Windhagen Henning , Ettinger Max
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Complex primary total knee arthroplasties (TKA) are reported to be associated with excessive episode of care (EOC) costs as compared to noncomplex procedures. The impact of robotic assistance (rTKA) on economic outcome parameters in greater case complexity has not been described yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate economic outcome parameters in the 90-days postoperative EOC in robotic-assisted complex versus noncomplex procedures.

Materials and methods

This study is a retrospective, single-center review of 341 primary rTKAs performed between 2017 and 2020. Patient collective was stratified into complex (n = 218) and noncomplex TKA (n = 123) based on the presence of the following criteria: Obese BMI, coronal malalignment, flexion contracture > 10°, posttraumatic status, previous correction osteotomy, presence of hardware requiring removal during surgery, severe rheumatoid arthritis. Group comparison included surgery duration, length of stay (LOS), surgical site complications, readmissions, and revision procedures in the 90-days EOC following rTKA.

Results

The mean surgery duration was marginally longer in complex rTKA, but showed no significant difference (75.26 vs. 72.24 min, p = 0.258), neither did the mean LOS, which was 8 days in both groups (p = 0.605). No differences between complex and noncomplex procedures were observed regarding 90-days complication rates (7.34 vs. 4.07%, p = 0.227), readmission rates (3.67 vs. 3.25%, p = 0.841), and revision rates (2.29 vs. 0.81%, p = 0.318).

Conclusions

Robotic-assisted primary TKA reduces the surgical time, inpatient length of stay as well as 90-days complication and readmission rates of complex TKA to the level of noncomplex TKA. Greater case complexity does not seem to have a negative impact on economic outcome parameters when surgery is performed with robotic assistance.
Impact of Biologic Therapy on the Small Airways Asthma Phenotype
Authors: Chan Rory , Lipworth Brian J.
Published: October 2022

The small airways dysfunction (SAD) asthma phenotype is characterised by narrowing of airways < 2 mm in diameter between generations 8 and 23 of the bronchial tree. Recently, this has become particularly relevant as measurements of small airways using airway oscillometry for example, are strong determinants of asthma control and exacerbations in moderate-to-severe asthma. The small airways can be assessed using spirometry as forced expiratory flow rate between 25 and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25–75) and has been deemed more accurate in detecting small airways dysfunction than forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). Oscillometry as the heterogeneity in resistance between 5 and 20 Hz (R5–R20), low frequency reactance at 5 Hz (X5) or area under the reactance curve between 5 Hz and the resonant frequency can also be used to assess the small airways. The small airways can also be assessed using the multiple breath nitrogen washout (MBNW) test giving rise to values including functional residual capacity, lung clearance index and ventilation distribution heterogeneity in the conducting (Scond) and the acinar (Sacin) airways. The ATLANTIS group showed that the prevalence of small airways disease in asthma defined on FEF25–75, oscillometry and MBNW all increased with progressive GINA asthma disease stages. As opposed to topical inhaler therapy that might not adequately penetrate the small airways, it is perhaps more intuitive that systemic anti-inflammatory therapy with biologics targeting downstream cytokines and upstream epithelial anti–alarmins may offer a promising solution to SAD. Here we therefore aim to appraise the available evidence for the effect of anti-IgE, anti-IL5 (Rα), anti-IL4Rα, anti-TSLP and anti-IL33 biologics on small airways disease in patients with severe asthma.
Processing of sensory, painful and vestibular stimuli in the thalamus
Authors: Habig Kathrin , Krämer Heidrun H. , Lautenschläger Gothje , Walter Bertram , Best Christoph
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The thalamus plays an important role in the mediation and integration of various stimuli (e.g., somatosensory, pain, and vestibular). Whether a stimulus-specific and topographic organization of the thalamic nuclei exists is still unknown. The aim of our study was to define a functional, in vivo map of multimodal sensory processing within the human thalamus.

Methods

Twenty healthy individuals (10 women, 21–34 years old) participated. Defined sensory stimuli were applied to both hands (innocuous touch, mechanical pain, and heat pain) and the vestibular organ (galvanic stimulation) during 3 T functional MRI.

Results

Bilateral thalamic activations could be detected for touch, mechanical pain, and vestibular stimulation within the left medio-dorsal and right anterior thalamus. Heat pain did not lead to thalamic activation at all. Stimuli applied to the left body side resulted in stronger activation patterns. Comparing an early with a late stimulation interval, the mentioned activation patterns were far more pronounced within the early stimulation interval.

Conclusions

The right anterior and ventral-anterior nucleus and the left medio-dorsal nucleus appear to be important for the processing of multimodal sensory information. In addition, galvanic stimulation is processed more laterally compared to mechanical pain. The observed changes in activity within the thalamic nuclei depending on the stimulation interval suggest that the stimuli are processed in a thalamic network rather than a distinct nucleus. In particular, the vestibular network within the thalamus recruits bilateral nuclei, rendering the thalamus an important integrative structure for vestibular function.
Using virtual reality to train infection prevention: what predicts performance and behavioral intention?
Authors: Désiron J. C. , Petko D. , Lapaire V. , Ullrich C. , Clack L.
Published: October 2022

Training medical professionals for hand hygiene is challenging, especially due to the invisibility of microorganisms to the human eye. As the use of virtual reality (VR) in medical training is still novel, this exploratory study investigated how preexisting technology acceptance and in-training engagement predict VR hand hygiene performance scores. The effect of training in the VR environment on the behavioral intention to further use this type of training device (a component of technology acceptance) was also investigated. Participants completed a VR hand hygiene training comprising three levels of the same task with increasing difficulty. We measured technology acceptance, composed of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and behavioral intention, pre- and post-training, and in-training engagement using adaptations of existing questionnaires. We used linear regression models to determine predictors of performance in level-3 and of behavioral intention to further use VR training. Forty-three medical students participated in this exploratory study. In-training performance significantly increased between level-1 and level-3. Performance in level-3 was predicted by prior performance expectancy and engagement during the training session. Intention to further use VR to learn medical procedures was predicted by both prior effort expectancy and engagement. Our results provide clarification on the relationship between VR training, engagement, and technology acceptance. Future research should assess the long-term effectiveness of hand hygiene VR training and the transferability of VR training to actual patient care in natural settings. A more complete VR training could also be developed, with additional levels including more increased difficulty and additional medical tasks.
The race to develop oral SERDs and other novel estrogen receptor inhibitors: recent clinical trial results and impact on treatment options
Authors: Wang Yating , Tang Shou-Ching
Published: October 2022

Hormonal therapy plays a vital part in the treatment of estrogen receptor–positive (ER +) breast cancer. ER can be activated in a ligand-dependent and independent manner. Currently available ER-targeting agents include selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs), and aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Estrogen receptor mutation (ESR1 mutation) is one of the common mechanisms by which breast cancer becomes resistant to additional therapies from SERMs or AIs. These tumors remain sensitive to SERDs such as fulvestrant. Fulvestrant is limited in clinical utilization by its intramuscular formulation and once-monthly injection in large volumes. Oral SERDs are being rapidly developed to replace fulvestrant with the potential of higher efficacy and lower toxicities. Elacestrant is the first oral SERD that went through a randomized phase III trial showing increased efficacy, especially in tumors bearing ESR1 mutation, and good tolerability. Two other oral SERDs recently failed to achieve the primary endpoints of longer progression-free survival (PFS). They targeted tumors previously treated with several lines of prior therapies untested for ESR1 mutation. Initial clinical trial data demonstrated that tumors without the ESR1 mutation are less likely to benefit from the SERDs and may still respond to SERMs or AIs, including tumors previously exposed to hormonal therapy. Testing for ESR1 mutation in ongoing clinical trials and in hormonal therapy for breast cancer is highly recommended. Novel protein degradation technologies such as proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTACS), molecular glue degrader (MGD), and lysosome-targeting chimeras (LYTACS) may result in more efficient ER degradation, while ribonuclease-targeting chimeras (RIBOTAC) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) may inhibit the production of ER protein.
Nanoparticle release from anionic nanocellulose hydrogel matrix
Authors: Auvinen Vili-Veli , Laurén Patrick , Shen Boxuan , Isokuortti Jussi , Durandin Nikita , Lajunen Tatu , Linko Veikko , Laaksonen Timo
Published: October 2022

Nanocellulose hydrogels have been shown to be excellent platforms for sustained delivery of drug molecules. In this study, we examine the suitability of anionic nanocellulose hydrogels for the sustained release of various nanoparticles. Systems releasing nanoparticles could produce applications especially for therapeutic nanocarriers, whose life-times in vivo might be limited. Micelles, liposomes and DNA origami nanostructures were incorporated into the nanocellulose hydrogels, and their release rates were measured. Two different hydrogel qualities (with 1% and 2% mass of fiber content) were used for each nanoparticle formulation. We showed that the drug release rates depend on nanoparticle size, shape, and charge. Smaller particles with neutral charge were released faster from 1% hydrogels than from 2% hydrogels. Nanoparticles with cationic labeling were retained in both hydrogels, whereas for the neutral nanoparticles, we were able to determine the cut-off size for released particles for both hydrogels. Rod-shaped DNA origami were released rapidly even though their length was above the cut-off size of spherical particles, indicating that their smaller radial dimension facilitates their fast release. Based on our results, anionic nanocellulose hydrogels are versatile platforms for the sustained release of the chosen model nanoparticles (liposomes, micelles, and DNA origami). Alternatively, for the tightly bound nanoparticles, this could lead to nanoparticle reservoirs within hydrogels, which could act as immobilized drug release systems.
Students’ continuance intention to use MOOCs: empirical evidence from India
Authors: Rekha I S , Shetty Jyothi , Basri Savitha
Published: October 2022

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in understanding the Massive open online courses (MOOCs) due to its gaining popularity. Even though the number of online platforms and programs has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still a high rate of dropout and non-completion. In this work, the expectation-confirmation model is combined with MOOC features such as perceived openness, perceived reputation, and other factors i.e., perceived enjoyment, and perceived computer self-efficacy to investigate the learner’s continued intention to use MOOC. A survey was undertaken and the data was collected from 383 students pursuing their degrees (undergraduate and post-graduate) in Karnataka state, India. The collected data were analyzed with structural equation modelling in Smart PLS 3. The study confirms a significant influence of confirmation and perceived usefulness on satisfaction, and direct significant influence of perceived computer self-efficacy, satisfaction, and perceived usefulness on continuance intention. Also, the results demonstrated the significant influence of confirmation on perceived enjoyment and usefulness and the effect of computer self-efficacy on usefulness. The findings in this study indicate that the MOOC platforms should focus on confirming learner expectations and the usefulness of courses to ensure student satisfaction and continuance of courses.
Emergentist Integrated Information Theory
Authors: Negro Niccolò
Published: October 2022

The integrated information theory (IIT) is an ambitious theory of consciousness that aims to provide both a neuroscientific and a metaphysical account of consciousness by identifying consciousness with integrated information. In the philosophical literature, IIT is often associated with a panpsychist worldview. In this paper, I show that IIT can be considered, instead, as a form of emergentism that is incompatible with panpsychism. First, I show that the panpsychist interpretation of IIT is based on two properties of integrated information: intrinsicality and fundamentality. I show that the way IIT deals with these two properties, however, aligns better with emergentism than panpsychism. Then, after plugging some anti-panpsychist assumptions into IIT’s structure, I analyse different philosophical options for interpreting the formal result of causal emergence of integrated information in terms of dependence on and autonomy from its physical substrate. The upshot is that integrated information can be seen as dependent upon the fusion of the cause-effect powers of a physical substrate, and as autonomous in virtue of global-to-local determination. According to this interpretation, consciousness is the constraining power of the system as a whole upon itself, when this power emerges from the fusion on the cause-effect powers of the system’s components.
A NOTE ON FREQUENT HYPERCYCLICITY OF OPERATORS THAT $$\lambda$$-COMMUTE WITH THE DIFFERENTIATION OPERATOR
Authors: León-Saavedra Fernando , de la Rosa María Pilar Romero
Published: October 2022

A continuous linear operator on a Fréchet space $$\mathcal {X}$$
X
is frequently hypercyclic if there exists a vector x such that for any nonempty open subset $$U\subset \mathcal {X}$$

U
⊂
X

the set of $$n\in \mathbb {N}\cup \{0\}$$

n
∈
N
∪
{
0
}

for which $$T^nx\in U$$

T
n

x
∈
U

has a positive lower density. Here we determine when an operator that commutes up to a factor with the differentiation operator D, defined on the space of entire functions, is frequently hypercyclic.
Hitting the target: stopping active learning at the cost-based optimum
Authors: Pullar-Strecker Zac , Dost Katharina , Frank Eibe , Wicker Jörg
Published: October 2022

Active learning allows machine learning models to be trained using fewer labels while retaining similar performance to traditional supervised learning. An active learner selects the most informative data points, requests their labels, and retrains itself. While this approach is promising, it raises the question of how to determine when the model is ‘good enough’ without the additional labels required for traditional evaluation. Previously, different stopping criteria have been proposed aiming to identify the optimal stopping point. Yet, optimality can only be expressed as a domain-dependent trade-off between accuracy and the number of labels, and no criterion is superior in all applications. As a further complication, a comparison of criteria for a particular real-world application would require practitioners to collect additional labelled data they are aiming to avoid by using active learning in the first place. This work enables practitioners to employ active learning by providing actionable recommendations for which stopping criteria are best for a given real-world scenario. We contribute the first large-scale comparison of stopping criteria for pool-based active learning, using a cost measure to quantify the accuracy/label trade-off, public implementations of all stopping criteria we evaluate, and an open-source framework for evaluating stopping criteria. Our research enables practitioners to substantially reduce labelling costs by utilizing the stopping criterion which best suits their domain.
Sequencing and de novo assembly of the Koshihikari genome and identification of the genomic region related to the eating quality of cooked rice
Authors: Lee Yoon Kyung , Lee Yunjoo , Jang Su , Lee Taeyoung , Woo Mi-Ok , Seo Jeonghwan , Kim Backki , Koh Hee-Jong
Published: October 2022

The japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar Koshihikari is considered an important breeding material with good eating quality (EQ). To effectively utilize Koshihikari in molecular breeding programs, determining its whole genome sequence including cultivar-specific segment is crucial. Here, the Koshihikari genome was sequenced using Nanopore and Illumina platforms, and de novo assembly was performed. A highly contiguous Koshihikari genome sequence was compared with Nipponbare, the reference genome of japonica. Genome-wide synteny was observed, as expected, without large structural variations. However, several gaps in alignment were detected on chromosomes 3, 4, 9, and 11. It was notable that previously identified EQ-related QTLs were found in these gaps. Moreover, sequence variations were identified in chromosome 11 at a region flanking the P5 marker, one of the significant markers of good EQ. The Koshihikari-specific P5 region was found to be transmitted through the lineage. High EQ cultivars derived from Koshihikari possessed P5 sequences; on the other hand, Koshihikari-derived low EQ cultivars didn’t contain the P5 region, which implies that the P5 genomic region affects the EQ of Koshihikari progenies. The EQ of near-isogenic lines (NILs) of Samnam (a low EQ cultivar) genetic background harboring the P5 segment was improved compared to that of Samnam in Toyo taste value. The structure of the Koshihikari-specific P5 genomic region associated with good EQ was analyzed, which is expected to facilitate the molecular breeding of rice cultivars with superior EQ.