bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of online interpretation bias intervention on stress reactivity in the children of parents with depression: the CoCo study
Authors: Frommelt Tonya , Bäumler Leonie , Schulte-Körne Gerd , Platt Belinda , Rohleder Nicolas
Published: April 2023

Background Current preventive interventions for the children of parents with depression demonstrate modest effects on depression incidence. This may be because existing interventions tend to comprise general psychotherapeutic tools, rather than targeting the specific mechanisms underlying familial transmission. Improved theoretical models of familial transmission could enhance the development of targeted interventions. Although existing models assume that cognitive and biological vulnerability factors influence one another, the precise mechanisms are unknown. This project is the first to experimentally test whether negative interpretation bias has an impact on cortisol response in children of parents with depression. This study protocol reports a randomised controlled trial of an interpretation bias intervention which aims to shift participants’ interpretation bias in a more positive direction and thereby alter their stress response.Methods Children aged 10–14 years who have i) one parent with a current or previous depression diagnosis, with at least one episode occurring during the child’s lifetime and ii) do not have a current or previous psychiatric diagnosis themselves, will be assigned to one of two conditions: an interpretation bias intervention (n = 50) or a structurally similar placebo intervention (n = 50). The interpretation bias intervention consists of a short lab-based cognitive reappraisal of interpretations training, a four-week app-based Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretations intervention and interpretation bias specific if-then plans. Interpretation bias will be assessed before and after the intervention using the Scrambled Sentences Task. The effect of the intervention on participants’ stress response will be assessed by salivary cortisol collected at five different time points: from immediately before until 45 minutes after administering the Trier Social Stressor Test for Children. Stress reactivity will be measured via baseline to peak cortisol and stress recovery will be measured via the 45 minute cortisol marker. We hypothesise that children who participate in the interpretation bias intervention will display a positive shift in interpretation bias and this, in turn, will alter their stress response. Children who receive the placebo intervention are expected to show a smaller positive shift in interpretation bias and stress reactivity.Discussion The findings of the present study will contribute to models of familial depression transmission as well as informing preventive interventions. If training a more positive interpretation bias subsequently alters participants’ stress response, then incorporating such tools may increase the efficacy of existing preventive interventions.Trial Registration: Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien DRKS00028842. Registered August 19, 2022.
Correlation of NK cell activity and Clinical Parameters with Survival in Breast Cancer patients
Authors: Lee Ga-Young , Cho Jung-Hyo , Son Chang-Gue , Cho Chong-Kwan , Lee Nam-Hun
Published: April 2023

Through analyzing a correlation between natural killer cell activity (NKA) and survival rate of patients with breast cancer, this study aims to assess the potential of NKA as a prognostic biomarker of breast cancer. We retrospectively analyzed the digital medical records of breast cancer patients treated at two traditional Korean medicine hospitals, located in Daejeon and Cheonan, South Korea, from April 1, 2016, to April 4, 2021. NKA levels were assessed by measuring interferon-γ released by stimulated- NK cells using commercial kit (NK Vue®; NKMAX, Seongnam, Korea). The patients were divided into two groups: A high NKA (≥ 500 pg/mL), and a low NKA (< 500 pg/mL) group, and compared in terms of tumor progression, physical status, overall survival (OS), and event-free survival (EFS). The high-NKA group exhibited significant longer OS (67.3 ± 1.5 vs 57.4 ± 3.7 months, p=0.002), longer EFS (62.9 ± 2.0 vs 49.2 ± 3.8 months, p=0.004) and better response rate (84.5% vs 69.8%, p=0.021). A relationship between NKA and prognosis in stage III and IV was more significant. Stage III and IV patients with high NKA had longer OS (38.9 ± 6.8 vs 56.7 ± 5.5 months, p = 0.039) and longer EFS (50.5 ± 6.2 months vs 31.4 ± 6.3 months, p = 0.053). NKA may serve as a prognostic biomarker for breast cancer patients. Further studies with more patients over a longer period are needed.
A randomized trial to evaluate the effects of a supervised exercise program on insomnia in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy: design of the FATSOMCAN study
Authors: Drozd Chloé , Curtit Elsa , Jacquinot Quentin , Marquine Charlène , Mansi Laura , Chaigneau Loïc , Dobi Erion , Viot Julien , Meynard Guillaume , Paillard Marie-Justine , Goujon Morgan , Roux Pauline , Vernerey Dewi , Gillet Valérie , Bourdin Hubert , Galli Silvio , Meneveau Nathalie , Mougin Fabienne
Published: April 2023

Background
Up to 70% of breast cancer patients report symptoms of insomnia during and after treatment. Despite the ubiquity of insomnia symptoms, they are under-screened, under-diagnosed and poorly managed in breast cancer patients. Sleep medications treat symptoms but are ineffective to cure insomnia. Other approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, relaxation through yoga and mindfulness are often not available for patients and are complex to implement. An aerobic exercise program could be a promising treatment and a feasible option for insomnia management in breast cancer patients, but few studies have investigated the effects of such a program on insomnia.
Methods
This multicenter, randomized clinical trial evaluate the effectiveness of a moderate to high intensity physical activity program (45 minutes, 3 times per week), lasting 12 weeks, in minimizing insomnia, sleep disturbances, anxiety/depression, fatigue, and pain, and in enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness. Patients with breast cancer be recruited from six hospitals in France and randomly allocated to either the “training” or the “control” group. Baseline assessments include questionnaires [Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)], home polysomnography (PSG), and 7-day actigraphy coupled with completion of a sleep diary. Assessments are repeated at the end of training program and at six-month follow-up.
Discussion
This clinical trial will provide additional evidence regarding the effectiveness of physical exercise in minimizing insomnia during and after chemotherapy. If shown to be effective, exercise intervention programs will be welcome addition to the standard program of care offered to patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy.
Trial registration: National Clinical Trials Number (NCT04867096)
A first attempt to track genetic signature of the colonization of the Mediterranean basin by the pigmy white-toothed shrew, Suncus etruscus (Eulipotyphla, Soricidae)
Authors: Castiglia Riccardo , Rotondi Chiara , Aloise Gaetano , Amori Giovanni , Annesi Flavia , Solano Emanuela , Mori Emiliano
Published: April 2023

The pigmy white-toothed shrew Suncus etruscus is a widespread species whose distribution patterns are unclear. Paleontological data suggested an east-west pattern of dispersion in the Mediterranean basin during late Holocene but some doubts are still present especially considering the absence of fossil remains from key areas, as mainland Italy. Here we propose, a preliminary screening of the phylogeographic relationships among Italian pigmy white-toothed shrews and other Mediterranean areas. The Italian haplotypes were all very similar without an evident geographic structure, however we evidenced that the haplotype from Israel, the putative source area for the Mediterranean basin, is almost identical to the most common Italian haplotype. This excludes an ancient event of vicariance between the two areas and we can assume that these haplotypes arrived in the central Mediterranean through the eastward wave of colonization, in agreement with the relatively recent arrival of the species in the area.
Long-read sequencing reveals the complex structure of extra dic(21;21) chromosome and its biological changes
Authors: Yoshida-Tanaka Kugui , Ikemoto Ko , Unoki Motoko , Takano Takako , Fujimoto Akihiro
Published: April 2023

Complex congenital chromosome abnormalities are rare but often cause severe symptoms. The structures and biological impacts of such chromosome abnormalities have seldomly been analyzed at the molecular level. Previously, we reported a Japanese female patient with severe developmental defects. The patient had an extra dicentric chromosome 21 (chr21) consisting of two partial chr21 copies fused together within their long arms along with two centromeres and many copy number changes. In this study, we performed whole-genome, transcriptional, and DNA methylation analyses, coupled with novel bioinformatic approaches, to reveal the complex structure of the extra chromosome and its transcriptional and epigenetic changes. Long-read sequencing accurately identified the structures of junctions related to copy number changes in the extra chr21 and suggested the mechanism of the structural changes. Our allele-specific transcriptome analysis showed the overexpression of genes in extra chr21. Additionally, allele-specific DNA methylation analysis of the long-read sequencing data suggested that the centromeric region of extra chr21 was hypermethylated, which may cause inactivation of one centromere in the extra chromosome. Our comprehensive analysis provides insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the generation of the extra chromosome and its pathogenic roles.
Construction of a predictive nomogram for functional recovery after Bernese Periacetabular Osteotomy
Authors: Du Panzhihao , Gu Yange , Jin Wenshu , Li Shufeng , Yue Yaohui , Yin Luxu , Li Zhongxin , Wang Keke , Zhao Zhang , Yan Xinfeng , Sun Huaqiang
Published: April 2023

Background and purpose There are recognized surgical indications for Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), but the degree of postoperative functional recovery is significantly different through clinical observation and follow-up. Therefore, it is necessary to do a preoperative evaluation. This study aims to screen the factors influencing functional recovery after PAO and construct a predictive nomogram.Patients and methods: Retrospective data were collected between December 2016 and March 2022 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, including demographic data and imaging materials of patients undergoing PAO. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was used to screen the influencing factors, and then multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to construct a predictive nomogram for predicting functional recovery after PAO.Result The influencing factors of functional recovery after PAO were screened out, namely the preoperative distance from the innermost surface of the femoral head to the ilioischial line, surgical approach, preoperative acetabular depth, and preoperative Calve line continuity. A nomogram model was established using these significant predictors. The receiver-operating characteristic curve was drawn, and the area under the curve was calculated to be 0.864. The calibration curve showed that the constructed nomogram model was well calibrated. There was sufficient consistency between the observed and estimated prediction probabilities to indicate that the clinical prediction model had high accuracy.Conclusion This predictive nomogram can identify the patients most suitable for PAO and can be used to guide the selection of surgical patients and surgical approaches.
The Snowball Effect of Financial Activity Resilience and Growth In Indonesia
Authors: Basmar Edwin , Salim Zamroni , Rahman Abdul , Takhim Muhamad , Basmar Erlin , III Carl M. Campbell
Published: April 2023

Increasing resilience and growth is financial activity indication, but snowball effect can occur in reverse. This study aims to determine level between macroeconomic as measured by the snowball pressure effect using Ed Waves Index development. The findings show that average pressure wave α is -4.6 Amplitude and β is -5.8 Amplitude, the response to pressure wave λ is -15 Amplitude, identification shows that financial activity is in acute depression through high sensitivity level and real financial stability that is not optimal. The study results can serve as early indicators in maintaining financial resilience and economic growth in Indonesia.
JEL Classification : E32, E42, E52, E58
The Role of transcription factor FOXA1/C2/M1/O3/P1/Q1 in breast cancer
Authors: Yuan Hui , Liang Yu , Hu Shaorun , Chen Jinxiang , You Jingcan , Jiang Jun , Zeng Min , Luo Mao
Published: April 2023

Background Breast cancer is a common malignancy with the highest mortality rate among women worldwide. The Forkhead Box (FOX) transcription factor family is an evolutionarily conserved superfamily that regulates cell growth, differentiation, and tissue development. Increasing evidence suggests that FOX transcription factors play an important role in the occurrence and development of breast cancer. However, little is known about the relationship between the expression, prognostic value, function and immune infiltration of FOX transcription factors in tumor microenvironment.Methods In this research, we studied the expression, prognostic value, gene alteration, functional enrichment and immune cell infiltration of FOX factor in breast cancer patients by using the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), Kaplan-Meier plotter, cBioPortal, String, GeneMANIA, DAVID, TIMER, Cytoscape(version3.9.1)and R software (version 3.6.3).Results The expression levels of FOXA1 and FOXM1 were significantly higher in breast cancer tissues than in normal tissues, while the expression levels of FOXC2 and FOXO3 were lower in breast cancer tissues than in normal tissues. The high expression of mRNA in FOXA1, FOXM1 and FOXP1 groups was related to tumor stage. Survival analysis results showed that increased FOXP1 mRNA levels were significantly associated with overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in all breast cancer patients (p < 0.05). Patients with the FOXA1 high-expression group had better RFS and DMFS than the low-expression group (p < 0.05), while patients with FOXM1 high-expression group had worse RFS, OS and DMFS than the low-expression group (p < 0.05). FOXP1, FOXA1 and FOXM1 can be used as potential biomarkers to predict the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Functional enrichment indicated that FOX was mainly involved in cell division, cell senescence, cell cycle and prolactin signaling pathway. In addition, FOX mRNA expression was strongly associated with the infiltration of multiple immune cells, including six types of B cells, CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in breast cancer.Conclusion These findings may provide novel insights into the screening of prognostic biomarkers of the FOX family in breast cancer, and lays a foundation for further research on the immune infiltration of the FOX transcription factor family members in tumors.
Reproductive responses to increased density and global change drivers in a widespread clonal wetland species, Schoenoplectus americanus
Authors: Whigham Dennis F. , Kudoh Aoi , Megonigal J. Patrick , Langley J. Adam , Noyce Genevieve L. , Sakai Toshiyuki
Published: April 2023

The expansion of many wetland species is a function of both clonal and sexual propagation. The production of ramets through clonal propagation enables plants to move and occupy space, while seeds produced by sexual reproduction enable species to disperse and colonize open or disturbed sites. The balance between clonal propagation and sexual reproduction is known to vary with plant density but few studies have focused on reproductive allocation with density changes in response to global change. Schoenoplectus americanus is a widespread clonal wetland species in North America and a dominant plant in a Chesapeake Bay brackish tidal wetland. Long-term experiments on responses of S. americanus to global change provided the opportunity to compare the two modes of propagation under different treatments condition. Seed production increased with increasing shoot density, supporting the hypothesis that factors causing shoot density to increase stimulate sexual reproduction and dispersal of genets. The increase in allocation to sexual reproduction was mainly the result of an increase in the number of ramets that flowered and not an increase in the number of seeds per reproductive shoot, or the ratio between the number of flowers produced per inflorescence and the number of flowers that developed into seeds. Seed production increased in response to increasing temperatures and decreased or did not change in response to increased CO2 or nitrogen. Results from this comparative study demonstrate that plant responses to global change treatments affect resource allocation and can alter the ability of species to produce seeds.
Indoor Objects Detection and Recognition for Mobility Assistance of Visually Impaired People with Smart Application
Authors: Megavath Ravinder , Indra Gaurav , Al-Rasheed Amal , Alqahtani Mohammed S. , Abbas Mohamed , Almohiy Hussain M. , Jambi Layal K. , Soufiene Ben Othman
Published: April 2023

Visually impaired people are individuals who have a partial or complete loss of vision. This condition can vary in severity, from mild to profound, and can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, injury, illness, or aging. It's important to note that visually impaired people are a diverse group with different needs and abilities, and they should be treated with respect and given equal access to opportunities and resources. Smart applications can be extremely helpful for visually impaired people by providing them with information and assistance in navigating their environment. Moreover, can greatly enhance the independence and quality of life for visually impaired people. Many applications have been proposed with individual features set and other concerns due to are expensive, difficult to use, less affordable, less accessible and are an overhead while travelling. To solving these issues, in this paper we design an android Application - Smart Vision (SV) to aid the Visually Impaired people in every possible realm of daily pursuits like for their diurnal regressions around the house/office place, taking notes of their daily affairs, recognizing the people around, identifying the colours etc. Smart Vision would enable the visually impaired to have a better user experience as the whole working of the application is divided into 6 modules - Obstacle Avoidance and Navigation Module, Digital Assistant Module, Scene Description Module, Light Detection Module, Colour Detection Module and Face Detection Module, which can be easily selected by giving a single voice command. Smart Vision is exclusively designed by keeping the memory and battery constraints of the application within permissible limits ensuring the reliability, portability and cost effectiveness to the grieved end user to make life beautiful for them. Smart Vision enables detection of the desired object with a 90% accuracy, face recognition with an accuracy of 87%, colour detection with an approximate accuracy of 75%, Digital assistant module accuracy as 91% and light detection (for light and dark intensities) minimum accuracy is 82%. It has been interpreted that the Average Response Time is under 3 seconds which makes it a high-speed device because the Raspberry pi is used for connecting the components which reduces the transit time. Finally, a comparative study has been done with the existing topologies and it is so found that the Smart Vision is applicable for both indoor and outdoor environments.
A Lagrangian analysis of combustion regimes using multi-modal turbulent combustion model
Authors: Angelilli Lorenzo , Ciottoli Pietro Paolo , Hernandez-Perez Francisco E. , Valorani Mauro , Mueller Micheal E. , Im Hong G.
Published: April 2023

High Reynolds number turbulent reacting flows poses a modeling challenge due to the multi-regime, mixed-mode nature of the combustion processes. The present study attempts to provide insights into the complex combustion characteristics in turbulent flames by conducting highly resolved large eddy simulations of the Darmstadt multi-regime burner exhibiting both premixed and nonpremixed combustion regimes with occurrences of local extinction and re-ignition. Massless Lagrangian particles are transported along with the flow in order to monitor the evolution of the local flow-chemistry interaction. The simulations are validated against experimental data, and the Lagrangian properties are compared against the traditional premixed model in progress variable space and a generalized multi-modal manifold model in mixture fraction and generalized progress variable space. The comparison reveals that minor radical species are sensitive to the generalized progress variable dissipation rates, and the multi-modal manifold model is more suitable to reproduce the complex flame structure. Using the multi-modal model framework, the evolution of the combustion regimes is analyzed by the slope of the Lagrangian particle trajectory in the phase space.
Mealtime Interactions between Nursing Home Staff and Residents with Dementia: A Behavioral Analysis of Language Characteristics
Authors: Liu Wen , Jao Ying-Ling , Paudel Anju , Yoon Si On
Published: April 2023

Background. Quality staff-resident communication is crucial to promote outcomes in nursing home residents with dementia requiring assistance during mealtimes. Better understanding of staff-resident language characteristics in mealtime interactions help promote effective communication, yet evidence is limited. This study aimed to examine factors associated with language characteristics in staff-resident mealtime interactions.Methods. This was a secondary analysis of 160 mealtime videos involving 36 staff and 27 residents with dementia (53 unique staff-resident dyads) in 9 nursing homes. We examined the associations of speaker (resident vs. staff), utterance quality (negative vs. positive), intervention (pre- vs. post-communication intervention), and resident dementia stage and comorbidities with expression length (number of words in each utterance) and addressing partner by name (whether staff or resident named their partner in each utterance), respectively.Results. Staff (utterance n = 2990, 99.1% positive, mean = 4.3 words per utterance) predominated conversations and had more positive, longer utterances than residents (utterance n = 890, 86.7% positive, mean = 2.6 words per utterance). As residents progressed from moderately-severe to severe dementia, both residents and staff produced shorter utterances (z=-2.66, p = .009). Staff (18%) named residents more often than residents (2.0%; z = 8.14, p < .0001) and when assisting residents with more severe dementia (z = 2.65, p = .008).Conclusions. Staff-resident communication was primarily positive, staff-initiated, and resident-oriented. Utterance quality and dementia stage were associated with staff-resident language characteristics. Staff play a critical role in mealtime care communication and should continue to initiate resident-oriented interactions using simple, short expressions to accommodate resident declining language abilities, particularly those with severe dementia. Staff should practice addressing residents by their names more frequently to promote individualized, targeted, person-centered mealtime care. Future work may further examine staff-resident language characteristics at word and other levels using more diverse samples.
Mechanism and surrounding rock control of gob-side entry formation passing through normal fault - A case study
Authors: Yang Jun , Fu Qiang , Gao Yubing , Li Changjiang , Chang Xu , Wu Xing
Published: April 2023

Geological faults are widely distributed in stratum and have an important influence on underground mining. In order to increase the mining rate of coal resources and reduce the occurrence of accidents such as rock bursts, the technology of gob-side entry formed by roof cutting and pressure release (GEFRCPR) was investigated in fault-affected areas. The mechanism of gob-side entry formation passing through a normal fault was studied by theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, and control technology for entry formation was proposed. The results indicate that during the process of passing through a normal fault from hanging wall to foot wall, the vertical stress of the solid coal bank at the working face increased first, then decreased, rose and eventually reached a stable state. For the fault affected area, a combined support of " door type supports + cutting guard stents " was proposed as a temporary support for the formed entry and was tested on site. On-site monitoring showed that the degree of final deformation of surrounding rock of the formed entry was like: at the fault > before the fault > after the fault. By applying the proposed support technology, the deformation of the surrounding rock in the fault-affected area was effectively controlled so that the formed roadway appeared thereafter can be reused.
The Quality of Migrant Patients’ Primary Healthcare Experiences and Patient-Centered Medical Home Achievement by Community Health Centers: Results from the China Greater Bay Area Study
Authors: Huo Yongjun , Kang Xun , Zhong Chenyang , Shi Leiyu , Liu Ruqing , Hu Ruwei
Published: April 2023

Background: In China, Community Health Centers (CHCs) provide PHC; however, few studies have examined the quality of primary healthcare (PHC) services experienced by migrant patients. We examined the potential association between the quality of migrant patients’ PHC experiences and the achievement of Patient-Centered Medical Home by CHCs in China.Methods: Between August 2019 and September 2021, 482 migrant patients were recruited from ten CHCs in China’s Greater Bay Area. We evaluated CHC service quality using the National Committee for Quality Assurance Patient-Centered Medical Home (NCQA-PCMH) questionnaire. We additionally assessed the quality of migrant patients’ PHC experiences using the Primary Care Assessment Tools (PCAT). General linear models (GLM) were used to examine the association between the quality of migrant patients’ PHC experiences and the achievement of PCMH by CHCs, adjusting for covariates.Results: The recruited CHCs performed poorly on PCMH1, Patient-Centered Access (7.2 ± 2.0), and PCMH2, Team-Based Care (7.4 ± 2.5). Similarly, migrant patients assigned low scores to PCAT dimension C—First-contact care—which assesses access (2.98 ± 0.03), and D—Ongoing care (2.89 ± 0.03). On the other hand, higher-quality CHCs were significantly associated with higher total and dimensional PCAT scores, except for dimensions B and J. For example, the total PCAT score increased by 0.11 (95% CI: 0.07–0.16) with each increase of CHC PCMH level. We additionally identified associations between older migrant patients (> 60 years) and total PCAT and dimension scores, except for dimension E. For instance, the average PCAT score for dimension C among older migrant patients increased by 0.42 (95% CI: 0.27–0.57) with each increase of CHC PCMH level. Among younger migrant patients, this dimension only increased by 0.09 (95% CI: 0.03–0.16).Conclusion: Migrant patients treated at higher-quality CHCs reported better PHC experiences. All observed associations were stronger for older migrants. Our results may inform future healthcare quality improvement studies that focus on the PHC service needs of migrant patients.
Effect of gamma irradiation doses on the spectroscopic, optical dispersion, and structural properties of Cr-39 nuclear track detector
Authors: Elashmawi I. S. , Abdelghany A. M.
Published: April 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Multiplicity of Solutions for Variable-order Fractional Kirchhoff Problem With Singular Term
Authors: Chammem Rym , Sahbani Abdelhakim , Saidani Anouar
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we consider a class of singular variable-order fractional Kirchhoff problem of the form:
[u]_{s(.)}^{2(\sigma-1)}(-\Delta)^{s(.)}u =\lambda~~\frac{ a(x)}{|u|^{m (x)}}+b(x)|u|^{q(x)-2}u in Omega,
u=0, on R^{n} \Omega,
where Omega is a bounded domain, (-\Delta)^{s(.)} is the variable-order fractional Laplacian operator, [u]_{s(.)} is the Gagliardo
seminorm and s(.,.) in C(R^{N}x{R}^{N} ,(0, 1)) and symetric function. We assume that lambda is a non-negative parameter ,
sigma >= 1, m,q in C(Omega) with 0<1<2\sigma<\frac{2N}{N-2s(x,x)} and N>2s(x,y) for all (x,y) in Omega x Omega).
We combine some variational techniques with a truncation argument in order to show the existence and the multiplicity of positive solutions to the above problem.
Water content-based electrical properties tomography: results from a retrospective clinical study
Authors: Mandija Stefano , Jacobs Sarah M. , Kleinloog Jordi P.D. , Liu Hongyan , Heide Oscar van der , Kolk Anja G. , Sbrizzi Alessandro , Berg Cornelis A.T. van den
Published: April 2023

Tissue electrical properties (EPs: conductivity and relative permittivity) maps can be reconstructed from water content maps using an empirical model calibrated by fitting literature water content to literature EPs values (wEPT). Results on phantoms and brains for a few healthy volunteers demonstrated high quality EPs maps. Here, we investigate whether wEPT reconstructions calibrated using water content values from healthy volunteers can provide high quality EPs maps in neurological patients and realistic EPs values in normal-appearing/pathological tissue. wEPT reconstructions were performed on ten healthy volunteers, six primary brain tumor, and nine multiple sclerosis (MS) patients using water content maps derived from T1 maps acquired on a 3T MRI system. EPs values in healthy volunteers white and gray matter and cerebrospinal fluid were computed and compared to the values in the normal-appearing tissue of patients. Mean tumor EPs values were computed to investigate possible relations with tumor grade. Mean EPs values in MS lesions were computed to investigate variations between normal-appearing white matter and MS lesions. wEPT EPs maps in volunteers and patients showed similar high quality, with a good pathology to normal-appearing tissue contrast in patients. For diffuse glioma, a positive trend between tumor grade and EPs values was observed. For MS lesions, a clear increase in the measured EPs values was observed compared to white matter. This work demonstrates that wEPT EPs reconstructions calibrated using healthy volunteers mean water content values provide high quality EPs maps and image contrast between normal-appearing/pathological tissue indicating their potential as imaging biomarkers.
Comparative analysis of deeply phenotyped GBM cohorts of ‘short-term’ and ‘long-term’ survivors
Authors: Biswas Archita , Salvucci Manuela , Connor Kate , Düssmann Heiko , Carberry Steven , Fichtner Michael , King Ellen , Murphy Brona , O’Farrell A.C , Cryan Jane , Beausang Alan , Heffernan Josephine , Cremona Mattia , Hennessy Bryan T. , Clerkin James , Sweeney Kieron J. , MacNally Steve , Brett F , O’Halloran P , Bacon Orna , Furney Simon , Verreault Maite , Quissac Emie , Bielle Franck , Ahmed Mohammed H , Idbaih Ahmed , Leenstra Sieger , Ntafoulis Ioannis , Fabro Federica , Lamfers Martine , Golebiewska Anna , Hertel Frank , Niclou Simone P , Yen Romain Tching Chi , Kremer Andreas , Dilcan Gonca , Lodi Francesca , Arijs Ingrid , Lambrechts Diether , P Manasa Kalya , Kel Alexander , Byrne Annette T , Prehn Jochen H.M
Published: April 2023

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer that typically results in death in the first 15 months after diagnosis. There have been limited advances in finding new treatments for GBM. In this study, we investigated molecular differences between patients with extremely short (≤9 months, Short term survivors, STS) and long survival (≥36 months, Long term survivors, LTS). Patients were selected from an in-house cohort (GLIOTRAIN-cohort), using defined inclusion criteria (Karnofsky score >70; age <70 years old; Stupp protocol as first line treatment, IDH wild type), and a multi-omic analysis of LTS and STS GBM samples was performed. Transcriptomic analysis of tumour samples identified cilium gene signatures enriched in LTSs. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the presence of cilia in the tumours of LTSs. Notably, reverse phase protein array analysis (RPPA) demonstrated increased phosphorylated GAB1 (Y627), SRC (Y527), BCL2 (S70) and RAF (S338) protein expression in STS compared to LTS. We identified 25 unique master regulators (MR) and 13 transcription factors (TFs) belonging to ontologies of integrin signalling and cell cycle to be upregulated in STS. These data deliver new potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the management of GBM.
Upcycling Recycled Epoxy-Based Vitrimer for Enhancing Toughness of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Chen Chin-Wen , Mao Hsu-I , Lee Hong-Kuan , Chou Jui-Yang , Rwei Syang-Peng
Published: April 2023

This article reports a potential high-value reuse pathway for a depolymerized vitrimer matrix from abandoned composites. A series of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based copolymers containing various amounts of added vitrimer as the toughness modifier were synthesized by melt polymerization. The thermal, mechanical, and crystallization behaviors of the synthesized copolymers were determined, indicating all samples presented excellent thermal stability at Td−5% above 390 ℃. The differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray scattering diffraction results demonstrated that the copolymers maintained the crystallization characteristics of normal PET, while a slight reduction in the crystallizability was observed upon the incorporation of the vitrimer. Moreover, the mechanical behaviors of the copolymers were investigated systematically. Surprisingly, a significant increment was observed in the elongation rate from 11.1 to 804.2% when the added vitrimer content increased from 0 to 0.25 wt%, and this trend decreased slightly as the vitrimer content increased further. Impact strength examinations revealed twofold enhancement as the vitrimer concentration increased from 0 to 0.25 wt%, with further improvement as the content was increased. The shore D hardness test illustrated that all samples showed comparable values at around 80, suggesting that introducing the vitrimer does not decrease the hardness of the PET-based copolymers.
Strength and Durability Assessment of Low Water Absorption Glasscrete Blocks for Zero-Spalling Effect in Buildings
Authors: DOTUN ATOYEBI OLUMOYEWA , O. Odeyemi S. , B. Ndubuisi
Published: April 2023

Glass waste produced around the world is disposed of carefreely, creating huge piles in landfills and increasing environmental pollution because it is non-biodegradable. This study was conducted to assess the strength and durability of waste glass as a partial replacement for a mortal mix of sharp sand and stone dust. The glasscrete block samples were produced in a 6” metal block mould with 0%, 25% and 50% partial replacement of stone dust and sharp sand respectively. The compressive strength and water absorption tests were conducted after the samples were cured for 7, 28 and 56 days in a laboratory. The highest compressive strengths of 102.333kN and 100.667kN were observed in 50% waste glass partial replacement with sharp sand and 50% waste glass combination with 25% sharp sand and 25% stone dust respectively. The least compressive strength was seen in the control samples of sand and stone dust with no replacement of waste glass. This shows that the addition of waste glass increased the compressive strength of the block samples. The least rate of water absorption was recorded in 50% waste glass, 25% sharp sand and 25% stone dust. It should be noted that the replacement of the waste glass with stone dust performed poorly unlike that of sharp sand. Therefore, it is recommended that 50% waste glass, 25% sharp sand and 25% stone dust should be adopted for the production of glasscrete blocks for a zero-spalling effect in buildings with varying mix ratios. Glasscrete blocks can therefore be used in the waterlogged environment and areas prone to the spalling condition.
Analytical Solution for Contact and Crack Problem in Homogeneous Half Plane
Authors: ÜSTÜN AYHAN
Published: April 2023

In this study, the contact and crack problem of an elastic homogeneous half-infinite plane is investigated according to the elasticity theory. There are two rigid blocks on the half-endless plane and the P and Q loads are transferred to the half-infinite plane by these blocks. The effect of the mass forces is not included, the stress and displacement expressions to be used for the contact problem are obtained by using Navier equations and Fourier integral transformation technique, and the boundary conditions determined for the problem are applied. The equations to be used for the crack problem are specified and the boundary conditions for the crack are applied to these equations. The problem is reduced to an integral equation system consisting of four singular integral equations where contact stresses and crack displacements are unknown. Numerical solution of the integral equation system has been realized by using Jacobi polynomials. Numerical results on sub-block stress distributions and stress intensity factors were obtained for different loading conditions, geometric sizes and presented by graphics.
Investments in Agricultural Innovation and Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Malec Karel , Rojík Stanislav , Maitah Mansoor , Abdu Musa , Abdullahi Kamal Tasiu
Published: April 2023

Empirical evidence proves that agricultural R&D expenditure and researchers attract high returns though the investments have long-gestation periods. Nonetheless, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) invests meanly in agricultural R&D and researchers. This study explores the impacts of agricultural R&D expenditures and researchers on food security in the region and across the sub-regions. The study applies Bootstrapped LSDV and two-step system GMM techniques to analyze the data on 23–24 SSA countries over the period 2000–2016. Our findings show that investments in agricultural innovation substantially increase food accessibility, availability, and utilization through food productivity growth. Indeed, the investments are more effective in enhancing food utilization than in boosting food availability and accessibility. The findings also reveal that the investments are effective in enhancing food security at least in Southern and Western African sub-regions while they instead exacerbate the problem of food insecurity in Central Africa. The policy implications are adequate resources should be channeled into proper agricultural research and development to introduce new crop varieties or significantly improved crops, etc. There should also be coordination between large and small countries in investments so that the countries can benefit from economies of scale.
JEL Codes: A19, Q19, Q18, Q16, I23
Triangulating Moderate Impact of Social Media Marketing Communication Between Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy and Social Influence on Business Performance in Cashew Industry in Sri Lanka
Authors: Kaluarachchi Sandunima
Published: April 2023

The theoretical triangulation (TT) in social media marketing communication and business performance is rare to observe. The purpose of this paper is to present a critical review of the contributions of multiple theories of performance expectancy theory (PET), effort expectancy theory (EET), and social influence theory (SIT) and explain whether social media marketing communication (SMMC) moderates the relationship between those theories and business performance (BP). A sample of 218 cashew salespeople from Sri Lanka were surveyed, and the data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) through AMOS 26.0. The finding of the SEM analysis indicated that PE, EE and SI have significant positive relationship with potential sellers’ business performance. The moderation effect results showed that SMMC was a poor moderator of the relation between the EE and BP, as well as the SI and BP, nevertheless, the result showed that SMMC is a partial moderator of the relation between the PE and BP. The current study method necessitates caution in generalizing the findings. More variables may be introduced in future studies to explore the moderation effect between the predictor and BP of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) framework. The current study helps cashew sellers widen their horizons while evaluating the practical results of academic research. The findings of this study not only demonstrate that the TT appears to be acceptable in explaining predictors and BP in the cashew industry, but also indicate the resilience of the TT’s ability to predictors and BP in a different research context. Through SEM analysis, this study attempts to add SMMC as a moderator in the UTAUT framework and investigate the moderating effect between predictors and BP. In order to that this study aims to bridge the gap between these moderating effects and how salespeople in SMMC impact BP.
Content and Meaning of Financial Cyber Security: a Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Koibichuk Vitaliia , Dotsenko Tetiana
Published: April 2023

Reliable cybersecurity has a decision value for economic and national security of every country. The financial sector is most susceptible to cyber-attacks, as it is one of the most important systems of society, containing a large amount of data and critical information. To provide reliable cybersecurity, government must participate actively in development and strengthening of policies. It includes establishment of rules and standards for business, creation of only national strategy of cybersecurity and participating in international partnership for an exchange advanced experience and resources. In addition, government must invest in cybersecurity tools, technology, and personnel to protect digital infrastructure and the data of citizens and companies. Finally, governments should prioritize cyber security education and awareness among citizens and companies to minimize the risk of digital attacks. The article provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of scientific publications devoted to the topic of financial cyber security using modern powerful bibliometric software (Vosviewer, Bibliometrix, SciVal) and an analysis of normative legislative documents of Ukraine and the European Union, in particular the recommendations of the European Union Agency for Cyber Security (ENISA). The bibliometric analysis made it possible to form groups of clusters characterizing the cyber lexicon, methods, and technologies for detecting cyberthreats, and to highlight the most cited publications in the world. The statistical basis for the analysis was formed by scientific publications indexed by the Elsevier reference and bibliographic corporation. The results of the conducted research are a plan of recommended actions for managers of financial institutions, banks, and enterprises regarding the effective organization of cyber security and includes such steps as: development of cyber security culture on an ongoing basis; appointment of a responsible person for the organization of cyber security; conducting cyber security audits on an ongoing basis; creating a data protection memo; provision of advanced training in the field of cyber data protection; ensuring effective interaction with a third party involved in financial relations, reflected in concluded contracts; formation of a response plan to cyber incidents; organization of secure access to automated information systems used in the institution’s operations; organization of device security in case of remote use and performance of professional duties; organization of network connection security; improvement of physical security of official documents and devices; protection of backup copies and testing for the possibility of a full update based on these backup copies; synchronization with cloud technologies in compliance with the provisions of regulatory documents; protection of websites, publication and distribution of up-to-date information on new types and types of cyber threats.
Development of customs control in the system of ensuring the financial security of a country
Authors: Petruk Olexandr , Vyhovska Nataliya , Kostyshyn Yuriy
Published: April 2023

The paper is devoted to developing customs control in the system of ensuring a country’s financial security. The purpose of the study is to form ways of developing customs control in the system of ensuring a country’s financial security using the methodological tools of gap analysis to identify, assess and eliminate strategic gaps caused by non-fulfillment of planned indicators of customs revenues to the consolidated budget. The study is conducted on the example of Ukraine. In the course of the study, the causes of strategic gaps are identified, and strategic initiatives are formed to develop customs control in the country’s financial security system, which are related to the structure of its mechanism. Implementing the proposed strategic initiatives will contribute to the growth of the country’s economy and its entry into the European Economic Area; development of mutually beneficial forms of cooperation with other countries; elimination of the negative impact of external and internal threats on the financial security system.
Estimation of multivariate design quantiles for drought characteristics using joint return period analysis, Vine copulas, and the systematic sampling method
Authors: Yang Jie , Yao Jun
Published: April 2023

The Wei River Basin has suffered from severe droughts. It is essential to build drought relief projects to cope with drought disasters. Traditionally, design quantiles have been estimated using univariate analysis, in which multiple characteristics of hydrological events are not considered. To design the more appropriate hydrological projects for the case study area, the Wei River Basin, it is essential to conduct research on multivariate analysis allowing multiple characteristics to be considered simultaneously. Here, the authors focus on hydrological drought (the basis for designing a hydrological project), and a framework to calculate the joint design quantiles of three drought characteristics is proposed. The most likely design quantiles relating to a specific return period, reflecting the highest occurrence probabilities among multiple combinations of variables, are derived by the maximum joint probability density function. Results show that compared to univariate analysis, design quantiles calculated via joint return period yield infrastructure with a smaller total storage capacity in the study area relating to a specific return period, i.e., reduces the economic input while maintaining the project safety. Proposed methods bring new sights to the design project. However, multi-method comparisons considering more uncertainties, inherent laws, investment, and other limited factors are still vital.