bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiofrequency ablation induces tumor cell dissemination in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhuang Bowen , Zhu Xi , Lin Jinhua , Zhang Fuli , Qiao Bin , Kang Jihui , Xie Xiaohua , Wei Xunbin , Xie Xiaoyan
Published: November 2023

Background

We tested the hypothesis that radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) promotes tumor cell release and explored a method for reducing these effects.

Methods

A green fluorescent protein-transfected orthotopic HCC model was established in 99 nude mice. In vivo flow cytometry was used to monitor circulating tumor cell (CTC) dynamics. Pulmonary fluorescence imaging and pathology were performed to investigate lung metastases. First, the kinetics of CTCs during the periablation period and the survival rate of CTCs released during RFA were investigated. Next, mice were allocated to controls, sham ablation, or RFA with/without hepatic vessel blocking (ligation of the portal triads) for evaluating the postablation CTC level, lung metastases, and survival over time. Moreover, the kinetics of CTCs, lung metastases, and mice survival were evaluated for RFA with/without ethanol injection. Pathological changes in tumors and surrounding parenchyma after ethanol injection were noted. Statistical analysis included t-test, ANOVA, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves.

Results

CTC counts were 12.3-fold increased during RFA, and 73.7% of RFA-induced CTCs were viable. Pre-RFA hepatic vessel blocking prevented the increase of peripheral CTCs, reduced the number of lung metastases, and prolonged survival (all p ≤ 0.05). Similarly, pre-RFA ethanol injection remarkably decreased CTC release during RFA and further decreased lung metastases with extended survival (all p ≤ 0.05). Histopathology revealed thrombus formation in blood vessels after ethanol injection, which may clog tumor cell dissemination during RFA.

Conclusion

RFA induces viable tumor cell dissemination, and pre-RFA ethanol injection may provide a prophylactic strategy to reduce this underestimated effect.

Relevance statement

RFA for HCC promotes viable tumor cell release during ablation, while ethanol injection can prevent RFA induced tumor cell release.

Key points

• RFA induced the release of viable tumor cells during the ablation procedure in an animal model.

• Hepatic vessel blocking can suppress tumor cells dissemination during RFA.

• Ethanol injection can prevent RFA-induced tumor cell release, presumably because of the formation of thrombosis.

Graphical Abstract
Identification of the cuproptosis-related ceRNA network and risk model in acute ischemic stroke by integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Jia Fang , Zhang Bingchang , Li Chongfei , Yu Weijie , Li Zhangyu , Wang Zhanxiang
Published: November 2023

Background

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is one of the leading contributors to death and disability in adults. And cuproptosis is a novel type of cell death. Yet, its role in AIS is still unknown.

Methods

The mRNA, miRNA, and circRNA expression data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. We explored differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs), microRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and cuproptosis-related genes (DECuRGs) after AIS. With the target prediction tools, we constructed a cuproptosis-related competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network mediated by circRNAs in AIS. Afterward, functional enrichment analysis, cytoHubba plugin, protein–protein interaction, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and unsupervised clustering analysis were performed to determine the critical genes and relevant pathways. Machine learning techniques were used to identify the optimal risk model. The CIBERSORT was applied to explore the immune-infiltrating characteristics in AIS samples. Finally, two independent datasets were employed to verify the predictive value of the risk model.

Results

Altogether, 26 DECuRGs were identified in this study. Enrichment analysis revealed that they participated in the reactive oxygen metabolism, inflammatory responses, and corresponding cuproptosis-related biological processes. Of the DECuRGs, MTF1 and UBE2D2 were included in the ceRNA network, comprising three circRNA-miRNA and two miRNA-mRNA interaction pairs. Hub gene analysis determined the hub regulatory axis in the process of cuproptosis, namely, MTF1-miR-765-circ_0040760/0068531. We finally constructed a 5-gene risk model (C10orf32, NUCB1, AX748267, MRPL28, and PPP1R15A) by multiple analyses, which was validated by two independent datasets (AUC = 0.958 and 0.668). Besides, significant differences in immune cell infiltration were observed between AIS patients and normal controls. The levels of neutrophils were correlated with most of the DECuRGs. The ceRNA axis identified in this study was also associated with the immune microenvironment of AIS patients.

Conclusion

The findings revealed that cuproptosis might be associated with AIS and that the key nodes, including the regulatory axes, might exert critical roles in the process of AIS. The risk model provided new insights into the early diagnosis and treatment of AIS.
Clinical features and therapeutic approaches of genital lichen sclerosus in children: results of an observational monocentric study
Authors: Caroppo Francesca , Mazzetto Roberto , Fortina Anna Belloni
Published: November 2023

Background

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory skin disease that presents unique challenges, particularly in the pediatric population, where limited data exist regarding its manifestation and optimal management. This retrospective observational monocentric study aims to provide insights into the clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies employed, in a cohort of children and adolescents with genital lichen sclerosus.

Methods

A comprehensive analysis was conducted involving a cohort of 60 pediatric patients ranging from 1 to 15 years old, all diagnosed with lichen sclerosus. These cases were referred to the Pediatric Dermatology Regional Center of the University of Padua, Italy, between January 2018 and January 2022. Moreover, we propose a treatment protocol that showed beneficial outcomes in all of our patients. Specifically, the initial use of mid-potency topical corticosteroids has proven effective in addressing severe acute flares. Following this acute phase, transitioning to long-term treatment with topical calcineurin inhibitors, such as tacrolimus or pimecrolimus, has demonstrated effectiveness in maintaining remission of the disease and also shown efficacy in treating mild cases. The therapeutic effectiveness was assessed by considering various clinical aspects, including erythema, paleness, skin erosions, and specific symptoms such as itching, burning, and pain.

Results

Erythema emerged as the predominant clinical sign, reported in 43 (78.3%) patients, followed by paleness, reported in 17 (28.3%) patients. Pruritus was observed in 25 girls (58.1% of females) and 2 boys (11.8% of males), while pain and burning sensations were predominantly reported in female children. Among females, we observed a higher prevalence of cutaneous comorbidities, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, alopecia areata, and linear scleroderma, as opposed to autoimmune systemic diseases, that were more prevalent in males. Regarding therapeutic approaches, 21 (35.0%) patients applied topical corticosteroids, 28 (46,7%) applied topical tacrolimus and 21 (35,0%) applied topical pimecrolimus. All treated patients experienced notable benefits following the initiation of treatment proposed by our protocol.

Conclusions

This study provides further insights into the clinical presentation and management of lichen sclerosus in the pediatric population, shedding light on potential therapeutic pathways for optimizing patient outcomes in this specific demographic. The proposed protocol appears to be a promising strategy, especially when the onset of the disease occurs during childhood.
The role of magnetic resonance enterography and diffusion-weighted imaging in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease compared to endoscopic and clinical activity scores: pilot study
Authors: Saleh Gehad Ahmad , Razek Ahmed Abdel Khalek Abdel , Awad Sara Ibrahim , Shokeir Mohamad Abd El Rahaman , Megahed Ahmed
Published: November 2023

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered as significant cause of morbidity in children with a global rise in its pediatric onset recently. Our study aimed to assess the facility of magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to identify the activity of pediatric IBD in correlation with clinical and endoscopic activity scores. Twenty-four patients of IBD who underwent clinical examination, ileocolonoscopy and MRE and DWI within less than 14 days were prospectively included. For all Crohn’s cases (9/24), the simplified endoscopic activity score for Crohn’s disease (SES-CD) and magnetic resonance enterography global score (MEGS) were acquired, while for all UC (15/24) cases, MRE score and Mayo endoscopic score were calculated. Sensitivity and specificity of MRE for detection disease activity against clinical and endoscopic scores were compared. Pathological reference for disease activity was based on assessment for mucosal inflammatory changes on endoscopic biopsy in all cases.

Results

There was a perfect inter-observer agreement (kappa 0.81–1) regarding wall thickening and mural edema, with substantial agreement (kappa 0.61–0.8) for MRE severity score, mural diffusion restriction, mesenteric edema and vascular congestion, while mural enhancement and for number of active LNs revealed moderate agreement (kappa 0.41–0.6). There was a significant positive correlation between MEGS and SES-CD in Crohn’s cases as well as between Mayo endoscopic score and MRE severity in UC cases (r = 0.970, p > 0.001 and r = 0.544, p = 0.036, respectively). MRE compared to endoscopic findings and clinical activity scores revealed high accuracy (95.8%) with 87.5%, 80%, 96% and 94.1% for sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV, respectively.

Conclusion

MR enterography is a noninvasive reliable imaging modality of high accuracy for the diagnosis of pediatric IBD severity compared to endoscopic activity scores and pathological severity.
Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials and video head impulse test in cochlear otosclerosis
Authors: Elmoazen Doaa Mohamed , Asal Samir Ibrahim , Ziton Shimaa Mohamed
Published: November 2023

Background

Otosclerosis is one of the most common causes of hearing loss in adults with clinical onset between 20 and 40 years of age. Vestibular symptoms may be the most agonizing and primary symptom in cases with otosclerosis, so the assessment of patients is important. The vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials test (VEMP) is used to assess the saccular and the utricular functions using cervical and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP and oVEMP), respectively. The video head impulse test (vHIT) which measure vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) to rapid impulsive head acceleration in the plane of each semicircular canal (SCC) has allowed quantitative monitoring of each canal function.

Methods

Twenty subjects with bilateral otosclerosis were studied, ranging in age from 30 to 55 years, divided into two groups. One group consisted of 10 adult patients with bilateral conductive otosclerosis. The second group consisted of 10 adult patients with bilateral mixed otosclerosis. All the patients underwent cVEMP and oVEMP, using a BC 500Hz tone burst stimulus and vHIT in three planes, left anterior right posterior (LARP), right anterior left posterior (RALP), and lateral SCCs.

Results

The findings indicate statistically significant differences in the peak-to-peak amplitudes of cVEMP and oVEMP in the two studied groups, and the mixed cases had lower amplitudes than conductive cases and a significant increase in p13 latencies. Also, there is a statistically significant difference in the lateral SCC gain between the two groups, as mixed cases had lower gain than conductive cases, but not for anterior or posterior SCCs, with no gain less than 0.8 in all three canals.

Conclusion

The findings suggested that the saccule is more liable to be affected by cochlear otosclerosis followed by the utricle. The three SCCs are mostly spared.
Clinical Factors Affecting Daily Dosage of Desmopressin Orally Disintegrating Tablets in Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency
Authors: Hoshino Yoshitomo , Inoue Kosuke , Ikeda Sara , Goshima Yukiko , Tatsushima Keita , Fukuhara Noriaki , Okada Mitsuo , Nishioka Hiroshi , Yamada Shozo , Takeuchi Yasuhiro , Takeshita Akira
Published: November 2023

Context

Desmopressin orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) are widely used to treat arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D). However, limited information is available on the dosage regimen; the dosage for each patient is selected based on their response to the initiation dose.

Objective

To investigate the relationships between clinical characteristics and the daily dose of ODTs and to identify factors that affect ODT dosages.

Methods

This retrospective study included 209 adult patients with AVP-D. Patients were administered ODTs sublingually and instructed to restrict eating and drinking for 30 minutes after taking ODTs using a patient leaflet. ODT dose titration was conducted during hospitalization with close monitoring of urine output, body weight, and serum sodium levels. Multivariable linear regression models were applied to identify clinical factors associated with the daily dose of ODTs at discharge. We also evaluated the dosage at 1 year in 134 patients who were followed up in our hospital.

Results

The median daily dose of ODTs at discharge was 90 µg (IQR 60-120 µg). Multivariable linear regression models identified sex, age, and estimated creatinine clearance (eCCr) as significant factors associated with the daily dose of ODTs, with eCCr having the strongest effect. After excluding patients recovering from AVP-D, 71% of those followed up at our hospital took the same daily dose at 1 year after discharge.

Conclusion

To achieve the safe and stable treatment of AVP-D, the daily dose of ODT needs to be selected based on a patient's sex, age, and eCCr under appropriate sublingual administration by patient education.
Colonial Reckoning
Authors: Pérez Louis A.
Published: November 2023

In Colonial Reckoning Louis A. Pérez Jr. examines Cuba's wars for independence in the second half of the nineteenth century, focusing specifically on those Cubans who remained loyal to Spain. Drawing on newspaper articles, personal letters, military battle reports, government commissions, consular reports, literature, and other materials, Pérez shows how everyday black, white, and creole Cubans defended the Spanish empire as paramilitary guerrillas alongside white elites. These loyalist Cubans helped the Spanish fight a separatist insurgency composed of a similarly diverse population of Cubans. Pérez demonstrates that these wars were so deadly and drawn out precisely because Cubans fought on both sides, each holding myriad competing visions of sovereignty and contested meanings of nation. Complicating mythical and historiographical narratives that Cuban national liberation was a struggle waged between Cubans of color and white elites beholden to Spain, Pérez shows that the fight consisted of a great number of factions with unique and evolving motivations. In so doing, he interrogates anew the multifaceted social dimensions and multiple political aspects of the complex drama of Cuban national formation.
Building student loyalty in higher education: the role of corporate reputation
Authors: Raja Estacio Dinazarte Omar
Published: November 2023

Background Reputation is a vital asset for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as it constitutes a source of competitive advantage because it works as a quality sign for the stakeholders. Because of globalisation, decreasing funding and the changing environment in the Mozambican higher education market, HEIs need to build a favourable reputation to stay relevant. This research aims to study how a university’s reputation can influence student loyalty. Methods Utilizing a descriptive and analytical methodology, a quantitative investigation was carried out by surveying 402 students enrolled in higher education institution (HEI) courses in Mozambique. The research employed a survey questionnaire to directly collect information from the study participants. Results The study concluded that university reputation affects student loyalty, as the relationship between both variables is statistically significant. All dimensions of HEIs reputation, namely, academic competence, social attractiveness, and responsible management, positively impact student loyalty. Although, the latter variable did not have a statistically significant impact, contradicting the current theoretical framework. Conclusions The study’s findings suggest that corporate reputation has a favorable impact on student loyalty, demonstrating a significant relationship between the two factors. Therefore,improve student retention, HEIs should seek to enhance their academic competence and social attractiveness. Furure research The study suggests future research should address sample composition issues by increasing representation from underrepresented groups. It recommends a more in-depth exploration of the responsible management construct, advocating for the inclusion of context-specific indicators. Furthermore, the study proposes investigating additional factors to enhance the understanding of the relationship between university reputation and student loyalty.
The impact of an ethics curriculum in a longitudinal integrated clerkship: a qualitative study of graduates
Authors: Keverline Kelsey , Clay Tyler , Bossingham Jesse , Kirkland Jacob , Fromewick Jill , Beck Dallaghan Gary , Latessa Robyn
Published: November 2023

Background: Little is known about the effectiveness of ethics education in developing knowledge and skills in medical schools that persist into residency and beyond. While previous research has demonstrated that graduates of Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships (LICs) continue practices of patient-centeredness and empathy, to our knowledge, no studies have looked at effect of a medical ethics curriculum integrated into LICs.

Methods: In 2011, the University of North Carolina School of Medicine-Asheville initiated an Ethics and Humanism course alongside the LIC. The goals of the program were for students to be able to identify ethical issues as they arose and exercise moral imagination in resolving these issues. Later, practices of mindfulness and writing were added. We conducted a qualitative case study using The Kirkpatrick Model of training evaluation to assess graduates of this course in their capacity to apply those skills in ongoing clinical practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed and independently coded. The Kirkpatrick Model informed the organization of codes into themes.

Results: The qualitative analysis reached thematic saturation with review of 22 graduates’ interview transcripts. The findings of this study suggest that the Ethics and Humanism curriculum successfully shaped how respondents approached ethical tensions and the healthcare system more broadly. Furthermore, the interviews revealed that respondents used moral imagination in their approaches to conflict resolution and advocacy projects.

Discussion: We found graduates of this ethics curriculum continued to identify ethical dilemmas in their daily clinical practice and using moral imagination to address and resolve conflicts. Our findings suggest that linking ethics education to the clinical curriculum may develop persistent skills in navigating ethical dilemmas and increase graduates’ capacity to be resilient, holistic physicians. The potential benefits of this program in preventing burnout are explored. We believe this demonstrates the value of a dedicated ethics curriculum integrated into an LIC.
To addend or not to addend? Exploring medical student and resident perceptions of the use of student notes for billing purposes
Authors: Haines Shannon , Nelson Kari , Samson Kaeli , Gollehon Nathan
Published: November 2023

Background: Clinical documentation is an essential skill for which medical students are often not prepared. Changes in documentation rules for medical students allow the utilization of student notes for official billing purposes, which requires investigation for possible educational intervention. Potential benefits to medical learners and impacts on feasibility and workflow must be explored. Methods: Pediatric clerkship students were randomly assigned to one of two inpatient hospitalist teams: control group students wrote daily notes that were not addended or used for billing; study group students’ notes were used for billing after being addended by resident and faculty members. At the end of the clerkship, residents and medical students completed surveys and focus groups. Results: In surveys, residents from both groups reported similar satisfaction with medical student documentation. Study group students spent more time reviewing notes, found the feedback from residents beneficial, and felt their experience with documentation was more valuable than control group students. Focus group themes included: educational value for learners, increased student engagement, possible negative impact on workflow, inherent feedback in reviewing edits, the importance of clear communication, and minimal effects on patient care. Conclusions: Our results highlight the potential educational benefits of using student notes as official documentation and provide evidence that this practice may not negatively impact resident learners.
Nacjonalizm
Authors: Doncow Dmytro
Published: November 2023

Na skutek dużego rozpropagowania w Polsce poglądów Jerzego Giedroycia problematyka relacji polsko-ukraińskich jest w znacznej mierze widziana w fałszywym świetle oraz częściowo zaniedbana. Ta publikacja ma więc za zadanie wypełnić istotną lukę i przyczynić się do właściwego spojrzenia na to zagadnienie. Doktryna nacjonalizmu, którego głównym teoretykiem był Dmytro Doncow, i którego Nacjonalizm stał się podstawową pracą teoretyczną i wytyczną dla kilku już generacji członków i zwolenników OUN, poza tym, że przyczyniła się do krzewienia antyrosyjskich postaw na Ukrainie, wykazywała jeszcze cechy faszystowskie. Jej osnową był „darwinizm społeczny”, a jedną z zasadniczych cech – umacnianie Ukraińców w nienawiści do innych narodów. Doktryna Doncowa, przyczyniając się do siania nienawiści, była pośrednią przyczyną ludobójstwa dokonanego na Polakach przez UPA, chociaż sam Doncow, jako mieszkaniec II Rzeczypospolitej, nie wypowiadał się wprost przeciw Polakom. Tu trzeba przypomnieć ocenę jego roli w kształtowaniu postaw młodego pokolenia Ukraińców z międzywojnia, którą znajdujemy w paryskich „Zeszytach Historycznych”. Jeden z publicystów tak pisze: „gdy chodziło o znaczną część społeczeństwa [ukraińskiego – B.G.], a zwłaszcza o młode pokolenia, [Doncow – B.G.] był niemal wyłącznym władcą uczuć i myśli. Młodzi nacjonaliści ukraińscy z OUN widzieli w nim przywódcę z powszechnej nominacji, ideologa o niewątpliwym autorytecie, niemal narodowego proroka”. Bogumił Grott, Przedmowa
Food-Insecure from the Start
Authors: Jastrzębiec-Witowska Anna
Published: November 2023

The 2022 infant formula crisis has brought a new meaning to food insecurity, generally understood as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food” (USDA Economic Research Service, Definitions of Food Security). The problem has been affecting a specific social category: people caring for infants. As expected, it exacerbated food insecurity and food worries among low income and minority families, but also impacted families commonly perceived as the middle class. There are no easy solutions to the problem which combines post-pandemic supply disruptions with a decadeslong market concentration in the domestic formula sector, with four companies controlling around 90% of the market supply and virtually none coming from other countries due to steep import tariffs on the most formula (Horsley). Throughout the spring and summer of 2022, the formula crisis served as a proxy for the interplay of economic, political, and social conflicts extant in the United States. Besides direct conflicts, like those between formula manufacturers, families in need of formula, and breastfeeding advocates, there are also post-2020 presidential election conflicts between those who accepted the results and those who rejected them. These conflicts will be examined here, as well as the responsibilities of government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that important food staples such as baby formula meet stringent safety criteria, which — given the current shape of the U.S. food system — could lead to depletion of these very supplies when problems arise. While the blame game continues and becomes political, with fingers being pointed at manufacturers, government agencies, the Biden administration and even the babies of migrants detained at the U.S. borders, no longterm policies preventing such a crisis in the future have been established. The measures implemented by the Biden administration to alleviate the problem, including 26 events of Operation Fly Formula to transport infant milk to the U.S. from various parts of the world, reduced the crisis only to a certain extent. Much bolder steps against market concentration in the milk formula sector and towards a smarter imports policy and better hygiene standards in production facilities must be taken to increase the food security of infants and young children in the United States.
Canadian Federal Policies and the Inuit Youth Suicide Crisis
Authors: Kwiatek Gabriela
Published: November 2023

Since the late 1980s, an unusually high number of suicides and cases of self-harm has been recorded among the Indigenous inhabitants of the Canadian Arctic, the Inuit. The statistics on child and adolescent suicides are particularly drastic. This situation appears to be primarily a symptom of historical trauma which was acquired due to the colonization and assimilation processes and passed down from generation to generation. Federal policies, such as forced relocations and residential schools, have directly contributed to the severing of family ties and the abandonment of traditional lifestyles. Over the years, the federal government tried to address the issue of the Inuit youth suicide crisis through various proposals. The best strategies to end the suicide crisis seem to be the respect and incorporation of Indigenous leadership, upholding local traditions and ceremonies, as well as investing in psychological support and family therapy for the first inhabitants of the Arctic. To effectively address the problem, the solution must be comprehensive and Inuit-specific rather than symptom-focused. This article discusses how particular federal policies and programs in northern Canada have impacted the communal well-being of the Inuit, and it outlines the most important strategies aiming at decreasing suicide rates among Inuit youth.
A Decision Rule Approach for Two-Stage Data-Driven Distributionally Robust Optimization Problems with Random Recourse
Authors: Fan Xiangyi , Hanasusanto Grani A.
Published: November 2023

We study two-stage stochastic optimization problems with random recourse, where the coefficients of the adaptive decisions involve uncertain parameters. To deal with the infinite-dimensional recourse decisions, we propose a scalable approximation scheme via piecewise linear and piecewise quadratic decision rules. We develop a data-driven distributionally robust framework with two layers of robustness to address distributional uncertainty. We also establish out-of-sample performance guarantees for the proposed scheme. Applying known ideas, the resulting optimization problem can be reformulated as an exact copositive program that admits semidefinite programming approximations. We design an iterative decomposition algorithm, which converges under some regularity conditions, to reduce the runtime needed to solve this program. Through numerical examples for various known operations management applications, we demonstrate that our method produces significantly better solutions than the traditional sample-average approximation scheme especially when the data are limited. For the problem instances for which only the recourse cost coefficients are random, our method exhibits slightly inferior out-of-sample performance but shorter runtimes compared with a competing approach.

History: Accepted by Nicola Secomandi, Area Editor for Stochastic Models & Reinforcement Learning.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grants 2342505 and 2343869].

Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2021.0306 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2021.0306 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .
The need for improved spontaneous coronary artery dissection care
Authors: Elliott Natalie , Pearsons Alice , Hanson Coral L , Neubeck Lis
Published: November 2023

In this article, Natalie Elliot and colleagues discuss the need for improved care for patients who have experienced spontaneous coronary artery dissection.
Improving risk management – combining security and cyber insurance practices
Authors: Baird Paul
Published: November 2023

Cyber insurance will help you deal with the costs of recovering from a breach. But it can also play a deeper role. Insurance companies now demand that organisations demonstrate their security preparedness, and this means having a detailed and accurate picture of your infrastructure and IT estate. The tools you use to obtain this picture can also give you the insight you need to improve your readiness.
Encryption blind spots: shining a light on cloud network traffic
Authors: Jow Mark
Published: November 2023

Monitoring for and detecting malicious activity on your networks is being made harder by the increasing volume of encrypted traffic. This encryption exists for good reasons, particularly when cloud services are in play, but threat actors are exploiting its inscrutability to gain access to networks and loiter for extended periods. However, extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) network analysis technology offers the possibility to gain full visibility into encrypted traffic across VM or container workloads.
The impact environmental variance in waiting rooms has on the expression of fear in canine patients
Authors: Riley Izzy
Published: November 2023

Canine patients commonly express fear-related behaviour while in practice. Prior research predominately focuses on the efficacy of interventions, such as dog appeasing pheromone, often without consideration for surroundings. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the influence environmental factors in the waiting room may have on the expression of fear-related behaviours in canine patients visiting a veterinary practice. Convenience sampling was used to test a canine sample population of 54 dogs (aged 1–10 years old) across 5 different practices. Patient behaviour was observed pre- and post-consultation during the period of time patients were in the waiting room. Analysis of these data demonstrated a significant reduction in fear during the post-consultation phase (Z=-3.821, P<0.001). Environmental aspects of each practice were scored and analysed against behavioural data, demonstrating weak negative correlation (rs=-0.27, P=0.050) between environmental scores and pre-consultation behaviour scores. A weak positive correlation (rs=0.28, P=0.035) between slippery flooring and increased fear was also found. Negative aspects of the environment such as flooring, noise and footfall should be considered and manipulated where possible to promote positive patient experiences. Further research should use a stratified sampling method to ensure variance between patients and practice designs. This research has provided proof of concept for this methodology and field of enquiry, providing scope for further research of this kind on a larger sample population of practices and patients.
HALK KÜLTÜRÜNDE İĞNE MOTİFİ VE İŞLEVLERİ: TÜRK MASALLARI ÖRNEKLEMİNDE
Authors: DEMİR Rugeş
Published: November 2023

Giyim sektöründen tıpa pek çok alanda kullanılan iğne, sosyal hayatta geniş bir kullanım alanı vardır. İğnenin çelikten üretilmesi, paslanmaması ve sivri bir yapıya sahip olması onu diğer madenlerden farklı kılmıştır. Bu yönüyle birçok sözlü anlatıda yer almış ve çeşitli işlevlere sahip olmuştur. Şüphesiz iğnenin en çok görüldüğü anlatılardan biri masallardır. Halk edebiyatı anlatmalarında bir motif olarak kullanılan iğne, Stith Thompson’ın “Motif-Index of Folk-Literature” adlı eserinde “D Sihir” başlığı altında yer almaktadır. İğne temelde demir kültünün bir yansımasıdır. Buradan hareketle demirin halk edebiyatı anlatmalarında geniş bir yansıması olduğu görülmüştür. Bu makalede derlemeye yönelik masal konulu akademik çalışmalar esas alınmıştır. Türk dünyasının belirli yerlerinden ve Anadolu’nun yedi bölgesinden derlenen masallarda iğne motifinin nasıl ve ne şekilde kullanıldığı tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Yapılan incelemeler neticesinde Türk dünyasından; Tataristan, Başkurt, Doğu Türkistan, İran/Tebriz, Kazakistan ve Kırgızistan; Anadolu sahasından; Mardin, Sivas, Kastamonu, Aydın, Şırnak/İdil, Hatay (Antakya), Afyonkarahisar, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Balıkesir, Burdur/Bucak ve Konya/Ereğli gibi yörelerden derlenen masallarda iğne motifi tespit edilmiş ve bunların çeşitli işlevlerine yer verilmiştir. Elde edilen bilgilerden hareketle iğnenin masallarda genellikle; korkutma, uyarma, cezalandırma, kötü ruhlara veya kişilere karşı koruma-korunma, günlük hayatta kolaylık sağlama (yardımcı olma) ve şifa verme (iyileştirme) gibi işlevlerle ön plana çıktığı görülmüştür. Bu işlevsel özellikleriyle iğne halk edebiyatı anlatmalarında ve özellikle masallarda sembolik bir nitelik kazanmıştır.
REALİST HALK HİKÂYELERİNDE DİĞERLERİ: AZINLIKLAR VE GAYRİMÜSLİMLER
Authors: KAYABAŞI Rabia Gökcen , BURSA Veyis
Published: November 2023

Realist halk hikâyeleri; birçoğu XIX. yüzyılda yazıya geçirilen, gerçeklik unsurları ağır bastığı için halk hikâyelerinden farklılık gösteren mensur hikâyelerdir. Hançerli Hanım Hikâye-i Garîbesi, Letâifnâme, Hikâye-i Tayyarzâde, Cevrî Çelebi, Tıflî ile İki Birâderler Hikâyesi, Kanlı Bektaş, Sansar Mustafa Hikâyesi, Safiye ile Yusufşâh Hikâyesi, Hikâyet-i Sipâhî Şâdân, Hikâyet-i Hüseyin Çelebi ve Nigâr ve Şâh-ı Huban ve Kıssa-i Boşnak, Cafer Paşa Hikâyesi, Hikâye-i Sipâhî Kastamonî, Şâbûr Çelebi, Ferdâne Hanım, Hikâye-i Temimdâr, Hikâyet-i Bağdâd Şâh, Hikâyet-i Beng-i Hallaç, Evhâd Çelebi, İstanbul Batakhâneleri, Hâzâ Menâkıb-ı Fil’l-i Hümâyûn, Destân-ı Kıssa-i Şâd ile Gam, Hikâyet-i Kızılalma, Hikâyet (Kadı ile Uğrı) ve Hikâyet-i Mekr-i Zenân I-VI hikâyeleri realist halk hikâyeleri arasında değerlendirilmektedir. Bu çalışmada realist halk hikâyelerinde yer alan azınlıkların ve gayrimüslimlerin durumu incelenmiştir. Etnik azınlıklar, köleler ve cariyeler de çalışmanın konusuna dâhil edilmiştir. Hikâyeler incelenirken; Halk Edebiyatı Araştırmaları 2, Kitab-ı Mensur Realist İstanbul Hikâyeleri (Metinler), Realist Halk Hikâyelerinden Tayyarzâde Hikâyesi ile Hançerli Hanım Hikâyesi Üzerine Bir Tahlil Denemesi, Tıflî Hikâyeleri, Masaldan Romana Sözden Yazıya İstanbul Hikâyeleri ve Eski Türk Edebiyatında Mensur Hikâyeler adlı kitaplarda yer alan hikâye metinlerinden yararlanılmıştır. Realist halk hikâyelerinde yer alan azınlıklar ve gayrimüslimlerle ilgili bir araştırma yapılmamış olması bu çalışmayı gerekli kılmıştır.
Quasiconformal Gauss maps and the Bernstein problem for Weingarten multigraphs
Authors: Fernández Isabel , Gálvez José A. , Mira Pablo
Published: November 2023

Abstract: We prove that any complete, uniformly elliptic Weingarten surface in Euclidean $3$-space whose Gauss map image omits an open hemisphere is a cylinder or a plane. This generalizes a classical theorem by Hoffman, Osserman and Schoen for constant mean curvature surfaces. In particular, this proves that planes are the only complete, uniformly elliptic Weingarten multigraphs. We also show that this result holds for a large class of non-uniformly elliptic Weingarten equations. In particular, this solves in the affirmative the Bernstein problem for entire graphs for that class of elliptic equations. To obtain these results, we prove that planes are the only complete multigraphs with quasiconformal Gauss map and bounded second fundamental form.
Analysis of the critical CR GJMS operator
Authors: Takeuchi Yuya
Published: November 2023

Abstract: The critical CR GJMS operator on a strictly pseudoconvex CR manifold is a non-hypoelliptic CR invariant differential operator. We prove that, under the embeddability assumption, it is essentially self-adjoint and has closed range. Moreover, its spectrum is discrete, and the eigenspace corresponding to each non-zero eigenvalue is a finite-dimensional subspace of the space of smooth functions. As an application, we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a contact form with zero CR $Q$-curvature.
Aspherical interferometric probe with wave-plate-array detection: system design and nonlinearity analysis
Authors: Fan Xinrui , Diao Xiaofei , Wu Jianwei , Teppitaksak Achaya , Kang Yanhui , Lei Lihua , Liu Liqin
Published: November 2023

Optical probes are the preferred choice for high-precision surface metrology, necessitating improved flexibility and a broader range of motion to adapt to the increasing complexity of surfaces. This study introduces an interferometric probe designed for measuring aspheric surfaces, utilizing a wave-plate-array detection component. By integrating splitter elements into the detector, the probe improves integration and dynamic scanning performance, while maintaining high-precision measurement capability. The system design and working principle are explored, and comprehensive nonlinear models based on the Jones matrix theory are established. These models focus on the nonlinear errors arising from alignment errors in various cases. Moreover, rigorous numerical simulations and optical experiments are conducted to validate the proposed models. When the alignment error reaches 10°, it results in a maximum nonlinear error of 3.02 nm. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the models in capturing nonlinear errors induced by alignment errors, providing a theoretical foundation for error reduction and compensation.
Telephoto achromatic camera based on optical–digital co-design
Authors: Ji Jiarui , Yang Lei , Xie Hongbo
Published: November 2023

Due to the difficulty of correcting chromatic aberration (CA) in telephoto cameras, recent studies have combined image algorithms with simple optical structures, such as single-spherical lenses, for high-quality photography, moving away from complex optics. However, this approach often struggles to comprehensively address compounded issues arising from optical aberrations of simple optical systems, including defocus blur and multi-channel misalignment. To tackle this challenge, this manuscript presents an approach for developing a telephoto imaging system by leveraging the distinct characteristics of axial and lateral chromatic aberrations (ACA, LCA) over the visible spectrum. The optical design is limited to a specific wavelength range to preserve high-frequency information of the green channel. A cross-channel fitting method is presented to suppress the LCA. Subsequently, the powerful capabilities of deep learning are utilized to correct ACA, defocus blur, and other residual optical aberrations. Simulation experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in mitigating the CA inherent in telephoto systems, thereby delivering high-quality imaging results over the whole visible waveband.
Fiber-connectorized ultrafast-laser-inscribed K-band integrated optics beam combiner for the CHARA telescope array
Authors: Siliprandi Jacopo , MacLachlan David G. , Ross Calum A. , Sharma Tarun K. , Labadie Lucas , Madhav Kalaga , Nayak Abani S. , Dinkelaker Aline N. , Roth Martin M. , Scott Nicholas J. , du Foresto Vincent Coudé , Thomson Robert R. , Benoit Aurélien
Published: November 2023

A fiber-connectorized K-band integrated-optics two-telescope beam combiner was developed for long-baseline interferometry at the CHARA telescope array utilizing the ultrafast laser inscription (ULI) technique. Single-mode waveguide insertion losses were measured to be ∼1.1dB over the 2–2.3 µm window. The development of asymmetric directional couplers enabled the construction of a beam combiner that includes a 50:50 coupler for interferometric combination and two ∼75:25 couplers for photometric calibration. The visibility of the bare beam combiner was measured at 87% and then at 82% after fiber-connectorization by optimizing the input polarization. These results indicate that ULI technique can fabricate efficient fiber-connectorized K-band beam combiners for astronomical purposes.
Relief of tumor hypoxia using a nanoenzyme amplifies NIR-II photoacoustic-guided photothermal therapy
Authors: Xue Qiang , Zeng Silue , Ren Yaguang , Pan Yingying , Chen Jianhai , Chen Ningbo , Wong Kenneth K. Y. , Song Liang , Fang Chihua , Guo Jinhan , Xu Jinfeng , Liu Chengbo , Zeng Jie , Sun Litao , Zhang Hai , Chen Jingqin
Published: November 2023

Hypoxia is a critical tumor microenvironment (TME) component. It significantly impacts tumor growth and metastasis and is known to be a major obstacle for cancer therapy. Integrating hypoxia modulation with imaging-based monitoring represents a promising strategy that holds the potential for enhancing tumor theranostics. Herein, a kind of nanoenzyme Prussian blue (PB) is synthesized as a metal-organic framework (MOF) to load the second near-infrared (NIR-II) small molecule dye IR1061, which could catalyze hydrogen peroxide to produce oxygen and provide a photothermal conversion element for photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and photothermal therapy (PTT). To enhance stability and biocompatibility, silica was used as a coating for an integrated nanoplatform (SPI). SPI was found to relieve the hypoxic nature of the TME effectively, thus suppressing tumor cell migration and downregulating the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), both of which led to an amplified NIR-II PTT effect in vitro and in vivo, guided by the NIR-II PAI. Furthermore, label-free multi-spectral PAI permitted the real-time evaluation of SPI as a putative tumor treatment. A clinical histological analysis confirmed the amplified treatment effect. Hence, SPI combined with PAI could offer a new approach for tumor diagnosing, treating, and monitoring.
Employing texture loss to denoise OCT images using generative adversarial networks
Authors: Mehdizadeh Maryam , Saha Sajib , Alonso-Caneiro David , Kugelman Jason , MacNish Cara , Chen Fred
Published: November 2023

OCT is a widely used clinical ophthalmic imaging technique, but the presence of speckle noise can obscure important pathological features and hinder accurate segmentation. This paper presents a novel method for denoising optical coherence tomography (OCT) images using a combination of texture loss and generative adversarial networks (GANs). Previous approaches have integrated deep learning techniques, starting with denoising Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) that employed pixel-wise losses. While effective in reducing noise, these methods often introduced a blurring effect in the denoised OCT images. To address this, perceptual losses were introduced, improving denoising performance and overall image quality. Building on these advancements, our research focuses on designing an image reconstruction GAN that generates OCT images with textural similarity to the gold standard, the averaged OCT image. We utilize the PatchGAN discriminator approach as a texture loss to enhance the quality of the reconstructed OCT images. We also compare the performance of UNet and ResNet as generators in the conditional GAN (cGAN) setting, as well as compare PatchGAN with the Wasserstein GAN. Using real clinical foveal-centered OCT retinal scans of children with normal vision, our experiments demonstrate that the combination of PatchGAN and UNet achieves superior performance (PSNR = 32.50) compared to recently proposed methods such as SiameseGAN (PSNR = 31.02). Qualitative experiments involving six masked clinical ophthalmologists also favor the reconstructed OCT images with PatchGAN texture loss. In summary, this paper introduces a novel method for denoising OCT images by incorporating texture loss within a GAN framework. The proposed approach outperforms existing methods and is well-received by clinical experts, offering promising advancements in OCT image reconstruction and facilitating accurate clinical interpretation.
Patient-specific 3D CT Images Reconstruction from 2D KV images via Vision Transformer-based Deep-Learning
Authors: Ding Yuzhen , Holmes Jason , Li Baoxin , Vargas Carlos E. , Vora Sujay A. , Wong William W. , Fatyga Mirek , Foote Robert L. , Patel Samir H. , Liu Wei
Published: November 2023

The potential large setup uncertainties caused by limited-visibility kV images in proton machines urges a 3D-CT-reconstruction approach. A network with transformer blocks was developed and achieved a <40HU MAE. The network was accurate and efficient.
Quantification of Cells in Native Tissues with Object Detection and Weak Supervision
Authors: Thushara R. , Pradeepkumar J. , Corrigan J.J. , Engelward B.P. , Wadduwage D.N.
Published: November 2023

Most image quantification tasks in microscopy can be re-formulated as object detection problems, which has advantages over segmentation. In this research, we demonstrate the effectiveness of object detectors using Faster R-CNN and a semi-supervised quantification algorithm.
The Spatial Coherence Radius of a Laguerre-Gaussian Laser Beam: the Ouroboros Radius
Authors: Gregory Samantha
Published: November 2023

The spatial coherence radius of Laguerre-Gaussian laser beams has been determined and named the ouroboros radius. The accepted degree of coherence required for the spatial coherence radius is questioned and an alternate value is presented.