bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In situ off‐line extracorporeal photopheresis conducted in a real‐life situation at a Hemobiotherapy Department in France: A comparison of costs vs on‐line procedure
Authors: Azar Nabih , Ouzegdouh Maya , Choquet Sylvain , Goncalves Natalia , Leblond Véronique
Published: November 2021

Background

The off‐line extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) procedure requires photosensitization in an external cell therapy laboratory as per the French regulatory requirement. This regulation results in higher time and costs compared with the on‐line alternative performed entirely at the patient's bedside. Recently, full in situ execution of the off‐line procedure has been implemented in the Pitié‐Salpêtrière Hospital Hemobiotherapy Department (Paris, France). This report summarizes the center's experience regarding the organizational and costs impacts of this change compared with the on‐line procedure.

Material and methods

ECP was broken down into stages, and several procedures were monitored prospectively in real‐life settings. The total costs associated with both procedures were the sum of the fixed costs and variable costs related to all stages of the procedures, nursing‐time costs, property costs, and patient‐related production loss costs.

Results

Eight off‐line ECP and fourteen on‐line ECP procedures were monitored during five consecutive days. Procedure duration was not different (median 137.5 vs 154.0 minutes, P = .29). Times and costs associated with nursing were higher but offset by lower fixed costs of the off‐line ECP. Total direct costs per procedure associated with using the off‐line ECP were significantly lower than those of the on‐line procedure (459.6 ± 7.1 EUR vs 953.8 ± 6.5 EUR; P = .0002). Similar results were observed when including the costs of patient production loss.

Conclusions

As a competitive time procedure, the in situ off‐line method proved to be cost‐efficient by effectively offering similar patient treatment per year compared with the on‐line procedure.
The ultimatum bargaining game: An adaptation for teaching ethics
Authors: Bertolami Charles N. , Opazo Cristián , Janal Malvin N.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The ultimatum bargaining game has been devised by economists to measure fairness and generosity during negotiations. This study sought to adapt the game to classroom application with the intent of (a) determining whether the known outcomes would be replicated given modifications needed to make the game suitable as an educational tool and (b) sharing the resulting self‐appraisal with students themselves.

Methods

A total of 452 first‐year dental students participated in this adaptation as part of a classroom exercise. Students, identified as donors, were allocated an imaginary stake of $100 and asked to share some amount of it with a recipient classmate by making a nonnegotiable, one‐time offer. If the offer is accepted, the donor student retains any residual amount. If the offer is rejected, neither the donor nor recipient receives anything. The question being tested is whether student fairness and/or generosity change when the preferred donor status is assigned at random versus on the basis of an earned property entitlement represented here by a higher‐class rank.

Results and Conclusion

When status as Group A donors was established at random, the majority of students offered their fictitious Group B counterpart the fairest possible amount of $50 (70.4% in 2020 and 61% in 2018). However, when students were told that their status as Group A donors would be established based on their ranking in the upper half of the class, the percentage offering the fairest amount declined to 49.5% in 2020 and to 51.8% in 2018. This outcome was available for immediate disclosure to students during the classroom session; it was consistent with results previously reported for the ultimatum bargaining game; and it showed that when a property entitlement is perceived as having been earned (manifested by a higher‐class rank), fairness and generosity decline.
Morphological differences between anemophilous and entomophilous pollen
Authors: Lu Xiaojian , Ye Xiufen , Liu Jiaxi
Published: November 2021

In order to provide a palynological guide for the identification of insect‐carrying pollen grains, we studied the pollen grains of 10 anemophilous species and 10 entomophilous species in the Beijing urban area using light and scanning electron microscopies. We found that anemophilous pollen grains are small, spheroidal, or oblate spheroidal, while entomophilous pollen grains are medium and oblate. Comparison of the exine thickness and surface ornamentation showed that anemophilous pollen grains have significantly thinner exine and smoother surface ornamentation than entomophilous pollen grains. The results also revealed pollen characteristics adaptive to different pollination types. Overall, our study indicated that pollen morphology might be helpful for preliminary identification of anemophilous and entomophilous pollen.
Goal setting for nutrition and body weight in rehabilitation nutrition: position paper by the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Nutrition (secondary publication)
Authors: Wakabayashi Hidetaka , Yoshimura Yoshihiro , Maeda Keisuke , Fujiwara Dai , Nishioka Shinta , Nagano Ayano
Published: November 2021

The most important nutrition goals in rehabilitation nutrition are improving function and quality of life, and they are useful to set body weight goals to further improve these aspects. In this paper, we clarified our position, as the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Nutrition, on body weight goal setting. Body weight goals should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic/Relevant, and Timed). The standard amount of energy accumulation/deficit needed to gain/lose 1 kg body weight is 7500 kcal. In other words, if the nutrition goal is set at 1 kg body weight gain per month, daily energy accumulation can be calculated as approximately 250 kcal. It is necessary to reconcile the rehabilitation goal setting, the content, quantity, and quality of physical activity and exercise therapy, and the patient's general condition and intentions to set nutrition goals. Body weight goal setting is more variable than rehabilitation goal setting, and it is important to confirm the degree of achievement through rehabilitation nutrition monitoring.
Access to dental care and blood pressure profiles in adults with high socioeconomic status
Authors: Del Pinto Rita , Monaco Annalisa , Ortu Eleonora , Czesnikiewicz‐Guzik Marta , Muñoz Aguilera Eva , Giannoni Mario , D'Aiuto Francesco , Guzik Tomasz J. , Ferri Claudio , Pietropaoli Davide
Published: November 2021

Background

Reduced access to dental care may increase cardiovascular risk; however, socioeconomic factors are believed to confound the associations. We hypothesized that the relation persists despite economic wellness and high education, with reduced access to dental care affecting cardiovascular risk at least in part through its effect on blood pressure (BP), possibly mediated by systemic inflammation.

Methods

We first assessed the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics related to last dental visit timing (≤ or >6 months; self‐reported) using national representative cross‐sectional data. Then, the association of last dental visit timing with clinic BP was selectively investigated in highly educated, high income participants, further matched for residual demographic and clinical confounders using propensity score matching (PSM). The mediating effect of systemic inflammation was formally tested. Machine learning was implemented to investigate the added value of dental visits in predicting high BP over the variables included in the Framingham Hypertension Risk Score among individuals without an established diagnosis of hypertension.

Results

Of 27,725 participants included in the population analysis, 46% attended a dental visit ≤6 months. In the PSM cohort (n = 2350), last dental visit attendance >6 months was consistently associated with 2 mmHg higher systolic BP (P = 0.001) and with 23 to 35% higher odds of high/uncontrolled BP compared with attendance ≤6 months. Inflammation mildly mediated the association. Access to dental care improved the prediction of high BP by 2%.

Conclusions

Dental care use impacts on BP profiles independent of socioeconomic confounders, possibly through systemic inflammation. Regular dental visits may contribute to preventive medicine.
The effect of the Chinese government policies on outward foreign direct investment by domestic enterprises: A policy analysis
Authors: Peirong Pan , Al‐Tabbaa Omar
Published: November 2021

China has issued several policies aimed at driving domestic enterprises to engage in outward foreign direct investments. By analyzing these policies, their impact appeared to have a double‐edged sword effect. As China's capital inflows remained far more significant than capital outflows, the Chinese government has issued several policies, including the “Go globally” strategy and the “The Belt and Road” initiative aimed at driving domestic enterprises to engage in outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). Using policy analysis technique, we analyze the OFDI‐related advantages that can be achieved to domestic enterprises under the influence of government policies to identify their impact. While the analysis shows that the Chinese government policies promoting OFDI for enterprises, stimulating domestic enterprises to expand globally also negatively impacts the OFDIs themselves.
Remarks on infinite factorials and cardinal subtraction in ZF$\mathsf{ZF}$
Authors: Shen Guozhen
Published: November 2021

The factorial of a cardinal , denoted by , is the cardinality of the set of all permutations of a set which is of cardinality . We give a condition that makes the cardinal equality provable without the axiom of choice. In fact, we prove in that, for all cardinals , if and there is a permutation without fixed points on a set which is of cardinality , then .
Fujita's conjecture for quasi‐elliptic surfaces
Authors: Chen Yen‐An
Published: November 2021

We show that Fujita's conjecture is true for quasi‐elliptic surfaces. Explicitly, for any quasi‐elliptic surface X and an ample line bundle A on X, we have is base point free for and is very ample for .
Boundedness in a three‐dimensional chemotaxis‐Stokes system modeling coral fertilization with arbitrarily slow p‐Laplace diffusion
Authors: Liu Ji
Published: November 2021

A chemotaxis‐Stokes system modeling coral fertilization under the effects of p‐Laplace diffusion is investigated in spatially three‐dimensional setting. By making appropriate use of certain conditional estimates for chemotactic signal gradient and the fluid velocity, we prove global existence and boundedness under a mild assumption that , which extends previous results derived in [8].
Transcriptional repression of E‐cadherin in nickel‐exposed lung epithelial cells mediated by loss of Sp1 binding at the promoter
Authors: Zhang Xiaoru , Tanwar Vinay Singh , Jose Cynthia C , Lee Hyun‐Wook , Cuddapah Suresh
Published: November 2021

E‐cadherin plays a central role in the stability of epithelial tissues by facilitating cell‐cell adhesion. Loss of E‐cadherin expression is a hallmark of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), a major event in the pathogenesis of several lung diseases. Our earlier studies showed that nickel, a ubiquitous environmental toxicant, induced EMT by persistently downregulating E‐cadherin expression in human lung epithelial cells and that the EMT remained irreversible postexposure. However, the molecular basis of persistent E‐cadherin downregulation by nickel exposure is not understood. Here, our studies show that the binding of transcription factor Sp1 to the promoter of E‐cadherin encoding gene, CDH1, is essential for its expression. Nickel exposure caused a loss of Sp1 binding at the CDH1 promoter, resulting in its downregulation and EMT induction. Loss of Sp1 binding at the CDH1 promoter was associated with an increase in the binding of ZEB1 adjacent to the Sp1 binding site. ZEB1, an EMT master regulator persistently upregulated by nickel exposure, is a negative regulator of CDH1. CRISPR‐Cas9‐mediated knockout of ZEB1 restored Sp1 binding at the CDH1 promoter. Furthermore, ZEB1 knockout rescued E‐cadherin expression and re‐established the epithelial phenotype. Since EMT is associated with a number of nickel‐exposure‐associated chronic inflammatory lung diseases including asthma, fibrosis and cancer and metastasis, our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms associated with nickel pathogenesis.
Existence of steady flows of a viscous incompressible fluid through a profile cascade and their Lr‐regularity
Authors: Neustupa Tomáš
Published: November 2021

The paper deals with the steady Navier–Stokes problem, describing a flow of a viscous incompressible fluid through a spatially periodic profile cascade. Using the reduction to one spatial period Ω, the problem is formulated by means of boundary conditions of three types: the conditions of periodicity on curves Γ0 and Γ1, the Dirichlet boundary conditions on
and ΓP, and an artificial boundary condition on
(see Figure 1). For “small data,” we consider the so‐called “do nothing” boundary condition on
and prove the existence and uniqueness of a weak and strong solution in the Lr–framework. For “large data,” we consider an appropriately modified “do nothing” condition on
and prove the existence of a weak and strong solution.
Modeling of drug resistance: Comparison of two hypotheses for slowly proliferating tumors on the example of low‐grade gliomas
Authors: Bodnar Marek , Foryś Urszula
Published: November 2021

Acquired drug resistance (ADR) syndrome is one of the most important features associated with tumor treatment and it is therefore a topic of intensive studies. We present two simple mathematical models reflecting different mechanisms of ADR with some Darwinian effects included. These effects allow bi‐directional flow between resistant and sensitive compartments, meaning that not only sensitive cells become resistant but also resistant cells may become sensitive again. Basing on this mathematical approach, we conclude that, for constant continuous treatment, if there is no flow back to the sensitive compartment, then once resistant cells appear, sensitive cells are eventually eliminated, independently of the mechanism of acquiring the resistance. However, with bi‐directional flow, the situation is a little better as the sensitive cells are not completely eliminated, although they are still outcompeted by the resistant ones. Moreover, if the therapy is stopped, resistant cells become dominated by sensitive cells and the situation changes. We discuss these mechanisms for slowly proliferating tumors on the example of gliomas.
Clinical suitability of deep learning based synthetic CTs for adaptive proton therapy of lung cancer
Authors: Thummerer Adrian , Seller Oria Carmen , Zaffino Paolo , Meijers Arturs , Guterres Marmitt Gabriel , Wijsman Robin , Seco Joao , Langendijk Johannes Albertus , Knopf Antje‐Christin , Spadea Maria Francesca , Both Stefan
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Adaptive proton therapy (APT) of lung cancer patients requires frequent volumetric imaging of diagnostic quality. Cone‐beam CT (CBCT) can provide these daily images, but x‐ray scattering limits CBCT‐image quality and hampers dose calculation accuracy. The purpose of this study was to generate CBCT‐based synthetic CTs using a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) and investigate image quality and clinical suitability for proton dose calculations in lung cancer patients.

Methods

A dataset of 33 thoracic cancer patients, containing CBCTs, same‐day repeat CTs (rCT), planning‐CTs (pCTs), and clinical proton treatment plans, was used to train and evaluate a DCNN with and without a pCT‐based correction method. Mean absolute error (MAE), mean error (ME), peak signal‐to‐noise ratio, and structural similarity were used to quantify image quality. The evaluation of clinical suitability was based on recalculation of clinical proton treatment plans. Gamma pass ratios, mean dose to target volumes and organs at risk, and normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) were calculated. Furthermore, proton radiography simulations were performed to assess the HU‐accuracy of sCTs in terms of range errors.

Results

On average, sCTs without correction resulted in a MAE of 34 ± 6 HU and ME of 4 ± 8 HU. The correction reduced the MAE to 31 ± 4HU (ME to 2 ± 4HU). Average 3%/3 mm gamma pass ratios increased from 93.7% to 96.8%, when the correction was applied. The patient specific correction reduced mean proton range errors from 1.5 to 1.1 mm. Relative mean target dose differences between sCTs and rCT were below ± 0.5% for all patients and both synthetic CTs (with/without correction). NTCP values showed high agreement between sCTs and rCT (<2%).

Conclusion

CBCT‐based sCTs can enable accurate proton dose calculations for APT of lung cancer patients. The patient specific correction method increased the image quality and dosimetric accuracy but had only a limited influence on clinically relevant parameters.
Predicting short‐term mobile Internet traffic from Internet activity using recurrent neural networks
Authors: Santos Guto Leoni , Rosati Pierangelo , Lynn Theo , Kelner Judith , Sadok Djamel , Endo Patricia Takako
Published: November 2021

Mobile network traffic prediction is an important input into network capacity planning and optimization. Existing approaches may lack the speed and computational complexity to account for bursting, non‐linear patterns, or other important correlations in time series mobile network data. We compare the performance of two deep learning (DL) architectures, long short‐term memory (LSTM) and gated recurrent unit (GRU), and two conventional machine learning (ML) architectures—Random Forest and Decision Tree—for predicting mobile Internet traffic using 2 months of Telecom Italia data for Milan.K‐Means clustering was used a priori to group cells based on Internet activity, and the Grid Search method was used to identify the best configurations for each model. The predictive quality of the models was evaluated using root mean squared error and mean absolute error. Both DL algorithms were effective in modeling Internet activity and seasonality, both within days and across 2 months. We find variations in performance across clusters within the city. Overall, the DL models outperformed the conventional ML models, and the LSTM outperformed the GRU in our experiments.
Subdivision based isogeometric analysis for geometric flows
Authors: Pan Qing , Rabczuk Timon , Chen Chong
Published: November 2021

We present a new isogeometric analysis (IGA) approach based on extended Loop subdivision scheme for solving various geometric flows defined on subdivision surfaces. The studied flows include the second‐order, fourth‐order, and sixth‐order geometric flows, such as averaged mean curvature flow, constant mean curvature flow, and minimal mean‐curvature‐variation flow, which are generally derived by minimizing the associate energy functionals with ‐gradient flow respectively. The geometric flows are discretized by means of subdivision based IGA, where the finite element space is formulated by the limit form of the extended Loop subdivision for different initial control meshes. The basis functions, consisting of quartic box‐splines corresponding to each subdivided control mesh, are utilized to represent the geometry exactly. For the cases of the evolution of open surfaces with any shape boundary, high‐order continuous boundary conditions derived from the mixed variational forms of the geometric flows should be implemented to be consistent with the isogeometric concept. For time discretization, we adopt an adaptive semi‐implicit Euler scheme. By several numerical experiments, we study the convergence behaviors of the proposed approach for solving the geometric flows with high‐order boundary conditions. Moreover, the numerical results also show the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.
A Naphthalimide‐Based Fluorescent Probe for the Detection and Imaging of Mercury Ions in Living Cells
Authors: Lei Shaoyu , Meng Xia , Wang Lizhen , Zhou Jianhua , Qin Dawei , Duan Hongdong
Published: November 2021

The selective and efficient monitoring of mercury (Hg2+) contamination found in the environment and ecosystem has been carried out. Thus, a new 1,8‐naphthalimide‐based fluorescent probe NADP for the detection of Hg2+ based on a fluorescence enhancement strategy has been designed and synthesized. The NADP probe can detect Hg2+ with high selectivity and sensitivity and a low detection limit of 13 nm. The detection mechanism was based on a Hg2+‐triggered deprotection reaction, resulting in a dramatic change in fluorescence from colorless to green at physiological pH. Most importantly, biological investigation has shown that the NADP probe can be successfully applied to the monitoring of Hg2+ in living cells and zebrafish with low cytotoxicity.
Functional interface with polyaniline in UHMWPE fiber‐reinforced composites for enhanced interfacial adhesion and damage monitoring
Authors: Zhang Bo , Yin Lijie , Wu Wenting , Tian Ming , Ning Nanying , Zhang Liqun , Wang Wencai
Published: November 2021

The interfacial interactions between ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber and polymer determine the overall performance and service life of the fiber reinforced composite materials. In this article, polyaniline (PANI) layer is uniformly deposited on the surface of the UHMWPE fiber after plasma treatment to enhance the interfacial adhesion between UHMWPE fiber and rubber. At the same time, the PANI layer can also form a conductive path at the interface to monitor the damage of the composites in real time. Compared with the untreated UHMWPE fiber, the H pull‐out force of the PANI‐deposited UHMWPE fiber with rubber is increased by 67.9%, which is due to good mechanical interlocking and chemical bond between the fiber and the matrix. Moreover, the electrical resistance change during the fiber pull‐out process has a good correlation with the pull‐out force curve, which provides a new idea for in‐situ monitoring of the damage of composites.
Nanostructuring Germanium Nanowires by In Situ TEM Ion Irradiation
Authors: Camara Osmane , Mir Anamul H. , Dzieciol Krzysztof , Greaves Graeme , Basak Shibabrata , Kungl Hans , Bosi Matteo , Seravalli Luca , Donnelly Steve E. , Eichel Rüdiger A. , Hinks Jonathan A.
Published: November 2021

Once nanomaterials have been synthesized, inducing further structural modifications is challenging. However, being able to do so in a controlled manner is crucial. In this context, germanium nanowires are irradiated in situ within a transmission electron microscope (TEM) by a 300 keV xenon ion beam at temperatures ranging from room temperature (RT) to 500 °C. The ion irradiation is performed in situ and the evolution of nanowires during irradiation is monitored. At 300 °C and below, where the temperature is low enough to allow amorphization, the ion beam causes the formation of nanostructures within the nanowires. Formation of nanopores and swelling of nanowires is observed for a very low fluence of 2.2 × 1014 and up to 4.2 × 1015 ions cm−2. At higher fluences, the thickness of the nanowires decreases, the nanowires lose their wire‐like cylindrical shape and the nanostructuring caused by the ion beam becomes more complex. The nanostructures are observed to be stable upon crystallization when the nanowires are annealed at 530 °C. Furthermore, in situ imaging allows the growth of nanopores during irradiation to be followed at RT and at 300 °C providing valuable insights into the mechanism responsible for the nanostructuring.
Construction of GQDs‐Decorated Ultrathin Bi2WO6 Nanosheets Hydrogel: a Recyclable‐Flexible Platform with Excellent Piezo‐Photocatalytic Activity for High‐Performance Water Decontamination and its Theoretical Interpretation
Authors: Wei Ziye , Gao Hongzhi , Fu Guoshuai , Yang Guowei , Li Jiling , Liu Pu
Published: November 2021

It is demonstrated that, by using the electronic reconstruction of ultrathin Bi2WO6 (BWO) nanosheets with graphene quantum dots (GQDs) upon a unique process of laser irradiation in liquid (LAL), a kind of GQDs modified BWO nanosheets under metastable state were synthesized, which performed excellent visible‐light piezo‐photocatalytic organics degradation. Furthermore, using commercial cpolyacrylamids (PAM) as the additional materials, a kind of electronic reconstruction GQDs‐BWO nanosheets hydrogel was achieved by dispersed the functionalized powders into a super absorbent polymers (SAPs) system upon in situ polymerization method, which showed that it is a bracing idea to use SAPs for water decontamination reactors to enable full use of vibration energy synergistic with light of nature to driven pollution degradation. First‐principles calculation was also simultanously performed in this study. This study may provide a new enlightenment on fabricating novel 2D nanomaterials hydrogel for efficient effluent purification and potentially other environmental or energy applications.
Current physiotherapy practice on delivering treatments for older people with dementia in Indonesia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Sari Yulisna Mutia , Burton Elissa , Lee Den‐Ching A. , Hill Keith D.
Published: November 2021

Objectives

The aims of the study were to i) explore the current practice, roles, and perceptions of physiotherapists who treat older people with and without dementia in Indonesia, ii) identify the characteristics of physiotherapists associated with treating older people and older people with dementia, and iii) identify the level of knowledge and attitudes about dementia among physiotherapists treating people with dementia in Indonesia.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study in which registered physiotherapists in Indonesia were surveyed online using Qualtrics. Descriptive statistics, linear regression and univariate logistic regression were used in this study. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to identify the characteristics of physiotherapists associated with treating older people and/or people with dementia. The Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) was used to assess level of knowledge and attitudes about dementia. Qualitative data from the survey were analyzed using thematic content analysis.

Results

The online survey was sent to 6327 physiotherapists who met the inclusion criteria and 1061 (16.8%) returned the survey. Eight hundred and eighty‐four (83.3%) respondents worked with older patients, and 632 (59.6%) worked with people with dementia. The multiple regression analysis showed that physiotherapists who have been practicing for longer (years) (OR: 1.0, 95%CI: 1.0–1.1, p ≤ 0.001) and were working in a geriatrics area (OR: 3.0, 95%CI: 1.4–6.5, p = 0.005) were more likely to treat older people with dementia. The DKAS mean score (SD) was 32.1 (±5.1)/50 indicating some limitations in dementia knowledge by respondents, and 62% of physiotherapists reported low levels of confidence in treating older people with dementia.

Conclusions

The relatively low dementia knowledge, and generally low confidence in treating people with dementia among Indonesian physiotherapists were important findings in this study. This study highlights opportunities for improvement in physiotherapist's knowledge and skills in this emerging area of practice in Indonesia.
Janus Monolayers of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides: A DFT Study
Authors: Hernández-Vázquez Miguel Ángel , de Luna Bugallo Andrés , Olguín Daniel
Published: November 2021

A computational study is presented using a sequence of full‐potential linearized augmented plane‐wave method (FP‐LAPW) within the generalized gradient approximation as well as the on‐site hybrid functionals for the exchange–correlation energy to determine the structural and electronic properties of Janus transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers in MoXY (X, Y = S, Se, Te with X different from Y) configurations. The calculated electronic band structures of the studied Janus monolayers show a Rashba splitting around the Γ point and the Zeeman spin‐splitting at the K− and K+ points. The findings suggest that these materials represent interesting 2D systems to develop different applications such as orbitronics.
A comparison of robotic versus laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: Propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Kwon Jaewoo , Lee Jae Hoon , Park Seo Young , Park Yejong , Lee Woohyung , Song Ki Byung , Hwang Dae Wook , Kim Song Cheol
Published: November 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the perioperative and pathologic outcomes of robotic distal pancreatectomy compared with a laparoscopic approach.

Methods

A total of 121 robotic distal pancreatectomies and 992 laparoscopic distal pancreatectomies were retrospectively evaluated, comparing the demographic, perioperative and pathologic outcomes. After 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) with 11 demographic variables, the factors were analysed again.

Results

Following PSM, 104 robotic distal pancreatectomy patients were compared with 208 laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy patients. The operation time and proportion of spleen preservation were not different between the groups. The rates of open conversion were lower, whereas the hospital costs were higher in the robotic group. Other perioperative outcomes and pathologic factors did not differ between the groups.

Conclusions

Although robotic distal pancreatectomy is more expensive, this operation is feasible, with a higher probability of proceeding with the planned operation and with low open conversion rate.
Distributed fault‐tolerant time‐varying formation control of heterogeneous multi‐agent systems
Authors: Ren Yi , Zhang Ke , Jiang Bin , Cheng Wanglei , Ding Yong
Published: November 2021

This article investigates the cooperative time‐varying formation control for heterogeneous multi‐agent systems (HMASs) with unknown actuator faults and external disturbances. The HMASs consist of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). In order to overcome the difficulty of coordinated control caused by the different structures of UAVs and UGVs, the comprehensive dynamics models of HMASs are derived, of which the model uncertainties as well as actuator faults and external disturbances of the models are considered. Subsequently, combining the radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs) with adaptive technology and boundary layer theory, a distributed fault‐tolerant time‐varying formation control method is designed. The proposed control method is totally distributed. Finally, the effectiveness of the controller is verified by several simulations.
Nitrogen/Sulfur Co‐Doped Carbon Dots for Enhancing Anti‐Corrosion Performance of Mg Alloy in NaCl Solution
Authors: Pan Liang , Li Guoxi , Wang Zhaoyang , Liu Dongbao , Zhu Weikang , Zhu Rilong , Hu Shilin
Published: November 2021

To reduce the corrosion of Mg alloy, an environment‐friendly Nitrogen/Sulfur co‐doped carbon dots (N/S‐CDs) was prepared using thiourea and 4‐amino salicylic acid as precursors. The corrosion inhibition behavior of N/S‐CDs for Mg alloy in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution was systematically investigated by electrochemical measurements. The results shown that N/S‐CDs could suppress the corrosion of Mg alloy and the inhibition efficiency reached 86.6 % at 50 mg L−1. The low energy gap (0.156 eV) and high dipole moment (11.19 D) indicated that N/S‐CDs has a strong chemical adsorption on Mg by quantum chemistry calculation. Meanwhile, the adsorption process is conformed to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, belonging to the physical/chemical mixed adsorption.
A systematic mapping study on the employment of neural networks on software engineering projects: Where to go next?
Authors: dos Santos Rodrigo Augusto , Vieira Darli , Bravo Alencar , Suzuki Larissa , Qudah Fadiah
Published: November 2021

Deep learning has recently experienced explosive growth in use, largely due to advances in neural networks and the availability of large corpora of domain data. Project management activities generate and handle large volumes of data. Software engineering closely relates to project management, so software engineering projects must be prone to the use of neural networks. We seek to obtain an accurate vision of how neural networks are being used in software engineering projects through a systematic mapping study. We confirm that neural networks have already made their way into these projects; however, we show that their current uses are limited to certain repetitive and legacy tasks. Given uncovered ample room for expansion, we point out a few directions the industry and academy can lean toward to in the next years for taking better advantage of neural networks in software engineering projects and immediately advancing the field. We investigate if, how, and to what extent have neural networks been employed to the advancement of software engineering projects. As such, a systematic mapping study was conducted, which led to the conclusion that even though these algorithms have indeed been employed on several software engineering tasks, this employment so far has been shy, mostly relying on legacy types of neural networks. More modern variants, namely, deep learning algorithms, are slowly gaining momentum and should be the trend going forward.
Synthetic cells in biomedical applications
Authors: Sato Wakana , Zajkowski Tomasz , Moser Felix , Adamala Katarzyna P.
Published: November 2021

Synthetic cells are engineered vesicles that can mimic one or more salient features of life. These features include directed localization, sense‐and‐respond behavior, gene expression, metabolism, and high stability. In nanomedicine, many of these features are desirable capabilities of drug delivery vehicles but are difficult to engineer. In this focus article, we discuss where synthetic cells offer unique advantages over nanoparticle and living cell therapies. We review progress in the engineering of the above life‐like behaviors and how they are deployed in nanomedicine. Finally, we assess key challenges synthetic cells face before being deployed as drugs and suggest ways to overcome these challenges.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid‐Based Structures
Multimodality: Art as a Meaning-Making Process
Authors: Lähdesmäki Tuuli , Baranova Jūratė , Ylönen Susanne C. , Koistinen Aino-Kaisa , Mäkinen Katja , Juškiene Vaiva , Zaleskiene Irena
Published: November 2021

The authors of the book see multimodality as intrinsic to human communication and texts, and as consisting of a multiplicity of signs. This chapter discusses how this applies in educational settings, to examine how different modes of communication are intertwined and utilized in learning, including children’s creative learning practices. In this, the authors use the semiotic concepts that operate in all communicative contexts: Field, tenor, and mode. Through them, the authors view the CLLP as a space that enables social activities, exploration of cultural, social, and societal contents and topics, and the development of social relationships. All this occurs through various communication channels, ranging from linguistic to visual and from auditive to performative expression.
Belonging and Home
Authors: Lähdesmäki Tuuli , Baranova Jūratė , Ylönen Susanne C. , Koistinen Aino-Kaisa , Mäkinen Katja , Juškiene Vaiva , Zaleskiene Irena
Published: November 2021

In this chapter, the authors discuss artifacts in which children explore belonging and home. The chapter defines the sense of belonging as a core feature of humanity and living together. The feeling of having a home and being at home is both an intimate and a socially shared aspect of belonging. The children expressed belonging to a wide range of spaces in their artifacts. This spatial span extends from macro to micro scale and indicates belonging based on spaces, social relations, and materiality. Even very young children can see and depict their belonging as multiple and including spatial and social dimensions. The analyzed artifacts reveal both concrete and symbolic approaches to belonging and home.
Inhibition of the hERG potassium channel by phenanthrene: a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutant
Authors: Al-Moubarak Ehab , Shiels Holly A. , Zhang Yihong , Du Chunyun , Hanington Oliver , Harmer Stephen C. , Dempsey Christopher E. , Hancox Jules C.
Published: November 2021

The lipophilic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) phenanthrene is relatively abundant in polluted air and water and can access and accumulate in human tissue. Phenanthrene has been reported to interact with cardiac ion channels in several fish species. This study was undertaken to investigate the ability of phenanthrene to interact with hERG (human Ether-à-go-go-Related Gene) encoded Kv11.1 K+ channels, which play a central role in human ventricular repolarization. Pharmacological inhibition of hERG can be proarrhythmic. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings of hERG current (IhERG) were made from HEK293 cells expressing wild-type (WT) and mutant hERG channels. WT IhERG1a was inhibited by phenanthrene with an IC50 of 17.6 ± 1.7 µM, whilst IhERG1a/1b exhibited an IC50 of 1.8 ± 0.3 µM. WT IhERG block showed marked voltage and time dependence, indicative of dependence of inhibition on channel gating. The inhibitory effect of phenanthrene was markedly impaired by the attenuated inactivation N588K mutation. Remarkably, mutations of S6 domain aromatic amino acids (Y652, F656) in the canonical drug binding site did not impair the inhibitory action of phenanthrene; the Y652A mutation augmented IhERG block. In contrast, the F557L (S5) and M651A (S6) mutations impaired the ability of phenanthrene to inhibit IhERG, as did the S624A mutation below the selectivity filter region. Computational docking using a cryo-EM derived hERG structure supported the mutagenesis data. Thus, phenanthrene acts as an inhibitor of the hERG K+ channel by directly interacting with the channel, binding to a distinct site in the channel pore domain.
Differences Between Robin and Neumann Eigenvalues
Authors: Rudnick Zeév , Wigman Igor , Yesha Nadav
Published: November 2021

Let $$\Omega {\subset } {\mathbb {R}}^2$$

Ω
⊂

R

2

be a bounded planar domain, with piecewise smooth boundary $$\partial \Omega $$

∂
Ω

. For $$\sigma >0$$

σ
>
0

, we consider the Robin boundary value problem $$\begin{aligned} -\Delta f =\lambda f, \qquad \frac{\partial f}{\partial n} + \sigma f = 0 \text{ on } \partial \Omega \end{aligned}$$

-
Δ
f
=
λ
f
,

∂
f

∂
n

+
σ
f
=
0

on

∂
Ω

where $$ \frac{\partial f}{\partial n} $$

∂
f

∂
n

is the derivative in the direction of the outward pointing normal to $$\partial \Omega $$

∂
Ω

. Let $$0<\lambda ^\sigma _0\le \lambda ^\sigma _1\le \ldots $$

0
<

λ
0
σ

≤

λ
1
σ

≤
…

be the corresponding eigenvalues. The purpose of this paper is to study the Robin–Neumann gaps $$\begin{aligned} d_n(\sigma ):=\lambda _n^\sigma -\lambda _n^0 . \end{aligned}$$

d
n

(
σ
)

:
=

λ
n
σ

-

λ
n
0

.

For a wide class of planar domains we show that there is a limiting mean value, equal to $$2{\text {length}}(\partial \Omega )/{\text {area}}(\Omega )\cdot \sigma $$

2
length
(
∂
Ω
)
/
area
(
Ω
)
·
σ

and in the smooth case, give an upper bound of $$d_n(\sigma )\le C(\Omega ) n^{1/3}\sigma $$

d
n

(
σ
)

≤
C

(
Ω
)

n

1
/
3

σ

and a uniform lower bound. For ergodic billiards we show that along a density-one subsequence, the gaps converge to the mean value. We obtain further properties for rectangles, where we have a uniform upper bound, and for disks, where we improve the general upper bound.
Prospective analysis of clinically significant prostate cancer detection with [18F]DCFPyL PET/MRI compared to multiparametric MRI: a comparison with the histopathology in the radical prostatectomy specimen, the ProStaPET study
Authors: Bodar Yves J. L. , Zwezerijnen Ben G. J. C. , van der Voorn Patrick J. , Jansen Bernard H. E. , Smit Ruth S. , Kol Sabrine Q. , Meijer Dennie , de Bie Katelijne , Yaqub Maqsood , Windhorst Bert A. D. , Hendrikse Harry N. H. , Vis André N. , Oprea-Lager Daniela E.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is a well-established imaging method for localizing primary prostate cancer (PCa) and for guiding targeted prostate biopsies. [18F]DCFPyL positron emission tomography combined with MRI (PSMA-PET/MRI) might be of additional value to localize primary PCa. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of [18F]DCFPyL-PET/MRI vs. mpMRI in tumour localization based on histopathology after robot-assisted radical-prostatectomy (RARP), also assessing biopsy advice for potential image-guided prostate biopsies.

Methods

Thirty prospectively included patients with intermediate to high-risk PCa underwent [18F]DCFPyL-PET/MRI and mpMRI prior to RARP. Two nuclear medicine physicians and two radiologists assessed tumour localization on [18F]DCFPyL-PET/MRI and on mpMRI respectively, and gave a prostate biopsy advice (2 segments) using a 14-segment model of the prostate. The uro-pathologist evaluated the RARP specimen for clinically significant PCa (csPCa) using the same model. csPCa was defined as any PCa with Grade Group (GG) ≥ 2. The biopsy advice based on imaging was correlated with the final histology in the RARP specimen for a total-agreement analysis. An additional near-agreement correlation was performed to approximate clinical reality.

Results

Overall, 142 of 420 (33.8%) segments contained csPCa after pathologic examination. The segments recommended for targeted biopsy contained the highest GG PCa segment in 27/30 patients (90.0%) both for [18F]DCFPyL-PET/MRI and mpMRI. Areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for the total-agreement detection of csPCa per segment using [18F]DCFPyL-PET/MRI were 0.70, 50.0%, 89.9%, 71.7%, and 77.9%, respectively. These results were 0.75, 54.2%, 94.2%, 82.8%, and 80.1%, respectively, for mpMRI only.

Conclusion

Both [18F]DCFPyL-PET/MRI and mpMRI were only partly able to detect csPCa on a per-segment basis. An accurate detection (90.0%) of the highest GG lesion at patient-level was observed when comparing both [18F]DCFPyL-PET/MRI and mpMRI biopsy advice with the histopathology in the RARP specimen. So, despite the finding that [18F]DCFPyL-PET/MRI adequately detects csPCa, it does not outperform mpMRI.
A dynamic and thermodynamic coupling view of the linkages between Eurasian cooling and Arctic warming
Authors: Xie Yongkun , Wu Guoxiong , Liu Yimin , Huang Jianping , Nie Hanbin
Published: November 2021

Investigating the contrast between wintertime warming in the Arctic and cooling in Eurasia is of great importance for understanding regional climate change. In this study, we propose a dynamic and thermodynamic coupling view of the linkages between wintertime Arctic warming and Eurasian cooling since 1979. The key factors are the energy budget at the Earth’s surface, the diabatic heating and baroclinicity of the atmosphere, and subsurface ocean heat. A summertime origin of wintertime Arctic warming suggests a partial driving role of the Arctic in wintertime Eurasian cooling. The reasons for this finding are as follows. First, there is a dipole pattern in the diabatic heating change in winter over the Arctic Ocean corresponding to the anticyclonic circulation that links Eurasian cooling and Arctic warming. Second, the change in diabatic heating of the atmosphere is determined by sensible heat at the Earth’s surface through vertical diffusion. Third, the positive sensible heat change in the eastern Arctic sector in winter originates from the summertime enhanced absorption of solar radiation by the subsurface ocean over the sea ice loss region. Meanwhile, the negative sensible heat change in the western Arctic sector and wide Arctic warming can be explained by the circulation development triggered by the change in the east. Additionally, the background strong baroclinicity of the atmosphere in mid-high latitudes and corresponding two-way Arctic and mid-latitude interactions are necessary for circulation development in winter. Furthermore, the seasonality of the changes indicates that Eurasian cooling occurs only in winter because the diabatic heating change in the Arctic is strongest in winter. Overall, the comprehensive mechanisms from the summertime Earth’s surface and subsurface ocean to the wintertime atmosphere suggest a driving role of the Arctic. Note that the situation in interannual variability is more complex than the overall trend because the persistence of the influence of summertime sea ice is weakly established in terms of interannual variability.
Steigende Grundwasserspiegel als Herausforderung für zukünftiges Grundwassermanagement in alpinen Tälern
Authors: Kessler Timo , Marschallinger Robert , Höfer-Öllinger Giorgio
Published: November 2021

In einigen alpinen Gemeinden in Österreich sind die lokalen Grundwasserspiegel in den letzten Jahrzehnten auf kritische Niveaus angestiegen. Einerseits werden die Flächenversiegelung, der Wegfall von Retentionsräumen und die lokale Versickerung von Niederschlagswasser als Gründe für diese Entwicklung gesehen. Andererseits unterliegen Grundwasserressourcen dem Klimawandel, der sich örtlich mit variabler Grundwasserneubildung durch extreme Niederschlagsereignisse oder starke Schneeschmelze bemerkbar macht. In diesem Beitrag wird anhand einer Modellierungsstudie die Sensitivität eines lokalen, oberflächennahen Grundwasserleiters in Bezug auf naturräumliche, klimatische und anthropogene Entwicklungen analysiert. Es zeigt sich, dass eine unkontrollierte Interaktion von Oberflächengewässern maßgeblich und langfristig in den Grundwasserhaushalt eingreifen kann. Dies gilt insbesondere, wenn die Transferrate von Oberflächengewässern durch hydraulische Maßnahmen (Drainagen, Dichtwände, Sohlabdichtungen) oder natürliche Phänomene wie Hochwasser verändert wird. Die Studie verfolgt das Ziel, multiple Einflussfaktoren auf alpines Grundwassermanagement zu untersuchen und im Hinblick auf mögliche zukünftige Entwicklungen zu bewerten.
Whitefly endosymbionts: IPM opportunity or tilting at windmills?
Authors: Milenovic Milan , Ghanim Murad , Hoffmann Lucien , Rapisarda Carmelo
Published: November 2021

Whiteflies are sap-sucking insects responsible for high economic losses. They colonize hundreds of plant species and cause direct feeding damage and indirect damage through transmission of devastating viruses. Modern agriculture has seen a history of invasive whitefly species and populations that expand to novel regions, bringing along fierce viruses. Control efforts are hindered by fast virus transmission, insecticide-resistant populations, and a wide host range which permits large natural reservoirs for whiteflies. Augmentative biocontrol by parasitoids while effective in suppressing high population densities in greenhouses falls short when it comes to preventing virus transmission and is ineffective in the open field. A potential source of much needed novel control strategies lays within a diverse community of whitefly endosymbionts. The idea to exploit endosymbionts for whitefly control is as old as identification of these bacteria, yet it still has not come to fruition. We review where our knowledge stands on the aspects of whitefly endosymbiont evolution, biology, metabolism, multitrophic interactions, and population dynamics. We show how these insights are bringing us closer to the goal of better integrated pest management strategies. Combining most up to date understanding of whitefly–endosymbiont interactions and recent technological advances, we discuss possibilities of disrupting and manipulating whitefly endosymbionts, as well as using them for pest control.