bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Graphene‐Based Flexible High‐Resolution Pressure Sensors
Authors: Fu Zhiyuan , Zhu Jionglu , Zhang Qiang , Tang Weitao , Pei Zhen , Zeng Yanhong , Zhang Chunyan , Li Qiang
Published: April 2024

With the continuous development of electronic technology, sensors are moving toward miniaturization and high precision. This article focuses on the flexible, high‐resolution and miniaturized features of the sensor to design a pressure sensor. This article uses 3D printing technology to create a mold, which is injected with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and demold, distribute conductive tapes at equal distances on the PDMS film. Immerse the sensitive unit into a graphene suspension, remove it, dry it, and assemble it with a PDMS film to produce a cost‐effective flexible pressure sensor. Sensor testing shows that the sensor has fast response time and recovery time, as well as good repeatability. The consistency of the sensor in various regions is good, with excellent endurance performance and low coupling between different regions of the sensor. High‐resolution perception can be realized in an area of 9 mm × 9 mm (size of the finger pulp). To further demonstrate the high‐resolution performance of the sensor, it is used to recognize Braille and perceive the roughness of the fruit surface. The sensor works well in the scenarios of miniaturization and fitting to a robot's finger. This study also lays a solid foundation for the design and development of the next sensors in miniaturization and high resolution.
A bibliometric analysis of the review papers in finance: Evidence from the last two decades
Authors: Rabbani Mustafa Raza , Hassan M. Kabir , Dejan Austin , Bashar Abu , Hasan Md. Bokhtiar
Published: April 2024

We apply bibliometric analysis to the review papers published in the finance domain, considering 264 review and qualitative studies. The approach applied in this study involves using review studies published in finance literature from 2000 to 2022, predominantly aiming at the pedigree of such papers and unfolding the renaissance experienced by such papers in recent years. We apply bibliometric analysis to know the most influential countries, authors, institutions, and journals publishing review papers. Results of the study identified four literature review clusters: The first cluster is related to ‘corporate finance and financial markets’, the second cluster combines the studies related to ‘financial innovations and Fintech’, the third cluster is related to ‘social finance and financial inclusion’, and finally, the fourth cluster combines the studies related to ‘CSR and corporate governance’. We conclude that the bibliometric analysis and literature review papers are critical for identifying and highlighting the emerging problems in finance and motivating future academics to pursue further investigations and provide solutions.
Adaptive event‐triggered tracking control for nonlinear networked systems with dynamic quantization and deception attacks
Authors: Liu Xi‐Ming , Chang Xiao‐Heng
Published: April 2024

The problem of adaptive event‐triggered security tracking controller design is studied for interval type‐2 (IT2) Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy‐approximation‐based nonlinear networked systems with deception attacks, privacy protection, and dynamic quantization in this paper. To reduce the network burden, the adaptive event‐triggered schemes (AETSs) and dynamic quantization are introduced to reduce unnecessary transmission and the number of network packets, respectively. Under the framework of network security, a novel security co‐design scheme with the tracking controller, AETSs, and the quantizers is developed, in which the privacy protection of the reference model and the deception attacks of the controller are taken into consideration simultaneously. Sufficient conditions for the results system to be mean‐square asymptotically stable with a tracking performance are established. Finally, two practical simulation examples demonstrate the effectiveness and novelty of the proposed design strategy.
Synthesis and Characterization of Propofol‐Like Compounds, Anticancer Activities and Investigation of Their Anesthetic Effects by Molecular Docking
Authors: Demirci Serpil , Uslu Harun , Mermer Arif , Yesilay Gamze , Betul Aydin Zehra
Published: April 2024

This study was designed to synthesize hybrid molecules starting from 2,6‐diisopropyl aniline (1), which is similar to Propofol (2,6‐diisopropyl phenol), by increasing its biological activity with other heterocycles and to determine the anesthetic activity of the obtained compounds. For this purpose, commercially available 2,6‐diisopropylaniline (1) was used as a starting compound. Then, ester (2), hydrazide (3), carbothioamide (5, 6) and Schiff bases derivatives (4 a–f) were synthesized, respectively. To achieve the etomidate‐like target compound 8, compound 7 containing chloroacetamide group was firstly synthesized from starting compound 1, and this compound reacted with ethyl‐1H‐imidazole‐5‐carboxylate. The structures of the newyl synthesized 12 compounds were characterized and confirmed by FT‐IR, MALDI‐TOF/MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR.

Within the scope of in silico study, ligand binding status of all compounds on the GABAA receptor was revealed. Molecular docking studies of them with GABAA found out that the interaction modes, including van der Waals interactions, hydrogen bonds, and pi‐pi interactions, are similar to that of the cocrystalline ligand Propofol. For the compounds 1, 2, 3, 4 d, 5, 7 have micromolar (μM) level, for the compounds 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 e, 4 f, 6 and 8 have nanomolar (nM) level of inhibition has been estimated. When all data such as active localization, interacting residues, bond types formed, estimated Ki values, docking scores are evaluated together, compounds 1, 2, 3 and 7 which can be considered as synthesis starting or intermediate material, may be less effective.

On the other hand the anticancer activities of the synthesized compounds were investigated against A549 (non‐small cell lung carcinoma) and BEAS‐2B cell line (normal bronchial epithelial) cell lines using Resazurin cell viability assay. It has been revealed that the compounds 4, 5, 6 and 8 may be more active in terms of anesthetic activity, whereas only compound 6 showed anti‐cancer activity.
Monolayer Vacancy‐Induced MXene Memory for Write‐Verify‐Free Programming
Authors: Tan Dongchen , Sun Nan , Huang Jijie , Zhang Zhaorui , Zeng Lijun , Li Qikun , Bi Sheng , Bu Jingyuan , Peng Yan , Guo Qinlei , Jiang Chengming
Published: April 2024

The fundamental logic states of 1 and 0 in Complementary Metal‐Oxide‐Semiconductor (CMOS) are essential for modern high‐speed non‐volatile solid‐state memories. However, the accumulated storage signal in conventional physical components often leads to data distortion after multiple write operations. This necessitates a write‐verify operation to ensure proper values within the 0/1 threshold ranges. In this work, a non‐gradual switching memory with two distinct stable resistance levels is introduced, enabled by the asymmetric vertical structure of monolayer vacancy‐induced oxidized Ti3C2Tx MXene for efficient carrier trapping and releasing. This non‐cumulative resistance effect allows non‐volatile memories to attain valid 0/1 logic levels through direct reprogramming, eliminating the need for a write‐verify operation. The device exhibits superior performance characteristics, including short write/erase times (100 ns), a large switching ratio (≈3 × 104), long cyclic endurance (>104 cycles), extended retention (>4 × 106 s), and highly resistive stability (>104 continuous write operations). These findings present promising avenues for next‐generation resistive memories, offering faster programming speed, exceptional write performance, and streamlined algorithms.
Viologen‐Cucurbit[7]uril Based Polyrotaxanated Covalent Organic Networks: A Metal Free Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Ambrose Bebin , Madhu Ragunath , Ramamurthy Kalaivanan , Kathiresan Murugavel , Kundu Subrata
Published: April 2024

Viologen‐based covalent organic networks represent a burgeoning class of materials distinguished by their captivating properties. Here, supramolecular chemistry is harnessed to fabricate polyrotaxanated ionic covalent organic polymers (iCOP) through a Schiff‐base condensation reaction under solvothermal conditions. The reaction between 1,1′‐bis(4‐aminophenyl)‐[4,4′‐bipyridine]‐1,1′‐diium dichloride (DPV‐NH2) and 1,3,5‐triformylphloroglucinol (TPG) in various solvents yields an iCOP‐1 and iCOP‐2. Likewise, employing cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) in the reaction yielded polyrotaxanated iCOPs, denoted as iCOP‐CB[7]‐1 and iCOP‐CB[7]‐2. All four iCOPs exhibit exceptional stability under the acidic and basic conditions. iCOP‐CB[7]‐2 displays outstanding electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) performance, demanding an overpotential of 296 and 332 mV at 10 and 20 mA cm−2, respectively. Moreover, the CB[7] integrated iCOP‐2 exhibits a long‐term stable nature for 30 h in 1 m KOH environment. Further, intrinsic activity studies like TOF show a 4.2‐fold increase in generation of oxygen (O2) molecules than the bare iCOP‐2. Also, it is found that iCOP‐CB[7]‐2 exhibits a high specific (19.48 mA cm−2) and mass activity (76.74 mA mg−1) at 1.59 V versus RHE. Operando‐EIS study evident that iCOP‐CB[7]‐2 commences OER at a relatively low applied potential of 1.5 V versus RHE. These findings pave the way for a novel approach to synthesizing various mechanically interlocked molecules through straightforward solvothermal conditions.
Photoelectrochemical Communication Between Cyanobacteria and Electrospun Cellulose‐Acetate–Graphene‐Based Electrodes for Photosynthetic and Respiratorial Photocurrent and Hydrogen Generations via Sustainable Solar Energy
Authors: Atakhanov Abdumutolib , Ashurov Nurbek , Erkartal Mustafa , Yildiz Huseyin Bekir
Published: April 2024

In this article, the potential of biophotovoltaic devices (BPVs) as a sustainable solution for addressing the global energy crisis and combating climate change is explored. BPVs harness renewable electricity from sunlight and water through the photosynthetic activity of microorganisms, such as cyanobacteria and algae, serving as living photocatalysts. The focus is primarily on enhancing photocurrent outputs by developing efficient anode materials. Carbon‐based electrodes, particularly graphene (Gr), emerge as promising candidates due to their cost‐effectiveness, electrical conductivity, and mechanical strength. Despite reduced graphene oxide being commonly used, unoxidized Gr has not been extensively explored until recent research demonstrating its excellent current harvesting capacities. Additionally, 1D‐structured nanomaterials, such as electrospun nanofibers, show potential in promoting electron transport and enhancing charge collection efficiency. An innovative photoanode design is introduced, utilizing cyanobacteria immobilized on a cellulose acetate/Gr electrospun mat, offering a porous structure conducive to cyanobacterial attachment and efficient electron transfer. A complementary cathode structure, employing aniline‐modified Pt nanoparticles, facilitates the reduction of protons to yield hydrogen gas. Overall, in this study, BPVs’ potential is highlighted as a viable clean energy technology and novel approaches to enhance their efficiency and sustainability are presented.
Preparation and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Performance Study of NENU‐5/CuBr/Graphdiyne Tandem S‐Scheme Heterojunction
Authors: Kong Xu , Wang Kai , Jin Zhiliang
Published: April 2024

Graphdiyne (GDY) has been widely applied in the field of photocatalytic hydrogen production due to its unique chemical structure and excellent photoelectric performance. Herein, CuBr is used as a catalytic substrate to prepare CuBr/GDY through a cross‐coupling reaction, and a novel NENU‐5/CuBr/GDY tandem S‐scheme heterojunction photocatalyst is constructed at low temperature. The NENU‐5/CuBr/GDY heterojunction exhibits significantly enhanced activity in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, with hydrogen evolution reaching 226.62 μmol in 5 h, which is 4.7 and 12.6 times greater than that of pure GDY and NENU‐5, respectively. Comprehensive evaluation of electrochemical, photoluminescence, and time‐resolved photoluminescence indicates that the enhanced activity of the NENU‐5/CuBr/GDY composite catalyst is attributed to high photocurrent response and low electrical resistance, which increases the efficiency of photogenerated charge separation. Additionally, density functional theory calculations and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy propose the possibility of constructing the NENU‐5/CuBr/GDY tandem S‐scheme heterojunction structure. In summary, this work provides valuable ideas into tandem heterojunctions for photocatalytic hydrogen production.
Slag Electrical Conductivity and Its Effect on Mass Transport and Interfacial Reaction Kinetics
Authors: Biswas Jayasree , Hazaveh Parsa K. , Coley Kenneth S.
Published: April 2024

Pyrometallurgical refining typically involves slag–metal reactions which are commonly controlled by transport of reactants in the slag or metal phase. For the simplicity of analysis, mass transport in slag is generally treated on a phenomenological basis as transport of molecules. Although this approach works well for many of the reaction systems over narrow ranges of conditions, it can fail when extrapolated over a wide range of conditions. In many refining processes, transport of oxygen in slag determines the kinetics of major reactions. Transport of oxygen in slag is strongly influenced by the electrical conductivity of slag. Whilst this has been well understood since the 1950s, there have been relatively few attempts to quantify the effects of slag electrical properties on the refining kinetics. Herein, an overview is presented focusing on the electrical properties of slags and their effects on the transport kinetics in steelmaking reactions. An analysis is conducted based on a modified version of the approach taken by Wagner to describe oxygen transport in solid oxides. Data from the literature including work from the authors’ laboratory is discussed in an evaluation of literature oxygen transport in CaO–SiO2–FetO, CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–FetO, and PbO–Fe2O3 slags.
Predictability‐Aware Subsequence Modeling for Sequential Recommendation
Authors: Deng Hangyu , Hu Jinglu
Published: April 2024

Sequential recommendation frames the recommendation task as a next‐item prediction problem, where the model is trained to predict the next item given a user behavior sequence. While recent research has made significant progress in developing advanced models for this task, there exists a notable gap in the exploration of subsequences and the predictability inherent in user behavior sequences. This oversight can lead models to recall inconsequential sequential patterns, adversely affecting recommendation quality. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach to augmenting sequential recommendation by integrating predictability awareness into subsequence modeling. Our method begins by discerning the predictability of target items; those easily predicted often align with the preceding subsequence, while those that are hard to predict typically indicate transitions to other subsequences. Leveraging this predictability information, we enhance the discovery of meaningful subsequences within individual user behavior sequences. Evaluation of four benchmark data sets using various state‐of‐the‐art sequential models illustrates the efficacy of our approach in enhancing recommendation performance. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
What you think you know shapes what you see: How epistemology shapes curriculum, teaching, and learning
Authors: Teal Cayla R. , Tucker Constance R. , Hanson Janice L.
Published: April 2024

This article describes the need for health professions educators to consider their and others’ epistemologies in their work. It introduces four categories of epistemic beliefs and discusses common topics and their relationships to epistemological traditions, including how they can conflict with one another. It also suggests a mechanism for surfacing and managing epistemological tensions.
Formalizing the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) in health professions education (HPE): A descriptive case study of a master of education degree program in HPE
Authors: Soh Michael , Samuel Anita , Cervero Ronald M. , Durning Steven J.
Published: April 2024

This chapter describes a blended graduate degree program, built on the principles of the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), that can serve as a roadmap for how health professions education can formalize, and advance, SoTL‐based work.
A prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma patients based on polyunsaturated fatty acid‐related genes
Authors: Lin Yun , Li Ruihao , Li Tong , Zhao Wenrong , Ye Qianling , Dong Chunyan , Gao Yong
Published: April 2024

Objective

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have attracted increasing attention for their role in liver cancer development. The objective of this study is to develop a prognosis prediction model for patients with liver cancer based on PUFA‐related metabolic gene characteristics.

Method

Transcriptome data and clinical data were obtained from public databases, while gene sets related to PUFAs were acquired from the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) database. Univariate Cox analysis was conducted on the training set, followed by LASSO logistic regression and multivariate Cox analysis on genes with p < .05. Subsequently, the stepwise Akaike information criterion method was employed to construct the model. The high‐ and low‐risk groups were divided based on the median score, and the model's survival prediction ability, diagnostic efficiency, and risk score distribution of clinical features were validated. The above procedures were also validated in the validation set. Immune infiltration levels were evaluated using four algorithms, and the immunotherapeutic potential of different groups was explored. Significant enrichment pathways among different groups were selected based on the GSEA algorithm, and mutation analyses were conducted. Nomogram prognostic models were constructed by incorporating clinical factors and risk scores using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, validated through calibration curves and clinical decision curves. Additionally, sensitivity analysis of drugs was performed to screen potential targeted drugs.

Results

We constructed a prognostic model comprising eight genes (PLA2G12A, CYP2C8, ABCCI, CD74, CCR7, P2RY4, P2RY6, and YY1). Validation across multiple datasets indicated the model's favorable prognostic prediction ability and diagnostic efficiency, with poorer grading and staging observed in the high‐risk group. Variations in mutation status and pathway enrichment were noted among different groups. Incorporating Stage, Grade, T.Stage, and RiskScore into the nomogram prognostic model demonstrated good accuracy and clinical decision benefits. Multiple immune analyses suggested greater benefits from immunotherapy in the low‐risk group. We predicted multiple targeted drugs, providing a basis for drug development.

Conclusion

Our study's multifactorial prognostic model across multiple datasets demonstrates good applicability, offering a reliable tool for personalized therapy. Immunological and mutation‐related analyses provide theoretical foundations for further research. Drug predictions offer important insights for future drug development and treatment strategies. Overall, this study provides comprehensive insights into tumor prognosis assessment and personalized treatment planning.
Terpenes and polyketides from the marine‐derived fungus Penicillium sp. OPR23‐FS02 with cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects
Authors: Anh Do Hoang , Tu Nguyen Tien , Hanh Tran Thi Hong , Cuong Nguyen Xuan , Vien Le Thi , Ngan Nguyen Thi Thanh , Ha Dao Viet , Quang Tran Hong
Published: April 2024

Chemical study of the fermentation culture of the marine‐derived fungal strain Penicillium sp. OPR23‐FS02 led to isolation of ten secondary metabolites, including two terpenes, purpuride (1) and penioxalicin (2) and eight polyketides, trans‐3,4‐dihydro‐3,4,8‐trihydroxynaphthalen‐1(2H)‐one (3), chloromonilinic acid B (4), chrysophanol (5), emodin (6), ω‐hydroxyemodin (7), questin (8), endocrocin (9), and ergochrome F (10). Their structures were elucidated by analyzing their NMR and HRESI mass spectra and comparing with the literature data. Compound 9 was weakly cytotoxic against HepG2 cell line, with an IC50 value of 89.86 ± 2.63 µm. Compounds 4 and 10 showed antimicrobial effect against Enterococcus faecalis whereas 6 inhibited Bacillus cereus growth, with the same MIC values of 64 µm.
War and Peace in European Studies: a Zeitenwende?
Authors: Jørgensen Knud Erik
Published: April 2024

This chapter examines the potential impact of the war in Ukraine on EU Studies. While the war is the most destructive war within Europe since the end of World War II, this chapter argues that the war is unlikely to have a major impact on the field of research. In general EU Studies is a field of research that is uncomfortable with war. Hence, the Algerian War, colonial wars in general, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Falklands War and the wars in Yugoslavia are largely not considered in reflections on the dynamics of European integration. Subsequently, this chapter outlines four reasons why it is unlikely that the war in Ukraine will prompt a Zeitenwende in EU Studies: (i) the wars in Yugoslavia did not cause much reflection about EU Studies and war. Instead, Comparative Politics (Hix 1994; Sbragia 1992) became an increasingly strong sub-field; (ii) a Zeitenwende is unlikely because academic path-dependencies are too strong. Most academics in Economics and Law never consider the role of war; (iii) EU Studies is predominantly characterized by a distinct liberal worldview and this worldview has not much in common with the worldview of the so-called Cold War Liberals; (iv) War Studies and EU Studies do not match well. Actually, the same applies to an interest in power politics and, not even realists in Europe perform well in the heartland of their theoretical tradition. This chapter concludes by arguing that the likely absence of impact should prompt a serious conversation about scenarios for desirable impact.
Secure and Sustainable? Unveiling the Impact of the Russian War on EU Energy Governance
Authors: Knodt Michèle , Ringel Marc , Bruch Nils
Published: April 2024

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has brought EU energy security to the forefront of the agenda, leading to a potential shift away from climate objectives. Our contribution provides a preliminary assessment of the first eighteen months of EU reactions to the war and discusses its transformative effect on EU energy policy. Short-term responses of European Member States indicate a “security first” approach, including the reactivation of coal-fired power stations and the substitution of Russian gas with liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered by sea. This approach has resulted in increased prices in global energy markets and the risk of missing climate targets, thereby underscoring the necessity of increased European coordination and cooperation.

Despite initial downgrading tendencies, the war has actually fostered greater coherence between energy security and climate goals. Notably, the development of green hydrogen could act as a catalyst for Europe's energy transition, strengthening the European Green Deal. Nevertheless, both emergency legislation and EU energy legislation face difficulties. Emergency measures bypass parliamentary scrutiny, raising concerns about legitimacy, while EU energy legislation lacks the power to influence national energy policies. The need for stronger governance is evident as targets are raised, necessitating the inclusion of harder elements in energy legislation.
Sentiment
Authors: Moreno-Ortiz Antonio
Published: April 2024

Sentiment analysis tools are very powerful when it comes to obtaining a description of the emotional aspect of the contents of a corpus. This chapter describes the methods and tools available, and illustrates what can be achieved with them. Both machine learning ad lexicon-based approaches are described and used, as they can provide different advantages. Whereas machine/deep learning approaches are the state of the art in sentiment classification tasks, lexicon-based tools can provide further insights, as they are able to retrieve the actual sentiment words and expressions used in the corpus. Finally, the role of emojis is discussed and illustrated with a frequency analysis of the most prominent emojis used in the CCTC.
Hashtags
Authors: Moreno-Ortiz Antonio
Published: April 2024

The presence of certain textual elements specific to social media is ubiquitous and has transcended social media. Hashtags and emojis are now present in a number of discourse types and are even used in spoken language. While emojis carry out the function of expressing sentiment or emotions, as we saw in the previous chapter, hashtags attempt to condense a complex idea into a textual sequence of varying length with the aim of sharing and quickly disseminating it. This chapter contains a description of the most relevant hashtags used in the CCTC, focusing on the differences found among several countries, which reveal significant differences between them.
Advanced diffusion MRI provides evidence for altered axonal microstructure and gradual peritumoral infiltration in GBM in comparison to brain metastases
Authors: Würtemberger U. , Rau A. , Diebold M. , Becker L. , Hohenhaus M. , Beck J. , Reinacher P. C. , Erny D. , Reisert M. , Urbach H. , Demerath T.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

In contrast to peritumoral edema in metastases, GBM is histopathologically characterized by infiltrating tumor cells within the T2 signal alterations. We hypothesized that depending on the distance from the outline of the contrast-enhancing tumor we might reveal imaging evidence of gradual peritumoral infiltration in GBM and predominantly vasogenic edema around metastases. We thus investigated the gradual change of advanced diffusion metrics with the peritumoral zone in metastases and GBM.

Methods

In 30 patients with GBM and 28 with brain metastases, peritumoral T2 hyperintensity was segmented in 33% partitions based on the total volume beginning at the enhancing tumor margin and divided into inner, middle and outer zones. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)-derived fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity as well as Diffusion Microstructure Imaging (DMI)-based parameters Dax-intra, Dax-extra, V‑CSF and V-intra were employed to assess group-wise differences between inner and outer zones as well as within-group gradients between the inner and outer zones.

Results

In metastases, fractional anisotropy and Dax-extra were significantly reduced in the inner zone compared to the outer zone (FA p = 0.01; Dax-extra p = 0.03). In GBM, we noted a reduced Dax-extra and significantly lower intraaxonal volume fraction (Dax-extra p = 0.008, V‑intra p = 0.006) accompanied by elevated axial intraaxonal diffusivity in the inner zone (p = 0.035). Between-group comparison of the outer to the inner zones revealed significantly higher gradients in metastases over GBM for FA (p = 0.04) as well as the axial diffusivity in the intra- (p = 0.02) and extraaxonal compartment (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our findings provide evidence of gradual alterations within the peritumoral zone of brain tumors. These are compatible with predominant (vasogenic) edema formation in metastases, whereas our findings in GBM are in line with an axonal destructive component in the immediate peritumoral area and evidence of tumor cell infiltration with accentuation in the tumor’s vicinity.
Cepheids as distance indicators and stellar tracers
Authors: Bono G. , Braga V. F. , Pietrinferni A.
Published: April 2024

We review the phenomenology of classical Cepheids (CCs), Anomalous Cepheids (ACs) and type II Cepheids (TIICs) in the Milky Way (MW) and in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs). We also examine the Hertzsprung progression in different stellar systems by using the shape of I-band light curves (Fourier parameters) and observables based on the difference in magnitude and in phase between the bump and the minimum in luminosity. The distribution of Cepheids in optical and in optical–near infrared (NIR) color–magnitude diagrams is investigated to constrain the topology of the instability strip. The use of Cepheids as tracers of young (CCs), intermediate (ACs) and old (TIICs) stellar populations are brought forward by the comparison between observations (MCs) and cluster isochrones covering a broad range in stellar ages and in chemical compositions. The different diagnostics adopted to estimate individual distances (period–luminosity, period–Wesenheit, period–luminosity–color relations) are reviewed together with pros and cons in the use of fundamental and overtones, optical and NIR photometric bands, and reddening free pseudo magnitudes (Wesenheit). We also discuss the use of CCs as stellar tracers and the radial gradients among the different groups of elements (iron, $$\alpha $$
α
, neutron-capture) together with their age-dependence. Finally, we briefly outline the role that near-future space and ground-based facilities will play in the astrophysical and cosmological use of Cepheids.
CIRSE Standards of Practice on Carotid Artery Stenting
Authors: Spiliopoulos Stavros , Blanc Raphaël , Gandini Roberto , Müller-Hülsbeck Stefan , Reith Wolfgang , Moschovaki-Zeiger Ornella
Published: April 2024

Background

Carotid artery stenting has been used effectively to treat internal carotid artery stenosis since 1989 (Mathias et al. in World J Surg. 25(3):328-34, 2001), with refined and expanded techniques and tools presently delivering outstanding results in percutaneous endoluminal treatment of carotid artery stenosis.

Purpose

This CIRSE Standards of Practice document is directed at interventional radiologists and details the guidelines for carotid artery stenting, as well as the different implementation techniques. In addition to updating all previously published material on the different clinical indications, it will provide all technical details reflective of European practice for carotid artery stenting. CIRSE Standards of Practice documents do not aim to implement a standard of clinical patient care, but rather to provide a realistic strategy and best practices for the execution of this procedure.

Methods

The writing group, which was established by the CIRSE Standards of Practice Committee, consisted of five clinicians with internationally recognised expertise in carotid artery stenting procedures. The writing group reviewed existing literature on carotid artery stenting procedures, performing a pragmatic evidence search using PubMed to select relevant publications in the English language from 2006 to 2022.

Results

Carotid artery stenting has an established role in the management of internal carotid artery stenosis; this Standards of Practice document provides up-to-date recommendations for its safe performance.
Development of quality assessment tool for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of real-world studies: a Delphi consensus survey
Authors: Gebrye Tadesse , Mbada Chidozie , Hakimi Zalmai , Fatoye Francis
Published: April 2024

The increasing adoption of real-world studies in healthcare for decision making and planning has further necessitated the need for a specific quality assessment tool for evidence synthesis. This study aimed to develop a quality assessment tool for systematic reviews (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) involving real-world studies (QATSM-RWS) using a formal consensus method. Based on scoping review, the authors identified a list of items for possible inclusion in the quality assessment tool. A Delphi survey was formulated based on the identified items. A total of 89 experts, purposively recruited, with research experience in real-world data were invited to participate in the first round of Delphi survey. The participants who responded in the first Delphi round were invited to participate (n = 15) in the phrasing of the items. Strong level of agreement was found on the proposed list of items after the first round of Delphi. A rate of agreement ≥ 0.70 was used to define which items to keep in the tool. A list of 14 items emerged as suitable for QATSM-RWS. The items were structured under five domains: introduction, methods, results, discussions, and others. All participants agreed with the proposed phrasing of the items. This is the first study that has developed a specific tool that can be used to appraise the quality of SR and MA involving real-world studies. QATSM-RWS may be used by policymakers, clinicians, and practitioners when evaluating and generating real-world evidence. This tool is now undergoing validation process.
The effect of chronotropic incompetence on physiologic responses during progressive exercise in people with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Panassollo Tone Ricardo Benevides , Lord Sue , Rashid Usman , Taylor Denise , Mawston Grant
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Heart rate (HR) response is likely to vary in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), particularly for those with chronotropic incompetence (CI). This study explores the impact of CI on HR and metabolic responses during cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in people with PD, and its implications for exercise intensity prescription.

Methods

Twenty-eight participants with mild PD and seventeen healthy controls underwent CPET to identify the presence or absence of CI. HR and metabolic responses were measured at submaximal (first (VT1) and second (VT2) ventilatory thresholds), and at peak exercise. Main outcome measures were HR, oxygen consumption (VO2), and changes in HR responses (HR/WR slope) to an increase in exercise demand.

Results

CI was present in 13 (46%) PD participants (PDCI), who during CPET, exhibited blunted HR responses compared to controls and PD non-CI beyond 60% of maximal workload (p ≤ 0.05). PDCI presented a significantly lower HR at VT2, and peak exercise compared to PD non-CI and controls (p ≤ 0.001). VO2 was significantly lower in PDCI than PD non-CI and controls at VT2 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.036, respectively) and at peak exercise (p = 0.001 and p = 0.023, respectively).

Conclusion

Although poorly understood, the presence of CI in PD and its effect on HR and metabolic responses during incremental exercise is significant and important to consider when programming aerobic exercises.
Rainbow Variations on a Theme by Mantel: Extremal Problems for Gallai Colouring Templates
Authors: Falgas-Ravry Victor , Markström Klas , Räty Eero
Published: April 2024

Let $$\textbf{G}:=(G_1, G_2, G_3)$$

G
:
=
(

G
1

,

G
2

,

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3

)

be a triple of graphs on the same vertex set V of size n. A rainbow triangle in $$\textbf{G}$$
G
is a triple of edges $$(e_1, e_2, e_3)$$

(

e
1

,

e
2

,

e
3

)

with $$e_i\in G_i$$

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i

∈

G
i

for each i and $$\{e_1, e_2, e_3\}$$

{

e
1

,

e
2

,

e
3

}

forming a triangle in V. The triples $$\textbf{G}$$
G
not containing rainbow triangles, also known as Gallai colouring templates, are a widely studied class of objects in extremal combinatorics. In the present work, we fully determine the set of edge densities $$(\alpha _1, \alpha _2, \alpha _3)$$

(

α
1

,

α
2

,

α
3

)

such that if $$\vert E(G_i)\vert > \alpha _i n^2$$

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(

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i

)

|
>

α
i

n
2

for each i and n is sufficiently large, then $$\textbf{G}$$
G
must contain a rainbow triangle. This resolves a problem raised by Aharoni, DeVos, de la Maza, Montejanos and Šámal, generalises several previous results on extremal Gallai colouring templates, and proves a recent conjecture of Frankl, Győri, He, Lv, Salia, Tompkins, Varga and Zhu.
Associations between health-related quality of life and subsequent need for specialized palliative care and hospital utilization in patients with gastrointestinal cancer—a prospective single-center cohort study
Authors: Gerhardt Stine , Benthien Kirstine Skov , Herling Suzanne , Leerhøy Bonna , Jarlbaek Lene , Krarup Peter-Martin
Published: April 2024

Background

We lack knowledge of which factors are associated with the risk of developing complex palliative care needs. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between patient-reported health-related quality of life and subsequent referral to specialized palliative care (SPC) and hospital utilization.

Methods

This was a prospective single-center cohort study. Data on patient-reported outcomes were collected through the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire-Core-15-Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) at the time of diagnosis. Covariates and hospital utilization outcomes were collected from medical records. Adjusted logistic and Poisson regression were applied in the analyses. Participants were newly diagnosed with incurable gastrointestinal cancer and affiliated with a palliative care case management intervention established in a gastroenterology department.

Results

Out of 397 patients with incurable gastrointestinal cancer, 170 were included in the study. Patients newly diagnosed with incurable gastrointestinal cancer experienced a substantial burden of symptoms. Pain was significantly associated with subsequent referral to SPC (OR 1.015; 95% CI 1.001–1.029). Patients with lower education levels (OR 0.210; 95% CI 0.056–0.778) and a Charlson Comorbidity Index score of 2 or more (OR 0.173; 95% CI 0.041–0.733) were less likely to be referred to SPC. Pain (IRR 1.011; 95% CI 1.005–1.018), constipation (IRR 1.009; 95% CI 1.004–1.015), and impaired overall quality of life (IRR 0.991; 95% CI 0.983–0.999) were significantly associated with increased risk of hospital admissions.

Conclusion

The study indicates a need for interventions in hospital departments to identify and manage the substantial symptom burden experienced by patients, provide palliative care, and ensure timely referral to SPC.
Shared decision-making needs, barriers, and facilitators of patients with newly diagnosed advanced cancer in the hospital: a multi-level, mixed-methods study
Authors: Reyes Kevin R. , Wong Paul , Petrofsky Mary , Dai Annie , Pelayo Alyson , Brondfield Sam , Kwon Daniel H.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Little is known about the shared decision-making (SDM) needs, barriers, and facilitators of patients with newly diagnosed advanced cancer in the hospital. Understanding this may improve SDM and cancer care quality in this vulnerable population.

Methods

A single-site, mixed-methods study of hospitalized patients with newly diagnosed advanced cancer, caregivers, and oncologists was conducted. After discharge, patient ± caregiver semi-structured interviews exploring SDM needs, barriers, and facilitators regarding their most important upcoming cancer-related decision were conducted. Oncologists were surveyed about patient knowledge and SDM needs using closed- and open-ended questions, respectively. Thematic analysis was performed for qualitative data with a focus on themes unique to or amplified by hospitalization. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-squared test were performed for quantitative data.

Results

Patients and caregivers reported high SDM needs surrounding treatment and prognostic information, leading to decisional conflict. Eight themes emerged: anticipated cancer treatment decisions, variable control preferences in decision-making, high cancer-related information needs and uncertainty, barriers and facilitators to information gathering during and post hospitalization, and decision-making facilitators. Among 32 oncologists, most (56%) reported patients were poorly informed about treatment and prognosis. Oncologists reported variable expectations about patient knowledge after hospitalization, facilitators to patient decision-making, and patient uncertainty while awaiting an outpatient oncologist appointment.

Conclusion

Patients newly diagnosed with advanced cancer in the hospital have high SDM needs and experience decisional conflict. This may be due to barriers unique to or exacerbated by hospitalization. Further research is needed to develop strategies to address these barriers and enhance the facilitators identified in this study.
Pimo: memory-efficient privacy protection in video streaming and analytics
Authors: Yuan Jie , Wang Zicong , Yuan Tingting , Zhang Jing , Qian Rui
Published: April 2024

Video streaming from cameras to backend cloud or edge servers for neural-based analytics has gained significant popularity. However, the transmission of data from cameras to a backend raises substantial privacy concerns, particularly regarding sensitive information like facial data. To offer privacy protection, visual processing techniques, such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), have been employed on cameras to blur and safeguard such data intelligently. However, these techniques frequently face memory challenges, particularly when dealing with high-resolution videos. In this paper, we propose PIMO, a memory-efficient visual privacy protection scheme designed to effectively blur video content leveraging adaptive slicing of frames and resolution degradation. Our extensive experimental evaluations validate that PIMO’s adaptive mechanism proficiently navigates fluctuating memory constraints. Furthermore, utilizing a content-based blur scheme, our approach can maintain an impressive mean precision of 95.2%, as compared to the original, non-blurred images.
Anxiety and depression in metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease: relation with socio-demographic features and liver disease severity
Authors: Brodosi Lucia , Stecchi Michele , Musio Alessandra , Bazzocchi Matilde , Risi Eleonora , Marchignoli Francesca , Marchesini Giulio , Petroni Maria Letizia
Published: April 2024

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression traits in Italian patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and the possible relation with the severity of liver disease.

Methods

Demographic, anthropometric, clinical and laboratory parameters were collected in patients referred to a metabolic unit for a comprehensive evaluation of possible liver disease. Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were evaluated by surrogate biomarkers. Imaging (controlled attenuation parameter-CAP and vibration-controlled transient elastography-VCTE). Beck depression inventory (BDI) and state-trait anxiety inventory-Y (STAI-Y) were used to define depressive/anxiety states; calorie intake and lifestyle were self-assessed by questionnaires.

Results

The whole sample comprised 286 patients (61.9% females; mean age 52.0 years; BMI, 34.6 kg/m2); 223 fulfilled MASLD criteria. BDI and trait anxiety scores were lower in the MASLD cohort, and the prevalence of both moderate/severe depression and severe trait anxiety was reduced compared with non-MASLD cases, despite VCTE-diagnosed fibrosis F3–F4 present in over 15% of cases. However, after correction for demographic and anthropometric confounders, MASLD was not associated with a lower risk of moderate/severe depression or severe anxiety trait (odds ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.12–1.01 and 0.79, 0.27–2.34). Additional adjustment for the severity of fibrosis did not change the results. No differences in state anxiety were observed.

Conclusion

The risk of anxiety and depression in MASLD is not different from that generated by diabetes and obesity per se. MASLD patients do not perceive liver disease as a specific source of psychological distress, possibly as a consequence of the unawareness of progressive liver disease.
Extremophiles in a changing world
Authors: Cowan D. A. , Albers S. V. , Antranikian G. , Atomi H. , Averhoff B. , Basen M. , Driessen A. J. M. , Jebbar M. , Kelman Z. , Kerou M. , Littlechild J. , Müller V. , Schönheit P. , Siebers B. , Vorgias K.
Published: April 2024

Extremophiles and their products have been a major focus of research interest for over 40 years. Through this period, studies of these organisms have contributed hugely to many aspects of the fundamental and applied sciences, and to wider and more philosophical issues such as the origins of life and astrobiology. Our understanding of the cellular adaptations to extreme conditions (such as acid, temperature, pressure and more), of the mechanisms underpinning the stability of macromolecules, and of the subtleties, complexities and limits of fundamental biochemical processes has been informed by research on extremophiles. Extremophiles have also contributed numerous products and processes to the many fields of biotechnology, from diagnostics to bioremediation. Yet, after 40 years of dedicated research, there remains much to be discovered in this field. Fortunately, extremophiles remain an active and vibrant area of research. In the third decade of the twenty-first century, with decreasing global resources and a steadily increasing human population, the world’s attention has turned with increasing urgency to issues of sustainability. These global concerns were encapsulated and formalized by the United Nations with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the presentation of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. In the run-up to 2030, we consider the contributions that extremophiles have made, and will in the future make, to the SDGs.
Myocardial biomechanical effects of fetal aortic valvuloplasty
Authors: Green Laura , Chan Wei Xuan , Tulzer Andreas , Tulzer Gerald , Yap Choon Hwai
Published: April 2024

Fetal critical aortic stenosis with evolving hypoplastic left heart syndrome (CAS-eHLHS) can progress to a univentricular (UV) birth malformation. Catheter-based fetal aortic valvuloplasty (FAV) can resolve stenosis and reduce the likelihood of malformation progression. However, we have limited understanding of the biomechanical impact of FAV and subsequent LV responses. Therefore, we performed image-based finite element (FE) modeling of 4 CAS-eHLHS fetal hearts, by performing iterative simulations to match image-based characteristics and then back-computing physiological parameters. We used pre-FAV simulations to conduct virtual FAV (vFAV) and compared pre-FAV and post-FAV simulations. vFAV simulations generally enabled partial restoration of several physiological features toward healthy levels, including increased stroke volume and myocardial strains, reduced aortic valve (AV) and mitral valve regurgitation (MVr) velocities, reduced LV and LA pressures, and reduced peak myofiber stress. FAV often leads to aortic valve regurgitation (AVr). Our simulations showed that AVr could compromise LV and LA depressurization but it could also significantly increase stroke volume and myocardial deformational stimuli. Post-FAV scans and simulations showed FAV enabled only partial reduction of the AV dissipative coefficient. Furthermore, LV contractility and peripheral vascular resistance could change in response to FAV, preventing decreases in AV velocity and LV pressure, compared with what would be anticipated from stenosis relief. This suggested that case-specific post-FAV modeling is required to fully capture cardiac functionality. Overall, image-based FE modeling could provide mechanistic details of the effects of FAV, but computational prediction of acute outcomes was difficult due to a patient-dependent physiological response to FAV.