bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serial change of femoral and tibial tunnel width after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with allograft
Authors: Lee Sung‐Sahn , Lee Dae‐Hee
Published: September 2023

Purpose

To investigate progressive tunnel widening and its correlation with postoperative outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using allografts.

Methods

Sixty‐five patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using a tibialis anterior allograft between 2015 and 2017 were enrolled. Femoral and tibial tunnel widths were measured on anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs immediately and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Average femoral and tibial tunnel widths in AP and lateral views were calculated at three different measurement points. Tunnel widening was calculated as the difference in tunnel width immediately and 2 years postoperatively. The correlation between tunnel widening and the postoperative results was analysed.

Results

Tunnel width changes between immediate and 2 years postoperatively were as follows, in AP and lateral views, respectively: femur, 3.0 mm ± 1.5 mm and 2.4 mm ± 1.4 mm; and tibia, 2.8 mm ± 1.4 mm and 2.9 mm ± 1.5 mm. Femoral tunnel widths significantly increased until 1 year, but not from 1 to 2 years postoperatively. Tibial tunnel width significantly increased until 2 years postoperatively. In all tunnels, the increments in tunnel widening decreased over time. Increased knee laxity significantly correlated with greater femoral tunnel widening in AP (r = 0.346, P = 0.006) and lateral views (r = 0.261, P = 0.049).

Conclusion

Femoral tunnel widths gradually increased until 1 year postoperatively, and tibial tunnel widths increased until 2 years after ACL reconstruction with allografts. The tunnel widening rate gradually decreased over time. Femoral tunnel widening of 3.7 mm and 3.2 mm on AP and lateral views, respectively, were the cut‐off values for postoperative knee laxity.

Level of evidence

Level III.
Age and sex-specific foraging movements and energetics in an endangered monomorphic seabird
Authors: Strydom Zanri , Grémillet David , Fritz Hervé , Venter Jan A. , Collet Julien , Kato Akiko , Pichegru Lorien
Published: September 2023

Senescence is the irreversible decline in physiological functioning and survival with age. While this phenomenon has been studied in a range of different taxa, including seabirds, it has seldom been assessed for both sexes of monomorphic species, and in conservation contexts. Here, we studied the effect of age and sex on the foraging trip characteristics and energetics of the monomorphic Cape gannet (Morus capensis). Between 2017 and 2020, we used GPS recorders and miniaturised three-dimensional accelerometers to obtain data on the foraging trip characteristics and energy expenditure of 39 Cape gannets rearing chicks on Malgas Island, South Africa. This sample included 11 females and 28 males between the ages of 4 and 23 years. No difference in foraging trip characteristics was apparent between sexes or individuals of different ages. The energy expenditure of aging females (> 17 years) was higher than that of aging males. Aging females spent both more energy flying and less energy resting than males, despite similar foraging trip durations and distances. Males spent more energy diving and taking off from the water than females. The age-related sexual differences in energy expenditure presented in our study might reflect niche and/or risk partitioning strategies to ensure adequate provisioning to the chick, or a possible earlier onset of senescence in females relative to males. The higher energy expenditure of aging females, which presumably requires a concomitantly higher energy intake, likely reduces their resilience to environmental change.
Predictors of Post-Operative Hospital Length of Stay Following Complete Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot in a Pediatric Cohort in the North of England
Authors: Adesanya Adenike M. , Best Kate E. , Coats Louise , Rankin Judith
Published: September 2023

We sought to estimate the median post-operative length of stay (PLOS) and predictors of PLOS following tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) repair at a specialist surgical center in the North of England. The local National Congenital Heart Disease Audit dataset was used to identify patients aged < 2 years who underwent surgical repair for ToF between 1 January 1986 and 13 May 2022. Coefficients representing the median change in PLOS (days) according to predictors were estimated using Quantile regression. There were 224 patients (59.4% male, median age = 9 months, interquartile range (IQR) 5–13 months) with a median PLOS of 9 days (IQR 7–13). In the univariable regression, age (months) and weight (kg) at operation (β =  − 0.17, 95% CI: − 0.33, − 0.01) and (β =  − 0.53, 95% CI: − 0.97, − 0.10), previous (cardiac or thoracic) procedure (β = 5, 95% CI:2.38, 7.62), procedure urgency (elective vs urgent) (β = 2.8, 95% CI:0.39, 5.21), bypass time (mins) (β = 0.03, 95% CI:0.01, 0.05), cross-clamp time (mins) (β = 0.03, 95% CI:0.01, 0.06) and duration of post-operative intubation (days) (β = 0.81, 95% CI:0.67, 0.96), were significantly associated with PLOS. Previous procedure and intubation time remained significant in multivariable analyses. Some patient and operative factors can predict PLOS following complete ToF repair. Information on PLOS is important for health professionals to support parents in preparing for their child's discharge and to make any necessary practical arrangements. Health commissioners can draw on evidence-based guidance for resource planning. The small sample size may have reduced the power to detect small effect sizes, but this regional study serves as a foundation for a larger national study.
Polyvinylpyridine–carbon dots composite-based novel humidity sensor
Authors: Jlassi Khouloud , Mallick Shoaib , Ali Ahmed Ben , Mutahir Hafsa , Salauddin Sayma Akhter , Ahmad Zubair , Tennouga Lahcene , Chehimi Mohamed
Published: September 2023

This work describes the rational design of thin films based on PVP-modified carbon dots for potential resistive humidity sensing application, prepared via spin coating on ITO substrates. The modified carbon dots were manufactured from graphite waste and modified with PVP to test the synergetic effect of the two materials. The surface hydrophilicity, morphology, and sensing properties were studied. AFM has been performed to investigate the prepared films’ texture and distribution over the surface. Overall, the hydrophilicity of the prepared films increases with concentration, leading to enhanced water vapor absorption on the surface of the sensing film. As a result, the sensor’s sensitivity is improved with the increasing concentration of PVP–CDs. The electrical response of the PVP–CDs composite film sensor shows a higher sensitivity level above 80% RH sensor with an irregular response; however, the concentration of 0.5 wt%, higher sensitivity, and linear change in impedance response was noted compared to other concentrations.
Current status and issues in genomic analysis using EUS-FNA/FNB specimens in hepatobiliary–pancreatic cancers
Authors: Ozono Yoshinori , Kawakami Hiroshi , Uchiyama Naomi , Hatada Hiroshi , Ogawa Souichiro
Published: September 2023

Comprehensive genomic profiling based on next-generation sequencing has recently been used to provide precision medicine for various advanced cancers. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) play essential roles in the diagnosis of abdominal masses, mainly pancreatic cancers. In recent years, CGP analysis using EUS-FNA/FNB specimens for hepatobiliary–pancreatic cancers has increased; however, the success rate of CGP analysis is not clinically satisfactory, and many issues need to be resolved to improve the success rate of CGP analysis. In this article, we review the transition from EUS-FNA to FNB, compare each test, and discuss the current status and issues in genomic analysis of hepatobiliary–pancreatic cancers using EUS-FNA/FNB specimens.
Temperature changes in the pulp chamber and bleaching gel during tooth bleaching assisted by diode laser (445 nm) using different power settings
Authors: Papadopoulou Aggeliki , Dionysopoulos Dimitrios , Strakas Dimitrios , Kouros Pantelis , Kolokitha Olga-Elpis , Tolidis Kosmas
Published: September 2023

The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the safety of using blue diode laser (445 nm) for tooth bleaching with regard to intrapulpal temperature increase operating at different average power and time settings. Fifty human mandibular incisors (n = 10) were used for evaluating temperature rise inside the pulp chamber and in the bleaching gel during laser-assisted tooth bleaching. The change in temperature was recorded using K thermocouples for the five experimental groups (without laser, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 W) at each point of time (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 s). As the average power of the diode laser increases, the temperature inside the pulp chamber also increases and that of the bleaching gel was significantly higher in all the experimental groups (p < 0.05). However, the intrapulpal temperature rise was below the threshold for irreversible thermal damage of the pulp (5.6 °C). Average power of a diode laser (445 nm) ranging between 0.5–2 W and irradiation time between 10–60 s should be considered safe regarding the pulp health when a red-colored bleaching gel is used. Clinical studies should confirm the safety and effectiveness of such tooth bleaching treatments. The outcomes of the present study could be a useful guide for dental clinicians, who utilize diode lasers (445 nm) for in-office tooth bleaching treatments in order to select appropriate power parameters and duration of laser irradiation without jeopardizing the safety of the pulp.
Efficiency and safety of optic canal unroofing in tuberculum sellae meningiomas: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Lin Peng-Wei , You Wei , Guo Ai-Shun , Lin Zhen-Rong , Wang Yu-Zhe
Published: September 2023

Optic canal unroofing (OCU) has gradually become a routine technique for tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs) resection. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of OCU. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature on this topic from 2003 to 2023 were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Rigorous statistical analysis with a p-value was performed for related change in visual improvement, gross total resection (GTR), visual deterioration, and olfactory nerve damage. The study included 15 articles with 384 patients in whom OCU was performed by the transcranial approach (TCA) or the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA). Of these, 341 patients had preoperative visual loss, and 266 patients had postoperative visual recovery. The overall rate of visual improvement was 0.803 (95% CI: 0.733–0.874, p < 0.01). The rate of visual improvement in the EEA and TCA groups was 0.884 (95% CI: 0.803–0.965, p < 0.01) and 0.788 (95% CI: 0.700–0.875, p < 0.01). Further analysis of classification shows that the rate of visual improvement in Type I: < 2 cm was 0.889(95% CI: 0.739–0.969), Type II:2-4 cm was 0.844(95% CI: 0.755–0.910), Type III: > 4 cm was 0.500(95% CI: 0.068–0.932) and the total was 0.853(95% CI: 0.779–0.927 p < 0.01) with low heterogeneity of I2 = 20.80%.Twelve studies separately reported GTR with OCU was 293; the rate of GTR was 0.911 (95% CI: 0.848–0.961, p < 0.01). And the rate of GTR in Type I: < 2 cm was 0.933(95% CI: 0.817–0.986), Type II:2-4 cm was 0.880(95% CI: 0.800–0.936), Type III: > 4 cm was 0.600(95% CI: 0.147–0.947). The total was 0.897(95% CI: 0.830–0.965 p < 0.01) with low heterogeneity of I2 = 34.57%. The related complications of OCU were visual deterioration and olfactory nerve damage. Visual decline was reported in nine studies, and the rate was 0.077 (95% CI: 0.041–0.113, p < 0.01). Six studies reported olfactory nerve damage, and the overall rate was 0.054 (95% CI: 0.019–0.090, p < 0.01). OCU could significantly recover preoperative impaired vision and make GTR easier to achieve, which was also a safe and effective technique in TSM.
A site amplification model for Switzerland based on site-condition indicators and incorporating local response as measured at seismic stations
Authors: Bergamo Paolo , Fäh Donat , Panzera Francesco , Cauzzi Carlo , Glueer Franziska , Perron Vincent , Wiemer Stefan
Published: September 2023

The spatial estimation of the soil response is one of the key ingredients for the modelling of earthquake risk. We present a ground motion amplification model for Switzerland, developed as part of a national-scale earthquake risk model. The amplification model is based on local estimates of soil response derived for about 240 instrumented sites in Switzerland using regional seismicity data by means of empirical spectral modelling techniques. These local measures are then correlated to continuous layers of topographic and geological soil condition indicators (multi-scale topographic slopes, a lithological classification of the soil, a national geological model of bedrock depth) and finally mapped at the national scale resorting to regression kriging as geostatistical interpolation technique. The obtained model includes amplification maps for PGV (peak ground velocity), PSA (pseudo-spectral acceleration) at periods of 1.0, 0.6 and 0.3 s; the modelled amplification represents the linear soil response, relative to a reference rock profile withVS30(time-averaged shear-wave velocity in the uppermost 30 m of soil column) = 1105 m/s. Each of these amplification maps is accompanied by two layers quantifying its site-to-site and single-site, within event variabilities, respectively (epistemic and aleatory uncertainties). The PGV, PSA(1.0 s) and PSA(0.3 s) maps are additionally translated to macroseismic intensity aggravation layers. The national-scale amplification model is validated by comparing it with empirical measurements of soil response at stations not included in the calibration dataset, with existing city-scale amplification models and with macroseismic intensity observations from historical earthquakes. The model is also included in the Swiss ShakeMap workflow.
Evaluating the effects of geochemical and anthropogenic factors on the concentration and treatability of heavy metals in Awash River and Lake Beseka, Ethiopia: arsenic and molybdenum issues
Authors: Abebe Yosef , Whitehead Paul , Alamirew Tena , Jin Li , Alemayehu Esayas
Published: September 2023

In the Awash River basin (Ethiopia), massive urbanization and industrialization, driven by rapid development and human settlement, are detrimental to the environment and human health as pollutants such as heavy metals (HMs) find their way into water bodies without proper treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the HMs content and pollution sources within the basin. In this context, a total of 205 samples were collected from 21 surface water sampling stations. Heavy metal concentrations were measured using the Perkin Elmer NexION 350 ICP-MS with inductively coupled plasma. Findings demonstrate that high levels of HMs, such as Al, Mn, Mo, As, V, Fe, and Ba were exhibited with the value of 1257 μg/L, 626.8 μg/L, 116.7 μg/L, 61.2 μg/L, 100.5 μg/L, 1082.7 μg/L, and 211.7 μg/L, respectively. Among 20 HMs analyzed, 20% of the parameters within the study area were above the WHO limit for drinking water; Al (157 μg/L), V (100.5 μg/L), Fe (1082.7 μg/L), Mn (626.8 μg/L), and Mo (103.8 μg/L) were exhibited at sites along the river system. Likewise, 57% of water samples showed high values of As at many stations down the river systems. In particular, high HM concentrations seen in the upper Awash are primarily controlled by anthropogenic activities such as untreated industrial, agricultural, and domestic discharges, while the high HM concentrations in the middle Awash samples were likely due to the influence from the Lake Beseka that has high HM concentrations due to geological process. In conclusion, securing potable water for the rapidly increasing population in Addis Ababa and in the watersheds of Awash is unsafe to sustain the environment and the human health.
Thermal Diffusivity and Fick Diffusion Coefficient in Mixtures of Hydrogen and Methane by Dynamic Light Scattering
Authors: Piszko Maximilian , Schmidt Patrick S. , Rausch Michael H. , Fröba Andreas P.
Published: September 2023

Mixtures of hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) are given in many technical applications where accurate thermophysical property data are required for the design and optimization of corresponding processes. This work evaluates the accessibility of the thermal diffusivity a and the Fick diffusion coefficient D11 in gaseous binary mixtures of H2 and CH4 by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The investigations are performed at temperatures T and pressures p of (293, 333, 363, and 393) K and (5, 10, and 15) MPa with varying CH4 mole fractions $$x_{{{\text{CH}}_{{4}} }}$$

x

CH
4

of (0.05, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.8). For all thermodynamic states investigated, only one hydrodynamic mode was observable by DLS. The assignment of the single related diffusivity to either a, D11, or a mixed diffusivity Dmix representing both a and D11 is performed by considering D11 calculated by the Chapman–Enskog kinetic theory, experimental D11 literature data, a predicted by using two different approaches, and calculations of the so-called Rayleigh ratio. The findings indicate that DLS gives access to a at high $$x_{{{\text{CH}}_{{4}} }}$$

x

CH
4

, D11 at low $$x_{{{\text{CH}}_{{4}} }}$$

x

CH
4

, and Dmix at $$x_{{{\text{CH}}_{{4}} }}$$

x

CH
4

≈ 0.3. All data are summarized in the form of correlations providing a and D11 as a function of T, p, and $$x_{{{\text{CH}}_{{4}} }}$$

x

CH
4

.
Temperature and frequency dependent dielectric capacitance and polarization performances of low dimensional perovskite based manganese stannate
Authors: Ghosh Sarit K. , Mallick Kaushik
Published: September 2023

Manganese stannate perovskite nanoparticles were synthesized by applying a complexation mediated approach. Rietveld refinement of the XRD data exhibited orthorhombic structure with space group of Pnma. The structure included eightfold coordinated Mn2+ cation, surrounded by eight O2− anions and formed MnO8 polyhedra unit. Each polyhedra unit interconnected through the corner-sharing SnO6 octahedra with the formation of a cage-like network. The temperature and frequency dependent dielectric performances of manganese stannate were measured in the form of a device, which exhibited maximum dielectric constant value ~ 3445. The high dielectric constant value was originated due to the contribution of space charge polarization and orientation polarization of dipoles within the measured frequency ranges. Temperature and frequency dependent AC-conduction mechanism of the manganese stannate-based device involved both overlapping large polarons and non-overlapping small polarons. Electric field-dependent of polarization hysteresis loop of the device exhibited the maximum polarization value 1.5 µC/cm2 under the electric field of 3 kV/mm. Under the applied field of 2 kV/mm, the device exhibited a fatigue-free polarization with a maximum value of 0.92 µC/cm2, sustained for 103 cycles under ambient temperature condition.
Investigating the modified thermoelectric generator system performance
Authors: Harb Abd El-Moneim A. , Elsayed Khairy , Kabeel A. E. , Ahmed Mahmoud , Abdo Ahmed
Published: September 2023

It is essential to enhance the performance of the thermoelectric generator as lower efficiencies are obtained recently. This could be achieved by changing its dimensions in addition to copper strip thickness. The present study is performed to obtain the best dimensions of the P–N legs considering the interaction between all variables. To do this, a comprehensive TEG model is achieved in addition to utilizing the single-objective optimization technique. The main performance metrics, including electricity production and conversion efficiency, are assessed, and contrasted with the conventional TEG system since the simulation. The length of the legs and their cross-sectional area were shown to significantly affect power production. The thickness of the conducting plate, in contrast, barely matters. For instance, a P–N pair with legs that have a 2 mm2 cross-sectional area generates 0.4 W and 1.3 W for temperature differences of 480 °C and 980 °C, respectively. Furthermore, the equivalent efficiencies are 4.41% and 6.73%, respectively. Using the genetic algorithm revealed that the ideal values for the leg cross section, leg length, and conducting plate thickness are 1.84 mm2, 0.5 mm, and 0.44 mm, respectively. Once compared to the conventional system, using the optimization method results in an improvement in power production and conversion efficiency of about 247% at a temperature differential of 980 °C.
Projection continuation for minimal coordinate set formulation and singularity detection of redundantly constrained system dynamics
Authors: Masarati Pierangelo , Quro M Jihad Ummul , Zanoni Andrea
Published: September 2023

The formulation of (possibly redundantly) constrained system dynamics using coordinate projection onto a subspace locally tangent to the constraint manifold is revisited using the QR factorization of the constraint Jacobian matrix, using column pivoting to identify a suitable subspace, possibly detect any singular configurations that may arise, and extract it. The evolution of the QR factorization is integrated along with that of the constraint Jacobian matrix as the solution evolves, generalizing to redundant constraints a recently proposed true continuation algorithm that tracks the evolution of the subspace of independent coordinates. The resulting subspace does not visibly affect the quality of the solution, as it is merely a recombination of that resulting from the blind application of the QR factorization but avoids the artificial algorithmic irregularities or discontinuities in the generalized velocities that could otherwise result from arbitrary reparameterizations of the coordinate set, and identifies and discriminates any further possible motions that arise at singular configurations. The characteristics of the proposed subspace evolution approach are exemplified by solving simple problems with incremental levels of redundancy and singularity orders.
The role of cytoreductive surgery in multifocal/multicentric glioblastomas
Authors: Dimov Diyan , Brainman Daniel , Berger Björn , Coras Roland , Grote Alexander , Simon Matthias
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Multifocal/multicentric glioblastomas (mGBM) account for up to 20% of all newly diagnosed glioblastomas. The present study investigates the impact of cytoreductive surgery on survival and functional outcomes in patients with mGBM.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed clinical and imaging data of 71 patients with newly diagnosed primary (IDH1 wildtype) mGBM who underwent operative treatment in 2015–2020 at the authors’ institution. Multicentric/multifocal growth was defined by the presence of ≥ 2 contrast enhancing lesions ≥ 1 cm apart from each other.

Results

36 (50.7%) patients had a resection and 35 (49.3%) a biopsy procedure. MGMT status, age, preoperative KPI and NANO scores as well as the postoperative KPI and NANO scores did not differ significantly between resected and biopsied cases. Median overall survival was 6.4 months and varied significantly with the extent of resection (complete resection of contrast enhancing tumor: 13.6, STR: 6.4, biopsy: 3.4 months; P = 0.043). 21 (58.3%) of resected vs. only 12 (34.3%) of biopsied cases had radiochemotherapy (p = 0.022). Multivariate analysis revealed chemo- and radiotherapy and also (albeit with smaller hazard ratios) extent of resection (resection vs. biopsy) and multicentric growth as independent predictors of patient survival. Involvement of eleoquent brain regions, as well as neurodeficit rates and functional outcomes did not vary significantly between the biopsy and the resection cohorts.

Conclusion

Resective surgery in mGBM is associated with better survival. This benefit seems to relate prominently to an increased number of patients being able to tolerate effective adjuvant therapies after tumor resections. In addition, cytoreductive surgery may have a survival impact per se.
Global epigenetic analysis revealed dynamic fluctuations in levels of DNA methylation and histone modifications in the calli of Fagopyrum with different capacity for morphogenesis
Authors: Tomasiak Alicja , Sala-Cholewa Katarzyna , Berg Lea Sophie , Braszewska Agnieszka , Betekhtin Alexander
Published: September 2023

Buckwheat characterises with high susceptibility to in vitro tissue culture conditions, which have been researched extensively to study a plethora of processes. F. tataricum morphogenic callus (MC) is characterised by its capacity for morphogenesis for up to ten years of culture, displaying an extraordinary level of genome stability, and comprises of proembryogenic cell complexes (PECC),which are the structures resembling somatic embryos arrested on the pre-globular stage. The non-morphogenic callus (NC) that appears on the surface of MC after approximately two years of culture due to endoreduplication cycles, is characterised by aneuploidy, rapid growth rate and high level of oxidative stress. F. esculentum embryogenic callus (EC) has different morphological and histological features, remains stable for up to three years of culture, has a dense, globular structure, and is capable of forming embryoids from the masses of embryogenic cells, but does not produce a non-embryogenic clone. In this work, immunocytochemical analyses revealed dynamic epigenetic changes in Fagopyrum calli. We demonstrated that; decreased level of H3K4me2 seems to be associated with pluripotency acquisition in F. esculentum EC and F. tataricum MC; DNA hypomethylation appears to be connected with the acquisition of the embryogenic potential and PECC reinitiation in F. tataricum MC. Moreover, we observed that H4K16ac and H4K5ac exhibited the highest variability during the course of passage in NC. Elevated levels of these modifications on day zero and day six for H4K16ac and H4K5ac, respectively, seem to be connected with endoreplication peaks, the processes which are characteristic of this callus.
Analysis of conditional randomisation and permutation schemes with application to conditional independence testing
Authors: Łazȩcka Małgorzata , Kołodziejek Bartosz , Mielniczuk Jan
Published: September 2023

We study properties of two resampling scenarios: Conditional Randomisation and Conditional Permutation schemes, which are relevant for testing conditional independence of discrete random variables X and Y given a random variable Z. Namely, we investigate asymptotic behaviour of estimates of a vector of probabilities in such settings, establish their asymptotic normality and ordering between asymptotic covariance matrices. The results are used to derive asymptotic distributions of the empirical Conditional Mutual Information in those set-ups. Somewhat unexpectedly, the distributions coincide for the two scenarios, despite differences in the asymptotic distributions of the estimates of probabilities. We also prove validity of permutation p-values for the Conditional Permutation scheme. The above results justify consideration of conditional independence tests based on resampled p-values and on the asymptotic chi-square distribution with an adjusted number of degrees of freedom. We show in numerical experiments that when the ratio of the sample size to the number of possible values of the triple exceeds 0.5, the test based on the asymptotic distribution with the adjustment made on a limited number of permutations is a viable alternative to the exact test for both the Conditional Permutation and the Conditional Randomisation scenarios. Moreover, there is no significant difference between the performance of exact tests for Conditional Permutation and Randomisation schemes, the latter requiring knowledge of conditional distribution of X given Z, and the same conclusion is true for both adaptive tests.
Soziale Arbeit in Afrika
Authors: Amadasun Solomon , Gray Mel
Published: September 2023

Dieser Artikel über die Soziale Arbeit in Afrika zeigt, wie sich die Profession auf dem Kontinent entwickelt hat, wobei vor der Kolonialisierung in den meisten Ländern traditionelle Strukturen und familiäre Verwandtschaftsnetze für die Bedürfnisse der Familien und Gemeinschaften sorgten. Diese traditionellen Wohlfahrtssysteme wurden bald von den kolonialen Sozialverwaltungen verdrängt, die die Soziale Arbeit einführten, um den Arbeitskräftebedarf in diesen Verwaltungen zu decken. Dies hinterließ ein Erbe westeuropäischer Theorien und Praxismodelle, die wegen ihrer kulturellen Unangemessenheit heftig kritisiert wurden und sich nur sehr schwer wieder ersetzen ließen. Anhand von Nigeria wird der ständige Kampf der Sozialen Arbeit um Relevanz, Anerkennung und Legitimität verdeutlicht. Überlastete Sozialarbeiter_innen setzen sich dort in unterfinanzierten sozialen Diensten für soziale Gerechtigkeit, Menschenrechte und soziale Verbesserungen ein.
The Effect of a Hydrophobic Coating on the Photodegradation of Dyed Nylon 6 Yarns
Authors: Sedláček Daniel , Roso Martina , Manian Avinash P.
Published: September 2023

Nylon 6 is one of the most widely used polymers in the world. For some nylon products, hydrophobic coatings are used for impregnation. However, it has been suggested in the literature that coating could accelerate aging. Therefore, in this paper, we focused on the degradation process of dyed nylon yarns with and without perfluorinated coating under accelerated weathering conditions. To monitor the degradation process, we used methods such as tensile test, molecular weight analysis, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. We found that the hydrophobic coating is unlikely to have a negative effect on the degradation process. However, the coating decomposes during weathering, and its concentration on the fiber's surface decreases. The type of dye used was identified as the most significant factor influencing the degradation rate. This was explained by the screening effect of dyes in the UVA region of the light spectrum. Manufacturers of nylon products, which require a pleasant appearance and safety, should, therefore, consider a careful selection of dyes.
Concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments from the Tampamachoco lagoon, Tuxpan River mouth, Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Botello Alfonso V. , Ponce-Vélez Guadalupe , Armstrong-Altrin John S. , Fragoso Susana Villanueva , Velandia-Aquino Laura B.
Published: September 2023

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic chemicals that consist of carcinogenic and mutagenic properties, which are considered as high-priority persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Their source is due to an incomplete burning of fossil fuels and organic materials. In the present study, the distribution and concentrations of 16 priority PAHs in sediments of the Tampamachoco lagoon and Tuxpan River estuary at the Gulf of Mexico were analyzed. The surface sediment samples were collected during the dry (March–June) and rainy (August–November) seasons. PAHs were analyzed by means of a gas capillary chromatography-FID. In dry season, the average concentration of PAHs in sediments was 860 ± 390 ng/g, and in rainy season, it was 1140 ± 450 ng/g. During both seasons, the total concentration of chrysene was high and a domain of the compounds with 4 benzene rings was observed. The source of PAHs was investigated in 78.6% of the lagoon sites. 45.5% revealed indicators of a mixed origin between pyrolytic and petrogenic sources, and 36.4% was petrogenic, and the remaining 18.2% was pyrolytic PAHs.
Estimation of fracture half-length with fast Gaussian pressure transient and RTA methods: Wolfcamp shale formation case study
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed Farid , Weijermars Ruud
Published: September 2023

Accurate estimation of fracture half-lengths in shale gas and oil reservoirs is critical for optimizing stimulation design, evaluating production potential, monitoring reservoir performance, and making informed economic decisions. Assessing the dimensions of hydraulic fractures and the quality of well completions in shale gas and oil reservoirs typically involves techniques such as chemical tracers, microseismic fiber optics, and production logs, which can be time-consuming and costly. This study demonstrates an alternative approach to estimate fracture half-lengths using the Gaussian pressure transient (GPT) Method, which has recently emerged as a novel technique for quantifying pressure depletion around single wells, multiple wells, and hydraulic fractures. The GPT method is compared to the well-established rate transient analysis (RTA) method to evaluate its effectiveness in estimating fracture parameters. The study used production data from 11 wells at the hydraulic fracture test site 1 in the Midland Basin of West Texas from Upper and Middle Wolfcamp (WC) formations. The data included flow rates and pressure readings, and the fracture half-lengths of the 11 wells were individually estimated by matching the production data to historical records. The GPT method can calculate the fracture half-length from daily production data, given a certain formation permeability. Independently, the traditional RTA method was applied to separately estimate the fracture half-length. The results of the two methods (GPT and RTA) are within an acceptable, small error margin for all 5 of the Middle WC wells studied, and for 5 of the 6 Upper WC wells. The slight deviation in the case of the Upper WC well is due to the different production control and a longer time for the well to reach constant bottomhole pressure. The estimated stimulated surface area for the Middle and Upper WC wells was correlated to the injected proppant volume and the total fluid production. Applying RTA and GPT methods to the historic production data improves the fracture diagnostics accuracy by reducing the uncertainty in the estimation of fracture dimensions, for given formation permeability values of the stimulated rock volume.
Modern therapies of nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Jachowski Andrzej , Marcinkowski Mikołaj , Szydłowski Jakub , Grabarczyk Oskar , Nogaj Zuzanna , Marcin Łaz , Pławski Andrzej , Jagodziński Paweł Piotr , Słowikowski Bartosz Kazimierz
Published: September 2023

Lung cancer (LC), particularly nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is one of the most prevalent types of neoplasia worldwide, regardless of gender, with the highest mortality rates in oncology. Over the years, treatment for NSCLC has evolved from conventional surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy to more tailored and minimally invasive approaches. The use of personalised therapies has increased the expected efficacy of treatment while simultaneously reducing the frequency of severe adverse effects (AEs). In this review, we discuss established modern approaches, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy, as well as experimental molecular methods like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) and nanoparticles. These emerging methods offer promising outcomes and shorten the recovery time for various patients. Recent advances in the diagnostic field, including imaging and genetic profiling, have enabled the implementation of these methods. The versatility of these modern therapies allows for multiple treatment options, such as single-agent use, combination with existing conventional treatments, or incorporation into new regimens. As a result, patients can survive even in the advanced stages of NSCLC, leading to increased survival indicators such as overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).
Low-dosage enzymatic hydrolysis of organic municipal waste for sugar and ethanol production
Authors: Rudnyckyj Stanislav , Chaturvedi Tanmay , Thomsen Mette Hedegaard
Published: September 2023

Enzymatic hydrolysis (EH) of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) is challenging due to its complexity and heterogeneous character. This study investigated the effects of OFMSW compositional characteristics and pretreatment techniques on the efficiency of EH. The experiments involved varying enzymatic dosages and pretreatment methods, including heat pretreatment and anaerobic incubation of raw OFMSW. Remarkably, after thermal pretreatment, a saccharification yield exceeding 50% was achieved with only 1 filter paper unit (FPU) of Cellic® Ctec3 and 0.5 glucoamylase unit (AGU) of AMG® 300 L BrewQ per g of dry OFMSW. This resulted in the recovery of 239 g of sugar per kilogram of dry OFMSW. The study revealed that the decomposition of OFMSW by enzymes is limited after reaching about 50% of the sugar recovery yield, and high concentrations of inhibitors such as organic acids, alcohols, and potentially other organics and inorganics may contribute to this limitation. These compounds, however, serve as excellent preservatives, achieving contamination control during biological conversion. Sugar-rich hydrolysates were subjected to ethanol fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, leading to the conversion of most hexose sugars into ethanol, reaching 331 g of ethanol per kilogram of dry OFMSW, and indicating that the limitation of OFMSW saccharification was not due to product inhibition. These findings highlight the need for further investigation of the saccharification process of biowaste to overcome inhibitory effects and subsequently achieve higher efficiency of the following bioprocesses.
The Impact of Daytime Napping Following Normal Night-Time Sleep on Physical Performance: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Meta-regression
Authors: Boukhris Omar , Trabelsi Khaled , Suppiah Haresh , Ammar Achraf , Clark Cain C. T. , Jahrami Haitham , Chtourou Hamdi , Driller Matthew
Published: September 2023

Background

Daytime napping is used by athletes as a strategy to supplement night time sleep and aid physical performance. However, no meta-analytical overview regarding the impact of napping following a night of normal sleep (7–9 h) on physical performance is available.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daytime napping following normal night-time sleep on physical performance in physically active individuals and athletes.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Seven electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, SCIELO, and EBSCOhost) were used to search for relevant studies that investigated the impact of daytime napping, following normal night-time sleep, on physical performance in physically active individuals and athletes, published in any language, and available before September 01, 2022. Studies that included assessments of any physical performance measures were included. QualSyst was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies.

Results

Of 18 selected articles, 15 were of strong quality and 3 were of moderate quality. Compared with no-nap conditions, physically active individuals and athletes who napped experienced an increase in highest distance (effect size [ES] 1.026;p < 0.001) and total distance (ES 0.737;p < 0.001), and a decrease in fatigue index (ES 0.839,p = 0.008) during the 5-m shuttle run test (5MSRT). However, napping yielded no effect on muscle force (ES 0.175;p = 0.267). No effect of napping was found in one study that measured sprint performance and in two studies that measured performance during the 30-s Wingate test. Two of three studies reported an increase in jump performance after napping. Two of three studies reported an increase in repeated sprints after napping. One study reported an increase in upper-body power performance after napping, and napping was beneficial for endurance performance in one of two studies.

Conclusion

Following normal sleep, napping is beneficial for the performance of the 5MSRT, with no significant effect on muscle force. No firm conclusions can be drawn regarding other physical performance measures due to the limited number of studies.
Optimization of Physical Parameters Involved in Cell Lysis of Bacillus Sp. to Recover Bioplastic Polyhydroxyalkanoates
Authors: Bhat S. G. , Kodavoor D. B. , Raja S. , Varadavenkatesan T. , Somashekara D. M.
Published: September 2023

The increased global population has concurrently increased waste disposal, whose majority is conventional plastic. In this study, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), an alternative biopolymer to conventional plastics, were extracted from bacteria Bacillus sp., using response surface methodology (RSM), a statistical approach. To design, optimize and study the relationship between the parameters (glass beads weight, incubation time, water volume, incubation temperature, and shaker speed) Box-Behnken Design of response surface methodology was applied in Design Expert 10.0 software package. The solvent method is known in PHA extraction; however, this approach is environmentally hazardous on a large scale. The current study used a physical extraction method using glass beads for bacterial cell lysis. As a characterization, FTIR, 1HNMR, and DSC confirmed the recovered polymer as Polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB). 31.53% (w/v) of PHB was recovered for 1 g/L biomass. PHB is known to be widely applied in various fields, specifically in medical applications. Genetically modified isolate, low-cost substrate, and recovery without solvent assure a cost-effective and increased PHA production. Glass beads can be reused in extraction, reducing overall production cost. Therefore, this work used a reduced amount of chemicals during extraction to recover the PHB. Thus, sustainability assures a better scope for the future promotion of PHA production in academia and industries.

Highlights

Sustainable PHA extraction alternatives, reducing environmental impact, were studied.

Glass beads are used to lyse the cell to release the PHA from the bacteria Bacillus sp.

Box-Behnken design optimized extraction parameters for maximum recovery of PHA.

The cellular lysis approach yields higher recovery than solvent-method recovery and is eco-friendly.

Graphical abstract
Utilisation of Health Technologies for Physical Health of People with Learning Disabilities: Point of Care Testing
Authors: Sud Dolly , Anandaram Archana , Atkins Helen , McAskill Robyn , Scott Sion
Published: September 2023

The World Health Organisation defines health technologies as the “application of organized knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures and systems developed to solve a health problem and improve quality of lives.” Innovative health technologies have immense potential to improve human health and well-being. However, their advent does not guarantee equitable health outcomes. Not all individuals have equal access to health technologies resulting in different health outcomes for those individuals. Barriers to adoption, implementation, access, research and design can lead to exclusion and perpetuate the health inequalities already experienced by vulnerable or marginalised groups, for example those with intellectual disabilities (ID). Point of care testing (POCT) is a health technology used to monitor physical health and has been available for almost a decade. POCT is reported to be minimally invasive, can be conducted in a wide range of settings, enables shorter time to clinical decision making, improved self-management of health conditions and patient empowerment. Despite the benefits of POCT, adoption, use, awareness and research of the use of this technology in people with ID to monitor physical health appears to be scant. This article will explore the application of POCT in this group of individuals for whom evidence informs us die up to 25 years earlier when compared to the general population, and physical health disease account for the overwhelming majority of premature deaths. This is a narrative review exploring the use of POCT for physical health of people with ID.
An Improved Golden Jackal Optimization Algorithm Using Opposition-Based Learning for Global Optimization and Engineering Problems
Authors: Mohapatra Sarada , Mohapatra Prabhujit
Published: September 2023

Golden Jackal Optimization (GJO) is a recently developed nature-inspired algorithm that is motivated by the collaborative hunting behaviours of the golden jackals in nature. However, the GJO has the disadvantage of poor exploitation ability and is easy to get stuck in an optimal local region. To overcome these disadvantages, in this paper, an enhanced variant of the golden jackal optimization algorithm that incorporates the opposition-based learning (OBL) technique (OGJO) is proposed. The OBL technique is implemented into GJO with a probability rate, which can assist the algorithm in escaping from the local optima. To validate the efficiency of OGJO, several experiments have been performed. The experimental outcomes revealed that the proposed OGJO has more efficiency than GJO and other compared algorithms.
Introducing CNN-LSTM network adaptations to improve remaining useful life prediction of complex systems
Authors: Borst N. , Verhagen W.J.C.
Published: September 2023

Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) models aim to estimate remaining useful life (RUL) of complex systems, enabling lower maintenance costs and increased availability. A substantial body of work considers the development and testing of new models using the NASA C-MAPSS dataset as a benchmark. In recent work, the use of ensemble methods has been prevalent. This paper proposes two adaptations to one of the best-performing ensemble methods, namely the Convolutional Neural Network – Long Short-Term Memory (CNN-LSTM) network developed by Li et al. (IEEE Access, 2019,7, pp 75464–75475)). The first adaptation (adaptable time window, or ATW) increases accuracy of RUL estimates, with performance surpassing that of the state of the art, whereas the second (sub-network learning) does not improve performance. The results give greater insight into further development of innovative methods for prognostics, with future work focusing on translating the ATW approach to real-life industrial datasets and leveraging findings towards practical uptake for industrial applications.
CHRISTIANITY AND CONSTANTINE'S IMPERIAL WOMEN
Authors: Image Isabella
Published: September 2023

It is known that various members of Constantine's family, of his own generation and the generation before, were Christian. It is often taken for granted that Constantine encouraged or required their Christian faith. However, in fact there is only evidence for Constantine's influence on the faith of his mother Helena. This paper examines the evidence for Christianity in the imperial family before Constantine became publicly Christian, and suggests that some of these women may even have been Christian independently of Constantine's influence.
Reception
Authors: Easterbrook Rhiannon
Published: September 2023

Over the last few years, much of public discourse has been concerned with the rise of populist movements across the world. Hindu nationalism, Brexit, and the rise of Le Pen are just some of the phenomena that have garnered attention and concern. Although, in Rome and America, classicist and political scientist Dean Hammer does not start with this topic, contemporary populism is his destination, specifically in the shape of Donald Trump and the conditions in which his presidency arose. As Hammer investigates several aspects of both the creation and undoing of self-identity and political norms in the United States, he cites templates, points of comparison, and, finally, warnings in both Rome's founding myths and the history of its transition from republic to principate.