bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotional functioning during bereavement after the death of patients with advanced cancer and associated factors
Authors: Ham Laurien , Fransen Heidi P. , van Roij Janneke , van den Borne Ben , Creemers Geert Jan , Hendriks Mathijs P. , Kuip Evelien , van Laarhoven Hanneke W. M. , van Leeuwen Lobke , van der Padt‐Pruijsten Annemieke , Smilde Tineke , Stellingwerf Margriet , van Zuylen Lia , van de Poll‐Franse Lonneke , Raijmakers Natasja J. H.
Published: September 2022

Objective

The death of a loved one is considered to be the most stressful of all life events. However, the impact of bereavement on quality of life varies between individuals. The aim of our study was to assess emotional functioning (EF), which is a domain of quality of life, of bereaved relatives after the death of their loved one and its associated factors.

Method

A prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, observational study on quality of care and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer and their relatives was conducted (eQuiPe). The association between EF of relatives during bereavement and the following factors was investigated: gender, type of relationship, educational level, pre‐bereavement emotional and social functioning and global quality of life, social support pre‐ and during bereavement, anticipatory complicated grief, support of healthcare professionals during bereavement, age of patient and bereaved relative and duration of survival after primary cancer diagnosis.

Results

150 bereaved relatives completed the bereavement questionnaire. In 41% of the bereaved relatives EF was ≤71, indicating clinically relevant low EF. Multivariable logistic regression showed that females experienced more often emotional problems (OR = 2.82). Emotional functioning pre‐bereavement (OR = 0.96) and social support during bereavement (OR = 0.97) were associated with low EF during bereavement.

Conclusions

Almost half of the bereaved relatives of patients with advanced cancer experienced low EF and this was associated with low EF pre‐bereavement and low social support during bereavement. Support for relatives should be initiated before the patient's death. Future research is needed to investigate the impact of such support on relatives' wellbeing during bereavement.
Dental caries and associated salivary biomarkers in patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Ozsin‐Ozler Cansu , Duruel Onurcem , Pinar Asli , Özbek Begüm , Yaz İsmail , Ataman‐Duruel Emel Tuğba , Uzamis‐Tekcicek Meryem , Gunes‐Yalcın Ebru , Dogru‐Ersoz Deniz , Kiper Nural , Tezcan İlhan , Berker Ezel
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the caries status of the Cystic fibrosis (CF) children and adolescents with the comparation of some biochemical markers, secretory‐immunoglobulin‐A (sIgA), and antimicrobial peptides in the saliva.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional descriptive study, the approval Ethics Board was obtained. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from CF and healthy control children (non‐CF) patients. Both groups underwent the same dental and periodontal evaluation scheme of the assessment. Human beta defensin (HBD1), human alpha defensin (HNP‐1), cathelicidin (LL‐37), sIgA in saliva were evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunoassay method. A general biochemical analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was performed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 20.0 (SPSS Inc.).

Results

A total of 21 (9 male, 12 female) CF and 23 (11 male, 12 female) control patients were participated with the mean age of 10.17 ± 3.38 and 9.52 ± 2.15 years, respectively. In control children, DMFT/S (decayed‐missing‐filled‐tooth/surface‐in‐permanent‐dentition), dmft/s (decayed‐missing‐filled‐tooth/surface‐in‐primary‐dentition) values were higher; DT (decayed‐tooth in permanent dentition), ft (filled‐tooth in primary dentition) and plaque index values were statistically significantly higher (p = 0.042,p = 0.005,p = 0.038, respectively) than CF patients. Bicarbonate was higher in control group; sodium, chloride, and total protein were higher in CF group; magnesium, calcium and phosphate levels were similar in each group (p > 0.05). Alpha and beta defensin‐1 levels in control group was statistically significantly higher (p = 0.037 andp = 0.020, respectively), while LL37 and sIgA were not statistically significantly higher (p > 0.05) than CF group.

Conclusions

Children with CF had lower caries in permanent teeth, filling in primary teeth, and an altered salivary biomarker profile, especially in HNB1, HNP1. Therefore, it is important to conduct periodic oral‐dental controls among CF patients during their childhood.
Highlights of the 2022 Clinical Pharmacy Congress
Authors: Ogden Joy
Published: September 2022

This year's Clinical Pharmacy Congress (CPC), held in London in May, covered a diverse range of topics including the role of pharmacy in greener healthcare, managing lipids and treating epilepsy. Joy Ogden reports on some of the highlights of the congress.
Protective effect of pinocembrin from Penthorum chinense Pursh on hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury via regulating HMGB1/TLR4 signal pathway
Authors: Ma Tingting , Zhang Hao , Li Tongxi , Bai Junjie , Wu Ziming , Cai Tianying , Chen Yifan , Xia Xianming , Du Yichao , Fu Wenguang
Published: September 2022

Hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury (HIRI) is of common occurrence during liver surgery and transplantation. Pinocembrin (PIN) is a kind of flavonoid monomer extracted from the local traditional Chinese medicine Penthorum chinense Pursh (P. chinense). However, the effect of PIN on HIRI has not determined. We investigated the protective effect and potential mechanism of PIN against HIRI. Model mice were subjected to partial liver ischemia for 60 min, experimental mice were pretreated with PIN orally for 7 days, and H2O2‐induced oxidative damage model in AML12 hepatic cells was established in vitro. Histopathologic analysis and serum biochemical levels revealed that PIN had hepatoprotective activities against HIRI. The variation of GSH, SOD, MDA, and ROS levels indicated that PIN treatments attenuated oxidative stress in tissue. PIN pretreatment obviously ameliorated apoptosis, and restrained the expression of HMGB1 and TLR4 in vivo. In vitro, compared with H2O2 group, the contents of ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptotic cells, and Bcl‐2 protein were decreased, while the Bax protein expression was increased. Moreover, HMGB‐1 small interfering RNA test and western blotting showed that PIN pretreatment reduced HMGB1 and TLR4 protein levels. In conclusion, PIN pretreatment effectively protected hepatocytes from HIRI and inhibited the HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway.
Different factors are operative in shaping the epiphytic grapevine microbiome across different geographical scales: Biogeography, cultivar or vintage?
Authors: Papadopoulou Elena , Bekris Fotios , Vasileiadis Sotirios , Papadopoulou Kalliope K. , Karpouzas Dimitrios G.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The composition of the grapevine microbiome is controlled by a range of factors all contributing to the establishment of microbial terroir. Most studies have focused on the grape must microbiome, while less is known about the assemblage mechanisms of the epiphytic grapevine microbiome. We aimed to disentangle the role of geographic location, cultivar and vintage on the composition of the epiphytic fungal and bacterial communities of grapevine: within (regional scale) and across (national scale) viticultural zones in Greece. We hypothesised that: (i) the influence of all three factors varies at different geographical scales; (ii) fungi and bacteria respond differently to the factors shaping the grapevine microbiome.

Materials and Methods

We analysed leaves and berries collected from Greek cultivars (i) Vidiano and Agiorgitiko located in three geographically distant regions (from 100 to >600 km), (ii) Roditis and Sideritis from different terroir units of the viticultural zone of Aigialeia.

Results

Amplicon sequencing analysis identified strong regional signatures on the epiphytic microbiome across viticultural zones, whereas cultivar becomes a strong determinant at the viticultural zone scale. Fungal communities were more responsive to all studied factors compared to bacterial communities. Differential abundance (DA) analysis identified dominant fungal (Alternaria, Cladosporium, Nigrospora, Aureobasidium, Vishniacozyma) and bacterial (Sphingomonas, Masillia, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Enterobacterales) amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) exhibiting geographical and cultivar‐specific patterns.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that different factors are operative in shaping the epiphytic grapevine microbiome at different geographical scales with bacterial and fungal communities showing different responses to the tested structural factors.
Differentiation of Numerical Simulation Result of Direct Current Circuit Breaker Interruption Process Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Ren Zhenwei , Nemoto Yusuke , Suzuki Yuki , Takagi Masahiro , Morishita Honoka , Gustilo Reggie Cobarrubia , Iwao Toru
Published: September 2022

For realizing the widespread application of fast charging of electric vehicles, a direct current circuit breaker (DCCB) is required to interrupt a large charging current. For developing a next‐generation DCCB that can satisfy this requirement, a three‐dimensional electromagnetic thermal fluid simulation was developed to mimic the interruption process of the DCCB, and an artificial intelligence (AI) model was constructed for differentiating the simulation result. As a result, successful and failed interruption of the DCCB were both simulated, and the constructed AI model successfully differentiated the interruption result and located the extinguish timing of arc plasma in case of a successful interruption. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Reproductive outcome in 326 women with unicornuate uterus
Authors: Tellum T. , Bracco B. , De Braud L. V. , Knez J. , Ashton‐Barnett R. , Amin T. , Chaggar P. , Jurkovic D.
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To study the reproductive outcomes of women with a unicornuate uterus and compare them to those of women with no congenital uterine anomaly.

Methods

This was a single‐center, retrospective cohort study. Cases were women aged at least 16 years who were diagnosed with a unicornuate uterus on transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound between January 2008 and September 2021. Controls were women with no congenital uterine anomaly matched 1:1 by age and body mass index. The primary outcome was live‐birth rate. Secondary outcomes were pregnancy loss (miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, termination of pregnancy), preterm delivery, mode of delivery and concomitant gynecological abnormalities (endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids).

Results

Included in the study were 326 cases and 326 controls. Women with a unicornuate uterus had a significantly lower live‐birth rate (184/388 (47.4%) vs 229/396 (57.8%); P = 0.004) and higher rates of overall miscarriage (178/424 (42.0%) vs 155/465 (33.3%); adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.21 (95% CI, 1.42–3.42), P < 0.001), ectopic pregnancy (26/424 (6.1%) vs 11/465 (2.4%); aOR, 2.52 (95% CI, 1.22–5.22), P = 0.01), preterm delivery (45/184 (24.5%) vs 17/229 (7.4%); aOR, 3.04 (95% CI, 1.52–5.97), P = 0.001) and Cesarean delivery (116/184 (63.0%) vs 70/229 (30.6%); aOR, 2.54 (95% CI, 1.67–3.88), P < 0.001). Rudimentary‐horn pregnancies accounted for 7/26 (26.9%) ectopic pregnancies in the study group. Women with a unicornuate uterus were more likely to have endometriosis (17.5% vs 10.7%; P = 0.018) and adenomyosis (26.7% vs 15.6%; P = 0.001), but were not more likely to have fibroids compared with controls. Women with a functional rudimentary horn were more likely to have pelvic endometriosis compared to those without (odds ratio, 2.4 (95% CI, 1.4–4.1), P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Pregnant women with a unicornuate uterus should be classified as high risk. Removal of a functional rudimentary horn should be discussed with the patient to prevent a rudimentary‐horn ectopic pregnancy. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Southern Ocean precipitation: Toward a process‐level understanding
Authors: Siems Steven T. , Huang Yi , Manton Michael J.
Published: September 2022

Large differences continue to exist between current precipitation products over the Southern Ocean (SO). This limits our ability to close the hydrological cycle over the SO and Antarctica, as well as limiting our understanding of a range of climatological and meteorological processes. This uncertainty arises from the absence of long‐term, high‐quality surface observational records of precipitation suitable for evaluation across a range of temporal and spatial scales. We have no “truth” for precipitation across this region that covers ~15% of the Earth's surface. These differences extend to spatial and temporal distributions and trends. Precipitation products that have been calibrated and evaluated against established observations in the Northern Hemisphere potentially may be biased due to fundamental differences in the dynamics and microphysics over the remote SO. This review first considers recent advances in our understanding of the precipitation of the SO, including spatial and temporal variability, thermodynamic phase, and response to climate drivers. We then examine several commonly used precipitation products derived from satellite observations (both passive and active), reanalyses, and merged products. Where possible, we examine the skill of these products across a range of precipitation processes that commonly occur across the SO. Finally, we look briefly at the potential of new resources, such as dual‐polarized radars and maritime disdrometers, that can be used in field campaigns specifically designed to observe precipitation at the process level, and ultimately used to evaluate precipitation products over the SO.

This article is categorized under:

Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Earth System Behavior

Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Climate Forcing
Resource selection functions of black‐tailed prairie dogs in Native nations of Montana
Authors: Olimb Sarah K. , Olimb Carl A. , Bly Kristy , Guernsey Noelle C. , Li Daoru
Published: September 2022

The black‐tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is a keystone species of North American short‐ and mixed‐grass temperate grasslands with critical importance for multiple species of conservation concern. Low population numbers due to habitat and social constraints as well as disease require conservation and management actions. To identify potential habitat and future relocation sites, we evaluated 6 statistical techniques to predict the optimal resource selection function model for black‐tailed prairie dog habitat in 3 Native nations of Montana. Random forest models performed best across our study area and included grass coverage and climatic and topographic variables as the most important predictors of prairie dog occupancy. Using predictive habitat models in conjunction with land‐use designations can refine conservation planning to support wildlife population objectives where there are foundations for long‐term success. Our analysis also serves as a guide for assessing habitat suitability, connectivity, and restoration for additional species dependent or interconnected with black‐tailed prairie dogs.
Conspiracism as a Litmus Test for Responsible Innovation
Authors: Popa Eugen Octav , Blok Vincent
Published: September 2022

The inclusion of stakeholders in science is one of the core ideas in the field of responsible innovation. Conspiracists, however, are not your garden-variety stakeholders. As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, the conflict between conspiracists and science is deep and intractable. In this paper, we ask how the game of responsible innovation can be played with those who believe that the game is rigged. Understanding the relationship between conspiracism and responsible innovation is necessary in order to understand the unvisited corners of the science-society interface in the post-pandemic future. We claim that pluralism, already part of the philosophical background that spurred responsible innovation, can offer insights into how conspiracism can be approached. As a case in point, we develop these insights starting from the policy on conspiracism developed in 2021 by the European Commission. We show that the ideal of inclusion can only be extended to conspiracists by accepting a pluralist framework, and we explain this pluralist response.
The Community
Authors: Jinnah Zaheera
Published: September 2022

This chapter begins to explore additional levels of informality and precarity in the lives of the Zama Zama. In particular the informal settlement or township in which mining occurs is discussed. In this chapter, I argue that spatial and spiritual realities and beliefs inform the labour of informal mining which is further developed in Chapter 4. The chapter shows, through first-person narratives the multiple and intersecting forms of informality, producing persistent forms of precarity, laced by pockets of resistance, resiliency and agency among the Zama Zama. Insecure housing, rumours and connections, and spiritual beliefs and practices inform social relations and work arrangements. For the Zama Zama the spatial, spiritual and political organisation of the township informs how they live and how they do their work.
Relations
Authors: Frischhut Markus
Published: September 2022

This chapter addresses various dimensions of relations. These comprise the relations of values to each other (for instance the question of the ranking of values), the relation to other provisions of EU law (covering both primary and secondary EU law), as well as the relation to other concepts. The latter category comprises the relation of values to economic and political objectives, as well as the relation of values to selected (legal and ethical) principles. These selected (legal and ethical) principles comprise the protection of vulnerable people, responsibility (including the question of human rights and human obligations), precaution, sustainability, as well as proportionality and balance.
Conclusion
Authors: Frischhut Markus
Published: September 2022

In a similar way as in the book on the ‘ethical spirit of EU law’ (Frischhut, M. The ethical spirit of EU law. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10582-2, 2019), this book on ‘the ethical spirit of EU values’ is summarised in 28 theses. The first fourteen theses rather depict the status quo. The other theses rather address the future direction of travel, where some of these theses can pertain to both categories. This summary structured in 28 theses shall contribute to the objective of stimulating debate on the question of EU values and their importance not only for the European Union (EU), its Member States, but also for individuals.
Dissecting the ensemble in JT gravity
Authors: Blommaert Andreas
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We calculate bulk and boundary correlators in JT gravity by summing over geometries. The answers are reproduced by computing suitable ensemble averages of correlators of chaotic quantum systems. We then consider bulk correlators at large spatial separations and find that semiclassical decay eventually makes way for erratic oscillations around some nonzero answer. There is no cluster decomposition because of wormholes connecting distant regions.

We construct more microscopic versions of JT gravity which are dual to a single quantum system by including a set of branes in the gravitational theory the data of which describes the Hamiltonian of the dual system. We focus on the bulk description of eigenstates which involves end of the world branes and we explain how observables factorize due to geometries connecting to these branes.
The quantum UV-IR map for line defects in $$ \mathfrak{gl} $$(3)-type class S theories
Authors: Neitzke Andrew , Yan Fei
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We consider the quantum UV-IR map for line defects in class S theories of $$ \mathfrak{gl} $$
gl
(3)-type. This map computes the protected spin character which counts framed BPS states with spin for the bulk-defect system. We give a geometric method of computing this map motivated by the physics of five-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory, and compute it explicitly in various examples. As a spin-off we propose a new way of computing a certain specialization of the HOMFLY polynomial for links in ℝ3, as a sum over BPS webs attached to the link.
A tower of hidden sectors: a general treatment and physics implications
Authors: Aboubrahim Amin , Nath Pran
Published: September 2022

Abstract

An analysis of a tower of hidden sectors coupled to each other, with one of these hidden sectors coupled to the visible sector, is given and the implications of such couplings on physics in the visible sector are investigated. Thus the analysis considers n number of hidden sectors where the visible sector couples only to hidden sector 1, while the latter couples also to hidden sector 2, and the hidden sector 2 couples to hidden sector 3 and so on. A set of successively feeble couplings of the hidden sectors to the visible sector are generated in such a set up. In general each of these sectors live in a different heat bath. We develop a closed form set of coupled Boltzmann equations for the correlated evolution of the temperatures and number densities of each of the heat baths. We then apply the formalism to a simplified model with scalar portals between the different sectors. Predictions related to dark matter direct detection experiments and future CMB probes of dark radiation are made.
The Gromov Width of Bott-Samelson Varieties
Authors: Bonala Narasimha Chary , Cupit-Foutou Stéphanie
Published: September 2022

We prove that the Gromov width of any Bott-Samelson variety associated to a reduced expression and equipped with a rational Kähler form equals the symplectic area of a minimal curve. From this, we derive an estimate for the Seshadri constants of ample line bundles on Bott-Samelson varieties.
Cardiopulmonary testing in adult patients with β-thalassemia major in comparison to healthy subjects
Authors: Piatti G. , Giuditta M. , Consonni D. , Cassinerio E. , Cappellini M. D.
Published: September 2022

β-Thalassemia patients often have a reduced capacity of exercise and abnormal respiratory function parameters, but the reasons are unclear. In order to identify the causes of the exercise limitation, we performed a cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in a group of 54 adult β-thalassemia major (TM) patients without pulmonary arterial hypertension and in a group of healthy control subjects. All subjects underwent cardiac echocardiography and carried out pulmonary function tests. TM patients also filled an IPAQ questionnaire on usual physical activity (PA).

Overall, TM patients have a diminished exercise performance in comparison to control subjects. In fact, peak oxygen uptake (V’O2 peak), expressing maximum exercise capacity, was decreased in 81.5% of the patients; similarly, anaerobic threshold (V’O2@AT) and O2 pulse also resulted lowered. In multivariable regression models adjusted for gender, age, BMI, and mean haemoglobin, V’O2 peak and O2 pulse were positively associated with cardiac iron overload (T2*). No ventilatory limitation to exercise was observed. The most important causes of exercise limitation in these patients were muscular deconditioning and reduced cardiac inotropism due to iron deposition. Only 15/54 (27.8%) TM patients used to perform vigorous physical activity. These results suggest that a program of regular physical activity may be useful to increase the tolerance to effort and therefore to improve the quality of life in these patients.
New inflammatory indicators for cell-based liquid biopsy: association of the circulating CD44+/CD24− non-hematopoietic rare cell phenotype with breast cancer residual disease
Authors: Schreier Stefan , Budchart Prapaphan , Borwornpinyo Suparerk , Arpornwirat Wichit , Lertsithichai Panuwat , Chirappapha Prakasit , Triampo Wannapong
Published: September 2022

Background

Breast cancer residual disease assessment in early-stage patients has been challenging and lacks routine identification of adjuvant therapy benefit and objective measure of therapy success. Liquid biopsy assays targeting tumor-derived entities are investigated for minimal residual disease detection, yet perform low in clinical sensitivity. We propose the detection of CD44−related systemic inflammation for the assessment of residual cancer.

Methods

Circulating CD44+/CD45− rare cells from healthy, noncancer- and cancer-afflicted donors were enriched by CD45 depletion and analyzed by immuno-fluorescence microscopy. CD44+ rare cell subtyping was based on cytological feature analysis and referred to as morphological index. AUC analysis was employed for identification of the most cancer-specific CD44+ subtype.

Results

The EpCam−/CD44+/CD24−/CD71−/CD45−/DNA+ phenotype alludes to a distinct cell type and was found frequently at concentrations below 5 cells per 5 mL in healthy donors. Marker elevation by at least 5 × on average was observed in all afflicted cohorts. The positive predicted value for the prediction of malignancy-associated systemic inflammation of a CD44+ rare cell subtype with a higher morphological index was 87%. An outlook for the frequency of sustained inflammation in residual cancer may be given to measure 78%.

Conclusion

The CD44+ rare cell and subtype denotes improvement in detection of residual cancer disease and may provide an objective and alternative measure of disease burden in early-stage breast cancer.
Soft Skills and STEM Education: Vision of the European University EURECA-PRO
Authors: Villán-Vallejo Ainhoa , Zitouni Abir , García-Llamas Paula , Fernández-Raga María , Suárez-Corona Adriana , Baelo Roberto
Published: September 2022

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines play an increasingly important role in the current socio-economic context. Higher education systems are working to equip students with the appropriate skills and competencies to cope with current demands and, in particular, to join a labour market strongly informed by STEM disciplines. Many such skills are non-disciplinary and are known as transversal or soft skills. Soft skills, including interpersonal and socio-emotional skills, are highly sought after in the labour market. These skills not only reflect personal abilities but also draw on concepts, such as social responsibility, creativity, ethics, and emotional intelligence. The European University on Responsible Consumption and Production (EURECA-PRO) seeks to foster soft skills development in our activities and curricula.
$${\mathcal{H}}$$-matrix approximability of inverses of FEM matrices for the time-harmonic Maxwell equations
Authors: Faustmann Markus , Melenk Jens Markus , Parvizi Maryam
Published: September 2022

The inverse of the stiffness matrix of the time-harmonic Maxwell equation with perfectly conducting boundary conditions is approximated in the blockwise low-rank format of $${\mathcal{H}}$$
H
-matrices. Under a technical assumption on the mesh, we prove that root exponential convergence in the block rank can be achieved, if the block structure conforms to a standard admissibility criterion.
Cyclic compression of sands at constant stress ratio—experimental investigations and constitutive modelling
Authors: Carow Christian , Rackwitz Frank
Published: September 2022

Several constitutive models for sands are based on an additive split of the effective stress rate into two terms. One term accounts for the deviatoric stress ratio $$\varvec{r}$$

r

, the other for the mean effective stress $${p}$$
p
. While sophisticated techniques are available to account for monotonic and cyclic variations of $$\varvec{r}$$

r

, the $${p}$$
p
term is usually treated by means of rather rudimentary constitutive mechanisms. In particular, no plasticity sand model seems to exist whose functions take into account cyclic changes of $${p}$$
p
in a realistic manner. However, cyclic changes of $${p}$$
p
frequently occur in geotechnical boundary value problems and can cause irrecoverable deformation in non-cohesive soils. Present sand models significantly under- or overestimate these deformations. This issue is tackled in the paper. First, results from a comprehensive series of triaxial tests on Toyoura Sand are presented. The samples were loaded with cyclic changes of $${p}$$
p
at constant stress ratio in order to study the effects of mean effective stress variations exclusively. The test results show that the samples accumulate significant irrecoverable strains throughout successive loading cycles. The results furthermore allow to investigate the effects of pressure level, pressure amplitude, stress ratio level and density on the strain evolution. Second, new constitutive functions for an existing Bounding Surface Plasticity model are proposed in the paper. They are intended to improve the simulation results obtained with the model for monotonic and cyclic changes of $${p}$$
p
at constant stress ratio. The extended model is then carefully calibrated and validated using the experimental data from the triaxial tests. The results of the validation prove that the new constitutive functions have the desired effect.
Evidence on percutaneous radiofrequency and microwave ablation for liver metastases over the last decade
Authors: Tomita Koji , Matsui Yusuke , Uka Mayu , Umakoshi Noriyuki , Kawabata Takahiro , Munetomo Kazuaki , Nagata Shoma , Iguchi Toshihiro , Hiraki Takao
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This review aimed to summarize the treatment outcomes of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) for metastatic liver tumors based on the findings of published studies over the last decade.

Materials and methods

Literature describing the survival outcomes of ablation therapy for liver metastases was explored using the PubMed database on April 26, 2022, and articles published in 2012 or later were selected. The included studies met the following criteria: (i) English literature, (ii) original clinical studies, and (iii) literature describing overall survival (OS) of thermal ablation for metastatic liver tumors. All case reports and cohort studies with fewer than 20 patients and those that evaluated ablation for palliative purposes were excluded.

Results

RFA was the most commonly used method for ablation, while MWA was used in several recent studies. RFA and MWA for liver metastases from various primary tumors have been reported; however, majority of the studies focused on colorectal cancer. The local control rate by RFA and MWA varied widely among the studies, ranging approximately 50–90%. Five-year survival rates of 20–60% have been reported following ablation for colorectal liver metastases by a number of studies, and several reports of 10-year survival rates were also noted.

Conclusion

Comparative studies of local therapies for colorectal liver metastases demonstrated that RFA provides comparable survival outcomes to surgical metastasectomy and stereotactic body radiation therapy.
A new genus, Rockhausenia (Compositae: Senecioneae: Senecioninae)
Authors: Hind D. J. Nicholas
Published: September 2022

WerneriaKunth (Compositae: Senecioneae: Senecioninae) was effectively lectotypified by Rockhausen based onWerneria rigida. Two later lectotypifications have apparently been made, firstly (presumably by Cabrera)W. graminifoliaand secondly (presumably by Funk)W. nubigena, yet theIndex Nominum Genericorumwebsite has no type stated. In removingW. rigidato the then newly recognisedXenophylllum, Funk moved Rockhausen’s type thereby creating a superfluous generic synonym. All species that Funk recognised inXenophyllumare thus wernerias in the nomenclatural sense. Two species ofXenophyllumdescribed since Funk’s revision are transferred toWerneria:X. funkianumandX. lorochaqui. The remainder of the species ofWerneriaare here placed in the new genusRockhausenia(Compositae: Senecioneae: Senecioninae), a generitype is selected, and the corresponding 27 combinations are made at species level; the relevant subgeneric and sectional combinations are also made with two subgenera recognised, one with three sections. The confusion surrounding the generic nameOresigoniais commented on. A nomenclator of all relevant names inRockhausenia,WerneriaandXenophyllum, is provided.
Behavior of Precast Segmental Beams Made of High-strength Concrete and Ultra-high Performance Fiber Concrete Connected by Shear Keys Technique
Authors: Elsamak Galal , Salama Magdy I. , Hamoda Ahmed
Published: September 2022

The segments of the precast concrete beams can be assembled by joints have interlaced shear keys. This paper presents an experimental and numerical study of ten samples, six of them were tested under the influence of direct shear; these samples represent reinforced and non-reinforced shear keyed joints made of high-strength concrete (HSC) and ultra-high performance fiber concrete (UHPFC) under the influence of different levels of confining stress. In addition, four beams were tested under the influence of bending, two of them are unconnected control beams made of HSC and UHPFC, and the other two beams are precast segmented and were assembled using reinforced shear keyed joints of the same joints tested under direct shear. All the details of the shear keyed joints are fixed in all samples and they are dry non-epoxy joints, the external prestressing technique was used. Also, Abaqus program was used for numerical modeling of all samples that were tested in the experimental program using the 3D solid element model. The success of the modeling process was verified by comparing the experimental and numerical results as the results of the relationship between load and displacement and also the failure pattern. From the experimental and numerical study, it was found that by reinforcing the shear keys and/or by increasing the confining stress of the joints made of HSC and UHPFC, the shear capacity of the joints is increased. If the value of the used confining stress is constant at a value of 3 N/mm2 and by reinforcing the shear keys with reinforcement, the maximum load increases by 18% and 48%, respectively, than its non-reinforced counterparts joints. It was also found that by increasing the confining stress of the reinforced shear keyed joints from 3 N/mm2 to 6 N/mm2, the maximum load value is increased by 18% and 16%, for HSC and UHPFC shear keyed joints, respectively.
Bioinspired Injectable Self-Healing Hydrogel Sealant with Fault-Tolerant and Repeated Thermo-Responsive Adhesion for Sutureless Post-Wound-Closure and Wound Healing
Authors: Liang Yuqing , Xu Huiru , Li Zhenlong , Zhangji Aodi , Guo Baolin
Published: September 2022

Hydrogels with multifunctionalities, including sufficient bonding strength, injectability and self-healing capacity, responsive-adhesive ability, fault-tolerant and repeated tissue adhesion, are urgently demanded for invasive wound closure and wound healing. Motivated by the adhesive mechanism of mussel and brown algae, bioinspired dynamic bonds cross-linked multifunctional hydrogel adhesive is designed based on sodium alginate (SA), gelatin (GT) and protocatechualdehyde, with ferric ions added, for sutureless post-wound-closure. The dynamic hydrogel cross-linked through Schiff base bond, catechol-Fe coordinate bond and the strong interaction between GT with temperature-dependent phase transition and SA, endows the resulting hydrogel with sufficient mechanical and adhesive strength for efficient wound closure, injectability and self-healing capacity, and repeated closure of reopened wounds. Moreover, the temperature-dependent adhesive properties endowed mispositioning hydrogel to be removed/repositioned, which is conducive for the fault-tolerant adhesion of the hydrogel adhesives during surgery. Besides, the hydrogels present good biocompatibility, near-infrared-assisted photothermal antibacterial activity, antioxidation and repeated thermo-responsive reversible adhesion and good hemostatic effect. The in vivo incision closure evaluation demonstrated their capability to promote the post-wound-closure and wound healing of the incisions, indicating that the developed reversible adhesive hydrogel dressing could serve as versatile tissue sealant.
A dynamic flow model mimicking duodenoscope reprocessing after bacterial contamination for translational research
Authors: Heuvelmans Maarten , Woudstra Willem , Wunderink Herman F. , Monkelbaan Jan F. , van der Mei Henny C.
Published: September 2022

Objective:

Duodenoscopy-associated infections and outbreaks are reported globally despite strict adherence to duodenoscope reprocessing protocols. Therefore, new developments in the reprocessing procedure are needed.

Design:

We evaluated a novel dynamic flow model for an additional cleaning step between precleaning and manual cleaning in the reprocessing procedure.

Methods:

A parallel plate flow chamber with a fluorinated ethylene propylene bottom plate was used to mimic the duodenoscope channels. The flow chamber was inoculated with a suspension containing Klebsiella pneumoniae to simulate bacterial contamination during a duodenoscopic procedure. After inoculation the flow chamber was flushed with a detergent mimicking precleaning. Subsequently the flow chamber was subjected to different interventions: flow with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), flow with 2 commercial detergents, flow with sodium dodecyl sulfate with 3 different concentrations, and flow with microbubbles. Adhering bacteria were counted using phase-contrast microscopy throughout the experiment, and finally, bacterial viability was assessed.

Results:

During precleaning both PBS and 1% (v/v) Neodisher Mediclean Forte were able to desorb bacteria, but neither proved superior. After precleaning only sodium dodecyl sulfate could desorb bacteria.

Conclusions:

Flushing during precleaning is an essential step for reducing adhering luminal bacteria, and sodium dodecyl sulfate is a promising detergent for bacterial desorption from duodenoscope channels after precleaning.
How teams adapt to exogenous shocks: Experimental evidence with node knockouts of central members
Authors: Edgerton Jared F. , Cranmer Skyler J. , Finomore Victor
Published: September 2022

Researchers have found that although external attacks, exogenous shocks, and node knockouts can disrupt networked systems, they rarely lead to the system’s collapse. Although these processes are widely understood, most studies of how exogenous shocks affect networks rely on simulated or observational data. Thus, little is known about how groups of real individuals respond to external attacks. In this article, we employ an experimental design in which exogenous shocks, in the form of the unexpected removal of a teammate, are imposed on small teams of people who know each other. This allows us to causally identify the removed individual’s contribution to the team structure, the effect that an individual had on those they were connected, and the effect of the node knockout on the team. At the team level, we find that node knockouts decrease overall internal team communication. At the individual level, we find that node knockouts cause the remaining influential players to become more influential, while the remaining peripheral players become more isolated within their team. In addition, we also find that node knockouts may have a nominal influence on team performance. These findings shed light on how teams respond and adapt to node knockouts.
The effect of various automatic cluster removal switch-point settings on milking and overmilking duration and total, peak and overmilking claw vacuum in dairy cows
Authors: Vermaak Pieter , Petzer Inge-Marie , Dzidic Alen , Karzis Joanne
Published: September 2022

This research communication describes the effect of three automatic cluster removal (ACR) switch-point settings on machine-on time, overmilking duration, and the mean, peak-flow and overmilking vacuums. The objective was to reduce the overmilking and milking time, attaining a lower mean claw vacuum during overmilking. In a randomised experiment, 25 cows were subjected to three ACR switch-point settings at flow rates of 0.840 kg/min, 0.630 kg/min and 0.504 kg/min each for 15 morning-milkings. Pre-milking preparations and cow comfort were observed and evaluated, showing evidence that the switch-point setting of 0.840 kg/ml denoted the least proportion of behavioural problems (1.1% ± 0.6) compared to the settings at 0.640 kg/ml (16.0% ± 2.2) and 0.504 kg/ml (9.4% ± 1.7). A VaDia device (Biocontrol) determined the machine-on time and vacuum levels at the claw, mouthpiece and pulsator chamber. The machine-on time varied from 290 ± 72.8 (mean ± sd) to 289 ± 64.4 and 303 ± 66.3 for the 0.840, 0.630 and 0.504 kg/min settings, respectively. Overmilking was shortened by 29.3% and 26.4% and the claw vacuum during overmilking was reduced by 3.7 kPa and 4.3 kPa when using the 0.840 kg/min switch-point setting, compared to the others. An increased cluster-removal milk flow threshold reduced both overmilking and vacuum level during overmilking, lowering the risk of teat damage. Adapting ACR switch-point settings offers a valuable opportunity to increase parlour efficiency and cow comfort in dairy herds.
Do Private Equity Managers Raise Funds on (Sur)real Returns? Evidence from Deal-Level Data
Authors: Hüther Niklas
Published: September 2022

Recent studies on agency problems in private equity fueled the suspicion that fund managers strategically manipulate performance estimates around fundraising times. While these studies use aggregated portfolio data, this paper offers the first analysis of “window dressing” in private equity based on deal-level performance. In contrast to previous findings of a smoking gun at the fund level, I do not find any evidence of inflated performance at the deal level. Fund performance peaks are driven by a cohort effect whereby late investments are made under pressure before fundraising and have lower returns than those made earlier in the fund’s life.
The dubious precision and utility of heritability estimates
Authors: Heine Steven J. , Dar-Nimrod Ilan
Published: September 2022

Uchiyama et al. question heritability estimates in a convincing manner. We offer additional arguments to further bolster their claims, highlighting methodological issues in heritability coefficients' derivation, their misuse in various contexts, and their potential contributions to exacerbating common erroneous intuitions that have been shown to lead to deleterious social phenomena. We conclude that science should move away from using them.
Changes in heritability: Unpredictable and of limited use
Authors: Downes Stephen M. , Kaplan Jonathan Michael
Published: September 2022

We argue that heritability estimates cannot be used to make informed judgments about the populations from which they are drawn. Furthermore, predicting changes in heritability from population changes is likely impossible, and of limited value. We add that the attempt to separate human environments into cultural and non-cultural components does not advance our understanding of the environmental multiplier effect.
Developmental noise is an overlooked contributor to innate variation in psychological traits
Authors: Mitchell Kevin J.
Published: September 2022

Stochastic developmental variation is an additional important source of variance – beyond genes and environment – that should be included in considering how our innate psychological predispositions may interact with environment and experience, in a culture-dependent manner, to ultimately shape patterns of human behaviour.
Hidden clusters beyond ethnic boundaries
Authors: Velilla Alejandro Peréz , Moser Cody J. , Smaldino Paul E.
Published: September 2022

Hidden cluster problems can manifest when broad ethnic categories are used as proxies for cultural traits, especially when traits are assumed to encode cultural distances between groups. We suggest a granular understanding of cultural trait distributions within and between ethnic categories is fundamental to the interpretation of heritability estimates as well as general behavioral outcomes.
There is no such thing as culture-free intelligence
Authors: Lupyan Gary
Published: September 2022

Cognitive scientists and psychometricians are unaccustomed to thinking about culture, often treating their measures – memory, vocabulary, intelligence – as natural kinds. Relying on these measures, behavioral geneticists likewise seem to not wonder about their origin and cultural provenance. I argue that complex human traits – the sort we are most interested in measuring – are cultural products. We can measure them and their heritability, but to conclude that what we have measured is unbound to a time and place is hubris.
Unpackaging cultural variability in behavioral phenotypes
Authors: Fischer Ronald
Published: September 2022

We need better understanding of functional differences of behavioral phenotypes across cultures because cultural evolution (e.g., temporal changes in innovation within populations) is less important than culturally molded phenotypes (e.g., differences across populations) for understanding gene effects. Furthermore, changes in one behavioral domain likely have complex downstream effects in other domains, requiring careful parsing of phenotypic variability and functions.
Cultural evolution may influence heritability by shaping assortative mating
Authors: Zeng Tian Chen , Henrich Joseph
Published: September 2022

Uchiyama et al. productively discuss how culture can influence genetic heritability and, by modifying environmental conditions, limit the generalizability of genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Here, we supplement their account by highlighting how recent changes in culture and institutions in industrialized, westernized societies – such as increased female workforce participation – may have increased assortative mating. This alters the distribution of genotypes themselves, increasing heritability and phenotypic variance, and may be detectable using the latest methods.
Child maltreatment and youth suicide risk: A developmental conceptual model and implications for suicide prevention
Authors: Duprey Erinn B. , Handley Elizabeth D. , Wyman Peter A. , Ross Andrew J. , Cerulli Catherine , Oshri Assaf
Published: September 2022

Experiences of child abuse and neglect are risk factors for youth suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Accordingly, suicide risk may emerge as a developmental process that is heavily influenced by the rearing environment. We argue that a developmental, theoretical framework is needed to guide future research on child maltreatment and youth (i.e., adolescent and emerging adult) suicide, and to subsequently inform suicide prevention efforts. We propose a developmental model that integrates principles of developmental psychopathology and current theories of suicide to explain the association between child maltreatment and youth suicide risk. This model bears significant implications for future research on child maltreatment and youth suicide risk, and for suicide prevention efforts that target youth with child maltreatment experiences.
Strengthening Emergency Department Resiliency - Resident Deployment Considerations during a Mass-Casualty Incident
Authors: Jasani Gregory , Hertelendy Attila , Ciottone Gregory R.
Published: September 2022

In the event of a mass-casualty incident (MCI), hospital emergency departments (EDs) may be called upon to provide care to a large number of critically ill patients. As EDs plan for MCIs, determining how to best allocate staff members can play a significant role in the success or failure of a response. In academic EDs, a group that is often overlooked during MCI planning is the resident physicians. We argue that MCI plans at academic hospitals should consider the re-deployment of emergency medicine resident physicians in non-critical hospital rotations back to the ED.