bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
P‐13.4: Creep Analysis of Flexible AMOLED Screen During Static Bending
Authors: Wang Qiujun , Su Weiwei , Zhang Zeyu , Wang Bo , Zhang Di , Zhang Fang , Ji Weijin
Published: August 2023

In daily life, at different temperatures, flexible AMOLED screens are prone to devise damage and adhesive layer peeling during bending. The mainstream way to solve this problem is to simulate the stress of the display layer and the strain of the cover film at the optimal temperature of the flexible screen bending. In this paper, the bending simulation model of the AMOLED screen was established, and the film layers at different temperatures were analyzed. After studying the creep of different coatings, the creep behavior of the cover film at the optimum temperature was analyzed to fit the viscoelastic constitutive parameters. The results show that the slope of the stress‐strain curve of the cover film increases significantly at 20 ℃, and the probability of mesh deformation increases by 8% compared with 60 ℃. In addition, the creep strain of each film layer of the AMOLED module at room temperature was compared. It shows that the creep strain of the OCA layer colloid is larger than that of other film layers and the creep time of the cover present a deep influence on the position of the stress neutral‐layer of the display layer.
Metal Phosphorous Chalcogenide: A Promising Material for Advanced Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Zhang Hao , Meng Ge , Liu Qian , Luo Yang , Niederberger Markus , Feng Ligang , Luo Jun , Liu Xijun
Published: August 2023

The development of efficient and affordable electrode materials is crucial for clean energy storage systems, which are considered a promising strategy for addressing energy crises and environmental issues. Metal phosphorous chalcogenides (MPX3) are a fascinating class of two‐dimensional materials with a tunable layered structure and high ion conductivity, making them particularly attractive for energy storage applications. This review article aims to comprehensively summarize the latest research progress on MPX3 materials, with a focus on their preparation methods and modulation strategies. Additionally, the diverse applications of these novel materials in alkali metal ion batteries, metal‐air batteries, and all‐solid‐state batteries are highlighted. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of MPX3 materials are presented to inspire their better potential in energy storage applications. This review provides valuable insights into the promising future of MPX3 materials in clean energy storage systems.
Post‐project sustainability evaluation by using a complex systems approach: A framework and an application to a revolving loan fund (microfinance) project in Indonesia
Authors: Chasanah Nur , Gunawan Indra , Baroudi Bassam
Published: August 2023

Limited evidence and less comprehensive approach to post‐project sustainability evaluation has raised the need for incorporating complexity concepts in project sustainability evaluation. This study aims to develop a project sustainability evaluation framework by using a complex systems approach and to apply the framework to a microfinance project in Indonesia. This qualitative research is based on thematic analysis. The components of the proposed framework involve mission, input, process, output, performance, governance (including stakeholders, subsystems and feedback mechanisms) and the environment of the projects. Results show that the framework is able to provide comprehensive information including project sustainability dimensions and routinization, the possibility to detect ineffective or undesirable practices, project governance, its performance, the persistent practice and changes. The application to the microfinance project reveals that the microfinance project can achieve sustainability without subsidies by achieving financial goals while maintaining social missions. Implications for project sustainability and microfinance are discussed.
Examining cat dynamics
Authors: Limb Matthew
Published: August 2023

Matthew Limb discusses how Cats Protection is working to model the relationships between different cat populations.
Peter Giles Grenville Jackson
Authors: Herrtage Mike , Palmer Tony , Heap Brian , Corke Murray , Clarke Tom , Fishwick John
Published: August 2023

A quiet, gentle, self‐effacing person with a steely resolve that drove him to achieve great things.
The efficient induction of human retinal ganglion-like cells provides a platform for studying optic neuropathies
Authors: Liou Roxanne Hsiang-Chi , Chen Shih-Wei , Cheng Hui-Chen , Wu Pei-Chun , Chang Yu-Fen , Wang An-Guor , Fann Ming-Ji , Wong Yu-Hui
Published: August 2023

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are essential for vision perception. In glaucoma and other optic neuropathies, RGCs and their optic axons undergo degenerative change and cell death; this can result in irreversible vision loss. Here we developed a rapid protocol for directly inducing RGC differentiation from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) by the overexpression of ATOH7, BRN3B, and SOX4. The hiPSC-derived RGC-like cells (iRGCs) show robust expression of various RGC-specific markers by whole transcriptome profiling. A functional assessment was also carried out and this demonstrated that these iRGCs display stimulus-induced neuronal activity, as well as spontaneous neuronal activity. Ethambutol (EMB), an effective first-line anti-tuberculosis agent, is known to cause serious visual impairment and irreversible vision loss due to the RGC degeneration in a significant number of treated patients. Using our iRGCs, EMB was found to induce significant dose-dependent and time-dependent increases in cell death and neurite degeneration. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression levels of p62 and LC3-II were upregulated, and further investigations revealed that EMB caused a blockade of lysosome–autophagosome fusion; this indicates that impairment of autophagic flux is one of the adverse effects of that EMB has on iRGCs. In addition, EMB was found to elevate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels increasing apoptotic cell death. This could be partially rescued by the co-treatment with the ROS scavenger NAC. Taken together, our findings suggest that this iRGC model, which achieves both high yield and high purity, is suitable for investigating optic neuropathies, as well as being useful when searching for potential drugs for therapeutic treatment and/or disease prevention.
The Predict and Invert Feedback Active Noise and Vibration Control Algorithm
Authors: Lopes Paulo A. C.
Published: August 2023

This work proposes an algorithm for feedback ANC that does not require a prior secondary path model and usually remains stable after fast secondary path changes, as other algorithms proposed for feedforward ANC. This is achieved using a recursive least squares algorithm to model the secondary path and the primary noise with an autoregressive moving average model. The resulting model allows for predicting future values of the primary noise. Finally, the primary noise values predicted are filtered by a non-causal inverse of the secondary path model to generate the anti-noise signal. Simulation results attest to the validity of the algorithm in reducing narrowband noise.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training conditions and education in oncologic disciplines: a survey-based analysis
Authors: Trommer Maike , Adams Anne , Bürkle Carolin , Brunner Stefanie , Grandoch Andrea , Geffroy Alexandra , Franklin Cindy , Gassa Asmae , Meißner Anna-Katharina , Mellinghoff Sibylle , Sharma Shachi Jenny , Schrittenlocher Silvia , Witte Luisa , Marnitz Simone
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in global health care. Medical societies had to update guidelines and enhance new services such as video consultations. Cancer treatment had to be modified. The aim of this study is to ensure optimal care for cancer patients with the help of high-quality training even in times of crisis. We therefore conducted a nationwide survey of physicians in training in oncological disciplines during the pandemic to assess the impact on their education.

Methods

The survey was sent to tumour centres, hospitals, specialist societies, and working and junior research groups and distributed via newsletters and homepages. Interim results and a call for participation were published as a poster (DEGRO) [26] and in the German Cancer Society (DKG) journal FORUM [42]. The survey contained 53 questions on conditions of education and training and on clinical and scientific work. Statistics were carried out with LimeSurvey and SPSS (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).

Results

Between February and November 2022, 450 participants answered the survey, with radio-oncologists being the largest group (28%). Most colleagues (63%) had access to digital training methods. Virtual sessions were rated as a good alternative, especially as multidisciplinary meetings (54%) as well as in-house and external training programs (48%, 47%). The time spent by training supervisors on education was rated as less than before the pandemic by 57%. Half of all participants perceived communication (54%), motivation (44%) and atmosphere (50%) in the team as bad. The participants felt strongly burdened by extra work (55%) and by a changed team atmosphere (49%). One third felt a change in the quality of training during the pandemic and rated it as negative (35%). According to 37% of the participants, this had little influence on their own quality of work. Additional subgroup analyses revealed significant differences in gender, specialty and education level.

Conclusion

In order to improve oncology training in times of crisis, access to digital training options and meetings should be ensured. Participants wish for regular team meetings in person to enable good team spirit, compensation for overtime work and sufficient time for training supervisors for discussion and feedback.
Validierung der deutschsprachigen Version des Chronic Ear Survey und dessen psychometrischer Vergleich mit einem etablierten deutschsprachigen Messinstrument
Authors: Knoke Michael , Neudert Marcus , Zahnert Thomas , Lailach Susen
Published: August 2023

Hintergrund

Mit dem Chronic Ear Survey (CES) steht seit 2000 ein validiertes Messinstrument zur Erfassung der krankheitsspezifischen bzw. gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität (HRQoL) international zur Verfügung. Ziel der Studie war es, für dieses internationale Messinstrument eine validierte deutschsprachige Fassung zur Verfügung zu stellen und diese mit dem deutschen Chronic Otitis Media Outcome Test 15 (COMOT-15) zu vergleichen.

Methodik

Der CES wurde über einen Vorwärts-rückwärts-Übersetzungsprozess in die deutsche Sprache transferiert. Zur Validierung wurden 79 Patient:innen mit einer COM, bei denen eine Mittelohroperation durchgeführt wurde, prospektiv in die Studie eingeschlossen. Die HRQoL wurde präoperativ und 6 Monate postoperativ mit dem CES und dem COMOT-15 bestimmt. Zu beiden Messzeitpunkten erfolgte auch eine Reintonaudiometrie. In der Kontrolluntersuchung wurde zusätzlich eine rückwirkende Beurteilung der präoperativen Situation anhand des CES und des COMOT-15 zur Bestimmung des Response-Shifts durchgeführt. Als psychometrische Kenndaten wurden die interne Konsistenz, die Test-Retest-Reliabilität, die Diskriminationsvalidität, die Übereinstimmungsvalidität, die Responsivität für beide Messinstrumente bestimmt. Die konvergente Validität beider Messinstrumente wurde anhand einer linearen Regression bewertet.

Ergebnisse

Anhand des CES konnten Patient:innen mit COM von Ohrgesunden sicher unterschieden werden. Der CES zeigte eine sehr gute Reliabilität mit hoher interner Konsistenz (Cronbach‑α 0,65–0,85) und hoher Retest-Reliabilität (r > 0,8). Die globale Einschätzung der Beeinträchtigung der HRQoL korrelierte sehr gut mit den Scores des CES (r = 0,51). Zudem zeigte er eine hohe Änderungssensitivität („standardized response mean“ −0,86). Im Vergleich zum COMOT-15 zeigte sich ein geringerer Response-Shift (Effektstärke −0,17 vs. 0,44). Beide Messinstrumente korrelierten nur gering mit der Luftleitungshörschwelle (r = 0,29 bzw. r = 0,24). Die konkordante Validität beider Messinstrumente war hoch (r = 0,68).

Schlussfolgerung

Die deutsche Version des CES weist zufriedenstellende psychometrische Kenndaten auf, sodass das Einsatz empfohlen werden kann. Der CES legt hierbei den Fokus auf den Einfluss der Ohrsymptomatik auf die HRQoL, wohingegen der COMOT-15 auch funktionelle und psychologische Aspekte miteinschließt. Aufgrund nur geringer Response-Shift-Effekte eignet sich der CES insbesondere für Untersuchungen mit mehreren Wiederholungsmessungen.
Safety by simulation: theorizing the future of robot regulation
Authors: Viljanen Mika
Published: August 2023

Mobility robots may soon be among us, triggering a need for safety regulation. Robot safety regulation, however, remains underexplored, with only a few articles analyzing what regulatory approaches could be feasible. This article offers an account of the available regulatory strategies and attempts to theorize the effects of simulation-based safety regulation. The article first discusses the distinctive features of mobility robots as regulatory targets and argues that emergent behavior constitutes the key regulatory concern in designing robot safety regulation regimes. In contrast to many accounts, the article posits that emergent behavior dynamics do not arise from robot autonomy, learning capability, or code unexplainability. Instead, they emerge from the complexity of robot technological constitutions coupled with near-infinite environmental variability and non-linear performance dynamics of the machine learning components. Second, the article reviews rules-based and performance-based regulation and argues that both will fail adequately constrain emergent robot behaviors. The article claims that controlling mobility robots requires a simulation-based regulatory approach. Simulation-based regulation is a novelty with significant theoretical and practical implications. The article argues that the approach signifies a radical break in regulatory forms of knowledge and temporalities. Simulations enact virtual futures to create a new regulatory knowledge type. Practically, the novel safety knowledge type may destabilize the existing conceptual space of safety politics and liability allocation patterns.
Motion Groupoids and Mapping Class Groupoids
Authors: Torzewska Fiona , Faria Martins João , Martin Paul Purdon
Published: August 2023

Here $${\underline{M}}$$

M
̲

denotes a pair (M, A) of a manifold and a subset (e.g. $$A=\partial M$$

A
=
∂
M

or $$A=\varnothing $$

A
=
∅

). We construct for each $${\underline{M}}$$

M
̲

its motion groupoid$$\textrm{Mot}_{{\underline{M}}}$$

Mot

M
̲

, whose object set is the power set $$ {{\mathcal {P}}}M$$

P
M

of M, and whose morphisms are certain equivalence classes of continuous flows of the ‘ambient space’ M, that fix A, acting on $${{\mathcal {P}}}M$$

P
M

. These groupoids generalise the classical definition of a motion group associated to a manifold M and a submanifold N, which can be recovered by considering the automorphisms in $$\textrm{Mot}_{{\underline{M}}}$$

Mot

M
̲

of $$N\in {{\mathcal {P}}}M$$

N
∈
P
M

. We also construct the mapping class groupoid$$\textrm{MCG}_{{\underline{M}}}$$

MCG

M
̲

associated to a pair $${\underline{M}}$$

M
̲

with the same object class, whose morphisms are now equivalence classes of homeomorphisms of M, that fix A. We recover the classical definition of the mapping class group of a pair by taking automorphisms at the appropriate object. For each pair $${\underline{M}}$$

M
̲

we explicitly construct a functor $${\textsf{F}}:\textrm{Mot}_{{\underline{M}}} \rightarrow \textrm{MCG}_{{\underline{M}}}$$

F
:

Mot

M
̲

→

MCG

M
̲

, which is the identity on objects, and prove that this is full and faithful, and hence an isomorphism, if $$\pi _0$$

π
0

and $$\pi _1$$

π
1

of the appropriate space of self-homeomorphisms of M are trivial. In particular, we have an isomorphism in the physically important case $${\underline{M}}=([0,1]^n, \partial [0,1]^n)$$

M
̲

=

(

[
0
,
1
]

n

,
∂

[
0
,
1
]

n

)

, for any $$n\in {\mathbb {N}}$$

n
∈
N

. We show that the congruence relation used in the construction $$\textrm{Mot}_{{\underline{M}}}$$

Mot

M
̲

can be formulated entirely in terms of a level preserving isotopy relation on the trajectories of objects under flows—worldlines (e.g. monotonic ‘tangles’). We examine several explicit examples of $$\textrm{Mot}_{{\underline{M}}}$$

Mot

M
̲

and $$\textrm{MCG}_{{\underline{M}}}$$

MCG

M
̲

demonstrating the utility of the constructions.
Gravitational Blocks, Spindles and GK Geometry
Authors: Boido Andrea , Gauntlett Jerome P. , Martelli Dario , Sparks James
Published: August 2023

We derive a gravitational block formula for the supersymmetric action for a general class of supersymmetric AdS solutions, described by GK geometry. Extremal points of this action describe supersymmetric AdS$$_3$$

3

solutions of type IIB supergravity, sourced by D3-branes, and supersymmetric AdS$$_2$$

2

solutions of $$D=11$$

D
=
11

supergravity, sourced by M2-branes. In both cases, the branes are also wrapped over a two-dimensional orbifold known as a spindle, or a two-sphere. We develop various geometric methods for computing the gravitational block contributions, allowing us to recover previously known results for various explicit supergravity solutions, and to significantly generalize these results to other compactifications. For the AdS$$_3$$

3

solutions we give a general proof that our off-shell supersymmetric action agrees with an appropriate off-shell c-function in the dual field theory, establishing a very general exact result in holography. For the AdS$$_2$$

2

solutions our gravitational block formula allows us to obtain the entropy for supersymmetric, magnetically charged and accelerating black holes in AdS$$_4$$

4

.
Under pressure—the influence of hypergravity on electrocortical activity and neurocognitive performance
Authors: Badalì Constance , Wollseiffen Petra , Schneider Stefan
Published: August 2023

The effects of hypergravity and the associated increased pressure on the human body have not yet been studied in detail, but are of great importance for the safety of astronauts on space missions and could have a long-term impact on rehabilitation strategies for neurological patients. Considering the plans of international space agencies with the exploration of Mars and Moon, it is important to explore the effects of both extremes, weightlessness and hypergravity. During parabolic flights, a flight manoeuvre that artificially creates weightlessness and hypergravity, electrocortical activity as well as behavioural parameters (error rate and reaction time) and neuronal parameters (event-related potentials P300 and N200) were examined with an electroencephalogram. Thirteen participants solved a neurocognitive task (mental arithmetic task as a primary task and oddball paradigm as a secondary task) within normal as well as hypergravity condition in fifteen consecutive parabolas for 22 s each. No changes between the different gravity levels could be observed for the behavioural parameters and cortical current density. A significantly lower P300 amplitude was observed in 1 G, triggered by the primary task and the target sound of the oddball paradigm. The N200, provoked by the sounds of the oddball paradigm, revealed a higher amplitude in 1.8 G. A model established by Kohn et al. (2018) describing changes in neural communication with decreasing gravity can be used here as an explanatory approach. The fluid shift increases the intracranial pressure, decreases membrane viscosity and influences the open state probability of ion channels. This leads to an increase in the resting membrane potential, and the threshold for triggering an action potential can be reached more easily. The question now arises whether the observed changes are linear or whether they depend on a specific threshold.
The ptotic tongue—imaging appearance and pathology localization along the course of the hypoglossal nerve
Authors: Gorolay Vineet Vijay , Tran Ngoc-Anh , Tade Ryan , Baugnon Kristen , Aiken Ashley , Wu Xin
Published: August 2023

CT and MRI findings of tongue ptosis and atrophy should alert radiologists to potential pathology along the course of the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII), a purely motor cranial nerve which supplies the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue. While relatively specific for hypoglossal nerve pathology, these findings do not accurately localize the site or cause of denervation. A detailed understanding of the anatomic extent of the nerve, which crosses multiple anatomic spaces, is essential to identify possible underlying pathology, which ranges from benign postoperative changes to life-threatening medical emergencies. This review will describe key imaging findings of tongue denervation, segmental anatomy of the hypoglossal nerve, imaging optimization, and comprehensive imaging examples of diverse pathology which may affect the hypoglossal nerve. Armed with this knowledge, radiologists will increase their sensitivity for detection of pathology and provide clinically relevant differential diagnoses when faced with findings of tongue ptosis and denervation.
Thrombotic risk of platinum combination chemotherapy with and without immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a nationwide inpatient database study
Authors: Iwai Chikako , Jo Taisuke , Konishi Takaaki , Fujita Asahi , Michihata Nobuaki , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To determine the associated thromboembolism risk with adding immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) to platinum combination chemotherapy compared with platinum combination chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Materials and methods

This study identified 75,807 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database who started platinum combination chemotherapy between July 2010 and March 2021. The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), arterial thromboembolism (ATE), and all-cause mortality within 6 months after commencing platinum combination chemotherapy was compared between patients receiving chemotherapy with ICI (ICI group, n = 7,177) and without ICI (non-ICI group, n = 37,903). Survival time analysis was performed using the overlap weighting method with propensity scores to adjust for background factors. The subdistribution hazard ratio for developing thromboembolism was calculated using the Fine-Gray model with death as a competing risk. The hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was also calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

Overall, VTE and ATE occurred in 761 (1.0%) and 389 (0.51%) patients, respectively; mortality was 11.7%. Propensity score overlap weighting demonstrated that the subdistribution hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for VTE and ATE in the ICI group was 1.27 (1.01–1.60) and 0.96 (0.67–1.36), respectively, compared with the non-ICI group. The mortality hazard ratio in the ICI group was 0.68 (0.62–0.74).

Conclusion

The addition of ICI to platinum combination therapy was associated with a higher risk of VTE compared with platinum combination therapy alone, while the risk of ATE might be comparable.
A Prospective Study Evaluating the Feasibility and Accuracy of Post‐operative Laryngeal Ultrasonography (LUSG) in Assessment of Vocal Cord Function After Esophagectomy
Authors: Fung Matrix Man‐Him , Wong Ian Yu‐hong , Chan Fion Siu‐Yin , Law Tsz‐Ting , Chan Kwan‐Kit , Wong Claudia Lai‐Yin , Law Simon Ying‐Kit , Lang Brian Hung‐Hin
Published: August 2023

Background

Vocal cord paresis (VCP) is a serious complication after esophagectomy. Conventional diagnosis of VCP relies on flexible laryngoscopy (FL), which is invasive. Laryngeal ultrasonography (LUSG) is non‐invasive and convenient. It has provided accurate VC evaluation after thyroidectomy but it is unclear if it is just as accurate following esophagectomy. This prospective study evaluated the feasibility and accuracy of LUSG in VC assessment on day‐1 after esophagectomy.

Methods

Consecutive patients from a tertiary teaching hospital who underwent elective esophagectomy were prospectively recruited. All received pre‐operative FL, and post‐operative LUSG and FL on Day‐1, each performed by a blinded, independent assessor. The primary outcomes were feasibility and accuracy of LUSG in the diagnosis of VCP on Day‐1 post‐esophagectomy. The accuracy of voice assessment (VA) was analyzed.

Results

Twenty‐six patients were eligible for analysis. The median age was 70 years (66–73). Majority were male (84.6%). Twenty‐five (96.2%) received three‐phase esophagectomy. Twenty‐four (96%) had same‐stage anastomosis at the neck. Three (11.5%) developed temporary and one (3.8%) developed permanent unilateral VCP. Overall VC visualization rate by LUSG was 100%; sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of LUSG were 75.0%, 100%, 100%, 98.0%, 98.1% respectively, and superior to VA. Combining LUSG with VA findings could pick up all VCPs i.e. improved sensitivity and NPV to 100%.

Conclusion

LUSG is a highly feasible, accurate and non‐invasive method to evaluate VC function early after esophagectomy. Post‐operative FL may be avoided in patients with both normal LUSG and voice.
Absolute and relative GFR and contrast medium dose/GFR ratio: cornerstones when predicting the risk of acute kidney injury
Authors: Nyman Ulf , Leander Peter , Liss Per , Sterner Gunnar , Brismar Torkel
Published: August 2023

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is considered the best overall index of kidney function in health and disease and its use is recommended to evaluate the risk of iodine contrast medium-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) either as a single parameter or as a ratio between the total contrast medium dose (gram iodine) and GFR. GFR may be expressed in absolute terms (mL/min) or adjusted/indexed to body surface area, relative GFR (mL/min/1.73 m2). Absolute and relative GFR have been used interchangeably to evaluate the risk of CI-AKI, which may be confusing and a potential source of errors. Relative GFR should be used to assess the GFR category of renal function as a sign of the degree of kidney damage and sensitivity for CI-AKI. Absolute GFR represents the excretion capacity of the individual and may be used to calculate the gram-iodine/absolute GFR ratio, an index of systemic drug exposure (amount of contrast medium in the body) that relates to toxicity. It has been found to be an independent predictor of AKI following percutaneous coronary angiography and interventions but has not yet been fully validated for computed tomography (CT). Prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the optimal gram-iodine/absolute GFR ratio to predict AKI at various stages of renal function at CT. Only GFR estimation (eGFR) equations based on standardized creatinine and/or cystatin C assays should be used. eGFRcystatin C/eGFRcreatinine ratio < 0.6 indicating selective glomerular hypofiltration syndrome may have a stronger predictive power for postcontrast AKI than creatinine‐based eGFR.

Clinical relevance statement

Once the degree of kidney damage is established by estimating relative GFR (mL/min/1.73 m2), contrast dose in relation to renal excretion capacity [gram-iodine/absolute GFR (mL/min)] may be the best index to evaluate the risk of contrast-induced kidney injury.

Key Points

• Relative glomerular filtration rate (GFR; mL/min/1.73 m2) should be used to assess the GFR category as a sign of the degree of kidney damage and sensitivity to contrast medium-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI).

• Absolute GFR (mL/min) is the individual’s actual excretion capacity and the contrast-dose/absolute GFR ratio is a measure of systemic exposure (amount of contrast medium in the body), relates to toxicity and should be expressed in gram-iodine/absolute GFR (mL/min).

• Prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the optimal contrast medium dose/GFR ratio predicting the risk of CI-AKI at CT and intra-arterial examinations.
Perspectives on the Potentials of Phlorotannins in Enhancing Phytoremediation Performance
Authors: Omoarelojie Luke Odianose , van Staden Johannes
Published: August 2023

Phytoremediation is gaining momentum among bioremediation strategies for addressing high levels of metal(loid)s and organic pollutants in the environment, which threaten plants, wildlife, and human safety due to their cytotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects. An impediment to this bioremediation method is the limitation in the innate abilities of phytoremediation species to efficiently cope with pollutant-mediated stress, which often restricts growth, development, and efficient pollutant removal. Phlorotannins, a class of polyphenols derived from marine brown algae, possess a number of bioactivities that may be beneficial for boosting phytoremediation efficiency. This review provides a concise overview of phlorotannins, their chemical nature and structural classes, and the few (indicating a paucity of research data) bioactivities of phlorotannins that have been reported in plants. In addition, included are synopses on different phytoremediation strategies and highlights of major future research perspectives on harnessing phlorotannin bioactivities to ameliorate growth, development, and stress tolerance in phytoremediation species for the benefit of phytoremediation efforts.
Sulfur oxidation state and solubility in silicate melts
Authors: Boulliung Julien , Wood Bernard J.
Published: August 2023

We have determined the solubility of sulfur (S) as sulfide (S2–) for 13 different natural melt compositions at temperatures of 1473–1773 K under controlled conditions of oxygen and sulfur fugacities (fO2 and fS2, respectively). The S and major element contents of the quenched glasses were determined by electron microprobe. The sulfide capacity parameter (CS2–) was used to express S2– solubility as a function of the oxygen and sulfur fugacities according to the equation: $$\log C_{{S^{2 - } }} = \log S_{melt} \left( {wt\% } \right) + 0.5\log \left( {\frac{{fO_{2} }}{{fS_{2} }}} \right)$$

log

C

S

2
-

=
log

S

melt

w
t
%

+
0.5
log

f

O
2

f

S
2

. Sulfide capacities of silicate melts were found to increase with temperature and the FeO content of the melt. We combined our sulfide data at 1473–1773 K with (O’Neill and Mavrogenes, J Petrol 43:1049–1087, 2002) results at 1673 K, and obtained by stepwise linear regression the following equation for sulfide capacity $$\log C_{{S^{2 - } }} = 0.225 + \left( {25237X_{FeO} + 5214X_{CaO} + 12705X_{MnO} + 19829X_{{K_{2} O}} - 1109X_{{Si_{0.5} O}} - 8879} \right)/T{ }$$

log

C

S

2
-

=
0.225
+

25237

X

FeO

+
5214

X

CaO

+
12705

X

MnO

+
19829

X

K
2

O

-
1109

X

S

i

0.5

O

-
8879

/
T

. XMO is the mole fraction of the oxide of M on a single-oxygen basis, and T is in Kelvin. The sulfide capacity equation was combined with sulfate capacity (CS6+) data for similar compositions and at the same temperatures (Boulliung and Wood, Geochim Cosmochim Acta 336:150–164, 2022), to estimate the S redox state (S6+/S2– ratio) as a function of melt composition, temperature and oxygen fugacity. Results obtained are in good agreement with earlier measurements of S6+/S2– for basaltic and andesitic compositions. We observe a significant increase, however, relative to FMQ of the oxygen fugacity of the S2– to S6+ transition as temperature is lowered from 1773 to 1473 K. We used our results to simulate sulfur-degassing paths for basaltic compositions under various redox conditions (FMQ –2 log fO2 units to FMQ + 2). The calculations indicate that, given an initial concentration of 0.12 wt% S in an ascending melt at 250 MPa, most of the S (> 80%) will be degassed before the magma reaches 100 MPa pressure.
Peripheral nervous system involvement accompanies central nervous system involvement in anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody-related disease
Authors: Theuriet Julian , Cluse Florent , Gravier-Dumonceau Alice , Picard Géraldine , Closs Sterenn , Rogemond Véronique , Timestit Noémie , Bouhour Françoise , Petiot Philippe , Davy Vincent , Chanson Eve , Arzalluz-Luque Joaquín , Marignier Romain , Honnorat Jerome , Pegat Antoine
Published: August 2023

Background

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is expressed by astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS), but also by immature and regenerative Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). GFAP antibodies (GFAP-Abs) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been mainly described in patients with meningoencephalomyelitis. We aimed to study PNS symptoms in patients with CSF GFAP-Abs.

Methods

We retrospectively included all patients tested positive for GFAP-Abs in the CSF by immunohistochemistry and confirmed by cell-based assay expressing human GFAPα since 2017, from two French reference centers.

Results

In a cohort of 103 CSF GFAP-Abs patients, 25 (24%) presented with PNS involvement. Among them, the median age at onset was 48 years and 14/25 (56%) were female. Abnormal electroneuromyography was observed in 11/25 patients (44%), including eight isolated radiculopathies, one radiculopathy associated with polyneuropathy, one radiculopathy associated with sensory neuronopathy, and one demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Cranial nerve involvement was observed in 18/25 patients (72%). All patients except one had an associated CNS involvement. The first manifestation of the disease concerned the PNS in three patients. First-line immunotherapy was administered to 18/24 patients (75%). The last follow-up modified Rankin Scale was ≤ 2 in 19/23 patients (83%). Patients with PNS involvement had significantly more bladder dysfunction than patients with isolated CNS involvement (68 vs 40.3%,p = 0.031).

Conclusions

PNS involvement in GFAP-Abs autoimmunity is heterogeneous but not rare and is mostly represented by acute or subacute cranial nerve injury and/or lower limb radiculopathy. Rarely, PNS involvement can be the first manifestation revealing the disease.
Daytime sleepiness and sleep quality in Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease
Authors: Bellofatto Marta , Gentile Luca , Bertini Alessandro , Tramacere Irene , Manganelli Fiore , Fabrizi Gian Maria , Schenone Angelo , Santoro Lucio , Cavallaro Tiziana , Grandis Marina , Previtali Stefano C. , Scarlato Marina , Allegri Isabella , Padua Luca , Pazzaglia Costanza , Villani Flavio , Cavalca Eleonora , Saveri Paola , Quattrone Aldo , Valentino Paola , Tozza Stefano , Russo Massimo , Mazzeo Anna , Vita Giuseppe , Piacentini Sylvie , Didato Giuseppe , Pisciotta Chiara , Pareyson Davide ,   for the Italian C. M. T. Network, Schirinzi Giulia , Montesano Maria , Nuzzo Sara , Oggiano Francesca , Calabrese Daniela , Gemelli Chiara , Falzone Yuri , Spina Emanuele , Longo Maria , Occhipinti Giuseppe , Iabichella Giacomo , Barone Stefania
Published: August 2023

Background

Sleep abnormalities have been reported in Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT), but data are scanty. We investigated their presence and correlation in a large CMT patients’ series.

Methods

Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were administered to CMT patients of the Italian registry and controls. ESS score > 10 indicated abnormal daytime somnolence, PSQI score > 5 bad sleep quality. We analyzed correlation with disease severity and characteristics, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), Body Mass Index, drug use.

Results

ESS and PSQI questionnaires were filled by 257 and 253 CMT patients, respectively, and 58 controls. Median PSQI score was higher in CMT patients than controls (6 vs 4, p = 0.006), with no difference for ESS score. Abnormal somnolence and poor sleep quality occurred in 23% and 56% of patients; such patients had more frequently anxiety/depression, abnormal fatigue, and positive sensory symptoms than those with normal ESS/PSQI. Moreover, patients with PSQI score > 5 had more severe disease (median CMT Examination Score, CMTES, 8 vs 6, p = 0.006) and more frequent use of anxiolytic/antidepressant drugs (29% vs 7%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Bad sleep quality and daytime sleepiness are frequent in CMT and correlated with anxiety, depression and fatigue, confirming that different components affect sleep. Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, not specifically investigated here, are other factors known to impact on sleep quality and somnolence. CMT patients’ management must include sleep behavior assessment and evaluation of its correlated factors, including general distress and fatigue.
Can AI-based body composition assessment outperform body surface area in predicting dose-limiting toxicities for colonic cancer patients on chemotherapy?
Authors: Cao Ke , Yeung Josephine , Arafat Yasser , Choi CheukShan , Wei Matthew Y. K. , Chan Steven , Lee Margaret , Baird Paul N. , Yeung Justin M. C.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Gold standard chemotherapy dosage is based on body surface area (BSA); however many patients experience dose-limiting toxicities (DLT). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of BSA, two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) body composition (BC) measurements derived from Lumbar 3 vertebra (L3) computed tomography (CT) slices, in predicting DLT in colon cancer patients.

Methods

203 patients (60.87 ± 12.42 years; 97 males, 47.8%) receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (Oxaliplatin and/or 5-Fluorouracil) were retrospectively evaluated. An artificial intelligence segmentation model was used to extract 2D and 3D body composition measurements from each patients' single mid-L3 CT slice as well as multiple-L3 CT scans to produce a 3D BC report. DLT was defined as any incidence of dose reduction or discontinuation due to chemotherapy toxicities. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed on BSA and individual body composition measurements to demonstrate their predictive performance.

Results

A total of 120 (59.1%) patients experienced DLT. Age and BSA did not vary significantly between DLT and non-DLT group. Females were significantly more likely to experience DLT (p = 4.9 × 10–3). In all patients, the predictive effectiveness of 2D body composition measurements (females: AUC = 0.50–0.54; males: AUC = 0.50–0.61) was equivalent to that of BSA (females: AUC = 0.49; males: AUC = 0.58). The L3 3D skeletal muscle volume was the most predictive indicator of DLT (AUC of 0.66 in females and 0.64 in males).

Conclusion

Compared to BSA and 2D body composition measurements, 3D L3 body composition measurements had greater potential to predict DLT in CRC patients receiving chemotherapy and this was sex dependent.
Lumped model eddy current analysis of influence factors on PM segmentation effectiveness
Authors: Königs Mike , Löhlein Bernd
Published: August 2023

This is the second of a series of papers on new methods for the calculation of eddy current losses in permanent magnets (PMs) and the shortcomings of previous analyses. Our first paper extended Ruoho’s work on harmonic field distributions to the reaction field of eddy currents within permanent magnets. The approach was based on the methods of the harmonic complex AC calculation. In this paper, the models presented in our previous paper are further extended to allow a harmonic calculation of eddy current losses in permanent magnets for homogeneous fields, including the effects of eddy current losses in an adjacent ferromagnetic material, leakage flux factors, and non-constant inductance.
Water-Weakening and Time-Dependent Deformation of Organic-Rich Chalks
Authors: Kibikas William M. , Choens R. Charles , Bauer Stephen J. , Shalev Eyal , Lyakhovsky Vladimir
Published: August 2023

The Ghareb Formation is a shallowly buried porous chalk in southern Israel that is being considered as a host rock for a geologic nuclear waste repository. Setup and operation of a repository will induce significant mechanical, hydrological and chemical perturbations in the Ghareb. Developing a secure repository requires careful characterization of the rock behavior to different loads. To characterize hydromechanical behavior of the Ghareb, several short- and long-term deformation experiments were conducted. Hydrostatic loading tests were conducted both dry and water-saturated, using different setups to measure elastic properties, time-dependent behavior, and permeability. A set of triaxial tests were conducted to measure the elastic properties and rock strength under differential loading at dry and water-saturated conditions. The hydrostatic tests showed the Ghareb began to deform inelastically around 12–15 MPa, a relatively low effective pressure. Long-term permeability measurements demonstrated that permeability declined with increasing effective pressure and was permanently reduced by ~ 1 order of magnitude after unloading pressure. Triaxial tests showed that water saturation significantly degrades the rock properties of the Ghareb, indicating water-weakening is a significant risk during repository operation. Time-dependent deformation is observed during hold periods of both the hydrostatic and triaxial tests, with deformation being primarily visco-plastic. The rate of deformation and permeability loss is strongly controlled by the effective pressure as well. Additionally, during holds of both hydrostatic and triaxial tests, it is observed that when water-saturated, radial strain surpassed axial strain when above effective pressures of 13–20 MPa. Thus, deformation anisotropy may occur in situ during operations even if the stress conditions are hydrostatic when above this pressure range.
Sustainability accounting for greenhouse gas emissions measurement using the GREET LCA model: practical review of automotive ESG reporting
Authors: Molnár Péter , Suta Alex , Tóth Árpád
Published: August 2023

The production and personal use of passenger vehicles contribute significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making personal transport a major contributor. In response to increasing pressure from regulators and consumers to lower emissions, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have introduced alternative powertrains, such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs). To assess the economic and environmental feasibility of BEVs, OEMs conduct various life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches as part of their internal management practices. However, the public presentation of their results is often ambiguous and of unverifiable quality. This study conducts a review of sustainability impact reporting using the GREET model, which is based on the total vehicle life cycle. The paper provides a summary of the input data requirements for validating emissions from both the fuel and vehicle cycles as part of the proposed model. The availability of the model components was tested against actual public corporate environmental, social and governance reporting disclosures of the largest global automotive OEMs, indicating a deficit in the public presentation of essential sustainability information. The implications of the research suggest that LCA models could benefit sustainability accounting by incorporating proper tagging during accounting practices and taking advantage of digital accounting and reporting practices such as the extensible business reporting language (XBRL). By further developing the model, sustainability reporting can benefit from its structure and workflow, thus ensuring improved information validity for stakeholders.

Graphical abstract
Day and night heart rate variability using 24-h ECG recordings: a systematic review with meta-analysis using a gender lens
Authors: De Maria Beatrice , Parati Monica , Dalla Vecchia Laura Adelaide , La Rovere Maria Teresa
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Increasing evidence demonstrates that gender-related factors, and not only biological sex, are relevant in the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of the cardiovascular system, including the cardiac autonomic regulation. Sex and gender may also affect daytime and night-time cardiac autonomic control. This meta-analysis aimed to provide a comparison between healthy women and men on heart rate variability using 24-h ECG recordings pointing out sex- and gender-related factors.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted to include studies focusing on both sex and gender differences related to heart rate variability indices in the time and frequency domains. Descriptive data were extracted by two independent reviewers. For each index, standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were computed and a pooled estimate using a fixed- or random-effects model was applied.

Results

Twenty-seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that only seven studies reported some information about gender-related factors. Concerning sex-related differences, women had a shorter mean RR interval and lower variability of the time domain indices than men.

Sex-related differences concerning frequency domain indices were more evident during night-time compared to daytime.

Conclusion

The characterization of gender-related factors in the study of heart rate variability using 24-h ECG recordings is still sporadic and underexplored. The meta-analysis results could not conclusively support a significant increase of high frequency power in women, although women showed a reduced total power and low frequency to high frequency ratio. There is a strong need for considering heart rate variability in relation to gender-related variables.
Is cancer an intelligent species?
Authors: Nicolazzo Chiara , Francescangeli Federica , Magri Valentina , Giuliani Alessandro , Zeuner Ann , Gazzaniga Paola
Published: August 2023

Some relevant emerging properties of intelligent systems are “adaptation to a changing environment,” “reaction to unexpected situations,” “capacity of problem solving,” and “ability to communicate.” Single cells have remarkable abilities to adapt, make adequate context-dependent decision, take constructive actions, and communicate, thus theoretically meeting all the above-mentioned requirements. From a biological point of view, cancer can be viewed as an invasive species, composed of cells that move from primary to distant sites, being continuously exposed to changes in the environmental conditions. Blood represents the first hostile habitat that a cancer cell encounters once detached from the primary site, so that cancer cells must rapidly carry out multiple adaptation strategies to survive. The aim of this review was to deepen the adaptation mechanisms of cancer cells in the blood microenvironment, particularly referring to four adaptation strategies typical of animal species (phenotypic adaptation, metabolic adaptation, niche adaptation, and collective adaptation), which together define the broad concept of biological intelligence. We provided evidence that the required adaptations (either structural, metabolic, and related to metastatic niche formation) and “social” behavior are useful principles allowing putting into a coherent frame many features of circulating cancer cells. This interpretative frame is described by the comparison with analog behavioral traits typical of various animal models.