bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Trametinib in Neurofibromatosis Type 1–Associated Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Case Report
Authors: Fukuda Misao , Mukohara Toru , Kuwata Takeshi , Sunami Kuniko , Naito Yoichi
Published: August 2024

Trametinib, an MEK inhibitor, may offer a new therapeutic option for patients with NF1-related GIST.
Predicting Tumor Volume Doubling Time and Progression-Free Survival in Untreated Patients from Patient-Derived-Xenograft (PDX) Models: A Translational Model-Based Approach
Authors: Tosca E. M. , Ronchi D. , Rocchetti M. , Magni P.
Published: August 2024

Tumor volume doubling time (TVDT) has been shown to be a potential surrogate marker of biological tumor activity. However, its availability in clinics is strongly limited due to ethical and practical reasons, as its assessment requires at least two subsequent tumor volume measurements in untreated patients. Here, a translational modeling framework to predict TVDT distributions in untreated cancer patient populations from tumor growth data in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mice is proposed. Eleven solid cancer types were considered. For each of them, a set of tumor growth studies in PDX mice was selected and analyzed through a mathematical model to characterize the distribution of the exponential tumor growth rate in mice. Then, assuming an exponential growth of the tumor mass in humans, the growth rates were scaled from PDX mice to humans through an allometric scaling approach and used to predict TVDTs in untreated patients. A very good agreement was found between model predicted and clinically observed TVDTs, with 91% of the predicted TVDT medians fell within 1.5-fold of observations. Further, exploiting the intrinsic relationship between tumor growth dynamics and progression free survival (PFS), the exponential growth rates in humans were used to generate the expected PFS curves in absence of anticancer treatment. Predicted curves were extremely close to published PFS data from studies involving patient cohorts treated with supportive care or low effective therapies. The proposed approach shows promise as a potential tool to increase knowledge about TVDT in humans without the need of directly measuring tumor dimensions in untreated patients, and to predict PFS curves in untreated patients, that could fill the absence of placebo-controlled arms against which to compare treaded arms during clinical trials. However, further validation and refinement are needed to fully assess its effectiveness in this regard.
Evaluating Linear Heuristics for Ventricular Volume in Healthy Adults Using a Fully Automated Algorithm: Implications for Defining the Normal
Authors: Taha Birra R.
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Linear metrics for ventricular volume play a large role in the rapid, approximate evaluation of ventricular volume. In this article, we automatically extract linear measures of ventricular volume to explore their correlation with lateral ventricular volume (LVV) in the healthy adult population and comprehensively define normal values.

METHODS:

We automatically extract Evans' ratio (ER), Frontal-Occipital Horn Ratio (FOHR), and anteroposterior lateral ventricle index (ALVI) from an open MRI data set of healthy adults (https://brain-development.org/ixi-dataset/). Indices have been correlated with corresponding LVVs and lateral ventricular volumes divided by supratentorial brain volumes. Spearman rank correlation was used to compare strength of correlation.

RESULTS:

ER shows correlation with lateral ventricle volume based on sex (r = 0.58; men, r = 0.65; women P < .001), including when controlling for supratentorial volume (r = 0.57; men, r = 0.63). ER did not profoundly correlate with age (r = 0.29, men; r = 0.35, women; P < .001) and seemed normally distributed around 0.25. ALVI showed strong correlation with LVV with only slight gender differences (r = 0.83, men; r = 0.84, women) and LVV to supratentorial cortical volume ratio (r = 0.9, men; r = 0.86, women). FOHR was also normally distributed around a value of 0.37 and showed moderate correlation with LVV (r = 0.68, men; r = 0.73, women) and LVV to supratentorial cortical volume ratio (r = 0.69, men; r = 0.74, women).

CONCLUSION:

ALVI is a newer index with strong correlation with LVV and has strong potential for clinical use. Both FOHR and ER show moderate correlation with LVV. Reference values for linear estimates of ventricular volume may help clinicians better identify patients with pathological ventriculomegaly.
‘Almost nothing is firmly established’: A History of Heredity and Genetics in Mental Health Science
Authors: Chaney Sarah , Marks Sarah , Wynter Rebecca
Published: August 2024

Background For more than a century, scientists have tried to find the key to causation of mental ill health in heredity and genetics. The difficulty of finding clear and actionable answers in our genes has not stopped them looking. This history offers important context to understanding mental health science today. Methods This article explores the main themes in research on genetics and inheritance in psychiatry from the second half of the nineteenth century to the present day, to address the question: what is the history of genetics as a causative explanation in mental health science? We take a critical historical approach to the literature, interrogating primary and secondary material for the light it brings to the research question, while considering the social and historical context. Results We begin with the statistics gathered in asylums and used to ‘prove’ the importance of heredity in mental ill health. We then move through early twentieth century Mendelian models of mental inheritance, the eugenics movement, the influence of social psychiatry, new classifications and techniques of the postwar era, the Human Genome Project and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and epigenetics. Setting these themes in historical context shows that this research was often popular because of wider social, political and cultural issues, which impacted the views of scientists just as they did those of policymakers, journalists and the general public. Conclusions We argue that attempting to unpick this complex history is essential to the modern ethics of mental health and genetics, as well as helping to focus our efforts to better understand causation in mental ill-health. For a succinct timeline of the history of psychiatric genetics, alongside the history of other proposed causes for mental ill-health, visit: https://historyofcauses.co.uk/
Recovery of Phosphors by Beneficiation Technology
Authors: Guo Jing , Li Bing , Peng Hao , Tao Changyuan
Published: August 2024

Phosphorous is indispensable in the phosphoric acid industry, fertilizers, and elemental phosphorus production due to its high economic importance. The way to successfully upgrade phosphate ore was based on a full understanding of its mineralogy, mineral surface properties, mineral distribution and liberation. Most phosphate ores are not suitable for direct use in the acidulation process because they have relatively low P2O5 contents and generally contain many impurities. Thus, low-grade phosphate ores must be pretreated to reach a suitable phosphate concentrate by the following beneficiation techniques: flotation, attrition scrubbing and deslming, electrostatic separations, magnetic separation, gravity separation and calcination. Flotation was predominantly used for the beneficiation of phosphate ores, while calcination could be feasibly used when the fuel energy cost was low and the water source was limited. The chemical composition and texture of phosphate ores should be considered when applying attrition scrubbing and desliming, magnetic separation and gravity separation. Commonly, some of the above technologies should be combined to obtain excellent results.
Intra-articular Osteochondroma Of The Hip. Total Hip Replacement After Tumor Resection In A Young Adult – A Case Report
Authors:   epartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, General Hospital Nueva Rosita, Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico,, Arizpe Fuentes Gustavo Octavio , Arizpe Fuentes Ernesto Javier ,   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Faculty of Medicine, Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico., Esquivel Sonora Sergio Gilberto ,   Department of Anatomopathology, General Hospital of Múzquiz Coahuila, Carretera Múzquiz / Palau Km 9 s/n, Mexico., Arellano Pérez Vertti Rubén Daniel ,   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Faculty of Medicine, Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico.
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Osteochondroma is the most common benign bone tumor (20–50%). It is located predominantly in the metaphysis of the long bones, and much less frequently, the proximal femur and acetabulum. Osteochondroma can eventually lead to hip osteoarthritis and limit patients’ functional activities. Determining optimal treatment can be difficult due to the high risk of avascular necrosis in surgical resections. Case Report: A 44-year-old male from Sabinas Coahuila, Mexico, a priest by profession, who presents for consultation with right inguinal pain of 18 months’ duration. The patient had been treated conservatively with rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy without showing improvement in his symptoms. The anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis and axial tomography showed an oval bone excrescence with well-defined margins in the acetabular and intra-articular region of the hip, which caused a decrease in joint space but without soft tissue infiltration. Tumor resection and total hip replacement were the treatment options. The histopathological study concluded an osteochondroma. After 25 months of post-operative follow-up, radiographic studies show no evidence of lesion recurrence. The functional improvement is 98 points on the Harris scale; the patient typically performs his daily living and work activities. Conclusion: Treating intra-articular osteochondroma of the hip can be challenging for the orthopedic surgeon. For osteochondroma resulting in secondary osteoarthrosis of the hip joint, total hip replacement should be considered an effective method to restore function and assist in returning the patient to previous activities. Thorough pre-operative planning is mandatory to prevent intra- or immediate post-operative risk. Keywords: Hip, intra-articular osteochondroma, total hip replacement.
Normalising sequence lengths using the relative duration of episodes: an application to doctoral trajectories in Germany
Authors: Brandt Gesche , de Vogel Susanne
Published: August 2024

To address significant variation of sequence lengths of doctoral trajectories, we propose sequence normalisation using the relative duration of episodes. We employ episode data from a panel study of doctorate holders in Germany where doctoral trajectories are measured in single months and differ in length up to several years. Utilising normalised sequences instead of absolute sequences, we are better able to identify typical trajectories. The graphical presentation of the cluster solutions more accurately depicts the underlying processes. Furthermore, it offers the possibility to define reference sequences without a fixed length. Normalising sequences instead of distances thus proves an easily implementable method to compare sequences of different lengths when the identification of patterns is a priority.
SHARE Corona Surveys: study profile
Authors: Bergmann Michael , Wagner Melanie , Yilmaz Yasemin , Axt Kathrin , Kronschnabl Judith , Pettinicchi Yuri , Schmidutz Daniel , Schuller Karin , Stuck Stephanie , Börsch-Supan Axel
Published: August 2024

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) was in a unique position to respond to the need for high quality survey data on people’s changing living situations. Implemented as two telephone interviews in the summer of 2020 and 2021 in 27 European countries and Israel, the SHARE Corona Surveys present a great advantage by their integration into the longitudinal, multidisciplinary and ex-ante harmonised design of the SHARE study. This allows researchers to trace changes from the pre-pandemic period, through the different stages of the pandemic, and the post-pandemic situation. This article lays out the research aims and how the two Corona Surveys fit in the general design of SHARE. It presents the main design features of the SHARE Corona Surveys following the survey life cycle. It starts with information on procurement, contracting, funding, ethics, and data protection and sampling, followed by information on instrument design, translations, questionnaire content and interviewer training. Last, fieldwork, panel care and data processing are described. Focused on topics of health behaviour, health care, economics and social relationships, the balanced panel sample of the two SHARE Corona Surveys comprises more than 48,000 interviews and provides valuable information on how the 50+ population coped with the COVID-19 pandemic. The experience of implementing the SHARE Corona Surveys also offers insights into use of agile project management methods for large survey infrastructures and moving towards a multi-mode design in an ongoing panel data collection project.
Resisting the spiral of silence: reflections on Thomas Mathiesen’s contributions to surveillance studies, social silencing and abolitionism
Authors: Canning Victoria
Published: August 2024

In late 2021, some six months after his death, the University of Oslo held a commemoration of the work of Professor Thomas Mathiesen. As this issue of Justice, Power and Resistance will attest, Mathiesen cut across definitions of theorist, scholar, pedagogue and archetypal academic activist. In this short intervention, I pay tribute to the influence Thomas’ work has had not only on my own, but on so many interventions around injustice and ever-expanding aspects of surveillant social controls which proliferate contemporarily. In doing so, this short article will highlight an overview of his most recognised work, before delving into a perspective that I consider to be more relevant than ever: Mathiesen’s conceptualisation of ‘silent silencing’ (Mathiesen, 2004). Overall, this contribution seeks to remind those new to studies of harm and social control of the value of critical work which came before us, and the need to engage, reflect and rebuild perspectives such as Mathiesen’s in ways which are meaningful to contemporary problems and optimal (abolitionist) solutions.
Hybrid Decadence and Naturalism in Amalie Skram's Fictions of the Asylum
Authors: Maltz Diana
Published: August 2024

Abstract: In the 1895 novels Professor Hieronimus and its sequel På St. Jørgen [ At St. Jorgen's ], the Norwegian novelist Amalie Skram fictionalized her experience of incarceration in a Danish mental hospital. With a naturalist focus on hospital power structures, Skram has her patient-protagonist Else Kant interview fellow patients and question staff about institutional policy. Else's investigation lays the ground for the novels' decadence, highlighting her doctor's vindictiveness, introducing her to uncanny fellow patients, and escalating her panic and unreliability. Early passages about Else's painting and hallucinations further reveal Skram's interest in irrationality and decay. Skram's asylum fictions prove convincing specimens of the hybridity between naturalism and decadence.
Leveraging Relationships in University Fundraising: An Analysis of Faculty Advisee Groups and Alumni Networks
Authors: Douglas Kelly
Published: August 2024

Abstract: Fundraising is based on relationship building, yet university fundraisers often underuse data about alumni connections to faculty and to other alumni. Fundraising offices have not prioritized collecting relationship data; and so, despite its importance, this information is often missing, hidden, or inaccessible. However, the discrepancy underscores an opportunity. This project used a combination of recommender systems, network graphing, and data visualization to help a university fund-raising department discover and leverage its network of alumni and post-docs. The project resulted in two dashboards, one focused on faculty advisee groups and the other an alumni network map. The advisee group dashboard made it easy for fundraising analysts to see each faculty advisor’s alums and post-docs, compare the philanthropy of the groups, and strategize about potential fundraising initiatives. The network map helped identify previously unknown connections between engaged alumni and their unengaged peers, based on shared student experiences. This information led to new strategies for connecting with alumni who had been difficult to engage. Together, the dashboards enabled the department to take advantage of more relationship-based fundraising opportunities. The project demonstrated the value of treating fundraising not just as an art, but as a data-driven science.
Terahertz polarization beam splitter with wide bandwidth and low loss
Authors: Du Yuhang , Zhou Dinghao , Zhang Ruizhe , Zhou Jingkai , Zou Hui
Published: August 2024

This paper proposes a polarization beam splitter operating at terahertz frequencies. The beam splitter utilizes cyclo-olefin copolymer as the material and introduces two hollow elliptical structures to divide the fiber core into two parts. The characteristics of this fiber are analyzed using the finite element method, and the influence of various structural parameters on the polarization splitting properties is studied in detail. By optimizing the structural parameters of the fiber, a terahertz polarization beam splitter with a bandwidth of 0.08 THz and a low transmission loss of 0.071 dB/cm is achieved at the center frequency of 1 THz with a length of 2.81 cm. This fiber achieves significant breakthroughs in operating bandwidth and transmission loss, making it of great value for the design and research of polarization beam splitters and having important applications in optical communication systems and optical networks.
Enhancing the sensitivity of spin-exchange relaxation-free magnetometers using phase-modulated pump light with external Gaussian noise
Authors: Ma Ning , Fang Xiujie , Zhang Yaqi , Xing Bozheng , Duan Lihong , Lu Jixi , Han Bangcheng , Ma Danyue
Published: August 2024

An optical pumping scheme is proposed for reducing the gradient of electron spin polarization and suppressing light source noise in a spin-exchange relaxation-free magnetometer. This is achieved by modulating only the phase of a narrow-linewidth pump light field with external Gaussian noise. Compared to the absence of phase modulation, the uniformity of electron spin polarization was improved by over 40%, and the light-frequency noise suppression ratio of the magnetometer was enhanced by 4.3 times. Additionally, the response of the magnetometer was increased by 54%, resulting in a sensitivity of 0.34 fT/Hz1/2 at 30 Hz. The applicability of this scheme can extend to other optical pumping experiments involving large atom ensembles requiring uniform electron spin polarization distribution, which is beneficial for developing ultra-high sensitivity and high stability magnetometers essential for magneto-cardiography and magneto-encephalography research applications.
Machine learning enhanced smart tactile specklegram fiber sensor using spatial mode downsampling
Authors: Liu Xiao , He Sijin , Kang Juan , Liu Bo , Zhu Chen
Published: August 2024

This study presents a proof-of-concept demonstration of a demodulation technique using a seven-core fiber (SCF) and machine learning (ML) algorithms for multimode fiber (MMF)-based tactile sensing. By condensing high-resolution images into vectors of seven power values from the cores of the MMF, dataset size is significantly reduced compared to conventional specklegram sensors, mitigating post-processing workload. This downsampling approach, akin to machine learning pooling layers, boosts computational efficiency without compromising accuracy. Leveraging power measurements from the seven cores along with a Gaussian process regression model, the proposed sensor achieves a spatial resolution of 0.075 mm (1 mm sampling) for detecting normal force distribution, outperforming conventional ML algorithms used in MMF specklegram sensors with 20 times less computation time. Moreover, the sensor design enables simultaneous measurement of contact force and position with over 96% accuracy. This study underscores the potential of SCF-based sensors to streamline data acquisition and storage while preserving signal quality, potentially eliminating the need for free-space coupling and cameras commonly used in MMF specklegram setups, thus paving the way for all-fiber-based, high-speed, cost-effective, multi-parameter tactile sensors.
Image quality improvement for a hybrid compressive light field display based on gradient descent with a mixed loss function
Authors: Chen Qiyang , Chen Zhiyu , Chen Tao , Lv Guoqiang , Feng Qibin , Wang Zi
Published: August 2024

The multi-layer compressive light field (CLF) three-dimensional (3D) display suffers from image artifacts due to layer misalignment. In this paper, we propose to reduce the image artifacts by improving the intensity distribution uniformity of the layer images. To achieve this, a global optimization algorithm based on gradient descent (GD) is proposed. To further improve the image quality, a mixed loss function combining both subjective and objective losses is proposed for the optimization. By applying the subjective loss to enhance the perceptual quality, the 3D image details could be reconstructed better. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly reduces artifacts and improves image quality compared to the conventional method.
Fundamental precision limits of fluorescence microscopy: a perspective on MINFLUX
Authors: Rosati Matteo , Parisi Miranda , Gianani Ilaria , Barbieri Marco , Cincotti Gabriella
Published: August 2024

Over the past years, fluorescence microscopy (FM) has steadily progressed in increasing the localization precision of fluorescent emitters in biological samples and led to new claims, whose rigorous validation remains an outstanding problem. We present a novel, to the best of our knowledge, multi-parameter estimation framework that captures the full complexity of a single-emitter FM localization experiment. We showcase our method with Minimum Flux (MINFLUX) microscopy, among the highest-resolution approaches, demonstrating that (i) the localization precision can be increased only by turning the illumination intensity up, thus increasing the risk of photo-bleaching, and it is independent from the beams’ separation, and (ii) in presence of background noise, the localization precision decreases with the beams’ separation. Finally, we apply our method to Minimum Flux Stimulated Emission Depletion (MINSTED) microscopy, showing that a reduction of the beam width can provide similar performance to MINFLUX.
Atomic frequency standard based on direct frequency comb spectroscopy
Authors: Erickson Seth E. , Tooley Dylan P. , Weerasinghe Kushan , Zhu Xiushan , Chavez-Pirson Arturo , Jason Jones R.
Published: August 2024

We have developed a high performance atomic frequency standard based on Doppler-free direct frequency comb excitation of a two-photon transition in 87Rb. We demonstrate equivalent performance compared to an identical system based on cw laser excitation of the clock transition. This approach greatly simplifies optical clock architecture and eliminates the need for cw lasers in many two-photon frequency standards. The clock transition linewidth and ac-Stark shift measured directly with the frequency comb are shown to be nearly identical to those obtained using a cw laser of equal average power. We directly count this reference via the frequency comb repetition rate, achieving instabilities of 1.9 × 10−13 at 1 s averaging down to 7.8(38) × 10−15 at 2600 s, currently limited by temperature dependent shifts.
Observing multi-frequency structured illumination patterns based on an evanescent field in a millimeter-scale polymer slide
Authors: Hu Yanjun , Dai Xingang , Zhang Hongru , Dai Qun , Niu Bowen , Jing Gaoshan , Li Yuan , Fan Guofang
Published: August 2024

Millimeter-scale slide optical waveguides (OWGs) show the potential to break the barrier of easy-to-use and versatility for total internal reflection (TIR) fluorescence technology. In this paper, multi-frequency structured illumination (SI) patterns resulting from the evanescent field (EF) on the surface of a millimeter-scale polymer slide OWG are observed by measuring the fluorescence intensity distribution of fluorescent dyes deposited on the top of the OWG. The frequency, intensity, and stability of the SI patterns show a strong dependence on the coupling angle of the incident light (changing with the incident position). The distribution of multi-frequency SI patterns in the frequency space is demonstrated for different numerical aperture (NA) imaging systems (NA = 0.3, 0.6, and 0.8), indicating the potential for enhanced resolution for low NA systems with a simple and cheap polymer slide.
Lasing at 2.1 µm pumped by a simultaneous-gain clad laser
Authors: Ren Guochuan , Yao Chuanfei , Wang Xuan , Pu Luyao , Li Kaihang , Li Pingxue
Published: August 2024

We obtained lasers based on the simultaneous-gain clad pump laser in a fluorotellurite fiber. Using a secondary suction method, we prepared a fluorotellurite double-clad preform with a Ho3+-doped core surrounded by a Tm3+-doped inner cladding, which we then drew into fibers. Tm3+ ions generate a 1.94 µm laser by pumping the inner cladding with a 1570 nm fiber laser. This is followed by further pumping of the Ho3+-doped core, and a 2.06 µm laser is obtained. Our results validate cladding simultaneous-gain feasibility of producing core lasers in a fluorotellurite fiber.
Far-fields and Scaling Laws of Two-Dimensional TM Modes in Dirac-vortex Topological Cavity
Authors: Zhai Tianrui , Gao Xiaomei , Chang Siqi , Li zongliang
Published: August 2024

Dirac-vortex cavities have single-mode emitting, scalable mode areas, arbitrary mode degeneracies, vector-beam vertical emission, which attract more and more researchers’ attention. Here, we demonstrate the single-mode of two-dimensional TM Dirac-vortex topological cavity modes, that are not only generally available for high power topological surface emitting lasers: TCSEL, but also is one of the excellent candidates for refractive index sensors. The principle for winding number is studied, and the scaling laws are shown with cavity mode diameters. The methods can be directly guidance for far-field detection of Dirac-vortex cavities TM mode in experiment. It is promising for an extremely wide range of applications for Dirac-vortex cavities.
Help-seeking in older crime victims: A mixed-methods study in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service
Authors: Serfaty Marc , Billings Jo , Vickerstaff Victoria , Lee Teresa , Buszewicz Marta , Satchell Jessica
Published: August 2024

Background

There are growing concerns about the psychological impact of community crimes on older victims, but little is known about whether older victims obtain mental health support.

Objective

To understand: A) whether older crime victims seek help for psychological distress, B) what factors predict help-seeking, and C) the barriers and facilitators to accessing support.

Methods

Our longitudinal mixed-methods study was embedded within the Victim Improvement Package (VIP) trial. Older victims (n = 2,932) were screened for depressive and anxious symptoms with the GAD-2 and PHQ-2 within one month of a crime. Those with significant symptoms (n = 1,170) were provided with letters signposting them to their General Practitioner (GP) (Family Physician). A subsample of older Victims (n = 677) were then re-screened at three months and asked if they had acted on the signposting. Logistic regression was used to examine predictors of help-seeking. Qualitative semi-structured interviews on a sub-sample (n = 27) were undertaken to establish barriers and facilitators to help-seeking and explore views on the signposting letter, and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Only 13% (n = 85) of distressed older victims approached their GP for help, and only 32% (n = 27) of these received help. Significant predictors of acting on signposting were police-recorded vulnerability (p = 0.01) and severity of continued anxiety at three months’ post-crime (p <0.01). Help seeking appeared to be driven by feeling overwhelmed or a desire to find others with similar experiences. Barriers to help-seeking included accessibility problems and the belief that they should be able to cope.

Conclusions

Despite growing evidence of psychological distress in older crime victims, few receive support. Signposting older victims may be insufficient to improve psychological outcomes and help-seeking barriers suggest more active management is required.
Cosmetic patent and female invention
Authors: Lee Jong Wook , Jeon Eunji , Sohn So Young
Published: August 2024

Majority customers of cosmetics are female. Would this imply a high proportion of inventors of cosmetics technology is female? Would the inventor’s gender be related to the characteristics and quality of corresponding patent? This study tries to identify manifestation of gender equity in cosmetics technology in terms of patent application and grant, technical characteristics, and its performance. We apply topic modeling, zero-inflated Poisson regression, and survival analysis to patents related to cosmetics that were applied to the United States Patent and Trademark Office from 1970 to 2016. The results show that women’s participation in cosmetic inventions is becoming active and has experienced many changes in technical characteristics, but in terms of performance, it is still sluggish. This study is expected to contribute to deepening our understanding about gender issues in technology development.
Importance of underlying mechanisms for interpreting relative risk of Clostridioides difficile infection among antibiotic-exposed patients in healthcare facilities
Authors: Mitchell Christopher , Keegan Lindsay T. , Le Thuy T. T. , Khader Karim , Beams Alexander , Samore Matthew H. , Toth Damon J. A.
Published: August 2024

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a significant public health threat, associated with antibiotic-induced disruption of the normally protective gastrointestinal microbiota. CDI is thought to occur in two stages: acquisition of asymptomatic colonization from ingesting C. difficile bacteria followed by progression to symptomatic CDI caused by toxins produced during C. difficile overgrowth. The degree to which disruptive antibiotic exposure increases susceptibility at each stage is uncertain, which might contribute to divergent published projections of the impact of hospital antibiotic stewardship interventions on CDI. Here, we model C. difficile transmission and CDI among hospital inpatients, including exposure to high-CDI-risk antibiotics and their effects on each stage of CDI epidemiology. We derive the mathematical relationship, using a deterministic model, between those parameters and observed equilibrium levels of colonization, CDI, and risk ratio of CDI among certain antibiotic-exposed patients relative to patients with no recent antibiotic exposure. We then quantify the sensitivity of projected antibiotic stewardship intervention impacts to alternate assumptions. We find that two key parameters, the antibiotic effects on susceptibility to colonization and to CDI progression, are not identifiable given the data frequently available. Furthermore, the effects of antibiotic stewardship interventions are sensitive to their assumed values. Thus, discrepancies between different projections of antibiotic stewardship interventions may be largely due to model assumptions. Data supporting improved quantification of mechanistic antibiotic effects on CDI epidemiology are needed to understand stewardship effects better.
In silico exploration of PD-L1 binding compounds: Structure-based virtual screening, molecular docking, and MD simulation
Authors: Alanzi Abdullah , Moussa Ashaimaa Y. , Mothana Ramzi A. , Abbas Munawar , Ali Ijaz
Published: August 2024

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), a transmembrane protein, is associated with the regulation of immune system. It frequently has overexpression in various cancers, allowing tumor cells to avoid immune detection. PD-L1 inhibition has risen as a potential strategy in the field of therapeutic immunology for cancer. In the current study, structure-based virtual screening of drug libraries was conducted and then the screened hits were docked to the active residues of PD-L1 to select the optimal binding poses. The top ten compounds with binding affinities ranging from -10.734 to -10.398 kcal/mol were selected for further analysis. The ADMET analysis of selected compounds showed the compounds meet the criteria of ADMET properties. Further, the conformational changes and binding stability of the top two compounds was analyzed by conducting 200 ns simulation and it was observed that the hits did not exert conformational changes to the protein structure. All the results suggest that the chosen hits can be considered as lead compounds for the inhibition of biological activity of PD-L1 in in vitro studies.
Experimental and numerical study on the model of hybrid fiber phase change concrete frozen shaft wall
Authors: Li Dongwei , Jia Zhiwen , Wang Zecheng , Xue Kaixi , Wang Zhenhua , Fang Fang
Published: August 2024

In this study, phase change materials (PCMs) were innovatively incorporated into hybrid fiber concrete. The properties of PCMs, which absorb and release heat during phase transitions, enable the concrete to actively respond to complex and varying temperature environments. This integration reduces the internal temperature differentials within the concrete, thereby preventing temperature-induced cracks in deep wellbore structures. Through the temperature control model test of the frozen shaft wall, it can be seen that the hybrid fiber phase change concrete (HFPCC) significantly reduces the internal temperature difference, and the maximum temperature difference along the radial direction is 35.84% lower than that of benchmark concrete (BC). The numerical simulation results indicate that a moderate phase transition temperature should be selected in engineering. The phase change temperature should not be close to the ambient temperature and peak temperature. The peak temperature can be reduced by 9.32% and the maximum radial temperature difference can be reduced by 30.89% by selecting an appropriate phase change temperature. The peak temperature and radial maximum temperature difference are both proportional to the latent heat of phase change. The temperature control performance of phase change concrete can be further improved by increasing the latent heat of phase change materials.
Prevalence of Forward head posture among car and bike drivers and its relation with neck and cardiopulmonary health parameters- a cross-sectional study
Authors: Aafreen Aafreen , Khan Abdur Raheem , Khan Ashfaque , Ahmad Ausaf , Shaphe Mohammad Abu , Alshehri Mohammed M. , Alajam Ramzi Abdu , Hakamy Ali , Alqahtani Abdulfattah S. , Ali Taimul , Aldhahi Monira I.
Published: August 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the prevalence of Forward Head Posture (FHP) in car and bike drivers, and its potential correlation with neck and cardiopulmonary parameters.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved 400 participants from urban and suburban areas around Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, including 200 car drivers and 200 bike drivers aged 18–65 years with a minimum five-year driving history. Neck health was assessed using measurements such as cervical range of motion and Neck Disability Index (NDI), cardiopulmonary parameters were evaluated through resting heart rate, blood pressure, and pulmonary function tests using the spirometry test, and FHP was assessed using Surgimap application. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software (version 26.0) and included descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for binary data, and correlation analyses.

Results

The result show that difference in the mean FHP between car and bike drivers was statistically significant (p = 0.0001), indicating a higher prevalence of FHP among car drivers than among bike drivers. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between FHP and neck health metrics, especially cervical flexion (r = 0.71, p<0.05), (r = 0.78, p<0.05) and left-side rotation (r = 0.56, p<0.05), (r = 0.61, p<0.05) in car and bike drivers. Among the cardiopulmonary parameters, significant correlations with FHP were observed in resting heart rate (r = 0.33, p<0.05), (r = 0.42, p<0.05), spirometry results FVC (r = 0.29, p<0.05), FEV1 (r = 0.22, p<0.05), and FVC (r = 0.31, p<0.05) for car and bike drivers.

Conclusion

We observed a higher incidence of FHP in car drivers, indicating that a prolonged static posture may lead to greater postural deviation than dynamic movement during biking. This association suggests that FHP could have wide-reaching implications for systemic health, beyond musculoskeletal issues. These findings have the potential to influence preventative strategies and interventions aimed at improving the overall health outcomes for drivers.
Factors influencing the happiness of male correctional officers: A cross-sectional study in South Korea
Authors: Jung Hyun-Ok , Han Seung-Woo
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study is a descriptive research study using a self-reported survey method to determine the impact of correctional officers’ job satisfaction, leisure satisfaction, and family strengths on their happiness.

Methods

This study targeted 269 male correctional officers working in correctional facilities established in P and S cities. The tools used in this study were job satisfaction, leisure satisfaction, and family strengths and happiness. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 22.0 program according to the research purpose. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, analysis of differences in happiness according to demographic characteristics, correlations between variables, and finally, analysis of factors affecting happiness through multiple linear regression.

Results

As a result of this study, job satisfaction(β = 0.081, p = 0.036), leisure satisfaction(β = 0.078, p = 0.001), and family strengths(β = 0.081, p = 0.001) were found to be factors affecting the happiness of male correctional officers, and the explanatory power of these variables was found to be 26.0%.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to identify factors that affect the happiness of male correctional officers and provide various counseling and program interventions that can contribute to improving happiness.
Hitting boundaries: Contract type, playing experience, non-cognitive skills, and sport anxiety in elite women cricketers
Authors: Cross Kathryn , Batey Mark Daniel , Denovan Andrew , Dagnall Neil , Powell Daniel
Published: August 2024

This paper examined the psychological impact of contextual influences (i.e., contract type and playing experience) on sport anxiety in elite women cricketers participating in The Hundred. A sample of 71 elite female cricketers playing during the 2021–2022 season took part. Forty-nine of the sample (69%) held professional contracts, and 22 (31%) had yet to sign a professional contract. Participants provided details about their contract type and playing experience and completed self-report measures assessing sport anxiety, mental toughness, and general self-efficacy. Since mental toughness and self-efficacy are non-cognitive constructs, which buffer competitive trait anxiety, analysis controlled for these variables. Multivariate analyses of covariance examined sport anxiety scores among participants in relation to Hundred matches played (either 0, 1–10, or more than 10) and contract type (whether participants had a professional contract in place or not). Subfactors of Worry, Somatic, and Confusion assessed sports anxiety. No significant main effects existed. However, alongside a significant interaction, a covariate mental toughness effect occurred. Examination of the interaction revealed Worry scores were lower in cricketers who were yet to play a Hundred match who had not received a professional contract. Furthermore, Worry and Somatic scores were higher in cricketers that had played more than 10 Hundred matches and had not received a professional contract. These findings have important implications for the development of elite women cricketers. Particularly, they highlight the need to differentially support players through their career progression.
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among underserved pastoralist communities in Kajiado County, Kenya: 2020–2022
Authors: Macharia Zipporah , Ogoti Brian , Otieno Magdaline , Gitonga Pauline , Bosco-Lauth Angela , Maritim Marybeth , Lemarkoko Esther , Keya Aggrey , Sankok Joseph , Gitao George , Onono Joshua , Oyugi Julius , Bowen Richard A.
Published: August 2024

Initial transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was highest in densely populated regions of Kenya. Transmission gradually trickled down to the less densely populated, remote and underserved regions such as the pastoral regions of Kajiado County which are characterized by poor healthcare systems. Molecular assays that were pivotal for COVID-19 diagnosis were not available in these regions. Serology is an alternative method for retrospectively tracking the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in such populations. Dry blood spots (DBS) were prepared from consenting patients attending six health facilities in Kajiado County from March 2020 to March 2022. Upon elution, we conducted an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of SARS-Cov-2 IgG antibodies. Of the 908 DBSs we analyzed, 706 (78%) were from female participants. The overall seropositivity to SARS-Cov-2 antibodies was 7.3% (95% CI 5.7–9.1). The elderly (over 60 years) and male participants had a high likelihood of testing positive for SAR-CoV-2 infections. Mashuru (15.6%, 14/90) and Meto (15%, 19/127) health facilities registered the highest proportion of seropositive participants. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among pastoralists in the remote and underserved regions of Kajiado County was established by DBS sampling and serologic testing.
High tumor burden score indicated the unfavorable prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Wangbin , Liu Rongqiang , Wang Jianguo , Liu Li , Qiu Zhendong , Yu Jia , Wang Weixing
Published: August 2024

Background

Tumor burden score (TBS) based on maximum tumor diameter and number has been shown to correlate with prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, the results are conflicting. Hence, we conducted a meta-analysis to analyze the association between TBS and survival outcomes of HCC patients.

Methods

A comprehensively search of the databases including PubMed, Embase and Web of Science was performed to retrieve studies satisfying the inclusion criteria until August 31, 2023. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. All the data analyses were carried out by STATA 12.0.

Results

10 retrospective studies containing 25073 patients were incorporated in the study. The results demonstrated that high TBS was markedly association with poor overall survival (OS) (HR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.45–2.23) and relapse-free survival / progression-free survival(RFS/PFS) (HR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.42–2.07). Subgroup analysis showed that the prognostic value of TBS in HCC was not affected by any subgroup.

Conclusions

TBS may be an efficient prognostic index in HCC patients.
A modified Goldstein filter for interferogram denoising of interferometric imaging radar altimeter based on multiple quality-guided graphs
Authors: Liu Jian , Zhang Huili , Wang Lihua , Wang Zhiyong
Published: August 2024

Aiming at the characteristics that the signal noise ratio (SNR) gradually decreases from the near to far range of the swath, an adaptive phase filtering algorithm based on Goldstein filtering and combined with multiple quality-guided graphs was proposed. Firstly, the components used to determine the filtering parameters were obtained through residue density, pseudo-coherence coefficient and pseudo-SNR, the three quality-guided graphs. Then, the filter parameters were calculated by weighting the three components. Finally, the size of filtering window was determined according to the account of residues, and the interferometric phase noise was removed in frequency domain. Simulated data, TSX/TDX data and airborne interferometric imaging radar altimeter data were used to verify the performance of the new algorithm. Compared with the results of Goldstein filtering and its improved algorithms, the results showed that the proposed algorithm can effectively filter out phase noise while maintaining the edge characteristics of interferometric fringe. The section of filtering result can well match with the section of simulated pure interfeometric phase. Moreover, the algorithm proposed in this paper can effectively remove the noise in the interferogram of TSX/TDX sea ice data, and the residues’ filtering rate was above 86%, which can effectively remove the phase residues of the sea ice surface while maintaining the characteristics of the sea ice edge. Experimental results showed that the new algorithm provides an effective phase noise filtering method for imaging radar altimeter data processing.
OST-HER2 Shows Positive Data in Phase 1 Clinical Trial of HER2-expressing Solid Tumors
Authors:   Sunvalley Communication, LLC / Onco'Zine, Hofland Peter
Published: August 2024

OST-HER2, a biologic therapeutic candidate being developed by OS Therapies, is a Listeriamonocytogenes (Lm-) vector-based off-the-shelf immunotherapeutic vaccine designed to prevent metastasis, delay recurrence, and increase overall survival in patients with osteosarcoma and other solid tumors. The proposed OST-HER2 mechanism of action is based on innate and adaptive immune stimulating responses activated by the Lm vector. This treatment generates T-cells that can eliminate or slow potential micrometastases that can grow into recurrent osteosarcoma and other solid tumors, including breast cancer.
Small-Town Patients Face Big Hurdles as Rural Hospitals Cut Cancer Care
Authors:   KFF Health News, Huff Charlotte
Published: August 2024

For rural patients, getting cancer treatment close to home has always been difficult. But in recent years, chemotherapy deserts have expanded across the United States, with 382 rural hospitals halting services from 2014 to 2022, according to a report published this year by Chartis, a health analytics and consulting firm.
Uma análise foucaultiana dos discursos em relação à família produzidos por alunos de Espanhol do Ensino Médio
Authors: Marinho Priscila
Published: August 2024

O conceito de família burguesa, que se apresenta de modo tão naturalizado no pensamento comum, é atravessado por formações discursivas (Foucault, 2014 [1969]) que legitimam toda uma engrenagem técnica e disciplinar, apoiadas em estratégias de poder que garantem, desse modo, a produção de todo o corpo social, ou seja, a produção de toda a sociedade, configurando-se no “biopoder” (Foucault, 2002 [1971]; 2013a [1975]; 2013b [1977]), isto é, o poder sobre a vida, sobre a maneira de ser, de viver, de funcionar socialmente. Este artigo, ancorado na linha teórica da Análise de Discurso de linha francesa, objetiva discutir o modelo familiar que se estabeleceu a partir da ascensão da burguesia, tendo como aporte teórico o estudo desenvolvido pelo historiador Philippe Ariès (2014 [1978]), que analisa os conceitos de família desde a Idade Média até a época moderna. Alinhado a esta perspectiva, enfocaremos o pensamento foucaultiano refletindo acerca de algumas noções postuladas pelo filósofo, tais como as relações de poder-saber, corpo-alma, dentre outros conceitos pertinentes, ofertando, para tanto, alguns trechos analíticos de produções escritas realizadas por alunos de ensino médio através da imagem de uma família, nas quais podemos examinar os discursos desses sujeitos em relação a esta noção.