bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intake of Energy Drinks Before and During Pregnancy and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Authors: Ding Ming , Markon Andre O. , Jones-Dominic Olivia E. , Purdue-Smithe Alexandra C. , Rich-Edwards Janet W. , Wolpert Beverly J. , Chavarro Jorge E.
Published: November 2023

Importance

Consumption of energy drinks has increased drastically in recent years, particularly among young people. It is unknown whether intake of energy drinks is associated with health during pregnancy.

Objective

To examine associations of energy drink intake before and during pregnancy with risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective cohort study included data from women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study 3 (NHS3) between June 1, 2010, and September 27, 2021, and the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS) who reported 1 or more singleton pregnancy from January 1, 2011, to June 1, 2019. Data were analyzed from October 1, 2021, to September 28, 2023.

Exposure

Intake of energy drinks, assessed by food frequency questionnaire.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcomes were self-reported APOs, including pregnancy loss, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, or preterm birth, and a composite APO, defined as development of any of the APOs. Risk of APOs was compared between consumers and nonconsumers of energy drinks.

Results

This study included 7304 pregnancies in 4736 participants with information on prepregnancy energy drink intake and 4559 pregnancies in 4559 participants with information on energy drink intake during pregnancy. There were 1691 GUTS participants (mean [SD] age, 25.7 [2.9] years) and 3045 NHS3 participants (mean [SD] age, 30.2 [4.1] years). At baseline, 230 GUTS participants (14%) and 283 NHS3 participants (9%) reported any intake of energy drinks. While no associations were found for pregnancy loss (odds ratio [OR], 0.89; 95% CI, 0.71-1.11), preterm birth (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.71-1.61), gestational diabetes (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.58-1.35), preeclampsia (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.41-1.30), or the composite APO (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.87-1.26), prepregnancy energy drink use was associated with a higher risk of gestational hypertension (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.12-2.29). A significant interaction was found between age and energy drink intake in relation to hypertensive disorders (P = .02 for interaction for gestational hypertension; P = .04 for interaction for any hypertensive disorders), with stronger associations for participants above the median age. No associations of energy drink intake during pregnancy with any of the APOs were found in NHS3 (eg, any APO: OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.41-1.79).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, energy drink intake before pregnancy was associated with an elevated risk of gestational hypertension. Given the low prevalence of energy drink intake and low consumption levels among users, the results should be interpreted cautiously.
Student enrollment up for the first time since pandemic — but results are mixed
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: November 2023

While enrollment for colleges and universities during the fall 2023 semester increased nationwide over fall 2022, first‐time freshman enrollment at four‐year institutions, both public and private, dropped. That finding was announced during a webinar interpreting the results of an annual Stay Informed with the Latest Enrollment Information report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Doug Shapiro, Executive Director at NSCRC, shared the results on a call.
Providing accessible housing on campus
Authors: Allarakhia Hawa
Published: November 2023

At the University of Florida, students have the opportunity to reside in Cypress Hall, a dorm designed in accordance with universal design principles. Jenna Gonzalez, Director of the Disability Resource Center at UF, discusses the accommodations and modifications available to students who choose to live on campus.
Thermal stress tensor correlators near lightcone and holography
Authors: Esper Chantelle , Huang Kuo-Wei , Karlsson Robin , Parnachev Andrei , Valach Samuel
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We consider thermal stress-tensor two-point functions in holographic theories in the near-lightcone regime and analyse them using the operator product expansion (OPE). In the limit we consider only the leading-twist multi-stress tensors contribute and the correlators depend on a particular combination of lightcone momenta. We argue that such correlators are described by three universal functions, which can be holographically computed in Einstein gravity; higher-derivative terms in the gravitational Lagrangian enter the arguments of these functions via the cubic stress-tensor couplings and the thermal stress-tensor expectation value in the dual CFT. We compute the retarded correlators and observe that in addition to the perturbative OPE, which contributes to the real part, there is a non-perturbative contribution to the imaginary part.
Components and Exit Times of Brownian Motion in Two or More p-Adic Dimensions
Authors: Rajkumar Rahul , Weisbart David
Published: November 2023

The fundamental solution to a pseudo-differential equation for functions defined on the d-fold product of the p-adic numbers, $$\mathbb {Q}_p$$

Q
p

, induces an analogue of the Wiener process in $$\mathbb {Q}_p^d$$

Q
p
d

. As in the real setting, the components are 1-dimensional p-adic Brownian motions with the same diffusion constant and exponent as the original process. Asymptotic analysis of the conditional probabilities shows that the vector components are dependent for all time. Exit time probabilities for the higher dimensional processes reveal a concrete effect of the component dependency.
„Was uns Schizophrenie heisst …“ – Das sowjetische Schizophreniebild in den 1970er und 1980er Jahren und dessen Integration in die internationale Klassifikation der Krankheiten
Authors: Schacht Anastassiya
Published: November 2023

Der Artikel diskutiert die Erarbeitung einer wissenschaftlich kohärenten, international als widerspruchsfrei anerkannten Diagnostik milder Verlaufsformen für Schizophrenie im Lauf des 20. Jahrhunderts mit besonderem Augenmerk auf die sogenannteblandeSchizophrenie, die in der UdSSR der 1970er und 1980er Jahre als Mittel zur politisch motivierten Einweisung von Menschenrechtsaktivist*innen herangezogen wurde. Das Argument verfolgt diesluggish schizophrenia, eine Schöpfung des sowjetischen Psychiaters Andrey Snezhnevsky, von ihrer Entstehung im hochproduktiven internationalen Umfeld der Expert*innen-Netzwerke des frühen 20. Jahrhunderts über die inhaltliche Entkopplung und den begrifflichen Wandel in der epistemisch isolierten sowjetischen Psychiatrie. Dieser Wandel wird auch anhand der Fallstudie mit der Internationalen Klassifikation (ICD) der Krankheiten (durch die Weltgesundheitsorganisation erlassen) veranschaulicht. Anschließend wird anhand verschiedensprachiger Ausgaben der neunten ICD-Revision der Versuch seitens sowjetischer Expert*innen rekonstruiert, international akkordierte Termini an die landesinternen politischen Gegebenheiten anzupassen und die sonst umstritteneblandeSchizophrenie für den heimischen Gebrauch zu legitimieren.
Genome-wide association mapping combined with gene-based haplotype analysis identify a novel gene for shoot length in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Yang Tifeng , Dong Jingfang , Zhao Junliang , Zhang Longting , Zhou Lian , Yang Wu , Ma Yamei , Wang Jian , Fu Hua , Chen Jiansong , Li Wenhui , Hu Haifei , Jiang Xianya , Liu Ziqiang , Liu Bin , Zhang Shaohong
Published: November 2023

Key message

Genome-wide association mapping revealed a novel QTL for shoot length across multiple environments. Its causal gene, LOC_Os01g68500, was identified firstly through gene-based haplotype analysis, gene expression and knockout transgenic verification.

Strong seedling vigor is an important breeding target for rice varieties used in direct seeding. Shoot length (SL) is one of the important traits associated with seedling vigor characterized by rapid growth of seedling, which enhance seedling emergence. Therefore, mining genes for SL and conducting molecular breeding help to develop varieties for direct seeding. However, few QTLs for SL have been fine mapped or cloned so far. In this study, a genome-wide association study of SL was performed in a diverse rice collection consisting of 391 accessions in two years, using phenotypes generated by different cultivation methods according to the production practice, and a total of twenty-four QTLs for SL were identified. Among them, the novel QTL qSL-1f on chromosome 1 could be stably detected across all three cultivation methods in the whole population and indica subpopulation. Through gene-based haplotype analysis of the annotated genes within the putative region of qSL-1f, and validated by gene expression and knockout transgenic experiments, LOC_Os01g68500 (i.e., Os01g0913100 in RAP-DB) was identified as the causal gene for SL, which has a single-base variation (C-to-A transversion) in its CDS region, resulting in the significant difference in SL of rice. LOC_Os01g68500 encodes a DUF538 (Domain of unknown function) containing protein, and the function of DUF538 protein gene on rice seedling growth is firstly reported in this study. These results provide a new clue for exploring the molecular mechanism regulating SL, and promising gene source for the molecular breeding in rice.
Satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective matched‐pair analysis of patients with customised individually made and off‐the‐shelf implants
Authors: Vogel Nicole , Kaelin Raphael , Rychen Thomas , Wendelspiess Séverin , Müller‐Gerbl Magdalena , Arnold Markus P.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Customised individually made (CIM) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was introduced to potentially improve patient satisfaction and other patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs). The purpose of this study was to compare PROMs, especially patient satisfaction, of patients with CIM and OTS TKA in a matched‐pair analysis with a 2‐year follow‐up.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study with a propensity score matching of 85 CIM and 85 off‐the‐shelf (OTS) TKA. Follow‐up was at 4 months, 1 year and 2 years. The primary outcome was patient satisfaction. Secondary outcomes were as follows: overall improvement, willingness to undergo the surgery again, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Forgotten Joint Score (FJS‐12), High‐Activity Arthroplasty Score (HAAS), EQ‐5D‐3L, EQ‐VAS, Knee Society Score (KSS) and surgeon satisfaction.

Results

Patient satisfaction ranged from 86 to 90% and did not differ between CIM and OTS TKA. The EQ‐VAS after 4 months and the HAAS after 1 year and 2 years were higher for CIM TKA. KOOS, FJS‐12 and EQ‐5D‐3L were not different at follow‐up. The changes in KOOS symptoms, pain and daily living were higher for OTS TKA. The KSS was higher for patients with CIM TKA. Surgeon satisfaction was high throughout both groups. Patients who were satisfied after 2 years did not differ preoperatively from those who were not satisfied. Postoperatively, all PROMs were better for satisfied patients. Patient satisfaction was not correlated with patient characteristics, implant or preoperative PROMs, and medium to strongly correlated with postoperative PROMs.

Conclusion

Patient satisfaction was high with no differences between patients with CIM and OTS TKA. Both implant systems improved function, pain and health‐related quality of life. Patients with CIM TKA showed superior results in demanding activities as measured by the HAAS.

Level of evidence

II, prospective cohort study.
Long-Range Order for Critical Book-Ising and Book-Percolation
Authors: Duminil-Copin Hugo , Garban Christophe , Tassion Vincent
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we investigate the behaviour of statistical physics models on a book with pages that are isomorphic to half-planes. We show that even for models undergoing a continuous phase transition on$${\mathbb {Z}}^2$$Z2, the phase transition becomes discontinuous as soon as the number of pages is sufficiently large. In particular, we prove that the Ising model on a three pages book has a discontinuous phase transition (if one allows oneself to consider large coupling constants along the line on which pages are glued). Our work confirms predictions in theoretical physics which relied on renormalization group, conformal field theory and numerics (Cardy in J Phys A Math Gen 24(22):L131, 1991; Iglói et al. in J Phys A Math Gen 24(17):L1031, 1991; Stéphan et al. in Phys Rev B 82(12):125455, 2010) some of which were motivated by the analysis of the Renyi entropy of certain quantum spin systems.
Radiosynthesis and biological evaluation of [18F]AG-120 for PET imaging of the mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 in glioma
Authors: Lai Thu Hang , Wenzel Barbara , Dukić-Stefanović Sladjana , Teodoro Rodrigo , Arnaud Lucie , Maisonial-Besset Aurélie , Weber Valérie , Moldovan Rareş-Petru , Meister Sebastian , Pietzsch Jens , Kopka Klaus , Juratli Tareq A. , Deuther-Conrad Winnie , Toussaint Magali
Published: November 2023

Glioma are clinically challenging tumors due to their location and invasiveness nature, which often hinder complete surgical resection. The evaluation of the isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation status has become crucial for effective patient stratification. Through a transdisciplinary approach, we have developed an 18F-labeled ligand for non-invasive assessment of the IDH1R132H variant by using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. In this study, we have successfully prepared diastereomerically pure [18F]AG-120 by copper-mediated radiofluorination of the stannyl precursor 6 on a TRACERlab FX2 N radiosynthesis module. In vitro internalization studies demonstrated significantly higher uptake of [18F]AG-120 in U251 human high-grade glioma cells with stable overexpression of mutant IDH1 (IDH1R132H) compared to their wild-type IDH1 counterpart (0.4 vs. 0.013% applied dose/µg protein at 120 min). In vivo studies conducted in mice, exhibited the excellent metabolic stability of [18F]AG-120, with parent fractions of 85% and 91% in plasma and brain at 30 min p.i., respectively. Dynamic PET studies with [18F]AG-120 in naïve mice and orthotopic glioma rat model reveal limited blood-brain barrier permeation along with a low uptake in the brain tumor. Interestingly, there was no significant difference in uptake between mutant IDH1R132H and wild-type IDH1 tumors (tumor-to-blood ratio[40−60 min]: ~1.7 vs. ~1.3). In conclusion, our preclinical evaluation demonstrated a target-specific internalization of [18F]AG-120 in vitro, a high metabolic stability in vivo in mice, and a slightly higher accumulation of activity in IDH1R132H-glioma compared to IDH1-glioma. Overall, our findings contribute to advancing the field of molecular imaging and encourage the evaluation of [18F]AG-120 to improve diagnosis and management of glioma and other IDH1R132H-related tumors.
Simulation and experimental study of cuboid and spherical magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles prepared with NaOH and NH4OH
Authors: Harris R. A.
Published: November 2023

A molecular dynamics study is done on cuboid and spherical Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) to investigate qualitatively the influence of the molecules NH4OH and NaOH on their binding energy. This is done to determine the stability and therefore likely shape (morphology) and size of the synthesized NPs when these molecules are used as stabilizing agents. We show through molecular dynamics (MD) that small, spherical NPs synthesized with NH4OH, and large, cuboid NPs synthesized with NaOH, are the most stable NP systems and therefore the most likely outcome of a synthesis experiment. Furthermore, we synthesize these systems under similar conditions as predicted and find that when NaOH is used large (29 ± 2 nm), cuboid NPs are formed and when NH4OH is used, small (11 nm ± 2 nm), spherical NPs are formed. The role of pH is further investigated using the desorbed (and unadsorbed hydroxyl groups) as indicators of pH. The magnetic NPs are then synthesized via the co-precipitation method and the resulting NPs characterized for crystallinity, morphology, size and magnetic properties.
Data-driven estimation of scalar quantities from planar velocity measurements by deep learning applied to temperature in thermal convection
Authors: Teutsch Philipp , Käufer Theo , Mäder Patrick , Cierpka Christian
Published: November 2023

The measurement of the transport of scalar quantities within flows is oftentimes laborious, difficult or even unfeasible. On the other hand, velocity measurement techniques are very advanced and give high-resolution, high-fidelity experimental data. Hence, we explore the capabilities of a deep learning model to predict the scalar quantity, in our case temperature, from measured velocity data. Our method is purely data-driven and based on the u-net architecture and, therefore, well-suited for planar experimental data. We demonstrate the applicability of the u-net on experimental temperature and velocity data, measured in large aspect ratio Rayleigh–Bénard convection at $$\textrm{Pr} =7.1$$

Pr
=
7.1

and $$\textrm{Ra} =2\times 10^5,4\times 10^5,7\times 10^5$$

Ra
=
2
×

10
5

,
4
×

10
5

,
7
×

10
5

. We conduct a hyper-parameter optimization and ablation study to ensure appropriate training convergence and test different architectural variations for the u-net. We test two application scenarios that are of interest to experimentalists. One, in which the u-net is trained with data of the same experimental run and one in which the u-net is trained on data of different $$\textrm{Ra}$$
Ra
. Our analysis shows that the u-net can predict temperature fields similar to the measurement data and preserves typical spatial structure sizes. Moreover, the analysis of the heat transfer associated with the temperature showed good agreement when the u-net is trained with data of the same experimental run. The relative difference between measured and reconstructed local heat transfer of the system characterized by the Nusselt number $$\textrm{Nu}$$
Nu
is between 0.3 and 14.1% depending on $$\textrm{Ra}$$
Ra
. We conclude that deep learning has the potential to supplement measurements and can partially alleviate the expense of additional measurement of the scalar quantity.
Association of systemic inflammation with shock severity, 30-day mortality, and therapy response in patients with cardiogenic shock
Authors: Dettling Angela , Weimann Jessica , Sundermeyer Jonas , Beer Benedikt N. , Besch Lisa , Becher Peter M. , Brunner Fabian J. , Kluge Stefan , Kirchhof Paulus , Blankenberg Stefan , Westermann Dirk , Schrage Benedikt
Published: November 2023

Background

Mortality in cardiogenic shock (CS) remains high even when mechanical circulatory support (MCS) restores adequate circulation. To detect a potential contribution of systemic inflammation to shock severity, this study determined associations between C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and outcomes in patients with CS.

Methods

Unselected, consecutive patients with CS and CRP measurements treated at a single large cardiovascular center between 2009 and 2019 were analyzed. Adjusted regression models were fitted to evaluate the association of CRP with shock severity, 30-day in-hospital mortality and treatment response to MCS.

Results

The analysis included 1116 patients [median age: 70 (IQR 58–79) years, 795 (71.3%) male, lactate 4.6 (IQR 2.2–9.5) mmol/l, CRP 17 (IQR 5–71) mg/l]. The cause of CS was acute myocardial infarction in 530 (48%) patients, 648 (58%) patients presented with cardiac arrest. Plasma CRP concentrations were equally distributed across shock severities (SCAI stage B–E). Higher CRP concentrations were associated with 30-day in-hospital mortality (8% relative risk increase per 50 mg/l increase in CRP, range 3–13%; p < 0.001), even after adjustment for CS severity and other potential confounders. Higher CRP concentrations were only associated with higher mortality in patients not treated with MCS [hazard ratio (HR) for CRP > median 1.50; 95%-CI 1.21–1.86; p < 0.001], but not in those treated with MCS (HR for CRP > median 0.92; 95%-CI 0.67–1.26; p = 0.59; p-interaction = 0.01).

Conclusion

Elevated CRP concentrations are associated with increased 30-day in-hospital mortality in unselected patients with cardiogenic shock. The use of mechanical circulatory support attenuates this association.

Graphical abstract
Early Eocene Arctic volcanism from carbonate-metasomatized mantle
Authors: Day James M. D. , Pearson D. Graham , Kjarsgaard Bruce A. , Barker Abigail K. , Nowell Geoff M. , Joyce Nancy , Lowry David , Sarkar Chiranjeeb , Harrison Christopher
Published: November 2023

Melilitite, nephelinite, basanite, and alkali basalt, along with phonolite differentiates, form the Freemans Cove Complex (FCC) in the south-eastern extremity of Bathurst Island (Nunavut, Canada). New 40Ar/39Ar chronology indicates their emplacement between ~ 56 and ~ 54 million years ago within a localized extensional structure. Melilitites and nephelinites, along with phonolite differentiates, likely relate to the beginning and end phases of extension, whereas alkali basalts were emplaced during a main extensional episode at ~ 55 Ma. The melilitites, nephelinites, and alkali basalts show no strong evidence for significant assimilation of crust, in contrast to some phonolites. Partial melting occurred within both the garnet- and spinel-facies mantle and sampled sources with He, O, Nd, Hf, and Os isotope characteristics indicative of peridotite with two distinct components. The first, expressed in higher degree partial melts, represents a relatively depleted component (“A”; 3He/4He ~ 8 RA, εNdi ~  + 3 εHfi ~  + 7, γOsi ~ 0). The second was an enriched component (“B” 3He/4He < 3 RA, εNdi < – 1 εHfi <  + 3, γOsi >  + 70) sampled by the lowest degree partial melts and represents carbonate-metasomatized peridotite. Magmatism in the FCC shows that rifting extended from the Labrador Sea to Bathurst Island and reached a zenith at ~ 55 Ma, during the Eurekan orogeny. The incompatible trace-element abundances and isotopic signatures of FCC rocks indicate melt generation occurred at the base of relatively thin lithosphere at the margin of a thick craton, with no mantle plume influence. FCC melt compositions are distinct from other continental rift magmatic provinces worldwide, and their metasomatized mantle source was plausibly formed synchronously with emplacement of Cretaceous kimberlites. The FCC illustrates that the range of isotopic compositions preserved in continental rift magmas are likely to be dominated by temporal changes in the extent of partial melting, as well as by the timing and degree of metasomatism recorded in the underlying continental lithosphere.
Safety and outcomes of different endovascular treatment techniques for anterior circulation ischaemic stroke in the elderly: data from the Imperial College Thrombectomy Registry
Authors: D’Anna Lucio , Barba Lorenzo , Foschi Matteo , Romoli Michele , Abu-Rumeileh Samir , Dolkar Tsering , Vittay Orsolya , Dixon Luke , Bentley Paul , Brown Zoe , Hall Charles , Halse Omid , Jamil Sohaa , Jenkins Harri , Kalladka Dheeraj , Kwan Joseph , Malik Abid , Patel Maneesh , Rane Neil , Roi Dylan , Singh Abhinav , Venter Marius , Banerjee Soma , Lobotesis Kyriakos
Published: November 2023

Background

Although previous studies investigated the main predictors of outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients aged 80 years and older, less is known about the impact of the procedural features on outcomes in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of EVT technical procedures on the main 3-month outcomes in a population of patients aged 80 years and older.

Methods

This observational, prospective, single-centre study included consecutive patients with acute LVO ischaemic stroke of the anterior circulation. The study outcomes were functional independence at 3 months after EVT (defined as a mRS score of 0–2), successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥ 2b), incidence of haeamorrhagic transformation, and 90-day all cause of mortality.

Results

Our cohort included 497 patients with acute ischaemic stroke due to LVO treated with EVT. Among them, 105 (21.1%) patients were aged ≥ 80 years. In the elderly group, multivariable regression analysis showed that thromboaspiration technique vs stent-retriever was the single independent predictor of favourable post-procedural TICI score (OR = 7.65, 95%CI = 2.22–26.32, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that EVT for LVO stroke in the elderly could be safe. The use of thromboaspiration was associated with positive reperfusion outcome in this population. Further studies in larger series are warranted to confirm the present results and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EVT in the elderly and oldest adults.
A novel twin-grasper assisted mucosal inverted closure technique for closing large artificial gastric mucosal defects
Authors: Cai Qinbo , Chen Huanjie , Hou Haobin , Dong Wenqing , Zhang Lele , Shen Minxuan , Yi Shaoxiong , Xie Rongman , Hou Xun , Lan Wentong , He Yulong , Yang Dongjie
Published: November 2023

Background

Large artificial gastric mucosal defects are always left unclosed for natural healing due to technique difficulties in closure. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a new Twin-grasper Assisted Mucosal Inverted Closure (TAMIC) technique in closing large artificial gastric mucosal defects.

Methods

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was performed in fifteen pigs to create large gastric mucosal defects. The mucosal defects were then either left unclosed or closed with metallic clips using TAMIC technique. Successful closure rate and the wound outcomes were assessed.

Results

Two mucosal defects with size of about 4.0 cm were left unclosed and healed two months after surgery. Thirteen large gastric mucosal defects were created by ESD with a medium size of 5.9 cm and were successfully closed with the TAMIC technique (100%), even in a mucosal defect with a width up to 8.5 cm. The mean closure time was 59.0 min. Wounds in eight stomachs remained completely closed 1 week after surgery (61.5%), while closure in the other five stomachs had partial wound dehiscence (38.5%). Four weeks later, all the closed defects healed well and 61.5% of the wounds still remained completely closed during healing. There was no delayed perforation or bleeding after surgery. In addition, there was less granulation in the submucosal layer of the closed wound sites than those under natural healing.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that TAMIC is feasible and safe in closing large artificial gastric mucosal defects and could improve mucosal recovery compared to natural healing process.
Der optimale Betriebspunkt in der sensorgestützten Sortierung
Authors: Friedrich Karl , Pomberger Roland , Koinig Gerald
Published: November 2023

Abhängig von der Verfügbarkeit der Abfallströme werden sensorgestützte Sortiermaschinen derzeit typischerweise nicht am optimalen Betriebspunkt betrieben, sondern entweder über- oder unterfahren. Abhängig von der Durchsatzrate und der Zusammensetzung des Eingangsstroms können mathematische Ansätze für vorgegebene Idealmischungen gefunden werden. In diesem Forschungsartikel wird untersucht, ob und unter welchen Umständen diese Methoden bei sensorgestützten Sortiermaschinen eingesetzt werden können. Um Aussagen zu ermöglichen, werden neu gewonnene Daten aus realen Abfällen auf drei sensorgestützten Sortieranlagen mit vorhandenen Daten für selbst erstellte Idealmischungen verglichen. In einer Aufbereitungsanlage für Ersatzbrennstoffe werden für die Versuche in regelmäßigen Abständen fünf Proben von 3D-Kunststoffen gezogen. Mithilfe von Regressionsmodellen, die aus mathematischen Ansätzen erstellt werden, wird der optimale Betriebspunkt ermittelt, um ein bestimmtes sensorgestütztes Sortierergebnis hinsichtlich Reinheit und Ausbeute zu erreichen. Der wichtigste Beitrag dieses Forschungsartikels für Anlagenbetreiber besteht darin, dass die Reinheit um 20 % gesteigert werden kann, ohne dass wesentliche Änderungen am Sortiersystem erforderlich sind.
Explainable offline automatic signature verifier to support forensic handwriting examiners
Authors: Diaz Moises , Ferrer Miguel A. , Vessio Gennaro
Published: November 2023

Signature verification is a critical task in many applications, including forensic science, legal judgments, and financial markets. However, current signature verification systems are often difficult to explain, which can limit their acceptance in these applications. In this paper, we propose a novel explainable offline automatic signature verifier (ASV) to support forensic handwriting examiners. Our ASV is based on a universal background model (UBM) constructed from offline signature images. It allows us to assign a questioned signature to the UBM and to a reference set of known signatures using simple distance measures. This makes it possible to explain the verifier’s decision in a way that is understandable to non-experts. We evaluated our ASV on publicly available databases and found that it achieves competitive performance with state-of-the-art ASVs, even when challenging 1 versus 1 comparisons are considered. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to develop an explainable ASV that is also competitive in terms of performance. We believe that our ASV has the potential to improve the acceptance of signature verification in critical applications such as forensic science and legal judgments.
The complete genome sequence of Neckar River virus confirms it to be a distinct member of the genus Tombusvirus in the family Tombusviridae
Authors: Tran Thi Chi , Maiss Edgar , Rose Hanna
Published: November 2023

Neckar River virus (NRV), first isolated from a water sample of the Neckar River (Germany) in the 1980s, was serologically characterized as a novel tombusvirus. In this study, the complete genome sequence was determined, and an infectious full-length cDNA clone was constructed. The genome organization of NRV (DSMZ PV-0270) resembles that of tombusviruses. The genome consists of 4739 nucleotides and contains five open reading frames (ORFs) and one additional putative ORF (pX) in the 3’-terminal region. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence comparisons confirmed NRV to be a member of the species Tombusvirus neckarfluminis in the genus Tombusvirus. The infectious full-length cDNA clone was constructed using Gibson assembly and subsequent infection of Nicotiana benthamiana plants by Rhizobium radiobacter inoculation. The virus derived from the full-length cDNA clone caused symptoms resembling those caused by the wild-type virus, but slightly milder.
6-Pyrazolylpurine and its deaza derivatives as nucleobases for silver(I)-mediated base pairing with pyrimidines
Authors: Escher Daniela , Schäfer Tim , Hebenbrock Marian , Müller Jens
Published: November 2023

The artificial nucleobase 6-pyrazolylpurine (6PP) and its deaza derivatives 1-deaza-6-pyrazolylpurine (1D6PP), 7-deaza-6-pyrazolylpurine (7D6PP), and 1,7-dideaza-6-pyrazolylpurine (1,7D6PP) were investigated with respect to their ability to differentiate between the canonical nucleobases cytosine and thymine by means of silver(I)-mediated base pairing. As shown by temperature-dependent UV spectroscopy and by circular dichroism spectroscopy, 6PP and (to a lesser extent) 7D6PP form stable silver(I)-mediated base pairs with cytosine, but not with thymine. 1D6PP and 1,7D6PP do not engage in the formation of stabilizing silver(I)-mediated base pairs with cytosine or thymine. The different behavior of 1D6PP, 7D6PP, and 1,7D6PP indicates that silver(I) binding occurs via the N1 position of the purine derivative, i.e. via the Watson–Crick face. The data show that 6PP is capable of differentiating between cytosine and thymine, which is potentially relevant in the context of detecting single-nucleotide polymorphisms.

Graphical abstract
New lower bounds on crossing numbers of $$K_{m,n}$$ from semidefinite programming
Authors: Brosch Daniel , C. Polak Sven
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we use semidefinite programming and representation theory to compute new lower bounds on the crossing number of the complete bipartite graph $$K_{m,n}$$

K

m
,
n

, extending a method from de Klerk et al. (SIAM J Discrete Math 20:189–202, 2006) and the subsequent reduction by De Klerk, Pasechnik and Schrijver (Math Prog Ser A and B 109:613–624, 2007). We exploit the full symmetry of the problem using a novel decomposition technique. This results in a full block-diagonalization of the underlying matrix algebra, which we use to improve bounds on several concrete instances. Our results imply that $$\mathop {\textrm{cr}}\limits (K_{10,n}) \ge 4.87057 n^2 - 10n$$

cr

(

K

10
,
n

)

≥
4.87057

n
2

-
10
n

, $$\mathop {\textrm{cr}}\limits (K_{11,n}) \ge 5.99939 n^2-12.5n$$

cr

(

K

11
,
n

)

≥
5.99939

n
2

-
12.5
n

, $$ \mathop {\textrm{cr}}\limits (K_{12,n}) \ge 7.25579 n^2 - 15n$$

cr

(

K

12
,
n

)

≥
7.25579

n
2

-
15
n

, $$\mathop {\textrm{cr}}\limits (K_{13,n}) \ge 8.65675 n^2-18n$$

cr

(

K

13
,
n

)

≥
8.65675

n
2

-
18
n

for all n. The latter three bounds are computed using a new and well-performing relaxation of the original semidefinite programming bound. This new relaxation is obtained by only requiring one small matrix block to be positive semidefinite.
Experimental investigation using demountable steel-concrete composite reduced web section (RWS) connections under cyclic loads
Authors: Almutairi Fahad Falah , Tsavdaridis Konstantinos Daniel , Alonso-Rodriguez Andres , Hajirasouliha Iman
Published: November 2023

This paper presents an experimental study of demountable steel-concrete composite reduced web section (RWS) connections for use in seismic areas. Four composite connection specimens were subjected to sagging and hogging moments to investigate the performance of RWS connections under reversible actions. For such purpose, a single web opening was created near the beam-column joint. Focus was made on the effects of perforation location and composite beam-slab action induced by bolted shear studs within the protected zone. Results indicate that employing RWS connections for seismic retrofit is a viable solution capable of achieving a performance similar to that observed for RBS connections in new buildings. Notably, a Vierendeel Mechanism is formed, allowing for plasticity development in the beam. All RWS connections were capable of achieving an interstory drift larger than 4%, thereby complying with the performance targets set by ANSI/AISC 358-16, ANSI/AISC 341-16 and EC8. Moreover, the deformation of beam-slab shear-transfer bolts was small enough to allow for disassembly after the tests, indicating that the proposed solution could enable reuse and post-earthquake retrofitting.
Aquatic phases have a stronger effect on lotic benthic diatoms than human-induced microhabitat variability
Authors: Kiss Stefánia , Nemes-Kókai Zsuzsanna , Lukács Áron , Bácsi István , T-Krasznai Enikő , Márton Kamilla , B-Béres Viktória
Published: November 2023

Here, we studied the influence of changes of aquatic phases (standing and flowing phases) and human-induced habitat variability (natural and artificial) on the composition and diversity of benthic diatom assemblages in a small lowland stream in the Pannonian Ecoregion. Significant differences in composition were hypothesized between phases and habitats. Lower diversity was hypothesized in the flowing phase and in the artificial habitat. In addition, worser ecological status were assumed in the artificial habitat and in the standing phase than in the others. Our results only partially supported our hypotheses. While there was no significant difference in the composition of the assemblages between the natural and concreted habitats, the alteration in flow conditions resulted in a significant change. No significant differences in diversity were found between aquatic phases. In contrast, biodiversity was higher in the artificial habitat than in the natural one. While the anthropogenic impact, i.e., concreted streambed has no significant influence on diatom-based ecological status, values of diatom indices were significantly higher in the flowing phase. Our results highlight that extreme weather events play a major role in shaping diatom assemblages even during a short period, which should be taken into account in water management and nature conservation measures.
What Makes Work “Good” in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Islamic Perspectives on AI-Mediated Work Ethics
Authors: Ghaly Mohammed
Published: November 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly creeping into the work sphere, thereby gradually questioning and/or disturbing the long-established moral concepts and norms communities have been using to define what makes work good. Each community, and Muslims make no exception in this regard, has to revisit their moral world to provide well-thought frameworks that can engage with the challenging ethical questions raised by the new phenomenon of AI-mediated work. For a systematic analysis of the broad topic of AI-mediated work ethics from an Islamic perspective, this article focuses on presenting an accessible overview of the “moral world” of work in the Islamic tradition. Three main components of this moral world were selected due to their relevance to the AI context, namely (1) Work is inherently good for humans, (2) Practising a religiously permitted profession and (c) Maintaining good relations with involved stakeholders. Each of these three components is addressed in a distinct section, followed by a sub-section highlighting the relevance of the respective component to the particular context of AI-mediated work. The article argues that there are no unsurmountable barriers in the Islamic tradition against the adoption of AI technologies in work sphere. However, important precautions should be considered to ensure that embracing AI will not be at the cost of work-related moral values. The article also highlights how important lessons can be learnt from the positive historical experience of automata that thrived in the Islamic civilization.
Emotion Regulation Predicts Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: A Prospective Study
Authors: Kökönyei Gyöngyi , Kovács Lilla Nóra , Szabó Judit , Urbán Róbert
Published: November 2023

Emotion regulation as a proximal factor has been linked with depressive symptoms. However, studies have mainly focused on a limited number of strategies and have mostly been cross-sectional in design. This is particularly evident when examining the protective effects of adaptive strategies. This study aimed to investigate the prospective relationship between putatively adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and depressive symptoms among adolescents. Additionally, a person-oriented approach was applied to identify latent classes of adolescents based on their depressive symptoms and compared these classes in terms of their adaptive and maladaptive strategies. Two waves of data from a prospective study, which included 1371 youth (mean age: 15.66 years; SD = 0.49 years; 55.1% girls), were analysed. The two points of data collection were spaced approximately half a year apart. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and putatively adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies were assessed with the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Seven strategies (acceptance, positive refocusing, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective, self-blame, rumination, and catastrophizing) were categorised into adaptive and maladaptive factors using exploratory structural equation modeling. After controlling for gender, age, and depressive symptoms at Time 1, both maladaptive and adaptive emotion regulation strategies at Time 1 predicted depressive symptoms at Time 2. Three subgroups emerged based on the intensity of depressive symptoms across the waves: the stable low, stable moderate, and stable high depressive symptom groups. The use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies (such as rumination, self-blame, and catastrophizing) at Time 1 was more pronounced in the stable moderate and high symptom groups compared to the stable low depressive symptom group. The comparable prospective associations between putatively adaptive and maladaptive strategies with symptoms suggest the need to identify factors that may mitigate the negative impact of maladaptive emotion regulation and/or promote adaptive emotion regulation to buffer the effects of everyday stressors.
The 2 December 2020 MW 4.6, Kallithea (Viotia), central Greece earthquake: a very shallow damaging rupture detected by InSAR and its role in strain accommodation by neotectonic normal faults
Authors: Valkaniotis Sotiris , De Novellis Vincenzo , Ganas Athanassios , Sansosti Eugenio , Convertito Vincenzo , Briole Pierre , Tsironi Varvara , Karasante Ilektra , Karamitros Ioannis
Published: November 2023

On 2 December 2020 10:54 UTC a shallow earthquake of MW (NOA) = 4.6 occurred near the village of Kallithea (to the east of Thiva), central Greece, which, despite its modest size, was locally damaging. Using InSAR and GNSS data, we mapped a permanent change on the ground surface, i.e., a subsidence of 7 cm. Our geodetic inversion modelling indicates that the rupture occurred on a WNW–ESE striking, SSW-dipping normal fault, with a dip-angle of ~ 54°. The maximum slip value was 0.35 m, which was reached at a depth of about 1100 m. The analysis of broadband seismological data also provided kinematic source parameters such as moment magnitude MW = 4.6 (± 0.1), rupture area 6.3 km2 and mean slip 0.16 m, which agree with the values obtained from the geodetic model. The effects of the earthquake were disproportionate to its moderate magnitude, probably due to its unusually shallow depth (slip centroid at 1.1 km) and the high efficiency of the earthquake (radiation efficiency $$\eta$$
η
 = 0.62). The geodetic data inversion also indicates that within the uncertainty limits of the technique, three scenarios are possible (a) the earthquake responsible for the mapped surface deformation may have occurred on a ~ 2-km long, blind normal fault different from the well-known active Kallithea normal fault or (b) could have occurred along a secondary fault that branches off the Kallithea fault or (c) it may have occurred along the Kallithea fault itself, but with its geometrical configuration could not be modelled with available data. We have also concluded that with a high dip-angle Kallithea Fault forward model it is not possible to fit the geodetic data. The rupture initiated at a very shallow depth (1.1 km) and it could not propagate deeper possibly because of a structural barrier down-dip. The 2020 event near Kallithea highlighted the structural complexity in this region of the Asopos Rift valley as the reactivation of the WNW–ESE structures indicates their significant role in strain accommodation and that they still represent a seismic hazard for this region.
Physical activity in liver transplant recipients: a large multicenter study
Authors: Gitto Stefano , Golfieri Lucia , Gabrielli Filippo , Falcini Margherita , Sofi Francesco , Tamè Maria Rosa , De Maria Nicola , Marzi Luca , Mega Andrea , Valente Giovanna , Borghi Alberto , Forte Paolo , Cescon Matteo , Di Benedetto Fabrizio , Andreone Pietro , Petranelli Marco , Morelli Maria Cristina , De Simone Paolo , Lau Chloe , Stefani Laura , Vizzutti Francesco , Chiesi Francesca , Marra Fabio ,   MEDITRA Research Group, Vitale Giovanni , Bisonti Giacomo , Schepis Filippo , Villa Erica , Piai Guido , Foschi Francesco Giuseppe , Magistri Paolo , Carrai Paola , Petruccelli Stefania , Corsi Marco , Falconi Edoardo , Palazzo Roberto
Published: November 2023

Aim

Healthy lifestyle and appropriate diet are of critical importance after liver transplant (LT). We provided an analysis of the main patterns of physical activity and found factors associated with physical activity itself.

Methods

Clinically stable LT recipients were enrolled between June and September 2021. Patients completed a composite questionnaire about physical activity, adherence to Mediterranean Diet (MD), quality of life (QoL), and employment. Correlations were analysed using the Pearson coefficients while different subgroups were compared by t-test for independent samples or ANOVAs. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to find predictors of inactivity.

Results

We enrolled 511 subjects (71% males, mean age 63 ± 10.8 years). One hundred and ninety-three patients reported high level of physical activity, 197 a minimal activity and 121 declared insufficient activity. Among these latter, 29 subjects were totally inactive. Considering the 482 LT recipients performing some kind of physical activity, almost all reported a low-quality, non-structured activity. At multivariate analysis, time from LT (odds ratio 0.94, 95% CI 0.89–0.99, p = 0.017), sedentary lifestyle (odds ratio 0.99, 95% CI 0.19–0.81, p = 0.012), low adherence to MD (odds ratio 1.22, 95% CI 1.01–1.48, p = 0.049), and low level of QoL (physical dimension) (odds ratio 1.13, 95% CI 1.08–1.17, p < 0.001), were independently associated with total inactivity.

Conclusion

A large portion of LT recipients report an insufficient level of physical activity or are wholly inactive. Inactivity increases with time from LT and was strongly associated with suboptimal diet and low QoL.
Medical care costs according to the stage and subtype of breast cancer in a municipal setting: a case study of Hachioji City, Japan
Authors: Nishikawa Yoshitaka , Agatsuma Nobukazu , Utsumi Takahiro , Funakoshi Taro , Mori Yukiko , Nakamura Yuki , Hoshino Nobuaki , Horimatsu Takahiro , Saito Takumi , Kashihara Soichiro , Fukuyoshi Jun , Goto Rei , Toi Masakazu , Takahashi Yoshimitsu , Nakayama Takeo
Published: November 2023

Background

It is important to assess whether the early detection of breast cancer affects medical care costs. However, research remains scant on the actual medical care costs associated with breast cancer treatment in Japan. This study aimed to determine the medical care costs of breast cancer treatment based on its stage using national health insurance claims data.

Methods

This was an observational study including patients with breast cancer who had undergone breast cancer treatment, as defined by the disease name and related treatment codes. Between August 2013 and June 2016, patients who underwent surgical treatment without axillary lymph node dissection and other radical treatment were classified as the curable group, while those who underwent palliative treatment were classified as the non-curable group. Patients were further stratified by subtype. The total and treatment-specific medical care costs for the five years were calculated using the national health insurance claims data of Hachioji City between August 2013 and May 2021.

Results

The mean total medical care costs for the curable and non-curable groups for the 5 years were JPY 3958 thousand (standard deviation 2664) and JPY 8289 thousand (8482), respectively. The mean medical care costs for specific breast cancer treatment for the curable and non-curable groups were JPY 1142 (728) thousand and JPY 3651 thousand (5337), respectively. Further, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 + , Hormone + patients had the highest mean cost over the 5 years.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the early detection of breast cancer may reduce medical care costs at the patient level.