bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Nasolacrimal SCC Treatments and Promising Role of Chemo‐Induction: A Case Report and Systematic Review
Authors: Alsavaf Mohammad Bilal , Abouammo Moataz D. , Bhuskute Govind S. , Sun Shuai , Issa Majd , Seim Nolan B. , VanKoevering Kyle K. , Bhateja Priyanka , Bonomi Marcelo , Carrau Ricardo L.
Published: April 2024

Objective

To comprehensively analyze reported cases of nasolacrimal squamous cell carcinoma (NLSCC), focusing on risk factors, treatment modalities, and outcomes. Additionally, investigate the impact of human Papillomavirus (HPV) status and histopathological subtypes' impact on prognosis.

Data Sources

Pubmed, Embase.

Review Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review to identify relevant studies reporting cases of NLSCC. The review methods adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The final update was performed on May 31, 2023.

Results

The 72 studies included a total of 313 participants (mean age: 55; 60% male). Longer symptom duration (44.1 ± 59.2 months) correlated with recurrence (p = 0.004), and males exhibited higher mortality rates (19.6% vs. 2.4% in females, p = 0.01). The overall survival (OS) rate among all patients was 87.1%. Basaloid NLSCC had a worse death outcome (p ≤ 0.001). HPV‐positive cases showed comparable OS, recurrence, and metastasis rates to the general population (p = 0.917, 0.851, 0.07, respectively). Comparing treatment approaches (surgery, surgery with adjuvant radiation, chemoradiotherapy [CRT] followed by surgery), no significant differences in 5 and 10‐year OS rates or recurrence were observed (p = 0.4, 0.24, respectively), but 5‐year metastasis events were significant (p = 0.024). Eye exenteration rates were 31.1%, 20%, and 0% for the respective treatments (p = 0.089). Induction chemotherapy saved four cases from potential exenteration with favorable prognosis.

Conclusion

Early detection and diagnosis are of utmost importance in the management of NLSCC. Regardless of the treatment approach, HPV‐related NLSCC demonstrated similar outcomes to the general population. Basaloid histology represents the worst subtype in terms of prognosis. Limited adjuvant CRT cases showed improved outcomes and induction chemotherapy's importance was emphasized in recent literature and our shared experience. Laryngoscope, 134:3892–3902, 2024
Length of Stay Prediction Models for Oral Cancer Surgery: Machine Learning, Statistical and ACS‐NSQIP
Authors: Namavarian Amirpouyan , Gabinet‐Equihua Alexander , Deng Yangqing , Khalid Shuja , Ziai Hedyeh , Deutsch Konrado , Huang Jingyue , Gilbert Ralph W. , Goldstein David P. , Yao Christopher M.K.L. , Irish Jonathan C. , Enepekides Danny J. , Higgins Kevin M. , Rudzicz Frank , Eskander Antoine , Xu Wei , de Almeida John R.
Published: April 2024

Objective

Accurate prediction of hospital length of stay (LOS) following surgical management of oral cavity cancer (OCC) may be associated with improved patient counseling, hospital resource utilization and cost. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of statistical models, a machine learning (ML) model, and The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program's (ACS‐NSQIP) calculator in predicting LOS following surgery for OCC.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective multicenter database study was performed at two major academic head and neck cancer centers. Patients with OCC who underwent major free flap reconstructive surgery between January 2008 and June 2019 surgery were selected. Data were pooled and split into training and validation datasets. Statistical and ML models were developed, and performance was evaluated by comparing predicted and actual LOS using correlation coefficient values and percent accuracy.

Results

Totally 837 patients were selected with mean patient age being 62.5 ± 11.7 [SD] years and 67% being male. The ML model demonstrated the best accuracy (validation correlation 0.48, 4‐day accuracy 70%), compared with the statistical models: multivariate analysis (0.45, 67%) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (0.42, 70%). All were superior to the ACS‐NSQIP calculator's performance (0.23, 59%).

Conclusion

We developed statistical and ML models that predicted LOS following major free flap reconstructive surgery for OCC. Our models demonstrated superior predictive performance to the ACS‐NSQIP calculator. The ML model identified several novel predictors of LOS. These models must be validated in other institutions before being used in clinical practice.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 134:3664–3672, 2024
NKAIN1, as an oncogene, promotes the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer, affecting its prognosis
Authors: Wang XiMei , Yang FangZheng , Sun Zhi , Zhao GuangHui , Pu Qian , Geng ChenChen , Dong Ke , Zhang XiaoDong , Liu ZiQian , Song HaiYun
Published: April 2024

Na, K‐ATPase interaction (NKAIN) is a transmembrane protein family, which can interact with Na, K‐ATPase β1 subunit. NKAIN1 plays an important role in alcohol‐dependent diseases such as endometrial and prostate cancers. However, the relationship between NKAIN1 and human breast cancer has not been studied. Hence, this study aimed to explore the relationship between NKAIN1 expression and breast cancer. Data used in this study were mainly from the Cancer Genome Atlas, including differential expression analysis, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, multiple Cox regression analysis, co‐expression gene analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis. Analyses were performed using reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry on 46 collected samples. The knockdown or overexpression of NKAIN1 in vitro in MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cell lines altered the proliferation and migration abilities of tumor cells. In vivo experiments further confirmed that NKAIN1 knockdown effectively inhibited the proliferation and migration of cancer cells. Therefore, our study identified NKAIN1 as an oncogene that is highly expressed in breast cancer tissues. The findings highlight the potential of NKAIN1 as a molecular biomarker of breast cancer.
Mittag‐Leffler stability of neural networks with Caputo–Hadamard fractional derivative
Authors: Demirci Elif , Karakoç Fatma , Kütahyalıoglu Aysen
Published: April 2024

In this paper, a Hopfield‐type neural network system with Caputo–Hadamard fractional derivative is discussed. The importance of the existence of the equilibrium point in the analysis of artificial neural networks is well known. Another important investigation is the stability properties. So, the stability of a neural network system is dealt with in the present paper. First, a theorem that asserts the existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium point of the system is proven. Later, the conditions that ensure the Mittag‐Leffler stability of the equilibrium point is obtained by using the Lyapunov's direct method. In addition, an example is given with numerical simulations to show the effectiveness of our theoretical results.
Reinforcement learning‐based composite suboptimal control for Markov jump singularly perturbed systems with unknown dynamics
Authors: Li Wenqian , Jia Guolong , Wang Yun , Su Lei , Shen Hao
Published: April 2024

In this article, a model‐free parallel reinforcement learning method is proposed to solve the suboptimal control problem for the Markov jump singularly perturbed systems. First, since fast and slow dynamics coexist in Markov jump singularly perturbed systems, it may lead to ill‐conditioned numerical problems during the controller design process. Therefore, the original system can be decomposed into independent subsystems at different time‐scales by employing the reduced order method. In addition, two model‐free parallel reinforcement learning algorithms are designed to obtain the optimal controllers for the fast and slow subsystems, respectively. Moreover, within the framework of reinforcement learning, the controllers of the Markov jump singularly perturbed systems can be acquired without the systems dynamics. Finally, a numerical example is introduced to prove the effectiveness of proposed algorithms.
B1 inhomogeneity corrected CEST MRI based on direct saturation removed omega plot model at 5T
Authors: Wu Qiting , Gong Pengcheng , Liu Shengping , Li Ye , Liang Dong , Zheng Hairong , Wu Yin
Published: April 2024

Purpose

CEST can image macromolecules/compounds via detecting chemical exchange between labile protons and bulk water. B1 field inhomogeneity impairs CEST quantification. Conventional B1 inhomogeneity correction methods depend on interpolation algorithms, B1 choices, acquisition number or calibration curves, making reliable correction challenging. This study proposed a novel B1 inhomogeneity correction method based on a direct saturation (DS) removed omega plot model.

Methods

Four healthy volunteers underwent B1 field mapping and CEST imaging under four nominal B1 levels of 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 μT at 5T. DS was resolved using a multi‐pool Lorentzian model and removed from respective Z spectrum. Residual spectral signals were used to construct the omega plot as a linear function of 1/, from which corrected signals at nominal B1 levels were calculated. Routine asymmetry analysis was conducted to quantify amide proton transfer (APT) effect. Its distribution across white matter was compared before and after B1 inhomogeneity correction and also with the conventional interpolation approach.

Results

B1 inhomogeneity yielded conspicuous artifact on APT images. Such artifact was mitigated by the proposed method. Homogeneous APT maps were shown with SD consistently smaller than that before B1 inhomogeneity correction and the interpolation method. Moreover, B1 inhomogeneity correction from two and four CEST acquisitions yielded similar results, superior over the interpolation method that derived inconsistent APT contrasts among different B1 choices.

Conclusion

The proposed method enables reliable B1 inhomogeneity correction from at least two CEST acquisitions, providing an effective way to improve quantitative CEST MRI.
Mapping artificial drains in peatlands—A national‐scale assessment of Irish raised bogs using sub‐meter aerial imagery and deep learning methods
Authors: Habib Wahaj , Cresson Rémi , McGuinness Kevin , Connolly John
Published: April 2024

Peatlands, constituting over half of terrestrial wetland ecosystems across the globe, hold critical ecological significance and are large stores of carbon (C). Irish oceanic raised bogs are a rare peatland ecosystem offering numerous ecosystem services, including C storage, biodiversity support and water regulation. However, they have been degraded over the centuries due to artificial drainage, followed by peat extraction, afforestation and agriculture. This has an overall negative impact on the functioning of peatlands, shifting them from a moderate C sink to a large C source. Recognizing the importance of these ecosystems, efforts are underway for conservation (rewetting and rehabilitation), while accurately accounting for C stock and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the implementation of these efforts requires accurate identification and mapping of artificial drainage ditches. This study utilized very high‐resolution (25 cm) aerial imagery, and a deep learning (U‐Net) approach to map the visible artificial drainage (unobstructed by vegetation or infill) in raised bogs at a national scale. The results show that artificial drainage is widespread, with ~20 000 km of drains mapped. The overall accuracy of the model was 80% on an independent testing dataset. The data were also used to derive the Fracditch which was 0.03 (fraction of artificial drainage on industrial peat extraction sites). This is lower than IPCC Tier 1 Fracditch and can aid in IPCC Tier 2 reporting for Ireland. This is the first study to map drains with diverse sizes and patterns on Irish‐raised bogs using optical aerial imagery and deep learning methods. The map will serve as an important baseline dataset for evaluating the artificial drainage ditch conditions. It will prove useful for sustainable management, conservation and refined estimations of GHG emissions. The model's capacity for generalization implies its potential in mapping artificial drains in peatlands at a regional and global scale, thereby enhancing the comprehension of the global effects of artificial drainage ditches on peatlands.
Viticulture and the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): Historical overview, current situation and future perspective
Authors: Homet Pablo , Gallardo‐Reina Manuel Ángel , Aguiar Juan F. , Liberal Isabel M. , Casimiro‐Soriguer Ramón , Ochoa‐Hueso Raúl
Published: April 2024

The grapevine is one of the most important perennial fruit crops worldwide. The historical stability of winegrowing methods has spanned almost 3000 years since the introduction of viticulture in Europe. However, in the last 70 years, the wine sector in the Europe has experienced substantial transformations. These changes are attributed to the widespread adoption of mechanisation and industralisation in the 1950s and the establishment of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The growing concern for the environment and climate change in the European Union (EU) has significantly influenced the successive reforms of the CAP. These reforms have resulted in the acquisition of new commitments to protect the environment, mitigate climate change and reduce biodiversity loss over the years. In this work, we carried out a critical analysis of the most relevant aspects of the new CAP and address the regulatory framework of organic agriculture in the EU as a tool for improving the sustainability of vineyards. Currently, Spain is the country with the largest vineyard area in the world, reaching 964,000 hectares. This represents 13% of the world's vineyards and 30% in the EU, which demonstrates the importance of this crop in Europe. Due to its relevance, we focused our critical analyses of the new CAP on Spain as a case study. The latest reform of the CAP, applicable for the period 2023‐2027, is the most ambitious in environmental terms and includes instruments such as reinforced conditionality, eco‐schemes and payments for agri‐environment–climate commitments. Finally, we propose that by integrating concepts and management strategies from current organic and regenerative viticulture together with historical strategies derived from treatises and classic authors across a wide range of societies and cultures, the goals of the new CAP can be successfully met. This will contribute to reuniting the past, the present and the future of viticulture for a more nature‐based winemaking.
Residential exposure to environmental nuisances in Cameroon
Authors: Totouom Armand , Ngameni Joseph Pasky , Fassi Poumeni Rosine
Published: April 2024

The objective of this study is to analyze the determinants of perceived residential exposure to environmental nuisances in Cameroon. The ordered logit model specified in our empirical analysis is estimated using data from the Fourth Cameroon Household Survey. Our findings suggest that perceived residential exposure to environmental nuisance is inversely related to home ownership and having a fence around home. Conversely, it is related to both internal household factors such as the use of kerosene for cooking and external factors such as the pavement of the road leading to housing and the proximity to transport infrastructure. For example, the use of kerosene for cooking is associated with a 0.025 point increase in the probability of being occasionally bothered by odor nuisance and a 0.036 point decrease in the probability of never being annoyed by odor nuisance. Similarly, the pavement of the road leading to housing and proximity to transport infrastructure are associated with a respective 0.121 and 0.170 points increase in the probability of being frequently bothered by noise pollution. Various relevant policy recommendations were proposed among which, the implementation of effective urban planning and transport systems to accompany urban expansion as well as the subsidies to ease access to improved stoves.
Unravelling the Design and Mechanism: Potential of Substituted Quinolines as PASTA subunit 4 Inhibitors for Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Sharma Kirti , Sharma Atul , Sanduja Mohit , Kumar Asim
Published: April 2024

The increasing incidences of antibiotic‐resistance in Microorganisms have become a critical global health challenge. Traditional treatments, often relying on multiple antibiotics, are plagued by issues like drug resistance, reduced effectiveness, and heightened toxicity. In response, there is a compelling demand for innovative anti‐microbial agents that offer novel mechanisms of action. The family of bacterial Penicillin‐binding protein And Serine/Threonine kinase‐Associated (PASTA) kinases is of particular interest due to the role of these kinases in regulating resistance to ‐lactam antibiotics. As such, small molecule kinase inhibitors that target PASTA kinases may prove beneficial as treatments adjunctive to ‐lactam therapy. Our study was primarily geared towards identifying novel PASTA Kinase inhibitors through a ligand‐based drug design approach. Subsequently, we curated a library of 12 molecules, incorporating chemical modifications guided by considerations like drug‐like properties, chemical accessibility, and synthetic feasibility. Molecular docking analyses conducted on this library pinpointed three molecules with noteworthy binding affinities. From this subset, KS_QD_04 and KS_QD_05 emerged as promising candidates, subsequently validated through MD simulation studies, bolstering their potential as lead compounds in the quest to develop PASTA Kinase inhibitors for combating raising microbial resistance towards antibiotics.
2‐(1‐Methyl‐1H‐indazol‐5‐yl)‐N‐arylisonicotinamide Analogs: Synthesis, Anticancer Screening, SAR and ADMET Studies
Authors: Patel Umang P. , Unjiya Parth S. , Dabhi Ranjitsinh C. , Parmar Hemal M. , Shah Manish K.
Published: April 2024

In this current research framework, we detailed the synthesis of ten novel 2‐(1‐methyl‐1H‐indazol‐5‐yl)‐N‐arylisonicotinamide analogs (3a–j). The synthesis of these compounds (3a–j) involved a three‐step process, employing the Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling reaction, which successfully linked 1‐methyl‐1H‐indazole with isonicotinamide to satisfactory yields. The synthesized compounds were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. To assess their potential, the anticancer activity of compounds (3a–j) was evaluated following the National Cancer Institute (NCI US) protocol against nine panels comprising different cancer cell lines, at a concentration of 10−5 M. Growth percentage (GP) and percentage growth inhibition (PGI) were calculated for each compound. Notably, the CNS cancer cell line SNB‐75 exhibited a remarkable PGI of 99.16 percent, indicating high sensitivity to the tested compound 3e. Additionally, ADMET prediction suggested that most of the synthesized compounds possess drug‐like properties, with low adverse effects and toxicity. These findings represent a significant advancement, offering potential avenues for further developments in the field of cancer research.
Building project resilience: A critical systems practice approach
Authors: Zarghami Seyed Ashkan , Zwikael Ofer
Published: April 2024

Consisting of multifaceted interactions between various human and non‐human actors, projects are prime illustrations of complex systems. Such complexity amplifies the negative effect of disruptive events—common in projects owing to their high level of uncertainty. Therefore, building project resilience to provide a quick recovery process with minimal adverse consequences is of critical importance. However, literature lacks an effective framework for such. This paper argues that methodological pluralism is necessary for solving complex practical problem situations, based on the view of Mike C. Jackson—a seminal figure in the field of systems thinking. Accordingly, this paper takes a critical systems practice (CSP) approach to develop a framework for building resilience in projects. The application of the proposed framework is illustrated through a case of supply shortages in the automotive industry. The results underscore the significance of portraying a comprehensive view of both human and non‐human contributors to projects, surpassing conventional project‐driven management methods, which rely on science and experimentation. Additionally, the study emphasises how CSP, as an ideal type of multimethodological practice, broadens our perspective by offering insights into the multidimensional characteristics of resilience.
A global evaluation of urban agriculture potential for pollinator‐dependent crops in major cities
Authors: Rahimi Ehsan , Jung Chuleui
Published: April 2024

Recent research is increasingly focusing on the significance of urban gardens, urban agriculture, and rooftop agriculture as viable solutions to address food security issues. The crops cultivated in these urban settings play a crucial role in promoting urban sustainability. However, a considerable number of these crops rely on pollinators, making them key contributors to global food security, especially concerning micronutrient content. Therefore, a pivotal step in the urban planning process for local food production involves estimating the potential and available area for urban agriculture. In this study, we employed species distribution models (SDMs) to globally assess major cities' suitability for urban agriculture. Through the creation of habitat suitability maps for 61 pollinator‐dependent crops using SDMs, we evaluated the potential of 1143 major cities worldwide to cultivate each of these crops. Our findings reveal that nearly half of the examined cities (570) can support 0–10 crops, with approximately 30% (353 cities) able to sustain 11–20 crops. Around 14.5% of the cities are deemed suitable for supporting 21–30 crops. However, only about 4.5% of cities can accommodate between 31 and 40 crops. Across all 1143 cities studied, it was determined that each city, on average, has the potential to support 12.5 crops. This represents approximately 20% of the total percentage of pollinator‐dependent crops (61 crops) considered in this comprehensive analysis. While our research offers valuable insights into the potential of urban agriculture, researchers and urban planners must approach these findings with caution, particularly when extrapolating to regions with limited crop occurrence data. Additionally, we underscore the significance of understanding the distribution patterns of pollinators, especially bees, in urban environments. Relying solely on climatic variables to assess crop suitability in urban areas may be restrictive, considering the vital role of pollinators in crop production.
Antimicrobial effects of laurel extract, laurel essential oil, zahter extract, and zahter essential oil on chicken wings contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Yilmaz Ezgi Ayan , Yalçin Halil , Polat Zübeyde
Published: April 2024

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of zahter extract, zahter essential oil, laurel extract, and laurel essential oil on Salmonella Typhimurium inoculated on chicken wings.

Methods

A total of 10 groups, including eight study groups and two control groups were formed, consisting of zahter extract and zahter essential oil and laurel extract and laurel essential oil in different proportions. In the study, laurel extract at 6.4% and 12.8% concentrations, laurel essential oil at 0.2% and 0.4% concentrations, zahter extract at 0.2% and 0.4% concentrations, and zahter essential oil at 0.2% and 0.4% concentrations were used.

Results

The broth microdilution method was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extract and essential oils on the S. Typhimurium. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the extracts and essential oils used in the study against S. Typhimurium were determined. The highest inhibitory effect on S. Typhimurium was observed in the 0.4% laurel essential oil group. It was determined that the inhibitory effect increased as the concentration of laurel essential oil increased. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of zahter essential oil is less inhibitory than the laurel extract, laurel essential oil, and zahter extract.

Conclusion

According to the results of this study, it has been revealed that extracts and essential oils obtained from zahter and laurel plants, which have been shown to be natural antimicrobial, can be used in foods as an alternative to chemical additives. To develop research results, the applicability of these extracts and essential oils in different foodstuffs should be examined using different ingredients and concentrations.
Motivations for Urban Agriculture Policies: Evidence from Norway’s Largest Urban Areas
Authors: Saglie Inger-Lise
Published: April 2024

Public policies for urban agriculture have lately been developer in several cities. This chapter investigates motivations for such policies in three Norwegian cities: Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim. The motivations can be synthetized in five categories. They are much the same in the three cities but with different emphasis. First, urban agriculture is set into an urban “green” development discourse, particularly in Oslo and Bergen. “Green” not only means literally to make gray urban areas green by adding vegetation but also refers to an environmentally friendly urban development, increasing biodiversity and the amount of pollinator friendly plants. Second, food production and alternative food systems are important motivations, particularly in Trondheim and this municipality’s aim to couple urban agriculture to peri-urban professional agriculture. This aspect is also prominent in the policies in Bergen. Third, all cities underline the provision of social meeting places and local community building as a motivation for municipal support. Fourth, all cities consider urban agriculture as an important means for providing municipal welfare services, including work training, integration, health promotion, and spreading knowledge about growing. A fifth dimension is coupled to active citizenship and co-creation of city development particularly in Trondheim.
The Rise and Fall of Public Urban Gardens: Four Cases from in and around Copenhagen
Authors: Lamm Bettina , Tietjen Anne
Published: April 2024

This chapter presents four cases of urban garden projects in and around Copenhagen, Denmark, started between 2011 and 2013: Prags Have, Byhaven 2200, Byhaven Sundholm, and Havnehaverne. All four urban gardens were community-based and public, yet they varied widely in their organisation, management, funding, and status of the sites they occupied. While two of the gardens were started by cultural activists, the others were the initiative of the municipality and a private land developer. All of them shared a vision of not only growing produce but also integrating spaces for social inclusion and community gatherings. Looking into their underlying value system and organisational structure allows us to compare how the different typologies of urban gardens would impact their ability to thrive and flourish. The authors were particularly interested in the agendas pursued by the communities who managed them, how these agendas related to the specific site and context, and how the communities negotiated public access requirements with creating an enduring gardening community. As both bottom-up projects closed after 4 to 6 years, it is relevant to look into what resources were needed to run them and what led to their ultimate closure.
Key Characteristics of Co-produced Urban Agriculture Visions in Oslo
Authors: Stafseng Vebjørn Egner , Nicolaysen Anna Marie , Lieblein Geir
Published: April 2024

In this education research-oriented chapter, we present the findings from student and stakeholder co-produced visions, hindering and supporting forces and proposed action steps for urban agriculture initiatives in Oslo, Norway. Students in agroecology conducted participatory visioning workshops with initiatives in 2018 and 2019 and wrote reports based on these workshops. In our analysis of these reports, we found that the key characteristics of the visions could be categorized in terms of social, nature, and governance. Collaboration, lack of funds and time and other initiative-specific forces were common challenges to achieving the vision. Strong political support and increased interest in urban agriculture emerged as forces supporting the future visions. The proposed actions could be grouped in the categories of ecology, food, education, organization, social and municipality. The insights of our research on urban agriculture in public space gave us new perspectives and translations and can inform new and innovative visions.
Introduction: Research Ethics and Health Policy in Epidemics and Pandemics
Authors: Parker Michael , Bull Susan , Wright Katharine
Published: April 2024

Global health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic are contexts in which it is critical to draw upon learning from prior research and to conduct novel research to inform real-time decision-making and pandemic responses. While research is vitally important, however, emergencies are radically non-ideal contexts for its conduct, due to exceptional uncertainty, urgency, disruption, health needs, and strain on existing health systems, amongst other challenges. This generates novel ethical challenges and a broader conception of research ethics is necessary to effectively address the complexity of pandemic research contexts. Going beyond traditional approaches to research ethics centring on the design of specific studies, this broader conception requires consideration of fundamental questions relating to the exercise of power and influence throughout research pathways, and a broader attention to both salient ethical issues, and the ethical responsibilities of stakeholders. These include important questions about responsibilities to gather evidence and generate knowledge systematically during emergencies, to implement policy responses in ways that are amenable to evaluation, and even potential moral obligations to participate in research. In situations of heightened uncertainty, additional questions arise about what constitutes sufficient evidence to justify the development and implementation of policy responses, and the responsibilities of scientific and social science researchers involved in policy-making processes. The four cases in this chapter prompt reflection on evolving and at times competing values and responsibilities of policy-makers, regulators, health authorities and researchers during the design and conduct of research, and proposed early implementation of research findings. These cases highlight issues arising when conducting research of national importance in a pandemic, where researchers are required to liaise with authorities responsible for pandemic responses and address complex ethical issues, including protecting the interests of participants and publics when tensions arise between prioritising the completion of research and accelerating the rollout of novel health interventions. This chapter invites reflection on the practical ethical implications of commitments to undertake research during emergencies, including the nature and scope of the relevant responsibilities of a range of stakeholders.
Setting Research Priorities
Authors: Obengo Tom , de Vries Jantina
Published: April 2024

Time and resource constraints, combined with competing priorities, mean that research prioritization is a critical ethical consideration in pandemics and emergencies, given the increased need for relevant research findings to address health needs, and the multiple adverse ways that emergencies can impact capacities to conduct research. At international, national and local levels, careful consideration is needed of which research topics should be prioritized and on what grounds. This needs to take into account the ethically significant considerations that should inform prioritization; existing frameworks to guide prioritization decisions; and the consequences associated with prioritizing or de-prioritizing research. The need to prioritize research that is directly responsive to the pandemic may generate debate about which types of research should be prioritised, and within fields of research, which studies should be continued, paused, or re-oriented. In determining which research proposals may have the greatest likelihood of reducing urgent epidemic health burdens, both the nature and distribution of such burdens are key considerations. Epidemics and pandemics typically disproportionately affect the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in society, highlighting the necessity of inclusive and responsive approaches, which evaluate not just which research approaches have the greatest potential public health benefit, but also the likelihood that they will help address inequities. Key questions also arise when determining if current studies should be de-escalated or stopped, particularly when this may result in highly compromised results. It is also important to consider what obligations arise for research communities (including funders) to pledge to taking the outcomes of research prioritisation processes into account. The case studies in this chapter prompt consideration of how qualitative research into the impacts of isolation should be prioritised, and whether and how research prioritization measures should be responsive to widespread use of traditional medicine and off-label use of medications. The cases also highlight issues that research teams may face as research priorities are re-evaluated in pandemics, including whether and how to redesign proposed research in response to the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic and evolving pandemic research priorities.
Experimental and numerical investigation of the damage state of Ti-6Al-4V alloy sheet in the tensile test, hydraulic bulging, and hydroforming processes
Authors: Yapan Yusuf Furkan , Korkmaz Habip Gökay , Toros Serkan , Türköz Mevlüt
Published: April 2024

There has not been any damage prediction using Johnson-Cook’s (JC) hardening and damage model in the hydraulic bulging (HB) and hydroforming (HF), which are the advanced manufacturing processes, of the Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64) alloy. In the presented study, the damage behavior of the Ti64 alloy sheet in the HB and HF processes was investigated both experimentally and numerically for the first time to address the existing research gap. In this context, firstly, tensile tests (TT) were carried out on samples with different stress triaxiality values at three different tensile speeds, and the fracture morphologies of the samples were examined to evaluate whether it was appropriate to use the JC hardening and damage model. Since the fracture surfaces generally exhibit a ductile fracture morphology and are affected by stress triaxiality and strain rate, it was determined that it would be appropriate to use the JC hardening model and damage criterion to predict the damage of the Ti64 alloy in finite element analysis (FEA). Then, JC model parameters were determined by fitting the stress-strain curve obtained from the FEA and experimental tensile tests. In the HB experiments, bulging height and thickness thinning were predicted by FEA with an accuracy of 97% and 96.85%, respectively. In the HF experiments, the experimental burst pressure, die inlet radius, and base radius were predicted correctly at a rate of 92.5%, 95.5%, and 97.8%, respectively. Also, the thickness of the sample showed good agreement with the FEA results. The fracture zones in each process exhibited good agreement with the experimental results. Thus, it has been demonstrated that the JC damage criterion can be successfully applied in FEA if the Ti64 titanium alloy is damaged in various processes.
Image-based assessment of aortoiliac aneurysm anatomical characteristics in patients from the global iliac branch study
Authors: Bresler Alina-Marilena , Panthofer Annalise , Kuramochi Yuki , Olson Sydney L. , Eagleton Matthew , Schneider Darren B. , Lyden Sean P. , Blackwelder William C. , Uhl Christian F. , Bischoff Moritz S. , Matsumura Jon S. , Böckler Dittmar
Published: April 2024

Objective

Endovascular repair is the preferred treatment for aortoiliac aneurysm, with preservation of at least one internal iliac artery recommended. This study aimed to assess pre-endovascular repair anatomical characteristics of aortoiliac aneurysm in patients from the Global Iliac Branch Study (GIBS, NCT05607277) to enhance selection criteria for iliac branch devices (IBD) and improve long-term outcomes.

Methods

Pre-treatment CT scans of 297 GIBS patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair were analyzed. Measurements included total iliac artery length, common iliac artery length, tortuosity index, common iliac artery splay angle, internal iliac artery stenosis, calcification score, and diameters in the device's landing zone. Statistical tests assessed differences in anatomical measurements and IBD-mediated internal iliac artery preservation.

Results

Left total iliac artery length was shorter than right (6.7 mm, P = .0019); right common iliac artery less tortuous (P = .0145). Males exhibited greater tortuosity in the left total iliac artery (P = .0475) and larger diameter in left internal iliac artery's landing zone (P = .0453). Preservation was more common on right (158 unilateral, 34 bilateral) than left (105 unilateral, 34 bilateral). There were 192 right-sided and 139 left-sided IBDs, with 318 IBDs in males and 13 in females.

Conclusion

This study provides comprehensive pre-treatment iliac anatomy analysis in patients undergoing endovascular repair with IBDs, highlighting differences between sides and sexes. These findings could refine patient selection for IBD placement, potentially enhancing outcomes in aortoiliac aneurysm treatment. However, the limited number of females in the study underscores the need for further research to generalize findings across genders.
The Landsteiner lung cancer research platform (LALUCA)
Authors: Lang-Stöberl Anna , Fabikan Hannah , Hochmair Maximilian , Kirchbacher Klaus , Rodriguez Vania Mikaela , Ay Leyla , Weinlinger Christoph , Rosenthaler David , Illini Oliver , Müser Nino , Funk Georg-Christian , Valipour Arschang
Published: April 2024

Background

Lung cancer is a major health burden in Austria; however, limited real-world data exist on the diagnostic and treatment reality of lung cancer patients in Austria. The collection of high-quality data in a clinical setting is needed to gain insights into the real-world diagnostic and therapeutic management of lung cancer patients.

Methods

The Karl Landsteiner Institute for Lung Research and Pulmonary Oncology implemented the Landsteiner lung cancer research platform (LALUCA), recruiting unselected lung cancer patients from two high volume centers in Vienna. This article describes the objectives, design, methodology of the registry and the process of implementation.

Results

A multidisciplinary team of lung cancer specialists created a custom designed variable catalogue for the LALUCA platform consisting of 17 categories with 180 variables. Detailed information on clinical characteristics, diagnostic interventions, molecular pathology as well as curative and palliative treatment modalities are collected. During an implementation phase in 2020, the platform was optimized using the data of 50 patients. Since then a total of 1200 patients have been enrolled. Recruitment for the registry is ongoing with a recruitment rate of approximately 400 patients per year.

Conclusion

The LALUCA registry is a web-based platform for the collection of real-world clinical data of lung cancer patients. Combining a large number of patients with a focus on gathering comprehensive data on diagnosis and treatment, the LALUCA registry provides a tool for investigation, evaluation, and improvement of the clinical management, survival and quality of care of Austrian lung cancer patients.
Investigating levels of remote operation in high-level on-road autonomous vehicles using operator sequence diagrams
Authors: Parr Hannah , Harvey Catherine , Burnett Gary , Sharples Sarah
Published: April 2024

The continuing development of autonomous vehicle technology is making the presence of fully autonomous vehicles (SAE Level 5 of Driving Automation) on the road an ever more likely possibility. Similarly, regulation changes show countries are preparing for autonomous vehicles to increase their presence on public roads for both testing and use after sale. With this in mind, solutions to the problem of disengagement from the autonomous driving system by Level 5 vehicles, due to damage, operation outside of expected parameters or software failure among other reasons are being investigated including remote operation. This research aims to give evidence for the inclusion of remote operation into the autonomous driving and define the types of remote operation that may occur from existing literature. The four types of remote operation are Remote Monitoring, Remote Assistance, Remote Management and Remote Driving. Operator sequence diagrams are used to evaluate these types of remote operation in likely scenarios they may occur and draw conclusions about the role and the tasks the operator will be required to complete.
Signature-based Adaptive Cloud Resource Usage Prediction Using Machine Learning and Anomaly Detection
Authors: Sus Wiktor , Nawrocki Piotr
Published: April 2024

One of the challenges in managing cloud computing clusters is assigning resources based on the customers’ needs. For this mechanism to work efficiently, it is imperative that there are sufficient resources reserved to maintain continuous operation, but not too much to avoid overhead costs. Additionally, to avoid the overhead of acquisition time, it is important to reserve resources sufficiently in advance. This paper presents a novel reliable general-purpose mechanism for prediction-based resource usage reservation. The proposed solution should be capable of operating for long periods of time without drift-related problems, and dynamically adapt to changes in system usage. To achieve this, a novel signature-based ensemble prediction method is presented, which utilizes multiple distinct prediction algorithms suited for various use-cases, as well as an anomaly detection mechanism used to improve prediction accuracy. This ensures that the mechanism can operate efficiently in different real-life scenarios. Thanks to a novel signature-based selection algorithm, it is possible to use the best available prediction algorithm for each use-case, even over long periods of time, which would typically lead to drifts. The proposed approach has been evaluated using real-life historical data from various production servers, which include traces from more than 1,500 machines collected over more than a year. Experimental results have demonstrated an increase in prediction accuracy of up to 21.4 percent over the neural network approach. The evaluation of the proposed approach highlights the importance of choosing the appropriate prediction method, especially in diverse scenarios where the load changes frequently.
Physical Neighbor Crosstalk in Time Division Multiplexed SQUID Arrays for TES Readout
Authors: Durkin Malcolm , Doriese William B. , Gard Johnathon D. , Hilton Gene C. , Hubmayr Johannes , Lew Richard , Maloney Erin , Reintsema Carl D. , Singh Robinjeet , Schmidt Daniel R. , Ullom Joel N. , Vale Leila R. , Vissers Michael R.
Published: April 2024

Time division SQUID multiplexing is being developed as the TES readout technology for the ATHENA X-ray integral field unit and CMB-S4. Close packing of TDM and dc-biased SQUID components is motivated by chip area constraints but has resulted in significant physical neighbor crosstalk in previous generation chips. We present techniques to reduce physical neighbor crosstalk in both linear and two dimensional (2D) TDM chips as well as measurements of crosstalk in these chips.
An Overestimation Reduction Method Based on the Multi-step Weighted Double Estimation Using Value-Decomposition Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Zhao Li-yang , Chang Tian-qing , Guo Li-bin , Zhang Jie , Zhang Lei , Ma Jin-dun
Published: April 2024

The joint action-value function (JAVF) plays a key role in the centralized training of multi-agent deep reinforcement learning (MADRL)-based algorithms using the value function decomposition (VFD) and in the generating process of a collaborative policy between agents. However, under the influence of multiple factors such as environmental noise, inadequate exploration and iterative updating mechanism, estimation bias is inevitably introduced, causing its overestimation problem, which in turn prevents agents from obtaining accurate reward signals during the learning process, and fails to correctly approximate the optimal policy. To address this problem, this paper first analyzes the causes of joint action-value function overestimation, gives the corresponding mathematical proofs and theoretical derivations, and obtains the lower bound of the overestimation error; then, a MADRL overestimation reduction method based on the multi-step weighted double estimation named λWD QMIX is proposed. Specifically, the λWD QMIX method effectively achieves more stable and accurate JAVF estimation results using the bias correction estimation mechanisms based on the weighted double estimation and multi-step updating based on eligibility trace backup, without additionally adding or changing any network structure. The results of a series of experiments on the StarCraft II micromanipulation benchmark show that the proposed λWD QMIX algorithm can effectively improve the final performance and learning efficiency of the baseline algorithm, and can be seamlessly integrated with the partially MADRL algorithms based on communication learning.
Effect of hydrochar-doping on the performance of carbon felt as anodic electrode in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Delgado Yelitza , Tapia Natalia , Muñoz-Morales Martín , Ramirez Álvaro , Llanos Javier , Vargas Ignacio , Fernández-Morales Francisco Jesús
Published: April 2024

In this study, the feasibility of using hydrochars as anodic doping materials in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) was investigated. The feedstock used for hydrochar synthesis was metal-polluted plant biomass from an abandoned mining site. The hydrochar obtained was activated by pyrolysis at 500 °C in N2 atmosphere. Under steady state conditions, the current exerted by the MFCs, as well as the cyclic voltammetry and polarization curves, showed that the activated hydrochar-doped anodes exhibited the best performance in terms of power and current density generation, 0.055 mW/cm2 and 0.15 mA/cm2, respectively. These values were approximately 30% higher than those achieved with non-doped or doped with non-activated hydrochar anodes which can be explained by the highly graphitic carbonaceous structures obtained during the hydrochar activation that reduced the internal resistance of the system. These results suggest that the activated hydrochar materials could significantly enhance the electrochemical performance of bioelectrochemical systems. Moreover, this integration will not only enhance the energy generated by MFCs, but also valorize metal polluted plant biomass within the frame of the circular economy.