bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjudin improves beta cell maturation, hepatic glucose uptake and glucose homeostasis
Authors: Ren Lipeng , Charbord Jérémie , Chu Lianhe , Kemas Aurino M. , Bertuzzi Maria , Mi Jiarui , Xing Chen , Lauschke Volker M. , Andersson Olov
Published: October 2023

Aims/hypothesis

Recovering functional beta cell mass is a promising approach for future diabetes therapies. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of adjudin, a small molecule identified in a beta cell screen using zebrafish, on pancreatic beta cells and diabetes conditions in mice and human spheroids.

Methods

In zebrafish, insulin expression was examined by bioluminescence and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), glucose levels were examined by direct measurements and distribution using a fluorescent glucose analogue, and calcium activity in beta cells was analysed by in vivo live imaging. Pancreatic islets of wild-type postnatal day 0 (P0) and 3-month-old (adult) mice, as well as adult db/db mice (i.e. BKS(D)-Leprdb/JOrlRj), were cultured in vitro and analysed by qPCR, glucose stimulated insulin secretion and whole mount staining. RNA-seq was performed for islets of P0 and db/db mice. For in vivo assessment, db/db mice were treated with adjudin and subjected to analysis of metabolic variables and islet cells. Glucose consumption was examined in primary human hepatocyte spheroids.

Results

Adjudin treatment increased insulin expression and calcium response to glucose in beta cells and decreased glucose levels after beta cell ablation in zebrafish. Adjudin led to improved beta cell function, decreased beta cell proliferation and glucose responsive insulin secretion by decreasing basal insulin secretion in in vitro cultured newborn mouse islets. RNA-seq of P0 islets indicated that adjudin treatment resulted in increased glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function, as well as downstream signalling pathways involved in insulin secretion. In islets from db/db mice cultured in vitro, adjudin treatment strengthened beta cell identity and insulin secretion. RNA-seq of db/db islets indicated adjudin-upregulated genes associated with insulin secretion, membrane ion channel activity and exocytosis. Moreover, adjudin promoted glucose uptake in the liver of zebrafish in an insulin-independent manner, and similarly promoted glucose consumption in primary human hepatocyte spheroids with insulin resistance. In vivo studies using db/db mice revealed reduced nonfasting blood glucose, improved glucose tolerance and strengthened beta cell identity after adjudin treatment.

Conclusions/interpretation

Adjudin promoted functional maturation of immature islets, improved function of dysfunctional islets, stimulated glucose uptake in liver and improved glucose homeostasis in db/db mice. Thus, the multifunctional drug adjudin, previously studied in various contexts and conditions, also shows promise in the management of diabetic states.

Data availability

Raw and processed RNA-seq data for this study have been deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus under accession number GSE235398 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE235398).

Graphical Abstract
Assessment of potential impact of magnetic fields from a subsea high-voltage DC power cable on migrating green sturgeon, Acipenser medirostris
Authors: Wyman Megan T. , Kavet Robert , Battleson Ryan D. , Agosta Thomas V. , Chapman Eric D. , Haverkamp Paul J. , Pagel Matthew D. , Klimley A. Peter
Published: October 2023

Empirical evidence suggests that marine animals perceive and orient to local distortions in the earth’s natural magnetic field. Magnetic fields (MFs) generated by electrified underwater cables may produce similar local distortions in the earth’s main field. Concern exists that these distortions may impact migration movements of MF-sensitive animals. The Trans Bay Cable (TBC) is a ± 200-kV, 400-megawatt, 85-km high-voltage direct current transmission line buried through San Francisco Bay (37° 56′ 8.81″ N, 122° 27′ 0.19″ W). Detections of adult green sturgeon implanted with acoustic transmitters were used from six cross-bay receiver arrays from 2006 to 2015 to investigate how inbound and outbound migration movements through lower portions of their route to/from upstream breeding grounds are related to the TBC’s energization status (off/on) and other local environmental variables. Here, we assess how these variables impacted transit success, misdirection from the migration route, transit times, and migration path locations within stretches between the Bay’s mouth and the start of the Sacramento River. Overall, there was varied evidence for any effect on migration behavior associated with cable status (off/on). A higher percentage of inbound fish successfully transited after the cable was energized, but this effect was nonsignificant in models including temperature. Outbound fish took longer to transit after cable energization. Inbound and outbound migration path locations were not significantly influenced by cable energization, but results suggest a potential subtle relationship between energization and both inbound and outbound paths. Overall, additional migration-based studies are needed to investigate the impact of anthropogenic cables on marine species.
Differences in residual volume above different tracheostomy tube cuffs depending on tube structure, tube tilt angle, and liquid viscosity
Authors: Katsuno Takahiro , Ueha Rumi , Fujisaki Aiko , Unno Takeshi , Cotaoco Carmel , Kaneoka Asako , Koyama Misaki , Sato Taku , Goto Takao , Kondo Kenji
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Proper management of aspirated material above the tracheostomy tube cuff is crucial to prevent complications, such as aspiration pneumonia. This study aimed to thoroughly examine the effects of aspirated liquid viscosity, suction port positioning, and tube tilt angle on residual volume above the cuff (RVAC).

Methods

Five types of tracheostomy tubes (approximately 9 mm outer diameter) were placed through a transparent cylinder with an inner diameter of 18 mm. The cuff was inflated to completely seal the interior of the cylinder. Four liquids with different viscosities were poured onto the cuff, and the liquid above the cuff was suctioned from the side port. The cylinder was angled at 90° and 20°, and each test was performed thrice to determine the average RVAC.

Results

After side-port suctioning, some liquid residue was observed on the cuff of all tracheostomy tubes. The RVAC increased with higher liquid viscosity. The tubes with a longer distance from the suction port opening to the cuff top exhibited more RVAC. Moreover, the RVAC was almost the same regardless of the cylinder angle for tubes with a suction port on the lateral side. However, tubes with backside ports showed a decreased RVAC with cylinder tilt.

Conclusions

This study underscores the persistence of residual material on cuffed tracheostomy tubes even with regular subglottic secretion drainage. This emphasizes the need for specialized tracheostomy tube development aimed at reducing post-suction RVAC. Improved designs can potentially minimize complications associated with residue accumulation.
From Deutsche Zeitschrift to International journal of legal medicine—100 years of legal medicine through the lens of journal articles, Part 4: International journal of legal medicine from 1990 to 2022
Authors: Fracasso Tony , Wirth Ingo , Pfeiffer Heidi , Schmeling Andreas
Published: October 2023

This is the fourth and final paper in a series related to the analysis of articles published in this journal during its first 100 years of activity. This article covers the time span from 1990 to 2022. It is important to note that, given the period covered by this analysis, it does not aim to provide a historical overview but rather an examination of the most recent trends in our discipline compared to the past. Between 1990 (Volume 104) and 2022 (Volume 136), 4004 articles were published in the International Journal of Legal Medicine (IJLM) across 33 volumes. This corresponds to 53% of all the articles published since the launch of the journal. When compared to the period from 1970 to 1990, some categories no longer appear to be as relevant (e.g., sexual medicine, 1 article; social medicine, 0 articles; biography, 3 articles; history, 4 articles). Conversely, the most recent period has shown an increasing importance in forensic genetics (1388 articles) and the emergence of new significant topics that merit their own classification, such as age estimation (286 articles), forensic anthropology (189 articles), forensic imaging (150 articles), and forensic entomology (90 articles).
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy: an update on the current and emerging treatment options
Authors: Ferro Desideri Lorenzo , Artemiev Dmitri , Zandi Souska , Zinkernagel Martin S , Anguita Rodrigo
Published: October 2023

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) remains the main cause of failure in retinal detachment (RD) surgery and a demanding challenge for vitreoretinal surgeons. Despite the large improvements in surgical techniques and a better understanding of PVR pathogenesis in the last years, satisfactory anatomical and visual outcomes have not been provided yet. For this reason, several different adjunctive pharmacological agents have been investigated in combination with surgery. In this review, we analyze the current and emerging adjunctive treatment options for the management of PVR and we discuss their possible clinical application and beneficial role in this subgroup of patients.
Surgical approaches for achalasia and obesity: a systematic review and patient-level meta-analysis
Authors: Kunz Stephen , Ashraf Hamza , Klonis Christopher , Thompson Sarah K. , Aly Ahmad , Liu David S.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Synchronous and metachronous presentations of achalasia and obesity are increasingly common. There is limited data to guide the combined or staged surgical approaches to these conditions.

Methods

A systematic review (MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science) and patient-level meta-analysis of published cases were performed to examine the most effective surgical approach for patients with synchronous or metachronous presentations of achalasia and obesity.

Results

Thirty-three studies with 93 patients were reviewed. Eighteen patients underwent concurrent achalasia and bariatric surgery, with the most common (n = 12, 72.2%) being laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy (LHM) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This combination achieved 68.9% excess weight loss and 100% remission of achalasia (mean follow-up: 3 years). Seven (6 RYGB, 1 biliopancreatic diversion) patients had bariatric surgery following achalasia surgery. Of these, all 6 RYGBs had satisfactory bariatric outcomes, with complete remission of their achalasia (mean follow-up: 1.8 years). Sixty-eight patients underwent myotomy following bariatric surgery; the majority (n = 55, 80.9%) were following RYGB. In this scenario, per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) achieved higher treatment success than LHM (n = 33 of 35, 94.3% vs. n = 14 of 20, 70.0%, p = 0.021). Moreover, conversion to RYGB following a restrictive bariatric procedure during achalasia surgery was also associated with higher achalasia treatment success.

Conclusion

In patients with concurrent achalasia and obesity, LHM and RYGB achieved good outcomes for both pathologies. For those with weight gain post-achalasia surgery, RYGB provided satisfactory weight loss, without adversely affecting achalasia symptoms. For those with achalasia after bariatric surgery, POEM and conversion to RYGB produced greater treatment success.
SIMPEDVR: using VR in teaching pediatric emergencies to undergraduate students—a pilot study
Authors: Savino Sandro , Mormando Giulia , Saia Giorgia , Da Dalt Liviana , Chang Todd P. , Bressan Silvia
Published: October 2023

The objective of this work was to provide pilot data on feasibility of using virtual reality (VR) to train undergraduate students in pediatric emergency scenarios. We staged VR sessions for a total of 45 medical and nursing students; in every session, each student managed two pediatric emergency virtual scenarios. At the end of the sessions, students completed a Technology Assessment Questionnaire to evaluate the perceived usefulness and perceived ease-of-use of their VR training experience and rated their perceived level of competence in managing the two clinical scenarios. The median perceived usefulness was 91.7/100 (interquartile range (IQR) 80.6–100), while the median perceived ease-of-use was 77.8/100 (IQR 63.9–88.9). The perceived level of competence increased from 2 (IQR 1–3) to 4 (IQR 3–4) on a 5-point Likert scale, for both scenarios (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon test for paired samples).

       Conclusions: The staged VR sessions had a good perceived usefulness and resulted in an increase in the perceived level of competence. The results on the ease-of-use, however, show that an assumption that millennials and younger students can navigate with confidence VR hardware in a healthcare training setting should not be made; further work is required to ease the integration of VR into curricula.

What is Known:• Virtual reality (VR) is a rising simulation training methodology in Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM), however little experience is reported about its use for undergraduate students

What is New:• VR PEM trainiing was found useful by undergraduate students and its use increased their perceived level of competence, although ease-of-use received lower ratings.• Despite the young age, an assumption that millennials and younger students can navigate with confidence VR hardware in a healthcare training setting should not be made
Prevalence of opioid-induced adverse events across opioids commonly used for analgesic treatment in Japan: a multicenter prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Hiratsuka Yusuke , Tagami Keita , Inoue Akira , Sato Mamiko , Matsuda Yasufumi , Kosugi Kazuhiro , Kubo Emi , Natsume Maika , Ishiki Hiroto , Arakawa Sayaka , Shimizu Masaki , Yokomichi Naosuke , Chiu Shih-Wei , Shimoda Mayu , Hirayama Hideyuki , Nishijima Kaoru , Ouchi Kota , Shimoi Tatsunori , Shigeno Tomoko , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Miyashita Mitsunori , Morita Tatsuya , Satomi Eriko
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Although opioids have been shown to be effective for cancer pain, opioid-induced adverse events (AEs) are common. To date, little is known about the differences in risks of AEs by opioid type. This study was performed to compare the prevalence of AEs across opioids commonly used for analgesic treatment in Japan.

Methods

This study was conducted as a preplanned secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective longitudinal study of inpatients with cancer pain who received specialized palliative care for cancer pain relief. We assessed daily AEs until termination of follow-up. We rated the severity of AEs based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. We computed adjusted odds ratios for each AE (constipation, nausea and vomiting, delirium, and drowsiness) with the following variables: opioid, age, sex, renal dysfunction, and primary cancer site.

Results

In total, 465 patients were analyzed. Based on the descriptive analysis, the top four most commonly used opioids were included in the analysis: oxycodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl, and tramadol. With respect to the prevalence of AEs among all analyzed patients, delirium (n = 25, 6.3%) was the most frequent, followed by drowsiness (n = 21, 5.3%), nausea and vomiting (n = 19, 4.8%), and constipation (n = 28, 4.6%). The multivariate logistic analysis showed that no single opioid was identified as a statistically significant independent predictor of any AE.

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in the prevalence of AEs among oxycodone, fentanyl, hydromorphone, and tramadol, which are commonly used for analgesic treatment in Japan.
Prediction of outcomes in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease based on initial measurements and subsequent changes in magnetic resonance elastography
Authors: Kobayashi Takashi , Iwaki Michihiro , Nogami Asako , Kawamura Nobuyoshi , Honda Yasushi , Ogawa Yuji , Imajo Kento , Yoneda Masato , Saito Satoru , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: October 2023

Background

The prognosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is strongly associated with liver fibrosis. We aimed to investigate whether liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and changes in LSM (ΔLSM) on magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can predict clinical events in patients with MASLD.

Methods

We included 405 patients with MASLD who underwent at least two MREs. The patients were divided into five groups corresponding to fibrosis stages (0–4) based on initial LSM and classified as progressors (ΔLSM ≥ 19%) or non-progressors (ΔLSM < 19%) based on the difference between the first and last LSM.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 72.6 months, and the mean interval between MREs was 23.5 months. There were 52 (12.8%) progressors and 353 (87.2%) non-progressors. The initial LSM was significantly associated with the cumulative probabilities of decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver-related events, extrahepatic malignancies, and overall mortality but not with cardiovascular disease. Progressors had significantly higher hazard ratios (HRs) for decompensated cirrhosis, HCC, and liver-related events but not for extrahepatic malignancies, cardiovascular disease, or overall mortality. Among patients without cirrhosis, the HR for developing cirrhosis among progressors was 60.15. Progressors had a significantly higher risk of liver-related events, even in the low initial LSM (fibrosis stage 0–2) subgroups.

Conclusions

Both initial LSM and ΔLSM can predict liver-related events in patients with MASLD, even for low initial LSM. This integrated assessment can allow more detailed risk stratification compared with single LSM assessments and identify high-risk patients with MASLD among those previously considered as low risk.
Promotion of a neurosurgical academic journal on social media: a 1-year experience
Authors: Sorba Elena L. , Staartjes Victor E. , Serra Carlo , Regli Luca , Alamri Alex , Rabiei Katrin , Lippa Laura , Karekezi Claire , Kolias Angelos , Mathiesen Tiit
Published: October 2023

Background

Social media (SoMe) use, in all of its forms, has seen massively increased throughout the past two decades, including academic publishing. Many journals have established a SoMe presence, yet the influence of promotion of scientific publications on their visibility and impact remains poorly studied. The European Journal of Neurosurgery «Acta Neurochirurgica» has established its SoMe presence in form of a Twitter account that regularly promotes its publications. We aim to analyze the impact of this initial SoMe campaign on various alternative metrics (altmetrics).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all articles published in the journal Acta Neurochirurgica between May 1st, 2018, and April 30th, 2020, was performed. These articles were divided into a historical control group — containing the articles published between May 1st, 2018, and April 30th, 2019, when the SoMe campaign was not yet established — and into an intervention group. Several altmetrics were analyzed, along with website visits and PDF downloads per month.

Results

In total, 784 articles published during the study period, 128 (16.3%) were promoted via Twitter. During the promotion period, 29.7% of published articles were promoted. Overall, the published articles reached a mean of 31.3 ± 50.5 website visits and 17.5 ± 31.25 PDF downloads per month. Comparing the two study periods, no statistically significant differences in website visits (26.91 ± 32.87 vs. 34.90 ± 61.08, p = 0.189) and PDF downloads (17.52 ± 31.25 vs. 15.33 ± 16.07, p = 0.276) were detected. However, overall compared to non-promoted articles, promoted articles were visited (48.9 ± 95.0 vs. 29.0 ± 37.0, p = 0.005) and downloaded significantly more (25.7 ± 66.7 vs. 16.6 ± 18.0, p = 0.045) when compared to those who were not promoted during the promotion period.

Conclusions

We report a 1-year initial experience with promotion of a general neurosurgical journal on Twitter. Our data suggest a clear benefit of promotion on article site visits and article downloads, although no single responsible element could be determined in terms of altmetrics. The impact of SoMe promotion on other metrics, including traditional bibliometrics such as citations and journal impact factor, remains to be determined.
Measuring network effects of digital industrial platforms: towards a balanced platform performance management
Authors: Schüler Fabian , Petrik Dimitri
Published: October 2023

Firms increasingly establish digital industrial platforms to cope with the adaption of the industrial internet of things (IIoT) paradigm. The tremendous success of digital platforms in many platform-mediated industries can be traced back to the ignition of network externalities. However, the impact of network externalities is still under discussion in the IIoT domain, and their measurement remains a challenge for platform companies. This paper outlines how network effects were measured in the existing research, deriving three dimensions of network effects for IIoT: (1) ecosystem utility, (2) complementarity, and (3) compatibility. This conceptualization is further used in an empirical study with practitioners from digital industrial platform organizations to enable performance measurement of network effects in IIoT by developing 20 key performance indicators (KPIs). Based on the empirical study results, this paper proposes a framework for balanced platform management. Utilizing the goals of a balanced scorecard, the framework emphasizes the trade-off between the contradicting perspectives on costly network effect simulation and platform earnings that platform managers need to balance. The KPI portfolio can support platform managers in implementing the framework.
Numerical Simulation Study on Shear Properties of Rock Joint Under CNS Boundary Conditions
Authors: Han Guansheng , Chen Zhijing , Xiang Jiahao , Gao Yuan , Zhou Yu , Tang Qiongqiong , Chen Weiqiang
Published: October 2023

In this study, the shear mechanical property of rock joints under constant normal stiffness (CNS) boundary conditions was investigated by the PFC discrete element software. The effects of joint roughness coefficient (JRC), initial normal stress (σn0), normal stiffness (kn) and shear rate (v) on shear stress (τ), shear dilation (normal displacement, δv), and normal stress (σn) were quantitatively investigated. The stress evolution and damage process inside the samples during the CNS shearing process of rock joints were analyzed. The test results showed that the increase of JRC significantly improved the shear performance of rock joints. Meanwhile, shear stress, normal displacement, normal stress and the number of tensile cracks of samples were significantly increased. Excessive initial normal stress (greater than or equal to 4 MPa) will cause irreversible failure of the joints. The protrusion of the joints is sheared or ground and detached from the samples, which leads to shear shrinkage of the sample. The increase of normal stiffness and shear rate will restrain the shear expansion of the joints, which will also aggravate the failure of the samples. Three empirical formulas for predicting shear stress, normal stress, normal displacement of rock joint samples under CNS boundary conditions are proposed and laboratory tests were carried out to verify them. The four factors involved above and shear displacement (δh) are considered in the prediction model. The calculated results of the prediction model are in good overall agreement with the laboratory test results, and the error decreases with the increase of shear displacement.
On logarithms of measures
Authors: Raubenheimer H. , van Appel J.
Published: October 2023

Let A be a Banach algebra and let $$x\in A$$

x
∈
A

have the property that its spectrum does not separate 0 from infinity. It is well known that x has a logarithm, i.e., there exists $$y\in A$$

y
∈
A

with $$x=e^y$$

x
=

e
y

. We will use this statement to identify measures defined on a locally compact group to have logarithms. Also, we will show that the converse of the above statement is in general not true. Our results will be related to infinitely divisible probability measures.
Towards a Typology of Narrative Frustration
Authors: Altshuler Daniel , Kim Christina S.
Published: October 2023

Through imaginative engagement readers of fiction become, to an extraordinary extent, the narrator’s ‘children’: they often submit themselves to the narrator’s authority without reserve. But precisely because of that, readers are deeply at a loss when their trust is betrayed. This underscores a core function of fiction, namely to evoke emotional response in the reader. In this paper, we hypothesize how a reader’s imaginative engagement can be subjected to narrative frustration due to processing or moral complexity. The types of narrative frustration we consider differ in terms of their sources, and their emotional and behavioral impacts on the reader. Here, we break down these frustrations into their component parts, in an effort to better characterize the different classes of frustrations. We propose that frustrations arise from different combinations of local uncertainty, moral clash and global uncertainty. These sources of frustration in turn explain the reader’s emotional response and their consequent reading behavior as they imaginatively engage with fiction.
Systematic mapping of scientific publications on MaaS
Authors: Natvig Marit K. , Stav Erlend , Vennesland Audun
Published: October 2023

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is a concept aiming for the provision of a diversity of transport services to travellers via one single user interface as one integrated service. The intention is to provide flexible mobility services to individuals and families to constitute an alternative to car ownership. This paper aims to provide an overview of the MaaS research area. A systematic mapping study of scientific literature on MaaS up till and including 2020 has been conducted. 193 articles are included in the study through searches in scientific databases and a structured selection and classification process. The findings are analysed and discussed. Eight main topics were identified in the MaaS literature: User aspects, Societal aspects, MaaS functionality, MaaS integration, MaaS implementation, Business aspects, Technology aspects, and Privacy and security aspects. The main results are: (i) Coding schemes defining the structure and scope of the MaaS research area with respect to the main topics and sub-topics, approaches used and contribution types; (ii) a classification of the selected literature on MaaS according to the coding schemes; (iii) analysis and discussions of the findings; and (iv) discussions of trends and gaps in the MaaS research. The study contributes to a broader and more detailed overview of the MaaS research area than previous work and can support the discovery of relevant literature, assist positioning of research within the research area, be used as a foundation for further literature studies, and guide the direction of future work on MaaS.
Application of UHPLC-MS/MS method to monitor the occurrence of sulfonamides and their transformation products in soil in Silesia, Poland
Authors: Stando Klaudia , Wilk Joanna , Jakóbik-Kolon Agata , Felis Ewa , Bajkacz Sylwia
Published: October 2023

Sulfonamides circulating in the environment lead to disturbances in food chains and local ecosystems, but most importantly contribute to development of resistance genes, which generate problems with multidrug-resistant bacterial infections treatment. In urban areas, sources of sulfonamide distribution in soils have received comparatively less attention in contrast to rural regions, where animal-derived manure, used as a natural fertilizer, is considered the main source. The aim of this study was to determine eight sulfonamides (sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethizole, sulfamethoxazole, sulfapyridine, sulfathiazole, and sulfisoxazole) in environmental soil samples collected from urbanized regions in Silesian Voivodeship with increased animal activity. These soils were grouped according to the organic carbon content. It was necessary to develop versatile and efficient extraction and determination method to analyze selected sulfonamides in various soil types. The developed LC–MS/MS method for sulfonamides analyzing was validated. The obtained recoveries exceeded 45% for soil with medium organic carbon content and 88% for sample with a very low organic carbon content (arenaceous quartz). The obtained results show the high impact of organic matter on analytes adsorption in soil, which influences recovery. All eight sulfa drugs were determined in environmental samples in the concentration range 1.5–10.5 ng g-1. The transformation products of the analytes were also identified, and 29 transformation products were detected in 24 out of 27 extracts from soil samples.
Association of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure with metabolic syndrome and its components in adults and adolescents
Authors: Zheng Huizhen , Yin Ziwei , Luo Xi , Zhou Yingli , Zhang Fei , Guo Zhihua
Published: October 2023

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread contaminants, but few studies have explored the relationship between PFAS and levels of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the population. The available evidence of an association is also conflicting. We selected adults and adolescents with complete PFAS data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2003 and 2018. We analyzed the association between PFAS and MetS using multivariate logistic regression models and evaluated potential nonlinear relationships with restricted cubic spline models. Additionally, we employed weighted quantile sum (WQS) regressions to uncover the multiple exposure effects and relative weights of each PFAS. Finally, we conducted a series of sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of our findings. In this population-based study, we analyzed data from a total of 4,973 adults, aged 20–85 years, and 1,381 adolescents, aged 12–19 years. Using fully adjusted multivariate logistic regression models, we found that serum levels of perfluorodecanoate (PFDA) [0.65 (0.50, 0.85)] and total PFAS [0.92 (0.85, 0.99)] were negatively associated with the prevalence of MetS in adults. Similarly, in adolescents, we observed negative correlations between the prevalence of MetS and levels of PFDA [0.55 (0.38, 0.80)], perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) [0.62 (0.39, 1.00)], perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) [0.59 (0.36, 0.96)], and total PFAS [0.61 (0.37, 0.99)]. Additionally, our study identified statistically significant negative associations between serum levels of PFAS and certain components of MetS, primarily elevated fasting glucose and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Our study found that PFAS was associated with a lower prevalence of MetS in both adults and adolescents, offering new insights into the relationship between PFAS and metabolic health. Interestingly, however, we observed conflicting findings across the components of MetS. Specifically, we observed that PFAS had a negative correlation with some metrics and a positive correlation with others. These conflicting results point to a complex interplay between PFAS and various metrics of metabolic health.
Reciprocal Neighborhood Dynamics in Gun Violence Exposure, Community Health, and Concentrated Disadvantage in One Hundred US Cities
Authors: Semenza Daniel C. , Stansfield Richard , Silver Ian A. , Savage Brielle
Published: October 2023

Gun violence imparts a tremendous human and financial toll on local communities. Researchers have documented extensive mental and physical health consequences of generalized violence exposure but few studies have analyzed the particular impacts of gun violence on community well-being using nationally comprehensive data. We leverage a unique database of almost 16,000 neighborhoods in 100 US cities (2014–2019) to examine how year-over-year rates of gun violence correspond to overall neighborhood well-being and three aspects of community health: (1) health behaviors, (2) physical and mental health status, and (3) health prevention efforts. We simultaneously consider the reciprocal influence of neighborhood well-being on subsequent gun violence while accounting for concentrated disadvantage in communities. The results demonstrate that gun violence is associated with poorer community health in subsequent years, particularly health behaviors and mental/physical health status. Furthermore, we find substantial reciprocal effects for both gun violence and community health in their relationship to neighborhood concentrated disadvantage. These findings highlight the consequential role of gun violence in perpetuating cycles of harm in local communities.
Why hide? Africa’s unreported debt to China
Authors: Brown Kathleen J.
Published: October 2023

Hidden debt is endemic throughout the sovereign credit market and poses a serious threat to global financial stability. Yet, little is known about why governments conceal their liabilities from creditors. I argue that governments intentionally hide debts from international financial institutions (IFIs) to maximize their ability to borrow while avoiding punishment for rising debt burdens. IFIs frequently penalize governments in low-income countries for borrowing beyond their means. By hiding some debt, governments are able to continue borrowing without being disciplined. I test this using recently released data that reveals half of the Chinese loans in Sub-Saharan Africa are missing from sovereign debt records. I find that borrower governments hide loans to avoid violating World Bank debt sustainability thresholds. However, governments hide less debt while under IMF scrutiny so as to reduce the risk that they will be discovered and punished. These findings offer evidence that borrower governments use hidden debt as a strategic tool to pursue fiscal goals. Further, this work reveals the unintended consequences of IFI intervention in less-developed countries, as efforts to ensure fiscal stability increase governments’ incentives to hide debt.
A systematic review of full economic evaluations of robotic-assisted surgery in thoracic and abdominopelvic procedures
Authors: Sadri Hamid , Fung-Kee-Fung Michael , Shayegan Bobby , Garneau Pierre Y. , Pezeshki Padina
Published: October 2023

This study aims to conduct a systematic review of full economic analyses of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) in adults' thoracic and abdominopelvic indications. Authors used Medline, EMBASE, and PubMed to conduct a systematic review following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Fully published economic articles in English were included. Methodology and reporting quality were assessed using standardized tools. Majority of studies (28/33) were on oncology procedures. Radical prostatectomy was the most reported procedure (16/33). Twenty-eight studies used quality-adjusted life years, and five used complication rates as outcomes. Nine used primary and 24 studies used secondary data. All studies used modeling. In 81% of studies (27/33), RAS was cost-effective or potentially cost-effective compared to comparator procedures, including radical prostatectomy, nephrectomy, and cystectomy. Societal perspective, longer-term time-horizon, and larger volumes favored RAS. Cost-drivers were length of stay and equipment cost. From societal and payer perspectives, robotic-assisted surgery is a cost-effective strategy for thoracic and abdominopelvic procedures.

Clinical trial registration This study is a systematic review with no intervention, not a clinical trial.
Microbiology and postmortem interval: a systematic review
Authors: Moitas Bruna , Caldas Inês Morais , Sampaio-Maia Benedita
Published: October 2023

This systematic review aims to learn if and how it is possible to use the human microbiome to indicate the time elapsed after death. Articles were searched on the PubMed database using predefined data fields and keywords; reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were excluded. The final selection included 14 papers (out of 144). The results indicated that the microorganisms present in the cadaveric island succeed predictably over time, with markers between the stages of decomposition constituting a potential innovative tool for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. The human microbiome has the potential to be used for PMI estimation and may present advantages as microbes are present in all seasons, in all habitats, including the most extreme ones, and because microbial communities respond predictably to environmental changes.
Navigating the UKAS Accreditation Process for Detecting Norovirus and Hepatitis A Virus in Fresh and Frozen Produce: a Case Study
Authors: D’Agostino Martin
Published: October 2023

Given the urgent requirement for more laboratories to develop proficiency in detecting foodborne viruses, this case study charts the path to accreditation, demystifying the process of validating a method for detecting norovirus and hepatitis A virus in fresh produce. Securing accreditation is crucial to ensuring dependable and precise food analysis, particularly relevant for products frequently consumed raw, which are at risk of contamination by foodborne viruses. The study provides an in-depth look at the stringent procedures integral to achieving precision and dependability in results, underscoring the pivotal role of competency checks involving artificial contamination of samples. The case study also navigates the integral role of both external and internal quality assurance processes in affirming the consistency and accuracy of laboratory testing methods. The findings of this case study are transformative, amplifying confidence in laboratory results and potentially catalysing improvements in public health by ensuring accurate virus detection and identification in food samples. Furthermore, the accreditation process, as detailed in this case study, could pioneer a path for other laboratories, fostering best practices in virus detection and identification.
The CsCs and CsCsV Defects in Silicon: Density Functional Theory Calculations
Authors: Kuganathan N. , Sgourou E. N. , Chroneos A. , Londos C. A.
Published: October 2023

Carbon-related defects in silicon (Si) are commonly introduced during crystal growth via the Czochralski method and processing. They can play an important role in affecting the physical properties of Si and its application in nanoelectronic devices. In this study, we use spin polarised density functional theory (DFT) to model the most stable structures of C-doped (C), CsCs and CsCsV in Si and their electronic structures. For completeness we also consider the CsV and CsVV which have been modelled with DFT in previous work. The results of this study reveal that the substitution of C requires an external energy of 0.44 eV. Formation of all clusters is endoergic. The energy to bind isolated defects to form clusters is negative in all cases meaning that there is a strong tendency for the aggregation of isolated defects to form clusters.
Exploring the role of natural bioactive molecules in genitourinary cancers: how far has research progressed?
Authors: Islam Fahadul , Nath Nikhil , Zehravi Mehrukh , Khan Jishan , Jashim Sumiya Ben-Ta , Charde Manoj Shrawan , Chakole Rita Dadarao , Kumar K. Praveen , Babu A. Kishore , Nainu Firzan , Khan Sharuk L. , Rab Safia Obaidur , Emran Talha Bin , Wilairatana Polrat
Published: October 2023

The primary approaches to treat cancerous diseases include drug treatment, surgical procedures, biotherapy, and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy has been the primary treatment for cancer for a long time, but its main drawback is that it kills cancerous cells along with healthy ones, leading to deadly adverse health effects. However, genitourinary cancer has become a concern in recent years as it is more common in middle-aged people. So, researchers are trying to find possible therapeutic options from natural small molecules due to the many drawbacks associated with chemotherapy and other radiation-based therapies. Plenty of research was conducted regarding genitourinary cancer to determine the promising role of natural small molecules. So, this review focused on natural small molecules along with their potential therapeutic targets in the case of genitourinary cancers such as prostate cancer, renal cancer, bladder cancer, testicular cancer, and so on. Also, this review states some ongoing or completed clinical evidence in this regard.
A novel multi-task learning method for evaluating short-term voltage stability with incomplete PMU measurements
Authors: Luo Tonglin , Jiang Xuchu
Published: October 2023

Methods for short-term voltage stability (STVS) assessment based on phasor measurement unit (PMU) data have become quite abundant. However, most of them are challenged to deal with the commonly encountered incomplete PMU data. Existing models for STVS assessment of incomplete PMU data mostly have the disadvantages of high computational complexity and large impact from the level of data missing. This paper proposes a multi-task learning method that performs stability assessment and missing data completion in parallel. The Transformer Encoder is used as the shared feature extractor, a GRU structure is used to output complete PMU data sequences, and a BP neural network is used to output stability assessment results. The loss function used for the missing completion task considers the accuracy in both the shape and time domains. A comparison with relevant models shows that the model proposed in this paper achieves the best performance in all indicators and is minimally affected by the observation windows and the level of data loss, demonstrating good robustness.
Total Mutual-Visibility in Graphs with Emphasis on Lexicographic and Cartesian Products
Authors: Kuziak Dorota , Rodríguez-Velázquez Juan A.
Published: October 2023

Given a connected graph G, the total mutual-visibility number of G, denoted $$\mu _t(G)$$

μ
t

(
G
)

, is the cardinality of a largest set $$S\subseteq V(G)$$

S
⊆
V
(
G
)

such that for every pair of vertices $$x,y\in V(G)$$

x
,
y
∈
V
(
G
)

there is a shortest x, y-path whose interior vertices are not contained in S. Several combinatorial properties, including bounds and closed formulae, for $$\mu _t(G)$$

μ
t

(
G
)

are given in this article. Specifically, we give several bounds for $$\mu _t(G)$$

μ
t

(
G
)

in terms of the diameter, order and/or connected domination number of G and show characterizations of the graphs achieving the limit values of some of these bounds. We also consider those vertices of a graph G that either belong to every total mutual-visibility set of G or does not belong to any of such sets, and deduce some consequences of these results. We determine the exact value of the total mutual-visibility number of lexicographic products in terms of the orders of the factors, and the total mutual-visibility number of the first factor in the product. Finally, we give some bounds and closed formulae for the total mutual-visibility number of Cartesian product graphs.
Optimization of the matching relationship between the stemming length and minimum burden in cut blasting of large-diameter long-hole stopes
Authors: Zhang Zongguo , Qiu Xianyang , Shi Xiuzhi , Zhou Jian , Luo Zhihua , Ouyang Jian , Zhang Haoqiang
Published: October 2023

Cut blasting, in which new surfaces and relief space for subsequent blasting are created, is one of the most critical steps in the establishment of large-diameter long-hole (LDL) stopes. To reduce the damage to the chamber roof caused by stemming recoil and improve the rock breaking effect, 15 groups of small-scale model tests with minimum burdens of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 cm and stemming lengths of 0, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 cm were designed to optimize the matching relationship between the stemming length and minimum burden. First, through the model tests, values were obtained for ten evaluation indexes related to the total mass of fragments, crate size, fragment size, fragmentation energy consumption, and stemming recoil area. Then, the normal cloud combination weighting method was used to combine six subjective and objective weighting methods, and combined weights were obtained. Finally, the test schemes were optimized according to the Euclidean distance and similarity. The test results showed that the best blasting scheme involves a burden of 5 cm and a stemming length of 5 cm, followed by that involving a burden of 4 cm and a stemming length of 4 cm, and the optimal stemming length is approximately equal to the minimum burden. A field test of LDL stope cut blasting was conducted, with a stemming length of 2.2 m and a minimum burden of 2.2 m in the boreholes. The highly satisfactory field blasting effect indicates that the stemming length and minimum burden are reasonable.
Study on deformation and instability characteristics and control technology of deep soft rock roadway with strong mining
Authors: Li Jian , Li Yongle , Xie Zhengzheng , Zhang Nong , Guo Feng , Chen Qinghua , Liu Sijia
Published: October 2023

With the development of deep mining of coal resources, the problem of deep roadway management is becoming increasingly prominent. This study aims to analyze the deformation and failure mechanism of deep-buried soft rock roadway under the influence of mining. Taking the material roadway of 3205 working face in Xin’an Coal Mine as the engineering background, this study analyzed the characteristics of roadway deformation and failure and its influencing factors through field investigation. This study firstly expounded the principles of graded continuous anchorage for roadway roof and then proposed a new support scheme whose feasibility was verified by numerical simulation. Field verification shows that the optimized support scheme can effectively control the deformation of roadway surrounding rock. Specifically, the deformation of roof and two sides is reduced by 91% and 50% respectively; the maximum crack depth decreases from 9.56 to 3.26 m, indicating that the roof crack development has been significantly inhibited. The new support scheme builds a solid anchored rock beam structure with thick roof layer, which can maintain the long-term stable bearing capacity of deep-buried composite roof roadway. This study provides a solution for the surrounding rock control of deep soft rock roadway.