bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ground-based climate data show evidence of warming and intensification of the seasonal rainfall cycle during the 1960–2020 period in Yangambi, central Congo Basin
Authors: Kasongo Yakusu Emmanuel , Van Acker Joris , Van de Vyver Hans , Bourland Nils , Mbifo Ndiapo José , Besango Likwela Théophile , Lokonda Wa Kipifo Michel , Mbuya Kankolongo Amand , Van den Bulcke Jan , Beeckman Hans , Bauters Marijn , Boeckx Pascal , Verbeeck Hans , Jacobsen Kim , Demarée Gaston , Gellens-Meulenberghs Françoise , Hubau Wannes
Published: October 2023

Meteorological stations are rare in central Africa, which leads to uncertainty in regional climatic trends. This is particularly problematic for the Congo Basin, where station coverage decreased significantly during the last few decades. Here, we present a digitized dataset of daily temperature and precipitation from the Yangambi biosphere reserve, covering the period 1960–2020 (61 years) and located in the heart of the Congo Basin. Our results confirm a long-term increase in temperature and temperature extremes since the 1960s, with strong upward trends since the early 1990s. Our results also indicate a drying trend for the dry season and intensification of the wet season since the early 2000s. Ongoing warming and increasing precipitation seasonality and intensity already have a significant impact on crop yields in Yangambi. This calls for urgent development of climate-smart and dynamic agriculture and agroforestry systems. We conclude that systematic digitization and climate recording in the Congo Basin will be critical to improve much-needed gridded benchmark datasets of climatic variables.
The role and medical prospects of long non-coding RNAs in cardiovascular disease
Authors: Kim Najung , Chung Woo-Young , Cho Je-Yoel
Published: October 2023

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has reached epidemic proportions and is a leading cause of death worldwide. One of the long-standing goals of scientists is to repair heart tissue damaged by various forms of CVD such as cardiac hypertrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, heart fibrosis, and genetic and developmental heart defects such as heart valve deformities. Damaged or defective heart tissue has limited regenerative capacity and results in a loss of functioning myocardium. Advances in transcriptomic profiling technology have revealed that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is transcribed from what was once considered “junk DNA.” It has since been discovered that lncRNAs play a critical role in the pathogenesis of various CVDs and in myocardial regeneration. This review will explore how lncRNAs impact various forms of CVD as well as those involved in cardiomyocyte regeneration. Further, we discuss the potential of lncRNAs as a therapeutic modality for treating CVD.
Civic Action Against Son Preference in Tirupati, India: Critical International Law Put into Practice?
Authors: Strandberg Hassellind Filip
Published: October 2023

In this paper based on original fieldwork, I seek to contribute to critical scholarship in international law by providing an investigation into the engagement with international law by actors in civil society working against son preference primarily in Tirupati, India. I suggest that the turn to the international legal order by civic actors should be theorized as something else than as merely coming ‘from above’, ‘from below’ or as a ‘translation’ of ‘global’ law to ‘local’ conditions. Instead, I propose that the mobilization of international law within Tirupati’s civil society should be seen as an emancipatory undertaking, an act of resistance with the overarching ambition to reclaim the zenana. In that, I argue, the strategies within Tirupati’s civil society are more appropriately understood as critical international law put into practice.
Application of NMR and Chemometric Analyses to Better Understand the Quality Attributes in pH and Thermally Degraded Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Beaumont Victor A. , Liu Lucy , Shi Heliang , Rouse Jason C. , Kim Hai-Young
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides the sensitivity and specificity to probe the higher order structure (HOS) of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for potential changes. This study demonstrates an application of chemometric tools to measure differences in the NMR spectra of mAbs after forced degradation relative to the respective unstressed starting materials.

Methods

Samples of adalimumab (Humira, ADL-REF) and trastuzumab (Herceptin, TRA-REF) were incubated in three buffer-pH conditions at 40°C for 4 weeks to compare to a control sample that was left unstressed. Replicate 1D 1H and 2D 1H-13C HMQC NMR spectra were collected on all samples. Chemometric analyses such as Easy Comparability of HOS (ECHOS), PROtein FIngerprinting by Lineshape Enhancement (PROFILE), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were applied to capture and quantitate differences between the spectra.

Results

Visual and statistical inspection of the 2D 1H-13C HMQC spectra of adalimumab and trastuzumab after forced degradation conditions shows no changes in the spectra relative to the unstressed material. Chemometric analysis of the 1D 1H NMR spectra shows only minor changes in the spectra of adalimumab after forced degradation, but significant differences in trastuzumab.

Conclusion

The chemometric analyses support the lack of statistical differences in the structure of pH-thermal stressed adalimumab, however, it reveals conformational changes or chemical modifications in trastuzumab after forced degradation. Application of chemometrics in comparative NMR studies enables HOS characterization and showcases the sensitivity and specificity in detecting differences in the spectra of mAbs after pH-thermal forced degradation with respect to local and global protein structure.
Preclinical Pharmacokinetics and Translational Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling of M8891, a Potent and Reversible Inhibitor of Methionine Aminopeptidase 2
Authors: Lignet Floriane , Friese-Hamim Manja , Jaehrling Frank , El Bawab Samer , Rohdich Felix
Published: October 2023

Introduction

M8891 is a selective and reversible inhibitor of methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2). We describe translational research to define the target pharmacokinetics (PK) of M8891 and associated pharmacodynamic (PD) levels, which were used to support efficacious dose selection in humans.

Methods

In vitro and in vivo PK characteristics were investigated in animal species, and data integrated using in vitro–in vivo correlation and allometric methods to predict the clearance, volume of distribution, and absorption parameters of M8891 in humans. In parallel, inhibition of MetAP2 activity by M8891 was studied in renal cancer xenografts in mice by measuring accumulation of Met-EF1α, a substrate of MetAP2. The corresponding PD effect was described by a turnover and effect compartment model. This model was used to simulate PD at the M8891 dose showing in vivo efficacy, i.e. significant tumor growth inhibition. Simulations of M8891 PK and associated PD in humans were conducted by integrating predicted human PK parameters into the preclinical PK/PD model.

Results

The target minimum PD level associated with efficacy was determined to be 125 µg Met-EF1α per mg protein. Integrating predicted human PK parameters into the preclinical PK/PD model defined a minimal M8891 concentration at steady-state (Ctrough) of 1500 ng/mL (3.9 µM) in humans as being required to produce the corresponding minimum target Met-EF1a level (125 µg per mg protein).

Conclusion

The defined target PK and PD levels supported the design of the clinical Phase Ia dose escalation study of M8891 (NCT03138538) and selection of the recommended Phase II dose.
Dimensional Analysis and Stage-Discharge Relationships for Vegetated Weirs
Authors: Nicosia Alessio , Di Stefano Costanza , Serio Maria Angela , Ferro Vito
Published: October 2023

The deduction of the weir flow stage-discharge relationship is a hydraulic problem generally solved by energy considerations and using the discharge coefficient to correct the gap between theoretical results and experimental measurements. In this context, the dimensional analysis represents an alternative to find simple and reliable equations to obtain the rating curve. In this study, the outflow process of vegetated weirs is investigated applying the Π-Theorem of dimensional analysis and the incomplete self-similarity theory. The aim of this paper is to propose a new theoretically-based stage-discharge relationship, and test its applicability by measurements recently published in the literature. The results showed that the errors in discharge estimate obtained by the proposed stage-discharge relationship are always less than or equal to ± 10% and less than or equal to ± 5% for 97–100% of cases. The main advantage of the proposed relationships is providing a single stage-discharge relationship, which has better performances than the equations reported in the literature and excludes the use of discharge coefficient.
Auswirkungen des Zugangs zum Homeoffice auf die Erwerbsarbeitszeiten von Müttern und Vätern
Authors: Pauliks Johanna Elisabeth , Schunck Reinhard , Lott Yvonne
Published: October 2023

Dieser Beitrag geht der Frage nach, wie sich die tatsächliche Arbeitszeit von Müttern und Vätern verändert, wenn sie die Möglichkeit erhalten, im Homeoffice zu arbeiten. Ausgehend von der Principle-Agent-Theorie, der sozialen Austauschtheorie und der Work/Family-Border-Theorie wurde mit längsschnittlichen Daten des deutschen Beziehungs- und Familienpanels (pairfam) geprüft, ob eine Veränderung der tatsächlichen Arbeitszeit zu beobachten ist, wenn die Möglichkeit besteht, im Homeoffice zu arbeiten. Um mögliche Selektionseffekte auszuschließen, wurden sowohl konventionelle Fixed-Effects- als auch Fixed-Effects-Individual-Slope-Modelle zur Schätzung des Effekts vom Zugang zu Homeoffice auf die Arbeitszeit von Vätern und Müttern verwendet. Bei Vätern sind die geschätzten Zusammenhänge zwischen dem Zugang zum Homeoffice und der tatsächlichen Arbeitszeit klein und statistisch nicht signifikant. Bei Müttern zeigen sich positive, substanzielle und – in Abhängigkeit von der Modellspezifikation – statistisch signifikante Zusammenhänge.
Transitioning from One Electronic Health Record to Another: A Systematic Review
Authors: Miake-Lye Isomi M , Cogan Alison M. , Mak Selene , Brunner Julian , Rinne Seppo , Brayton Catherine E. , Krones Ariella , Ross Travis E. , Burton Jason T. , Weiner Michael
Published: October 2023

Background

Transitioning to a new electronic health record (EHR) presents different challenges than transitions from paper to electronic records. We synthesized the body of peer-reviewed literature on EHR-to-EHR transitions to evaluate the generalizability of published work and identify knowledge gaps where more evidence is needed.

Methods

We conducted a broad search in PubMed through July 2022 and collected all publications from two prior reviews. Peer-reviewed publications reporting on data from an EHR-to-EHR transition were included. We extracted data on study design, setting, sample size, EHR systems involved, dates of transition and data collection, outcomes reported, and key findings.

Results

The 40 included publications were grouped into thematic categories for narrative synthesis: clinical care outcomes (n = 15), provider perspectives (n = 11), data migration (n = 8), patient experience (n = 4), and other topics (n = 5). Many studies described single sites that are early adopters of technology with robust research resources, switching from a homegrown system to a commercial system, and emphasized the dynamic effect of transitioning on important clinical care and other outcomes over time.

Discussion

The published literature represents a heterogeneous mix of study designs and outcome measures, and while some of the stronger studies in this review used longitudinal approaches to compare outcomes across more sites, the current literature is primarily descriptive and is not designed to offer recommendations that can guide future EHR transitions. Transitioning from one EHR to another constitutes a major organizational change that requires nearly every person in the organization to change how they do their work. Future research should include human factors as well as diverse methodological approaches such as mixed methods and implementation science.
“Everything’s so Role-Specific”: VA Employee Perspectives’ on Electronic Health Record (EHR) Transition Implications for Roles and Responsibilities
Authors: Ahlness Ellen A. , Orlander Jay , Brunner Julian , Cutrona Sarah L. , Kim Bo , Molloy-Paolillo Brianne K. , Rinne Seppo T. , Rucci Justin , Sayre George , Anderson Ekaterina
Published: October 2023

Background

Electronic health record (EHR) transitions are increasingly widespread and often highly disruptive. It is imperative we learn from past experiences to anticipate and mitigate such disruptions. Veterans Affairs (VA) is undergoing a large-scale transition from its homegrown EHR (CPRS/Vista) to a commercial EHR (Cerner), creating a unique opportunity of shedding light on large-scale EHR-to-EHR transition challenges.

Objective

To explore one facet of the organizational impact of VA’s EHR transition: its implications for employees’ roles and responsibilities at the first VA site to implement Cerner Millennium EHR.

Design

As part of a formative evaluation of frontline staff experiences with VA’s EHR transition, we conducted brief (~ 15 min) and full-length interviews (~ 60 min) with clinicians and staff at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, WA, before, during, and after transition (July 2020-November 2021).

Participants

We conducted 111 interviews with 26 Spokane clinicians and staff, recruited via snowball sampling.

Approach

We conducted audio interviews using a semi-structured guide with grounded prompts. We coded interview transcripts using a priori and emergent codes, followed by qualitative content analysis.

Key Results

Unlike VA’s previous EHR, Cerner imposes additional restrictions on access to its EHR functionality based upon “roles” assigned to users. Participants described a mismatch between established institutional duties and their EHR permissions, unanticipated changes in scope of duties brought upon by the transition, as well as impediments to communication and collaboration due to different role-based views.

Conclusions

Health systems should anticipate substantive impacts on professional workflows when EHR role settings do not reflect prior workflows. Such changes may increase user error, dissatisfaction, and patient care disruptions. To mitigate employee dissatisfaction and safety risks, health systems should proactively plan for and communicate about expected modifications and monitor for unintended role-related consequences of EHR transitions, while vendors should ensure accurate role configuration and assignment.
Awake prone positioning for patients with COVID-19-related respiratory failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Graziani Mara , Rigutini Andrea Galeazzo , Bartolini Diletta , Traballi Laura , Luzi Lorenzo , Regina Rossana , Bossi Francesco , Caponi Carla , Becattini Cecilia
Published: October 2023

The role of awake prone positioning (aPP) in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is debated. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the role of aPP in acute respiratory failure related to COronaVIrus Disease-19 (COVID-19). Studies reporting on the clinical course of patients with acute respiratory failure related to COVID-19 treated or not treated by aPP were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis (ProsperoID: CRD42022333211). The primary study outcome was the composite of in-hospital death or orotracheal intubation; the individual components of the primary outcome were secondary study outcomes. The composite of in-hospital death or orotracheal intubation was available for 6 studies (1884 patients), five randomized and one prospective; a significant reduction in the risk of this outcome was observed in patients treated vs. not treated by aPP (33.5% vs. 39.8%; OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.60–0.89;I20%). In-hospital death was reported in 34 studies (6808 patients) and occurred in 17.4% vs. 23.5% of patients treated or not treated with aPP (random effect OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.46–0.79;I259%); orotracheal intubation was observed in 25.8% vs. 32.7% of patients treated or not treated with aPP (27 studies, 5369 patients; random effect OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.56–1.27;I284%). aPP reduces the risk for death or orotracheal intubation in patients with acute respiratory failure related to COVID-19. Further studies should be conducted to confirm the clinical benefit of aPP outside the ICU.

RegistrationProspero ID: CRD42022333211.
A Fubini-type theorem for Hausdorff dimension
Authors: Héra Kornélia , Keleti Tamás , Máthé András
Published: October 2023

It is well known that a classical Fubini theorem for Hausdorff dimension cannot hold; that is, the dimension of the intersections of a fixed set with a parallel family of planes do not determine the dimension of the set. Here we prove that a Fubini theorem for Hausdorff dimension does hold modulo sets that are small on all Lipschitz graphs.

We say that $$G \subset {\mathbb{R}^k} \times {\mathbb{R}^n}$$ is Γk-null if for every Lipschitz function $$f:{\mathbb{R}^k} \to {\mathbb{R}^n}$$ the set $$\{t \in {\mathbb{R}^k}:(t,f(t)) \in G\} $$ has measure zero. We show that for every Borel set $$E \subset {\mathbb{R}^k} \times {\mathbb{R}^n}$$ with dim $$({\rm{pro}}{{\rm{j}}_{{\mathbb{R}^k}}}E) = k$$ there is a Γk-null subset G ⊂ E such that $$\dim (E\backslash G) = k + {\rm{ess}} - \sup (\dim {E_t})$$ where ess- sup(dim Et) is the essential supremum of the Hausdorff dimension of the vertical sections $${\{{E_t}\} _{t \in {\mathbb{R}^k}}}$$ of E.

In addition, we show that, provided that E is not Γk-null, there is a Γk-null subset G ⊂ E such that for F = E G, the Fubini property holds, that is, dim (F) = k + ess-sup(dim Ft).

We also obtain more general results by replacing ℝk by an Ahlfors–David regular set. Applications of our results include Fubini-type results for unions of affine subspaces, connection to the Kakeya conjecture and projection theorems.
Leflunomide-induced collagenous colitis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yang Jamie O. , Dry Sarah , Weiss Guy A.
Published: October 2023

We describe a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis who developed chronic diarrhea and subsequently diagnosed with collagenous colitis (CC) 5 years after leflunomide initiation. Cessation of leflunomide resulted in complete resolution of diarrhea within 2 months. Although rare, leflunomide-induced colitis should be considered in patients with otherwise unexplained chronic diarrhea. Diagnosis is challenging as symptom onset can occur many years after leflunomide initiation, but diarrheal symptoms typically resolve within weeks to months of stopping the instigating drug.
NimbRo Wins ANA Avatar XPRIZE Immersive Telepresence Competition: Human-Centric Evaluation and Lessons Learned
Authors: Lenz Christian , Schwarz Max , Rochow Andre , Pätzold Bastian , Memmesheimer Raphael , Schreiber Michael , Behnke Sven
Published: October 2023

Robotic avatar systems can enable immersive telepresence with locomotion, manipulation, and communication capabilities. We present such an avatar system, based on the key components of immersive 3D visualization and transparent force-feedback telemanipulation. Our avatar robot features an anthropomorphic upper body with dexterous hands. The remote human operator drives the arms and fingers through an exoskeleton-based operator station, which provides force feedback both at the wrist and for each finger. The robot torso is mounted on a holonomic base, providing omnidirectional locomotion on flat floors, controlled using a 3D rudder device. Finally, the robot features a 6D movable head with stereo cameras, which stream images to a VR display worn by the operator. Movement latency is hidden using spherical rendering. The head also carries a telepresence screen displaying an animated image of the operator’s face, enabling direct interaction with remote persons. Our system won the $10 M ANA Avatar XPRIZE competition, which challenged teams to develop intuitive and immersive avatar systems that could be operated by briefly trained judges. We analyze our successful participation in the semifinals and finals and provide insight into our operator training and lessons learned. In addition, we evaluate our system in a user study that demonstrates its intuitive and easy usability.
Ethics of artificial intelligence in prenatal and pediatric genomic medicine
Authors: Coghlan Simon , Gyngell Christopher , Vears Danya F
Published: October 2023

This paper examines the ethics of introducing emerging forms of artificial intelligence (AI) into prenatal and pediatric genomic medicine. Application of genomic AI to these early life settings has not received much attention in the ethics literature. We focus on three contexts: (1) prenatal genomic sequencing for possible fetal abnormalities, (2) rapid genomic sequencing for critically ill children, and (3) reanalysis of genomic data obtained from children for diagnostic purposes. The paper identifies and discusses various ethical issues in the possible application of genomic AI in these settings, especially as they relate to concepts of beneficence, nonmaleficence, respect for autonomy, justice, transparency, accountability, privacy, and trust. The examination will inform the ethically sound introduction of genomic AI in early human life.
Exploring the Effectiveness and Sustainability of Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) as a Trauma-informed Approach in Two Tasmanian Child and Family Learning Centres
Authors: Stephenson Elspeth , Yost Helen
Published: October 2023

The impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is well documented and poses challenges for all those living and working with children who have experienced early adversity. The need to be trauma-informed when working with children in all educational settings is now recognised as essential if healing and learning are to take place. There are an increasing number of trauma-informed approaches available, but empirical evidence that supports their efficacy, particularly in the early years of education, is currently scarce. This paper presents the findings of a small-scale study which explored early childhood professionals’ perceptions of the effectiveness and sustainability of one trauma-informed approach, Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®). Used widely across the US and Europe, TBRI® is relatively new to Australia and was trialled for the first time in this Tasmanian study. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA, 2014) concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach was used to provide a theoretical framework. Online surveys were used to gather data after each professional learning workshop and three and six-months later. Participants reported several positives of TBRI®, including self-development and improved outcomes for children. Whilst challenges/barriers to using the approach were noted, many related to contextual issues rather than to TBRI® specifically. Findings also showed that equipping families with a similar skill set would be advantageous and integral to effecting sustainable change.
Dynamic multi-strategy integrated differential evolution algorithm based on reinforcement learning for optimization problems
Authors: Yang Qingyong , Chu Shu-Chuan , Pan Jeng-Shyang , Chou Jyh-Horng , Watada Junzo
Published: October 2023

The introduction of a multi-population structure in differential evolution (DE) algorithm has been proven to be an effective way to achieve algorithm adaptation and multi-strategy integration. However, in existing studies, the mutation strategy selection of each subpopulation during execution is fixed, resulting in poor self-adaptation of subpopulations. To solve this problem, a dynamic multi-strategy integrated differential evolution algorithm based on reinforcement learning (RLDMDE) is proposed in this paper. By employing reinforcement learning, each subpopulation can adaptively select the mutation strategy according to the current environmental state (population diversity). Based on the population state, this paper proposes an individual dynamic migration strategy to “reward” or “punish” the population to avoid wasting individual computing resources. Furthermore, this paper applies two methods of good point set and random opposition-based learning (ROBL) in the population initialization stage to improve the quality of the initial solutions. Finally, to evaluate the performance of the RLDMDE algorithm, this paper selects two benchmark function sets, CEC2013 and CEC2017, and six engineering design problems for testing. The results demonstrate that the RLDMDE algorithm has good performance and strong competitiveness in solving optimization problems.
Invariance of equilibrium to the strategy method I: theory
Authors: Chen Daniel L. , Schonger Martin
Published: October 2023

This article highlights a potential and significant economic–theoretical bias in the widely used strategy method (SM) technique. Although SM is commonly employed to analyze numerous observations per subject regarding rare or off-equilibrium behaviors unattainable through direct elicitation (DE), researchers often overlook a critical distinction. The strategic equivalence between SM and DE is applicable in the context of monetary payoff games, but not in the actual utility-based games played by participants. This oversight may lead to inaccurate conclusions and demand a reevaluation of existing research in the field. We formalize the mapping from the monetary payoff game to this actual game and delineate necessary and sufficient conditions for strategic equivalence to apply.
The Ethics of Imitation in Meat Alternatives
Authors: Bacchini Fabio , Bossini Elena
Published: October 2023

The consumption of traditional meat is currently being challenged by the rise of meat alternatives claimed to be more beneficial for the environment and non-human animals. One of the peculiarities of these products lies in their attempt to replace meat through the close imitation of its sensory qualities, which poses relevant philosophical questions: What are the purported reasons that motivate this imitation, instead of the promotion of different but sustainable foods that break with the imagery of meat eating? And, if eating meat is considered morally wrong, what is the moral status of the simulation of a wrong act? Our aim is to address these questions to shed new light on the ethical claims that constitute, in fact, one of the major advantages of these products. Firstly, we introduce the aims and functions of simulating meat sensory qualities. Subsequently, we investigate whether the imitation of meat can be found morally acceptable on consequentialist grounds. Lastly, we raise the question of whether there is room for claiming that imitating meat is morally wrong even if its consequences are overall better, from the point of view of non-consequentialist ethical frameworks. We conclude that there are not compelling reasons for considering meat imitation as morally undesirable.
Clinical Efficacy and Complications of Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy in Patients With Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: Especially Focus On Osteoradionecrosis
Authors: Hiramine Keiko , Kunitake Naonobu , Shirakawa Yuko , Abe Madoka , Shioyama Yoshiyuki
Published: October 2023

We explored the relative clinical efficacy of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) compared with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT). Seventy-four OPC patients treated with definitive IMRT or 3D-CRT between May 2010 and December 2018 were analyzed. Of these, 42 patients were treated with IMRT and 32 with 3D-CRT. We compared clinical benefits and complications. Particular attention was focused on osteoradionecrosis (ORN), which is the most problematic radiation late adverse event, and evaluated the irradiated mandibular volumes. There was no significant difference in the 3-year overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and locoregional control (LRC) rates between the two groups. However, late Grade 2 xerostomia was lower in the IMRT groups. Four patients (19.0%) developed Grade 3, while no patients developed ORN in the IMRT group (P = 0.003). A comparison of the mandible volumes between the two groups showed that the IMRT group had lower mandibular volumes than the 3D-CRT group in the high-dose range of V40, V50, V60 and V70. In addition, a comparison of the mandibular volumes between ORN and non-ORN showed a significant difference in the V60 and V70. ORN incidence was higher in V60 ≥ 25% and V70 ≥ 15%. A comparison of IMRT and 3D-CRT showed no significant difference in outcomes, however, IMRT led to a significant reduction in late xerostomia and ORN in OPC patients. Reducing of the mandibular V60 and V70 by IMRT seemed to reduce the risk of ORN.
Insights into Glyphosate Adsorption in Aqueous Solutions Using Zn-Al Layered Double Oxide
Authors: Hottes Emanoel , Bauerfeldt Glauco Favilla , da Silva Clarissa Oliveira , Castro Rosane Nora , Herbst Marcelo Hawrylak
Published: October 2023

Contamination of surface and groundwater with glyphosate, used widely on crops to control weeds, can cause severe environmental damage. Processes for glyphosate removal from water bodies have been developed, but few are effective and all are expensive. This objective of the present study was to investigate the use of a layered double oxide as a potentially effective and inexpensive material to remove glyphosate from water. Equilibrium, kinetics, and adsorption mechanisms were evaluated, in addition to the effects of competing anions and temperature on glyphosate adsorption. Up to 95% of glyphosate was removed from a synthetic solution in 50 min by Zn2Al-LDO (layered double oxide in Zn/Al ratio of 2:1) at pH 10. The adsorption isotherms were type L and the Langmuir model best fitted the experimental data, with a qmax value of 191.96 μg mg–1 at 25°C. The XRD pattern did not support the hypothesis of intercalation of glyphosate anions, whereas Fourier-transform infrared and solid-state 13C and 31P magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed the adsorption of glyphosate anions on the Zn2Al-LDO surface, through carboxylate and phosphonate moiety interactions with end-on and side-on modes. The degree of removal of glyphosate increased with increasing temperature and decreased with increasing concentration of competing anions, with carbonate anions having the most prominent effect on the inhibition of glyphosate adsorption. The adsorption kinetics fitted a pseudo-first order law. Moreover, the intraparticle diffusion model suggested that the adsorption process depends on the formation and thickness of the film at the solution/solid interface.
The Pleasure of Thinking
Authors: Zittoun Tania
Published: October 2023

Tania Zittoun demonstrates that there is pleasure in thinking, and that the pleasure of thinking plays a key role in our lives – in the development of children, in learning, in adult life, and in ageing. Drawing on arts and philosophy, exploring research in developmental psychology, cultural psychology, and psychoanalysis, it highlights five modalities of thinking: curiosity, the functional pleasure of pursuing a task, the pleasure of discovery, the dialogical pleasure of thinking with others, and a meta-pleasure. This book proposes a unique integrative model of thinking, conceived as a situated activity, following trajectories that combine modalities of pleasure. Evolving with time, the pleasure of thinking can take place as we reason, make sense, or daydream, at school, at work, when we garden, or do science. Academics and graduate students in sociocultural, critical, developmental, and cognitive psychology will benefit from The Pleasure of Thinking.
On weakly almost square Banach spaces
Authors: Rodríguez José , Rueda Zoca Abraham
Published: October 2023

We prove some results on weakly almost square Banach spaces and their relatives. On the one hand, we discuss weak almost squareness in the setting of Banach function spaces. More precisely, let $(\Omega,\Sigma)$ be a measurable space, let E be a Banach lattice and let $\nu:\Sigma \to E^+$ be a non-atomic countably additive measure having relatively norm compact range. Then the space $L_1(\nu)$ is weakly almost square. This result applies to some abstract Cesàro function spaces. Similar arguments show that the Lebesgue–Bochner space $L_1(\mu,Y)$ is weakly almost square for any Banach space Y and for any non-atomic finite measure µ. On the other hand, we make some progress on the open question of whether there exists a locally almost square Banach space, which fails the diameter two property. In this line, we prove that if X is any Banach space containing a complemented isomorphic copy of c0, then for every $0 \lt \varepsilon \lt 1$, there exists an equivalent norm $|\cdot|$ on X satisfying the following: (i) every slice of the unit ball $B_{(X,|\cdot|)}$ has diameter 2; (ii) $B_{(X,|\cdot|)}$ contains non-empty relatively weakly open subsets of arbitrarily small diameter and (iii) $(X,|\cdot|)$ is (r, s)-SQ for all $0 \lt r,s \lt \frac{1-\varepsilon}{1+\varepsilon}$.
COMMON ARTICLE 1 OF THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS AND THE METHOD OF TREATY INTERPRETATION
Authors: Hill-Cawthorne Lawrence
Published: October 2023

In its updated Commentaries on the 1949 Geneva Conventions, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) embraces the ‘external’ interpretation of Article 1 common to the four Geneva Conventions, according to which States have certain negative (complicity-type) and positive (prevention/response) obligations to ‘ensure respect’ for the Conventions by other actors. This interpretation has been gaining support since the 1960s, though the ICRC's new Commentaries have served as a catalyst for some States recently to express contrary views. This article focuses on two major methodological shortcomings in the existing literature, offering a much firmer foundation for the external obligation under common Article 1. First, it demonstrates the overwhelming support in subsequent practice for external obligations. Previous studies have failed to explain the method by which this practice is taken into account, given the existence of some inconsistent practice. This article addresses this general question of treaty interpretation, critiquing the approach of the International Law Commission that relegates majority practice to supplementary means of interpretation and proposing instead a principled approach that better fits and justifies the judicial practice here. Secondly, the article challenges two common assumptions about thetravaux: first, that an original, restrictive meaning was intended, and secondly that thetravauxof Additional Protocol I offer no support for external obligations. Given the ubiquity of military assistance and partnering, these findings have far-reaching consequences for the liability of States.
Delivering a net zero National Health Service: where does otorhinolaryngology – head and neck surgery stand?
Authors: Spinos Dimitrios , Doshi Jayesh , Garas George
Published: October 2023

Objective

The National Health Service (NHS) recognised the risk to public health brought by climate change by launching the Greener NHS National Programme in 2020. These organisational changes aim to attain net zero direct carbon emissions. This article reviews the literature on initiatives aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of ENT practice.

Method

Systematic review of the literature using scientific, healthcare and general interest (public domain) databases.

Results

The initiatives reviewed can be broken down into strategies for mitigating the carbon footprint of long patient stay, use of operative theatres and healthcare travel. The carbon footprint of in-patient stay can be mitigated by a shift towards day-case surgery. The ENT community is currently focused on the reduction of theatre waste and the use of disposable instruments. Furthermore, supply chains and healthcare delivery models are being redesigned to reduce travel.

Conclusion

Future areas of development include designing waterless theatre scrubs, waste-trapping technologies for anaesthetic gases and a continuing investment in virtual healthcare.
Optical microscopic study on a novel morphological classification method of multiple diagnostic features of Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Authors: Li Wanchen , Li Xiaoli , Song Lin , Li Hongfeng , Wu Yaliu , Li Jianjun
Published: October 2023

Optical microscopy is the gold standard technique used to confirm the diagnosis of scabies. Multiple diagnostic features of the pathogen Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis (S. scabiei) can be identified under a microscope and classified into 3 categories: mites, eggs and fecal pellets. However, mite and eggshell fragments can also be observed, which have been ignored in the 2020 International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) Criteria and by most researchers. In this study, we propose a novel morphological classification method that classifies multiple diagnostic features into 5 categories and 7 subcategories. Our results revealed that 65.2% (1893 of 2896) of the positive cases were confirmed through the identification of mites, eggs or fecal pellets, whereas up to 34.6% (1003 of 2896) of the positive cases were confirmed through the identification of mite or eggshell fragments. Therefore, the important diagnostic values of mite and eggshell fragments should be emphasized. Importantly, for the first time, mite and eggshell fragments were classified into 7 subcategories, some of which are easily ignored or confused with contaminating artefacts. We believe that this novel morphological classification method will be beneficial for operator training in interpreting slides and in improving the 2020 IACS Criteria.
Interplay of Three‐Dimensional Instabilities and Magnetic Reconnection in the Explosive Onset of Magnetospheric Substorms
Authors: Totorica Samuel R. , Bhattacharjee Amitava
Published: October 2023

Magnetospheric substorms are preceded by a slow growth phase of magnetic flux loading and current sheet thinning in the tail. Extensive data sets have provided evidence of the triggering of instabilities at substorm onset, including magnetic reconnection and ballooning instabilities. Using an exact kinetic magnetotail equilibrium we present particle‐in‐cell simulations which capture the explosive nature of substorms through a disruption of the dipolarization front by the ballooning instability. We use self‐consistent particle tracking to determine the nonthermal particle acceleration mechanisms.
Convolutional Neural Network‐Based Adaptive Localization for an Ensemble Kalman Filter
Authors: Wang Zhongrui , Lei Lili , Anderson Jeffrey L. , Tan Zhe‐Min , Zhang Yi
Published: October 2023

Flow‐dependent background error covariances estimated from short‐term ensemble forecasts suffer from sampling errors due to limited ensemble sizes. Covariance localization is often used to mitigate the sampling errors, especially for high dimensional geophysical applications. Most applied localization methods, empirical or adaptive ones, multiply the Kalman gain or background error covariances by a distance‐dependent parameter, which is a simple linear filtering model. Here two localization methods based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) learning from paired data sets are proposed. The CNN‐based localization function (CLF) aims to minimize the sampling error of the estimated Kalman gain, and the CNN‐based empirical localization function (CELF) aims to minimize the posterior error of state variables. These two CNN‐based localization methods can provide localization functions that are nonlinear, spatially and temporally adaptive, and non‐symmetric with respect to displacement, without requiring any prior assumptions for the localization functions. Results using the Lorenz05 model show that CLF and CELF can better capture the structures of the Kalman gain than the best Gaspari and Cohn (GC) localization function and the adaptive reference localization method. For both perfect‐ and imperfect‐model experiments, CLF produces smaller errors of the Kalman gain, prior and posterior than the best GC and reference localization, especially for spatially averaged observations. Without model error, CELF has smaller prior and posterior errors than the best GC and reference localization for spatially averaged observations, while with model error, CELF has smaller prior and posterior errors than the best GC and reference localization for single‐point observations.
Subgrid Parameterizations of Ocean Mesoscale Eddies Based on Germano Decomposition
Authors: Perezhogin Pavel , Glazunov Andrey
Published: October 2023

Ocean models at intermediate resolution (1/4°), which partially resolve mesoscale eddies, can be seen as Large eddy simulations of the primitive equations, in which the effect of unresolved eddies must be parameterized. In this work, we propose new subgrid models that are consistent with the physics of two‐dimensional flows. We analyze subgrid fluxes in barotropic decaying turbulence using Germano (1986, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.865568) decomposition. We show that Leonard and Cross stresses are responsible for the enstrophy dissipation, while the Reynolds stress is responsible for additional kinetic energy (KE) backscatter. We utilize these findings to propose a new model, consisting of three parts, that is compared to a baseline dynamic Smagorinsky model. The three‐component model accurately simulates the spectral transfer of energy and enstrophy and improves the representation of KE spectrum, resolved KE and enstrophy decay in a posteriori experiments. The backscattering component of the new model (Reynolds stress) is implemented both in quasi‐geostrophic and primitive equation ocean models and improves statistical characteristics, such as the vertical profile of eddy KE, meridional overturning circulation and cascades of kinetic and potential energy.
Identification of a serum-based microRNA signature that detects recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma before it is clinically evident
Authors: Towle Rebecca , Dickman Christopher T. D. , MacLellan Sara A. , Chen Jiahua , Prisman Eitan , Guillaud Martial , Garnis Cathie
Published: October 2023

Background

Survival rates for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have remained poor for decades, a fact largely attributable to late-stage diagnoses and high recurrence rates. We report analysis of serum miRNA expression in samples from patients with high-risk oral lesions (HRL, including OSCC/carcinoma in situ lesions) and healthy non-cancer controls, with the aim of non-invasively detecting primary or recurrent disease before it is clinically evident.

Methods

Discovery, test, and validation sets were defined from a total of 468 serum samples (305 HRL and 163 control samples). Samples were analysed using multiple qRT-PCR platforms.

Results

A two-miRNA classifier comprised of miR-125b-5p and miR-342-3p was defined following discovery and test analyses. Analysis in an independent validation cohort reported sensitivity and specificity of ~74% for this classifier. Significantly, when this classifier was applied to serial serum samples taken from patients both before treatment and during post-treatment surveillance, it identified recurrence an average of 15 months prior to clinical presentation.

Conclusions

These results indicate this serum miRNA classifier is effective as a simple, non-invasive monitoring tool for earlier detection of recurrent disease when lesions are typically smaller and amenable to a wider array of treatment options to improve survival.
Macrophage-mediated trogocytosis contributes to destroying human schistosomes in a non-susceptible rodent host, Microtus fortis
Authors: Shen Jia , Zhao Siyu , Peng Mei , Li Yanguo , Zhang Lichao , Li Xiaoping , Hu Yunyi , Wu Mingrou , Xiang Suoyu , Wu Xiaoying , Liu Jiahua , Zhang Beibei , Chen Zebin , Lin Datao , Liu Huanyao , Tang Wenyan , Chen Jun , Sun Xi , Liao Qi , Hide Geoff , Zhou Zhijun , Lun Zhao-Rong , Wu Zhongdao
Published: October 2023

Schistosoma parasites, causing schistosomiasis, exhibit typical host specificity in host preference. Many mammals, including humans, are susceptible to infection, while the widely distributed rodent, Microtus fortis, exhibits natural anti-schistosome characteristics. The mechanisms of host susceptibility remain poorly understood. Comparison of schistosome infection in M. fortis with the infection in laboratory mice (highly sensitive to infection) offers a good model system to investigate these mechanisms and to gain an insight into host specificity. In this study, we showed that large numbers of leukocytes attach to the surface of human schistosomes in M. fortis but not in mice. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analyses revealed that macrophages might be involved in the cell adhesion, and we further demonstrated that M. fortis macrophages could be mediated to attach and kill schistosomula with dependence on Complement component 3 (C3) and Complement receptor 3 (CR3). Importantly, we provided direct evidence that M. fortis macrophages could destroy schistosomula by trogocytosis, a previously undescribed mode for killing helminths. This process was regulated by Ca2+/NFAT signaling. These findings not only elucidate a novel anti-schistosome mechanism in M. fortis but also provide a better understanding of host parasite interactions, host specificity and the potential generation of novel strategies for schistosomiasis control.
Posterior vitreous detachment and retinal tear – a prospective study of community referrals
Authors: Nixon Thomas R. W. , Davie Rebecca L. , Snead Martin P.
Published: October 2023

Background

Retinal tears (RT) from posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) are an important and treatable cause of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Better understanding of the risk of RT from PVD will help plan urgent eye care.

Methods

Prospective observational case series over two years. Patients presenting to their optometrist, family doctor or emergency department with flashes and floaters were directed to a research clinic. History and examination, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy (SLB) and indentation indirect ophthalmoscopy (IIO), were performed by a single investigator, with two month follow-up for patients with confirmed PVD. Main outcome measures were incidence of PVD, RT, and RRD.

Results

1010 patients were recruited. 896 (89%) patients had PVD at first assessment, of which 89 (8.8% of total cohort, 9.9% of PVD eyes) had RT and 8 had RRD. 21 (3%) of the remaining PVD patients developed RT in the subsequent two months and a further 9 (11%) patients with RT at initial assessment developed further tears by two months. 7 (0.7%) had asymptomatic RT in the fellow eye. 15% of RT were only visible on IIO and not SLB. Weiss ring was absent in 32% of eyes with RT. Patients with RT or RRD were more likely than ‘PVD-only’ eyes to have blurred or missing vision (p < 0.001), have higher rate of blue-green cataracts (p < 0.001), and longer axial lengths (p < 0.05).

Conclusions and Relevance

This large, prospective study demonstrates a 9.9% rate of RT or RRD at the time of PVD, and emphasises the importance of IIO examination.