bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Querying data
Authors: Heijden Hans Van Der
Published: November 2023

In the two previous chapters we were concerned with the modelling of our management data and with the subsequent storage of these models into R-tables, the underlying foundation of management information systems. We were, however, not particularly concerned with the retrieval of the data once it was stored into the database. To this we shall now turn our attention.
Introduction
Authors: Mussardo Giuseppe
Published: November 2023

In this chapter we introduce some general concepts of statistical mechanics and phase transitions, in order to give a rapid overview of the different topics of the subject and their physical relevance. For the sake of clarity and simplicity, we will focus our attention on magnetic systems but it should be stressed that the concepts discussed here are of a more general nature and can be applied to other systems as well. We will analyze, in particular, the significant role played by the correlation length in the phase transitions and the important properties of universality observed in those phenomena. As we will see, near a phase transition the thermodynamic quantities of a system present an anomalous power law behavior, parameterized by a set of critical exponents.
One-dimensional Systems
Authors: Mussardo Giuseppe
Published: November 2023

In this chapter we present several approaches to get the exact solution of the onedimensional Ising model. As already mentioned, the one-dimensional case does not present a phase transition at a finite value of the temperature. However we will show that the origin T = B = 0 of the phase diagram may nevertheless be regarded as a critical point: by using appropriate variables, one can define the set of critical exponents and verify that the scaling relations are indeed satisfied.
Transfer Matrix of the Two-dimensional Ising Model
Authors: Mussardo Giuseppe
Published: November 2023

In this chapter we study the solution of the two-dimensional Ising model by means of the transfer matrix. Unlike the methods discussed in the previous chapter, the transfer matrix approach has greater generality and can used to solve exactly other two-dimensional models. Even if the general ideas behind this approach have been explained in Chapter 2 by means of the one-dimensional case, their application to the two-dimensional cases requires more powerful and sophisticated mathematical tools: for instance, the study the eigenvalues of the transfer matrix in the Ising model for T = Tcneeds to employ elliptic functions. The same is also true for other models. In order to present in the simplest possible way the main lines of this method, in the following we focus attention only on the solution of the model at T = Tcbecause this case can be analyzed in terms of simple trigonometric functions.
S-Matrix Theory
Authors: Mussardo Giuseppe
Published: November 2023

In this chapter we present the S-matrix theory of two-dimensional integrable models. This leads, in particular, to the exact spectrum of the massive excitations away from the critical point. From a mathematical point of view, the two-dimensional nature of the systems and their integrability are the crucial features that lead to important simplifications of the formalism and its successful application. It is worth mentioning that, initially developed to overcome the obstacles encountered by quantum field theory in dealing with the strong interactions of the hadronic particles1 (such as protons, neutrons, or pions), the S-matrix has achieved its most beautiful intellectual triumph in the analysis of the two-dimensional statistical models away from criticality, particularly when they are described by integrable theories. These significant developments have been pioneered by A.B. Zamolodochikov.
Form Factors and Correlation Functions
Authors: Mussardo Giuseppe
Published: November 2023

One of the fundamental problems of statistical mechanics and its quantum field theory formulation is the characterization of the order parameters and the computation of their correlation functions. Besides the intrinsic interest of this problem, the correlation functions are the key quantities in the determination of the universal ratios of the renormalization group and therefore they can have direct experimental confirmation (see Chapter 8). In general, the computation of correlation functions is a difficult task, usually achieved with partial success through perturbative methods.
Non-Integrable Aspects
Authors: Mussardo Giuseppe
Published: November 2023

The integrable quantum field theories analyzed in the previous chapters provide the exact solution of many statistical models away from the critical point. Despite the elegance and the undeniable success of these methods, the generic situation that occurs in statistical physics is that of non-integrable dynamics: many interesting statistical models fall within this class and therefore it would be highly desirable to develop an appropriate formalism to deal with the lack of integrability. This task is notoriously difficult for the rich phenomenology that arises when the dynamics are not integrable: there are decays and production scattering processes, confinement phenomena and nucleation of false vacua, resonance peaks in the cross-sections, etc.
General Overview of International Efforts to Combat the Financing of Terrorism
Authors: Sambei Arvinder , Plessis Anton du , Polaine Martin
Published: November 2023

Preventing terrorists and terrorist organizations from funding their activities and planned attacks is an essential component of any successful global counterterrorism campaign. Targeting the finances of terrorists and terrorist organizations can provide vital intelligence information concerning their activities and insight on how to formulate policies that deny terrorists access to funds and restrict their ability to function. By using methods of financial investigation, it has become possible to identify and profile suspects, link addresses, storage facilities, and methods of communication. Further more financial investigations can reveal travel and spending patterns, valuable information on recruitment methods and operational strategies, as well as areas of vulnerability in terrorist organizations.
Alternative Remittance Systems
Authors: Sambei Arvinder , Plessis Anton du , Polaine Martin
Published: November 2023

Chapter 6 examined the international framework dealing with the financing of terrorism and money laundering, in particular the responses by the UN and other bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to counter such financing, and the obligation on States to ensure that they had in place the necessary legislative framework to investigate and prosecute such activities. It must be said at the outset that, to date, there have been no prosecutions specifically relating to financing of terrorism offences—they are generally part of a case and may, if at all, be the subject of specific charges. The US practice is to proceed with charges of material support to capture such conduct or proceed with charges under revenue laws. Therefore, the extensive efforts of the international community have been largely focused on building the intelligence picture by studying and examining the methodology and typology of the financing aspect through Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) in order that trends can be identified and responses developed—this is particularly the case with the alternative remittance systems.
International Cooperation
Authors: Sambei Arvinder , Plessis Anton du , Polaine Martin
Published: November 2023

The adoption of UNSCR 1373 on 28 September 2001 gave an impetus never before seen to counter-terrorism measures generally and to international cooperation in particular. Adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, UNSCR 1373 imposes a number of obligations on Member States. Importantly for the purposes of the discussion below, although it was adopted in response to the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, the measures it sets forth are expressed in a much broader way and, arguably, seek to set new international norms in relation to counter-terrorism cooperation between States.
The Bloch–Boltzmann theory of electronic transport
Authors: Pottier No¨elle
Published: November 2023

The Boltzmann equation is at the heart of the semiclassical Bloch–Boltzmann theory of electronic transport in solids. The kinetic theory of gases based on the Boltzmann equation, originally developed for dilute classical gases, has since been applied successfully to the electron gas in metals and in semiconductors, despite of the fact that this latter gas is neither classical (except in non-degenerate semiconductors) nor dilute.
The Schrödinger equation
Authors: Konishi Kenichi , Paffuti Giampiero
Published: November 2023

In quantum mechanics the dynamics is described by the Schrödinger equation. We first discuss the general properties of the Schrödinger equation and then proceed to illustrate how the quantum mechanical laws introduced in the previous chapter work in concrete physical situations. Both the bound-state problems and scattering processes are analyzed, mainly through various examples of one-dimensional systems.
Symmetry and statistics
Authors: Konishi Kenichi , Paffuti Giampiero
Published: November 2023

Two concepts, of fundamental importance to quantum mechanics, will be discussed in this chapter. The first is that of symmetry. Even though the concept of symmetry is familiar in a wide range of natural sciences, the way symmetry constrains the consequences of quantum mechanics is rather subtle and, at the same time, far-reaching. The second is the symmetry property of the states under the exchange of two identical particles. Identical particles with a half-integer spin (fermions) obey the Fermi–Dirac statistics: the wave functions are totally antisymmetric under the exchange of the particles. Identical particles with an integer spin (bosons) are instead subject to the Bose–Einstein statistics. Their wave functions are totally symmetric.
Some finer points of quantum mechanics
Authors: Konishi Kenichi , Paffuti Giampiero
Published: November 2023

There is a wide freedom in the way states and dynamical variables are described in quantum mechanics; the physical results must be independent of the particular language used, called the representation. A somewhat similar arbitrariness in the choice of language also exists in classical mechanics, such as the wide class of possible choices of canonical variables, which are related to each other by canonical transformations. However, the possibility of using different representations according to the problem considered appears to have much more profound consequences and implications in quantum mechanics.
The semi-classical approximation
Authors: Konishi Kenichi , Paffuti Giampiero
Published: November 2023

In this chapter we study the limit ħ → 0 of quantum mechanics. The passage from quantum mechanics to classical mechanics involves precisely this limit, and the approximation schemes developed for small ħ are known as the semi-classical approximation. The semi-classical approximation has a predecessor: the so-called old quantum theory. Many of the questions concerning the connection between the quantum and classical mechanics were already raised during the years of foundation of quantum mechanics, 1900–1927, but satisfactory answers have not always been obtained.
Probability and measurement
Authors: Konishi Kenichi , Paffuti Giampiero
Published: November 2023

In this chapter we shall discuss these and related questions. We shall summarize what is well established and what has been clarified in the last several decades concerning these issues, trying to distinguish as clearly as possible different issues which are all called the “measurement problem”, and in each case, making an effort to clarify as sharply as possible the nature of the problem.
Supplements for Part IV
Authors: Konishi Kenichi , Paffuti Giampiero
Published: November 2023

Speakable and unspeakable in quantum mechanics The title of this section has been borrowed from the well-known book by J. S. Bell [Bell (2004)].
Land Use, Congestion, And Urban Management
Authors: Majocchi Alberto , Zatti Andrea
Published: November 2023

One of the main environmental problems faced by human beings relates to the use of land. Land is a scarce good, especially in areas with high population densities due to an advanced degree of industrialization. The price of land is generally determined in the market through the interplay between demand and supply, but the environmental impact—and the opportunity costs—of an excessive use is disregarded, with the ensuing excessive use of a precious good. Hence, regulations are needed to rule this market and internalize the external costs linked to the use of land.

The scarcity of land is growing around the world owing to two main driving factors:
The Fiscal And Regulatory Challenges Of Managing Sinks, With A Focus On Australia
Authors: Blazey Patricia
Published: November 2023

In 1994, after various international meetings determined the danger that rising greenhouse gas emissions posed to the world’s climate, the United Nations (UN) incorporated the role that forests could play in absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) into the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Article 4.1(d) calls for international cooperation to: ‘Promote sustainable management and promote and cooperate in the conservation and enhancement, as appropriate, of sinks and reservoirs of all greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal Protocol, including biomass, forests and oceans as well as other terrestrial coastal and marine ecosystems.’
Environmental Fiscal Reform—Differences And Similarities Between Developed And Developing Countries, Based On A Case Study Of The Current Situation In Sri Lanka
Authors: Speck Stefan , Datta Anjan
Published: November 2023

The concept of an environmental fi scal/tax reform (EFR/ETR) has been on the political agenda for more than 15 years in Europe and several European countries have implemented such reforms. However, these reform proposals are not limited to European countries, but may also be implemented in transition or developing countries as stated in recent reports published by international organizations, such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank. Although the underlying concept may show some similarities when implemented in developed and developing countries, the actual reasons for implementing may differ. This concept is re?ected in the socalled ‘tax shifting programs’ in developed countries as compared to the situation in developing countries, where the key underlying reason is to raise revenues which can then be used for infrastructure investment in water and sanitation as well as to support poverty reduction programs.
How The German Patient Followed The Doctor’S Orders: Political Economy Lessons From Implementing Market-Based Instruments In Germany
Authors: Rudolph Sven
Published: November 2023

How the Patient followed the doctor’s order’,2 was the issue addressed by Robert Hahn in 1989, referring to a situation in which even after two decades of well-meaning advice by economists, environmental policy largely remained command-and-control-based. Since then, concepts of environmental economists have, on the one hand, become more sophisticated and more practice- oriented, and economists have been continuing to emphasize the merits of environmental taxes and emission trading. On the other hand, the spread of market-based instruments in practical use cannot be ignored.
The Impact Of Fiscal Policies And Market-Based Instruments For Environmental Management: Experiences From Uganda
Authors: Kaggwa Ronald
Published: November 2023

Uganda’s national development strategy aims at transforming the country into a modern industrial, knowledge-based economy in the medium- to long-term. The planned engine of growth and economic transformation is value addition through agro-processing in line with the country’s vast agricultural and natural-resource potential. The other emerging key growth sectors include hydropower generation, the newly discovered oil and gas extraction, and development of information communication technology (ICT). Clearly, Uganda’s competitive advantage lies within the natural-resources sector and the country’s development in the present and foreseeable future is based on the prudent use and management of its rich but declining natural-resource base.
The double-valued representations of the 32 point groups and the 230 space groups
Authors: Bradley C J , Cracknell A P
Published: November 2023

In section 2.1 the representation 𝒟1{R(β, α, γ)} of the 3-dimensional rotation group, 0(3), was considered, where I was assumed to be an integer. The basis of this representation is the vector whose components are the spherical harmonics . The irreducible representations of the point groups which were listed in Chapter 2, see Tables 2.2 and 2.3, can be thought of as being obtained from these representations by subduction, that is, by restricting the representation 𝒟1{R(β, α, γ)} to the elements of a point group, see under Theorem 4.1.5. This was done, for instance, by Bethe (1929). These representations of the point groups are called the single-valued representations of the point groups since they are derived from the representations 𝒟1{R(β, α, γ)} of the 3-dimensional rotation group, where l is an integer, which are themselves single-valued (that is, with one matrix representative for each operator).
Women’s Rights
Authors: Petersen Carole J.
Published: November 2023

This chapter considers the relationship between constitutionalism and the rights of women in East Asia, focusing on Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. These four jurisdictions provide a useful case study as they all have constitutions with equality clauses and their legal systems allow for judicial review. Yet women continue to be under-represented in leadership positions, in both the public and private sectors. The case study demonstrates that judicial review has had only limited impact in Japan, partly because the judiciary has applied a weak standard of review and has not looked to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) for guidance when interpreting Japan’s constitution. In contrast, in South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, judges have applied a stricter standard of review and have been more willing to apply international norms as a guide to interpreting their constitutions.
Macau
Authors: Cardinal Paulo , Pessanha Luís
Published: November 2023

This chapter provides a primer on Macau’s historical background, examines Macau’s constitutional system (including constitutional texts, case law, and de facto elements), and highlights several questions and challenges for the future. The Macau SAR was established in December 1999 through the return of Macau’s sovereignty to the People’s Republic of China after four and a half centuries of Portuguese administration. This transfer of sovereignty was set forth in the 1987 Joint Declaration. The Basic Law is the fundamental law of Macau and serves as the lato sensu or functional constitution. It sets out terms for Macau’s political system, autonomy, protection of fundamental rights, and regulation of economic and social issues. The “One Country, Two Systems” framework that structures Macau’s constitutional system has the necessary elements to work well so long as the framework is applied in good faith. Whether—and to what extent—relevant actors maintain fidelity to that framework in coming years remains to be seen.
Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on optimizing pain care-related education at a Canadian children’s hospital: A qualitative study
Authors: Kammerer Elise , Linkiewich Delane , Ali Samina
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Pain affects all children and youth, yet acute and procedural pain remains undertreated in Canadian hospitals. To improve pain management practices in paediatric hospitals, it is necessary to understand how healthcare professionals (HCPs) wish for educational interventions to be designed to improve their pain management practice.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 HCPs between October and December 2020. Snowball sampling was used to first recruit interested members from the hospital’s Pediatric Pain Management Committee. Interviews were conducted per participant preference and included Zoom, telephone, and in-person interviews. Recruitment ceased when data were determined sufficiently rich. A thematic analysis of verbatim transcripts and reflexive field notes were used to create a data set focused on knowledge mobilization and clinical education.

Results

Three core themes were identified: (a) the necessity for just-in-time education for HCPs; (b) the availability of clinical pain champions to educate staff; and (c) the provision of resources to educate children and their families about available pain management interventions. Just-in-time education included suggestions for in-service training, hands-on training, and regular updates on the latest research. Pain champions, including clinical nurse educators, were stressed as being important in motivating staff to improve their pain management practices. Participants noted the lack of resources for patient and family education on pain management and suggested providing more multimodal resources and educational opportunities.

Conclusion

Having local champions introduce pain management initiatives and just-in-time education positively impacts the implementation climate, which also helps HCPs provide evidence-based education and resources to patients and families.
S-nitrosylation of the transcription factor MYB30 facilitates nitric oxide–promoted seed germination in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhao Hongyun , Ma Liang , Shen Jialu , Zhou Huapeng , Zheng Yuan
Published: November 2023

The gaseous signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in breaking seed dormancy. NO induces a decrease in abscisic acid (ABA) content by transcriptionally activating its catabolic enzyme, the ABA 8′-hydroxylase CYP707A2. However, the underlying mechanism of this process remains unclear. Here, we report that the transcription factor MYB30 plays a critical role in NO-induced seed germination in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). MYB30 loss-of-function attenuates NO-mediated seed dormancy breaking. MYB30 triggers a NO-induced decrease in ABA content during germination by directly promoting CYP707A2 expression. NO induces S-nitrosylation at Cys-49 of MYB30 and enhances its transcriptional activity. Conversely, the ABA receptors PYRABACTIN RESISTANCE1 (PYR1)/PYR1-LIKE (PYL)/REGULATORY COMPONENTS OF ABA RECEPTORS (RCAR) interact with MYB30 and repress its transcriptional activity. ABA promotes the interaction between PYL4 and MYB30, whereas S-nitrosylation releases the PYL4-mediated inhibition of MYB30 by interfering with the PYL4-MYB30 interaction. Genetic analysis showed that MYB30 functions downstream of PYLs during seed dormancy and germination in response to NO. Furthermore, MYB30 mutation significantly represses the reduced dormancy phenotype and the enhanced CYP707A2 expression of the pyr1 pyl1 pyl2 pyl4 quadruple mutant. Our findings reveal that S-nitrosylation of MYB30 precisely regulates the balance of seed dormancy and germination, providing insights into the underlying mechanism of NO-promoted seed germination.
Risk attitudes and innovation in Dutch arable farming
Authors: Höhler Julia , Tensi Annika , Sok Jaap
Published: November 2023

On-farm innovations have the potential to increase both agricultural productivity and income while mitigating environmental impacts. However, as adopting innovations can lead to risks, it is important to understand the role of farmers’ risk attitudes. We quantified Dutch arable farmers’ risk attitudes based on the cumulative prospect theory (CPT) and used the benefit of the doubt approach to obtain an innovation index based on expert elicitations and adopted innovations. Subsequently, we used a fractional response model to test our pre-registered hypothesis and investigate the association between the parameters of farmers’ risk attitude and farm-level innovation. We find no statistically significant association between CPT parameters and the innovation index. Our results therefore cast doubts on the potential of revealed risk preferences to understand real-world behaviour.
Sesta Rima as a Mode of Imitation: Hybrid Forms in Anglo-Italian Verse
Authors: Sullivan Michael J
Published: November 2023

This article finds in the Italianate form of sesta rima an additional strand of influence on English ottava rima in the nineteenth century. It explores the verse history that has led to six-line stanzas becoming a formal training ground for octave rhymes, and conducts the first sustained examination of Byron’s engagement with the Italianate sestain. Drawing together Byron’s Italian reading, his correspondence, and his manuscript experiments, the article opens up a cluster of poems between 1813 and 1816 which reveal how his movements towards ottava rima predate his arrival in Italy and intertwine with the history of sesta rima. Only two lines shorter than ottava rima and sharing its pattern of ab rhymes closed by a cc couplet, the stanza has received sparse attention in criticism of modern verse. Exploring how sesta rima became a mode for parodying ottava rima, the paper’s second part examines how the young Tennyson shaped his manuscript rhymes to emulate a Byronic voice. Closely engaging with the genesis and uses of these stanzas in both poets’ manuscripts, the article forms a wider case study in experimental stanza switching and hybrid forms in Romantic and post-Romantic verse.
Effects of transdisciplinary research on scientific knowledge and reflexivity
Authors: Marg Oskar , Theiler Lena
Published: November 2023

Transdisciplinary research (TDR) is conceptualized as not only providing societal effects but also benefiting academia. However, recent literature on the evaluation of TDR has focused almost entirely on the societal effects of TDR. A discussion of the scientific effects of TDR is needed to do justice to the potential of this research mode. To date, little empirical research has focused on the effects of TDR on science. Our explorative study addresses this gap. The empirical basis are qualitative interviews with scientists engaged in transdisciplinary research and anchored in three sub-disciplines: environmental sociology, sustainable chemistry, and participatory health research. We identify as main effects of the transdisciplinary research mode: changes in the understanding of scientific problems, changes in the quality of scientific insights, and the promotion of a reflexive turn in science.
Transcriptome and photosynthetic analyses provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying heat stress tolerance in Rhododendron × pulchrum Sweet
Authors: Cheng Hefeng , Wan Ziyun , Xu Yanxia , Shen Jianshuang , Li Xueqin , Jin Songheng
Published: November 2023

Rhododendron species provide excellent ornamental use worldwide, yet heat stress (HS) is one of the major threats to their cultivation. However, the intricate mechanisms underlying the photochemical and transcriptional regulations associated with the heat stress response in Rhododendron remain relatively unexplored. In this study, the analyses of morphological characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) kinetics showed that HS (40 °C/35 °C) had a notable impact on both the donor’s and acceptor’s sides of photosystem II (PSII), resulting in reduced PSII activity and electron transfer capacity. The gradual recovery of plants observed following a 5-day period of culture under normal conditions indicates the reversible nature of the HS impact on Rhododendron × pulchrum. Analysis of transcriptome data unveiled noteworthy trends: four genes associated with photosynthesis-antenna protein synthesis (LHCb1, LHCb2 and LHCb3) and the antioxidant system (glutamate-cysteine ligase) experienced significant down-regulation in the leaves of R. × pulchrum during HS. Conversely, aseorbate peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase TAU 8 demonstrated an up-regulated pattern. Furthermore, six down-regulated genes (phos-phoenolpyruvate carboxylase 4, sedoheptulose-bisphosphatase, ribose-5-phosphate isomerase 2, high cyclic electron flow 1, beta glucosidase 32 and starch synthase 2) and two up-regulated genes (beta glucosidase 2 and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase 2) implicated in photosynthetic carbon fixation and starch/sucrose metabolism were identified during the recovery process. To augment these insights, a weighted gene co-expression network analysis yielded a co-expression network, pinpointing the hub genes correlated with ChlF dynamics’ variation trends. The cumulative results showed that HS inhibited the synthesis of photosynthesis-antenna proteins in R. × pulchrum leaves. This disruption subsequently led to diminished photochemical activities in both PSII and PSI, albeit with PSI exhibiting heightened thermostability. Depending on the regulation of the reactive oxygen species scavenging system and heat dissipation, photoprotection sustained the recoverability of R. × pulchrum to HS.
The Role of Nonmetastatic Lymph Nodes in the Survival of Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pennings Alexander J. , van der Velden Brecht A. , Kloft Maximilian , Kooreman Loes F. S. , Kleijnen Jos M. P. , Breukink Stephanie O. , Beets Geerard L. , Grabsch Heike I. , Melenhorst Jarno
Published: November 2023

Objective:

In this review, we aim to provide an overview of literature on lymph node (LN) histomorphological features and their relationship with the prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Background:

Lymph nodes play a crucial role in the treatment and prognosis of CRC. The presence of LN metastases considerably worsens the prognosis in CRC patients. Literature has shown that the total number of LNs and the number negative LNs (LNnegs) has prognostic value in CRC patients. In esophageal carcinoma, LN size seems to be surrogate of the host antitumor response and a potentially clinically useful new prognostic biomarker for (y)pN0 esophageal carcinoma.

Methods:

A comprehensive search was performed in Pubmed, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, and the Cochrane library in March 2021. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Only studies focusing on histomorphological features and LN size and their relation to overall survival were selected.

Results:

A total of 9 unique articles met all inclusion criteria and were therefore included in this systematic review. Six of these studies investigated HMF (eg, paracortical hyperplasia, germinal center predominance, and sinus histiocytosis) and 4 studies LNneg size and their relationship with overall survival. The presence of paracortical hyperplasia and an increased number of large LNnegs is related to a more favorable prognosis in CRC.

Conclusion:

The results of this systematic review seem to support the hypothesis that there is a relationship between the host antitumor response reflected in different histomorphological reaction patterns visible in LNnegs and LNneg size related to survival in CRC patients.
Nurses' Informatics Competency Assessment of Health Information System Usage
Authors: Kinnunen Ulla-Mari , Kuusisto Anne , Koponen Samuli , Ahonen Outi , Kaihlanen Anu-Marja , Hassinen Tiina , Vehko Tuulikki
Published: November 2023

Nurses' informatics competencies are nurses' professional requirements to guarantee the quality of patient care and affect nurses' use of health information systems. The purpose of this survey was to describe nurses' perceptions of their informatics competencies regarding health information system usage. A previously tested web-based questionnaire with multiple-choice questions was sent to nurses whose e-mail address was available through three Finnish Nursing Associations (N = 58 276). A total of 3610 nurses working in Finland responded. Both descriptive and explanatory statistics were used to analyze the data. The three dependent variables “nursing documentation,” “digital environment,” and “ethics and data protection” were formulated from the data. Nurses' overall informatics competency was good. The “ethics and data protection” competency score was higher than that of “nursing documentation” or “digital environment.” Recently graduated nurses and nurses working in outpatient care, virtual hospital, examination, or operation had highest “digital environment” competency score. Health information system experience was associated with “nursing documentation.” Nurses are highly qualified health information systems users. However, the competency requirements generated by rapidly expanding digitalization have challenged nurses. It is important to increase educational programs for nurses of how to use digital devices, and how to support patients to use digital services.
Patient-reported symptoms and interest in symptom monitoring in HCC treated with locoregional therapies: A qualitative study
Authors: Moon Andrew M. , Cook Sarah , Swier Rachel M. , Sanoff Hanna K. , Kappelman Michael D. , Wagner Lynne I. , Barritt A. Sidney , Singal Amit G. , Shah Neil D. , Mauro David M. , Yanagihara Ted K. , Gerber David A. , Fried Michael W. , Brown Cristal , Waheed Myra , Teal Randall , Evon Donna M.
Published: November 2023

Background:

Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) measures relevant to domains most important to patients with HCC who received locoregional therapies are needed to advance patient-centered research. Furthermore, electronic PRO monitoring in clinical care has been shown to reduce hospitalizations and deaths in patients with other cancers. We conducted a qualitative study among patients with HCC who recently received locoregional therapies to (1) identify common and distressing posttreatment symptoms to prioritize PRO domain selection and (2) gauge interest in an electronic PRO symptom monitoring system.

Methods:

We performed semi-structured telephone interviews among adult patients who received locoregional therapies (median of 26 days after treatment) for treatment-naïve HCC at a single tertiary care center. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was reached. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to identify emerging themes and sub-themes.

Results:

Ten of 26 patients (38%) reported at least 1 symptom before treatment. In contrast, all participants (n = 26) with recently treated HCC reported at least 1 posttreatment physical symptom, with the most common being appetite loss (73%), fatigue (58%), abdominal pain (46%), and nausea (35%). Most participants (77%) stated they saw potential benefits in posttreatment ePRO symptom monitoring.

Conclusions:

Posttreatment symptoms after HCC locoregional therapies are common and often severe. These data can inform and prioritize PRO domain selection. Patients are interested in ePRO monitoring to monitor and proactively address posttreatment symptoms. Given the clinical benefits in patients with metastatic cancers, ePRO monitoring warrants investigation in patients with HCC.
Thyroid tuberculosis associated with papillary microcarcinoma: case report and review of literature
Authors: Elkrimi Zineb , Rsaissi Chaimae , Bijou Walid , Oukessou Youssef , Rouadi Sami , Abada Redallah , Roubal Mohamed , Mahtar Mohamed
Published: November 2023

Introduction:

Thyroid tuberculosis (TB) is extremely rare. Infection may first occur in the thyroid gland or may be secondary to TB in other parts of the body. The diagnosis is rarely made clinically because the disease’s variable presentation often resembles that of a malignancy or an euthyroid nodular goiter.

Case report:

We present the case of a 40-year-old woman, who presented multiple thyroid nodules in both lobes. Two of these nodules were classified as EU-TIRADS V (European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System). The ultrasound also found an adenopathy of the inferior part of the jugular lymphatic chain, in favor of malignancy. The histopathological examination after total thyroidectomy showed thyroid TB, associated to a papillary microcarcinoma of the right thyroid lobe, and the final examination of the adenopathy showed similar granulomas with caseous necrosis, and no signs of metastasis.

Clinical discussion:

Thyroid TB is very rare. Its diagnosis is difficult due to a lack of specific signs and symptoms, which is why the diagnosis is most commonly made on pathological examination after thyroid surgery. It is well known that mycobacterial infection creates an environment of chronic and persistent inflammation, with possible DNA damage. This can create a microenvironment that is highly conductive to carcinogenesis, which could explain the discovery of papillary microcarcinoma in addition to thyroid TB in our patient.

Conclusion:

This report presents a rare case of malicious growth development of thyroid nodules and thyroid TB. Therefore, physicians must always be vigilant when managing thyroid nodules, as there is always the possibility of malignant lesions associated to an inflammatory or infectious cause.
Prostate cancer among Saudis: a registry review
Authors: Alasker Ahmed , Arabi Tarek Z. , Alghafees Mohammad A. , Sabbah Belal N. , Abdul Rab Saleha , Alageel Abdulrahman K. , Abouelkhair Ahmed Emad , Abdulwali Abdulmoiz Kaiser , Al Hennawi M. Mohanad Imad , Fallatah Waleed , Musalli Ziyad F. , Noureldin Yasser A.
Published: November 2023

Background:

Policy makers in Saudi Arabia greatly rely on published studies to make major public health decisions. Prostate cancer (PCa) studies in Saudi Arabia are either outdated or limited to local regions.

Aim:

The authors aim to analyze the Saudi Cancer Registry to determine the incidence of PCa across all regions of the Kingdom and the risk factors of poor prognosis in the population.

Methods:

Patients diagnosed with primary PCa from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2017 were included in the study from the Saudi Cancer Registry. Incidence rates and risk factors for poor survival were calculated.

Results:

A total of 3607 PCa patients were retrieved. PCa incidence rates ranged from 0.2 to 1.4 per 100 000. Most of the patients were aged 60 and older (86.5%; n=3120), married (97%; n=3497) and lived in the central region (38.1%; n=1375). The mean age at diagnosis was 71.1 (10.8) years. Over half of all tumors were poorly differentiated (64.2%; n=2317), and localized (60.4%; n=2180). The all-time metastasis rate reached 31.4% (n=1131). The lowest mean survival was in those with distant metastasis (P=0.039). Age groups, marital status, tumor morphology, place of residency, and grade were not proven to significantly influence survival.

Conclusion:

The high metastasis rate and evidence of a greater incidence of newly diagnosed metastatic PCa indicate that the idea of select screening for certain high-risk populations is not farfetched. The authors encourage the promotion of awareness regarding PCa risk factors and screening to optimize prognosis and minimize late presentations and high metastasis rates.
Quantitative Detection and Follow-Up of Intracranial Hypertension in Craniosynostosis: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study
Authors: den Ottelander Bianca K. , van de Beeten Stephanie D. C. , Yang Sumin , van Veelen M. L. C. , Tasker Robert C. , Loudon Sjoukje E. , Mathijssen Irene M. J.
Published: November 2023

Background:

In patients with craniosynostosis, the authors evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of fundoscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect intracranial hypertension (ICH), the time course of retinal thickness after treatment of ICH, and the relationship between high hyperopia (HH) and fundoscopy/OCT scan findings.

Methods:

Patients with syndromic, multisuture, unicoronal, unilambdoid, or sagittal synostosis visiting the authors’ national center were included in this longitudinal cohort study and formed a consecutive series. Retinal layers on OCT, OCT fundus images, and fundoscopy results were evaluated. ICH was scored according to presence of abnormal intracranial pressures, hydrocephalus, progressive cerebellar tonsillar herniation or fingerprinting, and growth arrest. Diagnostic accuracy of OCT, fundoscopy, and fundus image; the time course of retinal thickness after ICH; and interference of HH were analyzed using linear mixed models.

Results:

A total of 577 OCT scans in 307 patients were included. ICH was found in 7.2%. Combining total retinal thickness (TRT), OCT fundus imaging and fundoscopy resulted in a sensitivity of 76% and 81% specificity to detect signs of ICH. TRT was increased in patients who had had signs of ICH versus patients who had never had signs of ICH (β +44.9 µm in patients who had had ICH [95% CI, 9.0 to 80.8]; P = 0.01). TRT decreased to normal in the years after surgery (β −3.6 µm/yr [95% CI, −7.2 to −0.05]; P = 0.047). There were greater odds of having increased TRT in patients with HH (OR, 2.9 [95% CI, 1.1 to 7.6]; P = 0.03).

Conclusions:

The correlation among TRT, OCT fundus image, fundoscopy, and particularly the combination of these measures with intracranial pressure surrogate markers is fair. Increased TRT in the presence of a clinical suspicion of ICH warrants further screening.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Diagnostic, III.
Realizing Upper Extremity Bionic Limbs: Leveraging Neuroprosthetic Control Strategies
Authors: Ganesh Kumar Nishant , Chestek Cynthia A. , Cederna Paul S. , Kung Theodore A.
Published: November 2023

Innovations in prosthetic devices and neuroprosthetic control strategies have opened new frontiers for the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals undergoing amputation. Commercial prosthetic devices are now available with sophisticated electrical and mechanical components that can closely replicate the functions of the human musculoskeletal system. However, to truly recognize the potential of such prosthetic devices and develop the next generation of bionic limbs, a highly reliable prosthetic device control strategy is required. In the past few years, refined surgical techniques have enabled neuroprosthetic control strategies to record efferent motor and stimulate afferent sensory action potentials from a residual limb with extraordinary specificity, signal quality, and long-term stability. As a result, such control strategies are now capable of facilitating intuitive, real-time, and naturalistic prosthetic experiences for patients with amputations. This article summarizes the current state of upper extremity neuroprosthetic devices and discusses the leading control strategies that are critical to the ongoing advancement of prosthetic development and implementation.
Accretion–ablation mechanics
Authors: Pradhan Satya Prakash , Yavari Arash
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we formulate a geometric nonlinear theory of the mechanics of accreting–ablating bodies. This is a generalization of the theory of accretion mechanics of Sozio & Yavari (Sozio & Yavari 2019
J. Nonlinear Sci.
29
, 1813–1863 (doi:10.1007/s00332-019-09531-w)). More specifically, we are interested in large deformation analysis of bodies that undergo a continuous and simultaneous accretion and ablation on their boundaries while under external loads. In this formulation, the natural configuration of an accreting–ablating body is a time-dependent Riemannian

3

-manifold with a metric that is an unknown
a priori
and is determined after solving the accretion–ablation initial-boundary-value problem. In addition to the time of attachment map, we introduce a time of detachment map that along with the time of attachment map, and the accretion and ablation velocities, describes the time-dependent reference configuration of the body. The kinematics, material manifold, material metric, constitutive equations and the balance laws are discussed in detail. As a concrete example and application of the geometric theory, we analyse a thick hollow circular cylinder made of an arbitrary incompressible isotropic material that is under a finite time-dependent extension while undergoing continuous ablation on its inner cylinder boundary and accretion on its outer cylinder boundary. The state of deformation and stress during the accretion–ablation process, and the residual stretch and stress after the completion of the accretion–ablation process, are computed.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Foundational issues, analysis and geometry in continuum mechanics’.
Existence of solutions for stress-rate type strain-limiting viscoelasticity in Gevrey spaces
Authors: Bachmann L. , De Anna F. , Schlömerkemper A. , Şengül Y.
Published: November 2023

In this work, we deal with a one-dimensional stress-rate type model for the response of viscoelastic materials, in relation to the strain-limiting theory. The model is based on a constitutive relation of stress-rate type. Unlike classical models in elasticity, the unknown of the model under consideration is uniquely the stress, avoiding the use of the deformation. Here, we treat the case of periodic boundary conditions for a linearized model. We determine an optimal function space that ensures the local existence of solutions to the linearized model around certain steady states. This optimal space is known as the Gevrey-class3/2, which characterizes the regularity properties of the solutions. The exponent3/2in the Gevrey-class reflects the specific dispersion properties of the equation itself.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Foundational issues, analysis and geometry in continuum mechanics’.
A certain counterpart in dissipative setting of the Noether theorem with no dissipation pseudo-potentials
Authors: Mariano Paolo Maria
Published: November 2023

We look at a mechanical dissipation inequality differing from the standard one by what we call a relative power, a notion that is appropriate in the presence of material mutations. We prove that a requirement of structural invariance for such an inequality under the action of diffeomorphism-based changes of observers (covariance) implies (i) the representation of contact actions in terms of the first Piola–Kirchhoff stress, (ii) local balances of standard and configurational actions, (iii)
a priori
constitutive restrictions in terms of free energy, and (iv) a representation of viscous-type stress components.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Foundational issues, analysis and geometry in continuum mechanics’.
Augmentation of growth media for extreme iron-limitation in Escherichia coli
Authors: Southwell James W , Wilson Keith S , Thomas Gavin H , Duhme-Klair Anne-Kathrin
Published: November 2023

Iron is an essential nutrient for microbial growth and bacteria have evolved numerous routes to solubilise and scavenge this biometal, which is often present at very low concentrations in host tissue. We recently used a MOPS-based medium to induce iron limitation in Escherichia coli  K-12 during the characterisation of novel siderophore conjugated antibiotics. In this study we confirm that growth media derived from commercially-available M9 salts are unsuitable for studies of iron-limited growth, likely through the contamination of the sodium phosphate buffer components with over 100 µM iron. In contrast, MOPS-based media that are treated with metal-binding Chelex® resin, allow the free iron concentration to be reduced to growth-limiting levels. Despite these measures a small amount of E. coli growth is still observed in these iron-depleted media. By growing E. coli in conditions that theoretically increase the demand for iron-dependent enzymes, namely by replacing the glucose carbon source for acetate and by switching to a microaerobic atmosphere, we can reduce background growth even further. Finally, we demonstrate that by adding an exogeneous siderophore to the growth media which is poorly used by E. coli, we can completely prevent growth, perhaps mimicking situation in host tissue. In conclusion, this short study provides practical experimental insight into low iron media and how to augment the growth conditions of E. coli for extreme iron-limited growth.