bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic factors to identify resolution of small bowel obstruction without need for operative management: systematic review
Authors: Eze Vivienne N. , Parry Tom , Boone Darren , Mallett Sue , Halligan Steve
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To identify imaging, clinical, and laboratory variables potentially prognostic for surgical management of small bowel obstruction.

Methods

Two researchers systematically reviewed indexed literature 2001–2021 inclusive for imaging, clinical, and laboratory variables potentially predictive of surgical management of small bowl obstruction and/or ischaemia at surgery, where performed. Risk of bias was assessed. Contingency tables for variables reported in at least 5 studies were extracted and meta-analysed to identify strong evidence of association with clinical outcomes, across studies.

Results

Thirty-one studies were ultimately included, reporting 4638 patients (44 to 313 per study). 11 (35%) studies raised no risk of bias concerns. CT was the modality reported most (29 studies, 94%). Meta-analysis of 21 predictors identified 5 strongly associated with surgical intervention, 3 derived from CT (peritoneal free fluid, odds ratio [OR] 3.24, 95%CI 2.45 to 4.29; high grade obstruction, OR 3.58, 95%CI 2.46 to 5.20; mesenteric inflammation, OR 2.61, 95%CI 1.94 to 3.50; abdominal distension, OR 2.43, 95%CI 1.34 to 4.42; peritonism, OR 3.97, 95%CI 2.67 to 5.90) and one with conservative management (previous abdominopelvic surgery, OR 0.58, 95%CI 0.40 to 0.85). Meta-analysis of 10 predictors identified 3 strongly associated with ischaemia at surgery, 2 derived from CT (peritoneal free fluid, OR 3.49, 95%CI 2.28 to 5.35; bowel thickening, OR 3.26 95%CI 1.91 to 5.55; white cell count, OR 4.76, 95%CI 2.71 to 8.36).

Conclusions

Systematic review of patients with small bowel obstruction identified four imaging, three clinical, and one laboratory predictors associated strongly with surgical intervention and/or ischaemia at surgery.

Clinical relevance statement

Via systematic review and meta-analysis, we identified imaging, clinical, and laboratory predictors strongly associated with surgical management of small bowel obstruction and/or ischaemia. Multivariable model development to guide management should incorporate these since they display strong evidence of potential utility.

Key Points

• While multivariable models incorporating clinical, laboratory, and imaging factors could predict surgical management of small bowel obstruction, none are used widely.

• Via systematic review and meta-analysis we identified imaging, clinical, and laboratory variables strongly associated with surgical management and/or ischaemia at surgery.

• Development of multivariable models to guide management should incorporate these predictors, notably CT scanning, since they display strong evidence of potential utility.
Studying macro- and mesoscopic wetting dynamics of a spreading oil droplet using multiple wavelength interferometry
Authors: Richter Timo , Fricke Mathis , Stephan Peter , Tropea Cameron , Hussong Jeanette
Published: November 2023

In this study we present an interferometric technique based on multiple wavelengths to capture the transient free surface contour of nanolitre drops spreading on a wettable surface, in particular close to the three-phase contact line. Various data analysis procedures are evaluated in terms of error and noise sensitivity. The technique allows an unambiguous determination of the local liquid film thickness for optical path differences up to $$\Delta s \approx 3.19\,\upmu \text {m}$$

Δ
s
≈
3.19

μ
m

without the need of a known reference height. Film thicknesses as low as $$0.1\,\upmu \text {m}$$

0.1

μ
m

can be measured with the present optical configuration. The entire three-dimensional droplet shape is investigated for different capillary numbers, allowing also reliable measurements of the time-resolved contact angle.
The role of glycolytic metabolic pathways in cardiovascular disease and potential therapeutic approaches
Authors: Chen Shuxian , Zou Yuanming , Song Chunyu , Cao Kexin , Cai Kexin , Wu Yanjiao , Zhang Zhaobo , Geng Danxi , Sun Wei , Ouyang Nanxiang , Zhang Naijin , Li Zhao , Sun Guozhe , Zhang Yixiao , Sun Yingxian , Zhang Ying
Published: November 2023

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major threat to human health, accounting for 46% of non-communicable disease deaths. Glycolysis is a conserved and rigorous biological process that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, and its primary function is to provide the body with the energy and intermediate products needed for life activities. The non-glycolytic actions of enzymes associated with the glycolytic pathway have long been found to be associated with the development of CVD, typically exemplified by metabolic remodeling in heart failure, which is a condition in which the heart exhibits a rapid adaptive response to hypoxic and hypoxic conditions, occurring early in the course of heart failure. It is mainly characterized by a decrease in oxidative phosphorylation and a rise in the glycolytic pathway, and the rise in glycolysis is considered a hallmark of metabolic remodeling. In addition to this, the glycolytic metabolic pathway is the main source of energy for cardiomyocytes during ischemia–reperfusion. Not only that, the auxiliary pathways of glycolysis, such as the polyol pathway, hexosamine pathway, and pentose phosphate pathway, are also closely related to CVD. Therefore, targeting glycolysis is very attractive for therapeutic intervention in CVD. However, the relationship between glycolytic pathway and CVD is very complex, and some preclinical studies have confirmed that targeting glycolysis does have a certain degree of efficacy, but its specific role in the development of CVD has yet to be explored. This article aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding the glycolytic pathway and its key enzymes (including hexokinase (HK), phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK1), aldolase (Aldolase), phosphoglycerate metatase (PGAM), enolase (ENO) pyruvate kinase (PKM) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) for their role in cardiovascular diseases (e.g., heart failure, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis) and possible emerging therapeutic targets.
The value of combined detailed first-trimester ultrasound–biochemical analysis for screening fetal aneuploidy in the era of non-invasive prenatal testing
Authors: Ye Caixia , Duan Hongyan , Liu Mengyuan , Liu Jianqiang , Xiang Jingwen , Yin Yizhen , Zhou Qiong , Yang Dan , Yan Ruiling , Li Ruiman
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the performance, cost-effectiveness and additional findings of combined detailed ultrasound and biochemical screening for risks of major fetal trisomies in the first-trimester.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis study, we estimated the risk of trisomies 21, 18 and 13 based on maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency thickness, nasal bone, ductus venosus pulsatility index velocity, tricuspid regurgitation, fetal heart rate, free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A in singleton pregnant women, and performed non-invasive prenatal testing for women with risks of trisomy 21 between 1:500 and 1:300. Invasive diagnostic testing was performed for women with positive or failed non-invasive prenatal testing result and in the high-risk group of this screening method. The direct costs were compared between this strategy and the non-invasive prenatal testing which alone used as first-line screening for all pregnant women.

Results

Among 25,155 singleton pregnant women who underwent screening, 24,361 were available for analysis, of these, 194 cases underwent non-invasive prenatal testing. Among the 24,361 women, 39, 19, and 7 had trisomies 21, 18 and 13, respectively. The use of this strategy could potentially detect approximately 94.87% of trisomy 21 cases, 100% of trisomy 18 cases, and 100% of trisomy 13 cases, with false-positive rates of 2.49%, 0.41%, and 0.49%, respectively. The overall detection rate and overall false-positive rates were 96.92% and 2.52%, respectively. The detection rate was 100% in the advanced age group and 94.12% in the general age group. Additionally, structural abnormalities were detected in 137 fetuses, and 44 fetuses had other chromosomal abnormalities. The total cost of this strategy was $3,730,843.30, and the cost per person tested was $153.15. The total cost of using non-invasive prenatal testing as the first-line strategy would be $6,813,387.04 and the cost per person tested was $279.68.

Conclusions

Our strategy is an efficient and cost-effective approach for detecting major trisomies and identifying more fetuses with a potential abnormality. Therefore, this strategy is a valuable screening method and highly feasible in the clinical setting.
Synchronous action observation and motor imagery may not always represent the optimal form of action simulation: a commentary on Eaves et al. (2022)
Authors: Wright David J. , Holmes Paul S.
Published: November 2023

(Eaves et al., Psychological Research Psychologische Forschung, 2022) summary review, showing positive behavioural effects of AOMI interventions, is a welcome addition to the field. Several recent studies, however, have reported that AOMI may be no more beneficial than independent MI, and, for some tasks, may add no benefit beyond that obtained via physical practice. We discuss evidence to balance the narrative but support the pragmatic reasons why AOMI remains a suitable and appealing form of action simulation. We propose that further research interrogation of the discrete AOMI states through a more continuum-based approach could address some of the inconsistent data seen in AOMI research.
MicroRNA-367-3p directly targets RAB23 and inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells and increases cisplatin sensitivity
Authors: Wei Xifeng , Jiang Yuchen , Yang Guanghua , Chang Taihao , Sun Guangyu , Chen Shuaiqi , Wu Shangrong , Liu Ranlu
Published: November 2023

Objectives

This study investigated the biological role of miR-367-3p upregulation in bladder cancer and verified the mutual relation between miR-367-3p and RAB23.

Materials and methods

Expression levels of miR-367-3p were determined by RT–qPCR in bladder cancer cell lines and human bladder cancer tissues. The effects of miR-367-3p on proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated by cell colony formation assays, wound healing assays and trans-well assays, respectively. The effects of miR-367-3p and RAB23 on cisplatin sensitivity of bladder cancer cells were assessed by CCK-8 assay. The expression of its target-RAB23 was determined by western blotting in T24, 5637. Plasmids used in dual-luciferase assays were constructed to confirm the action of miR-367-3p on downstream target-RAB23 in T24 cells. And also, the role of miR-367-3p in tumorigenesis was also confirmed in nude mouse models.

Results

The downregulation of miR-367-3p was observed in human bladder cancer tissues. MiR-367-3p downregulation positively correlated with tumor stage and tumor grade. MiR-367-3p overexpression in T24, 5637 cells suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer cells in vitro while decreasing IC50 values under T24 and 5637 cisplatin treatment conditions. RAB23 was shown to be upregulated in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines. MiR-367-3p directly bound to the 3′ UTR of RAB23 in T24 cells. RAB23 was potentially accounted for the aforementioned functions of miR-367-3p. Tumor formation experiments in nude mouse models confirmed that overexpression of miR-367-3p could inhibit tumor growth and invasion in vivo.

Conclusions

miR-367-3p acts as a tumor suppressor in bladder cancer by downregulating RAB23 signaling. We conjecture that miR-367-3p-mediated downregulation of RAB23 expression may be a new therapeutic strategy for bladder cancer treatment.
Harnack inequality and one-endedness of UST on reversible random graphs
Authors: Berestycki Nathanaël , van Engelenburg Diederik
Published: November 2023

We prove that for recurrent, reversible graphs, the following conditions are equivalent: (a) existence and uniqueness of the potential kernel, (b) existence and uniqueness of harmonic measure from infinity, (c) a new anchored Harnack inequality, and (d) one-endedness of the wired uniform spanning tree. In particular this gives a proof of the anchored (and in fact also elliptic) Harnack inequality on the UIPT. This also complements and strengthens some results of Benjamini et al. (Ann Probab 29(1):1–65, 2001). Furthermore, we make progress towards a conjecture of Aldous and Lyons by proving that these conditions are fulfilled for strictly subdiffusive recurrent unimodular graphs. Finally, we discuss the behaviour of the random walk conditioned to never return to the origin, which is well defined as a consequence of our results.
Pan-PI3K inhibition with copanlisib overcomes Treg- and M2-TAM-mediated immune suppression and promotes anti-tumor immune responses
Authors: Heller Simon , Glaeske Sarah , Gluske Katja , Paul Juliane , Böhme Annika , Janzer Andreas , Roider Helge Gottfried , Montebaur Anna , Nicke Barbara , Lesche Ralf , von Ahsen Oliver , Politz Oliver , Liu Ningshu , Gorjánácz Mátyás
Published: November 2023

The PI3K pathway is one of the most frequently altered signaling pathways in human cancer. In addition to its function in cancer cells, PI3K plays a complex role in modulating anti-tumor immune responses upon immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). Here, we evaluated the effects of the pan-Class I PI3K inhibitor copanlisib on different immune cell types in vitro and on tumor growth and immune cell infiltration in syngeneic murine cancer models. Intermittent treatment with copanlisib resulted in a strong in vivo anti-tumor efficacy, increased tumor infiltration of activated T cells and macrophages, and increased CD8+ T cell/regulatory T cell and M1/M2 macrophage ratios. The strong in vivo efficacy was at least partially due to immunomodulatory activity of copanlisib, as in vitro these murine cancer cells were resistant to PI3K inhibition. Furthermore, the combination of copanlisib with the ICI antibody anti-PD-1 demonstrated enhanced anti-tumor efficacy in both ICI-sensitive and insensitive syngeneic mouse tumor models. Importantly, in an ICI-sensitive model, combination therapy resulted in complete remission and prevention of tumor recurrence. Thus, the combination of ICIs with PI3K inhibition by intermittently dosed copanlisib represents a promising new strategy to increase sensitivity to ICI therapies and to treat human solid cancers.
Prognostic impact of absolute peripheral blood NK cell count after four cycles of R-CHOP-like regimen treatment in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Authors: Huo Zhongjun , Chen Fang , Zhao Jiajia , Liu Ping , Chao Zhi , Liu Kang , Zhou Ji , Zhou Dan , Zhang Lu , Zhen Haifeng , Yang Wenqun , Tan Zhenqing , Zhu Kaibo , Luo Zimian
Published: November 2023

As a subtype of lymphocyte, natural killer (NK) cell is the first line of defense that shows a strong function in tumor immunotherapy response and clinical outcomes. The current study aims to investigate the prognostic influence of peripheral blood absolute NK cell count after four cycles of rituximab combined with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) treatment (NKCC4) in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. A total of 261 DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP from January 2018 to September 2022 were enrolled. The low NKCC4 was observed in patients who died during the study period compared with survival individuals. A NKCC4 < 135 cells/μl had a remarkable negative influence in overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) compared to a NKCC4 ≥ 135 cells/μl (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0004, respectively). In addition, the OS and PFS were synergistically lower in a NKCC4 < 135 cells/μl group among DLBCL patients with GCB type or high IPI. In conclusion, this study indicates NCKK4 as a valuable marker in clinical practice and provides an insight for combination treatment of R-CHOP to improve outcomes of DLBCL patients.
A constrained swarm optimization algorithm for large-scale long-run investments using Sharpe ratio-based performance measures
Authors: Kaucic Massimiliano , Piccotto Filippo , Sbaiz Gabriele
Published: November 2023

We study large-scale portfolio optimization problems in which the aim is to maximize a multi-moment performance measure extending the Sharpe ratio. More specifically, we consider the adjusted for skewness Sharpe ratio, which incorporates the third moment of the returns distribution, and the adjusted for skewness and kurtosis Sharpe ratio, which exploits in addition the fourth moment. Further, we account for two types of real-world trading constraints. On the one hand, we impose stock market restrictions through cardinality, buy-in thresholds, and budget constraints. On the other hand, a turnover threshold restricts the total allowed amount of trades in the rebalancing phases. To deal with these asset allocation models, we embed a novel hybrid constraint-handling procedure into an improved dynamic level-based learning swarm optimizer. A repair operator maps candidate solutions onto the set characterized by the first type of constraints. Then, an adaptive $$\ell _1$$

ℓ
1

-exact penalty function manages turnover violations. The focus of the paper is to highlight the importance of including higher-order moments in the performance measures for long-run investments, in particular when the market is turbulent. We carry out empirical tests on two worldwide sets of assets to illustrate the scalability and effectiveness of the proposed strategies, and to evaluate the performance of our investments compared to the strategy maximizing the Sharpe ratio.
Denoising autoencoder genetic programming: strategies to control exploration and exploitation in search
Authors: Wittenberg David , Rothlauf Franz , Gagné Christian
Published: November 2023

Denoising autoencoder genetic programming (DAE-GP) is a novel neural network-based estimation of distribution genetic programming approach that uses denoising autoencoder long short-term memory networks as a probabilistic model to replace the standard mutation and recombination operators of genetic programming. At each generation, the idea is to capture promising properties of the parent population in a probabilistic model and to use corruption to transfer variations of these properties to the offspring. This work studies the influence of corruption and sampling steps on search. Corruption partially mutates candidate solutions that are used as input to the model, whereas the number of sampling steps defines how often we re-use the output during model sampling as input to the model. We study the generalization of the royal tree problem, the Airfoil problem, and the Pagie-1 problem, and find that both corruption strength and the number of sampling steps influence exploration and exploitation in search and affect performance: exploration increases with stronger corruption and lower number of sampling steps. The results indicate that both corruption and sampling steps are key to the success of the DAE-GP: it permits us to balance the exploration and exploitation behavior in search, resulting in an improved search quality. However, also selection is important for exploration and exploitation and should be chosen wisely.
GVFs in the real world: making predictions online for water treatment
Authors: Janjua Muhammad Kamran , Shah Haseeb , White Martha , Miahi Erfan , Machado Marlos C. , White Adam
Published: November 2023

In this paper we investigate the use of reinforcement-learning based prediction approaches for a real drinking-water treatment plant. Developing such a prediction system is a critical step on the path to optimizing and automating water treatment. Before that, there are many questions to answer about the predictability of the data, suitable neural network architectures, how to overcome partial observability and more. We first describe this dataset, and highlight challenges with seasonality, nonstationarity, partial observability, and heterogeneity across sensors and operation modes of the plant. We then describe General Value Function (GVF) predictions—discounted cumulative sums of observations–and highlight why they might be preferable to classical n-step predictions common in time series prediction. We discuss how to use offline data to appropriately pre-train our temporal difference learning (TD) agents that learn these GVF predictions, including how to select hyperparameters for online fine-tuning in deployment. We find that the TD-prediction agent obtains an overall lower normalized mean-squared error than the n-step prediction agent. Finally, we show the importance of learning in deployment, by comparing a TD agent trained purely offline with no online updating to a TD agent that learns online. This final result is one of the first to motivate the importance of adapting predictions in real-time, for non-stationary high-volume systems in the real world.
A precipitation downscaling framework for regional warning of debris flows in mountainous areas
Authors: Qiu Chenchen , Su Lijun , Geng Xueyu
Published: November 2023

A timely warning system for debris-flow mitigation in mountainous areas is vital to decrease casualties. However, the lack of rainfall monitoring stations and coarse resolution of satellite-based observations pose challenges for developing such a debris-flow warning model in data-scarce areas. To offer an effective method for the generation of precipitation with fine resolution, a machine learning (ML)-based approach is proposed to establish the relationship between precipitation and regional environmental factors (REVs), including normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), digital elevation model (DEM), geolocations (longitude and latitude) and land surface temperature (LST). This approach enables the downscaling of 3B42 TRMM precipitation data, providing fine temporal and spatial resolution precipitation data. We use PERSIANN-Cloud Classification System-Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CCS-CDR) data to calibrate the downscaled results using geographical differential analysis (GDA) before applying the calibrated results in a case study in the Gyirong Zangbo Basin. After that, we calculate the rainfall thresholds of effective antecedent rainfall (Pe)—intraday rainfall (Po) based on the calibrated precipitation and integrate these thresholds into a susceptibility map to develop a debris-flow warning model. The results show that (1) this ML-based approach can effectively achieve the downscaling of TRMM data; (2) calibrated TRMM data outperforms the original TRMM and downscaled TRMM data, reducing deviations by 55% and 57%; (3) the integrated model, incorporating rainfall thresholds, outperforms a single susceptibility map in providing debris-flow warnings. The developed warning model can offer dynamic warnings for debris flows that may have been missed by the original warning system at a regional scale.
Self-Consistent State-to-State Kinetic Modeling of CO2 Cold Plasmas: Insights on the Role of Electronically Excited States
Authors: Pietanza L. D. , Colonna G. , Capitelli M.
Published: November 2023

This study focuses on the role of CO2 and CO electronically excited states in the kinetics of CO2 cold non-equilibrium plasma discharges by means of a state-to-state OD kinetic model based on the simultaneous and self-consistent solution of the electron Boltzmann equation and the master equations describing the vibrationally and electronically excited state kinetics and the plasma composition. A new CO2 dissociation model based on the use of the Biagi electron impact excitation cross sections, considered as fully dissociative, of several CO2 electronic excited states, in the energy range from 6.5 to 25 eV, is tested and compared with the results obtained by using the Phelps database in typical glow and microwave discharge conditions. Moreover, a refinement of the kinetics of the $$\mathrm{CO}\left({\mathrm{a}}^{3}\Pi \right)$$

CO

a

3

Π

excited state is proposed by including new production and loss terms and the effect of the change of its time evolution density on the eedf, the electron temperature, the CO2 and CO vibrational distribution functions, electron impact and vibrational induced dissociation rates is investigated. Finally, the contribution of the $$\mathrm{CO}\left({\mathrm{a}}^{3}\Pi \right)$$

CO

a

3

Π

state to CO2 dissociation is examined in terms of production and recombination (or back-reaction) processes both in microwave and glow discharge conditions.
Fostering Secondary School Science Students’ Intrinsic Motivation by Inquiry-based Learning
Authors: Meulenbroeks Ralph , van Rijn Rob , Reijerkerk Martijn
Published: November 2023

Background

Intrinsic motivation plays a unique mediating role in student academic performance. An inquiry-based learning (IBL) physics practical is studied in terms of effects on secondary school students’ intrinsic motivation towards performing science practicals.

Results

After performing IBL experiments on ionizing radiation, 38 secondary school physics students were interviewed and expressed their need for support in two main areas: the inquiry process and non-salient tasks, i.e., operating the equipment. The IBL experiments were revised accordingly, providing scaffolding through revised worksheets and videos on the use of the equipment. Subsequently, a quasi-experiment was carried out. One experimental group received both a revised worksheet and a video (N = 88), the other only received the worksheet (N = 67). Students performing the same practical on the basis of a step-by-step instruction sheet were used as a control group (N = 87). Five subscales of the intrinsic motivation inventory were used as a pre- and post-test for all three groups. Results show significant gains in the Interest/Enjoyment as well as Effort/Importance subscales favouring both IBL groups. With an instructional video, all five subscales show a significant increase as compared to the control group.

Conclusions

The results point to the advantages of using an IBL approach for practicals, provided appropriate scaffolding is used in terms of equipment operation and inquiry process.
Search for antibodies against Trichinella in two synanthropic Procyonidae species from southeast Mexico: white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica) and raccoons (Procyon lotor)
Authors: Hernández-Ortiz Adrián , Rendón-Franco Emilio , Muñoz-García Claudia-Irais , Villanueva-García Claudia , Caballero-Ortega Heriberto , de-la-Rosa-Arana Jorge-Luis
Published: November 2023

Trichinella is a nematode that are spread by the consumption of parasitized meat. Carnivora, a mammalian order, serve as key hosts for this parasite. However, evidence of Trichinella in wildlife from the Neotropics is extremely scarce, with reports documenting its presence only for five carnivore species: two Felidae, one Otariidae and two Mustelidae. Other widely distributed species that are consumed as bushmeat, such as Procyonidae, have not been studied in this context. A long-term study was performed for antibodies against Trichinella in coatis (Nasua narica) and common raccoons (Procyon lotor) in southeastern Mexico. Between the summer of 2009 to the winter 2013, a total of 291 coati samples and 125 raccoon samples were collected from a tropical green area located within an urban zone. An Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect antibodies against the excretory and secretory products of Trichinella spiralis muscle larva. ELISA-positive samples were further confirmed by Western Blot analysis. Results showed no evidence of antibodies during the first two years of study. However, in 2011, a sudden appearance of anti-Trichinella occurred. The seroprevalence reached its highest peak of 43% for coatis during winter 2013 and 53% for raccoons in summer 2013. This is the first study that provides evidence of Trichinella circulation within a neotropical procyonid community.
Identifying untapped legal capacity to promote multi-level and cross-sectoral coordination of natural resource governance
Authors: Harvey Nicola , Garmestani Ahjond , Allen Craig R. , Buijze Anoeska , van Rijswick Marleen
Published: November 2023

Natural resource governance in the face of climate change represents one of the seminal challenges of the Anthropocene. A number of innovative approaches have been developed in, among others, the fields of ecology, governance, and sustainability sciences for managing uncertainty and scarcity through a coordinated approach to natural resource governance. However, the absence of an enabling legal and regulatory framework has been identified in the literature as one of the primary barriers constraining the formal operationalization of these governance approaches. In this paper, we show how these approaches provide tools for analyzing procedural mandates across governmental levels and sectors in the natural resource governance space. We also find that there has been inadequate consideration of the potential in existing laws and regulations for cross-sectoral and multi-level coordination of natural resource governance. On this basis, we develop and apply a protocol that draws on the traditional legal method of doctrinal analysis to demonstrate how to identify existing, untapped legal capacity to promote coordinated governance of natural resources through an in-depth case study of water resources in South Africa. We then show how these untapped capacities within existing legal structures may be operationalized to improve natural resource governance. Further, this protocol is portable to other countries, provinces (states), and localities around the world.
The Effect of Joint Thickness on Intermetallic Growth in the In52Sn48(Liquid)/Cu(Solid) Diffusion Couple
Authors: Mouratidis Theodore
Published: November 2023

Intermetallic growth can simultaneously enable low-resistance electrical pathways and determine the lifetime of a solder joint. Motivating this work is a demountable linear bilateral solder joint application, enabled via a vacuum pressure impregnation process. The effect of the initial solder joint thickness $$\delta _j = 25 - 125$$

δ
j

=
25
-
125

$$\mu $$
μ
m on intermetallic growth in this configuration is investigated for the $$\text{In}_{52}\text{Sn}_{48}$$

In
52

Sn
48

(liquid)/Cu(solid) diffusion couple for temperatures T = 393, 413 and 433 K, in the range just above the $$\text{In}_{52}\text{Sn}_{48}$$

In
52

Sn
48

melting temperature of 391 K. It was found that beyond a critical time $$\sim 1-15$$

∼
1
-
15

min into the kinetic reaction, thicker solder joints had more intermetallic growth. There are two intermetallic phases identified in this temperature range: $$\text{Cu}_{6}\text{(In,Sn)}{_5}$$

Cu
6

(In,Sn)

5

closer to the Cu substrate, and $$\text{Cu(In,Sn)}_{2}$$

Cu(In,Sn)
2

closer to the solder bulk. The intermetallic growth fits give temporal growth exponents between $$n = 0.25 - 0.29$$

n
=
0.25
-
0.29

, indicating that grain boundary diffusion rather than volume diffusion is the predominant growth mechanism. Growth in thicker joints is associated with higher temporal growth exponents; this is attributed to suppressed grain coarsening, as there is Cu dissolution from the intermetallic into the solder bulk in the early stages of the reaction, in more highly unsaturated environments. In addition, there is on average a decrease in the intermetallic phase activation energy with increasing joint thickness. In combination with the literature, the results suggest the linear bilateral joint geometry has a growth constraining effect, and the liquid solder phase state strongly affects the morphology and coarsening of grains, leading to the intermetallic growth trends observed.
Sport entrepreneurship: the role of innovation and creativity in sport management
Authors: Hammerschmidt Jonas , González-Serrano María Huertas , Puumalainen Kaisu , Calabuig Ferran
Published: November 2023

This article examines the state of research on sport entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity in sport management. Sport is an increasingly important sector of the global economy, yet little attention has been given to the role of entrepreneurship in its development. This article argues that entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity are crucial drivers of change, innovation, and employment in sport and that sport entrepreneurship is an emerging but unorganized stream of business research. To better understand the relationship between these research fields, we performed a study that combined a systematic review and a bibliometric analysis. This article presents thematic shifts in the field of sport entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity. It proposes an integrated model of sport entrepreneurship, offering novel perspectives that contribute to the field. Furthermore, the article addresses the lack of research on creativity, sustainability, and the sport entrepreneur, charting underexplored territories. Overall, this article provides a comprehensive overview of current research on sport entrepreneurship and identifies key areas for future investigation.
Update of Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy for ALK+ Inflammation Myofibroblastic Tumor
Authors: Wang Qi-An , Chen Huan-Wu , Wu Ren-Chin , Wu Chiao-En
Published: November 2023

Opinion statement

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), characterized by intermediate malignancy and a propensity for recurrence, has presented a formidable clinical challenge in diagnosis and treatment. Its pathological characteristics may resemble other neoplasms or reactive lesions, and the treatment was limited, taking chemotherapies as the only option for those inoperable. However, discovering anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein expression in approximately 50% of IMT cases has shed light on a new diagnostic approach and application of targeted therapies. With the previous success of combating ALK+ non-small-cell lung cancers with ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), crizotinib, a first-generation ALK-TKI, was officially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2020, to treat unresectable ALK+ IMT. After the approval of crizotinib, other ALK-TKIs, such as ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib, have proven their efficacy on ALK+ IMT with sporadic case reports. The sequential treatments of targeted therapies in may provide the insight into the choice of ALK-TKIs in different lines of treatment for unresectable ALK+ IMT.
Exome sequencing (ES) of a pediatric cohort with chronic endocrine diseases: a single-center study (within the framework of the TRANSLATE-NAMSE project)
Authors: Gippert Sebastian , Wagner Matias , Brunet Theresa , Berruti Riccardo , Brugger Melanie , Schwaibold Eva M. C. , Haack Tobias B. , Hoffmann Georg F. , Bettendorf Markus , Choukair Daniela
Published: November 2023

Background

Endocrine disorders are heterogeneous and include a significant number of rare monogenic diseases.

Methods

We performed exome sequencing (ES) in 106 children recruited from a single center within the TRANSLATE‑NAMSE project. They were categorized into subgroups: proportionate short stature (PSS), disproportionate short stature (DSS), hypopituitarism (H), differences in sexual development (DSD), syndromic diseases (SD) and others.

Results

The overall diagnostic yield was 34.9% (n = 37/106), including 5 patients with variants in candidate genes, which have contributed to collaborations to identify gene-disease associations. The diagnostic yield varied significantly between subgroups: PSS: 16.6% (1/6); DSS: 18.8% (3/16); H: 17.1% (6/35); DSD: 37.5% (3/8); SD: 66.6% (22/33); others: 25% (2/8). Confirmed diagnoses included 75% ultrarare diseases. Three patients harbored more than one disease-causing variant, resulting in dual diagnoses.

Conclusions

ES is an effective tool for genetic diagnosis in pediatric patients with complex endocrine diseases. An accurate phenotypic description, including comprehensive endocrine diagnostics, as well as the evaluation of variants in multidisciplinary case conferences involving geneticists, are necessary for personalized diagnostic care. Here, we illustrate the broad spectrum of genetic endocrinopathies that have led to the initiation of specific treatment, surveillance, and family counseling.

Graphical Abstract
The emotion regulation strategies of flourishing adults
Authors: Richard-Sephton Pixie Bella , Crisp Dimity Ann , Burns Richard Andrew
Published: November 2023

Flourishing is an optimal state of wellbeing, but the mechanisms that enable flourishing are unclear. This study examined the role of emotion regulation (ER) strategies that may enable flourishing. The first aim examined differences between flourishers and non-flourishers in the use of functional/adaptive and dysfunctional/maladaptive ER strategies. A second aim specifically compared differences between flourishers and those non-flourishers who were free of psychopathology. We hypothesised that flourishers utilise greater use of functional/adaptive and lower use of dysfunctional/maladaptive strategies in comparison with non-flourishers, and those without pathology. Australian adults (N = 292) completed measures of flourishing, depression, and anxiety, and two measures of emotion regulation. Quota sampling obtained a balanced sample by age-group and gender. Regression analyses regressed ER strategies on flourishing and depression/anxiety status, adjusting for socio-demographic covariates. ER measures included the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) to assess reappraisal and suppression strategies, and the Emotion Regulation Profile – Revised (ERP-R) used vignettes to assess intentional response to situations. For the first aim, there was limited evidence that flourishers utilise higher levels of functional/adaptive, but substantive evidence that they use lower levels of dysfunctional/maladaptive ER strategies. For the second aim, flourishing was associated with these ER strategies over-and-above being free of pathology. The findings highlight a nuanced understanding of the ER of flourishers; flourishers appear to limit their use of dysfunctional/maladaptive strategies and do not necessarily report increased use of functional/adaptive strategies. Implications for wellbeing research and clinical practice are discussed.
Pathways to online infidelity: the roles of perceived online dating success, perceived availability of alternative partners, and mate value discrepancy
Authors: Nascimento Bruna S. , Adair Lora , Vione Katia
Published: November 2023

Online dating applications have become increasingly popular in recent years and a common way for relationship initiation. However, the potential implications of online dating applications for long-term relationships are not well-understood. To further the literature in this field, this study aimed to examine the association between perceived online dating success and online infidelity-related behaviours by considering two possible indirect paths through perceived number of alternative partners or mate value discrepancy (i.e., mate value relative to one’s partner) and attention to alternatives. A total of 338 individuals that were currently in an exclusive long-term relationship participated in this study. A serial mediation analysis with two parallel paths revealed that perceived online dating success is associated with higher perceived availability of alternative partners and higher mate value relative to one’s partner, both of which are associated with attention to alternatives that, in turn, increases engagement in online infidelity-related behaviours. No direct association between perceived online dating success and online infidelity-related behaviours was found.
Study on the performance of thin-film VCSELs on composite metal substrate
Authors: Lee Sanchez William Anderson , Sinha Shreekant , Wang Po-Yu , Horng Ray-Hua
Published: November 2023

Thin film p-side up vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) with 940 nm wavelength on a composite metal (Copper/Invar/Copper; CIC) substrate has been demonstrated by twice-bonding transfer and substrate removing techniques. The CIC substrate is a sandwich structure with a 10 µm thick Copper (Cu) layer/30 µm thick Invar layer/10 µm thick Cu layer. The Invar layer was composed of Iron (Fe) and Nickel (Ni) with a proportion of 70:30. The thermal expansion coefficient of the composite CIC metal can match that of the GaAs substrate. It results that the VCSEL layers can be successfully transferred to CIC metal substrate without cracking. At 1 mA current, the top-emitting VCSEL/GaAs and thin-film VCSEL/CIC had a voltage of 1.39 and 1.37 V, respectively. The optical output powers of VCSEL/GaAs and VCSEL/CIC were 21.91 and 24.40 mW, respectively. The 50 µm thick CIC substrate can play a good heat dissipation function, which results in improving the electrical and optical characteristics of thin film VCSELs/CIC. The VCSEL/CIC exhibited a superior thermal management capability as compared with VCSEL/GaAs. The obtained data suggested that VCSELs on a composite metal substrate not only affected significantly the characteristics of thin film VCSEL, but also improved considerably the device thermal performance.

Graphical Abstract
Suboptimal Rootzone Growth Prevents Long Island (NY) Salt Marshes from Keeping Pace with Sea Level Rise
Authors: Maher Nicole , Starke Adam
Published: November 2023

Salt marsh habitat loss and conversion are well documented across the marine-coastal district of New York. Regionally, these losses are characterized by marsh edge erosion, ditch and creek widening, internal ponding, and conversion from irregularly flooded marsh to regularly flooded marsh and intertidal mudflats. These changes in horizontal extent and shifts in vegetation composition suggest that NY’s salt marshes may not be keeping pace with sea level rise. To evaluate elevation building processes, deep rod surface elevation tables, marker horizons, and shallow rod surface elevation tables (SET-MHs and shallow RSETs) were installed as a network across Long Island, NY. Contributions of surface, shallow subsurface, and deeper processes to overall elevation changes were observed from 2008 to 2022. Using a linear mixed model approach, surface accretion, shallow subsurface rootzone growth, and deeper below-ground processes were evaluated against regional sea level rise, nutrient loading, and marsh area trends. We found that marshes on Long Island are not keeping pace with sea level rise because they lack vertical elevation growth within the rootzone. Optimizing conditions for belowground growth of native salt marsh plants and preservation of organic matter within the peat matrix is key for restoring salt marshes to a positive elevation trajectory relative to sea level rise. Much like a retirement savings account, knowing whether our marshes are increasing in elevation is important, but understanding the full suite of deposits and withdrawals is critical for managing this valuable resource for the future.
On Estimation of the Effect Lag of Predictors and Prediction in a Functional Linear Model
Authors: Liu Haiyan , Aivaliotis Georgios , Kumar Vijay , Houwing-Duistermaat Jeanine
Published: November 2023

We propose a functional linear model to predict a functional response using multiple functional and longitudinal predictors and to estimate the effect lags of predictors. The coefficient functions are written as the expansion of a basis system (e.g. functional principal components, splines), and the coefficients of the basis functions are estimated via optimizing a penalization criterion. Then effect lags are determined by simultaneously searching on a prior designed grid mesh based on minimization of a proposed prediction error criterion. Mathematical properties of the estimated regression functions and predicted responses are studied. The performance of the method is evaluated by extensive simulations and a real data analysis application on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Food system resilience measurement: principles, framework and caveats
Authors: Béné Christophe , Frankenberger Timothy R. , Nelson Suzanne , Constas Mark Alexander , Collins Gregory , Langworthy Mark , Fox Karyn
Published: November 2023

There is growing recognition that a better understanding of how food systems respond to crises is critical to build and protect the food security of local populations. But rigorous and reliable methods to measure food system resilience are still missing. In this paper, we build on the current literature to develop an analytical framework aimed at assessing the resilience of food systems at local level. The novel element of the analysis lies in the levels at which resilience is considered. Combining the individual actor level with the notion of 'emergent properties' of food systems, we argue that the overall resilience of food system results from processes that take place – and need to be measured – at both individual and system levels. The framework is structured around three components: (i) the mapping of the actors and the local food system; (ii) the assessment of the resilience of these actors and that of the food system, and (iii) the outcomes of this resilience, assessed in term of local population’s food security. For each of those components, indicators are proposed and the ways to collect them are discussed. The paper then presents the types of analyses that would be necessary to complete to gain a better understanding of the situation regarding the resilience of the local food system under consideration, including the analysis of “positive deviance” among food system actors. The paper concludes with a series of reflections about the caveats and challenges that one may face when attempting to assess food system resilience.
Drawing as a Pedagogical Resource for Immigrant Children’s Stories About Belonging
Authors: Bateman Amanda , Mitchell Linda
Published: November 2023

This article explores how drawing, facilitated by teacher prompts, provides opportunities for children to communicate their new connections in and sense of belonging with Aotearoa New Zealand, whilst sustaining connections with people and experiences from their home country. We use an ethnomethodological framework (Garfinkel, 1967) and a conversation analysis approach (Sacks et al., 1974) to explore spontaneous interactions between children and early childhood teachers around drawing activities. Four children, aged 3 and 4 years and who are from immigrant backgrounds, are the focus for the article. They participated with their families as case studies in research about the role of early childhood education in strengthening belonging for refugee and immigrant families (Mitchell et al., 2018). Families selected for case studies were of differing ethnicities, had come to Aotearoa New Zealand as refugees or immigrants, and wanted to participate in the research. The examples here involve the children restricting their talk to include only the characters they have drawn, demonstrating drawing as a unique resource which restricts possible unintentional ‘hijacking’ (Davis & Peters, 2008). Our findings demonstrate how touch and talk intertwine to co-construct a sequential unfolding of a story where characters are identified prior to the child telling about activities and location. As such, the drawings act as tangible resources which facilitate talk about an abstract concept such as belonging. ‘Slow pedagogies’ and a dedicated space for uninterrupted work with small groups were other facilitating features.