bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glial cell alterations in diabetes-induced neurodegeneration
Authors: Llorián-Salvador María , Cabeza-Fernández Sonia , Gomez-Sanchez Jose A. , de la Fuente Alerie G.
Published: January 2024

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a global epidemic that due to its increasing prevalence worldwide will likely become the most common debilitating health condition. Even if diabetes is primarily a metabolic disorder, it is now well established that key aspects of the pathogenesis of diabetes are associated with nervous system alterations, including deleterious chronic inflammation of neural tissues, referred here as neuroinflammation, along with different detrimental glial cell responses to stress conditions and neurodegenerative features. Moreover, diabetes resembles accelerated aging, further increasing the risk of developing age-linked neurodegenerative disorders. As such, the most common and disabling diabetic comorbidities, namely diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and cognitive decline, are intimately associated with neurodegeneration. As described in aging and other neurological disorders, glial cell alterations such as microglial, astrocyte, and Müller cell increased reactivity and dysfunctionality, myelin loss and Schwann cell alterations have been broadly described in diabetes in both human and animal models, where they are key contributors to chronic noxious inflammation of neural tissues within the PNS and CNS. In this review, we aim to describe in-depth the common and unique aspects underlying glial cell changes observed across the three main diabetic complications, with the goal of uncovering shared glial cells alterations and common pathological mechanisms that will enable the discovery of potential targets to limit neuroinflammation and prevent neurodegeneration in all three diabetic complications. Diabetes and its complications are already a public health concern due to its rapidly increasing incidence, and thus its health and economic impact. Hence, understanding the key role that glial cells play in the pathogenesis underlying peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and cognitive decline in diabetes will provide us with novel therapeutic approaches to tackle diabetic-associated neurodegeneration.

Graphical abstract
Efficacy of Warm Acupuncture Therapy Combined with Kegel Exercise on Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Women
Authors: Dai Jinling , Jin Zhu , Zhang Xiaojin , Lian Feng , Tu Jie
Published: January 2024

Introduction and hypothesis

The objective was to observe the clinical efficacy of warm acupuncture combined with Kegel exercise in treating postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction in women.

Methods

A total of 70 primiparous women with postpartum pelvic floor muscle (PFM) injury were randomly divided into a combination group (n = 35, receiving warm acupuncture at Zhibian (BL54) acupoint and Kegel exercise) and a sham control group (n = 35, receiving sham warm acupuncture and Kegel exercise). Both groups were treated three times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. The recovery of PFM strength and changes in Urethral Rotation Angle (URA), Bladder Neck Descent (BND), and Retrovesical Angle (RVA) in pelvic floor ultrasound reports, the scores of pelvic floor dysfunction-related questionnaires, and the efficacy of urinary incontinence treatment of the two groups were compared before and after treatment.

Results

After treatment, the recovery rates of type I and II PFM strength, pelvic floor ultrasound parameters, pelvic floor dysfunction-related scale scores, and urinary incontinence treatment efficacy in the combination group were significantly better than those in the sham control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Warm acupuncture combined with Kegel exercise can significantly improve PFM strength and promote the recovery of postpartum pelvic floor function in women.
Trans-equatorial migration links oceanic frontal habitats across the Pacific Ocean: year-round movements and foraging activity of a small gadfly petrel
Authors: Clay Thomas A. , Brooke M. de L.
Published: January 2024

Gadfly petrels are among the widest-ranging birds and inhabit oceanic regions beyond the legislative protection of national jurisdictions (the High Seas). Detailed information on breeding phenology, at-sea distributions, and habitat requirements is crucial for understanding threats and designing conservation measures for this highly threatened group. We tracked 10 Stejneger’s petrels Pterodroma longirostris, endemic to Isla Alejandro Selkirk, Juan Fernández Islands in the southeast Pacific Ocean, with geolocator-immersion loggers over two years to examine year-round movements, phenology, habitat use, and activity patterns. Birds conducted round-trip trans-equatorial migrations of 54,725 km to the northwest Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Japan. Across the boreal summer, birds followed the c. 1000 km northward movement of the North Pacific Transition Zone Chlorophyll Front, before their return migration which took a long detour south toward New Zealand before heading east at 40–50°S, presumably benefitting from Antarctic circumpolar winds. To our knowledge, a comparable triangular migration is unique among seabirds. During the pre-laying exodus, birds traveled southwest to the Sub-Antarctic Front, and unlike congeners, there was no evidence of sexual segregation. Foraging areas during incubation were similar to pre-laying, with trips lasting 13 d and taking birds up to 4810 km southwest of the colony. Petrels spent > 75% of their time flying during breeding and migration, yet flight activity was substantially lower during non-breeding, presumably due to flight feather molt. Birds spent 87% of their time at sea within the High Seas and their apparent preference for oceanic frontal regions demonstrates the importance of protecting these remote habitats.
High-angular resolution diffusion imaging generation using 3d u-net
Authors: Suzuki Yuichi , Ueyama Tsuyoshi , Sakata Kentarou , Kasahara Akihiro , Iwanaga Hideyuki , Yasaka Koichiro , Abe Osamu
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To investigate the effects on tractography of artificial intelligence-based prediction of motion-probing gradients (MPGs) in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Methods

The 251 participants in this study were patients with brain tumors or epileptic seizures who underwent MRI to depict tractography. DWI was performed with 64 MPG directions and b = 0 s/mm2 images. The dataset was divided into a training set of 191 (mean age 45.7 [± 19.1] years), a validation set of 30 (mean age 41.6 [± 19.1] years), and a test set of 30 (mean age 49.6 [± 18.3] years) patients. Supervised training of a convolutional neural network was performed using b = 0 images and the first 32 axes of MPG images as the input data and the second 32 axes as the reference data. The trained model was applied to the test data, and tractography was performed using (a) input data only; (b) input plus prediction data; and (c) b = 0 images and the 64 MPG data (as a reference).

Results

In Q-ball imaging tractography, the average dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of the input plus prediction data was 0.715 (± 0.064), which was significantly higher than that of the input data alone (0.697 [± 0.070]) (p < 0.05). In generalized q-sampling imaging tractography, the average DSC of the input plus prediction data was 0.769 (± 0.091), which was also significantly higher than that of the input data alone (0.738 [± 0.118]) (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Diffusion tractography is improved by adding predicted MPG images generated by an artificial intelligence model.
[68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT for locoregional lymph node staging in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder prior to cystectomy: initial experiences from a pilot analysis
Authors: Unterrainer Lena M. , Eismann Lennert , Lindner Simon , Gildehaus Franz-Josef , Toms Johannes , Casuscelli Jozefina , Holzgreve Adrien , Kunte Sophie C. , Cyran Clemens C. , Menold Paula , Karl Alexander , Unterrainer Marcus , Ledderose Stephan T. , Stief Christian G. , Bartenstein Peter , Kretschmer Alexander , Schulz Gerald B.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

[68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT is a novel hybrid imaging method that previously showed additional diagnostic value in the assessment of distant urothelial carcinoma lesions. We hypothesized that patients with bladder cancer benefit from [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT prior to radical cystectomy for locoregional lymph node staging.

Materials and methods

Eighteen patients underwent [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT for evaluation of lymph node (LN) status in predefined LN regions. Two hundred twenty-nine intraoperatively removed LN served as histopathological reference standard.

Results

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) spread was found in ten LN in seven different regions (14.3%). Hereby, [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT was positive in four out of seven regions (57.1%) and showed significantly increased FAPI uptake compared to non-pathological regions. In the remaining three out of seven (42.9%) regions, [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT was rated negative since no pathological increased FAPI uptake was detected or the proximity of the urinary tract prevented a differentiation from physiological uptake. CT was inconspicuous in these three regions. In total, two FAP-positive LN regions were found without histopathological counterpart. Overall, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 57.1%, 95.2%, 66.7%, and 93.0% for PET imaging.

Conclusion

In summary, this innovative [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT method showed high specificity and negative predictive value in patients with bladder UC with a future potential to optimize therapy planning.
Molecular image–guided surgery in gynaecological cancer: where do we stand?
Authors: Pisano Giusi , Wendler Thomas , Valdés Olmos Renato A. , Garganese Giorgia , Rietbergen Daphne D. D. , Giammarile Francesco , Vidal-Sicart Sergi , Oonk Maaike H. M. , Frumovitz Michael , Abu-Rustum Nadeem R. , Scambia Giovanni , Rufini Vittoria , Collarino Angela
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The aim of this review is to give an overview of the current status of molecular image–guided surgery in gynaecological malignancies, from both clinical and technological points of view.

Methods

A narrative approach was taken to describe the relevant literature, focusing on clinical applications of molecular image–guided surgery in gynaecology, preoperative imaging as surgical roadmap, and intraoperative devices.

Results

The most common clinical application in gynaecology is sentinel node biopsy (SNB). Other promising approaches are receptor-target modalities and occult lesion localisation. Preoperative SPECT/CT and PET/CT permit a roadmap for adequate surgical planning. Intraoperative detection modalities span from 1D probes to 2D portable cameras and 3D freehand imaging.

Conclusion

After successful application of radio-guided SNB and SPECT, innovation is leaning towards hybrid modalities, such as hybrid tracer and fusion of imaging approaches including SPECT/CT and PET/CT. Robotic surgery, as well as augmented reality and virtual reality techniques, is leading to application of these innovative technologies to the clinical setting, guiding surgeons towards a precise, personalised, and minimally invasive approach.
Ziv-aflibercept plus pembrolizumab in patients with advanced melanoma resistant to anti-PD-1 treatment
Authors: Baginska Joanna , Nau Allison , Gomez Diaz Ilana , Giobbie-Hurder Anita , Weirather Jason , Vergara Juliana , Abrecht Charlotte , Hallisey Margaret , Dennis Jenna , Severgnini Mariano , Huezo Julia , Marciello Isabella , Rahma Osama , Manos Michael , Brohl Andrew S. , Bedard Philippe L. , Renouf Daniel J. , Sharon Elad , Streicher Howard , Ott Patrick A. , Buchbinder Elizabeth I. , Hodi F. Stephen
Published: January 2024

Background

Vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with reduced immune response and impaired anti-tumor activity. Combining antiangiogenic agents with immune checkpoint inhibition can overcome this immune suppression and enhance treatment efficacy.

Methods

This study investigated the combination of ziv-aflibercept anti-angiogenic therapy with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced melanoma resistant to anti-PD-1 treatment. Baseline and on-treatment plasma and PBMC samples were analyzed by multiplex protein assay and mass cytometry, respectively.

Results

In this Phase 1B study (NCT02298959), ten patients with advanced PD-1-resistant melanoma were treated with a combination of ziv-aflibercept (at 2–4 mg/kg) plus pembrolizumab (at 2 mg/kg), administered intravenously every 2 weeks. Two patients (20%) achieved a partial response, and two patients (20%) experienced stable disease (SD) as the best response. The two responders had mucosal melanoma, while both patients with SD had ocular melanoma. The combination therapy demonstrated clinical activity and acceptable safety, despite the occurrence of adverse events. Changes in plasma analytes such as platelet-derived growth factor and PD-L1 were explored, indicating potential alterations in myeloid cell function. Higher levels of circulating CXCL10 in non-responding patients may reflect pro-tumor activity. Specific subsets of γδ T cells were associated with poor clinical outcomes, suggesting impaired γδ T-cell function in non-responding patients.

Conclusions

Although limited by sample size and follow-up, these findings highlight the potential of the combination of ziv-aflibercept antiangiogenic therapy with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced melanoma resistant to anti-PD-1 treatment and the need for further research to improve outcomes in anti-PD-1-resistant melanoma.

Trial registration number

NCT02298959.
Immobilization of Thermoplasma acidophilum Glucose Dehydrogenase and Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Through Enzyme-Inorganic Hybrid Nanocrystal Formation
Authors: Oshima Shusuke , Oku Yuri , T.sriwong Kotchakorn , Kimura Yutaro , Matsuda Tomoko
Published: January 2024

The development of green catalysts, specifically biocatalysts, is crucial for building a sustainable society. To enhance the versatility of biocatalysts, the immobilization of enzymes plays a vital role as it improves their recyclability and robustness. As target enzymes to immobilize, glucose dehydrogenases and carboxylases are particularly important among various kinds of enzymes due to their involvement in two significant reactions: regeneration of the reduced form of coenzyme required for various reactions, and carboxylation reactions utilizing CO2 as a substrate, respectively. In this study, we immobilized Thermoplasma acidophilum glucose dehydrogenase (TaGDH) and T. acidophilum isocitrate dehydrogenase (TaIDH) using a previously reported method involving the formation of enzyme-inorganic hybrid nanocrystals, in the course of our continuing study focusing on carboxylation catalyzed by the free form of TaGDH and TaIDH. Subsequently, we investigated the properties of the resulting immobilized enzymes. Our results indicate the successful immobilization of TaGDH and TaIDH through the formation of hybrid nanocrystals utilizing Mn2+. The immobilization process enhanced TaIDH activity, up to 211%, while TaGDH retained 71% of its original activity. Notably, the immobilized TaGDH exhibited higher activity at temperatures exceeding 87 °C than the free TaGDH. Moreover, these immobilized enzymes could be recycled. Finally, we successfully utilized the immobilized enzymes for the carboxylation of 2-ketoglutaric acid under 1 MPa CO2. In conclusion, this study represents the first immobilization of TaGDH and TaIDH using the hybrid nanocrystal forming method. Furthermore, we achieved significant activity enhancement of TaIDH through immobilization and demonstrated the recyclability of the immobilized enzymes.
Variation Among Japanese Miso Breweries in Indoor Microbiomes is Mainly Ascribed to Variation in Type of Indoor Surface
Authors: Koide Roger T. , Kanauchi Makoto , Hashimoto Yasushi
Published: January 2024

Miso is a microbially-fermented soybean food. The miso brewery indoor microbiome contributes to miso fermentation. Japanese breweries are not climate-controlled, so indoor spaces are strongly affected by the prevailing climate. Because climate influences microorganism distribution, our first hypothesis is that latitude, as a proxy for climate, is a major determinant of brewery indoor microbiome structure. Breweries vary in interior surface materials and in the way operations (steaming, processing, fermenting) are apportioned among rooms. Therefore, our second hypothesis is that more variability in indoor microbiomes exists among breweries than can be ascribed to a latitudinal gradient. Most miso produced today is inoculated with commercial microbial strains to standardize fermentation. If commercial strains outcompete indigenous microbes for membership in the indoor microbiome, this practice may homogenize indoor microbiomes among regions or breweries. Therefore, our third hypothesis is that inoculant fungal species dominate indoor fungal communities and make it impossible to distinguish communities among breweries or across their latitudinal gradient. We tested these hypotheses by sampling indoor surfaces in several breweries across a latitudinal gradient in Japan. We found that latitude had a significant but relatively small impact on indoor fungal and bacterial communities, that the effect of brewery was large relative to latitude, and that inoculant fungi made such small contributions to the indoor microbiome that distinctions among breweries and along the latitudinal gradient remained apparent. Recently, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries specified fungal inoculants to standardize miso production. However, this may not be possible so long as the indoor microbiome remains uncontrolled.
Predicting comorbid mental health difficulties in people with autoimmune arthritis
Authors: Hibbs Caitlin A
Published: January 2024

Little is known about variables impacting the association between mental health difficulties and autoimmune conditions. This study investigates whether, age of onset, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and ‘illness invisibility’ predict comorbid mental health difficulties in people with autoimmune arthritis. Participants with autoimmune arthritis (N = 209) were recruited via social media platforms. Age of onset of arthritis and the temporal order of mental health difficulties (if applicable) were collected alongside a measure of personality and ACEs. A novel measure of illness invisibility was developed for this study. A cross-sectional mixed-subject design was utilised. 53.5% of the sample endorsed lifetime mental health difficulties. Logistic regression analyses revealed participants with a younger age of onset of arthritis had significantly higher odds of developing a mental health problem (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.90–0.96). Independently, Illness Invisibility, endorsed by 89.9% of participants, significantly predicted postmorbid mental health difficulties (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01–1.19). Adverse Childhood Experiences were frequently endorsed within the sample with 37.8% reporting ≥ 3 cumulative ACEs. Every unit increase in ACEs increased the odds of having comorbid mental health difficulties (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.09–1.47). Young people who are diagnosed with autoimmune arthritis maybe more likely to experience subsequent mental health difficulties. The ‘invisibility’ of their illness and exposure to ACEs also is associated with their risk for mental health complications. These findings highlight the importance of mental health screening for young people being investigated for arthritis and interdisciplinary care, especially for young people.
Cerebrospinal fluid–lymphatic fistula in a child with generalized lymphatic anomaly treated with targeted blood patch — a rare case report and review of the literature
Authors: Frič Radek , Heier Ingvild , Züchner Mark , Gjertsen Øivind , Rezai Mehran
Published: January 2024

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension may result in debilitating postural headaches and severe neurological symptoms due to secondary cerebellar sagging. The most common cause is the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak within the spinal canal. Although previously reported in only a few cases, also paraspinal lymphatic malformations causing vertebral bone destruction may occasionally result in CSF leak to these pathological formations. Here, we present a case of a 9-year-old girl with generalized lymphatic anomaly (GLA) presenting with severe postural headache. Radiological imaging revealed a typical feature of cerebellar sagging. Myelography localized the CSF leakage into vertebral bodies of C7 and Th1, which both were partly involved in pathological paravertebral masses of known lymphatic anomaly, and from there along the right C8 nerve root sleeve into the anomaly. As the C8-nerve root could not be ligated due to the risk of significant neurological injury, we attempted image-guided targeted percutaneous epidural placement of a blood patch directly into the foramen at the affected level. The procedure resulted in obliteration of the fistula and regression of cerebellar sagging, with significant relief of symptoms. Although it is an extremely rare coincidence, patients with paraspinal lymphatic malformations may develop intraspinal CSF leak into these pathological formations. The present case report suggests that besides a direct surgical obliteration of the fistula and sacrificing the nerve root, a targeted percutaneous epidural blood patch may be a possible alternative in the case of a functionally important nerve root.
Multisensory hallucinations and other unusual sensory experiences in the context of migraine: a systematic review
Authors: Li Yixuan , Yolland Caitlin O. B. , Rossell Susan L. , Sommer Iris E. C. , Toh Wei Lin
Published: January 2024

Objective and background

Visual auras in migraine have been extensively studied, but less is known about multisensory hallucinations or other unusual sensory experiences, including whether these should be diagnostically considered as part of aura symptoms. The current study aimed to conduct a systematic review and synthesis to bring together existing empirical evidence on these non-visual perceptual experiences, focusing on their phenomenological descriptions and clinical correlates.

Methods

Forty-eight relevant studies were included based on a systematic search across PsycINFO APA and Web of Science, for peer-reviewed publications in the English language, from 1980 to the present. These comprised a mix of case reports/series (n = 19) and group design studies (n = 29).

Results

Reports of complex multisensory hallucinations, beyond typical established aura symptoms, were numerous and varied in nature. Yet there were limited data on how this related to patient distress and functional interference. Other sensory distortions or hypersensitivities across non-visual domains were also evident, and generally more common in those with established aura symptoms.

Conclusion

Our findings provide preliminary evidence that multisensory hallucinations and other unusual perceptual experiences in migraine are likely more common than previously believed. Further investigations are needed to appropriately account for these symptoms within current nosological systems. Increased clinician–patient awareness is important for managing distress (where necessary), and potentially for offering a holistic therapeutic approach to migraine management.
Long-term survival of stage IV melanoma patients: evaluation on 640 melanoma patients entering stage IV between 2014 and 2017
Authors: Reitmajer Markus , Leiter Ulrike , Nanz Lena , Amaral Teresa , Flatz Lukas , Garbe Claus , Forschner Andrea
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Since the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and targeted therapies (TT), survival rates of metastatic melanoma patients have increased significantly and complete remissions are no longer rarities. Consequently, there is an increasing number of long-term survivors who have not yet been comprehensively characterized.

Methods

We included melanoma patients who entered stage IV between 2014 and 2017 and survived at least 5 years after entering stage IV. Descriptive statistics were performed to characterize the applied systemic therapies, response rates and to report which of these patients are still alive today.

Results

640 patients entered stage IV at the University Hospital Tuebingen. Of these, 207 patients (32%) were still alive at least 5 years after entering stage IV. Details of applied therapies and response rates were available in 176 patients (85%). About 90% of patients (n = 159) were still alive at the time of analysis. Median survival since first stage IV diagnosis was 6.0 years (range 5–9 years). An impressive majority of patients (n = 146, 83%) were no longer receiving systemic therapy at the time of evaluation. Complete remission under first line systemic therapy was seen in 36% of the patients.

Conclusion

This dataset comprises the largest available cohort of long-term surviving stage IV melanoma patients. Since 90% of patients in our cohort are still alive today, we expect an increasing number of long-term survivors in the future. Our data indicate the need for specific follow-up programs addressing the needs of long-term survivors.
Deep encoder–decoder network based data-driven method for impact feedback rendering on head during earthquake
Authors: Joolee Joolekha Bibi , Hashem Mohammad Shadman , Hassan Waseem , Jeon Seokhee
Published: January 2024

In safety training simulators, realistic haptic feedback is essential to make people construct accurate situation awareness through experiencing. In this regard, this paper presents a new and innovative system that provides the haptic experience of falling objects on user’s head during an earthquake. Special focus was on the accurate reproduction of impact feedback when various objects fall on the head. To this end, we propose a novel data-driven approach. This approach first collects 3-axis acceleration signals during real collision under several impact velocities. Afterward, 3D acceleration data is abstracted to a 1D acceleration profile using our novel max–min extraction approach. The impact signal for an arbitrary velocity is interpolated using a deep convolutional bidirectional long short-term memory encoder–decoder model. Rendering hardware is also implemented using high performance voice-coil vibrotactile actuator. Numerical and subjective evaluations are carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach.Kindly check and confirm the edit made in the title.I confirm the edit is okay.Please confirm if the author names are presented accurately and in the correct sequence (given name, middle name/initial, family name). Authors Given name: [Joolekha Bibi] Last name: [Joolee], Given name: [Mohammad Shadman] Last name: [Hashem]. Also, kindly confirm the details in the metadata are correct.Yes, the author names are presented accurately and in the correct sequence.
2-D Modeling of hyperconcentrated fluid flow in curvilinear coordinates: dam break study
Authors: Ghobadian Rasool
Published: January 2024

The hyperconcentrated fluid flow occurs as a result of heavy rainfall, during which a large amount of sediments from the upstream basin is washed away and suddenly increases the flow concentration of the alluvial channels. The stresses exerted by this type of fluid on the bed and body of the stream/river and related structures such as dam lead to the failure them and cause many human and financial losses. One of the important topics in the simulation of dam break caused by non-Newtonian fluid flow is the modeling of frictional stresses. In this research, after collecting several relationships to model the coefficient of friction loss of non-Newtonian fluid, a two-dimensional model was developed based on the numerical solution of shallow water equations in curvilinear coordinates to simulate hyperconcentrated flow. The results of the validation of the model were presented by comparing the measurement data of the suddenly complete dam break caused by the non-Newtonian fluid flow in the form of graphs, which all emphasize the accuracy of the developed model. It was also shown that for a suddenly complete dam break, with an increase in fluid volume concentration from 13.8 to 36.4%, the flow depth at the failure site increases by 18.8%. Next, asymmetric two-dimensional partial dam break of non-Newtonian fluid was simulated and compared with the results of Newtonian fluid. The results showed that the maximum flow velocity in the center of the fracture wall for the non-Newtonian fluid with a concentration of 32.2% is less than half of the maximum velocity of the Newtonian fluid.
Variety mixtures of winter wheat: a general status and national case study
Authors: Vestergaard Niels Frederik , Jørgensen Lise Nistrup
Published: January 2024

Food and feed production worldwide heavily relies on wheat (Triticum aestivum). However, current agricultural practices face numerous challenges including a shortage of land for cultivation, a desire to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and the development of resistance towards employed pesticides and virulence towards host resistance in the most widely grown varieties. In this paper, we demonstrate based on the literature that cultivating wheat variety mixtures generally leads to increased yield and yield stability across years and environments, reduced severity of multiple diseases, and a decreased risk of lodging before harvest compared to the cultivation of pure stands. Moreover, mixtures may delay fungicide resistance development and increase genetic diversity, ultimately prolonging the durability of resistance genes. Furthermore, growing mixtures may lower the risk of crop failure due to more extreme weather events and lead to better utilization of water and nutrients. We discuss a Danish case study advocating the cropping of wheat varieties in mixtures as an example of how variety mixtures can be utilized in integrated pest management strategies. The study shows that if all involved stakeholder groups promote the adoption of variety mixtures, a major uptake by farmers can be reached, potentially reducing the dependency on pesticides in current cropping schemes.
Allosuckling in southern right whale calves
Authors: Sprogis Kate R. , Christiansen Fredrik
Published: January 2024

Allosuckling, the suckling of milk from a non-biological mother, occurs in some species of mammals. Allosuckling has not been quantified in baleen whale calves; therefore, we examine allosuckling in southern right whales (SRWs; Eubalaena australis) off Australia. SRWs are listed as Endangered under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act as their numbers remain below the estimated historical abundance. On a small aggregation area, where there were three mother–calf pairs present, we aimed to quantify the proportion of time that calves allosuckled relative to the time spent filial suckling. To achieve this, we conducted unmanned aerial vehicle focal follows on mother–calf pairs and video recorded all interactions among pairs (n = 22 interactions, 3 h total observation time). During interactions, allosuckling occurred in seven interactions, and filial nursing occurred in 11 interactions. One of the calves performed allosuckling, and it was the largest calf with the largest mother. The calf allosuckled from both of the non-biological mothers present. The average proportion of time allosuckling per interaction was 4% (95% CI =  ± 0.01, range = 0–0.25), whilst filial nursing for the same calf was 8% (95% CI =  ± 0.02, range = 0–0.37). It is important to understand the frequency of allosuckling, and to quantify the energetic benefits for allosuckling calves and the energetic cost incurred by targeted non-biological mothers. This is particularly pertinent for capital breeders who do not replenish lost energy reserves until they migrate to their feeding grounds.
The Manin–Peyre conjecture for smooth spherical Fano varieties of semisimple rank one
Authors: Blomer Valentin , Brüdern Jörg , Derenthal Ulrich , Gagliardi Giuliano
Published: January 2024

The Manin–Peyre conjecture is established for a class of smooth spherical Fano varieties of semisimple rank one. This includes all smooth spherical Fano threefolds of type T as well as some higher-dimensional smooth spherical Fano varieties.
OPTICALLY STIMULATED LUMINESCENCE (OSL) MORTAR DATING INTER-COMPARISON STUDY. THE SECOND ROUND OF MODIS, MORTAR DATING INTER-COMPARISON STUDY
Authors: Urbanová Petra , Panzeri Laura , Sanjurjo-Sánchez Jorge , Martini Marco , Maspero Francesco , Guibert Pierre , Galli Anna
Published: January 2024

After an intercomparison age experiment carried out in the framework of the first MODIS (MOrtar Dating Inter-comparison Study) project, the results showed general agreement both between optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating laboratories and with radiocarbon (14C) dating results. As the needs for the selection of samples convenient for an inter-comparison are not the same between 14C and OSL, for the second running, it has been decided to choose two different sample sets, one to share between the radiocarbon labs and one for the OSL dating ones. The results obtained by applying different experimental protocols (multigrain and single grain techniques) and different statistical models (weighted mean, central age mode, average dose model, minimum age model and exponential exposure dose) are discussed in this work.
Oncological and functional outcomes in T3 and T4 laryngeal cancer patients: choice for larynx preservation or total laryngectomy based on expected laryngeal function
Authors: Nobacht Arman , Meijer Tineke W H , Oosting Sjoukje F , van der Vegt Bert , Wedman Jan , Halmos György B , Plaat Boudewijn E C
Published: January 2024

Objective

To determine oncological and functional outcomes in patients with T3 and T4 laryngeal carcinoma, in which choice of treatment was based on expected laryngeal function and not T classification.

Methods

Oncological outcomes (disease-specific survival and overall survival) as well as functional outcomes (larynx preservation and functional larynx preservation) were analysed.

Results

In 130 T3 and 59 T4 patients, there was no difference in disease-specific survival or overall survival rates after radiotherapy (RT) (107 patients), chemoradiotherapy (36 patients) and total laryngectomy (46 patients). The five-year disease-specific survival rates were 83 per cent after RT, 78 per cent after chemoradiotherapy and 69 per cent after total laryngectomy, whereas overall survival rates were 62, 54 and 60 per cent, respectively. Five-year larynx preservation and functional larynx preservation rates were comparable for RT (79 and 66 per cent, respectively) and chemoradiotherapy (86 and 62 per cent, respectively).

Conclusion

There is no difference in oncological outcome after (chemo)radiotherapy or total laryngectomy in T3 and T4 laryngeal carcinoma patients whose choice of treatment was based on expected laryngeal function.
Systems thinking for better social policy: a case study in financial wellbeing
Authors: Brown Jeremiah Thomas , Noone Jack , Salignac Fanny
Published: January 2024

Social problems are becoming increasingly complex. Policymakers, thus, cannot solve these issues with a single policy instrument. For example, while decades of research have examined the individual factors that influence financial stress, less is known about how organisations, social structures, policies, social norms, and large-scale events interact to affect one’s financial wellbeing. Using a systems approach as the basis of our conceptualisation, we put forward a theoretical model to help policymakers and practitioners to address the root causes of such complex issues. We argue that extant literature does not adequately conceptualise the complex relationships between the micro, meso, and macro-level drivers of financial wellbeing. As a result, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners are under-resourced when it comes to designing interventions to improve individuals’ financial situations. We use the examples of affordable housing and social security policy to highlight the utility of a systems approach. In doing so we contribute to ongoing debates by putting forward a model of financial wellbeing in the context of Western countries (specifically Australia) that can better incorporate the moderating, mediating, and reciprocal relationships between financial wellbeing and its drivers.
EMPRESA Y DISTRITO. LA INDUSTRIA LANERA EN LA SEGOVIA ÁUREA
Authors: Vela Santamaría Francisco Javier
Published: January 2024

The aim of our paper is to study some aspects of the textile industry of the city of Segovia and its land in the second half of the 16th century, interpreting them through spatial economy theories and specifically the industrial district approach. It is about seeing the competitive advantages of the integration and diffusion of the business organization in its geographical framework. The district's competitive advantages are linked to both transaction and production costs. One of them is to maximize the benefits of labor market segmentation with the emergence of a primary market for skilled labor. Another is the ease of diffusion of both technology and organizational and commercial techniques.
Exploring the world of food with families: perspectives of low-income families on factors influencing their food choices
Authors: Vaughan Elena , Spyreli Eleni , McKinley Michelle , Hennessy Marita , Woodside Jayne , Kelly Colette
Published: January 2024

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the social and environmental factors involved in the food decision-making processes of families living on lower incomes on the Island of Ireland.

Design:

A qualitative design was employed for this study, using photovoice and creative mapping methods. Parents were requested to take photos and draw maps of their food environments. Interviews were then conducted with parents, using the materials produced by parents as a cue to discuss their food environments, influences and decision-making processes around food choices.

Setting:

The participants were interviewed online via Microsoft Teams.

Participants:

The participants were parents or guardians of children between the ages of 2 and 18 who self-defined as ‘living on a tight budget’.

Results:

Twenty-eight participants were recruited and interviewed for this study, including twelve parents in Northern Ireland and sixteen in the Republic of Ireland. The findings were mapped on to Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and showed that multiple, overlapping and intersecting factors at the individual, micro-, meso-, exo-, macro- and chrono-system were implicated in family food choices. Upstream factors in particular, including structural, policy and commercial determinants, appear to be significant drivers of behaviour.

Conclusions:

While the findings suggest that a complex range of factors are involved in family food choices, it is clear that policy measures and regulations are needed to stave off the impacts of rising social inequality and food poverty. Health promoters should strive to find non-stigmatising interventions to bridge the nutritional divide experienced by lower-income families.
Strukturierte Fallbesprechung bei Schlafproblemen von Pflegeheimbewohner_innen mit kognitiven Einschränkungen
Authors: Klatt Thomas , Bauer Ivonne , Behrendt Daniel , Berg Almuth
Published: January 2024

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Pflegeheimbewohner_innen mit kognitiven Einschränkungen leiden häufig unter Schlafproblemen. Medikamentöse Maßnahmen werden hierbei nicht als Therapie der ersten Wahl empfohlen. Generell steht zwar ein breites Spektrum an nicht-pharmakologischen Interventionen zur Verfügung, derzeit kann jedoch keine eindeutig geeignete Intervention benannt werden. Fragestellung/Ziel: Der Fallbericht stellt das Vorgehen einer strukturierten Analyse dar, um die Auswahl nicht-pharmakologischer Maßnahmen zur Schlafförderung zu unterstützen. Methoden: Entlang einer entwickelten Fallbearbeitungsmaske erfolgte eine strukturierte Fallbesprechung zur Erstellung eines individuellen Maßnahmenplans. Ergebnisse: Ausgehend von der Situationsbeschreibung und der Ursachensuche wurden verschiedene Maßnahmen aus sechs Kernbereichen geplant: „passende Aktivierungen am Tag anbieten“, „Gestaltung von Zu-Bett-Geh-Routinen“, „Überprüfung der Schlafumgebung“, „Beobachtung möglicher körperlicher und psychischer Ursachen“, „Reflexion nächtlicher Pflegeroutinen“ sowie „Anwendung von Schlafmedikation nur im Ausnahmefall“. Schlussfolgerungen: Für eine erfolgreiche Bearbeitung von Schlafproblemen bei Pflegeheimbewohner_innen mit kognitiven Einschränkungen ist es wesentlich, dass die konkreten schlafbezogenen Symptome sowie Ursachen systematisch und berufsübergreifend eingeschätzt werden, um mit passenden Maßnahmen auf eine Verbesserung hinarbeiten zu können. Um adäquate Lösungen zu finden, sollte dabei evidenzbasiertes Fachwissen einbezogen werden.
Investigating the Spatial and Temporal Limitations for Remote Sensing of Wildfire Smoke Using Satellite and Airborne Imagers During FIREX‐AQ
Authors: Shi Y. R. , Levy R. C. , Remer L. A. , Mattoo S. , Arnold G. T.
Published: January 2024

Starting from point sources, wildfire smoke is important in the global aerosol system. The ability to characterize smoke near‐source is key to modeling smoke dispersion and predicting air quality. With hemispheric views and 10‐min refresh, imagers in Geostationary (GEO) orbit have advantages monitoring smoke over once‐per‐day sensors in low‐earth orbit (LEO). However, both can be inadequate in capturing the characteristics of smoke plumes close to their sources due to too‐coarse spatial resolution (both detector and product resolution), too‐sparse temporal resolution (from LEO sensors), and too‐conservative masking. In addition to satellite observations, the Fire Influence on Regional to Global Environments and Air Quality experiment offered sub‐orbital enhanced‐MODIS Airborne Simulator (eMAS) imagery at 50 m pixel resolution—including multiple eMAS flight tracks over individual fires in short time periods. It provided opportunity to explore smoke plume characterization at various spatial and temporal scales and quantify the limitations of space sensors for describing smoke magnitude near source as well as its temporal evolution. Here we applied modified aerosol algorithm to different imagers, relaxing its masking to estimate smoke's aerosol optical depth (AOD) as close as possible to its source. We found that GEO sensors with nominal 1 km spatial resolution can match the much finer resolution eMAS retrieved mean plume AOD, as long as the retrieval spatial resolution is finer than the width of the plumes. However, the plume's maximum AOD may be drastically underestimated by satellite products.
Polygenic scores for tobacco use provide insights into systemic health risks in a diverse EHR-linked biobank in Los Angeles
Authors: Venkateswaran Vidhya , Boulier Kristin , Ding Yi , Johnson Ruth , Bhattacharya Arjun , Pasaniuc Bogdan
Published: January 2024

Tobacco use is a major risk factor for many diseases and is heavily influenced by environmental factors with significant underlying genetic contributions. Here, we evaluated the predictive performance, risk stratification, and potential systemic health effects of tobacco use disorder (TUD) predisposing germline variants using a European- ancestry-derived polygenic score (PGS) in 24,202 participants from the multi-ancestry, hospital-based UCLA ATLAS biobank. Among genetically inferred ancestry groups (GIAs), TUD-PGS was significantly associated with TUD in European American (EA) (OR: 1.20, CI: [1.16, 1.24]), Hispanic/Latin American (HL) (OR:1.19, CI: [1.11, 1.28]), and East Asian American (EAA) (OR: 1.18, CI: [1.06, 1.31]) GIAs but not in African American (AA) GIA (OR: 1.04, CI: [0.93, 1.17]). Similarly, TUD-PGS offered strong risk stratification across PGS quantiles in EA and HL GIAs and inconsistently in EAA and AA GIAs. In a cross-ancestry phenome-wide association meta-analysis, TUD-PGS was associated with cardiometabolic, respiratory, and psychiatric phecodes (17 phecodes at P < 2.7E-05). In individuals with no history of smoking, the top TUD-PGS associations with obesity and alcohol-related disorders (P = 3.54E-07, 1.61E-06) persist. Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis provides evidence of a causal association between adiposity measures and tobacco use. Inconsistent predictive performance of the TUD-PGS across GIAs motivates the inclusion of multiple ancestry populations at all levels of genetic research of tobacco use for equitable clinical translation of TUD-PGS. Phenome associations suggest that TUD-predisposed individuals may require comprehensive tobacco use prevention and management approaches to address underlying addictive tendencies.
Diminished social motivation in early psychosis is associated with polygenic liability for low vitamin D
Authors: Hatzimanolis Alex , Tosato Sarah , Ruggeri Mirella , Cristofalo Doriana , Mantonakis Leonidas , Xenaki Lida-Alkisti , Dimitrakopoulos Stefanos , Selakovic Mirjana , Foteli Stefania , Kosteletos Ioannis , Vlachos Ilias , Soldatos Rigas-Filippos , Nianiakas Nikos , Ralli Irene , Kollias Konstantinos , Ntigrintaki Angeliki-Aikaterini , Stefanatou Pentagiotissa , Murray Robin M. , Vassos Evangelos , Stefanis Nikos C.
Published: January 2024

Insufficiency of vitamin D levels often occur in individuals with schizophrenia and first-episode psychosis (FEP). However, it is unknown whether this represents a biological predisposition, or it is essentially driven by illness-related alterations in lifestyle habits. Lower vitamin D has also been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes and predominant negative psychotic symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of polygenic risk score for circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration (PRS-vitD) to symptom presentation among individuals with FEP enrolled in the Athens First-Episode Psychosis Research Study (AthensFEPn = 205) and the Psychosis Incident Cohort Outcome Study (PICOSn = 123). The severity of psychopathology was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale at baseline and follow-up assessments (AthensFEP: 4-weeks follow-up, PICOS: 1-year follow-up). Premorbid intelligence and adjustment domains were also examined as proxy measures of neurodevelopmental deviations. An inverse association between PRS-vitD and severity of negative symptoms, in particular lack of social motivation, was detected in the AthensFEP at baseline (adjusted R2 = 0.04,p < 0.001) and follow-up (adjusted R2 = 0.03,p < 0.01). The above observation was independently validated in PICOS at follow-up (adjusted R2 = 0.06,p < 0.01). No evidence emerged for a relationship between PRS-vitD and premorbid measures of intelligence and adjustment, likely not supporting an impact of lower PRS-vitD on developmental trajectories related to psychotic illness. These findings suggest that polygenic vulnerability to reduced vitamin D impairs motivation and social interaction in individuals with FEP, thereby interventions that encourage outdoor activities and social engagement in this patient group might attenuate enduring negative symptoms.