bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Speed of the Downstream Turbulent Front in Pipe Flow
Authors: Song Baofang , Xu Duo
Published: December 2024

The mechanism that determines the propagation speed of the upstream turbulent front of pipe flow turbulence has been proposed recently in our earlier work. It states that the local flow speed at the most upstream tip of the front, where transition to turbulence takes place, determines the global propagation speed of the front. The key was shown to be determining the radial position of the transition point, which can be approximated by the radial position of low-speed streaks at the front tip. In this paper, we will verify whether or not this mechanism also applies to the downstream front. However, the transition is not through near wall streaks, but takes place near the pipe center at the downstream front tip. Through an energy budget analysis in the front region, we managed to determine the position of the transition point, and our results suggest that the mechanism indeed also applies to the downstream front.
On Low-Scalar Patches in Turbulent Wakes with and Without Free-Stream Turbulence
Authors: Kohan Khashayar F. , Buxton Oliver R. H. , Gaskin Susan J.
Published: December 2024

High-resolution, time-resolved, simultaneous particle image velocimetry and planar laser-induced fluorescence are performed to study the characteristics of the low-scalar ‘holes’ in a planar wake exposed to various cases of background turbulence as parameterized by the turbulence intensity and length scale. Several metrics are employed to distinguish the engulfed holes from those generated internally. It is found that beyond a transition distance of 18 Kolmogorov microscales from the wake boundary, holes exhibit comparable behaviour to the wake core, suggesting their generation by local turbulence. It is further revealed that engulfment constitutes less than 1% of the total mass flux in the far-field, regardless of the strength of incoming turbulence intensity.
A Corpus-Based Study of the Externality of Emotions in Swahili and Japanese
Authors: Kahumburu Monica , Matsumoto Yo
Published: December 2024

This chapter discusses cultural conceptualization of emotions. Specifically, we examine various ways in which emotions are metaphorically conceptualized as external entities such as an outer force or an entity coming into an experiencer (Kahumburu in Rev Cogn Linguist 14:416–441, 2016). Based on corpus data retrieved for five different Swahili and Japanese nouns of emotion, we show that in both languages, many emotions are depicted as externally originating. At the same time, these two languages differ in the way such expressions are adopted for particular emotions (e.g., anger can be conceptualized primarily as externally originating in Swahili and internally originating in Japanese). Moreover, the two languages differ in adopting different types of external entities (e.g., sadness is typically conceptualized as an entity moving into an experiencer in Swahili, but frequently as liquid surrounding an experiencer in Japanese). We further suggest some cultural/environmental backgrounds for the preferred use of certain types in Swahili and Japanese.
Golgi pH elevation due to loss of V-ATPase subunit V0a2 function correlates with tissue-specific glycosylation changes and globozoospermia
Authors: Kopp Johannes , Jahn Denise , Vogt Guido , Psoma Anthi , Ratto Edoardo , Morelle Willy , Stelzer Nina , Hausser Ingrid , Hoffmann Anne , de los Santos Miguel Rodriguez , Koch Leonard A. , Fischer-Zirnsak Björn , Thiel Christian , Palm Wilhelm , Meierhofer David , van den Bogaart Geert , Foulquier François , Meinhardt Andreas , Kornak Uwe
Published: December 2024

Loss-of-function variants in ATP6V0A2, encoding the trans Golgi V-ATPase subunit V0a2, cause wrinkly skin syndrome (WSS), a connective tissue disorder with glycosylation defects and aberrant cortical neuron migration. We used knock-out (Atp6v0a2−/−) and knock-in (Atp6v0a2RQ/RQ) mice harboring the R755Q missense mutation selectively abolishing V0a2-mediated proton transport to investigate the WSS pathomechanism. Homozygous mutants from both strains displayed a reduction of growth, dermis thickness, and elastic fiber formation compatible with WSS. A hitherto unrecognized male infertility due to globozoospermia was evident in both mouse lines with impaired Golgi-derived acrosome formation and abolished mucin-type O-glycosylation in spermatids. Atp6v0a2−/− mutants showed enhanced fucosylation and glycosaminoglycan modification, but reduced levels of glycanated decorin and sialylation in skin and/or fibroblasts, which were absent or milder in Atp6v0a2RQ/RQ. Atp6v0a2RQ/RQ mutants displayed more abnormal migration of cortical neurons, correlating with seizures and a reduced O-mannosylation of α-dystroglycan. While anterograde transport within the secretory pathway was similarly delayed in both mutants the brefeldin A-induced retrograde fusion of Golgi membranes with the endoplasmic reticulum was less impaired in Atp6v0a2RQ/RQ. Measurement of the pH in the trans Golgi compartment revealed a shift from 5.80 in wildtype to 6.52 in Atp6v0a2−/− and 6.25 in Atp6v0a2RQ/RQ. Our findings suggest that altered O-glycosylation is more relevant for the WSS pathomechanism than N-glycosylation and leads to a secondary dystroglycanopathy. Most phenotypic and cellular properties correlate with the different degrees of trans Golgi pH elevation in both mutants underlining the fundamental relevance of pH regulation in the secretory pathway.
Pharmacotherapeutic actions related to drug interaction alerts – a questionnaire study among Swedish hospital interns and residents in family medicine
Authors: Tukukino Carina , Parodi López Naldy , Lönnbro Johan , Wallerstedt Susanna M. , Svensson Staffan A.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To explore how hospital interns and residents specialising in family medicine act on drug interaction alerts in a specific patient case, and on interaction alerts in general.

Methods

A 4-page questionnaire, including a fictional patient case (73-year-old woman; 10 drugs in the medication list triggering 11 drug interaction alerts) and questions regarding the use of interaction alerts in general, was distributed to interns and residents during educational sessions (November‒December 2023). The respondents were instructed to consider what actions they would take “a normal day at work” due to the risk of interactions between the patients’ drugs. In the general questions, the respondents were asked how often they access the detailed interaction information (from 1 = never to 5 = always) provided by the knowledge resource, in relation to the alert classification (D = clinically significant, should be avoided; C = clinically significant, can be handled by, e.g., dose adjustment).

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 55 interns and 69 residents (response rate: 98%). In the patient case, the respondents acted on a median of 4 (range: 0‒8) drugs, most often concerning repaglinide (in a D interaction alert with clopidogrel; 96% of the interns and 96% of the residents suggested action), and omeprazole (in three C interaction alerts with citalopram, clopidogrel, and levothyroxine, respectively; 71% and 83% suggested action). Among the respondents who answered the questions about how often (rated 4/5) they access more detailed information about interactions, 56 (59%) did so for D versus 29 (31%) for C alerts (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Physicians act on drug interaction alerts selectively, and the alert classifications seem to guide how they are used.
On semidirect products of quantale enriched monoids
Authors: Borlido Célia
Published: December 2024

We consider monoids equipped with a compatible quantale valued relation, which we call quantale enriched monoids, and study semidirect products of such structures. It is well-known that semidirect products of monoids are closely related to Schreier split extensions which, in the setting of monoids, play the role of split extensions of groups. We will thus introduce certain split extensions of quantale enriched monoids, which generalize the classical Schreier split extensions of monoids, and investigate their connections with semidirect products. We then restrict our study to a class of quantale enriched monoids whose behavior mimics the fact that the preorder on a preordered group is completely determined by its cone of positive elements. Finally, we instantiate our results for preordered monoids and compare them with existing literature.
The three stages of polytrauma rehabilitation– a recommendation and a systematic literature review on behalf of SICOT
Authors: Klingebiel Felix Karl-Ludwig , Landre Vincent , Hasegawa Morgan , Kalbas Yannik , Hanschen Marc , Sawauchi Kenichi , Mohamed Sayid Omar , Zarti Mohammed , Zain-ur-Rehmann Mohammad , Aroojis Alaric , Rajasekaran Shanmuganathan , Pape Hans-Christoph , Pfeifer Roman ,   on behalf of SICOT Trauma & Rehabilitation Research Group, Das Sakti Prasad , Herard Patrick , Korobushkin Gleb , Pasquale Caterina , Yuen Denis
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Polytrauma presents a devastating event with great impact on the patient’s life. While we are taking great care of improving our treatment algorithms, the rehabilitation often takes place outside of our direct field of vision. Yet, adequate rehabilitation is crucial for the patients to regain their former lives. The aim of this study, on the behalf of SICOT Trauma & Rehabilitation Research Group, was to identify rehabilitation strategies and standards in existing scientific literature.

Methods

A systematic literature search of MEDLINE and Embase from 2000 to 2023 was conducted. Inclusion criteria was the description of polytrauma rehabilitation strategies in the acute, post-acute or long-term stage. Reported treatment aims, conducted therapies and challenges were extracted and stratified to either of the stages.

Results

A total of 5212 studies were identified and 6 reviews and one original study were included according to our criteria. Overall, no article of higher evidence on how to perform polytrauma rehabilitation could be identified. From the available literature, disciplines involved in the rehabilitation could be described such as major challenges along the rehabilitation process.

Conclusion

This study highlights the need for standardized polytrauma rehabilitation algorithms. Whereas we could identify important information about each rehabilitation stage, we did not encounter specific evidence for prioritization of different therapies or algorithms of treatment. Polytrauma rehabilitation needs to shift from eminence to evidence.
From surface roughness to crater formation in a 2D multi-scale simulation of ultrashort pulse laser ablation
Authors: Thomae N. , Stabroth M. , Vollmann J. , Döring M. , Redka D. , Huber H. P. , Schmidt M.
Published: December 2024

Surface roughness plays a critical role in ultrashort pulse laser ablation, particularly for industrial applications using burst mode operations, multi-pulse laser processing, and the generation of laser-induced periodic surface structures. Hence, we address the impact of surface roughness on the resulting laser ablation topography, comparing predictions from a simulation model to experimental results. We present a comprehensive multi-scale simulation framework that first employs finite-difference-time-domain simulations for calculating the surface fluence distribution on a rough surface measured by atomic-force-microscopy followed by the two-temperature model coupled with hydrodynamic/solid mechanics simulation for the initial material heating. Lastly, a computational fluid dynamics model for material relaxation and fluid flow is developed and employed. Final state results of aluminum and AISI 304 stainless steel simulations demonstrated alignment with established ablation models and crater dimension prediction. Notably, Al exhibited significant optical scattering effects due to initial surface roughness of 15 nm—being 70 times below the laser wavelength -leading to localized, selective ablation processes and substantially altered crater topography compared to idealized conditions. Contrary, AISI 304 with

$${R}_{\text{q}}$$

R
q

surface roughness of 2 nm showed no difference. Hence, we highlight the necessity of incorporating realistic, material-specific surface roughness values into large-scale ablation simulations. Furthermore, the induced local fluence variations demonstrated the inadequacy of neglecting lateral heat transport effects in this context.
Investigation of the temperature-dependent functioning of BiFeO3 as a ferroelectric material through X-ray diffraction analysis
Authors: Sayed Rana , Hassanien Ayat , Hashim Hany , Mabied Ahmed , Ramadan Ahmed , Soltan Soltan
Published: December 2024

In recent years, Bismuth Ferrite (BiFeO3, BFO) has emerged as a promising multiferroic material due to its high antiferromagnetic Néel temperature (TN ~ 623–643 K) and ferroelectric Curie temperature (TC ~ 1083–1103 K). These properties make BFO a strong candidate for exhibiting a magnetoelectric effect even at room temperature. Understanding the temperature-dependent ferroelectric behavior of BFO is crucial for optimizing its performance in applications where stable ferroelectric behavior at operational temperatures is essential for enhancing device efficiency, stability, and functionality. This study investigates the impact of temperature on the crystallographic characteristics (unit cell type, bond lengths, and dimensions) and ferroelectric performance of BFO. X-ray diffraction and electrical hysteresis measurements confirm the presence of a ferroelectric phase with a rhombohedral R3c structure, along with two phase transitions: the first around 600 K from ferroelectric to paraelectric, and the second near 1050 K from paraelectric back to ferroelectric.
Isothiocyanates induce autophagy and inhibit protein synthesis in primary cells via modulation of AMPK-mTORC1-S6K1 signaling pathway, and protect against mutant huntingtin aggregation
Authors: Brokowska Joanna , Herman-Antosiewicz Anna , Hać Aleksandra
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Autophagy is a degradation process whose activation underlies beneficial effects of caloric restriction. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) induce autophagy in cancer cells, however, their impact on primary cells remains insufficiently explored, particularly in non-epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ITCs induce autophagy in primary (non-immortalized) mesenchymal cells and if so, to determine the molecular mechanism underlying its activation and consequences on cell functioning.

Methods

Primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) and prostate cancer cells (PC3) as well as two ITCs, sulforaphane and phenethyl isothiocyanate, were applied. Cell viability was measured by the MTT test, protein synthesis - by 3H-leucine incorporation, and protein level - by immunoblotting. A number of mutant huntingtin (mHtt) aggregates was assessed by fluorescence microscopy.

Results

Both ITCs efficiently induced autophagy in fibroblasts which coincided with suppression of mTORC1 – a negative autophagy regulator - and protein synthesis arrest. A dephosphorylation of mTORC1 substrate, S6K1, and ribosomal S6 protein was preceded by activation of AMPK, an inhibitor of mTORC1 and autophagy activator. A similar response was observed in phenethyl isothiocyanate-treated prostate cancer cells. We also showed that ITCs-induced autophagy and/or translation block do not affect cells viability and can protect cells against an accumulation of mHtt aggregates – a main cause of Huntington’s disease.

Conclusion

Our study showed that ITCs induce autophagy and inhibit protein synthesis in both primary mesenchymal and cancer cells via modulation of the AMPK-mTORC1-S6K1 pathway. Moreover, it suggests that ITCs might have a potential in developing therapeutics for Huntington’s disease.
TAM receptors mediate the Fpr2-driven pain resolution and fibrinolysis after nerve injury
Authors: Hartmannsberger Beate , Ben-Kraiem Adel , Kramer Sofia , Guidolin Carolina , Kazerani Ida , Doppler Kathrin , Thomas Dominique , Gurke Robert , Sisignano Marco , Kalelkar Pranav P. , García Andrés J. , Monje Paula V. , Sammeth Michael , Nusrat Asma , Brack Alexander , Krug Susanne M. , Sommer Claudia , Rittner Heike L.
Published: December 2024

Nerve injury causes neuropathic pain and multilevel nerve barrier disruption. Nerve barriers consist of perineurial, endothelial and myelin barriers. So far, it is unclear whether resealing nerve barriers fosters pain resolution and recovery. To this end, we analysed the nerve barrier property portfolio, pain behaviour battery and lipidomics for precursors of specialized pro-resolving meditators (SPMs) and their receptors in chronic constriction injury of the rat sciatic nerve to identify targets for pain resolution by resealing the selected nerve barriers. Of the three nerve barriers—perineurium, capillaries and myelin—only capillary tightness specifically against larger molecules, such as fibrinogen, recuperated with pain resolution. Fibrinogen immunoreactivity was elevated in rats not only at the time of neuropathic pain but also in nerve biopsies from patients with (but not without) painful polyneuropathy, indicating that sealing of the vascular barrier might be a novel approach in pain treatment. Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15R-HETE), a precursor of aspirin-triggered lipoxin A4, was specifically upregulated at the beginning of pain resolution. Repeated local application of resolvin D1-laden nanoparticles or Fpr2 agonists sex-independently resulted in accelerated pain resolution and fibrinogen removal. Clearing macrophages (Cd206) were boosted and fibrinolytic pathways (Plat) were induced, while inflammation (Tnfα) and inflammasomes (Nlrp3) were unaffected by this treatment. Blocking TAM receptors (Tyro3, Axl and Mer) and tyrosine kinase receptors linking haemostasis and inflammation completely inhibited all the effects. In summary, nanoparticles can be used as transporters for fleeting lipids, such as SPMs, and therefore expand the array of possible therapeutic agents. Thus, the Fpr2–Cd206–TAM receptor axis may be a suitable target for strengthening the capillary barrier, removing endoneurial fibrinogen and boosting pain resolution in patients with chronic neuropathic pain.
Outcome of pelvic ring injuries
Authors: Gänsslen Axel , Lindahl Jan , Krappinger Dietmar , Lindtner Richard A. , Staresinic Mario
Published: December 2024

Outcome evaluation is of major importance to provide data to analyze the value of the chosen treatment concept. Despite an increasing effort of analyzing outcome after treatment of different pelvic ring injuries, a mixture of different outcome parameters is in use. The Majeed score is most frequently used for mid- to long-term evaluation and the quality of life is analyzed using the SF-36 score. The lack in nearly all studies is that different treatment concepts are used, and only selected evaluation parameters are reported. Until today, no well-accepted standardized measurement instruments are available to analyze the clinical and radiological results after pelvic ring injuries. Overall, stability-based long-term sequelae can be expected with increasing complaints from stable type A injuries to completely unstable type C injuries. Beside a fracture-type specific treatment, concomitant injuries of other injury regions and associated local pelvic injuries (complex pelvic trauma) seem to additionally influence the results. Results of treatment of specific fracture types are sparse as a wide range of different injury types and different treatment concepts are analyzed within these analyses. A sufficient pelvic outcome instrument which addresses relevant pelvic outcome parameters is still missing. Thus, future evaluation of long-term results after pelvic ring. injuries should include prospective, multicenter outcome studies with comparable parameters.
Outcomes of Revision surgery for surgically treated insertional Achilles tendinopathy
Authors: Hörterer Hubert , Oppelt Sonia , Pfahl Kathrin , Harrasser Norbert , Böcker Wolfgang , Polzer Hans , Walther Markus , Baumbach Sebastian Felix
Published: December 2024

Introduction

There is a clear roadmap for the treatment of primary insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT), but data on the outcome of revision surgery is missing. The current study aimed to analyze the outcome following revision surgery for surgically failed IAT.

Material and methods

Included were patients with IAT revision surgery at a single reference center (01/2010–10/2016) and a follow-up of at least 12 months. Revision surgery was performed, whenever possible, through a midline incision transachillary approach (MITA) with debridement of all pathologies present. The patient-rated outcome was assessed per the FFI (preoperative, final follow-up) and VISA-A-G (final follow-up). The aim was to evaluate the patient rated outcome following revision surgery for recurrent IAT.

Results

Out of 24 eligible patients, 19 (79%) were included in the final follow-up. The mean follow-up duration was 4.6 ± 2.2 years. The FFI Overall improved from preoperatively 68 ± 19 to 14 ± 17 points (< 0.001) at the final follow-up. The final VISA-A-G was 71 ± 28 points. 39%/36% (FFI/VISA-A-G) of patients reached patient-rated outcome scores comparable to a healthy reference population. No factors could be identified to influence the outcome significantly.

Conclusion

IAT revision surgery results in an improvement of the patients’ symptoms, but only one-third of the patients recover fully.
Interpretable deep learning survival predictions in sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
Authors: Tam Johnny , Centola John , Kurucu Hatice , Watson Neil , MacKenzie Janet , Green Alison , Summers David , Barria Marcelo , Seth Sohan , Smith Colin , Pal Suvankar
Published: December 2024

Background

Sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD) is a rapidly progressive and fatal prion disease with significant public health implications. Survival is heterogenous, posing challenges for prognostication and care planning. We developed a survival model using diagnostic data from comprehensive UK sCJD surveillance.

Methods

Using national CJD surveillance data from the United Kingdom (UK), we included 655 cases of probable or definite sCJD according to 2017 international consensus diagnostic criteria between 01/2017 and 01/2022. Data included symptoms at diagnosis, CSF RT-QuIC and 14-3-3, MRI and EEG findings, as well as sex, age, PRNP codon 129 polymorphism, CSF total protein and S100b. An artificial neural network based multitask logistic regression was used for survival analysis. Model-agnostic interpretation methods was used to assess the contribution of individual features on model outcome.

Results

Our algorithm had a c-index of 0.732, IBS of 0.079, and AUC at 5 and 10 months of 0.866 and 0.872, respectively. This modestly improved on Cox proportional hazard model (c-index 0.730, IBS 0.083, AUC 0.852 and 0863) but was not statistically significant. Both models identified codon 129 polymorphism and CSF 14-3-3 to be significant predictive features.

Conclusions

sCJD survival can be predicted using routinely collected clinical data at diagnosis. Our analysis pipeline has similar levels of performance to classical methods and provide clinically meaningful interpretation which help deepen clinical understanding of the condition. Further development and clinical validation will facilitate improvements in prognostication, care planning, and stratification to clinical trials.
Curriculum interventional cardiology—Austria
Authors: Kammerlander A. , Berger R. , Binder R. K. , Dörler J. , Frick M. , Gremmel T. , Mader A. , Kammler J. , Rab A. , Geppert A. , Schober A. , Niessner A.
Published: December 2024

The curriculum for interventional cardiology outlines a structured training program for advanced training in interventional procedures. It specifies requirements for candidates, trainers, and centers. The curriculum specifically defines learning objectives, competence levels, and essential skills needed for on-duty shift in the catheterization laboratory. The program is based on the European Core Curriculum, tailored to Austrian healthcare needs, and aims to ensure high-quality care.
‘Eating with Others’: planning, developing and optimising a self-management intervention to promote social eating for patients living with and beyond head and neck cancer
Authors: Dornan D. M. , Semple C. J. , Moorhead A.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

After treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC), up to 90% of patients have difficulties eating and drinking. Despite the enormity of challenges explicitly relating to the social dimension of eating, there are limited extant interventions to specifically support social eating, nor any replicable for use in contemporary clinical practice. This study aims to plan, develop and optimise a self-management intervention to promote social eating for patients living with and beyond HNC.

Methods

This research was intervention development of a self-management ‘Eating with Others’ resource, guided by the person-based approach (PBA) framework. Initially, a systematic review was conducted, with 24 included studies exploring HNC patients’ social eating experiences, followed by thematically analysed qualitative interviews with patients (n = 14), family members (n = 12) and healthcare professionals (n = 13). Alongside this data, iterative input was sought from an advisory group (n = 22) to culminate in an intervention prototype. The intervention prototype was iteratively user-tested over three cycles for usability and acceptability, using think-aloud interviews (n = 10).

Results

A patient-centred, evidence-based and theory-driven self-management resource, entitled ‘Eating with Others’, was designed to promote social eating for patients with HNC. Sections included the benefits of social eating; the impact of HNC on social eating, strategies and reflective activities to overcome social eating barriers; and the use of a social eating card for restaurants. The think-aloud interviews revealed that the resource was appropriate and acceptable for patients with HNC.

Conclusion

The systematic and iterative PBA intervention development framework enabled empirical research findings, relevant theory and extensive advisory group involvement to design an acceptable self-management social eating intervention for patients living with and beyond HNC. Mixed-methods evaluation is required to determine feasibility in clinical practice.
Cancer prognosis information-seeking among survivors and caregivers: findings from the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service
Authors: Wilson Ashley , Huang Grace , Kueppers George , Dwyer Laura A. , Han Paul K. J. , Vanderpool Robin C.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Receiving prognostic information is a well-documented need for cancer survivors and caregivers. However, little is known about these two groups’ prognosis information-seeking outside of discussions with healthcare providers. This study examined survivors’ and caregivers’ prognosis-related inquiries using data from the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service (CIS).

Methods

Using an analytic sample of 81,154 survivors and caregivers, descriptive statistics explored differences between prognosis and non-prognosis inquiries made by each group over a 6-year period (September 2018–August 2024). Logistic regressions identified factors that were associated with odds of a prognosis inquiry among both cancer survivors and caregivers.

Results

A higher proportion of caregivers (62%) made prognosis inquiries to the CIS compared to survivors (38%). Among both groups, telephone and instant chat were commonly used to contact the CIS with prognosis questions. Prognosis inquiries were more likely among survivors and caregivers who contacted the CIS in Spanish and whose inquiries centered on staging, post-treatment, or end-of-life phases of the cancer continuum. For both groups, prognosis inquiries were more likely to occur in the context of discussions about chemotherapy and general questions about cancer treatment. Discussion of prognosis as related to specific cancer sites was variable across survivors and caregivers.

Conclusion

Findings may inform the development and targeting of messages to support cancer prognosis information-seeking among survivors and caregivers. Disseminating accessible, language-concordant prognostic information that accounts for survivors’ and caregivers’ respective information-seeking needs is merited. Efforts may contribute to enhancing prognostic understanding, supporting discussions with providers, and improving psychosocial outcomes.
Estimation of orange tree production by regression from video segments under uncontrolled conditions
Authors: Mollineda Ramón A. , Sandoval Javier , Rodríguez Christian D. , Heredia José A.
Published: December 2024

Precision agriculture covers a wide range of information and communications technologies aimed at supporting current challenges in crop estimation, productivity increase, and food security. In particular, crop yield estimation can provide very valuable information on crop distribution, with the aim of optimising logistics and harvest timing. This paper focuses on deep learning-based regression solutions for estimating the number of visible oranges on trees, from real-world crop row videos captured by a camera placed on a farm vehicle. Count predictions based on individual frames were compared with those based on variable size sequences of frames centred on each tree (video segments). The performance of three deep neural networks designed for regression was evaluated in terms of the regression error and the uncertainty of the estimates, and differences were analysed using nonparametric hypothesis testing. Experiments were conducted on a new dataset composed of annotated video segments of orange tree rows acquired under uncontrolled conditions, which has been made publicly available. Results statistically prove the value of considering multiple frames and the feasibility of yield estimation by regression in the wild. These findings are expected to contribute to optimising decision-making in crop resource management. Unlike most efforts so far, which involve counting fruits by detection in tree images usually captured manually, this work explores counting fruits by regression on trees from real-world video data.
Is arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal addition beneficial to potato systems? A meta-analysis
Authors: Oladele Segun , Gould Iain , Varga Sandra
Published: December 2024

The application of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi has been reported to confer multiple agronomic benefits to crop plants including cereals, vegetables, and fruit trees, as well as to improve soil structure and health. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate whether AM fungal addition enhances potato yield. We further examined whether several experimental conditions (type of experiment, inoculation method, and source of AM fungi) and potato cultivar may explain the outcomes. We calculated the effect sizes of seven plant parameters by including a total of 106 independent pot and field experimental studies from 37 peer reviewed publications. Our results show that the addition of AM fungi has an overall positive effect on all potato plant parameters included in our analyses except for aboveground plant biomass. Potato cultivar was the main significant moderator explaining our findings, with some cultivars benefiting more from AM fungal presence than others. Our findings agree with several other global meta-analyses reporting positive effects of AM fungi on other important crops and highlights the potential application of these fungal symbionts in potato agro-ecosystems.
Evaluating the impact of atezolizumab on febrile neutropenia occurrence in patients with NSCLC undergoing chemotherapy in Japan: a real-world post-marketing database study
Authors: Nakane Sayuri , Yuri Akinori , Miyano Yuki , Yamada Kana , Nakatsuji Erika , Takei Nobuki , Igarashi Yasuhiro , Harada Ryousuke
Published: December 2024

Background

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a recognised adverse event associated with chemotherapy. This study investigates the impact of atezolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, on the incidence of FN in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving concurrent chemotherapy in Japan.

Methods

This post-marketing database study was conducted using data from patients with non-small cell lung cancer provided by Medical Data Vision Co., Ltd. covering April 2008 to present. The primary outcome measured was FN incidence, and its causal association with atezolizumab use was examined by comparing the atezolizumab plus bevacizumab plus carboplatin plus paclitaxel [ABCP])-containing regimen to the BCP control group. The data period was from 1 September, 2015, to 31 December, 2021, including approval date of this drug, 21 December, 2018.

Results

The database identified 301 subjects for the ABCP regimen (exposure) group, 44 for the BCP regimen (cohort design control) group during the same period, and 207 for BCP regimen (historical cohort design control) group before the approval of atezolizumab. For historical cohort design, the incidence and adjusted incidence ratios of febrile neutropenia in the exposure group to the control group were 6.13 (95% CI 2.78–13.49) and 8.19 (95% CI 3.79–25.33), respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed FN occurred in 17% (52/301) of the exposure group, 4.5% (2/44) of the cohort design control group, and 3% (7/207) of the historical cohort design control group.

Conclusions

The incidence of FN was higher in the exposure group. Considering the study results, special caution is needed for FN occurrence in patients receiving atezolizumab.
Treatment-related skin reactions in enfortumab vedotin as a surrogate marker of survival and treatment response
Authors: Nagayama Jun , Inoue Satoshi , Sai Hiroki , Hayakawa Akira , Yuguchi Yuri , Suzuki Tomohide , Matsui Hirotaka , Yuba Takuma , Morishita Koya , Akamatsu Shusuke
Published: December 2024

Background

Treatment-related skin reactions (TRSRs) induced by enfortumab vedotin (EV) targeting nectin-4 are among the most common adverse events. However, their association with survival and treatment response is poorly understood.

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients who received EV from December 2021 to April 2023 at Nagoya University Hospital and its affiliated facilities and extracted clinical data from their medical records. We evaluated cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as survival outcomes and overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) as treatment responses between patients with and without TRSRs.

Results

In total, 67 eligible patients were identified. Thirty-four patients experienced TRSRs, and the remaining 33 did not experience TRSRs. The median follow-up period was 8 months. Patients in the TRSRs group demonstrated significantly longer median CSS (15 vs. 8 months; p = 0.003) and median PFS (10 vs. 5 months; p < 0.001) than the non-TRSRs. Regarding treatment response, the patients in the TRSRs group showed a favorable, albeit nonsignificant, treatment response trend compared with those in the non-TRSRs group (ORR, 73.5% vs. 51.5%; p = 0.107; DCR, 91.2 % vs. 81.8%; p = 0.444).

Conclusions

Patients with TRSRs demonstrated more prolonged survival and superior treatment responses to EV treatment. The role of TRSR as a surrogate marker of EV’s efficacy should be further explored in prospective and sufficiently powered studies.
The health-economic impact of urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio testing for chronic kidney disease in Japanese non-diabetic patients
Authors: Konta Tsuneo , Asahi Koichi , Tamura Kouichi , Tanaka Fumitaka , Fukui Akira , Nakamura Yusuke , Hirose Junichi , Ohara Kenichi , Shijoh Yoko , Carter Matthew , Meredith Kimberley , Harris James , Åkerborg Örjan , Kashihara Naoki , Yokoo Takashi
Published: December 2024

Background

The objective of this analysis was to estimate the clinical and economic impact of undertaking urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) testing alongside regular estimated glomerular filtration rate testing for chronic kidney disease in non-diabetic Japanese patients versus no testing and versus urine protein-creatinine ratio (UPCR) testing.

Methods

An economic model, taking a Japanese healthcare perspective, estimated the health-economic impact of UACR testing over a lifetime time horizon. Outcomes reported were additional costs, clinical benefits measured, such as prevented dialyses and cardiovascular events, quality-adjusted life years gained, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Health states were derived from risk levels reported in the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes heatmap. Results were derived assuming that after testing, treatment was available in the form of current standard-of-care or emerging chronic kidney disease therapies.

Results

Repeated UACR testing was found to be cost-effective compared to both no urine testing and UPCR testing, with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of ¥1,953,958 and ¥1,966,433, respectively.

Conclusion

Overall, this model demonstrates the health-economic value of undertaking UACR testing within the non-diabetic Japanese population.
Basic immunization against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis within the at-risk population of oncological patients: cross-sectional data from the Berlin Metropolitan area
Authors: Koberschinski Jonas Janik Ralf , Reinwald Mark , de Wit Maike , Kiderlen Til Ramón
Published: December 2024

Aim

Oncological patients are susceptible to severe infectious complications, some of which may be preventable through vaccination. Vaccination rates among oncological patients are generally considered low. While prevalence data on basic immunization for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis among the general population is available in Germany, such data remains lacking for oncological patients. With this publication, we aim to present the first data.

Subject and methods

In this study, we examined data collected during the EVO intervention study to assess participants’ vaccination status against DTP. Our analysis focused on the baseline data of all participants and the follow-up data of the control group, thereby excluding data affected by the intervention. We used Pearson’s chi-squared test to explore factors potentially associated with higher or lower vaccination rates (e.g. sex, diagnosis).

Results

Of the 370 patients included in the study, 78.9% had a solid and 21.1% a haematological tumour; 47.3% were vaccinated against tetanus, 44.9% against diphtheria and 39.7% against pertussis. Patients with haematological cancer had a higher vaccination rate against diphtheria compared to those with solid tumour (55.1% vs. 42.1%). On the other hand, women had higher rates compared to men against tetanus (53.7% vs. 40.7%) and diphtheria (50.0% vs. 39.4%). Additional positive factors included the presence of autoimmune diseases and a diagnosis of multiple myeloma.

Conclusion

Oncological patients seem to have significantly lower vaccination rates for diphtheria and tetanus compared to the German general population. For pertussis, on the other hand, the vaccination rate is higher than in the general population.
Non-Abelian Extensions of Groupoids and Their Groupoid Rings
Authors: Machado Natã , Öinert Johan , Wagner Stefan
Published: December 2024

We present a geometrically oriented classification theory for non-Abelian extensions of groupoids generalizing the classification theory for Abelian extensions of groupoids by Westman as well as the familiar classification theory for non-Abelian extensions of groups by Schreier and Eilenberg-MacLane. As an application of our techniques we demonstrate that each extension of groupoids

$${\mathcal {N}}\rightarrow {\mathcal {E}}\rightarrow {\mathcal {G}}$$

N
→
E
→
G

gives rise to a groupoid crossed product of

$${\mathcal {G}}$$

G

by the groupoid ring of

$${\mathcal {N}}$$

N

which recovers the groupoid ring of 

$${\mathcal {E}}$$

E

up to isomorphism. Furthermore, we make the somewhat surprising observation that our classification methods naturally transfer to the class of groupoid crossed products, thus providing a classification theory for this class of rings. Our study is motivated by the search for natural examples of groupoid crossed products.
HFL-GAN: scalable hierarchical federated learning GAN for high quantity heterogeneous clients
Authors: Petch Lewis , Moustafa Ahmed , Ma Xinhui , Yasser Mohammad
Published: December 2024

This paper introduces a novel approach for training generative adversarial networks using federated machine learning. Generative adversarial networks have gained plenty of attention in the research community especially with their abilities to produce high quality synthetic data for a variety of use-cases. Yet, when combined with federated learning, those models suffer from degradation in both training time and quality of results. To address this challenge, this paper introduces a novel approach that uses hierarchical learning techniques to enable the efficient training of federated GAN models. The proposed approach introduces an innovative mechanism that dynamically clusters participant clients to edge servers as well as a novel multi-generator GAN architecture that utilizes non-identical model aggregation stages. The proposed approach has been evaluated on a number of benchmark datasets to measure its performance on higher numbers of participating clients. The results show that HFL-GAN outperforms other comparative state-of-the-art approaches in the training of GAN models in complex non-IID federated learning settings.
Cohort profile: Guangzhou breast cancer study (GBCS)
Authors: Wang Jiao , Li Na , Xiao Cheng Kun , Han Shu Shu , Lu Min Jie , Lin Xiao Yi , Ren Ze Fang , Xu Lin
Published: December 2024

The Guangzhou Breast Cancer Study (GBCS) is a patient-based prospective cohort study designed to identify risk factors and underlying mechanisms for breast cancer (BC) incidence and prognosis, specifically addressing the need for individualized prevention in South China, where BC incidence is notably high. Based in Guangzhou, China, the GBCS began recruitment in 2008, comprises three complementary studies: the Guangzhou breast cancer cohort with 5471 breast cancer patients, a case–control study with 1551 cases and 1605 controls, and an immunohistochemistry (IHC) cohort with 1063 breast cancer patients. Participants are primarily aged 41–60 years. Cohort follow-up is conducted every three months in the first year, every six months in the second and third years, and annually thereafter. High follow-up rates have been achieved until 2023, with 73.5% for the Guangzhou breast cancer cohort and 98.6% for the IHC cohort still active. Baseline data collection included demographic characteristics and breast cancer risk factors, while follow-up data included survival, treatment details, disease history, occupational history, post-diagnostic lifestyle, and laboratory measures, including genetic markers, proteins, and environmental exposures. The study encourages global collaborations and invites interested researchers to contact the corresponding author at xulin27@ mail.sysu.edu.cn with specific research ideas or proposals.
Influence of Social Ties on Knowledge Sharing Among Academics: A Qualitative Case Study
Authors: Hernández-Soto Roberto , Gutiérrez-Ortega Mónica , Rubia-Avi Bartolomé , Fàbregues Sergi
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social ties and knowledge sharing among academics in a research team. A qualitative case study approach was employed, using semi-structured interviews to uncover key factors that facilitate or hinder this relationship. The findings emphasize the crucial role of social ties in facilitating knowledge sharing among academics and highlight the central role of research team leaders in promoting and strengthening these ties. Informal contexts and routines as well as in-person attendance were identified as core elements in cultivating social ties. Conversely, limited face-to-face interactions, workplace location, barriers to participation in informal activities, and differences in worldviews were identified as potential deterrents to the formation of strong social ties. We conclude that institutional administrators and research team leaders should promote shared physical and digital spaces and informal social practices, which, in turn, facilitate personal relationships and stimulate collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The influence of career indecision on life satisfaction among grade 12 Ontario students: career choice support as mediator and moderator
Authors: Atitsogbe Kokou A. , Samson André , Sarazin-Frey-Pépin Étienne , El Hamdany Younes , McCrindle Connor Reeve
Published: December 2024

This study investigated to what extent career decision-making difficulties (CDMD) impact students’ satisfaction with life and the potential mediating and moderating role of career choice support in this relation among 1094 grade 12 students in Ontario, Canada. Findings supported the negative impact of CDMD on students’ life satisfaction. Surprisingly, unlike counselors’ support, only teacher and parental support were significant drivers of students’ life satisfaction, with parental support exhibiting a solid effect. Furthermore, although support from each stakeholder partially mediated between CDMD and life satisfaction, parental support was identified as the strongest in reducing the negative impact of difficulties on students’ life satisfaction. Moderation effects were not supported.
Multi-modal Pre-silicon Evaluation of Hardware Masking Styles
Authors: Anik Md Toufiq Hasan , Reefat Hasin Ishraq , Cheng Wei , Danger Jean-Luc , Guilley Sylvain , Karimi Naghmeh
Published: December 2024

Protecting sensitive logic functions in ASICs requires side-channel countermeasures. Many gate-level masking styles have been published, each with pros and cons. Some styles such as RSM, GLUT, and ISW are compact but can feature 1st-order leakage. Some other styles, such as TI, DOM, and HPC are secure at the 1st-order but incur significant overheads in terms of performance. Another requirement is that security shall be ensured even when the device is aged. Pre-silicon security evaluation is now a normatively approved method to characterize the expected resiliency against attacks ahead of time. However, in this regard, there is still a fragmentation in terms of leakage models, Points of Interest (PoI) selection, attack order, and distinguishers. Accordingly, in this paper we focus on such factors as they affect the success of side-channel analysis attacks and assess the resiliency of the state-of-the-art masking styles in various corners. Moreover, we investigate the impact of device aging as another factor and analyze its influence on the success of side-channel attacks targeting the state-of-the-art masking schemes. This pragmatic evaluation enables risk estimation in a complex PPA (Power, Performance, and Area) and security plane while also considering aging impacts into account. For instance, we explore the trade-off between low-cost secure styles attackable at 1st-order vs high-cost protection attackable only at 2nd-order.