bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fructobacillus fructosus OS-1010 strain stimulates intestinal cells to secrete exosomes that activate muscle cells
Authors: Kashiwagi Riku , Udono Miyako , Katakura Yoshinori
Published: January 2024

Fructobacillus is a lactic-acid bacterium recently identified in fructose-rich environments. Fructobacillus is also known to exhibit unusual growth characteristics due to an incomplete gene encoding alcohol/acetaldehyde hydrogenase, which results in an imbalance in the nicotinamide adenine mononucleotide (NAD+)/NADN levels. Recently, the addition of d-fructose to the culture medium of Fructobacillus strains increased the intracellular nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) content. In the present study, we evaluated the functionality of Fructobacillus that produces high levels of NMN, using one substrain (Fructobacillus fructosus OS-1010). Therefore, in this study, we examined its functionality in the interaction between intestinal cells and muscle cells. The results showed that supernatant derived from intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2 cells) treated with F. fructosus OS-1010 activated muscle cells (C2C12 cells). Further analysis revealed that Caco-2 cells treated with F. fructosus OS-1010 secreted exosomes known as extracellular vesicles, which activated the muscle cells. Furthermore, pathway analysis of the target genes of miRNA in exosomes revealed that pathways involved in muscle cell activation, including insulin signaling and cardiac muscle regulation, neurotrophic factors, longevity, and anti-aging, can be activated by exosomes. In other words, F. fructosus OS-1010 could activate various cells such as the skin and muscle cells, by secreting functional exosomes from the intestinal tract.
How should we change teaching and assessment in response to increasingly powerful generative Artificial Intelligence? Outcomes of the ChatGPT teacher survey
Authors: Bower Matt , Torrington Jodie , Lai Jennifer W. M. , Petocz Peter , Alfano Mark
Published: January 2024

There has been widespread media commentary about the potential impact of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT on the Education field, but little examination at scale of how educators believe teaching and assessment should change as a result of generative AI. This mixed methods study examines the views of educators (n = 318) from a diverse range of teaching levels, experience levels, discipline areas, and regions about the impact of AI on teaching and assessment, the ways that they believe teaching and assessment should change, and the key motivations for changing their practices. The majority of teachers felt that generative AI would have a major or profound impact on teaching and assessment, though a sizeable minority felt it would have a little or no impact. Teaching level, experience, discipline area, region, and gender all significantly influenced perceived impact of generative AI on teaching and assessment. Higher levels of awareness of generative AI predicted higher perceived impact, pointing to the possibility of an ‘ignorance effect’. Thematic analysis revealed the specific curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment changes that teachers feel are needed as a result of generative AI, which centre around learning with AI, higher-order thinking, ethical values, a focus on learning processes and face-to-face relational learning. Teachers were most motivated to change their teaching and assessment practices to increase the performance expectancy of their students and themselves. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings in a world with increasingly prevalent AI.
Novel aerial observations of a possible newborn white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in Southern California
Authors: Gauna Carlos , Sternes Phillip C.
Published: January 2024

The white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is the largest macropredatory fish in the world. Yet, there remains a paucity of data on the early life history and reproduction of this iconic shark. Here, we present aerial observations of an individual white shark that appears to be sloughing a white film from its body. We propose two possibilities for the possession of the white film: (1) this is a newly born white shark with intrauterine substances still adhered to its body, or (2) this white shark has an unknown skin disorder resulting in shedding, discharge, or possibly a microbial growth over the dermal layer. We discuss the possibility that this individual is a newborn and its implications for the Southern California region as a critical birthing location.
Rewriting History: Backwards Causation and Conflicting Declarations Among Institutional Facts
Authors: Corry Richard
Published: January 2024

Kenneth Silver has recently argued that backwards causation is common in the context of social institutions. I consider this claim in detail and conclude that backwards causation is not the most plausible interpretation of what is going on in the cases Silver considers. Nonetheless, I show that these cases can teach us some interesting lessons about institutional facts. In particular, I argue that in order to avoid contradiction due to conflicting declarations in these cases, we must conclude that the properties involved in institutional facts are relational properties.
Australian PhD graduates’ agency in navigating their career pathways: stories from social sciences
Authors: Ta Binh , Hoang Cuong , Khong Hang , Dang Trang
Published: January 2024

Despite limited opportunities for tenured academic positions, the number of PhD graduates in Social Sciences has steadily risen in countries with developed research systems. The current literature predominantly portrays PhD graduates as victims, either of the higher education system or of their own optimism in pursuing an academic career. This paper takes an alternative stance by spotlighting the agency exhibited by PhD graduates in Social Sciences as they deftly navigate their career pathways amid the constrained academic job market. Specifically, we adopt an ecological perspective of agency to explore how PhD graduates in Social Sciences exercise their agency in navigating their career from the beginning of their PhD candidature until up to 5 years after graduation. We employ a narrative approach to delve into the employment journeys of twenty-three PhD graduates. Within this cohort, we select to report four participants from four Australian universities, each possessing distinct career trajectories. Our analysis highlights agency as the link between various personal and institutional factors that shape our participants’ career trajectories. Based on this finding, we offer recommendations for practice and policy changes that appreciate PhD graduates’ agency.
Attitudes Toward and Usage of Evidence-Based Mental Health Practices for Autistic Youth in Bangladesh and Germany: A Cross-Cultural Comparison
Authors: Pervin Maleka , Hansmann Nina Marie , Hagmayer York
Published: January 2024

The implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for autistic youth is a critical concern worldwide. Research examining factors facilitating the implementation of EBPs found that providers’ attitudes are an important factor. In this study, we evaluated cross-cultural differences in attitudes toward and use of EBPs. We tested socio-demographic factors as predictors of attitudes, and attitudes as predictors of EBPs use among mental health professionals working with autistic youth in Bangladesh and Germany. We used purposeful sampling. Two-hundred-ninety-two professionals who worked in a clinical setting responded to the survey and fulfilled the inclusion criteria (101 in Bangladesh, 191 in Germany). Participants were asked to respond to nine subscales of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale-36 (EBPAS-36), to indicate which of nine types of treatments they used, and to provide sociodemographic data. Measurement invariance across countries could be established for four subscales of the EBPAS-36. Comparative analyses of attitudes showed that professionals in both countries were open to using EBPs, but German practitioners were more likely to use EBPs when they appealed to them. By contrast, Bangladeshi professionals claimed to be more likely to adopt an EBP when required and to be more willing to learn EBPs to enhance job security. The relationship between caseload and attitudes varied between countries. A broader variety of EBPs was used in Germany. The findings highlight the importance of considering country-specific factors when implementing EBPs. Directions for conducting comparative studies on mental health professionals’ attitudes towards EBP including methodological considerations are discussed.
Deformation microstructures and martensitic transformation pathways in cryogenically deformed 316L stainless steel
Authors: Li Suning , Withers Philip J. , Deng Yangchao , Yan Kun
Published: January 2024

Liquefied gas storage and transportation, as well as space propulsion, are driving increasing interest in the cryogenic temperature deformation behaviour of 316L stainless steels. This was investigated here during tensile deformation at 15, 50 and 173 K. Complex transformation pathways, including one-step γ-austenite → α′-martensite, two steps γ → ε-martensite → α′ transformation as well as twinning and stacking fault-assisted γ → α′ transformation, are observed. γ grains with a (111) plane normal direction aligned 50–65°from the loading direction appear more likely to form the ε phase. Further, high-resolution transmission Kikuchi diffraction mapping revealed that the nucleation process of α′ can be assisted by ε and stacking faults at all cryogenic temperatures, whereas twins can also serve as sites for α′ nucleation when deformed at 173 K. For two-step transformation, separate lenticular α′ nucleate following Kurdjumov–Sachs orientation relationship (OR) within the shear band, once grown out of the shear band, Pitsch OR is preferable. As for one-step transformation, irregular oval α′ nucleates directly at γ grain boundaries with Nishiyama–Wassermann OR. These findings provide new insights into the correlation between the various transformation pathways and deformation mechanisms, as well as their improved performance at low temperatures.
Engaging the AQ10 to Predict Professional Burnout or Poor Work-Related Psychological Wellbeing Among Anglican Clergy in Wales
Authors: Francis Leslie J. , Sailer Alison B. , Payne V. John , McKenna Ursula
Published: January 2024

The ten-item Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ10) is a self-report instrument originally designed to identify referrals for professional diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Recent studies suggest that this instrument may also be tapping more generalised affective disorders. Working with this interpretation, this study examines the predictive power of the AQ10 to account for additional variance, after personal and personality factors have been taken into account, on the two scales of the Francis Burnout Inventory. Data provided by 220 Anglican clergy serving in Wales demonstrated that 8.6% of the participants recorded six or more red flags on the AQ10 (and so qualified for referral for specialist diagnostic assessment) and that higher scores on the AQ10 are associated with significantly lower levels of satisfaction in ministry and with significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion in ministry. These data suggest that screening with the AQ10 may be helpful in identifying clergy vulnerable to professional burnout and to poor work-related psychological wellbeing, in addition to its primary purpose of screening for ASD.
Social Media Posts from Friends during Late Adolescence as Predictors of Young Adult Physical Health
Authors: Szwedo David E. , Davis Alida A. , Fowler Caroline , Mikami Amori Yee , Allen Joseph P.
Published: January 2024

Although an increasing body of literature has linked social experiences to physical health, research has yet to consider how specific aspects of social experiences taking place on social media during late adolescence may predict future physical health outcomes. This study thus examined qualities of social media posts received from peers at age 21 as predictors of participants’ physical health (e.g., Interleukin-6 (inflammation), sleep problems, problems with physical functioning, and BMI) at age 28. Participants included 138 youth (59 men and 79 women); 57% of participants identified as White, 30% as Black/African American, and 13% as from other or mixed racial/ethnic groups. Posts from friends and participants at age 21 characterized by social ties predicted lower levels of future physical health problems, whereas socially inappropriate “faux pas” posts that deviated from peer norms by friends predicted higher levels of physical health problems at age 28. These associations were found after accounting for factors typically associated with physical health outcomes, including participants’ baseline social competence, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, alcohol use, observed physical attractiveness, and history of prior hospitalizations. The results of this study suggest the importance of both achieving social integration with peers online and adhering to peer norms in the online domain as key predictors of future physical health.
Quid pro quota: a cross-country study on the impacts of immigration quotas on early-stage entrepreneurship
Authors: Bedi Joshua K. , Jia Shaomeng
Published: January 2024

We study the impacts of immigration quotas and immigrant eligibility restrictions on destination countries’ early-stage entrepreneurial activity. Taking advantage of cross-country variation in immigration quotas and eligibility restrictions, we find that increases in the strictness of labor migration quotas and eligibility requirements are associated with significantly less early-stage entrepreneurship in the short run. Further, we find two important sources of heterogeneity that impact our results. First, these results are driven by a connection between quotas and early-stage necessity-driven entrepreneurship—our results lose significance when adding opportunity-driven entrepreneurship to the analysis. Second, the magnitude of the relationship between quotas and early-stage entrepreneurial activity is lower when analyzing female entrepreneurship. Overall, our results suggest that immigrants clearly influence entrepreneurship positively, but the overall welfare effects on the host country of marginal increases in entrepreneurial activity associated with a relaxation of labor market restrictions are more nuanced. At the same time, our results also suggest room for immigration policy to improve the welfare of immigrants and natives. Importantly, our estimates likely act as a lower bound given that we are not able to measure impacts in the long run. Because immigrants’ participation in the labor market is often delayed by labor market restrictions after entry, estimates of the impact of quotas and other restrictions that limit entry into the host country would likely yield more negative results given a longer time horizon.
Urban pondscape connecting people with nature and biodiversity in a medium-sized European city (Geneva, Switzerland)
Authors: Vasco Fernanda , Perrin Jacques-Aristide , Oertli Beat
Published: January 2024

The current progressive increase in urbanisation is a contributing factor to the alarming rate of decrease in biodiversity worldwide, so it is critical to propose new solutions that bring nature, and their associated benefits, back to cities. Urban ponds and pondscapes are potential Nature-based Solutions that play a crucial role in the conservation and promotion of biodiversity, as well as providing other ecosystem services. Therefore, it is important to understand people's perception of the contribution that these ponds/pondscapes make in their daily lives. The aim of this study was to assess public perception of the value of the multiple ecosystem services, here referred to as Nature's Contributions to People (NCPs), provided by urban ponds with a focus on biodiversity. To achieve it, we conducted a face-to-face questionnaire survey among 331 visitors of urban parks and nature reserves in a medium-sized European city (Geneva, Switzerland). The results show that people highly value the different contributions provided by urban ponds, and that contact with nature is the main motivation for visiting urban pondscapes. Their positive view about the provided NCPs and also their acknowledgement of an improved quality of life suggest a public acceptance of these ponds. We also found that gender and income do not influence public perception of the contributions provided by urban pondscapes. Additionally, the biodiversity of urban ponds was highly appreciated, but there was a knowledge gap relating to biodiversity conservation, as both native and exotic species were valued equally. In conclusion, ponds are Nature-based Solutions that are very well adapted and accepted in cities, and in the future they should be part of the greening (and blueing) of urban planning to conserve and enhance freshwater biodiversity whilst also providing NCPs.
Axenic green microalgae for the treatment of textile effluent and the production of biofuel: a promising sustainable approach
Authors: Pandey Ashutosh , Kant Gaurav , Chaudhary Ashvani , Amesho Kaissan T. T. , Reddy Karen , Bux Faizal
Published: January 2024

An integrated approach to nutrient recycling utilizing microalgae could provide feasible solutions for both environmental control and energy production. In this study, an axenic microalgae strain, Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 was evaluated for its potential as a biofuel feedstock and textile wastewater (TWW) treatment. The microalgae isolate was grown on TWW supplemented with different proportions of standard BG-11 medium varying from 0 to 100% (v/v). The results showed that TWW supplemented with 20% (v/v) BG11 medium demonstrated promising results in terms of Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 biomass (3.80 g L−1), lipid production (1.24 g L−1), nutrients (N/P, > 99%) and pollutant removal (chemical oxygen demand (COD), 99.05%). The COD level dropped by 90% after 4 days of cultivation, from 2,593.33 mg L−1 to 215 mg L−1; however, after day 6, the nitrogen (-NO3−1) and total phosphorus (TP) levels were reduced by more than 95%. The biomass-, total lipid- and carbohydrate- production, after 6 days of cultivation were 3.80 g L−1, 1.24 g L−1, and 1.09 g L−1, respectively, which were 2.15-, 2.95- and 3.30-fold higher than Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 grown in standard BG-11 medium (control). In addition, as per the theoretical mass balances, 1 tonne biomass of Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 might yield 294.5 kg of biodiesel and 135.7 kg of bioethanol. Palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid were the dominant fatty acids found in the Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 lipid. This study illustrates the potential use of TWW as a microalgae feedstock with reduced nutrient supplementation (20% of TWW). Thus, it can be considered a promising feedstock for economical biofuel production.

Graphical abstract
Elucidating the link between thyroid cancer and mercury exposure: a review and meta-analysis
Authors: Webster Alyssa M. , Pinion Dylan , Pineda Eric , Aboueisha Hadeel , Hussein Mohammad H. , Fawzy Manal S. , Toraih Eman A. , Kandil Emad
Published: January 2024

Mercury (Hg) is a widely distributed and bioavailable metal of public health concern, with many known human toxicities, but data regarding mercury's influence on thyroid cancer (TC) is scarce. Mercury is known to impact several molecular pathways implicated in carcinogenesis, and its proclivity for bioaccumulation in the thyroid suggests a potential modulatory effect. We conducted a literature/systematic review of studies between 1995–2022 intending to define better and establish relationships between these two entities, congregate the evidence for mercury's potential role in thyroid carcinogenesis, and identify populations of interest for further study. Insufficient evidence precludes definitive conclusions on dietary mercury as a TC risk factor; however, several common mechanisms affected by mercury are crucial for TC development, including biochemical, endocrine, and reactive oxygen species effects. Quantitative analysis revealed associations between TC risk and mercury exposure. In three mercury studies, average urine levels were higher in TC patients, with a mean difference of 1.86 µg/g creatinine (95% CI = 0.32–3.41). In two studies investigating exposure to elevated mercury levels, the exposed group exhibited a higher risk of developing TC, with a relative risk of 1.90 (95% CI = 1.76–2.06). In three thyroid tissue studies, mercury levels (ppm) were higher in TC patients, averaging 0.14 (0.06–0.22) in cancerous cases (N = 178) and 0.08 (0.04–0.11) in normal thyroids (N = 257). Our findings suggest an association between mercury exposure and TC risk, implying a possible predisposing factor. Further research is necessary to reveal the clinical relevance of dietary and environmental mercury exposures in TC pathogenesis.
Constrained many-to-many point matching in two dimensions
Authors: Caraballo L. E. , Castro R. A. , Díaz-Báñez J. M. , Heredia M. A. , Urrutia J. , Ventura I. , Zaragoza F. J.
Published: January 2024

In the minimum-weight many-to-many point matching problem, we are given a set R of red points and a set B of blue points in the plane, of total size N, and we want to pair up each point in R to one or more points in B and vice versa so that the sum of distances between the paired points is minimized. This problem can be solved in $$O(N^3)$$

O
(

N
3

)

time by using a reduction to the minimum-weight perfect matching problem, and thus, it is not fast enough to be used for on-line systems where a large number of tunes need to be compared. Motivated by similarity problems in music theory, in this paper we study several constrained minimum-weight many-to-many point matching problems in which the allowed pairings are given by geometric restrictions, i.e., a bichromatic pair can be matched if and only if the corresponding points satisfy a specific condition of closeness. We provide algorithms to solve these constrained versions in O(N) time when the sets R and B are given ordered by abscissa.
Evaluating the Impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols on Surgical Outcomes Following Bariatric Surgery—A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials
Authors: Davey Matthew G. , Donlon Noel E. , Fearon Naomi M. , Heneghan Helen M. , Conneely John B.
Published: January 2024

Background

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes are evidence-based care improvement processes for surgical patients, which are designed to decrease the impact the anticipated negative physiological cascades following surgery.

Aim

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials (RCTs) to evaluate the impact of ERAS protocols on outcomes following bariatric surgery compared to standard care (SC).

Methods

A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.4

Results

Six RCTs including 740 patients were included. The mean age was 40.2 years, and mean body mass index was 44.1 kg/m2. Overall, 54.1% underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (400/740) and 45.9% sleeve gastrectomy (340/700). Overall, patients randomised to ERAS programmes had a significant reduction in nausea and vomiting (odds ratio (OR): 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.19–0.95, P = 0.040), intraoperative time (mean difference (MD): 5.40, 95% CI: 3.05–7.77, P < 0.001), time to mobilisation (MD: − 7.78, 95% CI: − 5.46 to − 2.10, P < 0.001), intensive care unit stay (ICUS) (MD: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.13–1.27, P = 0.020), total hospital stay (THS) (MD: − 0.42, 95% CI: − 0.69 to − 0.16, P = 0.002), and functional hospital stay (FHS) (MD: − 0.60, 95% CI: − 0.98 to − 0.22, P = 0.002) compared to those who received SC.

Conclusion

ERAS programmes reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting, intraoperative time, time to mobilisation, ICUS, THS, and FHS compared to those who received SC. Accordingly, ERAS should be implemented, where feasible, for patients indicated to undergo bariatric surgery.

Trial registration International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO – CRD42023434492.

Graphical Abstract
A novel process chain for the automated repair of leading edges in aircraft engines
Authors: Kenneweg Robert , Heide Klaas Maximilian , Böß Volker , Denkena Berend , Westermann Hans-Henrik
Published: January 2024

Due to impacts and constant stress, the leading edges of aircraft engine blades often lose their shape, while the other parts of the blade are still functional. This results in unnecessary performance losses. Currently, there is no method for a fast and effective repair process as the initial shape of the blade cannot be restored. This paper presents an automated re-contouring process chain for leading edges without prior material application. Thus, it is a sustainable approach to extend the lifespan until an energy-consuming welding process can be performed. It consists of an in-machine scanning process to obtain information about the worn shape, a subsequent target model generation based on the worn shape, and an automated process planning. The process chain is evaluated using a universal, leading edge workpiece. The results show that the target requirements for shape and smoothness are fulfilled.
Comprehensive Review of Subloading Surface Model: Governing Law of Irreversible Mechanical Phenomena of Solids
Authors: Hashiguchi Koichi , Yamakawa Yuki , Anjiki Takuya , Ueno Masami
Published: January 2024

The constitutive equations for the irreversible mechanical phenomena, e.g. the plastic deformation and the sliding between solids with the friction have been studied over the several centuries. Especially, they have been studied for the description of the cyclic loading behaviors in the last half century in order to respond to the high developments of the mechanical, the civil and the structural industries. Then, various constitutive models for these phenomena during the cyclic loading have been proposed hitherto. In this article, the mechanical features and the advantages/disadvantages of the constitutive models which are adopted widely for mechanical design and installed into a lot of commercial software will be clarified by the critical review for the further developments of the research on the plastic deformation/sliding phenomena and the engineering design of solids and structures, since plural different models are not necessary to these ends for the analyses of identical deformation/sliding behaviors. Eventually, it will be described that the irrational formulations involved in the past formulations can be solved out thoroughly by the recent formulations of the subloading-overstress model and subloading-overstress friction model for the monotonic and cyclic loadings under the general rate of deformation/sliding from the quasi-static to the impact loadings in unified equations, disusing the rate-independent plastic/sliding constitutive models.
Adapting non-parametric spline representations of outdoor air pollution health effects associations for use in public health benefits assessment
Authors: Burnett Richard , Cork Michael , Fann Neal , Chen Hong , Weichenthal Scott
Published: January 2024

The magnitude and shape of the association between outdoor air pollution concentrations and health need to be characterized in order to estimate public health benefits from proposed mitigation strategies. Specialized parametric functions have been proposed for this characterization. However, non-parametric spline models offer more flexibility, less bias, and predictive power, in describing these associations and are thus preferred over relatively simple parametric formulations. Unrestricted spline representations are often reported but many are not suitable for benefits analysis due to their erratic concentration-response behavior and are usually not presented in a format consistent with the requirements necessary to conduct a benefits analysis. We propose a method to adapt non-parametric spline representations of concentration-response associations that are suitable for public health benefits analysis by transforming spline predictions and its uncertainty over the study exposure range to a new spline formulation that is both monotonically increasing and restricted to concentration-response patterns suitable for use in health benefits assessment. We selected two examples of the association between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter and mortality in Canada and the USA that displayed spline fits that were neither monotonically increasing nor suitable, we suggest, for benefits analysis. We suggest our model is suitable for benefits analysis and conduct such analyses for both Canada and the USA, comparing benefits estimates to traditional models. Finally, we provide guidance on how to report spline fitting results such they can be used either in benefits analysis directly, or to fit our new model.
Regional Therapy Approaches for Gastric Cancer with Limited Peritoneal Disease
Authors: Li Amy Y. , Sedighim Shaina , Tajik Fatemeh , Khan Aaqil M. , Radhakrishnan Vinodh K. , Dayyani Farshid , Senthil Maheswari
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Despite advances in systemic therapy, outcomes of patients with gastric cancer (GC) peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) remain poor, in part because of poor penetrance of systemic therapy into peritoneal metastasis due to the plasma-peritoneal barrier and anarchic intra-tumoral circulation. Hence, regional treatment approach with administration of chemotherapy directly into the peritoneal cavity (intraperitoneal, IP) under various conditions, combined with or without cytoreductive surgery (CRS) has remained an area of significant research interest. The purpose of this review is to provide high-level evidence for regional treatment approaches in the management of GCPC with limited peritoneal disease.

Methods

A review of the current literature and ongoing clinical trials for regional IP therapies for GCPC was performed. Studies included in this review comprise of phase III randomized controlled trials, non-randomized phase II studies, high-impact retrospective studies, and active ongoing clinical trials for each available IP modality.

Results

The three common IP approaches are heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), normothermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (NIPEC) and more recently introduced, pressurized intraperitoneal aerosolized chemotherapy (PIPAC). These IP approaches have been combined with systemic therapy and/or CRS with varying degrees of promising results, demonstrating evidence of improvements in survival rates and peritoneal disease control. Patient selection, optimization of systemic therapy, and completeness of cytoreduction have emerged as major factors influencing the design of contemporary and ongoing trials.

Conclusion

IP chemotherapy has a clear role in the management of patients with GCPC, and when combined with CRS in appropriately selected patients has the potential to significantly improve survival. Ongoing and upcoming IP therapy clinical trials hold great promise to shape the treatment paradigm for GCPC.
Method Development and Optimization of Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Based on the Decomposition of Deep Eutectic Solvent for the Determination of Chromium (VI) in Spinach: Assessment of the Greenness Profile Using Eco-scale, AGREE, and AGREEprep
Authors: Moema D. , Makwakwa TA. , Nyambaka H. N. , Dube S. , Nindi MM
Published: January 2024

A simple, effective, and ligandless liquid-liquid microextraction (LLME) procedure based on the decomposition of hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDES) was developed for the separation and pre-concentration of chromium (VI) ions in spinach leaves, before the determination by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In the proposed study, the first stage involved the leaching of chromium (VI) from spinach leaves with 0.1 M Na2CO3, and in the second stage, chromium (VI) extract was preconcentrated with the LLME procedure using a DES prepared from the combination of DL-menthol and formic acid as a chelating agent and extraction solvent. The DES decomposed in an aqueous donor phase resulting in the dispersion of menthol and extraction of Cr (VI) ions. Under optimal experimental conditions, the limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.63 and 2.1 µg L−1, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 7%, and the pre-concentration factor (PF) was found to be 31.25. The accuracy of the present methodology was tested by recovery experiments. The greenness of the developed method was assessed using three quantitative green metrics tools: Analytical Eco-scale, AGREE, and AGREEprep, with only Analytical Eco-scale qualifying the proposed method as green.
Antimicrobial activity and properties of de novo design of short synthetic lipopeptides
Authors: Kroneislová Gabriela , Macůrková Anna , Novotná Zuzana , Ježek Rudolf , Lovecká Petra
Published: January 2024

The aim of this article is to introduce the topic of newly designed peptides as well as their biological activity. We designed nine encoded peptides composed of six amino acids. All these peptides were synthesized with C-terminal amidation. To investigate the importance of increased hydrophobicity at the amino end of the peptides, all of them were subsequently synthesized with palmitic or lithocholic acid at the N-terminus. Antimicrobial activity was tested on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Cytotoxicity was measured on HepG2 and HEK 293 T cell cultures. Peptides bearing a hydrophobic group exhibited the best antimicrobial activity. Lipopeptides with palmitic or lithocholic acid (PAL or LCA peptides) at the N-terminus and with C-terminal amidation were highly active against Gram-positive bacteria, especially against strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida tropicalis. The LCA peptide SHP 1.3 with the sequence LCA-LVKRAG-NH2, had high efficiency on HepG2 human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells (97%).
Innovative therapeutic concepts for biliary tumors
Authors: Djanani Angela
Published: January 2024

In recent years there have been significant changes in the treatment of bile duct carcinoma. Immunotherapy has been included in first-line treatment for about a year now (IO + cisplatin/gemcitabine). Cholangiocarcinomas are genetically very heterogeneous and several new targets have been identified in recent years. These play an important role, especially in second-line treatment. This review aims to highlight the key milestones of current treatment with a focus on targeted therapy options. Especially, current data on therapeutic options such as FGFR‑2, NTRK, IDH‑1, BRAF, HER‑2 are reported.
Harnessing Cognitively Inspired Predictive Models to Improve Investment Decision-Making
Authors: Carandente Vincenzo , Sperlí Giancarlo
Published: January 2024

In the last years, researchers and practitioners have focused on defining portfolio optimization approaches. This task aims to identify a suitable distribution of assets for maximizing profits and minimizing risks, also offering protection against unexpected market behaviors. Nevertheless, the state-of-the-art approaches encounter significant limitations due to the complex nature of the task: (1) forecasting of non-stationary, non-linearity and volatile stock price; (2) budget allocation over different stocks satisfying multi-objective objective function; (3) risk costs can significantly affect the effectiveness of the designed approaches. In this paper, we propose a cognitively inspired framework for portfolio optimization by integrating deep learning-based stock forecasting for maximizing the revenue and portfolio diversification and Shape Ratio for minimizing the risk. Furthermore, the cognitively inspired forecasting module relies on the LSTM-based approach which combines historical financial data and technical indicators. Hence, this approach addresses the portfolio optimization task with the aim of designing more and more cognitive agents that perform autonomous actions for supporting decision-making. To make these agents cognitive, we further integrate stock forecasting into the portfolio optimization model, also investigating the main factors affecting both stock forecasting and portfolio optimization tasks. The proposed framework has been evaluated in two stages on a real-world dataset, composed of four years of information about stocks from six different areas. Firstly, we compare the proposed forecasting models based on LSTM and GRU, pointing out that the former achieves higher effectiveness results although the latter has a shorter training time. Finally, the proposed framework has been compared with different baselines, obtaining a net difference of $168 at the maximum. Finally, we compare the proposed approach w.r.t. several baselines in terms of total revenue, also providing an ablation analysis to investigate how stock prediction might support investors in dealing with portfolio optimization task.
Arbeit als sozialpädagogische Kategorie − Teil 2
Authors: Ziegler Holger
Published: January 2024

Basierend auf dem Argument, Entfremdung markiere das zentrale sozialpädagogische Problem, kritisiert der Beitrag, dass der sozialpädagogische Theoriediskurs Arbeit als eine für (sozial)pädagogisches Denken bedeutsame Kategorie weitgehend vernachlässigt. Dem ersten Teil des Beitrag ging es um eine Klärung, was Arbeit als Kategorie meinen soll und wie sich diese zu Kategorien des Subjekts und der Problemkategorie der Entfremdung verhält. Dabei wurde die theoretische Distanz des (sozial)pädagogischen Diskurses zu Arbeit und die Engführung von Arbeit auf Lohnarbeit kritisiert. Der hier folgende zweite Teil des Beitrags problematisiert das Verständnis von Arbeit als zweckrationalem Handeln. Im Rekurs auf Überlegungen zum Gattungswesen im Anschluss an Karl Marx soll die pädagogische Bedeutung von Arbeit begründet und schließlich erörtert werden, inwiefern die Kategorie Arbeit auf Sachverhalte zutrifft, auf die sich Soziale Arbeit in ihrer Praxis richtet.
Sexual Well-Being Across the Lifespan: Is Sexual Satisfaction Related to Adjustment to Aging?
Authors: Miguel Isabel , von Humboldt Sofia , Leal Isabel
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Sexual satisfaction is relevant to aging well, throughout the lifespan. This study aims to compare the perspectives of sexual satisfaction and adjustment to aging (AtA) in three age cohorts across the lifespan and to analyze whether sexual satisfaction influences the perceptions of AtA.

Methods

This cross-sectional study comprised 619 participants from three different age cohorts (18–44, 45–64, and 65 + years). Three measures were used to meet the defined objectives: (a) Adjustment to Aging Scale (ATAS), (b) New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS-S), and (c) sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle questionnaire. Data were subject to MANOVAs and hierarchical regression analyses.

Results

Social support emerged as the most relevant dimension in the multifactorial nature of AtA. Generational differences were found in sense of purpose and ambitions [F(2, 616) = 14.203, p < .001], zest and spirituality [F(2, 616) = 3.175, p = .042], body and health [F(2, 616) = 8.732, p < .001], and social support [F(2, 616) = 10.646, p < .001], with participants aged 65 and older showing significantly lower levels in all dimensions. Younger participants showed the highest score for body and health. Age-related decreases in sexual satisfaction were also found, as younger participants showed statistically higher levels of sexual satisfaction, followed by middle-aged and older participants. Sexual satisfaction predicts all the dimensions of AtA, exception made for aging in place and stability. Ego-centered sexual satisfaction positively predicted sense of purpose and ambitions (β = .225, p = .015) and social support (β = .297, p < .001), while partner/sexual activity–centered sexual satisfaction was a positive predictor of zest and spirituality (β = .243, p = .010) and body and health (β = .243, p = .008).

Conclusions

Sexual satisfaction decreases with age and is positively related to dimensions of AtA. Sexual satisfaction is a relevant variable for effective approaches to promoting healthy aging and overall well-being among (older) adults.

Policy Implications

Gerontological program policies and interventions with older people would strongly benefit of including sexual satisfaction as a relevant variable for aging well along the lifespan.
Conflict Analysis Triggered by Three-Way Decision and Pythagorean Fuzzy Rough Set
Authors: Zhao Jie , Wan Renxia , Miao Duoqian
Published: January 2024

Conflict is ubiquitous in human society and has a profound impact on various fields such as the economy, politics, law, and military. Many scholars have focused on exploring the internal mechanisms and potential solutions to conflicts. Notably, describing agents’ attitudes is an effective way to construct a conflict model. However, in decision-making, agents’ attitudes on issues are often vague and ambiguous. Pythagorean fuzzy set can deal with fuzzy information more accurately than intuitionistic fuzzy set. On the basis of this understanding, we investigate the conflicts from the perspective of Pythagorean fuzzy set. Firstly, we use Pythagorean fuzzy numbers to express the attitudes of agents on issues, and subsequently establish a Pythagorean fuzzy conflict information system. Secondly, we classify agents into three categories by a pair of thresholds to establish a trisected agent set model with risk preference. Thirdly, we construct a three-way conflict analysis model based on multi-granulation Pythagorean fuzzy decision-theoretic rough set and discuss both global and local conflicts by combining conflict analysis with multi-granulation decision-theoretic rough set. Finally, we discuss the relationships and properties of the proposed conflict analysis models.
Surgical treatment strategy for thymic tumors invading the superior vena cava
Authors: Jiang Jiahao , Gao Jian , Wang Shuai , Ao Yongqiang , Song Jieqiong , Tan Lijie , Lai Hao , Ding Jianyong
Published: January 2024

Objective

To explore surgical treatment strategies for thymic tumors invading the superior vena cava (SVC).

Methods

Fifty-seven patients were identified to have undergone surgery at our institution for thymic tumors invading the SVC from January 2016 to June 2021. The tumors were classified based on the involvement of the SVC as follows: type I, only the left or right innominate vein involved, so the patient underwent resection only without revascularization (n = 25); type II, less than 30% of the SVC circumference involved, so the patient underwent direct resection followed by repair of the SVC defect (n = 2); and type III, more than 30% of the SVC circumference involved, so the patient underwent single conduit reconstruction between the innominate vein and right atrial appendage first followed by extended resection of the tumor and the invaded portion of the SVC (n = 30).

Results

Complete resection was achieved in all patients. Most patients (54/57) had high-risk thymoma or thymic carcinoma. No serious complications occurred in patients with type I or type II tumors. Three of the 30 patients with type III tumors died, two required repeat surgery, one experienced a myasthenia gravis crisis, and one developed a surgical site infection. The median follow-up duration was 22 months. The 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 59.6% and 81.2%, respectively.

Conclusion

This typing method can be used to guide selection of the surgical strategy for a thymic tumor involving the SVC. A strategy of single-vessel reconstruction before extensive resection is appropriate for patients with a type III tumor.
Functorial Fast-Growing Hierarchies
Authors: Aguilera J. P. , Pakhomov F. , Weiermann A.
Published: January 2024

We prove an isomorphism theorem between the canonical denotation systems for large natural numbers and large countable ordinal numbers, linking two fundamental concepts in Proof Theory. The first one is fast-growing hierarchies. These are sequences of functions on

$\mathbb {N}$

obtained through processes such as the ones that yield multiplication from addition, exponentiation from multiplication, etc. and represent the canonical way of speaking about large finite numbers. The second one is ordinal collapsing functions, which represent the best-known method of describing large computable ordinals.

We observe that fast-growing hierarchies can be naturally extended to functors on the categories of natural numbers and of linear orders. The isomorphism theorem asserts that the categorical extensions of binary fast-growing hierarchies to ordinals are isomorphic to denotation systems given by cardinal collapsing functions. As an application of this fact, we obtain a restatement of the subsystem

$\Pi ^1_1$

-

${\mathsf {CA_0}}$

of analysis as a higher-type well-ordering principle asserting that binary fast-growing hierarchies preserve well-foundedness.
Commonality and difference in the eigenfunctions of various types of acoustic trapped modes
Authors: Dai Xiwen
Published: January 2024

We investigate and compare various types of acoustic trapped modes (TMs) in resonator–waveguide systems. The goal is to understand the commonality and difference between the mechanisms of common (symmetry protected, invisibility protected and symmetry–periodicity protected) and accidental TMs, occurring continuously and discretely in the resonator length–frequency two-parameter space. The latter type cannot yet be explained via an operator decomposition. Here, all TMs are explained in the same way by analysing why and how the propagating-wave loops in the eigenfunctions can satisfy the eigenmode condition (loop magnitude and phase constraints for closure) and the wave-trapping condition (loop zero-radiation condition) simultaneously. Firstly, the unified analysis reveals the commonality that one or multiple coupled propagating-wave loops satisfy TM conditions, and the difference. In common TMs, the loop zero radiation is independent of the single loop phase constraint that selects the TM frequency as a continuous function of resonator length. On the other hand, loop zero radiation in accidental TMs depends on the loop phase constraints and there are two phase constraints. Only at the crossing points of the two phase constraints can zero-radiation loops be ensured. Secondly, in contrast to previous studies, it suggests that modal degeneracy, avoided crossing and resonance-width bifurcation are not the mechanisms of accidental TMs.
Direct numerical simulation of temporally evolving stratified wakes with ensemble average
Authors: Li Jiaqi J.L. , Yang Xiang I.A. , Kunz Robert F.
Published: January 2024

Direct numerical simulations are conducted for temporally evolving stratified wake flows at Reynolds numbers from

$10\,000$

to

$50\,000$

and Froude numbers from

$2$

to 50. Unlike previous studies that obtained statistics from a single realization, we take ensemble averages among 80–100 realizations. Our analysis shows that data from one realization incur large convergence errors. These errors reduce quickly as the number of statistical samples increases, with the benefit of ensemble average diminishing beyond 40–60 realizations. The data with ensemble average allow us to test the previously established scalings and arrive at new scaling estimates. Specifically, the data do not support power-law scaling in the centreline velocity deficit

$U_0$

beyond the near wake. Its decay rate increases continuously from 0.1 at the onset of the non-equilibrium regime until the end of our calculations without reaching any asymptote. Additionally, while no power-law scalings could be found in the wake width (

$L_H$

) and wake height (

$L_V$

) in the late wake,

$L_H\sim (Nt)^{1/3}$

is a good working approximation of the wake's horizontal size, where

$N$

is buoyancy frequency and

$t$

is time. Besides the low-order statistics, we also report the transverse integrated terms and the vertically integrated terms in the turbulent kinetic energy budget equation as a function of the vertical and transverse coordinates. The data indicate that there are two peaks in the vertically integrated production and transport terms, and one peak when the two terms are integrated horizontally.