bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal childhood adversity and adolescent marijuana use at age 17 years: The role of parental mental health and parenting behaviors
Authors: Okine Lucinda , Cederbaum Julie A. , Duan Lei , Lee Jungeun O.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Children's risk for marijuana use may be linked to their parents' history of childhood adversity, yet little is known about the mechanisms underlying this link. This study examined whether maternal parenting behavior and mental health serve as mechanisms linking maternal childhood adversity to their children's marijuana use at age 17 years, by gender.

Methods

Data were from the Young Women and Child Development Study (59% male), a longitudinal panel study, which began in 1988 and followed mother–child dyads for 17 years (n = 240). Participants were recruited from health and social services agencies located in a metropolitan region of Washington State. Hypotheses were tested using Structural Equation Modeling in Mplus. Multiple‐group analysis was conducted to evaluate potential gender differences.

Results

Results showed that maternal childhood adversity was associated with their mental health outcomes (β = .32, p < .001), which in turn was predictive of mothers' harsh parenting (β = .27, p < .01). Maternal harsh parenting behavior was then associated with their children's marijuana use at age 17 years (β = .34, p < .001). Multiple group analyses revealed that the path from harsh parenting to adolescent marijuana use differed across genders being only significant for boys (β = .42, p < .001).

Conclusions

The intergenerational impact of childhood adversity highlights the need for interventions that target both parents and children. This would support teen mothers with a history of childhood adversity to acquire skills and knowledge to help mitigate its impact on their parenting behaviors and offset risks for their children.
For safe and fast surgery: Utilization of the SAND balloon catheter for acute cholecystitis
Authors: Yasukawa Koya , Shimizu Akira , Kubota Koji , Notake Tsuyoshi , Hayashi Hikaru , Tomida Hidenori , Kuroiwa Yudai , Nakamura Kenya , Hongo Yuta , Soejima Yuji
Published: August 2023

Background

The utility of the SAND balloon catheter in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis (AC) remains unclear.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent emergency cholecystectomy at Shinshu University was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the SAND balloon catheter in cases of AC (SAND balloon utilization: Group S, n = 44; non‐utilization: Group non‐S, n = 47).

Results

The duration of surgery was significantly shorter in Group S than in Group non‐S (p = .031). Despite comparable incidences of blood transfusions in the two groups, intraoperative blood loss was significantly less in Group S than in Group non‐S (p = .013). The incidence of postoperative intraperitoneal infection tended to be higher in Group non‐S (p = .076). Within Group non‐S, bile spillage during operation was found in 16 (34.0%) patients. The multivariate analysis revealed that gangrenous AC was the strongest independent risk factor for bile spillage during operation (odds ratio [OR]: 19.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.84–78.4; p = .002), followed by surgeons with ≤10 years of experience (OR: 11.3; 95% CI: 1.81–70.6; p < .010).

Conclusions

Implementation of the SAND balloon catheter in patients with AC is a safe and efficacious surgical option. This catheter is recommended in cases of gangrenous cholecystitis and for surgeons with limited experience.
The green novel approach in hydrolysis of pistachio shell into xylose by microwave‐assisted high‐pressure CO2/H2O
Authors: Hazal Filiz , Özbek Hatice Neval , Göğüş Fahrettin , Yanık Derya Koçak
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Pistachio shell is a valuable lignocellulosic biomass because almost 90% of its hemicellulose fraction is xylan, which can be converted into high value‐added compounds such as xylooligosaccarides, xylose, xylitol and furfural. The present study represents a green and novel approach to produce xylose from lignocellulosic biomass. Microwave‐assisted high‐pressure CO2/H2O hydrolysis (MW‐HPCO2) comprising a combination never previously used was performed to produce xylose from pistachio shell.

RESULTS

Response surface methodology with a Box–Behnken design was implemented to optimize microwave‐assisted high‐pressure CO2/H2O hydrolysis (MW‐HPCO2). The effect of temperature, time and liquid‐to‐solid ratio was studied in the ranges of 180–210 °C, 10–30 min and 5–30 mL g−1, respectively. A maximum xylose yield of 61.39% and minimum degradation compounds (5‐hydroxymethyl furfural and furfural) of 11.07% were attained under reaction conditions of 190 °C, 30 min and 18 mL g−1.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that hydrolysis temperature, time and liquid‐to‐solid ratio had a strong influence on the xylose yield, as well as on the formation of degradation compounds. MW‐HPCO2 significantly increased accessibility to cellulose‐derived products in the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis. The results of the present study reveal that MW‐HPCO2 can be a promising green technique for the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Unsupervised Learning of non‐Hermitian Photonic Bulk Topology
Authors: Li Yandong , Ao Yutian , Hu Xiaoyong , Lu Cuicui , Chan C. T. , Gong Qihuang
Published: August 2023

Machine‐learning has proven useful in distinguishing topological phases. However, there is still a lack of relevant research in the non‐Hermitian community, especially from the perspective of the momentum‐space. Here, an unsupervised machine‐learning method, diffusion maps, is used to study non‐Hermitian topologies in the momentum‐space. Choosing proper topological descriptors as input datasets, topological phases are successfully distinguished in several prototypical cases, including a line‐gapped tight‐binding model, a line‐gapped Floquet model, and a point‐gapped tight‐binding model. The datasets can be further reduced when certain symmetries exist. A mixed diffusion kernel method is proposed and developed, which could study several topologies at the same time and give hierarchical clustering results. As an application, a novel phase transition process is discovered in a non‐Hermitian honeycomb lattice without tedious numerical calculations. This study characterizes band properties without any prior knowledge, which provides a convenient and powerful way to study topology in non‐Hermitian systems.
Exploring the motivating factors for using live‐streaming and their influence on consumers' hedonic well‐being: The mediating effect of psychological engagement
Authors: Asante Isaac Owusu , Jiang Yushi , Miao Miao
Published: August 2023

This study employs a multimethod approach to examine the factors motivating consumers to interact with brands through live‐streaming platforms and how they affect their hedonic well‐being. The result indicates that exclusively relying on the net effects of the motivating factors could be misleading. It presents an insight into how a mediation effect (psychological engagement) affects the interdependence of the independent variables in achieving hedonic well‐being. Although the structural equation modeling results highlight the significant mediating impact of psychological engagement, the fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis shows that psychological engagement is only a core condition in one configuration (out of the three configurations). That is when two motivational factors (brand awareness and real‐time customer service) act as a substitute, and the others (convenience and consumer–brand relationship quality) are present. Therefore, psychological engagement is indifferent when all motivational factors are present. This study, through the application of a multimethod approach, shows that motivational factors for using live‐streaming are only necessary for escalating consumer well‐being but not sufficient in themselves.
Second‐order scalar auxiliary variable Fourier‐spectral method for a liquid thin film coarsening model
Authors: Zhang Juan , Dong Lixiu , Zhang Zhengru
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we propose and analyze a second‐order accurate (in time) numerical scheme for the droplet liquid film coarsening model by using the scalar auxiliary variable (SAV) method, and the Fourier‐spectral method is used in space. The scheme is linear; thus, it could be solved very efficiently. Meanwhile, due to the application of SAV approach, the unconditional energy stability of the numerical scheme is also derived, without any restriction on the time step size. In addition, we also provide a rigorous error estimate that shows that our second‐order numerical scheme with Fourier‐spectral method in space converges with order
, where
and
are time and space step sizes, respectively. Finally, a few numerical experiments are performed, which confirms the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed scheme, including the tests of the convergence, the mass conservation and the decrease of the energy. The simulation of coarsening process with time is also observed.
Multisoliton and general Wronskian solutions of a variable‐coefficient Korteweg–de Vries equation
Authors: Zhao Hai‐qiong , Zhou Tong
Published: August 2023

With the help of a suitable transformation of the potential function, a variable‐coefficient Korteweg–de Vries (vcKdV) equation is transformed into a quadrilinear form. This form is further transformed into a bilinear form by the introduction of an auxiliary variable. The multisoliton solution is obtained with the aid of the perturbation technique. Furthermore, using the Laplace expansion of the determinant and a set of conditions, we verify that the potential function expressed in the form of the Wronskian determinant satisfies the given bilinear equation. Lastly, some rational solutions of the vcKdV equation are also obtained.
lncRNA GHET1 regulates extravillous trophoblastic phenotype via EZH2/LSD1‐mediated MT2A epigenetic suppression in pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Wan Pengyun , Huang Jia , Liu Wenting , Su Xiaoyan , Zhao Bei , Wang Xianggang , Zhao Lu
Published: August 2023

Pre‐eclampsia (PE) is usually defined as new‐onset hypertension with albuminuria or other organ damage. Herein, the role and mechanism of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) gastric carcinoma high expressed transcript 1 (GHET1) during PE are investigated. Expression of GHET1 in PE pregnancies was evaluated using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Proliferation and cell cycle of extravillous trophoblasts were assessed by Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8), colony formation, 5‐Ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU) assays, and flow cytometry, respectively. Migration, invasion, and network formation of trophoblasts were measured by wound healing, transwell system, and tube formation assays. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull‐down, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were used to confirm the molecular interaction. GHET1 was markedly decreased in the placenta of PE patients. GHET1 promoted the proliferation and cell cycle of extravillous trophoblasts, as well as migration, invasion, and network formation in vitro. Metallothionein 2A (MT2A) functioned as a downstream effector of GHET1, which was negatively correlated with GHET1 in PE. GHET1 directly bound with zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2/lysine‐specific demethylase 1 (EZH2/LSD1). Knockdown of GHET1 reduced the occupancies of H3K27me3 and H3K4me2 in the MT2A promoter region by recruiting EZH2 and LSD1. MT2A knockdown reversed GHET1 inhibition mediated biological functions. GHET1 regulates extravillous trophoblastic phenotype via EZH2/LSD1‐mediated MT2A epigenetic suppression in PE.
Critical Investigation of Betaine Hydrochloride‐Based Deep Eutectic Solvent for Ionometallurgical Metal Production
Authors: Richter Janine , Pietsch Tobias , Elsner Noah , Ruck Michael
Published: August 2023

The applicability of a deep eutectic solvent (DES) consisting of betainium hydrochloride, urea and glycerol is examined with respect to ionometallurgical metal extraction and compared with the ionic liquid (IL) betainium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Hbet][NTf2]). The DES dissolves numerous metal oxides, where not only betaine and chloride act as stabilizing ligands, but also nascent ammonia seems to be essential. From such solutions, cobalt, copper, zinc, tin, lead, and even vanadium can be electrodeposited, demonstrating the feasibility of ionometallurgy. However, repeated recycling of the DES is not conceivable. NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry identify numerous decomposition reactions taking place at 60 °C already. The by‐products that are formed not only make recycling more difficult, but also pose a toxicity problem. The opportunities and obstacles of DESs and ILs for their application in ionometallurgy are critically discussed. It is shown that a thorough understanding of the underlying chemical processes is critical.
The effects of cellulose nanocrystal and dicumyl peroxide on the crystallization kinetics of polylactic acid
Authors: Junjie Li , Junjun Wu , Xie Zexiang , Zhong Ganji , Gao Xueqin , Jiang Long
Published: August 2023

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have been blended into polylactic acid (PLA) to improve the polymer's properties. The dispersion of CNC in the matrix has a strong influence on the properties of the nanocomposites. In this study, PLA and CNC were compounded by a reactive extrusion process using dicarbonyl peroxide (DCP) as the free radical initiator. Isothermal and non‐isothermal crystallization kinetics of the resulting nanocomposites were investigated to understand the effect of PLA‐D‐CNC on the crystallization of the materials. Nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses confirmed the grafting of PLA onto CNC via reactive extrusion. The Avrami and Tobin model studies showed that the reactive extrusion product PLA‐D‐CNC exhibited much higher crystallization rates compared to neat PLA, PLA/CNC (without DCP), and PLA/DCP. The maximum crystallization rate temperature of PLA, PLA/CNC, and PLA/DCP was increased from ~100 to ~110°C for PLA‐D‐CNC. The results showed that CNC promoted PLA nucleation and crystallization at high temperatures under the action of DCP. Specifically, the maximum crystallization rate of PLA‐D‐CNC was 46 times higher than that of neat PLA. PLA‐D‐CNC showed a two‐stage crystallization process, while the other three samples exhibited mostly single‐stage processes. The much‐enhanced crystallization of PLA‐D‐CNC was ascribed to the improved interaction between PLA and PLA‐D‐CNC and the homogeneous dispersion of CNC.

Highlights

PLA chains were grafted onto CNC with the assistance of DCP free radicals.

PLA‐grafted CNC facilitated heterogeneous nucleation of PLA.

Crystallization studies confirmed improved PLA crystallization in the presence of PLA‐D‐CNC.
Poly(L‐lactide)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(D,L‐lactide) copolymers with enhanced toughness and strength by regulating crystallization and phase separation
Authors: Chen Yipeng , Zhang Jiangang , Zhang Yuesheng , Cao Wen , Liu Xiong , Bao Jianna , Zhang Xianming , Chen Wenxing
Published: August 2023

Copolymerizing poly(lactide) with other materials to obtain better comprehensive performance is a effective way to expand its application range. In this work, the precursors of hydroxyl terminated (poly(L‐lactide) [PLLA], poly(ε‐caprolactone) [PCL], poly(D,L‐lactide) [PDLLA]) were prepared, and PLLA‐PCL‐PDLLA copolymer were synthesized by chain extension. The effects of the proportion and molecular weight of each component and the amount of chain extender on crystallization, phase structures, mechanical properties and thermal stabilities of PLLA‐PCL‐PDLLA copolymer were studied in detail. Based on small‐angle X‐ray scattering results, the competition between crystallization and microphase separation was regulated by the composition and chain length of prepolymers. As the ratio of PLLA/PDLLA  was 1:1, crystallization was prevailing and no obvious peak was observed in SAXS pattern. The tensile test results showed that as the ratio of PLLA/PDLLA increased from 1:1 to 1:5, the elongation at break of the copolymer changed from 1.8% to 343%. By using shorter length of PCL and PLLA segments in chain extension, improvement in strength and flexibility were obtained due to moderate degree of crystallization and microphase separation. This work used biodegradable materials to prepare extraordinary toughness copolymers without losing the biocompatibility, which may provide a feasible method for obtaining high toughness and biodegradable PLA‐based materials.
Auto‐segmentation of the clinical target volume using a domain‐adversarial neural network in patients with gynaecological cancer undergoing postoperative vaginal brachytherapy
Authors: Yan Junfang , Qin Xue , Qiao Caixia , Zhu Jiawei , Song Lina , Yang Mi , Wang Shaobin , Bai Lu , Liu Zhikai , Qiu Jie
Published: August 2023

Purpose

For postoperative vaginal brachytherapy (POVBT), the diversity of applicators complicates the creation of a generalized auto‐segmentation model, and creating models for each applicator seems difficult due to the large amount of data required. We construct an auto‐segmentation model of POVBT using small data via domain‐adversarial neural networks (DANNs).

Methods

CT images were obtained postoperatively from 90 patients with gynaecological cancer who underwent vaginal brachytherapy, including 60 and 30 treated with applicators A and X, respectively. A basal model was devised using data from the patients treated with applicator A; next, a DANN model was constructed using these same 60 patients as well as 10 of those treated with applicator X through transfer learning techniques. The remaining 20 patients treated with applicator X comprised the validation set. The model's performance was assessed using objective metrics and manual clinical evaluation.

Results

The DANN model outperformed the basal model on both objective metrics and subjective evaluation (p<0.05 for all). The median DSC and 95HD values were 0.97 and 3.68 mm in the DANN model versus 0.94 and 5.61 mm in the basal model, respectively. Multi‐centre subjective evaluation by three clinicians showed that 99%, 98%, and 81% of CT slices contoured by the DANN model were acceptable versus only 73%, 77%, and 57% of those contoured by the basal model. One clinician deemed the DANN model comparable to manual delineation.

Conclusion

DANNs provides a realistic approach for the wide application of automatic segmentation of POVBT and can potentially be used to construct auto‐segmentation models from small datasets.
Quantum Quantile Mechanics: Solving Stochastic Differential Equations for Generating Time‐Series
Authors: Paine Annie E. , Elfving Vincent E. , Kyriienko Oleksandr
Published: August 2023

A quantum algorithm is proposed for sampling from a solution of stochastic differential equations (SDEs). Using differentiable quantum circuits (DQCs) with a feature map encoding of latent variables, the quantile function is represented for an underlying probability distribution and samples extracted as DQC expectation values. Using quantile mechanics the system is propagated in time, thereby allowing for time‐series generation. The method is tested by simulating the Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck process and sampling at times different from the initial point, as required in financial analysis and dataset augmentation. Additionally, continuous quantum generative adversarial networks (qGANs) are analyzed, and the authors show that they represent quantile functions with a modified (reordered) shape that impedes their efficient time‐propagation. The results shed light on the connection between quantum quantile mechanics (QQM) and qGANs for SDE‐based distributions, and point the importance of differential constraints for model training, analogously with the recent success of physics informed neural networks.
Evaluation of the inner retinal layers following traditional and modified ILM peeling surgery using automatic CMDS quantification algorithm
Authors: Shen Lijun , Ye Xin , Wu Sulan , Yu Jiafeng , Chen Huan , Zhang Shian , Wang Chenxi , Jiang Shanshan , Mao Jianbo , He Shucheng , Liu Xingxing , Chen Yiqi
Published: August 2023

Idiopathic macular hole (IMH) is a vitreoretinal disease that causes severe visual impairment, and the pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with internal limiting membrane peeling (ILMP) is the traditional treatment for IMH. Since the dissociated optical nerve fiber layer (DONFL) is observed in the eyes after the surgery, a modified surgery is put forward to minimize the injury. However, the extent to which the modified surgery reduced damage is not clear. A novel automated image processing system was developed in this study to quantify the damage after the surgery, revealing how the modified surgery reduced the DONFL. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and visual acuity were collected from 65 eyes that underwent a vitrectomy with traditional and modified ILM peeling procedure at Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital preoperatively. We found that DONFL occurred in all 65 eyes of both the traditional and modified ILM peeling groups. The concentric macular dark spots (CMDS) were automatically measured by the image processing system. The mean total area of CMDS was smaller in the modified ILM peeling group (0.224 ± 0.110 mm2) than that of the traditional ILM peeling group (0.385 ± 0.237 mm2), and there is a significant difference between the two groups (p < .05). The morphological difference in the temporal quadrant of CMDS between the two surgery technology groups was significant (p < .001). This study will provide a clinical research basis for the improvement of macular hole surgery.
Spin-Phonon Relaxation in Magnetic Molecules: Theory, Predictions and Insights
Authors: Lunghi Alessandro
Published: August 2023

Magnetic molecules have played a central role in the development of magnetism and coordination chemistry, and their study keeps leading innovation in cutting-edge scientific fields such as magnetic resonance, magnetism, spintronics, and quantum technologies. Crucially, a long spin lifetime well above cryogenic temperature is a stringent requirement for all these applications. In this chapter, we review the foundations of spin relaxation theory and provide a detailed overview of first-principles strategies applied to the problem of spin-phonon relaxation in magnetic molecules. Firstly, we present a rigorous formalism of spin-phonon relaxation based on open-quantum systems theory. These results are then used to derive classical phenomenological relations based on the Debye model. Finally, we provide a prescription of how to map the relaxation formalism onto existing electronic structure methods to obtain a quantitative picture of spin-phonon relaxation. Examples from the literature, including both transition metals and lanthanides compounds, will be discussed in order to illustrate how Direct, Orbach, and Raman relaxation mechanisms can affect spin dynamics for this class of compounds.
Introduction
Authors: Hu Yamin
Published: August 2023

In contemporary China, the proposal of constructing the Chinese form of Marxist literary criticism, as a form distinctly differed from Russian Soviet and Western Marxist literary criticism after classical Marxist literary criticism, is a pioneering attempt beneficial for the study of Marxist literary criticism globally. Does the Chinese form really exist? How does one construct the Chinese form? What are the theoretical qualities of the Chinese form, and what are its contributions to the global literary studies? These questions are of great theoretical value and practical urgency. The Introduction inquires and updates current research methods and paradigms, and then provides new ideas and theoretical routes for the construction of the Chinese form of Marxist literary criticism.
The Praxis Dimension of Literary Criticism
Authors: Hu Yamin
Published: August 2023

Inheriting the Classical Marxist view of practice, the Chinese form re-examines the nature and scope of practice. Practice covers material as well as spiritual activities of human beings. The initiative of the subject is foregrounded and the primacy of practice is affirmed with a view of literature in the practical dimension. Literature, as the embodiment of the essential power of human beings, is the product of the objectification of both the subject and object. It arises from the objectified relationship, which is incarnated in the mutual transformation and construction between the creative subject and the object. For this reason, the epistemology and modern linguistic theories are in need of re-consideration and correction. Also, the inner contradiction of literary theory of reflection and linguistic ontology needs to be revealed. Practical dimension is employed in the discussion of the objectified relationship between literary criticism and the subject of literary activity, literary text, and even the society in which they are shaped and elevated by each other. The consciousness and unconsciousness in practical activities and the relationship between the finiteness and infinity are also reflected and inquired.
Literature and Capital in a Market Economy
Authors: Hu Yamin
Published: August 2023

The attributes of literature in the market economy are needed to be re-examined. Contemporary literary production has not only aesthetic and ideology but also commodity attributes. However, to propose and analyze the commodity attribute of literature is not to wave the flag and cheer for the commercialization of art. By acknowledging and understanding the commodity attribute of artistic production, we can effectively widen the living space of literary and artistic activities, and keep alert to the threat of capital to art, preventing it from killing the nature of art in the process of maximizing profit. Adhering to the spiritual character of literature in literary production, the Chinese form will try to achieve the harmonious development of the artistic value of literature and market demand. Suggestions are given to the future development of artistic production from aspects of personalization, comprehensiveness, and public interest. When the division of labor ceases to be compulsory, the capitalistic attributes of literature will gradually fade away. The full emancipation of human beings is precisely the goal and the intended orientation of contemporary artistic production.
Status of electroweak baryogenesis in minimal composite Higgs
Authors: Bruggisser Sebastian , von Harling Benedict , Matsedonskyi Oleksii , Servant Géraldine
Published: August 2023

Abstract

We present an update on the status of electroweak baryogenesis in minimal composite Higgs models. The particularity of this framework is that the electroweak phase transition can proceed simultaneously with the confinement phase transition of the new strong dynamics that produces the composite Higgs. The latter transition is controlled by the dilaton — the pseudo-Goldstone boson of an approximate scale invariance of the composite sector. Since it naturally is first-order, the electroweak phase transition becomes first-order too. Another appealing aspect is that the necessary additional source of CP violation can arise from the variation of the quark Yukawa couplings during the phase transition, which is built-in naturally in this scenario. These two features address the shortcomings of electroweak baryogenesis in the Standard Model. We confront this scenario with the latest experimental bounds derived from collider searches for new resonances and measurements of the Higgs couplings and electric dipole moments. All these constraints provide (or will be able to provide in the near future) important bounds on the considered scenario, with the most stringent ones coming from LHC searches for new resonances which constrain the dilaton mass and couplings. We identify the viable region of parameter space which satisfies all the constraints, and is characterized by a dilaton mass in the 300–500 GeV range and a Higgs decay constant f ≲ 1.1 TeV. We discuss its future tests.
Blow-up for a stochastic model of chemotaxis driven by conservative noise on $$\mathbb {R}^2$$
Authors: Mayorcas Avi , Tomašević Milica
Published: August 2023

We establish criteria on the chemotactic sensitivity $$\chi $$
χ
for the non-existence of global weak solutions (i.e., blow-up in finite time) to a stochastic Keller–Segel model with spatially inhomogeneous, conservative noise on $$\mathbb {R}^2$$

R

2

. We show that if $$\chi $$
χ
is sufficiently large then blow-up occurs with probability 1. In this regime, our criterion agrees with that of a deterministic Keller–Segel model with increased viscosity. However, for $$\chi $$
χ
in an intermediate regime, determined by the variance of the initial data and the spatial correlation of the noise, we show that blow-up occurs with positive probability.
Common misunderstandings of evidence-based medicine
Authors: Semrau Frank , Aidelsburger Pamela , Israel Carsten Walter
Published: August 2023

Currently, most evidence assessments in guidelines or health technology assessments (HTAs) rely on the assumption that a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is always the best source of evidence. However, if the outcome in a control group is certain, e.g. death within a short time with an almost 100% chance, or if an event can only occur in the treatment group, there is no need for a randomized control group; the evidence cannot be improved by a control group, nor by an RCT design. If a cause–effect relationship is certain (“primary or direct evidence”), a therapeutic effect can be diluted in the population of an RCT by cross-over, etc. This can lead to serious misinterpretations of the effect. While experts such as the GRADE group or Cochrane institutes recommend using all available evidence, the leading approach in many guidelines and HTAs is assessing “the best available trials”, i.e. RCTs. But since RCTs only deliver probabilities of cause–effect relationships, it is not appropriate to demand RCTs for certain effects. A control group can only diminish the net value of a treatment since the outcome in the control group is subtracted from the outcome in the treatment group. Therefore, under identical circumstances, an RCT will always show lower effect rates compared to a single arm study of the same quality, for desired as well as for adverse effects. Considering these inconsistencies in evidence-based medicine interpretation, the evidence pyramid with RCTs at the top is not always a reliable indicator for the best quality of evidence.
Peritumoral T2/FLAIR hyperintense MRI findings of meningiomas are not necessarily edema and may persist permanently: a systematic review
Authors: Laajava Joonas , Korja Miikka
Published: August 2023

The current knowledge regarding the prevalence and persistence of edematous changes postmeningioma surgery is limited. Our hypothesis was that peritumoral edema is frequently irreversible gliosis, potentially influencing long-term postoperative epilepsy. We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases. We included studies with adult patients undergoing first supratentorial meningioma surgery, which reported pre- and postoperative peritumoral brain edema (T2WI and FLAIR hyperintensity on MRI). Risk of bias was assessed based on detailed reporting of five domains: (1) meningioma characteristics, (2) extent of resection, (3) postoperative radiation therapy, (4) neurological outcome, and (5) used MRI sequence. Our loose search strategy yielded 1714 articles, of which 164 were reviewed and seven met inclusion criteria. Persistent edema rates ranged from 39% to 83% with final follow-up occurring between 0, 14, and 157 months. Among patient cohorts exhibiting persistent edema, a smaller portion achieved seizure resolution compared to a cohort without persistent edema. Relatively reliable assessment of persistent T2/FLAIR hyperintensity changes can be made earliest at one year following surgery. All studies were classified as low quality of evidence, and therefore, quantitative analyses were not conducted. Persistent T2/FLAIR hyperintensity changes are frequently observed in MRI imaging following meningioma surgery. The term “edema,” which is reversible, does not fully capture pre- and postoperative T2WI and FLAIR hyperintensity changes. Future studies focusing on peritumoral meningioma-related edema, its etiology, its persistence, and its impact on postoperative epilepsy are needed.
An orthotropic continuum model with substructure evolution for describing bone remodeling: an interpretation of the primary mechanism behind Wolff’s law
Authors: Giorgio Ivan , dell’Isola Francesco , Andreaus Ugo , Misra Anil
Published: August 2023

We propose a variational approach that employs a generalized principle of virtual work to estimate both the mechanical response and the changes in living bone tissue during the remodeling process. This approach provides an explanation for the adaptive regulation of the bone substructure in the context of orthotropic material symmetry. We specifically focus upon the crucial gradual adjustment of bone tissue as a structural material that adapts its mechanical features, such as materials stiffnesses and microstructure, in response to the evolving loading conditions. We postulate that the evolution process relies on a feedback mechanism involving multiple stimulus signals. The mechanical and remodeling behavior of bone tissue is clearly a complex process that is difficult to describe within the framework of classical continuum theories. For this reason, a generalized continuum elastic theory is employed as a proper mathematical context for an adequate description of the examined phenomenon. To simplify the investigation, we considered a two-dimensional problem. Numerical simulations have been performed to illustrate bone evolution in a few significant cases: the bending of a rectangular cantilever plate and a three-point flexure test. The results are encouraging because they can replicate the optimization process observed in bone remodeling. The proposed model provides a likely distribution of stiffnesses and accurately represents the arrangement of trabeculae macroscopically described by the orthotropic symmetry directions, as supported by experimental evidence from the trajectorial theory.
Advancing our understanding of biological invasions with long-term biomonitoring data
Authors: Haubrock Phillip J. , Carneiro Laís , Macêdo Rafael L. , Balzani Paride , Soto Ismael , Rasmussen Jes Jessen , Wiberg-Larsen Peter , Csabai Zoltan , Várbíró Gábor , Murphy John Francis , Jones J. Iwan , Verdonschot Ralf C. M. , Verdonschot Piet , van der Lee Gea , Ahmed Danish A.
Published: August 2023

The use of long-term datasets is crucial in ecology because it provides a comprehensive understanding of natural fluctuations, changes in ecosystems over extended periods of time, and robust comparisons across geographical scales. This information is critical in detecting and analysing trends and patterns in species populations, community dynamics, and ecosystem functioning, which in turn helps in predicting future changes and impacts of human activities. Additionally, long-term data sets allow for the evaluation of the effectiveness of conservation efforts and management strategies, enabling scientists and decision makers to make evidence-based decisions for biodiversity conservation. Although the use of long-term data is recognized as highly important in several scientific disciplines, its usage remains undervalued regarding questions in invasion science. Here, we used four regional subsets (i.e. England, Hungary, Denmark and the Dutch-German-Luxembourg) of a recently collated long-term time series database to investigate the abundance and dynamics of occurring non-native species over space and time in Europe. While we found differences in the numbers of non-native species across the studied regions (Dutch-German-Luxembourg region = 37; England = 17, Hungary = 34; Denmark = 3), non-native species detection rates were continuous over time. Our results further show that long-term monitoring efforts at large spatial scales can substantially increase the accuracy and rate at which non-native species are detected. This information can inform management endeavours dealing with non-native species, underlining the need for invasion scientists and authorities-stakeholders to make more effort in collecting, analysing and making available long-term datasets at broader geographic ranges.
Factors associated with insomnia symptoms over three years among premenopausal women with breast cancer
Authors: Beverly Hery Chloe M. , Janse Sarah A. , Van Zee Kimberly J. , Naftalis Elizabeth Z. , Paskett Electra D. , Naughton Michelle J.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

We examined longitudinal trends and factors associated with insomnia over 3 years in a cohort of young breast cancer patients.

Methods

Women with stage I–III breast cancer at ≤ 45 years were recruited at five institutions from New York, Texas, and North Carolina, within 8 months of diagnosis (n = 836). Participants completed questionnaires every 6 months for 3 years. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine insomnia over time, using the Women’s Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale (WHIIRS). We evaluated the relations of insomnia with demographic (age, race, education, income, employment, marital status), clinical (cancer stage, histologic grade, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, surgery, tumor size, body mass index, hot flashes), and social/behavioral variables (smoking status, social support, physical activity, depressive symptoms).

Results

At baseline, 57% of participants met or exceeded the cut-off for clinical insomnia (WHIIRS score ≥ 9). Insomnia symptoms were most prevalent at baseline (p < 0.0001), but decreased significantly throughout follow-up (p < 0.001). However, 42% of participants still experienced insomnia symptoms 3 years after diagnosis. In multivariable models, older age (p = 0.02), hot flashes (p < 0.0001), and depressive symptoms (p < 0.0001) remained significantly associated with insomnia over time.

Conclusions

Insomnia symptoms were most frequent closer to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, but persisted for some women who were older and those reporting higher hot flashes and depressive symptoms. Survivorship care should include assessing insomnia symptoms, particularly during and immediately after primary treatment. Implementing early interventions for sleep problems may benefit young breast cancer survivors and improve their quality of life.
It’s Worth What You Can Sell It for: A Survey of Employment and Compensation Models for Clinical Ethicists
Authors: Wasserman Jason Adam , Brummett Abram , Navin Mark Christopher
Published: August 2023

This article reports results of a survey about employment and compensation models for clinical ethics consultants working in the United States and discusses the relevance of these results for the professionalization of clinical ethics. This project uses self-reported data from healthcare ethics consultants to estimate compensation across different employment models. The average full-time annualized salary of respondents with a clinical doctorate is $188,310.08 (SD=$88,556.67), $146,134.85 (SD=$55,485.63) for those with a non-clinical doctorate, and $113,625.00 (SD=$35,872.96) for those with a masters as their highest degree. Pay differences across degree level and type were statistically significant (F = 3.43; p < .05). In a multivariate model, there is an average increase of $2,707.84 for every additional year of experience, controlling for having a clinical doctorate (ß=0.454; p < .01). Our results also show high variability in the backgrounds and experiences of healthcare ethics consultants and a wide variety of employment models. The significant variation in employment and compensation models is likely to pose a challenge for the professionalization of healthcare ethics consultation.
Comparison of development and overwintering rates and feeding efficiency on rice seedlings among two invasive freshwater apple snails and their hybrid
Authors: Matsukura Keiichiro , Yoshida Kazuhiro
Published: August 2023

Since the 1980s, the freshwater apple snails, Pomacea canaliculata, Pomacea maculata, and their hybrid, have been introduced into a wide range of freshwater ecosystems in tropical to temperate regions. Although P. canaliculata has become established in temperate East Asia, P. maculata and the hybrid are rarely found in this region. To evaluate the risk of P. maculata and the hybrid particularly as rice pests in temperate regions, we compared growth rate, winter survival rate, and feeding efficiency on rice seedlings of these snails with P. canaliculata. When P. maculata and P. canaliculata hatchlings were reared under laboratory or field conditions, the adult P. maculata had larger shells than adult P. canaliculata. Neither P. maculata nor F1 hybrids could survive winter in a simulated drained paddy field, and only a few individuals of P. maculata and F1 hybrids overwintered successfully in freshwater. Pomacea maculata juveniles fed on rice seedlings at the highest rate at temperatures above 27°C. These results suggest that P. maculata becomes a serious rice pest in temperate region as P. canaliculata once it is introduced from warmer regions under global warming. Further biological examination of P. maculata is needed to evaluate the risk of this snail in detail.
Semi-supervised and ensemble learning to predict work-related stress
Authors: Rodrigues Fátima , Correia Hugo
Published: August 2023

Stress is a common feeling in people’s day-to-day life, especially at work, being the cause of several health problems and absenteeism. Despite the difficulty in identifying it properly, several studies have established a correlation between stress and perceivable human features. The problem of detecting stress has attracted significant attention in the last decade. It has been mainly addressed through the analysis of physiological signals in the execution of specific tasks in controlled environments. Taking advantage of technological advances that allow to collect stress-related data in a non-invasive way, the goal of this work is to provide an alternative approach to detect stress in the workplace without requiring specific controlled conditions. To this end, a video-based plethysmography application that analyses the person’s face and retrieves several physiological signals in a non-invasive way was used. Moreover, in an initial phase, additional information that complements and labels the physiological data was obtained through a brief questionnaire answered by the participants. The data collection pilot took place over a period of two months, having involved 28 volunteers. Several stress detection models were developed; the best trained model achieved an accuracy of 86.8% and a F1 score of 87% on a binary stress/non-stress prediction.
On the arguments of the roots of the generalized Fibonacci polynomial
Authors: Alahmadi Adel , Klurman Oleksiy , Luca Florian , Shoaib Hatoon
Published: August 2023

We revisit the classical subject of equidistribution of the roots of Littlewood-type polynomials. More precisely, we show that the roots of the family of polynomials Ψk(z) = zk−zk−1−⋯−1, k ⩾ 1, are uniformly distributed around the unit circle in the strong quantitative form, confirming a conjecture from [C.-A. Gómez and F. Luca, Commentat. Math. Univ. Carol., On the distribution of roots of zk − zk−1−⋯−z − 1, 62(3):291–296, 2021].
Patient-reported experience with hypoglossal nerve stimulation in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Braun M. , Wollny M. , Schoebel C. , Sommer J. U. , Heiser C.
Published: August 2023

Background

Breathing-synchronized hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is routinely used as an alternative treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Significant and clinically relevant improvements in disease severity and OSA symptoms such as daytime sleepiness as well as overall quality of life have been reported in randomized-controlled trials and large real-world cohort studies. However, so far, few data exist on patient-reported experience with the treatment.

Methods

A structured survey with 22 questions was constructed using five-level Likert scales (1 = no agreement, 5 = complete agreement) to evaluate patient experience with HNS and perception of the treatment in the domains “Overall experience with therapy,” “Experience with treatment process,” and “Side-effects from treatment.” Additional data were collected on current symptom status, measured with Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) questionnaire, and OSA disease history. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to test associations of medical variables and response behavior. Correlations between variables and domains, as well as individual items, were assessed using Spearman rank test.

Results

A total of 75 patients from Germany who were treated with breathing-synchronized HNS were enrolled (mean age 57.3 years, 78% male), and 71 questionnaires with complete data were included for analysis. Two-thirds of participants (67%) had a history of OSA history for 5 years or longer. Of all patients, 76% had normalized OSA symptoms at time of the study (ESS: 6.4 ± 5.0) and 98% reported using stimulation therapy every night. Regression analysis revealed an association of current symptoms measured with ESS and response behavior. Hence, patients with normalized daytime sleepiness reported significantly more positive experience across all domains assessed, compared to patients with residual daytime sleepiness. Overall, only 2% of participants reported side effects that made them reduce or discontinue stimulation therapy. The rate of reported side effects was associated with current symptom control under therapy.

Conclusions

Overall patient-reported experience with breathing-synchronized HNS therapy was positive and high satisfaction with the treatment process was observed. Side effects occurred, but rarely affected subjective use of the therapy or satisfaction. Subjective experience and perception are influenced by residual daytime sleepiness with stimulation therapy.
Direct mail to prospects and email to current customers? Modeling and field-testing multichannel marketing
Authors: Valenti Albert , Srinivasan Shuba , Yildirim Gokhan , Pauwels Koen
Published: August 2023

Multichannel retailers need to understand how to allocate marketing budgets to customer segments and online and offline sales channels. We propose an integrated methodological approach to assess how email and direct mail effectiveness vary by channel and customer value segment. We apply this approach to an international beauty retailer in six countries and to an apparel retailer in the United States. We estimate multi-equation hierarchical linear models and find that sales responsiveness to email and direct mail varies by customer value segment. Specifically, direct mail drives customer acquisition in the offline channel, while email drives sales for both online and offline channels for current customer segments. A randomized field experiment with the beauty retailer provides causal support for the findings. The proposed reallocation of marketing resources would yield a revenue lift of 13.5% for the beauty retailer and 9.3% for the apparel retailer, compared with the 6.5% actual increase in the field experiment.