bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“De novo replication repair deficient glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype” is a distinct glioblastoma subtype in adults that may benefit from immune checkpoint blockade
Authors: Hadad Sara , Gupta Rohit , Oberheim Bush Nancy Ann , Taylor Jennie W. , Villanueva-Meyer Javier E. , Young Jacob S. , Wu Jasper , Ravindranathan Ajay , Zhang Yalan , Warrier Gayathri , McCoy Lucie , Shai Anny , Pekmezci Melike , Perry Arie , Bollen Andrew W. , Phillips Joanna J. , Braunstein Steve E. , Raleigh David R. , Theodosopoulos Philip , Aghi Manish K. , Chang Edward F. , Hervey-Jumper Shawn L. , Costello Joseph F. , de Groot John , Butowski Nicholas A. , Clarke Jennifer L. , Chang Susan M. , Berger Mitchel S. , Molinaro Annette M. , Solomon David A.
Published: December 2023

Glioblastoma is a clinically and molecularly heterogeneous disease, and new predictive biomarkers are needed to identify those patients most likely to respond to specific treatments. Through prospective genomic profiling of 459 consecutive primary treatment-naïve IDH-wildtype glioblastomas in adults, we identified a unique subgroup (2%, 9/459) defined by somatic hypermutation and DNA replication repair deficiency due to biallelic inactivation of a canonical mismatch repair gene. The deleterious mutations in mismatch repair genes were often present in the germline in the heterozygous state with somatic inactivation of the remaining allele, consistent with glioblastomas arising due to underlying Lynch syndrome. A subset of tumors had accompanying proofreading domain mutations in the DNA polymerase POLE and resultant “ultrahypermutation”. The median age at diagnosis was 50 years (range 27–78), compared with 63 years for the other 450 patients with conventional glioblastoma (p < 0.01). All tumors had histologic features of the giant cell variant of glioblastoma. They lacked EGFR amplification, lacked combined trisomy of chromosome 7 plus monosomy of chromosome 10, and only rarely had TERT promoter mutation or CDKN2A homozygous deletion, which are hallmarks of conventional IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. Instead, they harbored frequent inactivating mutations in TP53, NF1, PTEN, ATRX, and SETD2 and recurrent activating mutations in PDGFRA. DNA methylation profiling revealed they did not align with known reference adult glioblastoma methylation classes, but instead had unique globally hypomethylated epigenomes and mostly classified as “Diffuse pediatric-type high grade glioma, RTK1 subtype, subclass A”. Five patients were treated with immune checkpoint blockade, four of whom survived greater than 3 years. The median overall survival was 36.8 months, compared to 15.5 months for the other 450 patients (p < 0.001). We conclude that “De novo replication repair deficient glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype” represents a biologically distinct subtype in the adult population that may benefit from prospective identification and treatment with immune checkpoint blockade.
The use of colposcopy for triage in HPV-positive women aged 65 years and older
Authors: Kuenkel E. , Jaeger A. , Bohlmann I. , Bergauer F. , Kuehler-Obbarius C. , Prieske K. , Maass-Poppenhusen K. , Schmalfeldt B. , Woelber L.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Persistent high-risk HPV infection is associated with an elevated risk for prevalent CIN II + despite normal cytology (NILM). Our study aims to evaluate the clinical relevance of a persistent high-risk HPV infection without cytologic changes in women aged ≥ 65 and to determine the role of colposcopy for triage in these cases.

Methods

211 patients aged ≥ 65 with persistent HPV infection and normal cytology (NILM) who presented for colposcopy at five certified centers between January 2021 and April 2022 were included in the study. Colposcopic findings, HPV subtypes, when available, histology and p16/Ki67 staining were assessed as well as individual risk factors such as smoking and previous HPV-related surgery.

Results

87.7% (185/211) of the included women had a type 3 transformation zone. In 83.4% (176/211), a biopsy was taken [thereof 163 endocervical curettages (ECC)]. In 35/211 women (16.6%), sampling was not possible during colposcopy due to an inaccessible cervix, pain during examination or obliteration of the cervical canal. Out of these, 6 women received a diagnostic excision. CIN II + was detected in 10.6% of all histologies (excisional or biopsy) (20/182). 50% of the women with a CIN II + where HPV 16 positive. Taking only the women diagnosed with CIN III or AIS into account, (n = 12) 75% were HPV 16 positive. Interestingly, 80% of the women with CIN II + had an abnormal cytology when repeatedly taken during colposcopy, vice versa an endocervical lesion was diagnosed in 53% of women with abnormal repeat cytology (27/51).

Conclusion

The prevalence of CIN II + in women is ≥ 65 with persistent hr HPV infection but NILM cytology is similar to that in younger women. However, more than 85% of the women have a type 3 transformation zone. Colposcopy is, therefore, not helpful to diagnose the women who need treatment in this age group.
Expanding clinical profiles and prognostic markers in stiff person syndrome spectrum disorders
Authors: Wang Yujie , Hu Chen , Aljarallah Salman , Reyes Mantilla Maria , Mukharesh Loulwah , Simpson Alexandra , Roy Shuvro , Harrison Kimystian , Shoemaker Thomas , Comisac Michael , Balshi Alexandra , Obando Danielle , Maldonado Daniela A. Pimentel , Koshorek Jacqueline , Snoops Sarah , Fitzgerald Kathryn C. , Newsome Scott D.
Published: December 2023

Objective

To describe the clinical features of a cohort of individuals with stiff person syndrome spectrum disorders (SPSD) and identify potential early predictors of future disability.

Background

There is a need to better understand the full spectrum of clinical and paraclinical features and long-term impact of SPSD.

Design/Methods

Observational study from 1997 to 2022 at Johns Hopkins. Clinical phenotypes included classic SPS, partial SPS (limb or trunk limited), SPS-plus (classic features plus cerebellar/brainstem involvement), and progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM). Outcome measures were modified Rankin scale (mRS) and use of assistive device for ambulation. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess significant predictors of outcomes.

Results

Cohort included 227 individuals with SPSD with mean follow-up of 10 years; 154 classic, 48 SPS-plus, 16 PERM, and 9 partial. Mean age at symptom onset was 42.9 ± 14.1 years, majority were white (69.2%) and female (75.8%). Median time to diagnosis was 36.2 months (longest for SPS-plus and PERM) and 61.2% were initially misdiagnosed. Most had systemic co-morbidities and required assistive devices for ambulation. Female sex (OR 2.08; CI 1.06–4.11) and initial brainstem/cerebellar involvement (OR 4.41; CI 1.63–14.33) predicted worse outcome by mRS. Older age at symptom onset (OR 1.04; CI 1.01–1.06), female sex (OR 1.99; CI 1.01–4.01), Black race (OR 4.14; CI 1.79–10.63), and initial brainstem/cerebellar involvement (OR 2.44; CI 1.04–7.19) predicted worse outcome by use of assistive device. Early implementation of immunotherapy was associated with better outcomes by either mRS (OR 0.45; CI 0.22–0.92) or use of assistive device (OR 0.79; CI 0.66–0.94).

Conclusions

We present the expanding phenotypic variability of this rare spectrum of disorders and highlight potential predictors of future disability.
Does the expression of granzyme B participate in inflammation, fibrosis, and fertility of hydatid cysts?
Authors: Sweed Dina , Mohamady Mohamed , Gouda Marwa A. , Fayed Yahya , Saied Sara A. , Elhamed Sara M. Abd
Published: December 2023

Echinococcus granulosus (sensu lato), a cestode that is endemic in Egypt, causes cystic echinococcosis (CE), a significant but neglected zoonotic disease that is prevalent throughout the world. Infected hydatid cysts are classified as fertile or non-fertile based on the presence of protoscoleces; nevertheless, the mechanism of non-fertile CE cysts remains unknown. The study aimed to assess whether granzyme B (GrB) expression and CD4 + /CD8 + could be related to the induction of non-fertile CE cysts. A total of fifty-eight individuals diagnosed with visceral hydatid cysts were selected, and they were further divided according to cyst fertility into fertile and non-fertile. Immunohistochemistry for CD4, CD8, and GrB was done. According to the results, hydatid cysts are common in adults and have no gender preference. The same clinical and laboratory data were shared by patients with fertile and non-fertile cysts (p = 0.186). GrB expression was not impacted by the fibrous deposition inside the hydatid cyst wall (p = 0.85); however, GrB was significantly correlated with the inflammatory density (p = 0.005). GrB expression was also found to be significantly higher in non-fertile cysts (p = 0.04). GrB expression is positively correlated with CD4 and CD8 expression. In conclusion, the expression of GrB in hydatid cysts may exacerbate the inflammatory response and impede cyst fertility while not affecting the fibrous deposition in the cyst wall.
SleepSmart: an IoT-enabled continual learning algorithm for intelligent sleep enhancement
Authors: Gamel Samah A. , Talaat Fatma M.
Published: December 2023

Sleep is an essential physiological process that is crucial for human health and well-being. However, with the rise of technology and increasing work demands, people are experiencing more and more disrupted sleep patterns. Poor sleep quality and quantity can lead to a wide range of negative health outcomes, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. This research paper proposes a smart sleeping enhancement system, named SleepSmart, based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and continual learning using bio-signals. The proposed system utilizes wearable biosensors to collect physiological data during sleep, which is then processed and analyzed by an IoT platform to provide personalized recommendations for sleep optimization. Continual learning techniques are employed to improve the accuracy of the system's recommendations over time. A pilot study with human subjects was conducted to evaluate the system's performance, and the results show that SleepSmart can significantly improve sleep quality and reduce sleep disturbance. The proposed system has the potential to provide a practical solution for sleep-related issues and enhance overall health and well-being. With the increasing prevalence of sleep problems, SleepSmart can be an effective tool for individuals to monitor and improve their sleep quality.
Regional variations and deprivation are linked to poorer access to laparoscopic and robotic colorectal surgery: a national study in England
Authors: Morton A. J. , Simpson A. , Humes D. J.
Published: December 2023

Background

Laparoscopic and now robotic colorectal surgery has rapidly increased in prevalence; however, little is known about how uptake varies by region and sociodemographics. The aim of this study was to quantify the uptake of minimally invasive colorectal surgery (MIS) over time and variations by region, sociodemographics and ethnicity.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of routinely collected healthcare data (Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to Hospital Episode Statistics) for all adults having elective colorectal resectional surgery in England from 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2020. Sociodemographics between modalities were compared and the association between sociodemographic factors, region and year on MIS was compared in multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 93,735 patients were included: 52,098 open, 40,622 laparoscopic and 1015 robotic cases. Laparoscopic surgery surpassed open in 2015 but has plateaued; robotic surgery has rapidly increased since 2017, representing 3.2% of cases in 2019. Absolute differences up to 20% in MIS exist between regions, OR 1.77 (95% CI 1.68–1.86) in South Central and OR 0.75 (95% CI 0.72–0.79) in the North West compared to the largest region (West Midlands). MIS was less common in the most compared to least deprived (14.6% of MIS in the most deprived, 24.8% in the least, OR 0.85 95% CI 0.81–0.89), with a greater difference in robotic surgery (13.4% vs 30.5% respectively). Female gender, younger age, less comorbidity, Asian or ‘Other/Mixed’ ethnicity and cancer indication were all associated with increased MIS.

Conclusions

MIS has increased over time, with significant regional and socioeconomic variations. With rapid increases in robotic surgery, national strategies for procurement, implementation, equitable distribution and training must be created to avoid worsening health inequalities.
Screening for Circulating Inflammatory Proteins Does Not Reveal Plasma Biomarkers of Constant Tinnitus
Authors: Cederroth Christopher R. , Hong Mun-Gwan , Freydin Maxim B. , Edvall Niklas K. , Trpchevska Natalia , Jarach Carlotta , Schlee Winfried , Schwenk Jochen M. , Lopez-Escamez Jose-Antonio , Gallus Silvano , Canlon Barbara , Bulla Jan , Williams Frances M. K.
Published: December 2023

Background and Objective

Tinnitus would benefit from an objective biomarker. The goal of this study is to identify plasma biomarkers of constant and chronic tinnitus among selected circulating inflammatory proteins.

Methods

A case–control retrospective study on 548 cases with constant tinnitus and 548 matched controls from the Swedish Tinnitus Outreach Project (STOP), whose plasma samples were examined using Olink’s Inflammatory panel. Replication and meta-analysis were performed using the same method on samples from the TwinsUK cohort. Participants from LifeGene, whose blood was collected in Stockholm and Umeå, were recruited to STOP for a tinnitus subtyping study. An age and sex matching was performed at the individual level. TwinsUK participants (n = 928) were selected based on self-reported tinnitus status over 2 to 10 years. Primary outcomes include normalized levels for 96 circulating proteins, which were used as an index test. No reference standard was available in this study.

Results

After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, smoking, hearing loss, and laboratory site, the top proteins identified were FGF-21, MCP4, GDNF, CXCL9, and MCP-1; however, these were no longer statistically significant after correction for multiple testing. Stratification by sex did not yield any significant associations. Similarly, associations with hearing loss or other tinnitus-related comorbidities such as stress, anxiety, depression, hyperacusis, temporomandibular joint disorders, and headache did not yield any significant associations. Analysis in the TwinsUK failed in replicating the top candidates. Meta-analysis of STOP and TwinsUK did not reveal any significant association. Using elastic net regularization, models exhibited poor predictive capacity tinnitus based on inflammatory markers [sensitivity = 0.52 (95% CI 0.47–0.57), specificity = 0.53 (0.48–0.58), positive predictive value = 0.52 (0.47–0.56), negative predictive values = 0.53 (0.49–0.58), and AUC = 0.53 (0.49–0.56)].

Discussion

Our results did not identify significant associations of the selected inflammatory proteins with constant tinnitus. Future studies examining longitudinal relations among those with more severe tinnitus and using more recent expanded proteomics platforms and sampling of cerebrospinal fluid could increase the likelihood of identifying relevant molecular biomarkers.
From a heavy metal perspective, is macroalgal biomass from Madeira Archipelago and Gran Canaria Island of eastern Atlantic safe for the development of blue bioeconomy products?
Authors: Nunes Nuno , Ferraz Sónia , Venuleo Marianna , Barros Ana I. R. N. A. , de Carvalho Miguel A. A. Pinheiro
Published: December 2023

Macroalgae are considered a valuable source of several compounds with nutritional, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, and pharmaceutical applications. They are also used for crop fertilization and biofortification by introducing important minerals into the soil essential for crop productivity. At the same time, however, they are known bio-accumulators of some heavy metals. In this work, we assessed the content of 7 minerals considered as heavy metals in 25 macroalgae samples, comprising 4 greens, 9 reds and 12 browns, from Madeira Archipelago, Portugal, for their potential use as blue bioeconomy products. These heavy metals included zinc (Zn) with concentrations that ranged from 1.95 – 242.65 mg kg−1 dw, nickel (Ni, 0.6 – 34.78 mg kg−1 dw), copper (Cu, 0.42 – 7.98 mg kg−1 dw), chromium (Cr, 0.47 – 45.74 mg kg−1 dw), cadmium (Cd, 0.1 – 2.58 mg kg−1 dw), lead (Pb, 0.05 – 2.79 mg kg−1 dw) and mercury (Hg, 0.03 – 8.49 µg kg−1 dw). We also analysed 22 samples of beach-cast macroalgae from Gran Canaria Island, Spain, collected from November 2016 to November 2019. The same heavy metals were assessed with their concentrations that ranged as follows: Zn (11.41 – 42.20 mg kg−1 dw), Ni (3.17 – 17.78 mg kg−1 dw), Cu (1.85 – 4.20 mg kg−1 dw), Cr (6.08 – 37.98 mg kg−1 dw), Cd (0.02 – 0.11 g kg−1 dw), Pb (0.16 –5.42 mg kg−1 dw) and Hg (3.59 – 31.00 µg kg−1 dw). These concentrations are all within the normal ranges reported in earlier studies in low industrialized areas, except for the brown algae Gongolaria abies-marina and Sargassum vulgare with high mean (± SD) Cd concentration (1.91 ± 0.36 and 1.75 ± 0.07 g kg−1 dw respectively). Our results suggest that most of the biomass prospected in these localities covered in the present study would be a viable source of materials for the development of a blue economy industry with emerging products following the European Union directives.
A NOTE ON THE POLAR DECOMPOSITION IN METRIC SPACES
Authors: Avetisyan Zhirayr , Ruzhansky Michael
Published: December 2023

The analogue of polar coordinates in the Euclidean space, a polar decomposition in a metric space, if well-defined, can be very useful in dealing with integrals with respect to a sufficiently regular measure. In this note we handle the technical details associated with such polar decompositions.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains the Armenian language version of the article available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10958-023-06674-w.
Towards an automatic early screening system for autism spectrum disorder in toddlers based on eye-tracking
Authors: Fernandez-Lanvin Daniel , Gonzalez-Rodriguez Martin , De-Andres Javier , Camero Raquel
Published: December 2023

According to official estimations, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects around 1% of European newborns. The high level of dependency of ASD-affected subjects entails an extremely high social and economic cost. However, early intervention can drastically improve children’s development and thus reduce their dependency. One of the main common characteristics of subjects with ASD is difficulties with social interaction, which determines how they react to certain stimuli. This behavior can be automatically detected by analyzing their gaze. This study explores and evaluates the feasibility of automatic screening for ASD in toddlers under 24 months of age based on this specific behavior. We applied a matched pairs experimental design and a set of test videos, using a set of variables extracted from gaze analysis from toddlers using eye-tracking devices. The different videos try to capture social engagement, social information gathering gaze exchanges, and gaze following. We used the data to make a thorough comparison of machine learning algorithms (nine learning schemes), including some that were used in related prior research, and others that are popular in classification problems. The results show that several of the tested algorithms provided notable performance.
Precision of grain yield monitors for use in on-farm research strip trials
Authors: Gauci A. A. , Fulton J. P. , Lindsey A. , Shearer S. A. , Barker D. , Hawkins E. M.
Published: December 2023

On-farm research (OFR) has become popular as a result of precision agriculture technology simplifying the process and farm software capabilities to summarize results collected through the technology. Different OFR designs exists with strip-trials being a simple approach to evaluate different treatments. Common in OFR is the use of yield monitors to collect crop performance data since yield represents a primary response variable in these type studies. The objective was to investigate the ability of grain yield monitoring technologies to accurately inform strip trials when frequent yield variability exists within an experimental unit. A combination of six sub-plot treatment resolutions (TR) that differed in length of imposed yield variation (7.6, 15.2, 30.5, 61.0, 121.9, and 243.8 m) were harvested at combine ground speeds of 3.2, 6.4, 7.2, and 8.1 kph, depending on study site (three study sites total). Intentional yield differences in maize (Zea mays L.) were created for each sub-plot by alternating the amount nitrogen (N) applied: 0 or 202 kg N/ha. Yield was measured by four commercially available yield monitoring (YM) technologies and a weigh wagon. Comparisons were made between the accumulated mass of the YM technology and weigh wagon through percent differences along with testing the significance of the plotted relationship between YM and weigh wagon. Results indicated that yield monitoring technology can be used to evaluate strip trial performance regardless of yield frequency and variability (error < 3%) within an experimental unit when operating within the calibrated range of the mass flow sensor. Operating outside of the calibrated range of the mass flow sensor resulted in > 15% error in estimating accumulated weight and overestimation of yield by 23%. Finally, no significant differences existed in estimating accumulated weight values between grain yield monitor technologies (all p-values ≥ 0.54).
Thing Artifact-based Design of IoT Ecosystems
Authors: Maamar Zakaria , Faci Noura , Al-Khafajiy Mohammed , Dohan Murtada
Published: December 2023

This paper sheds light on the complexity of designing Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems where a high number of things reside and thus must collaborate despite their reduced size, restricted connectivity, and constrained storage limitations. To address this complexity, a novel concept referred to as thing artifact is devised abstracting the roles that things play in an IoT ecosystem. The abstraction focuses on 3 crosscutting aspects, namely functionality in terms of what to perform, life cycle in terms of how to behave, and interaction flow in terms of with whom to exchange. Building upon the concept of data artifact commonly used in data-driven business applications design, thing artifacts engage in relations with peers to coordinate their individual behaviors and hence avoid conflicts that could result from the quality of exchanged data. Putting functionality, life cycle, interaction flow, and relation together contributes to abstracting IoT ecosystems design. A system implementing a thing artifact-based  ecosystem along with some experiments is presented in the paper as well.
Brain-inspired multimodal approach for effluent quality prediction using wastewater surface images and water quality data
Authors: Li Junchen , Lin Sijie , Zhang Liang , Liu Yuheng , Peng Yongzhen , Hu Qing
Published: December 2023

Efficiently predicting effluent quality through data-driven analysis presents a significant advancement for consistent wastewater treatment operations. In this study, we aimed to develop an integrated method for predicting effluent COD and NH3 levels. We employed a 200 L pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) to gather multimodal data from urban sewage over 40 d. Then we collected data on critical parameters like COD, DO, pH, NH3, EC, ORP, SS, and water temperature, alongside wastewater surface images, resulting in a data set of approximately 40246 points. Then we proposed a brain-inspired image and temporal fusion model integrated with a CNN-LSTM network (BITF-CL) using this data. This innovative model synergized sewage imagery with water quality data, enhancing prediction accuracy. As a result, the BITF-CL model reduced prediction error by over 23% compared to traditional methods and still performed comparably to conventional techniques even without using DO and SS sensor data. Consequently, this research presents a cost-effective and precise prediction system for sewage treatment, demonstrating the potential of brain-inspired models.
A Contemporary Systematic Review on Meta-heuristic Optimization Algorithms with Their MATLAB and Python Code Reference
Authors: Salgotra Rohit , Sharma Pankaj , Raju Saravanakumar , gandomi Amir H.
Published: December 2023

Optimization is a method which is used in every field, such as engineering, space, finance, fashion market, mass communication, travelling, and also in our daily activities. In every field, everyone always wants to minimize or maximize something called the objective function. Traditional and modern optimization techniques or Meta-Heuristic (MH) optimization techniques are used to solve the objective functions. But the traditional optimization techniques fail to solve the complex and real-world optimization problem consisting of non-linear objective functions. So many modern optimization techniques have been proposed exponentially over the last few decades to overcome these challenges. This paper discusses a brief review of the different benchmark test functions (BTFs) related to existing MH optimization algorithms (OA). It discusses the classification of MH algorithms reported in the literature regarding swarm-based, human-based, physics-based, and evolutionary-based methods. Based on the last half-century literature, MH-OAs are tabulated in terms of the proposed year, author, and inspiration agent. Furthermore, this paper presents the MATLAB and python code web-link of MH-OA. After reading this review article, readers will be able to use MH-OA to solve challenges in their field.
Current status of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Interventions in the Management of Pancreatic Cancer – An Overview
Authors: Tarasiuk Aleksandra , Mirocha Grzegorz , Fichna Jakub
Published: December 2023

Opinion statement

Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains the deadliest cancer worldwide. Most patients are diagnosed at the advanced or metastatic stage, leading to a poor prognosis. Awareness of the limitations of current therapy and accompanying pain, depression, malnutrition, and side effects of chemoradiotherapy may lead patients and physicians towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM refers to a diverse set of medical and healthcare practices, products, and systems that are not part of conventional Western medicine. Despite the low-quality evidence supporting the efficacy of these methods, they remain appealing due to patients' beliefs, fear of death, and the slow development of conventional therapy. Hence, the possibility of using natural products for pancreatic cancer is increasing. CAM options such as: medical cannabis, plants, fungi, herbal formulas, and injections, which originate primarily from traditional Chinese or Japanese medicine i.e. Curcuma longa, Panax ginseng, Poria cocos, Hochuekkito, Juzentaihoto, and Rikkunshito, Shi-quan-da-bu-tang/TJ-48, Huang-qin-tang, Shuangbai San, Wen Jing Zhi Tong Fang, Xiang-Sha-Liu-jun-zi-tang, Aidi injection, Brucea javanica oil emulsion/Yadanziyouru injection, Compound Kushen injection, Huachansu injection, Kangai injection and Kanglaite injections are becoming promising candidates for the management of pancreatic cancer. The abovementioned substances/medications are the most popular or potentially effective in PC treatment and consequently CAM-based adjuvant therapy through improving patients’ quality of life, might be a useful addition in the treatment of pancreatic cancer patients.
Cathodic protection shielding of coated buried pipeline
Authors: Meroufel Abdelkader , Gordon Andrew , Thierry Dominique
Published: December 2023

During the 2000s, the concept of cathodic protection (CP) shielding was first raised in open literature and remains debated between coatings professionals. The mechanism of CP shielding, and its understanding continue to be studied for different coatings with different approaches and using various techniques. From the CP shielding factors to the assessment methods, the published literature merits a deep analysis to capture the established knowledge and identify the research gaps to further tackle the issue for reliable coated buried structures. A holistic approach to this topic seems necessary where coatings ageing, cathodic protection, electrochemistry, and transport processes should be considered. In the first part of the present review, the recent works related to the understanding of CP shielding, coatings properties were considered before discussing the mechanisms involved underneath coatings. Transport phenomena and their relationship with cathodic protection performance in the presence of chemical and microbiological processes are discussed in the second part. Finally, CP shielding assessment methods and modeling works are presented and discussed from different perspectives.
Perspectives of Women with Intellectual Disabilities Regarding Affective Sexual Relationships: a Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Beltran-Arreche Maialen , Fullana Noell Judit , Pallisera Díaz Maria
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Despite the recognition of the right to sexual identity and expression for all people, individuals with intellectual disabilities continue to face significant restrictions in these aspects of their lives. The prevailing myths and stereotypes surrounding their sexual-affective relationships place people with intellectual disabilities—especially women—in a position of great vulnerability.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted, examining the content of the following databases: BASE, Dialnet, ERIC, La Referencia, Microsoft Academic, Redalyc, REDIB, Redined, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and World Wide Science. A total of 178 potentially relevant articles were identified, out of which 11 met the eligibility criteria. Finally, the themes covered in the articles were identified and analyzed.

Results

The results obtained were classified into six categories: perceptions regarding sex and sexuality, experiences of abuse, views and experiences of relationships between couples, the LGTBIQ + community, knowledge about contraception and related experiences, and, finally, beliefs regarding gender scripts.

Conclusions

This study offers valuable insights into the knowledge (or lack thereof) and beliefs regarding sex and sexuality, experiences of abuse among women with intellectual disabilities, the lack of independence and external intervention, and the influence of traditional gender scripts. Furthermore, this research also establishes a theoretical foundation for future support resources and initiatives, as well as social and public implications.
Materiaalgebruik in de urologische praktijk: kan het duurzamer?
Authors: Jansen Sanne L. , Legemate Jaap D. , Leliveld Annemarie M. , de Kort Laetitia M. O.
Published: December 2023

Samenvatting

Met het ondertekenen van de Green Deal Zorg 3.0 staan wij voor de uitdaging om vóór 2030 het gebruik van primaire grondstoffen met 50% te reduceren. Dit onderzoek is een eerste inventarisatie in de praktijkvariatie van materiaalgebruik binnen de urologische praktijk in Nederland. Deze landelijke uitvraag bevestigt dat er grote verschillen zijn tussen praktijken in het gebruik van afdekmateriaal en persoonlijke beschermingsmiddelen bij hoogvolume (poli)klinische handelingen. Zo wordt er bij de cystoscopie slechts in 60% van de klinieken steriele handschoenen gebruikt en wordt er in minder dan de helft van de gevallen afdekmateriaal gebruikt. Bij de vasectomie of circumcisie wordt door een kwart van de operateurs naast steriele handschoenen ook nog een steriele jas gedragen. Het vinden van een balans tussen veilige zorg en minimaal materiaalgebruik is een belangrijke taak voor zorgprofessionals. Het onderling delen van kennis is hierbij van belang.
A coupled scheme based on uniform algebraic trigonometric tension B-spline and a hybrid block method for Camassa-Holm and Degasperis-Procesi equations
Authors: Kaur Anurag , Kanwar V. , Ramos Higinio
Published: December 2023

In this article, high temporal and spatial resolution schemes are combined to solve the Camassa-Holm and Degasperis-Procesi equations. The differential quadrature method is strengthened by using modified uniform algebraic trigonometric tension B-splines of order four to transform the partial differential equation (PDE) into a system of ordinary differential equations. Later, this system is solved considering an optimized hybrid block method. The good performance of the proposed strategy is shown through some numerical examples. The stability analysis of the presented method is discussed. This strategy produces a saving of CPU-time as it involves a reduced number of grid points.
Experimental research into the drilling cutting method of rockburst-prone coal under water-rich conditions
Authors: Zhu Guang-an , Han Jin-peng
Published: December 2023

The drilling cuttings weight index fails to reflect coal’s stress conditions under water-rich environments, potentially undermining the drilling cutting method’s reliability for monitoring and early warning of rockburst risks. We integrated theoretical analysis with triaxial drilling tests to investigate the mechanical evolution, the spatio-temporal dynamics of absolute energy, and the failure modes during the drilling of water-bearing coal specimens. Moreover, we established the critical drilling cuttings weight index for these specimens by analyzing test outcomes and associated weakening coefficients. Results show that: (1) as the moisture content increases, the damage and rupture mode of coal changes from punctate frictional damage between microstructures to interlayer slip, dislocation, and friction of weak structural planes; macroscopically, it is shown as the increasing number of cracks in the horizontal and vertical directions in specimens; (2) The dynamic response frequency of rockburst-prone coal has a positive correlation with the moisture content. The elastic energy storage capacity of water-bearing coal is reduced, dynamic events develop in a shorter period while their frequency increases. In addition, the level of single energy release decreases; (3) With increasing moisture content, damage to boreholes in coal can be divided into two stages: convergence and crack initiation; (4) The deformation and damage range of boreholes is positively correlated with the moisture content. When the moisture contents are 1.4%, 2.3%, and 3.7%, the damage radii of specimens along the center of the boreholes are 2.03, 2.98, and 3.36 times the drilling radius; (5) The weight of drilling cuttings for coal with the moisture content of 3.70% is 2.78–3.48 times that of natural coal; for coal containing 5.60% of water, the weight of drilling cuttings is 1.50–3.20 times that of natural coal. The research conclusions provide reference for optimization of the index for the weight of drilling cuttings and effective rockburst monitoring of rockburst-prone coal under water-rich conditions.
Websites as institutional imaginary positionings
Authors: Bulgrin Eva , Weber Susanne Maria
Published: December 2023

The paper contributes to methodological innovations in the field of organisational education research and further education. The paper shows the potential of discourse-analytical website analysis for the imaginary positionings of Higher Education Institutions. It offers a discourse analytical research methodology and discusses University websites as surfaces of emergence of specific discourses. Discourse-analytical website analysis is especially significant as universities’ visually rich web-based communication is becoming increasingly critical. Our journal article reflects on websites as institutional imaginary positionings: First, we start by theorising organisations as orders of the gaze. Second, from a discourse-analytical power/knowledge based organisational education perspective, we make fruitful Foucault’s Archaeology of Knowledge for a multimodal website analysis. Third, we map the field and state the art of methods and methodologies of website analysis, including examples from a current research project on how transversal themes are represented on university websites. Our article contributes to methodological innovation through discourse-analytical website analysis in the field of organisational education and further education.
Multiple iterations and messiness in the implementation of action research by Bhutanese secondary science teachers
Authors: Rabgay Tshewang , Kidman Gillian
Published: December 2023

Many theoretical models of action research depict its process as cycles that include several sequential phases. In Bhutan, teachers use Kemmis and McTaggart’s spiral model which has four phases of plan, act, observe and reflect to conduct action research for their professional learning. As a growing practice, the way Bhutanese teachers carry out action research is an emerging field of inquiry. This study explored how three Bhutanese secondary science teachers in a case study school conducted their first action research project using Kemmis and McTaggart’s model to improve student interaction in the class. Data were collected using diaries, interviews and observations. The analysis employed a three-step coding procedure of grounded theory. The findings showed that the science teachers conducted multiple iterations by moving back-and-forth between the four phases of Kemmis and McTaggart’s model. It demonstrated a messy and non-linear process of action research conducted through continuous reflection which was inconsistent with the neat cycles of Kemmis and McTaggart’s model. Despite a few challenges, the multiple iterations and continuous reflection helped the teachers to make progress in their action research and develop an interactive teaching strategy. Given the absence of multiple iterations and messiness in the action research knowledge disseminated to teachers in Bhutan, the study highlights the requirement for the Ministry of Education and teachers to consider mess and multiple iterations as a normal process of action research.
Convention on the Int'l Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships (U.N.)
Authors: Bradley John E.
Published: December 2023

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships at its 47th plenary meeting on December 7, 2022 (the Convention). Known as the “Beijing Convention on the Judicial Sale of Ships,” the Convention opened for signature at a ceremony held in Beijing, PRC, on September 5, 2023. By its terms, the Convention will enter into force 180 days after the date that it is ratified, accepted, approved, or otherwise acceded to by at least three states. With strong backing from the maritime community, it is expected that the Convention will enter into force by 2024.
A resolvent-based prediction framework for incompressible turbulent channel flow with limited measurements
Authors: Ying Anjia , Liang Tian , Li Zhigang , Fu Lin
Published: December 2023

A new resolvent-based method is developed to predict the space–time properties of the flow field. To overcome the deterioration of the prediction accuracy with increasing distance between the measurements and predictions in the resolvent-based estimation (RBE), the newly proposed method utilizes the RBE to estimate the relative energy distribution near the wall rather than the absolute energy directly estimated from the measurements. Using this extra information from RBE, the new method modifies the energy distribution of the spatially uniform and uncorrelated forcing that drives the flow system by minimizing the norm of the cross-spectral density tensor of the error matrix in the near-wall region in comparison with the RBE-estimated one, and therefore it is named as the resolvent-informed white-noise-based estimation (RWE) method. For validation, three time-resolved direct numerical simulation (DNS) datasets with the friction Reynolds numbers

$Re_\tau = 180$

, 550 and 950 are generated, with various locations of measurements ranging from the near-wall region (

$y^+ = 40$

) to the upper bound of the logarithmic region (

$y/h \approx 0.2$

, where h is the half-channel height) for the predictions. Besides the RWE, three existing methods, i.e. the RBE, the

$\lambda$

-model and the white-noise-based estimation (WBE), are also included for the validation. The performance of the RBE and scale-dependent model (

$\lambda$

-model) in predicting the energy spectra shows a strong dependence on the measurement locations. The newly proposed RWE shows a low sensitivity on

$Re_{\tau }$

and the measurement locations, which may range from the near-wall region to the upper bound of the logarithmic region, and has a high accuracy in predicting the energy spectra. The RWE also performs well in predicting the space–time properties in terms of the correlation magnitude and the convection velocity. We further utilize the new method to reconstruct the instantaneous large-scale structures with measurements from the logarithmic region. Both the RWE and RBE perform well in estimating the instantaneous large-scale structure, and the RWE has smaller errors in the estimations near the wall. The structural inclination angles around

$15^\circ$

are predicted by the RWE and WBE, which generally recover the DNS results.
A BOREL MAXIMAL COFINITARY GROUP
Authors: HOROWITZ HAIM , SHELAH SAHARON
Published: December 2023

We construct a Borel maximal cofinitary group.
What is the experience with governance models that manage and engage diverse stakeholders through a closure transition?
Authors: Keeling Arn , Hall Rebecca , Holcombe Sarah
Published: December 2023

Traditionally understood in technical, environmental and (to a lesser extent) socio-economic terms, mine closure and transition is increasingly recognized as a significant governance challenge. Governance, in this context, refers not merely to the legal aspects of mine reclamation or closure regulation but rather the broader suite of actors, institutions, processes, methods, rules and practices that guide and oversee mine site transitions. Governance structures, interactions and practices are shaped by power relations as well as reflecting embedded norms and values. Since the 1980s, mine closure governance has expanded from a preoccupation by industry and governments with hazard mitigation, environmental reclamation and, in some cases, economic and social ‘adjustment,’ to encompass a wider set of social, economic and environmental aspects of closure (Kendall 1992; Laurence 2006). These issues may affect workers, local and regional development agencies, Indigenous rightsholders, fenceline communities and environmental advocates, among others (Bainton and Holcombe 2018; Everingham et al. 2020). This broad range of actors and issues, in turn, has generated reactions and responses from individual companies, industry associations and governments at all levels seeking to mitigate closure and transition impacts (Morrison-Saunders et al. 2016; Owen and Kemp 2018; Hodge and Brehaut 2023).
Smartphone survey data reveal the timecourse of changes in mood outcomes following vitamin C or kiwifruit intervention in adults with low vitamin C
Authors: Fletcher Benjamin D. , Haszard Jillian J. , Vissers Margreet C. M. , Conner Tamlin S.
Published: December 2023

Vitamin C-rich foods can improve mood; however, the timecourse of these benefits is unknown. This study utilised intensive longitudinal smartphone surveys from a three-armed placebo-controlled trial to determine mood-related changes following supplementation with vitamin C (250 mg tablet/d), kiwifruit (2 SunGold™ kiwifruit/d) or a placebo (1 tablet/d). Secondary data were analysed from the KiwiC for Vitality trial (Trial ID: ACTRN12617001031358). Adults (n 155, 63 % female, aged 18–35 years) with low plasma vitamin C (<40 μmol/l) completed a 14-d lead-in, 28-d intervention and 14-d washout. Participants self-reported vitality (SF-36), mood (POMS total mood disturbance), flourishing (flourishing scale), sleep quality, sleep quantity and physical activity every second day using smartphone surveys. Plasma vitamin C, measured fortnightly, reached saturation after 2 weeks of vitamin C or kiwifruit supplementation. Kiwifruit supplementation improved vitality and mood within 4 days, peaking around 14–16 days, and improved flourishing from day 14. Vitamin C marginally improved mood until day 12. Incremental AUC analyses revealed significant overall effects of kiwifruit consumption on vitality and mood compared with placebo, which were stronger than effects for vitamin C tablets, but attenuated when adjusting for covariates. Sensitivity analyses of participants with low baseline vitamin C status revealed improved mood (vitamin C and kiwifruit) and flourishing (kiwifruit only). This is the first study to use intensive smartphone surveys to model the day-to-day timecourse of mood-related states following vitamin C intervention and highlights the value of using smartphone surveys to reveal the temporal changes in mood-related outcomes following nutrient supplementation.
Characterization, typification and holistic consumer perception of welfare in laying poultry in Brazil: a machine learning approach
Authors: Arno Alessandra , Silveira Robson Mateus Freitas , da Silva Iran José Oliveira
Published: December 2023

The intensification of production systems raises concerns about animal welfare. In egg production, the use of cages is the main reason for discussion. The current transition from the production system to cage-free systems raises questions about consumer perception. The objective of this study was to typify, characterize and differentiate the profile of Brazilian consumers regarding animal welfare in laying poultry. For this, a questionnaire with 28 questions, addressing questions about sociodemographic indicators (SOC), eating habits (HAB), knowledge about the production chain (CON), general perception of animal welfare in egg production (HPW) and about eggs with an animal welfare guarantee (PEAWG) was answered by 1415 consumers. Machine learning techniques were applied to characterize; typify and holistic perception. Three groups of consumers were defined: interested, emerging and indifferent. All indicators under study showed discriminatory power (P < 0.001). The indicators that showed the greatest importance for the classification of the three profiles were HPW < EHAB < COM < PEAWG < SOC. The results indicate the potential of interested and emerging groups to become consumers of cage-free eggs and also indicate the need to inform the population about animal welfare in egg production. The results reinforce the need to create specific public policies for the production chain, in order to value egg production and reaffirm interest in the area, especially in specific niches such as production in cage-free systems.