bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteomic profiling of small extracellular vesicles derived from mouse pancreatic cancer and stellate cells: Role in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Perera Chamini J. , Hosen SM Zahid , Khan Tanzila , Fang Haoyun , Mekapogu Alpha Raj , Xu Zhihong , Falasca Marco , Chari Suresh T. , Wilson Jeremy S. , Pirola Ron , Greening David W. , Apte Minoti V.
Published: April 2024

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are cell‐derived vesicles evolving as important elements involved in all stages of cancers. sEVs bear unique protein signatures that may serve as biomarkers. Pancreatic cancer (PC) records a very poor survival rate owing to its late diagnosis and several cancer cell‐derived proteins have been reported as candidate biomarkers. However, given the pivotal role played by stellate cells (PSCs, which produce the collagenous stroma in PC), it is essential to also assess PSC‐sEV cargo in biomarker discovery. Thus, this study aimed to isolate and characterise sEVs from mouse PC cells and PSCs cultured alone or as co‐cultures and performed proteomic profiling and pathway analysis. Proteomics confirmed the enrichment of specific markers in the sEVs compared to their cells of origin as well as the proteins that are known to express in each of the culture types. Most importantly, for the first time it was revealed that PSC‐sEVs are enriched in proteins (including G6PI, PGAM1, ENO1, ENO3, and LDHA) that mediate pathways related to development of diabetes, such as glucose metabolism and gluconeogenesis revealing a potential role of PSCs in pancreatic cancer‐related diabetes (PCRD). PCRD is now considered a harbinger of PC and further research will enable to identify the role of these components in PCRD and may develop as novel candidate biomarkers of PC.
Stiffness modeling of thermoset polymer fibers
Authors: Greenfeld Israel , Shneider Mark , Kaestner Antonia , Wagner H. Daniel
Published: April 2024

Recent progress in creating micro and nano‐scale thermoset polymer fibers through extensional flow reveals remarkable mechanical properties. For instance, epoxy microfibers display a notable increase in stiffness, strength, and toughness as their diameter decreases. This size‐dependent behavior, well‐explored and explained in thermoplastic polymers, is far from being understood in thermoset polymers, as their densely cross‐linked network structure seems to restrain preferential directionality. Our theoretical analysis proposes that, during the pre‐gel curing phase, when the thermoset polymer begins clustering but remains in a liquid state, substantial cluster elongation is induced by the extensional flow. This elongated formation persists to some extent after curing completion, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties along the fiber's primary axis. Concurrently, the high extension reduces fiber diameter, leading to a power‐law diameter dependence of fiber stiffness. The model agrees well with experimental data from tensile tests on epoxy microfibers, highlighting the potential to fine‐tune mechanical properties by controlling the curing process, and laying the groundwork for future improvements.
An integrated system theoretic process analysis with multilevel flow modeling for the identification of cyber‐physical hazards in a process industry
Authors: Zhang Feilong , Chen Liangchao , Zhang Bo , Zhang Jianwen , Wang Qianlin , Wang Pengchao , Yang Jianfeng , Dou Zhan
Published: April 2024

The deep integration of information technology and process industry production systems makes system failure increasingly multi‐source and multi‐scale. In contrast to conventional hazard methods, system theoretic process analysis (STPA) can analyze the hazards in system control processes from the perspective of interactions among the system components. Theoretically, this method offers advantages that are better suited for modern production systems. However, as of now, the integration between STPA and process industrial production systems is still lacking. To address this issue, this study improved the original STPA method. First, we propose the “5 flows” concept for the process industrial cyber‐physical systems. The systems are described using multilevel flow modeling (MFM). This leads to the development of the MSTPA method, which is specifically designed to analyze the cyber‐physical hazards in process industrial production systems. Subsequently, the cyber‐physical hazards of a fluidized‐bed catalytic cracking unit are analyzed in detail using the MSTPA method as an example. The results show that MSTPA can identify cyber‐physical hazards in multiple dimensions. It is proved that, compared with the original STPA and traditional hazard methods, the MSTPA method can better identify cyber‐physical hazards in process industrial production systems.
Direct Growth of Nearly Lattice‐Matched InGaN on ScAlMgO4 Substrates Using Radio‐Frequency Plasma‐Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Kubo Yuta , Deura Momoko , Yamada Yasuhiro , Fujii Takashi , Araki Tsutomu
Published: April 2024

ScAlMgO4 (SAM) has attracted considerable attention as a substrate for growing InGaN template layers owing to its lattice matching with In0.17Ga0.83N. Furthermore, radio‐frequency plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy (RF‐MBE) can be utilized to grow (In)GaN directly on SAM substrates because the growth is conducted at relatively low temperatures without reactive gases. This prevents the diffusion and desorption of the constituent elements of the SAM substrate. In this study, the substrate‐temperature dependence of the direct growth of InGaN on SAM substrates is investigated through RF‐MBE. In droplets are formed below 600 °C, whereas, the In content of the InGaN crystal decreases rapidly, and the surface roughness increases at ≈650 °C. These results are attributed to the acceleration of In desorption at higher temperatures. The improvement in crystal coherency moderates above 600 °C. Therefore, a nearly lattice‐matched In0.18Ga0.82N film is grown at an optimal temperature of 600 °C by adjusting the group‐III metal fluxes. The resulting film is continuous and relatively flat, with no droplets. The dislocation density with screw component is one order of magnitude lower than that of the lattice‐mismatched InGaN. The dislocation density of the InGaN film is comparable to that of a film grown by metal‐organic vapor‐phase epitaxy.
Reduced exercise capacity occurs before intrinsic skeletal muscle dysfunction in experimental rat models of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Zhang Peng , Da Silva Goncalves Bos Denielli , Vang Alexander , Feord Julia , McCullough Danielle J. , Zimmer Alexsandra , D'Silva Natalie , Clements Richard T. , Choudhary Gaurav
Published: April 2024

Reduced exercise capacity in pulmonary hypertension (PH) significantly impacts quality of life. However, the cause of reduced exercise capacity in PH remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate whether intrinsic skeletal muscle changes are causative in reduced exercise capacity in PH using preclinical PH rat models with different PH severity. PH was induced in adult Sprague–Dawley (SD) or Fischer (CDF) rats with one dose of SU5416 (20 mg/kg) injection, followed by 3 weeks of hypoxia and additional 0–4 weeks of normoxia exposure. Control rats were injected with vehicle and housed in normoxia. Echocardiography was performed to assess cardiac function. Exercise capacity was assessed by VO2 max. Skeletal muscle structural changes (atrophy, fiber type switching, and capillary density), mitochondrial function, isometric force, and fatigue profile were assessed. In SD rats, right ventricular systolic dysfunction is associated with reduced exercise capacity in PH rats at 7‐week timepoint in comparison to control rats, while no changes were observed in skeletal muscle structure, mitochondrial function, isometric force, or fatigue profile. CDF rats at 4‐week timepoint developed a more severe PH and, in addition to right ventricular dysfunction, the reduced exercise capacity in these rats is associated with skeletal muscle atrophy; however, mitochondrial function, isometric force, and fatigue profile in skeletal muscle remain unchanged. Our data suggest that cardiopulmonary impairments in PH are the primary cause of reduced exercise capacity, which occurs before intrinsic skeletal muscle dysfunction.
Risk assessment of man‐machine systems under safety‐critical multitasking situations
Authors: Che Haiyang , Li Kehui , Zeng Shengkui , Yv Changbo , Guo Jianbin
Published: April 2024

Multitasking is increasingly common in highly complex and safety‐critical systems, especially under abnormal situations. Mental overload (MOL) may occur and result in forgetting/mistaking tasks uncertainly. Such probabilistic errors could have catastrophic consequences and contribute greatly to the multitasking risk of man‐machine systems. In this paper, to better identify the risks of safety‐critical multitasking situations, MOL mechanism is investigated and a risk analysis method considering MOL is proposed. MOL occurs when the demand for resources estimated by Multiple Resources Model exceeds an operator's ability. Then, the operator's performance degrades, and s/he tends to mistake or abandon parts of tasks. Based on the MOL mechanism, a MOL‐performance dependency (MOL‐PDEP) gate is proposed to incorporate MOL into risk analysis. Its inputs are concurrent tasks, and it triggers the related hazardous human behavior events with certain probabilities if MOL occurs. Through this gate, the dependence among these events and their nondeterministic cause relationships to MOL are added to traditional fault tree (FT), which presents a challenge issue to FT analysis. An implicit method is proposed to analyze the FT with MOL‐PDEP gate and calculate the accident probability. A case study on a helicopter crash accident demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method.
First‐principles calculations to investigate structural, electronic, optical, and transport properties of half‐Heusler VFeZ (Z = N and P) compounds
Authors: Muchiri Perpetua Wanjiru , Agouri M. , Mohamed Sahar Abdeen , Abbassi A. , Taj S. , Manaut B. , Dutta Ashim , Khan Junaid , Mundad T. , Bakkour Youssef , Al‐Anazy Murefah mana
Published: April 2024

This research work investigates the structural, electronic, optical, and thermoelectric characteristics of VFeZ (Z = N and P) half‐Heusler compounds. The study employs the full‐potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP‐LAPW) method integrated into the WIEN2K algorithm, serving as the underpinning framework for density functional theory (DFT) analysis. In the study, we use the PBE generalized gradient approximation (PBE‐GGA) to identify numerous parameters associated with structural and elastic properties. Lattice parameter results are in agreement with previous outcomes. Moreover, computed elastic parameters satisfy the criterion for stability. In the cubic structure VFeZ (Z = N and P) is ductile, to enhance the computations of electronic characteristics, Tran and Blaha's modified Becke‐Johnson potential (TB‐mBJ) is used. Our simulations demonstrate that the materials exhibit semiconductor behavior, with a direct band gap for VFeZ (Z = N and P). Strong UV absorption is found via optical experiments suggest compounds are suitable for optical application. Furthermore, study of the thermoelectric properties suggests its application in the thermoelectric generators.
Stabilization of nonlinear stochastic systems with input and output delays via event‐triggered predictive control
Authors: Deng Ding‐Lin , He Ping , Shi Peng , Kovács Levente
Published: April 2024

The stabilization of nonlinear stochastic systems with input and output delays is investigated in this article. First, an observer that includes input delay information is designed to estimate the state information after eliminating the effect of input delay. Second, a predictive scheme with delay information is utilized to predict the system state affected by output delay, and an event‐triggered predictive controller is established to eliminate the effects of input and output delays simultaneously. Subsequently, the convergence of the prediction error is analyzed by utilizing a recursive method, and a sufficient condition to ensure the global exponential stability is given by constructing a new closed‐loop system. Finally, numerical simulations of two nonlinear stochastic systems with different delay sizes are utilized to verify the impact of the event‐triggered predictive control in addressing the stabilization of nonlinear stochastic systems with time delays.
Skin‐Inspired Textile Electronics Enable Ultrasensitive Pressure Sensing
Authors: Zheng Xianhong , Zhou Dashuang , Liu Zhi , Hong Xinghua , Li Changlong , Ge Shanhai , Cao Wentao
Published: April 2024

Wearable pressure sensors have attracted great interest due to their potential applications in healthcare monitoring and human‐machine interaction. However, it is still a critical challenge to simultaneously achieve high sensitivity, low detection limit, fast response, and outstanding breathability for wearable electronics due to the difficulty in constructing microstructure on a porous substrate. Inspired by the spinosum microstructure of human skin for highly‐sensitive tactile perception, a biomimetic flexible pressure sensor is designed and fabricated by assembling MXene‐based sensing electrode and MXene‐based interdigitated electrode. The product biomimetic sensor exhibits good flexibility and suitable air permeability (165.6 mm s−1), comparable to the typical air permeable garments. Benefiting from the two‐stage amplification effect of the bionic intermittent structure, the product bionic sensor exhibits an ultrahigh sensitivity (1368.9 kPa−1), ultrafast response (20 ms), low detection limit (1 Pa), and high‐linearity response (R2 = 0.997) across the entire sensing range. Moreover, the pressure sensor can detect a wide range of human motion in real‐time through intimate skin contact, providing essential data for biomedical monitoring and personal medical diagnosis. This principle lays a foundation for the development of human skin‐like high‐sensitivity, fast‐response tactile sensors.
Hybrid and Asymmetric Supercapacitors: Achieving Balanced Stored Charge across Electrode Materials
Authors: Qorbani Mohammad , Chen Kuei‐Hsien , Chen Li‐Chyong
Published: April 2024

An electrochemical capacitor configuration extends its operational potential window by leveraging diverse charge storage mechanisms on the positive and negative electrodes. Beyond harnessing capacitive, pseudocapacitive, or Faradaic energy storage mechanisms and enhancing electrochemical performance at high rates, achieving a balance of stored charge across electrodes poses a significant challenge over a wide range of charge–discharge currents or sweep rates. Consequently, fabricating hybrid and asymmetric supercapacitors demands precise electrochemical evaluations of electrode materials and the development of a reliable methodology. This work provides an overview of fundamental aspects related to charge‐storage mechanisms and electrochemical methods, aiming to discern the contribution of each process. Subsequently, the electrochemical properties, including the working potential windows, rate capability profiles, and stabilities, of various families of electrode materials are explored. It is then demonstrated, how charge balancing between electrodes falters across a broad range of charge–discharge currents or sweep rates. Finally, a methodology for achieving charge balance in hybrid and asymmetric supercapacitors is proposed, outlining multiple conditions dependent on loaded mass and charge–discharge current. Two step‐by‐step tutorials and model examples for applying this methodology are also provided. The proposed methodology is anticipated to stimulate continued dialogue among researchers, fostering advancements in achieving stable and high‐performance supercapacitor devices.
Roles of Akirin1 in early prediction and treatment of graft kidney ischemia‒reperfusion injury
Authors: Li Xinyuan , Chen Guo , Zhou Xiang , Peng Xiang , Li Mao , Chen Daihui , Yu Haitao , Shi Wei , Zhang Chunlin , Li Yang , Feng Zhenwei , Mei Yuhua , Li Li , Liang Simin , He Weiyang , Gou Xin , Li Jie
Published: April 2024

Ferroptosis is a predominant contributor to graft kidney ischemia‒reperfusion injury (IRI), resulting in delayed graft function (DGF). However, much less is known about the early predicting biomarkers and therapeutic targets of DGF, especially aiming at ferroptosis. Here, we propose a precise predicting model for DGF, relying on the Akirin1 level in extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from recipient urine 48 h after kidney transplant. In addition, we decipher a new molecular mechanism whereby Akirin1 induces ferroptosis by strengthening TP53‐mediated suppression of SLC7A11 during the graft kidney IRI process, that is, Akirin1 activates the EGR1/TP53 axis and inhibits MDM2‐mediated TP53 ubiquitination, accordingly upregulating TP53 in two ways. Meanwhile, we present the first evidence that miR‐136‐5p enriched in EVs secreted by human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UM‐EVs) confers robust protection against ferroptosis and graft kidney IRI by targeted inhibition of Akirin1 but knockout of miR‐136‐5p in UM sharply mitigates the protection of UM‐EVs. The functional and mechanistic regulation of Akirin1 is further corroborated in an allograft kidney transplant model in wild‐type and Akirin1‐knockout mice. In summary, these findings suggest that Akirin1, which prominently induces ferroptosis, is a pivotal biomarker and target for early diagnosis and treatment of graft kidney IRI and DGF after kidney transplant.
A work system theory perspective on talent management and systems
Authors: Thakurta Rahul
Published: April 2024

Developments in the field of talent management have been noteworthy for some time now. The talent management systems (TMS), which were an offshoot of the emergent needs, represent an integrated set of analytical tools to create and manage talents. Following the narrative review technique, this paper discusses the academic literature on talent management and systems. The findings unveil the complexity of talent and talent management, the rise of talent analytics and their contributions to organizations. Growing interest in information systems in talent management was evident; however, research linking TMS to the organization and contexts was limited. To visualize this linkage, we adopt a systems perspective, leveraging the work system framework (WSF). Pivoted on the WSF, we identify several research opportunities in which TMS is positioned as the core of the investigations, which could serve as useful contributions to the related domains.
Developmental formulation of sustainable plant consortium based pesticide and its prominent pesticidal activity
Authors: Lavanya M. , Namasivayam S. Karthick Raja , Priyanka S. , Sandhiya M.
Published: April 2024

Chemical pesticides in crop protection pose long‐term threats to living beings due to their harmful side effects. Plant consortium, a mixture of diverse plant extracts and biomedicine, has gained attention for integrated pest management. Developmental formulations increase bioavailability of bioactive constituents, enhancing desired biological activities. The present study is undertaken to evaluate the pesticidal activity of the plant consortium composed of Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, and Capsicum annuum against Spodoptera litura under laboratory condition. Followed by measuring pesticidal activity, ecotoxicity of prepared formulation was investigated. The plant consortium was prepared from the selected plant extracts through green science principles. The presence of possible bioactive compounds in plant consortium prepared from ethanolic extracts of selected plants was determined using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC‐MS). Pesticidal activity of the prepared consortium was investigated against S. litura by determination of cumulative mortality, lethal concentration. Active principles of pesticidal activity associated with plant consortium was readily extracted in ethanol. Prepared consortium revealed notable pesticidal activity against S. litura larval stages by recording high mortality and least LC50 and LC90. The plant consortium has not shown any ecotoxic effect which was confirmed by no sign of toxic effects on plant growth parameters of seedlings. Ecotoxicity of proposed consortium was also studied by measuring the soil parameters and phytotoxicity assessment. The present study suggests the possible utilization of presently proposed plant consortium as an effective pesticidal agent without affecting ecosystem.
A closer look at the U(1)B−L explanation of the ATOMKI nuclear anomalies
Authors: Ferreira P. M. , Gonçalves B. L. , Joaquim F. R.
Published: April 2024

Abstract

We revisit the gauged U(1)B−L explanation of the ATOMKI nuclear anomalies, in which the new gauge boson is the hypothetical X(17) particle. It is known that the vanilla B − L scenario is unable to account for appropriate couplings, namely the suppression of the couplings of X(17) to neutrinos, which motivates adding vector-like leptons. The simplest case, in which the new fields have B − L charges equal to 1, is highly disfavoured since it requires large mixing with the Standard Model fields. One solution recently put forward is to consider large B − L charges to counterbalance small mixing. We show that, in this scenario, and after taking into account several phenomenological constraints, the dominant contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment (g − 2)μ is expected to be extremely large and with a negative sign, being thus excluded by experiment.
Exploring CP violation beyond the Standard Model and the PQ quality with electric dipole moments
Authors: Choi Kiwoon , Im Sang Hui , Jodłowski Krzysztof
Published: April 2024

Abstract

In some models of physics beyond the Standard Model (SM), one of the leading low energy consequences of the model appears in the form of the chromo-electric dipole moments (CEDMs) of the gluons and light quarks. We examine if these CEDMs can be distinguished from the QCD θ-term through the experimentally measurable nuclear and atomic electric dipole moments (EDMs) in both cases with and without the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) mechanism solving the strong CP problem. We find that the nucleon EDMs show a distinctive pattern when the EDMs are dominantly induced by the light quark CEDMs without the PQ mechanism. In the presence of the PQ mechanism, the QCD θ-parameter corresponds to the vacuum value of the axion field, which might be induced either by CEDMs or by UV-originated PQ breaking other than the QCD anomaly, for instance the PQ breaking by quantum gravity effects. We find that in case with the PQ mechanism the nucleon EDMs have a similar pattern regardless of what is the dominant source of EDMs among the CEDMs and θ-term, unless there is a significant cancellation between the contributions from different sources. In contrast, some nuclei or atomic EDMs can have characteristic patterns significantly depending on the dominant source of EDMs, which may allow identifying the dominant source among the CEDMs and θ-term. Yet, discriminating the gluon CEDM from the QCD θ-parameter necessitates additional knowledge of low energy parameters induced by the gluon CEDM, which is not available at the moment. Our results imply that EDMs can reveal unambiguous sign of CEDMs while identifying the origin of the axion vacuum value, however it requires further knowledge of low energy parameters induced by the gluon CEDM.
Hwang-Oguiso invariants and frozen singularities in special geometry
Authors: Cecotti Sergio
Published: April 2024

Abstract

In Special Geometry there are two inequivalent notions of “Kodaira type” for a singular fiber: one associated with its local monodromy and one with its Hwang-Oguiso characteristic cycle. When the two Kodaira types are not equal the geometry is subtler and its deformation space gets smaller (“partially frozen” singularities). The paper analyzes the physical interpretation of the Hwang-Oguiso invariant in the context of 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 QFT and describes the surprising phenomena which appear when it does not coincide with the monodromy type. The Hwang-Oguiso multiple fibers are in one-to-one correspondence with the partially frozen singularities in M-theory compactified on a local elliptic K3: a chain of string dualities relates the two geometric set-ups. Paying attention to a few subtleties, this correspondence explains in purely geometric terms how the “same” Kodaira elliptic fiber may have different deformations spaces. The geometric computation of the number of deformations agrees with the physical expectations. At the end we briefly outline the implications of the Hwang-Oguiso invariants for the classification program of 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 SCFTs.
Simulation-based inference in the search for CP violation in leptonic WH production
Authors: Barrué Ricardo , Muíño Patricia Conde , Dao Valerio , Santos Rui
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Sources of CP violation beyond the Standard Model (BSM) are required to explain the baryonic asymmetry of the Universe. In this work, we study BSM CP-violating components in the HWW interaction in WH production, parametrized by an effective dimension-6 CP-odd operator. We explore a machine learning simulation-based inference method that estimates a detector-level optimal observable — SALLY — comparing it with energy-dependent and angular observables, exploring different binnings for their distributions. We show that in regions of phase space where the interference between SM and the effective operator dominates, the SALLY observable leads to optimal limits. In regions where effects of the quadratic term of the effective operator start becoming dominant, such an observable still leads to optimal limits. This work aims to test current multivariate techniques and inform analysis strategies for LHC Run 3 and beyond.
Prämaligne, zystische Neoplasien und neuroendokrine Tumoren des Pankreaskopfes – Ist die Kausch-Whipple-Resektion eine adäquate Therapie?
Authors: Beger Hans G.
Published: April 2024

Das gegenwärtig am häufigsten angewendete operative Verfahren bei symptomatischen, benignen, prämalignen zystischen und neuroendokrinen Tumoren des Pankreaskopfs ist die Whipple-Operation oder pyloruserhaltende Pankreatoduodenektomie (PD); die PD ist jedoch eine Multiorganresektion, bei der pankreatisches und extrapankreatisches Gewebe sowie dessen Funktionen verloren gehen. Die PD ist auch bei benignen Neoplasien mit dem Risiko erheblicher Komplikationen in der frühen postoperativen Phase assoziiert und geht mit einer Krankenhausmortalität von bis zu 5 % einher. Nach Whipple-Operation wird bei 14–20 % der Patienten ein sich neu manifestierender Diabetes mellitus beobachtet, bei 25–45 % tritt eine exokrine Insuffizienz auf, was zu einer nach Resektion benigner Tumoren persistierenden metabolischen Dysfunktion und Beeinträchtigung der Lebensqualität führt. Symptomatische Neoplasien sind Indikation für die operative Therapie. Patienten mit asymptomatischen Pankreastumoren werden gemäß den Kriterien von Surveillance-Protokollen behandelt. Ziel der operativen Therapie bei asymptomatischen Patienten ist entsprechend den Leitlinienkriterien der Abbruch des Surveillance-Programms, bevor sich eine fortgeschrittene Krebserkrankung im Zusammenhang mit der Neoplasie entwickelt. Die Tumorenukleation und duodenumerhaltende Pankreaskopfresektion, entweder total oder partiell, sind parenchymsparende Resektionen bei benignen Neoplasien des Pankreaskopfs. Erste Wahl bei kleinen Tumoren ist die Enukleation; allerdings ist diese mit einem erhöhten Risiko für Pankreasfisteln von Grad B + C nach Pankreas-Hauptgangverletzung assoziiert. Vorteile der duodenumerhaltenden totalen oder partiellen Pankreaskopfresektion sind geringe operationsbedingte Komplikationen, eine Mortalität von < 0,5 % und die Aufrechterhaltung der endo- und exokrinen Pankreasfunktionen. Parenchymsparende Pankreaskopfresektionen sollten die klassischen Whipple-Operationen bei Neoplasien des Pankreaskopfs ablösen.
Laparoscopy training of novices with complex curved instruments using 2D- and 3D-visualization
Authors: Hidding Johanna , Bucher Julian , Heiliger Christian , Andrade Dorian , Trupka Lukas , Halmen Matthias , Werner Jens , Karcz Konrad , Frank Alexander
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Beside many advantages, disadvantages such as reduced degrees of freedom and poorer depth perception are still apparent in laparoscopic surgery. 3D visualization and the development of complex instruments are intended to counteract the disadvantages. We want to find out whether the use of complex instruments and 3D visualization has an influence on the performance of novices.

Methods

48 medical students with no experience in laparoscopic surgery or simulator-based laparoscopy training were included. They were randomized in four groups according to a stratification assessment. During a structured training period they completed the FLS-Tasks “PEG Transfer”, “Pattern Cut” and “Intracorporeal Suture” and a transfer task based on these three. Two groups used conventional laparoscopic instruments with 3D or 2D visualization, two groups used complex curved instruments. The groups were compared in terms of their performance.

Results

In 2D laparoscopy there was a better performance with straight instruments vs. curved instruments in PEG Transfer and Intracorporeal Suture. In the transfer task, fewer errors were made with straight instruments. In 2D vs. 3D laparoscopy when using complex curved instruments there was an advantage in Intracorporeal Suture and PEG Transfer for 3D visualization. Regarding the transfer exercise, a better performance was observed and fewer errors were made in 3D group.

Conclusion

We could show that learning laparoscopic techniques with complex curved instruments is more difficult with standard 2D visualization and can be overcome using 3D optics. The use of curved instruments under 3D vision seems to be advantageous when working on more difficult tasks.
Next-generation microbiological testing in intraabdominal infections with PCR technology
Authors: Horn Julian , Höhn Philipp , Strotmann Johanna , Majchrzak-Stiller Britta , Buchholz Marie , Uhl Waldemar , Herzog Torsten
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Intraabdominal infections (IAI) are increasing worldwide and are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Among IAI, the number of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) is increasing globally. We tested the Unyvero A50® for intraabdominal infections, compared the detected microorganisms and antibiotic resistance, and compared the results with those of routine microbiology.

Methods

We prospectively compared samples obtained from surgical patients using PCR-based Unyvero IAI cartridges against routine microbiology for the detection of microorganisms. Additionally, we identified clinical parameters that correlated with the microbiological findings. Data were analyzed using the t-test and Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Sixty-two samples were analyzed. The PCR system identified more microorganisms, mostly Bacteroides species, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus spp. For bacterial resistance, the PCR system results were fully concordant with those of routine microbiology, resulting in a sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value (PPV, NPV) of 100%. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the detection of microorganisms were 74%, 58%, 60%, and 72%, respectively. CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with detectable microorganisms. We identified more microorganisms and bacterial resistance in hospital-acquired intra-abdominal infections by using the PCR system.

Discussion

IAI warrants early identification of the microorganisms involved and their resistance to allow for adequate antibiotic therapy. PCR systems enable physicians to rapidly adjust their antibiotic treatment. Conventional microbiological culture and testing remain essential for determining the minimal growth inhibition concentrations for antibiotic therapy.
Resolving the Centipede’s Dilemma: external focus distance and expertise in applied, continuous skills
Authors: Banks Stephen , Higgins Peter , Sproule John , Pool Ursula
Published: April 2024

Research has reliably demonstrated that an external focus of attention during skill production enhances performance, retention, and transfer relative to an internal focus on movement mechanics. The optimisation of external focus points, across a range of contexts and performers, is important for effective skill production. Two studies were conducted evaluating the impact of external focus distance in an applied, continuous sports skill (kayak sprinting) with participants of two different expertise levels. In Study 1, using a within-participants design, recreational kayakers (n = 20) were timed sprinting 75 m in a surf ski under proximal external focus, distal external focus, and control conditions. The distal focus (on the finish) (29.75 s) was significantly faster than both other trials (ps < 0.001). The control condition (30.95 s) was significantly faster than the proximal focus (on the boat) (32.37 s) (p = 0.003). The effect size was large (ηp2 = 0.55). In Study 2, specifically trained racers in sprint kayaks (K1s) (n = 16) were timed in a 100 m K1 sprint under the same three conditions as in Study 1. The control condition (28.96 s) was significantly faster than the proximal focus trial (29.83 s) (p = 0.02). The effect size was large (ηp2 = 0.23). There was no significant difference between the distal focus trial (29.03 s) and the other conditions. These findings suggest that focus distance can play a pivotal role in continuous skills. Whilst recreational performers may benefit immediately from a distal focus, this might not be the case for specifically trained athletes. Further, a proximal focus on fitted, passive equipment may be detrimental to performance.
Development of postoperative bronchopleural fistula after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: case reports and review of the literature
Authors: Zhao Renshan , Guan Xiaomin , Zhang Peng , Liu Yunpeng , Xu Yinghui , Sun Chao , Qiu Shi , Zhu Wenhao , Yang Zhiguang , Wang Xu
Published: April 2024

Background

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors has dramatically changed the treatment paradigm for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Due to the complexity and diversity of stage III disease, the inclusion of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in neoadjuvant treatment regimens is also required. However, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) limit the application of ICIs to a certain extent. Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a serious and fatal complication after pneumonectomy that is rarely reported, especially in patients who accept neoadjuvant immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy.

Case presentation

Herein, we reported four patients with postoperative BPF who received a neoadjuvant regimen of sintilimab plus chemotherapy. Postoperative BPF occurred in the late stage in three patients; one patient underwent bronchoscopic fistula repair, and the fistula was closed well after surgery, and the other two patients gradually recovered within 1–2 months after symptomatic treatment with antibiotics. One patient with BPF after left pneumonectomy died of respiratory failure due to pulmonary infection. We also reviewed the literature on the development of postoperative BPF in patients receiving immuno-neoadjuvant therapy to discuss the clinical process further, postoperative pathological changes, as well as risk factors of BPF patients.

Conclusions

Central type lung cancer with stage III may be the risk factors of BPF in cases of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy for lung cancers patients.
Quartz crystal microbalance–based aptasensor integrated with magnetic pre-concentration system for detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food samples
Authors: Beyazit Fatma , Arica Mehmet Yakup , Acikgoz-Erkaya Ilkay , Ozalp Cengiz , Bayramoglu Gulay
Published: April 2024

A fast and accurate identification of Listeria monocytogenes. A new quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) aptasensor was designed for the specific and rapid detection of L. monocytogenes. Before detection of the target bacterium from samples in the QCM aptasensor, a magnetic pre-enrichment system was used to eliminate any contaminant in the samples. The prepared magnetic system was characterized using ATR-FTIR, SEM, VSM, BET, and analytical methods. The saturation magnetization values of the Fe3O4, Fe3O4@PDA, and Fe3O4@PDA@DAPEG particles were 57.2, 40.8, and 36.4 emu/g, respectively. The same aptamer was also immobilized on the QCM crystal integrated into QCM flow cell and utilized to quantitatively detect L. monocytogenes cells from the samples. It was found that a specific aptamer-magnetic pre-concentration system efficiently captured L. monocytogenes cells in a short time (approximately 10 min). The Fe3O4@PDA@DA-PEG-Apt particles provided selective isolation of L. monocytogenes from the bacteria-spiked media up to 91.8%. The immobilized aptamer content of the magnetic particles was 5834 µg/g using 500 ng Apt/mL. The QCM aptasensor showed a very high range of analytical performance to the target bacterium from 1.0 × 102 and 1.0 × 107 CFU/mL. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 148 and 448 CFU/mL, respectively, from the feeding of the QCM aptasensor flow cell with the eluent of the magnetic pre-concentration system. The reproducibility of the aptasensor was more than 95%. The aptasensor was very specific to L. monocytogenes compared to the other Listeria species (i.e., L. ivanovii, L. innocua, and L. seeligeri) or other tested bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis. The QCM aptasensor was regenerated with NaOH solution, and the system was reused many times.

Graphical Abstract
Different effects of social intention on movement kinematics when interacting with a human or virtual agent
Authors: Gigliotti Maria Francesca , Desrosiers Paul-Audain , Ott Laurent , Daoudi Mohamed , Coello Yann
Published: April 2024

The execution of object-directed motor actions is known to be influenced by the intention to interact with others. In this study, we tested whether the effects of social intention on the kinematics of object-directed actions depended on whether the task was performed in the presence of a human or a virtual confederate. In two experiments, participants had to grasp a glass and place it to a new position, with either a personal intention (to fill the glass themselves using a bottle) or a social one (to have the glass filled by the human confederate or the virtual agent using the bottle). Experiment 1 showed that the kinematics of the object-directed actions was modulated by the social intention but only when interacting with a human confederate. Experiment 2 showed that the effects of social intention on object-directed actions performance can be improved using feedback-based learning. Specifically, participants proved able to progressively adapt their motor performances as if they were expressing social intention to a virtual confederate as well. These findings emphasize the importance of the modulatory role of social intention on non-verbal motor behaviour, and enrich the understanding of the interaction with virtual agents.
Variational inference: uncertainty quantification in additive models
Authors: Lichter Jens , Wiemann Paul F V , Kneib Thomas
Published: April 2024

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC)-based simulation approaches are by far the most common method in Bayesian inference to access the posterior distribution. Recently, motivated by successes in machine learning, variational inference (VI) has gained in interest in statistics since it promises a computationally efficient alternative to MCMC enabling approximate access to the posterior. Classical approaches such as mean-field VI (MFVI), however, are based on the strong mean-field assumption for the approximate posterior where parameters or parameter blocks are assumed to be mutually independent. As a consequence, parameter uncertainties are often underestimated and alternatives such as semi-implicit VI (SIVI) have been suggested to avoid the mean-field assumption and to improve uncertainty estimates. SIVI uses a hierarchical construction of the variational parameters to restore parameter dependencies and relies on a highly flexible implicit mixing distribution whose probability density function is not analytic but samples can be taken via a stochastic procedure. With this paper, we investigate how different forms of VI perform in semiparametric additive regression models as one of the most important fields of application of Bayesian inference in statistics. A particular focus is on the ability of the rivalling approaches to quantify uncertainty, especially with correlated covariates that are likely to aggravate the difficulties of simplifying VI assumptions. Moreover, we propose a method, where we combine both advantages of MFVI and SIVI and compare its performance. The different VI approaches are studied in comparison with MCMC in simulations and an application to tree height models of douglas fir based on a large-scale forestry data set.
Trustworthy machine learning in the context of security and privacy
Authors: Upreti Ramesh , Lind Pedro G. , Elmokashfi Ahmed , Yazidi Anis
Published: April 2024

Artificial intelligence-based algorithms are widely adopted in critical applications such as healthcare and autonomous vehicles. Mitigating the security and privacy issues of AI models, and enhancing their trustworthiness have become of paramount importance. We present a detailed investigation of existing security, privacy, and defense techniques and strategies to make machine learning more secure and trustworthy. We focus on the new paradigm of machine learning called federated learning, where one aims to develop machine learning models involving different partners (data sources) that do not need to share data and information with each other. In particular, we discuss how federated learning bridges security and privacy, how it guarantees privacy requirements of AI applications, and then highlight challenges that need to be addressed in the future. Finally, after having surveyed the high-level concepts of trustworthy AI and its different components and identifying present research trends addressing security, privacy, and trustworthiness separately, we discuss possible interconnections and dependencies between these three fields. All in all, we provide some insight to explain how AI researchers should focus on building a unified solution combining security, privacy, and trustworthy AI in the future.
Unfair clause detection in terms of service across multiple languages
Authors: Galassi Andrea , Lagioia Francesca , Jabłonowska Agnieszka , Lippi Marco
Published: April 2024

Most of the existing natural language processing systems for legal texts are developed for the English language. Nevertheless, there are several application domains where multiple versions of the same documents are provided in different languages, especially inside the European Union. One notable example is given by Terms of Service (ToS). In this paper, we compare different approaches to the task of detecting potential unfair clauses in ToS across multiple languages. In particular, after developing an annotated corpus and a machine learning classifier for English, we consider and compare several strategies to extend the system to other languages: building a novel corpus and training a novel machine learning system for each language, from scratch; projecting annotations across documents in different languages, to avoid the creation of novel corpora; translating training documents while keeping the original annotations; translating queries at prediction time and relying on the English system only. An extended experimental evaluation conducted on a large, original dataset indicates that the time-consuming task of re-building a novel annotated corpus for each language can often be avoided with no significant degradation in terms of performance.
The development and utilization of two SCAR markers linked to the resistance of banana (Musa spp. AAA) to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4
Authors: Qv Mengran , Feng Guoen , Chen Shule , Chen Houbin , Chen Chengjie , Wang Fang , Lv Shun , Dai Longyu , Liu Hui , Huang Bingzhi , Li Xiaoquan , Su Zuxiang , Xu Chunxiang
Published: April 2024

Banana (Musa spp.) production worldwide is seriously threatened by Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). The best way to control this disease is to grow resistant cultivars. However, it requires large-scale field evaluations and labor- and time-consuming to obtain disease-resistant germplasm. Development of early, reliable, and reproducible selection strategies are considered as the efficient approach which could speed up the selection procedure. In this study, two pairs of sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) primers related to banana Foc resistance/susceptibility were screened from 100 pairs of random primers. Correspondingly, two pairs of sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers (namely SC4-F/SC4-R and SC14-F/SC14-R, respectively) were successfully generated from these two SRAP markers using 30 cultivars either resistant or susceptible to Foc. Both SCAR markers were located in mitochondrion genome and showed discriminatory power of 96.67% and 100%, respectively. Mitochondrial proteins possibly play a very important role in banana resistance to Foc. In additional, these two SCAR markers were employed simultaneously to screen potential resistant germplasm from 53 accessions with unknown resistance to Foc, and the results revealed a consistency of 83.0% with each other, further indicating their high reliability and reproducibility. These results suggest that both SCAR markers could be used in molecular marker-assisted selection for banana germplasm resistant to Fusarium.
A machine learning framework for explainable knowledge mining and production, maintenance, and quality control optimization in flexible circular manufacturing systems
Authors: Koulinas Georgios K. , Paraschos Panagiotis D. , Koulouriotis Dimitrios E.
Published: April 2024

In the present study, we employed multiple decision tree algorithms to categorize cases and reflect the most efficient policies constructed by a reinforcement learning algorithm. These approaches treated a complex production, maintenance, and quality control optimization problem within a degrading manufacturing and remanufacturing system. The decision trees’ nodes represent the independent variables, while the trees’ leaves represent the set of function values. The reinforcement learning method revealed all optimization parameters and best policies, which were employed as the training sample for the tree algorithms. After constructing every decision tree, each resulting decision rule was used to solve the optimization problem, and its performance was assessed. Additionally, we performed a sensitivity analysis to determine if the pruning level impacts the objective function value and, generally, the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
International student mobility within Europe: responding to contemporary challenges
Authors: Brooks Rachel , Courtois Aline , Faas Daniel , Jayadeva Sazana , Beech Suzanne
Published: April 2024

In this article, we provide an introduction to the special issue on ‘Challenges to International Student Mobility within Europe’. We first discuss the current context of such mobility and justify our focus on Europe, in particular, by outlining some distinctive features of this geographical region. We then outline the contributions of the articles that make up the special issue—in terms of the challenges they identify, the ways in which they theorise international student mobility, and the responses they proffer. Throughout, we acknowledge the rich extant literature on international student mobility and weave this into our discussion as appropriate.