bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation of GFRP‐reinforced concrete columns made with waste aggregates under concentric and eccentric loads
Authors: Karimi Pour Arash , Shirkhani Amir , Kırgız Mehmet Serkan , Noroozinejad Farsangi Ehsan
Published: November 2022

Nowadays, reducing the waste and recycled material resources in nature and environmental protection, as well as reducing the use of natural resources, has gained the attention of engineers and researchers. One of the ways to reach this goal is to use waste and recycled materials in new concrete members' construction. Additionally, using glass fiber‐reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars has gained high consideration owing to their advantages such as high tensile strength and corrosion resistance. Therefore, this study aims to measure the influence of recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) on the structural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) columns reinforced by GFRP rebars under concentric and eccentric loading conditions. A total of 24 RC columns were cast and subjected to concentric and eccentric loads with different eccentricity ratios (e/h):0 (no eccentricity), 0.25 (moderate eccentricity), and e/h = 0.5 (high eccentricity). A total of 18 columns were strengthened with longitudinal GFRP rebars, and six specimens were considered control samples reinforced by steel rebars. RCA was used at two contents of 0% and 100% in terms of weight as a substitute for natural coarse aggregates (NCA). In addition, to measure the influence of transverse reinforcement, three different spacings were considered: 60, 120, and 180 mm. Evaluation of axial behavior, the strain of rebars and concrete, and the ductility were the main aims of this study. Moreover, a comparison between the experimental results and existing standards was carried out. Findings revealed the adequate axial resistance of specimens when RCA was used. Therefore, RCA incorporation improved the axial resistance of GFRP‐RC columns by about 25% and 35% when the stirrup spacing declined by 60 and 120 mm, respectively in comparison with the same specimens made with NCA. However, the influence of RCA on the RC columns' axial behavior was declined by raising the eccentricity distance.
Application of δ‐MnO2 and biochar materials in an arsenic‐contaminated groundwater
Authors: Chang Chien Shui‐Wen , Weng Chun‐Ming , Chou Jen‐Shen , Liu Cheng‐Chung
Published: November 2022

Two activated biochar materials, peanut char (δ‐MnO2/A‐PC) and corn char (δ‐MnO2/A‐CC), were used to treat an arsenic solution containing 97.5% As(III) and 2.5% As(V). After reacting with δ‐MnO2/A‐PC for 24 h, 18.8% of As(III) and 35.4% of As(V) remained in the solution, revealing that some As(III) was oxidized to As(V) and the other was removed by adsorption. However, δ‐MnO2/A‐CC caused the solution to retain 15.6% of As(III) and 41.7% of As(V) under the same conditions, indicating that δ‐MnO2/A‐CC had higher oxidation for arsenic species than δ‐MnO2/A‐CC. Adsorption capacities for δ‐MnO2/A‐PC and δ‐MnO2/A‐CC to arsenic were 1.50 and 1.53 mg/g in a solution with 0.5 ppm As(III), respectively. After coating with δ‐MnO2, the proportion of mesopore surface areas of δ‐MnO2/A‐CC increased from 33.3% to 79.0%, but their mesopore volumes increased from 67.6% to 89.4%. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analyses demonstrated that δ‐MnO2 was coated onto the surfaces of the biochars. The 600°C‐ACC had a higher specific surface area, 221 m2/g, than the δ‐600°C‐APC, 81.5 m2/g; δ‐MnO2/A‐CC could attach more Mn (38.2%) than δ‐MnO2/A‐PC (27.8%). The elemental analysis revealed that δ‐MnO2/A‐PC and δ‐MnO2/A‐CC had similar carbon contents of 26.2%.

Practitioner Points

The δ‐MnO2/biochar adsorbent can oxidize As(III) into As(V) in the groundwater.

δ‐MnO2/biochar adsorbed large amounts of As(III) and As(V).

Adsorbent that contains more δ‐MnO2 has a higher oxidation capacity.

The δ‐MnO2/biochar made from corn stalks could combine with more δ‐MnO2.
Effect of different mixed light‐emitting diode light wavelengths on CO2 absorption from biogas and nutrient removal from biogas slurry by microalgae and fungi induced using strigolactone and endophytic bacteria
Authors: Yang Meiying , Dong Xuechang , Zhu Yuan , Song Jian , Wei Jing , Wu Zhihai , Zhao Yongjun
Published: November 2022

In this study, biogas and biogas slurry were simultaneously treated using two symbiotic systems: Chlorella vulgaris‐Ganoderma lucidum‐S395‐2 (endophytic bacteria) and Scenedesmus obliquus‐G. lucidum‐S395‐2. The influence of different mixed illumination (red and blue) intensity ratios on the algal symbionts' extracellular carbonic anhydrase activities was investigated, as well as the rates of microalgal growth and photosynthesis. The treatment performance was simultaneously assessed in terms of the efficiency of organic matter or nutrient removal and the level of CO2 absorption. The results indicated that red‐blue light combinations with an intensity ratio of 5:5 were optimal. When comparing the performance of the two symbiotic systems, the C. vulgaris‐G. lucidum‐S395‐2 symbiont co‐culture system achieved significantly improved photosynthetic rates, biomass growth, and treatment effects. Under the optimal treatment conditions, the organic matter and nutrient removal rates were 81.06% ± 7.06% for chemical oxygen demand, 82.32% ± 7.18% for total nitrogen, and 82.98% ± 7.26% for total phosphorus. In addition, the rate of CO2 removal from biogas was 63.38% ± 5.35%.

Practitioner Points

The red and blue light intensity ratio of 5:5 showed the best removal performance.

C. vulgaris‐G. lucidum‐S395‐2 system obtained the best photosynthetic performance.

The carbonic anhydrase activity had positive effects on CO2 removal performance.
Numerical simulation for nanofluid forced/free convection in a partially heated parallelogram enclosure: Effects of wall undulation and inclined Lorentz forces
Authors: Ullah Naeem , Nadeem Sohail , Ghazwani Hassan Ali
Published: November 2022

The present study possesses the mathematical computational analysis for mixed convection nanofluid (CuO–water) flow in a lid‐driven parallelogram enclosure with corrugated walls. A partially heated source is located at the bottom corrugated wall. The remaining portions of upper and lower corrugated boundaries are adiabatic. The verticals walls are kept cold. The flow dynamic established with wall undulation and inclined Lorentz forces generate complex mathematical formulation via partial differential equations. Finite element method is implemented to get numerical interpretation of these equations. The simulation is performed against various emerging parameters and the outcomes in terms of isotherms, streamlines and line graphs. The results are recorded against various Richardson numbers , Hartman number , nanoparticles volume fraction , and amplitude of the corrugated horizontal walls . It is observed that against smaller Richardson number streamlines indicate forced convection flow while at higher Richardson number flow divert toward free convection regime. Additionally, heat transportation is maximum when magnetic field is applied in perpendicular direction as well as at maximum amplitude of wall undulations.
Balenciaga and the Importance of Creativity in Human Flourishing
Authors: Balda Ana
Published: November 2022

One of the clearest manifestations of a flourishing life is manifested in the positive impact one projects on society, in the sense of making other lives flourish. Cristóbal Balenciaga is a paradigm of a flourishing life in the fields of creation and education within fashion. This article explains his professional achievements from a doble perspective, artistic and entrepreneurial, and his contribution to the flourishing of clients, workers, and even the fashion of future generations. The legacy of Balenciaga show that human flourishing may be considered as the result of a creative process, for which setting goals, audacity, resilience and consistency are required. When these capacities are put into practice they transcend the improvement of the personal well being to create an expansive mechanism that generates flourishing societies.
Human Flourishing Through Behaviour Change
Authors: Strong Colin
Published: November 2022

We tend to think of flourishing as a place we get to, where we have arrived, but often do not see that act of change itself is a core facet of what it means to flourish. Indeed, we argue that flourishing is in fact our ability to change and adapt rather than a state that we are striving for. This points to human flourishing requiring an ‘adaptive’ approach to manage change: supporting careful navigation, negotiation and trade-offs. On this basis we need to identify the barriers that get in the way of enacting these possibilities and as such organisations and institutions that seeks to facilitate behaviour change will lean on barrier identification as well identifying ways to overcome them thought educating, assisting and facilitating. Using a behaviour change framework to identify the mechanisms shaping behaviour can help to identify ways to overcome barriers and facilitate positive outcomes.
Shedding Light on People’s Social Media Concerns Through Political Party Preference, Media Trust, and Immigration Attitudes
Authors: Malinen Sanna , Koivula Aki , Keipi Teo , Saarinen Arttu
Published: November 2022

The emergence of fake news has systematically challenged traditional media institutions as disinformation and misinformation are increasingly utilised in political attacks on social media. As in many countries, also in Finland, the emergence of current counter media sites is closely connected to the rise of the anti-immigration movement, and immigration policies and immigrants have been targets of the massive social media disinformation and misinformation campaigns. By employing a nationally representative survey (N = 3724) from Finland, this study investigates how three social-media-related concerns addressing misinformation and disinformation are explained by political party preferences, media trust, and immigration attitudes. We found that the supporters of the populist party, the Finns, had more critical views on freedom of expression and monitoring of hateful content on social media. Moreover, they were less concerned with the flow of fake news on social media. Based on mediation analysis, we found that trust in traditional media and attitudes on immigration are lowest among the supporters of the Finns, which also explained their different views on fake news, freedom of expression and hateful content monitoring. Even though the independent variables were highly inter-correlated, they also associated individually with social media users’ perceptions. We argue that the accumulation of negative immigration attitudes and low trust in the media is reflecting attitudes towards social media among the supporters of populist parties. The results underline the populist right-wing communication strategy, which questions the reliability of mainstream media, undermines professional journalism, criticises political correctness, and appeals to those who are most frustrated with mainstream media and critical towards immigration.
In Search for Unexpected Allies? Radical Right Remediation of ‘the 2015 Refugee Crisis’ on Social Media
Authors: Bauvois Gwenaëlle , Pyrhönen Niko
Published: November 2022

This chapter analyses the remediation of the mainstream news cycle on the ‘refugee crisis’ to the social media audiences of two Finnish anti-immigration groups, namely ‘Close the Borders!’ and ‘Finland First’. The analysis focuses on the post-truth tropes employed by these groups as practices for subverting information and interpretations originally sourced to epistemic authorities. In doing so, the chapter provides a more nuanced approach to the post-truth tropes where the generation of ‘fake news’ and explicit disinformation is only the tip of the iceberg. The results show that by harnessing careful and context-sensitive remediation practices, the radical right is effectively able to hijack the news cycle with the alleged support from ‘unlikely allies’ among epistemic authorities.
Post-Truth Politics, Brexit, and European Disintegration
Authors: Orlando Vittorio
Published: November 2022

This chapter analyses the effect of post-truth on European disintegration, a process that led to the strengthening of Eurosceptic political parties and the Brexit referendum. This work has the twofold purpose of analysing the role of PPT in the Leave campaign and discussing its implications from a theoretical standpoint. The chapter consists of four parts. The first one includes an overview of the literature on European disintegration, Brexit, and post-truth; it also offers a conceptualisation of post-factual politics, discussing how the notion evolved and how it relates to misinformation. The second part consists of an analysis of the Leave campaign; it identifies the actors behind misinformation and their role before and during the referendum campaign. The third section is an empirical analysis of the discourse on Brexit, with a focus on factually ambiguous or incorrect statements. The ties between deception and politics are further analysed in the fourth part, attempting to describe to which extent, during a crisis, political actors can exploit pre-existing ideological forces to construct a specific narrative. The conclusion addresses the effectiveness of misinformation on the Leave campaign and whether a similar approach will play a more significant role in the ongoing debate on EU integration. The ambition of the chapter is to analyse misinformation as a tool to create consensus, looking at the actors employing it, its effectiveness, and its role as a causal factor in the Leave campaign and the process of European disintegration.
Data-Informed Models for the Coupled Dispersal of Microplastics and Related Pollutants Applied to the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Guerrini Federica
Published: November 2022

Microplastic pollution is a ubiquitous environmental threat, in particular to the oceans. In the marine environment, microplastics are not just passively transported by sea currents, but often get contaminated with organic pollutants during the journey. The uptake of chemicals onto microplastics can worsen the adverse effects of microplastics to marine organisms; however, investigation on this urgent phenomenon is hampered by the impossibility of monitoring and tracking such small plastic fragments during their motion at sea. This work aims at addressing the need for an effective modelling of the advection–diffusion processes jointly involving microplastics and the pollutants they carry to further our understanding of their spatiotemporal patterns and ecological impacts, focusing on the Mediterranean Sea. Here we present the conceptual design, methodological settings, and modelling results of a novel, data-informed 2D Lagrangian–Eulerian modelling framework that simultaneously describes (i) the Lagrangian dispersal of microplastic on the sea surface, (ii) the Eulerian advection–diffusion of selected organic contaminants, and (iii) the gradient-driven chemical exchanges between microplastic particles and chemical pollutants in the marine environment in a simple, yet comprehensive way. Crucial to the realism of our model is exploiting the wide variety and abundance of data linked with drivers of Mediterranean marine pollution by microplastics and chemicals, ranging from national censuses to satellite data of surface water runoff and GPS ship tracking, other than the use of oceanographic reanalyses to inform microplastics’ motion at sea. The results of our method applied to a multi-year simulation contribute to a first basin-wide assessment of the role of microplastics as a vehicle of other pollutants of concern in the marine environment. The framework proposed here is intended as a flexible tool to help advance knowledge towards a comprehensive description of the multifaceted threat of marine plastic pollution and an informed support to targeted mitigation policies.
Deep and Wide Tiny Machine Learning
Authors: Disabato Simone
Published: November 2022

In the last decades, on the one hand, Deep Learning (DL) has become state of the art in several domains, e.g., image classification, object detection, and natural language processing. On the other hand, pervasive technologies—Internet of Things (IoT) units, embedded systems, and Micro-Controller Units (MCUs)—ask for intelligent processing mechanisms as close as possible to data generation. Nevertheless, memory, computational, and energy requirements characterizing DL models are three or more orders of magnitude larger than the corresponding memory, computation, and energy capabilities of pervasive devices. This work aims at introducing a methodology to address this issue and enable pervasive intelligent processing. In particular, by defining Tiny Machine Learning (TML) solutions, i.e., machine and deep learning models that take into account the constraints on memory, computation, and energy of the target pervasive device. The proposed methodology addresses the problem at three different levels. In the first approach, the methodology devices inference-based Deep TML solutions by approximation techniques, i.e., the TML model runs on the pervasive device but was trained elsewhere. Then, the methodology introduces on-device learning for TML. Finally, the third approach develops Wide Deep TML solutions that split and distribute the DL processing over connected heterogeneous pervasive devices.
Learning in the Presence of Multiple Agents
Authors: Ramponi Giorgia
Published: November 2022

Reinforcement Learning (RL) has emerged as a powerful tool to solve sequential decision-making problems, where a learning agent interacts with an unknown environment in order to maximize its rewards. Although most RL real-world applications involve multiple agents, the Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) framework is still poorly understood from a theoretical point of view. In this manuscript, we take a step toward solving this problem, providing theoretically sound algorithms for three RL sub-problems with multiple agents: Inverse Reinforcement Learning (IRL), online learning in MARL, and policy optimization in MARL. We start by considering the IRL problem, providing novel algorithms in two different settings: the first considers how to recover and cluster the intentions of a set of agents given demonstrations of near-optimal behavior; the second aims at inferring the reward function optimized by an agent while observing its actual learning process. Then, we consider online learning in MARL. We showed how the presence of other agents can increase the hardness of the problem while proposing statistically efficient algorithms in two settings: Non-cooperative Configurable Markov Decision Processes and Turn-based Markov Games. As the third sub-problem, we study MARL from an optimization viewpoint, showing the difficulties that arise from multiple function optimization problems and providing a novel algorithm for this scenario.
Rediscovering Ancient China’s Sword-Making Techniques: Insights from Reconstructing a Han-Dynasty Ring-Pommel Dao
Authors: Xiaojun Hu
Published: November 2022

Sunzi said, “Warfare is pivotal to the state. [It is] a milieu where life and death are decided, [it holds] the path to survival or extermination and cannot be neglected.” In like manner, the Commentary of Zuo (Zuozhuan) states, “Rituals and warfare are of vital importance to the state.” From this we see that besides ritual matters, such as ancestor worship and maintaining the temples, rulers in ancient China considered warfare and military training to be of utmost importance. Consequently, much attention was paid to sacrificial implements and weapons of war. The production and maintenance of arms was an integral part of this effort as it impacted state security as a whole. The study of ancient arms therefore not only teaches us about ancient weaponry and methods of combat but also yields unique insights into the technology and organization of war. The principal short-range weapons during the Han dynasty were jian (double-edged sword)and dao (single-edged sword), while the latter gradually replaced the jian in military use as the dynasty wore on, partly as a result of the rise of cavalry. This paper contains three parts: iron smelting and weapon production in the Han dynasty; the ancient techniques of iron smelting in shaft furnace; and reconstructing the Han ring-pommel dao with ancient methods.
Combining thermal resummation and gauge invariance for electroweak phase transition
Authors: Schicho Philipp , Tenkanen Tuomas V. I. , White Graham
Published: November 2022

Abstract

For computing thermodynamics of the electroweak phase transition, we discuss a minimal approach that reconciles both gauge invariance and thermal resummation. Such a minimal setup consists of a two-loop dimensional reduction to three-dimensional effective theory, a one-loop computation of the effective potential and its expansion around the leading-order minima within the effective theory. This approach is tractable and provides formulae for resummation that are arguably no more complicated than those that appear in standard techniques ubiquitous in the literature. In particular, we implement renormalisation group improvement related to the hard thermal scale. Despite its generic nature, we present this approach for the complex singlet extension of the Standard Model which has interesting prospects for high energy collider phenomenology and dark matter predictions. The presented expressions can be used in future studies of phase transition thermodynamics and gravitational wave production in this model.
Defect-based analysis of the laser powder bed fusion process using X-ray data
Authors: Nudelis Natan , Mayr Peter
Published: November 2022

Due to high production costs and a limited reproducibility of quality, the high potential of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) has not been fully exploited yet. In fact, internal defects can have a detrimental effect on the fatigue behaviour and cause final component failure. Therefore, process-induced defects must be localized and evaluated at a higher level of detail. The present study deals with the correlation amongst pores and LPBF process parameters in AlSi10Mg components. Computed tomography (CT) allows an extensive examination of internal defects. Within this work, a total number of 2,939,830 pores detected in 96 cylindrical samples were analysed using CT. The formation of pores can be adjusted by varying the modified volume energy density, for example, by using various laser scanning speeds. Furthermore, the effect of powder preparation scan strategies (pre-heating and pre-sintering) on the formation of different pore types as well as the general reproducibility was examined. For instance, the shielding gas flow, contaminated protective windows of the lasers as well as prior powder preparation influence the formation of pores. Using prior laser powder preparation reduced the total number of pores at high scanning speeds up to 45%. When the scanning speed is increased, the number of spherical pores decreases and large and irregularly shaped pores appear. Interestingly, only the pre-heating process resulted in a reduced formation of spherical pores at low scanning speeds (1000 mm/s).
Smoothening of the down-skin regions of copper components produced via Laser Powder Bed Fusion technology
Authors: Candela Valentina , Pozzi Matteo , Chyhyrynets Eduard , Garcia Diaz Vanessa , Candela Silvia , Dima Razvan , Favero Giacomo , Pira Cristian , Pepato Adriano , Sonato Piergiorgio
Published: November 2022

Additive manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing the industrial scenario. Four copper samples have been printed via Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) at DIAM Laboratory (INFN—Sezione di Padova, Padova, Italy). Samples had different geometrical characteristics, to test the feasibility of the AM as a productive technique for the creation of unsupported copper structures that are characterized by surfaces with a very small inclination angle, where supports cannot be placed. Parts have been printed successfully even in case of 18° of inclination of unsupported walls with respect to the horizontal plane, and on the same samples, surface finishing treatments (performed by Rösler Italiana S.r.l. and INFN-LNL) have been performed to reduce the roughness of the down-facing surfaces. Indeed, the down-skin regions are the most critical areas of AM parts. Several surface treatments are under investigation: mass-finishing treatments (mechanical and chemically assisted mechanical processes), chemical polishing, and electropolishing, and for some of them, the results are extremely positive: from an initial roughness (Ra) of 30–35 µm, the treatments allowed us to achieve a Ra value lower than 1 µm. The study here exposed presents a good way to rapidly reduce the roughness of 3D-printed parts, reaching a mirror-like aspect.
Ensemble Equivalence for Mean Field Models and Plurisubharmonicity
Authors: Berman Robert J.
Published: November 2022

We show that entropy is globally concave with respect to energy for a rich class of mean field interactions, including regularizations of the point vortex model in the plane, plasmas and self-gravitating matter in 2D, as well as the higher-dimensional logarithmic interactions appearing in conformal geometry and power laws. The proofs are based on a corresponding “microscopic” concavity result at finite N,  shown by leveraging an unexpected link to Kähler geometry and plurisubharmonic functions. Under more restrictive homogeneity assumptions, strict concavity is obtained using a uniqueness result for free energy minimizers, established in a companion paper. The results imply that thermodynamic equivalence of ensembles holds for this class of mean field models. As an application, it is shown that the critical inverse negative temperatures—in the macroscopic as well as the microscopic setting—coincide with the asymptotic slope of the corresponding microcanonical entropies. Along the way, we also extend previous results on the thermodynamic equivalence of ensembles for continuous weakly positive definite interactions, concerning positive temperature states, to the general non-continuous case. In particular, singular situations are exhibited where, somewhat surprisingly, thermodynamic equivalence of ensembles fails at energy levels sufficiently close to the minimum energy level.
Universality for Multiplicative Statistics of Hermitian Random Matrices and the Integro-Differential Painlevé II Equation
Authors: Ghosal Promit , Silva Guilherme L. F.
Published: November 2022

We study multiplicative statistics for the eigenvalues of unitarily-invariant Hermitian random matrix models. We consider one-cut regular polynomial potentials and a large class of multiplicative statistics. We show that in the large matrix limit several associated quantities converge to limits which are universal in both the polynomial potential and the family of multiplicative statistics considered. In turn, such universal limits are described by the integro-differential Painlevé II equation, and in particular they connect the random matrix models considered with the narrow wedge solution to the KPZ equation at any finite time.
Conformally Prescribed Scalar Curvature on Orbifolds
Authors: Ju Tao , Viaclovsky Jeff
Published: November 2022

We study the prescribed scalar curvature problem in a conformal class on orbifolds with isolated singularities. We prove a compactness theorem in dimension 4, and an existence theorem which holds in dimensions $$n \ge 4$$

n
≥
4

. This problem is more subtle than the manifold case since the positive mass theorem does not hold for ALE metrics in general. We also determine the $$\textrm{U}(2)$$

U
(
2
)

-invariant Leray–Schauder degree for a family of negative-mass orbifolds found by LeBrun.
Combined pembrolizumab and bevacizumab therapy effectively inhibits non-small-cell lung cancer growth and prevents postoperative recurrence and metastasis in humanized mouse model
Authors: Qiao Tianyun , Zhao Jinbo , Xin Xiangbing , Xiong Yanlu , Guo Wenwen , Meng Fancheng , Li Hui , Feng Yangbo , Xu Hui , Shi Changhong , Han Yong
Published: November 2022

Antibodies targeting the programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) pathway have dramatically changed the treatment landscape of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, combination approaches are required to extend this benefit beyond a subset of patients. In addition, it is of equal interest whether these combination therapy can be applied to neoadjuvant therapy of early-stage NSCLC. In this study, we hypothesized that combining immunotherapy with anti-angiogenic therapy may have a synergistic effect in local tumor control and neoadjuvant therapy. To this end, the effect of combination of bevacizumab and pembrolizumab in humanized mouse models was evaluated. Furthermore, we innovatively constructed a neoadjuvant mouse model that can simulate postoperative recurrence and metastasis of NSCLC to perform neoadjuvant study. Tumor growth and changes in the tumor vasculature, along with the frequency and phenotype of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, were examined. Additionally, in vivo imaging system (IVIS) was used to observe the effect of neoadjuvant therapy. Results showed that combination therapy could inhibited tumor growth by transforming tumor with low immunoreactivity into inflamed (‘hot’) tumor, as demonstrated by increased CD8+granzyme B+ cytotoxic T cell infiltration. Subsequent studies revealed that this process is mediated by vascular normalization and endothelial cell activation. IVIS results showed that neoadjuvant therapy can effectively prevent postoperative recurrence and metastasis. Taken together, these preclinical studies demonstrated that the combination of bevacizumab and pembrolizumab had a synergistic effect in both advanced tumor therapy and neoadjuvant setting and therefore provide a theoretical basis for translating this basic research into clinical applications.
Can Targeting Sphincter Spasm Reduce Post‐Haemorrhoidectomy Pain? A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Jin James , Unasa Hanson , Bahl Praharsh , Mauiliu‐Wallis Melbourne , Svirskis Darren , Hill Andrew
Published: November 2022

Background

Haemorrhoidectomy is often complicated by significant post‐operative pain, to which spasm of the internal anal sphincter is thought to be a contributing factor. This study appraises the evidence behind interventions aimed at lowering sphincter spasm to relieve post‐haemorrhoidectomy pain.

Methods

A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses compliant systematic review was conducted. Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were systematically searched. All RCTs which compared interventions targeting the internal anal sphincter to relieve pain post excisional haemorrhoidectomy were included. The primary outcome measure was pain on the visual analogue scale.

Results

Of the initial 10,221 search results, 39 articles were included in a qualitative synthesis, and 33 studies were included in a meta‐analysis. Topical glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) reduced pain on day 7 (7 studies, 485 participants), with a mean difference and 95% confidence interval (MD, 95% CI) of −1.34 (−2.31; −0.37), I2 = 91%. Diltiazem reduced pain on day 3 on the VAS, and the MD was −2.75 (−398; −1.51) shown in five studies (n = 227). Botulinum toxin reduced pain on day 7, in four studies with 178 participants, MD −1.43 (−2.50; −0.35) I2 = 62%. The addition of Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy to haemorrhoidectomy reduced pain on day 2 in three studies with 275 participants, MD of −2.13 (−3.49; −0.77) I2 = 92%. The results were limited by high heterogeneity and risk of bias.

Conclusion

Evidence suggests that lateral sphincterotomy, administration of botulinum toxin and the application of topical diltiazem or GTN can reduce post‐operative pain after haemorrhoidectomy. Lateral sphincterotomy should not be routinely used due to the risk of incontinence.
Prognostic Impact of Positive Peritoneal Lavage Cytology on Resectable Pancreatic Body and Tail Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Mashiko Taro , Ogasawara Toshihito , Masuoka Yoshihito , Ei Shigenori , Takahashi Shinichiro , Hirabayashi Kenichi , Mori Masaki , Koyanagi Kazuo , Yamamoto Seiichiro , Nakagohri Toshio
Published: November 2022

Background

The prognostic impact of positive peritoneal lavage cytology on pancreatic cancer is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate its impact in resectable pancreatic body and tail cancer.

Methods

Between January 2006 and December 2019, 97 patients with pancreatic body and tail cancer underwent peritoneal lavage cytology and curative resection at our institution. We analyzed the impact of positive peritoneal lavage cytology on clinicopathological factors and on the prognosis of pancreatic body and tail cancer.

Results

Malignant cells were detected in 14 patients (14.4%) using peritoneal lavage cytology. In these patients, the tumor diameter was significantly larger (p < 0.001) and anterior serosal invasion (p = 0.034), splenic artery invasion (p = 0.013), lympho‐vessel invasion (p = 0.025), and perineural invasion (p = 0.008) were significantly more frequent. The R1 resection rate was also significantly higher in patients with positive peritoneal lavage cytology than in negative patients (p = 0.015). Positive peritoneal lavage cytology had a significantly poor impact on overall survival (p = 0.001) and recurrence‐free survival (p < 0.001). This cytology was also an independent poor prognostic factor for recurrence (p = 0.022) and was associated with peritoneal dissemination and liver metastasis.

Conclusions

Positive peritoneal lavage cytology is considered to be indicative of more systemic disease in patients with resectable pancreatic body and tail cancer than in patients with negative peritoneal lavage cytology. Early detection of pancreatic cancer before it develops micrometastases is important to improve prognosis, and CY+ patients require more intensive multimodality treatment than standard treatment for resectable pancreatic cancer.
Time-series image denoising of pressure-sensitive paint data by projected multivariate singular spectrum analysis
Authors: Ohmichi Yuya , Takahashi Kohmi , Nakakita Kazuyuki
Published: November 2022

Time-series data, such as unsteady pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) measurement data, may contain a significant amount of random noise. Thus, in this study, we investigated a noise-reduction method that combines multivariate singular spectrum analysis (MSSA) with low-dimensional data representation. MSSA is a state-space reconstruction technique that utilizes time-delay embedding, and the low-dimensional representation is achieved by projecting data onto the singular value decomposition (SVD) basis. The noise-reduction performance of the proposed method for unsteady PSP data, i.e., the projected MSSA, is compared with that of the truncated SVD method, one of the most employed noise-reduction methods. The result shows that the projected MSSA exhibits better performance in reducing random noise than the truncated SVD method. Additionally, in contrast to that of the truncated SVD method, the performance of the projected MSSA is less sensitive to the truncation rank. The projected MSSA achieves denoising effectively by extracting smooth trajectories in a state space from noisy input data. Expectedly, the projected MSSA will be effective for reducing random noise in not only PSP measurement data, but also various high-dimensional time-series data.

Graphic abstract
Clonal hematopoiesis and cardiovascular disease: deciphering interconnections
Authors: Stein Anna , Metzeler Klaus , Kubasch Anne Sophie , Rommel Karl-Philipp , Desch Steffen , Buettner Petra , Rosolowski Maciej , Cross Michael , Platzbecker Uwe , Thiele Holger
Published: November 2022

Cardiovascular and oncological diseases represent the global major causes of death. For both, a novel and far-reaching risk factor has been identified: clonal hematopoiesis (CH). CH is defined as clonal expansion of peripheral blood cells on the basis of somatic mutations, without overt hematological malignancy. The most commonly affected genes are TET2, DNMT3A, ASXL1 and JAK2. By the age of 70, at least 20–50% of all individuals carry a CH clone, conveying a striking clinical impact by increasing all-cause mortality by 40%. This is due predominantly to a nearly two-fold increase of cardiovascular risk, but also to an elevated risk of malignant transformation. Individuals with CH show not only increased risk for, but also worse outcomes after arteriosclerotic events, such as stroke or myocardial infarction, decompensated heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Elevated cytokine levels, dysfunctional macrophage activity and activation of the inflammasome suggest that a vicious cycle of chronic inflammation and clonal expansion represents the major functional link. Despite the apparently high impact of this entity, awareness, functional understanding and especially clinical implications still require further research. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of CH and its relation to cardiovascular and hematological diseases. It focuses on the basic functional mechanisms in the interplay between atherosclerosis, inflammation and CH, identifies issues for further research and considers potential clinical implications.
RNA methyltransferase NSun2 deficiency promotes neurodegeneration through epitranscriptomic regulation of tau phosphorylation
Authors: Kim Yoon A. , Siddiqui Tohid , Blaze Jennifer , Cosacak Mehmet Ilyas , Winters Tristan , Kumar Atul , Tein Ellen , Sproul Andrew A. , Teich Andrew F. , Bartolini Francesca , Akbarian Schahram , Kizil Caghan , Hargus Gunnar , Santa-Maria Ismael
Published: November 2022

Epitranscriptomic regulation adds a layer of post-transcriptional control to brain function during development and adulthood. The identification of RNA-modifying enzymes has opened the possibility of investigating the role epitranscriptomic changes play in the disease process. NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase 2 (NSun2) is one of the few known brain-enriched methyltransferases able to methylate mammalian non-coding RNAs. NSun2 loss of function due to autosomal-recessive mutations has been associated with neurological abnormalities in humans. Here, we show NSun2 is expressed in adult human neurons in the hippocampal formation and prefrontal cortex. Strikingly, we unravel decreased NSun2 protein expression and an increased ratio of pTau/NSun2 in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as demonstrated by Western blotting and immunostaining, respectively. In a well-established Drosophila melanogaster model of tau-induced toxicity, reduction of NSun2 exacerbated tau toxicity, while overexpression of NSun2 partially abrogated the toxic effects. Conditional ablation of NSun2 in the mouse brain promoted a decrease in the miR-125b m6A levels and tau hyperphosphorylation. Utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neuronal cultures, we confirmed NSun2 deficiency results in tau hyperphosphorylation. We also found that neuronal NSun2 levels decrease in response to amyloid-beta oligomers (AβO). Notably, AβO-induced tau phosphorylation and cell toxicity in human neurons could be rescued by overexpression of NSun2. Altogether, these results indicate that neuronal NSun2 deficiency promotes dysregulation of miR-125b and tau phosphorylation in AD and highlights a novel avenue for therapeutic targeting.
Role of lateral soft tissue release in percutaneous hallux valgus surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature
Authors: Izzo Antonio , Vallefuoco Salvatore , Basso Morena Anna , Ray Robbie , Smeraglia Francesco , Cozzolino Andrea , Mariconda Massimo , Bernasconi Alessio
Published: November 2022

Background

It is unclear whether lateral soft tissue release (LSTR) is required as part of percutaneous hallux valgus (PHV) surgery. The primary aim of this systematic review was to assess whether LSTR reduces the risk of recurrence of hallux valgus deformity. The secondary aims were to assess if LSTR increases the risk of complications, improves the clinical outcome and leads to a greater radiographic correction.

Methods

We performed a PRISMA-compliant PROSPERO-registered systematic review, pooling clinical papers reporting results after PHV surgery into two categories (PHV with (Group 1, G1) and without LSTR (Group 2, G2)) and comparing them. Data regarding the study design, demographics, the surgical procedure and the clinical and radiological outcome were extracted and compared. Risk of bias was assessed using the modified Coleman Methodology Score (mCMS).

Results

Sixteen studies were selected (G1:594 feet; G2:553 feet). The pooled proportion of recurrence at a minimum 21-month follow-up (2%, 95%CI 0–3 vs 2%, 95%CI 0–5; p = 0.70) did not differ in the two groups. Similarly, the pooled proportion of complications (27%, 95%CI 17–38 vs 25%, 95%CI 12–37; p = 0.79) was similar. The pre- (p = 0.23) and post-operative AOFAS scores (p = 0.16), the pre-(HVA: p = 0.23) (IMA: p = 0.94) and post-operative radiological angles (HVA: p = 0.47) (IMA: p = 0.2) and the methodological quality of studies (p = 0.2) did not differ either between G1 and G2.

Conclusion

There is no evidence that LSTR performed during percutaneous HV surgery reduces the risk of recurrence of the deformity at a mean 4-year follow-up nor improves the clinical and radiological outcome.

Level of evidence

Level IV systematic review of Level I to IV studies.
Microbiome–gut–brain dysfunction in prodromal and symptomatic Lewy body diseases
Authors: Ryman Sephira , Vakhtin Andrei A. , Richardson Sarah Pirio , Lin Henry C.
Published: November 2022

Lewy body diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, vary in their clinical phenotype but exhibit the same defining pathological feature, α-synuclein aggregation. Microbiome–gut–brain dysfunction may play a role in the initiation or progression of disease processes, though there are multiple potential mechanisms. We discuss the need to evaluate gastrointestinal mechanisms of pathogenesis across Lewy body diseases, as disease mechanisms likely span across diagnostic categories and a ‘body first’ clinical syndrome may better account for the heterogeneity of clinical presentations across the disorders. We discuss two primary hypotheses that suggest that either α-synuclein aggregation occurs in the gut and spreads in a prion-like fashion to the brain or systemic inflammatory processes driven by gastrointestinal dysfunction contribute to the pathophysiology of Lewy body diseases. Both of these hypotheses posit that dysbiosis and intestinal permeability are key mechanisms and potential treatment targets. Ultimately, this work can identify early interventions targeting initial disease pathogenic processes before the development of overt motor and cognitive symptoms.
Challenges for ATM management in times of market variability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic crisi
Authors: Suder Marcin , Wójtowicz Tomasz , Kusa Rafał , Gurgul Henryk
Published: November 2022

One of the most important issues related to the management of an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) network is the correct forecasting of the demand for cash. Typically, this demand, expressed as the value or number of ATM withdrawals, has some regularities that can be used to evaluate future values for these variables. However, forecasting becomes a challenge when a crisis occurs that could affect the behavior of ATM users. In this context, it is important to identify how the development of the crisis and the various information concerning it may affect people’s attitudes to cash.

This study aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the behavior of ATM customers. On the basis of daily data from 81 ATMs, we analyze the changes in the value and number of withdrawals just before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. An event study analysis allows us to determine precisely the moments in which changes in user behavior took place. This means that it is also possible to examine the reaction of ATM users to the announcement and implementation of the pandemic restrictions, and to determine the factors that had an impact on the change in people’s attitude to cash. Such a study is also important from a sociological point of view, as it enables one to understand people’s reactions to the emerging crisis. Hence, its results may be useful not only for managers of ATM networks, but also for various authorities and policy makers.
Management and prognosis of pediatric status epilepticus
Authors: Swarnalingam Eroshini , Woodward Kristine , Esser Micheal , Jacobs Julia
Published: November 2022

Background

Pediatric status epilepticus is a neurological emergency with the potential for severe developmental and neurological consequences. Prompt diagnosis and management are necessary.

Objectives

To outline the existing best available evidence for managing pediatric and neonatal status epilepticus, in the light of emerging randomized controlled studies. We also focus on short and long-term prognoses.

Materials and methods

This is a systematic overview of the existing literature.

Results

Status epilepticus, its treatment, and prognosis are usually based on the continuation of seizure activity at 5 and 30 min. Refractory and super-refractory status epilepticus further complicates management and requires continuous EEG monitoring with regular reassessment and adjustment of therapy. Benzodiazepines have been accepted as the first line of treatment on the basis of reasonable evidence. Emerging randomized controlled trials demonstrate equal efficacy for parenterally administered phenytoin, levetiracetam, and valproic acid as second-line agents. Beyond this, the evidence for third-line options is sparse. However, encouraging evidence for midazolam and ketamine exists with further data required for immunological, dietary, and surgical interventions.

Conclusion

Our overview of the management of pediatric and neonatal status epilepticus based on available evidence emphasizes the need for evidence-based guidelines to manage status epilepticus that fails to respond to second-line treatment.
Heavy Metal and Drought Stress in Plants: The Role of Microbes—A Review
Authors: Islam Monirul , Sandhi Arifin
Published: November 2022

Plants are composed of complex organisms that include morphological, physiological and biochemical segments. A number of environmental factors such as, heavy metals, drought, salinity, heat, and cold cause stress towards plants and impact on their growth and yield values. Heavy metal contamination and drought are considered to be two significant environmental (abiotic) factors that are receiving increased attention due their effects on plants. Many plant species from previously non-drought prone areas now face drought as a new stress factor and must develop their avoidance mechanisms. Comparing drought-related tolerance strategies, plants have developed a number of strategies to fight against heavy metal pollution due to its wide coverage. These heavy metal tolerance strategies include detoxification, compartmentalization, and storage in cell vacuoles in plants. Few similarities have been found in the mechanisms of both drought and heavy metal strategies. The use of beneficial microbes is considered as one of the most promising methods to improve stress tolerance because plant-associated microbes decrease metal accumulation while enhancing nutrient supply and water under such stress. In this review, we summarize how drought and heavy metals contamination effect on plant growth, with particular focus on stress avoidance and tolerance mechanisms, as well as, the role of microbes to enhance stress tolerance. Recommendations including irrigation, fertilization and molecular techniques to increase the plant’s tolerance mechanisms against heavy metal and drought conditions are also discussed.