bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family‐based weight stigma and psychosocial health: A multinational comparison
Authors: Lawrence Samantha E. , Puhl Rebecca M. , Watson Ryan J. , Schwartz Marlene B. , Lessard Leah M. , Foster Gary D.
Published: May 2023

Objective

Family‐based weight stigma can be expressed as criticism, judgment, teasing, and mistreatment by family members because of an individual's body weight. The current study compared the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of family‐based weight stigma among adult members of a weight‐management program living in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the UK, and the US.

Methods

Participants (N = 8100 adults who reported having ever experienced weight stigma; 95% female; 94% White) completed an identical online survey in their country's dominant language that assessed their experiences of weight stigma from 16 different family member sources, as well as internalized weight bias, body image, eating behaviors, perceived stress, and self‐rated health.

Results

Family‐based weight stigma, especially from mothers (49%‐62%), spouses/romantic partners (40%‐57%), and fathers (35%‐48%), was highly prevalent across countries. Weight stigma from one's immediate family members was associated with indices of poorer psychosocial health across the six countries (β coefficients = |0.08‐0.13|).

Conclusions

Findings highlight the need for weight stigma‐reduction efforts to help family members distinguish between supportive, encouraging discourse and potentially weight‐stigmatizing communication. Future research should examine the prevalence and correlates of family‐based weight stigma in more diverse community samples, including among racially/ethnically and gender diverse adults, and in non‐Western countries.
Preparation of modified sisal microcrystalline cellulose PHS‐g‐MCC and its application in NR/SiO2 composites
Authors: Chen Dongming , Li Ziwei , Li Dacheng , Wei Qiaoyan , Li Shanrong , Mo Jing , Zheng Zijian , Lu Shaorong
Published: May 2023

Poly‐(12‐hydroxystearic acid) (PHS) grafted sisal microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was prepared using γ‐aminopropyltriethoxylsiane (KH550) and PHS. It was applied to natural rubber (NR) composites system to replace part of the silica (SiO2) and reinforce the NR composites. The compatibility between PHS‐g‐MCC and the NR matrix was studied with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The reinforcement of NR composites with PHS‐g‐MCC (instead of SiO2) was investigated experimentally. NR/SiO2/PHS‐g‐MCC and NR/SiO2/MCC composites were prepared with a fixed filler content of 30 phr. The results show that the partial substitution of PHS‐g‐MCC for SiO2 can improve the vulcanization characteristics of the composites. The PHS‐g‐MCC showed better dispersibility in the NR matrix than MCC and the addition of PHS‐g‐MCC improved the tensile strength, 100% modulus, and hardness of the NR composites. When the amount of PHS‐g‐MCC replacing SiO2 is 5 phr, the tensile strength of the NR composites reached its maximum value. The thermal stability of NR reinforced by PHS‐g‐MCC was better than that of NR reinforced by MCC.
Validation of diagnostic coding for bronchiectasis in an electronic health record system in Hong Kong
Authors: Kwok Wang Chun , Tam Terence Chi Chun , Sing Chor Wing , Chan Esther Wai Yin , Cheung Ching‐Lung
Published: May 2023

Background and Objective

Electronic medical record (EMR) databases can facilitate epidemiology research in various diseases including bronchiectasis. Given the diagnostic challenges of bronchiectasis, the validity of the coding in EMR requires clarification. We aimed to assess the validity of International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD‐9) code algorithms for identifying bronchiectasis in the territory‐wide electronic medical health record system of Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System (CDARS) in Hong Kong.

Materials and Methods

Adult patients who had the diagnosis of bronchiectasis input from Queen Mary Hospital in 2011–2020 were identified using the ICD‐9 code of 494 by CDARS. All patients who had high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were reviewed by respiratory specialists to confirm the presence of bronchiectasis on HRCT.

Results

A total of 19 617 patients who had the diagnostic code of bronchiectasis among all public hospitals in Hong Kong and 1866 in Queen Mary Hospital in the same period. Six hundred and forty‐eight cases were randomly selected and validated using medical record and HRCT review by a respiratory specialist. The overall positive predictive value (PPV) was 92.7% (95% CI 90.7–94.7).

Conclusions

This was the first ICD‐9 coding validation for bronchiectasis in Hong Kong CDARS. Our study demonstrated that using ICD‐9 code of 494 was reliable to support utility of CDARS database for further clinical research on bronchiectasis.
Bismaleimide resins modified by a novel vanillin‐derived allyl compounds: Synthesis, curing behavior, and thermal properties
Authors: Yuan Zhigang , Wang Lei , Liu Caizhao , Zhang Xugang , Sun Mingming , Zhang Bin , Derradji Mehdi , Li Jianhui , Song Caiyu , Liu Bo
Published: May 2023

In this study, a novel biobased allyl compound with Schiff‐based structure (MPAM) was developed to improve the toughness and thermal properties of 4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenylmethane (BDM). The chemical structure of MPAM was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). A series of BDM/DBA‐MPAM blend resins (BD‐MPAM resins) were prepared by adjusting the mass ratio of BDM + DBA (BD) to MPAM. The effects of MPAM content on the curing behavior, thermal and mechanical properties of BD‐MPAM resins were discussed in details. Compared with BD resin, the thermal stability of modified resins was improved by increasing the content of MPAM. Meanwhile, an increase of 37.1% in flexural strength, and 228 MPa in flexural modulus were obtained for the cured BD‐MPAM resin having 10 wt% MPAM loading compared to the BD resin. The impact strength of BD‐10 wt% MPAM is of the maximum value (6.6 kJ/m2). Finally, the fracture surface morphology of the BD‐MPAM resins was studied by the scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Luminescent 3D printed poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties
Authors: Kothavade Premkumar Anil , Yadav Prashant , Nidhankar Aakash D. , Torris Arun , Pol Harshawardhan , Kafi Abdullah , Bateman Stuart , Sukumaran Santosh Babu , Shanmuganathan Kadhiravan
Published: May 2023

The three‐dimensional (3D) printing of functional composite materials has gained tremendous interest in recent years. Nevertheless, research on 3D printing of luminescent composite materials is very limited, and the mechanical properties of such 3D‐printed composites are poor. Herein, we report the preparation and characterization of a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composite that, when 3D printed, exhibits enhanced toughness and high solid‐state fluorescence quantum yield. Incorporation of only 1 wt% pyrene butyric acid modified cellulose nanofibers (PBA‐m‐CNF) and l0 wt% thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) into PLA led to 223% increase in toughness and 21% increase in tensile modulus of PLA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray microcomputed tomography (μ‐CT) analysis of the fractured cross‐sections of 3D printed composites revealed a ductile failure mode. The PLA/PBA‐m‐CNF1/TPU10 3D printed composite also exhibited a high solid‐state fluorescence quantum yield of 38.35%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to show both enhanced mechanical properties and high solid‐state fluorescence emission for 3D printable PLA. Such functional PLA composites could have potential applications in the fabrication of complex‐shaped sensors, optical light pipes, etc.
Global profiling of lysine lactylation in human lungs
Authors: Yang Ye‐Hong , Wang Qiao‐Chu , Kong Jie , Yang Jun‐Tao , Liu Jiang‐Feng
Published: May 2023

Lactate is closely related to various cellular processes, such as angiogenesis, responses to hypoxia, and macrophage polarization, while regulating natural immune signaling pathways and promoting neurogenesis and cognitive function. Lysine lactylation (Kla) is a novel posttranslational modification, the examination of which may lead to new understanding of the nonmetabolic functions of lactate and the various physiological and pathological processes in which lactate is involved, such as infection, tumorigenesis and tumor development. Using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS), researchers have identified lactylation in human gastric cancer cells and some other species, but no research on lactylation in human lungs has been reported. In this study, we performed global profiling of lactylation in human lungs under normal physiological conditions, and 724 Kla sites in 451 proteins were identified. After comparing the identified proteins with those reported in human lactylation datasets, 141 proteins that undergo lactylation were identified for the first time in this study. Our work expands the database on human lactylation and helps advance the study on lactylation function and regulation under physiological and pathological conditions.
In‐situ doping and post‐treatments modulate the photoelectrical properties and stability of electropolymerization poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)
Authors: Feng Chen , Gao Bo , Liu Jiadong
Published: May 2023

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) has been widely used in electrode materials, electrochromic materials, biosensors, supercapacitor, and solar cells, etc. In these applications, high requirement for the stability of PEDOT is indispensable. This study focused on enhancing the stability of electro‐polymerized PEDOT electrodes by in‐situ doping and solvent treatment in order to reduce the dissolution products of PEDOT under photoelectric conditions. The post‐treatment was a combination of soaking and/or rising with deionized water, anhydrous ethanol and sulfuric acid solution (pH = 2) for different times. Among them, the sample rinsed successively with anhydrous ethanol and deionized water was the most effective post‐treatment method, which can reduce the dissolution amount by 35%. Through doping para‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH), the dissolution amount was further decreased by 58%. The surface hydrophobicity of PEDOT was increased from 23° to 38° after doping with TsOH, which was beneficial to the stability of PEDOT. Except for sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) doping, the photocurrent response of PEDOT can be increased by doping other selected substances. Specially, the photocurrent response of TsOH‐PEDOT was increased by 59%. There is a certain negative correlation between dissolution amount and the photocurrent response, suggesting less dissolution is conductive to maintaining high photoelectric performance.
Discharge aspects of a snake‐like plasma plume generated by an atmospheric pressure plasma jet with variable argon flow rate
Authors: Wu Jiacun , Li Xuechen , Ran Junxia , Jia Hanxiao , Wu Kaiyue , Han Guoxin , Liu Jingnan , Chen Junyu , Pang Xuexia , Jia Pengying
Published: May 2023

Plasma plume morphology, related to streamer behavior and active‐species distribution of plasma jets, is important for fixed‐point and precise treatment of workpieces. For a peculiar snake‐like plume, discharge aspects are investigated with varying argon flow rate (Q) in this paper. Results indicate that the plume length and distance between two neighboring peaks of the snake‐like plume increase with increasing Q. Fast photography indicates that the snake‐like plume is composed of positive streamers propagating along a reproducible serpentine trajectory, which occurs once per voltage cycle. Based on optical emission spectroscopy, electron temperature, electron density, and vibrational temperature are investigated with varying Q. All these phenomena are qualitatively analyzed finally.
Modeling and risk analysis of large‐scale crude oil pool fire on an offshore facility
Authors: Wang Yanfu , Wang Tao , Wang Chen , Khan Faisal
Published: May 2023

Large‐scale pool fires on offshore platforms can have disastrous consequences. Wind load is an essential component of the marine environment; hence, wind‐shielding facilities are installed on the platforms as needed. A computational fluid dynamics technique is used in this study to model large‐scale pool fires. The effects of wind load and windshields on large‐scale pool fires are investigated. Furthermore, the impact of the large‐scale pool fire on personnel is evaluated based on thermal radiation dose. It has been discovered that the growing horizontal momentum of the wind load might result in a significant distance of fatal injury. The windshields have double‐edged effects, including that: (1) they can reduce the injury distance by preventing the spread of fire products; and (2) they could block the release of heat and smoke. It is advised that while installing windshields on offshore platforms, different fire scenarios need to be considered. This research can be used to provide technical support for the development of the emergency evacuation strategy and layout design of offshore platforms.
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of levetiracetam to predict the exposure in hepatic and renal impairment and elderly populations
Authors: Shen Chaozhuang , Shao Wenxin , Wang Wenhui , Sun Hua , Wang Xiaohu , Geng Kuo , Wang Xingwen , Xie Haitang
Published: May 2023

Levetiracetam (LEV) is an anti‐epileptic drug approved for use in various populations. The pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior of LEV may be altered in the elderly and patients with renal and hepatic impairment. Thus, dosage adjustment is required. This study was conducted to investigate how the physiologically‐based PK (PBPK) model describes the PKs of LEV in adult and elderly populations, as well as to predict the PKs of LEV in patients with renal and hepatic impairment in both populations. The whole‐body PBPK models were developed using the reported physicochemical properties of LEV and clinical data. The models were validated using data from clinical studies with different dose ranges and different routes and intervals of administration. The fit performance of the models was assessed by comparing predicted and observed blood concentration data and PK parameters. It is recommended that the doses be reduced to ~70%, 60%, and 45% of the adult dose for the mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment populations and ~95%, 80%, and 57% of the adult dose for the Child Pugh‐A (CP‐A), Child Pugh‐B (CP‐B), and Child Pugh‐C (CP‐C) hepatic impairment populations, respectively. No dose adjustment is required for the healthy elderly population, but dose reduction is required for the elderly with organ dysfunction accordingly, on a scale similar to that of adults. A PBPK model of LEV was successfully developed to optimize dosing regimens for special populations.
Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) funding allocations and relevance for US disaster policy
Authors: Gerber‐Chavez Logan , Montano Samantha , Savitt Amanda , Corbin Tanya B. , Downey Davia C.
Published: May 2023

The Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program has long been a cornerstone of state and local emergency management preparedness efforts. Through the EMPG program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers grants to state and local emergency management agencies to accomplish a wide range of tasks such as the development of response and recovery plans, the creation of emergency operation centers, and the hiring of staff, among other activities required to be effective. EMPG provides the predominant federal funding for this mission, and many agencies depend on these funds for their operations. Despite the importance of EMPG, there is a dearth of empirical research about the program. This study explores this gap by evaluating how EMPG funds were distributed across United States counties from 2014 to 2020. Using FEMA and US Census data, we conducted a county‐level analysis using robust regression statistical analysis to determine factors affecting funding awards. Findings indicate that high population, high diversity, a strong economy, and high risk (measured using both the National Risk Index score and the number of federal disaster declarations per county) increased the likelihood that a county would receive EMPG funds, with high‐risk urban counties rather than rural counties receiving more funding.
Predefined‐time‐synchronized backstepping control of strict‐feedback nonlinear systems
Authors: Jang Seok Gyu , Yoo Sung Jin
Published: May 2023

Fixed‐time‐synchronized control using norm‐normalized sign functions has been recently studied, where all state variables converge to the origin at the same time and the bound of the settling time is independent of the initial states. However, the existing fixed‐time‐synchronized control results are only applicable to second‐order systems with matched nonlinearities. Thus, this article pays attention to an extension problem of time‐synchronized control to high‐order systems with unmatched nonlinearities. We develop a predefined‐time‐synchronized backstepping tracker design for multi‐input multi‐output strict‐feedback nonlinear systems, where all output tracking errors converge to the origin at the same time, regardless of unmatched nonlinearities, and the bound of the synchronized settling time is independent of the initial errors and selected a priori. Sufficient conditions on continuously differentiable and nonsingular virtual and actual controller designs are presented for the recursive design. It is shown that the predefined‐time‐synchronized stability is ensured recursively and the singularity problem of the proposed tracker can be avoided. Finally, simulation comparison results with the existing fixed‐time backstepping control are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical approach.
Oligomer Dynamics of LL‐37 Truncated Fragments Probed by α‐Hemolysin Pore and Molecular Simulations
Authors: Liu Chang , Henning‐Knechtel Anja , Österlund Nicklas , Wu Jinming , Wang Guangshun , Gräslund Ruth Astrid Olivia , Kirmizialtin Serdal , Luo Jinghui
Published: May 2023

Oligomerization of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is critical in their effects on pathogens. LL‐37 and its truncated fragments are widely investigated regarding their structures, antimicrobial activities, and application, such as developing new antibiotics. Due to the small size and weak intermolecular interactions of LL‐37 fragments, it is still elusive to establish the relationship between oligomeric states and antimicrobial activities. Here, an α‐hemolysin nanopore, mass spectrometry (MS), and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations are used to characterize the oligomeric states of two LL‐37 fragments. Nanopore studies provide evidence of trapping events related to the oligomer formation and provide further details on their stabilities, which are confirmed by MS and MD simulations. Furthermore, simulation results reveal the molecular basis of oligomer dynamics and states of LL‐37 fragments. This work provides unique insights into the relationship between the oligomer dynamics of AMPs and their antimicrobial activities at the single‐molecule level. The study demonstrates how integrating methods allows deciphering single molecule level understanding from nanopore sensing approaches.
Physicochemically Interlocked Sulfur Covalent Triazine Framework for Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries with Exceptional Longevity
Authors: Mahato Manmatha , Nam Sanghee , Lee Myung‐Joon , Koratkar Nikhil , Oh Il‐Kwon
Published: May 2023

An electronically conjugated functional triazine framework is used to synthesize a physicochemically interlocked sulfur cathode that delivers high energy density coupled with exceptional cycle life in lithium‐sulfur batteries. Conventional melt‐diffusion strategies to impregnate sulfur in the cathode offer poor cycle life due to physical mixing with weak interactions. By contrast, in this approach, sulfur is physicochemically entrapped within a nanoporous and heteroatom doped high surface area covalent triazine framework, resulting in outstanding electrochemical performance (≈89% capacity retention after 1000 cycles, the energy density of ≈2,022 Wh kg−1sulfur and high‐rate capability up to 12 C). The overall structural characteristics and interactions of sulfur with the covalent triazine framework are explored in detail to explain the intriguing properties of the sulfur cathode.
Slipping‐Free Halide Perovskite Supercrystals from Supramolecularly‐Assembled Nanocrystals
Authors: Okamoto Takuya , Biju Vasudevanpillai
Published: May 2023

Supramolecularly assembled high‐order supercrystals (SCs) help control the dielectric, electronic, and excitonic properties of semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) and quantum dots (QDs). Ligand‐engineered perovskite NCs (PNCs) assemble into SCs showing shorter excitonic lifetimes than strongly dielectric PNC films showing long photoluminescence (PL) lifetimes and long‐range carrier diffusion. Monodentate to bidentate ligand exchange on ≈ 8 nm halide perovskite (APbX3; A:Cs/MA, X:Br/I) PNCs generates mechanically stable SCs with close‐packed lattices, overlapping electronic wave functions, and higher dielectric constant, providing distinct excitonic properties from single PNCs or PNC films. From Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) images, time‐resolved PL, and small‐angle X‐ray scattering, structurally and excitonically ordered large SCs are identified. An Sc shows a smaller spectral shift (<35 meV) than a PNC film (>100 meV), a microcrystal (>100 meV), or a bulk crystal (>100 meV). Also, the exciton lifetime (<10 ns) of an SC is excitation power‐independent in the single exciton regime 〈N〉<1, comparable to an isolated PNC. Therefore, bidentate‐ligand‐assisted SCs help overcome delayed exciton or carrier recombination in halide perovskite nanocrystal assemblies or films.
Nanometer Sized Direct Laser‐Induced Gold Printing for Precise 2D‐Electronic Device Fabrication
Authors: Geladari Olympia , Eberle Martin , Maier Andre , Fetzer Florian , Chassé Thomas , Meixner Alfred J. , Scheele Marcus , Schnepf Andreas , Braun Kai
Published: May 2023

Flexible electronics manufacturing technologies are essential and highly favored for future integrated photonic and electronic devices. Direct laser induced writing (DIW) of metals has shown potential as a fast and highly variable method in adaptable electronics. However, most of the DIW procedures use silver structures, which tend to oxidize and are limited to the micrometer regime. Here, a DIW technique is introduced that not only enables electrical gold wiring of 2D van‐der‐Waals materials with sub‐µm structures and 100 nm interspacing resolution but is also capable of fabricating photo switches and field effect transistors on various rigid and elastic materials. Light sensitive metalloid Au32‐nanoclusters serve as the ink that allows for low‐power cw‐laser exposure without further post‐treatment. With a simple lift‐off procedure, the unexposed ink can be removed. The technique realizes ultrafast, high resolution, and high precision production of integrated electronics and may pave the way for personalized circuits even printed on curved surfaces.
Photothermal Conversion and Thermal Management of Magnetic Plasmonic Fe3O4@Au Nanofluids
Authors: Wang Ruipeng , Xing Linzhuang , Ha Yuan , Zhong Peng , Wang Zhenni , Cao Ye , Li Zhimin
Published: May 2023

As a sustainable and widely available source of clean energy, solar energy has great potential for solving the aforementioned issues. Nanofluids (NFs)‐based direct absorption solar collectors can convert solar energy into thermal energy, which has been widely applied in energy‐thermal conversion and wastewater purification. However, the low photothermal modulation efficiency of NFs limits the industrialization of solar collectors. Herein, the Fe3O4@Au composite structure is constructed using coprecipitation method. The effect of different parameters, such as Au loading, concentration of NFs, external magnetic field, and flow rate on the optical and photothermal properties of the Fe3O4@Au NFs and Fe3O4 NFs are systematically studied. The results reveal that the solar energy‐weighted absorption fraction of Fe3O4@Au reaches 97.54% with a low concentration of 0.0667 vol%. Besides, the heat distribution can be controlled using an external magnetic field owing to the magnetic properties of Fe3O4 in water evaporation devices. The evaporation rate of Fe3O4 evaporator and Fe3O4@Au evaporator is 1.8 and 2.3 kg m−2 h−1, respectively, confirming their excellent and stable solar energy harvesting ability. The prepared Fe3O4@Au NFs are a promising approach in efficient photothermal conversion and thermal management in solar energy harvesting.
Cellulose‐Based Hydrogel as a Natural Medium for Paddy Seed Germination
Authors: Jong Shu‐Jun , KarunaKaran Kanchana , Wasli Mohd Effendi , Musa Zaki , Chin Suk‐Fun
Published: May 2023

Cellulose hydrogel derived from cellulose fibers extracted from printed paper waste is prepared. The hydrogel derived from 3 wt% of the cellulose concentration exhibits a maximum water absorption capacity of 465.5%. The effects of the cellulose hydrogel on the soil moisture are evaluated using four types of soils namely river sand, clayey soil, loamy soil, and gley soil (the wetland soil). The potential application of cellulose‐based hydrogel as an eco‐friendly seed germination media of the paddy seeds under the soil‐less condition is evaluated. This study shows that paddy seeds exhibit a higher seed germination rate of 53% when cellulose hydrogel is used as a seed germination media as compared to seed germination rate ranging from 14% to 35% when various types of soil are used as the germination media. The prepared cellulose hydrogel could be applied as an eco‐friendly and cost‐effective seed germination media to enhance the paddy seeds' germination rate.
Shaping Great Transformations in Germany: The Role of Youth Entrepreneurship Education (YEE)
Authors: Braukmann Ulrich , Koch Lambert T. , Bartsch Dominik
Published: May 2023

Climate change, the destruction of the environment, and resource scarcity—the developments associated with these phenomena are posing ever greater challenges for humanity today and require solutions, both in a regional context and at a global level. The sustainability debate has long dominated everyday politics in Germany and elsewhere. The need for comprehensive changes in attitudes, behavior, and rules is acknowledged, and people are—in principle—aware of the great challenges that lie ahead. Yet progress is very slow in setting the necessary course for the future, and, in the light of looming ecological tipping points, this can seem quite alarming. This paper addresses the question of how to generate significantly more implementation potential in our society and bring together what are often uncoordinated developments to achieve a truly “great transformation” toward more sustainable structures in business, society, and the environment. The focus is put on the significance of innovation and entrepreneurial thinking and acting and its early, systematic manifestations. It is argued why appropriately designed, youth entrepreneurship education (YEE) could be an important factor in this context.
Entanglement structure of quantum fields through local probes
Authors: de S. L. Torres Bruno , Wurtz Kelly , Polo-Gómez José , Martín-Martínez Eduardo
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We present a framework to study the entanglement structure of a quantum field theory inspired by the formalism of particle detectors in relativistic quantum information. This framework can in principle be used to faithfully capture entanglement in a QFT between arbitrary-shaped regions of spacetime without encountering UV divergences, bypassing many of the issues typically present in other approaches. Our results also establish the limits of the efficiency of entanglement harvesting, and may also be used to motivate an operational definition of entanglement between spacetime subregions in field theory.
GKZ hypergeometric systems of the three-loop vacuum Feynman integrals
Authors: Zhang Hai-Bin , Feng Tai-Fu
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We present the Gel’fand-Kapranov-Zelevinsky (GKZ) hypergeometric systems of the Feynman integrals of the three-loop vacuum diagrams with arbitrary masses, basing on Mellin-Barnes representations and Miller’s transformation. The codimension of derived GKZ hypergeometric systems equals the number of independent dimensionless ratios among the virtual masses squared. Through GKZ hypergeometric systems, the analytical hypergeometric series solutions can be obtained in neighborhoods of origin including infinity. The linear independent hypergeometric series solutions whose convergent regions have non-empty intersection can constitute a fundamental solution system in a proper subset of the whole parameter space. The analytical expression of the vacuum integral can be formulated as a linear combination of the corresponding fundamental solution system in certain convergent region.
Increased Fusobacterium tumoural abundance affects immunogenicity in mucinous colorectal cancer and may be associated with improved clinical outcome
Authors: Duggan William P. , Salvucci Manuela , Kisakol Batuhan , Lindner Andreas U. , Reynolds Ian S. , Dussmann Heiko , Fay Joanna , O’Grady Tony , Longley Daniel B. , Ginty Fiona , Mc Donough Elizabeth , Slade Daniel J. , Burke John P. , Prehn Jochen H. M.
Published: May 2023

There is currently an urgent need to identify factors predictive of immunogenicity in colorectal cancer (CRC). Mucinous CRC is a distinct histological subtype of CRC, associated with a poor response to chemotherapy. Recent evidence suggests the commensal facultative anaerobe Fusobacterium may be especially prevalent in mucinous CRC. The objectives of this study were to assess the association of Fusobacterium abundance with immune cell composition and prognosis in mucinous CRC. Our study included two independent colorectal cancer patient cohorts, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort, and a cohort of rectal cancers from the Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre (BRCC). Multiplexed immunofluorescence staining of a tumour microarray (TMA) from the BRCC cohort was undertaken using Cell DIVE technology. Our cohorts included 87 cases (13.3%) of mucinous and 565 cases (86.7%) of non-mucinous CRC. Mucinous CRC in the TCGA dataset was associated with an increased proportion of CD8 + lymphocytes (p = 0.018), regulatory T-cells (p = 0.001) and M2 macrophages (p = 0.001). In the BRCC cohort, mucinous RC was associated with enhanced CD8 + lymphocyte (p = 0.022), regulatory T-cell (p = 0.047), and B-cell (p = 0.025) counts. High Fusobacterium abundance was associated with an increased proportion of CD4 + lymphocytes (p = 0.031) and M1 macrophages (p = 0.006), whilst M2 macrophages (p = 0.043) were under-represented in this cohort. Patients with increased Fusobacterium relative abundance in our mucinous CRC TCGA cohort tended to have better clinical outcomes (DSS: likelihood ratio p = 0.04, logrank p = 0.052). Fusobacterium abundance may be associated with improved outcomes in mucinous CRC, possibly due to a modulatory effect on the host immune response.

Key messages

• Increased Fusobacterium relative abundance was not found to be associated with microsatellite instability in mucinous CRC.

• Increased Fusobacterium relative abundance was associated with an M2/M1 macrophage switch, which is especially significant in mucinous CRC, where M2 macrophages are overexpressed.

• Increased Fusobacterium relative abundance was associated with a significant improvement in disease specific survival in mucinous CRC.

• Our findings were validated at a protein level within our own in house mucinous and non-mucinous rectal cancer cohorts.
Testing the applicability of Watson’s Green Revolution concept in first millennium ce Central Asia
Authors: Mir-Makhamad Basira , Spengler Robert N.
Published: May 2023

Drawing on archaeobotanical evidence from the central regions of Central Asia, we explore crop diffusion during the first millennium ce. We present a comprehensive summary of archaeobotanical data retrieved from this region dating to this period in order to better understand cultural drivers pushing agricultural intensification and crop diversification. We use these data to evaluate the applicability of Watson’s concept of a Medieval Green Revolution. Despite ecological limits to cultivation of most of Watson’s crops in much of Central Asia, some of these crops, particularly Gossypium arboretum/herbaceum (cotton) and Oryza sativa (rice), are prominent in the region today. In both cases there is now good archaeobotanical evidence showing that they were cultivated prior to the Islamic conquests in Central Asia. Moreover, the occurrence of several crops – Solanum melongena (eggplant), Ficus carica (fig), Morus alba/nigra (mulberry), and two spices – Rhus coriaria (sumac) and Coriandrum sativum (coriander) – have first been observed in phases dated to the 19th century ce. There is reason to believe that elaborate irrigation systems and seasonal rotation cycles were already in place in this region prior to the development of a centralized Arabic and Islamic government and are likely tied to urbanization in the first half of the first millennium ce. We suggest that most of the trappings of Watson’s model were present prior to this, but, as Watson’s thesis is multifaceted their presence alone does not nullify the model. Additionally, the ecological and cultural diversity of Central Asia means that a proper evaluation of Watson’s model requires a regionally specific examination.
Experimental analysis of droplet coalescence and transport mechanisms on a single vertical fiber
Authors: Schwarzwälder Alexander , Meyer Jörg , Dittler Achim
Published: May 2023

In mist filtration, fiber-based coalescers are an established form of filtering droplets contained in mist. The filtration process can be divided into different process steps, describing the impact of the droplets on fibers, the formation of fluid structures and the liquid transport. In order to investigate mechanisms inside depth filters on a microscopic level, investigations are often reduced to single fibers. In this work, the coalescence and transport mechanisms of axially distributed water droplets on a vertical fiber, subjected to gravity, are reported. This is done with the latest high-speed camera technology commercially available. Automated tracking of droplets is used for a frame-by-frame investigation of droplet position, size, and oscillation. Coalescence mechanisms describe the process of fluid formation. The first observed coalescence mechanism is identified by the coalescence of droplets contained in mist with an adhering droplet at the fiber. The second coalescence mechanism describes the coalescence of two closely spaced sessile droplets on a fiber. As a result, the newly formed droplet oscillates and can begin to drain. Furthermore, the coalescence process of a draining and sessile droplet is reported. Both the draining droplet and the second droplet involved in the coalescence event can be subject to oscillation. The given temporal high-resolution information about the droplet position and deformation improves the understanding of droplet coalescence on fibers and by that also its influence on transport processes and therefore droplet drainage. Observed transport mechanisms which take part in the drainage process are gravitational draining, droplet bouncing, and droplet sweeping.
Effect of muscle fibre types and carnosine levels on the expression of carnosine-related genes in pig skeletal muscle
Authors: Kalbe Claudia , Metzger Katharina , Gariépy Claude , Palin Marie-France
Published: May 2023

It is generally accepted that carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine) content is higher in glycolytic than in oxidative muscle fibres, but the underlying mechanisms responsible for this difference remain to be elucidated. A first study to better understand potential mechanisms involved was undertaken (1) to determine whether differences in the expression of carnosine-related enzymes (CARNS1, CNDP2) and transporters (SLC6A6, SLC15A3, SLC15A4, SLC36A1) exist between oxidative and glycolytic myofibres and (2) to study the effect of carnosine on myoblast proliferative growth and on carnosine-related gene expression in cultured myoblasts isolated from glycolytic and oxidative muscles. Immunohistochemistry analyses were conducted to determine the cellular localization of carnosine-related proteins. Laser-capture microdissection and qPCR analyses were performed to measure the expression of carnosine-related genes in different myofibres isolated from the longissimus dorsi muscle of ten crossbred pigs. Myogenic cells originating from glycolytic and oxidative muscles were cultured to assess the effect of carnosine (0, 10, 25 and 50 mM) on their proliferative growth and on carnosine-related gene expression. The mRNA abundance of CNDP2 and of the studied carnosine transporters was higher in oxidative than in glycolytic myofibres. Since carnosine synthase (CARNS1) mRNA abundance was not affected by either the fibre type or the addition of carnosine to myoblasts, its transcriptional regulation would not be the main process by which carnosine content differences are determined in oxidative and glycolytic muscles. The addition of carnosine to myoblasts leading to a dose-dependent increase in SLC15A3 transcripts, however, suggests a role for this transporter in carnosine uptake and/or efflux to maintain cellular homeostasis.
Regional transplant rates depend more on physician-dependent variables than on proximity to transplant center
Authors: Payani Elnaz , Börner Nikolaus , Kolliogiannis Dionysios , Brunner Stefan , Klein Ingo , Ehmer Ursula , Denk Gerald , Lange Christian M. , Ograja Klaudja , Dietrich Peter , Werner Jens , Guba Markus
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The objective of this work was to uncover inequalities in access to liver transplantation in Bavaria, Germany.

Methods

For this purpose, the annual transplantation rate per 1 million inhabitants for the respective districts was determined from the aggregated postal codes of the place of residence of transplanted patients. The variables examined were proximity and travel time to the nearest transplant center, as well as the care category of the regional hospital. In addition, we assessed whether the head of gastroenterology at the regional hospital through which liver transplant candidates are referred was trained at a liver transplant center.

Results

We could not demonstrate a direct relationship between proximity or travel time to the nearest transplant center and access to liver transplantation. Multivariate regression analysis shows that liver transplant training (p < 0.0001) of the chief physician (gastroenterologist) of the regional hospital was the most decisive independent factor for access to liver transplantation within a district.

Conclusion

We show that the transplant training experience of the head of gastroenterology at a regional hospital is an independent factor for the regional transplantation rate. Therefore, it appears important to maintain some liver transplant expertise outside the transplant centers in order to properly identify and assign potential transplant candidates for transplantation.
Prototype generation method using a growing self-organizing map applied to the banking sector
Authors: Ruiz-Moreno Sara , Núñez-Reyes Amparo , García-Cantalapiedra Adrián , Pavón Fernando
Published: May 2023

In fields like security risk analysis, Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Internet of Things, or the banking sector, it is necessary to deal with large datasets containing a great list of variables. In these situations, the analysis becomes intricate and computationally expensive, so data reduction techniques play an important role. Prototype generation methods provide a reduced dataset with the same properties as the original. GSOMs (growing self-organizing maps) reduce the data size without the need for prefixing the number of neurons needed to represent the input space. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that the GSOM is applied for reduction and generation of prototypes, posing an advantage over their predecessors, the SOMs (self-organizing maps), which do not have the automatic growth feature. This work addresses the use of a GSOM to reduce the number of prototypes to use in a 1-NN (1 nearest neighbor) classifier. The proposed methodology is applied to an income dataset for testing and a large bank dataset that contain classifications into two different groups. The 1-NN classifier is used to obtain predictions using the nodes of the GSOM as prototypes. This article demonstrates that GSOMs save a significant amount of time in obtaining nearly the same validation results as SOMs by comparing the classifications obtained in the bank dataset. The results show data reductions of more than 99%, and accuracies greater than 80% for the income dataset and 74% for the bank dataset.
Identifying risk management challenges in laboratories
Authors: Tziakou Evdoxia , Fragkaki Argyro G. , Platis Agapios Ν.
Published: May 2023

Over the years, risk management gains significant importance in laboratories of every kind. The safety of workers, the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results, issues of financial sustainability as well as the protection of the environment play an important role in decision-making in both industry and services. In order a laboratory to be considered as reliable, safe, and therefore competitive, it is recommended to comply with the requirements of international standards and other regulatory documents as well as to use tools and risk management procedures. In this paper, information is summarized concerning the terms “risk” and “risk management” which are then approached through the latest ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, and ISO 14001 standards. The process of risk management based on the ISO 31000 standard is described, the options for treatment and the techniques that can be applied in the risk management process based on the latest ISO 31010 standard are grouped and indicated. Additionally, information from the literature is referred to the reasons that led the laboratories to integrate in their quality system risk management techniques, the most common mistakes that occur in the various phases of laboratory tests, their causes, their consequences as well as the proposed treatments. The aim of this work is to highlight significant challenges concerning the need to implement management procedures in the daily routine, to warn, raise awareness and inform about existing ways of risk management that can be implemented, methodologically and technically, to laboratories, under internationally recognized and updated standards.
Biogeography of the theileriosis vector, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus under current and future climate scenarios of Zimbabwe
Authors: Nemaungwe Tinotenda M. , van Dalen Ellie M. S. P. , Waniwa Emily O. , Makaya Pious V. , Chikowore Gerald , Chidawanyika Frank
Published: May 2023

Climate directly influences the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases at various spatial and temporal scales. Following the recent increased incidences of theileriosis in Zimbabwe, a disease mainly transmitted by Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, we determined lethal temperatures for the species and current and possible future distribution using the machine learning algorithm ‘Maxent’. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus larvae had an upper lethal temperature (ULT50) of about 44 ± 0.5 °C and this was marginally higher for nymphs and adults at 46 ± 0.5 °C. Environmental temperatures recorded in selected zonal tick microhabitats were below the determined lethal limits, indicating the ability of the tick to survive these regions. The resultant model under current climatic conditions showed areas with high suitability indices to the eastern, northeastern and southeastern parts of the country, mainly in Masvingo, Manicaland and Mashonaland Central provinces. Future predictions as determined by 2050 climatic conditions indicate a reduction in suitable habitats with the tick receding to presently cooler high elevation areas such as the eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe and a few isolated pockets in the interior of the country. Lowveld areas show low suitability under current climatic conditions and are expected to remain unsuitable in future. Overall, the study shows that R. appendiculatus distribution is constrained by climatic factors and helps identify areas of where occurrence of the species and the disease it transmits is highly likely. This will assist in optimizing disease surveillance and vector management strategies targeted at the species.
Managing Screen Use in the Under-Fives: Recommendations for Parenting Intervention Development
Authors: Morawska Alina , Mitchell Amy E. , Tooth Leigh R.
Published: May 2023

The impact of excessive screen use on children’s health and development is a public health concern and many countries have published recommendations to limit and guide the use of screen media in childhood. Despite this, international studies report that the majority of parents and children do not adhere to screen use recommendations. Existing research aiming to understand children’ screen use has largely focused on older children, and on demographic and structural aspects of the child’s environment. Parents play a central role in determining young children’s screen use and identify numerous barriers to developing healthy screen use practices with their children. However, no clear models exist that incorporate key parenting factors in understanding children’s screen use, which presents an impediment to intervention development. Likewise, while some evidence exists for interventions to improve children’s screen use behaviours, most are focused on older children and parental involvement has generally been limited. In this paper, we overview key factors associated with screen use in young children (< 5 years) and summarise the existing evidence base for interventions designed to support healthy screen use. This paper proposes a conceptual model linking aspects of parenting and the socio-ecological environment to young children’s screen use. Our proposed model could be used to design longitudinal studies of screen use predictors and outcomes, and inform intervention development. Finally, the paper provides key recommendations for future research, intervention development and testing.
GLISp-r: a preference-based optimization algorithm with convergence guarantees
Authors: Previtali Davide , Mazzoleni Mirko , Ferramosca Antonio , Previdi Fabio
Published: May 2023

Preference-based optimization algorithms are iterative procedures that seek the optimal calibration of a decision vector based only on comparisons between couples of different tunings. At each iteration, a human decision-maker expresses a preference between two calibrations (samples), highlighting which one, if any, is better than the other. The optimization procedure must use the observed preferences to find the tuning of the decision vector that is most preferred by the decision-maker, while also minimizing the number of comparisons. In this work, we formulate the preference-based optimization problem from a utility theory perspective. Then, we propose , an extension of a recent preference-based optimization procedure called . The latter uses a Radial Basis Function surrogate to describe the tastes of the decision-maker. Iteratively, proposes new samples to compare with the best calibration available by trading off exploitation of the surrogate model and exploration of the decision space. In , we propose a different criterion to use when looking for new candidate samples that is inspired by , a popular procedure in the black-box optimization framework. Compared to , is less likely to get stuck on local optima of the preference-based optimization problem. We motivate this claim theoretically, with a proof of global convergence, and empirically, by comparing the performances of and on several benchmark optimization problems.