bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facilitators and barriers to using AI-enabled robots with older adults in long-term care from staff perspective: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Hung Lillian , Wong Karen Lok Yi , Wong Joey , Park Juyoung , Mousavinejad Abdolhossein , Zhao Hui
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Assistive and service robots have been increasingly designed and deployed in long-term care (LTC) but little evidence guides their use. This scoping review synthesises existing studies on facilitators and barriers to using artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled robots with older adults in LTC settings.

Methods and analysis

We will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute’s scoping review methodology for the study, to be conducted from November 2023 to April 2024. We will focus on literature exploring the use of AI-enabled robots with older adults in an LTC setting from healthcare providers’ perspectives. Three steps will be taken: (a) keywords and index terms will be identified from MEDLINE and CINAHL databases; (b) comprehensive searches will be conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, AgeLine, PsycINFO, ProQuest and Google, using keywords and index terms identified in step (a); and (c) examining reference lists of the included studies and selecting items in the reference lists which meet the inclusion criteria. Searches for grey literature will also be conducted via Google. The results will be presented in a charting table and a narrative summary will be presented in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval and participation consent are not required because the data are publicly available. The results will be presented via a journal article and conference presentations.
Using integrated knowledge translation to address a rurally based time-critical knowledge gap during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multimethods study in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Bishop Jaclyn , Quilliam Claire , Wong Shee Anna
Published: October 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the intention of health professionals to use evidence generated through an integrated knowledge translation (iKT) activity undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic to answer a time-critical research question about the delivery of community-based group programmes to rural clients via virtual technology, and describe the participating health professionals and researchers’ perceptions of the iKT partnership.

Design

Multimethod study incorporating qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Setting

Two regional health services in Victoria (Australia).

Participants

26 allied health professionals (knowledge-partners) from eight disciplines across two regional health services and eight researchers from five Victorian universities.

Intervention

An iKT approach was used to facilitate problem identification, evidence synthesis and adaption of evidence to the local context.

Data collection and analysis

Participants were invited to complete a survey (knowledge-partners) and undertake a semistructured interview (knowledge-partners and researchers) on their experiences. A process log of collaborative activities tracked the type of engagement activities, who attended and the outcomes. The survey and process log results were analysed descriptively, the interviews using thematic analysis and a comparison of results approach applied to evaluate similarities and differences in the perception of the partnership from separate data collection and analysis processes.

Results

The survey indicated strong positive attitudes towards using research evidence in practice as well as strong intentions to use it in the future by knowledge-partners. Knowledge-partners indicated that their expertise was used in the research process, although there was greater collaboration in some steps of iKT. The context of COVID-19 facilitated collaboration between knowledge-partners and researchers through a sense of urgency and shared purpose. Rapid team development was a key mechanism that enabled iKT. Team participation was necessarily pragmatic and flexible in nature to facilitate knowledge-partner involvement. Participants suggested the iKT process was likely to result in greater end-user buy in and a powerful example of how to upskill health professionals without a significant impact on their day-to-day workload. This project was considered by knowledge-partners to be more likely to have an impact compared with other projects without a research partner.

Conclusions

This study highlights how researchers and knowledge-partners can work effectively and rapidly to address a time-sensitive problem of mutual interest. Establishing and nurturing rural-based researcher and knowledge-partner networks is key to enabling agile and timely responses to the changing evidence needs of the health system.
Cost-benefit and discriminant validity of a stepwise dementia case-finding approach in an Asian older adult community
Authors: Pang Ting , Xia Binte , Zhao Xuhao , Zhang Yaping , Ni Kan Cheuk , Hilal Saima , Chen Christopher , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Wong Tien Yin , Cheng Ching-Yu , Yuan Changzheng , Xu Xin
Published: October 2023

Background

Case-finding is a recommended approach for dementia early detection in the community.

Aims

To investigate the discriminant validity and cost-effectiveness of a stepwise dementia case-finding approach in a Singaporean older adult community.

Methods

The two-phase study was conducted in the community from 2009 to 2015 in Singapore. A total of 3780 participants (age ≥60 years) completed phase I (a brief cognitive screening); 918 completed phase II and were included in the final analysis. In phase I, all participants were administered the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) and the Progressive Forgetfulness Question (PFQ). Those who screened positive on either test were invited to phase II, whereby the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and a formal neuropsychological battery were administered, followed by the research diagnosis of no cognitive impairment, cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND)-Mild (≤2 impaired cognitive domains), CIND-Moderate (>2 impaired domains) or dementia. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were conducted for the different cognitive instruments. All discriminant indices were calculated, including sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (NPV) and accuracy. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted by estimating the amount of screening time needed and the number of older adults requiring re-evaluation in two case-finding scenarios, ie, with or without preselection by the PFQ.

Results

The stepwise case-finding approach (preselection by the PFQ, then MMSE or MoCA or AMT) showed an excellent NPV (>99%) and accuracy (>86%) for excluding dementia-free cases. Without preselection by the PFQ, screening time for the three cognitive tools were 317.5, 317.5 and 254 hours, with 159, 302 and 175 screen-positive older adults involved in further evaluation. By adopting the stepwise case-finding approach, total screening time were 156.5, 156.5 and 126.2 hours, which decreased by 50.7%, 50.7% and 50.3% as compared with those without preselection. Furthermore, after preselection, only 98, 167 and 145 screen-positive older adults required further evaluation, corresponding to a reduction of 38.4%, 44.7% and 17.1% in the numbers compared with those without preselection.

Conclusions

A stepwise approach for dementia case-finding should be implemented in the community to minimise the time and resources needed for large-scale early detection of dementia.
Re-rupture in ruptured brain arteriovenous malformations: a retrospective cohort study based on a nationwide multicenter prospective registry
Authors: Yuan Kexin , Chen Yu , Yan Debin , Li Ruinan , Li Zhipeng , Zhang Haibin , Wang Ke , Han Heze , Zhao Yahui , Ma Li , Hao Qiang , Ye Xun , Jin Hengwei , Meng Xiangyu , Liu Ali , Gao Dezhi , Sun Shibin , Kang Shuai , Wang Hao , Li Youxiang , Wang Shuo , Chen Xiaolin , Zhao Yuanli
Published: October 2023

Background

This study aimed to investigate the natural history of re-rupture in ruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and to provide comprehensive insights into its associated factors and prevention.

Methods

This study included 1712 eligible ruptured AVMs from a nationwide multicenter prospective collaboration registry between August 2011 and September 2021. The natural rupture risk before intervention and the annual rupture risk after intervention were both assessed. Cox proportional hazard regression models and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to explore independent factors associated with AVM re-rupture. The correlation between these factors and AVM re-rupture was verified in multiple independent cohorts, and the prevention effect of intervention timing and intervention strategies on AVM re-rupture was further analyzed.

Results

The annual re-rupture risk in ruptured AVMs was 7.6%, and the cumulative re-rupture risk in the first 1, 3, 5, and 10 years following the initial rupture were 10%, 25%, 37.5%, and 50%, respectively. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis confirmed adult patients, ventricular system involvement, and any deep venous drainage as independent factors associated with AVM re-rupture. The intervention was found to significantly reduce the risk of AVM re-rupture (annual rupture risk 11.34% vs 1.70%, p<0.001), especially in those who underwent surgical resection (annual rupture risk 0.13%).

Conclusions

The risk of re-rupture in ruptured AVMs is high. Adult patients, ventricular system involvement, and any deep venous drainage are independent risk factors for re-rupture. Applying the results universally to all ruptured AVM cases may be biased. Intervention could effectively reduce the risk of re-rupture.
Longitudinal study of patients with discrepant results in CLIFT and a solid-phase dsDNA antibody assay: does a gold standard dsDNA assay exist?
Authors: Trujillo Aguilera Antonio , Bernardo Serrano Raquel , Navas Ana , Alcaide Molina Juan , Alvarez Romero Paula , Jurado Roger Aurora
Published: October 2023

Objective

Antidouble-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies are essential for diagnosis and follow-up of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). To ensure the best diagnostic approach, most healthcare laboratories opt for a combination of highly sensitive methods, such as solid-phase immunoassays, and highly specific methods, such as theCrithidia luciliaeindirect immunofluorescence test (CLIFT). Even so, discordant results are common, thus hindering the diagnostic process. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise a cohort of patients with discrepant results for a dsDNA fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA) and CLIFT during 2016–2018 and to follow patients up until December 2021.

Methods

We performed an observational, longitudinal and retrospective study on 417 samples from 257 patients who had been referred for suspected connective tissue diseases or followed up after diagnosis. All of them were positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) on Hep-2 cells, the entry criterion in our laboratory, and positive for FEIA dsDNA. Samples were then tested with CLIFT according to our routine protocol, which includes CLIFT testing after FEIA dsDNA results ≥10 UI/ml. After the assessment of data quality, the final analysis was based on 222 patients.

Results

Eighty-three patients (37.4%) had positive results in both tests and met the diagnostic criteria for SLE. However, 139 patients (62.6%) had discrepant results (FEIA+, CLIFT–). Of these, 58 patients (41.7%) had a diagnosis of SLE, with 47 (33.8%) having been previously diagnosed and under treatment. The remaining 11 patients (7.9%) had a new diagnosis of SLE, which was made up within 4 years of the initial screening. A total of 81 of the 139 patients (57.5%) with discrepant results did not meet lupus criteria during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

The study showed that CLIFT could be negative in both treated and newly diagnosed SLE, thus underlining the importance of follow-up of dsDNA-positive results using solid-phase tests. Therefore, quantitative tests such as FEIA could add value to the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected SLE.
Comparative dose–response study of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine for cesarean delivery in preterm singleton versus twin pregnancies
Authors: Zhu Miao , Liu Ju-Jun , Shen Yan-Ping , Pan Zheng-Bin , Lv Chang-Cheng , Chen Wen-Din , Qian Xiaowei
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Previously, we demonstrated that patients with full-term singletons and preterm twins require similar dose of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine. However, these findings may be attributable to enrolled patients with preterm twin pregnancies. In this study, we aimed to determine the intrathecal dose requirements of hyperbaric ropivacaine for twins and singletons at equal gestational ages.

Methods

We enrolled 75 patients with preterm singletons and 75 patients with preterm twins scheduled for cesarean delivery under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia in this two-arm parallel, randomized, double-blind, dose–response study. Patients with singletons and twins were randomly assigned to receive one of five different doses of hyperbaric ropivacaine: 10, 12, 14, 16, or 18 mg. A probit regression model was used to determine the dose effective in 50% of patients (ED50) and dose effective in 90% of patients (ED90) values. The relative median potency was calculated to compare the ED50between patients with twins and singletons.

Results

Intrathecal ropivacaine ED50and ED90(with 95% CI) in patients with preterm singletons were 9.9 (7.2 to 11.5) mg and 16.8 (14.5 to 22.9) mg, respectively. In patients with preterm twins, these values were 9.2 (95% CI 6.4 to 10.8) mg and 15.6 (95% CI 13.6 to 20.6) mg. Between patients with preterm twins and preterm singletons, the relative potency (ED50ratios) was 0.933 (95% CI 0.72 to 1.15).

Conclusions

During preterm gestation, intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine dose requirements for scheduled cesarean delivery were not different between patients with twins and singletons.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2100051382.
The role of physicochemical processes in aging of shaft friction of driven steel piles in sand
Authors: Bittar Eduardo , Lehane Barry , Zheng Hao
Published: October 2023

Several studies have reported substantial increases in the shaft capacity of driven steel piles in the months following installation. This study investigates factors influencing this time dependence of shaft capacity by conducting a series of field tests on piles and a parallel series of interface shear tests using a newly developed apparatus. The piles and interfaces used in the experiments employ mild steel, stainless steel, and galvanized steel, while the aging periods allowed in the laboratory and field were 1 and 3 years, respectively. Chemical analyses of the crusts that developed at the sand–steel interfaces are reported. It is shown that the aging characteristic of sand-steel friction depends on the relative contributions of interlocking and dilation but is controlled by dilation at the crust–sand interface adjacent to the shaft of a driven pile. There is no gain in shaft friction with time in dry sand or for piles with non-reactive steel. The operational friction angle for mild steel piles in moist or saturated sand is the soil–soil friction angle.
Techniques for Enhancing Security in Industrial Control Systems
Authors: Varadharajan Vijay , Tupakula Uday , Karmakar Kallol Krishna
Published: October 2023

Increasingly Industrial Control Systems (ICS) systems are being connected to the Internet to minimise the operational costs and provide additional flexibility. These control systems such as the ones used in power grids, manufacturing and utilities operate continually and have long lifespans measured in decades rather than years as in the case of Information Technology (IT) systems. Such industrial control systems require uninterrupted and safe operation. However, they can be vulnerable to a variety of attacks, as successful attacks on critical control infrastructures could have devastating consequences to the safety of human lives as well as a nation’s security and prosperity. Furthermore, there can be a range of attacks that can target ICS and it is not easy to secure these systems against all known attacks let alone unknown ones. In this paper, we propose a software enabled security architecture using Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) that can enhance the capability to secure industrial control systems. We have designed such an SDN/NFV enabled security architecture and developed a Control System Security Application (CSSA) in SDN Controller for enhancing security in ICS by achieving real time situational awareness and dynamic policy-driven decision making across the network infrastructure. In particular, CSSA can be used for establishing secure path for end-to-end communication between devices and also deal against certain specific attacks namely denial of service attacks, from unpatched vulnerable control system components and securing the communication flows from the legacy devices that do not support any security functionality. We also discuss how CSSA provides reliable paths for safety critical messages in control systems. We discuss the prototype implementation of the proposed architecture and the results obtained from our analysis.
O-City: Implementation of an Innovative Multimedia Platform for Promoting Orange Economy
Authors: Pérez-Pascual Asun , Giménez-López Jose Luis , Palacio Daniel , Marín-Roig José
Published: October 2023

O-City is a non-profit project funded by the European Union with the aim of promoting Orange Economy throughout education and collaboration among municipalities, educational entities and businesses. This project has two main assets, the O-City e-learning platform and the O-City World platform. This paper presents the technical aspects of the O-City World platform, which is a digital application that allows interaction among cities, educators and professionals. This platform has a role-based access control with seven different users able to perform different functionalities. Thanks to the collaboration among these stakeholders the platform is growing exponentially.
Deep Learning for Identifying Iran’s Cultural Heritage Buildings in Need of Conservation Using Image Classification and Grad-CAM
Authors: Bahrami Mahdi , Albadvi Amir
Published: October 2023

The cultural heritage buildings (CHB), which are part of mankind’s history and identity, are in constant danger of damage, or in extreme cases, complete destruction. Thus, it’s of utmost importance to preserve them by identifying the existent, or presumptive, defects using novel methods so that renovation processes can be done in a timely manner and with higher accuracy. The main goal of this research is to use new Deep Learning (DL) methods in the process of preserving CHBs (situated in Iran); a goal that has been neglected especially in developing countries such as Iran, as these countries still preserve their CHBs using manual, and even archaic, methods that need direct human supervision. Having proven their effectiveness and performance when it comes to processing images, the Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are a staple in computer vision (CV) literacy and this article is not exempt. When lacking enough CHB images, training a CNN from scratch would be very difficult and prone to overfitting; that’s why we opted to use a technique called transfer learning (TL) in which we used pre-trained ResNet, MobileNet, and Inception networks, for classification. Even more, the Grad-CAM was utilized to localize the defects to some extent. The final results were very favorable, compared to similar articles. We reached 94% in Precision, Recall, and F1-Score with our fine-tuned MobileNetV2 model, which showed a 4%–5% improvement over other similar works. The final proposed model can pave the way for moving from manual to unmanned CHB conservation, hence an increase in accuracy and a decrease in human-induced errors.
Space-adaptive Artwork Placement Based on Content Similarities for Curating Thematic Spaces in a Virtual Museum
Authors: Kim Hayun , Shakeri Maryam , Shin Jae-Eun , Woo Woontack
Published: October 2023

Virtual Reality (VR) provides curators with the tools to design immersive 3D exhibition spaces. However, manually positioning artworks in VR is labor-intensive, and most existing automated methods are limited in considering both artwork content and spatial characteristics, as well as accommodating curators’ design preferences. To address these challenges, we present a virtual exhibition authoring system that automatically generates optimized artwork placements for thematic space layouts, where exhibits are grouped by conceptual themes and arranged as clusters. Our approach clusters artworks based on five content similarity factors—color, material, description, artist, and production date—and allows curators to adjust the importance of each factor and set limits on cluster sizes according to their design goals. A genetic optimization algorithm is employed to determine the placement of artworks, using four cost functions—intra-cluster distance, inter-cluster distance, intra-cluster intervisibility, and occupancy—to evaluate the arrangement with respect to spatial characteristics. The effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated through a series of practical scenarios and an expert evaluation with curators.
Quick-and-Wide Propagation of Disaster Tweets: Why It Matters and How to Measure It
Authors: Son Jaebong
Published: October 2023

As dynamic, non-routine disaster events appear and disappear in a short period, quickly and widely disseminating emergency warnings and alerts to the public is a critical communication goal for emergency management officers and citizen journalists. Twitter has become a prominent communication medium to achieve such a communication goal, attracting academic scholars, government agencies, and industry practitioners. However, most academic research and government reports have relied on either the retweet count or retweet time to understand factors affecting the propagation of disaster information. We argue that neither measure is sufficient to reflect the extent to which disaster tweets are quickly and widely propagated. Hence, we propose a new measure called the Propagation Index (PI) to better evaluate quick and wide propagation of disaster information. Using two Twitter datasets, we empirically examine the proposed measure in association with the Twitter features and compare its statistical results with those of the retweet count and retweet time. Our findings suggest that the PI more accurately captures how quickly and widely disaster tweets are propagated than the other measures. Therefore, this study contributes to academia, governments, and industry to improve their understanding of the propagation of disaster information on Twitter.
Electrochemical Residence Time Distribution as a Diagnostic Tool for Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Tenny Kevin M. , Chiang Yet-Ming , Brushett Fikile R.
Published: October 2023

The fluid dynamic and electrochemical performance of redox flow batteries (RFBs) stems from the relationship between the flow field and the porous electrode, whose interplay determines how active species move and react during device operation. While characterization techniques, such as residence time distribution, offer insights into species mobility within a reactive volume for a traditional chemical reactor, electrochemical reactors also enable simultaneous measurement of the redox reactions, unlocking another dimension of analysis. Herein, we demonstrate how potentiodynamic measurements, using injections of electrolyte examined through moment analysis, can provide electrode-specific performance scaling relationships across a matrix of carbon paper and cloth electrodes with flow through and interdigitated flow fields. We further combine experimental campaigns with multiphysics simulations to demonstrate how electrode surface area can be estimated with this technique, which we then validate with activated and unactivated commercial carbon cloth electrodes. These studies reveal the multiscale observations that potentiodynamic measurements afford, augmenting existing electrochemical techniques for holistic electrochemical reactor diagnostics.
The iron chelator and OXPHOS inhibitor VLX600 induces mitophagy and an autophagy-dependent type of cell death in glioblastoma cells
Authors: Reisbeck Lisa , Linder Benedikt , Tascher Georg , Bozkurt Süleyman , Weber Katharina J. , Herold-Mende Christel , van Wijk Sjoerd J. L. , Marschalek Rolf , Schaefer Liliana , Münch Christian , Kögel Donat
Published: October 2023

Induction of cell-lethal autophagy represents a possible strategy to combat glioblastoma (GBM). Here, we demonstrate that the novel iron chelator and OXPHOS inhibitor VLX600 exerts pronounced tumor cell-killing effects in adherently cultured GBM cells and glioblastoma stem-like cell (GSC) spheroid cultures that depend on the iron-chelating function of VLX600 and on autophagy activation, underscoring the context-dependent role of autophagy in therapy responses. VLX600 represents an interesting novel drug candidate for the treatment of this tumor.
Single and 7-day handgrip and squat exercise prevents endothelial ischemia-reperfusion injury in individuals with cardiovascular disease risk factors
Authors: Somani Yasina B. , Boidin Maxime , Peggen Mandy A. G. , Wanders Iris , Proctor David N. , Low David A. , Jones Helen , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Thijssen Dick H. J.
Published: October 2023

We show that single bouts of dynamic handgrip and squat exercise provide remote protection against endothelial ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced injury in individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, with 1-wk daily, home-based exercise preserving these effects for up to 24 h following the last exercise bout.
The Influence of High-Stakes English Examinations on Students’ Out-of-Classroom English Learning Practices: A Comparative Study
Authors: Desalegn Getachew , Disassa Rufael , Kitila Tamene
Published: October 2023

Exams with high stakes may affect test takers’ learning endeavors. Given the students’ different academic backgrounds, it is not yet clear how much of an effect the tests will have on their out-of-classroom learning practices. This study, thus, aimed to close the knowledge gap by employing a mixed method of embedded research design and collecting data via questionnaire, focused group discussion (FGD), and document analysis. The questionnaire was administered to a stratified random sample of 94 12th grade students. The students with their one-semester academic achievements were selected from two secondary schools found in East Wollega zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, multivariate and one-way ANOVA. The data gathered through document analysis and FGD were to substantiate the questionnaire. The contents of the three consecutive years of past Ethiopian Secondary School Leaving Certificate English Examination (ESSLCEE) questions were analyzed quantitatively. The qualitative method was used to conduct FGD with the selected participants from each school. The recorded data were subsequently transcribed, translated, analyzed, and discussed thematically. The study found significant differences between students of low-achieving groups (“Fair” and “Satisfactory” scorers) and high-achieving groups (“Very Good” and “Excellent” scorers) in studying non-ESSLCEE-related learning activities out-of-classroom. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between low-achieving groups and high-achieving groups regarding practicing ESSLCEE-related language components. The washback of high-stakes ESSLCEE on students’ out-of-classroom English learning practices was observed regardless of the students’ specific academic achievement groups they belonged to. The results suggest that there are differences in the impact of high-stakes exams on the efforts that students from different academic backgrounds make for out-of-classroom learning practices.
Some Conditions of Non-Blow-Up of Generalized Inviscid Surface Quasigeostrophic Equation
Authors: Li Linrui , Hong Mingli , Zheng Lin
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we survey some non-blow-up results for the following generalized modified inviscid surface quasigeostrophic equation (GSQG)

θ

t

+
u
·
∇
θ
=
0
,

u
=

∇

⊥

ψ
,

−

Λ

β

ψ
=
θ
,

θ

x
,
0

=

θ

0

x

.

. This is a generalized surface quasigeostrophic equation (GSQG) with the velocity field

u

related to the scalar

θ

by

u
=
−

∇

⊥

Λ

−
β

θ

, where

1
≤
β
≤
2

. We prove that there is no finite-time singularity if the level set of generalized quasigeostrophic equation does not have a hyperbolic saddle, and the angle of opening of the saddle can go to zero at most as an exponential decay. Moreover, we give some conditions that rule out the formation of sharp fronts for generalized inviscid surface quasigeostrophic equation, and we obtain some estimates on the formation of semiuniform fronts. These results greatly weaken the geometrical assumptions which rule out the collapse of a simple hyperbolic saddle in finite time.
Effect of Kinnow (Citrus nobilis × C. deliciosa) Peel Oil Coating on the Shelf Stability and Antioxidant Potential of Cheddar Cheese
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Qureshi Tahir Mahmood , Sarfraz Sahar , Ur-Rehman Salim , Rehman Abdul , Malik Faiqa , Iqbal Aqsa , Ahmad Naushad , Nawaz Asad , Siddeeg Azhari
Published: October 2023

Kinnow peel oil has been reported to possess antimicrobial and antioxidant activities due to presence of many bioactive compounds. Therefore, the experiments reported in this research paper aimed to investigate the shelf stability and antioxidant potential of Cheddar cheese coated with Kinnow peel oil at various concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%). The physicochemical characteristics, microbial counts, antioxidant potential, and sensory acceptability of Cheddar cheese were evaluated during ripening (up to 9 months, 4°C). The titratable acidity (%), pH, moisture (%), fat (%), protein contents (%), and soluble nitrogen (SN, %) of Cheddar cheese investigated in the present study showed significant

p
 
<
 
0.05

variations among treatments during ripening. The maximum plate counts (8.36 Log cfu·g−1) were observed in control cheese (T0) ripened for 3 months whereas T3 (9 months ripened) showed the minimum counts (5.04 Log cfu·g−1) among all the treatments. The maximum (3.76 Log cfu·g−1) yeast and mold counts were observed in T0 cheese ripened for 9 month whereas the respective samples of T3 showed the lowest values (2.89 Log cfu·g−1) among all the treatments. The surfaces of Cheddar cheese coated with 0.6% Kinnow peel (T3) did not show any visible signs of yeast and molds. The maximum (366.56 mg GAE/100 g) total phenolic contents were observed in T3 ripened for 6 months. The maximum values (1995.02 mM TE/100 g) of DPPH radical scavenging activity were observed in T3 ripened for 6 months. Similarly, T3 obtained the highest sensory scores among all the treatments. Hence, it was concluded that Kinnow peel oil significantly improved antioxidant potential, sensory perception, and shelf stability of Cheddar cheese.
Implementation Evaluation of Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Intervention for Refugee Newcomers in the United States
Authors: Im Hyojin , Verbillis-Kolp Sasha , Atiyeh Shadin , Bonz Annie G. , Eadeh Shrina , George Nicole , Malluwa Wadu Ann
Published: October 2023

Refugee newcomers resettled in the United States face numerous challenges impacting their mental health and overall well-being. Despite extensive research on clinical interventions, multimodal interventions with peer-based group models in resettlement contexts remain scarce. Adopting a realist evaluation approach, this study aims to conduct a comprehensive implementation evaluation of a complex community-based mental health and psychosocial support (CB-MHPSS) group intervention, examining its mechanisms and processes while considering the interplay among context, implementing agents, and community settings. Qualitative and quantitative data on the implementation process were collected from 11 refugee agencies, involving trained resettlement staffers (n = 32) and refugee community facilitators (n = 31) who implemented the 31 CB-MHPSS psychosocial groups in 2021. The analysis included fidelity reports, process reflections, and follow-up survey responses, utilizing a structured template based on the CB-MHPSS Theory of Change (ToC) and Medical Research Council (MRC) guidance. Results of an in-depth exploration of complex relations between context and implementation processes reveal the vital role that adaptability to socio-ecological circumstances during the global coronavirus pandemic played in achieving successful implementation of psychosocial group interventions. Striking a balance between fidelity and refinement of intervention of the intervention curriculum emerged as crucial factors for aligning facilitation goals with newcomer needs. This approach maintained the integrity and appropriateness of the intervention, requiring implementers to utilize local knowledge of community resources and their understanding of lived experience of forced migrants and their within the community. Furthermore, exploring intervention barriers and facilitators revealed merits aligned with program change theories and areas for adjustment, while cataloged guidelines addressed community needs, showcasing competence beyond standard checkboxes. Strategic dissemination guidance provided by the central office in a supportive and nonintrusive manner facilitated uptake in a participatory and context-specific manner. This study emphasizes the importance of leveraging community partnerships and local knowledge to result in sustained improvements in the mental health and well-being of refugees.
A Malware Propagation Model with Dual Delay in the Industrial Control Network
Authors: Yang Wei , Fu Qiang , Yao Yu
Published: October 2023

The malware attacks targeting the industrial control network are gradually increasing, and the nonlinear phenomenon makes it difficult to predict the propagation behavior of malware. Once the dynamic system becomes unstable, the propagation of malware will be out of control, which will seriously threaten the security of the industrial control network. So, it is necessary to model and study the propagation of malware in the industrial control network. In this paper, a SIDQR model with dual delay is proposed by fully considering the characteristics of the industrial control network. By analyzing the nonlinear dynamics of the model, the Hopf bifurcation is discussed in detail when the value of dual delay is greater than zero, and the expression for the threshold is also provided. The results of the experiments indicate that the system may have multiple bifurcation points. By comparing different immune and quarantine rates, it is found that the immune rate can be appropriately increased and the isolation rate can be appropriately reduced in the industrial control network, which can suppress the spread of malware without interrupting the industrial production.
XPO1-Mediated mRNA Export of Genome Maintenance Regulators Drives Chemotherapy Resistance in Aggressive Lymphoma
Authors: Knittel Gero , Reinhardt Hans Christian
Published: October 2023

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoid malignancy and displays vast genetic and transcriptomic heterogeneity. Current treatment guidelines recommend first-line chemoimmunotherapy consisting of an anthracycline backbone, which produces cure rates of approximately 65%. However, the remaining patients will face relapsed or refractory disease, which, even in the era of chimeric antigen receptor T cells, is difficult to treat. In this issue of Cancer Research, Marullo and colleagues investigate the biological underpinnings of the tumor-suppressive activity of the newly approved XPO1 inhibitor selinexor in the treatment of lymphoma. In a translational effort covering genomic and biochemical approaches, combined with in vivo validation experiments and a phase I clinical trial, they demonstrate that upon DNA damage, XPO1 selectively exports transcripts encoding proteins involved in genome maintenance via the RNA-binding proteins THOC4 and eIF4E. Pharmacologic interception of this export process enhances chemosensitivity in various lymphoma models, and combined selinexor plus chemoimmunotherapy displays a favorable toxicity profile and early evidence of efficacy in patients.

See related article by Marullo et al., p. 101
Data from Mitochondrial-Encoded Complex I Impairment Induces a Targetable Dependency on Aerobic Fermentation in Hürthle Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid
Authors: Frank Anderson R. , Li Vicky , Shelton Spencer D. , Kim Jiwoong , Stott Gordon M. , Neckers Leonard M. , Xie Yang , Williams Noelle S. , Mishra Prashant , McFadden David G.
Published: October 2023

Abstract
A metabolic hallmark of cancer identified by Warburg is the increased consumption of glucose and secretion of lactate, even in the presence of oxygen. Although many tumors exhibit increased glycolytic activity, most forms of cancer rely on mitochondrial respiration for tumor growth. We report here that Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid (HTC) models harboring mitochondrial DNA-encoded defects in complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain exhibit impaired respiration and alterations in glucose metabolism. CRISPR–Cas9 pooled screening identified glycolytic enzymes as selectively essential in complex I–mutant HTC cells. We demonstrate in cultured cells and a patient-derived xenograft model that small-molecule inhibitors of lactate dehydrogenase selectively induce an ATP crisis and cell death in HTC. This work demonstrates that complex I loss exposes fermentation as a therapeutic target in HTC and has implications for other tumors bearing mutations that irreversibly damage mitochondrial respiration.
Significance:
HTC is enriched in somatic mtDNA mutations predicted to affect complex I of the electron transport chain (ETC). We demonstrate that these mutations impair respiration and induce a therapeutically tractable reliance on aerobic fermentation for cell survival. This work provides a rationale for targeting fermentation in cancers harboring irreversible genetically encoded ETC defects.

See related article by Gopal et al., p. 1904.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1749
Population-specific Mutation Patterns in Breast Tumors from African American, European American, and Kenyan Patients
Authors: Tang Wei , Zhang Flora , Byun Jung S. , Dorsey Tiffany H. , Yfantis Harris G. , Ajao Anuoluwapo , Liu Huaitian , Pichardo Margaret S. , Pichardo Catherine M. , Harris Alexandra R. , Yang Xiaohong R. , Figueroa Jonine D. , Sayed Shahin , Makokha Francis W. , Ambs Stefan
Published: October 2023

Women of African descent have the highest breast cancer mortality in the United States and are more likely than women from other population groups to develop an aggressive disease. It remains uncertain to what extent breast cancer in Africa is reminiscent of breast cancer in African American or European American patients. Here, we performed whole-exome sequencing of genomic DNA from 191 breast tumor and non-cancerous adjacent tissue pairs obtained from 97 African American, 69 European American, 2 Asian American, and 23 Kenyan patients. Our analysis of the sequencing data revealed an elevated tumor mutational burden in both Kenyan and African American patients, when compared with European American patients. TP53 mutations were most prevalent, particularly in African American patients, followed by PIK3CA mutations, which showed similar frequencies in European American, African American, and the Kenyan patients. Mutations targeting TBX3 were confined to European Americans and those targeting the FBXW7 tumor suppressor to African American patients whereas mutations in the ARID1A gene that are known to confer resistance to endocrine therapy were distinctively enriched among Kenyan patients. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis could link FBXW7 mutations to an increased mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity in tumors carrying these mutations. Finally, Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) mutational signatures in tumors correlated with the occurrence of driver mutations, immune cell profiles, and neighborhood deprivation with associations ranging from being mostly modest to occasionally robust. To conclude, we found mutational profiles that were different between these patient groups. The differences concentrated among genes with low mutation frequencies in breast cancer.

Significance:

The study describes differences in tumor mutational profiles between African American, European American, and Kenyan breast cancer patients. It also investigates how these profiles may relate to the tumor immune environment and the neighborhood environment in which the patients had residence. Finally, it describes an overrepresentation of ARID1A gene mutations in breast tumors of the Kenyan patients.
White Matter Hyperintensity Volume and Poststroke Cognition: An Individual Patient Data Pooled Analysis of 9 Ischemic Stroke Cohort Studies
Authors: de Kort Floor A.S. , Coenen Mirthe , Weaver Nick A. , Kuijf Hugo J. , Aben Hugo P. , Bae Hee-Joon , Bordet Régis , Cammà Guido , Chen Christopher P.L.H. , Dewenter Anna , Duering Marco , Fang Rong , van der Giessen Ruben S. , Hamilton Olivia K.L. , Hilal Saima , Huenges Wajer Irene M.C. , Kan Cheuk Ni , Kim Jonguk , Kim Beom Joon , Köhler Sebastian , de Kort Paul L.M. , Koudstaal Peter J. , Lim Jae-Sung , Lopes Renaud , Mok Vincent C.T. , Staals Julie , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Verhagen Charlotte M. , Verhey Frans R.J. , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Xu Xin , Yu Kyung-Ho , Biesbroek J. Matthijs , Biessels Geert Jan
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are associated with cognitive dysfunction after ischemic stroke. Yet, uncertainty remains about affected domains, the role of other preexisting brain injury, and infarct types in the relation between WMH burden and poststroke cognition. We aimed to disentangle these factors in a large sample of patients with ischemic stroke from different cohorts.

METHODS:

We pooled and harmonized individual patient data (n=1568) from 9 cohorts, through the Meta VCI Map consortium (
www.metavcimap.org
). Included cohorts comprised patients with available magnetic resonance imaging and multidomain cognitive assessment <15 months poststroke. In this individual patient data meta-analysis, linear mixed models were used to determine the association between WMH volume and domain-specific cognitive functioning (
Z
scores; attention and executive functioning, processing speed, language and verbal memory) for the total sample and stratified by infarct type. Preexisting brain injury was accounted for in the multivariable models and all analyses were corrected for the study site as a random effect.

RESULTS:

In the total sample (67 years [SD, 11.5], 40% female), we found a dose-dependent inverse relationship between WMH volume and poststroke cognitive functioning across all 4 cognitive domains (coefficients ranging from −0.09 [SE, 0.04,
P
=0.01] for verbal memory to −0.19 [SE, 0.03,
P
<0.001] for attention and executive functioning). This relation was independent of acute infarct volume and the presence of lacunes and old infarcts. In stratified analyses, the relation between WMH volume and domain-specific functioning was also largely independent of infarct type.

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients with ischemic stroke, increasing WMH volume is independently associated with worse cognitive functioning across all major domains, regardless of old ischemic lesions and infarct type.
Validation of Aphyosemion lorai and Caeruleamsemion; a new species and subgenus of killifish (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae), from the continental region of Equatorial Guinea
Authors: VALDESALICI STEFANO , MALUMBRES FRANCISCO JAVIER
Published: October 2023

N/A
Cestodes of Pseudobatos horkelii (Müller and Henle) (Rhinopristiformes) including Rhinebothrium quequense n. sp. (Rhinebothriidea) and Caulobothrium pieroi n. sp. (“Tetraphyllidea”) from the southwestern Atlantic
Authors: MENORET ADRIANA , IVANOV VERÓNICA A.
Published: October 2023

Two new species of cestodes were described from the Brazilian guitarfish, Pseudobatos horkelii (Müller and Henle) (Rhinopristiformes: Rhinobatidae), from coastal waters off Argentina in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Rhinebothrium quequense n. sp. (Rhinebothriidea) differs from its congeners by a combination of morphological characters, including the total number of loculi, the absence of loculi at the level of bothridial constriction, the number of testes per proglottid, and the number of proglottids per worm. Caulobothrium pieroi n. sp. (“Tetraphyllidea”) can be distinguished from the other members of the genus by the following set of morphological features including the presence of stalked bothridia with apical sucker, the number of loculi per bothridium, the number of testes per proglottid, and the number of proglottids per worm. The discovery of R. quequense n. sp. and C. pieroi n. sp. in the Brazilian guitarfish not only increases the number of rhinebothriideans and “tetraphyllideans” in the southwestern Atlantic, but also expands the elasmobranchs list to include P. horkelii for the first time as a new host record for cestodes globally. In addition, this is not only the first report of a species of Rhinebothrium in rhinobatids in the region, but it is also the first Caulobothrium species infecting a rhinopristiform batoid.
A Calibration-Free Optical Emission Spectroscopic Method to Determine the Composition of a Spark Discharge Plasma Used for AuAg Binary Nanoparticle Synthesis
Authors: Kohut Attila , Villy Lajos Péter , Kohut Gergely , Galbács Gábor , Geretovszky Zsolt
Published: October 2023

Spark discharge generators (SDGs) employ controlled gaseous environments to induce spark ablation of non-insulating electrodes, resulting in the formation of various nanostructures in the gas phase. The method offers technological advantages such as continuous particle production, scalable yield, and minimal waste. Additionally, the versatility of the process enables the generation of alloy nanoparticles from various material combinations, including immiscible ones. In order to fully exploit its potential, understanding the atomic mixing process during electrode ablation, particularly in the case of dissimilar electrodes, is crucial. Temporally and spatially resolved optical emission spectroscopy (OES) has been previously demonstrated as an effective characterization tool for spark plasmas in SDGs. However, to gain a deeper insight into the vapor mixing process, it is essential to quantitatively determine the plasma composition in both space and time. This paper introduces a calibration-free OES-based method tailored for spark plasmas utilized in binary nanoparticle generation. The method introduces the so-called multi-element combinatory Boltzmann plots, which use intensity ratios of emission atomic lines from different materials, allowing for the direct estimation of total number concentration ratios. The approach is tested using synthetic spectra and validated with experimental spark spectra obtained near an alloyed gold–silver (AuAg) electrode with a known composition. The study demonstrates the capabilities and robustness of the proposed method, with a focus on the AuAg system due to its significance in plasmonic research and frequent synthesis using spark ablation.