bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ranking environmental and edaphic attributes driving soil microbial community structure and activity with special attention to spatial and temporal scales
Authors: Gupta Vadakattu V. S. R. , Tiedje James M.
Published: March 2024

The incredibly complex soil microbial communities at small scales make their analysis and identification of reasons for the observed structures challenging. Microbial community structure is mainly a result of the inoculum (dispersal), the selective advantages of those organisms under the habitat‐based environmental attributes, and the ability of those colonizers to sustain themselves over time. Since soil is protective, and its microbial inhabitants have long adapted to varied soil conditions, significant portions of the soil microbial community structure are likely stable. Hence, a substantial portion of the community will not correlate to often measured soil attributes. We suggest that the drivers be ranked on the basis of their importance to the fundamental needs of the microbes: (i) those that supply energy, i.e., organic carbon and electron acceptors; (ii) environmental effectors or stressors, i.e., pH, salt, drought, and toxic chemicals; (iii) macro‐organism associations, i.e., plants and their seasonality, animals and their fecal matter, and soil fauna; and (iv) nutrients, in order, N, P, and probably of lesser importance, other micronutrients, and metals. The relevance of drivers also varies with spatial and time scales, for example, aggregate to field to regional, and persistent to dynamic populations to transcripts, and with the extent of phylogenetic difference, hence phenotypic differences in organismal groups. We present a summary matrix to provide guidance on which drivers are important for particular studies, with special emphasis on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, and illustrate this with genomic and population (rRNA gene) data from selected studies.
Neural network predictive control of converter inlet temperature based on event‐triggered mechanism in flue gas acid production
Authors: Liu Minghua , Li Xiaoli , Wang Kang
Published: March 2024

The process of smelting non‐ferrous metals results in significant emissions of flue gas that contains sulfur dioxide (SO), which is very harmful to the environment. Through precise control of converter inlet temperature, it is feasible to enhance the conversion ratio of SO and simultaneously mitigate environmental pollution by generating acid from flue gas. Because of the high degree of uncertainty in smelting process, converter inlet temperature is challenging to regulate and controller frequently needs updating. To improve control performance and decrease controller update times, an event‐triggered neural network model predictive control (ETNMPC) strategy is proposed. First, long short‐term memory (LSTM) prediction model and model predictive controller are developed. Second, it is decided whether to update the existing controller by designing an event‐triggered mechanism. Finally, using real data from a copper facility in Jiangxi Province, the temperature control experiment of converter inlet is carried out. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed ETNMPC outperforms conventional time‐triggered method in terms of control performance, greatly lowers the times of controller updates, and significantly lowers computation costs and communication burden.
Treatment Delay and HPV Status on OPSCC With Upfront Surgery: Analysis of National Cancer Database
Authors: Vasudev Milind , Martin Elaine , Frank Madelyn I. , Meller Leo L.T. , Haidar Yarah M.
Published: March 2024

Objective

Evaluate the effect of treatment delay on survival in human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive and HPV‐negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients undergoing primary surgical resection.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study using the 2010‐2017 National Cancer Database.

Setting

Multicenter database study.

Methods

Patients >18 years old with OPSCC and known HPV status, treated surgically with or without postoperative radiation/chemotherapy were included. Two cohorts based on HPV status were grouped by time to treatment initiation (TD‐TI, ≤30, 31‐60, ≥61 days) and surgery to radiotherapy (TS‐RT, ≤42, 43‐66, ≥67 days). Univariate, Kaplan‐Meier, and multivariate analyses assessed correlations between demographic and clinical factors with overall survival in treatment delay groups.

Results

Included were 1643 HPV‐positive OPSCC patients and 391 HPV‐negative OPSCC patients. No associations between survival and gender, age, race, insurance, or radiotherapy length were observed. Regardless of HPV status, larger tumor size (>2 cm) and lymphovascular invasion predicted worse survival. HPV negative patients with >4 lymph nodes involved had 2.5× greater mortality risk (P = .039). Robotic surgery was associated with improved survival only in HPV positive patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.41, P < .001). In HPV positive patients, higher TD‐TI related to lower mean survival, although this was not significant on multivariate analysis. HPV negative patients with >42 days of TS‐RT had decreased survival (43‐66 days, HR 1.63, P = .049; ≥67 days, HR 2.10, P = .032).

Conclusion

Longer TS‐RT was associated with lower overall survival in HPV negative patients. Treatment delay was not associated with survival in HPV positive OPSCC according to multivariate analysis. These findings enhance knowledge about treatment delay effects in OPSCC, aiding providers in decisions and patient communication.
Association analysis between the distribution of surface physical characteristics and bonding performance of carbon fiber composites
Authors: Wang Qian , Jia Caixia , Li Zhixin , Pu Lei , Qiu Yunpeng , Yan Chao , Feng Bowen
Published: March 2024

Effects of plasma treatment distance on the adhesion properties of carbon fiber composites were investigated, and the association between the distribution of surface physical characteristics on the composites and their bonding properties was discussed. After plasma treatment at different distances, surface morphology of the bonding area was obtained and the roughness distribution model was established. The change in surface physical characteristics directly influences the wettability of the bonding surface and the tensile shear strength (TSS) of the bonded components. When the TSS showed an increase by 19.47% at the treatment distance of 15 mm, metallographic images indicated that the bonding layer was integrated with the composites and the joint in the component was dominated by cohesive failure. When the TSS showed a decrease by 30.72% at the treatment distance of 5 mm, metallographic images indicated that voids and delamination were introduced in the bonding layer and fiber tearing failure mode appeared in the plasma etched area. Moisture‐heat resistance of the bonded components was also considered and a noticeable increase in water absorption was observed in the case of excessive treatment at the distance of 5 mm, which was also related to the distribution of physical characteristics induced by the plasma treatment.

Highlights

Surface characteristic distribution of plasma‐modified composites was analyzed.

State of resin and fibers on composite surface varied with the treatment distance.

Semi‐annular plasma treatment traces appeared in the roughness distribution.

The high roughness in the distribution played a key role in bonding properties.

Performance degradation due to close treatment was also distribution‐dependent.
On the cogent formulation of an elastomeric silicone ink material for direct ink write (DIW) 3D printing
Authors: Elahee G. M. Fazley , Cheng Xiang , Rong Lihan , Xu Ming‐Wei , Souza Lucio , Advincula Rigoberto C. , Maia Joao
Published: March 2024

Adhesives and sealants show fine rheology with good physical and mechanical properties as viscous pastes, a possible starting point for developing direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing ink. However, many commercial adhesives and sealants take days or weeks to cure fully. DIW 3D‐printed parts made directly from these sealants are not designed for a scalable manufacturing process and high‐volume production. Moreover, most of these adhesives and sealants have volume shrinkage during cure. A systematic understanding of formulation methods and design principles for an elastomeric silicone DIW ink can overcome these issues. This study presents the cogent formulation development of a 3D printable thermoset elastomer silicone that gels and cures isotropically in minutes, reducing cycle time for rapid ink development with no shrinkage during cure. More specifically, we outline the principles of raw material selection of a formulation to achieve excellent rheology, printability, synchronized working, and gel time fitting requirements closer to scalable manufacturing. The reaction kinetics and their corresponding 3D‐printed structural properties are also described. Interest in future work is toward a rational DIW 3D printing ink material development protocol and use of machine learning (ML).

Highlights

Formulation method flexibility and design principle of DIW ink.

Raw material selection principle to achieve optimal rheology for DIW printing.

Ink gel kinetics for large‐scale DIW manufacturing.

Hydrosilylation conversion over time at different ambient temperatures.

Structural properties of DIW 3D printed parts.
Vancomycin AUC0–24 estimation using first‐order pharmacokinetic methods in pediatric patients
Authors: Brandon Hope H. , Burgess David S. , Wallace Katie L. , Autry Elizabeth B. , Olney Katie B.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The optimal dosing and monitoring of vancomycin in pediatrics is still unknown but has evolved to emphasize area under the curve over 24 h (AUC0–24) over minimum concentration (Cmin) monitoring. Real‐world data supporting the feasibility of two‐concentration kinetics with first‐order equations for the estimation of vancomycin AUC0–24 in pediatric patients are lacking.

Objectives

To describe the interplay of vancomycin dose, AUC0–24, and Cmin using first‐order equations within four pediatric age groups.

Methods

This is a single‐center, retrospective cohort study analyzing pediatric patients (<18 years) receiving intravenous vancomycin between 2020 and 2022. Included patients received at least 24 h of intravenous vancomycin with two concentrations obtained within 96 h of therapy initiation. Patients with baseline renal dysfunction were excluded. Patients were divided into four age categories: neonates (≤28 days), infants (29 days to <1 year), children (1–12 years), and adolescents (13–17 years). First‐order equations were utilized to estimate pharmacokinetic parameters and AUC0–24.

Results

Overall, 219 patients (median age of 6 years [IQR 1–12]) met inclusion criteria. The median vancomycin daily dose was 30 mg/kg in neonates, 70 mg/kg in infants and children, and 52 mg/kg in adolescents. Median Cmin and AUC0–24 values among all age groups were 8.68 mg/L and 505 mg * h/L, respectively. For AUC0–24 values outside of the therapeutic range (400–600 mg * h/L), more values were SUPRAtherapeutic (>600 mg * h/L) than SUBtherapeutic (<400 mg * h/L). The overall trend within our data showed suboptimal correlation between Cmin and AUC0–24. However, 71% of patients with Cmin values of 5–10 mg/L had an AUC0–24 within the therapeutic range of 400–600 mg * h/L, whereas 23 patients (92%) with a SUPRAtherapeutic AUC0–24 had a Cmin value ≥15 mg/L. Approximately 10% of patients experienced acute kidney injury.

Conclusions

Our data describe the relationship between vancomycin dose, Cmin, and AUC0–24 in pediatric patients. We demonstrated the feasibility of using first‐order equations to estimate AUC0–24, using two concentrations obtained at steady state to monitor efficacy and safety in pediatric patients receiving intravenous vancomycin. Our data showed suboptimal correlation between AUC0–24 and Cmin, which indicates that Cmin should not be used as a surrogate marker for a therapeutic AUC0–24 in pediatric patients. In alignment with the 2020 vancomycin consensus guidelines, we suggest utilizing AUC0–24 for efficacy and safety monitoring.
A population pharmacokinetic model using allometric scaling for baricitinib in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Decker Rodney L. , Steven Ernest C. , Radtke David B. , Wang Rona , Araújo Joana , Keller Stuart Y. , Zhang Xin
Published: March 2024

Baricitinib is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in more than 70 countries, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in the European Union. Population pharmacokinetic (PK) models were developed in a phase 3 trial to characterize PK in pediatric patients with JIA and identify weight‐based dosing regimens. The phase 3, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled withdrawal, efficacy and safety trial, JUVE‐BASIS, enrolled patients (aged 2 to <18 years) with polyarticular course JIA. During a safety/PK period, baricitinib concentration data from age‐based dose cohorts were compared to concentrations from adult patients receiving 4‐mg QD. PK data were used to develop a population PK model with allometric scaling to determine a weight‐based posology in pediatric patients with JIA that matched the adult 4‐mg exposure. Baricitinib plasma concentrations from 217 pediatric patients were used to characterize PK. Based on the adult model, pediatric PK was best described using a 2‐compartment model with allometric scaling on clearance and volume of distribution and renal function (estimated with glomerular filtration rate [GFR], a known covariate affecting PK of baricitinib) on clearance. The PK modeling suggested the optimal dosing regimen based on weight for pediatric patients as: 2‐mg QD for patients 10 to <30 kg and 4‐mg QD for patients ≥30 kg. The use of a population PK model of baricitinib treatment in adult patients with RA, with the addition of allometric scaling for weight on clearance and volume terms, was useful to predict exposures and identify weight‐based dosing in pediatric patients with JIA.
Differentiated Reading Groups: Bridging Literacy Instruction and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy
Authors: Domke Lisa M. , Kaplan Matthew , Bingham Gary E.
Published: March 2024

Culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP) that builds on and sustains students' cultural and linguistic practices is important for students' academic achievement and identities. While CSP is applicable to any content area, a critical time to incorporate it is during differentiated reading groups—small‐group contexts that provide explicit code‐based and/or meaning‐making instruction using varying types of texts. This article seeks to help teachers develop a stronger understanding of CSP and how to leverage students' cultural identities and experiences within small groups. We then highlight two differentiated reading group lesson examples to illustrate how to apply the tenets of CSP, along with code‐based and meaning‐making strategies, with a second‐grade group reading Trombone Shorty and another reading Reina Ramos. Additionally, this article provides steps and resources for how to select and teach with culturally sustaining texts to promote students' identities and literacy success.
Assimilation of phthalate esters in bacteria
Authors: Qiao Pei , Ying Tongtong , Gu Mengjie , Zhu Jiahong , Mei Chengyu , Hu Tong , Liu Tengfei , Wang Haixia , Zhong Weihong
Published: March 2024

The massive usage of phthalate esters (PAEs) has caused serious pollution. Bacterial degradation is a potential strategy to remove PAE contamination. So far, an increasing number of PAE-degrading strains have been isolated, and the catabolism of PAEs has been extensively studied and reviewed. However, the investigation into the bacterial PAE uptake process has received limited attention and remains preliminary. PAEs can interact spontaneously with compounds like peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharides, and lipids on the bacterial cell envelope to migrate inside. However, this process compromises the structural integrity of the cells and causes disruptions. Thus, membrane protein-facilitated transport seems to be the main assimilation strategy in bacteria. So far, only an ATP-binding-cassette transporter PatDABC was proven to transport PAEs across the cytomembrane in a Gram-positive bacterium Rhodococcus jostii RHA1. Other cytomembrane proteins like major facilitator superfamily (MFS) proteins and outer membrane proteins in cell walls like FadL family channels, TonB-dependent transporters, and OmpW family proteins were only reported to facilitate the transport of PAEs analogs such as monoaromatic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The functions of these proteins in the intracellular transport of PAEs in bacteria await characterization and it is a promising avenue for future research on enhancing bacterial degradation of PAEs.

Key points

• Membrane proteins on the bacterial cell envelope may be PAE transporters.

• Most potential transporters need experimental validation.
Co-targeting CD47 and VEGF elicited potent anti-tumor effects in gastric cancer
Authors: Zhang Kaiqi , Xu Yuan , Chang Xusheng , Xu Caili , Xue Wenjing , Ding Dan , Nie Mingming , Cai Hui , Xu Jun , Zhan Lu , Han Jiangbo , Cai Tiancai , Ju Dianwen , Feng Li , Zhang Xuyao , Yin Kai
Published: March 2024

Background

CD47, serving as an intrinsic immune checkpoint, has demonstrated efficacy as an anti-tumor target in hematologic malignancies. Nevertheless, the clinical relevance of CD47 in gastric cancer and its potential as a therapeutic target remains unclear.

Methods

The expression of CD47 in clinical gastric cancer tissues was assessed using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Patient-derived cells were obtained from gastric cancer tissues and co-cultured with macrophages derived from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Flow cytometry analyses were employed to evaluate the rate of phagocytosis. Humanized patient-derived xenografts (Hu-PDXs) models were established to assess the efficacy of anti-CD47 immunotherapy or the combination of anti-CD47 and anti-VEGF therapy in treating gastric cancer. The infiltrated immune cells in the xenograft were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

In this study, we have substantiated the high expression of CD47 in gastric cancer tissues, establishing a strong association with unfavorable prognosis. Through the utilization of SIRPα-Fc to target CD47, we have effectively enhanced macrophage phagocytosis of PDCs in vitro and impeded the growth of Hu-PDXs. It is noteworthy that anti-CD47 immunotherapy has been observed to sustain tumor angiogenic vasculature, with a positive correlation between the expression of VEGF and CD47 in gastric cancer. Furthermore, the successful implementation of anti-angiogenic treatment has further augmented the anti-tumor efficacy of anti-CD47 therapy. In addition, the potent suppression of tumor growth, prevention of cancer recurrence after surgery, and significant prolongation of overall survival in Hu-PDX models can be achieved through the simultaneous targeting of CD47 and VEGF using the bispecific fusion protein SIRPα-VEGFR1 or by combining the two single-targeted agents.

Conclusions

Our preclinical studies collectively offer substantiation that CD47 holds promise as a prospective target for gastric cancer, while also highlighting the potential of anti-angiogenic therapy to enhance tumor responsiveness to anti-CD47 immunotherapy.
How immune dynamics shape multi-season epidemics: a continuous-discrete model in one dimensional antigenic space
Authors: Roberts M. G. , Hickson R. I. , McCaw J. M.
Published: March 2024

We extend a previously published model for the dynamics of a single strain of an influenza-like infection. The model incorporates a waning acquired immunity to infection and punctuated antigenic drift of the virus, employing a set of coupled integral equations within a season and a discrete map between seasons. The long term behaviour of the model is demonstrated by examples where immunity to infection depends on the time since a host was last infected, and where immunity depends on the number of times that a host has been infected. The first scenario leads to complicated dynamics in some regions of parameter space, and to regions of parameter space with more than one attractor. The second scenario leads to a stable fixed point, corresponding to an identical epidemic each season. We also examine the model with both paradigms in combination, almost always but not exclusively observing a stable fixed point or periodic solution. Adding stochastic perturbations to the between season map fails to destroy the model’s qualitative dynamics. Our results suggest that if the level of host immunity depends on the elapsed time since the last infection then the epidemiological dynamics may be unpredictable.
Depth from defocus technique: a simple calibration-free approach for dispersion size measurement
Authors: Rao Saini Jatin , Sharma Shubham , Basu Saptarshi , Tropea Cameron
Published: March 2024

Particle size measurement is crucial in various applications, be it sizing droplets in inkjet printing or respiratory events, tracking particulate ejection in hypersonic impacts or detecting floating target markers in free-surface flows. Such systems are characterised by extracting quantitative information like size, position, velocity and number density of the dispersed particles, which is typically non-trivial. The existing methods like phase Doppler or digital holography offer precise estimates at the expense of complicated systems, demanding significant expertise. We present a novel volumetric measurement approach for estimating the size and position of dispersed spherical particles that utilises a unique ‘Depth from Defocus’ (DFD) technique with a single camera. The calibration-free sizing enables in situ examination of hard to measure systems, including naturally occurring phenomena like pathogenic aerosols, pollen dispersion or raindrops. The efficacy of the technique is demonstrated for diverse sparse dispersions, including dots, glass beads and spray droplets. The simple optical configuration and semi-autonomous calibration procedure make the method readily deployable and accessible, with a scope of applicability across vast research horizons.
Forms of new democracy
Authors: Gersbach Hans
Published: March 2024

In the third decade of the 21st century, digitization and artificial intelligence, global events, challenges from authoritarian states, and difficulties of particular democracies to function properly confront democracy with a new series of challenges and opportunities that will force it to reinvent itself. The last decades have produced an accelerating flow of ideas for new forms of democracy. We survey a long period in the quest for such new forms and point to next inventions for such forms. We suggest to experiment with new ways for democracy to extend the choice of democratic processes that can be implemented in real-life situations, with the beneficial side-effect that democracy might remain the only sustainable structure for self-governing societies.
Expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) in combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: clinicopathological study
Authors: Sasaki Motoko , Sato Yasunori , Nakanuma Yasuni
Published: March 2024

Genetic alterations including fusions in fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) are detected in 10–20% of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), and FGFR2 inhibitors are effective for the treatment of iCCA. We examined a prevalence of FGFR2 genetic alterations and their clinicopathological significance in combined hepatocellular–cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA). FGFR2 expression, which is a surrogate marker for FGFR2 genetic alterations, was immunohistochemically assessed in the liver sections from 75 patients with cHCC-CCA, 35 with small duct-type iCCA, 30 with large duct-type iCCA, and 35 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). FGFR2 genetic alterations were detected by reverse transcription-PCR and direct sequence. An association of FGFR2 expression with clinicopathological features was investigated in cHCC-CCAs. FGFR2 expression was detected in significantly more patients with cHCC-CCA (21.3%) and small duct-type iCCA (25.7%), compared to those with large duct-type iCCA (3.3%) and HCC (0%) (p < 0.05). FGFR2-positive cHCC-CCAs were significantly smaller size (p < 0.05), with more predominant cholangiolocarcinoma component (p < 0.01) and less nestin expression (p < 0.05). Genetic alterations of ARID1A and BAP1 and multiple genes were significantly more frequent in FGFR2-positive cHCC-CCAs (p < 0.05). 5′/3′ imbalance in FGFR2 genes indicating exon18-truncated FGFR2 was significantly more frequently detected in FGFR2-positive cHCC-CCAs and small duct iCCAs, compared to FGFR2-negative ones (p < 0.05). FGFR2::BICC fusion was detected in a case of cHCC-CCAs. FGFR2 genetic alterations may be prevalent in cHCC-CCAs as well as small duct-type iCCAs, which suggest cHCC-CCAs may also be a possible therapeutic target of FGFR2 inhibitors.

Graphical Abstract
Symptom burden and relief in palliative care units of German Comprehensive Cancer Center and other hospitals
Authors: Berendt Julia , Brunner Sarah , Heckel Maria , Tewes Mitra , Ostgathe Christoph , Gahr Susanne
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The National Hospice and Palliative Registry contains patient data from German hospice and palliative care facilities about symptoms. The aim of the study at hand is to differentiate symptom burden of patients in palliative care units between Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) and other hospitals regarding symptom burden and relief of patients in palliative care units.

Methods

The registry analysis provided data of patients in palliative care units (2014–2018). We analyzed characteristic and symptom-related data on 18 symptoms, with considerable symptom-burdened patients (moderate or severe). We followed a cancer (yes/no) and facility-specific descriptive analysis (f, %, μ, Mdn, SD, V, r) using SPSS.

Results

We evaluated 10,447 patient records (CCC: 4234 pts/non CCC 6,213 pts), 82% with a cancer diagnosis. For cancer patients, the mean age in CCC-affiliated palliative care units was 68 (SD 19–99) years, in others 73 (SD 23–104) years (p < 0.05; V = 0.2). The proportion of patients with significant symptom burden is lower in CCC-affiliated than in other palliative care units. The difference between facilities shows a significant weak effect in pain, vomiting and constipation, depressiveness, anxiety, and tension. The proportion of cases which symptom burden could be alleviated is higher in CCC-affiliated palliative care units with significant weak/medium effect in pain, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, constipation, wound care problems, depressiveness, anxiety, tension, confusion, and problems in organizing care.

Conclusion

We found differences in symptom burden and symptom relief between CCC-affiliated and other palliative care units. CCCs should continue to feel responsible for sharing knowledge about symptom relief, such as through standard operating procedures and education.
Automatic landslide detection and visualization by using deep ensemble learning method
Authors: Hacıefendioğlu Kemal , Varol Nehir , Toğan Vedat , Bahadır Ümit , Kartal Murat Emre
Published: March 2024

Rapid detection of damages occurring as a result of natural disasters is vital for emergency response. In recent years, remote sensing techniques have been commonly used for the automatic categorization and localization of such events using satellite images. Trained based on natural disaster images, a convolutional neural network (CNN) has been applied as a highly successful method, with its ability to reveal outstanding features. Studies aiming to detect target points obtained as a result of extracting visual features from natural images within these networks have achieved their goals. In this study, ensemble learning methods have been suggested as a means to develop the detection of landslide areas from landslide satellite images. Landslide image dataset has been trained for their categorization in CNN models and then they have been used again to localize landslide regions. While model predictions develop overall performance and status, different ensemble strategies have been used and integrated to reduce the sensitivity to prediction variance and training data. Class-selective relevance mapping (CRM) has been used to visualize individual CNN models and ensemble learned behaviors. As a result of the comparisons made based on mean average precision metrics and the criteria of intersection over union, model ensembles have proved to show higher localization performance than any other individual model.
The effect of combined red, blue, and near-infrared light-emitting diode (LED) photobiomodulation therapy on speed of wound healing after superficial ablative fractional resurfacing
Authors: Soliman John , Elsanadi Rachel , Messele Feben , Kelly Kristen M.
Published: March 2024

Objective of the study is to assess the effects of wound healing with a commercially available light emitting diode (LED) photo biomodulation (PBM) device that emits three wavelengths (465, 640 and 880nm) after ablative fractional laser (AFL) treatment to healthy skin on the bilateral inner biceps. We conducted a prospective intraindividual randomized controlled study with 25 volunteers. AFL treatment was performed on healthy skin of the bilateral inner biceps. Subjects applied the LED light device for 30 min to the assigned bicep 3 times a week over 4 weeks, beginning on day 0. Subjects were followed up on days 2, 4, 6, 9, 13, 20 and 27 for treatment with the PBM device, clinical digital photography of the test and control sites, and in-person subject assessment, with follow ups on days 34 and 55 for clinical photography and assessment. Three blinded evaluators were asked to determine which bicep healed faster between day 0 to day 13. Pain, discomfort, and itch were also assessed. The three blinded evaluators chose the treatment arm as the faster healed arm in greater than 50% of the images, although the results were not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference between test and control arms in terms of pain, discomfort and itch. In conclusion, PBM therapy has the potential to improve wound healing. In this study, a three wavelength PBM device resulted in some subjects achieving faster healing after AFL but the results were not statistically significant.
Successful Intuition vs. Intellectual Hallucination: How We Non-Accidentally Grasp the Third Realm
Authors: Berghofer Philipp
Published: March 2024

In his influential paper “Grasping the Third Realm,” John Bengson raises the question of how we can non-accidentally grasp abstract facts. What distinguishes successful intuition from hallucinatory intuition? Bengson answers his “non-accidental relation question” by arguing for a constitutive relationship: The intuited object is a literal constituent of the respective intuition. Now, the problem my contribution centers around is that Bengson’s answer cannot be the end of the story. This is because, as Bar Luzon and Preston Werner have recently pointed out, this answer leads to the follow-up question of why certain intuitional experiences are constituted by the facts, but others are not. My objective is to answer this question by specifying precisely what is epistemically defective about intellectual hallucinations. My result is that, in stark contrast to perception, intellectual hallucinations are epistemically defective in the sense that something is overlooked. In successful intuition, by contrast, all relevant possibilities/scenarios are considered/imagined. This has crucial epistemological implications. In particular, I argue that intuitions exhibiting a certain phenomenology cannot fail to successfully grasp abstract facts. I call this the non-accidental correctness thesis, which constitutes the main thesis of this paper.
Detection of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in dogs from a veterinary teaching hospital in Italy: a retrospective study 2012–2020
Authors: Facile Veronica , Sabetti Maria Chiara , Balboni Andrea , Urbani Lorenza , Tirolo Alessandro , Magliocca Martina , Lunetta Francesco , Dondi Francesco , Battilani Mara
Published: March 2024

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis, responsible of diseases in dogs, are tick-borne pathogens with a proven or potential zoonotic role that have shown increasing prevalence worldwide. The aims of this retrospective study were to assess the frequency of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. exposure in dogs tested in a veterinary teaching hospital in Italy over a 9-year period, to compare the performance of the diagnostic tests used, to evaluate correlations with clinical data, and to genetically analyse the identified bacteria. During the study period, 1322 dogs tested by at least one of the rapid immunoenzymatic test, indirect immunofluorescent antibody test or end-point PCR assay for Anaplasmataceae detection were included. Dogs were tested if they had clinical signs or clinicopathological alteration or risk factors related to infection, and if they were potential blood-donor animals. Ninety-four of 1322 (7.1%) dogs tested positive for at least one pathogen: 53 (4.3%) for A. phagocytophilum, one (0.1%) for A. platys and 63 (4.6%) for E. canis. The number of dogs tested increased and the positivity rate progressively declined over the years. Comparison of tests showed a near-perfect agreement between serological tests and a poor agreement between PCR and indirect assays. A breed predisposition has been highlighted for A. phagocytophilum infection in hunting breed dogs and for E. canis infection in mixed breed dogs. Phylogeny confirmed potential zoonotic implications for A. phagocytophilum and showed no correlation of the identified bacteria with the geographical origin. Our study provides new insights into possible risk factors in dogs and evidenced discordant results between different tests, suggesting that a combination of serological and molecular assays is preferable for a correct diagnosis.
Multi-omics staging of locally advanced rectal cancer predicts treatment response: a pilot study
Authors: Cicalini Ilaria , Chiarelli Antonio Maria , Chiacchiaretta Piero , Perpetuini David , Rosa Consuelo , Mastrodicasa Domenico , d’Annibale Martina , Trebeschi Stefano , Serafini Francesco Lorenzo , Cocco Giulio , Narciso Marco , Corvino Antonio , Cinalli Sebastiano , Genovesi Domenico , Lanuti Paola , Valentinuzzi Silvia , Pieragostino Damiana , Brocco Davide , Beets-Tan Regina G. H. , Tinari Nicola , Sensi Stefano L. , Stuppia Liborio , Del Boccio Piero , Caulo Massimo , Delli Pizzi Andrea
Published: March 2024

Treatment response assessment of rectal cancer patients is a critical component of personalized cancer care and it allows to identify suitable candidates for organ-preserving strategies. This pilot study employed a novel multi-omics approach combining MRI-based radiomic features and untargeted metabolomics to infer treatment response at staging. The metabolic signature highlighted how tumor cell viability is predictively down-regulated, while the response to oxidative stress was up-regulated in responder patients, showing significantly reduced oxoproline values at baseline compared to non-responder patients (p-value < 10–4). Tumors with a high degree of texture homogeneity, as assessed by radiomics, were more likely to achieve a major pathological response (p-value < 10–3). A machine learning classifier was implemented to summarize the multi-omics information and discriminate responders and non-responders. Combining all available radiomic and metabolomic features, the classifier delivered an AUC of 0.864 (± 0.083, p-value < 10–3) with a best-point sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 81.8%. Our results suggest that a multi-omics approach, integrating radiomics and metabolomic data, can enhance the predictive value of standard MRI and could help to avoid unnecessary surgical treatments and their associated long-term complications.
XRelevanceCAM: towards explainable tissue characterization with improved localisation of pathological structures in probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy
Authors: You Jianzhong , Ajlouni Serine , Kakaletri Irini , Charalampaki Patra , Giannarou Stamatia
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) enables intraoperative tissue characterization with improved resection rates of brain tumours. Although a plethora of deep learning models have been developed for automating tissue characterization, their lack of transparency is a concern. To tackle this issue, techniques like Class Activation Map (CAM) and its variations highlight image regions related to model decisions. However, they often fall short of providing human-interpretable visual explanations for surgical decision support, primarily due to the shattered gradient problem or insufficient theoretical underpinning.

Methods

In this paper, we introduce XRelevanceCAM, an explanation method rooted in a better backpropagation approach, incorporating sensitivity and conservation axioms. This enhanced method offers greater theoretical foundation and effectively mitigates the shattered gradient issue when compared to other CAM variants.

Results

Qualitative and quantitative evaluations are based on ex vivo pCLE data of brain tumours. XRelevanceCAM effectively highlights clinically relevant areas that characterize the tissue type. Specifically, it yields a remarkable 56% improvement over our closest baseline, RelevanceCAM, in the network’s shallowest layer as measured by the mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) metric based on ground-truth annotations (from 18 to 28.07%). Furthermore, a 6% improvement in mIoU is observed when generating the final saliency map from all network layers.

Conclusion

We introduce a new CAM variation, XRelevanceCAM, for precise identification of clinically important structures in pCLE data. This can aid introperative decision support in brain tumour resection surgery, as validated in our performance study.
Familien-Schul-Kooperation zu Beginn der Sekundarstufe I: zum Aufgabenverständnis von Müttern und zur Bedeutung ihrer Passungswahrnehmung
Authors: Ulrich Manuela , Hachfeld Axinja
Published: March 2024

Eltern und Lehrpersonen sind gemeinsam für die Schulbildung von Kindern und Jugendlichen verantwortlich. Dabei gilt es, Aufgaben und Erwartungen klar abzusprechen und regelmäßig aufeinander abzustimmen. Angesichts gesellschafts- und bildungssystemischer Veränderungen untersucht die qualitative Studie das Aufgabenverständnis von Müttern, ihre Handlungsgründe sowie ihre Selbst- und Passungswahrnehmung in der schulischen Kooperation zu Beginn der Sekundarstufe I. Die Daten basieren auf fünf halbstandardisierten Fokusgruppeninterviews (N = 25) in Baden-Württemberg. Die Analysen nach der Grounded Theory zeigen, dass die Mütter in den fünf Gruppen ein allgemeines Verständnis teilen, welche konkreten Aufgaben die Familie und/oder die Lehrpersonen übernehmen müssen, um die kindliche Schulbildung zu unterstützen. Auch sind sich die Mütter einig, aufgrund von schulischen Strukturmängeln die individuelle Förderung übernehmen zu müssen. Neben strukturellen Kontextmerkmalen begründen ihre Rollenüberzeugung, Norm- und Zielorientierungen, Aufforderungen der Lehrpersonen, der Unterstützungsbedarf des Kindes, Routinen sowie frühere Erfahrungen der Mütter ihre Handlungsentscheidungen. Wechselbeziehungen zwischen mütterlicher Selbst- und Passungswahrnehmung verweisen auf die Schlüsselrolle der Lehrpersonen im Umgang mit der eigenen Belastungswahrnehmung als Mutter.
Primary closure versus vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap closure of perineal wound following abdominoperineal resection—a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Temperley Hugo C. , Shokuhi Poorya , O’Sullivan Niall J. , Mac Curtain Benjamin , Waters Caitlin , Murray Alannah , Buckley Christina E. , O’Neill Maeve , Mehigan Brian , McCormick Paul H. , Kelly Michael E. , Larkin John O.
Published: March 2024

Purpose/aim

Perianal wound healing and/or complications are common following abdominoperineal resection (APR). Although primary closure is commonly undertaken, myocutaneous flap closure such as vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (VRAM) is thought to improve wound healing process and outcome. A comprehensive meta-analysis was performed to compare outcomes of primary closure versus VRAM flap closure of perineal wound following APR.

Methods

PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were comprehensively searched until the 8th of August 2023. Included studies underwent meta-analysis to compare outcomes of primary closure versus VRAM flap closure of perineal wound following APR. The primary outcome of interest was perineal wound complications, and the secondary outcomes were abdominal wound complications, dehiscence, wound healing time, length of hospital stay, and mortality.

Results

Ten studies with 1141 patients were included. Overall, 853 patients underwent primary closure (74.8%) and 288 patients underwent VRAM (25.2%). Eight studies reported on perineal wound complications after APR: 38.2% (n = 263/688) in the primary closure group versus 32.8% (n = 80/244) in the VRAM group. Perineal complication rates were statistically significantly lower in the VRAM group versus primary closure ((M-H OR, 1.61; 95% CI 1.04–2.49; <p = 0.03).

Conclusion

We highlight the advantage of VRAM flap closure over primary closure for perineal wounds following APR. However, tailoring operative strategy based on patient and disease factors remains important in optimising outcomes.
The Usage of Voice in Sexualized Interactions with Technologies and Sexual Health Communication: An Overview
Authors: Szczuka Jessica M. , Mühl Lisa
Published: March 2024

Purpose of Review

The present overview addresses the importance of voice in human-technology interactions within the sexual realm. It introduces empirical evidence within two key domains: (a) sexualized interactions involving artificial entities and (b) communication about sexuality-related health. Moreover, the review underscores existing research gaps.

Recent Findings

Theories and first empirical studies underline the importance of voice within sexualized interactions with voice assistants or conversational agents as social cues. However, research on voice usage in sexual health-related contexts reveals contradicting results, mainly because these technologies ask users to vocalize potentially sensitive topics.

Although the utilization of voice in technology is steadily advancing, the question of whether voice serves as the optimal medium for social interactions involving sexually related artificial entities and sexual health-related communication remains unanswered. This uncertainty stems from the fact that certain information must be conveyed verbally, which could also be communicated through alternative means, such as text-based interactions.
Organised crime movement across local communities: A network approach
Authors: Campana Paolo , Meneghini Cecilia
Published: March 2024

This paper explores the structure of organised crime movement across local communities and the drivers underpinning such movement. Firstly, it builds on network analysis to offer a novel methodological approach to empirically and quantitatively study the movement of organised crime offenders across geographical areas. The paper then applies this approach to evidence from Cambridgeshire in the United Kingdom. It reconstructs the movement of organised crime members across local areas based on a large-scale police dataset that includes 41 months of recorded crime events. It identifies organised crime “turf” and “target” areas and then explores the drivers of movement from the former to the latter using Exponential Random Graph Models. Findings confirm that geographical distance matters; however, socio-demographic, urban, economic and crime-related characteristics of communities play a key role. Organised crime group members target urban communities with higher than average illegal market opportunities (proxied by drug-related activity). The work also finds the effect of socio-demographic homophily between turf and target communities, suggesting that organised crime group members might target territories that are similar to their own. While a high level of deprivation makes a community more likely to send organised crime members, its impact on a community’s probability of being a receiver is less clear. Finally, the paper offers a way to identify communities (local areas) at risk of being targeted by criminal organisations, thus providing practitioners with a tool for early interventions.
Case report. Birt-Hogg-Dubé – wat moet de uroloog ermee?
Authors: Helgers Rianne J. A. , Waltman Ghislaine C. , Goudkade Danny , Gómez García Encarna B. , de Vries Michiel , Jacobs Rens A. L. , Delaere Filip J. M.
Published: March 2024

Samenvatting

Het Birt-Hogg-Dubé-syndroom is een zeldzame autosomaal dominante erfelijke aandoening, die wordt veroorzaakt door een mutatie in het folliculine (FLCN)-gen, gekenmerkt door fibrofolliculomen, en een verhoogde kans op niertumoren, longcysten en een spontane pneumothorax. Genetische counseling voor een mutatie op het FLCN-gen is aangewezen indien er aan bepaalde criteria wordt voldaan. Familieleden komen vanaf 20-jarige leeftijd in aanmerking voor genetisch onderzoek. Bij deze patiënten staat preventie van een pneumothorax centraal door niet te gaan diepzeeduiken en roken. Beeldvorming van de nieren is aangewezen vanwege de verhoogde kans op een niercelcarcinoom. Bij de eerste presentatie dient een MRI-scan gemaakt te worden. Nadien is jaarlijkse opvolging met echografie voldoende. Mocht een niertumor moeten worden geopereerd, dan gebeurt dit bij voorkeur niersparend vanwege de verhoogde kans op een (contralateraal) recidief.
Robotic welding system for adaptive process control in gas metal arc welding
Authors: Biber A. , Sharma R. , Reisgen U.
Published: March 2024

Changing process conditions such as distortion, varying seam preparation or gap width during welding is a major challenge in automated gas metal arc welding (GMAW). While human welders can adjust the process during welding (e.g. welding speed, torch orientation), an automated welding system needs sensors to detect and actuators to adjust the process. Adjusting the process in response to changing process conditions is usually referred to as adaptive welding. The aim of this work is to build a robotic welding system capable of automatically adapting the welding process using some of the approaches of a human welder. To enable adaptive process control, a robotic welding system is built. It consists of four main components: a six-axis industrial robot for mechanical guidance of the welding torch, a welding power source, a monochrome visual camera as an image sensor and a process controller that combines the three components. The camera captures images of the weld pool during welding and processes the images to provide geometrical information such as the width of the weld pool and the position of the weld pool front. Changes in the weld pool geometry are quantified, and an adjustment strategy is generated in the process control unit in real time. Process adjustments can be mechanical (e.g. welding speed, torch orientation) and electrical by adjusting synergic process settings (wire feed speed, arc length, process dynamics). Validation tests demonstrate the functionality of the welding system. Two use cases were investigated. Firstly, a deposited weld bead was examined, and variations in the width of the weld pool were induced by varying the welding speed. The second application was a seam tracking application. The path is pre-programmed, and the specimen is positioned with an offset to the path. Compensation for the offset is implemented.