bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linking impact melt redox with crustal weathering regime
Authors: Black Benjamin A. , Brounce Maryjo
Published: August 2023

Impact melting and outgassing of impact melts were important processes shaping the crust and atmosphere of early Earth and Mars. The redox state of impact melts influences the gases they release, but the controls on impact melt redox are not well understood. Here, we present Fe micro–X-ray absorption near edge structure (μ-XANES) measurements of a suite of impact melt glasses from Lonar crater, India. As an impact into continental flood basalts, Lonar crater is an ideal analog for impacts into basaltic crust on early Earth and Mars. The Fe-μ-XANES technique permits robust characterization of the Fe3+/ΣFe ratio and therefore redox conditions in Lonar glasses. We found a range in Fe3+/ΣFe of 0.21–0.49 among Lonar glasses, including substantial intraclast variations. We conclude that a primary factor driving these variations was pre-impact oxidative weathering of target rocks. The coupling between crustal weathering regime and speciation of gases released from impact melts implies that impact melt outgassing could act as a feedback mechanism to reinforce prevailing surface redox conditions.
Assembly Device for Supermodules of Silicon Tracking System of the BM@N Experiment
Authors: Elsha V. V. , Korolev M. G. , Dementev D. V. , Igolkin S. N. , Sukhov N. V. , Sheremetev A. D. , Shitenkow M. O. , Voronin A. L. , Murin Yu. A.
Published: August 2023

The silicon tracking system of the BM@N experiment consists of four stations based on double-sided microstrip silicon sensors. The sensors make it possible to obtain a spatial resolution for tracks of secondary charged particles up to 17 μm. Two ASIC boards, the input channels of which are connected to the strips with ultralight (0.23% X0) aluminum flex cables, are used to readout and process signals from both sides of the sensor. Such an assembly is called a module. Silicon sensors are mounted on lightweight carbon-fiber support trusses in a way that the dead zones at the edges are overlapped due to the tiled layout. The frontend electronics are housed in metal containers with a heat sink system located at the rare ends of the carbon-fiber support truss. A set of modules attached to the carbon-fiber support truss with two containers with readout electronics at the ends is called a supermodule. The accuracy of the sensor positioning in the station plane plays a crucial role in limiting the degrees of freedom of the parameters determined by the software during the final alignment of the tracking system elements. A special device that allows mounting sensors on a carbon fiber truss with an accuracy of up to 15 µm on a 1200 mm base is developed to assemble supermodules. The results of testing the device are given.
Diagnosis and treatment of a rare case of an incarcerated bilateral Spigelian hernia with the vermiform appendix and caecum
Authors: Lowrie Neil Robert , Richter Konrad Klaus , Orizu Mavis N
Published: August 2023

Spigelian hernia is a rare form of abdominal wall defect. Bilateral Spigelian hernias are even less common. Surgical repair of Spigelian hernias is recommended due to their high risk of incarceration and strangulation of abdominal contents. A variety of surgical approaches to repair these hernias have been described in the literature including the traditional open approach, laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal approach, laparoscopic intraperitoneal repair and laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal repair. Here, we present the case of an elderly female patient with rare bilateral Spigelian hernias, the right side containing incarcerated appendix and caecal pole. The left hernia was unrecognised on preoperative CT imaging. To our knowledge, very few cases have been reported in the literature. The patient underwent bilateral laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh repair. All technical aspects of the treatment are discussed here, in the context of the current literature, including the surgical technique and the limitations of the CT diagnosis. We aim to summarise the background of these uncommon hernias, the limitations of preoperative investigations and the differences between the available operative approaches.
Enterobacter cloacaeas sole organism responsible for vertebral osteomyelitis/discitis and vertebral collapse in a patient with intravenous drug abuse
Authors: Khine Su , Rabah Lara , Palanisamy Nageshwari , Liroff Kaitlin , Bachuwa Ghassan
Published: August 2023

Staphylococcus aureusis the most commonly isolated organism in osteomyelitis, while gram-negative bacteria (GNB) comprises only a minor portion. GNB osteomyelitis is usually seen in patients with bacteraemia, recent genitourinary infection, open fractures or trauma and is rarely seen in the spines. Our case is a man in his 30s with no significant risk factors except an extended history of intravenous drug use (IVDU), who presented with back pain and subsequently developed vertebral collapse. Bone culture grewEnterobacter cloacae, yet blood cultures were negative. To date, there are limited data on the prevalence of GNB osteomyelitis in IVDU and its association. Due to rising rates of IVDU, further research must be done into associated medical complications to provide comprehensive care. Moreover, the emergence of multidrug-resistant GNB strains limits the number of effective antibiotics and is expected to pose more serious public concerns in the future.
Assessment of hypertension service availability in some primary health centres in Nigeria: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Adejumo Oluseyi , Ogundele Olorunfemi , Mamven Manmak , Oyedepo Dapo , Ntaji Maureen , Mohammed Alkali , Bello Lawal Amina Titilayo , Onyebuchi Osineke Stanley , Akakuru Ogbonnaya Kingsley , Lawal Olutoyin Morenike , Akinbodewa Ayodeji Akinwumi , Akinbode Akeem Opeyemi , Enikuomehin Adenike Christianah , Ngoka Stanley , Lade-Ige Toluwani Stephen
Published: August 2023

Objective

Strengthening primary health centre (PHC) systems is a potentially effective strategy to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, a low/middle-income country with limited resources. The aim of this study was to assess hypertension service availability in some PHCs in Nigeria and seek recommendations that could facilitate improved services from PHC workers.

Design

Explanatory sequential mixed-methods study.

Settings

PHCs in the six geopolitical zones and Federal Capital City of Nigeria.

Participants

Eighteen PHC workers and 305 PHC facilities.

Method

Hypertension service availability and readiness were assessed in PHCs across Nigeria using a pro forma adapted from the WHO Service Readiness and Assessment tool. Eighteen workers in the PHCs were subsequently interviewed for in-depth exploration of hypertension service availability and readiness.

Findings

Among the 305 health facilities assessed, 96 (31.5%) were in urban, 94 (30.8%) in semiurban and 115 (37.7%) in rural local government areas. Majority of the health facilities (43.0%) were manned by community extension workers. Only 1.6% and 19.7% of the health facilities had physicians and pharmacy technicians, respectively. About 22.3% of the providers had training in hypertension in the last 1 year. All the PHCs lacked adequate supply of essential antihypertensive medications. The identified deficiencies were less common in the urban PHCs compared with others. Qualitative analysis showed that the personnel, essential facilities and medicines required to provide hypertension services in the PHCs were inadequate. Suggested recommendations to successfully provide these services were provision of performance-based incentives; adequate staffing and training; supportive supervision of staff; provision of adequate equipment and essential medicines for hypertension management; provision of conducive environment for clients; and community engagement and participation.

Conclusion

Majority of the PHCs are currently not adequately equipped to provide hypertension services. Addressing identified gaps and using suggestions provided will guarantee successful provision of effective services.
Developing and validating utility parameters to establish patient-reported outcome-based perioperative symptom management in patients undergoing prostatectomy: a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study protocol
Authors: Li Jie , Chen Ting , Gao Jianguo , Peng Fusheng , Gu Tengfei , Jin Baiye
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Symptom monitoring and alerting based on patient-reported outcomes have proven valuable in a postoperative setting. However, the parameters of the implemented patient-centred symptom management system for patients with prostate cancer (PC) remain unclear. This study aims to develop a perioperative symptom scale (PSS) to monitor symptoms, determine the appropriate timing for symptom assessment and establish intervention criteria for physicians.

Methods and analysis

We will prospectively recruit 387 patients undergoing PC surgery in 3 hospitals. The Chinese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) will be used for longitudinal symptom data collection, presurgery and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42 and 90 days post surgery. A PSS will be generated when symptoms change significantly over time. A linear mixed model will be used to determine appropriate follow-up time points. The functional status determined by MDASI interference can then be used to establish alarm thresholds.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Lishui Municipal Central Hospital Ethics Committee on 13 April 2022 (No. LSMCHEC-2022-54) and the Ethics Committee of Huzhou Central Hospital on 5 July 2023 (No. HZCHEC-202306017-01), the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou Normal College on 20 June 2023 (No. HZYYEC-2023KYLL055). The latest protocol used in this study was V.2.0, dated on 25 February 2023. Before publication in a peer-reviewed journal, our findings will be presented and discussed at relevant medical conferences.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2200059110.
Integrative-interpersonal dynamic therapy for poststroke depression (INID): study protocol of a randomised controlled pilot trial
Authors: Volz Matthias , Mundiyanapurath Sibu , Schauenburg Henning , Meuth Sven Guenther , Wild Beate , Werheid Katja , Barber Jacques P , Schäfer Ralf , Beerbaum Luisa , Dinger Ulrike
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Depression is the most frequent psychiatric disorder following stroke, affecting about one-third of stroke survivors. Patients experience poorer recovery, lower quality of life and higher mortality compared with stroke survivors without depression. Despite these well-known malign consequences, poststroke depression (PSD) is regarded underdiagnosed and undertreated. Evidence of beneficial effects of psychotherapy to treat PSD remains scarce and inconclusive and is limited by heterogeneity in design, content and timing of the intervention. This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility of a newly developed integrative-interpersonal dynamic PSD intervention in an outpatient setting and provide a first estimation of the potential effect size as basis for the sample size estimation for a subsequent definite trial.

Method and analysis

Patients will be recruited from two German stroke units. After discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, depressed stroke survivors will be randomised to short-term psychotherapy (12 weeks, ≤16 sessions) or enhanced treatment as usual. The manualised psychotherapy integrates key features of the Unified Psychodynamic and Cognitive-Behavioural Unified Protocol for emotional disorders and was adapted for PSD. Primary endpoints are recruitment feasibility and treatment acceptability, defined as a recruitment rate of ≥20% for eligible patients consenting to randomisation and ≥70% completion-rate of patients participating in the treatment condition. A preliminary estimation of the treatment effect based on the mean difference in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores between intervention and control group six months poststroke is calculated. Secondary endpoints include changes in depression (PHQ-9/Hamilton Depression Scale) and anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7) of all participants across all follow-ups during the first year poststroke.

Ethics and dissemination

The INID pilot study received full ethical approval (S-321/2019; 2022-2286_1). Trial results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal in the first half of 2025. One-year follow-ups are planned to be carried out until summer 2025.

Trial registration number

DRKS00030378.
Economic analysis of surgical outcome monitoring using control charts: the SHEWHART cluster randomised trial
Authors: Skinner Sarah , Pascal Léa , Polazzi Stéphanie , Chollet François , Lifante Jean-Christophe , Duclos Antoine
Published: August 2023

Importance

Surgical complications represent a considerable proportion of hospital expenses. Therefore, interventions that improve surgical outcomes could reduce healthcare costs.

Objective

Evaluate the effects of implementing surgical outcome monitoring using control charts to reduce hospital bed-days within 30 days following surgery, and hospital costs reimbursed for this care by the insurer.

Design

National, parallel, cluster-randomised SHEWHART trial using a difference-in-difference approach.

Setting

40 surgical departments from distinct hospitals across France.

Participants

155 362 patients over the age of 18 years, who underwent hernia repair, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, bariatric, colorectal, hepatopancreatic or oesophageal and gastric surgery were included in analyses.

Intervention

After the baseline assessment period (2014–2015), hospitals were randomly allocated to the intervention or control groups. In 2017–2018, the 20 hospitals assigned to the intervention were provided quarterly with control charts for monitoring their surgical outcomes (inpatient death, intensive care stay, reoperation and severe complications). At each site, pairs, consisting of one surgeon and a collaborator (surgeon, anaesthesiologist or nurse), were trained to conduct control chart team meetings, display posters in operating rooms, maintain logbooks and design improvement plans.

Main outcomes

Number of hospital bed-days per patient within 30 days following surgery, including the index stay and any acute care readmissions related to the occurrence of major adverse events, and hospital costs reimbursed for this care per patient by the insurer.

Results

Postintervention, hospital bed-days per patient within 30 days following surgery decreased at an adjusted ratio of rate ratio (RRR) of 0.97 (95% CI 0.95 to 0.98; p<0.001), corresponding to a 3.3% reduction (95% CI 2.1% to 4.6%) for intervention hospitals versus control hospitals. Hospital costs reimbursed for this care per patient by the insurer significantly decreased at an adjusted ratio of cost ratio (RCR) of 0.99 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.00; p=0.01), corresponding to a 1.3% decrease (95% CI 0.0% to 2.6%). The consumption of a total of 8910 hospital bed-days (95% CI 5611 to 12 634 bed-days) and €2 615 524 (95% CI €32 366 to €5 405 528) was avoided in the intervention hospitals postintervention.

Conclusions

Using control charts paired with indicator feedback to surgical teams was associated with significant reductions in hospital bed-days within 30 days following surgery, and hospital costs reimbursed for this care by the insurer.

Trial registration number

NCT02569450.
Association between troponin level and medium-term mortality in 20 000 hospital patients
Authors: Hinton Jonathan , Mariathas Mark Nihal , Gabara Lavinia , Allan Rick , Nicholas Zoe , Kwok Chun Shing , Ramamoorthy Sanjay , Calver Alison , Corbett Simon , Jabbour Richard J , Mahmoudi Michael , Rawlins John , Sirohi Rohit , Wilkinson James Richard , Cook Paul , Martin Glen Philip , Mamas Mamas A , Curzen Nick
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Cardiac troponin (cTn) concentrations above the manufacturer recommended upper limit of normal (ULN) are frequently seen in hospital patients without a clinical presentation consistent with type 1 myocardial infarction, and the significance of this is uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between medium-term mortality and cTn concentration in a large consecutive hospital population, regardless of whether there was a clinical indication for performing the test.

Method

This prospective observational study included 20 000 consecutive in-hospital and outpatient patients who had a blood test for any reason at a large teaching hospital, and in whom a hs-cTnI assay was measured, regardless of the original clinical indication. Mortality was obtained via NHS Digital.

Results

A total of 20 000 patients were included in the analysis and 18 282 of these (91.4%) did not have a clinical indication for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) testing. Overall, 2825 (14.1%) patients died at a median of 809 days. The mortality was significantly higher if the cTnI concentration was above the ULN (45.3% vs 12.3% p<0.001 log rank). Multivariable Cox analysis demonstrated that the log10cTnI concentration was independently associated with mortality (HR 1.76 (95% CI 1.65 to 1.88)). Landmark analysis, excluding deaths within 30 days, showed the relationship between cTnI concentration and mortality persisted.

Conclusion

In a large, unselected hospital population, in 91.4% of whom there was no clinical indication for testing, cTnI concentration was independently associated with medium-term cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality in the statistical model tested.
Cross-sectional study to evaluate the utility of elastic tissue staining in primary cicatricial alopecia
Authors: Vishwanath Tejas , Dhurat Rachita
Published: August 2023

Background and aims

Diagnosing end-stage primary cicatricial alopecia (PCA) on routine histology is challenging since the major diagnostic feature (inflammatory infiltrate) may be minimal or absent. This study aimed to assess various staining patterns and diagnostic utility of elastic tissue staining by Verhoeff-Van Gieson (VVG) method and trichoscopy in PCA.

Study design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

Fifty-three patients clinically diagnosed with PCA underwent biopsy and trichoscopy in this cross-sectional study. Clinically active edge, if present, was biopsied. Twenty serial tissue sections were stained using H&E and VVG stain. Clinicopathological diagnoses were lichen planopilaris (LPP), discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), folliculitis decalvans and unclassified PCA (UPCA) in 30 (56.6%), 11 (20.75%), 1 (1.9%) and 11 (20.75%) patients, respectively. Utility of VVG stain was ascertained considering clincopathological correlation (CPC) as the reference standard. Association of characteristic trichoscopic and VVG staining patterns was ascertained.

Results

Diagnostic definition was achieved on VVG staining in 19/30 sections of LPP (wedge-shaped pattern) with 63.33% sensitivity; 7/11 cases of DLE (absent upper and mid dermal elastic fibres) with 63.64% sensitivity and 7/11 cases of UPCA (wedge-shaped pattern-3/7; recoil pattern-4/7). Routine histology suggested diagnosis only in 13/53 sections (24.52%). However, diagnosis on VVG staining corresponded with diagnosis on CPC in 33/53 cases (62.3%). Comparison of H&E versus VVG stain both overall and in the LPP and UPCA cohorts proved utility of VVG staining using Fisher’s exact test (p<0.05). Statistical significance was also noted when trichoscopy was correlated with patterns on VVG staining (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Increased diagnostic yield is noted with trichoscopy and VVG stain in PCA especially when routine histopathology is non-diagnostic.
Defining the spatial distribution of extracellular adenosine revealed a myeloid-dependent immunosuppressive microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Graziano Vincenzo , Dannhorn Andreas , Hulme Heather , Williamson Kate , Buckley Hannah , Karim Saadia A , Wilson Matthew , Lee Sheng Y , Kaistha Brajesh P , Islam Sabita , Thaventhiran James E D , Richards Frances M , Goodwin Richard , Brais Rebecca , Morton Jennifer P , Dovedi Simon J , Schuller Alwin G , Eyles Jim , Jodrell Duncan I
Published: August 2023

Background

The prognosis for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains extremely poor. It has been suggested that the adenosine pathway contributes to the ability of PDAC to evade the immune system and hence, its resistance to immuno-oncology therapies (IOT), by generating extracellular adenosine (eAdo).

Methods

Using genetically engineered allograft models of PDAC in syngeneic mice with defined and different immune infiltration and response to IOT and autochthonous tumors in KPC mice we investigated the impact of the adenosine pathway on the PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME). Flow cytometry and imaging mass cytometry (IMC) were used to characterize the subpopulation frequency and spatial distribution of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) was used to visualize adenosine compartmentalization in the PDAC tumors. RNA sequencing was used to evaluate the influence of the adenosine pathway on the shaping of the immune milieu and correlate our findings to published data sets in human PDAC.

Results

We demonstrated high expression of adenosine pathway components in tumor-infiltrating immune cells (particularly myeloid populations) in the murine models. MSI demonstrated that extracellular adenosine distribution is heterogeneous in tumors, with high concentrations in peri-necrotic, hypoxic regions, associated with rich myeloid infiltration, demonstrated using IMC. Protumorigenic M2 macrophages express high levels of the Adora2a receptor; particularly in the IOT resistant model. Blocking the in vivo formation and function of eAdo (Adoi), using a combination of anti-CD73 antibody and an Adora2a inhibitor slowed tumor growth and reduced metastatic burden. Additionally, blocking the adenosine pathway improved the efficacy of combinations of cytotoxic agents or immunotherapy. Adoi remodeled the TME, by reducing the infiltration of M2 macrophages and regulatory T cells. RNA sequencing analysis showed that genes related to immune modulation, hypoxia and tumor stroma were downregulated following Adoi and a specific adenosine signature derived from this is associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with PDAC.

Conclusions

The formation of eAdo promotes the development of the immunosuppressive TME in PDAC, contributing to its resistance to conventional and novel therapies. Therefore, inhibition of the adenosine pathway may represent a strategy to modulate the PDAC immune milieu and improve therapy response in patients with PDAC.
Advance care and resuscitation plans in a tertiary hospital: a multimodal approach
Authors: Suresh Sarika , Au Angela , Mohan Sharanya , Huang Johnny , Guthrie Christiana , Lee Jessica Tsuann , Aggarwal Ghauri
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Advance care planning (ACP) is the process of documenting a person’s preference for medical treatment in the event of future deterioration. This audit aimed to improve discussion and documentation of ACP in patients who die during a hospital admission.

Methods

We performed a clinical audit in 2021 of inpatients at a tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia to evaluate the benefit of multimodal interventions to improve ACP compared with previous audits from 2016 and 2011.

Results

In 2021, 97% of audited patients had a documented ACP prior to death compared with 80% in the 2016 audit. The completion of NFR documentation on admission in 2016 was 33%, while in 2021 65% of ACPs were completed within 24 hours of admission.

In 2021, 94% of patients had a paper resuscitation form filled; however, identification stickers, which are associated with risk of error, were used in 64%; and 25% of forms were only partially completed. Palliative care was consulted for 44% of patients prior to death; 33% on the day of or prior to death.

Conclusions

Improvement in prevalence and timing of ACP prior to death is seen in the postintervention audit. A repeat audit in 5 years will be conducted, with interventions focused on improving documentation of ACP.
Serum osmolality measured in fingertip capillary blood is comparable to serum osmolality measured in venous blood
Authors: Bergin-Taylor K. , Funnell M.P. , Ferguson R.A. , Mears S.A. , James L.J.
Published: August 2023

Blood osmolality is considered the gold standard hydration assessment, but has limited application for technical and invasive reasons. Paired antecubital-venous blood and fingertip-capillary blood were collected pre- and 30 min post-drinking 600 mL water in 55 male/female participants. No bias (0.2 mOsmo/kg, limits of agreement = −2.5 to 2.8 mOsmo/kg) was found between sampling methods, with high linear correlation (Spearman’s r = 0.95, P < 0.001). Capillary blood sampling offers an accurate less-invasive method for determining serum osmolality than venous blood sampling.
Kinks in cuscuton-like models with two scalar fields
Authors: Andrade I. , Menezes R.
Published: August 2023

This work deals with the presence of localized structures in relativistic systems described by two real scalar fields in two-dimensional spacetime. We consider the usual two-field model with the inclusion of the cuscuton term, which couples the fields regardless the potential. First we follow the steps of previous work to show that the system supports a first-order framework, allowing us to obtain the energy of solutions without knowing their explicit form. The cuscuton term brings versatility into the first-order equations, which gives rise to interesting modifications in the profiles of topological configurations, such as the smooth control over their slope and the internal structure of the energy density.
ISOradioLAb: an educational project on environmental radioactivity for Italian minor islands—the case study of Lampedusa and Linosa
Authors: Colucci Michele , Ambrosino Fabrizio , La Verde Giuseppe , Groppi Flavia , Pugliese Mariagabriella
Published: August 2023

ISOradioLAb is an educational project for schools of the Italian minor islands promoted by the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics. It aims to increase the population awareness of natural radioactivity by involving the students of the high schools in the measurement of indoor radon activity concentration in their schools and in some representative buildings. Within this project, questionnaires about risk perception and radon knowledge are also dispensed. With this approach students learn-by-doing and share their knowledge with friends and relatives. In this paper, we present the activities performed during the first year of the project, focused on the case study of the minor island of Lampedusa and Linosa, Agrigento (Italy). Questionnaires and radon measurements (using CR-39 and Electret) results are reported.
UNLOCKING THE PLANTS’ DISTRIBUTION IN A FRACTAL SPACE
Authors: HE JI-HUAN , YANG QIAN , HE CHUN-HUI , ALSOLAMI ABDULRAHMAN ALI
Published: August 2023

All known planets orbit the Sun so harmoniously that the entire Universe is believed to behave in a rhythmical and fractal way. Titius–Bode law is the main theoretical tool for planetary orbit description. Here we show that planetary sequence follows the Fibonacci-like prime sequence, and we introduce two gravitational spirals to predict orbits for solar members orbiting the Sun. Furthermore, we predict two hypothetical planets as far as 1500 AU and 2300 AU from the Sun, respectively, in our solar system, and some unknown planets in extrasolar planetary systems. Our planetary sequence demonstrates the possible frontier of our solar system, and the theory is also valid for other star systems and planetary systems, giving a simple way to finding the most possible adjacent unknown planets or moons near a known one. We anticipate our sequence can be more sophisticatedly used to search for unknown Universes and to depict the cosmos fully and exclusively, and we conclude that our whole Universe is of fractal property and all celestial bodies are distributed according to Fibonacci sequence.
OUTLINING GUIDELINES FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE MF-DCCA IN FINANCIAL TIME SERIES: NON-STATIONARY VERSUS STATIONARY
Authors: FERNANDES LEONARDO H. S. , SILVA JOSÉ W. L. , DE ARAUJO FERNANDO H. A. , DOS SANTOS PAULO A. M. , TABAK BENJAMIN MIRANDA
Published: August 2023

This paper disrupts mistaken applications of multifractal approaches in financial time series. Specifically, we have examined the nonlinear cross-correlation between the São Paulo time series of the weekly price of ethanol and the other 14 Brazilian capitals’ time series of the weekly price of the same biofuel using the Multifractal Detrended Cross-Correlation Analysis (MF-DCCA). Given the statistical peculiars of stationary and non-stationary financial time series, we suggest two possibilities for employing multifractal approaches to these time series. Our findings shed light and promote alignment between basic time series analysis techniques and multifractal dynamics. Also, we discover that the use of MF-DCCA is highly impacted by choice of time series (stationary or non-stationary).
Wholesale Food Price Index Forecasts with the Neural Network
Authors: Xu Xiaojie , Zhang Yun
Published: August 2023

Food price forecasts in the agricultural sector have always been a vital matter to a wide variety of market participants. In this work, we approach this forecast problem for the weekly wholesale food price index in the Chinese market during a 10-year period of January 1, 2010–January 3, 2020. To facilitate the analysis, we propose the use of the nonlinear auto-regressive neural network. Technically, we investigate forecast performance, based upon the relative root mean square error (RRMSE) as the evaluation metrics, corresponding to one hundred and twenty settings that cover different algorithms for model estimations, numbers of hidden neurons and delays, and ratios for splitting the data. Our experimental result suggests the construction of the neural network with three delays and 10 hidden neurons, which is trained through the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm, as the forecast model. It leads to high accuracy and stabilities with the RRMSEs of 1.93% for the training phase, 2.16% for the validation phase, and 1.95% for the testing phase. Comparisons of forecast accuracy between the proposed model and some other machine learning models, as well as traditional time-series econometric models, suggest that our proposed model leads to statistically significant better performance. Our results could benefit different forecast users, such as policymakers and various market participants, in policy analysis and market assessments.
Orthogonal Layers of Parallelism in Large-Scale Eigenvalue Computations
Authors: Alvermann Andreas , Hager Georg , Fehske Holger
Published: August 2023

We address the communication overhead of distributed sparse matrix-(multiple)-vector multiplication in the context of large-scale eigensolvers, using filter diagonalization as an example. The basis of our study is a performance model, which includes a communication metric that is computed directly from the matrix sparsity pattern without running any code. The performance model quantifies to which extent scalability and parallel efficiency are lost due to communication overhead.

To restore scalability, we identify two orthogonal layers of parallelism in the filter diagonalization technique. In the horizontal layer the rows of the sparse matrix are distributed across individual processes. In the vertical layer bundles of multiple vectors are distributed across separate process groups. An analysis in terms of the communication metric predicts that scalability can be restored if, and only if, one implements the two orthogonal layers of parallelism via different distributed vector layouts.

Our theoretical analysis is corroborated by benchmarks for application matrices from quantum and solid state physics, road networks, and nonlinear programming. We finally demonstrate the benefits of using orthogonal layers of parallelism with two exemplary application cases—an exciton and a strongly correlated electron system—which incur either small or large communication overhead.
Terrorism, Political Extremism, and Crime and Criminal Justice
Authors: Freilich Joshua D. , Chermak Steven M. , Arietti Rachael A. , Turner Noah D.
Published: August 2023

This review focuses on terrorism and extremist crimes, including ideologically motivated hate crimes. Research on these topics has become more rigorous in recent decades, and more scholars have engaged in original data collection. Our assessment found a burgeoning literature that increasingly includes the application of integrated theories, but gaps remain as few studies examine life-course and critical approaches. Our review of the policing of terrorism found a limited evidence base for counterterrorism initiatives. We also found that court/sentencing issues are understudied. We suggest improving data quality in these areas by creating a national data collection protocol on these crimes, enhancing the rigor of offender and victim self-report studies, and requiring more transparency from open-source research efforts. We propose that government agencies fund rigorous evaluations of policing strategies in the terrorism context. Finally, it is hoped that increased access to federal court documents will lead to more scholarly attention on sentencing issues.
Impact of High Heat Treatment on Ferroelectric Materials Properties: Ba1−xSrxTiO3 as a Model
Authors: Gatea Hamed A. , Abbas Hashim , Shaghnab Murtadha Laftah
Published: August 2023

Ferroelectric materials differ from other dielectrics because their polarization stays after removing the external field. Hysteresis loops describe a wide range of behavior in engineering, chemistry, and physics disciplines. Sol-gel has prepared barium strontium titanate (Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3; BST) nanocrystalline ceramics. Ba1-xSrxTiO3 crystal size increased as the sintering temperatures elevated from 900 °C to 1200 °C. The XRD patterns of Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 exhibited a tetragonal phase. (FESEM) used to measure the average particle size. The relationships between crystal size, dielectric and ferroelectric properties were investigated, showing better dielectric and piezoelectric parameters with increasing crystal and particle size. The increasing particle size also slightly shifted the curie transition temperature towards higher temperatures. The coercive field of Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 goes down as the crystal size increases, but the remnant and spontaneous polarization get better. This material is advantageous for applications in tunable capacitor devices.
Antiferromagnetic Spin-Ordered Topology of Surface Functionalized Sb and Bi Monolayer Nanoflakes
Authors: Luo Shengyun , Zeng Zheng , Wang Yabing , Gong Qi , Sun Zhi
Published: August 2023

Scale effect and topological frustration have been found to induce magnetic ordering in graphene-like nanoflakes. Based on triangular nanoflakes, the chemically surface-modified Sb and Bi monolayer nanotopological structures are proposed as spintronic logic gates, and their first-principles spin-polarized electron-structure calculations are performed to provide a theoretical basis for developing a new generation of ultrafast spin devices. The net spin of surface-functionalized Sb and Bi monolayer triangular nanoflakes mainly originates from the topological edge-states, exhibiting a sufficiently large spin bandgap, thus enabling stable large spin magnetic moments even under conditions of internal or edge defects and room-temperature electron excitation. The double-triangular nanoflakes of surface-functionalized Sb and Bi monolayers exhibit two stable spin configurations: ferromagnetic coupling and antiferromagnetic coupling. These configurations can serve as elementary variables for spin logic gates. Even at a linear scale as small as 2 nm, the spin coupling energy remains greater than 120 meV, and the error rate decreases below 1 × 10−5 at room temperature, demonstrating the spin logic gates of triple triangular nanoflakes protected by scattering-prohibited topology.
Gas Chromatographic-Ion Mobility Spectrometry Combined with Chemometrics to Study the Changes in Characteristic Odor Components of Galli gigerii Endothelium Corneum in Different Processing Methods
Authors: Zhao Yongqi , Zhang Zhenling , Zhang Hongwei , Shi Yanbang , Wang Yiming
Published: August 2023

Galli gigerii endothelium corneum (GGEC) is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used in clinical practice to treat various conditions such as indigestion, vomiting, spermatorrhea, and enuresis. In this study, the volatile components of different concoctions of GGEC were examined by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS), and the changes of the components were compared by fingerprinting, combined with principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to analyze the main volatile components and find out the different markers that can distinguish the different concoctions of GGEC. In the result, the GC-IMS fingerprints of GGEC and its different concoctions showed differences in their volatile components, of which 49 volatiles were clearly characterized, with some components including monomers and dimers. The characteristic volatile components of raw GGEC (SP) were n-nonanal, (E)-2-octenal, beta-ocimene, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, etc. The characteristic volatile components of stir-fried GGEC (QC) are heptanal, 2-octanol, (E)-2-heptenal, etc. The characteristic volatile components of sand ironing GGEC (ST) are isoamyl acetate, decanal, cyclohexanone, 2-ethyl pyrazine, etc. The characteristic volatile components of stir-fried GGEC with vinegar (CZ) are thiazole, linalool, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, etc. The characteristic volatile components of stir-fried GGEC with milk (FH) are 2-methylbutanoic acid, ethyl acetate, ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate, butyl acetate, etc. By chemometric analysis, components such as n-nonanal, (E)-2-octenal, 2-pentyl-furan, butanal, 1,4-dioxane, and 2-methylpropanoic acid could be used as difference markers to distinguish different concoction products of GGEC. Furthermore, by analyzing different volatile compounds, we can examine the changes in volatile components during processing of GGEC, which can provide experimental data for the identification and establishment of quality standards.
Substance Abuse, Depression, and Social Anxiety: Case Study and Application of Cognitive Psychotherapy
Authors: Abu Al-Khair Feda
Published: August 2023

A 20-year-old male was referred by a psychiatrist to the clinic for treatment. He was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (SAD), depression, and substances abuse. He complained of depressive mood and severe anxiety symptoms. These symptoms are triggered in social situations, as well as when talking to others, being in public areas, and going to malls or any crowded places. Because of his symptoms, he avoided getting into the situation, which affected his daily life. The patient was diagnosed with SAD, major depression, and substance abuse and underwent 20 separate sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The application of CBT led to a decrease in the number of anxiety attacks and angry outbursts that the patient suffers from. It also helped him learn some techniques to use in his interactions within the society, as well as other techniques, such as cognitive reorganization of dysfunctional thoughts, and gradually exposed him to the social situations. He also learned to practice some relaxation techniques, to teach him integration in social situations and confrontation instead of avoidance.
Additive Effects of Exercise and Vitamin D Supplementation (with and without Calcium) on Bone Mineral Density in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fischer Cecilie , Jakob Franz , Kohl Matthias , Kast Stephanie , Von Stengel Simon , Kerschan-Schindl Katharina , Lange Uwe , Thomasius Friederike , Peters Stefan , Uder Michael , Kemmler Wolfgang
Published: August 2023

Exercise is a recognized component in the prevention and therapy of osteoporosis. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of Vitamin D (Vit-D) added to exercise versus exercise alone on bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (LS) or hip in older adults. A systematic review based on six literature databases according to PRISMA included (a) exercise trials, with an exercise (EX) and a combined exercise + Vit-D group (EX + Vit-D), (b) intervention ≥ 6 months, and (c) BMD assessments at LS or hip. Effects sizes (MD) and 95%-confidence intervals (95%-CI) were calculated using a random-effect model that includes the inverse heterogeneity model (IVhet). Five studies with 281 participants in the EX and 279 participants in the EX + Vit-D were included. No significant differences between EX versus EX + Vit-D were observed for BMD-LS (MD: 0.002, 95%-CI: −0.033 to 0.036) or BMD-hip (MD: 0.003, 95%-CI: −0.035 to 0.042). Heterogeneity between the trial results was moderate-substantial for LS (I2 = 0%) and moderate for hip-BMD (I2 = 35%). The funnel plot analysis suggests evidence for a publication/small study bias for BMD-LS and hip results. In summary, this present systematic review and meta-analysis were unable to determine significant positive interaction of exercise and Vit-D on LS- or hip-BMD. We predominately attribute this finding to (1) the less bone-specific exercise protocols of at least two of the five studies and (2) the inclusion criteria of the studies that did not consequently focus on Vit-D deficiency. This issue should be addressed in more detail by adequately powered exercise trials with promising exercise protocols and participants with Vit-D deficiency. This trial is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) ID: CRD42022309813.
Production of Foxtail-Millet-Based Composite Antioxidant Nutritive Flour Using Coarse Grains and Fruit Flour
Authors: Lin Tong , Fan Gongjian , Zhou Zhiguo , Xie Chunyan
Published: August 2023

Antioxidants are primarily responsible for the beneficial health effects of foxtail millet. This study evaluated a foxtail-millet-based composite antioxidant nutritive flour consisting of fermented foxtail millet, coarse grains, and fruit powders. The composition of the antioxidant nutritive flour was optimized, and it was found to be rich in antioxidant nutrients, such as phenolics (2.27 g/100 g), vitamin C (0.21 g/100 g), and polysaccharides (0.35 g/100 g). The results revealed that this composite nutritive flour has enhanced in vitro and in vivo physicochemical properties and higher antioxidant activities than commercial nutritive flour. The total antioxidant capability, superoxide dismutase (SOD) capability, and superoxide radical scavenging abilities were 0.84 mM Trolox equivalents/g, 38.29 U/g, and 42.02%, respectively. The activity of the antioxidant enzyme SOD and glutathione peroxidase increased, whereas malondialdehyde levels decreased in the liver, heart, and kidney of mice treated with the nutritive flour, indicating the potential antioxidant activity of this fermented foxtail-millet-based nutritive flour.
Data from The EstroGene database reveals diverse temporal, context-dependent, and bidirectional estrogen receptor regulomes in breast cancer
Authors: Li Zheqi , Li Tianqin , Yates Megan E. , Wu Yang , Ferber Amanda , Chen Lyuqin , Brown Daniel D. , Carroll Jason S. , Sikora Matthew J. , Tseng George C. , Oesterreich Steffi , Lee Adrian V.
Published: August 2023

Abstract
As one of the most successful cancer therapeutic targets, estrogen receptor-α (ER/ESR1) has been extensively studied over the past few decades. Sequencing technological advances have enabled genome-wide analysis of ER action. However, comparison of individual studies is limited by different experimental designs, and few meta-analyses are available. Here, we established the EstroGene database through unified processing of data from 246 experiments including 136 transcriptomic, cistromic, and epigenetic datasets focusing on estradiol (E2)-triggered ER activation across 19 breast cancer cell lines. A user-friendly browser (https://estrogene.org/) was generated for multi-omic data visualization involving gene inquiry under user-defined experimental conditions and statistical thresholds. Notably, annotation of metadata associated with public datasets revealed a considerable lack of experimental details. Comparison of independent RNA-seq or ER ChIP-seq data with the same design showed large variability and only strong effects could be consistently detected. Temporal estrogen response metasignatures were defined, and the association of E2 response rate with temporal transcriptional factors, chromatin accessibility, and heterogeneity of ER expression was evaluated. Unexpectedly, harmonizing 146 E2-induced transcriptomic datasets uncovered a subset of genes harboring bidirectional E2-regulation, which was linked to unique transcriptional factors and highly associated with immune surveillance in the clinical setting. Furthermore, the context dependent E2 response programs were characterized in MCF7 and T47D cell lines, the two most frequently used models in the EstroGene database. Collectively, the EstroGene database provides an informative and practical resource to the cancer research community to uniformly evaluate key reproducible features of ER regulomes and unravels modes of ER signaling.
Data from Multiomic Mapping of Acquired Chromosome 1 Copy-Number and Structural Variants to Identify Therapeutic Vulnerabilities in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Boyle Eileen M. , Blaney Patrick , Stoeckle James H. , Wang Yubao , Ghamlouch Hussein , Gagler Dylan , Braunstein Marc , Williams Louis , Tenenbaum Avital , Siegel Ariel , Chen Xiaoyi , Varma Gaurav , Avigan Jason , Li Alexander , Jinsi Monica , Kaminetzsky David , Arbini Arnaldo , Montes Lydia , Corre Jill , Rustad Even H. , Landgren Ola , Maura Francesco , Walker Brian A. , Bauer Michael , Bruno Benedetto , Tsirigos Aristotelis , Davies Faith E. , Morgan Gareth J.
Published: August 2023

AbstractPurpose:
Chromosome 1 (chr1) copy-number abnormalities (CNA) and structural variants (SV) are frequent in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) and are associated with a heterogeneous impact on outcomes, the drivers of which are largely unknown.
Experimental Design:
A multiomic approach comprising CRISPR, gene mapping of CNAs and SVs, methylation, expression, and mutational analysis was used to document the extent of chr1 molecular variants and their impact on pathway utilization.
Results:
We identified two distinct groups of gain(1q): focal gains associated with limited gene-expression changes and a neutral prognosis, and whole-arm gains, which are associated with substantial gene-expression changes, complex genetics, and an adverse prognosis. CRISPR identified a number of dependencies on chr1 but only limited variants associated with acquired CNAs. We identified seven regions of deletion, nine of gain, three of chromothripsis (CT), and two of templated insertion (TI), which contain a number of potential drivers. An additional mechanism involving hypomethylation of genes at 1q may contribute to the aberrant gene expression of a number of genes. Expression changes associated with whole-arm gains were substantial and gene set enrichment analysis identified metabolic processes, apoptotic resistance, signaling via the MAPK pathway, and upregulation of transcription factors as being key drivers of the adverse prognosis associated with these variants.
Conclusions:
Multiple layers of genetic complexity impact the phenotype associated with CNAs on chr1 to generate its associated clinical phenotype. Whole-arm gains of 1q are the critically important prognostic group that deregulate multiple pathways, which may offer therapeutic vulnerabilities.