bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening for undiagnosed pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) in a cohort of diabetic patients using faecal elastase testing and PEI scoring system
Authors: Parihar V. , Ballester R. , Ridgway P. F. , Conlon K. C. , Gibney J. , Ryan B. M.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are often accompanied by mild forms of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI). The prevalence rates of PEI in diabetic patients are unclear and variable depending on the testing modality and the studies published. The clinical consequences of PEI in diabetics are also not well defined.

Aim

We aimed to determine the prevalence of PEI in a diabetic cohort using the faecal elastase-1 (FE-1) assay as a screening test and to validate a patient-reported symptom-based scoring system, the (PEI-S) for diagnosing PEI within this patient population.

Methods

Two hundred and three diabetic patients attending diabetic and gastroenterology outpatients of a university hospital without previously known PEI were recruited for the study. Demographic parameters, PEI score (PEI-S), and glycated hemoglobin (HBA1c) were documented in standardized data sheets, and a stool sample was obtained. A FE-1 value < 200 μg/g and or a PEIS of > 0.6 was used as the screening cut-off for PEI.

Results

One hundred sixty-six patients returned faecal samples. The prevalence of PEI, as measured by low FE-1, was 12%. Smoking was associated with an increased risk of developing PEI in this diabetic population. No other independent risk factors were identified. The PEI-S system did not differentiate between people with diabetes having a normal and low FE1.

Conclusion

12% of this mixed, real-life cohort of type 1 and 2 DM patients had undiagnosed PEI, as defined by an FE-1 score of less than 200 μg/g. While this may appear low, given the rising prevalence of type 2 DM worldwide, there is likely an unrecognized burden of PEI, which has long-term health consequences for those affected. The PEI-S, a symptom-scoring system for patients with PEI, did not perform well in this patient group.
Investigating the Creep Damage and Permeability Evolution Mechanism of Phyllite Considering Non-Darcy’s Flow
Authors: Li Tianbin , Peng Feng , Chen Chao , Ma Chunchi , Li Yonglin , Wang Yixiang , Li Yushu
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the intricate interplay of hydraulic coupling, creep damage, and permeability evolution mechanisms in phyllite, focusing on their relevance to tunnel engineering design and long-term stability in soft rock formations. To achieve this, conventional triaxial tests were conducted on saturated phyllite specimens under creep-seepage acoustic emission conditions. The results were systematically analyzed to unveil the inherent characteristics of creep deformation, seepage rate evolution, and damage progression in phyllite when subjected to stress–seepage coupling. Furthermore, a permeability model for representative volume element (RVE) was developed based on meso-mechanics principles, considering the distinctive attributes of low-permeability non-Darcy’s flow in rock. Consequently, a novel relationship between effective damage and permeability was established. We determined that seepage pressure induces three key effects on the creep damage mechanism of phyllite samples: (1) It adds to the existing stress through the superposition of osmotic pressure and axial load, (2) it induces tensile expansion stress because of pore water pressure, and (3) it softens the fracture surfaces to some extent. More importantly, this study validates the relationship between effective damage and permeability through the fitting of creep and damage parameters, which were obtained from the test results, and it reveals a square relationship between subsequent damage and permeability under stress conditions. The findings of this study provide a robust theoretical foundation for comprehending the evolution of damage and permeability characteristics during the creep process of rock under seepage conditions. We obtained essential insights and quantitative analyses for comprehending the damage mechanisms in rock creep under hydraulic coupling, which has significant implications for tunnel engineering and long-term rock stability assessments in soft rock environments.
Model reduction for an internally damped n-particle chain in a potential well under polyharmonic excitation
Authors: Genda Attila , Fidlin Alexander , Gendelman Oleg
Published: May 2024

The study focuses on the model reduction of an internally damped chain of particles confined within a weakening potential well subjected to polyharmonic excitation to investigate the chain’s escape dynamics. The chain features strong linear coupling between particles and nonnegligible viscous damping forces arising from their relative motion. The potential well is modeled to have no energy dissipation, which means that damping arises solely from the internal interactions among particles and not from their motion through a resisting medium. Polyharmonic excitation frequencies are chosen to excite both the center of mass of the chain and at least one of the internally resonant frequencies, which are significantly higher than the linearized angular eigenfrequency of the center of mass within the well. The relative motion of the particles quickly reaches a steady state because of the non-small internal damping, allowing for the derivation of an efficient force field for the center of mass. Eliminating fast dynamics reduces the system’s degrees of freedom to one, employing a probabilistic approach based on the relative motion’s probability density function. The reduced 1 DoF model is appropriate for further investigation using various methods established in the literature.
A rapid review of menopausal education programmes
Authors: McFeeters Claire , Pedlow Katy , McGinn Deborah , McConnell Karen
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Menopause is a significant life event that can impact a woman's quality of life and mental health due to hormonal changes. Menopause education programmes play a crucial role in increasing awareness and knowledge about menopause in women. This rapid review aimed to identify the structure and components of menopause education programmes and summarise the evidence of their effectiveness in improving menopausal knowledge, symptoms, and quality of life.

Methods

The Cochrane rapid review methodology was employed, involving systematic searches in four databases. The eligibility criteria included primary research on menopause education programmes for adults, and studies reporting menopause-related outcomes.

Results

A total of 39 studies were included in the review, with most (n = 26/39, 66.7%) published in the last decade. The majority of interventions were delivered in group settings, providing advantages such as a supportive environment and shared experiences among participants. The most frequently covered topics included signs and symptoms of menopause, treatment/management, and lifestyle factors. The review identified evidence of effectiveness in supporting menopause education programmes for improving women's knowledge, symptoms, and quality of life. However, inconsistent reporting of intervention components hindered replication and implementation.

Conclusion

The review suggests the need for comprehensive reporting of interventions, and inclusion of premenopausal women, and recommends that future menopause education interventions are inclusive for all ages and abilities. Overall, studies included in this review support the use of menopause education programmes for improving women's understanding and management of menopause.
A comparative analysis of square-wave voltammetry and multi-frequency electrochemical Faradaic spectroscopy for kinetic characterisation
Authors: Glaubitz Franz , Mirceski Valentin , Schröder Uwe
Published: May 2024

A rigorous comparison between square-wave voltammetry (SWV) and the recently proposed multi-frequency electrochemical Faradaic spectroscopy (MEFS) is presented for both a quasireversible electrode reaction of a dissolved redox couple at a planar macroscopic electrode and a catalytic regenerative electrode mechanism (EC′ reaction scheme) by means of numerical simulations. MEFS offers fast kinetic characterisation with a minimal set of experiments, as the system is interrogated with a range of SW frequencies in a single experiment. By changing the mid-potential Em, a critical parameter of MEFS, a broad range of standard rate constants for the heterogeneous interfacial electron transfer is accessible, ranging between 0.006 and 0.12 cm s−1. In the case of the EC′ mechanism, features of the current components in both SWV and MEFS reflect the involvement of the follow-up regenerative chemical reaction (i.e. C′ catalytic step). However, for the kinetic characterisation of the EC′ mechanism, the comparative analysis suggests that SWV should be the main operating technique.
Optimal strategies for the decumulation of retirement savings under differing appetites for liquidity and investment risks
Authors: Avanzi Benjamin , De Felice Lewis
Published: May 2024

A retiree’s appetite for risk is a common input into the lifetime utility models that are traditionally used to find optimal strategies for the decumulation of retirement savings. In this work, we consider a retiree with potentially differing appetites for the key financial risks of decumulation: liquidity risk and investment risk. We set out to determine whether these differing risk appetites have a significant impact on the retiree’s optimal choice of decumulation strategy. To do so, we design and implement a framework which selects the optimal decumulation strategy from a general set of admissible strategies in line with a retiree’s goals, and under differing appetites for the key risks of decumulation. Overall, we find significant evidence to suggest that a retiree’s differing appetites for different decumulation risks will impact their optimal choice of strategy at retirement. Through an illustrative example calibrated to the Australian context, we find results which are consistent with actual behaviours in this jurisdiction (in particular, a shallow market for annuities), which lends support to our framework and may provide some new insight into the so-called annuity puzzle.
On the Departure from Monin–Obukhov Surface Similarity and Transition to the Convective Mixed Layer
Authors: Heisel Michael , Chamecki Marcelo
Published: May 2024

Large-eddy simulations are used to evaluate mean profile similarity in the convective boundary layer (CBL). Particular care is taken regarding the grid sensitivity of the profiles and the mitigation of inertial oscillations in the simulation spin-up. The nondimensional gradients $$\phi $$
ϕ
for wind speed and air temperature generally align with Monin–Obukhov similarity across cases but have a steeper slope than predicted within each profile. The same trend has been noted in several other recent studies. The Businger-Dyer relations are modified here with an exponential cutoff term to account for the decay in $$\phi $$
ϕ
to first-order approximation, yielding improved similarity from approximately 0.05$$z_i$$

z
i

to above 0.3$$z_i$$

z
i

, where $$z_i$$

z
i

is the CBL depth. The necessity for the exponential correction is attributed to an extended transition from surface scaling to zero gradient in the mixed layer, where the departure from Monin–Obukhov similarity may be negligible at the surface but becomes substantial well below the conventional surface layer height of 0.1$$z_i$$

z
i

.
Clinical breast exam contribution to breast cancer diagnosis in BRCA mutation carriers vs. average to intermediate risk women
Authors: Menes Tehillah S. , Zippel Douglas , Sklair-Levy Miri , Friedman Eitan , Bernstein-Molho Rinat , Faermann Renata , Madorsky Feldman Dana
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The contribution of clinical breast exam (CBE) to breast cancer diagnosis in average risk women undergoing regular screening mammography is minimal. To evaluate the role of CBE in high-risk women, we compared BC diagnosis by CBE in BRCA mutation carriers undergoing regular BC surveillance to average to intermediate risk women undergoing regular breast cancer screening.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of all consecutive screening visits of BRCA mutation carriers (January 2012–October 2022) and average to intermediate risk women (November 2016–December 2022) was completed. Women with histologically confirmed BC diagnosis were included. Additional CBE yield for BC diagnosis, defined as the percentage of all BC cases detected by CBE alone, was assessed in both groups.

Results

Overall, 12,997 CBEs were performed in 1,328 BRCA mutation carriers in whom 134 BCs were diagnosed. In 7,949 average to intermediate risk women who underwent 15,518 CBEs, 87 BCs were diagnosed. CBE contributed to BC diagnosis in 3 (2%) BRCA mutation carriers and 3 (4%) non-carriers. In both groups, over 4,000 CBEs were needed in order to diagnose one cancer. In all 3 BRCA mutation carriers BC was palpated during the surveillance round that did not include MRI. In the average to intermediate risk group, 2 of 3 cancers diagnosed following CBE findings were in a different location from the palpable finding.

Conclusions

The contribution of CBE to BC diagnosis is marginal for all women including BRCA mutation carriers. In BRCA mutation carriers, CBE appears redundant during the MRI surveillance round.
Teaching Race in Business Schools: The Challenges and Possibilities of Anti-Racist Education
Authors: Liu Helena
Published: May 2024

This article explores anti-racist education in business schools amidst the backlash against critical race theory in an anti-Black world. I conduct an autoethnography of my experiences as a woman of colour and management educator who has attempted to bring critical discussions of race and racism into my classrooms. The article examines the barriers to anti-racist teaching in business schools and shows how they interweave individual/interpersonal, institutional, and ideological domains of power. Through my stories, I offer an account of the ways anti-racist education may be limited when it relies on the efforts of individual academics and reveal the tolls that anti-racist education can take on the educator, especially when they are navigating wider systems that are hostile to racial justice. By interrogating the challenges of anti-racist education, I also reflect on the practices and conditions that make meaningful anti-racist education possible.
Emulsions, dipsticks and membranes based on oxalic acid-treated nanocellulose for the detection of aqueous and gaseous HgCl2
Authors: Bastida Gabriela A. , Aguado Roberto J. , Fiol Núria , Delgado-Aguilar Marc , Zanuttini Miguel Á. , Galván María V. , Tarrés Quim
Published: May 2024

Although cellulosic materials have been used as stabilizing agents for oil-in-water emulsions since the 1980s, their properties and the underlying mechanism are not universal regardless of the dispersed phase or of the treatments on cellulose. One case of unconventional organic phase is acetic acid-containing chloroform, which is known to be a good solvent system for the preservation of dithizone. In turn, dithizone is a long-known chromogenic reagent for the colorimetric detection of HgCl2. However, its usefulness is limited by its fast degradation in polar solvents. For instance, its dissolution in ethanol and the subsequent impregnation of paper strips allowed to quantify aqueous HgCl2 reliably and quickly (5.4 – 27 mg L–1), but only if they were used along the first 24 h after dip coating. Furthermore, those strips could not be used for sublimated HgCl2. The dithizone/chloroform-in-water emulsions presented in this work overcame these limitations. We opted for oxalic acid-treated cellulose nanofibers (ox-CNFs) as stabilizer, aiming at a proper balance between amphiphilic character and electrostatic repulsion. In this sense, ox-CNFs attained good gel-forming ability with a low content of carboxylate groups. The minimum ox-CNF concentration required was 0.35 wt%, regardless of the proportion of chloroform. This consistency implied yield stress values above 0.7 Pa. Nanocellulose also provided film-forming capabilities, which were exploited to produce visually responsive dipsticks and membranes. While quantification and reproducibility were hampered by the increase in the complexity of the system, dithizone/ox-CNF films were still a valid option for HgCl2 detection, outperforming solution coating in terms of stability, blank signal, and selectivity.
Active learning with biased non-response to label requests
Authors: Robinson Thomas S. , Tax Niek , Mudd Richard , Guy Ido
Published: May 2024

Active learning can improve the efficiency of training prediction models by identifying the most informative new labels to acquire. However, non-response to label requests can impact active learning’s effectiveness in real-world contexts. We conceptualise this degradation by considering the type of non-response present in the data, demonstrating that biased non-response is particularly detrimental to model performance. We argue that biased non-response is likely in contexts where the labelling process, by nature, relies on user interactions. To mitigate the impact of biased non-response, we propose a cost-based correction to the sampling strategy–the Upper Confidence Bound of the Expected Utility (UCB-EU)–that can, plausibly, be applied to any active learning algorithm. Through experiments, we demonstrate that our method successfully reduces the harm from labelling non-response in many settings. However, we also characterise settings where the non-response bias in the annotations remains detrimental under UCB-EU for specific sampling methods and data generating processes. Finally, we evaluate our method on a real-world dataset from an e-commerce platform. We show that UCB-EU yields substantial performance improvements to conversion models that are trained on clicked impressions. Most generally, this research serves to both better conceptualise the interplay between types of non-response and model improvements via active learning, and to provide a practical, easy-to-implement correction that mitigates model degradation.
Imaging of foam concrete air bubbles with an alternative method of combined digital holographic microscopy
Authors: Celik Bayar Caglar , Onur Tugba Ozge , Ustabas Kaya Gulhan , Kunduraci Nazim
Published: May 2024

Five different foam concretes were synthesized and examined. A new hybrid optical sensor, called combined digital holographic microscopy (CDHM), was proposed by combining microscopic fringe projection profilometry and lateral shearing digital holographic microscopy to detect the pore radii of produced foamed concretes. It was applied in addition to SEM and has not been applied to foam concretes before. Thanks to the proposed method, it was revealed that the measured CDHM radii contained a relative error of less than 6% compared to the SEM radii. The pore radii increased as the % of foaming agent used in the samples increased. Accordingly, the sample densities decreased and thermal insulation properties enhanced. Two-layer quantum chemical calculations performed at the ONIOM (M06-2X/6-31+G(d,p):UFF) theoretical level showed that thermodynamic stability of foam concretes increased as the % of foaming agent used, or more precisely, the pore radius, increased. The CDHM method provides results close to SEM and has superior features such as being more cost-effective, cleaner and faster. For this reason, it is thought that the proposed method will lead to future studies in terms of measuring pore radii as an alternative to SEM.

Graphical Abstract

The combined digital holographic microscopy (CDHM) method is proposed as an alternative to SEM with a relative error of less than 6% in determining the pore radius of foam concretes.
The Association of Physiotherapy Continuity of Care with Duration of Time Loss Among Compensated Australian Workers with Low Back Pain
Authors: Gray Shannon E. , Tudtud Benedict , Sheehan Luke R. , Di Donato Michael
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The aims of this study are to determine how continuous the care provided by physiotherapists to compensated workers with low back pain is, what factors are associated with physiotherapy continuity of care (CoC; treatment by the same provider), and what the association between physiotherapy CoC and duration of working time loss is.

Methods

Workers’ compensation claims and payments data from Victoria and South Australia were analysed. Continuity of care was measured with the usual provider continuity metric. Binary logistic regression examined factors associated with CoC. Cox regression models examined the association between working time loss and CoC.

Results

Thirty-six percent of workers experienced complete CoC, 25.8% high CoC, 26.1% moderate CoC, and 11.7% low CoC. Odds of complete CoC decreased with increased service volume. With decreasing CoC, there was significantly longer duration of compensated time loss.

Conclusion

Higher CoC with a physiotherapist is associated with shorter compensated working time loss duration for Australian workers with low back pain.
Disparities in Postpartum Care Visits: The Dynamics of Parental Leave Duration and Postpartum Care Attendance
Authors: Keefe-Oates Brianna , Janiak Elizabeth , Gottlieb Barbara , Chen Jarvis T.
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To understand differences in the relationship between parental leave duration and postpartum care across sociodemographic and income groups.

Methods

We used data from six states participating in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s yearly PRAMS study from 2016 to 2019 with a total sample of 12,442 people. Bivariable analyses assessed demographics among those who took more or less parental leave and estimated the prevalence of not accessing postpartum care by demographics, stratified by leave length. We used propensity score weighting to estimate the predicted risk and risk ratios of not accessing postpartum care with < 7 as compared to > = 7 weeks of leave, stratified by income.

Results

There were significant differences in the prevalence of not accessing care stratified by leave duration, and disparities in utilization by race, ethnicity, and income. A shorter leave duration was associated with a higher risk of not accessing care (RR: 1.98 [CI 1.25–3.20] in higher income group, RR: 1.45 [CI 1.08, 1.99] in lower). The absolute risk of not accessing care was highest in the lower income group regardless of leave duration, though patterns of increased utilization with longer leave duration were consistent in both groups.

Conclusions for practice

While shorter leave durations increased the risk of not attending postpartum care, those with lower incomes had the highest absolute risk of not attending care. Policies to support paid leave and extended leave duration are necessary, along with additional supports to increase postpartum care utilization, particularly among low-income families.
Higher-order reductions of the Mikhalev system
Authors: Ferapontov E. V. , Novikov V. S. , Roustemoglou I.
Published: May 2024

We consider the 3D Mikhalev system, $$ u_t=w_x, \quad u_y= w_t-u w_x+w u_x, $$

u
t

=

w
x

,

u
y

=

w
t

-
u

w
x

+
w

u
x

,

which has first appeared in the context of KdV-type hierarchies. Under the reduction $$w=f(u)$$

w
=
f
(
u
)

, one obtains a pair of commuting first-order equations, $$ u_t=f'u_x, \quad u_y=(f'^2-uf'+f)u_x, $$

u
t

=

f
′

u
x

,

u
y

=

(

f

′
2

-
u

f
′

+
f
)

u
x

,

which govern simple wave solutions of the Mikhalev system. In this paper we study higher-order reductions of the form $$ w=f(u)+\epsilon a(u)u_x+\epsilon ^2[b_1(u)u_{xx}+b_2(u)u_x^2]+\cdots , $$

w
=
f

(
u
)

+
ϵ
a

(
u
)

u
x

+

ϵ
2

[

b
1

(
u
)

u

xx

+

b
2

(
u
)

u
x
2

]

+
⋯
,

which turn the Mikhalev system into a pair of commuting higher-order equations. Here the terms at $$\epsilon ^n$$

ϵ
n

are assumed to be differential polynomials of degree n in the x-derivatives of u. We will view w as an (infinite) formal series in the deformation parameter $$\epsilon $$
ϵ
. It turns out that for such a reduction to be non-trivial, the function f(u) must be quadratic, $$f(u)=\lambda u^2$$

f

(
u
)

=
λ

u
2

, furthermore, the value of the parameter $$\lambda $$
λ
(which has a natural interpretation as an eigenvalue of a certain second-order operator acting on an infinite jet space), is quantised. There are only two positive allowed eigenvalues, $$\lambda =1$$

λ
=
1

and $$\lambda =3/2$$

λ
=
3
/
2

, as well as infinitely many negative rational eigenvalues. Two-component reductions of the Mikhalev system are also discussed. We emphasise that the existence of higher-order reductions of this kind is a reflection of linear degeneracy of the Mikhalev system, in particular, such reductions do not exist for most of the known 3D dispersionless integrable systems such as the dispersionless KP and Toda equations.
The socio-economic consequences of the earthquakes in the Dominican Republic (2003), Honduras (2007 and 2009) and Haiti (2010) on gender relations: urban vs. rural areas
Authors: Cocina Díaz Virginia , Llorente-Marrón Mar , Dema Moreno Sandra
Published: May 2024

Socioenvironmental disasters are extraordinary occurrences which produce serious consequences for the impacted population. This impact is not immune to gender effects, as various studies has shown that after such a disaster there is an increase in economic inequality and the social vulnerability of women. Through the research reported in this article we have explored this issue in more detail, analysing the effects that the earthquakes that hit the Dominican Republic (2003), Honduras (2007 and 2009) and Haiti (2010) had on gender relations, making comparisons between urban and rural areas. To examine the impact of these disasters, the data source employed was the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) developed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Using the Differences in Differences technique (DID), our results reveal that, although the whole population was affected by the disaster, the impact was more intense in households headed by a woman, especially those in rural areas.
Examining tools for assessing the impact of chronic pain on emotional functioning in children and young people with cerebral palsy: stakeholder preference and recommendations for modification
Authors: Smith Meredith Grace , Gibson Rachel J. , Russo Remo N. , Karanicolas Sophie , Harvey Adrienne R.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To firstly identify tools for assessing the impact of chronic pain on emotional functioning in children and young people with cerebral palsy (CP), and secondly identify suggestions to improve their relevance, comprehensiveness, comprehensibility and feasibility for the CP population. Improving assessment of the impact of pain on emotional functioning can enhance quality of life by improving access to interventions for pain-related physical disability, anxiety and depression.

Methods

Ethics approval was granted through the Women’s and Children’s Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee (2022/HRE00154). A mixed methods study with people with lived experience and clinicians, and guided by the Consensus-based Standards for Measurement Instruments (COSMIN), was undertaken. An online survey identified the highest rated tools for validation and/or modification for young people with CP and chronic pain. Focus groups and interviews investigated content validity and feasibility of the tools identified as highest rated.

Results

The Fear of Pain Questionnaire for Children-SF (FOPQ-C-SF) and Modified Brief Pain Inventory (mBPI) were the highest rated for pain coping and multidimensional assessment (respectively) from the online survey (n = 61) of eight tools presented. Focus group and interview data (n = 30), including 58 unique modification suggestions, were coded to six categories: accessibility, comprehensibility, feasibility, relevance, presentation and comprehensiveness.

Conclusion

Potential modifications have been identified to improve the appropriateness and feasibility of the FOPQ-C-SF and mBPI for children and young people with CP. Future research should implement and test these modifications, prioritising the involvement of people with lived experience to ensure their needs are met alongside clinicians.
Design and Development of Arduino-Based Four-Channel Data Acquisition System with Digital Temperature Control for Chemiresistive Sensors
Authors: Goyal Deepak , Patra Soumyabrata , Sapre Atharva , Kaur Manmeet , Ramgir Niranjan S.
Published: May 2024

We report the design and development of simple and economical Arduino-based four-channel data acquisition system with digital temperature control that is suitable for sensor parameter optimization involved in the search of appropriate chemiresistive gas sensing material for a particular gas. The developed system is capable of simultaneously capturing the data as well as controlling the desired operating temperature (up to 300 °C) of four sensing elements. This is achieved by employing sixteen analog and digital channels of the Arduino nano microcontroller. The sensing circuit is capable of recording the resistance changes from 20 kΩ to 5 MΩ at a rate of 15 kHz. The developed system has been tested rigorously, validated and demonstrated for its effectiveness towards investigating the gas sensing properties of chemiresistive NO2 sensors realized using ZnO nanowires. The present simple and low-cost alternative finds its application for developing the target specific chemiresistive sensors in particular for investigating the gas sensing properties of metal oxide semiconductors.
Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion of ATI C103TM Refractory Alloy
Authors: Philips Noah , Rock Christopher , Cunningham Nicholas , Cooper Josh , Horn Tim
Published: May 2024

The study investigated the use of electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) to fabricate niobium ATI C103™ alloy articles for microstructural characterization and mechanical testing. The feedstock powder was consolidated into low-porosity articles, and both powder and sample chemistry were monitored. Oxygen uptake in the powder was limited to less than the ASTM B655/B655M (2018) specification limits for 7 uses. Manipulating vacuum chamber pressure showed stable hafnium content but decreasing titanium content with decreasing chamber pressure attributed to evaporation. AM samples were evaluated in the post-processed, as-fabricated, annealed, and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) condition with a maximum yield strength of 287 MPa, UTS of 375 MPa for the HIP, and maximum elongation of 32 pct for the annealed specimens, respectively. Mechanical properties are similar to typical wrought products, with a notable increase in yield strength after post-processing by HIP. The fracture behavior was driven by porosity in the as-fabricated specimens and grain boundary fracture after HIP.
Preparing Trainees to Rebound from Surgical Complications
Authors: Galloway Lan Anh S. , Luckenbaugh Amy N.
Published: May 2024

Purpose of Review

In this review, we aim to summarize the impact of surgical complications and adverse events on surgeons, including psychiatric illnesses. We evaluate current programs to develop trainee well-being and investigate research within the field of urology.

Recent Findings

Surgical complications and adverse events affect all surgeons, including surgical trainees. Research estimates that 80% of healthcare professionals have been involved in an event that affected them emotionally. These events can affect physicians in many ways, ranging from negatively impacting their quality of life to leading to psychiatric disorders such as acute stress reactions and post-traumatic stress disorder. Unfortunately, there is no standardized preparation to equip trainees to manage and rebound from the profound emotional impact of surgical complications.

Data in this realm is insufficient, especially in urology, and we need more research in order to better evaluate emotional implications of complications on trainees and how we can prepare trainees to handle them.
Reduced Late-Season Irrigation Improves Potato Quality, Often at the Expense of Yield and Economic Return
Authors: Gonzalez T. Francisco , Pavek Mark J. , Knowles N. Richard , Holden Zachary
Published: May 2024

With a rising global population and looming water shortages in the U.S., there is a pressing need for water-efficient farming methods. The water needs of potato plants decrease in the late season due to foliage aging and tuber maturation. Therefore, proper late-season irrigation is vital in preventing water waste and maximizing potato profits. This study assessed the feasibility of reducing late-season irrigation to improve crop water productivity (WPc), tuber quality, and economic return. Field trials were planted near Othello, WA, across three years (2018–20). Treatments included five irrigation levels (ILs), 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%, and 120% of modeled evapotranspiration (ET), and five potato cultivars: Alturas, Clearwater Russet, Ranger Russet, Russet Burbank, and Umatilla Russet. Treatments started 100 to 105 days after planting (DAP), approximately 1500 day degrees (at or near peak canopy growth), and ended at vine kill, 150 to 155 DAP. Water from reduced ILs of 40% to 80% ET was more efficiently converted into yield (WPc) for Alturas than higher ILs; however, economic return for all cultivars typically peaked when irrigation was supplied at or above 80% ET. Tuber quality generally improved with a reduction in irrigation level, occasionally at the expense of yield and economic value.
A Study on the Development of Driver Behavior Simulation Dummy for the Performance Evaluation of Driver Monitoring System
Authors: Yae Jin Hae , Oh Young Dal , Kim Moon Sik , Park Sun Hong
Published: May 2024

Driver monitoring system (DMS) was mainly developed to prevent accident risks by analyzing facial movements related to drowsiness and carelessness in real time such as driver’s gaze, blink, and head angle through cameras and warning the driver. Recently, the scope has been expanded to monitor passengers, and it has been linked to safety functions such as neglecting children, empty seats, or controlling airbags on seats with people under safety weight. However, evaluation research for algorithm advancement and performance optimization is relatively insufficient. In addition, the verification system is facing limitations such as personal information protection problems caused by the subject’s face data, errors in reproducing the subject’s drowsy and careless behavior, and differences in behavior according to individual differences. Therefore, as the importance of traffic safety is emphasized, an evaluation tool that can more efficiently and systematically evaluate the performance of DMS is needed. In this study, a driver behavior simulation dummy was developed that can quantitatively control the movement of the driver’s face and upper body. The driver behavior simulation dummy was developed in three stages in the order of function and specification definition, design and manufacture according to specifications, and verification through error tests for each function.
Bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation of m6A and cuproptosis-related lncRNA NFE4 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Feng Rui , Li Haolin , Meng Tong , Fei Mingtian , Yang Cheng
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to construct an m6A and cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) signature to accurately predict the prognosis of kidney clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) patients using the information acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.

Methods

First, the co-expression analysis was performed to identify lncRNAs linked with N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and cuproptosis in ccRCC. Then, a model encompassing four candidate lncRNAs was constructed via univariate, least absolute shrinkage together with selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate regression analyses. Furthermore, Kaplan–Meier, principal component, functional enrichment annotation, and nomogram analyses were performed to develop a risk model that could effectively assess medical outcomes for ccRCC cases. Moreover, the cellular function of NFE4 in Caki-1/OS-RC-2 cultures was elucidated through CCK-8/EdU assessments and Transwell experiments. Dataset outcomes indicated that NFE4 can have possible implications in m6A and cuproptosis, and may promote ccRCC progression.

Results

We constructed a panel of m6A and cuproptosis-related lncRNAs to construct a prognostic prediction model. The Kaplan–Meier and ROC curves showed that the feature had acceptable predictive validity in the TCGA training, test, and complete groups. Furthermore, the m6A and cuproptosis-related lncRNA model indicated higher diagnostic efficiency than other clinical features. Moreover, the NFE4 function analysis indicated a gene associated with m6A and cuproptosis-related lncRNAs in ccRCC. It was also revealed that the proliferation and migration of Caki-1 /OS-RC-2 cells were inhibited in the NFE4 knockdown group.

Conclusion

Overall, this study indicated that NFE4 and our constructed risk signature could predict outcomes and have potential clinical value.
CEACAM6 expression and function in tumor biology: a comprehensive review
Authors: Zhao Dong , Cai Fei , Liu Xuefei , Li Tingting , Zhao Ershu , Wang Xinlong , Zheng Zhendong
Published: May 2024

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) is an immunoglobulin superfamily protein primarily expressed on epithelial surfaces and myeloid cells. It plays a significant role in cancer progression by inhibiting apoptosis, promoting drug resistance, and facilitating cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Overexpression of CEACAM6 has been observed in various cancers, including lung, breast, colorectal, and hepatocellular cancers, and is associated with poorer overall survival and disease-free survival. Its differential expression on tumor cell surfaces makes it a promising cancer marker. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of CEACAM6’s role in different cancer types, its involvement in signaling pathways, and recent advancements in CEACAM6-targeted treatments.
Revision of restrictive bariatric procedures in elderly patients: results at a 5-year follow-up
Authors: Abu-Abeid Adam , Gosher Noa , Shnell Mati , Fishman Sigal , Keidar Andrei , Lahat Guy , Eldar Shai Meron
Published: May 2024

Revisional Bariatric Surgery (RBS) is increasing in popularity. Elderly patients (> 65 years old) are sometimes referred for RBS evaluation. The aim of this study is to evaluate outcomes of elderly patients undergoing RBS. A retrospective analysis of a cohort from a single–tertiary bariatric center. All elderly patients undergoing RBS after restrictive procedures between 2012 and 2022 were included. Thirty Nine patients undergoing RBS were included in the comparative analysis − 23 patients (57.5%) after adjustable gastric banding (s/p LAGB) and 16 patients (40%) after Sleeve Gastrectomy (s/p SG). The mean age and body mass index (BMI) of patients were comparable (67.2 ± 2.8 years and 38.3 ± 7.4, respectively). There was no difference in associated medical problems except reflux which was higher in s/p SG (68% vs. 13%; p < 0.001). The mean time interval between surgeries was 8.7 ± 5.1 years. The surgeries included One anastomosis gastric bypass (n = 22), SG (n = 8) and Roux-en-y gastric bypass (n = 9). Early major complication rates were comparable (4.3% and 12.5%; p = 0.36), and readmission rate was higher in patients s/p SG (p = 0.03). Ninety percent of patients were available to a follow-up of 59.8 months. The mean BMI and total weight loss was 29.2 and 20.3%, respectively with no difference between groups. The rate of patients with associated medical problems at last follow-up was significantly reduced. Five patients (12.5%) underwent revisional surgery due to complications during follow-up. In conclusion, RBS in the elderly is associated with a reasonable complication rate and is effective in terms of weight loss and improvement of associated medical problems in a 5-year follow-up.
RVE determination and developement of an anisotropic elastic model for auxetic sheet metal
Authors: Gordanshekan Arash , Ripplinger Wolfgang , Diebels Stefan
Published: May 2024

This article deals with the development of an elastic tetragonal model for the 2D auxetic rotating units structures in the framework of orthogonal transformations. The existing anisotropy in the structure was first determined by numerical simulations on the samples with different pattern orientation angles. A suitable representative volume element (RVE), which correctly represents the mechanical properties of the whole structure both in macroscale and in microscale, was then proposed by implementation of the kinematic periodic boundary conditions. In the next step, with the help of the orthogonal transformations relations, an anisotropic elastic model was developed, which correctly reflects the present tetragonal symmetry in the structure. Finally, the model parameters were identified and validated with the help of the corresponding experiments
Asymmetrical Impact of Daytime and Nighttime Warming on the Interannual Variation of Urban Spring Vegetation Phenology
Authors: Yin Peiyi , Li Xuecao , Pellikka Petri
Published: May 2024

Urban warming significantly advances spring vegetation phenology. However, the potential effect of daytime and nighttime warming on the start of the urban vegetation growing season (SOS) remains to be determined. Here, we characterized the interannual response of SOS to daytime and nighttime warming from 2003 to 2020 using remotely sensed phenological observations across cities in the Northern Hemisphere (>30°N). We implemented the partial correlation analysis and the process‐based phenology model to quantify the effects of daytime and nighttime warming on vegetation. We found that either daytime or nighttime warming can promote an earlier urban spring SOS for Northern Hemisphere cities, while the phenological response varies across cities. Additionally, the response of SOS to daytime and nighttime urban warming (ST, expressed in advance days of SOS per °C warming) offset each other at an average rate of 0.08 days/°C per decade. Our results suggest that daytime warming predominates the temporal variation of SOS for high‐latitude cities, whereas nighttime warming is the primary driver of SOS change in low‐latitude cities. By revealing the effect and contributions of daytime and nighttime warming on the urban SOS, our results highlight the importance of considering daytime and nighttime temperatures separately in the response of vegetation phenology to urban thermal warming and climate variability.
Use of Terrestrial High Frequency Signals in Riometer Data to Explore the Size of D‐Region Electron Density Enhancements
Authors: Ghaly F. , Spanswick E. , Gillies R. , Cameron T. , Skone S. , Fiori R. A. D. , Weatherwax A. T.
Published: May 2024

This paper presents the first observations from the prototype Space Weather Adaptive Network (SWAN) riometers, which are capable of simultaneous measurements of narrow‐band terrestrial signal power and Cosmic Noise Absorption (CNA). We describe a methodology by which we can use coincident CNA and loss of known skywave‐mode, High Frequency (HF) signals to estimate a minimum size (geographic extent) of D‐region electron density enhancements. We demonstrate our technique with an example event. This methodology and early results provide a pathfinder for a continent‐wide array of SWAN instruments which would be capable of utilizing multiple intersecting terrestrial HF ray paths to reconstruct the size of D‐region electron density enhancements at the time of initial HF signal loss.
A Nonstationary Stochastic Rainfall Generator Conditioned on Global Climate Models for Design Flood Analyses in the Mississippi and Other Large River Basins
Authors: Liu Yuan , Wright Daniel B. , Lorenz David J.
Published: May 2024

Existing stochastic rainfall generators (SRGs) are typically limited to relatively small domains due to spatial stationarity assumptions, hindering their usefulness for flood studies in large basins. This study proposes StormLab, an SRG that simulates precipitation events at 6‐hr and 0.03° resolution in the Mississippi River Basin (MRB). The model focuses on winter and spring storms caused by water vapor transport from the Gulf of Mexico—the key flood‐generating storm type in the basin. The model generates anisotropic spatiotemporal noise fields that replicate local precipitation structures from observed data. The noise is transformed into precipitation through parametric distributions conditioned on large‐scale atmospheric fields from a climate model, reflecting spatial and temporal nonstationarity. StormLab can produce multiple realizations that reflect the uncertainty in fine‐scale precipitation arising from a specific large‐scale atmospheric environment. Model parameters were fitted monthly from December–May, based on storms identified from 1979 to 2021 ERA5 reanalysis data and Analysis of Record for Calibration (AORC) precipitation. StormLab then generated 1,000 synthetic years of precipitation events based on 10 CESM2 ensemble simulations. Empirical return levels of simulated annual maxima agree well with AORC data and show an overall increase in 1‐ to 500‐year events in the future period (2022–2050). To our knowledge, this is the first SRG simulating nonstationary, anisotropic high‐resolution precipitation over continental‐scale river basins, demonstrating the value of conditioning such stochastic models on large‐scale atmospheric variables. StormLab provides a wide range of extreme precipitation scenarios for design floods in the MRB and can be further extended to other large river basins.
A Step Closer to Solving the Fermi Paradox
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: May 2024

Finding evidence of complex life elsewhere in the Milky Way galaxy hinges on locating rocky planets with plate tectonics and a mixture of landmasses and oceans, new research suggests.
Mitotic MTH1 inhibitor TH1579 induces PD-L1 expression and inflammatory response through the cGAS-STING pathway
Authors: Shen Jianyu , Guillén Mancina Emilio , Chen Shenyu , Manolakou Theodora , Gad Helge , Warpman Berglund Ulrika , Sanjiv Kumar , Helleday Thomas
Published: May 2024

The mitotic MTH1 inhibitor TH1579 is a dual inhibitor that inhibits mitosis and incorporation of oxidative DNA damage and leads to cancer-specific cell death. The response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment is often augmented by DNA damaging agents through the cGAS-STING pathway. This study investigates whether TH1579 can improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades through its immunomodulatory properties. Various human and murine cancer cell lines were treated with mitotic MTH1i TH1579, and the expression of PD-L1 and T-cell infiltration-related chemokines was analysed by flow cytometry and real-time qPCR. Syngeneic mouse models were established to examine the combined effect of TH1579 and PD-L1 blockade. In our investigation, we found that TH1579 upregulates PD-L1 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels in human cancer cell lines. However, in murine cell lines, the increase was less pronounced. An in vivo experiment in a syngeneic mouse melanoma model showed that TH1579 treatment significantly increased the efficacy of atezolizumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, compared to vehicle or atezolizumab monotherapy. Furthermore, TH1579 exhibited immune-modulatory properties, elevating cytokines such as IFN-β and chemokines including CCL5 and CXCL10, in a cGAS-STING pathway-dependent manner. In conclusion, TH1579 has the potential to improve ICI treatment by modulating immune checkpoint-related proteins and pathways.