bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scoping review: longitudinal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent mental health
Authors: Wolf Kristin , Schmitz Julian
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated containment measures have massively changed the daily lives of billions of children and adolescents worldwide. To investigate the global longitudinal effects on various mental health outcomes over a period of 1.5 years, we conducted a scoping review in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We included the peer-reviewed articles from PubMed, Web of Science, and APA PsycInfo that were published between December 2019 and December 2021, followed a longitudinal or repeated cross-sectional design, and quantitatively assessed with clinical questionnaires the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic or a related stressor on mental health indicators in community samples of children and adolescents.

The results of our qualitative analysis of 69 studies indicate a general trend of less psychological well-being and more mental health problems, such as heightened stress, and depressive and anxiety symptoms during the pandemic. Data suggest that both protection measure intensity and infection dynamics were positively associated with severity of the psychopathology. The most reported influencing factors were age, gender, socio-economic status, previous state of mental and physical health, self-regulation abilities, parental mental health, parenting quality, family functioning, social support, isolation and loneliness, health-related worries, and consistent routines and structure. Our results demonstrate that children and adolescents worldwide have experienced more mental health problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They call for improved access to child and adolescent mental health care and prioritisation of child and adolescent welfare in political decision making.
Research priorities for the sustainability of coral-rich western Pacific seascapes
Authors: Cumming Graeme S. , Adamska Maja , Barnes Michele L. , Barnett Jon , Bellwood David R. , Cinner Joshua E. , Cohen Philippa J. , Donelson Jennifer M. , Fabricius Katharina , Grafton R. Quentin , Grech Alana , Gurney Georgina G. , Hoegh-Guldberg Ove , Hoey Andrew S. , Hoogenboom Mia O. , Lau Jacqueline , Lovelock Catherine E. , Lowe Ryan , Miller David J. , Morrison Tiffany H. , Mumby Peter J. , Nakata Martin , Pandolfi John M. , Peterson Garry D. , Pratchett Morgan S. , Ravasi Timothy , Riginos Cynthia , Rummer Jodie L. , Schaffelke Britta , Wernberg Thomas , Wilson Shaun K.
Published: April 2023

Nearly a billion people depend on tropical seascapes. The need to ensure sustainable use of these vital areas is recognised, as one of 17 policy commitments made by world leaders, in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 (‘Life below Water’) of the United Nations. SDG 14 seeks to secure marine sustainability by 2030. In a time of increasing social-ecological unpredictability and risk, scientists and policymakers working towards SDG 14 in the Asia–Pacific region need to know: (1) How are seascapes changing? (2) What can global society do about these changes? and (3) How can science and society together achieve sustainable seascape futures? Through a horizon scan, we identified nine emerging research priorities that clarify potential research contributions to marine sustainability in locations with high coral reef abundance. They include research on seascape geological and biological evolution and adaptation; elucidating drivers and mechanisms of change; understanding how seascape functions and services are produced, and how people depend on them; costs, benefits, and trade-offs to people in changing seascapes; improving seascape technologies and practices; learning to govern and manage seascapes for all; sustainable use, justice, and human well-being; bridging communities and epistemologies for innovative, equitable, and scale-crossing solutions; and informing resilient seascape futures through modelling and synthesis. Researchers can contribute to the sustainability of tropical seascapes by co-developing transdisciplinary understandings of people and ecosystems, emphasising the importance of equity and justice, and improving knowledge of key cross-scale and cross-level processes, feedbacks, and thresholds.
Evaluating the efficacy of Nd:YAG fourth harmonic (266 nm) in comparison with ArF excimer (193 nm) in laser corneal reshaping: ex vivo pilot study
Authors: Abdelhalim Ibrahim , Hamdy Omnia , Khattab Mohamed A. , Abdelkawi Salwa , Hassab Elnaby Salah , Hassan Aziza Ahmed
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Laser corneal reshaping is a common eye surgery utilized to overcome many vision disorders. Different UV laser wavelengths can be effective in the treatment. However, the ArF excimer laser (193 nm) is the most commonly used due to its high absorption in the cornea. In the current study, we investigate the efficacy of applying a solid-state laser (Nd:YAG fourth harmonic at 266 nm) for the corneal reshaping procedure.

Methods

The utilized laser is generated using an optical setup based on a BBO nonlinear crystal which converts the Q-switched laser (532 nm) to its fourth harmonic (266 nm). Different pulse energies were applied with the same number of the shoots on ex vivo rabbit corneas, and the histological effect is studied. Moreover, the possible thermal damage on the treated corneal tissues was inspected via electron microscope. Additionally, the DNA damage on the corneal cells due to the application of the proposed laser was examined and compared with the existing technology (ArF Excimer laser at 193 nm) using the comet assay.

Results

The histological examination revealed an appropriate ablation result with the minimum thermal effect at 1.5 mJ and 2.0 mJ. The overall results show that applying 50-shoots of the 1.5-mJ pulse energy using the proposed 266-nm solid-state laser produces the optimum ablation effect with the minimum thermal damage, and almost the same DNA damage occurred using the commercial 193-nm ArF excimer laser.

Conclusion

Solid-state laser at 266 nm could be a good alternative to the common 193-nm excimer laser for corneal reshaping procedures.
Hierarchical Real-Time Optimal Planning of Collision-Free Trajectories of Collaborative Robots
Authors: Lukáš Dalibor , Kot Tomáš
Published: April 2023

In collaborative robotics the manipulator trajectory has to be planned to avoid collisions, yet in real-time. In this paper we pose the problem as minimization of a quadratic functional among piecewise linear trajectories in the angular (joint) space. The minimization is subjected to novel nonlinear inequality constraints that simplify the original non-penetration constraints to become cheap to evaluate in real time while still preserving collision-avoidance. The very first and most critical step of the computation is to find an initial trajectory that is free of collisions. To that goal we minimize a weighted sum of the violated constraints until they become feasible or a maximal number of steps is reached. Sometimes an incremental growing of the obstacle helps. By incremental growing we mean that we sequentially solve auxiliary subproblems with obstacles growing from ground or falling from top and use as the initial trajectory the one optimized in the previous step. The initial trajectory is then optimized while preserving feasibility at each step. We solve a sequence of simple-bound constrained quadratic programming problems formulated in the dual space of Lagrange multipliers, which are related to the original linearized inequality constraints that are active or close-to-active. Finally, we refine the trajectory parameterization and repeat the optimization, which we refer to as an hierarchical approach, until an overall prescribed time limit, being well below a second, is reached.
3-D and 2-D reconstruction of bladders for the assessment of inter-session detection of tissue changes: a proof of concept
Authors: Groenhuis Vincent , de Groot Antonius G. , Cornel Erik B. , Stramigioli Stefano , Siepel Françoise J.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Abnormalities in the bladder wall require careful investigation regarding type, spatial position and invasiveness. Construction of a 3-D model of the bladder is helpful to ensure adequate coverage of the scanning procedure, quantitative comparison of bladder wall textures between successive sessions and finding back previously discovered abnormalities.

Methods

Videos of both an in vivo bladder and a textured bladder phantom were acquired. Structure-from-motion and bundle adjustment algorithms were used to construct a 3-D point cloud, approximate it by a surface mesh, texture it with the back-projected camera frames and draw the corresponding 2-D atlas. Reconstructions of successive sessions were compared; those of the bladder phantom were co-registered, transformed using 3-D thin plate splines and post-processed to highlight significant changes in texture.

Results

The reconstruction algorithms of the presented workflow were able to construct 3-D models and corresponding 2-D atlas of both the in vivo bladder and the bladder phantom. For the in vivo bladder the portion of the reconstructed surface area was 58% and 79% for the pre- and post-operative scan, respectively. For the bladder phantom the full surface was reconstructed and the mean reprojection error was 0.081 mm (range 0–0.79 mm). In inter-session comparison the changes in texture were correctly indicated for all six locations.

Conclusion

The proposed proof of concept was able to perform 3-D and 2-D reconstruction of an in vivo bladder wall based on a set of monocular images. In a phantom study the computer vision algorithms were also effective in co-registering reconstructions of successive sessions and highlighting texture changes between sessions. These techniques may be useful for detecting, monitoring and revisiting suspicious lesions.
The association between weather warnings and hip fractures in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Stanley Ciarán , Lennon David , Moriarty Frank , Sheridan Gerard A. , Nagle Matthew , Foley Alexandra , Moran Conor , Donnelly Michael
Published: April 2023

Summary

This study examined the relationship between hip fractures and weather warnings with the hypothesis higher rates of fractures occur during warnings. National hip fracture database and weather warning records were utilised. Higher rates of hip fractures were found with severe warnings. This has implications for planning in future severe warnings.

Background

Hip fractures represent a significant burden on the Irish Health system with 3666 in 2020. The Irish National Meteorological Service operates a colour coded warning system. Yellow being least severe, while orange represents weather with capacity to impact individuals in affected areas and red represents advice to protect themselves and property. Previous studies investigated the seasonality of hip fractures, which remains but none have investigated the relationship between weather warnings and rates of hip fractures. The hypothesis was that increasing weather warnings would be associated with increased hip fractures. The aim was to investigate the relationship between weather warnings and hip fractures in the Republic of Ireland.

Methods

Comparison of national weather warning archives from 2013 to 2019 to Fracture Database records. Reviews assessed whether fractures occurred on days a weather warning was in place in the individual’s local county. A statistical analysis of warning features and their relationship to hip fractures was then performed. Fractures and weather warnings were stratified by county with both a panel and case crossover analysis performed.

Results

There was a tendency towards increased incidence of hip fractures with weather warnings in adjusted analysis (IRR 1.02; 95%CI 0.99–1.06; p-value 0.123). Orange warnings were associated with a statistically higher incidence of fractures (IRR 1.06; 1.01–1.12; p-value 0.026). In both panel and case crossover analysis, both orange and yellow warnings were associated with fractures. Red warnings were associated with a lower incidence of fracture on day of warning (adjusted incidence rate ratio 0.92; 0.70–1.22; p-value 0.569) but a higher incidence on the following day (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.14; 0.88–1.46; p-value 0.313).

Conclusion

An increased incidence of hip fractures appears to occur during weather warnings. Consideration should be given when preparing for periods of extreme weather, ensuring sufficiently resources.
Remote Follow-up with a Mobile Application Is Equal to Traditional Outpatient Follow-up After Bariatric Surgery: the BELLA Pilot Trial
Authors: Yang Cui , Kessler Mia , Taebi Niki , Hetjens Michael , Reissfelder Christoph , Otto Mirko , Vassilev Georgi
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Medical follow-up after bariatric surgery is recommended. However, the compliance was poor. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a smartphone-based fully remote follow-up (FU) program for patients after bariatric surgery.

Methods

In the interventional group, patients were followed up using a smartphone application (app), through which questionnaires were sent regularly. Participants in the control group underwent standard FU at the outpatient clinic every three months. After 12 months, all the participants were evaluated at an outpatient clinic.

Results

Between August 2020 and March 2021, 44 and 43 patients in the interventional and control groups, respectively, were included in the analysis after three patients were lost to FU, and three withdrew their informed consent because they wished for more personal contact with medical caregivers. After 12 months, total weight loss (TWL), %TWL, and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) did not differ between groups. There were no significant differences in the complication rates, including surgical complications, malnutrition, and micronutrition deficiency. The parameters of bioelectrical impedance analysis and quality of life did not differ between the groups. Vitamins and minerals in serum were similar in both groups except for calcium, which was significantly higher in the interventional group (2.52 mmol/L vs. 2.35 mmol/L, p = 0.038).

Conclusion

Fully remote FU with a smartphone application is at least as effective as traditional in-person FU in an outpatient clinic after bariatric surgery. Through remote FU, patients can save time and medical professionals may have more resources for patients with more severe problems.

Graphical Abstract
Active Poly (Lactic Acid) Films with Rice Straw Aqueous Extracts for Meat Preservation Purposes
Authors: Freitas Pedro A. V. , González-Martínez Consuelo , Chiralt Amparo
Published: April 2023

Aqueous extracts from rice straw (RS), using ultrasound-assisted reflux heating extraction (USHT) and subcritical water extraction (SWE), under two process conditions (160 °C, 7 bars; and 180 °C, 11 bars), were obtained and characterised as to their phenolic content and antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities. These extracts were incorporated (6% wt.) into poly (lactic acid) (PLA) films by melt blending and compression moulding that were characterised as to their structural and functional properties and their capacity to preserve fresh pork meat, as vacuum thermo-sealed bags, throughout 16 days of cold storage. The extracts slightly reduced the extensibility, resistance to break, and water barrier capacity of the PLA films but enhanced their oxygen barrier capacity and the UV light-blocking effect. The films with RS extracts were effective at preserving meat quality parameters, inhibiting microbial growth, meat oxidation, discolouration, and weight loss. The SWE extract obtained at 180 °C was the most effective at obtaining active films for meat preservation, exhibiting the greatest antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Therefore, the green SWE technique is useful for obtaining active extracts from RS, allowing for its valorisation in the development of biodegradable active materials useful to preserve food quality.
Circularity in waste management: a research proposal to achieve the 2030 Agenda
Authors: González-Sánchez Rocío , Alonso-Muñoz Sara , Medina-Salgado María Sonia
Published: April 2023

Waste management is the main challenge in the transition away from the linear "take-make-dispose" economy. Incorporating the principles of circularity in waste management would facilitate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. This paper aims to provide state-of-the-art research about circular waste management in the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda. For this purpose, bibliometric analysis by VOSviewer and SciMat software is used to define the evolution and to detect research trends. Based on the main gaps identified in studies, a research agenda to guide for further opportunities in this field is suggested. The results obtained four clusters that address sustainable industrial infrastructure, biological waste management, recycling in developing countries and recovery processes. Four research propositions are established, focusing on plastic waste management and generation trends, circular municipal waste management, more sustainable landfill management, and enablers such as indicators and legislation. The transformation towards more bio and ecological models requires social, regulatory and organizational tools that consider the best interests and capacity of companies, public authorities and consumers. In addition, policy implications are considered.
Development of a linear–nonlinear hybrid special model to predict monthly runoff in a catchment area and evaluate its performance with novel machine learning methods
Authors: Dehbalaei Fereshteh Nourmohammadi , Azari Arash , Akhtari Ali Akbar
Published: April 2023

Accurate forecasting of runoff as an important hydrological variable is a key task for water resources planning and management. Given the importance of this variable, in the current study, a multivariate linear stochastic model (MLSM) is combined with a multilayer nonlinear machine learning model (MNMLM) to generate a hybrid model for the spatial and temporal simulation of runoff in the Quebec basin, Canada. Monthly hydrological data from 2001 to 2013, including precipitation and runoff data from nine stations and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) extraction of MODIS data, are applied as input to the proposed hybrid model. At the first step of the hybrid modeling, data normality and stationary were examined by performing various tests. In the second step, MLSM was developed by defining four different scenarios and as a result 15 sub-scenarios. The first and second scenarios were developed based on one exogenous variable (precipitation or NDVI). In contrast, the second and third scenarios were developed based on two additional variables. In the first and third scenarios, the data are modeled without preprocessing. In the second and fourth scenarios, a preprocessing step is performed on the data. Then, in the third step, various combinations based on different time delays from runoff data were applied for developing nonlinear model. The comparisons are made between observed and simulated time series at various stations and based on the root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), correlation coefficient (R) and Akaike information criterion (AIC). The efficiency of the proposed hybrid model is compared with a novel machine learning model that was introduced in 2021 by Sultani et al., and it was also compared with the results obtained from the linear and nonlinear models. In most stations, delays (t-1) and (t-24) are identified as the most effective delays in hybrid and nonlinear modeling of runoff. Also, in most stations, the use of climatic parameters and physiographic factors as exogenous variables along with runoff data improves the results compared to the use of one variable. Results showed that at all stations, proposed hybrid model generally leads to more accurate estimates of runoff compared with various linear and nonlinear models. More accurate estimates of peak runoff values at all stations were another excellence of proposed hybrid model than other models.
Radio-iodine refractory thyroid cancer patients: a tailored follow-up based on clinicopathological features
Authors: Lorusso L. , Minaldi E. , Esposito G. , Piaggi P. , Bottici V. , Brogioni S. , Giani C. , Valerio L. , Molinaro E. , Elisei R. , Agate L.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To report the experience of a single center for the selection of radioiodine-refractory (RAIR) thyroid cancer patients (RAIR-TC) who needed tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKIs) treatment.

Patients and methods

We evaluated all features of 279 RAIR-TC patients both at the time of diagnosis and at the RAIR diagnosis.

Results

Ninety-nine patients received indication to TKIs (Group A), while 180 remained under active surveillance (Group B). Group A had greater tumor size, more aggressive histotype, more frequent macroscopic extrathyroidal extension, distant metastases, advanced AJCC stage, and higher ATA risk of recurrence. After RAIR diagnosis, 93.9% of Group A had progression of disease (PD) after which TKIs’ therapy was started. The remaining 6.1% of patients had a so severe disease at the time of RAIR diagnosis that TKIs’ therapy was immediately started. Among Group B, 42.7% had up to 5 PD, but the majority underwent local treatments. The mean time from RAIR diagnosis to the first PD was shorter in Group A, and the evidence of PD within 25 months from RAIR diagnosis was associated with the decision to start TKIs.

Conclusions

According to our results, a more tailored follow-up should be applied to RAIR-TC patients. A too strict monitoring and too many imaging evaluations might be avoided in those with less-aggressive features and low rate of progression. Conversely, RAIR-TC with an advanced stage at diagnosis and a first PD occurring within 25 months from RAIR diagnosis would require a more stringent follow-up to avoid a late start of TKIs.
Integrating Spirituality and Religious Beliefs in a Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD with Latinx Unaccompanied Immigrant Children
Authors: Fortuna Lisa R. , Martinez William , Porche Michelle V.
Published: April 2023

Purpose: Unaccompanied immigrant children (UIC) experience significant mental health concerns, particularly posttraumatic stress. This is a vulnerable population, yet little systematic research has examined the effectiveness of evidence-based models such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to meet their needs. Integrating religious beliefs and spirituality into therapy could elucidate better understandings of traumatic stress, and posttraumatic cognitions when working with UIC with strong faith traditions/beliefs. Methods: We report on modifications made to a pre-existing treatment, consisting of integrating religious and spiritual themes, to engage and work with UIC participants in a pilot study of Mindfulness-Based CBT. Thematic analysis of therapy notes evaluated the implementation process for integrating religious and spiritual themes. Three composite vignettes illustrate how religiosity and spirituality were salient for UIC participants in this pilot study, and how these were integrated into therapy to address posttraumatic cognitions and symptoms. We assessed changes in PTSD symptom severity and posttraumatic cognitions for UIC and in comparison, to non-UIC participants using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale and the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory. Results: Religiosity and spirituality were important for coping and conceptualizations of trauma, served as facilitators for engaging UIC in therapy, and related to improving posttraumatic cognitions and symptoms. Conclusion: Religious identity and spirituality can be important for meaning making, trauma cognitions and symptoms, and can be important to explore in therapy with unaccompanied immigrant children and adolescents. Clinical Trial Registration: Not applicable.
A novel thermo-geometrical model for accurate keyhole porosity prediction in Laser Powder-Bed Fusion
Authors: Vaglio Emanuele , Totis Giovanni , Lanzutti Alex , Fedrizzi Lorenzo , Sortino Marco
Published: April 2023

When performing Laser Powder-Bed Fusion, undesired physical phenomena, such as balling, preballing and keyhole, must be avoided in order to achieve high-quality products. To date, keyhole-free process parameters can be identified either using demanding empirical methods or complex numerical simulations, while only a few analytical models can be found in literature for this purpose. In this work, state-of-the-art analytical models for predicting keyhole porosity were summarized and proved to be rather inaccurate because they are only based on thermodynamic principles, whereas they neglect the geometry and both the kinetics and kinematics of the keyhole cavity, which do also influence cavity collapse and porosity formation. Here an innovative physics-based semi-analytical model for predicting the formation of keyhole-related porosities was conceived, in which both thermodynamic and geometrical factors are taken into account. The proposed model was validated by performing single tracks experiments on Ti6Al4V according to a full factorial DoE on laser power and scanning speed. Produced samples were cross-sectioned and analyzed to evaluate keyhole porosity formation. The comparison between experimental data and model predictions confirmed the higher accuracy of the new model with respect to state of the art models. Besides improving the understanding of the keyhole phenomenon, the proposed model may provide a novel, effective and simple tool for fast process parameter optimization in industry.
Organisatorische und personale Hürden bei der Entwicklung digitaler Geschäftsmodelle
Authors: Kinkel Steffen , Fara Dominique Rene , Beiner Sebastian , Janeikis Sonja
Published: April 2023

Viele traditionelle Industrieunternehmen tun sich sehr schwer damit, neue digitale Geschäftsmodelle zu entwickeln und erfolgreich in den Markt einzuführen. Sie verharren weiterhin vorrangig in ihrem auf den Verkauf technischer Produkte spezialisierten Geschäft, das viele Jahre gute Gewinne abgeworfen hat. Sie unterschätzen aber die Dynamik des Wandels, die durch die zunehmende Digitalisierung und Serviceorientierung der Leistungsangebote entsteht und das traditionelle Sachgutgeschäft sehr schnell unter Druck setzen kann. Der Beitrag stellt die im Rahmen des BMBF-geförderten Forschungsprojekts AgilHybrid identifizierten, zentralen Hürden vor, die Industrieunternehmen überwinden müssen, wenn sie sich zum erfolgreichen Anbieter digitaler Geschäftsmodelle entwickeln wollen. Dabei kam ein Mixed-Methods-Ansatz aus qualitativen und quantitativen Forschungsmethoden zum Einsatz. Strukturiert werden die Erkenntnisse in Hürden bei der Nutzung agiler Arbeitsweisen, Hürden bei der Identifizierung und Entwicklung der notwendigen Kompetenzen und organisationale Hürden der Kernorganisation.

Praktische Relevanz: Aus der Analyse erfolgreicher und gescheiterter Vorhaben der beteiligten Partnerunternehmen wurden die wesentlichen Hürden identifiziert, die den Entwicklungserfolg verzögern oder behindern. Die Erkenntnisse wurden in mehrfacher iterativer Interaktion zwischen den Wissenschafts- und Praxispartnern reflektiert und schrittweise Ansätze entwickelt und Interventionen erprobt, wie die identifizierten Hürden überwunden werden können. Ein Praxisbeispiel eines projektbasierten Personalentwicklungsprogramms des beteiligten Unternehmens Wilo SE stellt einen Ansatz vor, wie diese Herausforderungen integriert angegangen und eigene Talente hierfür entwickelt werden können.
Trastuzumab Deruxtecan for Treating HER2-Positive Unresectable or Metastatic Breast Cancer After Two or More Anti-HER2 Therapies: An Evidence Review Group Perspective of a NICE Single Technology Appraisal
Authors: Houten Rachel , Fleeman Nigel , Mahon James , Chaplin Marty , Edwards Katherine , Beale Sophie , Boland Angela , Dundar Yenal , Marsden Ashley , Malik Zafar , Palmieri Carlo
Published: April 2023

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidance to improve health and social care in England and Wales. NICE invited Daiichi Sankyo to submit evidence for the use of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) for treating human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive unresectable or metastatic breast cancer (UBC/MBC) after two or more anti-HER2 therapies, in accordance with NICE’s Single Technology Appraisal process. The Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group, part of the University of Liverpool, was commissioned to act as the Evidence Review Group (ERG). This article summarises the ERG’s review of the evidence submitted by the company and provides an overview of the NICE Appraisal Committee’s (AC’s) final decision made in May 2021. Results from the company’s base-case fully incremental analysis showed that, compared with T-DXd, eribulin and vinorelbine were dominated and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained versus capecitabine was £47,230. The ERG scenario analyses generated a range of ICERs, with the highest being a scenario relating to a comparison of T-DXd versus capecitabine (£78,142 per QALY gained). The ERG considered that due to a lack of appropriate clinical effectiveness evidence, the relative effectiveness of T-DXd versus any comparator treatment could not be determined with any degree of certainty. The NICE AC agreed that the modelling of overall survival was highly uncertain and concluded that treatment with T-DXd could not be recommended for routine use within the National Health Service (NHS). T-DXd was, however, recommended for use within the Cancer Drugs Fund, provided Managed Access Agreement conditions were followed.
Truck platoon analysis for autonomous trucks
Authors: Fahad Mohammad , Nagy Richard
Published: April 2023

Selection of optimum platoon pattern based on types of trucks inside the platoon, the number of trucks in the platoon, headway distance, interplatoon distance as well as the use of different lateral wander modes for autonomous trucks has been analyzed. The objective of this research is to study the impacts of axle configurations, truck grouping, headway distance and lateral wander options on the performance of truck platoons. Four different headway distances from 2 to 5 m are compared. The first platoon PT-1 only consists of semi trailers, the second platoon PT-2 only consists of rigid body trucks and the third platoon PT-3 consists of equally distributed random traffic mix. Analysis has been conducted using the dload subroutine for projecting zero wander and uniform wander movements for each truck in the platoon on a three layered pavement crossection at vehicle speeds of 90 km/h for a total of 15 years of pavement lifetime consisting of 1.4 million equivalent single axle loads in finite element software ABAQUS. Results show that PT-3 platoon yields the minimum accumulation of damaging strains when compared against other platoon types. A headway distance of 5 m is suggested when using a zero wander mode and 3 m when using a uniform wander mode. In case of zero wander mode, fatigue life of the pavement decreases by 1.2 years and the use of uniform wander mode delays the rutting by 1.6 years, thereby increasing lifetime of the pavement.
An Improvement in Maximum Likelihood Estimation of the Gompertz Distribution Parameters
Authors: Al-Shomrani Ali A.
Published: April 2023

In this study, we will look at estimating the parameters of the Gompertz distribution. We know that the maximum likelihood technique is the most often used method in the literature for parameter estimation. However, it is well known that the maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) are biased for small sample sizes. As a result, we are motivated to produce nearly unbiased estimators for the parameters of this distribution. To be more specific, we concentrate on two bias-correction strategies (analytical and bootstrap approaches) to minimize MLE biases to the second order of magnitude. Monte Carlo simulations are used to compare the performances of these estimators. Finally, two real-data examples are offered to demonstrate the utility of our proposed estimators in small sample sizes.
SSA research on electromagnetic scattering in arid zone
Authors: Jiang Fengyun
Published: April 2023

This paper investigates the electromagnetic scattering characteristics in arid zone and proposes methods for monitoring and improving ecological agriculture, vegetation landscape and desertification in arid zone, based on the modified small slope approximation (SSA) electromagnetic scattering model. The dielectric properties of dryland soils are studied in the paper, and the variation curves of soil dielectric constant with humidity and electromagnetic frequency are plotted. In order to reproduce the geomorphological features of the dryland areas, a two-dimensional geometric model of the ground environment is established using Monte Carlo methods combined with Gaussian spectral functions. An algorithm model based on the modified SSA is developed, and the algorithm was validated and analyzed to verify its reliability. In the simulations, the southeastern region of Ejina Banner, Inner Mongolia was taken as a typical arid region, and the simulation parameters are obtained from the actual measurement data of the region. The study finds that the electromagnetic scattering characteristics of the arid zone are influenced by soil water content, ground roughness and incident wave electromagnetic frequency, and there is regularity. The results of this paper can be effectively combined with remote sensing technology to contribute to many researches on soil moisture inversion and ecological condition of vegetation, which are important in many aspects such as irrigation control, ecological research, vorticity covariance, and climatology of slope stability.
Substrate integrated waveguide pedestal filtering-antenna and -arrays for 5G radio frequency front-ends
Authors: Meyer Elmine , Vertegaal Cornelis , Johnson Leanne , Meyer Petrie , Johannsen Ulf
Published: April 2023

This paper presents the design, manufacturing, and measurement of a novel substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) pedestal filtering antenna solution for use in 5G New Radio sub-6 GHz communications. Miniaturization is achieved through the use of SIW pedestal resonators and integration of the radiating element into the filter design, resulting in higher order suppression. The design generates a third order filtering response utilizing SIW pedestal resonators and a patch antenna element. The manufactured SIW pedestal filtenna achieves a 10 dB return loss bandwidth of 4.29% about a center frequency of 3.63 GHz, and a boresight gain of 3.66 dBi. Using the SIW pedestal filtenna elements, two array configurations are measured, a 1 × 1 linear array and 2 × 2 planar array. Beam-steering capability for the linear array is demonstrated in simulation, while the 2 × 2 array is shown to be suited to both dual- and single-mode operation.
Quantifying the Benefits of Altimetry Assimilation in Seasonal Forecasts of the Upper Ocean
Authors: Widlansky Matthew J. , Long Xiaoyu , Balmaseda Magdalena A. , Spillman Claire M. , Smith Grant , Zuo Hao , Yin Yonghong , Alves Oscar , Kumar Arun
Published: April 2023

Satellite altimetry measurements of sea surface height provide near‐global ocean state observations on sub‐monthly time scales, which are not always utilized by seasonal climate forecasting systems. As early as the mid‐1990s, attempts were made to assimilate altimetry observations to initialize climate models. These experiments demonstrated improved ocean forecasting skill, especially compared to experiments that did not assimilate subsurface ocean temperature information. Nowadays, some operational climate forecasting models utilize altimetry in their assimilation systems, whereas others do not. Here, we assess the impact of altimetry assimilation on seasonal prediction skill of ocean variables in two climate forecasting systems that are from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (SEAS5) and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ACCESS‐S). We show that assimilating altimetry improves the initialization of subsurface ocean temperatures, as well as seasonal forecasts of monthly variability in upper‐ocean heat content and sea level. Skill improvements are largest in the subtropics, where there are typically less subsurface ocean observations available to initialize the forecasts. In the tropics, there are no noticeable improvements in forecast skill. The positive impact of altimetry assimilation on forecast skill related to the subsurface ocean does not seem to affect predictions of sea surface temperature. Whether this is because current forecasting systems are close to the potential predictability limit for the ocean surface, or perhaps altimetry observations are not fully exploited, remains a question. In summary, we find that utilizing altimetry observations improves the overall global ocean forecasting skill, at least for upper‐ocean heat content and sea level.
Sedimentary Coastal Cliff Erosion in Greenland
Authors: Luetzenburg G. , Townsend D. , Svennevig K. , Bendixen M. , Bjørk A. A. , Eidam E. F. , Kroon A.
Published: April 2023

Climate change will increase the duration of annual sea‐ice‐free periods and shift precipitation patterns across the Arctic. Those factors are likely to increase erosion rates along its coasts. Large parts of the Arctic coast consist of hard rock. However, glacial, deltaic, and coastal sedimentary deposits occur in deglaciated areas and isostatic uplift following glaciations has created beach ridge plains and pocket beaches with coarse soft‐sediment cliffs. Hitherto, very little was known about the spatial distribution, erosion rates, and morphodynamics of soft sediment cliffs along the coast of Greenland. Here, we investigate a 3‐km sedimentary cliff section on the south coast of Qeqertarsuaq (Disko Island). We measured 2D cliff top erosion over 50 years between 1964 and 2014 as well as 3D cliff profile change over 2 years between 2019 and 2021. Morphometric indices of the gravel beach and cliff were calculated based on a series of cross‐shore elevation profiles. Wave run‐up at the beach fronting the cliff was modeled with XBeach‐G for a series of storm events under present day sea‐ice conditions and for a reduced sea‐ice scenario. Cliff top erosion rates varied along the cliff with maximum rates of 0.3 m y−1. The investigated coastal cliff erodes by two coupled processes: (a) precipitation‐driven surface runoff downslope the cliff and (b) wave‐driven erosion at the cliff toe. In a continuously warming climate, this study shows that erosion of soft coastal cliffs in Greenland thus can accelerate due to increased storminess and prolonging open water periods.
Bias Correction and Statistical Modeling of Variable Oceanic Forcing of Greenland Outlet Glaciers
Authors: Verjans Vincent , Robel Alexander , Thompson Andrew F. , Seroussi Helene
Published: April 2023

Variability in oceanic conditions directly impacts ice loss from marine outlet glaciers in Greenland, influencing the ice sheet mass balance. Oceanic conditions are available from Atmosphere‐Ocean Global Climate Model (AOGCM) output, but these models require extensive computational resources and lack the fine resolution needed to simulate ocean dynamics on the Greenland continental shelf and close to glacier marine termini. Here, we develop a statistical approach to generate ocean forcing for ice sheet model simulations, which incorporates natural spatiotemporal variability and anthropogenic changes. Starting from raw AOGCM ocean heat content, we apply: (a) a bias‐correction using ocean reanalysis, (b) an extrapolation accounting for on‐shelf ocean dynamics, and (c) stochastic time series models to generate realizations of natural variability. The bias‐correction reduces model errors by ∼25% when compared to independent in‐situ measurements. The bias‐corrected time series are subsequently extrapolated to fjord mouth locations using relations constrained from available high‐resolution regional ocean model results. The stochastic time series models reproduce the spatial correlation, characteristic timescales, and the amplitude of natural variability of bias‐corrected AOGCMs, but at negligible computational expense. We demonstrate the efficiency of this method by generating >6,000 time series of ocean forcing for >200 Greenland marine‐terminating glacier locations until 2100. As our method is computationally efficient and adaptable to any ocean model output and reanalysis product, it provides flexibility in exploring sensitivity to ocean conditions in Greenland ice sheet model simulations. We provide the output and workflow in an open‐source repository, and discuss advantages and future developments for our method.
UBTF tandem duplications define a distinct subtype of adult de novo acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Duployez Nicolas , Vasseur Loïc , Kim Rathana , Largeaud Laëtitia , Passet Marie , L’Haridon Anaïs , Lemaire Pierre , Fenwarth Laurène , Geffroy Sandrine , Helevaut Nathalie , Celli‑Lebras Karine , Adès Lionel , Lebon Delphine , Berthon Céline , Marceau-Renaut Alice , Cheok Meyling , Lambert Juliette , Récher Christian , Raffoux Emmanuel , Micol Jean-Baptiste , Pigneux Arnaud , Gardin Claude , Delabesse Eric , Soulier Jean , Hunault Mathilde , Dombret Hervé , Itzykson Raphael , Clappier Emmanuelle , Preudhomme Claude
Published: April 2023

Tandem duplications (TDs) of theUBTFgene have been recently described as a recurrent alteration in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, by screening 1946 newly diagnosed adult AML, we found thatUBTF-TDs occur in about 3% of patients aged 18–60 years, in a mutually exclusive pattern with other known AML subtype-defining alterations. The characteristics of 59 adults withUBTF-TD AML included young age (median 37 years), low bone marrow (BM) blast infiltration (median 25%), and high rates ofWT1mutations (61%),FLT3-ITDs (51%) and trisomy 8 (29%). BM morphology frequently demonstrates dysmyelopoiesis albeit modulated by the co-occurrence ofFLT3-ITD.UBTF-TD patients have lower complete remission (CR) rates (57% after 1 course and 76% after 2 courses of intensive chemotherapy [ICT]) thanUBTF-wild-type patients. In patients enrolled in the ALFA-0702 study (n = 614 patients including 21 withUBTF-TD AML), the 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival ofUBTF-TD patients were 42.9% (95%CI: 23.4–78.5%) and 57.1% (95%CI: 39.5–82.8%) and did not significantly differ from those of ELN 2022 intermediate/adverse risk patients. Finally, the study of paired diagnosis and relapsed/refractory AML samples suggests thatWT1-mutated clones are frequently selected under ICT. This study supports the recognition ofUBTF-TD AML as a new AML entity in adults.
Insulin effects on core neurotransmitter pathways involved in schizophrenia neurobiology: a meta-analysis of preclinical studies. Implications for the treatment
Authors: de Bartolomeis Andrea , De Simone Giuseppe , De Prisco Michele , Barone Annarita , Napoli Raffaele , Beguinot Francesco , Billeci Martina , Fornaro Michele
Published: April 2023

Impairment of insulin action and metabolic dysregulation have traditionally been associated with schizophrenia, although the molecular basis of such association remains still elusive. The present meta-analysis aims to assess the impact of insulin action manipulations (i.e., hyperinsulinemia, hypoinsulinemia, systemic or brain insulin resistance) on glutamatergic, dopaminergic, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic, and serotonergic pathways in the central nervous system. More than one hundred outcomes, including transcript or protein levels, kinetic parameters, and other components of the neurotransmitter pathways, were collected from cultured cells, animals, or humans, and meta-analyzed by applying a random-effects model and adopting Hedges’g to compare means. Two hundred fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 180 entered the quantitative synthesis. Significant impairments in key regulators of synaptic plasticity processes were detected as the result of insulin handlings. Specifically, protein levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunits including type 2A (NR2A) (Hedges’ g = −0.95, 95%C.I. = −1.50, −0.39; p = 0.001; I2 = 47.46%) and 2B (NR2B) (Hedges’g = −0.69, 95%C.I. = −1.35, −0.02; p = 0.043; I2 = 62.09%), and Postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) (Hedges’g = −0.91, 95%C.I. = −1.51, −0.32; p = 0.003; I2 = 77.81%) were found reduced in insulin-resistant animal models. Moreover, insulin-resistant animals showed significantly impaired dopamine transporter activity, whereas the dopamine D2 receptor mRNA expression (Hedges’g = 3.259; 95%C.I. = 0.497, 6.020; p = 0.021; I2 = 90.61%) increased under insulin deficiency conditions. Insulin action modulated glutamate and GABA release, as well as several enzymes involved in GABA and serotonin synthesis. These results suggest that brain neurotransmitter systems are susceptible to insulin signaling abnormalities, resembling the discrete psychotic disorders’ neurobiology and possibly contributing to the development of neurobiological hallmarks of treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
Multi-omics signatures in new-onset diabetes predict metabolic response to dietary inulin: findings from an observational study followed by an interventional trial
Authors: Ďásková N. , Modos I. , Krbcová M. , Kuzma M. , Pelantová H. , Hradecký J. , Heczková M. , Bratová M. , Videňská P. , Šplíchalová P. , Králová M. , Heniková M. , Potočková J. , Ouřadová A. , Landberg R. , Kühn T. , Cahová M. , Gojda J.
Published: April 2023

Aim

The metabolic performance of the gut microbiota contributes to the onset of type 2 diabetes. However, targeted dietary interventions are limited by the highly variable inter-individual response. We hypothesized (1) that the composition of the complex gut microbiome and metabolome (MIME) differ across metabolic spectra (lean-obese-diabetes); (2) that specific MIME patterns could explain the differential responses to dietary inulin; and (3) that the response can be predicted based on baseline MIME signature and clinical characteristics.

Method

Forty-nine patients with newly diagnosed pre/diabetes (DM), 66 metabolically healthy overweight/obese (OB), and 32 healthy lean (LH) volunteers were compared in a cross-sectional case-control study integrating clinical variables, dietary intake, gut microbiome, and fecal/serum metabolomes (16 S rRNA sequencing, metabolomics profiling). Subsequently, 27 DM were recruited for a predictive study: 3 months of dietary inulin (10 g/day) intervention.

Results

MIME composition was different between groups. While the DM and LH groups represented opposite poles of the abundance spectrum, OB was closer to DM. Inulin supplementation was associated with an overall improvement in glycemic indices, though the response was very variable, with a shift in microbiome composition toward a more favorable profile and increased serum butyric and propionic acid concentrations. The improved glycemic outcomes of inulin treatment were dependent on better baseline glycemic status and variables related to the gut microbiota, including the abundance of certain bacterial taxa (i.e., Blautia, Eubacterium halii group, Lachnoclostridium, Ruminiclostridium, Dialister, or Phascolarctobacterium), serum concentrations of branched-chain amino acid derivatives and asparagine, and fecal concentrations of indole and several other volatile organic compounds.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that obesity is a stronger determinant of different MIME patterns than impaired glucose metabolism. The large inter-individual variability in the metabolic effects of dietary inulin was explained by differences in baseline glycemic status and MIME signatures. These could be further validated to personalize nutritional interventions in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes.