bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical activity in childhood and later risk of inflammatory bowel disease: A Scandinavian birth cohort study
Authors: Lerchova Tereza , Östensson Malin , Sigvardsson Ida , Størdal Ketil , Guo Annie , Mårild Karl , Ludvigsson Johnny
Published: October 2023

Background and Objective

Retrospective data have linked adult physical activity (PA) to reduced risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to prospectively examine the association of PA and screen time (ST) in childhood with later risk of IBD, for which data are scarce.

Methods

Using two population‐based birth cohorts (All Babies in Southeast Sweden [ABIS] and Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study [MoBa]), we retrieved parent‐reported data on PA and ST degree at ages 3 and 8 years. Data were modelled as binary (high vs. low) and numerical (hours/day) exposures. Inflammatory bowel disease was defined as ≥2 diagnostic records in national health registers. Cox regression estimated hazard ratios adjusted for potential confounding from parental IBD, country of origin, education, and smoking habits (Adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)). Our 8‐year analyses included a 2‐year lag period to reduce the risk of reverse causation. Cohort‐specific estimates were pooled using random‐effects model.

Result

Among 65,978 participants from ABIS (n = 8810) and MoBa (n = 57,168) with available data, 266 developed IBD. At 3 years, children with high versus low PA had an aHR of 1.12 for IBD (95%CI = 0.87–1.43); high versus low ST showed an aHR of 0.91 (95%CI = 0.71–1.17). Conversely, at 8 years, high versus low ST was associated with increased risk of later IBD (aHR = 1.51; 95%CI = 1.02–2.25), but PA at 8 years, was not linked to IBD (aHR = 1.19; 95%CI = 0.80–1.76). Subtype‐specific analyses for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis did not differ appreciably.

Conclusion

Acknowledging possible confounding variables, children with high versus low ST at 8 years were at increased risk of IBD. In contrast, PA degree was not linked to IBD at any age category.
Prevalence of subclinical mastitis, associated risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolated from milk of dairy cattle in Kajiado Central sub‐county, Kenya
Authors: Michira Lynda , Kagira John , Maina Naomi , Waititu Keneth , Kiboi Daniel , Ongera Edidah , Ngotho Maina
Published: October 2023

Background

Literature is scarce on the occurrence of bovine mastitis and antimicrobial resistance among dairy animals kept by pastoralists in the Kenya.

Objectives

A cross‐sectional study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of subclinical mastitis (SCM) and evaluate the antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria isolated from dairy cattle kept by farmers in Kajiado Central sub‐county, Kenya.

Methods

A total of 202 lactating cows from 40 farms were sampled. Milk from the cows was screened for SCM using the California mastitis test, and the bacteria present in the milk samples were determined using standard bacteriological methods. The sensitivity of the isolated coagulase‐negative staphylococci (CNS) and Staphylococcus aureus against antibiotics was tested using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method.

Results

The prevalence of SCM at quarter‐ and cow‐level was 31.7% and 53%, respectively. The prevalence of SCM was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in exotic breeds of cattle and those kept under an extensive system of production. A total of 19 bacterial species were isolated with the majority being CNS (40.1%), S. aureus (15.8%) and Micrococcus spp. (10.4%). S. aureus isolates showed varied resistance to the tested antibiotics with the highest resistance being against ceftazidime (75%), amoxycillin (50%) and streptomycin (46.9%). Several S. aureus isolates were resistant to oxacillin (34.4%) and cefoxitin (12.5%). CNSs were more resistant against ceftazidime (79.1%), amoxycillin (34.6%) and oxacillin (32.1%). Majority (92%–100%) of the Staphylococcus spp. were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin a fluoroquinolone and augmentin.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of SCM and bacteria resistant to antibiotics shows a need for animal health professionals and farmers to develop strategies for the management of mastitis and antibiotic resistance in dairy cows in the study area.
Fitting Functions to Time Series
Authors: Nicolau Andréa Puzzi , Dyson Karen , Bhandari Biplov , Saah David , Clinton Nicholas
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a foundation for time-series analysis of remotely sensed data, which is typically arranged as an ordered stack of images. You will be introduced to the concepts of graphing time series, using linear modeling to detrend time series, and fitting harmonic models to time-series data. At the completion of this chapter, you will be able to perform analysis of multi-temporal data for determining trend and seasonality on a per-pixel basis.
Exploring Lagged Effects in Time Series
Authors: Nicolau Andréa Puzzi , Dyson Karen , Saah David , Clinton Nicholas
Published: October 2023

In this chapter, we will introduce lagged effects to build on the previous work in modeling time series data. Time-lagged effects occur when an event at one point in time impacts dependent variables at a later point in time. You will be introduced to concepts of autocovariance and autocorrelation, cross-covariance and cross-correlation, and auto-regressive models. At the end of this chapter, you will be able to examine how variables relate to one another across time and to fit time series models that take into account lagged events.
Survey of Raster Datasets
Authors: Nicolau Andréa Puzzi , Dyson Karen , Saah David , Clinton Nicholas
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce you to the many types of collections of images available in Google Earth Engine. These include sets of individual satellite images, pre-made composites (which merge multiple individual satellite images into one composite image), classified land use and land cover (LULC) maps, weather data, and other types of datasets. If you are new to JavaScript or programming, work through Chaps. F1.0 and F1.1 first.
Built Environments
Authors: Trochim Erin
Published: October 2023

The built environment consists of the human-made physical parts of the environment, including homes, buildings, streets, open spaces, and infrastructure. This chapter will focus on analyzing global infrastructure datasets.
Monitoring Gold Mining Activity Using SAR
Authors: Villa Lucio , Novoa Sidney , Becerra Milagros , Nicolau Andréa Puzzi , Dyson Karen , Tenneson Karis , Dilger John
Published: October 2023

The expansion of gold mining has had a large impact on the rainforests of the Amazon over the last decades. To take just one example, it has affected both the biodiversity and the lives of local people in the Madre de Dios region of southeastern Peru. In this chapter, we will review a methodology developed to generate early warnings of deforestation based on the use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images.
The Remote Sensing Vocabulary
Authors: Dyson Karen , Nicolau Andréa Puzzi , Saah David , Clinton Nicholas
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce some of the principal characteristics of remotely sensed images and how they can be examined in Earth Engine. We discuss spatial resolution, temporal resolution, and spectral resolution, along with how to access important image metadata. You will be introduced to image data from several sensors aboard various satellite platforms. At the completion of the chapter, you will be able to understand the difference between remotely sensed datasets based on these characteristics and how to choose an appropriate dataset for your analysis based on these concepts.
Groundwater Monitoring with GRACE
Authors: Purdy A. J. , Famiglietti J. S.
Published: October 2023

The following tutorial details how to use observations from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) to evaluate changes in groundwater storage for a large river basin. Here, you will learn how to apply remote sensing estimates of total water storage anomalies, land surface model output, and in situ observations to resolve groundwater storage changes in California’s Central Valley.
Mangroves
Authors: Shapiro Aurélie
Published: October 2023

Mangrove ecosystems are tropical coastal forests that are adapted to saltwater environments. Their unique qualities of existing primarily in moist environments at low elevation along shorelines, lack of seasonality, and compact pattern make them relatively easy to identify in satellite images. In this chapter, we present a series of automated steps, including water masking, to extract mangroves from a fusion of optical and active radar data.
Working with GPS and Weather Data
Authors: Engelstad Peder , Carver Daniel , Young Nicholas E.
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate how to use Google Earth Engine as a means of associating remotely sensed data (weather observations) with open-source GPS point locations. These methods will provide a quick and easy way to access and analyze large amounts of information relative to your own research and efficiently move your data outside Earth Engine.
Contemporary Consumption of Brand Activism
Authors: Lewis Natasha , Vredenburg Jessica
Published: October 2023

When it is well-executed, evidence suggests that brand activism can create beneficial outcomes for a brand: However, effects on both the cause and the consumer are less understood. Thus, this chapter aims to better understand how consumers interpret, evaluate, and act on brand activism efforts. Through a consumer-focused lens, we seek to uncover how brand activism initiatives can best be communicated in order to encourage positive consumer sentiment in those who consume them. Focus groups were used to understand consumer interpretations of, responses to, and expectations regarding brand activism in the context of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Our findings revealed a shift in consumer expectations, with consumers looking for authentic internal commitment to support any external messaging, in order for it to be positively received. This shift in consumer expectations highlights the change in brand activism practice over the past few years: It is no longer acceptable to merely advocate for a position or raise awareness. This chapter contributes to foundational research laying the groundwork for future consumer research focusing on understanding the consumption of brand activism.
Toward a Packaging-Free Society: A Historical Journey of Institutionalization and the Way Forward
Authors: Ağlargöz Ozan , Ağlargöz Feyza
Published: October 2023

In today’s society, consumers expect products to be provided in packages. Nevertheless, this never used to be the case, and it is being argued that packageless alternatives will be developed more and more in the future. Utilizing the neo-institutionalist perspective, it is claimed that the package has been institutionalized in the extreme, thus making any thoughts of other alternatives almost impossible. However, it is asserted that packaging, as an institution, has started to be deinstitutionalized by sustainability-driven packaging-free consumption trends. This chapter reviews the essential functions and the history of packaging, the transformation of retailers due to the sustainability imperative, the zero-waste movement, and packaging-free retailing. It is then finalized with discussions on how packaging-free retailing was reborn, its obstacles, and suggestions for its future diffusion. It is concluded that an entirely packageless society would seem to be a utopia, while business-as-usual in packaging would be a bitter dystopia.
Trending Seaweed: Future Opportunities in Retail?
Authors: Fredriksson Cecilia , Merkel Annabell , Säwe Filippa
Published: October 2023

In this chapter, we analyze a number of challenges concerning the possibilities of seaweed reaching a larger Swedish retail market. Consumers seem to be quite open and flexible regarding the positioning of seaweed products in stores. As previous research has shown, certain consumer groups feel like taking responsibility when it comes to consuming more sustainably. These consumer groups could function as early adopters for new seaweed products and be targeted accordingly. Retailers and practitioners could help consumers to understand these new products by educating them about sustainability and providing sustainability services. Vegetarian or vegan alternatives for already-established products could be placed next to these familiar foods in order to make it easy for the consumer to understand how the new product is intended to be used, and how it fits into current cooking and eating practices. The results reveal a disparity and ambivalence in consumers’ attitudes and approaches to seaweed, paving the way for new consumer insights, retail guiding, and in-store services. We emphasize the responsibility of the retail sector in being one of the main actors introducing alternative and new food products. We also raise issues relating to communication, organization, and to how to facilitate sustainable food.
From the Particulars to the General: A Small-Scale Conclusion
Authors: Dodds Phil
Published: October 2023

The main arguments and implications of the foregoing chapters are briefly summarised, emphasising how music has been involved in the normalisation or imposition of particular scalar relations, while also contesting dominant scalar systems and hierarchies.
Forschungsobjekt: automatisierter Journalismus
Authors: Körner Theresa
Published: October 2023

In Kapitel Drei wird das Untersuchungsobjekt der vorliegenden Arbeit, der automatisierte Journalismus, dargestellt. Ziel des Kapitels ist es, in das Forschungsthema einzuführen, eine Systematisierung der Praxis vorzulegen sowie Anschluss an die bisherigen Forschungsergebnisse zu leisten. Dazu werden zunächst die wesentlichen Bestandteile des Begriffs erläutert und der Untersuchungsgegenstand beschrieben.
Glaubwürdigkeit und Vertrauen in automatisiert generierte Nachrichtentexte: Forschungsstand zur Wahrnehmung der Lesenden
Authors: Körner Theresa
Published: October 2023

Im Folgenden wird der Forschungsstand zur Wahrnehmung computergenerierter Nachrichten durch Leser:innen in einer umfassenden Literaturanalyse aufgearbeitet. Neben der Darstellung der Studienergebnisse liegt der Schwerpunkt des Kapitels auf den bisher verwendeten Studiensettings und der getesteten Variablen. Ziel ist es, eine fundierte Grundlage für die intensive Auseinandersetzung mit Vertrauensbewertungen im automatisierten Journalismus im Rahmen dieser Arbeit, aber auch für Folgestudien zu erzielen. Dazu werden aus dem bisherigen Forschungsstand Einflussfaktoren auf die Wahrnehmung computergenerierter Nachrichten und die jeweiligen Kontexte der Studien aufgearbeitet, welche die Faktoren der generalisierten Vertrauensbewertungen im Journalismus aus Kapitel 4 ergänzen.
On the importance of three-body decays of vector-like quarks
Authors: Bautista Carlos , de Lima Leonardo , D’Elia Matheus Ricardo , Savoy-Navarro Aurore
Published: October 2023

Abstract

It is a common feature of vector-like extensions of the electroweak sector to have near degenerate states, such as electroweak doublets. In simplified models, it is usually assumed that these have decay widths saturated by two-body channels. As a consequence, experimental searches can be done focusing on only one of the states of the doublet. Taking as an example case the light exotic electroweak doublet present in the Minimal Composite Higgs Model, we show that including three-body decays in the pair production process makes this separation unfeasible, since both states of the doublet will be present and contribute significantly to the signal. In addition, by recasting present searches in multileptonic channels, with a simplified cut-and-count analysis, a relevant increase in discovery reach or exclusion potential is obtained; this indeed motivates a more detailed analysis. This study shows how an inclusive search strategy, taking into account both the near degeneracy and the presence of three-body decays, will have greater discovery power and be more natural from a model building perspective.
Biadjoint scalars and associahedra from residues of generalized amplitudes
Authors: Cachazo Freddy , Early Nick
Published: October 2023

Abstract

In the Grassmannian formulation of the S-matrix for planar $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 Super Yang-Mills, Nk−2MHV scattering amplitudes for k negative and n − k positive helicity gluons can be expressed, by an application of the global residue theorem, as a signed sum over a collection of (k − 2)(n − k − 2)-dimensional residues. These residues are supported on certain positroid subvarieties of the Grassmannian G(k, n). In this paper, we replace the Grassmannian G(3, n) with its torus quotient, the moduli space of n points in the projective plane in general position, and planar $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM with generalized biadjoint scalar amplitudes $$ {m}_n^{(3)} $$

m
n

3

as introduced by Cachazo-Early-Guevara-Mizera (CEGM) [1]. Whereas in the Grassmannian formulation residues of the Parke-Taylor form correspond to individual BCFW, or on-shell diagrams, we show that each such (n − 5)-dimensional residue of $$ {m}_n^{(3)} $$

m
n

3

an entire biadjoint scalar partial amplitude $$ {m}_n^{(2)} $$

m
n

2

, that is a sum over all tree-level Feynman diagrams for a fixed planar order. We make a proposal which would do the same for k ≥ 4.
Boundaries and interfaces with localized cubic interactions in the O(N) model
Authors: Harribey Sabine , Klebanov Igor R. , Sun Zimo
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We explore a new approach to boundaries and interfaces in the O(N) model where we add certain localized cubic interactions. These operators are nearly marginal when the bulk dimension is 4 − ϵ, and they explicitly break the O(N) symmetry of the bulk theory down to O(N − 1). We show that the one-loop beta functions of the cubic couplings are affected by the quartic bulk interactions. For the interfaces, we find real fixed points up to the critical value Ncrit ≈ 7, while for N > 4 there are IR stable fixed points with purely imaginary values of the cubic couplings. For the boundaries, there are real fixed points for all N, but we don’t find any purely imaginary fixed points. We also consider the theories of M pairs of symplectic fermions and one real scalar, which have quartic OSp(1|2M) invariant interactions in the bulk. We then add the Sp(2M) invariant localized cubic interactions. The beta functions for these theories are related to those in the O(N) model via the replacement of N by 1 − 2M. In the special case M = 1, there are boundary or interface fixed points that preserve the OSp(1|2) symmetry, as well as other fixed points that break it.
Operator size distribution in large N quantum mechanics of Majorana fermions
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Gu Yingfei
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Under the Heisenberg evolution in chaotic quantum systems, initially simple operators evolve into complicated ones and ultimately cover the whole operator space. We study the growth of the operator “size” in this process, which is related to the out-of-time-order correlator (OTOC). We derive the full time evolution of the size distribution in large N quantum mechanics of Majorana fermions. As examples, we apply the formalism to the Brownian SYK model (infinite temperature) and the large q SYK model (finite temperature).
Color-kinematics dual representations of one-loop matrix elements in the open-superstring effective action
Authors: Edison Alex , Tegevi Micah
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The α′-expansion of string theory provides a rich set of higher-dimension operators, indexed by ζ values, which can be used to study color-kinematics duality and the double copy. These two powerful properties, actually first noticed in tree-level string amplitudes, simplify the construction of both gauge and gravity amplitudes. However, their applicability and limitations are not fully understood. We attempt to construct a set of color-kinematics dual numerators at one loop and four points for insertions of operator combinations corresponding to the lowest four ζ2-free operator insertions from the open superstring: ζ3, ζ5, $$ {\zeta}_3^2 $$

ζ
3
2

, and ζ7. We succeed in finding a representation for the first three in terms of box, triangle, and bubble numerators. In the case of ζ7 we find an obstruction to a fully color-dual representation related to the bubble-on-external-leg type diagrams. We discuss two paths around this obstruction, both of which signal an incompatability between color-kinematics duality and manifesting certain desired properties. Using the constructed color-dual numerators, we find two different Bern-Carrasco-Johansson double copies that produce candidate closed-string-insertion numerators. Both approaches to the double copy match the kinematics of the cuts, with relative normalization set by either summing over both double copies including degeneracy or by including an explicit prefactor on the double-copy numerator definitions.
Black hole interior Petz map reconstruction and Papadodimas-Raju proposal
Authors: Vardian Niloofar
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We study the reconstruction of the bulk operators in AdS/CFT when the geometry contains a black hole. The black hole exterior can be mapped to the CFT via a very simple Petz map which coincides with the HKLL map reconstruction of the black hole exterior. For the interior modes of the bulk theory, using the definition of the Petz recovery channel in modular theory, we can find the mapping from the black hole interior to the dual boundary theory. In the case of the evaporating black hole, it is expected that the interior modes map to some operators that have support only on the bath system, the cavity that absorbs the Hawking radiation. The most important observation that we have here is that in the case that we have a typical black hole microstate in the bulk, the CFT dual of the interior modes that we can find using the Petz recovery channel are exactly the operators that so-called “mirror operator “ in the Papadodimas-Raju proposal. Therefore, we can interpret Papadodimas-Raju proposal as an example of the Petz map reconstruction. It may help us answer some open questions about their procedure.
Host genetics and gut microbiota jointly regulate blood biochemical indicators in chickens
Authors: Jiang Xinwei , Zhang Boxuan , Lan Fangren , Zhong Conghao , Jin Jiaming , Li Xiaochang , Zhou Qianqian , Li Junying , Yang Ning , Wen Chaoliang , Sun Congjiao
Published: October 2023

Blood biochemical indicators play a crucial role in assessing an individual’s overall health status and metabolic function. In this study, we measured five blood biochemical indicators, including total cholesterol (CHOL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CH), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CH), and blood glucose (BG), as well as 19 growth traits of 206 male chickens. By integrating host whole-genome information and 16S rRNA sequencing of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and feces microbiota, we assessed the contributions of host genetics and gut microbiota to blood biochemical indicators and their interrelationships. Our results demonstrated significant negative phenotypic and genetic correlations (r =  − 0.20 ~  − 0.67) between CHOL and LDL-CH with growth traits such as body weight, abdominal fat content, muscle content, and shin circumference. The results of heritability and microbiability indicated that blood biochemical indicators were jointly regulated by host genetics and gut microbiota. Notably, the heritability of HDL-CH was estimated to be 0.24, while the jejunal microbiability for BG and TG reached 0.45 and 0.23. Furthermore, by conducting genome-wide association study (GWAS) with the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs), insertion/deletion (indels), and structural variation (SV), we identified RAP2C, member of the RAS oncogene family (RAP2C), dedicator of cytokinesis 11 (DOCK11), neurotensin (NTS) and BOP1 ribosomal biogenesis factor (BOP1) as regulators of HDL-CH, and glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase domain containing 5 (GDPD5), dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (DHDH), and potassium voltage-gated channel interacting protein 1 (KCNIP1) as candidate genes of BG. Moreover, our findings suggest that cecal RF39 and Clostridia_UCG_014 may be linked to the regulation of CHOL, and jejunal Streptococcaceae may be involved in the regulation of TG. Additionally, microbial GWAS results indicated that the presence of gut microbiota was under host genetic regulation. Our findings provide valuable insights into the complex interaction between host genetics and microbiota in shaping the blood biochemical profile of chickens.

Key points

• Multiple candidate genes were identified for the regulation of CHOL, HDL-CH, and BG.

• RF39, Clostridia_UCG_014, and Streptococcaceae were implicated in CHOL and TG modulation.

• The composition of gut microbiota is influenced by host genetics.
Laparoscopic rectal cancer resection yields comparable clinical and oncological results with shorter hospital stay compared to open access: a 5-year national cohort
Authors: Myrseth Elisabeth , Gjessing Petter Fosse , Nymo Linn Såve , Kørner Hartwig , Kvaløy Jan Terje , Norderval Stig
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Although widely applied, the results following laparoscopic rectal resection (LRR) compared to open rectal resection (ORR) are still debated. The aim of this study was to assess clinical short- and long-term results as well as oncological resection quality following LRR or ORR for cancer in a 5-year national cohort.

Methods

Data from the Norwegian Registry for Gastrointestinal Surgery and the Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Registry were retrieved from January 2014 to December 2018 for patients who underwent elective resection for rectal cancer. Primary end point was 5-year overall survival. Secondary end points were local recurrence rates within 5 years, oncological resection quality, and short-term outcome measures.

Results

A total of 1796 patients were included, of whom 1284 had undergone LRR and 512 ORR. There was no difference in 5-year survival rates between the groups after adjusting for relevant covariates with Cox regression analyses. Crude 5-year survival was 77.1% following LRR compared to 74.8% following ORR (p = 0.015). The 5-year local recurrence rates were 3.1% following LRR and 4.1% following ORR (p = 0.249). Length of hospital stay was median 8.0 days (quartiles 7.0–13.0) after ORR compared to 6.0 (quartiles 4.0–8.0) days after LRR. After adjusting for relevant covariates, estimated additional length of stay after ORR was 3.1 days (p < 0.001, 95% CI 2.3–3.9). Rates of positive resection margins and number of harvested lymph nodes were similar. There were no other significant differences in short-term outcomes between the groups.

Conclusion

LRR was performed with clinical and oncological outcomes similar to ORR, but with shorter hospital stay.
Protein intake and body weight, fat mass and waist circumference: an umbrella review of systematic reviews for the evidence-based guideline on protein intake of the German Nutrition Society
Authors: Ellinger Sabine , Amini Anna M. , Haardt Julia , Lehmann Andreas , Schmidt Annemarie , Bischoff-Ferrari Heike A. , Buyken Anette E. , Kroke Anja , Kühn Tilman , Louis Sandrine , Lorkowski Stefan , Nimptsch Katharina , Schulze Matthias B. , Schwingshackl Lukas , Siener Roswitha , Stangl Gabriele I. , Volkert Dorothee , Zittermann Armin , Watzl Bernhard , Egert Sarah ,   the German Nutrition Society
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This umbrella review aimed to assess whether dietary protein intake with regard to quantitative (higher vs. lower dietary protein intake) and qualitative considerations (total, plant-based or animal-based protein intake) affects body weight (BW), fat mass (FM) and waist circumference (WC).

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for systematic reviews (SRs) with and without meta-analyses of prospective studies published between 04 October 2007 and 04 January 2022. Methodological quality and outcome-specific certainty of evidence of the retrieved SRs were assessed by using AMSTAR 2 and NutriGrade, respectively, in order to rate the overall certainty of evidence using predefined criteria.

Results

Thirty-three SRs were included in this umbrella review; 29 were based on randomised controlled trials, a few included cohort studies. In studies without energy restriction, a high-protein diet did not modulate BW, FM and WC in adults in general (all “possible” evidence); for older adults, overall certainty of evidence was “insufficient” for all parameters. Under hypoenergetic diets, a high-protein diet mostly decreased BW and FM, but evidence was “insufficient” due to low methodological quality. Evidence regarding an influence of the protein type on BW, FM and WC was “insufficient”.

Conclusion

“Possible” evidence exists that the amount of protein does not affect BW, FM and WC in adults under isoenergetic conditions. Its impact on the reduction in BW and FM under hypoenergetic conditions remains unclear; evidence for an influence of protein type on BW, FM and WC is “insufficient”.
Concerns raised by people treated for head and neck cancer: a secondary analysis of audiotaped consultations in a health services follow-up clinic
Authors: Dicks Corrie , Rogers Simon N. , Kanatas Anastasios , Lowe Derek , McHale Calum , Humphris Gerry
Published: October 2023

Purpose

People treated for head and neck cancer (HNC) face various barriers in communicating concerns with consultants. Our aim was to investigate the number of concerns raised between patients using the Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) and those who did not. The PCI is a 57-item prompt list used in routine HNC follow-up clinics. Additionally, we aimed to examine whether who initiated the concerns differed between groups and the factors that may predict this initiation.

Methods

Secondary data analysis included 67 participants across 15 HNC consultants from specialist cancer centres in Liverpool and Leeds. Seven consultants utilised the PCI and eight did not, assigned by preferential and random assignment.

Results

Patients in the PCI group raised on average 2.5 more concerns than patients in the non-PCI group (p < .001). There was no significant relationship between group and who initiated the first concern (p = .28). A mixed-effects logistic regression was found to significantly predict who initiated the first concern in consultations (p < .05).

Discussion

The number of concerns raised by patients increased when the PCI was introduced pre-HNC consultation. A number of factors were shown to predict the number of concerns raised in consultations by both patient and consultant. As concerns may not be raised further following the concern mentioned, we propose that the discussion of concerns needs to be maintained by the clinician throughout the consultation and not solely at the start.

Conclusion

The PCI promoted the sharing of concerns in follow-up consultations between patient and consultant.
Intermediate Classes of Nuclear Multilinear Operators
Authors: Belacel Amar , Bougoutaia Amar , Macedo Renato , Rueda Pilar
Published: October 2023

This paper introduces the class of $$\left( p_1,\ldots ,p_m,\sigma ,q,\nu \right) $$

p
1

,
…
,

p
m

,
σ
,
q
,
ν

-nuclear m-linear operators between Banach spaces, as an intermediate space between the class of nuclear multilinear operators and the whole class of all bounded multilinear operators. The connection with the theory of summing m-linear operators is established. Moreover, we identify this space with a dual space by means of a reasonable crossnorm inspired by the Chevet–Saphar norm.
Alveolar cleft reconstruction using bone marrow aspirate concentrate and iliac cancellous bone: A 12-month randomized clinical study
Authors: Shabaan Alshaimaa Ahmed , Salahuddin Ahmad , Aboulmagd Inass , Ragab Reham , Salah Khaled Amr , Rashid Adel , Ayad Haytham Mohamed , el Aty Ahmed Walaa Abd , Refahee Shaimaa Mohsen
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study aimed to compare the bone density and volume in patients with alveolar cleft reconstructions utilizing bone marrow aspirate concentrate with iliac graft versus iliac graft alone.

Material and methods

Thirty-six patients with unilateral alveolar cleft were randomly allocated into either an intervention group receiving an iliac bone graft mixed with bone marrow concentrate or a control group receiving an iliac bone graft. Cone beam CT was obtained preoperative, 6 and 12 months postoperatively to assess the bone density of the graft and bone volume of the alveolar defect, and then, the bone loss ratio was calculated.

Results

Bone volume and bone density demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the intervention group at 6 and 12 months. In contrast, the bone loss ratio decreased significantly in the intervention group throughout the follow-up period.

Conclusion

A combination of bone marrow concentrate and iliac cancellous bone in alveolar cleft reconstruction may improve bone densities and volume in addition to decreasing graft loss rate.

Clinical significance

Using of bone marrow aspirate concentrate will decrease the amount of the graft needed and decrease the ratio of bone loss at the grafted site by the time.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.org (NCT04414423) 4/6/2020
Fear conditioning and fear generalization in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders
Authors: Reinhard Julia , Mittermeier Anna , Brandstetter Lisa , Mowat Kimberly , Slyschak Anna , Reiter Andrea M. F. , Gamer Matthias , Romanos Marcel
Published: October 2023

Overgeneralization of conditioned fear is associated with anxiety disorders (AD). Most results stem from studies done in adult patients, but studies with children are rare, although the median onset of anxiety disorders lies already in childhood. Thus, the goal of the present study was to examine fear learning and generalization in youth participants, aged 10–17 years, with AD (n = 39) compared to healthy controls (HC) (n = 40). A discriminative fear conditioning and generalization paradigm was used. Ratings of arousal, valence, and US expectancy (the probability of an aversive noise following each stimulus) were measured, hypothesizing that children with AD compared to HC would show heightened ratings of arousal and US expectancy, and decreased positive valence ratings, respectively, as well as overgeneralization of fear. The results indicated that children with AD rated all stimuli as more arousing and less pleasant, and demonstrated higher US expectancy ratings to all stimuli when compared to HC. Thus, rather than displaying qualitatively different generalization patterns (e.g., a linear vs. quadratic slope of the gradient), differences between groups were more quantitative (similar, but parallel shifted gradient). Therefore, overgeneralization of conditioned fear does not seem to be a general marker of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.
Flatness, weakly lex colimits, and free exact completions
Authors: Tendas Giacomo
Published: October 2023

We capture in the context oflex colimits, introduced by Garner and Lack, the universal property of the free regular and Barr-exact completions of a weakly lex category. This is done by introducing a notion offlatnessfor functors$$F:{{\mathcal {C}}}\rightarrow {{\mathcal {E}}}$$F:C→Ewith lex codomain, and using this to describe the universal property of free$$\Phi $$Φ-exact completions in the absence of finite limits, for any given class$$\Phi $$Φof lex weights. In particular, we shall give necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of free lextensive and free pretopos completions in the non-lex world, and prove that the ultraproducts, in the categories of models of such completions, satisfy an universal property.
A practical utility-based but objective approach to model selection for regression in scientific applications
Authors: Murari Andrea , Rossi Riccardo , Spolladore Luca , Lungaroni Michele , Gaudio Pasquale , Gelfusa Michela
Published: October 2023

In many fields of science, various types of models are available to describe phenomena, observations and the results of experiments. In the last decades, given the enormous advances of information gathering technologies, also machine learning techniques have been systematically deployed to extract models from the large available databases. However, regardless of their origins, no universal criterion has been found so far to select the most appropriate model given the data. A unique solution is probably a chimera, particularly in applications involving complex systems. Consequently, in this work a utility-based approach is advocated. However, the solutions proposed are not purely subjective but all based on “objective” criteria, rooted in the properties of the data, to preserve generality and to allow comparative assessments of the results. Several methods have been developed and tested, to improve the discrimination capability of basic Bayesian and information theoretic criteria, with particular attention to the BIC (Bayesian Information Criterion) and AIC (Akaike Information Criterion) indicators. Both the quality of the fits and the evaluation of model complexity are aspects addressed by the advances proposed. The competitive advantages of the individual alternatives, for both cross sectional data and time series, are clearly identified, together with their most appropriate fields of application. The proposed improvements of the criteria allow selecting the right models more reliably, more efficiently in terms of data requirements and can be adjusted to very different circumstances and applications. Particular attention has been paid to ensure that the developed versions of the indicators are easy to implement in practice, in both confirmatory and exploratory settings. Extensive numerical tests have been performed to support the conceptual and theoretical considerations.
Wake Characterization of Building Clusters Immersed in Deep Boundary Layers
Authors: Mishra Abhishek , Placidi Marco , Carpentieri Matteo , Robins Alan
Published: October 2023

Wind tunnel experiments were conducted to understand the effect of building array size (N), aspect ratio (AR), and the spacing between buildings ($$W_S$$

W
S

) on the mean structure and decay of their wakes. Arrays of size 3$$\times $$
×
3, 4$$\times $$
×
4,and 5$$\times $$
×
5, AR = 4, 6, and 8, and $$W_S$$

W
S

= 0.5$$W_B$$

W
B

, 1$$W_B$$

W
B

, 2$$W_B$$

W
B

and 4$$W_B$$

W
B

(where $$W_B$$

W
B

is the building width) were considered. Three different wake regimes behind the building clusters were identified: near-, transition-, and far-wake regimes. The results suggest that the spatial extent of these wake regimes is governed by the overall array width ($$W_A$$

W
A

). The effects of individual buildings are observed to be dominant in the near-wake regime ($$0<x/W_A< {0.45}$$

0
<
x
/

W
A

<

0.45

) where individual wakes appear behind each building. These wakes are observed to merge in the transition-wake region ($${0.45}< x/W_A < 1.5$$

0.45

<
x
/

W
A

<
1.5

), forming a combined wake in which the individual contributions are no longer apparent. In the far-wake regime ($$x/W_A > 1.5$$

x
/

W
A

>
1.5

), clusters’ wakes are akin to those developing downwind of a single isolated building. Accordingly, new local and global scaling parameters in the near- and far-wake regimes are introduced. The decay of the centreline velocity deficit is then modelled as a function of the three parameters considered in the experiment.
Parental Report of Signs of Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents with and Without Disability in Middle- and Low-Income Countries: Meta-analysis of 44 Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Surveys
Authors: Emerson Eric , Llewellyn Gwynnyth
Published: October 2023

Population-based studies undertaken in high-income countries have indicated that children and adolescents with disabilities are more likely than their non-disabled peers to experience emotional difficulties such as anxiety and depression. Very little is known about the association between disability and emotional difficulties among children growing up in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to estimate the strength of association between disability and two forms of emotional difficulties (anxiety, depression) in a range of LMICs and to determine whether the strength of this relationship was moderated by child age and gender. Secondary analysis of data collected in Round 6 of UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys undertaken in 44 LMICs (combined n = 349,421). Data were aggregated across countries by both mixed effects multi-level modelling and restricted maximum likelihood meta-analysis. Young people with disabilities, when compared with their non-disabled peers, were approximately two and a half times more likely to be reported by parents to show daily signs of either anxiety or depression. The level of risk among young people with disabilities was highest in upper middle-income countries and lowest in low-income countries. We estimated that approximately 20% of young people with frequent anxiety or depression also had a disability. All approaches to mental health interventions (from primary prevention to clinical interventions) need to make reasonable accommodations to their services to ensure that the young people with emotional difficulties who also have a disability are not ‘left behind’.
SRM on the table: the role of geoengineering for the stability and effectiveness of climate coalitions
Authors: Pezzoli Piergiuseppe , Emmerling Johannes , Tavoni Massimo
Published: October 2023

Geoengineering, including solar radiation management (SRM), has received increasing scrutiny due to the rise of climate extremes and slow progress in mitigating global carbon emissions. This climate policy option, even as a possibility, can have consequential implications for international climate governance. Here, we study how solar engineering affects the effectiveness and stability of a large set of regional coalitions through numerical simulations. We posit a requirement in terms of global political or economic power and analyze the exclusive membership coalition formation process when coalitions jointly decide on geoengineering and mitigation. We show that geoengineering can provide incentives for cooperation and partially solve the typical trade-off between stability and effectiveness of climate coalitions. However, temperature reduction mostly comes from deploying SRM within the coalition rather than from further emission reductions, thus exposing the world to relatively large-scale deployment of SRM with as of today uncertain potential side effects and risks.
Nickel and/or platinum modified crystalline silicon–carbon composites and their electrochemical behaviour towards the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Elsodany Merna N. , Abdel Rahim M. A. , Shalaby Nasser H. , Sultan M. A.
Published: October 2023

Generation of hydrogen is very important, as it is one of the most desired alternatives to fossil fuels. Moreover, designing of cheap and stable electrocatalysts is the task for the efficient generation of hydrogen with reasonable activity. Materials hybridization can be considered a tool for engineering different material properties. Composites of modified silicon such as C–Si, Ni/(C–Si), Pt/(C–Si), and Pt–Ni/(C–Si) were prepared (in weight percent) and studied as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution. The surface morphologies and chemical compositions of the composites were confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), elemental mapping, and BET surface analysis. The electrochemical measurements of linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), Tafel plots, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to study the behaviour of the prepared electrodes toward the hydrogen evolution process. Among the various prepared composites, [7%Pt–3%Ni]/[C–Si (1:1)] composite shows the best catalytic activity with the highest HER rate (940.95 µA cm−2 s−1), the lowest overpotential [0.358 V vs. (Ag/AgCl) ≈ 0.161 V vs. (RHE)] at 10 mA cm−2, and the lowest charge transfer resistance (2.657 Ω) compared to other prepared electrodes. In addition, it gives the highest values of 4.219 × 10−3 s−1 turn over frequency (TOF) and 642 mA g−1 mass activity. It shows good stability towards the hydrogen evolution reaction as the current density reaches about 34.28 mA cm−2 after 5 h.

Graphical abstract
Mur ligase F as a new target for the flavonoids quercitrin, myricetin, and (–)-epicatechin
Authors: Rambaher Martina Hrast , Zdovc Irena , Glavač Nina Kočevar , Gobec Stanislav , Frlan Rok
Published: October 2023

MurC, D, E, and F are ATP-dependent ligases involved in the stepwise assembly of the tetrapeptide stem of forming peptidoglycan. As highly conserved targets found exclusively in bacterial cells, they are of significant interest for antibacterial drug discovery. In this study, we employed a computer-aided molecular design approach to identify potential inhibitors of MurF. A biochemical inhibition assay was conducted, screening twenty-four flavonoids and related compounds against MurC-F, resulting in the identification of quercitrin, myricetin, and (–)-epicatechin as MurF inhibitors with IC50 values of 143 µM, 139 µM, and 92 µM, respectively. Notably, (–)-epicatechin demonstrated mixed type inhibition with ATP and uncompetitive inhibition with d-Ala-d-Ala dipeptide and UM3DAP substrates. Furthermore, in silico analysis using Sitemap and subsequent docking analysis using Glide revealed two plausible binding sites for (–)-epicatechin. The study also investigated the crucial structural features required for activity, with a particular focus on the substitution pattern and hydroxyl group positions, which were found to be important for the activity. The study highlights the significance of computational approaches in targeting essential enzymes involved in bacterial peptidoglycan synthesis.

Graphical abstract
ML Pro: digital assistance system for interactive machine learning in production
Authors: Neunzig Christian , Möllensiep Dennis , Kuhlenkötter Bernd , Möller Matthias
Published: October 2023

The application of machine learning promises great growth potential for industrial production. The development process of a machine learning solution for industrial use cases requires multi-layered, sophisticated decision-making processes along the pipeline that can only be accomplished by subject matter experts with knowledge of statistical mathematics, coding, and engineering process knowledge. By having humans and computers work together in a digital assistance system, the special characteristics of human and artificial intelligence can be used synergistically. This paper presents the development of a digital human-centered assistance system for employees in the production and development departments of industrial manufacturing companies. This assistance system enables users to apply production-specific data mining and machine learning techniques without programming to typical tabular production data, which is often inherently high-dimensional, nonstationary, and highly imbalanced data streams. Through tight interactive process guidance that considers the dependencies between machine learning process modules, users are empowered to build and optimize predictive models. Compared to existing commercial and academic tools with similar objectives, the digital assistance system offers the added value that both classical shallow and deep learning as well as generative and oversampling methods can be interactively applied to all feature table use cases for different user modes without programming.