bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High level of thyroid peroxidase antibodies as a detrimental risk of pregnancy outcomes in euthyroid women undergoing ART: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Sudan , Yang Mingdong , Li Teng , Yang Min , Wang Wei , Chen Yunqing , Ding Yu , Liu Jianxin , Xu Xiaohui , Zhang Jian , Wang Zheng , Liu Jiane
Published: March 2023

Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) triggered by genetic and epigenetic variation occurs mostly in women of reproductive age. TAI is described mainly by positivity of anti‐thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO‐Ab) and/or thyroglobulin antibody (TG‐Ab). TPO‐Ab, but not TG‐Ab, was suggested to be associated with pregnancy outcome in euthyroid women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), but their results are conflicting. This meta‐analysis was performed to decide whether the presence of TPO‐Ab—in a concentration dependent manner—correlates with the success of ART. A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases for relevant articles published from January 1999 to April 2022, and these studies focused on the effect of TAI on pregnancy outcomes of women who underwent in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and intrauterine insemination and met the inclusion criteria: (i) the studies were prospective or retrospective study; (ii) all patients undergoing ART were tested for thyroid‐related antibodies; (iii) the assessed ART outcomes included miscarriage rate (MR) or delivery rate (DR). The exclusion criteria were: (i) female congenital uterine malformation, chromosomal diseases and other infectious diseases; (ii) overt hypothyroidism or pre‐existing thyroid disease; (iii) thrombus tendency. We divided the included patients into three groups according to the TPO‐Ab threshold they defined: (i) TPO‐Ab (−), threshold <34 IU/mL; (ii) TPO‐Ab‐34, threshold >34 IU/mL; (iii) TPO‐Ab‐100, threshold >100 IU/mL. We then extracted necessary relevant data, including MR and DR. Egger's test was used to evaluate the risk of publication bias. This meta‐analysis included a total of 7 literatures involving 7466 patients with TAI (−) and 965 patients with TAI (+) and revealed that there was no significant difference between group TPO‐Ab‐34 and group TPO‐Ab (−) in MR [risk ratio (RR): 0.61 (0.35, 1.08), p = 0.09] and DR [RR: 0.97 (0.83, 1.13), p = 0.69]. By contrast, compared to TPO‐Ab (−) group, TPO‐Ab‐100 patients showed markedly higher MR [RR: 2.12 (1.52, 2.96), p = 0.0046], and lower DR [RR: 0.66 (0.49, 0.88), p < 0.0001] with high degree of statistical significance. This meta‐analysis suggests that, for euthyroid patients, high level of TPO‐Ab (>100 IU/mL) could adversely influence the pregnancy outcome of ART.
A mesh‐based partitioning algorithm for decreasing conservatism in solving bilinear matrix inequality problems
Authors: Javanmardi Hamidreza , Dehghani Maryam , Mohammadi Mohsen , Hesamzadeh Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a mesh‐based partitioning algorithm (MBPA) to solve bilinear matrix inequality (BMI) problems is proposed, where the main idea is to divide the solution space of a non‐convex BMI problem into smaller parts in the form of Simplexes through meshing the space. In each simplex, only the concave part of BMI constraints is approximated by piecewise affine matrix (PAM), which eventually leads to a convex sub‐problem. After that, the feasible solution can be easily obtained in each simplex through the linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization. Although the proposed MBPA exploits PAM approximation, it relaxes several restrictive conditions used in other methods, so, it can be used as an effective approach for solving BMI problems. Various numerical examples on systems from COMPleib library to design static output feedback controller are provided to validate the proposed MBPA. Simulation results reveal the satisfactory performance of MBPA in several examined problems and provide acceptable performance compared to other existing BMI solution algorithms. Comparing the percentage of superiority of MBPA with some existing prominent BMI algorithms in several control problems including spectral abscissa optimization problems, and optimization problems for the closed‐loop systems of COMPleib show that the proposed algorithm is more successful than the previous ones.
Understanding Barriers to Timely Diagnosis and Intervention Among Immigrant Children With Hearing Loss
Authors: Jaradeh Katrin , Liao Elizabeth N. , Chehab Lara Z. , Tebb Kathleen P. , Florentine Michelle M. , Bellfort‐Salinas Silvia , Chan Dylan K.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Identify the age at diagnosis and intervention of immigrant and/or non‐English‐speaking children with hearing loss (HL) and risk factors associated with delays. Identify barriers for non‐English‐speaking caregivers of deaf/hard‐of‐hearing children.

Study Design

Sequential mixed methods.

Setting

Tertiary care center in an urban city.

Methods

The analysis includes descriptive statistics, and 1‐way and 2‐way analysis of variance of the retrospective chart review. The quantitative study demonstrated foreign‐born experienced disparities, so we conducted semistructured interviews on a subset of non‐English‐speaking families in the cohort that was then thematically analyzed using a human‐centered design strategy.

Results

We divided 532 children into 3 groups: US‐born with English as the preferred language (N = 294), US‐born and non‐English language preferred (N = 173), and foreign‐born (N = 67). The laterality of HL and pure‐tone averages were similar among the groups (p = .972 and .071, respectively). Age at diagnosis and time to the intervention were significantly different (39.7, 31.5, 75.8 months, p < .001 and 24.6, 29.2, 48.9 months, p = .001, respectively). Ages at diagnosis and intervention were associated with birthplace (p = .005, p = .0005, respectively) but not preferred language (p = .667, p = .343, respectively). Included in the qualitative interviews were Mandarin‐ (n = 5), Arabic‐ (n = 4), and Spanish‐speaking families (n = 3). Insights revealed participants' quest for anticipatory guidance and social support, the consequences of cultural stigma, and the complexity of caring for a child with HL in an immigrant family.

Conclusion

Foreign‐born children with HL have significant delays in diagnosis and intervention compared to US‐born children. For non‐English‐speaking parents, the diagnosis of HL presents challenges beyond that of the immigrant experience.
Efficacy of Pneumococcal Vaccine on Otitis Media: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Wannarong Thanakrit , Ekpatanaparnich Pichamon , Boonyasiri Adhiratha , Supapueng Orawan , Vathanophas Vannipa , Tanphaichitr Archwin , Ungkanont Kitirat
Published: March 2023

Objective

To assess the effect of the pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) toward the surgical management and complications of otitis media.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, and clinicaltrial.gov.

Review Methods

A systematic search was performed using a combination of keywords and standardized terms about PCV and surgical management or complications of otitis media. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines, studies were screened by 3 independent reviewers. Risk of bias assessment, followed by meta‐analysis in only randomized‐controlled trials was conducted. Vaccine efficacy (VE) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported.

Results

Of the 2649 abstracts reviewed, 27 studies were included in the qualitative analysis and were categorized into 6 outcomes: tympanostomy tube insertion, otitis media with effusion (OME), mastoiditis, spontaneous tympanic membrane (TM) perforation, recurrent acute otitis media (AOM), and severe AOM. Fifteen studies were included in the meta‐analysis to evaluate the rate of tympanostomy tube insertion, OME, and recurrent AOM. PCV was significantly more effective in lowering the rate of tympanostomy tube insertion (VE, 22.2%; 95% CI, 14.6‐29.8) and recurrent AOM (VE, 10.06%; 95% CI, 7.46‐12.65) when compared with the control group, with no significant difference in reducing the incidence of OME. The qualitative analysis revealed that PCV had efficacy in preventing severe AOM and spontaneous TM perforation but the effect on mastoiditis remained unclear.

Conclusion

The PCV was effective in reducing the rate of tympanostomy tube insertion and the incidence of recurrent AOM with a nonsignificant effect in preventing OME in children.
Dynamic assessment of serum chromogranin A and treatment response with abiraterone acetate in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Lewis Akeem R. , Costello Brian A. , Quevedo Fernando , Pagliaro Lance C. , Sanhueza Cristobal , Weinshilboum Richard M. , Kalari Krishna R. , Wang Liewei , Kohli Manish , Tan Winston , Giridhar Karthik V.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Elevated serum chromogranin A (CGA) is associated with intrinsic or treatment‐related neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) in men with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Fluctuations in serum CGA during treatment of mCRPC have had conflicting results. We analyzed the impact of (i) rising serum CGA and (ii) baseline CGA/PSA ratio during treatment to identify associations with abiraterone acetate (AA) therapy.

Methods

Between June 2013 and August 2015, 92 men with mCRPC were enrolled in a prospective trial with uniform serum CGA processing performed before initiating abiraterone acetate/prednisone (AA/P) and serially after 12 weeks of AA/P treatments. Serum CGA was measured using a homogenous automated immunofluorescent assay. Patients receiving proton pump inhibitors or with abnormal renal function were excluded due to possible false elevations of serum CGA (n = 21 excluded), therefore 71 patients were analyzed. All patients underwent a composite response assessment at 12‐weeks. Kaplan–Meier estimates and Cox Regression models were used to calculate the association with time‐to‐treatment failure analyses and overall survival.

Results

An increase in chromogranin was associated with a lower risk of treatment failure (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.52, p = 0.0181). The median CGA/PSA ratio was 7.8 (2.6–16.0) and an elevated pretreatment CGA/PSA ratio above the median was associated with a lower risk of treatment failure (HR: 0.54 p value = 0.0185). An increase in CGA was not found to be associated with OS (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.42–1.21, p = 0.207). An elevated baseline CGA/PSA ratio was not associated with OS (HR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.37–1.03, p = 0.062). An increase in PSA after 12 weeks of treatment was associated with an increased risk of treatment failure (HR: 4.14, CI: 2.21–7.73, p = < 0.0001) and worse OS (HR: 2.93, CI: 1.57–4.45, p = < 0.0001).

Conclusions

We show that an increasing chromogranin on AA/P and an elevated baseline CGA/PSA in patients with mCRPC were associated with a favorable response to AA/P with no changes in survival. There may be limited clinical utility in serum CGA testing to evaluate for lethal NED as AA/P did not induce lethal NED in this cohort. This highlights that not all patients with an increasing CGA have a worse OS.
Peroxiredoxin 1 transfer during mating protects eupyrene sperm against oxdative stress in Grapholita molesta
Authors: Cheng Jie , Zhu Lin , Zhu Fang , Zhao Peng , Li Qiong‐Xi , Lu Zi‐Hang , Zhang Song‐Dou , Li Zhen , Liu Xiao‐Xia
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Each Grapholita molesta female only copulates once during its lifetime and thus must maintain the viability of stored eupyrene sperm for male reproductive success. The male ejaculate comprises abundant accessory gland proteins produced by the male accessory gland (AG), and many of which are major effectors for sperm storage and maintenance.

RESULTS

Here, we reported that an antioxidant protein, peroxiredoxin 1 (GmolPrx1), secreted by the male AG, is essential for protecting eupyrene sperm from oxidative stress and maintaining their quality during storage in the female bursa copulatrix (BC). Our data showed that GmolPrx1 is highly expressed in the AG of sexually mature males. The GmolPrx1 protein is localized to the cytoplasm of AG cells and delivered to the female BC during mating. Knockdown of GmolPrx1 strongly decreased the fertility of mated females. Additionally, we evaluated oxidative status in the spermatophore of females and found that the content of hydrogen peroxide increased significantly after mating with GmolPrx1 knockdown males. Finally, the quality assessment of eupyrene sperm demonstrated that the plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and DNA integrity were all severely impaired in the spermatophore of females after mating with GmolPrx1 knockdown males, which may contribute to the fertility decline in males.

CONCLUSION

Our current data demonstrated that activities of eupyrene sperm stored in females can be significantly impaired by enhanced oxidative stress through knocking down of GmolPrx1 in males. Our finding thus may further lay new foundations for the control of G. molesta through suppressing their populations by manipulating male reproductive genes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Submicrometer‐Thick Step‐Graded AlGaN Buffer on Silicon with a High‐Buffer Breakdown Field
Authors: Carneiro Elodie , Rennesson Stéphanie , Tamariz Sebastian , Harrouche Kathia , Semond Fabrice , Medjdoub Farid
Published: March 2023

Submicrometer‐thick AlGaN/GaN high‐electron‐mobility transistor (HEMT) epilayers grown on silicon substrate with a state‐of‐the art vertical buffer breakdown field as high as 6 MV cm−1 enabling a high transistor breakdown voltage of 250 V for short gate‐to‐drain distances despite such a thin structure are reported. HEMTs with a gate length of 100 nm exhibit good DC characteristics with a low drain‐induced barrier, going as low as 100 mV V−1 for a VDS of 30 V. Breakdown voltages of each epilayer from the decomposed heterostructure reveals that the outstanding breakdown strength is attributed to the insertion of Al‐rich AlGaN in the buffer layers combined with an optimized AlN nucleation layer. As a result, large signal measurements at 10 GHz could be reliably achieved up to VDS = 35 V despite the use of a 100 nm gate length. These results demonstrate the potential of submicrometer‐thick buffer GaN‐on‐Si heterostructures for high‐frequency applications.
Air‐ and Moisture Robust Surface Modification for Ni‐Rich Layered Cathode Materials for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Embleton Tom James , Yun Jeongsik , Choi Jae‐Hong , Kim Jongho , Choi Sumyeong , Lee Chaewon , Son Yoonkook , Oh Pilgun
Published: March 2023

The mainstream of high‐energy cathode development is focused on increasing the Ni‐ratio in layered structured cathode materials. The increment of the Ni portion in the layered cathode material escalates not only the deliverable capacity but also the structural degradation. High‐Ni layered cathodes are highly vulnerable to exposure to air that contains CO2 and H2O, forming problematic residual lithium compounds at the surface. In this work, a novel air‐ and moisture robust surface modification is reported for LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) via the sol‐gel coating method that selectively coats the internal surface area of the polycrystalline morphology secondary particles. Bare‐, Li2SnO3‐coated and LiCoO2‐coated NCM811 are exposed to different ambient environments (air, hot‐air, and moisture‐air) to systematically investigate the correlation between the internal/external coating morphology and performance degradations. The LiCoO2‐coated NCM811s exhibit high‐capacity retention after exposure to all environments, due to the internal surface coating that prevents the penetration of harmful compounds into the polycrystalline NCM811. On the other hand, the Li2SnO3‐coated NCM811s exposed to the ambient environments show gradual capacity fading, implying the occurrence of internal degradation. This paper highlights the impact of the internal degradation of polycrystalline NCM811 after environmental exposure and the correct coating mechanisms required to successfully prevent it.
Hydrogen‐Rich Pyrolysis from Ni‐Fe Heterometallic Schiff Base Centrosymmetric Cluster Facilitates NiFe Alloy for Efficient OER Electrocatalysts
Authors: Zhou Fanglei , Gan Meixing , Yan Dafeng , Chen Xueli , Peng Xu
Published: March 2023

Binary metal nickel‐iron alloys have been proven to have great potential in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysis, but there are still certain challenges in how to construct more efficient nickel‐iron alloy electrocatalysts and maximize their own advantages. In this work, a heterometallic nickel‐iron cluster (L = C64H66Fe4N8Ni2O19) of Schiff base (LH3 = 2‐amino‐1,3‐propanediol salicylaldehyde) is designed as a precursor to explore its behavior in the pyrolysis process under inert atmosphere. The combination of TG‐MS, morphology, and X‐ray characterization techniques shows that the Schiff base ligands in the heterometallic clusters produces a strong reductive atmosphere during pyrolysis, which enable the two 3d metals Ni and Fe to form NiFe alloys. Moreover, Fe2O3/Fe0.64Ni0.36@Cs carbon nanomaterials are formed, in which Fe2O3/Fe0.64Ni0.36 is the potential active material for OER. It is also found that the centrosymmetric structure of the heterometallic Schiff base precursor is potentially related to the formation of the Fe2O3/Fe0.64Ni0.36 alloy@carbon structures. The Fe2O3/Fe0.64Ni0.36@C‐800 provides 274 mV overpotential in 1 m KOH solution at 10 mA cm−2 in OER. This work provides an effective basis for further research on Schiff base bimetallic doping‐derived carbon nanomaterials as excellent OER electrocatalysts.
Atomically Dispersed Fe/N4 and Ni/N4 Sites on Separate‐Sides of Porous Carbon Nanosheets with Janus Structure for Selective Oxygen Electrocatalysis
Authors: Liu Xinghuan , Zhao Fei , Jiao Long , Fang Tianwen , Zhao Zeyu , Xiao Xiangfei , Li Danya , Yi Ke , Wang Rongjie , Jia Xin
Published: March 2023

Dual single atoms catalysts have promising application in bifunctional electrocatalysis due to their synergistic effect. However, how to balance the competition between rate‐limiting steps (RDSs) of reversible oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and fully expose the active centers by reasonable structure design remain enormous challenges. Herein, Fe/N4 and Ni/N4 sites separated on different sides of the carbon nanosheets with Janus structure (FeNijns/NC) is synthesized by layer‐by‐layer assembly method. Experiments and calculations reveal that the side of Fe/N4 is beneficial to oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the Ni/N4 side is preferred to OER. Such Janus structure can take full advantage of two separate‐sides of carbon nanosheets and balance the competition of RDSs during ORR and OER. FeNijns/NC possesses superior ORR and OER activity with ORR half‐wave potential of 0.92 V and OER overpotential of 440 mV at J = 10 mA cm−2. Benefiting from the excellent bifunctional activities, FeNijns/NC assembled aqueous Zn–air battery (ZAB) demonstrates better maximum power density, and long‐term stability (140 h) than Pt/C+RuO2 catalyst. It also reveals superior flexibility and stability in solid‐state ZAB. This work brings a novel perspective for rational design and understanding of the catalytic mechanisms of dual single atom catalysts.
Ho‐Ion‐Polymer/Graphene Heterojunctions Toward Room‐Temperature Ferromagnets
Authors: Xia Wenlai , Li Chenjian , Zhang Shixian , Wang Xuelin , Wang Shan , Yang Quanling , Li Wei , Xiong Chuanxi , Huang Jing , Wang Qing
Published: March 2023

Organic ferromagnetic materials offer great promise for spintronic devices, carbon‐based chips, and quantum communications, but remain as a challenging issue due to their low saturation magnetization and/or unsustainable ferromagnetic properties. To date, magnetic ion polymers have displayed paramagnetism without exception at room‐temperature. In this study, it is reported for the first time that, owing to the structural restriction and charge exchange of Ho ion by polymer/graphene π–π stacking heterojunctions, holmium ion polymer composites exhibited typical hysteresis lines of ferromagnetic materials at room temperature. The room‐temperature ferromagnetic ion polymer composite presented the highest saturation magnetization value of 3.36 emu g−1 and unprecedented sustainable ferromagnetism, compared to reported room‐temperature organic ferromagnetic materials. Accordingly, prepared ferromagnetic composites also achieved impressive wave absorption properties, with a maximum reflection loss of as much as −57.32 dB and a broad absorption bandwidth of 5.05 GHz. These findings may promote the development of room‐temperature organic ferromagnetic materials.
A Paradigm Shift from 2D to 3D: Surface Supramolecular Assemblies and Their Electronic Properties Explored by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy
Authors: Xie Rongbin , Hu Yi , Lee Shern‐Long
Published: March 2023

Exploring supramolecular architectures at surfaces plays an increasingly important role in contemporary science, especially for molecular electronics. A paradigm of research interest in this context is shifting from 2D to 3D that is expanding from monolayer, bilayers, to multilayers. Taking advantage of its high‐resolution insight into monolayers and a few layers, scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) turns out a powerful tool for analyzing such thin films on a solid surface. This review summarizes the representative efforts of STM/STS studies of layered supramolecular assemblies and their unique electronic properties, especially at the liquid–solid interface. The superiority of the 3D molecular networks at surfaces is elucidated and an outlook on the challenges that still lie ahead is provided. This review not only highlights the profound progress in 3D supramolecular assemblies but also provides researchers with unusual concepts to design surface supramolecular structures with increasing complexity and desired functionality.
From bibliometric analysis: 3D printing design strategies and battery applications with a focus on zinc‐ion batteries
Authors: Gao Xuan , Liu Kejiang , Su Chang , Zhang Wei , Dai Yuhang , Parkin Ivan P. , Carmalt Claire J. , He Guanjie
Published: March 2023

Three‐dimensional (3D) printing has the potential to revolutionize the way energy storage devices are designed and manufactured. In this paper, we explore the use of 3D printing in the design and production of energy storage devices, especially zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) and examine its potential advantages over traditional manufacturing methods. 3D printing could significantly improve the customization of ZIBs, making it a promising strategy for the future of energy storage. In particular, 3D printing allows for the creation of complex, customized geometries, and designs that can optimize the energy density, power density, and overall performance of batteries. Simultaneously, we discuss and compare the impact of 3D printing design strategies based on different configurations of film, interdigitation, and framework on energy storage devices with a focus on ZIBs. Additionally, 3D printing enables the rapid prototyping and production of batteries, reducing leading times and costs compared with traditional manufacturing methods. However, there are also challenges and limitations to consider, such as the need for further development of suitable 3D printing materials and processes for energy storage applications.
Confined Bismuth–Organic Framework Anode for High‐Energy Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Shengyang , Zhang Qiusheng , Deng Hongli , Chen Song , Shen Xiaohua , Yuan Yizhi , Cheng Yingliang , Zhu Jian , Lu Bingan
Published: March 2023

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with inherent porosity, controllable structures, and designable components are recognized as attractive platforms for designing advanced electrodes of high‐performance potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs). However, the poor electrical conductivity and low theoretical capacity of many MOFs lead to inferior electrochemical performance. Herein, for the first time, a confined bismuth–organic framework with 3D porous matrix structure (Bi‐MOF) as anode for PIBs via a facile wet‐chemical approach is reported. Such a porous structure design with double active centers can simultaneously ensure the structure integrity and efficient charge transport to enable high‐capacity electrode with super cycling life. As a result, the Bi‐MOF for PIBs exhibits high reversible capacity (419 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), outstanding cycling stability (315 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 1200 cycles), and excellent full battery performance (a high energy density of 183 Wh kg−1 is achieved, outperforming all reported metal‐based anodes for PIBs). Moreover, the K+ storage mechanisms of the Bi‐MOF are further unveiled by in situ Raman, ex situ high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and ex situ Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. This ingenious electrode design may provide further guidance for the application of MOF in energy storage systems.
The principle of relativity from the organisational point of view1
Authors: Bogdanov Alexander
Published: March 2023

Einstein's special and general theories of relativity are explained and clarified when they are expressed in terms of the organisational principles of degression (the operation of stable ‘skeletal’ forms that humanity has worked out in its practice to organise less stable ‘plastic’ elements)—in this case, frameworks for spatial and temporal orientation—and degression (the operation of complexes that perform a centralising function in a given system), in this case, the concept of centres of gravity of astronomical systems.
Subpoenas and the new registrar, Part 4
Authors: Rainsberger Richard
Published: March 2023

Last month's column ended on a happy note. A new registrar learned the ropes about complying with a subpoena. I later found out she had documented the steps we had discussed in complying with the subpoena.
Partner with admissions to address student concerns
Authors: Hamblet Elizabeth C.
Published: March 2023

Over the past year, I've revised my book for parents, high school educators, and other related professionals on how to prepare students with disabilities for successful college transition (Seven Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities, 3rd Edition ). Throughout that process, and in two years running an online community for parents focused on transition issues, as well as more than a decade of making presentations around the country, I've seen how much families don't know, misunderstand, or have been misinformed about the postsecondary environment. In my next three columns, I'll discuss what I've learned and suggest ways for you to provide information so that everyone has a better experience with the transition process.
Take key steps to protect your privacy when you're sharing public scholarship
Authors: Parrot Teresa Valerio
Published: March 2023

Scholars writing in national media face rising levels of backlash. The threat of social media pushback, organized attack campaigns, and calls for “canceling” from the political left and right are at a fever pitch.
Stratsi Kulinsky: Creating a new type of university
Authors: D'Orio Wayne
Published: March 2023

Today might seem like the worst time to begin a new university. Not only is the
public increasingly losing confidence in the value of a college degree, but an upcoming enrollment cliff will decrease the number of high school graduates by about 15 percent.
The (M)other’s Voice: Representations of Motherhood in Contemporary Swiss Writing by Women
Authors: Heffernan Valerie
Published: March 2023

The mother-daughter relationship has long been a focus in writing by women, and many female authors have sought to explore the close and sometimes complex connections between mothers and daughters. However, as Marianne Hirsch has argued, the stories of mothers are all too often presented from the point of view of their daughters, so that the maternal perspective tends to be absent from literature. This chapter compares the presentation of the mother-daughter relationship in two novels by contemporary Swiss writers, Zoë Jenny’s The Pollen Room (1997) and Ruth Schweikert’s Augen zu [Close Your Eyes] (1998). Both texts feature mothers who struggle to cope with the demands of their daily lives and the responsibility of the maternal role and daughters who can neither understand their mothers’ suffering nor accept their difference. While both novels point to the difficulty of retaining one’s subjectivity as mother, I argue that Schweikert’s novel offers a more nuanced and potentially more productive portrayal of the complexities of maternal identity. In particular, through her use of a polyphonic narrative structure that gives equal weight to maternal and filial perspectives, Schweikert answers Hirsch’s call for a “double voice” that offers a way forward for women’s writing.
William Siemens: An Engineer and Industrialist in Germany and England
Authors: König Wolfgang
Published: March 2023

This article’s author researches physical, cultural, and technological spaces in England and Germany in the nineteenth century. He examines the cases of the Siemens companies in both countries and William Siemens (1823–1883), who was first educated in Germany and later moved to England, where he became a well-known and distinguished professional engineer. His themes are the industrial and technological state of England and Germany, the business strategies of the Siemens companies, the education and training of English and German engineers, and William Siemens’ opinions on technological development. In all these points, the spaces of England and Germany shaped technological development.
Imaging Features of Immunotherapy
Authors: Shinagare Atul B. , Fananapazir Ghaneh
Published: March 2023

Immunotherapy is a relatively new treatment in the armamentarium of cancer treatment and has proven effective even in advanced stages. Immunotherapy utilizes the body’s own immune system to elicit a response against tumor cells. Response to immunotherapy can be different on imaging when compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy, since an effective immune response against a tumor can lead to an initial increase in size, termed pseudoprogression. Additionally, immune-response adverse events can occur which include colitis, enteritis, hepatitis, pneumonitis, pancreatitis, hypophysitis, and other inflammatory responses. The increasing use of immunotherapy requires the radiologist to be cognizant of this while assessing treatment response and possible immune-response adverse events.
Malignant Diseases of the Uterus
Authors: Lakhman Yulia , Sala Evis
Published: March 2023

This chapter focuses on the role of imaging, in particular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), for the evaluation of patients with cervical cancer (CC) and endometrial cancer (EC).
Pathways for the Spread of Disease in the Abdomen and Pelvis
Authors: Brink James A. , Wagner Brent J.
Published: March 2023

Understanding the abdominal and pelvic visceral anatomy is critical to understanding and predicting the pathways by which disease may spread throughout the abdomen and pelvis. The ligamentous attachments that interconnect the intraabdominal organs are critically important as these are common conduits for the spread of disease. Moreover, the organs and the peritoneal ligaments that support them form the boundaries of the peritoneal cavity, and together, they guide the flow of peritoneal fluid throughout the abdomen and pelvis. Neoplastic and inflammatory processes that extend into the peritoneal cavity may spread through the ascitic fluid that flows through these peritoneal spaces.
Benign and Malignant Diseases of the Colon and Rectum
Authors: Attenberger Ulrike , Santiago Inês
Published: March 2023

Cross-sectional imaging techniques including magnetic resonance tomography (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) have experienced rapid development in the last decades and play a key role today in imaging benign and malignant colorectal disease, facilitating risk stratification, and procedural planning. In particular, visualization of the intestinal wall and adjacent structures enables detection of extraluminal and extraintestinal pathologies and complications.

This chapter systematically summarizes the most common benign and malignant conditions of the colon and rectum that can be diagnosed by CT and MRI.
Diseases of the Pancreas
Authors: Helmberger Thomas K. , Manfredi Riccardo
Published: March 2023

CT and MRI are the crucial tools in the imaging assessment of pancreatic diseases. They allow a comprehensive insight into the normal and pathological structural and to some degree even functional conditions of the pancreas and its surrounding. In consequence, most of the pancreatic diseases can be identified and classified by CT and MRI. The most common findings—the adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and acute and chronic inflammation of the pancreas—are usually easily identified and imaging contributes to the correct staging and detecting potential complications of the disease. Moreover, modern imaging enables the differentiation of non-neoplastic, developmental disorders, solid, cystic, focal, and diffuse parenchymal findings which may range from neoplasia like over true neoplasia to inflammatory tumor-like changes and is of crucial importance to guide an appropriate therapy.
Animal laborans, homo faber, homo oeconomicus – und wie weiter…
Authors: Greffrath Mathias
Published: March 2023

Kollektive Arbeit und Technik befreiten die Menschheit ein Stück weit vom Naturzwang, schufen Raum für Freiheit und Autonomie. Im 20. Jahrhundert steigerten die Elektrifizierung und die tayloristische Zerlegung der Arbeit die Produktivität ins Ungeahnte. Mit der Mikroelektronik wird nach der körperlichen und disponierenden nun auch die organisierende, planende und kreative Arbeit automatisiert. In der Plattformökonomie entstehen die größten Gewinne nicht länger auf einem Markt, sondern sie resultieren aus dem Eigentum am Markt. Weit mehr als hundert Jahre Kampf für soziale Sicherheit münden in eine Turbo-Variante mittelalterlicher Markthoheit: Konzerne kassieren eine Rente für das Recht, Waren inklusive der eigenen Arbeitskraft verkaufen zu dürfen. Der Fetischismus des Algorithmus und die Furcht vor ihm verdecken, was technisches Wissen ist: kein vierter Produktionsfaktor, sondern geronnene gesellschaftliche Arbeit, formalisierte Kooperation. Digitalisierung wird bislang überwiegend zur Steigerung des konventionellen Wachstums eingesetzt. Sie könnte auch das Große Werkzeug sein, das einen Wandel im Naturverhältnis bewerkstelligen hilft: In der Dekarbonisierung, der Kreislaufwirtschaft, einer umweltschonenden Landwirtschaft, bei der effizienten Verwendung von Materie, für Logistik- und Transportsysteme, die nicht so einfältig sind wie das Elektroauto, für das Überwachen von Wäldern und Meeren, für die Verbreitung eines globalen Bewusstseins.
Imagining Otherwise – Fantastische Perspektiven auf Arbeit in der Transformation
Authors: Gebauer Jana
Published: March 2023

„Ein Leben in Arbeit“ wurde für uns erfunden. Oder gegen uns. Erniedrigt zur Ausbeutung oder überhöht zum Fetisch bestimmt Erwerbsarbeit, was wir gelten und woran wir teilhaben können. Die Arbeitsgesellschaft begreift Leben als Ressource und verwertet es in Leistung. Schaffen wir sie ab. Die Postarbeitsgesellschaft begreift Leben als Sinn und verwirklicht es durch Care. Legen wir sie an. „Ein Leben in Care“ erfinden wir selbst. Begeben wir uns hierfür auf eine kollektive Suche nach dem guten Leben für alle – und nach einem gerechten Überleben in der Vielfachkrise. Trainieren wir dafür auch unsere Vorstellungskraft neu: Um zu sehen, wie es wäre, wenn es wirklich anders wäre. Um die schon entstehenden neuen Praktiken wahrzunehmen, die wir in einem guten Leben für alle brauchen. Um deren Tragkraft auch dann zu erkennen, wenn die allgemeine Erzählung von etwas Unzureichendem spricht. Um unsere eigene Befähigung dafür zu entdecken, bessere Wirtschafts- und Gesellschaftsentwürfe zu verwirklichen.
„We should all be feminists“ – Kapitalismuskritik als sozial-emanzipatorisches Projekt
Authors: Kurz-Scherf Ingrid
Published: March 2023

Die Politische Ökonomie moderner Gesellschaften steht in engen Wechselbeziehungen mit ihrer politischen Kultur. Wenn sich große Teile „der Wirtschaft“, der Wirtschaftspolitik wie auch der Wirtschaftswissenschaften (ähnlich wie die Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik) immer noch als bestens gesicherte Reservate „hegemonialer Männlichkeit“ präsentieren, dann geht es sowohl um Macht und Reichtum wie aber auch um die Kodifizierung und Normativierung von Sprache, Gebaren, Kleidung, Sexualität, Freizeit, Hobbies etc. Dabei ist durchaus offen, welche Seite der Befestigung von Ungleichheits- und Herrschaftsverhältnissen – die materielle oder die immaterielle, die systemische oder die symbolische, die soziale oder die kulturelle – diesen zu mehr Stabilität und Immunität gegen Veränderungsdruck verhilft. Mitzudenken ist: Wenn Arbeit und Individualität, Leben, Politik, Kultur etc. als vollständig bestimmt von der kapitalistischen Wirtschaftsweise betrachtet werden, schlägt Kritik um in Affirmation, weil sie die Möglichkeit widerständigen Denkens und Handelns noch nicht einmal mehr theoretisch erkennen kann. Es gilt, das emanzipatorische Versprechen der Moderne von seinen androzentrischen Verzerrungen und Verkürzungen zu befreien – allerdings ohne die Notwendigkeit von Arbeitskämpfen, Sozialpolitik, Verteilungskonflikten sowie armuts- und ethnizitätssensiblen Aktualisierungen der sozialen Frage zu verleugnen.
Microstructured soft devices for the growth and analysis of populations of homogenous multicellular tumor spheroids
Authors: Tartagni Ottavia , Borók Alexandra , Mensà Emanuela , Bonyár Attila , Monti Barbara , Hofkens Johan , Porcelli Anna Maria , Zuccheri Giampaolo
Published: March 2023

Multicellular tumor spheroids are rapidly emerging as an improved in vitro model with respect to more traditional 2D culturing. Microwell culturing is a simple and accessible method for generating a large number of uniformly sized spheroids, but commercially available systems often do not enable researchers to perform complete culturing and analysis pipelines and the mechanical properties of their culture environment are not commonly matching those of the target tissue. We herein report a simple method to obtain custom-designed self-built microwell arrays made of polydimethylsiloxane or agarose for uniform 3D cell structure generation. Such materials can provide an environment of tunable mechanical flexibility. We developed protocols to culture a variety of cancer and non-cancer cell lines in such devices and to perform molecular and imaging characterizations of the spheroid growth, viability, and response to pharmacological treatments. Hundreds of tumor spheroids grow (in scaffolded or scaffold-free conditions) at homogeneous rates and can be harvested at will. Microscopy imaging can be performed in situ during or at the end of the culture. Fluorescence (confocal) microscopy can be performed after in situ staining while retaining the geographic arrangement of spheroids in the plate wells. This platform can enable statistically robust investigations on cancer biology and screening of drug treatments.
The effects of iron-rich ultramafic pegmatite on the composition and mineralogy of the UG2 chromitite: a case study in the western Bushveld Complex, South Africa
Authors: Zhou Haoyang , Trumbull Robert B. , Veksler Ilya V. , Bachmann Kai
Published: March 2023

Discordant iron-rich ultramafic pegmatites (IRUPs) intersect the UG2 chromitite at many places in the Bushveld Complex. The effects of IRUP interactions on the UG2 ore mineralogy and PGE grade are assessed at the Thaba mine, north-west Bushveld, based on a borehole profile through the UG2 layer and detailed analysis of mineral textures and compositional variations across the UG2-IRUP contacts using micro-XRF element mapping. The UG2-IRUP interaction operated at different scales and probably by different mechanisms. At the local scale (< 10 cm), a thin layer of Fe–Ti–Cr spinel and ilmenite formed on the IRUP side of the contact with UG2, whereas the UG2 chromitite developed grain coarsening, loss of interstitial silicates, and chemical gradients in Cr, Al, Fe, and Ti that extend a few centimeters from the contact into the seam. These local effects are attributed to the intrusion of IRUP melt into the solidified UG2 layer, followed by re-equilibration of the oxide minerals across the contact during cooling. On a larger scale, changes in the ore and gangue mineral assemblages in UG2 took place throughout the entire meter-thick main seam. Compared with regional UG2 compositions, chromite has higher TiO2 and lower Mg#, and there is an anomalously low abundance of interstitial plagioclase. The IRUP-affected UG2 shows relatively abundant secondary hydrous silicates, replacement of PGE sulfides by PGE alloys and PGE-As–Sb–Bi–Te–Pb phases, and formation of secondary Ni–Cu–Fe sulfides after pentlandite and chalcopyrite. These large-scale effects are attributed to hydrothermal fluids derived from IRUP melts. The IRUP bodies at the Thaba mine caused redistribution of PGE within the UG2 layer but did not significantly reduce the overall grade. However, significant changes in the ore mineral assemblage and an increased abundance of secondary silicates can reduce the efficiency of PGE recovery.
Development of PSMA-PET-guided CT-based radiomic signature to predict biochemical recurrence after salvage radiotherapy
Authors: Spohn Simon K. B. , Schmidt-Hegemann Nina-Sophie , Ruf Juri , Mix Michael , Benndorf Matthias , Bamberg Fabian , Makowski Marcus R. , Kirste Simon , Rühle Alexander , Nouvel Jerome , Sprave Tanja , Vogel Marco M. E. , Galitsnaya Polina , Gschwend Jürgen E. , Gratzke Christian , Stief Christian , Löck Steffen , Zwanenburg Alex , Trapp Christian , Bernhardt Denise , Nekolla Stephan G. , Li Minglun , Belka Claus , Combs Stephanie E. , Eiber Matthias , Unterrainer Lena , Unterrainer Marcus , Bartenstein Peter , Grosu Anca-L. , Zamboglou Constantinos , Peeken Jan C.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To develop a CT-based radiomic signature to predict biochemical recurrence (BCR) in prostate cancer patients after sRT guided by positron-emission tomography targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA-PET).

Material and methods

Consecutive patients, who underwent68Ga-PSMA11-PET/CT-guided sRT from three high-volume centers in Germany, were included in this retrospective multicenter study. Patients had PET-positive local recurrences and were treated with intensity-modulated sRT. Radiomic features were extracted from volumes of interests on CT guided by focal PSMA-PET uptakes. After preprocessing, clinical, radiomics, and combined clinical-radiomic models were developed combining different feature reduction techniques and Cox proportional hazard models within a nested cross validation approach.

Results

Among 99 patients, median interval until BCR was the radiomic models outperformed clinical models and combined clinical-radiomic models for prediction of BCR with a C-index of 0.71 compared to 0.53 and 0.63 in the test sets, respectively. In contrast to the other models, the radiomic model achieved significantly improved patient stratification in Kaplan-Meier analysis. The radiomic and clinical-radiomic model achieved a significantly better time-dependent net reclassification improvement index (0.392 and 0.762, respectively) compared to the clinical model. Decision curve analysis demonstrated a clinical net benefit for both models. Mean intensity was the most predictive radiomic feature.

Conclusion

This is the first study to develop a PSMA-PET-guided CT-based radiomic model to predict BCR after sRT. The radiomic models outperformed clinical models and might contribute to guide personalized treatment decisions.
Family resilience and neighborhood factors affect the association between digital media use and mental health among children: does sleep mediate the association?
Authors: Uddin Helal , Hasan Md. Khalid
Published: March 2023

The associations between digital media use and mental well-being among children and adolescents have been inconclusive. We examined (i) the associations between digital media use and mental health outcomes, anxiety, depression, and ADHD, (ii) whether family resilience and neighborhood factors attenuate the associations, and (iii) whether sleep mediates these associations. We used the National Survey of Children’s Health data from 2019 to 2020. A total of 45,989 children’s (6–17 years) data were analyzed in this study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the associations between digital media use and anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Path models and Paramed command in STATA were used to test the role of sleep as a mediator of these associations. The prevalence of heavy digital media users (who spent 4 or more hours per day) among the analytic sample was 30.52%, whereas anxiety was 13.81%, depression was 5.93%, and ADHD was 12.41%. Children in the heavy media user group had 63% increased odds of anxiety (95% CI: 1.32–2.01) and 99% increased odds of depression (95% CI: 1.35–2.94) after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, compared to the children in light media user group (who spent < 2 h per day), and these relations were significant at 0.01 level. However, family resilience and community factors significantly attenuated the effect of digital media use on anxiety and depression. Sleep did not mediate the associations between digital media use and anxiety or depression.

  Conclusions: Family resilience and neighborhood factors protect against the harmful effects of digital media use. Further research is needed to examine the relationships of media contents, the presence of electronic devices in bedrooms, and sleep quality with mental health.

What is Known:

• Spending long hours on digital media may adversely affect children and adolescents' health and development. However, the mediating role of sleep in the association between digital media use and mental health outcomes is inconclusive.

What is New:

• Digital media use has detrimental effects on anxiety and depression. However, family resilience and neighborhood factors attenuated the association. The study highlights the importance of positive family functioning and neighborhood conditions reducing the harmful effects of digital media use.
The effect of gastrointestinal microbiome supplementation on immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy: a systematic review
Authors: Bhatt Anjali , Haslam Alyson , Prasad Vinay
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome modulators, such as fecal microbiome transplants (FMTs), are being considered as supplements to standard immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment to improve efficacy. This systematic review aims to assess the study design and outcomes of clinical trials that use FMTs to enhance ICI treatment.

Methods

Systematic literature searches were conducted on PubMed and Embase using search terms that included names of ICIs and gastrointestinal microbiome. A first search identified interventional trials, and the second search identified interventional, retrospective, and observational studies.

Results

The search for interventional trials produced 205 articles, 3 of which met the inclusion criteria. All studies had sample sizes ranging between 10 and 30 participants. 2 of the studies were single-arm studies with no control arm. One study reported an overall response rate (ORR) of 3 out of 15 (20%), a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 3 months, and a median overall survival (OS) of 7 months. The second study reported 1 complete response out of 10 (10%) and 2 partial responses out of 10 (20%). The third study reported an ORR of 58% vs. 20%, a median PFS of 12.7 months vs. 2.5 months in patients receiving nivolumab–ipilimumab plus CBM588 compared with patients receiving nivolumab–ipilimumab alone respectively, and an undefined median OS.

Conclusion

Current studies on the microbiome modulators with ICI use are limited in study design. Future clinical trials should be randomized, use larger sample sizes, and use an appropriate control arm to better ascertain the clinical effect of the GI microbiome on ICI treatment.