bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The United States experience with diagnosing and treating esophageal cancer during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Stuart Christina M. , Meguid Robert A. , Bronsert Michael R. , Rodriguez Franco Salvador , Mungo Benedetto , Schulick Richard D. , Gleisner Ana L. , McCarter Martin D. , Mitchell John D. , Dyas Adam R.
Published: November 2023

The downstream effects on healthcare delivery during the initial wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine how the healthcare environment surrounding the pandemic affected the oncologic care of patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer. This was a retrospective cohort study evaluating patients in the National Cancer Database (2019–2020). Patients with esophageal cancer diagnoses were divided into pre‐pandemic (2019) and pandemic (2020) groups. Patient demographics, cancer‐related variables, and treatment modalities were compared. Among 26,231 esophageal cancer patients, 14,024 patients (53.5%) were in the pre‐pandemic cohort and 12,207 (46.5%) were in the pandemic cohort. After controlling for demographics, patients diagnosed during the pandemic were more likely to have poorly differentiated tumors (odds ratio [OR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.42), pathologic T3 disease compared to T1 (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.02–1.53), positive lymph nodes on pathology (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.14–1.64), and to be pathologic stage IV (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.29–1.76). After controlling for oncologic characteristics, patients diagnosed during the pandemic were more likely to require at least two courses of systemic therapy (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.48–2.14) and to be offered palliative care (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04–1.22). While these patients were offered curative therapy at lower rates, this became non‐significant after risk‐adjustment (p = .15). The pandemic healthcare environment was associated with significantly increased risk‐adjusted rates of patients presenting with advanced esophageal cancer. While this led to significant differences in treatment, most of these differences became non‐significant after controlling for oncologic factors.
Angle‐dependent light scattering in tissue phantoms for the case of thin bone layers with predominant forward scattering
Authors: Witke Tom , Kuhn Eduard , Teichert Fabian , Goßler Christian , Schwarz Ulrich Theodor , Thränhardt Angela
Published: November 2023

The cochlea forms a key element of the human auditory system in the temporal bone. Damage to the cochlea continues to produce significant impairment for sensory reception of environmental stimuli. To improve this impairment, the optical cochlear implant forms a new research approach. A prerequisite for this method is to understand how light propagation, as well as scattering, reflection, and absorption, takes place within the cochlea. We offer a method to study the light distribution in the human cochlea through phantom materials which have the objective to mimic the optical behavior of bone and Monte‐Carlo simulations. The calculation of an angular distribution after scattering requires a phase function. Often approximate functions like Henyey–Greenstein, two‐term Henyey–Greenstein or Legendre polynomial decompositions are used as phase function. An alternative is to exactly calculate a Mie distribution for each scattering event. This method provides a better fit to the data measured in this work.
Vitamin K1 ameliorates lipopolysaccharide‐triggered skeletal muscle damage revealed by faecal bacteria transplantation
Authors: Xiao Yuru , Feng Jianguo , Jia Jing , Li Jie , Zhou Yingshun , Song Zhangyong , Guan Fasheng , Li Xuexin , Liu Li
Published: November 2023

Background

Sepsis‐associated muscle weakness is common in patients of intensive care units (ICUs), and it is closely associated with poor outcomes. The mechanism of sepsis‐induced muscle weakness is unclear. Recent studies have found that gut microbiota and metabolites are involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass and metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the effects of gut microbiota and metabolites on sepsis‐associated muscle weakness.

Methods

In a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation mouse model, mice with different sensitivities to LPS‐induced inflammation were considered as donor mice for the faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) assay, and recipient mice were divided into sensitive (Sen) and resistant (Res) groups. Skeletal muscle mass and function, as well as colonic barrier integrity were tested and gut microbiota and metabolite composition were analysed in both groups of mice. The effect of intestinal differential metabolite vitamin K1 on LPS‐triggered muscle damage was investigated, and the underlying mechanism was explored.

Results

Recipients exhibited varying LPS‐triggered muscle damage and intestinal barrier disruption. Tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of Sen exhibited upregulated expression levels of MuRF‐1 (0.825 ± 0.063 vs. 0.304 ± 0.293, P = 0.0141) and MAFbx (1.055 ± 0.079 vs. 0.456 ± 0.3, P = 0.0092). Colonic tight junction proteins ZO‐1 (0.550 ± 0.087 vs. 0.842 ± 0.094, P = 0.0492) and occludin (0.284 ± 0.057 vs. 0.664 ± 0.191, P = 0.0487) were significantly downregulated in the Sen group. Metabolomic analysis showed significantly higher vitamin K1 in the faeces (P = 0.0195) and serum of the Res group (P = 0.0079) than those of the Sen group. After vitamin K1 intervention, muscle atrophy‐related protein expression downregulated (P < 0.05). Meanwhile SIRT1 protein expression were upregulated (0.320 ± 0.035 vs. 0.685 ± 0.081, P = 0.0281) and pNF‐κB protein expression were downregulated (0.815 ± 0.295 vs. 0.258 ± 0.130, P = 0.0308). PI3K (0.365 ± 0.142 vs. 0.763 ± 0.013, P = 0.0475), pAKT (0.493 ± 0.159 vs. 1.183 ± 0.344, P = 0.0254) and pmTOR (0.509 ± 0.088 vs. 1.110 ± 0.190, P = 0.0368) protein expression levels were upregulated in TA muscle. Meanwhile, vitamin K1 attenuated serum inflammatory factor levels.

Conclusions

Vitamin K1 might ameliorate LPS‐triggered skeletal muscle damage by antagonizing NF‐κB‐mediated inflammation through upregulation of SIRT1 and regulating the balance between protein synthesis and catabolism.
Rational optimization of 2D Bi2MoO6 nanopiece@2D g‐C3N4 nanoflake composite for boosting photocatalytic performance of hydrogen evolution rate and organic dye removal
Authors: Wang Zhentao , Wang Jingjing , Iqbal Waheed , Qiao Yuxin , Liu Shuxin , Qin Chuanguang
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Preparing catalysts with heterojunction structures is a strategy to achieve efficient charge separation and transfer of charges to enhance photocatalytic activity of photocatalysts. To optimize the graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4)‐based photocatalysts, Bi2MoO6@ 2D g‐C3N4 catalyst was prepared.

RESULTS

2D Bi2MoO6 nanopiece@2D g‐C3N4 nanoflake composites in different proportions were prepared by the hydrothermal method. The prepared materials were characterized by various modern instrumental analyses, and their photocatalytic ability to decompose water and degrade rhodamine B under visible light irradiation was tested. Compared with pure Bi2MoO6 nanopiece and g‐C3N4 nanoflake, the hydrogen evolution rate of Bi2MoO6 nanopiece@g‐C3N4 nanoflake (1:10) composite was highest, at 4847 μmol h−1 g−1. The composite (3:10) exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic rhodamine B degradation for organic dye removal due to the formation of an excellent heterojunction to improve the separation and migration efficiency of photogenerated carriers.

CONCLUSION

O2− and •OH were the two main active species in the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B. Bi2MoO6 formed a heterojunction with g‐C3N4, which accelerated separation and migration efficiency, thereby enhancing the photocatalytic activity. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Introduction to Leading from the Middle in Higher Education: Mentoring
Authors: Sunderman Hannah M. , Orsini Jonathan
Published: November 2023

“Leading from the Middle in Higher Education: Mentoring” is a Journal of Leadership Studies Symposium dededicated to the significance of mentoring in higher education, emphasizing the role of mentoring in leadership development for undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty. To introduce the symposium, the current article provide insights into effective mentoring practices for mentors and mentees. The article delves into the definition of mentoring, both formal and informal, and discusses the benefits of mentoring within higher education. Additionally, it highlights crucial aspects of effective mentors and offers guidance on being an effective mentee.
Shifted Legendre method for solutions of Riccati type functional differential equations and application of RL circuit model
Authors: Elmacı Deniz , Yüzbaşı Şuayip , Baykuş Savaşaneril Nurcan
Published: November 2023

In order to solve the Riccati type functional differential equations under mixed condition, this research suggests a collocation approach based on shifted Legendre polynomials. These equations are seen in physics and electronic sciences. By means of the evenly spaced collocation points, the shifted Legendre polynomials, their derivatives and matrix forms, the method is constructed. It reduces the problem into a system nonlinear algebraic equations. Error analysis is made. The method is applied to numerical examples and their results are compared with other methods from literature. And also, the method is applied to nonlinear RL electrical circuit model. The results show that the method is effective.
Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of extra virgin olive oil: classification through secoiridoids
Authors: Tsiafoulis Constantinos G , Liaggou Christina , Garoufis Achilleas , Magiatis Prokopios , Roussis Ioannis G
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), a natural product with a multidisciplinary role, has been and is continuing to be studied from several points of view. Among them, its chemical analysis is of major importance and several methods have been used. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has inherent advantages, among them monitoring the chemical constituents without the need for a separation technique and without, for instance, possible carry‐over effects. Additionally, several magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques can provide a novel powered insight into the nature and properties of a sample under study. Moreover, ‐omics procedure can reveal new information and can lead to the classification of populations under study. The main objective of the present work was the possible classification of the EVOO samples based on their aldehyde content using a proposed unreferenced 1H‐NMR spectroscopic quantification method combined with a metabolomic approach. Moreover, the study of the impact of such elevated aldehyde content on several spectra regions of importance in the proton NMR spectra led to the proposal of a possible new isomer indicator.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis of 12 EVOO samples showed that oleacein, oleocanthal, elenolic acid, hydroxytyrosol/hydroxytyrosol derivatives and tyrosol/tyrosol derivatives strongly differentiated two classes of EVOO: OEH (for high aldehyde EVOO content) and OE (for non‐high aldehyde content). Moreover, we pointed out the 'impact' of such elevated secoiridoid and derivatives content, through their moieties' units, on a range of several resonances of the 1H‐NMR spectrum. The metabolomic approach demonstrated the classification of EVOO samples based on their secoiridoid and derivatives content. Multivariate analysis showed a strong influence on the discrimination of the EVOO classes based on the protons resonating at the aldehyde region of the 1H‐NMR spectrum; the aldehyde protons corresponding to 5S,4R‐ligstrodial and 5S,4R‐oleuropeindial, oleacein, oleocanthal, elenolic acid, p‐HPEA‐EA, 3,4‐DHPEA‐EA, 5S,4R‐ and 5S,4S‐ligstrodial and the proton corresponding to a new compound were reported for the first time. This isomer compound, reported for the first time, could serve as a possible indicator for EVOO classification.

CONCLUSIONS

An unreferenced quantification method was proposed and EVOO samples were classified into two classes: OEH and OE, according to their aldehyde content, gaining thus probably higher nutrient and possible pharmacological value. Moreover, we point out the 'impact' of such elevated aldehyde content on several spectral regions of the 1H spectrum. Finally, a new compound was detected in the OEH samples and is reported for the first time. This compound could possibly be an indicator. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Potential therapies targeting nuclear metabolic regulation in cancer
Authors: Chen Yanjie , Xu Jie , Liu Xiaoyi , Guo Linlin , Yi Ping , Cheng Chunming
Published: November 2023

The interplay between genetic alterations and metabolic dysregulation is increasingly recognized as a pivotal axis in cancer pathogenesis. Both elements are mutually reinforcing, thereby expediting the ontogeny and progression of malignant neoplasms. Intriguingly, recent findings have highlighted the translocation of metabolites and metabolic enzymes from the cytoplasm into the nuclear compartment, where they appear to be intimately associated with tumor cell proliferation. Despite these advancements, significant gaps persist in our understanding of their specific roles within the nuclear milieu, their modulatory effects on gene transcription and cellular proliferation, and the intricacies of their coordination with the genomic landscape. In this comprehensive review, we endeavor to elucidate the regulatory landscape of metabolic signaling within the nuclear domain, namely nuclear metabolic signaling involving metabolites and metabolic enzymes. We explore the roles and molecular mechanisms through which metabolic flux and enzymatic activity impact critical nuclear processes, including epigenetic modulation, DNA damage repair, and gene expression regulation. In conclusion, we underscore the paramount significance of nuclear metabolic signaling in cancer biology and enumerate potential therapeutic targets, associated pharmacological interventions, and implications for clinical applications. Importantly, these emergent findings not only augment our conceptual understanding of tumoral metabolism but also herald the potential for innovative therapeutic paradigms targeting the metabolism–genome transcriptional axis.
The clinical, myopathological, and genetic analysis of 155 Chinese mitochondrial ophthalmoplegia patients with mitochondrial DNA single large deletions
Authors: Zhao Yang , Hou Yue , Zhao Xutong , Liufu Tongling , Yu Meng , Zhang Wei , Xie Zhiying , Zhang Victor Wei , Yuan Yun , Wang Zhaoxia
Published: November 2023

Background

Progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO) is a common subtype of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy.

Objective

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) abnormalities, muscle pathology, and clinical manifestations in Chinese patients with single large‐scale mtDNA deletion presenting with PEO.

Methods

This is a retrospective single‐center study. Patients with PEO who had a single large deletion in mitochondrial DNA were included in this study. The associations were analyzed between mtDNA deletion patterns, myopathological changes, and clinical characteristics.

Results

In total, 155 patients with mitochondrial PEO carrying single large‐scale mtDNA mutations were enrolled, including 137 chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) and 18 Kearns–Sayre syndrome (KSS) patients. The onset ages were 9.61 ± 4.12 in KSS and 20.15 ± 9.06 in CPEO. The mtDNA deletions ranged from 2225 bp to 9131 bp, with m.8470_13446del being the most common. The KSS group showed longer deletions than the CPEO group (p = 0.004). Additionally, a higher number of deleted genes encoding respiratory chain complex subunits (p = 0.001) and tRNA genes (p = 0.009) were also observed in the KSS group. A weak negative correlation between the mtDNA deletion size and ages of onset (p < 0.001, r = −0.369) was observed. The proportion of ragged red fibers, ragged blue fibers, and cytochrome c negative fibers did not correlate significantly with onset ages (p > 0.05). However, a higher percentage of abnormal muscle fibers corresponds to an increased prevalence of exercise intolerance, limb muscle weakness, dysphagia, and cerebellar ataxia.

Conclusion

We reported a large Chinese cohort consisting of mitochondrial PEO patients with single large‐scale mtDNA deletions. Our results demonstrated that the length and locations of mtDNA deletions may influence onset ages and clinical phenotypes. The severity of muscle pathology could not only indicate diagnosis but also may be associated with clinical manifestations beyond the extraocular muscles.
Uncertainty propagation in absolute metabolite quantification for in vivo MRS of the human brain
Authors: Instrella Ronald , Juchem Christoph
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Absolute spectral quantification is the standard method for deriving estimates of the concentration from metabolite signals measured using in vivo proton MRS (1H‐MRS). This method is often reported with minimum variance estimators, specifically the Cramér‐Rao lower bound (CRLB) of the metabolite signal amplitude's scaling factor from linear combination modeling. This value serves as a proxy for SD and is commonly reported in MRS experiments. Characterizing the uncertainty of absolute quantification, however, depends on more than simply the CRLB. The uncertainties of metabolite‐specific (T1m, T2m), reference‐specific (T1ref, T2ref), and sequence‐specific (TR, TE) parameters are generally ignored, potentially leading to an overestimation of precision. In this study, the propagation of uncertainty is used to derive a comprehensive estimate of the overall precision of concentrations from an internal reference.

Methods

The propagated uncertainty is calculated using analytical derivations and Monte Carlo simulations and subsequently analyzed across a set of commonly measured metabolites and macromolecules. The effect of measurement error from experimentally obtained quantification parameters is estimated using published uncertainties and CRLBs from in vivo 1H‐MRS literature.

Results

The additive effect of propagated measurement uncertainty from applied quantification correction factors can result in up to a fourfold increase in the concentration estimate's coefficient of variation compared to the CRLB alone. A case study analysis reveals similar multifold increases across both metabolites and macromolecules.

Conclusion

The precision of absolute metabolite concentrations derived from 1H‐MRS experiments is systematically overestimated if the uncertainties of commonly applied corrections are neglected as sources of error.
Preparation, characterization, and CO2 permeation testing of cellulose acetate and polyimide blend membranes
Authors: Nayak Bharat , Tanvidkar Priya , Kuncharam Bhanu Vardhan Reddy
Published: November 2023

Membrane‐based CO2 separation is vital for various applications such as biogas upgradation. Polymer membranes are employed for CO2 separation in the industry. Polymer membranes have a trade‐off between selectivity and permeability. Blending polymers is an emerging approach for altering the gas transport in the membranes. This work investigates the fabrication and characterization of blended biodegradable cellulose acetate (CA) with polyimide (PI). Thermal stability was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and functional groups were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology of membranes is analyzed using field‐emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The blend membranes were tested for separation of CO2 from model biogas (CO2/CH4) at room temperature and a low feed pressure (∼1.5 bar). The CA:PI blend membrane composed of 93% CA and 7% PI showed CO2 permeability of 19.71 Barrer, approximately 206% greater than pure CA, and CO2/CH4 selectivity was 9.42. Experimental results are compared with literature on CA‐based membranes.

Highlights

Blend membrane of cellulose acetate (CA) and polyimide (PI)

CO2/CH4 gas permeation testing of membranes using a model biogas mixture

Blend membranes exhibit 206% higher CO2 permeability than pure CA membranes

Blend membranes demonstrated enhanced CO2/CH4 selectivity of 9.42.
Rational design of promising candidates for photoactive layer in polymer solar cells: Insights from computation
Authors: Orenha Renato P. , Ramos Salvador B. , Natal Maria L. L. , Gomes Márcio H. A. , Muñoz‐Castro Alvaro , Madureira Letícia M. P. , Caramori Giovanni F. , Piotrowski Maurício J. , Parreira Renato L. T.
Published: November 2023

The design of organic solar cells, OSCs, requests a more efficient configuration of photoactive layers composed of p‐type (quinoxaline, Qx) and n‐type (naphthalene diimide, NDI) semiconductors that enable light harvesting along with a high‐power conversion efficiency. Here, Qx‐(phenyl or Ph) and NDI structures have been modulated using both electron withdrawing (EWG) and electron donating (EDG) groups such as −F, −NHCOCH3, −OCH3, −OH, −CHO, −COOCH3, −COOH, −CN, −SO3H, and −NO2, aiming to design an effective photoactive p‐n layer. The HOMO‐LUMO gap of Qx‐Ph can be tuned to the visible light spectrum by the addition of EWG in the Qx ring (decreasing the LUMO energy) and by EDG in the Ph ring (increasing the HOMO energy). The analyzed complexes show key electronic properties in organic solar cells with large power conversion efficiency. Descriptive data analysis suggests that the magnitude of the non‐covalent interactions in donor
acceptor (D
A) complexes is expected to play a role in the efficiency of OSCs. The results will contribute to a more effective design of the photoactive layer in OSCs.
Effect of SiO2Surface Passivation on the Performance of GaN Polarization Superjunction Heterojunction Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Du Yangming , Madathil Sankara Narayanan Ekkanath , Kawai Hiroji , Yagi Shuichi , Narui Hironobu
Published: November 2023

In this article, the effects of the SiO2surface passivation layer are reported on normally‐on 1.2 kV GaN polarization superjunction (PSJ) heterojunction field effect transistors (HFETs) by comparing the electrical performances of PSJ HFETs with and without SiO2surface passivation. A slight recovery of the 2D electron gas sheet density is observed in the slight negative shift ofVthafter SiO2surface passivation. Passivation also increases the breakdown voltage. This improvement may result from removing positive surface charges in defects along the P‐GaN gate sidewall and top u‐GaN layer after the specifically designed SiO2surface passivation. Furthermore, the SiO2surface passivation can also effectively suppress the surface gate leakage currents in the PSJ HFETs by eliminating the conductive channel created by the positive surface charges in defects.
Rotini‐like MXene@LCE Actuator with Diverse and Programmable Actuation Based on Dual‐mode Synergy
Authors: Liang Ziwei , Jin Binjie , Zhao Haotian , He Zhenhua , Jiang Zhanghe , Jiang Saihua
Published: November 2023

Liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) exhibits muscle‐like actuation upon order‐disturbed stimulus, offering ample room for designing soft robotic systems. Multimodal LCE is demonstrated to unleash the potential to perform multitasks. However, each actuation mode is typically isolated. In contrast, coordination between different actuation modes based on an MXene‐doped LCE is realized, whose actuation can be triggered either by directly heating/cooling or using near‐infrared light due to the photo‐thermal effect of MXene. As such, the two activation modes (heat and light) not only can work individually to offer stable actuation under different conditions but also can collaborate synergistically to generate more intelligent motions, such as achieving the brake and turn of an autonomous rolling. The principle therefore can diversify the design principles for multifunctional soft actuators and robotics.
Remotely Controllable Supramolecular Nanomedicine for Drug‐Resistant Colorectal Cancer Therapy Caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum
Authors: Yan Xiangjie , Xin Youtao , Yu Yunjian , Li Xiaohui , Li Boqiong , Elsabahy Mahmoud , Zhang Jimin , Ma Feihe , Gao Hui
Published: November 2023

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) existing in the community of colorectal cancer (CRC) promotes CRC progression and causes chemotherapy resistance. Despite great efforts that have been made to overcome Fn‐induced chemotherapy resistance by co‐delivering antibacterial agents and chemotherapeutic drugs, increasing the drug‐loading capacity and enabling controlled release of drugs remain challenging. In this study, a novel supramolecular upconversion nanoparticle (SUNP) is constructed by incorporating a positively charged polymer (PAMAM‐LA‐CD) with Fn inhibition capacity, a negatively charged platinum (IV) oxaliplatin prodrug (OXA–COOH), upconversion nanoparticle (UCNPs) and polyethylene glycol–azobenzene (PEG–Azo) to enhance drug‐loading and enable on‐demand drug release for drug‐resistant CRC treatment. SUNPs exhibit high drug‐loading capacity (30.8%) and good structural stability under normal physiological conditions, while disassembled upon exogenous NIR excitation and endogenous azo reductase in the CRC microenvironment to trigger drug release. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that SUNPs presented good biocompatibility and robust performance to overcome chemoresistance, thereby significantly inhibiting Fn‐infected cancer cell proliferation. This study leverages multiple dynamic chemical designs to integrate both advantages of drug loading and release in a single system, which provides a promising candidate for precision therapy of bacterial‐related drug‐resistant cancers.
Impact of computer users on cyber defense strategies
Authors: Colvett Christopher Daniel , Petty Mikel D. , Bland John A.
Published: November 2023

Cybersecurity research often focuses primarily or exclusively on the interactions between the attacker, trying to exploit the computer system, and the defender, trying to protect it. However, including the computer users is important because the users’ requirements are the reason the computer system exists.

An extension of the Petri net formalism, Petri Nets with Players, Strategies, and Costs (PNPSC) was used to model cyberattacks described in the MITRE Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification database. PNPSC models include the attacker, defender, and computer user as “players” attempting to achieve competing goals. Each player can observe the current marking of a subset of the PNPSC net's places and change the stochastic firing rates of a subset of the net's transitions in order to achieve their goals. A mapping between the markings of a player's observable places and the desired firing rates of player's controllable transitions is the player's strategy.

A reinforcement learning algorithm was integrated with PNPSC models of three cyberattack patterns to learn strategies for the defender in simulations both with and without a representation of the computer user. A simulation experiment showed that the defender's reward was lower and the defender's learned strategy was different when the user was represented. A second simulation experiment and statistical analysis confirmed that the differences were not due simply to randomness. With the user represented, the system defender must balance security against usability. This research provides a more complete cyberattack model and shows that user models are important in future cybersecurity simulation.
Cuproptosis‐related lncRNAs ovarian cancer: Multi‐omics analysis of molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets
Authors: Wang Yichen , Liang Qi , Xu Lu , Xiong Jian , Gao Kefei , Xu Ping , Huang Weiming
Published: November 2023

Ovarian cancer (OV) is an aggressive malignancy that poses a significant threat to the health and lives of women. Cuproptosis is a newly discovered form of programmed cell death that offers a promising therapeutic target, although its significance in cancer progression remains uncertain. In this study, we established a prognostic model of OV with six cuproptosis‐related long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs), including CTC.246B18.8, LINC00337, RP11.568N6.1, RP11.158I9.8, RP11.678G14.3 and CYP4F26P, based on the data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Lower risk scores were associated with favorable prognosis. In addition, a negative outcome was associated with high expression of CTC.246B18.8. According to the ESTIMATE algorithm, CTC.246B18.8 was negatively correlated with the ImmuneScore, and positively with immune checkpoints, immune cell infiltration, and tumor mutation burden (TMB). Moreover, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that pathways related to immunosuppression are likely activated in response to CTC‐246B18.8 overexpression. Furthermore, CTC‐246B18.8 expression was also associated with the sensitivity to various chemotherapy drugs. The expression patterns of the above lncRNAs were verified in ovarian tumor cell lines (SK‐OV‐3, COC1, and A2780) and normal ovarian epithelial cells (IOSE – 80). Six cuproptosis‐related genes (CRGs), including ATP7B, MTF1, SLC31A1, DLD, ATP7A and DLAT, were differentially expressed between CTC‐246B18.8high and CTC‐246B18.8low patient groups, and exhibited organ‐specific expression patterns pan‐cancer. Small molecule drugs that target these CRGs were predicted, and potential candidates included DIAMIDE, bathocuproine disulfonate, D‐penicillamine, etc. To summarize, our findings provide molecular insights into the role of cuproptosis in OV, and the signature lncRNAs and CRGs should be investigated further as immunotherapy biomarkers of OV.
Research trends on the main threats to food security in international relations scholarship
Authors: López Enrique Valverde , Sánchez Alfonso
Published: November 2023

After a slow and steady decrease in global food insecurity, the COVID‐19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have undone much of these gains. This intervention aims to shed light on whether academic research on food security is currently focused on the most food‐insecure countries and whether equal attention has been devoted to the biggest threats to food security: economic shocks, extreme weather, and armed conflict. We find that only 37% of countries in a state of crisis, emergency, or famine have been the focus of published research in food security. Moreover, our analysis shows that, when combined, 53% of all academic publications addressed at least one of the key drivers of food insecurity, yet possible biases and gaps emerge when these results are disaggregated by each specific driver of food insecurity.
Let’s Root for Each Other and Grow: Interconnectedness (with)in Science Education
Authors: Askew Rachel
Published: November 2023

In January 2019 six “students” and one “instructor” came together for the first of 16 class meetings to explore science education in elementary schools. As an attempt to push against the State apparatus, we created the course together. What began as an assortment of waves and circles eventually rooted and bloomed in an exploration of our becomings as science teachers. At the end of the semester, we chose to represent our class journeys’ timeline as a flower—with each of us connected as the roots and our experiences interwoven in the flower. Using rhizoanalysis, this chapter will explore and question the interconnectedness of materials, humans, and experiences as they relate to conceptions of “growth” in the Anthropocene.
Envisioning Non-elite and More-Than-Colonial Environmentalisms
Authors: Carrara Aline , Chakraborty Ritodhi
Published: November 2023

Mainstream environmentalism remains tethered to Malthusian overpopulation scenarios, authoritarian protectionism through exclusionary conservation policies, and ecomodernist climate adaptation/mitigation projects. Therefore, hegemonic mainstream environmentalism (HME) in many ways fails to address its colonial, authoritarian, essentializing overtures, which continue to insidiously motivate much of environmentalism and environmental policy. But there are also ongoing challenges to this by the work of indigenous, feminist, anti-racist, anti-casteist, and anti/de/post-colonial thinkers and doers. In this work we build upon such provocations to challenge the problematic roots of modern, mainstream environmentalism and its role in supporting certain visions of the Anthropocene. We propose a temporary analytical frame that advocates for non-elite visions of environmentalism—non-elite and more-than-colonial environmentalisms (NEMCE). Our analytical offering highlights three processes which non-elite communities are involved in from across the majority world. These are attempting to domesticate capitalism, mobilize plurinational placemaking, and finally challenge the algorithmic thinking of digital environmental governance. Taken together the three processes above present a powerful response to HME, revealing its insidious reproduction of certain elite subjectivities, ideologies, and institutions, while claiming to support planetary visions of ecological wellbeing.
Indigenous Spiritual Geographies: Rosalie Little Thunder and “What Does It Mean to Be a Good Relative?”
Authors: Holmes Amanda
Published: November 2023

From long experience with each other, Indigenous Peoples know their Lands—and the beings, energies, and relationships with whom they share their universe—as related. They exist within a relational, storied matrix, spoken and heard, felt and lived in words and through silences, sung, prayed, and envisioned within their own cycles, and remembered in the spiritual geographies of their Lands. This piece reflects on embodied Indigenous intergenerational knowledge relations as lived through the spiritual activism of Lakota Elder Rosalie Little Thunder and articulated in her perennial question, “What does it mean to be a good relative?” Her Lakota ethical practice centered around this question—and it was a question she asked of the rest of the world, so that they might imagine a different way of being, a possibility of waking up the human beings in this time of massive human destruction of all life, the life systems of Earth. Rosalie’s question is a wakeup call that frames human survival from within a Lakota perspective of the world, asking the world’s human beings what it means to be a good relative. This perception of relationality holds the possibility for radically re-imagining different possibilities, transformative shifts in consciousness, and different futurities.
How to Use Blood and Blood Products
Authors: Soni Kapil Dev , Chaurasia Rahul
Published: November 2023

This chapter discusses the available evidence for blood transfusions in various subgroups of critically ill patients and other common issues pertaining to the transfusion of blood and blood components in the ICU. While blood and blood products can a be lifesaving therapy, the decision to transfuse should be based on individual factors, and the risk–benefit ratio of adverse events should be considered. Restrictive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategies are generally more beneficial, and platelet transfusions should be administered after risk assessment for bleeding, cause and pattern of thrombocytopenia, and presence of underlying comorbidities. Point-of-care tests such as thromboelastography (TEG) or rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) can help guide blood transfusions. Common transfusion reactions in the ICU include transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO), and nosocomial infections. Transfusion alternatives such as IV iron, erythropoietin, and tranexamic acid should be considered whenever feasible.
Nutrition Delivery in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Chatterjee Ranajit , Garg Ashutosh Kumar
Published: November 2023

This chapter discusses the importance of medical nutrition therapy in critically ill patients in the ICU. The goals of nutrition in the ICU include preserving lean body mass, maintaining immune function, and avoiding metabolic complications. The chapter also covers topics such as nutrition assessment, assessment of energy expenditure, starting enteral nutrition, dosing and monitoring of tolerance and adequacy of EN, selection of appropriate EN, indications of parenteral nutrition, diet formulation in special medical conditions, impact of nutrition on fluid therapy and accumulation, and introduction of nutrition stewardship. The take-home messages emphasize the importance of early enteral nutrition, tailoring feeding to the patient’s requirements and tolerance, and avoiding calorie deficits. The chapter concludes by encouraging the implementation of nutrition stewardship to optimize patient outcomes,

taking into account the 4 D’s of nutrition therapy: drug, dose, duration, and de-escalation.
Fluid Management in Trauma
Authors: Soni Kapil Dev , Gauli Basant
Published: November 2023

Fluid therapy is one of the major interventions in primary survey to sustain life during acute trauma. Over the years, it has evolved with new evidences and association of harm seen with certain fluid options and strategy. Recent years has seen major changes in fluid therapy of trauma patients with most guidelines advocating restricted fluid therapy for the benefit of trauma patients. The outcome not only depends upon the type of fluid but also depends significantly on rate of fluid as well as amount of fluid administration. This chapter provides framework of fluid therapy in major trauma patients presenting after acute trauma.
Perioperative Fluid Manangement
Authors: Choudhuri Anirban Hom , Kiro Kiranlata
Published: November 2023

A perioperative clinician should have in-depth knowledge about the composition of body fluids, effects of metabolic stress response on fluid shifts and the indications for timely de-resuscitation. Over the years, the principles of perioperative fluid management have largely focussed on aggressive fluid administration without checks thereby ignoring many harmful side effects. To achieve a good surgical outcome, fluid therapy based on checks and balances is an absolute necessity. Overzealous administration of large volumes of any fluid can lead to more harm than benefit. Hence, the current practice is to individualize the fluid therapy based upon need which can be assessed dynamically by a large number of gadgets. While research about liberal versus restrictive approaches has often yielded divergent results, the benefits of a goal-directed therapy has remained equivocal. The type and duration of the surgery largely influence fluid balance and their understanding is pivotal towards patient safety.
Fluid Physiology Part 2: Regulation of Body Fluids and the Distribution of Infusion Fluids
Authors: Hahn Robert G.
Published: November 2023

The regulation of body fluids and infusion fluid distribution is a critical aspect of intensive care management. In this chapter, we explore the various control systems that maintain fluid balance in the body, including the kidneys, nervous system, and hormones. We also discuss the impact of disease and medical treatments on these control systems and the resulting fluid derangements, such as hypovolemia, volume depletion, and dehydration. The use of infusion fluids to distribute into the different body fluid spaces is analyzed, including the plasma, extracellular fluid, and total body water. Hemodynamic responses and signs of organ dysfunction are the main clinical guides for fluid management, while electrolyte disturbances induced by disease and medication are also discussed. Volume kinetic analysis is utilized to compare the efficacy of crystalloid and colloid solutions, and the limitations of body fluid volume measurements are also examined. This chapter provides essential insights for intensivists and other medical professionals involved in the management of critically ill patients.
Restrictions of Pfaffian systems for Feynman integrals
Authors: Chestnov Vsevolod , Matsubara-Heo Saiei J. , Munch Henrik J. , Takayama Nobuki
Published: November 2023

Abstract

This work studies limits of Pfaffian systems, a class of first-order PDEs appearing in the Feynman integral calculus. Such limits appear naturally in the context of scattering amplitudes when there is a separation of scale in a given set of kinematic variables. We model these limits, which are often singular, via restrictions of $$ \mathcal{D} $$
D
-modules. We thereby develop two different restriction algorithms: one based on gauge transformations, and another relying on the Macaulay matrix. These algorithms output Pfaffian systems containing fewer variables and of smaller rank. We show that it is also possible to retain logarithmic corrections in the limiting variable. The algorithms are showcased in many examples involving Feynman integrals and hypergeometric functions coming from GKZ systems. This work serves as a continuation of [1].
Holographic entanglement from the UV to the IR
Authors: Dong Xi , Remmen Grant N. , Wang Diandian , Weng Wayne W. , Wu Chih-Hung
Published: November 2023

Abstract

In AdS/CFT, observables on the boundary are invariant under renormalization group (RG) flow in the bulk. In this paper, we study holographic entanglement entropy under bulk RG flow and find that it is indeed invariant. We focus on tree-level RG flow, where massive fields in a UV theory are integrated out to give the IR theory. We explicitly show that in several simple examples, holographic entanglement entropy calculated in the UV theory agrees with that calculated in the IR theory. Moreover, we give an argument for this agreement to hold for general tree-level RG flow. Along the way, we generalize the replica method of calculating holographic entanglement entropy to bulk theories that include matter fields with nonzero spin.
Auswirkungen einer Pandemie auf Menschen mit Seltenen Erkrankungen und Empfehlungen zur Aufrechterhaltung von Versorgung und Teilhabe
Authors: Zybarth David , Brandt Maja , Mundlos Christine , Inhestern Laura
Published: November 2023

Hintergrund

Seltene Erkrankungen sind häufig durch komplexe Beschwerdebilder charakterisiert und erfordern in der Regel im Diagnose- und Versorgungsverlauf die Koordination multiprofessioneller Behandlungsteams. Im Zuge der COVID-19-Pandemie veränderten sich die medizinische Versorgung und der Lebensalltag von Menschen mit einer Seltenen Erkrankung bzw. den Eltern bei minderjährigen Patient:innen drastisch. Das Projekt RESILIENT-SE-PAN („Retrospektive Analyse der Versorgungssituation und des Lebensalltags von Menschen mit Seltenen Erkrankungen während einer Pandemie und Ableitung von Handlungsempfehlungen“) hatte auf Grundlage verschiedener Perspektiven das Ziel, die Situation von Menschen mit einer Seltenen Erkrankung während der Pandemie zu erfassen und Empfehlungen abzuleiten.

Methoden

Es wurden quantitative und qualitative Befragungen aus Perspektive der Betroffenen bzw. der Angehörigen bei minderjährigen Patient:innen (i. d. R. Elternteil) und aus Perspektive von Vertreter:innen der Patient:innenorganisationen sowie ein Workshop durchgeführt (Mixed-Methods-Studie).

Ergebnisse

Es zeigten sich Auswirkungen auf die Versorgung und auf den Lebensalltag sowie psychische Belastungen der Befragten. Darüber hinaus wurden COVID-19-spezifische Aspekte, Unterstützungsbedarf und auch positive Aspekte berichtet. Auf Basis der umfassenden Ergebnisse wurden insgesamt 21 Empfehlungen in den folgenden 7 Bereichen formuliert: medizinische Diagnostik und Versorgung der Seltenen Erkrankung; ergänzende Therapien, Hilfs- und Heilmittel; Zugang zu Informationen und Impfungen bzgl. COVID-19; psychosoziale Unterstützung; Alltagshilfen/Teilhabe; Patient:innenorganisationen und Sonstiges/übergeordnete Aspekte.

Diskussion

Die formulierten Empfehlungen geben für künftige Krisen oder Pandemien wichtige Impulse, um die Situation von Menschen mit einer Seltenen Erkrankung adäquat zu berücksichtigen und entsprechend den Bedarfen der Betroffenen zu handeln.
TCAF2 drives glioma cellular migratory/invasion properties through STAT3 signaling
Authors: Yun Debo , Liang Jianshen , Wang Xuya , Fan Jikang , Wang Xisen , Li Jiabo , Ren Xiao , Liu Jie , Ren Xiude , Zhang Hao , Shang Guanjie , Jin Wenzhe , Chen Lei , Li Tao , Zhang Chen , Yu Shengping , Yang Xuejun
Published: November 2023

Glioma is an intracranial tumor characterized by high mortality and recurrence rates. In the present study, the association of TRPM8 channel-associated factor 2 (TCAF2) in glioma was investigated using bioinformatics, showing significant relationships with age, WHO grade, IDH, and 1p/19q status, as well as being an independent predictor of prognosis. Immunohistochemistry of a glioma sample microarray showed markedly increased TCAF2 expression in glioblastoma relative to lower-grade glioma, with elevated expression predominating in the tumor center. Raised TCAF2 levels promote glioma cell migratory/invasion properties through the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-like (EMT-like) process, shown by Transwell and scratch assays and western blotting. It was further found that the effects of TCAF2 were mediated by the activation of STAT3. These results suggest that TCAF2 promotes glioma cell migration and invasion, rendering it a potential drug target in glioma therapy.
Investigating Europa’s Habitability with the Europa Clipper
Authors: Vance Steven D. , Craft Kathleen L. , Shock Everett , Schmidt Britney E. , Lunine Jonathan , Hand Kevin P. , McKinnon William B. , Spiers Elizabeth M. , Chivers Chase , Lawrence Justin D. , Wolfenbarger Natalie , Leonard Erin J. , Robinson Kirtland J. , Styczinski Marshall J. , Persaud Divya M. , Steinbrügge Gregor , Zolotov Mikhail Y. , Quick Lynnae C. , Scully Jennifer E. C. , Becker Tracy M. , Howell Samuel M. , Clark Roger N. , Dombard Andrew J. , Glein Christopher R. , Mousis Olivier , Sephton Mark A. , Castillo-Rogez Julie , Nimmo Francis , McEwen Alfred S. , Gudipati Murthy S. , Jun Insoo , Jia Xianzhe , Postberg Frank , Soderlund Krista M. , Elder Catherine M.
Published: November 2023

The habitability of Europa is a property within a system, which is driven by a multitude of physical and chemical processes and is defined by many interdependent parameters, so that its full characterization requires collaborative investigation. To explore Europa as an integrated system to yield a complete picture of its habitability, the Europa Clipper mission has three primary science objectives: (1) characterize the ice shell and ocean including their heterogeneity, properties, and the nature of surface–ice–ocean exchange; (2) characterize Europa’s composition including any non-ice materials on the surface and in the atmosphere, and any carbon-containing compounds; and (3) characterize Europa’s geology including surface features and localities of high science interest. The mission will also address several cross-cutting science topics including the search for any current or recent activity in the form of thermal anomalies and plumes, performing geodetic and radiation measurements, and assessing high-resolution, co-located observations at select sites to provide reconnaissance for a potential future landed mission. Synthesizing the mission’s science measurements, as well as incorporating remote observations by Earth-based observatories, the James Webb Space Telescope, and other space-based resources, to constrain Europa’s habitability, is a complex task and is guided by the mission’s Habitability Assessment Board (HAB).