bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Focal radiotherapy boost to MR-visible tumor for prostate cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Dornisch Anna M. , Zhong Allison Y. , Poon Darren M. C. , Tree Alison C. , Seibert Tyler M.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The FLAME trial provides strong evidence that MR-guided external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) focal boost for localized prostate cancer increases biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS) without increasing toxicity. Yet, there are many barriers to implementation of focal boost. Our objectives are to systemically review clinical outcomes for MR-guided EBRT focal boost and to consider approaches to increase implementation of this technique.

Methods

We conducted literature searches in four databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guideline. We included prospective phase II/III trials of patients with localized prostate cancer underdoing definitive EBRT with MR-guided focal boost. The outcomes of interest were bDFS and acute/late gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity.

Results

Seven studies were included. All studies had a median follow-up of greater than 4 years. There were heterogeneities in fractionation, treatment planning, and delivery. Studies demonstrated effectiveness, feasibility, and tolerability of focal boost. Based on the Phoenix criteria for biochemical recurrence, the reported 5-year biochemical recurrence-free survival rates ranged 69.7–100% across included studies. All studies reported good safety profiles. The reported ranges of acute/late grade 3 + gastrointestinal toxicities were 0%/1–10%. The reported ranges of acute/late grade 3 + genitourinary toxicities were 0–13%/0–5.6%.

Conclusions

There is strong evidence that it is possible to improve oncologic outcomes without substantially increasing toxicity through MR-guided focal boost, at least in the setting of a 35-fraction radiotherapy regimen. Barriers to clinical practice implementation are addressable through additional investigation and new technologies.
Thulium fiber laser vs. holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: results of a prospective randomized non-inferiority trial
Authors: Kosiba Marina , Filzmayer Maximilian , Welte Maria N. , Hügenell Leonie , Keller Anna C. , Traumann Miriam I. , Müller Matthias J. , Kluth Luis A. , Mandel Philipp C. , Chun Felix K.-H. , Becker Andreas
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) represents the current standard procedure for size-independent surgical therapy of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). With advent of the novel laser technology thulium fiber laser (TFL), we hypothesized that the functional outcome of TFL enucleation of the prostate (ThuFLEP) is non-inferior compared to HoLEP.

Methods

From October 2021 to October 2022, 150 patients with BPO were recruited for the prospective randomized trial in accordance with CONSORT. Stratified randomization into the arms ThuFLEP (n = 74) or HoLEP (n = 76) was carried out. The primary endpoint was non-inferior international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) at three months after treatment. Secondary endpoints were rates of complications, peak flow, residual urine and operation times.

Results

Preoperative characteristics showed no significant differences. Overall IPSS and QoL improved from 21 to 8 and 4 to 1.5, respectively, after three months of follow-up. No statistically significant differences between ThuFLEP and HoLEP were observed regarding median postoperative IPSS (8.5 vs. 7, p > 0.9), QoL (1 vs. 2, p = 0.6), residual urine (48 vs. 30ml, p = 0.065) and peak flow (19 vs. 17ml/s, p > 0.9). Similarly, safety profile was comparable with no statistically significant differences regarding rate of major complications (5.3 vs. 5.4%, p = 0.5), laser hemostasis time (3 vs. 2min, p = 0.2), use of additive electric coagulation (74 vs. 87%, p = 0.06) or electric coagulation time (8 vs. 8min, p = 0.4).

Conclusions

In this prospective, randomized trial ThuFLEP showed non-inferior results compared to HoLEP in terms of functional outcomes measured by IPSS and QoL as primary endpoint.

Trial registration number

DRKS00032699 (18.09.2023, retrospectively registered).
The interdependence of social deliberation and judgment aggregation
Authors: Siebe Hendrik
Published: January 2024

Imagine that the judgments of some individuals on some issues are aggregated into collective judgments. Social deliberation about the issues prior to aggregation can lead to improved judgments, at both the individual and the collective level. In this paper I argue that the epistemic justification for a social deliberation design depends on the chosen judgment aggregation rule, and vice versa. This claim consists of two parts. First, the epistemic superiority of one deliberation design over another or over the absence of any deliberation depends on which procedure is subsequently used to aggregate individual judgments. Second, the epistemic superiority of one aggregation procedure over another depends on how the preceding social deliberation was designed. In short, the choice of deliberation design and of aggregation rule are intertwined. This claim is substantiated by two models. Both models display a tragic rise in competence: social deliberation raises individual competence while reducing collective competence. Here, individual and social epistemology come interestingly apart.
A familial missense variant in the Alzheimer’s disease gene SORL1 impairs its maturation and endosomal sorting
Authors: Fazeli Elnaz , Child Daniel D. , Bucks Stephanie A. , Stovarsky Miki , Edwards Gabrielle , Rose Shannon E. , Yu Chang-En , Latimer Caitlin , Kitago Yu , Bird Thomas , Jayadev Suman , Andersen Olav M. , Young Jessica E.
Published: January 2024

The SORL1 gene has recently emerged as a strong Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) risk gene. Over 500 different variants have been identified in the gene and the contribution of individual variants to AD development and progression is still largely unknown. Here, we describe a family consisting of 2 parents and 5 offspring. Both parents were affected with dementia and one had confirmed AD pathology with an age of onset > 75 years. All offspring were affected with AD with ages at onset ranging from 53 years to 74 years. DNA was available from the parent with confirmed AD and 5 offspring. We identified a coding variant, p.(Arg953Cys), in SORL1 in 5 of 6 individuals affected by AD. Notably, variant carriers had severe AD pathology, and the SORL1 variant segregated with TDP-43 pathology (LATE-NC). We further characterized this variant and show that this Arginine substitution occurs at a critical position in the YWTD-domain of the SORL1 translation product, SORL1. Functional studies further show that the p.R953C variant leads to retention of the SORL1 protein in the endoplasmic reticulum which leads to decreased maturation and shedding of the receptor and prevents its normal endosomal trafficking. Together, our analysis suggests that p.R953C is a pathogenic variant of SORL1 and sheds light on mechanisms of how missense SORL1 variants may lead to AD.
Temporal change of DNA methylation subclasses between matched newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma
Authors: Drexler Richard , Khatri Robin , Schüller Ulrich , Eckhardt Alicia , Ryba Alice , Sauvigny Thomas , Dührsen Lasse , Mohme Malte , Ricklefs Tammo , Bode Helena , Hausmann Fabian , Huber Tobias B. , Bonn Stefan , Voß Hannah , Neumann Julia E. , Silverbush Dana , Hovestadt Volker , Suvà Mario L. , Lamszus Katrin , Gempt Jens , Westphal Manfred , Heiland Dieter H. , Hänzelmann Sonja , Ricklefs Franz L.
Published: January 2024

The longitudinal transition of phenotypes is pivotal in glioblastoma treatment resistance and DNA methylation emerged as an important tool for classifying glioblastoma phenotypes. We aimed to characterize DNA methylation subclass heterogeneity during progression and assess its clinical impact. Matched tissues from 47 glioblastoma patients were subjected to DNA methylation profiling, including CpG-site alterations, tissue and serum deconvolution, mass spectrometry, and immunoassay. Effects of clinical characteristics on temporal changes and outcomes were studied. Among 47 patients, 8 (17.0%) had non-matching classifications at recurrence. In the remaining 39 cases, 28.2% showed dominant DNA methylation subclass transitions, with 72.7% being a mesenchymal subclass. In general, glioblastomas with a subclass transition showed upregulated metabolic processes. Newly diagnosed glioblastomas with mesenchymal transition displayed increased stem cell-like states and decreased immune components at diagnosis and exhibited elevated immune signatures and cytokine levels in serum. In contrast, tissue of recurrent glioblastomas with mesenchymal transition showed increased immune components but decreased stem cell-like states. Survival analyses revealed comparable outcomes for patients with and without subclass transitions. This study demonstrates a temporal heterogeneity of DNA methylation subclasses in 28.2% of glioblastomas, not impacting patient survival. Changes in cell state composition associated with subclass transition may be crucial for recurrent glioblastoma targeted therapies.
Syndromic MEN1 parathyroid adenomas consist of both subclonal nodules and clonally independent tumors
Authors: Bräutigam Konstantin , Nesti Cédric , Riss Philipp , Scheuba Christian , Niederle Bruno , Grob Tobias , Di Domenico Annunziata , Neuenschwander Maja , Mazal Peter , Köhn Nastassja , Trepp Roman , Perren Aurel , Kaderli Reto M.
Published: January 2024

Primary hyperparathyroidism with parathyroid tumors is a typical manifestation of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1) and is historically termed “primary hyperplasia”. Whether these tumors represent a multi-glandular clonal disease or hyperplasia has not been robustly proven so far. Loss of Menin protein expression is associated with inactivation of both alleles and a good surrogate for a MEN1 gene mutation. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (CDKN1B) gene is mutated in MEN4 and encodes for protein p27 whose expression is poorly studied in the syndromic MEN1 setting.

Here, we analyzed histomorphology and protein expression of Menin and p27 in parathyroid adenomas of 25 patients of two independent, well-characterized MEN1 cohorts. The pattern of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in one MEN1-associated parathyroid adenoma. Further, next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on eleven nodules of four MEN1 patients.

Morphologically, the majority of MEN1 adenomas consisted of multiple distinct nodules, in which Menin expression was mostly lost and p27 protein expression reduced. FISH analysis revealed that most nodules exhibited MEN1 loss, with or without the loss of centromere 11. NGS demonstrated both subclonal evolution and the existence of clonally unrelated tumors.

Syndromic MEN1 parathyroid adenomas therefore consist of multiple clones with subclones, which supports the current concept of the novel WHO classification of parathyroid tumors (2022). p27 expression was lost in a large fraction of MEN1 parathyroids and must therefore be used with caution in suggesting MEN4.
Hypofractionated versus standard chemoradiotherapy in the definitive treatment of uterine cervix cancer: interim results of a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Maddah Safaei Afsane , Esmati Ebrahim , Gomar Marzieh , Akhavan Setareh , Sheikh Hasani Shahrzad , Malekzadeh Moghani Mona , Zamani Narges , Moshtaghi Maryam , Malek Mahrooz , Jafari Fatemeh , Sharifian Azadeh , Kolahdouzan Kasra
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Concurrent chemoradiation has been the mainstay of treatment for cervix cancer. We aimed to evaluate the non-inferiority of hypofractionated chemoradiation.

Methods

This study was designed as a phase 2, 1:1 randomized, investigator-blinded, controlled, non-inferiority trial and we report the interim results after 50% accrual. Cervical cancer patients with FIGO stages IIA–IIIC were recruited from April 2021 to September 2022. The intervention consisted of 40 Gy of 3D-conformal radiation therapy (RT) in 15 fractions over 3 weeks. In the control group, patients received standard chemoradiation of 45 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. Both groups received concurrent weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m2). Intravaginal brachytherapy of 28 Gy in 4 weekly fractions was delivered starting 1 week after the end of chemoradiation. The primary outcome was complete clinical response(CCR) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included acute gastrointestinal (GI), genitourinary(GU), skin, and hematologic toxicities. A p value less than 0.05 was considered significant for analyses.

Results

59 patients were randomized; 30 in the control group and 29 in the intervention group. 20/30 (66.7%) of the patients in the control group and 19/29 (65.5%) in the intervention group achieved a CCR (absolute difference of 0.011, 95% CI − 0.23 to 0.25, p value: 0.13). There was a significantly higher rate of acute grade ≥ 3 GI toxicity in the intervention group (27.6%) compared with the control group (6.7%) (p value 0.032).

Conclusions

Despite an absolute difference of 1.1% in the 3-month CCR, our interim analysis failed to show the non-inferiority of the hypofractionated chemoradiation. Due to the higher GI toxicities, we will continue this trial using intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Registration number and date

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04831437, 2021.4.1.
Avian responses to climate extremes: insights into abundance curves and species sensitivity using the UK Breeding Bird Survey
Authors: Tirozzi Pietro , Massimino Dario , Bani Luciano
Published: January 2024

Climate change remains one of the most urgent challenges for biodiversity conservation. Recent studies have highlighted that climate extremes (CLEXs) can lead to widespread and negative effects across all taxa and ecological levels, but most of these studies are based on short-term periods and small spatial scales and lack a multi-species approach. Here, using generalised additive models (GAMs) and the UK Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), we described response curves for the abundance of 100 resident bird species over large spatial and temporal scales and identified the species showing a greater sensitivity to CLEXs. We used five climatic indices computed at 1-km spatial resolution as proxies of CLEXs during the winter or breeding season and considered both 1- and 2-year lagged effects. The results demonstrated widespread and significant effects of CLEXs on bird abundances at both time lags and in both seasons. Winter frost days (FD0), summer days (SU25) during the breeding season and simple precipitation intensity index (SDII) during the breeding season mainly showed negative effects. Daily temperature range (DTR) in both winter and breeding season and dry days (DD) during the breeding season led to diversified responses across the species, with a prevalence of positive effects. A large proportion of species showed a high sensitivity to CLEXs, highlighting that these species may deserve attention in future studies aimed at biodiversity conservation. We demonstrated that CLEXs can represent a significant driver affecting population abundances over large spatial and temporal scales, emphasising the need for understanding mechanistic processes at the basis of the observed effects.
Federated learning model for credit card fraud detection with data balancing techniques
Authors: Abdul Salam Mustafa , Fouad Khaled M. , Elbably Doaa L. , Elsayed Salah M.
Published: January 2024

In recent years, credit card transaction fraud has resulted in massive losses for both consumers and banks. Subsequently, both cardholders and banks need a strong fraud detection system to reduce cardholder losses. Credit card fraud detection (CCFD) is an important method of fraud prevention. However, there are many challenges in developing an ideal fraud detection system for banks. First off, due to data security and privacy concerns, various banks and other financial institutions are typically not permitted to exchange their transaction datasets. These issues make traditional systems find it difficult to learn and detect fraud depictions. Therefore, this paper proposes federated learning for CCFD over different frameworks (TensorFlow federated, PyTorch). Second, there is a significant imbalance in credit card transactions across all banks, with a small percentage of fraudulent transactions outweighing the majority of valid ones. In order to demonstrate the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation of class imbalance management techniques to develop a powerful model to identify fraudulent transactions, the dataset must be balanced. In order to address the issue of class imbalance, this study also seeks to give a comparative analysis of several individual and hybrid resampling techniques. In several experimental studies, the effectiveness of various resampling techniques in combination with classification approaches has been compared. In this study, it is found that the hybrid resampling methods perform well for machine learning classification models compared to deep learning classification models. The experimental results show that the best accuracy for the Random Forest (RF); Logistic Regression; K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN); Decision Tree (DT), and Gaussian Naive Bayes (NB) classifiers are 99,99%; 94,61%; 99.96%; 99,98%, and 91,47%, respectively. The comparative results show that the RF outperforms with high performance parameters (accuracy, recall, precision and f score) better than NB; RF; DT and KNN. RF achieve the minimum loss values with all resampling techniques, and the results, when utilizing the proposed models on the entire skewed dataset, achieved preferable outcomes to the unbalanced dataset. Furthermore, the PyTorch framework achieves higher prediction accuracy for the federated learning model than the TensorFlow federated framework but with more computational time.
The natural course of idiopathic cervical dystonia
Authors: Dressler Dirk , Kopp Bruno , Pan Lizhen , Saberi Fereshte Adib
Published: January 2024

Idiopathic cervical dystonia (ICD) is by far the largest subgroup of dystonia. Still, its natural course is largely unknown. We studied the natural course of 100 ICD patients from our botulinum toxin clinics (age at ICD onset 45.8 ± 13.5 years, female/male ratio 2.0) over a period of 17.5 ± 11.5 years with follow-ups during botulinum toxin therapy and with semi-structured interviews. Two courses of ICD could be distinguished by symptom development of more or less than 6 months. ICD-type 2 was less frequent (19% vs 81%, p < 0.001), had a more rapid onset (8.7 ± 8.0 weeks vs 3.8 ± 3.5 years), a higher remission rate (92% vs 5%, p < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of excessive psychological stress preceding ICD (63% vs 1%, p < 0.001). In both ICD-types, the plateau phase was non-progressive. Significant differences in patient age at ICD onset, latency and extent of remission, female/male ratio and prevalence of family history of dystonia could not be detected. ICD is a non-progressive disorder. ICD-type 1 represents the standard course. ICD-type 2 features rapid onset, preceding excessive psychological stress and a high remission rate. These findings will improve prognosis, treatment strategies and understanding of underlying disease mechanisms. They contradict the widespread fear of patients of a constant and continued decline of their condition. Excessive psychological stress may be an epigenetic factor triggering the manifestation of genetically predetermined dystonia.
Sex differences in social cognition among individuals with schizophrenia and in healthy control participants: a secondary analysis of published data
Authors: Vaskinn Anja , Ueland Torill , Melle Ingrid , Sundet Kjetil
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Sex differences are present among individuals experiencing schizophrenia. Whether these differences extend to social cognition is unclear. In this study, we investigated sex differences in emotion perception, social perception and theory of mind (ToM).

Methods

We examined sex differences between males and females with schizophrenia on five social cognitive tests. Healthy male and female control participants were included to examine if any sex difference was illness-specific. Emotion perception was measured with Pictures of Facial Affect (PFA) and Emotion in Biological Motion (EmoBio); social perception with the Relationships Across Domains Test (RAD); and ToM with the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) and Hinting Task.

Results

Two-way analyses of variance revealed overall group differences for all tests, with healthy controls outperforming individuals with schizophrenia. Significant sex effects were present for PFA and Hinting Task. There were no significant interaction effects. Within-group independent samples t-tests yielded one significant sex difference, i.e., among healthy controls for PFA.

Conclusions

Females had better facial emotion perception than males. This sex difference was statistically significant among healthy controls and medium-large among individuals experiencing schizophrenia. There were no significant sex differences for other social cognitive domains. The study did not find evidence for a general female advantage in social cognition.
Idiopathic erythrocytosis: a germline disease?
Authors: Elli E. M. , Mauri M. , D’Aliberti D. , Crespiatico I. , Fontana D. , Redaelli S. , Pelucchi S. , Spinelli S. , Manghisi B. , Cavalca F. , Aroldi A. , Ripamonti A. , Ferrari S. , Palamini S. , Mottadelli F. , Massimino L. , Ramazzotti D. , Cazzaniga G. , Piperno A. , Gambacorti-Passerini C. , Piazza R.
Published: January 2024

Polycythemia Vera (PV) is typically caused by V617F or exon 12 JAK2 mutations. Little is known about Polycythemia cases where no JAK2 variants can be detected, and no other causes identified. This condition is defined as idiopathic erythrocytosis (IE). We evaluated clinical-laboratory parameters of a cohort of 56 IE patients and we determined their molecular profile at diagnosis with paired blood/buccal-DNA exome-sequencing coupled with a high-depth targeted OncoPanel to identify a possible underling germline or somatic cause. We demonstrated that most of our cohort (40/56: 71.4%) showed no evidence of clonal hematopoiesis, suggesting that IE is, in large part, a germline disorder. We identified 20 low mutation burden somatic variants (Variant allelic fraction, VAF, < 10%) in only 14 (25%) patients, principally involving DNMT3A and TET2. Only 2 patients presented high mutation burden somatic variants, involving DNMT3A, TET2, ASXL1 and WT1. We identified recurrent germline variants in 42 (75%) patients occurring mainly in JAK/STAT, Hypoxia and Iron metabolism pathways, among them: JAK3-V722I and HIF1A-P582S; a high fraction of patients (48.2%) resulted also mutated in homeostatic iron regulatory gene HFE-H63D or C282Y. By generating cellular models, we showed that JAK3-V722I causes activation of the JAK-STAT5 axis and upregulation of EPAS1/HIF2A, while HIF1A-P582S causes suppression of hepcidin mRNA synthesis, suggesting a major role for these variants in the onset of IE.

Graphical abstract
Synthesis of green nanoparticles for energy, biomedical, environmental, agricultural, and food applications: A review
Authors: Osman Ahmed I. , Zhang Yubing , Farghali Mohamed , Rashwan Ahmed K. , Eltaweil Abdelazeem S. , Abd El-Monaem Eman M. , Mohamed Israa M. A. , Badr Mai M. , Ihara Ikko , Rooney David W. , Yap Pow-Seng
Published: January 2024

Nanomaterials have been rapidly developed during the last decades, yet many nanoparticles synthesized by classical methods are toxic and their synthesis procedure is not sustainable. Here we review the green synthesis of nanoparticles from biomass and waste with a focus on synthetic mechanisms and applications in energy production and storage, medicine, environmental remediation, and agriculture and food. Biomass use for synthesis include microorganisms, fungi, plants, and agro-industrial bio-waste. Compared to conventional synthesis, green synthesis allows a 30% reduction in energy consumption, cost savings of up to 40%, and a 50% increase in production output. Biomedical applications comprise antibacterials, anticancers, antioxidants, and drug delivery mechanisms. Carbon quantum dots and photovoltaics are discussed in the energy section. Agricultural and food applications focus on nanofertilization, pest control, and food quality. Environmental remediation includes water and soil purification.
Exploring aspect-based sentiment quadruple extraction with implicit aspects, opinions, and ChatGPT: a comprehensive survey
Authors: Zhang Hao , Cheah Yu-N , Alyasiri Osamah Mohammed , An Jieyu
Published: January 2024

In contrast to earlier ABSA studies primarily concentrating on individual sentiment components, recent research has ventured into more complex ABSA tasks encompassing multiple elements, including pair, triplet, and quadruple sentiment analysis. Quadruple sentiment analysis, also called aspect-category-opinion-sentiment quadruple Extraction (ACOSQE), aims to dissect aspect terms, aspect categories, opinion terms, and sentiment polarities while considering implicit sentiment within sentences. Nonetheless, a comprehensive overview of ACOSQE and its corresponding solutions is currently lacking. This is the precise gap that our survey seeks to address. To be more precise, we systematically reclassify all subtasks of ABSA, reorganizing existing research from the perspective of the involved sentiment elements, with a primary focus on the latest advancements in the ACOSQE task. Regarding solutions, our survey offers a comprehensive summary of the state-of-the-art utilization of language models within the ACOSQE task. Additionally, we explore the application of ChatGPT in sentiment analysis. Finally, we review emerging trends and discuss the challenges, providing insights into potential future directions for ACOSQE within the broader context of ABSA.
A Quantization of the Loday-Ronco Hopf Algebra
Authors: Esteves João N.
Published: January 2024

We propose a quantization algebra of the Loday-Ronco Hopf algebra $$k[Y^\infty ]$$

k
[

Y
∞

]

, based on the Topological Recursion formula of Eynard and Orantin. We have shown in previous works that the Loday-Ronco Hopf algebra of planar binary trees is a space of solutions for the genus 0 version of Topological Recursion, and that an extension of the Loday Ronco Hopf algebra as to include some new graphs with loops is the correct setting to find a solution space for arbitrary genus. Here we show that this new algebra $$k[Y^\infty ]_h$$

k

[

Y
∞

]

h

is still a Hopf algebra that can be seen in some sense to be made precise in the text as a quantization of the Hopf algebra of planar binary trees, and that the solution space of Topological Recursion $$\mathcal {A}^h_{\text {TopRec}}$$

A

TopRec
h

is a subalgebra of a quotient algebra $$\mathcal {A}_{\text {Reg}}^h$$

A

Reg

h

obtained from $$k[Y^\infty ]_h$$

k

[

Y
∞

]

h

that nevertheless doesn’t inherit the Hopf algebra structure. We end the paper with a discussion on the cohomology of $$\mathcal {A}^h_{\text {TopRec}}$$

A

TopRec
h

in low degree.
Physiological Responses to Organizational Stressors Among Police Managers
Authors: Di Nota Paula M. , Scott Sarah C. , Huhta Juha-Matti , Gustafsberg Harri , Andersen Judith P.
Published: January 2024

Police officers demonstrate increased risk of physical and mental health conditions due to repeated and prolonged exposure to stressful occupational conditions. Occupational stress is broken into two types: operational stress, related to the content of field duties (e.g., physical demands); and organizational stress, related to cultural and structural contexts (e.g., interpersonal relationships). Applied police research focuses on physiological activation in operational tasks as a mechanism explaining health risk and non-optimal performance outcomes. However, recent survey-based studies indicate numerous organizational stressors associated with self-reported mental health symptoms. The question of whether organizational stressors elicit significant physiological activity remains unknown. The current proof-of-concept field study tests the hypothesis that police managers will display significant physiological reactivity before, during, and after engaging in reality-based scenarios representative of stressful police management tasks developed from evidence-based pedagogical approaches. A sample of 25 training police managers (7 female, M = 16 +/- 5.3 years of experience) completed 5 reality-based scenarios, including resolving a heated conflict between colleagues, delivering negative feedback to a subordinate, and critical incident command. Significant increases in heart rate relative to rest were observed during all tasks, and in anticipation of several tasks. Greater increases in reactive heart rate were associated with longer recovery times. Sex differences and relationships between objective biological and subjective psychological measures of stress are discussed. The current findings demonstrate significant physiological responses to organizational stressors similar to levels observed during operational tasks, despite the absence of physical or aerobic exertion. Implications for police health and training are discussed.
Performance of a novel spectroscopy-based tool for adjuvant therapy decision-making in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: a validation study
Authors: Coombes R Charles , Angelou Christina , Al-Khalili Zamzam , Hart William , Francescatti Darius , Wright Nicholas , Ellis Ian , Green Andrew , Rakha Emad , Shousha Sami , Amrania Hemmel , Phillips Chris C. , Palmieri Carlo
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Digistain Index (DI), measured using an inexpensive mid-infrared spectrometer, reflects the level of aneuploidy in unstained tissue sections and correlates with tumor grade. We investigated whether incorporating DI with other clinicopathological variables could predict outcomes in patients with early breast cancer.

Methods

DI was calculated in 801 patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative primary breast cancer and ≤ 3 positive lymph nodes. All patients were treated with systemic endocrine therapy and no chemotherapy. Multivariable proportional hazards modeling was used to incorporate DI with clinicopathological variables to generate the Digistain Prognostic Score (DPS). DPS was assessed for prediction of 5- and 10-year outcomes (recurrence, recurrence-free survival [RFS] and overall survival [OS]) using receiver operating characteristics and Cox proportional hazards regression models. Kaplan–Meier analysis evaluated the ability of DPS to stratify risk.

Results

DPS was consistently highly accurate and had negative predictive values for all three outcomes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.99 at 5 years and 0.84 to 0.95 at 10 years. DPS demonstrated statistically significant prognostic ability with significant hazard ratios (95% CI) for low- versus high-risk classification for RFS, recurrence and OS (1.80 [CI 1.31–2.48], 1.83 [1.32–2.52] and 1.77 [1.28–2.43], respectively; all P < 0.001).

Conclusion

DPS showed high accuracy and predictive performance, was able to stratify patients into low or high-risk, and considering its cost and rapidity, has the potential to offer clinical utility.
Logistic regression versus XGBoost for detecting burned areas using satellite images
Authors: Militino A. F. , Goyena H. , Pérez-Goya U. , Ugarte M. D.
Published: January 2024

Classical statistical methods prove advantageous for small datasets, whereas machine learning algorithms can excel with larger datasets. Our paper challenges this conventional wisdom by addressing a highly significant problem: the identification of burned areas through satellite imagery, that is a clear example of imbalanced data. The methods are illustrated in the North-Central Portugal and the North-West of Spain in October 2017 within a multi-temporal setting of satellite imagery. Daily satellite images are taken from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) products. Our analysis shows that a classical Logistic regression (LR) model competes on par, if not surpasses, a widely employed machine learning algorithm called the extreme gradient boosting algorithm (XGBoost) within this particular domain.
On the Fire Hose Kickback Force in Solid Water Streams
Authors: Nguyen Dac , Kesler Richard M. , Cheng Shyuan , Chamorro Leonardo P. , Vega Samuel , Fields Aaron , LeGear Dennis , Masoud Farzaneh
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the kickback force (FK) experienced by firefighters during fire suppression using hoses of varying diameters and different nozzle sizes. Rigorous ground tests were conducted, where a fire engine was employed to propel water through a 200 ft hose line, simulating real-life firefighting scenarios while using the hip grip and clamp techniques for hose advancement. Two distinct hose sizes, 13/4 and 21/2 in., were employed with solid stream nozzles of varying diameters, facilitating the examination of kickback forces at different attacking angles. The findings substantiate that the FK exhibits variability in response to changes in the attacking angle when utilizing the clamp technique, which encompasses angles of 45°, 30°, and 15°. The 45° angle exhibits the lowest force, while the 30° angle manifests the highest force, demonstrating a notable discrepancy of up to 25% compared to the 45° scenario. The FK observed at the 15° angle for the clamp technique closely approximates the corresponding values derived from the hip grip hose advancement method. The results also underscore the necessity of regarding the NFPA nozzle reaction force as an integral component of the all-encompassing FK experienced by firefighters during hose line operations. The NFPA nozzle reaction force resulted significantly below the actual FK observed in all tested experiments, displaying the most substantial difference of 50% in the case of the 30° angle utilizing the clamp technique.
Landrace legislation in the world: status and perspectives with emphasis in EU system
Authors: Thanopoulos Ricos , Negri Valeria , Pinheiro de Carvalho Miguel Angelo A. , Petrova Sofiya , Chatzigeorgiou Tilemachos , Terzopoulos Panagiotis , Ralli Parthenopi , Suso Maria-Jose , Bebeli Penelope J.
Published: January 2024

Crop landraces are genetically variable populations of agricultural plant species that through natural evolution and farmers’ selection and continuous cultivation have been adapted to the environment of their origin or cultivation. To be used and officially traded, there are more lax or strict registration schemes throughout the world concerning the application of distinctiveness, uniformity, stability (DUS) system. This review discusses the legislative framework of various countries worldwide and evaluates its application efficiency with a detailed focus on European Union (EU) experience. Especially in EU, landraces must be registered as conservation varieties in the European Catalogue of Varieties. A total of 313 agricultural and 173 vegetable conservation varieties were registered in the European Catalogues from 2013 to 2021. However, it is not clear how many of these registries are landraces because obsolete varieties are also included under the term conservation varieties. Moreover, our review reports the importance of landraces for the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and EU strategies, namely ‘Farm to Fork’ and ‘Biodiversity’. Additionally, the DUS criteria were evaluated for their use when a crop landrace is registered taking into consideration the genetic structure of a landrace. Furthermore, the connection of landraces with Farmers’ Rights, their appropriateness for organic agriculture, and trade issues are discussed. Finally, the new proposal of European Commission on Plant Reproductive Material concerning landraces is critically reviewed and improvements are suggested.
Ozawa’s Intersubjectivity Theorem as Objection to QBism Individual Agent Perspective
Authors: Khrennikov Andrei
Published: January 2024

QBism’s foundational statement that “the outcome of a measurement of an observable is personal” is in the straight contraversion with Ozawa’s Intersubjectivity Theorem (OIT). The latter (proven within the quantum formalism) states that two observers, agents within the QBism terminology, performing joint measurements of the same observable A on a system S in the state $$\psi $$
ψ
should get the same outcome $$A=x.$$

A
=
x
.

In Ozawa’s terminology, this outcome is intersubjective and it can’t be treated as personal. This is the strong objection to QBism which can’t survive without updating its principles. The essential aspect in understanding of the OIT-impact on QBism’s foundations takes the notion of quantum observable. This paper comprises the complementary discussion highlighting the difference between the accurate, von Neumann, and inaccurate, noisy, quantum observables which are represented by PVMs and POVMs respectively. Moreover, we discuss the OIT-impact on the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics.
DISH: Digital image steganography using stochastic-computing with high-capacity
Authors: EL-Hady Mohamed , Abbas Maha H. , Khanday Farooq A. , Said Lobna A. , Radwan Ahmed G.
Published: January 2024

Stochastic computing is a relatively new approach to computing that has gained interest in recent years due to its potential for low-power and high-noise environments. It is a method of computing that uses probability to represent and manipulate data, therefore it has applications in areas such as signal processing, machine learning, and cryptography. Stochastic steganography involves hiding a message within a cover image using a statistical model. Unlike traditional steganography techniques that use deterministic algorithms to embed the message, stochastic steganography uses a probabilistic approach to hide the message in a way that makes it difficult for an adversary to detect. Due to this error robustness and large bit streams stochastic computing, they are well suited for high capacity and secure image steganography. In this paper, as per the authors’ best knowledge, image steganography using stochastic computing based on linear feedback shift register (LFSR) is proposed for the first time. In the proposed technique, the cover image is converted to stochastic representation instead of the binary one, and then a secret image is embedded in it. The resulting stego image has a high PSNR value transmitted with no visual trace of the hidden image. The final results are stego image with PSNR starting from 30 dB and a maximum payload up to 40 bits per pixel (bpp) with an effective payload up to 28 bpp. The proposed method achieves high security and high capability of the number of stored bits in each pixel. Thus, the proposed method can prove a vital solution for high capacity and secure image steganography, which can then be extended to other types of steganography.
Prop-oriented world rotation: enabling passive haptic feedback by aligning real and virtual objects in virtual reality
Authors: Wheeler Steven G. , Hoermann Simon , Lindeman Robert W. , Ghinea George , Covaci Alexandra
Published: January 2024

Passive haptics have long been used to enhance the user’s experience in virtual reality (VR). However, creating props to be used in a virtual environment can be a complicated and lengthy process. Current research looks to create passive haptic props based on the layout of, or objects in, the user’s real environment. However, we identify three key limitations of current research. Firstly, procedural generation introduces many unknown variables into the design process, which complicates applying such techniques to scenarios requiring knowledge of the virtual environment’s layout ahead of time. Furthermore, such techniques limit the size and dimensions of the virtual space to that of the real space. Lastly, current research necessitates pre-scanning or real-time scanning of the user’s real environment, often requiring specialist equipment and expertise, thus limiting its generalisability. This research proposesPropOrientedWorldRotation, a technique that attempts to answer the aforementioned limitations and simplify the process of adding haptic feedback to VR applications. We implemented this technique in a demonstration game and give an overview of the steps taken to apply the technique in a real context. We analysed the demonstration system’s performance and conducted an initial user evaluation in three different physical environments. While our stress test of the system’s performance highlights the necessity for certain optimisations in complex environments, our initial user feedback suggests that users experienced a stronger sense of presence and feelings of safety in our passive haptics-enhanced environment. Hence, we conclude that our proposal has the potential to enhance experiences in VR with haptic feedback.
Influence of proximities and their interaction effects on scientific collaborations: the case of Turkish regions
Authors: Tuncer A. , Gezici F.
Published: January 2024

Proximity dynamics behind co-production of scientific knowledge have been explored for a decade while their combined effects form a recent interest area. The study seeks to discover these effects in the unexplored case of Turkish NUTS 3 regions. Cognitive, relational and institutional proximities and their interaction effects are evaluated towards this goal with a rapid expansion from 2006 onwards representing the institutional dynamics. The intensity of coauthorships is evaluated in six aggregate fields of FORD classification of OECD and measured based on travel time distance, publication sizes, similarity in knowledge bases, tie similarities of provinces and new universities’ academic presence born from a rapid expansion process after 2006. The results display positive role of geographical, cognitive, relational proximities. In interaction, provinces proximate in one of the latter two see an increase in coauthorships when they are also geographically close in most fields. However, cognitive and relational proximity together reduce coauthorship chances. On the other hand, new universities’ academic presence does not increase coauthorship chances, however, it does so when they are located in spatially closer regions in the extent of two fields.
Towards improving agility in public administration
Authors: Looks Hanna , Fangmann Jannik , Thomaschewski Jörg , Escalona María-José , Schön Eva-Maria
Published: January 2024

In times of crises, such as the refugee crisis or the corona pandemic, the workload in public administrations increases because of the demands of citizens or short-term legal changes. In addition, there is an increasing need for digitalization or to be able to react flexibly to changes. Agile process models and agile practices are appropriate to overcome these challenges. The objective of this paper is to investigate how public administrations can measure their degree of agility to identify potential for improving it. The authors conducted a descriptive single-case study which included multiple units of analysis in a public administration in Germany. The case study was supported by their questionnaire for measuring the degree of agility. One outcome of this study is a conceptual framework that can be used to drive agile transformation in public administrations by continuously measuring agility. Therefore, a questionnaire for measuring agility at team level in public administrations has been developed. The application of the questionnaire in three teams provide insights into dysfunctionality in the interdisciplinary teams as well as optimization potential in terms of affinity to change. The adoption of agility in public administration is a challenge, given that resistance to change is still prevalent. A transformational change is a constant journey, and therefore, the measurement of progress plays an important role in the continuous improvement of an organization. The applied approach delivers high potential for improvement in terms of agility and provides interesting insights for both practitioners and academics.
Establishment and elicitation of liquid adventitious root cultures of Inula crithmoides L. for increased caffeoylquinic acids production and hepatoprotective properties
Authors: Custódio Luísa , Cziáky Zoltán , Castañeda-Loaiza Viana , Rodrigues Maria João
Published: January 2024

This study established a liquid adventitious root culture for Inula crithmoides L. focusing on producing extracts rich in hepatoprotective caffeoylquinic acids through elicitation. Adventitious roots were induced from in vitro-grown plant leaves cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L IBA. Growth and secondary metabolites accumulation (phenolics, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids) were monitored weekly to determine the optimal harvesting time. Then, the adventitious roots were elicited for 4 weeks with varying concentrations of yeast extract–YE (50, 100 and 200 mg/L) and extracted with ethanol. The extracts were evaluated for their hepatoprotective effects against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and analyzed through high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–MS/MS). Roots of greenhouse-cultivated plants were used to compare the results obtained from in vitro -grown adventitious roots. IBA supplementation induced 100% adventitious root formation, with maximum biomass and phenolic accumulation after 4 weeks. Hydroxycinnamic acid levels increased significantly with YE treatment at all the concentrations, particularly in case of chlorogenic acid and di-O-caffeoylquinic acid isomers. The root extracts displayed significant in vitro hepatoprotective effects, particularly at 50 mg/L YE elicitation. Overall, the elicitation of I. crithmoides liquid root cultures with yeast extract offers a promising, efficient, and cost-effective approach for optimizing the production of valuable caffeoylquinic acids having potential pharmaceutical use.
Analysis of risk factors for stenosis after laparoscopic pyeloplasty in the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction
Authors: Chen Ruilong , Jiang Chao , Li Xiang , Yang Chao , Zhu Tengfei , Wang Yi
Published: January 2024

Background

Laparoscopic ureteroplasty is an effective method for managing ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Despite its high success rate, there remains a subset of patients who do not experience improvement in the hydrops.

Methods

The study retrospectively analyzed the data of 143 patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) who underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) in our hospital from January 2015 to May 2022. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of recurrence stenosis after UPJO.

Results

Out of these patients, 119 had complete clinical data and follow-up records. Among these patients, restenosis occurred in nine cases after the operation. There was a significant statistical difference in blood loss (P < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the preoperative separation degree of the renal pelvis, cystatin C, and intraoperative blood loss were potential risk factors for recurrent stenosis after primary LP. When divided by split renal function (SRF), the odds ratio (OR) was 7.850 (P = 0.044), indicating that it was an independent risk factor for postoperative restenosis. Similarly, the OR for stenotic segment length was 0.025 (P = 0.011), also indicating it as an independent risk factor for restenosis. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for stenotic segment length and SRF were 0.9056 and 0.7697, respectively.

Conclusion

In our study, we identified that preoperative renal pelvis separation, cystatin C, and intraoperative blood loss were potential risk factors for postoperative restenosis. SRF and stenosis segment length were independent risk factors for postoperative restenosis.