bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pembrolizumab Plus Carboplatin and Paclitaxel as First-Line Therapy for Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (KEYNOTE-B10): A Single-Arm Phase IV Trial
Authors: Dzienis Marcin , Cundom Juan , Fuentes Christian Sebastian , Spreafico Anna , Nordlinger Melanie , Pastor Andrea Viviana , Alesi Erin , Neki Anterpreet , Fung Andrea S. , Figueiredo Lima Iane Pinto , Oppelt Peter , da Cunha Junior Geraldo Felicio , Burtness Barbara , Franke Fabio Andre , Tseng Jennifer E. , Joshi Abhishek , McCarthy Joy , Swaby Ramona , Sidi Yulia , Gumuscu Burak , Naicker Niroshini , de Castro Gilberto
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE

Standard-of-care first-line treatment for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) is pembrolizumab plus platinum and fluorouracil (FU). However, FU is associated with potential challenges (continuous 4-day infusion, high administration costs, and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal toxicities), creating a clinical need for alternative chemotherapy combinations. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of first-line pembrolizumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel for R/M HNSCC in the open-label, single-arm, phase IV KEYNOTE-B10 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:
NCT04489888
).

METHODS

Eligible adults had previously untreated, histologically or cytologically confirmed R/M HNSCC regardless of PD-L1 status, measurable disease per RECIST v1.1 by blinded independent central review (BICR), and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1. Patients received pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously once every 3 weeks for ≤35 cycles and carboplatin AUC 5 mg/mL/min intravenously once every 3 weeks for ≤6 cycles and investigator's choice of paclitaxel 100 mg/m
2
on days 1 and 8 or 175 mg/m
2
on day 1, intravenously once every 3 weeks. The primary end point was objective response rate per RECIST v1.1 by BICR.

RESULTS

Between October 27, 2020, and April 29, 2022, 149 patients were screened and 101 received treatment. As of February 20, 2023, the median follow-up was 18.9 months (range, 9.1-27.0). At this final analysis, 49 (49%) of 101 patients had an objective response (95% CI, 38.4 to 58.7), including seven patients (7%) with a confirmed complete response. Of the 101 treated patients, grade 3-5 and serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in 76 (75%) and 27 (27%), respectively. There were no new safety signals.

CONCLUSION

Pembrolizumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel showed promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in first-line R/M HNSCC, suggesting this combination may be an alternative option for this patient population.
Interhemispheric Contralateral Transcallosal Approach to a Giant Thalamic Cavernous Malformation: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Alexander A. Yohan , Rinaldo Lorenzo , Savastano Luis E. , Lanzino Giuseppe
Published: July 2024

Thalamic cavernous malformations are challenging lesions to approach given their deep location and proximity to eloquent neurovascular structures. Several approaches to this region exist, and small nuances in the location of the lesion dictate different surgical trajectories. For cavernous malformations presenting to the superomedial surface of the thalamus, the interhemispheric transcallosal approach affords an excellent trajectory as the anterior two-thirds of the superomedial thalamus constitutes the lateral aspect of the floor of the body of the lateral ventricle. In addition, when the cavernous malformation extends laterally, the contralateral adjunct of the interhemispheric transcallosal approach provides optimal visualization of the lateral aspect of the lesion. In this video, we present the case of a 31-year-old woman who presented to our institution with a giant hemorrhagic thalamic cavernous malformation that resulted in rapid neurological decline characterized by ataxia, right hemiparesis, and diplopia. The cavernous malformation was removed using an interhemispheric contralateral transcallosal approach. The patient had near complete resolution of her preoperative deficits with mild residual weakness in her right hand at 3-month follow-up. At 3-year follow-up, magnetic resonance imaging revealed no active cavernous malformation, and the patient had no recurrence of symptoms. This manuscript was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of our institution's Institutional Review Board. The patient gave informed consent for surgery and video recording.
The Role of Watertight Dural Closure in Supratentorial Craniotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gibbon Frederico L. , Lindner Rafaela J. , Silva Manuela T. , Gago Guilherme , Chaddad-Neto Feres
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

The idea of watertight dural closure (WTDC) seems extremely obvious to avoid complications such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and infection, especially in spinal and posterior fossa surgeries. Nonetheless, several studies have shown that leaving the dura open is not associated with an increased risk of complications. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare non-WTDC and WTDC in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy regarding the risk of postoperative complications.

METHODS:

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane for randomized control trials and observational studies comparing non-WTDC with WTDC in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy. Outcomes of interest were CSF leak, overall infection, meningitis, and subgaleal fluid collection (SFC). Statistical analysis was performed using RStudio 2023.12.1 + 402. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics.

RESULTS:

Of 1541 potential articles, 7 met the inclusion criteria. The review comprised 3 randomized control trials, 1 prospective study, and 3 retrospective cohort studies. Among the 1619 patients, 766 (47.3%) and 853 (52.7%) patients were in the non-WTDC and WTDC groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in CSF leak between the non-WTDC and WTDC groups (risk ratio [RR] 1.61; 95% CI 0.68-3.77; P = .276; I2 = 0%). Furthermore, we did not find significant differences in overall infection (RR 1.62; 95% CI 0.95-2.76; P = .078; I2 = 4%), meningitis (RR 1.87; 95% CI 0.64-5.46; P = .251; I2 = 0%), and SFC (RR 1.53; 95% CI 0.64-3.65; P = .342; I2 = 52%) between the non-WTDC and WTDC groups.

CONCLUSION:

These findings suggest that non-WTDC is a safe method and is not associated with an increased risk of CSF leak, overall infection, meningitis, and SFC compared with WTDC.
Loss of Tob1 promotes muscle regeneration through muscle stem cell expansion
Authors: Kitajima Yasuo , Yoshioka Kiyoshi , Mikumo Yoko , Ohki Shun , Maehara Kazumitsu , Ohkawa Yasuyuki , Ono Yusuke
Published: July 2024

Muscle stem cells (MuSCs) play an indispensable role in postnatal muscle growth and hypertrophy in adults. MuSCs also retain a highly regenerative capacity and are therefore considered a promising stem cell source for regenerative therapy for muscle diseases. In this study, we identify tumor-suppressor protein Tob1 as a Pax7 target protein that negatively controls the population expansion of MuSCs. Tob1 protein is undetectable in the quiescent state but is upregulated during activation in MuSCs. Tob1 ablation in mice accelerates MuSC population expansion and boosts muscle regeneration. Moreover, inactivation of Tob1 in MuSCs ameliorates the efficiency of MuSC transplantation in a murine muscular dystrophy model. Collectively, selective targeting of Tob1 might be a therapeutic option for the treatment of muscular diseases, including muscular dystrophy and age-related sarcopenia.
Evolving Economics: The Erosion of Medicare Reimbursement in Breast Surgery (2003–2023)
Authors: Gao Terry P. , HoSang Kristen M. , Bleicher Richard J. , Kuo Lindsay E. , Williams Austin D.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Medicare significantly influences reimbursement rates, setting a standard that impacts private insurance policies. Despite declining rates in various specialties, the magnitude of these trends has not been examined in breast surgery. This study examines Medicare reimbursement trends for breast surgery operations.

Methods

Data for 10 breast operations from 2003 to 2023 were collected from the Medicare Physician Fee Look-Up Tool and yearly reimbursement was computed using the conversion factor. The year-to-year percentage change in reimbursement was calculated, and the overall median change was compared with the consumer price index (CPI) for inflation evaluation. All data were adjusted to 2023 United States dollars. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was calculated using inflation-adjusted data.

Results

Over the study period, reimbursement for the 10 breast operations had a mean unadjusted percentage increase of + 25.17%, while the CPI increased by 69.15% (p < 0.001). However, after adjustment, overall reimbursement decreased by − 20.70%. Only two operations (lumpectomy and simple mastectomy) saw increased inflation-adjusted Medicare reimbursement (+ 0.37% and + 3.58%, respectively). The CAGR was − 1.54% overall but remained positive for the same two operations (+ 0.02% and + 0.18%, respectively). Based on these findings, breast surgeons were estimated to be reimbursed $107,605,444 less in 2023 than if rates had kept pace with inflation over the past decade.

Conclusion

Inflation-adjusted Medicare reimbursement rates for breast surgeries have declined from 2003 to 2023. This downward trend may strain resources, potentially leading to compromises in care quality. Surgeons, administrators, and policymakers must take proactive measures to address these issues and ensure the ongoing accessibility and quality of breast surgery.
Decisions by the Method of Evaluation Tables
Authors: Polyakov D. , Fomicheva I. , Yudina O.
Published: July 2024

The proposed methodology is based on the method of evaluation tables using expert assessments. The method makes it quite easy to convert criteria of various dimensions into dimensionless ones for subsequent comparison and integral evaluation, for example, using an additive convolution criterion. Management decision options are alternatives that are compared according to specific evaluation parameters (criteria). An example of constructing a normalized matrix of pairwise comparison of criteria is shown. The research material allows for a numerical assessment of various alternatives with sufficient reliability.
The Legacy of Smokey Bear: The Sustainability Imperative Colloquium
Authors: Stine Jeffrey K. , Danicich Tracy , Sussman Todd , Timke Edward
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The Advertising & Society Colloquium, held at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History on March 1, 2024, featured a panel discussion on the legacy of the Smokey Bear public service campaign, celebrating its eightieth anniversary. Moderated by advertising historian Ed Timke, the panel included environmental history curator Jeffrey Stine from the Smithsonian, Smokey campaign manager Trace Danicich from the Ad Council, and chief strategy officer Todd Sussman from FCB New York. Stine traced Smokey’s origins to World War II and highlighted the campaign’s evolution over the decades, while Danicich emphasized maintaining Smokey’s consistent message alongside modernizing efforts. Sussman discussed the challenges of recent campaigns. Danicich and Sussman reflect on the Ad Councils and FCB’s partnership, the longest in US history for any client and agency. The discussion covered Smokey’s adaptability, his expanded outreach to younger, diverse audiences, and his place in society and culture. The session concluded with panelists sharing personal anecdotes about Smokey and a surprise visit from Smokey Bear and a USDA forest ranger. This panel was part of a broader colloquium theme, “The Sustainability Imperative,” and was bookended by keynotes from environmental activist Leah Thomas and sustainability-focused professor Deb Morrison.
Quantifying massively parallel microbial growth with spatially mediated interactions
Authors: Borse Florian , Kičiatovas Dovydas , Kuosmanen Teemu , Vidal Mabel , Cabrera-Vives Guillermo , Cairns Johannes , Warringer Jonas , Mustonen Ville
Published: July 2024

Quantitative understanding of microbial growth is an essential prerequisite for successful control of pathogens as well as various biotechnology applications. Even though the growth of cell populations has been extensively studied, microbial growth remains poorly characterised at the spatial level. Indeed, even isogenic populations growing at different locations on solid growth medium typically show significant location-dependent variability in growth. Here we show that this variability can be attributed to the initial physiological states of the populations, the interplay between populations interacting with their local environment and the diffusion of nutrients and energy sources coupling the environments. We further show how the causes of this variability change throughout the growth of a population. We use a dual approach, first applying machine learning regression models to discover that location dominates growth variability at specific times, and, in parallel, developing explicit population growth models to describe this spatial effect. In particular, treating nutrient and energy source concentration as a latent variable allows us to develop a mechanistic resource consumer model that captures growth variability across the shared environment. As a consequence, we are able to determine intrinsic growth parameters for each local population, removing confounders common to location-dependent variability in growth. Importantly, our explicit low-parametric model for the environment paves the way for massively parallel experimentation with configurable spatial niches for testing specific eco-evolutionary hypotheses.
Zoonotic Sporotrichosis outbreak: Emerging public health threat in the Amazon State, Brazil
Authors: Mesquita Viviany Araujo , Talhari Sinesio , Leturiondo André Luiz , de Souza Guilherme Caldas , de Brito Euzenio Moreira , de Andrade Suanni Lemos , Fernandes Débora Cristina de Lima , Frota Maria Zeli Moreira , Cruz Rossilene Conceição da Silva , Guimarães Juliana de Andrade Rebouças , Miot Helio Amante , Talhari Carolina , Pedrosa Valderiza Lourenço
Published: July 2024

Background

Sporotrichosis is the most common subcutaneous mycosis caused by Sporothrix spp. Traditionally, it is transmitted through injuries involving plant debris. However, over the past few decades, there has been an epidemic increase in human cases resulting from contact with infected animals, particularly cats, in various regions of Brazil. In this report, we report a notable increase in both human and animal cases within the Brazilian Amazon state.

Methodology/Principal findings

An ecological study was conducted by analyzing official records of human and animal sporotrichosis diagnosed in the state of Amazon from 2020 to 2023. Data including patient demographics, clinical manifestations, mycological examination results, and species identification through PCR confirmation were evaluated. During this period, a total of 950 human cases and 2,823 animal cases of sporotrichosis were reported at an exponential rate, since no human cases were registered in 2020. The spatial and temporal dispersion of human sporotrichosis followed that of animal cases, moving from downtown areas to the periphery. Contact with infected animals was reported in 77.7% of cases, with cats being the most commonly implicated (73.5%). Only 66.7% of individuals underwent mycological examination. Among the positive cultures for Sporothrix spp., 65.4% were identified as S. brasiliensis. All patients were treated with systemic antifungals.

Conclusions/Significance

This study highlights a rising incidence of sporotrichosis among animals and humans in the Brazilian Amazon region over the past four years, with S. brasiliensis being the predominant agent. Collaborative efforts involving healthcare professionals, veterinarians, and public health authorities are crucial to implement effective control measures, educate populations at risk, and promote responsible guidance for pet guardians. These measures are essential to mitigate the burden of epidemic sporotrichosis in Brazil.
Associations of hypertension and antenatal care-seeking with perinatal mortality: A nested case-control study in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Bear Allyson P. , Bennett Wendy L. , Katz Joanne , Lee Kyu Han , Chowdhury Atique Iqbal , Bari Sanwarul , El Arifeen Shams , Gurley Emily S.
Published: July 2024

Maternal hypertension may be an underrecognized but important risk factor for perinatal death in low resource settings. We investigated the association of maternal hypertension and perinatal mortality in rural Bangladesh. This nested, matched case-control study used data from a 2019 cross-sectional survey and demographic surveillance database in Baliakandi, Bangladesh. We randomly matched each pregnancy ending in perinatal death with five pregnancies in which the neonate survived beyond seven days based on maternal age, education, and wealth quintile. We estimated associations of antenatal care-seeking and self-reported hypertension with perinatal mortality using conditional logistic regression and used median and interquartile ranges to assess the mediation of antenatal care by timing or frequency. Among 191 cases and 934 matched controls, hypertension prevalence was 14.1% among cases and 7.7% among controls. Compared with no diagnosis, the probability of perinatal death was significantly higher among women with a pre-gestational hypertension diagnosis (OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.29, 6.57), but not among women with diagnosis during pregnancy (OR 1.68, 95% CI 0.98, 2.98). We found no association between the number of antenatal care contacts and perinatal death (p = 0.66). Among women with pre-gestational hypertension who experienced a perinatal death, 78% had their first antenatal contact in the sixth or seventh month of gestation. Hypertension was more common among rural women who experience a perinatal death. Greater effort to prevent hypertension prior to conception and provide early maternity care to women with hypertension could improve perinatal outcomes in rural Bangladesh.
Immunohistochemistry-based investigation of MYC, BCL2, and Ki-67 protein expression and their clinical impact in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in upper Northern Thailand
Authors: Yimpak Phuttirak , Bumroongkit Kanokkan , Tantiworawit Adisak , Rattanathammethee Thanawat , Aungsuchawan Sirinda , Daroontum Teerada
Published: July 2024

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that accounts for approximately 25–40% of all NHL cases. The objective of this study was to investigate the protein expression, clinical impact, and prognostic role of MYC, BCL2, and Ki-67 in Thai DLBCL patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 100 DLBCL patients diagnosed between January 2018 and December 2019. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of MYC, BCL2, and Ki-67. The study revealed a significant association between extranodal involvement and positive cases of MYC and BCL2. MYC expressions were associated with Ki-67 expression, while BCL2 positivity was associated with the non-germinal center B-cell (non-GCB) subtype. However, there were no significant differences in the three-year overall survival (OS) and three-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates when using cut-off points of ≥ 40% for MYC, ≥ 50% for BCL2, and ≥ 70% for Ki-67. Notably, DLBCL cases with co-expression of MYC and BCL2 exhibited significantly inferior three-year OS compared to other cases (0% vs. 53%; p = 0.020). Multivariate analysis identified age ≥ 60 years and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status as independent prognostic factors. In conclusion, MYC, BCL2, and Ki-67 expression can serve as prognostic biomarkers; however, their prognostic value may vary based on the specific cut-off values used. Therefore, determining the appropriate threshold for each biomarker based on individual laboratory analyses and clinical outcomes is crucial.
The RNA helicase DHX35 functions as a co-sensor for RIG-I-mediated innate immunity
Authors: Qiao Yuan , Zhu Shan , Yang Ning , Zou Shan-Shan , Gao Bao , Wu Jing , Liu Chunyan , Li Xiaoping , Liu Yong-Jun , Chen Jingtao
Published: July 2024

RNA helicases are involved in the innate immune response against pathogens, including bacteria and viruses; however, their mechanism in the human airway epithelial cells is still not fully understood. Here, we demonstrated that DEAH (Asp-Glu-Ala-His) box polypeptide 35 (DHX35), a member of the DExD/H (Asp-Glu-x-Asp/His)-box helicase family, boosts antiviral innate immunity in human airway epithelial cells. DHX35 knockdown attenuated the production of interferon-β (IFN-β), IL6, and CXCL10, whereas DHX35 overexpression increased their production. Upon stimulation, DHX35 was constitutively expressed, but it translocated from the nucleus into the cytosol, where it recognized cytosolic poly(I:C) and poly(dA:dT) via its HELICc domain. Mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) acted as an adaptor for DHX35 and interacted with the HELICc domain of DHX35 using amino acids 360–510. Interestingly, DHX35 interacted with retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-I), enhanced the binding affinity of RIG-I with poly(I:C) and poly(dA:dT), and formed a signalsome with MAVS to activate interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), NF-κB-p65, and MAPK signaling pathways. These results indicate that DHX35 not only acted as a cytosolic nucleic acid sensor but also synergized with RIG-I to enhance antiviral immunity in human airway epithelial cells. Our results demonstrate a novel molecular mechanism for DHX35 in RIG-I-mediated innate immunity and provide a novel candidate for drug and vaccine design to control viral infections in the human airway.
A tiszta forrás Bartók Béla pedagógiájában
Authors: Daru Andrea
Published: July 2024

Bartók Béla elsősorban zeneszerző, népzenekutató és zongoraművész volt, kiemelkedőek pedagógiai célzattal írt zeneművei is. Zenetanárként azonban már kevésbé tudott jelentős eredményeket elérni, és a visszaemlékezések egy része is ezt bizonyítja. Másik részük azonban épp a tanítói személyiséget és attitűdöt emeli ki mint Bartók személyiségének egy igen jelentős oldalát. E vélemények mögött egy olyan többlettartalom húzódik, amely a felszín mögött mégis kapcsolatba hozza e két véleménypólust. Ezért a kutatás fókuszába a Bartók által átadni kívánt tudástartalom értékeit, azaz a korra és Bartókra jellemző emberi-erkölcsi értékeket, mintegy emberi, művészi és pedagógiai esszenciát helyeztem. Ez Bartók megfogalmazásában a „tiszta forrás”. Bartók Béla pedagógiájával eddig meglehetősen keveset foglalkozott a szakirodalom, hazánkban és külföldön is csak a muzikológia igyekezett feltárni. Elemzéseikben főként zenei, esztétikai, valamint pszichológiai nézőpontokból, eszközökkel és módszerekkel próbálták megragadni e témát. Azonban pedagógiai kutatásról lévén szó, felmerül a lehetőség: a neveléstudomány fókuszából és eszközeivel is vizsgálódni. Minél mélyebbre megyünk a téma kutatásában, annál inkább megmutatkozik, hogy annak vizsgálata és feltérképezése a neveléstudomány eszközeivel sok fontos, rejtett összefüggést tud nyújtani. A kutatás elsődleges forrásaiként a Bartókról szóló visszaemlékezéseket és Bartók írásait vettem alapul. Az áttekintés során kiderült, hogy Bartók Béla pedagógiája meglehetősen széles teret foglal el az ő életében, ami további kutatásokra is érdemes. A fogalmak és jelenségek meghatározásakor leginkább az ellentétpárokban való megfogalmazás adott támpontot. Bartók szerepe tehát tükröt tartani, egy sajátos tükröt, ami valójában ellentéte a kiüresedett világnak.
Unveiling Multiple Myeloma: Actively Bleeding Extramedullary Gastric Myelomas Lead to Diagnosis
Authors: Shepherd Katherine , Obeng George , Randall Cara , Kolodney Joanna , Willard Megan
Published: July 2024

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease of plasma cell replication, leading to a disruption of hematopoiesis, which commonly presents clinically with anemia and fatigue. Extramedullary myelomas are plasma cell collections in bone or soft tissue associated with MM and most often occur later in the disease process. We present a case of a patient with symptomatic anemia with actively bleeding gastric nodules, which were later found to be extramedullary gastric myelomas when pathology demonstrated kappa-restricted plasma cell neoplasms. To confirm the overall diagnosis, a bone marrow biopsy verified the patient had MM.
Effect of electron temperature and concentration on production of hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide in atmospheric pressure low-temperature helium plasma jet: Swarm analysis and global model investigation
Authors: Mladenović Željko , Gocić Saša
Published: July 2024

This work presents a numerical analysis by zero-dimensional global model of the influence of electron temperature and concentration on production of OH and NO for helium plasma jet propagating in the atmosphere of humid air. The calculations are done for the constant electron temperatures (1–4 eV) and concentrations (1010 cm−3 to 1014 cm−3). The mole fractions of air and water vapor vary from 100 to 10,000 ppm. The presented analysis reveals that at low electron temperature and H2O contents, the dissociative electron attachment to O2 dominates over attachment to H2O in production of OH. At higher amount, H2O modifies the high-energy tail of electron distribution function and increases rate coefficients for electron impact processes. Dissociative electron attachment to H2O dominates in the production of OH at 1 eV and remains important at higher energies when processes with O(1D), O(1S), O2(1∆) produce OH. Impact dissociation of H2O dominates over the dissociative attachment at 3 and 4 eV. NO comes mainly from air effluent in the plasma and O + NO2 at 100 ppm of H2O. Above 2 eV, the conversion process between OH and NO dominates in NO production at higher amount of H2O. Regarding dependencies on electron concentration, at low electron temperatures, electron distribution function is affected only at 1014 cm−3. But in the case of higher temperature, electron concentration and water vapor have negligible influence. The best agreement with measured data is obtained for electron concentration 1010 cm−3 and at temperature of 2 eV for OH and 1012 cm−3 and 3 eV for NO.
A new benchmark for camouflaged object detection: RGB-D camouflaged object detection dataset
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Wang Chunping , Fu Qiang
Published: July 2024

This article aims to provide a novel image paradigm for camouflaged object detection, i.e., RGB-D images. To promote the development of camouflaged object detection tasks based on RGB-D images, we construct an RGB-D camouflaged object detection dataset, dubbed CODD. This dataset is obtained by converting the existing salient object detection RGB-D datasets by image-to-image translation techniques, which is comparable to the current widely used camouflaged object detection dataset in terms of diversity and complexity. In particular, in order to obtain high-quality translated images, we design a selection strategy that takes into account the structural similarity between pre- and post-conversion images, the similarity between the appearance of objects and their surroundings, as well as the ambiguity of object boundaries. In addition, we extensively evaluate the CODD dataset using existing RGB-D-based salient object detection methods to validate the challenge and usability of the dataset. The CODD dataset will be available at: https://github.com/zcc0616/CODD-Dateset.git.
Practical steps to develop a transcriptomic test for blood doping
Authors: Sutehall Shaun , Malinsky Fernanda , Voss Sven , Chester Neil , Xu Xiao , Pitsiladis Yannis
Published: July 2024

Blood doping remains a significant problem that threatens the integrity of sport. The current indirect method for detecting blood doping involves the longitudinal measurement of an athlete’s haematological variables and identification of suspicious results that are indicative of doping (i.e., the athlete biological passport). While this has played a significant role in the protection of clean sport, improvements are needed. The development of a transcriptomic test, that can be used to detect the use of blood doping has been discussed and researched for decades and yet, an anti-doping test that can be adopted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is yet to be established. With recent advancements in our understanding, as well as in methods of sample collection, the possibility of a transcriptomic test that can be used by WADA, is imminent. There are, however, several practical considerations that must first be made, that will be highlighted in this perspective article.
Norepinephrine Neurons in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract Suppress Luteinizing Hormone Secretion in Female Mice
Authors: McCosh Richard B. , Kreisman Michael J. , Tian Katherine , Thomas Steven A. , Breen Kellie M.
Published: July 2024

Stress impairs fertility, at least in part, via inhibition of gonadotropin secretion. Luteinizing hormone (LH) is an important gonadotropin that is released in a pulsatile pattern in males and in females throughout the majority of the ovarian cycle. Several models of stress, including acute metabolic stress, suppress LH pulses via inhibition of neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus that coexpress kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin (termed KNDy cells) which form the pulse generator. The mechanism for inhibition of KNDy neurons during stress, however, remains a significant outstanding question. Here, we investigated a population of catecholamine neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), marked by expression of the enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), in female mice. First, we found that a subpopulation of DBH neurons in the NTS is activated (express c-Fos) during metabolic stress. Then, using chemogenetics, we determined that activation of these cells is sufficient to suppress LH pulses, augment corticosterone secretion, and induce sickness-like behavior. In subsequent studies, we identified evidence for suppression of KNDy cells (rather than downstream signaling pathways) and determined that the suppression of LH pulses was not dependent on the acute rise in glucocorticoids. Together these data support the hypothesis that DBH cells in the NTS are important for regulation of neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to stress.
EVALUASI IMPLEMENTASI KURIKULUM MERDEKA PADA MATA PELAJARAN DASAR DASAR PEMASARAN DI KELAS X SMK PELITA NUSANTARA 1 SEMARANG
Authors: Meliana Nurantika Rahma  , Mulyono Kemal Budi
Published: July 2024

Kurikulum Merdeka merupakan kurikulum dengan desain pembelajaran Intrakurikuler yang memberikan waktu lebih banyak kepada siswa untuk mengeksplorasi konsep dan meningkatkan kompetensinya secara optimal. Namun guru-guru SMK Pelita Nusanntara 1 Semarang mengalami kenda dalam pembuatan perangkat ajar dan dalam kegiatan belajar mengajar. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu untuk menganalisis kesesuaian dan mengetahui hambatan pelaksanaan kurikulum Merdeka dalam pelaksanaan pembelajaran dasar-dasar pemasaran di kelas X BDP SMK Pelita Nusantara 1 Semarang. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian evaluasi dengan pendekatan kualitatif dilakukan dengan metode CIPP menggunakan observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi sebagai alat instrumen pengumpulan data penelitian. Dalam penelitian ini data dianalisis dengan cara mengumpulkan data, reduksi data, penyajian data, lalu ditarik dengan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukan pembelajaran kelas X BDP di SMK Pelita Nusantara 1 Semarang sudah sesuai dengan mekanisme pelaksanaan pembelajaran kurikulum merdeka. Kemudian beberapa aspek hambatan yang dijumpai yaitu guru belum memiliki kompetensi yang cukup untuk memenuhi tuntutan sistem evaluasi penilaian pada kurikum merdeka, kurang lengkapnya sarana prasarana, beberapa guru mengalami keterbatasan waktu dan belum menguasi teknologi, serta siswa cenderung lebih pasif dalam pembelajaran.
Partisipasi Masyarakat dalam Penguatan Kampung Pancasila di Desa Rejosari Kecamatan Grobogan Kabupaten Grobogan
Authors: Hansweeta Ari Rizki  , Slamet Sumarto
Published: July 2024

Pemahaman masyarakat Desa Rejosari tentang Kampung Pancasila masih kurang sebab Desa Rejosari menjadi Kampung Pancasila pertama di Kabupaten Grobogan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui partisipasi masyarakat dan hambatan dalam penguatan Kampung Pancasila. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif. Lokasi penelitian di Kampung Pancasila Desa Rejosari, Kecamatan Grobogan, Kabupaten Grobogan. Fokus penelitian ini yaitu partisipasi masyarakat dan faktor penghambat dalam penguatan kegiatan di Kampung Pancasila Desa Rejosari. Sumber data primer penelitian ini yaitu pengurus Kampung Pancasila, masyarakat, dan perangkat Desa Rejosari. Sumber data sekunder penelitian yaitu arsip foto dari pemerintah Desa Rejosari. Teknik pengumpulan data melalui wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Teknik keabsahan data yang digunakan adalah triangulasi sumber. Teknik analisis data meliputi pengumpulan data, reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan partisipasi masyarakat pada pengambilan keputusan hanya mendengarkan penjelasan rapat rutin. Partisipasi masyarakat pada pelaksanaan yaitu ikut sebagai panitia kegiatan, mengikuti lomba menggambar, sosialisasi pencegahan narkotika dan keagamaan, gotong royong perbaikan jalan, pelayanan kesehatan gratis, hiburan rakyat, senam dan jalan sehat, serta lomba voli. Masyarakat memperoleh manfaat yaitu meningkatnya keterampilan dan pengetahuan menggambar, meningkatnya rasa nasionalisme dan rasa cinta tanah air, simpati, moralitas, mengasah kemampuan berkomunikasi, dan memiliki pola hidup yang sehat. Partisipasi masyarakat pada evaluasi hanya mendengarkan dan menyimak penjelasan. Faktor internal penghambat masyarakat dalam penguatan Kampung Pancasila yaitu kesibukan masyarakat. Faktor eksternal yaitu waktu pelaksanaan kurang efektif. Upaya yang dilakukan yaitu penjadwalan yang fleksibel untuk mengatur waktu pelaksanaan setiap kegiatan.
Improving the productivity and reducing the drop percentages of fruits in pear by the external application of some plant growth regulators
Authors: Al-Saif Adel M. , Sas-Paszt Lidia , Ayoub Ahmed , Abada Hesham S. , Mosa Walid F. A.
Published: July 2024

Fruit drop from pear trees causes serious losses in income. However, the application of plant bio-regulators improves the internal physiology of developing fruit by ensuring that they receive an adequate supply of water, nutrients, and other compounds necessary for their proper growth and development, which leads to improved size, quality, and ultimately better yield in a variety of fruit crops. This study investigated the foliar application of three plant growth regulators: CPPU at 10, 15, and 20 ppm, GA3 at 25, 50, and 75 ppm and NAA at 25, 50, and 75 ppm. The pear trees were sprayed four times: before flowering, full bloom, after three weeks, and after six weeks. The results showed that the spray of GA3 at 50 and 75 ppm gave the highest effect in increasing the shoot length, shoot thickness, leaf area, and leaf total chlorophyll. The spraying of NAA at 50 and 75 ppm was the best treatment in increasing the fruit set percentages, fruit yield, fruit weight, and fruit dimensions as well as the fruit content from soluble solids, and fruit sugars, while they reduced the fruit drop percentages comparing with the other applied treatments.
Changes of wood surfaces treated with natural-based products – Structural and properties investigation
Authors: Stanciu Magdalena-Cristina , Teacă Carmen-Alice
Published: July 2024

Preservative systems based on vegetable seed oils and natural waxes from renewable sources may confer protection to wood under exposure to various environmental conditions. These, as non-toxic substances, can form an environmentally friendly and efficient protective layer on the wood surfaces, with beneficial effects on their water resistance and dimensional stability. Thus, these natural coatings may hinder biodegradation of wood products to a certain degree. In present paper, softwood samples (from Abies alba fir tree species), prepared as dried discs (25 to 30 mm diameter, 8 to 10 mm thickness), were surface impregnated by dipping using vegetable oils, namely Asclepias syriaca seed oil, and soybean oil, respectively. Beeswax treatment was also applied for comparison purposes. Surface chemistry and morphology, biodegradation process under controlled and simulated natural conditions, and water sorption behavior of wood samples were investigated. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy methods were used for investigation of surface changes in wood samples before and after impregnation with natural based products, as well as under biodegradation conditions in soil burial tests.
Volatile Cyber world: Questioning the Rights perspective of Victims in India
Authors: Dash Bishwa Kallyan
Published: July 2024

With the advance in technology the onerous responsibility has immensely widened upon the prosecuting bodies to bring in justice in a contended atmosphere. At times, the investigating authorities themselves fail to understand the nuances that are associated with the technology that guides the cyber world. Thereby, leaving the victim at distress. The victim gets trapped in the cobweb of procedure and courtroom dramas causing a diminishing trust on the justice delivery institutions that are in India for the time being in place. When a victim has purported and contributed to the cyber space, it is at times legally as well as technologically not conducive to keep an eye on to remove an iota of possibility of being getting victimised. However, this paper is a humble attempt to introspect upon the level of protection of rights and sense of security available to the supposed victims whose rights are at stake and further would showcase the subtle guidelines and directions by the authorities of the ‘global village’ for unrestricted enjoyment of cyber space giving just validation to the rights of the victims.
Erotica and the sexual offender: the importance of restricting sex offenders from using or possessing erotica and pornography
Authors: Johnson Scott A
Published: July 2024

The Courts are struggling with issues of civil liberty in regards to sexual offenders. The rights of sexual offenders to possess pornography or erotica is of utmost concern. When an individual’s erotica has become intertwined in sex offense or other violent behavior, the erotica has now become part of the offender’s violent fantasies and behavior. The offender should no longer have access to or possession of any erotica that involves the offender’s offense behavior or target victim population. This has become an issue of constitutional rights and even some in the sex offender treatment profession fail to see the connection. For the Courts, this is an important issue to rethink when imposing probation, parole, or other restrictions on the sex offender. What follows is a discussion of the importance of restricting sex offenders from accessing or possessing any erotica or pornography that is related in any way to their sexual offense behavior or other violent crime.
The banalization of symbolic violence and its relationship with hate crimes
Authors: Soares Kleberson Toldo
Published: July 2024

In contemporary society, the subtle and often overlooked phenomenon of symbolic violence has profound implications, especially concerning the proliferation of hate crimes. This form of violence refers to the imposition of meanings onto a group that are accepted as legitimate, often to the detriment of that group. Although not manifested physically, symbolic violence can have devastating psychological and social effects. Simultaneously, hate crimes, which are criminal acts motivated by prejudice against certain groups, have been increasing globally. In this context, the following article proposes a comprehensive reflection on this issue, integrating different theoretical perspectives and concrete examples for a better understanding of the phenomenon.
Advancing security and privacy measures in telehealth IoT/Fog/Cloud ecosystems
Authors: Guo Yunyong , Guo Bryan , Guo Nathan
Published: July 2024

Background: As Telehealth becomes integral to modern healthcare, ensuring the security and privacy of patient data in remote monitoring scenarios is paramount. This paper presents an advanced security and privacy model designed to safeguard Telehealth systems, addressing the evolving threats in the interconnected landscape of IoT, Fog, and Cloud. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed security and privacy model in real-world Telehealth scenarios through a comprehensive simulation study. The model integrates encryption, key management, intrusion detection, and privacy- preserving measures to establish end-to-end protection for patient data. Methods: A simulation study is conducted, focusing on many distinct threat scenarios: unauthorized access, physical security breaches at Fog nodes, and cloud server data breaches, etc. Each scenario involves a detailed setup of the Telehealth ecosystem, simulation of threats, and assessment of the security model's components. Key metrics, including detection rates, response times, and mitigation effectiveness, are recorded. Results: The simulation results reveal the model's success in detecting and responding to unauthorized access attempts and cloud server breaches, with notable strengths in encryption and intrusion detection systems. However, challenges are identified in physical security measures and the prevention of insider threats, indicating areas for refinement. Conclusion: In conclusion, the proposed security and privacy model demonstrates efficacy in securing patient data across Telehealth IoT/Fog/Cloud systems. The results underscore the dynamic nature of security challenges, emphasizing the need for continuous refinement. The model provides a foundation for adaptive security frameworks, ensuring resilience against emerging threats in the evolving landscape of healthcare technology.
A Psuedoaneurysm of the superficial palmar arch following a mini – open carpal tunnel release: A case report
Authors: Moucharafieh Ramzi , Madi Rashad , Wardani Hassan , Badra Mohammad
Published: July 2024

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a compression of the median nerve as it passes underneath the transverse carpal ligament. Treatment can be either conservative or surgical. After conservative management fails, surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament is indicated. The complications of a carpal ligament release include wound infections, post op pain and persistent paresthesia due to incomplete release. However, pseudoaneurysm formation after a carpal tunnel release is extremely rare and has been previously reported twice in the literature following endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Case report: In this case report, a 61-year-old-gentleman presented to our clinics with a pseudoaneurysm of the superficial palmar arch of the ulnar artery. This patient underwent a mini-open carpal tunnel release 2 months prior to presentation. Conclusion: Pseudoaneurysm formation after a mini open carpal tunnel release is a rare complication. The development of the pseudoaneurysm was most likely due to an iatrogenic injury of the superficial arch of the ulnar artery while performing the carpal tunnel release. Keeping this entity in mind leads to a faster diagnosis and earlier treatment.
Folklore of Ukrainian Prisoners of War of the Period of the First World War (After the Materials of the Phonogram Archives of the Austrian Academy of Sciences)
Authors: Shevchuk Tetiana
Published: July 2024

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of a large-scale anthropological project initiated in 1915 by the Austrian Academy of Sciences. It is provided, in particular, for the phonographic fixation of the examples of spoken language of war prisoners of various nationalities who fought on the side of the Russian Empire: Armenians, Jews, Latvians, Lithuanians, Russians, Ukrainians, Georgians, etc. These audio recordings, kept in the Phonogram Archives of the Austrian Academy of Sciences for more than a century, have been introduced into scientific discourse in 2018. They are encrypted and transcribed into Latin. There are the examples of folklore culture of the Ukrainians provided by 17 informants from 8 governorates of the Russian Empire of that time: Chernihiv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Kherson, Katerynoslav, Volyn and Voronezh. Among the list of inhabited areas, where the Ukrainian informants are originated from, we come across the infamous names of the present-day Russian-Ukrainian war: Olenivka, Bakhmut (Donetsk region), Kupiansk (Kharkiv region). Recordings have been made during July–September, 1915 and in 1916 in the war prisoners’ camps in Freistadt (Austria), Reichenberg (now Liberec, the Czech Republic) and in the Vienna hospital. They have been initiated by the famous anthropologist Rudolf Pöch (1870–1921), a native of Ternopil. He has been assisted by the Vienna language expert Hans Pollak (1885–1976) and the Ukrainian linguist and folklore specialist Ivan Pankevych (1887–1958), a graduate of the University of Vienna. Using the phonograph, these researchers have recorded the folk texts of different genres: the Cossack prayers, songs of literary origin, fairy tales (about animals and of novelistic nature), jokes, stories about the summer cycle calendar customs (in particular, about the women ritual dinner called bryksy) and dreams. The characteristic feature of these texts consists of the transformation of the song-like narrative into a prose; they are a valuable field material not only for the folklore specialists, but also for historians and linguists. Audio-recordings, provided by the Ukrainian war prisoners, form a part of 1899–1950s collection of the Phonogram Archives of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and are included into the UNESCO Register of Documentary Heritage Memory of the World / Memory of Humanity.