bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personality disorder: no longer a diagnosis?
Authors: Temple Peta
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the historic policy context and social implications of the diagnosis of personality disorder and also consider formulation-based and trauma-informed understandings of distress.

Design/methodology/approach

Ongoing changes to (and splits between) medical understandings of what is being labelled as personality disorder have eroded the label’s cultural capital, adding weight to lived-experience-led calls to Drop the Disorder (Watson, 2019). This paper explores the impact and implications of the historic policy and practice context through a lived experience lens.

Findings

Such diversity of views in the lived experience and medical communities on personality disorder has allowed alternatives to diagnostically informed understandings of distress (such as formulation-based and trauma-informed approaches) to gain traction with practitioners (Bloom and Farragher, 2013; Johnstone and Boyle, 2020). The broader assimilation of these alternative perspectives into dominant medical ideology is evidenced by the fact that the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) is now also exploring alternatives to diagnosis (2023). This suggests even more change ahead for how we understand people and their relationships with trauma and distress.

Research limitations/implications

This paper discusses UK policy and does not include broader global policies.

Practical implications

This paper would be helpful for any student interested in where the ideas that underpin personality disorder diagnosis stemmed from and why so many lived experience practitioners and experts by profession question the diagnosis' legitimacy.

Social implications

As the RCP is now considering alternatives to diagnosis, it is even more critical that practitioners are aware of the competing narratives surrounding this contested diagnosis – as the author believes this will promote more compassionate, trauma-informed working practices.

Originality/value

This is the author’s own work and includes not only the RCP position change but also directly quotes Professor Tyrer (who wrote the International Classification of Diseases 11), giving his views on the changed RCP position, as he recently presented at a conference here in Cornwall. The author is a part of Lighthouse peer support group and wrote this paper as preparation for a Participatory Action Research project they are planning, where they will evaluate the Sanctuary Approach with their membership to create a lived experience-designed trauma-informed charter. Before starting that work, the author wanted to better understand the historic policy context and created this paper to fill that need.
On the foundations of firm climate risk exposure
Authors: Shahrour Mohamad H. , Arouri Mohamed , Lemand Ryan
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to address gaps and limitations in the literature regarding firms’ exposure to climate risks. It reviews existing research, proposes new theoretical frameworks and provides directions for future studies.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric and systematic approach is used to review the literature on firms’ climate risk exposure. The study examines current theoretical frameworks and suggests additional ones to enhance understanding.

Findings

This study contributes to the climate finance literature by offering a comprehensive overview of firms’ climate risk exposure and used theories. It emphasizes the urgent need to tackle climate change and the crucial role of firms in climate risk management. The study supports the advancement of sustainability policies and highlights the importance of understanding firms' climate risk exposure.

Practical implications

This study informs the development of climate risk management strategies within firms and supports the implementation of effective sustainability policies.

Social implications

Addressing climate risks can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for society as a whole.

Originality/value

This study provides a roadmap for future research by identifying gaps and limitations in the literature. It introduces new perspectives and theoretical frameworks, adding original insights to the field of study.
UNPACKING CAPITAL SWITCHING: Value, Rentierism and Displacement in Absolute and Relative Forms of Switching
Authors: Yrigoy Ismael
Published: July 2023

Harvey's (1978) switching theory has been widely used to theorize investments in the built environment. Crucially, in switching theory no distinction has been made between investments in the construction of the newly built environment and investments into the existing built environment. The distinction between these two types of switching is key to unveiling the relations between how value is produced, rents are extracted and interest payments are made as investments flow with the real estate sector, and the implications that such switching has for displacement. I discuss the distinction between different types of switching and the implications thereof by analysing the ebb and flow of investments in Spanish real estate from 2000 to 2007 and from 2014 to 2018. On the one hand, I claim that the two switching waves were qualitatively different in so far as capital was fixed in the built environment through the construction of new buildings between 2000 and 2007, whereas from 2014 to 2018 capital was fixed in existing buildings. In the first switching phase, value was produced and land rents were extracted, whereas the second switching phase was characterized mainly by rent extraction. On the other hand, the first switching moment entailed an increase in housing provision, whereas the second switching moment led to widespread displacement of the population.
Proton pump inhibitor use associated with an increased risk of gout: A population‐based case–control study
Authors: Zhu Kai‐Jun , Feng Wei , Ma Xiao‐Na , Liao Pei‐Lun , Lin Chang‐Song , Huang Jing‐Yang , Wei James Cheng‐Chung , Xu Qiang
Published: July 2023

Objectives

In previous reports, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use increased the risk of gout. However, there is no epidemiological study investigating this association. We aimed to examine the potential impact of PPI treatment on the risk of developing gout.

Methods

A population‐based case–control study was performed using a Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 from Taiwan (population 23 million). We identified gout cases and non‐gout controls through propensity score matching at 1:1, which was matched by sex and age. We used a conditional logistic regression model to estimate an odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for gout population versus controls.

Results

Esomeprazole increased the risk of gout after adjusting confounding variables (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.3; 95% CI 1.0–1.6). The risk of gout was highest within 30 days of PPI treatment (aOR 1.7; 95% CI 1.4–1.9) and attenuated thereafter. The risk of gout was increased among female users of PPI compared with male users (aOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.7–2.8). The aOR of gout in people with PPI use was higher in middle‐aged individuals (41–60 years: aOR 2.1; 95% CI 1.7–2.7) than in the older group (≥60 years: aOR 1.8; 95% CI 1.5–2.2).

Conclusions

Our findings provide population‐level evidence for the hypothesis that PPI treatment is positively associated with the risk of developing gout. Further research on the mechanism underlying this association is warranted.
Using the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio to predict the outcome of individuals with nonsquamous non‐small cell lung cancer receiving pembrolizumab plus platinum and pemetrexed
Authors: Imai Hisao , Wasamoto Satoshi , Tsuda Takeshi , Nagai Yoshiaki , Kishikawa Takayuki , Masubuchi Ken , Osaki Takashi , Miura Yosuke , Umeda Yukihiro , Ono Akihiro , Minemura Hiroyuki , Yamada Yutaka , Nakagawa Junichi , Kozu Yuki , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Ohta Hiromitsu , Kasai Takashi , Kaira Kyoichi , Kagamu Hiroshi
Published: July 2023

Background

Factors predicting the response to pembrolizumab plus platinum and pemetrexed combination therapy (Pemb‐Plt‐PEM) in nonsquamous non‐small cell lung cancer (non‐sq NSCLC) are unclear. We investigated the Glasgow Prognostic (GP) score, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and body mass index (BMI) as predictors of response to initial treatment with combination therapy in individuals with advanced non‐sq NSCLC.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 236 patients who received initial treatment with combination therapy for non‐sq NSCLC at 13 institutions between December 2018 and December 2020. The usefulness of the GP score, NLR, and BMI as prognostic indicators was assessed. Cox proportional hazard models and the Kaplan–Meier method were used to compare progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

The response rate was 51.2% (95% CI: 44.9–57.5%). The median PFS and OS after beginning Pemb‐Plt‐PEM were 8.8 (95% CI: 7.0–11.9) months and 23.6 (95% CI: 18.7–28.6) months, respectively. The NLR independently predicted the efficacy of Pemb‐Plt‐PEM—the PFS and OS were more prolonged in individuals with NLR <5 than in those with NLR ≥5 (PFS: 12.8 vs. 5.3 months, p = 0.0002; OS: 29.4 vs. 12.0 months, p < 0.0001). BMI predicted the treatment response—individuals with BMI ≥22.0 kg/m2 had longer OS than did those with BMI < 22.0 kg/m2 (OS: 28.4 vs. 18.4 months, p = 0.0086).

Conclusions

The NLR significantly predicted PFS and OS, whereas BMI predicted OS, in individuals who initially received Pemb‐Plt‐PEM for non‐sq NSCLC. These factors might be prognosis predictors in non‐sq NSCLC.
DNA‐based fungal diversity in Madagascar and arrival of the ectomycorrhizal fungi to the island
Authors: Rivas‐Ferreiro Mauro , Skarha Shannon M. , Rakotonasolo Franck , Suz Laura M. , Dentinger Bryn T. M.
Published: July 2023

Madagascar is known for its high diversity and endemism of fauna and flora. Fungi, however, have been largely overlooked in diversity and evolution studies on the island, and whether fungi exhibit the same patterns as animals and plants has yet to be further examined. We collected fungal sporocarps and ectomycorrhizal (EcM) roots during three opportunistic surveys in five forests in Madagascar and generated a dataset of fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) DNA sequences. We analyzed them together with all publicly available fungal ITS DNA sequences and identified 620 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) from Madagascar, 10% of which contained only sequences from our surveys. Two hundred and ninety‐two OTUs belonged to EcM species with /russula‐lactarius, /boletus, /tomentella‐telephora, /cortinarius, and /amanita being the most abundant EcM lineages. Overall, 60% of all fungi and 81% of the EcM species from Madagascar appear to be endemic. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis using all the OTUs in Amanitaceae, Boletaceae, and Russulaceae families to elucidate their relative timing of arrival in Madagascar. We found that most EcM species from Madagascar in the three families diverged less than 22 million years ago (mya), long after the separation of India and Madagascar (88 mya), which is consistent with a dispersal mediated process of arrival to the island. Our study provides the first comprehensive view of the overall DNA‐based fungal diversity in Madagascar and the current state of knowledge of EcM fungi based on DNA sequences, useful for further ecological and evolutionary studies.

Abstract in Malagasy is available with online material.
Design thinking for city dashboard development: Recommendations from a study of smart asset management in Sydney, Australia
Authors: Steinmetz‐Weiss Christine , Marshall Nancy , Bishop Kate , Rahmat Homa , Thompson Susan , Park Miles , Tietz Christian , Corkery Linda
Published: July 2023

The city dashboard has become an integral component of smart city asset management systems. It leverages data collected from multiple sources to monitor performance and enable evidence‐based decision making. This article investigates the use of a design thinking framework to develop a functional and easy to understand city dashboard. The Smart Social Spaces project is used as a case study to illustrate how design thinking can be employed to develop an asset management dashboard, enabling efficient management of public space and infrastructure. The article profiles the unique collaboration between a local government, a multi‐disciplinary team of university academics, and a street furniture designer and manufacturer, all located in Sydney, Australia. We unpack some of the design practice nuances that led this project to receive national awards and international recognition, and most importantly, created a user‐friendly system to track and maintain public micro assets. We conclude with lessons learnt and recommendations for dashboard development through a design thinking process.
Excessive rightsizing? The interdependence of public school closures and population shrinkage
Authors: Barber Rachel , Hartt Maxwell , Collins Patricia
Published: July 2023

Shrinking cities have, by definition, lost population. Rightsizing is a strategic planning approach to mitigate the challenges of population loss by adjusting a municipality's services, amenities, or even footprint to fit a new demographic reality. While studies have documented the unacceptability and ineptitude of municipality‐driven rightsizing, public school closures have proliferated and quietly become a noteworthy material manifestation of population change. However, as public schools are widely considered to be a foundational component of community cohesion, identity, and prosperity, it begs the question of whether their closure may accelerate the decline feedback mechanisms already present in many shrinking cities. Our study examines public school closures in Ontario, Canada, from 2011 to 2016 to determine the relationship between municipal population trajectories and size and public school closures, and to explore the prevalence of school closures and the community context in shrinking Ontario municipalities. We find that public school closures occurred disproportionately in shrinking and smaller municipalities. Furthermore, public school closure prevalence is associated with low income, low ethnoracial diversity, and low educational attainment.
Decontamination of biofilm‐contaminated implant surfaces: An in vitro evaluation
Authors: Ichioka Yuki , Virto Leire , Nuevo Paula , Gamonal Juan Daniel , Derks Jan , Larsson Lena , Sanz Mariano , Berglundh Tord
Published: July 2023

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cleaning efficacy of two mechanical and two chemical protocols in the decontamination of implant surfaces.

Methods

In total, 123 commercially available implants were mounted in plastic models mimicking peri‐implant circumferential intra‐bony defects. A multispecies biofilm was grown on implant surfaces. Mechanical (air‐polishing (AP), rotating titanium brush (TiB)) and chemical decontamination (alkaline electrolyzed water, N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine) protocols were used. Cleaning efficacy in terms of residual biofilm area, chemical surface properties, and bacterial counts were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Surface decontamination protocols including use of an AP device or a rotating TiB were superior in terms of biofilm removal and in reducing atomic% of Carbon on implant surfaces when compared to methods restricted to wiping with gauze. The use of chemical agents as adjuncts to the mechanical cleaning protocols provided no relevant overall benefit over saline. No treatment modality, however, resulted in complete biofilm removal.

Conclusion

Air‐polishing and rotating TiB were more effective implant surface decontamination protocols than wiping with gauzes. Use of chemical agents did not improve cleaning efficacy.
Primary leiomyosarcoma of the parotid gland: Aspiration cytology with emphasis on differential diagnosis
Authors: Saini Tarunpreet , Kundu Reetu , Bhujade Harish , Singh Harmandeep
Published: July 2023

Most salivary gland neoplasms are of epithelial origin. Sarcomas of the parotid gland, including leiomyosarcoma, are exceedingly rare mesenchymal tumours. A definitive diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma is challenging on cytomorphology alone. We herein describe a case of a 41‐year‐old woman who presented with parotid gland swelling. The patient was previously diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma of the parotid gland on histopathology. Fine needle aspiration cytology was done from this recurrent swelling. Cytomorphology combined with cell block immunocytochemistry was fruitful in confirming the tumour recurrence. Primary and recurrent/metastatic leiomyosarcoma of the parotid gland is a rarity and cannot be distinguished on cytology. Such a distinction is based on the known history of prior malignancy, which was forthcoming in the present case, or after an exhaustive work‐up. Pertinent clinical history and radiology provide leads for the cytopathologist. They must be sought so that immunocytochemistry can be applied judiciously and a precise/nearly precise cytological diagnosis rendered, as it guides patient management. The diagnosis is challenging on cytology as the spindle cell lesions of the parotid gland range from reactive to benign to malignant tumours.
Consumer behaviour in cross‐border e‐commerce: Systematic literature review and future research agenda
Authors: Chen Jiahe , Lan Yi‐Chen , Chang Yu‐Wei
Published: July 2023

Cross‐border electronic commerce (CBEC) was developed from traditional e‐commerce to cater to the growing demand for online transactions among global traders. Consumer behaviour is one of the most important topics that multistakeholders (e.g., e‐commerce platforms, entrepreneurs, governments and third‐party service providers) need to understand to develop CBEC. Although for over a decade studies across disciplines and regions have explored various consumer behaviours and their factors in CBEC through diverse research methods and theoretical lenses, the current literature is still fragmented and lacks consolidation of past contributions. In the present study, we conduct a systematic literature review based on 40 CBEC studies to present an overview of the current research status of the field. This study analyzes research contexts, theoretical applications and methods, and unifies a CBEC definition as a benchmark for future research. More importantly, we employ the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S–O–R) framework to categorize factors into the inner and outer CBEC ecosystem stimuli, cognitive and affective states, and approach and avoidance behaviours, and to generalize two consumer behavioural patterns to provide a comprehensive understanding of consumer behaviours in CBEC. With the proposed future research directions, we believe that this review can serve as a fundamental and informative guideline for researchers to continue advancing knowledge of the field.
Opening up conversations: Collaborative working across sociomaterial contexts in nursing in London
Authors: Allan Helen T. , Caldwell Chris , Mehigan Sinead , Trueman Selina
Published: July 2023

Aim

To discuss nurses' use of networks to address nursing recruitment and retention in London, UK.

Design

Qualitative evaluation of the Capital Nurse programme reporting on 30 narrative interviews with executive, clinical and student nurses in 2019.

Results

Executive nurses within the Capital Nurse programme recognized the importance of sociomaterial contexts in the health and social care system in London and worked strategically across these contexts to achieve change. Supported through the Capital Nurse programme, executive nurses from health organizations across London initiated collaborative working to improve recruitment and retention. Primarily by designing and delivering sociomaterial products (organizational and educational) to support nurses to build a career in London. Drawing on ideas from actor network theory, in particular sociomaterial contexts, nurses' actions at all levels to develop and sustain networks to address nursing recruitment and retention across the NHS in London are described.

Conclusions

Capital Nurse supported collaborative working both within single organizations and across organizations in London. There is evidence of change in how nurses across the capital work together to improve patient care, improve recruitment and retention. Findings may resonate with nurses in other settings who seek to address the problem of recruitment and retention. They show how nurses coming together in networks to effect changes in practice can work successfully.

Impact

Nurses' use of networks led to novel models of communication and action to address the problems of recruitment and retention in London. We argue that sociomateriality should be considered outside the clinical practice setting, as part of nurses' professional development and organizational practice, that is how they plan their career, how they address recruitment and retention, how they communicate across organizations about nursing issues.

No Patient or Public Contribution

This was an evaluation of a staff development project in London, which sought to elicit nurses' experiences of participation in Capital Nurse.
Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia Training and Staffing in the National Health Service
Authors: Wilkinson Kirstin , Taylor Dan , Murphy Tim ,   the Congenital Cardiac Anaesthesia Network
Published: July 2023

Background

Considerable importance is attached to the process of training, appointing and retaining highly specialized pediatric anesthetists, such as those with a congenital heart disease practice.

Aims

For the 10‐year period from April 2012 to March 2022, we wished to establish changes in the absolute number of consultant pediatric cardiac anesthetic posts in NHS Level 1 Centres, turnover in such posts, and what training appointees had received.

Methods

An email survey was sent to the Centre Representative from the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Network in each of the eleven NHS Level 1 Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Centre. Further follow up was completed in order to confirm accuracy of responses. We defined a pediatric cardiac anesthetist as a consultant with a clinical practice including provision of anesthetic management for children undergoing cardiac surgery incorporating the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Results

The response rate to our survey was 100%. Over the study period the number of consultants increased from 69 to 81, though three posts were unfilled as at March 2022. There were 55 departures and 65 appointees. Five consultants moved between NHS Units. 52 consultants received formal fellowship training and 13 switched into pediatric cardiac anesthesia from an existing general pediatric anesthetic post, with a period of supplementary training within their institution. Appointees reported extensive additional training variably including fellowships in general pediatric anesthesia, adult cardiac anesthesia and pediatric intensive care, both within and outside the United Kingdom.

Conclusions

There has been both an expansion in the number of posts, as well as considerable turnover in consultant posts in the last 10 years. Training standards which support and guide individuals as they develop a practice in this highly specialized field should reflect different routes into the speciality and could be established with the support and advice of the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Network.
Survival benefit of sentinel lymph node biopsy in Asian melanoma patients
Authors: Hsu Che‐Chia , Liao Yi‐Hua , Sheen Yi‐Shuan
Published: July 2023

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) provides important prognostic information for early‐stage melanomas. However, statistics regarding the survival comparison between SLNB and nodal observation in Asia, where acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) predominates, are limited. This study aimed to identify if SLNB offered survival benefits over nodal observation in early‐stage melanomas in Taiwan. The retrospective study included 227 patients who met the SLNB criteria according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines and were treated at National Taiwan University Hospital from June 1997 to June 2021. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression models. Of the study population, ALM accounted for 73.1%; 161 patients (70.9%) underwent SLNB and 66 patients (29.1%) were under nodal observation. Multivariate analysis showed significantly improved melanoma‐specific survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.6; p = .02) in the SLNB group. Among those who underwent completion lymph node dissection (CLND), the non‐sentinel node positivity rate was 44.4%. Immediate CLND resulted in significantly longer melanoma‐specific survival and distant‐metastasis‐free survival (DMFS) compared to nodal observation. (HR, 0.2; p = .01 for melanoma‐specific survival. HR, 0.3; p = .046 for DMFS). In conclusion, SLNB may provide survival benefits of cutaneous melanoma over nodal observation in the Taiwanese population.
An integrated program to expand donor utilization in pediatric heart transplantation: Case report of successful transplant with multiple donor risk factors
Authors: Torpoco Rivera Diana M. , Hollander Seth A. , Almond Christopher , Profita Elizabeth , Dykes John C. , Raissadati Alireza , Lee Joanne , Sacks Loren D. , Kleiman Zachary I. , Lee Ellen , Rosenthal Ayelet , Rosenthal David N. , Nasirov Teimour , Ma Michael , Martin Elisabeth , Chen Sharon
Published: July 2023

Background

Pediatric heart transplantation (HT) continues to be limited by the shortage of donor organs, distance constraints, and the number of potential donor offers that are declined due to the presence of multiple risk factors.

Methods

We report a case of successful pediatric HT in which multiple risk factors were mitigated through a combination of innovative donor utilization improvement strategies.

Results

An 11‐year‐old, 25‐kilogram child with cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension, on chronic milrinone therapy and anticoagulated with apixaban, was transplanted with a heart from a Hepatitis C virus positive donor and an increased donor‐to‐recipient weight ratio. Due to extended geographic distance, an extracorporeal heart preservation system (TransMedics™ OCS Heart) was used for procurement. No significant bleeding was observed post‐operatively, and she was discharged by post‐operative day 15 with normal biventricular systolic function. Post‐transplant Hepatitis C virus seroconversion was successfully treated.

Conclusions

Heart transplantation in donors with multiple risk factor can be achieved with an integrative team approach and should be taken into consideration when evaluating marginal donors in order to expand the current limited donor pool in pediatric patients.
Reference Groups and Relative Effects on Well‐Being
Authors: Kudrna Laura
Published: July 2023

Economic growth may not improve society if people compare their achievements to others in relative ways that detract from well‐being. But who are these others and what economic dimensions matter? This research applied a p‐value ranking approach from genetics research to tackle the issue of reference group selection. Data from over 30,000 British and American adults were analyzed in nearly 800 multi‐level models. Over 300 measures of reference group socio‐economic status and eight measures of well‐being were used. The results showed that reference groups based on geography and age, perceptions of those in “society,” and rank wealth were most consistently associated with well‐being. Measures less consistently associated with well‐being used averages, medians, and proportions in states and local authorities without demographic sub‐groups. Future researchers should consider the consistently associated dimensions of reference groups when constructing relative measures.
Finding ‘a safe place to cry’: A review of research and evidence informing social work with refugees and new settlers in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Pepworth Jenny , Nash Mary
Published: July 2023

This article presents current and relevant research findings relating to settlement in Aotearoa New Zealand for both refugees and migrants. The article looks at how losses experienced through migration impact on settlement outcomes. Protective and risk factors for new migrants’ adjustment including family and social support networks, language issues, employment opportunities, discrimination and prejudice as well as the size of different migrant communities are all explored. Social policy which aims to achieve social cohesion must adequately address the needs of both newcomers and host society members. Social workers need to be aware of the settlement issues faced by their clients at the micro, meso and macro levels in order to competently and ethically meet their clients’ needs in this field of practice. The article provides evidence based on research for practice.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance)-free molded fiber: The future is already here
Authors: Tajvidi Mehdi
Published: July 2023

With renewed interest in food packaging materials that can be both recyclable and compostable and the environmental concerns about plastic pollution in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, molded fiber food packaging is experiencing an unprecedented demand around the globe. However, the phase-out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), commonly used as a water/grease resistant agent in food contact molded materials in many jurisdictions, has posed a significant challenge to the industry. This perspective outlines a recently developed solution to replace PFASs through the application of a layer of cellulose nanofibrils on the surface of molded fiber objects.
Reliable earthquake precursors?
Authors: Bürgmann Roland
Published: July 2023

Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements suggest hours-long precursors to many large earthquakes
Extended Faddeev–Jackiw canonical quantization for the Podolsky electrodynamics
Authors: Manavella E. C.
Published: July 2023

We perform the Faddeev–Jackiw (FJ) canonical quantization for the Podolsky electrodynamics. To this end, we use an extension of the usual FJ formalism for constrained systems with Grassmann dynamical field variables, proposed by us some time ago. Besides, we compare the obtained results with those corresponding to the implementation of the Dirac formalism to this issue. In this way, we see that the extended FJ and the Dirac formalisms provide the same constraints and generalized brackets, thus suggesting the equivalence between these formalisms, at least for the present case. Furthermore, we find that the extended FJ formalism is more economical than the Dirac one as regards the calculation of both the constraints and the generalized brackets. On the other hand, we also compare the mentioned obtained results with the ones corresponding to the analysis of the issue in study by means of the usual FJ formalism, showing that between the extended and the usual FJ formalisms there are significant differences.
Signatures of discretization in quantum black hole spectra
Authors: Foo Joshua , Mann Robert B. , Zych Magdalena
Published: July 2023

The quantum superposition principle states that quantum-mechanical systems such as atoms can be placed in a superposition of mass-energy eigenstates. Inspired by this idea and the seminal conjecture of Bekenstein, who proposed that black holes in quantum gravity must possess a discrete mass eigenspectrum, here we analyze the effects produced by a black hole in a superposition of masses. Analogous to using the electromagnetic field to probe atoms, we consider a quantum scalar field on the spacetime background sourced by the black hole mass superposition. From the resulting spectra, as measured by a hypothetical two-level system interacting with the field, we infer signatures of discretization of the black hole mass in support of Bekenstein’s conjecture.
A TAGUCHI-TOPSIS HYBRID TECHNIQUE TO ENHANCE THE FRETTING WEAR CHARACTERISTICS FOR SiC AND SILICA-ENRICHED BLA-REINFORCED AZ91D Mg ALLOY-BASED MMCs
Authors: NAYAK BISWAJEET , SINGH THINGUJAM JACKSON
Published: July 2023

This investigation intends to come up with a cost-efficient and easily available bamboo leaf ash (BLA) which has high content of Silica, as an effective and complimenting reinforcement for the production of magnesium alloy-based metal matrix composites. By incorporating SiC and BLA reinforcement to AZ91D Mg alloy, the composites were made using the bottom pouring stir casting technique. The ratio between SiC and BLA in the composite, respectively, varied as 0:0, 6:0, 0:6, 4:2, 3:3, 2:4 wt.%. Fretting wear is one of the fundamental modes of wear for any mating parts which have vibration with low amplitude. In this study, an integrated Taguchi-TOPSIS is adapted to make the process variables more optimal for fretting wear of composites. Material composition, load, temperature, time, frequency and stroke length are selected as process parameters. The objective is to minimize the coefficient of friction, volume loss and surface roughness. Using the TOPSIS approach, the multi-criteria optimization approach was reduced to a single-criteria issue. The results revealed AZ91D/2 wt.% SiC/4 wt.% BLA, 10N, room temperature, 30-min, 30 Hz and 0.7 mm stroke as optimal parameters. Microscopic study demonstrates that fretting wear occurs in the partial slip zone for the composite tested at optimal condition. With temperature, the wear regime in composites shifts from partial slip to mixed fretting, whereas in alloys, the wear regime shifts from mixed fretting to gross slip. When the correct set of circumstances are available, hybrid composite can function well as a replacement for traditional materials in machineries vulnerable to fretting wear.
Vanadium-Doped Ti4O7 Porous Transport Layers for Efficient Electrochemical Oxidation of Industrial Wastewater Contaminants
Authors: English Joseph T. , Wilkinson David P.
Published: July 2023

Inexpensive electrode materials and effective cell designs are needed to advance electrochemical technologies for the oxidative treatment of wastewater. Novel vanadium-doped Ti4O7 porous transport layers (PTLs) used in a compact wastewater electrolyzer are developed and characterized and their performance for the electrochemical oxidation of synthetic wastewater is evaluated. An original analytical model predicting performance with the apparent mass transfer coefficient and cell potential is developed. The influence of operating parameters such as volumetric flow, current density, and PTL composition on performance is investigated. Decolorization and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 100 mg L−1 of methyl orange (MO), an azo dye, in 1,500 mgNaCl L−1 is rapid with mass transfer coefficients as great as 377 ± 24 m s−1 for MO at 15 mA cm−2. After 2.5 Ah L−1 at 10 mA cm−2, >99 decolorization and >98% COD removal are achieved with a current efficiency of 19.2% and with specific and volumetric energy consumption of 120 and 84.1 kWh kg−1 for MO and COD, respectively, and 1.34 ± 0.09 and 6.45 ± 0.97 kWh m−3 order−1, respectively. A more energy-efficient electrochemical cell design for industrial wastewater treatment using less expensive high oxidation power (HOP) electrode materials is demonstrated with these results.
A Method for Quantifying Crossover in Redox Flow Cells through Compositionally Unbalanced Symmetric Cell Cycling
Authors: Neyhouse Bertrand J. , Darling Robert M. , Saraidaridis James D. , Brushett Fikile R.
Published: July 2023

Active species crossover continues to frustrate durational performance for redox flow batteries (RFBs), requiring thorough evaluation of membrane/separator properties. Characterization workflows typically employ a suite of ex situ experimental techniques, but these approaches do not capture the dynamic conditions (e.g., variable concentrations, alternating polarity) encountered in redox flow cells. Here, we report a facile method for assessing crossover directly in redox flow cells—compositionally unbalanced symmetric cell cycling (CUSCC). Based on conventional symmetric cell cycling, CUSCC imposes a concentration gradient between two chemically similar half-cells, inducing species crossover during galvanostatic cycling, which results in a characteristic “capacity gain” over time. We first develop a zero-dimensional model to describe fundamental processes that underpin the technique and examine the dependence of capacity gain on membrane/separator properties and operating conditions. Subsequently, we perform proof-of-principle experiments using FeCl2/FeCl3 and NafionTM 117 as a representative system and demonstrate results consistent with those predicted from simulations. Finally, we use model fits of the capacity gain data to extract membrane transport parameters, obtaining similar values to those measured from ex situ techniques. Overall, this work describes a promising new approach for characterizing species crossover and expands the RFB testing toolbox.
Cocoa flavanols protect cognitive function, cerebral oxygenation, and mental fatigue during severe hypoxia
Authors: Bloomfield Peter M. , Fisher James P. , Shaw David M. , Gant Nicholas
Published: July 2023

We show for the first time that cocoa flavanols exert a neuroprotective effect during severe hypoxia. Following acute cocoa flavanol ingestion, we observed improvements in cognition, cerebral oxygenation, and subjective fatigue during normoxia and severe poikilocapnic hypoxia. Cocoa flavanols did not improve cognition during severe isocapnic hypoxia, suggesting a possible interaction with carbon dioxide.
Exercise-induced changes to the fiber type-specific redox state in human skeletal muscle are associated with aerobic capacity
Authors: Shadiow James , Miranda Edwin R. , Perkins Ryan K. , Mazo Corey E. , Lin Zhen , Lewis Kendell N. , Mey Jacob T. , Solomon Thomas P. J. , Haus Jacob M.
Published: July 2023

This study is the first to use autofluorescent imaging to describe differential redox states within human skeletal muscle fiber types with exercise. Our findings highlight an easy and efficacious technique for assessing skeletal muscle redox in humans.
High-glycemic index meal acutely potentiates blood pressure response to static handgrip exercise in healthy humans
Authors: Kashima Hideaki , Endo Masako Yamaoka , Kanda Masako , Miura Akira , Fukuba Yoshiyuki , Mizuno Masaki
Published: July 2023

Postprandial hyperglycemia following consumption of a high-glycemic index (HGI) meal potentiated blood pressure response to static handgrip exercise (SHG-ex) in healthy young adults. These findings provide important insight into the role of the diet on acute circulatory response to exercise in healthy adults.
Targeting the Nerve–Cancer Circuit
Authors: Ye Yi , Xie Tongxin , Amit Moran
Published: July 2023

The tumor microenvironment is innervated by sensory, sympathetic, and parasympathetic nerves that actively stimulate cancer growth and dissemination. The cross-talk among the peripheral nerves, cancer cells, and stromal cells is mediated by a diverse set of bioactive ligands and their corresponding receptors. Dissecting the specific neuronal subtypes and molecular signals that drive cancer–nerve interaction holds the hope of developing targeted therapies for cancer. A recent study by Restaino and colleagues demonstrated that regardless of tumor type, origin, or anatomic location, tumors are densely innervated, predominantly by transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 positive (TRPV1+) sensory fibers. The intratumoral fibers likely have functional connectivity and contribute to increased electrical activity in the tumor bed. Importantly, the neuropeptide substance P produced by intratumoral fibers stimulates its neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) expressed on tumor cells to drive tumor proliferation and migration. The findings raised the intriguing possibility of a generalizable molecular pathway that mediates cancer–nerve interaction that can be targeted to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis across different tumor types.
Supplementary Figure S1 from Early Clearance of Plasma Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations as a Predictor of Outcome on Osimertinib in Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer; Exploratory Analysis from AURA3 and FLAURA
Authors: Gray Jhanelle E. , Ahn Myung-Ju , Oxnard Geoffrey R. , Shepherd Frances A. , Imamura Fumio , Cheng Ying , Okamoto Isamu , Cho Byoung Chul , Lin Meng-Chih , Wu Yi-Long , Majem Margarita , Gautschi Oliver , Boyer Michael , Bulusu Krishna C. , Markovets Aleksandra , Barrett J. Carl , Hodge Rachel , McKeown Astrid , Hartmaier Ryan J. , Chmielecki Juliann , Papadimitrakopoulou Vassiliki A. , Ramalingam Suresh S.
Published: July 2023

AURA3 flow diagram for ctDNA analysis (n = 291). Clearance refers to non-detectable plasma EGFRm, where EGFRm was detectable at baseline. *There were 9 patients in the osimertinib arm and 1 patient in the platinum-pemetrexed arm without a valid ddPCR result at Weeks 3 and 6; these samples were excluded from the ctDNA clearance analysis. Abbreviations: ctDNA, circulating tumor DNA; EGFRm, epidermal growth factor receptor mutation (ex19del or L858R).
A Phase II Study of Optimized Individualized Adaptive Radiotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Herr Daniel J. , Wang Chang , Mendiratta-Lala Mishal , Matuszak Martha , Mayo Charles S. , Cao Yue , Parikh Neehar D. , Ten Haken Randy , Owen Dawn , Evans Joseph R. , Stanescu Teodor , Yan Michael , Dawson Laura A. , Schipper Matthew , Lawrence Theodore S. , Cuneo Kyle C.
Published: July 2023

Purpose:

We hypothesized that optimizing the utility of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) based on the individual patient's probability for tumor control and risk of liver injury would decrease toxicity without sacrificing local control in patients with impaired liver function or tumors not amenable to thermal ablation.

Patients and Methods:

Patients with Child-Pugh (CP) A to B7 liver function with aggregate tumor size >3.5 cm, or CP ≥ B8 with any size tumor were prospectively enrolled on an Institutional Review Board–approved phase II clinical trial to undergo SBRT with baseline and midtreatment dose optimization using a quantitative, individualized utility-based analysis. Primary endpoints were change in CP score of ≥2 points within 6 months and local control. Protocol-treated patients were compared with patients receiving conventional SBRT at another cancer center using overlap weighting.

Results:

A total of 56 patients with 80 treated tumors were analyzed with a median follow-up of 11.2 months. Two-year cumulative incidence of local progression was 6.4% [95% confidence interval (CI, 2.4–13.4)]. Twenty-one percent of patients experienced treatment-related toxicity within 6 months, which is similar to the rate for SBRT in patients with CP A liver function. An analysis using overlap weighting revealed similar local control [HR, 0.69; 95% CI (0.25–1.91); P = 0.48] and decreased toxicity [OR, 0.26; 95% CI (0.07–0.99); P = 0.048] compared with conventional SBRT.

Conclusions:

Treatment of individuals with impaired liver function or tumors not amenable to thermal ablation with a treatment paradigm designed to optimize utility may decrease treatment-related toxicity while maintaining tumor control.
Cancer-Associated Fibroblast-Like Tumor Cells Remodel the Ewing Sarcoma Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Wrenn Emma D. , Apfelbaum April A. , Rudzinski Erin R. , Deng Xuemei , Jiang Wei , Sud Sudha , Van Noord Raelene A. , Newman Erika A. , Garcia Nicolas M. , Miyaki Aya , Hoglund Virginia J. , Bhise Shruti S. , Kanaan Sami B. , Waltner Olivia G. , Furlan Scott N. , Lawlor Elizabeth R.
Published: July 2023

Purpose:

Despite limited genetic and histologic heterogeneity, Ewing sarcoma (EwS) tumor cells are transcriptionally heterogeneous and display varying degrees of mesenchymal lineage specification in vitro. In this study, we investigated if and how transcriptional heterogeneity of EwS cells contributes to heterogeneity of tumor phenotypes in vivo.

Experimental Design:

Single-cell proteogenomic-sequencing of EwS cell lines was performed and integrated with patient tumor transcriptomic data. Cell subpopulations were isolated by FACS for assessment of gene expression and phenotype. Digital spatial profiling and human whole transcriptome analysis interrogated transcriptomic heterogeneity in EwS xenografts. Tumor cell subpopulations and matrix protein deposition were evaluated in xenografts and patient tumors using multiplex immunofluorescence staining.

Results:

We identified CD73 as a biomarker of highly mesenchymal EwS cell subpopulations in tumor models and patient biopsies. CD73+ tumor cells displayed distinct transcriptional and phenotypic properties, including selective upregulation of genes that are repressed by EWS::FLI1, and increased migratory potential. CD73+ cells were distinguished in vitro and in vivo by increased expression of matrisomal genes and abundant deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. In epithelial-derived malignancies, ECM is largely deposited by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), and we thus labeled CD73+ EwS cells, CAF-like tumor cells. Marked heterogeneity of CD73+ EwS cell frequency and distribution was detected in tumors in situ, and CAF-like tumor cells and associated ECM were observed in peri-necrotic regions and invasive foci.

Conclusions:

EwS tumor cells can adopt CAF-like properties, and these distinct cell subpopulations contribute to tumor heterogeneity by remodeling the tumor microenvironment.

See related commentary by Kuo and Amatruda, p. 5002
Figure S1 from Salvage Ipilimumab plus Nivolumab after Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Therapy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Alden Stephanie L. , Lim Mir , Kao Chester , Shu Daniel , Singal Amit G. , Noonan Anne , Griffith Paige , Baretti Marina , Ho Won Jin , Kamel Ihab , Yarchoan Mark , Hsiehchen David
Published: July 2023

Figure S1. Survival Characteristics by Response
Supplementary Figure 7 from Kinase inhibitor pulldown assay identifies a chemotherapy response signature in triple negative breast cancer based on purine-binding proteins
Authors: Wang Junkai , Saltzman Alexander B , Jaehnig Eric J , Lei Jonathan T. , Malovannaya Anna , Holt Matthew V. , Young Meggie N. , Rimawi Mothaffar F. , Ademuyiwa Foluso O. , Anurag Meenakshi , Kim Beom-Jun , Ellis Matthew J.
Published: July 2023

Supplementary Figure 7
Supplementary Figure 6 from Kinase inhibitor pulldown assay identifies a chemotherapy response signature in triple negative breast cancer based on purine-binding proteins
Authors: Wang Junkai , Saltzman Alexander B , Jaehnig Eric J , Lei Jonathan T. , Malovannaya Anna , Holt Matthew V. , Young Meggie N. , Rimawi Mothaffar F. , Ademuyiwa Foluso O. , Anurag Meenakshi , Kim Beom-Jun , Ellis Matthew J.
Published: July 2023

Supplementary Figure 6
Supplementary Figure 5 from Kinase inhibitor pulldown assay identifies a chemotherapy response signature in triple negative breast cancer based on purine-binding proteins
Authors: Wang Junkai , Saltzman Alexander B , Jaehnig Eric J , Lei Jonathan T. , Malovannaya Anna , Holt Matthew V. , Young Meggie N. , Rimawi Mothaffar F. , Ademuyiwa Foluso O. , Anurag Meenakshi , Kim Beom-Jun , Ellis Matthew J.
Published: July 2023

Supplementary Figure 5