bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Defence of Obfuscation
Authors: Høeg Mette Leonard
Published: July 2023

In this article I challenge the standard view that clarity and coherence in moral philosophy and ethics are always good and obscurity necessarily bad. The appraisal of clarity, I argue, entails a risk of reducing and misrepresenting the complex and multifaceted nature of good, productive and true thinking and communication. Uncertainty and obscurity do not necessarily lead to vagueness, imprecision or meaning-obstruction. There are productive forms of uncertainty and there are unproductive forms. Indeed, to be precise, lucid and truthful sometimes requires respecting and linguistically and conceptually reproducing the incoherence, obscurity and uncertainty of reality.
Ablation‐Limited Erosion Rates of Permafrost Riverbanks
Authors: Douglas Madison M. , Miller Kimberly Litwin , Schmeer Maria N. , Lamb Michael P.
Published: July 2023

Permafrost thaw is hypothesized to increase riverbank erosion rates, which threatens Arctic communities and infrastructure. However, existing erosion models have not been tested against controlled flume experiments with open‐channel flow past an erodible, hydraulically rough permafrost bank. We conducted temperature‐controlled flume experiments where turbulent water eroded laterally into riverbanks consisting of sand and pore ice. The experiments were designed to produce ablation‐limited erosion such that any thawed sediment was quickly transported away from the bank. Bank erosion rates increased linearly with water temperature, decreased with pore ice content, and were insensitive to changes in bank temperature, consistent with theory. However, erosion rates were approximately a factor of three greater than expected. The heightened erosion rates were due to a greater coefficient of heat transfer from the turbulent water to the permafrost bank caused by bank grain roughness. A revised ablation‐limited bank erosion model with a heat transfer coefficient that includes bank roughness matched our experimental results well. Results indicate that bank erosion along Arctic rivers can accelerate under scenarios of warming river water temperatures for cases where the cadence of bank erosion is set by pore‐ice melting rather than sediment entrainment.
Long-term effect of neoadjuvant radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma: a population-based study of 1514 patients
Authors: Chen Can , Chen Xi , Jiang Jingting
Published: July 2023

Rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma (RMAC) is a rare and aggressive form of rectal cancer. The effectiveness of neoadjuvant radiotherapy (NRT) for RMAC has not been well studied, and the survival benefit remains controversial. The purpose of this work was to determine the prognostic role of NRT in patients with RMAC by propensity-score matching (PSM). A retrospective cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results from 2004 to 2015 was performed. In the multivariate analysis before PSM, NRT provided better OS (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.52–0.71, p < 0.001) and CSS (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.56–0.82, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis after PSM (n = 844) confirmed that patients receiving NRT survived longer than those without NRT (OS: HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.50–0.78, p < 0.001 and CSS: HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.54–0.84, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis indicated that NRT had significantly improved OS and CSS in stage II RMAC and OS in stage III RMAC after adjusting for various confounding factors.
Mixed-Methods-Ansatz zur Evaluation der Reform der
Psychotherapie-Richtlinie: ein Studienprotokoll
Authors: Diekmann Sandra , Schlierenkamp Sarah , Walendzik Anke , Abels Carina , zur Nieden Pauline , Best Dieter , Schaff Christa , Timmermann Helene , Klipker Kathrin , Marschall Ursula , Wasem Jürgen , Neusser Silke
Published: July 2023

Hintergrund Die Psychotherapie-Richtlinie (PT-RL) gestaltet die
Rahmenbedingungen der Psychotherapie in der vertragsärztlichen
Versorgung in Deutschland. Aufgrund der Diskussion um Wartezeiten und
inadäquate Versorgung von Betroffenen trat 2017 eine Reform in Kraft, um
den Zugang zur Psychotherapie sowie den gesamten Versorgungs- und
Behandlungsverlauf zu verbessern. Ziel des Projektes ist die Evaluation der neu
eingeführten Versorgungselemente in der PT-RL sowie die Identifikation
möglicher Implementierungsschwierigkeiten.

Methoden Zur Evaluation der Reform der PT-RL finden sowohl quantitative
als auch qualitative Methoden Anwendung. Um einen Vergleich der
Versorgungssituation vor und nach der Reform durchzuführen, wird eine
vergleichende retrospektive, kohortenbasierte Analyse auf Basis anonymisierter
Routinedaten der BARMER und der AOK durchgeführt. Zusätzlich
wird mit Hilfe einer Querschnittsanalyse erfasst, wie die neuen
Versorgungselemente in der Praxis umgesetzt werden. Dazu erfolgt eine Befragung
von Psychotherapeut*innen, Hausärzt*innen und
Patient*innen. Fokusgruppen mit relevanten Interessensgruppen stellen
zusammen mit einer Literaturrecherche die Basis für die Befragung dar.
Zusammen mit den Routinedaten zur Versorgungssituation nach Reform der PT-RL und
aggregierten, anonymisierten Daten der KBV zur vertragsärztlichen
Versorgung sowie zur Inanspruchnahme der Terminservicestellen ergeben die
Befragungsergebnisse die Datenbasis für die Querschnittsanalyse.

Schlussfolgerung Durch die Verbindung von quantitativen und qualitativen
Daten können die Auswirkungen der Strukturreform der PT-RL von 2016 auf
individueller und struktureller Ebene sowie in Bezug auf den gesamten
Versorgungs- und Behandlungsprozess analysiert werden. Darauf aufbauend werden
Vorschläge für eine bedarfsgerechte Weiterentwicklung der PT-RL
unter Berücksichtigung der Perspektiven verschiedener Interessensgruppen
ausgearbeitet.
Malnutrition of pregnant beef cows and the impact on passive immunity transfer to calves
Authors: Silva L. F. P. , Coimbra L. G. S. , Eyre K.
Published: July 2023

Nutritional management in rangeland beef cattle systems prioritises optimal body condition scores at calving for improved fertility and reproductive success. However, this focus often overlooks short-term dietary deficiencies before calving, which can lead to adverse outcomes for neonatal calves. This review explores the effects of beef cow malnutrition during the periparturient period on colostrum production, lactation onset, and passive immunity transfer to calves. Additionally, it discusses the long-term impact of such malnutrition on the offspring. By understanding how nutritional interventions affect the transition from gestation to lactation, it becomes possible to enhance calf health and survival in arid tropical environments. Commonly occurring short-term dietary restrictions, particularly protein deficiencies, can disrupt the hormonal equilibrium, resulting in reduced colostrum volume and quality, hindering calf growth and increasing mortality risks. Furthermore, dietary restrictions during this period affect critical physiological processes such as mammary gland blood flow and fetal small-intestine development. The review explores how these constraints influence colostrum production and immunoglobulin absorption by neonatal calves. Additionally, it highlights the significance of addressing other common nutrient deficiencies such as phosphorus and water and investigates the potential benefits of supplementing microbial products to enhance rumen function and protect cows from inflammation. Ultimately, addressing malnutrition during pregnancy is essential to prevent negative impacts on offspring performance, including alterations in carcass composition and muscle marbling. Consequently, cattle producers who aim for superior muscle marbling in the carcass by using costly genetics should give priority to enhancing nutritional programs for late-pregnant cows. In conclusion, a comprehensive understanding of the effects of malnutrition during the periparturient period on colostrum production, passive immunity transfer, and overall calf health is crucial for developing effective nutritional interventions that improve colostrum production, passive immunity transfer, and overall calf health in rangeland beef cattle systems.
A socio-psychological analysis of goal-setting when deciding to learn a second language
Authors: D’Orazzi Giuseppe
Published: July 2023

This study bridges a gap in the current research on motivation and demotivation learning a second language (L2). It is meant to provide an overview of students’ goal setting when they start to learn an L2 at university level in Australia. Drawing on goal-setting and learning goal orientation constructs (cf. Miller, 2020), goal formation is deconstructed and analysed to throw new light on students’ psychological processes identified at the micro level and the influences on goal setting stemming from the social context at the macro level in which students operate. The interaction between the two levels is explored in order to understand which dynamics lie behind research participants’ desire of gaining proficiency in French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Qualitative data analysis outcomes are shown in an attempt to provide clear and applicable pedagogical suggestions for L2 practitioners (see, e.g., Al-Hoorie et al., 2021).
Updates to the Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Helicobacter pylori Infections
Authors: Shakir Salika Mehreen , Shakir Faiz Ahmed , Couturier Marc Roger
Published: July 2023

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) affects nearly half of the world's populations with high incidence and prevalence rates in developing countries. Infection with H. pylori increases the risk of developing peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. This review provides a summary of the prevalence and microbiology of H. pylori with emphasis on the current diagnostic methods and clinical management strategies.

Content

This review discusses current options and developments in H. pylori diagnosis with the challenges and advantages associated with both noninvasive and invasive methods. The advantages of molecular methods for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection and prediction of clarithromycin resistance directly from stool or tissue biopsies are discussed. In addition, we provide a brief review on the treatment for H. pylori indicated in patients with evidence of active infection with the organism's antimicrobial resistance patterns taken into consideration.

Testing for H. pylori has largely centered around fecal antigen testing, urea breath testing, and immunohistochemical staining from tissue biopsies. Culture-based diagnostics followed by phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing is the gold standard for detection of resistance patterns. Due to the fastidious nature of the organism, culture methods are time consuming and labor intensive. Rapid nucleic acid amplification tests for H. pylori identification from direct specimens and molecular determination of drug resistance markers are accurate alternatives for H. pylori diagnosis but are not widely adopted. H. pylori antimicrobial resistance rates are on the rise due to the widespread use of antibiotics. Antibiotic regimens including the quadruple therapy and non-clarithromycin triple therapies have a higher success rate, with newer vonoprazon-based regimens showing promising eradication rates.
Filming the Photographic Object
Authors: Hallas Roger
Published: July 2023

Chapter 2 examines how photographic materiality impacts the representability of violence in documentaries about war, conflict, and atrocity. The material objecthood of vernacular photographs plays as significant a role as the indexical quality of the images. These documentary films engage with three facets of photographic materiality. The first section examines films about rediscovered photo albums made by German war perpetrators in which their emphatic foundness promises rare photographic evidence of atrocity, but simultaneously engenders opacity from the album’s missing oral narration. The second section turns to the physical handling of photographs in documentary films, in which bodily gestures toward photographic objects facilitate several political meanings, from destabilizing the public/private division to bearing witness to the disappeared by an embodied performance of habeas corpus. The final section addresses metadata as part of digital photography’s materiality in documentaries that pursue the forensic investigation of human-rights violations through digitally rendered mise-en-scène.
Poems (詩)
Authors: Ivanhoe Philip J. , Wang Hwa Yeong
Published: July 2023

This section contains thirty-seven poems by Gang Jeongildang on a broad range of themes. Several explicitly concern philosophical topics, others address philosophical concerns in a more indirect manner, while still others describe people, places, and events that held special significance for her.
The Covenant with Death
Authors: Landy Francis
Published: July 2023

This chapter juxtaposes two chapters concerned with death: chs 5 and 28. In ch. 5 there is a series of woe-oracles condemning the false values, exploitation, and injustice of the Judean elite. At their centre, the drunkards descend into the underworld and continue feasting there. Drunkenness becomes a symbol for all human defences against the imminence of death. The chapter relates this passage to the misogynistic stripping of the daughters of Zion in 3.16–24, since Sheol, the underworld, is a female subject. In ch. 28, the sceptical rulers/aphorists of Jerusalem make a covenant with death, which they think will protect them from annihilation. In contrast, there will be a new Temple, founded with justice and righteousness, and a new era, in which YHWH will replace the glory of Samaria.
The Mercenary
Authors: Kinsey Christopher
Published: July 2023

Ever since the French Revolution and the rise of national armies, the mercenary has been viewed as a maligned and marginalized actor in International Relations. This book challenges this view, suggesting instead that while relegated to the periphery of great power competition, he remained a coercive instrument of state power who was willing to discreetly promote his client’s foreign policy when called upon to do so. Never has this been more evident than today. The start of the twenty-first century has seen renewed interest in the mercenary from across the political spectrum. The growing reliance by the USA, Russia, and China on military and security contractors suggests that the mercenary remains a key player in international politics, now emerging from the shadows to help expand state influence on the world stage by serving as an important actor in the conduct of conflict and the winning of small wars. Far from being marginalized, the twenty-first century mercenary has an increasingly active future both in overtly supporting the deployment of state military power, and in more opaque arenas of conflict or influence such as operations other than war.
What are the Consequences of Incorrect Handling in the Treatment of Blunt-Cut Lip Injuries?
Authors: Momesso Gustavo Antonio Correa , de Almeida Thiago Lopes , da Silva William Phillip Pereira , Marão Heloísa Fonseca , Bassi Ana Paula Farnezi , Garcia-Júnior Idelmo Rangel , Faverani Leonardo Perez
Published: July 2023

This study aimed report two cases of blunt-cut lip injury which occurred in postoperatory dehiscence. Patients were referred to the emergence attendance and the clinical examination revealed extensive laceration on the upper and lower lips of both patients, highly contaminated with asphalt residue. The affected regions were properly cleaned with saline and antiseptic solution, and, under local anesthesia, suturing was performed in layers in the muscle and oral mucosa region with 4-0 resorbable thread and in the skin region with 6-0 non-absorbable thread. Patients presented different levels of dehiscence on post-operatory evaluation. Thus, it was prescribed antibiotic and healing ointments for decontamination and improvement of the healing process. Third days post-operatory one of the patients presented a great healing of external lips and vermilion lip. However, the other patient presented aesthetic sequelae in the vermilion region of the lip, with a line of fibrosis and misalignment in the region, but not function sequelae. Thus, it was concluded that blunt injuries on the lip must strictly follow the established treatment protocols and must begin aiming for favorable results in the first intervention. Moreover, the postoperative care of the patient and the surgeon are as important as the procedure itself.
Influence of the distribution position and arrangement of micro-textured on the performance of the hydrostatic bearing
Authors: Chen Dongju , Sun Yueqiang , Zhao You , Sun Kun , Fan Jinwei
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The accuracy of the machining process is significantly impacted by the performance of hydrostatic bearings. This paper aims to analyze the influence of micro-textured on the performance of the hydrostatic bearing, and the performance of the bearing is improved by designing the arrangement of micro-textured.

Design/methodology/approach

Different designs have been used while creating micro-textured bearings. The finite element models of bearing with smooth and micro-textured were established and solved using the computational fluid dynamics method. The arrangement scheme of the micro-textured was evaluated by comparing the influence of the distribution position and arrangement of the micro-textured on the bearing performance.

Findings

To improve the performance of the bearing, the bearing capacity was significantly increased, and the friction coefficient of the bearing was decreased when the micro-textured was distributed in the form of an obtuse angle arrangement in the maximum pressure area of the bearing. The experimental findings validate the analysis method.

Originality/value

In this paper, the effect of irregularly arranged micro-textured on bearing performance is investigated to improve the bearing capacity and lubrication status.
Neonatal mortality among preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units in India and Pakistan: A prospective study
Authors: Saleem Sarah , Tikmani Shiyam Sunder , Goudar Shivaprasad S. , Hwang Kay , Dhaded Sangappa , Guruprasad Gowder , Nadig Naveen G. , Kusagur Varun B. , Patil Lingaraja Gowda C. , Siddartha E. S. , Yogeshkumar S. , Somannavar Manjunath S. , Roujani Sana , Khan Mashal , Shaikh Mehmood , Hanif Muhammad , Bann Carla M. , McClure Elizabeth M. , Goldenberg Robert L. ,   the PURPOSE Study Group
Published: July 2023

Objective

To explore potential reasons for differences in preterm neonatal mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in India and Pakistan.

Design

A prospective observational study, the Project to Understand and Research Stillbirth and Preterms in Southeast Asia (PURPOSe) was conducted July 2018 to February 2020.

Setting

Three hospitals in Davangere, India, and a large public hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Population

Of a total of 3,202 preterm infants enrolled, 1,512 were admitted to a study NICU.

Methods

We collected data for neonates, including length of stay, diagnoses, and diagnostic tests.

Main outcome measures

Neonatal mortality, tests performed, diagnoses ascertained.

Results

For infants of equivalent weights and gestational ages, neonatal mortality in Pakistan was twice that in the Indian NICU. The mean newborn length of stay in Pakistan was 2 days compared with 10 days for India. Fewer diagnostics and other investigations were used to determine neonatal condition or guide treatment in the Pakistani NICU. Because of limited information from testing in Pakistan concerning clinical respiratory distress, respiratory distress syndrome appeared to be over‐diagnosed, whereas other conditions including pneumonia, sepsis, necrotising entercolitis and intraventricular haemorrhage were rarely diagnosed.

Conclusion

In the Pakistani site, the limited resources available to the NICU appeared related to a shorter length of stay and decreased diagnostic testing, likely explaining the higher mortality. With improved care, reduction in mortality among preterm neonates should be achievable.
Reproductive interference is stronger than expected in Heliconius butterflies
Authors: Klein André Luis , de Araújo Aldo Mellender
Published: July 2023

In animals, reproductive interference associated with mimicry can result in the evolution of private communication channels, as suggested for Heliconius butterflies, where cryptic color wavelength would drive male preference for conspecific over intergeneric co‐mimics. Here, we tested this hypothesis in two co‐mimic pairs (intra and intergeneric) and measured the efficacy and symmetry of color pattern as a reproductive barrier in a non‐co‐mimic, possibly hybridizing pair of Heliconius species. We conducted pairwise experiments of preference where a group of males was presented to a conspecific and heterospecific female model made with real wings and free of chemical volatiles. We did not detect any indication of the expected use of cryptic recognition signals to mate choice in the intergeneric co‐mimic pair. Additionally, we detected an unexpected male preference for heterospecific female models between intrageneric co‐mimics towards the species with larger red patches, suggesting a supernormal stimulus based on a general preference for the red color. Finally, we found an asymmetry in the behavioral reproductive barrier between the non‐co‐mimic closely related species that also agrees with the hypothesis of a general preference for red and with an expected permeability of the reproductive barrier between them. Since the costs imposed by heterospecific courtships can limit the convergence of signaling phenotypes, our results contribute to explaining the maintenance of multiple aposematic color pattern between unpalatable and closely related sympatric Heliconius species.
Using 3D virtual fitting room stimuli to enhance older adults' spatial visualization skills
Authors: Hwang Chanmi , Feng Jing
Published: July 2023

This study examines how three‐dimensional virtual fitting room (VFR) stimuli can influence older adults' spatial visualization abilities. A total of 821 adults aged 60 and older participated in the online study. Paper folding tests were administered before and after exposure to interactive, screen‐based VFR stimuli. The results showed that the stimuli led to greater training gains in the experimental group. Lower pre‐test scores were predictive of a greater training gain and there was no gender difference in the training gain. Findings contribute to providing strategies to positively influence spatial visualization abilities for older adults using the VFR stimuli.
Horse racing: Unnatural selection in the renaissance
Authors: Cooley Mackenzie
Published: July 2023

This article uses the renaissance culture of horse racing as a window into the practices and language of breeding, artifice, and race. The popularpalioracing circuit brought local and foreign horses into Italian city centers to test their speed. Racing culture, and other formal and informal competitions related to animals incentivized the development of specialized horse breeds calledrazzein Italian; this term is a precursor of the modern English “race.” To make these animals, renaissance patrons and animal experts engaged in unnatural selection. Their selective breeding efforts committed more to growing than weeding, aimed to create horses as works of art, branded animals so that they would be recognizable and cemented a discourse of race that emphasized the reproductive and training work of sponsored experts. This synthetic overview meditates on the transhistorical language of breeding and the consequences of excluding animals from our historical understanding of the making of the idea of race.
The discursive construction of language ownership and responsibility for Indigenous language revitalisation
Authors: Ting Chien Ju
Published: July 2023

Unpacking the possible ramification of how ownership of language and the responsibility of language revitalisation is perceived and how this may impact language revitalisation, this study uses a critical discourse studies approach to examine how the speakers negotiate their language ownership, which eventually leads to the question ‘who is responsible for language revitalisation’. The data of this study comes from semi‐structured interviews with 11 Indigenous participants in Taiwan. The findings suggest that, when deciding who can ‘do’ language revitalisation, only those who are deemed legitimate by the speakers have the power to act. However, the speakers view the non‐Indigenous speakers as potential speakers and, thus, were also assigned language revitalisation responsibility. Thus, by encouraging non‐Indigenous speakers to become speakers of an Indigenous language via language acquisition, language ownership is shared. This study shows the complexity of how the speakers negotiate language ownership and how this has an impact on language revitalisation efforts.
Ultrasonographic measurement of gallbladder wall thickness in fasted dogs without signs of hepatobiliary disease
Authors: Martinez Carlos , Davies Daniel , Hoey Séamus , Shiel Robert E. , O'Neill Emma J.
Published: July 2023

Background

Ultrasound‐determined gallbladder wall thickness is widely used to aid in the diagnosis of gallbladder disease, but no reference values supported by published measurement data are available in dogs.

Hypothesis/Objective

Establish normal thickness of the gallbladder wall in dogs.

Animals

Fifty‐three dogs presented to a referral hospital and required abdominal ultrasound examination for reasons unrelated to primary hepatobiliary disease.

Methods

Cross‐sectional observational study recruiting dogs requiring abdominal ultrasound examination. A standard sequence of gallbladder wall images was recorded for later review. Inclusion criteria were normal ultrasonographic hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and small intestinal findings. Exclusion was determined by 2 European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM)‐certified veterinary internists blinded to gallbladder wall thickness data. Dogs were excluded if they had inadequate medical records, a previous history of hepatobiliary, gastrointestinal, or pancreatic disease likely to impact the biliary system (eg, chronic vomiting, nausea, jaundice, diarrhea), unexplained increases in liver enzyme activities, hypoalbuminemia, or ascites. Gallbladder wall thickness was determined by 2 European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI)‐certified veterinary radiologists working together to generate a consensus for each dog. The final output was the maximum normal wall thickness for this population of dogs.

Results

The upper limit for gallbladder wall thickness in 53 fasted (8 hours) dogs <40 kg was 1.30 mm (90% confidence interval, 1.19‐1.41).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Normal gallbladder wall thickness in dogs is lower than previously reported. Additional studies are required to determine potential effects of body weight and the optimal cut‐off to distinguish between healthy and diseased gallbladders.
Dating during the time of COVID‐19: Risk perceptions and political ideology
Authors: Kellogg Danielle L. , DeHart Tracy , Peterson Julie Longua , Hamilton Hannah R.
Published: July 2023

This study examined predictors of single people's beliefs about COVID prevention behaviors, intentions to engage in COVID prevention behaviors while dating, and actual dating behavior during the pandemic. Results revealed that single participants engaged in “riskier” dating behaviors (i.e., in‐person unmasked) more frequently than “safer” dating behaviors (i.e., remote, or in‐person masked/distanced). Individuals who perceived greater (vs. lesser) risk associated with COVID more strongly endorsed beliefs about social distancing (self and other) and were more likely to personally (or request others) engage in COVID prevention behaviors while dating. However, perceived risk did not predict actual dating behaviors. Conservatives (vs. liberals) less strongly endorsed beliefs about social distancing (for others, but not the self) and were less likely to personally (or request others) engage in COVID prevention behaviors while dating. Conservatives also reported meeting potential romantic partners more frequently than liberals. However, political ideology did not predict actual dating behaviors. Results suggest there is a disconnect between college students' beliefs/intentions and their actual dating behavior. These results demonstrate the importance of developing public health interventions that take into account the disconnect between college students' health‐related intentions and actual behaviors, particularly in the context of dating.
A Numerical Study on the Ballistic Performance of Projectiles Formed by Shaped Charge
Authors: Göçmen Yağmur , Erdogan Can , Yalçinkaya Tuncay
Published: July 2023

In this work, a numerical analysis of shaped charge impact process is conducted to investigate the jet formation process and its penetration performance on metal targets. Numerical results are compared with experimental data from published literature for liners made up of copper and iron. Conical and bowl-shaped liner geometries are simulated with various configurations to observe their effects on projectile shape and penetration capability using the finite element (FE) method. The exact shape of the explosively formed projectile at the onset of impact is modeled as a rigid 3D body to simulate the penetration process. #45 and Armox 500T steels are used as the target materials, and the material behavior and failure mechanisms are modeled using the Johnson–Cook (JC) plasticity and damage models. In addition to the FE method, smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is utilized as well to evaluate its capacity in predicting the failure behavior of the metal targets. It is concluded that the FE method outperforms the SPH method at predicting failure modes, while SPH can still be used to predict residual velocity and hole diameters. Armox 500T demonstrates a higher impact resistance compared to #45 steel. Liner geometry is found to significantly affect penetration performance. Sharper and thinner projectiles formed from liners with small cone angles are shown to be highly efficient in penetrating through armor steel targets.
Emergent coexistence in multispecies microbial communities
Authors: Chang Chang-Yu , Bajić Djordje , Vila Jean C. C. , Estrela Sylvie , Sanchez Alvaro
Published: July 2023

Understanding the mechanisms that maintain microbial biodiversity is a critical aspiration in ecology. Past work on microbial coexistence has largely focused on species pairs, but it is unclear whether pairwise coexistence in isolation is required for coexistence in a multispecies community. To address this question, we conducted hundreds of pairwise competition experiments among the stably coexisting members of 12 different enrichment communities in vitro. To determine the outcomes of these experiments, we developed an automated image analysis pipeline to quantify species abundances. We found that competitive exclusion was the most common outcome, and it was strongly hierarchical and transitive. Because many species that coexist within a stable multispecies community fail to coexist in pairwise co-culture under identical conditions, we concluded that multispecies coexistence is an emergent phenomenon. This work highlights the importance of community context for understanding the origins of coexistence in complex ecosystems.
On the Cauchy problem of the two-component Novikov-type system with peaked solutions and H1-conservation law
Authors: Wang Haiquan , Chen Miaomiao , Chong Gezi
Published: July 2023

Considered herein is the Cauchy problem for the two-component Novikov-type system with peaked solutions and [Formula: see text]-conservation law. At first, we establish that the solutions maintain corresponding properties at infinity within the lifespan provided that the initial data decay exponentially and algebraically, respectively. Next, the local regularity and analyticity of the solutions to this problem in Sobolev–Gevrey spaces are discussed by a generalized Ovsyannikov theorem in detail.
Low-Voltage Current-Mode Full-Wave Rectifier Employing FVF-Biased MOS Translinear Loop
Authors: Chhabra Aakriti , Aggarwal Bhawna , Senani Raj
Published: July 2023

In this communication, a low-voltage complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) current-mode full-wave rectifier (FWR), implemented from a flipped voltage follower-biased MOS translinear loop (FVF-MTL) is presented. The use of flipped voltage follower (FVF) minimizes the overall supply voltage demand by reducing the voltage headroom while maintaining the operation of the MOSFETs in strong inversion mode. The functioning of the proposed FWR circuit has been demonstrated through simulations carried out on Cadence Virtuoso software at [Formula: see text] CMOS technology at a supply voltage of 0.85[Formula: see text]V. The proposed FWR works over an input range of [Formula: see text] with a maximum linearity error of 3% in its transfer characteristics. The -3 dB bandwidth of the circuit has been found to be 54.95[Formula: see text]MHz. The minimum power and maximum power consumed by the circuit are 22.6[Formula: see text]nW and [Formula: see text], respectively. Post-layout simulations, Monte Carlo (MC), corner and temperature analyses have been carried out to estimate the performance and robustness of the proposed circuit.
An Increased Risk for Ischemic Stroke in the Short-Term Period following COVID-19 Infection: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Libruder Carmit , Hershkovitz Yael , Ben-Yaish Shir , Tanne David , Keinan-Boker Lital , Binyaminy Binyamin
Published: July 2023

Introduction: The association disclosed between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and ischemic stroke (IS) raises concern. The exact risk periods, which were not consistent between studies, require further investigation. Methods: We linked two national databases: the COVID-19 database and the Israeli National Stroke Registry. The self-controlled case series method was used to estimate the association between COVID-19 infection and a first IS. The study population included all Israeli residents who had both a first IS event and a first COVID-19 diagnosis during 2020. The date of the PCR test served to define the day of exposure, and the 28 days following it were categorized into three risk periods: days 1–7, 8–14, and 15–28. A relative incidence (RI) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated based on the incidence rate of events in a post-exposure period, compared to the incidence rate in a control period. Results: From January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, 308,015 Israelis aged 18+ were diagnosed with COVID-19 and 9,535 were diagnosed with a first IS. Linking the two databases, 555 persons had both diagnoses during 2020. The mean age of the study population was 71.5 ± 13.7, 55.1% were males, 77.8% had hypertension, 73.7% had hyperlipidemia, 51.9% had diabetes, and 28.5% had ischemic heart disease. Comparing the risk period and the control period, we found a very similar distribution of the cardiovascular risk factors. The risk for an acute IS was 3.3-fold higher in the first week following COVID-19 diagnosis, compared with a control period (RI = 3.3; 95% CI: 2.3–4.6). The RI among males (RI = 4.5; 95% CI: 2.9–6.8) was 2.2-fold higher compared to females. The increased risk did not last beyond the first week following exposure. Conclusion: Physicians should be aware of the elevated risk for IS among patients experiencing COVID-19, particularly among men with high burden of cardiovascular risk factors.
Safety of Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy in Childhood-Onset Craniopharyngioma: A Systematic Review and Cohort Study
Authors: van Schaik Jiska , Kormelink Eline , Kabak Eda , van Dalen Elvira C , Schouten-van Meeteren Antoinette Y.N. , de Vos-Kerkhof Evelien , Bakker Boudewijn , Fiocco Marta , Hoving Eelco W. , Tissing Wim J.E. , van Santen Hanneke M.
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Survival of childhood-onset craniopharyngioma (cCP) is excellent; however, many survivors suffer from hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. Growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) is of high importance for linear growth and metabolic outcome. Optimal timing for initiation of GHRT in cCP is on debate because of concerns regarding tumor progression or recurrence. Methods: A systematic review and cohort studys were performed for the effect and timing of GHRT on overall mortality, tumor progression/recurrence, and secondary tumors in cCP. Within the cohort, cCP receiving GHRT ≤1 year after diagnosis were compared to those receiving GHRT >1 year after diagnosis. Results: Evidence of 18 included studies, reporting on 6,603 cCP with GHRT, suggests that GHRT does not increase the risk for overall mortality, progression, or recurrent disease. One study evaluated timing of GHRT and progression/recurrence-free survival and found no increased risk with earlier initiation. One study reported a higher than expected prevalence of secondary intracranial tumors compared to a healthy population, possibly confounded by radiotherapy. In our cohort, 75 of 87 cCP (86.2%) received GHRT for median of 4.9 years [0.0–17.1]. No effect of timing of GHRT was found on mortality, progression/recurrence-free survival, or secondary tumors. Conclusion: Although the quality of the evidence is low, the available evidence suggests no effect of GHRT or its timing on mortality, tumor progression/recurrence, or secondary neoplasms in cCP. These results support early initiation of GHRT in cCP aiming to optimize linear growth and metabolic outcome. Prospective studies are needed to increase the level of evidence upon the optimal timing to start GHRT in cCP patients.
Portuguese Results of the ETICC Study: Impact of the Pandemic COVID-19 in the Diagnosis and Management of Colorectal Cancer in 2020 in Portuguese Hospitals
Authors: Rafael Maria Ana , Sequeira Cristiana , Isabel da Silva Barros Sónia , Abreu Bárbara Silva , Teixeira Cristina , Lahmek Pierre , Besnard Marine , Lesgourgues Bruno
Published: July 2023

Introduction: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had affected clinical practice in several ways, including the restriction of nonessential endoscopic procedures. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate how colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and management was affected during the first year of pandemics in Portugal. Methods: This is a Portuguese substudy of the French retrospective multicentric study ETICC (Etude de l’Impact de la pandémie COVID-19 sur le diagnostic et la prise en charge du Cancer Colorectal). We compared patients’ characteristics, clinical manifestations, CRC staging at diagnosis, delay to first medical appointment, histological diagnosis, surgical and medical treatments between the year previous to the pandemics (control) and the first year of pandemics. Results: We included 766 patients: 496 in the control group and 270 in the COVID group. There was no significant difference in CRC staging at diagnosis between both groups, with 21% being diagnosed as metastatic in the control group and 22% in the first year of pandemics (p = 0.770). Contrary to what happened in France, there was a significant decrease in CRC diagnosis in asymptomatic patients (25–8.4%; p < 0.001) and after a positive fecal immunochemical test (20.8–11.3%; p = 0.002) during the pandemics. Although the increase in the overall complication rate at diagnosis was nonsignificant, in Portugal, there was a significant increase in diagnosis of abdominal occlusion (12.1–18.1%; p = 0.033). In Portugal, time between the beginning of symptoms and the first medical appointment significantly increased from a median of 50 days to 64 days during COVID (p < 0.001). On the contrary, time between histological diagnosis and tumor resection had significantly decreased from a median of 65 to 39 days (p < 0.001). Time between histological diagnosis and neoadjuvant treatment was not statistically different (median of 64–67 days; p = 0.590), as was time between histological diagnosis and palliative chemotherapy (median of 50–51 days; p = 1.000). Time from CRC resection and adjuvant treatment has significantly decreased from a median of 54 to 43 days (p = 0.001). Discussion: We found a significant impact in CRC diagnosis in the first year of pandemics, more pronounced than what was found in France. These are likely related not only with the closing of endoscopy units but also with the difficulties patients had in finding an appointment with their general practitioners. On the other hand, both in France and Portugal, the first year of pandemics did not worsen CRC staging at diagnosis and did not significantly affect medical and surgical treatments once the diagnosis was made.
Deletion of the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 Channel Attenuates Sympathoexcitation and Hypertension and Improves Glomerular Filtration Rate in 2-Kidney-1-Clip Rats
Authors: Stocker Sean D. , Sullivan Jacob B.
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND:

Renal denervation lowers arterial blood pressure in both clinical populations and multiple experimental models of hypertension. This therapeutic effect is partly attributed to the removal of overactive renal sensory nerves. The TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 1) channel is highly expressed in renal sensory nerves and detects changes in noxious and mechanosensitive stimuli, pH, and chemokines. However, the extent to which TRPV1 channels contribute to 2-kidney-1-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertension has not been tested.

METHODS:

We generated a novel Trpv1
−/−
(TRPV1 knockout) rat using CRISPR/Cas9 and 26-bp deletion in exon 3 and induced 2K1C hypertension.

RESULTS:

The majority (85%) of rat renal sensory neurons retrogradely labeled from the kidney were TRPV1-positive. Trpv1
−/−
rats lacked TRPV1 immunofluorescence in the dorsal root ganglia, had a delayed tail-flick response to hot but not cold water, and lacked an afferent renal nerve activity response to intrarenal infusion of the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin. Interestingly, 2K1C hypertension was significantly attenuated in male Trpv1
−/−
versus wild-type rats. 2K1C hypertension significantly increased the depressor response to ganglionic blockade, total renal nerve activity (efferent and afferent), and afferent renal nerve activity in wild-type rats, but these responses were attenuated in male Trpv1
−/−
rats. 2K1C hypertension was attenuated in female rats with no differences between female strains. Finally, glomerular filtration rate was reduced by 2K1C in wild-type rats but improved in Trpv1
−/−
rats.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings suggest that renovascular hypertension requires activation of the TRPV1 channel to elevate renal afferent and sympathetic nerve activity, reduce glomerular filtration rate, and increase arterial blood pressure.
NT-proBNP level as a substitute for myocardial perfusion scan in preoperative cardiovascular risk assessment in noncardiac surgery
Authors: Esmati Saeede , Tavoosi Anahita , Mehrban Saghar , Laleh Far Vahideh , Mehrakizadeh Ali , Shahi Shayan , Larti Farnoosh
Published: July 2023

Background

Preoperative cardiovascular risk assessment is one of the main principles before noncardiac surgeries. Cardiac stress imaging, such as myocardial perfusion scan (MPS), is a proposed cardiovascular risk evaluation method according to the latest guidelines. Yet, its efficacy, along with the cost-effectiveness of the method, has been questioned in previous studies. Our study aims to evaluate the utility of N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level measurement in predicting postoperative cardiovascular complications in candidates who have undergone an MPS before surgery and compare the results.

Methods

A cohort of 80 patients with a revised cardiac risk index score of one or more who were scheduled for moderate to high-risk noncardiac surgeries and met the criteria to undergo an MPS for risk assessment were included in the study. All of them underwent an MPS one week before surgery. Their preoperative NT-proBNP, troponin levels, and electrocardiograms were obtained one day before surgery and again on day three postoperative. The predictive efficacy of NT-proBNP levels and MPS were compared.

Results

Seventy-eight patients underwent surgery, three of which exhibited a rise in troponin level, six showed changes on electrocardiogram, and pulmonary edema was detected in one, three days after surgery. There was no mortality in our patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the MPS for predicting postoperative cardiovascular complications were 100% and 66%, respectively. MPS also had a positive predictive value of 20% and a negative predictive value of 100% in our study. A 332.5 pg/ml cut-off value for NT-proBNP level yielded a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 79.2%, positive predictive value of 40%, and negative predictive value of 100%.

Conclusions

Our study reveals the incremental specificity and positive predictive value of NT-proBNP level measurement in preoperative cardiovascular risk evaluation compared to MPS. Given the low feasibility, high costs, and disappointing predictive value of MPS, preoperative NT-proBNP level assessment can be substituted. This method can assist anesthesiologists and surgeons with precisely detecting at-risk patients resulting in taking proper measures to reduce the morbidity and mortality of the proposed patients before and during surgeries.
Addressing the Global Expertise Gap in Radiation Oncology: The Radiation Planning Assistant
Authors: Court Laurence , Aggarwal Ajay , Burger Hester , Cardenas Carlos , Chung Christine , Douglas Raphael , du Toit Monique , Jaffray David , Jhingran Anuja , Mejia Michael , Mumme Raymond , Muya Sikudhani , Naidoo Komeela , Ndumbalo Jerry , Nealon Kelly , Netherton Tucker , Nguyen Callistus , Olanrewaju Niki , Parkes Jeannette , Shaw Willie , Trauernicht Christoph , Xu Melody , Yang Jinzhong , Zhang Lifei , Simonds Hannah , Beadle Beth M.
Published: July 2023

PURPOSE

Automation, including the use of artificial intelligence, has been identified as a possible opportunity to help reduce the gap in access and quality for radiotherapy and other aspects of cancer care. The Radiation Planning Assistant (RPA) project was conceived in 2015 (and funded in 2016) to use automated contouring and treatment planning algorithms to support the efforts of oncologists in low- and middle-income countries, allowing them to scale their efforts and treat more patients safely and efficiently (to increase access).

DESIGN

In this review, we discuss the development of the RPA, with a particular focus on clinical acceptability and safety/risk across jurisdictions as these are important indicators for the successful future deployment of the RPA to increase radiotherapy availability and ameliorate global disparities in access to radiation oncology.

RESULTS

RPA tools will be offered through a webpage, where users can upload computed tomography data sets and download automatically generated contours and treatment plans. All interfaces have been designed to maximize ease of use and minimize risk. The current version of the RPA includes automated contouring and planning for head and neck cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and metastases to the brain.

CONCLUSION

The RPA has been designed to bring high-quality treatment planning to more patients across the world, and it may encourage greater investment in treatment devices and other aspects of cancer treatment.
How to set up an in-house nurse-led colorectal Lynch syndrome clinic
Authors: Carvalho Filipe , Koziel Anna , Monje-Garcia Laura
Published: July 2023

The NHS long term plan sets a target that by 2028, 75% of cancers will be diagnosed at an early stage. One of the ways this ambition will be reached is through targeted screening and personalised surveillance of those most at risk of developing cancer, such as those with Lynch syndrome.

This article outlines the essential steps to consider when setting up and managing an in-house nurse-led colorectal Lynch syndrome clinic. It highlights the educational requirements, patient criteria, the importance of thorough planning and the need to liaise-on with key stakeholders.