bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Banking the Bazl: Building a future in a sanctioned economy
Authors: Lor Afshar Ehsan
Published: September 2021

In Iran, economic sanctions have adversely impacted the country's money and banking system. The sanctions have caused hyperinflation, economic contraction, and devaluation of the currency. In response, the residents of Iran have developed a variety of coping strategies to ease the miseries of life. This article draws on fieldwork undertaken in Jiroft, a city in southeast Iran, between January and July 2019 to explore how, as Iranian banks struggle under economic sanctions, an old association of financial mutuality called Bazl has been revived in the area. In the reinvented Bazl system, people, frustrated with the banks, form Bazl groups to transfer their cash to each other as gifts with the expectation of reciprocation in the future. The amount of cash circulated through the Bazl system is estimated at 1,500 billion Iranian rials (US$140 million) annually. Under the current circumstance, choosing Bazl over banks as a means of storing value for the future appears to be a rational choice.
Inverse probability weighting and doubly robust standardization in the relative survival framework
Authors: Syriopoulou Elisavet , Rutherford Mark J. , Lambert Paul C.
Published: September 2021

A commonly reported measure when interested in the survival of cancer patients is relative survival. Relative survival circumvents issues with inaccurate cause of death information by incorporating the expected mortality rates of cancer individuals from population lifetables of the general population. A summary of the cancer population prognosis can be obtained using the marginal relative survival. To explore differences between exposure groups, such as socioeconomic groups, the difference in marginal relative survival between exposed and unexposed can be obtained and under assumptions is interpreted as the average causal effect of exposure to survival. In a modeling context, this is usually estimated by applying regression standardization as the average of the individual‐specific estimates after fitting a relative survival model. Regression standardization yields an estimator that consistently estimates the causal effect under standard causal inference assumptions and if the relative survival model is correctly specified. We extend inverse probability weighting (IPW) and doubly robust standardization methods in the relative survival framework as additional valuable tools for obtaining average causal effects when correct model specification might not hold for the relative survival model. IPW yields an unbiased estimate of the average causal effect if a correctly specified model has been fitted for the exposure (propensity score) whereas doubly robust standardization requires that at least one of the propensity score model or the relative survival model is correctly specified. An example using data on melanoma is provided and a simulation study is conducted to investigate how sensitive are the methods to model misspecification, including different ways for obtaining standard errors.
Effect of Annealing Temperature on Structural and Optical Properties of ZnTiO3 Perovskite Layers Deposited on Silicon for Photocatalytic Applications
Authors: Hammedi Khadija , Dkhili Marwa , Khalifa Marouan , Alvarez‐Galvan Consuelo , Ouertani Rachid , Aouida Selma , Ezzaouia Hatem
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we investigate the effect of annealing temperature on structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of nanostructured ZnTiO3 thin films deposited on Si substrates. ZnTiO3 coatings were prepared by consecutive sol‐gel method and further deposited on Si substrates by spin‐coating. The obtained films were annealed at three various temperatures namely 700 °C, 800 °C, and 900 °C. X‐ray diffraction analysis shows that the crystallite size of the films grows from 100 to 125 nm as the annealing temperature increases from 700 to 900 °C. At the same time, the roughness increases from 232 to 289 nm and the band gap dwindles from 3.73 to 3.05 eV. ZnTiO3 coatings annealed at 700 °C exhibits the highest photodegradation rate about 74 % to catalyze the degradation of the Methylene Blue aqueous solution. We demonstrate that this high photocatalytic activity is attributed to the structural and optical properties of prepared samples.
Suppressed Phase Segregation in High‐Humidity‐Processed Dion–Jacobson Perovskite Solar Cells Toward High Efficiency and Stability
Authors: Guo Xinlu , Gao Yujia , Wei Qi , Ho Ngai Kwan , Qin Minchao , Lu Xinhui , Xing Guichuan , Shi Tingting , Xie Weiguang , Xu Jianbin , Long Mingzhu
Published: September 2021

The Dion–Jacobson (DJ) perovskites solar cells (PSCs) demonstrate impressive humidity stability compared with 3D counterparts and have aroused extensive attention recently. However, it has not been investigated yet, how the humidity condition influences the photovoltaic performances. Herein, the effect of the humidity condition on the crystallization behavior, charge dynamics, photovoltaic and stability performances of BDAFAn‐1PbnI3n+1 DJ perovskite is systematically investigated. Humidity‐assisted annealing process can lead to reduced trap concentration and fast charge transfer process between different‐n DJ phases. The BDAFA5Pb6I19 PSC with the assistance of moisture achieves an efficiency as high as 17.17%, which is the highest value ever reported for methylammonium‐free DJ PSCs. In addition, the humidity‐, thermal‐, and photo‐stability properties of the DJ film and devices are significantly boosted. Further, first‐principles calculation indicates that water molecules occupy the iodide vacancies through a strong bonding with Pb ions during the crystallization process under humidity and increase the decomposition energy of the DJ phase, which corresponds to the improved photoelectronic and stability properties. These results show that humidity‐assisted deposition of 2D/3D multidimensional perovskite can be further explored to reduce the high demand of the production environment and enhance the performances.
Mitochondrial disease, mitophagy, and cellular distress in methylmalonic acidemia
Authors: Luciani Alessandro , Denley Matthew C. S. , Govers Larissa P. , Sorrentino Vincenzo , Froese D. Sean
Published: September 2021

Mitochondria—the intracellular powerhouse in which nutrients are converted into energy in the form of ATP or heat—are highly dynamic, double-membraned organelles that harness a plethora of cellular functions that sustain energy metabolism and homeostasis. Exciting new discoveries now indicate that the maintenance of this ever changing and functionally pleiotropic organelle is particularly relevant in terminally differentiated cells that are highly dependent on aerobic metabolism. Given the central role in maintaining metabolic and physiological homeostasis, dysregulation of the mitochondrial network might therefore confer a potentially devastating vulnerability to high-energy requiring cell types, contributing to a broad variety of hereditary and acquired diseases. In this Review, we highlight the biological functions of mitochondria-localized enzymes from the perspective of understanding—and potentially reversing—the pathophysiology of inherited disorders affecting the homeostasis of the mitochondrial network and cellular metabolism. Using methylmalonic acidemia as a paradigm of complex mitochondrial dysfunction, we discuss how mitochondrial directed-signaling circuitries govern the homeostasis and physiology of specialized cell types and how these may be disturbed in disease. This Review also provides a critical analysis of affected tissues, potential molecular mechanisms, and novel cellular and animal models of methylmalonic acidemia which are being used to develop new therapeutic options for this disease. These insights might ultimately lead to new therapeutics, not only for methylmalonic acidemia, but also for other currently intractable mitochondrial diseases, potentially transforming our ability to regulate homeostasis and health.
Was sollte der (Allgemein‑/Viszeral‑)Chirurg über Arbeitsmedizin wissen?
Authors: Thielmann Beatrice , Meyer Frank , Böckelmann Irina
Published: September 2021

In dieser Arbeit geht um die allgemeinen Impfempfehlungen und postexpositionelle Prophylaxe, die bei Schnitt- und Nadelstichverletzungen infrage kommen können. Schnitt- und Nadelstichverletzungen gehören zu häufigen Arbeitsunfällen bei chirurgisch bzw. operativ und interventionell tätigen Ärzten. Diese sind als Akut- bzw. Notfälle zu deuten, vor allem wenn Kontakt zu infektiösen Indexpatienten bestand bzw. die Infektionsgefährdung nicht auszuschließen ist. Folgend entstehen hohe volkswirtschaftliche Kosten, aber auch die individuelle Konfrontation mit einer durchaus nicht heilbaren Infektionskrankheit. Ziel dieser Übersichtsarbeit ist es, auf die allgemeinen und berufsbedingten Impfempfehlungen für Chirurgen hinzuweisen. Darüber hinaus werden Hintergründe und rechtliche Grundlagen dargestellt, denn auch für jeden Chirurgen besteht eine Hol- und Bringschuld im Rahmen effektiver Schutzmaßnahmen gegen Infektionskrankheiten durch Schnitt- und Nadelstichverletzungen. Ergänzend werden Primärprophylaxe, Impfempfehlungen und Postexpositionsprophylaxe nach stattgehabten Stich- oder Schnittverletzungen sowie das TOP-Prinzip aufgezeigt. Das TOP-Prinzip umfasst technische, organisatorische und personenbezogene Schutzmaßnahmen.
Mechanical properties of laterally loaded threaded rods embedded in softwood
Authors: Stamatopoulos Haris , Massaro Francesco Mirko , Qazi Jalal
Published: September 2021

At present, the mechanical properties of laterally loaded threaded fasteners with large diameters embedded in timber elements remain unknown. An experimental study of laterally loaded threaded rods with wood screw threads embedded perpendicular to grain in softwood elements (spruce and pine glulam and spruce LVL) is presented in this paper. Embedment tests with the load acting parallel and perpendicular to grain were carried out and the embedment strength and stiffness were quantified. For some test series, the experimental embedment strengths were lower compared to the predictions according to Eurocode 5 in terms of both mean and characteristic values. This finding indicates that the predictions by Eurocode 5 are not always conservative. To investigate the effect of the thread, additional series of embedment tests were carried out with smooth dowels featuring a diameter approximately equal to the core diameter of the threaded rods. Finally, the yielding moment of threaded rods was quantified based on a series of three-point bending tests of threaded rods. The experimentally determined yielding moment was significantly higher than the prediction of Eurocode 5.
RNA sequencing reveals induction of specific renal inflammatory pathways in a rat model of malignant hypertension
Authors: Menendez-Castro Carlos , Cordasic Nada , Fahlbusch Fabian B. , Ekici Arif B. , Kirchner Philipp , Daniel Christoph , Amann Kerstin , Velkeen Roland , Wölfle Joachim , Schiffer Mario , Hartner Andrea , Hilgers Karl F.
Published: September 2021

In malignant hypertension, far more severe kidney injury occurs than in the “benign” form of the disease. The role of high blood pressure and the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system is well recognized, but the pathogenesis of the renal injury of malignant hypertension (MH) remains incompletely understood. Using the rat model of two-kidney, one-clip renovascular hypertension in which some but not all animals develop MH, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of gene expression by RNA sequencing to identify transcriptional changes in the kidney cortex specific for MH. Differential gene expression was assessed in three groups: MH, non-malignant hypertension (NMH), and normotensive, sham-operated controls. To distinguish MH from NMH, we considered two factors: weight loss and typical renovascular lesions. Mean blood pressure measured intraarterially was elevated in MH (220 ± 6.5 mmHg) as well as in NMH (192 ± 6.4 mmHg), compared to controls (119 ± 1.7 mmHg, p < 0.05). Eight hundred eighty-six genes were exclusively regulated in MH only. Principal component analysis revealed a separated clustering of the three groups. The data pointed to an upregulation of many inflammatory mechanisms in MH including pathways which previously attracted relatively little attention in the setting of hypertensive kidney injury: Transcripts from all three complement activation pathways were upregulated in MH compared to NMH but not in NMH compared with controls; immunohistochemistry confirmed complement deposition in MH exclusively. The expression of chemokines attracting neutrophil granulocytes (CXCL6) and infiltration of myeloperoxidase-positive cells were increased only in MH rats. The data suggest that these pathways, especially complement deposition, may contribute to kidney injury under MH.

Key messages

The most severe hypertension-induced kidney injury occurs in malignant hypertension.

In a rat model of malignant hypertension, we assessed transcriptional responses in the kidney exposed to high blood pressure. A broad stimulation of inflammatory mechanisms was observed, but a few specific pathways were activated only in the malignant form of the disease, notably activation of the complement cascades.

Complement inhibitors may alleviate the thrombotic microangiopathy of malignant hypertension even in the absence of primary complement abnormalities.
Versorgungswirklichkeit ausgewählter kinderurologischer Eingriffe in Deutschland von 2006 bis 2019
Authors: Maier Markus , Ebert Anne-Karoline , Baunacke Martin , Groeben Christer , Eisenmenger Nicole , Thomas Christian , Huber Johannes
Published: September 2021

Hintergrund

Die konservative und chirurgische Behandlung von Kindern ist in der urologischen Facharztweiterbildung fest verankert und stellt eine Kernkompetenz der urologischen Versorgung dar. Berufspolitisch wird seit vielen Jahren ein zunehmender Verlust dieses Schwerpunkts befürchtet. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, reale Fallzahlen und eine mögliche Dynamik in der Verteilung kinderurologischer Eingriffe auf die Fachabteilungen für Urologie und Kinderchirurgie in Deutschland zu prüfen.

Material und Methoden

Als Index-Eingriffe definierten wir Operationen des Hodenhochstands, der Hypospadie und des vesikoureteralen Refluxes (VUR). Mithilfe der Software reimbursement.INFO (RI Innovation GmbH, Hürth) werteten wir die öffentlich zugänglichen Qualitätsberichtsdaten der deutschen Krankenhäuser von 2006 bis 2019 aus und wiesen sie den entsprechenden Fachrichtungen zu.

Ergebnisse

Die Orchidopexie erfolgt häufiger in der Urologie, wohingegen die Hypospadiekorrektur und die operative Therapie des VUR häufiger in der Kinderchirurgie durchgeführt werden. Anteilig zeigte sich für die Orchidopexie und die operative Refluxtherapie keine relevante Verschiebung zwischen urologischen und kinderchirurgischen Kliniken im Untersuchungszeitraum. Bei den Hypospadiekorrekturen nimmt der Anteil der Operationen in kinderchirurgischen Einheiten zu (p < 0,0001). In der Kinderchirurgie erfolgen 84–93 % der analysierten Eingriffe in High-volume-Abteilungen während dieser Anteil in der Urologie bei 56–73 % liegt. Insbesondere die operative Refluxtherapie in der Urologie erfolgt zu einem hohen Anteil als Gelegenheitseingriff (30 % „very low volume“).

Schlussfolgerung

Die Qualitätsberichtsdaten ermöglichen die Erfassung der Fallzahlen und die Analyse der Verteilung zwischen Urologie und Kinderchirurgie in Deutschland. Dabei ist für die Hypospadiekorrektur eine relevante Verschiebung in Richtung der Kinderchirurgie zu beobachten. Die Ursachen und möglichen berufspolitischen Konsequenzen dieser ersten Erhebung sind komplex und bedürfen weiterer Analysen.
A simulation-based module in pharmacology education reveals and addresses medical students’ deficits in leading prescription talks
Authors: Kirsch Verena , Matthes Jan
Published: September 2021

Although doctor-patient communication is essential for drug prescription, the literature reveals deficits in this area. An educational approach at the Cologne medical faculty aims at identifying and addressing those deficits in medical students.

Fifth-year medical students first conducted a simulated prescription talk spontaneously. Subsequently, the conversation was discussed with peer students. A pharmacist moderated the discussion based upon a previously developed conversation guide. Afterwards, the same student had the conversation again, but as if for the first time. Conversations were video-recorded, transcribed and subjected to quantitative content analysis. Four days after the simulation, the students who conducted the talk, those who observed and discussed it, and students who did neither, completed a written test that focused on the content of an effective prescription talk.

Content analysis revealed clear deficits in spontaneously led prescription talks. Even essential information as on adverse drug reactions were often lacking. Prescription talks became clearly more informative and comprehensive after the short, guided peer discussion. With regard to a comprehensive, informative prescription talk, the written test showed that both the students who conducted the talk and those who only observed it performed clearly better than the students who did not participate in the educational approach.

Deficits regarding prescription talks are present in 5th year medical students. We provide an approach to both identify and address these deficits. It thus may be an example for training medical students in simulated and clinical environments like the EACPT recommended to improve pharmacology education.
The effects of continuous oromotor activity on speech motor learning: speech biomechanics and neurophysiologic correlates
Authors: Stipancic Kaila L. , Kuo Yi-Ling , Miller Amanda , Ventresca Hayden M. , Sternad Dagmar , Kimberley Teresa J. , Green Jordan R.
Published: September 2021

Sustained limb motor activity has been used as a therapeutic tool for improving rehabilitation outcomes and is thought to be mediated by neuroplastic changes associated with activity-induced cortical excitability. Although prior research has reported enhancing effects of continuous chewing and swallowing activity on learning, the potential beneficial effects of sustained oromotor activity on speech improvements is not well-documented. This exploratory study was designed to examine the effects of continuous oromotor activity on subsequent speech learning. Twenty neurologically healthy young adults engaged in periods of continuous chewing and speech after which they completed a novel speech motor learning task. The motor learning task was designed to elicit improvements in accuracy and efficiency of speech performance across repetitions of eight-syllable nonwords. In addition, transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to measure the cortical silent period (cSP) of the lip motor cortex before and after the periods of continuous oromotor behaviors. All repetitions of the nonword task were recorded acoustically and kinematically using a three-dimensional motion capture system. Productions were analyzed for accuracy and duration, as well as lip movement distance and speed. A control condition estimated baseline improvement rates in speech performance. Results revealed improved speech performance following 10 min of chewing. In contrast, speech performance following 10 min of continuous speech was degraded. There was no change in the cSP as a result of either oromotor activity. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed in the context of speech rehabilitation and neuromodulation.
National Trends and Perioperative Outcomes of Robotic‐assisted Hepatectomy in the USA: A Propensity‐score Matched Analysis from the National Cancer Database
Authors: Kamel Mohamed K. , Tuma Faiz , Keane Charles A. , Blebea John
Published: September 2021

Background

A paucity of data exists on the national use of robotic hepatectomy. We assessed national trends and perioperative outcomes of robotic hepatectomy in the USA. In addition, factors associated with use of the robotic approach were analyzed.

Methods

The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for patients undergoing hepatectomy from 2010 to 2016. Patients undergoing total hepatectomy for transplant were excluded. Factors associated with the use of the robotic approach were assessed using logistic regression multivariable analysis. Propensity‐score analysis was performed (robotic vs. laparoscopic and robotic vs. open approaches), and perioperative outcomes were compared between the matched groups.

Results

The robotic approach was used in 287 patients (110 hospitals). Utilization of the robotic approach increased significantly on the national level from 0.8% in 2010 to 4.1% in 2016 (P<0.001). The number of hospitals performing a minimum of one robotic hepatectomy per year increased from 8 in 2010 to 35 in 2016. The median hospital length of stay was 4 days (IQR 3–6), 30‐day readmission rate was 5%, and 30‐day/90‐day mortality rates were 3%/4%. Factors associated with using robotic approach were African‐American race (95% CI 1.02–2.11), recent year of surgery (95% CI 1.11–1.32), HCC histology (95% CI 1.01–52.03), tumor size (95% CI 0.87–0.96), and early‐stage tumor (Stage I‐II, 95% CI 1.27–3.99). On propensity‐matched analysis, there were no differences between robotic and open approaches (n=184 each group) in 30‐day readmission (5% vs. 7%, P=0.651), 30‐day mortality (2% vs. 4%, P=0.106), 90‐day mortality (3% vs. 7%, P=0.080), or 5‐year overall survival (58% vs. 43%, P=0.211). However, the robotic approach was associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay (median: 4 vs. 6 days, P<0.001). There were no differences between matched groups of patients undergoing robotic and laparoscopic approaches (n=182 in each group) in perioperative outcomes or length of hospital stay.

Conclusion

National use of robotic‐assisted hepatectomy has increased by fivefold over the seven‐year study period. It was associated with a shorter hospital length of stay compared to the open approach without compromising perioperative outcomes or survival.
On the Existence of Symmetric Bicircular Central Configurations of the 3n-Body Problem
Authors: Corbera Montserrat , Valls Claudia
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we consider central configurations of the planar 3n-body problem consisting of n masses at the vertices of a regular n-gon inscribed in a circle of radius r and 2n masses at the vertices of a second (not necessarily regular) concentric 2n-gon inscribed in a circle of radius ar which are symmetric in the sense that the set of positions of the 3n masses and the set of the corresponding masses are invariant under the action of a finite subgroup of O(2). There are two different types of such configurations. In the first type, called regular bicircular central configurations of the 3n-body problem, the second 2n-gon is regular, n of the vertices of the second n-gon are aligned with the vertices of the first regular n-gon and the masses at the vertices of this 2n-gon alternate values. In the second type, called semiregular bicircular central configurations of the 3n-body problem, the second 2n-gon is semiregular and the masses at its vertices are all of them equal. A semiregular 2n-gon has n pair of vertices symmetric by a reflection of an angle $$\beta $$
β
with respect to the axis of symmetry of the first regular n-gon. Our aim is to analyze the set of values of the parameter a for the regular 2n-gon and of the parameters $$(a,\beta )$$

(
a
,
β
)

for the semiregular 2n-gon providing symmetric bicircular central configurations. In particular, for all $$n\ge 2 $$

n
≥
2

we prove analytically the existence of symmetric bicircular central configurations with a (respectively $$(a,\beta )$$

(
a
,
β
)

) satisfying some particular conditions. Using either computer-assisted results or numerical results, we also describe the complete set of values of a (respectively $$(a,\beta )$$

(
a
,
β
)

) providing symmetric bicircular central configurations for $$n=2,3,4,5$$

n
=
2
,
3
,
4
,
5

and we give numerical evidences that the pattern for $$n>5$$

n
>
5

is the same as the one for $$n=5$$

n
=
5

.
Associations of dietary glycemic index and load during pregnancy with blood pressure, placental hemodynamic parameters and the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders
Authors: Wiertsema Clarissa J. , Wahab Rama J. , Mulders Annemarie G. M. G. J. , Gaillard Romy
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of dietary glycemic index and load with gestational blood pressure, placental hemodynamic parameters and the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders.

Methods

In a population-based cohort among 3378 pregnant Dutch women, dietary glycemic index and load were assessed from food frequency questionnaires at median 13.4 (95% range 9.9–22.9) weeks gestation. Blood pressure was measured in early-, mid- and late-pregnancy. Placental hemodynamic parameters were measured in mid- and late-pregnancy by ultrasound. Data on gestational hypertensive disorders was acquired from medical records.

Results

Mean dietary glycemic index (SD) was 58 (3) and mean dietary glycemic load (SD) was 155 (47). Dietary glycemic index was not associated with blood pressure, placental hemodynamic parameters and the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders. Higher dietary glycemic load SDS was associated with a higher diastolic blood pressure in early-pregnancy, remaining after adjustment for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors ((0.98 (95% CI 0.35–1.61) mmHg per SDS increase in glycemic load). No other associations of glycemic load with blood pressure or placental hemodynamic parameters and the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders were present. No significant associations of dietary glycemic index and load quartiles with longitudinal blood pressure patterns from early to late-pregnancy were present.

Conclusion

Within this low-risk pregnant population, we did not find consistent associations of dietary glycemic index and load with blood pressure, placental hemodynamic parameters and the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders. Further studies need to assess whether the effects on gestational hemodynamic adaptations are more pronounced among high-risk women with an impaired glucose metabolism.
Sustainability analysis of Finnish pre-schoolers’ diet based on targets of the EAT-Lancet reference diet
Authors: Bäck Sari , Skaffari Essi , Vepsäläinen Henna , Lehto Reetta , Lehto Elviira , Nissinen Kaija , Ray Carola , Nevalainen Jaakko , Roos Eva , Erkkola Maijaliisa , Korkalo Liisa
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The EAT-Lancet reference diet is a healthy plant-based diet produced within planetary boundaries. To inform the food system transformation, we compared Finnish pre-schoolers’ food consumption with the reference diet’s food group targets.

Methods

Food record data for 3- to 6-year-old pre-schoolers were collected in the cross-sectional DAGIS survey. Ingredients of composite dishes were available in the data. In addition, we manually decomposed industrial products such as sausages and biscuits by estimating the shares of ingredients. We also estimated the consumption of added sugars and converted the consumption of dairy products into milk equivalents. We used usual intake modelling to estimate the mean consumption and the proportion of children who met the reference diet’s targets. We set the target amounts separately for 3- to 4-year-olds and 5- to 6-year-olds in grams by proportioning the published target amounts (assuming a 2500 kcal diet) to the children’s mean reported energy intake.

Results

For both age groups (3- to 4-year-olds, n = 460; 5- to 6-year-olds, n = 402), the daily mean consumption of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and unsaturated oils was below targets, whereas the consumption of red meat, dairy foods, tubers, and added sugars was above targets. The consumption of fruit and fish was in line with targets.

Conclusion

To comply with the reference diet’s targets, major changes in the diets of Finnish children are needed. The key food groups targeted for higher consumption are whole grains and legumes and targeted for lower consumption red meat and dairy products.
Five-year outcomes of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer: the largest experience in China
Authors: Zhao Xianzhi , Ye Yusheng , Yu Haiyan , Jiang Lingong , Cheng Chao , Guo Xueling , Ju Xiaoping , Zhu Xiaofei , Zhang Huojun
Published: September 2021

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SBRT for localized prostate cancer (PCa) with CyberKnife in China. Moreover, it is the largest-to-date pilot study to report 5-year outcomes of SBRT for localized PCa from China.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 133 PCa patients in our center were treated by SBRT with CyberKnife (Accuray Inc., Sunnyvale, USA) from October 2012 to July 2019. Follow-up was performed every 3 months for efficacy and toxicity evaluation. Biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) and toxicities were assessed using the Phoenix definition and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v.5.0, respectively. Factors predictive of bPFS were identified with COX regression analysis.

Results

133 patients (10 low-, 21 favorable intermediate-, 31 unfavorable intermediate-, 45 high-, and 26 very high risk cases on the basis of NCCN risk classification) with a median age of 76 years (range 54–87 years) received SBRT. The median dose was 36.25 Gy (range 34–37.5 Gy) in 5 fractions. Median follow-up time was 57.7 months (3.5–97.2 months). The overall 5-year bPFS rate was 83.6% for all patients. The 5-year bPFS rate of patients with low-, favorable intermediate-, unfavorable intermediate-, high-, and very high risk PCa was 87.5%, 95.2%, 90.5%, 86.3%, and 61.6%, respectively. Urinary symptoms were all alleviated after SBRT. All patients tolerated SBRT with 1 (0.8%) patient reporting grade-3 acute and 1 (0.8%) patient reporting grade-3 late genitourinary (GU) toxicity, respectively. There were no grade 4 toxicities. Gleason score (P < 0.001, HR = 7.483, 95%CI: 2.686–20.846) was the independent predictor of bPFS rate after multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

SBRT is an efficient and safe treatment modality for localized PCa with high 5-year bPFS rates and acceptable toxicities.
Contemporary management of patients with atrial fibrillation in the Netherlands and Belgium: a report from the EORP-AF long-term general registry
Authors: Erküner Ö. , van Eck M. , Xhaet O. , Verheij H. , Neefs J. , Duygun A. , Nijmeijer R. , Saïd S. A. M. , Uiterwaal H. , Hagens V. , Bhagwandien R. , Szili-Torok T. , Bijsterveld N. , Tjeerdsma G. , Vijgen J. , Friart A. , Hoffer E. , Evrard P. , Srynger M. , Meeder J. , de Groot J. R. , van Opstal J. , Gevers R. , Lip G. Y. H. , Boriani G. , Crijns H. J. G. M. , Luermans J. G. L. M. , Mairesse G. H.
Published: September 2021

Background

Contemporary data regarding the characteristics, treatment and outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are needed. We aimed to assess these data and guideline adherence in the EURObservational Research Programme on Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) long-term general registry.

Methods

We analysed 967 patients from the EORP-AF long-term general registry included in the Netherlands and Belgium from 2013 to 2016. Baseline and 1‑year follow-up data were gathered.

Results

At baseline, 887 patients (92%) received anticoagulant treatment. In 88 (10%) of these patients, no indication for chronic anticoagulant treatment was present. A rhythm intervention was performed or planned in 52 of these patients, meaning that the remaining 36 (41%) were anticoagulated without indication. Forty patients were not anticoagulated, even though they had an indication for chronic anticoagulation. Additionally, 63 of the 371 patients (17%) treated with a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) were incorrectly dosed. In total, 50 patients (5%) were overtreated and 89 patients (9%) were undertreated. However, the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was still low with 4.2% (37 patients).

Conclusions

Overtreatment and undertreatment with anticoagulants are still observable in 14% of this contemporary, West-European AF population. Still, MACCE occurred in only 4% of the patients after 1 year of follow-up.
Geophysical assessment and hydrocarbon potential of the Cenomanian Bahariya reservoir in the Abu Gharadig Field, Western Desert, Egypt
Authors: Sarhan Mohammad Abdelfattah
Published: September 2021

In this study, the sandstones of the Bahariya Formation in the Abu Gharadig Field, which is a promising oil reservoir in the Abu Gharadig Basin, Western Desert, Egypt, were assessed. The wireline logs from three wells (Abu Gharadig-2, Abu Gharadig-6, and Abu Gharadig-15) were studied using seismic and petrophysical analyses. Based on seismic data, the study area contains an ENE–WSW anticlinal structure, which is divided by a set of NW–SE normal faults, reflecting the effect of Late Cretaceous dextral wrench tectonics on the northern Western Desert. The visual analysis of the well logs reveals a potential zone within well Abu Gharadig-2 located between depths of 10,551 and 10,568 ft (zone A). In contrast, potential zones were detected between depths of 11,593–11,623 ft (zone B) and 11,652–11,673 ft (zone C) in well Abu Gharadig-6. In well Abu Gharadig-15, potential zones are located between depths of 11,244–11251ft (zone D) and 11,459–11,467 ft (zone E). The quantitative evaluation shows that the intervals B and C in well AG-6 are the zones with the highest oil-bearing potential in the Abu Gharadig Field in terms of the reservoir quality. They exhibit the lowest shale volume (0.06–0.09), highest effective porosity (0.13), minimum water saturation (0.11–0.16), lowest bulk volume of water (0.01–0.02), high absolute permeability (10.92–13.93 mD), high relative oil permeability (~ 1.0), and low water cut (~ 0). The apex of the mapped fold represents that the topmost Bahariya Formation in the Abu Gharadig Field for which the drilling of additional wells close to well AG-6 is highly recommended.
Breaking TrustZone memory isolation and secure boot through malicious hardware on a modern FPGA-SoC
Authors: Gross Mathieu , Jacob Nisha , Zankl Andreas , Sigl Georg
Published: September 2021

FPGA-SoCs are heterogeneous embedded computing platforms consisting of reconfigurable hardware and high-performance processing units. This combination offers flexibility and good performance for the design of embedded systems. However, allowing the sharing of resources between an FPGA and an embedded CPU enables possible attacks from one system on the other. This work demonstrates that a malicious hardware block contained inside the reconfigurable logic can manipulate the memory and peripherals of the CPU. Previous works have already considered direct memory access attacks from malicious logic on platforms containing no memory isolation mechanism. In this work, such attacks are investigated on a modern platform which contains state-of-the-art memory and peripherals isolation mechanisms. We demonstrate two attacks capable of compromising a Trusted Execution Environment based on ARM TrustZone and show a new attack capable of bypassing the secure boot configuration set by a device owner via the manipulation of Battery-Backed RAM and eFuses from malicious logic.
Preparation of ZrB2-MoSi2 high oxygen resistant coating using nonequilibrium state powders by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis
Authors: Zhang Menglin , Ren Xuanru , Zhang Mingcheng , Wang Songsong , Wang Li , Yang Qingqing , Chu Hongao , Feng Peizhong
Published: September 2021

To achieve high oxygen blocking structure of the ZrB2-MoSi2 coating applied on carbon structural material, ZrB2-MoSi2 coating was prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) method utilizing ZrB2-MoSi2 composite powders synthesized by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) technique as raw materials. The oxygen blocking mechanism of the ZrB2-MoSi2 coatings at 1973 K was investigated. Compared with commercial powders, the coatings prepared by SHS powders exhibited superior density and inferior oxidation activity, which significantly heightened the structural oxygen blocking ability of the coatings in the active oxidation stage, thus characterizing higher oxidation protection efficiency. The rise of MoSi2 content facilitated the dispersion of transition metal oxide nanocrystals (5–20 nm) in the SiO2 glass layer and conduced to the increasing viscosity, thus strengthening the inerting impact of the compound glass layer in the inert oxidation stage. Nevertheless, the ZrB2-40 vol%MoSi2 coating sample prepared by SHS powders presented the lowest oxygen permeability of 0.3% and carbon loss rate of 0.29×10−6 g·cm−2·s−1. Owing to the gradient oxygen partial pressure inside the coatings, the Si-depleted layer was developed under the compound glass layer, which brought about acute oxygen erosion.
Dynamic sourcing strategies for supply disruptions under consumer stockpiling
Authors: Li Shanshan , He Yong , Zhou Li
Published: September 2021

This paper considers a make-to-order system where production gets disrupted due to a random supply failure. To avoid potential stock-out risk and responding price increase during disruption, customers might decide to stockpile extra units for future consumption. We investigate the contingent sourcing strategy for the manufacturer to cope with the disruption. To this end, we first discuss the optimal post-disruption stockpiling decision for customers. In view of expected disruption duration, price rise, and inventory holding cost, three types of stockpiling behavior are analytically provided for the customers: non-stockpiling, gradual stockpiling, and instantaneous stockpiling. Next, a model is formulated to optimize the joint decision of contingent sourcing time and quantity, with the objective of maximizing profit expectation. Finally, by conducting numerical analysis, we generate further insights into the role of relative factors and provide specific managerial suggestions on how to adapt dynamic contingent sourcing strategies to alleviate different disruptions, under different market environments and customer behaviors.
On the Influence of Vegetation Cover Changes and Vegetation-Runoff Systems on the Simulated Summer Potential Evapotranspiration of Tropical Africa Using RegCM4
Authors: Anwar Samy A. , Mamadou Ossénatou , Diallo Ismaila , Sylla Mouhamadou Bamba
Published: September 2021

The community land model version 4.5 provides two ways for treating the vegetation cover changes (a static versus an interactive) and two runoff schemes for tracking the soil moisture changes. In this study, we examined the sensitivity of the simulated boreal summer potential evapotranspiration (PET) to the aforementioned options using a regional climate model. Three different experiments with each one covering 16 years have been performed. The two runoff schemes were designated as SIMTOP (TOP) and variable infiltration capacity (VIC). Both runoff schemes were coupled to the carbon–nitrogen (CN) module, thus the vegetation status can be influenced by soil moisture changes. Results show that vegetation cover changes alone affect considerably the simulated 2-m mean air temperature (T2M). However, they do not affect the global incident solar radiation (RSDS) and PET. Conversely to the vegetation cover changes alone, the vegetation-runoff systems affect both the T2M and RSDS. Therefore, they considerably affect the simulated PET. Also, the CN-VIC overestimates the PET more than the CN-TOP compared to the Climatic Research Unit observational dataset. In comparison with the static vegetation case and CN-VIC, the CN-TOP shows the least bias of the simulated PET. Overall, our results show that the vegetation-runoff system is relevant in constraining the PET, though the CN-TOP can be recommended for future studies concerning the PET of tropical Africa.
Early warning signals from the periphery
Authors: Füllsack Manfred , Reisinger Daniel , Kapeller Marie , Jäger Georg
Published: September 2021

Studies on the possibility of predicting critical transitions with statistical methods known as early warning signals (EWS) are often conducted on data generated with equation-based models (EBMs). These models base on difference or differential equations, which aggregate a system’s components in a mathematical term and therefore do not allow for a detailed analysis of interactions on micro-level. As an alternative, we suggest a simple, but highly flexible agent-based model (ABM), which, when applying EWS-analysis, gives reason to (a) consider social interaction, in particular negative feedback effects, as an essential trigger of critical transitions, and (b) to differentiate social interactions, for example in network representations, into a core and a periphery of agents and focus attention on the periphery. Results are tested against time series from a networked version of the Ising-model, which is often used as example for generating hysteretic critical transitions.
The Search for the Virtuous Corporation
Authors: O'Brien Justin
Published: September 2021

The corporation is the most complex, adaptive, and resilient model of organizing economic activity in history. In an era of globalization, the transnational corporation has significant power over society. While its rights are specified through private ordering, and choice of jurisdictional home, in the event of conflict of laws, the corporation's duties and responsibilities remain contested. Notwithstanding the argument in institutional economics that all transactions take place within governance and legal frameworks, underpinned by a 'non-calculative social contract,' the terms are notoriously difficult to define or enforce. They are made more so if regulatory dynamics preclude litigation to a judicial conclusion. This Element situates the corporation – its culture, governance, responsibility, and accountability – within a broader discourse of duty. In doing so, it addresses the problem of the corporation for society and the corporation's problem in aligning its governance to changing community expectations of obligation.
Could consumption of yam (Dioscorea) or its extract be beneficial in controlling glycaemia: a systematic review
Authors: Alharazi Waad Z. , McGowen Anthony , Rose Peter , Jethwa Preeti H.
Published: September 2021

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) and its associated extracts have been shown to possess a variety of biological activities and identified as beneficial in the control of glycaemia in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective was to conduct a systematic search of the literature to investigate whether yam and its extract can improve glycaemia and whether the consumption of yam could be beneficial for managing T2DM. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and the Population, Invention, Comparison and Outcome framework, three databases (PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched using a key term strategy. Strict inclusion criteria were employed to identify all relevant and available studies. The quality of these studies was assessed using SYRCLE’s Risk of Bias tool. Ten studies were included, and all studies consisted of findings from rodent models of diabetes, including animals consuming high fat diets or genetic models of diabetes. All ten studies showed that the consumption of yam and/or its extracts (containing dioscin, dioscorin, diosgenin, DA-9801/02 or Chinese yam polysaccharides) improved glycaemia. These included improvements in fasting blood glucose and reductions in glucose and increase in insulin levels following a glucose tolerance test. Furthermore, significant changes in body weight and adiposity were observed in nine studies, these included improvements in lipid biomarkers in four and reductions in inflammatory markers in one. The current work indicates that the consumption of yam or its extracts can be beneficial for improving blood glucose; however, the molecular mechanism for these effects remains largely unknown. Future trials on human subjects are warranted.
Situating Tribes in History: Lessons from the Archives and the Social Sciences
Authors: Samin Nadav
Published: September 2021

The tribe presents a problem for the historian of the modern Middle East, particularly one interested in personalities, subtleties of culture and society, and other such “useless” things. By and large, tribes did not leave their own written records. The tribal author is a phenomenon of the present or the recent past. There are few twentieth century tribal figures comparable to the urban personalities to whose writings and influence we owe our understanding of the social, intellectual, and political history of the modern Middle East. There is next a larger problem of record keeping to contend with: the almost complete inaccessibility of official records on the postcolonial Middle East. It is no wonder that political scientists and anthropologists are among the best regarded custodians of the region's twentieth century history; they know how to make creative and often eloquent use of drastically limited tools. For many decades, suspicious governments have inhibited historians from carrying out the duties of their vocation. This is one reason why the many rich and original new monographs on Saddam Hussein's Iraq are so important. If tribes are on the margins of the records, and the records themselves are off limits, then one might imagine why modern Middle Eastern tribes are so poorly conceived in the scholarly imagination.
Tribalism in the Middle East: A Useful Prism for Understanding the Region
Authors: Alon Yoav
Published: September 2021

Despite entrenched views about tribes and tribalism as premodern phenomena, this form of social organization and identity is relevant today no less than in the past; in some cases, it is even more relevant. Even without exact statistics, one can safely assert that a large proportion of the Middle East's inhabitants belong to a tribe and adhere to tribal social norms and cultural values. Whereas tribe and tribalism in English have somewhat negative connotations—they refer to divisiveness, rivalries, sectarianism, and favoritism—in the Middle East the term tribe is used as a matter of fact, a part of reality. It has equivalents in the local languages (‘ashīra, qabīla, ṭā’ifa) and a long history, from the days before the emergence of Islam in the 7th century. It is a term used by local people, usually in a positive rather than a pejorative way; people are proud of their tribes and see them as building blocks of their societies.
Decolonizing Tribal “Genealogies” in the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Adra Najwa
Published: September 2021

The continued use of the term “tribe” to describe groups with segmentary organization in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has long been recognized as problematic, albeit without viable alternative English translations of the local terms:qabīla,‘ashīra,sha‘b, ‘ilt, and others. Yet the equally problematic but enduring uncritical acceptance of genealogical classification of MENA's tribes leads to fundamental misunderstandings of the basic principles of tribal organization as well as the multiple roles of kinship in the region. This propensity is not only misleading but is loaded with social evolutionary assumptions about presumed “stages of development” that hinder scholarship on tribes and have a negative impact on international policy toward countries like Yemen with significant self-identified tribal populations. Key to this essay is the wide diversity and flexibility in the terminology applied to tribal segments and in the sizes of segments.