bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of Biomarkers as Determinants of Peripheral Arterial Disease in those with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ahmad Shabbir , Zaib Sumera
Published: April 2023

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is characterized by reduced arterial perfusion in lower limb extremities due to atherosclerosis. The disease is mostly asymptomatic with poor diagnosis and prognosis, usually co‐existing with other diseases. Its burden is rising globally, especially among diabetics; consequently increasing the risk of vascular damage, lower limb amputation, and cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, it is essential to identify biomarkers for in‐time diagnosis and efficient prognosis of diabetes‐associated PAD. In this study, several markers were evaluated that can identify PAD development in diabetics. These biomarkers include blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, creatine kinase‐MB (CK‐MB), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thrombopalstin time (aPTT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, triglycerides, low‐density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL) and C reactive protein (CRP). All these markers were analyzed in blood samples using standard methods and results were interpreted by comparing them with widely accepted cut‐off values. After all experimental procedures, it was found that levels of AST (35.04 U/L), ALT (37.21 U/L), BUN (37.93 mg/dL), CK‐MB (22.01 IU/L), HbA1c (8.79 %), triglycerides (297.65 mg/dL), total cholesterol (234.59 mg/dL) and CRP (5.48 mg/L) were significantly higher in diabetic patients having PAD while slight increase was observed in coagulation profile (PT (14.27 s), aPTT (35.15 s) and INR (1.15), in diabetics plus PAD as compared to diabetics alone. However, it has been observed that levels of HDL were reduced in both diabetics (41.14 mg/dL) and diabetics plus PAD (43.54) as compared to control (healthy individuals) results (53.67) while LDL levels were increased in diabetics (117.42 mg/dL) and diabetics plus PAD (122.22) as compared to healthy individuals (102.76). Therefore, it was concluded that AST, ALT, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, CK‐MB and CRP can serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in diabetics having PAD to improve life of patients.
Recent Advances in Solid Residues Resource Utilization in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Long Xu , Lu Ying‐Lei , Guo Hui , Tang Yu‐Ping
Published: April 2023

Chinese medicine is widely employed in illness prevention and treatment. In recent years, the increased demand for Chinese medicine resources has resulted in a large quantity of waste created during industrialization. However, traditional methods for treating herbal residues, including burning, stacking, and burying, can cause significant environmental damage and resource waste. Furthermore, these application approaches have a low level of resource utilization and a low degree of utilization. Therefore, developing a classification management system is a necessary precondition for reusing Chinese herb residues for medicinal, feed, fertilizer, and energy resource reuse. This paper reviews the potential applications of Chinese herb residues in the extraction of active resources, composting, feed addition, bioethanol preparation, and pyrolysis to biochar, bio‐oil, and fuel gas. Overall, this work provides a foundation for further investigation into the high‐value usage model and resource reuse pathway of Chinese herb residues.
Michael Addition Reaction of Benzothiazol‐2‐thiol/Benoxazol‐2‐thiol with α, β‐Unsaturated Esters: Chemoselective Construction of C−S and C−N Bonds
Authors: Gong Zhi‐Ying , Yang Cheng‐Li , Lin Wan‐Li , Wang Dan , Ma Jie , Dong Zhi‐Bing
Published: April 2023

An efficient and convenient method for the chemoselective construction of C−S and C−N bonds via simple Michael addition was reported. Thus, by using benzothiazol‐2‐thiol/benoxazol‐2‐thiol and α, β‐unsaturated ester as starting substrates, C−S and C−N bonds could be chemoselectively constructed by addition reaction in different solvents. This protocol featured high chemoselectivity, high atomic economy, mild conditions, good functional tolerance and good to excellent yields, showing potential value for the preparation of some biologically and pharmaceutically active compounds.
A Novel Phosphonates Synthesized from Schiff's Base Indenoquinoxaline Derivatives and its Biological Activity
Authors: Abd Elghany El‐Samahy Fatma , Ahmed Ezet Eldeken G. , Mostafa Zayed Ehab , Hassan Osman Fayez , Elgemeie Galal
Published: April 2023

In this study we made of reaction of 11H‐indeno[1,2‐b]quinoxalin‐11‐one with hydrazine hydrate and phenyl hydrazine to afford the corresponding hydrazineylidenes 3 a, b in good yield.

A series of a novel Schiff's bases of isatin and aldehydes were synthesized by condensation of them with 11‐hydrazineylidene‐11H‐indeno[1,2‐b]quinoxaline. A number of aminophosphonates were synthesized by reaction of imines with dialkyl phosphites according to Pudovik reaction. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by means spectroscopic evidences. The cytotoxic activity of ten derivatives were investigated in the liver cancer cell line HepG‐2 and the breast cancer cell line MCF‐7.

Compounds 7 a, b showed higher cytotoxicity towards the liver cancer cell line HepG‐2 and compound 10 a gave higher cytotoxicity towards the breast cancer cell line (MCF7) most than the reference drug (Doxorubicin). From the above‐mentioned results it may be concluded that compounds containing bis‐aminophosphonate exhibit better activity than the aminophosphonate. The molecular docking studies of phosphonates and bisphosphonates were investigated.
Oxidative Assemblies of Flavonoids Dimers – Synthesis of Dehydrodicatechin A
Authors: Pradayrol Élodie , Maciuk Alexandre , Evanno Laurent
Published: April 2023

Catechin and quercetin were subjected to different oxidative conditions. Reagents such as silver oxide, potassium ferricyanide or PIDA (phenyliodine diacetate), as well as electrochemical and photocatalytic conditions were evaluated. From quercetin, the formation of a dimer resulting from an oxa‐Diels‐Alder has been systematically observed. From catechin, dehydrodicatechin A was obtained by the action of silver oxide in a toluene/acetone mixture. Complementary experiments in the presence of catechol gave information on the mechanisms of formation. Products resulting from these reactions have already been identified in plants and beverages made from plants and are supposed to result from the oxidation of flavonoids. This reactivity exploration provides a better understanding of the role of catechols in the formation of natural compounds arising from the dimerization of flavonoids during oxidative process. These results shed some light on the intrinsic reactivity of catechin and quercetin.
Biocompatible Material‐Based Flexible Biosensors: From Materials Design to Wearable/Implantable Devices and Integrated Sensing Systems
Authors: Liu Gang , Lv Ziyu , Batool Saima , Li Ming‐Zheng , Zhao Pengfei , Guo Liangchao , Wang Yan , Zhou Ye , Han Su‐Ting
Published: April 2023

Human beings have a greater need to pursue life and manage personal or family health in the context of the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, and 5G/6G technologies. The application of micro biosensing devices is crucial in connecting technology and personalized medicine. Here, the progress and current status from biocompatible inorganic materials to organic materials and composites are reviewed and the material‐to‐device processing is described. Next, the operating principles of pressure, chemical, optical, and temperature sensors are dissected and the application of these flexible biosensors in wearable/implantable devices is discussed. Different biosensing systems acting in vivo and in vitro, including signal communication and energy supply are then illustrated. The potential of in‐sensor computing for applications in sensing systems is also discussed. Finally, some essential needs for commercial translation are highlighted and future opportunities for flexible biosensors are considered.
Dithieno[3,2‐f:2′,3′‐h]quinoxaline‐Based Photovoltaic–Thermoelectric Dual‐Functional Energy‐Harvesting Wide‐Bandgap Polymer and its Backbone Isomer
Authors: Yoon Seong‐Jun , Choi Kang Suh , Zhong Lian , Jeong Seonghun , Cho Yongjoon , Jung Sungwoo , Yoon Sang Eun , Kim Jong H. , Yang Changduk
Published: April 2023

Both organic solar cells (OSCs) and organic thermoelectrics (OTEs) are promising energy‐harvesting technologies for future renewable and sustainable energy sources. Among various material systems, organic conjugated polymers are an emerging material class for the active layers of both OSCs and OTEs. However, organic conjugated polymers showing both OSC and OTE properties are rarely reported because of the different requirements toward the OSCs and OTEs. In this study, the first simultaneous investigation of the OSC and OTE properties of a wide‐bandgap polymer PBQx‐TF and its backbone isomer iso‐PBQx‐TF are reported. All wide‐bandgap polymers form face‐on orientations in a thin‐film state, but PBQx‐TF has more of a crystalline character than iso‐PBQx‐TF, originating from the backbone isomeric structures of α,α ′/β,β ′‐connection between two thiophene rings. Additionally, iso‐PBQx‐TF shows inactive OSC and poor OTE properties, probably because of the absorption mismatch and unfavorable molecular orientations. At the same time, PBQx‐TF exhibits both decent OSC and OTE performances, indicating that it satisfies the requirements for both OSCs and OTEs. This study presents the OSC and OTE dual‐functional energy‐harvesting wide‐bandgap polymer and the future research directions for hybrid energy‐harvesting materials.
Mechanistic Understanding of Protein Corona Formation around Nanoparticles: Old Puzzles and New Insights
Authors: Nienhaus Karin , Nienhaus Gerd Ulrich
Published: April 2023

Although a wide variety of nanoparticles (NPs) have been engineered for use as disease markers or drug delivery agents, the number of nanomedicines in clinical use has hitherto remained small. A key obstacle in nanomedicine development is the lack of a deep mechanistic understanding of NP interactions in the bio‐environment. Here, the focus is on the biomolecular adsorption layer (protein corona), which quickly enshrouds a pristine NP exposed to a biofluid and modifies the way the NP interacts with the bio‐environment. After a brief introduction of NPs for nanomedicine, proteins, and their mutual interactions, research aimed at addressing fundamental properties of the protein corona, specifically its mono‐/multilayer structure, reversibility and irreversibility, time dependence, as well as its role in NP agglomeration, is critically reviewed. It becomes quite evident that the knowledge of the protein corona is still fragmented, and conflicting results on fundamental issues call for further mechanistic studies. The article concludes with a discussion of future research directions that should be taken to advance the understanding of the protein corona around NPs. This knowledge will provide NP developers with the predictive power to account for these interactions in the design of efficacious nanomedicines.
Electronic Modulation of Metal‐Organic Frameworks Caused by Atomically Dispersed Ru for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Li Xinyue , Luo Dian , Jiang Fan , Zhang Kuanjian , Wang Shaoxia , Li Shifeng , Zha Qingqing , Huang Yucheng , Ni Yonghong
Published: April 2023

Designing excellent electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is extremely significant in producing clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel. Herein, a rational strategy is developed to fabricate a promising electrocatalyst by introducing atomically dispersed Ru into a cobalt‐based metal‐organic framework (MOF), Co‐BPDC (Co(bpdc)(H2O)2, BPDC: 4,4'‐Biphenyldicarboxylic acid). The obtained CoRu‐BPDC nanosheet arrays exhibit remarkable HER performance with an overpotential of 37 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline media, which is superior to most of the MOF‐based electrocatalysts and comparable to the commercial Pt/C. Synchrotron radiation‐based X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy studies verify that the isolated Ru atoms are dispersed in Co‐BPDC nanosheets with the formation of five‐coordinated Ru‐O5 species. XAFS spectroscopy combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations unravels that atomically dispersed Ru can modulate the electronic structure of the as‐obtained Co‐BPDC, contributing to the optimization of binding strength for H* and the enhancement of HER performance. This work opens a new avenue to rationally design highly‐active single‐atom modified MOF‐based HER electrocatalysts via modulating electronic structures of MOF.
High‐dose valacyclovir to prevent congenital cytomegalovirus transmission in pregnancy: is it possible to reduce major side effects?
Authors: De Santis M. , Vitelli T. G. , Santangelo R. , Lanzone A. , Tartaglia S.
Published: April 2023

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on D'Antonio et al. Click here to view the article.
Financial Digitalization, FinTech, and the Collaborative Economy
Authors: Meier Henri B. , Marthinsen John E. , Gantenbein Pascal A. , Weber Samuel S.
Published: April 2023

The value chains of Switzerland’s incumbent market players, such as banks and insurance companies, will be increasingly challenged by new technologies and competitors like FinTech, InsurTech, and RegTech firms. Digitalization, artificial intelligence, big data, machine learning, smart contracts, data analytics, distributed ledger technologies, robotics, biometrics, and gamification are just a few ingredients spurring the FinTech revolution and breaking up existing value chains. These developments will fuel the consolidation of processes and collaborations with third parties and shift the boundaries between financial services providers. To support new business models in banking and insurance, the Swiss finance sector has invested in its infrastructure to trade digital assets. It has also been one of the very few early movers globally in providing a comprehensive and solid DLT regulation.
Summary and Outlook
Authors: Meier Henri B. , Marthinsen John E. , Gantenbein Pascal A. , Weber Samuel S.
Published: April 2023

Efficient financial infrastructures for securities trading and payment services have been (and will be) vital to Switzerland as a world financial leader. Historically, banking secrecy was thought to be a critical element in the development of Switzerland's financial sector. Today, the interplay of different types of financial intermediaries and institutional investors and the country's vital interest in having an independent central bank and a stable Swiss franc is at its core. These attributes form the basis for the country's well-functioning debt, equity, and derivatives markets. Switzerland has succeeded despite many counterproductive regulations and taxes. To secure its standard of living, digital transformation and global competition make it more important than ever to channel investments into undertakings at the forefront of technological innovation.
Swiss Financial Market Regulators & Laws
Authors: Meier Henri B. , Marthinsen John E. , Gantenbein Pascal A. , Weber Samuel S.
Published: April 2023

Swiss financial intermediaries are regulated by an assortment of interconnected federal and cantonal laws and authorities. The Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) is Switzerland's primary financial regulator, but it is supported by regulatory powers, such as the Swiss National Bank. The FINMA regulates banks, security exchanges, other financial market infrastructures, securities firms, collective investment schemes, insurance companies, mortgage issuance banks, fund management companies, asset managers and trustees, and trade assayers. Its responsibilities include fighting money laundering, ensuring financial transparency, resolving conflicts, and ensuring that financial institutions’ self-regulatory activities meet at least minimum standards. It also licenses banks operating in or from Switzerland. During the twenty-first century, the Swiss government passed significant legislation that laid the foundation and changed the competitive landscape for Swiss financial institutions.
Swiss National Bank and Swiss Franc’s Role in Global Financial Markets
Authors: Meier Henri B. , Marthinsen John E. , Gantenbein Pascal A. , Weber Samuel S.
Published: April 2023

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is Switzerland’s reliable, conservative, and independent central bank. Its mandate is to ensure price stability with due consideration for the economy’s development. As the nation’s monetary authority, ultimate source of bank liquidity, and lender of last resort, the SNB has kept Switzerland’s inflation low relative to other countries, mitigated systemic financial risks, provided efficient payment services, participated in multilateral global organizations, and compiled useful statistical data. The SNB’s effectiveness, combined with Switzerland’s lack of commercial and financial restrictions, political neutrality, direct democracy, moderate taxes, and fiscally disciplined governments, have appreciated the Swiss franc’s value and made it a haven in times of international turmoil. Digitalization, cryptocurrencies, and central bank digital currencies are challenges the SNB faces.
Human-Autonomy Teaming in Ship Inspection: Psychological Perspectives on the Collaboration Between Humans and Self-Governing Systems
Authors: Ellwart Thomas , Schauffel Nathalie
Published: April 2023

For decades, work psychologists have studied the automation of work processes to establish human-centered work design. Moving from automation to autonomy through software, systems, or tools that support (or supplement) the human worker has specific consequences for field applications, for example, in the maritime sector. Autonomous systems are characterized by a high degree of self-governance concerning adaptation, communication, and decision-making. From a psychological perspective, maritime autonomy means that autonomous agents and humans work interdependently as a human-autonomy team.

In this chapter, we first introduce the concept of human-autonomy teaming (HAT) in the context of maritime work settings. Second, we elaborate on three psychological perspectives on HAT (i.e., level of autonomy, system trust, system knowledge/features) spotlighting a maritime example of HAT in ship inspection. Qualitative interview results from maritime and technological experts give insights into the complex pattern of possible opportunities and hindrances when facing agent autonomy in maritime application fields. Finally, we outline future trends in HAT increasingly needed due to continuous technical improvement. Maritime autonomy is no static goal, but an adaptive team characteristic impacted by human and situational demands with the potential for collaborative learning, challenges for leadership, and open questions regarding the role of responsibility.
Lessons Learned from Maritime Nations Leading Autonomous Operations and Remote Inspection Techniques
Authors: Pastra Aspasia , Klenum Thomas , Johansson Tafsir Matin , Lennan Mitchell , Pribyl Sean , Warner Cody , Xydous Damoulis , Rødølen Frode
Published: April 2023

The chapter presents key findings from the “national comparative study” segment --- a work undertaken under the auspices of the European Union (EU) Horizon 2020 project titled Autonomous Robotic Inspection and Maintenance on Ship Hulls and Storage Tanks (BUGWRIGHT2) under grant agreement no. 871260. It illustrates, using the case study of autonomous operations, as well as primary data collected through sixty (60) in-depth semi-structured interviews with maritime administrations, policy advisors, classification societies, service providers, and subject matter experts—lessons learned from ongoing developments and usage of remote inspection techniques (RIT) for hull inspection from six leading maritime nations: United States of America (US), Canada, the Republic of Singapore (Singapore), the People’s Republic of China (China), the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Netherlands), and the Kingdom of Norway (Norway).
Towards an International Guideline for RIT End-Users: Spearing Through Vessel Inspection and Hull Cleaning Techno-Regulatory Elements
Authors: Pastra Aspasia , Núñez-Sánchez Miguel Juan , Kartsimadakis Anastasios , Johansson Tafsir Matin , Klenum Thomas , Aschert Thomas , Lennan Mitchell , Papaioannou Marina G. , Theodorou Maria
Published: April 2023

State-of-the-art remote inspection techniques (RIT), namely unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and magnetic crawlers are the resultants of a cascade of technological innovation. RIT usage has gathered momentum since classification societies turned to manuals alternatives during COVID-19 pandemic. Capable of gathering complex data through real-time visual imagery, it is claimed that RIT has the potential to deliver inspection services more safely and efficiently, thus enabling the transformative digitalization of the “ship survey” landscape. The paradigm shift has begun. In this scope, the multi-robot (ship-hull) survey platforms explored by classification societies and service suppliers have the potential to alter the manner in which massive structures are currently being inspected and maintained. This change will eventually improve shipping competitiveness, thus, paving the way for better and safer regulations and standards. Notwithstanding, the current framework derived from international common minimum standards, while noteworthy and creditable, continues to facilitate a number of thorny issues that could arise post-deployment of available techniques. This chapter highlights crucial elements that could altogether serve as a pathway forward against incidental issues acting as market growth barriers resulting in an unwanted impasse in this paradigm shift. This chapter derives from research conducted under the European Union (EU) Horizon 2020 funded project titled Autonomous Robotic Inspection and Maintenance on Ship Hulls (BUG-WRIGHT2) under grant agreement No. 871260.
Thermal one point functions, large d and interior geometry of black holes
Authors: David Justin R. , Kumar Srijan
Published: April 2023

Abstract

We study thermal one point functions of massive scalars in AdSd+1 black holes. These are induced by coupling the scalar to either the Weyl tensor squared or the Gauss-Bonnet term. Grinberg and Maldacena argued that the one point functions sourced by the Weyl tensor exponentiate in the limit of large scalar masses and they contain information of the black hole geometry behind the horizon. We observe that the one point functions behave identically in this limit for either of the couplings mentioned earlier. We show that in an appropriate large d limit, the one point function for the charged black hole in AdSd+1 can be obtained exactly. These black holes in general contain an inner horizon. We show that the one point function exponentiates and contains the information of both the proper time between the outer horizon to the inner horizon as well as the proper length from the inner horizon to the singularity. We also show that Gauss-Bonnet coupling induced one point functions in AdSd+1 black holes with hyperbolic horizons behave as anticipated by Grinberg-Maldacena. Finally, we study the one point functions in the background of rotating BTZ black holes induced by the cubic coupling of scalars.
VPL as Design Learning Tool Between Geometry and Fabrication
Authors: Carota Francesco , Tomalini Andrea
Published: April 2023

Report of a teaching experience conducted in the 1st year of the degree course in architecture. VPL tools provide an educational interface to manage spatial geometric and architectural concepts. After being analyzed in the digital environment, each theoretical concept has its implication in an experience with digital fabrication tools.
Artificial Intelligence and Urban Block—Building the Common Language
Authors: Turk Didem
Published: April 2023

The research focuses on the application of AI in the field of urban morphology. The research takes urban blocks as a case study and treats urban block-related high-resolution images as data. The aim is to train an AI model to automatically detect urban block to conduct further quantitative analysis.
Land Tenure, Ownership and Use as Barriers to Coastal Wetland Restoration Projects in Australia: Recommendations and Solutions
Authors: Bell-James Justine , Fitzsimons James A. , Lovelock Catherine E.
Published: April 2023

Globally, there is an urgent need for widespread restoration of coastal wetlands like mangroves and saltmarsh. This restoration has been slow to progress in Australia for a number of reasons, including legal issues surrounding land tenure, ownership and use. This paper uses the responses to a survey of coastal zone experts to identify and articulate these legal issues, before considering and analysing in-depth recommendations, solutions and levers to facilitate restoration, and areas where further research or possible policy and/or law reform is needed. It calls for legislative reform to clarify tidal boundaries generally and under sea-level rise, greater use of incentive schemes to encourage the uptake of restoration projects, and utilisation of contracts and land-based covenants to secure projects and carbon flows.
The right uncinate fasciculus supports verbal short-term memory in aphasia
Authors: Olivé Guillem , Peñaloza Claudia , Vaquero Lucía , Laine Matti , Martin Nadine , Rodriguez-Fornells Antoni
Published: April 2023

Verbal short-term memory (STM) deficits are associated with language processing impairments in people with aphasia. Importantly, the integrity of STM can predict word learning ability and anomia therapy gains in aphasia. While the recruitment of perilesional and contralesional homologous brain regions has been proposed as a possible mechanism for aphasia recovery, little is known about the white-matter pathways that support verbal STM in post-stroke aphasia. Here, we investigated the relationships between the language-related white matter tracts and verbal STM ability in aphasia. Nineteen participants with post-stroke chronic aphasia completed a subset of verbal STM subtests of the TALSA battery including nonword repetition (phonological STM), pointing span (lexical-semantic STM without language output) and repetition span tasks (lexical-semantic STM with language output). Using a manual deterministic tractography approach, we investigated the micro- and macrostructural properties of the structural language network. Next, we assessed the relationships between individually extracted tract values and verbal STM scores. We found significant correlations between volume measures of the right Uncinate Fasciculus and all three verbal STM scores, with the association between the right UF volume and nonword repetition being the strongest one. These findings suggest that the integrity of the right UF is associated with phonological and lexical-semantic verbal STM ability in aphasia and highlight the potential compensatory role of right-sided ventral white matter language tracts in supporting verbal STM after aphasia-inducing left hemisphere insult.
Convolutional neural networks on risk stratification of patients with suspected coronary artery disease undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography
Authors: Adolf Rafael , Nano Nejva , Chami Alessa , von Schacky Claudio E. , Will Albrecht , Hendrich Eva , Martinoff Stefan A. , Hadamitzky Martin
Published: April 2023

To assess the prognostic value of convolutional neural networks (CNN) on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in comparison to conventional computed tomography (CT) reporting and clinical risk scores. 5468 patients who underwent CCTA with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were included. Primary endpoint was defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina or late revascularization (> 90 days after CCTA). Early revascularization was additionally included as a training endpoint for the CNN algorithm. Cardiovascular risk stratification was based on Morise score and the extent of CAD (eoCAD) as assessed on CCTA. Semiautomatic post-processing was performed for vessel delineation and annotation of calcified and non-calcified plaque areas. Using a two-step training of a DenseNet-121 CNN the entire network was trained with the training endpoint, followed by training the feature layer with the primary endpoint. During a median follow-up of 7.2 years, the primary endpoint occurred in 334 patients. CNN showed an AUC of 0.631 ± 0.015 for prediction of the combined primary endpoint, while combining it with conventional CT and clinical risk scores showed an improvement of AUC from 0.646 ± 0.014 (based on eoCAD only) to 0.680 ± 0.015 (p < 0.0001) and from 0.619 ± 0.0149 (based on Morise Score only) to 0.6812 ± 0.0145 (p < 0.0001), respectively. In a stepwise model including all prediction methods, it was found an AUC of 0.680 ± 0.0148. CNN analysis showed to improve conventional CCTA-derived and clinical risk stratification when evaluating CCTA of patients with suspected CAD.
Bringing Together Species Observations: A Case Story of Sweden’s Biodiversity Informatics Infrastructures
Authors: D. Peterson Jesse , Kasperowski Dick , van der Wal René
Published: April 2023

Biodiversity informatics produces global biodiversity knowledge through the collection and analysis of biodiversity data using informatics techniques. To do so, biodiversity informatics relies upon data accrual, standardization, transferability, openness, and “invisible” infrastructure. What biodiversity informatics mean to society, however, cannot be adequately understood without recognizing what organizes biodiversity data. Using insights from science and technology studies, we story the organizing “visions” behind the growth of biodiversity informatics infrastructures in Sweden—an early adopter of digital technologies and significant contributor to global biodiversity data—through interviews, scientific literature, governmental reports and popular publications. This case story discloses the organizational formation of Swedish biodiversity informatics infrastructures from the 1970s to the present day, illustrating how situated perspectives or “visions” shaped the philosophies, directions and infrastructures of its biodiversity informatics communities. Specifically, visions related to scientific progress and species loss, their institutionalization, and the need to negotiate external interests from governmental organizations led to unequal development across multiple infrastructures that contribute differently to biodiversity knowledge. We argue that such difference highlights that the social and organizational hurdles for combining biodiversity data are just as significant as the technological challenges and that the seemingly inconsequential organizational aspects of its infrastructure shape what biodiversity data can be brought together, modelled and visualised.
Modeling locative prefix semantics. A formal account of the English verbal prefix out-
Authors: Kotowski Sven
Published: April 2023

The English verbal prefixout- gives rise to at least two semantic categories: comparative forms as into outplay someoneand locative forms as into outstream from somewhere. While most available studies on the comparative sense rely on insufficient databases, systematic studies on the actual behavior of locative verbalout-forms are lacking altogether. Building on a set of more than 1,500 tokens culled from corpora, this study is the first to systematically analyze, formalize, and contrast the two senses. The formal analysis will be couched in frame semantics and model both individual attested examples as well as lexeme-formation rules based on generalizations. Formalizations of the two prefixes, and their implications, are shown to speak against an analysis of one underlying, underspecified prefix. Locativeout- essentially functions as a morphologically bound, and highly restricted, version ofout- as a particle, while comparativeout- is a highly specialized, idiosynchratic construction.
Impact of body mass index in patients receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Vithayathil Mathew , D’Alessio Antonio , Fulgenzi Claudia Angela Maria , Nishida Naoshi , Schönlein Martin , von Felden Johann , Schulze Kornelius , Wege Henning , Saeed Anwaar , Wietharn Brooke , Hildebrand Hannah , Wu Linda , Ang Celina , Marron Thomas U. , Weinmann Arndt , Galle Peter R. , Bettinger Dominik , Bengsch Bertram , Vogel Arndt , Balcar Lorenz , Scheiner Bernhard , Lee Pei-Chang , Huang Yi-Hsiang , Amara Suneetha , Muzaffar Mahvish , Naqash Abdul Rafeh , Cammarota Antonella , Zanuso Valentina , Pressiani Tiziana , Pinter Matthias , Cortellini Alessio , Kudo Masatoshi , Rimassa Lorenza , Pinato David J. , Sharma Rohini
Published: April 2023

Background

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev) is first line-treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Body mass index (BMI) has demonstrated predictive value for response to immunotherapy in non-HCC cancer types. Our study investigated the effect of BMI on safety and efficacy of real-life use of Atezo/Bev for unresectable HCC.

Methods

191 consecutive patients from seven centres receiving Atezo/Bev were included in the retrospective study. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) defined by RECIST v1.1 were measured in overweight (BMI ≥ 25) and non-overweight (BMI < 25) patients. Treatment-related adverse events (trAEs) were evaluated.

Results

Patients in the overweight cohort (n = 94) had higher rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and lower rates of Hepatitis B compared to non-overweight cohort (n = 97). Baseline Child–Pugh class and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage were similar between cohorts, with lower rates of extrahepatic spread in the overweight group. Overweight patients had similar OS compared to non-overweight (median OS 15.1 vs. 14.9 months; p = 0.99). BMI did not influence median PFS (7.1 vs. 6.1 months; p = 0.42), ORR (27.2% vs. 22.0%; p = 0.44) and DCR (74.1% vs. 71.9%; p = 0.46). There were higher rates of atezolizumab-related fatigue (22.3% vs. 10.3%; p = 0.02) and bevacizumab-related thrombosis (8.5% vs. 2.1%; p = 0.045) in the overweight patients, but overall trAEs and treatment discontinuation were comparable between cohorts.

Conclusion

Atezo/Bev has comparable efficacy in overweight HCC patients, with an increase in treatment-related fatigue and thrombosis. Combination therapy is safe and efficacious to use in overweight patients, including those with underlying NAFLD.
Constructing Gay Male Identity in a Multicultural Society: A Qualitative Grounded Theory Study in Malaysia
Authors: Liow Jun Wei , Chong Jia Wearn , Ting Rachel Sing Kiat
Published: April 2023

Malaysia is a multiethnic and multireligious country in Asia that provides a rich landscape for the study of intersectional influences on sexual identity development. This study adopted a constructivist grounded theory research design to explore sexual identity development in 36 Malaysian gay males of varying ethnicities and religious affiliations. We proposed a five-stage Systemic Interaction Model (SIM) that theorizes sexual identity development as a continuous process of gay men discovering and then cycling between refining and redefining their self-concept. The five SIM stages are as follows: (1) noticing same-sex attraction and gender nonconformity; (2) exploring, experimenting, and eradicating differences from among same-sex peers; (3) confirming sexual orientation as gay; (4) accepting sexual identity as gay and (5) negotiating social expectations and pursuing a perceived ideal gay life. The five-stage model details the intricate intersectional, intrapersonal and interpersonal processes of Malaysian gay men as they move from passive roles into active cultural agents, developing their sexual identity in the relational, closeknit and tight Malaysian society in the process. Implications for health professionals and policymakers were also discussed.
Natural Occurrence, Exposure Assessment & Risk Characterization of Alternaria Mycotoxins in Apple By-Products in Argentina
Authors: Pavicich María Agustina , De Boevre Marthe , Vidal Arnau , Mikula Hannes , Warth Benedikt , Marko Doris , De Saeger Sarah , Patriarca Andrea
Published: April 2023

Data on the natural occurrence of Alternaria mycotoxins in apple by-products is lacking in Argentina and the risk of exposure to these mycotoxins has not been characterized before. The levels of alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), altenuene (ALT), tenuazonic acid (TeA), tentoxin (TEN), altertoxin-I (ATX-I), altertoxin-II (ATX-II), alternariol 3-sulfate (AOH-3-S), alternariol 3-glucoside (AOH-3-G), alternariol monomethyl ether 3-sulfate (AME-3-S), and alternariol monomethyl ether 3-glucoside (AME-3-G) were determined in clarified and cloudy apple juices, marmalades, and apple-based infant food from the Argentinean market, and the risk of exposure was characterized. Detectable levels of AME, TEN, TeA, AME-3-S and AOH-3-G were found in clarified juices, while the same mycotoxins plus AOH were found in cloudy apple juices in higher concentrations. AME, TEN, TeA and AOH-3G were detected in marmalades, and AOH, AME, TEN and TeA in apple infant food. Probabilistic exposure assessment and risk characterization were carried out for children between 6 months and 5 years old in Argentina. The highest risk of exposure affected children between 6 and 23 months from the consumption of apple infant food and mainly associated with the alternariols. Better control strategies to prevent the incorporation of Alternaria mouldy core into the process line and the establishment of legislation for Alternaria mycotoxins are needed in Argentina.
Extraction of non-infected redundant pacing and defibrillator leads does not result in better patient outcomes
Authors: Bracke Frank A. , Rademakers Leonard M. , van Veghel Dennis
Published: April 2023

The introduction of dedicated tools for pacing and defibrillator lead extraction has resulted in relatively high success and low complication rates. The confidence this elicits has broadened the indications from device infections to non-functional or redundant leads and the latter make up an increasing share of extraction procedures. Proponents of extracting these leads point to the higher complication burden of lead extraction in patients with longstanding abandoned leads when compared one-to-one with extraction when these leads become redundant. However, this does not translate into better patient outcomes on a population level: complications are rare with properly abandoned leads and thus most patients will never be subjected to an extraction procedure and the ensuing complications. Therefore, not extracting redundant leads minimises the risk for the patients and avoids many expensive procedures.
Talented athletes as high achievers—only in sports? Analysis of academic performance and the impact of dual career assistance programmes in upper secondary school
Authors: Sallen Jeffrey , Wendeborn Thomas , Gerlach Erin
Published: April 2023

The simultaneous pursuit of success in elite sport and the highest school qualification is considered to be one of the challenges for adolescents who are sporting talents. Dual career assistance programmes (DCAPs) for student-athletes are designed to help master this challenge in the best possible way. This study focusses on the upper secondary school performance of 200 student-athletes from an elite sports school. First, the school performance of student-athletes enrolled in two different DCAPs was compared. In addition to the educational services in DCAP‑1, DCAP‑2 includes a 1-year extension of the school period and the option of spreading the final exam phase out over several school years. Second, the school performance of student-athletes was compared with the performance of the entire student population. The analyses yielded the following findings: 1) student-athletes’ school performance is well above the average of the entire student population. 2) Although, DCAP‑2 users are much more involved in elite sport, their school performance and performance development do not differ from DCAP‑1 users. These results do not provide any indication of a systematic neglect of student-athletes’ academic career in favour of their athletic career. DCAPs appear to ensure the success of student-athletes’ academic careers effectively.
Minimally invasive technique for gastric GIST at challenging locations: single incision surgical gastroscopy
Authors: Stiekema Jurrien , Luttikhold Joanna , Heineman David , Neerincx Maarten , Daams Freek
Published: April 2023

Organ sparing resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) located in the proximal stomach or esophagogastric junction can be challenging, resulting in proximal or total gastrectomy to facilitate a radical resection without tumor spill. We developed and evaluated a single incision surgical gastroscopy (SISG) procedure to provide a technically feasible alternative for the removal of gastric GISTs at these challenging locations. We developed an endoluminal resection of gastric GISTs through a small single abdominal incision and longitudinal ventral gastrotomy. Patients with a proximal tumor location, in whom a wedge resection was deemed challenging on pre-operative investigation were included in the current series. Safety, short-term oncological and surgical outcome were evaluated. We performed SISG in six consecutive patients with histopathological proven or suspected gastric GIST. In all patients, the procedure was performed successfully with no tumor rupture. The mean operative time was 61 min and there were no significant complications. Pathological examination showed a microscopically radical resection in all patients. Single incision surgical gastroscopy is a feasible technique with excellent short-term oncological and surgical outcomes. This technique serves as a good alternative for complicated resections for gastric GISTs at challenging locations.
StringENT test suite: ENT battery revisited for efficient P value computation
Authors: Almaraz Luengo Elena , Alaña Olivares Bittor , García Villalba Luis Javier , Hernandez-Castro Julio , Hurley-Smith Darren
Published: April 2023

Random numbers play a key role in a wide variety of applications, ranging from mathematical simulation to cryptography. Generating random or pseudo-random numbers is not an easy task, especially when hardware, time and energy constraints are considered. In order to assess whether generators behave in a random fashion, there are several statistical test batteries. ENT is one of the simplest and most popular, at least in part due to its efficacy and speed. Nonetheless, only one of the tests of this suite provides a p value, which is the most useful and standard way to determine whether the randomness hypothesis holds, for a certain significance level. As a consequence of this, rather arbitrary and at times misleading bounds are set in order to decide which intervals are acceptable for its results. This paper introduces an extension of the battery, named StringENT, which, while sticking to the fast speed that makes ENT popular and useful, still succeeds in providing p values with which sound decisions can be made about the randomness of a sequence. It also highlights a flagrant randomness flaw that the classical ENT battery is not capable of detecting but the new StringENT notices, and introduces two additional tests.
Functional surface homogenization of nanobiochar with cation exchanger for improved removal performance of methylene blue and lead pollutants
Authors: Mahmoud Safe ELdeen M. E. , Ursueguia David , Mahmoud Mohamed E. , Abdel-Fattah Tarek M. , Díaz Eva
Published: April 2023

Biochar materials are good examples of sustainable adsorbents with appreciable recent interests and applications in water treatment. The disadvantage of using unmodified pristine biochars in water treatment is mainly related to the inhomogeneous distribution of various surface functional groups. Therefore, the current study is designed to functionalize and homogenize the surface of a selected nanobiochar with a cation exchanger using hydrothermal and solvothermal microwave irradiation. The adsorption behavior of immobilized Amberlite cation exchanger onto Cynara scolymus nanobiochar (ACE@CSNB) was compared versus the pristine Cynara scolymus nanobiochar (CSNB). ACE@CSNB was categorized as a typical mesoporous material (mean pore size = 2.238 nm) and the FT-IR spectra confirmed surface modification via two characteristic peaks at 1140–1250 cm−1 and 1030–1070 cm−1 for R-SO3− with S = O. The TPD–MS analysis of CSNB and ACE@CSNB referred to the presence of carboxyl, lactonic, and acid anhydride groups as well as phenolic moieties. The adsorption behavior of methylene blue dye and lead ions by ACE@CSNB was found much higher than those concluded by CSNB providing maximum adsorptive capacity values owing to the played clear role by Amberlite cation exchanger. Moreover, ACE@CSNB was efficiently regenerated and confirmed MB and Pb(II) removal with 92.26% and 1000 µmol g−1, respectively Finally, the removal efficiency values from three water matrices by ACE@CSNB biochar were characterized as 91.74–98.19% and 96.27–99.14% for Pb(II) and MB, respectively to refer to the validity and applicability of the investigated ACE@CSNB biochar for treatment of these two pollutants from real water samples with excellent efficiency.

Graphical Abstract
Antifungal alkaloids from Mahonia fortunei against pathogens of postharvest fruit
Authors: Wang Xiao-Na , Wang Zhao-Jie , Zhao Yun , Wang Huan , Xiang Mei-Ling , Liu Yang-Yang , Zhao Li-Xing , Luo Xiao-Dong
Published: April 2023

Postharvest pathogens can affect a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables, including grapes, resulting in significant profit loss. Isoquinoline alkaloids of Mahoniafortunei, a Chinese herbal medicine, have been used to treat infectious microbes, which might be effective against postharvest pathogens. The phytochemical and bioactive investigation of this plant led to the isolation of 18 alkaloids, of which 9 compounds inhibited the growth of Botrytiscinerea and 4 compounds against Penicilliumitalicum. The antifungal alkaloids could change the mycelium morphology, the total lipid content, and leak the cell contents of B.cinerea. Furthermore, the two most potent antifungal alkaloids, berberine (13) completely inhibited effect on gray mold of table grape at 512 mg L−1, while jatrorrhizine (18) exhibited an inhibition rate > 90% on grape rot at the same concentration, with lower cytotoxicity and residue than chlorothalonil, which suggested that ingredients of M.fortunei might be a low-toxicity, low-residue, eco-friendly botanical fungicide against postharvest pathogens.

Graphical Abstract
Compression Therapy in Dermatology
Authors: Romanelli Marco , Manzo Margiotta Flavia , Michelucci Alessandra , Granieri Giammarco , Janowska Agata , Dini Valentina
Published: April 2023

Purpose of Review

The compression therapy provides valuable support during management of vascular and inflammatory lower leg skin disorders. The review outlines the mechanism of action and the treatment options available with indications for use in wound management and general dermatology.

Recent Findings

Atypical wounds such as pyoderma gangrenosum, cutaneous vasculitis and other inflammatory skin diseases may benefit from the use of compression therapy. Adherence to treatment is always a challenging aspects for patients and caregiver, but modern technologies and specific materials have improved the compliance during treatment.

Compression therapy is a main option in vascular ulcer management. The technology provided by different devices together with new methods of bandaging application have increased the outcomes and acceptability from patients. Physicians should be aware of the advantages provided by compression therapy in skin diseases.