bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term in vitro recording of cardiac action potentials on microelectrode arrays for chronic cardiotoxicity assessment
Authors: Iachetta Giuseppina , Melle Giovanni , Colistra Nicolò , Tantussi Francesco , De Angelis Francesco , Dipalo Michele
Published: January 2023

The reliable identification of chronic cardiotoxic effects in in vitro screenings is fundamental for filtering out toxic molecular entities before in vivo animal experimentation and clinical trials. Present techniques such as patch-clamp, voltage indicators, and standard microelectrode arrays do not offer at the same time high sensitivity for measuring transmembrane ion currents and low-invasiveness for monitoring cells over long time. Here, we show that optoporation applied to microelectrode arrays enables measuring action potentials from human-derived cardiac syncytia for more than 1 continuous month and provides reliable data on chronic cardiotoxic effects caused by known compounds such as pentamidine. The technique has high potential for detecting chronic cardiotoxicity in the early phases of drug development.
Free-breathing 3D Stack-of-Stars Gradient Echo Sequence in MR-guided Percutaneous Liver Interventions: Evaluation of Workflow and Diagnostic Quality
Authors: Glandorf Julian , Horstmann Dominik , Düx Daniel Markus , Wacker Frank , Gutberlet Marcel , Hensen Bennet
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To evaluate workflow efficiency and diagnostic quality of a free-breathing 3D stack-of-stars gradient echo (Radial GRE) sequence compared to a breath-hold 3D Cartesian gradient echo (Cartesian GRE) sequence for needle position control in MR-guided liver interventions.

Materials and Methods

12 MR-guided liver interventions were performed on a 1.5 T Siemens Aera and analyzed retrospectively. 15 series of the Radial GRE sequence were compared to 14 series of the Cartesian GRE sequence regarding the time interval between two consecutive live-scans for needle tracking (Tracking-2-Tracking-Time). The quality of both sequences was compared by the SNR within comparable slices in liver and tumor ROIs. The CNR was calculated by subtraction of the SNR values. Subjective image quality scores of three radiologists were assessed and inter-rater reliability was tested by Fleiss’ kappa. Values are given as mean ± SD. P-values < 0.05 were considered as significant.

Results

The median Tracking-2-Tracking-Time was significantly shorter for the Radial GRE sequence, 185 ± 42 s vs. 212 ± 142 s (p = 0.04) and the median SNR of the liver and tumor ROIs were significantly higher in the Radial GRE sequence, 249 ± 92 vs. 109 ± 67 (p = 0.03) and 165 ± 74 vs. 77 ± 43 (p = 0.02). CNR between tumor and liver ROIs showed a tendency to be higher for the Radial GRE sequence without significance, 68 ± 48 vs. 49 ± 32 (p = 0.28). Mean subjective image quality was 3.33 ± 1.08 vs. 2.62 ± 0.95 comparing Radial and Cartesian GRE with a Fleiss’ kappa of 0.39 representing fair inter-rater reliability.

Conclusion

A free-breathing 3D stack-of-stars gradient echo sequence can simplify the workflow and reduce intervention time, while providing superior image quality. Under local anesthesia, it increases patient comfort and reduces potential risks for needle dislocations in MR-guided liver interventions by avoiding respiratory arrests for needle position control.
Fetal MRI radiomics: non-invasive and reproducible quantification of human lung maturity
Authors: Prayer Florian , Watzenböck Martin L. , Heidinger Benedikt H. , Rainer Julian , Schmidbauer Victor , Prosch Helmut , Ulm Barbara , Rubesova Erika , Prayer Daniela , Kasprian Gregor
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To assess the reproducibility of radiomics features extracted from the developing lung in repeated in-vivo fetal MRI acquisitions.

Methods

In-vivo MRI (1.5 Tesla) scans of 30 fetuses, each including two axial and one coronal T2-weighted sequences of the whole lung with all other acquisition parameters kept constant, were retrospectively identified. Manual segmentation of the lungs was performed using ITK-Snap. One hundred radiomics features were extracted from fetal lung MRI data using Pyradiomics, resulting in 90 datasets. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) of radiomics features were calculated between baseline and repeat axial acquisitions and between baseline axial and coronal acquisitions.

Results

MRI data of 30 fetuses (12 [40%] females, 18 [60%] males) at a median gestational age of 24 + 5 gestational weeks plus days (GW) (interquartile range [IQR] 3 + 3 GW, range 21 + 1 to 32 + 6 GW) were included. Median ICC of radiomics features between baseline and repeat axial MR acquisitions was 0.92 (IQR 0.13, range 0.33 to 1), with 60 features exhibiting excellent (ICC > 0.9), 27 good (> 0.75–0.9), twelve moderate (0.5–0.75), and one poor (ICC < 0.5) reproducibility. Median ICC of radiomics features between baseline axial and coronal MR acquisitions was 0.79 (IQR 0.15, range 0.2 to 1), with 20 features exhibiting excellent, 47 good, 29 moderate, and four poor reproducibility.

Conclusion

Standardized in-vivo fetal MRI allows reproducible extraction of lung radiomics features. In the future, radiomics analysis may improve diagnostic and prognostic yield of fetal MRI in normal and pathologic lung development.

Key Points

• Non-invasive fetal MRI acquired using a standardized protocol allows reproducible extraction of radiomics features from the developing lung for objective tissue characterization.

• Alteration of imaging plane between fetal MRI acquisitions has a negative impact on lung radiomics feature reproducibility.

• Fetal MRI radiomics features reflecting the microstructure and shape of the fetal lung could complement observed-to-expected lung volume in the prediction of postnatal outcome and optimal treatment of fetuses with abnormal lung development in the future.
Respiratory morbidity in preschool and school-age children born very preterm and its association with parents’ health-related quality of life and family functioning
Authors: Peralta Gabriela P. , Piatti Raffaela , Haile Sarah R. , Adams Mark , Bassler Dirk , Moeller Alexander , Natalucci Giancarlo , Kriemler Susi
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence and severity of respiratory symptoms in children born very preterm and to assess their association with parents’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and family functioning. We conducted a cross-sectional study and recruited children born less than 32 weeks’ gestation between January 2006 and December 2019, in the greater Zurich area, Switzerland. Between May and December 2021, parents were invited to complete an online survey for their preterm child and for a control term born (≥ 37 weeks’ gestation) sibling aged 1 to 18 years. We used a validated questionnaire to assess respiratory symptoms and the
Pediatrics Quality of Life Family Impact Module (PedsQL FIM) to assess parents’ HRQoL and family functioning. The survey was completed for 616 very preterm children (99 with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)) and 180 controls. Girls made up 45% (46% in controls) of the sample, and 63% (60% in controls) of participants were aged 6 to 18 years (school-age). Very preterm children reported a higher risk of respiratory symptoms than controls, especially preschoolers and those with moderate-to-severe BPD. Parents of children with “mild” and “moderate-severe” respiratory symptoms had on average −3.9 (95%CI: −6.6 to −1.1) and −8.2 (−11.2 to −5.2) lower PedsQL FIM total score, respectively, than parents of children with no symptoms. The same pattern was observed after stratifying by age categories.

  Conclusions: Our study suggests that respiratory morbidity in very preterm children has a negative impact on parents’ HRQoL and family functioning, even beyond the first years of life.

What is Known:• The burden of respiratory morbidity associated with very premature birth is high and last far beyond the neonatal period.• Respiratory morbidity contributes to lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in parents of very preterm children in early infancy.

What is New:• Respiratory morbidity in very preterm children has a negative impact on parents’ HRQoL and family functioning beyond the first years of life.• Parents of very preterm children with moderate and severe respiratory symptoms are the ones who report lower scores, both for preschool and school-age children.
Prognostic value of MR-detected mandibular nerve involvement: potential indication for future individual induction chemotherapy in T4 nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Huang Wenjie , Li Shuqi , Luo Chao , Liang Zhiying , Zhou Shumin , Li Haojiang , Cai Yi , Liang Shaobo , Ruan Guangying , Cai Peiqiang , Liu Lizhi
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To investigate the prognostic significance of MR-detected mandibular nerve involvement (MNI) and its value for induction chemotherapy (IC) administration in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and T4 disease.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 792 non-metastatic, biopsy-proven NPC patients. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate potential prognosticators. The inter-observer agreement was assessed by the kappa values.

Results

MR-detected MNI was observed in 141 (72.3%) patients among 195 patients with T4 disease, with excellent agreement between the readers (kappa = 0.926). Patients with MR-detected MNI presented better 5-year overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.40; P = 0.006) than those with MR-negative MNI. Of these patients, IC treatment was verified as an independent factor (HR: 0.35; P = 0.014) with preferable effect on OS.

Conclusion

MR-detected MNI could serve as an independent favorable prognostic predictor for OS in NPC patients with stage T4, which should be considered for stratifying these patients for IC administration.
Telestration with augmented reality improves surgical performance through gaze guidance
Authors: Felinska Eleni Amelia , Fuchs Thomas Ewald , Kogkas Alexandros , Chen Zi-Wei , Otto Benjamin , Kowalewski Karl-Friedrich , Petersen Jens , Müller-Stich Beat Peter , Mylonas George , Nickel Felix
Published: January 2023

Background

In minimally invasive surgery (MIS), trainees need to learn how to interpret the operative field displayed on the laparoscopic screen. Experts currently guide trainees mainly verbally during laparoscopic procedures. A newly developed telestration system with augmented reality (iSurgeon) allows the instructor to display hand gestures in real-time on the laparoscopic screen in augmented reality to provide visual expert guidance (telestration). This study analysed the effect of telestration guided instructions on gaze behaviour during MIS training.

Methods

In a randomized-controlled crossover study, 40 MIS naive medical students performed 8 laparoscopic tasks with telestration or with verbal instructions only. Pupil Core eye-tracking glasses were used to capture the instructor’s and trainees’ gazes. Gaze behaviour measures for tasks 1–7 were gaze latency, gaze convergence and collaborative gaze convergence. Performance measures included the number of errors in tasks 1–7 and trainee’s ratings in structured and standardized performance scores in task 8 (ex vivo porcine laparoscopic cholecystectomy).

Results

There was a significant improvement 1–7 on gaze latency [F(1,39) = 762.5, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.95], gaze convergence [F(1,39) = 482.8, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.93] and collaborative gaze convergence [F(1,39) = 408.4, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.91] upon instruction with iSurgeon. The number of errors was significantly lower in tasks 1–7 (0.18 ± 0.56 vs. 1.94 ± 1.80, p < 0.01) and the score ratings for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were significantly higher with telestration (global OSATS: 29 ± 2.5 vs. 25 ± 5.5, p < 0.01; task-specific OSATS: 60 ± 3 vs. 50 ± 6, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Telestration with augmented reality successfully improved surgical performance. The trainee’s gaze behaviour was improved by reducing the time from instruction to fixation on targets and leading to a higher convergence of the instructor’s and the trainee’s gazes. Also, the convergence of trainee’s gaze and target areas increased with telestration. This confirms augmented reality-based telestration works by means of gaze guidance in MIS and could be used to improve training outcomes.
Approximation of simplicial complexes using matroids and rough sets
Authors: El Atik Abd El Fattah
Published: January 2023

Matroid models are used to approximate complex systems that can be used to solve problems in the real world. The main goal of this paper is to show how matrices and rough sets on simplicial complexes can be used to create new types of matroids called simplicial matroids. We will look at some of their material properties. Because of these results, we are interested in learning about circuit and base axioms, rank functions, and closure operators. We also give more equivalent relations that can be used to make other equivalent simplicial matroids, such as 2-circuit simplicial matroids.
Anxiety and behavioral changes in Japanese patients with inflammatory bowel disease due to COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey
Authors: Nakase Hiroshi , Wagatsuma Kohei , Nojima Masanori , Matsumoto Takayuki , Matsuura Minoru , Iijima Hideki , Matsuoka Katsuyoshi , Ohmiya Naoki , Ishihara Shunji , Hirai Fumihito , Takeuchi Ken , Tamura Satoshi , Kinjo Fukunori , Ueno Nobuhiro , Naganuma Makoto , Watanabe Kenji , Moroi Rintaro , Nishimata Nobuaki , Motoya Satoshi , Kurahara Koichi , Takahashi Sakuma , Maemoto Atsuo , Sakuraba Hirotake , Saruta Masayuki , Tominaga Keiichi , Hisabe Takashi , Tanaka Hiroki , Terai Shuji , Hiraoka Sakiko , Takedomi Hironobu , Narimatsu Kazuyuki , Endo Katsuya , Nakamura Masanao , Hisamatsu Tadakazu
Published: January 2023

Background

Given the increasing health concerns for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we investigated the impact of the pandemic on the anxiety and behavioral changes in Japanese patients with IBD.

Methods

We analyzed 3032 questionnaires from patients with IBD, aged 16 years or older visiting 30 hospitals and 1 clinic between March 2020 and June 2021. The primary outcome was the score of the anxiety experienced by patients with IBD during the pandemic.

Results

Participants reported a median age of 44 years; 43.3% of the patients were women. Moreover, 60.6% and 39.4% were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, respectively, with a median disease duration of 10 years. Participants indicated an average of disease-related anxiety score of 5.1 ± 2.5 on a ten-point scale, with a tendency to increase, 1 month after the number of infected persons per population increased. The top three causes for anxiety were the risk of contracting COVID-19 during hospital visits, SARS-CoV-2 infection due to IBD, and infection by IBD medication. Factors associated with anxiety were gender (women), being a homemaker, hospital visit timings, mode of transportation (train), use of immunosuppressive drugs, and nutritional therapy. Most patients continued attending their scheduled hospital visits, taking their medications, experienced the need for a family doctor, and sought guidance and information regarding COVID-19 from primary doctors, television, and Internet news.

Conclusions

Patients with IBD experienced moderate disease-related anxiety due to the pandemic and should be proactively informed about infectious diseases to relieve their anxiety.
Platelet-rich fibrin vs. buccal advancement flap for closure of oroantral communications: a prospective clinical study
Authors: Hunger Stefan , Krennmair Stefan , Krennmair Gerald , Otto Sven , Postl Lukas , Nadalini Danilo-Marc
Published: January 2023

Objectives

The primary aim was to evaluate the success of the defect closure (tight or open) of oroantral communications (OAC) after treatment with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) clots or a buccal advancement flap (BAF). Secondary outcome measurements were the evaluation of the wound healing, the displacement of the mucogingival border (MGB), and the pain level.

Material and methods

Fifty eligible patients with an OAC defect larger than 3 mm were randomly assigned to either PRF (test group,n = 25) or BAF (control group,n = 25) for defect closure. In a prospective follow-up program of 21 days, the defect closure healing process, the wound healing course using Landry’s wound healing index (score: 0–5), the displacement of the MGB, and the postoperative pain score were evaluated.

Results

Five patients in each group were lost to follow-up resulting in 40 patients (20 in each group) for continuous evaluation. On postoperative day 21 (study endpoint), no difference regarding success rate (defined as closure of OAC) was noticed between the test (90%; 18/20) and control group (90%; 18/20). A univariate analysis showed significant differences for age and defect size/height for the use of PRF between successful-tight and open–failed defect healing. At the final evaluation, a significantly (p = 0.005) better wound healing score, a lower displacement of the MGB as well as lower pain-score were seen for the use of PRF.

Conclusions

Based on the findings of the current study, the use of platelet-rich fibrin represents a reliable and successful method for closure of oroantral communications. The use of PRF clots for defect filling is associated with lowered pain levels and less displacement of the mucogingival border.

Clinical relevance

The defect size should be taken into account when choosing the number and size of PRF plugs.
Coping Strategies and Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders Among People with HIV Initiating HIV Care in Cameroon
Authors: Parcesepe Angela M. , Filiatreau Lindsey M. , Gomez Amanda , Ebasone Peter Vanes , Dzudie Anastase , Pence Brian W. , Wainberg Milton , Yotebieng Marcel , Anastos Kathryn , Pefura-Yone Eric , Nsame Denis , Ajeh Rogers , Nash Denis
Published: January 2023

Little is known about the coping strategies used among people with HIV (PWH), especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and the extent to which adaptive or maladaptive coping strategies are associated with symptoms of mental health disorders. We interviewed 426 PWH initiating HIV care in Cameroon and reported the prevalence of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies, overall and by presence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Log binominal regression was used to estimate the association between each type of coping strategy (adaptive or maladaptive) and symptoms of each mental health disorder, separately. Adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies were commonly reported among PWH enrolling in HIV care in Cameroon. Across all mental health disorders assessed, greater maladaptive coping was associated with higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Adaptive coping was not associated with symptoms of any of the mental health disorders assessed in bivariate or multivariable models. Our study found that PWH endorsed a range of concurrent adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. Future efforts should explore the extent to which coping strategies change throughout the HIV care continuum. Interventions to reduce maladaptive coping have the potential to improve the mental health of PWH in Cameroon.
Effects of noise on the accuracy of plasma bulk parameters derived from velocity moments of in-situ observations
Authors: Nicolaou Georgios
Published: January 2023

We expose and quantify the inaccuracies of plasma bulk parameters derived from the calculation of velocity moments of noisyin-situplasma observations. First, we simulate typical solar wind proton plasma observations, obtained by a typical top-hat electrostatic analyzer instrument. We add background noise to the simulated observations and analyze them by applying standard methods to derive the plasma density, speed, and temperature. We then compare the analysis results with the parameters we use to simulate the observations in the first place, in order to quantify the inaccuracies in the calculated plasma parameters as functions of the noise level in the observations. We find that even noise levels that are smaller than 1% of the signal peak, lead to significant inaccuracies in some plasma parameters. The plasma temperature suffers the biggest inaccuracies and the plasma speed the smallest. Our results highlight the importance of removing noise from observations when calculating the moments of the constructed plasma distributions. We finally, evaluate one simple method to remove uniform background noise automatically from measurements, which is useful for future on-board analyses.
Standardized butterfly surveys: comparing transect counts and area-time counts in insect monitoring
Authors: Barkmann Friederike , Huemer Peter , Tappeiner Ulrike , Tasser Erich , Rüdisser Johannes
Published: January 2023

The observed insect decline, which threatens agricultural productivity and ecosystem stability, calls for comprehensive international insect monitoring. Monitoring implementation demands standardisation and the integration of new and innovative methods. Therefore, we compared two quantitative butterfly survey methods – the commonly applied transect counts (or ‘Pollard walks’) and more extensive area-time counts. We evaluated the influence of the two methods on the estimation of biodiversity variables such as species richness and species abundance to examine whether they could be applied alternatively for the calculation of butterfly trend indicators. During 576 surveys we conducted 5-minute transect counts and 25-minute area-time counts simultaneously at 144 different sites in Western Austria. The estimated relative butterfly abundance of the two methods for 119 observed species showed a strong linear relationship. While we found 2.4 times more species per site with the more extensive area-time counts than with the transect counts, we also observed a strong correlation between estimates of local abundance (Pearson’s r = 0.85) and observed species richness (Pearson’s r = 0.81) based on the two methods. Area-time counts provide thorough assessments on a given location, enabling a close connection to specific habitat types and facilitating comparability with other plot-based biodiversity assessments. They are more suitable than transect counts when aiming to analyse the drivers of temporal and spatial variability in butterfly occurrence. Furthermore, area-time counts can be used synergistically for the calculation of international butterfly abundance trends (e.g., European butterfly indicators), as we found strong linear relationships for all applied indicators with both methods.
Interaction between extrinsic and intrinsic online review cues: perspectives from cue utilization theory
Authors: Kakaria Shobhit , Simonetti Aline , Bigne Enrique
Published: January 2023

We examine the interaction effects of linguistic style and verification of online reviews in terms of their valence on purchase intention for search and experiential products. We adopt the cue utilization framework to examine the interplay between the extrinsic cues of online reviews—content style (general versus specific), verified purchase (VP) badge (present versus absent), and valence (positive versus negative)—in two product categories—search product (tablet) and experiential product (trip package)—using an experimental design. The findings of the frequentist and Bayesian analyses show that valence supersedes other attributes’ impacts on purchase intention in both product categories. Variations in the content style of the reviews have minor influences on purchase intention. The presence of a VP badge on a review has a negligible influence on purchase intention across both product categories. Valence-content style and valence-VP badge interactions significantly affect purchase intention. Based on these findings, implications are discussed.
Information theoretical properties of a spiking neuron trained with Hebbian and STDP learning rules
Authors: Chu Dominique
Published: January 2023

Using formal methods complemented by large-scale simulations we investigate information theoretical properties of spiking neurons trained using Hebbian and STDP learning rules. It is shown that weight space contains meta-stable states, which are points where the average weight change under the learning rule vanishes. These points may capture the random walker transiently. The dwell time in the vicinity of the meta-stable state is either quasi-infinite or very short and depends on the level of noise in the system. Moreover, important information theoretic quantities, such as the amount of information the neuron transmits are determined by the meta-stable state. While the Hebbian learning rule reliably leads to meta-stable states, the STDP rule tends to be unstable in the sense that for most choices of hyper-parameters the weights are not captured by meta-stable states, except for a restricted set of choices. It emerges that stochastic fluctuations play an important role in determining which meta-stable state the neuron takes. To understand this, we model the trajectory of the neuron through weight space as an inhomogeneous Markovian random walk, where the transition probabilities between states are determined by the statistics of the input signal.
Microearthquakes in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Zone, Mexico: evidence from buried active faults in Tesistán Valley, Zapopan
Authors: Quinteros-Cartaya Claudia , Solorio-Magaña Guillermo , Núñez-Cornú Francisco Javier , Escalona-Alcázar Felipe de Jesús , Núñez Diana
Published: January 2023

Numerous microearthquakes, ML ≤ 3.8, corresponding to background seismicity and swarms were observed from September 3, 2017, to January 1, 2018, mainly in the Tesistán Valley, north of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Zone (GMZ). We located 188 tectonic microearthquakes and identified 11 clusters of similar events from a spatio-temporal analysis and waveform cross-correlations. Our results confirm the presence of continuous seismicity in the GMZ that long went unobserved. Most M L ≥ 2.5 events and some clustered events are located in the northeastern Tesistán, close to the NNE-SSW fault corresponding to the eastern edge of the Zapopan Graben, a structure evidenced by 2015–2016 seismicity. Seismicity recorded during 2020 by a recent local seismic network installed in Zapopan reaffirms that frequent microseismicity is related to active faults that cross the cities of Zapopan and Guadalajara. The microseismicity distribution suggests minor faults with the same orientation and sense of displacement as the main structures bounding the Zapopan Graben, which corresponds to structures known as synthetic faults. This arrangement is common within the Basin and Range tectonic province. The seismicity in the northeast boundary of Jalisco Block is closely related to faults formed by Cenozoic deformation events that might be reactivated due to modern crustal dynamics. Active faults and the possibility of synthetic structures are a hypothesis that necessitates long-term seismic monitoring in order to assess the seismic hazard in the GMZ, which is a crucial factor for urban planning.
Vortex Motions in the Solar Atmosphere
Authors: Tziotziou K. , Scullion E. , Shelyag S. , Steiner O. , Khomenko E. , Tsiropoula G. , Canivete Cuissa J. R. , Wedemeyer S. , Kontogiannis I. , Yadav N. , Kitiashvili I. N. , Skirvin S. J. , Dakanalis I. , Kosovichev A. G. , Fedun V.
Published: January 2023

Vortex flows, related to solar convective turbulent dynamics at granular scales and their interplay with magnetic fields within intergranular lanes, occur abundantly on the solar surface and in the atmosphere above. Their presence is revealed in high-resolution and high-cadence solar observations from the ground and from space and with state-of-the-art magnetoconvection simulations. Vortical flows exhibit complex characteristics and dynamics, excite a wide range of different waves, and couple different layers of the solar atmosphere, which facilitates the channeling and transfer of mass, momentum and energy from the solar surface up to the low corona. Here we provide a comprehensive review of documented research and new developments in theory, observations, and modelling of vortices over the past couple of decades after their observational discovery, including recent observations in$\text{H}\alpha $Hα, innovative detection techniques, diverse hydrostatic modelling of waves and forefront magnetohydrodynamic simulations incorporating effects of a non-ideal plasma. It is the first systematic overview of solar vortex flows at granular scales, a field with a plethora of names for phenomena that exhibit similarities and differences and often interconnect and rely on the same physics. With the advent of the 4-m Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope and the forthcoming European Solar Telescope, the ongoing Solar Orbiter mission, and the development of cutting-edge simulations, this review timely addresses the state-of-the-art on vortex flows and outlines both theoretical and observational future research directions.
Reduced dose direct oral anticoagulants compared with warfarin with high time in therapeutic range in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Jansson M. , Själander S. , Sjögren V. , Björck F. , Renlund H. , Norrving B. , Själander A.
Published: January 2023

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) used in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) are dose-reduced in elderly and patients with impaired renal function. Only reduced dose dabigatran is concluded as having similar stroke risk reduction and lower risk of major bleeding than warfarin in the pivotal studies. In clinical practice, reduced dose is prescribed more often than expected making this an important issue. The objective of this study was to compare effectiveness and safety between reduced dose DOACs and high TTR warfarin treatment (TTR ≥ 70%) in NVAF. A Swedish anticoagulation registry was used in identifying eligible patients from July 2011 to December 2017. The study cohort consisted of 40,564 patients with newly initiated DOAC (apixaban, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban) (11,083 patients) or warfarin treatment (29,481 patients) after exclusion of 374,135 patients due to not being warfarin or DOAC naïve, not being prescribed reduced dose, having previous mechanical heart valve (MHV), or being under 18 years old. The median durations of follow up were 365, 419, 432 and 473 days for apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and warfarin, respectively. Warfarin TTR identified from Auricula was 70.0%. Endpoints (stroke and major bleeding) and baseline characteristics were collected from hospital administrative registers using ICD-10 codes. Cohorts were compared using weighted adjusted Cox regression after full optimal matching based on propensity scores. DOACs are associated with lower risk of major bleeding (HR with 95% CI) 0.85 (0.78–0.93), intracranial bleeding HR 0.64 (0.51–0.80), hemorrhagic stroke HR 0.68 (0.50–0.92), gastrointestinal bleeding HR 0.81 (0.69–0.96) and all-cause stroke HR 0.87 (0.76–0.99), than warfarin. Apixaban and dabigatran are associated with lower risk of major bleeding, HR 0.70 (0.63–0.78) and HR 0.80 (0.69–0.94), and rivaroxaban is associated with lower risk of ischemic stroke, HR 0.73 (0.59–0.96), with higher major bleeding risk, HR 1.31 (1.15–1.48), compared to warfarin. Apixaban is associated with higher all-cause mortality compared to warfarin, HR 1.12 (1.03–1.21). DOACs are associated with lower risk of major bleeding and all-cause stroke, than high quality warfarin treatment, with exception of rivaroxaban that carried higher risk of major bleeding and lower risk of stroke or systemic embolism. In this large observational registry-based NVAF cohort, DOACs are preferred treatment in patients with indication for DOAC dose reduction, even in a high TTR setting.
Low delay network attributes randomization to proactively mitigate reconnaissance attacks in industrial control systems
Authors: Etxezarreta Xabier , Garitano Iñaki , Iturbe Mikel , Zurutuza Urko
Published: January 2023

Industrial Control Systems are used in a wide variety of industrial facilities, including critical infrastructures, becoming the main target of multiple security attacks. A malicious and successful attack against these infrastructures could cause serious economic and environmental consequences, including the loss of human lives. Static networks configurations and topologies, which characterize Industrial Control Systems, represent an advantage for attackers, allowing them to scan for vulnerable devices or services before carrying out the attack. Identifying active devices and services is often the first step for many attacks. This paper presents a proactive network reconnaissance defense mechanism based on the temporal randomization of network IP addresses, MAC addresses and port numbers. The obtained information distortion minimizes the knowledge acquired by the attackers, hindering any attack that relies on network addressing. The temporal randomization of network attributes is performed in an adaptive way, minimizing the overhead introduced in the network and avoiding any error and latency in communications. The implementation as well as the tests have been carried out in a laboratory with real industrial equipment, demonstrating the effectiveness of the presented solution.
Uncovering biodegradability and biocompatibility of betaine-based deep eutectic systems
Authors: Ferreira Inês João , Paiva Alexandre , Diniz Mário , Duarte Ana Rita
Published: January 2023

Deep eutectic systems (DES) have shown increasing popularity in last decade; however, the number of studies on the potential toxicity towards living organisms remains scarce. These studies are of the utmost importance to infer on the claimed non-toxicity and biocompatibility of DES. Most articles published, at this moment, only evaluate the toxicity towards a cell model or in different strains of bacteria. For this purpose, in this work, the effect of two DES (betaine:sorbitol:water 1:1:3 and betaine:glycerol 1:2) and their individual components were evaluated at different concentrations after administered via intraperitoneal injection in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The total antioxidant capacity, lipoperoxidation, and the activity of various enzymes that work in different antioxidant pathways (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase) were assessed. The results show no significant toxicity within the tested concentrations: up to 5000 µM and 3000 µM, for the assays using the system betaine:sorbitol:water 1:1:3 and for betaine:glycerol 1:2, respectively. The toxicity of individual components was studied up to 1000 µM. Based on the encouraging results that have been obtained, it is safe to conclude that these two deep eutectic systems can be used as the new class of environmentally friendly solvents.

Graphical Abstract
Extracranial Nasosinusal Meningioma: A Case Report of a Rare Entity
Authors: Romano Antonio , Maffia Francesco , Iaquino Vincenzo , Tarallo Giuseppe , Abbate Vincenzo , De Fazio Gianluca Renato , Committeri Umberto , Bonavolontà Paola , Califano Luigi , Dell’Aversana Orabona Giovanni
Published: January 2023

Meningiomas are the most common neoformations of the central nervous system, and represent the 33% of all intracranial neoplasms. The nasosinusal tract is involved in 24% of cases of extracranial localization. The aim of our paper is to present the case of a patient with an ethmoidal sinus meningioma.
Wear monitoring method of water-lubricated polymer thrust bearing based on ultrasonic reflection coefficient amplitude spectrum
Authors: Ning Changxiong , Hu Fei , Ouyang Wu , Yan Xinpin , Xu Dongling
Published: January 2023

The water-lubricated thrust bearings of the marine rim-driven thruster (RDT) are usually composed of polymer composites, which are prone to serious wear under harsh working conditions. Ultrasonic is an excellent non-destructive monitoring technology, but polymer materials are characterized by viscoelasticity, heterogeneity, and large acoustic attenuation, making it challenging to extract ultrasonic echo signals. Therefore, this paper proposes a wear monitoring method based on the amplitude spectrum of the ultrasonic reflection coefficient. The effects of bearing parameters, objective function, and algorithm parameters on the identification results are simulated and analyzed. Taking the correlation coefficient and root mean square error as the matching parameters, the thickness, sound velocity, density, and attenuation factor of the bearing are inversed simultaneously by utilizing the differential evolution algorithm (DEA), and the wear measurement system is constructed. In order to verify the identification accuracy of this method, an accelerated wear test under heavy load was executed on a multi-functional vertical water lubrication test rig with poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) fixed pad and stainless-steel thrust collar as the object. The thickness of pad was measured using the high-precision spiral micrometer and ultrasonic testing system, respectively. Ultimately, the results demonstrate that the thickness identification error of this method is approximately 1%, andin-situmonitoring ability will be realized in the future, which is of great significance to the life prediction of bearings.
Drop impact dynamic and directional transport on dragonfly wing surface
Authors: Xu Jing , Liu Wenjun , Shang Weixiao , Chen Jun , Lian Jiadi
Published: January 2023

The ability of dragonflies to fly in the rain without being wetted by raindrops has motivated researchers to investigate the impact behavior of a drop on the superhydrophobic wings of dragonflies. This superhydrophobic surface is used as a reference for the design of directional surfaces and has attracted extensive attention owing to its wide applicability in microfluidics, self-cleaning, and other fields. In this study, the static contact angle and rebound process of a drop impacting a dragonfly wing surface are investigated experimentally, whereas the wetting pressure, Gibbs free energy, and Stokes number vs. coefficient of restitution are theoretically calculated to examine the dynamic and unidirectional transport behaviors of the drop. Results show that the initial inclination angle of the dragonfly wing is similar to the sliding angles along with the drop sliding. The water drop bounces from the bottom of the dragonfly wing to the distal position, demonstrating directional migration. The drop impacts the dragonfly wing surface, and the drop exhibits compression, recovery, and separation phases; in these three phases, the drop morphology evolves. As the Gibbs free energy and cross-sectional area evolve, the coefficient of restitution decreases as the drop continues to bounce, and the Stokes number increases.
Achieving macroscale superlubricity with ultra-short running-in period by using polyethylene glycol-tannic acid complex green lubricant
Authors: Du Changhe , Yu Tongtong , Wu Zishuai , Zhang Liqiang , Shen Ruilin , Li Xiaojuan , Feng Min , Feng Yange , Wang Daoai
Published: January 2023

Superlubricating materials can greatly reduce the energy consumed and economic losses by unnecessary friction. However, a long pre-running-in period is indispensable for achieving superlubricity; this leads to severe wear on the surface of friction pairs and has become one of the important factors in the wear of superlubricating materials. In this study, a polyethylene glycol-tannic acid complex green liquid lubricant (PEG10000-TA) was designed to achieve macroscale superlubricity with an ultrashort running-in period of 9 s under a contact pressure of up to 410 MPa, and the wear rate was only 1.19 × 10−8 mm3·N−1·m−1. This is the shortest running-in time required to achieve superlubricity in Si3N4/glass (SiO2). The results show that the strong hydrogen bonds between PEG and TA molecules can significantly reduce the time required for the tribochemical reaction, allowing the lubricating material to reach the state of superlubrication rapidly. Furthermore, the strong hydrogen bond can share a large load while fixing free water molecules in the contact zone to reduce shear interaction. These findings will help advance the use of liquid superlubricity technology in industrial and biomedical.
Nanomaterials for lubricating oil application: A review
Authors: Duan Linlin , Li Jian , Duan Haitao
Published: January 2023

Friction and wear are ubiquitous, from nano-electro-mechanical systems in biomedicine to large-scale integrated electric propulsion in aircraft carriers. Applications of nanomaterials as lubricating oil additives have achieved great advances, which are of great significance to control friction and wear. This review focuses on the applications of nanomaterials in lubricating oil and comprehensively compares their tribological characteristics as lubricating oil additives. Statistical analysis of tribology data is provided and discussed accordingly; moreover, the interaction between nanomaterials and sliding surface, lubricating oil, other additives, and synergistic lubrication in nanocomposites are systematically elaborated. Finally, suggestions for future research on nanomaterials as lubricating oil additives are proposed. Hence, this review will promote a better fundamental understanding of nanomaterials for lubricating oil application and help to achieve the superior design of nanoadditives with outstanding tribological performances.
Does friction contribute to formability improvement using servo press?
Authors: Prasad Kali , Gupta Aishwary , Krishnaswamy Hariharan , Chakkingal Uday , Banerjee Dilip K. , Lee Myoung-Gyu
Published: January 2023

Servo press forming machines are advanced forming systems that are capable of imparting interrupted punch motion, resulting in enhanced room temperature formability. The exact mechanism of the formability improvement is not yet established. The contribution of interrupted motion in the ductility improvement has been studied through stress relaxation phenomena in uniaxial tensile (UT) tests. However, the reason for improved formability observed when employing servo press is complicated due to the additional contribution from frictional effects. In the present work, an attempt is made to decouple the friction effect on formability improvement numerically. The improved formability is studied using a hole expansion test (HET). The limit of forming during hole expansion is modeled using the Hosford-Coulomb (HC) damage criteria, which is implemented as a user subroutine in a commercial explicit finite element (FE) software. Only the contribution of stress relaxation is accounted for in the evolution of the damage variable during interrupted loading. Therefore, the difference between simulation and experimental hole expansion ratio (HER) can be used to decouple the friction effect from the overall formability improvement during hole expansion. The improvement in HER due to stress relaxation and friction effect is different. The study showed that the model effectively captures the hole expansion deformation process in both monotonic and interrupted loading conditions. Compared to stress relaxation, friction effect played a major role during interrupted HET.
Rubber-ice friction
Authors: Tada Toshi , Kawasaki Satoshi , Shimizu Ryouske , Persson Bo N. J.
Published: January 2023

We study the friction when a rectangular tire tread rubber block is sliding on an ice surface at different temperatures ranging from −38 to −2 °C, and sliding speeds ranging from 3 µm/s to 1 cm/s. At low temperatures and low sliding speeds we propose that an important contribution to the friction force is due to slip between the ice surface and ice fragments attached to the rubber surface. At temperatures above −10 °C or for high enough sliding speeds, a thin premelted water film occurs on the ice surface and the contribution to the friction from shearing the area of real contact is small. In this case the dominant contribution to the friction force comes from viscoelastic deformations of the rubber by the ice asperities. We comment on the role of waxing on the friction between skis and snow (ice particles).
Just as Deadly
Authors: Harrison Marissa A.
Published: January 2023

You've heard of Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy. But have you heard of Amy Archer-Gilligan? Or Belle Gunness? Or Nannie Doss? Women have committed some of the most disturbing serial killings ever seen in the United States. Yet scientific inquiry, criminal profiling, and public interest have focused more on their better-known male counterparts. As a result, female serial killers have been misunderstood, overlooked, and underestimated. In this riveting account, Dr. Marissa A. Harrison draws on original scientific research, various psychological perspectives, and richly detailed case studies to illuminate the stark differences between female and male serial killers' backgrounds, motives, and crimes. She also emphasizes the countless victims of this grisly phenomenon to capture the complexity and tragedy of serial murder. Meticulously weaving data-based evidence and insight with intimate storytelling, Just as Deadly reveals how and why these women murder—and why they often get away with it.
The Roman Elite and the End of the Republic
Authors: Mouritsen Henrik
Published: January 2023

The boni, the wealthy, but largely non-political, section of the Roman elite, have hitherto escaped scholarly attention. This book draws a detailed and rounded picture of the boni, their identity, values and interests, also tracing their – often tense - relationship to the political class, whose inner circle of noble families eventually lost their trust and support. Concerns about property played a central part in this process, and the book explores key Roman concepts associated with property, including frugality, luxury, patrimony, debt and the all-important otium that ensured the peaceful enjoyment of private possessions. Through close readings of Cicero and other republican writers, a new narrative of the 'fall of the republic' emerges. The shifting allegiances of the wider elite of boni viri played an important part in the events that brought an end to the republic and ushered in a new political system better attuned to their material interests.
From Darkness to Light: A Comparative Study of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies in the European Union, the UK, and the US
Authors: D'ALVIA Daniele
Published: January 2023

This article analyses the financial regulation of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (‘SPACs’) in the European Union and SPAC reform in the UK against the main legal system where the SPAC originates: the US. I argue that the US and financial regulators in Europe have opposing views on SPACs, evidenced by the adoption of two different regulatory approaches. As opposed to a SPAC regulation by business or function and by enforcement in the US, the European Union and the UK are implementing a SPAC regulation by objectives, where general principles of company and financial law inform the SPAC legal discipline. This enormously enriches the SPAC current debate, and sheds new light on the subject.