bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fertilität bei Endometriose
Authors: Sachs Maike Katja , Leeners Brigitte
Published: July 2023

Hintergrund

Das Vorliegen einer Endometriose geht gehäuft mit einem unerfüllten Kinderwunsch einher. Hierbei wird von einem multifaktoriellen Einfluss der endometriosebedingten systemischen Entzündungsreaktion auf verschiedenen Ebenen der Fertilität ausgegangen. Dem entgegenwirkend haben Techniken der assistierten Reproduktion („assisted reproductive techniques“ [ART]) eine entscheidende Bedeutung im Rahmen des Kinderwunschs erlangt.

Ziel der Arbeit

Dieser Beitrag geht auf die multifaktoriellen Auswirkungen der Endometriose auf die weibliche Fertilität ein. Unter anderem werden Schwangerschaftsoutcomes bei Endometriose, der Erfolg der ART, Operationsindikationen und die Möglichkeit eines „egg freezing“ betrachtet.

Material und Methoden

PubMed sowie die aktuellen Leitlinien der European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) von 2022 wurden für die Literaturrecherche herangezogen. Es wurden Suchbegriffe zu Fertilität und Endometriose verwendet. Hierbei wurden insbesondere neuere Metaanalysen und Arbeiten aus bekannten Fachzeitschriften mit einem hohen Impact Factor ausgewählt.

Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerung

Der Zusammenhang zwischen Endometriose und Subfertilität ist bekannt. Eine Anwendung von ART stellt eine sinnvolle und erfolgreiche Therapie der endometriosebedingten Fertilitätseinschränkungen dar. Operationsindikationen im Rahmen des Kinderwunschs bei Endometriose sind vorsichtig abzuwägen, eine Verbesserung der Fertilität ist in Ausnahmen möglich. Liegt bereits in jüngerem Alter eine geringe Eizellreserve vor, sollte eine Kryokonservierung von Eizellen erwogen werden. Eine Endometriosediagnose bedarf in Abhängigkeit von Lokalisation und Ausdehnung der Läsionen einer engmaschigen Überwachung in der Schwangerschaft. Grund hierfür ist unter anderem eine erhöhte Frühabort- und Frühgeburtenrate.
Tetraselmis suecica and Porphyridium cruentum exopolysaccharides show anti-VHSV activity on RTG-2 cells
Authors: Parra-Riofrio Geovanna , Moreno Patricia , García-Rosado Esther , Alonso M. Carmen , Uribe-Tapia Eduardo , Abdala-Diaz Roberto Teófilo , Bejar Julia
Published: July 2023

The use of functional feed additives is an important approach to both, prevent and fight, viral diseases in aquaculture. In this regard, microalgae-derived products, and, more specifically, microalgal exopolysaccharides (EPSs), have attracted attention, since multiple biotechnological applications are being described for these molecules. Furthermore, depending on culture conditions, the composition and, therefore, properties of EPSs can vary. In the present study, the antiviral activity of EPSs from Tetraselmis suecica and Porphyridium cruentum cultured under autotrophic and heterotrophic conditions has been evaluated in vitro against Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia Virus (VHSV), an important pathogen in fish farming. Results showed that EPSs from both species have anti-VHSV activity. T. suecica EPSs from autotrophic cultures showed the strongest effect, since both, adsorption and post-adsorption phases of the VHSV multiplication cycle were affected. In contrast, both, autotrophic and heterotrophic P. cruentum EPSs showed anti-VHSV activity only after the adsorption phase. These results pave the way to use these EPSs to fight VHSV infections, and animate to evaluate the EPS antiviral activity against other viral pathogens relevant to the aquaculture industry.
Analysis of the reduction processes at the bottom of Lake Meirama: a singular case of lake formation
Authors: Juncosa Ricardo , Delgado Jorge , Cereijo José Luis , Muñoz Andrea
Published: July 2023

The formation of natural lakes is a process that takes place over thousands of years, although the volumetric formation depends on hydrological and climatological phenomena, reaching a stationary hydraulic regime, the evolution of hydrochemistry is more complex and obeys not only phenomena of stoichiometry and chemical kinetics but also diffusion processes. Depending on the depth of the lakes, the anoxization process originating from the bottom is the first phase of the lake’s methanogenesis. For this, the course of many thousands of years is necessary, so the studies carried out in the lakes are limited to the current knowledge of the state in which they are, without being able to have real information in this process of methanogenesis. There are no data available on the generation process of a natural lake in its primary stages. In this case, taking advantage of the rehabilitation of the old open-pit mining of Meirama (Northwest Spain), consisting of the controlled flooding of the hole by groundwater, by stopping the perimeter pumping, and the derivation of the nearby streams, whose contribution was the majority with respect to the subterranean contribution, there has been the opportunity to physically and chemically monitor the complete filling of the said hole. The present study focuses on the analysis of the evolution of the different processes initiated in the methanogenesis of the lake bottom identified in the well-known Redox ladder: obtaining oxygen from the reduction of nitrogenous compounds and metallic oxides, from the reduction of the sulfate and the generation of methane from carbon compounds, the latter phase without reaching. Although the methanization process is very slow, it has had the opportunity to know the formation of a lake at its origin, from the hydrochemical point of view. It has been possible to verify that the methanization processes at the bottom, given the anoxia conditions, are in a very primitive phase with the reduction of nitrate and nitrite to ammonium and beginning a reduction of metal oxides and sulfate.
Blacklisting Health Insurance Premium Defaulters: Is Denial of Medical Care Ethically Justifiable?
Authors: Glaus Hanna , Drewniak Daniel , März Julian W. , Biller-Andorno Nikola
Published: July 2023

Rising health insurance costs and the cost of living crisis are likely leading to an increase in unpaid health insurance bills in many countries. In Switzerland, a particularly drastic measure to sanction defaulting insurance payers is employed. Since 2012, Swiss cantons – who have to cover most of the bills of defaulting payers - are allowed by federal law to blacklist them and to restrict their access to medical care to emergencies.

In our paper, we briefly describe blacklisting in the context of the Swiss healthcare system before we examine the ethical issues involved in light of what is known about its social and health impacts. We found no evidence that blacklisting serves as an effective way of recovering unpaid health insurance contributions or of strengthening solidarity within the health insurance system. Furthermore, the ambiguous definitions of what constitutes an emergency treatment and the incompatibility of the denial of medical care with the obligation to provide professional assistance complicate the implementation of blacklists and expose care providers to enormous pressure.

Therefore, we conclude that blacklists and the (partial) denial of medical care not only pose profound ethical problems but are also unsuitable for fulfilling the purpose for which they were introduced.
Elevation and thickness of the 11–10 Kyr old ‘Sinkholes Salt’ layer in the Dead Sea: clues to past limnology, paleo-bathymetry and lake levels
Authors: Baer Gidon , Bernstein Michael , Yechieli Yoseph , Nof Ran N. , Abelson Meir , Gavrieli Ittai
Published: July 2023

The sinkholes along the Dead Sea (DS) shores form by dissolution of an 11–10 kyr old subsurface salt layer (hereafter named the ‘Sinkholes Salt’) that precipitated on the lake’s floor during periods of negative water balance, water level decline and salinity increase. We analyze the variations in absolute elevation and thickness of this layer in 40 boreholes along the western shores of the DS, reconstruct water-body stratification, past lake levels, and paleo-bathymetry during salt deposition, and comment on the role of the salt-layer elevation in future sinkhole formation. In the northern basin of the DS, maximum thickness of salt (~ 23 m) is found where salt top and bottom elevations are below ~ 440 meters below sea level (mbsl) and ~ 465 mbsl, respectively. Above these elevations the salt layer gradually thins out until 416 mbsl, above which it is no longer found. These relationships suggest that thermohaline stratification, with a thermocline at 25–30 m depth, similar to the present day dynamics of the DS, developed annually during the salt-precipitation period, giving rise to uniform salt accumulation below the thermocline and partial to full dissolution above it. Salt accumulation was controlled by the bathymetry of the lake and its configuration relative to the thermocline, and locally hampered by discharge of subaqueous under-saturated groundwater. The truncation of the salt layer at elevation of 416 mbsl is attributed to salt dissolution down to this elevation by a relatively diluted upper water layer that developed following inflow of fresh surface water at the end of the salt period. This event also marks the change to a positive water balance and lake level rise from its lowest stand of ~ 405 mbsl, as determined from limnological considerations.
Evaluating the Impact of the Prime Time Sister Circles® Intervention on Reducing Depressive Symptoms Among African American Women with Uncontrolled Hypertension
Authors: Zare Hossein , Ibe Chidinma A. , Yang Manshu , Porter Gayle , Gaston Marilyn , Jones Nicole , Jones Wehmah , Rose Vivienne , Balamani Michele , Woods Denise L. , Gaskin Darrell J.
Published: July 2023

Background

The Prime Time Sister Circles®, a randomized controlled trial (PTSC-RCT), assessed the impact of a community-based peer support program on hypertension management among African American women 40–75 years of age. While the PTSC-RCT was designed to evaluate changes in blood pressure control, subsequent sub-analyses revealed a high proportion of self-reported depressive symptoms in our sample. Accordingly, we conducted an ancillary investigation of the PTSC intervention on depression to ascertain its impact on reduced depressive symptoms in the study population.

Method

Depressive symptoms were measured using an adapted version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CES-D-10). We used unadjusted and adjusted fixed effect models. Data for this study came from the PTSC-RCT. We collected data between 2017 and 2018 in Washington, DC. We used a balanced analytical sample of 172 African American, English-speaking women between 40 to 75 years old with uncontrolled hypertension.

Intervention

The intervention group participated in a 2-h, peer-based support group once a week for 13 weeks. A trained PTSC facilitator facilitated sessions with experts who delivered content on various topics, including psychosocial wellness (e.g., stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety management, and self-esteem), physical health (e.g., hypertension, inflammation, and heart disease), physical activity, and healthy nutrition.

Results

Results from the fixed-effects models indicated that participants in the PTSC program exhibited a greater reduction in CES-D-10 score at three months (Coeff: -1.99, 95% CI: -3.49, -0.49) and at 15 months (Coeff: -2.38, 95% CI: -3.94, -0.83), as compared to those in the control group.

Conclusions

Evidence suggests that the Prime Time Sister Circles® intervention reduced depressive symptoms among African American women with low socioeconomic status and hypertension.

Trial Registration

NCT04371614.
Arsenic Condensation and Reaction Mechanisms in Flash Smelting Off-Gas Line Conditions
Authors: Wan Xingbang , Sukhomlinov Dmitry , Taskinen Pekka , Lindgren Mari , Michallik Radoslaw , Jokilaakso Ari
Published: July 2023

Arsenic is a common impurity element in sulfide concentrates. It tends to accumulate in the flue dust of smelting furnace due to the volatility and internal circulation of the flue dust practiced in the smelting-converting process chain. The only outlets for arsenic are anodes and discard slag. Arsenic condensation in dust-free conditions was studied below 800 °C where the gas atmosphere was controlled by SO2-air-N2 gas mixtures. Based on these experimental results, we confirm the kinetically constrained formation mechanism of the arsenic-containing dust, and its speciation into metallic, oxidic (III, V), and sulfidic species. The influences of temperature and atmosphere on the speciation of arsenic were compared with industrial data and discussed.

Graphical Abstract

Condensed arsenic‐bearing particles collected by electrophoretic forces on the surface of fused SiO2 in SO2‐O2 atmospheres: the crystal morphology shows euhedrally facetted As2O3 crystals and initially molten As‐OS
alloy droplets together with poorly crystallized AsSx particles.
Clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings at baseline predict long-term outcome of polymyalgia rheumatica: a multicentric retrospective study
Authors: Conticini Edoardo , Falsetti Paolo , d’Alessandro Miriana , Al Khayyat Suhel Gabriele , Grazzini Silvia , Baldi Caterina , Acciai Caterina , Gentileschi Stefano , D’Alessandro Roberto , Bellisai Francesca , Biasi Giovanni , Barreca Cristiana , Bargagli Elena , Cantarini Luca , Frediani Bruno
Published: July 2023

To assess the rate of PMR who, during the follow-up, undergo a diagnostic shift as well as to assess which clinical, laboratory and US findings are associated to a diagnostic shift and predict the long-term evolution of PMR. All PMR followed-up for at least 12 months were included. According to the US procedures performed at diagnosis, patients were subdivided into four subgroups. Clinical data from follow-up visits at 12, 24, 48 and 60 months, including a diagnostic shift, the number of relapses and immunosuppressive and steroid treatment, were recorded. A total of 201 patients were included. During the follow-up, up to 60% had a change in diagnosis. Bilateral LHBT was associated with persistence in PMR diagnosis, whereas GH synovitis and RF positivity to a diagnostic shift. Patients undergoing diagnostic shift had a higher frequency of GH synovitis, shoulder PD, higher CRP, WBC, PLT and Hb and longer time to achieve remission, while those maintaining diagnosis had bilateral exudative LHBT and SA-SD bursitis, higher ESR, lower Hb and shorter time to remission. Cluster analysis identified a subgroup of older patients, with lower CRP, WBC, PLT and Hb, lower PD signal or peripheral synovitis who had a higher persistence in PMR diagnosis, suffered from more flares and took more GCs. Most PMR have their diagnosis changed during follow-up. The early use of the US is associated with a lower dosage of GCs. Patients with a definite subset of clinical, laboratory and US findings seem to be more prone to maintain the diagnosis of PMR.
DMPH-Net: a deep multi-scale pyramid hybrid network for low-light image enhancement with attention mechanism and noise reduction
Authors: He Min , Wang Rugang , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhou Feng , Guo Naihong
Published: July 2023

Aiming at the problems of color bias and noise enhancement on the output image by the traditional low-light image enhancement algorithm, we propose a deep multi-scale pyramid hybrid network (DMPH-Net) algorithm that fuses attention mechanism and multi-scale pyramid is proposed in this paper. The algorithm uses DecomNet to decompose reflectance and light components, and uses multi-scale illumination attention module to fuse light and reflectance for the decomposed low-light reflectance to improve the realism and details of reflectance; by using five-layer feature pyramid and kernel selection in PRID-net module to achieve the fusion of contextual information between different scale feature layers, while effectively removing the enhanced of noise, and the added color loss effectively suppresses the color bias of the output image; using multi-scale cascading and channel attention mechanisms to adjust the illumination and fuse the illumination ratios, effectively enhancing the brightness, texture, and other feature information in the image. The DMPH-Net algorithm is experimentally validated on LOL and no-reference LIME, MEF, and NPE datasets, and the objective evaluation metrics PSNR$$\uparrow $$
↑
, SSIM$$\uparrow $$
↑
, LIPIPS$$\downarrow $$
↓
, and NIQE$$\downarrow $$
↓
are 23.3772, 0.8442, 0.1386, and 3.5966 on LOL dataset. The objective evaluation metrics NIQE on the reference-free datasets LIME, NPE, and MEF are 3.0735, 3.1711, and 2.9464, respectively. The experiments show that the DMPH-Net algorithm maintains high image details and textures in image enhancement and denoising, effectively enhances low-light images, and reduces noise and color bias of images. Compared with RUAS, UnRetinex-Net, and other enhancement algorithms, it improves in objective evaluation metrics PSNR, SSIM, LIPIPS, and NIQE.
Systemic Anticancer Treatment Near the End of Life: a Narrative Literature Review
Authors: Geyer Teresa , Le Nguyen-Son , Groissenberger Iris , Jutz Franziska , Tschurlovich Lisa , Kreye Gudrun
Published: July 2023

Opinion Statement

Systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) includes different treatment modalities that can be effective in treating cancer. However, in the case of disease progression, cancers might become incurable and SACT might reach its limits. In the case of incurable cancers, SACT is often given in a palliative setting, with the goal of improving the patients’ quality of life (QOL) and their survival. In contrast, especially for patients who approach end of life (EOL), such treatments might do more harm than good. Patients receiving EOL anticancer treatments often experience belated palliative care referrals. The use of systemic chemotherapy in patients with advanced cancer and poor prognosis approaching the EOL has been associated with significant toxicity and worse QOL compared to best supportive care. Therefore, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has discouraged this practice, and it is considered a metric of low-value care by Choosing Wisely (Schnipper et al. in J Clin Oncol 4;30(14):1715-24). Recommendations of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) suggest that especially chemotherapy and immunotherapy should be avoided in the last few weeks of the patients’ lives. In this narrative review, we screened the current literature for the impact of SACT and factors predicting the use of SACT near the EOL with discussion on this topic.
Strategie di mantenimento del calo ponderale nel paziente con obesità
Authors: Verde Ludovica , Muscogiuri Giovanna , Colao Annamaria , Barrea Luigi
Published: July 2023

Sommario

Il mantenimento del calo ponderale (CP) a lungo termine rappresenta una grande sfida per la gestione dell’obesità. Questa revisione narrativa si propone di fornire una panoramica dei principali meccanismi endocrini coinvolti nella ripresa del peso nei soggetti con obesità e delle attuali evidenze scientifiche sui migliori approcci sullo stile di vita, tra cui la dieta e l’attività fisica. La ripresa del peso corporeo dopo il CP, si verifica in circa il 50% dei soggetti con obesità in assenza di cambiamenti nello stile di vita. Il principale meccanismo endocrino responsabile della ripresa del peso coinvolge l’asse cervello-intestino, che favorisce l’assunzione di cibo e quindi la ripresa del peso attraverso la secrezione e l’azione di diversi ormoni gastrointestinali, come la grelina, la leptina e la colecistochinina. Diverse evidenze scientifiche hanno riportato cambiamenti nella secrezione di questi ormoni durante i programmi di CP e di mantenimento del peso corporeo. L’attività fisica e, in particolare, l’allenamento di resistenza è tra i più efficaci per perdere e mantenere il peso corporeo; tuttavia, l’associazione di esercizi di endurance e di forza è raccomandata per rimodellare la composizione corporea.
Prolonging the period of allergenic burden: late-flowering grasses and local peculiarities
Authors: Dirr Lukas , Bastl Katharina , Bastl Maximilian , Berger Markus , Berger Uwe E.
Published: July 2023

Background

The grass pollen season is characterized by a particularly long duration, covering the months May to July in Europe but can vary depending on the altitude and geographical location.

Methods

Three grass species whose flowering period takes place late in the season are discussed in detail: Phragmites australis (common reed), Miscanthus spp. (silvergrass), and Zea mays (maize).

Results

Phragmites australis flowers between August and September and provides significant pollen concentrations at sites with large reed populations. Miscanthus spp. flowers from August to October and is found as an ornamental plant in urban areas and as a crop plant in rural areas. Zea mays flowers from July to October and can cause discomfort especially in the vicinity of cornfields.

Discussion

Phenological observations are an important part of aerobiological routine work to gain insights into regional peculiarities like late-flowering grasses, which play a role in prolonging the duration of the grass pollen season.
A Tale of Two Granadas
Authors: Deardorff Max
Published: July 2023

In 1570's New Kingdom of Granada (modern Colombia), a new generation of mestizo (half-Spanish, half-indigenous) men sought positions of increasing power in the colony's two largest cities. In response, Spanish nativist factions zealously attacked them as unequal and unqualified, unleashing an intense political battle that lasted almost two decades. At stake was whether membership in the small colonial community and thus access to its most lucrative professions should depend on limpieza de sangre (blood purity) or values-based integration (Christian citizenship). A Tale of Two Granadas examines the vast, trans-Atlantic transformation of political ideas about subjecthood that ultimately allowed some colonial mestizos and indios ladinos (acculturated natives) to establish urban citizenship alongside Spaniards in colonial Santafé de Bogotá and Tunja. In a spirit of comparison, it illustrates how some of the descendants of Spain's last Muslims appealed to the same new conceptions of citizenship to avoid disenfranchisement in the face of growing prejudice.
Second Language Identity
Authors: Malovrh Paul A. , Moreno Nina
Published: July 2023

Increasing globalization presents both challenges and opportunities to the higher education sector. This pioneering book shows how interaction between the two ﬁelds of foreign language pedagogy and second language acquisition (SLA) can facilitate more effective language development at an advanced level. Establishing a new research agenda to describe, assess, and study high-level language use, it uses mixed-methods analyses within a sociocognitive framework to explore constructs such as second language (L2) identity and critical language awareness as essential components of multilingualism and global citizenship. It approaches L2 advancedness from multiple perspectives, examining the L2 learner and their understanding of advanced language use, highlighting individual differences among foreign-language professionals regarding high-level language use, positing the need for uniﬁed departmental missions, and analysing alternative constructs to assess L2 advancedness. Throughout, analyses of quantitative and qualitative data are used to demonstrate the multiple dimensions of advanced second language use in higher education.
Experimental evaluation of the drag curves of small fixed wing UAVs
Authors: Weishäupl A. , McLay L. , Sóbester A.
Published: July 2023

Tight budgets often limit the scope of test campaigns within the development programmes of small uncrewed air vehicles (UAVs). This paper explores a range of combinations of instrumentation suites and protocols for both wind tunnel and flight evaluation, focusing on the key aspect of drawing up the drag curve of the airframe. Through extensive testing of a 5kg maximum take-off mass, fixed wing, twin motor, richly instrumented test platform, we show that automated glides over a range of airspeeds and the slow down manoeuvre are effective ways of determining power-off drag, while estimating thrust from propeller speed, and voltage and current sensing based methods work well for the power-on case. We also seek the most time-efficient and robust mix of the above manoeuvres to yield a given drag curve accuracy level and we find wind condition impacts the manoeuvre makeup of the optimal strategy.
Neuroimaging findings in adolescent gaming disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Khor E. , McNamara N. , Columb D. , McNicholas F.
Published: July 2023

Objectives:

Gaming disorder is a growing concern affecting adolescents, exacerbated by the impact of recent COVID-19 restrictions. The World Health Organization has recently included gaming disorder in the 11th International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). However, there is still an ongoing debate about the validity and reliability of the proposed clinical criteria, despite growing neurobiological evidence in this cohort. Systematic reviews in this area have focused mainly on adults or mixed adult/adolescent populations. Therefore, this systematic review explored the neuroimaging literature in adolescents (under 18 years old) with gaming disorder.

Methods:

Using PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 3288 primary studies were identified from PubMed, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO and Web of Science. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria (appropriate title, abstract, comparison group used within study, English-language, neuroimaging and mean age under 18), 24 studies were included in this review.

Results:

Functional and structural brain alterations in adolescent gaming disorder were noted across several imaging modalities, including electroencephalogram (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Compared with healthy controls, adolescents with gaming disorder demonstrated neurological changes comparable to substance addiction, namely impairments in emotional regulation, reward-seeking, inhibition and increased risky decision-making. Positive brain adaptations in the areas of visuospatial processing and memory were observed.

Conclusions:

A number of key brain regions are affected in adolescent gaming disorder. These findings can help clinicians understand adolescent presentations with gaming disorder from a neurobiological perspective. Future studies should focus on forming a robust neurobiological and clinical framework for adolescent gaming disorder.
MODELING CORRECTIONS OF BOMB-PULSE RADIOCARBON DATING IN FORENSIC CASES
Authors: Sveinbjörnsdóttir Árný E , Olsen Jesper , Heinemeier Jan
Published: July 2023

In two forensic cases, radiocarbon (14C) bomb-pulse datings of human bones have been performed and analyzed using detailed models to correct for collagen-carbon turnover rates and reservoir effects. The modeled corrections are discussed and the resulting 14C ages compared to later information on actual time of birth and death of the individuals. Simple time lag corrections of bone dates are found to be inadequate, whereas modeling based on age dependent turnover rates and bomb-pulse levels through life combined with substantial reservoir age corrections can explain the observed 14C results.
ON p-SOLVABILITY AND AVERAGE CHARACTER DEGREE IN A FINITE GROUP
Authors: ESKANDARI ESMAEEL , AHANJIDEH NEDA
Published: July 2023

Assume that G is a finite group, N is a nontrivial normal subgroup of G and p is an odd prime. Let
$\mathrm{Irr}_p(G)=\{\chi \in \mathrm{Irr}(G) : \chi (1)=1~\mathrm{or}~ p \mid \chi (1)\}$
and
$\mathrm{Irr}_p(G|N)=\{\chi \in \mathrm{Irr}_p(G) : N \not \leq \mathrm{ker}\,\chi \}$
. The average character degree of irreducible characters of
$\mathrm{Irr}_p(G)$
and the average character degree of irreducible characters of
$\mathrm{Irr}_p(G|N)$
are denoted by
$\mathrm{acd}_p(G)$
and
$\mathrm{acd}_p(G|N)$
, respectively. We show that if
$\mathrm{Irr}_p(G|N) \neq \emptyset $
and
$\mathrm{acd}_p(G|N) < \mathrm{acd}_p(\mathrm{PSL}_2(p))$
, then G is p-solvable and
$O^{p'}(G)$
is solvable. We find examples that make this bound best possible. Moreover, we see that if
$\mathrm{Irr}_p(G|N) = \emptyset $
, then N is p-solvable and
$P \cap N$
and
$PN/N$
are abelian for every
$P \in \mathrm{Syl}_p(G)$
.
Poloidal impurity asymmetries, flow and neoclassical transport in pedestals in the plateau and banana regimes
Authors: Bielajew Rachel , Catto Peter J.
Published: July 2023

Charge exchange recombination spectroscopy (CXRS) measures the radial electric field in the pedestal by measuring the impurity density, temperature and flow. Combined outboard and inboard CXRS measurements allow poloidal variations that arise due to the poloidal variation of the magnetic field to be determined. At present, impurity neoclassical pedestal models avoid the complications of treating finite poloidal gyroradius effects by assuming the impurity charge number is large compared with the main ion charge number. These models are extended slightly by retaining the impurity radial pressure gradient to demonstrate that no substantial effect occurs due to impurity diamagnetic effects. More importantly, the neoclassical model is significantly extended to obtain a more comprehensive treatment of the main ions in the plateau and banana regimes. A parallel impurity momentum equation is derived that is consistent with previous results in the banana regime and reduces to the proper large aspect ratio form required in the plateau regime. The implications for interpreting the CXRS measurements are discussed by writing all results in terms of the gradient drive and poloidal flow.
Principle, Pragmatism, and Piecework in On Liberty
Authors: Miller Dale E.
Published: July 2023

In a well-known passage in chapter V of On Liberty, J. S. Mill notes that while economic competition is generally socially beneficial and should be permitted, this “Free Trade” doctrine does not follow from the liberty or harm principle because “trade is a social act.” In a largely overlooked passage in chapter IV of the same essay, however, Mill contends that for society to coercively prohibit the practice of piecework – paying workers by the unit rather than by the hour or day – does violate this principle. In this short note, I demonstrate that Mill's reasoning in these two passages is contradictory.
The Aging Democracy: Demographic Effects, Political Legitimacy, and the Quest for Generational Pluralism
Authors: Buchmeier Yosuke , Vogt Gabriele
Published: July 2023

The political implications of population aging for democratic systems are fundamental. Questions of democratic legitimacy are raised as the political equilibrium between the generations is upended. Drawing on evidence from liberal democracies with a focus on Japan, the democracy with the oldest electorate, we identify and analyze three demographic effects on the political system: participation effects deriving from younger voters’ marginalization among the electorate; representation effects demonstrated by the dominance of elderly lawmakers inside the parliament and government; and policy effects manifesting in a preference for policies catering to an aging majority. By breaking down these key effects and contextualizing them in broader debates of political demography, we call attention to the normative repercussions of the interplay between demography and democracy and make a case for enhanced generational pluralism.
Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) in Organizational Psychology: Theoretical Overview, Research Guidelines, and A Step-By-Step Tutorial Using R Software
Authors: Cangialosi Nicola
Published: July 2023

Fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is a method for assessing the effects of configurations of variables leading to an outcome. The recent growth of interest in this technique in organizational psychology is proving this method to be an important tool for addressing new and decisive research hypotheses. However, the effectiveness of fsQCA is dictated not only by its general principles, but also by how well these are understood and applied in the research community. Consequently, a guide that covers the fundamental ideas and tenets of the approach is required to aid the research community in its comprehension and practical application. The current study seeks to offer an understanding of FsQCA by providing: (a) A complete description of the method highlighting some of the most important theoretical-methodological aspects; (b) a perspective on the most used guidelines and recommendations, and (c) step-by-step instructions on how to carry out FsQCA in R using the QCA package. Data from 120 employees and supervisors derived from a company based in central Italy were used o best to illustrate how to carry out fsQCA. Codes for conducting the analyses from the QCA package for R accompany the tutorial and can be adapted to a new dataset.
Arctic Cloud‐Base Ice Precipitation Properties Retrieved Using Bayesian Inference
Authors: Silber Israel
Published: July 2023

Cloud‐climate feedbacks are still the greatest source of uncertainty in current climate projections. Arctic clouds, which are predominantly stratiform and supercooled, often long‐lived, and nearly continuously precipitate ice particles, contribute roughly 10% of the uncertainty attributed to the global cloud feedback. This Arctic cloud uncertainty is driven by incomplete observational and theoretical knowledge required to estimate and explain the state and active processes occurring in those clouds. A focus on ice precipitation properties at Arctic cloud base rather than the surface deconfounds the product of cloud condensate sink processes from the influence of the atmospheric thermodynamic state below cloud base, rendering cloud‐base properties a more appealing target for inference and evaluation of model simulations. Here I describe an inverse model for the estimation of cloud base ice precipitation properties over Utqiagvik, North Slope of Alaska, using the synthesis of ground‐based radar and lidar measurements. By leveraging a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm as the core of the inverse model, a wide range of particle size distributions are sampled, and different combinations of ice habit models are examined, both of which are typically fixed in other retrieval methods. Results show intriguing links between different cloud base thermodynamic and ice precipitation properties. Apparent ice number concentration enhancements at temperatures of −5 and −15°C suggest possible secondary ice production (SIP). The analysis alludes to an overestimation of SIP occurrence and intensity, especially in studies relying only on radar or lidar measurements. Finally, reflectivity‐dependent ice precipitation rate and ice water content parameterizations are presented.
Plate Age and Uppermost Mantle Structure Across the Juan de Fuca and Gorda Plates
Authors: Wu Mengyu , Wang Hongda , Zhang Shane , Ritzwoller Michael H.
Published: July 2023

To test the relationship between plate age and uppermost mantle structure for the Juan de Fuca and Gorda plates, as well as the mode of lithospheric cooling, we produce a new 3D oceanic shear wave speed (VS) model. This model is constructed using a new high‐quality Rayleigh wave phase speed data set across the plates and is based on a novel thermo‐seismic hybrid parameterization. In the lithosphere, we find that the VS structure is primarily (68% of study area) governed by conductive cooling. Exceptions are observed, suggesting advective heat influx along ridges and hydrothermal circulation through cracks near the subduction trench and transform faults. In the asthenosphere of the Juan de Fuca plate, no simple monotonic relationship between seismic structure and plate age exists, but instead there is a non‐monotonic slow‐fast‐slow VS pattern from west to east. The two slow asthenospheric VS anomalies indicate the presence of partial melt beneath both the mid‐ocean ridge and the subduction trench. The partial melt beneath the trench is enigmatic.
Spatial Response of Greenland's Firn Layer to NAO Variability
Authors: Brils M. , Kuipers Munneke P. , van den Broeke M. R.
Published: July 2023

Firn on the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) buffers meltwater, and has a variable thickness, complicating observations of volume change to mass change. In this study, we use a firn model (IMAU‐FDM v1.2G) forced by a regional climate model (RACMO2.3p2) to investigate how the GrIS firn layer thickness and pore space have evolved since 1958 in response to variability in the large‐scale atmospheric circulation. On interannual timescales, the firn layer thickness and pore space show a spatially heterogeneous response to variability in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Notably, a stronger NAO following the record warm summer of 2012 led the firn layer in the south and east of the ice sheet to regain thickness and pore space after a period of thinning and reduced pore space. In the southwest, a decrease in melt dominated after 2012, whereas in the east, the main driver was an increase in snow accumulation. At the same time, the firn in the northwestern ice sheet continued to lose pore space. The NAO also varies on intra‐annual timescales, being typically stronger in winter than in summer. This impacts the amplitude of the seasonal cycle in GrIS firn thickness and pore space. In the wet southeastern GrIS, most of the snow accumulates during the winter, when melting and densification are relatively weak, leading to a large seasonal cycle in thickness and pore space. The opposite occurs in other regions, where snowfall peaks in summer or autumn. This dampens the seasonal amplitude of firn thickness and pore space.
Predicting mental and psychomotor delay in very pre-term infants using machine learning
Authors: Demirci Gözde M. , Kittler Phyllis M. , Phan Ha T. T. , Gordon Anne D. , Flory Michael J. , Parab Santosh M. , Tsai Chia-Ling
Published: July 2023

Background

Very preterm infants are at elevated risk for neurodevelopmental delays. Earlier prediction of delays allows timelier intervention and improved outcomes. Machine learning (ML) was used to predict mental and psychomotor delay at 25 months.

Methods

We applied RandomForest classifier to data from 1109 very preterm infants recruited over 20 years. ML selected key predictors from 52 perinatal and 16 longitudinal variables (1–22 mo assessments). SHapley Additive exPlanations provided model interpretability.

Results

Balanced accuracy with perinatal variables was 62%/61% (mental/psychomotor). Top predictors of mental and psychomotor delay overlapped and included: birth year, days in hospital, antenatal MgSO4, days intubated, birth weight, abnormal cranial ultrasound, gestational age, mom’s age and education, and intrauterine growth restriction. Highest balanced accuracy was achieved with 19-month follow-up scores and perinatal variables (72%/73%).

Conclusions

Combining perinatal and longitudinal data, ML modeling predicted 24 month mental/psychomotor delay in very preterm infants ½ year early, allowing intervention to start that much sooner. Modeling using only perinatal features fell short of clinical application. Birth year’s importance reflected a linear decline in predicting delay as birth year became more recent.

Impact

Combining perinatal and longitudinal data, ML modeling was able to predict 24 month mental/psychomotor delay in very preterm infants ½ year early (25% of their lives) potentially advancing implementation of intervention services.

Although cognitive/verbal and fine/gross motor delays require separate interventions, in very preterm infants there is substantial overlap in the risk factors that can be used to predict these delays.

Birth year has an important effect on ML prediction of delay in very preterm infants, with those born more recently (1989–2009) being increasing less likely to be delayed, perhaps reflecting advances in medical practice.
Loss of TP53 cooperates with c-MET overexpression to drive hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Zhou Yi , Cui Guofei , Xu Hongwei , Chun Joanne , Yang Doris , Zhang Zheng , Yang Lihui , Wang Jingxiao , Wan Meijuan , Calvisi Diego F. , Lin Shumei , Chen Xin , Wang Haichuan
Published: July 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly malignancy with high genetic heterogeneity. TP53 mutation and c-MET activation are frequent events in human HCCs. Here, we discovered that the simultaneous mutations in TP53 and activation of c-MET occur in ~20% of human HCCs, and these patients show a poor prognosis. Importantly, we found that concomitant deletion of Trp53 and overexpression of c-MET (c-MET/sgp53) in the mouse liver led to HCC formation in vivo. Consistent with human HCCs, RNAseq showed that c-MET/sgp53 mouse HCCs were characterized by activated c-MET and Ras/MAPK cascades and increased tumor cell proliferation. Subsequently, a stably passaged cell line derived from a c-MET/sgp53 HCC and corresponding subcutaneous xenografts were generated. Also, in silico analysis suggested that the MEK inhibitor trametinib has a higher inhibition score in TP53 null human HCC cell lines, which was validated experimentally. We consistently found that trametinib effectively inhibited the growth of c-MET/sgp53 HCC cells and xenografts, supporting the possible usefulness of this drug for treating human HCCs with TP53-null mutations. Altogether, our study demonstrates that loss of TP53 cooperates with c-MET to drive hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo. The c-MET/sgp53 mouse model and derived HCC cell lines represent novel and useful preclinical tools to study hepatocarcinogenesis in the TP53 null background.
A small molecule inhibitor of PTP1B and PTPN2 enhances T cell anti-tumor immunity
Authors: Liang Shuwei , Tran Eric , Du Xin , Dong Jiajun , Sudholz Harrison , Chen Hao , Qu Zihan , Huntington Nicholas D. , Babon Jeffrey J. , Kershaw Nadia J. , Zhang Zhong-Yin , Baell Jonathan B. , Wiede Florian , Tiganis Tony
Published: July 2023

The inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases 1B (PTP1B) and N2 (PTPN2) has emerged as an exciting approach for bolstering T cell anti-tumor immunity. ABBV-CLS-484 is a PTP1B/PTPN2 inhibitor in clinical trials for solid tumors. Here we have explored the therapeutic potential of a related small-molecule-inhibitor, Compound-182. We demonstrate that Compound-182 is a highly potent and selective active site competitive inhibitor of PTP1B and PTPN2 that enhances T cell recruitment and activation and represses the growth of tumors in mice, without promoting overt immune-related toxicities. The enhanced anti-tumor immunity in immunogenic tumors can be ascribed to the inhibition of PTP1B/PTPN2 in T cells, whereas in cold tumors, Compound-182 elicited direct effects on both tumor cells and T cells. Importantly, treatment with Compound-182 rendered otherwise resistant tumors sensitive to α-PD-1 therapy. Our findings establish the potential for small molecule inhibitors of PTP1B and PTPN2 to enhance anti-tumor immunity and combat cancer.
Increasing number of long-lived ancestors marks a decade of healthspan extension and healthier metabolomics profiles
Authors: van den Berg Niels , Rodríguez-Girondo Mar , van Dijk Ingrid K. , Slagboom P. Eline , Beekman Marian
Published: July 2023

Globally, the lifespan of populations increases but the healthspan is lagging behind. Previous research showed that survival into extreme ages (longevity) clusters in families as illustrated by the increasing lifespan of study participants with each additional long-lived family member. Here we investigate whether the healthspan in such families follows a similar quantitative pattern using three-generational data from two databases, LLS (Netherlands), and SEDD (Sweden). We study healthspan in 2143 families containing index persons with 26 follow-up years and two ancestral generations, comprising 17,539 persons. Our results provide strong evidence that an increasing number of long-lived ancestors associates with up to a decade of healthspan extension. Further evidence indicates that members of long-lived families have a delayed onset of medication use, multimorbidity and, in mid-life, healthier metabolomic profiles than their partners. We conclude that both lifespan and healthspan are quantitatively linked to ancestral longevity, making family data invaluable to identify protective mechanisms of multimorbidity.
Meis1 establishes the pre-hemogenic endothelial state prior to Runx1 expression
Authors: Coulombe Patrick , Cole Grace , Fentiman Amanda , Parker Jeremy D. K. , Yung Eric , Bilenky Misha , Degefie Lemlem , Lac Patrick , Ling Maggie Y. M. , Tam Derek , Humphries R. Keith , Karsan Aly
Published: July 2023

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) originate from an endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT) during embryogenesis. Characterization of early hemogenic endothelial (HE) cells is required to understand what drives hemogenic specification and to accurately define cells capable of undergoing EHT. Using Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes by Sequencing (CITE-seq), we define the early subpopulation of pre-HE cells based on both surface markers and transcriptomes. We identify the transcription factor Meis1 as an essential regulator of hemogenic cell specification in the embryo prior to Runx1 expression. Meis1 is expressed at the earliest stages of EHT and distinguishes pre-HE cells primed towards the hemogenic trajectory from the arterial endothelial cells that continue towards a vascular fate. Endothelial-specific deletion of Meis1 impairs the formation of functional Runx1-expressing HE which significantly impedes the emergence of pre-HSPC via EHT. Our findings implicate Meis1 in a critical fate-determining step for establishing EHT potential in endothelial cells.
Determinants of sustained stabilization of beta-cell function following short-term insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Retnakaran Ravi , Pu Jiajie , Emery Alexandra , Harris Stewart B. , Reichert Sonja M. , Gerstein Hertzel C. , McInnes Natalia , Kramer Caroline K. , Zinman Bernard
Published: July 2023

In early type 2 diabetes, the strategy of “induction” with short-term intensive insulin therapy followed by “maintenance” with metformin can stabilize pancreatic beta-cell function in some patients but not others. We thus sought to elucidate determinants of sustained stabilization of beta-cell function. In this secondary analysis of ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT02192424, adults with ≤5-years diabetes duration were randomized to 3-weeks induction insulin therapy (glargine/lispro) followed by metformin maintenance either with or without intermittent 2-week courses of insulin every 3-months for 2-years. Sustained stabilization (higher beta-cell function at 2-years than at baseline) was achieved in 55 of 99 participants. Independent predictors of sustained stabilization were the change in beta-cell function during induction and changes in hepatic insulin resistance and alanine aminotransferase during maintenance. Thus, initial reversibility of beta-cell dysfunction during induction and subsequent preservation of hepatic insulin sensitivity during maintenance are associated with sustained stabilization of beta-cell function following short-term insulin and metformin.

ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT02192424
Enabling pathways for sustainable livelihoods in planned relocation
Authors: Bower Erica R. , Badamikar Anvesh , Wong-Parodi Gabrielle , Field Christopher B.
Published: July 2023

The planned relocation of entire communities to less hazard-exposed destinations is an increasingly salient climate change adaptation strategy but often results in maladaptive livelihood outcomes. There needs to be understanding of how planning decisions affect outcomes—relocated people’s access to sustainable livelihoods, including physical, economic, natural, human, social and cultural assets. Here, drawing on data from 14 completed flood-related relocation cases, we use fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis and find that planning decisions, alone and taken together, contributed to sustainable livelihood outcomes. Relocation processes initiated and driven by community members had better outcomes than government-driven processes, adding a global comparative perspective to prior findings. Speed and transfer dynamics were also critical, with different implications for small and large communities. As a result, multiple pathways of planning decisions can lead to better outcomes, highlighting potential entry points for policy to promote more sustainable and people-centred planned relocation.