bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic and transcriptomic profiling of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NK cells and their cytotoxicity against cancers
Authors: Thongsin Nontaphat , Suwanpitak Siriwal , Augsornworawat Punn , Srisantitham Jakkrapatra , Saiprayong Kritayaporn , Jenjaroenpun Piroon , Wattanapanitch Methichit
Published: November 2024

Background

Adoptive immunotherapy using natural killer (NK) cells has attracted considerable interest in numerous clinical trials targeting both hematological and solid tumors. Traditionally, NK cells are primarily derived from either peripheral blood (PB) or umbilical cord blood (UCB). However, these methods can lead to variability and heterogeneity within the NK cell population. In contrast, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NK (iNK) cells provide a more controlled and uniform cellular population, suitable for large-scale clinical applications. This makes iNK cells a promising option for developing “off-the-shelf” immunotherapeutic products. Nevertheless, current NK cell differentiation protocols, which rely on embryoid body (EB) cultures, are labor-intensive and susceptible to unwanted heterogeneity during differentiation. Here, we developed a more efficient approach for generating iNK cells by employing a monolayer and feeder-free differentiation protocol, alongside optimized culture media.

Methods

The iNK cells were generated using a two-step in vitro monolayer feeder-free system following NK cell development. To evaluate their maturity, phenotypic analysis was performed using flow cytometry, comparing with PB-NK cells and the NK-92 cell line. Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed to examine their transcriptomic profiles. The cytotoxic activity of the iNK cells was evaluated by co-culturing with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and breast cancer (BCA) cell lines in both monolayer (2D) and tumor spheroid (3D) co-culture systems.

Results

We successfully differentiated iPSCs into mesoderm (ME), hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), and NK cells. The resulting iNK cells exhibited typical NK cell markers such as CD45, CD56, and CD16, and expressed key functional proteins, including both activating and inhibitory receptors. Single-cell RNA sequencing confirmed that the transcriptomic profile of our iNK cells closely resembles that of PB-NK cells. Importantly, our iNK cells demonstrated strong cytotoxic abilities against various CCA and BCA cell lines, surpassing the NK-92 cell line in both monolayer cultures and tumor spheroid cultures.

Conclusion

This study highlights the potential of iPSCs as an effective alternative cell source for generating NK cells. Using a two-step in vitro monolayer feeder-free system, we successfully generated iNK cells that not only expressed key NK cell markers and their receptors but also displayed a transcriptomic profile closely resembling PB-NK cells. Furthermore, iNK cells exhibited cytotoxicity against CCA and BCA cell lines comparable to that of PB-NK cells. This approach could pave the way for off-the-shelf NK cell products, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of adoptive NK cell therapy.
Machine learning-based methods for piecewise digital predistortion in mmW 5G NR systems
Authors: Bulusu S. S. Krishna Chaitanya , Tervo Nuutti , Susarla Praneeth , Silvén Olli , Sillanpää Mikko. J. , Leinonen Marko E. , Juntti Markku , Pärssinen Aarno
Published: November 2024

Piecewise linearization techniques require dividing the signal into multiple pieces each linearized individually. Machine learning (ML) is one of the useful tools to perform the automatic division of these pieces. Complexity reduction in the classification of piecewise digital predistortion is possible through carefully constructing features from both the signal statistics and the power amplifier (PA) characteristics. Our paper introduces two low-complex classical ML-based methods that facilitate the classification of baseband input data into distinct segments. These methods effectively linearize PA behavior by employing tailored Volterra models corresponding to each segment. Moreover, we perform an in-depth analysis of the proposed schemes to further optimize their classification and regression complexities. The two proposed low-complexity approaches are validated by laboratory experiments and show up to 4 dB error vector magnitude (EVM) improvement over the conventional approach for a class A PA at 28 GHz. Similarly, the EVM improvement is up to 2 dB over the vector-switched general memory polynomial scheme. With only one indirect learning architecture iteration, the two proposed schemes obey the 5G new radio standard up to 6.5 dB and 7 dB output backoff, respectively.
Complete inhibition of liver acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity is required to exacerbate liver tumorigenesis in mice treated with diethylnitrosamine
Authors: Shrestha Riya , Vancuylenburg Calum S. , Beretta Martina , Zhou Mingyan , Shah Divya P. , Olzomer Ellen M. , Richards Sian L. , Hoehn Kyle L. , Byrne Frances L.
Published: November 2024

Background

The metabolic pathway of de novo lipogenesis (DNL) is upregulated in fatty liver disease and liver cancer. Inhibitors of DNL are in development for the treatment of these disorders; however, our previous study showed that blocking DNL unexpectedly exacerbated liver tumorigenesis when liver acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) 1 and 2 enzymes were deleted in mice treated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and fed high fat diet. Herein, we used 3 new approaches including ACC1 vs. ACC2 isotype-selective inhibition, delaying ACC inhibition until after carcinogen treatment, and feeding mice normal chow diet to better understand the impact of ACC inhibition on liver tumorigenesis.

Methods

Six genotypes of female C57BL/6J mice with floxed ACC1 and/or ACC2 alleles were injected with DEN at 2 weeks of age followed by liver-specific knockout of ACC genes at 9 weeks. Mice were fed a normal chow diet and evaluated at 52 weeks for liver tumours.

Results

Compared to the wildtype control group, no genotype decreased tumour multiplicity or burden; however, mice completely lacking liver ACC1 and ACC2 had > 5-fold increases in liver tumour multiplicity and burden.

Conclusion

ACC inhibition exacerbated DEN-induced liver tumorigenesis only when both ACC isotypes were completely inhibited. The pro-tumour phenotype of ACC inhibition was strongly reproducible irrespective of chow or high fat feeding, and irrespective of ACC inhibition prior to or after DEN treatment. Retaining partial ACC activity at either isotype prevented tumour exacerbation in mice at risk for developing liver tumours.
A consistent diffuse-interface model for two-phase flow problems with rapid evaporation
Authors: Schreter-Fleischhacker Magdalena , Munch Peter , Much Nils , Kronbichler Martin , Wall Wolfgang A. , Meier Christoph
Published: November 2024

We present accurate and mathematically consistent formulations of a diffuse-interface model for two-phase flow problems involving rapid evaporation. The model addresses challenges including discontinuities in the density field by several orders of magnitude, leading to high velocity and pressure jumps across the liquid–vapor interface, along with dynamically changing interface topologies. To this end, we integrate an incompressible Navier–Stokes solver combined with a conservative level-set formulation and a regularized, i.e., diffuse, representation of discontinuities into a matrix-free adaptive finite element framework. The achievements are three-fold: First, we propose mathematically consistent definitions for the level-set transport velocity in the diffuse interface region by extrapolating the velocity from the liquid or gas phase. They exhibit superior prediction accuracy for the evaporated mass and the resulting interface dynamics compared to a local velocity evaluation, especially for strongly curved interfaces.Second, we show that accurate prediction of the evaporation-induced pressure jump requires a consistent, namely a reciprocal, density interpolation across the interface, which satisfies local mass conservation. Third, the combination of diffuse interface models for evaporation with standard Stokes-type constitutive relations for viscous flows leads to significant pressure artifacts in the diffuse interface region. To mitigate these, we propose to introduce a correction term for such constitutive model types. Through selected analytical and numerical examples, the aforementioned properties are validated. The presented model promises new insights in simulation-based prediction of melt–vapor interactions in thermal multiphase flows such as in laser-based powder bed fusion of metals.
Effectiveness of Kabat Technique versus Mirror Book Therapy on clinical and electrophysiological parameters in patients with Bell’s palsy: a comparative interventional study
Authors: Patel Priyanshi K. , Bachkaniwala Aparna A.
Published: November 2024

Background

Bell’s palsy significantly impacts facial function, aesthetics, and quality of life.

Objective

To compare the effects of the Kabat Technique (KT) and Mirror Book Therapy (MBT) on clinical and electrophysiological parameters in patients with Bell’s palsy.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial included 31 patients divided into two groups: KT (n = 16) and MBT (n = 15). Both groups received their respective interventions (6 days/week for 3 weeks) in addition to conventional physiotherapy. Sunnybrook Facial Grading Score and Nerve Conduction Test (amplitude and latency of frontalis, nasalis, and mentalis muscles) were assessed pre- and post-intervention.

Results

Statistical analysis (SPSS v20) revealed significant intragroup improvements in all outcome measures (p < 0.05). Intergroup comparison showed MBT had superior improvements in amplitude of frontalis and reduced latency of nasalis. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in the Sunnybrook grade shift.

Conclusion

This study suggests that KT and MBT, combined with conventional physiotherapy, positively impact clinical and electrophysiological parameters in Bell's Palsy patients. MBT showed superior results in select Nerve Conduction Test parameters.
Broad-angle coherent perfect absorption-lasing and collimation in two-dimensional non-Hermitian phononic crystals
Authors: Kong Lingzhe , Eldegail Marwa Hamid , Xu Changqing
Published: November 2024

Coherent perfect absorption-lasing and collimation have been extensively studied primarily for normal incidence, leaving broad-angle scenarios relatively unexplored. In this work, we investigate a two-dimensional non-Hermitian phononic crystal, aiming to achieve broad-angle coherent perfect absorption-lasing and collimation. Our approach involves orchestrating a parity-time phase transition in the band structure through a combination of non-symmorphic glide symmetry in the lattice, gain-loss modulation, and engineering of the band structure. In both the real and imaginary parts of the band structure, exceptional points form a slab-like contour with nearly zero dispersion along the boundary of the Brillouin zone. As a result, the range of incidence angles for coherent perfect absorption-lasing and collimation is significantly expanded at the frequency of the exceptional points.
Enhanced Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Patients With Acute Kidney Disease Through Thiazolidinedione
Authors: Chang Li-Yang , Liao Hung-Wei , Chen Jui-Yi , Wu Vin-Cent
Published: November 2024

Context

Patients with diabetes are prone to acute kidney injury with the potential transition to chronic kidney disease. Few studies have investigated the role of thiazolidinedione (TZD) in these patients under acute kidney disease (AKD) phase.

Objective

We sought to examine whether using TZD during AKD could reduce the risk of future major adverse outcomes.

Design and Methods

We employed the TriNetX platform before September 30, 2022, for TZD administration to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) within 90 days of an AKD diagnosis. Clinical endpoints include the risk of all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and major adverse kidney events (MAKE). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated with 1:1 ratio propensity score matching (PSM).

Results

Among the cohort of 263,101 patients with AKD and T2DM, we identified 2723 individuals (1.03%) who were TZD users during the AKD period. After PSM, the final cohort of TZD users included 2555 individuals, with 53.82% being male and a mean age of 64.0 ± 13.5 years. Over a median follow-up period of 1.5 years, the TZD group exhibited a lower risk across various outcomes, with HRs of 0.68 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.57-0.81] for all-cause mortality, 0.68 (95% CI, 0.58-0.80) for MACE, and 0.75 (95% CI, 0.66-0.86) for MAKE.

Conclusion

TZD demonstrated a notable reduction in mortality, cardiovascular events, and kidney-related adverse events among T2DM patients with AKD. These findings suggest a potential benefit of TZD usage for managing cardiovascular events in T2DM patients with AKD.
Το χιούμορ ως μέσο και σκοπός στη διδασκαλία και την κατάκτηση της ελληνικής ως ξένης γλώσσας
Authors: Περρέα Σταυρούλα-Ελένη
Published: November 2024

Το χιούμορ αποτελεί αναπόσπαστο τμήμα της καθημερινής επικοινωνίας. Ωστόσο, ανατρέχοντας στη βιβλιογραφία δεν μπορεί να εντοπιστεί μεγάλο εύρος ερευνών σχετικά με την θέση του στη γλωσσική διδασκαλία. Ακόμη περισσότερο περιορισμένη είναι η αξιοποίησή του όσον αφορά τις περιπτώσεις της διδασκαλίας και της κατάκτησης μιας γλώσσας ως δεύτερης/ξένης, μη δίνοντας τη δυνατότητα στους μαθητές και τις μαθήτριες να έρθουν σε επαφή με ένα γλωσσικό στοιχείο που συνδέεται άμεσα με την ανθρώπινη επικοινωνία και εκδηλώνεται με πολλούς και διάφορους τρόπους (βλ. Schmitz, 2002). Από όσες έρευνες έχουν πραγματοποιηθεί με αντικείμενο την αξιοποίηση του χιούμορ στη διδασκαλία και την κατάκτηση της δεύτερης/ξένης γλώσσας, διαπιστώνεται πρωτίστως η συμβολή του στη διαμόρφωση ενός θετικού κλίματος μέσα στην τάξη, μέσω του οποίου προωθείται η αμεσότητα μεταξύ εκπαιδευτικού και μαθητών/μαθητριών και διαπλάθονται θετικές στάσεις και συμπεριφορές, με αποτέλεσμα την ενίσχυση της ανάπτυξης των γνωστικών δεξιοτήτων και ικανοτήτων (βλ. ενδ. Askildson, 2005· Forman, 2011). Στην πραγματικότητα, το χιούμορ μπορεί να αξιοποιηθεί σε σχέση με την διδασκαλία και την κατάκτηση γλωσσικών φαινομένων στη δεύτερη/ξένη γλώσσα. Όπως επισημαίνεται από μελετητές (βλ. Bell, 2009· Pomerantz & Bell, 2011), οι ίδιοι οι μαθητές επιθυμούν να προσεγγίσουν και να κατακτήσουν το χιούμορ της υπό κατάκτηση γλώσσας αναγνωρίζοντας με τον τρόπο αυτό πως αποτελεί σημαντικό κομμάτι της. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, οι όποιες έρευνες που έχουν πραγματοποιηθεί στο πεδίο αυτό (όπως Wanzer, 2002· Lucas, 2005⸱ Tocalli-Beller & Swain, 2007) αναφέρουν πως η χρήση του χιούμορ στη γλωσσική διδασκαλία είναι εφικτή εάν πρώτα ο/η εκπαιδευτικός επιλέξει κατάλληλες μορφές χιούμορ που θα επιτρέψουν στους μαθητές και τις μαθήτριες να προχωρήσουν στη δημιουργία κατάλληλων νοητικών συσχετισμών ανάμεσα στο χιουμοριστικό στοιχείο και το αντικείμενο διδασκαλίας. Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη το κενό που υπάρχει στην έρευνα για την αξία και τη σημασία του χιούμορ στη διδασκαλία και την κατάκτηση της δεύτερης/ξένης γλώσσας για την περίπτωση των ελληνικών, η παρούσα διατριβή αποσκοπεί στην ανάδειξη της χρησιμότητας του χιούμορ ως διδακτικού και μαθησιακού εργαλείου, με έμφαση στις περιπτώσεις των μαθητών αρχάριου και μέσου/προχωρημένου επιπέδου.
De-ethnicizing Ethiopian higher education leadership: the quest for merit-based governance
Authors: Ali Mohammed Awol
Published: November 2024

Background This study examines the growing trend of ethnicized leadership in Ethiopian higher education institutions and advocates for a shift toward merit-based governance to improve institutional integrity and performance. Since 1991, with the introduction of ethnic federalism, leadership appointments in Ethiopian universities have increasingly been based on ethnic identity rather than qualifications. This has led to governance challenges, weakened academic standards, and reduced institutional efficiency. The study highlights the need for governance reforms prioritizing meritocracy to enhance the quality and sustainability of Ethiopia’s ethnically diverse higher education system. Methods The study utilizes a qualitative research approach, combining both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews with university administrators, faculty, and governance experts, while secondary data were gathered from institutional reports, government policies, and academic literature. Institutional theory, principal-agent theory, and meritocratic theory frame the analysis, providing insights into how ethnic-based leadership appointments affect university governance and performance. Results The findings reveal that ethnicized leadership has eroded governance structures, lowered academic quality, and compromised institutional efficiency. Leadership appointments based on ethnicity rather than merit have led to poor decision-making, weakened accountability, and reduced transparency. In contrast, merit-based governance improves accountability, decision-making, and institutional performance. The study emphasizes that transitioning to a meritocratic leadership model is vital for restoring institutional integrity and academic excellence in Ethiopian universities. Conclusions Ethnic federalism, while initially designed to empower regions, has politicized federal institutions, including universities, reducing them to regional entities rather than national institutions. This system of ethnicized leadership has fostered a culture of favoritism, rampant corruption, and ineffective governance, ultimately weakening Ethiopia’s higher education system. Recommendations Governance reforms that prioritize merit-based appointments are urgently needed. Legal reforms, transparent leadership selection processes, depoliticization efforts, and capacity-building initiatives are recommended to foster a meritocratic culture and improve institutional performance in Ethiopian universities.
Strong Kleene Logics as a Tool for Modelling Formal Epistemic Norms
Authors: Borzi Agustina , Pailos Federico , Toranzo Calderón Joaquín T.
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we present two ways of modelling every epistemic formal conditional commitment that involves (at most) three key epistemic attitudes: acceptance, rejection and neither acceptance nor rejection. The first one consists of adopting the plurality of every mixed Strong Kleene logic (along with an epistemic reading of the truth-values), and the second one involves the use of a unified system of six-sided inferences, named 6SK, that recovers the validities of each mixed Strong Kleene logic. We also introduce a sequent calculus that is sound and complete with respect to both approaches. We compare both accounts, and finally, we suggest that the plurality of Strong Kleene logic as well as the general framework 6SK are linked to formal epistemic norms via bridge principles.
Características das intervenções efetivas de exercício físico conduzidas no ambiente de trabalho: uma revisão de escopo
Authors: Santos Luciene Rafaela Franco dos , Guimarães Lidiane Juvenal , Soares Andrew Matheus Gomes , Figueiredo Júlia Araujo de , Pimentel Júlia Guedes , Oliveira Aldair José
Published: November 2024

O local de trabalho pode ser considerado um ambiente com potencialidade para o desenvolvimento de programas que promovam saúde. Apesar das evidências positivas na literatura acerca das intervenções de exercício físico nesse local, torna-se relevante compreender quais são as características (tipo, intensidade, duração) das intervenções que possuem impacto positivo na saúde dos trabalhadores. Dessa forma, este estudo visa contribuir no rastreamento de evidências científicas de intervenções no âmbito do exercício físico realizados no ambiente laboral. Trata-se de uma revisão de escopo, com seis bases de dados: PubMed, Lilacs, SciELO, PsycInfo, Web of Science e Scopus. Utilizando a estratégia de busca: ((Workers OR Worker) AND (Physical Activities OR “Physical Exercise”) AND (Workplace OR Workplaces OR “Work Location”) NOT (leisure-time physical activity). Dos 4.181 artigos encontrados, foram selecionados 53 artigos. A análise dos dados foi realizada através do cálculo da frequência e percentual, tendo como foco principal as características dos exercícios físicos. Todos os procedimentos foram feitos no Software R versão 4.2.1. O treinamento de força (71,8%) foi o exercício físico mais utilizado, seguido pelo treinamento aeróbico (15,1%), combinado (11,2%) e outros (1,9%). 56% das intervenções utilizaram uma abordagem progressiva acerca da intensidade, enquanto o volume variou de 10 a 60 minutos. O estudo demonstrou que o treinamento de força com intensidade progressiva e curta duração são os mais utilizados nas intervenções. O local de trabalho com tempo e espaço reduzido se mostrou um excelente momento para incluir o exercício físico nas rotinas das pessoas.
Skill-Biased Technical Change, Again? Online Gig Platforms and Local Employment
Authors: Guo Xue , Cheng Zhi (Aaron) , Pavlou Paul A.
Published: November 2024

This study explores the impact of online gig platforms like TaskRabbit on the employment of incumbent service workers, focusing on the housekeeping sector. It highlights how TaskRabbit’s entry correlates with a decrease in middle-skilled roles such as supervisors due to automation, whereas low-skilled jobs like janitors remain stable because of their manual nature. Notably, many middle-skilled workers transition to self-employment within the sector instead of facing layoffs. Amidst competing narratives about the gig economy’s influence on labor markets, this research offers critical insights into how gig platforms redistribute the workforce and create new employment opportunities, suggesting significant implications for policymakers and practitioners. Policymakers should recognize the shift from traditional roles to self-employment facilitated by these platforms, which enhances local entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, it is crucial for them to ensure fair working conditions, wages, and benefits. Practitioners can see that gig platforms not only improve operational efficiency but also enable middle-skilled workers to launch their own businesses, indicating a potential strategy for new platforms looking to increase their service offerings and client base. Traditional companies, in response, need to adapt their job designs, incentive structures, and company culture to align with the changing needs for flexibility and autonomy in the gig economy.
Solving the Price-Setting Newsvendor Problem with Parametric Operational Data Analytics (ODA)
Authors: Chu Leon Yang , Feng Qi , Shanthikumar J. George , Shen Zuo-Jun Max , Wu Jian
Published: November 2024

We study the data-integrated, price-setting newsvendor problem in which the price–demand relationship is described by some parametric model with unknown parameters. We develop the operational data analytics (ODA) formulation of this problem that features a data-integration model and a validation model. The data-integration model consists of a class of functions called the operational statistics. Each operational statistic maps the available data to the ordering decision. The validation model finds, among the set of candidate operational statistics, the ordering decision that leads to the highest actual profit, which is unknown because of the unknown demand parameters. This ODA framework leads to a consistent estimate of the profit function with which we optimize the pricing decision. The derived quantity and price decisions demonstrate robust profit performance even when the sample size is very small in relation to the demand variability. Compared with the conventional approach with which the unknown parameters are estimated and then the decisions are optimized, the ODA framework produces significantly superior performance in the mean, standard deviation, and minimum of the profit, suggesting the robustness of the ODA solution especially in the small-sample regime.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, operations management.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.02227 .
Online Learning and Decision Making Under Generalized Linear Model with High-Dimensional Data
Authors: Wang Xue , Wei Mike Mingcheng , Yao Tao
Published: November 2024

We propose a minimax concave penalized multiarmed bandit algorithm under the generalized linear model (G-MCP-Bandit) for decision-makers facing high-dimensional data in an online learning and decision-making environment. We demonstrate that in the data-rich regime, the G-MCP-Bandit algorithm attains the optimal cumulative regret in the sample size dimension and a tight bound in the covariate dimension and the significant covariate dimension. In the data-poor regime, the G-MCP-Bandit algorithm maintains a tight regret upper bound. In addition, we develop a local linear approximation method, the two-step weighted Lasso procedure, to identify the minimax concave penalty (MCP) estimator for the G-MCP-Bandit algorithm when samples are not independent and identically distributed. Under this procedure, the MCP estimator can match the oracle estimator with high probability and converge to the true parameters at the optimal convergence rate. Finally, through experiments based on both synthetic and real data sets, we show that the G-MCP-Bandit algorithm outperforms other benchmarking algorithms in terms of cumulative regret and that the benefits of the G-MCP-Bandit algorithm increase in the data’s sparsity level and the size of the decision set.

This paper was accepted by J. George Shanthikumar, big data analytics.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [Grants W2441021, 72371172, 72342023, and 71929101] and the National Science Foundation (NSF) [Grant DMS 1820702].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.01557 .
A review of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia
Authors: McCormick Zachary JJ , Crane Hannah , Brierley Daniel
Published: November 2024

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a rare, but relentless, form of leukoplakia, with a high recurrence rate and a tendency to become malignant, either as an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) or verrucous carcinoma (VC). Its aetiology is mainly unknown, and there is uncertainty around its management owing to its resistance to most treatments with a high rate of recurrence.

CPD/Clinical Relevance:

Understanding PVL is key to making prompt diagnosis and referral for improved outcome of treatment due to its high malignancy transformation rate.
Grey areas in restorative dentistry: part 1. what are the aims of treatment?
Authors: Caplin Robert L
Published: November 2024

Every dental practitioner makes decisions about how to manage the various clinical and ethical challenges that patients present. There is a need to balance the demands of the patient with the ethical requirements of the profession and the moral position of the practitioner. It is essential to establish with the patient, before any treatment is carried out, what outcomes are required so that a mutually agreed care plan can be drawn up and acted upon. This article explores the clinical and moral and ethical challenges that can arise in the patient–practitioner relationship.

CPD/Clinical Relevance:

All practitioners will be faced with the issues raised in this article.
Hospital opportunities
Authors: Patchett Lucy
Published: November 2024

Lucy Patchett talks to eye hospitals about workplace challenges and professional opportunities
The big restart
Authors: Patchett Lucy
Published: November 2024

Lucy Patchett talked to Klaus Plaschka, managing director of GHM, and organiser of the Opti tradeshow in Munich, Germany
Sustainability Hub: How waste can be a business model
Authors: Patchett Lucy
Published: November 2024

Industry experts discuss the opportunities and challenges around improving sustainability in optics at the Opti 2023 tradeshow. Lucy Patchett reports
Checking in with CHECT
Authors: Harvey Bill
Published: November 2024

To mark the International Day of Women & Girls in Science, Bill Harvey reports on an interesting new project supported by the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust aimed at helping to understand retinoblastoma from the point of view of the patient and their family
Putting a stop to laziness
Authors: Harvey Bill
Published: November 2024

Bill Harvey describes some recent advances in the detection and management of amblyopia
Dealing with bereavement
Authors: Chander Tina
Published: November 2024

Tina Chander outlines the legal requirements to deal with employees compassionately
Communicating care in the community
Authors: McClean Andrew
Published: November 2024

Andrew McClean speaks to the Optician Awards 2022 optometrist of the year, Clare Pearce
When Bill met Christian
Authors: Harvey Bill
Published: November 2024

Bill Harvey takes a look at a new, free and not-for-profit online resource that should prove useful to both clinician and patient alike
Communicating the retinoblastoma experience
Authors: O'Donnell Nicola
Published: November 2024

Following on from last week's feature on retinoblastoma, doctoral researcher Nicola O'Donnell explains more about her recent immersive installation offering a glimpse into the lives of people who have had the condition
Safeguarding services
Authors: McClean Andrew
Published: November 2024

Andrew McClean speaks to Julie Mosgrove about how eye care in Scotland was transitioning
CPD: BCLA CLEAR
Authors: Retallic Neil , Harvey Bill
Published: November 2024

Neil Retallic and Bill Harvey introduce a new interactive CPD exercise based on the BCLA CLEAR publication focusing on orthokeratology, as featured in January's Optician (C104906, suitable for logging as one interactive CPD point for optometrists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians)
CLEAR interactive – 5
Authors: Retallic Neil , Harvey Bill
Published: November 2024

Neil Retallic and Bill Harvey offer feedback from the last interactive CPD exercise based on the BCLA CLEAR publication focusing on contact lens optics. (C104243)
We need to talk about lenses
Authors: Kirkpatrick Nigel
Published: November 2024

Nigel Kirkpatrick reflects on the growing connections between optometrists and surgeons
Journey to improved comfort
Authors: McClean Andrew
Published: November 2024

Andrew McClean speaks to the contact lens companies that exhibited at 100% Optical
Lenses for life
Authors: Hale Mike
Published: November 2024

Mike Hale presents a second report on the lens sector at 100% Optical
Commutators of skew-involutions
Authors: Hou Xin , Li Wen-Wei
Published: November 2024

Let $\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F})$ be the group of all $n\times n$ matrices over a field $\mathbb{F}$ with determinant $1$. Denote by $I$ ($I_n$) the ($n\times n$) identity matrix. A matrix $A$ is called skew-involution if $A^2=-I$. It is proved that every matrix in $\mathrm{SL}_{2n}(\mathbb{F})$ is a product of at most three commutators of skew-involutions if $\mathbb{F}\ne\mathbb{Z}_3$ and $\mathrm{SL}_{2n}(\mathbb{F})\ne\mathrm{SL}_{2}(\mathbb{Z}_2)$, and at most four commutators of skew-involutions if $\mathbb{F}=\mathbb{Z}_3$ and $n>1$. Every complex symplectic matrix is a product of two commutators of complex symplectic skew-involutions, and every real symplectic matrix is a product of not more than four commutators of real symplectic skew-involutions.
Scanning Electron Microscopy and Magnetic Characterization of Iron Oxides in Suspended Sediments
Authors: Sudarningsih Sudarningsih , Bijaksana Satria , Widodo Widodo , Iskandar Irwan , Dahrin Darharta , Fajar Silvia Jannatul , Kirana Kartika Hajar , Yunginger Raghel
Published: November 2024

River sediment is the product of a sedimentation process in the river environment that originates from the weathering of bedrock or erosion processes, organic materials, particles, or anthropogenic substances. Previous research shows the magnetic mineral content in the sediments of the Citarum River and its tributaries. Suspended sediment was collected from the Citarum River and its tributaries in West Java, Indonesia, for mineralogical and granulometric analysis. The aim of this research is to distinguish between magnetic mineral sources, a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and rock magnetism. The hysteresis parameter verifies that the XRD measurement results show that the main magnetic minerals in suspended sediments are ferrimagnetic minerals such as magnetite (Fe3O4). According to the results of the SEM-EDX investigations, the magnetic granules in the Citarum River and its tributaries derive from two distinct sources: pedogenic and anthropogenic. The Citarum River and its tributaries’ magnetic granules are generally octahedral or angular in shape, with broken corners, indicating a pedogenic origin
Application of Very Low Frequency (VLF) Method for Underground River Estimation in Donorojo Sub-District, Pacitan
Authors: Bahri Ayi Syaeful , Rochmah Khusnul Nur , Fajar M. Haris Miftakhul , Rochman Juan Pandu Gya Nur , Lestari Wien , Fida Fachri Almawali Abil
Published: November 2024

Pacitan is included in the Gunung Sewu karst area in the Southern Mountain Zone, and carbonate rocks dominate the constituent rocks. Karst has a unique drainage system because it is dominated by subsurface flow. This research was conducted in Cemeng and Klepu villages, Donorojo sub-district, Pacitan, with 4 track data. Data were collected using the very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) method with a track length ranging from 200-450 m, a measurement spacing of 5 m, and a transmitter frequency of 19.8 kHz. Data processing uses filtering and inversion, resulting in a cross-section of resistivity values. Based on the subsurface resistivity cross-section profile, the cavity in the carbonate rock layer with a resistivity value of 0-500 Ωm is identified as an underground river. The underground river is found on tracks 1, 2, 3, and 4 near the surface, with a depth of about 30 m below the surface.
Machine Learning-Based Cow Milk Quality Classification using Recursive Feature Elimination Cross-Validation
Authors: Wicaksono Damar , Mareta Affix , Erdiyanto Ardy , Afianah Nuzula , Ramadhani Rafly
Published: November 2024

Milk quality is of paramount importance as it directly impacts consumer health and well-being. High-quality milk is rich in essential nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamins, contributing to overall nutrition. Moreover, ensuring milk quality is vital for preventing the transmission of diseases and contaminants through dairy products. Therefore, research in this field is essential to guaranteeing the safety and nutritional value of milk consumed by individuals of all ages. In this paper, the design of machine learning-based grade measuring devices with recursive feature elimination with cross-validation (RFECV) is carried out as a guide in the design of a milk grade detection system. The milk is rated as low, medium, or high based on these criteria. The sensors will gather this information from the milk with the aid of the microcontroller. The algorithms utilized in this study and the results obtained from K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) combined with the RFECV algorithm have a higher accuracy value: 17,20% better than the support vector machine (SVM) model, 25.37% better than the single K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and 26.37% better than the random forest (RF) model trained without RFECV. Using seven input features (pH, temperature, taste, odor, fat, turbidity, and color), the proposed model produces 96.27% accuracy.
Efficiency And Effectiveness Of Circuit Arrangement And Placement Of Thermoelectric For The Design Of Utilizing Zinc Roof As An Electrical Source
Authors: Arsyad Sitti Maryam A. T. , Arbie Asri , Nuayi Abdul Wahidin
Published: November 2024

The problem related to electrical power sources commonly encountered in society is the frequent occurrence of rotating power outages or sudden blackouts, which disrupt activities for both communities and industries as they heavily rely on electrical power to meet their needs, both collectively and individually. In order to meet the needs of society and industry, Indonesia requires a sufficiently large energy supply. One renewable energy source that can be utilized is solar energy due to its easy availability, cleanliness, and cost-effectiveness. In this study, an experimental method is employed, which utilizes the heat from zinc roofs and converts it into electrical energy using thermoelectric generators. Testing is conducted by varying the circuit arrangements, including series, parallel, and combined configurations, as well as the number of thermoelectric modules (20, 30, and 42 modules), and placement locations on zinc roofs and house ceilings, to observe the output results in terms of voltage and electrical current. As observed from the test results presented in the graphs, the output voltage and current vary for each type of circuit. Based on the use of various circuit arrangements, it can be concluded that combining thermoelectric generators results in higher current and voltage values. The greater the number of thermoelectric modules, the larger the output value. There is a difference in output values between placement on zinc roofs and ceilings, with higher output values observed when installed on zinc roofs. This is due to direct contact between the hot side of the thermoelectric generator and the inner part of the zinc roof. All data obtained from these variations depend on the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the thermoelectric generator. The greater the temperature difference produced, the larger the voltage and current output from the circuit. This temperature difference affects the overall performance of the circuit.
Using Decision Tree With First and Second-Order Statistical Feature Extraction for Classification of Lung Cancer
Authors: Yunianto Mohtar , Meilina Rizka Dewi , Suryani Esti
Published: November 2024

The classification of CT-Scan images on images with lung cancer and normal lung has been done by improving the image quality of the median and Gabor filters, extraction of first and second-order statistical features, and decision tree classification. The data used comes from LIDC-IDRI as much as 100 training data and 40 test data. The median filter removes noise without removing edges in the image. A Gabor filter is used to facilitate texture analysis on the image. At the feature extraction stage, statistical variations of the first order, second order statistics and the merging of first and second-order statistics. The best results obtained at the testing stage are program designs with variations of feature extraction combining first and second-order statistics. The level of accuracy obtained is 97.5%, with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 95%.
Retinografi ja i vidni evocirani potencijali u diferencijalnoj dijagnostici kongenitalnog nistagmusa
Authors: Nađ Katarina Bošnjak , Striber Neda , Miočinović Ljiljana Popović , Grmoja Tonči , Nađ Ida
Published: November 2024

Kongenitalni nistagmus je najčešći oblik nistagmusa u dječjoj dobi. Javlja se u prva tri mjeseca života. Može biti senzorički – uzrokovan oštećenjem u području oka, retine ili vidnog puta, neurološki ili idiopatski. Simultana elektroretinografi ja i vidni evocirani potencijali neinvazivna su elektrofi ziološka tehnika koja nam omogućuje indentifi kaciju vjerojatnog uzroka kongenitalnog nistagmusa.Cilj je prikazati značenje tehnike simultanog snimanja elektroretinografi je i vidnih evociranih potencijala u diferencijalnoj dijagnostici nistagmusa kod 7-godišnje bolesnice s okularnim albinizmom. Bolesnicu je oftalmolog uputio na elektroretinografi ju i vidneevocirane potencijale zbog strabizma i nistagmusa, a prije odluke o operaciji. Snima se u budnosti, elektroretinografski odgovor seregistrira kožnim elektrodama ispod donjeg kapka, a vidni evocirani potencijali iznad primarnog vidnog korteksa. Stimulacija seprovodi Grass foto stimulatorom bijelim, crvenim i plavim svjetlom za elektroretinografi ju, a za vidne evocirane potencijale fl ash istrukturiranim podražajem. Flash elektroretinografi ja je bila uredna, ali fl ash vidni evocirani potencijali i strukturirani onsett vidnievocirani potencijali upućivali su na kontralateralnu asimetriju. Značajno je bila veća amplituda iznad kontralateralne hemisfere, ainterokularna razlika upućivala je na inverzni polaritet. Ova križna asimetrija je prisutna kod albinizma. Klinički somatski status kožei njenih derivata bio je uredan, kao i magnetska rezonanca mozga. Kod bolesnice je vjerojatno bila riječ o izoliranom okularnomalbinizmu. Simultano snimanje elektroretinografi je i vidnih evociranih potencijala omogućuje diferenciranje senzoričkog (retinalnog ili postretinalnog) od neurološkog i idiopatskog kongenitalnog nistagmusa. Kod prikazane bolesnice vjerojatno je riječ o okularnom albinizmu kao uzroku nistagmusa.
Temozolomide and its role in the treatment of malignant gliomas
Authors: Krpan A. Mišir , Juretić A. , Šantek F. , Bilić L. Galunić , Rakušić Z. , Grah J. J. , Herceg T. , Krajina Z. , Lončar K. , Bašić-Koretić M.
Published: November 2024

Malignant gliomas include glioblastomas, which are most common, anaplastic astrocytomas, anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and anaplastic oligoastrocytomas. According to their biological features, they are a heterogeneous group of tumours and some of them can be considered as rare tumours. Standard therapeutic modalities in the treatment of malignant gliomas are operation, radiotherapy and chemotherapy but, unfortunately, results are still poor and unsatisfactory. There is no complete response or longterm remission. Standard treatment of malignant gliomas is maximal surgical reduction of tumour volume since direct impact on survival has been demonstrated. Radiotherapy is used postoperatively. Since 2005, temozolomide has been registered as a standard drug in the treatment of malignant gliomas. It is an oral alkylating cytostatic drug that results in a statistically significantly better survival when used concomitantly with radiotherapy and thereafter as consolidation therapy in glioblastoma patients. In Croatia, temozolomide is on the Croatian Institute of Health Insurance list of so-called “expensive drugs”. Its use has to be approved by an expert committee on the basis of medical history and oncologist’s written application. If we consider the use of temozolomide in other malignant glial tumours, there are differences between the USA and the European Union countries. According to the Croatian Institute of Health Insurance guidelines, temozolomide can only be used in glioblastoma patients with performance status ECOG 0-1 and normal standard laboratory values. Considering the heterogeneity of malignant gliomas and differences in temozolomide use between countries, the purpose of our presentation is to demonstrate the specificities of its application.
Human myoblast cell culture - a model for the study of metabolic myopathies
Authors: Zekušić M. , Majić Ž. , Ćuk M. , Dubravčić K. , Bilić K. , Škaričić A. , Fumić K. , Barić I.
Published: November 2024

Insufficiency of S-adenosyl-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH; EC 1.1.3.3.) has been confirmed in nine patients so far. Although clinical symptoms are variable, myopathy is present from the birth in all patients who are affected by this multisystem disease. It is unclear why muscle tissue is affected in patients with SAHH insufficiency; therefore establishment of myoblast cell culture as a model has great value and presents the first step towards understanding the pathogenesis of the disease at the metabolite, protein and gene levels. Myoblasts were isolated from biopsy of skeletal muscle by enzymatic digestion. Myoblasts were cultivated in sterile conditions in a medium with growth factors. After achieving confluence of 70%-80%, myoblasts were divided by trypsinization into subcultures. A culture of myoblasts was established and purified by using an immune-magnetic sorting system and then stored in liquid nitrogen. Purity of myoblasts was confirmed by flow cytometry method using CD56+ and CD45- surface markers. Pure myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes (immature muscle fibers). In this report, optimized procedure of isolation, cultivation, differentiation and storage of myoblasts in vitro is presented.
Acrocallosal syndrome with unilateral cerebellar hypoplasia
Authors: Ekici A. , Yarar C. , Yakut A. , Carman KB. , Saylisoy S.
Published: November 2024

Acrocallosal syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by craniofacial anomalies, polydactyly, agenesis or hypoplasia of the corpus callosum and psychomotor retardation. We report on a case of acrocallosal syndrome with dysmorphic features, macrocephaly, duplicated hallux, agenesis of corpus callosum and unilateral cerebellar hypoplasia.
Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in treatment of a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and associated uveitis
Authors: Glunčić I. , Cikojević D. , Klančnik M. , Babić I.
Published: November 2024

The most common rheumatic disease associated with uveitis in childhood is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and it occurs in about 15% of patients. Females, younger than 10 years of age, with oligoarticular, antinuclear antibody positive JIA, are at the highest risk for developing chronic uveitis. The course of uveitis is unpredictable with frequent complications, of which cataract and glaucoma as the most common. Therapeutic approach is individual and still remains a challenge for paediatric rheumatologists and ophthalmologists. Biological drugs were introduced fifteen years ago as an alternative mode of therapy with encouraging results. We present a patient with a polyarticular type of JIA and associated uveitis, treated with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors.
Molecular genetics and pharmacogenetics in pediatric oncology
Authors: Kapitanović S.
Published: November 2024

Cancer is defined as an uncontrolled proliferation of cells that results in the transformation of a normal cell into a cancer cell. Progress in molecular genetics has led to our understanding of cancer as a genetic disease. Cancer is the result of many genetic changes in oncogenes, tumor-suppressor genes and MMR genes that lead to the development of a primary tumor from a previously normal cell and then to the growth, progression, and spread of this tumor to distant parts of the body (metastasis). With the complete sequence of the human genome available, individualized medicine may soon become reality. Most patients show large interindividual variability in drug response. For chemotherapeutics given at standard doses, a substantial proportion of patients do not respond, respond only partially, or experience adverse drug reactions. Pharmacogenetics deals with inherited differences in the response to drugs. A major limitation that moderates the use of pharmacogenetic testing in the clinical setting is the lack of prospective clinical trials demonstrating that such testing can improve the benefit/risk ratio of drug therapy. Pharmacogenetic profiles database establishment is important for future research studies in the field of pharmacogenetics of childhood malignancies.
Analgesics and palliative care – integration into clinical practice
Authors: Butković D.
Published: November 2024

Palliative care by the definition of the World Health Organisation (WHO) is active, total care of patients in the terminally phase of a life-limiting illness. The aim of palliative care is the best quality of life for the terminally ill and their families. The fundamental concept of palliative care is symptom treatment, primarily pain management, but also of other symptoms like nausea and vomiting, sleep disturbances, dyspnoea, anorexia, pressure sores. A holistic approach to the child and family is incorporated in the palliative care concept and for the quality of life of a terminally ill child psychological, social and spiritual care must be included.