bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Etching Strategy for Photocatalysis: The Evolution of Structures and Properties
Authors: He Kelin , Huang Zimo , Shen Rongchen , Myagmarsereejid Purevlkham , Zhang Qitao , Li Xin , Zhong Yu Lin
Published: August 2023

This review emphasizes the pivotal role of etching strategies in refining structures and properties crucial to photocatalysis, a sustainable solution for energy and environmental remediation. As fossil fuel‐related environmental concerns rise, photocatalysis emerges as a vital alternative. Yet, maximizing its efficacy is an ongoing challenge. Etching strategies, by creating structural vacancies and revealing active crystal facets, enhance light absorption and the catalyst's efficiency. This process effectively reshapes nanostructures, elevating their surface specificity and subsequently their catalytic properties. Despite advancements, few comprehensive reviews detail etching's influence on photocatalysts. This work, therefore, sheds light on how different etching methodologies affect photocatalyst structures and functions, covering mechanisms such as morphology control, surface area boosting, defect engineering, and more. Furthermore, the impact of etching on light absorption, charge dynamics, and reactant interactions is explored. The review concludes by pointing out challenges and the prospective growth of etching in photocatalysis. By deepening the understanding of etching modification, this review aims to drive progress in developing superior photocatalytic materials, thus fostering advances in renewable energy technologies.
The protective effect of crocin against testicular toxicity induced by ionizing radiation via AKT/FOXO pathway
Authors: El‐Sheikh Marwa M. , Aziz Maha M. , Abdelrahman Sahar S. M. , Mohmad Marwa Abd El Hameed
Published: August 2023

Crocin, a pharmacologically active component of Crocus sativus L. (saffron), has been informed to be beneficial in the treatment of stress‐related oxidative impairment. In the present study, we examined the protective role of crocin against testicular damage induced by radiation (acute and fractionated) and the alteration of the AKT/FOXO signaling pathway. Male Wister albino rats were exposed to acute dose of 6 Gy and a fractionated dose of gamma radiation (2 Gy every 2 days up to 6 Gy total doses). Rats were pretreated intraperitoneally with crocin in a dose of 50 mg/kg for seven consecutive days prior to exposure to irradiation at a level of 6 Gy and during the fractionated irradiation of rats. Control groups were run concurrently. Ionizing radiation caused changes in the level of oxidative stress biomarkers manifested as elevation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, total nitrate/nitrite and reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated with a decrease in catalase as well as in the level of inflammatory parameters (decrease in expression of Nrf2 which was related to a significant increase in expression of NF‐κB p65). Irradiation produced cellular damage characterized by an increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase. These findings were aligned with increased expression of the forkhead box O‐1 (FOXO‐1) and activation of protein kinase B (AKT) pathway. Irradiation of rats led to reduction in serum testosterone level and testicular weights. Pretreatment with the indicated dose of crocin shielded against the changes in all the evaluated parameters. Administration of crocin can be introduced as a novel preclinical approach for regulation of testicular damage induced by radiation; via controlling the ongoing oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction as well as activation FOXO/AKT signaling pathway.
Transcriptional factor BRD4 promotes the stemness of esophageal cancer by activating the nuclear PD‐L1/RelB axis
Authors: Li Shouguo , Guo Qunhuang , Guo Ruixiang , Xu Hui
Published: August 2023

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a prevalent malignancy associated with therapeutic resistance and poor prognosis. This study investigates the role of programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) in esophageal cancer stem cell (ECSC) formation. ECSCs were enriched and characterized using various assays. We found that both PD‐L1 and bromodomain‐containing protein 4 (BRD4) were upregulated in ECSCs, promoting their stemness. Inhibiting BRD4 suppressed ECSC markers expression and sphere formation. Furthermore, BRD4 inhibitors downregulated membrane and nuclear PD‐L1 levels, with knockdown of PD‐L1 inhibiting ECSC formation. PD‐L1 degraders also affected PD‐L1 and its downstream effector RelB expression. Moreover, inhibiting RelB influenced sphere formation through interleukin‐6 expression. This study reveals the critical role of the BRD4/nuclear PD‐L1/RelB axis in ECSC formation, highlighting nuclear PD‐L1 as a potential immunotherapeutic target for refractory EC.
Cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants in atopic and healthy dogs and their influence on allergy test specificity
Authors: Kasper Bettina , Boehm Teresa , Wittenstein Nadine , Mueller Ralf S.
Published: August 2023

Background

The selection of allergens for immunotherapy in atopic dogs is often based on serum allergy testing. Cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) are common structures in plant and insect allergens that reportedly induce polysensitisation, reduce agreement between intradermal and serum tests and complicate allergen selection.

Methods

Thirty‐four dogs with diagnosed atopic dermatitis and 10 healthy dogs were included in the study. An intradermal test was conducted in atopic dogs, and serum samples from allergic and healthy dogs were analysed for allergen‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) before and after inhibition of detectable anti‐CCD‐IgE antibodies.

Results

Anti‐CCD‐IgE antibodies were not found in any of the healthy dogs and no polysensitisation to plant and insect allergens was detected. The agreement between intradermal and serum allergy test results in the atopic dogs with anti‐CCD‐IgE antibodies improved from slight to fair after blocking the anti‐CCD‐IgE antibodies. In addition, blocking clearly reduced polysensitisation to plant allergens but not to acarid allergens.

Limitations

Only a limited number of healthy dogs were tested in this study. A gold standard for determining the clinical relevance of IgE sensitisation does not exist.

Conclusion

Inhibition of anti‐CCD‐IgE antibodies seems to be of importance to improve serum test specificity for allergen‐specific IgE in atopic dogs in relation to intradermal allergy testing.
Chromium Metal Nanoparticles, Their Reactivity and Reactions
Authors: Reiß Andreas , Reimann Maximilian Kai , Popescu Radian , Gerthsen Dagmar , Pöttgen Rainer , Feldmann Claus
Published: August 2023

Zerovalent chromium nanoparticles (2.2±0.2 nm in size) are prepared in the liquid phase (THF) by reduction of CrCl2 with lithium naphthalenide ([LiNaph]). The deep black Cr(0) nanoparticle suspensions in THF are colloidally and chemically highly stable. On the other hand, the Cr(0) nanoparticles are highly reactive, e. g., when in contact to O2, H2O, or other oxidizing agents. To probe the reactivity of the Cr(0) nanoparticles in the liquid phase near room temperature (50–80 °C), they are reacted with different coordinatively demanding, N−H, S−H or O−H acidic reactants. This includes the amines 2,2′‐dipyridylamine (HDPA), 2‐(1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)pyridine (HImPy) and carbazole (HCbz), the thiol 2‐mercaptopyridine (HMPy), and benzoic acid (HBz) as a carboxylate. As a result, the five novel compounds [Cr(DPA)3], [Cr(ImPy)3] ⋅ HImPy, [Cr(MPy)3] ⋅ 0.5 Tol (Tol: toluene), [Na2Cr(Cbz)4(THF)3], and [Cr2(Bz)4(THF)2] are obtained. [Cr(DPA)3] and [Cr(ImPy)3] ⋅ HImPy show Cr(III) coordinated by nitrogen only; [Cr(MPy)3] ⋅ 0.5 Tol shows a coordination of Cr(III) by both N and S atoms. [Na2Cr(Cbz)4(THF)3] and [Cr2(Bz)4(THF)2] contain Cr(II) and exhibit an infinite chain‐like structure and pairs of chromium atoms with fourfold binding.
Science and Society
Authors: Parisi Giorgio
Published: August 2023

Here, I would like to briefly address some critical points in the relationship between science and society. Science must be considered part of the culture: this is important for decreasing the refusal of science. Science is fundamental for the future of humanity in many ways and for helping establish peace in many ways.
Promoting Integral Human Development and Peace in the Digital Age
Authors: Pecorario Alessio
Published: August 2023

Esteemed President Roberto Antonelli, Professor Luciano Maiani and Organizers.
Present Nuclear Dangers
Authors: Cotta-Ramusino Paolo
Published: August 2023

The present global situation is full of dangers. The world has probably not known a similar dangerous environment since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
From NPT to TPNW: From Non-proliferation to Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
Authors: Gallo Barbara
Published: August 2023

The Nuclear dossier has been a hot topic since 1945 and after more than 80 years it is far from being closed.
General Introduction: A Study of Mediterranean Populations
Authors: Doignon Yoann , Blöss-Widmer Isabelle , Ambrosetti Elena , Oliveau Sébastien
Published: August 2023

The Mediterranean region has been much studied by human and social sciences. The length of its written history, and the variety of civilisations sharing a common history (going back to the Roman mare nostrum), of course, go some way to explaining this wealth of studies. However, the Mediterranean has only recently been studied as a global study area, rather than as separate sub-regions. We note that there is a lack of recent general publications, or writings in general, providing a synthesis or inventory of the various demographic phenomena on a pan-Mediterranean scale. The aim of this publication is to provide an overview and detailed description of the demographic trends of the last 70 years for the populations of the Mediterranean as a whole.
Spatial Distribution of Population and Urbanisation
Authors: Doignon Yoann , Blöss-Widmer Isabelle , Ambrosetti Elena , Oliveau Sébastien
Published: August 2023

Populations are not randomly distributed across the Earth's surface. Some regions are almost empty, while others concentrate with a large proportion of the human population. Analysing the spatial distribution of a population is an exercise involving geography and demography. It takes place on different scales, both global and local, as given the striking uneven distribution of populations in the Mediterranean and all over the world. This chapter will begin by describing the Mediterranean settlement, emphasising the contrasts that exist at different scales, and then identifying regularities and explanatory factors. We will end by looking at the phenomena structuring the contemporary distribution of the population: metropolisation and coastalisation.
Sex Ratio, Age Structure and Population Ageing
Authors: Doignon Yoann , Blöss-Widmer Isabelle , Ambrosetti Elena , Oliveau Sébastien
Published: August 2023

It is vital to examine the population composition, i.e. how the population being studied is structured. In demography, to understand the phenomena studied (firstly, births and deaths), it is common practice to examine the number of women in relation to the number of men and to distinguish the distribution of individuals by age. The most common representation of this gender and age composition is the “age pyramid”. It is important to know the age and gender composition, as this largely determines a population's demographic dynamics. Elements relating to gender and age composition will enable better understanding of the dynamics outlined in the following chapters. In this chapter therefore, we will present the composition of the Mediterranean population from the perspective of sex ratios on the one hand, and the age distribution of populations on the other. We will also consider the implications of differences between countries at the sub-national level.
Family Formation and Dissolution
Authors: Doignon Yoann , Blöss-Widmer Isabelle , Ambrosetti Elena , Oliveau Sébastien
Published: August 2023

The question of the unity of the family models in the Mediterranean has been the subject of much debate in the field of generations history. Some researchers have put forward the much disputed hypothesis of a past unity in the Mediterranean area in relation to marriage and the family. In modern times, however, we are dealing with very heterogeneous situations in this area. A priori, the populations on the different shores of the Mediterranean do not have much in common, with diversified Western family models on one side, and a very specific Arab-Muslim family model on the other. Although different on both sides of the Mediterranean, family models have nevertheless undergone profound changes over the last 70 years: some discuss a “marriage revolution” for the populations of the Southern and Eastern shores, others a second demographic transition in the European countries. In the same way that researchers envisage a convergence of family models in the world towards the Western family model could there be a convergence of Mediterranean family models due to these contemporary family changes? Without directly answering this question, this chapter will attempt to provide some food for thought. Therefore, among the many possible elements for analysing family models, we decided to focus on the formation and dissolution of marriages. We will present the evolution of demographic indicators relating to these two phenomena, starting with marriage and divorce rates, followed by indicators relating to age at marriage and the significance of permanent celibacy. Unlike, the other demographic phenomena, we were unable to use the large international databases to study all the Mediterranean countries since 1950 for these family formation and dissolution related topics. We had to instead collate data from different data providers to create long series.
A Look at Performance and Scalability of the GPU Accelerated Sparse Linear System Solver Spliss
Authors: Mohnke Jasmin , Wagner Michael
Published: August 2023

A significant part in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations is the solving of large sparse systems of linear equations resulting from implicit time integration of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations. The sparse linear system solver Spliss aims to provide a linear solver library that, on the one hand, is tailored to these requirements of CFD applications but, on the other hand, independent of the particular CFD solver. Spliss allows leveraging a range of available HPC technologies such as hybrid CPU parallelization and the possibility to offload the computationally intensive linear solver to GPU accelerators, while at the same time hiding this complexity from the CFD solver.

This work highlights the steps taken to establish multi-GPU capabilities for the Spliss solver allowing for efficient and scalable usage of large GPU systems. In addition, this work evaluates performance and scalability on CPU and GPU systems using a representative CODA test case as an example. CODA is the CFD software being developed as part of a collaboration between the French Aerospace Lab ONERA, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Airbus, and their European research partners. CODA is jointly owned by ONERA, DLR and Airbus. The evaluation examines and compares performance and scalability in a strong scaling approach on Nvidia A100 GPUs and the AMD Rome architecture.
Legal Knowledge Representation Learning
Authors: Xiao Chaojun , Liu Zhiyuan , Lin Yankai , Sun Maosong
Published: August 2023

The law guarantees the regular functioning of the nation and society. In recent years, legal artificial intelligence (legal AI), which aims to apply artificial intelligence techniques to perform legal tasks, has received significant attention. Legal AI can provide a handy reference and convenient legal services for legal professionals and non-specialists, thus benefiting real-world legal practice. Different from general open-domain tasks, legal tasks have a high demand for understanding and applying expert knowledge. Therefore, enhancing models with various legal knowledge is a key issue of legal AI. In this chapter, we summarize the existing knowledge-intensive legal AI approaches regarding knowledge representation, acquisition, and application. Besides, future directions and ethical considerations are also discussed to promote the development of legal AI.
Cross-Modal Representation Learning
Authors: Yao Yuan , Liu Zhiyuan , Lin Yankai , Sun Maosong
Published: August 2023

Cross-modal representation learning is an essential part of representation learning, which aims to learn semantic representations for different modalities including text, audio, image and video, etc., and their connections. In this chapter, we introduce the development of cross-modal representation learning from shallow to deep, and from respective to unified in terms of model architectures and learning mechanisms for different modalities and tasks. After that, we review how cross-modal capabilities can contribute to complex real-world applications.
Robust Representation Learning
Authors: Cui Ganqu , Liu Zhiyuan , Lin Yankai , Sun Maosong
Published: August 2023

Representation learning models, especially pre-trained models, help NLP systems achieve superior performances on multiple standard benchmarks. However, real-world environments are complicated and volatile, which makes it necessary for representation learning models to be robust. This chapter identifies different robustness needs and characterizes important robustness problems in NLP representation learning, including backdoor robustness, adversarial robustness, out-of-distribution robustness, and interpretability. We also discuss current solutions and future directions for each problem.
c-functions in higher-derivative flows across dimensions
Authors: Deddo Evan , Liu James T. , Pando Zayas Leopoldo A. , Saskowski Robert J.
Published: August 2023

Abstract

In the context of gravitational theories describing renormalization group flows across dimensions via AdS/CFT, we study the role of higher-derivative corrections to Einstein gravity. We use the Null Energy Condition to derive monotonicity properties of candidate holographic central charges formed by combinations of metric functions. We also implement an entropic approach to the characterization of the four-derivative flows using the Jacobson-Myers functional and demonstrate, under reasonable conditions, monotonicity of certain terms in the entanglement entropy via the appropriate generalization of the Ryu-Takayanagi prescription. In particular, we show that any flow from a higher dimensional theory to a holographic CFT2 satisfies a type of monotonicity. We also uncover direct relations between NEC-motivated and entropic central charges.
Aktualität der grundlegenden und determinierenden Bedeutung der chronisch-kritischen Extremitätenischämie sowie ihrer sich reetablierenden Behandlung mittels kruraler/pedaler Bypässe in Deutschland und in Sachsen-Anhalt
Authors: Barth Udo , Lehmann M. , Meyer F. , Halloul Z.
Published: August 2023

Hintergrund

Aktuell ist eine Zunahme der schweren Stadien der peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit (pAVK) mit kritischer Ischämie zu verzeichnen. Dies scheint sowohl dem allgemeinen demographischen Wandel zu entsprechen als auch eine Folge der SARS-CoV-2(„severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2“)-Pandemie der letzten 3 Jahre zu sein. Das mittlerweile etablierte und akzeptierte interventionelle/endovaskuläre Vorgehen bei einer schweren Unterschenkel-pAVK in erfahrener Hand gilt nach wie vor als „First-line“-Therapie, jedoch erlebt aus eigener Sicht der krurale/pedale Venenbypass eine Renaissance.

Material und Methoden

Kompakte narrative Übersicht über den aktuellen Stand der kruralen/pedalen Bypasschirurgie in Deutschland und Sachsen-Anhalt (SA), kombiniert mit selektiven Referenzen der aktuellen wissenschaftlich-medizinischen Literatur und eigenen klinischen Erfahrungen.

Ergebnisse

Eine aktuelle Statistik der fallbezogenen DRG(„diagnosis related groups“)-Daten zeigt, dass insbesondere mit Auftreten der Corona-Pandemie ein Rückgang der stationären Fallzahlen von Patienten mit einem pAVK-Stadium IIB bundesweit und ebenfalls im Bundesland SA zu verzeichnen ist. Die schweren pAVK-Stadien blieben in den Fallzahlen annähernd gleich, in SA jedoch zunehmend. Die WIFI-Klassifikation bietet die Möglichkeit, über ein Punktesystem Aussagen über das Amputationsrisiko, Nutzen und Art der Revaskularisationsmaßnahme erstellen zu können. Verschlusslänge, Verschlusslokalisation der betroffenen Gefäße und Verkalkungsgrad finden Berücksichtigung im Global-Limb-Anatomic-Staging-System (GLASS) zur Beurteilung der Prognose. Die Auswertung der Fallpauschalenbezogenen Krankenhausstatistik von 2015 bis 2020 ergab eine konstante Anwendung der femorokruralen/-pedalen Bypasschirurgie in Deutschland sowie eine leichte Zunahme der Rekonstruktion mittels femorokruraler Bypässe in SA, die mit dem tendenziellen Fallzahlenanstieg der schweren pAVK zu korrelieren scheint.

Schlussfolgerung

Zur Indikationsstellung für die Anlage eines kruralen/pedalen Bypasses sollte die parameterbasierte Objektivierung des Schweregrades der kritischen Extremitätenischämie mit einbezogen werden. Dafür eignen sich die WIFI-Klassifikation und GLASS, da hier auch eine relative Erfolgsprognose möglich ist. Die Behandlung der kritischen Extremitätenischämie mittels kruraler/pedaler Bypasschirurgie findet in Deutschland und SA nach wie vor eine konstante Anwendung.
The ALR‐RSI score can be used to evaluate psychological readiness to return to sport after acute Achilles tendon tear
Authors: Shitrit E. , Valentin E. , Baudrier N. , Bohu Y. , Rauline G. , Lopes R. , Bauer T. , Hardy A.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The return to sport is one of the main goals following Achilles tendon tear repair. Several psychological factors influence the return to sport after a sports injury. The traditional tools to assess the return to sport do not take into account psychological factors. The ankle ligament reconstruction‐return to sport injury (ALR‐RSI), validated for ankle instability, is a score to evaluate psychological readiness to return to sport. The goal of this study was to validate the ALR‐RSI score for the assessment of the readiness to return to sport after Achilles tendon repair.

Methods

The ALR‐RSI score, adapted from the anterior cruciate ligament‐return to sport injury (ACL‐RSI) score used following knee ligament reconstruction, was validated according to the international COSMIN methodology. Patients operated for Achilles tendon repair responded to the questionnaire during the rehabilitation period. The EFAS, FAAM and VISA‐A scores were used as reference questionnaires.

Results

A total of 50 patients were included. The ALR‐RSI score was strongly (r > 0.5) correlated to the EFAS score: r = 0.68 [0.50–0.80] the FAMM sport score: r = 0.7 [0.52–0.84] the FAAM AVQ score (r = 0.6 [0.35–0.78]), and the VISA‐A score (r = 0.54 [0.26–0.76]). The discriminant validity was good with the ALR‐RSI, which was significantly lower in the patients that did not return to sport: 60.7 (40–81.4) compared to those that did: 83.2 (64.3–100) p = 0.001. Reproducibility was excellent with an intra‐class correlation coefficient ρ of 0.99 [097–1.00]. The internal consistency was excellent (alpha coefficient = 0.95).

Conclusion

The ALR‐RSI score provides a valid, reproducible assessment of the psychological readiness to return to sport in patients who undergo surgical Achilles tendon suture repair.

Level of evidence

III.
Pylorus ligation-induced hyperacidity: synergistic prophylactic effects of linagliptin and L-arginine via up-regulation of EP4 receptor subtype and improvement of vascular endothelial damage
Authors: Asaad Gihan F. , Saleh Dalia O. , Mostafa Rasha E. , Hassan Azza , Jaleel Gehad Abdel
Published: August 2023

Gastric hyperacidity and ulceration are chronic diseases characterized by repeated healing followed by re-exacerbation. The study aims to protect against gastric hyperacidity without interfering with gastric acid secretion. Pylorus ligation–induced hyperacidity is commonly utilized in the induction of gastric ulcers.

Forty-two rats were distributed into seven groups (n = 6). Group I comprised sham-operated group. Group II served as pylorus-ligation group. Groups III–VII were given oral Linagliptin (LN; 3 and 6 mg/kg), L-arginine (LA; 150 and 300 mg/kg) and their combination (LN 3 + LA 150 mg/kg), respectively for 7 days. On the 8th day, groups II–VII were subjected to pylorus-ligation.

Treatment of pylorus-ligated rats with LN, LA and their combination improved the gastric hyperacidity as exhibited by a marked reduction in the gastric juice volume, total and free acidities and pepsin contents with a noticeable increase in pH. Pre-treatment with LN, LA and their combination showed a marked alleviation in the gastric inflammatory indicators evidenced by reduction in the gastric levels of MCP-1and Il-1β as well as elevation of eNOS levels versus the sham-operated group. A marked up-regulation in the gastric gene expression of PGE, EP4 and VEGF accompanied by an improvement of the histopathologic pictures/scores, and TNF-α and caspase-3 immuno-staining were also recorded.

By estimating the combination-index, it can be concluded that combining LN with LA exhibited prophylactic synergistic effects in ameliorating pylorus ligated-induced hyperacidity, mainly via up-regulation of EP4 receptor and improvement of vascular endothelial damage through VEGF expression in gastric mucosa.
In-house validation of an LC–MS method for the multiplexed quantitative determination of total allergenic food in chocolate
Authors: Pilolli Rosa , Lamonaca Antonella , Nitride Chiara , De Angelis Elisabetta , van Poucke Christof , Gillard Nathalie , Huet Anne-Catherine , De Loose Marc , Henrottin Jean , Mills E. C. N. , Monaci Linda
Published: August 2023

Mass spectrometry has been widely accepted as a confirmatory tool for the sensitive detection of undeclared presence of allergenic ingredients. Multiple methods have been developed so far, achieving different levels of sensitivity and robustness, still lacking harmonization of the analytical validation and impairing comparability of results. In this investigation, a quantitative method has been validated in-house for the determination of six allergenic ingredients (cow’s milk, hen’s egg, peanut, soybean, hazelnut, and almond) in a chocolate-based matrix. The latter has been produced in a food pilot plant to provide a real and well-characterized matrix for proper assessment of method performance characteristics according to official guidelines. In particular, recent considerations issued by the European Committee for Standardization have been followed to guide a rigorous single-laboratory validation and to feature the main method performance, such as selectivity, linearity, and sensitivity. Synthetic surrogates of the peptide markers have been used both in native and labelled forms in matrix-matched calibration curves as external calibrants and internal standards, respectively. A two-order of magnitude range was investigated, focusing on the low concentration range for proper assessment of the detection and quantification limits (LOD and LOQ) by rigorous calibration approach. Conversion factors for all six allergenic ingredients have been determined for the first time to report the final quantitative information as fraction of total allergenic food protein (TAFP) per mass of food (µgTAFP/gfood), since such a reporting unit is exploitable in allergenic risk assessment plans. The method achieved good sensitivity with LOD values ranging between 0.08 and 0.2 µgTAFP/gfood, for all ingredients besides egg and soybean, whose quantitative markers reported a slightly higher limit (1.1 and 1.2 µgTAFP/gfood, respectively). Different samples of chocolate bar incurred at four defined concentration levels close to the currently available threshold doses have been analyzed to test the quantitative performance of the analytical method, with a proper estimate of the measurement uncertainty from different sources of variability. The sensitivity achieved resulted in compliance with the various threshold doses issued or recommended worldwide.
Treatment of retracted, postsurgical scars and reduction of locoregional edema using a combined three-dimensional approach of liposuction lipofilling, dissecting cannulas, and suspension sutures
Authors: Will P A , Berner J E , Hirche Christoph , Klevansky Donna , Ziegler Benjamin , Kneser Ulrich , Gazyakan Emre , Vidal Pedro
Published: August 2023

Background

Post-surgical abdominal and inguinal scars are a frequent challenge in plastic surgery. There are limited non-invasive alternatives to address depressed and retracted scars. The associated retraction and fibrosis might cause lymphatic dysfunction with subsequent regional edema. The authors describe a combined surgical approach of liposuction, the use of dissecting cannulas, lipofilling, and Scarpa’s fascia suspension sutures in a prospective case series.

Methods

The proposed procedure was performed in 22 consecutive patients between November 2012 and May 2015. Complications were assessed according to the Clavien-Dindo scale. Postoperative psychosocial, edema reduction, and patient satisfaction outcomes were gathered and analyzed based on blinded questionaries (Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale and a Cosmetic Procedures Screening Questionnaire (COPS)).

Results

At 6 months, no major complications and 27.2% minor complications (Clavien-Dindo 1) were recorded. Four patients had superficial infections that settled with oral antibiotics and two patients developed a seroma. A significant improvement in self-esteem, aesthetic satisfaction, and social competence was found postoperatively in all patients. The novel technique reduced regional edema and scar-related self-consciousness. Patient satisfaction was rated very high, and all patients would recommend this surgery for abdominal or inguinal retracted scars.

Conclusions

This study shows that the proposed technique is a safe minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of abdominal and inguinal retracted scars. The relatively high rate of minor complications is mainly due to the strict definition of the scale used. The results showed an improvement of local edema and high patient satisfaction.

Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic
Higher frequency but similar recurrence rate of uveitis episodes in axial spondylarthritis compared to psoriatic arthritis. A multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Kougkas Nikolaos , Magiouf Konstantina , Gialouri Chrysoula G. , Evangelatos Gerasimos , Pappa Maria , Dimouli Aikaterini , Iliopoulos Alexios , Karmanakos Anastasios , Dimitroulas Theodoros , Tektonidou Maria G. , Sfikakis Petros P. , Fragoulis George E.
Published: August 2023

Background/Objective

Data on risk factors predicting uveitis development in spondyloarthritis (SpA) is scarce. Our aim was to examine associations between demographic, clinical and/or laboratory characteristics of SpA with the occurrence and the course of uveitis, including ocular damage and recurrence rate.

Methods

Characteristics (at disease diagnosis and ever-present) from axSpA and Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients followed in 3 tertiary rheumatology-clinics were retrospectively recorded. Comparisons were made between patients with and without uveitis, as well as between those with uveitis-rate [episodes/year] above the median uveitis-rate in the whole cohort (“recurrent”-uveitis) and the remaining uveitis patients (“non-recurrent uveitis”). In multivariable models, age, gender and variables significantly different in univariate analyses were included.

Results

264 axSpA and 369 PsA patients were enrolled. In axSpA, uveitis occurred in 11.7% and was associated with HLA-B27 (OR = 4.15, 95%CI 1.16–14.80, p = 0.028) and ever-present peripheral arthritis (OR = 3.05 (1.10–8.41, p = 0.031). In contrast, uveitis in PsA occurred only in 2.7% of patients and was associated with SpA family-history (OR = 6.35 (1.29–31.27), p = 0.023) axial disease at diagnosis (OR = 5.61 [1.01–28.69], p = 0.038) and disease duration (OR = 1.12 [1.04–1.21], p = 0.004). Median uveitis recurrence rate was comparable between axSpA and PsA (0.205 and 0.285 episodes/year, respectively). No associations were found between recurrent uveitis and demographic/clinical/laboratory characteristics. Ocular damage (e.g. synechiae) was seen in 16.1% of axSpA and 30% of PsA patients, all of them with recurrent uveitis.

Conclusion

Uveitis occurred more commonly in axSpA than in PsA patients, while uveitis recurrence rate was similar. Permanent ocular damage may occur more often in PsA than axSpA.
How often do awake craniotomies in children and adolescents lead to panic and worry?
Authors: O’Leary K. Daniel , Philippopoulos Anastasia J. , Koslofsky Alexis , Ahmed Yashna
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Awake craniotomy (AC) is the treatment of choice for the resection of brain tumors within eloquent brain regions for adults, but not much is known about its psychological impact on children and adolescents. Patient immaturity and difficulty in cooperating during surgery could result in psychological sequelae postoperatively, such as anxiety, panic, and worry.

Methods

In this review, we examined eight studies assessing AC performed on patients under 18 years of age (N = 85), noting exclusion criteria, interventions used, and psychological assessments implemented.

Results

Initial assessments of cognitive functioning and maturity were conducted primarily to determine patient eligibility for AC instead of an age restriction. No standardized interventions were used to minimize anxiety associated with AC. Interventions ranged from almost nothing specified to exposure to videos of the operating room, hypnosis, repeated meetings with psychologists and speech therapists, extensive meetings with the surgery team, and thorough exposure to the operating room theater. With a few exceptions, there were no standardized pre- and post-AC assessments of psychological sequelae. Qualitative evaluations indicated that most children and adolescents tolerated AC well, but one study indicated detrimental effects on school attendance postoperatively.

Conclusion

Given that most AC teams have a psychologist, it seems desirable to have pre- and post-AC psychological assessments using standardized measures of anxiety, trauma, and worry, as well as measures tailored to AC, such as time to return to school, worry about MRIs following surgery, and self-assessment of post-surgery functioning. In short, comprehensive psychological assessment of AC patients is clearly needed.
Sensory neuropathy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review
Authors: Bombaci Alessandro , Lupica Antonino , Pozzi Federico Emanuele , Remoli Giulia , Manera Umberto , Di Stefano Vincenzo
Published: August 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of both upper and lower motoneurons, leading to motor and non-motor symptoms. Recent evidence suggests that ALS is indeed a multisystem disorder, associated with cognitive impairment, dysautonomia, pain and fatigue, excess of secretions, and sensory symptoms. To evaluate whether sensory neuropathy could broaden its spectrum, we systematically reviewed its presence and characteristics in ALS, extracting data on epidemiological, clinical, neurophysiological, neuropathological, and genetic features. Sensory neuropathy can be found in up to 20% of ALS patients, affecting both large and small fibers, although there is a great heterogeneity related to different techniques used for its detection (electromyography vs skin biopsy vs nerve biopsy). Moreover, the association between CIDP-like neuropathy and ALS needs to be better explored, although it could be interpreted as part of the neuroinflammatory process in the latter disease. Sensory neuropathy in ALS may be associated with a spinal onset and might be more frequent in SOD1 patients. Moreover, it seems mutually exclusive with cognitive impairment. No associations with sex and other genetic mutation were observed. All these data in the literature reveal the importance of actively looking for sensory neuropathy in ALS patients, and suggest including sensory neuropathy among ALS non-motor features, as it may explain sensory symptoms frequently reported throughout the course of the disease. Its early identification could help avoid diagnostic delays and improve patients’ treatment and quality of life.
Posture-related fluctuations of intraocular pressure in healthy children with suspicion of glaucoma
Authors: Lüke Jan Niklas , Enders Philip , Händel Alexander , Gietzelt Caroline , Dietlein Johanna , Schöneberger Verena , Lappa Alexandra , Widder Randolf , Dietlein Thomas S.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Currently, there are no specific data on the circadian course of intraocular pressure (IOP) in children, especially for IOP measurements in the supine position. The study aimed to characterize the diurnal and nocturnal IOP fluctuations in supine and sitting positions in patients less than 18 years of age.

Methods

Seventy-nine eyes of 79 patients under 18 years of age with suspicious optic nerve heads or ocular hypertension could be included in this study. All included patients showed an inconspicuous retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and Bruch’s membrane minimum rim width by coherence tomography. IOP measurements during the 24-h IOP profile were retrospectively evaluated. Measurements were taken at 10:00, 16:00, 20:00, and 23:00 h in the sitting position and at 6:00 h in the morning in the supine position using iCare rebound tonometry on 2 consecutive days.

Results

Thirty-four of 79 children (43.0%) had peak nocturnal IOP values > 25 mmHg. The mean daily IOP was 18.8 ± 5.6 mmHg, and the mean daily fluctuation was 6.1 ± 4.0 mmHg. At 6 am, supine measurements were elevated to 25.1 ± 8.0 mmHg. Extensive fluctuations with values > 40 mmHg in the nocturnal supine measurement occurred in a relevant share of patients (n = 5).

Conclusion

There appear to be relevant diurnal and nocturnal IOP fluctuations in healthy children (< 18 years). Nocturnal IOP measurements in supine patients with risk factors for glaucoma may provide important additional information to identify critical patients for further follow-up.
Dopamine receptors of the rodent fastigial nucleus support skilled reaching for goal-directed action
Authors: Caragea Violeta-Maria , Méndez-Couz Marta , Manahan-Vaughan Denise
Published: August 2023

The dopaminergic (DA) system regulates both motor function, and learning and memory. The cerebellum supports motor control and the acquisition of procedural memories, including goal-directed behavior, and is subjected to DA control. Its fastigial nucleus (FN) controls and interprets body motion through space. The expression of dopamine receptors has been reported in the deep cerebellar nuclei of mice. However, the presence of dopamine D1-like (D1R) and D2-like (D2R) receptors in the rat FN has not yet been verified. In this study, we first confirmed that DA receptors are expressed in the FN of adult rats and then targeted these receptors to explore to what extent the FN modulates goal-directed behavior. Immunohistochemical assessment revealed expression of both D1R and D2R receptors in the FN, whereby the medial lateral FN exhibited higher receptor expression compared to the other FN subfields. Bilateral treatment of the FN with a D1R antagonist, prior to a goal-directed pellet-reaching task, significantly impaired task acquisition and decreased task engagement. D2R antagonism only reduced late performance post-acquisition. Once task acquisition had occurred, D1R antagonism had no effect on successful reaching, although it significantly decreased reaching speed, task engagement, and promoted errors. Motor coordination and ambulation were, however, unaffected as neither D1R nor D2R antagonism altered rotarod latencies or distance and velocity in an open field. Taken together, these results not only reveal a novel role for the FN in goal-directed skilled reaching, but also show that D1R expressed in FN regulate this process by modulating motivation for action.
A micromorphic phase-field model for brittle and quasi-brittle fracture
Authors: Bharali Ritukesh , Larsson Fredrik , Jänicke Ralf
Published: August 2023

In this manuscript, a robust and variationally consistent technique is proposed for local treatment of the phase-field fracture irreversibility. This technique involves an extension of the phase-field fracture energy functional through a micromorphic approach. Consequently, the phase-field is transformed into a local variable, while a micromorphic variable regularizes the problem. The local nature of the phase-field variable enables an easier implementation of its irreversibility using a pointwise ‘max’ with system level precision. Unlike the popular history variable approach, which also enforces local fracture irreversibility, the micromorphic approach yields a variationally consistent framework. The efficacy of the micromorphic approach in phase-field fracture modelling is demonstrated in this work with numerical experiments on benchmark brittle and quasi-brittle fracture problems in linear elastic media. Furthermore, the extensibility of the micromorphic phase-field fracture model towards multiphysics problems is demonstrated. To that end, a theoretical extension is carried out for modelling hydraulic fracture, and relevant numerical experiments exhibiting crack merging are presented. The source code as well as the data set accompanying this work would be made available on GitHub (https://github.com/ritukeshbharali/falcon).
Traumaversorgung in der Schockraumphase
Authors: Halvachizadeh Sascha , Berk Till , Kaiser Anne , Pape Hans-Christoph , Pfeifer Roman , Neuhaus Valentin
Published: August 2023

Die Schockraumphase gilt als Schnittstelle zwischen der prähospitalen und der klinischen Phase der Polytraumaversorgung. Eine strukturierte und fokussierte Identifikation und Behandlung von lebensbedrohlichen Verletzungen erfolgen zu Beginn dieser Phase. Anschließend gilt es, die Verletzungen des/der Polytraumapatient:in adäquat zu diagnostizieren und die physiologische Stabilität zu definieren. Dies beinhaltet, neben der strukturierten Evaluation des Verletzungsmusters, ein repetitives Assessment des pathophysiologischen Status. Besondere Berücksichtigung finden v. a. Ausmaß von Blutungen und Weichteilverletzungen sowie Koagulopathien und Körpertemperatur. Basierend auf der Verletzungsverteilung und dem physiologischen Status der Polytraumapatient:in sollte interdisziplinär eine adäquate Behandlungsstrategie initiiert werden. Teamtrainings, Vor- und Nachbesprechungen sowie ein regelmäßiger Austausch im Schockraumteam während der Behandlung helfen, die Behandlungsqualität zu steigern.
Property graph representation learning for node classification
Authors: Li Shu , Zaidi Nayyar A. , Du Meijie , Zhou Zhou , Zhang Hongfei , Li Gang
Published: August 2023

Graph representation learning (graph embedding) has led to breakthrough results in various machine learning graph-based applications such as node classification, link prediction and recommendation. Many real-world graphs can be characterized as the property graphs, because besides the structure information, there exists rich property information related to each node in the graphs. Many existing graph representation learning methods—e.g. random walk-based methods like and , focus only on the structure of graph for learning the node embedding. Although graph representation learning based on neural networks (e.g. typical methods such as ) uses the property of nodes as the initial features of nodes and then aggregates feature information of the neighbours, their limitation is that the neighbourhood of a node is considered to be uniform—i.e. there is no way to differentiate among neighbours of a node when learning a node embedding. Additionally, their definition of neighbourhood is local, i.e. only nodes connected to the current node are considered as neighbours. Hence, those methods fail to capture implicit/latent relationships among nodes, which are implicit in the given structure. In this study, our aim is to improve the performance of graph representation learning methods on property graphs. We present a new framework called  ()—a graph representation learning framework to address above-mentioned limitations. Our proposed framework relies on the notion of latent neighbourhood, as well as systematic sampling of neighbouring nodes to obtain better representation of the nodes. The experimental results on five publicly available graph datasets demonstrate that outperforms state-of-the-art baselines for the task of node classification. We further evaluate the superiority of our proposed formulation by defining a novel quantitative metric to measure the usefulness of the sampled neighbourhood in the graph.
Transformative change for biodiversity requires more inclusive and participatory framing of research agendas
Authors: van Dijk Jiska , Young Juliette , Vandewalle Marie , Watt Allan , Locher Karla
Published: August 2023

Science plays a crucial role in identifying transformative change trajectories that are positive for biodiversity and human well-being. The concept of transformative change for biodiversity is receiving increased attention both within the political as well as in the scientific arena, but what transformative change entails still remains scientifically unclear. In this paper we report on a research priority exercise undertaken at the 2022 Alternet conference in which conference participants within each session were asked to jointly propose research gaps relevant to transformative change. Thirteen research priorities are identified, emphasising the need to learn from doing through transdisciplinary participatory action research, involving multiple disciplines including social sciences and building on existing research on, for example, nature-based solutions, OneHealth and climate change. The identified research priorities were later analysed under the umbrella of transformative change principles as a proxy for science to act as a lever to realise transformative change for biodiversity. Mobilising scientific research, interdisciplinarity and co-construction with stakeholders and decision-makers is a necessary step forward to make transformative progress in developing the biodiversity research agenda. In this respect, transformative action by the scientific community to develop the research agenda in an all-inclusive participatory process can be seen as a lever of transformative change for biodiversity. Such an all-inclusive participatory process for the development of a long-term biodiversity research agenda is in accordance with building on an integrated and whole-of-society approach as included in the EU Biodiversity Strategy’s aims and priorities around enabling transformative change.
Coding and bounds for partially defective memory cells
Authors: Al Kim Haider , Puchinger Sven , Tolhuizen Ludo , Wachter-Zeh Antonia
Published: August 2023

This paper considers coding for so-called partially stuck (defect) memory cells. Such memory cells can only store partial information as some of their levels cannot be used fully due to, e.g., wearout. First, we present new constructions that are able to mask u partially stuck cells while correcting at the same time t random errors. The process of “masking” determines a word whose entries coincide with writable levels at the (partially) stuck cells. For $$u>1$$

u
>
1

and alphabet size $$q>2$$

q
>
2

, our new constructions improve upon the required redundancy of known constructions for $$t=0$$

t
=
0

, and require less redundancy for masking partially stuck cells than former works required for masking fully stuck cells (which cannot store any information). Second, we show that treating some of the partially stuck cells as erroneous cells can decrease the required redundancy for some parameters. Lastly, we derive Singleton-like, sphere-packing-like, and Gilbert–Varshamov-like bounds. Numerical comparisons state that our constructions match the Gilbert–Varshamov-like bounds for several code parameters, e.g., BCH codes that contain all-one word by our first construction.