bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relating spidroin motif prevalence and periodicity to the mechanical properties of major ampullate spider silks
Authors: Arguelles Joseph , Baker Richard H. , Perez-Rigueiro Jose , Guinea Gustavo V. , Elices M. , Hayashi Cheryl Y.
Published: November 2022

Spider dragline fibers exhibit incredible mechanical properties, outperforming many synthetic polymers in toughness assays, and possess desirable properties for medical and other human applications. These qualities make dragline fibers popular subjects for biomimetics research. The enormous diversity of spiders presents both an opportunity for the development of new bioinspired materials and a challenge for the identification of fundamental design principles, as the mechanical properties of dragline fibers show both intraspecific and interspecific variations. In this regard, the stress–strain curves of draglines from different species have been shown to be effectively compared by the α* parameter, a value derived from maximum-supercontracted silk fibers. To identify potential molecular mechanisms impacting α* values, here we analyze spider fibroin (spidroin) sequences of the Western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus) and the black and yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia). This study serves as a primer for investigating the molecular properties of spidroins that underlie species-specific α* values. Initial findings are that while overall motif composition was similar between species, certain motifs and higher level periodicities of glycine-rich region lengths showed variation, notably greater distances between poly-A motifs in A. aurantia sequences. In addition to increased period lengths, A. aurantia spidroins tended to have an increased prevalence of charged and hydrophobic residues. These increases may impact the number and strength of hydrogen bond networks within fibers, which have been implicated in conformational changes and formation of nanocrystals, contributing to the greater extensibility of A. aurantia draglines compared to those of L. hesperus.
Mundgesundheit im Pflegeheim als interprofessionelle Aufgabe
Authors: Hamacher Marie , Weiß Cornelia , Hämel Kerstin
Published: November 2022

Hintergrund

Menschen mit Pflegebedarf haben im Vergleich zu Gleichaltrigen ohne Pflegebedarf eine signifikant schlechtere Mundgesundheit. International wird diesen Herausforderungen verstärkt durch interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit und erweiterte Rollen von Pflegefachpersonen begegnet. Dieser Beitrag untersucht die Sichtweisen von Zahnärzt*innen und Pflegefachpersonen in Deutschland auf ihre aktuelle und künftige Zusammenarbeit in Pflegeheimen.

Methode

Es wurden 8 Experteninterviews mit jeweils 4 praktizierenden Zahnärzt*innen und Pflegefachpersonen aus der Region Westfalen-Lippe via Zoom oder telefonisch durchgeführt. Das vollständig transkribierte Interviewmaterial wurde mittels thematischem Kodieren fallbezogen und fallübergreifend ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Für eine Förderung der Mundgesundheit von Heimbewohner*innen ist aus Sicht der Befragten die Zusammenarbeit von Zahnärzt*innen und Pflegefachpersonen unabdingbar. Sie schildern Zeit- und Kompetenzmangel in der Mund- und Zahnversorgung von Heimbewohner*innen, denen mit neuen Verantwortlichkeitsrollen für speziell qualifizierte Pflegefachpersonen in Kooperation mit den Zahnärzt*innen begegnet werden sollte. Zugleich sprechen sie sich für eine stärkere Verankerung und Einbettung (zahn)medizinischer Versorgung in den Abläufen in Pflegeheimen aus.

Schlussfolgerung

Neue Kooperationsformen zwischen Zahnärzt*innen und Pflegefachpersonen in Pflegeheimen sollten in Deutschland erprobt und weiter ausgebaut werden.
Consensus Statement der Österreichischen Gesellschaften für Rheumatologie und Rehabilitation, Pneumologie, Infektiologie, Dermatologie und Gastroenterologie zum Umgang mit latenter Tuberkulose bei Therapien mit biologischen oder „targeted synthetic“ DMARDs („disease modifying antirheumatic drugs“)
Authors: Rath Eva , Bonelli Michael , Duftner Christina , Gruber Johann , Mandl Peter , Moazedi-Furst Florentine , Pieringer Herwig , Puchner Rudolf , Flick Holger , Salzer Helmut J. F. , Weiss Günter , Winkler Stefan , Skvara Hans , Moschen Alexander , Hofer Harald , Feurstein Julia , Sautner Judith
Published: November 2022

In diesem österreichweiten Consensus Statement sind die Empfehlungen zum Umgang mit latenter Tuberkulose bei Therapie mit biologischen und „targeted synthetic“ DMARDs zusammengefasst. Die wesentlichen Fragen bezüglich des Screenings und präventiver Therapie wurden von Expertinnen und Experten aus den Fachbereichen Rheumatologie, Pneumologie, Infektiologie, Dermatologie und Gastroenterologie auf Basis der vorhandenen Daten diskutiert und dann in einer Abstimmung zum gemeinsamen Konsens gebracht. Dabei wurde auch differenziert auf die unterschiedlichen Therapien eingegangen, und klare Empfehlungen wurden formuliert.
The role of elective neck dissection in T1 and T2 nasal cavity squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Lill Claudia , Erovic Boban M. , Seemann Rudolf , Faisal Muhammad , Stelter Klaus , Gandler Bernd , Frommlet Florian , Strobl Andreas , Formanek Michael , Janik Stefan
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the role of elective neck dissection (END) on oncological outcome in early-stage nasal cavity squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs).

Methods

In total, 87 patients with T1 (n = 59; 67.8%) and T2 (n = 28; 32.2%) SCCs were evaluated regarding performance of END, regional recurrences (RR) and its impact on cancer-specific survival (CSS). We further created a risk score based on T-classification, tumor subsite and grading to identify patients whom may benefit from END and calculated the corresponding numbers needed to treat (NNT) to prevent RR.

Results

Nine (10.3%) patients experienced RR of whom 3 (5.1%) were T1 and 6 (21.4%) T2 tumors (p = 0.042). All RR originated from moderately or poorly differentiated (G2–G3) SCCs of the nasal septum or vestibule. END was done in 15 (17.2%) patients and none of those experienced RR (p = 0.121). Onset of RR represented the worst prognostic factor for CSS (HR 23.3; p = 0.007) with a 5y-CSS of 44.4% vs. 97.3% (p < 0.001). RR occurred in none of the patients with no or low risk scores compared to 31.6% (6/19) in patients with high-risk scores (p = 0.006). Accordingly, three high-risk patients would need to undergo END (NNT 2.63) to prevent RR compared to a NNT of 8 for the whole cohort.

Conclusions

Although rare, occurrence of RR significantly deteriorates outcome in early stage nasal cavity SCCs, which could be effectively reduced by performance of END. The importance of END is currently underestimated and our proposed risk score helps identifying those patients who will benefit from END.
Surgical management of severe pancreatic fistula after pancreatoduodenectomy: a comparison of early versus late rescue pancreatectomy
Authors: Stoop Thomas F. , Fröberg Klara , Sparrelid Ernesto , Del Chiaro Marco , Ghorbani Poya
Published: November 2022

Background

Rescue pancreatectomy for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is associated with high mortality. However, in-depth literature is scarce and hard to interpret. This study aimed to evaluate the indications, timing and perioperative outcomes of rescue pancreatectomy for severe POPF after PD.

Methods

Retrospective single-centre study from all consecutive patients (2008–2020) with POPF-C after PD (ISGPS 2016 definition). Major morbidity and mortality during hospitalization or within 90 days after index surgery were evaluated. Time from index surgery to rescue pancreatectomy was dichotomized in early and late (≤ 11 versus > 11 days).

Results

From 1076 PDs performed, POPF-B/C occurred in 190 patients (17.7%) of whom 53 patients (4.9%) with POPF-C were included. Mortality after early rescue pancreatectomy did not differ significantly compared to late rescue pancreatectomy (13.6% versus 35.3%; p = 0.142). Timing of a rescue pancreatectomy did not change significantly during the study period: 11 (IQR, 8–14) (2008–2012) versus 14 (IQR, 7–33) (2013–2016) versus 8 days (IQR, 6–11) (2017–2020) (p = 0.140). Over time, the mortality in patients with POPF grade C decreased from 43.5% in 2008–2012 to 31.6% in 2013–2016 up to 0% in 2017–2020 (p = 0.014). However, mortality rates after rescue pancreatectomy did not differ significantly: 31.3% (2008–2012) versus 28.6% (2013–2016) versus 0% (2017–2020) (p = 0.104).

Conclusions

Rescue pancreatectomy for severe POPF is associated with high mortality, but an earlier timing might favourably influence the mortality. Hypothetically, this could be of value for pre-existent vulnerable patients. These findings must be carefully interpreted considering the sample sizes and differences among subgroups by patient selection.
Extranodal T- and NK-cell lymphomas
Authors: de Leval Laurence , Feldman Andrew L. , Pileri Stefano , Nakamura Shigeo , Gaulard Philippe
Published: November 2022

Non-cutaneous extranodal NK/T cell lymphoproliferations constitute a heterogenous group of rare neoplasms, occurring primarily in the gastro-intestinal tract, nasal area, spleen, and liver. Their nomenclature refers to their usual clinical presentation and predilection for specific anatomic sites—i.e. extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal-type, hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma, primary intestinal T-cell lymphomas, indolent lymphoproliferative disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, and breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Extranodal tissues may also be involved by T-cell leukemias, or other entities usually presenting as nodal diseases. Primary extranodal entities range from indolent to highly aggressive diseases. Here, we will review the clinicopathologic features of the pertinent entities including the recent advances in their molecular and genetic characterization, with an emphasis on the changes introduced in the 2022 International Consensus Classification of lymphoid neoplasms, and highlight the diagnostic criteria helpful to sort out the distinction with potential mimickers.
Real-world histopathological approach to malignancy of undefined primary origin (MUO) to diagnose cancers of unknown primary (CUPs)
Authors: Pisacane Alberto , Cascardi Eliano , Berrino Enrico , Polidori Alessio , Sarotto Ivana , Casorzo Laura , Panero Mara , Boccaccio Carla , Verginelli Federica , Benvenuti Silvia , Dellino Miriam , Comoglio Paolo , Montemurro Filippo , Geuna Elena , Marchiò Caterina , Sapino Anna
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study is to envisage a streamlined pathological workup to rule out CUPs in patients presenting with MUOs. Sixty-four MUOs were classified using standard histopathology. Clinical data, immunocytochemical markers, and results of molecular analysis were recorded. MUOs were histologically subdivided in clear-cut carcinomas (40 adenocarcinomas, 11 squamous, and 3 neuroendocrine carcinomas) and unclear-carcinoma features (5 undifferentiated and 5 sarcomatoid tumors). Cytohistology of 7/40 adenocarcinomas suggested an early metastatic cancer per se. In 33/40 adenocarcinomas, CK7/CK20 expression pattern, gender, and metastasis sites influenced tissue-specific marker selection. In 23/40 adenocarcinomas, a “putative-immunophenotype” of tissue of origin addressed clinical-diagnostic examinations, identifying 9 early metastatic cancers. Cell lineage markers were used to confirm squamous and neuroendocrine differentiation. Pan-cytokeratins were used to confirm the epithelial nature of poorly differentiated tumors, followed by tissue and cell lineage markers, which identified one melanoma. In total, 47/64 MUOs (73.4%) were confirmed CUP. Molecular analysis, feasible in 37/47 CUPs (78.7%), had no diagnostic impact. Twenty CUP patients, mainly with squamous carcinomas and adenocarcinomas with putative-gynecologic-immunophenotypes, presented with only lymph node metastases and had longer median time to progression and overall survival (< 0.001), compared with patients with other metastatic patterns. We propose a simplified histology-driven workup which could efficiently rule out CUPs and identify early metastatic cancer.
METTL3 promotes colorectal cancer metastasis by promoting the maturation of pri-microRNA-196b
Authors: Huang Lanlan , Liang Danlu , Zhang Yu , Chen Xiaoting , Chen Junxiong , Wen Chuangyu , Liu Huanliang , Yang Xiaorong , Yang Xiangling , Lin Shaoqiang
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), a key member of the m6A methyltransferase complex, is upregulated in multiple human malignancies and plays a role in regulating tumor migration. This study aimed to reveal the underlying mechanism by which METTL3 in regulates the metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

We compared METTL3 expression levels in CRC tumor tissues and adjacent nontumor tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The functional roles of METTL3 in CRC were assessed by real-time cell migration assays, wound-healing assays and Transwell assays. miRNA sequencing (miRNA-seq), RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays and N6-methyladenosine immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) assays were performed to confirm the molecular mechanism underlying the involvement of METTL3 in CRC cell metastasis.

Results

We found that METTL3 was overexpressed in CRC tissues. METTL3 knockdown significantly inhibited CRC cell migration and invasion, while METTL3 overexpression had the opposite effects. Furthermore, we demonstrated that METTL3 regulates miR-196b expression via an N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-pri-miR-196b-dependent mechanism and thereby promotes CRC metastasis.

Conclusion

This study shows the important role of METTL3 in CRC metastasis and provides novel insight into m6A modification in CRC metastasis.
Combined effects of increased water temperature and cyanobacterial compounds exert heterogeneous effects on survival and ecological processes in key freshwater species
Authors: Adekolurejo Oloyede A. , Floyd Matthew , Dunn Alison M. , Kay Paul , Dean Andrew P. , Hassall Christopher
Published: November 2022

Climate change is increasing water temperature and intensifying the incidence of cyanobacterial blooms worldwide. However, the combined effects of increased temperature and microcystin concentrations as co-stressors on survival and ecological processes in freshwater species are unclear. Here, using purified MC-LR and crude extract of toxigenic Microcystis aeruginosa, we tested the individual and combined effects of three water temperatures (15, 20, 25 °C) and a range of environmentally relevant concentrations of dissolved microcystin and crude extract (0.01–10 µg·L−1) on survival, growth inhibition, grazing and predation rates in three freshwater species: phytoplankton (Scenedesmus quadricauda), zooplankton (Daphnia pulex), and an invertebrate predator (Ischnura elegans). Purified MC-LR exerted a higher growth inhibitory effect on S. quadricauda compared to crude extract with the same concentration of MC-LR, while neither treatment affected its chlorophyll-a content or survival of D. pulex. Crude extract reduced grazing and survival of D. pulex and I. elegans, respectively. The combined effect of higher temperature and crude extract reduced I. elegans survival by 50%. Increased temperature reduced prey handing time in I. elegans by 49%, suggesting a higher predation rate. However, warming together with higher concentrations of crude extract jointly increased zooplankton grazing and reduced damselfly predation. Taken together, these results suggest crude extract, and not necessarily microcystin, can affect survival and productivity in freshwater species, although these effects may vary unevenly across trophic levels. Our findings highlight the importance of complex ecological mechanisms by which warming can exacerbate toxic effects of cyanobacterial bloom extracts on survival and functions among species in eutrophic freshwaters.
Habitat configurations shape the trophic and energetic dynamics of reef fishes in a tropical–temperate transition zone: implications under a warming future
Authors: Bosch Nestor E. , Pessarrodona Albert , Filbee-Dexter Karen , Tuya Fernando , Mulders Yannick , Bell Sahira , Langlois Tim , Wernberg Thomas
Published: November 2022

Understanding the extent to which species’ traits mediate patterns of community assembly is key to predict the effect of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on ecosystem functioning. Here, we apply a trait-based community assembly framework to understand how four different habitat configurations (kelp forests, Sargassum spp. beds, hard corals, and turfs) shape the trophic and energetic dynamics of reef fish assemblages in a tropical–temperate transition zone. Specifically, we tested (i) the degree of trait divergence and convergence in each habitat, (ii) which traits explained variation in species’ abundances, and (iii) differences in standing biomass (kg ha−1), secondary productivity (kg ha−1 day−1) and turnover (% day−1). Fish assemblages in coral and kelp habitats displayed greater evidence of trait convergence, while turf and Sargassum spp. habitats displayed a higher degree of trait divergence, a pattern that was mostly driven by traits related to resource use and thermal affinity. This filtering effect had an imprint on the trophic and energetic dynamics of reef fishes, with turf habitats supporting higher fish biomass and productivity. However, these gains were strongly dependent on trophic guild, with herbivores/detritivores disproportionately contributing to among-habitat differences. Despite these perceived overall gains, turnover was decoupled for fishes that act as conduit of energy to higher trophic levels (i.e. microinvertivores), with coral habitats displaying higher rates of fish biomass replenishment than turf despite their lower productivity. This has important implications for biodiversity conservation and fisheries management, questioning the long-term sustainability of ecological processes and fisheries yields in increasingly altered marine habitats.
Möbius-Strip Topology of Expanded Porphyrins: A Minireview on EPR, ENDOR and DFT MO Studies
Authors: Möbius Klaus , Plato Martin , Savitsky Anton
Published: November 2022

The one-sided Möbius strip with its characteristic 180° twist in the loop has inspired philosophers, artists and scientists since hundreds of years and continues to do so. On the molecular level, only in the last 15 years have some groups succeeded in synthesizing new expanded porphyrin compounds large enough to adopt Möbius-strip topology and Möbius aromaticity, the first being Lechosław Latos-Grażyński and collaborators in Wroclaw (2007) and Atsuhiro Osuka and collaborators in Kyoto (2008). We report on new studies of expanded porphyrins with either Möbius topology or Hückel topology that were synthesized in these laboratories. In this minireview, we focus on recent continuous-wave and time-resolved EPR, ENDOR and DFT MO studies on open-shell states of di-p-benzi[28]hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1), specifically, on the ground-state radical cation doublet state (total electron spin S = 1/2) and the first excited triplet state (S = 1). The review is largely based on the results and discussions of two previous publications: Möbius et al. (Appl Magn Reson 47:757–780, 2016) and Ema et al. (J Phys Chem Lett 9:2685–2690, 2018). In the open-shell systems, besides the electron-nuclear hyperfine couplings also the zero-field interaction tensor turned out to be a viable sensor for electronic structure changes between Möbius and Hückel topologies. In the Outlook section, we address the cyclotides, a new class of natural circular mini-proteins, usually less than 100 amino acids long. They are distinguished by exceptional chemical and biological stability. This is due to topological constraints imposed by threefoil knot and Möbius-strip formation. As a result, their physical qualities are “topologically protected”. This makes them highly interesting for medical or agricultural applications, for example as novel active ingredients against autoimmune diseases, viral infections, or as agents against insect damage to crops.
Risk scores’ performance and their impact on operative decision-making in left-sided endocarditis: a cohort study
Authors: Fernández-Cisneros A. , Hernández-Meneses M. , Llopis J. , Sandoval E. , Pereda D. , Alcocer J. , Barriuso C. , Castellá M. , Ambrosioni J. , Pericàs J. M. , Vidal B. , Falces C. , Ibáñez C. , Perdomo J. , Rovira I. , García-de-la-María C. , Moreno A. , Almela M. , Perisinotti A. , Dahl A. , Castro P. , Miró J. M. , Quintana E. ,   Equip d’Endocarditis de l’Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
Published: November 2022

The
accuracy of contemporary risk scores in predicting perioperative mortality in infective endocarditis (IE) remains controversial. The aim is to evaluate the performance of existent mortality risk scores for cardiovascular surgery in IE and the impact on operability at high-risk thresholds. A single-center retrospective review of adult patients diagnosed with acute left-sided IE undergoing surgery from May 2014 to August 2019 (n = 142) was done. Individualized risk calculation was obtained according to the available mortality risk scores: EuroScore I and II, PALSUSE, Risk-E, Costa, De Feo-Cotrufo, AEPEI, STS-risk, STS-IE, APORTEI, and ICE-PCS scores. A cross-validation analysis was performed on the score with the best area under the curve (AUC). The 30-day survival was 96.5% (95%CI 91–98%). The score with worse area under the curve (AUC = 0.6) was the STS-IE score, while the higher was for the RISK-E score (AUC = 0.89). The AUC of the majority of risk scores suggested acceptable performance; however, statistically significant differences in expected versus observed mortalities were common. The cross-validation analysis showed that a large number of survivors (> 75%) would not have been operated if arbitrary high-risk threshold estimates had been used to deny surgery. The observed mortality in our cohort is significantly lower than is predicted by contemporary risk scores. Despite the reasonable numeric performance of the analyzed scores, their utility in judging the operability of a given patient remains questionable, as demonstrated in the cross-validation analysis. Future guidelines may advise that denial of surgery should only follow a highly experienced Endocarditis Team evaluation.
Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and antitumour activity of oleclumab in Japanese patients with advanced solid malignancies: a phase I, open-label study
Authors: Kondo Shunsuke , Iwasa Satoru , Koyama Takafumi , Fujita Tomoko , Sugibayashi Ko , Murayama Kosho , Yamamoto Noboru
Published: November 2022

Background

Cluster of differentiation (CD) 73-targeted immunotherapy and CD73 inhibition may reduce adenosine production, which can augment the host and/or immunotherapy response to tumours. We aimed to assess the safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and antitumour activity of oleclumab, an anti-CD73 monoclonal antibody, in adult Japanese patients with advanced solid malignancies resistant to standard therapy.

Methods

In this phase I, single-centre, open-label study, patients received oleclumab 1500 mg (Cohort 1) or 3000 mg (Cohort 2) intravenously every 2 weeks.

Results

In total, six patients were enrolled in the study (three in each cohort), and all six patients received the study treatment. The median patient age was 56.0 years and 4/6 were males. All patients (100%) reported adverse events (AEs) during the study; five (83.3%) patients reported AEs related to the study treatment. One (16.7%) patient reported a Grade 3 AE (neutrophil count decreased) that was not related to the study treatment. No AEs with an outcome of death were reported, and no patients reported AEs or serious AEs leading to oleclumab discontinuation/dose interruption. No dose-limiting toxicities were reported, and no patient discontinued due to an AE related to the study treatment. Oleclumab exposure increased dose proportionally. No patient achieved disease control at 8 weeks, and all six patients developed progressive disease.

Conclusions

Oleclumab was well tolerated in adult Japanese patients with advanced solid malignancies and no unexpected safety concerns were raised; oleclumab exposure increased with dose. Future studies on combination therapy with other agents are warranted.
Databases, Science Communication, and the Division of Epistemic Labour
Authors: Mößner Nicola
Published: November 2022

There are many ways in which biases can enter processes of scientific reasoning. One of these is what Ludwik Fleck has called a “harmony of illusions”. In this paper, Fleck’s ideas on the relevance of social mechanisms in epistemic processes and his detailed description of publication processes in science will be used as a starting point to investigate the connection between cognitive processes, social dynamics, and biases in this context.

Despite its usefulness as a first step towards a more detailed analysis, Fleck’s account needs to be updated in order to take the developments of digital communication technologies of the 21st century into account. Taking a closer look at today’s practices of science communication shows that information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a major role here. By presenting a detailed case study concerning the database SCOPUS, the question will be investigated how such ICTs can influence the division of epistemic labour. The result will be that they potentially undermine the epistemic benefits of social dynamics in science communication due to their inherent tendency to reduce the diversity of scientific hypotheses and ideas.
Reconciling the Noema Debate
Authors: Hirvonen Ilpo
Published: November 2022

One of the key concepts of Edmund Husserl’s transcendental phenomenology is the noema. Husserl uses the concept to denote the aspect of what is intended in experience as it remains within the transcendental domain of inquiry after the phenomenological reduction. Despite such seeming simplicity, Husserl’s discussion of the noema is ambiguous to the extent that it has sparked a wide-ranging debate in the secondary literature. The gist of the dispute concerns the question about the relation between the noema and the object: whether the noema is content, ontologically distinct from the object, or the object itself just considered differently in philosophical reflection. In this paper, I propose an interpretation that aims to reconcile two opposing positions of this debate (the so-called West and East Coast interpretations). The impetus for the reconciliation stems from the fact that both interpretations seem to be correct while they also suffer from their own shortcomings. I propose the reconciliation by applying a distinction Husserl makes between two areas of phenomenological investigation, neutralized pure phenomenology and non-neutralized phenomenology of reason. Having clarified the distinction between them, I suggest that both competing interpretations can be partially correct when reserved for the aspect of the noema in either of the two areas of phenomenological investigation. Finally, I show how this proposal could aid in resolving issues in the recent discussion concerning Husserl’s noema and the internalism–externalism debate in philosophy of mind.
A systematic review of teaching and learning machine learning in K-12 education
Authors: Sanusi Ismaila Temitayo , Oyelere Solomon Sunday , Vartiainen Henriikka , Suhonen Jarkko , Tukiainen Markku
Published: November 2022

The increasing attention to Machine Learning (ML) in K-12 levels and studies exploring a different aspect of research on K-12 ML has necessitated the need to synthesize this existing research. This study systematically reviewed how research on ML teaching and learning in K-12 has fared, including the current area of focus, and the gaps that need to be addressed in the literature in future studies. We reviewed 43 conference and journal articles to analyze specific focus areas of ML learning and teaching in K-12 from four perspectives as derived from the data: curriculum development, technology development, pedagogical development, and teacher training/professional development. The findings of our study reveal that (a) additional ML resources are needed for kindergarten to middle school and informal settings, (b) further studies need to be conducted on how ML can be integrated into subject domains other than computing, (c) most of the studies focus on pedagogical development with a dearth of teacher professional development programs, and (d) more evidence of societal and ethical implications of ML should be considered in future research. While this study recognizes the present gaps and direction for future research, these findings provide insight for educators, practitioners, instructional designers, and researchers into K-12 ML research trends to advance the quality of the emerging field.
Evaluating classifiers in SE research: the ECSER pipeline and two replication studies
Authors: Dell’Anna Davide , Aydemir Fatma Başak , Dalpiaz Fabiano
Published: November 2022

Context

Automated classifiers, often based on machine learning (ML), are increasingly used in software engineering (SE) for labelling previously unseen SE data. Researchers have proposed automated classifiers that predict if a code chunk is a clone, if a requirement is functional or non-functional, if the outcome of a test case is non-deterministic, etc.

Objective

The lack of guidelines for applying and reporting classification techniques for SE research leads to studies in which important research steps may be skipped, key findings might not be identified and shared, and the readers may find reported results (e.g., precision or recall above 90%) that are not a credible representation of the performance in operational contexts. The goal of this paper is to advance ML4SE research by proposing rigorous ways of conducting and reporting research.

Results

We introduce the ECSER (Evaluating Classifiers in Software Engineering Research) pipeline, which includes a series of steps for conducting and evaluating automated classification research in SE. Then, we conduct two replication studies where we apply ECSER to recent research in requirements engineering and in software testing.

Conclusions

In addition to demonstrating the applicability of the pipeline, the replication studies demonstrate ECSER’s usefulness: not only do we confirm and strengthen some findings identified by the original authors, but we also discover additional ones. Some of these findings contradict the original ones.
Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Distress Following Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: Results of a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Oswald Amy , McBride Kate , Seif Susan , Koh Cherry , Ansari Nabila , Steffens Daniel
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to describe the levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and distress in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Distress Thermometer were administered preoperatively, postoperatively day 10, and at hospital discharge to 169 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis undergoing CRS and HIPEC. The mean preoperative values for DASS-21 subscale scores were 4.7 (depression), 4.2 (anxiety), and 8.4 (stress), and the mean preoperative Distress Thermometer rating was 4.0. No significant changes in levels of depression, stress, or distress were noted thereafter. The DASS-21 anxiety subscale score significantly increased at hospital discharge (p = .005). Higher levels of preoperative psychological depression, anxiety, stress and distress were associated with worse mental component scores. Higher preoperative depression levels were associated with the provision of more clinical psychologist occasions of service, and higher preoperative distress levels were associated with younger age. Preoperative psychological measures are important for ensuring CRS and HIPEC patients that require additional support are identified and provided with ongoing psychological interventions.
Assessing Unique Risk Factors for COVID-19 Complications Among Cancer Patients: A Multi-ethnic Cohort Study
Authors: Borno Hala T. , Kim Mi-Ok , Tolstykh Irina , Lin Amy , Hong Julian C. , Yousefi Sasha , Zhang Sylvia , McKay Rana R. , Harismendy Olivier , Razavi Pedram , Cinar Pelin , Rugo Hope , Koshkin Vadim S. , Rabow Maya , Wang Christine , Bailey Adina , Small Eric J.
Published: November 2022

A myriad of organ-specific complications have been observed with COVID-19. While racial/ethnic minorities have been disproportionately burdened by this disease, our understanding of the unique risk factors for complications among a diverse population of cancer patients remains limited. This is a multi-institutional, multi-ethnic cohort study evaluating COVID-19 complications among cancer patients. Patients with an invasive cancer diagnosis and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified from March to November 2020. Demographic and clinical data were obtained and a multivariate logistic regression was employed to evaluate the impact of demographic and clinical factors on COVID-19 complications. The study endpoints were evaluated independently and included any complication, sepsis, pulmonary complications and cardiac complications. A total of 303 patients were evaluated, of whom 48% were male, 79% had solid tumors, and 42% were Hispanic/Latinx (Hispanic). Malignant hematologic cancers were associated with a higher risk of sepsis (OR 3.93 (95% CI 1.58–9.81)). Male patients had a higher risk of sepsis (OR 4.42 (95% CI 1.63–11.96)) and cardiac complications (OR 2.02 (95% CI 1.05–3.89)). Hispanic patients had a higher odds of any complication (OR 2.31 (95% CI 1.18–4.51)) and other race was associated with a higher odds of cardiac complications (OR 2.41 (95% CI 1.01–5.73)). Clinically, fever, cough, and ≥2 co-morbidities were independently significantly associated with any complication. This analysis evaluated covariates that can significantly predict a myriad of complications among a multi-ethnic cohort of cancer patients. The conclusions drawn from this analysis elucidate a mechanistic understanding of differential illness severity from COVID-19.
You have to let go sometimes: advances in understanding goal disengagement
Authors: Kappes Cathleen , Schattke Kaspar
Published: November 2022

While research on tenacious goal pursuit and persistence has evoked a myriad of research efforts, research on goal disengagement has rather been neglected and has been focusing mainly on positive consequences of individual differences in goal disengagement capacities. In recent years, however, research on goal disengagement has seen an upsurge in studies, specifically addressing the conceptualization of goal disengagement, the processes involved, and factors facilitating or undermining it. However, many questions remain unanswered or only partly answered providing numerous opportunities for further investigation.

With this special issue of Motivation and Emotion, we aim to stimulate such progress in research on goal disengagement. To this end, this special issue includes empirical studies with cross-sectional, prospective, longitudinal, and experimental designs with a wide range of personal and experimentally induced goals as well as invited commentaries from scholars across different psychological sub disciplines.

In this introductory essay, we provide a brief review of the current state of goal disengagement research. We also provide an overview about the contributions to this special issue with reflections related to the current state of research and areas where further advancement in conceptualization and empirical studies is needed.
Trends in extracellular matrix biology
Authors: Kyriakopoulou Konstantina , Piperigkou Zoi , Tzaferi Kyriaki , Karamanos Nikos K.
Published: November 2022

Extracellular matrixes (ECMs) are intricate 3-dimensional macromolecular networks of unique architectures with regulatory roles in cell morphology and functionality. As a dynamic native biomaterial, ECM undergoes constant but tightly controlled remodeling that is crucial for the maintenance of normal cellular behavior. Under pathological conditions like cancer, ECM remodeling ceases to be subjected to control resulting in disease initiation and progression. ECM is comprised of a staggering number of molecules that interact not only with one another, but also with neighboring cells via cell surface receptors. Such interactions, too many to tally, are of paramount importance for the identification of novel disease biomarkers and more personalized therapeutic intervention. Recent advances in big data analytics have allowed the development of online databases where researchers can take advantage of a stochastic evaluation of all the possible interactions and narrow them down to only those of interest for their study, respectively. This novel approach addresses the limitations that currently exist in studies, expands our understanding on ECM interactions, and has the potential to advance the development of targeted therapies. In this article we present the current trends in ECM biology research and highlight its importance in tissue integrity, the main interaction networks, ECM-mediated cell functional properties and issues related to pharmacological targeting.
Persistence in firm growth: inference from conditional quantile transition matrices
Authors: Bottazzi Giulio , Kang Taewon , Tamagni Federico
Published: November 2022

We introduce a new methodology to investigate the degree of persistence in firm growth dynamics, based on Conditional Quantile Transition Probability Matrices (CQTPMs) and exact inferential tests derived from two well-known mobility indexes. We apply the methodology to study manufacturing firms in the UK and four major European economies over the period 2010–2017. We find that CQTPMs display more persistence than under a fully independent firm growth process, albeit considerable turbulence and significant bouncing effects are detected. Exploiting the inferential statistics within a regression framework, we show that productivity, openness to trade, and business dynamism are the primary sources of firm growth persistence across sectors, while country-specific and time-specific factors play a second-order role.
Untargeted metabolomics of human keratinocytes reveals the impact of exposure to 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone and 2,6-dichloro-3-hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone as emerging disinfection by-products
Authors: Meintani Dimitra G. , Chatzimitakos Theodoros G. , Kasouni Athanasia I. , Stalikas Constantine D.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (DCBQ) and its derivative 2,6-dichloro-3-hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DCBQ-OH) are disinfection by-products (DBPs) and emerging pollutants in the environment. They are considered to be of particular importance as they have a high potential of toxicity and they are likely to be carcinogenic.

Objectives

In this study, human epidermal keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) were exposed to the DCBQ and its derivative DCBQ-OH, at concentrations equivalent to their IC20 and IC50, and a study of the metabolic phenotype of cells was performed.

Methods

The perturbations induced in cellular metabolites and their relative content were screened and evaluated through a metabolomic study, using 1H-NMR and MS spectroscopy.

Results

Changes in the metabolic pathways of HaCaT at concentrations corresponding to IC20 and IC50 of DCBQ-OH involved the activation of cell membrane α-linolenic acid, biotin, and glutathione and deactivation of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis at IC50. The changes in metabolic pathways at IC20 and IC50 of DCBQ were associated with the activation of inositol phosphate, pertaining to the transfer of messages from the receptors of the membrane to the interior as well as with riboflavin. Deactivation of biotin metabolism was recorded, among others. The cells exposed to DCBQ exhibited a concentration-dependent decrease in saccharide concentrations. The concentration of steroids increased when cells were exposed to IC20 and decreased at IC50. Although both chemical factors stressed the cells, DCBQ led to the activation of transporting messages through phosphorylated derivatives of inositol.

Conclusion

Our findings provided insights into the impact of the two DBPs on human keratinocytes. Both chemical factors induced energy production perturbations, oxidative stress, and membrane damage.
Distance mapping in three-dimensional virtual surgical planning in hand, wrist and forearm surgery: a tool to avoid mistakes
Authors: Honigmann Philipp , Keller Marco , Devaux-Voumard Noémie , Thieringer Florian M. , Sutter Damian
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Three-dimensional planning in corrective surgeries in the hand and wrist has become popular throughout the last 20 years. Imaging technologies and software have improved since their first description in the late 1980s. New imaging technologies, such as distance mapping (DM), improve the safety of virtual surgical planning (VSP) and help to avoid mistakes. We describe the effective use of DM in two representative and frequently performed surgical interventions (radius malunion and scaphoid pseudoarthrosis).

Methods

We simulated surgical intervention in both cases using DM. Joint spaces were quantitatively and qualitatively displayed in a colour-coded fashion, which allowed the estimation of cartilage thickness and joint space congruency. These parameters are presented in the virtual surgical planning pre- and postoperatively as well as in the actual situation in our cases.

Results

DM had a high impact on the VSP, especially in radius corrective osteotomy, where we changed the surgical plan due to the visualization of the planned postoperative situation. The actual postoperative situation was also documented using DM, which allowed for comparison of the VSP and the achieved postoperative situation. Both patients were successfully treated, and bone healing and clinical improvement were achieved.

Conclusion

The use of colour-coded static or dynamic distance mapping is useful for virtual surgical planning of corrective osteotomies of the hand, wrist and forearm. It also allows confirmation of the correct patient treatment and assessment of the follow-up radiological documentation.
Surface Degradation of Oil-Immersed Nomex Paper Caused by Partial Discharge of High-Frequency Voltage
Authors: Li Xiaonan , Zhang Wenxu , Wang Hong , Ma Xiping , Zhang Hongliang , Li Kangle , Qin Tong , Liu Kai , Yang Yan , Wu Guangning
Published: November 2022

The oil-paper insulation of high-frequency (HF) transformers frequently withstands high-frequency over-voltages at frequencies of several kHz and above. This leads to the occurrence of partial discharge (PD), which causes premature insulation failure in HF transformers. In order to investigate the effect of PD under high-frequency stresses on oil-impregnated Nomex paper, this paper analyzes the surface morphology, bond-broken types of the molecular chain, and product types formed for oil paper after PD degradation. Then, the damage mechanism of oil-immersed Nomex paper between high-frequency and AC stress is explored. The experimental results show that the branches of creepage do not exist in the oil-paper insulation during the entire discharge process under high-frequency stresses, and that their damage degree is higher than that of AC stress. This is mainly because the benzene ring of oil-impregnated Nomex paper is destroyed and opened caused by high-energy particles, the heating effect in HF discharge, and the bulk effect. These results help to improve the design theory of insulation structures and to develop PD-resistant insulation materials in HF transformers.
Delivering forestry courses online: experiences, lessons learned, and future of forestry online education in the Asia Pacific
Authors: Shrestha Anil , Crawford Jodi , Chen Hailan , Zhang Shiyi , Zhong Na , Zeng Michelle , Wang Guangyu
Published: November 2022

Innovation in forestry education is needed to address changing contexts of the positionality of forests. This is particularly significant in the Asia–Pacific region, where deforestation and degradation are high. However, the accessibility of high-quality forestry education to address changing regional and global contexts is lacking. A series of innovative sustainable forest management (SFM) open education resource (OER) courses were developed and implemented to improve the accessibility of SFM education to enhance teaching quality, curriculum, and research capacity of universities in the Asia-Pacific Region. To evaluate the SFM-OER program in terms of student experiences, this study investigated student achievement, perceived success of the pedagogical approach and instructional design, and perceived effectiveness of the learning activities in promoting active and transformative learning through the assessment of a 1,191-course feedback survey between 2018 and 2020, including the global pandemic. This study revealed that the program attracted diverse student demographics, including a higher proportion of female students majoring in forestry, ecology, and other environmental studies. Their primary motivation to participate in the courses was to gain international experience, followed by the flexibility of online learning, mandatory course requirements, and earning course credits. Students were satisfied with the Canvas learning management system. Most students spent less than 5 to 10 h of their weekly time in the course and agreed or strongly agreed that the workloads were manageable. Students reflected positively on various learning activities and assignments, such as watching lecture videos, taking quizzes, reading and summarizing, having discussions, and peer review writing. However, they did not clearly prefer specific learning activities, signifying the importance of using diverse learning activities to satisfy diverse individual learning styles in online settings. This analysis contributes to the further development of student-centered pedagogical development for online learning and provides insight into the ways forward for online higher forestry education, while repurposing existing OER courses in a post-Covid-19 era.
Going public: evidence from stock and bond IPOs in Belgium, 1839–1935
Authors: Deloof Marc , de Jong Abe , Legierse Wilco
Published: November 2022

We investigate firms' initial stock and bond issues in public capital markets and explain fluctuations in these IPOs over time. We study Belgium from 1839 to 1935, which provides a setting with poor investor protection, no tax distortions, and changing regulations. We find that economic growth induces stock and bond IPOs and that the issuers time offerings such that they coincide with favorable market conditions. Even though in 1873, regulation was abruptly relaxed, we find no evidence of increases in the number of IPOs. Finally, we show that stock and bond IPOs do not interact when controlling for the determinants of these IPOs.