bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A positivity preserving high‐order finite difference method for compressible two‐fluid flows
Authors: Boe Daniel , Shahbazi Khosro
Published: May 2023

Any robust computational scheme for compressible flows must retain the hyperbolicity property or the real‐valued sound speed. Failure to maintain hyperbolicity, or the positivity of the square of the speed of sound, causes nonphysical distortions and the blow‐up of numerical simulations. Strong shock waves and interfacial discontinuities are ubiquitous features of the two‐fluid compressible dynamics that can potentially induce positivity‐related failure in a simulation. This article presents a positivity‐preserving algorithm for a high‐order, primitive variable‐based, weighted essentially non‐oscillatory finite difference scheme. The positivity preservation relies on a flux limiting technique that locally adapts high‐order fluxes towards the first order to retain the physical bounds of the solution without loss of high‐order convergence. This positivity preserving scheme has been devised and implemented up to eleventh order in one and two dimensions for a two‐fluid compressible model that consists of a single mass, momentum, and energy equations, as well as an advection of material parameters for capturing the interfaces. Several one‐ and two‐dimensional challenging test problems verify the performance. The scheme effectively retains high order accuracy while allowing for the simulation of several challenging problems that otherwise could not be successfully solved using the base scheme, without any penalty on the CFL condition requirement, and without any significant impact on the CPU times. The scheme represents the first high‐order (up to 11‐order) hyperbolicity‐preserving scheme for the considered two‐fluid compressible flows in the fully Eulerian formulation. The inherent efficiency of finite differences and the new robust positivity preserving quality enable modeling other challenging problems of two‐fluid and two‐phase problems.
Association between low fetal fraction in cell‐free DNA screening and fetal chromosomal aberrations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Becking Ellis C. , Schuit Ewoud , van Baar de Knegt Sophie M. E. , Sistermans Erik A. , Henneman Lidewij , Bekker Mireille N. , Scheffer Peter G.
Published: May 2023

Objective

To perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the available literature on low fetal fraction (LFF) in cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) screening and the risk of fetal chromosomal aberrations.

Method

We searched articles published between January 2010 and May 2021 in PubMed and EMBASE databases. Risk of bias was assessed using QUADAS‐2.

Results

Twenty‐seven studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising data of 243,700 singleton pregnancies. Compared to normal fetal fraction, LFF was associated with a higher risk of trisomy 13 (OR 5.99 [3.61–9.95], I
2 of heterogeneity = 0%, n = 22 studies), trisomy 18 (OR 4.46 [3.07–6.47], I
2 = 0%, n = 22 studies), monosomy X (OR 5.88 [2.34–14.78], I
2 = 18%, n = 10 studies), and triploidy (OR 36.39 [9.83–134.68], I
2 = 61%, n = 6 studies), but not trisomy 21 (OR 1.25 [0.76–2.03], I
2 = 36%, n = 23 studies). LFF was also associated with a higher risk of various other types of fetal chromosomal aberrations (OR 4.00 [1.78–9.00], I
2 = 2%, n = 11 studies). Meta‐analysis of proportions showed that absolute rates of fetal chromosomal aberrations ranged between 1% and 2% in women with LFF. A limitation of this review is the potential risk of ascertainment bias because of differences in outcome assessment between pregnancies with LFF and those with normal fetal fraction. Heterogeneity in population characteristics or applied technologies across included studies may not have been fully addressed.

Conclusion

An LFF test result in cfDNA screening is associated with an increased risk of fetal trisomy 13, trisomy 18, monosomy X, and triploidy, but not trisomy 21. Further research is needed to assess the association between LFF and other specific types of fetal chromosomal aberrations.
Validation of the 25 level modified shuttle test in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Corda Jennifer , E. Holland Anne , Berry Cassidy Du , Westrupp Nicole , Cox Narelle S.
Published: May 2023

Objective

To evaluate the validity and reliability of the modified shuttle 25‐level test (MST‐25) in children with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods

A prospective single center study in clinically stable children with CF. Participants undertook two testing conditions on different days: (1) 2xMST‐25 tests; (2) cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Test order was randomized. Nadir oxygen saturation (SpO2), peak heart rate (HR), breathlessness (modified Borg), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), energy expenditure (EE) and metabolic equivalents (MET) from the MST‐25 and CPET were compared to assess validity, while outcomes from 2xMST‐25 tests were compared for reliability. CPET was performed using breath‐by‐breath analysis and EE from the MST‐25 obtained using the SenseWear Armband.

Results

Strong correlations were found between MST‐25 distance and peak oxygen uptake, peak work and minute ventilation on CPET (all r > 0.7, p < 0.01). Moderate correlations were found between MST‐25 distance and CPET for METs (r = 0.5) and HR (r = 0.6). Weak associations between tests were evident for nadir SpO2 (r = 0.1), modified Borg (rs = 0.2) and RPE (rs = 0.2). Test−retest reliability was excellent for MST‐25 distance (ICC 0.91), peak EE (ICC 0.99) and peak METs (ICC 0.90). Good reliability was achieved for HR (ICC 0.84) and modified Borg score (ICC 0.77), while moderate reliability for nadir SpO2 (ICC 0.64) and RPE (ICC 0.68) was observed.

Conclusion

The MST‐25 is a valid and reliable field test for the assessment of exercise capacity in children with CF. The MST‐25 can be used to accurately monitor exercise capacity and prescribe exercise training, particularly when CPET is not available.
Coconut fatty acids exhibit strong repellency and week‐long efficacy against several urban pest arthropods of the southwestern United States
Authors: Agnew John , Gorzelski Ashton , Zhu Junwei , Romero Alvaro
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND

The southwestern United States is home to a variety of arthropods including Turkestan cockroaches, Blatta lateralis (Walker); hematophagous kissing bugs, Tritoma rubida (Uhler); and Arizona bark scorpions, Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing. These arthropods cause medical concern when they become established around homes and/or invade indoors. Traditionally, the management of these pests has relied primarily on the use of chemical insecticides; however, they offer poor prospects for control owing to their lack of efficacy as well as the effects of insecticides on humans and the environment. Botanical repellents are an option that has not been fully investigated for the management of these pests. Here, we investigated the behavioral responses of common urban pests of the southwestern USA to recently discovered coconut fatty acids (CFAs), to establish the potential use of these compounds as repellents.

RESULTS

Fresh residues of CFA mixture (CFAm) and their constituents caprylic acid, capric acid, capric acid methyl ester, lauric acid, and lauric acid methyl ester, tested at a concentration of 1 mg cm−2, strongly repelled all arthropods. The repellent activity of CFAm lasted for at least 7 days, and the addition of lavender oil, used as an odor‐masking agent, did not decrease this effect. Concentrations of CFAm ten times lower (0.1 mg cm−2) still repelled Turkestan cockroaches, and concentrations 100 times lower (0.01 mg cm−2) repelled T. rubida and scorpions.

CONCLUSIONS

CFAm and some of their constituents are efficacious, economical, and logistically feasible for inclusion in integrated pest management programs for these important urban pests of the southwestern USA. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the health and economy of Nepal
Authors: Manandhar Srista , Chhetri Sunit , Regmi Swapnil , Chhetri Sunny , Dorji Thinley
Published: May 2023

Nepal experienced a devastating earthquake in 2015, sweeping political changes and restructuring of its healthcare system in the last decade. The economy is heavily dependent on tourism with an average of 1 million visitors per year prior to the pandemic. The country had just begun the ‘Visit Nepal 2020’ campaign when the government had to realign its economic activities and allocate resources to battling the impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The tourism sector crashed with 18.7% of the population falling into poverty. The health system faced reeling pressure with interruptions of routine services while the government struggled to provide care to COVID‐19 patients. There was a shortage of 20,000 healthcare workers and derailment of important health services, such as antenatal care, institutional delivery of babies and tuberculosis diagnosis. To fund the COVID‐19 vaccination efforts, the government sought donations and loans from other countries. There were disruptions in schools and the education system which had challenges in the delivery of education through digital means due to limited internet services. The agriculture and the food production system also faced major disruptions leading to exorbitant inflation and an increase in the cost of living. The country opened to normal socio‐economic activities by May 2022 in an effort to reverse the impacts on various sectors of life in Nepal. We describe how Nepal, a resource‐constrained country handled the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Parameter estimation of multiple‐input single‐output Hammerstein controlled autoregressive system based on improved adaptive moment estimation algorithm
Authors: Li Junhong , Xiao Kang , Gu Juping , Hua Liang
Published: May 2023

In this article, the problem of parameter estimation for a multiple‐input single‐output Hammerstein controlled autoregressive (MISO‐HCAR) model is solved. After establishing the identification model of MISO‐HCAR system, an improved adaptive moment estimation algorithm with decreasing weight (IADAM) is proposed. The improved algorithm transforms the nonlinear system identification problem into a parameter space optimization problem, according to the input and output data obtained from the system, and uses the parallel search ability of the IADAM algorithm to estimate all the parameters of the system simultaneously. Two numerical examples and the case study example of chemical continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) system show that the proposed IADAM algorithm with decreasing weight has better identification effect on the MISO‐HCAR model and CSTR system than the stochastic gradient descent (SGD) algorithm and the basic adaptive moment estimation (ADAM) algorithm, and the estimation accuracy and convergence speed are greatly improved. Thus, the IADAM can estimate the parameters of the MISO‐HCAR system and the CSTR system more effectively.
Graphene Quantum Dots Nonmonotonically Influence the Horizontal Transfer of Extracellular Antibiotic Resistance Genes via Bacterial Transformation
Authors: Hu Xiaojie , Xu Yanxing , Liu Si , Gudda Fredrick Owino , Ling Wanting , Qin Chao , Gao Yanzheng
Published: May 2023

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) coexist with antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. Whether GQDs influence ARG spread needs investigation, since the resulting development of multidrug‐resistant pathogens would threaten human health. This study investigates the effect of GQDs on the horizontal transfer of extracellular ARGs (i.e., transformation, a pivotal way that ARGs spread) mediated by plasmids into competent Escherichia coli cells. GQDs enhance ARG transfer at lower concentrations, which are close to their environmental residual concentrations. However, with further increases in concentration (closer to working concentrations needed for wastewater remediation), the effects of enhancement weaken or even become inhibitory. At lower concentrations, GQDs promote the gene expression related to pore‐forming outer membrane proteins and the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, thus inducing pore formation and enhancing membrane permeability. GQDs may also act as carriers to transport ARGs into cells. These factors result in enhanced ARG transfer. At higher concentrations, GQD aggregation occurs, and aggregates attach to the cell surface, reducing the effective contact area of recipients for external plasmids. GQDs also form large agglomerates with plasmids and thus hindering ARG entrance. This study could promote the understanding of the GQD‐caused ecological risks and benefit their safe application.
Local Built‐In Field at the Sub‐nanometric Heterointerface Mediates Cascade Electrochemical Conversion of Lithium–sulfur Batteries
Authors: Ding Chenfeng , Niu Mang , Cassidy Cathal , Kang Hyung‐Been , Ono Luis K. , Wang Hengyuan , Tong Guoqing , Zhang Congyang , Liu Yuan , Zhang Jiahao , Mariotti Silvia , Wu Tianhao , Qi Yabing
Published: May 2023

Heterogeneous catalytic mediators have been proposed to play a vital role in enhancing the multiorder reaction and nucleation kinetics in multielectron sulfur electrochemistry. However, the predictive design of heterogeneous catalysts is still challenging, owing to the lack of in‐depth understanding of interfacial electronic states and electron transfer on cascade reaction in Li–S batteries. Here, a heterogeneous catalytic mediator based on monodispersed titanium carbide sub‐nanoclusters embedded in titanium dioxide nanobelts is reported. The tunable catalytic and anchoring effects of the resulting catalyst are achieved by the redistribution of localized electrons caused by the abundant built‐in fields in heterointerfaces. Subsequently, the resulting sulfur cathodes deliver an areal capacity of 5.6 mAh cm−2 and excellent stability at 1 C under sulfur loading of 8.0 mg cm−2. The catalytic mechanism especially on enhancing the multiorder reaction kinetic of polysulfides is further demonstrated via operando time‐resolved Raman spectroscopy during the reduction process in conjunction with theoretical analysis.
Reconfigurable Grating Diffraction Structural Color in Self‐Assembled Colloidal Crystals
Authors: Liu Tianyu , Solomon Michael J.
Published: May 2023

Self‐assembled colloidal crystals display structural colors due to light diffracted from their microscale, ordered structure. This color arises due to Bragg reflection (BR) or grating diffraction (GD); the latter mechanism is much less explored than the former. Here the design space for generating GD structural color is identified and its relative advantages are demonstrated. Electrophoretic deposition is used to self‐assemble crystals with fine crystal grains from colloids of diameter 1.0 µm. The structural color in transmission is tunable across the full visible spectrum. The optimum optical response—represented by both color intensity and saturation—is observed at low layer number (≤5 layers). The spectral response is well predicted by Mie scattering of the crystals. Taken together, the experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that vivid grating colors with high color saturation can be produced from thin layers of micron‐sized colloids. These colloidal crystals extend the potential of artificial structural color materials.
Nonlinear Optical Sulfides LiMGa8S14 (M = Rb/Ba, Cs/Ba) Created by Li+ Driven 2D Centrosymmetric to 3D Noncentrosymmetric Transformation
Authors: Zhang Ming‐Shu , Liu Bin‐Wen , Jiang Xiao‐Ming , Guo Guo‐Cong
Published: May 2023

Cations that can regulate the configuration of anion group are greatly important but regularly unheeded. Herein, the structural transformation from 2D CS to 3D noncentrosymmetric (NCS, which is the prerequisite for second‐order NLO effect) is rationally designed to newly afford two sulfides LiMGa8S14 (M = Rb/Ba, 1; Cs/Ba, 2) by introducing the smallest alkali metal Li+ cation into the interlamination of 2D centrosymmetric (CS) RbGaS2. The unusual frameworks of 1 and 2 are constructed from C2‐type [Ga4S11] supertetrahedrons in a highly parallel arrangement. 1 and 2 display distinguished NLO performances, including strong phase‐matchable second‐harmonic generation (SHG) intensities (0.8 and 0.9 × AgGaS2 at 1910 nm), wide optical band gaps (3.24 and 3.32 eV), and low coefficient of thermal expansion for favorable laser‐induced damage thresholds (LIDTs, 4.7, and 7.6 × AgGaS2 at 1064 nm), which fulfill the criteria of superior NLO candidates (SHG intensity >0.5 × AGS and band gap >3.0 eV). Remarkably, 1 and 2 melt congruently at 873.8 and 870.5 °C, respectively, which endows them with the potential of growing bulk crystals by the Bridgeman‐Stockbarge method. This investigated system provides a new avenue for the structural evolution from layered CS to 3D NCS of NLO materials.
On the Origin of Tail States and Open Circuit Voltage Losses in Cu(In,Ga)Se2
Authors: Ramírez Omar , Nishinaga Jiro , Dingwell Felix , Wang Taowen , Prot Aubin , Wolter Max Hilaire , Ranjan Vibha , Siebentritt Susanne
Published: May 2023

The detrimental effect of tail states on the radiative and non‐radiative voltage loss has been demonstrated to be a limiting factor for the open circuit voltage (VOC) in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells. A strategy that has proven effective in reducing tail states is the addition of alkali metals, the effect of which has been associated with the passivation of charged defects at grain boundaries. Herein, tail states in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 are revisited by studying the effect of compositional variations and alkali incorporation into single‐crystal films. The results demonstrate that sodium and potassium decrease the density of tail states despite the absence of grain boundaries, suggesting that there is more to alkalis than just grain boundary effects. Moreover, an increase in doping as a result of sodium or potassium incorporation is shown to contribute to the reduced tail states, which are demonstrated to arise largely from electrostatic potential fluctuations and to be determined by grain interior properties. By analyzing the voltage loss in high‐efficiency polycrystalline and single crystalline devices, this work presents a model that explains the entirety of the voltage loss in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 based on the combined effect of doping on tail states and VOC.
Evolution of Vanadium Redox Flow Battery in Electrode
Authors: Hossain Md Hasnat , Abdullah Norulsamani , Tan Kim Han , Saidur R. , Mohd Radzi Mohd Amran , Shafie Suhaidi
Published: May 2023

The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is a highly regarded technology for large‐scale energy storage due to its outstanding features, such as scalability, efficiency, long lifespan, and site independence. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of its performance in carbon‐based electrodes, along with a comprehensive review of the system‘s principles and mechanisms. It discusses potential applications, recent industrial involvement, and economic factors associated with VRFB technology. The study also covers the latest advancements in VRFB electrodes, including electrode surface modification and electrocatalyst materials, and highlights their effects on the VRFB system‘s performance. Additionally, the potential of two‐dimensional material MXene to enhance electrode performance is evaluated, and the author concludes that MXenes offer significant advantages for use in high‐power VRFB at a low cost. Finally, the paper reviews the challenges and future development of VRFB technology.
A look at bovine TB control over 70 years
Authors: Blowey Roger
Published: May 2023

Reviewed by Roger Blowey, cattle practitioner.
Remembering Carl Padgett
Authors: Hargreaves Robin
Published: May 2023

Robin Hargreaves shares fond memories of BVA past president Carl Padgett, affectionately known as Padge, who passed away in March.
Policy position calls for change in UK finfish aquaculture
Authors: Knowles‐Bacon Megan
Published: May 2023

BVA policy and public affairs officer Megan Knowles‐Bacon introduces the new BVA policy position on sustainable aquaculture.
Menopause resource hub coming soon
Authors: Lacey Hannah
Published: May 2023

Hannah Lacey, BVA membership and policy project manager, talks about the Menopause Pledge.
Water Security, Participatory Governance, and Dialogue Spaces for Change in Northern Sri Lanka
Authors: Sriskandarajah Nadarajah , Sivapalan Murugesu
Published: May 2023

Water Security through Participatory Action Research in the Northern Province (WASPAR) is a project driven by the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, since March 2020. The project itself and some of the significant outcomes over the 3‐year first phase of research will make up part of the upcoming Special Issue of this journal. As guest editors of the Special Issue, we bring this note as a preface for what is to come in the collection, while also positioning the six contributed papers and one invited paper within the themes of Water Security, Participatory Governance, and Dialogue Spaces for Change, the latter two as emergent themes in the search for the first, Water Security. WASPAR took as its starting point the limitations of existing institutional and social structures and their fragmented ways of water management. Instead, it put forward the search for a holistic, trans‐disciplinary, and multi‐stakeholder approach for water security in the Northern Province. In that search, water security and water governance would become more relevant keywords in the project's research vocabulary to replace water supply and water management.
Portugal: EU Issue Voting in Mainstream and Challenger Parties
Authors: Costa Lobo Marina
Published: May 2023

One of the “bailout countries” during the Great Recession, Portugal is an interesting case-study to analyse EU politicisation and its effects at the national level. In this chapter, media, parliamentary and voting data provide a comprehensive picture of the role of EU politicisation in Portuguese political behaviour. Trends of EU issue politicisation are presented using salience and tone in mainstream media and parliamentary debates from 2002 to 2019. As expected, the post-2009 period exhibits an increase in politicisation both in media and parliamentary debates. Yet, in a post-bailout stage, and especially since the left coalition government took office in 2015, a degree of depoliticization of the EU issue is detected, with tone improving among the left parties in Parliament. A comprehensive vote model is then set up, using data from a post-2019 election online survey, to examine the degree to which EU issue voting matters, benchmarking with other political issues which were deemed relevant in the election. EU issue voting occurs among Communists but also for the PSD—signalling its importance not only for challenger but also for mainstream parties. Moreover, it matters more than the other socio-economic political issues included in the model.
EU Issue Voting in Simultaneous Elections: The Case of Belgium
Authors: Stiers Dieter
Published: May 2023

In terms of electoral rules, Belgium is an odd case out among the countries investigated in this volume on several levels. Elections for the regional, national and European level are held on the same day, and all voters are obligated to turn out to vote. This combination of circumstances makes Belgium a least-likely case to find evidence for EU voting on the national level: voters can express their European interests with a vote for that level specifically at the same moment, and the forced and less interested part of the electorate is less likely to express strong issue preferences with their vote. This study first shows that, overall, the European issue is not very salient in Belgium, and that there is a generally positive consensus among the parties and in the media. However, still, there are some effects of the EU issue on national voting behaviour. While these are limited overall, also other well-known determinants of the vote do not show strong effects. Explaining voting behaviour in the complex Belgian case remains challenging, and the EU issue seems to provide one piece of the puzzle.
After the Crisis: EU Issue Voting in Greece
Authors: Nezi Roula
Published: May 2023

Compared to the other countries examined in this volume, Greece is the one that suffered the most financially during the economic crisis. Public protest and growing political discontent emerged as a reaction to the strict austerity policies introduces, with European institutions becoming the symbol and the European Union (EU) becoming the main target of discontent. To this end, the Greek case offers a useful example of a country in which EU issues around the economic crisis polarized the general public. This analysis suggests the salience of the EU issue was greater during the crisis, with negative references towards the EU being widespread even among moderate media outlets. However, public opinion analysis suggests the EU issue can only explain the vote for the two parties competing to govern—Syriza and New Democracy (ND). While Syriza successfully closed the circle of the memoranda agreed upon by the Papandreou government in 2009, ND mobilized the emotions of citizens and the public by creating a “rally around the flag” that determined the outcome of the elections.
Quantum state tomography, entanglement detection and Bell violation prospects in weak decays of massive particles
Authors: Ashby-Pickering Rachel , Barr Alan J. , Wierzchucka Agnieszka
Published: May 2023

Abstract

A rather general method for determining the spin density matrix of a multi-particle system from angular decay data is presented. The method is based on a Bloch parameterisation of the d-dimensional generalised Gell-Mann representation of ρ and exploits the associated Wigner- and Weyl-transforms on the sphere. Each parameter of a (possibly multipartite) spin density matrix can be measured from a simple average over an appropriate set of experimental angular decay distributions. The general procedures for both projective and non-projective decays are described, and the Wigner P and Q symbols calculated for the cases of spin-half, spin-one, and spin-3/2 systems. The methods are used to examine Monte Carlo simulations of pp collisions for bipartite systems: pp → W+W−, pp → ZZ, pp → ZW+, pp →$$ {W}^{+}\overline{t} $$

W
+

t
¯

, $$ t\overline{t} $$
t

t
¯

, and those from the Higgs boson decays H → WW* and H → ZZ*. Measurements are proposed for entanglement detection, exchange symmetry detection and Bell inequality violation in bipartite systems.
Lie Structures and Chain Ideal Lattices
Authors: Benito Pilar , Roldán-López Jorge
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to emphasise that the class of Lie algebras with chain lattices of ideals are elementary blocks in the embedding or decomposition of Lie algebras with finite lattice of ideals. Secondly, to show that the number of Lie algebras of this class is large and they support other types of Lie structures. Beginning with general examples and algebraic decompositions, we focus on computational algorithms to build Lie algebras in which the lattice of ideals is a chain. The chain condition forces gradings on the nilradicals of this class of algebras. Our algorithms yield to several positive naturally graded parametric families of Lie algebras. Further generalizations and other kind of structures will also be discussed.
Zoom and its Discontents: Group Decision Making in Pediatric Cardiology in the Time of COVID (and Beyond)
Authors: Danton Mark H.D. , Bushnell Ian
Published: May 2023

The emergence of Covid-19 has led to change within hospital-based healthcare. An example, has been to reconfigure clinical decision making meetings from traditional in-person (Face-to-face, FtF) to online video-conferencing (VC) format inorder to decrease contagion risk. Despite its widespread uptake, there is minimal empirical data evaluating this format. This narrative review considers the implications on medical decision-making when clinicians communicate remotely via Microsoft Teams. The discussion is informed by the psychological literature and by commentary obtained from a survey of paediatric cardiac clinicians who participated in clinical meetings when video-conferencing was first introduced. Whist video-conferencing can optimize clinician presence, this is potentially offset by compromises in current imaging quality, the group discussion, information sharing and decision quality. Implementing a shift from face-to-face to VC within the group decision-making process requires an appreciation of the changed environment, appropriate adaptations and the implemention of new technology solutions. Meanwhile, healthcare should carefully consider the potential implications of clinical decision making using online video conferencing, be prepared to adapt and evaluate prior to a shift away from face-to-face formats.
Impact of Preoperative Psychiatric Profile in Bariatric Surgery on Long-term Weight Outcome
Authors: Lüscher Anouk , Vionnet Nathalie , Amiguet Michael , Chartoumpekis Dionysios , Mantziari Styliani , Frantz Johanna , Favre Lucie
Published: May 2023

Background

Conflicting results have been reported regarding the predictive value of preoperative psychological assessment and weight outcome after bariatric surgery. This might be attributed to different factors affecting early weight loss and long-term weight loss. Herein, we investigated whether preoperative psychiatric profile was associated with preoperative BMI and with both early (1 year) and long-term (5 years) weight loss after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

Methods

Prospective observational cohort study of patients undergoing RYGB between 2013 and 2019. Symptoms related to anxiety, depression, eating disorder, and alcohol use disorders were assessed by employing validated, specific psychometric tests (STAI-S/T, BDI-II, BITE, AUDIT-C) prior to surgery. Pre-operative BMI, early weight loss (1 year), and long-term weight evolution (up to 5 years) were registered.

Results

Two hundred thirty six patients (81% women) were included in the present study. Linear longitudinal mixed model showed a significant effect of preoperative high anxiety (STAI-S) on long-term weight outcome, after controlling for gender, age and type 2 diabetes. Patient with high preoperative anxiety score regained weight faster than those experiencing low anxiety (each year percent excess BMI loss (%EBMIL) − 4.02%, ± 1.72, p = 0.021). No other pre-operative psychiatric symptoms have been shown to have an impact on long-term weight loss. In addition, no significant association was found between any of the pre-operative psychiatric variables and pre-operative BMI, or early weight loss (%EBMIL) at 1-year post-RYGB.

Conclusion

Herein we identified high anxiety score (STAI-S) as a predictor for long-term weight regain. Thus, long-term psychiatric surveillance of these patients and the development of tailored management tools could serve as a means to prevent weight regain.

Graphical abstract
Late-onset vascular complications of radiotherapy for primary brain tumors: a case–control and cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Ibáñez-Juliá María-José , Picca Alberto , Leclercq Delphine , Berzero Giulia , Jacob Julian , Feuvret Loïc , Rosso Charlotte , Birzu Cristina , Alentorn Agusti , Sanson Marc , Tafani Camille , Bompaire Flavie , Bataller Luis , Hoang-Xuan Khê , Delattre Jean-Yves , Psimaras Dimitri , Ricard Damien
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Radiotherapy (RT) is a recognized risk factor for cerebrovascular (CV) disease in children and in adults with head and neck cancer. We aimed to investigate whether cerebral RT increases the risk of CV disease in adults with primary brain tumors (PBT).

Methods

We retrospectively identified adults with a supratentorial PBT diagnosed between 1975 and 2006 and with at least 10 years follow-up after treatment. We analyzed demographic, clinical, and radiological features with special attention to CV events. We also described CV events, vascular risk factors, and intracranial artery modifications in a cross-sectional study of irradiated patients alive at the time of the study.

Results

A total of 116 patients, treated with RT (exposed group), and 85 non-irradiated patients (unexposed group) were enrolled. Stroke was more frequent in irradiated PBT patients than in the unexposed group (42/116 (36%) vs 7/85 (8%); p < 0.001), with higher prevalence of both ischemic (27/116 (23%) vs 6/85 (7%); p = 0.004) and hemorrhagic (12/116 (10%) vs 1/85 (1%); p = 0.02) stroke. In the irradiated group, patients with tumors near the Willis Polygon were more likely to experience stroke (p < 0.016). Fourty-four alive irradiated patients were included in the cross-sectional study. In this subgroup, intracranial arterial stenosis was more prevalent (11/45, 24%) compared to general population (9%).

Conclusions

Stroke prevalence is increased in long-surviving PBT patients treated with cranial RT.

Implications for cancer survivors

CV events are frequent in long survivors of PBT treated with cerebral RT. We propose a check list to guide management of late CV complications in adults treated with RT for PBT.
Effects of Opioids on Immune and Endocrine Function in Patients with Cancer Pain
Authors: Bradley Anna , Boland Jason W
Published: May 2023

Opinion statement

Opioids are an important treatment in managing cancer pain. Uncontrolled pain can be detrimental to function and quality of life. Common adverse effects of opioids such as sedation, constipation and nausea are well recognised, but opioid effects on the endocrine and immune systems are less apparent. The evidence for the immunomodulatory effects of opioids suggest that some opioids might be immunosuppressive and that their use might be associated with reduced survival and increased rates of infection in patients with cancer. However, the quality of this evidence is limited. Opioid-induced endocrinopathies, in particular opioid-induced hypogonadism, may also impact cancer survival and impair quality of life. But again, evidence in patients with cancer is limited, especially with regard to their management. There are some data that different opioids influence immune and endocrine function with varying outcomes. For example, some opioids, such as tramadol and buprenorphine, demonstrate immune-sparing qualities when compared to others. However, most of this data is preclinical and without adequate clinical correlation; thus, no opioid can currently be recommended over another in this context. Higher opioid doses might have more effect on immune and endocrine function. Ultimately, it is prudent to use the lowest effective dose to control the cancer pain. Clinical presentations of opioid-induced endocrinopathies should be considered in patients with cancer and assessed for, particularly in long-term opioid users. Hormone replacement therapies may be considered where appropriate with support from endocrinology specialists.
Association Between Circulating Zinc and Risk for Childhood Asthma and Wheezing: A Meta-analysis on 21 Articles and 2205 Children
Authors: Xue Mei , Wang Qiong , Pang Bo , Zhang Xiaoqian , Zhang Yicheng , Deng Xiangling , Zhang Zhixin , Niu Wenquan
Published: May 2023

Asthma is one of the most frequent chronic diseases in children, and growing focus is placed on the exploration of attributable risk factors. Currently, no consensus has been reached on the implication of circulating zinc in the development of asthma. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to examine the association between circulating zinc and risk for childhood asthma and wheezing. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Google Scholar from inception until December 1, 2022. All procedures were performed independently and in duplicate. Random-effects model was adopted to derive standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Statistical analyses were completed using the STATA software. Twenty-one articles and 2205 children were meta-analyzed. Overall, there was a statistically significant association between circulating zinc and risk for childhood asthma and wheezing (SMD: −0.38; 95% CI: −0.60 to −0.17; I2=82.6%, p<0.001), without evidence of publication bias as revealed by Begg’s (p=0.608) and Egger (p=0.408) tests. Subgroup analyses showed that children with asthma or wheezing in Middle Eastern countries had significantly lower circulating zinc levels than controls (SMD: −0.42; 95% CI: −0.69 to −0.14; p<0.001; I2=87.1%). Additionally, average circulating zinc levels in asthma children were 0.41 μg/dl lower than that in controls, and the difference was statistically significant (SMD: −0.41; 95% CI: −0.65 to −0.16; p<0.001; I2=83.7%). By contrast, children with wheezing were 0.20 μg/dl lower than that in controls, and no between-group difference was noted (SMD=-0.20; 95% CI: −0.58 to 0.17; p=0.072; I2=69.1%). Our findings indicated that circulating zinc was associated with a significant risk for childhood asthma and its related symptom wheezing.
ACE 2.0: A Comprehensive tool for automatic extraction, analysis, and digital profiling of the researchers in Scientific Communities
Authors: Rizvi Syed Tahseen Raza , Ahmed Sheraz , Dengel Andreas
Published: May 2023

In the current digital era, it is remarkably convenient for researchers to share and collaborate on novel scientific ideas. Scientists aim to accomplish these endeavors through closely knitted scientific communities, depending on the domain. Technological advancements and their evolution overtime gave rise to a boom in the emergence of research communities with unique topics and focuses. Due to the enormous number and vastness of scientific communities, it is an intractable task to analyze scientific communities and administer them from a quantitative and qualitative perspective. Existing tools provide a limited and shallow glance into a scientific community. In this paper, we present a comprehensive system for the analysis of scientific communities called ACE 2.0 (Academic Community Explorer 2.0) which employs state-of-the-art models to automatically, efficiently, and smartly extract, and analyze bibliographic data. Moreover, it provides a range of insights from individual researchers to interactions between communities. These insights include different community-level aspects like collaboration patterns, citation patterns, influential persons with different roles, contributions from geographical locations, topics evolution, and many other fine-grained aspects within each scientific community. Our system considers scholarly publications as a primary source of information. However, it also employs several external resources to collect as much data as possible to correctly identify individual researchers and their contributions. Using all the collected data, ACE 2.0 performs an analysis of scientific communities and automatically performs detailed digital profiling of individual researchers. This analysis identifies trends in their citation, collaboration, contributions, popularity, and role in the community. Additionally, ACE 2.0 introduces a new Semantic index for researchers that takes into account both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the citations received by a researcher and quantifies their influence in the community. To conclude, ACE 2.0 enables us to analyze and oversee the scientific communities using trends and information gathered from different sources encompassing multiple aspects. Therefore, this work motivates us to discover endless new perspectives and opens it up to a wide range of applications in other domains. The demo of ACE 2.0 visualization engine is available at https://ace.opendfki.de/.
Tribology of enzymatically degraded cartilage mimicking early osteoarthritis
Authors: Ren Ke , Reina Mahecha Miguel Alejandro , Hübner Maike , Cui Zhiwei , Kaper Hans J. , van der Veen Hugo C. , Sharma Prashant K.
Published: May 2023

Healthy cartilage is a water-filled super lubricious tissue. Collagen type II provides it structural stability, and proteoglycans absorb water to keep the cartilage in a swollen condition, providing it the ability to creep and provide weeping lubrication. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative and debilitating disorder of diarthrodial joints, where articular cartilage damage originates from enzymatic degradation and mechanical damage (wear). The objective of this research is to observe the level of cartilage damage present in knee arthroplasty patients and to understand the friction and creep behavior of enzymatically degraded bovine cartilage in vitro. Lateral (Lat) and medial (Med) condylar cartilages from OA patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty showed signs of enzymatic degradation and mechanical damage. Bovine cartilages were exposed to collagenase III and chondroitinase ABC to degrade collagen and proteoglycans, respectively. The loss of proteoglycans or collagen network and morphological changes were observed through histology and the atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively. A significant effect on creep due to enzymatic treatment was not observed. But the enzymatic treatment was found to significantly decrease the coefficient of friction (COF) at 4 N, while higher COF was shown from chondroitinase ABC degraded cartilage at 40 N. Collagenase III treatment leads to the release of intact proteoglycans at the sliding interface, while chondroitinase ABC treatment leads to the loss of chondroitin sulfate (CS) from the proteoglycans. Chondroitinase ABC-digested bovine cartilage mimicked patient samples the best because of the similar distributions of proteoglycans, collagen network, and friction behavior.
Ormoni gastrointestinali e terapia del diabete: dalla fisiologia alle nuove opportunità terapeutiche
Authors: Fadini Gian Paolo
Published: May 2023

Sommario

Il sistema gastrointestinale produce ormoni che influenzano non solo il transito e l’assorbimento dei nutrienti, ma anche dell’emodinamica sistemica e del metabolismo intermedio. La comprensione delle risposte ormonali al pasto è fondamentale per studiare il diabete tipo 2 e l’obesità e per sviluppare nuove terapie. Questa rassegna si focalizza sul ruolo degli ormoni incretinici in fisiologia e sulle loro alterazioni nel diabete, illustrando lo sviluppo di nuovi approcci terapeutici. Da una revisione delle evidenze disponibili emerge che il peptide insulino-tropico glucosio dipendente (GIP) esercita un effetto incretinico rilevante dal punto di vista fisiologico forse più di quello esercitato dal peptide glucaconosimile tipo 1 (GLP-1). È stato stimato che il diabete tipo 2 presenta in difetto incretinico stimabile intorno al 30%, che deriva da una combinazione di: 1) deficit di secrezione di GLP-1; 2) resistenza all’azione del GIP; e 3) riduzione della capacità secretiva massima delle beta-cellule. Dopo gli ottimi risultati ottenuti con lo sfruttamento farmacologico del GLP-1, lo sviluppo farmaceutico ha condotto alla produzione di agonisti bi-ormonali attivi simultaneamente su GIP e GLP-1. Un farmaco di questa nuova classe ha dimostrato potenti effetti glicemici e ponderali ed è stato approvato dagli enti regolatori nel 2022 per il trattamento del diabete tipo 2. Questo ambito vede già affacciarsi i tri-agonisti ormonali, che potrebbero diventare una realtà terapeutica nei prossimi anni.
Effect of Zr Addition on Selected Properties and Microstructure of Aluminum Alloy AlSi5Cu2Mg
Authors: Bolibruchová Dana , Sýkorová Martina , Brůna Marek , Matejka Marek , Širanec Lukáš
Published: May 2023

The hypoeutectic aluminum alloy AlSi5Cu2Mg is used for the production of high-strength cylinder head castings. The alloy is unique for its specific low permitted Ti content (0.03 wt% max), which makes it impossible to refine the grain structure of this alloy using standard Al–Ti–B grain refiners. The specific chemical composition is specified by the supplier company. The aim of this paper is to find a suitable alloying element that would improve the selected properties (e.g., mechanical, and physical properties) that are crucial for cylinder head castings. The research focuses on the investigation of the effect of different Zr addition (0.05; 0.10; 0.15 and 0.20 wt% Zr in the form of AlZr20 master alloy) on the properties of AlSi5Cu2Mg in the as-cast state and after heat treatment T7. The obtained results showed that ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, and physical properties of as-cast samples do not change significantly with increasing Zr content. The experimental alloys showed a more significant increase in ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, and thermal conductivity after heat treatment T7. Zirconium-rich intermetallic phases were observed in the shape of separate thick needles or as a cluster of two crossed thinner needles.
Operationalizing anthropological theory: four techniques to simplify networks of co-occurring ethnographic codes
Authors: Cottica Alberto , Davidov Veronica , Góralska Magdalena , Kubik Jan , Melançon Guy , Mole Richard , Pinaud Bruno , Szymański Wojciech
Published: May 2023

The use of data and algorithms in the social sciences allows for exciting progress, but also poses epistemological challenges. Operations that appear innocent and purely technical may profoundly influence final results. Researchers working with data can make their process less arbitrary and more accountable by making theoretically grounded methodological choices. We apply this approach to the problem of simplifying networks representing ethnographic corpora, in the interest of visual interpretation. Network nodes represent ethnographic codes, and their edges the co-occurrence of codes in a corpus. We introduce and discuss four techniques to simplify such networks and facilitate visual analysis. We show how the mathematical characteristics of each one are aligned with an identifiable approach in sociology or anthropology: structuralism and post-structuralism; identifying the central concepts in a discourse; and discovering hegemonic and counter-hegemonic clusters of meaning. We then provide an example of how the four techniques complement each other in ethnographic analysis.
Preparation and Properties of Sepiolite-Based 3D Flame-Retardant Aerogel
Authors: Hu Yelei , Xu Tong , Xu Hong , Zhong Yi , Zhang Linping , Wang Bijia , Sui Xiaofeng , Feng Xueling , Mao Zhiping
Published: May 2023

Sepiolite-based composites have great potential for application as flame-retardant and thermal-insulation material but their application and development are limited by poor mechanical properties. The objective of the present study was to combine polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH-550) with sepiolite (Sep) to improve its aerogel strength. A universal testing machine, thermogravimetry, and microcalorimetry were used to investigate the mechanical properties, thermal-stability, and flame-retardant properties, respectively, of aerogels. The results indicated that KH-550 can enhance effectively the mechanical properties and flame retardancy of aerogels. The compressive modulus of PVA/Sep vs KH-550/PVA/Sep aerogel was 209.28 vs. 474.43 kPa, the LOI index changed from 26.4 to 30.4%. The porosity of the aerogels was > 96% and the density was < 0.05 g/cm3. The thermal conductivity remained at between 0.0340 and 0.0390 W/(m·K), and the aerogel could recover to > 85% after a 50% compressive deformation. These data indicated that Sep-based aerogel would act as a flame retardant and a thermal insulating material with excellent mechanical properties.