bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the structure and kinematics of the Milky Way through A stars
Authors: Ardèvol J. , Monguió M. , Figueras F. , Romero-Gómez M. , Carrasco J. M.
Published: August 2023

Context. Despite their relatively high intrinsic brightness and the fact that they are more numerous than younger OB stars and kinematically colder than older red giants, A-type stars have rarely been used as Galactic tracers. They may, in fact, be used to fill the age gap between these two tracers, thereby allowing us to evaluate the evolutionary and dynamic processes underlying the transition between them.

Aims. We analyse Galactic disc structure and kinematic perturbations up to 6 kpc from the Sun based on observations of A-type stars.

Methods. This work presents a catalogue of A-type stars selected using the IGAPS photometric survey. It covers the Galactic disc within 30° ≤l ≤ 215° and |b|≤5° up to a magnitude of r ≤ 19 mag with about 3.5 million sources. We used Gaia Data Release 3 parallaxes and proper motions, as well as the line-of-sight velocities, to analyse the large-scale features of the Galactic disc. We carried out a study of the completeness of the detected density distributions, along with a comparison between the b < 0° and b > 0° regions. Possible biases caused by interstellar extinction or by the usage of some kinematic approximations were examined as well.

Results. We find stellar overdensities associated with the Local and the Perseus spiral arms, as well as with the Cygnus region. We find that A-type stars also provide kinematic indications of the Galactic warp towards the anticentre, which displays a median vertical motion of ∼6 − 7 km s−1 at a Galactocentric radius of R = 14 kpc. It starts at R ≈ 12 kpc, which supports the scenario where the warp begins at larger radii for younger tracers when compared with other samples in the literature. We also detect a region with downward mean motion extending beyond 2 kpc from the Sun towards 60° ≲l ≲ 75° that may be associated with a compression breathing mode. Furthermore, A-type stars reveal very clumpy inhomogeneities and asymmetries in the VZ − Vϕ velocity space plane.
Changing material around (2060) Chiron revealed by an occultation on December 15, 2022
Authors: Ortiz J. L. , Pereira C. L. , Sicardy B. , Braga-Ribas F. , Takey A. , Fouad A. M. , Shaker A. A. , Kaspi S. , Brosch N. , Kretlow M. , Leiva R. , Desmars J. , Morgado B. E. , Morales N. , Vara-Lubiano M. , Santos-Sanz P. , Fernández-Valenzuela E. , Souami D. , Duffard R. , Rommel F. L. , Kilic Y. , Erece O. , Koseoglu D. , Ege E. , Morales R. , Alvarez-Candal A. , Rizos J. L. , Gómez-Limón J. M. , Assafin M. , Vieira-Martins R. , Gomes-Júnior A. R. , Camargo J. I. B. , Lecacheux J.
Published: August 2023

We were able to accurately predict the shadow path and successfully observe an occultation of a bright star by Chiron on December 15, 2022. The Kottamia Astronomical Observatory in Egypt did not detect the occultation by the solid body, but we found three extinction features in the light curve that had symmetrical counterparts with respect to the central time of the occultation. One of the features is broad and shallow, whereas the other two features are sharper, with a maximum extinction of ∼25% at the achieved spatial resolution of 19 km per data point. From the Wise Observatory in Israel, we detected the occultation caused by the main body and several extinction features surrounding the body. When all the secondary features are plotted in the sky plane, we find that they can be caused by a broad ∼580 km disk with concentrations at radii of 325 ± 16 km and 423 ± 11 km surrounding Chiron. At least one of these structures appears to be outside the Roche limit. The ecliptic coordinates of the pole of the disk are λ = 151° ±8° and β = 18° ±11°, in agreement with previous results. We also reveal our long-term photometry results, indicating that Chiron had suffered a brightness outburst of at least 0.6 mag between March and September 2021 and that Chiron was still somewhat brighter at the occultation date than at its nominal pre-outburst phase. The outermost extinction features might be consistent with a bound or temporarily bound structure associated with the brightness increase. However, the nature of the brightness outburst is unclear, and it is also unclear whether the dust or ice released in the outburst could be feeding a putative ring structure or whether it is emanating from it.
Identifying Lyα emitter candidates with Random Forest: Learning from galaxies in the CANDELS survey
Authors: Napolitano L. , Pentericci L. , Calabrò A. , Santini P. , Castellano M. , Cassata P. , Fynbo J. P. U. , Jung I. , Kashino D. , Mascia S. , Mignoli M.
Published: August 2023

The physical processes that make a galaxy a Lyman alpha emitter have been extensively studied over the past 25 yr. However, the correlations between physical and morphological properties of galaxies and the strength of the Lyα emission line are still highly debated. Here, we investigate the correlations between the rest-frame Lyα equivalent width and stellar mass, star formation rate, dust reddening, metallicity, age, half-light semi-major axis, Sérsic index, and projected axis ratio in a sample of 1578 galaxies in the redshift range of 2 ≤ z ≤ 7.9 from the GOODS-S, UDS, and COSMOS fields. From the large sample of Lyα emitters (LAEs) in the dataset, we find that LAEs are typically common main sequence (MS) star-forming galaxies that show a stellar mass ≤109 M⊙, star formation rate ≤ 100.5 M⊙ yr−1, E(B − V)≤0.2, and half-light semi-major axis ≤1 kpc. Building on these findings, we have developed a new method based on a random forest (RF) machine learning (ML) classifier to select galaxies with the highest probability of being Lyα emitters. When applied to a population in the redshift range z ∈ [2.5, 4.5], our classifier holds a (80 ± 2)% accuracy and (73 ± 4)% precision. At higher redshifts (z ∈ [4.5, 6]), we obtained an accuracy of 73% and precision of 80%. These results highlight the possibility of overcoming the current limitations in assembling large samples of LAEs by making informed predictions that can be used for planning future large-scale spectroscopic surveys.
Photospheric magnetic flux and coronal emission properties of small-scale bright and faint loops in the quiet Sun
Authors: Madjarska Maria S. , Galsgaard Klaus , Wiegelmann Thomas
Published: August 2023

Context. The study explores the photospheric magnetic properties of bright and faint small-scale loop systems in the solar atmosphere of the quiet Sun, also known as X-ray or coronal bright points.

Aims. To understand how plasma confined in small-scale loops is heated to million degrees, the loop-associated photospheric and coronal magnetic flux properties should be known because the magnetic field is generally assumed to be the main energy source or waveguide. This and follow-up studies aim to provide a qualitative and quantitative investigation of these magnetic properties and their impact on the heating of plasma to million degrees.

Methods. We used quasi-temporal imaging observations taken in the 193 Å channel of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and line-of-sight magnetograms from the Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The observations cover 48 h of data at a 6 min cadence with a field of view of 400″ × 400″, from which 90 loop systems (of which 83 are CBPs) were extracted and analysed in full detail.

Results. We obtain the evolution properties of both faint and bright small-scale loop systems (SSLSs) related to either magnetic flux emergence or magnetic flux coalescence and a chance encounter of magnetic fluxes. We estimate the lifetimes of the two loop systems and the impact of the magnetic flux evolution on their life span. The photospheric magnetic flux associated with SSLSs confining plasma heated to coronal temperatures is found to cover at least two orders of magnitude from 3.0 × 1018 Mx to 1.8 × 1020 Mx. The analysis of the maximum intensity of SSLSs during their lifetime shows numerous spikes of intensity that are identified as small (a few AIA pixels) compact brightenings associated with cancelling magnetic fluxes. Most of them are identified as microflares. The intensity flux range of these spikes is reported. The coronal intensity flux evolution of SSLSs is strongly correlated with the total unsigned photospheric magnetic flux evolution when there is little or no contamination in the selected field of view of the SSLSs by unrelated magnetic fluxes or intensity features. We report on the footpoint separation and change during the lifetime of the faint and bright SSLSs. The magnetic flux emergence and decay rates of some of the SSLSs are also provided in this study.

Conclusions. The power-law index α of the logarithm of the total unsigned magnetic flux and the total intensity for the full lifetime of SSLSs is 1.10 ± 0.02, compared with 1.14 ± 0.03 for a previous study of the whole disc in the same intensity range (Fe XII 193–195 Å). This indicates that the emission of the corona of the quiet Sun at ∼1.25 MK is mostly confined to small-scale loops (some brighter, others fainter). Therefore, it is imperative to understand the mechanism that heats the plasma in these loops.
Hybrid derivative-free methods for solving system of nonlinear equations
Authors: Waziri Mohammed Yusuf , Muhammad Hadiza Usman , Halilu Abubakar Sani , Ahmed Kabiru , Murtala Salisu
Published: August 2023

This work presents a predictor-corrector iterative approach for solving systems of nonlinear equations. The methods are derivative-free with correction and acceleration parameters obtainedviaapproximating the Jacobian matrix. Using an inexact line search procedure and under appropriate conditions, we proved that the proposed method is globally convergent. We, additionally, present some numerical results to show the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Bedeutung von HPV-Status und p16 für die Prognose des Peniskarzinoms
Authors: Mink Jan Niklas , Khalmurzaev Oybek , Pryalukhin Alexey , Hölters Sebastian , Geppert Carol , Lohse Stefan , Bende Kristof , Lobo João , Henrique Rui , Loertzer Hagen , Steffens Joachim , Jerónimo Carmen , Wunderlich Heiko , Heinzelbecker Julia , Bohle Rainer , Stöckle Michael , Matveev Vsevolod , Hartmann Arndt , Junker Kerstin
Published: August 2023

Hintergrund Das Peniskarzinom ist eine seltene, v.a. im metastasierten Stadium jedoch häufig tödliche Tumorerkrankung. Die meisten Daten zu Prognosefaktoren des Peniskarzinoms basieren auf kleinen Patientenkohorten, und selbst Metaanalysen sind hinsichtlich der Patientenzahlen meist eingeschränkt. Es fehlt an suffizienten Parametern, um das Metastasierungspotenzial der Tumoren vorhersagen zu können. Weiterhin unklar ist die Rolle des HPV-Status für die Prognoseabschätzung und in diesem Zusammenhang auch von p16INK4a.

Material und Methoden In dieser Studie wurden 236 Patienten aus einer internationalen multizentrischen Kohorte hinsichtlich der histologischen Subtypen, des HPV- und p16-Status sowie weiterer klinischer Parameter untersucht. Der HPV-Status wurde nur bei Nachweis von HPV mittels PCR sowie einem positiven p16-Status als HPV-positiv gewertet. Die statistische Analyse erfolgte mittels Kaplan-Meier-Methode sowie dem Log-rank-Test und einer uni- und multivariablen Analyse mittels Cox-Regressionsmodell.

Ergebnisse Ein positiver HPV-Status war weder für das metastasenfreie (MFS), noch das tumorspezifische (CSS) oder das Gesamtüberleben (OS) ein signifikanter Parameter. Bei p16-positiven Tumoren zeigte sich ein signifikant besseres MFS (p = 0,026), was sich ebenfalls in der Subgruppenanalyse der HPV-negativen Tumoren bestätigte (p = 0,037) ohne Unterschiede im CSS oder OS. Im „Usual Type“ bestand ebenfalls eine positive Tendenz im MFS, jedoch ohne statistische Signifikanz (p = 0,070). p16-positive Tumoren waren in der multivariablen Cox-Regression mit einem hochsignifikant besseren MFS (Hazard Ratio 0,3; p = 0,004) assoziiert, während Patienten mit einem pT1b-Tumorstadium oder fortgeschrittener Lymphknotenmetastasierung ein signifikant schlechteres Überleben aufzeigten. In der multivariablen Analyse der HPV-negativen Tumoren war der p16-Status ebenfalls mit einem signifikanten Unterschied im MFS assoziiert (Hazard Ratio 0,2; p = 0,007).

Schlussfolgerung Der HPV-Status scheint nur von geringer prognostischer Relevanz zu sein, während der p16-Status eine wichtige Rolle in der Prognoseabschätzung einnimmt. So ist die Expression von p16INK4a mit einem signifikant besseren MFS assoziiert. Insbesondere in HPV-negativen Tumoren sollte der p16-Status hinsichtlich der prognostischen Wertigkeit und damit weiterführend auch hinsichtlich der Therapieentscheidung evaluiert werden.
Buy or Build: Challenges Developing Consumer Digital Health Interventions
Authors: Saver Barry G. , Marquard Jenna L. , Gummeson Jeremy , Stekler Joanne , Scanlon James M.
Published: August 2023

Background Digital health interventions offer opportunities to improve collaborative care between clinicians and patients. Designing and implementing digital health interventions requires decisions about buying or building each technology-related component, all of which can lead to unanticipated issues.

Objectives This study aimed to describe issues encountered from our “buy or build” decisions developing two digital health interventions over different timeframes, designed to use patient-generated health data to: (1) improve hypertension control and (2) measure and improve adherence to HIV-related medications.

Methods CONDUIT-HID (CONtrolling Disease Using Information Technology-Hypertension In Diabetes) was developed during 2010 to 2015 to allow patients receiving care from a multispecialty group practice to easily upload home blood pressure readings into their electronic health record and trigger clinician action if mean blood pressure values indicated inadequate control. USE-MI (Unobtrusive SEnsing of Medication Intake) was developed from 2016 to 2022 to allow entry of patients' HIV-related medication regimens, send reminders if patients had not taken their medications by the scheduled time(s), attempt to detect medication ingestion through machine learning analysis of smartwatch motion data, and present graphical adherence summaries to patients and clinicians.

Results Both projects required multiple “buy or build” decisions across all system components, including data collection, transfer, analysis, and display. We used commercial, off-the-shelf technology where possible, but virtually all of these components still required substantial custom development. We found that, even though our projects spanned years, issues related to our “buy or build” decisions stemmed from several common themes, including mismatches between existing and new technologies, our use case being new or unanticipated, technology stability, technology longevity, and resource limitations.

Conclusion Those designing and implementing digital health interventions need to make numerous “buy or build” decisions as they create the technologies that underpin their intervention. These “buy or build” decisions, and the ensuing issues that will arise because of them, require careful planning, particularly if they represent an “edge case” use of existing commercial systems.
Synthesis of Squaric Acid Monoamides as Building Blocks for Drug Discovery
Authors: Wren Stephen P. , Long Nathan , Le Gresley Adam , Solomonsz Arran , Wozniak Antony , Brough Steve
Published: August 2023

Herein, we present a synthetic compound library comprising of 28 anilino and benzylamino monosquarate-amide derivatives. Members of this library were designed as bioisosteric replacements for groups such as the ubiquitous carboxylic acid moiety. Further to their synthesis, we have shown the potential of these chemical building blocks for the generation of additional novel compounds. This work forms part of our efforts aimed at the assembly of 96-well plates loaded with bioisosteric analogues that may be used to enrich drug discovery programs. The research presented in this work focuses on the chemistry of 3,4-dihydroxycyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dione, a known carboxylic acid bioisostere.
Skarzynski Tinnitus Scale: Cultural Adaptation and Validation to Brazilian Portuguese
Authors: Sanfins Milaine Dominici , Donadon Caroline , Gos Elżbieta , Serra Ana Paula , Rezende Adriano , Ferrazoli Natalia , Skarżyński Piotr Henryk
Published: August 2023

Introduction Tinnitus is a prevalent condition among many different populations. Since tinnitus is subjective, self-report questionnaires are one way of assessing how much the condition interferes with the quality of life of an individual.

Objective The aim of the present study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Skarzynski Tinnitus Scale (STS) into Brazilian Portuguese and validate its psychometric properties.

Methods The STS was translated and cross-culturally adapted using five main steps. Fifty-eight individuals who had continuous tinnitus were invited to complete the questionnaire. Pure tone audiometry (air and bone conduction) were also done.

Results No major changes were necessary in translating the scale. The overall score was 1.3 (range 0–4). Internal consistency was tested by Cronbach α, which ranged from 0.54 to 0.85. Differences between genders and between subscales and the total score were not significant. A statistically significant difference was only found in the coping subscale, in which normal hearing subjects had higher scores than those with hearing loss.

Conclusion The translation and adaptation of the STS established linguistic and cultural equivalence with the original. In addition, it exhibited good internal consistency. Our results suggest that the STS is suitable for use in a clinical setting.
CO2 Laser Marsupialization for Internal and Combined Laryngocele
Authors: Verro Barbara , Saraniti Carmelo
Published: August 2023

Introduction Laryngocele is an air-filled dilatation of the laryngeal saccule that can be classified according to its extent (internal, external, or combined) and contents (laryngocele or laryngopyocele). To date, there is no consensus on the best treatment for laryngocele.

Objective The present study aims to demonstrate for the first time the effectiveness of CO2 laser marsupialization for internal and combined laryngoceles.

Methods A retrospective study was accomplished in our ENT Clinic of the University Hospital, from 2010 to today, recruiting patients according to strict criteria. All patients had internal or combined laryngocele/laryngopyocele treated with CO2 laser marsupialization.

Results A total of 15 patients were enrolled for a total of 17 laryngoceles; 66.67% of the patients were males and the mean age was 54.4 (±14.12) years old. Internal laryngoceles accounted for 64.71% of the total, and only 7 cases were laryngopyoceles. At the 3-year follow-up, no signs of recurrence were found.

Conclusion CO2 laser marsupialization is efficacious in the treatment of laryngocele or laryngopyocele, both internal and combined, in terms of efficiency, safety, and fast postoperative recovery, without need for tracheotomy or open surgery.
Endoscopic Orientation of Juxta-pituitary Carotid in Transsphenoidal Approaches: Critical Considerations for Clinical Applications
Authors: Ismail Mostafa , Darwish Mohab , Tahan Abd El Rahman El , Herzallah Islam R.
Published: August 2023

Introduction In sphenoid sinuses with ill-defined carotid bony landmarks, accidental injury of the internal carotid artery (ICA) remains one of the most challenging complications, which is particularly reported in the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches (EETAs).

Objectives To describe an anatomical model for the endoscopic orientation of the juxta-pituitary segment of the ICA in relation to the lateral opticocarotid recess (OCR) as a nearby bony landmark.

Methods Dissection was performed progressively, simulating the EETA, in twenty fresh adult cadavers. After reducing the posterior and lateral walls of the sphenoid sinuses, various measurements were taken from both lateral OCRs to “contact points” on the juxta-pituitary segment of the ICA and lateral margins of the pituitary gland.

Results The current results have enabled us to divide the region between the lateral OCRs into 3 compartments: 2 lateral parasellar compartments contain juxta-pituitary segments of the ICA with a mean width of 8 mm and a narrow range from 7 mm to 10 mm; and a central intercarotid sellar compartment represents the safe region for bone drilling, showing widely variable widths ranging from 9 mm to 20mm. In all specimens, the variation in the width of the intercarotid compartment correlated with the distance between both lateral OCRs.

Conclusion The present study improves surgeon awareness of the variations in the course of the ICA through the EETA along sphenoid sinuses with ill-defined bony landmarks. An appreciation of the measurements taken in the present study can help in operative training, and can also provide a base for future studies to confirm ICA courses associated with a higher risk of injury.
Complementary and Alternative Treatment Use in Breast Cancer Patients in the Eastern Black Sea Region—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Dişli Şafak , Fidan Evren , Özdöver Ali , Kazaz Nazlı , Özdemir Feyyaz
Published: August 2023

Introduction Complementary and alternative therapies (CAMs) are being increasingly and frequently used in the treatment of cancer patients in the last two decades.

Objectives It was aimed to examine the frequency of the use of CAMs in patients with breast cancer who applied to the outpatient clinic.

Materials and Methods Patients who were admitted to our clinic between January 2020 and 2021 and diagnosed with breast cancer for at least 3 months were included in the study. A questionnaire consisting of 37 questions was asked to the patients by the interviewer. Sociodemographic characteristics and CAM methods of the patients were questioned in the questionnaire.

Results This is a cross-sectional study that includes 338 patients. After the questionnaire was completed, the answers were evaluated, and it was detected that 147 (43.4%) patients were using CAM. Herbal treatment methods were preferred most frequently. The most frequently used herbs were turmeric, nettle, ginger, and linden. The second method used was treatments based on religious belief. The use of CAM increased as the income level of the patients increased and the duration of diagnosis increased.

Conclusion It was determined that our patients frequently used CAM methods and mostly preferred herbal methods. Since the use of CAMs during or after treatment may create undesirable results in the treatment of patients, it is necessary to be careful about this issue and inform as well as question the patients about the same.
Challenges in the Management of Retinoblastoma during Nationwide Lockdown: An Observational Study from a Retinoblastoma Center in South India
Authors: Arul Janani , Ganesan Suganeswari , Khetan Vikas , Sneha Latha M. , Jayaraman Dhaarani , Scott Julius Xavier
Published: August 2023

Introduction The nationwide lockdown due to coronavirus disease 2019 led to travel restrictions resulting in a delay in diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of children with retinoblastoma (RB).

Objectives We audited the impact and challenges of lockdown among RB children over 1-year period (May 2020–2021).

Materials and Methods It is a cross-sectional study of 104 children with RB, who presented within the 1-year study period. The demographic details, clinical presentations, and outcome of treatment due to lockdown were studied.

Results Of the 152 eyes of 104 children, unilateral RB was observed in 52% and bilateral in 48%, in which four children had metastatic disease and one child had trilateral RB. International classification groups D (n = 64 eyes, 42%) and E (n = 38 eyes, 25%) were in majority. Almost, half of the children (n = 53, 51%) underwent enucleation. Overall, the vision was preserved in 32% of the children and globe preservation in 49% of children. Eleven children (10.5%) succumbed due to disease progression. But, only five children were affected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. The majority of children (n = 72, 69%) had to travel more than or equal to 1,000 km for treatment. About 57% (n = 60) patients were newly diagnosed during the lockdown period and due to the travel restrictions, they had a mean delay of 2.2 months (range: 0–15 months) in starting treatment and 27% (n = 29) of children on treatment had an interruption of treatment.

Conclusion Multidisciplinary team management with strategies to support the RB families during locked down crisis is essential to continue care without interruptions.
Aggressive Histology and Extensive Metastasis Characteristic of Very Young Gastric Cancer (Less Than 30 Years): A Retrospective Clinical Audit
Authors: Krishnamoorthi Narendran , Charles Lourdhusamy , Nisha Yadav , Dubashi Biswajit , Ganesan Prasanth , Kayal Smita , Penumadu Prasanth , Nelamangala Ramakrishnaiah Vishnu Prasad , Ganesh Rajesh Nachiappa
Published: August 2023

Objectives Gastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive disease and remains one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Incidence of gastric cancer in young (GCY) varies between 2 and 8%. GCY faces unique challenges such as biological variation, diagnosis at an advanced stage, issues related to fertility preservation, and psychosocial considerations. This study aimed to find the differences in clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of GCY compared to gastric cancer in older adults (GCO).

Material and Methods This is a retrospective study from a tertiary care center. We screened records from 2015 to 2020, identified 33 records of GCY (less than 30 years), and compared the data with GCO (greater than 30 years) during 2015 and 2018.

Results We identified 33 patients with GCY with a median age of 28 years (21–30) and a female to male ratio of 2:1. In GCY, 60% of patients presented with metastatic disease. Diffuse-type histology was more common in the GCY than in GCO (66.7% vs. 41.7%, p = 0.001). In patients with metastasis, multiple metastases were common in GCY compared to GCO (45% vs. 15%, p = 0.003). The median duration of follow-up for all patients was 27 (24–29) months. In GCY, the median OS was not reached for patients treated with curative intent, and it was 13 months for those treated with palliative intent.

Conclusion The incidence of GCY in our study was like the western literature. Female patients with aggressive diffuse histology and multiple extensive metastases were characteristic of GCY. The survival outcomes were identical to GCO.
Clinical, Radiological and Histological Features and Their Association with Extranodal Extension in Buccoalveolar Complex Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Anto Ronald , Riju Jeyashanth , Chinniah Praveen , Tirkey Amit Jiwan , Chamania Gaurav , Patil Shruthi , Bhandari Subhan , Paulose Antony , Vidya Konduru , Karuppusami Rekha , Babu Ramesh , Micheal Rajiv C.
Published: August 2023

Objectives The study was aimed to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of clinical examination, intraoperative finding, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) to detect extranodal extension (ENE) in buccoalveolar complex squamous cell carcinoma (BAOSCC), (2) to know various factors influencing ENE, and (3) to evaluate survival outcome in patients with ENE.

Materials and Methods This was a retrospective cohort study, which included 137 patients with BAOSCC who underwent curative treatment between May 2019 and April 2021. Collaborative findings suggestive of ENE were noted during preoperative clinical examination, CECT, and intraoperatively, and their efficacy was compared with postoperative histopathology. Also, the various factors associated with ENE were evaluated and compared.

Statistical Analysis Univariate and multivariate analysis of parameters was done using multiple logistic regression analysis and significant correlation was determined using chi-square test between ENE positive and negative categories. Analysis of prognosis and survival was done by Kaplan–Meier curve plotting using regression analysis and its significance was compared.

Results The overall prevalence of ENE was 18.98% and that of lymph node involvement was 40.88%. CECT (73.1%) was found to be more sensitive in detecting ENE compared to intraoperative examination (46.2%) and clinical examination (34.6%).In comparison with clinical examination (91.9%) or CECT (78.38%), intraoperative examination (93.7%) showed the highest specificity in detecting ENE. Clinical nodal size ≥ 3 cm (p ≤ 0.001), fixity (p ≤ 0.001), and clinical number of nodes (p ≤ 0.001) had significant association with ENE. The presence of thick nodal walls on CECT increased the probability of predicting ENE 15 times (p = 0.180, confidence interval: 0.3–765.4). After a mean follow-up of 18 months, subjects without nodal positivity had a survival advantage over patients with positive lymph nodes (86.4% vs. 53.3%) and those with ENE (86.4% vs. 23.2%), respectively.

Conclusion The results demonstrated that clinical examination can be used as an adjuvant to radiological imaging for prediction of ENE preoperatively. Clinical finding suggesting size of node ≥ 3 cm and ≥ 2 nodes are strong predictor of ENE, in addition to other known predictors. Patients with ENE had an unfavorable prognosis when compared with subjects with metastatic nodes without ENE. Presence of ENE remains one of the strongest factors predicting recurrence and thus poor prognosis.
Physician Attitude toward Their Attires and Laundering Habit Changes during the COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Survey in a Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Alwabel Reema , Alasmari Bushra , Alabdulkarim Aljawhara , Chachar Yusra , Jahdali Hamdan A. , Layqah Laila , Baharoon Salim
Published: August 2023

Background Patient safety is of utmost importance and every effort is to be made to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infection. Contaminated attire is proposed as a mode of hospital infections spread. This study aims to assess the laundering habits, the perception of healthcare workers toward the contamination of their attire, and the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on their cleaning practices in non-operative settings.

Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted using a self-administered questionnaire which was distributed among physicians at King Abdul-Aziz Medical city, Riyadh. The questionnaire queried the physicians about their laundering habits, knowledge toward their attire, and the difference in cleaning practices after the emergence of COVID-19.

Results Out of 220 questionnaires distributed, 192 physicians responded. Majority of physicians were male (54%) and were in the 20 to 30 age group. Female gender was significantly associated with the frequency of uniform washing (p-value < 0.0001) and place of cleaning (home vs. outside home) (p-value <0.0001). Physicians in intensive care were more likely to take off their uniforms daily before leaving the hospital compared to others (p-value of 0.018). Most physicians did not prefer to use the hospital laundry system for cleaning their uniforms but consultants were the most to use it. COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in washing habits in 108 physicians (60%).

Conclusion Majority of physicians accepted washing their uniforms multiple times per week and their washing habits increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Female gender and younger physician both were associated with increasing washing habits.
A Retrospective Observational Study of Facial Dog Bite Injuries and Its Management in a Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Sreeramaraju Vulchi , Babu Vaddi Suman , Sharma Mukesh Kumar , Jha Manoj Kumar , Bhattacharya Sameek
Published: August 2023

Background: Facial dog bite injuries result in significant emotional, psychological, and physical trauma to the victims involved and should be considered a significant health issue. The purpose of this study is to share our experience in the management and to add to the existing medical literature regarding the epidemiological patterns of facial dog bite injuries.

Materials and Methods: This is a single-center retrospective observational study conducted at Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi, from January 2021 to January 2022. A total of 105 patients were included. The wounds were managed according to the recommendations made by the national rabies control program and surgical intervention was performed in the form of primary suturing or flap cover.

Results: Children of age group 0 to 10 years are most commonly affected. Pet dogs are the cause in 61% of cases and 57.1% of bites were provoked. Midface is most commonly affected and modified Lackmann's class 3A and 3B are the most common wounds.

Conclusion: In view of raising incidence of dog bites with pet dogs, the general public needs to be educated regarding the practices to prevent these injuries. Postexposure prophylaxis should be given to all affected individuals irrespective of the vaccination status of the dog. Immediate surgical intervention gives better results.
Between desire and fear: a qualitative interview study exploring the perspectives of carriers of a genetic condition on human genome editing
Authors: Geuverink Wendy , van El Carla , Cornel Martina , Lietaert Peerbolte Bert Jan , Gitsels Janneke , Martin Linda
Published: August 2023

Human genome editing technologies are advancing at a rapid pace, and their potential disruptive implications lead to ethical and societal questions that cannot be addressed by scientists alone. Further consideration of different stakeholders’ views on human genome editing is crucial to translate society’s needs and values into thoughtful regulations and policies. We therefore explored the views of carriers of autosomal dominant disorders on somatic and heritable genome editing (SGE and HGE) and the role of their (secular or religious) worldviews. This group of stakeholders would be most impacted by the eventual clinical application of genome editing technologies and therefore their views must be taken into account. Ten in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. We found an overarching theme: ‘Balancing between the desire to prevent serious diseases in individuals through HGE, and the fear of the harmful impact on society and nature’ and three main themes: ‘The benefits of SGE and HGE for individuals’, ‘the societal consequences of using HGE’, and ‘the consequences of interfering with nature through HGE’. Although the lived experiences of the participants varied, they were positive towards the safe use of SGE regardless of the severity of conditions, and most participants were positive towards the use of HGE but only to prevent severe genetic conditions. A few participants were against using HGE in any case, regardless of the severity of a condition, based on their religious beliefs. However, most participants with either religious or secular worldviews reported similar views on HGE, both regarding their desire to prevent serious genetic disorders and their fear of the impact on society and nature if HGE were implemented more widely. Reflecting on HGE involved complex and often ambivalent views. When engaging different stakeholders, space is needed for ambivalence and the weighing of values.
New resonances in wave–particle interactions
Authors: Buts V. A. , Zagorodny A. G.
Published: August 2023

One of the most characteristic features of relativistic particle dynamics at cyclotron resonances is the stepwise dependence of energy and momentum on time [V. A. Buts and A. G. Zagorodny, Phys. Plasmas 28(2), 022311 (2021)]. The reason for these steps is the phase synchronization of charged particles and waves. To describe other features, we introduce new dependent variables in this paper. These variables allow us to find a convenient representation of the relativistic resonance that fits the numerical results and thus establish new expressions for the stationary phase, as well as analytically describe effects that were previously visible only in numerical experiment. In particular, the temporal width of the steps, the dynamics of particles on the steps, and, most importantly, the moments of random jumps of particles from one step to another are determined. Analysis of the obtained results opens the possibility to find the conditions for the unlimited acceleration of electrons by transverse electromagnetic waves in a vacuum without an external magnetic field.
Gate-tunable resistance drops related to local superconducting gaps in thin TaS2 layers on SrTiO3 substrates
Authors: Kosugi M. , Obata R. , Suzuki K. , Kuroyama K. , Du S. , Skinner B. , Kikkawa T. , Yokouchi T. , Shiomi Y. , Maruyama S. , Hirakawa K. , Saitoh E. , Haruyama J.
Published: August 2023

Strontium titanate [SrTiO3 (STO)], a perovskite oxide with an extremely high gate-tunable dielectric constant (ε) due to quantum paraelectric phases, is attracting considerable attention for yielding various physical phenomena when two-dimensional (2D) layers are integrated. Superconductivity is such a typical phenomenon. However, the influence of the STO substrates on enhancing transition temperatures (Tc) for (atomically) thin 2D flakes attached to them has been rarely investigated. Here, we report gate-tunable and gradual four-terminal resistance drops with critical onset T (TCR) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) spectra in devices comprising thin TaS2 flakes attached on monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) spacer/STO substrates. Observation of STS spectra confirms the presence of local superconducting gaps Δ (∼1.5 meV) with transition T (TΔC) three-times higher than previous reports of Tc under absent pressure and strong position dependence of Δ. Depending on Δ on back gate voltages (Vbg) and magnetic fields, there is a strong correlation between TCR and the onset Tc of superconductivity, implying an enhancement of approximately five times compared with the previous highest-onset Tc values without pressure as the applied Vbg increases. The high onset Tc and Δ are discussed based on screening of the long-range Coulomb interaction (CI) due to the high-ε of SrTiO3, while the short-ranged CI remains strong in the 2D limit, causing the superconductivity. Using a monolayer hBN/SrTiO3 substrate with Vbg opens doors to Tc enhancement in thin superconducting layers integrated on it and wide application due to the solid-state high-ε substrates.
Overcoming the compensation of acceptors in GaN:Mg by defect complex formation
Authors: Xie Zijuan , Buckeridge John , Catlow C. Richard A. , Zhang Anping , Keal Thomas W. , Sherwood Paul , Lu You , Woodley Scott M. , Sokol Alexey A.
Published: August 2023

In GaN:Mg, the MgGa acceptor is compensated extensively by the formation of nitrogen vacancies (VN) and Mg interstitials (Mgi). However, we show that such compensation can be overcome by forming two kinds of Mg-rich complexes: one that contains VN and the other that contains only MgGa and Mgi. Such complexing not only neutralizes VN and Mgi but also forms better complex acceptors that have lower formation energies and smaller hole localization energies than isolated MgGa. Our results help explain the different doping behaviors in samples grown by different methods.
Demonstrating the high sensitivity of MoS2 monolayers in direct x-ray detectors
Authors: Taffelli Alberto , Heyl Max , Favaro Matteo , Dirè Sandra , Pancheri Lucio , List-Kratochvil Emil J. W. , Quaranta Alberto , Ligorio Giovanni
Published: August 2023

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are demonstrated to be appealing semiconductors for optoelectronic applications, thanks to their remarkable properties in the ultraviolet-visible spectral range. Interestingly, TMDCs have not yet been characterized when exposed to x rays, although they would be ideal candidates for optoelectronic applications in this spectral range. They benefit from the high cross section of the constituent heavy atoms, while keeping the absorption very low, due to the ultrathin structure of the film. This encourages the development of photodetectors based on TMDCs for several applications dealing with x rays, such as radioprotection, medical treatments, and diagnosis. Given the atomic thickness of TMDCs, they can be expected to perform well at low dose measurements with minimal perturbation of the radiation beam, which is required for in vivo applications. In this paper, the use of TMDCs as active materials for direct x-ray detection is demonstrated, using a photodetector based on a MoS2 monolayer (1L-MoS2). The detector shows a response to x rays in the range of 101–102 keV, at dose rates as low as fractions of mGy/s. The sensitivity of 1L-MoS2 reaches values in the range of 108–109µC Gy−1 cm−3, overcoming the values reported for most of the organic and inorganic materials. To improve the x-ray photoresponse even further, the 1L-MoS2 was coupled with a polymeric film integrating a scintillator based on terbium-doped gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd2O2S:Tb). The resulting signal was three times larger, enabled by the indirect x ray to visible photoconversion mechanism. This paper might pave the way toward the production of ultrathin real-time dosimeters for in vivo applications.
Uncooled mid-wavelength InAsSb/AlAsSb heterojunction photodetectors
Authors: Kim Yeongho , Alotaibi Saud , Henini Mohamed , Chun Byong Sun , Lee Sang Jun
Published: August 2023

A mid-wavelength p–B–i–n infrared photodetector constituting ternary alloys of an InAs0.9Sb0.1 absorber and an AlAs0.05Sb0.95 electron barrier was demonstrated to operate at room temperature. The results of high-resolution x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicate the high crystalline quality of the barriode detector structure, grown via molecular beam epitaxy, as supported by the strong XRD peak intensity of InAsSb and its corresponding defect density as low as ∼2.0 × 108 cm−2. The dark current of the barriode detector remained diffusion-limited in the 280–300 K temperature range, and generation–recombination became dominant at 220–260 K owing to the deep-level traps in the depletion region of the absorber and near the lattice-mismatched heterointerface of AlAsSb/InAsSb. Two distinct shallow traps in the InAsSb absorber were identified through Laplace deep-level transient spectroscopy with the activation energies of Et1 = 20 meV and Et2 = 46 meV. The Et1 trap is associated with the hole localization states induced by the alloy disorder of InAsSb, whereas the Et2 trap originated from a point defect of In vacancies in InAsSb. At 300 K, the barriode detector exhibited a 90% cutoff wavelength of 5.0 μm, a peak current responsivity of 0.02 A/W, and a dark current density of 1.9 × 10−3 A/cm2 under a bias voltage of −0.3 V, providing a high specific detectivity of 8.2 × 108 cm Hz1/2/W.
Probing the strength of light–matter interaction in semiconductor microcavities by using resonant-mode shifts in temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra
Authors: Wu Sheng-Chan , Yang Chung-Xian , Huang Jer-Shing , Chang Yia-Chung , Chien Ching-Hang , Hsu Hsu-Cheng
Published: August 2023

The Rabi-splitting energy represents the strength of light–matter interaction. This quantity is a good benchmark for evaluating the performance of light-modulation devices. Herein, we adopt ZnO microrods as microcavities for whispering gallery modes and propose a convenient method for estimating the light–matter coupling strength based on the shifts of resonant modes in temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra from 295 to 77 K. Both temperature-dependent index dispersion and Rabi splitting can be extracted. Additionally, the Rabi-splitting energy of bulk ZnO at 0 K is estimated to be about 289 meV.
Phase formation in hole- and electron-doped rare-earth nickelate single crystals
Authors: Puphal P. , Sundaramurthy V. , Zimmermann V. , Küster K. , Starke U. , Isobe M. , Keimer B. , Hepting M.
Published: August 2023

The recent discovery of superconductivity in hole-doped infinite-layer nickelates has triggered a great interest in the synthesis of novel nickelate phases, which have primarily been examined in thin film samples. Here, we report the high-pressure optical floating zone growth of various perovskite and perovskite-derived rare-earth nickelate single-crystals and investigate the effects of hole-, electron-, and self-doping. For hole-doping with Ca and Sr, we observe phase separations during the growth process when a substitution level of 8% is exceeded. A similar trend emerges for electron-doping with Ce and Zr. Employing lower doping levels allows us to grow sizable crystals in the perovskite phase, which exhibit significantly different electronic and magnetic properties than the undoped parent compounds, such as decreased resistivity and a suppressed magnetic response. Our insights into the doping-dependent phase formation and the resulting properties of the synthesized crystals reveal limitations and opportunities for the exploration and manipulation of electronic states in rare-earth nickelates.
Metaphors as tools for understanding in science communication among experts and to the public
Authors: Smedinga Marthe , Cienki Alan , de Regt Henk W.
Published: August 2023

Science communication is highly important in present-day society. But mere factual information transfer does not suffice for enhancing public understanding of scientific results, theories, and concepts. In this paper we compare science communication among experts with communication from experts to laypeople, to better understand the role of metaphors in constructing understanding of abstract scientific concepts. As a case study, we analyze specialist and non-specialist scientific articles on epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in gene expression not altering DNA sequence. The results of our analysis show that there is no substantial difference between the two types of articles in frequency of metaphors and in their content. However, the function of the metaphors is different: the figurative aspect of metaphors is employed for public understanding but plays no role in specialist scientific articles. We outline the implications of these results for current philosophical debates on scientific understanding and public understanding of science: (1) metaphors are tools for rendering theoretical concepts intelligible, for both expert and lay audiences; (2) expert and public understanding differ in degree rather than in kind; (3) conveying understanding crucially involves skills: metaphors in this context do not so much add knowledge as enhance relevant conceptual reasoning abilities.