bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Einordnung und Hintergrund
Authors: Boden Alexander , Stevens Gunnar , Berkholz Jenny , Schreiber Dirk
Published: May 2024

Digitale Produkte und Dienstleistungen sind integraler Bestandteil des Alltags. Mobile Geräte sind in jedem Bereich präsent, vom Finanzmanagement bis zur Gesundheitsversorgung. Die Art des Konsums hat sich mit der Digitalisierung des Alltags der Verbraucher:innen grundlegend gewandelt, was neben Fragen nach Geschäftsmodellen auch solche nach Verbraucherschutz und Nachhaltigkeit aufwirft. Die Verbraucherinformatik untersucht diese Entwicklungen und ihre Auswirkungen auf Gesellschaft und Individuen. Dieses Kapitel gibt eine Einführung in die Disziplin und skizziert die Entwicklung des digitalen Konsums sowie die damit verbundenen Veränderungen für die Verbraucher:innen von der Verbreitung der ersten Heimcomputer bis heute. Zudem stellt es zentrale Grundbegriffe vor und gibt einen Überblick über das didaktische Konzept sowie die Inhalte der weiteren Kapitel des Lehrbuchs.
Vietnamese Higher Education, Student Identity, and Human Capital Futures: Who Do We Believe or Imagine University Students to Be?
Authors: Felix Jonathan J.
Published: May 2024

Students make up the most sizeable number of persons at any educational institution. In this chapter, I maintain the ‘idea’ of who or what a student might be, in the case of Vietnamese higher education, is crucial to sustainable human capital development. My aim in this chapter is not to explicitly state what the social identities of Vietnamese higher education students are at present or what they should be. In contrast, the purpose of this chapter is to make a case for the importance of human capital through higher education by considering the ways in which students are conceptualised.
Institutional Transformation for Internationalization: The Making of National Language Program in Higher Education in Contemporary Vietnam
Authors: Ngo Hang Thi-Diem , Tran Trong-Nghia
Published: May 2024

This chapter looks at the institutional transformation of higher education institutions (HEIs) through the case study of the program training Vietnamese language for international students in contemporary Vietnam. The investigation focuses on a HEI in the South of Vietnam, the birth and development of its Vietnamese Studies program, in which the role of Vietnamese language education has been key to the department’s success. The study is set in the context of post- Doi Moi opening, with the surge of market-based economic, social mobility and globalization, evident in the increase of international student mobility to Vietnam. The chapter unpacks the practices of HEI who put effort in changing for good, including curriculum development, textbook writing, research collaboration, leadership innovation, and so on. Framing and linking these practices with the larger economic and social movements, the chapter highlights the creative and active agency of Vietnamese HEIs and their teachers in embracing the change and accommodating the demand of language education from those who come to Vietnam for work, travel, or education. Yet, it also points out the challenges of change and the stress on implementing changes. The chapter reveals how institutions can position themselves for opportunities and success through institutional transformation. It argues that HEIs in Vietnam can be proactive agents in conducting transformation for internationalization with the use of its national language programs. Despite the dual nature of these practices, it opens up the opportunities for a much more globally connected education system, where an emerging country like Vietnam can amplify its voice.
Teaching Vietnamese as an Additional Language: A Case Study from Explicit Pragmatic Instruction to Intercultural Approach
Authors: Tran Thi Minh , Pham Thi Ha , Ngo Hang Thi Diem
Published: May 2024

This chapter presents a case study on teaching Vietnamese as a foreign language, aiming to enhance students' deep understanding of both their native language and the target language while addressing individual language preferences and complexities. It focuses on teaching Vietnamese compliments and responses to Korean students in a higher education setting in Vietnam, employing an explicit pragmatic and intercultural approach. Bridging the gap between cultural norms and learners' language, this study emphasizes the importance of cultural understanding for effective communication and interpersonal relations. The lesson plan, informed by pragmatic investigation, fosters intercultural competence, encourages self-expression, and boosts learners' confidence in social interactions. Overall, it offers a practical pedagogical framework for empowering learners in the classroom.
Family Language Policy Among Vietnamese Sojourner Families in Australia the “What”, the “How” and the “Why”
Authors: Dam Ha Thuy
Published: May 2024

Using semi-structured interviews, the current study investigates how twelve Vietnamesesojournerparents perceived and performed family language policy and practices with their primary school children during their temporary residence in Australia. Results reveal that translanguaging was commonplace in family settings. It was a challenge for parents to systematically practise any particular language use rules to assist their children’s maintenance of their mother tongue. Anxiety about future reintegration into formal schooling back in Vietnam and reluctance to send the children to Vietnamese community language classes were also major themes. This reflects how family language policy and practices were shaped by parents’ language and cultural ideologyand imaginedcommunities. The chapter raises issues and provides several suggestions that stakeholders may need to consider about community language education to accommodate sojourners’ language needs, too.
Vietnamese Heritage Language: From Silence to Voice
Authors: Tran Thi Minh
Published: May 2024

Immigration and emigration shape unique language contact environments and multilingual settings, intertwined with language ideologies, attitudes, practices, and the emergence of new contact languages. Heritage languages, spoken by immigrant children or individuals who migrated at a young age, have garnered attention, particularly in the United States and Canada since the 1960s and 1970s, and later in Europe and elsewhere. However, despite approximately 4 million individuals with Vietnamese immigration backgrounds worldwide, research on the Vietnamese language has only spanned since the 2000s. This review assesses the current state of Vietnamese heritage language studies, identifying topics explored, their development, existing gaps, and potential research directions. It synthesizes diverse findings, highlighting recent focus areas on heritage language loss, maintenance, ideology, education, proficiency assessment, and linguistic characteristics. The review identifies limitations in existing literature and offers recommendations for addressing them.
Short-flow-time expansion of quark bilinears through next-to-next-to-leading order QCD
Authors: Borgulat Janosch , Harlander Robert V. , Kohnen Jonas T. , Lange Fabian
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The gradient-flow formalism proves to be a useful tool in lattice calculations of quantum chromodynamics. For example, it can be used as a scheme to renormalize composite operators by inverting the short-flow-time expansion of the corresponding flowed operators. In this paper, we consider the short-flow-time expansion of five quark bilinear operators, the scalar, pseudoscalar, vector, axialvector, and tensor currents, and compute the matching coefficients through next-to-next-to-leading order QCD. Among other applications, our results constitute one ingredient for calculating bag parameters of mesons within the gradient-flow formalism on the lattice.
Maximising CP Violation in naturally aligned Two-Higgs Doublet Models
Authors: Darvishi Neda , Pilaftsis Apostolos , Yu Jiang-Hao
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The Two-Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) is a well-motivated theoretical framework that provides additional sources of CP Violation (CPV) beyond the Standard Model (SM). After studying the vacuum topology of a general (convex) 2HDM potential, we unambiguously identify three origins of CPV: (i) Spontaneous CPV (SCPV), where the vacuum manifold has at least two degenerate CPV minima disconnected by domain walls, (ii) Explicit CPV (ECPV) with one single CPV ground state, and (iii) Mixed Spontaneous and Explicit CPV (MCPV), where the theory possesses more than one non-degenerate CPV local minimum. Most importantly, we define a novel complex parameter rCP whose norm and phase control the three different realisations of CPV, at least at the tree level. In all these scenarios, only two CPV phases can be made independent, as any third CPV parameter will always be constrained via the CP-odd tadpole condition. Since ECPV vanishes in 2HDMs where SM Higgs alignment is achieved naturally through accidental continuous symmetries, we analyse the possibility of maximising CPV through soft and explicit breaking of these symmetries. We derive upper limits on key CPV parameters that quantify the degree of SM misalignment from constraints due to the non-observation of an electron Electric Dipole Moment (EDM). Finally, we delineate the CP-violating parameter space of the so-constrained naturally aligned 2HDMs that can further be probed at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
Complete UV resonances of the dimension-8 SMEFT operators
Authors: Li Hao-Lin , Ni Yu-Han , Xiao Ming-Lei , Yu Jiang-Hao
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The effective field theory approach parameterizes the low energy behaviors of all possible ultraviolet (UV) theories in a systematic way. One of the most important tasks is thus to find the connection between the effective operators and their UV origins. The redundancy relations among operators make the connection very subtle, hence we proposed the J-basis prescription to illuminate the correspondence between operators and their UV resonances in the bottom-up way. In this work, we work out the dimension-8 J-basis operators in the standard model effective field theory (SMEFT), and find all the 146 (82) tree-level UV resonances along with their couplings up to mass dimension 5 (4). Furthermore, we point out a few subtleties on operator generation via field redefinition and on the UV Lagrangian for generic spin resonances. We also provide a data base storing our results and a Mathematica notebook for extracting those results for the reader’s conveinence.
Endothelial PDGF-D contributes to neurovascular protection after ischemic stroke by rescuing pericyte functions
Authors: Bernard Maxime , Menet Romain , Lecordier Sarah , ElAli Ayman
Published: May 2024

Ischemic stroke induces neovascularization of the injured tissue as an attempt to promote structural repair and neurological recovery. Angiogenesis is regulated by pericytes that potently react to ischemic stroke stressors, ranging from death to dysfunction. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor (PDGFR)β controls pericyte survival, migration, and interaction with brain endothelial cells. PDGF-D a specific ligand of PDGFRβ is expressed in the brain, yet its regulation and role in ischemic stroke pathobiology remains unexplored. Using experimental ischemic stroke mouse model, we found that PDGF-D is transiently induced in brain endothelial cells at the injury site in the subacute phase. To investigate the biological significance of PDGF-D post-ischemic stroke regulation, its subacute expression was either downregulated using siRNA or upregulated using an active recombinant form. Attenuation of PDGF-D subacute induction exacerbates neuronal loss, impairs microvascular density, alters vascular permeability, and increases microvascular stalling. Increasing PDGF-D subacute bioavailability rescues neuronal survival and improves neurological recovery. PDGF-D subacute enhanced bioavailability promotes stable neovascularization of the injured tissue and improves brain perfusion. Notably, PDGF-D enhanced bioavailability improves pericyte association with brain endothelial cells. Cell-based assays using human brain pericyte and brain endothelial cells exposed to ischemia-like conditions were applied to investigate the underlying mechanisms. PDGF-D stimulation attenuates pericyte loss and fibrotic transition, while increasing the secretion of pro-angiogenic and vascular protective factors. Moreover, PDGF-D stimulates pericyte migration required for optimal endothelial coverage and promotes angiogenesis. Our study unravels new insights into PDGF-D contribution to neurovascular protection after ischemic stroke by rescuing the functions of pericytes.
On a General Approach to Bessenrodt–Ono Type Inequalities and Log-Concavity Properties
Authors: Gajdzica Krystian , Miska Piotr , Ulas Maciej
Published: May 2024

In recent literature concerning integer partitions one can find many results related to both the Bessenrodt–Ono type inequalities and log-concavity properties. In this note, we offer some general approach to this type of problems. More precisely, we prove that under some mild conditions on an increasing function F of at most exponential growth satisfying the condition $$F(\mathbb {N})\subset \mathbb {R}_{+}$$

F

(
N
)

⊂

R
+

, we have $$F(a)F(b)>F(a+b)$$

F
(
a
)
F
(
b
)
>
F
(
a
+
b
)

for sufficiently large positive integers a, b. Moreover, we show that if the sequence $$(F(n))_{n\ge n_{0}}$$

(
F

(
n
)

)

n
≥

n
0

is log-concave and $$\limsup _{n\rightarrow +\infty }F(n+n_{0})/F(n)<F(n_{0})$$

lim sup

n
→
+
∞

F

(
n
+

n
0

)

/
F

(
n
)

<
F

(

n
0

)

, then F satisfies the Bessenrodt–Ono type inequality.
Hereditäre pulmonal-arterielle Hypertonie
Authors: Eichstaedt Christina A. , Shaukat Memoona , Grünig Ekkehard
Published: May 2024

Die hereditäre pulmonal-arterielle Hypertonie (PAH) kann durch Mutation in mindestens 18 Genen ausgelöst werden. Das am häufigsten veränderte Gen ist das für den „bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2“ (BMPR2). Auch weitere Gene im selben Signalweg sind als PAH-Gene bekannt. Eine positive genetische Testung ist hilfreich, um Differenzialdiagnosen wie eine pulmonale venookklusive Erkrankung zu sichern, und ermöglicht die Testung gesunder Familienangehöriger. Neben dem Patient*innenkollektiv, dem eine genetische Testung besonders dient, geht dieser Beitrag auf die Art der Vererbung der hereditären PAH ein und gibt einen Einblick in erste Therapien, die den BMPR2-Signalweg wieder ins Gleichgewicht bringen.
The association between sexual orientation and psychotic like experiences during adolescence: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Corcoran Emma , Althobaiti Amal , Lewis Glyn , Solmi Francesca , McCloud Tayla , Lewis Gemma
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Psychotic like experiences (PLEs) are relatively common during adolescence and associated with a range of negative outcomes. There is evidence that sexual minorities are at increased risk of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidality. However, no study has investigated the association between sexual orientation and psychotic experiences during adolescence. We compared trajectories of PLEs in sexual minority and heterosexual adolescents from 12 to 24 years of age.

Methods

We used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Participants provided data on sexual orientation at age 16 and PLEs at ages 12, 17 and 24. We used multi-level logistic regression models to test associations between sexual orientation and PLEs, before and after adjusting for covariates. We investigated whether the association differed according to time-point and sex using interaction terms.

Results

We found evidence that the odds of PLEs were 2.35 times (95% Confidence Interval 1.79–3.06, p < 0.0001) higher among sexual minority compared with heterosexual adolescents, across all ages, after adjusting for covariates. There was no evidence that the association between sexual orientation and PLEs differed according to time-point (p = 0.50) or sex (p = 0.29).

Conclusion

We found an increased risk of psychosis in sexual minorities compared with heterosexuals, which was present from around 12 years of age and persisted until age 24. Early interventions to prevent this mental health inequality could include universal interventions to promote inclusivity and acceptance of diverse sexual orientations.
Level of perceived social support, and associated factors, in combat-exposed (ex-)military personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Grover Laura E. , Williamson Charlotte , Burdett Howard , Palmer Laura , Fear Nicola T.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Combat deployment increases exposure to potentially traumatic events. Perceived social support (PSS) may promote health and recovery from combat trauma. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize studies investigating the level of PSS and associated factors among (ex-)military personnel who served in the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts.

Methods

Five electronic databases were searched in August 2023 and searches were restricted to the beginning of the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts in 2001. The search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A quality assessment was carried out, and a meta-analysis and narrative synthesis were performed.

Results

In total, 35 papers consisting of 19,073 participants were included. Of these, 31 studies were conducted in the United States (US) and 23 were cross-sectional. The pooled mean PSS score was 54.40 (95% CI: 51.78 to 57.01). Samples with probable post-traumatic stress disorder had a lower mean PSS score (44.40, 95% CI: 39.10 to 49.70). Approximately half of the included studies (n = 19) investigated mental health in relation to PSS, whilst only four explored physical health. The most frequently reported risk factors for low PSS included post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, whilst post-traumatic growth and unit support were protective factors.

Conclusion

Higher levels of PSS were generally associated with more positive psychosocial and mental health-related outcomes following deployment. PSS should be targeted in psychosocial interventions and education programmes. Future research should investigate PSS in (ex-)military personnel across other countries and cultures, based on the lack of studies that focused on PSS in countries outside of the US.
Application of cutting fluids in micro-milling — A review
Authors: Kuram Emel , Bagherzadeh Amin , Budak Erhan
Published: May 2024

This article provides an overview of micro-milling operation with a focus on cutting fluids and reviews and discusses dry machining, flood, cryogenic cooling, usage of minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) approach, nanoparticle suspensions, and vegetable oils. In conclusion, the article highlights the future trends and research gaps in field of micro-milling with cutting fluids. Based on works, it can be concluded that researchers explore substitutes for traditional cutting fluids in micro-milling, including vegetable oils, nanofluids, cryogenics, solid lubricants, and de-ionized water. Most cutting fluid studies have focused on micro-milling of aluminum, steel, and titanium, with surface roughness being the most measured output in micro-milling work involving cutting fluids. Overall, the article highlights the need for further research in various aspects of micro-milling operations with cutting fluids, including the development of new cutting strategies, the optimization of cutting fluid delivery methods, and the evaluation of various machinability parameters.
GNSS signal ray-tracing algorithm for the simulation of satellite-to-satellite excess phase in the neutral atmosphere
Authors: Cegla Adam , Rohm Witold , Moeller Gregor , Hordyniec Paweł , Trzcina Estera , Hanna Natalia
Published: May 2024

Traditionally, GNSS space-based and ground-based estimates of tropospheric conditions are performed separately. It leads to limitations in the horizontal (e.g., a single space-based radio occultation profile covers a 300 km slice of the troposphere) and vertical resolution (e.g., ground-based estimates of troposphere conditions have spacing equal to stations’ distribution) of the tropospheric products. The first stage to achieve an integrated model is to create an effective 3D ray-tracing algorithm for the satellite-to-satellite (radio occultation) path reconstruction. We verify the consistency of the simulated data with the RO observations from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC-1) Data Analysis and Archive Center (CDAAC) in terms of excess phase and bending angle. The results show that our solution provides an effective RO excess phase, with a relative error varying from 35% at the height of 25–30 km (1.0–1.5 m) to 0.5% at heights 5–10 km (0.1–1 m) and 14 to 2% at heights below 5 km (2–14 m). The bending angle retrieval on simulated data attained for high-resolution ray-tracing, bias lower than 2% with respect to the observed bending angle. The optimal solution takes about 1 s for one transmitter–receiver pair with a tangent point below 5 km altitude. The high-resolution processing solution takes 3 times longer.
A role for sirtuin 1 in FGF23 activation following β-glycerophosphate treatment
Authors: Ratsma Danielle M. A. , Muller Max , Koedam Marijke , Zillikens M. Carola , van der Eerden Bram C. J.
Published: May 2024

Phosphate homeostasis is vital for many biological processes and disruptions in circulating levels can be detrimental. While the mechanisms behind FGF23 regulation have been regularly studied, the role of extracellular phosphate sensing and its impact on fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) expression remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), and Hairy and Enhancer of Split-1 (HES1) in regulating FGF23 in FGF23 expressing MC3T3-E1 cells. MC3T3-E1 cells treated with β-glycerophosphate (BGP) resulted in increased Fgf23 expression. Inhibition of ROS formation by inhibition of NADPH oxidase, which is essential for ROS production, did not affect this response to BGP, suggesting ROS is not involved in this process. Moreover, treatment with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), a ROS-inducing agent, did not increase Fgf23 expression. This suggests that ROS machinery is not involved in FGF23 stimulation as previously suggested. Nonetheless, inhibition of SIRT1 using Ex527 eliminated the Fgf23 response to BGP, indicating its involvement in FGF23 regulation after BGP treatment. Indeed, activation of SIRT1 using SRT1720 increased Fgf23 expression. Moreover, transcription factor Hes1 was upregulated by BGP treatment, which was diminished when cells were treated with Ex527 implying it is also regulated through SIRT1. These findings suggest the existence of an upstream SIRT1-HES1 axis in the regulation of FGF23 by phosphate, though we were unable to find a role for ROS in this process. Further research should provide insights into phosphate homeostasis and potential therapeutic targets for phosphate-related disorders.
PD-L1 expression, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and mismatch repair proteins status in digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms: exploring their potential role as theragnostic and prognostic biomarkers
Authors: Multone Eléonore , La Rosa Stefano , Sempoux Christine , Uccella Silvia
Published: May 2024

Theragnostic biomarkers are still needed to select patients with digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) for an optimal management. The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway plays a pivotal role in T cells activation and host immune response to cancer and PD-L1 expression in tumor and/or immune cells is used to identify patients who would benefit of treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, its role as a biomarker is still unclear in digestive NENs. We investigated PD-L1 expression in 68 well-characterized digestive NENs (32 NETs, 32 NECs and 4 MiNENs) and TPS and CPS scores were calculated. In addition, tumor infiltrating T-lymphocytes and mismatch repair protein expression (MMR) were evaluated. All results were correlated with clinicopathological features. PD-L1 expression was higher in NECs than in NETs: TPS > 1% and/or CPS > 1 were observed in 16% of NETs, 68.8% of NECs and 50% of MiNENs (p: 0.05). The mean TPS score in positive cases was 6.3% in NETs, 16.2% in NECs and 5% in MiNENs. The CPS score was 4.8 in NETs, 8.1 in NECs and 6 in MiNENs. MMR-deficient neoplasms were more frequently observed in NECs than in NETs (p: < 0.05) as well as intra-tumor immune infiltration (p: 0.00001). No correlation between PD-L1 expression and survival or other clinicopathological parameters was observed. Our results suggest that treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors may have a potential role only in selected cases, mainly in NECs and MiNENs.
Breastfeeding and risk of food allergy and allergic rhinitis in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Ding Yali , Zhu Chengbi , Li Shuo , Liu Naixu , Liu Qian , Li Weifeng , Zhao Changjiang , Yuan Bin
Published: May 2024

The association between breastfeeding and the occurrence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and food allergy (FA) in offspring remains inconclusive. This review aims to comprehensively explore the potential relationships between various patterns and durations of breastfeeding and allergic diseases in offspring. We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, WOS databases, and Google Scholar for observational studies published up to March 30, 2023, that investigated the link between breastfeeding and allergies in offspring. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated employing an appropriate model based on the degree of heterogeneity. A total of 68 studies, encompassing 772,142 children, were ultimately included. The findings indicated that breastfeeding for more than 6 months was associated with a reduced risk of AR (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79 to 0.98) but posed a risk for FA (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.27 to 2.25). Exclusive breastfeeding exhibited a protective effect against AR (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90 to 0.97), whereas non-breastfeeding was identified as a risk factor for AR (OR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.03 to 2.12). No significant association was observed between breastfeeding patterns and FA.

Conclusion: Breastfeeding for more than 6 months proves to be an effective preventive measure against AR. However, large prospective high-quality studies are needed to investigate the potential risk of FA in children with prolonged breastfeeding.

What is Known:• The impact of breastfeeding on allergic rhinitis and food allergy in offspring is controversial.• Previous meta-analyses fail to prove the effect of breastfeeding on food allergy in offspring of all ages.

What is New:• Breastfeeding for more than 6 months proves to be an effective preventive measure against AR. However, it potentially elevates the risk of FA in children. Non-breastfeeding is linked to an increased risk of AR in children, but there is no evidence of an association between breastfeeding patterns and FA in children.• The impact of breastfeeding on allergic rhinitis and food allergy in offspring may vary with the time and pattern of breastfeeding.
Use superb microvascular imaging to diagnose and predict metastatic cervical lymph nodes in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Huang Ting , Huang Pin-Tong , Luo Zhi-Yan , Lv Ji-Fang , Jin Pei-Le , Zhang Tao , Zhao Yu-Lan , Wang Yong , Hong Yu-Rong
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) is closely associated with disease recurrence. This study accessed the value of superb microvascular imaging (SMI) in the diagnosis and prediction of metastatic cervical LNs in patients with PTC.

Methods

A total of 183 cervical LNs (103 metastatic and 80 reactive) from 116 patients with PTC were analysed. Metastatic cervical LNs were confirmed by pathology or/and cytology; reactive cervical LNs were confirmed by pathology or clinical features. The characteristic of conventional ultrasound (US) was extracted using univariate and multivariate analyses. The diagnostic performance of US and SMI were compared using the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) with corresponding sensitivity and specificity. A nomogram was developed to predict metastatic LNs in patients with PTC, based on multivariate analyses.

Results

L/S < 2, ill-defined border, absence of hilum, isoechoic or hyperechoic, heterogeneous internal echo, peripheral or mixed vascular pattern on color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and SMI, and a larger SMI vascular index appeared more frequently in metastatic LNs in the training datasets than in reactive LNs (P < 0.05). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of SMI vs US are 94.4% and 87.3%, 79.3% and 69.3%, and 87.6% and 79.1%, respectively; SMI combined with US exhibited a higher AUC [0.926 (0.877–0.975)] than US only [0.829 (0.759–0.900)]. L/S < 2, peripheral or mixed vascular type on CDFI, and peripheral or mixed vascular types on SMI were independent predictors of metastatic LNs with PTC. The nomogram based on these three parameters exhibited excellent discrimination, with an AUC of 0.926.

Conclusion

SMI was superior to US in diagnosing metastatic LNs in PTC. US combined with SMI significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy of metastatic cervical LNs with PTC. SMI is efficacious for differentiating and predicting metastatic cervical LNs.
Robotic technology in surgery; a classification system of soft tissue surgical robotic devices
Authors: Cowan Brandon , Gomes Camilla , Morris Paul , Fryrear Raymond , Petraiuolo William , Walton Matt , Alseidi Adnan , Horgan Santiago , Hagen Monika
Published: May 2024

Background

The field of robotic-assisted surgery is rapidly growing as many robotic surgical devices are in development and about to enter the market. Currently, there is no universally accepted language for labeling the different robotic systems. To facilitate this communication, we created what is, to our knowledge, the first classification of surgical robotic technologies that organizes and classifies surgical robots used for endoscopy, laparoscopy and thoracoscopy.

Methods

We compiled a list of surgical robots intended to be used for endoscopy, laparoscopy, and/or thoracoscopy by searching United States, European, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korean databases for approved devices. Devices showcased at the 2023 Annual Meeting for the Society of Robotic Surgery were added. We also systematically reviewed the literature for any existing surgical robotic classifications or categorizations. We then created a multidisciplinary committee of 8 surgeons and 2 engineers to construct a proposed classification of the devices included in our search.

Results

We identified 40 robotic surgery systems intended to be used for endoscopy, laparoscopy and/or thoracoscopy. The proposed classification organizes robotic devices with regard to architecture, port design, and configuration (modular carts, multi-arm integrated cart, table-attachable or arm-table integration).

Conclusion

This 3-level classification of robotic surgical devices used for endoscopy, laparoscopy and/or thoracoscopy describes important characteristics of robotic devices systematically.
Microplastics: Omnipresent and an ongoing challenge for medical science
Authors: Hutter Hans-Peter , Weitensfelder Lisbeth , Poteser Michael
Published: May 2024

Micro- and nanoplastics are omnipresent not only in the environment, but have also been detected in human body fluids and tissue. The subsequent commentary provides a perspective about potential risks for human health as well as resulting challenges for medical science.
Local uniqueness of ground states for the generalized Choquard equation
Authors: Georgiev Vladimir , Tarulli Mirko , Venkov George
Published: May 2024

We consider the generalized Choquard equation of the type $$\begin{aligned} -\Delta Q + Q = I(|Q|^p)|Q|^{p-2} Q, \end{aligned}$$

-
Δ
Q
+
Q
=

I
(
|
Q
|

p

)
|
Q
|

p
-
2

Q
,

for $$3\le n\le 5$$

3
≤
n
≤
5

, with $$Q \in H^1_{rad}(\mathbb {R}^n),$$

Q
∈

H

rad

1

(

R

n

)

,

where the operator I is the classical Riesz potential defined by $$I(f)(x) =(-\Delta )^{-1}f(x)$$

I

(
f
)

(
x
)

=

(
-
Δ
)

-
1

f

(
x
)

and the exponent $$p \in (2,1+4/(n-2))$$

p
∈
(
2
,
1
+
4
/
(
n
-
2
)
)

is energy subcritical. We consider Weinstein-type functional restricted to rays passing through the ground state. The corresponding real valued function of the path parameter has an appropriate analytic extension. We use the properties of this analytic extension in order to show local uniqueness of ground state solutions. The uniqueness of the ground state solutions for the case $$p=2$$

p
=
2

, i.e. for the case of Hartree–Choquard, is well known. The main difficulty for the case $$p > 2$$

p
>
2

is connected with a possible lack of control on the $$L^p$$

L
p

norm of the ground states as well on the lack of Sturm’s comparison argument.
Strain localization instabilities and the genesis of multiple axes of seafloor spreading in the Carmen basin, southern Gulf of California
Authors: Julià-Miralles Marc , Yarbuh Ismael , Spelz Ronald M. , Negrete-Aranda Raquel , Contreras Juan , Fletcher John M. , González-Fernández Antonio , Zierenberg Robert , Caress David W.
Published: May 2024

We present new insight into the tectonic evolution of the Carmen basin (CB) in the southern Gulf of California (GC) from high-resolution bathymetry and two-dimensional seismic reflection data. Our goal is to document the seafloor morphology and sub-surface acoustic characteristics to understand the structure and crustal lithology across the CB. We identify three sub-basins with distinct geometries and evolutionary histories, with basement structures displaying a strong affinity with highly reflective, sigmoidal-shaped layers and the emplacement of high-amplitude tabular material underlying sediments with varying stratigraphic thicknesses. From the extent of new oceanic crust accreted along the CB, we estimate the age of the basin using a seafloor spreading rate of 52 mm/year, which is the average velocity of the relative plate motion between the Baja California microplate and the North American plate, as documented by previous authors. The southern and central sub-basins of the CB are mainly abandoned, while the northern one is currently the locus of seafloor spreading. This is evidenced by the juxtaposition of oceanic crust younger than ~ 1.9 Ma against older oceanic crust correlating in age with the adjacent Guaymas and Farallon basins to the northeast and southwest, respectively. We propose that mantle upwelling beneath the CB is a northward continuation of the East Pacific Rise, resulting in a fast-evolving system with sharp variations in strain localization within the seafloor spreading centers of the CB.

Graphical Abstract
Long-term outcomes after surgery for subaxial cervical spine injuries in octogenarians, a matched population-based cohort study
Authors: El-Hajj Victor Gabriel , Singh Aman , Fletcher-Sandersjöö Alexander , Buwaider Ali , Gharios Maria , Habashy Karl J. , Blixt Simon , Stenimahitis Vasilios , Nilsson Gunnar , Gerdhem Paul , Edström Erik , Elmi-Terander Adrian
Published: May 2024

Purpose

We aimed to investigate surgical outcomes in octogenarians with subaxial cervical spine injuries and determine the predictors of complications and mortality.

Methods

Eligible for inclusion were all patients surgically treated between 2006 and 2018, with either anterior or posterior fixation for subaxial spine injuries. A cohort of octogenarians was identified and matched 1:1 to a corresponding cohort of younger adults. Primary outcomes were perioperative complications and mortality.

Results

Fifty-four patients were included in each of the octogenarian and younger groups (median age: 84.0 vs. 38.5). While the risks for surgical complications, including dural tears and wound infections, were similar between groups, the risks of postoperative medical complications, including respiratory or urinary tract infections, were significantly higher among the elderly (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were no differences in operative time (p = 0.625) or estimated blood loss (p = 0.403) between groups. The 30 and 90-day mortality rates were significantly higher among the elderly (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001). These differences were due to comorbidities in the octogenarian cohort as they were revoked when propensity score matching was performed to account for the differences in American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grade. Multivariable logistic regression revealed age and ASA score to be independent predictors of complications and the 90-day mortality, respectively.

Conclusions

Octogenarians with comorbidities were more susceptible to postoperative complications, explaining the increased short-term mortality in this group. However, octogenarians without comorbidities had similar outcomes compared to the younger patients, indicating that overall health, including comorbidities, rather than chronological age should be considered in surgical decision-making.
Arterial oxygen pressure during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be increased by advancing the tip of the drainage cannula into the superior vena cava: a case report
Authors: Nakamura Tomoyuki , Kuriyama Naohide , Hara Yoshitaka , Komura Hidefumi , Hoshino Naoki , Miyamoto Soshi , Sawada Ken , Kawaji Takahiro , Komatsu Satoshi , Nishida Osamu
Published: May 2024

A simple and robust method for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V–V ECMO) involves a drainage cannula into the inferior vena cava via the femoral vein (FV) and a reinfusion cannula into the right atrium (RA) via the internal jugular vein (IJV) (F–J configuration). However, with this method, the arterial oxygen (PaO2) is said to remain below 100 mmHg.

Since recently, in our ICU, to prevent drainage failure, we apply a modification from the commonly practiced F–J configuration by advancing the tip of the drainage cannula inserted via the FV into the superior vena cava (SVC) and crossing the reinfusion cannula inserted via the IJV in the RA (F(SVC)–J(RA) configuration). We experienced that this modification can be associated with unexpectedly high PaO2 values, which here we investigated in detail.

Veno-arteriovenous ECMO was induced in a 65-year-old male patient who suffered from repeated cardiac arrest due to acute respiratory distress syndrome. His chest X-ray images showed white-out after lung rest setting, consistent with near-absence of self-lung ventilation. Cardiac function recovered and the system was converted to F(SVC)–J(RA) configuration, after which both PaO2 and partial pressure of pulmonary arterial oxygen values remained high above 200 mmHg. Transesophageal echocardiography could not detect right-to-left shunt, and more efficient drainage of the native venous return flow compared to common F–J configuration may explain the increased PaO2.

Although the F(SVC)-J(RA) configuration is a small modification of the F–J configuration, it seems to provide a revolutionary improvement in the ECMO field by combining robustness/simplicity with high PaO2 values.
Speech emotion recognition systems and their security aspects
Authors: Gurowiec Itzik , Nissim Nir
Published: May 2024

Speech emotion recognition (SER) systems leverage information derived from sound waves produced by humans to identify the concealed emotions in utterances. Since 1996, researchers have placed effort on improving the accuracy of SER systems, their functionalities, and the diversity of emotions that can be identified by the system. Although SER systems have become very popular in a variety of domains in modern life and are highly connected to other systems and types of data, the security of SER systems has not been adequately explored. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of potential cyber-attacks aimed at SER systems and the security mechanisms that may prevent such attacks. To do so, we first describe the core principles of SER systems and discuss prior work performed in this area, which was mainly aimed at expanding and improving the existing capabilities of SER systems. Then, we present the SER system ecosystem, describing the dataflow and interactions between each component and entity within SER systems and explore their vulnerabilities, which might be exploited by attackers. Based on the vulnerabilities we identified within the ecosystem, we then review existing cyber-attacks from different domains and discuss their relevance to SER systems. We also introduce potential cyber-attacks targeting SER systems that have not been proposed before. Our analysis showed that only 30% of the attacks can be addressed by existing security mechanisms, leaving SER systems unprotected in the face of the other 70% of potential attacks. Therefore, we also describe various concrete directions that could be explored in order to improve the security of SER systems.
The Hadamard decomposition problem
Authors: Ciaperoni Martino , Gionis Aristides , Mannila Heikki
Published: May 2024

We introduce the Hadamard decomposition problem in the context of data analysis. The problem is to represent exactly or approximately a given matrix as the Hadamard (or element-wise) product of two or more low-rank matrices. The motivation for this problem comes from situations where the input matrix has a multiplicative structure. The Hadamard decomposition has potential for giving more succint but equally accurate representations of matrices when compared with the gold-standard of singular value decomposition (svd). Namely, the Hadamard product of two rank-$$h$$
h
matrices can have rank as high as $${h}^2$$

h

2

. We study the computational properties of the Hadamard decomposition problem and give gradient-based algorithms for solving it approximately. We also introduce a mixed model that combines svd and Hadamard decomposition. We present extensive empirical results comparing the approximation accuracy of the Hadamard decomposition with that of the svd using the same number of basis vectors. The results demonstrate that the Hadamard decomposition is competitive with the svd and, for some datasets, it yields a clearly higher approximation accuracy, indicating the presence of multiplicative structure in the data.
A method for constructing quaternary Hermitian self-dual codes and an application to quantum codes
Authors: Harada Masaaki
Published: May 2024

We introduce quaternary modified four $$\mu $$
μ
-circulant codes as a modification of four circulant codes. We give basic properties of quaternary modified four $$\mu $$
μ
-circulant Hermitian self-dual codes. We also construct quaternary modified four $$\mu $$
μ
-circulant Hermitian self-dual codes having large minimum weights. Two quaternary Hermitian self-dual [56, 28, 16] codes are constructed for the first time. These codes improve the previously known lower bound on the largest minimum weight among all quaternary (linear) [56, 28] codes. In addition, these codes imply the existence of a quantum [[56, 0, 16]] code.
Estimation of return levels with long return periods for extreme sea levels in a time-varying framework
Authors: Rydén Jesper
Published: May 2024

At nuclear power plants, risk analysis concerning environmental extremes is crucial. Based on historical data, estimation of return levels is usually performed. For long return periods, a problem is that the related uncertainties of the return levels often get large. Moreover, models need to take into account possible effects of climate change. In this paper, extreme sea levels close to Swedish nuclear power plants are considered. Non-stationary statistical models and the related results of conditional prediction during a typical time horizon of an infrastructure are studied. The influences of parameters in extreme-value distributions and the lengths of observation records are discussed. The effect of land uplift in parts of the Baltic Sea is seen.
A multistart and recombination algorithm for finding many unique solutions to spatial aggregation problems
Authors: Xiao Ningchuan , Kim Myung Jin , Lin Yue
Published: May 2024

Spatial aggregation is essential for applications where data at low level spatial units such as census blocks are grouped into larger regions. This type of problem can be formulated as spatial optimization problems where the goal is to minimize the difference between the grouped regions. These problems are difficult to solve because of their computational intensity. In addition, these problems often have multiple, instead of singular, optimal solutions that have the same or similar objective function values but exhibit different spatial configurations. Existing solution methods often aim to find single solutions to these problems. In this paper, we discuss a new heuristic method that can be used to find a set of unique optimal or near-optimal solutions to spatial aggregation problems. The algorithm consists of two phases. A multistart phase first generates a pool of random solutions to a problem. The size of the pool is specified by the user and contains the number of solutions desired to be found. Each random solution is then improved using an efficient algorithm called give-and-take. The second phase uses a recombination algorithm to create new solutions based on solutions randomly selected from the pool. The worst solution in the pool will be replaced by the new solution if the latter is better and does not exist in the pool. We test this multistart and recombination algorithm (MSRA) using a variety of problems with different sizes and the results suggest the effectiveness of the algorithm in finding multiple unique optimal or near-optimal solutions.
A generalization of the Hawking black hole area theorem
Authors: Kontou Eleni-Alexandra , Sacchi Veronica
Published: May 2024

Hawking’s black hole area theorem was proven using the null energy condition (NEC), a pointwise condition violated by quantum fields. The violation of the NEC is usually cited as the reason that black hole evaporation is allowed in the context of semiclassical gravity. Here we provide two generalizations of the classical black hole area theorem: first, a proof of the original theorem with an averaged condition, the weakest possible energy condition to prove the theorem using focusing of null geodesics. Second, a proof of an area-type result that allows for the shrinking of the black hole horizon but provides a bound on it. This bound can be translated to a bound on the black hole evaporation rate using a condition inspired from quantum energy inequalities. Finally, we show how our bound can be applied to two cases that violate classical energy conditions.
Expression patterns and evidence of the expansion of Nicotiana tabacum L. TALE genes in the Solanaceae family
Authors: Song Yanru , Kong Decai , Dai Youqing , Song Kangkang , Li Bin , Jiang Jiazhu , Xiao Chunyan , Yang Long
Published: May 2024

The three-amino-acid-loop-extension (TALE) proteins are a class of transcription factors that regulate meristem differentiation during plant growth and development. In this study, we identified a total of 45 members of the tobacco TALE (NtTALE) transcription factor family. Based on domain type, the NtTALE genes were divided into BELL subfamily and KNOX subfamily. Cis-acting element analysis showed that the NtTALE gene promoters had a variety of response elements, including light-responsive elements, hormonal and abiotic stresses responsive elements, plant development related elements. Among the 45 NtTALE genes, the expression patterns of various plant tissues at different stages were different, 10 responded to alkali stress, 19 responded to dehydration treatment, 14 responded to cold stress, two responded to salt stress, and 17 responded to Ralstonia solanacearum infection. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the number of TALE genes in Nicotiana was significantly expanded compared with that in other Solanaceae. The KNOXIII subfamily members (NtTALE29, NtTALE45) were found only in Nicotiana tabacum. This study provides a theoretical basis for further research on the biological function of NtTALE genes.