bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of histologic subtype on primary site surgery in the management of metastatic lobular versus ductal breast cancer: a population based study from the National Cancer Database (NCDB)
Authors: Rothschild Harriet T , Clelland Elle N , Abel Mary Kathryn , Chien A Jo , Shui Amy M , Esserman Laura , Khan Seema A , Mukhtar Rita A
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Primary site surgery for metastatic breast cancer improves local control but does not impact overall survival. Whether histologic subtype influences patient selection for surgery is unknown. Given differences in surgical management between early-stage lobular versus ductal disease, we evaluated the impact of histology on primary site surgery in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Methods

The National Cancer Database (NCDB, 2010–2016) was queried for patients with stage IV HR-positive, HER2-negative invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). We compared clinicopathologic features, primary site surgery rates, and outcomes by histologic subtype. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models with and without propensity score matching were used for overall survival (OS) analyses.

Results

In 25,294 patients, primary site surgery was slightly but significantly less common in the 6,123 patients with ILC compared to the 19,171 patients with IDC (26.9% versus 28.8%, p = 0.004). Those with ILC were less likely to receive chemotherapy (41.3% versus 47.4%, p < 0.0001) or radiotherapy (29.1% versus 37.9%, p < 0.0001), and had shorter OS. While mastectomy rates were similar, those with ILC who underwent lumpectomy had significantly higher positive margin rates (ILC 15.7% versus IDC 11.2%, p = 0.025). In both groups, the odds of undergoing surgery decreased over time, and were higher in younger patients with T2/T3 tumors and higher nodal burden.

Conclusion

Lobular histology is associated with less primary site surgery, higher positive margin rates, less radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and shorter OS compared to those with HR-positive HER2-negative IDC. These findings support the need for ILC-specific data and treatment approaches in the setting of metastatic disease.
Technical leverage analysis in the Python ecosystem
Authors: Paramitha Ranindya , Massacci Fabio
Published: October 2023

Context:

Technical leverage is the ratio between dependencies (other people’s code) and own codes of a software package. It has been shown to be useful to characterize the Java ecosystem and there are also studies on the NPM ecosystem available.

Objective:

By using this metric we aim to analyze the Python ecosystem, how it evolves, and how secure it is, as a developer would perceive it when deciding to adopt or update (or not) a library.

Method:

We collect a dataset of the top 600 Python packages (corresponding to 21,205 versions) and used a number of innovative approaches for its analysis including the use of a two-part statistical model to deal with excess zeros, a mathematical closed formulation to estimate vulnerabilities that we confirm with bootstrapping on the actual dataset.

Results:

Small Python package versions have a median technical leverage of 6.9x their own code, while bigger package versions rely on dependencies code a tenth of their own (median leverage of 0.1). In terms of evolution, Python packages tend to have stable technical leverage through their evolution (once highly leveraged, always leveraged). On security, the chance of getting a safe package version when choosing a package is actually better than previous research has shown based on the ratio of safe package versions in the ecosystem.

Coclusions:

Python packages ship a lot of other people’s code and tend to keep doing so. However, developers will have a good chance to choose a safe package version.
Wissenschaftsfreiheit, Moralische Kritik und die Kosten des Irrtums
Authors: Henning Tim
Published: October 2023

This article attempts to do justice to two conflicting positions in current public debates. On the one hand, it defends a strong version of scientific freedom, according to which science should be free, not only from external obstacles and pressures but also from criticism that is based on reasons “of the wrong kind.” The only admissible criterion in debates about scientific claims, I argue, is whether there is sufficient evidence for their truth. Furthermore, I accept the anti-moralistic view that (non-)conformity with moral ideals is never itself evidence. On the other hand, the article nevertheless argues that there is a possibility of legitimate moral criticism of moral claims. This argument relies on the popular (if controversial) idea that there is pragmatic encroachment – specifically, the idea that the standard of sufficiency for evidence is in part determined by pragmatic factors like the costs of error. This opens up the door for a certain type of legitimate moral criticism. For the costs that determine a standard of sufficiency for epistemic justification can also plausibly count as morally significant. There is thus a con-contingent connection between epistemic and moral defects of certain scientific claims. The resulting view is applied to concrete debates, most importantly about race, genetics and IQ.
Behavioural consistency across metamorphosis in a neotropical poison frog
Authors: Bégué Lauriane , Tschirren Noëlle , Peignier Mélissa , Szabo Birgit , Ringler Eva
Published: October 2023

Animals often show consistency in their behavioural repertoire across time and/or contexts that differs from other individuals of the same population, i.e. animal personality. We currently have quite an incomplete understanding of the factors that lead to behavioural traits remaining stable – or becoming decoupled – over an animal’s lifetime. In this study, we investigated the role of metamorphosis in the development of animal personality in a Neotropical poison frog, a species that undergoes drastic morphological and ecological changes during its development. We used lab-reared individuals of the brilliant-thighed poison frog Allobates femoralis to assess if consistent individual differences are already present at the tadpole stage, and if these differences are maintained throughout metamorphosis. We found evidence for two personality traits, exploration and boldness, already present in A. femoralis tadpoles. Despite the drastic changes in morphology, physiology, and habitat in the transition from tadpoles to metamorphs, personality traits persisted throughout metamorphosis, suggesting a physiological and/or genetic basis for the measured behavioural traits. We also found that exploration and boldness related behaviours were correlated with growth speed. Very bold and explorative individuals took fewer days until metamorphosis compared to very shy and non-explorative ones, which is in line with the concept of a Pace-of-Life Syndrome. These findings provide important insights into the proximate mechanisms that generate personality in species with complex life cycles.
Chemically imidized semi-alicyclic polyimides: the effect of catalyst type and imidization temperature
Authors: Šimonová Zuzana Frances , Machotová Jana , Zelenka Jiří , Vlček Miroslav , Šimon Pavel
Published: October 2023

Polyimides are a group of polymers with excellent thermal and mechanical properties. However, generally, they exhibit brown coloration due to charge transfer interactions between diamine donor and dianhydride acceptor moieties. In this study, semi-alicyclic polyimides derived from cyclohexane tetracarboxylic dianhydride and 4,4′-oxydianiline were prepared using a two-step method, where the imidization step proceeded via a chemical route. The effects of the catalyst type (quinoline, triethylamine, and 1,4-diazabicyclo(2.2.2)octane (DABCO)) and reaction temperature (120, 140, and 160 °C) on the imidization process were evaluated using infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The prepared polyimides' thermal, mechanical, and optical properties were compared with those synthesized via standard thermal imidization. Polyimide films possessing favorable mechanical properties, thermal stability, and good optical transparency were prepared via a simple preparation route based on chemical imidization using the triethylamine catalyst at the reaction temperature of 160 °C, which was shown to be a promising way for the PI preparation on an industrial scale.

Graphical abstract
Relationships between elementary mathematics specialist certification, knowledge, beliefs, and classroom learning environments
Authors: Webel Corey , Tarr James , Austin Christopher , Yeo Sheunghyun , Shim Hyejin
Published: October 2023

We report on the differences in mathematics learning environments in classes taught by certified Elementary Math Specialists (EMSs) (n = 28) and their peers (n = 33) as determined by observations of instruction. We used path analysis to examine how variables such as mathematical knowledge for teaching, beliefs, and background characteristics were related to the learning environment. We used the Classroom Learning Environment Measure (CLEM) observation protocol, which attends to aspects of mathematics lessons such as opportunities for students to justify their reasoning and attend to mathematical concepts. Our analysis revealed that learning environments incorporating such elements were significantly more prevalent in classes taught by EMSs, and that there were two paths indicating mediation effects on the relationship between EMS status and learning environment. One path was related to teachers’ beliefs about the primacy of computation in learning mathematics; the other path was related to teachers’ mathematical knowledge for teaching and their beliefs about the extent to which mathematical knowledge is constructed by the learner. We share implications for EMS programs and recommendations for future research on the impact of EMSs in elementary schools.
True intratracheal oxygen concentration delivered by SentriO Oxy™ masks under various respiratory conditions: a bench study
Authors: Chiang Cheng , Teng Wei-Nung , Chiang Ting-Yun , Huang Chao-Lan , Lin Shi-Pin , Chang Wen-Kuei , Ting Chien-Kun
Published: October 2023

SentriO Oxy™ is a newly available, Food and Drug Administration-approved oxygenation mask system that provides high oxygenation, even on low-flow (5–10 L/min) oxygen. This study aimed to accurately measure the intratracheal fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) using SentriO Oxy™ masks under relatively low oxygen flow rates. A manikin-ventilator-test lung simulation system was used. We measured FiO2 at the level of the carina, 5 minutes after applying 45 different respiratory parameter combinations using SentriO Oxy™ masks. Tidal volume (TV) was set to 300, 500, and 700 mL; respiratory rate (RR) was set to 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 breaths per minute; and oxygen flow rate was set to 6, 8, and 10 L/min. Our hypothesis was that FiO2 would be proportional to the difference between oxygen flow rate and minute ventilation. FiO2 measured by smaller TV, lower RR, or higher oxygen flows revealed a significantly higher value, confirming our hypothesis. In addition, using linear regression analysis, we found that TV, RR, and oxygen flow were all significant factors influencing the measured FiO2. Our experiment proposed two prediction equations considering the oxygen flow rate, TV, and RR. The results of our study may provide information and prediction of FiO2 for clinicians to use SentriO Oxy™ masks during sedative anesthetic procedures under low oxygen flow rates.
Can Eucalyptus plantations influence the distribution range of mesocarnivores?
Authors: Teixeira Daniela F. , Carpio Antonio J. , Rosalino Luís Miguel , Carniato Davide , Fonseca Carlos , Acevedo Pelayo
Published: October 2023

Context

The expansion of exotic plantations can impose conservation challenges on wildlife, and the Iberian Peninsula has one of the widest planted areas of exotic Eucalyptus sp. in Europe. Since mesocarnivores are pivotal elements of ecosystems’ functioning and Eucalyptus have been modifying the Portuguese landscape context in the last half century, it is crucial to understand how these systems may affect carnivores’ range.

Objectives

We aim to identify the drivers of five mesocarnivores’ distribution in Portugal (e.g., land-cover, ecogeographic predictors, mammal prey availability) and understand the influence of Eucalyptus plantations in their distribution range.

Methods

Using generalized linear models, we modelled the distribution range of mesocarnivores. The initial dataset was randomly split for model training and validation, and the multicollinearity between the predictors was tested. Then, we examined the potential relationship between the
Eucalyptus plantations area and the predicted probability presence of each species.

Results

We detected species-specific patterns explained by different drivers, including climatic, land cover and mammal prey related ones. Furthermore, in areas of Eucalyptus plantations, the probability of occurrence of most Portuguese mesocarnivores is lower: red fox,stone marten,European badger, and Egyptian mongoose.

Conclusions

Managers must take action to adapt their management to promote native forest patches within plantation, and allow the development of some understory within stands, to improve this plantation’s permeability to mesocarnivores. This will increase the spatial heterogeneity and enhance resource availability, reducing the constraints that plantations might have on the range of mesocarnivores in Portugal.
Friction modelling and the use of a physics-informed neural network for estimating frictional torque characteristics
Authors: Olejnik Paweł , Ayankoso Samuel
Published: October 2023

This paper presents an exploration of friction modeling encompassing theoretical and practical aspects, utilizing a planar or 2D contact system. Various white-box friction models, including static and dynamic variants, are introduced, highlighting the superior capability of dynamic models in comprehensively capturing friction effects, substantiated through numerical simulation. Practical aspects of friction measurement and data-driven friction modeling are elucidated. The discourse extends to the development of grey-box and black-box friction models. A significant contribution lies in the proposition of a physics-informed neural network-based friction modeling approach, presenting it as an advanced and preferable alternative for friction estimation. To exemplify its efficacy, a case study of a torsion-based frictional contact scenario, employing Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) and the Nelder–Mead (N–M) algorithm for concurrent dynamics and friction model identification, was examined. Experimental data from a double torsion pendulum system, characterized by discontinuous dynamics, is employed for training. Results demonstrate the PINN’s superiority, providing more accurate representation of stick–slip phases at the contact zone and exhibiting faster performance compared to the N–M algorithm. The paper concludes by deliberating on challenges, prospects, and future directions in friction modeling.
Predicting saddle-node bifurcations using transient dynamics: a model-free approach
Authors: Habib Giuseppe
Published: October 2023

This paper proposes a novel method for predicting the presence of saddle-node bifurcations in dynamical systems. The method exploits the effect that saddle-node bifurcations have on transient dynamics in the surrounding phase space and parameter space, and does not require any information about the steady-state solutions associated with the bifurcation. Specifically, trajectories of a system obtained for parameters close to the saddle-node bifurcation present local minima of the logarithmic decrement trend in the vicinity of the bifurcation. By tracking the logarithmic decrement for these trajectories, the saddle-node bifurcation can be accurately predicted. The method does not strictly require any mathematical model of the system, but only a few time series, making it directly implementable for gray- and black-box models and experimental apparatus. The proposed algorithm is tested on various systems of different natures, including a single-degree-of-freedom system with nonlinear damping, the mass-on-moving-belt, a time-delayed inverted pendulum, and a pitch-and-plunge wing profile. Benefits, limitations, and future perspectives of the method are also discussed. The proposed method has potential applications in various fields, such as engineering, physics, and biology, where the identification of saddle-node bifurcations is crucial for understanding and controlling complex systems.
Reply to Reasons Latesters
Authors: Schroeder Mark
Published: October 2023

It is an honor to receive such careful and attentive criticism. In this response, I attempt to put the criticisms of the reasons latesters into the context of my argumentative aims in the book and to point toward how they might be answered.
Yield stability and weed dry matter in response to field-scale soil variability in pea-oat intercropping
Authors: Munz Sebastian , Zachmann Julian , Chongtham Iman Raj , Dhamala Nawa Raj , Hartung Jens , Jensen Erik Steen , Carlsson Georg
Published: October 2023

Background and aims

Intercropping of grain legumes and cereals in European agriculture can provide benefits, such as an increase in yields, yield stability and weed suppression. Interactions between crops in intercropping may depend on spatial heterogeneity in soil conditions, which are present on farmers’ fields. Understanding the effect of within-field variation in soil conditions on interspecific interactions might increase the benefits of intercropping by within-field adjustment of the agronomic management.

Methods

Crop performance and weed dry matter were assessed together with several soil properties in grids within three large field experiments at two sites (Germany and Sweden) and during two years. Each experiment was comprised of several strips sown either with the two sole crops oat (Avena sativa L.) and field pea (Pisum sativum L.) or an oat-pea intercrop.

Results

The response of crop performance to within-field variability in soil conditions was mostly species-specific. Yield stability of intercropping was consistently higher compared with pea, but not compared to oat. The highest land equivalent ratio was found for an additive intercropping design under a higher water availability. In this experiment, yield stability of both intercropped pea and oat were lower, which might be expected as a result of within-field variation in interspecific interactions. Intercropping reduced weed dry matter compared to pea, for which one experiment indicated an increase in weed dry matter with nutrient availability.

Conclusion

The experimental design and the developed statistical analysis can contribute to further research about spatial variations in interspecific interactions in intercropping, which will improve the understanding of plant-plant and plant-soil interactions.
Harmonic Bergman Projectors on Homogeneous Trees
Authors: De Mari Filippo , Monti Matteo , Vallarino Maria
Published: October 2023

In this paper we investigate some properties of the harmonic Bergman spaces $$\mathcal A^p(\sigma )$$

A
p

(
σ
)

on a q-homogeneous tree, where $$q\ge 2$$

q
≥
2

, $$1\le p<\infty $$

1
≤
p
<
∞

, and $$\sigma $$
σ
is a finite measure on the tree with radial decreasing density, hence nondoubling. These spaces were introduced by J. Cohen, F. Colonna, M. Picardello and D. Singman. When $$p=2$$

p
=
2

they are reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces and we compute explicitely their reproducing kernel. We then study the boundedness properties of the Bergman projector on $$L^p(\sigma )$$

L
p

(
σ
)

for $$1<p<\infty $$

1
<
p
<
∞

and their weak type (1,1) boundedness for radially exponentially decreasing measures on the tree. The weak type (1,1) boundedness is a consequence of the fact that the Bergman kernel satisfies an appropriate integral Hörmander’s condition.
Listed Real Estate as an Inflation Hedge Across Regimes
Authors: Muckenhaupt Jan , Hoesli Martin , Zhu Bing
Published: October 2023

This paper examines the inflation-hedging capability of listed real estate (LRE) companies in the US from 1975 to 2023, and in three other economies—the UK, Japan, and Australia—from 1990 to 2023. By using a Markov switching vector error correction model (MS-VECM), we identify that the short-term hedging ability moves towards being negative or zero during turbulent periods. In stable periods, LRE provides good protection against inflation. In the long term, LRE offers a good hedge against expected inflation and shows a superior inflation hedging ability than stocks. Additionally, we identify inflation-hedging portfolios by minimizing the expected shortfall. This inflation-hedging portfolio allocation methodology suggests that listed real estate stocks should play a significant role in investor portfolios.
Does market power drive business model innovation? Evidence from Italian family manufacturing firms
Authors: Cucculelli Marco , Cappelli Riccardo , Mondolo Jasmine
Published: October 2023

The increasingly dynamic and uncertain environment in which firms operate has strengthened the need to understand how firms react to changing conditions and unpredicted events. Using the information on business model innovation collected through a unique survey on Italian manufacturing companies, we study if and how variations in the firm’s competitive position in the product market, proxied by the corporate markup, prompt proactive or reactive changes in the firms’ business model. Drawing upon the performance feedback approach, we find that markup variations foster business model innovation, and that the degree of family involvement shapes this influence. In particular, family firms turn out to be significantly more proactive (they react proactively to both negative and positive performance feedback) than family firms with lower family involvement and non-family firms. Interestingly, positive performance feedback encourages family firms to invest and strengthen those areas of the business model that are often considered weak in this type of company.
Understanding the sociocultural valuation of ecosystem services in urban parks: a Colombian study case
Authors: Granobles Velandia Fabián Andrés , Trilleras Motha Jenny Maritza , Romero-Duque Luz Piedad , Quijas Sandra
Published: October 2023

The significance of urban ecosystem services on the perception of parks among the public is profound. Parks are valued for their functional benefits, the experiences they provide, and their relationship with green spaces. To better understand the sociocultural values associated with five urban parks in Tunja (Boyacá, Colombia), in this case study, we interviewed three types of stakeholders: decision-makers, social leaders, and park users. We employed semi-structured interviews to identify the perception and orientation values of different stakeholders. According to the results, stakeholders recognize 18 ecosystem services as the most important, with cultural ecosystem services having the highest perception value. We found that socio-cultural values are influenced more by the characteristics of the parks than their size, and socio-demographic aspects of stakeholders such as age, level of education, and gender had no significant effect. We conclude that people value urban parks for the benefits associated with trees and the emotional connections they develop with them over time, assigning intangible value to city parks. However, we also identified discrepancies in values between governmental and non-governmental stakeholders that may adversely affect decision-making and policy formulation. This information can be valuable to urban planners who seek to assess and integrate measures that promote green spaces in cities to achieve sustainability.
Detecting Background Leakages in Water Infrastructure With Fiber Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing: Insights From a Heat Transfer-Unsaturated Flow Model
Authors: D’Aniello Andrea
Published: October 2023

The use of fiber optic distributed temperature sensing (DTS) to detect and locate leaks is still in its infancy in water infrastructure, despite its promising capabilities. Only few experiments tested this technology, and none of these studies focused on small but persistent leaks, like background leakages, which are ubiquitous and generally go undetected with the technology currently available, thus posing a serious threat to the available water resource. To test the feasibility of detecting and locating background leakages with fiber optic DTS, this study provides a detailed analysis on flow and temperature alterations around leaking water pipelines in presence of small leaks (5, 25, and 125 L/d) with small to moderate temperature differences with the surrounding soil, under 3 different pipe defect configurations, either in absence or in presence of pipe thermal insulation. Transient 3D heat transfer-unsaturated flow numerical simulations showed that there is potential to use temperature alterations to detect and locate incredibly small leaks with fiber optic DTS, like background leakages, despite the influence of pipe temperature on the surrounding soil. The analysis showed that extent, distribution, and magnitude of these alterations are convection dominated at a given temperature difference between leaked water and undisturbed soil, and that it may not be strictly necessary to place the optical fiber directly below the pipe. Indeed, optical fibers located within the utility trench at the sides of the pipe and below its bottom showed comparable or even better performance, thus giving new opportunities to retrofit existing pipelines as well.
PP-based 24 GHz wearable antenna
Authors: de Cos Gómez María Elena , Fernández Álvarez Humberto , Las-Heras Andrés Fernando
Published: October 2023

A wearable millimetre-wave radar antenna operating in 24.05–24.25 GHz for imaging applications in collision avoidance to assist visually impaired people is presented. Non-uniform excitation for the series end-fed 1 × 10 array antenna is optimized in simulation achieving a modified Dolph–Chebyshev distribution, which provides improved performance in terms of beam width, Side-lobe level and Gain. Commercial RO3003 and eco-friendly polypropylene (PP) are considered as substrates for comparison purposes, being the PP electromagnetically characterized for the first time at such high frequencies. Consistent agreement between simulation and measurement results is achieved for antenna prototypes on both dielectrics. The impedance matching bandwidth is analysed for the antenna on PP also under bent conditions. The overall size of the compact, low-cost, eco-friendly and flexible antenna on PP is 98.68 × 14.4 × 0.52 mm3 and, according to literature survey, it overcomes the state of the art on wearable radar antennas at 24 GHz.

Graphical Abstract
The impact of police uniforms in changing views of police legitimacy and driving intentions among young people: an experimental trial
Authors: Anderson Levi , Bates Lyndel , Schaefer Lacey
Published: October 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to determine if young people’s views of police legitimacy and intentions to offend are affected by the delivery of a road safety program by uniformed police officers (control) compared with plain clothes police officers (experimental). The study further explores the direct correlation between views of police legitimacy and intentions to offend as well as the impact of uniforms, mediated by views of police legitimacy, on intentions to offend.

Methods

Participants in this study were grade 12 students (n = 380) from private (fee-paying) high schools located in Queensland, Australia. Participants were surveyed following their involvement in a police road safety program. t-Tests, correlation, and mediation analyses were conducted to determine the impact of police uniforms and views of police legitimacy on intentions to offend.

Results

Results of this study demonstrate that delivery of the program by uniformed police officers had a significantly greater positive impact on the views of police legitimacy and intentions to offend compared with delivery by plain-clothed officers. The study also demonstrates a significant correlation between views of police legitimacy and intentions to offend, as well as a mediated model including views of police legitimacy that explains more variance in intentions to offend when mediated by views of police legitimacy.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that views of police legitimacy, as well as intentions to offend, are more positively impacted when an educational course is facilitated by uniformed police officers. The mediation analysis demonstrates that uniforms impact views of police legitimacy and these views significantly affect intentions to offend. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between police uniforms, views of police legitimacy, and offending and may inform future research and policy decisions in the area of policing.
Do urban air pollutants induce changes in the thallus anatomy and affect the photosynthetic efficiency of the nitrophilous lichen Physcia adscendens?
Authors: Styburski Jakub , Skubała Kaja
Published: October 2023

Lichens are symbiotic organisms that are generally sensitive to air pollution due to their specific biological and physiological features. Physcia adscendens is a nitrophilous lichen well-known for being resistant to air pollution associated with progressive anthropopressure. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nitrogen oxides and suspended particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) on anatomical structure of the thallus and photobiont’s photosynthetic efficiency in P. adscendens inhabiting sites that differ in terms of air pollution level and thereby to determine the relevance of these pollutants for shaping the structure of the thallus and the physiological condition of the photosynthetic partner. We found that P. adscendens from polluted sites had increased thickness of the algal layer and the larger size of the algae cells, but a much lower ratio of the algal layer to the whole thallus. Lichens from highly polluted sites had also higher photosynthetic efficiency, which indicates a relatively good physiological condition of the photobiont. This indicates that the photobiont of P. adscendens is well-adapted to function under air pollution stress which may contribute to its success in colonizing polluted sites. Both changes in the anatomy of the lichen thallus and the efficiency of photosynthesis may be related to the enrichment of the environment with nitrogen. The increased photosynthetic efficiency as well as investment in the size of photobiont cells and growth mycobiont hyphae confirms that P. adscendens is well-adapted to urban conditions; however, the mechanism behind those adaptations needs more focus in the context of global environmental changes.
Impact of Ultrasound Emulsification on the Physicochemical Properties of Emulsions Stabilised by Quinoa Protein Isolates at Different pHs
Authors: Yang Zhi , Cheng Lirong
Published: October 2023

Ultrasonication (20 kHz, 19.9 W/10 mL sample) was used to form O/W emulsions stabilised by quinoa protein isolate (QPI) particles at 3 wt%. Effects of pH (3, 5, 7, 9) and oil volume fractions (20%, 40%, and 60%) on rheological properties and microstructural characteristics of emulsions were investigated. All emulsions show viscoelastic behaviours and form a network structure comprising aggregated oil droplets and QPI particles. Emulsions stabilised by QPI at pH 5 showed largest droplet sizes and lowest gel strength due to extensive aggregation of proteins around the isoelectric point (pI ~ 4.5). The gel strength (G´(1 Hz)) were enhanced when the oil volume fraction increased and reached ~ 1100–1350 Pa at 60% oil volume fraction at different pH. This could be attributed to a tighter packing of oil droplets at 60% oil. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that interdroplets bridging and voids filling of QPI particles between oil droplets are critical in formation of aggregated emulsions network. Emulsions stabilised by QPI at pH 7 and 9 possessed thinner interfacial layers compared to those at pH 3 and 5. Finally, this study shows a potential of using ultrasonication to prepare gel-like emulsions stabilised by QPI, broadening applications of quinoa proteins in making dairy substitutes with semi-solid textural characteristics.
Quantifying EHR and Policy Factors Associated with the Gender Productivity Gap in Ambulatory, General Internal Medicine
Authors: Li Huan , Rotenstein Lisa , Jeffery Molly M. , Paek Hyung , Nath Bidisha , Williams Brian L. , McLean Robert M. , Goldstein Richard , Nuckols Teryl K. , Hoq Lalima , Melnick Edward R.
Published: October 2023

Background

The gender gap in physician compensation has persisted for decades. Little is known about how differences in use of the electronic health record (EHR) may contribute.

Objective

To characterize how time on clinical activities, time on the EHR, and clinical productivity vary by physician gender and to identify factors associated with physician productivity.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This longitudinal study included general internal medicine physicians employed by a large ambulatory practice network in the Northeastern United States from August 2018 to June 2021.

Main Measures

Monthly data on physician work relative value units (wRVUs), physician and practice characteristics, metrics of EHR use and note content, and temporal trend variables.

Key Results

The analysis included 3227 physician-months of data for 108 physicians (44% women). Compared with men physicians, women physicians generated 23.8% fewer wRVUs per month, completed 22.1% fewer visits per month, spent 4.0 more minutes/visit and 8.72 more minutes on the EHR per hour worked (all p < 0.001), and typed or dictated 36.4% more note characters per note (p = 0.006). With multivariable adjustment for physician age, practice characteristics, EHR use, and temporal trends, physician gender was no longer associated with productivity (men 4.20 vs. women 3.88 wRVUs/hour, p = 0.31). Typing/dictating fewer characters per note, relying on greater teamwork to manage orders, and spending less time on documentation were associated with higher wRVUs/hour. The 2021 E/M code change was associated with higher wRVUs/hour for all physicians: 10% higher for men physicians and 18% higher for women physicians (p < 0.001 and p = 0.009, respectively).

Conclusions

Increased team support, briefer documentation, and the 2021 E/M code change were associated with higher physician productivity. The E/M code change may have preferentially benefited women physicians by incentivizing time-intensive activities such as medical decision-making, preventive care discussion, and patient counseling that women physicians have historically spent more time performing.
The Physician-Assisted Suicide Pathway in Italy: Ethical Assessment and Safeguard Approaches
Authors: Riva Luciana
Published: October 2023

Although in Italy there is currently no effective law on physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia, Decision No. 242 issued by the Italian Constitutional Court on September 25, 2019 established that an individual who, under specific circumstances, has facilitated the implementation of an independent and freely-formed resolve to commit suicide by another individual is exempt from criminal liability. Following this ruling, some citizens have submitted requests for assisted suicide to the public health system, generating a situation of great uncertainty in the application processes. As a matter of fact, shared and defined procedures are lacking as Decision 242/2019 merely added some principles on which the legislature will have to base its future intervention. This paper analyses the advisory role that the Decision attributes to territorial ethics committees with the aim of stimulating discussions on their role in oversight mechanisms. The proposed conclusion is that the envisaged role does not appear consistent with the functions of these bodies and is ultimately substantially undefined and unjustified.
Softsensors: key component of property control in forming technology
Authors: Homberg Werner , Arian Bahman , Arne Viktor , Borgert Thomas , Brosius Alexander , Groche Peter , Hartmann Christoph , Kersting Lukas , Laue Robert , Martschin Juri , Meurer Thomas , Spies Daniel , Tekkaya A. Erman , Trächtler Ansgar , Volk Wolfram , Wendler Frank , Wrobel Malte
Published: October 2023

The constantly increasing challenges of production technology for the economic and resource-saving production of metallic workpieces require, among other things, the optimisation of existing processes. Forming technology, which is confronted with new challenges regarding the quality of the workpieces, must also organise the individual processes more efficiently and at the same time more reliably in order to be able to guarantee good workpiece quality and at the same time to be able to produce economically. One way to meet these challenges is to carry out the forming processes in closed-loop control systems using softsensors. Despite the many potential applications of softsensors in the field of forming technology, there is still no definition of the term softsensor. This publication therefore proposes a definition of the softsensor based on the definition of a sensor and the distinction from the observer, which on the one hand is intended to stimulate scientific discourse and on the other hand is also intended to form the basis for further scientific work. Based on this definition, a wide variety of highly topical application examples of various softsensors in the field of forming technology are given.
Obesity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Haidar Amier , Horwich Tamara
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

Obesity, generally defined by body mass index (BMI), is an established risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), while cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) decreases risk. In chronic CVD, an obesity survival paradox in which higher BMI is associated with improved prognosis has been reported. This paper will examine the effect of obesity on CVD risk, explore obesity as a risk factor in patients with established CVD, and investigate the relationship between CRF, obesity, and CVD.

Recent Findings

Through metabolic and hemodynamic changes, obesity increases the risk for CVD and contributes to the development of other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Obesity is associated with metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory changes that leads to atherosclerosis increasing the risk for coronary artery disease, and myocardial remodeling increasing the risk for heart failure. However, it has also been observed that overweight/obese patients with established CVD have a better prognosis when compared to non-obese individuals termed the obesity paradox. CRF is a vital component of health associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes and furthermore has been shown to markedly attenuate or nullify the relationship between obesity and CVD risk/prognosis.

Increasing CRF mitigates CVD risk factors and improves overall prognosis in CVD regardless of obesity status.
Hearing loss prevention at loud music events via real-time visuo-haptic feedback
Authors: Turchet Luca , Luiten Simone , Treub Tjebbe , van der Burgt Marloes , Siani Costanza , Boem Alberto
Published: October 2023

Hearing loss is becoming a global problem, partly as a consequence of exposure to loud music. People may be unaware about the harmful sound levels and consequent damages caused by loud music at venues such as discotheques or festivals. Earplugs are effective in reducing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss but have been shown to be an insufficient prevention strategy. Thus, when it is not possible to lower the volume of the sound source, a viable solution to the problem is to relocate to quieter locations from time to time. In this context, this study introduces a bracelet device with the goal of warning users when the music sound level is too loud in their specific location, via haptic, visual or visuo-haptic feedback. The bracelet embeds a microphone, a microcontroller, an LED strip and four vibration motors. We performed a user study where thirteen participants were asked to react to the three kinds of feedback during a simulated disco club event where the volume of music pieces varied to reach a loud intensity. Results showed that participants never missed the above threshold notification via all types of feedback, but visual feedback led to the slowest reaction times and was deemed the least effective. In line with the findings reported in the hearing loss prevention literature, the perceived usefulness of the proposed device was highly dependent on participants’ subjective approach to the topic of hearing risks at loud music events as well as their willingness to take action regarding its prevention. Ultimately, our study shows how technology, no matter how effective, may not be able to cope with these kinds of cultural issues concerning hearing loss prevention. Educational strategies may represent a more effective solution to the real problem of changing people’s attitudes and motivations to want to protect their hearing.
Total Glucosides of Paeony Ameliorate Myocardial Injury in Chronic Heart Failure Rats by Suppressing PARP-1
Authors: Wei Wenjuan , Li Caiyan , Zhang Baoyong , Huang Deyun , Li Zheming , Gao Jiaer
Published: October 2023

Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) have a potential protective effect on chronic heart failure (CHF) rats, but the mechanism remains unclear. PARP inhibition prevents the decrease in myocardial contractility. Therefore, we aim to investigate the effects and mechanisms of TGP on CHF and the role of PARP-1 in CHF. Left anterior descending ligation rats and adriamycin-treated H9C9 cells were used as CHF models, and captopril as a positive control for in vivo experiments. We found that TGP alleviated myocardial remodeling and improved cardiac morphology and function. TGP also reduced myocardial apoptosis and autophagy, decreased inflammatory factor release, and inhibited the PARP-1 and NF-κB proteins. Through cell transfection, we found that PAPR-1 knockdown inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation. Additionally, TGP inhibited apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammation in CHF cells, while PARP-1 overexpression partially antagonized them. In conclusion, TGP has the potential to improve CHF and PARP-1 may be a potential target.

Graphical Abstract
Mechanical properties and microscopic characteristics of fly ash–slag composite backfill
Authors: Zhang Xuefeng , Zhang Xiangdong , Shuai Pang , Su Lijuan , Cai Guanjun
Published: October 2023

The strength of the backfill is crucial for safe and efficient mining, and the cementing material is the key to obtaining a strong backfill. In this paper, industrial waste was used as a raw material, into which basis basalt fibres of different lengths and dosages were incorporated. First, the influencing factors were determined through orthogonal test designs. The optimal ratio of solid–liquid ratio of 2 and basalt fiber content of 2% and length of 6 mm was obtained, and thereby the complete proportion of the backfill material was obtained. The compressive strength and slump of the backfill material mixed with basalt fibres were investigated, and the interfacial mechanism of the backfill material was analysed at the microscopic level using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results indicated that the degrees of influence of the different factors on the mechanical properties of the backfill material decreased in the following order: Solid–liquid ratio > fibre dosage > fibre length. Furthermore, there were different degrees of interaction among them. Under the best test proportion, that is, when the Solid–liquid ratio was 2, the fibre dosage was 2%, and the fibre length was 6 mm, the slump was 210 mm, and the compressive strength was 5.03 MPa. The mechanical properties were the best at this time. Through data regression, the relationship between the fibre dosage and the average peak stress was established, and the full curve expression for the uniaxial compressive stress–strain of the BFGF specimen was obtained. According to a microscopic characterisation analysis, the slag formed C–S–H gel, which contributed to the early-stage strength of the filling material; fly ash and coal gangue contained a large amount of aluminium, which formed hydrated aluminosilicate with a framework structure, and this contributed significantly to the later-stage strength of the backfill material. The addition of basalt fibres reduces the internal defects of the backfill, allowing the internal pore structure of the backfill to be optimised and the compressive strength to be increased. The results of this study have been successfully implemented in actual projects. Additionally, they provide a reference for similar mine management projects and have considerable promotion and application value.
Application of machine learning algorithm in electronic book database management system
Authors: Zhou Jianghe , Huang Tangsen
Published: October 2023

Intelligent algorithms have excellent performance in managing large databases and mining effective knowledge, and many researchers have introduced these algorithms into research to improve the performance of book management systems. This article introduced the application of machine learning algorithms in electronic book database management systems. A linear classifier (linear regression algorithm is one of machine learning algorithms) was used to analyze the empirical loss value. This paper studied the application of machine learning algorithm in the database management of library special collection resources, aiming to optimize the management of library special collection resources database through machine learning algorithm, and provided students with better experience of using special collection resources. This paper verified the effectiveness of the machine learning algorithm from three aspects: the retrieval time before and after the special resource database, the number of crashes in a month and the number of library staff. The average time of the five sets using the machine learning algorithm was about 150% faster than the average search time of the five sets of special resource databases. The number of crashes after using machine learning algorithm was 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, which was much lower than that of special resource database. After using the machine learning algorithm, the five groups of workers were 7, 5, 9, 6, and 4, respectively, far fewer than the five groups of special collectors. Finally, by comparing the linear regression model, Support vector machine model, and random forest model, it was found that the accuracy of the linear regression model reached 98.2%, an increase of 8.2% compared to the random forest model, the precision rate reached 96.7%, and the recall rate reached 98.2%. 97.8%, F1 value reached 97.5%.It can be seen from the experimental data that the machine learning algorithm plays a good role in the database management of the library special collection resources.