bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The traditional Chinese patented medicine Qingke Pingchuan granules alleviate acute lung injury by regenerating club cells
Authors: Wu Yuanyuan , Zhu Wensi , Rouzi Ainiwaer , Tong Lin , Han Linxiao , Song Juan , Ding Jianwen , Yan Yu , Li Miao , Pan Ting , Liu Jie , Wang Qin , Song Yuanlin , Shen Jie , Zhou Jian
Published: September 2022

Qingke Pingchuan granules (QKPCG), a patented traditional Chinese medicine, clinically, are recommended for acute tracheobronchitis, cough, community‐acquired pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases. However, its potential protective effect and mechanism of action in acute lung injury (ALI) have not been explored. We aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the protective role of QKPCG in ALI. The therapeutic efficacy of QKPCG was investigated in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced ALI mouse model. Mice were divided into three groups, namely, the Control, LPS, and LPS + QKPCG groups. Mice in the LPS + QKPCG group were administered QKPCG intragastrically as a treatment once a day for a total of three days. QKPCG effectively increased survival and reduced lung injury in treated mice. It significantly reduced the LPS‐induced expression of interleukin (IL)‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), IL‐1α, and IL‐1β. RNA‐sequencing followed by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation suggested a critical role of the secretoglobin family 1A member 1 (Scgb1a1) gene in mediating the protective effect of QKPCG. Further, QKPCG reversed the LPS‐induced downregulation of the Clara cell 10 kDa protein (CC10), a pulmonary surfactant protein encoded by Scgb1a1, which is mainly secreted by club cells in the lungs. Exogenous supplementation of CC10 alleviated LPS‐induced ALI. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay results further confirmed the anti‐inflammatory properties of CC10, which were suggested as mediated via the inhibition of NFκB phosphorylation. In summary, our study provides evidence of the beneficial role of QKPCG in alleviating lung injury, mediated via the decreased disruption of club cells and higher expression of CC10, which leads to NFκB pathway inhibition.
Isolated hypoaldosteronism managed by DOCP in a dog with chronic kidney disease and hypercortisolism
Authors: Park Su‐Min , An Ju‐Hyun , Kim Na‐Hyeong , Oh Ye‐In , Seo Kyoung‐won , Youn Hwa‐Young
Published: September 2022

A 13‐year‐old spayed female Schnauzer dog with chronic kidney disease (CKD; International Renal Interest Society stage 2, non‐proteinuric, normotensive), diabetes mellitus, hypercortisolism and myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine stage B2) presented with electrolyte imbalance that had progressed to hyperkalaemia and hyponatremia, with a sodium to potassium (Na:K) ratio of 19.6. Cortisol levels after the adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test were within the therapeutic range, but aldosterone levels were below the reference range; hence, isolated hypoaldosteronism was diagnosed. After administration of deoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP), the electrolyte imbalance improved with a Na:K ratio of 27.7. This is the first report of the management of isolated hypoaldosteronism and hypercortisolism using trilostane and DOCP in a dog. This case highlights the importance of recognizing isolated hypoaldosteronism after long‐term treatment with trilostane in a canine patient with CKD.
Vision Zero in Lithuania
Authors: Žuraulis Vidas , Pumputis Vidmantas
Published: September 2022

This chapter covers statistical data and initiatives related to the challenges and achievements of road safety in Lithuania. After providing an overview and an evaluation of previous programs to improve road safety in Lithuania, we discuss a selection of various improvements and assessment of safe traffic measures and their efficiency through relevant information from research and statistical data analysis. Priorities to achieve safer behavior of road users, safer streets and roads, safer vehicles, safer rail transport, and higher survival rates after accidents are discussed in more detail. The country-specific issues of pedestrian fatalities in dark hours, intensive land transportation due to geographical location, and accidents related to railway level crossings are also presented.
Characteristics of Risk
Authors: Kleinn Jan , Aller Dörte , Oplatka Matthias
Published: September 2022

Risk, as opposed to the physical hazard, always involves consequences like damages or losses. Risk is a concept which is difficult to grasp, partly because it cannot be directly measured. Furthermore, risk cannot be summarized in only a single number. Nevertheless, risk has to be characterized for a number of applications, ranging from risk assessment to risk communication, stakeholder involvement, and discussions on the level of acceptable risk.

The authors are providing an approach to characterize risk. These risk characteristics are the result of practical applications in natural hazard risk management. With these characteristics, risk can be used as a basis for decisions regarding the level of acceptable risk or for the appraisal of risk reduction measures, including the characterization of uncertainties in current or future risk.
On the dynamics in the AdS/BCFT correspondence
Authors: Suzuki Yu-ki , Terashima Seiji
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We consider a perturbation of the Einstein gravity with the Neumann boundary condition, which is regarded as an end of the world brane (ETW brane) of the AdS/BCFT correspondence, in the AdSd+1 spacetime with d ≥ 3. We obtain the mode expansion of the perturbations explicitly for the tensionless ETW brane case.

We also show that the energy-momentum tensor in a d-dimensional BCFT should satisfy nontrivial constraints other than the ones for the boundary conformal symmetry if the BCFT can couple to a d-dimensional gravity with a specific boundary condition, which can be the Neumann or the conformally Dirichlet boundary conditions. We find these constraints are indeed satisfied for the free scalar BCFT. For the BCFT in the AdS/BCFT, we find that the BCFT can couple to the gravity with the Neumann boundary condition for the tensionless brane, but the BCFT can couple to the gravity with the conformally Dirichlet boundary condition for the nonzero tension brane by using holographic relations.
Unruh quantum Otto engine in the presence of a reflecting boundary
Authors: Mukherjee Arnab , Gangopadhyay Sunandan , Majumdar A. S.
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We introduce a new model of relativistic quantum analogue of the classical Otto engine in the presence of a perfectly reflecting boundary. A single qubit acts as the working substance interacting with a massless quantum scalar field, with the boundary obeying the Dirichlet condition. The quantum vacuum serves as a thermal bath through the Unruh effect. We observe that the response function of the qubit gets significantly modified by the presence of the reflecting boundary. From the structure of the correlation function, we find that three different cases emerge, namely, the intermediate boundary regime, the near boundary regime, and the far boundary regime. As expected, the correlation in the far boundary regime approaches that of the Unruh quantum Otto engine (UQOE) when the reflecting boundary goes to infinity. The effect of the reflecting boundary is manifested through the reduction of the critical excitation probability of the qubit and the work output of the engine. Inspite of the reduced work output, the efficiency of the engine remains unaltered even in the presence of the boundary.
Entanglement harvesting from conformal vacuums between two Unruh-DeWitt detectors moving along null paths
Authors: Barman Subhajit , Barman Dipankar , Majhi Bibhas Ranjan
Published: September 2022

Abstract

It is well-known that the (1 + 1) dimensional Schwarzschild and spatially flat FLRW spacetimes are conformally flat. This work examines entanglement harvesting from the conformal field vacuums in these spacetimes between two Unruh-DeWitt detectors, moving along outgoing null trajectories. In (1 + 1) dimensional Schwarzschild spacetime, we considered the Boulware and Unruh vacuums for our investigations. In this analysis, one observes that while entanglement harvesting is possible in (1+1) dimensional Schwarzschild and (1 + 3) dimensional de Sitter spacetimes, it is not possible in the (1 + 1) dimensional de Sitter background for the same set of parameters when the detectors move along the same outgoing null trajectory. The qualitative results from the Boulware and the Unruh vacuums are alike. Furthermore, we observed that the concurrence depends on the distance d between the two null paths of the detectors periodically, and depending on the parameter values, there could be entanglement harvesting shadow points or regions. We also observe that the mutual information does not depend on d in (1 + 1) dimensional Schwarzschild and de Sitter spacetimes but periodically depends on it in (1 + 3) dimensional de Sitter background. We also provide elucidation on the origin of the harvested entanglement.
Machine Learning Algorithms for Predicting Surgical Outcomes after Colorectal Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bektaş Mustafa , Tuynman Jurriaan B. , Costa Pereira Jaime , Burchell George L. , van der Peet Donald L.
Published: September 2022

Background

Machine learning (ML) has been introduced in various fields of healthcare. In colorectal surgery, the role of ML has yet to be reported. In this systematic review, an overview of machine learning models predicting surgical outcomes after colorectal surgery is provided.

Methods

Databases PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched for studies using machine learning models for patients undergoing colorectal surgery. To be eligible for inclusion, studies needed to apply machine learning models for patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Absence of machine learning or colorectal surgery or studies reporting on reviews, children, study abstracts were excluded. The Probast risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of machine learning models.

Results

A total of 1821 studies were analysed, resulting in the inclusion of 31 articles. A vast proportion of ML algorithms have been used to predict the course of disease and response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Radiomics have been applied most frequently, along with predictive accuracies up to 91%. However, most studies included a retrospective study design without external validation or calibration.

Conclusions

Machine learning models have shown promising potential in predicting surgical outcomes after colorectal surgery. However, large‐scale data is warranted to bridge the gap between calibration and external validation. Clinical implementation is needed to demonstrate the contribution of ML within daily practice.
Single-peaked domains with designer uncertainty
Authors: Narayanan Aroon
Published: September 2022

This paper studies single-peaked domains where the designer is uncertain about the underlying alignment according to which the domain is single-peaked. The underlying alignment is common knowledge amongst agents, but preferences are private knowledge. Thus, the state of the world has both a public and private element, with the designer uninformed of both. I first posit a relevant solution concept called implementation in mixed information equilibria, which requires Nash implementation in the public information and dominant strategy implementation in the private information given the public information. I then identify necessary and sufficient conditions for social choice rules (SCRs) to be implementable. The characterization is used to identify unanimous and anonymous implementable SCRs for different forms of designer uncertainty, which basically boils down to picking the right SCRs from the large class identified by Moulin (Public Choice 35(4):437–455, 1980), and hence this result can be seen as identifying which of Moulin’s SCRs are robust to designer uncertainty.
Intravenous ferric derisomaltose versus oral iron for persistent iron deficient pregnant women: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hansen Rebecka , Sommer Veronika Markova , Pinborg Anja , Krebs Lone , Thomsen Lars Lykke , Moos Torben , Holm Charlotte
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To compare the efficacy of intravenous (IV) iron (ferric derisomaltose) with oral iron (ferrous fumarate) in women 14–21 weeks pregnant with persistent iron deficiency (ferritin < 30 µg/L).

Methods

In a single-centre, open-label, randomised controlled trial at a Danish hospital, women with persistent iron deficiency after routine oral iron treatment were allocated to receive 1000 mg IV iron (single-dose) or 100 mg elemental oral iron daily. Outcomes were assessed during an 18-week follow-up period. The primary endpoint was the proportion of non-anaemic (haemoglobin [Hb] ≥ 11 g/dL) women throughout follow-up. Other outcomes included changes in haematological parameters, patient-reported fatigue, and quality of life (QoL). Safety was assessed by recording adverse events.

Results

From July 2017 to February 2020, 100 women were randomised to IV iron and 101 to oral iron. Throughout follow-up, 91% of women were non-anaemic in the IV iron group compared with 73% in the oral iron group (18% difference [95% confidence interval 0.10–0.25]; p < 0.001). The mean Hb increase was significantly greater with IV iron versus oral iron at Weeks 6 (0.4 versus − 0.2 g/dL; p < 0.001), 12 (0.5 versus 0.1 g/dL; p < 0.001), and 18 (0.8 versus 0.5 g/dL; p = 0.01). Improvements in fatigue and QoL were greater with IV iron versus oral iron at Weeks 3 and 6. The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was comparable between treatment groups.

Conclusion

IV iron was superior in preventing anaemia compared with oral iron in pregnant women with persistent iron deficiency; biochemical superiority was accompanied by improved fatigue and QoL.

Clinical trial registration

European Clinical Trials Database: EudraCT no.: 2017-000776-29 (3 May 2017); ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03188445 (13 June 2017).

The trial protocol has been published: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186%2Fs13063-020-04637-z.
Severe maternal morbidity following stillbirth in Western Australia 2000–2015: a population-based study
Authors: Bailey Helen D. , Adane Akilew A. , White Scott W. , Farrant Brad M. , Shepherd Carrington C. J.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

There is scant literature about the management of stillbirth and the subsequent risk of severe maternal morbidity (SMM). We aimed to assess the risk of SMM associated with stillbirths compared with live births and whether this differed by the presence of maternal comorbidities.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we used a population-based dataset of all stillbirths and live births ≥ 20 weeks’ gestation in Western Australia between 2000 and 2015. SMM was identified using a published Australian composite for use with routinely collected hospital morbidity data. Maternal comorbidities were identified in the Hospital Morbidity Data Collection or the Midwives Notification System using a modified Australian chronic disease composite. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with SMM in analyses stratified by the presence of maternal comorbidities. Singleton and multiple pregnancies were examined separately.

Results

This study included 458,639 singleton births (2319 stillbirths and 456,320 live births). The adjusted RRs for SMM among stillbirths were 2.30 (95% CI 1.77, 3.00) for those without comorbidities and 4.80 (95% CI 4.11, 5.59) (Interaction P value < 0.0001) for those with comorbidities compared to live births without and with comorbidities, respectively.

Conclusion

In Western Australia between 2000 and 2015, mothers of stillbirths both with and without any maternal comorbidities had an increased risk of SMM compared with live births. Further investigation into why women who have had a stillbirth without any existing conditions or pregnancy complications develop SMM is warranted.
The association between day-to-day stress experiences and work–life interference among office workers in academia: an ecological momentary assessment study
Authors: Bolliger Larissa , Debra Gillian , Lukan Junoš , Peeters Rani , Colman Elena , Baele Ellen , Luštrek Mitja , De Bacquer Dirk , Clays Els
Published: September 2022

Purpose

We investigated relations between day-to-day job demands, job control, job strain, social support at work, and day-to-day work–life interference among office workers in academia.

Methods

This study is based on a 15-working day data collection period using an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) implemented in our self-developed STRAW smartphone application. We recruited office workers from two academic settings in Belgium and Slovenia. Participants were repeatedly asked to complete EMAs including work stressors and work interfering with personal life (WIPL) as well as personal life interfering with work (PLIW). We applied fixed-effect model testing with random intercepts to investigate within- and between-participant levels.

Results

We included 55 participants with 2261 analyzed observations in this study. Our data showed that researchers with a PhD reported higher WIPL compared to administrative and technical staff (β = 0.37, p < 0.05). We found significant positive associations between job demands (β = 0.53, p < 0.001), job control (β = 0.19, p < 0.01), and job strain (β = 0.61, p < 0.001) and WIPL. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction effect between job control and social support at work on WIPL (β = − 0.24, p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant negative association was found between job control and PLIW (β = − 0.20, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Based on our EMA study, higher job demands and job strain were correlated with higher WIPL. Furthermore, we found associations going in opposite directions; higher job control was correlated with higher WIPL and lower PLIW. Higher job control leading to higher imbalance stands out as a novel result.
Laparoscopic antireflux surgery or PPIs in the management of reflux-related esophageal stricture
Authors: Li Zhi-tong , Kong Xiang-lin , Zhang Rui , Yao Jian-ning , Li Chun-xia , Han Xin-wei , Wang Zhong-gao , Liu Kang-dong , Ji Feng
Published: September 2022

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is often associated with esophageal stricture, particularly benign esophageal stricture. We aimed to evaluate the effects of balloon catheter dilation (BD) combined with laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) surgery and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients with reflux-induced esophageal strictures.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 116 patients with reflux-induced benign esophageal strictures who underwent balloon dilatation therapy combined with PPIs (BD-PPIs group, n = 58) and balloon dilatation combined with LF (BD-LF group, n = 58). Patients were followed up for 24 months. The outcomes of the patients were monitored, including clinical success, symptom improvement, adverse events, and the frequency of esophagitis.

Results

At the latest follow-up, the rate of clinical success was higher in BD-LF group than in BD-PPIs group (80.4% vs. 57.7%, P = 0.011). The patients in the BD-PPIs group required more dilation sessions to achieve successful dilation, as compared to those in the BD-LF group (2.1 ± 1.2 vs. 0.7 ± 0.8, P < 0.001). The DeMeester score, number of reflux episodes for which pH was < 4, and lower esophageal sphincter pressure were significantly better in the BD-LF group than in the BD-PPIs group (all P < 0.001). The incidence of reflux esophagitis was higher in the BD-PPIs group than in the BD-LF group, at 24 months (58.8% vs. 18.2%, P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Balloon dilatation with concomitant LF is effective and safe for esophageal stricture secondary to GERD. Moreover, antireflux surgery techniques, such as Nissen or Toupet procedure, should be added for reflux-induced benign esophageal stricture.
Primary hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy: experience of a tertiary centre
Authors: Arshad Muhammad Fahad , Arambewela Maulee Hiromi , Bennet William M. , Sterrenburg Monique , Balasubramanian Saba P.
Published: September 2022

Background and purpose

The management of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) during pregnancy is challenging and there is no clear consensus on whether it increases the risk of complications in pregnancy. We conducted this study to review the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnant women treated for PHPT in a single centre.

Methods

Data on relevant clinical parameters, demographics, management strategies, maternal and fetal outcomes were collected from the medical records of pregnant patients with PHPT diagnosed between 2012 and 2019.

Results

Of 15 pregnant women with PHPT, 6 were managed medically and 9 underwent surgery. The median age at their index pregnancy was 28 years [range 19–42]. The median highest adjusted calcium level in the medical group was 2.90 [range 2.61–3.25] mmol/L vs. 3.11 [2.78–4.95] mmol/L in the surgical group. There was one miscarriage and the stillbirth of twins in the medical group, but no such outcomes in the surgical group. The median gestational ages were 39 + 3 weeks [range 24 + 2–41 + 2 weeks] and 39 + 4 weeks [range 37 + 1–39 + 5 weeks] in the medical and surgical groups, respectively. No birth was complicated by neonatal tetany or convulsions.

Conclusion

More complications developed in the pregnant PHPT patients who were managed medically than in those who underwent surgery. Surgery performed during the second trimester resulted in good outcomes. Multi-centre prospective studies are required to ascertain the risk of various complications in women with PHPT during pregnancy.
Early symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 1–8 year old children with sex chromosome trisomies (XXX, XXY, XYY), and the predictive value of joint attention
Authors: Bouw Nienke , Swaab Hanna , Tartaglia Nicole , Wilson Rebecca L. , Van der velde Kim , van Rijn Sophie
Published: September 2022

The objective of the present study is to investigate the impact of Sex Chromosome Trisomy (SCT; XXX, XXY, XYY) on the early appearance of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms, and the predictive value of Joint Attention for symptoms of ASD. SCTs are specific genetic conditions that may serve as naturalistic ‘at risk’ models of neurodevelopment, as they are associated with increased risk for neurobehavioral vulnerabilities. A group of 82 children with SCT (aged 1–8 years) was included at baseline of this longitudinal study. Joint Attention was measured at baseline with structured behavior observations according to the Early Social Communication Scales. ASD symptoms were assessed with the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers questionnaire and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised in a 1-year follow-up. Recruitment and assessment took place in the Netherlands and in the United States. The results demonstrate that ASD symptoms were substantially higher in children with SCT compared to the general population, with 22% of our cohort at clinical risk for ASD, especially in the domain of social interaction and communication. Second, a predictive value of Joint Attention was found for ASD symptoms at 1-year follow-up. In this cohort, no differences were found between karyotype-subtypes. In conclusion, from a very early age, SCT can be associated with an increased risk for vulnerabilities in adaptive social functioning. These findings show a neurodevelopmental impact of the extra X or Y chromosome on social adaptive development associated with risk for ASD already from early childhood onward. These findings advocate for close monitoring and early (preventive) support, aimed to optimize social development of young children with SCT.
Promoting gender equality across the sustainable development goals
Authors: Leal Filho Walter , Kovaleva Marina , Tsani Stella , Țîrcă Diana-Mihaela , Shiel Chris , Dinis Maria Alzira Pimenta , Nicolau Melanie , Sima Mihaela , Fritzen Barbara , Lange Salvia Amanda , Minhas Aprajita , Kozlova Valerija , Doni Federica , Spiteri Jane , Gupta Tanushka , Wakunuma Kutoma , Sharma Mohit , Barbir Jelena , Shulla Kalterina , Bhandari Medani P. , Tripathi Shiv
Published: September 2022

Gender issues, and gender equality in particular, can be regarded as cross-cutting issues in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), even though it is unclear how they are taken into account. This study addresses this information gap by performing an assessment of the emphasis on gender issues across all the other 16 SDGs, in addition to SDG5, through a literature review and case study analysis, the basis for the newly developed framework, highlighting specific actions associated to each SDG. The 13 countries addressed in the 16 case studies include China, India, or Australia and illustrate the inclusion of SDG5 into the SDGs. Using an SDG matrix, the SDG targets are analysed. Those where an emphasis on gender equality is important in allowing them to be achieved are listed. The novelty of our approach resides in offering an in-depth analysis of how gender issues interact with the other SDGs, proposing a new analysis framework clearly identifying SDGs 1, 4, 11, 12, 14 and 16 demanding further attention for successful SD gender implementation and illustrating specific areas where further actions may be necessary, which may be used by policy-makers, raising further awareness on gender equality contribution to achieve the SDGs. A set of recommendations aimed at placing gender matters more centrally in the SDGs delivery are presented as a final contribution. These focus on the need for greater awareness and attention to good practices, to achieve successful implementation initiatives.
Exploiting semantic segmentation to boost reinforcement learning in video game environments
Authors: Montalvo Javier , García-Martín Álvaro , Bescós Jesús
Published: September 2022

In this work we explore enhancing performance of reinforcement learning algorithms in video game environments by feeding it better, more relevant data. For this purpose, we use semantic segmentation to transform the images that would be used as input for the reinforcement learning algorithm from their original domain to a simplified semantic domain with just silhouettes and class labels instead of textures and colors, and then we train the reinforcement learning algorithm with these simplified images. We have conducted different experiments to study multiple aspects: feasibility of our proposal, and potential benefits to model generalization and transfer learning. Experiments have been performed with the Super Mario Bros video game as the testing environment. Our results show multiple advantages for this method. First, it proves that using semantic segmentation enables reaching higher performance than the baseline reinforcement learning algorithm without modifying the actual algorithm, and in fewer episodes; second, it shows noticeable performance improvements when training on multiple levels at the same time; and finally, it allows to apply transfer learning for models trained on visually different environments. We conclude that using semantic segmentation can certainly help reinforcement learning algorithms that work with visual data, by refining it. Our results also suggest that other computer vision techniques may also be beneficial for data prepossessing. Models and code will be available on github upon acceptance.
On Being a Realist about Migration
Authors: Kreutz Adrian
Published: September 2022

Does political realism have anything to contribute to the debates about migration in normative political theory? Anything well-established ‘moralist’ theories do not already acknowledge, that is? Addressing Jaggar’s (Aristotelian Soc Suppl Vol. XCIV, pp. 87–113, 2020) and Finlayson’s (Aristotelian Soc Suppl Vol. XCIV, pp. 115–139, 2020) critical intercessions into contemporary discourse about migration I argue that a political realist approach to the theory of migration faces what I call the ‘surplus challenge’: realists supposedly have no normative surplus over (liberal) cosmopolitan and nationalist moralist approaches. This nothing-more-to-add narrative is a common argument against the possibility and integrity of political realism (as seen in, inter alia, Leader-Maynard and Worsnip in Ethics 128(4), pp. 756–787, 2018). I show how it misconstrues the realist agenda. Finlayson, on the other hand, paints the realist intervention as primarily about paying closer attention to colonialism’s long legacy. A properly radical intrusion, however, addresses the unchecked and unwarranted, overbearing normative power of moral principles. I will conclude that for the realist, shaking up the discipline will not come as easy as pointing at some overly historicised facts. However, and despite this, the realist intervention rightly problematises contemporary philosophy of migration for its moral normativism. A radical realist approach to issues of migration, which unmasks the unjustified ‘microphysics’ political power hiding behind normative veneers, is a properly cataclysmic intrusion and the right way forward.
Carbon and energy intensity of the USA and Germany. A LMDI decomposition approach and decoupling analysis
Authors: Koilakou Eleni , Hatzigeorgiou Emmanouil , Bithas Kostas
Published: September 2022

The present study investigates the driving factors leading energy and carbon intensity of the economies of the USA and Germany, being two economies with different structures and dependencies on energy while they are among the world’s economic and geopolitical leading players. Both decoupling and decomposition analysis (overall and sectoral) are applied to identify and rank factors defining carbon and energy intensity during the period from 2000 to 2017, with the so-called financial crisis being within this period. The decoupling analysis denotes that these advanced economies have reached a weak decoupling status, while decomposition analysis confirms the leading role of energy intensity in CO2 emissions, followed by the income (positive contribution) and the energy mix emerge as important factors with population (positive contribution) trend to be an additional factor only in the USA.
Can Essentiality of Origin Save Meritocracy From The Luck Objection?
Authors: Napoletano Toby
Published: September 2022

Rawls famously argued against meritocratic conceptions of distributive justice on the grounds that the accumulation of merit is an unavoidably lucky process, both because of differences in early environment, and innate talents. Thomas Mulligan (2018a) has recently provided a novel defense of meritocracy against the “luck objection”, arguing that both sources of luck would be mostly eliminated in a meritocracy. While a system of fair equality of opportunity ensures that differences in social class or early environment do not lead to differences in the accumulation of merit, Kripke’s essentiality of origin thesis means that our genetic endowments, and thus our innate talents, could not have been any other way. But if we could not fail to have our innate talents, Mulligan argues, then it is not a matter of luck that we have them, and so the merits we accumulate on their basis are not so luck-dependent. This paper argues that Mulligan’s appeal to the essentiality of origin thesis fails to rescue meritocratic conceptions of distributive justice from the luck objection for two reasons. First, even granting essentiality of origin and fair equality of opportunity, the contingencies of the market and the social environment mean that having some innate talents is far luckier than having others. And second, the appeal to essentiality of origin misses the underlying motivation for the luck objection, and ignores the intimate connection between desert and responsibility.
A Categorization of Workplace Learning Goals for Multi-Stakeholder Recommender Systems: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hemmler Yvonne M. , Rasch Julian , Ifenthaler Dirk
Published: September 2022

Educational recommender systems offer benefits for workplace learning by tailoring the selection of learning activities to the individual’s learning goals. However, existing systems focus on the learner as the primary stakeholder of learning processes and do not consider the organization’s perspective. We conducted a systematic review to develop a categorization of workplace learning goals for multi-stakeholder recommender systems. Out of an initial set of 13,198 publications exported from databases, a final sample of 34 key publications was identified, according to predefined inclusion criteria. Content analysis and reflective exchange were deployed to synthesize workplace learning goals investigated in the key publications. We identified five categories of workplace learning goals that can be arranged along a dimension from intrinsic (goals set exclusively by the learner) to external (goals set exclusively by the organization). Our categorization provides a common language for multi-stakeholder recommender systems incorporating both the learner’s and the organization’s perspectives.
Tool wear when using natural rocks as cutting material for the turning of aluminum alloys and plastics
Authors: Breidenstein Bernd , Denkena Berend , Bergmann Benjamin , Picker Tobias , Wolters Philipp
Published: September 2022

The growing challenges regarding climate-neutral and resource-saving manufacturing technology is forcing research and development to work out new cutting tool alternatives since the production of conventional cutting materials requires rare raw materials and huge amounts of energy. Natural rocks could be such an alternative since they are available in large quantities worldwide, have a potentially suitable property profile, and do not require energy-intensive processes to make them usable as cutting material. However, according to the current state of knowledge, there are only a few studies on the usability and suitability of natural rocks as cutting materials for machining processes. Therefore, in this article, inserts made of natural rocks are ground and used in turning operations. Their operational behavior is then described by the occurring tool wear and workpiece surface roughness. The influence of different natural rocks, process parameters as well as cutting edge microgeometries is compared after the machining of aluminum alloys and plastic. In the end, this made it possible to define process and tool properties in which natural rocks have application potential.
Correlation Between Tumor Response and Survival Outcomes in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer Receiving Ramucirumab and Paclitaxel as Second-Line Therapy
Authors: Roviello Giandomenico , Martina Catalano , Winchler Costanza , De Gennaro Aquino Irene , Papa Francesca , Buttitta Eleonora , Rossi Gemma , Antonuzzo Lorenzo
Published: September 2022

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. The first-line treatment for GC is a combination of platinum and fluoropyrimidine-based therapy. Based on the positive results of RAINBOW and REGARD trials, ramucirumab either alone or in combination with paclitaxel has proved to be a safe and active option for second-line treatment in GC patients.

Material and methods

Advanced GC patients who received a 28-day cycles of ramucirumab and paclitaxel until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity were evaluated. Eligible patients had ECOG PS ≤ 1 and adequate organ function. Baseline characteristics were assessed for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used for survival analyses.

Results

In our single institution experience, we included a total of 67 patients. A median OS of 8 months and a median PFS of 4 months, were recorded. In patients experiencing an initial partial response (PR), we observed a significant association between tumor response and survival outcomes (OS and PFS). The OS and PFS were 15 and 11 months in patients who experienced PR compared to 8 and 4 months in patients without PR (p = 0.02; p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Treatment with ramucirumab plus paclitaxel yielded the highest overall response rate reported to date for patients with previously treated advanced GC. In our experience, the initial tumor response is associated with a greater survival benefit which could be further improved by the identification of biomarkers predicting response.
Zandelisib (ME-401) in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: an open-label, multicenter, dose-escalation phase 1 study
Authors: Goto Hideki , Izutsu Koji , Ennishi Daisuke , Mishima Yuko , Makita Shinichi , Kato Koji , Hanaya Miyoko , Hirano Satoshi , Narushima Kazuya , Teshima Takanori , Nagai Hirokazu , Ishizawa Kenichi
Published: September 2022

The selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase δ inhibitor zandelisib demonstrated favorable safety and efficacy [objective response rate (ORR) 79%] in patients with B-cell malignancies in a phase 1b study in the US and Switzerland. In this phase 1 dose-escalation study (NCT03985189), 9 Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (R/R iNHL) received zandelisib on a continuous daily schedule (45 or 60 mg) until progressive disease/unacceptable toxicity. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. The maximum tolerated dose was not reached. At a median follow-up of 17.5 months, Grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events that occurred in 2 or more patients were neutrophil count decreased (55.6%; 5/9) and diarrhea (33.3%; 3/9). Immune-related toxicities, including hepatobiliary disorder, aspartate/alanine aminotransferase increased, diarrhea/colitis, organizing pneumonia, stomatitis, and rash, led to zandelisib discontinuation in 4 patients. The investigator-assessed ORR, based on modified Lugano criteria, was 100%, including 2 complete responses (22.2%; in follicular lymphoma patients receiving 60 mg/day). Median duration of response, progression-free survival, and time to response were 7.9, 11.1, and 1.9 months, respectively. Zandelisib demonstrated a manageable safety profile at 60 mg, the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) in Japanese patients. The RP2D resulted in favorable pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor efficacy in Japanese patients with R/R iNHL.

Trial registration. NCT03985189 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
D2TS: a dual diversity tree selection approach to pruning of random forests
Authors: Ragab Hassen Hani , Alabdeen Yassin Zain , Gaber Mohamed Medhat , Sharma Megha
Published: September 2022

Random Forest is one of the most effective classification techniques. It is an ensemble technique with typically decision trees as its classifiers. Each tree votes for an outcome when a new instance is being classified, and a majority vote is taken to decide the final output. Two main factors play an essential role in Random Forests performance, namely diversity among trees in the forest and their number. Higher diversity increases prediction accuracy, whereas lower numbers of trees result in faster predictions. This paper aims at optimizing these two factors by using clustering analysis of trees in order to prune correlated trees while keeping outlier trees to maintain diversity. We group the trees into clusters and only take a number of representatives from each cluster while also keeping some or all of the outliers to preserve diversity. The resulting subset of trees will constitute a random forest of a reduced size. We will use the Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm for clustering. DBSCAN is one of the most commonly used clustering techniques and is immune to outliers. We will use DBSCAN to (i) group trees in clusters based on their prediction behaviour and (ii) identify outliers. Each of the clustered and outlier trees bring an element of diversity into the pruned random forest, thus giving our approach its dual diversity aspect. Our approach achieved up to a 99% pruning level while resulting in similar, or even better, accuracy compared to the original forests for 19 public datasets with varying properties. Our source code is publicly available on GitHub.
Impact of flooding on microbiological contamination of domestic water sources: a longitudinal study in northern Ghana
Authors: Dzodzomenyo Mawuli , Asamoah Moses , Li Chengxiu , Kichana Elvis , Wright Jim
Published: September 2022

Flooding is the most frequent natural hazard globally, but evidence of its impact on domestic water point contamination remains limited. This study aimed to assess dam-related flooding’s impact on microbiological contamination of rural water points and to evaluate agreement of satellite-derived flood maps with ground-based observations of water point flooding. Fieldwork took place in two Ghanaian districts frequently flooded following dam overspill. Fifty-seven water points were tested for bacterial parameters during and immediately after flooding. Forty water points were resampled in the dry season, with the remainder having run dry. Ground-based observations of flooding were compared with three satellite-derived flood maps. Boreholes were less contaminated than wells or surface waters (geometric mean E. coli = 20.2, 175.6, and 590.7 cfu/100 ml, respectively). Among groundwater points, a Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated significantly greater median E. coli and thermotolerant coliform contamination during flooding (p = 0.025 and p < 0.001, respectively), but Shigella, salmonella, and intestinal enterococci counts were not significantly different between seasons. In contrast, among surface water points, E. coli, Shigella, and Salmonella counts were significantly greater in dry season samples (p < 0.005 for all parameters), possibly reflecting a “concentration” effect. Satellite-derived flood maps had no or low agreement with ground-based observations of water point flooding. Although groundwater quality deteriorated during and after flooding, surface waters were the most microbiologically contaminated in both seasons. The greatest public health risk thus occurred where households switched to surface water collection during or following flood season. Flood risk should be assessed before borehole installation and existing flood-prone boreholes remediated to mitigate population exposure to contaminated water.
Multi-Omics Data Reveal the Effect of Sodium Butyrate on Gene Expression and Protein Modification in Streptomyces
Authors: Zheng Jiazhen , Li Yue , Liu Ning , Zhang Jihui , Liu Shuangjiang , Tan Huarong
Published: September 2022

Streptomycetes possess numerous gene clusters and the potential to produce a large amount of natural products. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors play an important role in the regulation of histone modifications in fungi, but their roles in prokaryotes remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the global effects of the HDAC inhibitor, sodium butyrate (SB), on marine-derived Streptomycesolivaceus FXJ 8.021, particularly focusing on the activation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis. The antiSMASH analysis revealed 33 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in strain FXJ 8.021, among which the silent lobophorin BGC was activated by SB. Transcriptomic data showed that the expression of genes involved in lobophorin biosynthesis (ge00097–ge00139) and CoA-ester formation (e.g., ge02824), as well as the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway (e.g., ge01661), was significantly up-regulated in the presence of SB. Intracellular CoA-ester analysis confirmed that SB triggered the biosynthesis of CoA-ester, thereby increasing the precursor supply for lobophorin biosynthesis. Further acetylomic analysis revealed that the acetylation levels on 218 sites of 190 proteins were up-regulated and those on 411 sites of 310 proteins were down-regulated. These acetylated proteins were particularly enriched in transcriptional and translational machinery components (e.g., elongation factor GE04399), and their correlations with the proteins involved in lobophorin biosynthesis were established by protein–protein interaction network analysis, suggesting that SB might function via a complex hierarchical regulation to activate the expression of lobophorin BGC. These findings provide solid evidence that acetylated proteins triggered by SB could affect the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites in prokaryotes.
Safety and efficacy of using prophylactic drainage after intra-abdominal surgeries: An umbrella review of systematic review and meta-analysis studies
Authors: Arnaout Ahmad Yamen , Ali Hassan Alhaj , Nerabani Yaman , Fallaha Mohamad Yahia , Atli Abd Alazeez , Tarabishi Joudi , Salem Rima , Arnaout Khaled , Kadoura Lama , Ghazal Ahmad
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background

The benefit of using a prophylactic drain after intra-abdominal surgeries is still controversial among surgeons. The controversy and disagreement regarding this subject has led us to conduct an umbrella review to determine the efficacy and safety of using prophylactic drainage.

Methods

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE were searched from 1/1/2010 to the end of October 2021 for meta-analysis and systematic. We did not include any primary studies. We assessed the risk of bias and quality of the included studies by using two tools; AMSTAR-2 tool, and ROBIS tool. We did a forest plot of all accepted studies for our primary outcomes that were abscess formation, wound infection, mortality, and re-operation. And we reported our secondary outcomes (hospital stay, morbidity, quality of life, and pain) results as they were mentioned in the accepted studies.

Results

We accepted 14 systematic reviews or meta-analyses. For gastrointestinal surgeries, drain did not improve outcomes after distal pancreatectomy, appendectomy, liver resection, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, colorectal anastomoses, or anterior rectal resections. Otherwise, routine drainage seems to be harmful to patients undergoing elective hepatectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy for non-complicated benign gallbladder, open cholecystectomy, and gastrectomy for gastric cancer; wound infection increased in the drainage group. The evidence of using drains after kidney transplantation, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and uro-oncologic surgery was low.

Conclusions

We cannot reach a definitive conclusion regarding the quality of research available on this topic. Still, accepted studies suggest that the routine use of the prophylactic drain after gastrointestinal surgeries may be harmful, except in some exceptional cases like a pancreatic resection.

Highlights