bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALISIS AKULTURASI BUDAYA PADA RESTORAN "KARTIKO" SURABAYA
Authors: Angelline Michelle
Published: July 2023

Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui dan memahami bentuk akulturasi budaya yang terdapat dalam arsitektur, desain interior, dan makanan yang dijual di restoran Kartiko Traditional Heritage Culinary Surabaya. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif dan menggunakan metode wawancara dan dokumentasi. Teknik analisis yang digunakan adalah Teknik triangulasi yang dilaksanakan dengan membandingkan data hasil pengamatan dan data hasil wawancara, membandingkan data hasil wawancara dengan teori-teori yang ada, dan mereduksi data yang didapatkan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa restoran “Kartiko” merupakan restoran bergaya peranakan yang merupakan hasil akulturasi dari tiga kebudayaan, yaitu Tiongkok, Indonesia (Jawa), dan Belanda. Tujuan pemilik restoran mendirikan restoran bergaya peranakan adalah untuk memberikan pengetahuan mengenai budaya peranakan pada pelanggan, terutama anak-anak muda. Secara keseluruhan, budaya yang paling terlihat paling kentara adalah budaya Tiongkok, sedangkan yang tidak seberapa terlihat adalah budaya Belandanya.Kata kunci : restoran, peranakan, akulturasi budaya
An empirical approach to the definition of the target margins in eye radiosurgery
Authors: Perrone Franco , Laliscia Concetta , Traino Antonio C. , Tripodi Maria , Cresti Federica , Guido Francesca , Genovesi Ebert Federica
Published: July 2023

Introduction

A system for stabilizing and monitoring eye movements during LINAC‐based photon beam one single fraction stereotactic radiotherapy was developed at our Institution. This study aimed to describe the feasibility and the efficacy of our noninvasive optical localization system that was developed, tested, and applied in 20 patients treated for uveal melanoma.

Methods

Our system consisted of a customized thermoplastic mask to immobilize the head, a gaze fixation LED, and a digital micro‐camera. The localization procedure, which required the active collaboration of the patient, served to monitor the eye movements during all phases of the treatment, starting from the planning computed tomography up to the administration of radiotherapy, and allowed the operators to suspend the procedure and to interact with the patient in case of large movements of the pupil.

Results

Twenty patients were treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (27 Gy in one fraction) for primary uveal melanoma. All patients showed a good tolerance to the treatment; until now, all patients were in local control during the follow up and one died for distant progression 6 months after radiosurgery.

Conclusions

This study showed that this noninvasive technique, based on eye position control, is appropriate and can contribute to the success of LINAC‐based stereotactic radiotherapy. A millimetric safety margin to the clinical target volume was adequate to take account for the organ movement. All patients treated till now showed a good local control; failures in the disease control were due to metastatic spread.
MRI‐based risk stratification for recurrent ischemic stroke in embolic stroke of undetermined source
Authors: Liu Quan‐Ying , Dai Ying‐Jie , Li Xiao‐Qiu , Wang Xin‐Hong , Ntaios George , Chen Hui‐Sheng
Published: July 2023

Objective

Leukoaraiosis and other brain MRI‐assessed parameters were shown to be associated with recurrent stroke in this population. We aimed to develop an MRI‐based predictive tool for risk stratification of ESUS patients.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed consecutive patients who were diagnosed with ESUS and underwent brain MRI and performed a multivariable analysis with the outcome of recurrent stroke/TIA. Based on the coefficient of each covariate, we generated an integer‐based point scoring system. The discrimination and calibration of the score were assessed using the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve, net reclassification improvement, integrated discrimination improvement, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis. Also, we compared the new score with a previously published score (ALM score).

Results

Among 176 patients followed for an overall period of 902.3 patient‐years (median of 74 months), there were 39 recurrent ischemic stroke/TIAs (4.32 per 100 patient‐years). Fazekas score (HR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03–1.54), enlarged perivascular space (EPVS) (HR: 2.76, 95% CI: 1.12–6.17), NIHSS at admission (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02–1.18), and infarct subtypes (HR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.34–6.17) were associated with recurrent stroke/TIA. Accordingly, a score (FENS score) was developed with AUC‐ROC values of 0.863, 0.788, and 0.858 for 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. These were significantly better than the AUC‐ROC of ALM score (0.635, 0.695, and 0.705, respectively). The FENS score exhibited better calibration and discrimination ability than the ALM score (Hosmer–Lemeshow test χ2: 4.402, p = 0.819).

Conclusion

The MRI‐based FENS score can provide excellent predictive performance for recurrent stroke/TIA and may assist in risk stratification of ESUS patients.
Plug‐and‐Play Multimaterial Chaotic Printing/Bioprinting to Produce Radial and Axial Micropatterns in Hydrogel Filaments
Authors: Ceballos‐González Carlos Fernando , Bolívar‐Monsalve Edna Johana , Quevedo‐Moreno Diego Alonso , Chávez‐Madero Carolina , Velásquez‐Marín Silvana , Lam‐Aguilar Li Lu , Solís‐Pérez Óscar Emmanuel , Cantoral‐Sánchez Ariel , Neher Mara , Yzar‐García Estefanía , Zhang Yu Shrike , Gentile Carmine , Boccaccini Aldo R. , Alvarez Mario Moisés , Trujillo‐de Santiago Grissel
Published: July 2023

Nature abounds with micro‐architected materials containing layered multi‐material patterns that often transition within the very same monolithic piece. Fabricating these complex materials using current technologies is challenging. Multimaterial chaotic printing is presented—an extrusive printing method based on the use of chaotic advection—that can fabricate microstructured hydrogels with well‐defined multimaterial and multilayered micropatterns. Printheads containing internal Kenics static mixing (KSM) elements and top‐ and lateral‐positioned inlets are used to produce a wide repertoire of multilayered hydrogel filaments. In this plug‐and‐play system, the radial and axial micropatterns can be designed ad hoc by defining the printhead configuration (i.e., the number of KSM elements and inlets, and the inlet positions) and the flow program (i.e., activation/deactivation of the ink‐flow through each inlet). Computational fluid dynamics simulations closely predict the microstructure obtained by a given printhead configuration. The application of this platform is illustrated for easy fabrication of fibers with radial microgradients, bacterial ecosystems, structured emulsions, micro‐channeled hydrogel filaments, a pre‐vascularized tumor niche model, and skeletal muscle‐like tissues with axial and radial transitions of bioactive glass compartments. It is envisioned that multimaterial chaotic printing will be a valuable addition to the toolbox of additive manufacturing for the rational fabrication of advanced materials.
Bending Sensing Based on Quasi Bound States in the Continuum in Flexible Terahertz Metasurface
Authors: Yang Fan , Li Jitao , Wu Liang , Zheng Chenglong , Yue Zhen , Li Hui , Song Chunyu , Ding Xin , Zhang Yating , Yao Jianquan
Published: July 2023

Bound states in the continuum (BIC) promote strong interaction between light and matter, which has been introduced into the metasurfaces to achieve ultra‐high Q resonance and provide a powerful tool for high‐sensitivity sensing. At present, BIC‐based sensors have been applied in biological and chemical sensing. Here, their application in bending sensing is investigated. BIC is employed to design the terahertz metallic metasurfaces and propose a feasible method for the high‐Q sensitivity detection of micro‐bending. It is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally that BIC can transform into an observable quasi‐BIC by tuning the structural parameters. More importantly, it is the first report to investigate the bending sensing performance of BIC metallic metasurfaces. The experimental results verify that both metasurfaces supporting symmetry‐protected BIC and parameter‐tuned BIC are sensitive to changes in curvatures. It indicates that the designed BIC metasurfaces can realize the bending deformation detection of some precision instruments. These results expand the application of BIC‐based sensors in the sensing field. It is expected that the design can find potential applications in wearable photonic devices, intelligent robots, and bionic machines.
Radiation Skin Injury Care in Radiotherapy for Oncology: Mechanisms, Drug Therapy and Novel Biomaterial Application Strategies
Authors: Wang Yiren , Yang Lei , Liu Bo , Liao Shuang , Fu Xiao , Zhou Yun , Zhou Ping
Published: July 2023

Radiation skin injury (RSI) is a frequent adverse effect of radiation therapy for malignant tumors. It often leads to problems such as decreased quality of life in patients and interferes with the normal course of radiation therapy (RT). With the rising incidence of tumors and the burgeoning number of patients undergoing RT, the care of RSI is of crucial importance in cancer patient treatment. Currently, drugs and biomaterials are widely used in the care of RSI. However, there is no international consensus on the current protocol for the therapeutic care of RSI. Many drugs and biomaterials cannot be applied to the appropriate type of radiation dermatitis, resulting in unfavorable results in the therapeutic care of RSI. The choice of appropriate drugs and biomaterials for the therapeutic care of the different types of RSI is essential to improving the quality of life of patients. This article first reviews the main mechanisms of acute and chronic RSI. Subsequently, the application of drugs and novel biomaterials in the preventive, acute, and chronic phases of the care of RSI is summarized. Finally, the suggestions and protocols for the application of novel biomaterials in the care of RSI are discussed, as are the current challenges and future prospects for the development of combined biomaterials and integrated care solutions.
Biogenic Imaging Contrast Agents
Authors: Dan Qing , Jiang Xinpeng , Wang Run , Dai Zhifei , Sun Desheng
Published: July 2023

Imaging contrast agents are widely investigated in preclinical and clinical studies, among which biogenic imaging contrast agents (BICAs) are developing rapidly and playing an increasingly important role in biomedical research ranging from subcellular level to individual level. The unique properties of BICAs, including expression by cells as reporters and specific genetic modification, facilitate various in vitro and in vivo studies, such as quantification of gene expression, observation of protein interactions, visualization of cellular proliferation, monitoring of metabolism, and detection of dysfunctions. Furthermore, in human body, BICAs are remarkably helpful for disease diagnosis when the dysregulation of these agents occurs and can be detected through imaging techniques. There are various BICAs matched with a set of imaging techniques, including fluorescent proteins for fluorescence imaging, gas vesicles for ultrasound imaging, and ferritin for magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, bimodal and multimodal imaging can be realized through combining the functions of different BICAs, which helps overcome the limitations of monomodal imaging. In this review, the focus is on the properties, mechanisms, applications, and future directions of BICAs.
Synergizing Algorithmic Design, Photoclick Chemistry and Multi‐Material Volumetric Printing for Accelerating Complex Shape Engineering
Authors: Chansoria Parth , Rütsche Dominic , Wang Anny , Liu Hao , D'Angella Davide , Rizzo Riccardo , Hasenauer Amelia , Weber Patrick , Qiu Wanwan , Ibrahim Nafeesah Bte Mohamed , Korshunova Nina , Qin Xiao‐Hua , Zenobi‐Wong Marcy
Published: July 2023

The field of biomedical design and manufacturing has been rapidly evolving, with implants and grafts featuring complex 3D design constraints and materials distributions. By combining a new coding‐based design and modeling approach with high‐throughput volumetric printing, a new approach is demonstrated to transform the way complex shapes are designed and fabricated for biomedical applications. Here, an algorithmic voxel‐based approach is used that can rapidly generate a large design library of porous structures, auxetic meshes and cylinders, or perfusable constructs. By deploying finite cell modeling within the algorithmic design framework, large arrays of selected auxetic designs can be computationally modeled. Finally, the design schemes are used in conjunction with new approaches for multi‐material volumetric printing based on thiol‐ene photoclick chemistry to rapidly fabricate complex heterogeneous shapes. Collectively, the new design, modeling and fabrication techniques can be used toward a wide spectrum of products such as actuators, biomedical implants and grafts, or tissue and disease models.
Low Switching Power Neuromorphic Perovskite Devices with Quick Relearning Functionality
Authors: Assi Dani S. , Haris Muhammed P.U. , Karthikeyan Vaithinathan , Kazim Samrana , Ahmad Shahzada , Roy Vellaisamy A. L.
Published: July 2023

In the quest to reduce energy consumption, there is a growing demand for technology beyond silicon as electronic materials for neuromorphic artificial intelligence devices. Equipped with the criteria of energy efficiency and excellent adaptability, organohalide perovskites can emulate the characteristics of synaptic functions in the human brain. In this aspect, this study designs and develops CsFAPbI3‐based memristive neuromorphic devices that can switch at low power and show larger endurance by adopting the powder engineering methodology. The neuromorphic characteristics of the CsFAPbI3‐based devices exhibit an ultra‐high paired‐pulse facilitation index for an applied electric stimuli pulse. Moreover, the transition from short‐term to long‐term memory requires ultra‐low energy with long relaxation times. The learning and training cycles illustrate that the CsFAPbI3‐based devices exhibit faster learning and memorization process owing to their larger carrier lifetime compared to other perovskites. The results provide a pathway to attain low‐power neuromorphic devices that are synchronic to the human brain's performance.
Bone analysis using an aggregation‐induced emission‐active iridium complex
Authors: Zhang Xianpeng , Liu Xinling , Yu Hongwen , Shen Shuang , Zhi Junchao , Gao Zhen , Xin Jingqi , Song Jiaqi , Shao Liang , Meng Caiting , An Feifei , Huo Taotao , Liu Shichang , Zhang Ye , Xu Li , Li Guanying
Published: July 2023

Fluorescent analysis of bone provides valuable insights into bone structures. However, conventional dyes suffer from low specificity on bone tissue, small stokes shift, short fluorescent lifetime, and aggregation‐caused quenching effect, which result in low efficacy and artifacts. In this work, we design an aggregation‐induced emission (AIE)‐active iridium(III) complex (Ir‐BP2) as a highly selective, convenient, nondestructiveness, and dual‐mode staining agent for bone analysis. Ir‐BP2 containing phosphonate groups selectively binds to hydroxyapatites, the main component of bone matrix, and exhibits turn‐on AIE phosphorescence with prolonged lifetime. Ir‐BP2 exhibits promising biosafety and offers higher accuracy in staining calcium deposits than conventional Alizarin Red S staining assay when it is employed in real‐time monitoring of osteogenesis differentiation process. A ready‐to‐use staining spray of Ir‐BP2 is fabricated. By using fluorescent imaging and lifetime imaging, Ir‐BP2 staining provides valuable insights into bone microstructure analysis, microdamage diagnosis, and bone growth state identification. Further, Ir‐BP2 is successfully applied on a human spine vertebra for diagnosing bone invasiveness of eosinophilic granuloma, validating its clinical practice. This work presents a powerful tool in bone analysis and will lead to new approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of bone‐related diseases.
Pentafluorocyclopropanation of (Hetero)arenes Using Sulfonium Salts: Applications in Late‐Stage Functionalization
Authors: Feng Zeyu , Riemann Lucas , Guo Zichen , Herrero David , Simon Martin , Golz Christopher , Mata Ricardo A. , Alcarazo Manuel
Published: July 2023

The evaluation of the pentafluorocyclopropyl group as a chemotype in crop protection and medicinal chemistry has been hampered in the past by the lack of suitable methodologies that enable the practical incorporation of this moiety into advanced synthetic intermediates. Herein, we report the gram‐scale synthesis of an unprecedented sulfonium salt, 5‐(pentafluorocyclopropyl)dibenzothiophenium triflate, and its use as a versatile reagent for the photoinduced C−H pentafluorocyclopropylation of a broad series of non‐previously functionalized (hetero)arenes through a radical mediated mechanism. The scope and potential benefits of the protocol developed are further demonstrated by the late‐stage introduction of the pentafluorocyclopropyl unit into biologically relevant molecules and widely used pharmaceuticals.
Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Bis‐Cyclization of Allenynes for the Synthesis of Strained and Planar Polycyclic Compounds
Authors: Tsuno Hitomi , Shen Jingfeng , Komatsu Hiroki , Arichi Norihito , Inuki Shinsuke , Ohno Hiroaki
Published: July 2023

A gold‐catalyzed cascade cyclization of naphthalene‐tethered allenynes gave strained fused phenanthrene derivatives. The reaction proceeds through the nucleophilic reaction of an alkyne with the activated allene to generate a vinyl cation intermediate, followed by arylation with a tethered naphthalene ring to form the 4H‐cyclopenta[def]phenanthrene (CPP) scaffold. When using aryl‐substituted substrates on the alkyne terminus, the gold‐catalyzed reaction produced dibenzofluorene derivatives along with the CPP derivatives. Selective formation of CPP and dibenzofluorene derivatives depending on the reaction conditions is also presented.
Oxidation of 5,15‐Dioxaporphyrin: Its Generality and Novelty as an Oxaporphyrin Analogue
Authors: Hao Jiping , Nishiyama Akihide , Mori Shigeki , Furukawa Ko , Shimizu Soji
Published: July 2023

5,15‐Dioxaporphyrin (DOP) is a novel meso‐oxaporphyrin analogue and exhibits unique 20π‐antiaromaticity, unlike its mother congener of 18π‐aromatic 5‐oxaporphyrin, commonly known as its cationic iron complex called verdohem, which is a key intermediate of heme catabolism. To reveal its reactivities and properties as an oxaporphyrin analogue, the oxidation of tetra‐β‐arylated DOP (DOP‐Ar4) was explored in this study. Stepwise oxidation from the 20π‐electron neutral state was achieved, and the corresponding 19π‐electron radical cation and 18π‐electron dication were characterized. Further oxidation of the 18π‐aromatic dication resulted in the formation of a ring‐opened dipyrrindione product by hydrolysis. Considering a similar reaction of verdoheme to ring‐opened biliverdin in the heme degradation in nature, the current result consolidates the ring‐opening reactivity of oxaporphyrinium cation species.
Experimental study of solid circulation rate and pressure distribution characteristics in a cold fluidized bed with an external heat exchanger in an municipal solid waste incinerator
Authors: Wei Bangji , Zheng Lin , Lv Guojun , Meng Xiangfei , Huang Qunxing , Jiang Xuguang
Published: July 2023

The external heat exchanger (EHE) can solve the problem of the insufficient heating surface due to the large‐scale circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler effectively; furnace temperature and bed temperature can be regulated quickly and accurately with the adjustment of the solids circulation rate (SCR). The ash differs from coal‐fired boilers in particle size, density, and other physical parameters, so the circulation and heat transfer characteristics are not identical. The results of SCR and pressure distribution in a cold CFB experimental system with an EHE in which the height of the partition (HP) could be adjusted were analyzed. Experiments studied the effect of fluidized air velocity in the riser (Ug), HP of the EHE, and the pressure of the supply air chamber (PSA) in the EHE on SCR using quartz sand with an average size of 0.239 mm. It was noted that SCR increased with Ug and PSA in the range of 7.01–28.37 g/s with the increase in Ug, and the maximum value of SCR was obtained when PSA was 750 Pa and the HP was 80 mm. The experiments also noted that the increase in SCR significantly affected the pressure distribution in the region of high solids content (EHE and the region above 600 mm in the riser). A reference to the above characteristics of SCR and pressure distribution variations can be considered for operating commercial CFB waste incinerators.
An ‘on–off–on’ fluorescent switch based on a luminous covalent organic framework for the rapid and selective detection of glyphosate
Authors: Fan Jiaxuan , Li Jing , Zhou Wenfeng , Gao Haixiang , Lu Runhua , Guo Hongchao
Published: July 2023

Glyphosate, the most used herbicide in the world, has a residue problem that cannot be ignored. However, glyphosate itself does not have fluorescence emission and lacks the conditions for fluorescence detection. In this work, a rapid and selective fluorescence detection method of glyphosate was designed by an ‘on–off–on’ fluorescent switch based on a luminous covalent organic framework (L‐COF). Only the fixed concentration of Fe3+ as an intermediate could trigger the fluorescent switch and no incubation step was required. The proposed method showed good accuracy with a correlation coefficient of 0.9978. The method's limits of detection and quantitation were 0.88 and 2.93 μmol/L, which were lower than the maximum allowable residue limits in some regulations. Environmental water samples and tomatoes were selected as actual samples to verify the application in a complex matrix. A satisfactory mean recovery from 87% to 106% was gained. Furthermore, Fe3+ could induce fluorescence quenching of L‐COF through the photo‐induced electron transfer (PET) effect, while the addition of glyphosate could block the PET effect to achieve detection. These results demonstrated the proposed method had abilities to detect glyphosate and broaden the application of L‐COF.
Optimization of physical microenvironment to maintain the quiescence of human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Gong Ya , Danoy Mathieu , Kido Taketomo , Mitsuhashi Kento , Choi Hyunjin , Matsugi Tomoaki , Yang Jingjing , Esashika Katsuhiro , Takahashi Jun , Nishikawa Masaki , Ito Taichi , Miyajima Atsushi , Sakai Yasuyuki
Published: July 2023

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a crucial role in liver fibrosis by producing excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) following chronic inflammation. However, studying HSC function has been challenging due to the limited availability of primary human quiescent HSCs (qHSCs) in vitro, and the fact that primary qHSCs quickly activate when cultured on plastic plates. Advances in stem cell technology have allowed for the generation of qHSCs from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with the potential to provide an unlimited source of cells. However, differentiated quiescent‐like HSCs (iqHSCs) also activate spontaneously on conventional plastic plates. In this study, we generated iqHSCs from hiPSCs and developed a culture method to maintain such iqHSCs in a lowly activated state for up to 5 days by optimizing their physical culture microenvironment. We observed that three‐dimensional (3D) culture of iqHSCs in soft type 1 collagen hydrogels significantly inhibited their spontaneous activation in vitro while maintaining their ability to convert to activated state. Activation of iqHSC was successfully modeled by stimulating them with the fibrotic cytokine TGFβ1. Hence, our culture method can be used to generate HSCs with functions comparable to those in a healthy liver, facilitating the development of accurate in vitro liver models for identifying novel therapeutic agents.
A data science practicum to introduce undergraduate students to bioinformatics for research
Authors: Bartlett Bjarne , Stitt‐Bergh Monica , Kantar Michael , Bingham Jon‐Paul
Published: July 2023

An explosion of data available in the life sciences has shifted the discipline toward genomics and quantitative data science research. Institutions of higher learning have been addressing this shift by modifying undergraduate curriculums resulting in an increasing number of bioinformatics courses and research opportunities for undergraduates. The goal of this study was to explore how a newly designed introductory bioinformatics seminar could leverage the combination of in‐class instruction and independent research to build the practical skill sets of undergraduate students beginning their careers in the life sciences. Participants were surveyed to assess learning perceptions toward the dual curriculum. Most students had a neutral or positive interest in these topics before the seminar and reported increased interest after the seminar. Students had increases in confidence level in their bioinformatic proficiency and understanding of ethical principles for data/genomic science. By combining undergraduate research with directed bioinformatics skills, classroom seminars facilitated a connection between student's life sciences knowledge and emerging research tools in computational biology.
Adsorption of Tetracycline and Ciprofloxacin from Aqueous Solution on Raw Date Palm Waste
Authors: Mirizadeh Shabnam , Al Arni Saleh , Elwaheidi Mahmoud , Salih Alsamani A. M. , Converti Attilio , Casazza Alessandro Alberto
Published: July 2023

Raw date palm waste was investigated as an adsorbent to remove tetracycline (TC) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) from water. Influence of pH, biosorbent dose, starting antibiotic concentration, contact time, temperature, and concentrations of different salts were examined. The pseudo‐second‐order model provided the best fit to the experimental data, while Langmuir and Dubinin‐Radushkevich isotherms were found to be the most suitable for TC and CIP adsorption at equilibrium, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the process is spontaneous and endothermic. These findings suggest that this waste could be a cost‐effective and eco‐friendly adsorbent to remove antibiotics from wastewater.
First person profile: Anil K. Rustgi, MD
Authors: Nierengarten Mary Beth
Published: July 2023

This news section offers Cancer readers timely information on events, public policy analysis, topical issues, and personalities. In this issue Anil K. Rustgi, MD, has spent his career collaborating with a variety of researchers to address wide‐ranging problems in cancer treatment. In addition, adding talazoparib as a first‐line treatment for patients with newly diagnosed metastatic castrationresistant prostate cancer leads to a significant disease progression risk reduction compared to the standard of care, and the ENZAMET trial shows sustained improved overall survival for men with metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer treated with enzalutamide and testosterone suppression.
The protective role of postoperative radiation therapy in low and intermediate grade major salivary gland malignancies: A study of the Canadian Head and Neck Collaborative Research Initiative
Authors: Morand Grégoire B. , Eskander Antoine , Fu Rui , de Almeida John , Goldstein David , Noroozi Hesameddin , Hosni Ali , Seikaly Hadi , Tabet Paul , Pyne Justin M. , Matthews T. Wayne , Dort Joseph , Nakoneshny Steve , Christopoulos Apostolos , Bahig Houda , Johnson‐Obaseki Stephanie , Hua Nadia , Gaudet Marc , Jooya Alborz , Nichols Anthony , Laxague Francisco , Cecchini Matthew , Du Jenny , Shapiro Justin , Karam Irene , Dziegielewski Peter T. , Hanubal Krishna , Erovic Boban , Grasl Stefan , Davies Joel , Monteiro Eric , Gete Maru , Witterick Ian , Sadeghi Nader , Richardson Keith , Shenouda George , Maniakas Anastasios , Landry Vivianne , Gupta Michael , Zhou Kelvin , Mlynarek Alex M. , Pusztaszeri Marc , Sultanem Khalil , Hier Michael P.
Published: July 2023

Background

The objective of this study was to examine the utility of postoperative radiation for low and intermediate grade cancers of the parotid and submandibular glands.

Methods

The authors conducted a retrospective, Canadian‐led, international, multi‐institutional analysis of a patient cohort with low or intermediate grade salivary gland cancer of the parotid or submandibular gland who were treated from 2010 until 2020 with or without postoperative radiation therapy. A multivariable, marginal Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to quantify the association between locoregional recurrence (LRR) and receipt of postoperative radiation therapy while accounting for patient‐level factors and the clustering of patients by institution.

Results

In total, 621 patients across 14 tertiary care centers were included in the study; of these, 309 patients (49.8%) received postoperative radiation therapy. Tumor histologies included 182 (29.3%) acinic cell carcinomas, 312 (50.2%) mucoepidermoid carcinomas, and 137 (20.5%) other low or intermediate grade primary salivary gland carcinomas. Kaplan–Meier LRR‐free survival at 10 years was 89.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84.9%–93.3%). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, postoperative radiation therapy was independently associated with a lower hazard of LRR (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.29–0.97). The multivariable model estimated that the marginal probability of LRR within 10 years was 15.4% without radiation and 8.8% with radiation. The number needed to treat was 16 patients (95% CI, 14–18 patients). Radiation therapy had no benefit in patients who had early stage, low‐grade salivary gland cancer without evidence of nodal disease and negative margins.

Conclusions

Postoperative radiation therapy may reduce LLR in some low and intermediate grade salivary gland cancers with adverse features, but it had no benefit in patients who had early stage, low‐grade salivary gland cancer with negative margins.
Which demographic processes control competitive equilibria? Bayesian calibration of a size‐structured forest population model
Authors: Heiland Lukas , Kunstler Georges , Šebeň Vladimír , Hülsmann Lisa
Published: July 2023

In forest communities, light competition is a key process for community assembly. Species' differences in seedling and sapling tolerance to shade cast by overstory trees is thought to determine species composition at late‐successional stages. Most forests are distant from these late‐successional equilibria, impeding a formal evaluation of their potential species composition. To extrapolate competitive equilibria from short‐term data, we therefore introduce the JAB model, a parsimonious dynamic model with interacting size‐structured populations, which focuses on sapling demography including the tolerance to overstory competition. We apply the JAB model to a two‐“species” system from temperate European forests, that is, the shade‐tolerant speciesFagus sylvaticaL. and the group of allothercompeting species. Using Bayesian calibration with prior information from external Slovakian national forest inventory (NFI) data, we fit the JAB model to short time series from the German NFI. We use the posterior estimates of demographic rates to extrapolate thatF. sylvaticawill be the predominant species in 94% of the competitive equilibria, despite only predominating in 24% of the initial states. We further simulate counterfactual equilibria with parameters switched between species to assess the role of different demographic processes for competitive equilibria. These simulations confirm the hypothesis that the higher shade tolerance ofF. sylvaticasaplings is key for its long‐term predominance. Our results highlight the importance of demographic differences in early life stages for tree species assembly in forest communities.
Internal carotid artery blood flow and pulsatility index in cognitively impaired people with chronic heart failure
Authors: Traub Jan , Schließer Mira , Morbach Caroline , Frantz Stefan , Pham Mirko , Störk Stefan , Stoll Guido , Frey Anna , Neugebauer Hermann
Published: July 2023

Aims

Mild cognitive impairment and dementia are common and serious co‐morbidities in people with chronic heart failure (HF) as they increase hospitalization rates, mortality and health care costs. Upon other factors, dysregulated cerebral perfusion might contribute to brain pathology. We aimed to evaluate the association of non‐invasively measured blood flow (BF) and pulsatility index (PI) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) with (i) chronic HF parameters, (ii) brain morphologic measures and (iii) cognitive impairment.

Methods and results

This post‐hoc analysis of the observational, prospective Cognition.Matters‐HF study included 107 chronic HF patients without atrial fibrillation or carotid artery stenosis (aged 63 ± 10 years; 19% women). Using extracranial sonography, we measured ICA‐BF and ICA‐PI 1.5 cm distal of the carotid bifurcation. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed on a 3‐Tesla scanner to quantify cerebral atrophy, hippocampal atrophy and white matter hyperintensities. Extensive neuropsychological testing tested the cognitive domains intensity of attention, visual/verbal memory and executive function (including its subdomains selectivity of attention, visual/verbal fluency and working memory) using a comprehensive test battery. (i) Neither ICA‐BF (median 630 (quartiles 570, 700) mL/min) nor ICA‐PI (1.05 (0.96. 1.23)) related to left ventricular ejection fraction, left atrial volume index or NT‐proBNP. (ii) Higher ICA‐PI (r = 0.25; P = 0.011), but not ICA‐BF (r = 0.08; P = 0.409), associated with increased volume of white matter hyperintensities beyond ageing, while neither ICA‐PI nor ICA‐BF related to cerebral or hippocampal atrophy indices. (iii) ICA‐BF, but not ICA‐PI, positively correlated with age‐adjusted T‐scores of executive function (r = 0.38; P < 0.001) and its subdomains working memory (r = 0.32; P < 0.001) and visual/verbal fluency (r = 0.32; P < 0.001). In a multivariate linear model of executive function, only ICA‐BF (T = 3.79; P < 0.001), but not HF or magnetic resonance imaging parameters, remained a significant correlate of executive function.

Conclusions

ICA‐BF and ICA‐PI, measured in broadly available extracranial sonography, independently related to measures of functional and structural brain changes in people with chronic HF, respectively. Due to limitations of this cross‐sectional approach without a healthy control group, larger controlled longitudinal studies are needed to further elucidate the role of ICA‐BF dysregulation and its implication for clinical care in this vulnerable cohort.
Declining risk of heart failure hospitalization following first acute myocardial infarction in Scotland between 1991–2016
Authors: Docherty Kieran F. , Jackson Alice M. , Macartney Mark , Campbell Ross T. , Petrie Mark C. , Pfeffer Marc A. , McMurray John J.V. , Jhund Pardeep S.
Published: July 2023

Aim

Mortality from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has declined, increasing the pool of survivors at risk of later development of heart failure (HF). However, coronary reperfusion limits infarct size and secondary prevention therapies have improved. In light of these competing influences, we examined long‐term trends in the risk of HF hospitalization (HFH) following a first AMI occurring in Scotland over 25 years.

Methods and results

All patients in Scotland discharged alive after a first AMI between 1991 and 2015 were followed until a first HFH or death until the end of 2016 (minimum follow‐up 1 year, maximum 26 years). A total of 175 672 people with no prior history of HF were discharged alive after a first AMI during the period of study. A total of 21 445 (12.2%) patients had a first HFH during a median follow‐up of 6.7 years. Incidence of HFH (per 1000 person‐years) at 1 year following discharge from a first AMI decreased from 59.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 54.2–64.7) in 1991 to 31.3 (95% CI 27.3–35.8) in 2015, with consistent trends seen for HF occurring within 5 and 10 years. Accounting for the competing risk of death, the adjusted risk of HFH at 1 year after discharge decreased by 53% (95% CI 45–60%), with similar decreases at 5 and 10 years.

Conclusion

The incidence of HFH following AMI in Scotland has decreased since 1991. These trends suggest that better treatment of AMI and secondary prevention are having an impact on the risk of HF at a population level.
An entropy model for Carreau nanofluid ciliary flow with electroosmosis and thermal radiations: A numerical study
Authors: Alharbi Khalid Abdulkhaliq M. , Riaz Arshad , Sikandar Sheraz
Published: July 2023

In order to localize heat production and drug activation, it is possible for drug delivery to make use of nanofluids containing thermal radiation. By limiting the amount of medication that is administered to healthy tissues, this approach increases drug distribution. We explore the effect that thermal radiation has on the flow of a ternary‐hybrid nanofluid composed of titanium oxide (TiO2), silica (SiO2), and aluminum oxide (AI2O3). The base liquid that we use for our Carreau constitutive model is blood. Entropy and electroosmosis are both taken into account when the conduit is connected to the battery terminals outside. Following the step of translating the observation model into a wave frame, the physical restrictions of the lubrication theory are used in order to provide a more complete explanation for the wave occurrences. In this work, shooting is used to simulate boundary value issues that are solved with Mathematica NDSolve. The production of the least amount of entropy and a rise in thermodynamic efficiency are achieved by the motion of cilia and elastic electroosmotic pumping. It is also observed that heat transfer is proportional to the length of cilia. Nusselt number is increased by large cilia but skin friction got a reduction.
Modeling the adsorption process for fluoride removal from groundwater by machine learning
Authors: Reddy B. S. , Maurya A. K. , Hyeon‐A Hong , Lee Tae‐Hui , Cho K. K. , Reddy N. S.
Published: July 2023

Worldwide, groundwater pollution with heavy metals is a severe concern, threatening living organisms and drinking water safety. High fluoride concentration is a common pollutant among various heavy metals found in groundwater. The adsorption method was more convenient, efficient, economically feasible, and eco‐friendly for removing the excess fluoride from groundwater. The fluoride removal efficiency depends on the adsorption process variables such as contact time, pH, alumina dose, temperature, and agitation speed. The association between fluoride removal and adsorption process variables is complex and non‐linear. The present study developed an artificial neural networks (ANN) model to calculate the effect and analyze the relationship between adsorption process variables and fluoride removal. The ANN model was trained using the backpropagation algorithm. The estimated fluoride removal was in good agreement with the experimental observations, with an accuracy of (R2 >99.6) for both training and testing datasets, and was superior to the existing models. The accurate predictions exposed that the model could adequately estimate the relationships between adsorption process variables and fluoride removal from groundwater.
Twenty Years of Research in Ecosystem Functions in Aquatic Microbial Ecotoxicology
Authors: Morin Soizic , Artigas Joan
Published: July 2023

One of the major threats to freshwater biodiversity is water pollution including excessive loads of nutrients, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and/or emerging contaminants. The widespread use of organic pesticides for agricultural and nonagricultural (industry, gardening, etc.) purposes has resulted in the presence of their residues in various environments, including surface waters. However, the contribution of pesticides to the deterioration of freshwater ecosystems (i.e., biodiversity decline and ecosystem functions impairment) remains uncertain. Once in the aquatic environment, pesticides and their metabolites can interact with microbial communities, causing undesirable effects. The existing legislation on ecological quality assessment of water bodies in Europe is based on water chemical quality and biological indicator species (Water Framework Directive, Pesticides Directive), while biological functions are not yet included in monitoring programs. In the present literature review, we analyze 20 years (2000–2020) of research on ecological functions provided by microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems. We describe the set of ecosystem functions investigated in these studies and the range of endpoints used to establish causal relationships between pesticide exposure and microbial responses. We focus on studies addressing the effects of pesticides at environmentally realistic concentrations and at the microbial community level to inform the ecological relevance of the ecotoxicological assessment. Our literature review highlights that most studies were performed using benthic freshwater organisms and that autotrophic and heterotrophic communities are most often studied separately, usually testing the pesticides that target the main microbial component (i.e., herbicides for autotrophs and fungicides for heterotrophs). Overall, most studies demonstrate deleterious impacts on the functions studied, but our review points to the following shortcomings: (1) the nonsystematic analysis of microbial functions supporting aquatic ecosystems functioning, (2) the study of ecosystem functions (i.e., nutrient cycling) via proxies (i.e., potential extracellular enzymatic activity measurements) which are sometimes disconnected from the current ecosystem functions, and (3) the lack of consideration of chronic exposures to assess the impact of, adaptations to, or recovery of aquatic microbial communities from pesticides. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1867–1888. © 2023 SETAC
Portfolio optimization based on forecasting models using vine copulas: An empirical assessment for global financial crises
Authors: Sahamkhadam Maziar , Stephan Andreas
Published: July 2023

We employ and examine vine copulas in modeling symmetric and asymmetric dependency structures and forecasting financial returns from 2001 to 2022, a period that includes the 2008 financial crisis, the 2011 European sovereign debt crisis, the 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic crisis, and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine with the resulting energy crisis. We analyze the asset allocations performed and test different portfolio strategies, such as maximum Sharpe ratio, minimum variance, and minimum conditional value at risk. Using international financial market indices, we specify the regular, drawable, and canonical vine copulas, such as the Gaussian, Student's
, Clayton, Frank, Joe, Gumbel, and mixed copulas, and analyze both in‐sample and out‐of‐sample portfolio performances. Out‐of‐sample portfolio back‐testing shows that vine copulas reduce portfolio risk better than the benchmark portfolio strategies and also better than simple multivariate copulas. Overall, we find that mixed vine copula models perform best with regard to risk reduction, both for the entire period 2001–2022 and during financial crises periods. Thus, a mixture of symmetric and asymmetric copula families works best in terms of portfolio risk reduction irrespective of the chosen optimization approach.
Effect of basil seed and xanthan gum on physicochemical, textural, and sensory characteristics of low‐fat cream cheese
Authors: Portaghi Jalal , Heshmati Ali , Taheri Mehdi , Ahmadi Ebrahim , Khaneghah Amin Mousavi
Published: July 2023

This study aims to produce fat‐reduced cream cheese using the different levels (0.25%–0.5%) of basil seed and xanthan gum by a RSM method. The basil seed, xanthan gum, and fat levels did not significantly influence the cream cheese's pH and acidity. With the fat reduction, textural properties were lost; for example, hardness, gumminess, and adhesiveness increased, and cohesiveness decreased. In addition, low‐fat cream cheese's sensory score (taste, mouthfeel, and overall acceptance score) was lower. However, adding basil seed and xanthan gum could improve water holding capacity (WHC), hardness, gumminess, cohesiveness, adhesiveness and scores of mouthfeel, and overall acceptance. Basil seed gum had a better impact than xanthan on fat‐reduced cream cheese properties among the two gums. In general, results showed that adding 0.5% basil and 0.5% xanthan into cream cheese could manufacture a product with a reduced‐fat level (19.04%). At the same time, its physicochemical, sensory, and textural attributes were similar to cream cheese with high fat (24%). In addition, the price of the obtained product was lower.
Relationship between diet quality and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease predictor indices in Iranian patients with metabolic syndrome: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Taghdir Maryam , Salehi Akram , Parastouei Karim , Abbaszadeh Sepideh
Published: July 2023

The present study aimed to assess the association between diet quality and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) predictor indices in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). This cross‐sectional study was carried out among 344 adult patients with MetS. The diet quality of patients was calculated by Healthy Eating Index‐2015 (HEI‐2015). NAFLD predictor indices (Hepatic Steatosis Index [HSI], Triglyceride‐Glucose Index [TyG], and Fatty Liver Index [FLI]) were calculated and compared according to the HEI‐2015 quartiles. The relationship between the HEI‐2015 score and HSI, FLI, and TyG Index was estimated using multiple linear regression analysis. The findings of the present study revealed that patients with the highest HEI score had the lowest FLI score (p = .003) and HSI score (p = .05). There was an inverse relationship between the HEI‐2015 score and FLI (β = −0.49; p < .001), HSI (β = −0.05; p = .25), and TyG Index (β = −0.002; p = .34). According to our result, after adjusting for possible confounding factors, there was a statistically significant inverse association between HEI‐2015 and FLI.
Health care expenditure and income in Canada: Evidence from panel data
Authors: Janko Zuzana , Kakar Venoo
Published: July 2023

This paper investigates the long‐run relationship between health care expenditures (HCE) and income using Canadian provincial data spanning a period of 40 years from 1981 to 2020. We study the non‐stationary and cointegration properties of HCE and income and estimate the long‐run income elasticities of HCE. Using heterogeneous panel models that incorporate cross‐section dependence via unobserved common correlated factors to capture global shocks, we estimate long‐run income elasticities that lie in the 0.11–0.16 range. Our results indicate that health care is a necessity good for Canada. These elasticity estimates are much smaller than those estimated in other studies for Canada. We find that HCE and income in Canada are cointegrated and that short‐run changes in federal transfers significantly and positively affect HCE.