bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability analysis of successive Corvis ST® measurements in keratoconus 2 years after accelerated corneal crosslinking compared to untreated keratoconus corneas
Authors: Xanthopoulou Kassandra , Seitz Berthold , Belin Michael W. , Flockerzi Elias
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To assess the reliability of successive Corvis ST® measurements (CST, Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) in keratoconus (KC) ≥ 2 years after accelerated corneal crosslinking (9 mW/cm2, 10 min, 5.4 J/cm2) compared to untreated KC corneas.

Methods

Three successive CST measurements per eye were performed in ≥ 2 years after CXL (CXLG, n = 20 corneas of 16 patients) and a control group consisting of non-operated, ABC-stage-matched KC corneas according to Belin’s ABCD KC grading (controls, n = 20 corneas, 20 patients). Main outcome measures included maximal keratometry (Kmax), the Belin/Ambrósio-Enhanced-Ectasia-Deviation-Index BAD-D; the biomechanical parameters A1 velocity, deformation amplitude (DA) ratio 2 mm, Ambrósio relational thickness to the horizontal profile (ARTh), integrated radius, stiffness parameter A1 (SP-A1), and the Corvis Biomechanical Factor (CBiF, the linearized term of the Corvis Biomechanical Index). Mean values, standard deviations, and Cronbach’s alpha (CA) were calculated.

Results

Both groups were tomographically comparable (BAD: 11.5 ± 4.7|11.2 ± 3.6, p = 0.682, Kmax: 60.5 ± 7.2|60.7 ± 7.7, p = 0.868 for controls|CXLG, paired t-test). A1 velocity (mean ± SD: 0.176 ± 0.02|0.183 ± 0.02, p = 0.090, CA: 0.960|0.960), DA ratio 2 mm (6.04 ± 1.13|6.14 ± 1.03, p = 0.490, CA: 0.967|0.967), integrated radius (12.08 ± 2.5|12.42 ± 1.9, p = 0.450, CA: 0.976|0.976), and CBiF (4.62 ± 0.6|4.62 ± 0.4, p = 0.830, CA: 0.965|0.965) were also comparable (controls|CXLG). ARTh was significantly higher in controls (177.1 ± 59, CA: 0.993) than after CXL (155.21 ± 65, p = 0.0062, CA: 0.993) and SP-A1 was significantly higher after CXL (59.2 ± 13, CA: 0.912) than in controls (52.2 ± 16, p = 0.0018, CA: 0.912).

Conclusion

ARTh and SP-A1 differed significantly between controls and CXLG. Biomechanical measurements were generally of excellent reliability in both groups. CXL seems to affect biomechanical measurements of human corneas over more than 2 years.
Exploration of motion inhibition for the suppression of false positives in biologically inspired small target detection algorithms from a moving platform
Authors: Melville-Smith Aaron , Finn Anthony , Uzair Muhammad , Brinkworth Russell S. A.
Published: October 2022

Detecting small moving targets against a cluttered background in visual data is a challenging task. The main problems include spatio-temporal target contrast enhancement, background suppression and accurate target segmentation. When targets are at great distances from a non-stationary camera, the difficulty of these challenges increases. In such cases the moving camera can introduce large spatial changes between frames which may cause issues in temporal algorithms; furthermore targets can approach a single pixel, thereby affecting spatial methods. Previous literature has shown that biologically inspired methods, based on the vision systems of insects, are robust to such conditions. It has also been shown that the use of divisive optic-flow inhibition with these methods enhances the detectability of small targets. However, the location within the visual pathway the inhibition should be applied was ambiguous. In this paper, we investigated the tunings of some of the optic-flow filters and use of a nonlinear transform on the optic-flow signal to modify motion responses for the purpose of suppressing false positives and enhancing small target detection. Additionally, we looked at multiple locations within the biologically inspired vision (BIV) algorithm where inhibition could further enhance detection performance, and look at driving the nonlinear transform with a global motion estimate. To get a better understanding of how the BIV algorithm performs, we compared to other state-of-the-art target detection algorithms, and look at how their performance can be enhanced with the optic-flow inhibition. Our explicit use of the nonlinear inhibition allows for the incorporation of a wider dynamic range of inhibiting signals, along with spatio-temporal filter refinement, which further increases target-background discrimination in the presence of camera motion. Extensive experiments shows that our proposed approach achieves an improvement of 25% over linearly conditioned inhibition schemes and 2.33 times the detection performance of the BIV model without inhibition. Moreover, our approach achieves between 10 and 104 times better detection performance compared to any conventional state-of-the-art moving object detection algorithm applied to the same, highly cluttered and moving scenes. Applying the nonlinear inhibition to other algorithms showed that their performance can be increased by up to 22 times. These findings show that the application of optic-flow- based signal suppression should be applied to enhance target detection from moving platforms. Furthermore, they indicate where best to look for evidence of such signals within the insect brain.
Psychoanalytische Erkundungen der Gesellschaft
Authors: Brunner Markus , Knasmüller Florian , König Julia
Published: October 2022

Die psychoanalytische Erkundung gesellschaftlicher Phänomene beginnt bereits mit Freuds kulturtheoretischen Schriften. In diesem Artikel zeichnen wir nach, wie an Freud anschließende kritische Denker:innen die Psychoanalyse für Gesellschaftsanalysen produktiv zu machen suchten, und entwickeln davon ausgehend Konturen einer psychoanalytisch orientierten Sozialforschung, die nicht nur psychoanalytische Erkenntnisse „anwendet“, sondern der gesellschaftlichen Hervorbringung innerpsychischer Konflikte nachspürt. Wir gehen dann auf Alfred Lorenzers Methodologie und Methode der Tiefenhermeneutischen Kulturanalyse ein und geben aus dieser theoretischen Perspektive einen Einblick in aktuelle Forschungen zu den Coronaprotesten.
Optimization-based investigation of different repurposing concepts for Austrian coal-fired power plants
Authors: Kienberger Thomas , Traupmann Anna , Cvetkovska Roberta
Published: October 2022

Even though the current war in Ukraine has led to a short-time renaissance of coal-fired power plants, the age of coal-based power generation is about to end. Nevertheless, the coal-fired power plants no longer needed for their original purpose are still valuable assets. In this paper, we consider three technological approaches for repurposing them: gas-to-power (operation of combined cycle gas turbine plants), power-to-gas (operation of electrolysis plants for feeding hydrogen into the gas grid), and a combination of the two technologies mentioned above. Our aim is to find optimal operating modes in terms of profit for the three approaches. For this, we use a mixed-integer linear multi-variable optimization model and time-resolved price forecasts for electricity and gas for 2030 and 2040. Our results show that, also in future energy systems, gas-to-power plants allow for economic benefits: In times of district heat demand, they operate in the spot market and profit from dual revenues. Balance and ancillary markets allow for additional revenues from the capacity provision. Power-to-gas plants do not show the same good economic performance. However, they allow for an economically sound operation and gain most of their profits in the spot market. Compared to the others, combined plants do not offer economic advantages. In our paper, we also investigate the currently high energy price situation. It allows for payback periods of power-to-gas plants as anticipated for 2040. For this reason, long-term high prices may accelerate the deployment of such future technologies.
Case–control study of the correlation between the five times sit to stand and 6-min walk distance in patients with pancreatic cancer
Authors: Nakashima Yuki , Iwaki Daisuke , Kawae Toshihiro , Fudeyasu Kenichi , Uemura Kenichiro , Kimura Hiroaki
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Cases of pancreatic cancer are increasing, and the risk of developing this disease reportedly increases with age. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of reports on physical function in patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods such as the 6-min walk distance (6 MWD) should be established to evaluate physical function, as a decline in exercise capacity is an important index in these patients. Recently, the 6 MWD has also been used to evaluate physical function in patients with pancreatic cancer. In healthy older adults, a decrease in 6 MWD is reportedly associated with intrinsic capacity and health status. Such factors make assessing 6 MWD important. However, the measurement of 6 MWD requires a sizable measurement environment. The five times sit to stand (FTSTS) test is a simple method that can be performed using a chair. FTSTS is hypothesized to be a useful assessment scale in patients with pancreatic cancer because it is easy to estimate the decline in physical function in clinical practice if the decline in 6 MWD can be estimated by evaluating FTSTS. The study’s purpose was to clarify this hypothesis and ascertain the cutoff required to determine the decrease in 6 MWD in clinical practice.

Methods

Sixty consecutive patients with preoperative pancreatic cancer who were assessed for physical function were studied. 6 MWD (< 400 m) was the objective variable, and binary logistic regression analysis was performed, with age, BMI, sex, FTSTS, and HGS as explanatory variables. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for the explanatory variables, which were found to be significant based on logistic regression analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) was also calculated. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) were evaluated. This study was approved by Hiroshima University Hospital’s ethics committee (approval number: E808-1).

Results

Fifty-seven of the 60 patients were included in the analysis. Logistic regression analysis showed that FTSTS was a significant explanatory variable; ROC curve analysis showed an AUC of 0.872 and a cutoff value of 8.98 s. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 82.4%, 80.0%, 63.6%, and 91.4%, respectively.

Conclusions

A decrease in 6 MWD in preoperative pancreatic cancer patients can be identified by performing FTSTS.
Analyte-mediated formation and growth of nanoparticles for the development of chemical sensors and biosensors
Authors: Tsogas George Z. , Vlessidis Athanasios G. , Giokas Dimosthenis L.
Published: October 2022

The cornerstone of nanomaterial-based sensing systems is the synthesis of nanoparticles with appropriate surface functionalization that ensures their stability and determines their reactivity with organic or inorganic analytes. To accomplish these requirements, various compounds are used as additives or growth factors to regulate the properties of the synthesized nanoparticles and their reactivity with the target analytes. A different rationale is to use the target analytes as additives or growth agents to control the formation and properties of nanoparticles. The main difference is that the analyte recognition event occurs before or during the formation of nanoparticles and it is based on the reactivity of the analytes with the precursor materials of the nanoparticles (e.g., metal ions, reducing agents, and coatings). The transition from the ionic (or molecular) state of the precursor materials to ordered nanostructured assemblies is used for sensing and signal transduction for the qualitative detection and the quantitative determination of the target analytes, respectively. This review focuses on assays that are based on analyte-mediated regulation of nanoparticles’ formation and differentiate them from standard nanoparticle-based assays which rely on pre-synthesized nanoparticles. Firstly, the principles of analyte-mediated nanomaterial sensors are described and then they are discussed with emphasis on the sensing strategies, the signal transduction mechanisms, and their applications. Finally, the main advantages, as well as the limitations of this approach, are discussed and compared with assays that rely on pre-synthesized nanoparticles in order to highlight the major advances accomplished with this type of nano-sensors and elucidate challenges and opportunities for further evolving new nano-sensing strategies.

Graphical abstract
Assessment of long-term structural movements in a historic cliffside construction through Lomb-Scargle spectral analysis of unevenly spaced time records: the Punta Begoña Galleries (Getxo, Spain)
Authors: Uriarte J. A. , Morales-Juberías R. , Clemente J. A. , Antiguedad I. , Morales T.
Published: October 2022

Long-term monitoring of structural movements in historic buildings and heritage sites allows assessing their stability and recognizing damages that require intervention. The Punta Begoña Galleries, built in the earlier part of the twentieth century, present pioneering techniques in the use of reinforced concrete in building construction. They stand directly over a coastal cliff, and their recovery requires first to guarantee their stability, while maintaining their historic and patrimonial values. Thus, with the goal of analyzing their global stability, as well as the extent of the observed damages, we implemented a motion monitoring network that includes three boreholes for extensometric control, an inclinometer, and five crack gauges (crackmeters). This monitoring was complemented with the recording of hydrometeorological variables at the surface and in four piezometers. The spectral analysis of the signals of movements was performed by introducing the use of the Lomb-Scargle (LS) periodogram, which is particularly well-suited for the analysis of unevenly spaced time series. This analysis allowed us to differentiate the reversible seasonal elastic components of the records and to recognize the irreversible long-term plastic displacements, which highlight the sectors with active instability. In our case, the identified damages are related to two local problems of building support. Even though the irreversible component of the displacement after seasonal sinusoidal detrending is small (with maximums up to 0.12 mm/year), it does imply a dynamic plastic deformation, which calls for the need to adopt structural stabilization measures.
Diode laser versus sclerotherapy: bloodless approaches in the treatment of oral pyogenic granuloma (randomised controlled clinical trial)
Authors: Anwar Souzy Kamal , Edward Sandra Nabil , ELSayed Naguiba Mahmoud
Published: October 2022

Oral pyogenic granuloma (PG) is traditionally treated by surgical excision which is associated with bleeding, pain and a high rate of recurrence. Our research aimed to clinically assess the effectiveness of diode laser versus sclerotherapy, as bloodless approach, in the treatment of oral PG. We randomly divided 20 patients with oral PG into two groups, with those in the test group being managed via diode laser application and those in the control group via injections of ethanolamine oleate as a sclerosing agent. All patients were evaluated intraoperatively for bleeding severity and postoperatively for pain. The quality of healing was also assessed using Landry healing index after the 1st, 2nd and 4th weeks. Additionally, the patients were recalled after 3, 6 and 9 months from the end of treatment for recurrence evaluation. Our results revealed that intraoperative bleeding did not differ significantly between both groups while postoperative pain decreased significantly in the sclerotherapy group compared to the laser group. For different intervals, the sclerotherapy group had a higher healing quality index than the laser group, although the difference was not statistically significant. However, recurrence occurred in the laser group, there were no cases of recurrence in the sclerotherapy group in all intervals. In conclusion, diode laser treatment of PG is a reliable, less invasive, and sensitive procedure that requires an experienced operator and specialised equipment. However, ethanolamine oleate sclerotherapy is an inexpensive, simple technique besides being less prone to recurrence problems, especially when treatment duration is not a concern.
Fascioloides magna and other liver parasites in cloven-hoofed game from northeastern Bavaria, Germany: occurrence and pathological findings with special emphasis on red deer (Cervus elaphus)
Authors: Sommer Marie Franziska , Drdlicek Juliana , Müller Matthias , Thelemann Andrea , Just Frank Thomas
Published: October 2022

The first detection of Fascioloides (F.) magna in northeastern Bavaria in 2011 was presumably correlated to natural migration movements of free ranging wild ruminants originating from the neighboring Czech Republic, where high infection rates have been reported frequently. To gain more data on the continuing spreading and current occurrence of the giant liver fluke in surrounding regions, 700 livers of cloven-hoofed game originating from eleven different northeastern Bavarian counties were investigated for the presence of F. magna and accompanying liver parasites in the hunting season 2019–2020. Macroscopically altered liver tissue was further investigated by pathohistological and parasitological examination. F. magna was detected in 5.9% (38/640) of livers from red deer (0.7% < 1 year, 9.8% > 1 year; p < 0.05) whereas none of the investigated livers of wild boar, roe, and fallow deer was infected (n=60). Mild pathological alterations of the liver tissue were documented in 15, moderate in 14, and major in 9 of all F. magna-positive cases. Histologically, the fluke-specific pigment haematin, large trematode eggs, and periportal fibrosis were detected in the liver tissue of infected animals. In 9% of all investigated livers, parasitic stages of other parasites, i.e., Dicrocoelium dendriticum (6.0%), Fasciola hepatica (0.3%), Taenia spp. (1.7%), and Echinococcus multilocularis (1.0%), were found. According to the results of this study, F. magna is not restricted to formerly known affected regions of Upper Franconia, but is also present in the military training ground Grafenwöhr, Upper Palatinate, and the Bavarian Forest National Park, Lower Bavaria, with estimated prevalences of 3.6 and 16.4%, respectively, and thus seems to spread in suitable habitats in northeastern Bavaria.
Decadal changes in the basin-wide heat budget of the mid-latitude North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Kawai Yoshimi , Nagano Akira , Hasegawa Takuya , Tomita Hiroyuki , Tani Masanobu
Published: October 2022

Research has indicated that the meridional heat transport (MHT) in the North Pacific Ocean (NP) across 24°N increased in the 1980s and 1990s, resulting in different heat distributions: the ocean heat content (OHC) increased in the 1980s, while the net surface heat release was strengthened in the 1990s; however, the reasons for these differences remained unclear. The authors revisited the investigation of the heat budget in the NP mainly using hydrographic observations to understand why the heat distribution was different between these 2 decades and extend the analysis to the 2010s. The OHC in the upper 700 m north of 24°N and east of 137°E exhibited sharp increases around 1990 as well as in the 2010s, while it was nearly stable in between. The northward retreat of the subarctic gyre boundary coincided with the spin-up of the subtropical gyre in the late 1980s, thereby allowing warm anomaly from the subtropics to propagate northeastward. Meanwhile, the concurrent weakening of the wintertime westerlies resulted in the suppression of the surface heat loss in the western NP. In contrast, the southward shift of the subarctic front suppressed the OHC rise, despite the MHT increase in the late 1990s. In the 2010s, unprecedented warming occurred in the eastern NP. The MHT estimation based on hydrographic observations indicates that the net surface release must have been suppressed since the MHT did not increase; however, the latest atmospheric reanalysis datasets failed to reproduce this.
Mapping, quantifying and comparing seascape heterogeneity of Southwest Indian Ridge seamounts
Authors: Swanborn D. J. B. , Huvenne V. A. I. , Pittman S. J. , Rogers A. D. , Taylor M. L. , Woodall L. C.
Published: October 2022

Context

Seamounts are abundant geomorphological features creating seabed spatial heterogeneity, a main driver of deep-sea biodiversity. Despite its ecological importance, substantial knowledge gaps exist on the character of seamount spatial heterogeneity.

Objectives

This study aimed to map, quantify and compare seamount seascapes to test whether individual habitats and seamounts differ in geomorphological structuring, and to identify spatial pattern metrics useful to discriminate between habitats and seamounts.

Methods

We mapped and classified geomorphological habitat using bathymetric data collected at five Southwest Indian Ridge seamounts. Spatial pattern metrics from landscape ecology are applied to quantify and compare seascape heterogeneity in composition and configuration represented in resulting habitat maps.

Results

Whilst part of the same regional geological feature, seamounts differed in seascape composition and configuration. Five geomorphological habitat types occurred across sites, which within seamounts differed in patch area, shape and clustering, with ridge habitat most dissimilar. Across seamounts, the spatial distribution of patches differed in number, shape, habitat aggregation and intermixing, and outcomes were used to score seamounts on a gradient from low to high spatial heterogeneity.

Conclusions

Although seamounts have been conceptualised as similar habitats, this study revealed quantitative differences in seascape spatial heterogeneity. As variations in relative proportion and spatial relationships of habitats within seamounts may influence ecological functioning, the proposed quantitative approach can generate insights into within-seamount characteristics and seamount types relevant for habitat mappers and marine managers focusing on representational ecosystem-based management of seamounts. Further research into associations of sessile and mobile seamount biodiversity with seascape composition and configuration at relevant spatial scales will help improve ecological interpretation of metrics, as will incorporating oceanographic parameters.
The Platformization of Science: Towards a Scientific Digital Platform Taxonomy
Authors: da Silva Neto Victo José , Chiarini Tulio
Published: October 2022

Despite the existence of studies addressing the historical development of digital platforms, none of them has yet drawn a coherent and comprehensive interpretation of the emergence of scientific digital platforms. The previous literature (i) focuses on specific scientific practices; (ii) does not reach far enough back into the past; (iii) does not cover all relevant groups of social actors; (iv) does not propose a taxonomy for scientific digital platforms; and (v) does not provide a definition for scientific digital platforms. We propose in this paper a long-term view (from 1990 onwards), allowing us to identify the participation of distinct groups of social actors—within State, Market and Science subsystems—in the process of science platformization. Dialoguing with the most up-to-date literature, we broaden our understanding of the ongoing process of platformization of the research life cycle, proposing a taxonomy and a definition for scientific digital platforms. The evidence provided throughout the paper unveils that (i) the changes (caused by platformization) in each of the phases of the research cycle are not at all linear and are not happening simultaneously; (ii) actors from different subsystem played important roles in the platformization of science; and, (iii) specific categories of platforms have consolidated themselves as infrastructures and certain scientific infrastructures have been platformed, although this varies by category.
On the Effectiveness of Domestic Rainwater Harvesting Systems to Support Urban Flood Resilience
Authors: Palla Anna , Gnecco Ilaria
Published: October 2022

The effectiveness of domestic rainwater harvesting (DRWH) systems to support urban flood resilience is analysed at the sub-catchment scale, according to a specific DRWH conversion scenario, under 4 degrees of urbanization, 3 drainage network configurations, 4 precipitation regimes and 3 return periods of the rainfall event. At this aim, a suitable modelling framework is implemented: the semi-distributed hydrologic-hydraulic model is undertaken using EPASWMM 5.1.007 where specific tools are developed to simulate DRWH systems at high spatial resolution. The effectiveness of the DRWH systems simulated for the 144 different cases, is analysed at the event scale by using the Volume and Peak Reduction indexes to measure the hydrologic performance. The dimensionless variable, namely the event storage fraction, is defined in order to easily describe the DRWH effectiveness. The event storage fraction is defined as the ratio between the event runoff volume resulting from the impervious surface of the urban catchment in the reference scenario and the storage capacity of the DRWH systems. Modelling results confirm that DRWH catchment-scale applications allow to support specific stormwater control requirements based on peak-flow or volume regulations strategies. Findings of the elaboration reveal for a typical residential catchment in the Italy-France cross-border coastal area, that DRWH effectiveness in supporting the urban flood management becomes significant (i.e. Volume and Peak Reduction indexes greater than 0.2) starting from a storage event fraction of 0.4 that means realizing storage tanks able to contain at least the 40% of runoff volume generated by the targeted event at the sub-catchment scale.
Maladaptive Daydreaming and Its Relationship with Psychopathological Symptoms, Emotion Regulation, and Problematic Social Networking Sites Use: a Network Analysis Approach
Authors: Chirico Ilaria , Volpato Eleonora , Landi Giulia , Bassi Giulia , Mancinelli Elisa , Gagliardini Giulia , Gemignani Micol , Gizzi Giulia , Manari Tommaso , Moretta Tania , Rellini Emanuela , Saltarelli Beatrice , Mariani Rachele , Musetti Alessandro
Published: October 2022

The present
study investigated the patterns of mutual associations between maladaptive daydreaming-related variables (MD, i.e., interference with life and somatosensory retreat), psychopathological symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, somatization, obsessive–compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, psychoticism), emotion regulation strategies (i.e., cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression), and problematic social networking sites use (PSNSU). A total of 531 young adults completed self-report measures through an online survey shared on social network groups. Two network models were performed on 297 young adults with probable MD (MDers) (Mage = 23.2, SD = 2.7) vs. 234 non-MDers (Mage = 23.4, SD = 2.6). Results showed that, compared to non-MDers, MDers showed significantly higher scores in all the study variables, except for cognitive reappraisal. Moreover, in the MDers network, the following patterns were identified: (i) no connections between the cluster of psychopathological symptoms, and neither cognitive reappraisal nor expressive suppression; (ii) a connection, through obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms, between the cluster of psychopathological symptoms and MD-interference with life; and (iii) a connection between PSNSU and MD-interference with life. Accordingly, the Network Comparison Test evidenced that the network structures of MDers vs. non-MDers were significantly different (M = .24; p = .01). Overall, higher scores on psychopathological symptoms in MDers provide support to the assumption that MD is a clinical condition, in which OC symptoms may play a critical role. Additionally, the association of PSNSU and MD-interference with life suggests that MDers might rely on PSNSU as a maladaptive emotion regulation strategy. Under this scenario, MD may be regarded as a potential vulnerability factor for PSNSU.
Gender and Racial Representation Trends Among Internal Medicine Department Chairs from 2010–2020
Authors: Samuel Anita , Cervero Ronald M. , Durning Steven J.
Published: October 2022

Background

Quality medical education, reduction in health disparities, and healthcare research that includes all members of society are enhanced by diversity in departments of internal medicine (IM). Research on increasing diversity within the academic medicine student body or faculty notes the important role of leadership. Yet, there is a scarcity in research into diversity in leadership.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to go beyond aggregate numbers and answer the question: What is the level of parity representation, by gender and race, at department chair positions in academic IM departments?

Design

A cross-sectional analysis of race/ethnicity and gender in IM medical school departments from 2010 to 2020 was conducted using data from the American Association of Medical College’s (AAMC) Faculty Roster. The proportion of IM department chairs to IM faculty by race/ethnicity for each year (2010–2020) was used to calculate the Leadership Parity Index (LPI) in this study. LPI by gender and by gender and race/ethnicity were also calculated for each year.

Results

In aggregate numbers, Black or African American and Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish Origin faculty remain under-represented in academic IM each making up, on average, approximately 4% of the total IM faculty. The LPI calculations revealed that faculty who identified as White were consistently over-represented as department chairs while Asian faculty were consistently under-represented in leadership and ranked lowest in leadership parity among the ethnic groups studied. The leadership parity index also showed that women faculty across all races were under-represented.

Conclusion

Women and Asian faculty encounter a ceiling effect that may be at play in IM departments. While significant progress still needs to be made in the representation of under-represented minorities, the findings of this study show that aggregate data does not provide a true picture of equity and parity in Internal Medicine faculties.
Effect of pH fluctuations on the biodegradability of nanocomposite Mg-alloy in simulated bodily fluids
Authors: Zohdy K. M. , El-Sherif Rabab M. , El-Shamy A. M.
Published: October 2022

According to the National Institute of Health, the biodegradability, non-toxic nature, and remarkable natural and mechanical properties of magnesium and its components make them desirable choices for use in the production of supplies for biomedical implantation. Simulated bodily fluid (SBF) is used as a standard electrolyte for in vitro corrosion research. Each SBF module's independent and synergistic corrosion effects are studied in this study. Artificial pH variations increase degradation, according to the results. This experiment examined the Mg corrosion submerged in a SBF solution. The effect of pH changes on the rate of corrosion of Mg immersed in standard SBF solution was investigated. According to the previously published study, the corrosion process of Mg has been confirmed by scanning electron microscopy observations of damaged surface morphology. Because of these investigations, pH 7 was selected as the pH for bodily fluids since it is neutral.
Physicochemical Characterization of Texture-Modified Pumpkin by Vacuum Enzyme Impregnation: Textural, Chemical, and Image Analysis
Authors: Hernández Sergio , Gallego Marta , Verdú Samuel , Barat José M. , Talens Pau , Grau Raúl
Published: October 2022

Texture-modified pumpkin was developed by using vacuum enzyme impregnation to soften texture to tolerable limits for the elderly population with swallowing and chewing difficulties. The impregnation process and macrostructural and microstructural enzyme action were explored by the laser light backscattering imaging technique and a microscopic study by digital image analysis. Texture was analyzed by a compression assay. The effect of enzyme treatment on antioxidant capacity and sugar content was evaluated and compared to the traditional cooking effect. Image analysis data demonstrated the effectiveness of the impregnation process and enzyme action on plant cell walls. Enzyme-treated samples at the end of the process had lower stiffness values with no fracture point, significantly greater antioxidant capacity and significantly lower total and reducing sugars contents than traditionally cooked pumpkins. The results herein obtained demonstrate the capability of using vacuum impregnation treatment with enzymes to soften pumpkins and their positive effects on antioxidant capacity and sugar content to develop safe and sensory-accepted texture-modified products for specific elderly populations.
Why the Epistemic Objection Against Using Sentience as Criterion of Moral Status is Flawed
Authors: Dung Leonard
Published: October 2022

According to a common view, sentience is necessary and sufficient for moral status. In other words, whether a being has intrinsic moral relevance is determined by its capacity for conscious experience. The epistemic objection derives from our profound uncertainty about sentience. According to this objection, we cannot use sentience as a criterion to ascribe moral status in practice because we won’t know in the foreseeable future which animals and AI systems are sentient while ethical questions regarding the possession of moral status are urgent. Therefore, we need to formulate an alternative criterion. I argue that the epistemic objection is dissolved once one clearly distinguishes between the question what determines moral status and what criterion should be employed in practice to ascribe moral status. Epistemic concerns are irrelevant to the former question and—I will argue—criteria of moral status have inescapably to be based on sentience, if one concedes that sentience determines moral status. It follows that doubts about our epistemic access to sentience cannot be used to motivate an alternative criterion of moral status. If sentience turns out to be unknowable, then moral status is unknowable. However, I briefly advocate against such strong pessimism.
Diagnostic role of DOG-1, GFAP and B-catenin in Basal cell Adenoma and Cellular Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Salivary Gland
Authors: López-Janeiro Álvaro , Blasco-Santana Luis , Pérez-Pérez Manuel , Ruiz-Bravo Elena
Published: October 2022

Background

Pleomorphic Adenoma (PA) and Basal cell adenoma (BCA) are benign salivary gland tumors that may pose a diagnostic challenge if typical features are not present. Due to the increased relapse and malignant transformation rate of the former, a correct diagnosis carries relevant prognostic information. Even though immunohistochemistry (IHC) plays a limited role in the diagnosis of these tumors, the use of IHC panels could increase diagnostic accuracy. In the present work, we aimed to demonstrate that the use of an IHC panel consisting of Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein (GFAP), B-Catenin and Discovered On GIST 1 (DOG-1) can aid in the differential diagnosis between PA and BCA.

Methods

We analyzed 18 cases of benign salivary gland tumors (Pleomorphic adenomas and Basal cell adenomas) with overlapping histologic features. First, a head and neck pathologist diagnosed the cases relying on morphology alone. Afterwards, cases were re-evaluated considering the IHC panel results. Inter-observer IHC scoring concordance was evaluated with pre-defined marker cut-off points using Cohen’s Kappa scores.

Results

Based on morphology alone, 9 cases were classified as PA while the remaining tumors were considered to be BCA. Five out of nine BCA cases showed GFAP staining and absent nuclear B-catenin and DOG-1 positivity. Conversely, 2 PA cases showed absent GFAP and positive nuclear B-catenin with concurrent DOG-1 expression. Therefore, after IHC evaluation, up to 40% of morphologic diagnoses were reconsidered. Overall, the inter-observer concordance for IHC evaluation was good (resulting Kappa Scores between 0.78 and 1).

Conclusion

Our work supports the use of a concise IHC panel to improve the diagnostic accuracy of benign salivary gland tumors with overlapping histologic features.
Green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using sodium alginate extracted from Sargassum latifolium and their antibacterial activity
Authors: El-Sheekh Mostafa M. , Deyab Mohamed A. , Hassan Nagwa I. , Abu Ahmed Seham E.
Published: October 2022

Brown seaweed Sargassum latifolium produces a sufficient amount of alginate. It is derived from the cell wall of seaweed as a natural anionic polysaccharide. In the present study, alginate was extracted from S. latifolium, its physicochemical properties, the potential for silver nanoparticles formation, characterization of alginate silver nanoparticles, and its antibacterial activity was studied. Physical analysis of extracted sodium alginate as colour (pale yellow), yield (25.34%), water content (13.17%), ash content (15.5%), and pH (8.6) were investigated. In addition, UV scan analyses of extracted alginate illustrated that the bioactive compounds separated in the range of 200–400 nm. On the other hand, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis) scan analysis of synthesized alginate silver nanoparticles gave a maximum peak at 413 nm. Besides that, Fourier Transforms Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis of alginate, and alginate silver nanoparticles revealed a variety of functional groups, such as –OH, –NH, –CH, –COOH, CO, and C–C, and thermogravimetric analysis of extracted sodium alginate demonstrated thermal degradation occurs in two steps; Dehydration followed by degradation to Na2CO3 and a carbonized substance that breaks down slowly between 600 and 750 °C in N2. Biochemical contents, protein, and carbohydrate were receptively, respectively, and were 0.89 and 78.56 mg/g dry wt. Alginate silver nanoparticles recorded maximal antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus cereus more than alginate. On the other hand, alginate has no activity against E. coli.
Application of radiomics in adrenal incidentaloma: a literature review
Authors: Li Cheng , Fu Yan , Yi Xiaoping , Guan Xiao , Liu Longfei , Chen Bihong T.
Published: October 2022

Assessment of adrenal incidentaloma relies on imaging analysis and evaluation of adrenal function. Radiomics as a tool for quantitative image analysis is useful for evaluation of adrenal incidentaloma. In this review, we examined radiomic literature on adrenal incidentaloma including both adrenal functional assessment and structural differentiation of benign versus malignant adrenal tumors. In this review, we summarized the status of radiomic application on adrenal incidentaloma and suggested potential direction for future research.
Resistance patterns among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients and trends-over-time analysis of national surveillance data in Gabon, Central Africa
Authors: Abdul Jabar Babatunde Pacome Achimi Agbo , Adegbite Bayode Romeo , Ndanga Micheska Epola Dibamba , Edoa Jean Ronald , Mevyann Rhett Chester , Mfoumbi Guy Rogue Arnault Ibinda , de Dieu Tshisekedi Jean , Mahoumbou Jocelyn , Biyogho Christopher Mebiame , Jeyaraj Sankarganesh , Niemann Stefan , Lell Bertrand , Kremsner Peter Gottfried , Alabi Abraham Sunday , Adegnika Ayola Akim , Grobusch Martin Peter
Published: October 2022

Objective

Routinely generated surveillance data are important for monitoring the effectiveness of MDR-TB control strategies. Incidence of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) is a key indicator for monitoring MDR-TB.

Methods

In a longitudinal nationwide retrospective study, 8 years (2014–2021) of sputum samples from presumptively drug-resistant tuberculosis patients from all regions of Gabon were referred to the national tuberculosis reference laboratory. Samples were analysed using GeneXpert MTB/RIF and Genotype MTBDRsl version 2/Line Probe Assay.

Results

Of 3057 sputum samples from presumptive tuberculosis patients, both from local hospital and from referral patients, 334 were RR-TB. The median patient age was 33 years (interquartile range 26–43); one third was newly diagnosed drug-resistant tuberculosis patients; one-third was HIV-positive. The proportion of men with RR-TB was significantly higher than that of women (55% vs 45%; p < 0.0001). Patients aged 25–35 years were most affected (32%; 108/334). The cumulative incidence of RR-TB was 17 (95% CI 15–19)/100,000 population over 8 years. The highest incidences were observed in 2020 and 2021. A total of 281 samples were analysed for second-line drug resistance. The proportions of study participants with MDR-TB, pre-XDR-TB and XDR-TB were 90.7% (255/281), 9% (25/281) and 0.3% (1/281), respectively. The most-common mutations in fluoroquinolones resistance isolates was gyrA double mutation gyrA MUT3B and MUT3C (23%; 4/17). Most (64%; 6/8) second-line injectable drugs resistance isolates were characterised by missing both rrs WT2 and MUT2 banding.

Conclusion

The increasing incidence of MDR-TB infection in Gabon is alarming. It is highest in the 25–35 years age category. The incidence of MDR-TB infection in treatment-naïve patients calls for case finding and contact tracing strategy improvement.
CircNDST1 promotes papillary thyroid cancer progression via its interaction with CSNK2A1 to activate the PI3K–Akt pathway and epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Shu C. , Wang S. , Hu J. , Xu M. , Deng H. , Maimaiti Y. , Huang T.
Published: October 2022

Background

Multiple studies have established a strong relationship between circRNA and cancer progression. Cervical lymph node metastasis is a key factor influencing the surgical approach and distant metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). However, the role of circNDST1 in PTC has not been investigated. Our research focused on revealing the function and mechanism of action of circNDST1 in PTC.

Methods

High-throughput sequencing and qPCR were used to assess the expression of circRNA in PTC tissues with extensive cervical lymph node metastasis and circNDST1 in cell lines, respectively. The proliferative effects of circNDST1 in vitro and in vivo were analyzed using CCK8, clone formation assay, EdU, and nude mouse tumorigenesis assay. The transwell scratch assay was employed in the scrutiny of the effect of circNDST1 on the migration and invasion abilities of thyroid cancer cells, while circNDST1’s influence on the PI3K–Akt pathway and the Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) key protein expression was evaluated utilizing RNA sequencing and western blot. RNA pull-down and RIP were used to examine the binding of circNDST1 to CSNK2A1.

Results

CircNDST1 was highly expressed in PTC cell lines, but knocking it down inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasive abilities of TPC1 and KTC1 cell lines. CircNDST1 bonded with CSNK2A1 and promoted the interaction between CSNK2A1 and Akt, leading to the activation of the PI3K–Akt pathway and EMT.

Conclusion

CircNDST1’s high expression boosted thyroid cancer progression through the activation of the PI3K–Akt pathway and EMT in a CSNK2A1-dependent manner
Healthy Eating Policy: Racial Liberalism, Global Connections and Contested Science
Authors: Mayes Christopher
Published: October 2022

The challenges to designing and implementing ethically and politically meaningful eating policies are many and complex. This article provides a brief overview of Anne Barnhill and Matteo Bonotti’s Healthy Eating Policy and Political Philosophy: A Public Reason Approach while also critically engaging with the place of racial justice, global interconnectedness, and debates over science in thinking about ethics and politics of public health nutrition and policy. I do not aim to burden Barnhill and Bonotti with the responsibility to fully address these issues, but considering the interconnection of these issues and the ever pressing effects of climate change on local and global food systems, we collectively need to turn to these difficult and pressing questions about what a just food system looks like, what concerns are centred, and who is left out. I group these engagements with Barnhill and Bonotti under three headings: racial liberalism, global food system, and contested nutrition science. I conclude with some remarks about locality.
On Curing Political Diseases: The Healing Power of Majoritarian Elections in Multi-Member Districts
Authors: Eichenberger Reiner , Schafer Patricia
Published: October 2022

Democratic politics suffers from numerous diseases such as lack of inclusiveness, time-inconsistency, short-termism, negative campaigning, lack of trust in and between governments, and many more. These diseases affect all countries, albeit to a differing extent. How can they be cured? From a politico-economic perspective, an institutional approach is required. We look at a country where these political diseases seem to play a relatively minor role: Switzerland. So far, Switzerland is renowned for its extensive direct democracy and federalism. However, its electoral system has been largely neglected. It uniquely combines proportional representation and majoritarian elections on all government levels. In contrast to the international standard, Swiss majority votes do not take place in single-member districts but in multi-member districts. We analyze how the interplay of majoritarian elections in multi-member districts and proportional representation mitigates many of the political diseases.
Exploring the Lithic Variability of the Mousterian (MIS 9–3) Open-Air Sites of the Pontine Plain (Central Italy)
Authors: Rolfo Mario Federico , Ceruleo Piero , Marra Fabrizio , Jicha Brian , Gatta Maurizio
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a preliminary study of the Middle Palaeolithic lithic industries recovered at six selected open-air sites in the Latium region (central Italy), part of a regional cultural complex known as the “Pontinian”. The pedo-stratigraphic analysis combined with 40Ar/ 39Ar age constraints on the sites permits us to provide for the first time a geomorphological and chronological (300–40 ka) framework for several open-air sites in central Italy. The temporal range is remarkably coincident with the Neanderthal presence in this region. Moreover, the lithic collections analysed include the oldest occurrence of a Mousterian industry in this region. The present work, therefore, provides the background context for future re-evaluation of the peculiar Pontinian techno-complex through a more in-depth technological approach and its comparison with the other Neanderthal occurrences in central Italy.
„Wenn man es aufschreibt, muss es richtig sein!“ – Kooperatives Verschriftlichen im naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht als Möglichkeit, sprachliches und fachliches Lernen zu verbinden – und zu untersuchen
Authors: Bleiker Johanna , Obendrauf Michael
Published: October 2022

Der Beitrag geht der Frage nach, in welcher Weise sich Bezüge zwischen sprachlichem und naturwissenschaftlichem Lernen nicht nur postulieren, sondern auf empirischer Basis rekonstruieren lassen. Die Datenbasis bilden Videoaufnahmen authentischer Schulstunden (3., 4. und 5. Primarklasse, ca. 50 Zeitstunden) sowie die in den gefilmten Lektionen entstandenen schriftlichen Produkte. Der methodische Zugang ist explorativ-qualitativ ausgerichtet und interdisziplinär (Deutschdidaktik – Naturwissenschaftsdidaktik). Anhand einer Analyse einer Unterrichtssequenz mit konversationellen Schreibinteraktionen wird aufgezeigt, wie Schüler:innen während des kooperativen Schreibens fachliche Konzepte diskutieren, elaborieren und verändern. Dabei werden vier Modi kooperativen Schreibens rekonstruiert, die mit unterschiedlichen Potenzialen für das fachliche und (bildungs-)sprachliche Lernen verbunden sein dürften.