bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cu2(Thiourea)Br2 Complex as a Multifunctional Interfacial Layer for Reproducible PTAA‐Based p–i–n Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Yihao , Zhou Shujie , Liu Xu , Sun Kaiwen , Lee Minwoo , Liu Ziheng , Zhang Meng , Bai Yang , Hameiri Ziv , Hao Xiaojing
Published: January 2024

Poly[bis(4‐phenyl)(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)amine (PTAA) is one of the most efficient hole transport materials for p–i–n structured perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the hydrophobicity of PTAA causes wettability problems and is thereby associated with low yield and poor reproducibility. Herein, a new strategy for improving the perovskite precursor wettability on PTAA is developed. A Cu2(Thiourea)Br2 complex interfacial layer is introduced on the PTAA, improving the coverage of perovskite precursors and thereby the perovskite film. Partially dissolved Cu2(Thiourea)Br2 in the perovskite absorber further enhances band alignment and carrier extraction between layers. With the addition of Cu2(Thiourea)Br2 layer on nondoped PTAA, PSCs in p–i–n structure with a bandgap of 1.63 eV have achieved over 21% efficiency both on 0.1 and 1.0 cm2 sized devices with a significantly improved yield and reproducibility. Unencapsulated devices retain 100% of their initial efficiency after 2000 h at 65 °C.
Evolution of internal dimensions in object‐oriented software–A time series based approach
Authors: Sousa Bruno L. , Bigonha Mariza A. S. , Ferreira Kecia A. M. , Franco Glaura C.
Published: January 2024

Software evolution is the process of adapting, maintaining, and updating a software system. This process concentrates the most significant part of the software costs. Many works have studied software evolution and found relevant insights, such as Lehman's laws. However, there is a gap in how software systems evolve from an internal dimensions point of view. For instance, the literature has indicated how systems grow, for example, linearly, sub‐linearly, super‐linearly, or following the Pareto distribution. However, a well‐defined pattern of how this phenomenon occurs has not been established. This work aims to define a novel method to analyze and predict software evolution. We based our strategy on time series analysis, linear regression techniques, and trend tests. In this study, we applied the proposed model to investigate how the internal structure of object‐oriented software systems evolves in terms of four dimensions: coupling, inheritance hierarchy, cohesion, and class size. Applying the proposed method, we identify the functions that better explain how the analyzed dimensions evolve. Besides, we investigate how the relationship between dimension metrics behave over the systems' evolution and the set of classes existing in the systems that affect the evolution of these dimensions. We mined and analyzed data from 46 Java‐based open‐source projects. We used eight software metrics regarding the dimensions analyzed in this study. The main results of this study reveal ten software evolution properties, among them: coupling, cohesion, and inheritance evolve linearly; a relevant percentage of classes contributes to coupling and size evolution; a small percentage of classes contributes to cohesion evolution; there is no relation between the software internal dimensions' evolution. The results also indicate that our method can accurately predict how the software system will evolve in short‐term and long‐term predictions.
High Na‐ion conductivity and mechanical integrity of anion‐exchanged polymeric hydrogel electrolytes for flexible sodium ion hybrid energy storage
Authors: Hong Jung Woo , Rana Harpalsinh H. , Park Jeong Hee , Kim Jun Su , Lee Sang Joon , Jang Gun , Kang Tae Hoon , Shin Kang Ho , Baek Sang Ha , Yang Wooseok , Kim Kwang Ho , Lee Ju‐Hyuk , Park Ho Seok
Published: January 2024

The polymeric gel electrolytes are attractive owing to their higher ionic conductivities than those of dry polymer electrolytes and lowered water activity for enlarged potential window. However, the ionic conductivity and mechanical strength of the Na‐ion conducting polymeric gel electrolytes are limited by below 20 mS cm−1 and 2.2 MPa. Herein, we demonstrate Na‐ion conducting and flexible polymeric hydrogel electrolytes of the chemically coupled poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)‐dextrin‐N,N′‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide film immersed in NaClO4 solution (ex‐DDA‐Dex + NaClO4) for flexible sodium‐ion hybrid capacitors (f‐NIHC). In particular, the anion exchange reaction and synergistic interaction of ex‐DDA‐Dex with the optimum ClO4− enable to greatly improve the ionic conductivity up to 27.63 mS cm−1 at 25°C and electrochemical stability window up to 2.6 V, whereas the double networking structure leads to achieve both the mechanical strength (7.48 MPa) and softness of hydrogel electrolytes. Therefore, the f‐NIHCs with the ex‐DDA‐Dex + NaClO4 achieved high specific and high‐rate capacities of 192.04 F g−1 at 500 mA g−1 and 116.06 F g−1 at 10 000 mA g−1, respectively, delivering a large energy density of 120.03 W h kg−1 at 906 W kg−1 and long cyclability of 70% over 500 cycles as well as demonstrating functional operation under mechanical stresses.
Juvenile Pacific salmonid habitat use in two Puget Sound lowland rivers
Authors: David Aaron T. , Gregersen Christopher N. , Kubo Joshua S. , Lantz Daniel W. , Bower James W.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Large rivers are complex, productive environments that support numerous species. However, humans have extensively modified these ecosystems, contributing to the decline of Pacific salmonid Oncorhynchus spp. populations. Salmon recovery efforts rely upon an understanding of salmonid habitat needs at different life stages, but data on juvenile salmonid habitat use within large rivers are rare due to the challenges of sampling in large rivers. To help fill this information need, we used a cataraft-mounted electrofisher to evaluate juvenile salmonid use of natural (bar, backwater, side channel, and unarmored bank) and human-modified (riprap-armored bank and biorevetment bank [armored banks with added wood]) channel edge habitats in the Snoqualmie and Green rivers within the Puget Sound region of Washington State.

Methods

We electrofished over 1000 25-m transects across seven spring rearing seasons (2016–2022) and measured transect water depths and widths of low-velocity habitat (≤0.45 m/s).

Result

Bars, backwaters, and side channels were shallower and had wider low-velocity habitat than armored banks. River flow also influenced water depth and low-velocity width, but the relationship varied depending on the habitat type. Subyearling Chinook Salmon O. tshawytscha and subyearling Coho Salmon O. kisutch occurred more frequently and were more abundant along natural edge habitats than along armored banks, while their use of biorevetment banks was intermediate between their use of natural edge habitats and armored banks. In contrast, yearling Coho Salmon and trout occurred more frequently and were more abundant along armored, biorevetment, and unarmored banks than along bars and backwaters, but they also used side channels extensively. Habitat use shifted throughout the spring, but specific shifts varied by species or life history stage.

Conclusion

These results emphasize the importance of conserving natural edge habitats, removing bank armoring, and reconnecting or restoring side channels. Additionally, our results highlight that a diversity of habitat types and conditions is necessary to support multiple species and life history stages.
Calreticulin, a potential coregulator of immune checkpoints and biomarker associated with tumor microenvironment and clinical prognostic significance in breast invasive carcinoma
Authors: Lin Jiali , Chen Yiwei , Zhang Zexin , Qi Feng , Zhang Mingdi
Published: January 2024

As a promising immune checkpoint of immunogenic cell death (ICD) and multifunctional calcium‐binding molecular chaperone, calreticulin (CALR) has been attracting increasing attention. CALR mainly locates in cellular endoplasmic reticulum and significantly affects cell proliferation, invasion, induction of apoptosis, and angiogenesis in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA). CALR overexpression might be correlated with a worse outcome. Nonetheless, it remains obscure how CALR correlates with immune infiltration and survival prognosis of BRCA. In this study, we investigated CALR expression utilizing RNAseq data from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and genotype‐tissue expression (GTEx) database. The prognostic value of CALR was analyzed using clinical survival data. Enrichment analysis was conducted using the R package “clusterProfiler.” We downloaded the immune cell infiltration score of TCGA samples from published articles and online databases and performed a correlation analysis between immune cell infiltration levels and CALR expression. We further assessed the association between CALR and immunomodulators. Moreover, we also evaluated the expression of CALR in 100 formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded breast cancer and adjacent normal breast tissue specimens. Our results found that CALR was highly expressed in BRCA, and CALR expression levels differed in pathological stages, T stages, and N stages. Besides, these results suggested that CALR overexpression may have adverse effects on the progression‐free interval (PFI) and disease‐free interval (DFI), which may be related to tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, leading to tumor deterioration. Meanwhile, immune cell infiltration analysis revealed a correlation between the expression of CALR and the number of neutrophils and dendritic cells, suggesting that CALR was highly correlated with many immunomodulators in BRCA. Our results provide potential biomarkers of CALR in BRCA. CALR may interact synergistically with other immunomodulators to regulate the immune microenvironment, which could be utilized to develop new immunotherapy drugs.
Growth performance, hematological and oxidative stress responses in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to polypropylene microplastics
Authors: Nair Haritha Thulaseedharan , Perumal Siddhuraju
Published: January 2024

The present study investigated the effect of polypropylene (PP) microplastics on the growth performance, hematological profile and oxidative stress responses in the liver and brain tissues of Oreochromis niloticus juvenile. The microplastic exposure was done by offering microplastic‐incorporated feed to the fish. The feed was prepared by mixing microplastics and the feed in three different ratios; Low (1.5 g/kg), Medium (3.0 g/kg), High (4.5 g/kg), and a control with no plastics in it. The trial was done for 7 weeks. A significant impact on the growth performance of the fish was observed in terms of body weight gain, specific growth rate, metabolic growth rate, protein efficiency ratio and energy retention. All the treatments had a significant difference in growth parameters compared to the control. The results of the hematological profile confirmed erythropoietic impairment in the fishes due to high microplastic exposure which led to an anemic condition in the fishes and mortality in the early juvenile stage. The antioxidant enzyme analysis also shows significant oxidative stress induced in liver and brain tissues in a dose‐dependent manner. Exposure to PP microplastics significantly affected the growth, health and metabolism of O. niloticus. Further studies on genetic and cellular levels should be done to elucidate the wide‐ranging effects of MPs on fish species.
Determination and quantification of microplastics in compost
Authors: Iswahyudi Iswahyudi , Widodo Wahyu , Warkoyo Warkoyo , Sutanto Adi , Garfansa Marchel Putra , Septia Erfan Dani
Published: January 2024

Although microplastics (MPs) in solid organic waste have been intensively studied, the presence of MPs in organic fertilizer and their potential as new emerging pollution to environment because of their use in agriculture has not been explained completely. Therefore, the identification and quantification of MPs in commercially available compost is important. This study aimed to estimate the quantity of MPs in commercial composts. The characteristics of MPs (shape, color, size, and type of polymers) were identified. This study found that MPs in commercial compost samples were found, reaching up to 160 particles/200 g of compost with various colors (blue, black, red, yellow, and white). The identified MPs had various sizes (0.1–1 mm) and shapes (81.8% fragment, 16.2% fiber, and 2% filament). The findings of this study are very important and significant to inform community and policymakers regarding the presence of MPs in commercial compost, hence, their intensive use in agriculture must be controlled and careful.
Lessons learned and lingering uncertainties after seven years of chronic wasting disease management in Norway
Authors: Mysterud Atle , Tranulis Michael A. , Strand Olav , Rolandsen Christer M.
Published: January 2024

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is well known among cervids in North America. Nevertheless, management faced different types and degrees of uncertainty when CWD was first detected in reindeer Rangifer tarandus in Nordfjella, Norway in 2016. We present a timeline of the efforts to control CWD, and identify how the process, measurement, environmental, and implementation uncertainties developed from the onset (2016) to the current situation (2023) after seven years of CWD management. In the ‘acute' phase (2016–2019), political ambitions were high and depopulation of the Nordfjella reindeer area involving marksmen aimed at eradicating CWD. Subsequently, increased surveillance and increased male harvest was used to enable early detection or to achieve ‘freedom‐from‐CWD' status of the adjacent populations. The second phase (2020‐now) came when cases were detected in the large reindeer population in Hardangervidda. Management authorities postponed culling using marksmen, signifying an important change, with more emphasis on socio‐political acceptance and consideration of the negative long‐term consequences of conflicts with local stakeholders. The subsequent dialogue processes between scientists and local management ended in joint advice. However, the Ministry set aside all advice in 2022, halting further actions, after pressure and negative media attention. During this period, there was no clear research plan to increase knowledge of CWD to reduce process uncertainty; however, large surveillance investments were made to reduce measurement uncertainty. Despite this, detecting and estimating CWD among reindeer at low prevalence remains a key challenge. Governance challenges have emerged as significant implementation uncertainties, partly due to the uncertain occurrence of CWD.
“A Marriage of Convenience” with UNESCO?
Authors: Hofstetter Rita , Schneuwly Bernard
Published: January 2024

In 1946, the foundation of UNESCO as a new international organisation acting in the field of education changed the context of the IBE’s activity fundamentally. Thanks to difficult negotiations—they began before UNESCO was set up thanks to the general secretary Marie Butts—the IBE succeeded in remaining autonomous. It became a specialised institution within UNESCO working exclusively on technical problems from a neutral point of view. It maintained its activities, with an enhanced legitimacy which also allowed it to increase the number of its member states and to approach its ideal of universality.
From the Institut Rousseau to the IBE: Promoting a New Era
Authors: Hofstetter Rita , Schneuwly Bernard
Published: January 2024

Chapters 8, 9 and 10 describe the positioning of the IBE from the point of view of the values it defended and the principles that guided it. This chapter examines how the IBE of the 1920s conveyed the spirit of education as being the primary tool for peace-building internationalism, being imbued with the Wilsonian pacifism that was embodied by Geneva once it was designated as the headquarters of the League of Nations. It also examines how the Bureau’s leaders succeeded or failed in reconciling these resolutely committed collective ideals with the strict objectivity and self-proclaimed neutrality of the IBE, the importance given to psychopedagogy as “Copernican revolution”, and the adjustments that such precarious balancing acts required. These analyses are enhanced in an insert on peace education as presented in the IBE’s bulletins.
“This is the real face of Covid-19!”: How Refused Knowledge Communities Entered the Pandemic Arena
Authors: Morsello Barbara , Neresini Federico , Agodi Maria Carmela
Published: January 2024

This chapter analyses the process involved in enacting broad discursive substantive arenas in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. In so doing, the chapter highlights the role played by both human and non-human agents (such as the technologies mobilised to counteract the spread of SARS CoV-2 and the actors considered experts by refused knowledge communities’ [RKCs’] followers) in enacting counter narratives about the Covid-19 pandemic, so as to make sense of the global emergency according to a body of refused knowledge. Hence, the chapter illustrates how these counter narratives progressively empower RKCs to collaboratively act within a broad discursive arena, fostering public dissent against public health policies. Indeed, RKCs permeate public discourses about emerging societal issues in depth, also attracting the attention and concerns of both policymakers and media operators.
First shot of the smoking gun: probing the electroweak phase transition in the 2HDM with novel searches for A → ZH in $$ {\ell}^{+}{\ell}^{-}t\overline{t} $$ and $$ \nu \nu b\overline{b} $$ final states
Authors: Biekötter Thomas , Heinemeyer Sven , No Jose Miguel , Radchenko Kateryna , Olea Romacho María Olalla , Weiglein Georg
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Recently the ATLAS collaboration has reported the first results of searches for heavy scalar resonances decaying into a Z boson and a lighter new scalar resonance, where the Z boson decays leptonically and the lighter scalar decays into a top-quark pair, giving rise to $$ {\ell}^{+}{\ell}^{-}t\overline{t} $$

ℓ
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final states. This had previously been identified as a smoking-gun signature at the LHC for a first-order electroweak phase transition (FOEWPT) within the framework of two Higgs doublet models (2HDMs). In addition, ATLAS also presented new limits where the Z boson decays into pairs of neutrinos and the lighter scalar resonance into bottom-quark pairs, giving rise to the $$ \nu \nu b\overline{b} $$
ννb

b
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final state. We analyze the impact of these new searches on the 2HDM parameter space, with emphasis on their capability to probe currently allowed 2HDM regions featuring a strong FOEWPT. We also study the complementarity of these new searches with other LHC probes that could target the FOEWPT region of the 2HDM. Remarkably, the ATLAS search in the $$ {\ell}^{+}{\ell}^{-}t\overline{t} $$

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final state shows a local 2.85 σ excess (for masses of about 650 GeV and 450 GeV for the heavy and light resonance) in the 2HDM parameter region that would yield a FOEWPT in the early universe, which could constitute the first experimental hint of baryogenesis at the electroweak scale. We analyze the implications of this excess, and discuss the detectability prospects for the associated gravitational wave signal from the FOEWPT. Furthermore, we project the sensitivity reach of the $$ {\ell}^{+}{\ell}^{-}t\overline{t} $$

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signature for the upcoming runs of the LHC. Finally, we introduce the python package thdmTools, a state-of-art tool for the exploration of the 2HDM.
A New Regularized Siegel-Weil Type Formula. Part I
Authors: Ginzburg David , Soudry David
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we prove a formula, realizing certain residual Eisenstein series on symplectic groups as regularized kernel integrals. These Eisenstein series, as well as the kernel integrals, are attached to Speh representations. This forms an initial step to a new type of a regularized Siegel-Weil formula that we propose. This new formula bears the same relation to the generalized doubling integrals of Cai, Friedberg, Ginzburg and Kaplan, as does the regularized Siegel-Weil formula to the doubling integrals of Piatetski-Shapiro and Rallis.
A Motion-based Device Urinary Incontinence Treatment: A Longitudinal Analysis at 18 and 24 Months
Authors: Weinstein Milena M. , Dunivan Gena C. , Guaderrama Noelani M. , Richter Holly E.
Published: January 2024

Introduction and hypothesis

There are sparse data regarding the long-term efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for the treatment of urinary incontinence (UI). The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an 8-week PFMT program guided by a motion-based intravaginal device versus a standard home program over 24 months.

Methods

Between October 2020 and March 2021, a total of 363 women with stress or stress-predominant mixed UI were randomized and completed an 8-week PFMT program using a motion-based intravaginal device (intervention group) or a home program following written/video instructions (control group). Participants were not asked to continue training after the 8-week program. At 18 and 24 months’ follow-up, the Urogenital Distress Inventory, short-form (UDI-6) and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) were collected. In the original trial, a total of 139 participants in each arm were needed to detect a 0.3 effect size (alpha = 0.05, power 0.8, one-tailed t test) in the difference in UDI-6 scores.

Results

A total of 231 participants returned 24-month data. Mean age at 24 months was 51.7 ± 14.5 years, and mean BMI was 31.8 ± 7.4 kg/m2. Mean change in UDI-6 scores from baseline to 24 months was greater in the intervention group than the control group (−21.1 ± 24.5 vs −14.8 ± 19.4, p = 0.04). Reported improvement using PGI-I was greater in the intervention group than in the control group at 24 months (35% vs 22%, p = 0.03, OR 1.95(95% CI 1.08, 3.57).

Conclusions

Pelvic floor muscle training guided by a motion-based prescription intravaginal device yielded durable and significantly greater UI symptom improvement than a standard home program, even in the absence of continued therapy.
Older adults are impaired in the release of grip force during a force tracking task
Authors: Davidson Sara , Learman Kenneth , Zimmerman Eric , Rosenfeldt Anson B. , Koop Mandy , Alberts Jay L.
Published: January 2024

Age-related changes in force generation have been implicated in declines in older adult manual dexterity. While force generation is a critical aspect of the successful manipulation of objects, the controlled release of force represents the final component of dexterous activities. The impact of advancing age on the release of grip force has received relatively little investigation despite its importance in dexterity. The primary aim of this project was to determine the effects of age on the control of force release during a precision grip tracking task. Young adults (N = 10, 18–28 years) and older adults (N = 10, 57–77 years) completed a ramp-hold-release (0–35% of maximum grip force) force tracking task with their dominant hand. Compared to young adults, older adults were disproportionately less accurate (i.e., less time within target range) and had more error (i.e., greater relative root mean squared error) in the release of force, compared to generation of grip force. There was a significant difference between groups in two-point discrimination of the thumb, which was moderately correlated to force control across all phases of the task. The decline in force release performance associated with advanced age may be a result of sensory deficits and changes in central nervous system circuitry.
Metabolomic analysis of hydroxycinnamic acid inhibition on Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Ge Xiaoli , Chen Junxiao , Gu Jie , Yi Wenbo , Xu Shujie , Tan Liping , Liu Tongjun
Published: January 2024

Ferulic acid (FA) and p-coumaric acid (p-CA) are hydroxycinnamic acid inhibitors that are mainly produced during the pretreatment of lignocellulose. To date, the inhibitory mechanism of hydroxycinnamic acid compounds on Saccharomyces cerevisiae has not been fully elucidated. In this study, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the changes in S. cerevisiae cells treated with FA and p-CA. In this experiment, the control group was denoted as group CK, the FA-treated group was denoted as group F, and the p-CA-treated group was denoted as group P. One hundred different metabolites in group F and group CK and 92 different metabolites in group P and group CK were selected and introduced to metaboanalyst, respectively. A total of 38 metabolic pathways were enriched in S. cerevisiae under FA stress, and 27 metabolic pathways were enriched in S. cerevisiae under p-CA stress as identified through Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. The differential metabolites involved included S-adenosine methionine, L-arginine, and cysteine, which were significantly downregulated, and acetyl-CoA, L-glutamic acid, and L-threonine, which were significantly upregulated. Analysis of differential metabolic pathways showed that the differentially expressed metabolites were mainly related to amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, fatty acid degradation, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA). Under the stress of FA and p-CA, the metabolism of some amino acids was blocked, which disturbed the redox balance in the cells and destroyed the synthesis of most proteins, which was the main reason for the inhibition of yeast cell growth. This study provided a strong scientific reference to improve the durability of S. cerevisiae against hydroxycinnamic acid inhibitors.

Key points

• Morphological changes of S. cerevisiae cells under inhibitors stress were observed.

• Changes of the metabolites in S. cerevisiae cells were explored by metabolomics.

• One of the inhibitory effects on yeast is due to changes in the metabolic network.
Venetoclax plus dose-adjusted R-EPOCH (VR-DA-EPOCH) or G-EPOCH bridging to subsequent cellular therapy for the patients with transformed lymphoma a single center clinical experience
Authors: Qin Shuchao , Jiang Rui , Dai Luomengjia , Miao Yi , Sha Yeqin , Qiu Tonglu , Ding Chongyang , Wang Zhen , Shi Chuanbing , Xia Yi , Fan Lei , Xu Wei , Li Jianyong , Zhu Huayuan
Published: January 2024

Indolent lymphoma, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and follicular lymphoma (FL), can undergo histological transformation into an aggressive subtype, typically diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The prognosis of transformed lymphoma is poor. In this study, we reported the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of venetoclax, dose-adjusted rituximab or obinutuzumab, etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (VR-DA-EPOCH or VG-DA-EPOCH) in 11 patients with biopsy-proven histology transformation into DLBCL, including 8 patients with RT and 3 with transformed FL (tFL). The study was conducted between October 2019 and March 2023 at our single center. The median age of participants at enrolment was 53 years. Six patients (85.7%, 6/7) achieved complete remission (CR) at the end of treatment. The best overall response rate (ORR) and CR rate were both 72.7%, respectively. Two patients received autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplant (ASCT) while two patients received ASCT concurrently with CAR-T therapy for consolidation. With a median follow-up of 13.5 (range, 2.4–29.8) months after enrollment, the median event-free survival, progression-free survival, and overall survival were 9.4, 11.5, and 17.5 months, respectively. Hematologic toxicities of grade ≥3 consisted of neutropenia (90.9%, 10/11), thrombocytopenia (63.6%, 7/11), and febrile neutropenia (54.5%, 6/11). In conclusion, VR-DA-EPOCH or VG-DA-EPOCH was a promising strategy to achieve an early remission, bridging to cellular therapy within this population.
Prognostic impact of peritoneal washing cytology in patients with biliary tract cancer
Authors: Sumiyoshi Tatsuaki , Uemura Kenichiro , Shintakuya Ryuta , Okada Kenjiro , Baba Kenta , Harada Takumi , Serikawa Masahiro , Ishii Yasutaka , Nakamura Shinya , Arihiro Koji , Murakami Yoshiaki , Takahashi Shinya
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To elucidate the clinical significance of peritoneal washing cytology (PWC) in patients with resectable biliary tract cancer (BTC).

Methods

Clinical data of patients with BTC, who received PWC at curative intent surgery from March 2009 to December 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Eligible patients were stratified into two groups according to positive or negative PWC. Recurrence-free survival and overall survival were compared between the two groups. Independent factors associated with positive PWC were investigated using multivariate analysis.

Results

Among the 284 patients analyzed, all 53 patients with ampullary carcinoma showed negative PWC and these patients were excluded. Among the remaining eligible 231 patients, 41 patients had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 55 had gall bladder carcinoma, 72 had hilar cholangiocarcinoma, and 63 had distal cholangiocarcinoma. Eleven (4.8%) patients had positive PWC, and 220 (95.2%) had negative PWC. The median recurrence-free survival in the positive and negative PWC groups were 12.0vs.60.7 months (p = 0.005); the median overall survival times were 17.0vs.60.6 months (p = 0.008), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that serum carbohydrate antigen 19–9 level over 80 U/mL and multiple lymph node metastasis were independently associated with positive PWC (odds ratio [OR]: 5.84,p = 0.031; OR: 5.28,p = 0.021, respectively).

Conclusion

Patients with positive PWC exhibited earlier recurrence and shorter survival times compared with those with negative PWC.
The effect of resistin on the redox state of breast cancer cells
Authors: Pavlova Elitsa , Stojchevski Radoslav , Avtanski Dimiter
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Resistin is an inflammatory cytokine secreted mostly by adipocytes and immune cells that plays a role in the development of insulin resistance, diabetes, and cancer. We hypothesized that resistin’s inflammatory activity influences the free radical and oxidative stress pathways.

Methods

We used human breast carcinogenic (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and non-carcinogenic (MCF-10A) cells in this investigation and correlated the absorbed resistin concentration with the change in oxidative stress (TBARS, carbonated proteins) and antioxidant activity (Antioxidant Capacity, SuperOxideDismutase, CATalase, Glutathione Peroxidase).

Results

Resistin was substantially more effective as a prooxidant at lower (12.5 ng/ml) concentrations, than at higher concentrations (25.0 ng/ml). Vitamin C did not appear to be an effective oxidative stress protector at antioxidant concentrations of 5.10–4 M. Leptin, at 100 ng/ml, did not result in conclusive oxidative stress or antioxidant defence stimulation, as expected.

Conclusion

Taken together, the findings support resistin’s role as a non-oxidative stress marker and a metabolic signaling molecule.
Impact Fracture Behaviour of Powder Metallurgy Steels Sintered at Different Temperatures
Authors: Hojati Milad , Gierl-Mayer Christian , Danninger Herbert
Published: January 2024

For powder metallurgy steels prepared through the press-and-sinter route, interparticle bonding is the most decisive feature defining the mechanical properties. It depends on the compacting pressure, but predominantly on the sintering conditions, mainly the sintering temperature. In the present contribution, the progressive strengthening of the sintering necks with increasing temperature is shown by fractography for plain carbon steels as well as alloyed grades. For sintered steels, in contrast to wrought steels, the appearance of cleavage fracture is rather a positive sign, indicating pronounced interparticle strength as attained at high sintering temperatures. At lower temperatures, in contrast, localised failure of the sintering necks typically occurs as ductile rupture, but with rather low consumed energy. Alloy elements with a high oxygen affinity introduced by prealloying retard formation of sound sintering bridges up to temperatures at which carbothermal reduction of the surface oxides becomes possible, while admixing such elements through suitable masteralloys yields attractive interparticle strength already at standard belt furnace temperatures of 1120 °C.
The impact of visual and auditory distractions on the performance of neurodiverse students in virtual reality (VR) environments
Authors: Dahlstrom-Hakki Ibrahim , Alstad Zachary , Asbell-Clarke Jodi , Edwards Teon
Published: January 2024

Ambient environmental stimuli may impact how a student is or is not able to apply themselves in cognitive and educational tasks. For neurodivergent learners, these barriers can be compounded as they may be more likely to attend to task-irrelevant ambient noise. The affordances of new systems, such as virtual reality (VR), could be useful for allowing neurodivergent students more deliberate control over what information they experience and what information they do not. This study seeks to explore the dynamics of attention in VR environments. To address this, participants were asked to perform a number of visual search tasks in VR to assess the impact of both visual and auditory distractions on speed and accuracy markers. Results indicate a differential impact of background noise on the performance of neurotypical and neurodivergent participants. Potential benefits to neurodiverse populations and design recommendations in this emerging space are discussed.
Using Spielraum for a Normative Definition of Politics: Obama’s Play Politics and Trump’s Asceticism
Authors: Chouraqui Frank , Korsten Frans-Willem
Published: January 2024

The terms “politics” and “political” have become so overdetermined that it is difficult to use them in any effective manner. We argue that this has dangerous political consequences, and that this could be addressed by providing a new, sounder, notion of politics. This paper argues that defining politics in relation to the notion of play can provide a notion both intuitively appealing and able to withstand the problematic overdeterminations. We argue that politics is the set of practices through which the indeterminate of Spielraum is made more determinate. This suggests that politics is always partly a matter of play: it is about instituting values without making any claims about the legitimacy of this instituting act. With reference to Huizinga and Nietzsche’s analyses of play, we define play as the living unity of seriousness and frivolity, and non-play as either seriousness without frivolity or frivolity without seriousness. In order to illustrate this, we comparatively analyse the attitudes of Barack Obama and Donald Trump in the single context of the well-known yearly White House Correspondent’s Dinner. There, we see two opposed attitudes to playfulness. Our analysis allows us to apply our Spielraum model of politics to show that the thrust of Obama’s attitude involves an embrace of the non-foundational nature of politics as play, whereas Trump’s attitude is politicidal: it is animated by a refusal to acknowledge its own lack of foundation, leading to an oscillation between over-seriousness and over-frivolity.
Reference Correlations for the Density and Thermal Conductivity, and Review of the Viscosity Measurements, of Liquid Titanium, Zirconium, Hafnium, Vanadium, Niobium, Tantalum, Chromium, Molybdenum, and Tungsten
Authors: Ntonti Eleftheria , Sotiriadou Sofia , Assael Marc J. , Huber Marcia L. , Wilthan Boris , Watanabe Manabu
Published: January 2024

The available experimental data for the density, thermal conductivity, and viscosity of liquid titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten have been critically examined with the intention of establishing reference correlations. All experimental data have been categorized into primary and secondary data according to the quality of measurement, the technique employed, and the presentation of the data, as specified by a series of criteria. In the case of the density, new reference correlations are proposed for liquid titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten, characterized by an expanded uncertainty (95 %) of 2.0 %, 2.1 %, 1.9 %, 2.2 %, 2.4 %, 2.6 %, 3.2 %, 2.1 %, and 4.1 %, respectively. The thermal conductivity reference correlations for the aforementioned liquid metals, except liquid chromium, are characterized by an expanded uncertainty (95 %) of 14.3 %, 8.4 %, 6.1 %, 11.4 %, 7.6 %, 4.0 %, 4.6 %, and 5.1 %, respectively. Finally, in the case of the viscosity, a review of the available literature shows very large deviations between data from authors for liquid titanium and zirconium, as well as a lack of measurements for the remaining melts. Hence, it is not justified to propose any kind of correlation for those cases.
Translation and Psychometric Evaluation of the University of Jyvaskyla Active Aging Scale (UJACAS) for Use in Sweden
Authors: Nordeström Frida , Slaug Björn , Zingmark Magnus , Granbom Marianne , Rantanen Taina , Iwarsson Susanne
Published: January 2024

The objectives were to translate the University of Jyvaskyla Active Aging Scale (UJACAS) to Swedish, to establish semantic equivalence and evaluate psychometric properties for use among persons 55 years and older in Sweden. The UJACAS contains 17 items to be self-assessed regarding goals, abilities, opportunity, and activity. Psychometric properties content validity, data quality including floor and ceiling effects, test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity were evaluated with different samples in three phases, using state-of-the-art statistics. After translating and establishing semantic equivalence, content validity was assessed as high. With ICC = 0.88 (95% CI 0.80–0.93) test-retest reliability was moderate. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach alpha = 0.84–0.91), and 84% of the questions reached the cut-off value of 0.3 for corrected item-total correlation. Construct validity hypotheses were confirmed. Results indicate that the UJACAS is reliable and valid for use among persons 55 and older in Sweden.
Military Perspectives on the Provision of Spiritual Care in the Australian Defence Force: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Best Megan C. , Leach Katie Tunks , Layson Mark , Carey Lindsay B.
Published: January 2024

A module to explore perspectives on chaplaincy services was included in an online enterprise survey randomly distributed to members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) during 2021. Up to eight questions were answered by 2783 active military personnel relating to their perception of chaplain activities and the impact of chaplaincy services. Of those military participants answering the question on religious status (n = 1116), a total of 71.6% (n = 799) of respondents identified as non-religious while 28.4% (n = 317) identified as holding a religious affiliation. Approximately 44.2% (n = 1230) of participants had sought support from a chaplain, of which 85.3% (n = 1049) found chaplaincy care to be satisfactory or very satisfactory. While the data suggest there is a lack of clarity around the multiple roles undertaken by chaplaincy, nevertheless respondents were just as likely to prefer chaplains for personal support (24.0%), as they were to seek help from non-chaplaincy personnel such as a non-ADF counsellor (23.2%), their workplace supervisor (23.1%) or a psychologist (21.8%). This evidence affirms that the spiritual care provided by military chaplaincy remains one of several preferred choices and thus a valued part of the holistic care provided by the ADF to support the health and wellbeing of its members.
The Cross-Border Change of Legal form as an Alternative to Transnational Mergers? A Comparative Study
Authors: Kollruss Thomas
Published: January 2024

In the area of business law and enterprises, the internationalization of business activities and the transnational choice of legal form is playing an increasingly important role. This is especially true in times of globalization and a common internal market within the European Union (EU). Consequently, companies are increasingly confronted with legal questions of cross-border choice of legal form and transformations. Here, the cross-border change of legal form can offer an alternative to a merger. Compared to mergers, the cross-border change of legal form of corporations within the EU/EEA is easier to carry out and more flexible. This study introduces the concept and the functioning of the cross-border change of legal form, and elaborates its potential and its limitations in comparison to transnational mergers. The cross-border change of legal form offers a new possibility of transnational reorganization. This article provides the theoretical and legal basis and supports the decision-making in transnational conversions, in which cases a cross-border change of legal form and in which cases a transnational merger should be carried out.
An Exploration into People with Disabilities’ Access to Sex, Sexuality, and Sex Education in South Africa
Authors: Neille Joanne , McEwen Haley , de Andrade Victor
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The needs of people living with disabilities regarding sex and sexual health remain largely neglected. Knowledge and resources about disabled sexuality have emerged mainly from the global north and have centered on heteronormative ideas about sex, gender, and sexuality.

Methods

An affirmative, sex positive, queer, and intersectional exploration was undertaken of the experiences and needs a group of adults with disabilities living in Gauteng, South Africa in relation to accessing information about sex, sexuality, and sexual health. Interviews were conducted with people of diverse disabilities, language groups, and cultural backgrounds. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

The participants revealed that sexual encounters, relationships, and dating were infused with negative experiences related to lack of understanding about sex, internalized ableism, exploitation, and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse resulting from societal stigma and ignorance regarding disability. Participants offered suggestions for how their needs could be addressed.

Conclusion

Our study concludes that the denial of sexual rights is a central element of the broader forms of social exclusion that people with disabilities. In South Africa, many of these forms of exclusion have been compounded by the legacy of apartheid, and the persistence of racial inequality, taboos about sex, and stigmas associated with disability.
The sparse dynamic factor model: a regularised quasi-maximum likelihood approach
Authors: Mosley Luke , Chan Tak-Shing T. , Gibberd Alex
Published: January 2024

The concepts of sparsity, and regularised estimation, have proven useful in many high-dimensional statistical applications. Dynamic factor models (DFMs) provide a parsimonious approach to modelling high-dimensional time series, however, it is often hard to interpret the meaning of the latent factors. This paper formally introduces a class of sparse DFMs whereby the loading matrices are constrained to have few non-zero entries, thus increasing interpretability of factors. We present a regularised M-estimator for the model parameters, and construct an efficient expectation maximisation algorithm to enable estimation. Synthetic experiments demonstrate consistency in terms of estimating the loading structure, and superior predictive performance where a low-rank factor structure may be appropriate. The utility of the method is further illustrated in an application forecasting electricity consumption across a large set of smart meters.
Ureterocalicostomy for complex upper ureteral stricture: a narrative review of the current literature
Authors: Xie Bin , Wang Xuefeng , Zeng Xin , Xie Lingyu , Zeng Zhicheng , Xu Hui
Published: January 2024

Upper ureteral stricture is a relatively rare but increasingly encountered condition in clinical practice. While simple stricture can often be addressed through endoluminal treatment or surgical reconstruction, complex upper ureteral stricture poses challenges, particularly in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) or perirenal pelvic fibrosis and scarring resulting from previous surgeries. These cases present difficulties for traditional endoluminal and ureteral reconstruction treatments, posing a significant problem for many clinical surgeons. Our study involved a thorough search and comprehensive analysis of the existing literature on Ureterocalicostomy (UC). The literature indicates that UC is a safe and effective treatment for ureteral stenosis. By resecting the renal lower pole parenchyma, it is possible to achieve mucosal anastomosis between the calyceal and ureteral mucosa, leading to the restoration of normal urinary excretion. This technique has emerged as an alternative for treating complex upper ureteral strictures. However, there is a lack of direct comparative studies between open surgery and minimally invasive surgery. Our findings revealed a scarcity of relevant review documents, with most being case reports or retrospective studies conducted in single centers with small sample sizes. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct large-scale, multicenter prospective studies and long-term follow-up to validate the long-term efficacy of UC. This article reviews the development history of UC and focuses on a comprehensive discussion of its indications, surgical techniques, and complications.
MNCs’ Intermediate Units and Their Choice of Control Mechanisms
Authors: Dasí Àngels , Pedersen Torben , Pla-Barber José
Published: January 2024

This paper analyzes how MNCs’ intermediate units—those that exercise authority over other subsidiaries—apply specific control mechanisms: centralization, formalization, outcome control, and socialization. We combine agency and network theory to explain how intermediate units’ dual agency role—as both principal and agent— and their network embeddedness form the choice of control mechanisms. More specifically, we propose hypotheses on how the intermediate units’ internal and external relationships determine their choice of control mechanism. We study this issue in the context of Spanish intermediate units —owned by European MNCs— that exercise authority over subsidiaries in Latin America.