bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of cardiac index measured by four‐dimensional cardiac magnetic resonance flow against the invasively measured cardiac index in patients with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Romeih Soha , Elkafrawy Fatma , Shaaban Mahmoud , Hassan Ahmed , Samuel Irini , Gergis Micheal , El mozy Wesam , Yacoub Magdi
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study was to validate cardiac index (CI) measured noninvasively by four‐dimensional (4D) and two‐dimensional (2D) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) flows against the invasively measured CI by right heart catheterization (RHC) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Thirty patients with PH (mean age: 32 ± 10 years) were included. 4D and 2D flow measured CI within 24 h from RHC measured CI invasively. Qualitative analysis of 4D pulmonary flow (vortex presence and eccentricity of flow) was performed.

All patients had helical right‐sided flow with vortex formation; the mean vortex diameter was 29 ± 7 mm, occupying 69% of the main pulmonary artery (MPA) lumen. MPA was dilated (42 ± 9 mm). Mean CI measured by 4D flow CMR was closer to mean CI measured invasively (indirect Fick method CI = 2.1 ± 0.8 L/min/m2 vs. PA 4D flow = 2.3 ± 0.7 L/min/m2 “bias 0.22 ± 0.25 L/min, p = 0.001,” and Ao 4D flow = 2.3 ± 0.7 L/min/m2 “bias 0.2 ± 0.28 L/min, p = 0.001”), while 2D flow had a higher mean CI (PA 2D flow = 2.5 ± 0.7 L/min/m2 “bias 0.45 ± 0.7 L/min, p = 0.001” and Ao 2D flow = 2.5 ± 0.8 L/min/m2 “bias 0.45 ± 0.67 L/min, p = 0.001”). The correlation coefficients among the different comparisons of CI showed: a low correlation between the 2D flow‐indirect Fick method (Ao r2 = 0.37, PA r2 = 0.32) and a high correlation between the 4D flow‐indirect Fick method (Ao r2 = 0.86, PA r2 = 0.89).

There is an excellent agreement between CI measured by 4D flow and CI measured invasively. 4D flow, a noninvasive imaging technique, could accurately measure CI better than the conventional 2D flow in patients with PH.
Electronic and Excitonic Properties of MSi2Z4 Monolayers
Authors: Woźniak Tomasz , Umm‐e‐hani  , Faria Junior Paulo E. , Ramzan Muhammad S. , Kuc Agnieszka B.
Published: February 2023

MA2Z4 monolayers form a new class of hexagonal non‐centrosymmetric materials hosting extraordinary spin‐valley physics. While only two compounds (MoSi2N4 and WSi2N4) are recently synthesized, theory predicts interesting (opto)electronic properties of a whole new family of such two‐dimensional (2D) materials. Here, the chemical trends of band gaps and spin‐orbit splittings of bands in selected MSi2Z4 (M = Mo, W; Z = N, P, As, Sb) compounds are studied from first‐principles. Effective Bethe–Salpeter‐equation‐based calculations reveal high exciton binding energies. Evolution of excitonic energies under external magnetic field is predicted by providing their effective g‐factors and diamagnetic coefficients, which can be directly compared to experimental values. In particular, large positive g‐factors are predicted for excitons involving higher conduction bands. In view of these predictions, MSi2Z4 monolayers yield a new platform to study excitons and are attractive for optoelectronic devices, also in the form of heterostructures. In addition, a spin‐orbit induced bands inversion is observed in the heaviest studied compound, WSi2Sb4, a hallmark of its topological nature.
Covalently Grafted Biomimetic Matrix Reconstructs the Regenerative Microenvironment of the Porous Gradient Polycaprolactone Scaffold to Accelerate Bone Remodeling
Authors: Liu Quanying , Chen Manyu , Gu Peiyang , Tong Lei , Wang Peilei , Zhu Jiayi , Xu Yang , Lu Gonggong , Luo En , Liang Jie , Fan Yujiang , Zhang Xingdong , Sun Yong
Published: February 2023

Integrating a biomimetic extracellular matrix to improve the microenvironment of 3D printing scaffolds is an emerging strategy for bone substitute design. Here, a “soft–hard” bone implant (BM‐g‐DPCL) consisting of a bioactive matrix chemically integrated on a polydopamine (PDA)‐coated porous gradient scaffold by polyphenol groups is constructed. The PDA‐coated “hard” scaffolds promoted Ca2+ chelation and mineral deposition; the “soft” bioactive matrix is beneficial to the migration, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells in vitro, accelerated endogenous stem cell recruitment, and initiated rapid angiogenesis in vivo. The results of the rabbit cranial defect model (Φ = 10 mm) confirmed that BM‐g‐DPCL promoted the integration between bone tissue and implant and induced the deposition of bone matrix. Proteomics confirmed that cytokine adhesion, biomineralization, rapid vascularization, and extracellular matrix formation are major factors that accelerate bone defect healing. This strategy of highly chemically bonded soft–hard components guided the construction of the bioactive regenerative scaffold.
Rhenium Suppresses Iridium (IV) Oxide Crystallization and Enables Efficient, Stable Electrochemical Water Oxidation
Authors: Huo Wenjing , Zhou Xuemei , Jin Yuwei , Xie Canquan , Yang Shuo , Qian Jinjie , Cai Dong , Ge Yongjie , Qu Yongquan , Nie Huagui , Yang Zhi
Published: February 2023

IrO2as benchmark electrocatalyst for acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) suffers from its low activity and poor stability. Modulating the coordination environment of IrO2by chemical doping is a methodology to suppress Ir dissolution and tailor adsorption behavior of active oxygen intermediates on interfacial Ir sites. Herein, the Re‐doped IrO2with low crystallinity is rationally designed as highly active and robust electrocatalysts for acidic OER. Theoretical calculations suggest that the similar ionic sizes of Ir and Re impart large spontaneous substitution energy and successfully incorporate Re into the IrO2lattice. Re‐doped IrO2exhibits a much larger migration energy from IrO2surface (0.96 eV) than other dopants (Ni, Cu, and Zn), indicating strong confinement of Re within the IrO2lattice for suppressing Ir dissolution. The optimal catalysts (Re: 10 at%) exhibit a low overpotential of 255 mV at 10 mA cm−2and a high stability of 170 h for acidic OER. The comprehensive mechanism investigations demonstrate that the unique structural arrangement of the Ir active sites with Re‐dopant imparts high performance of catalysts by minimizing Ir dissolution, facilitating *OH adsorption and *OOH deprotonation, and lowering kinetic barrier during OER. This study provides a methodology for designing highly‐performed catalysts for energy conversion.
A high‐safety, flame‐retardant cellulose‐based separator with encapsulation structure for lithium‐ion battery
Authors: Fu Jinzhou , Wang Hanwei , Du Zhichen , Liu Yao , Sun Qingfeng , Li Huiqiao
Published: February 2023

The safety issues of lithium‐ion batteries have received attention because flammable organic electrolytes are used. Also, the commercial polyolefin separator will undergo severe thermal shrinkage when the internal temperature of the battery increases to 130–160°C, which increases the risk. Therefore, the development of a high thermal stability and high‐safety separator is an effective strategy to improve battery safety. Herein, we design a green, cellulose‐based separator (Cel@DBDPE) with a unique encapsulation structure for lithium‐ion batteries, in which functional flame retardants (DBDPE) are wrapped in microscrolls formed by the self‐rolling of 2D cellulose nanosheets upon freeze‐drying. This structure can firmly anchor DBDPE particles in the separator to prevent them from undergoing exfoliation and does not affect the properties of the separator, such as the thickness and the pore structure. Compared with commercial polypropylene, Cel@DBDPE has excellent thermal stability and flame retardancy. The former makes it less prone to thermal shrinkage and the latter can effectively prevent the combustion of the electrolyte, showing an efficient self‐extinguishing ability. Moreover, the Cel@DBDPE is only 15 μm in size and has competitive properties comparable to polypropylene. Thus, there is no sacrifice in the electrochemical performance of battery when the Cel@DBDPE is used as separator. This study provides a new structural design for the construction of a high‐safety separator.
Towards a sustainable integrated management approach to uncertainty surrounding COVID‐19
Authors: Nguyen Tiep , Hallo Leonie , Chileshe Nicholas , Nguyen Nghia Hoai
Published: February 2023

Traditional approaches to system management are not suited to highly uncertain conditions. Hard system approaches with a top‐down management approach are often used to manage well‐defined systems that are not easily able to cope with uncertainty. Soft system approaches of the with bottom‐up or participative style may cause a lack of conformance to industry standards. Few studies have investigated these approaches within the context of COVID‐19 pandemic. Therefore, this paper aims to use the philosophy of Total Systems Intervention to investigate the applicability of an integrated management approach to cope with the uncertainty of COVID‐19. Three different countries from Europe, Oceania and Asia are selected as typical case studies to clarify the strengths and weaknesses of differing management approaches. The case studies demonstrate that using an integrated management approach can potentially assist decision‐makers to deal with crises and conclusively reveal the superiority of the integrated approach, independent of cultural milieu.
A comparative study of prediction of compressive strength of ultra‐high performance concrete using soft computing technique
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Rai Baboo , Samui Pijush
Published: February 2023

Concrete which is the most commercialized construction material and thus it plays a key role in this era of development and hence its evolution is of utmost importance and therefore the evolution of the quality of concrete to that of its highly evolved type namely, ultra‐high performance concrete (UHPC) is undeniably the boon to this sector. Though, the correlations between the technical characteristics of UHPC and the composition of its mixture are complicated, nonlinear, and complex to characterize using standard statistical techniques. This paper is intended to use both deep neural network and ensemble machine learning algorithms namely gradient boosting, extreme gradient boosting, random forest regressor, extra tree regressor, and voting regressor trained with an 810 UHPC mixture collections with 15 input variables to predict its compressive strength. After adjusting a regression model, the prediction efficiency and generalization ability of the developed models are validated using a number of performance parameters. It was established that all employed models performed better at forecasting result, the extra tree regressor was the most accurate followed by extreme gradient boosting.
Warranty in the Coutumes d’Anjou et Maine
Authors: McHaffie M. W.
Published: February 2023

This chapter provides an overview of how warranty is treated in the 1246 vernacular lawbook, the Coutumes d’Anjou et Maine, which was later incorporated into the 1272/3 Établissement de Saint Louis. The methodology examines usage of the vernacular terms guarant and guarantir within the coutumiers. The main argument of this chapter is that usage of warranty language in the coutumiers is difficult to associate with either of the main narratives historians have used to explain warranty’s development. The most detailed provisions on warranty concern the procedural aspects of summoning a warrantor when accused of the theft of movables. Numerous provisions in the coutumiers also associate warranty with the protection of others from whatever claims for services a lord might make.
Warranty in the Charters
Authors: McHaffie M. W.
Published: February 2023

This chapter offers an overview of how warranty clauses appear in charters. It draws on Dominique Barthélemy’s influential model to outline the major documentary changes of the period covered in the study, the first occurring around the mid-eleventh century and the second in the early decades of the thirteenth. It discusses the language of warranty obligations throughout this period, and some of the ways it changed. It also considers the influence of Roman law upon the composition of thirteenth-century warranty clauses. Overall, it suggests that the influence of Roman law was minimal.
Giving Warranty: Acts and Actors
Authors: McHaffie M. W.
Published: February 2023

This chapter address questions of what was involved in the actual giving of warranty, and who typically made warranty commitments. It starts from the observation that warranty clauses in charters record verbal agreements and promises, and then looks at the various performative acts that accompanied warranty. It argues that these performative acts represent a significant line of continuity from the 1040s into the 1270s, thereby challenging conventional ideas that view warranty as a thirteenth-century phenomenon. The chapter then looks at the types of people who warranted. It demonstrates that warranty was often given by a range of people, including the family members and lord(s) of an alienor. It also discusses when warrantors also sometimes supplied named personal sureties (i.e. people who would share in liabilities). From this I conclude that it is difficult to associate warranty with the development of individual alienatory powers, since warranty was so seldom an individual affair.
Conclusions
Authors: McHaffie M. W.
Published: February 2023

The conclusions summarise the main findings of the study, noting that warranty can be understood as a relatively simple set of commitments that an alienor incurred towards an alienee as a result of property transfer: namely to protect the transferee and to provide redress if that protection failed. I further suggest that the history of warranty in western France during the central Middle Ages be viewed as a process of ever-closer orientation towards lordship. The main conclusion is that by the thirteenth century, based on the lines of continuity identified in the charters and the coutumiers, the conceptual and institutional structures of lordship provided the basic framework through which contemporaries thought about warranty.
DNA methylation changes and increased mRNA expression of coagulation proteins, factor V and thrombomodulin in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy
Authors: Westin Ida Maria , Landfors Mattias , Giannopoulos Antonios , Viberg Andreas , Osterman Pia , Byström Berit , Degerman Sofie , Golovleva Irina
Published: February 2023

Late-onset Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a disease affecting the corneal endothelium (CE), associated with a cytosine-thymine-guanine repeat expansion at the CTG18.1 locus in the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene. It is unknown whether CTG18.1 expansions affect global methylation including TCF4 gene in CE or whether global CE methylation changes at advanced age. Using genome-wide DNA methylation array, we investigated methylation in CE from FECD patients with CTG18.1 expansions and studied the methylation in healthy CE at different ages. The most revealing DNA methylation findings were analyzed by gene expression and protein analysis. 3488 CpGs had significantly altered methylation pattern in FECD though no substantial changes were found in TCF4. The most hypermethylated site was in a predicted promoter of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) gene, and the most hypomethylated site was in a predicted promoter of coagulation factor V (F5 for gene, FV for protein). In FECD, AQP1 mRNA expression was variable, while F5 gene expression showed a ~ 23-fold increase. FV protein was present in both healthy and affected CE. Further gene expression analysis of coagulation factors interacting with FV revealed a ~ 34-fold increase of thrombomodulin (THBD). THBD protein was detected only in CE from FECD patients. Additionally, we observed an age-dependent hypomethylation in elderly healthy CE.Thus, tissue-specific genome-wide and gene-specific methylation changes associated with altered gene expression were discovered in FECD. TCF4 pathological methylation in FECD because of CTG18.1 expansion was ruled out.
Does learning matter? Birdsong-learning program determines coping strategies for living in urban noisy environments
Authors: Rivera-Gutierrez Hector F. , Jaramillo-Calle Vannesa , Lopera-Salazar Andrea , Martinez-Alvarado Dariel
Published: February 2023

Urban noise limits perception by masking acoustic signals, with negative consequences for communication. Although animals relying on acoustic communication are affected, they have developed different strategies to reduce the masking effect of urban noise. Theoretically, birdsong vocal learning confers behavioral plasticity, which may be important for adapting to life in urban environments. To understand the role of vocal learning for adjusting to noisy places, we performed a field study combined with a phylogenetic comparative analysis, comparing passerine species that typically exhibit song learning (oscines) and those that do not (suboscines). Under the premise that vocal learning confers behavioral plasticity, we hypothesized that (1) while oscine species would vary song traits (acoustic parameters), under noisy conditions, suboscines would remain consistent; (2) suboscines may vary birdsong activity in relation to noise; and (3) song learning functions as an exaptation for inhabiting noisy urban environments. We found that oscines only shifted the minimum frequency of their song and did not vary song activity in noisy areas. In contrast, suboscines shifted their complete song upwards and decreased song activity in cities. Our phylogenetic analysis indicated that foraging stratum and song frequency, not learning, best explain adaptation to cities in an evolutionary context. If city noise functions as an ecological filter, frequency traits may serve as an exaptation for colonizing noisy environments. We provided clear evidence that passerine species, depending on their song-learning ability, use different strategies to cope with noise, suggesting that vocal learning determines how birds cope with the masking effect of urban noise.

Significance statement

Since birdsong learning may confer behavioral flexibility, we studied its role for adapting to urban noisy environments. We studied passerines that vary in vocal learning ability combining field data with a phylogenetic comparative analysis. Our methodology may provide information on both the response and the evolutionary advantages of vocal learning for living in noisy urban environments. Although both learner and non-learner birds varied their responses, they displayed different strategies for coping with urban noise. Moreover, differences in vocal learning might not limit colonization of noisy environments, and ecological and acoustic traits may explain adaptation to urbanization. Frequency parameters are conserved evolutionary traits among birds living in cities and may function as a preadaptation that facilitates the colonization of urban environments. Our study suggests that the birdsong-learning program does not help birds colonize cities but determines how they cope with the masking effect of urban noise.
The survival time of the ventriculo-peritoneal-shunt in children with hydrocephalus is dependent on the type of valve implanted
Authors: Wendling-Keim Danielle S. , Kren Elena , Muensterer Oliver , Lehner Markus
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Despite constantly improving developments in ventriculo-peritoneal shunt systems, most patients with hydrocephalus require revision or replacement at some point of time. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse parameters that are associated with shunt dysfunction.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we included 81 patients aged 0–17 who were treated at our institution. Demographic data, etiology of the hydrocephalus, type of valve implanted, reason for any revision procedures, any complications and survival time of the ventriculo-peritoneal shunts were detected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results

Over a mean study period of 18 years, we analyzed 226 valves subjected to 146 revision operations in 81 patients. The etiology of the hydrocephalus (p = 0.874) and the age of the child at the time of VP shunt implantation (p = 0.308) did not have any impact on the shunt survival time. However, the type of the valve significantly changed the survival time of the shunt (p = 0.030). Pressure differential valves presented a longer survival time than gravitational valves.

Conclusion

The majority of patients in this study needed at least one replacement of the initial shunt system. Pressure differential valves may be beneficial for the survival time of the shunt system.
Cytokine alterations in CSF and serum samples of patients with a first episode of schizophrenia: results and methodological considerations
Authors: Singh Deepti , Guest Paul C. , Dobrowolny Henrik , Fischbach Tino , Meyer-Lotz Gabriela , Breitling-Ziegler Carolin , Haghikia Aiden , Vielhaber Stefan , Steiner Johann
Published: February 2023

We determined cytokine levels in paired serum/CSF samples from first-episode schizophrenia (FES) participants (n = 20) and controls (n = 21) using a 13-plex immunoassay. Applying strictly-determined detection limits, 12 cytokines were found in serum and two in CSF. Higher serum MCP-1 levels (p = 0.007) were present in FES versus controls, which correlated with serum IgG (R = − 0.750; p = 0.013). Finally, IL-18 levels correlated with body weight in FES (R = 0.691; p = 0.041). This study demonstrates potential limitations in the sensitivity of multiplex cytokine assays for CSF studies in mental disorders and suggests that some published studies in this area should be re-evaluated.
Phosphomannomutase 2 (PMM2) variants leading to hyperinsulinism-polycystic kidney disease are associated with early-onset inflammatory bowel disease and gastric antral foveolar hyperplasia
Authors: Kiparissi Fevronia , Dastamani Antonia , Palm Liina , Azabdaftari Aline , Campos Luis , Gaynor Edward , Grünewald Stephanie , Uhlig Holm H. , Kleta Robert , Böckenhauer Detlef , Jones Kelsey D. J.
Published: February 2023

Phosphomannomutase 2 (PMM2) deficiency causes Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (PMM2-CDG), but does not have a recognised association with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). A distinct clinical syndrome of hyperinsulinism and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (HIPKD) arises in the context of a specific variant in the PMM2 promotor, either in homozygosity, or compound heterozygous with a deleterious PMM2 variant. Here, we describe the development of IBD in three patients with PMM2-HIPKD, with onset of IBD at 0, 6, and 10 years of age. In each case, intestinal inflammation coincided with the unusual finding of gastric antral foveolar hyperplasia. IBD disease was of variable severity at onset but well controlled with conventional and first-line biologic treatment approaches. The organ-level pattern of disease manifestations in PMM2-HIPKD-IBD may reflect a loss of cis-acting regulatory control by hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A). Analysis of published transcriptomic data suggests that IBD most likely arises due to an impact on epithelial cellular function. We identify a specific pattern of variation in PMM2 as a novel association of early-onset IBD with distinctive gastric pathology.
Phenome-wide genetic-correlation analysis and genetically informed causal inference of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: D’Antona Salvatore , Pathak Gita A. , Koller Dora , Porro Danilo , Cava Claudia , Polimanti Renato
Published: February 2023

Leveraging genome-wide association statistics generated from a large study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; 29,612 cases and 122,656 controls) and UK Biobank (UKB; 4,024 phenotypes, up to 361,194 participants), we conducted a phenome-wide analysis of ALS genetic liability and identified 46 genetically correlated traits, such as fluid intelligence score (rg = − 0.21, p = 1.74 × 10–6), "spending time in pub or social club” (rg = 0.24, p = 2.77 × 10–6), non-work related walking (rg = − 0.25, p = 1.95 × 10–6), college education (rg = − 0.15, p = 7.08 × 10–5), “ever diagnosed with panic attacks (rg = 0.39, p = 4.24 × 10–5), and “self-reported other gastritis including duodenitis” (rg = 0.28, p = 1.4 × 10–3). To assess the putative directionality of these genetic correlations, we conducted a latent causal variable analysis, identifying significant genetic causality proportions (gĉp) linking ALS genetic liability to seven traits. While the genetic component of “self-reported other gastritis including duodenitis" showed a causal effect on ALS (gĉp = 0.50, p = 1.26 × 10–29), the genetic liability to ALS is potentially causal for multiple traits, also including an effect on "ever being diagnosed with panic attacks” (gĉp = 0.79, p = 5.011 × 10–15) and inverse effects on “other leisure/social group activities” (gĉp = 0.66, p = 1 × 10–4) and prospective memory result (gĉp = 0.35, p = 0.005). Our subsequent Mendelian randomization analysis indicated that some of these associations may be due to bidirectional effects. In conclusion, this phenome-wide investigation of ALS polygenic architecture highlights the widespread pleiotropy linking this disorder with several health domains.
The blowfly Chrysomya latifrons inhabits fragmented rainforests, but shows no population structure
Authors: Butterworth Nathan J. , Wallman James F. , Johnston Nikolas P. , Dawson Blake M. , Sharp-Heward Joshua , McGaughran Angela
Published: February 2023

Climate change and deforestation are causing rainforests to become increasingly fragmented, placing them at heightened risk of biodiversity loss. Invertebrates constitute the greatest proportion of this biodiversity, yet we lack basic knowledge of their population structure and ecology. There is a compelling need to develop our understanding of the population dynamics of a wide range of rainforest invertebrates so that we can begin to understand how rainforest fragments are connected, and how they will cope with future habitat fragmentation and climate change. Blowflies are an ideal candidate for such research because they are widespread, abundant, and can be easily collected within rainforests. We genotyped 188 blowflies (Chrysomya latifrons) from 15 isolated rainforests and found high levels of gene flow, a lack of genetic structure between rainforests, and low genetic diversity – suggesting the presence of a single large genetically depauperate population. This highlights that: (1) the blowfly Ch. latifrons inhabits a ~ 1000 km stretch of Australian rainforests, where it plays an important role as a nutrient recycler; (2) strongly dispersing flies can migrate between and connect isolated rainforests, likely carrying pollen, parasites, phoronts, and pathogens along with them; and (3) widely dispersing and abundant insects can nevertheless be genetically depauperate. There is an urgent need to better understand the relationships between habitat fragmentation, genetic diversity, and adaptive potential–especially for poorly dispersing rainforest-restricted insects, as many of these may be particularly fragmented and at highest risk of local extinction.
An education resource for human papillomavirus oropharyngeal cancer patients: think-aloud interviews
Authors: Sharman Ashleigh R. , Ferguson Eliza M. , Dhillon Haryana M. , Macleod Paula , McCrossin Julie , Sundaresan Puma , Clark Jonathan R. , Smith Megan A. , Dodd Rachael H.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is well recognised as a factor in developing oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). A booklet for HPV-OPC patients aimed to deliver evidence-based messages in everyday language, in a way to minimise negative psychological impacts on patients. Our study explored the suitability of the booklet for use.

Methods

Participants were recruited through social media and interviewed via Zoom. Participants were shown the booklet and a think-aloud method elicited real-time reactions to the content. Responses were analysed for each section and coded as either for or against for content, with other responses thematically analysed using NVivo.

Results

The sample comprised 24 participants: patients (n = 19) who completed treatment for HPV-OPC and partners of survivors of HPV-OPC (n = 5). All participants found the booklet useful, and most wished the resource had been available previously. Some indicated the information was new to them. The majority agreed the booklet would be best delivered by their specialist at point of diagnosis and would be a useful resource for friends and family. Most participants gave feedback on improvements to the booklet in terms of comprehension and design. Overall, participants found the content easy to understand. Most participants found that it helped to reduce shame and stigma associated with HPV as a sexually transmitted infection.

Conclusion

An evidence-based booklet for HPV-OPC patients and their partners is acceptable. Implementation may be feasible in routine clinical practice, specifically at time of diagnosis. Adapting the content will help optimise the efficacy of the booklet in facilitating communication between all stakeholders.
TWIST1 is a prognostic factor for neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer: a preliminary study
Authors: Fujiwara Sho , Saiki Yuriko , Fukushige Shinichi , Yamanaka Mie , Ishida Masaharu , Motoi Fuyuhiko , Unno Michiaki , Horii Akira
Published: February 2023

Recent advances in the development of chemotherapies have helped improve the prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, predicting factors for the outcomes of chemotherapies (either gemcitabine or S-1) have not yet been established. We analyzed the expression of 4 major epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors in 38 PDAC patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy after radical resection to examine the association with patients’ prognoses. The TWIST1-positive group showed a significantly poorer prognosis than the TWIST1-negative group for both the relapse‐free survival (median survival time [MST] of 8.9 vs. 18.5 months,P = 0.016) and the overall survival (MST of 15.2 vs. 33.4 months,P = 0.023). A multivariate analysis revealed that TWIST1 positivity was an independent prognostic factor for a poor response to adjuvant chemotherapies (hazard ratio 2.61; 95% confidence interval 1.10–6.79;P = 0.029). These results suggest that TWIST1 can be utilized as an important poor prognostic factor for radically resected PDAC patients with adjuvant chemotherapy, potentially including neoadjuvant therapy using these agents.
Investigating the factorial structure and measurement invariance of the parent-reported strengths and difficulties questionnaire at 11 years of age from the UK Millennium Cohort Study
Authors: Bridger Staatz Charis , Kelly Yvonne , Lacey Rebecca E. , Hardy Rebecca
Published: February 2023

The strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) consist of five sub-scales that have been used to measure internalising and externalising symptoms in children, typically by combining sum scores of two sub-scales each, and pro-social behaviours. However, the different possible factorial structures that represent these symptoms have not been formally tested in a nationally representative sample of UK children. In addition, it is necessary to assess whether the SDQ is interpreted similarly across subgroups of the population. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to test three competing structures for the parent-reported SDQ collected at age 11, the start of adolescence, in the UK Millennium Cohort Study (n = 11,519), and measurement invariance was assessed according to sex and a measure of deprivation of the area in which households lived. Internal consistency using ordinal alpha, internal convergent validity and external discriminant validity using average variance explained (AVE), and predictive validity were assessed. A five-factor model and a model with two second-order factors for internalising and externalising symptoms had better model fit than a three-factor model. For both structures, invariance was demonstrated across sex and area-level deprivation. AVE scores for the five-factor model indicated that peer and emotional problems factors were measuring a similar construct, as were the hyperactivity and conduct factors. In the second-order model, AVE scores indicated internalising and externalising symptoms were distinct constructs. A second-order model with two factors for internalising and externalising symptoms is appropriate for use in a cohort of UK children born in 2001/02, and our finding of invariance across sex and area-level deprivation indicate that the SDQ can be used in analysis investigating differences in symptoms across subgroups of the population.
Oxygen recovery from ozone generators by adsorption processes
Authors: Luberti Mauro
Published: February 2023

As a triatomic allotrope of oxygen, ozone has many industrial and consumer applications because of its high oxidation potential and disinfectant properties. Most of the ozone is currently produced by corona discharge reactors using high-purity oxygen as the feed gas, where the conversion to ozone is typically 6−15 wt%. Given the high operating costs associated with the unreacted oxygen, it is essential to recover the oxygen for recycling to the ozone generator. This paper aims for the first time to design, simulate and assess cyclic adsorption processes for recovering oxygen from a mixture of ozone and oxygen (O3:O2 = 10:90 wt%) produced by a commercial ozone generator. A 2-bed, 2-step cycle was first investigated in which ozone is selectively adsorbed at high pressure and then desorbed by dry air used as a sweep gas. However, it was found that the O2 purity in the recycle stream was too low because of the nitrogen build up from air. Thus, two additional cycles, namely a 3-bed, 3-step cycle incorporating an oxygen purge step and a 3-bed, 4-step cycle incorporating a vacuum blowdown step, were evaluated with the purpose of removing nitrogen from the bed after the desorption step. Both adsorption cycles achieved a satisfactory O2 purity of 98+% in the recycle stream with a sacrifice of O2 recovery and an increase in energy consumption, respectively. As a result, the adsorption processes devised in this study could serve to significantly reduce the oxygen consumption in industrial ozone generators.
Estrogen therapy after breast cancer diagnosis and breast cancer mortality risk
Authors: Sund Maria , Garmo Hans , Andersson Anne , Margolin Sara , Ahlgren Johan , Valachis Antonis
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The safety of local estrogen therapy in patients on adjuvant endocrine treatment is questioned, but evidence on the issue is scarce. This nested case–control registry-based study aimed to investigate whether estrogen therapy affects breast cancer mortality risk in women on adjuvant endocrine treatment.

Methods

In a cohort of 15,198 women diagnosed with early hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer and adjuvant endocrine treatment, 1262 women died due to breast cancer and were identified as cases. Each case was matched with 10 controls. Exposure to estrogen therapy with concurrent use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs), tamoxifen, or both sequentially, was compared between cases and controls.

Results

No statistically significant difference in breast cancer mortality risk was seen in patients with exposure to estrogen therapy concurrent to endocrine treatment, neither in short-term or in long-term estrogen therapy use.

Conclusions

The study strengthens current evidence on local estrogen therapy use in breast cancer survivors, showing no increased risk for breast cancer mortality in patients on adjuvant AIs or tamoxifen.
How does the UNFCCC enable multi-level learning for the governance of adaptation?
Authors: Gonzales-Iwanciw Javier , Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen Sylvia , Dewulf Art
Published: February 2023

Adaptation has become a priority in global climate change governance since the adoption of the Cancun Adaptation Framework and the Paris Agreement. Adaptation to climate change has been increasingly recognized as a multi-level governance challenge in both the United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) regime and academic literature. This recognition often includes, explicitly or implicitly, the role that learning can play across governance levels to accelerate and scale up responses to address adaptation challenges. However, there is no comprehensive assessment in academic literature of how multi-level learning has been considered in the UNFCCC regime, what the enabling factors are, and the outcomes of such learning. Drawing on approaches suggested by multi-level governance and learning literature, this paper seeks to fill this knowledge gap by focusing on the ways in which the UNFCCC multilateral process enables multi-level learning for the governance of adaptation and how it could be enhanced. This will be accomplished through a legal–technical analysis of the enabling factors of multi-level learning in the governance of adaptation under the UNFCCC. Qualitative research methods have been applied for the thematic analysis of selected documentation, complemented by interviews and personal observations of adaptation negotiations in the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. Results are presented according to three research questions oriented to understand how institutional design of adaptation under the UNFCCC enables multi-level learning; the learning strategies adopted across levels of governance; and the way the UNFCCC regime understands the contribution of multi-level learning for adaptation outcomes.
Pluralist neurophenomenology: a reply to Lopes
Authors: Yoshimi Jeff
Published: February 2023

Lopes (2021) has argued against my use of neural networks and dynamical systems theory in neurophenomenology. Responding to his argument provides an opportunity to articulate a pluralist approach to neurophenomenology, according to which multiple theoretical frameworks—symbolic, dynamical systems, connectionist, etc.—can be used to study consciousness and its relationship to neural activity. Each type of analysis is best suited to specific phenomena, but they are mutually compatible and can inform and constrain one another in non-trivial ways. I use historical and conceptual arguments to elaborate on this type of pluralism as it applies to cognitive science, phenomenology, and neurophenomenology.
Comparing the effects of reduced social contact on psychosocial wellbeing before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal survey from two Norwegian counties
Authors: Kalseth Jorid , Ådnanes Marian , Ose Solveig Osborg , Lassemo Eva , Kaspersen Silje L. , das Nair Roshan
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To determine changes to people’s social contact during COVID-19, and whether reduced social contact was associated with changes to psychosocial wellbeing.

Methods

Questionnaire data were collected from a sample of adult respondents (18 years or more) in two Norwegian counties participating pre-COVID-19 (September 2019–February 2020; n = 20,196) and at two time points during COVID-19 (June [Mid] and November/December [Late] 2020; n = 11,953 and n = 10,968, respectively). The main outcome measures were participants' self-reported changes to social contact, loneliness, psychological distress, and life satisfaction.

Results

The proportion of respondents reporting less social contact due to COVID-19 decreased from 62% in Mid-2020 to 55% in Late-2020. Overall, reported psychological wellbeing remained unchanged or improved from pre-COVID-19 to Mid-2020. From Mid-2020 to Late-2020, however, a reduction in psychological wellbeing was observed. Poorer psychological wellbeing was found for those with less social contact during the pandemic compared with people reporting unchanged social contact. This effect increased over time and was observed for all age groups at Late-2020. At Mid-2020, the importance of change in social contact for change in psychological wellbeing was greatest among young adults (< 30 years), while no significant differences were found for the oldest age group.

Conclusion

The association between COVID-19-era changes to social contact and loneliness, psychological distress, and life satisfaction is complex and appears to be age-dependent. Future studies should consider the quality of social contact and cultural contexts in which social restrictions are imposed.
On Disavowal
Authors: Paterson Grace
Published: February 2023

This paper discusses the speech act of disavowal, focusing in particular on disavowals of prior speech acts. It is argued that disavowals are often used when speakers wish to distance themselves in certain ways from some past speech act, but cannot (or should not) retract it. An account is offered according to which disavowals involve three components: an admission of having performed the target act, a denunciation of that act, and an accounting for the act. Disavowals are compared to the related speech acts of denial, retraction, apology, as well as the use of figleaves in political speech.
The impact of COVID-19 on managing ophthalmic diseases: an international, descriptive study
Authors: Waisberg Ethan , Ong Joshua , Zaman Nasif , Kamran Sharif Amit , Tavakkoli Alireza , Lee Andrew G.
Published: February 2023

Background

Anecdotally, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more severe cases of eye disease, decreased medication compliance/availability, and decreased treatment volume due to the lockdown.

Aims

We aim to quantify and bring together a variety of international perspectives from ophthalmologists of different subspecialties to characterize the global impact of COVID-19 on managing various ophthalmic disease.

Methods

An online survey of 10 questions was conducted among ophthalmologists using a specialized survey program.

Results

Fifty-two ophthalmologists were successfully contacted. Survey respondents include ophthalmologists from USA, Canada, Korea, Mexico, and New Zealand. Based on the results of our survey, 1 year after the pandemic, ophthalmic disease severity has worsened as well as a decrease in examination and medication compliance.

Conclusions

Ophthalmologists across the world have reported a general increase in disease severity and decrease in medication and examination compliance 1 year after the beginning of COVID-19.
Dental age estimation using the Kvaal method—an evaluation of length and width ratios: a systematic review
Authors: Kazmi S. , Zaidi Syed Jaffar Abbas , Reesu Gowri Vijay , Shepherd Simon
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to systematically review the correlational accuracy between width ratios and length ratios based on the Kvaal methodology with chronological age. This systematic review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). The search strategy included ProQuest, PubMed, Science Direct, and Taylor and Francis and Willey online without time or language restriction using Kvaal method of age estimation as key words for the search up to December 2021. A team of two researchers independently selected the studies and extracted the data. The Covidence platform was used to systematically organize all titles. The full texts of eligible studies were analyzed. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using a modified (to the specific characteristics of this systematic review) checklist based on Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement checklist for observational studies. A total of 658 articles were initially reviewed, but 22 were selected for inclusion. The risk of bias was estimated to be unclear to low overall. Among the length ratios, ratio R showed a strong association with chronological age, followed by ratio P. For the width ratios, ratio B demonstrated a close association with chronological age, followed by ratio C. The results suggest that width ratios correlate better with chronological age than length ratios. This systematic review suggests the width ratios are more strongly associated with chronological age than the length ratios. Using a width ratio could serve as a convenient and rapid way to estimate dental age. Our results apply equally to all types of ethnic groups.
Energy efficiency at building sites: barriers and drivers
Authors: Palm Jenny , Bryngelson Emma
Published: February 2023

The construction industry is an important societal sector and a major consumer of energy. Improved energy efficiency is important for this sector, but energy efficiency at construction sites has so far been under-researched. The aim of this article is to analyse the drivers of and barriers to improved energy efficiency at construction sites, as perceived by professional actors. The peer-reviewed research and the grey literature on the topic were reviewed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 relevant professionals in Sweden. The identified barriers were related to lack of money, split incentives, lack of standards and procedures, low electricity prices, lack or regulations, lack of knowledge and information and the conservatism of the industry. The identified drivers were regulations forcing actors to implement energy efficiency, environmental and building certifications, internal education, be part of an industry network, engaged electricity utility company providing information, supportive top and site managers, competition between construction sites, the existence of a plan, checklists or project database, back-office support and client demand of energy efficiency.
Insights into the frontier zone of Upper Seine Valley (France) during the Bronze Age through subsistence strategies and dietary patterns
Authors: Varalli Alessandra , Peake Rebecca , Auxiette Ginette , Balter Vincent , Delattre Valérie , Gouge Patrick , Mordant Claude , Roscio Mafalda , Toulemonde Françoise , André Guy , Herrscher Estelle
Published: February 2023

The Upper Seine Valley sees during the Bronze Age an increase in settlements and cemeteries characterized by a variety of architectures and funerary practices. This variability originates from the coalescence of two cultural traditions, the Atlantic culture from the northwest and the Continental culture from the east, which find its roots in the Upper Rhine area. In this context, our research aims to understand the cultural identity of these communities by reconstructing subsistence economy and palaeodietary patterns and to trace human mobility, which influenced lifestyle and social–economic dynamics. Adding new 10 AMS dating and using multi-isotope (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S) and multi-proxy (botanical, animal and human remains) biochemical investigations, we detected changes in dietary habits throughout the Bronze Age linked to varying C3 and C4 plant consumption and diverse animal protein intake by humans. Three main outcomes are highlighted: (1) a variety of farming strategies with different manuring intensity according to the cereal species; (2) site-specific dietary patterns; (3) an increase in millet and animal protein intake during the Late Bronze Age. Moreover, results from one cemetery reveal that individual mobility is more significant for males. These dietary variations, differential agricultural strategies and mobility are consistent with other western Europe research, supporting major global changes in all of Europe at the end of the Bronze Age.