bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Model selection for generalized linear models with weak factors
Authors: Zhou Xin , Dong Yan , Yu Qin , Zheng Zemin
Published: May 2024

The literature has witnessed an upsurge of interest in model selection in diverse fields and optimization applications. Despite the substantial progress, model selection remains a significant challenge when covariates are highly correlated, particularly within economic and financial datasets that exhibit cross‐sectional and serial dependency. In this paper, we introduce a novel methodology named factor augmented regularized model selection with weak factors (WeakFARM) for generalized linear models in the presence of correlated covariates with weak latent factor structure. By identifying weak latent factors and idiosyncratic components and employing them as predictors, WeakFARM converts the challenge from model selection with highly correlated covariates to that with weakly correlated ones. Furthermore, we develop a variable screening method based on the proposed WeakFARM method. Comprehensive theoretical guarantees including estimation consistency, model selection consistency and sure screening property are also provided. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach by extensive simulation studies and a real data application in economic forecasting.
Revolutionizing digital healthcare networks with wearable strain sensors using sustainable fibers
Authors: Zhang Junze , Xu Bingang , Chen Kaili , Li Yi , Li Gang , Liu Zekun
Published: May 2024

Wearable strain sensors have attracted research interest owing to their potential within digital healthcare, offering smarter tracking, efficient diagnostics, and lower costs. Unlike rigid sensors, fiber‐based ones compete with their flexibility, durability, adaptability to body structures as well as eco‐friendliness to environment. Here, the sustainable fiber‐based wearable strain sensors for digital health are reviewed, and material, fabrication, and practical healthcare aspects are explored. Typical strain sensors predicated on various sensing modalities, be it resistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, or triboelectric, are explained and analyzed according to their strengths and weaknesses toward fabrication and applications. The applications in digital healthcare spanning from body area sensing networks, intelligent health management, and medical rehabilitation to multifunctional healthcare systems are also evaluated. Moreover, to create a more complete digital health network, wired and wireless methods of data collection and examples of machine learning are elaborated in detail. Finally, the prevailing challenges and prospective insights into the advancement of novel fibers, enhancement of sensing precision and wearability, and the establishment of seamlessly integrated systems are critically summarized and offered. This endeavor not only encapsulates the present landscape but also lays the foundation for future breakthroughs in fiber‐based wearable strain sensor technology within the domain of digital health.
Detection and characterization of micro‐ and nano‐plastics in wastewater: Current status of preparatory & analytical techniques
Authors: Saha Nilanjana , Shourie Abhilasha
Published: May 2024

Micro‐ and nano‐plastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous emerging pollutants that have gained global traction due to their persistent nature and potential risks to the environment and human health. The physico‐chemical properties of MNPs such as size, shape, density, surface charge and hydrophobicity are quite different from macro‐plastics, which render them unique behavior exemplified by high rate of diffusion, high mobility, easy uptake by organisms, high toxicity, and potential of bioaccumulation. Human exposure to MNPs causes serious health impacts including apoptosis, necrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, and hampered immune responses. The hazardous nature and high persistence of MNPs in the environment necessitates accelerated studies focused upon their detection, quantification, impact analysis, and risk assessment. All kinds of wastewaters whether municipal, agricultural, or industrial, consist of significant loads of MNPs and act as secondary source of MNP pollution in groundwater and soil. Wastewater is highly complex in composition and there are several impediments in the accurate detection and identification of MNPs in this matrix owing to the in‐efficient sampling methods, lack of standardized methodologies, and non‐reproducibility of data. This review provides an overview of currently available techniques for sampling, detection, identification, and characterization of MNPs in wastewater. A critical commentary on the challenges and limitations of these techniques has been given and strategic combinatorial methods have been suggested for efficient and reliable MNP analysis in wastewater samples. The article also highlights novel sensor‐based methods enabling rapid and accurate detection of MNPs in wastewater.
Non‐invasive imaging techniques for diagnosis of pelvic deep endometriosis and endometriosis classification systems: an International Consensus Statement
Authors: Condous G. , Gerges B. , Thomassin‐Naggara I. , Becker C. , Tomassetti C. , Krentel H. , van Herendael B. J. , Malzoni M. , Abrao M. S. , Saridogan E. , Keckstein J. , Hudelist G. ,   Collaborators
Published: May 2024

The International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) and International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) group, the European Endometriosis League (EEL), the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE), the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), the International Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy (ISGE), the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) and the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) elected an international, multidisciplinary panel of gynecological surgeons, sonographers and radiologists, including a steering committee, which searched the literature for relevant articles in order to review the literature and provide evidence‐based and clinically relevant statements on the use of imaging techniques for non‐invasive diagnosis and classification of pelvic deep endometriosis. Preliminary statements were drafted based on review of the relevant literature. Following two rounds of revisions and voting orchestrated by chairs of the participating societies, consensus statements were finalized. A final version of the document was then resubmitted to the society chairs for approval.

Twenty statements were drafted, of which 14 reached strong and three moderate agreement after the first voting round. The remaining three statements were discussed by all members of the steering committee and society chairs and rephrased, followed by an additional round of voting. At the conclusion of the process, 14 statements had strong and five statements moderate agreement, with one statement left in equipoise. This consensus work aims to guide clinicians involved in treating women with suspected endometriosis during patient assessment, counseling and planning of surgical treatment strategies. © 2024 The Authors. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, by Universa Press, by The International Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy, by Oxford University Press on behalf of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and by Elsevier B.V.
Owners’ experiences of administering meglumine antimoniate injections to dogs with leishmaniosis: An online questionnaire study
Authors: de Jong Marja K. , van Eijk Demy , Broere Femke , Piek Christine J.
Published: May 2024

Background

This study examined the experiences of owners of dogs with leishmaniosis who treated their dogs with daily subcutaneous meglumine antimoniate injections. The owners' perceived ease of administering the injections, the occurrence of problems and the effects on the owners and on the dog‒owner bond were evaluated.

Methods

Dogs prescribed meglumine antimoniate as a treatment for leishmaniosis were identified using the database of the veterinary pharmacy of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University. An online questionnaire was sent to the owners of these dogs to evaluate the perceived ease of administering the injections, the occurrence of problems and the effects on the owner and the dog‐owner bond.

Results

Responses were received from 64 dog owners. Most respondents (78%) reported that administering the injections was not difficult. Pain or the development of nodules at the injection site was reported in 50% and 40% of the dogs, respectively. Polyuria was reported in 44% of the dogs. Some owners reported that administering the injections had a negative impact on their psychological wellbeing (20%), and some would have liked more veterinary support (11%).

Limitations

Some questions were answered by a limited number of people, and their responses may not be representative.

Conclusion

Dog owners remain highly motivated to persevere with meglumine antimoniate treatment and are willing to administer the injections themselves. The availability of active support when needed during the therapy cycle may further improve their acceptance of and confidence in giving the injections.
Effects of dynamic capillarity on the shear strength of sandy soils during transient two‐phase flow: Insights from non‐equilibrium triaxial simulations
Authors: Daman Shokouh Alireza , Nikooee Ehsan , Habibagahi Ghassem , Hassanizadeh S. Majid
Published: May 2024

Modeling two‐phase flow in unsaturated porous media is not only important to vadose zone hydrology but also of great value in diverse disciplines. Common approaches use a simplified relationship between fluid pressure difference and saturation, neglecting the influence of saturation change rates. However, many studies have suggested that the applicability of this approach is limited to situations where the rate of change in saturation is insignificant. Despite several studies highlighting the importance of non‐equilibrium capillarity effects in unsaturated flow modeling, its significance in the mechanical response of the porous medium remains unclear. This study thus aims to address this gap by comparing the simulation results of the traditional static approach and an advanced approach that incorporates dynamic capillarity effects. The comparison is conducted under various flow boundary conditions to assess the magnitude of the differences between the two approaches. The results indicate that as the hydraulic boundary conditions’ absolute values increase, the contrast between the mechanical response of the two simulation scenarios (dynamic and static) becomes more significant. For instance, the dynamic model can predict shear strengths up to 50% higher than the static model. This highlights the importance of considering non‐equilibrium effects while modeling the mechanical behavior of an unsaturated porous medium. Finally, the parametric study of the effect of dynamic coefficient, air entry value, and saturated conductivity reveals the more pronounced effect of the dynamic coefficient on the mechanical response.
Doing the Work: Institutional Policy, Research, and Practice for Closing the White-BAME Awarding Gap
Authors: De La Torre Alexandra , Buswell Elizabeth , Dowie Ellen , Moriarty Jan
Published: May 2024

This chapter explores the journey of Student Success as an institutional research and practice initiative that, over almost ten years, has provided a platform to host, develop, and sustain initiatives and interventions to investigate and address the white-BAME awarding gap at the University of Kent. By bringing together academics, students, and a team of practitioners, Student Success has contributed to the understanding of the complex dynamics of attainment differentials. The evolution of the Student Success team is presented from the perspective of Theory of Change, as a planning and evaluation methodology that provides a linear and unifying framework (Mayne, 2017) to examine the different phases of this initiative. Across three distinct phases, Student Success has sought to address many of the challenges common to institutional EDI work, including achieving buy-in from academic staff, balancing central leadership with devolved responsibility for academic schools, developing effective models for monitoring and evaluation, and negotiating organisational changes within the institution. Overall, we believe the lessons learnt and experiences shared in this chapter can inform other higher education practitioners when planning or delivering similar projects to address attainment differentials through the lens of students’ and academics’ engagement, institutional research, monitoring, and evaluation.
Subregion independence in gravity
Authors: Folkestad Åsmund
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In gravity, spacelike separated regions can be dependent on each other due to the constraint equations. In this paper, we give a natural definition of subsystem independence and gravitational dressing of perturbations in classical gravity. We find that extremal surfaces, non-perturbative lumps of matter, and generic trapped surfaces are structures that enable dressing and subregion independence. This leads to a simple intuitive picture for why extremal surfaces tend to separate independent subsystems. The underlying reason is that localized perturbations on one side of an extremal surface contribute negatively to the mass on the other side, making the gravitational constraints behave as if there exist both negative and positive charges. Our results support the consistency of islands in massless gravity, shed light on the Python’s lunch, and provide hints on the nature of the split property in perturbatively quantized general relativity. We also prove a theorem bounding the area of certain surfaces in spherically symmetric asymptotically de Sitter spacetimes from above and below in terms of the horizon areas of de Sitter and Nariai. This theorem implies that it is impossible to deform a single static patch without also deforming the opposite patch, provided we assume spherical symmetry and an energy condition.
Massive covariant colour-kinematics in 3D
Authors: Moynihan Nathan
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We explore topologically massive gauge theories using the covariant colour kinematics duality recently introduced in [1]. We show that the massive bi-adjoint scalar field is simply related to topologically massive gauge theory by the duality, and that enacting the same duality on the gauge theory produces topologically massive gravity coupled to a scalar or, equivalently, an antisymmetric field. We also show that different choices for the replacement of the colour structure constants with kinematic structure constants lead to different theories, including a topologically massive generalisation of Born-Infeld theory.
Coarse-graining black holes out of equilibrium with boundary observables on time slice
Authors: Takeda Daichi
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In black hole thermodynamics, defining coarse-grained entropy for dynamical black holes has long been a challenge, and various proposals, such as generalized entropy, have been explored. Guided by the AdS/CFT, we introduce a new definition of coarse-grained entropy for a dynamical black hole in Lorentzian Einstein gravity. On each time slice, this entropy is defined as the horizon area of an auxiliary Euclidean black hole that shares the same mass, (angular) momenta, and asymptotic normalizable matter modes with the original Lorentzian solution. The entropy is shown to satisfy a generalized first law and, through holography, the second law as well. Furthermore, by applying this thermodynamics to several Vaidya models in AdS and flat spacetime, we discover a connection between the second law and the null energy condition.
Top-quark pole mass extraction at NNLO accuracy, from total, single- and double-differential cross sections for $$ t\overline{t} $$ + X production at the LHC
Authors: Garzelli M. V. , Mazzitelli J. , Moch S.-O. , Zenaiev O.
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We extract the top-quark mass value in the on-shell renormalization scheme from the comparison of theoretical predictions for pp → $$ t\overline{t} $$
t

t
¯

+ X at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD accuracy with experimental data collected by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations for absolute total, normalized single-differential and double-differential cross-sections during Run 1, Run 2 and the ongoing Run 3 at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). For the theory computations of heavy-quark pair-production we use the MATRIX framework, interfaced to PineAPPL for the generation of grids of theory predictions, which can be efficiently used a-posteriori during the fit, performed within xFitter. We take several state-of-the-art parton distribution functions (PDFs) as input for the fit and evaluate their associated uncertainties, as well as the uncertainties arising from renormalization and factorization scale variation. Fit uncertainties related to the datasets are also part of the extracted uncertainty of the top-quark mass and turn out to be of similar size as the combined scale and PDF uncertainty. Fit results from different PDF sets agree among each other within 1σ uncertainty, whereas some datasets related to $$ t\overline{t} $$
t

t
¯

decay in different channels (dileptonic vs. semileptonic) point towards top-quark mass values in slight tension among each other, although still compatible within 2.5 σ accuracy. Our results are compatible with the PDG 2022 top-quark pole-mass value. Our work opens the road towards more complex simultaneous NNLO fits of PDFs, the strong coupling αs(MZ) and the top-quark mass, using the currently most precise experimental data on $$ t\overline{t} $$
t

t
¯

+ X total and multi-differential cross sections from the LHC.
Erratum to: Evidence for cemented TKA and THA based on a comparison of international register data
Authors: Humez Martina , Kötter Katharina , Skripitz Ralf , Kühn Klaus-Dieter
Published: May 2024

Graphic abstract
Contesting the public works domain: examining the factors affecting presence and success of SMES in public procurement
Authors: Nemec Peter
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the effects of procurement tools to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in public contracts by analysing contract awards for public works published on Tenders Electronic Daily in 2018–2022. Focusing on dividing contracts into smaller lots, a key feature of the 2014 EU modernised procurement framework, this study’s findings reveal that splitting contracts might not necessarily attract SMEs to bid but increases their chances of winning such contracts. Other factors, such as using open and unrestricted bidding procedures and allowing SMEs to showcase their specialisation by awarding contracts based on the best price-quality ratio, positively affect the SMEs’ bidding. The findings of this study emphasise the importance of thoroughly considering individual contract characteristics and overall procurement settings to accommodate SMEs’ limited resource capacities and foster their performance in the public procurement marketplace.
Phylogenetic Analysis and Comparative Genomics of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis Strains in Egypt
Authors: Elrashedy Alyaa , Nayel Mohamed , Salama Akram , Zaghawa Ahmed , Abdelsalam Nader R. , Hasan Mohamed E.
Published: May 2024

Brucellosis is a notifiable disease induced by a facultative intracellular Brucella pathogen. In this study, eight Brucella abortus and eighteen Brucella melitensis strains from Egypt were annotated and compared with RB51 and REV1 vaccines respectively. RAST toolkit in the BV-BRC server was used for annotation, revealing genome length of 3,250,377 bp and 3,285,803 bp, 3289 and 3323 CDS, 48 and 49 tRNA genes, the same number of rRNA (3) genes, 583 and 586 hypothetical proteins, 2697 and 2726 functional proteins for B. abortus and B. melitensis respectively. B. abortus strains exhibit a similar number of candidate genes, while B. melitensis strains showed some differences, especially in the SRR19520422 Faiyum strain. Also, B. melitensis clarified differences in antimicrobial resistance genes (KatG, FabL, MtrA, MtrB, OxyR, and VanO-type) in SRR19520319 Faiyum and (Erm C and Tet K) in SRR19520422 Faiyum strain. Additionally, the whole genome phylogeny analysis proved that all B. abortus strains were related to vaccinated animals and all B. melitensis strains of Menoufia clustered together and closely related to Gharbia, Dameitta, and Kafr Elshiek. The Bowtie2 tool identified 338 (eight B. abortus) and 4271 (eighteen B. melitensis) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) along the genomes. These variants had been annotated according to type and impact. Moreover, thirty candidate genes were predicted and submitted at GenBank (24 in B. abortus) and (6 in B. melitensis). This study contributes significant insights into genetic variation, virulence factors, and vaccine-related associations of Brucella pathogens, enhancing our knowledge of brucellosis epidemiology and evolution in Egypt.
Kommunikation innerhalb der Familie und Symptome der posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung nach einer politischen Inhaftierung
Authors: Weißflog Gregor , Brähler Elmar , Böhm Maya
Published: May 2024

Viele ehemalige politische Gefangene der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik (DDR) leiden langfristig an psychischen Folgen der politischen Inhaftierung. In Studien aus anderen Kontexten hat sich gezeigt, dass die Offenlegung („disclosure“) traumatischer Erfahrungen im näheren sozialen Umfeld positive Auswirkungen auf die Verringerung posttraumatischer Beeinträchtigungen haben kann. Wenig ist jedoch darüber bekannt, ob dieser Effekt je nach Kommunikationspartner:in innerhalb der Familie unterschiedlich ausfällt. Daher untersucht diese Pilotstudie die Assoziation zwischen Symptomen der posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTBS) und der Kommunikation mit verschiedenen Familienmitgliedern bei 135 ehemals inhaftierten Personen (84 % männlich) im Alter von 39 bis 86 Jahren. Die Studienteilnehmer:innen machten im Rahmen einer Fragebogenerhebung Angaben zum Ausmaß posttraumatischer Belastungssymptome (Impact of Event Scale – Revised, IES-R) und zum Kommunikationsverhalten in Bezug auf die politische Inhaftierung. Es ergaben sich Hinweise auf eine chronische Belastung durch Symptome der PTBS für einen Teil der Stichprobe. Das Ausmaß der posttraumatischen Symptombelastung unterscheidet sich in Abhängigkeit vom Kommunikationspartner. Teilnehmer:innen, die berichten, ihre traumatischen Erfahrungen ihren Partnern bzw. Kindern mitgeteilt zu haben, weisen geringere Intrusions- bzw. Hyperarousal-Werte auf (wenn mit den Kindern kommuniziert wurde: zusätzlich geringere Vermeidung). Es ergibt sich kein Zusammenhang zwischen der Richtung der intrafamiliären Kommunikation und der Inanspruchnahme psychosozialer Hilfen. Zukünftige Forschung zur familiären Bewältigung bei Opfern politischer Gewalt sollte diese Erkenntnisse stärker berücksichtigen.
Bridging realities: training visuo-haptic object recognition models for robots using 3D virtual simulations
Authors: Ruiz Conrado , de Jesús Òscar , Serrano Claudia , González Alejandro , Nonell Pau , Metaute Arnau , Miralles David
Published: May 2024

This paper proposes an approach for training visuo-haptic object recognition models for robots using synthetic datasets generated by 3D virtual simulations. In robotics, where visual object recognition has witnessed considerable progress due to an abundance of image datasets, the scarcity of diverse haptic samples has resulted in a noticeable gap in research on machine learning incorporating the haptic sense. Our proposed methodology addresses this challenge by utilizing 3D virtual simulations to create realistic synthetic datasets, offering a scalable and cost-effective solution to integrate haptic and visual cues for object recognition seamlessly. Acknowledging the importance of multimodal perception, particularly in robotic applications, our research not only closes the existing gap but envisions a future where intelligent agents possess a holistic understanding of their environment derived from both visual and haptic senses. Our experiments show that synthetic datasets can be used for training object recognition in haptic and visual modes by incorporating noise, performing some preprocessing, data augmentation, or domain adaptation. This work contributes to the advancement of multimodal machine learning toward a more nuanced and comprehensive robotic perception.
Personalized hairstyle and hair color editing based on multi-feature fusion
Authors: Xu Jiayi , Zhang Chenming , Zhu Weikang , Zhang Hongbin , Li Li , Mao Xiaoyang
Published: May 2024

In the metaverse era, virtual design of hairstyle becomes very popular for personalized aesthetics. As hair design tasks can be decomposed into hair attribute editing and generation, the development of generative adversarial networks (GANs) has significantly prompted its development. The majority of the existing algorithms focus on transferring the overall hair region from one face to another, which ignore fine control over the color and geometric features. Furthermore, these algorithms may result in unnatural generation results. In this paper, we propose a hair modification framework that learns hairstyle information from a reference face mask and color information from a guidance face image. Firstly, the features of the input face image and reference images are extracted through a group of encoders, and then divided into feature vectors of coarse, medium, and fine levels. Secondly, multi-level feature vectors are fused in the latent space using attention-based modulation modules. Finally, the fused feature vector is passed through a StyleGAN generator to generate face images with specified hairstyle and hair color. Experimental results show that the proposed method can finely simulate the hairstyle transition between long and short hair under the constraint of the reference mask, and can produce realistic fusion effects in the hair-covered regions, such as ears, neck, and forehead. Various hair dyeing effects that adapt to personalized characteristics are demonstrated, as facial features including skin color and hair texture are preserved when transferring the hair color.
Clinical features and treatment of heterotopic pancreas in children: a multi-center retrospective study
Authors: Yang Xiaofeng , Liu Chen , Sun Shuai , Dong Chao , Zhao Shanshan , Bokhary Zaitun M. , Liu Na , Wu Jinghua , Ding Guojian , Zhang Shisong , Geng Lei , Liu Hongzhen , Fu Tingliang , Gao Xiangqian , Niu Qiong
Published: May 2024

Objective

Heterotopic pancreas, an uncommon condition in children, can present with diagnostic and treatment challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and treatment options for this disorder in pediatric patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis, including patients diagnosed with heterotopic pancreas at four tertiary hospitals between January 2000 and June 2022. Patients were categorized into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups based on clinical presentation. Clinical parameters, including age at surgery, lesion size and site, surgical or endoscopic approach, pathological findings, and outcome, were statistically analyzed.

Results

The study included 88 patients with heterotopic pancreas. Among them, 22 were symptomatic, and 41 were aged one year or younger. The heterotopic pancreas was commonly located in Meckel’s diverticulum (46.59%), jejunum (20.45%), umbilicus (10.23%),ileum (7.95%), and stomach (6.82%). Sixty-six patients had concomitant diseases. Thirty-three patients had heterotopic pancreas located in the Meckel’s diverticulum, with 80.49% of cases accompanied by gastric mucosa heterotopia (GMH). Patients without accompanying GMH had a higher prevalence of heterotopic pancreas-related symptoms (75%). Treatment modalities included removal of the lesions by open surgery, laparoscopic or laparoscopic assisted surgery, or endoscopic surgery based on patient’s age, the lesion site and size, and coexisting diseases.

Conclusions

Only one-fourth of the patients with heterotopic pancreas presented with symptoms. Those located in the Meckel’s diverticulum have commonly accompanying GMH. Open surgical, laparoscopic surgical or endoscopic resection of the heterotopic pancreas is recommended due to potential complications. Future prospective multicenter studies are warranted to establish rational treatment options.
Assessing the applicability of the 2023 international MOGAD panel criteria in real-world clinical settings
Authors: Rechtman Ariel , Freidman-Korn Tal , Zveik Omri , Shweiki Lyne , Hoichman Garrick , Vaknin-Dembinsky Adi
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a recently identified demyelinating disorder with a diverse clinical spectrum. Diagnosing MOGAD traditionally relies on clinical judgment, highlighting the necessity for precise diagnostic criteria. Banwell et al. proposed criteria, aiming to refine the diagnostic spectrum. This study evaluates these criteria in a real-life cohort, comparing their performance with clinical judgment and describe the cohort of MOGAD patients.

Methods

This retrospective study, conducted at Hadassah Medical Center, included 88 patients with MOG-IgG antibodies. Patients with a positive or borderline MOG-IgG antibodies by cell-based assay were included. Demographics, clinical and MRI data were recorded. Cases were divided into definite MOGAD and Non-MOGAD groups as determined by the treating physician. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the new criteria in comparison to treating physicians’ evaluations. Additionally, we examined clinical differences between the MOGAD and Non-MOGAD groups.

Results

We observed a strong concordance (98%) between the new MOGAD criteria and treating physicians' diagnoses. Clinical disparities between MOGAD and Non-MOGAD groups included lower EDSS scores, normal MRI scans, preserved brain volume, negative OCB results, and distinct relapse patterns. Also, compared to relapsing patients, monophasic MOGAD patients have greater brain volume and a lower age at onset.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates robust accuracy of new MOGAD criteria, emphasizing their potential to enhance diagnostic precision. Treatment response integration into the MOGAD diagnosis is crucial, as it could aid in distinguishing MOGAD from other demyelinating disorders. Distinct clinical profiles highlight the importance of informed decisions in managing MOGAD and similar disorders.
Incorporating the inflammation-related parameters enhances the performance of the nomogram for predicting local control in lung cancer patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy
Authors: Huang Bao-Tian , Lin Pei-Xian , Luo Li-Mei , Wang Ying
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The study aims to investigate whether including the inflammation-related parameters would enhance the accuracy of a nomogram for local control (LC) prediction in lung cancer patients undergoing stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Methods

158 primary or metastatic lung cancer patients treated with SBRT were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical, dosimetric and inflammation-related parameters were collected for the Cox regression analysis. The ACPB model was constructed by employing the clinical and dosimetric factors. And the ACPBLN model was established by adding the inflammation-related factors to the ACPB model. The two models were compared in terms of ROC, Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), C-index, time-dependent AUC, continuous net reclassification index (NRI), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), calibration plots and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that six prognostic factors were independently associated with LC, including age, clinical stage, planning target volume (PTV) volume, BED of the prescribed dose (BEDPD), the lymphocyte count and neutrocyte count. The ACPBLN model performed better in AIC, bootstrap-corrected C-index, time-dependent AUC, NRI and IDI than the ACPB model. The calibration plots showed good consistency between the probabilities and observed values in the two models. The DCA curves showed that the ACPBLN nomogram had higher overall net benefit than the ACPB model across a majority of threshold probabilities.

Conclusion

The inflammation-related parameters were associated with LC for lung cancer patients treated with SBRT. The inclusion of the inflammation-related parameters improved the predictive performance of the nomogram for LC prediction.
Soil compaction reversed the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on soil hydraulic properties
Authors: David Püschel , Jana Rydlová , Radka Sudová , Jan Jansa , Michael Bitterlich
Published: May 2024

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) typically provide a wide range of nutritional benefits to their host plants, and their role in plant water uptake, although still controversial, is often cited as one of the hallmarks of this symbiosis. Less attention has been dedicated to other effects relating to water dynamics that the presence of AMF in soils may have. Evidence that AMF can affect soil hydraulic properties is only beginning to emerge. In one of our recent experiments with dwarf tomato plants, we serendipitously found that the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Rhizophagus irregularis ‘PH5’) can slightly but significantly reduce water holding capacity (WHC) of the substrate (a sand–zeolite–soil mixture). This was further investigated in a subsequent experiment, but there we found exactly the opposite effect as mycorrhizal substrate retained more water than did the non-mycorrhizal substrate. Because the same substrate was used and other conditions were mostly comparable in the two experiments, we explain the contrasting results by different substrate compaction, most likely caused by different pot shapes. It seems that in compacted substrates, AMF may have no effect upon or even decrease the substrates’ WHC. On the other hand, the AMF hyphae interweaving the pores of less compacted substrates may increase the capillary movement of water throughout such substrates and cause slightly more water to remain in the pores after the free water has drained. We believe that this phenomenon is worthy of mycorrhizologists’ attention and merits further investigation as to the role of AMF in soil hydraulic properties.
Clinical outcome after dorso-ventral stabilization of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine with vertebral body replacement and dorsal stabilization
Authors: Jäckle K. , Assmann L. , Roch P. J. , Klockner F. , Meier M-P , Hawellek T. , Lehmann W. , Weiser L.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Surgical stabilization of the spine by vertebral body replacement (VBR) is used for spinal disorders such as traumatic fractures to provide an anatomical re-adjustment of the spine to prevent late detrimental effects and pain [1–4]. This study addresses the clinical outcome after a ventral intervention with VBR and bisegmental fusion.

Methods

The study includes 76 patients (mean age: 59.34 ± 15.97; 34 females and 42 males) with fractures in the lower thoracic and lumbar spine. They were selected from patients of our hospital who received an anterolateral VBR surgery on the corresponding lower spine region over a nine-year period. Only patients were examined with X-rays and complete follow-up records. Exclusion criteria were changes due to degeneration and pathological fractures. Patients were divided into two groups, the thoracotomy group (Th10-L1) and the lumbotomy group (L2-5), respectively. Minimum one year after surgery, patients were asked about their well-being using a precasted questionnaire.

Results

No significant differences with respect to the subjective impression of the patients concerning their back pain, spinal functional impairment, their general functional status and their quality of life impairment. Unfortunately, however, only a rather modest but significant increase of the post-surgical life quality was reported.

Conclusions

Patients who underwent VBR in the lower thoracic or lumbar spine show modest long-term well-being. The results suggest that injuries to the lower thoracic or lumbar spine requiring vertebral body replacement should be classified as severe injuries since they adversely affect the patients’ long-term well-being.

Trial registration

Study of clinical outcome of patients after vertebral body replacement of the ventral thoracal and lumbal spine, DRKS00031452. Registered 10th March 2023 - Prospectively registered. Trial registration number DRKS00031452.
Speeding up the Euler scheme for killed diffusions
Authors: Çetin Umut , Hok Julien
Published: May 2024

Let $X$
X
be a linear diffusion taking values in $(\ell ,r)$
(
ℓ
,
r
)
and consider the standard Euler scheme to compute an approximation to $\mathbb{E}[g(X_{T}){\mathbf{1}}_{\{T<\zeta \}}]$
E
[
g
(

X
T

)

1

{
T
<
ζ
}

]
for a given function $g$
g
and a deterministic $T$
T
, where $\zeta =\inf \{t\geq 0: X_{t} \notin (\ell ,r)\}$
ζ
=
inf
{
t
≥
0
:

X
t

∉
(
ℓ
,
r
)
}
. It is well known since Gobet (Stoch. Process. Appl. 87:167–197, 2000) that the presence of killing introduces a loss of accuracy and reduces the weak convergence rate to $1/\sqrt{N}$
1
/

N

with $N$
N
being the number of discretisations. We introduce a drift-implicit Euler method to bring the convergence rate back to $1/N$
1
/
N
, i.e., the optimal rate in the absence of killing, using the theory of recurrent transformations developed in Çetin (Ann. Appl. Probab. 28:3102–3151, 2018). Although the current setup assumes a one-dimensional setting, multidimensional extension is within reach as soon as a systematic treatment of recurrent transformations is available in higher dimensions.
In-vitro evaluation of fracture resistance of teeth restored with different high-viscosity glass ionomer restorative materials and bulk-fill composite resins
Authors: Nezir Merve , Ozcan Suat
Published: May 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of restorations made with a glass-hybrid restorative system (GHRS), a high-viscosity glass ionomer restorative material (HVGIC), a high-viscosity bulk-fill composite resin (HVB), a flowable bulk-fill composite resin (FB), and a nanohybrid composite resin (NH), which are commonly preferred in clinical applications on the fracture resistance of teeth in-vitro.

Materials and methods

One hundred intact human premolar teeth were included in the study. The teeth were randomly divided into ten groups (n = 10). No treatment was applied to the teeth in Control group. Class II cavities were prepared on the mesial surfaces of the remaining ninety teeth in other groups. For restoration of the teeth, a GHRS, a HVGIC, a HVB, a FB, and a NH were used. Additionally, in four groups, teeth were restored using NH, GHRS, and HVGIC with open and closed-sandwich techniques. After 24 h, fracture resistance testing was performed. One-way ANOVA and Tukey HDS tests were used for statistical analysis of the data.

Results

The fracture resistance values of Control group were statistically significantly higher than those of GHRS, HVGIC, FB, NH, HVGIC-CS, GHRS-OS, and HVGIC-OS groups(p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference observed between the fracture resistance values of Control, HVB, and GHRS-CS groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the use of HVB and the application of GHRS with a closed-sandwich technique may have a positive effect on the fracture resistance of teeth in the restoration of wide Class II cavities.

Clinical relevance

The use of high-viscosity bulk-fill composite resin and the application of glass-hybrid restorative system with the closed-sandwich technique in the restoration of teeth with wide Class II cavities could increase the fracture resistance of the teeth.
Outcomes of 23 patients diagnosed with New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infection treated with ceftazidime/avibactam and aztreonam at a single center in Poland
Authors: Guzek Aneta , Rybicki Zbigniew , Tomaszewski Dariusz , Mackiewicz Katarzyna , Piechota Wiesław , Chciałowski Andrzej
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Amongst all etiologic hospital-acquired infection factors, K. pneumoniae strains producing New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (KP-NDM) belong to pathogens with the most effective antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Clinical guidelines recommend using ceftazidime/avibactam with aztreonam (CZA + AT) as the preferred option for NDM-producing Enterobacterales. However, the number of observations on such treatment regimen is limited. This retrospective study reports the clinical and microbiological outcomes of 23 patients with KP-NDM hospital-acquired infection treated with CZA + AT at a single center in Poland.

Methods

The isolates were derived from the urine, lungs, blood, peritoneal cavity, wounds, and peritonsillar abscess. In microbiological analysis, mass spectrometry for pathogen identification, polymerase chain reaction, or an immunochromatographic assay for detection of carbapenemase, as well as VITEK-2 system, broth microdilution, and microdilution in agar method for antimicrobial susceptibility tests were used, depending of the pathogens’ nature. CZA was administered intravenously (IV) at 2.5 g every eight hours in patients with normal kidney function, and aztreonam was administered at 2 g every eight hours IV. Such dosage was modified when renal function was reduced.

Results

KP-NDM was eradicated in all cases. Four patients (17.4%) died: three of them had a neoplastic disease, and one - a COVID-19 infection.

Conclusion

The combination of CZA + AT is a safe and effective therapy for infections caused by KP-NDM, both at the clinical and microbiological levels. The synergistic action of all compounds resulted in a good agreement between the clinical efficacy of CZA + AT and the results of in vitro susceptibility testing.
A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of polyamide-starch biocomposites: carbon footprint as an indicator of sustainability
Authors: Äkräs Laura , Silvenius Frans , Baniasadi Hossein , Vahvaselkä Marjatta , Ilvesniemi Hannu , Seppälä Jukka
Published: May 2024

Accelerating climate change poses an alarming global issue, demanding a range of prompt and effective solutions. In response, bio-based plastics and biocomposites have emerged as extensively researched alternatives to combat the environmental threats posed by a warming climate. In this context, the present paper presents a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of a newly developed polyamide-starch biocomposite, with varying content of potato starch as the biofiller (ranging from 0 to 70 wt%). The primary aim was to quantitatively measure the total carbon footprint of the selected biocomposite. The results indicated that the progressive addition of potato starch as the biofiller into the copolyamide matrix significantly reduced the total carbon footprint of the biocomposite, achieving a maximum reduction of 42–43% with the highest starch content of 70 wt%. Moreover, the newly developed polyamide-starch biocomposite demonstrated excellent performance compared to reference fossil-based polyamides of polyamide 6 (PA6), polyamide 12 (PA12), and polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6), as well as composites of PA610/80 wt% polylactic acid modified by reactive extrusion (REX-PLA) and PA40/30 wt% glass fibers, with carbon footprint reductions of 29, 39, 42, 59, and 79%, respectively. Based on these findings, the polyamide-starch biocomposite, especially with the highest content of potato starch (70 wt%), exhibits significant potential as a new material solution to reduce the carbon footprint of several existing fossil- and bio-based polyamides together with polyamide-based composites. In doing so, it contributes to advancing the development of a more climate-friendly future for plastics through reductions in their carbon footprints.

Graphical abstract
Neither Parents’ Sex Nor the Type of Family Modulates Attentional Bias Toward Infant Faces: A Preliminary Study in Different-Sex and Same-Sex Parents
Authors: Gemignani Micol , Giannotti Michele , Rigo Paola , Venuti Paola , de Falco Simona
Published: May 2024

An attentional bias toward infant versus adult faces has been detected in parents and positively associated with sensitive caregiving behaviors. In previous research, the attentional bias has been measured as the difference in attention, in terms of reaction times, captured by infant versus adult faces; the larger the difference, the greater the cognitive engagement that adults deployed to infant faces. However, research so far has been mostly confined to samples of mothers, who have been more represented than fathers. Moreover, new family forms, especially same-sex families of men, have been left out of research. To clarify potential sex differences and extend previous findings to diverse family forms, we implemented a modified Go/no-Go attentional task measuring attentional bias to infant faces in parents with children aged from 2 to 36 months. The sample (N = 86) was matched and included 22 fathers and 22 mothers from different-sex families and 20 fathers and 22 mothers from same-sex families. Overall, the results confirmed that infant faces induced a greater attentional bias compared to adult faces. Moreover, we found that neither the type of family nor parents’ sex modulated the attentional bias toward infant faces. The findings are discussed in relation to the importance of understanding the correlates of parental response to infant cues going beyond a heteronormative perspective on parenting.
How did COVID affect savings and wealth? An empirical study in South Africa
Authors: Jansen Amy , Lensink Robert
Published: May 2024

By using a unique dataset of more than 20,000 individuals with savings accounts from August 2019 to October 2020 in South Africa, this paper examines how the COVID crisis has affected savings behavior, and by affecting savings, impacted wealth inequality. We find that while COVID increased savings on average, the increase in average savings is due to a small group of higher income savers which substantially increased their savings, while a large group stopped saving.
Ca2+-dependent thermal sensitivity of bacterial MreB assemblies
Authors: Szatmári Dávid , Lőrinczy Dénes
Published: May 2024

In the bacterial cells, the actin homolog MreB manages the cellular motions and morphology. MreB polymers are important for cell-wall growing and cell shape determination. Fluorescence microscopy studies investigated that in bacterial cells the MreB polymer forms ribbon-like structures that likely helical nearby of the cell wall at the periphery of the cell. As we presented earlier, the thermal motion of the ribbon-like MreB polymers was slowed down by the addition of millimolar Ca2+. The rapid Ca2+ depletion, via EGTA treatment, reordered the polymers into extensive sheets in the presence of magnesium, and further treatment with calcium led to fissured monolayer sheets and the dissociation of filaments into web-like structures which attached to the glass surface. The heat denaturation of MreB assemblies, under varying Ca2+ concentrations, was investigated by DSC, and the Ca2+-dependent MreB polymer rearrangement rates were assessed by isoperibol calorimetry. Here, we measured Ca2+-dependent thermodynamics of prokaryotic MreB assemblies. Under high ionic strength, the MreB polymers show multiple thermal components around 60 °C and 82 °C, generated by less and more stable structures. MreB polymers with a relatively slow exothermic kinetics turned to be more stable due to adding millimolar Ca2+. However, changing the calcium concentration from micromolar to nanomolar and subsequently recovered it to micromolar initialized endothermic remodeling of MreB assemblies and the majority of them showed higher stability than before the treatment. Presumably, the final cell shape depends on the assembling of MreB polymers and the ionic milieu. Calcium concentration-induced changes of MreB structure makes sense in membrane remodeling during prokaryotic cell division or osmotic adaptation.