bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perioperative Use of Intravenous Levodopa as an Anti‐Parkinsonian Drug: A Propensity Score Analysis
Authors: Kodama Satoshi , Jo Taisuke , Yasunaga Hideo , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Michihata Nobuaki , Matsui Hiroki , Okada Akira , Shirota Yuichiro , Fushimi Kiyohide , Toda Tatsushi , Hamada Masashi
Published: September 2023

Background

Perioperative discontinuation of oral anti‐parkinsonian medication can negatively impact the prognosis of abdominal surgery in patients with Parkinson's disease. Although intravenous levodopa may be an alternative, its efficacy has not yet been investigated.

Objectives

To determine the efficacy of intravenous levodopa as an alternative to oral anti‐Parkinsonian drugs during gastric or colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods

We identified patients with Parkinson's disease who underwent surgery for gastric or colorectal cancer between April 2010 and March 2020, using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, a nationwide inpatient database in Japan. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received intravenous levodopa during the perioperative period and those who did not. We compared in‐hospital mortalities, major complications, and postoperative length of stay between the groups after adjusting for background characteristics with overlap weights based on propensity scores.

Results

We identified 648 patients who received intravenous levodopa and 1207 who did not receive levodopa during the perioperative period. In the adjusted cohort, the mean postoperative length of stay was 24.7 and 29.0 days (percent difference, −7.7%; 95% confidence interval, −13.1 to −1.5); in‐hospital death was 3.2% and 3.3% (adjusted odds ratio, 0.95; 95% CI: 0.54–1.67); and incidence of major complications were 21.4% and 19.3% (adjusted odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.70–1.13) in those with and without intravenous levodopa, respectively.

Conclusions

Intravenous levodopa was associated with a shorter postoperative length of stay, but not with mortality or morbidity. Intravenous levodopa may improve perioperative care in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Uncovering the heterogeneity and cell fate decisions of endothelial cells after myocardial infarction by single‐cell sequencing
Authors: Long Xinyang , Yan Boteng , Mo Zengnan
Published: September 2023

Background

The plasticity of endothelial cells (ECs) is crucial for tissue response to injury. Myocardial infarction can profoundly affect EC function, leading to a shift toward mesenchymal differentiation.

Methods

We utilized human single‐nucleus RNA sequencing data to investigate the dynamic changes and cellular interactions between normal and post‐infarction ECs.

Results

We identified two distinct subpopulations of ECs: A transient subpopulation characterized by short‐term mesenchymal gene expression and a long‐term subpopulation characterized by myocardial gene expression. Trajectory analysis revealed the differentiation pathways and potential roles over time and space. Furthermore, we uncovered the proliferation, differentiation, hypoxic, and inflammatory responses of ECs to injury.

Conclusions

Our study provides a comprehensive and detailed characterization of endothelial cell states, highlighting the role of activated endothelial cell subpopulations in promoting inflammation and tissue repair after infarction.
Association of dietary patterns with cognitive function in older people: Results from the Chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey
Authors: Zheng Haiqing , Li Huixian , Kong Lingcong , Zhang Xueli , Gao Yunfei , Hu Lianting , Shang Xianwen , Liang Huiying
Published: September 2023

Background

Dietary patterns are crucial for maintaining cognitive health among older people and can be modified through lifestyle interventions. We investigated the associations between dietary patterns, changes in these patterns over time, and cognitive function.

Methods

This cohort study utilized data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey conducted between 2005 and 2014. The sample included 7472 participants (mean age: 81.45 ± 10.88 years). Dietary patterns were derived using cluster analysis. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE). The relationships between dietary patterns/changes, MMSE scores, changes in MMSE scores, and cognitive impairment were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation method, linear regression, and logistic regression.

Results

Cluster analysis identified three major dietary patterns: balanced diet, relatively balanced diet, and unbalanced diet. Mean MMSE scores decreased from 24.71 ± 7.24 in 2005 to 22.22 ± 9.29 in 2008, then increased to 24.10 ± 7.76 in 2014. Participants who adhered to balanced diet patterns exhibited significantly higher MMSE scores (1.56; 95% confidence interval: 1.34, 1.78) than those who followed unbalanced diet patterns. This association was particularly prominent among older individuals, women, individuals with no education, and underweight individuals. Participants with relatively balanced or balanced diets showed a significantly lower risk of cognitive impairment (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.80; OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.42, 0.53, respectively) than those with unbalanced diets. Transitioning from an unhealthy diet to a healthy diet was associated with a smaller decline in MMSE scores and reduced risk of cognitive impairment.

Conclusions

These findings emphasize the importance of balanced or relatively balanced diets in preserving cognitive health in older individuals. These patterns relate to better MMSE scores and reduced cognitive impairment risk. Shifting from unhealthy to healthy diets is linked to improved MMSE scores and lower cognitive impairment risk. These results underscore the importance of dietary interventions in mitigating cognitive decline in older adults. Further research is warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted strategies for promoting healthy dietary habits in this population.
Existence and uniqueness of solutions of nonlinear Cauchy‐type problems for first‐order fractional differential equations
Authors: Lan Kunquan
Published: September 2023

New properties of the first‐order Riemann–Liouville fractional integrals are proved and first‐order fractional derivatives for the equivalence class of functions in
are analyzed. Solutions, normal solutions, and generalized normal solutions of the initial value problems (IVPs) for nonlinear first‐order fractional differential equations (FDEs) with fraction
are introduced. The equivalences in
between the first‐order FDEs and the corresponding (Volterra) integral equations are established based on normal solutions and generalized normal solutions. New results on the existence and uniqueness of generalized normal solutions or nonnegative generalized normal solutions in
of the IVPs are obtained for
. These results are applied to study the existence and uniqueness of generalized normal nonnegative solutions in
of the IVP for the nonlinear first‐order FDE with nonlinearities related to the population models with growth rates of Ricker type.
Long Short‐Term Memory‐Based Multiomics Reveal Lactobacillus casei‐Derived Postbiotics Inhibiting Lipids Digestion via Mediating the Upregulation of α‐Helices in Lipase
Authors: Fan Zibian , Jia Wei
Published: September 2023

Scope

The antiobesity function of probiotics has been declared, while the application in high‐risk patients and coding side effect has focused attention to postbiotics. This investigation profiles the mechanism of postbiotics affecting lipid digestion at molecular level, and establishes a momentous foundation for the clinical application of postbiotics in obesity suppression.

Methods and results

An operational framework for butter digestion is constructed to collect the digests in the intestine at 0, 40, 80, and 120 min with various postbiotics supplement. A total of 227 lipids and 414 metabolites are detected by pseudo‐targeted lipidomics integrated with the long short‐term memory‐based metabolomics, and the triacylglycerol (TG, from 134.1 to 184.7 mg kg−1) and diacylglycerol (DG, from 4.2 to 8.4 mg kg−1) are identified as significantly different lipids with or without postbiotics supplement. A total of eight substances related to the inhibition of gastric lipase and pancreatic lipase are screened through the molecular simulation computation in silicon and enzymatic reaction kinetics, and thus curtailing the bioaccessibility of lipids.

Conclusions

Lactobacillus casei JCM1134‐derived postbiotics propel the structure of lipase to aggregate by increasing the α‐helix, and thus hampering the digestion of triglycerides through noncompetitive inhibition.
To know is to act? Revisiting the impact of government transparency on corruption
Authors: Schnell Sabina
Published: September 2023

Transparency is expected to reduce corruption by enabling the public to uncover it and thus hold officials accountable. This assumes citizens care about corruption and have mechanisms for enacting accountability. Yet, paradoxically, transparency has been prescribed as a cure against corruption precisely in contexts where such mechanisms are weak. This article integrates research from different disciplines to better understand when and how transparency reduces corruption. It finds that citizens do react to information about corruption even in countries with weak institutions and wide‐spread corruption, especially if the information is widely shared, corruption is a salient issue, and there are some expectations of sanctions for malfeasance. Furthermore, even partial compliance with transparency policies can make a difference. More research should explore when and why bureaucrats comply with accountability pressures from above and below, how expectations about sanctions are formed and lead to ‘indignation rather than resignation,’ as well what the systemic effects of transparency policies are and how they evolve over time.
Impact of growth hormone on scoliosis
Authors: Zhang Xin‐Kai , Li Xiang , Shi Ming‐Yan , Zhang Man , Wang Pei‐Kang , Yao Hai‐Lun , Tan Xin , Yu Xiang , Shao Yu‐Fei , Liu Xing
Published: September 2023

Growth hormone (GH) therapy has been used in patients with growth retardation and short stature due to various reasons. The safety of GH treatment is still debatable, one of which is the occurrence and development of scoliosis. In order to explore the effects of GH on the occurrence or progression of scoliosis, this review summarizes previous studies, summarizes the influence of GH treatment on the pathogenesis and progression of scoliosis, and analyzes the possible mechanism of GH in the pathogenesis and progression of scoliosis. Hopefully, it can provide a direction for future research.
Core concepts in pharmacoepidemiology: Measurement of medication exposure in routinely collected healthcare data for causal inference studies in pharmacoepidemiology
Authors: Thai Thuy N. , Winterstein Almut G.
Published: September 2023

Background

Observational designs can complement evidence from randomized controlled trials not only in situations when randomization is not feasible, but also by evaluating drug effects in real‐world, considering a broader spectrum of users and clinical scenarios. However, use of such real‐world scenarios captured in routinely collected clinical or administrative data also comes with specific challenges. Unlike in trials, medication use is not protocol based. Instead, exposure is determined by a multitude of factors involving patients, providers, healthcare access, and other policies. Accurate measurement of medication exposure relies on a similar broad set of factors which, if not understood and appropriately addressed, can lead to exposure misclassification and bias.

Aim

To describe core considerations for measurement of medication exposure in routinely collected healthcare data.

Methods

We describe the strengths and weaknesses of the two main types of routinely collected healthcare data (electronic health records and administrative claims) used in pharmacoepidemiologic research. We introduce key elements in those data sources and issues in the curation process that should be considered when developing exposure definitions. We present challenges in exposure measurement such as the appropriate determination of exposure time windows or the delineation of concomitant medication use versus switching of therapy, and related implications for bias.

Results

We note that true exposure patterns are typically unknown when using routinely collected healthcare data and that an in‐depth understanding of healthcare delivery, patient and provider decision‐making, data documentation and governance, as well as pharmacology are needed to ensure unbiased approaches to measuring exposure.

Conclusions

Various assumptions are made with the goal that the chosen exposure definition can approximate true exposure. However, the possibility of exposure misclassification remains, and sensitivity analyses that can test the impact of such assumptions on the robustness of estimated medication effects are necessary to support causal inferences.
Intraspecific and interspecific interaction and fitness cost of stink bugs Euschistus heros, Diceraeus melacanthus, and Piezodorus guildinii in soybean
Authors: Santos Thais L. Braga , Baldin Edson L. Lopes , Lima Ana P. Santana , Santana Alisson S. , Santos Maria C. , Silveira Bárbara R. Rodrigues , Bueno Nadia M. , Cabral Isabella R. , Soares Muriel C. Emanoeli , Pinheiro Aline M. , Lourenção André L.
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

The most common pentatomid species in soybean crops are Euschistus heros (F.), Piezodorus guildinii (W.), and Diceraeus melacanthus (D.), causing a significant reduction in yield. It is known that these stink bugs inhabit the reproductive structures of soybeans simultaneously; however, there are few studies addressing their intraguild interactions, as well as aspects of possible competition between them in plants. Thus, the interspecific and intraspecific interactions of these stink bugs were evaluated in laboratory and field conditions, throughout the duration of the instars and adulthood, including longevity, mortality, and the number of eggs per female.

RESULTS

Euschistus heros had a higher competitive capacity in the interaction with D. melacanthus and P. guildinii, negatively interfering in the abundance or development (duration of instar, fertility, and mortality) of these stink bugs in soybean crops. This interference may act on the natural balance of these insect pests. Mortality of adults in interactions containing E. heros as a competitor or not showed that this species was not affected by the other species under field conditions. In the scenario where D. melacanthus was evaluated, it was observed that the presence of other species caused higher mortality in D. melacanthus. Additionally, higher P. guildiniii mortality was observed in interspecific interactions.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that E. heros has a greater competitive ability in the soybean crop, followed by D. melacanthus and P. guildinii. Therefore, the results found justified the greater abundance of E. heros and helped to explain the increasing occurrence of D. melacanthus in soybean crops, contributing to new directions for understanding the interaction of the soybean stink bug complex. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Influence of the modification of the cosmetic peptide Argireline on the affinity toward copper(II) ions
Authors: Wyrzykowski Dariusz , Wieczorek Robert , Kloska Anna , Errante Fosca , Papini Anna Maria , Makowska Joanna
Published: September 2023

Argireline (Ac‐EEMQRR‐NH2), a well‐known neurotransmitter peptide with a potency similar to botulinum neurotoxins, reveals a proven affinity toward Cu(II) ions. We report herein Cu(II) chelating properties of three new Argireline derivatives, namely, AN4 (Ac‐EAHRR‐NH2), AN5 (Ac‐EEHQRR‐NH2), and AN6 (Ac‐EAHQRK‐NH2). Two complementary experimental techniques, i.e., potentiometric titration (PT) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), have been employed to describe the acid–base properties of the investigated peptides as well as the thermodynamic parameters of the Cu(II) complex formation. Additionally, based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we propose the most likely structures of the resulting Cu‐peptide complexes. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the free peptides and the corresponding Cu(II) complexes was estimated in human skin cells for their possible future cosmetic application. The biological results were subsequently compared with free Argireline, its Cu(II)‐complexes, and the previously studied AN2 derivative (EAHQRR).
Modulated Optoelectronic and Magnetic Properties of Mn‐Doped SrTiO3: A Density Functional Theory Insight
Authors: Saeed Muhammad , Aldaghfag Shatha A. , Hameed Muhammad Mohsin , Saleem Sanam , Yaseen Muhammad , Nasarullah
Published: September 2023

Herein, the substitution of Mn in SrTiO3 is presented as an effective approach to develop functional ferromagnets with spin‐polarized semiconductive band dispersions. The task is performed with the full‐potential linearized augmented planewave (FP‐LAPW) approach based on density functional theory (DFT) as coded in WIEN2k. Exchange and correlation effects are taken into account using generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The strong hybridization between O‐2p and Mn‐3d is accountable for the origin of the semiconductive ferromagnetic ground state in Sr1−xMnxTiO3 (x = 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 75%). Increase in Mn content in SrTiO3 crystal causes a significant increase in total magnetic moment values. The optical behavior is investigated by computing refractive index, optical conductivity, dielectric constant, absorption coefficient, and reflectivity within 0–10 eV energy range. Mn‐doped SrTiO3 shows maximum absorption in the ultraviolet region. The computed physical characteristics suggest a potential usage of Sr1−xMnxTiO3 in optoelectronic and magnetic devices.
Isorhynchophylline improves lipid metabolism disorder by mediating a circadian rhythm gene Bmal1 in spontaneously hypertensive rat
Authors: Zhu Xialin , Hou Qingqing , Zhang Ling , Wang Danyang , Tian Zhenhua , Liu Yuecheng , Wang Yu , Li Yunlun , Jiang Haiqiang
Published: September 2023

Hypertension is a progressive metabolic disease characterized by circadian regulation of lipid metabolism disorder. Identifying specific lipid components and maintaining circadian homeostasis of lipid metabolism might be a promising therapeutic strategy for hypertension. Isorhynchophylline (IRP) can regulate lipid metabolism; however, the underlying mechanism of IRP in improving lipid metabolism rhythm disorder is still unclear. The lipid circadian biomarkers and abnormal metabolic pathways intervened by IRP were investigated using diurnal lipidomic research methods. The 24‐h circadian changes in mRNA and protein expression levels of circadian genes, including Bmal1, Clock, Cry1, Cry2, Per1, and Per2, and lipid metabolism‐related factors (PPARα and LPL) were determined using RT‐PCR and western blot analyses, respectively. The underlying mechanisms were intensively investigated by inhibiting Bmal1. Molecular docking and drug affinity responsive target stability analyses were performed to assess the binding affinity of IRP and Bmal1. IRP treatment could effectively improve 24‐h blood pressure, ameliorate the lipid metabolic rhythm disorder, reverse the expression levels of circadian rhythm genes, and regulate lipid metabolism‐related genes (PPARα and LPL) by mediating Bmal1. This study highlighted the potential effects of IRP in maintaining the circadian homeostasis of lipid metabolism and the treatment of hypertension.
Sources of predictability of synoptic‐scale rainfall during the West African summer monsoon
Authors: Rasheeda Satheesh Athul , Knippertz Peter , Fink Andreas H. , Walz Eva‐Maria , Gneiting Tilmann
Published: September 2023

Numerical‐model‐based forecasts of precipitation exhibit poor skill over northern tropical Africa when compared with climatology‐based forecasts and with other tropical regions. However, as recently demonstrated, purely data‐driven forecasts based on spatio‐temporal dependences inferred from gridded satellite rainfall estimates show promise for the prediction of the 24‐hr precipitation occurrence rate in this region. The present work explores this potential further by advancing the statistical model and providing meteorological interpretations of the performance results. Advances include (a) the use of a recently developed correlation metric, the Coefficient of Predictive Ability (CPA), to identify predictors, (b) forecast evaluation with robust reliability diagrams and score decompositions, (c) a study domain over tropical Africa nested in a considerably enlarged spatio‐temporal domain to identify coherent propagating features, and (d) the introduction of a novel coherent‐linear‐propagation factor to quantify the coherence of propagating signals. The statistical forecast is compared with a climatology‐based benchmark, the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) operational ensemble forecast, and a statistically postprocessed ensemble forecast. All methods show poor skill within the main rainbelt over northern tropical Africa, where differences in Brier scores between the different approaches are hardly statistically significant. However, the data‐driven forecast outperforms the other methods along the fringes of the rainbelt, where meridional rainfall gradients are large. The coherent‐linear‐propagation factor, in concert with metrics of convective available potential energy and convective instability, reveals that high stochasticity in the rainbelt limits predictability. At the fringes of the rainbelt, the data‐driven approach leverages coherent precipitation features associated with propagating tropical weather systems such as African Easterly Waves.
Undiagnosed dyspnea with pulmonary nodule
Authors: Tsou Cheng‐Hsien , Chiu Hwa‐Yen
Published: September 2023

Key message

Physicians should remain vigilant about alternative causes of shortness of breath even when respiratory diseases are being effectively treated. The lateral view of chest radiography can be valuable in discerning the three‐dimensional characteristics of pulmonary abnormalities.
A case of pulmonary nocardiosis with Nocardia brasiliensis spread from a post‐traumatic cutaneous infection in an immunocompetent patient
Authors: Iwabayashi Masaaki , Takiguchi Junji , Tomioka Hiromi
Published: September 2023

Nocardia is an aerobic Gram‐positive bacterium found in the environment, including soil and water. Nocardia brasiliensis is reportedly associated with cutaneous infections, and disseminated disease is typically detected in immunocompromised individuals. We present a rare case of disseminated nocardiosis with N. brasiliensis in an immunocompetent patient. An 82‐year‐old male, who had a left elbow injury 2 months prior to the first visit, presented with bilateral multiple lung nodules. N. brasiliensis was identified in both sputum and pus specimens, we concluded that the N. brasiliensis had spread from the primary cutaneous lesion. The patient was treated with antibiotics and had a favourable clinical course. As the present case report demonstrates, disseminated nocardiosis caused by this species can progress from a primary cutaneous lesion even in immunocompetent individuals, if the initiation of appropriate treatment is delayed. Therefore, careful evaluation is warranted when Nocardia species are detected.
Identification the Role of Grain Boundaries in Polycrystalline Photovoltaics via Advanced Atomic Force Microscope
Authors: Yang Liu , Wang Yanyan , Wang Xu , Shafique Shareen , Zheng Fei , Huang Like , Liu Xiaohui , Zhang Jing , Zhu Yuejin , Xiao Chuanxiao , Hu Ziyang
Published: September 2023

Atomicforce microscopy (AFM)‐based scanning probing techniques, including Kelvinprobe force microscopy (KPFM) and conductive atomic force microscopy (C‐AFM), have been widely applied to investigate thelocal electromagnetic, physical, or molecular characteristics of functional materials on a microscopic scale. The microscopic inhomogeneities of the electronic properties of polycrystalline photovoltaic materials can be examined by these advanced AFM techniques, which bridge the local properties of materials to overall device performance and guide the optimization of the photovoltaic devices. In this review, the critical roles of local optoelectronic heterogeneities, especially at grain interiors (GIs) and grain boundaries (GBs) of polycrystalline photovoltaic materials, including versatile polycrystalline silicon, inorganic compound materials, and emerging halide perovskites, studied by KPFM and C‐AFM, are systematically identified. How the band alignment and electrical properties of GIs and GBs affect the carrier transport behavior are discussed from the respective of photovoltaic research. Further exploiting the potential of such AFM‐based techniques upon a summary of their up‐to‐date applications in polycrystalline photovoltaic materials is beneficial to acomprehensive understanding of the design and manipulation principles of thenovel solar cells and facilitating the development of the next‐generation photovoltaics and optoelectronics.
Electrical Conductivity Boost: In Situ Polypyrrole Polymerization in Monolithically Integrated Surface‐Supported Metal‐Organic Framework Templates
Authors: Vello Tatiana Parra , Albano Luiz Gustavo Simão , dos Santos Thamiris Cescon , Colletti Julia Cantovitz , Santos Batista Carlos Vinícius , Leme Vitória Fernandes Cintra , dos Santos Thamiris Costa , Miguel Maria Paula Dias Carneiro , de Camargo Davi Henrique Starnini , Bof Bufon Carlos César
Published: September 2023

Recent progress in synthesizing and integrating surface‐supported metal‐organic frameworks (SURMOFs) has highlighted their potential in developing hybrid electronic devices with exceptional mechanical flexibility, film processability, and cost‐effectiveness. However, the low electrical conductivity of SURMOFs has limited their use in devices. To address this, researchers have utilized the porosity of SURMOFs to enhance electrical conductivity by incorporating conductive materials. This study introduces a method to improve the electrical conductivity of HKUST‐1 templates by in situ polymerization of conductive polypyrrole (PPy) chains within the SURMOF pores (named as PPy@HKUST‐1). Nanomembrane‐origami technology is employed for integration, allowing a rolled‐up metallic nanomembrane to contact the HKUST‐1 films without causing damage. After a 24 h loading period, the electrical conductivity at room temperature reaches approximately 5.10−6 S m−1. The nanomembrane‐based contact enables reliable electrical characterization even at low temperatures. Key parameters of PPy@HKUST‐1 films, such as trap barrier height, dielectric constant, and tunneling barrier height, are determined using established conduction mechanisms. These findings represent a significant advancement in real‐time control of SURMOF conductivity, opening pathways for innovative electronic‐optoelectronic device development. This study demonstrates the potential of SURMOFs to revolutionize hybrid electronic devices by enhancing electrical conductivity through intelligent integration strategies.
Velocity‐Switched Droplet Rebound Direction on Anisotropic Superhydrophobic Surfaces
Authors: Li Peiliu , Zhan Fei , Wang Lei
Published: September 2023

Droplet well‐controlled directional motion being an essential function has attracted much interest in academic and industrial applications, such as self‐cleaning, micro‐/nano‐electro‐mechanical systems, drug delivery, and heat‐transferring. Conventional understanding has it that a droplet impacted on an anisotropic surface tends to bounce along the microstructural direction, which is mainly dictated by surface properties rather than initial conditions. In contrast to previous findings, it demonstrates that the direction of a droplet's rebound on an anisotropic surface can be switched by designing the initial impacting velocity. With an increase in impacting height from 2 to 10 cm, the droplet successively shows a backward, vertical, and forward motion on anisotropic surfaces. Theoretical demonstrations establish that the transition of droplet bouncing on the anisotropic surface is related to its dynamic wettability during impacting process. Characterized by the liquid‐solid interaction, it is demonstrated that the contact state at small and large impacting heights induces an opposite resultant force in microstructures. Furthermore, energy balance analysis reveals that the energy conversion efficiency of backward motion is almost three times as that of traditional bouncing. This work, including experiments, theoretical models, and energy balance analysis provides insight view in droplet motions on the anisotropic surfaces and opens a new way for the droplet transport.
Preventive effect of a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine, shakuyakukanzoto, against neurotoxicity of FOLFOX plus bevacizumab used for metastatic colorectal cancer management: A single‐arm phase II study
Authors: Takagi Hiroaki , Kajiura Shinya , Hosokawa Ayumu , Horikawa Naoki , Terada Itsuro , Hata Taishi , Kobayashi Yuka , Tsukioka Yuji , Yabushita Kazuhisa , Matsuo Takashi , Yoshita Hiroki , Ueda Akira , Ogawa Kohei , Ando Takayuki , Hayashi Ryuji , Yasuda Ichiro
Published: September 2023

Aim

5‐Fluorouracil/folinic acid and oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab (FOLFOX + BV) is a standard chemotherapy regimen for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This study was aimed at evaluating the preventive effects of shakuyakukanzoto against oxaliplatin‐induced neurotoxicity associated with FOLFOX + BV administration.

Methods

In this single‐arm, open‐label, phase II clinical trial, we enrolled patients with previously untreated, histologically confirmed mCRC from six hospitals in Japan who were aged 20 years and older and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–1. The patients received shakuyakukanzoto 2.5 g thrice daily, orally, until disease progression and/or unacceptable toxicity was noted. The primary endpoint was the incidence of neurotoxicity following oxaliplatin administration at a dose of 500 mg/m2. Neurotoxicity was evaluated according to the Neurotoxicity Criteria of Debiopharm (DEB‐NTC). The trial was registered in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry of Japan (UMIN000001853).

Results

Forty‐one non‐pretreated mCRC patients were included between April 2009 and September 2013. At an oxaliplatin dose of 500 mg/m2, neurotoxicity of DEB‐NTC grade 1–2 developed in 25.0% of patients; no patient had DEB‐NTC grade 3 neurotoxicity. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (34.1%), hypertension (24.4%), and fatigue (9.8%). The response rate of the 38 patients with measurable lesions was 55.2%. The median progression‐free and overall survival was 14.9 and 35.2 months respectively.

Conclusion

Shakuyakukanzoto substantially reduced oxaliplatin‐induced neurotoxicity without negatively affecting tumor response or survival in FOLFOX + BV‐treated patients with CRC.
International Standards of Internal Control Relevant to the Application of PFM/IC
Authors: Hepworth Noel
Published: September 2023

A feature of PFM/I reforms has been the adoption of international standards and the relevant international standards have been those developed by a US body called the Committee of Sponsoring Organisations (COSO). There are five standards. These standards are described in this chapter. However, in the opinion of author the adoption by most countries has been flawed because they have largely been treated as financial and budgetary control standards with no regard to the managerial implications of those standards. Application has started from an internal audit perspective when it would have been much better to have started from a management perspective. Implicit in the writing of those standards is a set of managerial assumptions and these assumptions have been ignored. Indeed it would be better to describe these standards as ‘managerial disciplines’. Also in applying international standards regard should be had to local cultural and historic conditions but this rarely seems to happen and almost by definition the adoption of international standards is regarded as ‘a good thing’. For example, applying the standards when the responsibility for operational management lies with a political official whose experience of operational management may be limited and who may only be in post for a short period is inappropriate. It does not reflect the operational circumstances applying in those organisations for which the standards have been developed namely large international trading companies.
The Responsibilities of the Minister of Finance, the State Secretary, and the Ministry in the Development of a PFM/IC Policy
Authors: Hepworth Noel
Published: September 2023

The ministry of finance has a key role in both the acceptance and the implementation of this reform. By 'ministry of finance' is meant the minister personally, the most senior appointed official such as the state secretary and the heads of key ministry of finance departments such as the budget department and the accounting or treasury department. Their support for the reform is essential. Central to the reform is a change in responsibilities for budgetary and financial control from a centralised external control based upon the ministry of finance to an internal control with the primary responsibility falling on individual public organisations. Success with this element of the reform depends upon many factors and not least the quality of individual public organisation management and that involves the leadership exercised by those managers and their training. A key element in this is ‘financial awareness’. The significance of the role of the ministry of finance extends to ensuring that the reform is properly implemented and this imposes a responsibility upon the top official in that ministry to personally lead the reform and to ensure that the equivalent top officials in other public organisations are equally committed and involved. This chapter explains the responsibilities of the different key ministry of finance officials and the risks that they should be aware of. This includes the role of the minister and the top appointed officials.
A Brief Historical Reconstruction
Authors: Camassa Manuel
Published: September 2023

In this chapter, the genesis of empathy as a word is briefly traced. In particular, it is the Theodor Lipps' work on the subject and his insistence on the imitative mechanism underlying the empathic phenomenon which is recalled. This analysis is preliminary to the examination of empathy as a concept, which will be offered in Chap.2.
Fostering Responsiveness in Early Mathematics Learning
Authors: Beck Melanie , Vogler Anna-Marietha
Published: September 2023

From a co-constructive perspective, interactions between adults and children are key variables for learning processes, especially in early childhood. The following paper focuses on such interactions that emerge in ‘mathematical situations of play and exploration’ in German kindergartens. These mathematical situations are conducted by adults who are specially trained in so-called ‘design patterns of mathematical situations’. The paper examines within this context the extent to which interactions carried out by such trained adults are characterized by a high degree of adaptive moves by the adult and a high degree of interactional responsiveness. For this purpose, the construct of responsiveness is presented and two scenes from a German kindergarten are analyzed. Finally, the empirical findings of the paper draw initial conclusions for a professional development concept for preschool teachers based on the determined ‘patterns’.
The Appearance of Playfulness in Swedish Preschool Class Mathematics Teaching
Authors: Björklund Camilla , Elofsson Jessica
Published: September 2023

This paper reports on an investigation of how playfulness and mathematics as a content for learning appear in mathematics teaching about numbers with six-year-olds in Sweden. A total of 81 observations of teaching activities are qualitatively analyzed, resulting in three appearances: mathematical content as the primary task; exploring the mathematical content in a relevant context; and the mathematical task situated in a playful context. These entail different opportunities for the six-year-olds to experience meaningful mathematics. The paper discusses the significance of playfulness as a feature of mathematics teaching in early education, and particularly brings to the fore nuances in different ways of making playfulness an asset in teaching.
I Can Do It on My Own?! Evaluation of Types of Implementation of Digital Game-Based Learning in Early Mathematics Education
Authors: Birklein Laura , Steinweg Anna Susanne
Published: September 2023

This contribution gives exemplary insight in some results of the project EfEKt. The study evaluates different aspects of the implementation of the tablet app MaiKe, which has been developed to support mathematical competencies of children aged 4–6. The use of digital media in early childhood education is often discussed very critically in Germany. The research design, therefore, compares differences between free and supervised settings of use implementation in two designs for intervention groups. Above all, EfEKt investigates the effect of the app use on the development of children’s mathematical competencies. Our results show that a free play setting does not lead to an extensive use of digital media. The pre- and post-test results show statistically relevant positive effects of the MaiKe app use on the development of mathematical competencies in both intervention groups compared to a control group. Qualitative analyses indicate that the participating children use more sophisticated mathematical strategies over the course of the intervention period.
Freeze-in dark matter via lepton portal: Hubble tension and stellar cooling
Authors: Xu Zixuan , Xu Shuai , Zhang Ruopeng , Zheng Sibo
Published: September 2023

Abstract

We propose a new freeze-in dark matter candidate which feebly couples to the standard model charged leptons. The feeble interactions allow it (i) to freeze-in from the Standard Model thermal bath with its relic density being either a fraction or the entirety of the observed dark matter density and (ii) to radiatively decay to two photons in the dark matter mass ranges of order keV scale with lifetime larger than the age of Universe. These features make this model a realistic realization of dark matter with late-time decay to reduce Hubble tension. We show the best-fit value of H0 = 68.31(69.34) km s−1Mpc−1 in light of Planck 2018+BAO(+LSS)+Pantheon data sets. We then use stellar cooling data to place constraints on the parameter space favored by the Hubble tension. While the universal coupling scenario is excluded, the hierarchical coupling scenario can be tested by future observations of white dwarfs after a careful look into photon inverse decay, Primakoff and Bremsstrahlung emission of the dark matter in various stellar systems. The viable parameter space may be linked to anomalies in future X-ray telescopes.
The 3-wave resonant interaction model: spectra and instabilities of plane waves
Authors: Romano Marzia , Lombardo Sara , Sommacal Matteo
Published: September 2023

The three wave resonant interaction model (3WRI) is a non-dispersive system with quadratic coupling between the components that finds application in many areas, including nonlinear optics, fluids and plasma physics. Using its integrability, and in particular its Lax Pair representation, we carry out the linear stability analysis of the plane wave solutions interacting under resonant conditions when they are perturbed via localised perturbations. A topological classification of the so-called stability spectra is provided with respect to the physical parameters appearing both in the system itself and in its plane wave solution. Alongside the stability spectra, we compute the corresponding gain function, from which we deduce that this system is linearly unstable for any generic choice of the physical parameters. In addition to stability spectra of the same kind observed in the system of two coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations, whose non-vanishing gain functions detect the occurrence of the modulational instability, the stability spectra of the 3WRI system possess new topological components, whose associated gain functions are different from those characterising the modulational instability. By drawing on a recent link between modulational instability and the occurrence of rogue waves, we speculate that linear instability of baseband-type can be a necessary condition for the onset of rogue wave types in the 3WRI system, thus providing a tool to predict the subsequent nonlinear evolution of the perturbation.
Image synthesis from an ethical perspective
Authors: Bendel Oliver
Published: September 2023

Generative AI has gained a lot of attention in society, business, and science. This trend has increased since 2018, and the big breakthrough came in 2022. In particular, AI-based text and image generators are now widely used. This raises a variety of ethical issues. The present paper first gives an introduction to generative AI and then to applied ethics in this context. Three specific image generators are presented: DALL-E 2, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney. The author goes into technical details and basic principles, and compares their similarities and differences. This is followed by an ethical discussion. The paper addresses not only risks, but opportunities for generative AI. A summary with an outlook rounds off the article.
Effect of soil bioremediation on soil microbial community structure aimed at controlling tobacco bacterial wilt
Authors: Liu Yanxia , Li Han , Li Xiang , Zhang Heng , Zhu Jingwei , Peng Yu , Sun Guangjun , Xu Jian
Published: September 2023

Rebuilding soil healthy microbiota is very important for preventing bacterial wilt. A 3-year-long field trial was conducted in China as follows: T1 (conventional fertilization), T2 (T1 + liming), T3 (T1 + bioorganic fertilizer), and T4 (T2 + bioorganic fertilizer). Fluorescence quantitative PCR and high-throughput sequencing were employed to study the dynamics of Ralstonia solanacearum population, microbial community, and network organizations between bacteria and quality-related variables. After 3 years of bioremediation, the control efficacy of tobacco bacterial wilt reached 61.30% and the occurrence delayed by approximately 40 days in T4, which had the highest tobacco yield and output value. The pathogen population of T4 remained below 106 copies/g soil during the entire growth period. Role-shifts prevailed among the network members. Microbes were unipathically associated with variables in T1 but multiplex in T4. In conclusion, soil bioremediation rebuilds a healthy soil microbiota and forms a more interactive and relevant micro-system, thus effectively controlling tobacco bacterial wilt.

Key points

• This is the first time to effectively bio-control tobacco bacterial wilt in practical production in China, as well as to high-efficiently use the organic waste, thus promoting the organic cycling of the environment.

• Soil bioremediation can effectively control soil-borne disease by rebuilding soil healthy microbiota and reducing abundance of pathogenic bacteria, thereby to prevent the soil borne disease occurrence.

• After the soil remediated, microbes associated with soil and tobacco characteristics changed from unipathical to multiplex, and the keystone species play different roles compared with the original soil, thus signifying the complexity of multi-species interactions and achieving a closely relevant micro-system, which was ecologically meaningful to the environment.
On the Role of the Displacement Current and the Cattaneo’s Law on Boundary Layers of Plasma
Authors: Aarach Nacer , De Anna Francesco , Paicu Marius , Zhu Ning
Published: September 2023

In the present paper, we aim to mathematically analyse the role of the displacement current and the Cattaneo’s law on the boundary-layer theory of plasma, when the corresponding characteristic speed is relativistic. We restrict our analysis to two-dimensional flows and we study the asymptotic limit of the Navier–Stokes–Maxwell equations with Cattaneo’s law near a bounding flat line, when the Hartmann, Reynolds and magnetic Reynolds numbers proportionally diverge to $$\infty $$
∞
. The goal of this paper is twofold. We first show that the extended version of the Navier–Stokes–Maxwell equations leads to a new family of boundary layers, which are hyperbolic both on the momentum equation and the Ampere’s law. Secondly, we address the well-posedness of the derived equations and show the existence of global-in-time analytic solutions for small initial data. Our modelling highlights which conditions on the dimensionless parameters allow to interpret the proposed system as boundary layers with thickness typical of Prandtl or Hartmann. Furthermore, our development shows that the conditions related to Hartmann might be more physically acceptable. Finally, our analysis suggests that the Cattaneo’s law and the displacement current might indeed stabilize the derived system in terms of existence of global-in-time analytic solutions.
The impact of a second MRI and re-biopsy in patients with initial negative mpMRI-targeted and systematic biopsy for PIRADS ≥ 3 lesions
Authors: Zattoni Fabio , Pereira Leonor J. Paulino , Marra Giancarlo , Valerio Massimo , Olivier Jonathan , Puche-Sanz Ignacio , Rajwa Pawel , Maggi Martina , Campi Riccardo , Amparore Daniele , De Cillis Sabrina , Junlong Zhuang , Guo Hongqian , La Bombarda Giulia , Fuschi Andrea , Veccia Alessandro , Ditonno Francesco , Marquis Alessandro , Barletta Francesco , Leni Riccardo , Serni Sergio , Kasivisvanathan Veeru , Antonelli Alessandro , Dal Moro Fabrizio , Rivas Juan Gomez , van den Bergh Roderick C. N. , Briganti Alberto , Gandaglia Giorgio , Novara Giacomo
Published: September 2023

Objective

To evaluate the proportions of detected prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant PCa (csPCa), as well as identify clinical predictors of PCa, in patients with PI-RADS >  = 3 lesion at mpMRI and initial negative targeted and systematic biopsy (initial biopsy) who underwent a second MRI and a re-biopsy.

Methods

A total of 290 patients from 10 tertiary referral centers were included. The primary outcome measures were the presence of PCa and csPCa at re-biopsy. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate predictors of PCa and csPCa, adjusting for relevant covariates.

Results

Forty-two percentage of patients exhibited the presence of a new lesion. Furthermore, at the second MRI, patients showed stable, upgrading, and downgrading PI-RADS lesions in 42%, 39%, and 19%, respectively. The interval from the initial to repeated mpMRI and from the initial to repeated biopsy was 16 mo (IQR 12–20) and 18 mo (IQR 12–21), respectively. One hundred and eight patients (37.2%) were diagnosed with PCa and 74 (25.5%) with csPCa at re-biopsy. The presence of ASAP on the initial biopsy strongly predicted the presence of PCa and csPCa at re-biopsy. Furthermore, PI-RADS scores at the first and second MRI and a higher number of systematic biopsy cores at first and second biopsy were independent predictors of the presence of PCa and csPCa. Selection bias cannot be ruled out.

Conclusions

Persistent PI-RADS ≥ 3 at the second MRI is suggestive of the presence of a not negligible proportion of csPca. These findings contribute to the refinement of risk stratification for men with initial negative MRI-TBx.