bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regret Now, Compensate It Later: The Benefits of Experienced Regret on Future Altruism
Authors: Lu Teng , Liang Dapeng , Hong Mei , Sun Jiayin
Published: April 2022

This article explores how experienced regret and relief evoked in a risky gambling task influence subsequent intertemporal pro-social behavior. We apply a dictator game experiment with delayed rewards to investigate the effect on donating behavior by simultaneously the time delay when the recipient accepts the donation and the emotions experienced by the participant. We examine this effect using a choice titration procedure. The results reveal that independent of the prior experienced emotions, participants’ donations decrease as the time delay rises; the hyperbolic model provides a better explanation of this finding. Significantly, experienced regret impacts the shape of the social discount function with delayed rewards, which is reflected in notably different discount rates. Participants who experienced regret exhibit a lower discount rate than those in the relief condition. Note that this distinct type of generosity differs significantly at the 14-day delay but not at the shortest and longest. It follows that regret can promote future altruism and intertemporal pro-social behavior, depending on the delay.
Sustainable Economic Development Through Entrepreneurship: A Study on Attitude, Opportunity Recognition, and Entrepreneurial Intention Among University Students in Malaysia
Authors: Wiramihardja Karina , N’dary Varha , Al Mamun Abdullah , Munikrishnan Uma Thevi , Yang Qing , Salamah Anas A. , Hayat Naeem
Published: April 2022

This study explored the effect of attitude towards entrepreneurship (ATE), need for achievement (NFA), risk-taking propensity (RTP), proactive personality (PRP), self-efficacy (SLE), opportunity recognition competency (ORC), entrepreneurship education, uncertainty avoidance (UNA), and entrepreneurial knowledge (ENK) on entrepreneurial intention (ENIN) among university students in Malaysia. This quantitative study had adopted the cross-sectional design approach and involved 391 university students in Malaysia via the online survey. The study outcomes revealed that the NFA, PRP, and SLE significantly affect students’ attitudes towards entrepreneurship. Moreover, entrepreneurship education and UNA significantly affect ORC. Finally, ATE has a positive and significant effect on ENIN among university students in Malaysia. As entrepreneurship offers an alternative career path for people seeking economic prosperity and addressing social issues, including unemployment, the government should formulate effective policies and regulations that support entrepreneurship activities. Universities and other institutions should play a pivotal role in providing the proper exposure via entrepreneurship education while honing the essential traits for a career in entrepreneurship.
COVID-19 Lessons and Post-pandemic Recovery: A Case of Latvia
Authors: Šteinbuka Inna , Austers Aldis , Barānovs Oļegs , Malnačs Normunds
Published: April 2022

The decision of EU and the response of the national governments to COVID-19 crisis provide the basis for returning “back to normal”. A key challenge is the transition to economic recovery in the presence of the ongoing COVID-19 risk. Adequate policy mix and forward-looking actions of the public institutions are crucial to mitigate the devastating impact of the crisis and to preserve growth. Governments need to facilitate positive changes in the labor market, adjust the macroeconomic and fiscal regimes, and mitigate the post-crisis “fatigue” of societies. The turmoil of the EU economy is symmetrical, as the pandemic has affected all EU Member States, but the impact of the pandemic varies considerably from one country to another, as does their ability to absorb the economic crisis. Also, variation in the vaccination performance is partly due to different institutional characteristics across countries. Small countries are more vulnerable to external economic shocks; however, they can increase their resilience by efficient governance and social response. Extraordinary pandemic crisis can be seen as a stress test for the small and open Latvian economy, and it is worth analyzing the lessons that Latvia had learned and its future prospects. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the economic and social consequences of the ongoing crisis in Latvia, assess the effectiveness of the response of the government to the crisis, analyse people's perceptions, and to identify the future scenarios. The authors applied a special theoretical framework for the assessment of the effectiveness of institutions. Institutional analysis of crises response by the Latvian government reveals that the government managed to avoid serious functional disruptions; however, it failed to show convincing ability to learn by doing. The authors also provide a comprehensive analysis of the macroeconomic trends of the “COVID-sick” Latvian economy and conclude that future-oriented solutions relate to international competitiveness and that the key factor of competitiveness is a productivity renaissance. The pandemic crisis has fostered the state support for healthcare, which in Latvia for decades has been underfinanced. The right choice of fiscal instruments is crucial to accelerate the economic recovery and better healthcare. Research is based on the macroeconomic assessment and survey-based analysis. The comparison of statistically justified findings with the public perception helps formulate conclusions on the future scenarios and policies.
A Scoping Review on Shoulder Injuries of Wheelchair Tennis Players: Potential Risk-Factors and Musculoskeletal Adaptations
Authors: Mayrhuber Laura , Rietveld Thomas , de Vries Wiebe , van der Woude Lucas H. V. , de Groot Sonja , Vegter Riemer J. K.
Published: April 2022

Wheelchair tennis players are prone to develop shoulder injuries, due to the combination of wheelchair propulsion, overhead activities and daily wheelchair activities. A methodical literature search was conducted to identify articles on shoulder complaints in wheelchair tennis, wheelchair sports and tennis. The aims were to identify (1) type of shoulder complaints; (2) possible risk factors for the development of shoulder injuries; (3) musculoskeletal adaptations in the shoulder joint in wheelchair tennis players. Fifteen papers were included in this review, five on wheelchair tennis, three on wheelchair sports and seven on tennis. Type of shoulder complaints were acromioclavicular pathology, osteoarthritic changes, joint effusion and rotator cuff tears. Possible risk factors for the development of shoulder injuries in wheelchair tennis are overhead movements, repetitive activation of the anterior muscle chain and internal rotators, as well as a higher spinal cord injury level. Muscular imbalance with higher values for the internal rotators, increase in external range of motion, decrease in internal range of motion and reduced total arc of motion were the most common proposed musculoskeletal adaptations due to an unbalanced load. These presented risk factors and musculoskeletal adaptations might help researchers, coaches and wheelchair tennis players to prevent shoulder injuries.
How Did COVID-19 Change Opinions and Behaviors in the Netherlands?
Authors: Antonides Gerrit , Goedegebure Robert , van Leeuwen Eveline
Published: April 2022

The early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to a number of behavioral adaptations among Dutch citizens, possibly due to restrictions because of lockdowns, changed orientations toward work, and changes in consumer sentiment. These factors theoretically predict a number of changes in behavior that may have affected people in diverse circumstances in different ways. Among the variables that we study are financial behaviors, health, happiness and emotions. We explore how these variables were affected among households with different sociodemographic conditions, including urbanization, income, gender and age. We use representative panel data from 2019 and 2020 including relevant information from about 2,800 Dutch citizens to study a number of changes primarily during the initial lockdown period in 2020 as compared with the normal situation in 2019. We use regression analysis to estimate the Difference-in-Difference effects of the lockdown in 2020 as compared with the state of affairs in 2019. We find several lockdown effects on transitory thoughts and feelings, i.e., price perceptions, household financial management, emotions, and social relations, of which some effects strongly differ between urban and rural areas. We did not find evidence for more long-lasting effects, for example, on savings, perceived health, and (un)healthy behaviors, although these might have occurred later during the pandemic.
Exploring the Potential of Mobile Laser Scanning to Quantify Forest Structural Complexity
Authors: Neudam Liane , Annighöfer Peter , Seidel Dominik
Published: April 2022

Today, creating or maintaining forest structural complexity is a management paradigm in many countries due to the positive relationships between structural complexity and several forest functions and services. In this study, we tested whether the box-dimension (Db), a holistic and objective measure to describe the structural complexity of trees or forests, can be used to quantify the structural complexity of 14 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) dominated forest plots by means of mobile laser scanning (MLS). The goal of this study was to explore the potential of this approach for quantifying the effect of leaves (summer vs winter) and management (lately unmanaged vs managed) on forest structural complexity. The findings suggest that repeated measurements on the same site and at the same time yielded consistent results if the measuring scheme is standardized. The results also showed that standardized measurement protocols allowed quantifying differences in forest structural complexity due to season. The highest stand structural complexity was found in leaf-on condition during summer, with the complexity being significantly higher than in winter condition. Also, in case of our beech-dominated plots, managed forests were more complex in structure than formerly managed but now unmanaged forests. This study illustrates the potential of MLS for monitoring the changes in forest structural complexity and allows correcting stand structural information for seasonality.
Mathematical Model for the Optimization of Municipal Solid Waste Management
Authors: Barma Modu , Biniyamin Hamisu Kyauta , Modibbo Umar Muhammad , Gaya Hammandikko Mu'azu
Published: April 2022

Solid waste management (SWM) is central to any nation experiencing rapid expansion via urbanization, migration, and population growth. Waste management is crucial in every country since it can directly affect people's health and the environment. For example, cholera outbreaks in some developing countries like Nigeria are common in congested areas, especially during the particular season. Therefore, efficient and effective Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) is necessary. This study developed a mixed-integer optimization model for MSW of Kano State Nigeria. The model optimizes the total cost of SWM, which includes the cost of transporting different types of waste between other locations plus the fixed cost of establishing and maintaining/operating some facilities. The analysis further reveals that the government should establish 20 standard collection centers having a capacity of 60 tons. With one combusting and hazardous centers each having capacity of 391 and 81 tons, respectively, and two recycling, composting, and disposal centers, each having a total of 240, 200, and 113 tons, respectively. Incorporating the recovery process in the SWM policy reduces the number of disposal centers, and more than 80% of the daily generated wastes are recoverable. Hence, the government would save considerable resources (costs) and generate revenues from the approach once implemented.
Moving Is Not as Simple as You May Think
Authors: Hug François , Tucker Kylie , Dick Taylor J. M.
Published: April 2022

An athlete who runs. A child who grasps a piece of candy. A teacher who talks. A person who eats. What do all these people have in common? They are producing movements, often without even thinking about them. Moving seems easy. However, it might surprise you, but there is still a lot to learn about the way we produce movement. Producing movement is a complex process that involves many structures in the body. Did you know that grasping a piece of candy requires your brain to send electrical impulses to many different muscles? These impulses tell each of your muscles when and how hard to contract. Muscles need to contract in a coordinated way. If not, you will not grab your preferred piece of candy. Understanding how movement is produced will help doctors to assist people with movement disorders, and this understanding could also help to develop training strategies for athletes.
How Can the Microorganisms Living in Marine Sponges Help Us?
Authors: Ribeiro Beatriz de Carvalho , Lopes Isabelle Rodrigues , de Oliveira Bruno Francesco Rodrigues , Laport Marinella Silva
Published: April 2022

Enzymes are important molecules that help chemical reactions in living beings happen faster and easier. Did you know that enzymes are present in many products used in our daily lives? Enzymes are present in detergents, in our pets’ food and in our own food. Sponges that live in the oceans need help from enzymes, too. Microscopic organisms make their homes on marine sponges, and these microbial partners produce enzymes that help the sponges with nutrient digestion! These useful enzymes can also be used by humans in the food industry, such as in the production of bread and cheese, as well as in detergents and cleaning pollutants. In this article, we will explore the enzymes produced by microorganisms living within marine sponges and describe some ways that these enzymes can be used in industry.
The Many Faces of Lyme Disease
Authors: Gerlach Eva , Nowak Tristan A. , Lin Yi-Pin , Kraiczy Peter
Published: April 2022

In 1975, many children and adults in Lyme, a coastal town in Connecticut, USA, and the surrounding areas were suffering from severe joint pain. The doctors did not know what caused this mysterious disease, but they knew that the affected children had one thing in common: they had been bitten by ticks! Several years later, scientists discovered that these ticks carried tiny bacteria inside of them. The bacteria were named Borrelia burgdorferi, and they were the reason why those children and adults fell ill. Borrelia are very small and have a long, corkscrew shape. They can only be observed under a special microscope. Moreover, they can do harm to many different parts of the body. How can such tiny microbes damage the human body, and what can we do to protect ourselves against them? Keep reading to learn more!
Trick or Treat: Can Superbacteria Exist in Our Seafood?
Authors: Canellas Anna Luiza Bauer , Barbosa Mariana Anjo , Costa Wellington Felipe da , Laport Marinella Silva
Published: April 2022

Superbacteria are an important health issue. That is because they survive treatment with several bacteria-killing drugs, called antibiotics. When antibiotics do not kill bacteria, it is harder to treat infections, and even simple infections can become fatal. Although superbacteria are widely studied in hospitals, their presence in the environment remains underexplored. In this article, we will tell you about a type of bacteria called Shewanella, which we found in sea urchins. Sea urchins are often eaten in many countries. We found that some samples of Shewanella from sea urchins could survive antibiotics. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in seafood tells us that these superbacteria do not only exist in hospitals, and our finding highlights the need to address the serious health issue posed by superbacteria.
A Super-Microsurgery Training Model: The Mouse Caudal Artery Anastomosis Model
Authors: Wu Xue-Qiang , Liu Hui-Ren , Yu Zhan-Yong , Wang Yan , Sun Ru-Tao , Wang Li , Gao Yuan
Published: April 2022

Objective

To establish a simple and practical model for super-microsurgery training using the middle caudal arteries of Kunming mice.

Methods

A ⊔-shaped incision was made approximately 1 cm from the root of the tail in the mouse, and the skin, together with the subcutaneous tissue, was turned up into a rectangular shape to the opposite side with exposure of the mouse middle caudal artery and the accompanying veins. The artery was freed for approximately 1 cm in length. The middle caudal artery was cut transversely at the site, and then the severed middle caudal artery was anastomosed end-to-end using 12-0 microsutures in the order of 6, 12, 3, and 9 o'clock with four stitches.

Results

The mouse caudal artery had a constant anatomical location accompanied by a vein. The immediate postoperative patency after vascular anastomosis was 100% (15/15) in all mouse models, the postoperative patency was 100% (5/5), 80% (4/5), and 75% (3/4) at 24 h, 3 days, and 1 week postoperatively, respectively. The outer diameter of the mouse middle caudal artery was 0.2 ~ 0.3 (0.22 ± 0.03) mm. The vascular anastomosis time was 6.5 ~ 15 (11.0 ± 2.5) min.

Conclusion

The mouse middle caudal artery was superficially located and anatomically constant, making it easy to be located and exposed. The small size of the opening made it suitable for establishing a useful model for training in super-microsurgery vascular anastomoses.
Non-intubated Thoracic Surgery: Wedge Resections for Peripheral Pulmonary Nodules
Authors: Ambrogi Vincenzo , Patirelis Alexandro , Tajè Riccardo
Published: April 2022

The feasibility of performing pulmonary resections of peripheral lung nodules has been one of the main objectives of non-intubated thoracic surgery. The aim was to obtain histological characterization and extend a radical intended treatment to oncological patients unfit for general anesthesia or anatomic pulmonary resections. There is mounting evidence for the role of wedge resection in early-stage lung cancer treatment, especially for frail patients unfit for general anesthesia and anatomic resections with nodules, demonstrating a non-aggressive biological behavior. General anesthesia with single lung ventilation has been associated with a higher risk of ventilator-induced barotrauma and volotrauma as well as atelectasis in both the dependent and non-dependent lungs. Nonetheless, general anesthesia has been shown to impair the host immune system, eventually favoring both tumoral relapses and post-operative complications. Thus, non-intubated wedge resection seems to definitely balance tolerability with oncological radicality in highly selected patients. Nonetheless, differently from other non-surgical techniques, non-intubated wedge resection allows for histological characterization and possible oncological targeted treatment. For these reasons, non-intubated wedge resection is a fundamental skill in the core training of a thoracic surgeon. Main indications, surgical tips, and post-operative management strategies are hereafter presented. Non-intubated wedge resection is one of the new frontiers in minimal invasive management of patients with lung cancer and may become a standard in the armamentarium of a thoracic surgeon. Appropriate patient selection and VATS expertise are crucial to obtaining good results.
Using Learning Theories to Develop a Veterinary Student Preparedness Toolkit for Workplace Clinical Training
Authors: Routh Jennifer , Paramasivam Sharmini Julita , Cockcroft Peter , Nadarajah Vishna Devi , Jeevaratnam Kamalan
Published: April 2022

Learning theories are abstract descriptions which help us make sense of educational practice. Multiple theories can inform our understanding of a single concept, in this case: veterinary workplace clinical training (WCT), which occurs just prior to students' graduation as competent veterinary surgeons. The competency movement has strongly influenced reforms in veterinary education and is considered important. In reflection of this, the term “preparedness” is operationalised here as a measure of the likelihood that the veterinary student is going to be a competent learner and participant during WCT. Preparedness itself is therefore important because it directly impacts performance. Workplace clinical training is explored through the lenses of cognitivist, social constructivist and socio-culturalist learning theories and used to inform student preparedness characteristics (“tools”) in terms of their behaviours, personal attributes, knowledge and skills, and awarenesses to optimise learning and participation. These form a new conceptual framework—the “Preparedness Toolkit.”
Highly Efficient Autologous HIV-1 Isolation by Coculturing Macrophage With Enriched CD4+ T Cells From HIV-1 Patients
Authors: Xufré Cristina , González Tanía , Leal Lorna , Trubey Charles M. , Lifson Jeffrey D. , Gatell José María , Alcamí José , Climent Núria , García Felipe , Sánchez-Palomino Sonsoles
Published: April 2022

We described a novel HIV autologous isolation method based in coculturing macrophages and CD4+T-cell-enriched fractions from peripheral blood collected from antiretroviral-treated (ART) HIV patients. This method allows the isolation of high viral titers of autologous viruses, over 1010HIV RNA copies/ml, and reduces the time required to produce necessary amounts for virus for use as antigens presented by monocyte-derived myeloid cells in HIV therapeutic vaccine approaches. By applying these high titer and autologous virus produced in the patient-derived cells, we intended to elicit a boost of the immunological system response in HIV therapeutic vaccines in clinical trials.
Promising Photocytotoxicity of Water-Soluble Phtalocyanine against Planktonic and Biofilm Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Lower Respiratory Tract and Chronic Wounds
Authors: Szczolko Wojciech , Ratajczak Magdalena , Koczorowski Tomasz , Kaminska Dorota , Goslinski Tomasz , Dlugaszewska Jolanta
Published: April 2022

Alternative methods of killing microbes have been extensively researched in connection with the widespread appearance of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria. In this study, we report on in vitro antimicrobial phototoxicity research of cationic phthalocyanine with 2-(4-N-methylmorpholin-4-ium-4-yl)ethoxy substituents against selected clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the lower respiratory tract and chronic wounds. The microorganisms tested in the research were analyzed in terms of drug resistance and biofilm formation. The photocytotoxic effect of phthalocyanine was determined by the reduction factor of bacteria. The studied cationic phthalocyanine at a concentration of 1.0 × 10−4 M, when activated by light, revealed a significant reduction factor, ranging from nearly 4 to 6 log, of P. aeruginosa cells when compared to the untreated control group. After single irradiation, a decrease in the number of bacteria in biofilm ranging from 1.3 to 4.2 log was observed, whereas the second treatment significantly improved the bacterial reduction factor from 3.4 to 5.5 log. It is worth mentioning that a boosted cell-death response was observed after the third irradiation, with a bacterial reduction factor ranging from 4.6 to 6.4 log. According to the obtained results, the tested photosensitizer can be considered as a potential antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa.
Intelligent Ultra-Light Deep Learning Model for Multi-Class Brain Tumor Detection
Authors: Qureshi Shahzad Ahmad , Raza Shan E. Ahmed , Hussain Lal , Malibari Areej A. , Nour Mohamed K. , Rehman Aziz ul , Al-Wesabi Fahd N. , Hilal Anwer Mustafa
Published: April 2022

The diagnosis and surgical resection using Magnetic Resonance (MR) images in brain tumors is a challenging task to minimize the neurological defects after surgery owing to the non-linear nature of the size, shape, and textural variation. Radiologists, clinical experts, and brain surgeons examine brain MRI scans using the available methods, which are tedious, error-prone, time-consuming, and still exhibit positional accuracy up to 2–3 mm, which is very high in the case of brain cells. In this context, we propose an automated Ultra-Light Brain Tumor Detection (UL-BTD) system based on a novel Ultra-Light Deep Learning Architecture (UL-DLA) for deep features, integrated with highly distinctive textural features, extracted by Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM). It forms a Hybrid Feature Space (HFS), which is used for tumor detection using Support Vector Machine (SVM), culminating in high prediction accuracy and optimum false negatives with limited network size to fit within the average GPU resources of a modern PC system. The objective of this study is to categorize multi-class publicly available MRI brain tumor datasets with a minimum time thus real-time tumor detection can be carried out without compromising accuracy. Our proposed framework includes a sensitivity analysis of image size, One-versus-All and One-versus-One coding schemes with stringent efforts to assess the complexity and reliability performance of the proposed system with K-fold cross-validation as a part of the evaluation protocol. The best generalization achieved using SVM has an average detection rate of 99.23% (99.18%, 98.86%, and 99.67%), and F-measure of 0.99 (0.99, 0.98, and 0.99) for (glioma, meningioma, and pituitary tumors), respectively. Our results have been found to improve the state-of-the-art (97.30%) by 2%, indicating that the system exhibits capability for translation in modern hospitals during real-time surgical brain applications. The method needs 11.69 ms with an accuracy of 99.23% compared to 15 ms achieved by the state-of-the-art to earlier to detect tumors on a test image without any dedicated hardware providing a route for a desktop application in brain surgery.
Experimental Investigations of a Tunnel Lining Segment Strengthened by In Situ Spraying Mortar
Authors: Wang Fuzhi , Zeng Cong , Ma Baosong , Gong Chenkun , Liao Baoyong , Zhao Yahong , Ma Chong , Kong Yaozu
Published: April 2022

After long-term operation, tunnel lining segments encounter various problems. Aiming at these problems, in this paper, we present a method of strengthening tunnel lining segments by in situ spraying mortar. An experimental study of the in situ spraying mortar was carried out to determine the compressive strength, flexural strength and interface properties (splitting tensile strength and shear strength) between concrete and H-70 mortar. The experimental results show that the mechanical properties of H-70 mortar are less dependent on the curing humidity than ordinary concrete under standard curing conditions, the 7-day compressive strength of H-70 is 55 MPa, which is 61% of the 28-day compressive strength. This shows that H-70 has high early strength and is very suitable for rapid reinforcement. The interface roughness has a significant effect on the splitting tensile strength, and it can be increased by chiseling to improve the bearing capacity of the strengthened structure. A full-scale loading experiment was carried out on the segment strengthened by in situ spraying mortar. The loading process, failure mode and ultimate bearing capacity of the strengthened structure were analyzed by full-scale loading experiment. The research shows that the ultimate bearing capacity of the tunnel segment strengthened by in situ spraying mortar increased significantly. The ultimate bearing capacity of the strengthened structure is 10% higher than that of the unstrengthened structure. The advantages and disadvantages of in the situ spraying-mortar strengthening method are analyzed in comparison with the internal-tension steel-ring strengthening method.
Advances in the Immunomodulatory Properties of Glycoantigens in Cancer
Authors: da Costa Valeria , Freire Teresa
Published: April 2022

Aberrant glycosylation in tumour progression is currently a topic of main interest. Tumour-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) are expressed in a wide variety of epithelial cancers, being both a diagnostic tool and a potential treatment target, as they have impact on patient outcome and disease progression. Glycans affect both tumour-cell biology properties as well as the antitumor immune response. It has been ascertained that TACAs affect cell migration, invasion and metastatic properties both when expressed by cancer cells or by their extracellular vesicles. On the other hand, tumour-associated glycans recognized by C-type lectin receptors in immune cells possess immunomodulatory properties which enable tumour growth and immune response evasion. Yet, much remains unknown, concerning mechanisms involved in deregulation of glycan synthesis and how this affects cell biology on a major level. This review summarises the main findings to date concerning how aberrant glycans influence tumour growth and immunity, their application in cancer treatment and spotlights of unanswered challenges remaining to be solved.
Biological and Clinical Implications of Gene-Expression Profiling in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Proposal for a Targeted BLYM-777 Consortium Panel as Part of a Multilayered Analytical Approach
Authors: de Groot Fleur A. , de Groen Ruben A. L. , van den Berg Anke , Jansen Patty M. , Lam King H. , Mutsaers Pim G. N. J. , van Noesel Carel J. M. , Chamuleau Martine E. D. , Stevens Wendy B. C. , Plaça Jessica R. , Mous Rogier , Kersten Marie José , van der Poel Marjolein M. W. , Tousseyn Thomas , Woei-a-Jin F. J. Sherida H. , Diepstra Arjan , Nijland Marcel , Vermaat Joost S. P.
Published: April 2022

Gene-expression profiling (GEP) is used to study the molecular biology of lymphomas. Here, advancing insights from GEP studies in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) lymphomagenesis are discussed. GEP studies elucidated subtypes based on cell-of-origin principles and profoundly changed the biological understanding of DLBCL with clinical relevance. Studies integrating GEP and next-generation DNA sequencing defined different molecular subtypes of DLBCL entities originating at specific anatomical localizations. With the emergence of high-throughput technologies, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been recognized as a critical component in DLBCL pathogenesis. TME studies have characterized so-called “lymphoma microenvironments” and “ecotypes”. Despite gained insights, unexplained chemo-refractoriness in DLBCL remains. To further elucidate the complex biology of DLBCL, we propose a novel targeted GEP consortium panel, called BLYM-777. This knowledge-based biology-driven panel includes probes for 777 genes, covering many aspects regarding B-cell lymphomagenesis (f.e., MYC signature, TME, immune surveillance and resistance to CAR T-cell therapy). Regarding lymphomagenesis, upcoming DLBCL studies need to incorporate genomic and transcriptomic approaches with proteomic methods and correlate these multi-omics data with patient characteristics of well-defined and homogeneous cohorts. This multilayered methodology potentially enhances diagnostic classification of DLBCL subtypes, prognostication, and the development of novel targeted therapeutic strategies.
Measurement of Perfusion Heterogeneity within Tumor Habitats on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Its Association with Prognosis in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Cho Hwan-ho , Kim Haejung , Nam Sang Yu , Lee Jeong Eon , Han Boo-Kyung , Ko Eun Young , Choi Ji Soo , Park Hyunjin , Ko Eun Sook
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study was to identify perfusional subregions sharing similar kinetic characteristics from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using data-driven clustering, and to evaluate the effect of perfusional heterogeneity based on those subregions on patients’ survival outcomes in various risk models. From two hospitals, 308 and 147 women with invasive breast cancer who underwent preoperative MRI between October 2011 and July 2012 were retrospectively enrolled as development and validation cohorts, respectively. Using the Cox-least absolute shrinkage and selection operator model, a habitat risk score (HRS) was constructed from the radiomics features from the derived habitat map. An HRS-only, clinical, combined habitat, and two conventional radiomics risk models to predict patients’ disease-free survival (DFS) were built. Patients were classified into low-risk or high-risk groups using the median cutoff values of each risk score. Five habitats with distinct perfusion patterns were identified. An HRS was an independent risk factor for predicting worse DFS outcomes in the HRS-only risk model (hazard ratio = 3.274 [95% CI = 1.378–7.782]; p = 0.014) and combined habitat risk model (hazard ratio = 4.128 [95% CI = 1.744–9.769]; p = 0.003) in the validation cohort. In the validation cohort, the combined habitat risk model (hazard ratio = 4.128, p = 0.003, C-index = 0.760) showed the best performance among five different risk models. The quantification of perfusion heterogeneity is a potential approach for predicting prognosis and may facilitate personalized, tailored treatment strategies for breast cancer.
Real-Time MRI-Guided Prostate Interventions
Authors: Masoom Seyedeh Nina , Sundaram Karthik M. , Ghanouni Pejman , Fütterer Jurgen , Oto Aytekin , Ayyagari Raj , Sprenkle Preston , Weinreb Jeffrey , Arora Sandeep
Published: April 2022

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cause of cancer death in males. Targeting MRI-visible lesions has led to an overall increase in the detection of clinically significant PCa compared to the prior practice of random ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate. Additionally, advances in MRI-guided minimally invasive focal treatments are providing new options for patients with PCa. This review summarizes the currently utilized real-time MRI-guided interventions for PCa diagnosis and treatment.
Assessment of Treatment Response to Lenvatinib in Thyroid Cancer Monitored by F-18 FDG PET/CT Using PERCIST 1.0, Modified PERCIST and EORTC Criteria—Which One Is Most Suitable?
Authors: Rendl Gundula , Schweighofer-Zwink Gregor , Sorko Stefan , Gallowitsch Hans-Jürgen , Hitzl Wolfgang , Reisinger Diana , Pirich Christian
Published: April 2022

Background: We aimed to compare the established metabolic response criteria PERCIST and EORTC for their applicability and predictive value in terms of clinical response assessment early after the initiation of lenvatinib therapy in patients with metastatic radioiodine-refractory (RAI) thyroid cancer (TC). Methods: In 25 patients treated with lenvatinib, baseline and 4-month follow-up F-18 FDG PET/CT images were analyzed using PERCIST 1.0, modified PERCIST (using SUVpeak or SUVmax) and EORTC criteria. Two groups were defined: disease control (DC) and progressive disease (PD), which were correlated with PFS and OS. Results: PERCIST, mPERCIST, PERCISTmax and EORTC could be applied in 80%, 80%, 88% and 100% of the patients based on the requirements of lesion assessment criteria, respectively. With PERCIST, mPERCIST, PERCISTmax and EORTC, the patients classified as DC and PD ranged from 65 to 68% and from 32 to 35%, respectively. Patients with DC exhibited a longer median PFS than patients with PD for EORTC (p < 0.014) and for PERCIST and mPERCIST (p = 0.037), respectively. Conclusion: EORTC and the different PERCIST criteria performed equally regarding the identification of patients with PD requiring treatment changes. However, the applicability of PERCIST 1.0 using SULpeak seems restricted due to the significant proportion of small tumor lesions.
Advanced or Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The Current and Future Role of Radiation Therapy in the Era of Immunotherapy
Authors: Ferini Gianluca , Palmisciano Paolo , Forte Stefano , Viola Anna , Martorana Emanuele , Parisi Silvana , Valenti Vito , Fichera Corrado , Umana Giuseppe Emmanuele , Pergolizzi Stefano
Published: April 2022

Radiation therapy (RT) is an effective therapeutic option for small localized cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) among patients who are not eligible for or refuse surgery. RT also has a defined role as an adjuvant treatment in cases of adverse features that predispose to tumor recurrence after local excision. Since the development of cSCC is often a late consequence of chronic sun exposure, its occurrence is more common among elderly patients whose comorbidities may contraindicate surgical procedures. These could be impeded not only by frail medical conditions but also by technical issues. Indeed, an aggressive locoregional behavior of cSCC may culminate in unresectability due to widespread invasion of neighboring tissues. Moreover, cSCC could develop distant metastases. Both locally advanced and metastatic cSCCs carry a poor prognosis. In these scenarios, recent discoveries of tumor molecular targets are promoting the use of promising systemic therapies, especially immunotherapy, over RT. However, the results from using immunotherapy and, even more so, of chemotherapy are still not optimal. By contrast, advances in radiation delivery equipment can safely treat even large and complex-shaped cSCC targets in challenging body sites. In addition, RT could also have a role in metastatic cSCC settings by enhancing the effectiveness of concomitant immunotherapy. The aim of this review is to summarize and comment on the body of literature about the use of radiotherapy for operable and inoperable locally advanced cSCCs and for metastatic ones in an attempt to define its current and future role.
Preparation and Temperature Susceptibility Evaluation of Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt Applied in Alpine Regions
Authors: Zong Youjie , Xiong Rui , Tian Yaogang , Chang Mingfeng , Wang Xiaowen , Yu Jiahao , Zhang Yixing , Feng Baozhu , Wang Haoyu , Li Chuang
Published: April 2022

In alpine regions, the durability of asphalt pavement is worse due to the harsh climate. However, crumb rubber modified asphalt has the potential to improve the durability of pavement. Based on matrix asphalt, crumb rubber, Trans-Polyoctenamer Rubber Reactive Modifier (TOR), and an orthogonal test, the preparation scheme of crumb rubber modified asphalt suitable for alpine regions was obtained. The crumb rubber was selected 30 mesh, and the content of crumb rubber was 24% of the quality of matrix asphalt. Shearing time was 60 min, and preparation temperature was 205 °C. Shearing rate was 5000 r/min, and optimum TOR content was set as 4.5% of the quality of crumb rubber. The temperature susceptibility of matrix asphalt (JZ), crumb rubber modified asphalt (AR), crumb rubber modified asphalt mixed with TOR (TAR) was investigated. The high temperature performance indexes, including phase angle, the complex modulus index, and rutting factor, and the low temperature performance indexes including creep rate and stiffness modulus, the ratio of creep rate and stiffness modulus, Burgers model parameters, dissipated energy ratio, and the derivative of creep compliance were analyzed in depth with multiple parameters. Meanwhile, the mechanisms of prepared AR and TAR were explored. The results indicate that the PG grading is PG64-22 of JZ, PG70-34 of AR, and PG82-28 of TAR. The deformation resistance of TAR at high temperature is superior to AR. The addition of crumb rubber not only improves the temperature susceptibility, but also enhances its viscoelasticity at low temperatures. After the crumb rubber swell in the asphalt system, the network structures are crosslinked and the physical and chemical effects are produced, such as cracking and repolymerization in the asphalt system. TOR can further enhance the swelling and network crosslinking effects of rubber-asphalt. The TAR has the strongest weather resistance. The study provides guidance for AR and TAR to be used in alpine regions.
Herbivory by Geese Inhibits Tidal Freshwater Wetland Restoration Success
Authors: Jobe Justus , Krafft Cairn , Milton Mikaila , Gedan Keryn
Published: April 2022

Experimental results from a multi-year exclosure study (2009–2015) demonstrate strong effects of geese on plant cover and species diversity in an urban, restored tidal freshwater wetland. Access by geese inhibited plant establishment and suppressed plant diversity, particularly of annual plant species. Our experimental results demonstrate that the protection of newly restored tidal freshwater wetlands from geese is a make-or-break management activity that will determine the composition and long-term persistence of vegetation at the site. The causal herbivore, in this case, was resident, non-migratory Canada geese (Branta canadensis), which have increased dramatically over the last several decades and had high population densities throughout the study period. These findings suggest that management activities to reduce the population sizes of non-migratory goose populations will support greater wetland plant diversity.
Nested Decomposition Approach for Dispatch Optimization of Large-Scale, Integrated Electricity, Methane and Hydrogen Infrastructures
Authors: Löhr Lukas , Houben Raphael , Guntermann Carolin , Moser Albert
Published: April 2022

Energy system integration enables raising operational synergies by coupling the energy infrastructures for electricity, methane, and hydrogen. However, this coupling reinforces the infrastructure interdependencies, increasing the need for integrated modeling of these infrastructures. To analyze the cost-efficient, sustainable, and secure dispatch of applied, large-scale energy infrastructures, an extensive and non-linear optimization problem needs to be solved. This paper introduces a nested decomposition approach with three stages. The method enables an integrated and full-year consideration of large-scale multi-energy systems in hourly resolution, taking into account physical laws of power flows in electricity and gas transmission systems as boundary conditions. For this purpose, a zooming technique successively reduces the temporal scope while first increasing the spatial and last the technical resolution. A use case proves the applicability of the presented approach to large-scale energy systems. To this end, the model is applied to an integrated European energy system model with a detailed focus on Germany in a challenging transport situation. The use case demonstrates the temporal, regional, and cross-sectoral interdependencies in the dispatch of integrated energy infrastructures and thus the benefits of the introduced approach.
Arcs of Fire: Pyrophilia in Iracema, O que arde and Huachicolero
Authors: Trevathan John H.
Published: April 2022

This essay examines three films that express a particular affinity with fire: Ircaema: Uma Transa Amazônica (1974), O que arde (2019) and Huachicolero (2019). While focusing on disparate socio-political settings, all three share an improvised, amateur style, utilizing raw and vulnerable filmmaking, involving risks for the cast and crew. Each film’s arc of fire has its own tempo unique to a time and a place, constructing an idiosyncratic representation of a novel fire regime, characterizing flames in terms of pattern, frequency and intensity. The protagonists in all three films possess forms of pyrophilia as they negotiate life on the screen burning in front of our eyes. The fires these films show us are the feral spawn of extractive economic practices at the core of modernity: logging, monoculture farming and oil extraction. In this regard, the wildfires analyzed here do not carry out a vital metabolic function for biomes but rather harm or possibly erase ecosystems and the biodiversity they sustain. In turn, such pyrotechnics have enabled different forms of fugitivity, insofar as the protagonists in these films are in flight from their own entanglement within these combustible landscapes.
Art and Land: Eucalyptus Plantations in Brazilian Documentaries
Authors: Gesteira Santiago G.
Published: April 2022

In Brazil, since the early 2000s, different documentaries have raised awareness about the problematic issues that tree plantations, especially eucalyptus, provoke, as they are propagated across the country. By means of interviews and a mix of investigative and expository styles, these films address and denounce the controversial role and power of the timber industry. However, in the last few years, other works have approached the relationships between planted forests and local ecosystems, offering an alternative perspective. This essay analyzes two recent films on the issue, the short film Gerais, and the 78 min long Do pó da terra, released in 2015 and 2016, respectively, while looking at another short documentary, Desertos verdes: plantações de eucaliptos, agrotóxicos e água, released in 2017, a straightforward documentary that advocates against eucalyptus plantations, interviews specialists and activists, and shows data that work as a report about the situation. In Gerais and Do pó da terra, forest plantations are not central narratives, rather, the focus is on specific communities and their customs. Through testimonial, observational, and poetic modes, they discuss the challenges faced by local inhabitants as their unique lifestyles and sociocultural expressions are threatened. Thus, this essay explains how, instead of images of destruction and the specificities of eucalyptus environmental effects, these documentaries choose to show the connection of local people and their art with the land, their daily life, and the changes they face. By crucially emphasizing the different timelines in play, that of western modernity, and that of alternative understandings of life–nature, they differ from other approaches towards filming environmental conflict that stress the immediacy of the situation. These two films offer a more intimate perspective of human beings, in interplay with their ecosystem, which allows for reflection on how they cohabitate and look forward.
The Acute Effects of Single or Repeated Bouts of Vigorous-Intensity Exercise on Insulin and Glucose Metabolism during Postprandial Sedentary Behavior
Authors: Engeroff Tobias , Füzeki Eszter , Vogt Lutz , Banzer Winfried
Published: April 2022

Fitness and exercise may counteract the detrimental metabolic and mood adaptations during prolonged sitting. This study distinguishes the immediate effects of a single bout vs. work-load and intensity-matched repeated exercise breaks on subjective well-being, blood glucose, and insulin response (analyzed as area under the curve) during sedentary time; and assesses the influence of fitness and caloric intake on metabolic alterations during sedentariness. Eighteen women underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and three 4 h sitting interventions: two exercise interventions (70% VO2max, 30 min, cycle ergometer: (1) cycling prior to sitting; (2) sitting interrupted by 5 × 6 min cycling), and one control condition (sitting). Participants consumed one meal with ad libitum quantity (caloric intake), but standardized macronutrient proportion. Exercise breaks (4057 ± 2079 μU/mL·min) reduced insulin values compared to a single bout of exercise (5346 ± 5000 μU/mL·min) and the control condition (6037 ± 3571 μU/mL·min) (p ≤ 0.05). ANCOVA revealed moderating effects of caloric intake (519 ± 211 kilocalories) (p ≤ 0.01), but no effects of cardiorespiratory fitness (41.3 ± 4.2 mL/kg/min). Breaks also led to lower depression, but higher arousal compared to a no exercise control (p ≤ 0.05). Both exercise trials led to decreased agitation (p ≤ 0.05). Exercise prior to sitting led to greater peace of mind during sedentary behavior (p ≤ 0.05). Just being fit or exercising prior to sedentary behavior are not feasible to cope with acute detrimental metabolic changes during sedentary behavior. Exercise breaks reduce the insulin response to a meal. Despite their vigorous intensity, breaks are perceived as positive stimulus. Detrimental metabolic changes during sedentary time could also be minimized by limiting caloric intake.