bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of azukisapogenol triterpenoid saponins from Oxytropis hirta Bunge and their aphicidal activities against pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris
Authors: Ye Shengwei , Zhao Long , Qi Yinyin , Yang Han , Hu Zilong , Hao Nan , Li Yantao , Tian Xiangrong
Published: September 2022

Background

Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris is the most destructive pest worldwide because of its ability to feed on plants directly and transmit plant viruses as a vector. This study aims to identify triterpenoid saponins from Oxytropis hirta Bunge as biopesticides to control aphids.

Results

Three new azukisapogenol triterpenoid saponins (1–3), a new pinoresinol lignan glycoside (8), and four known saponins (4–7) were identified from the root of O. hirta. Compounds 4–7 displayed significant aphicidal activities against A. pisum with oral toxicities (LC50 = 51.10–147.43 μg/mL, 72 h), deterrent effects (deterrence index = 1.00, 100–200 μg/mL, 24 h), and aphid reproduction inhibitory effects (inhibition rates = 75.91–86.73%, 400 μg/mL, 24 h), respectively. The carboxyl groups at C‐3 GlcA and C‐30 were functional groups for their aphicidal activities. The toxic symptoms caused by the optimal 5 involved insect body‐color changes from light green to dark or gray‐green, and then brown until death. The intestinal cavity, apical microvilli, nuclei, mitochondria, and electron dense granules in the midgut tissues of A. pisum were the target sites showing aphicidal activity. The suppression of pepsin and α‐amylase, and the activation of lipase and trypsin could be the signs of organelle damage in the midgut tissues.

Conclusion

Azukisapogenol triterpenoid saponins from O. hirta could be used as biopesticides to control aphids for their multiple efficacies, including oral toxicity, deterrent activity, and reproduction inhibitory activity. The toxic symptoms involved insect body‐color changes. Midgut tissues and their related enzymes were the targets for saponins showing aphicidal activities. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Multiscale Modeling of Ion Dynamics in Memristive Elements
Authors: Zhuravlev Andrey A. , Abgaryan Karine K. , Reviznikov Dmitry L.
Published: September 2022

A multiscale computational scheme is proposed for ion dynamics that allows modeling based on primary information—data on the chemical composition of the material and its crystal structure. The scheme includes quantum mechanical and molecular dynamics modeling as well as Monte Carlo simulation of ion and electron dynamics taking into account the real crystal structure. Approbation of the proposed approach is carried out on a silicon oxide memristive element. The results of computational experiments are presented that demonstrate the stages of growth and destruction of a conductive filament under the action of a time‐varying voltage.
Neuroprotective effects of total alkaloids fraction of Huperzia serrata on scopolamine‐induced neurodegenerative animals
Authors: Dang Thu Kim , Hong Seong‐Min , Dao Vui Thi , Nguyen Duong Thuy , Nguyen Khanh Van , Nguyen Hai Thanh , Ullah Sana , Tran Hiep Tuan , Kim Sun Yeou
Published: September 2022

Huperzia serrata contains Huperzine A (HupA)—an alkaloid used to treat cognitive dysfunction. In this study, we used the total alkaloids (HsAE) to investigate their potential in managing cognitive impairment in comparison with HupA. The antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH assay. In the cellular study, the cell viability and level of ACh of SH‐SY5Y cells were evaluated after pretreated with HsAE and scopolamine. For in vivo assay, mice were pre‐treated with HsAE, and HupA and undergone scopolamine injection for cognitive impairment. The behavioral tests including the Y‐maze and Morris water maze test and the AChE activity, the SOD, CAT, MDA level in the hippocampus and cortex were evaluated. HsAE showed significant scavenging properties on DPPH radicals. HsAE was not toxic to SH‐SY5Y cells, and can rescue these cells upon scopolamine treatment. Intriguingly, HsAE showed the neuroprotection against scopolamine‐induced amnesia in mice. Moreover, HsAE decreased AChE activity, MDA level, increased antioxidative enzyme activity in the hippocampus as well as cortex of mice, which was relatively better than that of HupA. These findings suggested that HsAE may significantly protect the neurons of mice with scopolamine—induced memory impairment connected to AChE depletion and oxidative stress.
Carbon performance evaluation system and practice analysis for the sustainable enterprises
Authors: Zhang Caiping , Yue Wenjie , Tan Deming , Su Zhenkun
Published: September 2022

Sustainable development has become society's focal point. In this context, China's paper industry needs to be more concerned about a low‐carbon strategy. Therefore, a carbon performance evaluation system must be built to guide the low‐carbon enterprise transformation. Based on the carbon value flow analysis, this study takes JX Paper (a paper‐making enterprise) as an example to construct a carbon performance evaluation system consisting of carbon input, transfer, and output indicators. The quantitative and qualitative index weights were determined through a principal component analysis and an analytical hierarchy process. The overall carbon performance increased from 2012 to 2021, but room remains for improvement. These results show that the performance evaluation system provides a helpful reference for enterprises to identify the key factors affecting carbon emissions and evaluate their carbon performance. Moreover, objective criteria should be developed to improve sustainable enterprise carbon performance and low‐carbon competitiveness.
Visual Proofs as Counterexamples to the Standard View of Informal Mathematical Proofs?
Authors: Weisgerber Simon
Published: September 2022

A passage from Jody Azzouni’s article “The Algorithmic-Device View of Informal Rigorous Mathematical Proof” in which he argues against Hamami and Avigad’s standard view of informal mathematical proof with the help of a specific visual proof of $$1/2+1/4+1/8+1/16+\dots =1$$

1
/
2
+
1
/
4
+
1
/
8
+
1
/
16
+
⋯
=
1

is critically examined. By reference to mathematicians’ judgments about visual proofs in general, it is argued that Azzouni’s critique of Hamami and Avigad’s account is not valid. Nevertheless, by identifying a necessary condition for the visual proof to be considered a proper proof in the first place, and suggesting an appropriate way to establish its correctness, it is shown how Azzouni’s assessment of the epistemic process associated with the visual proof can turn out to be essentially correct. From this, it is concluded that although visual proofs do not constitute counterexamples to the standard view in the sense suggested by Azzouni, at least the visual proof mentioned above shows that this view does not cover all the ways in which mathematical truth can be justified.
NNLO QCD corrections in full colour for jet production observables at the LHC
Authors: Chen X. , Gehrmann T. , Glover E. W. N. , Huss A. , Mo J.
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Calculations for processes involving a high multiplicity of coloured particles often employ a leading colour approximation, where only the leading terms in the expansion of the number of colours Nc and the number of flavours nf are retained. This approximation of the full colour result is motivated by the 1/$$ {N}_c^2 $$

N
c
2

suppression of the first subleading terms and by the increasing complexity of including subleading colour contributions to the calculation. In this work, we present the calculations using the antenna subtraction method in the NNLOjet framework for the NNLO QCD corrections at full colour for several jet observables at the LHC. The single jet inclusive cross section is calculated doubly differential in transverse momentum and absolute rapidity and compared with the CMS measurement at 13 TeV. A calculation for dijet production doubly differential in dijet mass and rapidity difference is also performed and compared with the ATLAS 7 TeV data. Lastly, a triply differential dijet cross section in average transverse momentum, rapidity separation and dijet system boost is calculated and compared with the CMS 8 TeV data. The impact of the subleading colour contributions to the leading colour approximation is assessed in detail for all three types of observables and as a function of the jet cone size. The subleading colour contributions play a potentially sizable role in the description of the triply differential distributions, which probe kinematical configurations that are not easily accessed by any of the other observables.
Violation of bound on chaos for charged probe in Kerr-Newman-AdS black hole
Authors: Gwak Bogeun , Kan Naoto , Lee Bum-Hoon , Lee Hocheol
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We investigate the conjectured bound on the Lyapunov exponent for a charged particle with angular motion in the Kerr-Newman-AdS black hole. The Lyapunov exponent is calculated based on the effective Lagrangian. We show that the negative cosmological constant reduces the chaotic behavior of the particle, namely, it decreases the Lyapunov exponent. Hence, the bound is more effective in the AdS spacetime than in the flat spacetime. Nevertheless, we find that the bound can be violated when the angular momenta of the black hole are turned on. Moreover, we show that in an extremal black hole, the bound is more easily violated compared to that in a nonextremal black hole.
The present and future of immunocytokines for cancer treatment
Authors: Gout Dennis Y. , Groen Lotte S. , van Egmond Marjolein
Published: September 2022

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy has successfully been introduced as treatment of several lymphomas and leukemias. However, solid tumors reduce the efficacy of mAb therapy because of an immune-suppressive tumor micro-environment (TME), which hampers activation of effector immune cells. Pro-inflammatory cytokine therapy may counteract immune suppression in the TME and increase mAb efficacy, but untargeted pro-inflammatory cytokine therapy is limited by severe off-target toxicity and a short half-life of cytokines. Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins, also referred to as immunocytokines, provide a solution to either issue, as the antibody both acts as local delivery platform and increases half-life. The antibody can furthermore bridge local cytotoxic immune cells, like macrophages and natural killer cells with tumor cells, which can be eliminated after effector cells are activated via the cytokine. Currently, a variety of different antibody formats as well as a handful of cytokine payloads are used to generate immunocytokines. However, many potential formats and payloads are still left unexplored. In this review, we describe current antibody formats and cytokine moieties that are used for the development of immunocytokines, and highlight several immunocytokines in (pre-)clinical studies. Furthermore, potential future routes of development are proposed.
Verschluss einer persistierenden urethrorektalen Fistel nach suprasymphysärer Adenomenukleation der Prostata durch kombiniertes Bressel-Naujox- mit einem Gracilisflapverfahren
Authors: Reichert M. , Schüler P. , Stepniewski A. , Felmerer G. , Trojan L. , von Knobloch H. C.
Published: September 2022

Unter Berücksichtigung einiger Grundprinzipien der Fistelchirurgie gibt es verschiedene Möglichkeiten der operativen Sanierung urethrorektaler Fisteln. Ein Standard, welche Operationsmethode unter welchen Umständen eingesetzt werden sollte, gibt es – auch aufgrund der Heterogenität dieser Erkrankung – nicht. Dieser Fall beschreibt die individuelle Adaptation einer Operationstechnik, welche zur Behandlung vesikovaginaler Fisteln eingesetzt wird, auf die Behandlung einer urethrorektalen Fistel eines Patienten nach bereits frustranem Versuch eines Fistelverschlusses, welche auf Basis einer etablierten Methode unter Verwendung eines Interponats zum Erfolg führte.
Satisfactory results after endoscopic gluteus medius repair combined with selective gluteus maximus reflected tendon release for the treatment of a full-thickness tear of gluteus medius
Authors: Della Rocca Federico , Di Francia Vincenzo , Giuffrida Alberto , Rosolani Marco , D’Ambrosi Riccardo , D’Addona Alessio
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The current study aimed to report the mid-term follow-up results of endoscopic gluteus medius repair combined with a systematic release of the gluteus maximus reflected tendon.

Methods

Twenty-two patients with a symptomatic full-thickness tear of the gluteus medius tendon, as diagnosed by clinical examination and imaging (MRI), and who had a failure of conservative treatment for at least 6 months, were retrospectively enrolled for this study. An endoscopic repair of gluteus medius was performed for all patients in combination with gluteus maximus reflected tendon release according to the Polesello technique. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Hip Outcome Score-Activity Daily Life (HOS-ADL), and Hip Outcome Score-Sport Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS) were administered to each patient before surgery for 6 months, 1 year, and every following year after surgery.

Results

All analysed hip scores (mHHS, LEFS, HOS-ADL, and HOS-SSS) showed statistically significant improvements between the pre-operative and post-operative values at 6 months, 1 year, and the latest follow-up appointments after surgery (p < 0.001). The mean pre-operative pain was 8.6 ± 1.0 on the VAS. After surgical treatment, the pain was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) on the VAS at 6 months (5.4 ± 1.5), 1 year (4.4 ± 1.8) and the latest follow-up control visit (3.6 ± 2.2). No patient-reported major complications (re-rupture, deep infection or neurovascular injury). Eleven (50%) patients indicated the results as excellent, 7 (32%) as good, 2 (9%) as fair, and 2 (9%) as poor.

Conclusion

The use of abductor tendon repair in combination with a systematic release of the reflected tendon of the gluteus maximus according to the Polesello technique seems to be a safe and effective endoscopic way of treating a full-thickness tear of the gluteus medius.

Level of evidence

Level IV.
Study of manufacturing defects on compressive deformation of 3D-printed polymeric lattices
Authors: Amirpour Maedeh , Battley Mark
Published: September 2022

This paper studies theoretical, numerical, and experimental studies on static compression behaviour of polyamide 12 body-centred cube (BCC) lattices manufactured using the selective laser sintering (SLS) method. In the analytical formulation, the influence of imperfections that happened during 3D printing such as material overlapping in the vicinity of filament joints is considered to provide predictions of mechanical properties of a macro lattice structure. Finite element (FE) models of the BCC lattices are performed to predict the compressive behaviour and deformation localisation of filaments. In order to determine a material model and input parameters for FE simulation of the lattice cubes, an individual 3D-printed filament is subjected to transverse compressive loading utilising a custom-made filament compression rig. Then, true experimental stress and strain data are generated that are imported into an inverse calibration technique using MCalibration software to determine the material parameters for the FE simulation. A series of BCC lattice cubes were printed using the SLS method. Compression experiments were conducted utilising digital image correlation (DIC) techniques in order to determine localisation of deformations and strains and validate the material properties obtained by the analytical modelling and numerical simulations. Good agreements are observed among the analytical, numerical, and experimental results. The results show that effect of filament defects should be taken into account to find the accurate responses in analytical model and FE simulation.
Discrete-to-Continuum Convergence of Charged Particles in 1D with Annihilation
Authors: van Meurs Patrick , Peletier Mark A. , Požár Norbert
Published: September 2022

We consider a system of charged particles moving on the real line driven by electrostatic interactions. Since we consider charges of both signs, collisions might occur in finite time. Upon collision, some of the colliding particles are effectively removed from the system (annihilation). The two applications we have in mind are vortices and dislocations in metals. In this paper we achieve two goals. First, we develop a rigorous solution concept for the interacting particle system with annihilation. The main innovation here is to provide a careful management of the annihilation of groups of more than two particles, and we show that the definition is consistent by proving existence, uniqueness, and continuous dependence on initial data. The proof relies on a detailed analysis of ODE trajectories close to collision, and a reparametrization of vectors in terms of the moments of their elements. Second, we pass to the many-particle limit (discrete-to-continuum), and recover the expected limiting equation for the particle density. Due to the singular interactions and the annihilation rule, standard proof techniques of discrete-to-continuum limits do not apply. In particular, the framework of measures seems unfit. Instead, we use the one-dimensional feature that both the particle system and the limiting PDE can be characterized in terms of Hamilton–Jacobi equations. While our proof follows a standard limit procedure for such equations, the novelty with respect to existing results lies in allowing for stronger singularities in the particle system by exploiting the freedom of choice in the definition of viscosity solutions.
On p-Brunn–Minkowski inequalities for intrinsic volumes, with $$0\le p<1$$
Authors: Bianchini Chiara , Colesanti Andrea , Pagnini Daniele , Roncoroni Alberto
Published: September 2022

We prove the validity of the p-Brunn–Minkowski inequality for the intrinsic volume $$V_k$$

V
k

, $$k=2,\dots , n-1$$

k
=
2
,
⋯
,
n
-
1

, of symmetric convex bodies in $${{\mathbb {R}}}^n$$

R

n

, in a neighbourhood of the unit ball when one of the bodies is the unit ball, for $$0\le p<1$$

0
≤
p
<
1

. We also prove that this inequality does not hold true on the entire class of convex bodies of $${{\mathbb {R}}}^n$$

R

n

, when p is sufficiently close to 0.
Conformal Field Theory at the Lattice Level: Discrete Complex Analysis and Virasoro Structure
Authors: Hongler Clément , Kytölä Kalle , Viklund Fredrik
Published: September 2022

Critical statistical mechanics and Conformal Field Theory (CFT) are conjecturally connected since the seminal work of Beliavin et al. (Nucl Phys B 241(2):333–380, 1984). Both exhibit exactly solvable structures in two dimensions. A long-standing question (Itoyama and Thacker in Phys Rev Lett 58:1395–1398, 1987) concerns whether there is a direct link between these structures, that is, whether the Virasoro algebra representations of CFT, the distinctive feature of CFT in two dimensions, can be found within lattice models of statistical mechanics. We give a positive answer to this question for the discrete Gaussian free field and for the Ising model, by connecting the structures of discrete complex analysis in the lattice models with the Virasoro symmetry that is expected to describe their scaling limits. This allows for a tight connection of a number of objects from the lattice model world and the field theory one. In particular, our results link the CFT local fields with lattice local fields introduced in Gheissari et al. (Commun Math Phys 367(3):771–833, 2019) and the probabilistic formulation of the lattice model with the continuum correlation functions. Our construction is a decisive step towards establishing the conjectured correspondence between the correlation functions of the CFT fields and those of the lattice local fields. In particular, together with the upcoming (Chelkak et al. in preparation), our construction will complete the picture initiated in Hongler and Smirnov (Acta Math 211:191–225, 2013), Hongler (Conformal invariance of ising model correlations, 2012) and Chelkak et al. (Annals Math 181(3):1087–1138, 2015), where a number of conjectures relating specific Ising lattice fields and CFT correlations were proven.
Safety and efficacy of RFA versus MWA for T1a renal cell carcinoma: a propensity score analysis
Authors: Aarts Brigit M. , Gomez Fernando M. , Lopez-Yurda Marta , Bevers Rob F. M. , Herndriks Joris , Beets-Tan Regina G. H. , Bex Axel , Klompenhouwer Elisabeth G. , van der Meer Rutger W.
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is stated as a treatment option for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) smaller than 4 cm (T1a). Microwave ablation (MWA) is a newer technique and is still considered experimental in some guidelines. The objective of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of RFA and MWA for the treatment of RCC.

Methods

Patients with T1a RCC treated by RFA or MWA in two referral centers were retrospectively analyzed. Patient records were evaluated to generate mRENAL nephrometry scores. Local tumor progression (LTP) was considered when new (recurrence) or residual tumor enhancement within/adjacent to the ablation zone was objectified. Differences in LTP-free interval (residual + recurrence) between ablation techniques were assessed with Cox proportional hazards models and propensity score (PS) methods.

Results

In 164 patients, 87 RFAs and 101 MWAs were performed for 188 RCCs. The primary efficacy rate was 92% (80/87) for RFA and 91% (92/101) for MWA. Sixteen patients had residual disease (RFA (n = 7), MWA (n = 9)) and 9 patients developed recurrence (RFA (n = 7), MWA (n = 2)). LTP-free interval was significantly worse for higher mRENAL nephrometry scores. No difference in LTP-free interval was found between RFA and MWA in a model with inverse probability weighting using PS (HR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.35–2.81, p = 0.98) and in a PS-matched dataset with 110 observations (HR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.16–4.31, p = 0.82). Twenty-eight (14.9%) complications (Clavien-Dindo grade I–IVa) occurred (RFA n = 14, MWA n = 14).

Conclusion

Primary efficacy for ablation of RCC is high for both RFA and MWA. No differences in efficacy and safety were observed between RFA and MWA.

Key Points

• Both RFA and MWA are safe and effective ablation techniques in the treatment of T1a renal cell carcinomas.

• High modified RENAL nephrometry scores are associated with shorter local tumor progression-free interval.

• MWA can be used as heat-based ablation technique comparable to RFA for the treatment of T1a renal cell carcinomas.
Microcracking pattern in fractured bones: new approach for distinguishing between peri- and postmortem fractures
Authors: Winter-Buchwalder Michelle , Schwab Nathalie , Galtés Ignasi , Ortega-Sánchez Marisa , Scheirs Sarah , Jordana Xavier
Published: September 2022

Timing bone fractures is one of the main tasks of a forensic anthropologist, but still an uncertain diagnostic. In the literature, there are many macroscopic methods to distinguish perimortem from postmortem fractures, based on the distinct structural and mechanical properties of fresh and dry bones. However, this differentiation is still challenging, in particular when the bones are fragmented or still exhibit fresh properties. Although histologic analysis is often used as a complementary diagnostic tool in forensic pathology, its application in the evaluation of bone fractures is uncommon. The aim of this study was to investigate whether fractures of fresh bones reveal a distinct microcracking pattern compared to fractures of dry bones, in order to optimise the fracture timing. To this purpose, we histologically analysed perimortem and postmortem fractures in human humeri. The fresh bones were retrieved from traumatic autopsy cases, and the dry bones from donors which were experimentally fractured. Our results showed that the highest density and length of microcracks (MCKs) were found in the interstitial area of dry fractured bones, which may be considered a marker of postmortem damage. In fresh fractured bones, we generally observed a lower density of MCKs, but a higher proportion of osteonal MCKs, which may be considered a marker of perimortem trauma. In summary, the results of our exploratory study suggest that changes in intrinsic bone factors (mineral/organic components) result in a different microcracking pattern that can be used in fracture timing.
Managing host-parasite interactions in humans and wildlife in times of global change
Authors: Wells Konstans , Flynn Robin
Published: September 2022

Global change in the Anthropocene has modified the environment of almost any species on earth, be it through climate change, habitat modifications, pollution, human intervention in the form of mass drug administration (MDA), or vaccination. This can have far-reaching consequences on all organisational levels of life, including eco-physiological stress at the cell and organism level, individual fitness and behaviour, population viability, species interactions and biodiversity. Host-parasite interactions often require highly adapted strategies by the parasite to survive and reproduce within the host environment and ensure efficient transmission among hosts. Yet, our understanding of the system-level outcomes of the intricate interplay of within host survival and among host parasite spread is in its infancy. We shed light on how global change affects host-parasite interactions at different organisational levels and address challenges and opportunities to work towards better-informed management of parasite control. We argue that global change affects host-parasite interactions in wildlife inhabiting natural environments rather differently than in humans and invasive species that benefit from anthropogenic environments as habitat and more deliberate rather than erratic exposure to therapeutic drugs and other control efforts.
Medication adherence with denosumab in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors treated in routine clinical settings: a retrospective study
Authors: Diel Ingo J. , Greil Richard , Janssen Jan , Kluike Christian W. , Behera Bagmeet , Abbasi Ali , Seesaghur Anouchka , Kellner Michael , Jaeger Christine , Bjorklof Katja , Tomova Antoaneta , Haslbauer Ferdinand
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To describe (non)adherence with denosumab among patients with solid tumors and bone metastases.

Methods

This retrospective, observational study pooled data from two completed prospective, multicenter cohort studies (X-TREME; Study 240) in adult patients with bone metastases from primary breast, prostate, lung, kidney, or other solid cancer types and administered denosumab 120 mg in routine clinical practice in Germany and Central and Eastern Europe. The studies were conducted between May 2012 and May 2017; pooled analysis was completed in August 2021. Medication adherence was described according to a three-component consensus taxonomy: initiation (first-ever administration ≤ 90 days from bone metastasis diagnosis), implementation (actual vs prescribed dosing; optimal implementation = regular/consistent dosing), and persistence (≤ 60-day gap between administrations at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months). Descriptive analyses were conducted for each cancer type.

Results

The analysis included 1748 patients with solid tumors and bone metastases. Adherence with denosumab was generally high across the initiation, implementation, and persistence phases. Most patients experienced timely initiation (from 64.4% [kidney cancer] to 81.2% [breast cancer]) and optimal implementation (from 62.4% [lung cancer] to 72.5% [breast cancer]). The proportion of patients who were persistent with treatment at 6 months ranged from 41.4% (lung cancer) to 77.8% (prostate cancer).

Conclusions

This study revealed variations by cancer type in the initiation, implementation, and persistence of denosumab in patients with solid tumors and bone metastases in routine clinical practice. Further cancer-specific studies are warranted to examine the determinants of (non)adherence with denosumab, and potential ways to improve medication adherence.
Prevalence and correlates of joint pain among Chinese breast cancer survivors receiving aromatase inhibitor treatment
Authors: Wang Tao , Huang Yu-Yan , Liu Xian-Liang , Molassiotis Alex , Yao Li-Qun , Zheng Si-Lin , Tan Jing-Yu , Huang Hou-Qiang
Published: September 2022

Background

Aromatase inhibitor (AI)-induced joint pain is a common toxicity of AI treatment. Although many studies have been conducted to examine the occurrence and severity of AI-induced joint pain in breast cancer survivors, none of the studies focused on the Chinese population with breast cancer. Given that the differences in cultural background and the genetic structure between Asians and Caucasians may contribute to different phenotypes of joint pain, this cross-sectional study was therefore conducted to examine the prevalence of AI-induced joint pain among Chinese breast cancer survivors receiving AI treatment and the correlates of pain.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in China. Breast cancer survivors undergoing AI treatment were recruited to complete the following questionnaires: a self-designed baseline data form, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B). Based on the assessment results of NMQ (if the participant indicated pain in specific body parts), participants were then invited to complete other questionnaires to specifically assess the joint symptoms, including the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), and the Manchester Foot Pain Disability Questionnaire (MFPDQ). Descriptive analysis was used to analyse participants’ baseline data and the prevalence of pain. Stepwise multiple regression was used to identify the correlates of pain.

Results

Four hundred and ten participants were analysed. According to the NMQ, 71.7% of the participants experienced joint symptoms in at least one joint, and the most frequently mentioned joint was knee (39.0%). The diagram in BPI indicated that 28.0% of the participants had the worst pain around knees. In patients with knee pain, the mean OKS score was 40.46 ± 6.19. The sub-scores of BPI for pain intensity and pain interference were 1.30 ± 1.63 and 1.24 ± 1.79, respectively. Patients’ poorer physical well-being/functioning, previous use of AI treatment, presence of osteoarthritis, and receiving of physiotherapy were identified as four common correlates of greater severity of pain and pain interference (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Chinese breast cancer survivors can experience joint pain at various locations, particularly knees. In addition to increasing the use of interventions for pain alleviation, a comprehensive assessment of survivors’ conditions such as physical functioning, history of AI treatment, and presence of osteoarthritis should be emphasized to identify survivors who need more attention and tailored interventions.
Bildgeführte Strahlentherapie in der Kopf-Hals-Onkologie
Authors: Balermpas Panagiotis
Published: September 2022

Hintergrund

Die bildgeführte Radiotherapie („image-guided radiotherapy“, IGRT) ist heute ein Routineverfahren zur Sicherstellung der präzisen Bestrahlung von Kopf-Hals-Tumoren.

Material und Methoden

Wichtige Literatur zum Thema wurde zusammengefasst, übersichtlich präsentiert und diskutiert.

Ergebnisse

In den letzten Jahrzehnten entwickelte sich die Anwendung der IGRT neben der intensitätsmodulierten Radiotherapie zum weltweiten Standard in der Behandlung von Kopf-Hals-Malignomen. Die dosimetrischen Vorteile wurden häufiger auch in prospektiven Studien bestätigt. Dasselbe gilt für potenzielle klinische Vorteile, obwohl in dieser Hinsicht die Forschung noch nicht abgeschlossen ist. Dabei gab es sowohl technische substanzielle Weiterentwicklungen, von der zweidimensionalen IGRT über die heutigen computertomographiebasierten 3‑D-volumetrischen Verfahren zur magnetresonanzbasierten Online-Bildgebung, als auch neue Anwendungsgebiete, wie die adaptive Radiotherapie.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die IGRT in der Behandlung von Kopf-Hals-Tumoren liefert heutzutage eine sichere und valide Möglichkeit, systematische und zufällige Fehler und Variationen zu identifizieren und zu beheben und damit durch Erhöhung der Qualität der Bestrahlungsapplikation die Behandlungsergebnisse hinsichtlich Toxizität und Tumorkontrolle zu verbessern.
Vaginales Mikrobiom und Frühgeburtlichkeit
Authors: Feigl Sarah , Fluhr Herbert
Published: September 2022

Hintergrund

Die Rate an Frühgeburten steigt weltweit an, ein bekannter Risikofaktor sind vaginale Infektionen.

Fragestellung

Welche Rolle spielen Infektionen als Ursache für Frühgeburtsbestrebungen? Wie ist das vaginale Mikrobiom in der Schwangerschaft zusammengesetzt und welche Bedeutung hat es in der Erkennung und Behandlung von Frühgeburtsbestrebungen.

Material und Methoden

Literaturrecherche in PubMed zu Infektion und Frühgeburten, frühem vorzeitigem Blasensprung und vaginalem Mikrobiom.

Ergebnisse

Die bakterielle Vaginose, eine Verminderung von Lactobacillus spp. und eine hohe Diversität von Bakterienstämmen im vaginalen Mikrobiom sind mit einem erhöhten Frühgeburtsrisiko assoziiert. Die antibiotische Therapie der bakteriellen Vaginose bei symptomatischen Schwangeren senkt das Frühgeburtsrisiko. Ein Screening asymptomatischer Schwangerer mit dem Ziel der Prävention von Frühgeburten ist derzeit nicht empfohlen. Das kindliche Mikrobiom und Immunsystem beginnt sich bereits in utero zu entwickeln, wobei Ernährung und Antibiotikaeinnahme während der Schwangerschaft eine wichtige Rolle spielen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Das vaginale Mikrobiom beeinflusst den Schwangerschaftsverlauf. Zwischen gesundem Mikrobiom und vaginaler Dysbiose kann klinisch nicht immer unterschieden werden. Mikrobiomanalysen leisten einen Beitrag zum besseren Verständnis pathologischer Veränderungen, jedoch gibt es aufgrund individueller Unterschiede keine allgemeine Definition des „gesunden Mikrobioms“.
A global taxonomy of interpretable AI: unifying the terminology for the technical and social sciences
Authors: Graziani Mara , Dutkiewicz Lidia , Calvaresi Davide , Amorim José Pereira , Yordanova Katerina , Vered Mor , Nair Rahul , Abreu Pedro Henriques , Blanke Tobias , Pulignano Valeria , Prior John O. , Lauwaert Lode , Reijers Wessel , Depeursinge Adrien , Andrearczyk Vincent , Müller Henning
Published: September 2022

Since its emergence in the 1960s, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown to conquer many technology products and their fields of application. Machine learning, as a major part of the current AI solutions, can learn from the data and through experience to reach high performance on various tasks. This growing success of AI algorithms has led to a need for interpretability to understand opaque models such as deep neural networks. Various requirements have been raised from different domains, together with numerous tools to debug, justify outcomes, and establish the safety, fairness and reliability of the models. This variety of tasks has led to inconsistencies in the terminology with, for instance, terms such as interpretable, explainable and transparent being often used interchangeably in methodology papers. These words, however, convey different meanings and are “weighted" differently across domains, for example in the technical and social sciences. In this paper, we propose an overarching terminology of interpretability of AI systems that can be referred to by the technical developers as much as by the social sciences community to pursue clarity and efficiency in the definition of regulations for ethical and reliable AI development. We show how our taxonomy and definition of interpretable AI differ from the ones in previous research and how they apply with high versatility to several domains and use cases, proposing a—highly needed—standard for the communication among interdisciplinary areas of AI.
What Does Heterosexuality Mean? Same-Sex Attraction, Behaviors, and Discomfort Among Self-identified Heterosexual Young Adults from Spain
Authors: Nebot-Garcia Juan E. , Giménez-García Cristina , García-Barba Marta , Gil-Llario María Dolores , Ballester-Arnal Rafael
Published: September 2022

Sexuality has been censored by Spanish culture, where legal progress in the form of new policies about sexual diversity rights has not been followed by lower levels of social discrimination. This has affected sexual development across the lifespan for both sexual minorities and heterosexual people who experience their sexuality outside of heteronormativity. However, the literature has regularly excluded the possible consequences of the experience of sexuality within prescriptive categories, particularly in heterosexual people. This study delves deeper into the same-sex experiences of heterosexual women and men and the discomfort they may feel toward such experiences in Spain. A total of 2900 young Spanish people who self-identified as heterosexual completed a questionnaire on sexual diversity and experiences related to sexual orientation. The mean age was 24.22 years (SD = 5.71), 71.1% were women, and 28.9% were men. More heterosexual women than heterosexual men reported having had same-sex attraction, fantasies, desires, and behavioral intentions. However, these men and women reported having similar levels of same-sex sexual intercourse. The discomfort level experienced was higher among heterosexual men and younger people, suggesting the possibility that traditional norms restrict behavioral expression of sexuality among these individuals. At least in the Spanish context, these gender differences should be taken into account to adjust all psychological and educational interventions in the future to improve inclusive sexual attitudes and the treatment of discomfort with sexual orientation. Following these results, research on sexual diversity should focus on young heterosexual people who have different same-sex experiences according to gender differences.
Designing Digital Participatory Budgeting Platforms: Urban Biking Activism in Madrid
Authors: Menendez-Blanco Maria , Bjørn Pernille
Published: September 2022

Civic technologies have the potential to support participation and influence decision-making in governmental processes. Digital participatory budgeting platforms are examples of civic technologies designed to support citizens in making proposals and allocating budgets. Investigating the empirical case of urban biking activists in Madrid, we explore how the design of the digital platform Decide Madrid impacted the collaborative practices involved in digital participatory budgeting. We found that the design of the platform made the interaction competitive, where individuals sought to gain votes for their single proposals, rather than consider the relations across proposals and the larger context of the city decisions, even if the institutional process rewarded collective support. In this way, the platforms’ design led to forms of individualistic, competitive, and static participation, therefore limiting the possibilities for empowering citizens in scoping and self-regulating participatory budgeting collaboratively. We argue that for digital participatory budgeting platforms to support cooperative engagements they must be revisable and reviewable while supporting accountability among participants and visibility of proposals and activities.
Assessing the Economic Resilience of Different Management Systems to Severe Forest Disturbance
Authors: Knoke Thomas , Paul Carola , Gosling Elizabeth , Jarisch Isabelle , Mohr Johannes , Seidl Rupert
Published: September 2022

Given the drastic changes in the environment, resilience is a key focus of ecosystem management. Yet, the quantification of the different dimensions of resilience remains challenging, particularly for long-lived systems such as forests. Here we present an analytical framework to study the economic resilience of different forest management systems, focusing on the rate of economic recovery after severe disturbance. Our framework quantifies the post-disturbance gain in the present value of a forest relative to a benchmark system as an indicator of economic resilience. Forest values and silvicultural interventions were determined endogenously from an optimization model and account for risks affecting tree survival. We consider the effects of differences in forest structure and tree growth post disturbance on economic resilience. We demonstrate our approach by comparing the economic resilience of continuous cover forestry against a clear fell system for typical conditions in Central Europe. Continuous cover forestry had both higher economic return and higher economic resilience than the clear fell system. The economic recovery from disturbance in the continuous cover system was between 18.2 and 51.5% faster than in the clear fell system, resulting in present value gains of between 1733 and 4535 € ha−1. The advantage of the continuous cover system increased with discount rate and stand age, and was driven by differences in both stand structure and economic return. We conclude that continuous cover systems can help to address the economic impacts of increasing disturbances in forest management.
Nonlinear analysis of the delayed tyre model with control-based continuation
Authors: Beregi Sandor
Published: September 2022

In this study, the numerical bifurcation analysis of a shimmying wheel is performed with a non-smooth, time-delayed model of the tyre-ground contact. This model is capable of reproducing the bistable behaviour often observed in experiments: a stable equilibrium and a stable periodic orbit coexisting for the same set of system parameters, that the simpler quasi-steady tyre models fail to capture. In the bistable parameter domain, there also exists an unstable periodic orbit within the separatrix between the domains of attractions of the two stable steady-state solutions. Although this solution never appears in a real-life system, one may still gain valuable information from tracing it as it gives an indication about the level of perturbation that would drive the system from one stable solution to the other. However, the complexity of the laws governing partial sticking and sliding in the tyre-ground contact makes the numerical bifurcation analysis with the traditional, collocation-based techniques infeasible. Instead, this study is based on numerical simulations and the technique of control-based continuation (CBC) to track the stable and unstable periodic solutions of the system allowing for the assessment of the accuracy of the non-smooth, delayed tyre model in replicating the dynamics observed in experiments. In the meantime, the physics-based model provides an insight into the relationship between the sticking and sliding regions appearing in the tyre-ground contact and the global dynamics of the system.
Maximal motion and minimal matter: Aristotelian physics and special relativity
Authors: Keck John W.
Published: September 2022

This paper shows how key aspects of Aristotle’s core concepts of matter and motion, some of which have recently been shown to help make sense of quantum mechanical indeterminacy, align with some important results of the energy-momentum relationship of special relativity. In this conception, mobility and indeterminacy are inherently linked to each other and to materiality. Applying these ideas to massless particles, which relativity tells us move at the maximal cosmic speed, allows us to draw the conclusion that they must be the most basic physical bodies, that is, mobile substances (secondary, locomotive matter). The most familiar massless particle, the photon, constitutes light. Furthermore, because the photon composes luminous matter but cannot be decomposed into anything else more basic, it fulfills the definition of element.
Lp(a): a New Pathway to Target?
Authors: Nurmohamed Nick S. , Kraaijenhof Jordan M. , Stroes Erik S. G.
Published: September 2022

Purpose of Review

Over the past decades, genetic and observational evidence has positioned lipoprotein(a) as novel important and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and aortic valve stenosis.

Recent Findings

As Lp(a) levels are determined genetically, lifestyle interventions have no effect on Lp(a)-mediated ASCVD risk. While traditional low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) can now be effectively lowered in the vast majority of patients, current lipid lowering therapies have no clinically relevant Lp(a) lowering effect.

There are multiple Lp(a)-directed therapies in clinical development targeting LPA mRNA that have shown to lower Lp(a) plasma levels for up to 90%: pelacarsen, olpasiran, and SLN360. Pelacarsen is currently investigated in a phase 3 cardiovascular outcome trial expected to finish in 2024, while olpasiran is about to proceed to phase 3 and SLN360’s phase 1 outcomes were recently published. If proven efficacious, Lp(a) will soon become the next pathway to target in ASCVD risk management.
Water–structure interaction analysis of a segmental bridge using ambient vibration testing at different water levels
Authors: Hernandez Wilson , Viviescas Alvaro , Riveros-Jerez Carlos Alberto
Published: September 2022

Updating a finite-element (FE) model using dynamic parameters obtained from field testing requires an adequate understanding of the variation of such parameters due to changes in environmental conditions. This paper presents an experimental program to study the influence of the water–structure interaction in the dynamic response of a prestressed concrete segmental bridge with partially submerged piers in an artificial reservoir. The bridge, located in Colombia, has a total length of 558 m. Ambient Vibration Tests (AVTs) consisted of four experimental campaigns at different water levels to perform modal identification. In addition, existing empirical formulations accounted for the effect of the hydrodynamic masses concentrated in the piers. This paper shows that updating FE models from identified dynamic properties in partially submerged bridges involves percentage reductions in natural frequencies related to the reservoir's water level. Thus, providing a better insight into the incidence of water–structure interaction on partially submerged bridges' dynamic response. Finally, considerations during dynamic characterization tests are discussed.
Masculinity, Consumerism and the Post-National Indian City
Authors: Srivastava Sanjay
Published: September 2022

Imagining the city as a series of interconnected spaces, the book explores how several such connections – between the home and the street, family and public spaces, religious and non-religious contexts, for example – relate to the topic of masculinity. How do men – elite, subaltern, consumers, 'heads' of the family, members of 'Hindu fundamentalist' organisations, readers of pulp fiction and 'footpath pornography', those who admire the 'strong' political leader – move between these spaces, define them and are defined by them? Urbanisation in India is a vibrant site of an extraordinary cultural, social and economic churn, a context of both the consolidation of masculine identities as well as anxieties regarding their place in the city. The book suggests that sustained and in-depth engagements with specific historical and social contexts avoids tendencies to imagine cities as nodes of comparison that frequently generates universal models of urbanism.