bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the low-energy K− hadronic interactions with light nuclei by AMADEUS
Authors: Skurzok Magdalena , Bazzi Massimiliano , Bragadireanu Mario , Bosnar Damir , Cargnelli Michael , Clozza Alberto , Curceanu Catalina , de Paolis Luca , Del Grande Raffaele , Fabbietti Laura , Guaraldo Carlo , Iliescu Mihai , Iwasaki Masahiko , Sandri Paolo Levi , Marton Johann , Miliucci Marco , Moskal Pawel , Piscicchia Kristian , Ramos Angels , Scordo Alessandro , Silarski Michał , Sirghi Diana Laura , Sirghi Florin , Spallone Antonio , Doce Oton Vazquez , Wycech Sławomir , Zmeskal Johann
Published: February 2022

The aim of the AMADEUS collaboration is to provide new experimental constraints to the antikaon-nucleon ([Formula: see text]) strong interaction in the regime of nonperturbative QCD, investigating the low-energy [Formula: see text] hadronic interactions with light nuclei like H, 4He, 9Be and [Formula: see text]C. The unique low-momentum kaon beam produced at the DA[Formula: see text]NE collider is ideal to study [Formula: see text] nuclear captures, both at-rest and in-flight. The large acceptance KLOE detector, used as an active target, allows to achieve excellent position and momentum resolutions. In this work, a brief description of recent AMADEUS results is presented.
OPTIMAL PORTFOLIO CHOICE WITH CRASH RISK AND MODEL AMBIGUITY
Authors: KORN RALF , MÜLLER LUKAS
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we consider a continuous time portfolio optimization problem that includes the possibility of a crash scenario as well as parameter uncertainty. To do this, we combine the worst-case scenario approach, introduced by Korn & Wilmott (2002) with a model ambiguity approach that is also based on Knightian uncertainty. In our model, the crash scenario occurs at the worst possible time for the investor, which also implies that there can be no crash at all. For the modeling of the parameter uncertainty, we choose a general definition of the sets of possible drift and volatility parameters, conditioned by the solution of an optimization problem. In addition, these sets may be different in the pre-crash and post-crash market. We solve this portfolio problem and then consider two particular examples with box uncertainty and ellipsoidal drift ambiguity.
Collagenase and the Treatment of Dupuytren Contracture: Efficacy of Treatment and Patient Satisfaction
Authors: CLESHAM Kevin , SHERIDAN Gerard A. , MURPHY Evelyn P. , O’ CONNOR Sharon P. , O’ SULLIVAN Michael E.
Published: February 2022

Background: Collagenase clostridium histolyticum has become a widely used treatment in the management of Dupuytren disease. The aims of this study are to assess the immediate success of treatment of Dupuytren contracture with collagenase injection, to measure long-term patient-rated outcomes, to determine whether the risk factors for the disease impacted outcomes and to report complications of collagenase treatment.

Methods: A prospective study was performed in a tertiary referral centre. Measurements were recorded pre-treatment, day 1 and day 90. Patient-rated outcome scores were measured using Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH) and the Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ) at minimum 36 months post-injection.

Results: The study included 45 patients with 53 hands with a mean age of 65.7 years. The treatment was successful in 62% of patients with the greatest improvement in the metacarpal-phalangeal joint of the little finger. Diabetes, epilepsy, gender, alcohol intake and positive family history had no statistically significant predictive value on successful outcomes. Patient satisfaction at 41 months was high with mean MHQ score of 97.3.

Conclusions: Collagenase is effective in the treatment of Dupuytren contracture, with disease involving the little finger showing the greatest benefit. Risk factors for development of Dupuytren disease had no effect on successful outcome and long-term satisfaction rates are high.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)
Shifting Beliefs in Computer Science: Change in CS Student Mindsets
Authors: Flanigan Abraham E. , Peteranetz Markeya S. , Shell Duane F. , Soh Leen-Kiat
Published: February 2022

Two studies investigated change in computer science (CS) students’ implicit intelligence beliefs. Across both studies, we found that the strength of incremental and entity beliefs changed across time. In Study 1, we found that incremental beliefs decreased and entity beliefs increased across the semester. Change in implicit intelligence beliefs was similar for students taking introductory and upper-division courses. In Study 2, growth curve analysis revealed a small linear change in incremental beliefs across time but no change in entity beliefs—these trends were similar for students enrolled in introductory and upper-division CS courses. Across both studies, change in implicit intelligence beliefs was not associated with academic achievement in CS. Findings provide preliminary evidence that shifts in implicit intelligence beliefs occur as students progress through the CS curriculum. Finally, findings support that mindset interventions may be more effective if delivered at the beginning of the semester before shifts in beliefs occur.
Accelerating Weather Prediction Using Near-Memory Reconfigurable Fabric
Authors: Singh Gagandeep , Diamantopoulos Dionysios , Gómez-Luna Juan , Hagleitner Christoph , Stuijk Sander , Corporaal Henk , Mutlu Onur
Published: February 2022

Ongoing climate change calls for fast and accurate weather and climate modeling. However, when solving large-scale weather prediction simulations, state-of-the-art CPU and GPU implementations suffer from limited performance and high energy consumption. These implementations are dominated by complex irregular memory access patterns and low arithmetic intensity that pose fundamental challenges to acceleration. To overcome these challenges, we propose and evaluate the use of near-memory acceleration using a reconfigurable fabric with high-bandwidth memory (HBM). We focus on compound stencils that are fundamental kernels in weather prediction models. By using high-level synthesis techniques, we develop NERO, an field-programmable gate array+HBM-based accelerator connected through Open Coherent Accelerator Processor Interface to an IBM POWER9 host system. Our experimental results show that NERO outperforms a 16-core POWER9 system by

\( 5.3\times \)

and

\( 12.7\times \)

when running two different compound stencil kernels. NERO reduces the energy consumption by

\( 12\times \)

and

\( 35\times \)

for the same two kernels over the POWER9 system with an energy efficiency of 1.61 GFLOPS/W and 21.01 GFLOPS/W. We conclude that employing near-memory acceleration solutions for weather prediction modeling  is promising as a means to achieve both high performance and high energy efficiency.
Influence of Interfacial Stress Produced by MAO on Electrochemical Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracking Behavior in 7075 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Qi Xing , Song Renguo , Wang Chao , Jiang Bo
Published: February 2022

The interfacial stresses of micro arc oxidation (MAO) coated 7075 Al alloy foil samples were measured by a deflection method. The results showed that compressive stresses were generated on the substrate-coating interface of the samples coated for different oxidation times. Electrochemical tests and slow strain rate tensile tests in a 3.5 wt% sodium chloride solution indicated that the compressive stress played a positive role in corrosion and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance. The findings of this work indicated that the MAO coating can not only act as a protective layer to hinder corrosive solution, but also the compressive stress generated during MAO process can offset part of the external stress and reduce the hydrogen penetration during SCC.
Thermal Stability of Polyethylene Oxide Electrolytes in Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide Based Composite Cathodes
Authors: Abels Gideon , Bardenhagen Ingo , Schwenzel Julian , Langer Frederieke
Published: February 2022

Thermal runaways induced by parasitic reactions are one of the greatest intrinsic risks for lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, the thermal stability of the electrolyte in contact with electrode materials is of utmost importance for safe battery usage. While solid state electrolytes are said to be safer than liquid ones, appropriate data about their thermal stability is nearly completely missing in literature. To fill this gap, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry coupled with mass spectrometry was used to analyze the thermal decomposition of composite cathodes in an argon atmosphere. The samples consisted of different polymer electrolytes mixed with lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC622). The results show that all examined solid electrolytes are stable up to 300 °C. Above this temperature, decomposition progress depends on the lithium salt. The cathode active material also reacts with the polymer electrolytes at high temperatures. Due to this, the energy output during decomposition increases with regard to the polymer fraction. Such knowledge is fundamental for the practical use of solid polymer electrolytes.
Catalysts Based on Dendrimer-Encapsulated Noble Metal Nanoclusters
Authors: Zhao Mingqi
Published: February 2022

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for a 1998 Department of Energy Summer Research Fellowship.
Impact Evaluation of Comfort Care on the Prognosis of Giant Thoracic Tumor Patients with Computerized Tomography Imaging under Intelligent Reconstruction Algorithm
Authors: Li Yan
Published: February 2022

The reconstruction algorithm based on the network of generative adversarial and contextual coding (RANGC) was proposed in this study to analyze the impacts on the prognosis of patients with giant thoracic tumors with CT imaging under artificial intelligence algorithms. The algorithms of Feldkamp–Davis–Kress (FDK) and the generative adversarial network (GAN) were introduced. The patients were divided into the test group with comfort care and the control group with conventional care. Three sets of indicators below were also compared between the patients in two groups, including the pain level and complication incidence, the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), the self-rating depression scale (SDS), and the patients’ satisfaction and average duration of hospital stay. When the scanning range was [0°, 89°], the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index measurement (SSIM) under the RANGC algorithm were 45.6 dB and 0.99, respectively. When the scanning range changed to [0°, 119°], the PSNR and SSIM were 39.21 dB and 0.98, respectively. The results were significantly higher than those under the FDK and GAN algorithms, and the difference was obviously of statistical significance

P
<
0.05

. The average postoperative pain level of the patients in the control group was 3.12 points, and the postoperative complication incidence was 36.13%, while those of the test group patients were 2.27 points and 20.02%, respectively, which was greatly lower than those of the control group patients, and such a difference was of statistical significance

P
<
0.05

. There was no statistically significant difference in the SDS and SAS scores between the patients in the two groups before surgery. However, the SAS and SDS scores of the test group patients were 41.23 and 43.25, respectively, after surgery, which are obviously lower than those of the control group patients, with a statistically significant difference

P
<
0.05

. The average duration of hospital stay of the test group patients was 6.31 days, which was lower than that of the control group patients, with a statistically significant difference

P
<
0.05

. The overall satisfaction of the test group patients was 83.33%, which was remarkably higher than that of the control group patients, and the difference had statistical significance

P
<
0.05

. All these showed that the performance of the RANGC algorithm was relatively better, and comfort care did good to improve the negative mood, satisfaction, and life quality of patients after surgery.
Computing Resource Allocation Strategy Using Biological Evolutionary Algorithm in UAV-Assisted Mobile Edge Computing
Authors: Wang Li , Yao Xiang , Yuan Zhenqi
Published: February 2022

Aiming at the problems of high computing energy consumption and long time in traditional UAV-assisted edge computing research work, a computing resource allocation strategy using biological evolutionary algorithms in UAV-assisted mobile edge computing is proposed by introducing UAV swarms and genetic algorithms. Firstly, it analyzes the communication model for uplink transmission, the calculation model for local computing tasks, and UAV to perform computing tasks. Secondly, the objective function and overall model of system are constructed by comprehensively considering multiple constraints. Then, improved genetic algorithm is introduced into the model. On the basis of data encoding, crossover, mutation, and termination operations, the optimization performance of algorithm is greatly improved by multiple iterations of fitness function. Finally, the energy consumption of proposed algorithm and other two algorithms under the same number of iterations are compared and analyzed by simulation experiments. The experimental results show that the optimal solution, average, and variance of proposed algorithm for energy consumption are 52.354, 50.326, and 0.224, respectively, and its performance is better than other two comparison algorithms.
Laser Capture Microdissection in the Spatial Analysis of Epigenetic Modifications in Skin: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Bhamidipati Theja , Sinha Mithun , Sen Chandan K. , Singh Kanhaiya
Published: February 2022

Each cell in the body contains an intricate regulation for the expression of its relevant DNA. While every cell in a multicellular organism contains identical DNA, each tissue-specific cell expresses a different set of active genes. This organizational property exists in a paradigm that is largely controlled by forces external to the DNA sequence via epigenetic regulation. DNA methylation and chromatin modifications represent some of the classical epigenetic modifications that control gene expression. Complex tissues like skin consist of heterogeneous cell types that are spatially distributed and mixed. Furthermore, each individual skin cell has a unique response to physiological and pathological cues. As such, it is difficult to classify skin tissue as homogenous across all cell types and across different environmental exposures. Therefore, it would be prudent to isolate targeted tissue elements prior to any molecular analysis to avoid a possibility of confounding the sample with unwanted cell types. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is a powerful technique used to isolate a targeted cell group with extreme microscopic precision. LCM presents itself as a solution to tackling the problem of tissue heterogeneity in molecular analysis. This review will cover an overview of LCM technology, the principals surrounding its application, and benefits of its application to the newly defined field of epigenomics, in particular of cutaneous pathology. This presents a comprehensive review about LCM and its use in the spatial analysis of skin epigenetics. Within the realm of skin pathology, this ability to isolate tissues under specific environmental stresses, such as oxidative stress, allows a far more focused investigation.
Cepharanthine Attenuates Early Brain Injury after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Mice via Inhibiting 15-Lipoxygenase-1-Mediated Microglia and Endothelial Cell Ferroptosis
Authors: Gao Shiqi , Zhou Liuzhi , Lu Jianan , Fang Yuanjian , Wu Haijian , Xu Weilin , Pan Yuanbo , Wang Junjie , Wang Xiaoyu , Zhang Jianmin , Shao Anwen
Published: February 2022

Background. Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of programmed cell death caused by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Our study was designed to determine the expression patterns and role of 15-lipoxygenase-1 (ALOX15) in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and to investigate whether cepharanthine (CEP) can inhibit ferroptosis by inhibiting ALOX15 in specific cell types. Methods. A mouse model of SAH was developed by the endovascular perforation method. bEend.3 endothelial cells and BV2 microglial cells as well as RSL3 and hemin were used to simulate SAH in vitro. Mice and cell lines were treated with CEP and a group of specific oxygenase inhibitors to explore the protection effect from ferroptosis. Lipid peroxidation staining with BODIPY 581/591 C11 and transmission electron microscopy were used to identify ferroptosis in vitro and in vivo. Results. In the present study, the accumulation of lipid peroxide, a defect in the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4)/glutathione (GSH) antioxidant system, highly expressed ALOX15 in microglia and endothelium, and ferroptotic changes in microglial mitochondria confirmed the occurrence of ferroptosis after SAH in vivo. Further, CEP was shown to inhibit ferroptosis and improve neurological function by downregulating the expression of ALOX15. During in vitro experiments, we investigated the important role ALOX15 in RSL3-induced endothelial ferroptosis. In addition, we found that M2-type microglia are more sensitive to RSL3-induced ferroptosis than M1-type microglia and that hemin probably induced ferroptosis in M2-type microglia by increasing ALOX15 levels and decreasing GPx4 levels. The effect of CEP treatment was also demonstrated in vitro. Conclusions. In summary, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating that ferroptosis occurred in the microglia and endothelium after SAH, and this process was facilitated by increased ALOX15 levels. More importantly, treatment with CEP could inhibit ferroptosis through downregulating the expression of ALOX15.
The Clinical Efficacy of Tirofiban Combined with Ticagrelor and Aspirin in Treating Acute Myocardial Infarction by Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Its Effect on Patients’ Cardiac Function
Authors: Peng Rui , Li Feng
Published: February 2022

Objective. To explore the clinical efficacy of tirofiban combined with ticagrelor and aspirin in acute myocardial infarction treatment by percutaneous coronary intervention and its effect on patients’ cardiac function. Methods. We selected 102 patients with acute myocardial infarction who came to The First Hospital of LanZhou University for treatment from July 2018 to May 2021. On the basis of conventional treatment, patients were separated into a joint group (tirofiban combined with ticagrelor and aspirin) comprising 55 cases and a control group (conventional ticagrelor and aspirin dual treatment) involving 47 cases. Blood flow classification of the two groups of patients was immediately recorded and compared after the myocardial infarction thrombolysis test (TIMI). Left ventricular function-related indicators, platelet-related parameters, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) before treatment and 7 days after PCI were evaluated and compared between the groups before treatment and 3 months after treatment. ELISA was utilized to detect the serum levels of inflammatory factors, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) before and after treatment. Incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and adverse reaction incidence was put into comparison between the two groups in the course of the 3-month follow-up period. Compared with the control group, the joint group accounted for more patients with TIMI blood flow classification level 3 (

P
<
0.05

) and showed more drastic improvement on the left ventricular function, platelet-related parameters, and serum inflammatory factors (

P
<
0.05

). Moreover, patients of the joint group suffered less fluctuation from RDW, NLR, and PLR (

P
<
0.05

), and their incidence of MACE was drastically lower in contrast with the control group (

P
<
0.05

). No notable changes were presented in terms of incidence of adverse reaction (

P
>
0.05

). For patients who suffered from acute myocardial infarction and treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, the application of tirofiban combined with ticagrelor and aspirin could effectively reduce the incidence of no reflow or slow blood flow, improve myocardial perfusion function, and have marked curative effects. It is worthy of clinical promotion and application.
Friendliness of Preschool Children’s Community Public Space Based on Multidimensional Perspectives under the Background of Wireless Communication and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Pang Chunyu , Wang Yajing
Published: February 2022

The development of wireless communication and artificial intelligence has provided great convenience to the people’s production and life and has also created many favorable conditions for the development of scientific research. Constructing a multidimensional monitoring system through technical means will help make community public spaces more friendly to preschool children, create a community public space that is friendly to preschool children, and better implement the concept of preschool children’s friendliness. The thesis aims to explore the friendliness of preschool children in the public space of the community and focus on the needs of preschool children and their caregivers as the starting point. Based on wireless communication and artificial intelligence technology, it is evaluated from the three dimensions of space, service, and culture. Starting from this, we obtained relevant data on the impact of impact factors on the friendliness of preschool children in community public spaces and quantified the community public spaces based on these scores to provide theoretical support for realizing preschool children’s friendliness in community public spaces. Research has proven that safety, inclusion, and diversity are the top concerns for community residents. Therefore, we should prioritize these factors when building community-friendly spaces.
Postchemoradiotherapy Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Distant Metastasis and Survival Results in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancers
Authors: Topkan Erkan , Selek Ugur , Haksoyler Veysel , Kucuk Ahmet , Durankus Nulifer Kilic , Sezen Duygu , Bolukbasi Yasemin , Pehlivan Berrin
Published: February 2022

Background and Objectives. In the absence of similar research, we endeavored to investigate the prognostic usefulness of posttreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPAC). Materials and Methods. Our retrospective research included a sum of 126 LAPAC patients who received CCRT. The NLR was calculated for each patient based on the complete blood count test results obtained on the last day of the CCRT. The availability of optimal cutoff(s) that might dichotomize the whole cohort into two groups with significantly different clinical outcomes was searched using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Primary and secondary endpoints were the potential association between the post-CCRT NLR measures and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes. Results. The median follow-up duration was 14.7 months (range: 2.4–94.5). The median and 3-year OS and DMFS rates for the whole group were 15.3 months (95% confidence interval: 12.4–18.2) and 14.5%, and 8.7 months (95% CI: 6.7–10.7) and 6.3% separately. The ROC curve analysis findings separated the patients into two groups on a rounded NLR cutoff of 3.1 (area under the curve (AUC): 75.4%; sensitivity: 74.2%; specificity: 73.9%) for OS and DMFS: NLR <3.1 (N = 62) and NLR ≥3.1 (N = 64), respectively. Comparisons between the NLR groups displayed that the median OS (11.4 vs. 21.4 months;

P
<
0.001

) and DMFS (6.0 vs. 16.0 months;

P
<
0.001

) lengths were significantly shorter in the NLR ≥3.1 group than its NLR <3.1 counterparts, as well as the 3-year actuarial DM rate (79.7% vs. 50.0%;

P
=
0.003

). The N1-2 nodal stage, CA 19–9>90 U/mL, and NLR >3.1 were found to be independent predictors of poor prognosis in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion. The present study found that the posttreatment NLR ≥3.1 was independently linked with a higher risk of DM and subsequent degraded survival outcomes in unresectable LAPAC patients managed with exclusive CCRT.
AI-Based Heterogenous Large-Scale English Translation Strategy
Authors: Wang Chuncheng
Published: February 2022

English has become one of the most widely used languages in the world. If there is no good translation mechanism for such a widely used language, it will bring trouble to both study and life. At present, the world’s major platforms are committed to the study of English translation strategies. There are translation platforms from different regions and different translation mechanisms. These translation data from different translation platforms have the characteristics of large-scale, multisource, heterogeneity, high dimensions, and poor quality. However, such inconsistent translation data will increase the translation difficulty and translation time. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the quality of translation data to achieve a better translation effect. How to provide a large-scale and efficient translation strategy needs to integrate the translation strategies of various platforms to perform heterogeneous translation data cleaning and fusion based on machine learning. At first, this paper represents the multisource, heterogeneous translation data model as tree-augmented naive Bayes networks (TANs) and naturally captures the relationship between the datasets through the learning of TANs structure and the probability distribution of input attributes and tuples, using data probability value to complete the classification of translation data cleaning. Then, a multisource, heterogeneous translation data fusion model based on recurrent neural network (RNN) is constructed, and RNN is used to control the node data of hidden layer to enhance the fault-tolerant ability in the fusion process and complete the construction of fusion model. Finally, experimental results show that TANs-based translation data cleaning method can effectively improve the cleaning rate with an average improvement of approximately 10% and cleaning time with an average reduce about 5%. In addition, RNN-based multisource translation data fusion method improves the shortcomings of the traditional fusion model and improves the practicability of the fusion model in terms of root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), fusion time, and integrity.
mir-204-5p Acts as a Tumor Suppressor by Targeting DNM2 in Osteosarcoma Cells
Authors: Qu Liangliang , Li Zhongqiu , Liu Pinduan
Published: February 2022

Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor composed of interstitial cells. We aim to seek the function of mir-204-5p/DNM2 in osteosarcoma cells. From April 2017 to August 2019, 58 cases of cancer tissues and paracancer tissues were obtained from patients with osteosarcoma in our hospital. qPCR was used to detect mir-204-5p in excisional cancer tissues and paracarcinoma tissues of osteosarcoma patients. The overexpression vector of mir-204-5p was established and transfected into osteosarcoma cells, and the propagation, invasiveness, migration, and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells were observed. StarBase was employed to forecast the binding site of mir-204-5p and DNM2. The targeting connection of mir-204-5p with DNM2 was detected via double luciferase reporter gene. mir-204-5p was lessened in osteosarcoma (

p
<
0.05

). mir-204-5p overexpression suppressed propagation and accelerated apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells (

p
<
0.05

). The results of double luciferase reporter gene revealed that the fluorescence activity of mir-204-5p was obviously declined when binding to DNM2 (

p
<
0.05

). mir-204-5p functions as a tumor inhibitor by targeting DNM2 in osteosarcoma cells. Our research is helpful to provide new ideas for clinical treatment.
On the Impact of the LHC Run 2 Data on General Composite Higgs Scenarios
Authors: Khosa Charanjit K. , Sanz Veronica
Published: February 2022

We study the impact of Run 2 LHC data on general composite Higgs scenarios, where nonlinear effects, mixing with additional scalars, and new fermionic degrees of freedom could simultaneously contribute to the modification of Higgs properties. We obtain new experimental limits on the scale of compositeness, the mixing with singlets and doublets with the Higgs, and the mass and mixing angle of top-partners. We also show that for scenarios where new fermionic degrees of freedom are involved in electroweak symmetry breaking, there is an interesting interplay among Higgs coupling measurements, boosted Higgs properties, SMEFT global analyses, and direct searches for single and double production of vector-like quarks.
Bias Reduction through Analysis of Competing Events (BRACE) Correction to Address Cancer Treatment Selection Bias in Observational Data
Authors: Williamson Casey W. , Nelson Tyler J. , Thompson Caroline A. , Vitzthum Lucas K. , Zakeri Kaveh , Riviere Paul J. , Bryant Alex K. , Sharabi Andrew B. , Zou Jingjing , Mell Loren K.
Published: February 2022

Purpose:

Cancer treatments can paradoxically appear to reduce the risk of noncancer mortality in observational studies, due to residual confounding. Here we introduce a method, Bias Reduction through Analysis of Competing Events (BRACE), to reduce bias in the presence of residual confounding.

Experimental Design:

BRACE is a novel method for adjusting for bias from residual confounding in proportional hazards models. Using standard simulation methods, we compared BRACE with Cox proportional hazards regression in the presence of an unmeasured confounder. We examined estimator distributions, bias, mean squared error (MSE), and coverage probability. We then estimated treatment effects of high versus low intensity treatments in 36,630 prostate cancer, 4,069 lung cancer, and 7,117 head/neck cancer patients, using the Veterans Affairs database. We analyzed treatment effects on cancer-specific mortality (CSM), noncancer mortality (NCM), and overall survival (OS), using conventional multivariable Cox and propensity score (adjusted using inverse probability weighting) models, versus BRACE-adjusted estimates.

Results:

In simulations with residual confounding, BRACE uniformly reduced both bias and MSE. In the absence of bias, BRACE introduced bias toward the null, albeit with lower MSE. BRACE markedly improved coverage probability, but with a tendency toward overcorrection for effective but nontoxic treatments. For each clinical cohort, more intensive treatments were associated with significantly reduced hazards for CSM, NCM, and OS. BRACE attenuated OS estimates, yielding results more consistent with findings from randomized trials and meta-analyses.

Conclusions:

BRACE reduces bias and MSE when residual confounding is present and represents a novel approach to improve treatment effect estimation in nonrandomized studies.
Retinopathy of Prematurity Requiring Treatment Is Closely Related to Head Growth during Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Bae Seong Phil , Kim Ee-Kyung , Yun Jungha , Yoon Young Mi , Shin Seung Han , Park Su Yeon
Published: February 2022

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is caused by prenatal sensitization and postnatal insults to the immature retina. This process can be associated with the postnatal growth of preterm infants. We investigated whether ROP requiring treatment was associated with the postnatal growth failure of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Method: From a cohort of VLBW infants (birth weight <1,500 g) registered in the Korean Neonatal Network from January 2013 to December 2017, 3,133 infants with gestational age (GA) between 24 and 28 weeks were included in the study. Postnatal growth failure was defined when the change in each anthropometric z-score between birth and discharge was <10th percentile of the total population. Propensity score matching (PSM) at 1:1 was performed to match the distribution of GA and postnatal morbidities between infants with and without ROP requiring treatment. Prenatal factors and ROP were analyzed by conditional logistic regression. Results: Of 3,133 enrolled infants, 624 (19.9%) were diagnosed with ROP requiring treatment. After PSM, ROP requiring treatment was associated with postnatal growth failure assessed by head circumference (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–3.09), but not weight (aOR 1.45, 95% CI 0.97–2.17) and length (aOR 1.21, 95% CI 0.81–1.82). Conclusion: ROP requiring treatment was associated with poor head circumference growth, not with weight and length. Our findings suggest that ROP requiring treatment and poor head growth during NICU hospitalization are fundamentally related.
Evolution of Quality of Life in Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4–5 Patients Transitioning to Dialysis and Transplantation
Authors: Hakamäki Markus , Järvisalo Mikko J. , Lankinen Roosa , Koivuviita Niina , Pärkkä Jussi P. , Kozak-Barany Andrea , Hellman Tapio , Metsärinne Kaj
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a profound effect on patients’ health-related quality of life (QoL). Longitudinal studies on QoL in CKD are scarce and have explored selected patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). We studied the evolution of QoL in patients with advanced CKD transitioning to dialysis and transplantation in a prospective follow-up study. Methods: A total of 100 participants of the Chronic Arterial Disease, Quality of Life, and Mortality in Chronic Kidney Injury (CADKID) study were enrolled in the study. Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form, biochemistry, and echocardiography were obtained at baseline and after a median interval of 33 (range 12–85) months. Results: At the time of the follow-up QoL assessment, 32 patients were not receiving RRT, 30 were on hemodialysis (HD), 19 on peritoneal dialysis (PD), and 19 had received a kidney transplant. Among kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), “Burden of Kidney Disease” and “General Health” domains improved compared to patients who initiated HD (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.007, respectively), PD (p = 0.0005 and p = 0.03, respectively), or remained in predialysis care (p = 0.009 and p = 0.003, respectively) while “Effects of Kidney Disease” improved compared to those who started HD (p = 0.004) or PD (p = 0.002). The change in Short Form-36 (SF-36) Physical Component Summary was not different between patients on different treatment modalities. Higher plasma albumin and cholesterol levels were associated with improved QoL in “Symptoms/Problems” (r = 0.28, p = 0.005, and r = 0.30, p = 0.004, respectively) and “Effects of Kidney Disease” (r = 0.27, p = 0.008, and r = 0.24, p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusion: QoL improved in KTRs in kidney disease-specific domains compared to patients initiating dialysis or those without RRT. Plasma albumin and lipids were associated with QoL over time.
Psicologia concreta e humanismo: Foucault crítico de Politzer
Authors: Noto Carolina de Souza
Published: February 2022

No presente artigo pretendo confrontar a crítica que Foucault faz à psicologia e a psicanálise em seus textos da década de 1950, com aquela que Georges Politzer desenvolve em seu famoso Crítica dos fundamentos da psicologia, de 1928.  Trata-se de mostrar que apesar de alguns pontos de convergência, a crítica de Foucault é, desde o início, mais radical que a de Politzer e atinge a própria psicologia concreta proposta por este.
Editorial
Authors: Vidal Ariovaldo , Otsuka Edu Teruki , Fonseca Maria Augusta
Published: February 2022

Editorial da edição de número 30 da revista Literatura e Sociedade
Reforma e Desenvolvimento Institucional no Âmbito Subnacional: uma análise do estado de Alagoas, Brasil.
Authors: Silva Neta Selefe Gomes da
Published: February 2022

Na década de 1990, a reforma da administração pública no âmbito federal buscou promover e desenvolver programas federais que estimulassem o desenvolvimento institucional das unidades subnacionais, por meio de reformas nas administrações públicas e em seus modelos de gestão. Com tal medida, buscava-se aumentar a eficiência da gestão pública dos estados e municípios brasileiros. Esse trabalho busca identificar e analisar as mudanças na administração pública estadual de Alagoas entre 1999 até 2017. A proposta busca responder à seguinte questão de pesquisa: Em que medida as mudanças na administração pública, resultaram em mudanças na capacidade estatal de Alagoas? Foram realizadas pesquisas documentais nos planos plurianuais e planos de governo em cinco mandatos de governo, além da análise de conteúdo entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas com atores políticos fundamentais para esse processo em Alagoas.
Sociedade patriarcal e a pressão para que as mulheres sejam mães
Authors: Costa Evellyn Hermelina , Moreira Leonardo
Published: February 2022

O presente artigo tem por objetivo disponibilizar uma discussão sobre a pressão que mulheres sofrem para engravidar em circunstâncias distintas. Isto posto, primeiramente discutiremos acerca da estrutura social que nos envolve e dos tipos de violência que as mulheres estão propensas a sofrer. A partir disso, exploraremos a influência dessa estrutura nas vidas particulares das mulheres e também discorreremos sobre as principais consequências dessas violências praticadas contra esse mesmo grupo dentro do tema da gravidez. Por fim, definiremos algumas das possíveis medidas a serem tomadas para mitigação do impacto do patriarcado e, otimistamente, para o fim do controle social sobre o corpo individual e da coação determinante das escolhas pessoais.
O Mal-Estar na Civilização: uma aproximação entre o ensaio de Freud e o impacto das mídias digitais
Authors: Rebelo Rafael , Silva Valdeni Terezinha Soares da
Published: February 2022

Este artigo se propõe a fazer uma revisão do ensaio de Sigmund Freud “O Mal-Estar na Civilização”, publicado em 1930, estabelecendo uma aproximação com o impacto das mídias digitais e da Internet em nosso cotidiano. O referencial teórico é embasado na perspectiva relativa à psicologia social de Freud e suas teorias psicanalíticas. Para aproximar o texto base com nossa atual realidade, fez-se uma síntese sobre o conceito do homem pós-moderno. Como a popularização dos smartphones e aparelhos de mídias digitais é um evento com uma estimativa de 10 anos, muitas pesquisas ainda devem ser feitas para se compreender melhor em como isto está afetando a sociedade. A metodologia foi elaborada a partir da abordagem qualitativa, do tipo pesquisa bibliográfica exploratória, através de material já publicado, constituído principalmente de: livros, revistas científicas, teses, monografias, artigos científicos e sites de Internet especializados e embasados em fontes confiáveis. O artigo faz uma revisão dos estudos mais importantes sobre o impacto das mídias digitais na sociedade, priorizando os estudos situados a partir do ano de 2014 até o ano de 2019. Ao longo desta pesquisa foi constatado que: a Internet está atuando como facilitadora no processo civilizatório, assim como Freud afirmava que a religião atuava; as grandes marcas comerciais estão potencializando o uso problemático de mídias interativas, beneficiando-se diretamente pelo uso prolongado do usuário; e a introdução precoce das tecnologias potencializa aspectos negativos no desenvolvimento humano, no comportamento social e na saúde mental de crianças e adolescentes, o que enseja maior atenção do poder publico e da sociedade, sobretudo no tocante à promoção de políticas públicas com instrumento de Ação Publica.
Autophagy Is Differentially Regulated in Leukocyte and Nonleukocyte Foam Cells During Atherosclerosis
Authors: Robichaud Sabrina , Rasheed Adil , Pietrangelo Antonietta , Doyoung Kim Anne , Boucher Dominique M. , Emerton Christina , Vijithakumar Viyashini , Gharibeh Lara , Fairman Garrett , Mak Esther , Nguyen My-Anh , Geoffrion Michele , Wirka Robert , Rayner Katey J. , Ouimet Mireille
Published: February 2022

Rationale:

Atherosclerosis is characterized by an accumulation of foam cells within the arterial wall, resulting from excess cholesterol uptake and buildup of cytosolic lipid droplets (LDs). Autophagy promotes LD clearance by freeing stored cholesterol for efflux, a process that has been shown to be atheroprotective. While the role of autophagy in LD catabolism has been studied in macrophage-derived foam cells, this has remained unexplored in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-derived foam cells that constitute a large fraction of foam cells within atherosclerotic lesions.

Objective:

We performed a comparative analysis of autophagy flux in lipid-rich aortic intimal populations to determine whether VSMC-derived foam cells metabolize LDs similarly to their macrophage counterparts.

Methods and Results:

Atherosclerosis was induced in GFP-LC3 (microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3) transgenic mice by PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9)-adeno-associated viral injection and Western diet feeding. Using flow cytometry of aortic digests, we observed a significant increase in dysfunctional autophagy of VSMC-derived foam cells during atherogenesis relative to macrophage-derived foam cells. Using cell culture models of lipid-loaded VSMCs and macrophages, we show that autophagy-mediated cholesterol efflux from VSMC foam cells was poor relative to macrophage foam cells, and largely occurs when HDL (high-density lipoprotein) was used as a cholesterol acceptor, as opposed to apoA-1 (apolipoproteinA-1). This was associated with the predominant expression of ABCG1 in VSMC foam cells. Using metformin, an autophagy activator, cholesterol efflux to HDL was significantly increased in VSMC, but not in macrophage, foam cells.

Conclusions:

These data demonstrate that VSMC and macrophage foam cells perform cholesterol efflux by distinct mechanisms, and that autophagy flux is highly impaired in VSMC foam cells, but can be induced by pharmacological means. Further investigation is warranted into targeting autophagy specifically in VSMC foam cells, the predominant foam cell subtype of advanced atherosclerotic plaques, to promote reverse cholesterol transport and resolution of the atherosclerotic plaque.
Reduced Severity of Tissue Injury Within the Infarct May Partially Mediate the Benefit of Reperfusion in Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Ng Felix C. , Churilov Leonid , Yassi Nawaf , Kleinig Timothy J. , Thijs Vincent , Wu Teddy Y. , Shah Darshan G. , Dewey Helen M. , Sharma Gagan , Desmond Patricia M. , Yan Bernard , Parsons Mark W. , Donnan Geoffrey A. , Davis Stephen M. , Mitchell Peter J. , Leigh Richard , Campbell Bruce C.V. ,   on behalf of the EXTEND-IA TNK Part 1 and 2 Investigators
Published: February 2022

Background:

Emerging data suggest tissue within the infarct lesion is not homogenously damaged following ischemic stroke but has a gradient of injury. Using blood-brain-barrier (BBB) disruption as a marker of tissue injury, we tested whether therapeutic reperfusion improves clinical outcome by reducing the severity of tissue injury within the infarct in patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods:

In a pooled analysis of patients treated for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion in the EXTEND-IA TNK (Tenecteplase Versus Alteplase Before Endovascular Therapy for Ischemic Stroke) and EXTEND-IA part-2 (Determining the Optimal Dose of Tenecteplase Before Endovascular Therapy for Ischaemic Stroke) trials, post-treatment BBB permeability at 24 hours was calculated based on the extent of T1-brightening by extravascular gadolinium on T2* perfusion-weighted imaging and measured within the diffusion-weighted-imaging lesion. First, to determine the clinical significance of BBB disruption as a marker of severity of tissue injury, we examined the association between post-treatment BBB permeability and functional outcome. Second, we performed an exploratory (reperfusion, BBB permeability, functional outcome) mediation analysis to estimate the proportion of the reperfusion-outcome relationship that is mediated by change in BBB permeability.

Results:

In the 238 patients analyzed, an increased BBB permeability measured within the infarct at 24 hours was associated with a reduced likelihood of favorable outcome (90-day modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2) after adjusting for age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, premorbid modified Rankin Scale, infarct topography, laterality, thrombolytic agent, sex, parenchymal hematoma, and follow-up infarct volume (adjusted odds ratio, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.75–0.98];
P
=0.023). Mediation analysis suggested reducing the severity of tissue injury (as estimated by BBB permeability) accounts for 18.2% of the association between reperfusion and favorable outcome, as indicated by a reduction in the regression coefficient of reperfusion after addition of BBB permeability as a covariate.

Conclusions:

In patients with ischemic stroke, reduced severity of tissue injury within the infarct, as determined by assessing the integrity of the BBB, is independently associated with improved functional outcome. In addition to reducing diffusion-weighted imaging-defined infarct volume, reperfusion may also improve clinical outcome by reducing tissue injury severity within the infarct.
Ecocriticism, Theology, and the Environment in Haviva Pedaya’s The Eye of the Cat
Authors: Hacohen-Bick Tafat
Published: February 2022

Haviva Pedaya’s book The Eye of the Cat presents an innovative theology of ecology, yet in correspondence with traditional Jewish-Kabbalistic sources. I discuss Pedaya’s ecopoetic reading of these sources, as well as her own midrashim in this regard. Pedaya raises questions regarding the place of man in the world; political questions regarding center and periphery; urbanization and nature; construction and destruction. These questions arise via the book’s unique poetic expression. Pedaya offers a theology of waste, addressing the place of garbage in the human sphere through the Kabbalistic idiom regarding the collection of qlipoth (“husks” ‮קליפות,‬‎). The Kabbalistic project of collecting the qlipoth, which previously functioned in the context of an esoteric and mostly secretive symbolic system, now takes on a different meaning in light of the real “husks” that demand to be collected and reused.
Evaluation of sorghum genotypes for their reaction to major grain molds and mycotoxin-producing fungi in two climates of Ethiopia
Authors: Taye Wondimeneh , Dejene Mashilla , Ayalew Amare , Chala Alemayehu
Published: February 2022

Use of resistant genotype is considered to be the most feasible means to mitigate sorghum grain damage by grain mold in a climate favourable for fungal invasion and subsequent mycotoxin contamination. Field-based experiments were conducted at Babile and Haramaya for two consecutive cropping seasons to evaluate 20 sorghum genotypes for their reaction to grain molds as well as aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination. Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides with spore concentrations of 106 ml-1 were inoculated by spraying into the inflorescence, when the anther emerged from approximately 50–70% of the spikelets. Mycotoxin analysis was done using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results revealed that the sorghum genotypes evaluated for their reactions to A. flavus and F. verticillioides inoculation had significantly different responses. Variety Melkam was identified as a susceptible genotype to F. verticillioides and variety Birhan was found resistant to both fungal species. Variety Long Muyera was the most susceptible to both toxigenic fungi. Long Muyera was contaminated with aflatoxin B1 and total fumonisin above the maximum tolerable limit of 10 µg kg-1 and 2000 µg kg-1, respectively. Though the sorghum genotype Birhan was resistant to A. flavus, its aflatoxin B1 contamination was relatively high. In this study, it was recognized that none of the tested sorghum genotypes exhibited possession of multiple resistance to the inoculated toxigenic fungi. Therefore, it is commendable to select and use genotypes, which are resistant to specific toxigenic fungi for a particular location, where the problem exists.