bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrophoresis of a small sphere in a cylinder of finite length
Authors: Sherwood John D.
Published: January 2023

The pressure due to electrophoretic motion of a charged colloidal sphere in a fluid‐filled circular cylinder is determined in the limit in which the sphere radius is small compared with that of the cylinder. If the ends of the cylinder are open, pressure‐driven Poiseuille flow occurs, but the magnitude of this flow is shown to be small when the cylinder is long compared to its radius. It is concluded that the flow has little effect upon electrophoretic velocities, unlike when the diameter of the sphere is comparable to that of the cylinder in which case the Poiseuille flow increases electrophoretic velocities and creates long‐range interactions between spheres.
Study of effect modifiers of genetically predicted CETP reduction
Authors: Legault Marc‐André , Barhdadi Amina , Gamache Isabel , Lemaçon Audrey , Lemieux Perreault Louis‐Philippe , Grenier Jean‐Christophe , Sylvestre Marie‐Pierre , Hussin Julie G. , Rhainds David , Tardif Jean‐Claude , Dubé Marie‐Pierre
Published: January 2023

Genetic variants in drug targets can be used to predict the long‐term, on‐target effect of drugs. Here, we extend this principle to assess how sex and body mass index may modify the effect of genetically predicted lower CETP levels on biomarkers and cardiovascular outcomes. We found sex and body mass index (BMI) to be modifiers of the association between genetically predicted lower CETP and lipid biomarkers in UK Biobank participants. Female sex and lower BMI were associated with higher high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol for the same genetically predicted reduction in CETP concentration. We found that sex also modulated the effect of genetically lower CETP on cholesterol efflux capacity in samples from the Montreal Heart Institute Biobank. However, these modifying effects did not extend to sex differences in cardiovascular outcomes in our data. Our results provide insight into the clinical effects of CETP inhibitors in the presence of effect modification based on genetic data. The approach can support precision medicine applications and help assess the external validity of clinical trials.
Learning and elucidating the uncertainty in primary care by mapping uncertainty in medicine
Authors: Ohtsuka Yuma , Inoue Kazuoki , Son Daisuke , Taniguchi Shinichi
Published: January 2023

This letter reports on a workshop aiming to ease clinical practice by mapping uncertainties in clinical practice. The workshop was indeed effective considering the mapped uncertainties based on previous research and included discussion. We believe that future expansion of similar activities will promote the study of uncertainty in clinical practice.
Higher clearance rates of multiple HPV infections may explain their lower risk of HSIL: A retrospective study in Wenzhou, China
Authors: Ni Xinyu , Hu Jiaming , Huang Yin , Tao Jinxin , Zhu Hua
Published: January 2023

Persistent human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is known to be associated with cervical lesions. The chief object of the study is to investigate if the pathogenicity of multiple HPV infections is different from a single infection. Furthermore, we would like to corroborate the discrepancy with clearance rates. Between August 1, 2020, and September 31, 2021, 5089 women underwent a colposcopy‐directed biopsy in our hospital. We divided the 2999 patients who met the criteria into multiple and single HPV infection groups. The HPV genotypes were identified using the flow cytometry fluorescence hybridization technology. Binary logistic regression and survival analysis were used to perform statistics. Among HPV‐positive individuals, 34.78% (1043/2999) were positive for 2 or more HPV types. After adjusting for the main factors, compared with single infection, multiple infections were associated with a significantly decreased risk of high squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) (odds ratio [OR]: 0.570; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.468–0.694). In the mean time, the clearance rates of multiple infections were significantly higher (OR: 2.240; 95% CI: 1.919–2.614). When analyzing specific types covered by the 9‐valent HPV vaccine, consistency between the lower risk of HSIL and the higher clearance rate was found in the most groups. Compared with a single infection, multiple HPV infections have a lower risk of HSIL, which may be related to its higher clearance rate. It suggests that aggressive treatment of multiple HPV infections early in their detection may be beneficial.
Molecular characterization of rotavirus infections in children less than 5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis in Tehran, Iran, 2021–2022: Emergence of uncommon G9P[4] and G9P[8] rotavirus strains
Authors: Kachooei Atefeh , Tava Koli Ahmad , Minaeian Sara , Hosseini Mahdieh , Jalilvand Somayeh , Latifi Tayebeh , Arashkia Arash , Ataei‐Pirkooh Angila , Shoja Zabihollah
Published: January 2023

The present study was conducted to monitor the genotypes of circulating species A rotavirus (RVA) in Iran and investigate genetic linkages between specific RVA VP7, VP4, VP6, and NSP4 segments. For this purpose, 48 RVA strains were detected during the 2021–2022 seasons. The two combinations of G9P[4] and G9P[8] RVA strains were predominant. However, several other combinations of RVA also were detected. Based on the distribution of I and E genotypes (46 strains) with respect to G and P, the most common strains were G9P[4]‐I2‐E2 (19.5%), G9P[4]‐I2‐E1 (6.5%), G9P[4]‐I1‐E1 (4.3%), G9P[8]‐I1‐E1 (19.5%), and G9P[8]‐I2‐E2 (10.9%), which were followed by several other combinations of G and P RVA strains with different pattern of I‐E genotypes and also emerging, rare and uncommon strains. The present study described the continued circulation of G9 strains with the emergence of uncommon G9P[4] and G9P[8] reassortants with three and two different I‐E genotypes, respectively, which have not been reported previously in Iran. Our findings indicated that these uncommon strains exhibited a unique genotype pattern comprising a mixture of genogroup 1 and 2 genes and suggest the need for further analysis of rare, uncommon, and emerging strains of RVA at all 11 gene segments to determine intergenogroup and intragenotype reassortments.
Inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene formation in charcoal‐grilled pork sausages by ginger and its key compounds
Authors: Zhang Xiaomin , Hu Gaofeng , Xu Chaoyang , Nie Wen , Cai Kezhou , Fang Hongmei , Xu Baocai
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Ginger and its extracts have been frequently used in food processing and pharmaceuticals. However, the influence of ginger and its key compounds on benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) production in meat processing has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of application of ginger and its important active ingredients on BaP formation and the mechanism of inhibiting BaP formation in charcoal‐grilled pork sausages.

RESULTS

The DPPH scavenging (23.59–59.67%) activity and the inhibition rate of BaP (42.1–68.9%) were significantly increased (P < 0.05) with increasing ginger addition. The active components extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide from ginger were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and 14 representative compounds (four terpenes, two alcohols, two aldehydes, four phenols and two other compounds, totaling 77.57% of the detected compounds) were selected. The phenolic compounds (eugenol, 6‐gingerol, 6‐paradol and 6‐shogaol, accounting for 29.73% of the total composition) in ginger played a key role and had the strongest inhibitory effect on BaP (61.2–68.2%), whereas four other kinds of compound showed obviously feeble inhibitory activity (6.47–17.9%). Charcoal‐grilled sausages with phenolic substances had lower values of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, carbonyl and diene (three classic indicators of lipid oxidation) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Ginger and its key compounds could effectively inhibit the formation of BaP in charcoal‐grilled pork sausages. Phenolic compounds make the strongest contribution to the inhibition of Bap formation, and the inhibitory mechanism was related to the inhibition of lipid oxidation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Cancer risk‐reducing surgery: Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology Guideline Part 2 (Gastrointestinal and thyroid)
Authors: Carneiro Vandré C. G. , Gifoni Ana C. L. V. C. , Rossi Benedito M. , da Cunha Andrade Carlos E. M. , de Lima Fernanda T. , de Campos Reis Galvão Henrique , da Rocha Jose C. C. , da Silva Barreto Leonardo S. , Ashton‐Prolla Patrícia , Guindalini Rodrigo S. C. , de Farias Terence P. , Andrade Wesley P. , de Sousa Fernandes Paulo H. , Ribeiro Reitan , Lopes Andre , Tsunoda Audrey T. , Azevedo Bruno R. B. , Marins Carlos A. M. , de Albuquerque Oliveira Uchôa Diego N. , Dos Santos Evandro A. S. , Coimbra Felipe J. F. , Filho Francisco A. D. , de Oliveira Lopes Francisco C. , Fernandes Francisco G. , Ritt Guilherme F. , Laporte Gustavo A. , Guimaraes Gustavo C. , Feitosa e Castro Neto Heládio , dos Santos Jocela C. , de Carvalho Vilela Jordana B. , Junior Jorge G. M. , da Cunha Juliano R. , Milhomem Leonardo M. , da Silva Luciana M. , de Freitas Maciel Luiza , Ramalho Nathalia M. , Nunes Rafael L. , de Araújo Rodrigo G. , de Assunção Ehrhardt Rogério , Bocanegra Ronald E. D. , Junior Tyrone C. S. , de Oliveira Viviane R. , Surimã Walyson S. , de Melo Melquiades Miriam , de Castro Ribeiro Heber S. , Oliveira Alexandre F.
Published: January 2023

Background

Risk‐reducing operations are an important part of the management of hereditary predisposition to cancer. In selected cases, they can considerably reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cancer in this population.

Objectives

The Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology (BSSO) developed this guideline to establish national benchmarks for cancer risk‐reducing operations.

Methods

The guideline was prepared from May to December 2021 by a multidisciplinary team of experts to discuss the surgical management of cancer predisposition syndromes. Eleven questions were defined and assigned to expert groups that reviewed the literature and drafted preliminary recommendations. Following a review by the coordinators and a second review by all participants, the groups made final adjustments, classified the level of evidence, and voted on the recommendations.

Results

For all questions including risk‐reducing colectomy, gastrectomy, and thyroidectomy, a major agreement was achieved by the participants, always using accessible alternatives.

Conclusion

This and its accompanying article represent the first guideline in cancer risk reduction surgery developed by the BSSO and it should serve as an important reference for the management of families with cancer predisposition.
Is early extubation after esophagectomy safe? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Serafim Maria Carolina Andrade , Orlandini Marina Feliciano , Datrino Letícia Nogueira , Tavares Guilherme , Tristão Luca Schiliró , dos Santos Clara Lucato , Pinheiro Filho João Emílio Lemos , Bernardo Wanderley Marques , Tustumi Francisco
Published: January 2023

There is no consensus on the timing of extubation after esophagectomy. There is a fear that premature extubation may result in a high risk of urgent reintubation. On the other hand, there is a risk of lung damage in prolonged intubation. The present systematic review compares early and late extubation. Five articles were selected. Early extubation after esophagectomy does not increase the risk of reintubation, mortality, complications, and length of stay.
Gastric cancer with microsatellite instability displays increased thymidylate synthase expression
Authors: Pereira Marina A. , Dias André R. , Ramos Marcus F. K. P. , Cardili Leonardo , Moraes Rafael D. R. , Zilberstein Bruno , Nahas Sergio C. , Mello Evandro S. , Ribeiro Ulysses
Published: January 2023

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) with microsatellite instability (MSI) is a less aggressive disease and associated with resistance to 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU)‐based chemotherapy (CMT). Thymidylate synthase (TS) is inhibited by 5‐FU, and another potential mediator of therapeutic resistance to 5‐FU. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the association between MSI and TS expression in GC, and its impact on disease outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated GC who underwent D2‐gastrectomy. MSI and TS were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. We also investigated p53 expression, PD‐L1 status, and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (CD4 and CD8).

Results

Out of 284 GC, 60 (21.1%) were MSI. Median TS‐score for all cases was 16.5. TS expression was significantly higher in MSI compared to microsatellite‐stable (MSS; p < 0.001). Considering both status, GC were classified in four groups: 167 (58.8%) MSS + TS‐low; 57 (20.1%) MSS + TS‐High; 24 (8.5%) MSI + TS‐low; and 36 (12.7%) MSI + TS‐high. MSI + TS‐high group had less advanced pTNM stage, higher CD8+T cells levels (p < 0.001) and PD‐L1 positivity (p < 0.001). Normal p53 expression was related to MSI GC (p < 0.001). Improved survival was observed in MSI + TS‐high, but no survival benefit was seen with CMT.

Conclusion

MSI GC was associated with high TS levels, which may explain therapeutic resistance to 5‐FU. Additionally, MSI + TS‐high showed better survival, but without improvement with CMT.
High soluble OX40 levels correlate with metastatic gastric cancer
Authors: Lima Cecilia A. C. , Martins Mário R. , dos Santos Rogerio L. , da Silva Luciana M. , Silva Jeronimo P. A. , Torres Leuridan C. , Forones Nora M.
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives

Previous studies demonstrated an association between OX40+T cell expression with poor prognosis in gastric cancer (GC). The soluble form of OX40 (sOX40) could block the interactions between OX40 on the effector T cell, and it is a ligand (OX40L) in dendritic cells. However, the role of sOX40 as a pretreating biomarker and prognostic predictor remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association of levels of sOX40 and sOX40L with disease progression in GC.

Methods

Between 2017 and 2018, a cross‐sectional study was performed on 83 GC patients and 20 healthy controls.

Results

Among 83 GC patients (median of 63 years), 32.4% of patients with I/II stages, 42.3% III, and 25.3% in IV stages. Metastatic GC patients had significantly higher levels of soluble OX40 compared with stage III (p = 0.0003) and early stages I and II patients (p = 0.005). There was no significant differences in the sOX40 and sOX40L levels between Lauren's histological subtype (intestinal, diffuse, and mixed).

Conclusions

This study showed that soluble OX40 levels have an essential role in GC progression. OX40 molecules may constitute a predictor for poor prognosis and a potential target for immunotherapy in GC.
Two‐ versus three‐field lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of early and late results
Authors: Datrino Letícia Nogueira , Orlandini Marina Feliciano , Serafim Maria Carolina Andrade , dos Santos Clara Lucato , Modesto Victoria Andrade , Tavares Guilherme , Tristão Luca Schiliró , Bernardo Wanderley M. , Tustumi Francisco
Published: January 2023

This study aims to estimate whether prophylactic cervical lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer influences the short‐ and long‐term results through a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis. Twenty‐eight articles were selected in this systematic review, encompassing 9180 patients. Prophylactic neck lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer should be performed with caution, as it is associated with worse short‐term results compared to traditional two‐field lymphadenectomy and does not improve long‐term survival.
Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology surgical standards for resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases
Authors: Vaz da Silva Diego G. , Bredt Luis C. , Diniz Alessandro L. , Vieira Victor H. R. , Fernandes Paulo H. S. , Ribeiro Reitan , Ribeiro Héber S. C. , Oliveira Alexandre F.
Published: January 2023

The management of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) has become complex because of the increasing availability of medical, radiological, and surgical treatment options applied either alone or in combination. However, resection remains the only evidence‐based curative therapy. These Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology surgical standards are intended to guide clinicians in the decision‐making process for modern surgical management of CRLM within a multidisciplinary team in an evidence‐based framework, focusing on resectable disease.
Surgical management of locally advanced breast cancer: Recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology
Authors: da Costa Vieira René A. , Andrade Wesley P. , Vieira Sabas C. , Romano Mauricio , Iglesias Gustavo , Oliveira Alexandre F.
Published: January 2023

The Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology organized a group of oncological surgeons to discuss surgical aspects associated with locally advanced breast carcinoma. This article reviews the indications, different surgeries (thoracoabdominal or myocutaneous flaps), and associated complications. It discusses special conditions such as invasion of the chest wall and interscapular thoracic disarticulation. It makes recommendations based on the literature regarding clinical findings, tumor conditions, response to neoadjuvant therapy, choice of flaps in surgery, and tumor biology.
Surgery or active surveillance for pNETs < 2 cm: Preliminary results from a single center Brazilian cohort
Authors: Arra Dante A. S. M. , Ribeiro Heber S. C. , Henklain Gustavo , Barbosa Alex , Torres Silvio M. , Diniz Alessandro L. , Godoy André L. , Farias Igor C. , Costa Wilson L. , Coimbra Felipe J. F.
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives

Incidence of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETS) seems to be rising over the years, with many cases incidentally diagnosed. Surgery and active surveillance are current treatment modalities for small pNETS. We review our institutional series and compare outcomes for small asymptomatic and nonfunctioning tumors.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients with 2 cm or less and well differentiated pNETS at a single Brazilian Cancer Center. From 2002 to 2020, patients received active surveillance or surgery as a treatment strategy. Short and long‐term results were compared.

Results

Sixty‐four patients were included, 41 in surgical strategy and 23 in the active surveillance approach. Baseline group characteristics were comparable. More patients on active surveillance underwent abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and had tumors located in the pancreatic head (41% vs. 17%, p = 0.038). Minimally invasive procedure was chosen in 80.1% of the surgical patients. No patient died after surgery. Median follow‐up period was 38.6 and 46.4 months for active surveillance and surgery cohorts, respectively. No difference in disease progression rate was observed.

Conclusion

Both approaches seem to be safe for small pNETs. Long‐term outcome and quality of life should be considered when discussing such options with patients.
Cryo‐EM structure of orphan G protein‐coupled receptor GPR21
Authors: Wong Thian‐Sze , Gao Wei , Chen Geng , Qiu Chen , He Guodong , Ye Fang , Wu Zhangsong , Zeng Zicheng , Du Yang
Published: January 2023

GPR21 belongs to class A orphan G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR). The endogenous ligands for human GPR21 remain unidentified. GPR21 expression is associated with developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM), a multifactorial metabolic disease caused by pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction, decreasing insulin production, insulin resistance, and obesity. Animal studies suggested that GPR21 is a potential therapeutic target for T2DM treatment. The underlying mechanisms leading to GPR21 self‐activation remain unknown. In our co‐expression analysis, we noted that GPR21 could also form a stable complex with an unreported Gα protein subtype, Gαs. To gain further insights into the structural mechanisms of GPR21 activation, we employed cryo‐electron microscopy (cryo‐EM) and single‐particle analysis to resolve the high‐resolution structure of GPR21‐Gαs complexes. The clear electron density map of the GPR21‐Gαs provided direct evidence that GPR21 could couple to Gαs protein at physiological conditions. Thus, GPR21 might mediate previously unexplored pathways in normal or pathological conditions, which warrants further investigation. Structure‐guided mutagenesis and biochemical analysis revealed that extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) of GPR21 is essential for the receptor transducing intracellular signal via cAMP. Together, the new structure data reveal a novel signaling cascade of human GPR21 mediated by ECL2 and provide fundamental information for future structure‐based drug development.
Evaluation of free DIEP flap complications in the setting of previous gynecological operations
Authors: Chang Eric I.
Published: January 2023

Background

Autologous tissue breast reconstruction with free deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps is reliable with reproducible results and very few contraindications. However, previous surgery may compromise the abdominal donor site due to injury to the vascular pedicle. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the effects of prior abdominal surgery on need for changes to the operative plan, intraoperative complications, and postoperative flap compromise.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective review of all patients undergoing breast reconstruction with free tissue transfer from the abdomen was performed.

Results

A total of 733 free abdominal flaps were performed in 478 patients during the study period. Two hundred sixty‐two (54.8%) patients had prior abdominal surgery with 24.8% laparoscopic/robotic versus 56.9% open versus 18.3% both, 21.4% general surgery versus 60.7% gynecological versus 17.9% both, and 97.7% elective versus 1.1% emergent versus 1.1% both. There were 15 total flap losses (2.0%) and 2 partial flap losses (0.3%). Intraoperative complications and changes in the operative plan occurred in 13 flaps (1.8%) with 84.6% having prior gynecological surgery (p = .0001).

Conclusions

Free DIEP flap breast reconstruction is becoming more commonplace with a low risk of complications. Although DIEP flaps are still possible in the setting of prior abdominal surgery, there is a higher risk of damage to the deep inferior epigastric pedicle in patients who have had emergency Cesarean sections or hysterectomy. Conducting a focused history may prepare the reconstructive microsurgeon to address and to avoid potential intraoperative complications.
Optimal study on fractional fascioliasis disease model based on generalized Fibonacci polynomials
Authors: Avazzadeh Zakieh , Hassani Hossein , Agarwal Praveen , Mehrabi Samrad , Javad Ebadi Mohammad , Hosseini Asl M. Kazem
Published: January 2023

Fascioliasis is a liver fluke disease in which food and water are the transmitting agents. The disease is caused by a genus of Fasciola, parasitic Trematoda. The genus Fasciola includes two species of Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica. The study of this disease is of particular importance as the infected cases are globally growing, especially in endemic areas. In this paper, a fractional‐order mathematical model is presented for fascioliasis disease. The optimization method is an effective choice in solving mathematical models of epidemic diseases. The study aims at presenting a new set of generalized Fibonacci polynomials as basic functions and some innovative operational matrices of derivatives in the Caputo sense to solve the fascioliasis disease model. The numerical experiments reveal better results and simulations show effectiveness of the presented method.
Solitons in several space dimensions with variable exponents
Authors: Dellal Abdelkader , Graef John R. , Ouahab Abdelghani
Published: January 2023

The authors examine the Lorentz invariant nonlinear field equations with a variable exponent in several space dimensions in order to prove the existence of soliton‐like solutions. The existence of a static solution minimizing the energy is proved. Under some addition assumptions, the existence of infinitely many solutions is also proved.
Consistency of dose rates after applying machine‐specific reference correction factors for the gamma knife 16 mm collimator field
Authors: Choi Yona , Chun Kook Jin , Kim Eun San , Bahng Jungbae , Yang Hye Jeong , Kim Tae Hoon , Cho Gyu Seok , Choi Sang Hyoun , Seo Young Chan , Chung Hyun‐Tai
Published: January 2023

Background

The machine‐specific reference (msr) correction factors () were introduced in International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Report Series 483 (TRS‐483) for reference dosimetry of small fields. Several correction factor sets exist for a Leksell Gamma Knife (GK) Perfexion or Icon. Nevertheless, experiments have not rigorously validated the correction factors from different studies.

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the role and accuracy of values in determining the absorbed dose rates to water in the reference dosimetry of Gamma Knife.

Methods

The dose rates in the 16 mm collimator field of a GK were determined following the international code of practices with three ionization chambers: PTW T31010, PTW T31016 (PTW Freiberg GmbH, New York, NY), and Exradin A16 (Standard Imaging, Inc., Middleton, WI). A chamber was placed at the center of a solid water phantom (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) using a detector‐specific insert. The reference point of the ionization chamber was confirmed using cone‐beam CT images. Consistency checks were repeated five times at a GK site and performed once at seven GK sites. Correction factors from six simulations reported in previous studies were employed. Variations in the dose rates and relative dose rates before and after applying the were statistically compared.

Results

The standard deviation of the dose rates measured by the three chambers decreased significantly after any correction method was applied (p = 0.000). When the correction factors of all studies were averaged, the standard deviation was reduced significantly more than when any single correction method was applied (p ≤ 0.030), except for the IAEA TRS‐483 correction factors (p = 0.148). Before any correction was applied, there were statistically significant differences among the relative dose rates measured by the three chambers (p = 0.000). None of the single correction methods could remove the differences among the ionization chambers (p ≤ 0.038). After TRS‐483 correction, the dose rate of Exradin A16 differed from those of the other two chambers (p ≤ 0.025). After the averaged factors were applied, there were no statistically significant differences between any pairs of chambers according to Scheffe's post hoc analyses (p ≥ 0.051); however, PTW T31010 differed from PTW 31016 according to Tukey's HSD analyses (p = 0.040).

Conclusion

The significantly reduced variations in the dose rates measured by the three ionization chambers. The mean correction factors of the six simulations produced the most consistent results, but this finding was not explicitly proven in the statistical analyses.
Compensation cycle consistent generative adversarial networks (Comp‐GAN) for synthetic CT generation from MR scans with truncated anatomy
Authors: Zhao Yao , Wang He , Yu Cenji , Court Laurence E. , Wang Xin , Wang Qianxia , Pan Tinsu , Ding Yao , Phan Jack , Yang Jinzhong
Published: January 2023

Background

MR scans used in radiotherapy can be partially truncated due to the limited field of view (FOV), affecting dose calculation accuracy in MR‐based radiation treatment planning.

Purpose

We proposed a novel Compensation‐cycleGAN (Comp‐cycleGAN) by modifying the cycle‐consistent generative adversarial network (cycleGAN), to simultaneously create synthetic CT (sCT) images and compensate the missing anatomy from the truncated MR images.

Methods

Computed tomography (CT) and T1 MR images with complete anatomy of 79 head‐and‐neck patients were used for this study. The original MR images were manually cropped 10–25 mm off at the posterior head to simulate clinically truncated MR images. Fifteen patients were randomly chosen for testing and the rest of the patients were used for model training and validation. Both the truncated and original MR images were used in the Comp‐cycleGAN training stage, which enables the model to compensate for the missing anatomy by learning the relationship between the truncation and known structures. After the model was trained, sCT images with complete anatomy can be generated by feeding only the truncated MR images into the model. In addition, the external body contours acquired from the CT images with full anatomy could be an optional input for the proposed method to leverage the additional information of the actual body shape for each test patient. The mean absolute error (MAE) of Hounsfield units (HU), peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity index (SSIM) were calculated between sCT and real CT images to quantify the overall sCT performance. To further evaluate the shape accuracy, we generated the external body contours for sCT and original MR images with full anatomy. The Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and mean surface distance (MSD) were calculated between the body contours of sCT and original MR images for the truncation region to assess the anatomy compensation accuracy.

Results

The average MAE, PSNR, and SSIM calculated over test patients were 93.1 HU/91.3 HU, 26.5 dB/27.4 dB, and 0.94/0.94 for the proposed Comp‐cycleGAN models trained without/with body‐contour information, respectively. These results were comparable with those obtained from the cycleGAN model which is trained and tested on full‐anatomy MR images, indicating the high quality of the sCT generated from truncated MR images by the proposed method. Within the truncated region, the mean DSC and MSD were 0.85/0.89 and 1.3/0.7 mm for the proposed Comp‐cycleGAN models trained without/with body contour information, demonstrating good performance in compensating the truncated anatomy.

Conclusions

We developed a novel Comp‐cycleGAN model that can effectively create sCT with complete anatomy compensation from truncated MR images, which could potentially benefit the MRI‐based treatment planning.
Communicate with financial aid offices to successfully re‐enroll stopped‐out students
Authors: Taylor Zach
Published: January 2023

As the enrollment cliff is approaching in 2025, enrollment managers need to explore new and creative methods of re‐engaging with stopped‐out students. Although much has been written about how to help this population, many students during the pandemic left school for financial reasons, which will require enrollment managers to work closely with financial aid leadership on campus.
Research finds fully online courses impacted student mental health
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: January 2023

College students who accessed their courses in a fully online format reported more psychological distress during the COVID‐19 pandemic than their peers in face‐to‐face courses, or peers who took classes in both online and face‐to‐face formats. That's according to research published in JAMA Network Open, based on data from 59,250 undergraduate students.
Accommodating graduate students with disabilities on your campus
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: January 2023

Kathryn Pelham, Esq., Associate Director of Accessibility Resources & ADA Coordinator at Stetson University College of Law, shares tips and insights for accommodating graduate students.
A numerical scheme for the optimal control of groundwater pollution
Authors: Choquet Catherine , Diédhiou Moussa Mory , El Dine Houssein Nasser , Saint‐Jean Christophe
Published: January 2023

A scheme is proposed for the numerical study of optimal control problems related to groundwater quality management in the case of nonpoint‐source pollution. The corresponding state equation is a system of coupled nonlinear partial differential equations. The approximation is given by a finite volume scheme based on a two‐point flux approximation with upwind mobilities embedded in an iterative fixed point approximation. The analysis of the convergence of the scheme allows to establish existence and uniqueness results under reasonable assumptions. Numerical illustrations of the performance of the algorithm are given in realistic situations.
Numerical convergence and stability analysis for a nonlinear mathematical model of prostate cancer
Authors: Nasresfahani Farzaneh , Eslahchi Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2023

The main target of this paper is to present an efficient method to solve a nonlinear free boundary mathematical model of prostate tumor. This model consists of two parabolics, one elliptic and one ordinary differential equations that are coupled together and describe the growth of a prostate tumor. We start our discussion by using the front fixing method to fix the free domain. Then, after employing a nonclassical finite difference and the collocation methods on this model, their stability and convergence are proved analytically. Finally, some numerical results are considered to show the efficiency of the mentioned methods.
Aramid reinforced polyimide aerogel composites with high‐mechanical strength for thermal insulation material
Authors: Liu Tuo , Liang Fuwei , Chen Shun , Zhang Ping , Qian Kun , Xu Yang , Guo Wenwen
Published: January 2023

Polyimide (PI) aerogels have attracted extensive attention in the field of building insulation due to their low‐thermal conductivity, excellent thermal stability, and great flame retardancy. However, poor mechanical strength was the main factor which restrict their extensive applications. Herein, we report a simple strategy to prepare thermal insulating aramid/PI aerogel composites with high mechanical strength as well as flame retardancy through mold‐forming and freeze‐drying methods. A series of lightweight aramid felt reinforced PI aerogel composites were prepared by interfacial adhesion between aramid fiber and PI aerogel, and the most striking sample PI‐3 displayed favorable comprehensive performance, including good tensile property (8.88 MPa), bursting performance (299 N), thermal insulation property (0.0341 W/m·K), thermal stability and self‐extinguishing behavior. This strategy can be applied to many types of organic aerogel materials that used in the aspects of insulation and thermal protection in extreme environments.
The formation mechanism and generation conditions of urban residents' public safety behavior
Authors: Cheng Yun , Yin Jie , Huang Paoyu , Ni Yensen
Published: January 2023

The formation mechanism and generation condition configuration of urban residents' public safety behavior crucial for reducing urban public safety accidents were identified using the structural equation model (SEM) and the fsQCA method to analyze 465 survey samples. The findings showed that organizational safety communication, community safety support, family safety climate, safety consciousness, and safety motivation are driving factors influencing individual safety behavior and that residents' safety behavior is positively influenced by emotional safety culture. Furthermore, nine generational configurations of these antecedent variables are sufficient to explain the emergence of high levels of safety behavior. Because most previous research has focused on the linear effects of single or multiple factors on outcome variables while ignoring “combined effects,” this study employed fsQCA to identify “combined effects” among antecedent factors of safety behavior from multiple perspectives. The results revealed that no single factor, but rather a combination of factors, led to high levels of safety behavior, shedding light on the importance of “combined effects” among variables and providing theoretical and practical insights into urban residents' public safety behavior.
Low Reflection of Antenna with Wideband Reduced Backscattered Field Based on Phase Interference Technique
Authors: Saleem Muhammad , Irfan Muhammad , Atiq Shahid , Rizwan Anjum Muhammad
Published: January 2023

The approach of an asymmetrically designed checkerboard as a reflecting metasurface and the coding diffusive surface is proposed as a new way to minimize the antenna backscattered electromagnetic field level. At the resonant frequencies of three different metasurface units, zero degrees reflection phase is achieved. An active phase difference of 180° is maintained between three artificial magnetic conductors (AMCs) unit cells over a wide bandwidth of frequencies so that backscattered electromagnetic wave energy can be directed at different oblique angles using phase interference to reduce radar cross section. Comparatively, three AMC cells are arranged as an asymmetric chessboard along with an arbitrary phase distributed reflecting screen constructed using the random phase distribution technique. Further, compared with the reference antenna, the asymmetric chessboard has a greater reduction in backscattering. The proposed methodology is based on the backscattered field‐level cancellation and diffusion. The simulations demonstrate remarkable backscattered energy reduction from 4.9 to 18 GHz for the proposed antenna operating at 11 GHz in normal polarization (x‐ andy‐polarization). In addition, −10 dB backscattering reduction is achieved in the antenna working band (10.3–11.9 GHz), and different AMC units working at different frequencies exhibit the same radiation properties. Further, in/out‐of‐band bistatic reflected electromagnetic energy levels are significantly reduced. Similarly, the full‐wave simulation of the fabricated prototype confirms the measurement results.
Projected changes in the hotspots for agriculturally relevant compound events in Western Canada cropping regions under the RCP8.5 scenario
Authors: Agyeman Richard Y. K. , Huo Fei , Li Zhenhua , Li Yanping
Published: January 2023

The Canadian Prairies are a major grain production region, producing most of the wheat for export in Canada. Global warming and the associated changes in extreme precipitation and temperature events pose significant risks to agriculture on the Canadian Prairies. Compound hazards can cause higher crop failure than isolated events, especially in the main grain production regions in western Canada. To achieve informed climate risk management, it is critical to characterize the threats posed by compound hazards in current and future climates in western Canada. In this study, return periods of events were computed to assess the potential changes in the hotspots for agriculturally relevant compound events in western Canada using two convection‐permitting climate simulations: current (CTL) climate and future climate under the RCP8.5 scenario based on a pseudo‐global‐warming (PGW) approach. Specifically, our study analyzed agricultural drought, low precipitation, heatwaves, and cool waves related to cool‐season crops. The results showed the overall good performance of the CTL simulation in capturing spatial patterns of these compound events in western Canada. In the current climate, droughts and heatwaves co‐occur mostly in southeastern parts of the prairies. Under the RCP8.5 scenario, they are likely to increase in frequency and expand to cover the major croplands of western Canada. This study provides information that policymakers in the fields of climate change adaptation and agricultural disaster management will find useful.
Adaptive boosting for ordinal target variables using neural networks
Authors: Um Insung , Lee Geonseok , Lee Kichun
Published: January 2023

Boosting has proven its superiority by increasing the diversity of base classifiers, mainly in various classification problems. In reality, target variables in classification often are formed by numerical variables, in possession of ordinal information. However, existing boosting algorithms for classification are unable to reflect such ordinal target variables, resulting in non‐optimal solutions. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm of ordinal encoding adaptive boosting (AdaBoost) using a multi‐dimensional encoding scheme for ordinal target variables. Extending an original binary‐class AdaBoost, the proposed algorithm is equipped with a multi‐class exponential loss function. We show that it achieves the Bayes classifier and establishes forward stagewise additive modeling. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm with a base learner as a neural network. Our experiments show that it outperforms existing boosting algorithms in various ordinal datasets.
The path to sustainable environment: Do environmental taxes and governance matter?
Authors: Liu Haiying , Zafar Muhammad Wasif , Sinha Avik , Khan Irfan
Published: January 2023

A poor environment, in turn, hurts the growth and well‐being of the economy. This is because it reduces the quantity and quality of available resources or compromises health. Undoubtedly, economic growth and environmental degradation are closely linked. Hence, environmental taxes are introduced by countries to decrease environmental degradation caused by economic progress. This study checks the impact of environmental tax, governance, and energy prices on environmental quality in the context of organization for economic co‐operation and development countries using data from 1996 to 2019. By utilizing a host of second‐generation econometric methods, the study has empirically analyzed the impact of environmental tax and governance on environmental quality while considering the possible income and energy prices effect to avoid omitted variable bias. The long‐run results indicate that environmental tax and governance increase environmental quality. The empirical results of this study are also used to suggest policy implications for these countries.
Trajectories of burnout and psychological well‐being among psychotherapists during the Covid‐19 pandemic: Results of a 1‐year prospective study
Authors: Van Hoy Angelika , Rzeszutek Marcin
Published: January 2023

The main goal of this study was to investigate the trajectories of the changes in burnout and subjective well‐being (SWB) among psychotherapists in relation to social support, self‐efficacy, sociodemographic, and work‐related factors, with additional control for the subjectively experienced Covid‐19 related distress. This study was carried out over a 1‐year period during the critical time of the Covid‐19 pandemic. We reached 226 Polish psychotherapists, of which 207 psychotherapists (91.6%) participated in all three measurements. The participants completed the following measurements: the Maslach Burnout Inventory‐Human Service Survey, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the General Self‐Efficacy Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic, work‐related factors and Covid‐19 related distress. Several trajectories were observed for both burnout and SWB, which were differently associated with the level of social support, self‐efficacy, and sociodemographic and work‐related factors. We did not find a significant relationship between Covid‐19 related distress and the inclusion of either burnout or SWB trajectories. This study calls for greater interest in the psychological health of psychotherapists. More specifically, our findings may entail some implications for the practice of psychotherapy by creating customized intervention programs to reduce burnout and enhance well‐being in this specific occupation.
Airborne transmission of SARS‐Cov2: What consequences for digestive endoscopy?
Authors: Chaussade Stanislas , Pellat Anna , Chamseddine Ali , Corre Felix , Coriat Romain
Published: January 2023

The SARS‐Cov‐2 disease disrupted essential hospital procedures, such as gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, due to concerns about air transmission and the risk of exposing health care workers. With the spread of the pandemic, air transmission was considered as the main source of SARS‐Cov2 transmission. This raised the problem of transmission by aerosolization of viral particles in operating rooms as well as endoscopy units. This is in line with the known airborne transmission of many other respiratory viruses. The risk of SARS‐Cov‐2 transmission during GI endoscopy was initially reduced by controlled measures, involving personal protections (mask…), restricted access to endoscopy rooms, and detection of infected patients. Gastrointestinal endoscopy generates aerosols, which may carry viruses. In addition, the endoscopy system may facilitate the diffusion of virus particles or fomites considering the forced‐air cooling system used to maintain a stable temperature inside the box (25°C). The volume of air that goes through the light source box is high (240–300 m3 for a 1‐h period). Moreover, the light system contains an air pump to inflate air inside the gut lumen. In order to isolate people from hazard, different levels of protection and solutions to avoid airborne transmission of microorganisms should be proposed, such as the reinforcement of personal protective equipment, the change in the way people work and engineering control of the risk.
Synthesis and Characterization of Multinary Selenides A4B10Se19 (A=Sn, Pb; B=Sb, Bi)
Authors: Chen Guan‐Ruei , Shih Mei‐Ting , Chen Kuei‐Bo , Lee Chi‐Shen
Published: January 2023

Multinary selenides A4B10Se19 (A=Sn/Pb; B=Sb/Bi), including Sn4Bi10Se19, Pb4Sb6.71Bi3.29Se19, and Pb4Sb3.43Bi6.57Se19, were prepared by solid‐state reactions. These compounds adopt the Felbertalite structure type that crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m (No. 12). Single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction measurements studied the crystal structure and site preference of metal sites. They exhibit stacking of stepped layers
(NaCl111‐type) and ribbon‐shape
(NaCl100‐type) units that are connected via shared Se2− ions. Electronic structure calculations indicated semiconducting properties and were verified by temperature‐dependent conductivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements. The thermoelectric properties show a maximum power factor of 1.06 μW ⋅ m−1 ⋅ K−2 at 550 K for Pb4Sb6Bi4Se19.
Celestial locality and the Jacobi identity
Authors: Ball Adam
Published: January 2023

Abstract

We show the equivalence of several different tests of the Jacobi identity for celestial currents at tree level, in particular finding a simple, practical condition on hard momentum space 4-point amplitudes in any EFT. Along the way we clarify the role of the order of soft and collinear limits in obstructing the Jacobi identity for soft insertions and we argue that, despite their current-algebra-like properties, soft insertions as formulated in this paper cannot be interpreted as local operators in celestial conformal field theory.
Anspruch und Wert von interdisziplinärer Kommunikation und Konsiliarbefundung
Authors: Sigl Benjamin , Schreyer Andreas G. , Henkel Markus , Herold Christian
Published: January 2023

Interdisziplinäre Kommunikation und Konsiliarbefundungen nehmen einen relevanten Anteil der radiologischen Tätigkeit ein. Sie sind essenziell für eine qualitativ hochwertige und flächendeckende medizinische Versorgung. Es gibt verschiedene Modalitäten der interdisziplinären Kommunikation mit je eigenen Vor- und Nachteilen. Dieser Artikel informiert über infrastrukturelle und personelle Anforderungen sowie wichtige medikolegale Aspekte von Zweitbefundungen und interdisziplinären Boards. Zudem wird die eklatante Diskrepanz zwischen dem damit verbundenen Aufwand für ein Institut und der unzureichenden Abbildung in den Abrechnungssystemen offenbart.