bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life and associated factors of heroin‐dependent patients receiving methadone and buprenorphine maintenance treatment
Authors: Chang Hu‐Ming , Huang Ming‐Chyi , Fang Su‐Chen , Lin Shih‐Ku 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAimAlthough studies in Western countries have investigated the quality of life (QoL) of heroin users, limited research on this topic has been conducted in Asia. The present study assessed QoL in patients with heroin dependence receiving medications to treat opioid use disorder.MethodsWe performed a cross‐sectional study of patients with heroin dependence receiving methadone and buprenorphine treatment. The demographic and substance use variables of patients receiving methadone and buprenorphine were compared. The Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ‐12), Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Short Form Taiwan version (WHOQOL‐BREF‐T) were administered to measure patient mental health problems, addiction severity, and QoL, respectively. Multivariate regression was used to identify the factors associated with QoL.ResultsA total of 149 patients receiving methadone and 31 receiving buprenorphine completed the questionnaires. Individuals in the buprenorphine group were more likely to be married (p = 0.024) or employed (p = 0.024), have a higher educational level (p = 0.013), have lower drug craving (OCDUS: p = 0.035), or have higher QoL (WHOQOL‐BREF‐T: p = 0.004) than those in the methadone group. After adjustment for other variables, employment was positively associated with the physical, psychological, and environmental domains of QoL. Receiving buprenorphine treatment (p = 0.032) and longer treatment duration (p = 0.016) were associated with higher psychological QoL.ConclusionSeveral factors were associated with QoL in patients with heroin dependence. Some measures may improve their QoL, such as reducing employment barriers, improving treatment adherence, or increasing accessibility to buprenorphine treatment.
Secondary 3‐Chloropiperidines: Powerful Alkylating Agents
Authors: Georg Mats , Laping Lina Alexandra , Billo Veronica , Gatto Barbara , Friedhoff Peter , Göttlich Richard 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn previous works, we demonstrated that tertiary 3‐chloropiperidines are potent chemotherapeutics, alkylating the DNA through the formation of bicyclic aziridinium ions. Herein, we report the synthesis of novel secondary 3‐chloropiperidine analogues. The synthesis incorporates a new procedure to monochlorinate unsaturated primary amines utilizing N‐chlorosuccinimide, while carefully monitoring the temperature to prevent dichlorination. Furthermore, we successfully isolated highly strained bicyclic aziridines by treating the secondary 3‐chloropiperidines with a sufficient amount of base. We conclude this work with a DNA cleavage assay as a proof of principle, comparing our previously known substrates to the novel compounds. In this, the secondary 3‐chloropiperidine as well as the isolated bicyclic aziridine, proved to be more effective than their tertiary counterpart.
Associations between shade tolerance and wood specific gravity for conifers in contrast to angiosperm trees: Foundations of the conifer fitness‐enhancing shade tolerance hypothesis
Authors: Tucker Gabriel F. , Maguire Douglas A. , Tupinambá‐Simões Frederico 
Published: December 2023

AbstractFor decades, researchers have held that wood specific gravity was an indicator or surrogate for both shade tolerance and successional status. However, recent research in dry tropical forests has shown very different associations regarding wood specific gravity. Past analyses of the tolerance and wood properties of tree species have focused on pooled coniferous and angiosperm species in temperate regions; fewer analyses have been conducted separately for conifers and angiosperm species. A database was compiled for the wood properties and/or tolerance scores of 542 temperate Northern Hemisphere conifer and angiosperm trees. Plant strategy was defined by shade tolerance (Tshade), drought tolerance (Tdrought), and polytolerance (Tpoly = Tshade + Tdrought) and fundamental wood properties were represented by basic specific gravity (SGbasic), relative stiffness (MOE/SGbasic), and relative strength (MOR/SGbasic). Simple linear regressions tested the significance (p < .05) of correlations between plant strategy and wood properties. Conifers, unlike angiosperm trees, showed a negative correlation betweenTshadeand SGbasicand a positive correlation betweenTshadeand both MOE/SGbasicand MOR/SGbasic. Only angiosperm trees had a significant correlation betweenTpolyand both SGbasicand MOE/SGbasic, but both conifers and angiosperm trees had a significant correlation betweenTdroughtand both SGbasicand MOE/SGbasic.Shade tolerance, as a plant strategy, has functional implications for wood properties in temperate Northern Hemisphere conifers but not in associated angiosperms. The implied functional link between wood properties (SGbasic) and shade tolerance hypothetically extends to other fitness‐enhancing traits impacted by SGbasic,such as growth rates and species maximum height.
Combination therapy of metformin and morin attenuates insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress in skeletal muscle of high‐fat diet‐fed mice
Authors: Bahramzadeh Arash , Samavarchi Tehrani Sadra , Goodarzi Golnaz , Seyyedebrahimi ShadiSadat , Meshkani Reza 
Published: December 2023

AbstractLipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress are the most important causes of muscle insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the single and combined treatment effects of metformin (MET) and morin (MOR) on lipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skeletal muscle of mice fed a high‐fat diet. The mice were supplemented with MET (230 mg/kg diet), MOR (100 mg/kg diet), and MET + MOR for 9 weeks. Our results revealed that single treatment with MET or MOR, and with a stronger effect of MET + MOR combined treatment, reduced body weight gain, improved glucose intolerance and enhanced Akt phosphorylation in the muscle tissue. In addition, plasma and muscle triglyceride levels were decreased after treatment with MET and MOR. The expression of genes involved in macrophage infiltration and polarization and pro‐inflammatory cytokines showed that MET + MOR combined treatment, significantly reduced inflammation in the muscle. Furthermore, combined treatment of MET + MOR with greater efficacy than the single treatment improved several oxidative stress markers in the muscle. Importantly, combined treatment of MET and MOR could increase the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2, the master regulator of the antioxidant response. These findings suggest that combination of MET with MOR might ameliorate insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skeletal muscle of mice fed high‐fat diet.
Study on orthopaedic path planning of Taylor spatial frame
Authors: Liu Tao , Lu Yonghua , Zhu Yun , Cui Zhanxiang , Wang Ziyuan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAimTaylor spatial frame (TSF) is a kind of six‐axis external fixator based on Stewart platform, which is widely used in the fields of trauma orthopaedics and orthopaedic reconstruction.PurposeTo reduce the irregular movement of TSF's moving platform during orthopaedic process and decrease the risk of complications caused by collision between bone and surrounding tissue.MethodWe combine the kinematics solutions with the multi‐objective genetic algorithm and ant colony optimization to get the optimal solution for adjustment of strut length and order. We conduct simulation and physical experiment of orthodontic process respectively to prove the effectiveness of our method.ResultAfter optimization, the average offset during a single adjustment is less than 1 mm, and the offset during the whole orthopaedic process is reduced by about 38.8%.ConclusionIt demonstrates that our method can effectively reduce the offset of moving platform while ensuring orthopaedic accuracy.
Using causal loop diagrams to develop evaluative research propositions: opportunities and challenges in applications to nature‐based solutions
Authors: Alvarado Miriam , Garrett Jo , Fullam James , Lovell Rebecca , Guell Cornelia , Taylor Tim , Garside Ruth , Zandersen Marianne , Wheeler Benedict W. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractCausal loop diagrams (CLDs) are often used to provide an overview of important systemic elements related to an issue, rather than to inform empirical evaluations (studies which assess changes following an intervention using observed data). We suggest that empirical evaluations may benefit from the development of systems‐informed research propositions (specific testable causal assumptions with an emphasis on feedback loops) used to guide subsequent data collection, hypothesis testing and interpretation. We describe a qualitative systems‐thinking informed approach building on preexisting CLDs, published evidence, and expert/stakeholder consultation and reflect on our experience applying this to the early stages of two nature‐based solution (NBS) evaluations. We reflect on our experience and suggest that CLDs can be usefully employed to develop systems‐informed research propositions to inform subsequent empirical evaluation. This may lead to novel policy‐relevant research propositions which differ substantially from effectiveness‐oriented (“did it work?”) research questions. © 2023 The Authors. System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society.
Recent Advancement on the Indirect or Combined Alternative Thiocyanate Sources for the Construction of S−CN Bonds
Authors: Karmaker Pran Gopal , Yang Xiupei 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe process of thiocyanation is a notable chemical conversion owing to the extensive range of applications associated with thiocyanate compounds in the field of organic chemistry. In past centuries, the thiocyanation reaction incorporated metal thiocyanates or thiocyanate salts as sources of thiocyanate, which are environmentally detrimental and undesirable. In recent literature, there have been numerous instances where combined or indirect alternative sources of thiocyanate have been employed as agents for thiocyanation, showcasing their noteworthy applications. The present literature review focuses on elucidating the ramifications associated with the utilization of indirect or combined alternative sources of thiocyanate in various thiocyanation reactions.
A C0 continuous mixed FE formulation for bending of laminated composite plates based on unified HSDT
Authors: Bab Yonca , Kutlu Akif 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis study proposes a unified C0 continuous mixed finite element (MFE) formulation for the accurate and efficient prediction of stress components in laminated composite plates relying on Higher Order Shear Deformation Theory (HSDT). This unified form of the MFE accepts any convenient function for the representation of transverse shear deformation. The Hellinger–Reissner variational principle is employed for the derivation of MFE equations within a two‐field formulation involving stress resultants along with kinematical variables. Thus, the displacement and stress resultant fields are obtained directly from the global solution of the system of equations. In this manner, the in‐plane stress components are calculated over constitutive relations at the nodes without any need for error‐prone spatial derivatives. Furthermore, the independent interpolation of kinematic and stress resultant type variables allows the numerical solution to overcome the shear‐locking problem and ensure C0 continuity requirement. Numerical examples include convergence and comparison tests of predicted displacements and stress components under various boundary conditions and material configurations. Various test cases are considered for both the thin and thick plates subjected to sinusoidal and uniformly distributed loads. It is demonstrated that the proposed MFE formulation can capture stress components with high accuracy while being computationally efficient.
On the localization of a new phase domain in the vicinity of an elliptical hole
Authors: Kabanova Polina K. , Freidin Alexander B. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractGrowth of a new phase domain induced by phase transformations in the vicinity of an elliptical hole as a stress concentrator is considered. An elastic solid is subjected to external strain at which no phase transformations occur in the absence of the stress concentrator. The evolution of the interface is described by a kinetic equation that relates the velocity of the interface with a configurational force equal to the jump of the normal component of the Eshelby stress tensor. Various scenarios of the growth of the new phase domain depending on the material parameters of the phases are demonstrated. It is studied how the parameters (Young's moduli, Poisson‘s ratios, transformation strain) affect the distribution of the configurational force along the interface as well as the localization of the new phase domain. It is studied how the new phase growth causes stress relaxation in a body.
Investment in Greening Last-Mile Logistics: A Case Study
Authors: Corti Franco , Nava Alessandro 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBased on growing interest in sustainable solutions in last-mile logistics, one of the most promising investments is the electrification of commercial fleets to decrease the high level of pollution created by urban freight traffic. In this case study, vans that can be driven with a C1 European driving license are considered, mainly used in B2B deliveries to small shops and SMEs in city centres. The purpose of this research is to analyse the reasons behind the choice of switching the last-mile logistic service fleet to electric and its economic and environmental implications and to analyse the main barriers to its implementation. To do so, we use interviews from managers working in a successful Urban Consolidation Center (UCC) in Italy. The Italian energy infrastructure, the cost of electric vans, and the actual insufficient technological development of van batteries are the key issues highlighted in the interviews, but lower operating costs, lower fuel costs, a decrease in negative environmental externalities, possible institutional cooperation and better working conditions for couriers are the main features to consider in the switch to electric.
Deep Neural Networks, Explanations, and Rationality
Authors: Lee Edward A. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract“Rationality” is the principle that humans make decisions on the basis of step-by-step (algorithmic) reasoning using systematic rules of logic. An ideal “explanation” for a decision is a chronicle of the steps used to arrive at the decision. Herb Simon’s “bounded rationality” is the observation that the ability of a human brain to handle algorithmic complexity and data is limited. As a consequence, human decision-making in complex cases mixes some rationality with a great deal of intuition, relying more on Daniel Kahneman’s “System 1” than “System 2.” A DNN-based AI, similarly, does not arrive at a decision through a rational process in this sense. An understanding of the mechanisms of the DNN yields little or no insight into any rational explanation for its decisions. The DNN is also operating in a manner more like System 1 than System 2. Humans, however, are quite good at constructing post hoc rationalizations of their intuitive decisions. If we demand rational explanations for AI decisions, engineers will inevitably develop AIs that are very effective at constructing such post hoc rationalizations. With their ability to handle vast amounts of data, the AIs will learn to build rationalizations using many more precedents than any human could, thereby constructing rationalizations for any decision that will become very hard to refute. The demand for explanations, therefore, could backfire, resulting in effectively ceding to the AIs much more power.
Holographic thermal observables and M2-branes
Authors: Bobev Nikolay , Hong Junho , Reys Valentin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
We use holography in conjunction with recent results from supersymmetric localization to compute certain thermal observables for 3d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 holographic SCFTs arising on the worldvolume of N M2-branes. We obtain results for the thermal free energy density on S1 × ℝ2, the Casimir energy on T2 × ℝ, and the three leading coefficients in the large temperature limit of the free energy on S1 × S2 valid to subleading order in the large N limit. As a byproduct of our holographic analysis we also present a conjecture for the structure of the large temperature expansion of the thermal free energy of general 3d CFTs on S1 × S2.
An intuitive construction of modular flow
Authors: Sorce Jonathan 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The theory of modular flow has proved extremely useful for applying thermodynamic reasoning to out-of-equilibrium states in quantum field theory. However, the standard proofs of the fundamental theorems of modular flow use machinery from Fourier analysis on Banach spaces, and as such are not especially transparent to an audience of physicists. In this article, I present a construction of modular flow that differs from existing treatments. The main pedagogical contribution is that I start with thermal physics via the KMS condition, and derive the modular operator as the only operator that could generate a thermal time-evolution map, rather than starting with the modular operator as the fundamental object of the theory. The main technical contribution is a new proof of the fundamental theorem stating that modular flow is a symmetry. The new proof circumvents the delicate issues of Fourier analysis that appear in previous treatments, but is still mathematically rigorous.
Innovationen im Ostseeraum: Nils Alwall, Lembit Norviit, Adolfs Martins Steins und die künstliche Niere
Authors: Hansson Nils , Salaks Juris , Moll Friedrich H. , Halling Thorsten , Tammiksaar Erki 
Published: December 2023

ZusammenfassungDie Konstruktion einer der ersten in der Praxis erfolgreich eingesetzten Dialyseapparate ist in der Medizingeschichte mit dem Wirken des schwedischen Mediziners Nils Alwall fest verbunden. Zusammen mit Kollegen entwickelte er in den 1940er-Jahren einen Dialysator, der die Kombination von Dialyse und Ultrafiltration mit Membranen (Cellophan-Schläuchen) umsetzen konnte. In die fachkulturelle Erinnerung sind die beteiligten Lembit Norviit aus Estland und Adolfs Martins Steins aus Lettland, beide Mitautoren des einflussreichen The Lancet-Artikels „Clinical extracorporal dialysis of blood with artificial kidney“ (1948) bisher nicht eingegangen. Am Beispiel dieser Zusammenarbeit kann der Wissenstransfer zwischen estnischen, lettischen und schwedischen Forschern dargestellt werden.
Diagnosis and management of adrenal incidentaloma: use of clinical judgment and evidence in dialog with the patient
Authors: Yoshida Yusaku , Horiuchi Kiyomi , Otsuki Michio , Okamoto Takahiro 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe prevalence of adrenal incidentaloma (AI) in imaging studies, including those of the adrenal glands, is estimated to be 1–5%. Essential factors for the proper management of AI include a correct diagnosis, adequate surgical skills, appropriate perioperative management, and sound dialogue with the patient. Aside from the possibility of overdiagnosis, patients with apparent signs or symptoms attributable to adrenal hormone excess have reasonable indications for surgery. At the same time, milder patients may be candidates for active surveillance without intervention. Even individuals with nonfunctioning AI may benefit from surgery if imaging studies depict the tumor as suggestive of malignancy. However, a differential diagnosis of AI may not be easy for surgeons with little experience in seeing such patients.Furthermore, a patient without a correct diagnosis may miss the window of opportunity for a cure or incur a greater risk of developing complications, such as adrenal insufficiency or cardiovascular events during or after surgery, due to inadequate management. The clinical practice guidelines for AI from around the world may be helpful for shared decision-making; however, Japan lacks established guidelines. In this review article, we propose practical guidelines relevant to management by summarizing the evidence for five key questions that are often asked in dialog with patients with AI.
Clinicopathologic and genetic analysis of invasive breast carcinomas in women with germline CHEK2 variants
Authors: Schwartz Christopher J. , Khorsandi Nikka , Blanco Amie , Mukhtar Rita A. , Chen Yunn-Yi , Krings Gregor 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Germline pathogenic variants in checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) are associated with a moderately increased risk of breast cancer (BC). The spectrum of clinicopathologic features and genetics of these tumors has not been fully established.

Methods
We characterized the histopathologic and clinicopathologic features of 44 CHEK2-associated BCs from 35 women, and assessed responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A subset of cases (n = 23) was additionally analyzed using targeted next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS).

Results
Most (94%, 33/35) patients were heterozygous carriers for germline CHEK2 variants, and 40% had the c.1100delC allele. Two patients were homozygous, and five had additional germline pathogenic variants in ATM (2), PALB2 (1), RAD50 (1), or MUTYH (1). CHEK2-associated BCs occurred in younger women (median age 45 years, range 25–75) and were often multifocal (20%) or bilateral (11%). Most (86%, 38/44) were invasive ductal carcinomas of no special type (IDC-NST). Almost all (95%, 41/43) BCs were ER + (79% ER + HER2-, 16% ER + HER2 + , 5% ER-HER2 +), and most (69%) were luminal B. Nottingham grade, proliferation index, and results of multiparametric molecular testing were heterogeneous. Biallelic CHEK2 alteration with loss of heterozygosity was identified in most BCs (57%, 13/23) by NGS. Additional recurrent alterations included GATA3 (26%), PIK3CA (226%), CCND1 (22%), FGFR1 (22%), ERBB2 (17%), ZNF703 (17%), TP53 (9%), and PPM1D (9%), among others. Responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy were variable, but few patients (21%, 3/14) achieved pathologic complete response. Most patients (85%) were without evidence of disease at time of study (n = 34). Five patients (15%) developed distant metastasis, and one (3%) died (mean follow-up 50 months).

Conclusion
Almost all CHEK2-associated BCs were ER + IDC-NST, with most classified as luminal B with or without HER2 overexpression. NGS supported the luminal-like phenotype and confirmed CHEK2 as an oncogenic driver in the majority of cases. Responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy were variable but mostly incomplete.