bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sensory weighting of position and force feedback during pinching
Authors: Geelen Jinne E. , van der Helm Frans C. T. , Schouten Alfred C. , Mugge Winfred 
Published: June 2023

AbstractHuman hands are complex biomechanical systems that allow for dexterous tasks with many degrees of freedom. Coordination of the fingers is essential for many activities of daily living and involves integrating sensory signals. During this sensory integration, the central nervous system deals with the uncertainty of sensory signals. When handling compliant objects, force and position are related. Interactions with stiff objects result in reduced position changes and increased force changes compared to compliant objects. Literature has shown sensory integration of force and position at the shoulder. Nevertheless, differences in sensory requirements between proximal and distal joints may lead to different proprioceptive representations, hence findings at proximal joints cannot be directly transferred to distal joints, such as the digits. Here, we investigate the sensory integration of force and position during pinching. A haptic manipulator rendered a virtual spring with adjustable stiffness between the index finger and the thumb. Participants had to blindly reproduce a force against the spring. In both visual reference trials and blind reproduction trials, the relation between pinch force and spring compression was constant. However, by covertly changing the spring characteristics in catch trials into an adjusted force-position relation, the participants’ weighting of force and position could be revealed. In agreement with previous studies on the shoulder, participants relied more on force sense in trials with higher stiffness. This study demonstrated stiffness-dependent sensory integration of force and position feedback during pinching.
Prognostic survival biomarkers of tumor-fused dendritic cell vaccine therapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma
Authors: Takei Jun , Kamata Yuko , Tanaka Toshihide , Fukasawa Nei , Gomisawa Kazutaka , Satake Mari , Mori Ryosuke , Yamamoto Yohei , Suzuki Tomoya , Oda Ayaka , Murahashi Mutsunori , Fukuda Takahiro , Shimoda Masayuki , Murayama Yuichi , Akasaki Yasuharu 
Published: June 2023

AbstractDendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy has been applied to glioblastoma (GBM); however, biomarkers informing response remain poorly understood. We conducted a phase I/IIa clinical trial investigating tumor-fused DC (TFDC) immunotherapy following temozolomide-based chemoradiotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed GBM and determined prognostic factors in patients receiving TFDC immunotherapy. Twenty-eight adult patients with GBM isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type (IDH-WT) were enrolled; 127 TFDC vaccine injections (4.5 ± 2.6 times/patient) were administered. Patients with GBM IDH-WT had a respectable 5-year survival rate (24%), verifying the clinical activity of TFDC immunotherapy, particularly against O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) unmethylated GBM (5-year survival rate: 33%). To identify novel factors influencing overall survival (OS) in GBM IDH-WT treated with TFDC immunotherapy, clinical parameters were assessed and comprehensive molecular profiling involving transcriptome and exome analyses was performed. MGMT promoter methylation status, extent of tumor resection, and vaccine parameters (administration frequency, DC and tumor cell numbers, and fusion ratio) were not associated with survival following TFDC immunotherapy. Old age and pre- and post-operative Karnofsky performance status were significantly correlated with OS. Low HLA-A expression and lack of CCDC88A, KRT4, TACC2, and TONSL mutations in tumor cells were correlated with better prognosis. We validated the activity of TFDC immunotherapy against GBM IDH-WT, including chemoresistant, MGMT promoter unmethylated cases. The identification of molecular biomarkers predictive of TFDC immunotherapy efficacy in GBM IDH-WT will facilitate the design of and patient stratification in a phase-3 trial to maximize treatment benefits.
Cost‐Efficacy Analysis of Use of Frozen Section Histology for Margin Assessment During Breast Conservation Surgery in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Agarwal Gaurav , Sattavan Swati , Vishvak Chanthar K. M. M. , Kumar Anup , Sabaretnam M. , Chand Gyan , Mishra Anjali , Agrawal Vinita 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundMargin assessment is an essential component of breast conservation surgery (BCS). Re‐excision of infiltrated margin(s) detected on paraffin section histology (PSH) needs reoperation, adding time, inconvenience and cost. Intra‐operative assessment of margins using frozen section histology (IFSH) can potentially obviate need for re‐operation, thus facilitating one‐step oncologically complete BCS.MethodsIFSH and PSH reports of consecutive patients undergoing BCS (2010–2020) were reviewed. Accuracy and cost‐efficacy of IFSH were assessed, considering PSH as gold standard. Cost of achieving oncologically complete BCS in whole cohort with IFSH (Scenario‐A) was calculated and compared using appropriate statistical tests, with hospital costs for the cohort in a hypothetical Scenario‐B, where IFSH was presumed not to have been used and all patients with infiltrated margin(s) on PSH would have been re‐operated.ResultsOf the 367 patients screened, 39 were excluded due to incomplete IFSH data. Of 328 patients analyzed, 59 (18%) had one or more margins were reported infiltrated on IFSH, managed by re‐excision or mastectomy in the same sitting, thus avoiding a reoperation. Additional 8 (2.4%) had involved margins on PSH (False negative IFSH). Significantly higher number of reoperations (p < 0.001) would have been needed in scenario‐B. Average cost of the first operation with use of IFSH was Indian Rupees (INR) 25791 which included INR660 as IFSH cost. The average cost of reoperation was INR23724 which could be avoided in 59 (18%) by use of IFSH. The average cost per patient to achieve oncologically complete surgery in scenario A utilizing IFSH was significantly lower (p = 0.001) by INR3101 (11.7%), c.w. that in scenario B. Significant cost‐saving with IFSH was maintained in cost‐efficacy analysis undertaken with various higher and lower costs assumptions.ConclusionsUse of IFSH facilitates one‐step oncologically complete BCS in majority of patients and results in considerable cost saving, resulting in avoidance of reoperations, besides preventing patient anxiety and delay in adjuvant treatment.Trial RegistrationClinical Trials Registry—India (CTRI/2021/08/035896).
Quantifying the energetic cost tradeoffs of photovoltaic pumping systems for Sub-Saharan African smallholder farms
Authors: Liang ZhiYi , Shorter Amanda L. , Winter Amos G. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAs solar technology has matured, irrigation using photovoltaic pumping systems (PVPSs) has gained popularity in developing markets as an effective means to alleviate poverty and increase food security. Yet, there remains a barrier to adoption; the upfront costs of PVPSs pose a financial burden for many low-income farmers. In a PVPS, the capital cost of the solar array contributes a large portion of upfront system costs. The solar pump is the largest energy consumer in the system, thus its efficiency directly impacts the size and cost of the solar array. There is a limited quantitative understanding of how solar pump efficiency affects the capital cost of the solar array. This study presents a technoeconomic framework to directly quantify the impact of solar pump efficiency on the cost of the solar array in a PVPS, for a range of hydraulic operating conditions. New empirical efficiency scaling laws were created by characterizing the efficiencies of 4-inch multistage centrifugal borehole pumps and induction motors. The utility of the technoeconomic framework is demonstrated through a case study comparing solar pump architectures with motors of different efficiencies. Results indicate that, despite the increased motor cost, the use of high-efficiency motors in solar pumps may lead to an overall cost reduction in a PVPS. Counter to the conventional capital cost-driven process, this work demonstrates that an efficiency-driven design process could improve low-cost, solar-powered system design. Engineers and system designers can leverage the presented framework during the design process to make informed decisions to achieve more cost-effective PVPSs.
Antimicrobial Effects of Sophora flavescens Alkaloids on Metronidazole-Resistant Gardnerella vaginalis in Planktonic and Biofilm Conditions
Authors: Fan Linyuan , Liu Zhaohui , Zhang Zhan , Bai Huihui 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common infectious disease of the lower female reproductive tract, which is characterized by the augmentation of anaerobic bacteria. Gardnerella (G.) vaginalis plays a predominant role in BV recurrence relating to its higher virulence potential and biofilm formation ability. With the increased proportion of metronidazole-resistant G. vaginalis, controlling resistance to metronidazole and finding more effective drugs became a major concern. In this study, 30 clinical strains were cultured from the vaginal secretions of BV patients, followed by PCR and 16S rDNA sequencing identification. According to the CLSI guidelines for anaerobic drug sensitivity testing, 19 strains were identified as metronidazole-resistant (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC ≥ 32 μg/mL), of which 4 clinical strains were observed to be strong biofilm producer and the final minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) of metronidazole was increased to 512 μg/mL. Sophora flavescens Alkaloids (SFAs), a traditional chinese medicine, could not only inhibit the growth of metronidazole-resistant G. vaginalis in planktonic (MIC: 0.3125–1.25 mg/mL), but also eliminate the biofilm formation (MBIC: 0.625–1.25 mg/mL). In the high-magnification scanning electron, it was observed that the morphology of biofilm changed from a thick to flaky shape and was nearly depleted. These results indicate that SFAs could not only inhibit the growth of metronidazole-resistant G. vaginalisin planktonic and biofilm levels, but also destroyed the biofilm morphology and microstructure, which may contribute to the prevention of BV recurrence.
Estimating uncertainties in the life cycle assessment of composting household biowaste and urban green waste in Germany
Authors: Joseph Ben , Stichnothe Heinz 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Life cycle assessment (LCA) of waste treatment processes is often associated with considerable uncertainties. The aim of this study is to estimate the total uncertainty in the modelled composting system and the influence of material and process parameters on the uncertainty. Four composting combinations with fresh (FC) and mature substrate compost (MSC) from partially enclosed (PEC) and open composting (OC) were investigated. Perturbation analysis was used to determine the effect of parameters on the result and Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the total uncertainty. This study showed that the production of MSC using PEC had the lowest overall impacts across all impact categories except ozone depletion. Results of the Monte Carlo simulation showed that comparing composting options was challenging. The sensitivity ratios obtained from the perturbation analysis showed that the process parameter percentage of carbon fraction degraded was the most influential for FC. In MSC, the moisture content in the input material and the substitution factor used for peat were the most influential. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated the overall uncertainty of the model and its relevance when comparing results between combinations. The perturbation analysis identified the parameters that required more accurate data to reduce the uncertainty in the model.
Graphical abstract
Brood survival in the Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio in eastern Poland
Authors: Golawski Artur , Mroz Emilia , Golawska Sylwia , Parapura Agnieszka , Zduniak Piotr 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBrood survival as an expression of breeding success is a component of bird fitness and the principal parameter underlying bird population dynamics. The main factor limiting brood survival is predation pressure, and birds have developed anti-predator strategies by selecting safer places for building nests and breeding. Here, we examined whether nest location affected the level of predation pressure. To do so, we analyzed brood survival in a Red-backed Shrike (RBS)Lanius colluriopopulation breeding in the low-intensive agricultural landscape of eastern Poland. The mean survival probability for the whole nesting period was 0.540 and was higher for the incubation period (0.787) than for the nestling period (0.696). Cox’s proportional hazard model did not show any significant traits describing the location of the nesting shrub or the nest’s position in the shrub that could have affected RBS brood survival. We consider the composition of the local predator community to influence brood survival more than the location of a nest in the bush. The Eurasian MagpiePica picais mainly responsible for RBS brood predation. Red-backed Shrikes do not defend their broods against Magpies using acoustic signals and direct contact. Since Magpies search the bushes thoroughly, the shrikes’ nest concealment strategies are ineffective in the face of this predator.
Patients’ perspectives on their motivations for participating in non-clinical medical teaching and what they gain from their experience: a qualitative study informed by critical theory
Authors: Massé Julie , Grignon Sophie , Vigneault Luc , Olivier-D’Avignon Geneviève , Tremblay Marie-Claude 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn 2019–2021, we engaged in a project aimed at developing, implementing, and evaluating an educational intervention actively involving patient-teachers in undergraduate medical education at Université Laval, Quebec, Canada. Patient-teachers were invited to participate in small group discussion workshops during which medical students deliberate on legal, ethical, and moral issues arising from medical practice. Patients were expected to bring other perspectives, based on their experience with illness and the healthcare system. Little is still known about patients’ perspectives on their participation experience in such context. Informed by critical theory, our qualitative study aims to document,: (i) the motivating factors for patients’ participation in our intervention; and (ii) what patients gained from the experience. Data collection was based on 10 semi-structured interviews with patient-teachers. A thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software. Motivators for participation arose from: (i) perceived consistency between patients’ individual characteristics and those of the project, and (ii) conceiving the project as a means to reach individual and social goals. What patients gained mainly refers to (1) the appreciation of a positive, enriching, motivating yet uncomfortable and destabilizing experience; (2) a deconstruction of biases against the medical field and critical thinking about their own experience; (3) new knowledge, with a potential impact on their future interactions with the healthcare system. Results reveal patients as non-neutral thinking and knowing subjects, engaged in the participation experience as active teachers and learners. They also highlight the empowering and emancipatory nature of the learning gained through patients’ participation experience. These conclusions prompt us to promote transformative interventional approaches that question the pervasive power issues in medical teaching and value patients’ specific knowledge in teaching and learning the Art of Medicine.
(Un)intended lock-in: Chile’s organic agriculture law and the possibility of transformation towards more sustainable food systems
Authors: Contesse Maria , Duncan Jessica , Legun Katharine , Klerkx Laurens 
Published: June 2023

AbstractFood systems transformations require coherent policies and improved understandings of the drivers and institutional dynamics that shape (un)sustainable food systems outcomes. In this paper, we introduce the Chilean National Organic Agriculture Law as a case of a policy process seeking to institutionalize a recognized pathway towards more sustainable food systems. Drawing from institutional theory we make visible multiple, and at times competing, logics (i.e., values, assumptions and practices) of different actors implicated in organic agriculture in Chile. More specifically, our findings identify five main institutional transformative logics underpinning the interests and actions of organic actors. However, we find that the Law was not motivated by these logics and did not advance them. Rather, the Law was designed to support a market niche targeted to elite consumers and to reinforce agricultural exports. As a result, the Law constrains rather than enables the practice of organic agriculture and access to organic food by consumers, especially at the domestic level. We note that attention to institutional logics in the analysis of food systems, and specifically food system transformation, is relevant to more comprehensive assessments of the transformational potential of food systems policies. We conclude that there is a need to further consider and make visible the way in which different drivers (i.e., laws) are constituted through and by diverse, and often competing, institutional logics.
Predictors of Treatment Adherence and Virological Failure Among People Living with HIV Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in a South African Rural Community: A Sub-study of the ITREMA Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Gumede Siphamandla B. , Wensing Annemarie M. J. , Lalla-Edward Samanta T. , de Wit John B. F. , Francois Venter W. D. , Tempelman Hugo A. , Hermans Lucas E. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractA large proportion of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa reside in rural areas. Knowledge of enablers and barriers of adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) in these populations is limited. We conducted a cohort study of 501 adult PLHIV on ART at a rural South African treatment facility as a sub-study of a clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03357588). Socio-economic, psychosocial and behavioral characteristics were assessed as covariates of self-reported adherence difficulties, suboptimal pill count adherence and virological failure during 96 weeks of follow-up. Male gender was an independent risk factor for all outcomes. Food insecurity was associated with virological failure in males. Depressive symptoms were independently associated with virological failure in both males and females. Household income and task-oriented coping score were protective against suboptimal pill-count adherence. These results underscore the impact of low household income, food insecurity and depression on outcomes of ART in rural settings and confirm other previously described risk factors. Recognition of these factors and targeted adherence support strategies may improve patient health and treatment outcomes.
Iron necessity for chlamydospore germination in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense TR4
Authors: Were Evans , Viljoen Altus , Rasche Frank 
Published: June 2023

AbstractFusarium wilt disease of banana, caused by the notorious soil-borne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4), is extremely difficult to manage. Manipulation of soil pH or application of synthetic iron chelators can suppress the disease through iron starvation, which inhibits the germination of pathogen propagules called chlamydospores. However, the effect of iron starvation on chlamydospore germination is largely unknown. In this study, scanning electron microscopy was used to assemble the developmental sequence of chlamydospore germination and to assess the effect of iron starvation and pH in vitro. Germination occurs in three distinct phenotypic transitions (swelling, polarized growth, outgrowth). Outgrowth, characterized by formation of a single protrusion (germ tube), occurred at 2 to 3 h, and a maximum value of 69.3% to 76.7% outgrowth was observed at 8 to 10 h after germination induction. Germination exhibited plasticity with pH as over 60% of the chlamydospores formed a germ tube between pH 3 and pH 11. Iron-starved chlamydospores exhibited polarized-growth arrest, characterized by the inability to form a germ tube. Gene expression analysis of rnr1 and rnr2, which encode the iron-dependent enzyme ribonucleotide reductase, showed that rnr2 was upregulated (p < 0.0001) in iron-starved chlamydospores compared to the control. Collectively, these findings suggest that iron and extracellular pH are crucial for chlamydospore germination in Foc TR4. Moreover, inhibition of germination by iron starvation may be linked to a different mechanism, rather than repression of the function of ribonucleotide reductase, the enzyme that controls growth by regulation of DNA synthesis.
Oil absorption stability of modified cellulose porous materials with super compressive strength in the complex environment
Authors: Lang Daning , Zhang Chengbo , Qian Qianqian , Guo Chengxin , Wang Lingling , Yang Chao , Wu Ronglan , Wang Wei , Wang Jide , Fu Jihong 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe occurrence of oil spills has severe damage upon both the environment and human health. Hence, the development of a green, recyclable, complex environment resistant, and efficient oil–water separation aerogel is required in order to effectively absorb marine or industrial oil. In this study, modified cellulose/N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide/tannin (PCMT) composite porous materials were prepared utilizing the sol–gel method and were modified with tertbutyl acrylate. PCMT possesses a three-dimensional interpenetrating porous structure, exhibiting remarkable oil–water separation performance and excellent compressive strength (PCMT can capable of bearing 7000 times its own weight; PCMT can endure 290.3 kPa pressure at 80% strain when the amount of tannin is 0.2 g). The unique pore structure of PCMT engenders differential oil adsorption capacities (PCMT0, PCMT0.05, PCMT0.1, and PCMT0.2 evince higher adsorption capacities for petroleum ether and dichloromethane, n-hexane and dichloromethane, toluene, and toluene and dichloromethane, respectively). Of critical import, PCMT demonstrates exceptional adaptability to complex environments, wherein the porous materials maintain good hydrophobicity and oil absorption capacity under conditions of vigorous stirring, a wide pH range (1–14), a wide temperature range (4–160 °C), ultraviolet irradiation (8 h), and tape peeling (10 times). Moreover, the porous materials may be employed for the recovery of oil through simple mechanical extrusion, thus demonstrating certain economic significance and the application potential in the treatment of oil spills.
Does Mind-Wandering Explain ADHD-Related Impairment in Adolescents?
Authors: Dekkers Tycho J. , Flisar Ajda , Karami Motaghi Adrian , Karl Alexandra , Frick Matilda A. , Boyer Bianca E. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCurrently, diagnostic criteria for ADHD mainly reflect behavioral symptoms, neglecting internal phenomena like mind-wandering. Recent studies found that mind-wandering explains impairment beyond ADHD symptoms in adults. To better capture ADHD-related impairment in adolescents, we aimed to elucidate whether mind-wandering is associated with impairments that are prevalent in adolescents (i.e., risk-taking behavior, homework problems, emotional dysregulation, and general impairment) beyond ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, we sought to validate the Dutch translation of the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS). We assessed a community sample of 626 adolescents on ADHD symptoms, mind-wandering, and the impairment domains. The Dutch MEWS had good psychometric properties. Mind-wandering was linked to general impairment and emotional dysregulation beyond ADHD symptoms, but was not linked to risk-taking behavior and homework problems beyond ADHD symptoms. Internal psychological phenomena such as mind-wandering may add to the behavioral symptoms of ADHD in explaining part of the impairment that adolescents with ADHD characteristics experience.