bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mutation-based, short-term “neoadjuvant” treatment allows resectability in stage IVB and C anaplastic thyroid cancer
Authors: Maurer Elisabeth , Eilsberger F. , Wächter S. , Riera Knorrenschild J. , Pehl A. , Holzer K. , Neubauer A. , Luster M. , Bartsch D. K. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Few available data indicate that a mutation-based “neoadjuvant” therapy in advanced anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) might convert an initially unresectable primary tumor to resectable and optimize local tumor control. We evaluated a preoperative short-term “neoadjuvant” therapy with a BRAF-directed therapy or, in case of BRAF non-mutated tumors, an mKI/checkpoint inhibitor combination in three patients with ATC stage IVB and C.

Methods
In the context of preoperative diagnostics, immunohistochemistry (IHC) assessment and genetic analysis was started as soon as possible. The antiangiogenetic therapy with lenvatinib was immediately after diagnosis of ATC started as bridging therapy. In case of a BRAF-mutated ATC, a combination therapy of dabrafenib and trametinib, in case of BRAF-wildtype ATC a combination of pembrolizumab and lenvatinib was given for 4 weeks. If re-staging has shown a significant therapy response due to a decrease in size of > 50%, surgical resection was reconsidered. A primary tumor resection was performed first. As a second step, limited distant metastasis have been resected approximately 4 weeks after thyroid surgery. After postoperative recovery, the targeted systemic therapy was continued.

Patients
Two patients presented with BRAF-wildtype ATC stage IVC, one with BRAF-mutated ATC stage IVB. All patients were evaluated by surgery, nuclear medicine and oncology upon diagnosis of ATC.

Results
In all three cases, the “neoadjuvant” therapy induced a dramatic response and led to local resectability in primarily non-resectable ATC stage IVB or C. We have chosen for the first time a short-term “neoadjuvant” treatment period to reduce the risk of bleeding and/or fistula due to potential rapid tumor shrinkage. The results of surgery after only short-term “neoadjuvant” therapy showed two R0 und one R1 resections. Postoperative histopathological findings confirmed an extent of tumor necrosis or regressive fibrotic tissue between 60 and > 95% in our patients.

Conclusions
A short-term mutation-based “neoadjuvant” therapy can achieve local resectability in initially unresectable ATC stage IVB or C. A neoadjuvant treatment period of about 4 weeks seems to show similar response as a treatment duration of at least 3 months.
Habitual exercise influences carotid artery strain and strain rate, but not cognitive function in healthy middle-aged females
Authors: Campbell Amy K. , Beaumont Alexander J. , Hayes Lawrence , Herbert Peter , Gardner David , Ritchie Louise , Sculthorpe Nicholas 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Aging females are at risk of declining vascular and cognitive function. Exercise can augment both factors independently; however, the influence of exercise on their interdependence is less clearly understood. Ultrasound speckle tracking is a sensitive novel measure of arterial aging but has not previously been used in middle-aged females. We aimed to elucidate the potential interactions between vascular and cognitive variables in active aging females.

Methods
Twelve active (56 ± 5 years; $${\dot{\mathrm{V}}\mathrm{O}}_{2\mathrm{peak}}$$

V
˙

O

2
peak

: 34.5 ± 6.1 ml.kg.min−1) and 13 inactive (57 ± 4 years; 22.8 ± 2.6 ml.kg.min−1) healthy middle-aged females were included. Ultrasound speckle tracking assessed short-axis common carotid artery (CCA) compliance via peak circumferential strain (PCS) and strain rate (PSR) at rest, during, and after 3-min isometric handgrip exercise. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery was assessed using ultrasound. Cognitive function was measured using Verbal Fluency, Trail Making, Stroop, and Digit Span tests.

Results
PCS (P = 0.003) and PSR (P = 0.004), were higher in the active cohort. FMD was similar between groups (P > 0.05). Minimal differences in cognitive function existed between groups, although the inactive group performed better in one test of animal Verbal Fluency (P < 0.01). No associations were observed between PCS, PSR, or FMD with cognitive function (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion
This is the first study to assess PCS and PSR in middle-aged females and demonstrates that active middle-aged females exhibit a superior carotid artery profile compared to their inactive counterparts. However, PCS and PSR of the carotid artery may not be linked with cognitive function in middle-aged females.
Solid State Material Driven Turbine to Reduce Segregation during Bunker Filling
Authors: Denzel Michael , Prenner Michael , Sifferlinger Nikolaus A. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractFor most applications and their following processes, an evenly distributed bunker outflow is desired in terms of particle size. Various discrete element simulations were performed to analyze the current state of an existing bunker used for storage of blast furnace sinter, which is simply filled with a discharging belt conveyor. Great segregation effects could be determined, which are mainly caused by the filling method and further intensified by the core flow effect and bunker geometry.Several concepts and devices to reduce segregation in bunkers were evaluated using DEM. The particle size distributions at the bunker outflow were each compared with the current state without a device. A solid state material driven turbine is presented, which reduces segregation effects during bunker filling and leads to a significant improvement during the discharge. The results show a more evenly distributed bunker outflow in terms of particle size.As sinter is a very abrasive material, the wear at the turbine has also been evaluated. Furthermore, the power output in this case and the potential of energy recovery were investigated, which could be of interest in many other applications.Additionally, the particle degradation at the solid state material driven turbine is evaluated in this case. A newly developed breakage model for DEM is used. The model is based on the particle replacement method, combined with the voronoi tessellation algorithm and breakage probabilities to achieve a high accuracy in terms of fragment size distribution.
Pre-pregnancy body surface area and risk for gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Holopainen Lotta S. , Tähtinen Hanna H. , Gissler Mika , Korhonen Päivi E. , Ekblad Mikael O. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Aims
To evaluate the effect of the pre-pregnancy body surface area (BSA) on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods
The study population consisted of all primiparous women with singleton pregnancies (n = 328,892) without previously diagnosed diabetes or chronic hypertension in Finland between 2006 and 2019. The information on GDM, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results, and maternal backgrounds was derived from the Finnish Medical Birth Register. The pre-pregnancy BSA was calculated by using the Mosteller formula. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between BSA and GDM/ OGTT separately by the body mass index groups.

Results
A lower BSA predicted an increased risk for GDM and pathological OGTT among the underweight (b = − 2.69, SE = 0.25, p < 0.001; b = − 2.66, SE = 0.23, p < 0.001, respectively) pregnant women, and normal weight (b = − 0.30, SE = 0.10, p = 0.002; b = − 0.67, SE = 0.09, p < 0.001, respectively) pregnant women; and pathological OGTT among the overweight (b = − 0.31, SE = 0.10, p = 0.001) pregnant women. Within the obese class II or greater, a higher BSA predicted a higher risk for GDM (b = 0.74, SE = 0.12, p < 0.001) and pathological OGTT (b = 0.79, SE = 0.13, p < 0.001). Maternal smoking predicted a significantly higher risk of GDM and pathological OGTTs in almost all body mass index groups.

Conclusion
This study showed that in comparison with women with a higher BSA, underweight, and normal weight pregnant women with a smaller BSA may be more susceptible to GDM and have a pathological OGTT.
Carnosine increases insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and reduces methylglyoxal-modified proteins in type-2 diabetic human skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Matthews Joseph J. , Turner Mark D. , Santos Livia , Elliott-Sale Kirsty J. , Sale Craig 
Published: January 2023

AbstractType-2 diabetes (T2D) is characterised by a dysregulation of metabolism, including skeletal muscle insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Reactive species, such as methylglyoxal (MGO) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), positively associate with T2D disease severity and can directly interfere with insulin signalling and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle by modifying cellular proteins. The multifunctional dipeptide carnosine, and its rate-limiting precursor β-alanine, have recently been shown to improve glycaemic control in humans and rodents with diabetes. However, the precise mechanisms are unclear and research in human skeletal muscle is limited. Herein, we present novel findings in primary human T2D and lean healthy control (LHC) skeletal muscle cells. Cells were differentiated to myotubes, and treated with 10 mM carnosine, 10 mM β-alanine, or control for 4-days. T2D cells had reduced ATP-linked and maximal respiration compared with LHC cells (p = 0.016 and p = 0.005). Treatment with 10 mM carnosine significantly increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in T2D cells (p = 0.047); with no effect in LHC cells. Insulin-stimulation increased MGO-modified proteins in T2D cells by 47%; treatment with carnosine attenuated this increase to 9.7% (p = 0.011). There was no effect treatment on cell viability or expression of other proteins. These findings suggest that the beneficial effects of carnosine on glycaemic control may be explained by its scavenging actions in human skeletal muscle.
Requirements management in DevOps environments: a multivocal mapping study
Authors: Hernández Rogelio , Moros Begoña , Nicolás Joaquín 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAttention is currently being focused on DevOps, which aims to reduce software development time by means of close collaboration between the development and operations areas. However, little effort has been made to determine the role of requirements management in DevOps. The objective of this study is to help both researchers and practitioners by providing an overview of the best practices regarding requirements engineering in DevOps and identifying which areas still need to be investigated. A multivocal mapping study has, therefore, been carried out in order to study which methodologies, techniques and tools are used to support requirements management in DevOps environments. After applying the review protocol, 37 papers from formal literature and 14 references from grey literature were selected for analysis. The general conclusions obtained after analysing these papers were that, within DevOps, more attention should be paid to: (1) the reuse of requirements in order to identify systems and software artefacts that can serve as a basis for the specification of new projects; (2) the communication of requirements between the different areas of an organisation and the stakeholders of a project; (3) the traceability of requirements in order to identify the relationship with other requirements, artefacts, tasks and processes; (4) non-functional requirements in order to identify the requirements of the operations area in the early phases of a project; and finally (5) specific requirements tools that should be seamlessly integrated into the DevOps toolchain. All these issues must be considered without ignoring the agile and continuous practices of development, operations and business teams. More effort must also be made to validate new methodologies in industry so as to assess and determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Spatial adaptive graph convolutional network for skeleton-based action recognition
Authors: Zhu Qilin , Deng Hongmin 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn recent years, great achievements have been made in graph convolutional network (GCN) for non-Euclidean spatial data feature extraction, especially the skeleton-based feature extraction. However, the fixed graph structure determined by the fixed adjacency matrix usually causes the problems such as the weak spatial modeling ability, the unsatisfactory generalization performance, the excessively large number of model parameters, and so on. In this paper, a spatially adaptive residual graph convolutional network (SARGCN) is proposed for action recognition based on skeleton feature extraction. Firstly, the uniform and fixed topology is not required in our graph. Secondly, a learnable parameter matrix is added to the GCN operation, which can enhance the model’s capabilities of feature extraction and generalization, while reducing the number of parameters. Therefore, compared with the several existing models mentioned in this paper, the least number of parameters are used in our model while ensuring the comparable recognition accuracy. Finally, inspired by the ResNet architecture, a residual connection is introduced in GCN to obtain higher accuracy at lower computational costs and learning difficulties. Extensive experimental on two large-scale datasets results validate the effectiveness of our proposed approach, namely NTU RGB+D 60 and NTU RGB+D 120.
Growing Up in the Great Recession: The Effects of Three Dimensions of Economic Well-being on Child Behavioral Difficulties from Ages 3 to 17
Authors: Gibbons Ryan Alberto , Sprong Stefanie , Chzhen Yekaterina 
Published: January 2023

AbstractEmpirical research into the relationship between economic well-being and child outcomes has been limited by its cross-sectional nature, or its narrow focus on predominantly financial aspects of economic well-being. This article attempts to overcome these shortcomings by using data from the Growing Up in Ireland Cohort98 (age: 9–17; N = 5,748; female: 51.4%) and Cohort08 studies (age: 3–9 years; N = 7,208; female: 49.8%), which cover a period of large macroeconomic fluctuation (2007–2017). This fluctuation makes a robust fixed effects analysis feasible, allowing for economic well-being effects to be isolated by controlling for all time-invariant confounders. The article uses three different measures of economic well-being (subjective financial strain, material deprivation, income) to explore how distinct forms of economic well-being affect child behavior. The results suggest that household income is not related to behavioral difficulties, whereas subjective financial strain is predictive of externalized behavioral difficulties in adolescent boys. Material deprivation is predictive of externalized behavioral difficulties in adolescent boys and internalized behavioral difficulties in younger boys, but has no effect on girls’ behavioral outcomes. The findings indicate that the relationship between economic well-being and child behavioral outcomes is complex, and requires multi-dimensional measures of economic well-being to accurately ascertain the different effects.
Designed to abuse? Deepfakes and the non-consensual diffusion of intimate images
Authors: Viola Marco , Voto Cristina 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe illicit diffusion of intimate photographs or videos intended for private use is a troubling phenomenon known as the diffusion of Non-Consensual Intimate Images (NCII). Recently, it has been feared that the spread of deepfake technology, which allows users to fabricate fake intimate images or videos that are indistinguishable from genuine ones, may dramatically extend the scope of NCII. In the present essay, we counter this pessimistic view, arguing for qualified optimism instead. We hypothesize that the growing diffusion of deepfakes will end up disrupting the status that makes our visual experience of photographic images and videos epistemically and affectively special; and that once divested of this status, NCII will lose much of their allure in the eye of the perpetrators, probably resulting in diminished diffusion. We conclude by offering some caveats and drawing some implications to better understand, and ultimately better counter, this phenomenon.
Degradation of the Endocrine-Disrupting Compound Triadimenol Using Photo-Fenton Reaction System and Experimental Design
Authors: Gkorgkolia Christina , Fytianos Konstantinos 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn the present report, the oxidative degradation of an endocrine-disrupting compound triadimenol has been investigated using the photo-Fenton reaction. Different reaction conditions that affected the degradation kinetics were examined including the iron (Fe2+) ions and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations, the initial concentration of triadimefon, and the type of iron salt. The degradation rates proved to be strongly influenced by the above parameters. The reaction conditions in terms of Fe2+ and H2O2 concentrations were systematically studied and optimized using an experimental design through central composite design. The kinetics of the process can be characterized as pseudo-first-order. As iron and hydrogen peroxide concentrations increase, the degradation rate of triadimenol accelerates and complete degradation can be achieved after a short time of illumination. The effectiveness of the five different iron salts on the degradation performance were also investigated. Experiments with longer time illumination can lead to complete mineralization and detoxification of triadimenol solutions. The properties of the proposed oxidative degradation scheme make it a promising candidate for wastewater treatment.
Advancing “Autonomous” sensing and prediction of the subsurface environment: a review and exploration of the challenges for soil and groundwater contamination
Authors: Davis Greg B. , Rayner John L. , Donn Michael J. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractCan we hope for autonomous (self-contained in situ) sensing of subsurface soil and groundwater pollutants to satisfy relevant regulatory criteria? Global advances in sensors, communications, digital technologies, and computational capacity offer this potential. Here we review past efforts to advance subsurface investigation techniques and technologies, and computational efforts to create a digital twin (representation) of subsurface processes. In the context of the potential to link measurement and sensing to a digital twin computation platform, we outline five criteria that might make it possible. Significant advances in sensors based on passive measurement devices are proposed. As an example of what might be achievable, using the five criteria, we describe the deployment of online real-time sensors and simulations for a case study of a petroleum site where natural source zone depletion (NSZD) is underway as a potential biodegradation management option, and where a high-quality conceptual site model is available. Multiple sensors targeting parameters (major gases and temperature influenced by soil moisture) relevant to the subsurface NSZD biodegradation processes are shown to offer the potential to map subsurface processes spatially and temporally and provide continuous estimates of degradation rates for management decisions, constrained by a computational platform of the key processes. Current limitations and gaps in technologies and knowledge are highlighted specific to the case study. More generally, additional key advances required to achieve autonomous sensing of subsurface soil and groundwater pollutants are outlined.
Review of Case Reports on Adverse Events Related to Pre-workout Supplements Containing Synephrine
Authors: de Jonge M. L. L. , Kieviet L. C. , Sierts M. , Egberink L. B. , van der Heyden M. A. G. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe use of pre-workout supplements has become increasingly popular, including the use of supplements containing synephrine. Synephrine might stimulate weight loss and improve sports performance by its proposed adrenergic properties. However, with its increasing popularity, numerous cases of adverse events related to synephrine use have been reported. This study provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of current case reports related to the supplemental use of synephrine. The scientific literature on cases of adverse events related to synephrine intake was collected through August 2021 using Pubmed and Google Scholar and subsequently reviewed and analysed. We obtained 30 case reports describing a total of 35 patients who suffered from medical complaints following use of synephrine-containing supplements. The patients most often presented with chest pain, palpitations, syncope and dizziness. Commonly raised diagnoses were ischaemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias and cerebrovascular disease. Five patients were left disabled or remained on medication at last follow-up. We here show an association between the use of pre-workout supplements containing synephrine and adverse events, mainly related to the cardiovascular system. However, we cannot exclude a role of possible confounding factors such as caffeine. Thus, the use of pre-workout supplements containing synephrine may lead to serious adverse health events, and therefore, caution is needed.
Atypical monkeypox presentation in a previously vaccinated MSM HIV-positive adult
Authors: Crosato Verena , Degli Antoni Melania , Izzo Ilaria , Cerini Carlo , Pennati Francesca , Gulletta Maurizio , Odolini Silvia , Tomasoni Lina Rachele , Matteelli Alberto , Castelli Francesco 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe outbreak of monkeypox virus (MPXV) in non-endemic countries is an international public health emergency, and the diversity in manifestations poses challenges for early diagnosis and isolation. We describe an atypical case of monkeypox (MPX) in a 46-year-old homosexual male living with HIV. He reported 1-day duration fever, a lesion on his chin that, over a period of 18 days, had gradually enlarged and ulcerated. Biopsy examination performed at an external centre revealed pyoderma gangrenosum, unconfirmed at a subsequent biopsy. When he reported to our hospital outpatients’ clinic the chin lesion had a diameter of 5 × 5 cm, necrotic margins and ulcerated base and signs of superinfection. He was admitted for further investigations. Three swabs collected from pharynx, skin and chin lesion resulted positive for MPXV. He had a favourable clinical course and was discharged soon after. Pending the achievement of optimal vaccination coverage in at-risk groups, early identification and isolation of infectious patients represent the cornerstones of the containment strategy. Atypical cases of MPX manifestations are not uncommon, particularly in patients with HIV infection. A high level of suspicion should be maintained to identify infectious cases at an early stage and avoid further spread of the infection.
The age of acquisition effect in processing second language words and its relationship with the age of acquisition of the first language
Authors: Wang Jue , Liang Lijuan , Chen Baoguo 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe present study investigated the age of acquisition (AoA) effect in processing second language (L2) words and how it is related to the AoA of the corresponding first language (L1) words. We adopted a lexical decision task in three experiments. The filler words were orthographically illegal in Experiment 1 to elicit more word form processing, while Experiment 2 used legal fillers to shift the bias toward semantic processing. In Experiment 3, we used a larger amount of stimuli containing more longer words with legal fillers. Our results showed that L2 AoA has a weak effect at the orthographical processing level and a stable effect at the semantic processing level. The L1 AoA modulates the L2 AoA effect at the semantic processing level, which is more likely to appear in long words. These results suggest that it is important to take bilingual representation and activation into consideration to explain the L2 AoA effect.