bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of mRNA for molecules that regulate angiogenesis, endothelial cell survival, and vascular permeability is altered in endothelial cells isolated from db/db mouse hearts
Authors: Bartkowiak Krzysztof , Bartkowiak Mateusz , Jankowska-Steifer Ewa , Ratajska Anna , Czarnowska Elżbieta , Kujawa Marek , Aniołek Olga , Niderla-Bielińska Justyna
Published: September 2024

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition that includes symptoms, such as obesity, hyperglycemia, and hypertension, which elevate cardiovascular risk. An impaired angiogenic response of endothelial cells (ECs) in heart and peripheral organs has been proposed in MetS, but the mechanisms of this phenomenon have not been thoroughly explored. Results obtained from evaluating the whole myocardium are inconsistent, since different types of cells react differently to MetS environment and a variety of molecular pathways are involved in the angiogenic response. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to study one selected pathway—the VEGF/VEGFR pathway, which regulates the angiogenic response and microvascular permeability in ECs isolated from db/db mouse hearts. The expression of mRNAs for VEGF/VEGFR axis proteins was assessed with RT-PCR in ECs isolated from control and db/db mouse myocardium. The density of CD31-, VEGFR2-, and VE-cadherin-positive cells was examined with confocal microscopy, and the ultrastructure of ECs was analyzed with transmission electron microscopy. The aortic ring assay was used to assess the capacity of ECs to respond to angiogenic stimuli. Our results showed a decreased number of microvessels, diminished expression of VE-cadherin and VEGFR2 and widened gaps between the ECs of microcapillaries. The aortic ring assay showed a diminished number of sprouts in db/db mice. These results may indicate that ECs in MetS enhance the production of mRNA for VEGF/VRGFR axis proteins, yet sprout formation and vascular barrier maintenance are limited. These novel data may provide a foundation for further studies on ECs dysfunction in MetS.
Plant developmental oddities
Authors: Pozzi Carlo M. , Brambilla Vittoria F. , Gaiti Angelo , Spada Alberto
Published: September 2024

Main conclusion

Plants lacking shoot apical meristem develop with unique body shapes, suggesting rewiring of developmental genes. This loss of the meristem is likely influenced by a combination of environmental factors and evolutionary pressures.

This study explores the development of plant bodies in three families (Podostemaceae, Lemnaceae, and Gesneriaceae) where the shoot apical meristem (SAM), a key structure for growth, is absent or altered. The review highlights alternative developmental strategies these plants employ. Also, we considered alternative reproduction in those species, namely through structures like turions, fronds, or modified leaves, bypassing the need for a SAM. Further, we report on studies based on the expression patterns of genes known to be involved in SAM formation and function. Interestingly, these genes are still present but expressed in atypical locations, suggesting a rewiring of developmental networks. Our view on the current literature and knowledge indicates that the loss or reduction of the SAM is driven by a combination of environmental pressures and evolutionary constraints, leading to these unique morphologies. Further research, also building on Next-Generation Sequencing, will be instrumental to explore the genetic basis for these adaptations and how environmental factors influence them.
N-Check: Nervencheck zur Erfassung einer chemotherapieinduzierten peripheren Neuropathie (CIPN) bei nichtheilbarer Krebserkrankung
Authors: Syben Annabell , Weber Sascha , Appelmann Iris , Rolke Roman
Published: September 2024

Die chemotherapieinduzierte Polyneuropathie (Synonym: chemotherapie-induzierte periphere Neuropathie, CIPN) umfasst ein Symptomspektrum, das von Hypästhesien mit Störung von Gang‑, Stand- und Feinmotorik bis hin zu schmerzhaften Dysästhesien und Allodynien reicht und die Lebensqualität von Betroffenen maßgeblich beeinträchtigt. In der vorliegenden Pilotstudie wurde mittels quantitativer sensorischer Testung (QST) die CIPN als häufige unerwünschte Wirkung von Zytostatika bei Patient:innen mit einer nichtheilbaren Krebserkrankung untersucht. Die QST ist ein standardisiertes Untersuchungsverfahren, das bei Krebspatient:innen bisher jedoch nicht routinemäßig eingesetzt wird. Sie untersucht thermische und mechanische Wahrnehmungs- und Schmerzschwellen zur Erfassung des subjektiv erlebten Schmerzphänotyps. Im Pilotprojekt N‑Check wurde die QST vor und nach potenziell CIPN-induzierender Therapie eingesetzt und die erhobenen Daten in einer Prä-post-Analyse verglichen. Zusätzlich wurden die spezifischen Auswirkungen der CIPN auf die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität der Patient:innen mithilfe des Fragebogens Functional Assessment for Cancer Therapy – General (FACT-G) erfasst. Insgesamt zeigte sich bei den Patient:innen nach Chemotherapie eine signifikante Hitzehypalgesie als Zeichen einer Schädigung kleiner Nervenfasern. Darüber hinaus fanden sich Zeichen einer Verschlechterung der Lebensqualität. Die Machbarkeit der QST bei Patient:innen mit nichtheilbarer Krebserkrankung und neurotoxischer Chemotherapie konnte in der vorliegenden Pilotstudie gezeigt werden.

Graphic abstract
Climate change impacts on livestock in Brazil
Authors: N. C. R. Ferreira , R. R. Andrade , L. N. Ferreira
Published: September 2024

Brazilian livestock provides a significant fraction of the food consumed globally, making the country one of the largest producers and exporters of meat, milk and eggs. However, current advances in the production of protein from Brazilian animal origin may be directly impacted by climate change and the resulting biophysical effects. Therefore, it is strategically consistent to develop measures to deal with the resulting environmental heat stress on domesticated animal species, especially the need in developing countries. This work aims to (1) evaluate the impacts of climate change on livestock (cattle-dairy, cattle-beef, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry-general) in different regions of Brazil and (2) discuss possible response strategies, associated with animal comfort and welfare. From our results, we can draw better strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on livestock production. The results presented show an increase of high heat stress in South and Southeast and an increase of extreme heat stress in North and Central-West areas of Brazil. The rise in extreme heat stress tends to occur mostly during spring and summer and tends to vary considering the different evaluated species. Within the evaluated species, the ones that seem to be more affected by climate changes are Poultry, pigs, cattle-beef and general (temperature-humidity index value). The differences between the results for the five geographic regions in Brazil suggests that different mitigation measures need to be considered to cope with future heat stress in livestock. To ensure the long-term success of Brazil's influence on the global market for proteins of animal origin, it must achieve sustainable production systems more intensively.
Wind speed super-resolution and validation: from ERA5 to CERRA via diffusion models
Authors: Merizzi Fabio , Asperti Andrea , Colamonaco Stefano
Published: September 2024

The Copernicus Regional Reanalysis for Europe, CERRA, is a high-resolution regional reanalysis dataset for the European domain. In recent years, it has shown significant utility across various climate-related tasks, ranging from forecasting and climate change research to renewable energy prediction, resource management, air quality risk assessment, and the forecasting of rare events, among others. Unfortunately, the availability of CERRA is lagging 2 years behind the current date, due to constraints in acquiring the requisite external data and the intensive computational demands inherent in its generation. As a solution, this paper introduces a novel method using diffusion models to approximate CERRA downscaling in a data-driven manner, without additional informations. By leveraging the lower resolution ERA5 dataset, which provides boundary conditions for CERRA, we approach this as a super-resolution task. Focusing on wind speed around Italy, our model, trained on existing CERRA data, shows promising results, closely mirroring the original CERRA. Validation with in-situ observations further confirms the model’s accuracy in approximating ground measurements.
Design of high performances electronically reconfigurable antenna arrays by means of parasitic structures and RF-MEMS switches
Authors: Donelli Massimo , Tagliapietra Girolamo , Guha Koushik , Dal Chiele Irene , Iannacci Jacopo
Published: September 2024

This work explores the development of smart array antennas, able to electronically change their beam patterns through reconfigurable linear, planar, or conformal parasitic structures controlled by mean of a set of electronic switches namely the radio frequency micro-electromechanical switches (RF-MEMS). The motivation of this study is to extend and make competitive the use of reconfigurable antenna arrays in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and wireless sensor networks. These hot research areas require a capillary distribution of sensors characterized by compact dimensions and limited cost. The radiating systems play a key role in such applications since the improvement of the radiating properties can dramatically reduce the power consumption of such sensors and extend their operative range. Standard smart antenna arrays such as phased, or fully adaptive arrays are extremely expensive, expensive and difficult to control. In this work, the use of smart reconfigurable antenna arrays that do not require expensive digital variable phase shifters and attenuators has been considered. The proposed antenna structures are based on reconfigurable parasitic structures, that thanks to suitable RF-MEMs switches are able to obtain a desired beam pattern, by steering the main beam in a given direction, removing eventually interfering signals and maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio SNR. The versatility, simplicity, and low cost of such antennas make them particularly suitable for the emergent wireless sensor networks and IoT applications. Theoretical background, design guidelines, and suggestions for their fabrication are detailed in this work. Some antenna models for different practical applications are designed, optimized, numerically assessed with commercial electromagnetic simulators, and commented to provide a valid alternative to researchers involved in antenna design for IoT applications.
ISRM Suggested Method for Determining the Properties of Rock Bolt Assemblies by Mass Freefall Impact Testing in the Laboratory
Authors: Li Charlie C. , Mikula Peter , Hadjigeorgiou John , Simser Brad , He Manchao , Canbulat Ismet , Joughin William
Published: September 2024

This Suggested Method proposes impact tests to determine selected properties of full-scale rock bolt assemblies subject to an axis-aligned impact force. These properties include the stiffness of the bolt assembly, the rise time, the tensile strength, the ultimate displacement, and the energy absorption of the rock bolt assembly. These properties may be used to design or select ground support for burst-prone ground conditions. This Suggested Method is limited to the mass freefall impact test method. It is performed using a test frame in the laboratory. The Method specifies the requirements for the testing apparatus and measurement sensors, the test procedures, the data processing methods and the reporting items.
Contusion expansion, low platelet count and bifrontal contusions are associated with worse patient outcome following traumatic brain injury—a retrospective single-center study
Authors: Andersson Alice S. , Hossain Iftakher , Marklund Niklas
Published: September 2024

Background

Cortical contusions are common in moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Cortical contusions often expand, potentially causing neuro-worsening several hours to days post-trauma. While contusion expansion (CE) may affect outcome, potential clinical and radiological markers that can predict CE have been insufficiently explored. In the present single-center retrospective observational cohort study, we evaluated clinical outcome by the Glasgow Outcome Scale extended (GOSE) scale and evaluated risk factor for CE.

Method

Adult TBI patients > 18 years of age, and of all injury severities, were included. Main variables of interest were low platelet count, defined as < 150 × 109/L, presence of bifrontal contusions and CE, defined as absolute contusion volume increase in cm3. Factors associated with CE and clinical outcome according to GOSE were analyzed.

Results

Between 2012–2022, 272 patients were included. Contusion size on admission correlated positively with CE, as did the Marshall and Rotterdam radiological classification scores. Bifrontal contusions were significantly larger at admission, experienced larger CE, and had a worse outcome than contusions in other locations. Patients with a platelet count < 150 × 109/L experienced a greater volume CE and had a worse outcome when compared to patients with a normal platelet count. In a multivariate analysis, CE remained significantly associated with a poor outcome six months post- injury.

Conclusion

Contusion volume at admission, Marshall CT classification and Rotterdam CT score, positively correlated to CE. Bifrontal contusions and a platelet count < 150 × 109/L were associated with CE, and a poor clinical outcome. Large CE volumes were associated with a worse clinical outcome, and CE was per se associated with outcome in a multivariate analysis. Management of these risk factors for CE in the acute post-injury setting may be needed to attenuate contusion expansion and to improve clinical outcome in TBI patients suffering from cortical contusion injuries.
Enhancing surgical occlusion setting in orthognathic surgery planning using mixed reality technology: a comparative study
Authors: Wilkat Max , Schrader Felix , Trusch Julia , Karnatz Nadia , Becker Kathrin , Saigo Leonardo , Rana Majeed
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Orthognathic surgery necessitates precise occlusal alignment during surgical planning, traditionally achieved through manual alignment of physical dental models as the recognized gold standard. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of mixed reality technology in enhancing surgical occlusion setting compared to traditional physical alignment and an established virtual method, addressing the research question: Can mixed reality technology improve the accuracy and efficiency of occlusion setting in orthognathic surgery planning?

Materials & methods

This experimental study compared the surgical occlusion settings of 30 orthognathic cases using three methods: a new virtual method with mixed reality technology, the traditional gold standard of physical alignment, and an established virtual occlusion method using the IPS Case Designer (KLS Martin SE & Co. KG, Tuttlingen, Germany).

Results

Results indicated that surgical occlusions set with mixed reality technology were comparable to the conventional method in terms of maxillary movement and occlusal relationship. Differences observed were within the inter-observer variability of the gold standard. Both virtual methods tended to position the maxilla more anteriorly, resulting in fewer occlusal contacts. However, virtual occlusion demonstrated clinical applicability, achieving an average of 11 occlusal contacts with a bilaterally symmetrical distribution along the dental arch.

Conclusions

The mixed reality environment provides an intuitive and flexible experience for setting surgical occlusion, eliminating the need for costly 3D-printed physical models or the automatic calculations required by other virtual occlusion methods, thereby offering maximum freedom.

Clinical relevance

As a novel form of virtual occlusion, it presents a comprehensive tool that contributes to a timely and cost-effective full digital workflow of orthognathic surgery planning.
Experimental study on Na+ conductivity in NaAlBr4 and atomic-scale investigation of Na+ conduction
Authors: Miyazaki Reona , Nakayama Masanobu , Hihara Takehiko
Published: September 2024

The ionic conduction properties of Li/Na metal halides have been extensively studied, with recent attention turning towards Al-based systems. However, limited studies have focused on alkali Al bromides. In this study, we explored the Na+ conduction properties of NaAlBr4. Conductivity measurements at 30 °C revealed a Na+ conductivity of 1.2 × 10−5 S/cm, surpassing that of isostructural NaAlCl4 threefold. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to elucidate the conduction mechanisms revealed that Na+ conduction was not observed in stoichiometric NaAlBr4, which has high formation energies of Na+ vacancies and interstitials (0.88 eV and 0.73 eV, respectively). Nevertheless, a conductivity of 1.2 × 10−5 S/cm was observed. The activation energy for ion conduction was experimentally determined as 0.43 eV, and the migration energies were calculated as 0.26 eV (Na+ vacancies) and 0.16 eV (Na+ interstitials) by MD simulations. These discrepancies in ion conduction were partially explained by the role of transient defects enriched via ball milling in facilitating Na+ conduction on the particle surface, offering insights into the complex ion conduction of ball-milled NaAlBr4.
Sustainable and inclusive development in left-behind places
Authors: Benner Maximilian , Trippl Michaela , Hassink Robert
Published: September 2024

Scholarly work in economic geography and regional science has recently seen a renewed interest in spatial inequalities, driven significantly by the debate on left-behind places and the resulting geographies of discontent. The plight of left-behind places calls for new place-based policy responses that address the specific challenges of these regions but that at the same time address grand societal challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, or pollution with synthetic chemicals. Despite growing attention among economic geographers and regional scientists to either green or inclusive regional development approaches, how to reconcile environmental sustainability and social inclusiveness in highly challenged left-behind places remains poorly understood. This editorial reflects on and critically discusses the literature on left-behind places and distils unifying conceptual characteristics of left-behindness. We argue that left-behindness is a temporal, relational, multidimensional, discursive, but not deterministic concept. The non-determinism of left-behindness opens up different choices for actors to shape regional futures. Imagining and negotiating these futures involves dealing with difficult potential trade-offs between environmental sustainability and social inclusiveness, some of which are explored by the articles in this special issue.
Economic effects of next-generation sequencing diagnostics in unspecific sepsis patients – a budget impact analysis from the healthcare providers’ perspective in Germany
Authors: Wenzel Anne , Röder Johanna , Poos Tabea , Dusse Fabian , Kron Florian
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) tools have clinical advantages over blood culture but are more expensive. This study assesses the budget impact and break-even point of NGS testing costs from a healthcare provider’s perspective in Germany.

Methods

The budget impact was calculated based on aggregated data of German post-operative surgery cases. Simulated cost savings were calculated based on a simulated reduction in hospital length of stay (LOS) of four or eight days with a positivity rate of 71% and compared to the costs of one (scenario A) or two tests (scenario B) per case. Furthermore, the break-even point of the cost of two tests compared to saved costs through shortened LOS was conducted.

Results

For 9,450 cases, an average budget impact for scenario A and scenario B of €1,290.41 [95% CI €1,119.64 – €1,461.19] and - €208.59 [95% CI - €379.36 – - €37.81] was identified for gastrointestinal and kidney surgery cases, and €1,355.58 [95% CI €1,049.62 – €1,661.55] and €18.72 [95% CI - €324.69 – €287.24] for vascular artery surgery cases, respectively. The break-even analysis showed that using two tests per case could achieve a minimum positive contribution margin with an average of 1.9 tests per case across the study population.

Conclusion

The results revealed a positive budget impact for one NGS test and a slightly negative budget impact for two NGS tests per case. Findings suggest that largest cost savings are generated for more severe cases and are highly dependent on the patient population.
A machine learning-based method for feature reduction of methylation data for the classification of cancer tissue origin
Authors: De Velasco Marco A. , Sakai Kazuko , Mitani Seiichiro , Kura Yurie , Minamoto Shuji , Haeno Takahiro , Hayashi Hidetoshi , Nishio Kazuto
Published: September 2024

Background

Genome DNA methylation profiling is a promising yet costly method for cancer classification, involving substantial data. We developed an ensemble learning model to identify cancer types using methylation profiles from a limited number of CpG sites.

Methods

Analyzing methylation data from 890 samples across 10 cancer types from the TCGA database, we utilized ANOVA and Gain Ratio to select the most significant CpG sites, then employed Gradient Boosting to reduce these to just 100 sites.

Results

This approach maintained high accuracy across multiple machine learning models, with classification accuracy rates between 87.7% and 93.5% for methods including Extreme Gradient Boosting, CatBoost, and Random Forest. This method effectively minimizes the number of features needed without losing performance, helping to classify primary organs and uncover subgroups within specific cancers like breast and lung.

Conclusions

Using a gradient boosting feature selector shows potential for streamlining methylation-based cancer classification.
An updated landslide susceptibility model and a log-Gaussian Cox process extension for Scotland
Authors: Bryce Erin , Castro-Camilo Daniela , Dashwood Claire , Tanyas Hakan , Ciurean Roxana , Novellino Alessandro , Lombardo Luigi
Published: September 2024

At the time of its development, GeoSure was created using expert knowledge based on a thorough understanding of the engineering geology of the rocks and soils of Great Britain. The ability to use a data-driven methodology to develop a national-scale landslide susceptibility was not possible due to the relatively small size of the landslide inventory at the time. In the intervening 20 years, the National Landslide Database has grown from around 6000 points to over 18,000 records today and continues to be added to. With the availability of this additional inventory, new data-driven solutions could be utilised. Here, we tested a Bernoulli likelihood model to estimate the probability of debris flow occurrence and a log-Gaussian Cox process model to estimate the rate of debris flow occurrence per slope unit. Scotland was selected as the test site for a preliminary experiment, which could potentially be extended to the whole British landscape in the future. Inference techniques for both of these models are applied within a Bayesian framework. The Bayesian framework can work with the two models as additive structures, which allows for the incorporation of spatial and covariate information in a flexible way. The framework also provides uncertainty estimates with model outcomes. We also explored consideration on how to communicate uncertainty estimates together with model predictions in a way that would ensure an integrated framework for master planners to use with ease, even if administrators do not have a specific statistical background. Interestingly, the spatial predictive patterns obtained do not stray away from those of the previous GeoSure methodology, but rigorous numerical modelling now offers objectivity and a much richer predictive description.
Using real-time kinetic GPS (RTK-GPS) to improve the assessment of population dynamics and optimize population viability studies of threatened species
Authors: Far Antoni Josep , Capó Miquel , Cursach Joana
Published: September 2024

The conservation of threatened plant species needs precise monitoring studies to assess population trends and improve management strategies. Here, we investigated the viability of employing high-accuracy RTK-GPS technology for demographic evaluation of Euphorbia fontqueriana, a critically endangered species of the western Mediterranean Basin. Our study aimed to evaluate the utility of RTK-GPS technology, compare its applicability with traditional methods, and determine its impact on decision-making in conservation. We used permanent plots and comprehensive field surveys to monitor population dynamics, and transitions between plant stages and vital rates were recorded and analysed. Results revealed a positive population trend for E. fontqueriana, contrasting with previous studies. Vegetative stage was the most representative of the population, and high survival rates were observed for vegetative and reproductive individuals. Elasticity analysis showed higher value for vegetative stage. The study underscores the importance of employing high-accuracy plant monitoring methods for effective conservation assessments and emphasizes the potential of RTK-GPS technology in enhancing conservation efforts for threatened plant species.
Fungal and beetle diversity in deciduous fine woody debris in spruce-dominated forests in relation to substrate quantity and quality
Authors: Korhonen Aku , Siitonen Juha , Hamberg Leena
Published: September 2024

Deciduous fine woody debris (DFWD) is a common deadwood substrate type in boreal conifer-dominated forests, but it is usually present in low volumes, and its importance for deadwood dependent biodiversity is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how DFWD-associated fungal and beetle diversity depends on local substrate availability and quality, and how species diversity differs between DFWD and coarse deciduous deadwood (birch logs) in boreal mixed spruce-dominated forests in southern Finland. We studied 25 forest plots (each 0.16 ha), measuring and sampling all pieces of DFWD with a diameter of 2–5 cm and minimum length of 50 cm. Wood-inhabiting fungi were surveyed from wood samples by DNA metabarcoding and saproxylic beetles were surveyed by bark sieving. Our results showed a clear positive relationship between DFWD abundance and the diversity of fungi and beetles. Tree species and decay class diversity were not important in explaining fungal and beetle diversity or community composition, possibly due to low degree of variation in DFWD quality among the study plots. DFWD hosted more diverse fungal assemblages than birch logs, including species of conservation concern, while no red-listed beetle species were observed on DFWD. Overall, species assemblages associated with fine and coarse deciduous deadwood were non-nested. Thus, DFWD represents a non-redundant complementary deadwood resource type alongside coarse deciduous deadwood in boreal forests.
Considering the Dark Side of Work: Bullshit Job Perceptions, Deviant Work Behavior, and the Moderating Role of Work Ethic
Authors: Riester Johanna , Keller Johannes
Published: September 2024

This contribution aims to expand the study of experiences at work by (a) analyzing a theoretical perspective concerning experiences at work which emphasizes both positive aspects as well as negative aspects, (b) exploring the relation of both negative (Bullshit job perceptions; BJP) and positive aspects (Meaningful Work perceptions; MWP) experienced at work to negative work-related behavior (Counterproductive Work Behavior [CWB] and Cyberloafing), (c) investigating the (moderating) role of work ethic, and (d) examining the robustness of these relations when considering additional contextual factors (organizational work values and tightness–looseness reflecting social norms). Three studies were conducted, including two samples of German employees (N = 247 and N = 240), and another one of employees in the USA (N = 253). Our findings reveal that negative experiences at work (BJP) are the main predictor of problematic workplace behavior (CWB and Cyberloafing). Furthermore, their relation was contingent on individuals’ endorsement of work ethic. BJP and CWB (or Cyberloafing) were more closely associated for individuals strongly endorsing work ethic. In contrast, the relation of positive experiences (MWP) to problematic behavior at work was not significantly qualified by work ethic. The observed relations were robust when additional contextual factors were controlled for. The results emphasize the importance and complexity of work experiences including and differentiating positive and negative aspects. They also highlight the significance of work ethic and related beliefs of employees in shaping problematic behavior in work settings.
IDcare – a longitudinal register study of pre-pandemic and pandemic health care utilization and diagnostic profiles among people with intellectual disabilities in southern Sweden
Authors: Sandberg Magnus , Kristensson Jimmie , Axmon Anna
Published: September 2024

The aim of the creation of this cohort was to investigate patterns of health and health care utilisation before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, overall and in relation to specific diagnoses, among people with intellectual disabilities (ID) compared to the general population. People living in Skåne, the southernmost region of Sweden, on 1st of January 2014 with at least one diagnosis of ID (ICD-10 codes F70-F79) or Down syndrome (DS; Q90), or support and/or services according to the LSS act comprised the ID cohort (n = 14 716). People living in the same family and/or household as a person in the ID cohort constituted the ID family cohort (n = 31 688), and those remaining comprised the general population cohort (gPop; n = 1 226 955). Data has been collected for all three cohorts from several national and regional registers. These include registers for health care (2014–2021), deaths (2014–2021), COVID-19-related health care (vaccinations, intensive care, palliative care, 2020–2021). The prevalence of ID was 1.2%. In the ID cohort, 77.9% had at least one measure of support, 5.8% at least one Q90-diagnosis and 63.8% had at least one F7-diagnosis (26.9% mild (F70), 7.4% moderate (F71), 2.8% severe (F72), 1.4% profound (F73), and 25.4% other/unknown (F78/F79)). Compared to the gPop there were more people in the younger age groups in the ID cohort. At this point, no additional collection of data will be carried out. However, there is a possibility to add data from the registers to include years after 2021 or from additional registers. Future publications will explore relevant research questions and report key findings in relation to health among people with ID. Future results will be used to inform policy and practice on people with ID.
Forecasting software indicators: an industry-academia collaboration
Authors: Ayala Claudia , Gómez Cristina , Manzano Martí , Abherve Antonin , Franch Xavier
Published: September 2024

Context

Nowadays software-development organizations are urged to exploit their data for empowering their decision-making processes. Such data may be used to monitor the status of meaningful software indicators (e.g., software quality, productivity and on-time delivery) that are relevant for their decision-making processes. Forecasting the values of such indicators may provide evidence of a potentially high risk or opportunity that could help to anticipate actions accordingly. Most of the existing forecasting proposals in software engineering use open-source data rather than data from industrial projects. Therefore, there is a lack of evidence on how these proposals fit the particular needs of a software-development organization and how they can be automated into the organization’s infrastructure.

Objective

To enable software indicators´ forecasting in a software-development organization (Modeliosoft).

Method

We designed an industry-academia collaboration based on Action Design Research (ADR) to address Modeliosoft’s forecasting challenges.

Results

A tool-supported method called FOSI (Forecasting Of Software Indicators) for enabling forecasting in Modeliosoft. We obtained positive results regarding its suitability and technical feasibility in a pilot project of the organization. In addition, we provide details and reflections on the potential usefulness of the method for addressing similar field problems.

Conclusions

The procedures and results detailed in this paper are valuable to: 1) address Modeliosoft’s forecasting challenges 2) inspire other software-development organizations on how to deal with similar problems and even reuse some procedures and software support tools resulted from this work, 3) promote the win-win benefits of industry-academia collaborations.
REDD+ in Indonesia: An assessment of the international environmental program
Authors: Gatto Andrea , Sadik-Zada Elkhan Richard
Published: September 2024

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature and assesses the progress on the effects of Indonesia’s REDD+ program. Due to the significance of Indonesia in terms of global rainforests and the comprehensive implementation practice of REDD+ programs since 2009, focusing on the case study of Indonesia enables interesting insights regarding the challenges and opportunities of REDD+. Indonesia faced challenges during the project’s implementation, but there were also reductions. This success is attributed to the set program design of REDD+. In this paper, we show that without international development cooperation in the field of climate change mitigation, the countries in the Global South lack locally driven forest conservation or restoration incentives. These incentives emanate exogenously from international development cooperation programs in the field of climate change mitigation. The review of the program also shows that despite the rigorous institutional design of REDD+ in Indonesia, not all the stakeholders could benefit from the program appropriately. Because of the de facto weakness of the smallholder farmers, indigenous population groups, and other vulnerable categories in the political process of Indonesia, these groups’ interests have not come fully to their own in Indonesia. Hence, we conclude that international programs that target environmental protection, while addressing inferior institutional quality, bad governance and operate through more accountable NGOs than government agencies would perform better in terms of global environmental targets and the sustainability of local livelihoods.
Thermo-Mechanical Analysis of Masonry Brick Walls with Embedded Test Specimen Under Fire Exposure
Authors: Prieler Rene , Ortner Benjamin , Kitzmüller Peter , Thumser Stefan , Schwabegger Günther , Hochenauer Christoph
Published: September 2024

The present study is dealing with the heat transfer and deformation of masonry brick walls and an embedded fire safety steel door as well as their mechanical interaction when they were exposed to fire. A numerical approach based on the finite element method was applied to predict the temperatures and deformation. The heat transfer analysis of the wall considered the heat conduction and the radiative heat transfer within the voids of the brick. It was found that the thermal analysis predicted the temperature in the wall with high accuracy. The thermal analysis of the door was limited to the heat conduction and the water vapour transport within the door was neglected. However, the calculated temperatures were found to be reasonable and were further used for the structural analysis. When the door was placed in a central position in the wall, the predicted deformation of the wall was in close accordance to the measured data. The analysis of the door deformation showed that the pressure level and its time-dependency inside the steel door is a crucial factor for the simulation’s accuracy. When the door was placed in an asymmetric position, the wall deformation was increasing significantly. This phenomenon was also covered by the simulation, when the stiffness of the wall boundary condition was decreased. Although the numerical model was capable to calculate the deformation during the fire exposure, further research on the pressure inside the door and the mechanical conditions of the wall at the boundaries has to be done.
Ethical, Psychological and Social Un/certainties in the Face of Deemed Consent for Organ Donation in England
Authors: Machin Laura L. , Wrench Elizabeth , Cooper Jessie , Dixon Heather , Wilkinson Mark
Published: September 2024

Deemed consent legislation for deceased organ donation was introduced in England in 2020, and is considered a vital part of the new UK NHS Blood and Transplant’s 10-year strategy to increase consent for organ donation. Despite the legislation containing safeguards to protect the public, the introduction of deemed consent creates ethical, psychological and social un/certainties for healthcare professionals in their practice. In this paper, we offer insights into healthcare professionals’ perspectives on deemed consent, drawn from interview data with 24 healthcare professionals in an NHS Trust in England, prior to the introduction of the legislation. Whilst participants supported deemed consent in principle, they were concerned that it would present a threat to the nature of donation as a ‘gift’; the notion of informed consent (or non-consent); and the autonomy of donors, their relatives, and their own roles as health professionals, posing dilemmas for practice. We argue that healthcare professionals present themselves as guardians of potential (non)donors and thus as having ethics and integrity in their own practice. We draw conclusions around the values and principles that matter to healthcare professionals when contemplating consent in deceased donation which will be useful for organ donation committees and ethics forums.
The Great Loop: From Conformal Cyclic Cosmology to Aeon Monism
Authors: Le Bihan Baptiste
Published: September 2024

Penrose’s conformal cyclic cosmology describes the cosmos as a collection of successive universes, the so-called aeons. The beginning and ending of our universe are directly connected to two other, anterior and posterior, universes. Penrose considers but rules out a different interpretation of conformal cyclic cosmology: that the beginning of our universe is connected to its own end in a cosmic loop. The paper argues that the view, aeon monism, should be regarded as a natural interpretation of conformal cyclic cosmology and discusses its implications for the concept of eternal return in light of the most popular metaphysics of time.
Defects and phase transitions to geometric phases of abelian GLSMs
Authors: Brunner Ilka , Krumpeck Lukas , Roggenkamp Daniel
Published: September 2024

We consider gauged linear sigma models with gauge group U(1) that exhibit a geometric as well as a Landau–Ginzburg phase. We construct defects that implement the transport of D-branes from the Landau–Ginzburg phase to the geometric phase. Through their fusion with boundary conditions these defects in particular provide functors between the respective D-brane categories. The latter map (equivariant) matrix factorizations to coherent sheaves and can be formulated explicitly in terms of complexes of matrix factorizations.
The boundaries of gnoseology
Authors: Navarro Jesús , Pino Dani
Published: September 2024

According to Sosa (2015, 2021), the domain of epistemic normativity divides into gnoseology and intellectual ethics, a boundary that results from the key notion that gnoseological assessments are telic. We share this view here and highlight the implications that the telic claim has for different debates in contemporary epistemology. However, we also raise the complaint that Sosa’s analogy of the archer has suggested that this boundary aligns with those of the instant of cognitive performance and its attributability to an individual, as featured in the Cartesian fundamental epistemic question: What should I believe now? Against this Cartesian imprint, we claim that temporality and sociality may be constitutive features of gnoseology. In order to show this, we introduce alternative analogies of belief formation processes that illustrate how cognitive achievements may be collectively attained across time, features that may manifest as an epistemology of conversation.
The genomes of Australian wild limes
Authors: Nakandala Upuli , Furtado Agnelo , Masouleh Ardashir Kharabian , Smith Malcolm W. , Mason Patrick , Williams Darren C. , Henry Robert J.
Published: September 2024

Australian wild limes occur in highly diverse range of environments and are a unique genetic resource within the genus Citrus. Here we compare the haplotype-resolved genome assemblies of six Australian native limes, including four new assemblies generated using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing data. The size of the genomes was between 315 and 391 Mb with contig N50s from 29.5 to 35 Mb. Gene completeness of the assemblies was estimated to be from 98.4 to 99.3% and the annotations from 97.7 to 98.9% based upon BUSCO, confirming the high contiguity and completeness of the assembled genomes. High collinearity was observed among the genomes and the two haplotype assemblies for each species. Gene duplication and evolutionary analysis demonstrated that the Australian citrus have undergone only one ancient whole-genome triplication event during evolution. The highest number of species-specific and expanded gene families were found in C. glauca and they were primarily enriched in purine, thiamine metabolism, amino acids and aromatic amino acids metabolism which might help C. glauca to mitigate drought, salinity, and pathogen attacks in the drier environments in which this species is found. Unique genes related to terpene biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, and toll-like receptors in C. australasica, and starch and sucrose metabolism genes in both C. australis and C. australasica might be important candidate genes for HLB tolerance in these species. Expanded gene families were not lineage specific, however, a greater number of genes related to plant-pathogen interactions, predominantly disease resistant protein, was found in C. australasica and C. australis.
Public sector entrepreneurship: an integrative review
Authors: Vivona Roberto , Clausen Tommy H. , Gullmark Petter , Cinar Emre , Demircioglu Mehmet Akif
Published: September 2024

Public sector entrepreneurship (PSE) has emerged as a vital field, exploring how public servants leverage opportunities to create public value amidst unprecedented and unpredictable challenges in governance. This article navigates the expansive landscape of PSE literature, consolidating diverse theoretical perspectives and fragmented knowledge into a cohesive framework. Through an integrative and systematic review of 100 articles, we identify PSE as a multi-level phenomenon characterized by a context-dependent combination of proactivity, innovation, and risk-taking, that serves to drive change and renewal, promote resilient organizations, and resourcefully exploit opportunities for public value creation, with the ultimate aim of achieving positive societal and environmental outcomes. By proposing an analytical framework that embraces the fluid nature of PSE and integrating diverse perspectives, this study enriches our understanding of the intersection between entrepreneurship and public administration. It advocates for a nuanced, sector-specific approach to PSE, laying a solid foundation for further advancements in the field.
Comparative Evaluation of Commercial Filters and Ultrafiltration for Concentrating Cryptosporidium Oocysts and Giardia Cysts from Water Samples
Authors: Al Mshelesh Hayder , Bridle Helen , Vesey Graham
Published: September 2024

This review of literature analyses the effectiveness of three commercially available filters, namely the Pall Envirochek filters, IDEXX FiltaMax, and Whatman flatbed membrane, in the process of concentrating Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts from water samples. Moreover, several research studies investigated the possibility of using ultrafiltration filters as an affordable substitute for pathogen concentration, and their efficacy for protozoa is reviewed here and compared against the existing commercial filter options. Because of the differences in sampling procedures, no one method for concentrating these protozoa consistently outperforms others. This comparative article summarises our current understanding of the recent water sampling techniques to concentrate waterborne protozoans and highlights the remaining knowledge gaps. While ultrafiltration is a financially practical alternative for the concentration of pathogens, this paper highlights that further investigation is required to optimise their efficacy, particularly for low numbers of oocysts and cysts. These insights play a substantial role in providing information for advancing enhanced water sampling and treatment systems, reducing the dangers connected with waterborne protozoans, and ensuring the protection of public health.
Accelerating FLAIR imaging via deep learning reconstruction: potential for evaluating white matter hyperintensities
Authors: Nishioka Noriko , Shimizu Yukie , Kaneko Yukio , Shirai Toru , Suzuki Atsuro , Amemiya Tomoki , Ochi Hisaaki , Bito Yoshitaka , Takizawa Masahiro , Ikebe Yohei , Kameda Hiroyuki , Harada Taisuke , Fujima Noriyuki , Kudo Kohsuke
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To evaluate deep learning-reconstructed (DLR)–fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images generated from undersampled data, compare them with fully sampled and rapidly acquired FLAIR images, and assess their potential for white matter hyperintensity evaluation.

Materials and methods

We examined 30 patients with white matter hyperintensities, obtaining fully sampled FLAIR images (standard FLAIR, std-FLAIR). We created accelerated FLAIR (acc-FLAIR) images using one-third of the fully sampled data and applied deep learning to generate DLR–FLAIR images. Three neuroradiologists assessed the quality (amount of noise and gray/white matter contrast) in all three image types. The reproducibility of hyperintensities was evaluated by comparing a subset of 100 hyperintensities in acc-FLAIR and DLR–FLAIR images with those in the std-FLAIR images. Quantitatively, similarities and errors of the entire image and the focused regions on white matter hyperintensities in acc-FLAIR and DLR–FLAIR images were measured against std-FLAIR images using structural similarity index measure (SSIM), regional SSIM, normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), and regional NRMSE values.

Results

All three neuroradiologists evaluated DLR–FLAIR as having significantly less noise and higher image quality scores compared with std-FLAIR and acc-FLAIR (p < 0.001). All three neuroradiologists assigned significantly higher frontal lobe gray/white matter visibility scores for DLR–FLAIR than for acc-FLAIR (p < 0.001); two neuroradiologists attributed significantly higher scores for DLR–FLAIR than for std-FLAIR (p < 0.05). Regarding white matter hyperintensities, all three neuroradiologists significantly preferred DLR–FLAIR (p < 0.0001). DLR–FLAIR exhibited higher similarity to std-FLAIR in terms of visibility of the hyperintensities, with 97% of the hyperintensities rated as nearly identical or equivalent. Quantitatively, DLR–FLAIR demonstrated significantly higher SSIM and regional SSIM values than acc-FLAIR, with significantly lower NRMSE and regional NRMSE values (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

DLR–FLAIR can reduce scan time and generate images of similar quality to std-FLAIR in patients with white matter hyperintensities. Therefore, DLR–FLAIR may serve as an effective method in traditional magnetic resonance imaging protocols.