bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear predictor‐feedback cooperative adaptive cruise control of vehicles with nonlinear dynamics and input delay
Authors: Bekiaris‐Liberis Nikolaos
Published: January 2024

We construct a nonlinear predictor‐feedback cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) design for homogeneous vehicular platoons subject to actuators delays, which achieves: (i) positivity of vehicles' speed and spacing states, (ii) string stability of the platoon, (iii) stability of each individual vehicular system, and (iv) regulation to the desired reference speed (dictated by the leading vehicle) and spacing. The design relies on a nominal, nonlinear adaptive cruise control (ACC) law that we construct, which guarantees (i)–(iv) in the absence of actuator delay, and nonlinear predictor feedback. We consider a classical (for ACC/CACC design) third‐order, nonlinear model subject to input delay, for the vehicles' dynamics. The proofs of the theoretical guarantees (i)–(iv) rely on derivation of explicit estimates on solutions (both during open‐loop and closed‐loop operation), capitalizing on the ability of predictor feedback to guarantee complete delay compensation after the dead‐time interval has elapsed, and derivation of explicit conditions on initial conditions and parameters of the nominal control law. We also present consistent simulation results, considering a platoon of ten vehicles, which validate the design developed.
Less‐conservative reduced‐order interval estimation: A new two‐step approach
Authors: Wang Zhenhua , Zhang Fan , Meslem Nacim , Raïssi Tarek , Shen Yi
Published: January 2024

This article proposes a two‐step interval estimation method for continuous‐time linear time‐invariant systems with unknown but bounded disturbances and measurement noise. In the first step, method is used to design a robust reduced‐order observer that attenuates the impact of the system uncertainties on the estimation error. In the second step, a non‐conservative interval prediction of the estimation error is achieved by applying a symmetric set‐integration approach. The resulting tight set‐valued state estimation is obtained by combining the point estimation from the reduced‐order observer with the predicted estimation error set provided by the set‐integration method. Compared to the conventional methods, the proposed method is built on less‐restrictive design conditions, that allow one to deal with a large range of applications. On the other hand, numerical simulations show that the proposed method offers more precise interval estimation compared to an optimal reduced‐order interval observer selected from recent literature.
Recent advances in intrinsically stretchable electronic materials and devices
Authors: Gao Wei‐Chen , Qiao Jing , Hu Junmei , Guan Ying‐Shi , Li Quan
Published: January 2024

Intrinsically stretchable electronics have gained extensive interest recently, due to their promising application in wearable electronics, bio‐integrated electronics, and healthcare devices. All of the components of such stretchable electronics need to be stretchable and mechanically robust to accommodate complex movements. The design and fabrication of robust intrinsically stretchable electronic materials represent a critical challenge in this emerging field. In this review, we focus on the latest studies of intrinsically stretchable electronics, covering the strategies for achieving intrinsically stretchable electronic materials, the recent progresses in the key electronic materials including intrinsically stretchable conductors, semiconductors, dielectrics, and the devices produced by them. Finally, some suggestions and prospects for the future development of intrinsically stretchable electronics are proposed.
Transportation networks and competition in the market for corporate control
Authors: Testoni Marco
Published: January 2024

Research Summary

While competition in the market for corporate control determines firms' ability to capture value from acquisitions, there is limited evidence of factors that influence such competition. This study explores whether airline routes intensify competition in this market and affect the target's returns. Targets can become better connected to distant latent acquirers (DLAs), which can increase the targets' bargaining power. Similarly, better connectivity can allow acquirers to reach distant latent targets (DLTs) and therefore increase the acquirers' bargaining power. Examining acquisitions between US public companies during 1980–2018, I find that lower travel time between the target and its DLAs increases the target's returns and the number of competing bids. Instead, the travel time between the acquirer and its DLTs does not play a role.

Managerial Summary

In corporate acquisitions, the competitive threat posed by potential alternative acquirers of the target generally forces the focal acquirer to offer high returns to the target to gain its control. Indeed, these transactions are often not profitable for acquirers. Yet, we know little about what determines the competitive threat faced by acquirers in the market for corporate control. This study shows that the presence of airline routes that reduce the travel time between the target and its latent acquirers increases the target's returns from the deal and the number of competing bids. The study also tests whether lower travel time between the acquirer and its latent targets gives the acquirer more bargaining power vis‐à‐vis the focal target. However, there is no evidence of this effect.
Organization of Carotenoid Aggregates in Membranes Studied Selectively using Resonance Raman Optical Activity
Authors: Hachlica Natalia , Stefańska Marta , Mach Marzena , Kowalska Magdalena , Wydro Pawel , Domagała Agnieszka , Kessler Jiři , Zając Grzegorz , Kaczor Agnieszka
Published: January 2024

In living organisms, carotenoids are incorporated in biomembranes, remarkably modulating their mechanical characteristics, fluidity, and permeability. Significant resonance enhancement of Raman optical activity (ROA) signals of carotenoid chiral aggregates makes resonance ROA (RROA), a highly selective tool to study exclusively carotenoid assemblies in model membranes. Hence, RROA is combined with electronic circular dichroism (ECD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), molecular dynamics, and quantum‐chemical calculations to shed new light on the carotenoid aggregation in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes. Using representative members of the carotenoid family: apolar α‐carotene and more polar fucoxanthin and zeaxanthin, the authors demonstrate that the stability of carotenoid aggregates is directly linked with their orientation in membranes and the monomer structures inside the assemblies. In particular, polyene chain distortion of α‐carotene molecules is an important feature of J‐aggregates that show increased orientational freedom and stability inside liposomes compared to H‐assemblies of more polar xanthophylls. In light of these results, RROA emerges as a new tool to study active compounds and drugs embedded in membranes.
Relieving Macrophage Dysfunction by Inhibiting SREBP2 Activity: A Hypoxic Mesenchymal Stem Cells‐Derived Exosomes Loaded Multifunctional Hydrogel for Accelerated Diabetic Wound Healing
Authors: Shi Yan , Wang Shang , Wang Kai , Yang Ronghua , Liu Dewu , Liao Huaiwei , Qi Yuhan , Qiu Keqing , Hu Yanghong , Wen Huicai , Xu Kui
Published: January 2024

Macrophage dysfunction is one of the primary factors leading to the delayed healing of diabetic wounds. Hypoxic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells‐derived exosomes (hyBMSC‐Exos) have been shown to play an active role in regulating cellular function through the carried microRNAs. However, the administration of hyBMSC‐Exos alone in diabetic wounds usually brings little effect, because the exosomes are inherently unstable and have a short retention time at the wounds. In this study, a multifunctional hydrogel based on gallic acid (GA) conjugated chitosan (Chi‐GA) and partially oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA) is prepared for sustained release of hyBMSC‐Exos. The hydrogel not only exhibits needs‐satisfying physicochemical properties, but also displays outstanding biological performances such as low hemolysis rate, strong antibacterial capacity, great antioxidant ability, and excellent biocompatibility. It has the ability to boost the stability of hyBMSC‐Exos, leading to a continuous and gradual release of the exosomes at wound locations, ultimately enhancing the exosomes’ uptake efficiency by target cells. Most importantly, hyBMSC‐Exos loaded hydrogel shows an excellent ability to promote diabetic wound healing by regulating macrophage polarization toward M2 phenotype. This may be because exosomal miR‐4645‐5p and antioxidant property of the hydrogel synergistically inhibit SREBP2 activity in macrophages. This study presents a productive approach for managing diabetic wounds.
Solvent‐Triggered, Ultra‐Adhesive, Conductive, and Biocompatible Transition Gels for Wearable Devices
Authors: Sha Dongyong , Ding Ding , Tang Shuaimin , Ma Zhen , Liu Changsheng , Yuan Yuan
Published: January 2024

The development of robust adhesive, conductive, and flexible materials has garnered significant attention in the realm of human‐machine interface and electronic devices. Conventional preparation methods to achieve these exceptional properties rely on incorporating highly polar raw materials, multiple components, or solvents. However, the overexposure of functional groups and the inherent toxicity of organic solvents often render gels non‐stick or potentially biocompatible making them unsuitable for human‐contact devices. In this study, a straightforward three‐step strategy is devised for preparing responsive adhesive gels without complex components. Structurally conductive poly(N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐acrylamide‐co‐p‐styrene sulfonate hydrate) (PHEAA‐NaSS) gels are synthesized by integrating ionic and hydrophilic networks with distinct solvent effects. Initially, the in‐suit formed PHEAA‐NaSS networks are activated by dimethyl sulfoxide, which substantially increases intramolecular hydrogen bonding and enhances the matrix stretchability and interfacial adhesion. Subsequently, ethanol exchange reduced solvent impact and led to a compact network that limited surface exposure of ionic and hydrophilic groups, resulting in nonstick, robust for convenient storage. Finally, upon contacting with water, the network demonstrates rehydration, resulting in favorable adhesion, biocompatibility, and conductivity. The proposed PHEAA‐NaSS/W gels can stably and reliably capture joint motion and electrophysiological signals. Furthermore, this uncomplicated gel preparation method is also applicable to other electrolyte monomers.
Emerging Nanomaterials toward Uranium Extraction from Seawater: Recent Advances and Perspectives
Authors: Liu Subiao , Wang You‐Zi , Tang Yu‐Feng , Fu Xian‐Zhu , Luo Jing‐Li
Published: January 2024

Nuclear energy holds great potential to facilitate the global energy transition and alleviate the increasing environmental issues due to its high energy density, stable energy output, and carbon‐free emission merits. Despite being limited by the insufficient terrestrial uranium reserves, uranium extraction from seawater (UES) can offset the gap. However, the low uranium concentration, the complicated uranium speciation, the competitive metal ions, and the inevitable marine interference remarkably affect the kinetics, capacity, selectivity, and sustainability of UES materials. To date, massive efforts have been made with varying degrees of success to pursue a desirable UES performance on various nanomaterials. Nevertheless, comprehensive and systematic coverage and discussion on the emerging UES materials presenting the fast‐growing progress of this field is still lacking. This review thus challenges this position and emphatically focuses on this topic covering the current mainstream UES technologies with the emerging UES materials. Specifically, this review elucidates the causality between the physiochemical properties of UES materials induced by the intellectual design strategies and the UES performances and further dissects the relationships of materials‐properties‐activities and the corresponding mechanisms in depth. This review is envisaged to inspire innovative ideas and bring technical solutions for developing technically and economically viable UES materials.
Nonvolatile Memristive Materials and Physical Modeling for In‐Memory and In‐Sensor Computing
Authors: Go Shao-Xiang , Lim Kian-Guan , Lee Tae-Hoon , Loke Desmond K.
Published: January 2024

Separate memory and processing units are utilized in conventional von Neumann computational architectures. However, regarding the energy and the time, it is costly to shuffle data between the memory and the processing entity, and for data‐intensive applications associated with artificial intelligence, the demand is ever increasing. A paradigm shift in traditional architectures is required, and in‐memory computing is one of the non‐von‐Neumann computing strategies. By harnessing physical signatures of the memory, computing workloads are administered in the same memory element. For in‐memory computing, a wide range of memristive material (MM) systems have been examined. Moreover, developing computing schemes that perform in the same sensory network and that minimize the data shuffle between the processing unit and the sensing element is a requirement, to process large volumes of data efficiently and decrease the energy consumption. In this review, an overview of the switching character and system signature harnessed in three archetypal MM systems is rendered, along with an integrated application survey for developing in‐sensor and in‐memory computing, viz., brain‐inspired or analogue computing, physical unclonable functions, and random number generators. The recent progress in theoretical studies that reveal the structural origin of the fast‐switching ability of the MM system is further summarized.
Passivator‐Assisted Close Space Annealing for High‐Performance Wide‐Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhao Yue , Ma Tianshu , Liu Tingting , Zhou Luwei , Wu Zhanghao , Chen Chen , Liu Yuhui , Chen Cong , Ma Dong , Qin Linling , Zhao Dewei , Wang Changlei , Li Xiaofeng
Published: January 2024

Wide‐bandgap perovskite solar cells (PSCs) play crucial roles in determining the overall efficiencies of all‐perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs). Tailoring the grain growth process is a key route to improve the film quality and device performance. Herein, a facile passivator‐assisted close space annealing (PA‐CSA) strategy to simultaneously enlarge the crystal size and passivate the defects is demonstrated. Filter paper is used as the solvent permeable membrane to slow down the fast crystallization and enlarge the grain size. At the same time, a precisely selected volatile material (fluorizated‐phenethylammonium chloride) embedded in the filter paper is employed as the passivator to eliminate defects in wide‐Eg perovskite film during annealing. The PA‐CSA‐processed wide‐Eg PSCs obtain the champion efficiencies of 21.28% (1.68 eV) and 20.24% (1.73 eV), enabling high‐performance all‐perovskite TSCs with efficiencies reaching 27% in both four‐terminal and monolithic two‐terminal tandem configurations, respectively. This PA‐CSA strategy provides an in situ passivating process for high‐performance PSCs and TSCs upon further industrial applications.
Location privacy protection of nodes in the perception layer of the Internet of things based on Radio Frequency Identification location aware algorithm
Authors: Li Ruiqi , Li Fupeng , Xu Peng , Du Shuiting , Gu Bingling
Published: January 2024

To ensure the security of node location privacy in the perception layer of the Internet of Things, this study proposes a location privacy protection method based on RFID location awareness algorithm. This method first introduces an adaptive multi tree anti‐collision algorithm based on collision trees when perceiving and locating the location information of nodes in the perception layer of the Internet of Things, to prevent signal collisions between multiple readers and writers. Then, based on the obtained node location results, a IoT perception layer node location privacy protection scheme based on virtual ring strategy is used to randomly initiate directed co hop routing using the virtual nodes generated after random walking, avoiding the visible area of the source node location, and transmitting data to the aggregation node in the form of the shortest routing path to protect the privacy and security of the node location. Finally, experiments are carried out to prove the progressiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results show that this method can prolong the security period of the source and aggregation nodes in the perception layer of the Internet of Things, protect the privacy and security of node positions, and has great application value.
Stress Intensity Range Dependent Slowing Down of Fatigue Crack Growth under Strain‐Induced Martensitic Transformation of Film‐Like Retained Austenite
Authors: Kumar Gaurav , Ghosh Sumit , Pallaspuro Sakari , Somani Mahesh C. , Kömi Jukka , Mishra Sushil K. , Gokhale Amol A
Published: January 2024

A clear understanding of strain‐induced martensitic transformation of filmy retained austenite (RA) near stable cracks is required. Literature shows RA transformation during fatigue crack growth (FCG) in steels containing blocky but not film‐like RA, as the latter is known to resist strain‐induced phase transformation. This work investigates the transformation in 0.2% C steel processed by direct quenching and partitioning (DQP) containing filmy and a small vol% of blocky RA and compares it with RA‐free direct quenched (DQ) steel. While the DQ steel is lath‐martensitic, DQP steel has 8.5 vol% film‐like RA evenly distributed between martensite laths. The experimental FCG rates are comparable for both steels in the low regime but increasingly differing in the Paris regime, the Paris law exponent being lower for DQP (n = 2.1) compared to DQ (n = 2.5), confirming that resistance to FCG is dependent on the stress intensity range (). Moreover, RA content near crack surface decreases during crack growth from 7.5 vol% at of 25 MPa√m to 2.3 vol% at of 54 MPa√m. Results show that higher the stress intensity range in steels with film‐like RA, the higher the degree of RA transformation and more suppression of FCG rate.
Tracking movements in an endangered capercaillie population using DNA tagging
Authors: Bañuelos María‐José , Morán‐Luis María , Mirol Patricia , Quevedo Mario
Published: January 2024

Knowing the location and movements of individuals at various temporal and spatial scales is an important facet of behavior and ecology. In threatened populations, movements that would ensure gene flow and population viability are often challenged by habitat fragmentation. Also in those endangered populations capturing and handling individuals to tag them, or to obtain tissue samples, can present additional challenges. DNA tagging, i.e. non‐invasive individual identification of samples, can reveal movement patterns. We used fecal material genetically assigned to individuals to indirectly track movements of a large‐bodied, endangered forest bird, Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus). We wanted to know how the birds were using the fragmented forest landscape, and whether they showed fidelity to display areas. We used multi‐event capture−recapture models to estimate fidelity to display areas among three consecutive mating seasons. We identified 127 individuals, and registered movements of 22 females and 48 males. Most observed movements were as expected relatively short, concentrated around display areas. We did not find differences in movement distances between females and males within mating seasons, or between them. Fidelity to display areas among seasons was 0.62 (± 0.12 SE) for females and 0.77 (± 0.07 SE) for males. The best CR model suggested no sex or season effects. Several longer movements, up to 9.9 km, linked distant display areas, demonstrating that Cantabrian capercaillies were able to move between different parts of the study area, complementing previous studies on gene flow. Those longer movements may be taking birds out of the study area, and into historical capercaillie territories, which still include substantial forest cover. The non‐invasive DNA tagging approach provided a much larger sample size than would have been feasible with direct tracking. Lack of information on the social status of individuals, and timing of movements, are some disadvantages of DNA tagging.
Anesthesia and humane euthanasia methods for king worm larvae (Zophobas morio)
Authors: Lum Amber M. , Keller Krista A.
Published: January 2024

A growing spotlight on insect welfare as research subjects, fodder for vertebrate animals, and patients for veterinarians highlights the need to establish humane euthanasia methods for these species. An insect of increasing commercial importance is the king worm (Zophobas morio), a type of darkling beetle larvae. The initial objective of this study was to determine if prolonged exposure to isoflurane would lengthen anesthetic recovery and lead to euthanasia. Larvae were exposed to isoflurane for 10 min, 40 min, 70 min, 190 min, 13 h, and 24 h (n = 10 for each treatment duration group), and time to recovery was subsequently monitored in room air. The second objective was to determine effectiveness of secondary euthanasia methods: injectable potassium chloride at 1 mg/g body weight (n = 5) and 3 mg/g body weight (n = 5) doses; immersion in 200 proof ethanol (n = 10), 10% buffered formalin (n = 10), and water (n = 10); and freezing at −18°C (n = 10). Prolonged exposure to isoflurane led to extended recovery times, but 100% mortality was not achieved. Submersion in ethanol and injection of potassium chloride at a 3 mg/g body weight dose resulted in 100% mortality. If these larvae are to be used as future food sources, a humane euthanasia method that preserves the ability to be consumed is required.
Managing Constraints and Stories of Freedom: Comparing Cinema Memories from the 1950s and 1960s in Sweden
Authors: Jernudd Åsa , Van Belle Jono
Published: January 2024

In this chapter, cinema memories collected in Sweden from the 1950s—when cinema-going peaked—are compared with ditto a decade later, when attendance had drastically dropped. The comparison is based on 40 interviews divided into two age groups and includes men and women who come from a variety of social backgrounds and who lived in urban as well as rural locations. The selection allowed us to tease out similarities and differences in the memory narratives related to the mentioned intersecting features, to determine whether they had an impact on the rupture of cinema-going. Our results show that gender accounts for the most prominent difference. In the interviews with male participants, delightful memories of childhood matinées are especially salient, and we could only detect slight variation in the memories of this group when we compared the two time periods. In the interviews with female participants, matinées are mentioned only briefly, and we found stark differences in the memory narratives of the two time periods. Cinema-going is remembered by female participants as a special event in the 1950s, while in the memories from the 1960s, it is recalled as a subdued activity in a broader youth culture involving music, dancing, and fashion.
Scenography of the First Intergovernmental Parliament on Education
Authors: Hofstetter Rita , Schneuwly Bernard
Published: January 2024

Chapters 11, 12 and 13 of Part III analyse the modus operandi of the IBE and its theoretical and methodological underpinnings. This chapter gives a detailed description of the functioning of the International Conferences on Public Education, its scenography which would last, with some adjustments, from 1934 to 1968. Two main topics were discussed in these conferences which are presented and categorised: on the one hand, the educational movement all over the world; on the other hand, international surveys on crucial problems in education. An insert presents a network analysis of some debates in the International Conferences.
“Raising Comparative Education to the Level of Intergovernmental Cooperation”
Authors: Hofstetter Rita , Schneuwly Bernard
Published: January 2024

This chapter describes the conceptual and theoretical background on which the directors of the IBE based their action. Rosselló, deputy director, was a pioneer in comparative education that, for him, was a way of relating the particular with the universal, to draw up international and even universal prospects by taking into account local and regional data. The IBE was a worldwide centre for comparative education, removing any spirit of caste or class. As for Piaget, he transposed his theoretical model of development from egocentrism to reciprocity taking into account the point of view of others. This reciprocity allows “the ascent from the individual to the universal”, to build unity in diversity, universality without uniformity. The insert on the documentation frenzy of the IBE shows another lesser known aspect of IBE activities.
Towards a Universality of Voices
Authors: Hofstetter Rita , Schneuwly Bernard
Published: January 2024

Chapters 14, 15, 16 and 17 form Part IV, which analyses the IBE’s quest for universality, the difficulties it encountered and the contradictions these led it into. This chapter analyses the complex path towards universality presenting the countries participating in the IBE’s thematic surveys, the drafting of a national report for the Yearbook and the countries represented at the International Conferences. Quantitatively, the IBE was rapidly approaching the goal of universality but large regions were absent due to colonialism. The IBE was aware of the problem but refrained from intervening, always focused on its political neutrality. It was the colonial liberation movement itself that created the conditions for a more effective universality.
Joining the IBE? The Influence of Global Power Relations
Authors: Hofstetter Rita , Schneuwly Bernard
Published: January 2024

The IBE was further away from its goal of universality from the point of view of its affiliated members. Clearly, the Latin and Anglo-Saxon clans that existed in UNESCO, and before that in the ICIC, were echoed within the IBE. As a result, the general orientation of the Bureau would be more strongly marked by a tendency to favour the definition of universalisable principles over a more practical and economic approach. As a consequence, the relatively small number of members often had faced a difficult financial situation, which is presented in an insert.
Teachers: “Architects of the Future of Humanity”
Authors: Hofstetter Rita , Schneuwly Bernard
Published: January 2024

The issues surrounding the teaching profession were also often addressed as causes in themselves. Two issues dominated: teacher training and teacher status and salary. Training for all teachers in higher education institutions was consensual, as was education science, including child psychology, as a reference discipline. The place of national or international orientation in teacher education caused the members of the conference to clash. The conferences steadily advocated for better status and salaries for the teachers, introducing a comparison with other professions with high-level qualifications.
Introduction: Manufacturing Knowledge at the Border of Science
Authors: Crabu Stefano , Neresini Federico , Agodi Maria Carmela , Tosoni Simone
Published: January 2024

This chapter describes the research context and justification for the book. It discusses the relevance of contemporary practices contesting scientific knowledge, with a focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. It introduces the theoretical and methodological background adopted to understand how and under which conditions groups of people assign credibility and trust to knowledge claims located outside the established boundaries of science. In doing so, the chapter proposes an integrated perspective by intersecting the Social Worlds Framework with the major analytical standpoints developed by Actor-Network Theory in the field of science and technology studies. It then describes the content of the various chapters of the book and concludes with their relevance to understanding the ways individuals or groups of people question the legitimacy of science’s claim to define what nature and society are and how societies should be governed.
Conclusion: Is It Really Possible to Take the Floor (Agnostically) About Refused Knowledge?
Authors: Neresini Federico , Crabu Stefano
Published: January 2024

This chapter establishes and underscores the salience and relevance of studying knowledge claims refused by scientific communities as a way to understand the changing relationship between science, technology and society, with its conflicts and ambivalence. It makes the case that studying refused knowledge requires social scientists to venture beyond the comfort zone of their ‘knowing niche’ to renew their analytical lenses and thus avoid simplistic representations and interpretive blind spots. This chapter thus critically scrutinises the implications arising from the permanence of a series of ready-made normative prejudices and interpretative blind spots regarding the current challenges to science as well as about refused knowledge. Finally, it also outlines a number of potential analytical insights that require further collective effort if they are to be better defined and translated into precise research agendas.
Disentangling Discursive Spaces of Knowledge Refused by Science: An Analysis of the Epistemic Structures in the Narratives Repertoires on Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Picardi Ilenia , Serafini Luca , Serino Marco
Published: January 2024

This chapter provides an understanding of the social configurations with which Refused Knowledge Communities (RKCs) attribute credibility to knowledge about healthcare and wellbeing. This study focuses on how RKCs enrol knowledge claims and heterogeneous actors to build, maintain and legitimise forms of knowledge refused by science. The analysis relies on empirical materials related to the online discourses shared in the Alkaline Water (AW) and Five Biological Laws (5BLs) RKCs from January 2020 to December 2021—a time span characterised by the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the management of the related health crisis—by identifying in each RKC distinct claims of refused knowledge and the actors that sustain these claims. Through a combination of qualitative analysis and network-analytic techniques, we examine the epistemic structures of the AW and 5BLs RKCs and formalise the connections between claims and actors within each RKC by a two-mode network in which claims are connected to actors. By means of community detection, we provide a visual analysis of the configuration of claim–actor connections, while using betweenness centrality scores to denote ‘flexible’ objects that link diverse sub-groups of nodes—that is, claims or actors that act as ‘boundary objects’ within these complex social worlds.
Sichtweisen einer Stichprobe überwiegend jüngerer Ärztinnen und Ärzte zum ärztlich-assistierten Suizid
Authors: Küppers Remo , Meier Stefan , Batzler Yann-Nicolas , Schallenburger Manuela , Wetzchewald Dietmar , Dreyer Sven , Schwartz Jaqueline , Neukirchen Martin
Published: January 2024

Hintergrund

Am 26.02.2020 hat das Bundesverfassungsgericht den § 217 StGB, der die geschäftsmäßige Förderung der Selbsttötung unter Strafe stellte, für nichtig erklärt. Seitdem wird eine mögliche gesetzliche Neuregelung diskutiert. Ziel dieser Studie war es, Wissen, Erfahrungen und Einstellungen jüngerer Ärztinnen und Ärzte zur Suizidassistenz zu untersuchen.

Methoden

Von November 2022 bis März 2023 wurde eine quantitative Umfrage in Fortbildungskursen zur Notfallmedizin, Intensivmedizin und Hämatologie durchgeführt und deskriptiv ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt wurden 1163 Datensätze (Rücklaufquote 82,1 %) ausgewertet. 90,8 % der Befragten hatten bereits Sterbende betreut. 62,3 % befürworteten eine Suizidassistenz nur bei Menschen in palliativen Behandlungssituationen, 20,1 % befürworteten Suizidassistenz unabhängig vom Gesundheitszustand des Menschen. 33,1 % wurden bereits um Suizidassistenz gebeten. 3,3 % hatten persönlich bei einer Suizidassistenz mitgewirkt. 71,0 % kannten den Inhalt des Bundesverfassungsgerichtsurteils zum § 217 nicht, 72,0 % waren über die Gesetzesvorschläge zur Neuregelung des assistierten Suizids nicht informiert. 66,4 % sahen Ärztinnen und Ärzte als die richtigen Ansprechpartner, um über die Zulässigkeit eines Suizidwunsches zu entscheiden.

Diskussion

Die Untersuchung zeigt, dass jüngere Ärztinnen und Ärzte einen deutlichen Unterschied in ihrer Haltung zur Suizidassistenz zwischen Menschen ohne Vorerkrankungen und solchen in palliativen Behandlungssituationen machen. Weitere Untersuchungen über die Ursachen der häufigen Unkenntnis der normativen Grundlagen sind notwendig. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass mehr Aufklärungsarbeit über Suizidalternativen und palliativmedizinische Versorgungsmöglichkeiten geleistet werden muss.
Harlequin frog tadpoles—comparative buccopharyngeal morphology in the gastromyzophorous tadpoles of the genus Atelopus (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae), with discussion on the phylogenetic and evolutionary implication of characters
Authors: dos Santos Dias Pedro Henrique , Anganoy-Criollo Marvin
Published: January 2024

The Neotropical genus Atelopus is the most diverse genus of bufonids comprising 99 species. Tadpoles of these frogs are readily distinguished based on the presence of a belly sucker, used by them to stay attached to rocks in fast-flowing streams. Despite their intriguing biology, information about their anatomy is scarce and many morphological systems are unknown. We describe the buccopharyngeal cavity of five Atelopus species. The Atelopus buccopharyngeal cavity is characterized by (1) presence of a pendulum-like papillae in the prenarial arena, (2) presence of a glandular zone in the prenarial arena, (3) narial vacuities, (4) conical median ridge, (5) absence of buccal roof arena papillae, (6) absence of buccal roof pustulations, (7) single pair of infralabial papillae, (8) absence of lingual papillae, and (9) absence of pustulations in the buccal floor. We propose that characters 1, 2, and 3 are new synapomorphies for the genus. We also propose that the presence of a single pair of infralabial papillae is a synapomorphy for bufonid. Finally, we discuss the convergent evolution of gastromyzophorous and suctorial tadpoles withing anurans.
Endogene Candida-Endophthalmitis
Authors: Huth A. , Roth M. , Viestenz A.
Published: January 2024

Die endogeneCandida-Endophthalmitis ist eine seltene, aber visusbedrohende Erkrankung. Eine durchCandida-Spezies hervorgerufene endogene Endophthalmitis hat in den meisten Fällen eine bessere Prognose als endogene Endophthalmitiden durch andere Pilzarten oder Bakterien, trotzdem ist die Prognose stark abhängig von der Zeitdauer bis zur Diagnostik und der anschließenden Therapie sowie dem initialen Visus. In der Vergangenheit wurden bereits Vorschläge für Therapiealgorithmen erstellt, verbindliche Leitlinien in der Ophthalmologie existieren aufgrund der Seltenheit der Erkrankung nur vereinzelt. In diesem Review soll auf die aktuellen Erkenntnisse zur endogenenCandida-Endophthalmitis eingegangen werden, und es werden Rückschlüsse aus der derzeitigen Studienlage gezogen.
Echocardiographic predictors of outcome in severe aortic stenosis patients with preserved or reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Sokalski Victoria , Liu Dan , Hu Kai , Frantz Stefan , Nordbeck Peter
Published: January 2024

Aims

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as the treatment of choice for many patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. We sought to identify the echocardiographic predictors of 30-day and 1-year outcomes after TAVI in patients with preserved or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods

This single-centre study included 618 aortic stenosis patients (mean age 82 ± 6 years, 47.1% male; 74.8% LVEF > 50%) who underwent balloon-expandable TAVI between July 2009 and October 2018 in our hospital. All patients completed at least 6 months of follow-up by medical history review or telephone interview (median 24, quartiles 12–42 months). The primary endpoint was all-cause death.

Results

All-cause mortality rate was 5.2% (LVEF > 50%: 4.3% vs. LVEF ≤ 50%: 7.7%, p = 0.141) at 30 days and 15.4% (LVEF > 50%: 14.7% vs. LVEF ≤ 50%: 17.3%, p = 0.443) at 12 months post TAVI. Overall all-cause mortality rate was 45.1% (LVEF > 50%: 44.6% vs. LVEF ≤ 50%: 46.8%, p = 0.643). Mean survival time post TAVI was 51 months [95% CI (48; 55)]. In TAVI patients with LVEF > 50%, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed several independent predictors for increased risk of death after adjusting for echocardiographic and clinical covariates: TAPSE (≤ 17 vs. > 17 mm, HR 1.528, p = 0.016) and sPAP (> 30 vs. ≤ 30 mmHg, HR 1.900, p = 0.002) for overall mortality, E/E′ septal for 30-day mortality (> 21 vs. ≤ 21, HR 14.462, p = 0.010) and 12-month mortality (> 21 vs. ≤ 21, HR 1.881, p = 0.026). In TAVI patients with LVEF ≤ 50%, no independent echocardiographic predictors for outcome could be identified.

Conclusions

LVEF is not a predictor of short- and long-term mortality after TAVI. In patients with preserved LVEF, left ventricular filling pressure (E/E´), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), and TAPSE are echocardiographic risk factors for increased mortality post TAVI.

Graphical abstract
Goal-directed therapeutic exercise for paediatric posterior fossa brain tumour survivors: a qualitative analysis of experiences
Authors: Kohler Brooke E. , Baque Emmah , Sandler Carolina X. , Jones Taryn , Terranova Caroline O. , Brookes Denise S. K. , Hassall Timothy , Bradford Natalie K. , Trost Stewart G.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To explore child and parent experiences of a 12-week goal-directed therapeutic exercise intervention in paediatric posterior fossa brain tumours survivors and to identify features of the program that influenced program adherence and acceptability.

Methods

Eleven interviews were conducted; five parent-child dyads (mothers = 83%) and one parent only (mean child age = 10.6 ± 3.0 years; 83% male). Posterior fossa brain tumour survivors, who participated in a weekly goal-directed exercise program for 12 weeks, completed semi-structured interviews to discuss their experience of the program. An inductive content analysis was undertaken. Interviews were transcribed, imported into NVivo and independently coded by two reviewers. Code and content categories were iteratively discussed and refined.

Results

Five content categories were generated: (1) perceived improvements, (2) program logistics, (3) activity selection, (4) connection with the therapist and (5) options for technology. All participants valued the tailored exercise program and described improvements in movement competence. Children and their parents discussed preferring home- and community-based locations and favoured face-to-face delivery. Occasionally, parents reported difficulty completing the home program due to low child motivation or family time restrictions. Multiple families suggested an interactive digital application would be an effective delivery channel for the supplemental home-based program.

Conclusion

A goal-directed exercise program delivered at home and in community-based locations was considered valuable and helpful for improving movement competence in paediatric survivors of posterior fossa brain tumour.

Trial registration

ACTRN12619000841178 June 12, 2019
Is impairment of facial emotion recognition independent of cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis?
Authors: Sever Aktuna Yagmur Simge , Koskderelioglu Asli , Eskut Neslihan , Aktuna Atalay
Published: January 2024

Background

Emotions expressed on the face play a key role in social cognition and communication by providing inner emotional experiences. This study aimed to evaluate facial emotion identification and discrimination and empathy abilities in patients with MS and whether it is related to cognitive dysfunction.

Methods

One hundred twenty patients with relapsing–remitting MS and age- and sex-matched 120 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All the subjects were evaluated with the Facial Emotion Identification Test (FEIT), Facial Emotion Discrimination Test (FEIDT), and Empathy Quotient (EQ). We used the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression and detailed cognitive tests, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT). The quality of life was assessed with Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQL-54).

Results

Patients with MS were 37.6 ± 9.5 years old, had a mean disease duration of 8.8 ± 6.6 (8–28) years, and a mean EDSS score of 1.6 ± 1.3 (0–4.5). We found significant differences in the identification of facial emotions, discrimination of facial emotions, and empathy in MS patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). Especially the recognition of feelings of sadness, fear, and shame was significantly lower in MS patients. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed low SDMT and FEIDT scores which showed an independent association with MS.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that facial emotion recognition and identification deficits are remarkable among patients with MS and emotion recognition is impaired together with and independently of cognitive dysfunction in MS patients.
Modeling financial leasing by optimal stopping approach
Authors: De Cesare Luigi , Cananà Lucianna , Ciano Tiziana , Ferrara Massimiliano
Published: January 2024

Leasing valuation is a topic that has aroused considerable interest in business circles. This paper examines leasing from the point of view of the lessor who can decide to leave the contract due to default. We analyze in introducing a model in which the lessor decides whether or not to terminate the contract at a given point in time, comparing it with the cost of capital of alternative investments. The proposed model is stochastic, and it is strongly based on correlated random walks, making it more adaptable to real-world circumstances. Furthermore, we propose a recombinant binomial tree based on correlated random walks, performing numerical simulations starting from CIR and Vasicek models. We will point out that as the rate of cost of capital of an alternative investment increases, the optimal boundary curve decreases, so the lessor leaves, while as the past interest rates increases, the curve rises and the lessor will have a concrete interest in maintaining the contract.
Global landscape of COVID-19 research: a visualization analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Zyoud Sa’ed H.
Published: January 2024

The emergence of COVID-19 in 2019 has resulted in a significant global health crisis. Consequently, extensive research was published to understand and mitigate the disease. In particular, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been considered the benchmark for assessing the efficacy and safety of interventions. Hence, the present study strives to present a comprehensive overview of the global research landscape pertaining to RCTs and COVID-19. A bibliometric analysis was performed using the Scopus database. The search parameters included articles published from 2020 to 2022 using keywords specifically related to COVID-19 and RCTs. The data were analyzed using various bibliometric indicators. The volume of publications, contributions of countries and institutions, funding agencies, active journals, citation analysis, co-occurrence analysis, and future research direction analysis were specifically analyzed. A total of 223,480 research articles concerning COVID-19 were published, with 3,727 of them related to RCTs and COVID-19. The ten most productive countries collectively produced 75.8% of the documents, with the United States leading the way by contributing 31.77%, followed by the UK with 14.03% (n = 523), China with 12.96% (n = 483) and Canada with 7.16% (n = 267). Trials (n = 173, 4.64%), BMJ Open (n = 81, 2.17%), PLOS One (n = 73, 1.96%) and JAMA Network Open (n = 53, 1.42%) were the most active journals in publishing articles related to COVID-19 RCTs. The co-occurrence analysis identified four clusters of research areas: the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, mental health strategies to cope with the impact of the pandemic, the use of monoclonal antibodies to treat patients with COVID-19, and systematic reviews and meta-analyses of COVID-19 research. This paper offers a detailed examination of the global research environment pertaining to RCTs and their use in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The comprehensive body of research findings was found to have been generated by the collaborative efforts of multiple countries, institutions, and funding organizations. The predominant research areas encompassed COVID-19 vaccines, strategies for mental health, monoclonal antibodies, and systematic reviews. This information has the potential to aid researchers, policymakers, and funders in discerning areas of weakness and establishing areas of priority.
Intraspecific variability in cold hardiness of Taurus cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) in Türkiye
Authors: İmal Bora , Semerci Akkın , Gonzalez-Benecke Carlos A.
Published: January 2024

To better guide Cedruslibani provenances movement to northerly and higher-altitude sites for afforestation, the limits of hardiness to cold should be better known. In this study, we quantified the cold hardiness of seven C.libani provenances sampled from a provenance trial in Ankara, Türkiye, a site located outside the natural range of distribution of the species. Visual damage observation and chlorophyll fluorometry screening methods were used to assess variation in cold hardiness (LT50, the temperature estimated at which 50% of the needle tissue is damaged) among populations. Overall, C.libani can tolerate winter temperatures down to  − 21.5 °C. Even though there were significant differences in cold hardiness among populations, the maximum difference was only 1.9 °C between the most and the least cold-resistant provenances. Cold tolerance was generally greater for provenances that experienced colder temperatures in March and lower levels of total precipitation in their native ranges. We also conclude that the fluorometry method provides a more efficient and stable comparison of cold hardiness than visual observation for C.libani. The results of this study may be useful for assisted migration and breeding programs, as well as for developing guidelines for genetic materials transfer, to increase productivity or adaptability of C.libani.