bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyaluronic scaffold transplantation with bone marrow concentrate for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus: durable results up to a minimum of 10 years
Authors: Vannini Francesca , Berveglieri Luca , Boffa Angelo , Filardo Giuseppe , Viglione Valentina , Buda Roberto , Giannini Sandro , Faldini Cesare
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term clinical results of the transplantation of a hyaluronic acid membrane augmented with bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) in an one‐step technique for the treatment of patients affected by osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT).

Methods

A total of 101 patients (64 men, 37 women, age 32.9 ± 10.9) were evaluated for a minimum of 10 years of follow‐up (151.5 ± 18.4 months) The mean lesion size was 2.2 ± 1.4 cm2, the lesion had a post‐traumatic origin in 73 patients, 15 patients previously had an ankle fracture, 22 patients had ankle osteoarthritis. All patients were clinically evaluated at baseline and at 2, 5, and a minimum of 10 years after treatment using the AOFAS score, the NRS for pain, and the Tegner score. A survival analysis was performed to check the survival to failure up to the last follow‐up.

Results

The AOFAS score significantly improved from baseline (59.6 ± 13.9) to the final follow‐up (82.3 ± 14.2) (p < 0.0005). A significant reduction in the AOFAS score was found from 2 to 10 years (p < 0.0005). The NRS for pain changed from 7.0 ± 1.3 at baseline to 3.9 ± 2.7 at the final follow‐up (p < 0.0005). A significant worsening was documented between 5 years and the final follow‐up (p < 0.0005). The Tegner score improved from the preoperative value of 2.0 (range 1–7) to 3.0 (range 1–7) at the final follow‐up (p < 0.0005), although it remained lower as compared to the preinjury level of 4.0 (range 1–9) (p < 0.0005). Better results were documented in male and younger patients with smaller lesions, without the previous surgery, and without the previous ankle fractures or osteoarthritis. At the final follow‐up, 85 patients considered their general health status “satisfactory” and 84 patients reported feeling “better” than the preoperative condition. Five patients were considered failures and underwent prosthetic ankle replacement or repeated the same surgery.

Conclusion

This one‐step technique showed to be an effective procedure for the treatment of OLT, providing a low failure rate and offering durable clinical improvements up to a minimum of 10 years of follow‐up. However, this technique demonstrated a small yet significant decrease over the years in terms of pain and function and poor results in terms of sports activity level.

Level of evidence

Level IV.
A modification to the Kuramoto model to simulate epileptic seizures as synchronization
Authors: Zavaleta-Viveros José Alfredo , Toledo Porfirio , Avendaño-Garrido Martha Lorena , Escalante-Martínez Jesús Enrique , López-Meraz María-Leonor , Ramos-Riera Karen Paola
Published: June 2023

The Kuramoto model was developed to describe the coupling of oscillators, motivated by the natural synchronization phenomena. We are interested in modeling an epileptic seizure considering it as the synchronization of action potentials using and modifying this model. In this article, we propose to modify this model, changing the constant coupling force for a function with logistic growth to simulate the onset and epileptic seizure level in an adult male rat caused by the administration of lithium–pilocarpine. Later, we select some frequencies and their respective amplitude values using an algorithm based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT) from an electroencephalography signal when the rat is in basal conditions. Then, we take these values as the natural frequencies of the oscillators in the modified Kuramoto model, considering every oscillator as a single neuron to simulate the emergence of an epileptic seizure numerically by increasing the synchronization value in the coupling function. Finally, using Dynamic Time Warping algorithm, we compare the simulated signal by the Kuramoto model with an FFT approximation of the epileptic seizure.
Quantifying capture and ingestion of live feeds across three coral species
Authors: Saper Julia , Høj Lone , Humphrey Craig , Bourne David G.
Published: June 2023

Nutrient acquisition through heterotrophy is critical for the health of reef-building corals. The optimization of exogenous nutrition protocols to support a diversity of aquaculture corals requires improved techniques to assess feeding rates. Here, we compared the feeding rates of three coral species (Acropora millepora, Pocillopora acuta and Galaxea fascicularis) fed Artemia salina through capture rate (indirect) and dissection (direct) approaches, with direct detection and enumeration within dissected polyps facilitated by fluorescent microbeads ingested by the Artemia. When A. millepora was provided Artemia at 3 individuals ml−1 for one hour, the calculated capture rates (0.7 ind. polyp−1 h−1) overestimated prey ingested compared to prey detected directly within polyps (0.2 ind. polyp−1 h−1), and ingestion varied significantly between genotypes. In contrast, for P. acuta, capture rate calculations (1 ind. polyp−1 h−1) underestimated prey detected within polyps (3.5 ind. polyp−1 h−1) and ingestion did not vary between genotypes. For G. fascicularis, the feeding rates were similar as calculated by both capture rates (59 ind. polyp−1 h−1) and by polyp dissections (75 ind. polyp−1 h−1). Results from this study provide valuable insights into coral feeding rates of different coral species that can improve prey enrichment and feeding strategies for nutritional supplementation of corals in captivity.
Nonparametric estimation of the shape functions and related asymptotic results
Authors: Jiménez-Gamero M. D. , Pardo-Fernández J. C.
Published: June 2023

Arriaza et al (Metrika 82:99–124, 2019) introduced the right and left shape functions, which enjoy interesting properties in terms of describing the global form of a distribution. This paper proposes and studies nonparametric estimators of those functions. The estimators involve nonparametric estimation of the quantile and density functions. Pointwise and uniform consistency are proved under general regularity assumptions, as well as the limit in law. Simulations are included to study the practical performance of the proposed estimators. The analysis of a real data set illustrates the methodology.
Task integration in complex, bimanual sequence learning tasks
Authors: Beißel Patrick , Künzell Stefan
Published: June 2023

Sequence learning and multitasking studies have largely focused on simple motor skills, which cannot be directly transferred to the plethora of complex skills found outside of laboratory conditions. Established theories e.g. for bimanual tasks and task integration thus have to be reassessed in the context of complex motor skills. We hypothesize that under more complex conditions, task integration facilitates motor learning, impedes or suppresses effector-specific learning and can still be observed despite partial secondary task interference. We used the Ξ-apparatus to assess the learning success of six groups in a bimanual dual-task, in which we manipulated the degree of possible integration between the right-hand and the left-hand sequences. We could show that task integration positively influences the learning of these complex, bimanual skills. However, the integration impedes but not fully suppresses effector-specific learning, as we could measure reduced hand-specific learning. Task integration improves learning despite the disruptive effect of partial secondary task interference, but its mitigating effect is only effective to some extent. Overall, the results suggest that previous insights on sequential motor learning and task integration can largely also be applied to complex motor skills.
Third International Consensus Conference on lesions of uncertain malignant potential in the breast (B3 lesions)
Authors: Elfgen Constanze , Leo Cornelia , Kubik-Huch Rahel A. , Muenst Simone , Schmidt Noemi , Quinn Cecily , McNally Sorcha , van Diest Paul J. , Mann Ritse M , Bago-Horvath Zsuzsanna , Bernathova Maria , Regitnig Peter , Fuchsjäger Michael , Schwegler-Guggemos Daniela , Maranta Martina , Zehbe Sabine , Tausch Christoph , Güth Uwe , Fallenberg Eva Maria , Schrading Simone , Kothari Ashutosh , Sonnenschein Martin , Kampmann Gert , Kulka Janina , Tille Jean-Christophe , Körner Meike , Decker Thomas , Lax Sigurd F. , Daniaux Martin , Bjelic-Radisic Vesna , Kacerovsky-Strobl Stephanie , Condorelli Rosaria , Gnant Michael , Varga Zsuzsanna
Published: June 2023

The heterogeneous group of B3 lesions in the breast harbors lesions with different malignant potential and progression risk. As several studies about B3 lesions have been published since the last Consensus in 2018, the 3rd International Consensus Conference discussed the six most relevant B3 lesions (atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), flat epithelial atypia (FEA), classical lobular neoplasia (LN), radial scar (RS), papillary lesions (PL) without atypia, and phyllodes tumors (PT)) and made recommendations for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Following a presentation of current data of each B3 lesion, the international and interdisciplinary panel of 33 specialists and key opinion leaders voted on the recommendations for further management after core-needle biopsy (CNB) and vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB). In case of B3 lesion diagnosis on CNB, OE was recommended in ADH and PT, whereas in the other B3 lesions, vacuum-assisted excision was considered an equivalent alternative to OE. In ADH, most panelists (76%) recommended an open excision (OE) after diagnosis on VAB, whereas observation after a complete VAB-removal on imaging was accepted by 34%. In LN, the majority of the panel (90%) preferred observation following complete VAB-removal. Results were similar in RS (82%), PL (100%), and FEA (100%). In benign PT, a slim majority (55%) also recommended an observation after a complete VAB-removal. VAB with subsequent active surveillance can replace an open surgical intervention for most B3 lesions (RS, FEA, PL, PT, and LN). Compared to previous recommendations, there is an increasing trend to a de-escalating strategy in classical LN. Due to the higher risk of upgrade into malignancy, OE remains the preferred approach after the diagnosis of ADH.
A novel methodology for multi-agent decision-making based on N-soft sets
Authors: Alcantud José Carlos R. , Santos-García Gustavo , Akram Muhammad
Published: June 2023

Multi-criteria decision analysis with multiple agents provides tools for the research and development of intelligent applications. The solution strategy depends largely on the structure of the data. In this paper we propose a decide-then-merge approach to the problem of multi-agent multi-criteria decision-making when each individual data comes in the form of an N-soft set. To this purpose, we present a methodology that works in two steps. First, with each individual input we associate a ranking. This can be done in several ways, since individual decisions based on N-soft sets are well developed. Then with the help of voting theory, we merge all these rankings and produce a final ranking of the alternatives. The steps of this method are explained with synthetic examples. We argue that the proposed strategy is highly adaptable because both stages of our scheme can be customized by the user. A real case study in the framework of Operational Research illustrates the application of this method in detail. Finally, we perform a comparative analysis with existing methodologies.
Serum bicarbonate concentration and the risk of death in type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II
Authors: Chubb S. A. Paul , Davis Wendy A. , Davis Timothy M. E.
Published: June 2023

Aims

To examine whether all-cause mortality is independently associated with serum bicarbonate concentration below the laboratory reference interval in a representative, well-characterised community-based cohort of people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

1478 FDS2 participants with type 2 diabetes (mean age 65.8 years, 51.6% males, median diabetes duration 9.0 years) from the longitudinal, observational Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II (FDS2) were followed from study entry to death or end-2016. Independent associates of a low baseline serum bicarbonate (< 22 mmol/L) were determined using multiple logistic regression. The role of important covariates in influencing the association between bicarbonate and mortality was assessed by a stepwise Cox regression approach.

Results

A low serum bicarbonate was associated with increased all-cause mortality in unadjusted analysis (hazard ratio (HR) 1.90 (95% confidence limits (CL) 1.39, 2.60 per mmol/L). Mortality remained significantly associated with low serum bicarbonate (HR 1.40 (95% CL 1.01, 1.94) per mmol/L) in a Cox regression model with adjustment for factors associated with mortality but not low serum bicarbonate, but inclusion of estimated glomerular filtration rate categories rendered the association non-significant (HR 1.16 (95% CL 0.83, 1.63) per mmol/L).

Conclusions

A low serum bicarbonate is not an independent prognostic marker in people with type 2 diabetes but it may be a manifestation of the pathway between the development of impaired renal function and death.
The occurrence, progression and development of four types of gastric mucosal atrophic lesions and their histopathological characteristics
Authors: Wang Yangkun , Zhou Junling , Meng Nianlong , Yang Binfeng , Zhu Chaoya , Jiang Bo , Wang Sunan , Chen Xiaodong
Published: June 2023

Objective

To investigate the occurrence and development of gastric mucosal atrophic lesions and their histopathological characteristics.

Methods

Histopathological diagnosis and immunohistochemical staining using the EnVision two-step method were conducted on 1969 gastric mucosal atrophic lesions obtained from gastroscopic biopsy specimens. A total of 48-month three-stage endoscopic biopsy follow-ups were performed.

Results

When the gastric mucosal epithelium was affected by infection, chemical irritation, or immune or genetic factors, the gastric mucosal epithelium glands atrophied, the mucosa became thinner, the number of glands decreased, the intestinal epithelium progressed to metaplasia and smooth muscle fibre became hyperplasia. Such changes may lead to the proliferation and dysplasia of epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa and neoplastic hyperplasia in nature; this is referred to as gastric mucosal atrophic lesions in this study. According to this definition, the present study divided gastric mucosal atrophy into four types: (1) glandular atrophy of the lamina propria; (2) compensatory proliferative atrophy; (3) intestinal metaplasia atrophy; and (4) smooth muscle proliferative atrophy. The incidence rates of the above were 40.1% (789/1969), 14.3% (281/1969), 27.8% (547/1969) and 17.9% (352/1969), respectively. One- to 4-year follow-ups found that the changes were not significant and that the percentages of patients with disease exacerbation were 85.7% (1688/1969) and 9.8% (192/1969). The percentages of patients who developed low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia were 2.8% (55/1969) and 1.1% (21/1969), respectively; 0.7% (13/1969) of patients developed intramucosal cancer.

Conclusion

Gastric mucosal atrophic lesions and histopathological staging are based on the morphological characteristics of gastric mucosal atrophy and the hypothesis of malignant transformation of cells during the occurrence and development of mucosal atrophy. Mastering pathological staging is beneficial to clinicians for enacting precise treatment and is important for reducing the incidence of gastric cancer.
Up for the task? Local health authorities and communal health in Germany
Authors: Bauschke Rafael , Hennig Lisa
Published: June 2023

Aim

Public health depends on effective structures at all administrative levels. Focusing on the case of Germany, this study assesses the capabilities of local health authorities and how these organisations fulfil their role within the communal health structures.

Subject and methods

German local health authorities; Explorative online survey.

Results

Local health authorities face some organisational deficiencies (mostly in expertise) in living up to their role within communal health structures. Despite these challenges, they do engage in exchange with municipalities and get involved in programmes and public health surveillance.

Conclusion

To strengthen public health and increase the effectiveness of health administrative structures, it would be wise to provide the necessary resources at the local level and to reassess the scope and mandate of local health authorities.
Increasing retirement ages in Denmark: Do changes in gender, education, employment status and health matter?
Authors: Amilon Anna , Larsen Mona
Published: June 2023

Recent studies report significant increases in retirement ages over the past two to three decades in most countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development—increases that research has attributed mainly to changes in the legislative frameworks for retirement in these countries. Using unique data from the Danish Longitudinal Study of Ageing, this study investigates whether and, if so to what extent, changes to the workforce in terms of gender, education, employment status (employed or self-employed) and health contribute to explaining differences in retirement ages between the cohorts born in 1935 and 1950. The retirement window of these cohorts stretches from the early 1990s to the late 2010s—a period characterized by substantial changes to workforce. On average, retirement ages increased by two years from the 1935 cohort to the 1950 cohort. However, due to changes in the investigated factors having offsetting effects, the net effect of such changes on retirement ages was minor. Thus, while increasing levels of education and better health among older workers contributed to increasing retirement ages, increasing female labour force participation and fewer self-employed workers had the opposite effect. In absolute terms, the total compositional and behavioural influence on retirement ages of changes in terms of employment status (− 0.35 years) was almost as large as the total changes in terms of education (0.44 years). Thus, future studies investigating long-term changes in retirement ages would benefit from including changes in employment status (self-employed or wage earner) as an explanatory factor.
Depression and HIV Care-seeking Behaviors in a Population-based Sample in North West Province, South Africa
Authors: Darbes Lynae A. , El Ayadi Alison M. , Gilvydis Jennifer M. , Morris Jessica , Raphela Elsie , Naidoo Evasen , Grignon Jessica S. , Barnhart Scott , Lippman Sheri A.
Published: June 2023

Depression is associated with key HIV-related prevention and treatment behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to identify the association of depressive symptoms with HIV testing, linkage to care, and ART adherence among a representative sample of 18–49 year-olds in a high prevalence, rural area of South Africa. Utilizing logistic regression models (N = 1044), depressive symptoms were inversely associated with reported ever HIV testing (AOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.85–0.99; p = 0.04) and ART adherence (AOR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73–0.91; p < 0.01) among women. For men, depressive symptoms were positively associated with linkage to care (AOR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.09–1.34; p < 0.01). Depression may adversely impact ART adherence for HIV-positive women and reduce the likelihood of HIV testing for women not aware of their HIV status which, in settings with high HIV prevalence, carries severe consequences. For HIV-positive men, findings suggest that depression may encourage help-seeking behavior, thereby impacting their health system interactions. These findings underscore the need for health-care settings to factor mental health, such as depression, into their programs to address health-related outcomes, particularly for women.
Bitcoin network-based anonymity and privacy model for metaverse implementation in Industry 5.0 using linear Diophantine fuzzy sets
Authors: Mohammed Z. K. , Zaidan A. A. , Aris H. B. , Alsattar Hassan A. , Qahtan Sarah , Deveci Muhammet , Delen Dursun
Published: June 2023

Metaverse is a new technology expected to generate economic growth in Industry 5.0. Numerous studies have shown that current bitcoin networks offer remarkable prospects for future developments involving metaverse with anonymity and privacy. Hence, modelling effective Industry 5.0 platforms for the bitcoin network is crucial for the future metaverse environment. This modelling process can be classified as multiple-attribute decision-making given three issues: the existence of multiple anonymity and privacy attributes, the uncertainty related to the relative importance of these attributes and the variability of data. The present study endeavours to combine the fuzzy weighted with zero inconsistency method and Diophantine linear fuzzy sets with multiobjective optimisation based on ratio analysis plus the multiplicative form (MULTIMOORA) to determine the ideal approach for metaverse implementation in Industry 5.0. The decision matrix for the study is built by intersecting 22 bitcoin networks to support Industry 5.0's metaverse environment with 24 anonymity and privacy evaluation attributes. The proposed method is further developed to ascertain the importance level of the anonymity and privacy evaluation attributes. These data are used in MULTIMOORA. A sensitivity analysis, correlation coefficient test and comparative analysis are performed to assess the robustness of the proposed method.
Sulfoxaflor influences the biochemical and histological changes on honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)
Authors: Ibrahim El-Desoky S. , Abd Alla Asmaa E. , El-Masarawy Mohamed S. , Salem Rasha A. , Hassan Nancy N. , Moustafa Moataz A. M.
Published: June 2023

Pesticide application can have an adverse effect on pollinator honey bees, Apis mellifera L., ranging from mortality to sublethal effects. Therefore, it is necessary to understand any potential effects of pesticides. The present study reports the acute toxicity and adverse effects of sulfoxaflor insecticide on the biochemical activity and histological changes on A. mellifera. The results showed that after 48 h post-treatment, the LD25 and LD50 values were 0.078 and 0.162 µg/bee, respectively, of sulfoxaflor on A. mellifera. The detoxification enzyme activity shows an increase of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzyme on A. mellifera in response to sulfoxaflor at LD50 value. Conversely, no significant differences were found in mixed-function oxidation (MFO) activity. In addition, after 4 h of sulfoxaflor exposure, the brains of treated bees showed nuclear pyknosis and degeneration in some cells, which evolved to mushroom shaped tissue losses, mainly neurons replaced by vacuoles after 48 h. There was a slight effect on secretory vesicles in the hypopharyngeal gland after 4 h of exposure. After 48 h, the vacuolar cytoplasm and basophilic pyknotic nuclei were lost in the atrophied acini. After exposure to sulfoxaflor, the midgut of A. mellifera workers showed histological changes in epithelial cells. These findings of the present study showed that sulfoxaflor could have an adverse effect on A. mellifera.
Effect of UV-B elicitation on spearmint’s (Mentha spicata L.) morpho-physiological traits and secondary metabolites production
Authors: Ali Awais , Santoro Piero , Mori Jacopo , Ferrante Antonio , Cocetta Giacomo
Published: June 2023

Additional artificial ultraviolet-B irradiation (UV-B) is a substitute for the natural UV-B radiation, which is believed to modulate the antioxidants production in plants against the abiotic stress. The present research was formulated by using an indoor UV-B chamber, capable of irradiating UV-B at single wavelength of 315 nm on spearmint. In vitro destructive analysis revealed the reduction in accumulation of chlorophyll a and b as well as carotenoids. However, an elevated levels of phenolic index and total anthocyanins were recorded for both 43.2 KJ/m2 and 86.4 KJ/m2 UV-B doses. TBARS assay was carried out to record the lipid peroxidation in the spearmint and likewise, an enhanced secondary metabolites production, an increased lipid peroxidation was seen with the successive increased in the UV–B doses. A remarkable accumulation in the total sugars, reducing sugars and sucrose were also noticed. In vivo analysis revealed a decrease in chlorophyll estimated values as well as an increase of flavanols. Overall leaf fluorescence performance index was improved under both UV-B doses as well as the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II. Decreases in the total yield, plant height and length of internode was observed for both UV-B doses however, an enhanced number of stems was recorded for the 43.2 KJ/m2 UV-B dose. The results of present study not only provided a clear indication of the potential of UV-B in modifying the phytochemicals accumulation in plants but also opened a room for investigating various indoor UV-B doses for future studies of plants and their interaction towards UV-B.

Graphical Abstract
Spherical SiO2 growth on LaFeO3 perovskite to create core–shell structures for Cd(II) adsorption on its surface
Authors: Arman M. M. , Ramadan Rania
Published: June 2023

In this study, LaFeO3 perovskite is synthesized by the flash method, and then a simple method is developed for growing SiO2 on its surface to construct a core/shell nanocomposite. The thickness of the SiO2 shell is controlled by varying the amount of tetra-ethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). Two LaFeO3@SiO2 samples with varying SiO2 thicknesses were synthesized. Herein, the lattice parameters, morphology, magnetic, and adsorption properties of the investigated core/shell nanocomposites are tuned by changing the content of SiO2. Results confirm that when the content of SiO2 increased, the prepared LaFeO3@SiO2 core/shell nanocomposite showed good adsorption performance, and the removal efficiency enhanced from 50 to 60% for LaFeO3 and LaFeO3@SiO2, respectively. It is thought that the enhancement of the adsorption performance is related to the high porosity and amorphous nature of SiO2.
Designing and Evaluating Relativity Lab: A Simulation Environment for Special Relativity Education at the Secondary Level
Authors: Alstein Paul , Krijtenburg-Lewerissa Kim , van Joolingen Wouter R.
Published: June 2023

This article describes the design and evaluation of a simulation environment for special relativity (SR) education at the secondary level. In recent years, SR has become increasingly popular in secondary school curricula worldwide. Because the key concepts in SR are very remote from everyday experience, they are difficult for students to learn. Computer simulations provide a promising approach to explore these abstract concepts in a simplified and idealized virtual environment. The currently available simulation tools for SR, however, are limited in terms of usability and flexibility. We report on the development of an online simulation environment, named Relativity Lab. In Relativity Lab, students can construct simulations themselves and freely select the inertial frame of reference from which the simulation is rendered. We performed a small-scale evaluation (N = 16) in which Relativity Lab was used in inquiry-learning activities. Results indicate that students found Relativity Lab a helpful tool for visualizing relative motion and relativistic light propagation. Moreover, the inquiry-learning activities helped students to recognize discrepancies between their prediction and the outcome of a simulation. We propose improvements to the current task design by providing stricter instructions with regard to constructing the simulation and switching between inertial frames.
TAK1 Reduces Surgery-induced Overactivation of RIPK1 to Relieve Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Dysfunction in Aged Rats
Authors: Zhang Yuhan , Su Yang , Wang Ziheng , Li Teng , Wang Liwei , Ma Daqing , Zhou Meiyan
Published: June 2023

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common clinical complication in elderly patients, but its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), a key molecule mediating necroptosis and regulated by transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), was reported to be associated with cognitive impairment in several neurodegenerative diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the possible role of TAK1/RIPK1 signalling in POCD development following surgery in rats. Methods: Young (2-month-old) and old (24-month-old) Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to splenectomy under isoflurane anaesthesia. The young rats were treated with the TAK1 inhibitor takinib or the RIPK1 inhibitor necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) before surgery, and old rats received adeno-associated virus (AAV)-TAK1 before surgery. The open field test and contextual fear conditioning test were conducted on postoperative day 3. The changes in TNF-α, pro-IL-1β, AP-1, NF-κB p65, pRIPK1, pTAK1 and TAK1 expression and astrocyte and microglia activation in the hippocampus were assessed. Results: Old rats had low TAK1 expression and were more susceptible to surgery-induced POCD and neuroinflammation than young rats. TAK1 inhibition exacerbated surgery-induced pRIPK1 expression, neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction in young rats, and this effect was reversed by a RIPK1 inhibitor. Conversely, genetic TAK1 overexpression attenuated surgery-induced pRIPK1 expression, neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction in old rats. Conclusion: Ageing-related decreases in TAK1 expression may contribute to surgery-induced RIPK1 overactivation, resulting in neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in old rats.
Reducing the vulnerability of tourists to tsunami: challenges for decision-makers
Authors: Fathianpour Azin , Wilkinson Suzanne , Babaeian Jelodar Mostafa , Evans Barry
Published: June 2023

A near source or local tsunami, because of its close proximity to an affected area, cannot usually be predicted soon enough to mitigate many of the risks posed. The limited notice time in local tsunamis poses greater challenges for decision-makers than distant source tsunamis. Tsunamis affect coastal regions, where many of these areas are visited by tourists who often lack adequate knowledge of the hazards of the region. This study focuses on the risks tourists face during a local tsunami and discusses how to best protect tourists. Initially, a thematic literature analysis was performed to identify research gaps. Then, a case study methodology was adopted to obtain an in-depth understanding of how emergency management officials consider the management of tourists in evacuation planning. Napier, New Zealand, was used as a case study because it is a tourist town and vulnerable to tsunamis. Key decision-makers in the disaster management and tourist management sector were interviewed. The results outline three major initiatives that could lead to better tourist management and create better tsunami awareness for tourists. First, the risks posed to tourists can be reduced if emergency management officials collaborate with tourism agencies. Second, developing accurate evacuation simulations can show what would happen to tourists in a tsunami so that emergency management officials can be better prepared, and councils can improve evacuation planning and infrastructure to evacuate tourists and local communities safely. Third, educating tourists about evacuation plans will increase their readiness and enhance their safety.
Atmospheric Non-thermal Plasma Reduction of Natively Oxidized Iron Surfaces
Authors: Udachin Viktor , Wegewitz Lienhard , Szafarska Maik , Dahle Sebastian , Gustus René , Maus-Friedrichs Wolfgang
Published: June 2023

Plasma in hydrogen-containing atmospheres is an efficient method for the reduction of iron oxides. Although a vast number of approaches were performed for the reduction of bulk Fe oxides with thermal hydrogen plasmas, there is almost no information about the non-thermal plasma reduction efficiency in the atmospheric pressure range. In the current article we present the reduction of natively oxidized iron surfaces applying a dielectric barrier discharge plasma in an Ar/H2 atmosphere at 1000 hPa. By varying the surface temperature from 25 to 300 °C, we studied the plasma reduction efficiency, which was then compared with a thermal method. Whereas plasma treatments at 25 °C and 100 °C did not result in the significant reduction of iron oxidized species, experiments at 200 °C and 300 °C yielded a reduction of approximately 88% and 91% of initial oxidized components already after 10 s, respectively. Moreover, we observed an increase in the efficiency with a plasma-thermal reduction in comparison to a thermal method, which was attributed to the presence of atomic hydrogen in the plasma phase. Analysis of morphology revealed the formation of Fe–C structures on surfaces after thermal and plasma-thermal treatments at 200 °C and 300 °C that may be connected with the diffusion of bulk contaminations to the deoxidized surface and reactions between the reduced Fe with plasma-activated adventitious carbon. Conclusively, the plasma was characterized by analyzing the reactive species and the electron temperatures.
Development and validation of a Medication Adherence Universal Questionnaire: the MAUQ
Authors: Cabral Ana C. , Lavrador Marta , Castel-Branco Margarida , Figueiredo Isabel Vitória , Fernandez-Llimos Fernando
Published: June 2023

Background

Different questionnaires assess self-reported medication adherence and others quantify aspects of patients attitudes towards medication, but not together in a single instrument. Gathering these two aspects in a single instrument could reduce patients survey burden.

Aim

The aim of this study was to develop the Medication Adherence Universal Questionnaire (MAUQ) using the Maastricht Utrecht Adherence in Hypertension short version (MUAH-16) factorial structure as the hypothesized model.

Method

A multistep process started with the modification of the MUAH-16 to obtain the MAUQ. Patients using at least one antihypertensive medicine were recruited. The two questionnaires, the MUAH-16 and MAUQ, were applied. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed using the initial MUAH-16 s-order 4-factor model. An additional bifactor model with four uncorrelated factors and an overall score was tested. The comparative fit index (CFI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) with confidence intervals (CIs), and standardized root mean squared residual (SRMR) were used to assess both models.

Results

A sample of 300 hypertensive patients completed the instruments. The CFA with the second-order 4-factor solution resulted in similar results for the MUAH-16 and MAUQ: CFIs of 0.934 and 0.930, RMSEAs of 0.043 [CI 0.030–0.056] and 0.045 [CI 0.031–0.057] and SRMRs of 0.060 and 0.061, respectively. The CFA with the bifactor model showed slightly better results for both the MUAH-16 and MAUQ: CFIs of 0.974 and 0.976, RMSEAs of 0.030 [CI 0.005–0.046] and 0.028 [CI 0.001–0.044], and SRMRs of 0.043 and 0.044, respectively.

Conclusion

CFA demonstrated that the MAUQ presented a better fit to both models than the MUAH-16, obtaining a robust universal free instrument to assess medicine-taking behaviour and four medicine beliefs components.
Water limitation intensity shifts carbon allocation dynamics in Scots pine mesocosms
Authors: Solly Emily F. , Jaeger Astrid C. H. , Barthel Matti , Werner Roland A. , Zürcher Alois , Hagedorn Frank , Six Johan , Hartmann Martin
Published: June 2023

Background and aims

Tree species worldwide suffer from extended periods of water limitation. These conditions not only affect the growth and vitality of trees but also feed back on the cycling of carbon (C) at the plant-soil interface. However, the impact of progressing water loss from soils on the transfer of assimilated C belowground remains unresolved.

Methods

Using mesocosms, we assessed how increasing levels of water deficit affect the growth of Pinus sylvestris saplings and performed a 13C-CO2 pulse labelling experiment to trace the pathway of assimilated C into needles, fine roots, soil pore CO2, and phospholipid fatty acids of soil microbial groups.

Results

With increasing water limitation, trees partitioned more biomass belowground at the expense of aboveground growth. Moderate levels of water limitation barely affected the uptake of 13C label and the transit time of C from needles to the soil pore CO2. Comparatively, more severe water limitation increased the fraction of 13C label that trees allocated to fine roots and soil fungi while a lower fraction of 13CO2 was readily respired from the soil.

Conclusions

When soil water becomes largely unavailable, C cycling within trees becomes slower, and a fraction of C allocated belowground may accumulate in fine roots or be transferred to the soil and associated microorganisms without being metabolically used.
Fibre optic-VLC versus laser-VLC: a review study
Authors: Fon R. C. , Ndjiongue A. R. , Ouahada Khmaies , Abu-Mahfouz A. M.
Published: June 2023

The exponential increase in the demand for a fast and reliable wireless mobile network motivates the need for researchers to engage more actively in visible light communication (VLC) technology. This increase happens in parallel with the augmentation of the population to be accommodated. As a result, the radio frequency spectrum is overcrowded. VLCs, which are part of optical wireless communications, are unregulated ultra-wideband spectrums that offer an alternative to solve RF bandwidth exhaustion. The OWC has demonstrated, among others, a throughput of 100 Gbps and is capable of offloading large data traffic from RF networks. One of the VLC main backdrops is the distance for which light signals can be transmitted, which is generally short in nature. However, this is overcome by its combination with other technologies, such as fibre optics (FO) and laser technologies, to mention only a few, which form a cascaded system with VLC. The data offloaded is fed to the cascaded system of FO-VLC and laser-VLC. In this paper, we provide a comparative review of cascaded FO-VLC and laser-VLC systems. We survey the technology that can provide optimized communication and high bandwidth. The choice of cascaded system to be used or considered is dependent on the area of application. A comparison is conducted from the simulated results of both cascaded systems considering parameters such as the gain and throughput. The FO-VLC cascaded system shows that system gain always decreases as distance increases for a range of reflection coefficient,$$\rho$$ρ, and slightly decreases with attenuation coefficient,$$\alpha$$α. The gain of the laser-VLC cascaded system decreases with an increase in transmission distance for a given range of floor and ceiling reflection coefficient and decreases slightly with attenuation intensity,$$\gamma$$γ. From our investigation, it is clear that FO-VLC and laser-VLC are outstanding optical cascaded systems, which can be exploited in applications with a harsh environment. This research also highlights standardization efforts, advanced modulation schemes and coding techniques so far for VLC, FO and laser system and their promising applications.
Inequality Crossroads of Mortality: Socioeconomic Disparities in Life Expectancy and Life Span in Mexico Between 1990 and 2015
Authors: Gómez-Ugarte Ana C. , García-Guerrero Víctor M.
Published: June 2023

The Mexican health system has been characterized by a mixture of progress and pitfalls, resulting in persistent inequalities. The main causes of death are related to socioeconomic factors reflecting the lack of opportunities regarding access to education, employment, income, and public health services. In this paper, we study the association between social inequality and mortality to assess how population composition by socioeconomic level shapes overall mortality. Socioeconomic information from vital statistics of mortality is used to estimate life expectancy (LE) and lifespan variability by age, sex, and socioeconomic status using three variables: educational attainment, occupation, and access to social security. We also use a decomposition method to separate the effect of changes in population composition by socioeconomic status from changes in mortality by education over changes in LE and lifespan variation. We find that increasing educational attainment and health coverage impact LE positively. The population without formal education and those without access to social security are the worst socioeconomic positions for mortality. The effects of changes in population composition by socioeconomic status is greater for men than for women. Given the amount of contribution from the population structure by socioeconomic status, the implementation of social policies focused on broadening access to tertiary education—which incentivize formal employment and seek to achieve universal health coverage—could boost an increase in the survivorship of Mexican population.
Africa’s businesswomen – underfunded or underperforming?
Authors: Ackah Charles , Görg Holger , Hanley Aoife , Hornok Cecilia
Published: June 2023

While the recent success of Africa’s ‘Lionesses’ – successful female entrepreneurs – is internationally celebrated, less is known about how liquidity can fuel the success of the ‘Lionesses’ and other businesswomen. Using information from a panel of over 800 male- and female-owned businesses in Ghana (ISSER-IGC survey), we capture a measure of underfunding, in addition to data on supplier credit, equity and other finance sources. Our regressions reveal a female-to-male productivity gap of between − 11 and − 19 per cent, values similar to estimates for other African countries. However, when financial constraints are taken into account, the gender performance gap disappears. Accordingly, female business owners who indicate that funding is not a problem are associated with higher productivity than males, all things equal. In a finding new to the literature, our regressions reveal the importance of supplier credit for Africa’s businesswomen.
Medical articles in questionable journals are less impactful than those in non-questionable journals but still extensively cited
Authors: Stephen Dimity
Published: June 2023

A key feature of questionable journals is a lack of adequate peer review of their articles. Content of thus unknown quality may be utilised by unsuspecting practitioners or incorporated into peer-reviewed research, becoming legitimised. It is therefore necessary to examine the citation patterns of articles in questionable journals to understand their impact and reach. Similar research has tended to focus on authors from low- and middle-income countries. As such, this study investigates the profile and impact of research in questionable journals by authors in Germany. Questionable journals were identified by matching journals with articles by authors at German institutions from Dimensions to Cabell’s Predatory Reports. Metadata for these articles and a comparative sample of articles in non-questionable journals were extracted from Dimensions and the 3 year citations, self-citations, uncited rate, profile of co-authoring and citing countries, and institution type of authors were compared between groups. Nearly 600 articles in 88 questionable journals were published by German authors in 2010–2020. Three-quarters were in the medical and health sciences. Medical articles in questionable journals received significantly fewer citations than similar articles in non-questionable journals. However, articles in questionable journals were still extensively cited in 1736 primarily non-questionable journals. Self-citations accounted for only 12% of these citations. Authors from non-university medical facilities were over-represented in articles in questionable journals. System-level changes are necessary to eliminate questionable journals and shift high-quality research into reputable venues.
Epistemic agency and the generalisation of fear
Authors: Puddifoot Katherine , Trakas Marina
Published: June 2023

Fear generalisation is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when fear that is elicited in response to a frightening stimulus spreads to similar or related stimuli. The practical harms of pathological fear generalisation related to trauma are well-documented, but little or no attention has been given so far to its epistemic harms. This paper fills this gap in the literature. It shows how the psychological phenomenon, when it becomes pathological, substantially curbs the epistemic agency of those who experience the fear that generalizes, limiting their ability to respond to evidence, and substantially limiting their epistemic horizons. It is argued that when these epistemic harms are caused by wrongful actions and decisions of individuals or institutions, because the fear is elicited in response to a traumatic experience inflicted by them, the harms should be considered epistemic wrongs. The epistemic wrongs are closely akin to agential epistemic injustice, a variety of distributive epistemic injustice, and sometimes also involve epistemic exclusion. The paper thereby identifies a previously underexplored psychological mechanism that can be a vehicle through which both individuals and institutions can epistemically wrong others. The argument has implications for how both epistemic wrongs and epistemic injustice should be conceived, suggesting that both can occur without being caused by primarily epistemic flaws or errors, or a bad epistemic character. Finally, it highlights the advantage of taking a victim-centred approach to understanding epistemic harm.
One size does not fit all: detecting attention in children with autism using machine learning
Authors: Banire Bilikis , Al Thani Dena , Qaraqe Marwa
Published: June 2023

Detecting the attention of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is of paramount importance for desired learning outcome. Teachers often use subjective methods to assess the attention of children with ASD, and this approach is tedious and inefficient due to disparate attentional behavior in ASD. This study explores the attentional behavior of children with ASD and the control group: typically developing (TD) children, by leveraging machine learning and unobtrusive technologies such as webcams and eye-tracking devices to detect attention objectively. Person-specific and generalized machine models for face-based, gaze-based, and hybrid-based (face and gaze) are proposed in this paper. The performances of these three models were compared, and the gaze-based model outperformed the others. Also, the person-specific model achieves higher predictive power than the generalized model for the ASD group. These findings stress the direction of model design from traditional one-size-fits-all models to personalized models.