bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of convex-shaped transparent heat spreaders for symmetrical cooling of a thin-disk laser crystal by mechanical pressing
Authors: Wolter Jan-Hinnerk , Voss Andreas , Graf Thomas , Abdou Ahmed Marwan
Published: January 2024

We present the design for a double-sided cooling of a thin-disk laser crystal using transparent, convex-shaped heat spreaders. The thermal contact between laser crystal and heat spreaders is established without bonding by solely applying an axial compressive force. A model of the contact behavior taking into account the deformation of the surfaces of the heat spreaders due to bending under mechanical loading is presented. The scope and accuracy of the modeling is verified by numerical simulations using the finite-element method. Based on the modeling, an exemplary design of the heat spreader which has been used for the first experimental demonstration of this concept is carried out. Based on the model, an almost ideal scalability of the heat transfer coefficient is predicted.
Evidence of pial synagiosis through ventriculoperitoneal shunt entry site in a patient who manifested Moyamoya syndrome later in childhood: A case report and historical perspective
Authors: AlEssa Awn , AlSahli Alaa , AlJared Tariq
Published: January 2024

The term Moyamoya , or “puff of smoke” in Japanese , was first used in 1969 by Suzuki and Takaku to describe the classical appearance of collateral blood vessels in response to progressive vascular stenosis of distal internal carotid artery (ICA). Such condition may result in various clinical presentations ranging from strokes to developmental delays. In order to cease the progression of such stenotic vasculopathy, several means of revascularization have been developed over the years. In this paper we present a case of a two-year-old girl with history of myelomeningocele repair and ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion followed by manifestation of Moyamoya syndrome later in childhood as an evidence of revascularization through a burr hole. To our knowledge, this paper is the first of its kind to report such findings in one patient. Moreover, this paper provides a historical perspective on the development of different types of revascularization techniques.
A Grassmann manifold handbook: basic geometry and computational aspects
Authors: Bendokat Thomas , Zimmermann Ralf , Absil P.-A.
Published: January 2024

The Grassmann manifold of linear subspaces is important for the mathematical modelling of a multitude of applications, ranging from problems in machine learning, computer vision and image processing to low-rank matrix optimization problems, dynamic low-rank decompositions and model reduction. With this mostly expository work, we aim to provide a collection of the essential facts and formulae on the geometry of the Grassmann manifold in a fashion that is fit for tackling the aforementioned problems with matrix-based algorithms. Moreover, we expose the Grassmann geometry both from the approach of representing subspaces with orthogonal projectors and when viewed as a quotient space of the orthogonal group, where subspaces are identified as equivalence classes of (orthogonal) bases. This bridges the associated research tracks and allows for an easy transition between these two approaches. Original contributions include a modified algorithm for computing the Riemannian logarithm map on the Grassmannian that is advantageous numerically but also allows for a more elementary, yet more complete description of the cut locus and the conjugate points. We also derive a formula for parallel transport along geodesics in the orthogonal projector perspective, formulae for the derivative of the exponential map, as well as a formula for Jacobi fields vanishing at one point.
Understanding rate of return dynamics of cryptocurrencies: an experimental campaign
Authors: Koszewski Krzysztof , Mazumdar Somnath , Kumar Anoop S.
Published: January 2024

In recent years, cryptocurrencies have been considered as an asset by public investors and received much research attention. It is a volatile asset, thus predicting its prices is not easy due to the dependence on multiple external factors. Machine learning models are becoming popular for cryptocurrency price predictions, while also considering social media data. In this article, we analyze the rate of return of three cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ether, Binance) from an investor point of view. We also consider three traditional external variables: S&P 500 stock market index, gold price, and volatility index. The rate of return prediction is based on three stages. First, we analyze the correlation between the cryptocurrency returns and the traditional external variables. Next, we focus on the influential social media variables (from Twitter, Reddit, and Wikipedia). Later, we use these variables to improve prediction accuracy. Third, we test how the standard time series models (such as ARIMA and SARIMA) and four machine learning models (such as RNN, LSTM, GRU and Bi-LSTM) predict one-day rate of return. Finally, we also analyze the risk of investing in each cryptocurrencies using value risk statistics. Overall, our result shows no correlation between cryptocurrency returns and three traditional external variables. Second, we found that overall LSTM model is the best, GRU is the second-best prediction model, while the impact of the social media variables varies depending on the cryptocurrencies. Finally, we also found that investment in gold offers better returns than cryptocurrency during Covid-19-like situations.
Potential role of Fbxo22 in resistance to endocrine therapy in breast cancer with invasive lobular carcinoma
Authors: Nakagawa Saki , Miyashita Minoru , Maeda Ichiro , Goda Atsushi , Tada Hiroshi , Amari Masakazu , Kojima Yasuyuki , Tsugawa Koichiro , Ohi Yasuyo , Sagara Yasuaki , Sato Miku , Ebata Akiko , Harada-Shoji Narumi , Suzuki Takashi , Nakanishi Makoto , Ohta Tomohiko , Ishida Takanori
Published: January 2024

Background

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is distinct from invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) in terms of their hormonal microenvironments that may require different therapeutic strategies. We previously reported that selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) function requires F-box protein 22 (Fbxo22). Here, we investigated the role of Fbxo22 as a potential biomarker contributing to the resistance to endocrine therapy in ILC.

Methods

A total of 302 breast cancer (BC) patients including 150 ILC were recruited in the study. Fbxo22 expression and clinical information were analyzed to elucidate whether Fbxo22 negativity could be a prognostic factor or there were any correlations among clinical variables and SERM efficacy.

Results

Fbxo22 negativity was significantly higher in ILC compared with IDC (58.0% vs. 27.0%, P < 0.001) and higher in postmenopausal patients than premenopausal patients (64.1% vs. 48.2%, P = 0.041). In the ILC cohort, Fbxo22-negative patients had poorer overall survival (OS) than Fbxo22-positive patients, with 10-year OS rates of 77.4% vs. 93.6% (P = 0.055). All patients treated with SERMs, Fbxo22 negativity resulted in a poorer outcome, with 10-year OS rates of 81.3% vs. 92.3% (P = 0.032). In multivariate analysis regarding recurrence-free survival (RFS) in ILC patients, Fbxo22 status was independently predictive of survival as well as lymph node metastasis.

Conclusion

Fbxo22 negativity significantly impacts on survival in BC patients with IDC and ILC, and the disadvantage was enhanced among ILC postmenopausal women or patients treated with SERMs. The findings suggest that different therapeutic strategies might be needed according to the different histopathological types when considering adjuvant endocrine therapy.
Learning analytics dashboards are increasingly becoming about learning and not just analytics - A systematic review
Authors: Paulsen Lucas , Lindsay Euan
Published: January 2024

This systematic review explores the emerging themes in the design and implementation of student-facing learning analytics dashboards in higher education. Learning Analytics has long been criticised for focusing too much on the analytics, and not enough on the learning. The review is then guided by an interest in whether these dashboards are still primarily analytics-driven or if they have become pedagogically informed over time. By mapping the identified themes of technological maturity, informing frameworks, affordances, data sources, and analytical levels over publications per year, the review identifies an emerging trajectory towards student-focused dashboards. These dashboards are informed by theory-oriented frameworks, designed to incorporate affordances that supporting student learning, and realised through integration of more than just activity data from learning management systems – allowing the dashboards to better support students' learnings processes. Based on this emerging trajectory, the review provides a series of design recommendations for student-focused dashboards that are connected to learning sciences as well as analytics.
Academic reading as a grudging act: how do Higher Education students experience academic reading and what can educators do about it?
Authors: Mason Will , Warmington Meesha
Published: January 2024

This article examines Higher Education students’ experiences of academic reading as a grudging act: something that is performed reluctantly or half-heartedly, because it has to be done. Drawing on group interviews with 30 social science undergraduates, registered at a research-intensive UK university, we offer a reflexive thematic analysis of academic reading, experienced as ‘a struggle’, as ‘a chore’ and as ‘pointless’. Our analysis centres the experiential dimensions of reading, revealing how student orientations towards reading—and the teaching that surrounds it—can influence their practices. The article makes two original contributions to the developing literature about student reading experiences in Higher Education. First, by examining student accounts of reading through Bottero’s (2022) sociology of ‘grudging acts’, we extend what is known about the intersection between reading experiences and practices, raising important questions for educators in the social sciences and beyond. Second, by examining what educators can do in response to these challenges, we collate and extend existing guidance for educators that seek to support student engagement with academic reading in Higher Education.
Theoretical and empirical approach to how a professorship is organized in the German higher education system and how the organizational process works
Authors: Wilkesmann Uwe , Wagner Olga
Published: January 2024

In this article, we explore the question of how membership, hierarchy, rules, monitoring, and sanctions are used at German professorships to organize research. Using these five criteria of an organization from Ahrne and Brunsson (Organization, 18(1):83–104, 2011) as a theoretical pattern, we shed light on the meso-level of universities in the German higher education system—the professorship. It is at this level that the collaborative production of research is organized. We show which organizational mechanisms are necessary for this joint production process, how the practical implementation and interpretation of rules as an organizational process take place at the professorships, as well as various negotiations and sanctions. In the German higher education system, professors are the superiors of their academic staff. The professor decides on the hiring and renewal of employees and is the supervisor of doctoral candidates, who in the German higher education system are mostly employed as research assistants. To illustrate the characteristics of the criteria, we draw on empirical material from mixed-methods research, which made it possible to contrast and substantiate the special features of professorships in Germany from different perspectives and data.
The 1895 Ljubljana earthquake: source parameters from inversion of macroseismic data
Authors: Pettenati Franco , Jukić Ivana , Sirovich Livio , Cecić Ina , Costa Giovanni , Suhadolc Peter
Published: January 2024

The 14 April 1895 (Mw 6.1, in the area of Ljubljana, Slovenia) earthquake is still not fully understood. The aim of this work is to derive information about its source from the inversion of an updated dataset of intensities (evaluated with EMS-98). This was done via automatic non-linear geophysical inversion KF-NGA, which was performed using a Niching Genetic Algorithm and has been presented in other articles. The distribution of damage caused by this earthquake is not homogeneous and often shows significant intensity differences between neighbouring sites. Statistical analysis of the intensities, epicentral distances and geologic nature of the sites suggests some site effects. Nevertheless, the resulting solution is consistent with regional seismotectonics, i.e. an almost pure dip-slip mechanism: strike 282° ± 5°, dip 38° ± 7°, rake 86° ± 9° (± 180° because of the intrinsic ambiguity of the KF-NGA-inversion). Since the rake angle is close to 90°, there is an almost perfect ambiguity between the two planes of the focal mechanism. Therefore, our solution has a Dinaric direction and could be associated either with a fault plane that dips NE or with one that dips SW.
A Wilson line realization of quantum groups
Authors: Aamand Nanna , Kaufman Dani
Published: January 2024

We study Wilson line operators in three-dimensional Chern–Simons theory on a manifold with boundaries and prove to leading order, through a direct calculation of Feynman integrals, that the merging of parallel Wilson lines reproduces the coproduct on the quantum group $$U_\hbar ({\mathfrak {g}})$$

U
ħ

(
g
)

. We outline a connection of this theory with the moduli spaces of local systems defined by Goncharov and Shen.
On Berman Functions
Authors: Dȩbicki Krzysztof , Hashorva Enkelejd , Michna Zbigniew
Published: January 2024

Let $$Z(t)= \exp \left( \sqrt{ 2} B_H(t)- \left|t \right|^{2H}\right) , t\in \mathbb {R}$$

Z

(
t
)

=
exp

2

B
H

(
t
)

-

t

2
H

,
t
∈
R

with $$B_H(t),t\in \mathbb {R}$$

B
H

(
t
)

,
t
∈
R

a standard fractional Brownian motion (fBm) with Hurst parameter $$H \in (0,1]$$

H
∈
(
0
,
1
]

and define for x non-negative the Berman function $$\begin{aligned} \mathcal {B}_{Z}(x)= \mathbb {E} \left\{ \frac{ \mathbb {I} \{ \epsilon _0(RZ) > x\}}{ \epsilon _0(RZ)}\right\} \in (0,\infty ), \end{aligned}$$

B
Z

(
x
)

=
E

I
{

ϵ
0

(
R
Z
)

>
x
}

ϵ
0

(
R
Z
)

∈

(
0
,
∞
)

,

where the random variable R independent of Z has survival function $$1/x,x\geqslant 1$$

1
/
x
,
x
⩾
1

and $$\begin{aligned} \epsilon _0(RZ) = \int _{\mathbb {R}} \mathbb {I}{\left\{ RZ(t)> 1\right\} }{dt} . \end{aligned}$$

ϵ
0

(
R
Z
)

=

∫
R

I

R
Z
(
t
)
>
1

dt

.

In this paper we consider a general random field (rf) Z that is a spectral rf of some stationary max-stable rf X and derive the properties of the corresponding Berman functions. In particular, we show that Berman functions can be approximated by the corresponding discrete ones and derive interesting representations of those functions which are of interest for Monte Carlo simulations presented in this article.
Application of real-time PCR for the identification of the endangered species Galemys pyrenaicus through faecal samples
Authors: Ripa Adriana , Díaz-Caballero José A. , Palacios-González María Jesús , Espinosa Antonio , García-Zapata Juan Luis , Fernández-Garcia José Luis
Published: January 2024

Background

Currently, many micromammals are important targets for study. The endangered Galemys pyrenaicus is an outstanding example. Globally, their populations have suffered a substantial decline in last 20 years. In the surveyed area, the capture of desman is legally forbidden due to the high conservation concerns. Reason by non-invasive sampling through faeces is proposed for its monitoring. Furthermore, the confusion between faeces from desman and Mediterranean water shrews must be considered. Thus, the aim of this study was focused on developing RT-PCR assays to determine the presence of Galemys pyrenaicus and N. a. anomalus from non-invasive samples.

Methods and results

The study was conducted in the mountains of the System Central of Extremadura (Spain). A total of 186 samples were collected from 2018 to 2021 by experts where historically reported and/or our previous studies confirmed their presence. RT-PCR assays using hydrolysis probes were designed to detect genetic material from both desman and Mediterranean water shrews and its specificity was confirmed. The reliability of the method was further assessed by PCR sequencing of mitochondrial Cyb and d-loop, resulting fully compatible with the RT-PCR approach. Intraspecific phylogenetic relationship was reported to improve knowledge about mtDNA variability in the desman from the Central System.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that RT-PCR gives a gold opportunity to further map the species using faeces which minimizes disturbance and reports both population status and individual presence. Cost-effective RT-PCR combined with field-collected faeces allows us to better investigate the full range of occurrence of the species.
Memories of a Glorious or Difficult Past? Portugal, Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the (Lack of a) 21st Century Reckoning
Authors: Sadowski Mirosław Michał , Rego Rui Maia , Carmo André
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this paper is to analyse a particularly influential case of memory continuity in Portugal, that ofPadrão dos Descobrimentos. Spaces of collective memory (such as public monuments) raise questions about what we celebrate, remember or rescue from oblivion, providing an opportunity to rethink the trauma. As such, care for public spaces is associated with ethical and cultural values. One of the difficulties with certain monuments has to do with the fact that they recall actions that today we see as traumatic acts. Thus, it is important to reflect on a critical use of memory. On August 8, 2021,Padrão dos Descobrimentoswas the subject of a graffiti. One of the sides of the monument could read: “Blindly sailing for money, humanity is drowning in a scarlet sea”. A great controversy immediately arose around the meaning of this gesture, as well as the role played by a monument that, after being temporarily built in 1940 for the Portuguese World Exhibition, was, in its current version, inaugurated in 1960, on the occasion of the fifth centenary of the death of Infante D. Henrique. This episode reignited a deeper cleavage around the uses of history and memory, the Portuguese colonial past, and the role of thePadrão dos Descobrimentosas an instrument for the reproduction of nationalism. In this sense, and with the authors proposing a new theoretical frame of reference based on the thought of Arendt and Ricoeur, its critical reading becomes relevant.
What you think is what you feel:
Immigration-related value beliefs predict emotional exhaustion in pre-service
teachers
Authors: Lorusso Sonja , Hachfeld Axinja , Kärner Tobias
Published: January 2024

Cultural diversity has recently been discussed as a potential stressor for
teachers. The present study contributes to this discussion by examining the role of
cultural diversity in the development of emotional exhaustion among teachers. Using the
teacher stress model as a framework, we investigated if working conditions, such as
cultural diversity (1), value beliefs, such as cultural beliefs or stereotypes towards
students with an immigration background (2), and perceived professional competence, such
as teaching experience and self-efficacy (3), predict emotional exhaustion. The data
comes from a longitudinal study with 291 German pre-service mathematics teachers
(M = 9.5 month). Results from robust multiple
regression analyses showed no relation between cultural diversity and emotional
exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion was significantly predicted by prior emotional
exhaustion, frequent class disruptions, and large classes. Regarding cultural beliefs,
participants with more stereotypes towards students with an immigration background
experienced a higher level of emotional exhaustion, whereas the actual cultural
diversity in their class had no impact. Contrary to our hypotheses, no effect was found
for cultural beliefs. Taken together, our results suggest that it is not cultural
diversity per se that leads to emotional exhaustion but evaluative processes of seeing
students with an immigration background as burden that reflect beginning teachers'
stereotypes. Practical implications are that teacher training should aim to reduce
candidates' stereotypes towards students with an immigration background and allow more
hands-on teaching experience.
NuZZ: Numerical Zig-Zag for general models
Authors: Pagani Filippo , Chevallier Augustin , Power Sam , House Thomas , Cotter Simon
Published: January 2024

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is a key algorithm in computational statistics, and as datasets grow larger and models grow more complex, many popular MCMC algorithms become too computationally expensive to be practical. Recent progress has been made on this problem through development of MCMC algorithms based on Piecewise Deterministic Markov Processes (PDMPs), irreversible processes which can be engineered to converge at a rate which is independent of the size of the dataset. While there has understandably been a surge of theoretical studies following these results, PDMPs have so far only been implemented for models where certain gradients can be bounded in closed form, which is not possible in many relevant statistical problems. Furthermore, there has been substantionally less focus on practical implementation, or the efficiency of PDMP dynamics in exploring challenging densities. Focusing on the Zig-Zag process, we present the Numerical Zig-Zag (NuZZ) algorithm, which is applicable to general statistical models without the need for bounds on the gradient of the log posterior. This allows us to perform numerical experiments on: (i) how the Zig-Zag dynamics behaves on some test problems with common challenging features; and (ii) how the error between the target and sampled distributions evolves as a function of computational effort for different MCMC algorithms including NuZZ. Moreover, due to the specifics of the NuZZ algorithms, we are able to give an explicit bound on the Wasserstein distance between the exact posterior and its numerically perturbed counterpart in terms of the user-specified numerical tolerances of NuZZ.
Serum metabolic signatures for Alzheimer’s Disease reveal alterations in amino acid composition: a validation study
Authors: Nielsen Jonas Ellegaard , Andreassen Trygve , Gotfredsen Charlotte Held , Olsen Dorte Aalund , Vestergaard Karsten , Madsen Jonna Skov , Kristensen Søren Risom , Pedersen Shona
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is complex and novel approaches are urgently needed to aid in diagnosis. Blood is frequently used as a source for biomarkers; however, its complexity prevents proper detection. The analytical power of metabolomics, coupled with statistical tools, can assist in reducing this complexity.

Objectives

Thus, we sought to validate a previously proposed panel of metabolic blood-based biomarkers for AD and expand our understanding of the pathological mechanisms involved in AD that are reflected in the blood.

Methods

In the validation cohort serum and plasma were collected from 25 AD patients and 25 healthy controls. Serum was analysed for metabolites using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, while plasma was tested for markers of neuronal damage and AD hallmark proteins using single molecule array (SIMOA).

Results

The diagnostic performance of the metabolite biomarker panel was confirmed using sparse-partial least squares discriminant analysis (sPLS-DA) with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.73 (95% confidence interval: 0.59–0.87). Pyruvic acid and valine were consistently reduced in the discovery and validation cohorts. Pathway analysis of significantly altered metabolites in the validation set revealed that they are involved in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and energy metabolism (glycolysis and gluconeogenesis). Additionally, strong positive correlations were observed for valine and isoleucine between cerebrospinal fluid p-tau and t-tau.

Conclusions

Our proposed panel of metabolites was successfully validated using a combined approach of NMR and sPLS-DA. It was discovered that cognitive-impairment-related metabolites belong to BCAAs and are involved in energy metabolism.
The effect of continuous positive airway pressure on obstructive sleep apnea in children with syndromic craniosynostosis
Authors: Chang Yuan , Yu Yongbo , Zhang Wei , Gao Yinghui , Feng Junjun , Li Mengjie , Han Fang
Published: January 2024

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in children with syndromic craniosynostosis (SC). However, objective data on the treatment of OSA in children with SC remain inadequate. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the management of OSA in children with SC.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed in children with SC and OSA diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG), which was defined as an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 1. Patients were included if they were treated with CPAP and had baseline PSG and follow-up sleep studies. Clinical and demographic data were collected from all enrolled subjects.

Results

A total of 45 children with SC and OSA were identified, with an average age of 6.8 ± 4.7 years. Among them, 36 cases had moderate to severe OSA (22 with severe OSA) and received CPAP therapy followed by post-treatment sleep studies. Notably, there was a significant reduction in the AHI observed after CPAP treatment (3.0 [IQR: 1.7, 4.6] versus 38.6 [IQR: 18.2, 53.3] events/h; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

CPAP is effective and acceptable in treating severe OSA in children with SC.
Managing carbon waste in a decarbonized industry: Assessing the potential of concrete mixing storage
Authors: Sousa Vitor , Nogueira Rita , Meireles Inês , Silva André
Published: January 2024

The effort towards a greener future will entail a shift to more environmentally friendly alternatives of many human activities. Within this context, the path towards a decarbonized society in general, and industrial decarbonization in particular, will require using low carbon solutions and/or capturing carbon emissions at the source. This flux of captured carbon will then require management and one option is to store it in concrete. The incorporation of the captured CO2 can be done during the mixing and/or curing. While the latter is more efficient and effective in terms of the amount of CO2 incorporated, it is limited to concrete in elements that are compatible with chamber curing. In practice, this would be restricted to the concrete pre-fabrication industry and, most probably, only to small size elements. Despite the lower performance, incorporation of CO2 into concrete during the mixing stage is a relatively universal alternative. The present research effort reveals that the latter solution is beneficial from an environmental point of view, with an estimated yearly carbon storage of 23 million tonnes worldwide against emissions of 2.5 million tonnes to do it.
Baseline and usual triglyceride-glucose index and the risk of chronic kidney disease: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Kunutsor Setor K. , Seidu Samuel , Kurl Sudhir , Laukkanen Jari A.
Published: January 2024

Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is an emerging marker of adverse cardiometabolic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The long-term relevance of TyG index to chronic kidney disease (CKD) is uncertain. We aimed to assess the association of TyG index with CKD risk and its utility in risk prediction in a prospective study. The TyG index was calculated using fasting triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels measured in 2362 men aged 42–61 years with normal kidney function using the formula: Ln (fasting triglycerides [mg/dL] × FPG [mg/dL]/2). Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals, CIs) were estimated for CKD. Correction for within-person variability was made using data from repeat measurements of triglycerides and FPG taken 11 years after baseline. Over a median follow-up duration of 17.5 years, 223 CKD cases were recorded. The age-adjusted regression dilution ratio for the TyG index was 0.54 (95% CI, 0.48–0.60). The risk of CKD increased continuously with increasing TyG index across the range 9.3 to 11.6 (p value for nonlinearity<.001). In analysis adjusted for established risk factors, a unit higher TyG index was associated with an increased risk of CKD (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.24–2.05). Comparing extreme tertiles of the TyG index, the corresponding adjusted HR (95% CI) for CKD was 1.61 (1.15–2.27). Addition of the TyG index to a CKD risk prediction model containing established risk factors improved risk discrimination and reclassification (p value for difference in −2 log likelihood<.001; NRI=47.66%, p=.014; IDI=0.0164, p<.001). Higher TyG index is associated with an increased risk of CKD and improves the prediction and classification of CKD beyond established risk factors. Using single baseline estimations of the TyG index to investigate its association with CKD risk could considerably under-estimate the true association.
Physiological and psychological responses to tended plant communities with varying color characteristics
Authors: Zheng Siyuan , Zhou Yanzhen , Qu Haiyan
Published: January 2024

Exposure to plants has been reported to promote health and reduce stress, and plant color has direct impacts on physical and mental health. We used images of common types of tended plant communities in Shenyang, China, with combinations of yellow, green, and red foliage, as experimental stimuli. A total of 27 images were used as visual stimuli. We used electroencephalography to measure α wave activity (8–13 Hz) in 40 subjects while they viewed visual stimuli. These data were combined with subjective questionnaire data to analyze the relaxing effect of images of tended plant communities with different color types and proportions on people. The results revealed that, although there were slight differences between the electroencephalography and psychological findings, women were significantly more relaxed than men after viewing the images. Physiological and psychological responses varied with the types and proportions of colors in the tended plant communities: those of foliage with combinations of two or three colors induced stronger responses than images with a single color. Specifically, (1) for one-color plant communities, green or yellow plant communities induced a stronger relaxation effect than red plant communities; (2) for two-color plant communities, the optimal color proportion was 55% + 45%, and the green + yellow and green + red color combinations induced a stronger relaxation effect; (3) for three-color plant communities, the relaxation effect was strongest when the color proportion was 55% green + 25% yellow + 20% red. These data would provide a plant color matching in future plant landscape design, which may be helpful for creating healthy and relaxing environments.

Graphical abstract
Serum and Seminal Plasma Levels of Lead and Arsenic in Cigarette Smokers and Their Relation to the Semen Parameters
Authors: Farag Azza Gaber Antar , Badr Eman Abd-Elfatah , Kholif Alaa Osama Ali , Khalifa Mostafa Nabil , Ghanem Mai Medhat Mohamed
Published: January 2024

Male infertility along with altered semen parameters have been related to smoking. Smoking-related elevations in serum and seminal lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) may play a role in mediating the toxic effects of smoking on seminogram. This research aims to determine whether smoking has any significant impact on Pb and As levels in the seminal plasma and serum, as well as on the various semen parameters, when compared to nonsmokers. In total, 80 adult males were included: 60 smokers and 20 age-matched nonsmokers. Based on the number of cigarettes smoked/day (CPD), the smokers were categorized into mild (1–10), moderate (11–20), and severe (> 20). The analysis of semen was conducted in accordance with the 2010 WHO laboratory manual. Using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, Pb and As concentrations in the serum and seminal plasma of all groups were determined. Compared to nonsmokers, smokers had a significantly reduced sperm count, motility, and viability, as well as a larger percentage of aberrant forms (P = 0.001, 0.025, 0.034, 0.002 respectively). Smokers had higher Pb concentrations in their serum and seminal fluid than nonsmokers (P = 0.002, 0.001 respectively). Seminal Pb had a significant negative correlation with sperm count (P = 0.004, r = -0.320). Serum Pb levels were found to positively correlate with seminal Pb levels (P 0.001, r = 0.648), and cigarette smokers had substantially greater seminal As levels than nonsmokers (P = 0.024). Sperm viability was strongly inversely related to seminal As (P = 0.042, r = -0.264). Seminal As levels and aberrant sperm shapes were found to be significantly correlated (P = 0.001, r = 0.414). In smokers, a significant positive relationship between seminal As and seminal Pb was observed. Therefore, semen parameters could be adversely affected by smoking through high levels of Pb and As (P = 0.012, r = 0.298).
Fluvoxamine Exerts Sigma-1R to Rescue Autophagy via Pom121-Mediated Nucleocytoplasmic Transport of TFEB
Authors: Lin Chun-Yu , Wu Hsiang-En , Weng Eddie Feng-Ju , Wu Hsuan-Cheng , Su Tsung-Ping , Wang Shao-Ming
Published: January 2024

Expansion of the GGGGCC-RNA repeat is a known cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which currently have no cure. Recent studies have indicated the activation of Sigma-1 receptor plays an important role in providing neuroprotection, especially in ALS and Alzheimer’s disease. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying Sigma-1R activation and its effect on (G4C2)n-RNA-induced cell death remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that fluvoxamine is a Sigma-1R agonist that can increase chaperone activity and stabilize the protein expression of Pom121 in (G4C2)31-RNA-expressing NSC34 cells, leading to increased colocalization at the nuclear envelope. Interestingly, fluvoxamine treatment increased Pom121 protein expression without affecting transcription. In C9orf72-ALS, the nuclear translocation of TFEB autophagy factor decreased owing to nucleocytoplasmic transport defects. Our results showed that pretreatment of NSC34 cells with fluvoxamine promoted the shuttling of TFEB into the nucleus and elevated the expression of LC3-II compared to the overexpression of (G4C2)31-RNA alone. Additionally, even when used alone, fluvoxamine increases Pom121 expression and TFEB translocation. To summarize, fluvoxamine may act as a promising repurposed medicine for patients with C9orf72-ALS, as it stabilizes the nucleoporin Pom121 and promotes the translocation of TFEB in (G4C2)31-RNA-expressing NSC34 cells.
Cutoffs to Identify Restricted Life-space Mobility in Older Adults Across Different Contexts: The International Mobility in Aging Study
Authors: Curcio Carmen-Lucia , Pérez-Trujillo Manuel , Gomes Cristiano , Guerra Ricardo , Duque-Méndez Néstor
Published: January 2024

different populations have different averages of life-space assessment scores and defining cutoff values of clinical significance by each population should take into consideration. Different cutoffs to define restricted life space have been reported. The most common is a score of 60 points. There are other cutoffs derived from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and used to classify older adults according to their ability in activities of daily living (ADLs) (52.3 points) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) (56 points); other cutoffs are specialized for people with cognitive impairment (26.75 points) or people with spinal cord injury who need mobility aids (78.5 points). The aims were to identify cutoff points of Life Space Assessment (LSA) in older adults in different sites and to determine the relationship of the cutoff scores with mobility disability and depression. The study population was composed of community-dwelling adults aged 65–74 years who were not institutionalized. An ROC analysis was constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to identify the optimal cutoff that discriminates life-space restriction for each city. Logistic regressions were executed by site to comprehend the association among restricted LSA and mobility disability and depression. In total, 1890 participants were included in the analyses (52.38% women, 37.19% mobility disability and 21.32% had depression). Canada cities had the highest cutoff, while Tirana and Natal had the lowest cutoff (< 50). Kingston was the site with the highest association between life-space restriction and mobility disability (OR 5.4, 95% CI 2.9–10). Saint-Hyacinthe, Tirana, and Manizales had significant associations between depression and restricted life space (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.53–6.89, OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.88–5.24, and OR 3.99, 95% CI 2.28–6.98, respectively). Different cutoffs to define restricted life-space have been identified in elderly people at different sites. The analysis of the relationship between the restricted life space and personal characteristics like depression and mobility disability supported these findings. The groupings produced by the cutoff points for each site showed notable variations. These findings emphasize the importance of population-based cutoffs to improve the general applicability of LSM criteria and take into consideration the importance of site-specific approaches.
User Behavior Mining
Authors: Rehse Jana-Rebecca , Abb Luka , Berg Gregor , Bormann Carsten , Kampik Timotheus , Warmuth Christian
Published: January 2024

Studying the behavior of users in software systems has become an essential task for software vendors who want to mitigate usability problems and identify automation potentials, or for researchers who want to test behavioral theories. One approach to studying user behavior in a data-driven way is through the analysis of so-called user interaction (UI) logs, which record the low-level activities that a user performs while executing a task. In the paper, the authors refer to the analysis of UI logs as User Behavior Mining (UBM) and position it as a research topic. UBM is conceptualized by means of a four-component framework that elaborates how UBM data can be captured, which technologies can be applied to analyze it, which objectives UBM can accomplish, and how theories can guide the analytical process. The applicability of the framework is demonstrated by three exemplary applications from an ongoing research project with a partner company. Finally, the paper discusses practical challenges to UBM and derives an agenda for potential future research directions.
Embedding optical fiber with laser metal deposition
Authors: Manns Martin , Raza Syed Muhammad , Morez Daniel , Schreiber Florian , Engel Bernd
Published: January 2024

In contrast to other additive manufacturing technologies, laser metal deposition (LMD) allows printing on existing metal parts. For smart tools, it would be advantageous to place fiber optics closely beneath surfaces in order to measure parameters, such as temperature and strains. This work presents a novel method to weld in fiber optical cables beneath sheet metal surfaces with LMD. Results show that the fiber optical cable can be enclosed in the metal, confirming the possibility of using LMD to embed fiber optical sensors in the metals. An applicable scan speed for welding has been identified. A need for a metallic strip on the surface of fiber has been identified, which prevents the fiber from being melted. Ceramic sleeve and multiple plastic layers around the cable successfully prevent the fiber from being destroyed. Further research on effects on the optical characteristics of the fibers is proposed.
Network analysis of monoamines involved in anxiety-like behavior in a rat model of osteoarthritis
Authors: Mlost Jakub , Białoń Magdalena , Kędziora Marta , Wąsik Agnieszka , Michalec Żaneta , Starowicz Katarzyna
Published: January 2024

Background

Chronic pain is a major health problem that affects a significant number of patients, resulting in personal suffering and substantial health care costs. One of the most commonly reported causal conditions is osteoarthritis (OA). In addition to sensory symptoms, chronic pain shares an inherent overlap with mood or anxiety disorders. The involvement of the frontal cortex, striatum and nucleus accumbens, in the affective processing of pain is still poorly understood.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: MIA (monoiodoacetate injected into the knee—model of OA) and sham (NaCl). Behavioral tests assessing pain, anxiety, and depressive behavior were performed at week 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Neurochemical assays were conducted at weeks 3, 6, and 10 post-MIA injection, followed by the neurotransmitters and their metabolites correlation matrix and network analysis.

Results

OA animals developed rapid pain phenotype, whereas anxiety-like behavior accompanied the development of a pain phenotype from 6 week post-MIA injection. We did not detect any depressive-like behavior. Instead, immobility time measured in the forced swimming test transiently decreased at 3 weeks post-MIA in the OA group. We detected changes in noradrenaline and serotonin levels in analyzed structures at distinct time points. Network analysis revealed noradrenaline and serotonin neurotransmission changes in the nucleus accumbens, confirming it to be the key structure affected by chronic pain.

Conclusion

Animals with chronic pain exhibit symptoms of anxiety-like behavior and we identified underlying neurochemical changes using network analysis.
Timing of Surgery for Proximal Humeral Fracture Treated with Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty, Best Results with Surgery Within 2 Weeks
Authors: Demir Yilmaz , Vuorinen Alma , Gordon Max , Nordqvist Anders , Salomonsson Björn
Published: January 2024

Background

Preoperative delay may affect the outcome of proximal humerus fractures treated with shoulder hemiarthroplasty. There is currently no consensus for the recommended preoperative time interval. The aim was to examine how the time to surgery with shoulder hemiarthroplasty after a proximal humerus fracture affected the patient-reported outcome.

Methods

380 patients with proximal humerus fractures treated with shoulder hemiarthroplasty recorded from the Swedish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry were included. Three self-reporting outcome instruments were used at follow-up after 1–5 years: a shoulder-specific score, the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder index (WOOS), the EuroQol-5 Dimension index (EQ-5D), and subjective patient satisfaction assessment.

Results

The preoperative delay had a negative impact on the WOOS, EQ-5D, and patient satisfaction level (p < 0.01). The best result, measured with WOOS at a minimum 1-year follow-up, was found when surgery was performed 6–10 days after the reported date of fracture. WOOS% 8–14 days was 69.4% (± 24.2). A delay of more than 10 days was shown to be correlated with poorer outcomes. WOOS% 15–60 days was 55.8% (± 25.0) and continued to decrease.

Conclusion

The current recommendation in Sweden to perform shoulder hemiarthroplasty within 2 weeks after sustaining a proximal humerus fracture is considered valid.
Assessment of seismic slope stability of Rangamati Hill Tracts, Bangladesh
Authors: Santo Saif Ahmed , Hossain A S M Fahad , Fariha Akhi Sultana , Haque Md. Ehsanul , Ansary Mehedi Ahmed
Published: January 2024

Slope stability is an essential aspect of geotechnical engineering. Unstable slopes or stable slopes influenced by external factors may result in a catastrophic disaster called a landslide. In seismically active areas with steep terrain, landslides commonly occur and are regarded as one of the most severe threats. Bangladesh has not suffered any destructive earthquakes in recent years but has a considerable risk of facing such earthquakes owing to its geological conditions. Although slope failures occurring in the Rangamati Hill Tracts of Bangladesh are mainly rainfall-induced, due to the seismic risk in Bangladesh, it is essential to assess earthquake-induced slope failure in vulnerable areas. In this study, the authors analyzed the seismic slope stability at three locations in the Rangamati Hill Tracts using pseudostatic approaches. The pseudostatic approach with the variation in seismic force based on the seismic coefficient was utilized to determine the critical conditions. Using Newmark’s rigid block method, the permanent displacements for various slope conditions were calculated for the Kobe earthquake. The analysis provided crucial insight into the state of the locations. One location has a low factor of safety (FS) value at a slope angle of 30° or greater, whereas the others have a risk of slope failure at a slope angle of 50° or greater. Newmark’s displacement analysis also showed that the slopes at location 3 have the highest displacement at a lower slope angle, with location 1 and location 2 showing relatively better results than location 3. Structural and bioengineered preventive measures are needed in this area to reduce the vulnerability of possible slope failure.
Pilot implementation of a co-mentoring circles program for the clinical research professionals: Evidence for formative evaluation and logic model
Authors: Nelson July D. , Dunn Mendy E. , Levites Strekalova Yulia A.
Published: January 2024

Clinical research professionals (CRPs) are essential contributors to clinical and translational research endeavors, encompassing roles such as research nurses, research coordinators, data managers, and regulatory affairs specialists. This paper reports on the implementation of a novel training program for the CRPs, the Co-mentoring Circles Program, developed by the University of Florida Health Clinical Research Professionals Consortium, and proposes an initial logic model of CRP workforce development informed by the observations, participant feedback, and the established Translational Workforce Logic Model. The co-mentoring program was delivered through an online didactic curriculum and bi-monthly meetings over nine months, from January to September 2022. The formative evaluation identified the factors that support CRP workforce development through knowledge acquisition and professional relationship building. Finally, this paper proposes a logic model of CRP workforce development, including financial and human inputs, didactic and co-mentoring activities, workforce outputs, outputs related to workforce and clinical research study progress, and resulting impacts of increased national capacity for translational research and increased rate of research translation.