bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus bacterial metabolites on the ovipositional activity of Aedes albopictus
Authors: Touray Mustapha , Cimen Harun , Bode Edna , Bode Helge B. , Hazir Selcuk
Published: March 2024

Viral diseases like yellow fever, dengue, and Zika have an alarming impact on public health. These diseases can be transmitted by Aedes mosquito species, such as Ae. albopictus, which is now found in many countries outside its original range. Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus spp. are enteric bacterial symbionts of insect-preying nematodes and are known to produce an array of natural products with various activities including larvicidal activity. In this study, the effects of natural products produced by four Xenorhabdus and one Photorhabdus bacteria on the ovipositional behavior of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were assessed. Utilizing a binary choice assay in insect cages, gravid female mosquitoes were presented with two oviposition cups containing water supplemented with varying concentrations of bacterial supernatants (50–1% concentrations) versus control medium. After 72 h, the eggs deposited on filter papers were counted. The oviposition attractant index (OAI) feature of the bacterial supernatant was evaluated using the number of eggs laid in the cups. Notably, all tested supernatants exhibited concentration-dependent deterrence of oviposition. Xenorhabdus cabanillasii displayed the strongest deterrent effect, inhibiting egg-laying at 50–5% concentrations (OAI: − 0.87 to − 0.35), followed by X. nematophila (50–10%, OAI: − 0.82 to − 0.52). Xenorhabdus szentirmaii, X. doucetiae, and P. kayaii showed significant deterrence at ≥ 20% concentrations. Using promoter exchange mutants generated by the easyPACId approach, fabclavine from X. szentirmaii was identified as the bioactive compound with evident deterrent effects. Such deterrents targeting egg-laying could be valuable for controlling populations by disrupting their breeding in suitable habitats.
Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer, 12th Edition: Part II
Authors: Doki Yuichiro , Tanaka Koji , Kawachi Hiroshi , Shirakawa Yasuhiro , Kitagawa Yuko , Toh Yasushi , Yasuda Takushi , Watanabe Masayuki , Kamei Takashi , Oyama Tsuneo , Seto Yasuyuki , Murakami Kentaro , Arai Tomio , Muto Manabu , Mine Shinji
Published: March 2024

This is the second half of English edition of Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer, 12th Edition that was published by the Japan Esophageal Society in 2022.
The first cut is the cheapest: optimizing Athena/X-IFU-like TES detectors resolution by filter truncation
Authors: Ceballos M. Teresa , Cardiel Nicolás , Cobo Beatriz , Smith Stephen J. , Witthoeft Michael C. , Peille Philippe , Durkin Malcolm S.
Published: March 2024

The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) instrument on the future ESA mission Athena X-ray Observatory is a cryogenic micro-calorimeter array of Transition Edge Sensor (TES) detectors designed to provide spatially-resolved high-resolution spectroscopy. The onboard reconstruction software provides energy, spatial location and arrival time of incoming X-ray photons hitting the detector. A new processing algorithm based on a truncation of the classical optimal filter and called 0-padding, has been recently proposed aiming to reduce the computational cost without compromising energy resolution. Initial tests with simple synthetic data displayed promising results. This study explores the slightly better performance of the 0-padding filter and assess its final application to real data. The goal is to examine the larger sensitivity to instrumental conditions that was previously observed during the analysis of the simulations. This 0-padding technique is thoroughly tested using more realistic simulations and real data acquired from NASA and NIST laboratories employing X-IFU-like TES detectors. Different fitting methods are applied to the data, and a comparative analysis is performed to assess the energy resolution values obtained from these fittings. The 0-padding filter achieves energy resolutions as good as those obtained with standard filters, even with those of larger lengths, across different line complexes and instrumental conditions. This method proves to be useful for energy reconstruction of X-ray photons detected by the TES detectors provided proper corrections for baseline drift and jitter effects are applied. The finding is highly promising especially for onboard processing, offering efficiency in computational resources and facilitating the analysis of sources with higher count rates at high resolution.
Estimation of the transpulmonary pressure from the central venous pressure in mechanically ventilated patients
Authors: Franchi Federico , Detti Emanuele , Fogagnolo Alberto , Spadaro Savino , Cevenini Gabriele , Cataldo Gennaro , Addabbo Tommaso , Biuzzi Cesare , Marianello Daniele , Volta Carlo Alberto , Taccone Fabio Silvio , Scolletta Sabino
Published: March 2024

Transpulmonary pressure (PL) calculation requires esophageal pressure (PES) as a surrogate of pleural pressure (Ppl), but its calibration is a cumbersome technique. Central venous pressure (CVP) swings may reflect tidal variations in Ppl and could be used instead of PES, but the interpretation of CVP waveforms could be difficult due to superposition of heartbeat-induced pressure changes. Thus, we developed a digital filter able to remove the cardiac noise to obtain a filtered CVP (f-CVP). The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of CVP and filtered CVP swings (ΔCVP and Δf-CVP, respectively) in estimating esophageal respiratory swings (ΔPES) and compare PL calculated with CVP, f-CVP and PES; then we tested the diagnostic accuracy of the f-CVP method to identify unsafe high PL levels, defined as PL>10 cmH2O. Twenty patients with acute respiratory failure (defined as PaO2/FiO2 ratio below 200 mmHg) treated with invasive mechanical ventilation and monitored with an esophageal balloon and central venous catheter were enrolled prospectively. For each patient a recording session at baseline was performed, repeated if a modification in ventilatory settings occurred. PES, CVP and airway pressure during an end-inspiratory and -expiratory pause were simultaneously recorded; CVP, f-CVP and PES waveforms were analyzed off-line and used to calculate transpulmonary pressure (PLCVP, PLf-CVP, PLPES, respectively). Δf-CVP correlated better than ΔCVP with ΔPES (r = 0.8, p = 0.001 vs. r = 0.08, p = 0.73), with a lower bias in Bland Altman analysis in favor of PLf-CVP (mean bias − 0.16, Limits of Agreement (LoA) -1.31, 0.98 cmH2O vs. mean bias − 0.79, LoA − 3.14, 1.55 cmH2O). Both PLf-CVP and PLCVP correlated well with PLPES (r = 0.98, p < 0.001 vs. r = 0.94, p < 0.001), again with a lower bias in Bland Altman analysis in favor of PLf-CVP (0.15, LoA − 0.95, 1.26 cmH2O vs. 0.80, LoA − 1.51, 3.12, cmH2O). PLf-CVP discriminated high PL value with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.99 (standard deviation, SD, 0.02) (AUC difference = 0.01 [-0.024; 0.05], p = 0.48). In mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure, the digital filtered CVP estimated ΔPES and PL obtained from digital filtered CVP represented a reliable value of standard PL measured with the esophageal method and could identify patients with non-protective ventilation settings.
A Taguchi-based hybrid multi-criteria decision-making approach for optimization of performance characteristics of diesel engine fuelled with blends of biodiesel-diesel and cerium oxide nano-additive
Authors: Khanam Sazia , Khan Osama , Ahmad Shafi , Sherwani Ahmad F. , Khan Zahid A. , Yadav Ashok Kumar , Ağbulut Ümit
Published: March 2024

Given the pressing demand and ongoing necessity for fossil fuels, there is an imperative to actively seek alternative resources to replace petroleum-based fuels. The presents study considers a problem of experimentally investigating the effect of varying levels of important input parameters of a diesel engine fuelled with a novel blend of biodiesel-diesel and cerium oxide nano-additive on the sustainable performance characteristics of a diesel engine. Four input parameters, i.e., blend percentage (B in %), nanoparticle concentration (NPC in ppm), engine load (LD in %) and ignition pressure (IP in bar) each at four levels are considered. Experiments are conducted as per the Taguchi’s L16 standard orthogonal array and for each experiment, performance parameters (such as Brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC)), emission measures (Carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), unburnt hydrocarbons (UBHC) and Vibration level (VL)) of the diesel engine are collected. A hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, i.e., integrated MEREC-MARCOS method along with signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and analysis of mean (ANOM) is employed to determine optimal setting of the input parameters that yield optimal multiple performance characteristics. The results reveal that B at 40%, NPC at 80 ppm, LD at 50% and IP at 200 bar is the optimal setting of the input parameters that produce optimum values of the output responses considered simultaneously. Further, results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) show that Nanoparticle concentration percentage contribution is the maximum (79.63%) followed by engine load (8.40%), ignition pressure (6.28%), and blend percentage (2.11%). The optimization results are: BTE is 32.87%, BSEC is 0.285, CO is 0.018%, NOx is 559.6 ppm, UBHC is 28.1 ppm and VL= 19.57m2/sec which were validated with a confirmation test. Henceforth, such hybrid fuels provide sustainable energy solutions and environmental conservation simultaneously addressing the current and future demands.
Numerical analysis of jet impingement cooling with elongated nozzle holes on a curved surface roughened with V-shaped ribs
Authors: Yalçınkaya Orhan , Durmaz Ufuk
Published: March 2024

Numerical studies were performed in this study to analyze the effect of dimensionless elongated injection holes (G/d = 0.5, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0) on heat and flow characteristics on rib-roughened surfaces with an array of inclined impingement jets. Experimental and numerical data from existing literature were used to validate the numerical solution procedure’s heat transfer and flow characteristics in the semicircular test section. The turbulence equations were solved using the SST k-ω turbulence model by varying the Reynolds number from 5000 to 25,000. The curvature effect and staggered array pattern created an additional stagnation region between adjacent impinging jets on smooth surfaces, leading to a low heat transfer zone. Rectangular cross-sectional V-shaped ribs (VSR) were placed in regions where the stagnation point occurs to eliminate this disadvantage. The effect of different normalized rib heights (Hr/d = 0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) and rib angles (α = 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°) on the curved surface was also investigated to increase convective heat transfer performance and achieve more homogenous heat transfer distribution by relatively reducing the effect of thermal stresses. Flow properties, area-averaged and local Nusselt number variations on smooth and ribbed surfaces, and the thermal performance criterion (TPC) were investigated in detail. The results indicated an increase in overall heat transfer and a more evenly distributed measurement region compared to the conventional (unextended jet and smooth surface) jet impingement configuration. The most significant heat transfer enhancement from combining the elongated jets with VSR was 47.23% at Hr/d = 0.2 by reducing the G/d to 0.5. In addition, the highest TPC was determined as 1.07 on the proposed model with G/d = 2.0 and Hr/d = 0.2 at Re = 25,000.
Machine learning approach for satellite-based subfield canola yield prediction using floral phenology metrics and soil parameters
Authors: Fernando Hansanee , Ha Thuan , Nketia Kwabena Abrefa , Attanayake Anjika , Shirtliffe Steven
Published: March 2024

Early monitoring of within-field yield variability and forecasting yield potential is critical for farmers and other key stakeholders such as policymakers. Remote sensing techniques are progressively being used in yield prediction studies due to easy access and affordability. Despite the increasing use of remote sensing techniques for yield prediction in agriculture, there is still a need for medium-resolution satellite imagery when predicting canola yield using a combination of crop and soil information. In this study, we investigated the utility of remotely sensed flowering information from PlanetScope (at 4 m) satellite imagery combined with derived soil and topography parameters to predict canola yield. Our yield prediction model was trained and validated using data from 21 fields managed under variable rate seed and fertilizer application, including cleaned harvester yield maps, soil, and topography maps. To quantify the flowering intensity of canola, 9 vegetation indices (VIs) were calculated using spectral bands from PlanetScope imagery acquired for the reproductive stages of canola. We created five random forest regression models using different subsets of covariates, including VIs, soil, and topography features, to predict canola yield within the season. Using a random forest regression algorithm, we recorded accuracies ranging from poor to best performing using coefficient of determination and root mean squared error (R2: 0.47 to 0.66, RMSE: 325 to 399 kg ha−1). The optimal subset of covariates identified electrical conductivity (EC), Normalized Difference Yellowness Index, and Canola Index as the key variables explaining within-spatial variability in canola yield. Our final model exhibited a validation R2 of 0.46 (RMSE = 730 kg ha−1), demonstrating the potential of medium-resolution satellite imagery during the flowering stage to detect and quantify sub-field spatial and temporal floral phenology changes when predicting canola yield.
On the simulation and interpretation of substrate-water exchange experiments in photosynthetic water oxidation
Authors: Chernev Petko , Aydin A. Orkun , Messinger Johannes
Published: March 2024

Water oxidation by photosystem II (PSII) sustains most life on Earth, but the molecular mechanism of this unique process remains controversial. The ongoing identification of the binding sites and modes of the two water-derived substrate oxygens (‘substrate waters’) in the various intermediates (Si states, i = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) that the water-splitting tetra-manganese calcium penta-oxygen (Mn4CaO5) cluster attains during the reaction cycle provides central information towards resolving the unique chemistry of biological water oxidation. Mass spectrometric measurements of single- and double-labeled dioxygen species after various incubation times of PSII with H218O provide insight into the substrate binding modes and sites via determination of exchange rates. Such experiments have revealed that the two substrate waters exchange with different rates that vary independently with the Si state and are hence referred to as the fast (Wf) and the slow (WS) substrate waters. New insight for the molecular interpretation of these rates arises from our recent finding that in the S2 state, under special experimental conditions, two different rates of WS exchange are observed that appear to correlate with the high spin and low spin conformations of the Mn4CaO5 cluster. Here, we reexamine and unite various proposed methods for extracting and assigning rate constants from this recent data set. The analysis results in a molecular model for substrate-water binding and exchange that reconciles the expected non-exchangeability of the central oxo bridge O5 when located between two Mn(IV) ions with the experimental and theoretical assignment of O5 as WS in all S states. The analysis also excludes other published proposals for explaining the water exchange kinetics.
Systematic inspection on the interplay between MoNa-induced sodium and the formation of MoSe2 intermediate layer in CIGSe/Mo heterostructures
Authors: Za’abar Fazliyana ‘Izzati , Doroody Camellia , Soudagar Manzoore Elahi Mohammad , Chelvanathan Puvaneswaran , Abdullah Wan Syakirah Wan , Zuhd Ahmad Wafi Mahmood , Cuce Erdem , Saboor Shaik
Published: March 2024

The critical impact of sodium-doped molybdenum (MoNa) in shaping the MoSe2 interfacial layer, influencing the electrical properties of CIGSe/Mo heterostructures, and achieving optimal MoSe2 formation conditions, leading to improved hetero-contact quality. Notably, samples with a 600-nm-thick MoNa layer demonstrate the highest resistivity (73 μΩcm) and sheet resistance (0.45 Ω/square), highlighting the substantial impact of MoNa layer thickness on electrical conductivity. Controlled sodium diffusion through MoNa layers is essential for achieving desirable electrical characteristics, influencing Na diffusion rates, grain sizes, and overall morphology, as elucidated by EDX and FESEM analyses. Additionally, XRD results provide insights into the spontaneous peeling-off phenomenon, with the sample featuring a ~ 600-nm MoNa layer displaying the strongest diffraction peak and the largest crystal size, indicative of enhanced Mo to MoSe2 conversion facilitated by sodium presence. Raman spectra further confirm the presence of MoSe2, with its thickness correlating with MoNa layer thickness. The observed increase in resistance and decrease in conductivity with rising MoSe2 layer thickness underscore the critical importance of optimal MoSe2 formation for transitioning from Schottky to ohmic contact in CIGSe/Mo heterostructures. Ultimately, significant factors to the advancement of CIGSe thin-film solar cell production are discussed, providing nuanced insights into the interplay of MoNa and MoSe2, elucidating their collective impact on the electrical characteristics of CIGSe/Mo heterostructures.

Graphical Abstract
NIAID/SMB Workshop on Multiscale Modeling of Infectious and Immune-Mediated Diseases
Authors: Shabman Reed S. , Craig Morgan , Laubenbacher Reinhard , Reeves Daniel , Brown Liliana L.
Published: March 2024

On July 19th, 2023, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases co-organized a workshop with the Society of Mathematical Biology, with the authors of this paper as the organizing committee. The workshop, “Bridging multiscale modeling and practical clinical applications in infectious diseases” sought to create an environment for mathematical modelers, statisticians, and infectious disease researchers and clinicians to exchange ideas and perspectives.
Locoregional staging of breast cancer: contrast-enhanced mammography versus breast magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Terzoni Andrea , Basile Paola , Gambaro Anna Clelia , Attanasio Silvia , Rampi Anna Maria , Brambilla Marco , Carriero Alessandro
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Breast cancer diagnosis often involves assessing the locoregional spread of the disease through MRI, as multicentricity, multifocality and/or bilaterality are increasingly common. Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) is emerging as a potential alternative method. This study compares the performance of CEM and MRI in preoperative staging of women with confirmed breast carcinoma. Patients were also asked to fill in a satisfaction questionnaire to rate their comfort level with each investigation.

Methods

From May 1st, 2021 to May 1st, 2022, we enrolled 70 women with confirmed breast carcinoma who were candidates for surgery. For pre-operative locoregional staging, all patients underwent CEM and MRI examination, which two radiologists evaluated blindly. We further investigated all suspicious locations for disease spread, identified by both CEM and MRI, with a second-look ultrasound (US) and eventual histological examination.

Results

In our study cohort, MRI and CEM identified 114 and 102 areas of focal contrast enhancement, respectively. A true discrepancy between MRI and CEM occurred in 9 out of 70 patients examined. MRI reported 8 additional lesions that proved to be false positives on second-look US in 6 patients, while it identified 4 lesions that were not detected by CEM and were pathological (true positives) in 3 patients.

Conclusions

CEM showed results comparable to MRI in the staging of breast cancer in our study population, with a high rate of patient acceptability.
Kinder- und Jugendpartizipation aus der Sicht von Bildungsakteur:innen
Authors: Zimmer Nils , Kolleck Nina
Published: March 2024

Die Umsetzung von Partizipationsmöglichkeiten für Kinder- und Jugendliche im außerschulischen Bildungsbereich hängt in relevantem Maße von den Bestrebungen erwachsener Akteur:innen ab. Ausgehend von dieser Annahme beschäftigen wir uns im vorliegenden Beitrag mit der Frage, welche Partizipationsverständnisse von Bildungsakteur:innen vertreten werden. Zu diesem Zwecke führten wir 18 Interviews mit Akteur:innen aus insgesamt vier Kommunen. Sie alle gehörten zum Zeitpunkt der Erhebung kommunalen Netzwerken an, deren Ziel der Auf- und Ausbau kultureller Bildungsangebote für Kinder und Jugendliche ist. Der theoretische Rahmen des Beitrags speist sich aus der Auseinandersetzung mit einem Partizipationsmodell, das sich mit der Rolle Erwachsener im Partizipationsprozess junger Menschen und den damit verbundenen Auswirkungen unterschiedlicher Formen der Beteiligung beschäftigt. Die Auswertung der Interviews folgte einer strukturierenden qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse. Daran anknüpfend identifizierten wir drei Typen von Akteur:innen, die wir Idealist:in, Pragmatiker:in und Skeptiker:in nennen. Diese stellen wir im Ergebnisteil unseres Beitrags vor. Abschließend diskutieren wir die Ergebnisse unserer Untersuchung hinsichtlich der Erkenntnisse sowie in Bezug auf den aktuellen Forschungsstand, den theoretischen Rahmen der Untersuchung und die Wahl der Methode.
Comparison of Dynamic Measures in Intraoperative Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy of Patients with Morbid Obesity Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Urhan Gökhan , Demirel İsmail , Deniz Ahmet , Aksu Ahmet , Altun Aysun Yıldız , Bolat Esef , Beştaş Azize , Altuntaş Gülsüm
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Obesity increases the risk of morbidity and mortality during surgical procedures. Goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) is a new concept for perioperative fluid management that has been shown to improve patient prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the role of the Pleth Variability Index (PVI), systolic pressure variation (SPV), and pulse pressure variation (PPV) in maintaining tissue perfusion and renal function during GDFT management in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Materials and Methods

Two hundred ten patients were enrolled in our prospective randomized controlled clinical trial. Demographic data, hemodynamic parameters, biochemical parameters, the amount of crystalloid and colloid fluid administered intraoperatively, and the technique of goal-directed fluid management used were recorded. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: PVI (n = 70), PPV (n = 70), and SPV (n = 70), according to the technique of goal-directed fluid management. Postoperative nausea and vomiting, time of return of bowel movement, and hospital stay duration were recorded.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the number of crystalloids administered in all three groups. However, the amount of colloid administered was statistically significantly lower in the SPV group than in the PVI group, and there was no significant difference in the other groups. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the groups in plasma lactate, blood urea, and creatinine levels.

Conclusion

In LSG, dynamic measurement techniques such as PVI, SPV, and PPV can be used in patients with morbid obesity without causing intraoperative and postoperative complications. PVI may be preferred over other invasive methods because it is noninvasive.

Graphical abstract
A Cost Effective Solution to an Automated Valet Parking System
Authors: Dönmez Ömer , Vaculín Ondřej , de Borba Thiago
Published: March 2024

Automated Valet Parking Systems (AVPS) relieve the driver of the entire parking process. Many of the systems known today rely on a combination of automotive sensors with sensors of the infrastructure. For this purpose, parking facilities are equipped with comprehensive sensor technology to support the vehicles in environment sensing and route planning. This approach is comparatively expensive which is why many parking operators don’t provide that technology to their customers. This paper proposes a lean AVPS system architecture that requires minimal effort to adapt the infrastructure. At the same time, state-of-the-art vehicle technology is used to make AVPS more profitable overall. At the beginning, an overview will be given describing the state of the art of AVPS. Subsequently, requirements for the AVPS will be elaborated, whereby the system can be designed and implemented in the following. Finally, the presentation of simulation results shows that one doesn’t have to extend the infrastructure with sensors to develop a safe and reliable AVPS.
Genetically driven predisposition leads to an unusually genomic unstable renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Scimeca Manuel , Rovella Valentina , Caporali Sabrina , Shi Yufang , Bischof Julia , Woodsmith Jonathan , Tisone Giuseppe , Sica Giuseppe , Amelio Ivano , Melino Gerry , Mauriello Alessandro , Bove Pierluigi
Published: March 2024

Renal cell carcinoma originates from the lining of the proximal convoluted renal tubule and represents the most common type of kidney cancer. Risk factors and comorbidities might be associated to renal cell carcinoma, while a small fraction of 2–3% emerges from patients with predisposing cancer syndromes, typically associated to hereditary mutations in VHL, folliculin, fumarate hydratase or MET genes. Here, we report a case of renal cell carcinoma in patient with concurrent germline mutations in BRCA1 and RAD51 genes. This case displays an unusual high mutational burden and chromosomal aberrations compared to the typical profile of renal cell carcinoma. Mutational analysis on whole genome sequencing revealed an enrichment of the MMR2 mutational signature, which is indicative of impaired DNA repair capacity. Overall, the tumor displayed a profile of unusual high genomic instability which suggests a possible origin from germline predisposing mutations in the DNA repair genes BRCA1 and RAD51. While BRCA1 and RAD51 germline mutations are well-characterised in breast and ovarian cancer, their role in renal cell carcinoma is still largely unexplored. The genomic instability detected in this case of renal cell carcinoma, along with the presence of unusual mutations, might offer support to clinicians for the development of patient-tailored therapies.
‘I want to make a difference’: Students co-researching school cultures of gender and sexuality
Authors: Rawlings Victoria
Published: March 2024

Research on violence in schools has been dominated by ‘bullying’ discourse and methodologies that place individualised pathos at the centre of problematic behaviours. This focus has resulted in the neglect of broader structures of power such as gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and class in the violence enacted and encountered by young people. As a result, institutional solutions to school violence have often failed to acknowledge and respond to the ways that gender and sexuality might operate in the lives of young people, instead offering simplistic strategies to reduce ubiquitous forms of ‘bullying’. Simultaneously, political discourses and research challenges further prohibit young people from contributing to targeted and critical interventions into the socio-cultural practices of gender- and sexuality-making in schools. As outsiders to these nuanced, complex, and dynamic spaces, university-based researchers often lack vocabulary and literacy, especially in relation to always-shifting meanings around gender and sexuality. In this paper, I argue for the need to actively include young people in research praxis to co-investigate school cultures of gender and sexuality using a Community-Led Research (CLR) approach. Reporting on work with ten student co-researchers that formed two groups in two schools in Australia, the paper details some of the ways that they impacted and benefitted the early phases of a three-year project, including through impacting methods, participant engagement, data analysis and the implementation of new strategies to improve school cultures of gender and sexuality. This article also illustrates some of the challenges and opportunities that CLR methodologies produce when working in less structured settings, including ethical and social challenges that emerge in iterative research praxis. Findings argue for the rights of young people to exert their hopes for their school cultures that relate to gender and sexuality, particularly through research-based empowerment. While often slower and more difficult, co-researching with young people can produce opportunities for transformation and change not only of research processes, but also of researchers and their communities.
Potential Micronutrient Deficiencies in the First 1000 Days of Life: The Pediatrician on the Side of the Weakest
Authors: Panzeri Carolà , Pecoraro Luca , Dianin Alice , Sboarina Andrea , Arnone Olivia C. , Piacentini Giorgio , Pietrobelli Angelo
Published: March 2024

Purpose of Review

This study is to examine potential micronutrient deficiencies and any need for supplementation in children following specific diet plans in the first 1000 days of life.

Recent Findings

Optimal nutrition in the first 1000 days of life has a lifelong positive impact on child development. Specific intrauterine and perinatal factors, pathological conditions, and dietary restrictions can represent potential risk factors for micronutrient deficiencies in the first 1000 days of life, which can have negative systemic consequences. Preterm and low-birth-weight infants are intrinsically at risk because of immature body systems. Children affected by cystic fibrosis are prone to malnutrition because of intestinal malabsorption. The risk of micronutrient deficiency can increase in various situations, including but not limited to children following selective dietary regimens (vegetarian and vegan diets and children affected by specific neuropsychiatric conditions) or specific dietary therapies (children affected by food allergies or specific metabolic disorders and children following restricted diet as a part of therapeutic approach, i.e., ketogenic diet for epilepsy). In light of this situation, the micronutrient status in these categories of children should be investigated in order to tailor strategies specific to the individual’s metabolic needs, with a particular focus on deficiencies which can impair or delay the physical and cognitive development of children, namely, vitamin B12, vitamin D and folic acid, as well as oligo-elements such as iron, zinc, calcium, sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and essential fatty acids such as omega-3.

Identification of micronutrient deficiency in the first 1000 days of life and timely supplementation proves essential to prevent their long-term consequences.

Graphical Abstract
Normativity, Autonomy, and Agency: A Critical Review of Three Essays on Agency in Nature, and a Modest Proposal for the Road Ahead
Authors: Moss Lenny
Published: March 2024

Has the renewal of interest in the ostensible agency of living beings signaled an advance from a merely heuristic Kantian sense of purposiveness to an unequivocally, empirically grounded research program or are there as yet hidden tensions or contradictions in, for example, the organizational autonomy approach to natural agency? Can normativity be found to be immanent in nature but only beginning with the living cell or must a thoroughgoing naturalism find the seeds of normativity immanent throughout abiotic as well as biotic nature? Beginning with a brief exposition of Kant´s influential treatment and recommendation for how to methodologically combine what he took to be the inevitable epistemological limit to explaining the origins of ostensible biotic purposefulness with the legitimate intentions of scientific research and explanation, this essay will critically engage with three recent essays that attempt to grapple with the preceding questions. Having putatively raised questions about the consistency and adequacy of each of the individual positions, the essay will attempt to move synthetically, drawing upon aspects of all three contributions, in the direction of a “cooperativity theoretic” approach to incipient natural normativity and agency.
Native nephrectomy in polycystic kidney disease patients on transplant lists: how and when?
Authors: Copur Sidar , Ozbek Lasin , Guldan Mustafa , Topcu Ahmet Umur , Kanbay Mehmet
Published: March 2024

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common hereditary kidney disease, accounts for approximately 10% of the patients on kidney transplantation waitlists. High rates of complications including hemorrhage, infections, nephrolithiasis and kidney size-related compressive complaints have been reported among ADPKD patients. Therefore, the need for routine native nephrectomy and timing of such procedure in ADPKD patients being prepared for transplantation are debated. Even though pre-transplant nephrectomy has the potential to provide fewer infectious complications due to lack of immunosuppressive medication use, such procedure has been associated with longer hospital stay, loss of residual kidney function and need for dialysis. Although simultaneous nephrectomy and transplantation could potentially lead to longer perioperative duration, perioperative complications and need for blood transfusions, this was not confirmed in cohort studies. Therefore, some institutions routinely perform simultaneous unilateral nephrectomy and kidney transplantation. In this narrative review, our aim is to evaluate the current evidence regarding the need and timing of nephrectomy in ADPKD patients in relation to kidney transplantation.

Graphical abstract
Public International Law and the Catalan Secession Process
Authors: Remiro Brotóns Antonio , Torroja Helena
Published: March 2024

This article briefly identifies the aspects of public international law related to the Catalan secession process, bearing in mind that Spain is a constitutional social and democratic state governed by the rule of law and a member of both the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe (CoE). Over 6 years ago, on 27 October 2017, the regional Catalan Parliament proclaimed the independence of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia. From the start, the most recondite stratum of the Catalan pro-independence strategy has consistently invoked international law considerations with no real basis. Here we explain why. First, given the function of state sovereignty (today humanized and, in the context of the EU and CoE, democratized), under international law, these events can only be classified as a secession process (stricto sensu), that is, a revolutionary act in the constitutional order of the state of Spain with undertones that are far from peaceful. Second, we address the facet of the Catalan pro-secession strategy – typical of populist policies today – consisting of abusing terms and concepts, a language policy that, in our view, was and still is intended to win the minds of both the Catalan population and any other uninformed external observers. Finally, we examine how statehood is acquired under international law and its relationship to the 2017 declaration of Catalan independence and the present-day situation.
ROS Balance Autoregulating Core–Shell CeO2@ZIF-8/Au Nanoplatform for Wound Repair
Authors: Zhou Xi , Zhou Quan , He Zhaozhi , Xiao Yi , Liu Yan , Huang Zhuohang , Sun Yaoji , Wang Jiawei , Zhao Zhengdong , Liu Xiaozhou , Zhou Bin , Ren Lei , Sun Yu , Chen Zhiwei , Zhang Xingcai
Published: March 2024

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays important roles in living organisms. While ROS is a double-edged sword, which can eliminate drug-resistant bacteria, but excessive levels can cause oxidative damage to cells. A core–shell nanozyme, CeO2@ZIF-8/Au, has been crafted, spontaneously activating both ROS generating and scavenging functions, achieving the multi-faceted functions of eliminating bacteria, reducing inflammation, and promoting wound healing. The Au Nanoparticles (NPs) on the shell exhibit high-efficiency peroxidase-like activity, producing ROS to kill bacteria. Meanwhile, the encapsulation of CeO2 core within ZIF-8 provides a seal for temporarily limiting the superoxide dismutase and catalase-like activities of CeO2 nanoparticles. Subsequently, as the ZIF-8 structure decomposes in the acidic microenvironment, the CeO2 core is gradually released, exerting its ROS scavenging activity to eliminate excess ROS produced by the Au NPs. These two functions automatically and continuously regulate the balance of ROS levels, ultimately achieving the function of killing bacteria, reducing inflammation, and promoting wound healing. Such innovative ROS spontaneous regulators hold immense potential for revolutionizing the field of antibacterial agents and therapies.
Boosting Hydrogen Storage Performance of MgH2 by Oxygen Vacancy-Rich H-V2O5 Nanosheet as an Excited H-Pump
Authors: Ren Li , Li Yinghui , Li Zi , Lin Xi , Lu Chong , Ding Wenjiang , Zou Jianxin
Published: March 2024

MgH2 is a promising high-capacity solid-state hydrogen storage material, while its application is greatly hindered by the high desorption temperature and sluggish kinetics. Herein, intertwined 2D oxygen vacancy-rich V2O5 nanosheets (H-V2O5) are specifically designed and used as catalysts to improve the hydrogen storage properties of MgH2. The as-prepared MgH2-H-V2O5 composites exhibit low desorption temperatures (Tonset = 185 °C) with a hydrogen capacity of 6.54 wt%, fast kinetics (Ea = 84.55 ± 1.37 kJ mol−1 H2 for desorption), and long cycling stability. Impressively, hydrogen absorption can be achieved at a temperature as low as 30 °C with a capacity of 2.38 wt% within 60 min. Moreover, the composites maintain a capacity retention rate of ~ 99% after 100 cycles at 275 °C. Experimental studies and theoretical calculations demonstrate that the in-situ formed VH2/V catalysts, unique 2D structure of H-V2O5 nanosheets, and abundant oxygen vacancies positively contribute to the improved hydrogen sorption properties. Notably, the existence of oxygen vacancies plays a double role, which could not only directly accelerate the hydrogen ab/de-sorption rate of MgH2, but also indirectly affect the activity of the catalytic phase VH2/V, thereby further boosting the hydrogen storage performance of MgH2. This work highlights an oxygen vacancy excited “hydrogen pump” effect of VH2/V on the hydrogen sorption of Mg/MgH2. The strategy developed here may pave a new way toward the development of oxygen vacancy-rich transition metal oxides catalyzed hydride systems.
Fusion of a rice endogenous N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase to a plant adenine base transition editor ABE8e enables A-to-K base editing in rice plants
Authors: Li Yucai , Li Shaoya , Li Chenfei , Zhang Chen , Yan Lei , Li Jingying , He Yubing , Guo Yan , Xia Lanqin
Published: March 2024

Engineering of a new type of plant base editor for simultaneous adenine transition and transversion within the editing window will greatly expand the scope and potential of base editing in directed evolution and crop improvement. Here, we isolated a rice endogenous hypoxanthine excision protein, N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase (OsMPG), and engineered two plant A-to-K (K = G or T) base editors, rAKBE01 and rAKBE02, for simultaneous adenine transition and transversion base editing in rice by fusing OsMPG or its mutant mOsMPG to a plant adenine transition base editor, ABE8e. We further coupled either OsMPG or mOsMPG with a transactivation factor VP64 to generate rAKBE03 and rAKBE04, respectively. Testing these four rAKBEs, at five endogenous loci in rice protoplasts, indicated that rAKBE03 and rAKBE04 enabled higher levels of A-to-G base transitions when compared to ABE8e and ABE8e-VP64. Furthermore, whereas rAKBE01 only enabled A-to-C/T editing at one endogenous locus, in comparison with rAKBE02 and rAKBE03, rAKBE04 could significantly improve the A-to-C/T base transversion efficiencies by up to 6.57- and 1.75-fold in the rice protoplasts, respectively. Moreover, although no stable lines with A-to-C transversion were induced by rAKBE01 and rAKBE04, rAKBE04 could enable simultaneous A-to-G and A-to-T transition and transversion base editing, at all the five target loci, with the efficiencies of A-to-G transition and A-to-T transversion editing ranging from 70.97 to 92.31% and 1.67 to 4.84% in rice stable lines, respectively. Together, these rAKBEs enable different portfolios of editing products and, thus, now expands the potential of base editing in diverse application scenario for crop improvement.
Application of the concept ‘avoidable mortality’ in assessing the socioeconomic status related inequalities in health: a scoping review
Authors: Marouzi Anousheh , Plante Charles , Neudorf Cordell
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Avoidable mortality is widely used by public health researchers to measure population health, and many related methodologies have been proposed for doing so. This scoping review presents a comprehensive view of global peer-reviewed and grey literature exploring the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and avoidable mortality.

Methods

We searched Ovid Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science to find articles that investigated SES inequalities in avoidable mortality. We limited our review to articles in English published between 2000 and 2020. For grey literature, we searched leading global and Canadian health information websites. We extracted data on different study characteristics, avoidable mortality definition, SES indicator, method of analysis of the association between avoidable mortality and SES, and main findings of the studies.

Results

We identified 34 articles to review, including 29 scientific papers and 5 grey literature documents. The findings of the selected articles consistently indicate a negative association between SES and avoidable mortality rates. Studies have not all used the same definitions of avoidable mortality or SES nor operationalized them in the same way.

Conclusion

Our review highlights the absence of a globally standard definition in avoidable mortality health equity research. Additional work to establish a standardized definition is crucial for supporting global comparability.
Robot-assisted mobilisation in the intensive care unit: does it offer relief to mobilising specialists? A qualitative longitudinal study at a German university hospital
Authors: Mehler-Klamt A. C. , Huber J. , Koestler N. , Warmbein A. , Rathgeber I. , Fischer U. , Eberl I.
Published: March 2024

Background

Immobility among intensive care patients can result in significant impairments. Reasons for this issue include a lack of specialised staff and equipment, as well as safety concerns associated with transferring patients to a therapy device. Nevertheless, early mobilisation is recognised as beneficial for improving patient outcomes. This study explores the perspectives of healthcare professionals on the use of a robotic system for patient mobilisation and identifies related stress and relief factors.

Method

This qualitative longitudinal study was conducted at a German university hospital, where 29 interviews were conducted with nurses at three different data collection points. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis in accordance with Mayring.

Findings

The utilisation of the VEMOTION® robotic system generally did not lead to any physical discomfort. However, the adoption of this technology presented certain challenges. Non-routine users initially experienced psychological strain, primarily due to the extensive preparation required and the need to integrate the system into established routines. Additionally, structural factors, such as nurse-to-patient ratios and the layout of the care facilities, were identified as significant determinants affecting both the practicality of mobilisation and associated stress levels.

Conclusions

Robotic systems like VEMOTION® can alleviate the physical workload of nurses. Successful integration and psychological adaptation depend on familiarity and routine use of the technology. Addressing structural and staffing factors is crucial for optimising robotic assistance in patient care. Further research should delve into these dynamics and explore the broader implications of technology adoption in healthcare.

Trial registration: clinicaltrials.org TRN: NCT05071248, Date: 2021/10/21 URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05071248
Spatiotemporal aerosol prediction model based on fusion of machine learning and spatial analysis
Authors: Lee Kwon-Ho , Pyo Seong-Hun , Wong Man Sing
Published: March 2024

This study examined long-term aerosol optical thickness (AOT) data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to quantify aerosol conditions on the Korean Peninsula. Time-series machine learning (ML) techniques and spatial interpolation methods were used to predict future aerosol trends. This investigation utilized AOT data from Terra MODIS and meteorological data from Automatic Weather System (AWS) in eight selected cities in Korea (Gangneung, Seoul, Busan, Wonju, Naju, Jeonju, Jeju, and Baengyeong) to assess atmospheric aerosols from 2000 to 2021. A machine-learning-based AOT prediction model was developed to forecast future AOT using long-term observations. The accuracy analysis of the AOT prediction results revealed mean absolute error of 0.152 ± 0.15, mean squared error of 0.048 ± 0.016, bias of 0.002 ± 0.011, and root mean squared error of 0.216 ± 0.038, which are deemed satisfactory. By employing spatial interpolation, gridded AOT values within the observation area were generated based on the ML prediction results. This study effectively integrated the ML model with point-measured data and spatial interpolation for an extensive analysis of regional AOT across the Korean Peninsula. These findings have substantial implications for regional air pollution policies because they provide spatiotemporal AOT predictions.
A comparative study of the victim's fault in civil liability of the police in Iranian and French law
Authors: Soleimani-Alyar Leila , Rezapour Babak , Eslami Meysam
Published: March 2024

In the event of losses and damages, the civil liability prevailing in the legal system of that country always determines the share of responsibility of each person (injured and harmed) in compensating for the damage. It is critical to define the contribution of the civil liability of the victim and the police in some of the damages that occurred in the presence of the police. The present study is a descriptive-analytical study that examines the existing rules and foundations in the field of civil responsibility based on a library study and by using data collection and examination of laws, judicial procedures, and legal perspectives to examine and apply the two legal systems of Iran and France. The case deals with the role of the victim's fault in the civil liability of the police. Based on the results of the investigation of civil liability of the police, it can be different depending on the conditions of doing the act and omission as well as whether or not the act or omission of the police is at fault. Also, in the legal system of both countries under review, considering the role of the victim's fault in the harmful act can relieve the civil liability of the police, and there is a difference between fault and absolute responsibility. Therefore, establishing the relationship of causation in this and the role of the victim based on the existing rules, including the rule of warning, and the law of joint and comparative fault, in some cases can even relieve the civil liability of the police.