bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postoperative [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT imaging is prognostic for progression-free survival in meningioma WHO grade 1
Authors: Teske Nico , Biczok Annamaria , Quach Stefanie , Dekorsy Franziska J. , Forbrig Robert , Bodensohn Raphael , Niyazi Maximilian , Tonn Joerg-Christian , Albert Nathalie L. , Schichor Christian , Ueberschaer Moritz
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Tumor resection represents the first-line treatment for symptomatic meningiomas, and the extent of resection has been shown to be of prognostic importance. Assessment of tumor remnants with somatostatin receptor PET proves to be superior to intraoperative estimation with Simpson grading or MRI. In this preliminary study, we evaluate the prognostic relevance of postoperative PET for progression-free survival in meningiomas.

Methods

We conducted a post hoc analysis on a prospective patient cohort with resected meningioma WHO grade 1. Patients received postoperative MRI and [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT and were followed regularly with MRI surveillance scans for detection of tumor recurrence/progression.

Results

We included 46 patients with 49 tumors. The mean age at diagnosis was 57.8 ± 1.7 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.7. Local tumor progression occurred in 7/49 patients (14%) after a median follow-up of 52 months. Positive PET was associated with an increased risk for progression (*p = 0.015) and a lower progression-free survival (*p = 0.029), whereas MRI was not. 20 out of 20 patients (100%) with negative PET findings remained recurrence-free. The location of recurrence/progression on MRI was adjacent to regions where postoperative PET indicated tumor remnants in all cases. Gross tumor volumes were higher on PET compared to MRI (*p = 0.032).

Conclusion

Our data show that [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT is highly sensitive in revealing tumor remnants in patients with meningioma WHO grade 1. Negative PET findings were associated with a higher progression-free survival, thus improving surveillance. In patients with tumor remnants, additional PET can optimize adjuvant radiotherapy target planning of surgically resected meningiomas.
Investigating scent communication and latrine use to inform translocation of the Tasmanian devil
Authors: Shier Debra M. , Grether Gregory F. , Reid-Wainscoat Elizabeth E. , Fox Samantha , Pemberton David , Elmer Jodie , Swaisgood Ronald R.
Published: August 2023

Translocation programs for endangered mammalian carnivores face numerous challenges, including the potential for lethal interactions between releasees and resident conspecifics. Here we evaluate whether familiarizing residents with the scent of releasees might be an effective strategy for reducing aggression following Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) translocation. Tasmanian devils live in loose social networks in which residents have overlapping home ranges and use communal latrines. In a controlled ex situ experiment, we first found that devils readily distinguished between the feces of familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics. Next, we swapped feces between devils slated for release and wild resident devils, seeding a random half of communal latrines in the wild with the feces of releasee prior to their release, and used motion-activated video cameras to record devil visits. Wild resident devil visitation frequency and olfactory communication behaviors initially increased at experimental latrine sites where feces were deposited but not at control sites. After release, the translocated devils used both types of latrine sites and spent more time investigating experimental sites, but investigatory and scent-marking behaviors of the wild resident devils decreased, suggesting that they had become familiar with the releasees through scent. We further show that Tasmanian devil latrine sites are strongly associated with ecotones and the presence of shrubs. These findings contribute to our understanding of Tasmanian devil scent ecology and suggest that devil translocations conducted into existing populations would benefit from familiarization through latrine scent manipulation. More broadly, our results suggest an important role for scent ecology in carnivore translocation programs.

Significance statement

A conservation management action that is being trialed for endangered Tasmanian devils is to breed devils in human care and reinforce dwindling small resident populations through translocation. However, with limited social interactions, unfamiliar devils may interact aggressively, increasing injury and reducing translocation success. Scent communication is nearly ubiquitous in mammals and may be a prerequisite for management of social aggression. Almost nothing is known about devil scent ecology. Our discovery that devils become familiarized with conspecifics through feces, combined with findings that wild devils that are exposed to translocated devil scent in advance of release show reduced interest in scent-seeded latrines, even after new devils are released, suggests that devils familiarized through scent in advance of relocation may exhibit reduced aggression. These results provide an avenue for improving the success of translocations for devils and other at-risk solitary mammalian carnivores.
Digital holographic microscopy for measurement of instantaneous contact angle of an evaporating droplet
Authors: Asl Mohammad Mehdi Zamani , Dorao Carlos A. , Giacomello Alberto , Fernandino Maria
Published: August 2023

Despite the apparent simplicity of the process of a droplet evaporating on a substrate, the temporal evolution of the local contact angle along the droplet periphery during the evaporation is still not fully understood. In this work, digital holographic microscopy is used for capturing the time evolution of the droplet surface at submicron resolution. The three-dimensional surface provides the information for determining the instantaneous three-phase contact line and the local apparent contact angle along the whole droplet periphery. The apparent contact angle is computed from the gradient of the droplet surface and defined as the maximum slope of this function along the periphery of the droplet. The method is then applied to study the diffusion dominated evaporation of nanoliter droplets on a hydrophilic substrate. For the case of a non-axisymmetric droplet, differences of up to 10$$^\circ$$

∘

in contact angle along the contact line were identified when the contact line went from one pinning position to another. Digital holographic microscopy allowed us to characterize the irregular motion of the contact line and local changes in contact angle during the evaporation process.
Prediction in regression models with continuous observations
Authors: Dette Holger , Pepelyshev Andrey , Zhigljavsky Anatoly
Published: August 2023

We consider the problem of predicting values of a random process or field satisfying a linear model $$y(x)=\theta ^\top f(x) + \varepsilon (x)$$

y

(
x
)

=

θ
⊤

f

(
x
)

+
ε

(
x
)

, where errors $$\varepsilon (x)$$

ε
(
x
)

are correlated. This is a common problem in kriging, where the case of discrete observations is standard. By focussing on the case of continuous observations, we derive expressions for the best linear unbiased predictors and their mean squared error. Our results are also applicable in the case where the derivatives of the process y are available, and either a response or one of its derivatives need to be predicted. The theoretical results are illustrated by several examples in particular for the popular Matérn 3/2 kernel.
Closure rates and patterns after light silicone oil tamponade for persistent full-thickness macular holes
Authors: Innauer Felix , Gabriel Maximilian , Mayer-Xanthaki Christoph , Haas Anton
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To report outcomes of re-vitrectomy using light silicone oil (SO) tamponade for persistent macular holes (MHs).

Methods

We reviewed cases of patients with full-thickness MHs that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with air/gas and were re-vitrectomized using light SO tamponade after primary non-closure (persistent MHs). Outcome measures included anatomic closure rates and patterns confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Results

A total of 42 eyes of 41 patients with unsuccessful primary PPV with air/gas were included. After re-vitrectomy with light SO (1000-centistoke), 29 (69%) eyes demonstrated type 1 closure without neurosensory defects in OCT scans, whereas 9 eyes (21%) showed type 2 closure with persisting neurosensory defects. Available data (n = 21) showed a significant mean improvement of BCVA from 0.99 logMAR (SD 0.25, range 0.7–1.3) preoperatively to 0.74 logMAR (SD 0.42, range 0.2–1.5) postoperatively (p = 0.035).

Conclusion

The treatment of persistent MHs with PPV and light SO tamponade resulted in high closure rates.
Survival after combined resection and ablation is not inferior to that after resection alone, in patients with four or more colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Amygdalos Iakovos , Hitpass Lea , Schmidt Felix , Josephs Gerrit , Bednarsch Jan , Berres Marie-Luise , Lüdde Tom , Olde Damink Steven W. M. , Ulmer Tom Florian , Neumann Ulf P. , Bruners Philipp , Lang Sven Arke
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are the predominant factor limiting survival in patients with colorectal cancer. Multimodal treatment strategies are frequently necessary to achieve total tumor elimination. This study examines the efficacy of liver resection combined with local ablative therapy in comparison to liver resection only, in the treatment of patients with ≥ 4 CRLM.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany. Patients with ≥ 4 CRLM in preoperative imaging, who underwent curative resection between 2010–2021, were included. Recurrent resections and deaths in the early postoperative phase were excluded. Ablation modalities included radiofrequency or microwave ablation, and irreversible electroporation. Differences in overall- (OS) and recurrence-free-survival (RFS) between patients undergoing combined resection-ablation vs. resection only, were examined.

Results

Of 178 included patients, 46 (27%) underwent combined resection-ablation and 132 (73%) resection only. Apart from increased rates of adjuvant chemotherapy in the first group (44% vs. 25%, p = 0.014), there were no differences in perioperative systemic therapy. Kaplan–Meier and log-rank test analyses showed no statistically significant differences in median OS (36 months for both, p = 0.638) or RFS (9 months for combined resection-ablation vs. 8 months, p = 0.921). Cox regression analysis showed a hazard ratio of 0.891 (p = 0.642) for OS and 0.981 (p = 0.924) for RFS, for patients undergoing resection only.

Conclusion

For patients with ≥ 4 CRLM, combined resection-ablation is a viable option in terms of OS and RFS. Therefore, combined resection-ablation should be considered for complete tumor clearance, in patients with multifocal disease.
Analysis of serum insulin-like growth factor-1, fibroblast growth factor 23, and Klotho levels in girls with rapidly progressive central precocious puberty
Authors: Liu Yuping , Cheng Yaying , Sun Meng , Hao Xiaojing , Li Mengmeng
Published: August 2023

To study the levels of serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), and Klotho, and to study their relationship with girls with rapidly progressive central precocious puberty (RP-CPP). This is a cross-sectional study on the progression rate of central precocious puberty in girls, who complained of breast development before the age of 8 years and were followed between June 2021 and June 2022. At the same time, 28 healthy girls less than 8 years old who had not started puberty were recruited as the control group. The physical examination and laboratory evaluation of each group was completed. Only patients with CPP received pelvic ultrasound examination and bone age test. Bone age index (BAI), basal LH levels (BLH), basal LH levels/basal FSH levels (BFSH), peak LH (PLH)/peak FSH (PFSH), IGF-1, Klotho, FGF23, and ovarian volume in the RP-CPP group were higher than those in slowly progressive CPP (SP-CPP) group. In the RP-CPP group, IGF-1 was correlated with Klotho, FGF23, and BLH; Klotho was correlated with FGF23 and BLH; FGF23 was correlated with BLH.

Conclusion: The BLH, FGF23, Klotho, and IGF-1 have a certain correlation with RP-CPP, which may play an important role in the speed of girls’ sexual development.

What is Known:• The association between IGF-1 and RP-CPP.

What is New:• We found the association between FGF23, Klotho and RP-CPP.
Uptake of robot-assisted colon cancer surgery in the Netherlands
Authors: Sterk Marlou F. M. , Crolla Rogier M. P. H. , Verseveld Mareille , Dekker Jan Willem T. , van der Schelling George P. , Verhoef Cornelis , Olthof Pim B.
Published: August 2023

Background

The robot-assisted approach is now often used for rectal cancer surgery, but its use in colon cancer surgery is less well defined. This study aims to compare the outcomes of robotic-assisted colon cancer surgery to conventional laparoscopy in the Netherlands.

Methods

Data on all patients who underwent surgery for colon cancer from 2018 to 2020 were collected from the Dutch Colorectal Audit. All complications, readmissions, and deaths within 90 days after surgery were recorded along with conversion rate, margin and harvested nodes. Groups were stratified according to the robot-assisted and laparoscopic approach.

Results

In total, 18,886 patients were included in the analyses. The operative approach was open in 15.2%, laparoscopic in 78.9% and robot-assisted in 5.9%. The proportion of robot-assisted surgery increased from 4.7% in 2018 to 6.9% in 2020. There were no notable differences in outcomes between the robot-assisted and laparoscopic approach for Elective cT1-3M0 right, left, and sigmoid colectomy. Only conversion rate was consistently lower in the robotic group. (4.6% versus 8.8%, 4.6% versus 11.6%, and 1.6 versus 5.9%, respectively).

Conclusions

This nationwide study on surgery for colon cancer shows there is a gradual but slow adoption of robotic surgery for colon cancer up to 6.9% in 2020. When comparing the outcomes of right, left, and sigmoid colectomy, clinical outcomes were similar between the robotic and laparoscopic approach. However, conversion rate is consistently lower in the robotic procedures.
Stochastic virtual element methods for uncertainty propagation of stochastic linear elasticity
Authors: Zheng Zhibao , Nackenhorst Udo
Published: August 2023

This paper presents stochastic virtual element methods for propagating uncertainty in linear elastic stochastic problems. We first derive stochastic virtual element equations for 2D and 3D linear elastic problems that may involve uncertainties in material properties, external forces, boundary conditions, etc. A stochastic virtual element space that couples the deterministic virtual element space and the stochastic space is constructed for this purpose and used to approximate the unknown stochastic solution. Two numerical frameworks are then developed to solve the derived stochastic virtual element equations, including a Polynomial Chaos approximation based approach and a weakly intrusive approximation based approach. In the Polynomial Chaos based framework, the stochastic solution is approximated using the Polynomial Chaos basis and solved via an augmented deterministic virtual element equation that is generated by applying the stochastic Galerkin procedure to the original stochastic virtual element equation. In the weakly intrusive approximation based framework, the stochastic solution is approximated by a summation of a set of products of random variables and deterministic vectors, where the deterministic vectors are solved via converting the original stochastic problem to deterministic virtual element equations by the stochastic Galerkin approach, and the random variables are solved via converting the original stochastic problem to one-dimensional stochastic algebraic equations by the classical Galerkin procedure. This method avoids the curse of dimensionality in high-dimensional stochastic problems successfully since all random inputs are embedded into one-dimensional stochastic algebraic equations whose computational effort weakly depends on the stochastic dimension. Numerical results on 2D and 3D problems with low- and high-dimensional random inputs demonstrate the good performance of the proposed methods.
Pädiatrische stationäre interdisziplinäre multimodale Schmerztherapie in Deutschland
Authors: Wager Julia , Zernikow Boris
Published: August 2023

Hintergrund

Schwer beeinträchtigende chronische Schmerzen betreffen etwa eine halbe Million Kinder in Deutschland. Bei fehlendem Ansprechen auf eine unimodale Therapie kann eine stationäre interdisziplinäre multimodale Schmerztherapie (IMST) in Erwägung gezogen werden.

Ziel der Arbeit

In dieser Übersichtsarbeit wird die Versorgungslage der pädiatrischen stationären IMST in Deutschland beschrieben sowie aktuelle Evidenz zur Wirksamkeit dargestellt.

Material und Methoden

Mithilfe einer systematischen Literatursuche wurden Studien identifiziert, die sich mit der Wirksamkeit der pädiatrischen stationären IMST in Deutschland befassen. Zudem wurden weiterführende Quellen genutzt, um Informationen über IMST-Angebote in Deutschland, deren Behandlungsprogramme, die Qualifikation der Behandelnden und Charakteristika der Patient:innen zu beschreiben.

Ergebnisse

In Deutschland gibt es vier pädiatrische Schmerzzentren, die auf die stationäre IMST von Kindern und Jugendlichen spezialisiert sind. Die 3‑ bis 4‑wöchige multimodale Behandlung wird von einem multiprofessionellen Team angeboten und steht in der Regel Patient:innen bis zum 18. Lebensjahr zur Verfügung. Die Mehrzahl der Patient:innen ist weiblich. Die Wirksamkeit der pädiatrischen IMST in Deutschland wurde bis zu 4 Jahre nach der Behandlung untersucht. Positive Effekte zeigen sich sowohl für Schmerzeigenschaften als auch für die emotionale Belastung. Ergänzende Therapiemodule können die bestehenden Effekte noch weiter optimieren.

Schlussfolgerung

Weitere Forschung zur Wirksamkeit der IMST in Deutschland ist wichtig, um das Behandlungsangebot weiterentwickeln und optimieren zu können.
The reliability of posterior malleolar ankle fracture assessment: a unique perspective
Authors: Fűzy Edward Joseph , Ferreira Nando , Brown Craig , Hugo Daniel , Joubert Etienne , Burger Marilize
Published: August 2023

Aim

This study aims to elucidate the pathology of PMFs in the South African population, establish correlations between fracture patterns and international classification guidelines and evaluate the interobserver reliability of current classifications.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted in a multicentre analysis over a one-year period from January 2019 to December 2019 at our institution. Computer tomography scans for foot and ankle injuries were reviewed, and posterior malleolus fractures were included. Pathoanatomical data was collected and analysed according to known classification systems and subsequent treatment modalities evaluated. A panel of observers individually reviewed radiographic data to determine interobserver reliability.

Results

A total of 71 patients were included with a mean age of 41 ± 13.4 years (range 18–78) and a female predominant population (69%). A greater proportion of injuries were high energy (23.9%), with significant fragment comminution (53.5%), and half (52.1%) of all injuries were subluxated/dislocated at presentation. A total of 93% of injuries were managed operatively, despite theatre access limitations resulting in significant delays to fixation (19.1 days). Despite good pathoanatomical agreement with most international classifications, interobserver reliability was poor (Krippendorff α-coefficient < 0.667). Inconsistent treatment patterns in operative and non-operative strategies are reported.

Conclusion

A unique patient population of younger, female individuals incurred posterior malleolar fractures due to higher energy mechanisms of injury. Whilst injury patterns were mostly comparable, significant interobserver variability was noted. Resource limitations, diagnostic challenges, poorly defined and inconsistent treatment strategies, inevitably impact outcomes within the South African population.

Level of evidence

Level III.
ROI: a method for identifying organizations receiving personal data
Authors: Rodriguez David , Del Alamo Jose M. , Cozar Miguel , García Boni
Published: August 2023

Many studies have exposed the massive collection of personal data in the digital ecosystem through, for instance, websites, mobile apps, or smart devices. This fact goes unnoticed by most users, who are also unaware that the collectors are sharing their personal data with many different organizations around the globe. This paper assesses techniques available in the state of the art to identify the organizations receiving this personal data. Based on our findings, we propose Receiver Organization Identifier (ROI), a fully automated method that combines different techniques to achieve a 95.71% precision score in identifying an organization receiving personal data. We demonstrate our method in the wild by evaluating 10,000 Android apps and exposing the organizations that receive users’ personal data. We further assess the transparency of these data-sharing practices by analyzing the apps’ privacy policies. The results reveal a concerning lack of transparency in almost 78% of apps, suggesting the need for regulators to take action.
Hidden history of the tobacco BY-2 cell line
Authors: Nagata Toshiyuki
Published: August 2023

For almost 50 years, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) BY-2 cells have been widely recognized as an important cell line for plant biology. The cell line grows rapidly, can be synchronized to a high degree, and is excellent for imaging; over the years, these features have led to many high-impact discoveries. However, certain other uses of this cell line are virtually unknown. In the early days, I was involved in distributing the cells to laboratories around the world. Many of these scientists wanted to study the cell cycle; however, I also distributed the cells to scientists who were elucidating the mechanism of plant transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. In fact, BY-2 cells played an essential role in the identification and analysis of Vir genes on the Ti plasmid; likewise, the cells were important for discovering the factor that induces the expression of Vir genes. Thus, BY-2 cells were crucial for the development of modern plant biotechnology. Here, I recount the story of how this came to pass and explain why the use of BY-2 cells in this work was never recognized.
Solving linear multiplicative programs via branch-and-bound: a computational experience
Authors: Cambini R. , Riccardi R. , Scopelliti D.
Published: August 2023

In this paper, linear multiplicative programs are approached with a branch-and-bound scheme and a detailed computational study is provided. Several underestimation functions are analyzed and various partitioning criteria are presented. A particular class of linear multiplicative programs, useful to solve some applicative bilevel problems, is considered from a theoretical point of view to emphasize an efficient solution method. Detailed results of the computational study are provided to point out the performances provided by using various underestimation functions and partitioning criteria, thus improving some of the results of the current literature.
Home range sizes of red deer in relation to habitat composition: a review and implications for management in Sweden
Authors: Jarnemo Anders , Nilsson Lovisa , Wikenros Camilla
Published: August 2023

Knowledge about deer spatial use is essential for damage mitigation, conservation, and harvest management. We assess annual and seasonal home range sizes in relation to habitat composition for red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Sweden, using GPS-data from two regions with different management systems. We compare our findings with reviewed data on red deer home range sizes in Europe. Annual and seasonal home ranges during calving, hunt, and winter-spring, decreased with increasing proportion forest. Female annual home ranges in a mixed agricultural-forest landscape were three times larger than in a forest-dominated landscape. Core areas (50% Kernels) were approximately 1/5 of the full annual and seasonal home ranges (95% Kernels) regardless of habitat composition. Home range size in the forest-dominated landscape showed little inter-seasonal variation. In the agricultural-forest landscape, home ranges were larger during calving, hunt, and winter-spring compared to summer and rut. In the forest-dominated landscape, management areas are large enough to cover female spatial use. In the agricultural-forest landscape, female spatial use covers several license units. Here, the coordinated license system is needed to reach trade-offs between goals of conservation, game management, and damage mitigation. Males had in general larger home ranges than females, and the majority of the males also made a seasonal migration to and from the rutting areas. The license system area in the agricultural-forest landscape is large enough to manage migrating males. In the forest landscape, a coordination of several management areas is needed to encompass male migrations. We conclude that management needs to adapt to deer spatial use in different types of landscapes to reach set goals.
Soil-structure interaction assessment combining deconvolution of building and field recordings with polarization analysis: application to the Matera (Italy) experiment
Authors: Skłodowska Anna Maria , Parolai Stefano , Petrovic Bojana , Romanelli Fabio
Published: August 2023

In this study, the wavefield radiated from a building to its surroundings is identified and extracted from M4.6 earthquake recordings collected by sensors installed in a building and on the nearby athletic field in Matera (Italy) using a new approach for soil-structure interaction assessment. The proposed approach for earthquake data analysis combines in an innovative way two methods already used in seismology and engineering seismology: deconvolution and polarization analysis. The approach enables the identification, reconstruction, and characterization of the wavefield radiated from a vibrating building into its surroundings, and the estimation of the amount of energy associated with it. The approach consists of four steps: (1) estimation of the resonant frequencies of the building, (2) deconvolution of the earthquake recordings from a building and its surroundings, (3) identification of the seismic phases, reconstruction of the signal transmitted from the building to its surroundings, and estimation of its energy, and (4) polarization analysis. Analysis of recordings of the M4.6 event highlighted that the motion related to the wavefield radiated from the building to the ground was mostly linearly polarized in the radial and transverse planes, while a clear ellipticity was observed only in the horizontal plane. The wavefield radiated from the building might be dominated by unconventionally polarized surface waves, i.e., quasi-Rayleigh waves or a combination of quasi-Rayleigh and quasi-Love waves. The results indicated that the energy transmitted from the analyzed vibrating building to its surroundings was significant and decreased the ground motion shaking due to the out-of-phase motion.
A self-adaptation-based approach to resilience improvement of complex internets of utility systems
Authors: Coppolino Luigi , D’Antonio Salvatore , Nardone Roberto , Romano Luigi
Published: August 2023

Resilience improvement of complex internets of utility systems is still an open issue for the current research. Proposed solutions fail to implement an integrated approach to detection, mitigation, and reaction which is able to face both well-known and new, previously unknown cyber-attacks (in particular distributed ones, which constitute one of the most serious and still unresolved threat scenarios affecting networked systems). In this work, we present the conceptual architecture of a novel multi-layer distributed Intrusion Detection and Reaction System based on the Autonomic Communication paradigm. The architecture relies on a self-organizing cooperative overlay network of complementary components that are dynamically and autonomously adapted to face distributed cyberattacks against Industrial Control Systems. The proposed architecture aims at being a guideline for experts and practitioners to address the well-known problem of distributed nature of new types of cyber-attacks, by implementing mechanisms to orchestrate available resources for effective detection and remediation dynamically. A distributed flow monitoring system provides input data to cooperative intrusion detection agents, which allow correlating information from heterogeneous feeds to improve the identification of attacks originating from both the inside and the outside of the monitored network and to support customizable remediation mechanisms.
Life cycle assessment of sitka spruce forest products grown in Ireland
Authors: Dolan Desmond , O’Ceallaigh Conan , Gil-Moreno David , McGetrick Patrick J. , Harte Annette M.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to quantify the environmental impacts of Sitka spruce timber products harvested from the forestry sector in Ireland. This data is typically country-specific and is required to accurately quantify the environmental impacts associated with its production to better understand the impacts on the environment.

Methods

A representative model utilising the ReCiPe midpoint approach is developed for the forest sector and the production of log products in Ireland from primary data collected from the national forestry agencies, boardmill and sawmills over a 12-month period, where the last two represent 100% and 67% of the national production volume, respectively. The model was analysed using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the resulting environmental impacts of log production are presented for two different boundary conditions, namely ‘cradle-to-forest road’ and ‘cradle-to-factory gate’ which considers the transport of the logs for further processing.

Results and discussion

The results are presented for the reference functional unit of 1 m3 of Sitka spruce log product but the results are also shown for 1 rotation of 1 ha of forest area, which allows comparisons with existing studies that utilise similar metrics such as a given area of forest. The results show that typically, clearfell operations are the most significant contributor to all impact categories. The contribution of the remaining operations in descending order of magnitude are thinning operations, forest road construction and maintenance, site preparation options, seedling production and finally forest maintenance operations. The extended model (‘cradle-to-factory gate’ model), which includes transport or delivery, has demonstrated a significant contribution due to transport alone where it was found to be responsible for, on average, 50% of each impact category presented (excluding land occupation) highlighting its significance.

Conclusions

The underlying Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data, which quantifies the total outputs of emissions and substances to air, land and water, is presented. It can be seen that the contribution of different operations varies significantly dependent on the log type which provides important data which can be further incorporated into future studies for downstream products utilised in the construction industry.
Do temperature and moisture conditions impact soil microbiology and aggregate stability?
Authors: Dowdeswell-Downey E. , Grabowski R. C. , Rickson R. J.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Studies predicting the impacts of climate change on erosion have considered numerous variables, such as rainfall erosivity and vegetation cover, but have not considered potential changes in soil erodibility. Erodibility is an intrinsic property of the soil, strongly correlated with the stability of soil aggregates. It is influenced by soil physico-chemical attributes, including the microbiological community. The study aim was to determine how shifts in temperature and moisture conditions, which other studies have shown affect microbiological communities, might affect aggregate stability.

Methods

Using an experimental approach with laboratory microcosms, aggregates from a sandy loam soil and a clay soil were incubated at three temperatures and three moisture conditions in a factorial experimental design. Aggregate stability was quantified using rainfall simulation. Microbiological indicator metrics were measured to evaluate treatment microbiological impacts, including community composition (PLFA), biomass carbon, and respiration.

Results

Temperature and moisture content affected aggregate stability significantly, but differently for the two soil types tested. For the sandy loam soil, aggregate stability decreased significantly with increasing moisture content. For the clay soil, aggregate stability increased significantly with increasing temperature. For both soil textures, temperature and moisture content affected microbiological community composition and respiration. Regression analysis indicated that microbiological properties were significant predictors of aggregate stability.

Conclusion

Our results emphasise the dynamic nature of soil aggregate stability. Changes in microbiological metrics suggest possible biological mechanisms for aggregate stability changes, which should be investigated further to better understand the potential impacts of climate change on soil erodibility and erosion.
Clinical, Cognitive, and Neurobiological Correlates of Impaired Timing Abilities Associate to Cannabis Use: a Systematic Review
Authors: Escelsior Andrea , Trabucco Alice , Radicati Manfredo , Murri Martino Belvederi , da Silva Beatriz Pereira , Serafini Gianluca , Amore Mario
Published: August 2023

Time perception received growing interest in psychiatry for its psychopathological implications. Cannabis use can cause a subjective experience of temporal perception alteration and increases the risk of emergence of mental illnesses such as psychotic and mood disorders. In this framework, we systematically reviewed the findings regarding the clinical, cognitive, and neurobiological correlates of time alterations due to cannabis consumption. According to preclinical results, cannabis exerts a dose-dependent time overestimation, associated with motor inhibition and circadian alterations. Clinical results reported that cannabis impair time estimation and time reproduction abilities, causing subjective temporal fragmentation and depersonalization symptoms. The alteration of timing mediated by cannabis use might depend on a dopaminergic indirect action and on structural, functional, and metabolic alterations of the cerebello-thalamo-cortical circuit. Despite the potential interest, however, only few studies explored the link between cannabis-induced alterations of time processing and psychiatric symptoms.
Local purse-seine fishers’ economic losses owing to endangered seabird conservation measures – perceptions and reality
Authors: Gifford T. , Lombard Amanda T. , Snow B. , Goodall V. , Pichegru Lorien
Published: August 2023

The likelihood of success of a marine protected area (MPA) is strongly dependent on stakeholders’ support. A concern often raised by local fishers is their lack of involvement in the design or management of a MPA and their loss of income owing to lost fishing grounds. We used Algoa Bay, South Africa, as a case study to analyse fisher’s and fish-processing factory managers’ concerns and perceived economic losses from fishing closures using structured interviews. Since 2009, a 20 km-radius purse-seine fishing-exclusion zone has been tested in Algoa Bay to assess the benefit to population recovery of the endangered African penguin Spheniscus demersus. Costs to the industry were estimated in terms of loss of catches and additional travel time to fishing grounds with and without closures. Fisher responses to interviews revealed general support for conservation and MPAs, but individuals interviewed did not feel that the 20 km fishing exclusion zones in Algoa Bay would aid African penguin conservation. While they systematically raised concerns about potential economic costs to their industry from closures, neither their catch sizes nor travel times varied significantly with fishing exclusion measures. Acknowledgement and assessment of the economic concerns may aid in initiating an informed dialogue amongst the various stakeholders in Algoa Bay, which may increase compliance and success of the newly proclaimed Addo elephant National Park MPA. Continued dialogue may also act as a catalyst for more integrated ocean management of biodiversity and human uses in the bay.
Suicide Risk in Personality Disorders: A Systematic Review
Authors: McClelland Heather , Cleare Seonaid , O’Connor Rory C.
Published: August 2023

Purpose of review

This systematic review aimed to distil recent literature investigating psychosocial factors which may account for the association between personality disorder (PD) and suicide attempt or suicide death.

Recent findings

Suicide risk is particularly elevated in people with PD compared to those with no, or many other, mental health diagnoses. Despite this, suicide prevention strategies for PD populations have not progressed markedly in recent years. It is critical, therefore, to identify additional factors associated with suicide in PD populations.

Of the 34 studies included in this review, most identified a relationship between personality disorder and suicide attempt and/or death. Historical interpersonal factors (e.g., childhood trauma), drug and alcohol use, and ideation-to-enaction factors were commonly associated with suicide-related outcomes. Interventions that provide interpersonal support may reduce suicide attempts. Limitations of the review include the heterogeneity of studies and small sample sizes.
Determination of Trace, Micro and Macro Elemental Concentration of Eritrean Honeys
Authors: Czipa Nikolett , Kovács Béla , Alexa Loránd , Gebreyesus Mehari
Published: August 2023

In this study macro, micro and trace elemental concentrations were measured in Eritrean acacia honey samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (Al, B, C, K, Mg, Na, P and S) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn). The concentration of essential elements in the examined Eritrean acacia honeys decreased in the following order: K > P > Ca > Mg > Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Sr > Mo. Independent samples T test was used to determine the statistically verified differences between the two regions, but there was none; however there were remarkable differences among the measured element contents of specific honey samples. Elemental concentrations of Eritrean honeys are influenced by the characteristics of the collecting area (e.g. elevation, agricultural activities, water resources).

Our samples showed low essential elemental concentration; therefore the consumption of these honeys does not contribute significantly to the nutrition reference value (NRV) (around 1% of NRV). Toxic elemental concentrations were also low; thus the calculated estimated daily intakes were much lower than the tolerable daily intakes. Consumption of these honeys presents no risk for the human body.
Emphasising the community: demographic composition of an exceptional tomb—the Chalcolithic burial site of Camino del Molino, Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia
Authors: Díaz-Navarro Sonia , Haber Uriarte María , Tejedor-Rodríguez Cristina , Lomba Maurandi Joaquín
Published: August 2023

Reconstructing the biological profile of a skeletal sample is essential for defining a particular demographic group or classifying isolated remains. These results allow us to complete the population pyramid of a settlement, analyse mortality trends and relate individuals of a particular sex or age-at-death category to possible funerary rituals, lifestyles and/or states of health and disease. In this work, we carry out a paleodemographic analysis of a singular tomb: the chalcolithic burial site of Camino del Molino, Murcia, SE Spain. The tomb hosted 1348 individuals (30.7% non-adults and 69.3% adults) over two contiguous funerary phases, spanning a large part of the third millennium BC, which makes it a reference site for knowledge of the Recent Prehistoric populations. For this purpose, we estimated different paleodemographic parameters (life tables, mortality rates and sex ratios) and compared them to model life tables of preindustrial populations and data from other contemporary peninsular series to evaluate possible demographic anomalies. The results suggest that Camino del Molino was home to individuals of all ages and sex. However, there is a clear under-representation of newborns and nursing/breastfeeding infants and an over-representation of 5–15-year-old individuals. These findings could indicate potential issues related to diet/weaning, disease and early inclusion in the economic activities of the group.
Mock samples resolve biases in diversity estimates and quantitative interpretation of zooplankton metabarcoding data
Authors: Ershova Elizaveta A. , Wangensteen Owen S. , Falkenhaug Tone
Published: August 2023

Metabarcoding is a rapidly developing tool in marine zooplankton ecology, although most zooplankton surveys continue to rely on visual identification for monitoring purposes. We attempted to resolve some of the biases associated with metabarcoding by sequencing a 313-b.p. fragment of the COI gene in 34 “mock” samples from the North Sea which were pre-sorted to species level, with biomass and abundance estimates obtained for each species and taxonomic group. The samples were preserved either in 97% ethanol or dehydrated for 24 h in a drying oven at 65 °C (the routine way of preserving samples for dry weight measurements). The visual identification yielded a total of 59 unique holoplanktonic and 16 meroplanktonic species/taxa. Metabarcoding identified 86 holoplanktonic and 124 meroplanktonic species/taxa, which included all but 3 of the species identified visually as well as numerous species of hard-to-identify crustaceans, hydrozoan jellyfish, and larvae of benthic animals. On a sample-to-sample basis, typically 90–95% of visually registered species were recovered, but the number of false positives was also high. We demonstrate robust correlations of relative sequence abundances to relative biomass for most taxonomic groups and develop conversion factors for different taxa to account for sequencing biases. We then combine the adjusted sequencing data with a single bulk biomass measurement for the entire sample to produce a quantitative parameter akin to species biomass. When examined with multivariate statistics, this parameter, which we call BWSR (biomass-weighed sequence reads) showed very similar trends to species biomass and comparable patterns to species abundance, highlighting the potential of metabarcoding not only for biodiversity estimation and mapping of presence/absence of species but also for quantitative assessment of zooplankton communities.
Facial functional networks during resting state revealed by thermal infrared imaging
Authors: Cardone Daniela , Cerritelli Francesco , Chiacchiaretta Piero , Perpetuini David , Merla Arcangelo
Published: August 2023

In recent decades, an increasing number of studies on psychophysiology and, in general, on clinical medicine has employed the technique of facial thermal infrared imaging (IRI), which allows to obtain information about the emotional and physical states of the subjects in a completely non-invasive and contactless fashion. Several regions of interest (ROIs) have been reported in literature as salient areas for the psychophysiological characterization of a subject (i.e. nose tip and glabella ROIs). There is however a lack of studies focusing on the functional correlation among these ROIs and about the physiological basis of the relation existing between thermal IRI and vital signals, such as the electrodermal activity, i.e. the galvanic skin response (GSR). The present study offers a new methodology able to assess the functional connection between salient seed ROIs of thermal IRI and all the pixel of the face. The same approach was also applied considering as seed signal the GSR and its phasic and tonic components. Seed correlation analysis on 63 healthy volunteers demonstrated the presence of a common pathway regulating the facial thermal functionality and the electrodermal activity. The procedure was also tested on a pathological case study, finding a completely different pattern compared to the healthy cases. The method represents a promising tool in neurology, physiology and applied neurosciences.
Dynamical analysis of a discrete-time plant–herbivore model
Authors: Hamada M. Y.
Published: August 2023

In this paper, a discrete-time model of a plant–herbivore system is qualitatively analyzed using difference equations to describe population dynamics over time. The goal is to examine how the model behaves under varying parameter values and initial conditions. Results reveal that the model exhibits diverse dynamical behaviors such as stable equilibria, period-doubling cascade, and chaotic attractors. The analysis indicates that changes in crucial parameters greatly affect the system’s dynamics. This study offers crucial insights into plant–herbivore systems and highlights the value of qualitative analysis in comprehending intricate ecological systems.
Online monitoring of direct laser metal deposition process by means of infrared thermography
Authors: D’Accardi E. , Chiappini F. , Giannasi A. , Guerrini M. , Maggiani G. , Palumbo D. , Galietti U.
Published: August 2023

Direct laser metal deposition (LMD–DED) is an additive manufacturing (AM) process that is used to build up and repair high-quality metal components. It works by overlapping layers of powder material and melting them with a laser. To get a stable process without defects and to reach, at the same time, high mechanical properties, a robust assessment and control of the process parameters, and above all of their combination, is required. The ideal goal is to assure the online control, to stop or correct the process in case of unexpected anomalies. In this work, a robust online monitoring of the laser metal deposition (LMD–DED) process based on the use of infrared thermography was developed and proposed. After choosing the suitable process parameters, a customized design of experiments (DOE) was set, and the statistical analysis of different thermal features was carried out to develop the most robust models that correlate them with the input process parameters (laser power, scanning speed, and powder flow rate). The proposed procedure was based on the extraction of different thermal features from suited regions of interest (ROI), performing statistical analyses by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and building regression models to correlate the process parameters with the thermal behavior. The obtained results demonstrated the possibility to control the process by means of the chosen thermal features, independent of the position of the ROI. Moreover, the possibility to use the models to detect typical AM defects, and anomalies, online directly during the process, has been proved and verified by destructive macrographs carried out on the manufactured coupons.
Watson-crick (D)0 L systems: a survey
Authors: Sosík Petr
Published: August 2023

Watson-Crick L systems are string generating formal models obtained by augmenting Lindenmayer systems with the Watson-Crick morphism inspired by the Watson-Crick complementarity principle. The Watson-Crick morphism is controlled by a trigger—a boolean condition eventually met by the generated word. Despite their simplicity, Watson-Crick (D)0 L systems have interesting mathematical properties, a strong generative power, and they can also characterize some open decision problems. Furthermore, networks of Watson-Crick D0L systems are capable of trading space for time, and thus of characterizing linear time solutions to intractable problems. We provide a survey of results in this field since its origin in 1997 to the present, and we conclude with a series of open research problems and ideas.