bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polypropylene Blends with Durable Hydrophobicity and Enhanced Mechanical Properties Based on POSS and Alkane Modified Polypentafluorophenyl Methacrylate
Authors: Li Xinchao , Wang Ping , Wang Zhiyong , Fu Zhicheng , Wang Ting , An Wenli , Chen Mingjun , Sun Guoxing , Deng Jinni
Published: September 2024

Durable functionalization on polypropylene (PP) surfaces is always a key problem to besolved. Coatings with low surface energy peel off easily especially under extreme conditions, owing to their weak adhesion. In this paper, side groups of both polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and alkane are grafted to polypentafluorophenyl methacrylate (PFP), and then PP blends with these side‐group modified PFP are obtained through a melt‐blending process. It is found that POSS can result in surface segregation and provide hydrophobicity in blends. Microfibers are formed because of the orientation effect during the tensile testing, which furtherly promotes mechanical strength. Significantly, alkaneside‐groups can be entangled with PP segments, which brings about cross linking. Therefore, with crosslinking and synchronous orientation of POSS, the elongation at the break of blends is greatly increased up to 974%. The final blend demonstrates quite durable hydrophobicity under many extreme conditions, such as repeated tape peeling, ultrasonic washing, strong friction, and soaking in strong acid (pH = 1), strong alkali (pH = 14) and alcohol. The heat and UV resistance of the blend are also obviously improved. This study will develop anovel and facile strategy to endow PP with durable hydrophobicity as well as greatly enhanced mechanical properties.
Predictors of Chronic Dizziness in Acute Unilateral Vestibulopathy: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Van Laer Lien , Hallemans Ann , De Somer Clara , Janssens de Varebeke Sebastien , Fransen Erik , Schubert Michael , Van Rompaey Vincent , Vereeck Luc
Published: September 2024

Objective

Chronic dizziness after acute unilateral vestibulopathy (AUVP) causes significant social and economic burdens. This study aims to identify predictors of chronic dizziness.

Study Design

Prospective, longitudinal cohort study.

Setting

ENT departments from secondary and tertiary hospitals.

Methods

Participants meeting the Barany Society's diagnostic criteria for AUVP were included. Evaluations occurred within 0 to 21 days (T1), and at 4 (T2) and 10 weeks (T3) postonset. The primary outcome measure was the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) at 6 months, with a score >30 indicating chronic dizziness. Five clusters of predictors were assessed at T1‐3: central vestibular compensation, visual dependence, movement exposure, psychological factors, and balance performance. Separate linear regression models for T1, T2, and T3 were constructed to explain the variability in the 6‐month DHI score. Receiver operating characteristics analyses were conducted to predict chronic dizziness.

Results

From June 2021 to January 2024, 103 participants (55.2 ± 16.6 years old, 49 women) were included. The regression models explained the variability in the 6‐month DHI score by 33.0% at T1, 47.6% at T2, and 64.0% at T3 (P < .001), including psychological factors (T1, T2, T3), visual dependence (T2, T3), and static balance performance (T3). Cutoff values for the Vestibular Activities Avoidance Instrument (23/54), Visual Vertigo Analog Scale (33.5/100), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale‐Anxiety (7.5/21) at 10 weeks postonset predicted chronic dizziness.

Conclusion

Higher psychological burden, increased visual dependence, and poorer static balance performance were associated with chronic dizziness. Cutoff values were determined to identify individuals with AUVP at risk for chronic dizziness.
Facile Determination of Aluminum Content in Industrial Brine by Investigating the Effects of Buffer Systems
Authors: Csorba Benjámin , Farkas László , Csécsi Marcell , Mika László T. , Gresits Iván L.
Published: September 2024

The aluminum content of concentrated (27 wt%) sodium chloride solutions could be crucial for large‐scale chlor‐alkali‐based industries applying membrane cell electrolysis. Thus, a facile method which enables a fast and reliable protocol to determine the Al content of these solutions on ppb scale in industrial environments is fundamentally important. It was demonstrated that the increased sensitivity of colorful Al‐ECR (eriochrome cyanine R) complex by the use of a cationic surfactant and specific biological buffers could effectively indicate the Al content in an extended pH interval of a concentrated saline medium under industrial conditions. The dependence of the analytical protocol on pH, temperature, time, wavelength, and the salinity of the medium was investigated. It was shown that the absorbance‐based measurements of the solution should be performed at least 2–4 h after its preparation. By applying the selected two Good's buffers (HEPES: 4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1‐piperazineethanesulfonic acid, MOPS: 3‐(N‐morpholino)‐propanesulfonic acid) and Tris (tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane), 32.8–38.1 % increase in the sensitivity was achieved for saturated NaCl solutions. Moreover, the limits of detection and quantification (LOD, LOQ) were also lowered by 19.0–29.8 %, and the salinity dependence of the calibration was also reduced.
Modulation of animal and plant tissue growth with collagen‐starch‐organic molybdenum networks hydrogel biomatrices
Authors: Valdés‐Lozano Claudia I. , Claudio‐Rizo Jesús A. , Cabrera‐Munguía Denis A. , León‐Campos Maria I. , Mendoza‐Villafaña Juan J. , Becerra‐Rodriguez Juan J.
Published: September 2024

The development of hydrogel biomatrices with potential to modulate animal and plant tissue growth is ongoing. In this study, molybdenum bio‐metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) (Mo‐bioMOFs) incorporating essential amino acids such as l‐histidine (Mo‐His), l‐phenylalanine (Mo‐Phe), and l‐tryptophan (Mo‐Trp) were encapsulated in semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN) hydrogels composed of collagen and starch. The structure and properties of these materials show dependence on the amino acid that constitutes the Mo‐bioMOFs. The biomatrices have a semi‐crystalline surface with increased porosity when using Mo‐His; this system also benefits swelling. Increased crosslinking, acceleration in gelation, and mechanical improvement are observed for the system based on Mo‐Phe. Methylene blue release experiments were conducted, demonstrating that matrices including Mo‐bioMOFs exhibit controlled release profiles, indicating highly stable retention of Mo‐bioMOFs in the semi‐IPN matrix. The biomatrices enhance the metabolism and proliferation of fibroblasts and monocytes, with Mo‐Trp reducing the secretion of inflammatory cytokines like TNF‐α. The biomatrices exhibit gradual and slow mass loss when exposed to collagenase and commercial vegetable substrates. Both leaf and root cells of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) show increased metabolism and growth when exposed to Mo‐Phe and Mo‐His. Notably, the biomatrix containing Mo‐Phe promotes the most substantial plant growth and foliage after 30 days. These biomatrices have potential applications in chronic wound healing and agriculture.
Bohr mal Trotzki unter der Wurzel
Authors: Loos Andreas
Published: September 2024

Für Vaters Fabrik zu unpraktisch, wird er ein einflussreicher theoretischer Physiker und glühender Marxist.
Escherichia coli community‐acquired necrotizing pneumonia, an uncommon presentation of a common pathogen: A case report and literature review
Authors: Hosseini Alireza Mohammad , Farshchi Parisa , Hosseini Hanieh , Zarei Fatemeh
Published: September 2024

Community‐acquired necrotizing pneumonia is a rare but potentially fatal infection, mainly caused by specific pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Escherichia coli is extremely rare as a pathogen for community‐acquired necrotizing pneumonia, typically accompanied with bloodstream infection. Here, we report an unusual case of a 60‐year‐old man with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and no bloodstream infections, who had severe necrotizing E. coli pneumonia leading to massive hemoptysis and death. Clinicians should be aware of this pathogen in respiratory infections, as it requires immediate pathogen detection and usually aggressive antibiotic treatment.
A guaranteed cost based memory event‐triggered control of networked control systems with multiple disturbances via an interconnected disturbance observer approach
Authors: Huang Tao , Shen Jie , Zhang Zhihao , Shen Mouquan , Karimi Hamid Reza
Published: September 2024

This article is dedicated to event‐triggered anti‐disturbance control of networked control systems via a guaranteed cost triggering scheme. A distribution interconnected observer structure is built to estimate these unknown matched disturbances. A novel event triggered condition is constructed in terms of real‐time cost and averaged functions composed of observer states and the last successfully transmitted one. A composite control scheme is provided by an event‐triggered observer‐based state feedback controller and compensators for the matched disturbances. A sufficient condition in term of linear matrix inequality is supplied to ensure the asymptotic stability of the resultant closed‐loop system. A simulation is carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed triggering control strategy.
Consideration of water policies in the urban development plans of Delhi: A collaborative planning perspective
Authors: Gupta Maheshwari , Biswas Rabidyuti , Kumar Ashok , Tortajada Cecilia
Published: September 2024

This paper discusses collaborative planning principles as a means to improve water supply systems in the case of Delhi, India, through primary and secondary data analysis. The theory of collaborative planning is a well‐established concept applied to obtain effective policies in planning through the collaboration of actors in a shared space. We use this framework to discuss strengths, weaknesses, and scope for collaboration in the current urban development plan formulation process of the city. Some of the principles of collaborative planning we use include communication, collective decision‐making processes, and network power in a shared institutional environment. Our findings indicate a lack of consideration of water policies in the urban development plans. This underlines a major gap in the current process of plan formulation and provides evidence that the absence of collaboration between institutions in both sectors contributes to poor water supply for the population in Delhi. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of collaborative practices between urban development and water institutions for better planning of water service provision in Indian cities.
Multilevel Longitudinal Functional Principal Component Model
Authors: Lin Wenyi , Zou Jingjing , Di Chongzhi , Rock Cheryl L. , Natarajan Loki
Published: September 2024

Sensor devices, such as accelerometers, are widely used for measuring physical activity (PA). These devices provide outputs at fine granularity (e.g., 10–100 Hz or minute‐level), which while providing rich data on activity patterns, also pose computational challenges with multilevel densely sampled data, resulting in PA records that are measured continuously across multiple days and visits. On the other hand, a scalar health outcome (e.g., BMI) is usually observed only at the individual or visit level. This leads to a discrepancy in numbers of nested levels between the predictors (PA) and outcomes, raising analytic challenges. To address this issue, we proposed a multilevel longitudinal functional principal component analysis (mLFPCA) model to directly model multilevel functional PA inputs in a longitudinal study, and then implemented a longitudinal functional principal component regression (FPCR) to explore the association between PA and obesity‐related health outcomes. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive simulation study to examine the impact of imbalanced multilevel data on both mLFPCA and FPCR performance and offer guidelines for selecting optimal methods.
Molecularly Engineered Alicyclic Organic Spacers for 2D/3D Hybrid Tin‐based Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Choi Jinhyeok , Kim Jimin , Jeong Minyoung , Park Byeongchan , Kim Seunghyun , Park Jisang , Cho Kilwon
Published: September 2024

The high defect density and inferior crystallinity remain great hurdles for developing highly efficient and stable Sn‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs). 2D/3D heterostructures show strong potential to overcome these bottlenecks; however, a limited diversity of organic spacers has hindered further improvement. Herein, a novel alicyclic organic spacer, morpholinium iodide (MPI), is reported for developing structurally stabilized 2D/3D perovskite. Introducing a secondary ammonium and ether group to alicyclic spacers in 2D perovskite enhances its rigidity, which leads to increased hydrogen bonding and intermolecular interaction within 2D perovskite. These strengthened interactions facilitate the formation of highly oriented 2D/3D perovskite with low structural disorder, which leads to effective passivation of Sn and I defects. Consequently, the MP‐based PSCs achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.04% with superior operational and oxidative stability. This work presents new insight into the design of organic spacers for highly efficient and stable Sn‐based PSCs.
Enhancing Conductivity in Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells with Silver Nanowire‐Assisted Ti3C2Tx MXene Electrodes for Cost‐Effective and Scalable Photovoltaics
Authors: Li Wei , Xu Zhiyuan , Yan Yu , Gao Qianfeng , Song Yaya , Wang Jing , Zhang Maobin , Xue Junming , Xu Shengzhi , Ding Yi , Chen Xinliang , Li Xiyan , Zhang Liping , Huang Qian , Liu Wenzhu , Zhang Xiaodan , Zhao Ying , Hou Guofu
Published: September 2024

Silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells have set world‐record efficiencies among single‐junction silicon solar cells, accelerating their commercial deployment. Despite these clear efficiency advantages, the high costs associated with low‐temperature silver pastes (LTSP) for metallization have driven the search for more economical alternatives in mass production. 2D transition metal carbides (MXenes) have attracted significant attention due to their tunable optoelectronic properties and metal‐like conductivity, the highest among all solution‐processed 2D materials. MXenes have emerged as a cost‐effective alternative for rear‐side electrodes in SHJ solar cells. However, the use of MXene electrodes has so far been limited to lab‐scale SHJ solar cells. The efficiency of these devices has been constrained by a fill factor (FF) of under 73%, primarily due to suboptimal charge transport at the contact layer/MXene interface. Herein, a silver nanowire (AgNW)‐assisted Ti3C2Tx MXene electrode contact is introduced and explores the potential of this hybrid electrode in industry‐scale solar cells. By incorporating this hybrid electrode into SHJ solar cells, 9.0 cm2 cells are achieved with an efficiency of 24.04% (FF of 81.64%) and 252 cm2 cells with an efficiency of 22.17% (FF of 76.86%), among the top‐performing SHJ devices with non‐metallic electrodes to date. Additionally, the stability and cost‐effectiveness of these solar cells are discussed.
Characterizing the capability frontier: Key attributes determining the development of capabilities
Authors: Goncalves Paulo , Sentürk Feyyaz , Andreeva Mariya , Mamashli Zakie
Published: September 2024

System Dynamics research on capability traps, where organizations remain in low capability and performance equilibrium because of poor resource allocation, spans over two decades and various industries, including agriculture, industry, and humanitarian aid. However, there is a gap in understanding how specific capability attributes affect resource allocation decisions. This study advances the capability trap literature by developing a theoretical model analyzing how key capability attributes—development time, erosion time, and productivity—impact organizational performance and managers' decisions. We introduce the concept of a “capability region”, an attractive area for capability investments, delineated by a “capability frontier” determined by threshold values of these three attributes. This model helps managers understand the factors driving capability development and supports better decision‐making, especially in sustainable practices. By identifying where sustainability‐related capability investments are likely to succeed, this research offers practical guidance for organizations to escape or avoid capability traps, promoting sustainable growth and adaptation.
The cardamom conundrum resolved: Recircumscription and placement of Elettaria in the only pantropically distributed ginger lineage
Authors: Poulsen Axel Dalberg , Fér Tomáš , Marasinghe Lakmini Darshika Kumarage , Sabu Mamiyil , Hughes Mark , Valderrama Eugenio , Leong‐Škorničková Jana
Published: September 2024

The overarching aim of the present study is to sort out the taxonomy of a group of gingers that include the useful and worldwide economically important green cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum, and its wild relatives, to highlight potentially overlooked genetic resources. These species occur naturally in India and Sri Lanka, and our study facilitates more appropriate management priorities for the remaining forest fragments in which they occur. We used NGS Hyb‐Seq methods and sampled four species of the Alpinia I (Fax) clade, six representatives of Aframomum and Renealmia as well as two other basally flowering Sri Lankan species. This is the only pantropically distributed lineage within the entire family, and our result shows that the Alpinia I clade in fact is simply the genus Elettaria (confined to India and Sri Lanka), which is sister to the genera Aframomum (Africa) and Renealmia (Africa and Neotropics). The taxonomic implications are: (1) a recircumscription of Elettaria comprising seven species (E. cardamomum, E. ensal, E. floribunda, E. involucrata, E. rufescens as well as two new species, E. facifera and E. tulipifera described here); (2) the Sri Lankan endemic genus Cyphostigma should be retained; (3) the new monotypic genus, Srilankanthus endemic in Sri Lanka, is described with S. nemoralis, formerly Amomum nemorale, as type. A key is provided to the seven species of Elettaria and lectotypifications are made for five species (Cyphostigma pulchellum, Elettaria floribunda, E. involucrata, E. nemoralis, E. rufescens).
An Adaptive Eccentricity Correction Method for Arrayed Single‐Axis TMR Current Sensors
Authors: Li Shenwang , Chen Junkuan , Su Qiuren , Zeng Guangyu , Liu Li , Shi Wusheng , Wu Thomas
Published: September 2024

Current sensors based on the tunneling magnetoresistive effect (TMR) are widely used for current measurement due to their high sensitivity, small size, and low power consumption. This paper proposes an effective error correction model to rectify the eccentricity of the transmission line, which can cause a significant measurement error in the ring‐array single‐axis TMR sensor. The model employs a convolutional neural network (CNN) to identify the relationship between the conductor eccentricity and the output of three sensors. The resulting correction factor is then fed back to eliminate the error associated with wire eccentricity. Concurrently, the Sparrow search algorithm (SSA) is employed to optimize the hyperparameters of the convolutional neural network (CNN) in order to enhance the model's performance. The experimental results demonstrate that the maximum error of the ring‐array single‐axis TMR current sensor, corrected by SSA‐CNN, is less than 0.42%, which markedly enhances the precision of the measurement. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Exosomes of immune cell origin and their therapeutic potential for tumors
Authors: Ai Hongru , Zou Yitan , Zheng Xinya , Li Guangyao , Lei Changhai , Fu Wenyan , Hu Shi
Published: September 2024

Exosomes are nanoscale membrane vesicles identified by electron microscopy in 1946. They are approximately 30–150 nm in size. Originally, exosomes were thought to be used to eliminate excess components from cells to maintain their normal physiology. Later, it was found that the function and targeting of specific cellular components in exosomes have important implications for the regulation of cellular communication. In the last few years, exosomes have been linked to tumors, infections, and other diseases. New advances in cancer immunotherapy have occurred as a result of the identification of exosomes of immune cell origin, expanding the existing anticancer immune response. This article details exosomes derived from dendritic cells, T lymphocytes (CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and CAR‐T cells), natural killer cells, and their promising applications in tumor therapy.
Photoacoustic Techniques for Bone Characterization
Authors: Feng Ting , Xie Weiya , Xu Wenyi , Gao Ya , Liu Teng , Ta Dean , Qian Menglu , Cheng Qian
Published: September 2024

Biomedical photoacoustics (PA) combines the advantages of selective optical absorption of biological tissues and high penetration depth of ultrasound, providing information on the macroscopic physiological structure and microscopic molecular level of biological tissues. Thus, it has great potential in the application of biomedical diagnosis. Among them, PA detection of bone is an important branch. In contrast to soft tissue, which can be regarded as a homogeneous medium, bone tissue is a two-phase complex medium (mineralized bone trabecular network in the solid phase and embedded bone marrow in the liquid phase), and this anisotropic and heterogeneous structure poses significant challenges to bone tissue characterization methods based on PA technology. This chapter introduces our work on PA detection for complex bone tissue, including the principle of PA wave generation and propagation, the methods of PA imaging and spectrum analysis, and their clinical applications. Finally, this chapter analyzes the current challenges in this field and anticipates future development trends based on the current research status of the PA technology.
Historische Entwicklung von Mobilitätssystemen: Vom Eisenbahnzeitalter zur Automobilgesellschaft
Authors: Haefeli Ueli
Published: September 2024

Der Beitrag skizziert die Entwicklung der Verkehrs- und Mobilitätsgeschichte (West-)Deutschlands seit dem 19. Jahrhundert. Es wird gezeigt, dass bereits die Verkehrsmittel vor dem Auto (vor allem Eisenbahn, Dampfschiff und Fahrrad) Deutschland einen grossen Wohlstandsgewinn gebracht haben. Die Analyse betont die verkehrsmittelunabhängige und kontinuierliche Zunahme der Verkehrsleistungen seit dem 19. Jahrhundert. Bezüglich der Verkehrswende könnte die historische Perspektive neue Akzente setzen: So wenig die Verkehrspolitik weiterhin das Auto bevorzugen sollte, so falsch wäre es, die Verkehrswende lediglich an einem veränderten Verhältnis zum Auto zu messen. Dies macht gerade die enorme Zunahme des Flugverkehrs deutlich. Zu adressieren wäre vielmehr, inwiefern unser Verhältnis zur Mobilität weiterhin vor allem durch „schneller“ und „weiter“ geprägt sein soll.
Early prediction of platelet recovery with immature platelet fraction in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Yang Tsung-Han , Tsai Chun-Kuang , Wang Hao-Yuan , Ko Po-Shen , Chien Sheng-Hsuan , Lin Ting-An , Chen Wen-Chun , Hsu Te-Lin , Yeh Chiu-Mei , Lu Ching-I , Lin Wan-Jou , Chen Ying-Ju , Liu Chia-Jen , Liu Chun-Yu
Published: September 2024

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is pivotal in treating hematologic disorders, yet it poses the risk of post-transplantation pancytopenia. Prophylactic platelet transfusions are often administered to mitigate this risk. Utilizing practical markers, such as immature platelet fraction (IPF), to predict hematopoietic recovery in advance could reduce unnecessary prophylactic transfusions. Our prospective study, involving 53 HSCT patients at Taipei Veterans General Hospital between September 2022 and May 2023, utilized the Sysmex XN analyzer to assess peripheral blood cell parameters. We investigated whether IPF could predict platelet recovery early, determined the optimal cut-off value, and compared platelet usage. Neutrophil and platelet engraftment occurred 10 (median; range: 10–12) and 15 (median; range: 15–18) days post-HSCT. Notably, 71.7% of patients exhibited an IPF increase exceeding 2% before platelet recovery. The optimal cut-off IPF on day 10 for predicting platelet recovery within five days was 2.15% (specificity 0.89, sensitivity 0.65). On average, patients received 3.89 units of post-transplantation platelet transfusion. Our results indicate that IPF serves as a predictive marker for platelet engraftment, peaking before the increase in platelet count. This insight aids clinicians in assessing the need for prophylactic platelet transfusions. Integrating reference IPF values alongside platelet counts enhances the accuracy of evaluating a patient’s hematopoietic recovery status. Anticipating the timing of platelet recovery optimizes blood product usage and mitigates transfusion reaction risks.
The risk for rectal cancer recurrence and overall mortality is not increased in men previously diagnosed with prostate cancer: a report from the Swedish colorectal cancer registry
Authors: Sverrisson Ingvar , Smedh Kenneth , Chabok Abbas , Nikberg Maziar
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Limited data exists on oncological outcomes following rectal cancer surgery in men who have previously been diagnosed with prostate cancer (PC). This study aimed to assess overall mortality and rectal cancer recurrence in men previously diagnosed with PC who underwent bowel resection.

Methods

Data from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry identified men who had rectal cancer surgery between 2000 and 2016, and the National Prostate Cancer Registry was used to identify those with a prior PC diagnosis. Cox regression analysis with propensity score matching was employed for data analysis. The primary outcome was overall mortality. Secondary outcome was recurrence for rectal cancer.

Results

Out of 13,299 men undergoing bowel resection for rectal cancer between 2000 and 2016, 1130 had a history of PC. Overall mortality did not significantly differ between men with and without a prior PC diagnosis. Cox regression analyses with propensity score matching revealed that men with previously diagnosed low- or intermediate-risk (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70–0.90) and high-risk PC (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74–0.98) had lower overall mortality after rectal cancer surgery compared with men without a PC. There was no significant difference in rectal cancer recurrence between men with a previous low or intermediate-risk PC (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.74–1.14) or high-risk PC (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.52–1.01) compared with those without PC history.

Conclusion

Men undergoing rectal cancer surgery with a previous diagnosis of prostate cancer do not experience an increased risk of rectal cancer recurrence or overall mortality compared with men without a previous history of prostate cancer.
Diffusion tensor imaging and gray matter volumetry to evaluate cerebral remodeling processes after a pure motor stroke: a longitudinal study
Authors: Loubinoux Isabelle , Lafuma Marie , Rigal Julien , Colitti Nina , Albucher Jean-François , Raposo Nicolas , Planton Mélanie , Olivot Jean-Marc , Chollet François
Published: September 2024

Background and objectives

Clinical factors are not sufficient to fix a prognosis of recovery after stroke. Pyramidal tract or alternate motor fiber (aMF: reticulo-, rubrospinal pathways and transcallosal fibers) integrity and remodeling processes assessable by diffusion tensor MRI (DTI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) may be of interest. The primary objective was to study longitudinal cortical brain changes using VBM and longitudinal corticospinal tract changes using DTI during the first 4 months after lacunar cerebral infarction. The second objective was to determine which changes were correlated to clinical improvement.

Methods

Twenty-one patients with deep brain ischemic infarct with pure motor deficit (NIHSS score ≥ 2) were recruited at Purpan Hospital and included. Motor deficit was measured [Nine peg hole test (NPHT), dynamometer (DYN), Hand-Tapping Test (HTT)], and a 3T MRI scan (VBM and DTI) was performed during the acute and subacute phases.

Results

White matter changes: corticospinal fractional anisotropy (FACST) was significantly reduced at follow-up (approximately 4 months) on the lesion side. FAr (FA ratio in affected/unaffected hemispheres) in the corona radiata was correlated to the motor performance at the NPHT, DYN, and HTT at follow-up. The presence of aMFs was not associated with the extent of recovery. Grey matter changes: VBM showed significant increased cortical thickness in the ipsilesional premotor cortex at follow-up. VBM changes in the anterior cingulum positively correlated with improvement in motor measures between baseline and follow-up.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this study is original because is a longitudinal study combining VBM and DTI during the first 4 months after stroke in a series of patients selected on pure motor deficit. Our data would suggest that good recovery relies on spared CST fibers, probably from the premotor cortex, rather than on the aMF in this group with mild motor deficit. The present study suggests that VBM and FACST could provide reliable biomarkers of post-stroke atrophy, reorganization, plasticity and recovery.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT01862172, registered May 24, 2013
Anti-sulfatide antibodies in neurological disorders: should we test?
Authors: Kleiser Benedict , Giesche Niklas , Kowarik Markus C. , Dubois Evelyn , Armbruster Marcel , Grimm Alexander , Marquetand Justus
Published: September 2024

Objective

Neurological autoimmune peripheral and central nervous system disorders can be associated with anti-sulfatide antibodies. These antibodies are considered potential diagnostic biomarkers, although their additional diagnostic value in neurological fields has been increasingly questioned. Given the little evidence of anti-sulfatide antibodies’ frequency and diagnostic value in neurology, we aimed to fill this knowledge gap by investigating 10 years of data.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed the results of the anti-ganglioside dot kits (GA Generic Assays GmbH) from 1318 serum samples and 462 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples for the frequency, sensitivity, and specificity of anti-sulfatide antibodies in neurological disorders.

Results

Although anti-sulfatide antibodies are rarely present in neurological autoimmune disorders (serum IgM 2.5%, IgG 4.6%), they are also present in non-autoimmune diseases (serum IgM 1.2%, IgG 2.5%) and lack sensitivity and specificity towards being a diagnostic marker. Furthermore, anti-sulfatide antibodies are rarely found in CSF (e.g., no positive results for IgM), and including so-called borderline results ((+)) increases sensitivity and the false-positive rate in serum and CSF.

Discussion

While anti-sulfatide antibodies appear more frequently in neurological autoimmune diseases, they are rare overall and provide very limited diagnostic value in determining specific neurological diseases and—more importantly—if a neurological disease has a potential autoimmune etiology.
“New food cultures” and the absent food citizen: immigrants in urban food policy discourse
Authors: Bonnevera Isabela
Published: September 2024

Multicultural cities in the Global North are rapidly developing and releasing urban food policies that outline municipal visions of sustainable food systems. In turn, these policies shape conceptions of food citizenship in the city. While these policies largely absorb activities previously associated with “alternative” food systems, little is known about how they respond to critical food and race scholars who have noted that these food practices and spaces have historically marginalized immigrants. A critical discourse analysis of 22 urban food policies from Global North cities reveals that most policies do not meaningfully consider immigrant foodscapes, foodways, and food-related labour. Many promote hegemonic and/or ethno-nationalistic understandings of “healthy” and “sustainable” food without recognizing immigrants’ food-related knowledge and skills. Policies largely fail to connect the topic of immigrant labour with goals like shortening supply chains, subject immigrant neighbourhoods to stigmatizing health discourses, and lack acknowledgement of the barriers immigrants may face to participating in sustainable food systems. Relatedly, policy discourses articulate forms of food citizenship that emphasize individual obligations over rights related to food. This jeopardizes the potential for immigrants to be seen as belonging to dominant political urban food communities and benefitting from the symbolic and material rewards associated with them.
Learning mobility in European higher education: How has the Union’s flagship initiative progressed?
Authors: Pereira Miguel Alves , D’Inverno Giovanna , Camanho Ana Santos
Published: September 2024

In 2010, the European Commission set out the development of an economy based on knowledge and innovation as one of the priorities of its Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth. This culminated in the ‘Youth on the Move’ flagship initiative, aimed at enhancing the performance and international attractiveness of Europe’s higher education institutions and raising the Union’s overall education and training levels. Therefore, it is relevant to assess the performance of the ‘Youth on the Move’ initiative via the creation of composite indicators (CIs) and, ultimately, monitor the progress made by European countries in creating a positive environment supporting learner mobility. For this reason, we make use of the CI-building ‘Benefit-of-the-Doubt’ approach, in its robust and conditional setting to account for outliers and the human development of those nations, to exploit the European Commission’s Mobility Scoreboard framework between 2015/2016 and 2022/2023. Furthermore, we incorporate the value judgements of experts in the sector to construct utility scales and compute weight restrictions through multi-criteria decision analysis. This enables the conversion of ordinal scales into interval ones based on knowledgeable information about reality in higher education. In the end, the results point to a slight performance improvement, but highlight the need to improve the ‘Recognition of learning outcomes’, ‘Foreign language preparation’, and ‘Information and guidance’.
Fine-grained gaze estimation based on the combination of regression and classification losses
Authors: Abdelrahman Ahmed A. , Hempel Thorsten , Khalifa Aly , Al-Hamadi Ayoub
Published: September 2024

Human gaze is a crucial cue used in various applications such as human-robot interaction, autonomous driving, and virtual reality. Recently, convolution neural network (CNN) approaches have made notable progress in predicting gaze angels. However, estimating accurate gaze direction in-the-wild is still a challenging problem due to the difficulty of obtaining the most crucial gaze information that exists in the eye area which constitutes a small part of the face images. In this paper, we introduce a novel two-branch CNN architecture with a multi-loss approach to estimate gaze angles (pitch and yaw) from face images. Our approach utilizes separate fully connected layers for each gaze angle prediction, allowing explicit learning of discriminative features and emphasizing the distinct information associated with each gaze angle. Moreover, we adopt a multi-loss approach, incorporating both classification and regression losses. This allows for joint optimization of the combined loss for each gaze angle, resulting in improved overall gaze performance. To evaluate our model, we conduct experiments on three popular datasets collected under unconstrained settings: MPIIFaceGaze, Gaze360, and RT-GENE. Our proposed model surpasses current state-of-the-art methods and achieves state-of-the-art performance on all three datasets, showcasing its superior capability in gaze estimation.
Maternal Accommodation of Adolescent Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Clinical Correlates and Association with Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Hogg E. , Krebs G. , Mataix-Cols D. , Jassi A.
Published: September 2024

Family accommodation (FA) is widely-recognised as an important clinical phenomenon in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders, and is related to poorer treatment outcomes. However, FA has not been quantitatively explored in Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns and correlates of maternal accommodation in adolescent BDD, and its association with treatment outcomes. Participants were 131 adolescents with BDD and their mothers who completed the Family Accommodation Scale—Parent Report (FAS-PR) as part of routine clinical practice in a National and Specialist Service for Young People at the Maudsley Hospital, London. Seventy-six (58%) young people received specialist cognitive behavioural therapy for BDD and had post-treatment data available. All mothers engaged in at least one form of accommodation. Providing reassurance (98.5%) and assisting avoidance (88.5%) were the most commonly endorsed behaviours. Levels of accommodation were positively associated with clinician-rated BDD symptom severity (r = 0.18, p = 0.041) and maternal symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress (r = 0.41, p < 0.001), and negatively associated with child global functioning (r = –0.38, p < 0.001). Maternal accommodation did not predict treatment outcomes (β = 0.055, p > 0.05). The findings indicate that maternal accommodation is common and has important clinical correlates, but does not impact on treatment response. Consequently, the relationship between maternal accommodation and BDD symptoms may differ to that evidenced in paediatric OCD. Future longitudinal research exploring maternal and paternal accommodation, and assessing variables of interest at multiple time-points throughout treatment, is needed to advance understanding of the role of FA in adolescent BDD.
Use of systemic hormonal contraception and risk of attempted suicide: a nested case–control study
Authors: Toffol Elena , Partonen Timo , Heikinheimo Oskari , But Anna , Latvala Antti , Haukka Jari
Published: September 2024

Evidence regarding the role of hormonal contraception (HC) as a risk factor for attempted suicide is inconclusive. Thus, this study aimed to assess the associations of use of different types of systemic HC with the risk of attempted suicide in women aged 15–49 years. Data on a population-based cohort (n = 587,823) of HC users and non-users in 2017 was derived from national registers in Finland. In a nested case–control design we examined the risk of attempted suicide in relation to current HC use (past six months) via multivariable conditional logistic regression models. During the follow-up (from 2018 to 2019) there were 1.174,346 million person-years of which 818 cases of suicide attempts were observed (incidence rate: 0.70 per 1000 person-years). Use of HC, especially combined hormonal contraceptives, was not associated with a higher risk of attempted suicide compared to non-use (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.45–1.02) after controlling for marital status, socioeconomic status, education, chronic diseases, recent delivery, recent psychiatric hospitalizations, and current use of psychotropic medications. In women without psychiatric history, current HC use (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.58–0.91), especially ethinylestradiol-containing preparations (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.40–0.73), was associated with a lower risk of attempted suicide. After adjusting for recent psychiatric hospitalizations and use of psychotropic medications, current use of progestin-only preparations was not associated with attempted suicide. In conclusion, current HC use was not associated with an increased risk of attempted suicide in fertile-aged women.
Understanding Student Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence as a Teammate
Authors: Marrone Rebecca , Zamecnik Andrew , Joksimovic Srecko , Johnson Jarrod , De Laat Maarten
Published: September 2024

This article examines students' opinions regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a teammate in solving complex problems. The overarching goal of the study is to explore the effectiveness of AI as a collaborative partner in educational settings. In the study, 15 groups of grade 9 students (59 students total) were assigned a challenging problem related to space exploration and were given access to an AI teammate. Following the task, the students participated in focus group discussions to gain insight into their perspectives on collaborating with AI. These discussions were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes. Epistemic Network Analysis was then used to quantify and visualise this data. The results suggest that students perceive AI with regard to two main themes: Trust in AI and the Capability of AI. The study's outcomes shed light on how students perceive AI and provide practical recommendations for educators to effectively incorporate AI into classrooms. Specifically, the recommendations include strategies for building student trust in AI systems through Explainable AI processes. This, in turn, encourages collaboration between humans and AI and promotes the development of AI literacy among students. The findings of this study are a valuable addition to the ongoing discussion on AI in education and offer actionable insights for educators to navigate the integration of AI technologies in support of student learning and growth. The scientific contribution of this study lies in its empirical investigation of student-AI interaction, providing evidence-based insights for enhancing educational practices.
“Embracing the essence of student voice…then doing something with the data”: One district’s critical use of evidence
Authors: Duane Addison , Hafen Quinn , Morales Luca , Jones Tiffany M. , Shapiro Valerie B.
Published: September 2024

School climate surveys are frequently used to collect information about student experiences in school. Less is known about how educators use survey data after survey administration. This paper explores one school district’s critical use of evidence to promote equitable change. We conducted eight semi-structured interviews with district and school leaders to investigate their uses of evidence. Through our qualitative, reflexive thematic analysis, we generated six themes: (1) using evidence to provide a common language; (2) bringing attention to trends to shift staff understanding of problems, (3) making structural changes, (4) planning for professional learning, (5) following up directly with students, and (6) engaging with the community. Findings illustrate how education leaders can apply a critical lens to their generation and use of evidence. We explore how the strategic use of evidence is needed to advance the broader goal of fostering school change and improving school climate for all students.
Pathways to success: a machine learning approach to predicting investor dynamics in equity and lending crowdfunding campaigns
Authors: Porro Rosa , Ercole Thomas , Pipitò Giuseppe , Vessio Gennaro , Loglisci Corrado
Published: September 2024

Crowdfunding has evolved into a formidable mechanism for collective financing, challenging traditional funding sources such as bank loans, venture capital, and private equity with its global reach and versatile applications across various sectors. This paper explores the complex dynamics of crowdfunding platforms, particularly focusing on investor behaviour and investment patterns within equity and lending campaigns in Italy. By leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, including XGBoost and LSTM networks, we develop predictive models that dynamically analyze real-time and historical data to accurately forecast the success or failure of crowdfunding campaigns. To address the existing gaps in crowdfunding analysis tools, we introduce two novel datasets—one for equity crowdfunding and another for lending. Moreover, our approach extends beyond traditional binary success metrics, proposing novel measures. The insights gained from this study could support crowdfunding strategies, significantly improving project selection and promotional tactics on platforms. By enhancing decision-making processes and providing forward-looking guidance to investors, our computational model aims to empower both campaign creators and platform administrators, ultimately improving the overall efficacy and sustainability of crowdfunding as a financing tool.
Marine heatwave in the Oyashio region in 2022/23 and its impact on subsurface dissolved oxygen
Authors: Kawai Yoshimi , Oka Eitarou , Sato Kanako , Hosoda Shigeki , Kido Shoichiro
Published: September 2024

The Oyashio region east of northern Japan has experienced frequent marine heatwaves (MHWs) since 2010, and in the summer and fall of 2022, sea surface temperature hit a record high as of that year. This study examined the impact of the 2022/23 MHW on dissolved oxygen (DO) by analyzing observations from a vessel and biogeochemical Argo floats. It was found that warm saline water from the Kuroshio Current intruded at ~ 42°N in July. DO anomalies from the climatology above a depth of 200 m were negatively correlated with the temperature anomalies at the same depth, while the opposite was true for deeper depths. In the density coordinate, DO and temperature anomalies exhibited a strong negative correlation when the potential density (σ
θ) was less than ~ 27.0 kg m−3. Thus, it was demonstrated that subsurface DO anomalies could be statistically predicted from temperature and salinity fields using this relationship. Notably, DO anomalies could be divided into components related to isopycnal mixing and density-surface heaving. This decomposition revealed a dynamical process, whereby the intrusion of the Kuroshio water, which is lighter than the Oyashio water, pushed down the density surfaces, causing oxygenation. Meanwhile, isopycnal mixing tended to mitigate the increase of DO concentration since DO concentration was smaller in the south than in the north on an isopycnal surface of σ
θ < 27.0 kg m−3. This study clarified that, during the 2022/23 MHW, deoxygenation occurred near the surface owing the warming, whereas the DO concentration increased in the subsurface layer.
Load torque estimation for cable failure detection in cable-driven parallel robots: a machine learning approach
Authors: Bettega Jason , Piva Giulio , Richiedei Dario , Trevisani Alberto
Published: September 2024

This paper proposes a method for cable failure detection in cable-driven parallel robots (CDPRs) with arbitrary architecture, which is based on the estimates of the motor load torques, together with machine learning algorithms. By just exploiting the dynamic model of each actuator in the conditions of no load, an open-loop load torque observer is designed for each motor to estimate the presence of a load coupled through a cable. Since such a load instantaneously goes to zero for the motor with a broken cable, a simple but effective and robust signature of failure can be inferred to provide reliable detection even in the case of various model mismatches. Additionally, the load torque observer is not computationally demanding since just motor measurements are required, thus avoiding any direct measurement (and a dynamic model as well) on the end-effector. The detection of a failure is made through supervised classification algorithms based on artificial intelligence. The training of the machine learning algorithm is based on a “hybrid” approach: the dataset includes several failure cases, which are numerically generated through a system digital twin developed through the multibody system theory, together with measurements of the real system in nonfailing conditions. Different classification algorithms are considered, together with different sets of input variables to be fed to the classifier. Four numerical examples are proposed by showing the method capability in handling both fully actuated and redundantly actuated CDPRs under cable failure, both rigid and flexible cables, and also evaluating the response in the presence of cable slackness.