bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Worst of Times, The Best of Music
Authors: Chow Yiu Fai , de Kloet Jeroen , Schmidt Leonie
Published: May 2024

In September 2014, thousands of people started occupying different areas of Hong Kong, demanding “true democracy,” ushering in what was known as the “Umbrella Movement.” The popular protest might have taken the world by surprise; for us, it can be read as a logical outcome of a much longer process of postcolonial anxiety. Popular culture, among which popular music, constitutes an important domain to narrate versions of the past, present, and future that present alternatives to official versions. We therefore shift our eyes and ears from the tumultuous and politically explicit street protests to the aestheticised show of popular sentiments: the 2012 and 2017 Tat Ming Pair concerts. How does Tat Ming’s performance imagine the postcolonial city and its histories? How does it negotiate Hong Kong’s current socio-historical moment? And what kinds of futures does it fantasise for Hong Kong? And what differences can we distinguish between both concerts, one before and the other after the Umbrella Movement? For both concert series, we zoom in onto three songs: “Today Could Have Been a Happy Day 今天應該很高興,” “Tonight the Stars are Bright 今夜星光燦爛,” and “It’s My Party.” These three songs present different articulations of temporality; we start with reflecting on how the (colonial) history of Hong Kong is represented, then move on to analyse how Hong Kong’s present-day predicament is articulated, finally to probe into imaginations of the future in the concerts. These three temporalities, in conjunction with the two different moments the concerts took place, 2012 and 2017, are always already implicated with each other. Following our introduction in Chapter 1, they allow us to study how the constructs of the past, the present, and the possible futures of the city, are woven into the fibre of the concerts.
Another approach to K-subadditivity
Authors: Jabłońska Eliza
Published: May 2024

In the paper the notion of weakly K-subadditive set-valued maps is introduced in such a way that F is weakly K-superadditive if and only if $$-F$$

-
F

is weakly K-subadditive. This new definition is a natural generalization of K-subadditive set-valued maps from Jabłońska and Nikodem (Aequ Math 95:1221–1231, 2021), for which opposite set-valued maps need not be K-subadditive. Among others, we prove that every weakly K-subadditive set-valued map which is K–upper bounded on a “large” set has to be locally weakly K-upper bounded and weakly K-lower bounded at every point of the domain. This theorem completes an analogous result for K-subadditive set-valued maps which are weakly K-upper bounded on “large” sets from Jabłońska and Nikodem (Aequ Math 95:1221–1231, 2021).
Characterising the Radionuclide Fingerprint of an Advanced Gas-Cooled Nuclear Power Reactor
Authors: Goodwin M. A. , Petts A. , Milbrath B. D. , Ringbom A. , Chester D. L. , Bowyer T. W. , Burnett J. L. , Friese J. , Lidey L. , Hayes J. C. , Eslinger P. W. , Mayer M. , Keller D. , Sarathi R. , Johnson C. , Aldener M. , Liljegren S. , Fritioff T. , Kastlander J. , Leadbetter S. J.
Published: May 2024

Radionuclides are monitored in the atmosphere for the signatures of nuclear explosions, as part of the verification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Civil nuclear facilities, such as Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and Isotope Production Facilities (IPFs) are sources of anthropogenic radionuclides in the atmosphere and these signatures are sometimes indistinguishable to those of a nuclear explosion. In order to improve the understanding of civil radionuclide-emitting facilities and their impact on the International Monitoring System (IMS) of the CTBT, a group of scientists from the UK, US and Sweden are collaborating with EDF Energy UK to measure radionuclide emissions from an Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) nuclear power station. Emissions are being measured at the source, via a stack monitor and high-resolution gamma spectrometry measurements of filters and also at tens of kilometres away via three sensitive radioxenon atmospheric samplers. The timing, isotopic composition, activity magnitudes and other release parameters of interest are investigated, to improve the discrimination between a civil radionuclide release and an explosive nuclear test. This paper outlines the work of the Xenon and Environmental Nuclide Analysis at Hartlepool (XENAH) collaboration, describes the equipment fielded and provides initial results from each measurement campaign.
Phytoplankton composition in Mediterranean confined coastal lagoons: testing the use of ecosystem metabolism for the quantification of community-related variables
Authors: Bas-Silvestre Maria , Antón-Pardo Maria , Boix Dani , Gascón Stéphanie , Compte Jordi , Bou Jordi , Obrador Biel , Quintana Xavier D.
Published: May 2024

Estimations of ecosystem metabolism have rarely been used to quantify productivity in structural reductionist approaches for the description of phytoplankton composition. However, estimations of ecosystem metabolism could contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between phytoplankton composition and ecosystem functioning. To examine this, we investigated the community structure of phytoplankton in a set of Mediterranean coastal lagoons (natural and artificial) during a hydrological cycle to identify the most important environmental variables determining phytoplankton species composition. The focus of the study was on the quantification of productivity-related variables using estimations of ecosystem metabolism, such as different proxies for the estimation of the production-to-biomass ratio and of the relative importance of K- and r-strategies, which are commonly used conceptually but not quantified. Our results demonstrated differences in phytoplankton composition between seasons, due to the dominant hydrological pattern of flooding confinement in the salt marsh, and between lagoons that were caused by different levels of nutrient availability. Moreover, there was a notable decrease in the production/biomass ratio and a prevalence of K-strategists with seasonal succession, as predicted by Margalef’s mandala. Thus, the results showed that estimations of ecosystem metabolism are useful for the higher frequency quantification of important ecological variables, and contribute to a better understanding of planktonic assemblages, and physical and chemical changes, in these fluctuating ecosystems.
Historisches zur Ethik in der Psychiatrie
Authors: Schmiedebach Heinz-Peter
Published: May 2024

Um 1900 war die Etablierung der akademischen Psychiatrie vollzogen. Gleichzeitig verschob sich das professionelle Selbstverständnis der Psychiater angesichts der gesellschaftlichen Krisenphänomene hin zu einem Selbstbild, nach dem die Psychiatrie ihre Expertise in den Dienst an Volk und Vaterland zu stellen hatte. Dies kam besonders im Ersten Weltkrieg im brutalen Umgang mit den sog. Kriegsneurotikern zum Ausdruck. Im Zusammenhang mit dem sog. Hungersterben von ca. 70.000 Anstaltsinsassen erörterte Karl Bonhoeffer in der Nachkriegszeit eine Wandlung des Humanitätsbegriffes. Als schlimmste Konsequenz der Abkehr vom Humanitätsdenken sind die im Nationalsozialismus erfolgten Morde an den Kranken zu nennen. Legitimierungen solcher Verbrechen mit Hinweisen auf eine Kollektivethik, wie es Karl Brandt versuchte, erscheinen jedoch wenig überzeugend. Die in den 1960er-Jahren initiierten Psychiatriereformen und seit 2008 in Kraft getretene Behindertenrechtskonvention der Vereinten Nationen haben Voraussetzungen für eine unterstützende und zwangsreduzierte Psychiatrie geschaffen, wobei jedoch noch viele Fragen, auch im Rechts- und Sozialsystem, zu klären sind.
Identification and validation of gestational diabetes subgroups by data-driven cluster analysis
Authors: Salvatori Benedetta , Wegener Silke , Kotzaeridi Grammata , Herding Annika , Eppel Florian , Dressler-Steinbach Iris , Henrich Wolfgang , Piersanti Agnese , Morettini Micaela , Tura Andrea , Göbl Christian S.
Published: May 2024

Aims/hypothesis

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a heterogeneous condition. Given such variability among patients, the ability to recognise distinct GDM subgroups using routine clinical variables may guide more personalised treatments. Our main aim was to identify distinct GDM subtypes through cluster analysis using routine clinical variables, and analyse treatment needs and pregnancy outcomes across these subgroups.

Methods

In this cohort study, we analysed datasets from a total of 2682 women with GDM treated at two central European hospitals (1865 participants from Charité University Hospital in Berlin and 817 participants from the Medical University of Vienna), collected between 2015 and 2022. We evaluated various clustering models, including k-means, k-medoids and agglomerative hierarchical clustering. Internal validation techniques were used to guide best model selection, while external validation on independent test sets was used to assess model generalisability. Clinical outcomes such as specific treatment needs and maternal and fetal complications were analysed across the identified clusters.

Results

Our optimal model identified three clusters from routinely available variables, i.e. maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI (BMIPG) and glucose levels at fasting and 60 and 120 min after the diagnostic OGTT (OGTT0, OGTT60 and OGTT120, respectively). Cluster 1 was characterised by the highest OGTT values and obesity prevalence. Cluster 2 displayed intermediate BMIPG and elevated OGTT0, while cluster 3 consisted mainly of participants with normal BMIPG and high values for OGTT60 and OGTT120. Treatment modalities and clinical outcomes varied among clusters. In particular, cluster 1 participants showed a much higher need for glucose-lowering medications (39.6% of participants, compared with 12.9% and 10.0% in clusters 2 and 3, respectively, p<0.0001). Cluster 1 participants were also at higher risk of delivering large-for-gestational-age infants. Differences in the type of insulin-based treatment between cluster 2 and cluster 3 were observed in the external validation cohort.

Conclusions/interpretation

Our findings confirm the heterogeneity of GDM. The identification of subgroups (clusters) has the potential to help clinicians define more tailored treatment approaches for improved maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Graphical Abstract
Information economies with taste diversity and bounded attention spans
Authors: Conley John P.
Published: May 2024

We consider an economy with a countably infinite number of consumers and pure public information goods. Each of these differentiated products is produced by a single monopoly firm that enters the market if it can cover costs. Thus, the product space is endogenous. We assume that the population of agents has diverse tastes, but bounded attention spans for content. We show that this implies that at all Pareto efficient allocations, all agents consume a finite number of public goods, and that each public good is consumed by a finite number of agents. In effect, these two taste assumptions turn pure public goods into what amount to club goods, despite the lack of rivalry in consumption or crowding of any type. Unfortunately, the equilibrium outcomes of Tiebout-like competition between public good providers do not satisfy the First Welfare Theorem. Even non-anonymous Lindahlian price systems are not sufficient to signal all profit opportunities to firms. We conclude that information markets are likely to be inefficient, and there will always remain opportunities for economic profits in an information economy.
Space-time CutFEM on overlapping meshes II: simple discontinuous mesh evolution
Authors: Larson Mats G. , Lundholm Carl
Published: May 2024

We present a cut finite element method for the heat equation on two overlapping meshes: a stationary background mesh and an overlapping mesh that evolves inside/“on top” of it. Here the overlapping mesh is prescribed by a simple discontinuous evolution, meaning that its location, size, and shape as functions of time are discontinuous and piecewise constant. For the discrete function space, we use continuous Galerkin in space and discontinuous Galerkin in time, with the addition of a discontinuity on the boundary between the two meshes. The finite element formulation is based on Nitsche’s method. The simple discontinuous mesh evolution results in a space-time discretization with a slabwise product structure between space and time which allows for existing analysis methodologies to be applied with only minor modifications. We follow the analysis methodology presented by Eriksson and Johnson (SIAM J Numer Anal 28(1):43–77, 1991; SIAM J Numer Anal 32(3):706–740, 1995). The greatest modification is the introduction of a Ritz-like “shift operator” that is used to obtain the discrete strong stability needed for the error analysis. The shift operator generalizes the original analysis to some methods for which the discrete subspace at one time does not lie in the space of the stiffness form at the subsequent time. The error analysis consists of an a priori error estimate that is of optimal order with respect to both time step and mesh size. We also present numerical results for a problem in one spatial dimension that verify the analytic error convergence orders.
Isotropic and numerical equivalence for Chow groups and Morava K-theories
Authors: Vishik Alexander
Published: May 2024

In this paper we prove the conjecture claiming that, over a flexible field, isotropic Chow groups coincide with numerical Chow groups (with ${\Bbb {F}}_{p}$

F
p

-coefficients). This shows that Isotropic Chow motives coincide with Numerical Chow motives. In particular, homs between such objects are finite groups and ⊗ has no zero-divisors. It provides a large supply of new points for the Balmer spectrum of the Voevodsky motivic category. We also prove the Morava K-theory version of the above result, which permits to construct plenty of new points for the Balmer spectrum of the Morel-Voevodsky ${\mathbb{A}}^{1}$

A
1

-stable homotopy category. This substantially improves our understanding of the mentioned spectra whose description is a major open problem.
Accurately predicting turbulent heat transfer over rough walls: a review of measurement equipment and methods
Authors: Abu Rowin Wagih , Xia Yu , Wang Sicong , Hutchins Nicholas
Published: May 2024

Studying turbulent heat transfer over rough surfaces is vital for enhancing heat transfer efficiency in various practical applications. This research presents an in-depth examination of the commissioning of a heated floor boundary layer wind tunnel facility, specifically focussing on addressing the uncertainties in measuring heat transfer over rough walls. Our findings show that minor variations in the slope of the inner-scaled mean temperature profile ($$\kappa _h$$

κ
h

) on a heated smooth wall have a marginal effect on the estimates of friction temperature and heat transfer coefficients across a range of friction Reynolds numbers ($${900 \lesssim \textrm{Re}_\tau \lesssim 3700}$$

900
≲

Re
τ

≲
3700

) when using the Clauser fit method. Direct heat transfer measurements using power metres validate this conclusion. Temperature measurements over a three-dimensional sinusoidal roughness indicate constant $$\kappa _h$$

κ
h

within uncertainty limits across the examined range $${2300 \lesssim \textrm{Re}_\tau \lesssim 10{,}400}$$

2300
≲

Re
τ

≲
10
,
400

, contingent on prior knowledge of the roughness’s virtual origin. Nevertheless, measuring heat transfer coefficients and roughness functions entails large uncertainty due to challenges in estimating heat losses and applying the modified Clauser method. Recommendations for enhancing accuracy in heated rough wall measurements include direct measurement of wall shear stress and heat flux, selecting low emissivity heated plates and ensuring precise control of heated wall conditions. This work also emphasises the significance of conducting a comprehensive uncertainty analysis as a valuable tool for identifying and addressing any shortcomings in the measurement facility and equipment.
Fast image recoloring for red–green anomalous trichromacy with contrast enhancement and naturalness preservation
Authors: Zhou Haiqiang , Huang Wangkang , Zhu Zhenyang , Chen Xiaodiao , Go Kentaro , Mao Xiaoyang
Published: May 2024

Color vision deficiency (CVD) is an eye disease caused by genetics that reduces the ability to distinguish colors, affecting approximately 200 million people worldwide. In response, image recoloring approaches have been proposed in existing studies for CVD compensation, and a state-of-the-art recoloring algorithm has even been adapted to offer personalized CVD compensation; however, it is built on a color space that is lacking perceptual uniformity, and its low computation efficiency hinders its usage in daily life by individuals with CVD. In this paper, we propose a fast and personalized degree-adaptive image-recoloring algorithm for CVD compensation that considers naturalness preservation and contrast enhancement. Moreover, we transferred the simulated color gamut of the varying degrees of CVD in RGB color space to CIE L*a*b* color space, which offers perceptual uniformity. To verify the effectiveness of our method, we conducted quantitative and subject evaluation experiments, demonstrating that our method achieved the best scores for contrast enhancement and naturalness preservation.
Elongational rheology of 2, 3 and 4 polymer stars connected by linear backbone chains
Authors: Hirschberg Valerian , Schußmann Max G. , Röpert Marie-Christin , Goecke Anika , Wilhelm Manfred , Wagner Manfred H.
Published: May 2024

We consider the elongational rheology of model polystyrene topologies with 2, 3 and 4 stars, which are connected by one (2-star or “Pom-Pom”), two (3-star) and three (4-star) linear backbone chains. The number of arms of each star varies from qa = 3 to 24, the molecular weight of the arms from Mw,a = 25 kg/mol to 300 kg/mol, and the backbone chains from Mw,b = 100 kg/mol to 382 kg/mol. If the length of the arm is shorter than the length of the backbone, i.e. Mw,a < Mw,b, and despite the vastly different topologies considered, the elongational stress growth coefficient can be modeled by the Hierarchical Multi-mode Molecular Stress Function (HMMSF) model, based exclusively on the linear-viscoelastic characterization and a single nonlinear parameter, the dilution modulus. If the length of the arms of the stars is similar or longer than the length of the backbone chain (Mw,a ≥ Mw,b) connecting two stars, the impact of the backbone chain on the rheology vanishes and the elongational stress growth coefficient is dominated by the star topology showing similar features of the elongational stress growth coefficient as those of linear polymers.

Graphical Abstract
Oxidative stress and NF-KB/iNOS inflammatory pathway as innovative biomarkers for diagnosis of drowning and differentiating it from postmortem submersion in both fresh and saltwater in rats
Authors: Adel Rana , Ibrahim Manar Fouli Gaber , Elsayed Samar Hisham , Yousri Nada A.
Published: May 2024

Background

Finding a dead body in water raises an issue concerning determining the cause of death as drowning because of the complex pathophysiology of drowning. In addition, the corpse may be submersed postmortem.

Objective

Evaluate the role of oxidative stress markers and NF-KB/iNOS inflammatory pathway as diagnostic biomarkers in drowning and whether they could differentiate freshwater from saltwater drowning.

Methods

This study included forty-five adult male albino rats classified into five groups: control group (C), Freshwater-drowned group (FD), Freshwater postmortem submersion group (FPS), saltwater-drowned group (SD), and saltwater postmortem submersion group (SPS). After the autopsy, the rats' lungs in each group were prepared for histological, immunohistochemical (caspase 3, TNF-α, NF-kB, COX-2 & iNOS), biochemical studies; MDA, NOx, SOD, GSH, VCAM-1, COX-2; and RT-PCR for the relative quantification of NF-kB and iNOS genes expression.

Results

Lung oxidative markers were significantly affected in drowned groups than in postmortem submersion groups. Inflammatory pathway markers were also significantly increased in the drowned groups, with concern that all markers were significantly affected more in saltwater than in freshwater drowned group.

Conclusions

It is concluded that the tested markers can be used accurately in diagnosing drowning and differentiating it from postmortem submersion with a better understanding of the mechanism of death in drowning as both mechanisms, inflammatory and oxidative stress, were revealed and involved.
Vulnerability profiles of workers and the relation with burnout symptoms: results from the Netherlands working conditions survey
Authors: Bouwens Luuk , van Zon Sander K.R. , Peijen Roy , Vooijs Marloes
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Unfavorable working conditions may place workers in a vulnerable position in the labour market, but studies on the clustering of these factors and their relation to burnout symptoms are lacking. This study aims to identify subgroups of workers in potentially vulnerable positions in the labour market and examine whether burnout symptoms differ across the established subgroups.

Methods

This study utilizes cross-sectional data from 2019 of the Netherlands Working Conditions Survey (n = 55,283). Working conditions included employment contracts, working hours, multiple jobs, tenure, physical strain, autonomy, and workload. Burnout symptoms were measured with five items on a 7-point Likert scale. Latent Class Analysis was used to identify vulnerability subgroups based on working conditions and educational level. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to examine whether burnout symptoms differed between the identified subgroups.

Results

Three out of nine subgroups (i.e., classes 4, 6, and 7) presented combinations of multiple unfavourable working conditions. The vulnerability of class 4, characterized by low educational level, physically demanding work, low autonomy, and a high workload, was underscored by a significantly higher burnout symptom score (M = 2.91;SD = 0.97) compared to all other subgroups. Subgroups 3 (M = 2.69;SD = 1.43) and 8 (M = 2.41;SD = 1.41), without striking unfavourable conditions, had the second and third highest scores on burnout symptoms.

Conclusions

Determining vulnerability in the labour market is not straightforward as not all profiles that presented clusters of unfavourable working conditions scored high on burnout symptoms, and vice versa. Future research should investigate whether findings are similar to other mental health outcomes.
Training neuro-fuzzy using flower pollination algorithm to predict number of COVID-19 cases: situation analysis for twenty countries
Authors: Baştemur Kaya Ceren , Kaya Ebubekir
Published: May 2024

Predicting the number of COVID-19 cases offers a reflection of the future, and it is important for the implementation of preventive measures. The numbers of COVID-19 cases are constantly changing on a daily. Adaptive methods are needed for an effective estimation instead of traditional methods. In this study, a novel method based on neuro-fuzzy and FPA is proposed to estimate the number of COVID-19 cases. The antecedent and conclusion parameters of the neuro-fuzzy model are determined by using FPA. In other words, neuro-fuzzy training is carried out with FPA. The number of COVID-19 cases belonging to twenty countries including USA, India, Brazil, Russian, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Colombia, Mexico, Poland, Turkey, Iran, Peru, Ukraine, South Africa, the Netherlands and Indonesia is estimated. Time series is created using the number of COVID-19 cases. Daily, weekly and monthly estimates are realized by utilizing these time series. MSE is used as the error metric. Although it varies according to the example and problem type, the best training error values between 0.000398027 and 0.0286562 are obtained. These best test error values are between 0.0005607 and 0.409867. The best training and test error values are 0.000398027 and 0.0005607, respectively. In addition to FPA, the number of cases is also predicted with the algorithms such as particle swarm optimization, harmony search, bee algorithm, differential evolution and their performances are compared. Success score and ranking are created for all algorithms. The scores of FPA for the daily, weekly and monthly forecast are 71, 77 and 62, respectively. These scores have shown that neuro-fuzzy training based on FPA is successful than other meta-heuristic algorithms for all three prediction types in the short- and medium-term estimation of COVID-19 case numbers.
Revolutionizing Alzheimer’s detection: an advanced telemedicine system integrating Internet-of-Things and convolutional neural networks
Authors: Massoud Mohamed A. , El-Bouridy Mohamed E. , Ahmed Wael A.
Published: May 2024

The advent of Internet-of-Things (IoT)-based telemedicine systems has ushered in a new era of technology facilitating early diagnosis and prevention for distant patients. This is particularly crucial for severe illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease, encompassing memory loss and cognitive dysfunction that significantly impairs daily life, necessitating immediate medical attention. The surge in data from intelligent systems, sourced from diverse locations, has heightened complexity and diminished diagnostic accuracy. In response, this study proposes an innovative distributed learning-based classification model, leveraging a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) classifier. This model proficiently manages clinical data images from disparate sources, ensuring disease classification with high accuracy. The research introduces a novel system designed for automated Alzheimer's disease detection and healthcare delivery. Comprising two subsystems, one dedicated to Alzheimer's diagnosis with an impressive 94.91% accuracy using CNN, and another for healthcare treatment, delivering excellent results. Notably, the system is adaptable to various diseases post-training. The study emphasizes the model's robust performance, achieving an outstanding 94.91% accuracy after 200 training epochs, with a loss of 0.1158, and a validation accuracy of 96.60% with a loss of 0.0922 at training without noise and loss: 0.2938 - Accuracy: 0.8713 - val_loss: 0.2387 - val_accuracy: 0.9069 at CNN with noise. Precision, recall, and F1 scores are comprehensively presented in a classification report, underscoring the system's effectiveness in categorizing Mild Demented and Non-Demented cases. While acknowledging room for further enhancements, this study introduces a promising avenue for telemedicine systems. It significantly impacts the early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related medical conditions, thereby advancing the healthcare sector and improving patients' quality of life. The inclusion of these quantitative results enhances the abstract's appeal to readers, providing a clearer understanding of the study's outcomes.
Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of shaping ability of kedo-S square and fanta AF™ baby rotary files compared to manual K-files in root canal preparation of primary anterior teeth
Authors: El-Desouky Shaimaa S. , El Fahl Bassem N. , Kabbash Ibrahim A. , Hadwa Shimaa M.
Published: May 2024

Background

Pediatric rotary file systems were developed to solve manual file limitations. With many systems available, it may be tricky to select the most appropriate one.

Aim

to assess & compare Kedo-S Square, Fanta-AF™-Baby rotary files with manual K-file concerning removed dentin amount, canal transportation, centric ability & root canal taper using CBCT in primary anterior teeth.

Design

Extracted Seventy-five upper primary anterior teeth with intact 2/3 root length were collected and divided into three groups based on root canal instrumentation, group-I: prepared using K-file, group-II: prepared using Kedo-S Square, and group-III: prepared using Fanta AF™ Baby file. The teeth were imaged with CBCT before & following canal instrumentation. Then, the removed dentin amount was calculated at each root-canal level. The Kruskal-Wallis test was utilized to statistically analyze study data.

Result

The difference among the three groups was highly statistically significant at cervical & apical thirds concerning dentin thickness changes on both mesial & distal sides following canal preparation with the least removed dentin in the Kedo-S Square group(P < 0.0001). Regarding transportation & centering ability, a non-significant difference between the three groups was found. 80% of the Fanta AF™ Baby group had good-tapered preparation compared to the Kedo-S Square (72%) and K-file (40%) groups(P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Kedo-S Square was preferable to Fanta-AFTM-Baby & manual K-files in primary root canal preparation.
Cardiac comorbidities in McArdle disease: case report and systematic review
Authors: Hoxhaj Domeniko , Vadi Gabriele , Bianchi Lorenzo , Fontanelli Lorenzo , Torri Francesca , Siciliano Gabriele , Ricci Giulia
Published: May 2024

Introduction and methods

Myophosphorylase deficiency, also known as McArdle disease or Glycogen Storage Disease type V (GSD-V), is an autosomal recessive metabolic myopathy that results in impaired glycogen breakdown in skeletal muscle. Despite being labelled as a “pure myopathy,” cardiac involvement has been reported in some cases, including various cardiac abnormalities such as electrocardiographic changes, coronary artery disease, and cardiomyopathy. Here, we present a unique case of a 72-year-old man with GSD-V and both mitral valvulopathy and coronary artery disease, prompting a systematic review to explore the existing literature on cardiac comorbidities in McArdle disease.

Results

Our systematic literature revision identified 7 case reports and 1 retrospective cohort study. The case reports described 7 GSD-V patients, averaging 54.3 years in age, mostly male (85.7%). Coronary artery disease was noted in 57.1% of cases, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 28.5%, severe aortic stenosis in 14.3%, and genetic dilated cardiomyopathy in one. In the retrospective cohort study, five out of 14 subjects (36%) had coronary artery disease.

Discussion and conclusion

Despite McArdle disease primarily affecting skeletal muscle, cardiac involvement has been observed, especially coronary artery disease, the frequency of which was moreover found to be higher in McArdle patients than in the background population in a previous study from a European registry. Exaggerated cardiovascular responses during exercise and impaired glycolytic metabolism have been speculated as potential contributors. A comprehensive cardiological screening might be recommended for McArdle disease patients to detect and manage cardiac comorbidities. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial to effectively manage both neurological and cardiac aspects of the disease and improve patient outcomes. Further research is required to establish clearer pathophysiological links between McArdle disease and cardiac manifestations in order to clarify the existing findings.
Soil nitrogen dynamics affected by coffee (coffea arabica) canopy and fertilizer management in coffee-based agroforestry
Authors: Kurniawan Syahrul , Nugroho R Muhammad Yusuf Adi Pujo , Ustiatik Reni , Nita Istika , Nugroho Gabryna Auliya , Prayogo Cahyo , Anderson Christopher W. N.
Published: May 2024

Nutrient management in coffee-based agroforestry systems plays a critical role in soil nitrogen (N) cycling, but has not been well documented. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of coffee canopy management and fertilization on soil N dynamics. This study used a randomized complete block design (2 × 3 × 2) with four replications. There were three factors: 1) coffee canopy management (T1: Pruned, T2: Unpruned), 2) fertilizer type (O: Organic, I: Inorganic; M: 50% Organic + 50% Inorganic), and 3) fertilizer dose (D1: low, D2: medium, D3: high). Soil N dynamic indicators (i.e., total N, ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3−), net N-NH4+, net N-NO3−, soil microbial biomass N) were measured at two soil sampling depths (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm). Results showed that pruning increased soil total N and microbial biomass N (MBN) by 10–56% relative to unpruned coffee trees. In contrast, the unpruned coffee canopy had 15–345% higher NH4+, NO3−, net N-NH4+, net N-NO3−, and microbial biomass N concentration than pruned coffee. Mixed fertilizer application increased NO3− and net N-NH4+ accumulation by 5–15% relative to inorganic and organic fertilizers. In addition, medium to high dose fertilization led to a 19–86% higher net N-NO3− concentration and microbial biomass N as compared to low dose fertilization. The treatment of no pruning and mixed fertilizer at low to medium doses was the optimal management strategy to maintain soil available N, while pruning combined with organic fertilizer has the potential to improve soil total N and MBN.
Suppressing the invasive common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) saves soil moisture reserves
Authors: Tölgyesi Csaba , Tóth Viktória , Hábenczyus Alida Anna , Frei Kata , Tóth Benedek , Erdős László , Török Péter , Bátori Zoltán
Published: May 2024

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) is a widespread invasive alien forb in dry sandy habitats of Central Europe. It adversely affects native plant and animal communities, but its ecosystem-level effects, particularly on hydrology, are little known. Since milkweed has an extensive, deep root system and large, broad leaves, we assumed a negative effect on the soil moisture content of the hosting ecosystem. Following the before-after control-impact protocol, we first compared the soil moisture content of the top 120 cm of the soil under seven milkweed stands to that of non-invaded reference sites. We then treated half of the stands by mechanically removing all aboveground milkweed biomass and repeated the comparative soil moisture measurements. We found that milkweed stands had significantly drier soils than reference grasslands during the growing season, but the soil under milkweed stands recharged to the level of the references in autumn and winter. However, the amount of moisture needed for this recharge was lost from deeper percolation to groundwater. Milkweed treatment prevented the depletion of moisture during the growing season, saving 21.6 l m−2 of water on average. Treatment did not affect non-milkweed plant biomass, thus, moisture patterns could fully be attributed to the milkweed stands. Our results reinforce the importance of milkweed suppression in invaded grasslands, as, besides enabling the recovery of the native grassland ecosystem, it promotes groundwater recharge, which is particularly important in the dry regions of Central Europe, currently facing severe aridification due to climate change and unfavourable land use trends.
A Pharmacogenomics-Based In Silico Investigation of Opioid Prescribing in Post-operative Spine Pain Management and Personalized Therapy
Authors: Lewandrowski Kai-Uwe , Sharafshah Alireza , Elfar John , Schmidt Sergio Luis , Blum Kenneth , Wetzel Franklin Todd
Published: May 2024

Considering the variability in individual responses to opioids and the growing concerns about opioid addiction, prescribing opioids for postoperative pain management after spine surgery presents significant challenges. Therefore, this study undertook a novel pharmacogenomics-based in silico investigation of FDA-approved opioid medications. The DrugBank database was employed to identify all FDA-approved opioids. Subsequently, the PharmGKB database was utilized to filter through all variant annotations associated with the relevant genes. In addition, the dpSNP (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/snp/), a publicly accessible repository, was used. Additional analyses were conducted using STRING-MODEL (version 12), Cytoscape (version 3.10.1), miRTargetLink.2, and NetworkAnalyst (version 3). The study identified 125 target genes of FDA-approved opioids, encompassing 7019 variant annotations. Of these, 3088 annotations were significant and pertained to 78 genes. During variant annotation assessments (VAA), 672 variants remained after filtration. Further in-depth filtration based on variant functions yielded 302 final filtered variants across 56 genes. The Monoamine GPCRs pathway emerged as the most significant signaling pathway. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis revealed a fully connected network comprising 55 genes. Gene–miRNA Interaction (GMI) analysis of these 55 candidate genes identified miR-16-5p as a pivotal miRNA in this network. Protein–Drug Interaction (PDI) assessment showed that multiple drugs, including Ibuprofen, Nicotine, Tramadol, Haloperidol, Ketamine, l-Glutamic Acid, Caffeine, Citalopram, and Naloxone, had more than one interaction. Furthermore, Protein–Chemical Interaction (PCI) analysis highlighted that ABCB1, BCL2, CYP1A2, KCNH2, PTGS2, and DRD2 were key targets of the proposed chemicals. Notably, 10 chemicals, including carbamylhydrazine, tetrahydropalmatine, Terazosin, beta-methylcholine, rubimaillin, and quinelorane, demonstrated dual interactions with the aforementioned target genes. This comprehensive review offers multiple strong, evidence-based in silico findings regarding opioid prescribing in spine pain management, introducing 55 potential genes. The insights from this report can be applied in exome analysis as a pharmacogenomics (PGx) panel for pain susceptibility, facilitating individualized opioid prescribing through genotyping of related variants. The article also points out that African Americans represent an important group that displays a high catabolism of opioids and suggest the need for a personalized therapeutic approach based on genetic information.

Graphical Abstract
Social Work Advocacy: Towards a Trauma-Informed Model
Authors: Tarshish Noam , David Paula , Krumer-Nevo Michal
Published: May 2024

Advocating for rights is widely regarded as an integral part of social work education and a key component of social work interventions with people in poverty and other marginalized populations. Current research also indicates that poverty and marginalization are strongly associated with trauma. However, models of social work advocacy fail to acknowledge and account for the effects of past and present trauma on marginalized populations. Similarly, principles stemming from a trauma-informed perspective (TIP) typically do not address advocacy of rights. This separation maintains the traditional social work divide between internal struggles and external obstacles, as well as the distinct approaches used to facilitate change in each realm. Based on a presentation of the main models of social work advocacy in light of their consideration of trauma, this article proposes an integrative model: the trauma-informed active take-up advocacy model (TI-ATA). We conclude by discussing case study illustrations and the applications and limitations of the integrative TI-ATA model to the social work field.
Too many cooks could spoil the broth: choice overload and the provision of ambulatory health care
Authors: Herwartz Helmut , Strumann Christoph
Published: May 2024

Patient empowerment calls for an intensified participation of (informed) patients with more treatment opportunities to choose from. A growing body of literature argues that confronting consumers with too many opportunities can lead to a choice overload (CO) resulting in uncertainty that the selected alternative dominates all other options in the choice set. We examine whether there is a CO effect in the demand for ambulatory health care in Germany by analyzing the association of medical specialists supply on so-called patients’ health uncertainty. Further, we investigate if the CO effect is smaller in areas with a higher density of general practitioners (GPs). We find that patients who live in an area with a large supply of specialists are subject to a CO effect that is expressed by an increased health uncertainty. The coordinating role of GPs seems to be effective to reduce the CO effect, while preserving free consumer choice.
Exploring the Development of Preservice Teachers’ Visions of Equity through Science and Mathematics Integration
Authors: Gilbert Andrew , Suh Jennifer , Choudhry Fahima
Published: May 2024

This paper details an integrated inquiry-based mathematics and science method course for preservice teachers designed around STEM problem-based learning. It documents how problem-based learning (PBL) activities supported PSTs’ envisioning of equitable approaches for diverse children. The overarching research question was: How did preservice teacher learning and lesson design experiences within integrated STEM inquiry translate to their vision of equity-based STEM practice? The data included PSTs course reflections, STEM PBL 5E units, and reflections as they watched recordings of their teaching their units. This facilitated mapping the development of PSTs’ vision for equitable teaching across the field mediated experiences in teaching and learning STEM. Our findings revealed how visions of equitable STEM practices emerged from the PST's own experience as being a learner in an integrated STEM environment and from being a teacher who planned and enacted an equity focused STEM unit in a diverse classroom context. The dual teacher-learner experience of the mediated field experience was critically important to provide experiencing and witnessing the high level of motivation during the meaning-making process and provided evidence that rigorous math and science learning is possible in diverse contexts.
Yes We Can: Promoting Gender Equality from University to Primary Education Teaching through the Design of Knowledge Models
Authors: de Villarreal Maider Pérez , Scotton Paolo
Published: May 2024

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are important issues that still need to be addressed, despite some progress in recent years. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to tackle various global challenges, including the 4th (Quality Education) and 5th (Gender Equality) goals that were used to frame an activity in a science education subject in a primary education teaching degree. Previous research has found a decrease in girls’ interest in STEM and STEM-related jobs in primary and secondary education. To encourage girls in primary education towards STEM-related professions, an activity was organized in a science subject at a university in Navarre, Spain. The goal of this activity was to identify inspiring women scientists who could serve as role models for university and primary school students. A knowledge model, which is a concise and graphical representation of knowledge through concept maps, was created using the methodology of knowledge model design (Cañas et al. Revista De Informática Educativa 13:145–158, 2000) to showcase all the women scientists selected by the students. This final model is publicly accessible and can be shared with any educational center interested in promoting gender diversity in STEM fields. The results showed that the students learned meaningfully as they inquired about women scientists in professions that are typically considered more suitable for men. As these students are trainee primary school teachers, they can become part of an educational network that empowers girls by developing STEM-related activities that promote gender equality.
Infinite-Volume States with Irreducible Localization Sets for Gradient Models on Trees
Authors: Abbondandolo Alberto , Henning Florian , Külske Christof , Majer Pietro
Published: May 2024

We consider general classes of gradient models on regular trees with spin values in a countable Abelian group S such as $${\mathbb {Z}}$$
Z
or $${\mathbb {Z}}_q$$

Z
q

. This includes unbounded spin models like the p-SOS model and finite-alphabet clock models. Under a strong coupling (low temperature) condition on the interaction, we prove the existence of families of distinct homogeneous tree-indexed Markov chain Gibbs states $$\mu _A$$

μ
A

whose single-site marginals concentrate on a given finite subset $$A\subset S$$

A
⊂
S

of spin values. The existence of such states is a new and robust phenomenon which is of particular relevance for infinite spin models. These states are extremal in the set of homogeneous Gibbs states, and in particular cannot be decomposed into homogeneous Markov-chain Gibbs states with a single-valued concentration center. Whether they are also extremal in the set of all Gibbs states remains an open, challenging question. As a further application of the method we obtain the existence of new types of gradient Gibbs states with $${\mathbb {Z}}$$
Z
-valued spins, whose single-site marginals do not localize, but whose correlation structure depends on the finite set A, where we provide explicit expressions for the correlation between the height-increments along disjoint edges.
Root growth and belowground interactions in spring wheat /faba bean intercrops
Authors: Hadir Sofia , Döring Thomas F. , Justes Eric , Demie Dereje T. , Paul Madhuri , Legner Nicole , Kemper Roman , Gaiser Thomas , Weedon Odette , Ewert Frank , Seidel Sabine J.
Published: May 2024

Background and aims

Intercrops offer multiple advantages over sole crops. The aim of our study was to characterize root growth and interactions in spring wheat/faba bean intercrops to better understand belowground interactions that govern resource capture.

Materials and methods

A field experiment was conducted with one faba bean cultivar and two spring wheat cultivars sown at three sowing densities, defining three intercropping designs. Destructive root coring was conducted (0–100 cm) in the intercrops and sole crops at two development stages. FTIR spectroscopy was used to discriminate the species’ root masses. The plant-plant interaction index was calculated to represent the belowground interactions.

Results

A negative impact of intercropping on total root mass was observed in the treatment with high sowing density in both stages. For the fully and partial replacement design treatments, plant-plant facilitation was more pronounced than competition in all layers. Competition dominated root growth in the treatment with high sowing density in both stages. Lower sowing densities encouraged deep root growth of wheat (both cultivars) in intercropping. The early root growth in depth and in density of one spring wheat cultivar impacted negatively faba bean root growth. Intercropping resulted in a grain yield advantage in both fully and only one partial replacement design treatment.

Conclusion

In the intercrops, total root mass and plant-plant interactions were affected more by sowing density than by the spring wheat cultivar. Understanding the effect of sowing density on root growth in intercropping can help to support the design of sustainable intercropping systems.
Multi-purpose pickup and delivery problem for combined passenger and freight transport
Authors: Hatzenbühler Jonas , Jenelius Erik , Gidófalvi Győző , Cats Oded
Published: May 2024

Recent advances in the development of modular transport vehicles allow deploying multi-purpose vehicles, which enable alternate transport of different demand types. In this study, we propose a novel variant of the pickup and delivery problem, the multi-purpose pickup and delivery problem, where multi-purpose vehicles are assigned to serve a multi-commodity flow. We solve a series of use case scenarios using an exact optimization algorithm and an adaptive large neighborhood search algorithm. We compare the performance of a multi-purpose vehicle fleet to a mixed fleet of single-purpose vehicles. Depending on cost parameters, our findings suggest that in certain scenarios, the total costs can be reduced by an average of 13% when multi-purpose vehicles are deployed, while at the same time reducing total vehicle trip duration and total distance traveled by on average 33% and 16%, respectively. The required fleet size can be reduced by 35% on average when operating multi-purpose vehicles. The results can be used by practitioners and policymakers to determine if the combined service of passenger and freight demand flows with multi-purpose vehicles in a given system will yield benefits compared to existing transport operations.