bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aeration effect on the efficiency of swine manure treatment in a trickling filter packed with organic materials
Authors: Garzón-Zúñiga M.A. , Lessard P. , Aubry G. , Buelna G.
Published: May 2007

Effect of aeration rate on the removal of organic matter and nitrogen and on the formation of NH3, N2O and N2 was studied for an extensive biofiltration system packed with an organic media, which was used to treat pig manure. The results show high removal of BOD5 and TSS (99 and ≥98%), independently of the four aeration rate tested (3.4–34 m3/m2·h). Aeration rate ≥4.4 m/h resulted in high ammonia stripping during start-up (≥1.0 kg NH3-N/m3 of swine manure treated), while using 3.4 m/h only 0.3 kg NH3-N/m3 were stripped. Complete nitrification was achieved after day 100 of operation, except in the biofilter with the lowest aeration rate. Simultaneous denitrification established in all the biofilters. Applying an aeration rate of 9.4 m/h up to 1.2 kg nitrogen was removed in the form of N2 for each m3 of swine manure treated. Contrary to the expectations, N2 formation and release increased with the aeration rate. This particular behaviour seems to be related to the punctual accumulation of water layers inside the biofilters, caused by the air force flowing in the opposite direction to the water flux. N2O production was quite similar in all biofilters (between 0.25–0.36 kg N2O-N/m3 of swine manure treated).
The effect of the textile industry dye bath additive EDTMPA on colour removal characteristics by ozone oxidation
Authors: Ölmez T. , Kabdaşlı I. , Tünay O.
Published: May 2007

In this study, the effects of the phosphonic acid based sequestering agent EDTMPA used in the textile dye baths on colour and organic matter removal by ozone oxidation was experimentally investigated. Procion Navy HEXL dyestuff that has been commonly used for the reactive dyeing of cellulose fibers was selected as the model component. The organic matter oxidation by ozone was determined to obey the pseudo-first order kinetics as they are treated singly or in combination. COD removal rates obtained from pseudo-first order reaction kinetics showed that oxidation of Navy HEXL alone (0.0947 L/min) was faster than that of EDTMPA (0.0171 L/min) and EDTMPA with dye (0.0155 L/min) at pH 3.0. It was also found that reaction rates of single EDTMPA removal and EDTMPA and dye mixture removal increased as the reaction pH was increased from 3.0 to 10.5.
Effect of photochemical pre-treatment on COD fractionation of a non-ionic textile surfactant
Authors: Cokgor E.U. , Arslan-Alaton I. , Erdinc E. , Insel G. , Orhon D.
Published: May 2007

The work presented in this paper is focused on the effect of photochemical (H2O2/UV-C) pre-treatment on COD fractionation and degradation kinetics of a non-ionic textile surfactant. In the first part of the study, the COD of non-ionic surfactant was adjusted to 1000 mg/L in order to simulate real effluent originating from the textile preparation stage featuring desizing, scouring, washing and rinsing operations. The surfactant was subjected to H2O2/UV-C pretreatment for up to 120 min at a dose of 30 mM (980 mg/L) H2O2. The biodegradability studies for untreated and photochemically treated samples were evaluated on the basis of modeling of oxygen uptake rate (OUR) profiles. Modelling of OUR profiles conducted for untreated sample showed that single complex substrate was subjected to enzymatic breakdown and disintegrated into one readily and two types of slowly biodegradable substrates. After modelling the biodegradation of photochemically pretreated sample, the readily biodegradable COD fraction was reduced, on the other hand, more slowly biodegradable organics were generated. A higher disintegration rate was obtained for chemically pretreated samples. However, other kinetic constants of growth and hydrolysis processes were not affected considerably.
Potential of anaerobic digestion for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and production of renewable energy from agriculture: barriers and incentives to widespread adoption in Europe
Authors: Banks C.J. , Salter A.M. , Chesshire M.
Published: May 2007

The paper considers the role of anaerobic digestion in promoting good agricultural practice on farms and the contribution this would make to reducing the environmental impacts associated with manure management. There are no regulatory drivers to promote the use of digestion in Europe, and the technology has only been widely adopted where economic drivers and coherent policies have been implemented at a national level. These measures have included direct subsidy on the energy price paid for “green electricity”, and exemption of tax when biogas is used as a vehicle fuel. In those countries where financial incentives are not available or where a financial penalty is incurred through the regulatory regime, the uptake of digestion has been poor. Even with subsidies, digestion of animal manures as a single substrate is not common, and countries with successful schemes have achieved this either by permitting the import of wastes onto the farm or offering bonus subsidies for the use of energy crops. Both of these measures improve the energy efficiency of the process by increasing the volumetric methane production, although concerns are expressed that attention could concentrate on energy production at the expense of improving manure management.
Methanogenic and sulphate reducing bacterial population levels in a full-scale anaerobic reactor treating pulp and paper industry wastewater using fluorescence in situ hybridisation
Authors: Ince O. , Kolukirik M. , Cetecioglu Z. , Eyice O. , Tamerler C. , Kasapgil Ince B.
Published: May 2007

In this study, specific methanogenic activity (SMA) test and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) were respectively used to determine acetoclastic methanogenic capacity, and composition and number of methanogenic and sulphate reducing bacterial (SRB) populations within a full scale anaerobic contact reactor treating a pulp and paper industry effluent. The sludge samples were collected from three different heights along the anaerobic reactor having a difficulty of completely stirring. Performance of the anaerobic reactor in terms of COD removal efficiency varied between 47 and 55% at organic loading rates in a range of 1.6–1.8 kg COD m−3 d−1 and methane yield varied between 0.18 and 0.20 m3CH4 kg CODrem−1. The anaerobic reactor was not operated for 2 weeks during the monitoring period. According to SMA test results, potential methane production rate was 276 mL CH4 gVSS−1 d−1 before the off period of the reactor, however it decreased to 159 mL CH4 gVSS−1 d−1 after this period. SMA test and FISH results along the reactor height showed that the acetoclastic methanogenic activity of the sludge samples, the relative abundance of acetoclastic methanogens, hydrogenotrophic methanogens and acetate oxidising SRB decreased as the reactor height increased, however the relative abundance of non-acetate oxidising SRB increased.
Long-term evaluation of a sequential batch reactor (SBR) treating dairy wastewater for carbon removal
Authors: Gutiérrez Soledad , Ferrari Adrián , Benítez Alejandra , Travers Dayana , Menes Javier , Etchebehere Claudia , Canetti Rafael
Published: May 2007

Many dairy industries have been using SBR wastewater treatment plants because they allow optimal working condition to be reached. However, to take advantage of SBR capabilities, strong process automation is needed. The aim of this work is to study the factors that influence SBR performance to improve modelling and control. To better understand the whole process we studied the kinetic modelling, the carbon removal mechanism and the relation between reactor performance, aerobic heterotrophic activity and bacterial population dynamics (by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms of 16S rDNA, T-RFLP). The heterotrophic activity values presented high variability during some periods; however, this was not reflected on the reactor performance. As sludge health indicator, the average activity in a period was better than individual values. Although all the carbon removal mechanisms are still unclear for this process, they seemed to be influenced by non-respirometric ways (storage, biosorption, accumulation, etc.). The variability of heterotrophic activity could be correlated with the bacterial population diversity over time. Despite the high variability of the activity, a simple kinetic model (pseudo ASM1) based on apparent constant parameters was developed and calibrated. Such modellisation provided a good tool for control purposes.
Use of membrane bioreactors for the bioremediation of chlorinated compounds polluted groundwater
Authors: Carucci A. , Manconi I. , Manigas L.
Published: May 2007

Chlorinated compounds are widely used in agricultural applications where they are employed as components of pesticides; this leads often to pollution of groundwater near to agricultural sites, with serious effects for human health. The aim of the present study was the development of a membrane bioreactor, a new and effective water treatment technology, for the bioremediation of water polluted by 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichlorobenzene and 2-chlorophenol. Before starting-up the MBR system, a biomass was acclimated, to simultaneously degrade the three chlorinated compounds; then the acclimated biomass was inoculated into the MBR. The results showed a higher removal rate for 1,2-dichloroethane than for 1,2-dichlorobenzene; besides, the presence of 1,2-dichlorobenzene together with 1,2-dichloroethane decreased 1,2-dichloroethane specific removal rate. 2-chlorophenol was degraded only in presence of phenol as co-substrate, and the presence of phenol and 2-chlorophenol decreased 1,2-dichloroethane specific removal rate of approximately eight times, while 1,2-dichlorobenzene specific removal rate was not affected.
Treatability of cefazolin antibiotic formulation effluent with O3 and O3/H2O2 processes
Authors: Iskender G. , Sezer A. , Arslan-Alaton I. , Germirli Babuna F. , Okay O.S.
Published: May 2007

The effect of applying ozonation and perozonation to antibiotic cefazolin-Na formulation effluents were investigated in this study. Twenty minutes of ozonation at a rate of 1,500 mg/L-h was observed to remove COD by 38%, whereas a COD removal efficiency of 40% was achieved via H2O2 enhanced ozonation (same conditions + 31.25 mM H2O2). Both of the pretreatment alternatives were monitored to elevate the BOD5/COD ratio from 0.01 to 0.08. The initially inert COD was reduced by 38% using ozonation and by 60% employing H2O2 enhanced ozonation. In terms of the lowest achievable effluent COD levels after bio-treatment, ozonation was observed to yield a residual COD of 205 mg L−1, while a residual COD of 135 mg L−1 was involved for perozonation. According to the results of acute toxicity on Phaedactylum tricornutum, ozonated and perozonated samples exhibited more toxicity than the untreated effluent after 4 days. The activated sludge inhibition test demonstrated that both of the pretreatment alternatives efficiently eliminated the inhibition of investigated formulation effluent.
Adsorption reversibility and bioregeneration of activated carbon in the treatment of phenol
Authors: Aktaş Ö. , Çeçen F.
Published: May 2007

This study aims to clarify the effect of adsorbability, desorbability, biodegradability and activated carbon type on the extent of bioregeneration in the treatment of phenol. For this purpose, four different activated carbon types; one thermally activated and one chemically activated powdered carbon (PAC), and their granular countertypes (GAC) with similar physical characteristics were used. Adsorption isotherms showed that the thermally activated carbons, either in powdered or granular form, were better adsorbers for phenol than the chemically activated ones. However, adsorption was more irreversible in the case of thermally activated carbons. Bioregeneration of chemically activated carbons were found to be higher in accordance with their higher reversibility of adsorption showing that bioregeneration was controlled by the reversibility of adsorption. Bioregeneration efficiencies for the thermally activated carbons were much higher than their efficiencies of total desorbability. This indicated that some exoenzymatic reactions might have occurred so that phenol was bioregenerated more than expected.
Effect of chemical treatment on the acute toxicity of two commercial textile dye carriers
Authors: Arslan-Alaton I. , Iskender G. , Ozerkan B. , Babuna F. Germirli , Okay O.
Published: May 2007

In the present experimental study, the effect of chemical treatment (coagulation–flocculation) on the acute toxicity exerted by two commercial dye carriers (called Carrier A and B herein) often used in the textile industry was investigated. Two different test organisms were selected to elucidate the situations in activated sludge treatment systems (activated sludge microorganisms) as well as in receiving water bodies (ultimate marine discharge). According to the results of a comprehensive analysis covering COD removal efficiencies, sludge settling characteristics and operating costs involved in coagulation-flocculation, the optimum treatment conditions were defined as follows; application of 750 mg/L ferrous sulphate at a pH of 9.0 for Carrier A; and application of 550 mg/L ferrous sulphate at a pH of 9.0 for Carrier B. The acute toxicities of both dye carriers towards marine microalgea Phaeodactylum tricornutum could be reduced significantly after being subjected to coagulation–flocculation. Fair toxicity removals (towards heterotrophic mixed bacterial culture accommodated in activated sludge treatment) were obtained with coagulation–flocculation for both of the carriers under investigation.
Effect of biochemical storage on the denitrification potential of acetate in sequencing batch reactors
Authors: Ciggin A.S. , Karahan O. , Orhon D.
Published: May 2007

This study evaluates the effect biochemical storage on the denitrification potential (NDP) of acetate. The fate of bacterial storage is evaluated in a sequencing batch reactor system operated in a sequence of anoxic/aerobic phases, fed with acetate as a pulse and continuously under anoxic conditions. NDP is defined based on system stoichiometry both for direct growth and storage on acetate. Experimental results do not support conceptual calculations based on system stoichiometry, yielding a higher denitrification potential, NDP, for continuous feeding than the NDP obtained with pulse feeding, due to partial utilisation of the stored PHB within the anoxic phase. The nitrate, acetate and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) profiles obtained in the experimental studies were used in model calibrations for two different feeding patterns. Results of model simulations confirm the experimental results and evaluate the effects imposed on the denitrification potential by sludge age and the anoxic volume ratio.
Boosted CO2 Photoreduction Performance by CdSe Nanoplatelets via Se Vacancy Engineering
Authors: Luo Huanhuan , Lu Xuanzhao , Cao Yue , Lyu Zhaoyuan , Ding Shichao , Lin Yuehe , Zhou Yang , Zhu Wenlei , Wang Yuanyuan
Published: February 2025

2D metal‐chalcogenide nanoplatelets (NPLs) exhibit promising photocatalysis properties due to their ultrathin morphology, high surface‐to‐volume ratio, and enhanced in‐plane electron transport mobility. However, NPLs, especially cadmium chalcogenides, encounter challenges in CO2 photoreduction due to insufficient solar energy utilization and fast recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. Defect engineering offers a potential solution but often encounters difficulties maintaining structural integrity, mechanical stability, and electrical conductivity. Herein, by taking two monolayers (2ML) CdSe NPLs as a model system, selenium (Se) vacancies confined in atomic layers can enhance charge separation and conductivity. A straightforward approach to create Se vacancies in various monolayers CdSe NPLs (2, 4, and 5ML) has been developed, enabling efficient CO2 photoreduction with a 4‐fold increase in CO generation compared to their defect‐free counterparts. Significantly, accounting for higher charge density and efficient carrier transport due to Se vacancies, defective 2ML CdSe NPLs (VSe‐2ML CdSe) exhibit CO evolution performance up to 2557.5 µmol g−¹ h−¹ with no significant decay over 5 h, which is an order of magnitude higher than that of common semiconductor catalysts. This study establishes a practical way to design advanced 2D semiconductor photocatalysts to achieve efficient CO2 photoreduction via defect engineering.
Ictal scalp EEG patterns are shaped by seizure etiology in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Xu Sha , Zhu Qianwen , Zhou Jinqi , Ye Lingqi , Ye Hongyi , Shen Chunhong , Zheng Zhe , Jiang Hongjie , Wang Shan , Ding Yao , Chen Cong , Guo Yi , Wang Zhongjin , Wang Shuang
Published: February 2025

Objective

To investigate how etiology and seizure localization influence ictal scalp electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed ictal EEG features from 504 focal seizures recorded in 189 TLE patients with various etiologies who underwent resective surgery.

Results

For seizure onset patterns (SOPs), α/β onset was more common in the low‐grade tumor group (38.4%) than in the hippocampal sclerosis (HS) group (14.1%, p < 0.001). The ictal EEG duration was shorter in the tumor group compared to the focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), HS, and non‐specific groups (p < 0.05). Among mesial TLE patients, SOPs varied depending on the etiology. Within both the tumor and non‐specific groups, SOPs and the spreading time to the contralateral hemisphere differed between mesial and neocortical origins. Ictal pattern (87.7%) and ictal theta activity (83.9%) correctly lateralized the seizure in most cases.

Significance

The ictal scalp pattern in TLE is influenced by both etiology and seizure localization. TLE associated with low‐grade tumors exhibits distinct ictal EEG characteristics. Furthermore, ictal pattern and ictal theta activity are equally effective in lateralizing seizures, regardless of etiology.

Plain Language Summary

This research examined how brain activity during seizures in people with temporal lobe epilepsy can be different based on what caused the epilepsy and where in the brain the seizure starts. We found that seizures caused by brain tumors have unique patterns in the brain's electrical activity. Additionally, we discovered that specific patterns and types of brain waves can help determine which side of the brain the seizure is occurring on, regardless of its cause.
Revealing Similar Semantics Inside CNNs: An Interpretable Concept-Based Comparison of Feature Spaces
Authors: Mikriukov Georgii , Schwalbe Gesina , Hellert Christian , Bade Korinna
Published: February 2025

Safety-critical applications require transparency in artificial intelligence (AI) components, but widely used convolutional neural networks (CNNs) widely used for perception tasks lack inherent interpretability. Hence, insights into what CNNs have learned are primarily based on performance metrics, because these allow, e.g., for cross-architecture CNN comparison. However, these neglect how knowledge is stored inside. To tackle this yet unsolved problem, our work proposes two methods for estimating the layer-wise similarity between semantic information inside CNN latent spaces. These allow insights into both the flow and likeness of semantic information within CNN layers, and into the degree of their similarity between different network architectures. As a basis, we use two renowned explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) techniques, which are used to obtain concept activation vectors, i.e., global vector representations in the latent space. These are compared with respect to their activation on test inputs. When applied to three diverse object detectors and two datasets, our methods reveal that (1) similar semantic concepts are learned regardless of the CNN architecture, and (2) similar concepts emerge in similar relative layer depth, independent of the total number of layers. Finally, our approach poses a promising step towards semantic model comparability and comprehension of how different CNNs process semantic information.
Conclusions, Next Steps and a Call to Action
Authors: Gibson Hannah , Lück Jacqueline , Riedel Kristina , Namboodiripad Savithry
Published: February 2025

This chapter constitutes a conclusion to the book as a whole. It highlights patterns and insights that emerge from the data on which our study is based, as well as the broader context in which the work is situated. This chapter considers ongoing issues related to African languages in higher education, including the erasure of African languages, as well as the power of African languages and their role in movements for change. The chapter reminds us that racist assumptions which still underlie the study of African languages need to be rooted out and addressed in instructional contexts. This includes the erasure and/or absence of African languages from university spaces, including classrooms and curricula. However, the necessity and impact of such actions in the classroom will also necessarily vary according to context. It concludes with a call for continued action and a warning that true decolonisation must go beyond theory, and must instead be enacted and practised in order to ensure meaningful and lasting change.
Clairvoyance and Commotion: The Making of a Lay Prophetess in the Era of the German Revivalist Movement
Authors: Sawicki Diethard
Published: February 2025

Between 1836 and 1844 the case of Sara Gayer, who was said to be clairvoyant while in magnetic sleep, caused a sensation in her parish and the wider public of the German Kingdom of Württemberg. The documents filed by the authorities, and the printed statements by supporters and adversaries, make it possible to reconstruct in detail the course of events as well as the different interests and interpretations regarding the “Seeress of Großglattbach” during these years. The contribution explores the different facets of contemporary perceptions of Sara: her roles as a clairvoyant in her parish, as a case of somnambulism for the physicians, as a lay prophetess for an adherent of Swedenborg, as a quack to the pastor and the secular authorities. Though Sara and her family were in dialogue with these protagonists, the power of interpretation was mainly on the latters’ side. However, without the support and protection of an educated Swedenborgian, Sara and her family would not have come into a position to develop their roles and influence actively the course of events for several years. As a conclusion, it is proposed that Sara's act of self-empowerment was to focus on her supposed ability to gather medical counsel from the spirit world and improve her economic position by offering this as a service until she could leave her role as a seeress behind and start a new life in the neighbouring state of Baden.
Einleitung
Authors: Klatt Andrea
Published: February 2025

Welche Formen und Funktionen hat das Erzählen des eigenen Todes? Wird dem fiktionalen oder dem faktualen Erzählen zugesprochen, die uneigentliche Todeswirklichkeit greifbar machen zu können? – In der Einleitung werden diese Forschungsfragen anhand von zwei Textbeispielen aufgeworfen, die sich an den Rändern der Narrativität beziehungsweise Faktizität bewegen. Arthur W. Frank schreibt (nach seinen Memoiren) einen wissenschaftlichen Text, den er als Verarbeitungsleistung deklariert, und Édouard Levé bereitet seinen Suizid in der Fiktion vor und hinterlässt statt eines autobiographischen Abschiedsbriefs einen fiktionalen Erzähltext. Die Bandbreite des Erzählens in der Konfrontation mit dem eigenen Tod legt ein weites Korpus sowie eine interdisziplinäre Öffnung für psychologische Fragestellungen nahe.
Thanatologisches Erzählen aus diachroner und komparatistischer Perspektive
Authors: Klatt Andrea
Published: February 2025

Im historischen Teil dieser Studie wird die Entwicklung der Textsorte ‚Sterbeerzählung‘ schlaglichtartig beleuchtet. Die fiktionalen Texte Der letzte Tag eines Verurteilten (1829) von Victor Hugo und Der Tod des Iwan Iljitsch (1886) von Leo Tolstoi nehmen in der Herausbildung der literarischen Sterbeerzählung im 19. Jahrhundert eine Schlüsselrolle ein. Die autobiographische Literarisierung von Sterben und Tod wird in der zweiten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts durch medizinische und gesellschaftspolitische Diskursveränderungen populär. Da sich die autobiographischen Erzählmuster ähneln und zum Klischee werden, bleibt auch im 21. Jahrhundert die Fiktion der Motor für die literarische Weiterentwicklung der Textsorte Sterbeerzählung.
Konzepte und Begriffe für eine thanatologische Erzählanalyse
Authors: Klatt Andrea
Published: February 2025

Im konzeptionellen Teil dieser Studie werden die Begriffe und Konzepte der Erzähltheorie, Fiktionstheorie, Psychologie und Philosophie eingeführt und diskutiert, die ich für die thanatologische Erzählanalyse für dienlich halte. Es wird umrissen, was Erzählen ist, wie sich Fiktionalität und Faktualität definieren lassen, was es für Bewältigungsmechanismen und Erzählfunktionen gibt und zuletzt die philosophische Frage nach der Eigentlichkeit und der Erfahrbarkeit des eigenen Todes gestellt.
Demographic Trends, Employment and Diversification in Brunei Darussalam: An International Perspective
Authors: Jetin Bruno
Published: February 2025

This chapter looks at the growing mismatch between the labour force and employment in Brunei Darussalam and the policies that could lead to a better fit. The discussion is conducted from an international perspective to better understand the problems common to countries abundant in natural resources and the specificities of Brunei. Section 4.2 starts with an analysis of the demographic trends which shows that the labour force will peak around 2030 and decline slowly afterwards. Unemployment will get less severe in the long term. However, the total dependency rate will become more acute, which raises the issue of financing the social cost of an ageing population. In Sect. 4.3, we describe the highly segmented job structure that has been shaped by the Bruneian growth regime and the social context it has created. We look at unemployment and underutilisation of the labour force and show that labour market segmentation is one of their root causes. Section 4.4 is dedicated to a second driver of unemployment: the lack of diversification of the economy, despite the long-standing efforts of the Brunei government. We conclude with a discussion of the policies that could be adopted to contribute to better diversification of the economy that turns its small size into the basis for a new sustainable growth regime.
Examining Brunei Darussalam’s Exports amid Developments in Global Value Chains
Authors: Lumba Angelo Jose B. , Mariasingham Mahinthan Joseph , Gupta Arushi
Published: February 2025

In recent years, the architecture of production has developed into a vast network of interconnected processes known as global value chains (GVCs). Under this configuration, tasks and activities involved in producing goods and services are shared among participating businesses, making entry into complex production processes more feasible for certain economies. This chapter explores the evolution of Brunei Darussalam’s participation in GVCs through a comprehensive analysis rooted in the input–output framework. Through an exhaustive decomposition of gross exports at the sectoral level using the Asian Development Bank’s multiregional input–output database, the study reveals that the heavy reliance of Brunei on the oil and gas industry for international trade has led to limitations in its position within GVCs. While the short-term trade balance is likely to benefit from global oil price increases amid post-COVID pandemic recovery and geopolitical events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Brunei faces an imminent need for economic structural transformation. The intrinsic volatility of oil prices and the exhaustion of reserves necessitate diversification efforts to sustain long-term economic growth and stability.
Pressure-assisted isolation of micro- and nanoplastics from food of animal origin with special emphasis on seafood
Authors: Süssmann Julia , Walz Elke , Hetzer Birgit , Greiner Ralf , Fischer Elke Kerstin , Rohn Sascha , Fritsche Jan
Published: February 2025

Recent studies have indicated the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in food of animal origin. To address the concerns regarding human dietary plastic uptake, extensive monitoring using validated analytical methods is required. However, a major challenge in analysis lies in the high complexity of preparing food samples rich in macromolecular content (e.g., proteins, complex lipids), such as seafood. Consequently, this study aimed to optimise sample preparation methods for seafood, meat, milk, honey, and eggs, ensuring negligible impact on plastic integrity. Sample matrices were digested using combinations of alkaline, oxidative, and enzymatic approaches, with incubation periods ranging from 6 to 16 h. Particles were rapidly isolated by pressure-assisted filtration, which retained particles in the lower micron range. This method, used for isolating microplastic from food, was compared to the commonly employed vacuum filtration technique. Pressure-assisted filtration improved filtration rates and matrix removal while demonstrating comparable impact on procedural contamination and polymer integrity to vacuum filtration. The feasibility of microplastic analysis was demonstrated using fluorescence imaging. In contrast to microplastics, nanoplastics (< 1 µm) have greater potential for negative biological effects due to their small size, warranting detailed analysis. However, their low particle mass, susceptibility for agglomeration, and the detection limits of conventional spectroscopic techniques pose unique analytical challenges. Addressing these challenges is essential for developing standardised methodologies, including certified food reference material, to enable safety assessments of micro- and nanoplastic in food.

Graphical Abstract
Competitive secretary problem
Authors: McGrath Tom , Schröder Marc
Published: February 2025

We consider a competitive variant of the secretary problem. We study a two-stage game in which, in the first stage, the employer uses a very simple but natural hiring rule: interview a fixed number of applicants that are all rejected and accept the first applicant that is better than any of the previously seen applicants and, in the second stage, a strategic applicant chooses the position in which to be interviewed. The goal of the employer is to maximise the probability of selecting the best applicant and the goal of the applicant is to maximise the probability of being hired. We study two different scenarios. In the first scenario, the strategic applicant is known to the employer and in the second scenario, the strategic applicant is unknown and chosen uniformly at random. For both scenarios, we compute the set of subgame perfect equilibria.
Out-of-equilibrium and intangible assets
Authors: Antonelli Cristiano , Orsatti Gianluca , Pialli Guido
Published: February 2025

The new evidence provided by the codification of intangible assets in national accounts and firm statistics provides the opportunity to test the Schumpeterian creative response hypothesis according to which (i) the generation and exploitation of knowledge are characterized by high levels of risk, (ii) firms in equilibrium are reluctant to undertake risky activities, (iii) the farther away from equilibrium conditions, the stronger the firm’s willingness to introduce innovation, (iv) the creative response effect is heterogeneous across firm size, age, and industry technological content. Empirical evidence for publicly listed companies in the US during 1977–2016 confirms a U-shaped relationship between out-of-equilibrium performance and intangible intensity growth. Moreover, we estimate a deeper U-shaped relationship between performance and growth in intangibles intensity for small and young firms and, on average, for firms in high-tech industries. Our results are robust to different econometric tests performed on alternative samples. An original instrumental variable strategy further strengthens the validity of our results. We conclude that the firm creative response is an out-of-equilibrium phenomenon, stronger in the case of disappointing performances and sharper for small, young, and high-tech firms.
Molecular modelling and experimental validation of mangiferin and its related compounds as quorum sensing modulators of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Nortje Nicolas Quinn , Aribisala Jamiu Olaseni , Pillay Charlene , Sabiu Saheed
Published: February 2025

The LasR quorum sensing system regulates the virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a multi-drug resistant pathogen. Mangiferin and related compounds have been found to modulate this system as determined by in silico and in vitro experimental procedures. ZINCPharmer was used to compile a library of over 1000 metabolites that were screened to the top five based on shared pharmacophores and drug-like properties with mangiferin. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (140 ns) showed that ZINC E (− 55.64 ± 2.93 kcal/mol) and ZINC D (− 54.51 ± 2.82 kcal/mol) had significantly lower binding free energy compared to mangiferin-LasR (− 42.24 ± 3.94 kcal/mol) and the reference standard (azithromycin-LasR (− 40.01 ± 6.15 kcal/mol). ZINC D (95.16%) competed favorably with mangiferin (95.77%) as potential QS modulators at sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations relative to ZINC E (85.07%) and azithromycin (85.79%). These observations suggest mangiferin and related lead compounds as potential drug candidates for P. aeruginosa infection management.
Time to choose: impact of intertrial interval on selecting between methamphetamine and food reinforcement in male and female rats
Authors: Stocco Marlaina R. , Purpura Mari , Vieira Philip A. , Wallquist Kira , Wang Sijia , Adams Julia , Szumlinski Karen K. , Kippin Tod E.
Published: February 2025

Rationale

A central component of substance use disorder is the maladaptive choice of the drug over natural reinforcers. Compared to other drugs of abuse, methamphetamine (METH) choice has received limited study.

Objective

We sought to characterize the role of intertrial interval on METH choice behavior.

Methods

We examined the choice of METH versus food, across multiple METH doses (0.05–0.2 mg/kg/infusion), between male and female rats, employing a fixed ratio (FR1) reinforcement schedule with intertrial intervals (ITIs) of 20 and 600 s. Rats learned to lever-press for either the METH or the food reinforcer during separate, alternating training sessions. Rats then underwent choice testing, where both levers were presented for 25 discreet trials per session. Lastly, under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule, breakpoints for METH and food were assessed during separate, alternating sessions.

Results

METH choice was substantially higher when using the 20 s versus 600 s ITI. When the 20 s ITI was used, choice was dose- but not sex-dependent. When using the 600 s ITI, choice was influenced by dose and sex, with female rats in the higher dose group choosing METH more than other groups. PR breakpoints were higher for METH than for food, and this effect was more pronounced among female rats. METH choice was positively correlated with the ratio of METH/food breakpoints.

Conclusion

Reinforcement schedule parameters, namely ITI, during discrete choice testing can markedly influence METH choice behavior; thus, this should be carefully considered during experiment design and selected based on overarching study aims.
Improving accuracy of SUV estimates in paediatric oncology: Recommending against the use of body weight corrected SUV in [18F]FDG PET
Authors: de Vries Isabelle S. A. , Lodema Silke , Braat Arthur J. A. T. , Merks Johannes H. M. , van Rooij Rob , de Keizer Bart
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Few studies have assessed body weight dependency of Standardised Uptake Value (SUV) formulations in paediatric patients. This study aims to compare different SUV formulations measured in reference tissues in paediatric patients and determine which correction method shows the least dependency on body weight.

Methods

A single-centre, retrospective analysis of [18F]FDG PET/CT scans was performed. SUV measurements were taken from liver and blood pool using EARL1 reconstructions. SUV measurements were corrected for body weight (SUVBW), lean body mass (LBM) according to James (SUVLBMJames) and Janmahasatian (SUVLBMJanma), and body surface area (BSA) according to DuBois (SUVBSADuBois) and Haycock (SUVBSAHaycock). The coefficient of determination (r2) was used to assess the correlation between SUV and body weight.

Results

In total, 461 scans were analysed, including 185 (40%) from female patients. The median age of patients was 12 years (IQR 8–15.5 years). SUVBW exhibited the strongest correlation with body weight, with r2 = 0.65 for the liver and r2 = 0.50 for the blood pool. In contrast, SUVBSADuBois and SUVBSAHaycock had the weakest correlation, with r2 = 0.09 for the liver and r2 = 0.06 for the blood pool. SUVLBMJames and SUVLBMJanma had moderate correlations, with r2 = 0.51 and r2 = 0.44 for the liver and blood pool, respectively, and r2 = 0.47 and r2 = 0.42, respectively.

Conclusion

In paediatric [18F]FDG PET/CT scans, SUVBW should be avoided due to elevating values in heavier patients. SUVBSA presents the least dependency on body weight and provides the most consistent assessments of metabolic activity.
A cross-sectional survey on health care professionals’ approaches, challenges, and support needs when addressing life threat with recipients of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and with their relatives
Authors: Pralong Anne , Simon Steffen T. , Holtick Udo , Reimer Alinda , Schoerger Berenike , Kaur Sukhvir , Weliwitage Jithmi , Hellmich Martin , Hallek Michael , Scheid Christof , Voltz Raymond , Herling Marco
Published: February 2025

Patients treated with an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) face a significant mortality risk, which might trigger existential distress. We aimed to investigate how hematology health care professionals (HCPs) address life-threatening conditions with allo-SCT recipients and their relatives, and what are challenging and supportive aspects. We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional survey, assessing: (1) HCPs’ approaches to address life threat, using a self-developed questionnaire with 19 items categorized in four dimensions (proactive, cautious, reactive, avoiding), (2) challenges/support needs, using self-developed multiple-choice questions, and (3) personal attitudes towards death (Death Acceptance subscale of the Life Attitude Profile-Revised; Death Attitude Profile-Revised). Statistics included association, regression and exploratory factor analysis. We included 104 participants (52 physicians, 45 nurses, 7 psycho-oncologists) from the settings of SCT, general hematology and intensive care. Physicians predominantly addressed life threat proactively, while nurses tended to raise the topic when prompted by patients or a clinical worsening. Overall, 10% of HCPs stated to avoid the topic, even in case of a high risk of death. HCPs’ approaches correlated weakly with their attitudes towards death. A main challenge was to talk with patients/relatives repressing the risk of death (72%). More time resources for these conversations (71%), and mentoring by palliative-care specialists (67%) or psycho-oncologists (65%) were the most frequent support needs. This comprehensive survey reveals strong differences between professions in addressing life threat, and possible influence from personal death attitudes. Further confirmatory research in larger samples is needed to tailor communication trainings on life threat in multi-professional teams. Registration:German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00027290, date of registration: 2022-01-10.
A theoretical and computational study of heteroclinic cycles in Lotka–Volterra systems
Authors: Bortolan M. C. , Kalita P. , Langa J. A. , Moura R. O.
Published: February 2025

In general, global attractors are composed of isolated invariant sets and the connections between them. This structure can possibly be highly complex, encompassing attraction basins, repeller sets and invariant sets that, collectively, form a dynamical landscape. Lotka–Volterra systems have long been pivotal as preliminary models for dynamics in complex networks exhibiting pairwise interactions. In scenarios involving Volterra–Lyapunov (VL) stable matrices, the dynamics is simplified in such a way that the positive solutions converge to a single, globally asymptotically stable stationary point as time tends to infinity, thereby excluding the existence of periodic solutions. In this work, we conduct a systematic study on the emergence of heteroclinic cycles within Lotka–Volterra systems characterized by Volterra–Lyapunov stable matrices. Although VL stability of the matrix implies that

$$\omega $$

ω

-limit sets of solutions are always stationary points, our analysis of

$$\alpha $$

α

-limit sets reveals finite sets of stationary points interconnected by global trajectories, forming structures referred to as heteroclinic cycles. Our findings indicate that even within the framework of VL stable matrices, such structures are more prevalent than previously thought in literature, driven by the interplay between the symmetric and antisymmetric components of the model matrix. This understanding also reinforces our comprehension of the classical three-dimensional May–Leonard model, which is known to be the unique case exhibiting heteroclinic cycle within the VL framework in dimension three, while also pointing to a surprising richness in the dynamics of these structures in higher dimensions.
Predicting axillary residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer using baseline MRI and ultrasound
Authors: Malhaire Caroline , Umay Ozgun , Cockenpot Vincent , Selhane Fatine , Ramtohul Toulsie , Reyal Fabien , Pierga Jean-Yves , Romano Emanuella , Vincent-Salomon Anne , Kirova Youlia , Laas Enora , Brisse Hervé J. , Frouin Frédérique
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To predict axillary node residual disease in women treated for node-positive breast cancer (BC) by neoadjuvant therapy (NAT), using breast BI-RADS MRI features and axillary ultrasound at baseline.

Material and methods

In this single-center, retrospective study, women with node-positive BC who underwent NAT between 2016 and 2021 were included. Pre-treatment axillary US and breast MRIs were evaluated using the BI-RADS lexicon and T2 features, including Breast Edema Score. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted for the prediction of axillary residual disease (ARD). A multivariable model based on logistic regression was trained and evaluated on randomly split train and test sets (7:3 ratio).

Results

Out of the 141 women, 41% had post-NAT ARD. Axillary metastasis was independently associated with luminal subtype (odds ratio (OR), 25.5; p < 0.001), anterior tumor location (OR, 14.1; p = 0.008), and cortical thickening ≥ 7 mm (OR, 6.09; p = 0.002). Intratumoral T2 high signal intensity was protective (OR, 0.16; p = 0.006), while Ki67 had a marginal association (p = 0.064). In the training and test sets, the model, which is available online, achieved AUCs of 0.860 (95% CI: 0.783–0.936) and 0.843 (95% CI: 0.714–0.971), respectively. Anterior depth location and cortical thickening greater than 7 mm were also independently associated with post-NAT axillary burden.

Conclusion

Adjusting for BC subtype and KI-67 index, the anterior third location of BC, a cortical thickness greater than 7 mm, and the absence of intratumoral T2 hyperintensity is predictive of ARD after NAT.

Key Points

Question

What baseline imaging-based predictive models can identify patients at risk of persistent nodal disease after neoadjuvant therapy?

Findings

Baseline US cortical thickness superior to 7 mm, anterior tumor location, and absence of an intratumoral high signal on T2-weighted MRI predict residual axillary disease.

Clinical relevance

Our predictive model, available online at:
litoic.shinyapps.io/LNPred_Apps, including breast cancer subtype, Ki-67 index level, breast cancer location, intratumoral signal intensity on T2WI, and initial lymph node thickness, could guide post-NAT axillary management.

Graphical Abstract
Perivascular glial reactivity is a feature of phosphorylated tau lesions in chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Authors: Osterman Chelsie , Hamlin Danica , Suter Catherine M. , Affleck Andrew J. , Gloss Brian S. , Turner Clinton P. , Faull Richard L. M. , Stein Thor D. , McKee Ann , Buckland Michael E. , Curtis Maurice A. , Murray Helen C.
Published: February 2025

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease associated with repetitive head injuries, is characterised by perivascular hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) accumulations within the depths of cortical sulci. Although the majority of CTE literature focuses on p-tau pathology, other pathological features such as glial reactivity, vascular damage, and axonal damage are relatively unexplored. In this study, we aimed to characterise these other pathological features, specifically in CTE p-tau lesion areas, to better understand the microenvironment surrounding the lesion. We utilised multiplex immunohistochemistry to investigate the distribution of 32 different markers of cytoarchitecture and pathology that are relevant to both traumatic brain injury and neurodegeneration. We qualitatively assessed the multiplex images and measured the percentage area of labelling for each marker in the lesion and non-lesion areas of CTE cases. We identified perivascular glial reactivity as a prominent feature of CTE p-tau lesions, largely driven by increases in astrocyte reactivity compared to non-lesion areas. Furthermore, we identified astrocytes labelled for both NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) and L-ferritin, indicating that lesion-associated glial reactivity may be a compensatory response to iron-induced oxidative stress. Our findings demonstrate that perivascular inflammation is a consistent feature of the CTE pathognomonic lesion and may contribute to the pathogenesis of brain injury-related neurodegeneration.