bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unit 4 Lesson: Why Is en face Associated with Holiness?
Authors: Johansson Christer , Folgerø Per Olav
Published: January 2024

Portraits of Christ as a holy person are predominantly en face. This was famously commented by Albrecht Dürer in a self-portrait often called “Myself as Christ”. In contrast, profane portraits were predominantly painted in profile, including portraits of the suffering Christ (“The Man of Sorrows”). Why did medieval artists prefer to paint Christ en face? His face is thus directed toward the beholder, both face and gaze are intently directed at the beholder. Profane faces were noticeably more often painted in different degrees of profile. Is this a result of theological and historical conventions; or are there deeper biological and psychological reasons? Can face orientation and gaze direction influence how we judge positive and negative social attributes? Specifically, are almost symmetrical portraits with a direct gaze more associated with a positive attitude toward the portrait, as indicated by modern-day attribution of positive and negative adjectives to selected portraits?
Unit 5 Additional Lecture: Blurred Lives—Cognition and Feelings in Human–AI Interactions
Authors: Breda Pamela
Published: January 2024

Artificial intelligence, also known as AI, is the ability of a program to think, store information, perform human tasks, and learn from experience. The domain of artificial intelligence has significantly evolved over the past decades, founding applications in almost every field of individual and collective lives. Computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages, are now informing our daily routine. The constant improvement of this technology has recently taken a leap in the direction of generating empathic AI: artificial machines programmed to interact with users’ emotions. But is it really possible to develop an empathic artificial agent? Can users in their turn develop an emotional engagement with artificial beings? The present essay analyzes the most recent developments in the field of human–AI interactions in order to provide tentative answers to these questions.
Unit 1 Overview: A Critical Assessment of Neuroaesthetics as Experimental Science—Chances, Challenges, Required Commitments
Authors: Carbon Claus-Christian
Published: January 2024

This chapter shows how a neuroscientific approach can contribute to understanding aesthetical phenomena We also discuss challenges and clear limitations of neuroscientific approaches. As in most psychologically rooted research questions, we cannot gain a comprehensive picture without taking further layers of analysis into account. Most importantly, every aesthetic phenomenon always has different layers that are linked with sensory, cognitive, and affective processes. Furthermore, these processes are essentially modulated by personality factors and situational and task-dependent demands which are embedded in cultural contexts. If we try to combine information from different levels, we can see the benefit of neuroscientific data in terms of the timing of subprocesses, which parts of the brain are involved in the processing, and, most importantly, how specific brain regions communicate with each other at which time. This will inform aesthetic researchers to identify areas for future research and development and how to combine interdisciplinary forces to create more complex, holistic, and profound insights into deeper aesthetic experiences such as the experience of art.
Foreword: Aesthetics and Neuroaesthetics
Authors: Balinisteanu Tudor , Nita Adrian , Dramé Mamadou , Motrescu Emanuela
Published: January 2024

This foreword is designed as a home reading preceding the introductory lecture. It presents views on beauty developed in philosophy and philosophy of art (Plato, the Sophists, Nicolas Boileau, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten, Immanuel Kant, and Nelson Goodman, among others) culminating in an introduction of the basic principles of empirical aesthetics established by Gustav Theodor Fechner. These histories offer opportunities for highlighting the disciplinary tensions as well as the interdisciplinary seamlessness that might arise from considering the humanities origins of various scientific methods, concepts, and techniques. Teasing out these tensions, the Foreword clarifies the contemporary role of humanities researchers in bringing depth of understanding to scientifically obtained (experimental) results. Each view on beauty presented here provides the elements of an integrative definition of aesthetic experience that may satisfy both humanists and scientists. This section includes several exercises for students to do at home in preparation for the introductory lecture.
Unit 2 Lab: Portraits as Faces
Authors: Hodne Lasse
Published: January 2024

Near where you live, there may be a park with one or more statues or busts of famous people. Take a trip there, or to a museum where photography is allowed. Stand in front of the statue and, first, take a photograph of the depicted person from the front, as shown in this photo.
Digital Authoritarianism and Epistemic Rights in the Global South: Unpacking Internet Shutdowns in Zimbabwe
Authors: Chari Tendai
Published: January 2024

Internet shutdowns are increasing globally, not least in Africa. However, few studies have investigated their impact on citizens. Existing studies have approached internet shutdowns from an elitist standpoint. This is surprising considering that most internet shutdowns have a political motive. Consequently, there is a lacuna on how internet shutdowns impact the actual targets—the citizens. Given the Zimbabwean state’s tight control of the mainstream media, internet shutdowns are the last nail on the coffin of citizen rights to free speech. Grounded on digital rights, this exploratory study examines the impact of internet shutdowns on citizens in Zimbabwe. It illuminates how epistemic rights are intricately interwoven with broader human rights in authoritarian environments. Motives behind internet shutdowns, their impacts on citizens, and collateral effects are questions at the core of this exploration. Data were gathered using an open-ended electronic questionnaire completed by twenty-three purposively selected Zimbabwean citizens. The chapter reveals that shutdowns are political weapons of the state to curtail epistemic and other citizen rights. It argues that internet shutdowns diminish citizens’ access to information alternative to state propaganda. The study illuminates the interconnection between epistemic rights and other human rights in a semi-authoritarian state in the Global South.
Right to Data Access in the Digital Era: The Case of China
Authors: Chin Yik Chan
Published: January 2024

This chapter examines the academic debate on access to digital data in China and the Chinese state’s policy on data, demonstrating the lack of consideration of epistemic rights in regulating access to digital data in China and the interplay of global tendencies and local particularities. This chapter makes the following main points. First, the concept of epistemic rights has not drawn the attention of Chinese academics, while the closely related concept of the right to information is approached from a legal perspective, one that stresses the consumer’s right to obtain public information and digital platforms’ data rights. Second, the right to data access has not been treated as an independent right but as part of the debate on data property rights and the right to information. Third, in the government’s data strategy policy, data is defined as a new factor of production that is key for national economic development (besides land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship). Finally, the lack of attention to epistemic rights and an overly narrow definition of data has undermined alternative explorations of the implications of the public good nature of data. Even though public data is accessible conditionally, the equality of non-public data access has not being a recognised principle in both academic research and the policymaking agenda.
Epistemic Rights and Digital Communications Policies: Collective Rights and Digital Citizenship
Authors: Flew Terry
Published: January 2024

The concept of ‘epistemic rights’ marks an important conceptual shift in thinking about the politics of digital technologies, going beyond such framings as digital inclusion, digital rights, and the digital divide. It observes that epistemic rights are associated with a universalist conception of digital rights that promotes access and use of digital technologies among under-served communities and a nation-building agenda for digital policy. This can be contrasted to an individualistic conception of digital rights, which focuses upon the need for to protect citizens from over-reach by the nation-state. The latter has historically had a strong influence over technology policies than the first, due to the role of ‘internet imaginaries’ developed in the 1990s, that view the internet in terms of the triumph of individualism over collectivism. Drawing upon the recent work of Thomas Piketty and his collaborators, this chapter will focus upon the last of these as a factor in the political tensions that exist in technology policy discourses, particularly as nation-state regulation of the internet and digital platform companies becomes more widespread. It will consider the extent to which a discourse framed around epistemic rights could bring together new political coalitions around technology policy that can cross the divide between technocratic decision-making and populist politics.
Towards Feminist Futures in the Platform Economy: Four Stories from India
Authors: Gurumurthy Anita
Published: January 2024

This chapter focuses on how gender relations are orchestrated in the platform economy and its platform-mediated structures of social power. While digital platforms have been seen as opportunities for women to enter the labour market, there is little evidence that platform work is challenging existing structural biases. The totalising control of algorithms in platform-mediated work exposes platform workers to exploitative conditions, raising important questions about platform workers’ epistemic rights. Based on primary research in India, and building on the research undertaken with colleagues, this text unpacks the impacts of ‘algorithmified’ work and their consequences on gendered epistemologies in the era of the platform economy. First, I will provide a brief background on the characteristics of digital platforms and algorithmic management of work. After this, I will examine implications for the agency and autonomy of women workers and micro-entrepreneurs who seek economic opportunities through digital labour platforms and e-commerce marketplaces. Offering a feminist analysis of the social relations of power that characterise algorithmically restructured labour markets, I will argue how we can move away from the present paradigm to one that is radically transformed.
Research on Individual Authority and Group Authority Relations in Collaborative Problem Solving in Middle School Mathematics
Authors: Wu Jue
Published: January 2024

In collaborative problem solving mathematical learning environments, students often use a range of mathematical and non-mathematical forms of language to gain authority. Previous research on student participation defined individual and group authority relations in collaborative mathematical problem solving and their coding. A video text of six groups of Grade 7 middle school students working in groups of four on the task “Xiao Ming’s Apartment” was studied. The study analysed individual authority and group authority relations in high- and low-scoring groups. The findings were drawn from the rise and fall of individual authority, the proposal negotiation units (authority nodes) of group authority relations, and the discourse coverage of students’ different authority relations. It was found that differences in individual authority between high- and low-scoring groups affected how students distributed and shifted group authority relations in collaborative problem solving in middle school mathematics.
Differences Between Experienced and Preservice Teachers in Noticing Students’ Collaborative Problem-Solving Processes
Authors: Li Rangmei
Published: January 2024

Teachers with less classroom experience face major challenges in effectively observing complex group activities. To understand the differences between what experienced and preservice teachers notice, this study applied eye-tracking technology and video-based interviews to investigate 18 experienced teachers’ and 28 preservice teachers’ noticing during students’ collaborative problem-solving activities. The results showed that preservice teachers distributed their attention less evenly than experienced teachers when watching group videos, paying more attention to salient features while experienced teachers selectively noticed more important facets of group teaching.
The Embodied Interaction with XR Metaverse Space Based on Pneumatic Actuated Structures
Authors: Zang Beibei , Wang Tianjun , Luo Dan
Published: January 2024

This paper is based on our exploration of building an integrated-sensory XR interactive system breaking through the sensory boundary between physical environment and metaverse via pneumatic wearables. In short, our exploration mainly focuses on the following two aspects. Firstly, this research has adapted pneumatic-actuated wearable devices to satisfy the needs of clothing comfort and embodied interaction concurrently by exploring the downsized body-scale pneumatic system and programmable soft materials. Secondly, this research explores the possibility of using digital wearables as the linkage of physical body and XR metaverse to enrich the interaction between XR metaverse and physical environment, aiming at the real-time synchronization of physical wearer's and his virtual avatar in XR system.
The Use of Normative Energy Calculation for Natural Ventilation Performance-Driven Urban Block Morphology Generation
Authors: Li Wenjing , Xu Xinhui , Makvandi Mehdi , Sun Zhuoyang , Yuan Philip F.
Published: January 2024

Exploring the three-state coupling relationship between “urban block morphology, carbon emissions, and human comfort” is necessary when making preliminary design decisions. Currently, morphology generative design is subject to interactions between the level of model definition and simulation duration. Self-intelligent and intelligent generative design workflows using evolutionary algorithms are now becoming an effective solution to this problem. This paper incorporates a dedicated controllable ventilation model based on a normative performance calculator and proposes it in the morphology feedback generation execution of the automated design process. The aim is to develop this automated design method from ambient environment driving only to outside-interior coupling natural potential ventilation influencing morphology generation, with the aim of providing technical support for carbon emission performance-oriented and indoor human comfort-oriented design of urban blocks.
Gesture Recognition for Feedback Based Mixed Reality and Robotic Fabrication: A Case Study of the UnLog Tower
Authors: Htet Kyaw Alexander , Spencer Lawson , Zivkovic Sasa , Lok Leslie
Published: January 2024

Mixed Reality (MR) platforms enable users to interact with three-dimensional holographic instructions during the assembly and fabrication of highly custom and parametric architectural constructions without the necessity of two-dimensional drawings. Previous MR fabrication projects have primarily relied on digital menus and custom buttons as the interface for user interaction with the MR environment. Despite this approach being widely adopted, it is limited in its ability to allow for direct human interaction with physical objects to modify fabrication instructions within the MR environment. This research integrates user interactions with physical objects through real-time gesture recognition as input to modify, update or generate new digital information enabling reciprocal stimuli between the physical and the virtual environment. Consequently, the digital environment is generative of the user’s provided interaction with physical objects to allow seamless feedback in the fabrication process. This research investigates gesture recognition for feedback-based MR workflows for robotic fabrication, human assembly, and quality control in the construction of theUnLog Tower.
A ‘Human-In-The-Loop’ Workflow for Realizing Taihu Rocks
Authors: Chen Zexin , Lin Dandan , Sun Lujie , Wang Sining , Han Dongchen
Published: January 2024

This research uses an expanded polystyrene (EPS) Taihu rock as a demonstrator to illustrate a workflow encompassing shape grammar-based design and Mixed Reality (MR)-aided robotic fabrication. It aims to address a post-digital mindset that values human’s tacit knowledge and craftsmanship within CAD-CAM processes, therefore, this research combines three components: an idea of the human-cyber-physical system (HCPS), a from-finding approach, and an augmented materialization method. The investigators first 3D-scanned a natural Taihu rock and interpreted its geometric peculiarities into design generation rules. These rules were then translated into robotic foam-cutting paths. With Head-mounted Display (HMD) and MR technology, human fabricators were able to alter robotic motions on-site per their aesthetical demands.
DeepCraft: Co-Intelligent Architecture and Human and AI-Driven Craftsmanship in Design-to-Production Pipelines
Authors: Buš Peter
Published: January 2024

The working paper investigates the potential of artificial intelligence technologies (AI), namely the Generative Adversarial Imitation Learning (GAIL) implemented in a process of digital robotic fabrication prospectively to be used in craftsmanship. The method introduced is based on a preliminary demonstration provided digitally in an abstract toolpath generated by a human-driven movement in a hand gesture translated into a digital space in a real-time process. The investigation presented in this paper focuses on a preliminary computational digital framework which may serve as a base for further investigation. At this stage of the report, the framework encompasses human hand recognition creating a toolpath for a robot, which learns its principles and tries to interpret the process in a digital space. This learned toolpath resulted in a digital brain being applied again in a different shape of the human-created toolpath or gesture movement. The paper also presents the computational system of the real-time navigation of the robot based on a human gesture in a virtual space. The learned knowledge by a robot is observed in a digital environment before any physical applications.
Membrane-Based Modularization in Prefabrication System Design as a Strategy in Emergency Buildings
Authors: Su Yunsheng , Cheng Xihan , Li Jiaxing
Published: January 2024

This article is about the application of air film-based modular prefabrication system design strategy in emergency buildings. To determine the typical and essential behavior of membrane structures, this paper reviews and compares relevant theories, experiments, and simulations on architectural performance, mechanical properties of membrane materials, and membrane structure performance. In addition, this project tries to use the robotic arm spraying technology to study the strategy of trajectory generation. First, import the model shape into the software for multiple trajectory simulations, verify and optimize the injection path program through the software, observe the actual injection trajectory, and finally select the final Program. The resulting vectors are also relatively balanced, avoiding the over-concentration of the top curve. The advantage of this method is that it can reduce the material on the top and make the material distribution more uniform, which is a more economical and reasonable way to obtain the trajectory.
Translucent Tectonics: Lightweight Floor Slab System Based on FDM Manufacturing
Authors: Liu Yizhuo , Hua Hao
Published: January 2024

A construction method for an FDM printed floor slab system is proposed in this paper. The integration of translucent thermoplastics and additive manufacturing enables architects to develop self-explanatory tectonics that reflect the logic and construction processes. Lightweight, transparent thermoplastics such as PET and PLA can be used in 3D printing to create visual contrast to conventional solid materials. The additive manufacturing process can improve structural behavior by controlling the material distribution. Therefore, the proposed floor slab system pursues ‘light and strong’ via using a carefully planned toolpath for FDM printing. An entire floor is subdivided into prefabricated modular components, which are then assembled using the post-tensioning method to improve the integrity and tensile strength of the floor system. A toolpath is designed based on the internal stress of the components such that the material density reflects the structural behavior of the floor slab. The material efficiency is thereby achieved by the optimized articulation. In addition, we maximize the continuity of the printing path to enhance the printing quality and reduce the manufacturing time. This construction method is applied to the renovation of a group of industrial buildings. Prototyping experiments were carried out using translucent PLA to visualize the material distribution inside modules, manifesting the design principle of “form follows performance”.
Feedback-Based Design Method for Spatially-Informed and Structurally-Performative Column Placement in Multi-Story Construction
Authors: Sahin Ekin Sila , Locatelli Daniel , Orozco Luis , Krtschil Anna , Wagner Hans Jakob , Menges Achim , Knippers Jan
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a feedback-based computational method for the placement of columns in the early design phase of complex multi-story structures. The method integrates a circle packing algorithm, a spring system, and structural engineering simulations within a single script for the reciprocal and informed arrangement of columns in the space. While allowing the users to have an explorative approach, it empowers diverse potentials in multi-story constructions including additional cantilevering spaces around the boundary, increased spatial qualities with large span possibilities, multidirectional structural arrangements, and multi-purpose use of space. As a result, the developed algorithm allows for flexibility by leveraging the design possibilities of grid-based and irregular column arrangements and promotes the integration of structural and design-related constraints in the spatial organization of various building typologies.
Cardiac risk stratification and adverse outcomes in surgically managed patients with isolated traumatic spine injuries
Authors: Mohammad Ismail Ahmad , Forssten Maximilian Peter , Hildebrand Frank , Sarani Babak , Ioannidis Ioannis , Cao Yang , Ribeiro Marcelo A. F. , Mohseni Shahin
Published: January 2024

Introduction

As the incidence of traumatic spine injuries has been steadily increasing, especially in the elderly, the ability to categorize patients based on their underlying risk for the adverse outcomes could be of great value in clinical decision making. This study aimed to investigate the association between the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) and adverse outcomes in patients who have undergone surgery for traumatic spine injuries.

Methods

All adult patients (18 years or older) in the 2013–2019 TQIP database with isolated spine injuries resulting from blunt force trauma, who underwent spinal surgery, were eligible for inclusion in the study. The association between the RCRI and in-hospital mortality, cardiopulmonary complications, and failure-to-rescue (FTR) was determined using Poisson regression models with robust standard errors to adjust for potential confounding.

Results

A total of 39,391 patients were included for further analysis. In the regression model, an RCRI ≥ 3 was associated with a threefold risk of in-hospital mortality [adjusted IRR (95% CI): 3.19 (2.30–4.43), p < 0.001] and cardiopulmonary complications [adjusted IRR (95% CI): 3.27 (2.46–4.34), p < 0.001], as well as a fourfold risk of FTR [adjusted IRR (95% CI): 4.27 (2.59–7.02), p < 0.001], compared to RCRI 0. The risk of all adverse outcomes increased stepwise along with each RCRI score.

Conclusion

The RCRI may be a useful tool for identifying patients with traumatic spine injuries who are at an increased risk of in-hospital mortality, cardiopulmonary complications, and failure-to-rescue after surgery.
Potential factors contributing to observed sex differences in virtual-reality-induced sickness
Authors: Bannigan Grainne M. , de Sousa Alexandra A. , Scheller Meike , Finnegan Daniel J. , Proulx Michael J.
Published: January 2024

Virtual reality (VR) technology has been widely adopted for several professional and recreational applications. Despite rapid innovation in hardware and software, one of the long prevailing issues for end users of VR is the experience of VR sickness. Females experience stronger VR sickness compared to males, and previous research has linked susceptibility to VR sickness to the menstrual cycle (Munafo et al., Exp Brain Res 235(3):889–901). Here we investigated the female versus male experience in VR sickness while playing an immersive VR game, comparing days of the menstrual cycle when hormones peak: day 15 (ovulation—peak estrogen) and day 22 (mid-luteal phase—peak progesterone). We found that immersion duration was greater in the second session than the first, and discomfort was lessened, suggesting a powerful adaptation with repeated exposure. Due to the estrogen levels changing along with the exposure, there was no clear independent impact of that; note, though, that there was a significant difference between self-report and physiological measures implying that GSR is potentially an unreliable measure of motion sickness. Although prior work found a delay over 2 days between session would not allow adaptation and habituation to reduce VR sickness susceptibility, we found that a week delay has potential success.
Infective endocarditis after isolated aortic valve replacement: comparison between catheter-interventional and surgical valve replacement
Authors: Ried Isabelle D. , Omran Hazem , Potratz Max , Rudolph Tanja K. , Scholtz Smita , Bleiziffer Sabine , Piper Cornelia
Published: January 2024

Background and aims

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is the prognostically most unfavourable complication after aortic valve replacement. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the different pathological and therapeutical aspects between PVE following surgical (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI).

Methods

All patients who had undergone primary isolated SAVR (n = 3447) or TAVI (n = 2269) at our Centre between 01/2012 and 12/2018 were analysed. Diagnosis of PVE was based on Duke criteria modified in 2015. Incidence, risk factors, pathogens, impact of complications or therapy on mortality were analysed and compared between SAVR- and TAVI-PVE.

Results

PVE incidence did not differ significantly after SAVR with 4.9/100 patient-years and TAVI with 2.4/100 patient-years (p = 0.49), although TAVI patients were older (mean 80 vs. 67 years) and had more comorbidities (STS score mean 5.9 vs. 1.6) (p < 0.001). TAVI prostheses with polymer showed a 4.3-fold higher risk to develop PVE than without polymer (HR 4.3; p = 0.004). Most common pathogens were staphylococci and enterococci (p > 0.05). Propensity-score matching analysis showed that the type of aortic valve replacement had no effect on the development of post-procedural PVE (p = 0.997). One-year survival was higher in TAVI-PVE patients treated with antibiotics only compared to additional surgical therapy (90.9% vs. 33.3%; p = 0.005). In SAVR-PVE patients, both therapies were comparable in terms of survival (p = 0.861). However, SAVR-PVE patients who were not operated, despite ESC-guideline recommendation, had significantly poorer one-year survival (p = 0.004).

Conclusion

TAVI patients did not have a significantly higher risk to develop PVE. Our data suggest that TAVI-PVE patients in contrast to SAVR-PVE patients can more often be treated with antibiotics only, presumably due to the lack of a polymeric suture ring.

Graphical abstract

Key question:

What are the differences between SAVR- and TAVI-PVE?

Are the current ESC guidelines for the treatment of SAVR-PVE also applicable to TAVI-PVE?

Key finding:

No significantly different PVE incidences after SAVR and TAVI

Significantly better one-year survival and significantly longer survival in TAVI-PVE treated with antibiotics only compared with additional surgical therapy

Higher risk to develop PVE after TAVI in patients carrying prostheses containing polymer particles

Take-home message

TAVI-PVE can often be treated successfully with antibiotics-only, even if surgery would have been indicated according to current guidelines.

SAVR-PVE patients benefit from surgical therapy, so guideline-compliant surgical indication should be made promptly and performed immediately
Accessibility of osteochondral lesion at the capitellum during elbow arthroscopy: an anatomical study
Authors: Wegmann S. , Hackl M. , Krane F. , Wegmann K. , Mueller L.-P. , Leschinger T.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) at the capitellum is a common pathology in young patients. Although arthroscopic interventions are commonly used, there is a lack of information about the accessibility of the defects during elbow arthroscopy by using standard portals.

Materials and methods

An elbow arthroscopy using the standard portals was performed in seven fresh frozen specimens. At the capitellum, the most posterior and anterior cartilage surface reachable was marked with K-wires. Using a newly described measuring method, we constructed a circular sector around the rotational center of the capitellum. The intersection of K-wire “A” and “B” with the circular sector was marked, and the angles between the K-wires and the Rogers line, alpha angle for K-Wire “A” and beta angle for K-wire “B”, and the corridor not accessible during arthroscopy was digitally measured.

Results

On average, we found an alpha angle of 53° and a beta angle of 104°. Leaving a sector of 51° which was not accessible via the standard portals during elbow arthroscopy.

Conclusion

Non-accessible capitellar lesions during elbow arthroscopy should be considered preoperatively, and the informed consent discussion should always include the possibility of open procedures or the use of flexible instruments.

Level of Evidence

4.
Topical sodium valproate-loaded nanospanlastics versus conventional topical steroid therapy in alopecia areata: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Mogawer Rania M. , Fawzy Marwa Mohamed , Mourad Ahmed , Ahmed Heba , Nasr Maha , Nour Zeinab Ahmed , Hafez Vanessa
Published: January 2024

Background

A myriad of therapeutic modalities for alopecia areata are available; however, none is of high level of evidence, creating an immense need for the evaluation of other treatment modalities, of which topical sodium valproate is of potential role via proposed decrease in beta-catenin breakdown, despite its well-known side effect of hair fall as an oral therapy.

Objective

Evaluating the efficacy and the safety of sodium valproate (SV)-loaded nanospanlastics, in comparison to topical corticosteroids, this is the currently available gold standard topical treatment for patchy AA.

Methodology

A total of 66 patients with patchy AA were randomly assigned to receive either topical mometasone furoate lotion or topical SV applied twice daily to all patches except a control patch, which was left untreated. Clinical, trichoscopic and biochemical assessments of beta-catenin tissue levels and Axin-2 gene expression were carried out at baseline and after 3 months.

Results

Both therapeutic modalities were comparable. Potential efficacy was highlighted by significant improvement in the representative patch, the largest treated patch, to the control patch, the smallest untreated patch in both steroid and valproate groups (p = 0.027, 0.003 respectively). Both beta-catenin levels and Axin-2 gene expression were reduced after treatment, pointing to the inhibitory effect of dominating uncontrolled inflammatory milieu. Baseline beta-catenin was found to significantly negatively correlate with improvement in the representative patch in patients with baseline level above 0.42 ng/ml (p = − 0.042).

Conclusion

Both topical SV and steroids are of comparable modest efficacy. Thus, further evaluation of SV is due in combination with intralesional steroids and other anti-inflammatory treatment modalities, together with developing individualized approaches based on baseline beta-catenin level.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT05017454, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05017454.
Characterization of two transcriptomic subtypes of marker-null large cell carcinoma of the lung suggests different origin and potential new therapeutic perspectives
Authors: Simbolo Michele , Centonze Giovanni , Gkountakos Anastasios , Monti Valentina , Maisonneuve Patrick , Golovco Stela , Sabella Giovanna , Del Gobbo Alessandro , Gobbo Stefano , Ferrero Stefano , Fabbri Alessandra , Pardo Carlotta , Garzone Giovanna , Prinzi Natalie , Pusceddu Sara , Testi Adele , Rolli Luigi , Mangogna Alessandro , Bercich Luisa , Benvenuti Mauro Roberto , Bria Emilio , Pilotto Sara , Berruti Alfredo , Pastorino Ugo , Capella Carlo , Infante Maurizio , Milella Michele , Scarpa Aldo , Milione Massimo
Published: January 2024

Pulmonary large cell carcinoma (LCC) is an undifferentiated neoplasm lacking morphological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical features of small cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma (ADC), or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The available molecular information on this rare disease is limited. This study aimed to provide an integrated molecular overview of 16 cases evaluating the mutational asset of 409 genes and the transcriptomic profiles of 20,815 genes. Our data showed that TP53 was the most frequently inactivated gene (15/16; 93.7%) followed by RB1 (5/16; 31.3%) and KEAP1 (4/16; 25%), while CRKL and MYB genes were each amplified in 4/16 (25%) cases and MYC in 3/16 (18.8%) cases; transcriptomic analysis identified two molecular subtypes including a Pure-LCC and an adenocarcinoma like-LCC (ADLike-LCC) characterized by different activated pathways and cell of origin. In the Pure-LCC group, POU2F3 and FOXI1 were distinctive overexpressed markers. A tuft cell-like profile and the enrichment of a replication stress signature, particularly involving ATR, was related to this profile. Differently, the ADLike-LCC were characterized by an alveolar-cell transcriptomic profile and association with AIM2 inflammasome complex signature. In conclusion, our study split the histological marker-null LCC into two different transcriptomic entities, with POU2F3, FOXI1, and AIM2 genes as differential expression markers that might be probed by immunohistochemistry for the differential diagnosis between Pure-LCC and ADLike-LCC. Finally, the identification of several signatures linked to replication stress in Pure-LCC and inflammasome complex in ADLike-LCC could be useful for designing new potential therapeutic approaches for these subtypes.
Wet anaerobic digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste: experience with long-term pilot plant operation and industrial scale-up
Authors: Anaya-Reza Omar , Altamirano-Corona María F. , Basurto-García Germán , Patricio-Fabián Héctor , García-González Sergio A. , Martinez-Hernandez Elias , Durán-Moreno Alfonso
Published: January 2024

This paper presents the analysis of a pilot anaerobic digestion plant that operates with organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) from a wholesale market and can treat up to 500 kg d−1. The process was monitored for a period of 524 days during which the residue was characterized and the biogas production and methane content were recorded. The organic load rate (OLR) of volatile solids (VS) was 0.89 kg m−3 d−1 and the Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) was 25 d during the process. The yield was 82 Nm3 tons OFMSW−1 biogas, equivalent to 586 Nm3 tons CH4 VS−1. The results obtained in the pilot plant were used to carry out a technical–economic evaluation of a plant that treats 50 tons of OFMSW from wholesale markets. A production of 3769 Nm3 d−1 of biogas and 2080 Nm3 d−1 of methane is estimated, generating 35.1 MWh d−1 when converted to electricity.
A 6-year review of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis at a public children’s hospital in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Abugrain Khadija , McCulloch Mignon I , Muloiwa Rudzani , Luyckx Valerie A , Buys Heloise
Published: January 2024

Background

Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is the most common cause of acute nephritis in children globally and, in some cases, may be associated with progressive kidney injury and failure, cumulating in the need for long-term dialysis and/or kidney transplantation.

Methods

Our retrospective study describes the occurrence of APSGN among children (< 14 years) admitted to a tertiary children’s hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, from January 2015 to December 2020.

Results

Of 161 children who presented with acute nephritis (haematuria, oedema, oliguria, and hypertension), 100 met the inclusion criteria. Demographic, clinical features, laboratory findings, management, and outcome data were collected. APSGN was defined by the clinical presentation of at least two clinical signs of acute nephritis, and low serum complement 3 (C3) level or evidence of a recent streptococcal infection. Most cases of APSGN were associated with streptococcal skin infections: 55/100 (55%); 10/100 (10%) children presented with hypertensive seizures; C3 levels were low in 86/92 (93.5%) children; 94/94 (100%) children had elevated anti-deoxyribonuclease-B (anti-DNase-B) levels; and 80/94 (85%) also had elevated anti-streptolysin O titre (ASOT) at presentation. Eleven (11%) children had a percutaneous kidney biopsy; 4/11 (36%) showed histological features of post-infectious nephritis, and 7/11(64%) also had crescentic glomerulonephritis with immune complex deposits. Sixty-two (62%) children confirmed recovered, and five (5%) progressed to kidney failure, but 29 presumed recovered as they did not return for follow-up to our institution.

Conclusions

Childhood APSGN remains an important health problem in South Africa (SA) with favourable outcomes in most, apart from those with crescentic glomerulonephritis who progressed to kidney failure.

Graphical abstract
Exploring the Dark Side of Online Distance Learning: Cheating Behaviours, Contributing Factors, and Strategies to Enhance the Integrity of Online Assessment
Authors: Sevnarayan Kershnee , Maphoto Kgabo Bridget
Published: January 2024

This study investigated cheating behaviours, contributing factors, and strategies to enhance the integrity of assessment in an online learning context. The researchers conducted an analysis of the literature on students’ motivation to cheat in online modules and noted that there is limited research on the specific reasons why students cheat in online learning contexts. To contribute to this knowledge gap, this study set out to understand cheating in two English modules with first-year second language students, in an open distance and e-learning institution in South Africa. The purpose of this study is (1) to investigate why students cheat in their online assessments, (2) to explore the contributing factors of cheating behaviours, and (3) to determine strategies to minimise cheating. Using qualitative methods such as focus group discussions with students, evaluation questions with markers, and one-on-one interviews with lecturers, the study found that cheating is a significant issue in distance education, with students admitting to various forms of cheating in online assessments. Using the social cognitive theory of moral disengagement, the study found that cognitive mechanisms motivate students to engage in unethical behaviour such as cheating. The study recommends implementing an interactive module design, lecturer training on student support, and stringent academic integrity policies to minimise cheating. There is a need for studies that explore the impact of cheating and the effectiveness of different strategies for minimising cheating and enhancing integrity in online assessment.
Plasticity-mediated deformation instabilities in thin film-compliant substrate systems: direct three-dimensional simulations
Authors: Nikravesh Siavash , Shen Yu-Lin
Published: January 2024

Surface wrinkles driven by mechanical instability commonly form in thin-film structures attached to a compliant substrate. In this study, a recently developed computational approach is employed to simulate the formation and transformation of wrinkles involving plastic yielding of the thin film. The three-dimensional (3D) finite element models contain an embedded imperfection at the film-substrate interface, serving to trigger the bifurcation modes. Successful application of this technique to allow for film plasticity is demonstrated, including the evolution of 3D surface patterns and their correlation with the overall load–displacement response. The simulations reveal that plastic yielding transforms the surface instability patterns into more localized forms. Under uniaxial loading, the sinusoidal elastic wrinkles undergo the wrinkle-to-fold transition. With equi-biaxial loading, the initial square-checkerboard array turns into continuous tall ridges along the 45° directions. In both loading modes, the plasticity-induced instability patterns are only partially relieved upon unloading, leaving permanent features on the surface.
RT-Ranked: Towards Network Resiliency by Anticipating Demand in TSCH/RPL Communication Environments
Authors: Vieira Junior Ivanilson França , Granjal Jorge , Curado Marilia
Published: January 2024

Time-slotted Channel Hopping (TSCH) Media Access Control (MAC) was specified to target the Industrial Internet of Things needs. This MAC balances energy, bandwidth, and latency for deterministic communications in unreliable wireless environments. Building a distributed or autonomous TSCH schedule is arduous because the node negotiates cells with its neighbours based on queue occupancy, latency, and consumption metrics. The Minimal TSCH Configuration defined by RFC 8180 was specified for bootstrapping a 6TiSCH network and detailed configurations necessary to be supported. In particular, it adopts Routing Protocol for Low Power and Lossy networks (RPL) Non-Storing mode, which reduces the node’s network awareness. Dealing with unpredicted traffic far from the forwarding node is difficult due to limited network information. Anticipating this unexpected flow from multiple network regions is essential because it can turn the forwarding node into a network bottleneck leading to high latency, packet discard or disconnection rates, forcing RPL to change the topology. To cope with that, this work proposes a new mechanism that implements an RPL control message option for passing forward the node’s cell demand, allowing the node to anticipate the proper cell allocation for supporting the traffic originating by nodes far from the forwarding point embedded in Destination-Oriented Directed Acyclic Graph (DODAG) Information Object (DIO) and Destination Advertisement Object (DAO) RPL control messages. Implementing this mechanism in a distributed TSCH Scheduling developed in Contiki-NG yielded promising results in supporting unforeseen traffic bursts and has the potential to significantly improve the performance and reliability of TSCH schedules in challenging network environments.
A simple proof of Slater’s transformations for bilateral series $${}_{r}\psi _{r},\, {}_{2r}\psi _{2r}$$ and $${}_{2r-1}\psi _{2r-1}$$
Authors: Mimachi Katsuhisa
Published: January 2024

We give a simple proof of Slater’s transformations for bilateral series $${}_r\psi _r$$

r

ψ
r

, $${}_{2r}\psi _{2r}$$

2
r

ψ

2
r

, and $${}_{2r-1}\psi _{2r-1}$$

2
r
-
1

ψ

2
r
-
1

, using the residue theorem only, without technical manipulation of the series.
Can an ecological scarcity method for Germany support robust decisions? – analysing the effect of uncertain target values on the impact assessment of energy generation technologies
Authors: Lewerenz Steffen , Lambrecht Hendrik , Tietze Ingela , Lazar Lukas
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Potentially contradictory indicators in Life Cycle Assessment cause ambiguity and thus uncertainty regarding the interpretation of results. The weighting-based ecological scarcity method (ESM) aims at reducing interpretation uncertainty by applying policy-based normative target values. However, the definition of these target values is uncertain due to different reasons such as questionable temporal representativeness. By means of an uncertainty analysis, this paper examines if ESMs are an appropriate approach to support robust decisions on multidimensional environmental impacts.

Methods

To assess the effect of uncertain target values (inputs) on environmental indicators (output), the ESM based Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) is combined with a Monte Carlo Analysis. The comprehensive uncertainty analysis includes the following steps: (1) sample generation, (2) output calculation and (3) results analysis and visualisation. (1) To generate a sample, moderate and strict limits for target values are derived from laws, directives or strategies. Random input parameters are drawn from a uniform distribution within those limits. (2) The sample is used to conduct several LCIAs leading to a distribution of total impact scores. (3) The results’ robustness is evaluated by means of the rank acceptability index to identify stable ranks for energy generation systems taken from ecoinvent v. 3.7.1.

Results and discussion

Applying moderate and strict target values in the ESM, results in substantial differences in the weighting sets. Even though the application of stricter target values changes the contribution of an environmental indicator to the total impact score the ranking of the energy generation systems varies only slightly. Moreover, the Monte Carlo Analysis reveals that displacement effects in ranks are not arbitrary: systems switch at most between ranks next to each other and most of the analysed systems dominate at least a single rank. Technologies with high shares of land use, global warming and air pollutants and particulate matter show a higher rank variance.

Conclusions

The weighting schemes, deduced from target values, provide a meaningful ranking of alternatives. At the same time, the results are not excessively sensitive to the uncertainties of the target values, i.e. the inherent uncertainty of the target values does not result in arbitrary outcomes, which is necessary to support robust decisions. The ESM is able to effectively facilitate decision making by making different environmental issues comparable.