bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to get to the N – a call for interdisciplinary research on organic N utilization pathways by plants
Authors: Holz Maire , Lewin Simon , Kolb Steffen , Becker Joscha N. , Bergmann Joana
Published: July 2024

Background and aims

While nitrogen (N) derived from soil organic matter significantly sustains agricultural plants, the complexities of organic N utilization pathways remain poorly understood. Knowledge gaps persist regarding diverse organic N pools, the microbial processes in N mineralization, and how plants shape the N-mineralizing microbial community through root exudation.

Results

To address these gaps, we propose an integrated conceptual framework that explores the intricate interplay of soil, plant, and microbiome dynamics within the context of soil carbon (C) cycling. Emphasizing plant effects on gross depolymerization and deamination of organic N—a crucial yet often overlooked aspect—we aim to enhance our understanding of plant N utilization pathways. In this context, we suggest considering the linkages between root and hyphal exudation, followed by rhizosphere priming effects which in turn control N mobilization. Based on the relation between exudation and N turnover, we identify microbial necromass as a potentially important organic N source for plants. Furthermore, we propose applying root economic theory to gain insights into the diverse strategies employed by plants in accessing soil organic N. Stable isotope tracers and functional microbiome analytics provide tools to decipher the complex network of the pathways of organic N utilization.

Conclusions

The envisioned holistic framework for organic N utilization pathways, intricately connects plants, soil, and microorganisms. This lays the groundwork for sustainable agricultural practices, potentially reducing N losses.
Trade-off between bagging and boosting for quantum separability-entanglement classification
Authors: Mohanty Sanuja D. , Patro Ram N. , Biswal Pradyut K. , Pradhan Biswajit , Sazim Sk
Published: July 2024

Certifying whether an arbitrary quantum system is entangled or not, is, in general, an NP-hard problem. Though various necessary and sufficient conditions have already been explored in this regard for lower-dimensional systems, it is hard to extend them to higher dimensions. Recently, an ensemble bagging and convex hull approximation (CHA) approach (together, BCHA) was proposed and it strongly suggests employing a machine learning technique for the separability-entanglement classification problem. However, BCHA does only incorporate the balanced dataset for classification tasks which results in lower average accuracy. In order to solve the data imbalance problem in the present literature, an exploration of the boosting technique has been carried out, and a trade-off between the boosting and bagging-based ensemble classifier is explored for quantum separability problems. For the two-qubit and two-qutrit quantum systems, the pros and cons of the proposed random under-sampling boost CHA (RUSBCHA) for the quantum separability problem are compared with the state-of-the-art CHA and BCHA approaches. As the data are highly unbalanced, performance measures such as overall accuracy, average accuracy, F-measure, and G-mean are evaluated for a fair comparison. The outcomes suggest that RUSBCHA is an alternative to the BCHA approach. Also, for several cases, performance improvements are observed for RUSBCHA since the data are imbalanced.
Free Constructions in Hoops via $$\ell $$-Groups
Authors: Giustarini Valeria , Manfucci Francesco , Ugolini Sara
Published: July 2024

Lattice-ordered abelian groups, or abelian$$\ell $$
ℓ
-groups in what follows, are categorically equivalent to two classes of 0-bounded hoops that are relevant in the realm of the equivalent algebraic semantics of many-valued logics: liftings of cancellative hoops and perfect MV-algebras. The former generate the variety of product algebras, and the latter the subvariety of MV-algebras generated by perfect MV-algebras, that we shall call $$\textsf{DLMV}$$
DLMV
. In this work we focus on these two varieties and their relation to the structures obtained by forgetting the falsum constant 0, i.e., product hoops and DLW-hoops. As main results, we first show a characterization of the free algebras in these two varieties as particular weak Boolean products; then, we show a construction that freely generates a product algebra from a product hoop and a DLMV-algebra from a DLW-hoop. In other words, we exhibit the free functor from the two algebraic categories of hoops to the corresponding categories of 0-bounded algebras. Finally, we use the results obtained to study projective algebras and unification problems in the two varieties (and the corresponding logics); both varieties are shown to have (strong) unitary unification type, and as a consequence they are structurally and universally complete.
Exploiting beam search confidence for energy-efficient speech recognition
Authors: Pinto Dennis , Arnau José-María , Riera Marc , Cruz Josep-Llorenç , González Antonio
Published: July 2024

With mobile and embedded devices getting more integrated in our daily lives, the focus is increasingly shifting toward human-friendly interfaces, making automatic speech recognition (ASR) a central player as the ideal means of interaction with machines. ASR is essential for many cognitive computing applications, such as speech-based assistants, dictation systems and real-time language translation. Consequently, interest in speech technology has grown in the last few years, with more systems being proposed and higher accuracy levels being achieved, even surpassing human accuracy. However, highly accurate ASR systems are computationally expensive, requiring on the order of billions of arithmetic operations to decode each second of audio, which conflicts with a growing interest in deploying ASR on edge devices. On these devices, efficient hardware acceleration is key for achieving acceptable performance. In this paper, we propose a technique to improve the energy efficiency and performance of ASR systems, focusing on low-power hardware for edge devices. We focus on optimizing the DNN-based acoustic model evaluation, as we have observed it to be the main bottleneck in popular ASR systems, by leveraging run-time information from the beam search. By doing so, we reduce energy and execution time of the acoustic model evaluation by 25.6  and 25.9 %, respectively, with negligible accuracy loss.
Investigating the role of an inquiry-based science lab on students’ scientific literacy
Authors: Eymur Gülüzar , Çetin Pınar Seda
Published: July 2024

Promotion of students’ scientific literacy has long been and continues to be a central goal for reform efforts in science education. Although there is a great number of research conducted to evaluate student’s scientific literacy, less is known about how we can improve students’ scientific literacy through variety of scientific practices. In this study we aimed to refer to this shortcoming in the literature by examining the effect of argument driven inquiry (ADI) instructional model to promote 8th grade students’ scientific literacy. A mixed method quasi experimental design was used in this study. Sixty-seven eighth grade students from the same public school attended the study. Two intact classes were randomly assigned either in structured inquiry (SI) or ADI groups. The data sources included a Scientific Literacy Assessment (SLA) and semi-structured interviews. The results indicated that students experiencing ADI instruction scored higher on the SLA-D test and personal epistemology dimension of SLA-MB test than students experiencing SI instruction. The results propose that engaging students in meaningful scientific practices may support their scientific literacy.
Treatability of BPA Containing Wastewater by Catalytic and Photocatalytic Ozone Processes Using n.TiO2
Authors: Sırma Melisa , Şengil İ. Ayhan , Tanatti N. Pınar
Published: July 2024

In this study, the treatment of synthetic wastewater containing 10 mg/L Bisphenol A (BPA) has been investigated by the catalytic and photocatalytic ozonation process. n.TiO2 nanocatalysts have been used in catalytic (COP) and photocatalytic (PCOP) ozonation processes. Optimum parameters have been determined as pH 6.32, 1200 mg/L ozone dose, 50 mg/L n.TiO2 catalyst dose and 12.5 min reaction time for COP. Optimum parameters have been found as pH 6.32, 1200 mg/L ozone dose, 50 mg/L n.TiO2 catalyst dose, 18 Watt UV light intensity, and 10 min reaction time for PCOP. The removal efficiencies of BPA have been obtained as 95.51% and 98.09% for COP and PCOP, respectively. Kinetic analyses showed that BPA removal has been carried out Pseudo second order kinetics with R2 values of 99.1 for both processes.
MHC-I and PD-L1 Expression is Associated with Decreased Tumor Outgrowth and is Radiotherapy-inducible in the Murine Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Model MOC1
Authors: Boreel Daan F. , Sandker Gerwin G. W. , Ansems Marleen , van den Bijgaart Renske J. E. , Peters Johannes P. W. , Span Paul N. , Adema Gosse J. , Heskamp Sandra , Bussink Johan
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Combined radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibition is a potential treatment option for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Immunocompetent mouse models can help to successfully develop radio- immunotherapy combinations and to increase our understanding of the effects of radiotherapy on the tumor microenvironment for future clinical translation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a homogeneous, reproducible HNSCC model originating from the Mouse Oral Cancer 1 (MOC1) HNSCC cell line, and to explore the radiotherapy-induced changes in its tumor microenvironment, using flow cytometry and PD-L1 microSPECT/CT imaging.

Materials and Methods

In vivo growing tumors originating from the parental MOC1 line were used to generate single cell derived clones. These clones were screened in vitro for their ability to induce programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) following IFNγ exposure. Clones with different IFNγ sensitivity were inoculated in C57BL/6 mice and assessed for tumor outgrowth. The composition of the tumor microenvironment of a stably growing (non)irradiated MOC1-derived clone was assessed by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and PD-L1 microSPECT/CT.

Results

Low in vitro inducibility of MHC-I and PD-L1 by IFNγ was associated with increased tumor outgrowth of MOC1 clones in vivo. Flow cytometry analysis of cells derived from a stable in vivo growing MOC1 clone MOC1.3D5low showed expression of MHC-I and PD-L1 on several cell populations within the tumor. Upon irradiation, MHC-I and PD-L1 increased on leukocytes (CD45.2+) and cancer associated fibroblasts (CD45.2−/EpCAM−/CD90.1+). Furthermore, PD-L1 microSPECT/CT showed increased tumor uptake of radiolabeled PD-L1 antibodies with a heterogeneous spatial distribution of the radio signal, which co-localized with PD-L1+ and CD45.2+ areas.

Discussion

PD-L1 and MHC-I inducibility by IFNγ in vitro is associated with tumor outgrowth of MOC1 clones in vivo. In tumors originating from a stably growing MOC1-derived clone, expression of these immune-related markers was induced by irradiation shown by flow cytometry on several cell populations within the tumor microenvironment such as immune cells and cancer associated fibroblasts. PD-L1 microSPECT/CT showed increased tumor uptake following radiotherapy, and autoradiography showed correlation of uptake with areas that are heavily infiltrated by immune cells. Knowledge of radiotherapy-induced effects on the tumor microenvironment in this model can help optimize timing and dosage for radio- immunotherapy combination strategies in future research.
The IncC and IncX1 resistance plasmids present in multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from poultry manure in Poland
Authors: Zalewska Magdalena , Błażejewska Aleksandra , Gawor Jan , Adamska Dorota , Goryca Krzysztof , Szeląg Michał , Kalinowski Patryk , Popowska Magdalena
Published: July 2024

The study describes the whole-genome sequencing of two antibiotic-resistant representative Escherichia coli strains, isolated from poultry manure in 2020. The samples were obtained from a commercial chicken meat production facility in Poland. The antibiotic resistance profile was characterized by co-resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones. The three identified resistance plasmids (R-plasmids), pECmdr13.2, pECmdr13.3, and pECmdr14.1, harbored various genes conferring resistance to tetracyclines (tetR[A]) for, aminoglycoside (aph, aac, and aad families), β-lactam (blaCMY-2, blaTEM-176), sulfonamide (sul1, sul2), fluoroquinolone (qnrS1), and phenicol (floR). These plasmids, which have not been previously reported in Poland, were found to carry IS26 insertion elements, the intI1-integrase gene, and conjugal transfer genes, facilitating horizontal gene transfer. Plasmids pECmdr13.2 and pECmdr14.1 also possessed a mercury resistance gene operon related to transposon Tn6196; this promotes plasmid persistence even without antibiotic selection pressure due to co-selection mechanisms such as co-resistance. The chicken manure–derived plasmids belonged to the IncX1 (narrow host range) and IncC (broad host range) incompatibility groups. Similar plasmids have been identified in various environments, clinical isolates, and farm animals, including cattle, swine, and poultry. This study holds significant importance for the One Health approach, as it highlights the potential for antibiotic-resistant bacteria from livestock and food sources, particularly E. coli, to transfer through the food chain to humans and vice versa.
Ranitidine degradation in layered double hydroxide activated peroxymonosulfate system: impact of transition metal composition and reaction mechanisms
Authors: Sharmin Afia , Asif Muhammad Bilal , Zhang Guomin , Bhuiyan Muhammed A. , Pramanik Biplob
Published: July 2024

Ranitidine, a competitive inhibitor of histamine H2 receptors, has been identified as an emerging micropollutant in water and wastewater, raising concerns about its potential impact on the environment and human health. This study aims to address this issue by developing an effective removal strategy using two types of layered double hydroxide (LDH) catalysts (i.e., CoFeLDH and CoCuLDH). Characterization results show that CoFeLDH catalyst has superior catalytic properties due to its stronger chemical bond compared to CoCuLDH. The degradation experiment shows that 100% degradation of ranitidine could be achieved within 20 min using 25 mg/L of CoFeLDH and 20 mg/L of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). On the other hand, CoCuLDH was less effective, achieving only 70% degradation after 60 min at a similar dosage. The degradation rate constant of CoFeLDH was 10 times higher than the rate constant of CoCuLDH at different pH range. Positive zeta potential of CoFeLDH made it superior over CoCuLDH regarding catalytic oxidation of PMS. The catalytic degradation mechanism shows that sulfate radicals played a more dominant role than hydroxyl radicals in the case of LDH catalysts. Also, CoFeLDH demonstrated a stronger radical pathway than CoCuLDH. XPS analysis of CoFeLDH revealed the cation percentages at different phases and proved the claim of being reusable even after 8 cycles. Overall, the findings suggest that CoFeLDH/PMS system proves to be a suitable choice for attaining high degradation efficiency and good stability in the remediation of ranitidine in wastewater.
Uranium standards in drinking water: An examination from scientific and socio-economic standpoints of India
Authors: Jha Sanjay K. , Patra Aditi C. , Verma Gopal P. , Jha Vivekanand , Aswal Dinesh K.
Published: July 2024

The detection of uranium in drinking water has ignited concerns among the public, regulators, and policymakers, particularly as around 1% of the 55,554 water samples in India have shown uranium levels surpassing the 60 µg/l guideline established by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) based on radiological toxicity. Further, the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), has given a limit of 30 µg/l, which is derived from World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Besides the chemical and radiological aspects associated with uranium, factors such as technological constraints in water purification, waste management, environmental factors, and socio-economic conditions significantly influence these guideline values, which are often overlooked. This manuscript explores the variations in approaches for establishing guideline values and highlights the uncertainties arising from dependence on various variables such as intake and usage patterns, inter- and intra-species distinctions, and epidemiological data. A critical analysis indicates that adherence to global guidelines may result in some undesirable environmental issues. By considering factors such as population dynamics, socio-economic conditions, and geological influences, we suggest that limit of 60 µg/l for uranium in drinking water is appropriate for India.

Graphical abstract
White matter microstructural integrity as a key to effective propagation of gamma entrainment in humans
Authors: Park Yeseung , Yoon Euisuk , Park Jieun , Kim Jun Sung , Han Ji Won , Bae Jong Bin , Kim Sang-Su , Kim Do-Won , Woo Se Joon , Park Jaehyeok , Lee Wheesung , Yoo Seunghyup , Kim Ki Woong
Published: July 2024

Gamma entrainment through sensory stimulation has the potential to reduce the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease in mouse models. However, clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients have yielded inconsistent results, necessitating further investigation. This single-center pre-post intervention study aims to explore the influence of white matter microstructural integrity on gamma rhythm propagation from the visual cortex to AD-affected regions in 31 cognitively normal volunteers aged ≥ 65. Gamma rhythm propagation induced by optimal FLS was measured. Diffusion tensor imaging was employed to assess the integrity of white matter tracts of interest. After excluding 5 participants with a deficit in steady-state visually evoked potentials, 26 participants were included in the final analysis. In the linear regression analyses, gamma entrainment was identified as a significant predictor of gamma propagation (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the study identified white matter microstructural integrity as a significant predictor of gamma propagation by flickering light stimulation (p < 0.05), which was specific to tracts that connect occipital and temporal or frontal regions. These findings indicate that, despite robust entrainment of gamma rhythms in the visual cortex, their propagation to other regions may be impaired if the microstructural integrity of the white matter tracts connecting the visual cortex to other areas is compromised. Consequently, our findings have expanded our understanding of the prerequisites for effective gamma entrainment and suggest that future clinical trials utilizing visual stimulation for gamma entrainment should consider white matter tract microstructural integrity for candidate selection and outcome analysis.
An extension of the Poincaré–Birkhoff Theorem to systems involving Landesman–Lazer conditions
Authors: Fonda Alessandro , Mamo Natnael Gezahegn , Sfecci Andrea
Published: July 2024

We provide multiplicity results for the periodic problem associated with Hamiltonian systems coupling a system having a Poincaré–Birkhoff twist-type structure with a system presenting some asymmetric nonlinearities, with possible one-sided superlinear growth. We investigate nonresonance, simple resonance and double resonance situations, by implementing some kind of Landesman–Lazer conditions.
Core Set of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Measuring Quality of Life in Clinical Obesity Care
Authors: Dijkhorst Phillip J. , Monpellier Valerie M. , Terwee Caroline B. , Liem Ronald S. L. , van Wagensveld Bart A. , Janssen Ignace M. C. , Ottosson Johan , Halpern Bruno , Flint Stuart W. , van Rossum Elisabeth F. C. , Saadi Alend , West-Smith Lisa , O’Kane Mary , Halford Jason C. G. , Coulman Karen D. , Al-Sabah Salman , Dixon John B. , Brown Wendy A. , Ramos Salas Ximena , Abbott Sally , Budin Alyssa J. , Holland Jennifer F. , Poulsen Lotte , Welbourn Richard , Wijling Natasja , Divine Laura , Isack Nadya , Birney Susie , Keenan J. M. Bernadette , Kyle Theodore K. , Bahlke Melanie , Healing Andrew , Patton Ian , de Vries Claire E. E.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The focus of measuring success in obesity treatment is shifting from weight loss to patients’ health and quality of life. The objective of this study was to select a core set of patient-reported outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures to be used in clinical obesity care.

Materials and Methods

The Standardizing Quality of Life in Obesity Treatment III, face-to-face hybrid consensus meeting, including people living with obesity as well as healthcare providers, was held in Maastricht, the Netherlands, in 2022. It was preceded by two prior multinational consensus meetings and a systematic review.

Results

The meeting was attended by 27 participants, representing twelve countries from five continents. The participants included healthcare providers, such as surgeons, endocrinologists, dietitians, psychologists, researchers, and people living with obesity, most of whom were involved in patient representative networks. Three patient-reported outcome measures (patient-reported outcomes) were selected: the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (self-esteem) measure, the BODY-Q (physical function, physical symptoms, psychological function, social function, eating behavior, and body image), and the Quality of Life for Obesity Surgery questionnaire (excess skin). No patient-reported outcome measure was selected for stigma.

Conclusion

A core set of patient-reported outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures for measuring quality of life in clinical obesity care is established incorporating patients’ and experts’ opinions. This set should be used as a minimum for measuring quality of life in routine clinical practice. It is essential that individual patient-reported outcome measure scores are shared with people living with obesity in order to enhance patient engagement and shared decision-making.

Graphical Abstract
Ecological Perspective, Perception, and Attitude of Local Communities Toward Managing and Utilizing the Mangrove Ecosystem in Lampung Province, Indonesia
Authors: Qurniati Rommy , Duryat Duryat , Darmawan Arief , Inoue Makoto
Published: July 2024

Mangrove damage is caused by environmental changes in the surrounding area as well as direct and indirect pressures on the existence of mangroves. The preservation of mangrove forests is inseparable from the perceptions and behavior of the community in managing and utilizing mangrove forests. Community decisions to take action in the environment will be rooted in the reciprocal relationship created between humans and their environment. This research investigates the history of mangrove management and the ecological perspectives, attitudes, and perceptions of communities toward managing and utilizing mangroves and compares the management and ecology of two mangrove areas in Lampung Province, Indonesia. This study used structured questionnaires with 97 respondents in Margasari and 48 in Sidodadi who live around mangrove forests. The question related to utilizing mangrove ecology, community perceptions of mangrove forests, and participation in mangrove management. The results showed that the people of Margasari and Sidodadi had positive perceptions of mangrove forests. The number and frequency of people participating in mangrove management in Sidodadi were higher than those in Margasari, but in general, the participation in both villages was low. Neither village utilizes mangrove timber. The utilization of nontimber mangrove products in Margasari is more diverse than in Sidodadi; Margasari has ten types of utilization, while Sidodadi has only four types. The condition of mangrove vegetation cover during the last ten years has the same trend; mangrove cover area has decreased, although there was a slight increase in Sidodadi. Different factors influence the decrease; in Margasari, it is influenced by natural factors, while in Sidodadi, it is influenced by human factors.
The rule of law, judicial independence and the right to good administration – myth or reality?
Authors: De Gaetano Vincent A.
Published: July 2024

In this paper the author focuses on some core notions linking together judicial independence and good administration through the thread of the rule of law. The rule of law is the golden thread running through all public administration (which includes also the judicial administration) of a state, with the ultimate aim being the common good. This is an ideal to which all modern, so-called democratic, states should aspire. The author looks at the practical meaning of the rule of law and suggests an approach based on a core of eight principles, the so-called Bingham’s “sub-principles”, and adds two more to them. Finally, it is argued that one cannot speak of the rule of law, of fundamental human rights and of good administration as if these were concepts isolated from each other
Delirium in Neurocritical Care: Uncovering Undisclosed Psychotropic Substance and Medication Use and Stress Exposure by Hair Analysis
Authors: Bögli Stefan Yu , Capone Crescenzo , Baumgartner Markus R. , Quednow Boris B. , Kraemer Thomas , Keller Emanuela , Binz Tina Maria
Published: July 2024

Objective

In intensive care, delirium is frequent, prolongs the stay, increases health care costs, and worsens patient outcome. Several substances and medications as well as stress can impact the risk of delirium; however, assessment of previous exposure to psychotropic agents and stress by self-reports or third-party information is not always reliable. Hair analysis can be used to objectively assess medication and substance use (including chronic alcohol consumption), and allows for the determination of stress-related long-term changes in steroid hormones and endocannabinoids.

Methods

Consecutive adult patients with acute brain injury admitted to the neurocritical care unit were included. Delirium was diagnosed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used to investigate psychoactive substances and medications, ethyl glucuronide, steroid hormones, and endocannabinoids in hair samples. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to reveal any associations with the occurrence of delirium.

Results

Of 50 consecutive patients, 21 (42%) were diagnosed with delirium. Detection of antipsychotics or antidepressants in hair was more frequent in patients with delirium (antidepressants: 43% vs. 14%, p = 0.040; antipsychotics: 29% vs. 0%, p = 0.021). These patients also displayed higher ethyl glucuronide levels (p = 0.049). Anandamide (AEA) concentrations were higher in patients with delirium (p = 0.005), whereas oleoylethanolamide (p = 0.045) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) (p = 0.017) concentrations were lower in patients with delirium. Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed antidepressants and AEA/PEA to be independent relevant predictors of delirium.

Conclusions

Hair analysis provides crucial and otherwise unattainable information regarding chronic stress and the use of psychotropic substances and medications. Undisclosed antidepressant/antipsychotic use or intense chronic alcohol consumption is susceptible to treatment (continuation of medication or provision of low-dose benzodiazepines in case of alcohol). Chronic stress can be evaluated using stress markers and endocannabinoids in hair, potentially allowing for personalized delirium risk stratification and preventive measures.
SEOM–GEICO clinical guideline on epithelial ovarian cancer (2023)
Authors: Perez-Fidalgo Jose Alejandro , Gálvez-Montosa Fernando , Guerra Eva María , Madariaga Ainhoa , Manzano Aranzazu , Martin-Lorente Cristina , Rubio-Pérez Maria Jesús , Alarcón Jesus , Barretina-Ginesta María Pilar , Gaba Lydia
Published: July 2024

In recent years, the incorporation of new strategies to the therapeutic armamentarium has completely changed the outcomes of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The identification of new predictive and prognostic biomarkers has also enabled the selection of those patients more likely to respond to targeted agents. Nevertheless, EOC is still a highly lethal disease and resistance to many of these new agents is common. The objective of this guideline is to summarize the most relevant strategies to manage EOC, to help the clinician throughout the challenging diagnostic and therapeutic processes and to provide evidence-based recommendations.
Handekzem
Authors: Kränke Birger
Published: July 2024

Das Handekzem in all seinen klinischen Spielarten gehört zu den entzündlichen Hautkrankheiten und zählt zu den häufigsten beruflich bedingten Erkrankungen. Dadurch betrifft es durch Einschränkung der Handlungsfähigkeit Betroffener viele berufliche wie soziale Bereiche mit teils erheblichen finanziellen Konsequenzen und Kosten. Ein adäquates medizinisches Management ermöglicht therapeutische Erfolge und beugt Langzeitbehandlungen, unerwünschten Therapieeffekten und einer schlechten Patienten-Compliance vor. Neue Erkenntnisse auch der Pathophysiologie ermöglichten in den aktuellen Leitlinien eine klinische Klassifikation des Handekzems in vier ätiologische und vier morphologische Subtypen, die Grundlage einer adäquaten Therapieplanung sein sollten. Das diagnostische Procedere wird als Ablaufplan dargestellt, und die therapeutischen Möglichkeiten inklusive ihrer Limitationen werden erläutert.
Ag and Pb isotope systematics in galena ores from southern Sardinia and southern France flag potential silver sources in antiquity
Authors: Albarede Francis , Boni Maria , Blichert-Toft Janne , Vaxevanopoulos Markos , Westner Katrin , Milot Jean , Pinto Marine , Télouk Philippe
Published: July 2024

While lead isotopes serve to determine potential ore provenance, silver isotopes help evaluate if a specific ore flagged by Pb isotopes has actually been exploited as a silver source of bullion in antiquity. The combination of Ag and Pb isotopes thus constitutes a powerful tool to address provenance and identify potential ore sources. It has recently been observed that the vast majority of silver isotopic abundances in hundreds of silver coins from different historical periods (pre-Roman and Roman, Middle Ages, early modern times) and different localities (Persia, Greece, Rome, Western Europe, England, Spanish Americas) falls in a remarkably narrow interval (± 0.1 permil, or ± 1 on the epsilon scale used by geochemists to enhance the visibility of small isotopic differences, group 1). Five Greek coins and some pieces from Levantine hacksilber hoards dated to the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages have isotopic abundances somewhat below the range of group 1 (–0.2 to –0.1 permil, or -2 to -1 on the epsilon scale, group 2).

The coverage of Ag isotopes in ores from the western Mediterranean, with the exception of Iberia, is inexistant. Here the above-mentioned approach is illustrated with new Pb and Ag isotopic analyses of samples from southern Sardinia and southern France. The majority of Ag isotope compositions of galena samples from Sardinia belongs to group 2 and none to group 1. While scholarly works imply that Sardinia may have provided silver to the Levant during the Iron Age, the exact location of the Sardinian ores that contributed to classical and archaic Greek coins is still unknown. Galena samples from southern France (the Pyrenees, Montagne Noire, Cévennes) are characterized by Ag isotope compositions from both groups 1 and 2, indicating that silver-bearing ore deposits in Gaul could be considered a potential source for silver bullion, both before and during the Roman era.
Current trends and future perspectives in hadron therapy: radiobiology
Authors: Story Michael D. , Davis Anthony J. , Sishc Brock J.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this article was to highlight current and future trends in radiobiology in an effort to move hadron therapy forward through the application of new knowledge in DNA damage and subsequent response to heavy ion radiotherapy, immune oncology and the interconnection between.

Methods

The subject matter begins with a description of the role of radiation in eliciting either an immunogenic or tolerogenic response to radiation exposure. The role of fragmented DNA in an immunogenic response is described, followed by the definitive role that DNA damage and subsequent repair, or not, of complex DNA damage after hadron exposure plays in the survival response of hadron irradiated cells.

Results

The process by which ionizing radiation elicits an immunogenic rather than tolerogenic response is becoming clearer. The timing of fractionated radiotherapy when combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitor is not clear and may be tumor site specific. Furthermore, whether hadron therapy is more effective at generating a durable immunogenic response is unknown.

Conclusions

Cytosolic DNA plays a significant role in eliciting an innate immune response with the likelihood that hadron therapy would generate complex DNA damage that because it is less likely to be repaired, is more likely to become cytosolic DNA, and more likely to activate an immunogenic response. Lastly, DNA repair pathway choice appears to be a credible bio-indicator for hadron therapy selection as well identify druggable targets to enhance hadron therapy.
From Startup to Scaleup: Public Policies for Emerging Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Authors: Pardo-del-Val Manuela , Cerver-Romero Elvira , Martinez-Perez Juan Francisco , Mohedano-Suanes Antonia
Published: July 2024

The transition from startup to scaleup is a complex process, intricately tied to the dynamic ecosystem in which a startup originates and flourishes. Recognizing the substantial socioeconomic benefits that high-growth firms bring to their operating environments, policy makers try to strategically craft public policies to bolster their development, constituting a pivotal facet of entrepreneurial ecosystems (EE). This research aims to identify the challenges to growth faced by startups and to pinpoint policy focal areas conductive to addressing these challenges in an emerging EE. Effective public policies must be tailored to the specific context, serving as enablers while entrusting leadership roles to entrepreneurs and other EE stakeholders. To achieve our objective, we selected an emerging EE and approached entrepreneurs and influential agents in the EE through questionnaires and focus groups. The findings conclude with a set of recommended public policy actions designed to fortify essential components within an emerging EE that fosters the growth of its startups. These actions are categorized into three broad topics: enhancing talent availability, promoting networking opportunities, and reinforcing the entrepreneurial culture of the region.
Heritability and correlations for honey yield, handling ease, brood quantity, and traits related to resilience in a French honeybee population
Authors: Kistler Tristan , Kouchner Coline , Brascamp Evert W. , Dumas Charlène , Mondet Fanny , Vignal Alain , Basso Benjamin , Bijma Piter , Phocas Florence
Published: July 2024

There is growing interest in selective breeding of the honeybee, resulting in the emergence of new breeding projects, often with an emphasis on improving resilience traits, in particular toward brood diseases. Lately, feed autonomy is also gaining importance. Here, we use data from a small breeding nucleus in France to estimate genetic parameters for common bee breeding traits and a novel trait reflecting honey reserves in the brood chamber. Open-mated queens were produced each year from inseminated dams between 2019 and 2021, and ~330 colonies were phenotyped each following year at three periods during the entire beekeeping season. Genetic parameters were estimated using ReML with an animal model. Narrow-sense heritability estimates ranged from low (around 0.15) for calmness and total capped brood surface both measured in early summer, to moderate (0.30 to 0.40) for hygienic behavior in spring, honey yield, and phoretic V. destructor load in early summer. Honey reserves in the brood chamber showed an intermediate heritability throughout the season (around 0.25). Gentleness had a null heritability. Most correlations between phenotypes adjusted for environmental fixed effects were close to zero. Among exceptions, there were honey reserves in the brood chamber in early summer with honey yield (around −0.2) and with the total capped brood surface in early summer (around −0.3). These estimates, although uncertain due to the dataset size, suggest that selection for production and resilience will be effective, even though simultaneous selection for honey yield and feed reserves might be difficult due to a possible genetic antagonism between both traits.
Carbon footprint of mixed farming crop-livestock rotational-based grazing beef systems using long term experimental data
Authors: Pereyra-Goday Fabiana , Jebari Asma , Takahashi Taro , Rovira Pablo , Ayala Walter , Lee Michael R. F. , Rivero M. Jordana , McAuliffe Graham A.
Published: July 2024

In the context of ever-growing demand for food and associated concerns regarding the environmental impacts of high-input agricultural systems, there is growing interest in mixed farm enterprises to deliver greater sustainability compared with mono-enterprise production systems. However, assessments of such systems are complex and require high-resolution data to determine the true value and interconnectivity across enterprises. Given the scarcity of information on mixed crop–livestock systems and the difficulties of its analysis, we perform life cycle assessment using temporally high-resolution data (2019–2022) from a long-term experiment in South America to evaluate the ‘cradle-to-farmgate exit’ greenhouse gas emissions intensities of four rotational crop–livestock systems. Systems evaluated were continuous cropping: 2 years of continuous cropping; short rotation: 2-year continuous cropping plus 2-year pasture; long rotation: 2-year continuous cropping followed by 4-year pasture; and forage rotation: continuous pasture. Emissions intensities for beef throughput were reported as kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-eq) per kilogram of liveweight gain (LWG) using the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6 2021) CO2 characterisation factors. Point estimate results were found to be 11.3, 11.8, 11.8 and 16.4 kg CO2-eq/kg/LWG for continuous cropping, short rotation, long rotation and forage rotation, respectively. Emission averages arising from crops, which were separated from animal-based emissions using economic allocation, were 1.23, 0.53 and 0.52 kg CO2-eq/kg for soybean, wheat and oat, respectively. The inclusion of soil organic carbon stock changes had notable effects on reducing each system’s emissions: by 22.4%, 19.2%, 25.3% and 42.1% under continuous cropping, short rotation, long rotation and forage rotation, respectively, when soil organic carbon was included. Given there are few life cycle assessment studies available on such mixed-enterprise ‘semi-circular’ systems, particularly with novel primary data, this study adds critical knowledge to agri-food-related sustainability literature by addressing environmental issues in complex production systems compared to extant and broad coverage of mono-enterprise systems.
Location-Specific Microstructure Characterization Within AM Bench 2022 Nickel Alloy 718 3D Builds
Authors: Levine L. E. , Williams M. E. , Creuziger A. , Stoudt M. R. , Young S. A. , Moon K. W. , Lane B. M.
Published: July 2024

The Additive Manufacturing Benchmark Test Series (AM Bench) is a broad effort to produce rigorous measurement datasets for validating AM computer simulations across the range of processing, structure, and properties, for many additive manufacturing (AM) build methods and material classes. Here, the microstructures of nickel alloy 718 AM Bench 2022 test artifacts produced using laser-based powder bed fusion (PBF-LB), in both as-built and fully heat-treated conditions, are examined. Cross sections are primarily characterized using large area scanning electron microscopy (SEM) electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and example analyses of the crystallographic textures are described. These data are part of a large set of in situ and ex situ measurements from both three-dimensional builds and laser tracks on bare plates. All the measurement data are available online with download links at www.nist.gov/ambench.
The myth of a “human right to sport”: how human rights can lead to true inclusion for children with disability
Authors: Pearce Simone , Sanderson Jay
Published: July 2024

Fundamental Principle 4 of the Olympic Charter provides, ‘[t]he practice of sport is a human right’. However, to think of the practice of sport as a human right is misleading and potentially unhelpful to the true inclusion of children with disability in sport. The various permutations of a human right to sport—a right in sport; a right to participate in sport; a right to the practice of sport; and a right to sport—result in an attitude that children with disability are provided sporting opportunities in a way that are separate, segregated, or unnecessarily different. In this article, we argue that sport should be thought about and analysed through a different human right: the right to non-discrimination. If the right being applied to the experience for a child with a disability in sport, is that of non-discrimination, then the aim is to provide the child with the same experience as a mainstream child. This also means that the focus changes from providing a right to ‘sport’, which results in access to simply the physical activities of sport and shifts to the experience the child has within a sport. Most importantly, the human right to non-discrimination means that a child with disability should have the opportunity to be included in mainstream sport, with adjustments to provide them with a fair and meaningful contest.
A novel bayesian network-based ensemble classifier chains for multi-label classification
Authors: Wang Zhenwu , Zhang Shiqi , Chen Yang , Han Mengjie , Zhou Yang , Wan Benting
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we address the challenges of random label ordering and limited interpretability associated with Ensemble Classifier Chains (ECC) by introducing a novel ECC method, ECC-MOO&BN, which integrates Bayesian Networks (BN) and Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO). This approach is designed to concurrently overcome these ECC limitations. The ECC-MOO&BN method focuses on extracting diverse and interpretable label orderings for the ECC classifier. We initiated this process by employing mutual information to investigate label relationships and establish the initial structures of the BN. Subsequently, an enhanced NSGA-II algorithm was applied to develop a series of Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) that effectively balance the likelihood and complexity of the BN structure. The rationale behind using the MOO method lies in its ability to optimize both complexity and likelihood simultaneously, which not only diversifies DAG generation but also helps avoid overfitting during the production of label orderings. The DAGs, once sorted topologically, yielded a series of label orderings, which were then seamlessly integrated into the ECC framework for addressing multi-label classification (MLC) problems. Experimental results show that when benchmarked against eleven leading-edge MLC algorithms, our proposed method achieves the highest average ranking across seven evaluation criteria on nine out of thirteen MLC datasets. The results of the Friedman test and Nemenyi test also indicate that the performance of the proposed method has a significant advantage compared to other algorithms.
Nanomaterial-Based Repurposing of Macrophage Metabolism and Its Applications
Authors: Meng Tingting , He Danfeng , Han Zhuolei , Shi Rong , Wang Yuhan , Ren Bibo , Zhang Cheng , Mao Zhengwei , Luo Gaoxing , Deng Jun
Published: July 2024

Macrophage immunotherapy represents an emerging therapeutic approach aimed at modulating the immune response to alleviate disease symptoms. Nanomaterials (NMs) have been engineered to monitor macrophage metabolism, enabling the evaluation of disease progression and the replication of intricate physiological signal patterns. They achieve this either directly or by delivering regulatory signals, thereby mapping phenotype to effector functions through metabolic repurposing to customize macrophage fate for therapy. However, a comprehensive summary regarding NM-mediated macrophage visualization and coordinated metabolic rewiring to maintain phenotypic equilibrium is currently lacking. This review aims to address this gap by outlining recent advancements in NM-based metabolic immunotherapy. We initially explore the relationship between metabolism, polarization, and disease, before delving into recent NM innovations that visualize macrophage activity to elucidate disease onset and fine-tune its fate through metabolic remodeling for macrophage-centered immunotherapy. Finally, we discuss the prospects and challenges of NM-mediated metabolic immunotherapy, aiming to accelerate clinical translation. We anticipate that this review will serve as a valuable reference for researchers seeking to leverage novel metabolic intervention-matched immunomodulators in macrophages or other fields of immune engineering.
Boosting Electrochemical Urea Synthesis via Constructing Ordered Pd–Zn Active Pair
Authors: Zhou Weiliang , Feng Chao , Li Xuan , Jiang Xingxing , Jing Lingyan , Qi Shuai , Huo Qihua , Lv Miaoyuan , Chen Xinbao , Huang Tianchi , Zhao Jingwen , Meng Na , Yang Hengpan , Hu Qi , He Chuanxin
Published: July 2024

Electrochemical co-reduction of nitrate (NO3–) and carbon dioxide (CO2) has been widely regarded as a promising route to produce urea under ambient conditions, however the yield rate of urea has remained limited. Here, we report an atomically ordered intermetallic pallium-zinc (PdZn) electrocatalyst comprising a high density of PdZn pairs for boosting urea electrosynthesis. It is found that Pd and Zn are responsible for the adsorption and activation of NO3– and CO2, respectively, and thus the co-adsorption and co-activation NO3– and CO2 are achieved in ordered PdZn pairs. More importantly, the ordered and well-defined PdZn pairs provide a dual-site geometric structure conducive to the key C–N coupling with a low kinetical barrier, as demonstrated on both operando measurements and theoretical calculations. Consequently, the PdZn electrocatalyst displays excellent performance for the co-reduction to generate urea with a maximum urea Faradaic efficiency of 62.78% and a urea yield rate of 1274.42 μg mg–1 h–1, and the latter is 1.5-fold larger than disordered pairs in PdZn alloys. This work paves new pathways to boost urea electrosynthesis via constructing ordered dual-metal pairs.
Enhancement the physical properties of V2O5/Ni0.1Fe2.9O4 nanocomposite
Authors: Ramadan Rania
Published: July 2024

Nanocomposite containing vanadium oxide (V2O5) and magnetite (Fe3O4) doped with nickel (Ni) ion were synthesized according to the formula of Ni0.1Fe2.9O4 /V2O5. The obtained composition was characterized by XRD, FTIR, FESEM. The FESEM micrograph shows that the existence of two different phases related to V2O5 and Ni-Magnetite. Moreover,the roughness parameters have values of 281, 85 and 385nm for roughness average Ra, root mean square roughness Rq, Maximum height of roughness RT respectively. Moreover, the magnetic behavior of the sample was studied, and we found that by adding V2O5 to Ni dopped magnetite, the curie temperature value was lowered from 750 oC to 625 oC. The activation energy was calculated and found to be 0.22 eV and 0.08 eV for 1000 Hz and 3MHz respectively.