bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proapoptotic and antimigration properties of osthole in combination with LY294002 against human glioma cells
Authors: Sumorek-Wiadro Joanna , Kapral-Piotrowska Justyna , Zając Adrian , Maciejczyk Aleksandra , Hułas-Stasiak Monika , Skalicka-Woźniak Krystyna , Rzeski Wojciech , Pawlikowska-Pawlęga Bożena , Jakubowicz-Gil Joanna
Published: October 2024

Anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme are infiltrating and vascularized gliomas with a high degree of chemoresistance and metastasis. Our previous studies have shown that osthole may be of great importance in the treatment of gliomas. Therefore, in this work, for the first time, coumarin was used in combination with LY294002—an inhibitor of the PI3K-Akt/PKB-mTOR pathway, which is overly active in gliomas. MOGGCCM and T98G cells were incubated with osthole and LY294002, alone and in combination. Staining with specific fluorochromes was used to visualize cell death and the scratch test to assess the migration. The level of proteins was estimated by immunoblotting. Forming protrusions were visualized by SEM, and immunocytochemistry was used to determine the localization of proteins. Additionally, the expression of Bcl-2, beclin 1 and Raf kinase was silenced using specific siRNA. The obtained results showed that osthole in combination with LY294092 effectively inhibited the migration of glioma cells by reducing the level of metaloproteinases and Rho family proteins, as well as decreasing the level of N-cadherin. In addition, the combination of compounds induced apoptosis. New combination of compounds shows a high pro-apoptotic potential and also inhibits the migration of gliomas cells.
Long-term trends in total administered radiation dose from brain [18F]FDG-PET in children with drug-resistant epilepsy
Authors: Gennari Antonio G. , Waelti Stephan , Schwyzer Moritz , Treyer Valerie , Rossi Alexia , Sartoretti Thomas , Maurer Alexander , Ramantani Georgia , Tuura O’Gorman Ruth , Kellenberger Christian J. , Hüllner Martin W. , Messerli Michael
Published: October 2024

Purpose

To assess the trends in administered 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) doses, computed tomography (CT) radiation doses, and image quality over the last 15 years in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) undergoing hybrid positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from children with DRE who had [18F]FDG-PET/CT or magnetic resonance scans for presurgical evaluation between 2005 and 2021. We evaluated changes in injected [18F]FDG doses, administered activity per body weight, CT dose index volume (CTDIvol), and dose length product (DLP). PET image quality was assessed visually by four trained raters. Conversely, CT image quality was measured using region-of-interest analysis, normalized by signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).

Results

We included 55 children (30 male, mean age: 9 ± 6 years) who underwent 61 [18F]FDG-PET scans (71% as PET/CT). Annually, the injected [18F]FDG dose decreased by ~ 1% (95% CI: 0.92%-0.98%, p < 0.001), with no significant changes in administered activity per body weight (p = 0.51). CTDIvol and DLP decreased annually by 16% (95% CI: 9%-23%) and 15% (95% CI: 8%-21%, both p < 0.001), respectively. PET image quality improved by 9% year-over-year (95% CI: 6%-13%, p < 0.001), while CT-associated SNR and CNR decreased annually by 7% (95% CI: 3%-11%, p = 0.001) and 6% (95% CI: 2%-10%, p = 0.008), respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate stability in [18F]FDG administered activity per body weight alongside improvements in PET image quality. Conversely, CT-associated radiation doses reduced. These results reaffirm [18F]FDG-PET as an increasingly safer and higher-resolution auxiliary imaging modality for children with DRE. These improvements, driven by technological advancements, may enhance the diagnostic precision and patient outcomes in pediatric epilepsy surgery.
Outcome of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and testicular involvement – real world data
Authors: Mocikova Heidi , Janikova Andrea , Sykorova Alice , Prochazka Vit , Pirnos Jan , Duras Juraj , Kopeckova Katerina , Steinerova Katerina , Pytlik Robert , Blahovcova Petra , Salek David , Kozak Tomas , Bachanova Veronika , Belada David
Published: October 2024

Patients with testicular lymphoma are at an increased risk of central nervous system (CNS) disease. Optimal strategy for CNS relapse prevention is unknown. We analyzed treatment strategies, cumulative incidence of CNS relapse and prognosis in 229 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and testicular involvement: 157 primary testicular lymphomas (PTL) in clinical stages IE/IIE and 72 patients in advanced stages (T-DLBCL) IIIE/IV. Treatments for PTL vs. T-DLBCL included: rituximab-based chemotherapy (80.9% vs. 90.3%), orchiectomy (94.3% vs. 65.3%) and contralateral testicular irradiation (59.8% vs. 44.4%). Majority (84.3%) received CNS prophylaxis with similar rates of prophylactic methotrexate (intravenous 19.1% vs. 16.6%, intrathecal 40.8% vs. 40.4%, or both 24.2% vs. 27.8%) between PTL and T-DLBCL (p = 0.89). Median follow-up was 51.8 months. CNS relapses occurred in 14 (6.1%) of 63 relapsing patients. The 5-year cumulative incidence of CNS relapse in PTL was 4.5% and in T-DLBCL 12.1%. Median time to CNS relapse was 21.9 months. In univariate analyses, orchiectomy was the single significant factor associated with lower risk of CNS relapse in PTL (HR = 0.11 [95% CI, 0-0.124], p = 0.001). Rituximab significantly reduced CNS relapse risk in T-DLBCL (HR = 0.1002, p = 0.0005). Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) following CNS relapse was dismal in T-DLBCL compared to PTL (PFS 1.6 vs. 37.8 months, p = 0.04 and OS 2.3 vs. 37.8 months, p = 0.05). This study confirmed a favorable impact of rituximab in prevention of CNS relapse in T-DLBCL. Methotrexate prophylaxis did not alter CNS relapse risk. Prognosis of CNS relapse is particularly poor in T-DLBCL.
Effect of chorioamnionitis on postnatal growth in very preterm infants: a population-based study in Japan
Authors: Ushida Takafumi , Nosaka Rena , Nakatochi Masahiro , Kobayashi Yumiko , Tano Sho , Fuma Kazuya , Matsuo Seiko , Imai Kenji , Sato Yoshiaki , Hayakawa Masahiro , Kajiyama Hiroaki , Kotani Tomomi ,   the Neonatal Research Network of Japan
Published: October 2024

Purpose

There is growing evidence that preterm infants born to mothers with chorioamnionitis (CAM) have increased risk of various neonatal morbidities and long-term neurological disorders; however, the effect of CAM on postnatal growth remains insufficiently investigated. This study evaluated the effect of histological CAM on postnatal growth trajectories in very preterm infants using a nationwide neonatal database in Japan.

Method

A multicenter retrospective study was conducted using clinical data of 4220 preterm neonates who weighed ≤ 1500 g and were born at < 32 weeks of gestation between 2003–2017 (CAM group: n = 2110; non-CAM group: n = 2110). Z-scores for height and weight were evaluated at birth and 3 years of age. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of histological CAM on ΔZ-scores of height and weight during the first three years with a stratification by infant sex and the stage of histological CAM.

Results

Multivariable analyses showed that histological CAM was associated with accelerated postnatal increase (ΔZ-score) in weight (β coefficient [95% confidence interval]; 0.10 [0.00 to 0.20]), but not in height among females (0.06 [− 0.04 to 0.15]) and not in height and weight among males (0.04 [− 0.04 to 0.12] and 0.02 [− 0.07 to 0.11], respectively). An interaction analysis demonstrated no significant difference in the effect of histological CAM on the ΔZ-scores of height and weight during the first three years between male and female infants (height, p = 0.81; weight p = 0.25).

Conclusions

Intrauterine exposure to maternal CAM contributes to accelerated postnatal weight gain in female preterm infants during the first three years.
Long-term effectiveness of tonsillotomy versus tonsillectomy: A 12-year follow-up study
Authors: Virkkunen Julia , Nokso-Koivisto Johanna , Sakki Anniina J.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of tonsillotomy (TT) compared to tonsillectomy (TE) with respect to disease-specific quality of life (QOL), sleep-disordered breathing symptoms, throat infections, and rate of reoperations over a median follow-up period of 12 years.

Methods

All patients < 16 years of age who underwent tonsil surgery between 2010 and 2011 at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, were included in the study. In 2023, the patients answered a questionnaire concerning tonsil-related issues and a modified Tonsil and Adenoid Health Status Instrument (disease-specific QOL). Information about possible revisits and reoperations was gathered.

Results

The study population consisted of 189 respondents, of which 87 had undergone TT and 102 TE. The median follow-up was 11.8 years in the TT group and 12.4 years in the TE group. The disease-specific QOL was equally good in both groups. Throat infections had not been an issue for the vast majority of patients and occurred to the same extent after TT and TE. The majority of participants (79.0% TT, 86.9% TE) were satisfied with the surgery, with no significant differences between the groups. After TT and TE, there were only a few revisits due to tonsil-related problems, and the reoperation rate was 6.9% and 1.0%, respectively.

Conclusion

Long-term clinical effectiveness of TT seems excellent. Compared to TE, with TT, equal disease-specific QOL can be achieved with a less invasive surgical method. Over a median follow-up period of 12-years, TT was not shown to be associated with an increased risk of tonsil infection problems.
Austrian consensus statement on the diagnosis and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Verheyen Nicolas , Auer Johannes , Bonaros Nikolaos , Buchacher Tamara , Dalos Daniel , Grimm Michael , Mayr Agnes , Rab Anna , Reinstadler Sebastian , Scherr Daniel , Toth Gabor G , Weber Thomas , Zach David K. , Zaruba Marc-Michael , Zimpfer Daniel , Rainer Peter P , Pölzl Gerhard
Published: October 2024

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited heart disease that is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy unexplained by secondary causes. Based on international epidemiological data, around 20,000–40,000 patients are expected to be affected in Austria. Due to the wide variety of clinical and morphological manifestations the diagnosis can be difficult and the disease therefore often goes unrecognized. HCM is associated with a substantial reduction in quality of life and can lead to sudden cardiac death, especially in younger patients. Early and correct diagnosis, including genetic testing, is essential for comprehensive counselling of patients and their families and for effective treatment. The latter is especially true as an effective treatment of outflow tract obstruction has recently become available in the form of a first in class cardiac myosin ATPase inhibitor, as a noninvasive alternative to established septal reduction therapies. The aim of this Austrian consensus statement is to summarize the recommendations of international guidelines with respect to the genetic background, pathophysiology, diagnostics and management in the context of the Austrian healthcare system and resources, and to present them in easy to understand algorithms.
On the Gromov–Hausdorff limits of compact surfaces with boundary
Authors: Dott Tobias
Published: October 2024

In this work we investigate Gromov–Hausdorff limits of compact surfaces carrying length metrics. More precisely, we consider the case where all surfaces have the same Euler characteristic. We give a complete description of the limit spaces and study their topological properties. Our investigation builds on the results of a previous work which treats the case of closed surfaces.
The complexity of verifying popularity and strict popularity in altruistic hedonic games
Authors: Kerkmann Anna Maria , Rothe Jörg
Published: October 2024

We consider average- and min-based altruistic hedonic games and study the problem of verifying popular and strictly popular coalition structures. While strict popularity verification has been shown to be coNP-complete in min-based altruistic hedonic games, this problem has been open for equal- and altruistic-treatment average-based altruistic hedonic games. We solve these two open cases of strict popularity verification and then provide the first complexity results for popularity verification in (average- and min-based) altruistic hedonic games, where we cover all three degrees of altruism.
A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Group Positive Psychotherapy and Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Flourishing, Happiness and Satisfaction with Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Furchtlehner Linda Maria , Fischer Elena , Schuster Raphael , Laireiter Anton-Rupert
Published: October 2024

The present study examines the efficacy of Positive Psychotherapy (PPT) on psychological well-being, happiness, and satisfaction with life. We investigated people suffering from different kinds of depressive disorders, comparing it to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). PPT is an empirically validated intervention targeting positive resources and personal strengths. It aims at amplifying well-being while also ameliorating the impact of symptoms. In a controlled two-center-study, we randomly assigned 92 out-patient participants with a DSM-IV diagnosis of major depressive disorder and/or Dysthymia to 14 sessions of manualized PPT or CBT group therapy. We assessed outcomes related to well-being using the Flourishing Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Positive Psychotherapy Inventory (PPTI). The PPTI represents the five components of Seligman’s PERMA-model of flourishing, encompassing positive emotions, engagement, positive relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. We took measurements before and after the intervention, and at a 6-months follow-up. Moreover, we considered a list of moderators that may impact the efficacy of PPT. PPT resulted in significant improvements in all measures, and these improvements remained stable for up to 6 months. Using 2 × 2 mixed-effects models (T1 vs. T2), we found significant interactions for all three main scales and two out of the five PPTI subscales. These interactions depicted significantly better outcomes for PPT at post-treatment. Regarding the follow-up (T1 vs. T3), we did not find significant interactions, and thus, there were no differences between the two therapies. No demographics or characteristics of the treatments were significant moderators. Summarized, these findings provide support for the effectiveness of PPT in increasing happiness, well-being, and quality of life. We can confirm that PPT is an additional tool for the enhancement of positive mental health.
A High-Order Well-Balanced Discontinuous Galerkin Method for Hyperbolic Balance Laws Based on the Gauss-Lobatto Quadrature Rules
Authors: Xu Ziyao , Shu Chi-Wang
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we develop a high-order well-balanced discontinuous Galerkin method for hyperbolic balance laws based on the Gauss-Lobatto quadrature rules. Important applications of the method include preserving the non-hydrostatic equilibria of shallow water equations with non-flat bottom topography and Euler equations in gravitational fields. The well-balanced property is achieved through two essential components. First, the source term is reformulated in a flux-gradient form in the local reference equilibrium state to mimic the true flux gradient in the balance laws. Consequently, the source term integral is discretized using the same approach as the flux integral at Gauss-Lobatto quadrature points, ensuring that the source term is exactly balanced by the flux in equilibrium states. Our method differs from existing well-balanced DG methods for shallow water equations with non-hydrostatic equilibria, particularly in the aspect that it does not require the decomposition of the source term integral. The effectiveness of our method is demonstrated through ample numerical tests.
Discrete macro - models of nonlinear interlocking mechanisms in the out-of-plane failure of masonry walls
Authors: Pantò B. , Giresini L. , Casapulla C.
Published: October 2024

Historical unreinforced masonry (URM) constructions are generally vulnerable to out-of-plane (OOP) failures due to the absence of rigid floors and poor connections between orthogonal walls. That leads to the activation of rocking mechanisms of external walls, whose ultimate force and displacement are affected by complex nonlinear interactions with sidewalls. These interactions are often neglected in the engineering practice, potentially leading to significant approximations, as demonstrated by experimental and numerical studies available in the literature. As a novel contribution to the field, this paper presents an upgraded discrete macro-element model (DMEM) to predict the rocking capacity of OOP loaded URM walls interacting with sidewalls. Considering both the onset and the evolution of the rocking mechanism of the front wall, interlocking effects with the sidewalls are first simulated through frictional resistances using the macro-block model (MBM) and the nonlinear kinematic approach of limit analysis. Then, the upgraded DMEM is implemented on the basis of the equivalence between the continuous distribution of these forces, introduced as a further novelty of the paper, and the discrete distribution of lateral elastic-plastic links, accounting for mechanical and geometrical nonlinearities. The results of the two models are discussed in terms of both frictional resistance-displacement and pushover curves, referring to a case study of a front wall belonging to a two-storey URM building. The wall response is also compared with the results derived from the original source of the case study and analysed by changing the number of nonlinear links to define different levels of accuracy.
Parent GAN: image generation model for creating parent’s images using children’s images
Authors: Emara M. Moheeb , Farouk Mohamed , Fakhr M. Waleed
Published: October 2024

In the past decade, several applications have emerged in predicting children’s images using their parents via Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). However, no one has tackled the problem of predicting one of the parents using the other parent and their children or answering the question of the possibility of deducing the parent images from the children and other parent image features. It could be used in parental identification cases. Moreover, it could help children who don’t know one of their parents to have a visual representation of their images. To perform this task, several obstacles were overcome, like the small number of parent pairs in the dataset and stabilizing the GANs to produce good-looking images. The proposed method depends on dual GAN architecture in addition to adaptive instance normalization layers and introducing a triple loss function to stabilize further and improve the resulting images. The results were proven using a kinship verification model, a face verification model, and other well-known evaluation metrics, which showed that the generated parent images are of decent quality compared to real parents’ images with affordable computational hardware. As a result, a novel method is developed that could produce unknown parent images.
Telehealth in Home Visiting for New Mothers: Are Outcomes Different if the First Visits Are in Person?
Authors: Holland Margaret L. , Fitch Dorothy J. , Regmi Drishtant , Sadler Lois S.
Published: October 2024

Home visiting programs for new parents have a broad range of goals, including improvements in maternal and child health, reductions in child maltreatment, and improvements in child development. Before 2020, few home visits were conducted through phone or video encounters, i.e., telehealth home visiting (teleHV). However, rapid adoption of teleHV was required by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To understand how conducting initial visits via teleHV was associated with outcomes, we performed a secondary data analysis to make use of the natural experiment created by COVID-19. Utilizing data from the Nurse-Family Partnership, a US national evidence-based model, we compared outcomes for families whose initial home visits were in person (enrolled 10/2019 to 1/2020; n = 7066) to those whose first visits were through teleHV (enrolled 4/2020 to 12/2020; n = 14,587). TeleHV at intake was associated with a higher likelihood of elevated depressive symptoms at 12 months (OR = 1.37; 95% CI 1.07, 1.76), a lower likelihood of retention to child’s age 12 months (OR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.58, 0.78), a higher likelihood of early drop from the program (OR = 1.77; 95% CI 1.48, 2.12), and fewer screening assessments completed (b =  − 0.06; 95% CI − 0.07, − 0.04). No differences were detected between groups for the likelihood of breastfeeding at child’s age 6 months, elevated intimate partner violence (IPV) risk, 90% of attempted visits completed, or time to attrition. COVID-19 may have led families in different groups to have different experiences during key points of child development; however, as both groups’ involvement in the program occurred primarily during the pandemic, they were both subject to comparable influences. These findings suggest that in-person visits have some advantages in the first months of program involvement.
Vitamin D and hip protectors in osteosarcopenia: a combined hip fracture preventing approach
Authors: Giustina Alessandro , Giustina Andrea
Published: October 2024

Osteosarcopenia is an emerging clinical condition highly prevalent in the older people. Affected subjects due to their intrinsic skeletal fragility and propensity to falls are at elevated risk of hip fractures which can increase morbidity and mortality. Strategies for attenuating the impact of predisposing factors on hip fractures are not yet well defined and should derive from multidisciplinary care and collaborations. Our aim was to narratively review available data on the preventive role of vitamin D and hip protectors on hip fractures in older patients with sarcopenia. Older subjects are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency and of falls due to several concomitant factors besides osteosarcopenia. Vitamin D protective actions against hip fractures may be mediated by both skeletal (increased mineralization) and extra-skeletal (reduced risk of falls) actions. Hip protectors may act downstream attenuating the effects of falls although their use is still not yet enough widespread due to the suboptimal compliance obtained by traditional hard devices. Concomitant use of vitamin D and hip protectors may represent an effective strategy in the prevention of hip fractures which need to be tested in ad hoc designed clinical trials.
Self-Study and Discussion Promote Students’ Science Learning
Authors: Lim Jaeseo , Yang Ji Won , Song Min Hae , Park Jooyong
Published: October 2024

Many have investigated the effectiveness of teaching methods across different disciplines. In a previous study, we found the superior effectiveness of a two-part learning sequence consisting of self-study followed by discussion in humanities education. To examine the possibility of similar findings in science education, we compared that sequence with a traditional lecture–based teaching. Results indicate that self-study combined with discussion yields higher test scores, demonstrating its potential as a beneficial teaching strategy in science education. In Experiment 1, undergraduate students from various disciplines studied introductory biology under five different conditions: self-study and discussion, lecture and discussion, lecture and review, self-study and review, and self-study and review with additional learning materials. Results indicated that the self-study and discussion condition yielded higher test scores than both the lecture and discussion condition and the three review groups. There were no significant differences in scores among the three review groups. These results demonstrate that discussion is an effective learning method and that self-study enhances the benefits of discussion. In Experiment 2, which involved science and engineering majors, we successfully replicated the design of Experiment 1 using physics for the two discussion conditions: self-study or lecture. We also performed in-depth analyses of student interactions during the discussions. Among the two discussion groups, the self-study and discussion group exhibited more active and constructive engagement in sharing unknowns, leading to enhanced learning. These findings suggest that integrating self-study with discussion can significantly enhance learning outcomes in science education. This approach not only improves test performance but also fosters deeper student thinking. Thus, educators might consider adopting this method to create more interactive and effective learning environments in science courses.
Towards a conceptual design framework for bee botanic gardens: integrating perceptions on urban biodiversity into landscape design processes
Authors: Yang Yuqi , Ignatieva Maria , Gaynor Andrea , Hu Yuandong
Published: October 2024

Botanic gardens, valued for their live plant collections, have evolved into scientific institutions with roles in conservation, education, research, and public recreation. This study repositions botanic gardens as essential urban habitats enhancing biodiversity, focusing particularly on their support for both European honeybees and Western Australian native bees. This research addresses the intersection of urbanisation and bee conservation by developing a conceptual design for a bee-friendly botanic garden in Yanchep, Western Australia. It employs semi-structured interviews and research through design (RtD) methods to collaborate with local beekeepers, landscape architects, and ecologists. A systematic design framework for a bee-friendly botanic garden in Yanchep, Western Australia was proposed, encompassing the entire design process, from scope to detailed considerations, and aiming to be applicable across other parts of Western Australia and Australia. The research highlights three key findings: the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration, the importance of defining the garden type and functions early in the design process, and the need for diverse plant selection and nesting options to support native bees.
Knochen‑, Gelenk- und periprothetische Infektionen – eine interdisziplinäre Herausforderung
Authors: Jung Norma
Published: October 2024

Knochen- und Gelenkinfektionen umfassen ein breites Spektrum an Entitäten, insbesondere die Inzidenz von periprothetischen Infektionen, diabetischen Fußinfektionen und Spondylodiszitiden ist weiter zunehmend. Das Management ist komplex und ein interdisziplinäres Team aus v. a. Chirurgen, Infektiologen und Mikrobiologen ist zur Therapieplanung dringend zu involvieren. Die Evidenz zu den Behandlungsmöglichkeiten ist eher niedrig, aber in den letzten Jahren wurden einige Landmarkstudien veröffentlicht. Für die native Spondylodiszitis konnte eine Nichtunterlegenheit für eine 6‑ vs. 12-wöchige Antibiotikatherapie gezeigt werden, bei den periprothetischen Infektionen konnte die Nichtunterlegenheit für die 6‑wöchige Therapie dagegen nicht bestätigt werden. Eine frühe Oralisierung (innerhalb von 7 Tagen) bei verschiedenen Knocheninfektionen war nicht unterlegen, eine intravenöse Mindesttherapiedauer wird nicht mehr empfohlen.
Aligned Ion Conduction Pathway of Polyrotaxane-Based Electrolyte with Dispersed Hydrophobic Chains for Solid-State Lithium–Oxygen Batteries
Authors: Kim Bitgaram , Sung Myeong-Chang , Lee Gwang-Hee , Hwang Byoungjoon , Seo Sojung , Seo Ji-Hun , Kim Dong-Wan
Published: October 2024

A critical challenge hindering the practical application of lithium–oxygen batteries (LOBs) is the inevitable problems associated with liquid electrolytes, such as evaporation and safety problems. Our study addresses these problems by proposing a modified polyrotaxane (mPR)-based solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) design that simultaneously mitigates solvent-related problems and improves conductivity. mPR-SPE exhibits high ion conductivity (2.8 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 25 °C) through aligned ion conduction pathways and provides electrode protection ability through hydrophobic chain dispersion. Integrating this mPR-SPE into solid-state LOBs resulted in stable potentials over 300 cycles. In situ Raman spectroscopy reveals the presence of an LiO2 intermediate alongside Li2O2 during oxygen reactions. Ex situ X-ray diffraction confirm the ability of the SPE to hinder the permeation of oxygen and moisture, as demonstrated by the air permeability tests. The present study suggests that maintaining a low residual solvent while achieving high ionic conductivity is crucial for restricting the sub-reactions of solid-state LOBs.
A hybrid continuum-beam optimisation model: the virtual extensometer method for efficient optimisation of lattice materials
Authors: Dash Jason , Lozanovski Bill , Downing David , Noronha Jordan , Shidid Darpan , Khorasani Mahyar , Qian Ma , Brandt Milan , Leary Martin
Published: October 2024

Additive manufacturing (AM) enables the fabrication of complex lattice structures that are infeasible with traditional manufacturing processes. These structures are typically implemented with constant cross-sectional strut elements; this strategy is expedient but leads to sub-optimal structural efficiency. Numerical continuum models allow robust mechanical modelling of complex lattice geometry but provide equally complex data fields that are ill-suited for traditional optimisation techniques. By contrast, numerical beam models represent the fundamental tensile and bending stress states but are incapable of capturing nuanced geometrical effects that lead to local stress concentrations. In this research, a hybrid continuum-beam method is proposed for the systematic optimisation of strut cross section: a representative unit cell is simulated by continuum elements, and the local strut stress tensor is acquired by embedded beam elements that act as virtual extensometers. By integrating a computationally inexpensive beam model into a more robust continuum model, the volume and the quality of data returned are significantly increased whilst being provided in a readily usable format for optimisation techniques, for a trivial increase in computational cost. The presented method is generalised and can be applied to any strut-based lattice structure. Body-centred cubic (BCC) and BCC with z-strut (BCCZ) lattice structures optimised by the proposed method are fabricated using laser-based powder bed fusion (LB-PBF) in AlSi10Mg and are mechanically evaluated. On average, performance for BCC lattice structures improves by 33% and 26% for relative yield strength and relative Young’s modulus respectively. BCCZ lattice structures saw a performance improvement of 25% and 19% for relative yield strength and relative Young’s modulus respectively, thus confirming superior performance at lower relative densities when compared to incumbent designs.
Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring and Radiological Impact Assessment of Agbara Industrial Area, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Usikalu Mojisola Rachael , Orosun Muyiwa Michael , Akinwumi Akinpelu , Babarimisa Idowu Olaegbe , Arijaje Theophilus Emuobor , Mohammed Adamu Usman
Published: October 2024

This study assessed the naturally occurring radioactivity of 40K, 238U, and 232Th, which pose a significant threat to human health, particularly when their concentrations exceed the threshold. Background radiation levels were measured at two specific locations, Access Bank and Market areas, across a total of forty (40) sample points. The measurements were taken using a calibrated RS125 Gamma Spectrometer (a portable NaI [Tl] detector) designed in Canada, in conjunction with a global positioning system (GPS) to accurately record the research coordinates within the Agbara industrial area, Ogun State, Nigeria. The mean activity concentrations of the primordial radionuclides were 177.87 Bqkg-1, 20.01 Bqkg-1, and 52.90 Bqkg-1 for 40K, 238U, and 232Th, respectively. More so, the in-situ measured dose rate (DR) ranges between 12.18 nGyh-1 (Access Bank area) and 97.95 nGyh-1 (Market area), with an average value of 47.22 nGyh-1. The average measured and estimated absorbed dose rates were within the safe limit of 57 nGyh-1 provided by UNSCEAR. However, the measured dose rates exceeded the recommended limit in ten locations, while measured activity for thorium exceeded the world average value for over half of the study locations. Although all estimated radiological parameters were within recommended threshold values, suggesting the low risk of exposure to higher levels of ionising radiation in most locations in the Agbara industrial area, there is a potential cancer risk for individuals who have resided in the area for 70 years or more due to long-term exposure to ionising radiation.
Modelling the front dynamics of invasive plant pathogens through the analysis of spatial gradients
Authors: Lione Guglielmo , Giraudo Marianna , Gonthier Paolo
Published: October 2024

Variables of phytopathological interest correlated to the impact of plant diseases, such as incidence and severity, may display a spatial pattern resulting from an underlying, yet unknown gradient. Along the main direction of the gradient the variable assessed at the site level either increases, or decreases. Spatial gradients may also arise because of the movement of a front of invasion, an imaginary moving contour separating areas already infested by a plant pathogen from those still pathogen-free. Adequate geostatistical tools may shed light on gradients directional properties, as well as on the direction the front of invasion is coming from or moving to. Tools currently available for that may be impractical due to the advanced computational and programming skills required for their application. Hence, the goals of this study were: (I) to develop, test and validate a new user-friendly geostatistical tool named DirGrad (Direction of Gradient) aimed at analyzing spatial gradients resulting from the impact of plant diseases; (II) to build an algorithm able to run DirGrad on R, one the most widespread open source software for statistics; and (III) to apply DirGrad for the ex post modelling of the invasion front dynamics. The designed algorithm was successfully validated both in silico and in the field by using data from real case studies such as those of the invasive fungal pathogens Heterobasidion irregulare and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi in a forest stand of Central Italy and across the Swedish island of Gotland, respectively. The algorithm is released as a user-friendly open-source script.
Expanding the causal menu: An interventionist perspective on explaining human behavioural evolution
Authors: Planer Ronald J. , Pain Ross
Published: October 2024

Theorists of human evolution are interested in understanding major shifts in human behavioural capacities (e.g. the creation of a novel technological industry, such as the Acheulean). This task faces empirical challenges arising both from the complexity of these events and the time-depths involved. However, we also confront issues of a more philosophical nature, such as how to best think about causation and explanation. This article considers such fundamental questions from the perspective of a prominent theory of causation in the philosophy of science literature, namely, the interventionist theory of causation. A signature feature of this framework is its recognition of a family of distinct types of causes. We set out several of these causal notions and show how they can contribute to explaining transitions in human behavioural complexity. We do so, first, in a preliminary way, and then in a more detailed way, taking the origins of behavioural modernity as our extended case study. We conclude by suggesting some ways in which the approach developed here might be elaborated and extended.
The “Missing” Oblation and the Problem of Sacrifice in Early Antiochene Anaphoras: A Reconsideration of John Fenwick and Stefano Parenti
Authors: Olver Matthew S. C.
Published: October 2024

There is a wrinkle in the story of common features in West Syrian anaphoras, which John Fenwick called “the Missing Oblation.” In this article, I argue that the importance of the “missing oblation” highlighted by Fenwick, Robert Taft, Stefano Parenti and others needs to be balanced against the verbs of oblation that are present. The emphasis on the missing oblation, combined with the tendency to summarize the Antiochene structure with little reference to the importance of these verbs, results in an inaccurate and unbalanced sense of the degree to which the anaphora expresses the belief that the action of offering bread and wine is constitutive of the eucharistic action. This should lead to a caution with the unhelpful heuristic about the spiritualization of sacrifice in contemporary scholarship and the underemphasis of the belief in the materiality of the eucharistic sacrifice in writers such as John Chrysostom and earlier anaphoras.
The Implications of Hephaestus’s Role as the Inventor of Metallurgy in the Chronographia of John Malalas
Authors: Garstad Benjamin
Published: October 2024

John Malalas presents Hephaestus as a king of Egypt who was deified as an inventor who made weapons and so provided his subjects with nourishment and strength in war. In the context of the Greco-Roman discussion of the progress of civilization and the identification of inventors, this may seem innocuous, even a commendation. But this discourse does not unite war and hunting, as Hephaestus’s inventions do. This combination seems to allude by inversion to the biblical ideal of harmony among people and between people and beasts, and so makes Hephaestus an agent of human delinquency. This denigration is confirmed by the magical initiation of Hephaestus’s ironsmithing. It is, however, by implication and allusion, rather than outright denunciation, that Malalas achieves his critique of the traditional gods and their deification.
The concentration of free glycerol in goat milk increases during feed restrictions
Authors: Larsen Torben
Published: October 2024

This Research Communication introduces a novel enzymatic-fluorometric analytical procedure for glycerol and glycerol 3-phosphate in milk. Milk from thirty-seven goats was analysed during 9 consecutive days during which a two-day feed restriction was introduced. Fractional milk triacylglyceride and free glycerol increased significantly while glycerol 3-phosphate reacted more moderately. The energy status of the mammary cell is discussed.
What We Owe to Ukrainians: A Moral Perspective on Nuclear Coercion and Military Intervention
Authors: Anastazievsky Sophia
Published: October 2024

Ukraine's war of self-defense against Russia is one of the clearest examples of a nation fighting a just war in recent history. Ukraine is clearly entitled to defend itself, and Russia is clearly obligated to cease hostilities, withdraw troops, and make repair. In light of this, some of the most salient moral questions related to Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine involve the international community; namely, what moral duties it has toward Ukraine, especially in light of Russia's extreme and pervasive human rights abuses. The first section of the essay argues that there is a pro tanto moral duty to intervene militarily in Ukraine to stop Russian human rights abuses and ensure that Ukraine achieves a military victory. This duty is grounded in duties of rescue, promissory obligations, and reliance obligations, as well as duties to nations’ own citizens and to the international community. The second section of the essay argues that the most relevant consideration in determining whether there is an all-things-considered duty for the international community to intervene militarily in Ukraine is Russia's nuclear coercion and the associated risk of nuclear war. This section highlights the nuclear risks involved in compliance with Russian nuclear coercion, which I argue have been neglected in prominent discussions. The moral stakes involved in this determination are very high, and succumbing to Russian nuclear coercion in the face of massive human rights violations would set a dangerous precedent. Any course of action should be guided by a thorough analysis of all the risks involved, both nuclear and moral.
Within-person pathways among maternal depressive symptoms and offspring internalizing problems from early childhood through adolescence
Authors: Chad-Friedman Simone , Chad-Friedman Emma , Lemay Edward , Olino Thomas M. , Klein Daniel N. , Dougherty Lea R.
Published: October 2024

Introduction:

The report examined reciprocal within-person associations among maternal depressive symptoms and offspring depressive, anxiety and irritability symptoms from early childhood to adolescence using a random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM).

Method:

Participants were 609 mother–child dyads participating in the Stony Brook Temperament Study. Child and maternal internalizing symptoms were assessed every 3 years from ages 3 to 15 using maternal report on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Diagnostic Inventory for Depression, respectively.

Results:

At the between-person level, maternal depressive symptoms, and child depressive, anxiety, and irritability symptoms were all positively associated with one another. At the within-person level, greater within-person child anxiety symptoms at age 3 predicted both greater child anxiety and depressive symptoms at age 15 via greater child anxiety from ages 6 to 12, and greater within-person child irritability at age 3 predicted greater maternal depressive symptoms at age 15 via greater child irritability from ages 6 to 12.

Conclusions:

Findings reveal novel within-person developmental pathways from early childhood internalizing problems to later internalizing problems in both the child and mother. Intervention and prevention efforts should thus focus on early identification and prevention of childhood internalizing symptoms to reduce negative effects on both child and parent symptoms.
Characterizing the role of unpredictability within different dimensions of early life adversity
Authors: Farkas Bence Csaba , Jacquet Pierre Olivier
Published: October 2024

Dimensional models of early life adversity highlight the distinct roles of deprivation and threat in shaping neurocognitive development and mental health. However, relatively little is known about the role of unpredictability within each dimension. We estimated both the average levels of, and the temporal unpredictability of deprivation and threat exposure during adolescence in a high-risk, longitudinal sample of 1354 youth (Pathways to Desistance study). We then related these estimates to later life psychological distress, and Antisocial and Borderline personality traits, and tested whether any effects are mediated by future orientation. High average levels of both deprivation and threat exposure were found to be associated with worse mental health on all three outcomes, but only the effects on Antisocial and Borderline personality traits were mediated by decreased future orientation, a pattern consistent with evolutionary models of psychopathology. Unpredictability in deprivation exposure proved to be associated with increased psychological distress and a higher number of Borderline traits, but with increased future orientation. There was some evidence of unpredictability in threat exposure buffering against the detrimental developmental effects of average threat levels. Our results suggest that the effects of unpredictability are distinct within different dimensions of early life adversity.
Nutritional and Culinary Habits to Empower Families (n-CHEF): a feasibility study to increase consumption and home cooking of plant-based foods
Authors: Goni Leticia , Simonin Luca , Rovayo Anacristina , Kury-Guzman Isabella , Martín-Calvo Nerea , Ruiz-Canela Miguel
Published: October 2024

Objective:

To analyse the feasibility and acceptability of a culinary nutritional intervention aimed at increasing plant-based foods consumption in the context of the Mediterranean diet in parent–child dyads.

Design:

The Nutritional and Culinary Habits to Empower Families (n-CHEF) is a 9-month feasibility study that included four culinary nutritional workshops (two face to face, two online) led by a chef and a dietitian-nutritionist. These workshops combined cooking with plant-based foods, with nutritional advice and experimental activities. The main outcomes were retention, quality of the intervention (monitoring workshops, acceptability and perceived impact) and changes in dietary and cooking habits.

Setting:

Parent–child dyads, Spain.

Participants:

Parent–child (aged 10–14 years) dyads.

Results:

Fifteen parent–child dyads were recruited, of which thirteen were retained during the 6-month follow-up. All but one parent–child dyads attended the four workshops. The overall assessment of the workshops was positive, although the online workshops were rated lower than the face to face. In general, parent–child dyads reported benefits in terms of nutrition and cooking aspects. Parents significantly increased their adherence to the Mediterranean diet, but non-significant changes were observed in children. However, children increased their consumption of vegetables and legumes and reduced snacks and ready meals. Parents also changed some of their culinary habits and increased their confidence in cooking at home.

Conclusions:

The n-CHEF showed that the culinary nutritional intervention had good levels of recruitment, retention and acceptability among parent–child dyads. In addition, dietary and culinary knowledge and habits can be improved, although further studies are needed to know the long-term effects in larger populations.
Effect of planting pattern and herbicide programs on sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia L.) control in peanut
Authors: Daramola Olumide S. , MacDonald Gregory E. , Kanissery Ramdas G. , Tillman Barry L. , Singh Hardeep , Ajani Oluseyi Ayodeji , Devkota Pratap
Published: October 2024

Sicklepod is one of the most difficult to control weeds in peanut production in the southeastern United States due to its extended emergence pattern and limited effective herbicides for control. Growers rely on preemergence herbicides as the foundation of their weed control programs; however, postemergence herbicides are often needed for season-long weed control. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of planting pattern and herbicide combinations for sicklepod control in peanut crops. Due to rapid canopy closure, twin-row planting improved late-season sicklepod control by 13% and peanut yield by 5% compared with a single-row pattern. A preemergence application of fluridone, flumioxazin, or fluridone + flumioxazin provided 76% to 89% control of sicklepod 28 d after preemergence. Regardless of the herbicide applied preemergence, paraquat + bentazon + S-metolachlor applied early postemergence was required to achieve ≥90% sicklepod control 28 d after early postemergence. All preemergence herbicide treatments followed by (fb) S-metolachlor or diclosulam + S-metolachlor applied early postemergence provided <90% control 28 d after early postemergence. A mid-postemergence application of imazapic + dimethenamid-P + 2,4-DB controlled sicklepod by 67% to 79% prior to peanut harvest, and biomass reduction was unacceptable (<80%), resulting in difficulty in peanut digging. The highest peanut yield was observed when paraquat + bentazon + S-metolachlor was applied early postemergence fb imazapic + dimethenamid-P + 2,4-DB applied mid-postemergence. Based on the results of this study, a herbicide combination of paraquat + bentazon + S-metolachlor is an important early-season tool for controlling sicklepod in peanut crops. The results also showed that a twin-row planting pattern improved late-season sicklepod control but did not reduce herbicide input to protect peanut yield.