bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Electrochemical Sensor for the Detection of Azithromycin using Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrode Modified with Boron‐Doped Diamond Nanoparticles and Reduced‐Graphene Oxide
Authors: Jiwanti Prastika K. , Insani Shafa A. , Sari Anis P. , Wafiroh Siti
Published: June 2024

Excessive use of azithromycin (AZM) is associated with resistance and negative impacts on the environment. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an electrochemical sensor for AZM. The screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with boron‐doped diamond nanoparticle (BDDNP) and reduced‐graphene oxide (rGO) was successfully applied to measure the AZM concentration. The morphology of the modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive X‐ray (SEM‐EDX). Furthermore, the effect of electrochemical parameters, such as signal per background, scan rate, and selectivity was determined. The results showed that under optimum conditions, the plot of AZM demonstrated linearity in the range of 30–100 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) at 1.6 μM. The repeatability and recovery were also investigated, and the sensor was applied to real samples obtained from hospital wastewater. A remarkable 93.27 % recovery rate and excellent precision were recorded with an %RSD of 2.41 %. This study underscores the potential of SPCE modified with rGO/BDDNP for accurate and reliable measurement of AZM levels, showcasing great applicability in addressing the challenges associated with monitoring AZM in various environmental settings.
A Review on Surface Modification of Plant Fibers for Enhancing Properties of Biocomposites
Authors: Karthik A. , Bhuvaneshwaran M. , Senthil Kumar M. S. , Palanisamy Sivasubramanian , Palaniappan Murugesan , Ayrilmis Nadir
Published: June 2024

Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in creating environmentally friendly products using natural resources. Plant fibers, also known as lignocellulosic fibers, are hydrophilic due to the interaction and attraction between water molecules and the hydroxyl groups present in their components. The inherent hydrophilicity of plant fibers often prevents them from interacting effectively with hydrophobic polymer matrices. In order to improve the adhesion between plant fibers and the matrix, it is necessary to modify the surface of the fibers. Commonly used chemical processes include mercerization, silane treatment, acetylation, permanganate treatment, acrylation, benzoylation, peroxide treatment, stearic acid treatment, isocyanate treatment and sodium chlorite intervention. The desirability of chemically modifying the surface of plant fibers has declined due to several limitations. Plant fibers can be modified in an environmentally friendly way by various methods, such as plasma therapy and treatments using fungi, enzymes and bacteria. This part provides an analysis of the impact of different environmentally friendly surface modification techniques on the properties of plant fibers and reinforced polymers.
Design of Biphenyl‐Type Programmed Cell Death‐Ligand 1 Inhibitors Using 3D‐QSAR, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Zhu Pengbo , Xu Jindan , Du Mingyan , Tong Yan , Li Xiaofei , Dong Chunhong
Published: June 2024

Blocking the interaction between programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) and programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) is a crucial immunotherapeutic strategy for cancer. Currently, all inhibitors available on the market that target PD‐1/PD‐L1 are monoclonal antibodies, with no small molecule drugs yet accessible. This study focused on PD‐L1 and conducted three‐dimensional quantitative structure‐activity relationship (3D‐QSAR) research on 39 PD‐L1 inhibitors using Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) and Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis (CoMSIA). The CoMFA (q2=0.593, r2=0.991) and CoMSIA (q2=0.542, r2=0.971) models were successfully established. Based on these models, a series of structurally novel and potentially active PD‐L1 inhibitors (37 a–37 e) were designed. Among these compounds, 37 c exhibited superior performance, with CoMFA predicting a pIC50 value of 9.204 and CoMSIA predicting a pIC50 value of 8.597. Further molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that compound 37 c establishes hydrophobic interactions with BTyr56 and BVal68 of PD‐L1, engages in hydrogen bonds with AAsp122, ALys124, and BTyr123, and forms electrostatic interactions with ALys124 and AMet115. The design of this biphenyl series of inhibitors offers additional options for the development of small molecule inhibitors targeting PD‐L1, with 37 c expected to be a promising inhibitor of PD‐L1.
Removable PDMS Films with Ultra‐Low AgNPs Content and Effective SERS Effect by N‐Octylamine Transfer and Immersion Deposition
Authors: Aguilar‐Melo Valentina , Pech‐Pech Ildefonso E. , Bacelis‐Jiménez Ángel A. , Talavera‐Pech William A.
Published: June 2024

The short alkyl chain of N‐octylamine was demonstrated to be able to transfer silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the aqueous to toluene phase with a narrow average size lower than 10 nm via ligand exchange between N‐octylamine and the sodium citrate used as a reducing and stabilizing agent during AgNPs synthesis. Surface plasmon analysis by UV‐visible spectroscopy showed that the N‐octylamine concentration significantly influences the concentration and stability of AgNPs transferred to the toluene phase and the time required for such transfer. Then, the transferred silver nanoparticles were deposited on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate by drop‐casting (PDMS‐T‐50‐D) or immersion (PDMS‐T‐50‐I). XPS analysis demonstrated that the AgNPs are deposited at lower than 0.02 % atomic percentages through both deposition methods. The Raman signal and the noise by fluorescence signal were shown to be significantly influenced by the AgNPs deposition method on PDMS film. The trace content of AgNPs on the flexible PDMS films on both PDMS‐T‐50‐D and PDMS‐T‐50‐I substrates can eliminate the fluorescence signal of the analyte; however, only the PDMS‐T‐50‐I substrate demonstrated a remarkable SERS‐enhanced signal. These results could significantly contribute to the design of new flexible and removable SERS substrates with ultra‐low contents of noble metal NPs.
Thiourea Dioxide Catalyzed Sustainable Synthesis of Diverse Quinoxaline and Pyrazine Derivatives in Aqueous Medium at Ambient Temperature
Authors: Saini Kamlesh , Manju  , Raigar Ashok K. , Guleria Anjali
Published: June 2024

An eco‐conscious, metal‐free protocol has been developed to synthesize a diverse collection of biologically and pharmacologically active quinoxaline and pyrazine derivatives. The protocol involves a one‐pot condensation of various 1,2‐diamines with 1,2‐diones using thiourea dioxide as a catalyst and water as a solvent at ambient temperature. Notably, the catalyst can be reused up to five times without any significant loss of efficacy. The green aspects of this method involved milder reaction conditions, higher yields with shorter reaction times, simple work‐up, non‐chromatographic separations, good reusability, and easy catalyst recovery by simple filtration. Moreover, the reaction is successfully accelerated to a multigram scale, making it favourable for production at a larger scale.
Enriched Surface Oxygen Vacancies of CeO2 Nanosheets: Surfactant Free Synthesis at Room Temperature and its Enhanced Anti‐bacterial Property
Authors: Javed Kanwal , Bian Xiaona , Ren Yufang , Kousar Sobia , Ullah Zafar Fahad , Li Xue
Published: June 2024

In this work, flower shape cerium oxide (CeO2) nanosheets were synthesized at room temperature through a facile precipitation method without adding any surfactant. The synthesized nanosheets were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffractometry (XRD) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results showed that the CeO2 nanosheets form a petal‐like morphology and have fluorite crystal structure with no crystal phase impurity while the average crystallite size of nanosheets i. e. ~10 nm. The CeO2 nanosheets are applied as an antimicrobial agent and the antibacterial property against G+ and G− bacteria i. e. (E. coli and S. Aureus) were studied. The obtained results showed that the synthesized CeO2 nanosheets had good antibacterial performance at different concentrations, which should be attributed to the reversible Ce3+/Ce4+ valence states and greater oxygen vacancies. XPS study of CeO2 nanosheets after antibacterial test confirmed the existence of Ce3+ ions and oxygen vacancies. CeO2 nanosheets have showed the greater potential as antibacterial nanomaterials against both the bactericides.
Europium/Graphite Phase Carbon Nitride Composites: Preparation and Photocatalytic Degradation Potential of Different Drugs
Authors: Shi Qi , Cao Pan , Huang Siqi , Ren Zhixin , Lv Yuguang , Peng Tai
Published: June 2024

Graphene‐like materials were prepared by thermal copolymerization using melamine as a precursor, and chemical methods successfully synthesized Eu/g‐C3N4 composites containing different europium elements. Degradation rates of 64.3 %, 91.9 %, and 72.8 % were observed in the photocatalytic degradation of Pefloxacin, Enrofloxacin, and Ciprofloxacin under visible light (λ>550 nm). Determine the photocatalytic activity of the composite. When the doping amount was Eu/g‐C3N4‐2 with k=0.0135 min−1, four times greater than that of g‐C3N4, the best photocatalytic effect was obtained. Repeated studies revealed that the Eu/g‐C3N4 composite samples had good cycle stability, and a potential degradation process was postulated.
Is the lecture dead? Medical students’ perspectives on reconciling live lectures and 21st‐century learning
Authors: Chodisetty Vamsi , Jain Amish , Cowles Landry , Cowan Nate , Imbroane Marisa , Jeong Hejin , Fry Sarah , Wilson‐Delfosse Amy L.
Published: June 2024

This chapter describes a literature review evaluating five innovative health professions education approaches to large group teaching and presents student perspectives regarding their implementation.
The pyrolytic oil and castor oil methyl ester blend with nano‐additive as fuel in a diesel engine for environmental safety and preservation
Authors: Devan Ponnusamy Kumarasami , Balasubramanian Manickam
Published: June 2024

The increase in the use of plastic products and disposal of the same pose a threat to the world community due to its poor biodegradability. Chemically treating the waste plastic to extract oil and using as the fuel in the form of blends will safeguard the environment. It was observed that viscosity and lubricity of such oils were lower than standard diesel. High Ricinoleic fatty acid ester is added to improve the lubricity of novel pyrolytic blend. Lower blends were prepared for the investigation. Cator ester was added to Pyro‐Diesel along with graphene quantum dot (GQD). The fuel blend is prepared with concentration of 30 ppm GQD nano‐particles. The investigation was made on using CME and PD20 blend. The blend was prepared using Castor oil methyl ester, Pyrolytic oil and nano particle Graphene Quantum Dot (GQD). GQD has extraordinary ecological characteristics such as biocompatibility, large surface area excellent solubility. This combination is a novel work which resulted in reduced emissions. The results reveal that oxides of nitrogen and smoke were increased for all the ternary blends but combustion characteristics improved. The performance of PCD10 (10% CME + 20% Pyro + 70% Diesel) was higher than that of Pyro‐Diesel blend. Hence, ternary blend may be chosen as fuel.
A Fundamental Perspective on the Selective Zn Substitution in Ternary Ordered Intermetallic Compound Cu6Zn2Sb2
Authors: Roy Nilanjan
Published: June 2024

The unique site substitution of Zn in the structure of tetragonal and atomically ordered Cu6Zn2Sb2, followed by the formation of Cu5Zn3Sb2, has been addressed from fundamental perspectives. First principles energy calculations, and semi‐empirical electronic structure calculations using the density of states, crystal orbital Hamilton population, crystal orbital bond index and Mulliken population analysis were performed to understand the observed substitution pattern and the narrow homogeneity range of the titled compound. Mulliken and Löwdin's approach of charge analysis explain the experimentally proved ‘coloring’, based on the ‘site energy’ argument. The concept of ‘topological charge stabilization’ has been introduced in this context. Valence electron concentration and the optimization of the partially covalent Cu−Sb interactions also play pivotal role in the electronic stability of the titled phase.
The Room: Intimate Microcosms and World Formation
Authors: Angelaki Vicky
Published: June 2024

The chapter pursues a revised dialectics of inside and outside whereby the ‘home’, in its broadest sense, and, within it, the individual room, function as the lens through which one observes and experiences the world, existing both within a broader framework and as the centre of one’s being. The chapter also queries how the experience of living within institutional contexts of self-proclaimed hospitality transforms the perception of intimate spaces, as well as their function and locationality within a social milieu, due to their recalibrating and re/decentring. The case studies are Rachel De-lahay’s Routes (2013), Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places and Things (2015) and Dipo Baruwa-Etti’s The Clinic (2022).
The Limbo: Liminal Loci and Timeless Travels
Authors: Angelaki Vicky
Published: June 2024

The chapter takes on subjective times and time travel, as well as the ways in which these reveal fledgling consciousnesses that strive to take hold against the dominant transgressive capitalist consumption context that the characters find themselves inhabiting, and which promotes an exclusionary temporal linearity. The revisiting and occasional slowing down of time provides a window for intervention, disruption, re-routing and re-rooting towards a re-evaluation and re-positioning, and a re-inscription of the personal, socio-political and scientific/cosmic narrative. The case studies are E V Crowe’s The Sewing Group (2016), Chris Bush’s

"Image missing" the End of the World (2021) and Alistair McDowall’s The Glow (2022).
Conclusion
Authors: Ivanova Polina , Momesso Lara
Published: June 2024

This chapter summarises the main findings of this volume on refugees and asylum seekers in Japan and Taiwan, in relation to its stated objectives and its chosen conceptual framework. It emphasises the interrelation between the three main parts of the book: legal and policy frameworks, media representation and public opinion, and lived experiences. It examines implications of the findings, their applicability beyond the given geopolitical scope and sociocultural context and acknowledges the limitations of the project. Based on the main findings and tendencies that have emerged from the investigated case studies, the chapter formulates recommendations for further research and for policy and practice.
Refugee Protection in Japan and Taiwan: Common Challenges and Ways Forward for Human Security
Authors: Ling Bonny , Hayashi Mariko
Published: June 2024

This chapter explores the current situation of refugee protection in both Japan and Taiwan. For both, refugee assistance serves a diplomatic purpose by promoting the country’s contribution to external refugee issues, rather than implementing the norms and spirit of the Refugee Convention domestically. This chapter examines the gaps between international standards in the protection of asylum seekers and refugees, and Japan’s implementation of those standards. It also looks at how these challenges are manifested for Taiwan, which lacks an asylum law. Both countries have adopted an ad hoc approach to refugee protection, resulting in human security risks for refugees and asylum seekers. Adopting an asylum law would be an important move for Taiwan. The experiences of Japan, however, suggest that a legal framework is not enough, unless there is broad acceptance and implementation of the responsibility to protect refugees in society. The complexity of the landscape, and the interplay between international and regional dynamics relating to the Asia–Pacific, law, and declaratory statements, means that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. To establish meaningful refugee protection, all the tools available must be utilised to increase public awareness and to develop inclusive solutions, where civil society involvement plays crucial roles.
The Legal Framework for Refugee Acceptance and Protection in Japan
Authors: Zhu Yingjiao
Published: June 2024

This chapter analyses the urgent and important tasks of the legal framework for refugee acceptance and protection in Japan, through a qualitative observation of the existing refugee law and the judicial precedents concerning foreigners’ rights. In spite of its financial contribution to supporting refugees, Japan’s performance as a host country in accepting and protecting refugees has been disappointing. The country’s current refugee recognition procedure is deemed problematic for various reasons. Simultaneously, the judicial system has been playing such a passive role in protecting human rights in accordance with international norms, that the administrative power to control entry and residence of foreign nationals seems to be expanding significantly without facing many obstacles. By attentively examining the Japanese legislation and judicial practice, including their latest developments, this chapter contends that even as some efforts have been made to offer stronger protection to foreigners or asylum seekers in recent years, there are still considerable structural problems in the Japanese legal framework. Therefore, the courts should take a more active role in judicial review, partly through incorporating the rules of international human rights law into practice, to motivate policymakers to put the refugee laws and policies on a new trajectory.
Refugees by Another Name: Displaced Learners in Japanese Higher Education
Authors: Green David , Unangst Lisa , Tomita Eriko
Published: June 2024

Building upon a growing literature addressing the intersection of displacement and higher education, this chapter draws upon interviews with Japanese university officials to examine how so-called student evacuees are being admitted and supported by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Japan. Analysing interviews with a thematic analysis, we find that a side door to students displaced by conflict appears to be slowly opening in Japan, starting in a limited capacity in 2017 and growing thereafter. Located at the nexus of migration policy, higher education administration, and the internationalisation of higher education, we consider this topic as reflective of policy gaps and, concurrently, promising innovation in the reception of displaced learners and refugees in Japan.
Media Political Leanings: Polarised Depictions of Hong Kong Migration in Taiwan
Authors: Yau Cody Wai Kwok
Published: June 2024

This chapter examines the influences of the Taiwanese media’s political leaning on their coverage of Hong Kong migration by analysing news articles from the five major pro-Blue/Green printed media outlets between 2014 and 2022. Using structural topic modelling, this chapter demonstrates a politicalised trend relating to Hong Kong migration, involving two themes: migration safety and Political Security. Even though the migration safety theme has gained much more attention than the Political Security theme since the 2019 Protests in Hong Kong, the polarisation of the depiction of Hong Kong migration becomes particularly evident when issues related to the People's Republic of China (PRC) are factored in through topic comparison. In other words, compared to the pro-Blue media, which is inclined to portray the Hong Kong migration from a human rights perspective, the pro-Green media, which favours a nativist viewpoint, offer a more security-based narrative,  such as cultural Sinicisation and the possibility of Chinese spies entering through Hong Kong migration. The results of sentiment analysis further highlight both media camps’ differences by detecting a positive or negative tendency.
A Relationship Between Spin and Geometry
Authors: Bradshaw Peter T. J.
Published: June 2024

In physics, spin is often seen exclusively through the lens of its phenomenological character: as an intrinsic form of angular momentum. However, there is mounting evidence that spin fundamentally originates as a quality of geometry, not of dynamics, and recent work further suggests that the structure of non-relativistic Euclidean three-space is sufficient to define it. In this paper, we directly explicate this fundamentally non-relativistic, geometric nature of spin by constructing non-commutative algebras of position operators which subsume the structure of an arbitrary spin system. These “Spin-s Position Algebras” are defined by elementary means and from the properties of Euclidean three-space alone, and constitute a fundamentally new model for quantum mechanical systems with non-zero spin, within which neither position and spin degrees of freedom, nor position degrees of freedom within themselves, commute. This reveals that the observables of a system with spin can be described completely geometrically as tensors of oriented planar elements, and that the presence of non-zero spin in a system naturally generates a non-commutative geometry within it. We will also discuss the potential for the Spin-s Position Algebras to form the foundation for a generalisation to arbitrary spin of the Clifford and Duffin–Kemmer–Petiau algebras.
Biochemical control in intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer after EBRT with and without brachytherapy boost
Authors: Moll Matthias , Magrowski Łukasz , Mittlböck Martina , Heinzl Harald , Kirisits Christian , Ciepał Jakub , Masri Oliwia , Heilemann Gerd , Stando Rafał , Krzysztofiak Tomasz , Depowska Gabriela , d’Amico Andrea , Techmański Tomasz , Kozub Anna , Majewski Wojciech , Suwiński Rafał , Wojcieszek Piotr , Sadowski Jacek , Widder Joachim , Goldner Gregor , Miszczyk Marcin
Published: June 2024

Purpose

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with or without brachytherapy boost (BTB) has not been compared in prospective studies using guideline-recommended radiation dose and recommended androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). In this multicenter retrospective analysis, we compared modern-day EBRT with BTB in terms of biochemical control (BC) for intermediate-risk (IR) and high-risk (HR) prostate cancer.

Methods

Patients were treated for primary IR or HR prostate cancer during 1999–2019 at three high-volume centers. Inclusion criteria were prescribed ≥ 76 Gy EQD2 (α/β = 1.5 Gy) for IR and ≥ 78 Gy EQD2 (α/β = 1.5 Gy) for HR as EBRT alone or with BTB. All HR patients received ADT and pelvic irradiation, which were optional in IR cases. BC between therapies was compared in survival analyses.

Results

Of 2769 initial patients, 1176 met inclusion criteria: 468 HR (260 EBRT, 208 BTB) and 708 IR (539 EBRT, 169 BTB). Median follow-up was 49 and 51 months for HR and IR, respectively. BTB patients with ≥ 113 Gy EQD2Gy experienced a stable, good BC outcome compared with BTB at lower doses. Patients treated with ≥ 113 Gy EQD2Gy also experienced significantly improved BC compared with EBRT (10-year BC failure rates after ≥ 113 Gy BTB and EBRT: respectively 20.4 and 41.8% for HR and 7.5 and 20.8% for IR).

Conclusions

In patients with IR and HR prostate cancer, BTB with ≥ 113 Gy EQD2Gy offered a BC advantage compared with dose-escalated EBRT and lower BTB doses.
Qualitätssteigerung der Dokumentation zur Biologikatherapie der chronischen Rhinosinusitis durch digitale, strukturierte Befunderhebung und Indikationsstellung?
Authors: Hagemann Jan , Seifen Christopher , Koll Laura , Reissig Manuel , Leggewie Barbara , Hackenberg Berit , Döge Julia , Helling Kai , Becker Sven , Klimek Ludger , Matthias Christoph , Ernst Benjamin-Philipp
Published: June 2024

Hintergrund

Biologika ergänzen durch gezielte, hemmende Mechanismen der Typ-2-Entzündung die Standardtherapie für unzureichend kontrollierte schwere Formen der chronischen Rhinosinusitis mit Nasenpolypen (CRSwNP). Trotz Standardisierung mithilfe papierbasierter Checklisten stellen Dokumentation von Anamnese und notwendigen Befunden zur Erfüllung aktueller Verordnungskriterien eine große Herausforderung für Ärzt:innen dar. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, mithilfe von strukturierter Befunderhebung („structured reporting“, SR) die Qualität jener Dokumentation und den Therapieentscheidungsprozess effizienter zu gestalten. Als Vergleich dienten hierzu die bisher erhältlichen Papier-Checklisten.

Methoden

Für diese Studie wurde ein inkrementelles Tool programmiert, um aktuelle Befunde zu erfassen und die Erfüllung der Indikationskriterien zu überprüfen. Das Tool wurde in puncto Vollständigkeit, Zeitaufwand und Lesbarkeit mit anderen Checklisten verglichen

Ergebnisse

Für jede der 3 Dokumentationsmöglichkeiten wurden 20 Befunde erhoben und in die Analyse einbezogen. Die Dokumentation auf den papierbasierten Checklisten hatte einen vergleichbaren Informationsgehalt: 17,5 ± 5,1 bzw. 21,7 ± 7,6 von maximal 43 möglichen Punkten; p > 0,05. Die Dokumentation mit der digitalen Anwendung führte zu einem signifikanten Anstieg des Informationsgehalts im Vergleich zu allen papierbasierten Dokumentationen. Die durchschnittliche Punktzahl betrug 38,25 ± 3,7 (88,9 % der Maximalpunktzahl; p < 0,001). Die Nutzerzufriedenheit war im Durchschnitt hoch (9,6/10). Die Nutzung der digitalen Anwendung war anfangs zeitaufwendiger, verringerte sich aber mit zunehmender Anzahl der dokumentierten Fälle erheblich.

Schlussfolgerung

Die strukturierte Befundung mittels (Web‑)Apps könnte in Zukunft die papierbasierte Befundung zur Indikation einer Biologikatherapie bei CRSwNP-Patient:innen ersetzen und zusätzliche Vorteile in Bezug auf die Datenqualität und Nachvollziehbarkeit der Ergebnisse bieten. Das zukünftig steigende Dokumentationsvolumen, die fortschreitende Digitalisierung und die Möglichkeit der Vernetzung zwischen einzelnen Zentren machen die Einführung einer App in naher Zukunft wahrscheinlich und wirtschaftlich.
Predicting detonation cell size of biogas–oxygen mixtures using machine learning models
Authors: Siatkowski S. , Wacko K. , Kindracki J.
Published: June 2024

Detonation cell size is a very important parameter describing the detonation process, used both for explosion safety analysis and for the design of detonation combustion chambers. Typically it has been studied either experimentally or by CFD simulations; both options are costly in terms of money and time. However, progress in the machine learning (ML) methods opened a third way of obtaining cell size. When trained properly, such models are capable of giving rapid, accurate predictions. Utilization of machine learning in the combustion field is gaining more attention from the research community. In this study, the process of training, testing, and evaluation of three different machine learning models for predicting biogas–oxygen mixture detonation cell size is presented. The models include: linear regression (LR), support vector regression (SVR), and neural network (NN). The dataset used for training and testing comes from the experimental studies conducted previously by the authors. It was shown that all the models give very good results with support vector regression proving to be the best.
Evaluating the yield of adhering to the follow-up guidelines for cutaneous melanoma: a retrospective study of 2048 patients
Authors: Hosseinpour Nazanin , Toyserkani Navid Mohamadpour
Published: June 2024

Background

The global rise in the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma necessitates an enhanced understanding of the impact on healthcare systems and the effectiveness of current surveillance and diagnostic protocols. The escalating prevalence of eligible patients for follow-up programs poses challenges in timely diagnosis and treatment. This study critically assesses the Danish melanoma follow-up program, focusing on recurrences, de novo melanomas, and the efficacy of detection modalities.

Methods

This study is a retrospective study based on prospectively collected patient data from Danish Melanoma database (DMD). The study included all patients who were in the clinical follow-up program after treatment of cutaneous malignant melanoma at the Department of Plastic and Breast Surgery, Zealand University Hospital Roskilde from 01/01/2019 to 30/04/2023.

Results

2048 patients were included in the study of which 75 patients had recurrences, whereas 38 had de novo malignant melanoma (MM). Among the detected recurrences, 58.9% were detected by imaging modalities, 16% detected by patients’ self-examination, 12.2% detected by independent physicians and 11.5% detected by physicians as a part of follow-up program. Nearly 78.7% of recurrences occurred within the 36-month follow-up.

Conclusions

The results showed most recurrences were identified within the first three years of follow-up. The introduction of routine PET/CT scans have contributed to the timely identification of these events. The patients themselves find a high number of local cutaneous recurrences. Ultrasound was found to be a very low yield examination and its usefulness as a routine scan can be questioned. The overall findings underscore the importance of refining and optimizing melanoma follow-up programs according to staging to provide early detection and intervention.

Level of evidence: Level III,   Risk/Prognostic
Accuracy of contrast-enhanced CT in liver neoplasms in children under 2 years age
Authors: Rajasimman Aishvarya Shri , Patil Vasundhara , Gala Kunal Bharat , Shetty Nitin , Kulkarni Suyash , Ramadwar Mukta S. , Qureshi Sajid S. , Chinnaswamy Girish , Laskar Siddhartha , Baheti Akshay D.
Published: June 2024

Background

Multiple differentials exist for pediatric liver tumors under 2 years. Accurate imaging diagnosis may obviate the need for tissue sampling in most cases.

Objective

To evaluate the imaging features and diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in liver tumors in children under 2 years.

Methods

Eighty-eight children under 2 years with treatment naive liver neoplasms and baseline contrast-enhanced CT were included in this institutional review board approved retrospective study. Two blinded onco-radiologists assessed these tumors in consensus. Findings assessed included enhancement pattern, lobulated appearance, cystic change, calcifications, central scar-like appearance, and metastases. The radiologists classified the lesion as hepatoblastoma, infantile hemangioma, mesenchymal hamartoma, rhabdoid tumor, or indeterminate, first based purely on imaging and then after alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) correlation. Multivariate analysis and methods of comparing means and frequencies were used for statistical analysis wherever applicable. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and positive predictive values were analyzed.

Results

The mean age of the sample was 11.4 months (95% CI, 10.9–11.8) with 50/88 (57%) boys. The study included 72 hepatoblastomas, 6 hemangiomas, 4 mesenchymal hamartomas, and 6 rhabdoid tumors. Presence of calcifications, multilobular pattern of arterial enhancement, lobulated morphology, and central scar-like appearance was significantly associated with hepatoblastomas (P-value < 0.05). Fourteen out of eighty-eight lesions were called indeterminate based on imaging alone; six lesions remained indeterminate after AFP correlation. Pure radiology-based diagnostic accuracy was 81.8% (95% CI, 72.2–89.2%), which increased to 92.1% (95% CI, 84.3–96.7%) (P-value > 0.05) after AFP correlation, with one hepatoblastoma misdiagnosed as a rhabdoid tumor. If indeterminate lesions were excluded for biopsy, the accuracy would be 98.8% (95% CI, 93.4–99.9%).

Conclusion

CT had high accuracy for diagnosing liver neoplasms in the under 2-year age population after AFP correlation. Certain imaging features were significantly associated with the diagnosis of hepatoblastoma. A policy of biopsying only indeterminate lesions after CT and AFP correlation would avoid sampling in the majority of patients.

Graphical Abstract
Gypsum Cave Biofilm Communities are Strongly Influenced by Bat- And Arthropod-Related Fungi
Authors: Jurado Valme , Martin-Pozas Tamara , Fernandez-Cortes Angel , Calaforra Jose Maria , Sanchez-Moral Sergio , Saiz-Jimenez Cesareo
Published: June 2024

The Gypsum Karst of Sorbas, Almeria, southeast Spain, includes a few caves whose entrances are open and allow the entry and roosting of numerous bats. Caves are characterized by their diversity of gypsum speleothems, such as stalactites, coralloids, gypsum crusts, etc. Colored biofilms can be observed on the walls of most caves, among which the Covadura and C3 caves were studied. The objective was to determine the influence that bat mycobiomes may have on the fungal communities of biofilms. The results indicate that the fungi retrieved from white and yellow biofilms in Covadura Cave (Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota, Basidiomycota) showed a wide diversity, depending on their location, and were highly influenced by the bat population, the guano and the arthropods that thrive in the guano, while C3 Cave was more strongly influenced by soil- and arthropod-related fungi (Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota), due to the absence of roosting bats.
Cranial ultrasound in preterm infants ≤ 32 weeks gestation—novel insights from the use of very high-frequency (18-5 MHz) transducers: a case series
Authors: Miselli Francesca , Guidotti Isotta , Di Martino Marianna , Bedetti Luca , Minotti Chiara , Spaggiari Eugenio , Malmusi Giovanni , Lugli Licia , Corso Lucia , Berardi Alberto
Published: June 2024

The quality of cranial ultrasound has improved over time, with advancing technology leading to higher resolution, faster image processing, digital display, and back-up. However, some brain lesions may remain difficult to characterize: since higher frequencies result in greater spatial resolution, the use of additional transducers may overcome some of these limitations. The very high-frequency transducers (18-5 MHz) are currently employed for small parts and lung ultrasound. Here we report the first case series comparing the very high-frequency probes (18-5 MHz) with standard micro-convex probes (8-5 MHz) for cranial ultrasound in preterm infants. In this case series, we compared cranial ultrasound images obtained with a micro-convex transducer (8-5 MHz) and those obtained with a very high-frequency (18-5 MHz) linear array transducer in 13 preterm infants ≤ 32 weeks gestation (9 with cerebral abnormalities and 4 with normal findings). Ultrasound examinations using the very high-frequency linear transducer and the standard medium-frequency micro-convex transducer were performed simultaneously. We also compared ultrasound findings with brain MRI images obtained at term corrected age. Ultrasound images obtained with the very high-frequency (18-5 MHz) transducer showed high quality and accuracy. Notably, despite their higher frequency and expected limited penetration capacity, brain size is small enough in preterm infants, so that brain structures are close to the transducer, allowing for complete evaluation.

    Conclusion: We propose the routine use of very high-frequency linear probes as a complementary scanning modality for cranial ultrasound in preterm infants ≤ 32 weeks gestation.

What is Known:• Brain lesions in preterm infants may remain insufficiently defined through conventional cranial ultrasound scan.• Higher frequency probes  offer better spatial resolution but have a narrower filed of exploration and limited penetration capacity.

What is New:• Very high-frequency probes were compared with standard medium-frequency probes for cranial ultrasound in infants  ≤ 32 weeks' gestation.• Thanks to the smaller skull size of preterm infants, the new very high-frequency transducers allowed a complete and accurate evaluation.
Generic observability for port-Hamiltonian descriptor systems
Authors: Kirchhoff Jonas
Published: June 2024

The present work is a successor of Ilchmann and Kirchhoff (Math Control Signals Syst 33:359–377, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00498-021-00287-x), Ilchmann and Kirchhoff (Math Control Signals Syst 35:45–76, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00498-021-00287-x) on (relative) generic controllability of unstructured linear differential-algebraic systems and of Ilchmann et al. (Port-Hamiltonian descriptor systems are generically controllable and stabilizable. Submitted to Mathematics of Control, Signals and Systems, 2023. https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.05156) on (relative) generic controllability of port-Hamiltonian descriptor systems. We extend their results to (relative) genericity of observability. For unstructured differential-algebraic systems, criteria for (relative) generic observability are derived from Ilchmann and Kirchhoff (Math Control Signals Syst 35:45–76, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00498-021-00287-x) using duality. This is not possible for port-Hamiltonian systems. Hence, we tweak the results of Ilchmann et al. (Port-Hamiltonian descriptor systems are generically controllable and stabilizable. Submitted to Mathematics of Control, Signals and Systems, 2023. https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.05156) and derive similar criteria as for the unstructured case. Additionally, we consider certain rank constraints on the system matrices.
Patient-reported use of pancreatic enzyme replacement treatment (PERT) in pancreatic cancer in New Zealand and Australia: a cross-sectional survey study
Authors: Landers Amanda , Brown Helen , Al Ruheili Juhaina , Russell Kylie , McKenzie Clare , Agar Meera R. , Yenson Vanessa M. , Clarke Kate , Windsor John
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study investigated pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) use in people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in New Zealand (NZ) and Australia (AU).

Methods

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted using a mixed-media campaign to recruit people with pancreatic cancer and collect information about current PERT use. The questionnaire gathered data on participant demographics, awareness of PERT, prescribing practices and efficacy of enzyme replacement.

Results

Over 300 people with pancreatic cancer were recruited, 135 from New Zealand and 199 from Australia. Every region, state and territory was represented except for the West Coast (NZ) and the Northern Territory (AU), the lowest populated areas in both countries. In New Zealand, 60% of participants had heard about PERT, compared to 69.3% in Australia. Dosing regimens were inconsistent in both countries, with 18% and 27% of participants being prescribed PERT considered best practice in New Zealand and Australia, respectively. Before PERT commencement, 70% of participants experienced symptoms of malabsorption, with all symptoms improving after therapy was established. The majority of participants were compliant with their medication.

Conclusion

PERT use in pancreatic cancer in New Zealand and Australia was highly variable and not compliant with international guidelines in which PERT is recommended as standard therapy. Enzyme replacement is effective for improving the symptoms of malabsorption in patients with pancreatic cancer. Clinician education may be needed to help improve the use of PERT in people with pancreatic cancer.
Empfehlungen der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde zur Prophylaxe einer RSV-Infektion mit Nirsevimab
Authors: Resch Bernhard , Strenger Volker , Zacharasiewicz Angela , Zwiauer Karl , Berger Angelika ,   RSV-Expertinnenkreis der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Kinder und Jugendheilkunde, Resch Bernhard , Zacharasiewcz Angela , Strenger Volker , Berger Angelika , Redlberger-Fritz Monika , Wald Martin , Kiechl-Kohlendorfer Ursula , Köstenberger Martin , Dornbusch Hans Jürgen , Voitl Peter , Tebruegge Marc , Zwiauer Karl
Published: June 2024

Seit dem Jahr 2023 ist der langwirksame monoklonale RSV(Respiratory Syncytial Virus)-Antikörper Nirsevimab in der EU zugelassen, der eine 75–80 %ige Effektivität zur Reduktion schwerer RSV-Infektionen mit oder ohne Hospitalisierung bewiesen hat. Ein österreichischer Expertinnenkreis diskutierte zu fünft und anschließend in mehreren Delphi-Runden diese signifikante Verbesserung der RSV-Prophylaxe (Palivizumab fünf Injektionen monatlich über die Saison nur für Risikokinder verglichen mit Einmalgabe von Nirsevimab). Es bestand Konsens, dass alle Kinder diesen Schutz ab Oktober/November vor Beginn oder während der Saison bis März des Folgejahres erhalten sollen. Die ÖGKJ fordert aufgrund des derzeitigen Wissensstandes, dass alle Neugeborenen und Säuglinge vor einer schweren RSV-Infektion in der ersten Saison geschützt werden, Risikokinder in Einzelfällen auch über eine 2. Saison, und empfiehlt zur Prophylaxe von RSV-Infektionen die Gabe von Nirsevimab, sofern die Kindesmutter keinen RSV-Impfstoff während der Schwangerschaft erhalten hat. Diese Empfehlungen können sich ändern, wenn mehr Daten zur Effektivität bei Risikokindern vorliegen.
Impact of thyroid hormone replacement therapy on the course and functional outcome of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Said Maryam , Gümüs Meltem , Rieß Christoph , Dinger Thiemo Florin , Rauschenbach Laurèl , Rodemerk Jan , Chihi Mehdi , Darkwah Oppong Marvin , Dammann Philipp , Wrede Karsten Henning , Sure Ulrich , Jabbarli Ramazan
Published: June 2024

Background

Thyroid hormones were reported to exert neuroprotective effects after ischemic stroke by reducing the burden of brain injury and promoting post-ischemic brain remodeling.

Objective

We aimed to analyze the value of thyroid hormone replacement therapy (THRT) due to pre-existing hypothyroidism on the clinical course and outcome of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods

SAH individuals treated between January 2003 and June 2016 were included. Data on baseline characteristics of patients and SAH, adverse events and functional outcome of SAH were recorded. Study endpoints were cerebral infarction, in-hospital mortality and unfavorable outcome at 6 months. Associations were adjusted for outcome-relevant confounders.

Results

109 (11%) of 995 individuals had THRT before SAH. Risk of intracranial pressure- or vasospasm-related cerebrovascular events was inversely associated with presence of THRT (p = 0.047). In multivariate analysis, THRT was independently associated with lower risk of cerebral infarction (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.41–0.99, p = 0.045) and unfavorable outcome (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.28–0.89, p = 0.018), but not with in-hospital mortality (aOR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.38–1.26, p = 0.227).

Conclusion

SAH patients with THRT show lower burden of ischemia-relevant cerebrovascular events and more favorable outcome. Further experimental and clinical studies are required to confirm our results and elaborate the mechanistic background of the effect of THRT on course and outcome of SAH.
Energy loss and efficiency investigations of a dual clutch transmission based on adaptive experiment and analytical simulation
Authors: Liu Zhihong , Dave Sidharth , Rinderknecht Stephan
Published: June 2024

Energy transfer improvement and energy consumption reduction are getting more crucial in the automotive sector. As one of the essential elements directly influencing energy transfer in the powertrain system, transmission losses have been widely analyzed with both simulation and experimental approaches. For a better characterization of individual losses, this paper investigates and compares most of the available analytical models for further system implementation. Regarding laboratory experiments, an adaptive sampling strategy is presented and analyzed for various operating conditions. Compared to the traditional factorial design, the applied Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) delivers both estimations and their predictive variances in the entire experiment process. Besides, new measurement candidates can be determined with the prior information from GPR model. The analytical simulation and adaptive measurement are employed to investigate a seven-speed transmission. With both approaches, a detailed discussion about total transmission losses and individual loss mechanisms are performed under various operating conditions.
Rock characterization, UAV photogrammetry and use of algorithms of machine learning as tools in mapping discontinuities and characterizing rock masses in Acoculco Caldera Complex
Authors: Pola Antonio , Herrera-Díaz Arturo , Tinoco-Martínez Sergio Rogelio , Macias José Luis , Soto-Rodríguez Adriana Nadcielli , Soto-Herrera Andrés Mauricio , Sereno Hugo , Ramón Avellán Denis
Published: June 2024

The use of UAV represents a very useful tool for rock mass characterization, particularly in large, unsafe, and not accessible areas characterized by a complex geometry. This investigation was mainly focused on mapping discontinuities and characterizing rock masses using UAV photogrammetry, machine learning, including different algorithms, and intact rock laboratory analyses, respectively. To this aim different outcrops from those described as a part of the basement of the Acoculco Caldera Complex, composed by a series of folded limestones were selected. The results indicate that geomechanical and physical properties, together with outcrop information are very important to assign suitable properties to large rock units. In turn, the great number of plots of discontinuity orientation extracted from the 3D point cloud data by the used of our code written in python language allowed to easily identify the presence of a total of seven discontinuity sets, some of them related to the bedding sequence and some others related to shear and tensile stress due to folding.
A crystalline measure that is not a Fourier quasicrystal
Authors: Favorov S. Yu.
Published: June 2024

We construct a crystalline measure on the real line that is not a
Fourier quasicrystal.
Depression, Contraception, and Ambivalence Concerning Fertility
Authors: Kremer Sina , Gerlach Alexander L. , Erbe Doris
Published: June 2024

Individuals suffering from depression exhibit a higher rate of unintended pregnancies, which are associated with negative outcomes for both parents and children. Often, unintended pregnancies result from contraceptive mistakes. Here, we examine the relationship between depression and the consistency of contraceptive behavior, testing ambivalence as a possible mediator. The analyses were based on cross-sectional data from the second and third waves of the German Relationship and Family Panel Pairfam. A German-speaking sample without children (N = 190; 117 female, 73 male), who reported not attempting to conceive or become pregnant during the last 12 months, was analyzed in comparison with a propensity score matched sample. Ambivalence was operationalized as the difference between the ideal and realistic number of children in wave 2. Data from wave 3 were used to assess contraceptive behavior. Depressed mood in wave 2 and consistency of contraceptive behavior in wave 3 were negatively correlated. After including ambivalence in wave 2 as a mediator in the model, the direct path between depressed mood and consistency of contraceptive behavior remained significant, with no significant mediation found. For men only, we observed a significant negative association of ambivalence with the consistency of contraceptive behavior in the last 3 months. No significant relationship was found between depressed mood and ambivalence. We conclude that future research aiming to better understand the consistency of contraceptive behavior should incorporate measures of ambivalence.