bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphometrics of the coronoid process and the radial notch of the ulna: implications for fracture assessment
Authors: Sircar Krishnan , Kernich Nikolaus , Scaal Martin , Eysel Peer , Müller Lars-Peter , Leschinger Tim
Published: October 2023

Purpose

A comprehensive analysis of the morphology of fractures of the coronoid process (CP) can aid diagnosis and guide treatment. The involvement of the radial notch of the ulna (RN)—e.g., in anterolateral facet fractures and transverse fractures of the CP—may influence the biomechanical conditions of the proximal radioulnar joint. However, the morphometric relation between the CP and the RN and the extent to what the proximal radioulnar joint can be affected in these types of fractures is unknown.

Methods

A total of 113 embalmed, cadaveric ulnae were dissected. All soft tissue was removed. Strictly lateral, high-resolution photographs were taken and digitally analyzed. The height of the CP and its relation to the RN was measured. Sex differences and correlations between measured parameters were calculated.

Results

Mean height of the CP was 16 mm (range: 12–23 mm; SD: 2). Mean height of the RN was 16 mm (11–25 mm; 2.2). The 50% mark of the CP corresponded to 18% (0–56%; 11.2) of the height of the RN. No significant differences were found between male and female specimens.

Conclusion

The RN of the ulna extends only to a small part to the CP. Transverse or anterolateral fractures of less than 50% of the coronoid process may involve only a small portion of the proximal radioulnar joint.
CT of appendicoliths in adult appendicitis: clinical significance and characteristics of overlooked cases
Authors: Kaewlai Rathachai , Wongveerasin Pootipong , Lekanamongkol Warunyou , Wongsaengchan Dhanawin , Teerasamit Wanwarang , Tongsai Sasima , Khamman Pramuk , Chatkaewpaisal Anchisa , Noppakunsomboon Napakadol , Apisarnthanarak Piyaporn
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Accurate computed tomography (CT) identification of appendicoliths in adults with acute appendicitis is crucial as it may preclude nonoperative management due to high risk of failure and complications. This investigation aimed to identify the significance of appendicoliths in acute appendicitis and to evaluate the performance of portovenous-phase (PVP) CT and the consequences of overlooked appendicoliths.

Methods

CT examinations of 324 consecutive patients (mean age 51.9 years, 112 men) with pathologically confirmed acute appendicitis were retrospectively included. Two radiologists independently reviewed the images, and disagreement was resolved by a consensus.

Results

Appendicoliths were identified in 134/324 patients, of which 75 had complicated appendicitis. Among 190 patients without appendicoliths, 52 had complicated appendicitis. An appendicolith was independently associated with complicated appendicitis (adjusted odds ratio 2.289; 95% CI: 1.343–3.902; p = 0.002). The larger minimum diameter was significantly associated with complication. The 4.5-/6.0-mm cutoffs for minimum and maximum diameters of appendicoliths demonstrated 82.7%/85.3% sensitivity and 35.6%/33.9% specificity in predicting complications. The PVP alone had 82.1–88.1% sensitivity, respectively per patient and per appendicolith, and a 100% specificity in the detection of appendicoliths, as compared with combined noncontrast and PVP. PVP overlooked 28/237 appendicoliths (11.8%) corresponding to 24/134 patients (17.9%). Of the 24 patients with overlooked appendicoliths, 16 had complicated appendicitis but 14 were correctly categorized by findings other than appendicoliths. In total, 2/127 patients (1.6%) with complicated appendicitis were misdiagnosed as having uncomplicated appendicitis.

Conclusions

Appendicoliths in acute appendicitis were strongly associated with complications. While PVP overlooked some appendicoliths, only 1.6% of complicated appendicitis were misclassified when considering other CT findings.

Clinical relevance statement

This study found a strong association between appendicoliths and complications. Its presence may preclude conservative management. Although portovenous-phase CT overlooked some appendicoliths, the combination with other CT findings allowed correct classification in a vast majority of cases.

Key Points

• Accurate identification of appendicoliths is crucial for nonoperative management decisions in adult acute appendicitis.

• Appendicoliths are strongly associated with complications in adult acute appendicitis.

• Portovenous-phase CT overlooked some appendicoliths, but only a small percentage of patients with complicated appendicitis were misclassified when considering other CT findings.
Comparison of trace image colors for kids-book with two active distractions in reducing pain and fear of children during the venipuncture procedure
Authors: Suleman Sherzad Khudeida , Yahya Nizer Bakir , Nilsson Stefan , Enskär Karin
Published: October 2023

This study investigated the effectiveness of trace image and coloring for kids-book (TICK-B), cough trick, and balloon inflation techniques in reducing pain and fear in children during venipuncture. The current study is a prospective, controlled, and randomized trial (RCT). School-aged children who required venipuncture were involved in the study. Pediatric patients were randomly assigned to four groups: the TICK-B group, the cough trick group, the inflation of balloons, and the control groups. Before and after the procedure, the children and their parents were interviewed. Wong-Baker (FACES) Pain Rating Scale was applied to measure the severity of pain. Children’s Fear Scale was applied to measure children’s fear. This study involved the 160 children (mean age, 8.39–2.18 years). The severity of pain and fear levels among the children during and after the procedure were significantly different (p = 0.001). Pain and fear were significantly decreased in children in the intervention groups compared with those in the control group (p < 0.05). In the TICK-B group, participants reported significantly less pain and fear during the venipuncture procedure than in the cough trick, balloon inflation, and control groups (P = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001) and after the procedure (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.002). There was a similar significance found in the level of fear during the procedure (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.006), and after the procedure (p = 0.001, p = 0.008, p = 0.015).

   Conclusion: TICK-B was the most effective method for decreasing the pain and fear of children associated with venipuncture procedures. Furthermore, the distraction technique of coughing and inflating balloons also proved efficacious in decreasing the pain and fear of children during venipuncture.

   Trial registration: The study has been registered with ClinicalTrials.org under the number NCT04983303. It was retrospectively registered on July 26, 2021.

What is Known:• Venipuncture, one of the most painful and uncomfortable procedures for children, caused great fear and discomfort during the procedure.

What is New:• The TICK-B technique, music listening, and cartoon watching techniques are effective, simple, and safe ways to reduce children’s fear and pain. These interventions provide a good way for children and their parents to collaborate during painful medical procedures.• No studies have compared the impact of TICK-B during venipuncture.
Tropical Compactification via Ganter’s Algorithm
Authors: Kastner Lars , Shaw Kris , Winz Anna-Lena
Published: October 2023

We describe a canonical compactification of a polyhedral complex in Euclidean space. When the recession cones of the polyhedral complex form a fan, the compactified polyhedral complex is a subspace of a tropical toric variety. In this case, the procedure is analogous to the tropical compactifications of subvarieties of tori. We give an analysis of the combinatorial structure of the compactification and show that its Hasse diagram can be computed via Ganter’s algorithm. Our algorithm is implemented in and shipped with .
Active learning for extracting surgomic features in robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy: a prospective annotation study
Authors: Brandenburg Johanna M. , Jenke Alexander C. , Stern Antonia , Daum Marie T. J. , Schulze André , Younis Rayan , Petrynowski Philipp , Davitashvili Tornike , Vanat Vincent , Bhasker Nithya , Schneider Sophia , Mündermann Lars , Reinke Annika , Kolbinger Fiona R. , Jörns Vanessa , Fritz-Kebede Fleur , Dugas Martin , Maier-Hein Lena , Klotz Rosa , Distler Marius , Weitz Jürgen , Müller-Stich Beat P. , Speidel Stefanie , Bodenstedt Sebastian , Wagner Martin
Published: October 2023

Background

With Surgomics, we aim for personalized prediction of the patient's surgical outcome using machine-learning (ML) on multimodal intraoperative data to extract surgomic features as surgical process characteristics. As high-quality annotations by medical experts are crucial, but still a bottleneck, we prospectively investigate active learning (AL) to reduce annotation effort and present automatic recognition of surgomic features.

Methods

To establish a process for development of surgomic features, ten video-based features related to bleeding, as highly relevant intraoperative complication, were chosen. They comprise the amount of blood and smoke in the surgical field, six instruments, and two anatomic structures. Annotation of selected frames from robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomies was performed by at least three independent medical experts. To test whether AL reduces annotation effort, we performed a prospective annotation study comparing AL with equidistant sampling (EQS) for frame selection. Multiple Bayesian ResNet18 architectures were trained on a multicentric dataset, consisting of 22 videos from two centers.

Results

In total, 14,004 frames were tag annotated. A mean F1-score of 0.75 ± 0.16 was achieved for all features. The highest F1-score was achieved for the instruments (mean 0.80 ± 0.17). This result is also reflected in the inter-rater-agreement (1-rater-kappa > 0.82). Compared to EQS, AL showed better recognition results for the instruments with a significant difference in the McNemar test comparing correctness of predictions. Moreover, in contrast to EQS, AL selected more frames of the four less common instruments (1512 vs. 607 frames) and achieved higher F1-scores for common instruments while requiring less training frames.

Conclusion

We presented ten surgomic features relevant for bleeding events in esophageal surgery automatically extracted from surgical video using ML. AL showed the potential to reduce annotation effort while keeping ML performance high for selected features. The source code and the trained models are published open source.

Graphical abstract
Impact of surgical treatment on lipid metabolism in patients with lumbar spinal disorders: Prospective observational study
Authors: Nakajima Yukio , Hachiya Kurenai , Michikawa Takehiro , Nagai Sota , Takeda Hiroki , Kawabata Soya , Yoshioka Atsushi , Kimata Hirona , Ikeda Daiki , Kaneko Shinjiro , Ohno Yoshiharu , Hachiya Yudo , Fujita Nobuyuki
Published: October 2023

Purpose

It is still unclear how lumbar spinal surgery affects the lipid metabolism of patients with lumbar spinal disorders (LSDs) such as lumbar spinal canal stenosis and lumbar disk herniation. The present study aimed to assess the impact of lumbar spinal surgery on lipid metabolism in patients with LSDs and clarify the factors associated with changes in visceral fat (VF) accumulation before and after lumbar spinal surgery.

Methods

Consecutive patients with lumbar spinal surgery for LSDs were prospectively included. Abdominal computed tomography images and blood examination of the participants were evaluated before surgery and at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. The cross-sectional VF area (VFA) was measured at the level of the navel using computed tomography images. Blood examination items included triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

Results

The study enrolled a total of 138 patients. Female patients with LSDs had significantly increased VFA and serum triglyceride levels after lumbar spinal surgery. On multivariable analysis, the group with > 100 cm2 of preoperative VFA and a postoperative decrease in VFA had a significantly worse preoperative walking ability based on the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (relative risk 2.1; 95% confidence intervals 1.1–4.1).

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that patients with LSDs did not necessarily improve their lipid metabolism after lumbar spinal surgery. Instead, female patients with LSDs had significantly deteriorated lipid metabolism after lumbar spinal surgery. Finally, a worse preoperative walking ability was associated with the improvement in excess VF accumulation after lumbar spinal surgery.
A Highly Ordered Nitroxide Side Chain for Distance Mapping and Monitoring Slow Structural Fluctuations in Proteins
Authors: Chen Mengzhen , Kálai Tamás , Cascio Duilio , Bridges Michael D. , Whitelegge Julian P. , Elgeti Matthias , Hubbell Wayne L.
Published: October 2023

Site-directed spin labeling electron paramagnetic resonance (SDSL-EPR) is an established tool for exploring protein structure and dynamics. Although nitroxide side chains attached to a single cysteine via a disulfide linkage are commonly employed in SDSL-EPR, their internal flexibility complicates applications to monitor slow internal motions in proteins and to structure determination by distance mapping. Moreover, the labile disulfide linkage prohibits the use of reducing agents often needed for protein stability. To enable the application of SDSL-EPR to the measurement of slow internal dynamics, new spin labels with hindered internal motion are desired. Here, we introduce a highly ordered nitroxide side chain, designated R9, attached at a single cysteine residue via a non-reducible thioether linkage. The reaction to introduce R9 is highly selective for solvent-exposed cysteine residues. Structures of R9 at two helical sites in T4 Lysozyme were determined by X-ray crystallography and the mobility in helical sequences was characterized by EPR spectral lineshape analysis, Saturation Transfer EPR, and Saturation Recovery EPR. In addition, interspin distance measurements between pairs of R9 residues are reported. Collectively, all data indicate that R9 will be useful for monitoring slow internal structural fluctuations, and applications to distance mapping via dipolar spectroscopy and relaxation enhancement methods are anticipated.
Prevalence and correlates of fatigue in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hamad Abdullah Ashraf , Amer Basma Ehab , Abbas Nagham Bushara , Alnajjar Asmaa Zakria , Meshref Mostafa
Published: October 2023

Objectives

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the frequency and correlates of fatigue in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods

Three databases were searched up to 2nd May 2023 to identify studies reporting fatigue frequency in ALS. Studies included had to identify ALS patients through one of ALS diagnostic criteria and measure fatigue by a validated tool with a specific cut-off value. Meta-analysis was conducted using RStudio's "meta" package with a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression explored the relationship between fatigue frequency in ALS and different covariates.

Results

Eleven studies, compromising 1072 patients, met the inclusion criteria and were included in our analysis. The pooled frequency of fatigue across all studies was 48% (95% CI = 40% to 57%). Our subgroup analysis based on the ALSFRS-R revealed a higher frequency of fatigue in studies with lower scores (< 30) compared to those with higher scores (≥ 30), with a pooled frequency of 62% (95% CI = 43% to 79%) and 43% (95% CI = 37% to 49%), respectively. Also, the meta-regression analysis showed a significant negative association between fatigue and ALSFRS-R mean (P = 0.02). The included studies reported an association between fatigue and lower functional status and poorer quality of life in patients with ALS.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that fatigue is prevalent in almost half of ALS patients and is associated with lower functional status and poorer quality of life, highlighting the importance of assessing and managing fatigue in ALS patients.
Path to success: female leaders in German neurosurgery
Authors: Weiss Miriam , Dogan Rabia , Eisenberg Ulrike , Velalakan Aruni , Krüger Jutta , Moritz Ina , Nistor-Gallo Dorothea , Flueh Charlotte , Janz Claudia , Ahmadi Rezvan , Hakvoort Karlijn , Forster Marie-Thérèse ,   “Women in Neurosurgery –Open for all” –Official Commission of the German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC)
Published: October 2023

Despite advances in gender equality, only 6% of German neurosurgical departments are currently led by women. With regard to their pioneering work and the importance of their role model effect, we aimed at reporting on the career pathways of the present and former female chairs of neurosurgical departments in Germany. We approached current and former female chairs in German neurosurgery and gathered descriptive information on their ways into leadership positions through structured interviews. Data were obtained from 16/22 (72.7%) female neurosurgical chairs, aged between 44 and 82 years. They completed their training within 6.5 ± 0.6 years, and it took them further 14.5 ± 5.9 years between training completion and chair acquisition. Having obtained their chair positions between 1993 and 2020, six (37.5%) of them have retired or changed career tracks. Of ten (62.5%) chairs still practicing, two are directors of university departments. Twelve (75.0%) hold professorships. Nine chairs (56.3%) are married, eight (50.0%) having children. Five chairs reported having experienced gender-based discrimination. Twelve had a male mentor or role model, two had a female role model, while only one had a female mentor. This study characterizes the to date small number of female neurosurgical chairs in Germany and their paths to neurosurgical leadership positions. In future, these should become historical in order to perceive the presence of women in leadership positions as self-evident normality, reflecting our society. However, further analyses comparing paths of both female and male neurosurgical chairs are necessary to explore gender-based differences in achieving neurosurgical leadership positions.
Some characterizations of resolute majority rules
Authors: Freixas Josep , Samaniego Dani
Published: October 2023

In this paper we consider decision functions in which voters have three options and one of them is abstention or indifference and the output is a binary decision between two alternatives so that a tie is not possible. These resolute decision functions appear frequently in grading, in some sport competitions, in voting situations in which the status quo is put to the vote, etc. It is a more restricted case of the voting context considered in the seminal article by Kenneth May on decision functions, published in Econometrica in 1952, because the output set does not admit a tie. Among these resolute decision functions we focus on the study of majority functions, in which the number of favorable votes to an alternative must be strictly greater than the number of votes against it. This work provides an axiomatic characterization for the set of majority functions and for the relative majority function with status quo bias. Both characterizations are based on weaker versions of neutrality. Other complementary characterizations are also provided.
Transformation and Leaching Simulation of 6:2 and 8:2 diPAP and Related Metabolites in Unsaturated Soil Column Studies with MACRO
Authors: Weidemann Eva , Gassmann Matthias
Published: October 2023

PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) are widespread in the environment and are found in almost every medium. Besides persistent PFAS, their transforming precursors gained attention since they may be a reservoir for persistent PFAS in soil. Only little information is available about the behavior of these precursors and the simultaneous leaching of their transformation products. However, this information is urgently needed to improve estimates of contamination levels. For this purpose, two precursors and their non-degradable metabolites were simulated using the MACRO model, with parameter values optimized using the evolutionary algorithm caRamel. A constant first-order transformation rate did not adequately represent the leaching of transformation products, but a variable transformation rate that decreased at the date of an equilibrium soil moisture provided a good representation of the precursor transformation and leaching of transformation products. The results are new evidence that variable environmental parameters such as soil moisture may affect the transformation rate of precursors. The simulation study is a step towards describing the behavior of PFAS precursors through physically-based models.
Myofilament dysfunction in diastolic heart failure
Authors: Aboonabi Anahita , McCauley Mark D.
Published: October 2023

Diastolic heart failure (DHF), in which impaired ventricular filling leads to typical heart failure symptoms, represents over 50% of all heart failure cases and is linked with risk factors, including metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, and aging. A substantial proportion of patients with this disorder maintain normal left ventricular systolic function, as assessed by ejection fraction. Despite the high prevalence of DHF, no effective therapeutic agents are available to treat this condition, partially because the molecular mechanisms of diastolic dysfunction remain poorly understood. As such, by focusing on the underlying molecular and cellular processes contributing to DHF can yield new insights that can represent an exciting new avenue and propose a novel therapeutic approach for DHF treatment. This review discusses new developments from basic and clinical/translational research to highlight current knowledge gaps, help define molecular determinants of diastolic dysfunction, and clarify new targets for treatment.
On the physiological and structural contributors to the overall balance of excitation and inhibition in local cortical networks
Authors: Shirani Farshad , Choi Hannah
Published: October 2023

Overall balance of excitation and inhibition in cortical networks is central to their functionality and normal operation. Such orchestrated co-evolution of excitation and inhibition is established through convoluted local interactions between neurons, which are organized by specific network connectivity structures and are dynamically controlled by modulating synaptic activities. Therefore, identifying how such structural and physiological factors contribute to establishment of overall balance of excitation and inhibition is crucial in understanding the homeostatic plasticity mechanisms that regulate the balance. We use biologically plausible mathematical models to extensively study the effects of multiple key factors on overall balance of a network. We characterize a network’s baseline balanced state by certain functional properties, and demonstrate how variations in physiological and structural parameters of the network deviate this balance and, in particular, result in transitions in spontaneous activity of the network to high-amplitude slow oscillatory regimes. We show that deviations from the reference balanced state can be continuously quantified by measuring the ratio of mean excitatory to mean inhibitory synaptic conductances in the network. Our results suggest that the commonly observed ratio of the number of inhibitory to the number of excitatory neurons in local cortical networks is almost optimal for their stability and excitability. Moreover, the values of inhibitory synaptic decay time constants and density of inhibitory-to-inhibitory network connectivity are critical to overall balance and stability of cortical networks. However, network stability in our results is sufficiently robust against modulations of synaptic quantal conductances, as required by their role in learning and memory. Our study based on extensive bifurcation analyses thus reveal the functional optimality and criticality of structural and physiological parameters in establishing the baseline operating state of local cortical networks.
Safe Feedback Motion Planning in Unknown Environments: An Instantaneous Local Control Barrier Function Approach
Authors: Li Cong , Zhang Zengjie , Ahmed Nesrin , Liu Qingchen , Liu Fangzhou , Buss Martin
Published: October 2023

Mobile robots are desired with resilience to safely interact with prior-unknown environments and finally accomplish given tasks. This paper utilizes instantaneous local sensory data to stimulate the safe feedback motion planning (SFMP) strategy with adaptability to diverse prior-unknown environments without building a global map. This is achieved by the numerical optimization with the constraints, referred to as instantaneous local control barrier functions (IL-CBFs) and goal-driven control Lyapunov functions (GD-CLFs), learned from perceptional signals. In particular, the IL-CBFs reflecting potential collisions and GD-CLFs encoding incrementally discovered subgoals are first online learned from local perceptual data. Then, the learned IL-CBFs are united with GD-CLFs in the context of quadratic programming (QP) to generate the safe feedback motion planning strategy. Rather importantly, an optimization over the admissible control space of IL-CBFs is conducted to enhance the solution feasibility of QP. The SFMP strategy is developed with theoretically guaranteed collision avoidance and convergence to destinations. Numerical simulations are conducted to reveal the effectiveness of the proposed SFMP strategy that drives mobile robots to safely reach the destination incrementally in diverse prior-unknown environments.
Solids containing Si-O-P bonds: is the hydrolytic sol-gel route a suitable synthesis strategy?
Authors: Imparato Claudio , Bifulco Aurelio , Malucelli Giulio , Aronne Antonio
Published: October 2023

Materials based on silicon-phosphorus mixed oxides have traditionally attracted interest in electronics, optics, catalysis, and related fields. The preparation of a solid containing stable Si–O–P linkages is a huge challenge due to their intrinsic instability to hydrolysis in a wet atmosphere. On the other hand, most technological applications of these materials, such as protonic conductive membranes in fuel cells and water-tolerant solid acid catalysts, are related to their interaction with water; consequently, suitable synthesis procedures that positively face this tradeoff are mandatory. Besides the traditional high-temperature techniques, sol-gel synthetic methods represent a viable, low-cost alternative, allowing for the preparation of high-purity materials with a homogeneous distribution of the components at the atomic scale. Si–O–P linkages are easily obtained by nonhydrolytic sol-gel routes, but only in inert and dry atmosphere. Conversely, hydrolytic routes offer opportunities to control the structure of the products in a wide range of processing conditions. The present review aims at providing an overall picture of the research on the sol-gel synthesis of phosphosilicate and related materials and theisr different applications, emphasizing how the interest in these systems is still lively, considering both conventional and emerging applications, such as flame retardance. The incorporation of Si–O–P nanostructures in polymer composites, coatings, and textiles is indeed a promising strategy to improve properties like thermal stability and fire resistance; however, their in-situ synthesis brings about additional difficulties related to the reactivity of the precursors. The perspectives linked with the development of Si–P-based materials are finally outlined.

Graphical Abstract
Utilisation of coal tar naphthalene oil fractions for the synthesis of value-added chemicals: alternative paths to mono- and di-methylnaphthalenes
Authors: Güleç Fatih , Koçkan Aysun , Karaduman Ali
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the utilisation of coal tar naphthalene oil fraction (CTNOF), an economical by-product derived from the iron-steel industry, for the production of valuable chemicals, with a particular focus on methylnaphthalenes (MNs) and dimethylnaphthalenes (DMNs). Of specific interest is 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene (2,6-DMN), a pivotal component in the manufacture of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). The intricate and costly nature of 2,6-DMN production currently poses challenges to the commercial viability of PEN. This study provides the potential heterogeneous reaction pathways for the synthesis of MNs and DMNs via methylation, disproportionation, and isomerisation of CTNOF. The utilisation of CTNOF was investigated in a laboratory-scale fixed bed reactor operating at atmospheric pressure using a mixture of CTNOF: methanol having 1:5 mass ratio over HBeta zeolite catalyst at a temperature of 400 °C and weight hourly space velocity of 2 h−1. The results reveal the successful methylation of CTNOF over the HBeta zeolite catalyst, initially achieving high naphthalene conversion, particularly into 2-MN. This highlights the potential of CTNOF as an alternative feedstock for the production of value-added chemicals. While naphthalene conversion initially reaches 99 wt% within 0.5 h of operation, it gradually decreases to approximately 10 wt% over extended run times. Notably, coke deposition significantly deactivates the HBeta zeolite catalyst during CTNOF methylation, impacting naphthalene conversion. A substantial proportion of naphthalene compounds convert to methylnaphthalenes early in the reaction, predominantly 2-MN, increasing from 14 wt% (in CTNOF feedstock) to 87 wt%. Among DMNs, selectivity for 2,6-DMN, 2,7-DMN, 1,3-DMN, and 1,7-DMN increases, while other DMN isomers exhibit a sharp decrease in selectivity. The distribution of 2,6-triad DMNs rises from 38 wt% in feedstocks to 52–55 wt% with extended reaction times, attributed to MN conversion to DMNs and potential isomerisation from other DMNs. This study underscores the feasibility of using CTNOF for the direct synthesis of valuable chemicals, specifically 2,6-DMN and 2-MN, through methylation over HBeta zeolite catalysts. However, it emphasises the critical role of residence time in coke deposition and the need for optimisation, particularly regarding this parameter, to ensure the efficiency of this catalytic process.
Students’ experiences of the research-teaching nexus
Authors: Macheridis Nikos , Pihl Annika Fjelkner , Paulsson Alexander , Pihl Håkan
Published: October 2023

Students experience the research-teaching nexus differently as they progress through their first three years of undergraduate study depending on the discipline. The question is if students, within the same discipline, experience the nexus differently depending on the profile of the institution where they study. The present study explored students’ experiences of the research-teaching nexus (RT-nexus) during their undergraduate studies at one research-intensive and one teaching-intensive university. A survey (n = 340) was distributed among business students at two Swedish universities. One finding is that students from both universities reported on a progression in how they experience the nexus, and in learning outcomes. Students also rated what teachers do and what they themselves do higher, than what their peers do. The main gap between students from the two universities was that students from the research-intensive university generally perceived a stronger connection between teaching and research than did students from the teaching-intensive university. They also to a higher extent found that a close connection between research and teaching in their education would be important to them in their future work life, whereas students from the teaching-intensive university were more unsure.
Naturalistic Scene Modelling: Deep Learning with Insights from Biology
Authors: Appiah Kofi , Jin Zhiyong , Shi Lei , Kwok Sze Chai
Published: October 2023

Advances in machine learning coupled with the abundances of training data has facilitated the deep learning era, which has demonstrated its ability and effectiveness in solving complex detection and recognition problems. In general application areas with elements of machine learning have seen exponential growth with promising new and sophisticated solutions to complex learning problems. In computer vision, the challenge related to the detection of known objects in a scene is a thing of the past. With the tremendous increase in detection accuracies, some close to that of human detection, there are several areas still lagging in computer vision and machine learning where improvements may call for more architectural designs. In this paper, we propose a physiologically inspired model for scene understanding that encodes three key components: object location, size and category. Our aim is to develop an energy efficient artificial intelligent model for naturalistic scene understanding capable of deploying on a low power neuromorphic hardware. We have reviewed recent advances in deep learning architecture that have taken inspiration from human or primate learning systems and provided direct to future advancement on deep learning with inspiration from physiological experiments. Upon a review of areas that have benefitted from deep learning, we provide recommendations for enhancing those areas that might have stalled or grinded to a halt with little or no significant improvement.
Potential toxicity of Schisandra chinensis to water environment: acute toxicity tests with water crustaceans
Authors: Valíčková Jana , Zezulka Štěpán , Maršálková Eliška , Kotlík Josef , Maršálek Blahoslav , Opatřilová Radka
Published: October 2023

Fruits of Schisandrachinensis, an East Asian liana plant, are currently more and more used to produce nutrient supplements that positively affect human health due to the content of various secondary metabolites. On the other hand, these substances because of their bioactivity can cause possible allelopathic or toxic effects concerning other organisms (algae, plants, animals). But the ecotoxicological properties of S. chinensis outside its area of origin have yet to be sufficiently verified. Two crustaceans, Daphnia magna and Thamnocephalus platyurus, were selected as model aquatic organisms to test the potential impact of S. chinensis active compounds on the aquatic environment. Crude water extract from S. chinensis fruits, simulating the natural leakage of active substances in water, was tested in treatments from 0.0045 to 45 mg/L (according to the content of schisandrin as the dominating lignan). Effective concentration (EC50) causing 50% lethal effect for D. magna was established to 0.0448 mg/L after 24 h and 0.0152 mg/L after 48 h. EC50 for T. platyurus reached 0.4572 mg/L after 24 h, i.e. more than ten times higher than for D. magna. This study showed that the potential environmentally relevant concentrations of S. chinensis bioactive compounds could represent a severe risk to aquatic ecosystems.
Generalized global solar radiation forecasting model via cyber-secure deep federated learning
Authors: Moradzadeh Arash , Moayyed Hamed , Mohammadi-Ivatloo Behnam , Aguiar António Pedro , Anvari-Moghaddam Amjad , Abdul-Malek Zulkurnain
Published: October 2023

Recently, the increasing prevalence of solar energy in power and energy systems around the world has dramatically increased the importance of accurately predicting solar irradiance. However, the lack of access to data in many regions and the privacy concerns that can arise when collecting and transmitting data from distributed points to a central server pose challenges to current predictive techniques. This study proposes a global solar radiation forecasting approach based on federated learning (FL) and convolutional neural network (CNN). In addition to maintaining input data privacy, the proposed procedure can also be used as a global supermodel. In this paper, data related to eight regions of Iran with different climatic features are considered as CNN input for network training in each client. To test the effectiveness of the global supermodel, data related to three new regions of Iran named Abadeh, Jarqavieh, and Arak are used. It can be seen that the global forecasting supermodel was able to forecast solar radiation for Abadeh, Jarqavieh, and Arak regions with 95%, 92%, and 90% accuracy coefficients, respectively. Finally, in a comparative scenario, various conventional machine learning and deep learning models are employed to forecast solar radiation in each of the study regions. The results of the above approaches are compared and evaluated with the results of the proposed FL-based method. The results show that, since no training data were available from regions of Abadeh, Jarqavieh, and Arak, the conventional methods were not able to forecast solar radiation in these regions. This evaluation confirms the high ability of the presented FL approach to make acceptable predictions while preserving privacy and eliminating model reliance on training data.
The determinants of compensation report transparency: manager incentives and firm characteristics
Authors: Pfeiffer Iris , Jarchow Svenja
Published: October 2023

This paper analyses the determinants of disclosure in compensation reports. Using a hand-collected dataset of 429 observations we assess which compensation, governance and ownership variables influence the quality of disclosure in compensation reports from 2006 to 2014 in a German setting. Managers have incentives to conceal compensation disclosure leading to a conflict of interest with shareholders. The overall findings suggest that opportunistic reporting incentives, as proposed by the managerial power theory, cannot explain a lack of more detailed disclosure. Managers rather avoid these disclosures because they would require additional effort. The empirical analyses reveal four major disclosure determinants: company size, age, family members in the boards and verticality. Other variables such as proprietary costs, governance variables and performance show no or no stable influence. The absence of disclosure is therefore a confluence of company resources (company size and forecasts increase disclosure), owner interests (family members in the board decreases disclosure), and concerns about social equity infringement (higher pay inequity leads to lower disclosure).
Synthesis and characterization of electrospun composite nanofibers from Moringa oleifera biomass and metal oxide nanoparticles as potential adsorbents for the removal of lead ions
Authors: Ngulube Ronald , Pillay Letitia , Nombona Nolwazi
Published: October 2023

Electrospun multicomposite nanofibers synthesized from extracts of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) seed biomass blended with metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were investigated as potential adsorbents. The materials were characterized using SEM, XRD, FTIR, BET and TGA. The specific surface area of MONPs ranged between 29.75 and 60.92 m2/g and their incorporation in the PAN/M. oleifera composite blend resulted in increased surface coarseness and larger nanofiber diameters (268 ± 21–317 ± 27 nm). The application of PAN/M. oleifera/MONPs for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solution via batch adsorption experiments was investigated based on the parameters: solution pH, contact time and initial Pb(II) ion concentration. Experimental results better fitted the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetics. Adsorption capacities ranged between 172.4 and 227.3 mg/g. These results demonstrate that low-cost indigenous materials have significance and applicability in water remediation applications.
Challenges Facing PICUs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in the Treatment of Emerging Multidrug-Resistant Organisms: a Review and Perspective from a South African PICU
Authors: Saggers Robin T. , Mothibi Lesego M. , Irwin Adam D. , Naidoo Kuban D.
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

Antimicrobial resistance continues to increase throughout the world, with the impact on critically ill children in low- and middle-income paediatric intensive care units largely unknown.

Recent Findings

There has been a global shift indicating a predominance of Gram-negative bacilli among multidrug-resistant isolates. A 4-year review (2019 to 2022) found a progressive and substantial increase in the incidence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (29% to 51%) alongside high levels of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (93%) within the paediatric intensive care unit at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in South Africa. The pharmacological treatment of these infections relies heavily on the continued use of carbapenems, often in combination with colistin.

The burden of antimicrobial resistance is disproportionately borne, particularly within sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The resource-constrained South African public healthcare system, already significantly burdened by both HIV and TB, continues to face several challenges in combating the growth in antimicrobial resistance. Limited access, largely driven by prohibitive costs, to sophisticated laboratory techniques and newer pharmacological agents, leaves the implementation of effective infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship programmes as the most pragmatic options to address the problem.
The Origin and Fate of Chondrocytes: Cell Plasticity in Physiological Setting
Authors: Chagin Andrei S. , Chu Tsz Long
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

Here, we discuss the origin of chondrocytes, their destiny, and their plasticity in relationship to bone growth, articulation, and formation of the trabeculae. We also consider these processes from a biological, clinical, and evolutionary perspective.

Recent Findings

Chondrocytes, which provide the template for the formation of most bones, are responsible for skeletal growth and articulation during postnatal life. In recent years our understanding of the fate of these cells has changed dramatically. Current evidence indicates a paradoxical situation during skeletogenesis, with some cells of mesenchymal condensation differentiating directly into osteoblasts, whereas others of the same kind give rise to highly similar osteoblasts via a complex process of differentiation involving several chondrocyte intermediates. The situation becomes even more paradoxical during postnatal growth when stem cells in the growth plate produce differentiated, functional progenies, which thereafter presumably dedifferentiate into another type of stem cell.

Such a remarkable transition from one cell type to another under postnatal physiological conditions provides a fascinating example of cellular plasticity that may have valuable clinical implications.
Women Migrant Returnees as Intermediaries: Exploring Empowerment and Agency of Migrant Women Returnees in the EU-MENA Region
Authors: Donato Stellamarina
Published: October 2023

This article investigates the experiences of women’s migrant returnees in the EU-MENA region. It aims to elucidate their navigation of the complexities associated with return and their contributions to the development and empowerment of local women, migrant women, and prospective returnees. It recognizes that women’s migration journeys entail a multitude of challenges, including gender-specific barriers, social norms, cultural expectations, and legal and institutional constraints. Nevertheless, it argues that women’s returns can serve as a transformative process that enhances opportunities for women’s empowerment and agency, particularly as intermediaries of women’s migration. By bridging the knowledge and resource gaps between the EU and MENA regions, these women have the potential to provide valuable insights that inform policies and practices related to migration, development, and gender equality. Additionally, analyzing the dynamics of empowerment and agency among women’s migrant returnees contributes to broader discussions on gender, migration, and social change. To achieve its objectives, this study employed qualitative research methods, including case studies, comparative analysis, and in-depth interviews. By prioritizing the voices and narratives of women’s migrant returnees, this study ensures a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of their experiences, aspirations, and contributions to the field of women’s migration.
Beyond behavior: the penitence congruity effect among children
Authors: Paruzel-Czachura Mariola , Domurat Artur
Published: October 2023

The penitence congruity effect observed in adults suggests that people may assess wrongdoers more leniently when they exhibit guilt and deontological beliefs. It means that judgments about one’s morality are influenced not only by their actions but also by their expressed moral emotions and beliefs. To determine whether children also exhibit this effect, we studied N = 250 children aged 10 and 11. We presented them with six vignettes: four depicting morally questionable actions (cheating on an exam, lying about homework, fighting with another student, stealing money found in a school hallway) and two displaying socially undesirable behaviors (attending school in pajamas, being late to school). Children also received information about the wrongdoer’s emotions (presence or absence of guilt) and beliefs (deontological stance or its absence) or were provided with no additional information on emotions or beliefs. Participants were then asked to assess a wrongdoer’s morality for each story. Our findings not only confirm the presence of the penitence congruity effect in children but also demonstrate its applicability to non-conventional behaviors. Specifically, when a wrongdoer expresses guilt and acknowledges wrongdoing, children are more lenient in their evaluations than in the control condition when no insights into the wrongdoer’s emotions or beliefs are provided. The results align with the person-centered theory, which posits that individuals assess overall character rather than isolated actions, considering all available information about the person in question. The findings hold potential applications, e.g., in moral education.
Displacement Calibration of Optical Tweezers With Gravitational Acceleration
Authors: Yang Jianyu , Li Nan , Zhu Xunmin , Chen Ming , Wu Mian , Chen Xingfan , Liu Cheng , Zhuang Jian , Hu Huizhu
Published: October 2023

In recent years, levitated particles of optical traps in vacuum have shown the enormous potential for precision sensor development and new physics exploration. However, the accuracy of the sensor is still hampered by the uncertainty of the calibration factor relating the detected signal to the absolute displacement of the trapped particle. In this paper, we suggest and experimentally demonstrate a novel calibration method for optical tweezers based on free-falling particles in vacuum, where the gravitational acceleration is introduced as an absolute reference. Our work provides a calibration protocol with a great certainty and traceability, which is significant in improving the accuracy of precision sensing based on levitated optomechanical systems.