bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New insights into the interplay between MALAT1 and miRNA-155 to unravel potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of Behçet’s disease
Authors: Sayed Noha H. , Shaker Olfat G. , Abd‑Elmawla Mai A. , Gamal Ahmed , Fathy Nevine
Published: January 2025

The current study was deployed to evaluate the role of metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) and miR-155, along with the inflammatory markers, TNFα and IL-6, and the adhesion molecule, cluster of differentiation 106 (CD106), in Behçet’s disease (BD) pathogenesis. The study also assessed MALAT1/miR-155 as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for BD. The current retrospective case–control study included 74 Egyptian BD patients and 50 age and sex-matched controls. Blood samples were collected, and then, serum samples were separated for further biochemical and molecular investigations. The gene expression of MALAT1 and miR-155 was measured using qRT-PCR, whereas the levels of TNFα, IL-6, and CD106 were estimated using ELISA technique. MALAT1 was significantly downregulated, whereas miR-155 was upregulated among BD patients, compared with control subjects. Levels of TNFα, IL-6, and CD106 were elevated in BD patients. Further downregulation in MALAT1 together with upregulation of miR-155 was observed in active BD patients, relative to the inactive group. Receiver-operating-characteristic analysis revealed that MALAT1 and miR-155 could discriminate BD patients from controls, on the one hand, and active from inactive BD patients, on the other hand. MALAT1 was negatively correlated with TNFα, IL-6, and CD106, while miR-155 was positively correlated with them. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated miR-155 as a significant independent predictor of BD susceptibility, and MALAT1 as an independent negative predictor of BD activity. For the first time, the current research enlightens the role of MALAT1 and miR-155 in BD pathogenesis via impacting IL-6/TNF-α/CD-106 signaling. As well, MALAT1 and miR-155 could be regarded as novel non-invasive biomarkers that may improve BD diagnosis and prognosis.

Key Points•MALAT1/miR-155 exerts potential role in Behçet’s disease.
•MALAT1/miR-155 are promising biomarkers for Behçet’s disease.
•MALAT1/miR-155 targets IL-6/TNF-α/CD-106 signaling.
Quantum computing inspired iterative refinement for semidefinite optimization
Authors: Mohammadisiahroudi Mohammadhossein , Augustino Brandon , Sampourmahani Pouya , Terlaky Tamás
Published: January 2025

Iterative Refinement (IR) is a classical computing technique for obtaining highly precise solutions to linear systems of equations, as well as linear optimization problems. In this paper, motivated by the limited precision of quantum solvers, we develop the first IR scheme for solving semidefinite optimization (SDO) problems and explore two major impacts of the proposed IR scheme. First, we prove that the proposed IR scheme exhibits quadratic convergence of the optimality gap without any assumption on problem characteristics. As an application of our results, we show that using IR with Quantum Interior Point Methods (QIPMs) leads to exponential improvements in the worst-case overall running time of QIPMs, compared to previous best-performing QIPMs. We also discuss how the proposed IR scheme can be used with classical inexact SDO solvers, such as classical inexact IPMs with conjugate gradient methods.
Lasting benefits of a web-based training in understanding informal arguments
Authors: Wertgen Andreas G. , Münchow Hannes , Richter Tobias , Tiffin-Richards Simon P.
Published: January 2025

Being able to comprehend informal arguments in scientific texts is important for scientific literacy in higher education. Successful intervention studies demonstrating that these skills can be trained in university students have not yet provided evidence that gains of explicit training can be maintained beyond immediate post-training assessment. In this study, we tested whether the gains in argument structure comprehension achieved using a self-directed, web-based training intervention could be maintained over several weeks as an indication of sustained improvement in scientific literacy. We also explored characteristics of students and their engagement with the training intervention that resulted in significant and sustained improvements of their argument structure comprehension skills. One hundred students took part in a voluntary supplement to their university courses, completing an online pretest, a 45-minute training session, a posttest (n = 88), and a follow-up test (n = 31). Training effects at posttest were compared with an active control group. The results suggest that the training group exhibited significant gains in argument structure comprehension. These gains were maintained across a four-week period. Students with low starting ability profited the most from the training and gains in argument comprehension were greatest for complex arguments. Training results were positively related to student motivation and this effect was fully mediated by their engagement with the training exercises. The results demonstrate that training gains can be maintained after immediate post-training assessment and suggest that training is particularly effective for low-performing students, for complex arguments, and when students are motivated and engage with the training exercises.
Towards transdisciplinary identification of suitable woody perennials for resilient agro-silvopastoral systems in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of West Africa
Authors: Roessler Regina , Cicek Harun , Cournac Laurent , Gnissien Moussa , Männle Julia , Koomson Eric , Founoune-Mboup Hassna , Coulibaly Kalifa , Diouf Abdoul Aziz , Sanon Hadja Oumou , Cadisch Georg , Graefe Sophie
Published: January 2025

Parkland systems in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of West Africa are commonly perceived as a resilient agroforestry practice well adapted to the semi-arid climatic conditions of the region. However, there exist several knowledge gaps regarding the interplay between the different components of this agro-silvopastoral land use system. A literature review with subsequent meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the effects of woody perennials on soil, crops and livestock, for which our study found very context-specific responses. A scoring of tree and shrub species indicated a general trend of trade-off between positive impact on crops and livestock vs. impact on soil organic carbon content. The study further confirmed that Faidherbia albida (Del.) Chev. is one of the most promising parkland species, but also revealed that there are no multipurpose single species that should be promoted exclusively. The focus should rather shift to species mixtures that satisfy multiple human and environmental needs. The study also pointed out that information on the nutritional properties of the majority of browse species is particularly limited. Transdisciplinary modelling is suggested as a tool to assess the complex interactions between the different components that shape this agro-silvopastoral system at different scales.
Automorphisms of large-type free-of-infinity Artin groups
Authors: Vaskou Nicolas
Published: January 2025

We compute explicitly the automorphism and outer automorphism group of all large-type free-of-infinity Artin groups. Our strategy involves reconstructing the associated Deligne complexes in a purely algebraic manner, i.e. in a way that is independent from the choice of standard generators for the groups.
Ruthenium-106 brachytherapy and central uveal melanoma
Authors: Grajewski Luise , Kneifel Christiane , Wösle Markus , Ciernik Ilja F. , Krause Lothar
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary ocular malignancy. The size and location of the tumor are decisive for brachytherapy with the β-emitting ruthenium-106 (Ru-106) plaque. The treatment of juxtapapillary and juxtafoveolar UM may be challenging because of the proximity or involvement of the macula and optic nerve and high recurrence rates.

Methods

Central UMs were defined as lesions up to 5 mm off the optic disc or fovea radius of 5 mm. Between January 2011 and July 2020, we treated 56 patients with Ru-106-brachytherapy. The clinical outcomes for recurrence, visual acuity, and radiation-related toxicity were assessed. The follow-up was 66 (6–136) months.

Results

Of the 56 patients (56 eyes), 8 (14%) suffered from local recurrence. Six relapsing UM in 19 (32%) patients were located close to the optic disc, and two patients had UM close to the macula (2/37, 5%) (p > 0.05). The overall eye-preservation rate was 89%. The pretreatment visual acuity (VA) was 0.45 and reduced to 0.26 after brachytherapy. Radiation retinopathy or optic neuropathy was detected in 7 (13%) patients and radiation maculopathy in 10 (17.9%). Six patients (11%) underwent enucleation for recurrence or radiation-induced ophthalmopathy.

Conclusion

Central UMs are challenging to treat. UMs should be categorized as lesions laterally or medially to the fovea because of different long-term control rates. Localization near the optic disc requires thoughtful management.
Thermoluminescence properties of Cr, Si, and Mg co-doped Al2O3 ceramics plates under X-ray irradiation
Authors: Shinsho Kiyomitsu , Sugioka Natsumi , Yamazaki Ayaka , Sasaki Ema , Okada Go , Chang Weishan , Mori Yutaro , Okubo Ayano , Negishi Toru , Koba Yusuke
Published: January 2025

The thermoluminescence (TL) properties and precise dose distribution measurement capabilities of Cr, Si, and Mg co-doped Al2O3 ceramics (Al2O3:Cr,Si,Mg) plates were investigated under X-ray irradiation. The co-doping of Si and Mg significantly enhanced the TL sensitivity, approximately doubling it compared to conventional Al2O3:Cr plates, due to the creation of new trapping levels. The TL dose response was proportional in the dose range of 0.5 to 5 Gy, and off-axis ratio (OAR) measurements confirmed the high spatial resolution and accuracy of the plates to reproduce the radiation distributions. This study is the first to evaluate TL plates of this size (200 × 200 mm2) that utilize Al2O3 as the host material, and demonstrate their significant potential for radiotherapy dosimetry systems. This significant contribution highlights the potential of Al2O3:Cr,Si,Mg ceramic plates to transform dosimetry systems for radiotherapy by providing a combination of high sensitivity, spatial resolution, and robustness. The results of this study lay the groundwork for the development and practical application of large-area TL imaging devices in medical dose verification.
Gaussian Process regression over discrete probability measures: on the non-stationarity relation between Euclidean and Wasserstein Squared Exponential Kernels
Authors: Candelieri Antonio , Ponti Andrea , Archetti Francesco
Published: January 2025

Gaussian Process regression is a kernel method successfully adopted in many real-life applications. Recently, there is a growing interest on extending this method to non-Euclidean input spaces, like the one considered in this paper, consisting of probability measures. Although a Positive Definite kernel can be defined by using a suitable distance—the Wasserstein distance— the common procedure for learning the Gaussian Process model can fail due to numerical issues, arising earlier and more frequently than in the case of an Euclidean input space and, as demonstrated, impossible to avoid by adding artificial noise (nugget effect) as usually done. This paper uncovers the main reason of these issues, that is a non-stationarity relation between the Wasserstein-based squared exponential kernel and its Euclidean counterpart. As a relevant result, we learn a Gaussian Process model by assuming the input space as Euclidean and then use an algebraic transformation, based on the uncovered relation, to transform it into a non-stationary and Wasserstein-based Gaussian Process model over probability measures. This algebraic transformation is simpler than log-exp maps used on data belonging to Riemannian manifolds and recently extended to consider the pseudo-Riemannian structure of an input space equipped with the Wasserstein distance.
Resub: resonant energy transfer in symmetric systems with vastly different eigenfrequencies
Authors: Shoshani Oriel
Published: January 2025

In light of a new dynamical interpretation and accompanying analysis, we consider symmetric systems in which energy transfers from a resonantly driven high-frequency mode to an undriven low-frequency mode. The behavior of interest stems from nonlinear modal interaction that results in a limit cycle oscillation of the low-frequency mode due to an effective negative nonlinear damping and a quasi-periodic response of the high-frequency mode. Unlike asymmetric systems, where there is a continuous and soft activation of the low-frequency mode due to a supercritical Hopf bifurcation, we show that in symmetric systems, the limit cycle oscillation of the low-frequency mode occurs on an isolated response curve (isola), which requires activation. Furthermore, the oscillation of the low-frequency mode starts already at the instability threshold with an amplitude that is orders of magnitude larger than the driven motion of the high-frequency mode. We provide insights into the underlying dynamics that cause the energy transfer and specify, for the first time, the explicit conditions under which the energy transfer occurs and its dynamical features.
Theorizing the functions and patterns of agency in the policymaking process
Authors: Capano Giliberto , Galanti Maria Tullia , Ingold Karin , Petridou Evangelia , Weible Christopher M.
Published: January 2025

Theories of the policy process understand the dynamics of policymaking as the result of the interaction of structural and agency variables. While these theories tend to conceptualize structural variables in a careful manner, agency (i.e. the actions of individual agents, like policy entrepreneurs, policy leaders, policy brokers, and policy experts) is left as a residual piece in the puzzle of the causality of change and stability. This treatment of agency leaves room for conceptual overlaps, analytical confusion and empirical shortcomings that can complicate the life of the empirical researcher and, most importantly, hinder the ability of theories of the policy process to fully address the drivers of variation in policy dynamics. Drawing on Merton’s concept of function, this article presents a novel theorization of agency in the policy process. We start from the assumption that agency functions are a necessary component through which policy dynamics evolve. We then theorise that agency can fulfil four main functions – steering, innovation, intermediation and intelligence – that need to be performed, by individual agents, in any policy process through four patterns of action – leadership, entrepreneurship, brokerage and knowledge accumulation – and we provide a roadmap for operationalising and measuring these concepts. We then demonstrate what can be achieved in terms of analytical clarity and potential theoretical leverage by applying this novel conceptualisation to two major policy process theories: the Multiple Streams Framework (MSF) and the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF).
The role of the Mediterranean diet in reducing the risk of cognitive impairement, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease: a meta-analysis
Authors: Fekete Mónika , Varga Péter , Ungvari Zoltan , Fekete János Tibor , Buda Annamaria , Szappanos Ágnes , Lehoczki Andrea , Mózes Noémi , Grosso Giuseppe , Godos Justyna , Menyhart Otilia , Munkácsy Gyöngyi , Tarantini Stefano , Yabluchanskiy Andriy , Ungvari Anna , Győrffy Balázs
Published: January 2025

Age-related cognitive impairment and dementia pose a significant global health, social, and economic challenge. While Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has historically been viewed as the leading cause of dementia, recent evidence reveals the considerable impact of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID), which now accounts for nearly half of all dementia cases. The Mediterranean diet—characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil—has been widely recognized for its cardiovascular benefits and may also reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. To investigate the protective effects of the Mediterranean diet on cognitive health, we conducted a systematic literature review using PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on studies published between 2000 and 2024. The studies included in the meta-nalysis examined the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the incidence of dementia and AD. We applied a random-effects model to calculate pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and assessed heterogeneity through I-square statistics. Forest plots, funnel plots, and Z-score plots were used to visualize study outcomes. Of the 324 full-text records reviewed, 23 studies met the inclusion criteria. The combined HR for cognitive impairment among those adhering to the Mediterranean diet was 0.82 (95% CI 0.75–0.89); for dementia, the HR was 0.89 (95% CI 0.83–0.95); and for AD, the HR was 0.70 (95% CI 0.60–0.82), indicating substantial protective effects. Significant heterogeneity was observed across studies, though Z-score plots suggested sufficient sample sizes to support reliable conclusions for each condition. In conclusion, this meta-analysis confirms that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with an 11–30% reduction in the risk of age-related cognitive disorders, including cognitive impairment, dementia, and AD. These findings underscore the Mediterranean diet’s potential as a central element in neuroprotective public health strategies to mitigate the global impact of cognitive decline and dementia and to promote healthier cognitive aging.
Ethnicity-specific patterns of epigenetic age acceleration in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Sharma-Oates Archana , Dunne Niall , Raza Karim , Padyukov Leonid , Rivera Natalie , van der Helm-van Mil Annette , Pratt Arthur G. , Duggal Niharika A. , Jones Simon W. , Lord Janet M.
Published: January 2025

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an age-related chronic inflammatory disease which may include accelerated biological ageing processes in its pathogenesis. To determine if increased biological age is associated with risk of RA and/or is present once disease is established. We used DNA methylation to compare biological age (epigenetic age) of immune cells in adults at risk of RA and those with confirmed RA, including twins discordant for RA. The established RA studies were secondary analyses of existing DNA methylation data. Sub-group analysis considered the influence of ethnicity. Four epigenetic clocks were used to determine DNA methylation age. DNA methylation age was no different in adults at risk of RA in the Leiden Clinically Suspect Arthralgia (CSA) cohort (n = 38 developed RA, n = 24 did not), and there was also no difference in DNA methylation age between 77 UK twins discordant for RA, or adults with established RA from the Swedish EIRA cohort (n = 342) compared to healthy controls (n = 328). A sub-group analysis of RA patients of South Asian ethnicity (10 RA patients, 14 healthy controls) showed DNA methylation age acceleration of 3.3 years (p = 0.00014) using the mean DNA methylation age of four epigenetic clocks. Our study suggests that epigenetic age acceleration may be differentially influenced by South Asian ethnicity, but that RA was not generally associated with accelerated epigenetic age. The higher epigenetic age in the South Asian patients may explain the earlier age of onset in this minority ethnic population.
Impact of backpack load during walking: an EMG and biomechanical analysis
Authors: Matur Fırat , Alnamroush Fatma , Büyüksaraç Bora
Published: January 2025

This study aims to understand the impact of backpack carriage, a regular activity for many, on back muscles and joint mobility during walking so that clinicians can develop strategies or products to ensure individuals’ safety and well-being. Surface electromyography (EMG) and XSENS Awinda motion capture systems were used to analyze the effects of carrying a backpack (12% of body weight) on erector spinae and multifidus muscles, as well as spinal, hip, knee, and ankle joints. Subjects walked at 4 km/h on flat and inclined surfaces. Paired t-tests compared backpack loads to baseline measurements. Carrying a backpack reduced activation levels in erector spinae and multifidus muscles and restricted spinal joint range of motion (axial and lateral bending,

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). Hip joint rotation increased (

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). Moderate to strong correlations were observed between muscle activity and spinal joint ROM, notably with left erector spinae and L5-S1 lateral bending (

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). Backpack carriage decreases back muscle activation and alters the joint range of motion. Asymmetric correlations show that the subjects adapt muscle activity and gait patterns asymmetrically to manage external loads.

Graphical abstract
Generation of high-resolution MPRAGE-like images from 3D head MRI localizer (AutoAlign Head) images using a deep learning-based model
Authors: Tagawa Hiroshi , Fushimi Yasutaka , Fujimoto Koji , Nakajima Satoshi , Okuchi Sachi , Sakata Akihiko , Otani Sayo , Wicaksono Krishna Pandu , Wang Yang , Ikeda Satoshi , Ito Shuichi , Umehana Masaki , Shimotake Akihiro , Kuzuya Akira , Nakamoto Yuji
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo (MPRAGE) is a useful three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted sequence, but is not a priority in routine brain examinations. We hypothesized that converting 3D MRI localizer (AutoAlign Head) images to MPRAGE-like images with deep learning (DL) would be beneficial for diagnosing and researching dementia and neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to establish and evaluate a DL-based model for generating MPRAGE-like images from MRI localizers.

Materials and methods

Brain MRI examinations including MPRAGE taken at a single institution for investigation of mild cognitive impairment, dementia and epilepsy between January 2020 and December 2022 were included retrospectively. Images taken in 2020 or 2021 were assigned to training and validation datasets, and images from 2022 were used for the test dataset. Using the training and validation set, we determined one model using visual evaluation by radiologists with reference to image quality metrics of peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index measure (SSIM), and Learned Perceptual Image Patch Similarity (LPIPS). The test dataset was evaluated by visual assessment and quality metrics. Voxel-based morphometric analysis was also performed, and we evaluated Dice score and volume differences between generated and original images of major structures were calculated as absolute symmetrized percent change.

Results

Training, validation, and test datasets comprised 340 patients (mean age, 56.1 ± 24.4 years; 195 women), 36 patients (67.3 ± 18.3 years, 20 women), and 193 patients (59.5 ± 24.4 years; 111 women), respectively. The test dataset showed: PSNR, 35.4 ± 4.91; SSIM, 0.871 ± 0.058; and LPIPS 0.045 ± 0.017. No overfitting was observed. Dice scores for the segmentation of main structures ranged from 0.788 (left amygdala) to 0.926 (left ventricle). Quadratic weighted Cohen kappa values of visual score for medial temporal lobe between original and generated images were 0.80–0.88.

Conclusion

Images generated using our DL-based model can be used for post-processing and visual evaluation of medial temporal lobe atrophy.
Farming the sun: the political economy of agrivoltaics in the European Union
Authors: Vezzoni Rubén
Published: January 2025

What kind of agricultural practices do agrivoltaic systems incentivise? Under what circumstances can they deliver the promised benefits, and who is likely to bear the costs? Presented as a win–win solution for developing solar energy while enhancing farmland productivity, agrivoltaics offer several advantages—including decentralised electrification, improved crop yield, and thus increased farmers’ income. Compared to traditional utility-scale solar, however, agrivoltaics generally entail higher installation costs and material requirements, lower energy generation, and thus increased cost of electricity production. Drawing on William Kapp’s theory of social costs and ecological political economy, this article examines agrivoltaics developments within the latest EU-level policy initiatives on energy, agriculture, and climate change. Despite room for optimism regarding the comparative advantages of agrivoltaics, the findings reconcile these benefits with multiple trade-offs inherent in alleged ‘win–win’ solutions. Addressing the dual objectives of energy and agricultural transitions, the uncritical deployment of agrivoltaics risks perpetuating the prevailing ‘cheaper food paradigm’, characterised by capital and energy-intensive agricultural techniques, trade globalisation, wage compression, and the displacement and/or deferral of environmental harm. Additionally, rent-seeking behaviour among landowners leasing to energy developers could inflate agricultural land prices, thus exacerbating land ownership intensification and the financialisation of European farmland. This article concludes by advancing a few avenues to reinvest the rental income of agrivoltaics to facilitate the transition to agroecological farming practices.
“The Brain is…”: A Survey of the Brain’s Many Definitions
Authors: Bolt Taylor , Uddin Lucina Q.
Published: January 2025

A reader of the peer-reviewed neuroscience literature will often encounter expressions like the following: ‘the brain is a dynamic system’, ‘the brain is a complex network’, or ‘the brain is a highly metabolic organ’. These expressions attempt to define the essential functions and properties of the mammalian or human brain in a simple phrase or sentence, sometimes using metaphors or analogies. We sought to survey the most common phrases of the form ‘the brain is…’ in the biomedical literature to provide insights into current conceptualizations of the brain. Utilizing text analytic tools applied to a large sample (> 4 million) of peer-reviewed full-text articles and abstracts, we extracted several thousand phrases of the form ‘the brain is…’ and identified over a dozen frequently appearing phrases. The most used phrases included metaphors (e.g., the brain as a ‘information processor’ or ‘prediction machine’) and descriptions of essential functions (e.g., ‘a central organ of stress adaptation’) or properties (e.g., ‘a highly vascularized organ’). Comparison of these phrases with those involving other bodily organs (e.g. the heart, liver, etc.) highlighted common phrases between the brain and other organs, such as the heart as a ‘complex, dynamic system’. However, the brain was unique among organs in the number and diversity of analogies ascribed to it. The results of our analysis underscore the diversity of qualities and functions attributed to the brain in the biomedical literature and suggest a range of conceptualizations that defy unification.
From Craftsman to Vocational Teacher: A Narrative Study of Tacit Knowledge and the Nexus between Complex Cultures
Authors: Lensjø Marit
Published: January 2025

This narrative study followed 11 vocational teachers in the Building and Construction program and examined factors that influenced their transition from the construction site to upper secondary school. The recruitment path for most technical vocational teachers means moving directly from the construction site to the school, where they begin work as substitute teachers. The study shed light on three important transition phases. First, the study highlights the significance of craftsmen’s intangible, embodied knowledge and how the cultural building heritage creates a professional community that the craftsmen strongly identify with. Second, the participants experienced the transition from being skilled workers to vocational teachers as intense and transformative. Without any teacher training or support from school management, they were suddenly expected to take on class leadership responsibilities and teach vocational subjects, often in classes with major behavioral challenges. Third, the participants managed gradually to establish a feeling of safety and an effective class environment. The experience of successfully gaining the trust of young students and helping them begin their vocational education revealed a new and meaningful dimension to the teaching role, inspiring them to remain in the school system and pursue a career as a vocational teacher.
Efficient uniformly convergent numerical methods for singularly perturbed parabolic reaction–diffusion systems with discontinuous source term
Authors: Jaiswal Aishwarya , Kumar Sunil , Ramos Higinio
Published: January 2025

This article is concerned with the construction and analysis of efficient uniformly convergent methods for a class of parabolic systems of coupled singularly perturbed reaction–diffusion problems with discontinuous source term. Due to the discontinuity in the source term, the solution to this problem exhibits interior layers along with boundary layers, which are overlapping and interacting in nature. To achieve an efficient numerical solution for the coupled system under consideration, at interior points (excluding the interface point) we employ a special finite difference scheme in time (where the components of the approximate solution are decoupled at each time level) and the central difference scheme in space; for mesh points on the interface, a special finite difference scheme decoupling the components of the approximate solution is developed. A rigorous error analysis is provided, establishing the method’s uniform convergence. In terms of computational cost, our numerical methods are more efficient than existing approaches for solving this class of problems. Finally, we provide numerical results to substantiate the theory and showcase the efficiency of our methods.
Local treatment strategies in oligometastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Kupferthaler Alexander
Published: January 2025

Management of oligometastatic disease in colorectal cancer is increasingly focused on local treatment strategies that can significantly enhance survival outcomes. The integration of surgical resection, thermal ablation and catheter-directed therapies, as well as ablative radiotherapy, and the combination with systemic therapy are critical components of a multidisciplinary approach to optimize patient care. The purpose of this manuscript is to review current definitions of oligometastatic cancer and summarize the current literature describing treatment and outcomes of local therapy in patients with oligometastatic colorectal cancer.
Synthetic satellite telemetry data for machine learning
Authors: Schefels Clemens , Schlag Leonard , Helmsauer Kathrin
Published: January 2025

For many machine learning tasks, labeled data are crucial. Even though there are methods that can be trained with data with only few labels, most of the tasks require many labels. In satellite operations, a huge amount of data are generated by the telemetry parameters of a satellite that keep track of its status. Modern satellites collect telemetry data of thousands of parameters. For example, the GRACE Follow-On satellites, operated by the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), define about 80,000 unique housekeeping parameters each. However, all these telemetry data lack a complete/holistic set of labels. These data are usually unpredictable, hard to reproduce, and very diverse. As a consequence, expert knowledge is necessary to label these data, e.g., with anomalies. Moreover, labeling data by hand can be very time-consuming and, therefore, expensive. To overcome these obstacles, we implemented a synthetic satellite telemetry data library that is able to (a) generate a large variety of telemetry-like data, (b) add a plethora of well-defined anomalies to these data, and (c) deliver the labels for these injected anomalies. With these data, we are now able to train, validate, and test our machine learning models. Furthermore, we can compare different models with reproducible data. Since satellite telemetry data are often strictly confidential, we can share these synthetic data easily with our research partners.
A Study on the Effects of Welding Parameters on Weld Bead Geometry in TIG Welding Process of Zircaloy Fuel Pins Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Das Shibashankar , AnanthaKrishna K. V. , Rajkumar J. V. , Kumar Binay , Arora Umesh Kumar , Tewari Raghvendra
Published: January 2025

This paper investigates influences of welding parameters on weld bead geometry in the tungsten inert gas welding process of Zircaloy-2. Initially, a “Definitive screening design” was employed for identifying the key factors affecting weld bead geometry. Subsequently, response surface methodology was utilized to generate an experimental matrix, and experiments were conducted to analyze the effects of each welding parameter on weld bead geometry. Mathematical models were developed using analysis of variance for two-weld bead geometrical parameters, and their validity was assessed by comparing experimentally obtained values with those predicted by the model. Finally, a dimensionless parameter, the aspect ratio, indicative of the weld quality, was optimized.
Clinical genetic services in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy: current activity and open issues: a mixed-method study
Authors: Godino Lea , Ambrosini Enrico , Barili Valeria , Graziano Claudio , Garavelli Livia , Calabrese Olga , Neri Marcella , Sangiorgi Luca , Bertonazzi Benedetta , Innella Giovanni , Turchetti Daniela , Percesepe Antonio
Published: January 2025

In 2002, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, a comprehensive strategic plan was developed with the aim of improving the integration and efficiency of the genetic services. Two decades later, this report aims to explore the current functioning of the regional network, with special focus on clinical genetics in the evolving scenarios. To this aim, we analyzed the activity data of the medical genetics services in the region, to identify and possibly improve currently open issues. This is a mixed-method study, analyzing quantitatively and qualitatively the activities of seven medical genetics services in Emilia-Romagna region. Quantitative analysis considered the number of consultations and the composition of the staff in the year 2021. Qualitative analysis examined a focus group of directors of the services through reflexive thematic analysis. A total of 14,925 counseling sessions have been delivered by the medical genetics services, staffed with 22.4 full-time equivalent clinical geneticists. A physician performed an average of 14.5 consultations per week and approximately 1166 h of patient care per year. The clinical geneticists/inhabitants ratio was 0.54 per 100,000 inhabitants, and it is estimated that one every 278 inhabitants, on average, underwent a genetic counseling session in 2021. Qualitative analysis highlighted issues concerning patients’ access to service, general organization and staff composition. In order to meet the growing demand for genetic counseling services, expansion of the workforce and adjustment of current practice models are required to increase the access to genetic services and the application of test results to clinical management.
Is corn still king? Unravelling time-varying interactions among soft commodities
Authors: Sayed Ayesha , Auret Christo
Published: January 2025

This paper explores correlation dynamics among agricultural commodities, crucial for risk mitigation and portfolio management, particularly within volatile soft commodities. Previous studies have found a significant increase in correlations among soft commodities, with corn found to exhibit the largest correlation with other commodities Recently, soft commodities have experienced both increasing price volatility and increasing liquidity. This paper examines twelve commodities from January 2013 to September 2023 using a dynamic connectedness framework. The results confirm agricultural commodity market integration as a high level of interconnectedness is found. Soybeans, canola and corn are found, on average, to be the net transmitters of volatility in the network, with corn being the only commodity to remain a net transmitter with positive net directional connectedness values for the full sample period. The influencing role of corn on soft commodity price volatility is therefore confirmed. Coffee and wheat are also found to be net transmitters of volatility. Significantly, the paper underscores the growing influence of edible oils like canola, palm oil and soybean oil in network analyses, a contribution yet to be documented. Given the diverse industrial and cross-sector applications of these commodities as raw materials, these findings have important implications for various stakeholders across agribusinesses, as well as for both hedgers and speculators active in commodity futures markets.
A Constructive Critique: Advancing Positive Psychology with Equity and Justice
Authors: Villalobos Jennifer P. , Cabrera Victoria
Published: January 2025

This paper reflects on the evolution of Positive Psychology (PP) during the last 25 years, emphasizing its growth, influence, and widespread application in diverse contexts. Despite substantial growth and a proliferation of scholarship, PP faces criticism for not dedicating enough self-examination to how the field might unknowingly perpetuate some of the societal injustices it purports to help undo. While interventions rooted in positive principles have demonstrated efficacy in various settings, the field must be more intentional in evaluating their alignment with inclusive and equitable standards to educate, cultivate, and serve more diverse populations. Social Justice refers to the fair division of resources, opportunities, and privileges in society. Given the global awakening to systemic oppression throughout Western societies, the paper argues that PP practitioners must actively engage with social justice theories and race scholarship to address systemic inequities in the spaces in which we operate. The critique highlights several issues that limit PP’s accessibility and inclusivity for practitioners and recipients, including reliance on practice models incongruent with transformative social change, challenges with not incorporating systemic inequities into practice frameworks, and reluctance to challenge existing structures that perpetuate oppression. Embracing PP’s growth mindset concept, the authors propose solutions and strategies that underscore a need for strategic alignment with espoused values to effect genuine transformation within the PP field.
Machine learning-driven power prediction in continuous extrusion of pure titanium for enhanced structural resilience under extreme loading
Authors: Abdulameer Ahmed Ghazi , Mrah Muhannad M. , Bazerkan Maryam , Al-Haddad Luttfi A. , Al-Karkhi Mustafa I.
Published: January 2025

The increasing demand for advanced materials capable of withstanding extreme loading conditions, such as those encountered during impact or blast events, underscores the need for innovative approaches in material processing. This study focuses on leveraging machine learning (ML) to enhance predictive accuracy in the continuous extrusion of CP-Titanium Grade 2, a material vital for structural resilience in critical applications. Specifically, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model optimized using Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) was introduced to forecast power requirements with high precision. The analysis utilized a published dataset that comprises theoretical, numerical, and experimental power calculations as a robust foundation for validation and comparison. A visualization highlighted the influence of process parameters, such as feedstock temperature and extrusion wheel velocity, on structural performance to align with the thematic focus of resilient material design. The ANN-SGD model achieved an RMSE of 0.9954 and a CVRMSE of 11.53% which demonstrated significant improvements in prediction accuracy compared to traditional approaches. By achieving superior alignment with experimental results, the model validated its efficacy as a reliable and efficient tool for understanding and optimizing complex manufacturing processes. This research emphasizes the potential of ML to revolutionize material processing for extreme conditions and contribute to the broader goals of structural resilience and sustainable manufacturing.
Elephants and Ivory in China and Spain
Authors: Beusterien John , West Stephen
Published: January 2025

The Element provides a global history of ivory and elephants, acknowledging the individuality and dignity of the elephants that provided that ivory. Sections on China include the first translations of texts about the cultural importance of elephants and ivory in the Song Dynasty (960–1279) and an examination of an ivory stave (huban 笏板), crafted from an Asian elephant tusk (Elephas maximus), carried by officials in court and other formal rituals. Sections on Spain examine the value of ivory during the reign of King Alfonso X of Castille (1221–1284) and the Virxe Abrideira (ca. 1260–1275), an ivory Virgin and Child statuette owned by Queen Violante of Aragon (1236–1301), crafted from an African elephant tusk (Loxodonta africana). The Element concludes by offering a pedagogy from a comparative literature perspective about Sunjata (c.1226), an epic from the Mali empire in West Africa, an important source for thirteenth-century global ivory markets.
The Neoliberalisation of Heritage in Africa
Authors: King Rachel
Published: January 2025

The landscape of heritage on the African continent is the product of neoliberal economic and social interventions from the 1980s–2000s: the prevalence and influence of heritage NGOs; aid for cultural programmes contingent on government reforms; the use of national heritage policies and projects to signal ready capital; experiments in custodianship and private enterprise that balance conservation with consumerism; and so on. This Element synthesises literature from anthropology, archaeology, history, and geography to describe a significant period of heritage policy and discourse on the African continent – its historical situation, on-the-ground realities, and continuing legacies in the era of sustainable development and climate crises.
Interplay of Magnetic Reconnection and Current Sheet Kink Instability in the Earth's Magnetotail
Authors: Cozzani G. , Alho M. , Zaitsev I. , Zhou H. , Hoilijoki S. , Turc L. , Grandin M. , Horaites K. , Battarbee M. , Pfau‐Kempf Y. , Ganse U. , Papadakis K. , Palmroth M.
Published: January 2025

Magnetic reconnection and current sheet kink instability often develop concurrently in current sheets, yet their dynamic interplay remains unclear. We investigate their interaction in the magnetotail of a 3D global magnetospheric hybrid‐Vlasov simulation. We identify the instability growth and saturation phase and estimate the evolution of the reconnection rate during the same interval. Our findings indicate that the reconnection rate decreases during the instability growth phase, especially at locations where the current sheet undergoes significant perturbations. These results highlight the intricate three‐dimensional relationship between reconnection and kink instabilities, suggesting that the kink instability plays a significant role in modulating the reconnection rate.
Tidal Modulation of the Fraser River Plume
Authors: Li Shumin , Pawlowicz Rich
Published: January 2025

Properties of the Fraser River plume in the Strait of Georgia, BC, are significantly influenced by the tide. However, the dynamics and magnitude of this tidal influence on the plume area are not known. Here, we use 17 years of daily satellite observations of suspended particulate matter to understand the tidal variability of the plume area. A consistent inverse relationship between the Fraser River plume area and the tidal elevation with a phase lag of 1–2 hr is revealed from two independent analyses: one by correcting for temporal aliasing and extracting tidal signal from the whole image set and the other using only same‐day image pairs. The plume area increases/decreases by about 20% after ebb/flood tides, and a lower river discharge typically leads to a more dramatic tidal variation in the plume area. A simple analytical model based on the volume conservation and salinity balance equations is developed to analyze the mechanism of the tidal variability in the plume size. The observed tidal patterns of the plume area are largely reproduced using tidally modulated plume salinity (observed from instrumented ferries) and river discharge (from numerical model outputs). Tidal flux in both river discharge and entrainment rate is found to be important in explaining plume area variability.
Projections of Heavy Precipitation Characteristics Over the Greater Alpine Region Using a Kilometer–Scale Climate Model Ensemble
Authors: Estermann Rebekka , Rajczak Jan , Velasquez Patricio , Lorenz Ruth , Schär Christoph
Published: January 2025

This study presents a detailed analysis of the CORDEX‐FPS multi‐model ensemble of convection‐permitting climate simulations over the greater Alpine region. These simulations cover 10‐year time slices and were obtained by downscaling global climate model (GCM) projections, using regional climate models (RCMs) and kilometer‐scale convection‐permitting models (CPMs). Our analysis over the Alpine area agrees with previous studies in terms of projected summer precipitation changes for the end of the century, in particular regarding a decrease in mean precipitation and increases in hourly precipitation intensities. In addition, we assess projected changes over different subregions, provide analyses at monthly and seasonal basis for temporal aggregations ranging from 1 hr to 5 days, address different extreme precipitation indices, and present validation against an Alpine‐scale daily precipitation data set and an hourly precipitation product based on 3 Doppler radars. The evaluation reveals that CPMs show a refinement of spatial patterns, reduce the overestimation of precipitation frequency, and better capture intense precipitation characteristics. The improvements are especially apparent on the sub‐daily scale and in the summer season. Convection‐Permitting Model climate projections show an increase in precipitation intensity for all seasons and across all temporal aggregations in all regions, except for the Mediterranean in summer. The projections from different CPMs qualitatively agree, despite significant differences in the GCMs circulation changes, suggesting that the increase in heavy events is primarily due to thermodynamic effects. We also present a hypothesis explaining why projections of relative changes in hourly precipitation percentiles are similar between CPMs and RCMs, despite large biases in RCMs.