bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dairy and Headaches: What is the Connection?
Authors: Ceren Akgör Merve , Ekizoğlu Esme , Özge Aynur
Published: July 2024

Purpose of Reviews

Headaches represent a prevalent and burdensome health condition, affecting individuals of all ages worldwide. While dietary factors have been implicated in headache pathophysiology, the association between dairy consumption and headaches remains controversial and inadequately understood. This comprehensive review systematically examines the existing literature to elucidate the relationship between dairy intake and headaches, addressing methodological challenges, potential biases, and gaps in the current knowledge.

Recent Findings

A thorough search of electronic databases identified relevant observational studies, clinical trials, and mechanistic investigations exploring the impact of dairy consumption on headache incidence, frequency, severity, and duration. Methodological considerations, including study design, measurement of exposure and outcome variables, confounding factors, and sources of bias, were critically evaluated to assess the strength of evidence and validity of findings. Despite heterogeneity across studies, emerging evidence suggests a complex and multifaceted relationship between dairy intake and headaches, influenced by individual characteristics, dietary patterns, headache subtype, and study context. While some studies report a positive association between dairy consumption and headaches, others indicate no significant effect or potential therapeutic benefits of dairy restriction. Mechanistic insights suggest plausible biological mechanisms, including neuroinflammatory pathways, neurotransmitter modulation, vascular effects, and gut-brain interactions, which may mediate the observed associations.

Future research directions encompass longitudinal studies, mechanistic investigations, stratified analyses, randomized controlled trials, and exploration of the gut microbiota to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms and inform evidence-based dietary recommendations for headache management. This integrative review underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and personalized approaches to address the complex interplay between diet, headaches, and overall health.
Electrical vagus nerve stimulation is a promising approach to reducing pulmonary complications after an esophagectomy: an experimental rodent model
Authors: Janssen Henricus J. B. , Geraedts Tessa C. M. , Fransen Laura F. C. , van Ark Ingrid , Leusink-Muis Thea , Folkerts Gert , Garssen Johan , Ruurda Jelle P. , Nieuwenhuijzen Grard A. P. , van Hillegersberg Richard , Luyer Misha D. P.
Published: July 2024

After esophagectomy, an imbalanced inflammatory response increases the risk of postoperative morbidity. The vagus nerve modulates local and systemic inflammatory responses, but its pulmonary branches are transected during esophagectomy as part of the oncological resection, which may account for the high incidence of postoperative (pulmonary) complications. This study investigated the effect of electrical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury in rats. Rats (n = 60) were randomly assigned to a non-vagotomy or cervical vagotomy group, with VNS or without (NOSTIM). There were four non-vagotomy groups: NOSTIM and bilateral VNS with 100, 50, or 10 µA. The four vagotomy groups were NOSTIM and VNS with fixed amplitude (50 µA) bilaterally before (VNS-50-before) or after bilateral vagotomy (VNS-50-after), or unilaterally (left) before ipsilateral vagotomy (VNS-50-unilaterally). LPS was administered intratracheally after surgery. Pulmonary function, pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum, broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and histopathological lung injury (LIS) were assessed 180 min post-procedure. In non-vagotomized rats, neutrophil influx in BALF following intra-tracheal LPS (mean 30 [± 23]; P = 0.075) and LIS (mean 0.342 [± 0.067]; P = 0.142) were similar after VNS-100, compared with NOSTIM. VNS-50 reduced neutrophil influx (23 [± 19]; P = 0.024) and LIS (0.316 [± 0.093]; P = 0.043). VNS-10 reduced neutrophil influx (15 [± 6]; P = 0.009), while LIS (0.331 [± 0.053]; P = 0.088) was similar. In vagotomized rats, neutrophil influx (52 [± 37]; P = 0.818) and LIS (0.407 [SD ± 0.037]; P = 0.895) in VNS-50-before were similar compared with NOSTIM, as well as in VNS-50-after (neutrophils 30 [± 26]; P = 0.090 and LIS 0.344 [± 0.053]; P = 0.073). In contrast, VNS-50-unilaterally reduced neutrophil influx (26 [± 10]; P = 0.050) and LIS (0.296 [± 0.065]; P = 0.005). Systemic levels of cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 were undetectable in all groups. Pulmonary function was not statistically significantly affected. In conclusion, VNS limited influx of neutrophils in lungs in non-vagotomized rats and may attenuate LIS. Unilateral VNS attenuated lung injury even after ipsilateral vagotomy. This effect was absent for bilateral VNS before and after bilateral vagotomy. It is suggested that the effect of VNS is dependent on (partially) intact vagus nerves and that the level of the vagotomy during esophagectomy may influence postoperative pulmonary outcomes.
Regulating to Exclude or to Enable: Institution Building and Transnational Standard Adoption in Mexican Food Safety
Authors: McDermott Gerald A. , Ruiz Belem Avendaño
Published: July 2024

A key challenge for integrating new transnational regulations into a semi-periphery country is creating institutional capacities for effective dissemination and monitoring of the standards and for upgrading a broad base of firms to implement and benefit from them. Instilled by NAFTA, Mexico embraced transnational food value chains, yet the results were rather mixed, as the vast majority of producers cannot implement new standards and participate. New rules and practices are not adopted on a tabula rasa but layered on prior socio-political institutions that are raw materials for new collaboration and blockage. We argue that improvements in both regulatory institutions and firm capabilities are driven by the creation of public–private learning communities, which in turn are shaped by prior institutional legacies at the public–private divide. The ability of producers to undertake organizational experiments with one another and key public actors is greatly constrained by the legacies of corporatism. Refashioned producer associations could initiate with certain local public institutions regulatory and technological upgrading for a limited number of firms, which became gatekeepers for certification.
Structure and Properties of Thermally Stabilized and Ecologically Friendly Organic Cotton Fibers as a New Activated Carbon Fiber Precursor
Authors: Hariri Hiba , Tunçel Kemal Şahin , Karacan Ismail
Published: July 2024

Organic cotton precursor yarn was impregnated in an aqueous solution consisting of diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP), boric acid (BA), and urea (U) mixtures before the thermal stabilization stage and then subjected to heat treatments in an air environment at 245 °C. The effect of chemical pretreatment on organic cotton yarn was examined using methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The XRD analysis revealed a gradual decrease in the crystalline structure, attributed to the disruption of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. DSC and TGA measurements showed an improved thermal stability due to the formation of pre-graphitic structures with aromatic entities at higher temperatures. For samples chemically impregnated and then stabilized, the char yield values increased from 25% to 68% at 500 °C and 23% to 53% at 1000 °C. Analysis of IR spectra indicated a gradual reduction in both intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds associated with dehydration and dehydrogenation reactions. The IR spectra also confirmed a decrease in crystallinity with increasing oxidation time, which is consistent with the findings from X-ray diffraction. In addition, the IR spectra showed the presence of C = C bonds, indicating the formation of a crosslinked ladder-like structure. The results showed that DAP-BA-U integration increased the thermal stability of organic cotton fibers and the obtained samples were ready for the next stage, carbonization.

Graphical Abstract
Pottery use across the Neolithic transition in northern Belgium: evidence from isotopic, molecular and microscopic analysis
Authors: Teetaert Dimitri , Vannoorenberghe Marieke , Van de Velde Thomas , Boudin Mathieu , Bodé Samuel , Kubiak-Martens Lucy , Baert Mathijs , Lynen Frederic , Crombé Philippe , Boeckx Pascal
Published: July 2024

This study represents the first extensive residue analysis of prehistoric pottery from northern Belgium. It examines pottery use and culinary practices across the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition, from the late 6th to the early 4th millennium cal BC. Residue analyses were performed on more than 200 samples from nine archaeological sites, representing different cultural groups from this transitional phase. This includes the analysis of charred food residues encrusted on the vessel surfaces by elemental analysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), stereomicroscopic analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), as well as the analysis of absorbed lipids by gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS). This study provides the first evidence of ruminant dairy fats in Early Neolithic Limburg pottery, supporting the hypothesis that this pottery was produced and used by LBK farmers rather than hunter-gatherer populations. The first indigenous pottery of the Swifterbant culture was frequently used to process freshwater fish (often together with plant foods) and ruminant meat, although several of the studied vessels likely contained mixtures of resources which could also include porcine products. Ruminant dairy is nearly absent from this pottery. Similar results were obtained for pottery of the subsequent Michelsberg culture/Group of Spiere of the late 5th and early 4th millennium cal BC. The limited presence of ruminant dairy fats in this pottery contrasts with the findings for Middle Neolithic pottery from neighbouring regions, providing further evidence for the existence of regional variations in pottery use or culinary practices throughout prehistoric NW Europe. However, our current view of pottery use during the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in northern Belgium might be biased by the difficulties in distinguishing between wild and domesticated ruminant adipose fats as well as in detecting plant foods through lipid residue analysis.
Qualification of the attitude control system of the E-band CubeSat EIVE
Authors: Eggert M. , Bötsch-Zavřel L. , Fugmann M. , Holeczek C. , Koller M. T. , Kranz M. , Lengowski M. , Löffler T. , Loidold L.-M. , Maier P. , Meier J. , Mohr U. , Müller R. , Schweigert R. , Starzmann D. , Steinert M. , Zietz M. , Schoch B. , Haußmann S. , Tessmann A. , Freese J. , Klinkner S.
Published: July 2024

The 6U CubeSat EIVE was developed for the verification of an E-band link from space to ground. Establishing such a link presents challenging requirements for the development of an attitude control system of a CubeSat. To verify the functionality of its components, both the sensors and actuators, a number of tests were conducted prior to launch. These ranged from simple functionality tests to performance tests and were accompanied by calibration campaigns. Qualification of the attitude control algorithms proved to be a challenge, as a fitting simulator setup was not available. Therefore, limited tests comparing the onboard software code to MatLab algorithms were used. This paper presents the types of tests conducted during the qualification campaign and their significance. On-ground behavior is compared to in-orbit telemetry. The issues detected during ground tests as well as the issues achieving significant results from the tests are discussed and compared to the problems detected during launch and early orbit phase. These comparisons illustrate the shortcomings of some of the tests executed and improvements for the validity of some tests are presented.
X-ray Diffraction Analysis of Creep-deformed Nitrogen-added 316LN Stainless Steels
Authors: Murugesan S. , Mythili R. , Reddy G. V. Prasad , Ganesan V. , Thirumurugesan R. , Dasgupta Arup
Published: July 2024

X-ray diffraction detailed analysis of nitrogen-added austenitic 316LN stainless steels with different nitrogen concentrations (0.07, 0.11, 0.14, 0.22 wt.%) was carried out in creep-tested (at 923 K, 200 MPa) and solution-annealed conditions. The effect of nitrogen on lattice parameter was studied before and after creep testing. Size and strain were estimated through Williamson–Hall analysis. High nitrogen-added 316LNSS showed lower dislocation density. Increase in creep rupture lifetime with nitrogen content correlated well with the lattice parameter, crystallite size, and strain.
Apoptotic signaling pathways in bone metastatic lung cancer: a comprehensive analysis
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zheng Yi , Zhang Jiakai , Xu Chaoyang , Wu Junlong
Published: July 2024

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of apoptotic signaling pathways in the context of bone metastatic lung cancer, emphasizing the intricate molecular mechanisms and microenvironmental influences. Beginning with an overview of apoptosis in cancer, the paper explores the specific molecular characteristics of bone metastatic lung cancer, highlighting alterations in apoptotic pathways. Focused discussions delve into key apoptotic signaling pathways, including the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, and the roles of critical molecular players such as Bcl-2 family proteins and caspases. Microenvironmental factors, such as the tumor microenvironment, extracellular matrix interactions, and immune cell involvement, are examined in depth. The review also addresses experimental approaches and techniques employed in studying apoptotic signaling, paving the way for a discussion on current therapeutic strategies, their limitations, and future prospects. This synthesis contributes a holistic understanding of apoptosis in bone metastatic lung cancer, offering insights for potential therapeutic advancements.
An agent-based model of cross-platform information diffusion and moderation
Authors: Murdock Isabel , Carley Kathleen M. , Yağan Osman
Published: July 2024

Social media platforms are highly interconnected because many users maintain a presence across multiple platforms. Consequently, efforts to limit the spread of misinformation taken by individual platforms can have complex consequences on misinformation diffusion across the social media ecosystem. This is further complicated by the diverse social structures, platform standards, and moderation mechanisms provided on each platform. We study this issue by extending our previous model of Reddit interactions and community-specific moderation measures. By adding a followership-based model of Twitter interactions and facilitating cross-platform user participation, we simulate information diffusion across heterogeneous social media platforms. While incorporating platform-specific moderation mechanisms, we simulate interactions at the user level and specify user-specific attributes. This allows practitioners to conduct experiments with various types of actors and different combinations of moderation. We show how the model can simulate the impacts of such features on discussions facilitated by Reddit and Twitter and the cross-platform spread of misinformation. To validate this model, we use a combination of empirical datasets from three U.S. political events and prior findings from user surveys and studies.
Incidence and impact of involuntary rib fracture after intercostal spreading for thoracotomy
Authors: Bastone Sebastiano Angelo , Re Cecconi Emanuela , Patirelis Alexandro , Ambrogi Vincenzo
Published: July 2024

Thoracotomy with rib spreading still remains the preferred approach for complex surgery. Rib fracture is considered a frequent involuntary event during this approach, but its real incidence has not been adequately investigated yet. In this study, we evaluated the incidence of rib fracture after thoracotomy, the possible risk factors and the relationship with post-operative pain and complications. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of single-institution patients submitted to lateral thoracotomy from January 2016 to June 2023. Exclusion criteria were traumatic etiology and a medical history of osteoporosis. The presence of rib fracture was retrieved by surgical reports or post-operative chest X-ray. Basal and evoked pain after surgery was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale. The considered 30-day post-operative complications were atelectasis, need of endoscopic broncho-aspiration, pneumonia and pleural effusion. A total of 367 consecutive patients underwent thoracotomy in the study period. The median age was 68 (interquartile range 60–75) years. Rib fracture was detected in 179/367 (48.8%) patients. Incidence did not significantly vary throughout years (p = 0.98). The risk of developing post-thoracotomy rib fractures was significantly associated with age greater than the median value (p = 0.003). The presence of rib fracture was related to significantly more elevated evoked pain at 48 h after surgery (p = 0.039) and a higher incidence of complications (32/179 vs 20/188; p = 0.047). Our study demonstrated that rib fracture occurs in almost half of the thoracotomies. Older patients are more likely to develop this event, which significantly correlates to increased evoked post-operative pain and higher rate of post-operative complications.
A Plea for (In)Human-centred AI
Authors: Braun Matthias , Meacham Darian
Published: July 2024

In this article, we use the account of the “inhuman” that is developed in the work of the French philosopher Jean-François Lyotard to develop a critique of human-centred AI. We argue that Lyotard’s philosophy not only provides resources for a negative critique of human-centred AI discourse, but also contains inspiration for a more constructive account of how the discourse around human-centred AI can take a broader view of the human that includes key dimensions of Lyotard’s inhuman, namely performativity, vulnerability, and novelty. We link these dimensions to questions of epistemic injustice and social recognition. In this way, we hope to develop a proposal for what a richer and more meaningful understanding of human-centred AI might look like.
The homology digraph of a preordered space
Authors: Faustino Catarina , Kahl Thomas
Published: July 2024

This paper studies a notion of directed homology for preordered spaces, called the homology digraph. We show that the homology digraph is a directed homotopy invariant and establish variants of the main results of ordinary singular homology theory for the homology digraph. In particular, we prove a Künneth formula, which enables one to compute the homology digraph of a product of preordered spaces from the homology digraphs of the components.
Mitochondria as Nutritional Targets to Maintain Muscle Health and Physical Function During Ageing
Authors: Broome Sophie C. , Whitfield Jamie , Karagounis Leonidas G. , Hawley John A.
Published: July 2024

The age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and physical function leads to a loss of independence and an increased reliance on health-care. Mitochondria are crucial in the aetiology of sarcopenia and have been identified as key targets for interventions that can attenuate declines in physical capacity. Exercise training is a primary intervention that reduces many of the deleterious effects of ageing in skeletal muscle quality and function. However, habitual levels of physical activity decline with age, making it necessary to implement adjunct treatments to maintain skeletal muscle mitochondrial health and physical function. This review provides an overview of the effects of ageing and exercise training on human skeletal muscle mitochondria and considers several supplements that have plausible mechanistic underpinning to improve physical function in ageing through their interactions with mitochondria. Several supplements, including MitoQ, urolithin A, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFAs), and a combination of glycine and N-acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) can improve physical function in older individuals through a variety of inter-dependent mechanisms including increases in mitochondrial biogenesis and energetics, decreases in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species emission and oxidative damage, and improvements in mitochondrial quality control. While there is evidence that some nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide precursors can improve physical function in older individuals, such an outcome seems unrelated to and independent of changes in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function. Future research should investigate the safety and efficacy of compounds that can improve skeletal muscle health in preclinical models through mechanisms involving mitochondria, such as mitochondrial-derived peptides and mitochondrial uncouplers, with a view to extending the human health-span.
Two-scale concurrent simulations for crack propagation using FEM–DEM bridging coupling
Authors: Voisin-Leprince Manon , Garcia-Suarez Joaquin , Anciaux Guillaume , Molinari Jean-François
Published: July 2024

The Discrete element method (DEM) is a robust numerical tool for simulating crack propagation and wear in granular materials. However, the computational cost associated with DEM hinders its applicability to large domains. To address this limitation, we employ DEM to model regions experiencing crack propagation and wear, and utilize the finite element method (FEM) to model regions experiencing small deformation, thus reducing the computational burden. The two domains are linked using a FEM–DEM coupling, which considers an overlapping region where the deformation of the two domains is reconciled. We employ a “strong coupling” formulation, in which each DEM particle in the overlapping region is constrained to an equivalent position obtained by nodal interpolation in the finite element. While the coupling method has been proved capable of handling propagation of small-amplitude waves between domains, we examine in this paper its accuracy to efficiently model for material failure events. We investigate two cases of material failure in the DEM region: the first one involves mode I crack propagation, and the second one focuses on rough surfaces’ shearing leading to debris creation. For each, we consider several DEM domain sizes, representing different distances between the coupling region and the DEM undergoing inelasticity and fracture. The accuracy of the coupling approach is evaluated by comparing it with a pure DEM simulation, and the results demonstrate its effectiveness in accurately capturing the behavior of the pure DEM, regardless of the placement of the coupling region.
A counterfactual explanation method based on modified group influence function for recommendation
Authors: Guo Yupu , Cai Fei , Pan Zhiqiang , Shao Taihua , Chen Honghui , Zhang Xin
Published: July 2024

In recent years, recommendation explanation methods have received widespread attention due to their potentials to enhance user experience and streamline transactions. In scenarios where auxiliary information such as text and attributes are lacking, counterfactual explanation has emerged as a crucial technique for explaining recommendations. However, existing counterfactual explanation methods encounter two primary challenges. First, a substantial bias indeed exists in the calculation of the group impact function, leading to the inaccurate predictions as the counterfactual explanation group expands. In addition, the importance of collaborative filtering as a counterfactual explanation is overlooked, which results in lengthy, narrow, and inaccurate explanations. To address such issues, we propose a counterfactual explanation method based on Modified Group Influence Function for recommendation. In particular, via a rigorous formula derivation, we demonstrate that a simple summation of individual influence functions cannot reflect the group impact in recommendations. After that, building upon the improved influence function, we construct the counterfactual groups by iteratively incorporating the individuals from the training samples, which possess the greatest influence on the recommended results, and continuously adjusting the parameters to ensure accuracy. Finally, we expand the scope of searching for counterfactual groups by incorporating the collaborative filtering information from different users. To evaluate the effectiveness of our method, we employ it to explain the recommendations generated by two common recommendation models, i.e., Matrix Factorization and Neural Collaborative Filtering, on two publicly available datasets. The evaluation of the proposed counterfactual explanation method showcases its superior performance in providing counterfactual explanations. In the most significant case, our proposed method achieves a 17% lead in terms of Counterfactual precision compared to the best baseline explanation method.
CL-fusionBEV: 3D object detection method with camera-LiDAR fusion in Bird’s Eye View
Authors: Shi Peicheng , Liu Zhiqiang , Dong Xinlong , Yang Aixi
Published: July 2024

In the wave of research on autonomous driving, 3D object detection from the Bird’s Eye View (BEV) perspective has emerged as a pivotal area of focus. The essence of this challenge is the effective fusion of camera and LiDAR data into the BEV. Current approaches predominantly train and predict within the front view and Cartesian coordinate system, often overlooking the inherent structural and operational differences between cameras and LiDAR sensors. This paper introduces CL-FusionBEV, an innovative 3D object detection methodology tailored for sensor data fusion in the BEV perspective. Our approach initiates with a view transformation, facilitated by an implicit learning module that transitions the camera’s perspective to the BEV space, thereby aligning the prediction module. Subsequently, to achieve modal fusion within the BEV framework, we employ voxelization to convert the LiDAR point cloud into BEV space, thereby generating LiDAR BEV spatial features. Moreover, to integrate the BEV spatial features from both camera and LiDAR, we have developed a multi-modal cross-attention mechanism and an implicit multi-modal fusion network, designed to enhance the synergy and application of dual-modal data. To counteract potential deficiencies in global reasoning and feature interaction arising from multi-modal cross-attention, we propose a BEV self-attention mechanism that facilitates comprehensive global feature operations. Our methodology has undergone rigorous evaluation on a substantial dataset within the autonomous driving domain, the nuScenes dataset. The outcomes demonstrate that our method achieves a mean Average Precision (mAP) of 73.3% and a nuScenes Detection Score (NDS) of 75.5%, particularly excelling in the detection of cars and pedestrians with high accuracies of 89% and 90.7%, respectively. Additionally, CL-FusionBEV exhibits superior performance in identifying occluded and distant objects, surpassing existing comparative methods.
Analyzing Aging Effects on SRAM PUFs: Implications for Security and Reliability
Authors: Bhatta Niraj Prasad , Singh Harshdeep , Ghimire Ashutosh , Amsaad Fathi
Published: July 2024

The aging effects on Static Random-Access Memory Physical Unclonable Functions (SRAM PUFs) pose significant security and reliability challenges for current hardware systems. SRAM PUFs utilize process variations in integrated circuits for secure key generation and device authentication. However, aging effects such as bias temperature instability (BTI) and hot carrier injection (HCI) may change SRAM cell characteristics and affect PUF responses. This study addresses various aging-induced variation challenges, identifies security vulnerabilities, and provides innovative approaches to risk reduction. Furthermore, this study focuses on concerns about SRAM PUF reliability. In this regard, mitigation approaches like adaptive reconfiguration, error correction codes, and multi-modal PUFs are introduced to enhance the resilience of SRAM PUFs. This study concludes by outlining future research directions and prospects for improving SRAM PUF-based security solutions by several orders of magnitude. This is carried out with various complexities related to semiconductor device aging.
2-Products of Idempotent by Nilpotent Matrices
Authors: Călugăreanu Grigore , Pop Horia F.
Published: July 2024

Over Prüfer domains, we characterize idempotent by nilpotent 2-products of $$2\times 2$$

2
×
2

matrices. Nilpotents are always such products. We also provide large classes of rings over which every $$2\times 2$$

2
×
2

idempotent matrix is such a product. Finally, for $$2\times 2$$

2
×
2

matrices over GCD domains, idempotent–nilpotent products which are also nilpotent–idempotent products are characterized.
Severe Dysphagia in a Patient with Wallenberg Syndrome and Killian Jamieson Diverticulum: A Case Report
Authors: Cotaoco Carmel , Goto Takao , Koyama Misaki , Sato Taku , Kondo Kenji , Ueha Rumi
Published: July 2024

Lateral medullary syndrome (Wallenberg syndrome) and Killian Jamieson diverticulum are both conditions known to cause dysphagia. Here, we present the first reported case of severe dysphagia due to Wallenberg syndrome and a Killian Jamieson diverticulum discovered incidentally during videofluoroscopic swallowing study. A 66-year-old male previously diagnosed with Wallenberg syndrome was referred to our hospital due to severe dysphagia. Pre-operative work-up revealed decreased left-sided pharyngeal contraction, left vocal fold paralysis, impaired laryngeal elevation, and poor upper esophageal sphincter relaxation during swallowing. Furthermore, on videofluoroscopic swallowing study, an incidental finding of a contrast-filled outpouching of the esophagus on the left, below the level of the cricopharyngeus, indicated the presence of a pharyngoesophageal diverticulum. The patient underwent bilateral cricopharyngeal myotomy with diverticulectomy, laryngeal suspension surgery, and tracheostoma revision. The diagnosis of a Killian Jamieson diverticulum was confirmed based on intra-operative findings, as the diverticular pouch was indeed seen to be located below the cricopharyngeal muscle. For patients with severe dysphagia that does not improve with swallowing rehabilitation, swallowing improvement surgery is an option. It aims to improve pre-operatively identified dysfunctional sites in the swallowing mechanism. It is important to always consider pharyngoesophageal diverticula as a possible cause of dysphagia so as not to miss the diagnosis. In this patient’s case, diverticulectomy was necessary to ensure the best possible outcomes in terms of improving his dysphagia.
Digital Disconnection of Australian Young Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic—Practices and Enablers
Authors: Fu Jun , Sideris Maddison
Published: July 2024

This paper examines the practices of Australian young adults disconnecting from social media during the COVID-19 pandemic for wellbeing purposes. Drawing on interview data about their experiences of social media use in the first year of the pandemic, we explored how they disconnect from social media and the enablers of their disconnection practices. The results reveal a spectrum of disconnection practices, ranging from overall device disconnection to specific app feature avoidance. These practices were enabled by their social media literacy and affective emotions generated from social media use. Based on these insights, we argue that support for youth digital wellbeing must not concentrate solely on educating young people to be effective and responsible users of social media. Instead, diverse forms of social and affective connections upon which their affective capacities rely should be considered with equal importance. Additionally, by considering these disconnection practices within their specific social and technological context, we critically engage with the notion of digital wellbeing as an individual capacity by underlining the structural inequalities embedded in people’s digital literacy and their capacities to act on their affective emotions.
A powerful potion for a potent problem: transformative justice for generative AI in healthcare
Authors: Gross Nicole
Published: July 2024

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), as a transformative technology, holds significant promise for applications in healthcare. At the same time, the datafication, AI integration, and commodification of health have opened the floodgates for ethical issues, including those related to fairness, access, beneficence, democracy, solidarity, inclusion, and societal harms. As further the digitalization, innovation, and disruption of healthcare is inevitable, the paper maps out how power, equity, access, identity, participation, and knowledge contribute to creating social injustice issues. It also discusses that current justice approaches—distributive justice, representational justice, restorative justice, and capabilities-centered justice—do not have enough impact to prevent or remedy the many harms and injustices that AI has already created in healthcare or will continue to do so. The paper proposes that a transformative justice approach is needed for generative AI as a transformative technology, focused on (1) peace, emancipation, and eliminating the root causes of injustice, (2) holistic conflict resolution, (3) human rights-based approaches, and (4) the empowerment of agency and actors.
Investigation and detection of multiple antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria in municipal wastewater of Dhaka city
Authors: Siddique Abu Bakkar , Munni Atia , Hasan Maruf , Raj Rayhan , Mutalib Md. Abdul , Sikder Md. Tajuddin , Okino Tatsufumi , Ahmed Ayesha , Hossain Md. Shakhaoat
Published: July 2024

Background

Water pollution in densely populated urban areas, mainly from municipal wastewater, poses a significant threat. Pathogenic bacteria, such as Vibrio spp. and fecal coliform, endanger public health and the environment. Additionally, antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wastewater complicate treatment and heighten public health concerns.

Methods

The study sampled municipal wastewater from ten Dhaka neighborhoods, selecting treatment plants, sewage outlets, and various collection points using meticulous techniques for representative samples. Bacteriological and biochemical analyses were conducted using standardized methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed with the disk diffusion method against 13 widely used antibiotics.

Results

All sampled areas exhibited positive results for Vibrio spp., fecal coliform, E. coli, and Salmonella spp. Varying bacterial concentrations were observed, with the highest concentration of TVC, total vibrio spp., and total fecal coliform, total E. coli count, and total Salmonella spp. were found in Uttara (1.9 × 104 CFU/ml), Bangshal (1.8 × 102 CFU/ml), and Lalbag (2.1 × 103 CFU/ml), Mirpur (3.70 × 102 CFU/ml), and Lalbag (6 × 102 CFU/ml) respectively. AST results revealed significant resistance among all bacterial species to various antibiotics. Specifically, Vibrio spp. showed 100% resistance to cefuroxime, fecal coliform exhibited 90% resistance to cephradine, E. coli demonstrated 60% resistance to cephradine, and Salmonella spp. displayed 90% resistance to ampicillin.

Conclusion

The study highlights the existence of multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Dhaka's wastewater. Addressing antibiotic resistance is essential to manage the risks of multiple antibiotic-resistant infections and maintain antibiotic effectiveness. These implications are critical for various stakeholders, including public health officials, policymakers, environmentalists, and urban planners.
Drought trend and its association with land surface temperature (LST) over homogeneous drought regions of India (2001–2019)
Authors: Choudhury Animesh
Published: July 2024

Droughts pose significant challenges to food security, affecting millions of people and hectares of land in India. Despite their widespread impact, assessing drought patterns at a high spatial resolution remains a challenge, particularly in regions with poor data availability. Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) is one of the most widely accepted drought indices. The publicly available SPEI reanalysis dataset has a poor spatial resolution for regional drought studies. Land Surface Temperature (LST) has the potential to act as an effective proxy for SPEI and can be used for high-resolution drought studies. The study considered six homogeneous drought regions (NWH, CPR, NEI, NCP, NWI, and SPR) over India, and the recent trend in LST and SPEI over these regions was estimated using modified Mann-Kendell (MMK) trend and Sen’s slope estimator at monthly, seasonal, and annual time scales. The correlation between SPEI and LST was also checked at a 95% confidence level. Results indicate statistically significant decreasing annual LST trends in NWH (slope = −0.10), CPR (slope = −0.09), and NWI (slope = −0.11) regions, while increasing SPEI trends were observed in NWI (slope = 0.06) and NCP (slope = 0.01) regions during 2001–2019. Additionally, NCP (p = 0.025), CPR (p = 0.002), and NWI (p = 0.020) exhibited significantly decreasing LST trends during winter, with a notable post-monsoon decrease observed in NWI. Significant correlations between annual LST and SPEI were observed only in CPR (r =−0.527) and NWI (r = −0.601), with seasonal associations found predominantly in winter across CPR, NEI, NCP, and NWI regions. Notably, a significant correlation was observed in all months except July over NWI, with consistent correlations during most of the winter months in NWH, CPR, NCP, and NWI regions. The observed trends and correlations can provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in formulating effective drought mitigation strategies.
Testing asymptomatic mental health patients for COVID-19 overburdens hospital resources
Authors: Olmedo Alirio , Okundolor Sonny , Mallet-Smith Sheila , Trotsky-Sirr Rebecca , Canamar Catherine P.
Published: July 2024

Background

Inpatient mental health facilities required COVID-19 testing for all patients, including asymptomatic ones, due to perceived high susceptibility.

Aim

This study examined how the policy affected patient care and hospital resources.

Method

A retrospective review was conducted on asymptomatic psychiatric patients admitted to the psychiatric emergency room between July and December 2020, analyzing COVID-19 test results, conversion rate, length of stay (LOS), and demographic variables.

Results

Among asymptomatic patients (N = 2020), 2.5% (n = 51) tested positive, with 7.8% (n = 4) experiencing mild symptoms. The average hospital length of stay was 8 days, with 90.2% discharged home and 9.8% transferred to outside mental health inpatient facilities. Chi-square testing found no significant differences in age, gender, or housing status between positive and negative patients (p’s > 0.05), except for a significant difference in positivity rates among Hispanic patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The positivity rate among asymptomatic mental health patients was low. The policy of universal testing increased hospital spending and resource utilization, including unnecessary testing and hospital admissions, leading to longer stays. These findings underscore the need to assess the efficacy of COVID-19 testing policies and reconsider resource allocation based on evidence.
Rainfall projections under different climate scenarios over the Kaduna River Basin, Nigeria
Authors: Okafor Gloria Chinwendu , Ogbu Kingsley N. , Agyekum Jacob , Limantol Andrew Manoba , Larbi Isaac
Published: July 2024

This research aimed to assess changes in mean and extreme rainfall within the Kaduna River Basin (KRB), specifically examining the implications of two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs)—4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. Employing a quantile mapping technique, this study corrected inherent biases in four Regional Climate Models, enabling the examination of mean precipitation and six indices capturing extreme precipitation events for the 2050s. These findings were compared against a historical reference period spanning from 1981 to 2010, considering the basin's upstream and downstream segments. Results revealed an average annual rainfall reduction under scenarios 4.5 (21.39%) and 8.5 (20.51%) across the basin. This decline exhibited a more pronounced impact on monthly rainfall during the wet season (April to October) compared to the dry season (November to March). Notably, a substantial decrement in wet indices, excluding consecutive wet days (CWD), was foreseen in both seasons for the upstream and downstream areas, signalling an impending drier climate. The anticipated rise in consecutive dry days (CDD) is poised to manifest prominently downstream attributed to global warming-induced climate change brought on by increased anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. These findings accentuate a heterogeneous distribution of extreme rainfall, potentially leading to water scarcity issues throughout the KRB, especially impacting upstream users. Moreover, the projections hint at an increased risk of flash floods during intense wet periods. Consequently, this study advocates the implementation of targeted disaster risk management strategies within the KRB to address these foreseeable challenges.
The review of studies of Divya cave: the longest cave in Perm region (Russia)
Authors: Kazantseva A. S. , Krasikov A. V. , Kadebskaya O. I.
Published: July 2024

The work presented is a review of modern research conducted in Divya Cave—the longest cave in Perm Region, the first mention of which dates back to the 70’s of the eighteenth century. The cave provides the richest material for geologists, karstologists and speleologists, since it is a relic of an ancient aquifer, in which almost all types of secondary calcite formations found in caves are collected. The remote location of the cave from roads and settlements has never been an obstacle for explorers. The first plan of Divya cave was drawn up in 1949. Subsequently, a lot of speleologists kept exploring the cave, but not all passages were marked on the latest maps. Hydrogeological and hydrochemical research was done for the first time in 1948, 1956, 1962 and 1967. Numerous springs between the village of Divya and Divya cave were surveyed, water temperature and flow rates were measured and the hydrochemical indicators of water in the cave lakes were studied. Findings of cryogenic calcite in 1968 prompted further research related to the study of cave deposits, using isotopic analysis methods, taking into account their dating, to determine the migration of permafrost boundaries. From 2016 to 2020 the authors of this article conducted a number of studies in Divya cave itself and in the surrounding area, namely, they carried out instrumental and semi-instrumental topographic surveys of the cave and the surface, followed by the creation of a combined plan, and also determined the absolute marks of the earth’s surface, the entrance, the roof and the base of the cave and the new data on the length of the cave were obtained. For the first time, isotopic studies of atmospheric precipitation, surface channel runoff (the Kolva river) and groundwater emerging to the surface near Divya cave were carried out, and their relationship was determined. Data on the chemical composition of waters were supplemented. Samples of speleothems, including cryogenic calcite, were selected, their isotopic composition was studied and dating was carried out, which made it possible to obtain completely new information about interglacial periods. The modern data obtained allowed us to supplement previously known information about Divya cave.
Assessment of interfacial friction angles of sand-structural materials
Authors: Rahman S. M. Shazeebur , Raju Matiur Rahman , Haque Md. Foisal , Sajib Shahbo Rahman , Kabir Md. Humayun
Published: July 2024

This research evaluates the interfacial friction angles of sand-structural materials (i.e. concrete, steel, and wood) from direct shear and model pile tests data. Some variable parameters are considered for performing laboratory tests such as shearing rates (0.05, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 2.5 mm/min.), pile diameters (38.1, 76.2, and 101.6 mm), and normal stresses (27, 55, and 81 kPa). The validated shearing rates are found to be 8.7% and 4.3% in cases of direct shear and model pile tests respectively, which may represent a good accuracy of experimental tests. According to the direct shear test results, the interfacial sand-concrete and internal friction angles are equal at shearing rate of 2 mm/min. The interfacial friction angles are increased with the increment of pile diameters because of slip dilation impact of small diameter pile. The interfacial friction angle of sand-wood pile shows the higher value because of lower self-weight and stiffness of wood compared to the other structural materials. There is a scope for further research by conducting numerical analysis and deriving analytical formulations for obtaining explicit solution.
Does biodiversity affect Olive fly populations? Evidence from different understorey treatments
Authors: Stavrianakis Giorgos , Sentas Efstratios , Tscheulin Thomas , Kizos Thanasis
Published: July 2024

The agricultural industry is intensifying production methods to increase crop yields. Olive cultivation, the prevalent permanent crop in Europe and the Mediterranean area, involves intense practices with heavy agrochemical use. This significantly impacts agroecosystem biodiversity and its ecosystem services. In this study, we explore how biodiversity influences the adult olive fly (Bactrocera oleae (Rossi)) population in Lesvos Island, Greece, under different understorey management practices in olive groves. Our findings show that increased plant and arthropod abundance and diversity negatively affect the olive fly. The results suggest that maintaining undisturbed plant cover enhances olive grove biodiversity, ecosystem services, and biological control of the olive fly. Moreover, this practice is in line with Integrated Pest Management principles and Conservation Biological Control approach.
Influence of Regional Sea Ice Loss on the Arctic Stratospheric Polar Vortex
Authors: Xu Mian , Screen James A. , Tian Wenshou , Zhang Jiankai , Zhang Chongyang , Yu Hao
Published: July 2024

Based on multi‐model large‐ensemble experiments provided by Polar Amplification Model Intercomparison Project (PAMIP), we investigate the influence of the projected sea ice loss in Barents‐Kara Seas (BKS) and Sea of Okhotsk (SOK) on the Arctic stratospheric polar vortex (SPV). Results show that future BKS sea ice reduction leads to a weakened SPV during November‐February by enhancing the upward‐propagating planetary wave 1, which is more pronounced during Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO) easterly than westerly phase. Through weakening the upward‐propagating planetary wave 2, future SOK sea ice reduction is favorable for a strengthened SPV during January‐April. Inter‐model spread in the magnitudes of SPV responses to BKS sea ice reduction can be largely explained by the divergent planetary wave responses, but less so for SOK sea ice reduction. Results from a linearized baroclinic model further validate the importance of the planetary‐scale wave responses in explaining the differing SPV responses to sea‐ice loss over the two regions.