bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nachwuchsförderung in der Chirurgie
Authors: Heimke Marvin , Heinze Tillmann , Baumann Jorun , Kurz Bodo , Alkatout Ibrahim , Wedel Thilo
Published: August 2024

Hintergrund

Aufgrund eines abnehmenden Interesses unter Medizinstudierenden an einer chirurgischen Laufbahn, der Auswirkungen des demographischen Wandels sowie der technischen Herausforderungen besteht ein zunehmender Bedarf an gezielter Nachwuchsförderung in der Chirurgie. Vor diesem Hintergrund wurde ein Lehrprojekt entwickelt, welches Medizinstudierende bereits in der Vorklinik mit minimal-invasiven Techniken der Chirurgie vertraut machen und so das Interesse an operativen Fachbereichen steigern soll.

Methodik

Im Rahmen des regulären vorklinischen anatomischen Präparierkurses wurden folgende Module zur laparoskopischen Chirurgie integriert: (1) klinische Vorlesung zur Technik und Einsatz der Laparoskopie, (2) explorative Live-Laparoskopie an einem Körperspender, (3) praktische Übungen an Laparoskopietrainern. Die Effekte dieses Lehrprojekts auf das Interesse an einer chirurgischen Laufbahn und das klinisch-anatomische Verständnis wurden von 295 Medizinstudierenden evaluiert.

Ergebnisse

Die Evaluation zeigte ein ausgeprägtes, geschlechtsunabhängiges Interesse, chirurgische Fertigkeiten bereits in der Vorklinik zu erlernen. Das Lehrprojekt führte zu einer signifikanten Steigerung des Interesses an einer chirurgischen Laufbahn. Zudem förderte die Einbindung der laparoskopischen Lehrmodule in den vorklinischen Anatomieunterricht die Lernmotivation und das Verständnis für die klinisch relevante topographische Anatomie.

Diskussion

Die Integration praxisnaher chirurgischer Inhalte in die vorklinische anatomische Lehre kann die Attraktivität chirurgischer Disziplinen erhöhen und gleichzeitig die anatomische Lehre optimieren. Längsschnittstudien sind erforderlich, um die Nachhaltigkeit dieser frühzeitigen klinischen Lehrmodule auf die Karriereentscheidung von Medizinstudierenden zu untersuchen.
Beyond defence: Immune architects of ovarian health and disease
Authors: Bazzano Maria Victoria , Köninger Angela , Solano Maria Emilia
Published: August 2024

Throughout the individual’s reproductive period of life the ovary undergoes continues changes, including cyclic processes of cell death, tissue regeneration, proliferation, and vascularization. Tissue-resident leucocytes particularly macrophages, play a crucial role in shaping ovarian function and maintaining homeostasis. Macrophages crucially promote angiogenesis in the follicles and corpora lutea, thereby supporting steroidogenesis. Recent research on macrophage origins and early tissue seeding has unveiled significant insights into their role in early organogenesis, e.g. in the testis. Here, we review evidence about the prenatal ovarian seeding of leucocytes, primarily macrophages with angiogenic profiles, and its connection to gametogenesis. In the prenatal ovary, germ cells proliferate, form cysts, and undergo changes that, following waves of apoptosis, give rice to the oocytes contained in primordial follicles. These follicles constitute the ovarian reserve that lasts throughout the female’s reproductive life. Simultaneously, yolk-sac-derived primitive macrophages colonizing the early ovary are gradually replaced or outnumbered by monocyte-derived fetal macrophages. However, the cues indicating how macrophage colonization and follicle assembly are related are elusive. Macrophages may contribute to organogenesis by promoting early vasculogenesis. Whether macrophages contribute to ovarian lymphangiogenesis or innervation is still unknown. Ovarian organogenesis and gametogenesis are vulnerable to prenatal insults, potentially programming dysfunction in later life, as observed in polycystic ovary syndrome. Experimental and, more sparsely, epidemiological evidence suggest that adverse stimuli during pregnancy can program defective folliculogenesis or a diminished follicle reserve in the offspring. While the ovary is highly sensitive to inflammation, the involvement of local immune responses in programming ovarian health and disease remains to be thoroughly investigated.
On invariant distributions of Feller Markov chains with applications to dynamical systems with random switching
Authors: Benaïm Michel , Tough Oliver
Published: August 2024

We introduce simple conditions ensuring that invariant distributions of a Feller Markov chain on a compact Riemannian manifold are absolutely continuous with a lower semi-continuous, continuous or smooth density with respect to the Riemannian measure. This is applied to Markov chains obtained by random composition of maps and to piecewise deterministic Markov processes obtained by random switching between flows.
Decomposition and fragmentation of conventional and biobased plastic wastes in simulated and real aquatic systems
Authors: Plohl Olivija , Fras Zemljič Lidija , Erjavec Alen , Sep Noemi , Čolnik Maja , Fan Yee Van , Škerget Mojca , Vujanović Annamaria , Čuček Lidija , Volmajer Valh Julija
Published: August 2024

Plastics play a crucial role in our daily lives. The challenge, however, is that they become waste and contribute to a global environmental problem, increasing concerns about pollution and the urgent need to protect the environment. The accumulation and fragmentation of plastic waste, especially micro- and nanoplastics in aquatic systems, poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health. In this study, the decomposition and fragmentation processes of conventional and biobased plastic waste in simulated water bodies (waters with different pH values) and in real water systems (tap water and seawater) are investigated over a period of one and six months. Three types of plastic were examined: thermoplastic polyethylene terephthalate and thermoset melamine etherified resin in the form of nonwovens and biobased polylactic acid (PLA) in the form of foils. Such a comprehensive study involving these three types of plastics and the methodology for tracking degradation in water bodies has not been conducted before, which underlines the novelty of the present work. After aging of the plastics, both the solid fraction and the leachate in the liquid phase were carefully examined. The parameters studied include mass loss, structural changes and alterations in functional groups observed in the aged plastics. Post-exposure assessment of the fragmented pieces includes quantification of the microplastic, microscopic observations and confirmation of composition by in situ Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The leachate analysis includes pH, conductivity, turbidity, total carbon and microplastic size distribution. The results highlight the importance of plastic waste morphology and the minor degradation of biobased PLA and show that microfibers contribute to increased fragmentation in all aquatic systems and leave a significant ecological footprint. This study underlines the crucial importance of post-consumer plastic waste management and provides valuable insights into strategies for environmental protection. It also addresses the pressing issue of plastic pollution and provides evidence-based measures to mitigate its environmental impact.

Graphical abstract
An open GNSS spoofing data repository: characterization and impact analysis with FGI-GSRx open-source software-defined receiver
Authors: Islam Saiful , Bhuiyan Mohammad Zahidul H. , Liaquat Muwahida , Pääkkönen Into , Kaasalainen Sanna
Published: August 2024

Spoofing is becoming a prevalent threat to the users of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). It is important to deepen our understanding of spoofing attacks and develop resilient techniques to effectively combat this threat. Detecting and mitigating these attacks requires thorough testing, typically conducted in a laboratory environment through the establishment of a spoofing test-bed. The complexity, cost and resource demands of creating such a test-bed underscore the necessity of utilizing openly available datasets. To address this need, this paper introduces a new GNSS spoofing data repository from Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (FGI) named hereafter as ‘FGI-SpoofRepo’. This data repository consists of raw In-phase and Quadrature (I/Q) data of live recordings of GPS L1 C/A, Galileo E1, GPS L5, and Galileo E5a signals. These datasets encompass three distinct types of spoofing characteristics (synchronous, asynchronous, and meaconing), making them very useful example candidates of open data for testing the performance of any anti-spoofing techniques (be it detection or mitigation). The inclusion of live signals in multiple GNSS frequencies and the presence of cryptographic signatures in Galileo E1 signal make these datasets potential benchmarks for assessing the resilience performance of multi-frequency multi-constellation receivers. The analysis of the datasets is carried out with an open-source MATLAB-based software-defined receiver, FGI-GSRx. An updated version of FGI-GSRx, equipped with the necessary modifications for processing and analyzing the new datasets, is released alongside the datasets. Therefore, the GNSS research community can utilize the open-source FGI-GSRx or any third-party SDR to process the publicly available raw I/Q data for implementation, testing and validation of any new anti-spoofing technique. The results show that time-synchronous spoofing seamlessly takes over positioning solution, while time-asynchronous spoofing acts as noise or in some cases, completely prevent the receiver from providing a positioning solution. Signal re-acquisition during an ongoing spoofing attack (cold start), the receiver tends to lock onto the spoofing signal with the highest peak, posing a potential threat to GNSS receivers without assisted information. Overall, this research aims to advance the understanding of complex spoofing attacks on GNSS signals, providing insight into enhancing resilience in navigation systems.
Efficiency and the core in NTU games in partition function form
Authors: Bimonte Giovanna , Senatore Luigi , Tramontano Salvatore
Published: August 2024

The aim of this paper is to establish a necessary and sufficient condition for the non-emptiness of the core in NTU games in partition function form, given an externality scheme $$ f \in \textsf{Ex}(N) $$

f
∈
Ex
(
N
)

. We extend the notion of convexity to incorporate externality effects. By introducing a new concept of rationality, called collective rationality, we demonstrate the efficiency of the grand coalition $$ N $$
N
. We also identify a sufficient condition for the efficiency of the grand coalition using the property of individual superadditivity.
Homotopy Quotients and Comodules of Supercommutative Hopf Algebras
Authors: Heidersdorf Thorsten , Weissauer Rainer
Published: August 2024

We study model structures on the category of comodules of a supercommutative Hopf algebra A over fields of characteristic 0. Given a graded Hopf algebra quotient $$A \rightarrow B$$

A
→
B

satisfying some finiteness conditions, the Frobenius tensor category $${\mathcal {D}}$$
D
of graded B-comodules with its stable model structure induces a monoidal model structure on $${\mathcal {C}}$$
C
. We consider the corresponding homotopy quotient $$\gamma : {\mathcal {C}} \rightarrow Ho {\mathcal {C}}$$

γ
:
C
→
H
o
C

and the induced quotient $${\mathcal {T}} \rightarrow Ho {\mathcal {T}}$$

T
→
H
o
T

for the tensor category $${\mathcal {T}}$$
T
of finite dimensional A-comodules. Under some mild conditions we prove vanishing and finiteness theorems for morphisms in $$Ho {\mathcal {T}}$$

H
o
T

. We apply these results in the Rep(GL(m|n))-case and study its homotopy category $$Ho {\mathcal {T}}$$

H
o
T

associated to the parabolic subgroup of upper triangular block matrices. We construct cofibrant replacements and show that the quotient of $$Ho{\mathcal {T}}$$

H
o
T

by the negligible morphisms is again the representation category of a supergroup scheme.
Breaking Points: Exploring the Well-Being of Egyptian Social Workers Amid Covid-19
Authors: Abu-Ras Wahiba , Badahdah Abdallah , Decker Eliza , Shahin Mohamed M
Published: August 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges and stressors for social workers, often at the forefront of responding to crises. The pandemic has disrupted their professional practices, increased their workload, and exposed them to health risks. As a result, the well-being of social workers has become a growing concern, especially in countries with limited resources. The present study used a cross-sectional web-based survey to assess the prevalence rates of anxiety, stress, sleep quality, and overall well-being in a sample of 216 social workers employed in public medical facilities in Egypt during the COVID-19 epidemic. It also investigated the factors that influence their well-being. The results showed that half of the social workers (51.4%) scored 10 or higher on the General Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), 83.3% scored ≥ 14 on PSS-10, and the mean score for sleep quality was 7.24 (SD = 2.10). Over half (58.3%) scored 50 or lower on the World Health Organization Wellbeing scale (WHO-5). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that younger social workers and those who scored ≤ 9 on GAD-7 were more likely to report a higher level of well-being. A higher score on PSS-10 was associated with a decrease in overall well-being. Working with family members of COVID-19 patients and sleep quality were not associated with WHO-5. These findings highlight the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of social workers in Egypt, underscoring the importance of providing adequate support and resources to address their well-being.
Social and economic factors and their relationship with gender gap in STEM in higher education: A spatial analysis of Turkey
Authors: Özmen Zeynep
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the social and economic factors influencing the enrollment rates of women and men in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields across all 81 provinces in Turkey, utilizing a spatial econometric analysis model. This model, considering regional characteristics and spatial relationships, allows for a comprehensive understanding of the geographical distribution of interest in STEM fields and the gender disparities within. Analyses at both global and local levels were conducted to test for the presence of spatial patterns. The impact of social and economic factors on gender-specific enrollment rates in STEM fields was assessed using Ordinary Least Squares analysis, without accounting for spatial autocorrelation. The dataset, based on provincial social and economic indicators for the year 2022, revealed that both women and men in the provinces exhibit similar tendencies towards settling in STEM fields. The preference for STEM fields is lower in the eastern regions, while more pronounced in coastal and industrialized cities. The findings indicate a positive correlation with per capita gross domestic product, the number of teachers in higher education institutes, central government budget expenditure, and the population ratio in the province.
Sozology instead of ecology, other direction for ecosystem services and environmental protection-on the example of the Silesian–Kraków region, Southern Poland
Authors: Gałaś Andrzej , Abramowicz Anna , Kot-Niewiadomska Alicja , Misz-Kennan Magdalena , Gałaś Slávka
Published: August 2024

Known mostly in Poland, formulated by prof. Goetel, science—sozology, perfectly corresponds to today’s developing pro-environmental activities. Sozology combines both concerns for the precious values of primaeval nature and the management of man transformed areas. It includes civilisation changes, climate change, and access to natural resources. The article discusses five main research directions: (1) Protection of the natural environment and mineral resources, (2) Rational spatial management, (3) Post-exploitation management of industrial areas, (4) Analysis and prevention of environmental changes and (5) Sozology and Eco-geosystem services. The authors of the article point to the need to integrate specialists from various fields who can jointly solve environmental problems. The world constantly needs new motivations to develop while preserving non-renewable resources (space and minerals). In Poland, science has gained popularity only among a narrow group of scientists who do not try to solve difficult problems on their own that require interdisciplinary action. The frequent dead ends of today’s environmental trends indicate that the word ecological is often not enough. If we use a sozological approach, it will turn out to be much more adequate for our current stage of development. Sozology may be the next direction and philosophy of life on Earth. Its goal is to protect resources so that they can be used for as long as possible.
The evolving role of technology transfer offices in the entrepreneurial university: Go-betweens or playmakers?
Authors: Chen Zoe , Little Vicki Janine , Thuan Nguyen Hoang
Published: August 2024

Technology transfer offices (TTOs) play an increasingly important role in universities, supporting researchers in translating science knowledge into commercially and socially valuable outcomes. However, the literature is limited regarding how TTOs support the technology transfer process. This study contributes deeper insight into the role of TTOs in facilitating knowledge transfer outcomes. A case study of life science commercialization in Australasian universities drew on depth interviews with senior TTO managers and industry experts, on longitudinal participant observation within a life science intermediary business to inform about supply side elements, and on secondary data. The findings emphasise the effects of wider institutional change on quintuple helix (5H) stakeholders, i.e., the environment, society, government, universities, and industry. Financialization and competition places growing demands on universities for commercializable intellectual property (IP) production. In response, TTOs have built competencies in translational engagement (trust and reputation building and boundary spanning) and value co-creation (service quality management and de-risking). Those competencies translate to a five-stage process of technology transfer facilitation: (1) Identifying, (2) assessing, (3) protecting, (4) promoting and (5) profiting. In the complex context of life science innovation, innovation networks benefit from investment in university outreach, stakeholder relationship building, tax credits, and fund matching with transnational corporations. To ensure optimal social and commercial outcomes independent oversight of the process should be maintained, by representatives from all 5H stakeholders.
Usefulness of synthetic MRI for differentiation of IDH-mutant diffuse gliomas and its comparison with the T2-FLAIR mismatch sign
Authors: Onishi Shumpei , Yamasaki Fumiyuki , Akiyama Yuji , Kawahara Daisuke , Amatya Vishwa Jeet , Yonezawa Ushio , Taguchi Akira , Ozono Iori , Khairunnisa Novita Ikbar , Takeshima Yukio , Horie Nobutaka
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The T2-FLAIR mismatch sign is a characteristic imaging biomarker for astrocytoma, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant. However, investigators have provided varying interpretations of the positivity/negativity of this sign given for individual cases the nature of qualitative visual assessment. Moreover, MR sequence parameters also influence the appearance of the T2-FLAIR mismatch sign. To resolve these issues, we used synthetic MR technique to quantitatively evaluate and differentiate astrocytoma from oligodendroglioma.

Methods

This study included 20 patients with newly diagnosed non-enhanced IDH-mutant diffuse glioma who underwent preoperative synthetic MRI using the Quantification of Relaxation Times and Proton Density by Multiecho acquisition of a saturation-recovery using Turbo spin-Echo Readout (QRAPMASTER) sequence at our institution. Two independent reviewers evaluated preoperative conventional MR images to determine the presence or absence of the T2-FLAIR mismatch sign. Synthetic MRI was used to measure T1, T2 and proton density (PD) values in the tumor lesion. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance.

Results

The pathological diagnoses included astrocytoma, IDH-mutant (n = 12) and oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted (n = 8). The sensitivity and specificity of T2-FLAIR mismatch sign for astrocytoma were 66.7% and 100% [area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.833], respectively. Astrocytoma had significantly higher T1, T2, and PD values than did oligodendroglioma (p < 0.0001, < 0.0001, and 0.0154, respectively). A cutoff lesion T1 value of 1580 ms completely differentiated astrocytoma from oligodendroglioma (AUC = 1.00).

Conclusion

Quantitative evaluation of non-enhanced IDH-mutant diffuse glioma using synthetic MRI allowed for better differentiation between astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma than did conventional T2-FLAIR mismatch sign. Measurement of T1 and T2 value by synthetic MRI could improve the differentiation of IDH-mutant diffuse gliomas.
Novel solitary wave solutions for stochastic nonlinear reaction–diffusion equation with multiplicative noise
Authors: Zayed Elsayed M. E. , El-Horbaty Mahmoud , Saad Basel M. M. , Arnous Ahmed H. , Yildirim Yakup
Published: August 2024

The primary objective of this paper is to explore solitary wave solutions within the context of the stochastic Reaction–Diffusion equation, a problem that has not been previously investigated with respect to multiplicative noise. This marks a novel aspect of the current study. To accomplish this goal, we utilize two distinct integration methods: the extended Kudryashov’s method and the $$\left( \frac{G'}{G}\right) $$

G
′

G

-expansion method. These methods are chosen for their efficacy in handling nonlinear differential equations and are applied in tandem to uncover new trigonometric and hyperbolic stochastic exact solutions. The employment of these methods is crucial in generating solutions that have not been previously identified in this particular context. Subsequently, to assess the validity and usefulness of these newly discovered solutions, we conduct numerical simulations. These simulations involve implementing the derived solutions across a variety of scenarios or samples, allowing for an evaluation of their performance and applicability. This paper represents a significant contribution to the field of stochastic Reaction–Diffusion equations by introducing a pioneering investigation into the effects of multiplicative noise on solitary wave solutions. Furthermore, it offers a fresh perspective on obtaining exact solutions in the presence of such noise, showcasing the potential of the integration methods in tackling complex nonlinear stochastic systems.
A fast numerical algorithm for finding all real solutions to a system of N nonlinear equations in a finite domain
Authors: Chueca-Díez Fernando , Gañán-Calvo Alfonso M.
Published: August 2024

A highly recurrent traditional bottleneck in applied mathematics, for which the most popular codes (Mathematica, Matlab, and Python as examples) do not offer a solution, is to find all the real solutions of a system of n nonlinear equations in a certain finite domain of the n-dimensional space of variables. We present two similar algorithms of minimum length and computational weight to solve this problem, in which one resembles a graphical tool of edge detection in an image extended to n dimensions. To do this, we discretize the n-dimensional space sector in which the solutions are sought. Once the discretized hypersurfaces (edges) defined by each nonlinear equation of the n-dimensional system have been identified in a single, simultaneous step, the coincidence of the hypersurfaces in each n-dimensional tile or cell containing at least one solution marks the approximate locations of all the hyperpoints that constitute the solutions. This makes the final Newton-Raphson step rapidly convergent to all the existent solutions in the predefined space sector with the desired degree of accuracy.
Origins of biological teleology: how constraints represent ends
Authors: García-Valdecasas Miguel , Deacon Terrence W.
Published: August 2024

To naturalize the concept of teleological causality in biology it is not enough to avoid assuming backward causation or positing the existence of an inscrutable teleological essence like the élan vital. We must also specify how the causality of organisms is distinct from the causality of designed artifacts like thermostats or asymmetrically oriented processes like the ubiquitous increase of entropy. Historically, the concept of teleological causality in biology has been based on an analogy to the familiar experience of purposeful action. This is experienced by us as a disposition to achieve a general type of end that is represented in advance, and which regulates the selection of efficient means to achieve it. Inspired by this analogy, to bridge the gap between biology and human agency we describe a simple molecular process called autogenesis that shows how two linked complementary self-organizing processes can give rise to higher-order relations that resemble purposeful dispositions, though expressed in terms of constraints on molecular processes. Because the autogenic model is described in sufficient detail to be empirically realizable, it provides a proof of principle demonstrating a simple form of teleological causality.
Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Phosphoglycerate Mutase 2 (PGAM2) genes with growth traits in rabbits
Authors: Helal Mostafa , Ahmed Marwa , Ragab Mohamed , Ateya Ahmed , Sakr Shimaa
Published: August 2024

Genetic improvement of local rabbit breeds using modern approaches such as marker-assisted selection requires accurate and precise information about marker‒trait associations in animals with different genetic backgrounds. Therefore, this study was designed to estimate the association between two mutations located in the Neuropeptide Y (NPY, g.1778G > C) and Phosphoglycerate Mutase 2 (PGAM2, c.195 C > T) genes in New Zealand White (NZW), Baladi (BR), and V-line rabbits. The first mutation was genotyped using high-resolution melting, and the second mutation was genotyped using the PCR-RFLP method. The results revealed significant associations between the NPY mutation and body weight at 10 (V-line) and 12 weeks of age (NZW, BR, and V-line), body weight gain (BWG) from 10 to 12 weeks of age (BR), BWG from 6 to 12 weeks of age (NZW, BR, and V-line), average daily gain (NZW, BR, and V-line, and BR), growth rate (GR) from 8 to10 weeks (V-line), 10 to 12 weeks (BR), and GR from 6 to 12 weeks of age (BR, and V-line). The PGAM2 mutation was associated with body weight at 10 (V-line) and 12 (NZW, and V-line) weeks of age, with significant positive additive effects at 12 weeks of age in all breeds, and was associated with BWG from 8 to 10 and 10 to 12 in BR, and BWG from 6 to 12 weeks of age (NZW, and BR), and average daily gain (NZW, and BR), and was associated with GR form 8 to 10 weeks (BR), from10 to 12 weeks (BR, and V-line) and from 6 to 12 weeks (BR). The results highlighted the importance of the two mutations in growth development, and the possibility of considering them as candidate genes for late growth in rabbits.
Antibiotic Removal by Three Promising Microalgae Strains: Biotic, Abiotic Routes, and Response Mechanisms
Authors: Frascaroli G. , Hunter C. , Roberts J. , Escudero A.
Published: August 2024

Microalgae represent an alternative to conventional wastewater treatment, potentially improving antibiotic removal and offering a solution to combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Through batch assays, this study investigates the routes for antibiotic removal using three strains (Chlamydomonas acidophila, Auxhenochlorella protothecoides and Tetradesmus obliquus). Using mixtures of ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, metronidazole, ofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim at concentrations simulating wastewater composition, it also assesses antibiotic effects on microalgae physiology. The three strains primarily removed antibiotics through rapid biosorption, achieving up to 91.5% removal for specific ones like ciprofloxacin. T. obliquus and C. acidophila showed efficacy, with total removals of 37.2% and 49.3%, respectively. Over time, A. protothecoides demonstrated the highest active removal efficiency, eliminating 22.1% of total antibiotics, with a notable 67.6% removal for sulfamethoxazole. Abiotic degradation through hydrolysis and photolysis contributed to ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin removal (34.7% to 96.7%), showing pH-dependent photolysis. However, algae induced a shading effect, reducing the photolytic and hydrolytic degradation of specific antibiotics. T. obliquus and C. acidophila were inhibited by antibiotics, whereas A. protothecoides showed a 30.6% growth rate increase. The stimulatory effect was also observed for the nutrient removal, with A. protothecoides showing a 46.6% increase in ammonium removal and a 44.8% increase in phosphate removal with antibiotics. Additionally, antioxidant activities remained stable, except for a notable increase in peroxidase activity for A. protothecoides and T. obliquus. The study confirms efficient antibiotic removal and stimulatory responses in the three algal strains, indicating their potential for wastewater treatment and combating antimicrobial resistance.
“Don’t research us”—How Mastodon instance rules connect to research ethics
Authors: Wähner Marco , Deubel Annika , Breuer Johannes , Weller Katrin
Published: August 2024

Mastodon is a decentralized social network that has recently gained in popularity due to the platform changes of Twitter (now X). When it comes to collecting and analyzing data, the technical structure of such a decentralized network not only has methodological but also ethical implications. Mastodon consists of a large number of individual instances (around 17k), and each of these instances typically have their own set of rules, which may also address the use of data. Against this backdrop, we investigated whether and how Mastodon instances address the scientific use of data. Our analyses focused on active instances with English-language rules. Based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative content analysis, our results show that only a small portion of instances mention the scientific use of their data. Instead, the majority of rules rather focuses on user behavior and interactions. Based on the results, we formulate recommendations for researchers who want to work with Mastodon data. The recommendations are informed by the results of our empirical study and guided by general ethical principles for the examination of data from social media.
Consumer vulnerability dynamics and marketing: Conceptual foundations and future research opportunities
Authors: Mende Martin , Bradford Tonya Williams , Roggeveen Anne L. , Scott Maura L. , Zavala Mariella
Published: August 2024

Inspired by the goal of making marketplaces more inclusive, this research provides a deeper understanding of consumer vulnerability dynamics to develop strategies that help reduce these vulnerabilities. The proposed framework, first, conceptualizes vulnerability states as a function of the breadth and depth of consumers’ vulnerability; then, it sketches a set of vulnerability indicators that illustrate vulnerability breadth and depth. Second, because the breadth and depth of vulnerability vary over time, the framework goes beyond vulnerability states to identify distinct vulnerability-increasing and vulnerability-decreasing pathways, which describe how consumers move between vulnerability states. In a final step, the framework proposes that organizations can (and should) support consumers to mitigate vulnerability by helping consumers build resilience (e.g., via distinct types of resilience-fueling consumer agency). This framework offers novel conceptual insights into consumer vulnerability dynamics as well as resilience and provides avenues for future research on how organizations can better partner with consumers who experience vulnerabilities.
An improved DVHop localization algorithm using a novel angle based node reduction and optimization technique
Authors: Bhat Soumya J. , Venkata Santhosh Krishnan
Published: August 2024

Wireless sensor networks are becoming increasingly popular across a range of applications. One notable use is in seismic exploration and monitoring for oil and gas reservoirs. This application involves deploying numerous sensor nodes across outdoor fields to measure backscattered waves, which are then used to create an image of the subsurface. These sensor nodes remain active in the field for several days and must be accurately localized to ensure efficient reservoir detection. However, the Distance Vector-Hop (DVHop) algorithm, despite its simplicity, is not suitable for accurate node localization in exploration fields due to obstructions. In this paper, we propose a modified DVHop algorithm specifically designed for precise localization in such environments. Proposed algorithm uses angles between intermediate nodes to identify and circumvent nodes affected by obstructions. Distance estimation is performed using this reduced set of nodes. The estimated distances between these nodes are subsequently solved using Velocity Pausing Particle Swarm Optimization to determine the nodes’ locations. When evaluated in environments resembling exploration fields, our algorithm demonstrated an improvement of 25% to 63% in Average Localization Accuracy compared to other hop-based localization algorithms under similar conditions.
Gender effects in education revisited: Geschlechterrollen, instrumentelle und expressive Eigenschaften sowie motivationale Faktoren für die MINT-Leistungskurswahl
Authors: Ullrich Ricarda , Becker Michael , Scharf Jan
Published: August 2024

Zusammenfassung: Die vorliegende Studie beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, inwieweit Geschlechterrolleneinstellungen sowie instrumentelle und expressive Eigenschaften die MINT-Leistungskurswahl von Schülerinnen und Schülern vorhersagen können und ob dieser Zusammenhang über das mathematische Selbstkonzept, das Interesse und die Ängstlichkeit mediiert wird. Mit der Nutzung von zwei Wellen des BIJU-Datensatzes ( N = 6,507) in der gymnasialen Oberstufe wurde mittels latenter Pfadmodelle gezeigt, dass die Wahl eines MINT-Leistungskurses nicht mit den Einstellungen zu Geschlechterrollen zusammenhängt. Für beide Geschlechter zeigten sich Mediationseffekte expressiver und instrumenteller Eigenschaften und der Wahrscheinlichkeit, MINT als Leistungskurs zu wählen, vornehmlich vermittelt über das Selbstkonzept. Schülerinnen und Schüler, die sich mit mehr expressiven Eigenschaften beschrieben, wiesen ein geringeres Selbstkonzept auf und wählten weniger wahrscheinlich einen MINT-Kurs. Beschrieben sich Schüler und Schülerinnen allerdings mit mehr instrumentellen Eigenschaften, dann wählten sie – mediiert über motivationale Faktoren – häufiger einen MINT-Leistungskurs.
Rapid Normal Stress Oscillations Cause Weakening and Anelastic Dilation in Gouge‐Bearing Faults
Authors: Chen Jianye , Niemeijer Andre R. , Spiers Christopher J.
Published: August 2024

Fault normal stress (σn) changes dynamically during earthquakes. However, the impact of these changes on fault strength is poorly understood. We explore the effects of rapidly varying σn by conducting rotary‐shear experiments on simulated fault gouges at 1 μm/s, under well‐drained, hydrothermal conditions. Our results show both elastic and anelastic (time‐dependent but recoverable) changes in gouge layer thickness in response to step changes and sinusoidal oscillations in σn. In particular, we observe dilation associated with marked weakening during ongoing σn‐oscillations at frequencies >0.1 Hz. Moreover, recovery of shear stress after such oscillations is accompanied by transient (anelastic) compaction. We propose a microphysically based friction model that explains most of the observations made, including the effects of temperature and step versus sinusoidal perturbation modes. Our results highlight that σn‐oscillations above a specific frequency threshold, controlled by the loading regime and frictional properties of the fault, may enhance seismic hazards.
Synaptic changes in psychiatric and neurological disorders: state-of-the art of in vivo imaging
Authors: Howes Oliver , Marcinkowska Julia , Turkheimer Federico E. , Carr Richard
Published: August 2024

Synapses are implicated in many neuropsychiatric illnesses. Here, we provide an overview of in vivo techniques to index synaptic markers in patients. Several positron emission tomography (PET) tracers for synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 A (SV2A) show good reliability and selectivity. We review over 50 clinical studies including over 1700 participants, and compare findings in healthy ageing and across disorders, including addiction, schizophrenia, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and neurodegenerative disorders, including tauopathies, Huntington’s disease and α-synucleinopathies. These show lower SV2A measures in cortical brain regions across most of these disorders relative to healthy volunteers, with the most well-replicated findings in tauopathies, whilst changes in Huntington’s chorea, Parkinson’s disease, corticobasal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy are predominantly subcortical. SV2A PET measures are correlated with functional connectivity across brain networks, and a number of other measures of brain function, including glucose metabolism. However, the majority of studies found no relationship between grey matter volume measured with magnetic resonance imaging and SV2A PET measures. Cognitive dysfunction, in domains including working memory and executive function, show replicated inverse relationships with SV2A measures across diagnoses, and initial findings also suggest transdiagnostic relationships with mood and anxiety symptoms. This suggests that synaptic abnormalities could be a common pathophysiological substrate underlying cognitive and, potentially, affective symptoms. We consider limitations of evidence and future directions; highlighting the need to develop postsynaptic imaging markers and for longitudinal studies to test causal mechanisms.
Using weight-for-age as a screening tool for metabolic syndrome in apparently healthy adolescents
Authors: Oselka Noa , Dubnov-Raz Gal , Ziv-Baran Tomer
Published: August 2024

Background

The increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among adolescents necessitates a simple and easy-to-use screening tool. This study aimed to develop and validate a simple model based on age, sex, race, and weight-for-age or BMI-for-age to identify adolescents with MetS.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of adolescents (aged 12–18 years) who participated in the American National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was performed. Participants with pre-existing hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidemia were excluded. Data from 2005–2018 were randomly divided into training (70%) and validation (30%) sets. Anthropometric, demographic data, and MetS criteria were extracted.

Results

The training group included 1974 adolescents (52% boys, median age 15 years), and the validation group included 848 adolescents (50% boys, median age 14 years). Both weight- and BMI-for-age demonstrated good discrimination ability in the training group (AUC = 0.897 and 0.902, respectively), with no significant difference between them (p = 0.344). Multivariable models showed similar discrimination ability. Therefore, weight-for-age was chosen and using Youden’s index, the 93rd weight-for-age percentile (SDS 1.5) was identified as the optimal cut-off value for MetS. Similar values were observed in the validation group.

Conclusions

Among adolescents aged 12–18 years, weight-for-age percentiles are an easy-to-use primary screening indicator for the presence of MetS.

Impact

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents is increasing.

An early detection screening tool is required to prevent related adulthood morbidity.

Screening adolescents for metabolic syndrome is challenging.

This study suggests the use of weight-for-age as a single criterion for primary screening of adolescents aged 12–18.

Using weight-for-age as a single predictor of metabolic syndrome is expected to increase screening rates compared to using BMI-for-age, due to its simplicity.
Bose–Einstein condensation of light in a semiconductor quantum well microcavity
Authors: Schofield Ross C. , Fu Ming , Clarke Edmund , Farrer Ian , Trapalis Aristotelis , Dhar Himadri S. , Mukherjee Rick , Severs Millard Toby , Heffernan Jon , Mintert Florian , Nyman Robert A. , Oulton Rupert F.
Published: August 2024

When particles with integer spin accumulate at low temperature and high density, they undergo Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC). Atoms, magnons, solid-state excitons, surface plasmon polaritons and excitons coupled to light exhibit BEC, which results in high coherence due to massive occupation of the respective system’s ground state. Surprisingly, photons were shown to exhibit BEC recently in organic-dye-filled optical microcavities, which—owing to the photon’s low mass—occurs at room temperature. Here we demonstrate that photons within an inorganic semiconductor microcavity also thermalize and undergo BEC. Although semiconductor lasers are understood to operate out of thermal equilibrium, we identify a region of good thermalization in our system where we can clearly distinguish laser action from BEC. Semiconductor microcavities are a robust system for exploring the physics and applications of quantum statistical photon condensates. In practical terms, photon BECs offer their critical behaviour at lower thresholds than lasers. Our study shows two further advantages: the lack of dark electronic states in inorganic semiconductors allows these BECs to be sustained continuously; and quantum wells offer stronger photon–photon scattering. We measure an unoptimized interaction parameter ($$\tilde{{{{{g}}}}}$$

g

̃

 ≳ 10–3), which is large enough to access the rich physics of interactions within BECs, such as superfluid light.
A Genomics England haplotype reference panel and imputation of UK Biobank
Authors: Shi Sinan , Rubinacci Simone , Hu Sile , Moutsianas Loukas , Stuckey Alex , Need Anna C. , Palamara Pier Francesco , Caulfield Mark , Marchini Jonathan , Myers Simon
Published: August 2024

We built a reference panel with 342 million autosomal variants using 78,195 individuals from the Genomics England (GEL) dataset, achieving a phasing switch error rate of 0.18% for European samples and imputation quality of r2 = 0.75 for variants with minor allele frequencies as low as 2 × 10−4 in white British samples. The GEL-imputed UK Biobank genome-wide association analysis identified 70% of associations found by direct exome sequencing (P < 2.18 × 10−11), while extending testing of rare variants to the entire genome. Coding variants dominated the rare-variant genome-wide association results, implying less disruptive effects of rare non-coding variants.
Chromosome-level assembly and evolution analysis of the Trichosanthes truncata genome
Authors: Hu Ying , Wei Xiaomei , Chu Zhuannan , Wei Fan , Peng Yude , Huang Baoyou , Dong Ling , Wei Kunhua , Li Weiwen
Published: August 2024

Trichosanthes truncata C. B. Clarke, an important medicinal plant, is a dioecious plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. This study presents a chromosomal-level reference genome assembly for T. truncata. Through the integration of PacBio high-fidelity sequencing and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture technology, a final genome sequence of 637.41 Mb was assembled, with an N50 of 57.24 Mb and consisting of 11 pseudochromosomes. Additionally, 97.21 Mb of repetitive sequences and 36,172 protein-coding genes were annotated. This high-quality genome assembly is of utmost significance for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds. Furthermore, this study provided valuable insights into plant comparative genomics research.
Functional and aesthetic results of the Z-shaped and straight lower lip-splitting incision: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Miao Cheng , Zheng Ying , Ma Zhongkai , Bai Lu , Hong Guang , Li Longjiang , Li Chunjie
Published: August 2024

The lip-splitting approach enables excellent access to all areas of the mouth and pharynx to remove tumors; however, traditional lower lip-splitting incisions produce an unsatisfactory scar. To achieve better functional and aesthetic results, we used a Z-shaped incision and compared the functional and aesthetic outcomes of the straight and Z-shaped incisions. Sixty patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups and underwent lip-splitting between March 2021 and September 2023. Eventually, 77 patients were reviewed within 6 months and evaluated using the lip function assessment scale, patient and observer scar assessment scale, naïve observer scar assessment scale, and a clinical examination. The Z-shaped incision group performed better in terms of the lip pout movement at 3 months and in the subjective overall opinion, color, irregularity, and pigmentation at 6 months. The Z-shaped incision group had a lower incidence of notched vermilion. In conclusion, Z-shaped lower lip-splitting incisions have better functional and aesthetic outcomes than traditional straight incisions.

Trial registration: Public title: Difference between the effect of Z-shaped and vertical incisions of labiobuccal flap on the recovery of lower lip scars. Registration date: 09/03/2021. Registration number: ChiCTR2100044084. Registry URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn.
Green highly sensitive and selective spectroscopic detection of guaifenesin in multiple dosage forms and spiked human plasma
Authors: Mikawy Neven N. , Magdy Nancy , Mohamed Marwa H. , El-Kosasy Amira M.
Published: August 2024

Guaifenesin (GUA) is determined in dosage forms and plasma using two methods. The spectrofluorimetric technique relies on the measurement of native fluorescence intensity at 302 nm upon excitation wavelength “223 nm”. The method was validated according to ICH and FDA guidelines. A concentration range of 0.1–1.1 μg/mL was used, with limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) values 0.03 and 0.08 µg/mL, respectively. This method was used to measure GUA in tablets and plasma, with %recovery of 100.44% ± 0.037 and 101.03% ± 0.751. Furthermore, multivariate chemometric-assisted spectrophotometric methods are used for the determination of GUA, paracetamol (PARA), oxomemazine (OXO), and sodium benzoate (SB) in their lab mixtures. The concentration ranges of 2.0–10.0, 4.0–16.0, 2.0–10.0, and 3.0–10.0 µg/mL for OXO, GUA, PARA, and SB; respectively, were used. LOD and LOQ were 0.33, 0.68, 0.28, and 0.29 µg/mL, and 1.00, 2.06, 0.84, and 0.87 µg/mL for PARA, GUA, OXO, and SB. For the suppository application, the partial least square (PLS) model was used with %recovery 98.49% ± 0.5, 98.51% ± 0.64, 100.21% ± 0.36 & 98.13% ± 0.51, although the multivariate curve resolution alternating least-squares (MCR-ALS) model was used with %recovery 101.39 ± 0.45, 99.19 ± 0.2, 100.24 ± 0.12, and 98.61 ± 0.32 for OXO, GUA, PARA, and SB. Analytical Eco-scale and Analytical Greenness Assessment were used to assess the greenness level of our techniques.