bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viability of Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, and Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Dredged River Sediments of the Upper Mississippi River
Authors: Vander Vorste Ross , Strassman Sara , Henkhaus Sarah
Published: November 2024

Sediment dredging is widely used to manage freshwater ecosystems, including maintaining river navigation corridors. Beneficial uses of the sediments are needed to reduce demands on new and existing stockpile sites. However, using dredged sediments in waterbodies outside the sediment source poses an ecological risk if aquatic organisms remain viable through desiccation‐resistant forms. We assessed viability of aquatic organisms in dredged river sediments from four locations along the Upper Mississippi River. We artificially re‐inundated sediments that had been dry for < 1, 1–5, and 5–10 years and sampled phytoplankton, zooplankton, and macroinvertebrate for 4 weeks. We hypothesized that richness and density of aquatic organisms would be negatively affected by duration of drying. Although individual samples of the most recently dredged material had the greatest richness and density of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and macroinvertebrates, mean richness and density was not different across sediment drying durations. Overall, richness and density of aquatic organisms was low in relation to in situ sampling especially following the first week of sediment re‐inundation. Our results suggest transporting sediments from main channel navigation dredging from the Upper Mississippi River to support beneficial uses in other waterbodies poses some ecological risk given our observations of viable organisms in dredged sediments. We present a multistep risk evaluation procedure that could be applied when considering beneficial uses for dredged sediments.
Depth Profiles of Crystallinity and Preferential Orientation and Surface Characteristics of Sputter‐Deposited CeO2 Thin Film Buffer Layers on Sapphire Substrates Evaluated Through Two‐Dimensional Grazing‐Incidence X‐Ray Diffraction
Authors: Fukano Tatsuo , Nozaki Hiroshi , Funayama Keita , Katsuno Takashi , Koganezawa Tomoyuki , Harada Masashi , Kawaura Hiroyuki
Published: November 2024

Two‐dimensional grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction data were acquired from CeO2 thin films serving as buffer layers on r‐cut sapphire substrates to investigate the depth profiles of crystallinity and preferential orientation as well as surface conditions. The thin film samples were sputter‐deposited under different conditions. Data were obtained at an X‐ray wavelength of 0.100 nm at 0.02° intervals from 0.06° to 0.30° at the grazing‐incidence angle. A 60‐nm‐thick CeO2 thin film sputter‐deposited under Ar (Ar‐60) and a 100‐nm‐thick CeO2 thin film sputter deposited using 10 vol.% O2 in Ar (O+Ar‐100) were found to have partially oriented three‐dimensional bulk crystal structures with preferential orientation in the (100) direction near the surface. The lattice constant for the Ar‐60 film was found to be approximately 0.30% smaller than that for a CeO2 standard, whereas the lattice constant for the O+Ar‐100 film was approximately 0.50% larger. Lattice mismatch between the CeO and CeO2 on the substrate surface is evidently not an issue based on the lattice constants near the surface. Hence, both films could be considered to represent optimal buffer layers for YBa2Cu3O6+δ thin film growth. However, even in the case of a CeO2 thin film suitable for use as a buffer layer, the difference in lattice constants between the interior and surface of an Ar‐60 film was found to be relatively small, whereas that for an O+Ar‐100 film was relatively large. These results show that it is important to analyze the film surface in detail by reducing the incidence angle to less than 0.1°.
A General Framework for the Multiple Nonparametric Behrens–Fisher Problem With Dependent Replicates
Authors: Sprünken Erin , Mertens Robert , Konietschke Frank
Published: November 2024

In many trials and experiments, subjects are not only observed once but multiple times, resulting in a cluster of possibly correlated observations (e.g., brain regions per patient). Observations often do not fulfill model assumptions of mixed models and require the use of nonparametric methods. In this article, we develop and present a purely nonparametric rank‐based procedure that flexibly allows the unbiased and consistent estimation of the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney effect in clustered data designs. Compared with existing methods, we allow flexible weights to be used in effect estimation. Additionally, we develop global and multiple contrast test procedures to test null hypotheses formulated regarding the generalized Mann–Whitney effects and for the computation of range‐preserving simultaneous confidence intervals in a unified way. Extensive simulation studies show that these methods control the type‐I error rate well and have reasonable power to detect alternatives in various situations.
Chitosan Nanoparticles as a Potential Drug Delivery System in the Skin: A Systematic Review Based on In Vivo Studies
Authors: Santana Gomes Amanda , Silva Simplicio Sidney , Marinheiro da Cunha Gonsalves Joyce Kelly
Published: November 2024

Chitosan nanoparticles (ChNP) represent an interesting technological platform for drug delivery to the skin due to their mucoadhesive, nontoxic, and biodegradable characteristics, offering advantages in bypassing the stratum corneum and improving drug delivery in dermal administration. This systematic review analyzed the in vivo applicability of ChNP as a substance delivery system to the skin. A literature search was conducted in the databases PubMed, SciELO, and Lilacs using the keywords “nanoparticle,” “chitosan,” and “skin.” Inclusion criteria involved in vivo studies investigating the effects of topical use of these nanoparticles, published between 2013 and 2023, and comparing the nanoparticulate formulation with the free drug. The prevalence of studies conducted on animal models was 94.1%, while only 5.9% were performed on humans. The results suggest that ChNP formulations improved the delivery of therapeutic agents and demonstrated superior efficacy compared to formulations containing the free drug; they exhibited good permeability and tolerability, gradual release of the active molecule, and faster results with minimal adverse effects. Therefore, ChNP containing active substances for topical application emerges as a safe and effective platform with significant potential for drug delivery to the skin, opening new perspectives for their use in innovative formulations.
Gas‐Phase Photocatalytic Degradation of a Mixture of VOCs on Ag NPs Decorated ZnO
Authors: Nakhostin Panahi Parvaneh , Alimohammadi Soheila , Norouzi Fatemeh
Published: November 2024

In this research, silver was loaded onto ZnO using the photoreduction method to enhance the photocatalytic activity of ZnO in the visible region. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO and Ag/ZnO was investigated for the gas‐phase degradation of volatile organic compounds such as ethyl acetate, ethanol, and toluene under visible light irradiation. The Ag/ZnO effectively decomposed ethyl acetate, toluene, and ethanol separately and in a mixed state. The characteristics of Ag/ZnO and ZnO were studied using XRD, SEM, EDAX, XPS, BET, UV–vis DRS, and PL analyses. The XRD pattern confirmed the formation of metallic silver in the Ag/ZnO photocatalyst. The PL results showed that the loading of Ag on the ZnO significantly reduces the photoelectron‐hole pairs recombination in Ag/ZnO.
Biomimetic Nano‐delivery of Small‐Molecule Piceatannol Modulates Tumor Stemness and Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Metastasis via Hippo/YAP1/SOX9 Signaling
Authors: Zhou Minfeng , Niu Huifang , Huang Guoquan , Zhou Minquan , Cui Dandan , Li Huarong , Wen Han , Zhang Hongxing , Liang Fengxia , Chen Rui
Published: November 2024

Suppressing tumor metastasis is a crucial strategy for improving survival rates in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), with cancer stem cells (CSCs) being the primary drivers of metastasis. Current therapeutic approaches targeting CSCs are limited, and their molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To address this challenge, a biomimetic nanoparticle delivery system, CMD‐BHQ3‐PTL/DOX@RBCM is developed, to deliver the stem cell regulator, piceatannol (PTL). This system used carboxymethyl dextran (CMD) and Black Hole Quencher 3 (BHQ3) to encapsulate PTL and the cytotoxic drug doxorubicin (DOX) within a red blood cell membrane (RBCm), enhancing stability and biocompatibility while allowing gradual drug release under hypoxic conditions. The effects of PTL are investigated on CSCs using molecular biology experiments, plasmid construction, and high‐throughput sequencing and elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying this biomimetic nanoparticle delivery system. The therapeutic efficacy of PTL is validated at the tissue level using subcutaneous and metastatic tumor models in human and murine systems. The results demonstrated that CMD‐BHQ3‐PTL/DOX@RBCM effectively addressed the challenges of specificity and biocompatibility in vivo, significantly inhibiting CSC‐related tumor metastasis. This inhibitory effect is closely associated with the Hippo/YAP1/SOX9 pathway. This study highlights the effectiveness of the pH‐responsive biomimetic nanoparticle system CMD‐BHQ3‐PTL/DOX@RBCm in delivering PTL to tumor sites, with SOX9 and its upstream Hippo/YAP1 pathway playing a critical role in the underlying mechanism.
Exploring Biomineralization Processes Using In Situ Liquid Transmission Electron Microscopy: A Review
Authors: DiCecco Liza‐Anastasia , Tang Tengteng , Sone Eli D. , Grandfield Kathryn
Published: November 2024

Liquid transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a newly established technique broadly used to study reactions in situ. Since its emergence, complex and multifaceted biomineralization processes have been revealed with real‐time resolution, where classical and non‐classical mineralization pathways have been dynamically observed primarily for Ca and Fe‐based mineral systems in situ. For years, classical crystallization pathways have dominated theories on biomineralization progression despite observations of non‐traditional routes involving precursor phases using traditional‐ and cryo‐TEM. The new dynamic lens provided by liquid TEM is a key correlate to techniques limited to time‐stamped, static observations – helping shift paradigms in biomineralization toward non‐classical theories with dynamic mechanistic visualization. Liquid TEM provides new insights into fundamental biomineralization processes and essential physiological and pathological processes for a wide range of organisms. This review critically reviews a summary of recent in situ liquid TEM research related to the biomineralization field. Key liquid TEM preparation and imaging parameters are provided as a foundation for researchers while technical challenges are discussed. In future, the expansion of liquid TEM research in the biomineralization field will lead to transformative discoveries, providing complementary dynamic insights into biological systems.
Tensor Landmark Analysis With Application to ADNI data
Authors: Park Sung Hee , Zhou Ruiwen , Zhang Xin , Li Liang , Liu Lei
Published: November 2024

Recent advancements in data collection have facilitated the use of multidimensional arrays, also known as tensors, in prediction of health outcomes. In this article, we introduce a tensor landmark model for predicting survival outcomes using multiple longitudinal biomarkers as tensor covariates through CANDECOMP/PARAFAC (CP) decomposition. An iteratively reweighted least squares estimation is adopted for components of the tensor coefficients in the landmark model. We also present empirical results of the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) for right‐censored data to select the CP rank. Simulations and Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative (ADNI) data analysis demonstrate that our proposed model accurately estimates survival coefficients and predicts survival probabilities. The implementation code can be found online (https://github.com/sparkqkr/TensorCoxReg).
Multigranularity Coverage Criteria for Deep Learning Libraries
Authors: Shi Ying , Zheng Zheng , Yin Beibei , Xi Zhiyu
Published: November 2024

Deep learning (DL) systems are becoming increasingly widely used in safety domains such as self‐driving cars and unmanned aerial vehicles, which arouse natural concerns about their trustworthiness. Underlying DL libraries used in the construction and execution of DL models are involved in the testing processes of DL systems. Therefore, bugs in DL libraries can inevitably cause unexpected behaviours in DL systems. The internal structures of DL libraries are described as APIs with different functionalities, and DL libraries offer model developers access to DL techniques with various API parameter settings. The above characteristics of DL libraries reveal that existing DL coverage criteria are not designed specifically for DL libraries, and traditional software coverage criteria do not apply to DL libraries either. The paper introduces the first set of coverage criteria specifically designed for the systematic measurement of DL libraries across various granularities. APIs, as the fundamental components of DL libraries, are used to define coverage criteria gauging testing adequacy by thoroughly considering their invocation, implementation, parameter quantities and parameter attributes. Furthermore, some properties depicting relations between coverage criteria are investigated. Experiments on the effectiveness of the proposed coverage criteria and comparative analysis are conducted by interval estimate and hypothesis testing techniques for APIs in two well‐known DL libraries. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed coverage criteria are effective in measuring the test adequacy of DL libraries, and they can be used for the quantitative analysis of test model quality in DL libraries.
A New Contribution Confirming the Analogy Between NO+ and Related Aryldiazo Ligands
Authors: Rösch Markus , Klapötke Thomas M. , Böttcher Hans‐Christian
Published: November 2024

The reaction of the cyclometalated five‐coordinate 16 electron iridium(III) complex [IrCl(H){P(tBu)2C6H4–κ2P,C}{P(tBu)2Ph}] (1) with the diazonium salt [p‐BrC6H4N2]BF4 in dichloromethane at room temperature was investigated. By spontaneous reductive elimination the iridium(I) complex salt trans‐[IrCl(N2C6H4Br‐p){(P(tBu)2)Ph}2]BF4 (2) was obtained in good yield. Therefore, this observed reaction behavior exhibits the diazonium unit as a strong π‐acceptor group and confirms furthermore the analogy between nitrosyl and aryldiazonium ligands. The new compound 2 has been characterized by standard spectroscopic methods and the molecular structure of 2 was determined by a single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis (monoclinic, space group Cc, Z=4).
Automatic Imitation of Multiple Agents
Authors: Cracco Emiel
Published: November 2024

Despite the vast and growing literature on automatic imitation, only little is known about automatic imitation in situations with multiple agents. Instead, the large majority of research focuses on dyadic interactions, where one person interacts with a single other person. This is surprising, because such dyadic interactions make up only a small part of social life. In this chapter, I will summarize recent research on automatic imitation beyond the dyad. More specifically, I will discuss four questions: Does automatic imitation change as a function of group size? What happens when individuals in the group perform different or conflicting actions? What is the mechanism underlying automatic imitation of multiple agents? And does being part of a group change automatic imitation of groups? Overall, the evidence converges on the idea that imitation is simultaneously informed by the different agents in our surrounding. However, many questions still remain, and answering them will be key to better understand the processes underlying automatic imitation in more complex social settings.
Social Modulation of Imitative Behavior
Authors: Genschow Oliver , Cracco Emiel
Published: November 2024

Given that imitative behavior is a social phenomenon, an often put forward claim in the literature is that imitation should be modulated by social factors. Motivational theories explain social modulation with the notion that people use imitation as a tool to affiliate with others. As a result, individuals are expected to imitate others more when they have an affiliation goal. Self-other overlap theories suggest that imitative tendencies are learned responses that develop as a result of self-observation and interaction with other, often similar individuals. As a consequence, imitation is expected to increase if perceived similarity is high. Interestingly, the empirical evidence for these theories has been rather mixed. That is, while there is cumulative evidence for the influence of some social factors, there is only preliminary or no evidence for the influence of other social factors. In this chapter, we review the evidence in favor and against social modulation of imitative behavior, explain why some, but not other factors influence imitation, and then end with outlining potential avenues for future research.
The Benefits—and Costs—of Behavioral Mimicry: Applications in Marketing, Sales, and Therapy
Authors: Kulesza Wojciech , Chartrand Tanya
Published: November 2024

Previous research on the so-called Chameleon effect and other studies on more general mimicry indicate that mimicking another person’s gestures, mannerisms, and speech (whether intentionally or not) leads to several profound social consequences without awareness that mimicry took place (Chartrand and Bargh, J Personality Soc Psychol 76:893–910, 1999). This chapter reviews research on mimicry as a nonconsciously employed mechanism by focusing on the consequences of mimicry. Thereby, we will review positive as well as negative consequences that take place within and beyond the mimicry dyad.
Automatic Imitation and the Correspondence Problem of Imitation: A Brief Historical Overview of Theoretical Positions
Authors: Brass Marcel
Published: November 2024

The main aim of the current chapter is to situate automatic imitation in the broader historical context of research on the functional mechanisms underlying imitation. Intuitively, imitation is a very simple act: you do what you see. However, on closer inspection, the question arises as to how a perceptual representation of a movement can be transformed into a corresponding motor program (the so-called correspondence problem of imitation). Research on the correspondence problem has a long history in psychology. Three major theoretical approaches to solve the problem have been proposed: first, imitation has been conceptualized as an innate mechanism; second, from a learning theoretical perspective, imitation has been understood as the result of simple learning mechanism, equating imitation with any other learned behaviour. Finally, ideomotor theory has conceptualized imitation as the result of ideomotor learning distinguishing it from other learned behaviour. While automatic imitation was originally developed in the context of ideomotor theory, it has also been used to support learning theoretical approaches to the correspondence problem. Almost 25 years of research on automatic imitation have not solved the correspondence problem but have provided cognitive psychology with a valuable tool to experimentally investigate imitative behaviour and to bridge the gap between cognitive and social-psychological approaches to imitation.
Economic and Social Crises, Model Change and the Responsiveness of the Legal System: Special Tax Measures and Their Regulation in Hungary
Authors: Varju Márton
Published: November 2024

Responding to various social, economic and policy crises, Hungary has introduced and has since maintained a broad range of special taxes, imposing additional taxation on certain corporate taxpayers. These measures enabled the state to secure necessary tax revenues and make strategic adjustments to the domestic tax structure. Through the special taxes and their regulation, the Hungarian legal system was able to respond to significant changes and challenges in its social and economic environment. However, their introduction came with significant consequences for the legal system at large. As demonstrated by the case of the turnover-based progressive taxes introduced, the responsiveness of law may come at a cost of legal regulation that does not guarantee that the declared objectives and the actual effects of legal measures coincide. Such legal changes thus enable—as concealed by the words of the legislation—discriminatory, or even abusive application of the law.
Determinanten der Verkehrsmittelwahl – Forschungsstand
Authors: Graf Anne
Published: November 2024

Während in Abschnitt 2.3.2 die Themen multimodaler Mobilitätsforschung vorgestellt wurden, wird im Folgenden stärker auf zentrale Ergebnisse der Forschung zur Verkehrsmittelwahl eingegangen. Dazu wird auch Literatur herangezogen, die nicht direkt multimodale Mobilität zum Thema hat, aber zum Verständnis der Akzeptanz des Autos, des ÖVs oder des Fahrrads und von Mobilitätsverhalten beitragen kann.
Multimodale Mobilitätsfähigkeit – die Perspektive des Motility-Konzepts
Authors: Graf Anne
Published: November 2024

Mithilfe der Interviews werden zusätzliche Einblicke in die Organisation des Mobilitätsalltags und der Verkehrsmittelnutzung gewonnen, die mit geschlossenen Fragen in Befragungen nicht erhoben werden können. Zum besseren Verständnis multimodaler Mobilität wird die Mobilitätsfähigkeit im Sinne des Motility-Konzepts herausgearbeitet. Dazu werden die Interviews anhand der Kategorien Access, Skills und Appropriation des Motility-Konzepts analysiert.
Spatial Impact of Surface-Water Bodies on Urban Expansion Using an Autologistic Regression Model
Authors: Jia Mengyuan , Zhang Haoran
Published: November 2024

In order to explore the differential impacts of various types of surface water bodies on urban expansion, Taking the data in 2000, 2010, and 2020 of Tianjin as research subjects, this paper establishes the Autologistic regression models to investigate the influence of factors such as proximity to different types of surface water bodies, presence within flood storage and detention areas, and their association with aquatic ecological corridors on urban expansion. The results show that 1) flood storage and detention areas are significant constraining factors for urban expansion and the primary rivers are a more pronounced driving effect compared to other surface water bodies; 2) over the period from 2000 to 2020, the driving effect of surface water bodies on urban expansion exhibits a declining trend; 3) The delineation of urban construction land boundaries and the establishment of ecological protection zones are identified as the principal external factors shaping urban expansion. The results further explained the relationship between cities and water, and can provide a theoretical basis for the harmonious coexistence of cities and water environment.
Water Ecosystem Resilience Evaluation and Blue-Green Enhancement Strategy in Tianjin from the Perspective of Social-Ecological Resilience
Authors: Li Yangli , Zhang Rui
Published: November 2024

The water ecosystem, an essential component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, faces challenges such as water scarcity. Resilience is one of the central objectives of sustainable development. This study aims to investigate the water ecosystem resilience in Tianjin, providing a reference for protecting and restoring the global water ecosystem. Using the DPSIR model, an evaluation system for water ecosystem resilience was constructed. The combination weighting method was used to determine the weights of evaluation indicators. A case study on the water ecosystem resilience of Tianjin reveals spatial differences in 2018, with higher resilience in the north, and lower in the south. From a spatial planning perspective, forest coverage and wetland rate are representative evaluation indicators that significantly impact Tianjin's water ecosystem resilience. The overall connectivity index analysis method was used to analyze the representative evaluation indicators, and enhancement strategies such as building forest cities and protecting and restoring wetland systems were proposed. This study provides theoretical support for improving the water ecosystem and technical guarantees for achieving sustainable development.
Investigation of Radioxenon Probability Density Functions at IMS Radionuclide Stations Using a Monte Carlo Method for Background Estimation
Authors: Kijima Yuichi , Schoemaker Robin , Tipka Anne , Liu Boxue , Kunkle Joshua , Kuśmierczyk-Michulec Jolanta , Kalinowski Martin , Prior Mark , Slinkard Megan
Published: November 2024

The International Monitoring System, the primary means of verification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, monitors the planet for any sign of a nuclear explosion. Regarding the International Monitoring System radionuclide stations, it is known that radioxenon released from nuclear facilities such as medical isotope production facilities and nuclear power plants influences the stations. For the purposes of monitoring nuclear explosions, it is important to better understand the radioxenon background based on these nuclear facilities. The probability density functions of background activity concentration at IMS radionuclide stations are estimated using a Monte Carlo method based on emissions from known nuclear facilities and source receptor sensitivity data. This paper describes two case studies of radioxenon detections at radionuclide stations applying the developed approach. This method could be one of several prospective approaches to predict the activity concentrations of isotopes of radioxenon at radionuclide stations in Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization’s (CTBTO’s) prototype xenon background estimation tool software. It can also be used in characterization of CTBT-relevant nuclear events for expert technical analysis.

Plain Language Summary

Civil nuclear power stations and medical isotope production facilities release radioisotopes of xenon during their normal operations. These emissions would make it harder to detect xenon produced from any nuclear weapon test that might occur. A method is described that starts with information about civil releases and produces a statistical description of the concentrations of isotopes measured at stations designed to detect nuclear tests. This information makes it possible to enhance nuclear explosion detection performance.
The impact of pension reform on employment, retirement, and disability insurance claims
Authors: Hernæs Erik , Markussen Simen , Piggott John , Røed Knut
Published: November 2024

We evaluate the 2011 comprehensive reform of Norwegian early retirement institutions using a parsimonious random utility choice model. Conditional on employment at age 60, we estimate a three-state conditional logit model to explain the realized labor market state at age 63 among the alternatives of employment, retirement, and disability program participation. The reform radically changed work incentives and/or pension access age for some (but not all) workers, such that the influence of economic incentives can be identified based on reform-generated variation only. We find that improved work incentives caused employment rates to rise considerably at the expense of early retirement and exit through disability insurance. Improved liquidity through a lower age to access own pension funds on actuarially neutral terms caused a small increase in employment and a large drop in disability program participation. Properly designed pension reforms thus need to take the interplay between old-age pension and disability insurance programs into account.
Municipal efficiency spillovers in France
Authors: Piedra-Peña Juan , Breuillé Marie-Laure , Gallo Julie Le
Published: November 2024

This paper provides evidence of the role of efficiency spillovers between French municipalities assessed through four levels of municipal equipment. We investigate changes in municipal efficiency for both cities possessing a certain level of public goods and cities located closer to those hosting high-rank functions. Based on a cross-sectional database pertaining to French municipalities with over 3500 inhabitants in 2018, we develop a two-stage approach. In the first stage, we estimate municipal efficiency through a robust order-m approach, while in the second stage, we run a truncated bootstrapped regression to disentangle the effect of the distance of an observed municipality to each of the four equipment levels. Our results provide evidence of efficiency spillovers where the less-endowed municipalities benefit the most from higher efficiency due to their geographical proximity to larger equipment centers.
E-Scooter-Fahrten unter Substanzeinfluss im Einzugsgebiet von Würzburg – eine erste verkehrsmedizinische Auswertung nach 4,5 Jahren
Authors: Stock Benjamin , Manthey Laura , Tatschner Thomas , Bohnert Michael , Bohnert Simone
Published: November 2024

Hintergrund

E‑Scooter sind seit über 4,5 Jahren Teil des Straßenverkehrs in Deutschland und haben seitdem in der polizeilichen Verkehrskontrolle zunehmend an Bedeutung gewonnen [16]. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, eine Erstbeschreibung über die im Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Universität Würzburg bearbeiteten Fälle anzufertigen.

Materialien und Methoden

Alle Fahrsicherheitsgutachten über E‑Scooter-Fahrer (n = 84) am Institut für Rechtsmedizin Würzburg aus dem Zeitraum Juni 2019 bis Januar 2024 wurden retrospektiv ausgewertet. Hierbei wurden u. a. Ausfallerscheinungen, Fahrfehler, Tatumstände und die im Blut nachgewiesenen Substanzen analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Fast alle E‑Scooter-Fahrer in unserem Kollektiv waren Männer, viele im jüngeren Alter. Die häufigsten nachgewiesenen Substanzen im Blut waren Cannabinoide, Amphetamine und Alkohol, der häufigste Grund einer Verkehrskontrolle ein fehlendes bzw. abgelaufenes Versicherungskennzeichen. Die Vorfallszeitpunkte lagen eher abends bis nachts und zu wärmeren Jahreszeiten. Die Beschuldigten waren bei der späteren ärztlichen Untersuchung weniger leistungsreduziert als bei der polizeilichen.

Diskussion

Im Vergleich zu früheren E‑Scooter-Studien untersuchte diese Arbeit auch den Einfluss von Drogen auf die Fahrsicherheit. Die retrospektive Datenanalyse ergab z. T. ähnliche Tendenzen z. B. bezüglich Alter, Geschlecht und jahreszeitlicher Verteilung, z. T auch Unterschiede. Weitere Studien zum Einfluss von Drogen auf E‑Scooter-Fahren erscheinen vor diesem Hintergrund unabdinglich.
On the ergodicity of the frame flow on even-dimensional manifolds
Authors: Cekić Mihajlo , Lefeuvre Thibault , Moroianu Andrei , Semmelmann Uwe
Published: November 2024

It is known that the frame flow on a closed $n$
n
-dimensional Riemannian manifold with negative sectional curvature is ergodic if $n$
n
is odd and $n \neq 7$
n
≠
7
. In this paper we study its ergodicity in the remaining cases. For $n$
n
even and $n \neq 8, 134$
n
≠
8
,
134
, we show that:

if $n \equiv 2$
n
≡
2
mod 4 or $n=4$
n
=
4
, the frame flow is ergodic if the manifold is $\sim 0.3$
∼
0.3
-pinched,

if $n \equiv 0$
n
≡
0
mod 4, it is ergodic if the manifold is $\sim 0.6$
∼
0.6
-pinched.

In the three dimensions $n=7,8,134$
n
=
7
,
8
,
134
, the respective pinching bounds that we need in order to prove ergodicity are 0.4962..., 0.6212..., and 0.5788.... This is a significant improvement over the previously known results and a step forward towards solving a long-standing conjecture of Brin asserting that 0.25-pinched even-dimensional manifolds have an ergodic frame flow.
Refractive outcomes for secondary sutureless posterior chamber lens implantation: sutureless scleral fixating lens Carlevale® versus retropupillary iris-claw lens Artisan®
Authors: Bontemps Justine , Loria Olivier , Sejournet Lucas , Allignet Benoit , Elbany Sandra , Matonti Frédéric , Burillon Carole , Denis Philippe , Kodjikian Laurent , Mathis Thibaud
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To compare refractive outcomes of the foldable intraocular lens sutureless scleral fixated sutureless (Carlevale® FIL-SSF) with the iris-claw lens (Artisan®).

Methods

This retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent a FIL-SSF implantation or an iris-claw implantation between January 2020 and November 2022 in the ophthalmology departments of Hospices Civils de Lyon (France).

Results

A total of 271 eyes from 265 patients were included: 96 eyes in the FIL-SSF group and 175 eyes in the iris-claw group. At 6 months, the mean (SD) surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was significantly lower in the FIL-SSF group with 0.3 (1.8) diopters against 0.8 (2.1) diopters in the iris-claw group (p = 0.01). The mean (SD) refractive error was also lower for the FIL-SSF group with 0.1 (1.2) diopters versus 0.5 (1.6) diopters in the iris-claw group (p < 0.001). The mean best corrected visual acuity at 6 months was not significantly different between FIL-SSF and iris-claw lens with 0.47 (0.58) logMAR and 0.39 (0.55) logMAR, respectively (p = 0.12). However, the mean (SD) operative time was longer for FIL-SSF implantation in comparison to iris-claw implantation (59.8 (21.1) minutes versus 41.9 (24.4) minutes, respectively (p < 0.001)). The rate of postoperative complications was similar between the two techniques.

Conclusion

This study shows that FIL-SSF achieves better refractive results than iris-claw lens, with a similar rate of postoperative complications. As a relatively new implantation technique, there is a learning curve required to reduce operating time.

Key messages

What is known?

Multiple surgical options for correcting aphakia in the absence of capsular support can be used.

Currently, foldable intraocular lens sutureless scleral fixated sutureless (FIL-SSF, Carlevale®) and iris-claw (Artisan®) implants are the two preferred options, but there is no consensus on the best technique to adopt.

What is new?

We showed that FIL-SSF has a significantly lower surgically induced astigmatism compared to the iris-claw implant.

Similar rate of postoperative complications was found between these two techniques.

Future studies with a longer follow-up period are needed to ascertain its tolerance.
Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in ruminants from Somalia
Authors: Kakimori Monica T. A. , Osman Aamir M. , Silva Ana C. S. , Ibrahim Abdalla M. , Shair Mohamed A. , Cavallieri Ana C. , Barros Luiz D. , Garcia João L. , Vieira Thállitha S. W. J. , Hassan-Kadle Ahmed A. , Vieira Rafael F. C.
Published: November 2024

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals, including humans, in the case of T. gondii, and cause economic losses in livestock due to abortion and neonatal mortality. In Somalia, zoonotic diseases are concerning due to cultural practices and livestock’s economic importance, but surveillance is limited. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and molecular prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in Somali sheep, goats, and cattle. A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2018 and January 2020 in Benadir and Lower Shabelle regions of Somalia. Blood samples were collected from 128 cattle, 184 goats, and 46 sheep. Serum samples were tested for anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies using IFAT, and PCR was performed on extracted DNA to detect T. gondii and N. caninum DNA. Overall, 106/358 (29.6%) animals tested positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies, with the highest prevalence in sheep (62.5%), followed by goats (30.4%) and cattle (15.6%) (P < 0.001). For anti-N. caninum antibodies, 13/358 (3.6%) animals tested positive, with cattle showing the highest prevalence (6.2%), followed by goats and sheep (both 2.2%). Co-seropositivity for both antibodies was found in cattle and sheep. Molecular detection of T. gondii DNA revealed a prevalence of 9/358 (2.5%), primarily in sheep (15.2%) and cattle at 1.6% while all goat samples tested negative. No samples were positive for the N. caninum Nc5 gene. This study reveals T. gondii and N. caninum prevalence in Somali ruminants, highlighting the need for better surveillance and control.
Open-label, controlled, phase 2 clinical trial assessing the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of INM004 in pediatric patients with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli–associated hemolytic uremic syndrome
Authors: Fayad Alicia , Principi Iliana , Balestracci Alejandro , Alconcher Laura , Coccia Paula , Adragna Marta , Amoreo Oscar , Bettendorff María Carolina , Blumetti María Valeria , Bonany Pablo , Tonfi María Laura Flores , Flynn Luis , Ghezzi Lidia , Montero Jorge , Ramírez Flavia , Seminara Claudia , Suarez Ángela , Spizzirri Ana Paula , Rivas Marta , Pichel Mariana , Zylberman Vanesa , Spatz Linus , Massa Carolina , Valerio Marina , Sanguineti Santiago , Colonna Mariana , Roubicek Ian , Goldbaum Fernando ,   on behalf of INM004 Study Group
Published: November 2024

Background

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) is a severe condition mainly affecting children. It is one of the leading causes of acute kidney injury in the pediatric population. There is no established therapy for this disease. INM004 is an anti-Shiga toxin composed of equine polyclonal antibodies. This study is aimed at assessing the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of INM004 in pediatric patients with STEC-HUS.

Methods

Phase 2, open-label clinical trial with an historical control arm. Patients in the treatment arm received two doses of INM004. The primary endpoints were the safety profile, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy (dialysis days) of INM004. Secondary endpoints included other kidney and extrarenal outcomes. Propensity score matching was used for efficacy comparisons between arms.

Results

Fifty-seven and 125 patients were enrolled in the treatment and control arm, respectively. After propensity score matching, 52 patients remained in each arm. INM004 was well-tolerated. Eight adverse events were considered possibly related, none of which were serious or severe. In the primary efficacy endpoint, patients of the treatment arm presented a non-statistically significant difference of two dialysis days. On secondary endpoints, non-statistically significant trends toward fewer patients needing dialysis and dialysis for more than 10 days, and shorter time to glomerular filtration rate normalization, were observed favoring the treatment arm.

Conclusions

INM004 showed an adequate safety profile. Efficacy non-statistically significant trends suggesting a beneficial effect in the amelioration of kidney injury were observed. These results encourage the conduction of a phase 3 study of INM004 in pediatric patients with STEC-HUS.

Graphical Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia in the next-generation sequencing era
Authors: Wurm Sonja , Waltersdorfer Michael , Loindl Simone , Moritz Jennifer M. , Herzog Sereina A. , Bachmaier Gerhard , Berghold Andrea , Kashofer Karl , Beham-Schmid Christine , Hoefler Gerald , Greinix Hildegard T. , Wölfler Albert , Reinisch Andreas , Sill Heinz , Zebisch Armin
Published: November 2024

Background

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has recently entered routine acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnostics. It is paramount for AML risk stratification and identification of molecular therapeutic targets. Most NGS feasibility and results data are derived from controlled clinical intervention trials (CCIT). We aimed to validate these data in a real-world setting.

Patients, materials and methods

This study retrospectively analyzed 447 AML patients treated at an Austrian tertiary cancer care center. A total of 284 out of the 447 cases were treated between 2013–2023 when NGS was locally available for the clinical routine.

Results

The NGS was successfully performed from bone marrow biopsies and aspirates, with processing times decreasing from 22 days in 2013/2014 to 10 days in 2022. Molecular therapeutic target(s) were identified by NGS in 107/284 (38%) cases and enabled risk stratification in 10 cases where conventional karyotyping failed. Concerning molecular landscape, TET2 (27%), FLT3 (25%), DNMT3A (23%), and NPM1 (23%) were most frequently mutated. Comparing older and younger patients (cut-off 70 years) showed enrichment in older people for mutations affecting DNA methylation (72% vs. 45%; P < 0.001) and the spliceosome (28% vs. 11%; P = 0.006) and more cellular signaling mutations in younger patients (61% vs. 46%; P = 0.022). Treatment outcomes corroborated a significant survival benefit in the recent NGS era and patients treated with novel/molecularly targeted drugs. Ultimately, biospecimens of these patients are stored within a leukemia biobank, generating a valuable tool for translational science.

Conclusion

Our study validates data from CCIT and supports their relevance for treatment decisions in a real-world setting. Moreover, they demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of NGS within a routine clinical setting.
Attention control in the peripartum period: a longitudinal study
Authors: Emesh Tamar Bakun , Meiran Nachshon , Ran-Peled Dar , Ben-Zion Hamutal , Horwitz Avel , Finkelstein Omer , Tikotzky Liat
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Given research inconsistency, this study aimed to assess whether attention control changes from pregnancy to postpartum, focusing on the moderating role of maternal objective and subjective sleep. Our second objective was to evaluate attention control’s role in predicting psychological outcomes in peripartum women.

Method

A cohort of 224 pregnant women completed the Antisaccade task, a measure of attention control, during the third trimester and again four months post-delivery. Objective and subjective sleep were measured using actigraphy and sleep diaries. Participants also completed questionnaires assessing depression, anxiety, emotion regulation, and maternal perceptions of the mother-infant relationship.

Results

Attention control improved significantly from late pregnancy to postpartum (β = 0.91, p < .001). While objective sleep was not linked to attention control, poorer between-person subjective sleep was associated with better postpartum attention control (β = − 0.84, p < .001). Better within-person subjective sleep was associated with higher attention control during pregnancy (β = 0.87, p < .001), but a negative interaction with time (β = -1.5, p = .001) suggests a reverse trend postpartum. Attention control did not predict postpartum psychological outcomes.

Conclusion

Cognitive recovery may occur by four months postpartum, although the observed improvement could reflect practice effect. The novel finding of a negative association between subjective sleep and postpartum attention control may indicate better adaptation to perceived poor sleep or heightened attunement to sleep fluctuations in women with higher attention control. Attention control did not predict psychological outcomes, suggesting other factors may be more critical for maternal coping postpartum.
Importance sampling for option pricing with feedforward neural networks
Authors: Arandjelović Aleksandar , Rheinländer Thorsten , Shevchenko Pavel V.
Published: November 2024

We study the problem of reducing the variance of Monte Carlo estimators through performing suitable changes of the sampling measure computed by feedforward neural networks. To this end, building on the concept of vector stochastic integration, we characterise the Cameron–Martin spaces of a large class of Gaussian measures induced by vector-valued continuous local martingales with deterministic covariation. We prove that feedforward neural networks enjoy, up to an isometry, the universal approximation property in these topological spaces. We then prove that sampling measures generated by feedforward neural networks can approximate the optimal sampling measure arbitrarily well. We conclude with a comprehensive numerical study pricing path-dependent European options for asset price models that incorporate factors such as changing business activity, knock-out barriers, dynamic correlations and high-dimensional baskets.
Fracture strength of direct occlusal veneers with different short fiber-reinforced composite cores and veneering materials: an in-vitro study
Authors: Aboelnor Menna Moataz , Nour Khaled Aly , Al-Sanafawy Heba Mohamed Ahmed
Published: November 2024

Objective

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of two different viscosities of short fiber-reinforced composite resin (SFRC) cores and two different viscosities of veneering composite resins on the fracture strength of direct occlusal veneers.

Materials and methods

One maxillary premolar was virtually prepared for an occlusal veneer and printed into resin dies. In total, (n = 48) resin dies were printed and assigned into three groups according to the type of core material of the occlusal veneer; mono-structured without a SFRC core, a high viscosity SFRC core, and a low viscosity SFRC core. Each group was re-divided into two subgroups (n = 8) according to the veneering composite resin; packable composite resin and injectable composite resin. Mono-structured and bi-structured direct occlusal veneers were fabricated on the resin dies using the mentioned core and veneering materials with the occlusal replica technique. Fracture strength was evaluated using a universal testing machine and the mode of failure was inspected. Statistical analysis to compare the core and veneering materials was performed using independent t test (P ≤ 0.05) and one-way ANOVA followed by tukey’s post hoc test (Pa ≤ 0.0166) when appropriate. Interactions between subgroups were tested using two-way ANOVA, and one-way ANOVA was used to compare all subgroups followed by tukey’s post hoc test (Pa ≤ 0.0033). Intergroup comparison between failure modes were performed using chi square test (Pa ≤ 0.0033).

Results

The presence of a SFRC core significantly improved the fracture strength of the specimens. There was no significant difference between the fracture strength of high viscosity SFRC and low viscosity SFRC cores. Specimens veneered with injectable composite resin had significantly superior fracture strength compared to packable composite resin. Additionally, there was a weak correlation between fracture strength and mode of failure.

Conclusion

Short fiber reinforced composite resin significantly increases the fracture strength of direct occlusal veneers. Injectable composite resin has significantly higher fracture strength than packable composite resin as veneering materials of direct occlusal veneers.

Clinical relevance

Bi-structured direct occlusal veneers fabricated of injectable composite resin with low viscosity SFRC cores can withstand high masticatory forces in stress-bearing areas.
Evaluation of training models for intraventricular neuroendoscopy
Authors: Senger Sebastian , Lepshokov Magomed , Tschernig Thomas , Cinalli Guiseppe , Oertel Joachim
Published: November 2024

Structured surgical education has become increasingly important in recent years. Intraventricular neuroendoscopic procedures have been widely established. However, training surgical skills with these techniques is crucial for young residents due to the potential harm to adjacent tissue. Therefore, we evaluated two different training models. Participants in two different international workshops were trained on a prefixed cadaver model and on a living murine intraabdominal model. Crucial neuroendoscopic techniques such as membrane perforation and tissue biopsy were performed. A blinded questionnaire evaluated both models. Sixty-three participants were trained on the animal model. Forty of these were trained on the cadaver model. The training effect was evaluated almost equally, with 8.5/10 for the animal model and 8.9/10 for the cadaver model. The tissue properties were rated higher regarding realism in the animal model, whereas the anatomic realism was rated higher in the cadaver model. The animal model is a valid alternative to cadaver models for teaching endoscopic neurosurgical skills. This model benefits from the simulation of real surgical tissue properties, including bleeding. The low costs and availability of this technique make it more ubiquitous and can help train further generations of neurosurgeons.