bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor-related epilepsy in high-grade glioma: a large series survival analysis
Authors: Rilinger Ryan G. , Guo Lydia , Sharma Akshay , Volovetz Josephine , Thompson Nicolas R. , Grabowski Matthew , Lobbous Mina , Dhawan Andrew
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Seizures are a common clinical occurrence in high-grade glioma (HGG). While many studies have explored seizure incidence and prevalence in HGG, limited studies have examined the prognostic effect of seizures occurring in the post-diagnosis setting. This study aims to assess the impact of seizure presentation on HGG survival outcomes.

Methods

Single-center retrospective review identified 950 patients with histologically-confirmed high-grade glioma. Seizure presentation was determined by clinical history and classified as early onset (occurring within 30 days of HGG presentation) or late onset (first seizure occurring after beginning HGG treatment). The primary outcome, hazard ratios for overall survival and progression-free survival, was assessed with multivariable Cox proportional-hazards models. IDH1 mutation status (assessed through immunohistochemistry) was only consistently available beginning in 2015; subgroup analyses were performed in the subset of patients with known IDH1 status.

Results

Epileptic activity before (HR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.68–0.96, P = 0.017) or after (HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.60–0.91, P = 0.005) HGG diagnosis associated with improved overall survival. Additionally, late seizure onset significantly associated with lower odds of achieving partial (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.12–0.53, P = < 0.001) or complete (OR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.18–0.50, P < 0.001) seizure control than patients with early seizure onset.

Conclusions

Clinical seizures both at the time of diagnosis and later during the HGG treatment course are associated with improved overall survival. This association potentially persists for both IDH1-wildtype and IDH1-mutant patients, but further study is required.
Cost Optimisation of Individual-Based Institutional Reward Incentives for Promoting Cooperation in Finite Populations
Authors: Duong M. H. , Durbac C. M. , Han T. A.
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we study the problem of cost optimisation of individual-based institutional incentives (reward, punishment, and hybrid) for guaranteeing a certain minimal level of cooperative behaviour in a well-mixed, finite population. In this scheme, the individuals in the population interact via cooperation dilemmas (Donation Game or Public Goods Game) in which institutional reward is carried out only if cooperation is not abundant enough (i.e., the number of cooperators is below a threshold $$1\le t\le N-1$$

1
≤
t
≤
N
-
1

, where N is the population size); and similarly, institutional punishment is carried out only when defection is too abundant. We study analytically the cases $$t=1$$

t
=
1

for the reward incentive under the small mutation limit assumption and two different initial states, showing that the cost function is always non-decreasing. We derive the neutral drift and strong selection limits when the intensity of selection tends to zero and infinity, respectively. We numerically investigate the problem for other values of t and for population dynamics with arbitrary mutation rates.
Practical Implications of Using an Online Data-Driven Optimizer for Calcium-Treated Steels
Authors: Kuthe Sudhanshu , Rössler Roman , Glaser Björn
Published: August 2024

Calcium (Ca) additions during secondary steelmaking are a well-adopted practice to transform solid oxide non-metallic inclusions (NMIs) into globular-shaped liquid oxides. The claimed hypothesis that liquid NMIs reduce SEN clogging has been proven in the past by researchers. However, the exact quantity of Ca needed to transform the physical state of NMIs during steelmaking remains uncertain. Operators in the steel plant use a consistent quantity of Ca additions for specific steel grades, but this approach does not account for the varying physical states and evolving dynamics of NMIs characteristics in each ‘heat’. To overcome this, a study was conducted to explore the impact of varying Ca additions on the transformation and behavior of NMIs in low-alloyed Ca-treated steel grades. The aim was to establish a more reliable and responsive approach to Ca treatment, potentially leading to more effective control in preventing submerged entry nozzle (SEN) clogging. The proposed methodology involved online monitoring of NMIs state coupled with controlled variations in Ca addition, deviating from fixed quantity, to observe its effects on NMIs state transformations. Through careful analysis of collected data and the implementation of a data-driven optimizer, this study reports the practical implications of using optimal amounts of Ca during secondary steelmaking. The resulting change due to dynamic calcium silicide (CaSi)-cored wire additions and their impact on SEN clogging were evaluated. The findings reveal the significant role of optimal CaSi wire additions, leading to improved steel castability and a notable 30 pct reduction in SEN clogging tendencies. The results obtained after the implementation of the data-driven optimizer ‘ClogCalc’ have significant implications for steel manufacturers, offering new insights into enhancing Ca treatment efficiency.
Management Approaches for High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Perineural Invasion: An Updated Review
Authors: Catalano Martina , Nozzoli Filippo , De Logu Francesco , Nassini Romina , Roviello Giandomenico
Published: August 2024

Opinion Statement

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) stands as the second most prevalent non-melanoma skin cancer worldwide, comprising approximately 20% of all cutaneous malignancies. Determining its precise incidence poses challenges; however, reports indicate a global increase in its prevalence. At the time of diagnosis, the majority of cSCCs are localized, resulting in favorable 5-year cure rates surpassing 90%. Nevertheless, a subset of patients (3–7%) encounters locally advanced or metastatic cSCC, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. The risk of metastasis ranges from 0.1% to 9.9%, carrying an associated mortality risk of 2.8%. Factors influencing recurrence, metastasis, and disease-specific mortality underscore the significance of perineural invasion (PNI) as a key indicator. Patients with PNI may manifest clinical symptoms and/or radiologic signs of PNI, while the majority remain asymptomatic, and PNI is frequently identified upon histologic examination. Despite its lower frequency compared to other cancer types, PNI serves as a recognized adverse prognostic factor for cSCC. Surgery is the elective treatment for these patients, while the role of adjuvant radiotherapy (ART) is yet contentious and have not been conclusively assessed, particularly in clear surgical margin. Prospective comparative studies are required to comprehensively evaluate the benefit and the risks of ART for cSCC and PNI patients.
Contactless integrated photonic probes: fundamentals, characteristics, and applications
Authors: Wu Guangze , Wan Yuanjian , Wang Zhao , Hu Xiaolong , Zeng Jinwei , Zhang Yu , Wang Jian
Published: August 2024

On-chip optical power monitors are indispensable for functional implementation and stabilization of large-scale and complex photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Traditional on-chip optical monitoring is implemented by tapping a small portion of optical power from the waveguide, which leads to significant loss. Due to its advantages like non-invasive nature, miniaturization, and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process compatibility, a transparent monitor named the contactless integrated photonic probe (CLIPP), has been attracting great attention in recent years. The CLIPP indirectly monitors the optical power in the waveguide by detecting the conductance variation of the local optical waveguide caused by the surface state absorption (SSA) effect. In this review, we first introduce the fundamentals of the CLIPP including the concept, the equivalent electric model and the impedance read-out method, and then summarize some characteristics of the CLIPP. Finally, the functional applications of the CLIPP on the identification and feedback control of optical signal are discussed, followed by a brief outlook on the prospects of the CLIPP.

Graphical Abstract
How an Android Expresses “Now Loading…”: Examining the Properties of Thinking Faces
Authors: Namba Shushi , Sato Wataru , Namba Saori , Diel Alexander , Ishi Carlos , Minato Takashi
Published: August 2024

The “thinking face” is a facial signal used to convey being in thought. For androids, the thinking face may be important to achieve natural human–robot interaction. However, the facial pattern necessary for portraying the thinking face remains unclear and has not yet been investigated in androids. The current study aims to (a) identify the facial patterns when people are engaged in answering complex questions (i.e., thinking face) and (b) clarify whether implementing the observed thinking faces in an android can facilitate natural human–robot interaction. In Study 1, we analyze the facial movements of 40 participants after they are prompted with difficult questions and indicate five facial patterns that corresponded to thinking faces. In Study 2, we further focus on the pattern of furrowing of the brows and narrowing of the eyes among the observed thinking facial patterns and implement this pattern in an android. The results show that thinking faces enhance the perception of being in thought, genuineness, human-likeness, and appropriateness in androids while decreasing eeriness. The free-description data also revealed that negative emotions are attributed to the thinking face. In Study 3, we compared the thinking vs. neutral faces in a question–answer situation. The results showed that the android's thinking face facilitated the perception of being in thought and human-likeness. These findings suggest that the thinking face of androids can facilitate natural human–robot interaction.
To waste or not to waste: a multi-proxy analysis of human-waste interaction and rural waste management in Indus Era Gujarat
Authors: Chakraborty Kalyan Sekhar , Bestel Sheahan , Lucus Mary , Roberts Patrick , Shirvalkar Prabodh , Rawat Yadubirsingh , Larsen Thomas , Miller Heather M. -L.
Published: August 2024

Waste management is paramount to town planning and ancient civilizations across the world have spent resources and mobilized labor for waste disposal and reuse. The study of waste management practices offers a unique window into the daily lives, social organization, and environmental interactions of ancient societies. In the Indus Valley Civilization, known for its urban planning, understanding waste disposal in rural settlements provides crucial insights into the broader socio-economic landscape. While extensive research has documented sophisticated waste management systems in urban Indus centers, little is known about practices in rural settlements. This gap limits our understanding of regional variations and rural-urban dynamics within the civilization. In this paper, using isotopic and microscopic proxies, we characterize the waste disposed of at the rural Indus settlement of Kotada Bhadli to reconstruct the sources of waste, including heated animal dung, and burned vegetation. We propose that rural agro-pastoral settlements in Gujarat during the Indus Era systematically discarded such waste in specific locations. By characterizing waste produced at Kotada Bhadli, we are also able to reconstruct the natural environment and how the natural and cultural landscape around the settlement was exploited by the residents of the settlement for their domestic and occupational needs. Our identification of the attention paid to waste disposal by the inhabitants of Kotada Bhadli adds significant data to our understanding of waste disposal as an insight into past lives.
Mapping actor networks in global multi-stakeholder initiatives for food system transformation
Authors: van den Akker Amber , Fabbri Alice , Slater Scott , Gilmore Anna B. , Knai Cecile , Rutter Harry
Published: August 2024

There is growing recognition that global food system transformation requires a fundamental shift in norms, perspectives and structural inclusion and exclusion of different actors in decision-making spaces. As multistakeholder governance approaches become increasingly common, significant concerns have been raised about their ability to deliver such change. Such concerns are based on case study findings repeatedly highlighting their susceptibility to corporate capture. This study goes beyond individual case studies, examining global multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) whose stated aim is to drive a healthier and more sustainable food system. It identified and categorised actors within these MSIs, drawing on social network analysis to provide insights into actor centrality, power structures, and how this might impact MSIs’ potential to drive transformative change. Thirty global MSIs were included in our sample, including a total of 813 actors. Most actors were based in high-income countries (HIC) (n = 548, 67%). The private sector (n = 365, 45%) was the most represented actor category, comprising transnational corporations (TNCs) (n = 127) and numerous others representing their interests. NGOs, affected communities and low- and middle-income country actors remain underrepresented. The central involvement of TNCs which rely on the production and sale of unhealthy and unsustainable commodities represents a clear conflict of interest to the stated objectives of the MSIs. These findings lend weight to concerns that MSIs may reflect rather than challenge existing power structures, thus serving to maintain the status quo. This indicates a need to critically examine the use of multistakeholder governance approaches and their ability to drive global food system transformation.
Interdisziplinäre Therapieansätze der systemischen Sklerose
Authors: Wunderlin Chantal , Napp Simone , Siegwart Demian , Gerber Eve-Yaël , Bonati Leo , Behrendt Frank , Buslau Michael , Schuster-Amft Corina , Gerth Hans Ulrich
Published: August 2024

Hintergrund

Die Weiterentwicklung medikamentöser und nichtmedikamentöser Therapien der systemischen Sklerose (SSc) stellt in der praktischen Anwendung aufgrund der geringen Prävalenz und Heterogenität der Erkrankung oft eine große Herausforderung dar.

Fragestellung

Zusammenfassung aktuell verfügbarer Therapieoptionen inklusive wissenschaftliche Evidenz, praktische Empfehlungen und aktuelle Leitlinien.

Material und Methode

Auswertung von Studien, Metaanalysen, Übersichtsarbeiten sowie Expertenempfehlungen.

Ergebnisse

Eine Aktualisierung der europäischen Leitlinie zur medikamentösen Therapie ist in Vorbereitung. Die aktualisierte Version führt neben Methotrexat und Cyclophosphamid neu auch Rituximab, Mycophenolat, Nintedanib und Tocilizumab zur Therapie der interstitiellen Lungenerkrankung bzw. Hautfibrose auf. Für verschiedene nichtmedikamentöse Therapien konnten in mehreren Studien Effekte auf verschiedene Symptome der SSc nachgewiesen werden. Dazu gehören insbesondere eine Funktionsverbesserung, Schmerzreduktion und Steigerung der Lebensqualität.

Schlussfolgerung

Die zunehmende Erweiterung der Therapiemöglichkeiten ermöglicht eine individuelle Behandlung in Abhängigkeit vom Phänotyp der Erkrankung.
A citizen-candidate model of party formation
Authors: Bhattacharya Mihir
Published: August 2024

There are multiple models of party formation in the political economy literature. However, most of these works consider individuals as parties and do not model parties as a group of candidates. In this paper, we follow the latter approach and assume that parties form as a result of mutually agreeable links between candidates. We consider a citizen-candidate model of electoral competition where candidates decide whether they want to participate in election alone or offer links to adjacently placed candidates on a one-dimensional policy space. We characterize one-party and two-party equilibrium and show that no multi-party equilibrium exists with three or more parties. We provide conditions on the rents of winning with respect to the cost of participating in election which also depend on the number of candidates. We provide new insights which explain party formation from the perspective of group formation. Our results confirm the Duverger’s law and are consistent with empirical evidence on plurality voting systems.
The revolution of metaverse in surgery: a mini-review with video
Authors: Ammendola Michele , Memeo Riccardo , Al Ansari Mohanad
Published: August 2024

The virtual reality (VR) is an application in which people can interact each other with their own avatars. Metaverse has already been tested in numerous medical fields and health care as telemedicine, second opinion and remote discussion, but in surgery some fundamental concepts are not yet very widespread. In this study, we want to show our surgery and workshop experiences in the Metaverse to demonstrate the safety and efficiency of this new technology in surgery, in particular for telementoring and remote surgery, combining artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and VR.
3D printed microneedles: revamping transdermal drug delivery systems
Authors: Prabhu Ashlesh , Baliga Vishal , Shenoy Raghavendra , Dessai Akanksha D. , Nayak Usha Y.
Published: August 2024

One of the advancements of the transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) is the development of microneedles (MNs). These micron-sized needles are used for delivering various types of drugs to address the disadvantage of other transdermal techniques as well as oral drug delivery systems. MNs have high patient acceptance due to self-administration with minimally invasive and pain compared to the parenteral drug delivery. Over the years, various methods have been adopted to evolve the MNs and make them more cost-effective, accurate, and suitable for multiple applications. One such method is the 3D printing of MNs. The development of MN platforms using 3D printing has been made possible by improved features like precision, printing resolution, and the feasibility of using low-cost raw materials. In this review, we have tried to explain various types of MNs, fabrication methods, materials used in the formulation of MNs, and the recent applications that utilize 3D-printed MNs.
Evaluation of Some Heavyweight Minerals as Sustainable Neutron and Gamma-Ray Attenuating Materials: Comprehensive Theoretical and Simulation Investigations
Authors: Zayed Ahmed M. , El-Khayatt Ahmed M. , Mahmoud Karem A. , Petrounias Petros , Masoud Mostafa A.
Published: August 2024

This study comprehensively evaluates the radiation attenuation efficiencies of hematite and barite, commonly used materials in radiation shielding, using theoretical and simulation investigations. The MCNP-5 code was used to obtain the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) within the energy range of 0.015–15 MeV, with validation by the XCOM program. Based on these LAC values, various gamma-ray shielding parameters were determined: mass attenuation coefficient, half-value layer, radiation protection capacity, mean free path, transmission factor, and equivalent thickness to lead (ETPb). Additionally, effective atomic number (Zeff) and electron density (Neff) were calculated, including both single-energy and energy-dependent forms for photon absorption and interaction. Furthermore, MCNP-5 simulations and NGCal program calculations were used to assess thermal neutron attenuation, while the NXcom program determined fast neutron behavior. This analysis revealed superior γ-ray shielding for barite compared to hematite. Similarly, the NXcom program indicated better fast neutron shielding for barite. However, interestingly, simulations validated a 210% higher effectiveness in thermal neutron attenuation for hematite. Finally, comparing the studied materials with other shielding materials demonstrated promising potential as environmentally friendly alternatives for effective shielding against various radiation types.
Action research communities as a whole-of-school teaching improvement initiative: a multi-method multi-informant study
Authors: Lynch David , Vo Hoi , Yeigh Tony , Marcoionni Tina , Madden Jake , Turner David
Published: August 2024

Professional learning communities (PLCs) actioned through collaborative action research (CAR) have been found in the literature to be beneficial for both teachers and students. However, previous studies mainly examined teachers’ perceived effectiveness of CAR-based PLCs, as well as identified steps and elements involved in such PLCs, either self-initiated by teachers themselves or by university researchers in a school-university partnership model. Few have focused on a whole-of-school teaching improvement initiative based entirely on PLCs through CAR. In this study, we provide preliminary evaluation of a 3-year whole-of-school teaching improvement initiative (the SETaRI), based on PLCs through CAR at a regional primary school in NSW, Australia. Analysis of students’ various assessment measures (N = 206), teachers’ survey (N = 44), observation of professional learning team meetings, and various types of student artefacts revealed that students showed general and consistent improvement in both their reading and maths performance over time following the implementation of the SETaRI model, with greater progressive learning effects for those whose initial learning outcomes were lower than their peers. The findings also highlighted data-driven decision making, teacher collaboration, and school leadership as potent elements underlying teachers’ positive attitudes toward the implementation of the model as well as student learning outcomes and improvement. This study provides useful implications for a school improvement agenda focused on action research communities.
Implementing a rainwater harvesting system in an arid region with an LCA approach
Authors: Amani S. , Rezaee M.
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this study is to compare the life cycle assessment and reliability of different rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems in residential buildings in Tehran for a period of 50 years. Four main scenarios based on the number of stories (1, 2, 3, and 4) each including five sub-scenarios based on the size of the rainwater storage tank (2.5m3, 5m3, 7.5m3, 10m3, 12.5m3) and one using solely tap water were defined. Simapro software was used for life cycle assessment which was carried out using the endpoint and midpoint methods. The collected rainwater is assumed to be merely used to fill flush tanks and if it cannot satisfy this demand, tap water will be used. The results show that in an arid city like Tehran, collecting rainwater does not even come close to meeting non-potable water needs, and in most scenarios, tap water must be used for more than half of the days. Despite the low reliability of RWH systems, they perform better than tap water in most environmental impact categories because the processes used to produce tap water have the highest contribution to environmental damage. Among the sub-scenarios that use rainwater for flush tank demands, in almost all environmental impact categories, sub-scenarios that collect more rainwater (higher storage tank sizes) have better performance. The performance of sub-scenarios that use more rainwater is better in the endpoint environmental categories of ecosystems and human health; however, this trend is the opposite in the impact category of resources.

Graphical abstract
HRDLNet: a semantic segmentation network with high resolution representation for urban street view images
Authors: Chen Wenyi , Miao Zongcheng , Qu Yang , Shi Guokai
Published: August 2024

Semantic segmentation of urban street scenes has attracted much attention in the field of autonomous driving, which not only helps vehicles perceive the environment in real time, but also significantly improves the decision-making ability of autonomous driving systems. However, most of the current methods based on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) mainly use coding the input image to a low resolution and then try to recover the high resolution, which leads to problems such as loss of spatial information, accumulation of errors, and difficulty in dealing with large-scale changes. To address these problems, in this paper, we propose a new semantic segmentation network (HRDLNet) for urban street scene images with high-resolution representation, which improves the accuracy of segmentation by always maintaining a high-resolution representation of the image. Specifically, we propose a feature extraction module (FHR) with high-resolution representation, which efficiently handles multi-scale targets and high-resolution image information by efficiently fusing high-resolution information and multi-scale features. Secondly, we design a multi-scale feature extraction enhancement (MFE) module, which significantly expands the sensory field of the network, thus enhancing the ability to capture correlations between image details and global contextual information. In addition, we introduce a dual-attention mechanism module (CSD), which dynamically adjusts the network to more accurately capture subtle features and rich semantic information in images. We trained and evaluated HRDLNet on the Cityscapes Dataset and the PASCAL VOC 2012 Augmented Dataset, and verified the model’s excellent performance in the field of urban streetscape image segmentation. The unique advantages of our proposed HRDLNet in the field of semantic segmentation of urban streetscapes are also verified by comparing it with the state-of-the-art methods.
Economics of Electrowinning Iron from Ore for Green Steel Production
Authors: Humbert Matthew S. , Brooks Geoffrey A. , Duffy Alan R. , Hargrave Chad , Rhamdhani M. Akbar
Published: August 2024

The transition to green steel production is pivotal for reducing global carbon emissions. This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of various green steel production methods, including hydrogen reduction and three different electrolysis techniques: aqueous hydroxide electrolysis (AHE), molten salt electrolysis, and molten oxide electrolysis (MOE). By comparing process flow diagrams, capital and operational expenditures, specific energy consumption, and production footprint, this work provides a high-level assessment of the economic viability of these processes as they mature. The analysis reveals that MOE, despite its ongoing development, offers a promising route for iron production given its ability to process a wide range of ore qualities and the potential to sell electrolyte as a cement product. However, the best balance between deployment ready technology and economic benefit is AHE. Operational challenges are also discussed, such as electrolyte loss and slag handling. We suggest that the sale of by-products like oxygen may not significantly impact the economics due to market saturation. The findings underscore the importance of continued research and development in process optimization to realize the full potential of green steel technologies. All the calculations have been released as supplementary electronic material (MS Excel workbook). The format has been inspired by the techno-economic assessment template (TECHTEST) distributed by the US Dept. of Energy.

Graphical Abstract
Cryo-Assisted Nitrogen Treatment for the Fabrication of Nanoengineered, Mixed Transition Metal Oxide Anode from Inorganic Domestic Waste, for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Ashraf Humza , Karahan B. Deniz
Published: August 2024

A novel method for the fabrication of nanoengineered, mixed transition metal oxide anode active material is proposed based on implementing liquid nitrogen treatment during the chemical precipitation process, for the first time in open literature. Such interference in the precipitation is believed to change the surface energy of the nuclei leading to differentiation in the growth process. To exemplify this hypothesis with an environmentally friendly approach, kitchen scourer pads, an existing waste, are used as a starting material instead of using a mixture of primary quality metals’ salts. Therefore, in this study, firstly, an optimization is realized to leach the scouring pad with 100% efficiency. Then, by applying a conventional chemical precipitation to this leachate at pH 5.5, Sample 1-P is produced. Herein, innovatively liquid nitrogen treatment is carried out during the chemical precipitation to produce Sample 2-P. Lastly, these precipitates (Samples 1-P, 2-P) are calcinated in the air to form mixed transition metal oxide powders: Samples 1 and 2, respectively. Structural, chemical, and morphological characterizations are carried out to examine the effect of liquid nitrogen treatment on the powders’ properties. To discuss the effect of nitrogen treatment on the electrochemical performances of the anode active materials (Sample 1 and Sample 2), galvanostatic tests are realized. The results show that Sample 2 demonstrates a higher 1st discharge capacity (1352 mAh/g) and retains 62% of its performance after 200 cycles when 50 mA/g current load is applied. Moreover, this electrode delivers around 500 mAh/g at 1 A/g current load. The remarkable cycle performance of Sample 2 is believed to be related to the superior chemical, structural, and physical properties of the electrode active material.

Graphical Abstract
Die aktuelle Guideline Nebenniereninzidentalom
Authors: Braun Leah
Published: August 2024

Nebenniereninzidentalome werden in den letzten Jahren durch die Zunahme der abdominellen Bildgebung häufig diagnostiziert, sodass bereits 2016 eine dezidierte Guideline der European Society of Endocrinology erstellt wurde, welche nun 2023 in revidierter Form publiziert wurde. Ein multidisziplinäres Assessment dieser Inzidentalome sollte bei Verdacht auf Malignität oder bei hormoneller Sekretion erfolgen. Bis zu 10 % der Inzidentalome sind maligne. Die wichtigste Bildgebung zur Beurteilung der Dignität ist die Computertomographie ohne Kontrastmittel, da sich mit dieser Homogenität und Hounsfield Units (HU) ideal beurteilen lassen. Bis zu 50 % aller Nebennierenadenome sind durch eine milde autonome Cortisolsekretion gekennzeichnet. Daher wird empfohlen, in allen Fällen einen 1‑mg-Dexamethason-Hemmtest durchzuführen. Weitere biochemische Diagnostik (Ausschluss eines Phäochromozytoms, Bestimmung des Aldosteron-Renin-Quotienten, Steroidprofiling) ist in ausgewählten Fällen angezeigt. Ein hormonell inaktives und bildgebend eindeutig gutartiges Inzidentalom bedarf keiner Therapie und keiner weiteren Nachsorge. Bei Verdacht auf Malignität sollte eine Adrenalektomie erfolgen. Diese ist minimal-invasiv durchzuführen, wenn die Raumforderung ≤ 6 cm und nicht invasiv ist, anderenfalls muss offen operiert werden. Eine weitere Bildgebung nach 6–12 Monaten ist bei allen uneindeutigen Fällen vorgesehen; hierfür sollte eine CT oder MRT durchgeführt werden. Bei einem signifikanten Wachstum von mehr als 20 % muss in der Regel eine Operation erfolgen. Eine erneute hormonelle Abklärung ist nur bei klinischen Veränderungen vorgesehen. Forschungsbedarf in der Versorgung von Nebenniereninzidentalomen besteht vor allem in der Versorgung von Patienten und Patientinnen mit milder autonomer Cortisolsekretion, da es hier an Studien mangelt für evidenzbasierte Empfehlungen.
Bacillus subtilis as an effective tool for bioremediation of lead, copper and cadmium in water
Authors: Rocco Debora H. E. , Freire Bruna Moreira , Oliveira Thais Jardim , Alves Patricia Lius Melo , de Oliveira Júnior José Martins , Batista Bruno Lemos , Grotto Denise , Jozala Angela Faustino
Published: August 2024

Bioremediation is a promising technique for the removal and recovery of contaminated areas, which is based on the ability of organisms to convert toxic substances into less harmful or inert compounds. Here, we evaluate the capacity of the Bacillus subtilis (BS) bacteria to bioadsorved heavy metals such as lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) in water samples. Water samples were laboratory contaminated Pb at 500 ppm, Cu and Cd at 100 ppm. First, the growth curve of BS was plotted using Tryptone Soy Broth (TSB) at 100% (TSB100) and 33% (TSB33). Later, BS was studied in water containing all three metals separately and simultaneously. All solutions were stirred at 150 rpm, 35 ℃ for periods that ranged from 1 to 144 h. The heavy metal analyses were performed by X-ray fluorescence and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The results showed that BS was resistant to Cu, Cd and Pb in water, with active multiplication and reduction in the concentration of the metals. The highest removal efficiency, in the presence of each heavy metal, reached 100% with Pb, 92.3% with Cd and 89% with Cu. In the solution with the mixture of heavy metals, Cd and Pb levels reduced significantly. However, the mixture of metals negatively affected the removal of Cu. In conclusion, the implement using Bacillus-type bacteria can be efficient in the biosorption of heavy metals from aqueous solutions and can be employed as a cost-effective treatment for the bioremediation of industrial effluents and contaminated areas.
Driving sustainability: assessing KPI effectiveness in the Saudi chemical industry
Authors: Alfarsi Alaa , Sherif Ziyad , Jagtap Sandeep , Gupta Sumit , Salonitis Konstantinos
Published: August 2024

This study explores the relationship between Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and environmental performance improvement within the Saudi chemical industry. Against the backdrop of global sustainability imperatives and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which promotes sustainability for economic diversification, this research aims to assess the effectiveness of KPIs in driving environmental sustainability practices. The motivation for this study stems from the identified gaps in the systematic implementation and utilisation of KPIs and the lack of awareness regarding certain aspects of environmental impact management within the industry in the Kingdom. The methodology involved a structured survey administered to a diverse range of chemical manufacturing companies, followed by rigorous data analysis using descriptive evaluation, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), reliability analysis, and t-tests. The results revealed insights into pollution areas, KPI utilisation, methods for pollution assessment, alignment with strategic goals, and governance regulations. Descriptive analysis highlighted air quality management as a priority, with notable attention to water and land pollution, while quantitative analysis confirmed the significance of KPIs in driving environmental performance improvement in the area. However, it also unveiled the absence of a systematic approach to implementing and utilising KPIs effectively, coupled with a lack of awareness regarding certain aspects of environmental impact management, consequently leading to uncertainty. Overall, this study contributes to advancing sustainability efforts within the Saudi chemical sector, providing actionable insights for industry stakeholders and policymakers.
MLAWSMOTE: Oversampling in Imbalanced Multi-label Classification with Missing Labels by Learning Label Correlation Matrix
Authors: Mao Jian , Huang Kai , Liu Jinming
Published: August 2024

Missing labels in multi-label datasets are a common problem, especially for minority classes, which are more likely to occur. This limitation hinders the performance of classifiers in identifying and extracting information from minority classes. Oversampling is an effective method for addressing imbalanced multi-label problems by generating synthetic instances to create a class-balanced dataset. However, the existing oversampling algorithms mainly focus on the location of the generated data, and there is a lack of design on how to complete the labels of the synthetic data. To address this issue, we propose MLAWSMOTE, a synthetic data generation algorithm based on matrix factorization weights. We introduce a weak supervised learning method in the oversampling method, optimize the weights of features and labels by using label correlation, and iteratively learn the ideal label weights. The mapping relationship between features and labels is learned from the dataset and the label correlation matrix. The oversampling ratio is defined based on the discrepancy between observed labels and the ideal label of synthetic instances. It mitigates the impact of missing minority labels on the model’s predictions. The labeling of synthetic instances is performed based on label prediction, and the potential labeling distribution is complemented. Experimental results on multiple multi-label datasets under different label missing ratios demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in terms of ACC, Hamming loss, MacroF1 and MicroF1. In the validation of the four classifiers, MacroF1 decreased by 24.78%, 17.81%, 3.8% and 19.56%, respectively, with the increase of label loss rate. After applying MLAWSMOTE only decreased by 15.79%, 13.63%, 3.78% and 15.21%.
Dissolvable microneedle patch enables local delivery of immunomodulatory microparticles containing bifunctional molecules for periodontal tissue regeneration
Authors: Zhang Xuexiang , Hasani-Sadrabadi Mohammad Mahdi , Dashtimighadam Erfan , Fahimipour Farahnaz , Shokeen Bhumika , Bezouglaia Olga , Fu Ruxing , Hong Isabelle , Yang Yang , Aghaloo Tara , Wu Benjamin M. , Gu Zhen , Lux Renate , Li Song
Published: August 2024

Periodontitis is initiated by dysbiosis of the oral microbiome. Pathogenic bacteria elicit ineffective immune responses, which damage surrounding tissues and lead to chronic inflammation. Although current treatments typically aim for microbial eradication, they fail to address the significance of immune cell reactions in disease progression. Here, we searched for small molecules as drug candidates and identified a bifunctional antibiotic, azithromycin (AZM), that not only inhibits bacterial growth but also modulates immune cells to suppress inflammation. We further engineered a dissolvable microneedle patch loaded with biodegradable microparticles for local and painless delivery of AZM to the gingival tissues. Inflammatory cytokines were decreased while anti-inflammatory cytokines and M2 macrophage were increased with AZM treatments in vitro. In vivo delivery of the AZM-loaded microneedle patch demonstrated the same effects on cytokine secretion and the promotion of tissue healing and bone regeneration. In addition, microparticles containing anti-inflammatory interleukin-4 alone or in combination with separately-formulated AZM microparticles, had similar or slightly enhanced therapeutic outcomes respectively. The bimodal action of AZM obviates the necessity for separate antibacterial and immunomodulatory agents, providing a practical and streamlined approach for clinical treatment. Our findings also demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of microparticles delivery into the soft tissues by a minimally invasive and fast-degrading microneedle patch and offer a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of periodontitis and other diseases through immunomodulation.

Graphical Abstract
Sustainable cement mortar production using rice husk and eggshell powder: a study of strength, electrical resistivity, and microstructure
Authors: Paul Suvash Chandra , Basit Md Abdul , Hasan Noor Md. Sadiqul , Islam M. Shariful
Published: August 2024

In order to preserve the natural fine aggregates and proper waste resources recycling, rice husk and eggshell powders were used as filler materials in production of standard M30 grade mortar. Natural fine aggregate was replaced with rice husk powder (RHP) at 3%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, and 15%, and with eggshell powder (EP) at 3%, 5%, and 7%, both at a constant water-to-cement ratio of 0.40. Compressive strength, split tensile strength, water absorption, pore distribution, and electrical resistivity of the mortar samples were investigated. Also, XRD, SEM, and EDS were performed to observe the samples’ chemical phases and microstructure. The results show that up to 15% RHP reduced the compressive strength by 20–35%, whereas the up to 7% EP obtained a similar (varies by 0–5%) result compared to the control sample at 28 days. Furthermore, the results suggest that sand replacement with RHP and EP had no impact on the water absorption and pore volume of mortars. Also, the samples made with up to 15% RHP and 7% EP improved the resistivity by up to 80% and 15%, respectively, providing better resistance to chloride ion migration. Based on the results, it is recommended to use the RHP and EP up to a level of 5% and 7%, respectively, in sustainable M30 grade mortar production.
Misinformation and Support for Vigilantism: An Experiment in India and Pakistan
Authors: BADRINATHAN SUMITRA , CHAUCHARD SIMON , SIDDIQUI NILOUFER
Published: August 2024

Vigilante violence, often targeting religious and sectarian minorities and preceded by unsubstantiated rumors, has taken the lives of many citizens in India and Pakistan in recent years. Despite its horrific nature, such vigilantism receives popular support. Can reducing the credibility of rumors via corrections decrease support for vigilantism? To answer this question, we field simultaneous, in-person experiments in Punjab, Pakistan, and Uttar Pradesh, India, regions where anti-minority vigilantism has been preceded by misinformation. We find that correcting rumors reduces support for vigilantism and increases the desire to hold vigilantes accountable. This effect is not attenuated by prior distrust toward out-groups. By contrast, information about state and elite behavior does not always shape attitudes toward vigilantism. These findings provide evidence that support for vigilantism can be reduced through the dissemination of credible information, even in polarized settings.
The Influence of Partisanship on Assessments of Promise Fulfillment and Accountability
Authors: BONILLA TABITHA
Published: August 2024

I draw together theories of partisan polarization and motivated reasoning, which suggest that partisanship shapes information processing, and theories of accountability, which argue voters hold elected officials accountable through promise fulfillment. Here, I ask how partisanship influences voter understanding of promise fulfillment and accountability and if voters assess promises through a partisan lens. Two original survey experiments test how respondents react to promise fulfillment on the issues of immigration and human trafficking. I demonstrate that co-partisans differentiate between kept and broken promises, but out-partisans do not. Despite partisan differences, respondents evaluate promise-keeping when asked about accountability but not when asked about approval. Thus, even when voters recognize broken promises, accountability is influenced by partisanship. Immigration, a more polarized issue, is more likely to prime a partisan response than human trafficking, a less polarized issue. Future work must account for partisanship in accountability and what this means for our understanding of fundamental democratic principles.
Reflection: Corporate Capitalism's Moral Lack
Authors: Bakan Joel
Published: August 2024

Corporate capitalism changed dramatically in the early 2000s. The 1980s mantra that “greed is good” gave way to corporate vows to prioritize social and environmental values alongside profit. The rise of the “new corporation” purported to answer a question first raised in the nineteenth century: How do we ensure corporations are legally and morally accountable to those their actions impact? By the late nineteenth century, capitalism had become corporate, and the corporation had become capitalist. This created a moral lack in capitalism that inspired the “new capitalism” in the 1920s, the New Deal administrative state, and today's “new corporation.” Understanding its historical antecedents reveals the “new” corporation's limitations and dangers.
The Will to Chaos and Disorder: The Behemoth as a Model of Political Economy
Authors: Harcourt Bernard E.
Published: August 2024

The history of political economy is tormented by beasts. The most famous is the Leviathan, the giant serpentine monster that figures in Hobbes’s masterpiece of modern political theory. Robert Fredona and Sophus Reinert spotlight another sea monster, the Kraken, that giant octopus or squid with a particular morphology (i.e., its tentacles) that so fittingly describes the grip of multinational corporations, stateless financial capital, social media, and tech giants today. But there are still other monsters in the bestiary of political economy. In this essay, I highlight the Behemoth, a land monster that captures another critical dimension of political economy: the willful and intentional deployment of chaos and disorder as a way of governing. Franz Neumann, political and legal theorist and lawyer, Columbia University professor, and member of the Frankfurt School in exile, placed the Behemoth at the heart—and in the title—of his analysis of Germany’s political economy under the Nazi regime. Alongside the Leviathan surveillance state and the many tentacular grips of multinational, social media, and tech Krakens, the Behemoth remains a key model to better understand current forms of capitalism.
Ireland’s Role in British Colonial Capitalism: “Men of Capitals” and Pitt’s Irish Proposals, 1784–1785
Authors: O’Sullivan Mary
Published: August 2024

In April 1785, the British prime minister, William Pitt, proposed to give Ireland “compleat liberty and equality” with Britain “in matters of trade.” Historians cast the stakes around Pitt’s “Irish” proposals in terms of ideologies about trade, but this paper focuses on the concrete economic issues involved. It shows that Pitt’s proposals emerged from years of debates in which contemporaries conceived of the British Atlantic economy in terms of an integration of trade, shipping, and credit that evokes a British system of colonial capitalism. Ireland’s dependent relationship to that system, and the perceived failure of “free trade” to overcome its poverty, generated a battle among Irish “improvers” over rival plans to attract “men of capitals” to Ireland. Pitt played an important role in this fierce Irish debate by favoring one plan, but the British prime minister and his main Irish advisor, Thomas Orde, were never convinced by that plan’s logic of improvement, supporting it instead for fiscal reasons. That calculus made Pitt’s proposals vulnerable to attack from economic interests in Britain that took Ireland’s plans for economic improvement more seriously.
A Parameterization Scheme for Correcting All‐Sky Surface Longwave Downward Radiation Over Rugged Terrain
Authors: Yang Feng , Zeng Zhenzhong , Cheng Jie
Published: August 2024

Accurate surface longwave downward radiation (SLDR) is crucial for understanding mountain climate dynamics. While existing algorithms notably improve the accuracy of clear‐sky SLDR, a terrain correction algorithm that can correct remotely sensed and model‐simulated all‐sky SLDR on a large scale remains largely unexplored. Here, we propose a parameterization scheme for estimating all‐sky SLDR in rugged terrain. We primarily improve the estimation of nearby terrain thermal contribution by considering topographic asymmetry and incorporate the effects of ice cloud thermal scattering under low water vapor conditions. We validate the reliability of our model using the Discrete Anisotropic Radiative Transfer (DART) model, demonstrating a good agreement with a bias value of −12.8 W/m2 and a RMSE value of 28.2 W/m2. Further evaluation against the Essential Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing (ELITE) SLDR product at three TIPEX‐III in situ sites, located near the bottom of deep valleys with predominantly flat surfaces, indicates significant improvement in our model, reducing the mean bias by 7.4 W/m2 and the mean RMSE by 4.1 W/m2. Post‐terrain correction, the ELITE SLDR difference map exhibits a spatial pattern of “small in the northwest and large in the southeast” in the study area, with the maximum differences reaching 67 W/m2 in the daytime and 54 W/m2 at nighttime. Comparison with existing methods reveals similar improvements due to the consideration of terrain effects. Overall, our SLDR correction model shows enormous potential for correcting remotely sensed and model‐simulated SLDR products on a large scale.