bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlling the synthesis conditions for the fabrication of Pb (Mg1/3Nb2/3) O3 nano powders to diminish undesirable pyrochlore structure
Authors: Elhefnawy G. M. , El-Gazery M. , Khafagy A. H. , Rashad M. M.
Published: January 2025

The main problem in fabrication of relaxor lead magnesium niobate (PMN; Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3) O3) material is the formation of an undesirable pyrochlore phase (Pb1.86Mg0.24Nb1.67O6.5). This phase significantly impacts the electrical properties of the compound. Therefore, this article presents various experimental trials performed to minimize the formation of the undesirable pyrochlore phase during the preparation of relaxor lead magnesium niobate material. In this regard, a sol-gel pathway was utilized. The synthesis was conducted as follows; niobium ethoxide, metal nitrate and metal acetate were combined with 2-methoxyethanol to form transparent solution. The gel was then formed by heating the solution at 80 °C, to form the precursor powder. Subsequently, thermal treatment at elevated temperatures was performed to form the perovskite structure. The effects of several synthesis conditions such as the presence of surplus Mg2+ ions, excess of Pb2+ ion content, annealing and pre-annealing temperature, type of fuel and the annealing time, on the physicochemical properties and the structure of PMN phase were investigated. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) results manifested that crystallization of PMN was occurred at a temperature of 580 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) profiles revealed that the ratio of the pyrochlore (Pb1.86Mg0.24Nb1.67O6.5) phase was significantly reduced by increasing the Mg2+ ion content up to 30%. The lowest concentration of the pyrochlore phase was predestined during a single annealing step at 900 °C for a period of 3 h, using an excess of 30% Mg2+ ion concentration. Rietveld refinement of the XRD data was conducted using Material Analysis Using Diffraction (MAUD) software. The refinement was performed to determine the crystal structure and lattice constants. From the refinement, the cubic structure was evinced with a lattice constant (a) of 4.048Å. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy of PMN nano powders annealed at 900 °C for 3 h demonstrated a spectrum characteristic of the most perovskite compounds with a common BO6 oxygen-octahedral structure. Additionally, X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) provided the composition and the chemical states of the prepared PMN compound. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis revealed that the PMN material exhibited a large specific surface area (155.8 m2/g) with a small average pore radius (2.8 nm). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images indicated that the PMN particles manifested a regular cubic structure with an average particle size of 43 ± 0.1 nm under the optimum conditions. The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) technique proved the polycrystalline nature of the formed ceramic material. From characterization results obtained in this work, this material shows potential candidate for various metrological applications, including piezoceramic for the ultrasonic transducer cores.
Flow of a micropolar drop in an impermeable micropolar circular pipe
Authors: Salem Ahmed G.
Published: January 2025

In light of the blood cells motion inside the vein or artery, there is no knowledge available about the importance of the flow of a non-deformable micropolar drop inside a circular cylindrical pipe filled with a micropolar fluid. This paper provides a two-fluid phase motion problem of an axially symmetrical quasisteady movement of a micro-structure fluid drop embedded in another micro-structure fluid of micropolar kind on the axis of an impermeable cylindrical pipe that is discussed under the low Reynolds number conditions. The interfacial tension between the immiscible fluid phases at the drop’s interface is assumed to be very large to ensure that the droplet remains spherical in shape. Also, the microrotation and couple stress relations at the droplet’s interface are used. The general solutions for the differential equations are fulfilled by the stream functions of the micropolar fluids, which are constructed by combining fundamental solutions in cylindrical and spherical coordinates, and then the conditions on the boundaries are fulfilled at the inner surface of the pipe by the Fourier-transform and also at the interface of the drop using collocation methods. The paper’s significance is to discuss and see the effectiveness of the pipe’s inner surface on the hydrodynamic normalised force influencing the drop sphere because of its filling with and existence in a micropolar fluid. Findings indicate that the hydrodynamic normalised force is increasing monotonically with the increase of the droplet-to-pipe radius ratio, and tends to infinity when the droplet’s interface touches the pipe’s inner surface. Additionally, the findings show that when the micropolarity parameters increase, so does the normalised drag force. Our findings for the normalised force agree well with the solutions that are provided in publications. The current study is also significant in the domains of industrial and biomedical operations like coagulation, sedimentation, and rheology of suspension, to name a few.
The power of music: impact on EEG signals
Authors: El Sayed Basma Bahgat , Basheer Mye Ali , Shalaby Marwa Safwat , El Habashy Hala Rashad , Elkholy Saly Hasan
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Music is known to impact attentional state without conscious awareness. Listening to music encourages the brain to secrete neurotransmitters improving cognition and emotion.

Aim of work

Analysis of QEEG band width while listening to two music types, identifying different cortical areas activated and which genre has a similar effect to relaxed EEG.

Methods

This is a cross-section interventional analytic study including 76 normal subjects, 55 of them are females (72.37%). Participants listened to 10 min of a single audio track during EEG recording, consisting of (1 min of silence, 3 min of Egyptian folk music, 3 min of silence, then 3 min of Egyptian instrumental classic music (without any lyrics). We analyzed QEEG bands at each brain region during different tracks. The power ratio index (PRI) was calculated for each region, and then the interhemispheric difference was compared.

Results

The participants’ ages ranged from 15 to 26 with a mean 16.73 ± 2.37 years. PRI showed a significant increase in the frontal and occipital regions during listening to folk music compared to the silent epoch, where p < 0.001 and p = 0.023, respectively. In the frontal and temporal regions, the classic music epoch evoked the highest PRI interhemispheric difference compared to the folk music epoch, where p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively.

Conclusion

Egyptian folk music has significantly slowed the brain rhythm, particularly in the frontal region, compared to classic music, supporting the hypothesis of a momentary reduction of cognitive capacities by the noise. Classic music was evidently associated with a relaxed state EEG.
Sustainability Nexus AID: storms
Authors: Papalexiou Simon Michael , Mascaro Giuseppe , Pendergrass Angeline G. , Mamalakis Antonios , de Brito Mariana Madruga , Andreadis Konstantinos M. , Schiro Kathleen , Zaerpour Masoud , Hatami Shadi , Gavasso-Rita Yohanne Larissa , Ballarin André S. , Godoy Mijael Rodrigo Vargas , Nerantzaki Sofia , Abdelmoaty Hebatallah , Matin Mir A. , Madani Kaveh
Published: January 2025

Storms include a range of weather events resulting in heavy liquid and solid precipitation and high winds. These events critically impact crops and natural resources and, in turn, health, economy, and infrastructure safety. The intensity and frequency of the physical mechanisms triggering storms will most likely increase under global warming due to the changing flows of water and energy in the atmosphere. Addressing storm threats holistically requires a nexus approach that links climate change, infrastructure, and human prosperity and well-being, contributing to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This work introduces the Storms Module of the United Nations University (UNU) Sustainability Nexus Analytics, Informatics, and Data (AID) Programme. The paper aims to emphasize the importance of AID tools in addressing storm impacts through a data-driven nexus approach that recognizes the connections between storm hazards, policy, and society. Today, AID tools are instrumental in understanding storms and making informed decisions to manage them. AID tools contribute to archiving and monitoring storm data, employing predictive models and early warning systems, estimating storm risk, conducting post-storm analysis, and aiding preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The Storms Module lists freely available AID tools, including large databases, simulation and precipitation tools, and resources for storm preparedness. Over the next years, new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, are expected to revolutionize storm understanding, forecasting, and adaptive planning. However, especially for the operational use of new AI tools, caution is advised due to potential limitations regarding data quality, ethical concerns, cybersecurity risks, and the need for legal frameworks.
Pressure model and scaling laws in jammed bidisperse granular packings
Authors: Petit Juan C. , Sperl Matthias
Published: January 2025

This investigation delves into the scaling laws governing pressure and key mean variables throughout the first and second jamming transitions previously observed in asymmetric bidisperse granular packings. Motivated by a theoretical model integrating crucial parameters—size ratio,
$$\delta$$
, concentration of small particles,
$$X_{\mathrm{S}}$$
, packing fraction,
$$\phi$$
, mean contact number,
$$\langle Z \rangle$$
, mean overlap,
$$\langle \alpha ^{c}_{n} \rangle$$
, and mean branch vector length
$$\langle \ell ^{c}_{n} \rangle$$
—we employ molecular dynamics simulations to validate the model. Our findings reveal a non-linear relationship between pressure and
$$\phi$$
stemming from the dynamic interaction of mean variables with
$$\phi$$
during compression. Regardless of
$$X_{\mathrm{S}}$$
for δ = 0.73, the scaling exponent
$$c_{Z}$$
characterizing
$$\langle Z \rangle$$
with
$$\phi$$
consistently approximates 0.5, holding true for δ = 0.73 and high
$$X_{\mathrm{S}}$$
values. Intriguingly, for δ = 0.15 and low
$$X_{\mathrm{S}}$$
, where the two jamming transitions are observed,
$$c_{Z}$$
exhibits distinct values. At the first transition, where large particles jam,
$$c_{Z}$$
slightly exceeds 0.5, while it diminishes to approximately 0.3 at the second transition following the jamming of small particles. Additionally, the exponents associated with the scaling of
$$\langle \alpha ^{c}_{n} \rangle$$
and
$$\langle \ell ^{c}_{n} \rangle$$
with
$$\phi$$
consistently converge around
$$c_{\alpha } = c_{\ell } \sim 0.92$$
varying with changes in
$$X_{\mathrm{S}}$$
and
$$\delta$$
. Moreover, the pressure model aligns seamlessly with simulation trends, exhibiting a consistent exponent around
$$c_{p} \sim 1.1$$
–1.3 throughout the first and second jamming transitions. These results offer valuable insights into the compression behavior of highly asymmetric bidisperse packings, emphasizing the substantial influence of
$$\delta$$
and
$$X_{\mathrm{S}}$$
on the system’s macroscopic properties.
Urban life of an elusive species: population trends, movement patterns, foraging habitats, and prospecting in Mediterranean Gulls (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) breeding in Hamburg, northern Germany
Authors: Garthe Stefan , Haecker Karena , Mitschke Alexander , Dierschke Volker , Schwemmer Philipp
Published: January 2025

The lower River Elbe, including Hamburg, is part of a distribution hotspot for Mediterranean Gulls in northwest Europe. We studied local population trends and foraging behaviours of 13 adult Mediterranean Gulls breeding on a roof top at the edge of Hamburg city in June 2021 and 2022, using GPS tagging. Mediterranean Gulls have bred regularly in the Hamburg region since 1987, increasing to around 150 pairs at the end of the 2000s. After 2019, breeding numbers increased to > 300 pairs, with frequent changes among three local colonies. In both 2021 and 2022, most foraging trips were directed towards the south and southeast, but Mediterranean Gulls also regularly performed long-distance trips heading west and northwest. Foraging trips lasted up to 59.2 h, with foraging ranges up to 115.2 km and total distances covered in the foraging trips ranging from 3.0 to 514.2 km. The most important foraging habitats were pastures (mean 62%) and non-irrigated arable land (mean 26%). Nine of the 11 analysed Mediterranean Gulls showed prospecting behaviour. The longest prospecting periods per individual lasted between 2.2 and 11.1 h (mean 5.4 h). At the end of their individual breeding periods, only one of the 11 birds left the Hamburg-Moorfleet colony on long-distance migration, while all the other individuals stopped in at least one other colony in northern Germany for a few days. Mediterranean Gulls in northern Germany are characterised by spatially variable breeding site locations, coinciding with a high level of prospecting behaviour. In contrast, the use of foraging habitats seems to be consistent, including local and traditional foraging sites.
Topic modelling through the bibliometrics lens and its technique
Authors: Ogunleye Bayode , Lancho Barrantes Barbara S. , Zakariyyah Kudirat Ibilola
Published: January 2025

Topic modelling (TM) is a significant natural language processing (NLP) task and is becoming more popular, especially, in the context of literature synthesis and analysis. Despite the growing volume of studies on the use of and versatility of TM, the knowledge of TM development, especially from the perspective of bibliometrics analysis is limited. To this end, this study evaluated TM research using two techniques namely, bibliometrics analysis and TM itself to provide the current status and the pathway for future studies in the TM field. For this purpose, this study used 16,941 documents collected from Scopus database from 2004 to 2023. Results indicate that the publications on TM have increased over the years, however, the citation impact has declined. Furthermore, the scientific production on TM is concentrated in two countries namely, China and the USA. Our findings showed there are several applications of TM that are understudied, for example, TM for image segmentation and classification. This paper highlighted the future research directions, most importantly, calls for increased multidisciplinary research approaches to fully deploy TM algorithms optimally and thus, increase usage in non-computer science subject areas.
Modified LSHADE-SPACMA with new mutation strategy and external archive mechanism for numerical optimization and point cloud registration
Authors: Fu Shengwei , Ma Chi , Li Ke , Xie Cankun , Fan Qingsong , Huang Haisong , Xie Jiangxue , Zhang Guozhang , Yu Mingyang
Published: January 2025

Numerical optimization and point cloud registration are critical research topics in the field of artificial intelligence. The differential evolution algorithm is an effective approach to address these problems, and LSHADE-SPACMA, the winning algorithm of CEC2017, is a competitive differential evolution variant. However, LSHADE-SPACMA’s local exploitation capability can sometimes be insufficient when handling these challenges. Therefore, in this work, we propose a modified version of LSHADE-SPACMA (mLSHADE-SPACMA) for numerical optimization and point cloud registration. Compared to the original approach, this work presents three main innovations. First, we present a precise elimination and generation mechanism to enhance the algorithm’s local exploitation ability. Second, we introduce a mutation strategy based on a modified semi-parametric adaptive strategy and rank-based selective pressure, which improves the algorithm’s evolutionary direction. Third, we propose an elite-based external archiving mechanism, which ensures the diversity of the external population and can accelerate the algorithm’s convergence progress. Additionally, we utilize the CEC2014 (Dim = 10, 30, 50, 100) and CEC2017 (Dim = 10, 30, 50, 100) test suites for numerical optimization experiments, comparing our approach against: (1) 10 recent CEC winner algorithms, including LSHADE, EBOwithCMAR, jSO, LSHADE-cnEpSin, HSES, LSHADE-RSP, ELSHADE-SPACMA, EA4eig, L-SRTDE, and LSHADE-SPACMA; (2) 4 advanced variants: APSM-jSO, LensOBLDE, ACD-DE, and MIDE. The results of the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Friedman mean rank test demonstrate that mLSHADE-SPACMA not only outperforms the original LSHADE-SPACMA but also surpasses other high-performance optimizers, except that it is inferior L-SRTDE on CEC2017. Finally, 25 point cloud registration cases from the Fast Global Registration dataset are applied for simulation analysis to demonstrate the potential of the developed mLSHADE-SPACMA technique for solving practical optimization problems. The code is available at https://github.com/ShengweiFu?tab=repositories and https://ww2.mathworks.cn/matlabcentral/fileexchange/my-file-exchange
Advancing paleontology: a survey on deep learning methodologies in fossil image analysis
Authors: Yaqoob Mohammed , Ishaq Mohammed , Ansari Mohammed Yusuf , Qaiser Yemna , Hussain Rehaan , Rabbani Harris Sajjad , Garwood Russell J. , Seers Thomas D.
Published: January 2025

Understanding ancient organisms and their interactions with paleoenvironments through the study of body fossils is a central tenet of paleontology. Advances in digital image capture now allow for efficient and accurate documentation, curation, and interrogation of fossil forms and structures in two and three dimensions, extending from microfossils to larger specimens. Despite these developments, key fossil image processing and analysis tasks, such as segmentation and classification, still require significant user intervention, which can be labor-intensive and subject to human bias. Recent advances in deep learning offer the potential to automate fossil image analysis, improving throughput and limiting operator bias. Despite the emergence of deep learning within paleontology in the last decade, challenges such as the scarcity of diverse, high quality image datasets and the complexity of fossil morphology necessitate further advancement which will be aided by the adoption of concepts from other scientific domains. Here, we comprehensively review state-of-the-art deep learning based methodologies applied to fossil analysis, grouping the studies based on the fossil type and nature of the task. Furthermore, we analyze existing literature to tabulate dataset information, neural network architecture type, and key results, and provide textual summaries. Finally, we discuss novel techniques for fossil data augmentation and fossil image enhancements, which can be combined with advanced neural network architectures, such as diffusion models, generative hybrid networks, transformers, and graph neural networks, to improve body fossil image analysis.
Pre- and post-diagnosis body weight trajectories in patients with localized renal cell cancer
Authors: Vrieling Alina , Olsson Linnea T. , Kleuters Guyon , Maurits Jake S. F. , Aben Katja , Sedelaar J. P. Michiel , Furberg Helena , Kiemeney Lambertus A. L. M.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Obesity in mid-life is a well-established risk factor for developing renal cell carcinoma (RCC); however, patients with RCC who are obese at the time of diagnosis have more favorable survival outcomes. To get better insight into the obesity paradox and determine the extent to which weight around diagnosis is stable, we examined pre- and post-diagnosis weight changes in patients with localized RCC.

Methods

We included 334 patients with localized RCC from the prospective cohort ReLife who self-reported body weight at multiple time points ranging from 2 years before to 2 years after diagnosis. Multivariable linear mixed-effects regression models were used to compare weight at each timepoint to weight at diagnosis for the overall study population, as well as stratified by BMI at diagnosis, tumor stage, and tumor grade.

Results

Most patients were classified as overweight (38.3%) or obese (29.6%) at diagnosis. Overall, patients experienced on average 1.45 kg (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84, 2.06) weight loss in the 2 years before diagnosis. Pre-diagnosis weight loss was higher in patients who were non-obese at diagnosis, and who presented with higher tumor stage and grade. On average, pre-diagnosis weight loss was at least partially regained within two years after diagnosis.

Conclusion

Patients who were non-obese and patients with higher stage and grade tumors had higher pre-diagnosis weight loss, which was at least partially regained after treatment. These patterns suggest there are subgroups of patients with localized RCC who experience disease-related weight loss, which could contribute to the obesity paradox.
Licensing Exam Pass Rate Disparities in Marriage and Family Therapy: Using an Analysis of Predictive Factors to Inform a More Equitable Licensing Exam Process
Authors: Lyness Kevin , Gehart Diane , Hannigan Brian , Birge Barrie , Ross Sheiketha
Published: January 2025

This article describes the findings of a study that explored potential factors that influence the pass rate for those taking marriage and family therapy (MFT) licensing exams, both the national and California exams. An online, national survey was conducted to determine factors associated with passing the MFT licensing exams. The survey included measures of test anxiety, coping strategies, perceived stress, and experience of discrimination. The demographic results included patterns of racial and age disparities similar to those reported by the Association of Social Work Boards (2022), especially for Black respondents. Specific and readily implemented recommendations for making the current exams more equitable include (a) changing the phrasing of questions, (b) clarifying and reducing the scope of the content, (c) reducing the number of questions during the 4-hour period, and (d) ensuring adequate accommodations for disabilities.
Seasonal monitoring of forage C:N:ADF ratio in natural rangeland using remote sensing data
Authors: Rapiya Monde , Ramoelo Abel , Truter Wayne
Published: January 2025

In recent decades, natural rangelands have emerged as vital sources of livelihood and ecological services, particularly in Southern Africa, supporting communities in developing regions. However, the escalating global demand for food, driven by a growing human population, has led to the extensive expansion of cultivated areas, resulting in continuous nutrient leaching in rangelands. To ensure the long-term viability of these ecosystems, there is a need to develop effective approaches for managing and monitoring the seasonality of forage quality. This study aims to achieve this by utilizing multispectral Sentinel-1 (S1) and Sentinel-2 (S2) data to monitor the seasonal distribution and occurrence of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and the (C:N:ADF) ratio in mesic rangelands. Six sites were randomly selected from Welgevonden and Hoogland private game reserves in Limpopo, South Africa, representing varying vegetation cover and standing biomass. Transects, each with ten fixed sample sites (30 × 30 m) characterized by homogeneous vegetation, were established. The grass samples and aboveground biomass were collected during each season and analyzed for biochemical parameters using a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) machine. S1 and S2 data from Google Earth Engine (GEE) were employed, and the random forest (RF) modelling algorithm revealed significant seasonality impacts on the distribution of forage C:N:ADF ratios. The study demonstrates that integrating S1 and S2 data enhances the estimation of forage nutrients. This study offers valuable insights for a diverse range of stakeholders, including ecologists, resource managers, farmers, and park managers. By giving an understanding of nutrient limitations and facilitating a deeper understanding of resource availability and animal distribution in rangelands, this research serves as a crucial tool for informed decision-making and sustainable management practices.
Location by Proxy
Authors: Correia Fabrice
Published: January 2025

The concept of location—of something being located at, or occupying, a region or a place—has been an important topic of philosophical investigation over the past fifteen years or so. Yet all the theories of location that have been put forward so far are unsatisfactory, because they fail to have the conceptual resources to describe certain basic locational phenomena. I introduce and partly develop a novel theory of location that does better in this respect than its predecessors. Its most distinctive feature is the way in which it handles so-called cases of multilocation: according to the theory, objects capable of being multilocated occupy regions via proxies, and—in a slogan, and very roughly—to be multilocated is to have several proxies located at different regions.
The plasticity of root traits and their effects on crop yield and yield stability
Authors: Zhao Dongxue , de Voil Peter , Sadras Victor O. , Palta Jairo A. , Rodriguez Daniel
Published: January 2025

Context

Phenotypic plasticity can be a valuable adaptation strategy for coping with environmental heterogeneity. There is limited information on the plasticity of root traits and their effect on yield and yield stability.

Objectives

With a perspective of phenotypic plasticity, we focus on functional root traits associated to water uptake in field-grown sorghum to answer: (i) How do genetic (G), environmental (E) and management (M) factors and their interactions, affect the root traits? and (ii) How do root traits and their plasticity affect yield and yield stability?

Methods

A new high-throughput functional root phenotyping approach was used in G × E × M trials to quantify two root traits, maximum rooting depth (MxRD) and a root activity index (RAindex). Crop phenotypic plasticities were determined using the reaction norm method.

Results

The applied G × E × M treatments created plastic responses between the tested hybrids. There was a hierarchy of plasticities for the different traits studied i.e., grain number traits > root traits > grain weight traits. The plasticity of root traits was associated with the stability of grain yield traits. Hybrids with high root plasticity tend to have more stable grain numbers and grain weights.

Conclusions

There is valuable genetic diversity in the mean value and plasticity of root traits that could be used to match root phenotypes to target production environments. Our root phenotyping approach can be a valuable tool for understanding the dynamic interactions between root function, root architecture and yield traits in the field under variable environments.
Estimation of the Spatiotemporal Variability of Surface soil Moisture Using Machine Learning Methods Integrating Satellite and Ground-based Soil Moisture and Environmental Data
Authors: Blanka-Végi Viktória , Tobak Zalán , Sipos György , Barta Károly , Szabó Brigitta , van Leeuwen Boudewijn
Published: January 2025

Monitoring and quantifying the development of drought extremes is important to agriculture, water, and land management. For this, soil moisture (SM) is an effective indicator. However, currently, real-time monitoring and forecasting of SM is challenging. Thus, this study develops and tests a methodology based on machine learning methods that integrates ground-based data, Sentinel-1 satellite soil moisture (S1SSM) data, meteorological data, and relevant environmental parameters to improve the estimation of the spatiotemporal changes in SM. It also evaluates the relevance of the applied parameters and the applicability and limitations of S1SSM data in SM monitoring. Specifically, the performances of four machine learning methods (multiple linear regression, support vector machine regression, extreme gradient boosting, and a deep neural network) were evaluated in an area increasingly exposed to hydrological extremes. Overall, the extreme gradient boosting model provided the best result (R2 = 0.92). In this case, the difference between the modeled and observed SM values at ground-based stations was below 3%, with only five stations reporting differences above 5%, indicating the effectiveness of this model for SM monitoring in larger areas. Additionally, the spatial pattern of the observed S1SSM values and the modeled values showed good agreement (with a difference below 10%) in the larger part (45.5%) of the area, while more than 20% difference occurred in 27.1% of the area, demonstrating the application potential of S1SSM data in areas with less heterogeneous land use. However, the results also suggest that the S1SSM data can be affected by land use and/or soil types.
Environmental and social impacts of women’s argan oil production in Morocco
Authors: Gebrai Yoel , Naughton Colleen C. , Sánchez Kimberly D. , Bargach Jamila , Deubel Tara F.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Argan oil is sourced from the argan tree’s fruit, predominantly found in rural communities in southwestern Morocco. Women utilize indigenous knowledge to produce argan oil in their homes through a laborious, manual process. Although to meet the growing market demand, cooperatives often use machines for certain production steps. This study explores the social and environmental impacts of different argan oil production processes to evaluate the tradeoffs and opportunities that emerge in this time-honored craft.

Methods

Cradle-to-gate social and environmental life cycle assessments were performed on six scenarios, comparing traditional (manual), semi-mechanized, and fully mechanized scenarios for cosmetic and edible argan oil production. The stakeholders considered included Workers and the Local Community. Social impact categories of salary, working hours, health and safety, human energy expenditure, and local employment were assessed. Twenty-six households near Sidi Ifni and four cooperatives near Agadir were surveyed in Morocco. Environmental impact categories included global warming potential, ecotoxicity potential, human toxicity, water consumption, and fossil fuel potential. Reference point thresholds were used for the social impact assessment, and ReCiPe 2016 was used for the environmental impact assessment. A sensitivity analysis was conducted on each scenario, evaluating how productive capacity affects the categories of social and environmental impact.

Results and discussion

The manual production process had the lowest environmental impact. In each scenario, edible argan oil production had a higher environmental impact than its cosmetic equivalent. The scenario analysis revealed that semi-mechanized production typically had greater environmental impacts than fully mechanized production. However, if the semi-mechanized productive capacity is sufficiently higher, then fully mechanized production has the greatest environmental impact. The semi-mechanized productive capacity can be increased by adding more employees. Collection of argan fruit and kneading were reported to be the most challenging steps for manual production by argan oil producers. Collection, depulping, and crushing had the highest human energy expenditures. Women producing argan oil at home earned more daily income than cooperative workers although both earn less than the legal daily minimum wage in Morocco.

Conclusion

The LCA and S-LCA results show the effectiveness of applying both approaches to analyze production processes. The semi-mechanized production process can increase productive capacity while maintaining employment. However, oversight and transparency are needed to ensure that argan oil producers are compensated fairly. Including health and safety questions as well as human energy calculations demonstrated that while kneading did not have a high amount of human energy expenditure, it was one of the most difficult steps.
Sozial- und Solidarwirtschaft im neuen Munizipalismus: Eine Entprivatisierung der Stadt?
Authors: van Dyk Silke , Gerstenhöfer Luzie , Kip Markus
Published: January 2025

Angesichts multipler Krisen und einer europaweiten Politik der Austerität und Privatisierung sind vielerorts Städte zu Orten des Widerstands und zu Laboren einer neuen Politik des Öffentlichen geworden. In fast allen Großstädten Spaniens war in der Mitte der 2010er-Jahre eine Dynamik städtischer Politik zu verzeichnen, die auf die Kooperation mit Zivilgesellschaft und Bewegungen setzte, sich in Opposition zum (Zentral‑)Staat stellte und seitdem als neuer Munizipalismus diskutiert wird. Auch in Großbritannien haben seit 2010 kommunale Anti-Austeritäts-Politiken an Einfluss gewonnen. Insbesondere der Ausbau sozialer und solidarischer Ökonomien im sozialen Nahraum spielt für die angestrebte Re-Lokalisierung der Ökonomie eine herausragende Rolle. Der Beitrag nimmt diese Dynamik in den Blick, analysiert Strategien, Erfolge und hemmende Bedingungen munizipalistischer Politik zur Stärkung der Sozial- und Solidarwirtschaft (SSE) und fragt nach ihrem Potenzial, die städtische Ökonomie substanziell zu entprivatisieren. Der Beitrag verfolgt die These, dass die SSE nicht nur zentraler Referenzpunkt einer Programmatik der Entprivatisierung und Demokratisierung im neuen Munizipalismus ist, sondern auch als leerer Signifikant fungiert, der in unterschiedliche Richtungen anschlussfähig ist.
Recreational Spaces: How Best to Design and Cater for Older People’s Safe Engagement in Physical Activity
Authors: Levinger Pazit , Mcconaghy Ric , Dreher Bronwyn , James Lisa , Fearn Marcia , McKenna Tessa , Hallissey Mairead , Hill Keith D.
Published: January 2025

Recreational spaces, such as local parks, are important public spaces for the community to engage in various activities. With the global ageing population, the concept of multigenerational recreational spaces has become popular in recent years with the aim to design active spaces to cater for all age groups, including older people. However, designing multigenerational spaces that enable safe usage by older people can be challenging due to the competing interests and needs of different age groups. This paper is a reflective narrative describing four case studies of multigenerational outdoor spaces in Melbourne, Australia with the inclusion of age-friendly equipment and analysing parks layout and design using aerial imagery data. Factors impacting safe usage of the space by older people were identified and discussed. The main challenges identified in the recreational case study areas included: proximity of the seniors’ exercise area relative to children’s play-spaces, accessibility, layout of the area, and surrounding features which can pose potential safety risks for older people or be a deterrent for visiting the parks. The information described in this paper provides practical learnings relating to park layout, proximity of different spaces, and strategies that may be required to be implemented to facilitate safe usage of the space by older people for better multigenerational design. A national recreational age-friendly policy is also needed to provide overarching guidelines to assist local governments in the design and delivery of inclusive multigenerational recreational spaces.
“I am sick, but that’s not all that I am”: patient perspectives on psychological adaptation over time to inborn errors of immunity
Authors: Beers Breanna J. , Davidson-Swinton Hannah R. , Lewis Katie L. , Setzer Michael R. , Walkiewicz Magdalena A. , Similuk Morgan N.
Published: January 2025

Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are rare heritable disorders of the immune system predisposing to atypical infections, autoimmunity, inflammation, and risk of malignancy. Adaptation is the process of incorporating stressful experiences into one’s life; these experiences may include onset of illness, receiving a diagnosis, or suffering without a diagnosis. Poor adaptation is linked to adverse outcomes including psychiatric comorbidities and decreased well-being. Most people with chronic illnesses and rare diseases adapt to their condition with time, but little is known about how this happens. We seek to address this gap in knowledge by investigating features of successful adaptation to IEI over time to help providers facilitate this process among those who struggle. We interviewed 20 self-reportedly well-adapted adults with IEI about their experiences of adaptation. We identified three overarching themes. First, many participants grappled with shame and loss but ultimately integrated their illness into their lives through acceptance, gratitude, and self-compassion. Second, knowledge and choice contributed to participants’ perceived control, but most participants were also forced to acknowledge the limits of that control when confronting unpredictable symptoms. Finally, social relationships could influence adaptation either positively or negatively. Notably, many participants found meaning in giving back to their communities, especially by educating others about their condition. Ultimately, participants showed that adaptation to life with IEI is complex and ongoing, requiring frequent recalibration to emerging challenges in new life stages. We provide recommendations to providers to help the results of this study shape their discussions with patients.
Investigating the Shortcomings of the Flow Convergence Method for Quantification of Mitral Regurgitation in a Pulsatile In-Vitro Environment and with Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Leister Robin , Karl Roger , Stroh Lubov , Mereles Derliz , Eden Matthias , Neff Luis , de Simone Raffaele , Romano Gabriele , Kriegseis Jochen , Karck Matthias , Lichtenstern Christoph , Frey Norbert , Frohnapfel Bettina , Stroh Alexander , Engelhardt Sandy
Published: January 2025

The flow convergence method includes calculation of the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) and is widely used to classify mitral regurgitation (MR) with echocardiography. It constitutes a primary decision factor for determination of treatment and should therefore be a robust quantification method. However, it is known for its tendency to underestimate MR and its dependence on user expertise. The present work systematically compares different pulsatile flow profiles arising from different regurgitation orifices using transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) probe and particle image velocimetry (PIV) as a reference in an in-vitro environment. It is found that the inter-observer variability using echocardiography is small compared to the systematic underestimation of the regurgitation volume for large orifice areas (up to 52%) where a violation of the flow convergence method assumptions occurs. From a flow perspective, a starting vortex was found as a dominant flow pattern in the regurgant jet for all orifice shapes and sizes. A series of simplified computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations indicate that selecting a suboptimal aliasing velocity during echocardiography measurements might be a primary source of potential underestimation in MR characterization via the PISA-based method, reaching up to 40%. In this study, it has been noted in clinical observations that physicians often select an aliasing velocity higher than necessary for optimal estimation in diagnostic procedures.
Noether symmetries of test charges in the magnetic monopole field
Authors: López-Monsalvo César S. , Rubio-Ponce Alberto
Published: January 2025

We consider the motion of charged test particles in the presence of a Dirac magnetic monopole. We use an extension of Noether’s theorem for systems with magnetic forces and integrate explicitly the corresponding equations of motion.
Perceptions of sarcopenia in patients, health and care professionals, and the public: a scoping review of studies from different countries
Authors: Lewis Emma Grace , Hurst Christopher , Errington Linda , Sayer Avan A.
Published: January 2025

Rationale and objective

Perceptions of sarcopenia have rarely been explored, yet understanding these will be key for successful translation of sarcopenia research findings into meaningful benefits for patients and the public. This scoping review aimed to explore how sarcopenia is perceived amongst patients, health and care professionals (HCP), and the public in different countries.

Methods

Seven electronic databases were searched from inception up to December 2023 with no geographical or language limitations. Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed research of any design where the focus related to perceptions of sarcopenia. Studies using alternative descriptors only, such as “skeletal muscle weakness/loss” were excluded. Study characteristics were charted, and thematic synthesis conducted.

Results

Following independent screening of 11,533 records, 20 articles were included in this review representing 19 countries. Five studies focused on patient perceptions, 11 investigated HCP, and four the public. Three key themes were identified: (1) Low awareness of sarcopenia—among all groups, its nature as a disease was contested. (2) The “know-do” gap in healthcare—even where knowledge among HCP existed, this had not translated into clinical practice, in part, due to perceptions of sarcopenia and its management. (3) Experiencing weakness—living with sarcopenia had physical and psychological sequalae.

Key conclusions

These findings reveal perceptions that may be contributing to the slow adoption of sarcopenia prevention, screening, diagnosis, and management. Addressing these areas has the potential to aid translation of sarcopenia research findings into improved clinical care and benefits for patients and the public.
Enhanced Biochemical and Morphological Parameters in Eruca vesicaria by Applications of date-palm seed Extract
Authors: Elsherif Doaa E. , Ragab Gehad A. , Sobhy Sherien E. , Hafez Elsayed E. , Khalifa Asmaa M.
Published: January 2025

The current global context stimulating agroecology and green agriculture need to explore for the novel sustainable and eco-conscious methods for safeguarding plants. The aim of this study is to exploit the rich contents of date palm seeds (DPS) as an appropriate organic elicitor to boost growth and plant secondary metabolism in Eruca vesicaria. The seeds of DPS were utilized in the extraction process using distilled water to create an aqueous extract, which underwent phytochemical characterization. In a pot experiment, Eruca vesicaria seeds were soaked in serial doses (0, 20, 40, 80, and 120 g l ⁻¹) of DPS aqueous extract, and the 21-days old seedlings were collected. DPS extract analysis indicated adequate P and N contents, antioxidant compounds, and exhibited antioxidant activity. The primary components identified in the analysis of DPS were 2-Dodecenal, fatty acids and cyclopentane butyl-acid. Priming with DPS extract significantly improved its bio-stimulating capacity by enhancing fresh and dry biomasses, photosynthetic pigments, and primary metabolites in response to the optimal DSP concentration of 80 g l⁻¹. Stress biomarkers (H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA)) were found in the ranges of water-primed control except for the highest dose of DPS extract (120 g l⁻¹). Further, priming with DPS extract increased the secondary metabolites (total phenolics and flavonoids) besides the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), suggesting an enhanced cell redox system. The expression patterns of a series of specific key genes included in secondary metabolism modulation as, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), flavonol synthase (FLS), and deoxyxylulose phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), were activated following treatments with DPS extract. Overall, the present study underscores that the application of DPS extract can stimulate the growth and bioactive constituents of Eruca vesicaria, thus elevating its potential as a nutraceutical and medicinal value.
Hysteroscopic Endometrial Defect Following Adenomyomectomy and Incidence of Placenta Accreta Spectrum and Uterine Rupture Complications for Subsequent Pregnancy
Authors: Ichinose Mari , Iriyama Takayuki , Hiraike Osamu , Sayama Seisuke , Hashimoto Ayako , Suzuki Kensuke , Matsuo Mitsunori , Toshimitsu Masatake , Seyama Takahiro , Sone Kenbun , Kumasawa Keiichi , Hirota Yasushi , Osuga Yutaka
Published: January 2025

Adenomyomectomy, a therapeutic option for women with adenomyosis who wish to preserve their fertility, has been reported to pose a risk of developing placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) and uterine rupture in future pregnancies. However, the specific clinical factors contributing to these occurrences remain elusive. This study aimed to explore the association between hysteroscopic findings after adenomyomectomy and the incidence of PAS in subsequent pregnancies. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 10 patients (11 pregnancies) who had undergone hysteroscopy following adenomyomectomy and had later delivered at our hospital. In 6/10 patients, postoperative hysteroscopy revealed endometrial defects. However, subsequent evaluations confirmed endometrial restoration within 7–21 months, with five patients achieving pregnancy afterward. The only other patient conceived naturally without waiting for endometrial restoration, resulting in uterine rupture from the site of the placenta percreta. The incidence of clinically diagnosed PAS during cesarean section was 100% (1/1) in pregnancies with preconceptional endometrial defects, 20% (1/5) in those with endometrial restoration, and 0% (0/5) in pregnancies without endometrial defects. Similarly, the incidence of pathologically diagnosed PAS was 100% (1/1), 60% (3/5), and 20% (1/5) in these groups, respectively. Thus, endometrial defects were frequently detected after adenomyomectomy and recovered over time, whereas one patient without endometrial restoration developed uterine rupture complicated by PAS. This study demonstrates that while the presence of an endometrial defect identified by postoperative hysteroscopy may be a risk factor for the occurrence of PAS in subsequent pregnancies, allowing sufficient recovery time for the endometrium may help reduce the risk of uterine rupture.
Bridging Legal Methodology and Ethical Considerations: A Novel Approach Applied to Challenges of Data Harvesting
Authors: Maor Oliver
Published: January 2025

This conceptual paper explores the practical application of legal decision-making strategies in guiding ethical considerations in data harvesting research projects. It is shown that the logic used in legal methodology, namely the identification of case groups based on real cases brought to court, can be used to provide balanced and nuanced responses to ethical problems. This is exemplified via the Nissenbaum paradox, where it is fair to assume that data deserve privacy protection even though they are openly accessible, the Sweeney problem, which relates to the natural limits of anonymization, and the problems and risks of clustering anonymized data and thus defining groups that are unknown a priori. The scope of this research is limited by its focus on European legal frameworks, suggesting further exploration in different global contexts. The research reveals a nuanced balance between individual and public interests, including the interest in the advancement of research. The actionability of the amalgamated methodology for ethics policymakers, ethics committees, and researchers is practically demonstrated in the form of ethics checklists provided within this study.