bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circular Economy und Bioökonomie: Weltbild und Weltanschauung
Authors: Marzi Thomas , Renner Manfred
Published: April 2024

Bei der Circular Economy und Bioökonomie handelt es sich um Wirtschaftsformen, in denen technische und ökonomische Konzepte eine wichtige Rolle spielen. Ihr Weltbild enthält dementsprechend sowohl eine technisch-naturwissenschaftliche als auch eine ökonomische Perspektive. Beide Sichtweisen sind durch die Systemtheorie miteinander verbunden. Über Metaphern wird die Circular Economy und Bioökonomie teilweise aber auch mit ganzheitlichen, teils romantisierenden Naturbildern verknüpft.
Wie viel Kreislauf ist möglich?
Authors: Marzi Thomas , Renner Manfred
Published: April 2024

Manche Denkschulen der Circular Economy formulieren in ihren Konzepten eine Vision, in der sich Stoffe kontinuierlich in Kreisläufen bewegen, sodass weder neue Rohstoffe benötigt werden noch Abfälle anfallen. Diese Vision eignet sich jedoch nicht als Leitbild, weil sie etwas Unmögliches beschreibt. Ernster zu nehmen ist da schon die Frage, ob die Kreislaufführung von Stoffen und Materialien ein nachhaltiges Wirtschaftswachstum ermöglichen kann.
Fazit
Authors: Marzi Thomas , Renner Manfred
Published: April 2024

Manche Leserin oder mancher Leser wird sich bei der Lektüre dieses Buches vielleicht gefragt haben, wie seine Autoren zur Circular Economy und Bioökonomie stehen. Wir beginnen unser Fazit deshalb mit einer Klarstellung und bekennen uns, um Missverständnisse zu vermeiden, ausdrücklich zur Circular Economy. Wir können uns nicht vorstellen, dass eine nachhaltige Entwicklung ohne sie gelingen kann. Stoffe mehrfach zu nutzen sowie Materialien und Produkte wiederzuverwenden, ist, wenn es gelingt, Rebound-Effekte zu vermeiden, ökonomisch, sozial und ökologisch sinnvoll.
Einleitung
Authors: Grüny Christian
Published: April 2024

Was ist eine „Oper in 8 Räumen“? So nämlich lautet der Untertitel von Hannes Seidls im Sommer 2021 in der basis in Frankfurt am Main realisiertem Projekt We Can Be Heroes. Dass es sich dabei um eine Art Crossover mit unklarer disziplinärer Zugehörigkeit handelt, kann bereits diesem Titel und den äußeren Daten abgelesen werden: Die basis ist eine „Produktions- und Ausstellungsplattform“, also eine Institution der bildenden Kunst, Seidl ist Komponist, der in den vergangenen Jahren immer wieder mit installativen und partizipativen Arbeiten hervorgetreten ist (das Multimediale versteht sich mittlerweile beinahe von selbst). Der Selbstbeschreibung des Projekts zufolge handelt es sich um eine Oper, die nicht auf einer Bühne stattfindet, sondern begehbar ist, die nicht durch ihren Apparat definiert ist und in der das Publikum selbst im Mittelpunkt steht. Seidl selbst tritt hier gerade nicht als Komponist im engeren Sinne in Erscheinung, sondern als eine Art künstlerischer Kurator, der sieben andere Komponist*innen und Klangkünstler*innen eingeladen hat, je einen Raum zu gestalten. Er definiert den Rahmen der Arbeit, stellt die Leitfragen, koordiniert die einzelnen Arbeiten und arbeitet an ihrer Realisierung mit.
Kunst
Authors: Grüny Christian
Published: April 2024

Skepsis gegenüber der Rede von „der Kunst“ im Singular hat Tradition. Bekannt ist der Zweifel, den Ernst Gombrich am Anfang seiner Geschichte der Kunst artikuliert: „Genau genommen gibt es die Kunst gar nicht. Es gibt nur Künstler.“ Für sich genommen scheinen diese Sätze einen Widerstand gegen jede Art von Allgemeinbegriff auszudrücken, der nicht sonderlich überzeugend ist und überdies auf halbem Wege abbricht. Wirklich genau genommen, so könnte man einwenden, sind auch Künstler*innen nicht als Ausgangspunkt geeignet; man müsste auf die einzelnen Arbeiten zurückgehen, wenn nicht noch weiter auf die unzähligen Instanzen ihrer Rezeption und Interpretation. Dass es produktiv sein kann, die Differenzierung der Betrachtung bis zu diesem Punkt zu treiben, dürfte unstrittig sein; wäre dies aber die einzige legitime Betrachtungsebene, so müsste Theorie als solche abdanken. Gombrichs Punkt ist dann auch ein anderer: Ein allgemeiner Begriff der Kunst ist für ihn nur dann plausibel und legitim, wenn man die radikale Unterschiedlichkeit dessen nicht verschweigt, was darunter subsumiert wird. Dabei wäre allerdings nicht nur auf einzelne Künstler*innen oder Arbeiten zu blicken, sondern auch in erweiterter Perspektive auf Praxis- und Auffassungsformen und Institutionen in ihrer historischen und geographischen Differenz. Will man etwa mit Arthur C. Danto von einer „Kunst nach dem Ende der Kunst“ sprechen, so geht es ohne innere Differenzierung des Begriffs nicht ab.
Scores
Authors: Grüny Christian
Published: April 2024

Das mediale Format der Notation findet sich in den verschiedensten künstlerischen Bereichen. Die dominante Tradition aber, die uneingeschränkt notationsbasiert ist, ist die westliche Kunstmusik, und zwar trotz aller Infragestellungen, Verschiebungen und Medienrevolutionen bis heute. Wie sehr dies das philosophische Verständnis von Musik geprägt hat, sieht man etwa daran, dass Nelson Goodman seinen Begriff der „allographischen Kunst“ ohne jede weitere Einschränkung auf „die Musik“ anwendet, sie also als „zweiphasiges“ Unternehmen zwischen Partitur und Aufführung beschreibt. Offensichtlich gilt dies nicht für jeden Typ Musik.
Flexionen des Generischen
Authors: Grüny Christian
Published: April 2024

Gibt es Orte der Kunst, die nicht festgelegt sind und an denen alles möglich ist? Orte, die ein Versprechen auf Universalität verkörpern, auch wenn sie es immer nur partiell realisieren können? Nun ist Grauzone kein guter Titel für ein Versprechen, und Unklarheit und Offenheit reichen nicht als Utopie. Das Motiv des Generischen bietet sich erstmal nicht als Alternative an – es fällt schwer, mit ihm eine produktive Öffnung in die Zukunft zu verbinden: Die Assoziation mit einer „deadening embrace of the general“ liegt mehr als nahe, einer Neutralisierung und Nivellierung, in der alles Spezifische untergeht. Generische Orte erschienen dann als Nicht-Orte, ersetzbare Durchgangsstationen, in denen alles Mögliche vorkommen kann, aber nichts hängenbleibt. Tatsächlich wohnt diese Gefahr dem generischen Kunstbegriff selbst inne: Wenn „artist at large“ zu sein und „art at large“ zu produzieren bedeutet, sich von jedem spezifischen Zusammenhang zu entkoppeln, droht diese Arbeit in einem grauen Raum abstrakter Möglichkeiten unterzugehen. Dieser Gefahr entgehen kann ein solcher Kunstbegriff nur dann, wenn er einen Möglichkeitsraum eröffnet, in dem Neuspezifizierungen möglich und nötig sind, und generische Orte können nur dann produktiv sein, wenn sie als Herausforderungen fungieren, auf reflektierte Weise an solchen Spezifizierungen zu arbeiten. Insofern müsste man das Generische in diesem Sinne mit dem Generativen zusammendenken, also nicht als bloßen Wegfall innerer Differenzierungen und äußerer Grenzen und damit unabsehbare Zunahme an abstrakten Möglichkeiten, sondern als Antrieb, von dem aus etwas entstehen kann, das trotz allem eine Art Notwendigkeit beanspruchen kann. In diesem Sinne wäre es kein leeres anything goes, sondern verkörperte ein Versprechen auf Reflexivität in Bezug auf Differenzen und Möglichkeiten und Relevanz im Hinblick auf die gegenwärtige Situation – also das Versprechen des Zeitgenössischen.
Managing hepatocellular carcinoma across the stages: efficacy and outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed Allam , Berres Marie-Luise , Bruners Philipp , Lang Sven Arke , Trautwein Christian , Wiltberger Georg , Barabasch Alexandra , Eble Michael
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a unique challenge due to its predilection for developing on compromised livers, often limiting surgical options. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as a promising local treatment modality for HCC. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of SBRT in HCC patients not suitable for surgery, focusing on local control, optimal radiation dosing, and prognostic factors.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, 52 HCC patients treated with SBRT were examined. The study assessed local control, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) while conducting dosimetric analyses. The relationship between mean liver dose and Child–Pugh score (CPS) progression was also explored.

Results

SBRT demonstrated 93.4% freedom from local progression (FFLP) at 12 months. Notably, a near minimum dose (D98%) below 61 Gy as an equivalent dose in 2‑Gy fractions with α/β 10 Gy (EQD2α/β10) was associated with reduced FFLP (p-value 0.034). Logistic regression analysis revealed a dose–response relationship for FFLP and D98% with 95% and 98% probability of FFLP at a dose of 56.9 and 73.1 Gy, respectively. The study observed OS rates of 63.7% at 1 year and 34.3% at 3 years. Patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and larger tumors (≥ 37 cm3) experienced decreased PFS and OS. Multivariate analysis identified PVTT, larger tumor volume, and performance status as independent predictors of reduced OS. Notably, classical radiation-induced disease (cRILD) was absent, but nonclassical (nc) RILD occurred in 7.7% of patients. Regression analysis linked a mean EQD2α/β3–8 dose to the liver (12.8–12.6) with a 10% likelihood of ncRILD.

Conclusion

SBRT offers a compelling option for achieving high local control and promising survival outcomes in HCC. The study supports a radiation dose range of 61–73.1 Gy, coupled with a mean liver dose under 12.6–12.8 Gy as EQD2, to achieve favorable FFLP rates, with acceptable toxicity rates.
The role of social support in reducing the long-term burden of cumulative childhood adversity on adulthood internalising disorder
Authors: Buchanan Mary , Newton-Howes Giles , Cunningham Ruth , McLeod Geraldine F. H. , Boden Joseph M.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Previous research indicates that social support is protective for the mental health outcomes of exposure to childhood adversity. However, the impact of social support as a protective factor following exposure to cumulative childhood adversity is understudied with prospective longitudinal data. The aim of this present study was to examine how social support mediates the impact of cumulative exposure to childhood adversity on internalising disorder in adulthood.

Methods

The Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS) is a general population birth cohort, born in 1977 and representative of Christchurch, New Zealand at the time of the cohort members’ birth. The present study used a generalised estimating equations (GEE) framework to analyse direct associations between a cumulative measure of childhood adversity (CA) and internalising disorders (major depression, and any anxiety disorder), and indirect associations through social support.

Results

Results indicated a dose-dependent relationship between increased exposure to CA and worsened odds of a diagnosis for major depression and any anxiety disorder, respectively. There was also a significant mediating effect of social support on the direct associations between CA and both major depression (OR (95%CI) =0 .98 (0.97, 0.99), p < 001) and any anxiety disorder (OR (95%CI) = .98 (0.97, 0.99), p < 001).

Conclusion

The findings indicate that social support reduces the impact of childhood adversity on adult mental health, and is therefore a target for future work examining potential interventions following CA.
Biodegradation of polystyrene nanoplastics by Achromobacter xylosoxidans M9 offers a mealworm gut-derived solution for plastic pollution
Authors: El-Kurdi Najat , El-Shatoury Sahar , ElBaghdady Khaled , Hammad Sherif , Ghazy Mohamed
Published: April 2024

Nanoplastics pose significant environmental problems due to their high mobility and increased toxicity. These particles can cause infertility and inflammation in aquatic organisms, disrupt microbial signaling and act as pollutants carrier. Despite extensive studies on their harmful impact on living organisms, the microbial degradation of nanoplastics is still under research. This study investigated the degradation of nanoplastics by isolating bacteria from the gut microbiome of Tenebrio molitor larvae fed various plastic diets. Five bacterial strains capable of degrading polystyrene were identified, with Achromobacter xylosoxidans M9 showing significant nanoplastic degradation abilities. Within 6 days, this strain reduced nanoplastic particle size by 92.3%, as confirmed by SEM and TEM analyses, and altered the chemical composition of the nanoplastics, indicating a potential for enhanced bioremediation strategies. The strain also caused a 7% weight loss in polystyrene film over 30 days, demonstrating its efficiency in degrading nanoplastics faster than polystyrene film. These findings might enhance plastic bioremediation strategies.

Graphical abstract
As fast as an X-ray: real-time magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents
Authors: Roth Christian , Heyde Christoph-Eckhard , Schumann Eckehard , Voit Dirk , Frahm Jens , Hirsch Franz W. , Anders Rebecca , Gräfe Daniel
Published: April 2024

Background

Idiopathic scoliosis is common in adolescence. Due to the rapid growth of the spine, it must be monitored closely with radiographs to ensure timely intervention when therapy is needed. As these radiographs continue into young adulthood, patients are repeatedly exposed to ionizing radiation.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate whether real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is equivalent to conventional radiography in juvenile idiopathic scoliosis for determining curvature, rotation and the Risser stage. Additionally, the time requirement should be quantified.

Materials and methods

Children with idiopathic scoliosis who had postero-anterior whole-spine radiography for clinical indications were included in this prospective study. A real-time spine MRI was performed at 3 tesla in the supine position, capturing images in both the coronal and sagittal planes. The scoliosis was assessed using Cobb angle, rotation was evaluated based on Nash and Moe criteria, and the Risser stage was determined for each modality. The correlations between modalities and a correction factor for the Cobb angle between the standing and supine position were calculated.

Results

A total of 33 children (aged 5–17 years), who met the inclusion criteria, were recruited. The Cobb angle (R2 = 0.972; P < 0.01) was positively correlated with a correction factor of 1.07 between modalities. Additionally, the degree of rotation (R2 = 0.92; P < 0.01) and the Risser stage (R2 = 0.93; P < 0.01) demonstrated a strong correlation.

Conclusion

Real-time MRI is equivalent to conventional radiography in determining baseline parameters. Furthermore, it is radiation-free and less time-consuming.

Graphical abstract
Dynamical analysis of a general delayed HBV infection model with capsids and adaptive immune response in presence of exposed infected hepatocytes
Authors: Foko Severin
Published: April 2024

The aim of this paper is to develop and investigate a novel mathematical model of the dynamical behaviors of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The model includes exposed infected hepatocytes, intracellular HBV DNA-containing capsids, uses a general incidence function for viral infection covering a variety of special cases available in the literature, and describes the interaction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes that kill the infected hepatocytes and the magnitude of B-cells that send antibody immune defense to neutralize free virions. Further, one time delay is incorporated to account for actual capsids production. The other time delays are used to account for maturation of capsids and free viruses. We start with the analysis of the proposed model by establishing the local and global existence, uniqueness, non-negativity and boundedness of solutions. After defined the threshold parameters, we discuss the stability properties of all possible steady state constants by using the crafty Lyapunov functionals, the LaSalle’s invariance principle and linearization methods. The impacts of the three time delays on the HBV infection transmission are discussed through local and global sensitivity analysis of the basic reproduction number and of the classes of infected states. Finally, an application is provided and numerical simulations are performed to illustrate and interpret the theoretical results obtained. It is suggested that, a good strategy to eradicate or to control HBV infection within a host should concentrate on any drugs that may prolong the values of the three delays.
Structural OCT and OCT angiography biomarkers associated with the development and progression of geographic atrophy in AMD
Authors: Vallino Veronica , Berni Alessandro , Coletto Andrea , Serafino Sonia , Bandello Francesco , Reibaldi Michele , Borrelli Enrico
Published: April 2024

Background

Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced, irreversible, and progressive form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) have been largely used to characterize this stage of AMD and, more importantly, to define biomarkers associated with the development and progression of GA in AMD.

Methods

Articles pertaining to OCT and OCTA biomarkers related to the development and progression of GA with relevant key words were used to search in PubMed, Researchgate, and Google Scholar. The articles were selected based on their relevance, reliability, publication year, published journal, and accessibility.

Results

Previous reports have highlighted various OCT and OCTA biomarkers linked to the onset and advancement of GA. These biomarkers encompass characteristics such as the size, volume, and subtype of drusen, the presence of hyperreflective foci, basal laminar deposits, incomplete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (iRORA), persistent choroidal hypertransmission defects, and the existence of subretinal drusenoid deposits (also referred to as reticular pseudodrusen). Moreover, biomarkers associated with the progression of GA include thinning of the outer retina, photoreceptor degradation, the distance between retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch’s membrane, and choriocapillaris loss.

Conclusion

The advent of novel treatment strategies for GA underscores the heightened need for prompt diagnosis and precise monitoring of individuals with this condition. The utilization of structural OCT and OCTA becomes essential for identifying distinct biomarkers associated with the initiation and progression of GA.
Neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm with necrotizing enterocolitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Yan , Liu Shunli , Lu Meizhu , Huang Tao , Huang Lan
Published: April 2024

While neonatal necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with high mortality rates in newborns, survivors can face long-term sequelae. However, the relationship between NEC and neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in preterm infants remains unclear. To explore the relationship between neonatal NEC and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from their inception to February 2024 for relevant studies. Studies included were cohort or case–control studies reporting neurodevelopmental outcomes of NEC in preterm infants. Two independent investigators extracted data regarding brain damage and neurodevelopmental outcomes in these infants at a corrected age exceeding 12 months. Odds ratios (ORs) were pooled using a random effects model. We included 15 cohort studies and 18 case–control studies, encompassing 60,346 infants. Meta-analysis of unadjusted and adjusted ORs demonstrated a significant association between NEC and increased odds of NDI (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.9–2.44; aOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.46–2.46). Regarding brain injury, pooled crude ORs indicated an association of NEC with severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.06–1.92) and periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.76–3.69). When compared with conservatively treated NEC, surgical NEC potentially carries a higher risk of NDI (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.09–2.93) and severe IVH (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.20–2.06). However, the risk of PVL did not show a significant difference (OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.47–5.40).

Conclusions: Our meta-analysis provides evidence suggesting an association between NEC and NDI. Additionally, the severity of intestinal lesions appears to correlate with a higher risk of NDI. Further high-quality studies with comprehensive adjustments for potential confounding factors are required to definitively establish whether the association with NDI is causal.

What is Known:• NEC is a serious intestinal disease in the neonatal period with a high mortality rate, and surviving children may have digestive system sequelae.• Compared with non-NEC preterm infants, the reported incidences of brain injury and neurodevelopmental disorders in NEC preterm infants are not the same.

What is New:• The risk of neonatal brain injury and neurodevelopmental disorders in preterm infants with NEC is higher than that in non-NEC infants, and the risk of NDI in surgical NEC infants is higher than that in the conservative treatment group.• NEC may increase the risk of motor, cognitive, language development delays, and attention deficits in children.
Greater tuberosity fractures of the humerus: complications and long-term outcomes after surgical treatment
Authors: Nóbrega Catelas Diogo , Correia Lucinda , Adan e Silva Filipa , Ribau Ana , Claro Rui , Barros Luís Henrique
Published: April 2024

Background

Isolated greater tuberosity (GT) fractures typically occur in younger patients following high-energy trauma compared to humeral neck fractures. Surgical treatment is indicated when superior displacement is > 5 mm. This study aimed to assess the complications and long-term outcomes of surgically-treated GT fractures.

Methods

A retrospective review of 39 patients who underwent surgery from 2010 to 2014 was conducted. The cohort comprised 54.6% females, with an average age of 56.74 years and a median follow-up of 6.71 years. Only 25 patients returned for reevaluation, with functional outcomes assessed using Constant-Murley score.

Results

Women were older than men (63.00 ± 12.15 vs. 48.65 ± 16.93, p = 0.006). 18/39 patients (46.1%) sustained avulsion-type, 1 patient out of 39 (2.6%) depression-type, and 20/39 patients (51.3%) split-type fractures. The mean Constant-Murley score was 84.08 ± 18.36, with higher scores observed in men (p = 0.021). Avulsion-type fractures were related to higher postoperative scores compared to split fractures (p = 0.069). Post-surgical complications occurred in 20.5% of patients, with no differences noted between sexes, fracture types, or procedures.

Conclusion

This study enhances understanding of the long-term outcomes of surgically-treated GT fractures, aiding in treatment selection. Interfragmentary screws may be preferable in younger male patients, but are associated with the higher risk of reintervention, particularly in fragile bone. Prospective multicentric studies are warranted to further elucidate long-term results and treatment strategies.
Optimized common features selection and deep-autoencoder (OCFSDA) for lightweight intrusion detection in Internet of things
Authors: Otokwala Uneneibotejit , Petrovski Andrei , Kalutarage Harsha
Published: April 2024

Embedded systems, including the Internet of things (IoT), play a crucial role in the functioning of critical infrastructure. However, these devices face significant challenges such as memory footprint, technical challenges, privacy concerns, performance trade-offs and vulnerability to cyber-attacks. One approach to address these concerns is minimising computational overhead and adopting lightweight intrusion detection techniques. In this study, we propose a highly efficient model called optimized common features selection and deep-autoencoder (OCFSDA) for lightweight intrusion detection in IoT environments. The proposed OCFSDA model incorporates feature selection, data compression, pruning, and deparameterization. We deployed the model on a Raspberry Pi4 using the TFLite interpreter by leveraging optimisation and inferencing with semi-supervised learning. Using the MQTT-IoT-IDS2020 and CIC-IDS2017 datasets, our experimental results demonstrate a remarkable reduction in the computation cost in terms of time and memory use. Notably, the model achieved an overall average accuracies of 99% and 97%, along with comparable performance on other important metrics such as precision, recall, and F1-score. Moreover, the model accomplished the classification tasks within 0.30 and 0.12 s using only 2KB of memory.
A new framework to characterize and unify the impact load exerted by flow-type mass movements
Authors: Song Dongri , Chen Xiaoqing
Published: April 2024

A wide range of flow-type mass movements occur in nature. Depending on the solid fraction of these flows, they can be characterized as stream flows (flash floods), hyper-concentrated flows (debris floods), debris flows, and dry debris avalanches. A key scientific challenge in mitigating these hazards is estimating the impact force that they exert on protection structures. In this study, a new framework (Nfric - Fr2 - $$\alpha$$
α
 relationship) is proposed to characterize and unify the impact behavior for a wide spectrum of flow-type mass movements. The friction number Nfric characterizes the ratio of grain-contact to fluid-viscous stresses for the wide range of flow types. Solid–fluid interaction regulates the pore fluid pressure, thereby governing the rheology of the flows and the degree of static loading exerted on a barrier. The Froude number Fr2 (in squared form) macroscopically characterizes the flow inertia relative to the earth’s gravitational field. Finally, the dynamic pressure coefficient $$\alpha$$
α
is used to quantify the impact force in a dimensionless manner. As compared to existing guidelines, which recommend a wide range of $$\alpha$$
α
without considering the flow composition, the newly proposed framework in this study estimates the dynamic impact force by considering the effects of solid–fluid interaction. Findings from this study could further enhance the design of flow-type mass movement mitigation structures.
Bison and cattle grazing increase soil nitrogen cycling in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem
Authors: Anguiano Nicholas Vega , Freeman Kiona M. , Figge Janaye D. , Hawkins Jaide H. , Zeglin Lydia H.
Published: April 2024

Nitrogen (N) is a necessary element of soil fertility and a limiting nutrient in tallgrass prairie but grazers like bison and cattle can also recycle N. Bison and cattle impact the nitrogen (N) cycle by digesting forage that is consumed, and recycled back to the soil in a more available forms stimulating soil microbial N cycling activities. Yet we do not know how both grazers comparatively affect N cycling in tallgrass prairie. Thus, we investigated if bison and cattle had similar impacts on N cycling in annually burned tallgrass prairie relative to ungrazed conditions over a 3-year period (2020–2022) at the Konza Prairie Biological Station. We examined: soil pH, soil water content, mineralized N, nitrification potential, denitrification potential and extracellular enzyme assays. Interannual variability in precipitation controlled soil water and N cycling microbial activities but grazing effects had a stronger influence on N cycling. We found significant differences and increased soil pH, nitrification and denitrification potential and less N limitation in bison vs cattle grazed soils where bison grazed soils exhibited faster N cycling. Differences between the grazers may be attributed to the different management of bison and cattle as both can impact N cycling. Overall, these data provide some evidence that bison and cattle affect N cycling differently at this study site, and improve the ecological understanding of grazer impacts on N cycling dynamics within the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.
Risk of first recurrence after treatment in a population-based cohort of young women with breast cancer
Authors: Schaffar Robin , Benhamou Simone , Chappuis Pierre O. , Rapiti Elisabetta
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Breast cancer (BC) in women under 45 is rare yet often aggressive. We aim to analyze loco-regional recurrences (LR), distant recurrences (DR), second breast cancers, and mortality in young BC patients.

Methods

We enrolled 776 women with non-metastatic BC ≤45 years diagnosed from 1970 to 2012. Variables included age, family history, tumor stage/grade, and treatment. We used multivariate Cox regression and competing risk models.

Results

Among the participants, 37.0% were diagnosed before the age of 40. Most had stage I or II, grade II, ER- and PR-positive, HER2-negative tumors. Over a median follow-up of 8.7 years, 10.1% experienced LR, 13.7% developed DR, and 10.8% died, primarily due to BC. The majority of recurrences occurred within the first five years. Older age (>40) significantly reduced the risk of LR and DR. Advanced disease stage, certain surgical strategies, and positive margins increased DR risk. In the cohort diagnosed between 2001 and 2012, recent diagnosis, triple-negative cancer, and hormonal therapy were associated with reduced LR risk. Breast-conserving surgery appeared to offer protective effects against DR.

Conclusion

This study highlights that BC in young women carries a significant risk of early recurrence, with age, tumor characteristics, and treatment modalities influencing outcomes. The findings emphasize the need for tailored treatment strategies for young BC patients, focusing on surgical precision and aggressive adjuvant therapy for high-risk cases. This research contributes valuable insights into managing BC in younger patients, aiding in improving long-term outcomes.
Towards more sustainable and trustworthy reporting in machine learning
Authors: Fischer Raphael , Liebig Thomas , Morik Katharina
Published: April 2024

With machine learning (ML) becoming a popular tool across all domains, practitioners are in dire need of comprehensive reporting on the state-of-the-art. Benchmarks and open databases provide helpful insights for many tasks, however suffer from several phenomena: Firstly, they overly focus on prediction quality, which is problematic considering the demand for more sustainability in ML. Depending on the use case at hand, interested users might also face tight resource constraints and thus should be allowed to interact with reporting frameworks, in order to prioritize certain reported characteristics. Furthermore, as some practitioners might not yet be well-skilled in ML, it is important to convey information on a more abstract, comprehensible level. Usability and extendability are key for moving with the state-of-the-art and in order to be trustworthy, frameworks should explicitly address reproducibility. In this work, we analyze established reporting systems under consideration of the aforementioned issues. Afterwards, we propose STREP, our novel framework that aims at overcoming these shortcomings and paves the way towards more sustainable and trustworthy reporting. We use STREP’s (publicly available) implementation to investigate various existing report databases. Our experimental results unveil the need for making reporting more resource-aware and demonstrate our framework’s capabilities of overcoming current reporting limitations. With our work, we want to initiate a paradigm shift in reporting and help with making ML advances more considerate of sustainability and trustworthiness.
Synthesis, Characterization and Photovoltaic Properties of Polyplatinaynes with Side Chain Functionalization by Different Electron-Accepting Group
Authors: Wang Qiwei , Jiang Lu , Li Junlong , Sun Zelin , Wong Wai-Yeung
Published: April 2024

Four new solution-processable platinum-containing polyynes functionalized with triphenylamine backbone and different acceptor fragment in the side chain were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic, thermal and optical methods. The main- and side-chains show different absorption features in the solar spectrum, resulting in broad absorption coverage of the whole visible region. By changing the acceptor group in the side chain, the photophysical properties including energy levels, absorption wavelength and bandgap of the polymers were finely tuned. As the strength of electron acceptor is increased, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic polymer solar cells fabricated with these polymers as electron donor and (6,6)-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as electron acceptor was increased. PCE of 1.35% can be obtained from solar cell based on the polyplatinayne with the dicyanovinyl side group under illumination of an AM 1.5 solar cell simulator in a 1:4 (polymer:PCBM) blend ratio.

Graphical Abstract
Zn(II)-Coordination Polymers Constructed from Isomeric Bis(Imidazole) Derivative Ligands and Tetracarboxylic Acid for the Detection of Iron Ions
Authors: Kavak Enes , Şevik Melike , Aydoğan Ayça , Demir Sevde , Solmaz Gökhan , Semerci Fatih , Erer Hakan , Yeşilel Okan Zafer , Arıcı Mürsel
Published: April 2024

Three Zn(II)-coordination polymers, namely, {[Zn2(µ4-L)(µ-obix)2]·4DMF}n (1), {[Zn2(µ4-L)(µ-mbix)2]·6H2O}n (2) and {[Zn2(µ4-L)(µ-pbix)2]·5H2O}n (3), (L4−: 5,5’-(terephthaloylbis(azanediyl))diisophthalate and obix (y = 2), mbix (y = 3), pbix (y = 4): 1,y-bis((1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene) were prepared with a tetracarboxylic acid and flexible isomeric bis(imidazole) linkers and characterized. The compounds displayed structural diversity depending on the rotation of imidazole rings around the –CH2- groups on bis(imidazole) ligands. Compounds 1–3 showed 2-fold interpenetrated 3D framework, 2D structure and 3D framework, respectively. The compounds showed high emissions in solid-state and solutions. Luminescence experiments showed that compounds 1–3 displayed sensitive detection towards Fe3+ ions with detection limits of 2.31 ppm, 5.17 ppm and 2.61 ppm, respectively. Moreover, the compounds could selectively detect Fe3+ ions over the other interfering metal ions via luminescence quenching. The detection mechanism could be ascribed to the competitive light absorption between Fe3+ ions and the compounds.
Systematic Review of Workplace Interventions to Support Young Workers’ Safety, Work Environment and Health
Authors: Sundstrup Emil , Seeberg Karina Glies Vincents , Dyreborg Johnny , Clausen Thomas , Andersen Lars Louis
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This systematic review investigates the effectiveness of workplace interventions to support young workers’ work environment, safety and health.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in bibliographic databases including PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection and PsycInfo for English or Scandinavian articles published from 2007 to 2022. The PICO strategy guided the assessment of study relevance and the bibliographical search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs in which (1) participants were young workers (mean age: 15–29), (2) interventions were initiated and/or carried out at the workplace, (3) a comparison group was included, and (4) an outcome measure related to work environment, safety and health was reported. We categorized each included study using the intervention classification framework. The quality assessment and evidence synthesis adhered to the guidelines developed by the Institute for Work & Health (Toronto, Canada).

Results

A total of 33 high and medium quality studies showed a moderate level of evidence for no benefit of ‘Mental training’ on stress. We found limited evidence of a positive effect of the following intervention types: ‘Attitude and belief’ on mental health problems, ‘Behavior based’ on anxiety, and ‘Multifaceted’ on hand eczema. We found limited evidence for no benefit of the following intervention types: ‘Mental training’ on mental health problems, and ‘Physiological modifications’ on musculoskeletal disorders. The remaining intervention types showed mixed or insufficient evidence.

Conclusions

Except for a moderate level of evidence for no benefit of ‘Mental training’ on stress, the evidence synthesis recommends, that there is not enough evidence from the scientific literature to guide current practices. The results emphasizes a strong need for high quality interventions specifically aiming at increasing or maintaining young workers’ work environment, safety and health. Included studies focused mainly on individual measures, highlighting the need for studies investigating possible preventive measures at the group or organizational level.
Computational analysis of power-law fluids for convective heat transfer in permeable enclosures using Darcy effects
Authors: Rehman Maryam , Hafeez Muhammad Bilal , Krawczuk Marek
Published: April 2024

Natural convection is a complex environmental phenomenon that typically occurs in engineering settings in porous structures. Shear thinning or shear thickening fluids are characteristics of power-law fluids, which are non-Newtonian in nature and find wide-ranging uses in various industrial processes. Non-Newtonian fluid flow in porous media is a difficult problem with important consequences for energy systems and heat transfer. In this paper, convective heat transmission in permeable enclosures will be thoroughly examined. The main goal is to comprehend the intricate interaction between the buoyancy-induced convection intensity, the porosity of the casing, and the fluid’s power-law rheology as indicated by the Rayleigh number. The objective is to comprehend the underlying mechanisms and identify the ideal conditions for improving heat transfer processes.The problem’s governing equations for a scientific investigation are predicated on the concepts of heat transport and fluid dynamics. The fluid flow and thermal behavior are represented using the energy equation, the Boussinesq approximation, and the Navier–Stokes equations. The continuity equation in a porous media represents the conservation of mass. Finite Element Analysis is the numerical method that is suggested for this challenging topic since it enables a comprehensive examination of the situation. The results of the investigation support several important conclusions. The power-law index directly impacts heat transmission patterns. A higher Rayleigh number indicates increased buoyancy-induced convection, which increases the heat transfer rates inside the shell. The porosity of the medium significantly affects temperature gradients and flow distribution, and it is most noticeable when permeability is present. The findings show how, in the context of porous media, these parameters have complicated relationships with one another.
Novel nimesulide multicomponent solid forms: screening, synthesis, thermoanalytical study and characterization
Authors: de Almeida Amanda Cosmo , Ferreira Patrícia Osório , Porto Maria Vitória , Canotilho João , de Castro Ricardo António Esteves , Caires Flávio Junior , da Silva Eusébio Maria Ermelinda
Published: April 2024

Nimesulide (NMS) is a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, however, presents low aqueous solubility. One way to overcome the solubility issue of drugs is altering their solid forms through some approaches like cocrystals, coamorphous, and eutectic mixtures. The purpose of this work was to prospect new multicomponent solid forms of NMS. A virtual-experimental cocrystal screening was carried out through COSMOquick software and mechanochemical experiments. Alternatively, dual-drug coamorphous systems were investigated by quench cooling and/or cryomilling processes. All solid samples were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results confirmed the successful synthesis of a NMS-piperazine cocrystal (NMS-PPZ), two new eutectic mixtures NMS-gentisic acid (NMS-GSA) and NMS-isoniazid (NMS-INH), as well as novel drug-drug coamorphous systems. The eutectic compositions were determined by binary solid–liquid phase diagram construction and Tamman’s triangle plot. Nimesulide-omeprazole (NMS-OMP) coamorphous system was found to be stable for at least 120 days in dry conditions. The coamorphous system with bicalutamide (NMS-BICA) prepared by quench cooling process is more stable than that obtained by cryomilling. Finally, the dissolution rate study demonstrated that NMS multicomponent systems are dissolved relatively faster than pure drug.
Prehistory, anti-Cartesianism, and the first-person viewpoint
Authors: van Mazijk Corijn
Published: April 2024

The concept of mind is widely used in today’s debates on the lives, behavior, and cognition of prehistoric hominins. It is therefore presumably an important concept. Yet it is very rarely defined, and in most cognitive-archaeological literature, it does not seem to point to anything distinctive. In recent years, talk of minds has also been criticized as being internalistic and dualistic, in supposed contrast to new materialistic and externalistic approaches. In this paper, I aim to defend a different concept of mind which can be used in theorizing about prehistoric hominin cognition. In short, my concept is simply that of the first-person viewpoint, understood in a naturalized manner, and as characterized by intentionality. The discussion proceeds by examining what I perceive to be three prevailing misconceptions about minds, which I derive mainly from the archaeological literature. I use this discussion to outline my own concept of mind, as well as to defend it against the frequently heard criticisms of dualism and internalism. In the final parts, I briefly discuss some potential practical applications of an intentional approach to past minds. Here I focus on certain conceptual problems in debates on symbolic cognition.
Stranger things: the vanishing of the Altmetric Attention Score values in information and library science
Authors: Arroyo-Machado Wenceslao , Torres-Salinas Daniel
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) fluctuations and altmetrics source stability in Information Science & Library Sciences publications, analyzing 26,474 documents from 2012 to 2021. It finds that 23.7% of these publications experienced AAS fluctuations over a year. Significant influences on AAS variability include Twitter mentions and policy documents, with Twitter mentions showing high volatility, affecting nearly 30% of papers. The removal of the Analysis & Policy Observatory as a policy source led to a notable drop in policy document mentions. Various types of mention vanishing are identified, such as administrative decisions by altmetrics aggregators, technological issues, user actions on digital platforms, and natural changes on platforms like Wikipedia. In response, the study proposes modifications in the tracking and monitoring system of mentions to not overlook these vanishings. This aims to enhance the reliability and stability of altmetrics at a time when there is a call for their use in the research evaluation.
A complex transdisciplinary approach to achieve water sustainability: lessons from a case study in Morelia, Mexico
Authors: Ruggerio Carlos Alberto , Lindig-Cisneros Roberto , Méndez-Lemus Yadira
Published: April 2024

Although the theoretical–methodological complexity theory and transdisciplinary approach is increasingly accepted within sustainability science, its application at local-scale work with rural communities in the global south is still incipient and requires further research on its scope and limitations. The general objective of this work was to contribute to the knowledge on how a complexity and transdisciplinary approach applied to water problems at local scales can facilitate the process for water sustainability. The research took as study area the ejido of Coro Grande located in the municipality of Morelia, in the rural vicinity of Morelia City, capital of Michoacán State (Mexico). The theoretical–methodological scheme was based on the combination of the concepts of complexity–sustainability–transdisciplinarity to analyze the local water metabolism and generate actions to mitigate present and future water risk. The activities carried out involved a participatory diagnosis and the development of activities for the restoration of degraded environments with a double purpose: to generate conditions for the water sustainability of the system, and to promote the involvement of the population in a transdisciplinary research–action process. The results obtained show the effectiveness of the framework chosen to identify problems, achieve transformation in the short term, and improve both ecosystem functions and participation of the population in the solution of problems in the medium and long terms.
Hotel employees’ intention not to waste food: The role of environmental concern
Authors: Elkhwesky Zakaria , Castañeda-García José-Alberto , El Manzani Younès , Ur Rehman Shafique , Hassan Hamada
Published: April 2024

Drawing on the theory of planned behavior, the current research examined the effect of moral norms and injunctive norms on hotel employees’ intention not to waste food. Besides, the moderating role of environmental concern was also investigated. Data were collected from 586 food and beverage employees in Egyptian hotels, by quantile regression, which allows us to obtain results for the median individual and for those who are wasteful (below the median). The results show that developing moral and injunctive norms is helpful in reducing food expenditure in the median employee (q = 0.5). However, if the focus is on the most wasteful employee (q < 0.3), the way to reverse this behavior is to develop norms more related to what an employee should or should not do in relation to food waste (injunctive norms) and less related to the feeling of guilt (moral norms). In addition, general environmental concern increases the positive effect of injunctive norms on the intention not to waste food for the wasteful employees, which was not the case for the median employee. These results help to orient information and training policies for employees to reduce food waste in the hotel industry and, from a theoretical point of view, a novel analysis is carried out by comparing employees with different intentions to behave responsibly.
Flow-induced vibration of two tandem square cylinders at low Reynolds number: transitions among vortex-induced vibration, biased oscillation and galloping
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Tang Guoqiang , Lu Lin , Jin Yan , An Hongwei , Cheng Liang
Published: April 2024

The flow-induced vibrations (FIVs) of two identical tandem square cylinders with mass ratio m* = 3.5 at Reynolds number Re = 150 are investigated through two-dimensional direct numerical simulation (DNS) and linear stability analysis over a parameter range of spacing ratio 1.5 ≤ L* ≤ 5 and reduced velocity 3 ≤ Ur ≤ 34. Three kinds of FIV responses, namely vortex-induced vibration (VIV), biased oscillation (BO) and galloping (GA), are identified. The FIVs are then further classified into the branches of initial VIV (IV), resonant VIV (RV and RV′), flutter-induced VIV (FV), desynchronized VIV (DV), VIV developing from GA (GV), transitional state between VIV and GA (TR), BO and GA based on the characteristics of the vibration responses. The transitions among different FIV branches are examined by combining the DNS with linear stability analysis, where the transition boundaries among the VIV, BO and GA branches over the concerned parameters are identified on the branch maps. The transition from IV to RV or RV′ is found to be related to the unstable wake mode, while the FV, transiting from RV or RV′, is induced by the unstable structural factor in the wake-structure mode. The structural instability is considered as the physical origin of GA, whereas the mode competition between unstable wake and structure leads to DV, GV and TR, and thus delays the appearance of GA. The transition from DV to BO with biased equilibrium position, accompanied by the even-order harmonic frequencies, is essentially induced by the symmetry breaking bifurcation.