bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incorporating futures thinking into the theory of change: Case and lessons learned from a social enterprise intermediary in Australia
Authors: Dart Jess , Gates Emily
Published: August 2024

The theory of change is an established, widely used approach to guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of change initiatives. Methodological literature primarily focuses on this approach as a way to model causal processes and, secondarily, as a participatory way for groups to explore a change process. We elevate a third use of a theory of change process: to (re)imagine future possibilities. Part 1 synthesizes prior literature to contrast three purposes (i.e., explanation, exploration, and (re)imagination) and emphasizes the opportunities for forward‐looking, imaginative uses by combining the theory of change with foresight approaches. Part 2 presents a case example of a year‐long process to reimagine how to support social enterprises and women entrepreneurs in Australia and the Pacific involving iterative co‐development of a theory of change complemented by futures thinking. We close with lessons and future directions at the intersection of the theory of change and futures studies.
Estimating and planning hospital costs of public hospitals in Brazil
Authors: Almeida João Flávio de Freitas , Conceição Samuel Vieira , Magalhães Virgínia Silva , Alemão Márcia Mascarenhas
Published: August 2024

While the estimate of hospital costs concerns the past, its planning focuses on the future. However, in many low and middle‐income countries, public hospitals do not have robust accounting health systems to evaluate and project their expenses. In Brazil, public hospitals are funded based on government estimates of available hospital infrastructure, historical expenditures and population needs. However, these pieces of information are not always readily available for all hospitals. To solve this challenge, we propose a flexible simulation‐based optimisation algorithm that integrates this dual task: estimating and planning hospital costs. The method was applied to a network of 17 public hospitals in Brazil to produce the estimates. Setting the model parameters for population needs and future hospital infrastructure can be used as a cost‐projection tool for divestment, maintenance, or investment. Results show that the method can aid health managers in hospitals' global budgeting and policymakers in improving fairness in hospitals' financing.
Short-term temporal variability of volatile contaminant concentrations in soil gas related to soil–atmosphere interface dynamics: Two case studies in the Veneto region (Italy)
Authors: Fuin Federico , Casabianca Davide
Published: August 2024

The study of the variability of soil gas concentrations is crucial for defining effective monitoring and remediation strategies and for the risk assessment related to the emission of vapors from the subsurface. The traditional soil gas monitoring strategy consists of seasonal surveys based on short-time-averaged sampling. Soil gas monitoring results are often used to assess the risk associated with the emission of volatile contaminants from the subsurface, using models mainly based on molecular diffusion and therefore assuming continuous emission from the soil. At two contaminated sites located in the Veneto region (Italy), continuous monitoring using a photoionization detector, pressure gauges, and an ultrasonic anemometer was used to relate soil gas variability to surface and subsurface physical parameters. At both sites a cyclic diurnal variation of volatile organic compounds concentration in soil gas was observed, correlated with the variation of several meteorological parameters and in particular with the variation of the differential pressure between soil and atmosphere and the buoyancy vertical flux. These findings question the reliability of the conventional methodology employed in the collection and assessment of soil gas data. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2023–2032. © 2024 SETAC

Key Points

Continuous monitoring at the two study sites showed that the cyclic variation of VOC concentration in soil gas correlated with the variation of differential pressure and buoyancy vertical flux. As evidenced by the differential pressure measurements conducted in this study, there is an alternation of nonemission phases, and phases in which the soil gas emission from soil to atmosphere may be enhanced due to pressure-driven advective fluxes. The findings raise questions about the reliability of the conventional methodology employed in the collection and assessment of soil gas data.
Incorporating artificial intelligence in portable infrared thermal imaging for the diagnosis and staging of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Davidov Yana , Brzezinski Rafael Y. , Kaufmann Monica‐Inda , Likhter Mariya , Hod Tammy , Pappo Orit , Zimmer Yair , Ovadia‐Blechman Zehava , Rabin Neta , Barlev Adi , Berman Orli , Ben Ari Ziv , Hoffer Oshrit
Published: August 2024

Metabolic Dysfunction‐Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide. Thermal imaging combined with advanced image‐processing and machine learning analysis accurately classified disease status in a study on mice; this study aimed to develop this tool for humans. This prospective study included 46 patients who underwent liver biopsy. Liver thermal imaging was performed on the same day as liver biopsy. We developed an image‐processing algorithm that measured the relative spatial thermal variation across the skin covering the liver. The texture parameters obtained from the thermal images were input into the machine learning algorithm. Patients were diagnosed with MASLD and stratified according to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) and fibrosis stage using the METAVIR score. Twenty‐one of 46 patients were diagnosed with MASLD. Using thermal imaging followed by processing, detection accuracy for patients with NAS >4 was 0.72.
H3K36 methyltransferase SMYD2 affects cell proliferation and migration in Hirschsprung's disease by regulating METTL3
Authors: Hou Xinwei , Yang Yang , Wang Chen , Huang Zhaorong , Zhang Mengzhen , Yang Jiaming , Li Nan , Yang Huirong , Yang Liucheng , Wu Kai
Published: August 2024

The pathogenesis of Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is complex. Recently, it has been found that histone modifications can alter genetic susceptibility and play important roles in the proliferation, differentiation and migration of neural crest cells. H3K36 methylation plays a significant role in gene transcriptional activation and expression, but its pathogenic mechanism in HSCR has not yet been studied. This study aimed to elucidate its role and molecular mechanism in HSCR. Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse transcription‐quantitative PCR (RT‒qPCR) were used to investigate H3K36 methylation and methyltransferase levels in dilated and stenotic colon tissue sections from children with. We confirm that SMYD2 is the primary cause of differential H3K36 methylation and influences cell proliferation and migration in HSCR. Subsequently, quantitative detection of m6A RNA methylation revealed that SMYD2 can alter m6A methylation levels. Western blot analysis, RT‐qPCR, co‐immunoprecipitation (co‐IP), and immunofluorescence colocalization were utilized to confirm that SMYD2 can regulate METTL3 expression and affect m6A methylation, affecting cell proliferation and migration. These results confirm that the H3K36 methyltransferase SMYD2 can affect cell proliferation and migration in Hirschsprung's disease by regulating METTL3. Our study suggested that H3K36 methylation plays an important role in HSCR, confirming that the methyltransferase SMYD2 can affect m6A methylation levels and intestinal nervous system development by regulating METTL3 expression.
Exploring digital economy influence towards tourism innovation: An empirical research based on Chinese tourism industry
Authors: Yang Yong , Yue Yiyang
Published: August 2024

This study qualitatively and quantitatively analyzes the effect of the digital economy on tourism innovation in China. It discusses the concept of tourism innovation and constructs a variable to measure it. Then, it empirically tests the impact of digital economy on tourism innovation. Econometric results demonstrate that the digital economy has a consistent and significant impact on tourism innovation, highlighting its role in shaping tourism dynamics. It conducts further tests across different stages and addresses endogeneity concerns. Finally, it presents several policy suggestions.
On the analyzing of bifurcation properties of the one‐dimensional Mackey–Glass model by using a generalized approach
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Wang Yaya , Geng Hongyin , Gao Wei , Ilhan Esin , Mehmet Baskonus Haci
Published: August 2024

The goal of this work is to look at how a nonlinear model describes hematopoiesis and its complexities utilizing commonly used techniques with historical and material links. Based on time delay, the Mackey–Glass model is explored in two instances. To offer a range, the relevance of the parameter impacting stability (bifurcation) is recorded. The power spectrum of the considered model is collected in order to analyze the periodic behavior of a solution in a differential equation. The complex nature of the system is relayed on a parameter which is illustrated in the bifurcation plot. Due to the fact that the considered model is associated with blood‐related diseases, the effect coefficients are effectively captured. The corresponding parameters‐based consequences of the generalized model in different order are deduced. The parametric charts for both examples reveal intriguing results. The current work enables investigations into complex real‐world problems as well as forecasts of essential techniques.
The Food Sources in Western Diets Modulate Obesity Development, Insulin Sensitivity, and the Plasma and Cecal Metabolome in Mice
Authors: Myrmel Lene Secher , Fjære Even , Han Mo , Jensen Benjamin Anderschou Hollbech , Rolle‐Kampczyk Ulrike , Danneskiold‐Samsøe Niels Banhos , Ho Quang Tri , Smette Anita , von Bergen Martin , Xiao Liang , Kristiansen Karsten , Madsen Lise
Published: August 2024

Scope

Dietary constituents modulate development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The metabolic impact from different food sources in western diets (WD) on obesity development is not fully elucidated. This study aims to identify dietary sources that differentially affect obesity development and the metabolic processes involved.

Methods and results

Mice were fed isocaloric WDs with protein and fat from different food groups, including egg and dairy, terrestrial meat, game meat, marine, vegetarian, and a mixture of all. This study evaluates development of obesity, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and plasma and cecal metabolome. WD based on marine or vegetarian food sources protects male mice from obesity development and insulin resistance, whereas meat‐based diets promote obesity. The intake of different food sources induces marked differences in the lipid‐related plasma metabolome, particularly impacting phosphatidylcholines. Fifty‐nine lipid‐related plasma metabolites are positively associated with adiposity and a distinct cecal metabolome is found in mice fed a marine diet.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates differences in obesity development between the food groups. Diet specific metabolomic signatures in plasma and cecum associated with adiposity, where a marine based diet modulates the level of plasma and cecal phosphatidylcholines in addition to preventing obesity development.
Shifting more‐than‐human relationships amidst social–ecological disturbance
Authors: Visnic Olivia , Maurer Megan , Yoon Liv , Cook Elizabeth M.
Published: August 2024

Social–ecological disruptions, such as changing climate, extreme weather‐related events and the COVID‐19 pandemic, can have cascading and long‐term consequences for people, ecosystems and multispecies relationships. As the early COVID‐19 pandemic disrupted people's lives through isolation and restricted human contact, more‐than‐human relationships played a heightened role in individuals' day‐to‐day lives with potential long‐term impacts on multispecies justice.

We analysed 72 interviews conducted during the early (May–June 2020) COVID‐19 lockdown in the United States to investigate how social–ecological disruptions and spatial re‐orderings, exemplified by the pandemic, reassemble more‐than‐human relationships. We consider new relational values through a transformative multispecies justice framing, which contends that times of uncertainty can inspire meaningful connections with the more‐than‐human world, facilitating care and reciprocal relationships during times of disruption.

Among interviewee accounts, we find that disorderings of daily life during the pandemic interweave with past and ongoing experiences of inequity to form mosaics of disruption. These mosaics of disruption created circumstances in which interviewees formed new connections with the more‐than‐human world.

The more‐than‐human connections of interviewees sat along a spectrum and did not universally represent the same strength of relational values. The more‐than‐human connections were defined by individual's positionality and restricted geographies of the circumstances. However, the newly formed relationships seemed to be ephemeral, indicating that they would not necessarily endure outside of an early‐pandemic context.

Thus, while individuals reported rearranged relationships out of pandemic precarity, their transitory qualities do not directly promise long‐term transformational multispecies connections. Our findings suggest that moments of disruption alone do not necessarily produce durable change and there is a need to go beyond merely recognizing relationality.

Policy implications: Transformative multispecies justice requires long‐term, routine commitment to deepening relationships with the more‐than‐human world. While future social–ecological and spatial disturbances can be a window of opportunity to initiate multispecies relationships, future initiatives and policies must actively support and foster these relationships and strong relational values beyond the disturbances—recognizing the long‐term, non‐linear processes of transformation needed to address our future challenges.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Reliability in mass alert system for dam emergencies: Case study of Vale S/A
Authors: da Silva Flávio Thimotio , Faria Cilene , Morais Flávio , Ferraz Germano , Delamora Roberto , Guedes Priscila , de Miranda Souza Daniela
Published: August 2024

In its iron ore operations, Vale, the largest mining company in Brazil and the fourth largest mining company in the world by market value, has 77 dams considered with high potential damage in case of a failure in the stability controls. This classification follows the criteria of the sector regulatory agency in Brazil and determines that, for this class, a mass alert system is necessary for the resident population and workers immediately downstream of the dam within a region preset by legislation, considering a simulated flood area. For Vale, the mass alert system for dam emergencies is part of a critical mitigating control for a business risk analysis considering the hypothetical dam break as an unwanted material event. Therefore, both the probability of failure on demand, spurious failure, and availability of the assets of this protection barrier are important elements for this purpose, as well as the emergency response plan and the evacuation simulation of flood areas, which are part of a risk management system that require continuous verification and continuous improvement. Currently, Vale has 375 sirens, and it is planned to reach 420 sirens by the end of 2024. The purpose of this article is to present how the safety concepts applied to these systems were developed, the good practices applied from this study, and the lessons learned from the dam emergency management arising from the break of the Brumadinho dam in 2019. The reliability analyses of the systems involved and the main contributors to the Safety Critical Unavailability are presented, as well as the results of the reduction in the maintenance time and increase in system availability.
Antinomies of the gig economy: The annihilation of space by time or the annihilation of time by space?
Authors: Butler Olivia , Zampoukos Kristina , Mitchell Don
Published: August 2024

This paper concerns migrants in Sweden working in various types of on and offline gig work. It explores how the temporal and spatial flexibility afforded to gig customers is predicated on temporal and spatial inflexibility for workers. The argument moves discussions beyond relational space by promoting a more fully dialectical view of space that understands it as simultaneously relational, relative, and absolute. Without such a view of space—which understands that space is not always open and fluid but just as often closed and fixed—it is impossible to understand the specific relations of labour that structure gig work, particularly offline gig work in such ways as to provide maximal flexibility for customers. This paper shows that the Marxian adage concerning how, in capitalism, space is annihilated by time, does not always hold. For workers doing cleaning and delivery gig work, the converse is oftentimes truer: time is annihilated by space. Gig workers—and even more so migrant gig workers crowded in the above‐mentioned industries—experience the annihilation of time by space through the dual mandate that they must be available “just‐in‐time” and “just‐in‐place” to produce the spatiotemporal flexibility upon which the gig companies base their model and their success.
Design and multiobjective optimization of a two‐point contact ladder‐climbing robot using a genetic algorithm
Authors: Shah Darshita , Dave Jatin , Chauhan Mihir , Ukani Vijay , Patel Suhani
Published: August 2024

This paper presents the design and optimization of a climbing robot. The design of a ladder‐climbing robot is done with fundamental mathematical considerations. The designed robot is robust enough to manage all environmental calamities, and at the same time, it is optimized for lightweight to reduce the actuator's cost and ease of transportation. An analytical evaluation is carried out for both static and dynamic conditions to determine strength and motion characteristics. The multiobjective optimization of the design parameters of a ladder‐climbing robot is done to obtain optimized values of design parameters. The formulation of an optimization problem that considers the minimization of weight and natural frequency is performed. Using an evolutionary genetic algorithm (GA) for the multicriteria optimization problem is solved, and a Pareto front solution is obtained. The optimal values of the parameters are decided based on the knee selection technique. As both objective functions are contradictory, the optimum results significantly improve the robot's performance. Controlling the proportional–integral–derivative (PID) parameters is crucial as the robot climbs with a two‐point contact gait pattern. The controlling parameters impart stability to the robot. PID parameters like proportional, integral and derivative gain are tunned using the GA. Finally, the developed prototype is tested on the ladders of the tower, and satisfactory climbing motion is achieved.
Magnetic Properties of Self‐Assemble Naphthalene Diimide Radical Aggregates
Authors: He Xiandong , Zhao Duokai , Yao Yao , Zhang Jiang , Zhou Jiadong , Li Xingxing , Hu Dehua , Yang Jinlong , Ma Yuguang
Published: August 2024

The concept of creating room‐temperature ferromagnets from organic radicals proposed nearly sixty years ago, has recently experienced a resurgence due to advances in organic radical chemistry and materials. However, the lack of definitive design paradigms for achieving stable long‐range ferromagnetic coupling between organic radicals presents an uncertain future for this research. Here, an innovative strategy is presented to achieve room‐temperature ferromagnets by assembling π‐conjugated radicals into π‐π stacking aggregates. These aggregates, with ultra‐close π‐π distances and optimal π‐π overlap, provide a platform for strong ferromagnetic (FM) interaction. The planar aromatic naphthalene diimide (NDI) anion radicals form nanorod aggregates with a π‐π distance of just 3.26 Å, shorter than typical van der Waals distances. The suppressed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal and emergent near‐infrared (NIR) absorption of the aggregates confirm strong interactions between the radicals. Magnetic measurements of NDI anion radical aggregates demonstrate room‐temperature ferromagnetism with a saturated magnetization of 1.1 emu g−1, the highest among pure organic ferromagnets. Theoretical calculations reveal that π‐stacks of NDI anion radicals with specific interlayer translational slippage favor ferromagnetic coupling over antiferromagnetic coupling.
Mechanistic Insights into the Stabilization of In Situ Formed γ‐NiOOH Species on Ni60Nb40 Nanoglass for Effective Urea Electro‐Oxidation
Authors: Sohel Amir , Kovilakath Muhammed Safeer Naduvil , Gogoi Palash J. , Ansari Hasem , Phukan Plabana , Bag Soumabha , John Neena S. , Baksi Ananya
Published: August 2024

The formation of NiOOH on the catalyst surface is widely considered to be the active species in electrochemical urea oxidation reactions (UOR). Though in situ‐formed NiOOH species are reported to be more active than the synthesized ones, the mechanistic study of the actual active species remains a daunting task due to the possibility of different phases and instability of surface‐formed NiOOH. Herein, mechanistic UOR aspects of electrochemically activated metallic Ni60Nb40 Nanoglass showing stability toward the γ‐NiOOH phase are reported, probed via in situ Raman spectroscopy, supported by electron microscopy analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy in contrast with the β‐NiOOH formation favored on Ni foil. Detailed mechanistic study further reveals that γ‐NiOOH predominantly follows a direct UOR mechanism while β‐NiOOH favors indirect UOR from time‐dependent Raman study, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. The Nanoglass has shown outstanding UOR performance with a low Tafel slope of 16 mV dec−1 and stability for prolonged electrolysis (≈38 mA cm−2 for 70 h) that can be attributed to the nanostructured glassy interfaces facilitating more γ‐NiOOH species formation and stabilization on the surface. The present study opens up a new direction for the development of inexpensive Ni‐based UOR catalysts and sheds light on the UOR mechanism.
Synergy Between Dynamic Behavior of Hydrogen Defects and Non‐Radiative Recombination in Metal‐Halide Perovskites
Authors: Zhou Wencai , Zhou Rongkun , Chen Xiaoqing , Zhou Zixiao , He Yongcai , Qian Cheng , Yan Hui , Zheng Zilong , Zhang Yongzhe , Yan He
Published: August 2024

In organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs), hydrogen defects introduce deep‐level trap states, significantly influencing non‐radiative recombination processes. Those defects are primarily observed in MA‐PSCs rather than FA‐PSCs. As a result, MA‐PSCs demonstrated a lower efficiency of 23.6% compared to 26.1% of FA‐PSCs. In this work, both hydrogen vacancy (VH−) and hydrogen interstitial (Hi−) defects in MAPbI3 bulk and on surfaces, respectively are investigated. i) Bulk VH− defects have dramatic impact on non‐radiative recombination, with lifetime varying from 67 to 8 ns, depending on whether deprotonated MA0 are ion‐bonded or not. ii) Surface H‐defects exhibited an inherent self‐healing mechanism through a chemical bond between MA0 and Pb2+, indicating a self‐passivation effect. iii) Both VH− and Hi− defects can be mitigated by alkali cation passivation; while large cations are preferable for VH− passivation, given strong binding energy of cation/perovskite, as well as, weak band edge non‐adiabatic couplings; and small cations are suited for Hi− passivation, considering the steric hindrance effect. The dual passivation strategy addressed diverse experimental outcomes, particularly in enhancing performance associated with cation selections. The dynamic connection between hydrogen defects and non‐radiative recombination is elucidated, providing insights into hydrogen defect passivation essential for high‐performance PSCs fabrication.
Rethinking and advancing the movement of resistance, activism, and advocacy in health in four central arenas of the Middle East Region
Authors: Alkhaldi Mohammed , Asi Yara , AlBada Marina , Mansour Wesam
Published: August 2024

The Middle East region has a long history of resistance, activism, and advocacy movements in health, most recently as part of the 2011 region‐wide Arab Spring. Despite this storied history, however, movements of resistance, activism, and advocacy in health in the region are rarely unpacked, examined, or documented. This historical and contextual analysis aims to examine the long‐standing confiscated health rights and subsequent experiences of resistance, activism, and advocacy in health in populations in Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iraq. Promoting a health equity and health rights‐based approach is key to achieving Universal Health Coverage and health‐related Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in contexts that experience fragile socioeconomic and humanitarian conditions and political instability such as many countries in the Middle East. Marginalized populations, including Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, Lebanese Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender+ (LGBT) communities, Egyptian women and girls affected by Female Genital Mutilation, and Iraqi refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, have been severely impacted by decades of oppression, conflict, and displacement. These populations have faced various forms of discrimination, neglect, and violence that have hindered their access to quality healthcare and basic health rights. Rather than relying on government efforts, local and international movements to advocate for and protect the health rights of these populations are key. Innovative approaches, strategic dialogue and collective actions are prerequisites for promoting resistance, activism, and advocacy in health in all country's systems structure. This analysis highlights the important of this social public health issue in the most turbulent region and provides evidence to guide all countries to realize equitable human rights for health for all populations.
Considerations for trustworthy cross-border interoperability of digital identity systems in developing countries
Authors: Ibor Ayei , Hooper Mark , Maple Carsten , Crowcroft Jon , Epiphaniou Gregory
Published: August 2024

In developing nations, the implementation of Foundational Identity Systems (FIDS) has optimised service delivery and inclusive economic growth. Cross-border e-government will gain traction as developing countries increasingly look to identity federation and trustworthy interoperability through FIDS for the identification and authentication of identity holders. Despite this potential, the interoperability of FIDS in the African identity ecosystem has not been well-studied. Among the difficulties in this situation are the intricate internal political dynamics that have led to weak institutions, suggesting that FIDS could be used for political purposes; additionally, citizens’ or identity holders’ habitual low trust in the government raises concerns about data security and privacy protection. Similarly, vendor lock-in, cross-system compatibility, and ambiguous legislative rules for data exchange are other concerns. Interoperability is fundamentally necessary as a precondition for e-government services and serves as the foundation for the best possible service delivery in the areas of social security, education, and finance, as well as gender equality as demonstrated by the European Union (EU). Moreover, the integration of cross-border FIDS and an ecosystem of effective data governance will be created by unified data sharing via an interoperable identity system. Thus, in this study, we point to the challenges, opportunities, and requirements for cross-border interoperability in an African setting. Furthermore, we investigated current interoperability solutions such as the EU’s eIDAS and Estonian X-Road and proposed an approach for scoping requirements to achieve a fully functional interoperable identity ecosystem in the African setting. Our findings show that interoperability in the African identity ecosystem is essential for expanding the scope of e-government throughout the continent and for bolstering the smooth authentication and verification of identity holders for inclusive economic growth.
Large-bore Aspiration Thrombectomy with the FlowTriever System for the Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism: A Large Single-Center Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Pebror Travis , Schmitz Adam William , Gauger Andrew , Masterson Reid , Butty Sabah David
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing large-bore aspiration thrombectomy for the treatment of pulmonary embolism at a large university medical center.

Materials and methods

All patients treated for pulmonary embolism with the FlowTriever System (Inari Medical, Irvine, CA) between September 2019 and January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary safety and effectiveness outcomes included 7- and 30-day all-cause mortality, major bleeding, procedure-associated clinical decompensation, pulmonary vascular or cardiac injury, and pulmonary artery pressure reduction. Additional outcomes included technical success (completing thrombectomy with the device as intended), changes in hemodynamics and supplemental oxygen requirements, and postprocedural intensive care unit stay.

Results

A total of 286 patients were identified. The mean age was 60.5 years, and 90.9% of patients presented with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism. Technical success was achieved in 96.9% (n = 277) of cases. The average reduction in mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 6.8 mmHg, from 28.7 ± 9.0 to 21.9 ± 8.0 mmHg (p < 0.0001). Two major bleeds (0.7%), 2 pulmonary vascular injuries (0.7%), and 4 (1.4%) procedure-associated decompensations were reported, but no device-related deaths occurred. The mean post-procedure intensive care unit stay was 2.0 ± 4.1 days, and 49.3% of patients had no postprocedural intensive care unit admittance. The overall 7-day and 30-day all-cause mortality rates were 2.4% and 6.7%, respectively, with a 30-day pulmonary embolism-related mortality rate of 3.5%.

Conclusion

This non-industry-sponsored single-center analysis of large-bore aspiration thrombectomy in a large population corroborates the findings of other studies and confirms that this approach is safe and effective for the treatment high- and intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism.

Level of Evidence IV

Retrospective observational study.

Graphical Abstract
Acute kidney injury in a child treated with cisplatin and amphotericin B
Authors: Skajaa Torjus , Faerch Mia , Hasle Henrik
Published: August 2024

Cisplatin and amphotericin B are both known to be potentially nephrotoxic. We describe acute kidney injury due to the combination of Liposomal amphotericin B and cisplatin in an adolescent with osteosarcoma. Acute kidney injury (peak creatinine 431 µmol/L) consistent with drug-induced acute tubulointerstitial nephritis was observed a few days after concomitant administration of cisplatin and amphotericin B. Kidney function nearly normalised during follow-up. The timing of the concomitant administration of amphotericin B and cisplatin led us to presume that the combination was the cause of renal failure, and we conclude that concurrent administration of cisplatin and amphotericin B should be avoided.
Deficiency of the sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) transporter Mfsd2b protects the heart against hypertension-induced cardiac remodeling by suppressing the L-type-Ca2+ channel
Authors: Duse Dragos Andrei , Schröder Nathalie Hannelore , Srivastava Tanu , Benkhoff Marcel , Vogt Jens , Nowak Melissa Kim , Funk Florian , Semleit Nina , Wollnitzke Philipp , Erkens Ralf , Kötter Sebastian , Meuth Sven Günther , Keul Petra , Santos Webster , Polzin Amin , Kelm Malte , Krüger Martina , Schmitt Joachim , Levkau Bodo
Published: August 2024

The erythrocyte S1P transporter Mfsd2b is also expressed in the heart. We hypothesized that S1P transport by Mfsd2b is involved in cardiac function. Hypertension-induced cardiac remodeling was induced by 4-weeks Angiotensin II (AngII) administration and assessed by echocardiography. Ca2+ transients and sarcomere shortening were examined in adult cardiomyocytes (ACM) from Mfsd2b+/+ and Mfsd2b−/− mice. Tension and force development were measured in skinned cardiac fibers. Myocardial gene expression was determined by real-time PCR, Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) by enzymatic assay, and S1P by LC/MS, respectively. Msfd2b was expressed in the murine and human heart, and its deficiency led to higher cardiac S1P. Mfsd2b−/− mice had regular basal cardiac function but were protected against AngII-induced deterioration of left-ventricular function as evidenced by ~ 30% better stroke volume and cardiac index, and preserved ejection fraction despite similar increases in blood pressure. Mfsd2b−/− ACM exhibited attenuated Ca2+ mobilization in response to isoprenaline whereas contractility was unchanged. Mfsd2b−/− ACM showed no changes in proteins responsible for Ca2+ homeostasis, and skinned cardiac fibers exhibited reduced passive tension generation with preserved contractility. Verapamil abolished the differences in Ca2+ mobilization between Mfsd2b+/+ and Mfsd2b−/− ACM suggesting that S1P inhibits L-type-Ca2+ channels (LTCC). In agreement, intracellular S1P activated the inhibitory LTCC phosphatase PP2A in ACM and PP2A activity was increased in Mfsd2b−/− hearts. We suggest that myocardial S1P protects from hypertension-induced left-ventricular remodeling by inhibiting LTCC through PP2A activation. Pharmacologic inhibition of Mfsd2b may thus offer a novel approach to heart failure.
Assessing the use of the novel tool Claude 3 in comparison to ChatGPT 4.0 as an artificial intelligence tool in the diagnosis and therapy of primary head and neck cancer cases
Authors: Schmidl Benedikt , Hütten Tobias , Pigorsch Steffi , Stögbauer Fabian , Hoch Cosima C. , Hussain Timon , Wollenberg Barbara , Wirth Markus
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a complex malignancy that requires a multidisciplinary tumor board approach for individual treatment planning. In recent years, artificial intelligence tools have emerged to assist healthcare professionals in making informed treatment decisions. This study investigates the application of the newly published LLM Claude 3 Opus compared to the currently most advanced LLM ChatGPT 4.0 for the diagnosis and therapy planning of primary HNSCC. The results were compared to that of a conventional multidisciplinary tumor board; (2) Materials and Methods: We conducted a study in March 2024 on 50 consecutive primary head and neck cancer cases. The diagnostics and MDT recommendations were compared to the Claude 3 Opus and ChatGPT 4.0 recommendations for each patient and rated by two independent reviewers for the following parameters: clinical recommendation, explanation, and summarization in addition to the Artificial Intelligence Performance Instrument (AIPI); (3) Results: In this study, Claude 3 achieved better scores for the diagnostic workup of patients than ChatGPT 4.0 and provided treatment recommendations involving surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. In terms of clinical recommendations, explanation and summarization Claude 3 scored similar to ChatGPT 4.0, listing treatment recommendations which were congruent with the MDT, but failed to cite the source of the information; (4) Conclusion: This study is the first analysis of Claude 3 for primary head and neck cancer cases and demonstrates a superior performance in the diagnosis of HNSCC than ChatGPT 4.0 and similar results for therapy recommendations. This marks the advent of a newly launched advanced AI model that may be superior to ChatGPT 4.0 for the assessment of primary head and neck cancer cases and may assist in the clinical diagnostic and MDT setting.
Audiovestibular outcomes in adult patients with cogan syndrome: a systematic review
Authors: Marrero-Gonzalez Alejandro R. , Ward Celine , Nguyen Shaun A. , Jeong Seth S. , Rizk Habib G.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

To determine factors associated with steroid responsiveness and efficacy of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic (DMARD) use in patients with Cogan Syndrome (CS).

Methods

A systematic search of Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Any study describing audiometric or vestibular data and pharmacologic treatment in patients with CS was included. Due to limited literature, only case reports/case series were included.

Results

Seventy case reports or case series studies comprising 79 individual cases of CS were included. A difference in vestibular symptoms with a higher prevalence in the steroid-resistant group than the steroid-responsive group was found (79.5% vs 57.9%, p = 0.04). Eighteen (60.0%) patients treated only with oral steroids had no audiological improvement, while twelve (n = 12; 85.7%) patients treated with biologic DMARD showed audiological improvement. The steroid-responsive group had an overall better response to DMARDs than the steroid-resistant group (62.1% vs 45.0%; 100.0% vs 77.8%).

Conclusions

Our study synthesized the available literature to better characterize steroid resistance in patients with Cogan syndrome and treatment outcomes. Vestibular symptoms were noted to be more prevalent in patients who were eventually labeled as steroid resistant. There were higher rates of audiological improvement in patients given biologic DMARDs rather than conventional DMARDs or steroids only. Further studies are needed to characterize each individual vestibular symptom and investigate the utility and timing of biologic DMARDs in managing patients with Cogan syndrome.
Leveraging atmospheric moisture recycling in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries for irrigation and afforestation planning
Authors: Zampieri Matteo , Luong Thang M. , Ashok Karumuri , Dasari Hari P. , Pistocchi Alberto , Hoteit Ibrahim
Published: August 2024

Effective irrigation planning is crucial for sustainable agricultural development and ecosystem restoration projects in arid regions. With respect to ambitious greening initiatives, Saudi Arabia is establishing a national strategy toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly future not only for itself but also for the broader Middle East region. Thus, comprehensively understanding the water cycle in the region is essential to identify the most suitable target locations for afforestation and reforestation while considering the potential role of irrigation. Herein, in addition to traditional pedoclimatic factors, we introduce a complementary consideration—“irrigation recycling.” Building on the well-established concept of atmospheric moisture recycling and taking advantage from an atmospheric trajectory dataset, we track the path of evaporated water from current or potential irrigated sites to the location where the evaporated water eventually falls as precipitation. Our analysis offers two key benefits. First, it helps pinpoint the regions in which and the periods during which water recycling is maximum within the country, aiding more precise calculations of the investment return value for irrigation infrastructures. Second, it helps identify the land-use change patterns that contribute to international efforts such as drought mitigation in East Africa as an example. We found that one-third of the actual precipitation in the current Saudi irrigated sites originated from evapotranspiration over land, mainly from Saudi Arabia and surrounding countries. Interestingly, most of the evapotranspiration from these irrigated sites will eventually fall somewhere over land (primarily in Iran). Controlling the seasonality and spatial distribution of the future irrigation expansion will allow controlling the atmospheric moisture recirculation in Saudi Arabia and nearby drought-prone regions such as Eastern Africa. The outcomes of this study will be the subject of future integrated assessments to account for the climatic feedbacks of the land-use change scenarios. At present, they provide crucial insights to support the decision-making process surrounding the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives. Further, the presented methodology offers a pragmatic framework that can be applied to similar greening projects for other regions, making it a viable and valuable approach for global sustainability programs.
The Rise of Transnational Financial Crimes and Tropical Deforestation
Authors: Kassouri Yacouba
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates the impact of trade-related illicit financial flows (IFFs) on tropical deforestation. To adjust for pre-exposure differences in deforestation rates between countries exposed to IFFs and their counterfactuals, this study adopts propensity score matching and doubly robust weighted regression estimators. The results suggest substantial increases in forest loss in countries exposed to large IFFs. Specifically, the treated countries exposed to IFFs experience an annual increase in forest loss of approximately 10,344.167 hectares compared to their counterfactual controls. This finding  is largely driven by macro-financial instability resulting from real currency depreciation and tax revenue losses due  to illicit financial outflows.  The results highlight the merit of capital controls and state ownership of assets in mitigating the impact of exposure to IFFs on forest loss.
Analysis of a Prototype Multi-Detector Fast-Neutron Radiography Panel
Authors: Young Christian X. , Browning Chloe A. , Thurber Ryan J. , Smalley Matthew R. , Liesenfelt Michael J. , Hayward Jason P. , McFarlane Nicole , Cooper Michael P. , Preston Jeff R.
Published: August 2024

A multi-detector fast neutron radiography panel was built using the previous work on scalable neutron radiography using the IDEAS ROSSPAD readout module. A new aluminum housing was built to accommodate a large number of detectors tiled together. Additional changes to startup and processing code were made to operate the detector as one cohesive unit. Spatial resolution of the full panel using Cs-137 gammas was reported to be 0.42 line pairs per centimeter at 90% MTF and 2.09 line pairs per centimeter at 10% MTF. Three neutron radiographs generated using a Cf-252 fission neutron source were used to determine the spatial resolution of the panel for neutrons. The experiments had 90% MTF values of 0.24, 0.3, and 0.27 line pairs per centimeter and 10% MTF values of 1.30, 1.46, and 1.40 line pairs per centimeter. An example neutron radiograph was also used to prove that the radiography panel can perform true neutron radiography.
Help, I need somebody! Business and technology advisors in emerging science-based ventures at American universities
Authors: Denoo Lien , Van Boxstael Anneleen , Belz Andrea
Published: August 2024

Early-stage science-based ventures (SBVs) require a wide range of intellectual resources and practical know-how to successfully commercialize their technologies. Often SBV founders actively gain this knowledge through advisory relationships providing business and technology guidance. We explore the effects of both business and technology advisors in combination with the founder’s entrepreneurial and technology experience. We measure early-stage success in an SBV using application readiness, a novel concept that encompasses progress in both technology discovery and validation as well as market identification and application. Using hand-collected longitudinal data from 112 emerging science-based ventures associated with American universities, we find that business advisors have a positive impact on application readiness, while technology advisors delay it; and these effects are moderated by the founder’s experience. Remarkably, a small number of advisors can have the same impact as decades of experience. Our article unpacks underexplored mechanisms through which advisors—an often-used policy tool supporting entrepreneurship—are implemented in emerging science-based ventures and makes academic contributions to the literatures on technology commercialization, advisors and human capital.
Developing a Conceptual Framework: Women STEM Faculty's Participation in Entrepreneurship Education Programs
Authors: Menon Maya , Shekhar Prateek
Published: August 2024

Motivated by the high socio-economic impact of innovations in science and technology, entrepreneurship in STEM disciplines is gaining increasing attention. As a result, entrepreneurship education programs (EEPs) have been introduced and designed to train STEM faculty and expose them to entrepreneurial practice. This study examines factors influencing women STEM faculty's perspectives on their participation in EEPs within the broader socio-cultural context of academia. The study addresses the under-researched and undertheorized area of women academics in STEM entrepreneurship by drawing on adult participation literature and key theoretical works in entrepreneurship education to formulate the conceptual grounding. Using qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews with 32 women STEM faculty, the findings identify internal and external influences and unpacks their complex interactions across the programmatic and systemic dimensions. Internal factors include perceptions of entrepreneurship, STEM academic identity, entrepreneurial identity, and self-efficacy, while external factors included professional mentors, personal role models, socioemotional support, and financial resources. The study conceptually synthesizes these factors and elucidates a nuanced understanding of women STEM faculty’s perspectives on their participation in EEPs, offering insights for future research and program development to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusivity in STEM entrepreneurship education.
Protection motivation when using biocidal products – A survey study in Germany
Authors: Bearth Angela , Thoma Livia , Stark Christiane , Siegrist Michael
Published: August 2024

Due to their inherent properties, biocidal products might pose a risk to human and animal health and the environment. In risk management, there exists uncertainty about private users' comprehension of and willingness-to-adhere to use instructions that mitigate these risks (e.g., limit frequency of use or application area). This study aimed at providing insights into the users' perspective by focusing on their attention, comprehension, and the attitudinal predictors of protection motivation. In the online study (N = 957 participants from Germany) were introduced to a hypothetical purchase scenario featuring an insect spray and a realistic set of use instructions. Next, the participants' attention for the use instruction was measured in self-report and by tracking the time spent on the page with the use instruction, while Likert scale-type questions measured the comprehensibility, protection motivation, and predictors. Participants reported higher protection motivation if they spent more time with the use instruction, perceived it as comprehensible, rated the threat to humans, animals, and the environment as more severe, perceived themselves as responsible (i.e., internal locus of control) and capable (i.e., self-efficacy) of adhering to the use instructions, perceived adherence to the use instructions as effective (i.e., response efficacy) and did not perceive biocidal products as inherently safe (i.e., neutral locus of control). These results offer valuable information for an improved regulation of biocidal products and better management of potential risks associated with their use. They also provide concepts for interventions to ensure users of biocidal products follow the instructions for a safe use and better protection of the environment.