bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Negotiated spaces: black women academics’ experiences in UK universities
Authors: Osho Yaz Iyabo , Alormele Naomi
Published: August 2024

A dearth of literature exists on Black women academics’ experience in UK universities. This lacunae in research mirrors the lived experiences of many Black women academics: feeling silenced whilst simultaneously experiencing the strain of hypervisibility in their academic roles. Within the global landscape, influencing factors have been highlighted relating to pay disparities between Black women and their white counterparts, experiences of covert gendered racism, microaggressions and the absence of support from universities in relation to progression and development opportunities. The frequency of toxic work cultures and systemic racism within universities is evidenced in the lack of representation of Black women in senior leadership positions in the UK. Where representation is found, this paper presents evidence that Black women academics tend to be working within insecure contracts and/or at universities that do not prioritise and allocate time for research and promotion-rich activity. For Black women academics who do survive and thrive in the sector, there is the identification of the importance of internal and external networks which offer safety, support and solidarity. Nonetheless, these networks alone are not enough, with an analysis of groups outside of Black women able to gain access to these networks, rendering Black women’s space to share their experiences unsafe and potentially violent. In recognition of a move from an approach of an analysis of literature being left as a standalone point for reflection, this paper provides a review and several points for action for the higher education sector. These action points can be utilised by universities to develop and implement equitable strategies and policies for Black women academics and racially minoritised staff, more broadly.
Model of U and 226Ra uptake by Spergularia rubra (L.) J. Presl & C. Presl in an area affected by Cu ore mining
Authors: Expósito-Suárez V. M. , Suárez-Navarro J. A. , Caro A. , Sanz M. B. , Gómez-Mancebo M. B. , Barragán M. , Suárez-Navarro M. J. , Ferreiro A. , Fitzgerald T. , Sánchez-Sánchez P. , Gil-Pacheco E.
Published: August 2024

Spergularia rubra (L.) J. Presl & C. Presl has a mycorrhizal resistance that leads to increased uranium uptake. The results show that 35% of the 238U is retained in the carbonate fraction and 59% in the residual or non-reactive fraction. 226Ra shows a different pattern with an average association of 19% in the organic matter fraction, 10% in the carbonate compounds and the remaining 71% in the residual fraction. The relationships between the activity concentrations of 238U and 226Ra in the soil fractions and in Spergularia were found to be statistically representative of the carbonate and organic matter fractions, respectively.
Non-empirical methods for ethics research on digital technologies in medicine, health care and public health: a systematic journal review
Authors: Ursin Frank , Müller Regina , Funer Florian , Liedtke Wenke , Renz David , Wiertz Svenja , Ranisch Robert
Published: August 2024

Bioethics has developed approaches to address ethical issues in health care, similar to how technology ethics provides guidelines for ethical research on artificial intelligence, big data, and robotic applications. As these digital technologies are increasingly used in medicine, health care and public health, thus, it is plausible that the approaches of technology ethics have influenced bioethical research. Similar to the “empirical turn” in bioethics, which led to intense debates about appropriate moral theories, ethical frameworks and meta-ethics due to the increased use of empirical methodologies from social sciences, the proliferation of health-related subtypes of technology ethics might have a comparable impact on current bioethical research. This systematic journal review analyses the reporting of ethical frameworks and non-empirical methods in argument-based research articles on digital technologies in medicine, health care and public health that have been published in high-impact bioethics journals. We focus on articles reporting non-empirical research in original contributions. Our aim is to describe currently used methods for the ethical analysis of ethical issues regarding the application of digital technologies in medicine, health care and public health. We confine our analysis to non-empirical methods because empirical methods have been well-researched elsewhere. Finally, we discuss our findings against the background of established methods for health technology assessment, the lack of a typology for non-empirical methods as well as conceptual and methodical change in bioethics. Our descriptive results may serve as a starting point for reflecting on whether current ethical frameworks and non-empirical methods are appropriate to research ethical issues deriving from the application of digital technologies in medicine, health care and public health.
Edge importance in complex networks
Authors: Noschese Silvia , Reichel Lothar
Published: August 2024

Complex networks are made up of vertices and edges. The latter connect the vertices. There are several ways to measure the importance of the vertices, e.g., by counting the number of edges that start or end at each vertex, or by using the subgraph centrality of the vertices. It is more difficult to assess the importance of the edges. One approach is to consider the line graph associated with the given network and determine the importance of the vertices of the line graph, but this is fairly complicated except for small networks. This paper compares two approaches to estimate the importance of edges of medium-sized to large networks. One approach computes partial derivatives of the total communicability of the weights of the edges, where a partial derivative of large magnitude indicates that the corresponding edge may be important. Our second approach computes the Perron sensitivity of the edges. A high sensitivity signals that the edge may be important. The performance of these methods and some computational aspects are discussed. Applications of interest include to determine whether a network can be replaced by a network with fewer edges with about the same communicability.
Somapacitan-induced reversible lipoatrophy in an adult woman with hypopituitarism
Authors: Rakusa Matej , Janez Andrej , Jensterle Mojca
Published: August 2024

Background

Lipoatrophy is rare adverse event (AE) in daily recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). Data on lipoatrophy in newly developed long-acting GH (LAGH) are scarce. We report the first case of lipoatrophy in adult patient treated with LAGH somapacitan.

Case presentation

A 38-year-old woman with congenital panhypopituitarism was transitioned from daily rhGH 0.4 mg QD to somapacitan dose 4 mg QW due to non-adherence to daily rhGH. Despite adequate education and regular changing of injection sites, the patient reported reduced subcutaneous tissue at all four injection sites, after the 4th application of somapacitan. Somapacitan was discontinued at patient preference and lipoatrophy completely reversed after 3 months.

Conclusions

Lipoatrophy caused by somapacitan was completely reversible. We speculate that high initial dose and volume of somapacitan caused delayed diffusion and a direct local lipolytic effect in our patient. Although, titration of somapacitan was initiated as previously reported in REAL2 study protocol, recent clinical guidelines advise more gradual increase of somapacitan dose also in women on oral estogens that are switched from daily rhGH. Importantly, our case and the two previously described cases in children in the REAL 3 study showed that lipoatrophy caused by somapacitan was transient and completely reversible, and that discontinuation of the drug is not always mandatory.
Does science disrupt technology? Examining science intensity, novelty, and recency through patent-paper citations in the pharmaceutical field
Authors: Wu Keye , Xie Ziyue , Du Jia Tina
Published: August 2024

The role of scientific knowledge in advancing technology is widely recognized, but its impact in generating disruptive ideas and catalyzing technological change is less well known. To fill this gap, this study addresses a new research question about whether and how prior scientific knowledge contributes to technological disruptiveness. Specifically, our study focused on the pharmaceutical field, which has a frequent interaction between science and technology, and employed the patent-paper citations to explore the disruptive impact of science on technology. Drawing on the 1,883,593 granted patents in pharmaceuticals and their 1,546,960 cited papers prior to 2018, we found patents with scientific references appear to be more disruptive than those without scientific citations and such effect has gradually pronounced in recent decades, even though technological disruptiveness is generally declining over time. For each granted patent, we further developed three scientific characteristics including science intensity, science novelty and science recency and estimated their effects on technological disruptiveness. The regression analysis showed science intensity and science novelty both have an inverted U-shaped relationship with technological disruptiveness, suggesting intermediate-level novel scientific knowledge input can inspire the generation of disruptive ideas for pharmaceutical technological innovation. While science recency presents a negative association, underlying that recent scientific knowledge could offer advanced theoretical insights that may destabilize the existing technological trajectory. Moreover, collaboration is another important factor in enhancing the disruptive impact of science on technology. Our study contributes to the existing literature by introducing the disruptive impact of science on technology.
Stabilizing Electric Vehicle Systems Using Proximal Policy-Based Self-structuring Control
Authors: Zhuang Juntao , Wang Chengwei , Cheng Qiong , Dai Ying , Ghaderpour Ebrahim , Mohammadzadeh Ardashir
Published: August 2024

An active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) has been developed for stabilizing electric vehicle (EV) systems without the need for model identification. The proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm, along with actor and critic neural networks, has been used to fine-tune the adjustable parameters of the ADRC controller to achieve optimal performance in a specific case study. The architecture of PPO implements separate neural networks and ameliorates the PPO adaptability to handle continuous action spaces. By maximizing a reward function based on system output, the PPO agent optimally tunes the gains to reduce undesired speed fluctuations of EVs and improve system stability. Performance evaluation under the new European driving cycle and federal test procedure has been conducted to examine the feasibility of the suggested controller. The disturbance rejection capability of the ADRC controller designed by the PPO algorithm has been tested and compared with prevalent control methodologies. Moreover, real-time examinations of the dynamic behavior of EV systems have been made to identify the capability of the suggested controller in real-world hardware. The results show that the suggested controller outperforms other designed controllers in terms of transient behavior and numerical performance metrics.
J-equivalence for associative algebras
Authors: Jonsson Helena
Published: August 2024

We study the combinatorics of an analogue of Green’s $${\mathcal {J}}$$
J
-relation (a.k.a. the two-sided relation) for the bicategory of finite-dimensional bimodules over finite-dimensional associative algebras over a fixed field. In particular, we provide a number of exameples for both $${\mathcal {J}}$$
J
-equivalent and inequivalent but $${\mathcal {J}}$$
J
-comparabe algebras.
Data interpolation methods with the UNet-based model for weather forecast
Authors: Wang Jiayu
Published: August 2024

Deep learning improves weather predictions, and most machine learning applications need data preparation, including interpolation. Since meteorological satellite collected data have several missing values, it is worth studying the interpolation in weather forecasting. This paper used a UNet-based model to evaluate 10 interpolation methods with different parameters on a short-term weather prediction task from the IEEE Big Data Competition 2021. Each strategy was evaluated using 3 groups of evaluation aspects, totaling 7 metrics. One of the specific issues explored in this research was reducing the influence of possible displacement in satellite images, which is often emphasized by exciting evaluation standards. After interpolation, some solutions showed that they could increase the model performance to some extent. Although there was no universal optimal method, interpolation using linear relationships performed rather well in most cases and produced the best results when all evaluation metrics were taken into account. However, the most effective method is time-consuming and requires a great number of calculations. In addition to interpolation with linear relation, computing the mean value of a limited region is beneficial and efficient. This study expects the conclusion to improve future weather prediction or meteorological data processing and to be expanded with other evaluation metrics to better assess a deep learning model’s effectiveness.
A habitually open mouth posture leads to less affect strength during joy in childhood
Authors: Bein-Wierzbinski Wibke , Franke Sr. Maria Gabriela , Heidbreder-Schenk Christiane
Published: August 2024

Aim

Compared with children without orofacial disorders, children with a habitual lack of mouth closure and mouth breathing show less frequent and reduced or absent facial expressions. The facial feedback hypothesis states that affective sensation is enhanced by mimic involvement. In this randomized cross-sectional study with and without orofacially disordered children, we investigated the effect of lack of mouth closure on the strength of emotions related to joy, sadness and fear in children. We aimed to determine whether kindergarten and primary school-age children with a lack of mouth closure are less emotionally involved.

Materials and Method

We used facial feedback as an indicator to measure affect intensity in children with and without orofacial disorders. For this purpose, we modified the experimental design of Strack et al. (Strack et al. in J Pers Soc Psychol 54:768–777, 1988), in which the subjects were asked to hold a pencil exclusively with their teeth (experimental group 1, “joy”), with their lips (experimental group 2, “sadness” and “fear”) or with their nondominant hand (control group). Instead of cartoons, ten medium-funny animal pictures were presented individually in a predefined order to be judged on a Likert scale. The allocation to the groups was implemented using a randomized procedure, independent of the diagnosis, age and sex of the children. The only exclusion criteria were the presence of surgical scars in the orofacial area and cerebral palsy.

Results

A total of 414 children aged 4 to 17 years were studied for facial feedback, with orofacial disorders such as open mouth posture, tongue thrust, myofunctional disorder, craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD) and speech motor disorders diagnosed in 223 subjects. The significance tests showed that in all age groups, children with orofacial disorders rated the joke content of the animal pictures significantly lower than did children without orofacial disorders (4- to 6-year-olds: p value = 0.01, T value = 2.33, confidence = 99%; 7- to 8-year-olds: p value = 0, T value = 4.98, 100% confidence; 9- to 17-year-olds: p value = 0, T value = 2.87, 100% confidence). This finding indicates that children with a lack of mouth closure and other orofacial disorders not only express less pleasure with the help of facial expressions but also feel less pleasure. Moreover, the experimental setup used in this work, which has been modified for children, can be used to test facial feedback in young subjects.

Conclusion

In our study, we focused on the interplay between physical and emotional development in children. If left untreated, children with a lack of oral closure may not only show deviations in the orofacial area later on, but also in their emotionality. We endeavored to highlight the importance of treating children with orofacial disorders at an early age.
Why the Danes Are the Happiest People on Earth
Authors: Kanazawa Satoshi , Lopez Tai
Published: August 2024

Abstract: We propose a new hypothesis – Selective Outmigration by Personality Hypothesis (SOPHy) – to explain how Scandinavians have come to exhibit the highest levels of subjective well-being in the world. We assume that Viking men might have been similar in personality to modern violent and property criminals, who are low in Conscientiousness and Agreeableness and high on Neuroticism. Since less Conscientious and Agreeable and more Neurotic individuals are on average less happy, their selective outmigration from Scandinavia during the Viking Age (793–1066) could have elevated the genetic tendency to be happy among Scandinavians left behind. Our calculations show that genetic selection alone could have produced the current Scandinavian genetic advantage in happiness under reasonable assumptions. The same process may also explain the exceptionally low level of happiness among Russians, who descended from Vikings. The Viking Age was a rare historical event in selective outmigration by personality not shared by other examples of mass outmigration, such as Genghis Khan’s army, the Crusades, and penal colonies in Australia. Other examples of SOPHy might include the emigration of Japanese laterborns (birth order qua personality) and the Irish Potato Famine (occupation qua personality). Our hypothesis awaits empirical testing with historical, archeological, and population genomic data.
Exploring the Thinking Self – Performance and Persistence
Authors: Ziegler Renatus , Weger Ulrich
Published: August 2024

Abstract: This paper explores a rather specific and neglected part within the studies of thinking and the self: the self in thinking action. First, pure thinking action is defined as a thinking process dealing with pure conceptual relations with no explicit or implicit reference to sensory qualities. Second, this kind of action is explored to discover features of the self-performing activity. First-person methods are applied to reveal the phenomenology of such actions. By way of an example and using the method of phenomenal contrasts, the phenomenal material is sampled, analyzed, and further evaluated. We point to five dimensions of the thinking self and contrast them to some traditional concepts of the self, such as the minimal self or the narrative self, leading to important extensions of the literature. This leads up to another series of experiential results which finally allow us to unearth the “core self” immersed in thinking action. This “core self” reveals itself as the source of its thinking action and as the center of awareness.
Controls on Sr/Ca, S/Ca, and Mg/Ca in Benthic Foraminifera: Implications for the Carbonate Chemistry of the Pacific Ocean Over the Last 350 ky
Authors: Lawson V. J. , Rosenthal Y. , Bova S. C. , Lambert J. , Linsley B. K. , Bu K. , Clementi V. J. , Elmore A. , McClymont E. L.
Published: August 2024

Boron to calcium (B/Ca) records in benthic foraminifera, used for reconstructing the carbonate ion saturation state (ΔCO3) of the deep ocean, suggest that carbon sequestration in the Southern Pacific contributed to lowering atmospheric CO2 during the last glacial interval. However, the spatial and temporal extent of this storage is debated due to limited ΔCO3 records. To increase available ΔCO3 records, we explored using strontium and sulfur to calcium (Sr/Ca, S/Ca) in Planulina wuellerstorfi as additional proxies for ΔCO3 based on comparison with paired B/Ca down‐core records from Pacific Sites U1486 (1,332 m depth) and U1487 (874 m depth) cored during the International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 363. The Sr/Ca and S/Ca records from P. wuellerstorfi closely covary with the B/Ca‐derived ΔCO3 records. Temperature, reconstructed using Uvigerina peregrina magnesium to calcium (Mg/Ca), has no discernible effect on Sr/Ca, whereas S/Ca also varies with Mg/Ca in both U. peregrina and P. wuellerstorfi, suggesting an additional temperature effect. Mg/Ca records from P. wuellerstorfi are affected by both temperature and ΔCO3. We assess calibrations of Sr/Ca to ΔCO3 for the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans and recommend using the down‐core rather than core‐top calibrations as they yield consistent sensitivity, though with offsets, in all ocean basins. Reconstructing Pacific ΔCO3 records from sites U1486, U1487, and DSDP 593, we demonstrate the benefit of using Sr/Ca as an additional ΔCO3 proxy to assess the contribution of the Southern Pacific to the increase of atmospheric CO2 at glacial terminations.
Cushing’s syndrome screening with the 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test in metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity phenotypes
Authors: Hepsen Sema , Gul Umran , Bostan Hayri , Akhanli Pinar , Sencar Muhammed Erkam , Kizilgul Muhammed , Unsal Ilknur Ozturk , Cakal Erman
Published: August 2024

Background

The ongoing debate regarding the need for screening Cushing’s syndrome (CS) in patients with obesity continues. The objectives of this study were to establish the prevalence of CS in the population with obesity and assess how metabolic health status influences cortisol levels following the 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST).

Methods

This retrospective study included 1008 patients with obesity who underwent screening with the 1 mg DST for CS. These patients were categorized into two groups as metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and unhealthy obesity (MUO).

Results

Out of the 1008 patients, 779 (77.3%) belonged to the MUO group. Within the entire study cohort, 12 (1.2%) patients exhibited a cortisol level of ≥ 1.8 after the 1 mg DST. Cortisol levels following the 1 mg DST were also significantly higher in the MUO group than in the MHO group (p = 0.001). Among these 12 patients, 11 were presenting a MUO phenotype. Hypercortisolism was definitively diagnosed in two patients, resulting in an overall prevalence of 0.2%. The 1 mg DST demonstrated a specificity of 99% and 100% sensitivity for screening for CS.

Conclusions

While the 1 mg DST is a practical screening test for CS with high specificity in obesity, the number of CS cases detected remains relatively low. Therefore, it may be more reasonable and applicable to screen patients with MUO phenotype rather than all individuals with obesity.
Understanding general practitioner and pharmacist preferences for pharmacogenetic testing in primary care: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: McDermott John H. , Sharma Videha , Beaman Glenda M. , Keen Jessica , Newman William G. , Wilson Paul , Payne Katherine , Wright Stuart
Published: August 2024

Pharmacogenetic testing in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) has historically been reactive in nature, undertaken in the context of single gene-drug relationships in specialist settings. Using a discrete choice experiment we aimed to identify healthcare professional preferences for development of a pharmacogenetic testing service in primary care in the NHS. Respondents, representing two professions groups (general practitioners or pharmacists), completed one of two survey versions, asking them to select their preferred pharmacogenetic testing service in the context of a presentation of low mood or joint pain. Responses from 235 individuals were included. All respondents preferred pharmacogenetic testing over no testing, though preference heterogeneity was identified. Both professional groups, but especially GPs, were highly sensitive to service design, with uptake varying depending on the service offered. This study demonstrates uptake of a pharmacogenetic testing service is impacted by service design and highlights key areas which should be prioritised within future initiatives.
Deep learning versus manual morphology-based embryo selection in IVF: a randomized, double-blind noninferiority trial
Authors: Illingworth Peter J. , Venetis Christos , Gardner David K. , Nelson Scott M. , Berntsen Jørgen , Larman Mark G. , Agresta Franca , Ahitan Saran , Ahlström Aisling , Cattrall Fleur , Cooke Simon , Demmers Kristy , Gabrielsen Anette , Hindkjær Johnny , Kelley Rebecca L. , Knight Charlotte , Lee Lisa , Lahoud Robert , Mangat Manveen , Park Hannah , Price Anthony , Trew Geoffrey , Troest Bettina , Vincent Anna , Wennerström Susanne , Zujovic Lyndsey , Hardarson Thorir
Published: August 2024

To assess the value of deep learning in selecting the optimal embryo for in vitro fertilization, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, noninferiority parallel-group trial was conducted across 14 in vitro fertilization clinics in Australia and Europe. Women under 42 years of age with at least two early-stage blastocysts on day 5 were randomized to either the control arm, using standard morphological assessment, or the study arm, employing a deep learning algorithm, intelligent Data Analysis Score (iDAScore), for embryo selection. The primary endpoint was a clinical pregnancy rate with a noninferiority margin of 5%. The trial included 1,066 patients (533 in the iDAScore group and 533 in the morphology group). The iDAScore group exhibited a clinical pregnancy rate of 46.5% (248 of 533 patients), compared to 48.2% (257 of 533 patients) in the morphology arm (risk difference −1.7%; 95% confidence interval −7.7, 4.3; P = 0.62). This study was not able to demonstrate noninferiority of deep learning for clinical pregnancy rate when compared to standard morphology and a predefined prioritization scheme. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) registration:
379161.
In vitro digestive system simulation and anticancer activity of soymilk fermented by probiotics and synbiotics immobilised on agro-industrial residues
Authors: Gad Abdallah I. , Orabi Mona M. , Abou-Taleb Khadiga A. , Abdelghani Dina Y. , Amin Shimaa A.
Published: August 2024

In this study, a variety of probiotic strains, including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium bifidum, were utilized for soymilk fermentation both as free cells and as synbiotics on agro-industrial residuals such as okara, whey protein, banana peels, apple pomace, sugarcane bagasse, orange peels, and lemon peels. Among these, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus emerged as the most significant strain for soymilk fermentation, exhibiting a viability of 10.47 log cfu/mL, a pH of 4.41, total acidity of 1.12%, and organic acid contents (lactic and acetic acid) of 11.20 and 7.50 g/L, respectively. As a synbiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus immobilised on okara, showed even more impressive results, with a viability of 12.98 log cfu/mL, a pH of 4.31, total acidity of 1.27%, and organic acid contents of 13.90 and 9.30 g/L, respectively. Over a 12-h fermentation period, cell viability values increased by 10.47-fold in free cells and 11.19-fold in synbiotics. Synbiotic supplementation of fermented soymilk proved more beneficial than free cells in terms of viability, acidity, and organic acid content. Furthermore, when synbiotic fermented soymilk was freeze-dried to simulate the digestive system in vitro, synbiotics and freeze-dried cells demonstrated superior gastrointestinal tract survival compared to free cells. Both the probiotic bacteria and the synbiotics exhibited cytotoxicity against colon and liver cancer cell lines, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 41.96 to 61.52 μL/well.
Tele-Impedance control of a virtual avatar based on EMG and M-IMU sensors: a proof-of-concept
Authors: Buscaglione Silvia , Noccaro Alessia , Tagliamonte Nevio , Ticchiarelli Giulia , Di Pino Giovanni , Formica Domenico
Published: August 2024

The broad spread of cooperative robots into many application domains has resulted in a demand for intuitive and effective solutions for teleoperated control. A relevant role in teleoperation has been assumed by impedance controllers, that allow the increase of stability and accuracy during interaction. This paper aims to test a teleoperation method based on an impedance controller, namely tele-impedance control, that is usable in unstructured environments since it relies only on wearable sensors. The proposed solution maps the joint stiffness and position of the human user, computed through six EMG and two M-IMU sensors, into the remote system to be teleoperated. We developed a 2-DoFs virtual task involving virtual physical interactions to compare the performance of our solution with the one of a traditional position-based controller. The study has been conducted on five healthy participants, who experienced both controllers in two different sessions. The tele-impedance approach has proved to be less physically demanding and more intuitive than the position-based one. Experimental data also allow us to investigate the strategy employed by the volunteers in the case of remote interactions, while using the two controllers. Of note, even though with the position controller the variation of subject impedance has no effect on the virtual arm, participants still tend to regulate both impedance and position of their own arm.
An impedimetric approach for determination of ammonium using silver/poly-1-aminoanthraquinone/carbon paste electrode
Authors: Altahan Mahmoud Fatehy , Beltagi Amr Mohamed , Abdel-Azzem Magdi , El-Attar Mona A.
Published: August 2024

Here, we present the electrochemical determination of ammonium in water samples, emphasizing the importance of accurate and precise assessment of its concentration. The modified electrode used in this study was fabricated through the anodic polymerization of 1-aminoanthraquinone (1-AAQ) and deposition of silver particles into a carbon paste electrode. The fabrication process involved cyclic voltammetry in a 0.1 M HCl solution, followed by the application of a potential of 0.2 V for 75 s. The resulting Ag/poly-1-AAQ/CPE exhibited remarkable electrochemical properties, as confirmed by scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and elemental mapping. The successful deposition of silver at percentages of 12.07% on Ag/CPE and 0.75% on Ag/poly-1-AAQ/CPE was observed. The Ag/poly-1-AAQ/CPE was employed for impedimetric determination of ammonium in a solution of 0.1 M Na2SO4. The charge transfer resistance) output from the fitting of the experimental impedimetric data of ammonium determination exhibited good linearity over a concentration range of 5 µM to 200 µM NH4+, with a detection limit of 3.3 µM NH4+. The precision of the modified electrode over ten replicate measurements were conducted at three concentration levels (a low of 5 µM NH4+, a medium of 50 µM NH4+, and a high of 200 µM NH4+). The obtained relative standard deviation (RSD) values of 18%, 12% and 7%, respectively, indicating good precision.
Biomarker dosimetry of acute low level of thermal neutrons and radiation adaptive response effect on rats
Authors: Awad Misara M. , Abdelgawad Mahmoud H. , Aboelezz Eslam , Ereiba Khairy T.
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we demonstrated the biological effects of acute low-dose neutrons on the whole body of rats and investigated the impact of that level of neutron dose to induce an in vivo radio-adaptive response. To understand the radio-adaptive response, the examined animals were exposed to acute neutron radiation doses of 5 and 10 mSv, followed by a 50 mSv challenge dose after 14 days. After irradiation, all groups receiving single and double doses were kept in cages for one day before sampling. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method was used to estimate the radiation-induced radicals in the blood, and some hematological parameters and lipid peroxidation (MDA) were determined. A comet assay was performed beside some of the antioxidant enzymes [catalase enzyme (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH)]. Seven groups of adult male rats were classified according to their dose of neutron exposure. Measurements of all studied markers are taken one week after harvesting, except for hematological markers, within 2 h. The results indicated lower production of antioxidant enzymes (CAT by 1.18–5.83%, SOD by 1.47–17.8%, and GSH by 11.3–82.1%). Additionally, there was an increase in red cell distribution width (RDW) (from 4.61 to 25.19%) and in comet assay parameters such as Tail Length, (from 6.16 to 10.81 µm), Tail Moment, (from 1.17 to 2.46 µm), and percentage of DNA in tail length (DNA%) (from 9.58 to 17.32%) in all groups exposed to acute doses of radiation ranging from 5 to 50 mSv, respectively. This emphasizes the ascending harmful effect with the increased acute thermal neutron doses. The values of the introduced factor of radio adaptive response for all markers under study reveal that the lower priming dose promotes a higher adaptation response and vice versa. Ultimately, the results indicate significant variations in DNA%, SOD enzyme levels, EPR intensity, total Hb concentration, and RDWs, suggesting their potential use as biomarkers for acute thermal neutron dosimetry. Further research is necessary to validate these measurements as biodosimetry for radiation exposure, including investigations involving the response impact of RAR with varied challenge doses and post-irradiation behavior.
Strategic behavior of large language models and the role of game structure versus contextual framing
Authors: Lorè Nunzio , Heydari Babak
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates the strategic behavior of large language models (LLMs) across various game-theoretic settings, scrutinizing the interplay between game structure and contextual framing in decision-making. We focus our analysis on three advanced LLMs—GPT-3.5, GPT-4, and LLaMa-2—and how they navigate both the intrinsic aspects of different games and the nuances of their surrounding contexts. Our results highlight discernible patterns in each model’s strategic approach. GPT-3.5 shows significant sensitivity to context but lags in its capacity for abstract strategic decision making. Conversely, both GPT-4 and LLaMa-2 demonstrate a more balanced sensitivity to game structures and contexts, albeit with crucial differences. Specifically, GPT-4 prioritizes the internal mechanics of the game over its contextual backdrop but does so with only a coarse differentiation among game types. In contrast, LLaMa-2 reflects a more granular understanding of individual game structures, while also giving due weight to contextual elements. This suggests that LLaMa-2 is better equipped to navigate the subtleties of different strategic scenarios while also incorporating context into its decision-making, whereas GPT-4 adopts a more generalized, structure-centric strategy.
Fano resonances induced by strong conductive coupling in cross-shaped metasurfaces for tunable EIT-like phenomena
Authors: Teymoori Morteza , Yalcinkaya Arda Deniz
Published: August 2024

Highly efficient Metamaterials are necessary for applications in sensing, communication, etc. Fano resonance and electromagnetically induced transparency-like phenomena are essential for obtaining high Q-factor and sensitive Metamaterials. Employing both numerical simulations and experimental analysis, we investigate the emergence of Fano resonance in cross-resonator Metamaterials facilitated by the conductive coupling between dark and bright resonators. We analyze the gradual shift of the fano resonance by tuning the dark resonator and finally form an electromagnetically induced transparency-like transmission peak. The strong coupling of the resonator is observed in the form of an anti-crossing and discussed through analytical models. We demonstrate that the coupling strength of the dark and bright resonance in our metamaterial is proportional to the asymmetry parameter, albeit at the cost of the Fano resonance’s Q-factor. The findings and methods introduced in this study can be used to develop highly efficient THz Metamaterials for various applications operable in room conditions.
Crystal layer growth with embedded carbon-based particles from effervescent tablet-based nanofluids
Authors: Ali Naser
Published: August 2024

Crystallization occurs as dissolved substances gradually solidify into crystal layers within a liquid, which can increase the capability of fluids to transfer heat. In this study, the growth of crystal layer in nanofluids produced from carbon-based effervescent tablets was examined. The tablets were fabricated by combining multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium phosphate monobasic (NaH2PO4), and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). The effervescent tablets were formulated with MWCNTs, NaH2PO4, and Na2CO3 at a weight ratio of 1:5.1:2.26, respectively. These tablets were then immersed in distilled water (DW) and seawater (SW) to produce 0.05 vol.% to 0.15 vol.% MWCNT suspensions. Then, the dispersion stability, thermal conductivity, and crystal layer growth of the nanofluids were characterized. The results showed that the DW-based nanofluids were more stable than their SW-based counterparts. Additionally, the 0.05 vol.% DW-based suspension exhibited greater long-term stability than those of the 0.15 vol.% suspensions, whereas the SW-based nanofluid exhibited the opposite behaviour. The greatest increases in thermal conductivity were 3.29% and 3.13% for 0.15 vol.% MWCNTs in DW and SW, respectively. The crystallization process occurred in nanofluids that contained more than 0.05 vol.% MWCNTs and exhibited a greater growth rate in SW-based suspensions with high effervescent agent concentrations.
Repair of parastomal hernias with the intraperitoneal funnel meshes IPST-R and IPST
Authors: Ilgeldiev Semen , Stoeckel Soeren , Dievernich Axel , Schmidt Madeline , Rudolph Hagen , Mirow Lutz
Published: August 2024

The treatment of parastomal hernias (PSH) represents a major challenge in hernia surgery. Various techniques have been reported with different outcomes in terms of complication and recurrence rates. The aim of this study is to share our initial experience with the implantation of the DynaMesh-IPST-R and -IPST, intraperitoneal funnel meshes made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). This is a retrospective observational cohort study of patients treated for PSH between March 2019 and April 2023 using the chimney technique with the intraperitoneal funnel meshes IPST-R or IPST. The primary outcome was recurrence and the secondary outcomes were intraoperative and postoperative complications, the latter assessed using the Clavien–Dindo classification. A total of 21 consecutive patients were treated with intraperitoneal PVDF funnel meshes, 17 with IPST-R and 4 with IPST. There were no intraoperative complications. Overall, no complications occurred in 61.9% (n = 12) of the patients. Major postoperative complications (defined as Clavien–Dindo ≥ 3b) were noted in four cases (19.0%). During the mean follow-up period of 21.6 (range 4.8–37.5) months, one patient (4.8%) had a recurrence. In conclusion, for the treatment of parastomal hernias, the implantation of IPST-R or IPST mesh has proven to be efficient, easy to handle, and very safe. In particular, the low recurrence rate of 4.8%, which is in line with the current literature, is convincing. However, a larger number of patients would improve the validity of the results.
Comprehensive molecular characterization of collecting duct carcinoma for therapeutic vulnerability
Authors: Guan Peiyong , Chen Jianfeng , Mo Chengqiang , Fukawa Tomoya , Zhang Chao , Cai Xiuyu , Li Mei , Hong Jing Han , Chan Jason Yongsheng , Ng Cedric Chuan Young , Lee Jing Yi , Wong Suet Far , Liu Wei , Zeng Xian , Wang Peili , Xiao Rong , Rajasegaran Vikneswari , Myint Swe Swe , Lim Abner Ming Sun , Yeong Joe Poh Sheng , Tan Puay Hoon , Ong Choon Kiat , Xu Tao , Du Yiqing , Bai Fan , Yao Xin , Teh Bin Tean , Tan Jing
Published: August 2024

Collecting duct carcinoma (CDC) is an aggressive rare subtype of kidney cancer with unmet clinical needs. Little is known about its underlying molecular alterations and etiology, primarily due to its rarity, and lack of preclinical models. This study aims to comprehensively characterize molecular alterations in CDC and identify its therapeutic vulnerabilities. Through whole-exome and transcriptome sequencing, we identified KRAS hotspot mutations (G12A/D/V) in 3/13 (23%) of the patients, in addition to known TP53, NF2 mutations. 3/13 (23%) patients carried a mutational signature (SBS22) caused by aristolochic acid (AA) exposures, known to be more prevalent in Asia, highlighting a geologically specific disease etiology. We further discovered that cell cycle-related pathways were the most predominantly dysregulated pathways. Our drug screening with our newly established CDC preclinical models identified a CDK9 inhibitor LDC000067 that specifically inhibited CDC tumor growth and prolonged survival. Our study not only improved our understanding of oncogenic molecular alterations of Asian CDC, but also identified cell-cycle machinery as a therapeutic vulnerability, laying the foundation for clinical trials to treat patients with such aggressive cancer.
Improving insight into the localized electrochemical Volmer reaction based on surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and collisions
Authors: Liu Xiaoyu , Zhang Chenjie , Wang Chen , Yuan Yaxian , Yao Jianlin
Published: August 2024

The dynamic behavior of a single nanoparticle Volmer reaction in a localized area was visualized by EC-SERS and dynamic collision processes, and the SERS contribution of a single Pt–H bond was estimated accordingly.
Electrochemical deposition of gold nanoparticles on carbon ultramicroelectrode arrays
Authors: Weber Courtney J. , Strom Natalie E. , Simoska Olja
Published: August 2024

Electrochemical deposition of gold nanoparticles on carbon ultramicroelectrode arrays by varying deposition potential, deposition time, and gold ion concentration to obtain controlled particle size, dispersion, and count.
Repurposing an antimicrobial peptide for the development of a dual ion channel/molecular receptor-like platform for metal ion detection
Authors: Mereuta Loredana , Park Jonggwan , Park Yoonkyung , Luchian Tudor
Published: August 2024

A system is proposed for inorganic Hg2+ sensing, based on modified alamethicin tethered with a thymine-rich peptide nucleic acid moiety, capable of generating ion channel oligomers whose activity is thymine–Hg2+–thymine complexation dependent.
Tuning the product selectivity of single-atom catalysts for CO2 reduction beyond CO formation by orbital engineering
Authors: Mari Vasanthapandiyan , Karmodak Naiwrit
Published: August 2024

Orbital engineering by axial ligands offers promising strategies to tune the catalytic activity and product selectivity of single-atom catalysts (SACs) with 3d transition metal dopants (Fe, Co, Ni) for CO2 reduction reaction.
Manganese tetraphenylporphyrin and carbon nanocoil interface-based electrochemical sensing of tyrosine
Authors: Batool Bukhari Syeda Aqsa , Aziz Abeera , Nasir Habib , Ullah Sharif , Akhtar Tehmina , Iram Sadia , Sitara Effat , Mushtaq Shehla , Moiz Syed Abdul
Published: August 2024

Graphical representation of CNC/MnTPP/GC modified sensor for the electrochemical detection of tyrosine.
In silico evaluation of potential breast cancer receptor antagonists from GC-MS and HPLC identified compounds in Pleurotus ostreatus extracts
Authors: Effiong Magdalene Eno , Bella-Omunagbe Mercy , Afolabi Israel Sunmola , Chinedu Shalom Nwodo
Published: August 2024

Pharmacotherapeutic targets for breast cancer include the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).
Syntheses, characterizations and reactions of acene-2,3-dicarbaldehydes
Authors: Liu Qian , Miller Glen P.
Published: August 2024

Improved syntheses, detailed characterizations and reactions of a series of acene-2,3-dicarbaldehydes including tetracene-2,3-dicarbaldehyde are described.
Mechanism simulation of polar and nonpolar organic solvent vapor adsorption on a multiwall carbon nanotubes paper gas sensor
Authors: Zhang Mengli , Inoue Shuhei , Matsumura Yukihiko
Published: August 2024

For the purpose of development of CNT based gas sensor, we clarified the different behaviour depending on polarity shown in adsorption isotherm.
Near-infrared-responsive Prussian blue nanocages loaded with 5-fluorouracil for combined chemotherapy and photothermal therapy in tumor treatment
Authors: Guo Zhongyi , Fu Kang , Sun Jingyi , Du Wenhao , Hao Qisheng , Hu Xiao
Published: August 2024

5-Fluorouracil was encapsulated in a Prussian blue nanocage using a phase change material to form a NIR-triggered controlled release nanocarrier. The combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy achieved effective killing of tumor cells.
Intramolecular CH⋯π attraction mediated conformational polymorphism of constrained helical peptides
Authors: Sun Jinming , Tian Zi-You , Liu Jianbo , Wan Chuan , Dai Chuan , Liu Zhihong , Xing Yun , Wu Yujie , Hou Zhanfeng , Han Wei , Yin Feng , Ye Yuxin , Li Zigang
Published: August 2024

In nature, biochemical processes depend on polymorphism, a phenomenon by which discrete biomolecules can adopt specific conformations based on their environment.
Knowledge, Beliefs, and Experiences With Mental Health Services and Help-Seeking in People With Aphasia and Care Partners
Authors: Kelleher Kate , Obermeyer Jessica , Crutchley Sena , Stalker Sage , Silverman Maura , Morrow-Odom K. Leigh
Published: August 2024

Purpose:

Supporting psychological well-being in persons with aphasia (PWA) can improve social and health outcomes; however, PWA and their care partners (CPs) are often not receiving mental health support. Previous research explores this from the perspective of health care professionals.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to examine knowledge, beliefs, and experiences related to mental health services directly from PWA and CPs.

Method:

The study included 11 PWA and 11 CPs. Participants completed a guided survey (virtual) with opportunities for elaboration related to the knowledge, beliefs, and experiences of mental health.

Results:

There was variability in personal preferences for referrals, types of coping strategies, and confidants for general thoughts and feelings and those specific to aphasia. PWA identified health care professionals as people to share thoughts and feelings, whereas CPs chose family and friends more often. Both CPs and PWA reported communication difficulty and finding a counselor as “sometimes” preventing access to services but cited fear and trust as “always” preventing access.

Conclusions:

Knowledge, beliefs, and experience with help-seeking and mental health services are personal and variable. Assessing barriers unique to living with aphasia, such as communication challenges and locating a suitable counselor, must also be considered within more complex and personal barriers of fear and trust that are consistently reported in the general public. Health professionals across the continuum of aphasia care need to understand the communication challenges of living with aphasia in tandem with understanding individual differences to personalize approaches to mental health services and help-seeking.