bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water exchange in the Dardanelles: variations on synoptic to interannual time scales
Authors: Saçu Şehriban , Şen Olgay , Erdik Tarkan , Öztürk İzzet , Stanev Emil V.
Published: February 2024

The bidirectional mass exchange between the Marmara Sea and the Aegean Sea provides one part of the critical hydrodynamic links between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. In this study, we examined exchange in the Dardanelles based on a 3-D numerical model simulation covering an 11-year period under realistic atmospheric forcing. The model includes the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea, and a part of the Aegean Sea to include the remote effects of basin dynamics. The main features as one-, two-, and three-layered flow structures are successfully reproduced by the model in comparison to earlier observations. It is found that the strait is subject to submaximal exchange by only one control near the Nara Pass. According to long-term modeling results, most variability occurs on synoptic time scales, and wind stress has a dominant role in those variations. The seasonal and interannual variability of exchange flow is relatively low and displays a close relationship with freshwater input to the Black Sea.
On the links between sea level and temperature variations in the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)
Authors: Ezer Tal , Updyke Teresa
Published: February 2024

Recent studies found that on long time scales there are often unexplained opposite trends in sea level variability between the upper and lower Chesapeake Bay (CB). Therefore, daily sea level and temperature records were analyzed in two locations, Norfolk in the southern CB and Baltimore in the northern CB; surface currents from Coastal Ocean Dynamics Application Radar (CODAR) near the mouth of CB were also analyzed to examine connections between the CB and the Atlantic Ocean. The observations in the bay were compared with daily Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) observations during 2005–2021. Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) analysis was used to show that variations of sea level and temperature in the upper and lower CB are positively correlated with each other for short time scales of months to few years, but anticorrelated on low frequency modes representing decadal variability and long-term nonlinear trends. The long-term CB modes seem to be linked with AMOC variability through variations in the Gulf Stream and the wind-driven Ekman transports over the North Atlantic Ocean. AMOC variability correlates more strongly with variability in the southern CB near the mouth of the bay, where surface currents indicate potential links with AMOC variability. For example, when AMOC and the Gulf Stream were especially weak during 2009–2010, sea level in the southern bay was abnormally high, temperatures were colder than normal and outflow through the mouth of CB was especially high. Sea level in the upper bay responded to this change only 1–2 years later, which partly explains phase differences within the bay. A persistent trend of 0.22 cm/s per year of increased outflow from the CB, may be a sign of a climate-related trend associated with combination of weakening AMOC and increased precipitation and river discharge into the CB.
Causality between COVID-19 and multiple myeloma: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study and Bayesian co-localization
Authors: Wang Shuaiyuan , Zhao Na , Luo Ting , Kou Songzi , Sun Miaomiao , Chen Kuisheng
Published: February 2024

Infection is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Studying the relationship between different traits of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and MM is critical for the management and treatment of MM patients with COVID-19. But all the studies on the relationship so far were observational and the results were also contradictory. Using the latest publicly available COVID-19 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data, we performed a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis of the causality between MM and different traits of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalization, and severe COVID-19) and use multi-trait analysis of GWAS(MTAG) to identify new associated SNPs in MM. We performed co-localization analysis to reveal potential causal pathways between diseases and over-representation enrichment analysis to find involved biological pathways. IVW results showed SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 hospitalization increased risk of MM. In the reverse analysis, the causal relationship was not found between MM for each of the different symptoms of COVID-19. Co-localization analysis identified LZTFL1, MUC4, OAS1, HLA-C, SLC22A31, FDX2, and MAPT as genes involved in COVID-19-mediated causation of MM. These genes were mainly related to immune function, glycosylation modifications and virus defense. Three novel MM-related SNPs were found through MTAG, which may regulate the expression of B3GNT6. This is the first study to use MR to explore the causality between different traits of COVID-19 and MM. The results of our two-way MR analysis found that SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 hospitalization increased the susceptibility of MM.
An 80–84.8 GHz PLL with auto-tracking Miller divider for FMCW applications
Authors: Effendrik Popong , Chen Wei-Zen
Published: February 2024

To generate high frequency signals for frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) application, components such as doubler, tripler or multiplier are usually utilized to process further signals from the low frequency voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). In this paper, a phase-locked loop (PLL) is intended to be the primary part used to generate frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signals from 80 to 84.8 GHz by utilizing a fundamental frequency VCO. To divide those high frequency output signal and large output bandwidth, the auto-tracking Miller divider topology is proposed. This new topology can achieve 9 GHz locking range. In order to generate FMCW signals with a straight-line triangular chirp, the cascaded PLL is used. The integrated jitter from 1 kHz to 1 GHz is 887 fs for the cascaded PLL, while the single stage PLL used 1.264 ps. Moreover, when architecture with doubler or multiplier is used, the fundamental tone has an effect towards the next systems, while the cascaded PLL does not. It can be highlighted that this work achieves the best RMS-FMerror/BWchirp and RMS-FMerror/(BWchirp × fc × Tc) with value of 0.013% and 0.77e−12, respectively. The designed PLL for FMCW signal generator is implemented in 28 nm CMOS technology. By using a supply voltage of 1.2 V, the chip consumes power of 102 mW. Including all the chip pads, the implemented circuit occupies a silicon area of 1440 µm × 820 µm.
Prioritizing water availability study settings to address geogenic contaminants and related societal factors
Authors: Erickson Melinda L. , Brown Craig J. , Tomaszewski Elizabeth J. , Ayotte Joseph D. , Böhlke John K. , Kent Douglas B. , Qi Sharon
Published: February 2024

Water availability for human and ecological uses depends on both water quantity and water quality. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is developing strategies for prioritizing regional-scale and watershed basin-scale studies of water availability across the nation. Previous USGS ranking processes for basin-scale studies incorporated primarily water quantity factors but are now considering additional water quality factors. This study presents a ranking based on the potential impacts of geogenic constituents on water quality and consideration of societal factors related to water quality. High-concentration geogenic constituents, including trace elements and radionuclides, are among the most prevalent contaminants limiting water availability in the USA and globally. Geogenic constituents commonly occur in groundwater because of subsurface water–rock interactions, and their distributions are controlled by complex geochemical processes. Geogenic constituent mobility can also be affected by human activities (e.g., mining, energy production, irrigation, and pumping). Societal factors and relations to drinking water sources and water quality information are often overlooked when evaluating research priorities. Sociodemographic characteristics, data gaps resulting from historical data-collection disparities, and infrastructure condition/age are examples of factors to consider regarding environmental justice. This paper presents approaches for ranking and prioritizing potential basin-scale study areas across the contiguous USA by considering a suite of conventional physical and geochemical variables related to geogenic constituents, with and without considering variables related to societal factors. Simultaneous consideration of societal and conventional factors could provide decision makers with more diverse, interdisciplinary tools to increase equity and reduce bias in prioritizing focused research areas and future water availability studies.
Revolutionizing crop disease detection with computational deep learning: a comprehensive review
Authors: Ngugi Habiba N. , Ezugwu Absalom E. , Akinyelu Andronicus A. , Abualigah Laith
Published: February 2024

Digital image processing has witnessed a significant transformation, owing to the adoption of deep learning (DL) algorithms, which have proven to be vastly superior to conventional methods for crop detection. These DL algorithms have recently found successful applications across various domains, translating input data, such as images of afflicted plants, into valuable insights, like the identification of specific crop diseases. This innovation has spurred the development of cutting-edge techniques for early detection and diagnosis of crop diseases, leveraging tools such as convolutional neural networks (CNN), K-nearest neighbour (KNN), support vector machines (SVM), and artificial neural networks (ANN). This paper offers an all-encompassing exploration of the contemporary literature on methods for diagnosing, categorizing, and gauging the severity of crop diseases. The review examines the performance analysis of the latest machine learning (ML) and DL techniques outlined in these studies. It also scrutinizes the methodologies and datasets and outlines the prevalent recommendations and identified gaps within different research investigations. As a conclusion, the review offers insights into potential solutions and outlines the direction for future research in this field. The review underscores that while most studies have concentrated on traditional ML algorithms and CNN, there has been a noticeable dearth of focus on emerging DL algorithms like capsule neural networks and vision transformers. Furthermore, it sheds light on the fact that several datasets employed for training and evaluating DL models have been tailored to suit specific crop types, emphasizing the pressing need for a comprehensive and expansive image dataset encompassing a wider array of crop varieties. Moreover, the survey draws attention to the prevailing trend where the majority of research endeavours have concentrated on individual plant diseases, ML, or DL algorithms. In light of this, it advocates for the development of a unified framework that harnesses an ensemble of ML and DL algorithms to address the complexities of multiple plant diseases effectively.
Traceability and reuse mechanisms, the most important properties of model transformation languages
Authors: Höppner Stefan , Tichy Matthias
Published: February 2024

Context

Dedicated model transformation languages are claimed to provide many benefits over the use of general purpose languages for developing model transformations. However, the actual advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of model transformation languages are poorly understood empirically. There is little knowledge and even less empirical assessment about what advantages and disadvantages hold in which cases and where they originate from. In a prior interview study, we elicited expert opinions on what advantages result from what factors surrounding model transformation languages as well as a number of moderating factors that moderate the influence.

Objective

We aim to quantitatively asses the interview results to confirm or reject the influences and moderation effects posed by different factors. We further intend to gain insights into how valuable different factors are to the discussion so that future studies can draw on these data for designing targeted and relevant studies.

Method

We gather data on the factors and quality attributes using an online survey. To analyse the data and examine the hypothesised influences and moderations, we use universal structure modelling based on a structural equation model. Universal structure modelling produces significance values and path coefficients for each hypothesised and modelled interdependence between factors and quality attributes that can be used to confirm or reject correlation and to weigh the strength of influence present.

Results

We analyzed 113 responses. The results show that the MTL capabilities Tracing and Reuse Mechanisms are most important overall. Though the observed effects were generally 10 times lower than anticipated. Furthermore, we found that moderation effects need to be individually assessed for each influence on a quality attribute. The moderation effects of a single moderating variable vary significantly for each influence, with the strongest effects being 1000 times higher than the weakest.

Conclusion

The empirical assessment of MTLs is a complex topic that cannot be solved by looking at a single stand-alone factor. Our results provide clear indication that evaluation should consider transformations of different sizes and use-cases that go beyond mapping one elements attributes to another. Language development on the other hand should focus on providing practical, transformation specific reuse mechanisms that allow MTLs to excel in areas such as maintainability and productivity compared to GPLs.
Measurement of Diffusion Coefficients in Binary Mixtures and Solutions by the Taylor Dispersion Method
Authors: Martin Trusler J. P.
Published: February 2024

The theory and application of the Taylor Dispersion technique for measuring diffusion coefficients in binary systems is reviewed. The theory discussed in this paper includes both the ideal Taylor–Aris model and the estimation of corrections required to account for small deviations from this ideal associated with a practical apparatus. Based on the theoretical treatment, recommendations are given for the design of practical instruments together with suggestions for calibration, data acquisition and reduction, and the rigorous estimation of uncertainties. The analysis indicates that relative uncertainties on the order of 1% are achievable in practice.
Validating the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for Autism in a Sample of Australian School-Aged Children on the Spectrum
Authors: Hayden-Evans Maya , Evans Kiah , Milbourn Benjamin , D’Arcy Emily , Chamberlain Angela , Afsharnejad Bahareh , Whitehouse Andrew , Bölte Sven , Girdler Sonya
Published: February 2024

Assessing functioning of children on the autism spectrum is necessary to determine the level of support they require to participate in everyday activities across contexts. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a comprehensive biopsychosocial framework recommended for classifying health-related functioning in a holistic manner, across the components of body functions, activities and participation, and environmental factors. The ICF Core Sets (ICF-CSs) are sub-sets of relevant codes from the broader framework that provide a basis for developing condition-specific measures. This study combined the ICF-CSs for autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cerebral palsy (CP) to validate the ICF-CSs for autism in an Australian sample of school-aged children. This cross-sectional study involved caregivers of school-aged children on the spectrum (n = 70) completing an online survey and being visited in their homes by an occupational therapist to complete the proxy-report measure based on the ICF-CSs for autism, ADHD and CP. Absolute and relative frequencies of ratings for each of the codes included in the measure were calculated and reported, along with the number of participants who required clarification to understand the terminology used. Findings indicate that the body functions and activities and participation represented in the ICF-CSs for autism were the most applicable for the sample. However, findings relating to environmental factors were less conclusive. Some codes not currently included in the ICF-CSs for autism may warrant further investigation, and the language used in measures based on the ICF-CSs should be revised to ensure clarity.
Parent and Provider Differences in Ratings of Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Concerns in Children with Neurologic Disorders
Authors: Schwartzman Jessica M. , Williams Zachary J. , Molnar Andrew E.
Published: February 2024

Children with neurologic disorders face increased risks for mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, with information often limited to parent report. To better understand mental health and neurodevelopmental needs in this population, a retrospective chart review of a convenience sample of children with neurologic disorders referred for a neuropsychological evaluation was conducted in the present study to explore interrater agreement between care team members (referring providers, parents, pediatric neuropsychologist). Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from the evaluation reports of 129 youth (9:0–17:11 years old; 51.2% of female sex) with neurologic disorders (i.e., 38.0% traumatic brain injury, 27.1% epilepsy, 14.7% premature birth, 7.8% pediatric cancer, 3.9% prenatal substance exposure, and 14.7% other) who completed an evaluation in 2019. Over half the youth were flagged for unmet neurodevelopmental and mental health concerns and analyses revealed low interrater agreement for mental health concerns (κ = .324), better agreement for neurodevelopmental concerns (κ = .511), and low sensitivity of referring providers (Se = .326) and parents (Se = .366). One-way analyses of variance uncovered important factors (e.g., symptom severity, adaptive skills) that may account for missed concerns. Findings guide recommendations to strengthen methods for understanding mental health and/or neurodevelopmental concerns in children with neurologic disorders.
Applying the Somatic Symptom Disorder Diagnosis to Individuals with Fibromyalgia: Strengths and Limitations
Authors: LoBrutto Lara R. , Keeley Jared W. , Dautovich Natalie D.
Published: February 2024

Amidst broad changes to the somatic disorder diagnoses, DSM-IV pain disorder was absorbed into DSM-5’s somatic symptom disorder (SSD) as a specifier. However, clinical research testing of its use for the chronic pain population has been limited and its utility remains inconclusive. Using the exemplar of fibromyalgia, this article evaluates the validity, reliability, clinical utility, and acceptability of the SSD pain specifier. The diagnosis appears to have moderate validity but low specificity for the fibromyalgia population. The pain specifier has neither undergone sufficient field testing nor been evaluated for use by medical providers, with available data suggesting low reliability. Further research is needed to establish clinical utility via assessment of differential treatment outcomes. Concerns about social, legal, and economic consequences of classifying pain patients with a mental health diagnosis are outstanding. The current SSD criteria should be used with caution among the fibromyalgia patient population until its application for chronic pain has been further researched.
Optimization Algorithms for Multi-species Spherical Spin Glasses
Authors: Huang Brice , Sellke Mark
Published: February 2024

This paper develops approximate message passing algorithms to optimize multi-species spherical spin glasses. We first show how to efficiently achieve the algorithmic threshold energy identified in our companion work (Huang and Sellke in arXiv preprint, 2023. arXiv:2303.12172), thus confirming that the Lipschitz hardness result proved therein is tight. Next we give two generalized algorithms which produce multiple outputs and show all of them are approximate critical points. Namely, in an r-species model we construct $$2^r$$

2
r

approximate critical points when the external field is stronger than a “topological trivialization" phase boundary, and exponentially many such points in the complementary regime. We also compute the local behavior of the Hamiltonian around each. These extensions are relevant for another companion work (Huang and Sellke in arXiv preprint, 2023. arXiv:2308.09677) on topological trivialization of the landscape.
Integrating Making with Authentic Science Classes: An Approach and Evidence
Authors: Chen Kaiyuan , Chu Sharon Lyn , Quek Francis , Schlegel Rebecca J.
Published: February 2024

Although research has touted the value of making in educational settings, scant work has been done in formal school contexts utilizing quantitative methods. This could be attributed to the various challenges in integrating making in school settings. To fill in the gap, this study presents an approach to integrate making into science classes at the 3rd to 5th grade levels in a U.S. public school for four consecutive years (2015–2019). We examined the effect of the program on students’ self-beliefs (self-efficacy, motivation, and self-concept) using a longitudinal quasi-experimental design. We also examined the effect of making on students’ knowledge and skills using state testing data. Results suggest that when averaged across post school year surveys, students in maker classes (vs. control) reported higher self-efficacy beliefs in science and making as well as more interests in STEM-related careers. Moreover, over two school years, we observed that students in the control group experienced declines on some of our variables while our maker students did not. Data thereby speaks to the potential value and promise of integrating making into formal school settings. Practical implications are discussed.
Porous polypropylene produced by phase separation for high solar reflectivity and passive cooling
Authors: Vámos Csenge , Bárány Tamás , Marosfői Botond Béla
Published: February 2024

Passive cooling techniques have gained widespread use in everyday life and various industries by utilizing sunlight reflection to cool objects without requiring additional energy input. Porous polymer materials possess the unique ability to provide both thermal insulation and solar reflection due to their inherent multiphase structure. In this study, we developed a porous polypropylene (PP) with a hierarchically structured surface layer using a simple and efficient solvent treatment method based on recrystallization. As a result, the porous structure and hierarchically structured surface significantly increase the solar reflectance from 11 to 86%. We found that by manipulating the recrystallization process and using reflective additives, solar reflectivity can be further improved. With the use of TiO2 and BaSO4 additives, a solar reflectance of 90% was achieved, while a solar reflectance of 93% was achieved with nucleating agents. In practical terms, these improvements result in significant temperature reductions in cooling performance tests compared to extruded PP sheets: 17, 19, and 22 °C for porous PP, porous PP/TiO2 or PP/BaSO4, and porous nucleated PP, respectively. The modification method introduced could help PP offer new possibilities for developing low-cost chemically resistant and thermally insulating layers in thermal management applications.
Effect of training sample size, sampling design and prediction model on soil mapping with proximal sensing data for precision liming
Authors: Schmidinger Jonas , Schröter Ingmar , Bönecke Eric , Gebbers Robin , Ruehlmann Joerg , Kramer Eckart , Mulder Vera L. , Heuvelink Gerard B. M. , Vogel Sebastian
Published: February 2024

Site-specific estimation of lime requirement requires high-resolution maps of soil organic carbon (SOC), clay and pH. These maps can be generated with digital soil mapping models fitted on covariates observed by proximal soil sensors. However, the quality of the derived maps depends on the applied methodology. We assessed the effects of (i) training sample size (5–100); (ii) sampling design (simple random sampling (SRS), conditioned Latin hypercube sampling (cLHS) and k-means sampling (KM)); and (iii) prediction model (multiple linear regression (MLR) and random forest (RF)) on the prediction performance for the above mentioned three soil properties. The case study is based on conditional geostatistical simulations using 250 soil samples from a 51 ha field in Eastern Germany. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and root-mean-square error (RMSE) were used to evaluate model performances. Results show that with increasing training sample sizes, relative improvements of RMSE and CCC decreased exponentially. We found the lowest median RMSE values with 100 training observations i.e., 1.73%, 0.21% and 0.3 for clay, SOC and pH, respectively. However, already with a sample size of 10, models of moderate quality (CCC > 0.65) were obtained for all three soil properties. cLHS and KM performed significantly better than SRS. MLR showed lower median RMSE values than RF for SOC and pH for smaller sample sizes, but RF outperformed MLR if at least 25–30 or 75–100 soil samples were used for SOC or pH, respectively. For clay, the median RMSE was lower with RF, regardless of sample size.
Cyberspace Outlaws – Coding the Online World
Authors: Broman Morgan M. , Finckenberg-Broman Pamela , Bird Susan
Published: February 2024

Online gaming creates unique public spaces of interaction. These spaces are both highly controlled but also able to slip through the regulatory net, as domestic legislation struggles to respond to fast-changing interjurisdictional environments. Inter- and transdisciplinary research hold potential to respond to questions surrounding the regulation of these online spaces, by exploring multiple perspectives. The authors of this paper each come from a unique starting point in their exploration of these issues. The paper will examine three spaces of regulation in online game world environments. It will look at (1) rules and regulations that governs online interaction in virtual spaces, (2) the ‘code’ that controls behaviour through game architecture, and (3) the laws that are developed by players inside the game world. The first part will analyse whether domestic law can be adequate to regulate a space that is not geographically fixed. The second will discuss how the coding of the game and its architecture regulate behaviours within the space. The last is a “bottom-up” regulatory system, originating within the gaming community. Where do these three layers of regulation interact with each other? What are the unique languages of these spaces? This paper is a starting point for further investigation into the regulation of online behaviours through interwoven rule systems.
SkewEngine: enhancing performance of intensive calculations on regular meshes
Authors: Romero Felipe , Ortigosa Pilar M. , Bandera Gerardo , Romero Luis F.
Published: February 2024

In various applications such as hyperspectral data manipulation, MRI data exploration, or viewshed identification in digital elevation models, performing arithmetic operations on each point of a data mesh that involves other points can lead to computationally intractable problems. This paper presents SkewEngine, a tool designed to improve the performance of intensive calculations on regular 2-D data meshes, such as images, multispectral data volumes, or digital elevation models. SkewEngine addresses this problem by reorganizing the mesh in memory according to a preferred spatial direction, enabling more efficient execution of intensive calculations. It is demonstrated that SkewEngine offers significant speed improvements for various test cases, suggesting its usefulness in a broader range of applications requiring intensive data processing on regular meshes.
On the Futaki invariant of Fano threefolds
Authors: Sektnan Lars Martin , Tipler Carl
Published: February 2024

We study the zero locus of the Futaki invariant on K-polystable Fano threefolds, seen as a map from the Kähler cone to the dual of the Lie algebra of the reduced automorphism group. We show that, apart from families 3.9, 3.13, 3.19, 3.20, 4.2, 4.4, 4.7 and 5.3 of the Iskovskikh–Mori–Mukai classification of Fano threefolds, the Futaki invariant of such manifolds vanishes identically on their Kähler cone. In all cases, when the Picard rank is greater or equal to two, we exhibit explicit 2-dimensional differentiable families of Kähler classes containing the anti-canonical class and on which the Futaki invariant is identically zero. As a corollary, we deduce the existence of non Kähler–Einstein cscK metrics on all such Fano threefolds.
A New Procedure-Based Assessment of Operative Skills in Gastric Bypass Surgery, Evaluated by Video Fragment Rating
Authors: Kaijser Mirjam A. , van Ramshorst Gabrielle H. , van Wagensveld Bart A. , Veeger Nic J. G. M. , Pierie Jean-Pierre E. N. ,   Expert panel of Dutch and Belgian Bariatric Surgeons, Damen Stefan L. , van Det Marc J. , Emous Marloes , van den Ende Esther D. , Jutte Ewoud H. , Hazebroek Eric J. , Hof Gerhard van’t , Klaassen René A. , Langenhoff Barbara S. , Liem Ronald S. L. , Marsman Hendrik A. , Nienhuijs Simon W. , van Nieuwenhove Yves
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Feedback on technical and procedural skills is essential during the training of residents and fellows. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of a newly created instrument for the assessment of operative skills using laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) video fragments.

Materials and Methods

A new procedure-based assessment (PBA) was created by combining LRYGB key steps with a 5-point independence scale. LRYGB performed by residents and surgeons with different levels of expertise were video recorded. Fragments of the pouch creation, gastro-jejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy, were review by 12 expert bariatric surgeons and the operative skills assessed with the PBA, Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS), and the Bariatric OSATS (BOSATS). The PBA was compared to the OSATS and BOSATS. Mean scores for all items of the different assessments were summarized and compared using a T-test.

Results

The scores of the procedural steps were combined and compared for all levels. The mean scores for beginner, intermediate, and expert level were 2.71, 3.70, and 3.90 for the PBA; for the OSATS 1.84, 2.86, and 3.44; and for the BOSATS 2.78, 3.56, and 4.19. Each of these assessments differentiated between the three skill levels (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The PBA discriminates well between different levels of operative skills. Similar patterns were found for the OSATS and BOSATS, showing that the randomly selected video fragments are representative samples for assessing skill level. Future research will demonstrate whether these results can be extrapolated to clinical training, and which scores allow for procedure certification.

Graphical Abstract
Effects of Preoperative Quadruple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori on Bariatric Surgery Metabolic Outcomes
Authors: Goday Albert , Bagán Andrea , Casajoana Anna , Serra Carme , Pera Manuel , Villatoro Montserrat , Legido Teresa , Julià Helena , Climent Elisenda , Castañer Olga , Flores Le Roux Juana A , Olano Miguel , Pedro-Botet Juan , Benaiges David
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To assess the effects of Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication with an omeprazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and metronidazole (OCAM) regimen on the metabolic profile and weight loss 12 months after bariatric surgery (BS).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of patients with morbid obesity undergoing BS. HP presence was tested preoperatively by gastric biopsy and treated with OCAM when positive. Short-term metabolic outcomes and weight loss were evaluated.

Results

HP infection was detected in 75 (45.7%) of the 164 patients included. OCAM effectiveness was 90.1%. HP-negative patients had a greater reduction in glucose levels at 3 (−14.6 ± 27.5 mg/dL HP-treated vs −22.0 ± 37.1 mg/dL HP-negative, p=0.045) and 6 months (−13.7 ± 29.4 mg/dL HP-treated vs −26.4 ± 42.6 mg/dL HP-negative, p= 0.021) and greater total weight loss (%TWL) at 6 (28.7 ± 6.7% HP-treated vs 30.45 ± 6.48% HP-negative, p= 0.04) and 12 months (32.21 ± 8.11% HP-treated vs 35.14 ± 8.63% HP-negative, p= 0.023).

Conclusions

Preoperative treatment with OCAM has been associated to poorer glycemic and weight loss outcomes after BS. More research is needed on the influence of OCAM on gut microbiota, and in turn, the effect of the latter on metabolic and weight loss outcomes after BS.

Graphical Abstract
RAFT agent effect on graft poly(acrylic acid) to polypropylene glycol fumarate phthalate
Authors: Sarsenbekova Akmaral Zh. , Zhumanazarova Gaziza M. , Yildirim Ertan , Tazhbayev Yerkeblan M. , Kudaibergen Gulshakhar K.
Published: February 2024

Understanding the physical and chemical properties of new-generation polymeric materials during the synthesis is very important in obtaining the desired product in design and production. Chemical, thermal, and physical parameters as well as degradation kinetics of the resins developed especially in recent years are the main stages that determine the polymer composition process that affects material selection. In this study, the potential to use RAFT agent (2-cyano-2-propyldodecyltrithiocarbonate, CPDT) in the synthesis of new polymers based on polypropylene fumarate phthalate has revealed important properties. To exemplify, the concentration of the RAFT agent affects the polymer-based mesh density associated with the yield of the product. Changes in swelling behavior and thermodynamic parameters of polymers synthesized in the presence of RAFT agent were observed. Chemical composition and stability characterizations of the synthesized grafted polymers were performed by FT-IR, 13C, 1H-NMR spectroscopy and TGA. The grafted polymers analyzed by SEM morphology were found to have hydrogel sorption potential showed signs of a loose surface and the formation of a layered and porous structure in comparison with the grafted polymers. The resulting compounds have a high swelling capacity and increased yield. At the same time, this study will shed light on the thermodynamic calculations of the graft polymers in order to determine or predicting the polymer composition.

Graphical abstract
Straightforward method for brassinosteroid detection in microalgae
Authors: Futó Péter , Kutasi József , Lengyel Edina , Futó Máté , Murvai Nikoletta , Jancsó Mihály , Bernát Gábor
Published: February 2024

Biostimulants, including phytohormones, are of high agricultural importance. Thus far, several methods have been developed for phytohormone detection/determination in microalgal cultures. Most of them require expensive, state-of-the-art machinery which often has limited availability in developing, agricultural countries. The main goal of our study was to develop a cheap and straightforward method for brassinosteroid determination in microalgal cultures. We used a Klebsormidium strain whose genus members have reportedly high brassinosteroid content. Using brassinolide standard, we compared the response of four different rice cultivars in a rice lamina inclination bioassay (RLIA), and from these found the variety ‘Koshihikari’ the most suitable one. A dynamic response over a broad concentration range from 0.001 to 0.1 mg/L brassinolide concentration was observed. Attempts with commonly used mechanical methods for disrupting Klebsormidium cells resulted in only negligible brassinolide release, while methanolic extraction liberated almost all cellular brassinosteroids. To overcome the negative effect of methanol on rice lamina inclination, solid-phase extraction was applied to get rid of methanol from the assay. The estimated brassinolide concentration in Klebsormidium culture by RLIA was validated using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS).
Bored Stones–Star Stones–Ancestral Stones: A Sub-Saharan Perspective of the Ritualised Relationship Between Humans and Perforated Stones
Authors: Lombard Marlize
Published: February 2024

Bored stones are prolific in South Africa and found across much of sub-Saharan Africa. Most are surface finds, but some have been excavated from Pleistocene Stone Age deposits dating to between about 11,000 to 45,000 years ago. Others are found in association with late Holocene Iron Age farmer occupations, and in some places, they have been used during historical times. The relationships between humans and these objects, therefore, transcend socio-economical boundaries. The stones are mostly thought of as weights for digging sticks—but some groups in sub-Saharan Africa also had/have ritualised, symbolic relationships with them. Here, I explore bored stones in their ritual and spiritual contexts, drawing largely on historical accounts. I also provide a summary of archaeological finds to demonstrate the possible time depth of such relationships.
Stem Cell and Neural Progenitor Cell Therapy for Neurogenic Bladder—Where Are We in 2023?
Authors: Isali Ilaha , Wong Thomas R. , Hijaz Adonis
Published: February 2024

Purpose of Review

This review aims to consolidate the currently available literature regarding the treatment of neurogenic bladder (NGB) with stem cells or neural progenitor cells (NPCs).

Recent Findings

Several promising studies published in the past 5 years suggest therapeutic potential of stem cells in treating NGB. In vitro models of NGB have demonstrated the efficacy of stem cells from varying sources to induce nerve regeneration while simultaneously improving bladder function parameters. Additionally, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were found to inhibit fibrosis through the TGF-β1 signaling pathway while their effects were potentiated by elevated levels of BDNF or SDF-1. Among induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), it was noted that autophagy inducers improved regenerative effects. NPCs, in a recent clinical trial, also underscored the potential for translating stem cell therapies into practice.

Stem cells offer a potentially revolutionary regenerative medicine strategy for treatment of NGB. Many in vivo trials are promising, but there is a distinct shortage of clinical trials attempting to translate this success into human subjects. In the future, research should be directed towards understanding the complex mechanisms of stem cell-based therapy while moving towards the clinical applications of the technology.
Protective and Enabling Factors That Facilitate Undercover Police Work: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Cajada Lucia , Stephenson Zoe , Bishopp Darren
Published: February 2024

Inadequate coping strategies in dealing with occupational stress have been linked to negative outcomes such as burnout. Research in police forces has somewhat overlooked protective factors that sustain this type of work. This study aimed to explore coping and detection avoidance strategies that enable police officers to be effective undercover operatives. This qualitative study was part of a wider mixed methods project. Participants were recruited from a Portuguese Police Force. Twenty-five police officers with undercover/plainclothes experience were interviewed using non-probability purposive sampling. Results of the study identified seven themes which addressed the research aims: ‘Secrecy’, ‘Work Satisfaction’, ‘Undercover Tactics’, ‘Stress’, ‘Deception’, ‘Support’ and ‘Things to Improve’. Overall, the findings of this study provide some support to the scarce literature available on this topic. The study indicates that participants generally seem able to cope well with detection avoidance strategies (e.g. secrecy, adaptation to the environment, use of cover stories/improvisation, deception and submersion to fictitious identities). Having an appropriate selection of undercover operatives is crucial to determine their psychological health and safety. The need for more research in this area is highlighted and discussed in reference to alternative study designs. In addition, an overview of implications for practice is provided.
Complex Decisions in HIV-Related Cryptococcosis: Addressing Second Episodes of Cryptococcal Meningitis
Authors: Musubire Abdu , Kagimu Enock , Mugabi Timothy , Meya David B. , Boulware David R. , Bahr Nathan C.
Published: February 2024

Purpose of Review

This review highlights the difficulties in diagnosing and treating persons with a prior history of cryptococcal meningitis who improve but suffer from a recurrence of symptoms. This scenario is well known to those who frequently care for patients with cryptococcal meningitis but is not well understood. We highlight major gaps in knowledge.

Recent Findings

We recently summarized our experience with 28 persons with paradoxical immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) and 81 persons with microbiological relapse. CD4 count and cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell count were higher in IRIS than relapse but neither was reliable enough to routinely differentiate these conditions.

Second-episode cryptococcal meningitis remains a difficult clinical scenario as cryptococcal antigen, while excellent for initial diagnosis has no value in differentiating relapse of infection from other causes of recurrent symptoms. Updated research definitions are proposed and rapid, accurate diagnostic tests are urgently needed.
An Integrated Care Approach to Improve Well-Being in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Fabi Alessandra , Rossi Alessandro , Mocini Edoardo , Cardinali Ludovica , Bonavolontà Valerio , Cenci Cristina , Magno Stefano , Barberi Vittoria , Moretti Antimo , Besharat Zein Mersini , Iolascon Giovanni , Baldari Carlo , Ferretti Elisabetta , Botticelli Andrea , Paris Ida , Scambia Giovanni , Migliaccio Silvia
Published: February 2024

Background

Breast cancer (BC) treatment has recently been revolutionized by the introduction of newer targeted agents, that helped tailoring therapies around the single patient. Along with increased survival rates, a careful evaluation of diet, lifestyle habits, physical activity, emotional and psychological experiences linked to the treatment journey, is now mandatory. However, a true proposal for an omnicomprehensive and “integrative” approach is still lacking in literature.

Methods

A scientific board of internationally recognized specialists throughout different disciplines designed a shared proposal of holistic approach for BC patients.

Results

A narrative review, containing information on BC treatment, endocrinological and diet aspects, physical activity, rehabilitation, integrative medicine, and digital narrative medicine, was developed.

Conclusions

In the context of a patient-centered care, BC treatment cannot be separated from a patient’s long-term follow-up and care, and an organized interdisciplinary collaboration is the future in this disease’s cure, to make sure that our patients will live longer and better.

Trial Registration

NCT05893368: New Model for Integrating Person-based Care (PbC) in the Treatment of Advanced HER2-negative Breast Cancer (PERGIQUAL). Registration date: 29th May 2023.
Endo-Surgical Force Feedback System Design for Virtual Reality Applications in Medical Planning
Authors: Bici Michele , Guachi Robinson , Bini Fabiano , Mani Sooraj Francis , Campana Francesca , Marinozzi Franco
Published: February 2024

Virtual reality (VR) applications for surgical planning and mentoring are currently becoming more widespread. Within these fields of applications, haptic systems are crucial to help the understanding of the feedback provided by the tissue during the interaction with the surgical tool. The accuracy of the VR scenario is related to many aspects, among them the ability of the haptic device to provide the force feedback and thus the adoption of proper characterization and modeling of the soft tissue behavior during deformation. This paper presents the current development concerning a VR environment to be equipped with a force feedback haptic device to simulate and experience clamping in colorectal surgery. The reaction at the clamp handle is provided starting from a FEA of the contact between the surgical tool and the tissue, coupled with the kinematic analysis of the mechanism. Connecting the virtual scenario to a microcontroller board, the reaction force is applied to the the haptic device, shaped as a clamping tool handle, so that the user may experience the tissue impedence during clamping. By simulations made through Simscape, a concept is evaluated according to some simulation paths that involve common scenarios of the virtual reality experience (such as collision, partial or total clamping operation). The novelty of the research regards the system design oriented to increase the accuracy of the soft tissue material behaviour through a preliminary off-line dedicated FEA investigation. Through Simulink simulations, the system design is verified so that the VR system set-up may be carried out. The results highlighted: (a) a good correspondence among the theoretical study of the reference kinematism that the haptic device must reproduce; (b) the implementation of a bilinear material model, derived off-line from FEA, is suitable to capture hyperelastic and geometric non-linearities of the soft tissue; (c) the feasibility of the open loop haptic control in accordance to the explored kinematism. The final goal of the research is to propose a system design approach able to tune the VR experince for teaching and mentoring through a in-house set-up easy to be tailored.
Equine Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Tenocytes are Insensitive to a Combination of Inflammatory Cytokines and Have Distinct Molecular Responses Compared to Primary Tenocytes
Authors: Smith Emily J. , Beaumont Ross E. , Dudhia Jayesh , Guest Deborah J.
Published: February 2024

Tissue fibrosis following tendon injury is a major clinical problem due to the increased risk of re-injury and limited treatment options; however, its mechanism remains unclear. Evidence suggests that insufficient resolution of inflammation contributes to fibrotic healing by disrupting tenocyte activity, with the NF-κB pathway being identified as a potential mediator. Equine embryonic stem cell (ESC) derived tenocytes may offer a potential cell-based therapy to improve tendon regeneration, but how they respond to an inflammatory environment is largely unknown. Our findings reveal for the first time that, unlike adult tenocytes, ESC-tenocytes are unaffected by IFN-γ, TNFα, and IL-1β stimulation; producing minimal changes to tendon-associated gene expression and generating 3-D collagen gel constructs indistinguishable from unstimulated controls. Inflammatory pathway analysis found these inflammatory cytokines failed to activate NF-κB in the ESC-tenocytes. However, NF-κB could be activated to induce changes in gene expression following stimulation with NF-κB pharmaceutical activators. Transcriptomic analysis revealed differences between cytokine and NF-κB signalling components between adult and ESC-tenocytes, which may contribute to the mechanism by which ESC-tenocytes escape inflammatory stimuli. Further investigation of these molecular mechanisms will help guide novel therapies to reduce fibrosis and encourage superior tendon healing.

Graphical Abstract