bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transparent Ho3+/Tm3+/Er3+/Yb3+ Codoped Nano‐Glass‐Ceramics for Upconversion Head‐Up Display
Authors: You Fengluan , Zheng Song , Pang Tao , Zeng Lingwei , Lei Lei , Lin Shisheng , Zhang Jinzhe , Shen Tongjie , Huang Feng , Chen Daqin
Published: August 2024

The commonly used automotive head‐up display (HUD) technology is confronted with the problems of poor stability in organic resin counterpart and the unsatisfactory display effect of projection lighting source. To solve these issues, developing state‐of‐the‐art materials and designing new HUD schemes with a wide color gamut is of necessity. Herein, a series of pure red/green/blue (R/G/B) upconverting (UC) nano‐glass‐ceramics (GCs) containing lanthanide‐doped NaLuF4 nanocrystals (NCs) are synthesized in a cost‐effective, environment‐friendly, and scalable manner, simultaneously achieving high crystallinity (≈45.44%) and high transparency (>80%). Yb3+ is chosen as the sensitizer to Tm3+ (blue UC)/Ho3+ (green UC), due to its large absorption cross section from ground state 2F7/2 to excited state 2F5/2; meanwhile Er3+, Tm3+ co‐doped into NCs can obtain pure red UC emission via promoting the population of Er3+ red‐emitting 4F9/2 state. Consequently, the as‐prepared materials exhibit high R/G/B color purity of > 80% owing to the energy transfer between different lanthanide ions (Yb3+, Tm3+, Ho3+, and Er3+) upon 980 nm near‐infrared (NIR) laser excitation, and possess superior thermal reversibility/water resistivity. Remarkably, two unprecedented HUD prototypes are constructed to demonstrate the application feasibility of developed pure R/G/B UC GCs.
Green or non‐green product: A game‐theoretic framework to make optimal decision in a two‐level supply chain
Authors: Santra Gayapada , Maiti Tarun , Giri Bibhas Chandra
Published: August 2024

This paper aims to discuss the decisions made by the retailer and manufacturer in a supply chain about pricing, green level, and quality of a product. The centralized model and the manufacturer‐led Stackelberg gaming model are developed for a conventional product and its environmentally friendly version. The two green models are subsequently compared with two non‐green models. Finally, a comprehensive variation of the model is considered, accounting for both green and non‐green products. The green‐only supply chain generates higher profit than the one that uses non‐green products. A revenue‐sharing contract is also employed to coordinate the supply chain.
Surgical management and histopathological patterns of periampullary cancers in Sudanese patients: A single‐center prospective study
Authors: Adam Ismail Mohammad , Abdelrahim Elfatih Yousif , Doush Wael Mohialddin Ahmed
Published: August 2024

Background

Histopathological patterns of periampullary cancers (PAC) provide valuable information for clinicians in the selection of effective postoperative therapies and serve as a prognostic marker for patients. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the surgical management and histopathological patterns of PAC necessary to achieve excellent surgical outcomes.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted from October 2021 to September 2023 at Ibn Sina Specialized Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. Eighty patients diagnosed with resectable PAC were enrolled.

Results

PAC was more prevalent in male patients (52.5%), with a male: female ratio of 1.1:1.0. The peak incidence occurred between 46 and 60 years, representing 38.75% of patients. The most significant reported comorbidity was cigarette smoking (36.25% of patients). Scleral icterus was found in 47.5% of patients. Pancreatic head cancer was found in 55% of patients. Histopathological analysis revealed adenocarcinoma in 82.5% of patients. R0 resection (tumor‐free margins) was the most common resection category (87.5% of patients). Lymphovascular invasion was detected in 37.5% of patients. Malignant lymph node involvement (1–3 nodes) was found 47.5% of patients. Perineural invasion was found in 55%. Finally, the most common histopathological differentiation of PAC was well‐differentiated (Grade I) in 67.5% of patients. The mortality rate was 0%.

Conclusions

Updated knowledge regarding the management modalities of PAC is a prerequisite for accurate histopathological assessment and good surgical outcomes. Furthermore, histopathological analysis helps clinicians to select effective postoperative therapies for greater improvement in survival outcomes.
Effect of annealing treatment on impact toughness and crystallization behaviors of polypropylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer/layered double hydroxide composites
Authors: Guo Xincheng , Lian Honglin , Qin Jun , Guo Jianbing , Chen Xiaolang , Chu Longsheng
Published: August 2024

This research endeavors to explore the potential of annealing treatment as a viable strategy to optimize the utilization of polypropylene (PP) composites, while preserving their exceptional properties. By incorporating ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and layered double hydroxide (LDH) into PP, this work meticulously analyzes the changes in crystallization behaviors and impact properties under varying annealing conditions. Impact strength is systematically assessed by a digital pendulum impact tester, whereas the crystalline structure is analyzed through polarized light optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and x‐ray diffraction (XRD). The notch impact test exhibits a gradual increase in impact strength from 100 to 130°C, followed by a decline at 140°C. The XRD and DSC results elucidate subtle β‐crystal diffraction peaks for PP/EVA and PP/EVA/LDH composites, attributed to the transformative effect of EVA and LDH on PP crystals. POM analysis further unveils a reduction in spherical crystal size and gradual blurring of grain boundaries during the annealing process.

Highlights

PP/EVA/LDH composites are effectively regulated by changing the annealing treatment conditions.

The crystallization behaviors and crystal structure of PP are induced due to synergistic effect of EVA and LDH under annealing treatment.

The toughness of PP is enhanced significantly by synergistic effect of EVA and LDH under annealing treatment.
Ferritin‐based disruptor nanoparticles: A novel strategy to enhance LDL cholesterol clearance via multivalent inhibition of PCSK9–LDL receptor interaction
Authors: Incocciati Alessio , Cappelletti Chiara , Masciarelli Silvia , Liccardo Francesca , Piacentini Roberta , Giorgi Alessandra , Bertuccini Lucia , De Berardis Barbara , Fazi Francesco , Boffi Alberto , Bonamore Alessandra , Macone Alberto
Published: August 2024

Hypercholesterolemia, characterized by elevated low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays a crucial role in cholesterol metabolism by regulating LDL receptor degradation, making it a therapeutic target for mitigating hypercholesterolemia‐associated risks. In this context, we aimed to engineer human H ferritin as a scaffold to present 24 copies of a PCSK9‐targeting domain. The rationale behind this protein nanoparticle design was to disrupt the PCSK9–LDL receptor interaction, thereby attenuating the PCSK9‐mediated impairment of LDL cholesterol clearance. The N‐terminal sequence of human H ferritin was engineered to incorporate a 13‐amino acid linear peptide (Pep2‐8), which was previously identified as the smallest PCSK9 inhibitor. Exploiting the quaternary structure of ferritin, engineered nanoparticles were designed to display 24 copies of the targeting peptide on their surface, enabling a multivalent binding effect. Extensive biochemical characterization confirmed precise control over nanoparticle size and morphology, alongside robust PCSK9‐binding affinity (KD in the high picomolar range). Subsequent efficacy assessments employing the HepG2 liver cell line demonstrated the ability of engineered ferritin's ability to disrupt PCSK9–LDL receptor interaction, thereby promoting LDL receptor recycling on cell surfaces and consequently enhancing LDL uptake. Our findings highlight the potential of ferritin‐based platforms as versatile tools for targeting PCSK9 in the management of hypercholesterolemia. This study not only contributes to the advancement of ferritin‐based therapeutics but also offers valuable insights into novel strategies for treating cardiovascular diseases.
Molecular basis of the interactions between the disordered Neh4 and Neh5 domains of Nrf2 and CBP/p300 in oxidative stress response
Authors: Karunatilleke Nadun C. , Brickenden Anne , Choy Wing‐Yiu
Published: August 2024

Nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a major transcription factor that functions in maintaining redox homeostasis in cells. It mediates the transcription of cytoprotective genes in response to environmental and endogenous stresses to prevent oxidative damage. Thus, Nrf2 plays a significant role in chemoprevention. However, aberrant activation of Nrf2 has been shown to protect cancer cells from apoptosis and contribute to their chemoresistance. The interaction between Nrf2 and CBP is critical for the gene transcription activation. CBP and its homologue p300 interact with two transactivation domains in Nrf2, Neh4, and Neh5 domains through their TAZ1 and TAZ2 domains. To date, the molecular basis of this crucial interaction is not known, hindering a more detailed understanding of the regulation of Nrf2. To close this knowledge gap, we have used a set of biophysical experiments to dissect the Nrf2‐CBP/p300 interactions. Structural properties of Neh4 and Neh5 and their binding with the TAZ1 and TAZ2 domains of CBP/p300 were characterized. Our results show that the Neh4 and Neh5 domains of Nrf2 are intrinsically disordered, and they both can bind the TAZ1 and TAZ2 domains of CBP/p300 with micromolar affinities. The findings provide molecular insight into the regulation of Nrf2 by CBP/p300 through multi‐domain interactions.
Profiling of coronaviral Mpro and enteroviral 3Cpro specificity provides a framework for the development of broad‐spectrum antiviral compounds
Authors: Rut Wioletta , Groborz Katarzyna , Sun Xinyuanyuan , Hilgenfeld Rolf , Drag Marcin
Published: August 2024

The main protease from coronaviruses and the 3C protease from enteroviruses play a crucial role in processing viral polyproteins, making them attractive targets for the development of antiviral agents. In this study, we employed a combinatorial chemistry approach—HyCoSuL—to compare the substrate specificity profiles of the main and 3C proteases from alphacoronaviruses, betacoronaviruses, and enteroviruses. The obtained data demonstrate that coronavirus Mpros exhibit overlapping substrate specificity in all binding pockets, whereas the 3Cpro from enterovirus displays slightly different preferences toward natural and unnatural amino acids at the P4‐P2 positions. However, chemical tools such as substrates, inhibitors, and activity‐based probes developed for SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro can be successfully applied to investigate the activity of the Mpro from other coronaviruses as well as the 3Cpro from enteroviruses. Our study provides a structural framework for the development of broad‐spectrum antiviral compounds.
Carnitine consumption and effect of oral supplementation in human pulmonary arterial hypertension: A pilot study
Authors: Brittain Evan L. , Lindsey Alisha , Burke Kelly , Agrawal Vineet , Robbins Ivan , Pugh Meredith , Calcutt M. Wade , Mallugari Ravi , West James , Nian Hui , Hemnes Anna R.
Published: August 2024

Carnitine is required to transport fatty acid across the mitochondrial membrane to undergo beta oxidation. In addition to disorders of fatty acid metabolism, a relative carnitine deficiency has been reported in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Here we performed an observational study in which food and supplement consumption were collected in an observation period followed by open label administration of a carnitine supplement to determine feasibility of increasing plasma carnitine levels in humans PAH. We confirmed that relative carnitine deficiency in PAH is not due to reduced dietary consumption and that plasma levels of carnitine can be increased in PAH patients with supplementation that is well tolerated.
Pretransplant NT‐proBNP levels are associated with mortality among lung transplant recipients
Authors: Izhakian Shimon , Frajman Assaf , Hayat Ariel D. , Gorenshtein Alon , Shtraichman Osnat , Freidkin Lev , Rosengarten Dror , Kramer Mordechai R.
Published: August 2024

The prognostic significance of pretransplant N‐terminal pro‐brain (B)‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) level has not been investigated in lung transplant recipients. The electronic files of 173 patients with chronic lung disease who underwent lung transplantation in 2018–2022 at a tertiary medical center were retrospectively reviewed. Right heart catheterization (RHC) and NT‐proBNP determination were performed preoperatively in all cases. Pretransplant demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were compared between posttransplant survivors and nonsurvivors. Correlations of NT‐proBNP values with lung function and RHC parameters and all‐cause mortality were analyzed. NT‐proBNP level correlated positively with mean pulmonary artery pressure (R = 0.51, p < 0.001) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (R = 0.45, p = 0.0013), and negatively with diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (R = −0.25, p = 0.0017), cardiac index (R = −0.26, p = 0.001), and cardiac output (R = −0.23, p = 0.004). Over a median follow‐up time of 23.22 months, 74 patients died. On univariate analysis, mortality was significantly associated with higher log‐NT‐proBNP (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–2.05, p = 0.016), older age at transplant registration (HR = 1.033, 95% CI 1.009–1.058, p = 0.0068), higher PVR (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.07–1.23, p = 0.015), and lower cardiac output (HR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.42–0.92, p = 0.045). On multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, mortality significance was maintained only for higher log‐NT‐proBNP (HR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.12–2.11, p = 0.007). Among lung transplant recipients, pretransplant NT‐proBNP levels correlated well with RHC parameters and were strongly associated with posttransplantation mortality. Assessment of NT‐proBNP may improve risk stratification of lung transplant candidates.
Hybrid NenG/ZSM‐5 Towards Highly Selective and Efficient Photocatalysis for Generation of Leucodopaminechrome and Gluconic Acid Under Solar Light
Authors: Rai Anurag , Yadav Rajesh K. , Sharma Kanchan , Singh Satyam , Baeg Jin‐Ook , Kumar Gupta Navneet
Published: August 2024

Glucose, an abundant and renewable form of biomass, has garnered significant attention in research for its conversion into high‐value chemicals such as gluconic acid. Traditional methods for biomass transformation typically involve high energy input, elevated temperature, pressure, and costly systems. In contrast, photocatalysis emerges as a promising approach to produce organic molecules under mild conditions, harnessing energy from natural sunlight or lamps. This study presents the nitrogen‐enriched graphene with zeolite second Mobil–5 (NenG/ZSM‐5) photocatalyst, evaluated for generating high‐value chemicals (gluconic acid and leucodopaminechrome) under solar light irradiation. The NenG/ZSM‐5 photocatalyst, synthesized from nitrogen‐doped graphene and ZSM‐5, successfully converted dopamine into leucodopaminechrome (71.54 %) — a critical step in dopamine regeneration and transformed glucose into gluconic acid (85 %). The addition of ZSM‐5 to NenG provided stability and enhanced product selectivity. The outstanding performance of the NenG/ZSM‐5 photocatalyst can be attributed to its heightened solar light harvesting potential, appropriate energy band gap, and uniformly arranged π‐electron channels. This research focuses on solar conversion of glucose to gluconic acid and dopamine regeneration, with potential for further exploration in the research domain.
When Uber Eats its own business, and its competitors' too: Resource exclusivity and oscillation following platform diversification
Authors: Chung Hyuck David , Zhou Yue Maggie , Choi Christine
Published: August 2024

Research Summary

How will a platform firm's diversification affect its existing business? Using datasets on the rideshare and food delivery businesses in New York City, we find that the launch of Uber Eats reduced Uber's and Lyft's rideshare trip volumes, but these effects were weaker during rush hours. Additional theoretical and empirical analyses suggest that, while platform diversification enables complementors to share some resources across businesses, it may also create opportunities for complementors to oscillate other complementary resources, thereby diverting complementor resources in the existing business from both the diversifying and competing platform firms. Such sharing‐enabled resource oscillation may be due to resource exclusivity at the transactional level and the lack of control by platform firms over resources at the organizational level.

Managerial Summary

We investigate how Uber's and Lyft's rideshare business was impacted by Uber's diversification into the food delivery business with the launch of Uber Eats in Manhattan, New York City. We find that, compared to geographic zones where no restaurant joined Uber Eats, zones where a significant proportion of restaurants joined Uber Eats experienced a relative reduction in rideshare trip volumes for both Uber and Lyft. Our results suggest that platform firms should be aware of the hidden costs of diversification due to their lack of control over gig economy participants (e.g., rideshare drivers). In addition, managers should be mindful of the diversification moves made not only by their own firm but also by competing firms.
Architecting Ni3Se4‐NiSe2‐Co3O4 Triple‐Interface Heterostructure on MXene Nanosheets for Boosting Water Splitting by Electronic Modulation and Interface Effects
Authors: Yan Liang , Chen Yonghang , Xie Jiachun , Li Hao
Published: August 2024

Strategically engineering electrocatalysts with optimized interfacial electronic architectures and accelerated reaction dynamics is pivotal for augmenting hydrogen generation via alkaline water electrolysis on an industrial scale. Herein, a novel triple‐interface heterostructure Ni3Se4‐NiSe2‐Co3O4 nanoarrays are designed anchored on Ti3C2Tx MXene (Ni3Se4‐NiSe2‐Co3O4/MXene) with significant work function difference (ΔΦ) as bifunctional electrocatalysts for water electrolysis. Theoretical calculations combined with experiments uncover the pivotal role of the interface‐induced electric field in steering charge redistribution, which in turn modulates the adsorption and desorption kinetics of reaction intermediates. Furthermore, the synergistic interaction between Ni3Se4‐NiSe2‐Co3O4 and Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets endows the hybrids with a large electrochemical surface area, abundantly active sites, and high conductivity. Thus, Ni3Se4‐NiSe2‐Co3O4/MXene manifests exceptional catalytic prowess for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In addition, the Ni3Se4‐NiSe2‐Co3O4/MXene electrocatalyst in the water electrolyzer delivers excellent performance and maintains commendable stability beyond 100 h of electrocatalytic operation.
Pickering Emulsions Stabilized Using Bacterial Cellulose From Kombucha
Authors: Nascimento Adriana de Farias , Ramos Sofia Maria Tanaka , Bergamo Vinicius Nogueira , Araujo Elder dos Santos , Ayala Valencia Germán
Published: August 2024

Research on natural ingredients used to stabilize oil‐in‐water emulsions has increased in recent years. Therefore, the current research is conducted to study the physicochemical properties of bacterial cellulose isolated from kombucha production and considered as a waste without economic value. Bacterial cellulose isolated from kombucha is dried, sieved, milled, and the resulting material (dried bacterial cellulose [DBC]) is characterized with respect to morphology, color, antioxidant properties, identification of volatile compounds, water and oil absorption, and moisture isotherm. Furthermore, DBC is used as a stabilizer of oil‐in‐water emulsions in different concentrations (0.5%–2% w/v). DBC has a dark color with irregular shape and particle size between 30 and 180 µm. This material has high antioxidant properties and low water and oil absorptions. Furthermore, the DBC displayed a moisture isotherm typical of hygroscopic materials (type III). Emulsions containing ≥1.5% w/v of DBC are stable during 96 h of storage at 20 °C. The current research reports new information about the physicochemical properties of DBC and its application in Pickering emulsions.
Fostering glocal intercultural awareness through virtual exchange in TESOL teacher education
Authors: Glimäng Malin Reljanovic , Sauro Shannon
Published: August 2024

This article reports on a 7‐week virtual exchange (VE) involving teacher candidates in three countries in co‐creation of learning materials based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The aim of the study was to investigate whether and how the participants found a VE project focused on global citizenship education beneficial for their training as English language teachers. Through the lens of critical and reflexive interculturality, the researchers analyzed VE participants' self‐reported data in relation to four categories on global competence: investigating the world, acknowledging perspectives, sharing ideas, and taking action (OECD, 2019). Participants reported that cross‐cultural collaboration on a professionally oriented task was a potentially empowering activity enabling future teachers not only to gain intercultural and pedagogical self‐awareness, but also to understand TESOL from both local and global perspectives. With relevance for teacher educators and teachers in the wider international TESOL community, the findings contribute to the growing body of research demonstrating the value of merging VE with global citizenship education in TESOL teacher preparation.
Comparison of manual and automated body condition scoring of commercial dairy cattle
Authors: Angel Tom Robert , Mahendran Sophie Anne
Published: August 2024

Background

Body condition scoring of dairy cows estimates their body reserves. Automation allows increased data availability and reduced labour costs. The aim of this study was to compare an automated (AUT) body condition score (BCS) system to manual observers on a single commercial dairy farm in south‐west England.

Methods

Three practising veterinary surgeons performed body condition scoring of 315 dairy cows using the agriculture and horticulture development board (AHDB) Body Condition Scorecard. AUT BCSs were obtained from two 3D cameras and compared to the BCSs recorded by the three operators.

Results

The AUT system only agreed with manual scorers at a BCS of 3. The system failed to detect cows classified as underconditioned (BCS ≤ 2.25) by any of the operators (sensitivity 0%). It also systematically underestimated the BCS of cows classified as overconditioned (BCS ≥ 3.5) by the operators. For overconditioned cows, the sensitivity of the AUT system ranged from 30.7% to 48.8% when compared with the manual operators. The AUT system also had weaker agreement with operators for Jersey cows, with Cohen's weighted kappa values of 0.28 for Jersey animals and 0.40 for Holsteins.

Limitations

This study used a convenience sample of animals on a single farm at a single time point, so the extent to which the findings can be more widely generalised is unclear.

Conclusions

The AUT system failed to detect animals classified as underconditioned by the operators and underestimated the condition of cows classified as overconditioned by the operators. Currently, without improvements to the algorithm, the clinical usefulness of such an AUT system for body condition scoring is limited.
‘Let's not get caught up defining ‘One X’ labels and instead focus on effective actions'
Authors: Doherty Simon
Published: August 2024

Simon Doherty argues that trying to label and define each aspect of One Health risks undermining the comprehensive inclusiveness of the One Health concept. Instead, the focus should be on bringing people out of silos to generate and drive effective actions.
Loops in anti de Sitter space
Authors: Cacciatori Sergio L. , Epstein Henri , Moschella Ugo
Published: August 2024

Abstract

We discuss general one and two-loop banana diagrams and one-loop diagrams with external lines with arbitrary masses on the anti de Sitter spacetime by using methods of AdS quantum field theory in the dimensional regularization approach. The banana diagrams explicitly computed in this paper are indeed the necessary ingredients for the evaluation of the two-loop effective potential of the Standard Model and can be used to extend the flat space results in presence of a negative cosmological constant. In the one-loop case we also compute the effective potential for an O(N) model in d = 4 dimension as an explicit function of the cosmological constant Λ, both exactly and perturbatively up to order Λ. In the two-loop case we show the explicit calculation is possible thanks to a remarkable discrete Källén-Lehmann formula which we found and proved sometimes ago and whose domain of applicability we extend in the present paper.
Analysis of pipe fitting sealing torque with SolidWorks simulations
Authors: Toygar M. Evren , Kirdiş Selin
Published: August 2024

The tightness and stability of the pipe connections are particularly important for pressurized environments. Pipe fittings are one of the most important subgroups of fittings. These fittings are not only used for connection purposes, but these fasteners may also have additional purposes such as sealing. In this study, a simulation model of the pipe fitting was created to evaluate the sealing performance. The obtained forces in the simulations were then used in the modified version of the classical bolt-tightening moment equation. In this equation, the additional parameter, R, is embedded. This parameter depends on the distance from the center (torque arm, x), slope parameter (k), and friction constant (S) between the body or nut and the ring parts. The consistency and applicability of the new equation were discussed by comparing the obtained results with the experimental results. It has been observed that there is a good agreement between the comparative results.
Schistosomiasis in migrant children and adolescents in a paediatric tropical referral unit in Spain: diagnosis and long-term management challenges
Authors: Rodríguez-Molino Paula , González Martínez Soraya , Bustamante Amador Jorge , Mellado-Sola Isabel , Montes Martín Laura , Falces-Romero Iker , García López-Hortelano Milagros , Hurtado-Gallego Jara , Mellado María José , Grasa Carlos , Sainz Talía
Published: August 2024

Globalisation and population movement have led to an increasing number of migrant children residing in areas non-endemic for schistosomiasis. However, diagnosing and managing schistosomiasis in children remain controversial. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in migrant children and to describe the diagnostic approach and management strategies, including long-term follow-up, to explore the potential role of serological tests in evaluating treatment response. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study spanning from January 2014–July 2021 at a referral unit for Paediatric Tropical Diseases in Madrid (Spain). The study included patients under 18 years diagnosed with schistosomiasis. Of 679 children screened for schistosomiasis, 73 (10.8%) tested positive. The median age was 16.3 years [IQR 9–17.6], 74% male. The majority originated from Sub-Saharan Africa (47%) and Asia (47%). Only 40% presented with symptoms, with gastrointestinal (18%) and cutaneous (17%) manifestations being the most common. Eosinophilia was observed in 43% (median [IQR]: 1103/mm3 [671–1536]), and ova were visualised in the urine of 2/50 (4.0%). Praziquantel treatment was administered to 92%, and 5 patients required retreatment. Follow-up data were available for 58 (80%) over a median period of 9 months [IQR 6–19.8], revealing a progressive decline in eosinophil count, IgE titres, and ELISA optical density.

    Conclusion: In this series, the prevalence of schistosomiasis among migrant children was significant (10%), highlighting the importance of including serological tests in migrant health screening. The disease is largely asymptomatic, eosinophilia is often absent, and visualisation of ova in urine is exceedingly rare. Eosinophil count, IgE titres, and ELISA optical density could prove valuable as an initial approach for monitoring inflammation during follow-up assessments.

What is Known:• The burden of disease related to schistosomiasis is significant, particulary in children, and it is advisable to screen this vulnerable population.

What is New:• Eosinophilia may not be present in parasitic infections, so serological tests are crucial for screening migrant children.• Serological monitoring facilitates long-term management of migrant children with schistosomiasis.
Hamilton Transversals in Tournaments
Authors: Chakraborti Debsoumya , Kim Jaehoon , Lee Hyunwoo , Seo Jaehyeon
Published: August 2024

It is well-known that every tournament contains a Hamilton path, and every strongly connected tournament contains a Hamilton cycle. This paper establishes transversal generalizations of these classical results. For a collection $$\textbf{T}=(T_1,\dots ,T_m)$$

T
=
(

T
1

,
⋯
,

T
m

)

of not-necessarily distinct tournaments on a common vertex set V, an m-edge directed graph $$\mathcal {D}$$
D
with vertices in V is called a $$\textbf{T}$$
T
-transversal if there exists a bijection $$\phi :E(\mathcal {D})\rightarrow [m]$$

ϕ
:
E
(
D
)
→
[
m
]

such that $$e\in E(T_{\phi (e)})$$

e
∈
E
(

T

ϕ
(
e
)

)

for all $$e\in E(\mathcal {D})$$

e
∈
E
(
D
)

. We prove that for sufficiently large m with $$m=|V|-1$$

m
=
|
V
|
-
1

, there exists a $$\textbf{T}$$
T
-transversal Hamilton path. Moreover, if $$m=|V|$$

m
=
|
V
|

and at least $$m-1$$

m
-
1

of the tournaments $$T_1,\ldots ,T_m$$

T
1

,
…
,

T
m

are assumed to be strongly connected, then there is a $$\textbf{T}$$
T
-transversal Hamilton cycle. In our proof, we utilize a novel way of partitioning tournaments which we dub $$\textbf{H}$$
H
-partition.
Chemotaxonomy compared to morphological and anatomical taxonomy of five Hibiscus species
Authors: Abdelfattah Hala M. E. , Hussein Hussein A. , Teleb Samir S. , El-Demerdash Marwa M. , George Nelly M.
Published: August 2024

Hibiscus is a charismatic genus of the Malvaceae family that is noted for its diversity, lacking identifiable characteristics for distinguishing its various species. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop authentication methods for genus delimitation and species delineation. The present study aims to discern the taxonomic relationships between the well-known, globally familiar, and economically important five Hibiscus species, namely: H. × rosa-sinensis, H. sabdariffa, H. schizopetalus, H. syriacus and H. tiliaceus based on traditional morphological and anatomical characteristics compared to the contemporary chemotaxonomy. In this context, the leaf-based methanolic extracts of the studied species were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC–MS) to estimate their secondary metabolites similarity. In addition, selected qualitative morphological and anatomical traits including leaf venation patterns, epidermal micromorphology, stomata types and trichomes diversity, petiole serial sectioning (outline, adaxial groove features, vasculature traces arrangement), and midrib characteristics of the studied species were investigated. The results of both chemotaxonomy and traditional taxonomy exhibited a remarkable agreement in the delineation of the five studied species. Specifically, the chemotaxonomy-based dendrogram separates the studied species into two main clusters with the H. sabdariffa as an outlier species in a single cluster and the remaining four species as another cluster with variant distances in its similarity indices. Similarly, the traditional morphological and anatomical characteristics revealed distinct traits for H. sabdariffa compared to the remaining four species. The findings of this study highlight the significance of integrating the structural features with phytochemicals profiling as a potential approach that could be harnessed for the delineation of the taxonomically challenging Hibiscus genus.
Visual fields are repeatable at the population and individual level
Authors: Lucas Eleanor , Portugal Steven J.
Published: August 2024

Avian visual fields have been predicted to be highly conserved at the intraspecific level and be repeatable within an individual, yet this has never been previously determined empirically. Typically, only 2–3 individuals of a species are measured during visual field procedures, and these individuals are measured just once. Using the ophthalmoscopic technique, we measured the visual fields of five Homing Pigeons (Columba livia) over time to assess the repeatability at both the individual and population levels. Using a series of repeatability estimates, we found that visual field measurements were highly repeatable at the individual level, and moderately repeatable at the population levels; visual fields are statistically consistently similar between individuals of the same species and over repeated measures of the same individual. We conclude the ophthalmoscopic technique is a repeatable measure of the visual fields of an individual, and small numbers of individuals are moderately representative of the species. Still, caution should be applied when looking at certain elevations, and higher sample sizes should be used when and where available.
Parallel intelligence in three decades: a historical review and future perspective on ACP and cyber-physical-social systems
Authors: Wang Xingxia , Yang Jing , Liu Yuhang , Wang Yutong , Wang Fei-Yue , Kang Mengzhen , Tian Yonglin , Rudas Imre , Li Lingxi , Fanti Maria Pia , Alrifaee Bassam , Deveci Muhammet , Mishra Deepak , Khan Muhammad Khurram , Chen Long , Reffye Philippe De
Published: August 2024

Recent advances in human-in-the-loop or human-centric research have sparked a new wave of scientific exploration. These studies have enhanced the understanding of complex social systems and contributed to more sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystems. However, the incorporation of human or social factors increases system complexity, making traditional approaches inadequate for managing these complex systems and necessitating a novel operational paradigm. Over decades of work, a mature and comprehensive theory of parallel intelligence (PI) has been established. Rooted in cyber-physical-social systems (CPSS), PI adapts flexibly to various situations within complex systems through the ACP framework (Artificial systems, Computational experiments, and Parallel execution), ensuring system reliability. This paper provides a detailed review and a novel perspective on PI, beginning with the historical and philosophical origins of CPSS and proceeding to present both the fundamental framework and technological implementations of PI. PI-based Industry 5.0 is highlighted, where three pillars are adopted to help realize the supposed vision. Additionally, the paper outlines applications of PI in multiple fields, such as transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture, and discusses the opportunities and challenges for imaginative intelligence. The continuous exploration of PI is expected to eventually facilitate the realization of “6S”-based (safe, secure, sustainable, sensitive, service, and smart) parallel ecosystems.
Gradient Information and Regularization for Gene Expression Programming to Develop Data-Driven Physics Closure Models
Authors: Waschkowski Fabian , Li Haochen , Deshmukh Abhishek , Grenga Temistocle , Zhao Yaomin , Pitsch Heinz , Klewicki Joseph , Sandberg Richard D.
Published: August 2024

Learning accurate numerical constants when developing algebraic models is a known challenge for evolutionary algorithms, such as Gene Expression Programming (GEP). This paper introduces the concept of adaptive symbols to the GEP framework by Weatheritt and Sandberg (J Comput Phys 325:22–37, 2016a) to develop advanced physics closure models. Adaptive symbols utilize gradient information to learn locally optimal numerical constants during model training, for which we investigate two types of nonlinear optimization algorithms. The second contribution of this work is implementing two regularization techniques to incentivize the development of implementable and interpretable closure models. We apply

$$L_2$$

L
2

regularization to ensure small magnitude numerical constants and devise a novel complexity metric that supports the development of low complexity models via custom symbol complexities and multi-objective optimization. This extended framework is employed to four use cases, namely rediscovering Sutherland’s viscosity law, developing laminar flame speed combustion models and training two types of fluid dynamics turbulence models. The model prediction accuracy and the convergence speed of training are improved significantly across all of the more and less complex use cases, respectively. The two regularization methods are essential for developing implementable closure models and we demonstrate that the developed turbulence models substantially improve simulations over state-of-the-art models.
Patterns of Chemsex Substance Use and Its Association with HIV Transmission Risk Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Thailand: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Cheung Doug H. , Samoh Nattharat , Jonas Kai J. , Lim Sin How , Kongjareon Yamol , Guadamuz Thomas E.
Published: August 2024

Sexualized substance use or “chemsex” may contribute to the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand. Specific patterns of chemsex use may be associated with different HIV/STI transmission risks. We examined typologies and correlates of sexualized substance use among a sample of high-risk MSM (n = 532) who had attended a private sex party or circuit party in the past three years using latent class analysis. Multinomial regression was used to adjust for variables associated with the 3-class latent class model. We identified a 3-class model as the best fitting model, which included: (1) “negligible sexualized substance users” (36.7%), who had never engaged in chemsex in the past six months; (2) “sexualized substance users” (13.9%), who had a high level of sexualized alcohol use and a wide range of other substances before or during sex in the past six months; and (3) “exclusive chemsex users” (49.4%), who predominantly used crystal methamphetamine, amyl nitrite, and erectile dysfunctional drugs before or during sex in the past six months. Compared to negligible sexualized substance users, exclusive chemsex users were more likely to be HIV-positive, more likely to have six or more sexual partners in the past six months, less likely to have condom use at last anal intercourse, and more likely to have provided sex work. Relative to negligible sexualized substance users, sexualized substance users reported more frequent online sex-seeking behaviors. These subgroups of Thai MSM have unique substance use patterns and HIV-related risk profiles, underscoring the importance of targeted HIV prevention strategies.
Relationship Between Direct Aggression and Prosocial Behavior: The Role of Attention and Intelligence Among Children at Risk for Behavioral Problems
Authors: Chiodi Sofia Lira , Lúcio Patrícia Silva , Ilari Beatriz , Germano Nayana Di Giuseppe , Cogo-Moreira Hugo , Bortz Graziela
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to investigate the influence of attention and intelligence in the prediction of prosocial behavior by direct aggression (proactive or reactive) in school-aged children at risk for behavioral problems. The sample was composed of 64 children aged 6 to 8 years screened for risk of behavioral problems, who were enrolled in a clinical trial. Multiple regression models were tested to investigate the prediction of prosocial behavior by direct aggression (proactive or reactive), attention, and intelligence. Additive multiple moderation models were tested to analyze the conditional effect of attention and intelligence in the prediction of prosocial behavior by proactive and reactive aggression. Aggression (proactive or reactive), attention, and intelligence did not linearly predict prosocial behavior. Conditional effects were found only for the proactive aggression model. Negative impacts on prosocial behavior were observed among children with low attention and high intelligence performance, while medium and high levels of attention showed to be protective factors among low to medium intellectual ability children. Clinical impacts of the results are discussed.
The Relation between Parental Locus of Control and Willingness to Implement Parent Management Training Strategies
Authors: Drott Catherine E. , Elkins Sara R. , Kritikos Tessa K.
Published: August 2024

In child disruptive behavior treatment, successful parent management training (PMT) outcomes are dependent on parents’ use of strategies outside of sessions. This study aimed to identify the influence of parental locus of control (PLOC) on a key treatment acceptability variable: parents’ willingness to implement PMT strategies. We sought to investigate this relationship for individual strategies within PMT, given the composite nature of the intervention. In this study, 109 parents of children (ages 2–12) with disruptive behavior watched brief videos detailing three proactive PMT strategies (child-directed interaction, effective commands, positive attention) and three reactive PMT strategies (ignoring, time out, and removal of privileges) and rated their willingness to implement each strategy. Internal PLOC predicted greater overall willingness to use PMT strategies, above and beyond the influence of child age, child gender, and disruptive behavior severity. Notably, the relationship between willingness and PLOC differed across individual strategies. PLOC predicted willingness to implement proactive PMT strategies to a greater degree than willingness to implement reactive strategies. External PLOC may be a greater barrier to use of proactive strategies because of these strategies’ misalignment with external PLOC-related beliefs. Results have implications for the personalization of PMT based on parent cognitions, as well as for the separate analysis of individual components of PMT in future research.
Missing in action: capacity and capacity building in the IPCC’s AR 6
Authors: Klinsky Sonja , Sagar Ambuj
Published: August 2024

Capacity building is recognized as one of three means of implementation (MOI) within the Paris Agreement, along with finance and technology. There is a good reason for this, namely that all aspects of climate action require multiple forms of capacity. In fact, it could be argued that capacity is foundational even to the other two MOIs as advancing both finance and technology requires a variety of capacities across multiple specific contexts. The Global Stocktake (GST) recognized the importance of capacity building for the achievement of the Paris Agreement and included its assessment within its evaluation of progress. However, unlike the other two MOIs, no chapter within the IPCC AR6 explicitly attempts to synthesize the state of knowledge about capacity or capacity building for climate action, and coverage of capacity remains scattered across the report. In this commentary we briefly reflect on the coverage of capacity and capacity building in the IPCC’s AR6 and develop some initial proposals for how knowledge about this key MOI could be better included in future assessment processes.
On the maximum size of ultrametric orthogonal sets over discrete valued fields
Authors: Aranov Noy Soffer , Behajaina Angelot
Published: August 2024

Let $${\mathcal {K}}$$
K
be a discrete valued field with finite residue field. In analogy with orthogonality in the Euclidean space $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

, there is a well-studied notion of “ultrametric orthogonality” in $${\mathcal {K}}^n$$

K

n

. In this paper, motivated by a question of Erdős in the real case, given integers $$k \ge \ell \ge 2$$

k
≥
ℓ
≥
2

, we investigate the maximum size of a subset $$S \subseteq {\mathcal {K}}^n {\setminus }\{\textbf{0}\}$$

S
⊆

K

n

\

{
0
}

satisfying the following property: for any $$E \subseteq S$$

E
⊆
S

of size k, there exists $$F \subseteq E$$

F
⊆
E

of size $$\ell $$
ℓ
such that any two distinct vectors in F are orthogonal. Other variants of this property are also studied.
Research trends on digital school leadership over time: Science mapping and content analysis
Authors: Wollscheid Sabine , Tømte Cathrine Edelhard , Egeberg Gunstein Christoffer , Karlstrøm Henrik , Fossum Lone Wanderås
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this study is to map trends in literature about digital school leadership over the last decades. Combining bibliometric and automatic content analyses, we map and analyze a sample of 350 documents, retrieved in Web of Science (WoS), Scopus and Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) including titles and abstracts. The software VosViewer and Leximancer are used for analyses. Our sample is divided reflecting an early phase of digitalization in school (1992–2009), a phase of an increasing digitalization in school (2010–2020) and a phase of digitalization related to the Covid-19 pandemic (2021–2023). In general, the research literature on digital school leadership can be characterized as an emerging, fragmented, and inter-disciplinary field. Most literature is published after 2010 with an increase in publications after 2019, resulting in a peak in 2021. The literature is characterized by some influential highly connected authors revealing some changing thematic patterns over time. Further, findings highlight that when research on digital school leadership draws from various disciplines, this also indicates a need for a holistic and multifaceted approach. Scholars from different disciplines contribute to an updated understanding of digital school leadership. This interdisciplinary collaboration thus enriches the discourse, as it demonstrates how various perspectives may add new insights into the conceptualization of digital school leadership.