bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Existence of Walrasian equilibria with discontinuous, non-ordered, interdependent preferences, without free disposal, and with an infinite-dimensional commodity space
Authors: Podczeck Konrad , Yannelis Nicholas C.
Published: February 2024

A new proof of the existence of a Walrasian equilibrium with an infinite dimensional commodity space is provided, which allows agents’ preferences to be discontinuous. The new theorems include as corollaries the existence results of Mas-Collel, Yannelis and Zame, Araujo and Monteiro, and Mas-Collel and Richard, among others.
Competitive asymmetries, birthing asynchrony and sibling rivalry in a social lizard
Authors: Bouffet-Halle Alix , Wapstra Erik , While Geoffrey M.
Published: February 2024

Family life often involves interactions between individuals who have different fitness goals, leading to conflict. Resolution of this conflict is key for the stabilisation of family life. Here, we used a lizard, Liopholis whitii, that lives in facultative family groups to characterise the nature and extent of sibling conflict and test the role that individual and litter characteristics play in shaping conflict between family members. We found significant variation in conflict between family groups, specifically in relation to siblings. In approximately half of the litters, siblings were aggressive towards one another, while in the other half of litters, there was no aggression observed between siblings. There were no differences between aggressive and non-aggressive litters in the key factors predicted to mediate conflict, including sex, offspring size, or litter size. However, in aggressive litters, the maximum amount of within-litter conflict decreased with an increase in the spread between births of siblings. First-born offspring were significantly more likely to be aggressive towards their siblings compared to second and third born offspring. While one offspring was usually the target of that aggression, we found no evidence that any individual-level factor predicted who received aggression. In aggressive litters, aggressive offspring spent a greater amount of time with their mother compared to non-aggressive offspring. Similar asymmetries in the amount of time offspring spent with their mother between siblings were also observed in non-aggressive litters. Combined, our results suggest that birth order is the main driver of sibling conflict in aggressive litters in this facultatively social lizard species, suggesting that birthing asynchrony may provide females with a mechanism to manage conflict.

Significance statement

Conflict is a ubiquitous aspect of family life; it occurs between adults, between parents and offspring as well as between siblings. We show that the extent of conflict between siblings varies considerably within and between families in a lizard that exhibits prolonged associations between parents and offspring. We found no effects of offspring sex or size on within or between litter conflict. Instead, the number of days that passed between the birth of offspring appears to be the main factor that influences how much conflict there is between siblings. Furthermore, birth order was the main factor predicting which offspring was dominant. Combined this suggests that birthing asynchrony, the ability of females to spread out births across multiple days, may play a crucial role in the management of conflict in this system. As the moderation of conflict is crucial for the stabilisation of family life, these results provide important insights into the early evolution of social life.
Participatory and Spatially Explicit Assessment to Envision the Future of Land-Use/Land-Cover Change Scenarios on Selected Ecosystem Services in Southwestern Ghana
Authors: Asante-Yeboah Evelyn , Koo HongMi , Ros-Tonen Mirjam A. F. , Sieber Stefan , Fürst Christine
Published: February 2024

Settlement expansion and commercial agriculture affect landscape sustainability and ecosystem service provision. Integrated landscape approaches are promoted to negotiate trade-offs between competing land uses and their reconciliation. Incorporating local perceptions of landscape dynamics as basis for such negotiations is particularly relevant for sub-Saharan Africa, where most people depend on natural ecosystems for livelihoods and well-being. This study applied participatory scenario building and spatially explicit simulation to unravel perceptions of the potential impact of rubber and settlement expansion on the provision of selected ecosystem services in southwestern Ghana under a business-as-usual scenario. We collected data in workshops and expert surveys on locally relevant ecosystem services, their indicator values, and the probable land-use transitions. The data was translated into an assessment matrix and integrated into a spatially explicit modeling platform, allowing visualization and comparison of the impact on ecosystem service provision of land-use scenarios under rubber plantation and settlement expansion. The results show the capacity of current (2020) and future land-use patterns to provide locally relevant ecosystem services, indicating a decline in capacity of ecosystem service provisioning in the future compared to the 2020 land-use patterns, a threat to the benefits humans derive from ecosystems. This highlights urgent need for policies and measures to control the drivers of land-use/land-cover change. Furthermore, the results emphasize the importance of diversifying land-use/land-cover types for sustainable landscape development. The paper contributes new insights into how spatially explicit and semi-quantitative methods can make stakeholder perceptions of landscape dynamics explicit as a basis for implementing integrated landscape approaches.
Enhancing wound regeneration potential of fibroblasts using ascorbic acid-loaded decellularized baby spinach leaves
Authors: Dikici Serkan
Published: February 2024

Decellularization of plant tissues is an emerging route to fabricate scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Although significant progress has been made in the field of plant tissue decellularization, functionalization of plant scaffolds is still an emerging field, and loading them with L-ascorbic acid to promote skin regeneration has not yet been reported. L-ascorbic acid is an antioxidant that plays a key role in collagen synthesis as a cofactor of lysyl hydroxylase and prolyl hydroxylase. It has been shown to have significant importance in physiological wound healing by stimulating fibroblasts to produce collagen at both the molecular and the genetic levels. In this work, we aimed to fabricate an ascorbic acid-releasing bioactive scaffold by introducing a stable form of ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA2P), into decellularized baby spinach leaves and investigated its biological activity in vitro. Our results demonstrated that AA2P could be easily introduced into decellularized baby spinach leaf scaffolds and subsequently released within the effective dose range. AA2P-releasing baby spinach leaves were found to increase metabolic activity and enhance collagen synthesis in L929 fibroblasts after 21 days. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the fabrication of a novel functionalized skin tissue engineering scaffold and made a significant contribution to the fields of plant decellularization and skin tissue engineering.

Graphical abstract
Competence of radiologists in cardiac CT and MR imaging in Europe: insights from the ESCR Registry
Authors: Catapano Federica , Moser Lukas Jakob , Francone Marco , Catalano Carlo , Vliegenthart Rozemarijn , Budde Ricardo P. J. , Salgado Rodrigo , Hrabak Paar Maja , Pirnat Maja , Loewe Christian , Nikolaou Konstantin , Williams Michelle C. , Muscogiuri Giuseppe , Natale Luigi , Lehmkuhl Lukas , Sieren Malte Maria , Gutberlet Matthias , Alkadhi Hatem
Published: February 2024

Rationale

To provide an overview of the current status of cardiac multimodality imaging practices in Europe and radiologist involvement using data from the European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology (ESCR) MRCT-registry.

Materials and methods

Numbers on cardiac CT and MRI examinations were extracted from the MRCT-registry of the ESCR, entered between January 2011 and October 2023 (n = 432,265). Data collection included the total/annual numbers of examinations, indications, complications, and reporting habits.

Results

Thirty-two countries contributed to the MRCT-registry, including 29 European countries. Between 2011 and 2022, there was a 4.5-fold increase in annually submitted CT examinations, from 3368 to 15,267, and a 3.8-fold increase in MRI examinations, from 3445 to 13,183. The main indications for cardiac CT were suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) (59%) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement planning (21%). The number of patients with intermediate pretest probability who underwent CT for suspected CAD showed an increase from 61% in 2012 to 82% in 2022. The main MRI indications were suspected myocarditis (26%), CAD (21%), and suspected cardiomyopathy (19%). Adverse event rates were very low for CT (0.3%) and MRI (0.7%) examinations. Reporting of CT and MRI examinations was performed mainly by radiologists (respectively 76% and 71%) and, to a lesser degree, in consensus with non-radiologists (19% and 27%, respectively). The remaining examinations (4.9% CT and 1.7% MRI) were reported by non-radiological specialties or in separate readings of radiologists and non-radiologists.

Conclusions

Real-life data on cardiac imaging in Europe using the largest available MRCT-registry demonstrate a considerable increase in examinations over the past years, the vast majority of which are read by radiologists. These findings indicate that radiologists contribute to meeting the increasing demands of competent and effective care in cardiac imaging to a relevant extent.

Clinical relevance statement

The number of cardiac CT and MRI examinations has risen over the past years, and radiologists read the vast majority of these studies as recorded in the MRCT-registry.

Key Points

• The number of cardiac imaging examinations is constantly increasing.

• Radiologists play a central role in providing cardiac CT and MR imaging services to a large volume of patients.

• Cardiac CT and MR imaging examinations performed and read by radiologists show a good safety profile.

Graphical Abstract
Kardiogenetik in Deutschland – ein (Rück‑)Blick
Authors: Schulze-Bahr E.
Published: February 2024

Die Entwicklung des Kardiogenetik in Deutschland hat seit der Mitte der 90er Jahre eine zunehmende Entwicklung mit vielen eigenen, zum Teil wichtigen und wegweisenden Beiträge. Ausgangspunkt war und ist immer noch der Patient mit seiner Familie, z. B. mit einer familiären Arrhythmieform oder einer Kardiomyopathie, die Aufklärung der genetischen Ursache und die personalisierte Behandlung der Betroffenen.  Das wissenschaftliche, immer transnational orientierte Interesse, ein ursächliches Gen zu identifizieren und den zugrundeliegenden Pathomechanismus aufzudecken, hat beim Brugada-Syndrom, Kurzen QT-Syndrom und Erregungsleitungsstörung oder Sinusknotendysfunktion, aber auch bei DCM oder ARVC zu beachteten Beiträgen geführt. Wichtig ist jedoch der Weg zurück (bench > bed side): Implementierung von nationalen wie internationalen Empfehlungen zur kardiogenetischen Diagnostik in die kardiologische Versorgung und die personalisierte Betreuung und Therapie Betroffener.
Entwicklung der Katheterablation supraventrikulärer Tachykardien unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Beiträge deutscher Ingenieure und Elektrophysiologen
Authors: Hindricks Gerhard , Tscholl Verena , Dagres Nikolaos , Attanasio Philipp , Huemer Martin
Published: February 2024

Die Entwicklung und klinische Implementierung der Katheterablation supraventrikulärer Tachykardien ist eine der herausragenden Errungenschaften moderner kardiovaskulärer Behandlung. Innerhalb von weniger als 40 Jahren ist es gelungen, für fast alle Formen von Vorhofrhythmusstörungen eine kurative und sichere Behandlungsstrategie zu entwickeln und flächendeckend zu implementieren. Deutsche Elektrophysiologen und Ingenieure haben einen wesentlichen Beitrag zu dieser wirklich herausragenden Erfolgsgeschichte in der Medizin geleistet. Diese Beiträge sollen im Kontext der zeitlichen Entwicklung dargestellt und gewürdigt werden. Ohne diese Beiträge wäre die Entwicklung der Ablationstechnologie und ihre weltweite Verbreitung nicht möglich gewesen. Sowohl die technologischen Beiträge wie auch die medizinisch-elektrophysiologischen Beiträge lagen in der absoluten Frontlinie der weltweiten Entwicklungen und haben einen wesentlichen Beitrag dazu geleistet, dass heute in jedem Jahr mehr als 500.000 Patienten mit symptomatischen und/oder bedrohlichen Herzrhythmusstörungen mithilfe der Katheterablation erfolgreich behandelt werden können. Ihnen allen sei für ihre Beiträge herzlich gedankt.
Geschichte der chirurgischen Behandlung von Herzrhythmusstörungen in Deutschland
Authors: Klein Helmut U. , Trappe Hans-Joachim , Frank Günter
Published: February 2024

Die Geschichte der Behandlung ventrikulärer Tachykardien durch chirurgische Verfahren ist kurz; sie dauerte nicht länger als 15 Jahre von etwa 1978 bis 1993. Grundsätzlich sind zwei chirurgische Verfahren zu unterscheiden. Die indirekten Verfahren mit Resektion einer Infarktnarbe ohne elektrophysiologische Untersuchung und die direkten Verfahren mit gezielter Endokardinzision („encircling endocardial ventriculotomy“). In Deutschland haben Ostermeyer, Breithardt und Seipel (Düsseldorf) 1979 erstmals über intraoperatives, elektrophysiologisches Mapping bei ventrikulären Tachykardien (VT) berichtet; 1981 hat dann die Gruppe in Hannover (Frank, Klein) über erste Ergebnisse bei der chirurgischen Therapie von Kammertachykardien berichtet. 1984 konnten Ostermeyer, Breithardt und Borggrefe zeigen, dass eine nur partielle Endokardinzision deutlich günstiger und weniger Ventrikel schädigend (8 % vs. 46 %) ist als eine komplette zirkuläre Inzision. 1987 berichtete die Düsseldorfer Gruppe über Behandlungsergebnisse von 93 Patienten. Nach 5 Jahren waren 77 % der Patienten ohne VT-Rezidiv, die Gesamtmortalität nach einem Jahr war 11 %, nach 5 Jahren 30 %. Die Hannover Gruppe berichtete 1992 über 147 Patienten, die mit endokardialem Resektionsverfahren behandelt wurden; die Gesamtmortalität nach 3 Jahren war 27 %, VT-Rezidive traten bei 18 % der Überlebenden auf.

Die Geschichte der chirurgischen Verfahren bei supraventrikulären Tachykardien (SVT), insbesondere dem Wolff-Parkinson-White(WPW)-Syndrom ist noch kürzer als die der Chirurgie für VT. Bereits 1969 berichteten Sealy, Gallagher und Cox über die ersten Fälle einer chirurgischen Intervention beim WPW-Syndrom über einen endokardialen Zugang bei kardioplegischem Herzstillstand. 1984 berichteten Guiraudon und Klein über ein neues Verfahren mit epikardialem Zugang zum akzessorischen Bündel ohne Kardioplegie bei lateral lokalisierten Leitungsbahnen. Auch in Deutschland führten seit 1980 die Gruppen in Düsseldorf (Ostermeyer, Seipel, Breithardt, Borggrefe) und seit 1981 die Hannover Gruppe (Frank, Klein und Kallfelz) operative Verfahren bei WPW-Syndrom durch. Borggrefe berichtete 1987 über 18 operierte Patienten mit WPW-Syndrom und Vorhofflimmern. Nach 2 Jahren blieben 14 von 18 Patienten ohne Tachykardie Rezidive; 1989 berichteten Frank, Klein und Kallfelz (Hannover) über 10 operierte Kinder (2−14 Jahre) unter Anwendung der Kryoablationstechnik. Zwischen 1984 und 1992 wurden in Hannover insgesamt 120 Patienten mit SVT, meist WPW-Syndrom, operiert; nach 42 Monaten hatten 12 Patienten ein SVT-Rezidiv. Bei der Reoperation verstarben 2 Patienten.
Can frequent long stimulus onset ansynchronies (SOAs) foster the representation of two separated task-sets in dual-tasking?
Authors: Pelzer Lasse , Naefgen Christoph , Herzig Julius , Gaschler Robert , Haider Hilde
Published: February 2024

Recent findings suggest that in dual-tasking the elements of the two tasks are associated across tasks and are stored in a conjoint memory episode, meaning that the tasks are not represented as isolated task-sets. In the current study, we tested whether frequent long stimulus onset ansynchronies (SOAs) can foster the representation of two separated task-sets thereby reducing or even hindering participants to generate conjoint memory episodes—compared to an integrated task-set representation induced by frequent short SOAs. Alternatively, it is conceivable that conjoint memory episodes are an inevitable consequence of presenting two tasks within a single trial. In two dual-task experiments, we tested between consecutive trials whether repeating the stimulus–response bindings of both tasks would lead to faster responses than repeating only one of the two tasks’ stimulus–response bindings. The dual-task consisted of a visual-manual search task (VST) and an auditory-manual discrimination task (ADT). Overall, the results suggest that, after processing two tasks within a single trial, generating a conjoint memory episode seems to be a default process, regardless of SOA frequency. However, the respective SOA frequency affected the participants’ strategy to group the processing of the two tasks or not, thereby modulating the impact of the reactivated memory episode on task performance.
Role of hydroxymethylglutharyl-coenzyme A reductase in the induction of stem-like states in breast cancer
Authors: Marks María Paula , Giménez Carla Alejandra , Isaja Luciana , Vera Mariana Belén , Borzone Francisco Raúl , Pereyra-Bonnet Federico , Romorini Leonardo , Videla-Richardson Guillermo Agustín , Chasseing Norma Alejandra , Calvo Juan Carlos , Vellón Luciano
Published: February 2024

Purpose

De novo synthesis of cholesterol and its rate-limiting enzyme, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutharyl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), is deregulated in tumors and critical for tumor cell survival and proliferation. However, the role of HMGCR in the induction and maintenance of stem-like states in tumors remains unclear.

Methods

A compiled public database from breast cancer (BC) patients was analyzed with the web application SurvExpress. Cell Miner was used for the analysis of HMGCR expression and statin sensitivity of the NCI-60 cell lines panel. A CRISPRon system was used to induce HMGCR overexpression in the luminal BC cell line MCF-7 and a lentiviral pLM-OSKM system for the reprogramming of MCF-7 cells. Comparisons were performed by two-tailed unpaired t-test for two groups and one- or two-way ANOVA.

Results

Data from BC patients showed that high expression of several members of the cholesterol synthesis pathway were associated with lower recurrence-free survival, particularly in hormone-receptor-positive BC. In silico and in vitro analysis showed that HMGCR is expressed in several BC cancer cell lines, which exhibit a subtype-dependent response to statins in silico and in vitro. A stem-like phenotype was demonstrated upon HMGCR expression in MCF-7 cells, characterized by expression of the pluripotency markers NANOG, SOX2, increased CD44 +/CD24low/ −, CD133 + populations, and increased mammosphere formation ability. Pluripotent and cancer stem cell lines showed high expression of HMGCR, whereas cell reprogramming of MCF-7 cells did not increase HMGCR expression.

Conclusion

HMGCR induces a stem-like phenotype in BC cells of epithelial nature, thus affecting tumor initiation, progression and statin sensitivity.
Behandlung von biogenen Abfällen in Kleingeräten in Haushalten und Kleinanlagen in der Gastronomie
Authors: Bockreis Anke , Hecher Julius , Schäfer Luzia , Knapp Julika
Published: February 2024

Die Abfallwirtschaft wird in den Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), den Zielen für nachhaltige Entwicklung der Vereinten Nationen, durch mehrere spezifische Ziele und Indikatoren berücksichtigt. Biogene Abfälle spielen in der Abfallwirtschaft eine wesentliche Rolle, zum einen aufgrund ihrer Mengenrelevanz sowie ihres Emissionspotenzials vor allem bei der Deponierung unbehandelter Abfälle, zum anderen auch aufgrund ihres Energie- und Nährstoffpotenzials. Wesentlich ist daher die getrennte Erfassung der biogenen Abfälle und ihre entsprechende Behandlung bzw. Verwertung. Im Haushaltsbereich gibt es seit einiger Zeit eine verstärkte Entwicklung und Verwendung von Kleingeräten zur Sammlung bzw. zur Behandlung von Lebensmittelabfällen. Diese sollen die Sammlung bzw. Behandlung hygienischer und geruchsärmer gestalten. Am Markt verfügbar sind sowohl Geräte mit bzw. ohne Strombedarf. Die Geräte haben verschiedene Zielsetzungen und Funktionsweisen, wie z. B. Kühlung der Bioabfälle, Trocknung oder auch „Schnellkompostierung“. Solche „Schnellkomposter“ und Trockner werden heutzutage auch verstärkt für den Gastronomiebereich beworben. Bei den „Schnellkompostern“ ist die Zielsetzung, einen „Kompost“ bzw. ein umweltfreundliches Produkt in kurzer Zeit herzustellen und damit sowohl das Volumen der gelagerten Lebensmittelabfälle (und damit verbundene Entsorgungskosten) als auch die Gerüche zu reduzieren. Solche Geräte aus dem Haushaltsbereich bzw. Kleinanlagen aus dem Gastronomiebereich wurden untersucht und evaluiert. Zielsetzung war, neben der Ermittlung der Handhabung solcher Geräte, die Überprüfung der Funktionsweise und bei den Kleingeräten für den Haushaltsbereich auch die ökologische Bewertung der Geräte.
3D orientation field transform
Authors: Yeung Wai-Tsun , Cai Xiaohao , Liang Zizhen , Kang Byung-Ho
Published: February 2024

Vascular structure enhancement is very useful in image processing and computer vision. The enhancement of the presence of the structures like tubular networks in given images can improve image-dependent diagnostics and can also facilitate tasks like segmentation. The two-dimensional (2D) orientation field transform has been proved to be effective at enhancing 2D contours and curves in images by means of top-down processing. It, however, has no counterpart in 3D images due to the extremely complicated orientation in 3D against 2D. Given the rising demand and interest in handling 3D images, we experiment with modularising the concept and generalise the algorithm to 3D curves. In this work, we propose a 3D orientation field transform. It is a vascular structure enhancement algorithm that can cleanly enhance images having very low signal-to-noise ratio, and push the limits of 3D image quality that can be enhanced computationally. This work also utilises the benefits of modularity and offers several combinative options that each yield moderately better enhancement results in different scenarios. In principle, the proposed 3D orientation field transform can naturally tackle any number of dimensions. As a special case, it is also ideal for 2D images, owning a simpler methodology compared to the previous 2D orientation field transform. The concise structure of the proposed 3D orientation field transform also allows it to be mixed with other enhancement algorithms, and as a preliminary filter to other tasks like segmentation and detection. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated with synthetic 3D images and real-world transmission electron microscopy tomograms ranging from 2D curve enhancement to, the more important and interesting, 3D ones. Extensive experiments and comparisons with existing related methods also demonstrate the excellent performance of the proposed 3D orientation field transform.
Segmenting large historical notarial manuscripts into multi-page deeds
Authors: Prieto Jose Ramón , Becerra David , Toselli Alejandro Hector , Alonso Carlos , Vidal Enrique
Published: February 2024

Archives around the world hold vast digitized series of historical manuscript books or “bundles” containing, among others, notarial records also known as “deeds” or “acts”. One of the first steps to provide metadata which describe the contents of those bundles is to segment them into their individual deeds. Even if deeds are often page-aligned, as in the bundles considered in the present work, this is a time-consuming task, often prohibitive given the huge scale of the manuscript series involved. Unlike traditional Layout Analysis methods for page-level segmentation, our approach goes beyond the realm of a single-page image, providing consistent deed detection results on full bundles. This is achieved in two tightly integrated steps: first, we estimate the class-posterior at the page level for the “initial”, “middle”, and “final” classes; then we “decode” these posteriors applying a series of sequentiality consistency constraints to obtain a consistent book segmentation. Experiments are presented for four large historical manuscripts, varying the number of “deeds” used for training. Two metrics are introduced to assess the quality of book segmentation, one of them taking into account the loss of information entailed by segmentation errors. The problem formalization, the metrics and the empirical work significantly extend our previous works on this topic.
Using a virtual reality interview simulator to explore factors influencing people’s behavior
Authors: Luo Xinyi , Wang Yuyang , Lee Lik-Hang , Xing Zihan , Jin Shan , Dong Boya , Hu Yuanyi , Chen Zeming , Yan Jing , Hui Pan
Published: February 2024

Virtual reality interview simulator (VRIS) is an effective and valid tool that uses virtual reality technology to train people’s interview skills. Typically, it offers candidates prone to being very nervous during interviews the opportunity to practice interviews in a safe and manageable virtual environment and realistic settings, providing real-time feedback from a virtual interviewer on their performance. It helps interviewees improve their skills, reduce their fears, gain confidence, and minimize the cost and time associated with traditional interview preparation. Yet, the major anxiety-inducing elements remain unknown. During an interview, the anxiety levels, overall experience, and performance of interviewees might be affected by various circumstances. By analyzing electrodermal activity and questionnaire, we investigated the influence of five variables: (I) Realism; (II) Question type; (III) Interviewer attitude; (IV) Timing; and (V) Preparation. As such, an orthogonal design $$L_8(4^1 \times 2^4)$$

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with eight experiments ($$O A_8$$

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matrix) was implemented, in which 19 college students took part in the experiments. Considering the anxiety, overall experience, and performance of the interviewees, we found that Question type plays a major role; secondly, Realism, Preparation, and Interviewer attitude all have middle influence; lastly, Timing has little to no impact. Specifically, professional interview questions elicited a greater degree of anxiety than personal ones among the categories of interview questions. This work contributes to our understanding of anxiety-stimulating factors during job interviews in virtual reality and provides cues for designing future VRIS.
Vocabulary knowledge as a reliable proxy of cognitive reserve in multiple sclerosis: a validation study
Authors: Maggi Gianpaolo , Altieri Manuela , Risi Mario , Rippa Valentina , Borgo Riccardo Maria , Sacco Rosaria , Buonanno Daniela , D’Ambrosio Alessandro , Bisecco Alvino , Santangelo Gabriella , Gallo Antonio
Published: February 2024

Introduction

The present study aimed to explore the suitability of the vocabulary knowledge (VOC) test as an accurate and reliable proxy of cognitive reserve (CR) by evaluating its psychometric properties and discrimination accuracy compared with other CR measures in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

Sixty-eight consecutive people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), followed at our MS outpatient clinic, completed a clinical evaluation and neuropsychological assessment including: VOC, Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRB-N), Cognitive Reserve Index Questionnaire (CRIq), Beck Depression Inventory-II, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Reliability, convergent and divergent validity, and discrimination accuracy of the VOC were assessed using educational level as reference standard. The possible effects of sociodemographic and clinical factors on VOC and their role in predicting global cognitive status were also explored.

Results

VOC demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.894) and adequate construct validity. It showed an acceptable level of discrimination between pwMS with high and low CR, comparable to the CRIq score. Education strongly affected VOC scores, which in turn were independent of MS features. VOC emerged as an independent predictor of global cognitive status together with MS-related disability.

Conclusion

We demonstrated the validity of VOC as a reliable CR measure in pwMS. Thus, CR may also be estimated using fixed objective measures, independent of brain pathology and clinical features. Early CR estimation may help clinicians identify pwMS at a higher risk of cognitive decline and plan strict neuropsychological monitoring and cognitive interventions.
Effect of RVAD Cannulation Length on Right Ventricular Thrombosis Risk: An In Silico Investigation
Authors: Thum Kar Ying , Liao Sam , Šeman Michael , Khamooshi Mehrdad , Carberry Josie , McGiffin David , Gregory Shaun D.
Published: February 2024

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been used off-label as long-term support of the right heart due to the lack of a clinically approved durable right VAD (RVAD). Whilst various techniques to reduce RVAD inflow cannula protrusion have been described, the implication of the protrusion length on right heart blood flow and subsequent risk of thrombosis remains poorly understood. This study investigates the influence of RVAD diaphragmatic cannulation length on right ventricular thrombosis risk using a patient-specific right ventricle in silico model validated with particle image velocimetry. Four cannulation lengths (5, 10, 15 and 25 mm) were evaluated in a one-way fluid–structure interaction simulation with boundary conditions generated from a lumped parameter model, simulating a biventricular supported condition. Simulation results demonstrated that the 25-mm cannulation length exhibited a lower thrombosis risk compared to 5-, 10- and 15-mm cannulation lengths due to improved flow energy distribution (25.2%, 24.4% and 17.8% increased), reduced stagnation volume (72%, 68% and 49% reduction), better washout rate (13.0%, 11.6% and 9.1% faster) and lower blood residence time (6% reduction). In the simulated scenario, our findings suggest that a longer RVAD diaphragmatic cannulation length may be beneficial in lowering thrombosis risk; however, further clinical studies are warranted.
Why converging technologies need converging international regulation
Authors: Helbing Dirk , Ienca Marcello
Published: February 2024

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, gene editing, nanotechnology, neurotechnology and robotics, which were originally unrelated or separated, are becoming more closely integrated. Consequently, the boundaries between the physical-biological and the cyber-digital worlds are no longer well defined. We argue that this technological convergence has fundamental implications for individuals and societies. Conventional domain-specific governance mechanisms have become ineffective. In this paper we provide an overview of the ethical, societal and policy challenges of technological convergence. Particularly, we scrutinize the adequacy of domain-specific governance mechanisms in the face of such integrated technologies and highlight their growing ineffectiveness. Furthermore, we propose a comprehensive governance framework that is anticipatory, inclusive, and resilient. Central to this framework is the principle of participatory governance, which calls for a proactive engagement of all stakeholders, including those from marginalized and vulnerable populations, ensuring that their voices and concerns shape the trajectory of technological development. The framework emphasizes the need for protective measures that preemptively address potential risks and inequities that may arise from the adoption and integration of emerging technologies. Based on a detailed analysis of case studies and current governance models, we present and discuss a set of ten actionable recommendations. These are designed to facilitate the transition towards a governance approach that not only respects individual autonomy and privacy, but also fosters a collective responsibility towards sustainable and fair technological progress. By placing human dignity, societal welfare and the protection of the most vulnerable at the center of technological innovation, we advocate for a future where convergence is synonymous with progress that is both ethically grounded and universally beneficial.
Specific Trends in Pediatric Ethical Decision-Making: An 18-Year Review of Ethics Consultation Cases in a Pediatric Hospital
Authors: Bosompim Yaa , Aultman Julie , Pope John
Published: February 2024

This is a qualitative examination of ethics consultation requests, outcomes, and ethics committee recommendations at a tertiary/quaternary pediatric hospital in the U.S. The purpose of this review of consults over an 18-year period is to identify specific trends in the types of ethical dilemmas presented in our pediatric setting, the impact of consultation and committee development on the number and type of consults provided, and any clinical features and/or challenges that emerged and contributed to the nature of ethical situations and dilemmas. Furthermore, in reviewing clinical ethics consultation trends for nearly two decades, we can identify topic areas for further ethics education and training for ethics consultants, ethics committee members, and pediatric healthcare teams and professionals based on our experiences. Our study with nearly two decades of data prior to the COVID-19 pandemic can serve as groundwork for future comparisons of consultation requests and ethics support for pediatric hospitals prior to, during, and following a pandemic.
Medical Home Care and Educational Services for Children and Youth on the Autism Spectrum: A Scoping Review
Authors: Rizk Sabrin , Ngui Emmanuel M. , Salgado Zurisadai , Bosak Dianna L. , Khetani Mary A.
Published: February 2024

This scoping review examined current evidence on medical home care and its association with educational services for children and youth on the autism spectrum. We searched five databases and grey literature resulting in 328 publications. Publications meeting inclusion criteria were mapped to medical home care component(s) addressed, type(s) of educational services and their strength and type of association. The Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use was used to summarize predisposing, enabling, and need factors considered. Eighteen publications were reviewed, including eight practice/policy reports and ten original research publications. Medical home care components most addressed included family-centered care (n = 10), referrals (n = 16), and effective care coordination (n = 13). Seven publications also addressed multiple educational service types. Two of the five publications that established a significant association between medical home care components and educational services had mixed results, with one publication reporting a negative association and the other publication reporting a positive association. Challenges to medical home care and educational services were most categorized as enabling factors. Results suggest three areas for further investigation: (1) limited evidence on the strength and type of association between medical home care components and educational services; (2) limited use of population data sources; and (3) the need to consider a broader range of factors when examining their association.
Optical and electric characteristics of CuO nanoparticle-doped ZnO thin films using thermionic vacuum arc deposition system
Authors: Ozer Zehra Nur , Ozkan Mehmet , Pat Suat
Published: February 2024

In this study, the thermionic vacuum arc (TVA) method was employed to fabricate thin films of zinc oxide (ZnO) doped with copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs). The primary objective was to investigate the influence of the substrate on the characteristics of the CuONPs-doped ZnO thin films. CuONPs were synthesized using both the solution plasma process and the high-voltage liquid plasma generation method, resulting in particle sizes ranging from 20 to 40 nm. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed the polycrystalline nature of the CuONPs. The prepared CuONPs in powder form were blended with ZnO powder and utilized as an anode material for TVA discharge and coating. The structural, optical, elemental, and topological properties of the resulting thin films were systematically examined. The findings revealed that the deposited thin films exhibited a polycrystalline structure, with transparent and electrically conductive layers. Similar reflection values were observed for films deposited on both glass and indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrates. Nanostructures on the film surfaces were elucidated through field emission scanning electron microscopy images. The atomic ratios of Cu/Zn were determined as 1/3 and 1/10 for films deposited on uncoated and ITO-coated glass substrates, respectively. The mean grain size of the nanoparticles on the film surface measured approximately 17 nm for films deposited on uncoated glass substrates and 35 nm for those deposited on ITO-coated glass substrates. The film resistance was measured at 20 kΩ, indicating its suitability as a semiconductor. Analysis of the XRD pattern identified peaks corresponding to CuONPs and ZnO in the deposited films, affirming their polycrystalline nature. In conclusion, the deposited thin films exhibit favorable characteristics for semiconductor applications, and the coating method employed proves to be effective in producing high-quality thin films.
Thermophysical properties of ethyl levulinate and n-alkanol systems
Authors: Abidi Raouia , García-Gracia Mario , Hernández Ariel , Hichri Monia , Lafuente Carlos
Published: February 2024

Some thermophysical properties such as densities, speeds of sound, refractive indices, and heat flows of the binary systems ethyl levulinate and n-alkanols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol) are reported in the temperature range T = (283.15–313.15) K and at p = 100 kPa. From these experimental data, the excess properties were calculated and correlated with the composition using a modified Redlich–Kister equation. The excess molar volumes were negative for short-chain alcohols and positive for 1-propanol and 1-butanol. The excess refractive indices exhibited the opposite behaviour. The excess isentropic compressibilities were negative and the excess molar enthalpies, were positive. The perturbed chain statistical associating fluid theory equation of state (PC-SAFT EoS) was successfully applied to correlate the densities of the mixtures, and good qualitative results in the computation of the excess molar enthalpy were obtained. Furthermore, Schaaff’s collision factor theory (SCFT) and the Laplace mixing rule were coupled with PC-SAFT to predict the speed of sound and the refractive index, respectively.
Fair and green hyperparameter optimization via multi-objective and multiple information source Bayesian optimization
Authors: Candelieri Antonio , Ponti Andrea , Archetti Francesco
Published: February 2024

It has been recently remarked that focusing only on accuracy in searching for optimal Machine Learning models amplifies biases contained in the data, leading to unfair predictions and decision supports. Recently, multi-objective hyperparameter optimization has been proposed to search for Machine Learning models which offer equally Pareto-efficient trade-offs between accuracy and fairness. Although these approaches proved to be more versatile than fairness-aware Machine Learning algorithms—which instead optimize accuracy constrained to some threshold on fairness—their carbon footprint could be dramatic, due to the large amount of energy required in the case of large datasets. We propose an approach named FanG-HPO: fair and green hyperparameter optimization (HPO), based on both multi-objective and multiple information source Bayesian optimization. FanG-HPO uses subsets of the large dataset to obtain cheap approximations (aka information sources) of both accuracy and fairness, and multi-objective Bayesian optimization to efficiently identify Pareto-efficient (accurate and fair) Machine Learning models. Experiments consider four benchmark (fairness) datasets and four Machine Learning algorithms, and provide an assessment of FanG-HPO against both fairness-aware Machine Learning approaches and two state-of-the-art Bayesian optimization tools addressing multi-objective and energy-aware optimization.
Giving Birth While Facing Death: Cesarean Sections and Community Violence in Latin America
Authors: Svallfors Signe
Published: February 2024

Armed conflict and organized crime are known to be linked to numerous negative maternal and neonatal health outcomes, such as stillbirth, low birth weight, and neonatal mortality. This study investigates how exposure to lethal community violence during pregnancy correlates with Cesarean births in Latin America, a region characterized by high rates of both C-sections and violence. The analysis combines micro-level survey data, covering 123,503 births, with subnational homicide statistics from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Mexico. Region-fixed effects linear probability models were used to eliminate geographically varying omitted factors that could potentially confound exposure to violence and health conditions. The findings suggest that the high rates of C-sections in Latin America can partially be attributed to the high levels of violence, due to an increase in both medically unnecessary and emergency procedures. The relationship between exposure to community violence and C-section delivery varied by country, women’s socio-demographic characteristics, and the number of antenatal care visits. Exposure to violence during all trimesters correlated with the uptake of C-sections, indicating that violence negatively affects maternal and child health throughout pregnancy. This study enriches our understanding of the social determinants of maternal and child health. The findings can serve to inform comprehensive interventions aimed at reducing excess C-section rates and improving the health of women and newborns in areas affected by violence.
Functional quantum abstract detecting systems
Authors: Lugilde Guillermo , Combarro Elías F. , Rúa Ignacio F.
Published: February 2024

Quantum abstract detecting systems (QADS) provide a common framework to address detection problems in quantum computers. A particular QADS family, that of combinatorial QADS, has been proved to be useful for decision problems on eigenvalues or phase estimation methods. In this paper, we consider functional QADS, which not only have interesting theoretical properties (intrinsic detection ability, relation to the QFT), but also yield improved decision and phase estimation methods, as compared to combinatorial QADS. A first insight into the comparison with other phase estimation methods also shows promising results.
Affect, emotions, and crime decision-making: emerging insights from immersive 360° video experiments
Authors: Herman Shaina , Barnum Timothy C. , Minà Paola Emilia , Wozniak Peter , van Gelder Jean-Louis
Published: February 2024

Objectives

This study investigates the effectiveness of immersive 360° video technology in evoking and manipulating two emotions, anger, and sexual arousal, relevant to criminal decision-making. Additionally, we provide a focused review of emotions in decision-making research in criminology, offering a comprehensive foundation for our study.

Methods

We conducted immersive 360° video experiments emulating real-world situations (n = 101). We measured self-reported emotions before and after exposure to the virtual scenarios, considering both between- and within-person effects.

Results

The scenarios effectively elicited the criminogenic emotions in the controlled virtual environments.

Conclusions

Immersive technologies, such as 360° video and virtual reality, can serve as a bridge between laboratory-based investigations and real-world criminogenic situations, offering an ecologically effective tool for exploring the intricate relationship between state affect and decision-making processes.
Longitudinal gut fungal alterations and potential fungal biomarkers for the progression of primary liver disease
Authors: Jiang Shiman , Xu Lvwan , Chen Yanfei , Shu Zheyue , Lv Longxian , Zhao Yuxi , Bi Kefan , Yang Sisi , Wang Qiangqiang , Li Lanjuan
Published: February 2024

Liver disease, a major health concern worldwide, is a serious and progressive disorder. Herein, we not only established a mouse model of DEN+CCl4-induced primary liver disease but also collected clinical human samples to investigate longitudinal alterations in the gut mycobiome. As liver disease advanced, gut integrity was disrupted, and the mycobiota was disturbed in the mouse models. The metabolites associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) differed from those associated with the cirrhotic phase as follows: levels of stercobilin and aflatoxin B1 dialcohol were reduced, while levels of triterpenoids, bafilomycin A1, and DHEA were increased in the HCC group. The abundance of the phylum Chytridiomycota increased as the chronic liver disease progressed and was then replaced by the phylum Ascomycota in HCC. Based on the results from clinical human samples, the genus Candida (Ascomycota) (in humans) and the genus Kazachstania (Ascomycota) (in mice) occupied a dominant position in the HCC group, while other fungi were depleted. The increased abundance of C. albicans and depletion of S. cerevisiae may be hallmarks of the progression of liver cirrhosis to early HCC. Moreover, the administration of C. albicans and S. cerevisiae in the LC-HCC progression could accelerate or retard the progression of HCC. Therefore, gut fungi have the potential to serve as a noninvasive clinical biomarker and even a treatment method.
Influence of freezing directions on ice lens formations in soils
Authors: Niggemann K. , Ziegler M. , Fuentes R.
Published: February 2024

This research work presents a comprehensive experimental study of frost heave in a fine-grained material to investigate the effects of top freezing (TF) and bottom freezing (BF) mechanisms with ice lens formation. A novel test device was built to investigate artificial ground freezing (AGF)-related temperature and load boundary conditions. This paper includes 62 frost heave experiments and test observations up to 10 days. The long test duration allows a precise examination of ice lens growth during thermal steady state when the frost line remains largely stable and the ice lens grows. This state corresponds to the holding phase of a practical in situ AGF implementation where the cooling is used to maintain the frozen body thickness. The freezing observations show that BF heaving is larger than TF heaving in most cases. This is caused by the more favorable hydraulic conditions caused by gravitational effects and vertical cracking that occurs during ice lens formation due to suction. This facilitates water accumulation at the ice lens. An applied load reduces the differences between BF and TF conditions beyond a certain value which corresponds to an overburden capable of preventing the formation of the longitudinal cracks.
A theorem of existence of solution for the nonlocal formulation of the problem of microwave heating
Authors: Cimatti Giovanni
Published: February 2024

Microwave electromagnetic heating are widely used in many industrial processes. The mathematics involved is based on the Maxwell’s equations coupled with the heat equation. The thermal conductivity is strongly dependent on the temperature, itself an unknown of the system of P.D.E. We propose here a model which simplifies this coupling using a nonlocal term as the source of heating. We prove that the corresponding mathematical initial-boundary value problem has solutions using the Schauder’s fixed point theorem.