bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Economic Value of Biodiversity Preservation
Authors: Agliardi Elettra , Agliardi Rossella , Spanjers Willem
Published: April 2024

We study the decision to preserve diverse species when the value of biodiversity is uncertain, or even affected by ambiguity. Optimal decisions are derived both from the perspective of the producer/investor and the policy regulator (ecosystem planner). We find that while calculated risk creates a scope for biodiversity preservation, the presence of ambiguity aversion reduces it, thus accelerating the extinction of species with lower value. Our results suggest that effective conservation strategies would involve a reduction of ambiguity aversion by creating a stable and transparent policy environment. Furthermore, they may involve a two tier strategy, with one tier addressing output targets and the other conservation targets.
Comparison of three unionid mussel species in removing green microalgae grown in recirculating aquaculture system effluent
Authors: Julkunen Ville , Stevčić Čedomir , Pirhonen Juhani , Pulkkinen Katja
Published: April 2024

Global increase in aquaculture production has created a need to reduce its environmental impacts. Nutrients could be recycled especially at land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) by cultivating green microalgae in aquaculture effluent. However, microalgae are difficult to harvest. As a multi-trophic solution, mussels could be used in harvesting microalgae. We tested three European freshwater mussels (duck mussel Anodonta anatina, swan mussel A. cygnea, and swollen river mussel Unio tumidus) for filtering two common green microalgae (Monoraphidium griffithii and Selenastrum sp.) grown in RAS effluent. Mussels decreased microalgal concentrations in the tanks 42–83% over three consecutive trials. Algal concentrations at the end of each trial were lowest for both microalgae in tanks containing Anodonta mussels. Clearance rates were higher for Anodonta mussels than for U. tumidus. Mussels biodeposited more microalgae to tank bottoms when M. griffithii was filtered. Ammonium concentration decreased or did not change in tanks with M. griffithii, but increased in tanks containing Selenastrum sp. These results suggest that of the tested species Anodonta mussels and M. griffithii show best potential for RAS effluent bioremediation application. We conclude that a co-culture of microalgae and unionid mussels could be used for recycling nutrients in aquaculture.
Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia, Effortful Control, and Child Social Anxiety Symptoms
Authors: Kiel Elizabeth J. , Aaron Elizabeth M.
Published: April 2024

Emotion dysregulation is implicated in child social anxiety and its etiology. Child emotion dysregulation has been studied via physiological indicators (e.g., respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]) and behavioral indicators (e.g., effortful control). Previous work suggests that physiological indicators of regulation may predict outcomes in a non-linear manner and must be considered within the context of other intrapersonal factors, perhaps including effortful control. To this end, the current study tested effortful control as a moderator of the relation between RSA and child social anxiety, considering both linear and curvilinear patterns and controlling for inhibited temperament, an established predictor of child anxiety. Children (n = 119; 44% female) participated when they were 4 years old and entering school age (5 to 7 years). Mothers reported on children’s effortful control (age 4) and social anxiety (school age). Children’s RSA (age 4) was calculated from electrocardiogram data when they were at rest (i.e., baseline RSA) and when they were giving a speech. Results indicated that when children were high in effortful control, lower baseline RSA predicted higher social anxiety symptoms. Tentative evidence emerged for a relation between greater suppression of RSA during the speech compared to baseline and higher social anxiety symptoms when children were low in effortful control. Results support assessing the temperamental domain of effortful control as a contextualizing factor in the relation between psychophysiology and child anxiety outcomes.
The role of emotion dysregulation in self-management behaviors among adults with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kollin Sophie R. , Gratz Kim L. , Lee Aaron A.
Published: April 2024

Suboptimal disease self-management among adults with type 2 diabetes is associated with greater risk of diabetes related health complications and mortality. Emotional distress has been linked with poor diabetes self-management; however, few studies have examined the role of emotion dysregulation in diabetes management. The purpose of this study was to examine the relations between different facets of emotion dysregulation and diabetes self-management behaviors among a sample of 373 adults with type 2 diabetes. Separate median regression and binary logistic regression models were used to examine the association of emotion dysregulation facets and each diabetes self-care behavior (i.e., medication nonadherence, diet, exercise, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), foot care, and smoking). Generally, greater difficulties in emotion regulation were associated with poorer self-management behaviors. However, several facets of emotion dysregulation were linked with better self-management behaviors. Addressing emotion dysregulation among adults with type 2 diabetes has the potential to improve diabetes related self-management.
Qualification of Microwave SQUID Multiplexer Chips for Simons Observatory
Authors: Jones Dante , Singh Robinjeet , Austermann Jason , Beall J. A. , Daniel David , Duff Shannon M. , Dutcher Daniel , Groh John , Hubmayr Johannes , Johnson Bradley R. , Lew Richard , Link Michael J. , Lucas Tammy J. , Mates John A. B. , Staggs Suzanne , Ullom Joel , Vale Leila , Van Lanen Jeffery , Vissers Michael , Wang Yuhan
Published: April 2024

The Simons Observatory is a cosmic microwave background experiment stationed atop Cerro Toco, at an elevation of 5200 ms in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The receivers of the Observatory will contain more than 60,000 transition edge sensor bolometers. In order to read out this large detector count in a scalable manner, we utilize a microwave superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) multiplexing scheme where each detector is inductively coupled to an rf SQUID, which in turn is inductively coupled to a GHz resonator. More than 2000 SQUIDs and resonators are fabricated on a single 76.2-mm-diameter silicon wafer. To qualify wafers before integration, we cryogenically screen $$\sim$$
∼
 10% of the devices on each wafer by use of a standard set of measurements. From these data, we report parameter value trends in 47 wafers that were fabricated in the past two years. We show good control in key parameters such as frequency placement, internal quality factor, and response to applied flux. We demonstrate a wafer acceptance yield of 86%.
On Some Weakened Forms of Transitivity in the Logic of Conditional Obligation
Authors: Parent Xavier
Published: April 2024

This paper examines the logic of conditional obligation, which originates from the works of Hansson, Lewis, and others. Some weakened forms of transitivity of the betterness relation are studied. These are quasi-transitivity, Suzumura consistency, acyclicity and the interval order condition. The first three do not change the logic. The axiomatic system is the same whether or not they are introduced. This holds true under a rule of interpretation in terms of maximality and strong maximality. The interval order condition gives rise to a new axiom. Depending on the rule of interpretation, this one changes. With the rule of maximality, one obtains the principle known as disjunctive rationality. With the rule of strong maximality, one obtains the Spohn axiom (also known as the principle of rational monotony, or Lewis’ axiom CV). A completeness theorem further substantiates these observations. For interval order, this yields the finite model property and decidability of the calculus.
Nyström discretization of integrodifference equations: numerical continuation of periodic solutions and Floquet multipliers
Authors: Pötzsche Christian , Rackl David
Published: April 2024

Integrodifference equations are discrete-time counterparts to reaction-diffusion equations and have various applications in, e.g., theoretical ecology. Their behavior is often illustrated using numerical simulations, which require a spatial discretization. In this paper, we establish that periodic solutions to time-periodic integrodifference equations, their stability and their Floquet spectrum persist under discretization of Nyström-type, which replaces integrals by quadrature or cubature rules. Moreover, it is shown that the convergence rates of the particular integration rules are preserved. By means of a typical model from theoretical ecology, these results are demonstrated in terms of a numerical continuation for periodic solutions and their Floquet multipliers.
Comparison of high power red-emitting diode laser designs for medical applications
Authors: Ryvkin Boris , Avrutin Eugene
Published: April 2024

A comparison is made between, on the one hand, the red-emitting laser structure currently widely used for medical applications and based on an ultranarrow waveguide layer with a compressively strained QW active layer in it and, on the other hand, the red emitting laser using a broadened asymmetric waveguide structure with a bulk active layer near the p-cladding, proposed by us. It is shown that the proposed design promises substantial improvements over the ultranarrow one including lower series and thermal resistances, and higher catastrophic degradation threshold, while maintaining relatively narrow far field and allowing the typical power required for medical applications to be achieved at lower currents, particularly at elevated temperatures.
The Profile and Content of Polyphenolic Compounds and Antioxidant and Anti-Glycation Properties of Root Extracts of Selected Medicinal Herbs
Authors: Chociej Patrycja , Foss Kamil , Jabłońska Monika , Ustarbowska Małgorzata , Sawicki Tomasz
Published: April 2024

The objective of our study was to analyse the extracts from six medicinal herb roots (marshmallow, dandelion, liquorice, angelica, burdock, and comfrey) in terms of antioxidant capacity (ABTS, DPPH) and inhibition of advanced glycation end product (AGEs) formation. The quantification of phenolic acids and flavonoids was analysed using the UHPLC-DAD-MS method. Fifteen polyphenolic compounds were detected in the studied herbs. The higher number of polyphenols were found in marshmallows (ten polyphenols), while the lowest was in comfrey (five compounds). Liquorice root revealed the highest individual phenolic concentration (382 µg/g dm) with the higher contribution of kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside. Comfrey root extract was characterised by the most abundant TPC (Total Phenolic Content) value (29.79 mg GAE/ g dm). Burdock and comfrey showed the strongest anti-AGE activity studies with the BDA-GLU model. Burdock root was also characterised by the highest anti-AGE activity in the BSA-MGO model. The highest antioxidant capacity was determined by ABTS (72.12 µmol TE/g dw) and DPPH (143.01 µmol TE/g dw) assays for comfrey extract. The p-coumaric acid content was significantly correlated with anti-AGE activity determined by the BSA-MGO model. This research sheds new light on the bioactivity of root herbs, explaining the role of p-coumaric acid in preventing diabetes.
Uterine fibroids in women diagnosed with acromegaly: a systematic review
Authors: Górski Konrad , Zgliczyński Stanisław , Stelmachowska-Banaś Maria , Czajka-Oraniec Izabella , Zgliczyński Wojciech , Ciebiera Michał , Zgliczyńska Magdalena
Published: April 2024

The review discusses the relationship between acromegaly and uterine fibroids. It highlights variations in research methodologies and inconsistent findings, emphasizing the complex nature of fibroid development and the role of the somatotropic axis. Additionally, it addresses demographic factors and examines the potential impact of therapies on the risk and prevalence of uterine fibroids in individuals with acromegaly. We conducted an analysis of previously published literature that examined the repercussions of acromegaly on gynecological health in female cohorts, with specific attention directed towards elucidating the prevalence of uterine fibroids. We suggest that larger, more focused studies are needed to understand the specific impact of different treatments on the occurrence of gynecological issues in acromegaly patients. Additionally, our study emphasizes the importance of factors such as disease duration and treatment effectiveness. We hypothesize that a relationship between acromegaly and uterine fibroids may occur. However, it remains an area of ongoing research, with the need for larger, multi-center studies to draw more definitive conclusions.
LC–MS analysis of polar and highly polar organic pollutants in Barcelona urban groundwater using orthogonal LC separation modes
Authors: Labad Francesc , Pérez Sandra
Published: April 2024

Groundwater samples may contain thousands of organic pollutants from infiltration of surface water, sewer leakages, and to a minor extent from public water supply network losses. Polar (0 < log D <  − 2.0) and very polar substances (log D <  − 2.0) have been largely beyond the scope of applied analytical methodologies in environmental monitoring because of challenges related to their extraction from the sample and subsequent chromatographic separation. In this study, we developed an analytical workflow for 96 pollutants covering a broad polarity range, including pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, and artificial sweeteners, potentially seeping through the soil in urban areas. The Besos aquifer located at the Northern-eastern edge of the city of Barcelona was chosen as a study area due to the deterioration of the quality of the aquifers over the past years and the proven presence of numerous pollutants. The methodology consisted of vacuum-assisted evaporation (VAE) followed by chromatographic separation of the sample on two columns with orthogonal retention mechanisms, namely, an HSS T3 column (modified C18) and a BEH amide column (HILIC). The analytes were detected by high-resolution mass spectrometry on a Q Exactive Orbitrap system in data-independent acquisition mode. Taking into consideration the retention as well as the peak shape, a Quality Score (QS) was assigned for each analyte to evaluate the quality of each chromatographic peak of each compound. While 67 compounds, including 19 polar and 48 moderately polar, were satisfactorily retained on an HSS T3, 29 compounds, including 14 highly polar, 14 polar, and one moderately polar, were analyzed in the BEH amide column. The optimized methodology was applied for the analysis of 89 out of 96 validated contaminants with satisfactory recoveries in samples collected from seven wells, providing low LODs (0.02 to 0.45 ng L−1) and LOQs (0.06 to 1.34 ng L−1). A number of highly polar and polar compounds not previously reported to occur in GW, including artificial sweeteners, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals, were detected at concentrations as high as few $$\mu$$
μ
g L−1.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in long COVID: mechanisms, consequences, and potential therapeutic approaches
Authors: Molnar Tihamer , Lehoczki Andrea , Fekete Monika , Varnai Reka , Zavori Laszlo , Erdo-Bonyar Szabina , Simon Diana , Berki Tímea , Csecsei Peter , Ezer Erzsebet
Published: April 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has introduced the medical community to the phenomenon of long COVID, a condition characterized by persistent symptoms following the resolution of the acute phase of infection. Among the myriad of symptoms reported by long COVID sufferers, chronic fatigue, cognitive disturbances, and exercise intolerance are predominant, suggesting systemic alterations beyond the initial viral pathology. Emerging evidence has pointed to mitochondrial dysfunction as a potential underpinning mechanism contributing to the persistence and diversity of long COVID symptoms. This review aims to synthesize current findings related to mitochondrial dysfunction in long COVID, exploring its implications for cellular energy deficits, oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, metabolic disturbances, and endothelial dysfunction. Through a comprehensive analysis of the literature, we highlight the significance of mitochondrial health in the pathophysiology of long COVID, drawing parallels with similar clinical syndromes linked to post-infectious states in other diseases where mitochondrial impairment has been implicated. We discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial function, including pharmacological interventions, lifestyle modifications, exercise, and dietary approaches, and emphasize the need for further research and collaborative efforts to advance our understanding and management of long COVID. This review underscores the critical role of mitochondrial dysfunction in long COVID and calls for a multidisciplinary approach to address the gaps in our knowledge and treatment options for those affected by this condition.
Social hotspots in the automotive industry’s aluminum value chains—combining primary and generic data
Authors: Luthin Anna , Knacksterdt Jan , Traverso Marzia
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The automotive industry and its suppliers have been facing increasing challenges in the sustainable sourcing of raw materials on environmental and social levels. To identify social risks in the value chain of aluminum in the automotive sector, this study aimed to examine how a generic hotspot analysis based on S-LCA can be conducted and support the reporting according to new legislative requirements such as the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains.

Methods

This study investigated the social risks in the supply chains of two selected aluminum components of an aluminum company using a generic social hotspot analysis based on the UNEP Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment of Products and Organizations 2020. The study employed the generic PSILCA© database and different additional indicators for the assessment. The UNEP Guidelines 2020 used in combination with the associated methodological sheets were beneficial in structuring the procedure within the social hotspot analysis. They gave the inexperienced user a guide, which led to the results presented in this work.

Results and discussion

A high number of social hotspots in upstream processes outside Europe across the different investigated indicators for both supply chains assessed were detected. Most social risks were identified in Guinea, as well as in a European and an Asian Country in the stakeholder categories “Workers” and “Local community.” Especially, the alloy element production in the Asian Country and the bauxite mining in Guinea showed an above-average number of social hotspots. The implementation of the work was associated with an enormous effort in information collection about the supply chains to be investigated and depended on the direct suppliers’ willingness to contribute. The need for a safe and supporting environment for suppliers to enhance transparency was identified.

Conclusions

Combining generic and company data to conduct a social hotspot assessment (e.g., using PSILCA©) to meet legislative requirements proved to be a suitable approach for complex supply chains such as the automotive one. Despite this, limitations of the PSILCA© database and potential for improvement were acknowledged regarding industry-wide social assessments of supply chains. Additionally, the study serves as an application example of the UNEP Guidelines 2020 and the activity variables for science in practice. Further development and standardization of social indicators and activity variables for impact measurement were identified as a research priority.
The Longitudinal Association Between Peer Victimization and Problematic Social Media Use Among Chinese College Students: Testing a Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Dou Kai , Wang Meng-Li , Li Yan-Yu , Yuan Xue-Qing , Wang Lin-Xin
Published: April 2024

Peer victimization serves as a risk factor contributing to emotional and behavioral problems among college students. However, limited research has investigated the longitudinal association between peer victimization and problematic social media use (PSMU), as well as its underlying mechanism. Drawing upon the compensatory internet use theory, self-determination theory, and the stress-buffering model, we assumed that fear of missing out (FoMO) could potentially serve as a mediating factor in the relationship between peer victimization and PSMU, while school belongingness may act as a moderator for these direct and indirect associations. A total of 553 Chinese college students (Mage = 21.87, SD = 1.07) were recruited to participate in a three-wave longitudinal study (6 months apart) and completed questionnaires assessing peer victimization (T1), school belongingness (T1), FoMO (T2), and PSMU (T3). With a moderated mediation model, the results indicated the following: (1) Controlling for demographic variables, T1 peer victimization was positively and significantly associated with T3 PSMU; (2) T1 peer victimization also influenced T3 PSMU indirectly by increasing both two dimensions of T2 FoMO; (3) T1 school belongingness significantly moderated the mediating effect of T2 fear of missing social opportunities. Specifically, the indirect effect of peer victimization on PSMU via fear of missing social opportunities was found to be more pronounced when the level of school belongingness was lower. These findings are of great value in extending the studies regarding the multi-systematical risk factors causing PSMU and providing the scientific reference for the prevention and intervention of PSMU among Chinese college students.
Imaging evaluation and volumetric measurement of the space surrounding the diploic veins
Authors: Nakamichi Rei , Taoka Toshiaki , Ito Rintaro , Yoshida Tadao , Sone Michihiko , Naganawa Shinji
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The diploic veins have been suggested to be involved in the excretion of cerebrospinal fluid and intracranial waste products; however, to date, there have been no reports evaluating the space surrounding the diploic veins. Therefore, we aimed to visualize the distribution of gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) in the space surrounding the diploic veins and to evaluate the spatial characteristics.

Materials and methods

Ninety-eight participants (aged 14–84 years) were scanned 4 h after intravenous GBCA injection at Nagoya University Hospital between April 2021 and December 2022. The volume of the space surrounding the diploic veins where the GBCA was distributed was measured using contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images with the application of three-axis motion-sensitized driven equilibrium. The parasagittal dura (PSD) volume adjacent to the superior sagittal sinus was also measured using the same images. Both volumes were corrected for intracranial volume. The correlation between age and the corrected volume was examined using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient; the relationship between the corrected volume and sex was assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

A significant weak negative correlation was observed between the volume of the space surrounding the diploic veins and age (r = −0.330, p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant weak positive correlation between the PSD volume and age (r = 0.385, p < 0.001). Both volumes were significantly greater in men than in women. There was no correlation between the volume of the space surrounding the diploic veins and the volume of the PSD.

Conclusion

The volume of the space surrounding the diploic veins was measurable and, in contrast to the volume of the PSD, was greater in younger participants. This space may be related to intracranial excretory mechanisms and immune responses during youth, requiring further research.
Liszt’s Étude S.136 no.1: audio data analysis of two different piano recordings
Authors: Farnè Matteo
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we review the main signal processing tools of Music Information Retrieval (MIR) from audio data, and we apply them to two recordings (by Leslie Howard and Thomas Rajna) of Franz Liszt’s Étude S.136 no.1, with the aim of uncovering the macro-formal structure and comparing the interpretative styles of the two performers. In particular, after a thorough spectrogram analysis, we perform a segmentation based on the degree of novelty, in the sense of spectral dissimilarity, calculated frame-by-frame via the cosine distance. We then compare the metrical, temporal and timbrical features of the two executions by MIR tools. Via this method, we are able to identify in a data-driven way the different moments of the piece according to their melodic and harmonic content, and to find out that Rajna’s execution is faster and less various, in terms of intensity and timbre, than Howard’s one. This enquiry represents a case study able to show the potentialities of MIR from audio data in supporting traditional music score analyses and in providing objective information for statistically founded musical execution analyses.
Non-squamous Cancers of the Larynx
Authors: Cobanoglu H. Bengu , Koprucu Erdal Rahman
Published: April 2024

Purpose of Review

Although non-squamous tumors of the larynx are really rare, they may not always be viewed from the same perspective in the multidisciplinary treatment approach once the diagnosis is made. In this review, non-squamous tumors of the larynx and current approaches in treatment will be discussed.

Recent Findings

When the studies and meta-analyses presented in the last 5 years are evaluated, it is seen that these tumors usually show non-specific symptoms. Due to their submucosal location, the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis is often advanced. In the literature, treatment may vary in these particular cases.

The majority of non-squamous tumors of the larynx includes minor salivary gland tumors, neuroendocrine carcinomas, sarcomas, cartilage tumors, and malignant melanomas. Once treating a patient with these diagnoses, it should be kept in mind that the histopathological subtype is almost as important as the stage of the tumor.
Behavioral and Metabolic Effects of ABCG4 KO in the APPswe,Ind (J9) Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Fong Vincent , Kanuri Babunageswararao , Traubert Owen , Lui Min , Patel Shailendra B.
Published: April 2024

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is complex and involves an imbalance between production and clearance of amyloid-ß peptides (Aß), resulting in accumulation of Aß in senile plaques. Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for developing AD, with cholesterol shown to accumulate in senile plaques and increase production of Aß. ABCG4 is a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporters predominantly expressed in the CNS and has been suggested to play a role in cholesterol and Aß efflux from the brain. In this study, we bred Abcg4 knockout (KO) with the APPSwe,Ind (J9) mouse model of AD to test the hypothesis that loss of Abcg4 would exacerbate the AD phenotype. Unexpectedly, no differences were observed in novel object recognition (NOR) and novel object placement (NOP) behavioral tests, or on histologic examinations of brain tissues for senile plaque numbers. Furthermore, clearance of radiolabeled Aß from the brains did not differ between Abcg4 KO and control mice. Metabolic testing by indirect calorimetry, glucose tolerance test (GTT), and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were also mostly similar between groups with only a few mild metabolic differences noted. Overall, these data suggest that the loss of ABCG4 did not exacerbate the AD phenotype.
Propagation properties of a non-linear mapping based on squaring in odd characteristic
Authors: Daemen Joan , Kuijsters Daniël , Mella Silvia , Verbakel Denise
Published: April 2024

Many modern cryptographic primitives for hashing and (authenticated) encryption make use of constructions that are instantiated with an iterated cryptographic permutation that operates on a fixed-width state consisting of an array of bits. Often, such permutations are the repeated application of a relatively simple round function consisting of a linear layer and a non-linear layer. These constructions do not require that the underlying function is a permutation and they can plausibly be based on a non-invertible transformation. Recently, Grassi proposed the use of non-invertible mappings operating on arrays of digits that are elements of a finite field of odd characteristic for so-called MPC-/FHE-/ZK-friendly symmetric cryptographic primitives. In this work, we consider a mapping that we call $$\gamma $$
γ
that has a simple expression and is based on squaring. We discuss, for the first time, the differential and linear propagation properties of $$\gamma $$
γ
and observe that these follow the same rules up to a relabeling of the digits. This is an intriguing property that, as far as we know, only exists for $$\gamma $$
γ
and the binary mapping $$\chi _{3}$$

χ
3

that is used in the cryptographic permutation Xoodoo. Moreover, we study the implications of its non-invertibility on differentials with zero output difference and on biases at the output of the $$\gamma $$
γ
mapping and show that they are as small as they can possibly be.
Mental health promotion and suicide prevention in emerging adulthood: importance of psychoeducational interventions in University students
Authors: Pérez-Marín Marián , Lacomba-Trejo Laura , Giménez-Benavent Saray , Rodríguez-Fernández Aiara Auristela , Garcia-Iturrospe Eduardo Jesús Aguilar , Albiñana-Cruz Nuria , Andreu Yolanda , Badenes-Ribera Laura , Beleña-Mateo Ángela , Benavides-Gil Gemma , Carrillo-Díaz María , Castro-Calvo Jesús , Checa-Esquiva Irene , Cotolí-Crespo Amparo , Dasí Francisco , de la Barrera Usue , Esteras-Peña Jesús , Fuentes-Durá Inmaculada , García-Soriano Gemma , Gil-Juliá Beatriz , Iranzo-Tatay Carmen , Lucas-Molina Beatriz , Martínez-Besteiro Elvira , Montoya-Castilla Inmaculada , Muñoz-Navarro Roger , Nardi-Rodríguez Ainara , Ordóñez-López Ana , Palomares-Montero Davinia , Pamies-Aubalat Lidia , Pons-Cañaveras Diana , Roncero María , Roselló-Millet Patricia María , Schoeps Konstanze , Serrano-Pastor Lucas , Tamarit Alicia , Tomás-Miguel José Manuel , Valero-Moreno Selene , Velert-Jiménez Saray , Viguer-Seguí María Paz , Zacarés-González Juan José
Published: April 2024

Emerging adulthood is a stage that involves significant changes in emotional, social, academic, and work domains, which can often lead to high levels of stress and mental health challenges. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential benefits of an online intervention program that is based on mental health psychoeducation and suicide risk prevention for emerging adults who are studying at university. A psychoeducational intervention was conducted with 567 participants, of whom 82.2% were female, aged between 18 and 29 years (M = 20.31; SD = 2.089). The study examines the intervention’s direct impact on adaptive knowledge of suicide risk and mental health, as well as its indirect effect on mental health indicators. The results showed that after the intervention, participants exhibited reduced stigma associated with mental health and suicide, improved knowledge, and more adaptive attitudes towards suicide. Significant changes were observed in various psychological variables, including self-esteem, resilience, emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, stress, and suicide risk, in the expected direction. These findings suggest that integrating psychoeducational interventions and suicide prevention programs into university curricula could promote mental well-being and address suicide risk among emerging adult students.
The relationship between adverse childhood experiences and social anxiety disorder symptoms: the mediating role of rumination
Authors: Kurtoğlu M. Batuhan , Yücel Duygu , Coşkun Esra , Katar Kübra Sezer
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of rumination in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and social anxiety disorder symptoms. In this study, which was conducted with correlational design, one of the quantitative research methods, 878 participants were reached. 78.2% of the participants are women and 21.8% are men. In the study, self-report scales consisting of a personal information form, adverse childhood experiences scale, rumination scale, and Liebowitz social anxiety scale were administered to the participants. The analysis of the data regarding the research findings was carried out using the SPSS 25 package program. First of all, the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and social anxiety and rumination was examined; Then, parallel multi-agent analysis and serial intermediary analyses were performed using the Process V4.2 extension (Model 4). According to the findings, it was found that there was a significant positive relationship between adverse childhood experiences, social anxiety disorder symptoms, and rumination variables. It has also been observed that rumination has a mediating role in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and social anxiety disorder symptoms. Examining the role of rumination in the relationship between childhood adverse events and social anxiety symptoms may help develop new interventions targeting SAD and expand the literature on the cognitive, behavioral, and affective vulnerabilities that early adverse events bring with them.
A method for estimating the outer exposure of dairy cows to deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) as a precondition for risk assessment based on inner exposure with toxin residue levels in blood and urine as indicators
Authors: Dänicke Sven , Saltzmann Janine , Waurich Benno , Wöckel Adriana , Wippermann Wolf , Hermenau Guntram , Wittich Julia , Bannert Erik , Rachidi Fanny , Hufe Peter , May Detlef , Swalve Hermann , Starke Alexander , Schären-Bannert Melanie
Published: April 2024

DON and ZEN residues in the blood and urine of dairy cows can be used to predict the outer exposure to DON and ZEN expressed per kilogram diet for a risk evaluation based on comparisons to critical dietary concentrations. This method was used to evaluate the exposure of dairy cows from 12 farms located in Brandenburg, Germany, fed rations with unknown DON and ZEN concentrations (N = 244). The corresponding diet concentrations predicted by different methods from analyzed blood and urine samples varied significantly amongst farms from 0 to 1.6 mg/kg for DON and 0 to 3.0 mg/kg for ZEN at a reference dry matter content of 88% but independently of lactational state (post-partum vs. early lactation). This significant variation was noticed below the critical dietary DON concentration of 5 mg/kg, while the ZEN concentration in one farm exceeded the critical ZEN level of 0.5 mg/kg markedly. Predicted DON concentrations of rations increased with the proportion of maize silage, while the high ZEN concentration found in one farm was most likely related to a higher proportion of sugar beet pulp supposedly highly contaminated by ZEN. Exceeding the critical dietary ZEN concentration and significant variations in DON contents below the critical level was not related to performance, reproductive performance, and health-related traits of cows. For a more consistent evaluation of possible associations between the inner exposure of cows to DON and ZEN, more frequent longitudinal observations of both mycotoxin residue levels and performance and health traits are required.
Long-Term Treatment with Alcaligenes faecalis A12C Improves Host Resistance to Pathogens in Septic Rats: Possible Contribution of Curdlan-Like Immune Trainer
Authors: Martel-Benítez C. J. , Alayón-Afonso R. , Castillo D. Padilla , Chamizo-López F. J. , García-Laorden M. Isabel , de los Monteros y Zayas A. Espinosa , Rivero-Vera J. C. , Salgueiro P. Nogueira , Real F. , Bordes-Benítez A. , Quintana A. Martel , Peña C. Almeida , Cabrera C. Domínguez , González-Martín J. M. , Caballero J. Martín , Beneyto R. Frías , Villar Jesús , Martín-Barrasa J. L.
Published: April 2024

Curdlan, a β-1,3/1,6-glucan found in Alcaligenes faecalis (A. faecalis) wall, activates innate and humoral immunity. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether pretreated rats with A. faecalis A12C could prevent sepsis disturbances and identify the immunomodulatory mechanisms involved. Experiments occurred in two stages: a survival study with 16 rats randomly divided into septic (SC) (n = 8) and septic pretreated (SA) (n = 8) groups and 45 rats divided into four groups: healthy (AGUSAN) (n = 9), septic (AGUIC) (n = 13), septic pretreated (AGUIA) (n = 14), and healthy pretreated (AGUSTO) (n = 9). Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture after 30 days of A. faecalis A12C pretreatment or without. SA group had a higher survival rate of 58% vs. 16% for SC group (P < 0.05). Overall, AGUIA showed better status than AGUIC (P < 0.01). Higher monocytosis was found in AGUIA and AGUSTO vs. AGUIC and AGUSAN, respectively (P < 0.05). A gradual increase in curdlan fecal concentration was observed in AGUIA during pretreatment. Fecal concentrations of Escherichia coli significantly decreased in AGUIA and AGUSTO. Bacterial load in urine, peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF), and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) decreased (P < 0.05) in AGUIA vs. AGUIC. Finally, lower inflammation was observed in serum, BALF, and PLF, with reduced IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and TNF-α, along with less damage in lungs and peritoneum in AGUIA vs. AGUIC. These findings suggest the connection between curdlan—produced by A. faecalis A12C—with the immune system and the reduction in severity of experimental sepsis.
Words and Roots – Polysemy and Allosemy – Communication and Language
Authors: Carston Robyn
Published: April 2024

Most substantive (content-bearing) words are polysemous, but polysemy is cross-categorial; for instance, the lexical forms ‘stone’ and ‘front’ are associated with families of interrelated senses and these senses are spread across their manifestations as three words, noun, verb and adjective. So, the ultimate unit underpinning polysemy is not a word but the categoryless root of the related words, which must, in some sense, track the interrelated families of senses. The main topic of this paper is the vexed question of the meaning of roots and the backdrop is a view of words as delineated syntactic domains which allow assignment of atomic content (non-compositional meaning), and whose actual meanings are, in the first instance, pragmatically inferred in the throes of communication, some of them subsequently becoming established, so stored in a lexicon and directly retrieved in comprehension. Three different positions on the meanings of roots are outlined, and their merits and shortcomings are discussed: (a) inherent underspecified meanings; (b) meanings conditioned by grammatical context (allosemy); (c) meaninglessness. I argue that, overall, the current state of the evidence favours the third position: roots are categoryless, meaningless (perhaps phonological) indices.
Improving Decision Support Tools for Quantifying GHG Emissions from Organic Production Systems
Authors: Schipanski Meagan E. , McClelland Shelby C. , Hughes Helen M. , Jabbour Randa , Malin Daniella , Hillier Jonathan , Paustian Keith , Reaves Elizabeth
Published: April 2024

As food companies have adopted sustainability metrics to quantify the environmental impacts of supply chains, we need data-driven decision support tools that represent organic management practices. Decision support tools such as COMET-Farm and the Cool Farm Tool have been developed to estimate management practice impacts on soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural systems, but these tools have primarily been developed and used to evaluate conventional management systems. We provide an overview of the research, outreach, and educational activities used to improve these tools to better integrate organic management practices with a focus on cover crops. We summarize our previously published findings from a meta-analysis of the average potential soil carbon benefits of cover crops in temperate climates that identified planting window, biomass production, and soil texture as important predictors of cover crop soil carbon outcomes. We demonstrate how these findings were applied to improvements in process-based models and the parameterization of empirical models. In addition, we solicited feedback from organic community members on the utility of these tools and identified barriers to adoption. Finally, we evaluated both tools as resources for teaching undergraduate students about organic management systems and their impacts on greenhouse gas emissions. While both tools contain a range of customizable, organic amendment options, grazing management options still need further improvement. These improved decision support systems can help identify opportunities for enhancing the sustainability of organic systems.
Comprehensible Extraction of Knowledge Bases for Learning Agents in Games
Authors: Apeldoorn Daan
Published: April 2024

This dissertation abstract summarizes results of the thesis “Comprehensible Knowledge Base Extraction for Learning Agents - Practical Challenges and Applications in Games” (accepted as dissertation at the Department of Computer Science of TU Dortmund University, Germany). The thesis presents approaches that allow for the automated creation of knowledge bases from agent behavior learned in the context of games. The aims are twofold: (1) The creation of human-readable knowledge that can provide insights into what an agent learned, and (2) the investigation of how learning agents themselves can benefit from incorporating these approaches into their learning processes. Applications are presented, e.g., in the context of general video game playing. Moreover, an outlook on the InteKRator toolbox is provided which implements the most essential approaches in a more general context for the potential use in other domains (e.g. in medical informatics).
A Predictive Machine Learning-Based Analysis for In-Tube Co-current Steam Condensation Heat Transfer in the Presence of Non-condensable Gases
Authors: Albdour Samah A. , Addad Yacine , Afgan Imran
Published: April 2024

The primary objective of this study is to develop a predictive model that accurately estimates the condensation heat transfer coefficient (HTC) in the context of in-tube co-current flow condensation, with specific consideration given to the influence of non-condensable gases (NCGs). The need to find useful models and/or correlations that can accurately predict how well a passive condenser in the Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor will transfer heat during condensation is greatly warranted. This innovative cooling system utilizes gravity to condense water vapor, effectively dissipating heat from the containment vessel in the event of an accident and transferring the heat into the secondary cooling system. For the development of the forecasting model, we employed Multi-Gens Genetic Programming implemented in MATLAB. This approach possesses the capability of enabling visualization and articulating a transparent mathematical expression that directly establishes the connection between inputs and outputs. This model was specifically developed for forecasting the HTC during the condensation process, considering two distinct types of NCG: air, helium, and a mixture of air and helium, in addition to data for pure steam. The model was trained using a dataset comprising 2913 data points gathered from five experimental references. The model's input comprises a varied range of parameters, including local location ($$z$$
z
), temperature of the steam/NCG mixture ($${T}_{mix}$$

T

mix

), condenser wall temperature ($${T}_{wall}$$

T

wall

), coolant flow rate ($$\beta_{c}$$

β
c

), total pressure ($${P}_{tot}$$

P

tot

), condenser inner diameter ($${D}_{1}$$

D
1

), condenser outer diameter ($${D}_{2}$$

D
2

), molecular weight (MM), NCG mass fraction ($${w}_{NCG}$$

w

NCG

), and mixture Reynolds number ($${Re}_{mix}$$

Re

mix

). The output of our model corresponds to the condensation HTC ($$h$$
h
). Four specific correlations were examined with the third correlation attaining the highest anticipated values within a deviation range of ± 30, reaching 90.9%, exhibiting good performance in terms of both performance index and coefficient of determination. This correlation was validated, and its accuracy assessed by employing an unused training dataset that included nitrogen as a NCG. The outcomes showed that 92.94% of the predicted data fell within a deviation range of ± 30%. The findings of this study signify a notable advancement in the analysis of datasets obtained from experiments. Particularly, it delves into the impact of NCGs by considering their molecular weight and mass fraction.
Valorisation of bread wastes via the bacterial cellulose production
Authors: Güzel Melih
Published: April 2024

The short shelf life of bread can be attributed to changes in its textural and sensory properties, a process termed staling, and large amounts of bread residue and waste are generated daily. Because the main component of bread is starch, the use of bread wastes as a substrate for bacterial cellulose (BC) production can significantly contribute to valorisation and reuse of wastes. This study aimed to investigate the BC production potential of various stale breads, convert these wastes into usable forms for food and other industries, and increase their economic value. Stale breads were hydrolyzed with dilute acid, and BC-producing bacteria from Kombucha tea were isolated and identified as Gluconobacter oxydans MG2021 (GO). BCs were produced from bread hydrolysates with GO and Komagataeibacter hansenii GA2016 (KH), and their properties were examined. The results indicated that stale breads represented a good source for BC production, as high BC yields were obtained using GO (8.81%–25.02%) and all BCs had superior properties such as high crystallinity (75.96%–91.39%), thermal stability, liquid holding capacity, and fine fibers (40.16–85.39 nm). This study demonstrated that bread wastes could be used as a low-cost substrate for large-scale BC production, and the abundance of bread wastes demonstrated their potential as a resource for commercial BC producers.