bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
You just have to take a big leap! Authentic teaching and learning in the technology program at an upper secondary school
Authors: Engström Susanne , Lennholm Helena
Published: May 2024

In literature, teaching for an authentic learning experience is seen as rewarding and interesting, promoting better understanding of for example sustainable development and fostering students’ independence. Some upper secondary schools emphasise authentic teaching and learning on their websites, showcasing how students engage in authentic tasks. We are interested in examining how authentic teaching is implemented in practice and what enables it. Therefore, we investigate a specific practice where authentic teaching occurs, and we follow students and teachers. We want to understand what may be required to implement authentic teaching. The research questions were: What characterises authentic teaching and learning when students on the technology program work on their design projects and individual pieces of work? How is authentic teaching and learning facilitated? Students in Year 3 of the technology program engaged in a project where they studied residential apartments’ resource use and climate impact using sensors. They visited the energy research team, learned about the technology and data collection, and completed own upper secondary school projects related to sensor technology, programming, and data analysis. These were meant to be characterised by authenticity according to the school’s procedures. Data was collected through interviews, observations, and analysis of video material, sound recordings, and field notes. The analysis revealed that the teaching exhibited characteristics of authentic learning, facilitated by early exposure, teacher empowerment, and strong support from management and resources. The results thus show both the characteristics of how the teaching is organized and how teachers handle students’ learning, as well as the organizational factors at the specific school that enable it.
Associations between Social Experiences and Psychological Health for Autistic Youth with Low IQ
Authors: Taylor Julie Lounds , Sullivan Virginia , Bishop Somer L. , Zheng Shuting , Adams Ryan E.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Social experiences are consistently associated with psychological health among autistic individuals. However, most extant studies on this topic exclude individuals with autism who have lower IQ or are otherwise unable to self-report. The current study addresses this gap by examining associations of negative peer experiences and social participation with psychological health among autistic youth with low IQ.

Methods

An online survey was collected from 268 parents of autistic adolescents and adults ages 15–25. Negative peer experiences included measures of peer victimization and being ignored. Social participation was assessed by the amount of participation and parents’ perceptions of whether their youth felt the amount of participation was meeting their needs. Psychological health was assessed by parents’ report of their youth’s psychological quality of life, as well as whether they felt their son/daughter was currently depressed.

Results

Results suggested low rates of social participation in this sample, with relatively high rates of being ignored. Regression analysis found that lower rates of peer victimization and more activities in which parents perceived that the amount of time was meeting their youth’s needs was associated with higher psychological quality of life and lower likelihood that parents felt their son/daughter was depressed.

Conclusion

Though youth with autism and low IQ are often excluded from interventions aimed at improving social experiences, these findings suggest that promoting positive social experiences and ameliorating negative ones might be an avenue to improving psychological health in this group.
The Optimal pressure reactivity index range is disease-specific: A comparison between aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury
Authors: Svedung Wettervik Teodor , Howells Timothy , Hånell Anders , Lewén Anders , Enblad Per
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Impaired cerebral pressure autoregulation is common and detrimental after acute brain injuries. Based on the prevalence of delayed cerebral ischemia in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients compared to traumatic brain injury (TBI), we hypothesized that the type of autoregulatory disturbance and the optimal PRx range may differ between these two conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal PRx ranges in relation to functional outcome following aSAH and TBI, respectively.

Methods

In this observational study, 487 aSAH patients and 413 TBI patients, treated in the neurointensive care, Uppsala, Sweden, between 2008 and 2018, were included. The percentage of good monitoring time (%GMT) of PRx was calculated within 8 intervals covering the range from -1.0 to + 1.0, and analyzed in relation to favorable outcome (GOS-E 5 to 8).

Results

In multiple logistic regressions, a higher %GMTs of PRx in the intervals -1.0 to -0.5 and + 0.75 to + 1.0 were independently associated with a lower rate of favorable outcome in the aSAH cohort. In a similar analysis in the TBI cohort, only positive PRx in the interval + 0.75 to + 1.0 was independently associated with a lower rate of favorable outcome.

Conclusion

Extreme PRx values in both directions were unfavorable in aSAH, possibly as high PRx could indicate proximal vasospasm with exhausted distal vasodilatory reserve, while very negative PRx could reflect myogenic hyperreactivity with suppressed cerebral blood flow. Only elevated PRx was unfavorable in TBI, possibly as pressure passive vessels may be a more predominant pathomechanism in this disease.
Analysis of the Dynamics in Linear Chain Models by means of Generalized Langevin Equations
Authors: Koch Fabian , Mandal Suvendu , Schilling Tanja
Published: May 2024

We analyse the motion of one particle in a polymer chain. For this purpose, we use the framework of the exact (non-stationary) generalized Langevin equation that can be derived from first principles via the projection-operator method. Our focus lies on determining memory kernels from either exact expressions for autocorrelation functions or from simulation data. We increase the complexity of the underlying system starting out from one-dimensional harmonic chains and ending with a polymer driven through a polymer melt. Here, the displacement or the velocity of an individual particle in the chain serves as the observable. The central result is that the time-window in which the memory kernels show structure before they rapidly decay decreases with increasing complexity of the system.
A New School, a Fresh Start? Change and Stability in Peer Relationships and Academic Performance in the Transition from Primary to Secondary School
Authors: Lorijn Sofie J. , Zwier Dieuwke , Laninga-Wijnen Lydia , Huisman Mark , Veenstra René
Published: May 2024

Previous studies on peer relationships in school transitions neglected individual differences, or did not examine the relation with academic performance in secondary school. This study followed 649 students from their last year of primary school to their first year in secondary school (Mage at T1 = 11.6 (SD = 0.6); 53.6% girls). Results revealed that students became more attached to peers, less lonely, and were stable in victimization across the transition. Particularly students with more negative peer experiences in primary school enjoyed a “fresh start” in terms of peer experiences in secondary school. Students who had more co-transitioning peers experienced greater reductions in loneliness. Changes in peer experiences over the transition did not relate to academic performance in secondary school.
Compatibility study of mirtazapine with several excipients used in pharmaceutical dosage forms employing thermal and non-thermal methods
Authors: Circioban Denisa , Ledeți Adriana , Ridichie Amalia , Vlase Titus , Ledeți Ionuț , Bradu Ionela-Amalia , Pahomi Alexandru , Sbârcea Laura , Vlase Gabriela
Published: May 2024

Mirtazapine is an atypical antidepressant used in the management of insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or panic disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder and migraines. It is used worldwide in pharmaceutical formulations alongside various excipients in its hemihydrate form. The objective of the study was the compatibility evaluation between MRTHH and ten pharmaceutical excipients. The presence of incompatibilities between the API and the selected excipients was evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy performed on all pure samples and prepared mixtures at room temperature (23 ± 2 °C), as well as a complete thermal stress evaluation (TG—thermogravimetric/DTG—derivative thermogravimetric/DSC—differential scanning calorimetry). The results showed particularities for all analyzed mixtures, α-lactose monohydrate, starch, sorbitol, magnesium stearate, calcium lactate and magnesium citrate proving to be safe to use together with mirtazapine in binary mixtures at temperatures below 130 °C, while for polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 and aerosol precautions need to be considered at temperatures over 100 °C. The association of mirtazapine with D-mannitol or stearic acid proved to raise concerns even at room temperature, indicating possible interactions that may alter the chemical integrity of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and with it, its therapeutic effect. These findings should be taken into consideration during the selection of the technological procedures used in the manufacturing process of dosage forms that include mirtazapine alongside with any of these excipients so that unwanted chemical interactions could be avoided.
AI Within Online Discussions: Rational, Civil, Privileged?
Authors: Carstens Jonas Aaron , Friess Dennis
Published: May 2024

While early optimists have seen online discussions as potential spaces for deliberation, the reality of many online spaces is characterized by incivility and irrationality. Increasingly, AI tools are considered as a solution to foster deliberative discourse. Against the backdrop of previous research, we show that AI tools for online discussions heavily focus on the deliberative norms of rationality and civility. In the operationalization of those norms for AI tools, the complex deliberative dimensions are simplified, and the focus lies on the detection of argumentative structures in argument mining or verbal markers of supposedly uncivil comments. If the fairness of such tools is considered, the focus lies on data bias and an input–output frame of the problem. We argue that looking beyond bias and analyzing such applications through a sociotechnical frame reveals how they interact with social hierarchies and inequalities, reproducing patterns of exclusion. The current focus on verbal markers of incivility and argument mining risks excluding minority voices and privileges those who have more access to education. Finally, we present a normative argument why examining AI tools for online discourses through a sociotechnical frame is ethically preferable, as ignoring the predicable negative effects we describe would present a form of objectionable indifference.
Virtual and augmented reality to develop empathy: a systematic literature review
Authors: Lacle-Melendez Jose , Silva-Medina Sofia , Bacca-Acosta Jorge
Published: May 2024

Recent research suggests that Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) as immersive technologies are effective in developing empathy. The main reason behind this assumption is that immersive technologies allow people to experience perspective-taking. However, there is a lack of systematic literature reviews that summarize the current state of research on VR and AR to elicit empathy. This paper reports a systematic literature review of 37 academic papers published between 2007 and 2023. The following categories were analyzed in this review: field of education, data collection instruments, sample size, statistically significant results, technologies used, research design, advantages, limitations, and future research. The main findings of this review provide an overview of the current state of research on immersive technologies to elicit empathy and the future challenges in this field. Some of the main findings involve: VR/AR immersion devices are effective and appealing to participants; the Interpersonal Reactivity Index was found to be the most relevant self-report measure; and larger sample sizes (over 100 participants) are vital in VR/AR-based empathy research to provide a quantitative perspective on participants distribution.
Dual Classifier Adaptation: Source-Free UDA via Adaptive Pseudo-Labels Learning
Authors: Wang Yunyun , Li Qinghao , Hua Ziyi
Published: May 2024

Different from Unsupervised Domain Adaptation (UDA), Source-Free Unsupervised Domain Adaptation (SFUDA) transfers source knowledge to target domain without accessing the source data, using only the source model, has attracted much attention recently. One mainstream SFUDA method fine-tunes the source model by self-training to generate pseudo-labels of the target data. However, due to the significant differences between different domains, these target pseudo-labels often contain some noise, and it will inevitably degenerates the target performance. For this purpose, we propose an innovative SFUDA method with adaptive pseudo-labels learning named Dual Classifier Adaptation (DCA). In DCA, a dual classifier structure is introduced to adaptively learn target pseudo-labels by cooperation between source and target classifiers. Simultaneously, the minimax entropy is introduced for target learning, in order to adapt target data to source model, while capture the intrinsic cluster structure in target domain as well. After compared our proposed method DCA with a range of UDA and SFUDA methods, DCA achieves far ahead performance on several benchmark datasets.
Exogenous shocks and electoral outcomes
Authors: Das Kaustav , Ghosh Atisha , Maitra Pushkar
Published: May 2024

Do voters react to shocks that are beyond the control of politicians? We consider the case of the assassination of a senior politician in India, in the middle of an election. We find that Congress(I), the party of the assassinated leader, gained significantly from this event through increased vote shares and improved likelihood of victory. Sympathy towards Congress(I) and changed perceptions about governing abilities of the contesting parties in the post-assassination environment played crucial roles in determining the final outcomes of the election. Our results imply that even in environments where voters are expected to make their decisions based on prior performance of parties, an unanticipated, random, exogenous event can affect voting behaviour.
Realizing expectations? High-impact entrepreneurship across countries
Authors: Kleinhempel Johannes , Estrin Saul
Published: May 2024

Comparative international entrepreneurship research has often used measures of high-growth expectations entrepreneurship to proxy for the construct of high-impact entrepreneurship. We revisit this practice by assessing the cross-country association between high-growth expectations and realized high-impact entrepreneurship to speak to construct measurement fit. We find that expectations are not a good proxy for realizations; they are associated with different determinants and outcomes, respectively. We go on to introduce the notion of entrepreneurial projection bias to gauge the misfit between expectations and realizations. Conditioning on entrepreneurial projection bias partially restores the association between realized high-impact entrepreneurship and its determinants (or outcomes) when realizations are proxied using expectations. Furthermore, we show that opportunity-motivated entrepreneurship also does not proxy well for high-impact entrepreneurship. Our analysis brings into question current survey-based approaches to measuring high-impact entrepreneurship and existing rankings of countries’ entrepreneurial performance, with important implications for entrepreneurship theory and policy.
Microbial recovery of rare earth elements from various waste sources: a mini review with emphasis on microalgae
Authors: Vítová Milada , Mezricky Dana
Published: May 2024

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are indispensable in contemporary technologies, influencing various aspects of our daily lives and environmental solutions. The escalating demand for REEs has led to increased exploitation, resulting in the generation of diverse REE-bearing solid and liquid wastes. Recognizing the potential of these wastes as secondary sources of REEs, researchers are exploring microbial solutions for their recovery. This mini review provides insights into the utilization of microorganisms, with a particular focus on microalgae, for recovering REEs from sources such as ores, electronic waste, and industrial effluents. The review outlines the principles and distinctions of bioleaching, biosorption, and bioaccumulation, offering a comparative analysis of their potential and limitations. Specific examples of microorganisms demonstrating efficacy in REE recovery are highlighted, accompanied by successful methods, including advanced techniques for enhancing microbial strains to achieve higher REE recovery. Moreover, the review explores the environmental implications of bio-recovery, discussing the potential of these methods to mitigate REE pollution. By emphasizing microalgae as promising biotechnological candidates for REE recovery, this mini review not only presents current advances but also illuminates prospects in sustainable REE resource management and environmental remediation.
Enabling comprehensive assessment of marine eutrophication impacts and their evaluation against regional safe operating space
Authors: Vea Eldbjørg Blikra , Jwaideh Mark , Richardson Katherine , Ryberg Morten , Bjørn Anders , Hauschild Michael
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Nitrogen emissions from human activities are contributing to elevated levels of eutrophication in coastal ecosystems. Mechanisms involved in marine eutrophication show strong geographical variation. Existing life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) and absolute environmental sustainability assessment (AESA) methods for marine eutrophication do not adequately represent this variability, do not have a full global coverage, and suffer from other limitations, such as poor estimation of coastal residence times. This study aims to advance LCIA and AESA for marine eutrophication.

Methods

We aligned and combined recent advancements in marine eutrophication LCIA and AESA methods into one method. By re-running models underlying the combined methods and incorporating additional data sources, we included marine regions missing in previous methods and improved fate modeling, with the inclusion of denitrification and plant uptake in the air emission-terrestrial deposition pathway. To demonstrate and validate our method, we applied it in a case study.

Results

The developed method allows the assessment of marine eutrophication impacts from emissions to soil, freshwater, and air at high resolution (0.083° and 2° × 2.5° for inland and air emissions, respectively) and spatial coverage (all ice-free global continents). In the case study, we demonstrate the added value of our method by showing that the now quantified spatial variability within spatial units, e.g., river basins, can be large and have a strong influence on the modeled marine eutrophication from the case study. Compared to existing methods, our method identifies larger occupations of safe operating space for marine eutrophication, mainly due to the high resolution of the coastal compartment, reflecting a more realistic areal extent of marine eutrophication impacts.

Conclusions

Although limited by factors such as simulations based on a single reference year for modeling inland and air fate, our method is readily applicable to assess the marine eutrophication impact of nitrogen emitted to any environmental compartment and relate it to the safe operating space. With substantial advancement of existing approaches, our method improves the basis for decision-making for managing nitrogen and reducing emissions to levels within the safe operating space.
An advanced ICMV for vibratory roller compaction
Authors: Pistrol Johannes , Hager Mario , Kopf Fritz , Adam Dietmar
Published: May 2024

The compaction success of vibratory roller compaction can be assessed by systems for continuous compaction control (CCC) or intelligent compaction (IC) which calculate soil stiffness-proportional quantities based on measurements of the motion behavior of the vibrating drum. However, state-of-the-art intelligent compaction meter values (ICMV) do not only depend on the stiffness of the soil but are also strongly influenced by machine and process parameters. In this paper, the methodology for determining an advanced ICMV is presented, in which the mechanical properties of the soil, the process parameters and geometric relationships in the contact area between the drum and the soil are directly included in the calculation. The methodology is explained on the example of measurement data from a compaction test conducted on sandy gravel with a heavy single-drum roller. The results of the novel ICMV are compared with those of the most widely used IC systems.
ALEKS in High School Mathematics Classrooms: Exploring Teachers’ Perceptions and Use of this Tool
Authors: Kumor Tristan , Uribe-Flórez Lida , Trespalacios Jesús , Yang Dazhi
Published: May 2024

There has been a limited amount of research that has attempted to determine teaching strategies using adaptive learning systems. Most studies have attempted to measure success of the use of these technologies based on improvements in students’ test scores but have lacked to provide any information regarding the pedagogy implemented while using the tool or teachers’ perceptions of it. A basic qualitative study was conducted where five Chicagoland high school mathematics teachers, who used the Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) system, were interviewed three times during one academic school year. This study asked participants to share first-hand experiences and perceptions of using ALEKS as the main learning tool. Teachers used ALEKS for assessing student understanding through its quizzes and assignments, analyzing student progress, and allowing students to practice and receive feedback on mathematical concepts. The findings of this study indicate that teachers found ALEKS to be easy to use and useful in their teaching. Specifically, teachers cited the assessment tools, built-in feedback, ability to personalize learning, and the accessibility of learning tools for students as useful in their teaching.
The unintended consequences of IMF programs: Women left behind in the labor market
Authors: Kern Andreas , Reinsberg Bernhard , Lee Claire
Published: May 2024

Despite societal progress toward achieving gender equality, women remain disadvantaged across all walks of life. We examine how pressures by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for austerity and liberalization policies affect women’s economic empowerment in developing countries. Focusing on labor market outcomes, we expect that IMF programs increase the gender unemployment gap. This effect will hold regardless of existing societal gender norms, reflecting that women work in less ‘crisis-proof’ jobs. In contrast, we believe that prevailing societal gender norms will adversely impact women’s ability to remain in the labor force, resulting in widening gender labor force participation gaps. Relying on a dataset covering 128 developing countries between 1992 and 2018, we confirm these expectations. Our findings underscore how, during economically turbulent times, policy demands of the Fund can amplify existing gender inequalities.
The Gray Nine and Parallel Personality Patterns: Big Five, Dark Tetrad, and a “Well-Rounded Personality”
Authors: Boman Björn
Published: May 2024

The vast literature on personality psychology generally focuses on neutral or socially beneficial personality traits such as the Five-Factor model (e.g., agreeableness, conscientiousness) or “dark” traits such as Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and everyday sadism. However, the current synthesis of the literature indicates that the distinction between benign, malign, and neutral personality traits and facets is partly misguided. In fact, there are many objective and subjective measures that indicate that high agreeableness is not beneficial, while moderate grandiose narcissism is. Many, if not all of the traits are rather gray and socially and personally desired outcomes indicate that people who aim for a well-rounded personality should typically be clustered in the middle of the various personality spectrums. In addition, many of the personality traits are characterized by parallel patterns of good/bad relations to social and personal outcomes.
Parental cancer: mediating and moderating roles of psychological inflexibility in the links between illness severity and parental quality of life and family outcomes
Authors: Landi Giulia , Pakenham Kenneth I. , Cattivelli Roberto , Golfieri Lucia , Grandi Silvana , Tossani Eliana
Published: May 2024

The challenges of parental cancer while caring for young offspring are often neglected by researchers and healthcare providers. Focusing on parents with cancer, this cross-sectional study examines the mediating and moderating roles of a malleable risk factor, psychological inflexibility, in the relationships between perceived illness severity and parental quality of life (QoL) and family outcomes. Psychological inflexibility was conceptualized using the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) framework. A total of 86 parents with cancer caring for young offspring (aged 11–24 years; M = 17.94, SD = 3.68) completed a survey that assessed psychological inflexibility, parental mental and physical health QoL, family outcomes (family functioning, parenting concerns, and openness to discuss cancer), socio-demographics, and illness variables. Mediation analyses indicated that higher perceived illness severity was associated with higher levels of psychological inflexibility, which in turn were related to higher detrimental impacts on parental QoL and family outcomes. Results of moderation analyses were non-significant. Findings highlight the detrimental impacts of illness severity on psychological inflexibility, suggesting that it is a psychosocial risk factor in parents dealing with cancer. ACT-based interventions which foster psychological flexibility are likely to enhance parental QoL and family outcomes.
Pareto’s legacy in the Italian tradition: the case of mathematical economics
Authors: Pomini Mario
Published: May 2024

Pareto’s personality had a great influence on the evolution of economic theory in the last century at least in the Italian context. At the beginning of the twentieth century a small but combative circle of followers aimed to defend and spread the new Paretian approach based on the idea of general economic equilibrium. Paretian scholars were well recognizable in the Italian context for their contributions to mathematical and statistical aspects. The purpose of this contribution is to outline the essential features of the Italian Paretian school in the field of pure economics or as we would say today of mathematical economics. This favorable position of the Italian tradition in the field of mathematical economics was basically due to two circumstances. The first was represented by the legacy of Pareto and his school while the second was to be found in the fact that among the students of Pareto there was a pure mathematician of great value Luigi Amoroso. We see then that an important voice even if poorly valued was that of Bruno de Finetti who published a remarkable series of articles on mathematical economics in the second half of the 1930s. After World War II the Paretian tradition in this field weakened considerably and effectively disappeared internationally.
Adolescents’ Covitality Patterns: Relations with Student Demographic Characteristics and Proximal Academic and Mental Health Outcomes
Authors: Moore Stephanie A. , Carter Delwin , Kim Eui Kyung , Furlong Michael J. , Nylund-Gibson Karen , Dowdy Erin
Published: May 2024

Identifying and promoting students’ social-emotional strengths is essential in building their mental health. Covitality, representing the co-occurrence of psychological strengths, is a helpful framework for characterizing students’ well-being. This study used latent profile analysis to identify adolescents’ (n = 11,217; 50.3% female, 37.8% male; grades 9 [33.7%], 10 [21.0%], 11 [28.9%], and 12 [16.5%]) covitality patterns across 12 social-emotional health domains. We investigated whether student demographic characteristics (i.e., sex, parent educational attainment, ethnic identification) were related to profile membership. We further examined profiles’ relations to students’ proximal academic and mental health outcomes, including self-reported grades, school connectedness, life satisfaction, and psychological distress. Four covitality profiles were identified—High, Moderate-High, Moderate-Low, and Low. Profile membership was statistically significantly related to students’ sex and socioeconomic circumstances but with small effect sizes. We identified consistent differences across covitality profiles on student self-reported proximal outcomes. Overall, students in profiles with higher covitality levels (High and Moderate-High) reported (a) higher grades, school connectedness, and life satisfaction and (b) less psychological distress, with students in the High profile reporting the most favorable outcomes. Assessing students’ strengths and providing interventions focused on building strengths across domains are recommended.
A Systematic Review of Proteomics in Obesity: Unpacking the Molecular Puzzle
Authors: Rodriguez-Muñoz Alba , Motahari-Rad Hanieh , Martin-Chaves Laura , Benitez-Porres Javier , Rodriguez-Capitan Jorge , Gonzalez-Jimenez Andrés , Insenser Maria , Tinahones Francisco J. , Murri Mora
Published: May 2024

Purpose of Review

The present study aims to review the existing literature to identify pathophysiological proteins in obesity by conducting a systematic review of proteomics studies. Proteomics may reveal the mechanisms of obesity development and clarify the links between obesity and related diseases, improving our comprehension of obesity and its clinical implications.

Recent Findings

Most of the molecular events implicated in obesity development remain incomplete. Proteomics stands as a powerful tool for elucidating the intricate interactions among proteins in the context of obesity. This methodology has the potential to identify proteins involved in pathological processes and to evaluate changes in protein abundance during obesity development, contributing to the identification of early disease predisposition, monitoring the effectiveness of interventions and improving disease management overall. Despite many non-targeted proteomic studies exploring obesity, a comprehensive and up-to-date systematic review of the molecular events implicated in obesity development is lacking. The lack of such a review presents a significant challenge for researchers trying to interpret the existing literature.

This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines and included sixteen human proteomic studies, each of which delineated proteins exhibiting significant alterations in obesity. A total of 41 proteins were reported to be altered in obesity by at least two or more studies. These proteins were involved in metabolic pathways, oxidative stress responses, inflammatory processes, protein folding, coagulation, as well as structure/cytoskeleton. Many of the identified proteomic biomarkers of obesity have also been reported to be dysregulated in obesity-related disease. Among them, seven proteins, which belong to metabolic pathways (aldehyde dehydrogenase and apolipoprotein A1), the chaperone family (albumin, heat shock protein beta 1, protein disulfide-isomerase A3) and oxidative stress and inflammation proteins (catalase and complement C3), could potentially serve as biomarkers for the progression of obesity and the development of comorbidities, contributing to personalized medicine in the field of obesity. Our systematic review in proteomics represents a substantial step forward in unravelling the complexities of protein alterations associated with obesity. It provides valuable insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying obesity, thereby opening avenues for the discovery of potential biomarkers and the development of personalized medicine in obesity
Factors associated with food label use: focus on healthy aspects of orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa
Authors: Bellikci-Koyu Ezgi , Karaağaç Yasemin , Yürük Armağan Aytuğ
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the potential relationships between the use of different section of food label, and healthy and pathological aspects of orthorexia among adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey (n = 1326). Inclusion criteria were being 19–64 years and graduated from at least primary school. Pregnant and lactating women were excluded. Data were collected using questionnaire including socio-demographic variables, lifestyle factors, body weight and height, frequency of reading different sections of food label (“always”, “when buying a food for the first time”, “when comparing similar packaged foods”, “rarely”, “never”), food label literacy, and Teruel Orthorexia Scale. Participants were categorized as nutrition facts panel-users, ingredients list-users or claim-users if they read at least one item from the relevant parts.

Results

The proportions of nutrition facts, ingredients list, and claims sections users were 72.3%, 76.3%, and 79.9%, respectively. Both healthy and pathological aspects of orthorexia were associated with reading food labels. The healthy orthorexia had the strongest association with using the ingredients list (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.41–2.20), whereas the orthorexia nervosa showed the highest association with using nutrition facts panel (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.20–1.81). While women, physically active participants and those with higher food label literacy were more likely to use all sections of food labels; older age, having children, and chronic disease increased the likelihood of using claims and ingredients list (p < 0.05). Besides, following a diet was associated with higher use of nutrition facts and ingredients list (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The study demonstrates that food label users have higher orthorexia tendencies compared to non-users. Of the food label sections, healthy orthorexia showed the strongest association with use of the list of ingredients, while pathological orthorexia showed the strongest association with use of the nutrition facts panel.

Level of evidence

Level V, cross-sectional study.
The use of telecytology for the evaluation of thyroid nodules fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens: a systematic review
Authors: Oteri V. , Piane S. , Cocci E.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is currently the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules, but the growing need for anatomic pathology services in small communities is becoming a challenge. Telecytology (TC) is defined as the electronic transmission of cytological digital images, and allows for the collection of samples, primary diagnosis, and other applications without the physical presence of a pathologist. Our aim is to systematically report, summarize, and critically analyze the most up to date applications of TC to thyroid nodules FNAB evaluation.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature review by searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Only studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals were included. Data were extracted using the PICO framework and critically analyzed. PRISMA guidelines were applied, and the risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the ROBINS-I tools. The methodological quality was assessed following GRADE criteria.

Results

We included 13 observational studies, resulting in a total of 3856 evaluated FNAB specimens. The majority of studies (63.6%) showed an excellent concordance rate of diagnosis via TC and conventional cytology. TC can be used to perform preliminary assessment of samples with a concordance rate ranging from 74 and 100%, showing a significant reduction of the non-diagnostic rate. Image quality was referred to as perfect or nearly perfect in most cases, regardless of telecytology technique.

Conclusion

Telecytology could be a valuable implementation for thyroid FNAB evaluation both for primary diagnosis and preliminary assessment of samples.
Energy Consumption and Tool Condition in Friction Stir Processing of Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Silvestri Alessia Teresa , El Hassanin Andrea , de Alteriis Giorgio , Astarita Antonello
Published: May 2024

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) and Friction Stir Processing (FSP) are solid-state joining and material processing techniques that have garnered considerable attention for their versatility and industrial applicability. In the present work, FSP was performed on AA 6056 T4, dealing with the issue of monitoring tool wear and assessing its impact on the process. The impact of tool wear on power requirements was analyzed, and it was expanded the understanding of tool behavior and its implications for the overall process performance. Specifically, variations in energy consumption, temperatures, and vibrations are observed with changing tool conditions. Further insights are provided by analyzing the microhardness and the pin volume ratio, which show distinct trends as the tool wears. Two tool maintenance ways are proposed, that are cleaning the tool with a sodium hydroxide solution and increasing the tool’s rotational speed. Both the strategies exhibit the potential to partially restore the tool’s initial characteristics. This study highlights the critical importance of assessing tool condition, energy consumption, and process sustainability, particularly in industrial settings where material processing requires efficiency and quality assurance.
Field Test and Numerical Study of Train-Induced Vibration of Over-Track Buildings Above Metro Depot
Authors: Chen Zhaowei , Wan Fangshuang , He Chunyan
Published: May 2024

To maximize the use of urban land, many cities have built buildings above metro depots. However, the low-frequency vibration caused by metro operation affects the lives of surrounding residents, which seriously restricts the further development of over-track buildings. To study this problem, Firstly, the vibration of the metro depot and surrounding sensitive areas are tested on a large actual metro depot in Southwest China, and the rail, sleeper/support column, bearing column, and cover plate are mainly tested. Then, considering nonlinear factors such as mechanical properties of building materials, soil layering characteristics, and artificial viscoelastic boundary, the numerical coupled model of the train-track-depot-building is established, and the simulation data are compared with the test data to verify the accuracy of the numerical model. Finally, the impact of metro operation on the over-track buildings is evaluated. Results show that for the over-track buildings concerned in this paper, the floor vibration near the rail is the strongest, the main vibration frequency of the office building is concentrated in 10–20 Hz, and the maximum Z vibration level (VLzmax) of the office building is 52.02 dB. The main vibration frequency of the residential building is similar to that of the office building, and the superposition of floor vibration energy causes the vibration of the mid-span point to be larger than the vibration of the corner point and the side wall point. The vibration wave of lower floors mainly propagates through the bearing column, and the vibration of the parking garage is larger than other buildings. The research results can provide a reference for the vibration control and design of over-track buildings above the metro depot.
Investigation of Concrete Damage on a Prefabricated Steel Spring Floating Slab Track by Finite Element Modelling
Authors: Lu Yuhang , Shen Dejian , Shao Haoze , Li Ming , Zong Da
Published: May 2024

To investigate the concrete damage of prefabricated steel spring floating slab tracks (SSFST), a three-slab prefabricated SSFST system was established using the ABAQUS finite element software. Full trainload conditions and fatigue load conditions of a train passage were successively applied to the system. Plastic damage and fatigue damage of the floating slab were simulated based on concrete damage plasticity theory and model code, respectively. For comparison, a simulation of the fatigue experiment was conducted. Parametric analyses of the concrete strength and isolator stiffness were also performed. The results show that the maximum positive and negative bending moments of the floating slab throughout the loading stage are close in value. The positive bending moment causes stress concentration on the top slab surface which leads to plastic damage and low-cycle fatigue damage, while the negative bending moment causes middle-level elastic tensile stress on the bottom slab surface which leads to high-cycle fatigue damage. Under experimental conditions, damage on the bottom surface is much more severe, while the upper part is undamaged. Improving the concrete strength can reduce both kinds of damage, while increasing the isolator stiffness can only mitigate the high-cycle fatigue damage. Accordingly, recommendations are provided for improving fatigue experiments and structural design of prefabricated floating slabs.This study can inform the design and maintenance of the prefabricated SSFST system, ultimately enhancing their safety and longevity.
Association between mindfulness and risk and time preferences
Authors: Duchêne Sébastien , Guillon Marlène , Rafaï Ismaël
Published: May 2024

Many studies have investigated the role of socio-demographic factors (including gender, age, race), cognitive ability and cultural factors on time and risk preferences. Yet, research regarding the effect of mindfulness on risk and time preferences has been limited. This study investigates the association between mindfulness and time/risk preferences. We conducted a survey on a representative sample of the French adult population (N = 1154) in Spring 2020. We assessed individual mindfulness through the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and measured time and risk preferences with incentive-compatible economic games as well as self-reported questionnaires. Our results suggest that a higher level of mindfulness is associated with higher risk aversion and patience for stated preferences, but we found no relationship for revealed ones. We also observe that a higher level of mindfulness is related to greater time consistency, as we found a negative and significant association between the MAAS and the present and future biases.
Decoupling Anomaly Discrimination and Representation Learning: Self-supervised Learning for Anomaly Detection on Attributed Graph
Authors: Hu YanMing , Chen Chuan , Deng BoWen , Lai YuJing , Lin Hao , Zheng ZiBin , Bian Jing
Published: May 2024

Anomaly detection on attributed graphs is a crucial topic for practical applications. Existing methods suffer from semantic mixture and imbalance issue because they commonly optimize the model based on the loss function for anomaly discrimination, mainly focusing on anomaly discrimination and ignoring representation learning. Graph Neural networks based techniques usually tend to map adjacent nodes into close semantic space. However, anomalous nodes commonly connect with numerous normal nodes directly, conflicting with the assortativity assumption. Additionally, there are far fewer anomalous nodes than normal nodes, leading to the imbalance problem. To address these challenges, a unique algorithm, decoupled self-supervised learning for anomaly detection (DSLAD), is proposed in this paper. DSLAD is a self-supervised method with anomaly discrimination and representation learning decoupled for anomaly detection. DSLAD employs bilinear pooling and masked autoencoder as the anomaly discriminators. By decoupling anomaly discrimination and representation learning, a balanced feature space is constructed, in which nodes are more semantically discriminative, as well as imbalance issue can be resolved. Experiments conducted on various six benchmark datasets reveal the effectiveness of DSLAD.
Fungi associated with fine roots of Fraxinus excelsior affected by ash dieback detected by next-generation sequencing
Authors: Lysenko Ludmila , Griem Erik , Wagener Patrick , Langer Ewald Johannes
Published: May 2024

The decline of European ash by dieback caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus together with stem collar necroses and rots caused by various fungi has been investigated intensively during the last years. Nevertheless, hitherto nearly nothing is known about the species diversity of the fungal rhizobiome of ash trees. Here we investigated the fine roots of affected ash trees on 15 sampling sites in 6 federal countries of Germany. Fine-root samples have been treated in three different sample regimes each as root-adhering soil, unsterilized fine roots and sterilized fine roots. The samples of trees in sampling sites were pooled to get an overview of the species-richness in the area. The next-generation sequencing platform Oxford Nanopore MinION was used to sequence the entire ITS of pooled probes. Most abundant phyla in all samples were the Basidiomycota and Ascomycota. Species richness in sterilized roots was significantly different from unsterilized roots and root-adhering soil. Surprisingly most abundant genera in sterilized roots were the genera Mycena, Mycenella and Delicatula, all of them agaricoids with saprophytic lifestyle. Eleven genera of Glomeromycota have been detected in various abundances, whereas the detection of H. fraxineus was neglectable.
Parametric optimization of selected auxetic structures
Authors: Zawistowski Maciej , Poteralski Arkadiusz
Published: May 2024

Auxetic materials exhibit an interesting, counterintuitive behavior—when subjected to uniaxial tension, they stretch laterally, and when uniaxially compressed, they shrink laterally. In contrast to conventional materials, in auxetics, the value of Poisson’s ratio is negative. Behavior of auxetic materials is an effect of their internal structures. The auxetic effect depends mostly on the geometry of their internal unit cells and not on the properties of the bulk material. This paper presents the results of parametric optimization of selected two-dimensional auxetic unit cells with the aim to identify the geometrical parameters which exhibit the strongest influence on the value of Poisson’s ratio in each unit cell, and to identify geometries which exhibit the strongest auxetic effect. The optimization was conducted through numerical simulation with the use of the finite element method in commercial software. Response surface optimization and multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) were applied. Obtained candidate geometries were verified via additional FEM analyses and confirmed to have improved auxetic effect and reduced equivalent stress. 5 × 5 structures composed of reference and optimized geometries of analyzed unit cells were subjected to similar analyses and it was confirmed that the optimization of singular unit cells caused an improvement of auxetic effect and reduction in equivalent stress in regular structures composed of multiple unit cells.