bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of ambient lead on progesterone and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1 and their relationship with abortion in Zaraibi goats: a field study
Authors: Mosaad Abrar F. , El-Nakhla Sayed M. , Abd El-Rasoul Ferial H. , Shehabeldin Ahmed M. , Ali Atef A. , Morsy Gamal M.
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to investigate the impact of ambient lead (Pb) exposure on progesterone (P4) and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1 (PAG1) and their relationship with abortion in Egyptian Zaraibi goats (C. hircus). To achieve this, 40 female goats (does) were mated with highly fertile male goats, resulting in a total of 28 pregnant goats. Eight of them aborted, and each of the 12 pregnant goats gave birth to one kid, whereas the remaining eight gave birth to twins. The levels of PAG1, P4, and Pb in serum were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) respectively. Statistically, the repeated measure two-way ANOVA, regression analysis, correlation coefficient, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied. The current data demonstrated that the levels of blood Pb in aborted goats were significantly higher than those in non-aborted goats at the early, mid, and late gestations, and this was followed by significant decreases in serum PAG1 and P4. Furthermore, there were substantial inverse associations between blood Pb concentration and levels of PAG1 and P4, with markedly negative correlation coefficients of − 0.88 and − 0.77, respectively, in aborted goats. The threshold level of Pb required to cause abortion was ≥ 32.08 μg/dl, but for PAG1 and P4 were respectively ≤ 0.95 ng/ml and ≤ 0.48 ng/ml. Additionally, threshold levels of ≥ 12.34 ng/ml and ≥ 31.52 ng/ml for P4 and PAG1, respectively, were needed to deliver twins. In conclusion, pollution-induced increases in Pb bioavailability resulted in dramatic decreases in P4 and PAG1 levels, leading to abortions. PAG1 and P4 levels are also key factors in determining whether Zaraibi goats will give birth to twins.
S$$^{2}$$P$$^{3}$$: Self-Supervised Polarimetric Pose Prediction
Authors: Ruhkamp Patrick , Gao Daoyi , Navab Nassir , Busam Benjamin
Published: January 2024

This paper proposes the first self-supervised 6D object pose prediction from multimodal RGB + polarimetric images. The novel training paradigm comprises (1) a physical model to extract geometric information of polarized light, (2) a teacher–student knowledge distillation scheme and (3) a self-supervised loss formulation through differentiable rendering and an invertible physical constraint. Both networks leverage the physical properties of polarized light to learn robust geometric representations by encoding shape priors and polarization characteristics derived from our physical model. Geometric pseudo-labels from the teacher support the student network without the need for annotated real data. Dense appearance and geometric information of objects are obtained through a differentiable renderer with the predicted pose for self-supervised direct coupling. The student network additionally features our proposed invertible formulation of the physical shape priors that enables end-to-end self-supervised training through physical constraints of derived polarization characteristics compared against polarimetric input images. We specifically focus on photometrically challenging objects with texture-less or reflective surfaces and transparent materials for which the most prominent performance gain is reported.
The Fight for Global Health Justice: The Advocacy of International Humanitarian and Development NGOs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Noh Jae-Eun
Published: January 2024

The increasing health inequity and injustice of the COVID-19 pandemic rendered visible the inadequacy of global health governance, and exposed the self-interested decision-making of states and pharmaceutical companies. This research explores the advocacy activities of humanitarian and development international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in responding to this inequality and investigates how they framed alternatives for global health justice. It reviews 47 organizational documents and 43 media articles of five INGOs (ActionAid, Médecins Sans Frontières, Oxfam, Save the Children, and World Vision) and points to the importance of understanding advocacy frames in analyzing how these organizations prioritize agendas and advocacy strategies. The dominance of the ‘human rights’ frame, sometimes in combination with ‘scientific evidence’ and ‘security’ frames, reflects the identities, mandates, and histories of campaigning and collaboration of these INGOs. This paper contends that the advocacy of humanitarian and development INGOs highlights both deontological and teleological ethics, promoting the voices of people in lower-income countries, clarifying duty bearers and their accountabilities, and addressing structural barriers from a human rights perspective in a global health agenda setting.
Effects of Nano-zero-valent Iron and Earthworms on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Microecology in Cadmium-Contaminated Soils
Authors: Tang Bincheng , Zi Yufen , Liu Chang’e , Yue Minhui , Zhang Yue , Zhang Weilan , Chen Jinquan , Duan Changqun
Published: January 2024

The capacity of nano-zero-valent iron (nZVI) and soil animals to remediate heavy metal–contaminated soil has been widely studied. However, the synergistic effect of soil animals and nZVI has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we studied the combined effect of earthworms and nZVI on soil physicochemical properties and microecology during remediation of cadmium (Cd)–contaminated soil. The results showed that although amendment with nZVI reduced earthworm survival and biomass, the combination of nZVI and earthworms was effective at reducing the available Cd (ACd) content of soil and improving its quality. ACd most effectively reduced by 75.3% in the presence of earthworms under the 0.25% nZVI combination. Meanwhile, the combined action of earthworms and nZVI significantly improved soil properties and increased the diversity of soil microorganisms. In the earthworm-free system, nZVI reduced ACd by increasing soil pH and the abundance of Stenotrophobacter in Cd-contaminated soil, in addition to the co-precipitation and adsorption reported in previous studies. Correlation analysis revealed that the combination of nZVI and earthworms synergistically decreased ACd by decreasing soil OM and increasing the relative abundance of Opitutus and Gemmatta. Overall, our study indicates that the combination of nano-zero-valent iron and earthworms is a potential system for in situ remediation of Cd-contaminated soils and provides a deep understanding of the mechanisms involved in remediation.
Depression wetland formation by redox-driven iron and silica cycling
Authors: Ellery Steven , Ellery William , Tsikos Harilaos , Dunlevey John
Published: January 2024

This paper investigates the origin and geomorphic evolution of Shadow Vlei, a depression wetland located approximately 30 km northwest of Gqeberha, South Africa. The wetland is on sandstone on the African Erosion Surface. The depression wetland has a rim of high-lying ground surrounding a central depression. Fluctuations between wet and dry periods create both highly reducing conditions in soils during wet phases in the depression, and highly oxidising conditions in the depression margin. Under reducing conditions, iron(III) oxides that are insoluble, are reduced to soluble iron(II), which is transported to and trapped in the margins of the depression under oxidising conditions when the water table declines and iron(II) is oxidised to iron(III). There is also a moderate flux of silica from the surface in the centre of the depression to the margins, which is suggested to be associated with maximum alkalinity associated with iron(III) reduction, and decreased alkalinity in the margins associated with iron(II) oxidation. However, the main flux of silica is from the surface in the centre of the depression to depth of greater than 1.5 m, again associated with variations in pH linked to iron-cycling. These reactions have thus caused a net volume loss in the centre of the depression, causing sagging, and a net volume gain at the margins of the depression, causing swelling. Wetland formation associated with alteration of landform morphology as a consequence of alternating redox conditions represents a novel mechanism that has not yet been described.
Bacterial community changes in the presence of AMF in the context of maize with low phosphorus content
Authors: Meraz-Mercado Marco Antonio , Olalde-Portugal Victor , Ramírez-Flores M. Rosario , Martínez Octavio , Meraz Jiménez Antonio de Jesús , Torres González Jorge Alejandro
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) perform an ancestral and essential association with plant roots, where plants provide carbohydrates and lipids, and the fungi respond by translocating water and nutrients to the roots through the hyphae. There is a need to investigate the microbial community associated with the rhizosphere of mycorrhizal plants in response to the multiple benefits (e.g., improved nutrition and stress resistance) provided by the association. In this work, we analyzed the bacterial communities associated with the rhizosphere of plants and their response to mycorrhizae in low P conditions.

Methods

For this purpose, inoculated and non-inoculated B73 corn plants were grown with a consortium of mycorrhizal fungi under low phosphorus conditions. Mycorrhiza response in B73 and the interaction with rhizosphere microbiome were characterized by sequencing the bacterial 16S rRNA gene.

Results

Inoculated plants showed increased greater growth in leaf and root parameters in low P conditions. Bacterial microbiome showed changes in beta diversity and some OUTs significantly regulated by AMF presence.

Conclusion

These data confirm the importance of mycorrhizae in phosphorus stress and rhizosphere community changes as a possible mechanism to improve plant growth.
The Association Between Urbanization and Electrocardiogram Abnormalities in China: a Nationwide Longitudinal Study
Authors: Mi Jiarun , Han Xueyan , Cao Man , Pan Zhaoyang , Guo Jian , Huang Dengmin , Sun Wei , Liu Yuanli , Xue Tao , Guan Tianjia
Published: January 2024

The health effects of urbanization are controversial. The association between urbanization and reversible subclinical risks of cardiovascular diseases (e.g., electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities) has rarely been studied. This study aimed to assess the association between urbanization and ECG abnormalities in China based on the China National Stroke Screening Survey (CNSSS). We used changes in the satellite-measured impervious surfaces rate and nighttime light data to assess the level of urbanization. Every interquartile increment in the impervious surfaces rate or nighttime light was related to a decreased risk of ECG abnormalities, with odds ratios of 0.894 (95% CI, 0.869–0.920) or 0.809 (95% CI, 0.772–0.847), respectively. And we observed a U-shaped nonlinear exposure–response relationship curve between the impervious surfaces rate and ECG abnormalities. In conclusion, the current average level of urbanization among the studied Chinese adults remains a beneficial factor for reducing cardiovascular risks.
Nachweise für berufliche Qualifikationen oder doch nur ein Motivationssignal? Zur Wirkung non-formaler Weiterbildungszertifikate in der Personalauswahl
Authors: Schimke Benjamin
Published: January 2024

Der vorliegende Beitrag widmet sich der Frage, ob Nachweise non-formaler Weiterbildungskurse zum Erfolg in Bewerbungssituationen beitragen und damit den Hinweisen zu beruflichen Aufstiegsperspektiven in der nationalen Weiterbildungsstrategie und den subjektiv-individuellen Nutzenerwartungen der Teilnehmenden gerecht werden. Hierbei wird erstmals systematisch untersucht, ob nichtmonetäre Erträge lebenslangen Lernens auf die in Kursen erworbenen Fertigkeiten zurückgeführt werden können oder auf bislang unbeobachtete Heterogenität hinsichtlich motivationaler Faktoren. Die Untersuchung basiert auf Experimentaldaten einer Vignettenstudie, die mit Rekrutierenden aus 15 Berufen durchgeführt wurde. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Nachweise non-formaler Weiterbildung die Erfolgschance in Einstellungsverfahren erhöht. Dabei ist dieser Einfluss zu einem größeren Teil durch berufliche Qualifikationssignale erklärbar und geht zu geringeren Anteilen auf motivationale Einflüsse zurück. Außerdem kann gezeigt werden, dass der Weiterbildungsertrag in Abhängigkeit des Berufs variiert. Je größer das qualifikatorische Anforderungsniveau der Tätigkeit, desto wichtiger sind die Nachweise für die Personalauswahl. Entlang dieses Gradienten sind auch die anteiligen Einflüsse verteilt. Weiterbildungsnachweise signalisieren bei hohem formalem Qualifikationsniveau verstärkt berufliche Fertigkeiten und weniger stark Motivation.
Spatial exploration of rural capital contributing to quality of life and urban-to-rural migration decisions: a case study of Hokuto City, Japan
Authors: Takahashi Yasuo , Yoshida Takahiro , Shigeto Sawako , Kubota Hiroyuki , Johnson Brian Alan , Yamagata Yoshiki
Published: January 2024

Globally, urbanization constitutes one of the major underlying drivers of global ecological degradation. Hence, deurbanization, i.e., demographic shift from urban to distant rural areas in a way that increases quality of life (QoL), can be one of the key pathways to address this global challenge. In this study, we investigated the contribution of nature and other types of rural capital to QoL and to people’s decision to migrate from urban to rural areas by studying residents in Hokuto City, a popular urban-to-rural migration destination in Japan. An integrated analysis of the 414 responses to a questionnaire survey and open and commercial geospatial datasets representing natural, built, human, cultural, and financial capital revealed the contributions of specific elements of rural capital to people’s QoL. These included natural capital (farmland, symbolic natural sites, mountain peak view, lower temperature, and tranquility), built capital (highways, railway stations, shops, and restaurants), and financial capital (employment). Many of these are related to the reasons that migrants, including return and one-way migrants, chose their present home location in Hokuto City, indicating their intention to increase QoL by migration. Particularly, one-way migrant homes were located predominantly on higher up mountain slopes with lower temperatures, higher forest cover, near natural parks, and symbolic natural sites, and yet with easier access to railway stations and employment. These results provide a valuable evidence base for rural spatial planning for increased QoL and attracting migrants that considers ecological–social feedbacks, and hence supports deurbanization.
Efficacy and Safety of Ketamine-Dexmedetomidine Versus Ketamine-Propofol Combination for Periprocedural Sedation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Elsaeidy Ahmed Saad , Ahmad Aya Hisham Moussa , Kohaf Neveen A. , Aboutaleb Aya , Kumar Danisha , Elsaeidy Khaled Saad , Mohamed Ola saeed , Kaye Alan D. , Shehata Islam Mohammad
Published: January 2024

Purpose of Review

The combination of ketamine with propofol and dexmedetomidine has gained popularity for sedation and general anesthesia in different populations. In our meta-nalysis, we helped the anesthesiologists to know the efficiency and the efficacy of both combinations in adult and pediatric patients.

Methods

We searched PubMed, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Scopus from inception to August 1, 2023. Our outcome parameters for efficacy were recovery time, pain score, and physician satisfaction while for safety were the related cardiorespiratory, neurological, and gastrointestinal adverse events.

Recent Findings

Twenty-two trials were included with a total of 1429 patients. We found a significantly longer recovery time in the ketadex group of 7.59 min (95% CI, 4.92, 10.26; I2 = 94%) and a significantly less pain score of − 0.72 (95% CI, − 1.10, − 0.34; I2 = 0%). Adults had a significantly better physician satisfaction score with the ketofol group, odds ratio of 0.29 (95% CI, 0.12, 0.71; I2 = 0%). Recovery agitations were higher in the ketofol group with an odds ratio of 0.48 (95% CI, 0.24, 0.98; I2 = 36%). Furthermore, we found a significant difference between the combinations with a higher incidence in the ketadex group with pooled odds ratio of 1.75 (95% CI, 1.06, 2.88; I2 = 15%).

Ketadex was associated with lower pain scores, hypoxic events and airway obstruction, and emergence agitation. At the same time, ketofol had much more clinician satisfaction which might be attributed to the shorter recovery time and lower incidence of nausea and vomiting. Therefore, we suppose that ketadex is the better combination in periprocedural sedation for both adult and pediatric patients who are not at greater risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Clinical and outcome comparison of genetically positive vs. negative patients in a large cohort of suspected familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia
Authors: Asla Queralt , Sardà Helena , Seguí Núria , Martínez de Pinillos Guillermo , Mazarico-Altisent Isabel , Capel Ismael , Rives José , Suárez Javier , Ávila-Rubio Verónica , Muñoz Torres Manuel , Saigí Ignasi , Palacios Nuria , Urgell Eulàlia , Webb Susan M. , Fernández Mercè , Oriola Josep , Mora Mireia , Tondo Mireia , Aulinas Anna
Published: January 2024

Objective

Biochemical suspicion of familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) might provide with a negative (FHH-negative) or positive (FHH-positive) genetic result. Understanding the differences between both groups may refine the identification of those with a positive genetic evaluation, aid management decisions and prospective surveillance. We aimed to compare FHH-positive and FHH-negative patients, and to identify predictive variables for FHH-positive cases.

Design

Retrospective, national multi-centre study of patients with suspected FHH and genetic testing of the CASR, AP2S1 and GNA11 genes.

Methods

Clinical, biochemical, radiological and treatment data were collected. We established a prediction model for the identification of FHH-positive cases by logistic regression analysis and area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was estimated.

Results

We included 66 index cases, of which 30 (45.5%) had a pathogenic variant. FHH-positive cases were younger (p = 0.029), reported more frequently a positive family history (p < 0.001), presented higher magnesium (p < 0.001) and lower parathormone levels (p < 0.001) and were less often treated for hypercalcemia (p = 0.017) in comparison to FHH-negative cases. Magnesium levels showed the highest AUROC (0.825, 95%CI: 0.709–0.941). The multivariate analysis revealed that family history and magnesium levels were independent predictors of a positive genetic result. The predictive model showed an AUROC of 0.909 (95%CI: 0.826–0.991).

Conclusions

The combination of magnesium and a positive family history offered a good diagnostic accuracy to predict a positive genetic result. Therefore, the inclusion of magnesium measurement in the routine evaluation of patients with suspected FHH might provide insight into the identification of a positive genetic result of any of the CaSR-related genes.
Patient-Related Outcome Measures for Oculomotor Symptoms in the Cerebellar Ataxias: Insights from Non-Cerebellar Disorders
Authors: Szmulewicz David J. , Galli Rocco , Tarnutzer Alexander A.
Published: January 2024

In patients with cerebellar ataxia (CA), symptoms related to oculomotor dysfunction significantly affect quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to analyze the literature on patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) assessing QoL impacts of vestibular and cerebellar oculomotor abnormalities in patients with CA to identify the strengths and limitations of existing scales and highlight any areas of unmet need. A systematic review was conducted (Medline, Embase) of English-language original articles reporting on QoL measures in patients with vertigo, dizziness or CA. Pre-specified parameters were retrieved, including diseases studied, scales applied and conclusions drawn. Our search yielded 3671 articles of which 467 studies (n = 111,606 participants) were deemed relevant. The most frequently studied disease entities were (a) non-specific dizziness/gait imbalance (114 studies; 54,581 participants), (b) vestibular schwannomas (66; 15,360), and (c) vestibular disorders not further specified (66; 10,259). The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) was the most frequently used PROM to assess QoL (n = 91,851), followed by the Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality-of-Life Scale (n = 12,027) and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (n = 2’471). QoL-scores capturing symptoms related to oculomotor abnormalities in CA were rare, focused on visual impairments (e.g., National-Eye-Institute Visual Function Questionnaire, Oscillopsia Functional Impact, oscillopsia severity score) and were unvalidated. The DHI remains the most widely used and versatile scale for evaluating dizziness. A lack of well-established PROMs for assessing the impact of oculomotor-related symptoms on QoL in CA was noted, emphasizing the need for developing and validating a new QoL-score dedicated to the oculomotor domain for individuals with CA.
Changes in healthcare utilisation during implementation of remote atrial fibrillation management: TeleCheck-AF project
Authors: Gawałko Monika , Betz Konstanze , Hendriks Veerle , Hermans Astrid N. L. , van der Velden Rachel M. J. , Manninger Martin , Chaldoupi Sevasti-Maria , Hoogervorst Henk , Martens Herm , Pluymaekers Nikki A. H. A. , Spreeuwenberg Marieke D. , Hendriks Jeroen , Linz Dominik
Published: January 2024

Aim

To evaluate changes in healthcare utilisation and comprehensive packages of care activities and procedures (referred in the Netherlands to as ‘diagnose-behandelcombinatie (DBC) care products) during the implementation of the TeleCheck-AF approach (teleconsultation supported by app-based heart rate/rhythm monitoring) in a Dutch atrial fibrillation (AF) clinic.

Methods and results

In the Maastricht University Medical Centre+ AF Clinic, data on healthcare utilisation and DBC care products for patients consulted by both a conventional approach in 2019 and the TeleCheck-AF approach in 2020 were analysed. A patient experience survey was performed. Thirty-seven patients (median age 68 years; 40% women) were analysed. With the conventional approach, 35 face-to-face consultations and 0 teleconsultations were conducted. After the implementation of TeleCheck-AF, the number of face-to-face consultations dropped by 80% (p < 0.001) and teleconsultations increased to 45 (p < 0.001). While 42 electrocardiograms (ECGs) and 25 Holter ECGs or echocardiograms were recorded when using the conventional approach, the number of ECGs decreased by 71% (p < 0.001) and Holter ECGs or echocardiograms by 72% (p < 0.001) with the TeleCheck-AF approach. The emergency department patient presentations showed no statistically significant change (p = 0.33). Overall, 57% of medium-weight DBC care products were changed to light-weight ones during implementation of the TeleCheck-AF approach. Patient satisfaction with the TeleCheck-AF approach was high.

Conclusion

The implementation of TeleCheck-AF led to a change in healthcare utilisation, a change from medium-weight to light-weight DBC care products and a reduction in patient burden. These results created the basis for a new reimbursement code for the TeleCheck-AF approach in the Netherlands.
GLUD1 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression via ROS-mediated p38/JNK MAPK pathway activation and mitochondrial apoptosis
Authors: Zhao Qianwei , Yu Mengdan , Li Jinxia , Guo Yaoyu , Wang Zexuan , Hu Kefei , Xu Fang , Liu Yixian , Li Lili , Wan Didi , Zhao Ying , Shang Jian , Zhang Jintao
Published: January 2024

Glutamate dehydrogenase 1 (GLUD1) is an important enzyme in glutamine metabolism. Previously, we found GLUD1 was down-regulated in tumor tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients by proteomics study. To explore its role in the progression of HCC, the expressional level of GLUD1 was firstly examined and presented as that both the protein and mRNA levels were down-regulated in tumor tissues compared to the normal liver tissues. GLUD1 overexpression significantly inhibited HCC cells proliferation, migration, invasion and tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo, while GLUD1 knocking-down promoted HCC progression. Metabolomics study of GLUD1 overexpressing and control HCC cells showed that 129 differentially expressed metabolites were identified, which mainly included amino acids, bases, and phospholipids. Moreover, metabolites in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) were differentially expressed in GLUD1 overexpressing cells. Mechanistic studies showed that GLUD1 overexpression enhanced mitochondrial respiration activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Excessive ROS lead to mitochondrial apoptosis that was characterized by increased expression levels of p53, Cytochrome C, Bax, Caspase 3 and decreased expression level of Bcl-2. Furthermore, we found that the p38/JNK MAPK pathway was activated in GLUD1 overexpressing cells. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment eliminated cellular ROS and blocked p38/JNK MAPK pathway activation, as well as cell apoptosis induced by GLUD1 overexpression. Taken together, our findings suggest that GLUD1 inhibits HCC progression through regulating cellular metabolism and oxidative stress state, and provide that ROS generation and p38/JNK MAPK pathway activation as promising methods for HCC treatment.
Schulbücher und digitale Lernplattformen: Eine vergleichende Analyse von Aufgaben hinsichtlich kognitiver Aktivierung und Visualisierungen
Authors: Thurm Daniel , Barzel Bärbel , Büchter Andreas
Published: January 2024

Im Zuge der fortschreitenden Digitalisierung halten Lernplattformen verstärkt Einzug in den Schulalltag und stellen – auch dem eigenen Anspruch nach – eine Alternative zu Schulbüchern dar. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht das Potenzial zur kognitiven Aktivierung sowie die Art der einbezogenen Visualisierungen von Übungsaufgaben aus Schulbüchern und von digitalen Lernplattformen für den Mathematikunterricht in der Sekundarstufe I. Hierzu wurden insgesamt 811 Aufgaben aus drei Schulbüchern und 224 Aufgaben von drei Lernplattformen aus den Inhaltsbereichen „Multiplikation von Brüchen“ und „Satz des Pythagoras“ mit Hilfe eines differenzierten Kategoriensystems untersucht. Es zeigt sich, dass Übungsaufgaben in Schulbüchern als auch Lernplattformen ein überwiegend geringes Potenzial zur kognitiven Aktivierung bieten, wobei Schulbücher tendenziell ein höheres Potenzial zur kognitiven Aktivierung realisieren. Insbesondere fehlen bei Lernplattformen oftmals Aufgaben mit hohem Potenzial zur kognitiven Aktivierung. Hinsichtlich der Visualisierungen zeigt sich, dass sowohl Schulbücher als auch Lernplattformen vor allem vollständig mathematisierte Visualisierungen bei Aufgaben nutzen. Dadurch reduzieren sich für Lernende die Gelegenheiten, selbst Visualisierungen zu erstellen. Weiterhin zeigt sich überraschenderweise, dass Lernplattformen potenziell lernförderliche, multiple, dynamische und interaktiv-vernetzte Repräsentationen trotz der technischen Möglichkeiten fast überhaupt nicht nutzen. Basierend auf den Ergebnissen der Studie werden Konsequenzen für Forschung und Entwicklung diskutiert.
Auditive Emotion Recognition for Empathic AI-Assistants
Authors: Duwenbeck Roswitha , Kirchner Elsa Andrea
Published: January 2024

This paper briefly introduces the Project “AudEeKA”, whose aim is to use speech and other bio signals for emotion recognition to improve remote, but also direct, healthcare. This article takes a look at use cases, goals and challenges, of researching and implementing a possible solution. To gain additional insights, the main-goal of the project is divided into multiple sub-goals, namely speech emotion recognition, stress detection and classification and emotion detection from physiological signals. Also, similar projects are considered and project-specific requirements stemming from use-cases introduced. Possible pitfalls and difficulties are outlined, which are mostly associated with datasets. They also emerge out of the requirements, their accompanying restrictions and first analyses in the area of speech emotion recognition, which are shortly presented and discussed. At the same time, first approaches to solutions for every sub-goal, which include the use of continual learning, and finally a draft of the planned architecture for the envisioned system, is presented. This draft presents a possible solution for combining all sub-goals, while reaching the main goal of a multimodal emotion recognition system.
Digital Distraction, Attention Regulation, and Inequality
Authors: Kärki Kaisa
Published: January 2024

In the popular and academic literature on the problems of the so-called attention economy, the cost of attention grabbing, sustaining, and immersing digital medias has been addressed as if it touched all people equally. In this paper I ask whether everyone has the same resources to respond to the recent changes in their stimulus environments caused by the attention economy. I argue that there are not only differences but disparities between people in their responses to the recent, significant increase in the degree and persuasiveness of digital distraction. I point toward individual variance in an agent’s top-down and bottom-up attention regulation, and to further inequality-exacerbating variance in active participation on the internet and in regulating reward-seeking behaviors on the internet. Individual differences in these areas amount to disparities because they have been found to be connected to socioeconomic background factors. I argue that disparities in responding to digital distraction threaten fair equality of opportunity when it comes to digital distraction in the classroom and that they may lead to an unequal contribution of achievements that require complex cognition by people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Origin and evolution of false brinelling and fretting corrosion under rolling conditions
Authors: Jia Xin , Huang Lu , Sun Miao , Li Wenbin
Published: January 2024

Rolling bearings working in oscillating applications often suffer from false brinelling and fretting corrosion that limit their service life. At present, the study of oscillation-induced failures is primarily dominated by a large number of sliding and bench tests. However, most of the previous work are not able to fully describe the two closely related but different failure mechanisms. In this study, the origin and evolution of the two failures are thoroughly investigated under strictly controlled oscillating rolling conditions. The results show that failure evolves from false brinelling to fretting corrosion under dry friction conditions regardless of the oscillation amplitude. This process is accompanied by a large area peeling and serious oxidation, and the oxygen content increases from 2.50 wt% to 21.22 wt%. Oxidation is a crucial factor in the evolution of false brinelling into fretting corrosion. However, the distribution of microwear and oxygen content depend on the oscillation amplitude. Under lubrication conditions, the friction coefficient (COF) is smaller in the initial stage and led to local slip or transient instability of rolling elements. Therefore, the size of the wear marks and COF increased and appeared to be larger than those under a dry friction condition. However, grease can separate the contact surfaces, only surface deformation owing to false brinelling and slight damage at the roughness level occurred. The evolution of false brinelling and fretting corrosion is also closely related to residual stress. False brinelling often occurrs with residual stress accomulation, meanwhile, the residual stress increases from 120 to 300 MPa. When peeling occurs, residual stress is released. The failure pattern transformed from false brinelling to fretting corrosion and is accompanied by oxidation. So far, none of investigation is able to show satisfactory evolution of oscillating-induced failures, this study may contribute to more scientific understanding of rolling bearings against long-run reciprocating oscillating wear.
A new method to solve the Reynolds equation including mass-conserving cavitation by physics informed neural networks (PINNs) with both soft and hard constraints
Authors: Xi Yinhu , Deng Jinhui , Li Yiling
Published: January 2024

In this work, a new method to solve the Reynolds equation including mass-conserving cavitation by using the physics informed neural networks (PINNs) is proposed. The complementarity relationship between the pressure and the void fraction is used. There are several difficulties in problem solving, and the solutions are provided. Firstly, the difficulty for considering the pressure inequality constraint by PINNs is solved by transferring it into one equality constraint without introducing error. While the void fraction inequality constraint is considered by using the hard constraint with the max-min function. Secondly, to avoid the fluctuation of the boundary value problems, the hard constraint method is also utilized to apply the boundary pressure values and the corresponding functions are provided. Lastly, for avoiding the trivial solution the limitation for the mean value of the void fraction is applied. The results are validated against existing data, and both the incompressible and compressible lubricant are considered. Good agreement can be found for both the domain and domain boundaries.
Disease control of acromegaly does not prevent excess mortality in the long term: results of a nationwide survey in Italy
Authors: Arosio M. , Sciannameo V. , Contarino A. , Berchialla P. , Puglisi S. , Pesatori A. C. , Ferrante E. , Filopanti M. , Pivonello R. , Dassie F. , Rochira V. , Cannavò S. , De Menis E. , Pigliaru F. , Grottoli S. , Cambria V. , Faustini-Fustini M. , Montini M. , Peri A. , Ceccato F. , Puxeddu E. , Borretta G. , Bondanelli M. , Ferone D. , Colao A. , Terzolo M. , Reimondo G.
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study aimed to assess the long-term outcome of patients with acromegaly.

Design

This is a multicenter, retrospective, observational study which extends the mean observation period of a previously reported cohort of Italian patients with acromegaly to 15 years of follow-up.

Methods

Only patients from the centers that provided information on the life status of at least 95% of their original cohorts were included. Life status information was collected either from clinical records or from the municipal registry offices. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed comparing data with those of the general Italian population.

Results

A total of 811 patients were included. There were 153 deaths, with 90 expected and an SMR of 1.7 (95% CI 1.4–2.0, p < 0.001). Death occurred after a median of 15 (women) or 16 (men) years from the diagnosis, without gender differences. Mortality remained elevated in the patients with control of disease (SMR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.6). In the multivariable analysis, only older age and high IGF1 concentrations at last available follow-up visit were predictors of mortality. The oncological causes of death outweighed the cardiovascular ones, bordering on statistical significance with respect to the general population.

Conclusions

Mortality remains significantly high in patients with acromegaly, irrespectively of disease status, as long as the follow-up is sufficiently long with a low rate of patients lost to follow-up. Therapy strategy including radiotherapy does not have an impact on mortality. Oncological causes of death currently outweigh the cardiovascular causes.
The impact of cultural distance on the migration of professional athletes as high-skilled employees
Authors: Jarjabka Ákos , Fűrész Diána Ivett , Havran Zsolt
Published: January 2024

Global migration creates both challenges and opportunities for employees and employers. An important issue in international business and human resource management is the integration of employees into a culturally different working industrial environment because focusing on cultural differences, integration, and mitigating culture shock can provide a competitive advantage. Our research examined the global migration involving the Hofstede cultural dimensions in the sports industry, especially in the football transfer market. The paper aims to find a relationship between cultural distance as an expression of cultural differences and international transfers of professional footballers as high-skilled and talented employees. Our study is based on a substantial quantitative examination of processing 34,430 international transfers. Our research question is: What kind of relationship can be detected between cultural distance and the migration of professional footballers? The results of a linear regression model show a significant negative correlation between the number of transfers and cultural distance. However, we believe that the country's economic performance and professional sports standards or quality are essential in addition to the cultural distance. Therefore, as a next step, the analysis involved both factors in getting a more sophisticated result. The results of the multiple regression model confirm the attitude of professional athletes; besides cultural distance, the impact of other factors (economic and/or professional aspects) is also important. Therefore, we recommend that companies pay close attention to their particularly valuable human resources.
Sustainability factors of building information modeling (BIM) for a successful construction project management life cycle in Indonesia
Authors: Latupeirissa Josefine Ernestine , Arrang Hermin
Published: January 2024

Building information modeling (BIM) is an important asset in construction projects from conceptual planning to the preconstruction and operation stages. While many construction projects in developed countries are gradually implementing BIM, the development of this technology in developing countries is still lagging. Some research shows that the application of BIM for certain uses can improve the performance of construction projects, but in Indonesia, its use is still very low. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that can answer the challenges in the sustainability of BIM implementation in construction projects in Indonesia for success in its life cycle. Data were obtained from 44 respondents who answered the questionnaire questions, including owners, supervisory consultants, and contractors representing construction parties in Indonesia. Empirical analysis using multiple linear regression states that there are five factors that, if used to sustainably support the application of BIM, will affect the success of construction project management in its life cycle. The five factors rank as follows based on the results of the analysis: Understanding and Awareness of the importance of BIM; Establishment of BIM standards, codes, rules, and regulations; Competencies and Skills; Commitment and Consistency; and Monitoring and Evaluation. The development of BIM has resulted in new work processes and new ways to interact in construction projects throughout their life cycles.
Concept and Life Cycle Assessment of a Tiny House Made from Root Section Structures of a Decommissioned Large-Scale Wind Turbine Blade as a Repurposed Application
Authors: Johst P. , Chatzipanagiotou K.-R. , Kucher M. , Zschiebsch W. , Voigt P. , Breinl D. , Koumoulos E. P. , Böhm R.
Published: January 2024

With the green energy transition, the wind industry has grown rapidly in recent decades. Wind turbine blades (WTBs) are primarily manufactured from glass fibers and thermoset matrix composites. Considering their lifetime from 20 to 25 years, significant amounts of wind turbine components will eventually enter the global waste stream. Currently, recycling is not sufficiently optimized and commercially available. Other strategies, such as repurpose, are becoming relevant to divert components from waste streams. This research explores a pathway to sustainable repurposing of decommissioned WTBs. The concept of a tiny house constructed from the root section of a 5 MW/61.5 m WTB is presented (“5 MW house”). The deformations and stresses of the repurposed composite structures were investigated using a finite element analysis based on the three load cases, defined by (1) a combination of snow load and payload, (2) a combination of wind load and payload, and (3) a thermal stress analysis of a critical temperature distribution of the 5 MW house. Furthermore, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the environmental impacts of the proposed concept. The numerical analysis results showed that the 5 MW house can withstand the applied loads, and that the deformations are within acceptable limits. A reduction of up to 97% in environmental impacts for most impact categories was calculated, compared to a wooden tiny house, whereas climate change, ozone depletion, and eutrophication potential were up to 3.7 times higher, mainly due to the weight and composition of the 5 MW house. The authors believe that the proposed concept may be a high-volume repurposed solution for large-scale WTB root sections.
Exchange rate and GDP nexus in South Africa: the disconnect after the 2008 global recession
Authors: Ndou Eliphas , Gumata Nombulelo , Moletsane Tebello
Published: January 2024

This paper estimates the long-run impact of the exchange rate depreciation on GDP in South Africa and whether it changed after the 2008 global financial crisis. The paper further determines whether certain channels amplified or dampened the transmission of exchange rate deprecation to GDP after the crisis. The long-run relationship estimated using fully modified ordinary least squares, dynamic ordinary least squares, and ordinary least squares indicates a one percent exchange rate depreciation raises GDP by less than 1.4 percent. Evidence from the model with the interactive global financial crisis dummy and exchange rate shows that the impact of the exchange rate depreciation on GDP was diminished after the crisis. The counterfactual analysis reveals that the exchange rate volatility, foreign demand, investment, imported intermediate inputs, consumption, consumer price level, and export volume channels dampened the stimulative effects of the exchange rate depreciation on GDP post-2008. This evidence indicates a disconnect between the exchange rate depreciation and the GDP relationship. This implies that policymakers cannot rely on the exchange rate depreciation as a potent macroeconomic stabilization policy tool and may not achieve the National Development Plan growth objective via an export-led growth strategy.
Development Charges
Authors: Mathur Shishir
Published: January 2024

The book uses the two key findings of the extant literature-the need to empower urban local governments and to employ a variety of local revenue sources-to advance the field of local government finance by studying an important fee-based revenue source - development charges. It begins by situating development charges in the larger ecosystem of local public finance and identifying factors to be considered while designing and implementing a development charge program. Next, it reviews the use of development charges globally, especially in Australia, South Africa, and the US. After that, through a comparative analysis of development charge programs in India and the US, and simulations, the book shows how development charges are inadequate for urban India's and the Global South's infrastructure needs. Finally, it suggests ways to levy development charges that are legally sound, transparent, equitable, and politically and administratively feasible while providing a robust revenue stream.
Soils
Authors: Schaetzl Randall J. , Thompson Michael L.
Published: January 2024

In its first edition, Soils established itself as the leading textbook in the fields of pedology and soil geomorphology. Expanded and fully updated, this second edition maintains its highly organized and readable style. Suitable as a textbook and a research-grade reference, the book's introductory chapters in soil morphology, mineralogy, chemistry, physics and organisms prepare the reader for the more advanced treatment that follows. Unlike its competitors, this textbook devotes considerable space to discussions of soil parent materials and soil mixing, along with dating and paleoenvironmental reconstruction techniques applicable to soils. Although introductions to widely used soil classification systems are included, theory and processes of soil genesis and geomorphology form the backbone of the book. Replete with more than 550 high-quality figures and photos and a detailed glossary, this book will be invaluable for anyone studying soils, landforms and landscape change anywhere on the globe.
The EU’s evolving leadership role in an age of geopolitics: Beyond normative and market power in the Indo-Pacific
Authors: Michalski Anna , Parker Charles F.
Published: January 2024

In the last two decades, the European Union (EU) has forged an international role as a ‘force for good’ and a champion for democracy, human rights, multilateralism, free trade, climate change action, and sustainable development. However, as the international context has grown more competitive and turbulent, it has become more challenging for the EU to uphold this global role. Subsequently, the EU has pursued more proactive policies to confront urgent challenges to the rules-based international system and global governance norms. This paper explores what the EU’s evolving geopolitical foreign policy role actually entails and how it is compatible with the Union’s understanding of itself as a global leader as expressed as a Normative Power, Market Power, and Security Power. Utilising the Indo-Pacific Strategy of 2021 and subsequent communications as illustrative examples, it examines how the EU is upscaling its plans and partnerships into a broader, sustainable connectivity strategy that fits into the context of a reoriented EU foreign policy and its leadership goals. In conclusion, it finds that the credibility of the three powers that the EU proclaims to play will be dependent on the coherence of the role set and the extent to which the EU can achieve these roles.
Inclusive mental health support for international students: Unveiling delivery components in higher education
Authors: Sakız Halis , Jencius Marty
Published: January 2024

This study examines the delivery components of inclusive mental health services in higher education, centering on international university students. Through interviews with 32 participants at a state university in the United States, including students, counseling staff, and faculty, six key themes emerged: mental health professionals’ multicultural self-awareness, focus on reparative services, mainstream mental health theories and approaches, professionals’ cultural background, faculty involvement and physical space and confidentiality. These findings underscore the importance of training for professionals, expansive mental health offerings, incorporation of diverse approaches, confidentiality, active faculty participation and suitable physical environments. By addressing these components, universities can enhance the quality of mental health support for international student populations, promoting their overall well-being and academic success.