bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modified multi-Rayleigh model-based statistical analysis of ultrasound envelope for quantification of liver steatosis and fibrosis
Authors: Ujihara Yuki , Tamura Kazuki , Mori Shohei , Tai Dar-In , Tsui Po-Hsiang , Hirata Shinnosuke , Yoshida Kenji , Maruyama Hitoshi , Yamaguchi Tadashi
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Quantitative diagnosis of the degree of fibrosis progression is currently a focus of attention for fatty liver in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, previous studies have focused on either lipid droplets or fibrotic tissue, and few have reported the evaluation of both in patients whose livers contain adipose and fibrous features. Our aim was to evaluate fibrosis tissue and lipid droplets in the liver.

Methods

We used an analytical method combining the multi-Rayleigh (MRA) model and a healthy liver structure filter (HLSF) as a technique for statistical analysis of the amplitude envelope to estimate fat and fibrotic volumes in clinical datasets with different degrees of fat and fibrosis progression.

Results

Fat mass was estimated based on the non-MRA fraction corresponding to the signal characteristics of aggregated lipid droplets. Non-MRA fraction has a positive correlation with fat mass and is effective for detecting moderate and severe fatty livers. Progression of fibrosis was estimated using MRA parameters in combination with the HLSF. The proposed method was used to extract non-healthy areas with characteristics of fibrotic tissue. Fibrosis in early fatty liver suggested the possibility of evaluation. On the other hand, fat was identified as a factor that reduced the accuracy of estimating fibrosis progression in moderate and severe fatty livers.

Conclusion

The proposed method was used to simultaneously evaluate fat mass and fibrosis progression in early fatty liver, suggesting the possibility of quantitative evaluation for discriminating between lipid droplets and fibrous tissue in the early fatty liver.
Reciprocal stream–riparian fluxes: effects of distinct exposure patterns on litter decomposition
Authors: Simões S. , Gonçalves A. L. , Jones T. Hefin , Sousa J. P. , Canhoto C.
Published: October 2023

Resource fluxes at the stream–riparian interface are a vital contributor to both systems’ energy budgets. The effect of distinct litter exposure patterns—direction of the riparia–stream movement and duration of exposure at each habitat—however, remains to be elucidated. In this field experiment, oak leaves in fine and coarse mesh bags were either exposed to a stream-to-riparia or riparia-to-stream movement sequence for distinct periods (2:6, 4:4, or 6:2 weeks). After 8 weeks, ash-free mass loss, microbial activity, and fungal biomass were compared in leaves undergoing inverse movement sequences (e.g., 2-week exposure to the riparian area at the beginning vs. end of the colonization period). Mass loss in coarse mesh bags was negatively affected when leaves were previously exposed to a short (2 weeks) terrestrial pre-conditioning period, despite higher microbial activity and fungal biomass, when compared to the inverse movement. This effect on mass loss was neutralized by longer terrestrial exposures that likely allowed for a more thorough conditioning of the leaves, through extended leaching and terrestrial microbial colonization. Our results suggest that terrestrial pre-conditioning periods of < 2 weeks lead to litter-quality legacy effects in tough leaves, to which aquatic communities respond through lower substrate degradation efficiency, hindering stream decomposition. Contrastingly, oak aquatic pre-conditioning, regardless of duration, provides riparian communities with a high-quality resource, promoting litter processing through grazing behavior. As climate-induced hydrological shifts may result in altered provision/quality of detritus subsidies at the stream–riparia interface, we suggest that assessments of decomposition dynamics should consider the entire litter conditioning history.
Protection and mortality of non-target terrestrial bird species during the eradication of rodents on Lord Howe Island
Authors: O’Dwyer T. W. , Carlile N. , O’Neill L. , Fairlamb H. , Bower H.
Published: October 2023

To eliminate the destructive impact of rodents on islands, conservation practitioners commonly use rodenticides to eradicate these pests. Frequently used rodenticides, such as brodifacoum, are non-specific. Consequently, non-target species may be susceptible to the poison. While mitigation actions to protect against unwanted impacts on non-target species are often included in eradication planning, such impacts are rarely measured or reported. In 2019, a rodent eradication program was implemented on Lord Howe Island to remove ship rats and house mice. To protect the island’s unique suite of endemic avian fauna, a comprehensive monitoring and mitigation plan was implemented. Following assessments of potential effects of baiting on island-species, two endemic species were taken into captive management during the eradication. To assess effects on other species, a total of 243 ha of bushland was searched over a 14-week period and an additional 190 ha was searched in the island’s settlement area for carcasses of non-targets. These surveys found that buff-banded rails suffered the highest level of mortality, but few carcasses of endemic species were found. The captive management program was successful with more than 95% of individuals that were taken into captivity being released at the end of the program. Post-eradication surveys of captive-managed species have shown that the endemic woodhen population has increased by nearly five-fold on pre-eradication levels and that endemic currawong numbers have also increased. Surveys of other bush birds have found higher numbers for most species and shows that pre-eradication assessments of these species being at lower risk were appropriate.
Unstructured citizen science reduces the perception of butterfly local extinctions: the interplay between species traits and user effort
Authors: van Tongeren Elia , Sistri Ginevra , Bonifacino Marco , Menchetti Mattia , Pasquali Lorenzo , Salvati Vania , Balletto Emilio , Bonelli Simona , Cini Alessandro , Portera Mariagrazia , Dapporto Leonardo
Published: October 2023

The detection of local extinctions is often hindered by the lack of long-term monitoring schemes, and thus relies on time series of presence data. Recently, citizen science has repeatedly shown its value in documenting species occurrences. We investigated the effectiveness of unstructured citizen science records in reducing the perception of local extinctions in butterfly populations across Italian National Parks. We addressed three research questions: (i) the ability of citizen science data to supplement existing knowledge to complete time series of occurrences, (ii) the impact on data collection of three species features (species size, distribution and length of flight period) determining their appearance, and (iii) the interplay between participant effort and species appearance in the amount of diversity recorded on the iNaturalist platform. Our analysis of 98,922 records of Italian butterflies (39,929 from literature and 58,993 from iNaturalist of which 7427 from National Parks) showed that the addition of iNaturalist data filled many recent gaps in time series, thus reducing the perception of potential local extinctions. Records from more engaged users encompassed a higher fraction of local biodiversity and were more likely to reduce the perception of local extinctions. User effort strongly interacted with species features in determining the frequency of records for individual species. In particular, more engaged users were less affected by species size. We provided updated butterfly checklists for Italian National Parks and a R package to calculate potential extinction upon time series. These results offer guidance for protected areas, conservationists, policymakers, and citizen scientists to optimize monitoring of local populations.
Helping Clinicians Conceptualise Behavioural Insomnia in Children: Development of the Manifestations and Vulnerabilities of Behavioural Insomnia in Childhood Scale (MAVBICS)
Authors: Donovan Caroline L. , Uhlmann Laura , Shiels Amy
Published: October 2023

This paper outlines the development and psychometric evaluation of the Manifestations and Vulnerabilities of Behavioural Insomnia in Childhood Scale (MAVBICS), an instrument intended to assess the manifestations of, and factors underpinning, child behavioural insomnia. The MAVBICS comprises two sections: a more general sleep and bedtime information section (Section 1), and a psychometric measure of six theoretically derived factors that underlie, contribute to, and are manifestations of, child sleep problems (Section 2), that is the focus of this research. Study 1 comprised an exploratory factor analysis of Section 2 items (EFA; n = 328 parents of children aged 3–12 years), with a final 25 items found to load highly onto 6 factors; Sleep Maintenance Problems (4 items, α = 0.88), Co-Sleeping Behaviours (4 items, α = 0.93), Bedtime Routines (5 items, α = 0.82), Bedtime Resistance (5 items, α = 0.88), Bedtime Worries (3 items, α = 0.85) and Bedtime Fears (4 items, α = 0.86). Study 2 comprised a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of Section 2 items and tests of convergent validity (n = 313), with results confirming the factor structure and providing evidence for convergent validity through correlations in expected directions between MAVBICS scores and other sleep, anxiety and behaviour measures. Study 3 tested the test–retest reliability of Section 2 items (n = 53), and found support for the temporal stability of the MAVBICS over a 2-week period. Overall, the results provide strong preliminary evidence for the validity of the MAVBICS total score and its subscales, although the Bedtime Routines subscale may be less useful.
CT-based deep learning model: a novel approach to the preoperative staging in patients with peritoneal metastasis
Authors: Wang Jipeng , Hu Yuannan , Xiong Hao , Song Tiantian , Wang Shuyi , Xu Haibo , Xiong Bin
Published: October 2023

Peritoneal metastasis (PM) is a frequent manifestation of advanced abdominal malignancies. Accurately assessing the extent of PM before surgery is essential for patients to receive optimal treatment. Therefore, we propose to construct a deep learning (DL) model based on enhanced computed tomography (CT) images to stage PM preoperatively in patients. All 168 patients with PM underwent contrast-enhanced abdominal CT before either open surgery or laparoscopic exploration, and peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was used to evaluate patients during the surgical procedure. DL features were extracted from portal venous-phase abdominal CT scans and subjected to feature selection using the Spearman correlation coefficient and LASSO. The performance of models for preoperative staging was assessed in the validation cohort and compared against models based on clinical and radiomics (Rad) signature. The DenseNet121-SVM model demonstrated strong patient discrimination in both the training and validation cohorts, achieving AUC was 0.996 in training and 0.951 validation cohort, which were both higher than those of the Clinic model and Rad model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) showed that patients could potentially benefit more from treatment using the DL-SVM model, and calibration curves demonstrated good agreement with actual outcomes. The DL model based on portal venous-phase abdominal CT accurately predicts the extent of PM in patients before surgery, which can help maximize the benefits of treatment and optimize the patient’s treatment plan.

Graphical abstract
Climate Garden 2085: An easily applicable transdisciplinary public art-science experiment for transformative learning about climate change
Authors: Schlaepfer-Miller Juanita , Kueffer Christoph , Dahinden Manuela
Published: October 2023

Climate change education is inherently part of Education for Sustainable Development which has manifold aims to develop transformative learning from primary to tertiary pupils. Climate change is challenging as a school subject, as although it can improve pupils’ knowledge, it is less evident how such knowledge translates into decreasing the value-action gap. Climate change also transverses disciplinary boundaries and teachers struggle to incorporate it into the curriculum. We present a transdisciplinary art-science public experiment—theClimate Garden 2085, as a methodology which has proved a popular tool for schools to engage their pupils with climate change and sustainability. TheClimate Garden 2085is a participatory art-science work that engages school pupils as social groups, and in emotional ways with scientific questions related to the effects of climate change on plant species that are important for food production and gardening. Greenhouses simulating different climate change scenarios engage pupils in a tangible way with climate change effects on plants while accompanying plant science and art workshops allow them to carry out hands on experiments. The garden art-science intervention has so far been created 24 times, with more than 100 workshops, and reached around 40,000 people. It continues to attract major interest by teachers and schools. Based on qualitative observation and some quantitative data, we discuss possible reasons for the attractiveness of the methodology for schools and explore how it might affect awareness and behavioral changes of participants. We propose that the poetic nature of a garden and the length of engagement that the garden affords, combined with the embodied experience and time and place for discussions, has great potential for enabling reflection and action toward climate friendly and sustainable urban futures. We present the project here in order to encourage others to create their ownClimate Garden.
Green to gold: consumer circular choices may boost circular business models
Authors: Lopes João M. , Pinho Micaela , Gomes Sofia
Published: October 2023

Consumers are the true agents of transformation in the circular economy. By making conscious and sustainable choices, they drive the development of circular business models, challenging the status quo and inspiring change for a more sustainable future. The main purpose of this paper is to assess the role of consumers in the circular economy as drivers of the development of circular business models. In detail, we explore whether Portuguese citizens make circular consumption choices and what factors influence these choices. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 826 Portuguese. The quantitative analysis was performed using the Partial Least Square (PLS) method. Overall, we found that: (i) both pro-environmental habits and environmental concerns positively influence their circular consumption choices, (ii) pro-environmental habits positively influence consumers’ greenwashing perception, and (iii) greenwashing perception highlights environmental concerns. This study demonstrates that by adopting pro-environmental habits, consumers can play a central role in transforming companies’ traditional business models into circular business models. Consequently, a model is proposed where consumers’ motivations for adopting circular behaviors are used to convert the companies’ business model from linear to circular. The model emphasizes the active participation of consumers.
The role of collaboration networks for innovation in immigrant-owned new technology-based firms
Authors: Bolzani Daniela , Scandura Alessandra
Published: October 2023

This paper answers calls for a better understanding of the importance of domestic collaboration networks for innovation in immigrant- and native-owned firms. With a specific focus on the domestic networks established with other firms, research institutions, and business associations, we question whether cultivating such social capital with diverse actors is linked to better innovation performances for immigrant-owned firms. We investigate this research question by exploiting a unique matched-pair sample of immigrant and native domestic entrepreneurs who are active in high-tech mainstream (non-ethnic) markets. Our results show that universities and research institutions, along with business associations, are more important for innovation in immigrant-owned firms. In addition, we discover that immigrant entrepreneurs' acculturation to the host country's culture acts as a substitute for interactions with business associations. These findings contribute to the academic and policy knowledge on the link between immigrant entrepreneurship and innovation in developed countries.
A contact analysis for unconventional mounting processes of angular ball bearings
Authors: Dreon Simone , Scalera Lorenzo , Salvati Enrico
Published: October 2023

Rigorous protocols must be followed when mounting ball bearings to avoid structural damage and subsequent malfunctioning or unexpected failures. Unconventional mounting procedures may produce excessive contact pressures between the elements of the bearing, therefore the whole process must be well-understood and modelled to prevent unwanted effects. Specifically for angular ball bearings, fitting axial forces should always be applied over the raceway subjected to the shrink-fit to avoid contact forces arising on the ball. In the present study, such an axial force is applied unconventionally, such that the axial force is transferred to the shrink-fit raceway through the balls. In this scenario, the evaluation of the contact areas and the pressure distributions is accomplished by exploiting both analytical and FEM approaches, supported by bespoke experimental tests to determine the relevant frictional coefficients and mounting forces. The study demonstrated how analytical methods can successfully replace more demanding FEM-based tools for the evaluation of the bearing mounting force and contact pressure and extent. FEM modelling can, however, be more accurate when dealing with more generic boundary conditions and more intricate geometrical features involved.
Implementing integrated digital twin modelling and representation into the Snap4City platform for smart city solutions
Authors: Adreani L. , Bellini P. , Colombo C. , Fanfani M. , Nesi P. , Pantaleo G. , Pisanu R.
Published: October 2023

Recently, Digital Twins solutions have attracted a growing interest as a fundamental paradigm for managing data driven processes on smart cities. They are complex modelling that should include 3D interactive representations of buildings and infrastructures, integrated with a wide range of data for Smart City cyber-physical ecosystem monitoring and controlling. This paper presents a framework for modelling, generating and distributing Digital Twin representations with 3D models from a various set of data, as well as its integration into the open-source Smart City framework, where many kinds of real time and historical data are available. The proposed solution offers a method for creating integrated data rendering of 3D city entities coupled with Smart City data (e.g., IoT Devices with time-series and historical data, heatmaps, geometries and shapes related to traffic flows, bus routes/stops, cycling paths). The solution for generating 3D representation is based on a number of computer vision and machine learning solutions, thus shortening the activities of passing from raw data (i.e., Lidar, shapes, patterns, etc.) to 3D representations. Implementation has been enforced into the quite widespread open-source Snap4City Smart City platform and has been validated by using hundreds of buildings in Florence city central area, Italy, plus hundreds of thousands of data as points of interest, IoT Devices, traffic flows, dynamic heatmaps, etc.
Hand Preference in Stuttering: Meta-Analyses
Authors: Papadatou-Pastou Marietta , Papadopoulou Anastasia-Konstantina , Samsouris Christos , Mundorf Annakarina , Valtou Maria-Myrto , Ocklenburg Sebastian
Published: October 2023

Reduced hemispheric asymmetries, as well as their behavioral manifestation in the form of atypical handedness (i.e., non-right, left-, or mixed-handedness), are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, and several psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. One neurodevelopmental disorder that is associated with reduced hemispheric asymmetries, but for which findings on behavioral laterality are conflicting, is stuttering. Here, we report a series of meta-analyses of studies that report handedness (assessed as hand preference) levels in individuals who stutter (otherwise healthy) compared to controls. For this purpose, articles were identified via a search in PubMed, Scopus, and PsycInfo (13 June 2023). On the basis of k = 52 identified studies totaling n = 2590 individuals who stutter and n = 17,148 controls, five random effects meta-analyses were conducted: four using the odds ratio [left-handers (forced choice); left-handers (extreme); mixed-handers; non-right-handers vs. total)] and one using the standardized difference in means as the effect size. We did not find evidence of a left (extreme)- or mixed-handedness difference or a difference in mean handedness scores, but evidence did emerge, when it came to left-handedness (forced-choice) and (inconclusively for) non-right-handedness. Risk-of-bias analysis was not deemed necessary in the context of these meta-analyses. Differences in hand skill or strength of handedness could not be assessed as no pertinent studies were located. Severity of stuttering could not be used s a moderator, as too few studies broke down their data according to severity. Our findings do not allow for firm conclusions to be drawn on whether stuttering is associated with reduced hemispheric asymmetries, at least when it comes to their behavioral manifestation.
Plasma Treatment and Ozonation of Binary Mixtures: The Case of Maleic and Fumaric Acids
Authors: Shapoval Volodymyr , Ceriani Elisa , Frezzato Diego , Paradisi Cristina , Marotta Ester
Published: October 2023

With respect to ozonation, plasma treatment involves direct contact between the discharge and the contaminated water therefore benefiting, in addition to ozone, also of short-lived reactive species. This paper focuses on mechanistic aspects of water treatment based on plasma activation (in-situ discharge) and ozonation (ex-situ discharge), using maleic acid and fumaric acid as model substrates and dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) for producing plasma and ozone. Both types of experiments were carried out at different pH values and degradation profiles of residual concentration vs treatment time were compared in experiments in which each acid was treated individually and in mixture with the other. It was found that, under all conditions examined, plasma treatment was more efficient than ozonation for both acids, and that fumaric acid was always more reactive than maleic acid. Peculiar S-shaped degradation curves were obtained for the decay of maleic acid when treated in mixture with fumaric acid under acidic and neutral pH conditions in ozonation and in plasma experiments. This effect was not observed when maleic acid was treated in mixture with phenol instead of fumaric acid. The experimental data are nicely fitted with a simple kinetic model which assumes that a single reactive species, in steady state concentration, is responsible for the attack initiating the pollutants degradation. Based on the complete set of results obtained the conclusion is reached that, in the DBD reactor used, under acidic and neutral pH conditions ozone plays a major role in the degradation of maleic and fumaric acids also in direct plasma treatment.
Tree root-soil interaction: field study of the effect of trees on soil moisture and ground movement in an urban environment
Authors: Sun Xi , Li Jie
Published: October 2023

Aims

Little research has been conducted to quantify the atmosphere-plant-soil interaction in urban environments due to a lack of understanding of plant water use characteristics and the limited availability of high-quality field data. This research aims to quantify the drying effect of root systems of two Australian native tree species on soil water dynamics and ground movement using high-quality field measurement data.

Methods

A long-term field monitoring on soil moisture variation and ground movement close to C. maculata and M. styphelioides, was conducted for up to 45 months in Melbourne, Australia. The water requirement of each tree was monitored using sap flow sensors. Laboratory soil testing was conducted to obtain soil properties and develop profiles of soil suction and water content. The intercorrelation between soil water dynamics and tree soil water use was established.

Results

Tree roots could no longer extract water from the soil when total soil suction exceeded a wilting point of approximately 1000 kPa. The soil profile differences between the two sites were a significant factor causing substantial differences in tree water consumption.

Conclusions

At the C. maculata site, tree-induced soil desiccation occurred to a depth of 1.1 m, while at the M. styphelioides site, it extended down to 2.2 m depth. The tree root-soil interaction analysis shows that water uptake of 10.64 kL by tree roots partially contributes to a 5% decline in soil water content and a 270 kPa rise in soil suction, resulting in a continuous soil settlement of 22 mm.
Frugal and decentralised resolvent splittings defined by nonexpansive operators
Authors: Tam Matthew K.
Published: October 2023

Frugal resolvent splittings are a class of fixed point algorithms for finding a zero in the sum of the sum of finitely many set-valued monotone operators, where the fixed point operator uses only vector addition, scalar multiplication and the resolvent of each monotone operator once per iteration. In the literature, the convergence analyses of these schemes are performed in an inefficient, algorithm-by-algorithm basis. In this work, we address this by developing a general framework for frugal resolvent splitting which simultaneously covers and extends several important schemes in the literature. The framework also yields a new resolvent splitting algorithm which is suitable for decentralised implementation on regular networks.
Modified Quaternionic Analysis on the Ball
Authors: Leutwiler Heinz , Waiezi Ehsan
Published: October 2023

A natural generalization of the classical complex analysis to higher dimensions is the theory of monogenic functions (see, e.g. Brackx et al. in Clifford analysis, Pitman, Boston, 1982). Unfortunately the powers of the underlying variable are not in this system. But they are in the modified system introduced by the first author in Leutwiler (Complex Var Theory Appl 20:19–51, 1992). Since this modified system lives in the upper half space $${\mathbb {R}}_{+}^{3}$$

R

+

3

it is natural to transplant it—with the so-called Cayley mapping—to the unit ball B(0, 1) in $${\mathbb {R}}^{3}$$

R

3

. It is this transplanted system which we are going to investigate in this article. It represents the counterpart to the theory of (H)-solutions studied in Leutwiler (Complex Var Theory Appl 20:19–51, 1992).
Statin Use and Coronary Artery Calcification: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies and Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Shahraki Mitra Nekouei , Jouabadi Soroush Mohammadi , Bos Daniel , Stricker Bruno H. , Ahmadizar Fariba
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

This review aimed to determine the association between statin use and coronary artery calcification (CAC), as detected by computed tomography in the general population, in previously published observational studies (OSs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Recent Findings

A systematic search until February 2022 identified 41 relevant studies, comprising 29 OSs and 12 RCTs. We employed six meta-analysis models, stratifying studies based on design and effect metrics. For cohort studies, the pooled β of the association with CAC quantified by the Agatston score was 0.11 (95% CI = 0.05; 0.16), with an average follow-up time per person (AFTP) of 3.68 years. Cross-sectional studies indicated a pooled odds ratio of 2.11 (95% CI = 1.61; 2.78) for the presence of CAC. In RCTs, the pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) for CAC, quantified by Agatston score or volume, over and AFTP of 1.25 years were not statistically significant (SMD =  − 0.06, 95% CI =  − 0.19; 0.06 and SMD = 0.26, 95% CI =  − 0.66; 1.19), but significantly different (p-value = 0.04). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses did not show any significant differences in pooled estimates across covariates.

The effect of statins on CAC differs across study designs. OSs demonstrate associations between statin use and higher CAC scores and presence while being prone to confounding by indication. Effects from RCTs do not reach statistical significance and vary depending on the quantification method, hampering drawing conclusions. Further investigations are required to address the limitations inherent in each approach.
Advances in Screening for Radiation-Associated Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Patients
Authors: Schiffer Walter , Pedersen Lauren N. , Lui Matthew , Bergom Carmen , Mitchell Joshua D.
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

Radiation is foundational to the treatment of cancer and improves overall survival. Yet, it is important to recognize the potential cardiovascular effects of radiation therapy and how to best minimize or manage them. Screening—both through imaging and with biomarkers—can potentially identify cardiovascular effects early, allowing for prompt initiation of treatment to mitigate late effects.

Recent Findings

Cardiac echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography, and measurements of troponin and natriuretic peptides serve as the initial screening tests of choice for RICD. Novel imaging applications, including positron emission tomography and specific MRI parameters, and biomarker testing, including myeloperoxidase, growth differentiation factor 15, galectin 3, micro-RNA, and metabolomics, hold promise for earlier detection and more specific characterization of RICD.

Advances in imaging and novel applications of biomarkers have potential to identify subclinical RICD and may reveal opportunities for early intervention. Further research is needed to elucidate optimal imaging screening modalities, biomarkers, and surveillance strategies.
Is Early Repolarization Syndrome a Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes?
Authors: Tremamunno Saverio , Lanza Gaetano Antonio
Published: October 2023

Purpose of review

To review data available in medical literature on the prognostic implications of the detection of an “early repolarization” (ER) pattern at standard electrocardiogram (ECG) in athletes, with particular reference to a possible increased risk of sudden death.

Recent findings

In 2010, a case–control study of patients with vs. without idiopathic ventricular fibrillation in athletes found a higher prevalence of infero-lateral slurring J wave in cases than controls (28.6% vs. 7.6%; p = 0.006). Subsequently, a few studies assessed the prognostic value of the ER pattern (J point/ST-segment elevation with a typical ascending morphology and/or J wave with a notched morphology or with slurred QRS) in populations of athletes. Overall, a number of 3882 athletes were included in 5 studies, 1330 of whom (34.3%) had some evidence of ER pattern. No case of sudden death, as well as no increased risk of cardiovascular events, was reported in these studies.

Our revision of population studies involving athletes in medical literature failed to find any apparent increase of the arrhythmic risk associated with ER/J wave, which, therefore, should be continued to be considered as benign findings on standard ECG.
Phytic acid oligomers as bio-based crosslinkers for epoxy and polyol resins
Authors: Böhm P. , Dornbusch M. , Gutmann J. S.
Published: October 2023

In recent years, the chemical industry is not only striving to produce the best possible products for various applications, but the new products should ideally be based on renewable resources. The ideal case of "cradle to cradle" is generally not achievable in the coatings industry, as maximizing product life and preventing product degradation in the environment is usually one of the main goals of the coatings industry. Therefore, if the coatings industry wants to act sustainably, its efforts should be focused on renewable raw materials. This paper presents a process that makes the renewable raw material phytic acid easily accessible for conventional epoxy and polyol resin coating systems through hydrophobization- and oligomerization. Phytic acid, as a phosphorus reservoir in plants and with beneficial properties for corrosion protection and as a flame retardant, could be a new base for various coatings. In this work, a simple one-pot oligomerization of phytic acid with green mono- and difunctional alcohols is investigated. The aim of this work is to create a phytic acid hardener system based on renewable raw materials that can produce coatings with solvent-based epoxy and polyol binders as well as water-based epoxy binders. The successful reaction was observed by infrared, 1H-NMR, and 31P-NMR spectroscopy and the acid equivalent weight was determined by conductivity titration. The renewable curing agent was then used equivalently with different binder systems to prepare coatings. Crosslinking and glass transition temperature were monitored using oscillatory rheology. The coatings were applied to glass plates and the pendulum hardness was measured. A simple heating test followed by 31P-NMR and IR spectroscopy was also performed to demonstrate the stability of phytic acid under reaction conditions.
CD137L Inhibition Ameliorates Hippocampal Neuroinflammation and Behavioral Deficits in a Mouse Model of Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy
Authors: Qiu Fang , Liu Yueming , Liu Yang , Zhao Zhuyun , Zhou Lile , Chen Pengfei , Du Yunbo , Wang Yanmei , Sun Huimin , Zeng Changchun , Wang Xiaokang , Liu Yuqiang , Pan Haobo , Ke Changneng
Published: October 2023

Anxiety manifestations and cognitive dysfunction are common sequelae in patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Microglia-mediated inflammatory signaling is involved in anxiety, depression, and cognitive dysfunction during acute infection with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying microglia activation and behavioral and cognitive deficits in sepsis have not been in fully elucidated. Based on previous research, we speculated that the CD137 receptor/ligand system modulates microglia function during sepsis to mediate classical neurological SAE symptoms. A murine model of SAE was established by injecting male C57BL/6 mice with LPS, and cultured mouse BV2 microglia were used for in vitro assays. RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and ELISA were used to assess microglial activation and the expression of CD137L and inflammation-related cytokines in the mouse hippocampus and in cultured BV2 cells. In addition, behavioral tests were conducted in assess cognitive performance and behavioral distress. Immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR analyses showed that hippocampal expression of CD137L was upregulated in activated microglia following LPS treatment. Pre-treatment with the CD137L neutralizing antibody TKS-1 significantly reduced CD137L levels, attenuated the expression of M1 polarization markers in microglia, and inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in both LPS-treated mice and BV2 cells. Conversely, stimulation of CD137L signaling by recombinant CD137-Fc fusion protein activated the synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cultures BV2 microglia. Importantly, open field, elevated plus maze, and Y-maze spontaneous alternation test results indicated that TKS-1 administration alleviated anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory decline in mice with LPS-induced SAE. These findings suggest that CD137L upregulation in activated microglia critically contributes to neuroinflammation, anxiety-like behavior, and cognitive dysfunction in the mouse model of LPS-induced sepsis. Therefore, therapeutic modulation of the CD137L/CD137 signaling pathway may represent an effective way to minimize brain damage and prevent cognitive and emotional deficits associated with SAE.
Determination of ethyl glucuronide in hair and self-reported alcohol consumption in university students
Authors: Pascali Jennifer P. , Giorgetti Arianna , Pelletti Guido , Morini Luca , Mohamed Susan , Barbaresi Marta , Cecchi Rossana , Pelotti Susi , Fais Paolo
Published: October 2023

Young individuals constitute an intriguing population, as their drinking habits are notably shaped by their perception of their peers’ alcohol consumption. Nonetheless, excessive alcohol intake can have detrimental effects on academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and the risk and severity of accidents. This study reported the first data involving students enrolled from three universities on a voluntary basis for alcohol consumption evaluation. Alcohol consumption was assessed through questionnaires and EtG quantification in hair (hEtG) carried out by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis after a solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification step. The results of our study demonstrated that 77.1% of samples tested negative for hEtG or displayed hEtG ≤ 5 pg/mg. Particularly, the student population was not characterized by samples with hEtG indicative of chronic excessive consumption (hEtG ≥ 30 pg/mg). No significant association was identified between biological sex, among the degree course/the year attended, nor in relation to BMI or smoking/coffee consumption. Among the obtained results, it was worth noting that the comparison of self-reporting abstinence from tobacco and coffee accounted for 65.3% and 16.7%, respectively, while only 2.8% of the total declared abstinence from alcohol. The current study has uncovered a significant level of interest among students in this analysis and its interpretation. This suggests that implementing public health promotion activities within a university setting could be beneficial.
Livestock management at the Late Iron Age site of Baltarga (eastern Pyrenees): an integrated bio-geoarchaeological approach
Authors: Colominas Lídia , Portillo Marta , Morera Jordi , Oller Joan , Berrocal-Barberà Anna , Gallego-Valle Abel , López-Bultó Oriol , Messana Chiara , Sisa-López de Pablo Joaquim , Tornero Carlos , Olesti Oriol
Published: October 2023

Despite the important role of livestock farming amongst Iron Age communities living in mountain regions, there is little information about livestock management, and particularly stabling practises, breeding systems, and grazing/foddering patterns. The study of the ground floor of Building G in Tossal de Baltarga has provided valuable insights into these important issues and has given us a better understanding of the social and economic patterns involved in all these livestock activities. It revealed the existence of a stable from the Late Iron Age, thanks to unique in situ finds of the stabled animals, including four sheep, a goat, and a horse, in addition to a range of organic remains preserved by fire and penning deposits. It is the first documented to date in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula. Through an integrated bio-geoarchaeological approach, combining a range of analytic procedures, including osteology, dental microwear, stable isotopes, phytoliths, dung spherulite analyses, and thin-section micromorphology, for the first time, this study has provided new, high-resolution evidence of livestock management strategies. Specifically, the research shed light on animal penning and feeding practises, revealing variable herbivorous regimes between species, the practise of seasonal movements, and the possible use of fodder as the main dietary regime of the animals stabled there. At the same time, the Baltarga case-study illustrates an indoor production unit that could reveal possible private control of some domestic animals in the Pyrenean Late Iron Age.
Model-based design and multidisciplinary optimization of complex system architectures in the aircraft cabin
Authors: Ghanjaoui Yassine , Fuchs Mara , Biedermann Jörn , Nagel Björn
Published: October 2023

The aviation industry is currently facing major challenges due to environmental and socio-economic trends toward sustainable and digitalized aviation. Revolutionary, more powerful and efficient technologies must be rapidly integrated into aircraft, while aircraft manufacturers must demonstrate the required safety. To support the implementation of new concepts, the DLR Institute of System Architectures in Aeronautics is researching methods for end-to-end digitalization from the preliminary design phase to assembly and production. In this context, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization are important approaches for the development of complex systems. This paper presents a method for the end-to-end use of digital models for multidisciplinary optimization of system architectures. The Systems Modeling Language (SysML) is used to represent the system architecture. The focus is on the cabin and cabin systems, since they are highly coupled to other aircraft systems and have dynamic, customer-specific configuration requirements. The system architecture in SysML is instantiated and configured by the interface to the aircraft fuselage and cabin design parameter sets in the Common Parametric Configuration Schema. The subsequent coupling of the generated system architecture model with the cabin system design model developed in Matlab allows a multidisciplinary optimization of the system properties. A sensitivity analysis is performed using the Passenger Service Unit as an example. The effects of different cabin configurations on the system architecture are investigated and interdisciplinary synergies are identified and analyzed. The results of this analysis are discussed in this paper.
The effect of forager loss on honeybee workers temporal polyethism and social network structure
Authors: Beck Elias , Wenseleers Tom , Oliveira Ricardo Caliari
Published: October 2023

The western honeybee Apis mellifera is perhaps the best-known example of an advanced eusocial species displaying temporal polyethism, a process in which workers perform different tasks in the colony as they age. Previous studies demonstrated that this temporal division of labour is not only regulated by the age of the bees but also by the proportion of workers performing the required tasks in the colony. As we progress through the Anthropocene, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted that a significant increase in both the frequency and intensity of severe weather events can be expected in the coming decades. Here, we performed a controlled interrupted time series experiment with the objective of quantifying the possible effects that these weather events might have in the honeybee colony dynamics. By simulating a significant loss of foragers in the colony, we observed that honeybee workers quickly replaced the missing foragers by accelerating their transition to a subsequent task and, in some cases, completely skipped several of the natural task transitions with respect to their age. In addition, we analysed how the colony social network structure is affected by the sudden loss of foragers. Indeed, our data show that honeybee colonies increased their network cohesion with workers having a higher number of interactions as well as becoming more closely connected to one another soon after the disturbance. Overall, our data shows that even when faced with a substantial perturbation, honeybees can respond swiftly in order to maintain colony homeostasis and likely increase their resilience against future perturbations.
Potential of the Julia Programming Language for High Energy Physics Computing
Authors: Eschle Jonas , Gál Tamás , Giordano Mosè , Gras Philippe , Hegner Benedikt , Heinrich Lukas , Hernandez Acosta Uwe , Kluth Stefan , Ling Jerry , Mato Pere , Mikhasenko Mikhail , Moreno Briceño Alexander , Pivarski Jim , Samaras-Tsakiris Konstantinos , Schulz Oliver , Stewart Graeme Andrew , Strube Jan , Vassilev Vassil
Published: October 2023

Research in high energy physics (HEP) requires huge amounts of computing and storage, putting strong constraints on the code speed and resource usage. To meet these requirements, a compiled high-performance language is typically used; while for physicists, who focus on the application when developing the code, better research productivity pleads for a high-level programming language. A popular approach consists of combining Python, used for the high-level interface, and C++, used for the computing intensive part of the code. A more convenient and efficient approach would be to use a language that provides both high-level programming and high-performance. The Julia programming language, developed at MIT especially to allow the use of a single language in research activities, has followed this path. In this paper the applicability of using the Julia language for HEP research is explored, covering the different aspects that are important for HEP code development: runtime performance, handling of large projects, interface with legacy code, distributed computing, training, and ease of programming. The study shows that the HEP community would benefit from a large scale adoption of this programming language. The HEP-specific foundation libraries that would need to be consolidated are identified.
„Motivational interviewing“ als Gesprächsführungstechnik bei Adipositas
Authors: Schulze Sally , Arndt Marisa
Published: October 2023

Patient:innen mit Adipositas, die ihre Gesundheit verbessern möchten, müssen Lifestyle-Änderungen umsetzen und diese dauerhaft beibehalten. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen, ist ein hohes Mass an Eigenmotivation erforderlich. Motivierende Gesprächsführung („motivational interviewing“ [MI]) ist eine erprobte Gesprächsführungstechnik, die bereits in den 1980er-Jahren für die Gesprächsführung mit suchterkrankten Menschen entwickelt wurde. Sie lässt sich auch bei Adipositas in Patientengesprächen einsetzen. Die Technik hilft, die Gesprächssituation für Behandelnde weniger konflikthaft und belastend zu gestalten. In diesem Artikel finden Sie beispielhafte Formulierungen, wie Sie ein Patientengespräch in verschiedenen Situationen gestalten können.
Beyond the biomedical: an evaluation of the introduction of social gerontology into a postgraduate geriatric medicine education program
Authors: Tomkow Louise , Thomson Alexander
Published: October 2023

Geriatric Medicine education tends to adopt a biomedical lens, despite the practice of Geriatric Medicine involving the comprehensive assessment of the functional, psychological, and social aspects of older people’s lives. In this commentary, we describe the delivery of a Social Gerontology education program for Geriatric Medicine trainees in the Northwest of England. Education in Social Gerontology—a field that focuses on how social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors shape the lives of older adults—is thought to mitigate against ageism, a pervasive and multifaceted form of discrimination. We describe the rationale for, and context of, the program delivery, before presenting an overview of trainee’s feedback. Thematic analysis of feedback centered around three main themes: knowledge acquisition, change in clinical practice, and enjoyment of the sessions. Trainees (n = 20) reported enjoying the sessions, with 100% likely to recommend to peers. The focus on underserved groups, the novel content of the sessions, which were not taught elsewhere, and the non-medical perspective of the speakers were described as particularly valuable. By sharing our approach and reflecting on the early success of the program, we argue for an increased focus on Social Gerontology in Geriatric Medicine education.