bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An assessment of microplastic contamination in beach sediment of Maharashtra State, India, with special reference to anthropogenic activities
Authors: Shinde Riddhi , Rabari Vasantkumar , Duggal Rishiraj , Patel Ashish , Alharbi Sulaiman Ali , Ansari Mohammad Javed , Trivedi Jigneshkumar
Published: May 2024

The escalating issue of microplastic (MP) pollution poses a significant threat to the marine environment due to increasing plastic production and improper waste management. The current investigation was aimed at quantifying the MP concentration on 25 beaches on the Maharashtra coast, India. Beach sediments (1 kg) were collected from each site, with five replicates to evaluate the extent of MPs. The samples were homogenized, and three 20 g replicas were prepared for subsequent analysis. Later, the samples were sieved, and MPs were extracted using previously published protocols. The abundance of MPs found as 1.56 ± 0.79 MPs/g, ranges from 0.43 ± 0.07 to 3 ± 0.37 MPs/g. Fibers were found as the most abundant shape of MPs. Size‐wise classification revealed dominance of <1 mm and 1–2 mm‐sized MPs. Blue‐ and black‐colored MPs were recorded dominantly. Polymer identification of MPs revealed polyurethane, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic or polymethyl methacrylate, and rubber. The findings revealed that MPs were found to be higher at highly impacted sites, followed by moderately impacted sites and low‐impacted sites, possibly due to a different degree of anthropogenic pressure. The study recommended the urgent need for effective policy to prevent plastics accumulation in the coastal environment of Maharashtra State, India.

Practitioner Points

The study investigated the abundance and distribution of microplastics in the marine environment, specifically in sediments.

The most common type of microplastic found was fibers, followed by fragments and films.

Microplastics were found to pose a potential risk to the marine ecosystem, although further research is needed to fully understand their ecological impact.

Future research should focus on expanding the sample size, assessing long‐term effects, exploring sources and pathways, and considering size and shape of microplastics.

The findings recommended urgent action to mitigate plastic pollution in Maharashtra coast.
Soft mechanical sensors for wearable and implantable applications
Authors: Papani Rithvik , Li Yang , Wang Sihong
Published: May 2024

Wearable and implantable sensing of biomechanical signals such as pressure, strain, shear, and vibration can enable a multitude of human‐integrated applications, including on‐skin monitoring of vital signs, motion tracking, monitoring of internal organ condition, restoration of lost/impaired mechanoreception, among many others. The mechanical conformability of such sensors to the human skin and tissue is critical to enhancing their biocompatibility and sensing accuracy. As such, in the recent decade, significant efforts have been made in the development of soft mechanical sensors. To satisfy the requirements of different wearable and implantable applications, such sensors have been imparted with various additional properties to make them better suited for the varied contexts of human‐integrated applications. In this review, focusing on the four major types of soft mechanical sensors for pressure, strain, shear, and vibration, we discussed the recent material and device design innovations for achieving several important properties, including flexibility and stretchability, bioresorbability and biodegradability, self‐healing properties, breathability, transparency, wireless communication capabilities, and high‐density integration. We then went on to discuss the current research state of the use of such novel soft mechanical sensors in wearable and implantable applications, based on which future research needs were further discussed.

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing

Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants
Exploring the properties and potential of the neural extracellular matrix for next‐generation regenerative therapies
Authors: Ortega J. Alberto , Soares de Aguiar Gisele P. , Chandravanshi Palash , Levy Natacha , Engel Elisabeth , Álvarez Zaida
Published: May 2024

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and complex network of proteins and molecules that surrounds cells and tissues in the nervous system and orchestrates a myriad of biological functions. This review carefully examines the diverse interactions between cells and the ECM, as well as the transformative chemical and physical changes that the ECM undergoes during neural development, aging, and disease. These transformations play a pivotal role in shaping tissue morphogenesis and neural activity, thereby influencing the functionality of the central nervous system (CNS). In our comprehensive review, we describe the diverse behaviors of the CNS ECM in different physiological and pathological scenarios and explore the unique properties that make ECM‐based strategies attractive for CNS repair and regeneration. Addressing the challenges of scalability, variability, and integration with host tissues, we review how advanced natural, synthetic, and combinatorial matrix approaches enhance biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and functional recovery. Overall, this review highlights the potential of decellularized ECM as a powerful tool for CNS modeling and regenerative purposes and sets the stage for future research in this exciting field.

This article is categorized under:

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants
Influence of Adaptive Controlling Strategies of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine on Corrosion Fatigue Deterioration of Supporting Towers
Authors: Heng Junlin , Zhang Jiaxin , Dong You , Kaewunruen Sakdirat , Baniotopoulos Charalampos
Published: May 2024

Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) demonstrate very promising potential in unlocking the plentiful wind resource in deep-water oceans. Meanwhile, the combination of the harsh marine environment and strong dynamics complicate the long-term deterioration of FOWT-supporting towers, specifically the escalating corrosion fatigue (C-F) coupled deterioration in critical connections. Unlike traditional engineering structures, an interoperable control is available in FOWTs, such as the pitching, yawing and torque controllers, which can mitigate structural oscillation and loads. With the recent advances in smart sensing, a better prognosis of current and future deterioration can be guaranteed with increasingly accessible data. Thus, a refined adaptive control strategy is hence deemed essential based on the site-specific data, to curb the operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of FOWT towers based on the structural condition. The present work elaborates on the influence of various adaptive controlling strategies of FOWTs on the C-F deterioration of supporting towers, lending itself to preliminary references for balanced trade-offs between power generation and structural reliability. Multi-physics simulations of FOWTs are initially carried out to establish fatigue stress spectra from site-specific wind-wave distribution, using various types of control strategies. Structural reliability assessment is then conducted by incorporating the spectra into a time-variant C-F deterioration model in which the ambient corrosivity is accounted for. The result suggests a compelling C-F deterioration faced by FOWT towers due to strong wind-wave loads, high corrosivity and improved structural flexibility. More critically, the finding underscores the apparent influence of controlling strategies on the C-F deterioration of FOWT structures, especially under certain regimes of wind velocities. In addition, preliminary but innovative perspectives are elucidated on the delicate balance and conflict between generation efficiency and structural reliability.
Design of Photovoltaic/Thermal Collectors with Thermal Storage and Batteries to Enhance Building Performance and Resilience in Cold Climate
Authors: Pelletier-De Koninck Jean-Christophe , Athienitis Andreas , Nouanegue Hervé Frank
Published: May 2024

This study consists of a sensitivity analysis of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors, liquid thermal storage, and battery systems applied for the offices of a school building near Montreal, Canada to enhance building performance and resiliency to power outages during winter operation. The analysis was applied for 3 days in January with mixed solar conditions by varying the sizing of each of the components to achieve at least 8 h of self-sufficiency, the average length of power outages. It was found the optimal sizing for the studied system, while minimizing component costs, is to dimensions PV/T collectors to meet the base heating load, while maximizing thermal storage, and diminishing battery capacity to meet the base heat pump electricity consumption. For the case study, the optimal configuration was 27 PV/T, a 908 L thermal storage tank, and 10 kWh of battery capacity, to consistently achieve over 8 h of self-sufficiency in mixed sunny and cloudy winter conditions.
Reliability and Durability of Built Environment Under Impact of Climate Natural Hazards
Authors: Dubina Dan , Dinu Florea
Published: May 2024

Constructions should be able to remain stable for their designed lifetime, from 50 to 100 years, even more. As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events such as temperature variation, humidity, heavy rainfall, floods, and windstorms become more frequent and more severe. These events pose a significant threat to conventional building designs and infrastructures. Consequently, there is a growing demand for climate-resilient constructions that can withstand extreme weather conditions. Protecting infrastructure and buildings to cope with these threats is a complex challenge. Building materials, design, and construction techniques need to be adapted to ensure the durability and safety of structures in the face of changing climatic conditions. The safety margins and robustness of constructions for undesired events in technical regulations and standards should therefore be continuously re-evaluated so that the designed level of reliability is maintained. To control by design, alternatively to traditional prescriptive design codes, where the building must conform to a set of given requirements that results in a hard-to-quantify performance, a Performance-Based Design (PBD) method might apply to explicitly define and achieve the desired structural performance. Based on the review and analysis of dedicated literature and research reports related to this complex problem, potential technical solutions are discussed. Also, two real study cases, one caused by extreme wind and the other by extreme drifted snow, are presented.
Life Cycle Assessment of the Lightweight Timber Structures with Bio-Based Aggregate Composites
Authors: Bajare Diana , Puzule Liga , Sinka Maris , Tambovceva Tatjana , Bumanis Girts
Published: May 2024

The lightweight structures play a crucial role in mitigating the environmental impact of buildings throughout their lifespan. There is an interest in exploring various agricultural by-products as effective aggregates for filling framed timber structures. Natural fibers, such as hemp shives, are gaining attention for their environmental benefits, including biodegradability, renewability, recyclability, composability, and their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By harnessing these natural fibers, it is possible to reduce emissions associated with the most popular wall structures. Moreover, this approach reduces agricultural waste and facilitates integration into a circular economy model. This study delves into the effects of bio-composites created from hemp shives, combined with starch, gypsum, and a geopolymer binder, in fabricating lightweight timber structures. These lightweight structures are compared among themselves and conventionally used wall structures, assuming one square meter of wall with a specific U-value as the comparative unit. Results from a life cycle assessment revealed that these innovative lightweight timber wall structures yield CO2 emissions ranging from −13.94 to 82.89 kg of CO2 equivalent per square meter. In contrast, compared to traditional brick wall constructions, these structures offer substantial savings, potentially reducing emissions by up to 149.38 kg of CO2 equivalent per square meter. This research underscores the promising environmental advantages of utilizing natural fiber-based bio-composites in constructing lightweight timber structures, emphasizing their potential to reduce carbon footprints in building construction significantly.
Thermal-Structural Modelling and Temperature Control of Roller-Compacted Concrete Gravity Dam: A Parametric Study
Authors: Malkawi Abdallah I. Husein , Malkawi Dima A. Husein , Bani-Hani Khaldoon A.
Published: May 2024

This research is a Parametric study that investigates the temperature and thermal stress distributions in Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) dams. The analysis used in this study involved the RCC placement temperature, the Modulus of Elasticity, tensile strain capacity, the placement schedule of RCC layers, the number of layers, and the thickness of each layer. The Metolong Dam Project in the South African state of Lesotho is used in this research as a case study, in addition to ANSYS, a well-known computer code. The sensitivity of each of the parameters listed above is investigated, and the results are presented in tables and graphs. Conclusions are drawn to better understand the effect of each parameter on the temperature distribution and thermal stress in the RCC dams.
Generic Motion Components for Sonic Design
Authors: Godøy Rolf Inge
Published: May 2024

Sonic design, understood as the activity of intentionally creating sound events, encompasses both musical craftsmanship and analytic reflection. It may include technologies for sound synthesis and processing, as well as traditional methods for sound generation by musical instruments or the human voice, and also principles of orchestration. Common to many instances of sonic design, is having acoustic components that blend with concurrent real or imagined motion sensations. Thus, sonic design can be understood as a multimodal phenomenon, yet we often lack suitable concepts for differentiating and evaluating these multimodal components. This paper aims to present work on developing a scheme to detect, and actively exploit, generic motion components in sonic design, be that as analytic or creative tools.
Sonic Design and Spatial Features
Authors: Holbrook Ulf A. S.
Published: May 2024

This chapter seeks to contextualise and demonstrate how the core features of sonic design can encompass multidimensional features of space. The Schaefferian sound object is the basis for sonic design, a multidimensional unit which can contain multiple significations and features at the same time. This unit can be described by its main features and be broken down into sub-features and sub-sub-features. Rich and varied attributes from acoustics and psychoacoustics are used to see the sound object not merely in a musical but also in a spatial perspective. My proposed spatial “extension” to sonic design follows a proposal for how the typomorphology classification system can be seen in the light of spatial features.
A Grammar of Expressive Conducting Gestures
Authors: Gibet Sylvie
Published: May 2024

In recent years, research on sonification has paid more attention to sound variations induced by expressive gestures. This chapter focuses on conducting gestures, emphasizing expressive gestures performed by the non-dominant hand. It is assumed that these gestures implicitly correspond to musical nuances partially encoded in the scores and convey a meaning based on a grammatical structure specific to gestural languages. We, therefore, propose to analyze these gestures in light of linguistic mechanisms that govern signed languages. In particular, we are interested in the processes of sign formation from the combination of elementary components and the inflection processes that apply to these components to efficiently generate rich and expressive sentences. Based on this grammatical theory underlying sign language and a sound-tracking methodology, we create and evaluate a new dataset of expressive conducting gestures.
Digitalität und Interkulturalität Hand in Hand: Ausbau der Technologieakzeptanz und interkulturellen Kompetenz von Lehramtsstudierenden
Authors: Paffenholz Andreas , Dähling Christoph , Standop Jutta , Weinberger Alfred
Published: May 2024

Im Projekt Vis-à-vis arbeiten Lehramtsstudierende aus Deutschland, Israel und Österreich über fünf Wochen online in trinationalen Gruppen in Form des problembasierten Lernens zusammen. Durch dieses internationale und digitale Projekt konnte einerseits die interkulturelle Kompetenz und andererseits die Technologieakzeptanz der Studierenden gesteigert werden. Bei der Analyse der Daten wurde ein Mixed-Methods-Ansatz verfolgt. Hierzu wurden vor und nach der Intervention ausgefüllte Fragebögen quantitativ ausgewertet. Während des Projekts führten die Studierenden Lerntagebücher und arbeiteten an Concept-Maps, wobei erstere qualitativ untersucht wurden und letztere quantitativ.
Durch Communities of Inquiry eine digitale Kultur für den Auf- und Ausbau professioneller digitaler Kompetenzen schaffen
Authors: Oetjen Birte , Martschinke Sabine , Jandl Vanessa , Pfann Kerstin , Truckenbrodt Stefanie
Published: May 2024

Der Einsatz digitaler Medien im (Grundschul-)Unterricht ist von der Lehrkraft und ihren professionellen Kompetenzen abhängig, die bereits in der universitären Phase der Lehrer:innenbildung über geeignete E-Learning-Szenarien auf- und ausgebaut werden können und sollen. Im Beitrag wird als Good-Practice-Beispiel das Online-Seminar Kinder digital und forschend im Schriftspracherwerb begleiten für Grundschullehramtsstudierende vorgestellt. Die Konzeption orientiert sich am Community of Inquiry-Modell. Erste Evaluationsergebnisse mit 49 Grundschullehramtsstudierenden zur Entwicklung und Veränderung professioneller Kompetenzen im digitalen Schriftspracherwerb werden diskutiert.
Living Learning Materials im Fokus digitaler universitärer Lehre
Authors: Pieper Marlene , Vogt Michaela , Bierschwale Christoph
Published: May 2024

Die Idee der Living Learning Materials (LLM) bezieht sich auf einen reflexiven Umgang mit digitalen Bildungsmaterialien sowie entsprechenden OER-Plattformen hinsichtlich ihrer inklusionsförderlichen Potenziale und tut dies basierend auf einer Verschränkung der Lehre, Forschung und digitalen Communities of Practice. Den Ausgangspunkt universitärer Lehre bildet mit diesem Zuschnitt die kritische Beurteilung und Verbesserung von OER-Materialien basierend auf einem Kriterienkatalog zur Inklusionssensibilität und Qualität. Lehre wird damit in mehrfacher Hinsicht digital: Sie findet unter Hinzunahme digitaler Angebote statt und basiert zudem auf der kritischen gemeinsamen Reflexion über digitale Bildungsmaterialien. Hierdurch wird Studierenden die kritische und vielperspektivische Auseinandersetzung mit der Bildung in der „Kultur der Digitalität“ (Stalder 2016) ermöglicht.
Studie zum Nutzen persönlicher E-Mails in der Online- und Präsenzlehre
Authors: Mühlhauser Michael , Herrmann Dominik
Published: May 2024

In großen Onlinevorlesungen fehlt Studierenden manchmal die Motivation, sich mit den Kursinhalten auseinanderzusetzen. Die in diesem Beitrag vorgestellte Studie zeigt: regelmäßige persönliche E-Mails können die Lehr- und Lernkultur verbessern. In einer Online-Informatik-Grundlagenvorlesung im Sommersemester 2021 wurde dazu das Kommunikations- und Nutzungsverhalten von 473 Studierenden auf mehreren Lernplattformen ausgewertet. In einer Umfrage am Semesterende konnten die Studierenden darüber hinaus ihre subjektive Einschätzung zu den Kommunikationsangeboten abgeben. Die Auswertung zeigt, dass Studierende persönliche E-Mails von Lehrenden schätzen und dass diese einen signifikanten Einfluss auf das Kommunikationsverhalten haben, aber nicht unbedingt auf das Nutzungsverhalten von Lernangeboten.
Double Higgs production at the HL-LHC: probing a loop-enhanced model with kinematical distributions
Authors: Da Rold Leandro , Epele Manuel , Medina Anibal D. , Mileo Nicolás I. , Szynkman Alejandro
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We study di-Higgs production via gluon fusion at the high luminosity LHC in the presence of new physics, focusing on the $$b\overline{b }\gamma \gamma $$ final states. Taking a minimal set of three scalar leptoquarks (LQs) with cubic and quartic interactions with the Higgs and choosing four benchmark points with a light LQ, we perform a detailed analysis of differential distributions of the di-Higgs production cross section, studying the imprints of the new physics states running in the loops. Simulating the signal and main backgrounds, we study the influence of the new physics in differential distributions such as the invariant mass of the subsystems of final particles, the transverse momentum, and angular variables, finding in particular a resonance peak associated with the light LQ. It turns out that the angular separation of the photons, which is correlated with the resonance LQ peak, is a very sensitive observable that helps in discriminating the new physics signal from the Standard Model background. We find that for two of our benchmarks discovery could be reached with 3 ab−1, whereas exclusion limits at 95% C.L. could be claimed with 0.60–0.75 ab−1. For the other two benchmarks that have heavier LQ masses significances of order 2σ are possible for 3 ab−1. A similar analysis could be applied to other loop-enhanced models.
Phi4tools: compilation of Feynman diagrams for Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson theories
Authors: Sberveglieri Giacomo , Spada Gabriele
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Scalar field theories with quartic interactions are of central interest in the study of second-order phase transitions. For three-dimensional theories, numerous studies make use of the fixed-dimensional perturbative computation of [B. Nickel, D. Meiron, and G. Baker Jr, Compilation of 2-pt and 4-pt graphs for continuous spin model, University of Guelph report (1977)], unfortunately left unpublished. We independently verify the results of Nickel et al., and we extend the computation to the eighth order in the coupling constant. The results of our calculations, together with the tools developed, are made available in Phi4tools, a user-friendly package that allows displaying the information about the individual Feynman diagrams, including the numerical values for the diagrams for zero, two, and four-point functions. We also provide the perturbative series up to order eight for the renormalization-group functions for the O(N) and cubic anisotropic models.
Zero modes of massive fermions delocalize from axion strings
Authors: Bagherian Hengameh , Fraser Katherine , Homiller Samuel , Stout John
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Massless chiral excitations can arise from the interactions between a fermion and an axion string, propagating along the string and allowing it to superconduct. The properties of these excitations, or zero modes, dictate how the string interacts with light and can thus have important phenomenological consequences. In this paper, we add a nowhere-vanishing Dirac mass for the fermion in the usual model of axion electrodynamics. We find that the zero modes exhibit an interesting phase structure in which they delocalize from the string’s core as the mass increases, up until a critical value past which they disappear. We study this structure from an analytic perspective, with explicit numerical solutions, and via anomaly inflow arguments. Finally, we derive the two-dimensional effective theory of the zero mode and its interactions with the four-dimensional gauge field and show how this effective theory breaks down as the zero modes delocalize.
Strange higher-spin topological systems in 3D
Authors: Boulanger Nicolas , Campoleoni Andrea , Lekeu Victor , Skvortsov Evgeny
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Motivated by the generation of action principles from off-shell dualisation, we present a general class of free, topological theories in three dimensional Minkowski spacetime that exhibit higher-spin gauge invariance. In the spin-two case, we recover a dual reformulation of the triplet system already known, while the higher-spin systems that we obtain seem to be new. They are associated with wild quivers. We study in which situations these exotic (or strange) higher-spin models can be extended to dS3 and AdS3 backgrounds, revealing that the flat limit of such models, when they exist, admits a one-parameter freedom. Interactions are studied in the simplest higher-spin case featuring spin-2 and spin-3 fields. We then give several higher-spin generalizations of these strange systems.
The Risk of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma; A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Elameen Ali Mohamed , AlMarakby Mohamed Awad , Atta Tarek Ibrahim , Dahy Asmaa Ali
Published: May 2024

Background

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an emerging disorder that has gained global attention throughout the past era. The present meta-analysis was performed to retrieve the risk of BIA-ALCL from population-based epidemiological studies. Factors associated with BIA-ALCL were evaluated to identify patients at higher risk of BIA-ALCL.

Methods

A systematic literature search was executed throughout 12 databases. All epidemiological studies encompassing patients with breast implants either for aesthetic or reconstructive purposes and reported the risk of BIA-ALCL were included. Studies reported the risk factors of BIA-ALCL were included.

Results

The present meta-analysis included 17 articles, encompassing 525,475 patients with breast implants. There were 254 patients with BIA-ALCL with a mean duration to the diagnosis of BIA-ALCL of 13.16 years (95% CI 11.7–14.6, P < 0.001). There were 44 patients with textured breast implants and two with smooth implants. Patients with breast implants were 28.86 times more at high risk of BI-ALCL (95% CI 3.123–266.681). The risk ranged from 0 to 1 per 1000 cases with breast implants, with a similar risk among patients seeking aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries. The risk was 0 to 1 case per 1000 cases among patients with textured breast implants. There was a significant association between the history of breast cancer and BIA-ALCL (P = 0.0016).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis confirmed the association between breast implants and ALCL. There was a similar risk of BIA-ALCL among patients with aesthetic or reconstructive surgeries. Patients with a history of breast cancer were at higher risk of BIA-ALCL.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Assessing deep learning reconstruction for faster prostate MRI: visual vs. diagnostic performance metrics
Authors: van Lohuizen Quintin , Roest Christian , Simonis Frank F. J. , Fransen Stefan J. , Kwee Thomas C. , Yakar Derya , Huisman Henkjan
Published: May 2024

Objective

Deep learning (DL) MRI reconstruction enables fast scan acquisition with good visual quality, but the diagnostic impact is often not assessed because of large reader study requirements. This study used existing diagnostic DL to assess the diagnostic quality of reconstructed images.

Materials and methods

A retrospective multisite study of 1535 patients assessed biparametric prostate MRI between 2016 and 2020. Likely clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) lesions (PI-RADS $$\ge$$
≥
4) were delineated by expert radiologists. T2-weighted scans were retrospectively undersampled, simulating accelerated protocols. DL reconstruction (DLRecon) and diagnostic DL detection (DLDetect) were developed. The effect on the partial area under (pAUC), the Free-Response Operating Characteristic (FROC) curve, and the structural similarity (SSIM) were compared as metrics for diagnostic and visual quality, respectively. DLDetect was validated with a reader concordance analysis. Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon, permutation, and Cohen’s kappa tests for visual quality, diagnostic performance, and reader concordance.

Results

DLRecon improved visual quality at 4- and 8-fold (R4, R8) subsampling rates, with SSIM (range: −1 to 1) improved to 0.78 ± 0.02 (p < 0.001) and 0.67 ± 0.03 (p < 0.001) from 0.68 ± 0.03 and 0.51 ± 0.03, respectively. However, diagnostic performance at R4 showed a pAUC FROC of 1.33 (CI 1.28–1.39) for DL and 1.29 (CI 1.23–1.35) for naive reconstructions, both significantly lower than fully sampled pAUC of 1.58 (DL: p = 0.024, naïve: p = 0.02). Similar trends were noted for R8.

Conclusion

DL reconstruction produces visually appealing images but may reduce diagnostic accuracy. Incorporating diagnostic AI into the assessment framework offers a clinically relevant metric essential for adopting reconstruction models into clinical practice.

Clinical relevance statement

In clinical settings, caution is warranted when using DL reconstruction for MRI scans. While it recovered visual quality, it failed to match the prostate cancer detection rates observed in scans not subjected to acceleration and DL reconstruction.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection versus surgery for T1b esophageal carcinoma: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Ting , Wang Hanying , Jin Tian , Wu Zeyu , Li Xiuqing , Zhang Qide
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a preferred treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC). However, only few studies compared long-term survival outcomes of ESD with surgery, especially for T1b SESCC. This study compared the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and complication rates of both, to evaluate the value of ESD in patients with T1b SESCC.

Methods

We reviewed patients who underwent ESD (n = 47) or surgery (n = 73) for T1b SESCC at Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from 2009 to 2021. To increase the precision of our results interpretation, subgroups were analyzed according to the depth of tumor invasion and elderly people.

Results

In the ESD and surgery groups, the overall mortality rates were 0/100 and 12.3/100 person years, incidence rates of recurrence were 2.13/100 and 11/100 person years, respectively. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed no significant different in OS, DSS and RFS. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and depth of submucosal invasion were identified as risk factors for cancer recurrence in multivariate analysis. For elderly people, no significant differences were found in OS, DSS and RFS between different treatments.

Conclusion

ESD are related to lower complication rates and shorter hospital stay than surgery in long-term outcomes for patients with pT1b SESCC. But in pT1b-SM2 patients, we still need long-term follow-up.
Winter-ground microhabitat use by differently coloured phenotypes affects return rate in a long-distance migratory bird
Authors: Kärkkäinen Tiia , Hobson Keith A. , Kardynal Kevin J. , Laaksonen Toni
Published: May 2024

Migratory bird populations are declining globally at alarming rates. Non-breeding site conditions affect breeding populations, but generalising non-breeding habitat conditions over large spatial regions cannot address potential fine-scale differences across landscapes or local populations. Plumage characteristics can mediate the effects of environmental conditions on individual fitness. However, whether different phenotypes use distinctive non-breeding sites, and whether they respond to non-breeding site conditions differently remains largely unknown. Stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N, δ2H) of inert tissues are useful to infer habitat characteristics and geographic origins where those tissues were grown. We collected winter-grown feathers from pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) on their breeding grounds over several years from males whose dorsal plumage colouration ranged continuously from brown to black and assessed their stable isotope values as proxies of local habitat conditions. Based on feather δ2H profiles we found that browner males spent their non-breeding season in drier habitats than black males. Assignment to origin analysis shows potential regional non-breeding ground separation between differently coloured males. High within-individual repeatability of both δ13C and δ15N indicate the pied flycatcher males return yearly to similar areas. Blacker males were more likely to return to the breeding grounds after dry years compared with brown males. The opposite was found in wet years. Our study demonstrates that different phenotypes are exposed to different non-breeding site conditions which can differentially affect individual survivorship. This has important ramifications for population dynamics under predicted climate change scenarios where especially brown phenotype pied flycatcher males may be under a risk of decreasing.
A feature selection method based on Shapley values robust for concept shift in regression
Authors: Sebastián Carlos , González-Guillén Carlos E.
Published: May 2024

Feature selection is one of the most relevant processes in any methodology for creating a statistical learning model. Usually, existing algorithms establish some criterion to select the most influential variables, discarding those that do not contribute to the model with any relevant information. This methodology makes sense in a static situation where the joint distribution of the data does not vary over time. However, when dealing with real data, it is common to encounter the problem of the dataset shift and, specifically, changes in the relationships between variables (concept shift). In this case, the influence of a variable cannot be the only indicator of its quality as a regressor of the model, since the relationship learned in the training phase may not correspond to the current situation. In tackling this problem, our approach establishes a direct relationship between the Shapley values and prediction errors, operating at a more local level to effectively detect the individual biases introduced by each variable. The proposed methodology is evaluated through various examples, including synthetic scenarios mimicking sudden and incremental shift situations, as well as two real-world cases characterized by concept shifts. Additionally, we perform three analyses of standard situations to assess the algorithm’s robustness in the absence of shifts. The results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm significantly outperforms state-of-the-art feature selection methods in concept shift scenarios, while matching the performance of existing methodologies in static situations.
Sex-specific effects of birth weight on longitudinal behavioural outcomes in children and adolescents: findings from the raine study
Authors: Byg Lars Meinertz , Wang Carol , Attia John , Pennell Craig
Published: May 2024

Previous cross-sectional studies suggest that birth weight (BW) is associated with aggression-, social- and attention problems differently in boys and girls. We sought to test if these differences could be confirmed in a longitudinal study. The 1989 Raine Study provided prospectively collected data on perinatal variables and repeated child behaviour checklist assessments from ages 5 to 17. Linear mixed effects models provided crude and adjusted relationships between BW and childhood behaviour at a conservative significance threshold using prenatal maternal covariables in adjusted models. Sensitivity analyses included an age10 teacher assessment. Data on behaviour, BW and sex, was available in 2269 participants. Male sex was associated with increased aggression problems at lower BW compared to females in the crude model (Interaction B: -0.436, 98.3%CI: [-0.844, -0.0253]), but not the adjusted model (Interaction B: -0.310, 98.3%CI: [-0.742, 0.140]). Male sex was associated with increased attention problems at lower BW compared to females in both the crude model (Interaction B: -0.334, 98.3%CI: [-0.530, -0.137]) and the adjusted model (Interaction B: -0.274, 98.3%CI: [-0.507, -0.0432]). Male sex was associated with increased social problems at lower BW compared to females in both the crude model (Interaction B: -0.164, 98.3%CI: [-0.283, -0.0441]) and the adjusted model (Interaction B: -0.148, 98.3%CI: [-0.285, -0.00734]). Using repeated measures from ages 5–17 we were able to show a crude and adjusted male vulnerability to lower BW in the development of attention problems and social problems. We did not find a BW x sex interaction for the development of aggressive behaviour.
Claudin-18 status and its correlation with HER2 and PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination
Authors: Ogawa Haruki , Abe Hiroyuki , Yagi Koichi , Seto Yasuyuki , Ushiku Tetsuo
Published: May 2024

Background

Gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination (PD) has a dismal prognosis, and current treatments have shown little efficacy. CLDN18.2-targeted therapies have shown promising efficacy against gastric cancers that express high levels of CLDN18. Because of the limited information regarding CLDN18.2 status in PD, we analyzed PD-positive gastric cancers for CLDN18 status in both primary and PD, along with HER2 and PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS).

Methods

Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on 84 gastric cancer cases using paired primary and PD tissue samples.

Results

At 40% cut-off, CLDN18 was positive in 57% (48/84) primary tumors and in 44% (37/84) PDs. At 75% cut-off, 28.6% (24/84) primary tumors and 20.2% (17/84) PDs were CLDN18-positive. The concordance rate between primary tumors and PD was 79.8% at 40% cut-off and 75% at 75% cut-off. When comparing biopsy and surgical specimens, the concordance rates were 87.5% at 40% cut-off and 81.3% at 75% cut-off. Within a tumor, the superficial area tended to have a higher CLDN18-positive rate than the invasive front (P = 0.001). Although HER2 -positivity was only 11.9% in this cohort, CLDN18 positivity in HER2-negative tumors (n = 74) was relatively high: 60.8% at 40% cut-off and 28.4% at 75% cut-off. Among double-negative (HER2 − and PD-L1 CPS < 1) tumors, CLDN18 positivity was 67.6% at 40% cut-off and 26.5% at 75% cut-off.

Conclusions

CLDN18 expression is generally maintained in PD and is relatively high even in double-negative tumors, making it a promising therapeutic target for PD-positive gastric cancer.
Teacher autonomy support counters declining trend in intrinsic reading motivation across secondary school
Authors: Engler Laura , Westphal Andrea
Published: May 2024

Students’ intrinsic motivation to read, which is relevant to all forms of learning, tends to decline throughout secondary school. Based on self-determination theory (SDT), this study examines whether this downward trend is slowed when students perceive greater autonomy support in the classroom. We used large-scale panel data from the NEPS comprising N = 8193 students in Germany who reported their intrinsic motivation to read and their perceived autonomy support from German teachers at annual intervals from fifth to eighth grade. Scalar longitudinal measurement invariance was found for intrinsic reading motivation (IRM) and teacher autonomy support (TAS). A dual change score model showed a decline in IRM and a negative, non-significant decrease in TAS over time. Confirming our hypothesis, the decline in IRM was slowed by earlier levels of TAS. We discuss methods to counteract the decline in intrinsic reading motivation.
A snapshot of turbulence in the Northeastern Magellan Strait
Authors: Lozovatsky Iossif , Escauriaza Cristian , Suarez Leandro , Fernando Harindra J. S. , Williams Megan , Coppersmith Ronald Scott , Mayorga Nicolas
Published: May 2024

First-ever measurements of the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation rate in the northeastern Strait of Magellan (Segunda Angostura region) taken in March 2019 are reported here. At the time of microstructure measurements, the magnitude of the reversing tidal current ranged between 0.8 and 1.2 ms−1. The probability distribution of the TKE dissipation rate in the water interior above the bottom boundary layer was lognormal with a high median value $${\varepsilon }_{med}^{MS}=1.2\times {10}^{-6}$$

ε

med

MS

=
1.2
×

10

-
6

Wkg−1. Strong vertical shear, $$\left(1-2\right)\times {10}^{-2}$$

1
-
2

×

10

-
2

s−1, in the weakly stratified water interior ensued a sub-critical gradient Richardson number $$Ri<{10}^{-1}-{10}^{-2}$$

R
i
<

10

-
1

-

10

-
2

. In the bottom boundary layer (BBL), the vertical shear and the TKE dissipation rate both decreased exponentially with the distance from the seafloor $$\xi$$
ξ
, leading to a turbulent regime with an eddy viscosity $${K}_{M}\sim {10}^{-3}$$

K
M

∼

10

-
3

m2/s, which varied with time and location, while being independent of the vertical coordinate in the upper part of BBL (for $$\xi >\sim 2$$

ξ
>
∼
2

meters above the bottom).
Characterizing heterogeneous forest structure in ponderosa pine forests via UAS-derived structure from motion
Authors: Hanna Laura , Tinkham Wade T. , Battaglia Mike A. , Vogeler Jody C. , Ritter Scott M. , Hoffman Chad M.
Published: May 2024

Increasingly, dry conifer forest restoration has focused on reestablishing horizontal and vertical complexity and ecological functions associated with frequent, low-intensity fires that characterize these systems. However, most forest inventory approaches lack the resolution, extent, or spatial explicitness for describing tree-level spatial aggregation and openings that were characteristic of historical forests. Uncrewed aerial system (UAS) structure from motion (SfM) remote sensing has potential for creating spatially explicit forest inventory data. This study evaluates the accuracy of SfM-estimated tree, clump, and stand structural attributes across 11 ponderosa pine-dominated stands treated with four different silvicultural prescriptions. Specifically, UAS-estimated tree height and diameter-at-breast-height (DBH) and stand-level canopy cover, density, and metrics of individual trees, tree clumps, and canopy openings were compared to forest survey data. Overall, tree detection success was high in all stands (F-scores of 0.64 to 0.89), with average F-scores > 0.81 for all size classes except understory trees (< 5.0 m tall). We observed average height and DBH errors of 0.34 m and − 0.04 cm, respectively. The UAS stand density was overestimated by 53 trees ha−1 (27.9%) on average, with most errors associated with understory trees. Focusing on trees > 5.0 m tall, reduced error to an underestimation of 10 trees ha−1 (5.7%). Mean absolute errors of bole basal area, bole quadratic mean diameter, and canopy cover were 11.4%, 16.6%, and 13.8%, respectively. While no differences were found between stem-mapped and UAS-derived metrics of individual trees, clumps of trees, canopy openings, and inter-clump tree characteristics, the UAS method overestimated crown area in two of the five comparisons. Results indicate that in ponderosa pine forests, UAS can reliably describe large- and small-grained forest structures to effectively inform spatially explicit management objectives.
Men with metastatic prostate cancer carrying a pathogenic germline variant in breast cancer genes: disclosure of genetic test results to relatives
Authors: Vlaming Michiel , Ausems Margreet G. E. M. , Schijven Gina , van Oort Inge M. , Kets C. Marleen , Komdeur Fenne L. , van der Kolk Lizet E. , Oldenburg Rogier A. , Sijmons Rolf H. , Kiemeney Lambertus A. L. M. , Bleiker Eveline M. A.
Published: May 2024

Some patients with metastatic prostate cancer carry a pathogenic germline variant (PV) in a gene, that is mainly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women. If they test positive for such a PV, prostate cancer patients are encouraged to disclose the genetic test result to relatives who are at risk in case the carrier status changes the relatives’ medical care. Our study aimed to investigate how men who learned they carry a PV in BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, CHEK2 or ATM disclosed their carrier status to at-risk relatives and to assess the possible psychological burden for the carrier and their perception of the burden for relatives. In total, 23 men with metastatic prostate cancer carrying a PV completed the IRI questionnaire about family communication; 14 also participated in a semi-structured interview. Patients felt highly confident in discussing the genetic test result with relatives. The diagnosis of prostate cancer was experienced as a burden, whereas being informed about genetic testing results did in most cases not add to this burden. Two patients encountered negative experiences with family communication, as they considered the genetic test result to be more urgent than their relatives. This mixed-methods study shows that metastatic prostate cancer patients with a PV in genes mainly associated with increased risk of breast cancer feel well-equipped to communicate about this predisposition in their families. Carriers felt motivated to disclose their genetic test result to relatives. Most of them indicated that the disclosure was not experienced as a psychological burden.
The Impact of Adding Dioxane Derivatives to Polyurethane Structures on their Performance and Degradation in the Environment
Authors: Oprea Stefan , Potolinca Violeta Otilia , Gradinaru Luiza Madalina
Published: May 2024

The novel dioxane-polyether polyurethanes underwent a 12-month outdoor soil burial test to look into how they would degrade in a natural setting. The structure, thermal properties, surface features, and mechanical strength of the polyurethane films were compared. The initial chemical structure and subsequent chemical alterations were identified using FTIR spectroscopy. The polyurethane samples were less thermally stable throughout the duration of the soil burial test, according to TG/DTG curves. According to all findings, polyurethanes containing 1,3-dioxane-5,5-dimethanol exhibit excellent physical characteristics and mild degradation levels after being buried in soil for a year. These polyether urethanes can break down if the rigid domain structure is exposed to moisture and if microorganisms can spread into the polymer matrix. The physical properties, surface features, and degradation of polyether polyurethanes can be improved by varying the molar ratios of the hard segment components and the dioxane derivative structures.