bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Accuracy and Reproducibility of Cartilage T2 Mapping in the OAI Dataset Through Extended Phase Graph Modeling
Authors: Barbieri Marco , Gatti Anthony A. , Kogan Feliks
Published: October 2024

Background

The Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) collected extensive imaging data, including Multi‐Echo Spin‐Echo (MESE) sequences for measuring knee cartilage T2 relaxation times. Mono‐exponential models are used in the OAI for T2 fitting, which neglects stimulated echoes and B1 inhomogeneities. Extended Phase Graph (EPG) modeling addresses these limitations but has not been applied to the OAI dataset.

Purpose

To assess how different fitting methods, including EPG‐based and exponential‐based approaches, affect the accuracy and reproducibility of cartilage T2 in the OAI dataset.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

From OAI dataset, 50 subjects, stratified by osteoarthritis (OA) severity using Kellgren–Lawrence grades (KLG), and 50 subjects without OA diagnosis during OAI duration were selected (each group: 25 females, mean ages ~61 years).

Field Strength/Sequence

3‐T, two‐dimensional (2D) MESE sequence.

Assessment

Femoral and tibial cartilages were segmented from DESS images, subdivided into seven sub‐regions, and co‐registered to MESE. T2 maps were obtained using three EPG‐based methods (nonlinear least squares, dictionary matching, and deep learning) and three mono‐exponential approaches (linear least squares, nonlinear least squares, and noise‐corrected exponential). Average T2 values within sub‐regions were obtained. Pair‐wise agreement among fitting methods was evaluated using the stratified subjects, while reproducibility using healthy subjects. Each method's T2 accuracy and repeatability varying signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) were assessed with simulations.

Statistical Tests

Bland–Altman analysis, Lin's concordance coefficient, and coefficient of variation assessed agreement, repeatability, and reproducibility. Statistical significance was set at P‐value <0.05.

Results

EPG‐based methods demonstrated superior T2 accuracy (mean absolute error below 0.5 msec at SNR > 100) compared to mono‐exponential methods (error > 7 msec). EPG‐based approaches had better reproducibility, with limits of agreement 1.5–5 msec narrower than exponential‐based methods. T2 values from EPG methods were systematically 10–17 msec lower than those from mono‐exponential fitting.

Data Conclusion

EPG modeling improved agreement and reproducibility of cartilage T2 mapping in subjects from the OAI dataset.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
NMPC‐Based Control of Underactuated Spacecraft: A Neighboring Extremal Approach Extended to SE(3)
Authors: Bagherzadeh Shiva , Karimpour Hossein , Keshmiri Mehdi
Published: October 2024

The present work revolves around employing the benefits of neighboring extremal approach in the nonlinear model predictive control of mechanical systems evolving on SE(3). In the NMPC process, necessary conditions of optimality are extracted based on some discrete‐time version of the equations of motion referred as LGVI and the obtained TPBVP equations are solved using simplified sensitivity derivatives by means of an indirect shooting method. Taking into consideration that the repetitive optimization process of the NMPC is time consuming, making its implementation challenging, a method of neighboring extremal is proposed here for recalculating the responses of the systems in scenarios that face some unexpected changes in their parameters or are encountering some last‐minute re‐planning schemes. Based on the existing responses of the system to the first set of initial conditions, the reaction of the system to the altered set of initial conditions can be reconstructed without the need to solve the whole optimization process from scratch by utilizing the features of the NE method. A spacecraft model evolving on SE(3) with actuation constraints confirms the efficiency of the whole process in term of accuracy versus computation burden. Forasmuch as actuator failure is a probable yet important event in aerial/spatial missions, the performance of the control system in dealing with such situations is examined. The algorithm robustness and its capability to compensate the effects of the actuator loss is checked.
In‐Syringe Vortex‐Assisted Liquid–Liquid Microextraction Based on Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent for Simultaneous Determination of the Two Anticancer Polyphenols Chrysin and Resveratrol
Authors: Abdel‐Monem Maha Mohammad , Walash Mohamed I. , Kamal El‐Deen Asmaa
Published: October 2024

The simultaneous determination of multiple anticancer drugs in combination therapy poses a significant analytical challenge due to their complex nature and low concentrations. In this study, we propose an in‐syringe vortex‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction (IS‐VA‐LLME), based on a green natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) for the simultaneous determination of two coadministered anticancer drugs (resveratrol and chrysin) prior to the HPLC‐UV analysis, for the first time. The key parameters affecting the extraction efficiency, such as extraction solvent, vortex time, pH, and ionic strength were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the method demonstrates good linearity over the range of 0.05–15.0 μg/mL for RVT and 0.50–15.0 μg/mL for CHR with low limits of detection (LODs) of 16.78 and 161.60 ng/mL for RVT and CHR, respectively, confirming the high sensitivity of the method. The interday and intraday precision values, expressed as %RSDs, are below 2.0%, indicating good repeatability and reproducibility. Furthermore, the proposed method could be efficiently applied for the determination of the two drugs in human plasma and river water. The obtained results show satisfactory % recoveries (97.80%–102.04%), highlighting the accuracy and reliability of the developed method. The sustainability of the method was comprehensively evaluated using seven different tools. In conclusion, the developed IS‐VA‐LLME‐NaDES allows for enhanced extraction efficiency, reduced extraction time, and improved recovery of the target analytes. This method holds great promise for applications in clinical and environmental research, enabling the precise quantification of these anticancer drugs in complex matrices.
A Review on Architecting Rationally Designed Metal‐Organic Frameworks for the Next‐Generation Li‐S Batteries
Authors: Shahbaz Muhammad , Saeed Maham , Sharif Shahzad , Afzal Tayyaba Tur Rehman , Ashraf Alishba , Riaz Bilal , Ghaznavi Zainab , Shahzad Sundas , Mushtaq Muhammad Waheed , Shahzad Ayesha
Published: October 2024

The modern era demands the development of energy storage devices with high energy density and power density. There is no doubt that lithium‒sulfur batteries (Li‒S) claim high theoretical energy density and have attracted great attention from researchers, but fundamental exploration and practical applications cannot converge to utilize their maximum potential. The design parameters of Li‐S batteries involve various complex mechanisms, and their obliviousness has resulted in failure at the commercial level. This article presents a review on rationally designed metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for improving next‐generation Li‐S batteries. The use of MOFs in Li‐S batteries is of great interest because of their large surface area, porous structure, and selective permeability for ions. The working principles of Li‐S batteries, the commercialization of Li‐S batteries, and the use of MOFs as electrodes, electrolytes, and separators are critically examined. Finally, designed strategies (host structure, binder improvement, separator modification, lithium metal protection, and electrolyte optimization) are developed to increase the performance of Li‐S batteries.
Building credibility for human systems integration in model‐based systems engineering
Authors: Heffner Rachel A. , Miller Michael E.
Published: October 2024

Robust and trusted digital human representations are necessary to successfully account for human considerations in model‐based systems engineering (MBSE). Multiple domains and modeling frameworks leverage verification, validation, and accreditation (VV&A) processes to characterize when and under what conditions a model is valid to establish credibility. A literature review was completed on mathematical, physics‐based, software development, discrete event simulation, agent‐based, system dynamics, and MBSE models with the goal of proposing a process for performing VV&A on digital engineering (DE) and MBSE models for sociotechnical systems. However, this research also revealed the need for a broader framework to characterize the risk associated with using these models for making high‐consequence decisions. While accomplishing the literature review, another approach to building credibility was identified that is used heavily in the financial industry, namely model risk management (MRM). This process is extended by leveraging MRM approaches from within the financial community to propose a framework for sociotechnical model users to characterize the risk of using MBSE models to make programmatic decisions. The primary contribution of this work is to document a meta‐analysis of model VV&A while proposing an alternative approach to characterizing and communicating credibility that was discovered during this analysis. This approach could be a viable option for ensuring the credibility of human systems integration in MBSE models.
Increased Susceptibility of Cardiac Tissue to PM2.5‐Induced Toxicity in Uremic Cardiomyopathic Rats Is Linked to Elevated Levels of Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Authors: Sivakumar Bhavana , Kurian Gino A
Published: October 2024

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) frequently develop uremic cardiomyopathy, characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction as one of its pathologically significant mediators. Given that PM2.5 specifically targets cardiac mitochondria, exacerbating toxicity, this study addresses the potential alterations in the severity of PM2.5 toxicity in the context of CKD conditions. Female Wistar rats were exposed to PM2.5 at a concentration of 250 μg/m3 daily for 3 h for 21 days after which an adenine‐induced CKD model was developed. While both PM2.5 exposure and the induction of CKD in rats lead to cardiomyopathy, the CKD animals exposed to PM2.5 exhibited a notably severe extent of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. ECG recordings in CKD+ PM2.5 animals revealed a depressed ST segment and prolonged QRS interval, with both PM2.5 and CKD animals displaying an elevated ST segment. Subcellular level analysis confirmed a significantly low mitochondrial copy number and a severe decline in mitochondrial bioenergetic function in the CKD+ PM2.5 group. The prominent decline in PGC1‐α further affirmed the severe mitochondrial functional deterioration in CKD+ PM2.5 animals compared to other experimental groups. Additionally, myocardial calcification was enhanced in CKD+ PM2.5 animals, heightening the susceptibility of CKD animals to PM2.5 toxicity. In summary, our findings suggest that the increased vulnerability of CKD myocardium to PM2.5‐induced toxicity may be attributed to severe mitochondrial damage and increased calcification in the myocardium.
Fungi and Grapevine Mycobiota
Authors: Viret Olivier , Gindro Katia
Published: October 2024

The fungi kingdom consists of a vast group of macro- and microscopic eukaryotic organisms characterised by a heterotrophic mode of nutrition and sexual and asexual forms of reproduction. Their history dating back millions of years attests to their remarkable capacity for adaptation, their diversity and their evolutionary plasticity. They encompass an enormous variety of organisms ranging from unicellular yeasts to filamentous fungi which form extensive underground mycelial networks.

Fungi are ubiquitous and play a key role in ecosystems as decomposers, symbionts and pathogens. Decomposers are essential for breaking down organic matter in the soil and recycling the nutrients. Symbiotic fungi such as the mycorrhizals establish beneficial mutual relationships with plants. They provide essential nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen and receive organic compounds produced by the plant in return. Pathogenic fungi can cause serious diseases in plants, animals and humans. The immense destructive power of phytopathogenic fungi requires effective control measures to minimise their impact on crops. Plants cohabit with a vast array of fungi which form the mycobiome either in (endophytic) or on (ectophytic) the vegetative tissue. These fungi play a vital role in plant health, growth and environmental adaptation. Depending on specific biotic and abiotic factors, some species within the mycobiome can change behaviour and switch from an endophytic to a pathogenic state.

Understanding the diversity, role and interactions of the grapevine mycobiome provides new opportunities for sustainable vineyard management. Fungi and plants have cohabited for millennia in a relationship characterised by constantly shifting coevolutionary dynamics that have yet to be discovered.
From Lignite Regions to Transition Labs: Rethinking Regional Politics of Lignite from the Perspective of the “Politics of Scale”
Authors: Becker Sören , Naumann Matthias
Published: October 2024

While technical perspectives consider scale as function of size, debates on the politics of sustainability transitions tend to translate scale into political levels, shaping or impeding the development of sustainable modes of production and consumption. The debate on the “Politics of Scale” in critical human geography foregrounds scale as a social construction reflecting uneven relations of power, political strategies and contestations. This chapter applies the perspective of the “Politics of Scale” to the two German lignite mining regions of Lusatia (Lausitzer Revier) and Rhineland (Rheinisches Revier). Both regions have a long history in the extraction of lignite. This history is about to end following the political decision to phase out the use of lignite in Germany. In consequence, the former lignite regions are becoming not only sites of the transformation of energy infrastructure, but also of structural change and extensive efforts for realising a just transition process. We discuss these transitions from a scalar perspective and through three analytical prisms: first, the impact of national policy as a shifting context for regional policy and as an example of the rescaling of regional development; second, the emergence of new scales of regional development strategies as a new scalar fix of regional governance; and third, the contestations of the phasing out of lignite on different geographical scales and as an example for jumping scales of various actors in the regions. These three emblematic lenses will enable us to discover the scalar dimension of the efforts for just transitions.
South Africa’s Sustainability Transition: The Case of the Mpumalanga Province and its Coal-dependent Communities
Authors: Nel Etienne , Marais Lochner
Published: October 2024

Sustainability transitions, though critical to engage in at this juncture of world history, pose significant challenges for carbon-dependent communities in peripheral regions. This is particularly true in the Global South where economic alternatives to decarbonisation and state capacity to provide leadership and welfare assistance are limited and mono-economies are common. This chapter draws on the concepts of sustainability, energy and just transitions and their spatial and multi-scalar implications to reflect on how current efforts and challenges to decarbonise South Africa’s economy are playing out. Particularly, attention is paid to the country’s most coal-dependent region, that of the Mpumalanga province, where the majority of the country’s coal mines and power stations are concentrated. The chapter discusses how South Africa is undertaking both sustainable energy and just transitions and the challenges which are emerging for that country and its most coal-dependent communities. While elements of rescaling are taking place, local capacity and resource constraints are hindering the ability to transition timeously and effectively.
From Centralisation to Decentralisation? Transition Visions of Circular Bioeconomy in Rural Finland
Authors: Kuhmonen Irene , Kuhmonen Tuomas , Näyhä Annukka
Published: October 2024

Rural areas have been largely peripheralised and disempowered by the centralisation characteristic of the era of the fossil economy. The departure from fossil metabolism and the shift towards a circular bioeconomy represent a possibility for improved rural livelihoods. However, while the metabolic nature of a circular bioeconomy is more decentralised than that of the fossil economy, it is unclear whether the centralised social structures and power relations will become decentralised as a result of this transition. In this research, by utilising the approaches offered by futures research, we explored probable and preferable future visions across a set of 10 manifestations of circular bioeconomy in 60 expert interviews. The results indicated that most of the manifestations are likely to scale up through a non-local and centralised pathway, while the preferable visions fostering rural livelihoods would mean more local and decentralised modes of organising. At the same time, due to centralising tendencies, reaching the sustainability targets of a circular bioeconomy is difficult.
Visual detection of drilling robot position for rockburst prevention in mining processing by a new image dehazing method
Authors: He Zhibin , Liu Xinhua , Guo Xiaoqiang , Zhang Zhongsen , Li Zhixiong
Published: October 2024

The positioning of drill pipe based on visual detection is a crucial aspect in achieving unmanned operation of drilling robot for rockburst prevention. However, the images directly collected from mechanized mining face are always polluted. In order to eliminate the interference of dust and haze in the image, an image dehazing method based on improved CycleGAN model is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a pipe image dehazing dataset for the rockburst prevention drilling robot is collected and established. Moreover, a generator architecture with a multi-scale U-shaped network structure is designed to improve the quality and accuracy of image recovery. A new reconstruction block is designed and an SK fusion layer is introduced to improve the feature extraction capability of the model, and a MU-CycleGAN network structure is constructed. Finally, an experimental platform for drill pipe image dehazing of the drilling robot for rockburst prevention is set up in the intelligent mining equipment laboratory. Experimental results showed that the PSNR and SSIM of the image dehazing model achieved 27.04 and 0.946, and the success rate of drill pipe grabbing has increased by 13.75%. Experimental results reveal that the proposed framework achieves superior image enhancement performance than the comparison algorithms.
Non-contrast-enhanced MR-angiography of the abdominal arteries: intraindividual comparison between relaxation-enhanced angiography without contrast and triggering (REACT) and 4D contrast-enhanced MR-angiography
Authors: Gietzen Carsten , Janssen Jan Paul , Görtz Lukas , Kaya Kenan , Gietzen Thorsten , Gertz Roman Johannes , Pennig Henry , Seuthe Katharina , Maintz David , Rauen Philip S. , Persigehl Thorsten , Weiss Kilian , Pennig Lenhard
Published: October 2024

Purpose

To evaluate Relaxation-Enhanced Angiography without Contrast and Triggering (REACT), a novel 3D isotropic flow-independent non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (non-CE-MRA) for imaging of the abdominal arteries, by comparing image quality and assessment of vessel stenosis intraindidually with 4D CE-MRA.

Methods

Thirty patients (mean age 35.7 ± 16.8 years; 20 females) referred for the assessment of the arterial abdominal vasculature at 3 T were included in this retrospective, single-centre study. The protocol comprised both 4D CE-MRA and REACT (navigator-triggering, Compressed SENSE factor 10, nominal scan time 02:54 min, and reconstructed voxel size 0.78 × 0.78 × 0.85  mm3). Two radiologists independently evaluated 14 abdominal artery segments for stenoses, anatomical variants, and vascular findings (aortic dissection, abdominal aorta aneurysms and its branches). Subjective image quality was assessed using a 4-point Likert scale (1 = non-diagnostic, 4 = excellent).

Results

REACT had a total acquisition time of 5:36 ± 00:40 min, while 4D CE-MRA showed a total acquisition time (including the native scan and bolus tracking sequence) of 3:45 ± 00:59 min (p = 0.001). Considering 4D CE-MRA as the reference standard, REACT achieved a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 100.0% for relevant (≥ 50%) stenosis while detecting 89.5% of all vascular findings other than stenosis. For all vessels combined, subjective vessel quality was slightly higher in 4D CE-MRA (3.0 [IQR: 2.0; 4.0.]; P = 0.040), although comparable to REACT (3.0 [IQR: 2.0; 3.5]).

Conclusion

In a short scan time of about 5 min, REACT provides good diagnostic performance for detection of relevant stenoses, variants, and vascular findings of the abdominal arteries, while yielding to 4D CE-MRA comparable image quality.
Clinical and biochemical assessments of circulating High Mobility Group Box Protein1 in children with epilepsy: relation to cognitive function and drug responsiveness
Authors: Sakhr Hala M. , Hassan Mohammed H. , Salah Asmaa E. , Bakri Ali Helmi
Published: October 2024

Background

Childhood epilepsy is a major health concern posing a significant burden and having disastrous consequences for cognitive function. High Mobility Group Box1 (HMGB1) is an activator of neuroinflammation, and it is possibly involved in the initiation and progression of epilepsy. We aimed to investigate circulating HMGB1 in children with epilepsy and its connection to cognitive function and drug responsiveness.

Methods

Case-control research included 100 epileptic youngsters and 100 healthy matched controls. Serum HMGB1 was measured using a commercially available ELISA assay. Cognitive functions were evaluated by the Stanford-Binet test 5th edition.

Results

Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) was found in 37% of the investigated patients. Epileptic children have lower cognitive function parameter levels versus the control group and lower cognitive function in the DRE group compared to the drug-responsive group (P-value < 0.0001). HMGB1 levels were significantly higher in the patients’ group (6.279 µg/L) compared to the control group (2.093 µg/L) and in the drug-resistant group (14.26 µg/L) versus the drug-responsive group (4.88 µg/L). A significant negative correlation was detected between HMGB1 with Full-scale IQ (r = − 0.547, P = 0.000), Visual-spatial reasoning (r = − 0.501, P = 0.000), fluid reasoning (r = − 0.510, P = 0.000), and working memory (r = − 0.555, P = 0.000). Serum HMGB1 cut-off levels > 6.85 µg/L differentiate drug-responsive from resistant patients.

Conclusion

Elevated HMGB1 levels, especially in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, correlate negatively with cognitive performance, emphasizing its importance as a potential marker for early prediction of drug resistance and impairment of cognitive function.
Simulating Pelvis Kinematics from Belt and Seat Loading in Frontal Car Crash Scenarios: Important Boundary Conditions that Influence the Outcome
Authors: Brynskog Erik , Iraeus Johan , Pipkorn Bengt , Davidsson Johan
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The risk of submarining during automotive crashes, defined by the lap belt sliding off the pelvis to load the abdomen, is predicted to increase in future autonomous vehicles as greater variation in seating position is enabled. Biofidelic tools are required to efficiently design and evaluate new and/or improved safety systems. This study aims to evaluate the pelvis response sensitivity to variations in boundary conditions that directly influence the pelvis loads, deemed important for the submarining outcome, to facilitate a more precise comparison between finite element human body models (FE-HBMs) and post-mortem human subjects (PMHSs).

Methods

A parameter study, using a one-variable-at-a-time analysis (low/high) of belt friction, seat friction, seat stiffness, and (on/off) for added belt bending stiffness, was performed using a state-of-the-art FE-HBM in four different test scenarios; one stationary, two sleds with upright occupant posture, and one sled with reclined occupant posture.

Results

In the stationary scenario, both belt friction and belt bending stiffness influenced the belt folding behavior, which consequently affected the belt-to-pelvis angle at submarining. In the sled scenarios, only seat friction was found to influence the pelvis kinematics and submarining outcome, with the most biofidelic response resulting from both the low (0.2) and high (0.5) friction coefficient depending on the scenario.

Conclusion

To reduce uncertainty in boundary conditions affecting the external pelvis loads and increase confidence in FE-HBM to PMHS comparisons, it is recommended that future experiments evaluate the PMHS to seat friction coefficient and that new belt modeling methods that accurately capture belt folding when interacting with soft tissues are developed.
Does Peer Socialization Within Cohorts Foster Political Attitudes? A Longitudinal Study of Elite Business Students
Authors: Lindskog Hilma , Gustafsson Nils , Voytiv Sofiya
Published: October 2024

The association between higher education and political attitudes is well-recognized, and research suggests that socialization amongst peers is one of the most probable mechanisms explaining a possible attitudinal change. However, identifying a socialization effect is difficult due to self-selection mechanisms and limitations in data availability. This article empirically investigates the underlying peer socialization by employing a longitudinal network study of undergraduate students in Swedish and Finnish top-ranked business schools (N = 2651). The study tests the hypotheses that (1) attitudes within a cohort converge over time, and (2) socially embedded students experience more attitudinal change during their studies than students who do not engage with their peers. The paper leverages the Covid-19 pandemic as an exogenous shock that severely affected the networking dynamics of specific cohorts since it moved their education off campus. It is thereby among the first studies to directly test the relationship between socializing behaviors within higher education and political attitudes using both subjective and objective measurements. Contrary to previous conjectures, the findings challenge a general socialization mechanism to foster political attitudes. Instead, they point toward the importance of self-selection mechanisms in studies of higher education and for the specific student composition.
Fostering Epistemic Space for Collaborative Solutions in Primary Science Through a Socratic Seminar Inquiry Approach
Authors: Kirk Melinda , Tytler Russell , White Peta J , Ferguson Joseph Paul , Raphael Jo
Published: October 2024

With the critical nature of socio-ecological challenges, the need to empower young people to generatively grapple with these science-related issues is crucial for developing their agentic citizenship. This paper reports on a primary science project that adopted a Socratic Seminar pedagogical strategy to enable student voice and collaborative solutions to a local/global socio-ecological challenge. Exploring microorganisms in a COVID-19-affected world, student agency and investigative practices were prioritised. We report a semiotic analysis of the student-led investigations and discussions informing decision-making and action. Students enacted scientifically grounded reasoning, posed evidence-focused questions and engaged in collaborative argumentation towards solutions. The culminating ‘Scientists for Solutions’ Socratic Seminar closely emulated the practices of the science community in supporting the generation of evidence-informed solutions. This paper unpacks this pedagogical approach. The findings inform the nature and creation of epistemic space within the primary science classroom that fosters student scientific questioning, inquiry decisions and collaborative decision-making through a Socratic Seminar process.
Normalitäten des Fußballs
Authors: Schmidt Holger
Published: October 2024

Fußballfans werden in Stadien und insbesondere in fußballbezogenen Projekten der Sozialen Arbeit mit unterschiedlichen Normalitätserwartungen konfrontiert. Daraus ergeben sich Herausforderungen für die Soziale Arbeit. Eine Herausforderung besteht darin, Normalitätserwartungen von Kindern, Jugendlichen wie Erwachsenen, die einer gelingenden Integration zuwiderlaufen, permanent zu reflektieren. Argumentiert wird in dem Beitrag, dass so ein souveränerer Umgang mit verschiedenen Sinnwelten und deren Normalitätserwartungen ermöglicht wird.
Effects of a vibrotactile biofeedback protocol on gait performance among older adults
Authors: Giraldo-Pedroza Alexandra , Lee Winson Chiu-Chun , Ghahramani Maryam , Coman Robyn , Alici Gursel
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Gait functions decline with aging, characterized by shorter strides, reduced hip range of motion and increased cadence and variability. Wearable biofeedback devices have been shown to improve gait, such as lengthening strides in older adults. While these devices attempted to improve the entire gait by suggesting changes in one gait parameter, it was not known if this approach could change gait patterns differently among elderly people. This study explored how a smart insole providing biofeedback on swing time only could produce different gait patterns.

Methods

Thirteen older adults walked on a flat walkway with and without biofeedback from a smart insole to increase the swing time. Gait analyses were recorded immediately after each condition using the GaitRite and Xsens systems. The sample was then divided into Group A (n = 7) who increased their stride length and Group B (n = 6) who did not to analyze within-group gait changes.

Results

Baseline analysis confirmed no significant gait differences between the two groups. Upon using the biofeedback devices, all participants increased over 5% their swing time and Group A significantly increased their hip extension (18.01%), hip flexion (5.1%) and stride length (5.5%). Conversely, the device caused Group B to significantly reduce their stride length (3.6%), velocity (13%), and increased gait variability (stance time COV 112%).

Conclusions

Biofeedback suggesting instant modifications in one gait parameter could produce two distinct walking patterns in participants with similar walking characteristics. Caution in biofeedback device design and gait analysis should be taken as gait outcomes could vary among users.
Synergistic effect of antibiotics, α-linolenic acid and solvent type against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation
Authors: Knap Karolina , Kwiecień Konrad , Ochońska Dorota , Reczyńska-Kolman Katarzyna , Pamuła Elżbieta , Brzychczy-Włoch Monika
Published: October 2024

Background

A promising approach to the treatment of bacterial infections involves inhibiting the quorum sensing (QS) mechanism to prevent the formation and growth of bacterial biofilm. While antibiotics are used to kill remaining bacteria, QS inhibitors (QSIs) allow for antibiotic doses to be reduced. This study focuses on evaluating the synergy between gentamicin sulphate (GEN), tobramycin (TOB), or azithromycin (AZM) with linolenic acid (LNA) against the formation of an early Staphylococcus aureus biofilm.

Methods

Minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) was determined using the resazurin reduction assay for all antibiotics and LNA. The reduction of biofilm mass was assessed using the crystal violet (CV) assay. We have also evaluated the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide with TWEEN (DMSO_T) on early biofilm formation. Synergy was determined by metabolic activity assay and fractional biofilm inhibitory concentration (FBIC).

Results

DMSO_T at a concentration of 1% enhanced early biofilm formation, but also decreased the doses of antibiotic needed to reduce the biofilm by up to 8 times. Adding LNA at a concentration of 32 µg/ml or 64 µg/ml allowed up to a 32-fold reduction of antibiotic doses for GEN and TOB and a 4-fold reduction for AZM.

Conclusions

LNA’s use in combination with various antibiotics could reduce their doses and help fight drug-resistant bacteria in the biofilm.
Augmented reality and teaching strategies in the study of volcanism in elementary and secondary schools
Authors: Faria António
Published: October 2024

This study investigated the impact of two teaching strategies, conventional and drawing principle, associated with the use of Augmented Reality (AR), on the school performance of pupils in the 7th-year of primary school and the 10th-year of secondary school on volcanism learning. Compared to previous research, the novelty of this study lies in the comparative analysis of these two teaching strategies and their association with AR applications. Four classes from the 7th-year and two from the 10th-year were studied, following a quasi-experimental design, with two control classes and two experimental classes in the 7th-year, and one control class and one experimental class in the 10th-year. The Classical Theory of Tests was applied to analyse the evidence of knowledge evaluation on volcanism, used in all groups in post-test and follow-up. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Student’s t-test, were conducted for paired and unpaired groups after determining the normality and homogeneity of variance of the samples. In the 7th-year, students who used the drawing principle as a learning strategy performed better compared to those who used conventional teaching. When the drawing principle was associated with the use of AR, students achieved better results in the follow-up test. In 10th-year students, the results consistently showed better performance when the conventional teaching strategy was associated with the use of AR.
Platform power and regulatory capture in digital governance
Authors: Kausche Katharina , Weiss Moritz
Published: October 2024

Digital governance is a public concern, yet under private control. After numerous scandals, all stakeholders in the European Union (EU) agreed to establish a “novel constitution for the internet” that would effectively constrain the power of large platforms. Yet the Digital Services Act (DSA) ultimately legitimized and institutionalized their position as the gatekeepers of the internet. Why? We argue that platforms prevailed thanks to their ability as intermediaries to quietly shape the available policy options. Our “platform power mechanism” combines institutional and ideational sources of business power to show how big tech drew on its entrenched position as an indispensable provider of essential services and promulgated the idea of itself as a responsible and neutral intermediary. We follow the unfolding of platform power through a process-tracing analysis of Google and Meta’s activities with respect to DSA legislation from its announcement (2020) to its adoption (2022). Besides contributing a reconceptualization of the DSA as a regulatory capture, we integrate the notion of platform power into a “regulator–intermediary–target” model and demonstrate how gatekeepers have exploited information asymmetries to share “the public space.” Our analysis thus supplements established approaches that have derived regulators’ deference to platforms from the tacit allegiance of consumers.
From biodesigners to designers in lab: testing the nuances of an emerging profession through autoethnography
Authors: Pollini Barbara
Published: October 2024

Biodesign is emerging as a radical design approach with great potential for the ecological turn, finally endorsed by some first academic courses providing designers with hybrid skills to embrace scientific disciplines. However, the resulting professional figure, the biodesigner, still needs to be better defined in the academic and grey literature, also considering the different and multiple facets that working between design and science may entail. This study presents four case studies of research through design (RTD), addressed by the author as an autoethnographic form of inquiry to clarify the roles a biodesigner could assume, emphasising the differences in methods, tools and workplaces, which inevitably affect the Biodesign outcomes. The author analyses her role as a biodesigner and designer in lab, working in teams and environments requiring different degrees of interdisciplinarity. Far from adopting a speculative approach, the RTDs focus on sustainable Material Design and Biodesign solutions that might be feasible in the short run, aiming to test the designer’s abilities in enriching scientific research and investigating the role and contribution designers can play in scientific contexts of different intensities. The study demonstrates the possibility of a reciprocal knowledge transfer between design and science, highlighting the potential of the designerly way of knowing in bringing innovation to the scientific field.
Skin decontamination with and without water irrigation
Authors: Whalen Mikayla J. , Aizenberg Adiel M. , Shirazi Farshad Mazda , Berrigan Jeffrey J. , Walter Frank G.
Published: October 2024

Objective

Rinsing only with water or washing with soap and water are common methods of skin decontamination for skin contaminated during a chemical hazard release. The null hypothesis was that a 15-minute water irrigation (decontamination method 1) would not be superior to decontamination using a microfiber towel, followed by a wet wipe (Signature Select Softly Flushable Tissue Better Living Brands LLC, Pleasanton, CA), followed by using another microfiber towel (decontamination method 2).

Methods

A simulated contaminant (Magic Fluorescent Glow Paint for Face and Body, iLC Shenzhen Fulimei Technology Co. LTD, Shenzhen, the People’s Republic of China) was applied to the dorsal skin of each subject’s forearms. Then, photographs of these subject’s skin were taken before and after decontamination of the simulated contaminant by using either decontamination method 1 or 2. Each of the subjects underwent both decontamination methods in separate trials, with each subject using one forearm for decontamination method 1 and their other forearm for decontamination method 2. Discrete points of contamination were quantified on the photographs that were taken with the skin illuminated by ambient visible light or ultraviolet light (395nm, Roceei ultraviolet flashlight, China).

Results

Under visible light, no residual contamination was seen by inspecting photographs taken after decontaminating with either method. Under ultraviolet light, less visible contamination was seen by inspecting photographs taken after decontaminating with method 1 than after decontaminating with method 2.

Conclusion

In this study, skin decontamination with water irrigation was superior to skin decontamination without water irrigation.
Key Factors Influencing Public Attitudes Toward Charities’ Involvement in Emergency Management: A Study Based on Online Public Opinion in China
Authors: Mu Di , Yue Chaolong , Chen An
Published: October 2024

Charities play a pivotal role in engaging the public in emergency management efforts. They serve to complement governmental restrictions by leveraging social resources to aid in emergency management. The involvement of charities in emergency management is likely to shape public attitudes, thereby influencing their effectiveness in this sphere. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence public attitudes toward charities in emergency management is crucial. This study sought to identify these key factors and offer recommendations for charities to enhance their participation in emergency management. The data for this study were collected from messages and comments on two prominent instant messaging platforms, WeChat Public and Sina Weibo. Content Analysis was employed to categorize the data, and the Apriori algorithm was utilized to uncover association rules and key factors. Based on the key factors, it is recommended that charities focus on collaborating with celebrities and enterprises, prioritize establishing and upholding a positive reputation, and enhance their expertise in emergency management practices.
“That was cool!” Participant Response to a Mass Casualty Incident Virtual Reality Simulator
Authors: Blanck Ronald R.
Published: October 2024

FAIMER, along with ECFMG are both heavily involved with medical education, regulation and research globally. All International Medical Graduates (IMG) must be ECFMG certified to train and practice in the US, while FAIMER focuses on global faculty development, information services, regulation assessment and health workforce. FAIMER relies on partnerships to promote global health including prevention and response.
Scaling laws for Rayleigh–Bénard convection between Navier-slip boundaries
Authors: Bleitner F. , Nobili C.
Published: October 2024

We consider the two-dimensional Rayleigh–Bénard convection problem between Navier-slip fixed-temperature boundary conditions, and present a new upper bound for the Nusselt number (

${\textit {Nu}}$

). The result, based on a localization principle for the Nusselt number and an interpolation bound, exploits the regularity of the flow. On one hand our method yields a shorter proof of the celebrated result of Whitehead & Doering (Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 106, 2011, 244501) in the case of free-slip boundary conditions. On the other hand, its combination with a new, refined estimate for the pressure gives a substantial improvement of the interpolation bounds in Drivas et al. (Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A, vol. 380, issue 2225, 2022, 20210025) for slippery boundaries. A rich description of the scaling behaviour arises from our result: depending on the magnitude of the Prandtl number (

${\textit {Pr}}$

) and slip length, our upper bounds indicate five possible scaling laws (where

${\textit {Ra}}$

is the Rayleigh number):

${\textit {Nu}}\sim (L_s^{-1}\,{\textit {Ra}})^{{1}/{3}}$

,

${\textit {Nu}}\sim (L_s^{-2/5}\,{\textit {Ra}})^{{5}/{13}}$

,

${\textit {Nu}}\sim {\textit {Ra}}^{{5}/{12}}$

,

${\textit {Nu}}\sim {\textit {Pr}}^{-1/6}(L_s^{-4/3}\,{\textit {Ra}})^{{1}/{2}}$

and

${\textit {Nu}}\sim {\textit {Pr}}^{-1/6}(L_s^{-1/3}\,{\textit {Ra}})^{{1}/{2}}$

.
Knowledge gap among one health key actors on multi-sectoral coordination at national and sub-national levels in Tanzania
Authors: Sanga Valentina T. , Hoza Abubakar S. , Karimuribo Esron D.
Published: October 2024

Knowledge about One Health approach and its importance among the practitioners and the community in addressing health threats is of paramount important. This study aimed to assess knowledge of One Health actors on multi-sectoral coordination in addressing health risks in selected regions of Tanzania. A descriptive study was conducted from June to August 2023 in selected regions of Arusha, Iringa and Dodoma where quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 101 participants representing the line ministries and sub-national regional and district levels. Descriptive analysis was done using EPI INFO 7.2.5.0 statistical software and Microsoft excel. Results showed a decreasing proportion of participants reporting to be aware of One Health approach at the National level with 100.0% awareness and only 32.3% awareness at the district level. It was also revealed that 76.9% of the participants at the national level had received One Health training through short courses, workshops meetings, and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses compared to the varying proportions of 57.7% and 19.4% at the regional and district level, respectively. Limited awareness of different professional disciplines on One Health approach is the major challenge in its operationalisation and institutionalisation at sub-national levels. Awareness creation to One Health actors and advocacy to policy and decision-makers at all levels will enhance implementation, multi-sectoral coordination and collaboration among key actors in addressing health risks emergencies.
Low glycaemic index diet in pregnancy and child asthma: follow-up of the ROLO trial
Authors: Callanan Sophie , Talaei Mohammad , Delahunt Anna , Shaheen Seif O. , McAuliffe Fionnuala M.
Published: October 2024

Epidemiological evidence suggests that a higher intake of sugar during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of childhood asthma and atopy. However, randomised trial evidence supporting such a link is lacking. This study aimed to examine whether a low glycaemic index (GI) dietary intervention during pregnancy decreases the risk of childhood asthma and eczema. This is a secondary analysis of 514 children from the ROLO trial. Healthy women were randomised to receive an intervention of low GI dietary advice or routine care from early pregnancy. Mothers reported current doctor-diagnosed eczema in their children at 2 years (n 271) and current doctor-diagnosed asthma and eczema in their children at 5 (n 357) and 9–11 years (n 391) of age. Multivariable logistic regression models were used test the effect of the intervention on child outcomes overall and stratified by maternal education. There was a suggestion of a reduction in asthma at 5 years of age in children whose mothers received the low GI dietary intervention during pregnancy compared with usual care (adjusted OR 0·46 (95 % CI 0·19, 1·09); P = 0·08). In stratified adjusted analyses, the intervention was associated with a reduced risk of asthma at 5 years of age in children born to mothers with incomplete tertiary level education but not in those with complete tertiary level education (OR 0·14 (95 % CI 0·02, 0·69); P = 0·010 and OR 1·03 (95 % CI 0·34, 3·13); P = 0·94, respectively). A low GI diet in pregnancy may reduce the risk of developing asthma in childhood, particularly amongst children born to mothers with lower educational attainment.
Integrative taxonomy reveals two new species of Maritrema Nicoll, 1907 (Digenea: Microphallidae Ward, 1901), parasitizing birds in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Aldama-Prieto Y. , González-García M.T. , Mendoza-Garfías B. , Pérez-Ponce de León G. , García-Varela M.
Published: October 2024

Members of the genus Maritrema Nicoll, 1907 include endoparasites of aquatic birds and mammals, distributed worldwide. Adult specimens were collected from the intestines of three bird species (the great black hawks, Buteogallus urubitinga Gmelin; laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla Linnaeus; and the willet, Tringa semipalmata Gmelin) in three localities along the Gulf of Mexico. Photogenophores were sequenced for the large subunit (LSU) from nuclear rDNA, and the new sequences were aligned with other microphalloid sequences available in GenBank. The maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses revealed three independent lineages, one corresponding to a previously described species, Maritrema corai Hernández-Orts, Pinacho-Pinacho, García-Varela & Kostadinova, 2016, and two representing two undescribed species. These two new species are described in the current study. Maritrema itzamnai n. sp. can be morphologically differentiated from its four congeneric species occurring in coastal areas of Mexico by having smaller oral (20–29 × 20–38 μm) and ventral (20–39 × 19–33 μm) suckers. In addition, Maritrema itzamnai n. sp. possess annular vitellarium instead of a horseshoe-shaped vitellarium. Maritrema kukulkanni n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeneric species reported from Mexico by possessing a larger oesophagus (44–117μm) and by having a vitellarium distributed in both the hindbody and forebody. Maritrema corai is the third species recorded in this study parasitizing the great black hawk (Buteogallus urubitinga); this represents a new host and locality record, expanding its distribution range from the Mexican Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.