bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term follow‐up after incisional hernia repair: Dynamics of recurrence and patient‐reported outcome
Authors: Karlsson Samuel , Björklund Ida , Burman Anna , Israelsson Leif A. , Cengiz Yücel
Published: July 2024

Background

Incisional hernia (IH) is common and recurrence rates remain high. Although the goal of treatment should be to improve quality of life, studies addressing this aspect are notably absent. We aimed to evaluate the long‐term recurrence rate of open mesh repair of IH, investigate the burden of persisting discomfort, explore patient satisfaction, and identify risk factors for negative outcomes.

Methods

A single‐center, retrospective study was conducted on all open mesh repairs of IH performed between January 2002 and October 2013. Clinical data were gathered from medical records and operative reports, while patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) were obtained through telephone interviews. Risk factors for recurrence were assessed by survival analysis. PROMs were analyzed across patient subgroups by clinical and demographic variables.

Results

This study included 271 patients undergoing medical record review, with 136 patients completing the telephone interview. Recurrence rates at 2, 5, 10, and 15 years were 6%, 8%, 11%, and 12%, respectively. Risk factors for recurrence were obesity and an estimated mesh‐defect overlap <7 cm. Bridged repair posed no increased risk. For PROMs, the median follow‐up time was 13.6 years after which 78.7% of the patients reported no discomfort, and 89.0% were satisfied with their surgery. Patients <65 years and females experienced more long‐term discomfort.

Conclusions

Recurrence rates were higher in obese patients and when the estimated mesh‐defect overlap was <7 cm, but not in bridged repairs. Young patients and females are at increased risk for long‐term discomfort. High satisfaction levels were reported.
Time from injury to operative intervention in traumatic intracranial hematoma: A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Merakis Michael , Lewis Daniel P. , Weaver Natasha , Balogh Zsolt J.
Published: July 2024

Background

The outcomes in traumatic intracranial hematoma (TICH) have not improved significantly despite advances in trauma care. A modifiable factor in TICH management is time to operation room (TOR). TOR has become a key marker in Traumatic brain injury care despite a lack of contemporary evidence. This study aimed to determine the timing of TICH evacuation and its association with mortality and neurological outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review of PubMed, OVID MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Included studies reported data on adult patients with acute TICH who underwent surgical evacuation. The primary outcome was TOR and its association with mortality or functional neurological recovery.

Results

From 1838 articles screened, 17 were included. Eight studies reported TOR as a continuous variable, ranging between 3 and 7.1 h. Three studies found better outcomes with shorter TOR, five found no difference, and one found worse outcomes with shorter TOR. Five articles were included in meta‐analysis of mortality in patients undergoing operative decompression less than or greater than 4 h from injury which found lower mortality in the >4‐h group, OR = 1.53. Longitudinal regression analysis showed no difference in TOR over the 33‐year span of articles included.

Conclusion

There is limited data available on TOR in TICH, with equivocal results on the effect of timing on outcomes. TOR has not decreased over the last 4 decades. The unvalidated 4‐h cut‐off seems to be associated with better survival. Contemporary assessment of this potentially important performance indicator is required.
In vitro activity of Western Australian honeys and Manuka honey against clinically important yeasts
Authors: Haines Robbie R. , Xi Shuhui , Green Kathryn J. , Hammer Katherine A.
Published: July 2024

With the steady rise in antifungal resistance amongst clinically important yeasts, antifungal drug discovery remains of the utmost importance. To determine the potential of some honeys as alternative antifungal agents, we quantified the antifungal activity of 12 Western Australian honey samples, two Manuka honey samples and an artificial honey against 10 yeast isolates including clinical and reference strains. Results showed that the tested honeys varied in activity, and yeasts species also differed in susceptibility, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) determined by broth microdilution ranging from 8% to >44% w/v honey. Honeys with the highest overall activity were derived from Blackbutt (Eucalyptus patens), Jarrah (E. marginata), and Karri (E. diversicolor). The optical density of each MIC microtitre plate was determined after incubation and showed that at relatively low concentrations of honey the growth of all yeasts was enhanced compared to the untreated control, whereas at and above approximately 12% w/v, honeys exerted a dose‐dependent growth inhibitory effect, the extent of which varied by honey type. Time‐kill studies with 64% w/v honey showed that all eight of the natural honeys tested had greater fungicidal activity than the comparator artificial honey. Our findings suggest that the specific nectar‐derived phytochemicals present within each honey play an important role in antifungal activity, and support the notion that activity is due to a combination of factors including osmotic activity, hydrogen peroxide and phytochemical compounds. These data indicate that honey is worthy of further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for superficial yeast infections.
Introduction
Authors: Quitzow Rainer , Zabanova Yana
Published: July 2024

This introductory chapter places Europe’s hydrogen ambition in the broader context of the evolving geopolitics of the transition to net zero. It highlights the growing geoeconomic rivalry among the world’s leading economies, such as the European Union, the United States, and China. This process is marked by the resurgence of state intervention in markets and industries as well as by the increasing attention paid by governments to supply chain resilience and asymmetric dependencies. Clean hydrogen has been part and parcel of these developments. The EU and many of its Member States view hydrogen as essential to their climate goals, industrial competitiveness, and energy security. As a result, Europe has played an active role in promoting a European hydrogen economy and an international hydrogen market. The chapter frames EU hydrogen policy as the interplay of interests at EU- and Member State level, which can be a source of both tensions and synergies. It also discusses how this is manifested in the EU’s external climate and energy policy and international partnerships. Finally, the chapter presents the structure of the edited volume, introduces the case studies and summarises the key analytical dimensions applied in individual chapters to examine the domestic and international components of European hydrogen policy.
The EU in the Global Hydrogen Race: Bringing Together Climate Action, Energy Security, and Industrial Policy
Authors: Zabanova Yana
Published: July 2024

The European Union has identified clean hydrogen as essential to its climate targets, technology leadership and energy security in the decarbonizing world. The bloc is developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for a hydrogen economy, complete with supply-side policies and binding demand-side targets. In addition to boosting domestic production, the EU is planning to import large volumes of hydrogen and derivatives from third countries. Hydrogen is thus beginning to play a more prominent role in the EU’s bilateral partnerships. The EU is also actively participating in multilateral hydrogen governance with the goal of creating a functioning international hydrogen market featuring strong sustainability standards. At the same time, aligning the diverging interests of Member States and various hydrogen stakeholders has been a challenge. As the global hydrogen race accelerates, the bloc has struggled to keep up with powerful players like the United States, which are offering massive subsidies to the hydrogen industry. This chapter examines the domestic and external dimensions of the EU's hydrogen vision, situating it within the bloc's wider climate and energy policy and recent geopolitical developments. It discusses key policies, regulations, and funding schemes for hydrogen in the EU, highlighting existing points of contention and the interplay between the EU and Member State level. It then goes on to analyze the EU's evolving international engagement on hydrogen and the challenges of fostering mutually beneficial green industrial partnerships that go beyond securing hydrogen supplies. It remains to be seen whether the EU succeeds in drawing on its early mover advantage and potential synergies to remain an attractive investment destination and build resilient clean hydrogen supply chains.
The longest letter-duplicated subsequence and related problems
Authors: Lai Wenfeng , Liyanage Adiesha , Zhu Binhai , Zou Peng
Published: July 2024

Motivated by computing duplication patterns in sequences, a new problem called the longest letter-duplicated subsequence (LLDS) is proposed. Given a sequence S of length n, a letter-duplicated subsequence is a subsequence of S in the form of $$x_1^{d_1}x_2^{d_2}\ldots x_k^{d_k}$$

x
1

d
1

x
2

d
2

…

x
k

d
k

with $$x_i\in \Sigma $$

x
i

∈
Σ

, $$x_j\ne x_{j+1}$$

x
j

≠

x

j
+
1

and $$d_i\ge 2$$

d
i

≥
2

for all i in [k] and j in $$[k-1]$$

[
k
-
1
]

. A linear time algorithm for computing a longest letter-duplicated subsequence (LLDS) of S can be easily obtained. In this paper, we focus on two variants of this problem: (1) ‘all-appearance’ version, i.e., all letters in $$\Sigma $$
Σ
must appear in the solution, and (2) the weighted version. For the former, we obtain dichotomous results: We prove that, when each letter appears in S at least 4 times, the problem and a relaxed version on feasibility testing (FT) are both NP-hard. The reduction is from $$(3^+,1,2^-)$$

(

3
+

,
1
,

2
-

)

-SAT, where all 3-clauses (i.e., containing 3 lals) are monotone (i.e., containing only positive literals) and all 2-clauses contain only negative literals. We then show that when each letter appears in S at most 3 times, then the problem admits an O(n) time algorithm. Finally, we consider the weighted version, where the weight of a block $$x_i^{d_i} (d_i\ge 2)$$

x
i

d
i

(

d
i

≥
2
)

could be any positive function which might not grow with $$d_i$$

d
i

. We give a non-trivial $$O(n^2)$$

O
(

n
2

)

time dynamic programming algorithm for this version, i.e., computing an LD-subsequence of S whose weight is maximized.
Investigating protistan predators and bacteria within soil microbiomes in agricultural ecosystems under organic and chemical fertilizer applications
Authors: Liu Chen , Zhou Zeyuan , Sun Shuo , Zhang Qi , Sun Shiqi , Hang Xinnan , Ravanbakhsh Mohammadhossein , Wei Zhong , Li Rong , Wang Shimei , Xiong Wu , Kowalchuk George A. , Shen Qirong
Published: July 2024

Organic farming can enhance biodiversity and soil health and is a sustainable alternative to conventional farming. Yet, soil protists especially protistan predators, have received inadequate attention, and their contributions to the sustainability of organic farming remained underexplored. In this study, we examined soil microbial communities from 379 samples, including both organic and chemically fertilized soils from China. Our findings revealed higher bacterial diversity and increases in plant-beneficial bacteria in organically farmed soils. Notably, organic farming systems facilitated dynamic predator-prey interactions, which may be disrupted by the application of chemical fertilizers. Additionally, organic farming enriched protistan predators, enhancing the relative abundance of functional PGPR, thus improving soil health. We further conducted a case study highlighting the critical role of organic matter in sustaining protistan predator populations and their interactions with bacteria. We propose the crucial contributions of organic inputs for supporting protistan predators and the interplay of predator-prey, ultimately enhancing soil functions and promoting agricultural sustainability.
Single-cell transcriptomic insights into chemotherapy-induced remodeling of the osteosarcoma tumor microenvironment
Authors: Zheng Xuejing , Wu Wence , Zhao Zhenguo , Zhang Xinxin , Yu Shengji
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy serves as an effective strategy for treating osteosarcoma (OS) not only by targeting cancerous cells but also by influencing the tumor's immune and stromal elements. Gaining insights into how chemotherapy reshapes the tumor's local environment is crucial for advancing OS treatment protocols.

Methods

Using single-cell RNA sequencing, this study analyzed tumor samples from patients with advanced osteosarcoma collected both before and after chemotherapy.

Results

The results revealed that chemotherapy caused the remaining OS cells to express higher levels of genes associated with stemness. Additionally, this process enhances the presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts, increasing their ability to modify the extracellular matrix (ECM). Chemotherapy also increases the number of endothelial cells, albeit with compromised differentiation capabilities. Importantly, the treatment reduced the immune cell population, including myeloid and T/NK cells, particularly impacting the subpopulations with tumor-fighting capabilities.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the complex reaction of the tumor environment to chemotherapy, providing valuable insights into how chemotherapy influences OS cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). This knowledge is essential for understanding OS resistance mechanisms to treatments, potentially guiding the development of novel therapies for managing advanced OS.
Does autoimmune disease impair the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing liver resection? A multi-institutional observational study
Authors: Lee Chao-Wei , Chen Hsing-Yu , Tsai Ping-Han , Lee Wei-Chen , Wang Chih-Chi , Yu Ming-Chin , Chen Chun-Wei , Lin Po-Ting , Chen Bo-Huan , Wang Sheng-Fu , Chai Pei-Mei , Tsai Hsin-I.
Published: July 2024

Background

Patients with autoimmune diseases (AD) generally carry an increased risk of developing cancer. However, the effect of AD in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving surgical treatment is uncertain. The present study aimed to investigate the potential influence of AD on the survival of HCC patients undergoing hepatectomies.

Methods

Operated HCC patients were identified from the Chang Gung Research Database, and the survival outcomes of HCC patients with or without AD were analyzed ad compared. Cox regression model was performed to identify significant risk factors associated with disease recurrence and mortality.

Results

From 2002 to 2018, a total of 5532 patients underwent hepatectomy for their HCC. Among them, 229 patients were identified to have AD and 5303 were not. After excluding cases who died within 30 days of surgery, the estimated median overall survival (OS) was 43.8 months in the AD (+) group and 47.4 months in the AD (–) group (P = 0.367). The median liver-specific survival and disease-free survival (DFS) were also comparable between the two groups. After Cox regression multivariate analysis, the presence of AD did not lead to a higher risk of all-cause mortality, liver-specific mortality, or disease recurrence.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that autoimmune disease does not impair the OS and DFS of HCC patients undergoing liver resections. AD itself is not a risk factor for tumor recurrence after surgery. Patients eligible for liver resections, as a result, should be considered for surgery irrespective of the presence of AD. Further studies are mandatory to validate our findings.
Comparative analysis of data-driven models and signal processing techniques in the monthly maximum daily precipitation prediction of El Kerma station Northeast of Algeria
Authors: Katipoğlu Okan Mert , Keblouti Mehdi
Published: July 2024

The availability of a climate database is an essential requirement for modeling and mapping hydrological and environmental processes. Regardless of the nature and structure of these models, most of them require a complete and reliable dataset on a spatiotemporal basis. Unfortunately, the measurement of hydrological variables (precipitation, flow, etc.) can be affected by systematic errors, gaps and random data. The watershed of Seybouse located in the North-East of Algeria, has a network that has gaps in the monthly data with an average error percentage of 20.46% over the period of 1970–2008 on all the stations in operation. The current study combines support vector regression, artificial neural networks, boosted tree, bagged tree, gaussian processes regression and linear regression techniques with empirical mode decomposition and discrete wavelet transform techniques to fill the missing precipitation gaps. This study aims to determine which kernel function, regression type, tree and network structure and data decomposition technique will produce the best outputs in predicting missing rainfall. For this purpose, it aims to comprehensively evaluate various soft computing and signal processing models and use strengthened hybrid approaches by combining them. While modeling, 70% of the data was used for training and the rest for testing. Mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), determination coefficient (R2), Taylor diagram and Violin plots were used to find the best model. As a result of the analysis, it was concluded that the SVM model produced superior outputs compared to other machine learning models. The single LSVM model had an R2 value of 0.78, RMSE of 8.18, and MAE of 5.90. The W-LSVM model had an R2 value of 0.78, RMSE of 8.10, and MAE of 5.90. The EMD-CGSVM model had an R2 value of 0.69, RMSE of 10.43, and MAE of 7.10. These results indicate that the W-LSVM models provided the most accurate rainfall forecast outputs. The results showed that the wavelet-based linear support vector regression model in precipitation prediction is the most successful artificial intelligence model. Finally, using the W-LSVM model to predict rainfall in the study area can significantly improve water resources management and flood strategies and help optimize water use and structures.
Bewertung des potenziellen Strandungsrisikos für Gewässerorganismen bei Schwall und Sunk hinsichtlich langfristiger morphologischer Veränderungen von alpinen Flüssen
Authors: Hauer Christoph , Schmalfuß Lisa , Unfer Günther , Schletterer Martin , Fuhrmann Martin , Holzapfel Patrick
Published: July 2024

Schwall-Sunk ist eine der größten wasserkraftbedingten Störungen natürlicher Prozesse in Fluss(öko)systemen. Die künstlichen Abflussschwankungen, die durch die bedarfsgerechte Stromerzeugung verursacht werden, sind für ihre Auswirkungen auf aquatische Ökosysteme bekannt. Davon betroffen sind vor allem jene Arten und Lebensstadien, die nicht in der Lage sind, ihre Lebensraumwahl an schnelle Anstiege und Abstiege des Abflusses anzupassen. Bisher wurde das Strandungsrisiko sowohl experimentell als auch numerisch hauptsächlich mit variablen Schwall-Sunk-Szenarien über stabile bzw. sich nicht verändernde Flussabschnitte/-strukturen untersucht. Es besteht daher ein Wissensdefizit, wie sich einzelne, bestimmte Schwall-Sunk-Ereignisse hinsichtlich ihrer Auswirkungen auf das Strandungsrisiko unterscheiden, wenn sich die Flussmorphologie langfristig ändert. Die vorliegende Arbeit geht genau auf dieses Wissensdefizit ein, indem sie morphologische Veränderungen über einen Zeitraum von 20 Jahren und die damit verbundene Variabilität der lateralen Sunkgeschwindigkeit als Parameter für das Strandungsrisiko untersucht. Zwei alpine Kiesbettflüsse, die über Jahrzehnte von Schwall-Sunk betroffen waren, wurden mithilfe eines eindimensionalen instationären Modellierungsansatzes getestet. Die Ergebnisse der morphologischen Entwicklung zeigten unterschiedliche Ergebnisse für den Zeitraum 1995–2005. Die Bregenzerach wies über die verschiedenen ausgewählten Teilmesszeiträume hinweg eine kontinuierliche Anlandung (Hebung des Flussbetts) auf. Im Gegensatz dazu zeigte der Inn eine kontinuierliche Eintiefung (Erosion des Flussbetts). Das Strandungsrisiko zeigte bei beiden Flüssen in Bezug auf einzelne Querschnitte eine hohe Variabilität. Auf der Abschnittsebene wurden jedoch für keinen der beiden Flussabschnitte signifikante Änderungen des Strandungsrisikos durch die sich verändernde Morphologie berechnet. Die vorliegende Studie zeigt somit, dass das quantifizierte Strandungsrisiko von Gewässerorganismen eine Funktion der bereits allgemeinen morphologischen (Kiesbank‑)Eigenschaften des betroffenen Flusses ist und dass sowohl die morphologische Entwicklung als auch die Entwicklung der Korngrößen einen Einfluss auf das potenzielle Strandungsrisiko von Wasserorganismen haben und berücksichtigt werden sollten. Dies gilt es vor allem auch bei Neukonzessionierungen von Wasserkraftanlagen in mehrfach beanspruchten Flusssystemen zu berücksichtigen.
The Tumor Risk Score (TRS) – next level risk prediction in head and neck tumor surgery
Authors: Klausing Anne , Waschk Kristina , Far Frederick , Martini Markus , Kramer Franz-Josef
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Head and neck cancer surgery often requires postoperative monitoring in an intensive care unit (ICU) or intermediate care unit (IMC). With a variety of different risk scores, it is incumbent upon the investigator to plan a risk-adapted allocation of resources. Tumor surgery in the head and neck region itself offers a wide range of procedures in terms of resection extent and reconstruction methods, which can be stratified only vaguely by a cross-disciplinary score. Facing a variety of different risk scores we aimed to develop a new Tumor Risk Score (TRS) enabling anterograde preoperative risk evaluation, resource allocation and optimization of cost and outcome measurements in tumor surgery of the head and neck.

Methods

A collective of 547 patients (2010–2021) with intraoral tumors was studied to develop the TRS by grading the preoperative tumor size and location as well as the invasiveness of the planned surgery by means of statistical modeling. Two postoperative complications were defined: (1) prolonged postoperative stay in IMC/ICU and (2) prolonged total length of stay (LOS). Each parameter was analyzed using TRS and all preoperative patient parameters (age, sex, preoperative hemoglobin, body-mass-index, preexisting medical conditions) using predictive modeling design. Established risk scores (Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), American Society of Anesthesiologists risk classification (ASA), Functional Comorbidity Index (FCI)) and Patient Clinical Complexity Level (PCCL) were used as benchmarks for model performance of the TRS.

Results

The TRS is significantly correlated with surgery duration (p < 0.001) and LOS (p = 0.001). With every increase in TRS, LOS rises by 9.3% (95%CI 4.7–13.9; p < 0.001) or 1.9 days (95%CI 1.0-2.8; p < 0.001), respectively. For each increase in TRS, the LOS in IMC/ICU wards increases by 0.33 days (95%CI 0.12–0.54; p = 0.002), and the probability of an overall prolonged IMC/ICU stay increased by 32.3% per TRS class (p < 0.001). Exceeding the planned IMC/ICU LOS, overall LOS increased by 7.7 days (95%CI 5.35–10.08; p < 0.001) and increases the likelihood of also exceeding the upper limit LOS by 70.1% (95%CI 1.02–2.85; p = 0.041). In terms of predictive power of a prolonged IMC/ICU stay, the TRS performs better than previously established risk scores such as ASA or CCI (p = 0.031).

Conclusion

The lack of a standardized needs assessment can lead to both under- and overutilization of the IMC/ICU and therefore increased costs and losses in total revenue. Our index helps to stratify the risk of a prolonged IMC/ICU stay preoperatively and to adjust resource allocation in major head and neck tumor surgery.
The clinical consequences of burst abdomen after emergency midline laparotomy: a prospective, observational cohort study
Authors: Kvist Madeline , Jensen Thomas Korgaard , Snitkjær Christian , Burcharth Jakob
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The emergency midline laparotomy is a commonly performed procedure with a burst abdomen being a critical surgical complication requiring further emergency surgery. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with burst abdomen after emergency midline laparotomy.

Methods

A single-center, prospective, observational cohort study of patients undergoing emergency midline laparotomy during a two-year period was done. Abdominal wall closure followed a standardized technique using monofilament, slowly absorbable suture in a continuous suturing technique with a suture-to-wound ratio of at least 4:1. Treatment of burst abdomen was surgical. Data, including intra-hospital postoperative complications, were collected and registered chronologically based on journal entries. The primary outcome was to describe postoperative complications, length of stay, and the overall morbidity based on the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI), stratified between patients who did and did not suffer from a burst abdomen during admission.

Results

A total of 543 patients were included in the final cohort, including 24 patients with burst abdomen during admission. The incidence of burst abdomen after emergency midline laparotomy was 4.4%. Patients with a burst abdomen had a higher total amount of complications per patient (median of 3, IQR 1.3–5.8 vs. median of 1, IQR 0.0–3.0; p = 0.001) and a significantly higher CCI (median of 53.0, IQR 40.3–94.8 vs. median of 21.0, IQR 0.0–42.0; p =  < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with burst abdomen had an increased risk of postoperative complications during admission as well as a longer and more complicated admission with multiple non-surgical complications.
Intraoperative microelectrode recording during asleep deep brain stimulation of subthalamic nucleus for Parkinson Disease. A case series with systematic review of the literature
Authors: Izzo Alessandro , Piano Carla , D’Ercole Manuela , D’Alessandris Quintino Giorgio , Tufo Tommaso , Fuggetta Maria Filomena , Figà Federica , Martinelli Renata , Obersnel Marco , Pambianco Francesco , Bove Francesco , Perotti Valerio , Bentivoglio Anna Rita , Olivi Alessandro , Montano Nicola
Published: July 2024

The use of microelectrode recording (MER) during deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson Disease is controversial. Furthermore, in asleep DBS anesthesia can impair the ability to record single-cell electric activity.

The purpose of this study was to describe our surgical and anesthesiologic protocol for MER assessment during asleep subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS and to put our findings in the context of a systematic review of the literature. Sixty-three STN electrodes were implanted in 32 patients under general anesthesia. A frameless technique using O-Arm scanning was adopted in all cases. Total intravenous anesthesia, monitored with bispectral index, was administered using a target controlled infusion of both propofol and remifentanil. A systematic review of the literature with metanalysis on MER in asleep vs awake STN DBS for Parkinson Disease was performed. In our series, MER could be reliably recorded in all cases, impacting profoundly on electrode positioning: the final position was located within 2 mm from the planned target only in 42.9% cases. Depth modification > 2 mm was necessary in 21 cases (33.3%), while in 15 cases (23.8%) a different track was used. At 1-year follow-up we observed a significant reduction in LEDD, UPDRS Part III score off-medications, and UPDRS Part III score on medications, as compared to baseline. The systematic review of the literature yielded 23 papers; adding the cases here reported, overall 1258 asleep DBS cases using MER are described. This technique was safe and effective: metanalysis showed similar, if not better, outcome of asleep vs awake patients operated using MER. MER are a useful and reliable tool during asleep STN DBS, leading to a fine tuning of electrode position in the majority of cases. Collaboration between neurosurgeon, neurophysiologist and neuroanesthesiologist is crucial, since slight modifications of sedation level can impact profoundly on MER reliability.
Noise suppression zeroing neural network for online solving the time-varying inverse kinematics problem of four-wheel mobile manipulators with external disturbances
Authors: Sun Zhongbo , Zhou Yanpeng , Tang Shijun , Luo Jun , Zhao Bo
Published: July 2024

A novel noise suppression zeroing neural network (NSZNN) is presented for the trajectory tracking problem on a four Mecanum wheeled mobile manipulator (FMWMM) by solving its time-varying inverse kinematics (TVIK) problem. The holistic kinematic model of the FMWMM is developed, which can receive synergistic control of the mobile manipulator. Different from the situation without external interference addressed in our previous work, this paper considers a variety of common time-varying interferences by studying the basic principles of various noises, and proves the NSZNN model’s of the validity and superiority, which solves the TVIK problem of the FMWMM with external disturbances through theoretical analyses. Compared with the existing gradient neural network (GNN) and the traditional zeroing neural network (ZNN), the most representative hybrid noise is selected to conduct a large number of experiments to substantiate the high efficiency and robustness of the NSZNN model. Finally, the NSZNN model is verified on the FMWMM via a robot operating system (ROS) by a successful execution of the trajectory tracking task.
Recovering connectivity through restoration corridors in a fragmented landscape in the magdalena river’s valley in Colombia
Authors: Montes-Rojas Andrés , Delgado-Morales Nicolás Alejandro José , Escucha Rafael S. , Siabatto Laura C. , Link Andrés
Published: July 2024

Forest fragmentation is one of the main drivers of global biodiversity loss leading to the isolation of wildlife populations. This study focuses on understanding the role of restoration corridors as a strategy promoting resilience and viability of mammal and bird populations in a fragmented landscape in Colombia. We installed 98 camera-trap stations − 8497 camera-trap days - in four different land cover categories: (1) forest fragments, (2) natural corridors, (3) stablished corridors and (4) pastures. We evaluated if restoration corridors do promote connectivity for large vertebrates and recover species richness and functional diversity lost in anthropogenically transformed pastures. We used indices of taxonomic and functional diversity and a non-metric multidimensional scaling to evaluate the influence of land cover over mammal and bird communities. Both, species richness and functional diversity have higher values in forests, followed by natural corridors and corridors and lower values in open pastures. Differences in species composition were greater between forests and pastures, and species composition of restoration corridors begins to resemble that of riparian forests and forest fragments. Our results provide initial evidence on the role of restoration corridors as an efficient strategy aimed to recover biodiversity and functional diversity in pervasively fragmented landscapes.
Hawala in criminal court: the role of law and commercial culture in informal financial exchange
Authors: Ercanbrack Jonathan G.
Published: July 2024

A historically informed understanding of ḥawāla and other varieties of informal value transfer systems (IVTS) requires consideration of the normative and cultural elements which structure and facilitate transactions in globalized financial markets. This paper argues that the Sharia-based normative and cultural framework of ḥawāla is created in the social relations of Muslim networks and that, in a criminal law context, this normativity can be used as a tool to discern between legitimate and illegitimate transactions. The new institutional economists’ (NIE) explanation of ḥawāla, which predominates in scholarly work, neglects this common frame of reference built on community, shared belief, and normative rules and expectations. The NIE views economic institutions through the lens of profitmaking and self-interest centred institutional development. Moreover, in a criminal law context, the profit-oriented perspective of law overlooks the normative characteristics that sometimes appear in the transactional characteristics of these transactions. When evidence of these characteristics is presented to the court, they offer a useful tool to differentiate legitimate from illegitimate transfers of value. Legitimate transfers will frequently be facilitated through dense networks in which the normativity and culture of ḥawāla frame the rules and expectations of parties to the transaction. Criminal transactions, on the other hand, typically involve fewer participants, sometimes from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, are profit-orientated, and involve means of enforcement such as the use of violence which traditional networks do not employ. The NIE perspective does not fully account for non-western legal orders or for commercial practices in which exchange remains culturally, historically, and socially embedded.
The Impact of carbon emissions on market performance: fintech versus non-fintech
Authors: Najaf Khakan , Ali Mohsin , Asiaei Kaveh , Dhiaf Mohamed M.
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to examine the impact of Scope 3 carbon emissions on market performance and the moderating effect of financial technology (fintech) on this particular relationship. Empirical data on Scope 3 carbon emissions from 2010 to 2022, which covered both fintech and traditional (non-fintech) financial firms, were collected from Bloomberg. All data were subjected to ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. Generalised method of moments (GMM) was performed to deal with potential endogeneity issues. The significant negative relationship between Scope 3 carbon emissions and market performance in this study implied investors’ concerns about the environmental impacts. With the noticeably lower carbon emissions, indicating the adoption of an eco-friendly orientation, fintech financial firms demonstrated positive relationship between their market performance and Scope 3 carbon emissions. Meanwhile, the results revealed otherwise for non-fintech financial firms. It is recommended for future research to consider the qualitative approach, such as structured or semi-structured interviews, to further validate the quantitative results of the current study. This study demonstrated the significant role of fintech financial firms in environmental stewardship, specifically with their markedly lower Scope 3 carbon emissions. Their approaches and practices can benefit ESG implementors in designing and implementing more effective and responsible operational models. Despite the current global challenges, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing environmental awareness and concerns, this study commended the sustainable approaches of fintech financial firms, which served as a benchmark for ESG initiatives. This can potentially boost their ESG ratings and market standing. To date, the relationship between Scope 3 carbon emissions and market performance and the moderating role of fintech on this relationship have remained underexplored, which were addressed in the current study.
Higher education orientation in Türkiye: a cross-educational questionnaire validation and reliability study
Authors: Görgülü Zeynep , Bozgeyikli Hasan , Demir Yusuf
Published: July 2024

The present study aims to validate the Higher Education Orientations Questionnaire (HEOQ) among Turkish university students. The research comprises two studies: 201 Turkish university students were recruited for study 1, while 371 students took part in study 2. The HEOQ was translated in study 1. In study 2, criterion validity was tested by forming a hierarchical regression model on career decision self-efficacy. The HEOQ had adequate fit and measures for validity and reliability in the Turkish sample. Career decision self-efficacy was positively predicted by profession and negatively predicted by external orientation. Implications are presented for career development of university students.
Modelling the effect of cell motility on mixing and invasion in epithelial monolayers
Authors: Alsubaie Faris Saad , Neufeld Zoltan
Published: July 2024

Collective cell invasion underlies several biological processes such as wound healing, embryonic development, and cancerous invasion. Here, we investigate the impact of cell motility on invasion in epithelial monolayers and its coupling to cellular mechanical properties, such as cell-cell adhesion and cortex contractility. We develop a two-dimensional computational model for cells with active motility based on the cellular Potts model, which predicts that the cellular invasion speed is mainly determined by active cell motility and is independent of the biological and mechanical properties of the cells. We also find that, in general, motile cells out-compete and invade non-motile cells, however, this can be reversed by differential cell proliferation. Stable coexistence of motile and static cell types is also possible for certain parameter regimes.
Characterization of intracranial compliance in healthy subjects using a noninvasive method - results from a multicenter prospective observational study
Authors: Ocamoto Gabriela Nagai , da Silva Lucas Normando , da Silva Rocha Tomaz Camila , Hisatugu Matheus Toshio , Frigieri Gustavo , Cardim Danilo , Gonçalves Roberta Lins , Russo Thiago Luiz , de Amorim Robson Luis Oliveira
Published: July 2024

Purpose

An FDA-approved non-invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring system enables the assessment of ICP waveforms by revealing and analyzing their morphological variations and parameters associated with intracranial compliance, such as the P2/P1 ratio and time-to-peak (TTP). The aim of this study is to characterize intracranial compliance in healthy volunteers across different age groups.

Methods

Healthy participants, both sexes, aged from 9 to 74 years old were monitored for 5 min in the supine position at 0º. Age was stratified into 4 groups: children (≤ 7 years); young adults (18 ≤ age ≤ 44 years); middle-aged adults (45 ≤ age ≤ 64 years); older adults (≥ 65 years). The data obtained was the non-invasive ICP waveform, P2/P1 ratio and TTP.

Results

From December 2020 to February 2023, 188 volunteers were assessed, of whom 104 were male, with a median (interquartile range) age of 41 (29–51), and a median (interquartile range) body mass index of 25.09 (22.57–28.04). Men exhibited lower values compared to women for both the P2/P1 ratio and TTP (p < 0.001). There was a relative rise in both P2/P1 and TTP as age increased (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The study revealed that the P2/P1 ratio and TTP are influenced by age and sex in healthy individuals, with men displaying lower values than women, and both ratios increasing with age. These findings suggest potential avenues for further research with larger and more diverse samples to establish reference values for comparison in various health conditions.

Trial registration

Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-9nv2h42), retrospectively registered 05/24/2022. UTN: U1111-1266-8006.
Hierarchy relaxations for robust equilibrium constrained polynomial problems and applications to electric vehicle charging scheduling
Authors: Chuong Thai Doan , Yu Xinghuo , Eberhard Andrew , Li Chaojie , Liu Chen
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we consider a polynomial problem with equilibrium constraints in which the constraint functions and the equilibrium constraints involve data uncertainties. Employing a robust optimization approach, we examine the uncertain equilibrium constrained polynomial optimization problem by establishing lower bound approximations and asymptotic convergences of bounded degree diagonally dominant sum-of-squares (DSOS), scaled diagonally dominant sum-of-squares (SDSOS) and sum-of-squares (SOS) polynomial relaxations for the robust equilibrium constrained polynomial optimization problem. We also provide numerical examples to illustrate how the optimal value of a robust equilibrium constrained problem can be calculated by solving associated relaxation problems. Furthermore, an application to electric vehicle charging scheduling problems under uncertain discharging supplies shows that for the lower relaxation degrees, the DSOS, SDSOS and SOS relaxations obtain reasonable charging costs and for the higher relaxation degrees, the SDSOS relaxation scheme has the best performance, making it desirable for practical applications.
Preventing beach goers from drowning: analysis of geomorphological and human data to better understand factors leading to surf rescues
Authors: Thom Ogilvie , Roberts Kym , Devine Susan , Leggat Peter A. , Franklin Richard C.
Published: July 2024

Globally rip currents are the primary physical hazard facing swimmers on surf beaches. However, beach swimmers also face other hazards such as large waves, tidal influenced currents, and shorebreak waves. The aim of this study was to investigate factors leading to the increased likelihood of surf lifeguard rescues. Rescue data from Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Lifesaving Incident Management System and Operations Console for 54 wave dominated beaches in South–East Queensland, Australia, from July 1st, 2016 to October 6th, 2021 was linked with wind speed and direction, air temperature, phase of tide, wave height and period, beach type, beach hazard rating, and beach swimmer numbers. Stepwise regression was performed to find independent predictors of rescue. There were 8515 rescues, with 3345 (39.3%) females and 5109 (60.0%) males (61 sex not recorded). There were no independent predictors of surf rescue but swimming outside the lifeguard patrol area was nine times more likely to result in rescue than swimming inside the patrol area. Increased rescues were noted at periods of increased rip activity. Rip currents (2992/6523, 45.8%) were the most frequently recorded contributing factor. Rescues occurred most frequently (5902, 69.3%) during the six hours of lower tide levels and during onshore winds (5463, 64.2%). Surf rescues increased with increasing wave height and period, air temperature, and wind speed but decreased as average values for each variable were surpassed. Beaches protected from the prevailing wave direction by headlands had a stronger relationship between rescues and wave height. Beaches adjacent to inlets with tidal flow had a stronger relationship between rescues and the ebb tide. Beach morphology, and hazard rating did not have a relationship with ratio of rescues per 100,000 swimmers. We found no independent predictors for surf rescue, however this study has, for the first time we believe, quantified the increased risk (× 9) posed by swimming outside the patrol area. Open beaches, beaches protected by headlands and beaches with tidal inlets all had different relationships between rescues, tides and wave size. Our findings suggest that lifeguards may need to adopt new approaches to prevent rescues adjacent to the patrol area, as well as a revision of the general hazard rating being required.
Becoming oneself online: narrative self-constitution and the internet
Authors: Bortolan Anna
Published: July 2024

This paper explores how self-identity can be impacted upon by the use of digital and social media. In particular, drawing on a narrative account of selfhood, it argues that some forms of activity and interaction on the internet can support the capacity to be oneself, and foster transformative processes that are self-enhancing.

I start by introducing different positions in the philosophical exploration of identity online, critically outlining the arguments of those who hold a “pessimistic” and an “optimistic” stance respectively. I then expand on the narrative identity framework that has been used to support the optimists’ view, arguing that digital and social media use can foster forms of self-understanding that enable us to preserve or develop our identity. More precisely, exploring these dynamics also in relation to the lived experience of mental ill-health, I maintain that internet-enabled technology can support narrative self-constitution in three main ways: (1) by facilitating the processes through which we remember self-defining life-stories; (2) by enabling us to give salience to the stories that we decide should matter the most; and (3) by providing us with opportunities to obtain social uptake for our narratives. I then conclude by dispelling some possible objections to the use of a narrative approach to account for selfhood online.
Comparing forest carbon fluxes at locations with different land-use histories and restoration strategies
Authors: Nguyen Hoa , Bellingham Peter J. , Fergus Alexander J. , McCarthy James K. , Padamsee Mahajabeen , Schwendenmann Luitgard
Published: July 2024

Background and aims

We compared carbon fluxes at locations differing in land-use history and forest restoration strategies, i.e., planted and naturally regenerating forests. We (1) quantified the carbon (C) input from litterfall, (2) measured total soil respiration and its component fluxes, and (3) identified the abiotic and biotic factors influencing C input by litterfall and C release from the soil.

Methods

We established four plots each in planted and naturally regenerating Leptospermum scoparium (mānuka; Myrtaceae) forests of similar age in warm, temperate New Zealand. Litterfall and total soil respiration were measured over one year. Organic layer and mineral soil samples were analysed for physical, chemical, and biological characteristics.

Results

Annual litterfall C input in planted forests on former agricultural land was more than double that of naturally regenerating forests, which was partly explained by higher soil nutrient availability. Annual mean soil respiration was 28% higher in planted than naturally regenerating forests. Total soil respiration in both forest types was positively correlated with root carbon stocks. The interaction of soil temperature and soil water content affected seasonal patterns of total soil respiration in both planted and naturally regenerating L. scoparium forests.

Conclusion

We found that soil and vegetation characteristics associated with land-use histories and restoration strategies affected C fluxes in young L. scoparium forests. The low number of plots may limit generalisability. However, this study lays the foundation for further comparative work in planted and naturally regenerating forest systems.
Mission impossible? Identity based incompatibilities amongst academic job roles relate to wellbeing and turnover
Authors: Frings Daniel , Albery Ian P. , Wood Kerry V.
Published: July 2024

Academic staff experience high levels of work-related stress and poor mental health. As a result, many institutions face high staff turnover. These outcomes may be driven by complex and, at times, apparently oppositional objectives academics need to meet around research and teaching. These factors may present both practical and social identity-based incompatibilities. The current study tested the role of these incompatibilities upon mental well-being and turnover. A sample of 141 UK resident academics completed scales measuring levels of social identification with being an academic, an educator and a researcher, identity based and practical incompatibility, mental health, experience of the workplace and turnover intention. No direct links were found between practical incompatibility and outcomes. However, higher identity incompatibility was related to poorer mental health. Identity incompatibility was also related to turnover intention, mediated by both mental health and workplace experience. Contrary to predictions, these effects were not moderated by identity difference or identity strength. The current findings present evidence that role-based incompatibilities have both practical and identity-based foundations and highlight important caveats to the benefits of multiple identities on well-being observed in other domains. The findings also suggest practical steps through which complex occupational roles can be best structured to improve mental health and reduce turnover.