bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age, growth, and intrinsic sensitivity of Endangered Spinetail Devil Ray (Mobula mobular) and Bentfin Devil Ray (M. thurstoni) in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Barrowclift Ellen , Temple Andrew J. , Pardo Sebastián A. , Khan Alexander M. A. , Razzaque Shoaib Abdul , Wambiji Nina , Ismail Mochamad Rudyansyah , Dewanti Lantun Paradhita , Berggren Per
Published: December 2024

Devil rays (Mobula spp.) are caught in fisheries across the Indian Ocean, with reports of significant recent declines in catch and sightings. Globally, the few populations studied have extremely low population growth rates due to low fecundity and long reproductive cycles, making them highly vulnerable to overfishing. To allow for assessment of the current sustainability of devil ray catch in the Indian Ocean, we provide estimates of age using the caudal vertebrae; somatic growth using a Bayesian, multi-model approach; maximum intrinsic rate of population increase (rmax); and fishing mortality for Endangered Spinetail Devil Ray (Mobula mobular) and Bentfin Devil Ray (M. thurstoni) sampled from small-scale fisheries catch in Indonesia, Kenya, and Pakistan. The oldest individuals of Spinetail Devil Ray (n = 79) and Bentfin Devil Ray (n = 59) were 17.5 and six years, respectively. Both species had relatively low growth coefficients (k = 0.05 and g = 0.19 year−1, respectively), with the von Bertalanffy and logistic models providing the best fitting growth models, and low rmax (0.109 and 0.107 year−1, respectively) indicating that they are highly sensitive to overexploitation. Fishing mortality F estimates (0.16 and 0.18 year−1, respectively) were higher than rmax and exploitation ratio E (0.77 and 0.80, respectively) were higher than an optimum value of 0.5 for biological sustainability for both species, suggesting that the fisheries catches of the species are unsustainable. We demonstrate an approach to assess data-poor species and apply this to two Indian Ocean devil ray species. The results highlight the urgent need for better management actions to reduce the catch of all devil rays to prevent species extinction and aid in population recovery.
Wood fuel consumption in the city of Barcelona in the medieval and early modern periods. An overview based on archaeological wood charcoal analysis
Authors: Bianco Sabrina , Banks Philip , Allué Ethel , Picornell-Gelabert Llorenç , Miró Alaix Carme , Riera Mora Santiago
Published: December 2024

Wood fuel was essential for urban development in the Mediterranean area during the Middle Ages. Therefore, wood gathering practices and supply can be investigated through the study of wood-charcoal fragments obtained from urban archaeological contexts. This paper considers anthracological remains from 14 archaeological rescue-interventions in Barcelona (NE Iberia), to reconstruct the city’s wood-fuel usage from the 6th to the 17th century ce. The diachronic anthracological sequence, compared with a previous study of the Roman period, reveals significant changes in the city's energy supply and woodland impact over time. Between the 6th and 13th centuries ce, there was a reduction in Quercus ilex (holm oak) wood exploitation and an increase in the use of shrubby vegetation, due to oak woodland degradation, partly caused by agriculture and grazing expansion. The growing use of vine, olive and other fruit tree prunings during the Middle Ages indicates the spread of arboriculture in the Barcelona plain. Furthermore, despite local oak woodland regression, evergreen and deciduous oak wood usage increased from the 14th century onwards, due to fuel imports to meet the growing urban energy demands. Differences in fuel consumption among the city’s socio-economic sectors are discussed, revealing discrepancy between urban fuel and that used outside the city walls on the shore. Finally the fuel used in some urban productive activities is also examined, highlighting a heterogeneous range of solutions, based on local availability and convenience. Overall, this research provides the first extensive diachronic analysis of fuel consumption in a Mediterranean city, illustrating the importance of archaeobotany for understanding pre-industrial urban resource management.
Functional outcomes of single-session holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and high-intensity focused ultrasound in management of patients with prostate cancer and enlarged prostate: results from a pilot study
Authors: Delgado Jessica , Porto Joao G. , Bhatia Ansh , Raymo Adele , Blachman-Braun Ruben , Ajami Tarek , Rathinam Aravindh , Freitas Pedro F. S. , Khandekar Archan , Marcovich Robert , Parekh Dipen J. , Nahar Bruno , Shah Hemendra N.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

In patients with prostate cancer (PCa), focal therapy with High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) combined with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) surgery has been used to improve immediate post-operative voiding symptoms. Our study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of patients undergoing simultaneous holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) + HIFU and compare them to those who underwent HoLEP for bladder outlet obstruction secondary to BPH.

Methods

We performed retrospective review of patients who underwent HoLEP + HIFU or HoLEP between June 2017 and May 2024. The nearest neighbor method with age and prostate volume were used to propensity match HoLEP + HIFU patients with HoLEP only patients in a 1:2 ratio. Demographics, functional characteristics, and complications of patients who underwent HoLEP + HIFU were compared with patients undergoing only HoLEP for BPH.

Results

A total of 99 patients were analyzed, of which 33 patients underwent combined HIFU with HoLEP. Patients undergoing HIFU + HoLEP experienced higher rates of acute urinary retention (p = 0.016) and transient urinary incontinence, along with a delayed recovery of full continence, compared to those who underwent HoLEP alone. Postoperative urinary tract infection (UTI), urethral stricture, bladder neck stenosis (BNS), and continence rate were similar between the groups.

Conclusion

Patients undergoing HoLEP + HIFU seems to have a higher risk of post-operative acute urine retention and delayed recovery from transient urinary incontinence, compared to HoLEP alone. The addition of HIFU to HoLEP does not influence the rate of UTI, urethral stricture, BNS, or improvement of voiding parameters up to one year follow up.
Dietary changes following a lifestyle-based intervention for dementia risk reduction – results from the AgeWell.de study
Authors: Zülke Andrea E. , Blotenberg Iris , Luppa Melanie , Löbner Margrit , Döhring Juliane , Williamson Martin , Kosilek Robert P. , Michel Irina , Oey Anke , Brettschneider Christian , Gensichen Jochen , Czock David , Wiese Birgitt , König Hans-Helmut , Frese Thomas , Kaduszkiewicz Hanna , Hoffmann Wolfgang , Thyrian René , Riedel-Heller Steffi G.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

We investigated the effects of a multidomain lifestyle intervention conducted in older adults at increased risk for dementia on participants’ diet.

Methods

Secondary analyses of the cluster-randomized AgeWell.de-trial, testing a multidomain intervention (optimization of nutrition and medication, enhancement of physical, social and cognitive activity) in older adults at increased dementia risk. Intervention effects on a healthy diet (composite score) and its components were analyzed using Poisson- and logistic regression analyses. Stages of behavior change (transtheoretical model), and respective changes between baseline and follow-up were analyzed using mixed regression analyses.

Results

A total of 819 individuals were analyzed (Mage = 69.0, SD = 4.9, nintervention/control group = 378/441). We observed a significant intervention effect on the healthy diet score (b = 0.06, IRR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.11). Changes were particularly due to increased fruit- and vegetable consumption, while other food components were not improved by the intervention. The intervention did not induce transitions to advanced stages of behavior change regarding a healthy diet, however, participants in the control group moved to initial stages of behavior change (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.30, 2.92).

Conclusion

A multidomain lifestyle intervention improved participants’ diet and maintained motivation to change in an at-risk-sample. However, only fruit- and vegetable consumption increased. Additional support might be necessary to encourage older adults to integrate new, healthier food components into their diet. Control group participants transitioned to initial stages of behavior change, stressing the need to encourage older adults to maintain a healthy diet as they age.

AgeWell.de was prospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS; identifier: DRKS00013555) on December 7th, 2017

DRKS00013555
Dietary intakes of trans fatty acids before the prohibition of partially hydrogenated oils in Canada
Authors: Demonty Isabelle , Wang Kuan Chiao , Rondeau Isabelle , Martineau Chantal , Manley Lindsay , Daoust Janice , Hopperton Kathryn
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Canada’s public health objective is that ≥ 90% of the population consume <1% of total energy (< 1%En) as trans fatty acids (TFA), in line with World Health Organization recommendations. Our study aimed to estimate usual intakes of total TFA, industrially-produced TFA (i-TFA), and naturally occurring TFA (n-TFA) overall and in subgroups of the population before Canada’s 2018 prohibition on the use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHO) in foods.

Methods

Data from 1–2 24-h recalls was available for 19,670 participants in the cross-sectional Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)—Nutrition 2015. Usual intakes of total TFA, i-TFA, n-TFA, and mixed TFA (TFA from foods containing both i-TFA and n-TFA) from all foods and beverages were generated according to the National Cancer Institute method, and weighted to represent the population of Canada aged ≥ 1 and within age, sex, income, and self-reported racial groups.

Results

For the overall population, the mean usual intake of total TFA was 1.2 g/day (SE:0.02) and represented 0.57%En (SE:0.001). All age-sex groups had mean total TFA intakes <1%En, ranging from 0.52 to 0.71%En. On average, foods containing only n-TFA provided >1/2 of total TFA intake (0.32%En, SE:0.01). The target of ≥ 90% of the population consuming <1%En as TFA had already been achieved before the PHO prohibition in all income, racial, and age-sex groups, except children 1–3 years old, with 86% within target. In that group, foods containing only n-TFA provided >2/3 of total TFA intake (0.48%En, SE:0.02).

Conclusion

Total TFA intakes in Canada before the PHO prohibition were relatively low, likely due to previous initiatives to reduce i-TFA in foods.
Novel force feedback technology improves suturing in robotic-assisted surgery: a pre-clinical study
Authors: Servais Elliot L. , Rashidi Laila , Porwal Priyanshi , Garibaldi Mark , Hung Andrew J.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The inability to sense force applied to tissue is suggested as a limitation to robotic-assisted surgery (RAS). This pre-clinical study evaluated the impact of a novel force feedback (FFB) technology, integrated on a next-generation robotic system that allows surgeons to sense forces exerted at the instrument tips, on suturing performance by novice surgeons during RAS.

Methods

Twenty-nine novice surgeons (< 50 RAS cases in the last 5 years) were randomized into two groups with (n = 15) or without (n = 14) FFB sensing. Participants performed interrupted stitches on ex vivo porcine bladder and running stitches on porcine aorta (Fig. 1A) over four runs. Average forces applied, number of errors, time for exercise completion, and Robotic Anastomosis Competence Evaluation (RACE) technical skill ratings were compared using a three-way mixed-model ANOVA and applicable post hoc tests.

Results

FFB sensing significantly lowered the mean force applied (bladder, 1.71 N vs 2.40 N, p < 0.006; aorta, 1.80 N vs 2.53 N, p < 0.006), average number of errors (bladder, 0.59 vs 1.76, p < 0.001; aorta, 0.38 vs 1.14, p < 0.001), and the time to completion (bladder, 659 s vs 781 s, p = 0.002; aorta, 460 s vs 570 s, p = 0.001) (Fig. 1C). The FFB group applied less tissue trauma with a higher RACE skill score (3.75 vs 3.03, p = 0.012).

Conclusion

This study showed that novice surgeons using FFB-enabled instruments completed suturing tasks using less force, with fewer errors, taking less time, and less tissue trauma during RAS. Future studies are required to better understand the impact of FFB technology on surgical performance and potential patient benefits.
A cross-language speech model for detection of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lim Wee Shin , Chiu Shu-I , Peng Pei-Ling , Jang Jyh-Shing Roger , Lee Sol-Hee , Lin Chin-Hsien , Kim Han-Joon
Published: December 2024

Speech change is a biometric marker for Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, evaluating speech variability across diverse languages is challenging. We aimed to develop a cross-language algorithm differentiating between PD patients and healthy controls using a Taiwanese and Korean speech data set. We recruited 299 healthy controls and 347 patients with PD from Taiwan and Korea. Participants with PD underwent smartphone-based speech recordings during the “on” phase. Each Korean participant performed various speech texts, while the Taiwanese participant read a standardized, fixed-length article. Korean short-speech (≦15 syllables) and long-speech (> 15 syllables) recordings were combined with the Taiwanese speech dataset. The merged dataset was split into a training set (controls vs. early-stage PD) and a validation set (controls vs. advanced-stage PD) to evaluate the model's effectiveness in differentiating PD patients from controls across languages based on speech length. Numerous acoustic and linguistic speech features were extracted and combined with machine learning algorithms to distinguish PD patients from controls. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to assess diagnostic performance. Random forest and AdaBoost classifiers showed an AUROC 0.82 for distinguishing patients with early-stage PD from controls. In the validation cohort, the random forest algorithm maintained this value (0.90) for discriminating advanced-stage PD patients. The model showed superior performance in the combined language cohort (AUROC 0.90) than either the Korean (AUROC 0.87) or Taiwanese (AUROC 0.88) cohorts individually. However, with another merged speech data set of short-speech recordings < 25 characters, the diagnostic performance to identify early-stage PD patients from controls dropped to 0.72 and showed a further limited ability to discriminate advanced-stage patients. Leveraging multifaceted speech features, including both acoustic and linguistic characteristics, could aid in distinguishing PD patients from healthy individuals, even across different languages.
Sleep disorders in functional neurological disorder - a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kannan Siddarth , Dutta Anirban , Das Abhijit
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Functional neurological disorders (FND) are conditions marked by disruptions in brain network function without structural abnormalities. Sleep disturbances, though under-researched, are commonly observed in FND patients and may worsen symptoms and overall health.

Methods

This systematic review had been registered prospectively in PROSPERO with the registration number: CRD42023446306. Search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases identified 218 articles. After removing duplicates and applying exclusion criteria, 9 studies were included in the final analysis.

Results

The analysis showed a significant prevalence of sleep disorders among FND patients, with 58% reporting sleep disturbances, similar to other neuropsychiatric conditions. Studies on psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) indicated poorer subjective sleep quality and higher insomnia rates compared to epilepsy controls. Limited data on specific measures such as wake after sleep onset (WASO) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores prevented definitive conclusions.

Discussion

This review is the first systematic examination of sleep disorders in FND. The findings reveal a high prevalence of sleep disturbances, especially among PNES patients, correlating with lower quality of life and increased symptom severity. However, the heterogeneity of studies and limited reporting of specific sleep metrics weaken these conclusions. Further research is needed to investigate the direct impact of sleep quality on FND pathogenesis and management.

Conclusion

Sleep disturbances are prevalent in FND patients and can significantly affect their quality of life. Increased awareness and routine evaluation of sleep in FND patients are recommended. Future studies should explore the relationship between sleep deprivation and FND to develop targeted therapeutic interventions.
Key steps in exposure techniques for robotic total mesorectal excision (TME)
Authors: Tomada E. P. , Azevedo J. , Fernandez L. M. , Spinelli A. , Parvaiz A.
Published: December 2024

Aim

The use of robotic surgery is increasing significantly. Specific training is fundamental to achieve high quality and better oncological outcomes. This work defines key exposure techniques in robotic total mesorectal excision (TME). Based on a modular approach, macro- and microtractions for exposure in every step of a robotic TME are identified and described. The aim is to develop a step-by-step technical guide of the exposure techniques for a robotic TME.

Methods

Twenty-five videos of robotic rectal resections performed at Champalimaud Foundation (Lisbon, Portugal) with the Da Vinci™ Xi robotic platform were examined. Robotic TME was divided into modules and steps. Modules are essential phases of the procedure. Steps are exposure moments of each module. Tractions are classified as macro- and microtractions. Macrotraction is the grasping of a structure to expose an area of dissection. Microtraction consists in the dynamic grip of tissue to optimize macrotraction in a defined area of dissection.

Results

The procedure videos reviewed showed homogeneity concerning surgical methodology. Eight modules are outlined: abdominal cavity inspection and exposure, approach to and ligation of the inferior mesenteric vessels, medial to lateral dissection of the mesocolon, lateral colon mobilization, splenic flexure takedown, proctectomy with TME, rectal transection, and anastomosis. Each module was divided into steps, with a total of 45 steps for the entire procedure. This manuscript characterizes macrotraction and microtraction fine-tuning, detailing the large-scale macrotractions and the precision of microtractions at each step.

Conclusion

Tissue exposure techniques in robotic TME are key to precise dissection. This modular guide provides a functional system to reproduce this procedure safely; the addition of the exposure techniques could serve as a training method for robotic rectal cancer surgery.
Adsorption-biased characterization of porous solids
Authors: Kaneko Katsumi
Published: December 2024

This article summarizes opening address in 9th Characterization of Porous Materials (CPM9). The role and historical sketch of main adsorption-based conferences such as Fundamentals of Adsorption (FOA), Characterization of Porous Solids (COPS), Pacific Basin Conference on Adsorption Science and Technology (PBAST), and Characterization of Porous Materials (CPM) are given. The unique role of CPM in adsorption-based characterization of porous materials is introduced in the above conferences. The concerted stimulation between innovated well-defined nanoporous materials and modernized adsorption studies supported by new theoretical and experimental approaches have given rise to quite active research activities mentioned above. The brief research activities of author’s group, which have aimed to bridge experimental and theoretical studies, are described; they have introduced in-situ X-ray diffraction, in-situ small angle X-ray scattering, high resolution adsorption measurement even from ultrahigh vacuum range, wide-temperature range in-situ IR spectroscopy for elucidation of the intermolecular structure of molecules adsorbed in nanopores. Also, future scope of the research on characterization of porous solids is proposed.
Fashionable Ethics: Exploring Ethical Perspectives in the Production, Marketing, and Consumption of Fashion
Authors: Perry Patsy , Osburg Victoria-Sophie , Huq Fahian Anisul , Diallo Mbaye Fall
Published: December 2024

This Special Issue examines ethics in fashion to further critical understanding of the various drivers and barriers, nuances and layers of complexity in fashion production, marketing, and consumption, and aims toward a more future-oriented perspective through the lens of ethics. Research on ethical issues in fashion is growing but is fragmented across diverse domains, from supply chain and operations management, to psychology and sociology, to marketing and consumption. Furthermore, there has been only a peripheral focus on ethics and limited application of ethical theories or frameworks to fashion’s ethical dilemmas. This Special Issue brings together diverse domains and unpacks salient ethical issues using the lens of ethical theories and frameworks to advance theory development on balancing social justice with environmental responsibility, decision-making in ethical situations, and newer forms of greenwashing and consumerism. The selected papers use varied methodologies and offer novel insights across different global contexts.
Myocardial ischaemia following COVID-19: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study
Authors: Arnold J. Ranjit , Yeo Jian L. , Budgeon Charley A. , Shergill Simran , England Rachel , Shiwani Hunain , Artico Jessica , Moon James C. , Gorecka Miroslawa , Roditi Giles , Morrow Andrew , Mangion Kenneth , Shanmuganathan Mayooran , Miller Christopher A. , Chiribiri Amedeo , Alzahir Mohammed , Ramirez Sara , Lin Andrew , Swoboda Peter P. , McDiarmid Adam K. , Sykes Robert , Singh Trisha , Bucciarelli-Ducci Chiara , Dawson Dana , Fontana Marianna , Manisty Charlotte , Treibel Thomas A. , Levelt Eylem , Young Robin , McConnachie Alex , Neubauer Stefan , Piechnik Stefan K. , Davies Rhodri H. , Ferreira Vanessa M. , Dweck Marc R. , Berry Colin ,   Oxford Acute Myocardial Infarction OxAMI Study Investigators,   COVID-HEART investigators, McCann Gerry P. , Greenwood John P.
Published: December 2024

The pathophysiology of myocardial injury following COVID-19 remains uncertain. COVID-HEART was a prospective, multicentre study utilising cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to characterise COVID-related myocardial injury. In this pre-specified analysis, the objectives were to examine (1) the frequency of myocardial ischaemia following COVID-19, and (2) the association between ischaemia and myocardial injury. We studied 59 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 and elevated serum troponin (COVID + /troponin + , age 61 ± 11 years) and 37 control subjects without COVID-19 or elevated troponin and similar by age and cardiovascular comorbidities (COVID −/comorbidity + , 64 ± 10 years). Subjects underwent multi-parametric CMR (comprising assessment of ventricular volumes, stress perfusion, T1/T2 mapping and scar). The primary endpoint was the frequency of inducible myocardial ischaemia. Inducible ischaemia was evident in 11 (19%) COVID + /troponin + patients and in 8 (22%) control subjects (p = 0.72). In COVID + /troponin + patients with ischaemia, epicardial coronary disease pattern ischaemia was present in eight patients and microvascular disease pattern, in three patients. There was no significant difference in the frequency of inducible ischaemia in COVID + /troponin + patients with previous myocardial infarction and/or revascularisation compared to those without (2/12 [17%] vs. 9/47 [19%] respectively, p = 0.84), or in those with and without scar (7/27 [26%] vs. 4/32 [13%] respectively, p = 0.19). Myocardial ischaemia was present in ~ 20% of patients recently hospitalised with COVID-19 and with elevated cardiac troponin, but this was not different to matched comorbid controls. This finding coupled with the lack of an association between ischaemia and myocardial scar suggests that coronary artery abnormalities are unlikely to be the predominant mechanism underlying COVID-19 induced myocardial injury.

Graphical abstract
DNAJB4/HLJ1 deficiency sensitizes diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis with peritumoral STAT3 activation
Authors: Luo Wei-Jia , Hsu Wei-Lun , Lu Chih-Yun , Chien Min-Hui , Chang Jung-Hsuan , Su Kang-Yi
Published: December 2024

Environmental chemicals and toxins are known to impact human health and contribute to cancer developments. Among these, genotoxins induce genetic mutations critical for cancer initiation. In the liver, proliferation serves not only as a compensatory mechanism for tissue repair but also as a potential risk factor for the progression of premalignant lesions. The role of Human Liver DnaJ-Like Protein (DNAJB4/HLJ1), a stress-responsive heat shock protein 40, in genotoxin-induced liver carcinogenesis remains unexplored. Using whole-genome transcriptomic analysis, we demonstrate that HLJ1 deficiency in mice results in altered gene signatures enriched in pathways associated with chemically induced liver cancer and IL-6/STAT3 signaling activation. Employing diethylnitrosamine (DEN) as a carcinogen, we further reveal that STAT3 and H2AX phosphorylation induced by short-term DEN treatment are amplified in HLJ1-deficient mice. In long-term DEN experiments, HLJ1 deletion enhances tumor proliferation and progression, accompanied by pronounced STAT3 phosphorylation in normal tissues rather than in tumor regions. The tumor-suppressive role of peritumoral HLJ1 is validated through the transplantation of HLJ1-wildtype B16F1 and LLC cancer cell lines into syngeneic HLJ1-deficient mice, which exhibits an augmented tumorigenic phenotype compared to wildtype controls. This study uncovers a previously unrecognized role of HLJ1 in suppressing liver carcinogenesis via the downregulation of STAT3 signaling in peritumoral normal cells. These findings suggest that HLJ1 reinforcement represents a promising strategy for liver cancer treatment and prevention.

Graphical Abstract
Towards understanding and directing the nitration of cellulose
Authors: Morris Edmund , Pulham Colin R. , Morrison Carole A.
Published: December 2024

Nitrocellulose is industrially produced from cellulose by treatment with nitric and sulfuric acid. While sulfuric acid is known to catalyse the hydrolysis of cellulose, its effect on nitrated cellulose has not been reported before. Herein we show by gel permeation chromatography that hydrolysis of nitrocellulose derived from cotton linters over a one-week timescale reduces the length of the polymer chains via a two-stage reaction process similar to that observed for cellulose. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns and scanning electron microscopy images of nitrated cellulose samples originating from plant and bacterial sources are compared with highly processed nitrocellulose membranes and show a variation in morphology and an enhancement of sample crystallinity. This highlights a selective mechanism where the amorphous domains are preferentially hydrolysed over the crystalline domains, which is also common behaviour with cellulose. Overall, this work shows that the timescale for nitration exerts control over the resulting product crystallinity, morphology and polymer chain length.

Graphical abstract
Dependency and neocolonialism in international research collaboration: evidence from a Ghanaian elite university
Authors: Nkansah Jacob Oppong , Oldac Yusuf Ikbal , Yang Lili
Published: December 2024

Scientific collaboration between the Global North and South has expanded significantly over the last three decades. However, this expansion has yet to bring about equal international research collaborations (IRC) for all collaborating sides. Through a case study of a Ghanaian elite university, this study examines how these inequalities manifest in the IRC of Ghanaian higher education researchers, building on the theoretical lenses of neocolonialism and academic dependency. It collected data from the university’s researchers and administrators and national policymakers through in-depth interviews. Ghanaian higher education system is uniquely located in West Africa as one of the few English-speaking colonised countries. Its growing involvement in global research makes it an interesting case to explore the manifestations of neocolonialism and dependency in IRC. The findings suggest how colonial structures continue to play out in the IRC dynamics. Findings also reveal how academic dependency resulting from external and internal factors impacts IRC in the context of Ghana and how such dependency has reflected and moved beyond colonial legacies. We propose that collaborative and targeted policies should aim for a gradual road towards breaking the dependency, where the Global North is positioned to have the upper hand. A more equally grounded research collaboration is important for Ghanaian and overall African higher education.
Effective Thermal Conductivity of Cyclohexane-Based Nanofluids Containing Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles with Chemisorbed Organic Shell
Authors: Bioucas Francisco E. Berger , Wu Wenchang , Stiegler Lisa M. S. , Peukert Wolfgang , Walter Johannes , Adschiri Tadafumi , Yoko Akira , Koller Thomas M. , Fröba Andreas P.
Published: December 2024

In the present study, the effective thermal conductivity λ
eff of nanofluids containing metal oxide nanoparticles with a chemisorbed organic shell was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The model systems synthesized by a continuous-flow hydrothermal method consist of cyclohexane as organic base fluid and dispersed nearly spherical cerium dioxide (CeO2) core nanoparticles with a decanoic acid shell chemically attached to their surface. From the differences between the hydrodynamic diameters of the two core–shell nanoparticle types with (8.6 or 9.1) nm determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and the nearly spherical CeO2 core diameters obtained by analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), an estimation for the thickness of the entire hydrodynamic layer around the particle core in the range of about (1.1 to 1.3) nm could be deduced. Experimental data for λ
eff of the nanofluids and the thermal conductivity of the base fluid λ
bf were determined with a steady-state guarded parallel-plate instrument (GPPI) with an expanded (k = 2) relative uncertainty of 0.026 at atmospheric pressure over a temperature range from (283.15 to 313.15) K in steps of 10 K. The measurement results for the thermal-conductivity ratio λ
eff ·λ
bf
–1 are independent of temperature and increase with increasing volume fraction of the CeO2 core nanoparticles up to about 0.023. It was found that the experimental results can be described by the Hamilton–Crosser model within their experimental uncertainties for all temperatures investigated.
Anisotropic Diffusion in Riemannian Colour Geometry
Authors: Farup Ivar , Rivertz Hans Jakob
Published: December 2024

Anisotropic diffusion has long been an important tool in image processing. More recently, it has also found its way to colour imaging. Until now, mainly Euclidean colour spaces have been considered in this context, but recent years have seen a renewed interest in and importance of non-Euclidean colour geometry. The main contribution of this paper is the derivation of the equations for anisotropic diffusion in Riemannian colour geometry. It is demonstrated that it contains several well-known solutions such as Perona–Malik diffusion and Tschumperlé–Deriche diffusion as special cases. Furthermore, it is shown how it is non-trivially connected to Sochen’s general framework for low-level vision. The main significance of the method is that it decouples the coordinates used for solving the diffusion equation from the ones that define the metric of the colour manifold, and thus directs the magnitude and direction of the diffusion through the diffusion tensor. It also enables the use of non-Euclidean colour manifolds and metrics for applications such as denoising, inpainting, and demosaicing, based on anisotropic diffusion.
The Limits of Responsibilization? Responsibility Boundary-Work Through Visions in the Case of Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Neudert Philipp , Smolka Mareike , Böschen Stefan
Published: December 2024

Visions and imaginaries have been longstanding research topics in Science and Technology Studies. Visions of sociotechnical change often ascribe responsibility for achieving the desired change to specific actors. However, there is little research on how visions create, change, and preserve responsibilities in the present. Drawing on Vision Assessment, we present a case-study on visions of neuromorphic computing in NeuroSys, a research and innovation cluster located in the Aachen region in Germany, which develops brain-inspired computing technology, also known as neuromorphic computing. Based on interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, we identify a core vision, which imagines the region as a prominent center of neuromorphic computing, and three satellite visions, focusing on, respectively, entrepreneurship, science, and society. We analyze all visions through the lens of “responsibility boundary-work” operating in the dimensions of time, space, and actor constellation. This concept captures the selective conferral and deferral of responsibilities through visions, highlighting how normative boundaries are drawn in local practices. We further shed light on the larger institutional conditions shaping responsibility boundary-work by attending to the “politics of visions.” Power struggles are enacted through the ways in which visions confer and defer responsibilities. Tensions between these practices reflect conflicts over desirable social orders and power distributions within them, revealing the socio-political nature of visions. We discuss the implications of these findings for governance approaches that pursue responsible research and technology development, and we conclude that responsibility boundary-work may limit the potential of governance to conceive of and work toward responsible futures.
Metabolic markers of tongue coating in healthy people with phlegm dampness constitution and damp-heat constitution
Authors: You Zhiyuan , Lu Junhong , Xu Yifeng , Wang Yiqin , Hao Yiming
Published: December 2024

Objective

Using tongue coating metabolomics, this study will comprehensively analyze metabolic differences between individuals with Phlegm Dampness Constitution (PDC) and Dampness Heat Constitution (DHC).

Methods

The samples were categorized into three groups: the Phlegm Dampness Constitution group, the Dampness Heat Constitution group, and the Balanced Constitution (BC) group (each consisting of 50 cases). Metabolites present in the tongue coating of the three groups were identified using GC-TOF-MS and UHPLC-QE-MS. We scrutinized the characteristics of metabolites, identified differential metabolic pathways in the Phlegm Dampness and Dampness Heat groups, and constructed a recognition model for distinguishing between Phlegm Dampness and Dampness Heat.

Results

A total of 139 different metabolites (75 upregulated, 64 downregulated) were identified in the Phlegm Dampness Constitution group compared to the Balanced Constitution group. Similarly, 157 different metabolites (103 upregulated, 54 downregulated) were observed in the Dampness Heat Constitution group compared to the Balanced Constitution group. Notably, 100 metabolites were common in the differential metabolites obtained from the aforementioned two comparisons, comprising 14 types of substances (mainly lipids and lipid-like molecules) across 6 metabolic pathways. In the comparison between the Phlegm Dampness Constitution and Dampness Heat Constitution groups, 54 different metabolites (15 upregulated, 39 downregulated) were identified, mainly involving 10 types of compounds (primarily lipids and lipid-like molecules and organic heterocyclic compounds) across 10 metabolic pathways. The identification model for distinguishing Phlegm Dampness Constitution and Dampness Heat Constitution groups based on differential metabolites included phenol, N-nitrosopyrrolidine, and triethanolamine. The model exhibited high accuracy (98.4%), specificity (96.0%), and sensitivity (98.0%). Triethanolamine was significantly upregulated in the Phlegm Dampness Constitution group compared to the Dampness Heat Constitution group, while N-nitrosopyrrolidine and phenol were significantly downregulated in the Phlegm Dampness Constitution group.

Conclusion

Lipids, lipid-like molecules, and organic heterocyclic compounds with abnormal expression play a crucial role in the formation of the Phlegm Dampness Constitution and the Dampness Heat Constitution. These identified differential metabolites hold promise as non-invasive markers for identifying individuals with Phlegm Dampness and Dampness Heat constitutions.
Impact of insurance on outcomes of patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for non-functional pituitary adenomas: a single institution study
Authors: Shah Khushi H. , Susic Nikola , Khalafallah Adham M. , Lu Victor M. , Ivan Michael E. , Komotar Ricardo J. , Sargi Zoukaa B. , Shah Ashish H.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Uninsured and underinsured patients face notable healthcare disparities in neurosurgery, but limited literature exists on the impact of insurance on non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs). We investigated how insurance affects outcomes of endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery (ETPS) for NFPAs.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed NFPA patients who underwent ETPS at our institution from 2012 to 2023. Patients were grouped by insurance status, and insured patients were further subcategorized by insurance providers. Bivariate analyses used Fisher’s exact, chi-square, and t-tests. ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied for ≥ 2 groups. Logistic regression identified relationships between binomial variables and insurance.

Results

Our cohort (n = 651, 56.93 ± 15.53 years, 52.53% male) included 611 insured and 40 uninsured patients. Uninsured patients had lower preoperative KPS, higher rates of visual disturbances (VD), preoperative tumor volumes (TV), chiasm compression, and Knosp 4 grade, along with lower resection and longer hospital stays (LOS) (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed lack of insurance was associated with increased VD (aOR 3.38), TV (aOR 2.63), Knosp 4 (aOR 3.44), subtotal resection (aOR 2.72), and prolonged LOS (aOR 7.03) (p < 0.05). When insured patients were grouped into Private (n = 361), Medicare (n = 223), and Medicaid (n = 23), Medicaid patients had larger preoperative TV, chiasm compression, Knosp 3 grade, and longer LOS (p < 0.05), with higher odds for Knosp 3 (aOR 3.00), subtotal resection (aOR 3.86), and prolonged LOS (aOR 8.38) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study highlights significant disparities in uninsured patients and those with Medicaid, underscoring the need for targeted interventions for these populations.
Field-free Line Magnetic Particle Imaging: Radon-based Artifact Reduction with Motion Models
Authors: Blanke Stephanie , Brandt Christina
Published: December 2024

Magnetic particle imaging is a promising medical imaging technique. Applying changing magnetic fields to tracer material injected into the object under investigation results in a change in magnetization. Measurement of related induced voltage signals enables reconstruction of the particle distribution. For the field-free line scanner the scanning geometry is similar to the one in computerized tomography. We make use of these similarities to derive a forward model for dynamic particle concentrations. We validate our theoretical findings for synthetic data. By utilizing information about the object’s dynamics in terms of a diffeomorphic motion model, we are able to jointly reconstruct the particle concentration and the corresponding dynamic Radon data without or reduced motion artifacts. Thereby, we apply total variation regularization for the concentration and an optional sparsity constraint on the Radon data.
Modeling Biological Nutrients Removal for Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Management: A Case Study of Ain El Houtz WWTP (Algeria)
Authors: Aliyu Abdurrahman , Mohamed Tiar Sidi , ElSayed Nadia Badr , Abdelbaki Chérifa , Bessedik Madani , Kumar Navneet
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to develop a comprehensive Ain El Houtz Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) model that represents its biological nutrient removal process to simulate its performance and assess the model's predictability. Operational data was collected and analyzed over three years (2020 to 2023), to characterize the water quality of influent and effluent discharged from the plant. Physicochemical parameters such as Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Ammonium-Nitrogen (NH4), Nitrite-Nitrogen (N-NO2
−), Nitrate-Nitrogen (N-NO3
−), and Phosphate ions (PO4-3) were considered. Using the GPS-X software modeling platform, a process flow diagram was developed to integrate the ASM2d model for biological nutrient removal. Through the sensitivity analysis of kinetic and stoichiometric parameters, the research identified the key parameters that impacted the nutrient removal efficiency, which in turn further guided the calibration process. The calibration adjustments focused primarily on parameters associated with denitrification, autotrophic growth, and oxygen saturation coefficients. Statistical measures such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the model’s performance in both steady-state and dynamic-state validation scenarios. Results indicated that for the steady state the MAE and RMSE were the same, NH4 (6.06) N-NO2
−& N-NO3
− (1.36), and PO4-3 (3.167), while for dynamic-state we noticed a difference between the MAE and RMSE for the concentration, indicating the complexity of modeling nutrient removal processes. It was observed that PO4
−3 concentration was not affected by the sensitivity analysis, possibly due to the lack of availability of specific process for the phosphorus removal in the treatment plant, further studies are needed to be carried out to address this issue in detail.
Evaluating the Evidence for Neuroprotective and Axonal Regenerative Activities of Different Inflammatory Cell Types After Optic Nerve Injury
Authors: Venanzi Alexander W. , McGee Laura D. , Hackam Abigail S.
Published: December 2024

The optic nerve contains retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons and functions to transmit visual stimuli to the brain. Injury to the optic nerve from ischemia, trauma, or disease leads to retrograde axonal degeneration and subsequent RGC dysfunction and death, causing irreversible vision loss. Inflammatory responses to neurological damage and axonal injuries in the central nervous system (CNS) are typically harmful to neurons and prevent recovery. However, recent evidence indicates that certain inflammatory cell types and signaling pathways are protective after optic nerve injury and promote RGC survival and axonal regeneration. The objective of this review is to examine the evidence for diverse effects of inflammatory cell types on the retina and optic nerve after injury. Additionally, we highlight promising avenues for further research.
Non-compliance with COVID-19 Health Recommendations: Five- and Ten-Month Effects on Mental Health and Academic Self-efficacy Among University Students in Sweden
Authors: Andersson Claes , Berman Anne H. , Lindfors Petra , Bendtsen Marcus
Published: December 2024

Background

Addressing the effects of non-compliance with health-related recommendations in pandemics is needed for informed decision-making. This longitudinal study investigated the effects of non-compliance on mental health and academic self-efficacy among university students in Sweden.

Methods

Baseline assessments were conducted in May 2020, with follow-ups after 5 and 10 months. Students (n = 3123) from 19 universities completed online questionnaires covering compliance, mental health, and academic self-efficacy. Effects of non-compliance were estimated using causal inference and multilevel multinomial regression.

Results

Non-compliant students constituted a minority, but their proportion increased over time. Regarding mental health and academic self-efficacy, few differences were observed between compliant and non-compliant students. When differences were identified, non-compliant students experienced fewer negative effects on mental health and academic self-efficacy than compliant students.

Conclusion

The findings may suggest that non-compliance may have involved a trade-off between increased individual freedom and mitigating negative outcomes. Addressing the research gap on non-compliance effects is crucial for informed decision-making and promoting the common good. This may guide strategies balancing individual autonomy and collective well-being during future pandemics.

Pre-registration

Center for Open Science (OSF), https://accounts.osf.io/login?service=https://osf.io/37dhm/.
Linear system identification of the UC San Diego Geisel Library building under ambient vibration
Authors: Sun Lin , Conte Joel P. , Todd Michael D. , Astroza Rodrigo , Bock Yehuda , Offield Glen , Vernon Frank
Published: December 2024

This paper focuses on system identification (SID) of the UC San Diego Geisel Library building using ambient vibration (AV) data, assuming that the building’s behavior can be fully described by linear models in terms of material, geometry, damping, etc. Three state-space-based, output-only time domain SID methods are applied and fully automated to identify the library’s modal properties using AV data from both a 15-day and a 486-day monitoring period. The modes identified from the AV data are higher-order coupled torsional-flexural modes. The identified modal properties are influenced by the atmospheric conditions, and the amplitude of the building’s ambient vibration. The time-varying identified modal properties show a cyclical 1-day pattern due to human activity, earth tremors, and short-term changes in atmospheric conditions such as wind speed and temperature. One of the output-only SID methods was used to estimate modal properties from ambient vibration data recorded continuously over a 486-day period, including three low-intensity earthquakes. No permanent changes in the identified modal properties were observed due to the three low-intensity earthquakes that occurred during that period. Renovations of the Geisel Library involving only non-structural components (e.g., non-load-bearing partition walls, changes in space allocations, and inertial/live loads) caused some discontinuities in the identification of the modes of interest in this study. The influence of the data window length on system identification results, in terms of identification success rate and estimation uncertainty, was investigated. The identified state-space models are also used to assess the relative contribution of the ambient base excitation to the building’s total ambient vibrational response. This research offered a unique opportunity to study linear SID of a large and complex real-world structure under ambient excitations, and the effects of changing environmental conditions on the identified modal properties. It provided insight into some of the causes of the observed temporal variation in the identified modal properties. The SID results presented in this study also provide a baseline for future structural health monitoring studies of the Geisel Library building.