bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Apparent Change in Population Structure of Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) at a Northern Great Barrier Reef Foraging Site Over Three Decades and an Evaluation of Potential Causes
Authors: Bell Ian P. , Freeman Alastair B. , McKenzie Len J. , Yoshida Rudi L. , Miller Jeffrey D. , Ariel Ellen , Limpus Colin J.
Published: February 2025

Green Island lies approximately 11 km off the north Queensland coast of Australia. The associated 710‐ha reef flat supports a Chelonia mydas foraging population, which has been monitored by the Queensland Government's Threatened Species Program since 1988. Population census data for this area show a significant adult age‐class‐specific population decline for C. mydas. Preliminary evaluation indicates the decline in adult age‐classed turtles is unlikely to be caused by incidental capture, habitat degradation, pollution, change of foraging sites or climate change. Traditional take (locally or during reproductive migrations) provides a plausible explanation. A continuation of this trend may threaten the existence of C. mydas in this part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Morphology Engineering of SnS2 Nanostructures to Stimulate PICT Resonance for Ultra‐Sensitive SERS Sensors
Authors: Peng Yusi , Zhang Weida , Xu Meimei , Zhao Shuai , Yang Lili , Li Dan , Tanemura Masaki , Huang Zhengren , Yang Yong
Published: February 2025

Recent advances indicate the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensitivity of semiconductors is generally lower than that of noble metal substrates, and developing ultra‐sensitive semiconductor SERS substrates is an urgent task. Here, SnS2 with better SERS performance is screened out from sulfides and selenides by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Through adjusting the concentration of reactants to control the growth driving force without any surfactants or templates, SnS2 nanostrctures of stacked nanosheets (SNSs), microspheres (MSs) and microflowers (MFs) are developed, which all exhibit ultra‐low limit of detections (LODs) of 10−12, 10−13, and 10−11 M, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the SERS sensitivity of these three kinds of SnS2 nanostrctures are superior to most of the reported pure semiconductors and even can be parallel to the noble metals with a “hot spot” effect. This extraordinary SERS enhancement of SnS2 nanostrctures is originated from the dominated contribution of photo‐induced charge transfer (PICT) resonance with different wavelength excitation lasers. Benefitting to the excellent SERS enhanced uniformity, generality, stability, ultra‐high sensitivity of SnS2 nanostrctures, and the advantages that the PICT resonance enhancement excited for different probe molecules is not limited by its morphology, it is expected to provide a class of potential commercial SERS‐active materials for the practical application of semiconductor‐based SERS technology.
Organization of Lacunar and Muscular Systems of Polyascus polygeneus and Parasacculina pilosella (Rhizocephala: Polyascidae)
Authors: Arbuzova Natalia A. , Lianguzova Anastasia D. , Korn Olga M. , Miroliubov Aleksei A.
Published: February 2025

Circulatory systems are characteristic of most multicellular animals. In parasitic organisms, which may differ strikingly from their free‐living relatives, such systems remain the least studied. Rhizocephala (Pancrustacea: Cirripedia) are among the morphologically most derived parasitic crustaceans. In the adult rhizocephalan female, transport presumably takes place along the lacunar system inside the interna rootlets and the externa. The aim of our study was to visualize and describe the lacunar and muscular systems in the externa of Polyascus polygeneus and Parasacculina pilosella (fam. Polyascidae) using micro‐computed tomography and confocal microscopy. The lacunar system in the externae of both species consists of the stalk lumen, mesentery lacuna accompanying the visceral mass and mantle lacunae. These elements of the lacunar system are similar to those previously described in Peltogasterella gracilis (fam. Peltogasterellidae). However, the interposition of these elements differs. The organization of the muscular system mostly corresponds to previous descriptions in other rhizocephalan species, however some unexpected results were obtained. For example, P. polygeneus has an age‐related differentiation of mantle musculature, which was not described before for any rhizocephalan species. Obtained data on lacunar and muscular systems organization allow us to assume the change in the externa body axes in the family Polyascidae.
The Minimum‐Cost Dynamic Flow Problem in a Fixed Graph With a Constant Target Flow Value
Authors: Kamiyama Naoyuki
Published: February 2025

A dynamic network is a directed graph where an arc has a capacity and a transit time. A dynamic flow is a flow defined in a dynamic network. We consider the problem of finding a minimum‐cost dynamic flow in a dynamic network where an arc has a cost. It is known that this problem is NP‐hard. Klinz and Woeginger asked whether the minimum‐cost dynamic flow problem in a fixed graph (i.e., a graph is given a priori, and it is not a part of the input) can be solved in polynomial time. We prove that if the cost of each arc is non‐negative, the capacity of each arc is an integer, and the target flow value is a constant integer, then this problem can be solved in polynomial time.
Diagnostic imaging techniques for evaluating root morphology in a dog with a dilacerated root
Authors: Kim Chun‐Geun , Park Hee‐Myung
Published: February 2025

A 3.4 kg, 3‐year‐old, male poodle was referred with a suspected root fracture. On intraoral radiography using parallel techniques, a radiolucent line was observed at the apical one‐quarter of the distal root of the right mandibular first molar, along with a widening of the periodontal ligament space in the periapical area. A cone‐beam computed tomography examination was subsequently performed for differential diagnosis to distinguish between a root fracture and other dental pathologies, abnormalities or radiographic artefacts. In the transverse and dorsal planes of the cone‐beam computed tomography scan, buccolingual‐directed dilaceration was revealed in the distal root of the right mandibular first molar, while there was no evidence of root fracture or widening of the periodontal ligament space. A recheck 3 years following the first visit did not demonstrate pathological changes on intraoral radiography and cone‐beam computed tomography examinations. This case report describes the successfully diagnosed root dilaceration in a dog using cone‐beam computed tomography.
A Narrative Review of Noninvasive Therapy
Authors: Ostasevicius Vytautas , Jurenas Vytautas , Venslauskas Mantas , Kizauskiene Laura
Published: February 2025

This chapter discusses the current theoretical and practical applications of ultrasound-assisted or vibratory blood flow activation and bioparticle separation technologies. The disadvantages of high megahertz ultrasound, which is widely used in medical practice for diagnostic and sometimes therapeutic purposes, are related to the limited penetration depth of the acoustic signal, the scattered effect on biological tissues and the overheating. Emphasis is placed on the use of ultrasound to activate the delivery of drugs to the target by disrupting the biofilm covering the bacteria and, at the same time, to activate the effect of antibiotics in the treatment of inflammatory processes.
Acoustic Activation of Human Circulatory Parameters
Authors: Ostasevicius Vytautas , Jurenas Vytautas , Venslauskas Mantas , Kizauskiene Laura
Published: February 2025

To ensure the patient’s well-being, safe ultrasound therapy technologies are necessary. According to the standard, the sound intensity level of medical ultrasound diagnostic equipment must not exceed 1000 mW/cm2 in the high frequency range from 1 to 10 MHz, which ensures an acoustic signal penetration of up to 1.7 cm.
Challenging Chest Radiograph Interpretation
Authors: Abbott Gerald F.
Published: February 2025

Chest radiography is the most widely used medical imaging modality in the world. The volume of chest radiographic studies continues to rise, in tandem with increased utilization of cross-sectional imaging studies. The most efficient method of interpreting such a large and growing work volume requires a systematic approach applied in a consistent manner. Within that framework, challenging and unusual cases will arise and require more concentrated efforts than those needed to interpret the more typical cases in day-to-day practice.

A challenge may arise due to small size or poor conspicuity of a pulmonary nodule on chest radiography—a nodule that may represent a lung cancer. That challenge can be met by the radiologist’s awareness of common causes for missing such lesions on radiographic studies. Other cases may be challenging by unusual combinations of imaging findings that may be manifestations of more than one underlying diagnosis. In other instances, the complexity and distribution of findings—as in cases of interstitial lung disease—may challenge the radiologist’s fund of knowledge and level of experience. The following cases illustrate teaching points that are intended to assist the reader in meeting such challenges.
Congenital Heart Disease in Adults
Authors: Bhalla Sanjeev , Beal Michael , Seymore Noah
Published: February 2025

Advances in imaging with faster scans and routine use of thin-section images have allowed for the regular detection of congenital heart disease (CHD) in adults. Simultaneously, surgical and medical treatments have allowed children with complex CHD to live well into adulthood. The net effect is that more adults are alive with CHD than children. CHD is truly an adult condition! This chapter will cover the more common anomalies initially detected in adults including septal defects, bicuspid aortic valve, anomalous pulmonary venous return, Ebsteins anomaly, and coronary anomalies, which may also go undetected until adulthood. The chapter will cover common associations with these conditions. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common surgically corrected congenital heart disease seen in adults. Right ventricle end-diastolic volume normalized to body surface area helps to drive the need for intervention. Surgical correction for transposition of the great arteries previously consisted of inflow switching but now consists of an arterial switch procedure. With repaired complex congenital heart disease, two phases of imaging for CT angiography are strongly considered. This can help overcome flow artifacts that may be seen with a single phase in this complex anatomy.
Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Ebner Lukas , Prosch Helmut , Roos Justus E.
Published: February 2025

This chapter provides an overview of fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD), a broad group of over 200 lung conditions, some of which can progress to severe, irreversible fibrosis. ILDs can have various causes, ranging from environmental exposures to autoimmune diseases, and while some may be treatable or reversible, others, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), lead to significant lung damage and poor outcomes.

Lung fibrosis occurs when abnormal tissue repair leads to scarring, impairing the lungs’ ability to function properly. The chapter emphasizes the importance of chest CT scans in diagnosing and evaluating lung fibrosis, highlighting common imaging patterns such as honeycombing, traction bronchiectasis, and architectural distortion. Identifying these patterns is critical to diagnose different types of ILDs.

The chapter also discusses several common fibrosing ILDs, including IPF, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), sarcoidosis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Each disease has distinct clinical and imaging features, though some, such as chronic HP and IPF, can appear similar, making diagnosis challenging. A systematic, multidisciplinary approach, involving specialists such as radiologists and pulmonologists, is key to accurate diagnosis and effective management of these diseases.
Tree-level soft emission for two pairs of quarks
Authors: Chen Xinguang , Liu Zhengwen
Published: February 2025

Abstract

We compute the tree-level current for the emission of two soft quark-antiquark pairs in a hard scattering. We also compute the square of this current and discuss the resulting color correlations, featuring dipole correlations and three-parton correlations. This object is essential for analyzing the infrared singularities at next-to-next-to-next-to-next-to-leading-order (N4LO) predictions in perturbative QCD.
EKG-Beurteilung im Rettungs- und Notarztdienst in Deutschland: Ergebnisse einer Querschnittsstudie
Authors: Gerhard Angela , Treusch Yvonne , Möckel Luis , Kohlstedt Karin , Hofmann Thomas
Published: February 2025

Hintergrund

Die Registrierung eines 12-Kanal-Elektrokardiogramms (EKG) stellt einen unverzichtbaren Teil der Basisdiagnostik im Rettungs- und Notarztdienst dar. Für die Erstversorgung und Stellung einer Verdachtsdiagnose müssen Notfallsanitäter*innen (NFS) und Notärzt*innen (NA) gute Kenntnisse in der Interpretation des EKG besitzen. Trotzdem zeigen einige Studien auf, dass die EKG-Interpretationsfähigkeit von NFS und NA verbesserungswürdig ist.

Ziel der Arbeit

Das Ziel war es, die EKG-Interpretationskompetenz von NFS und NA in Deutschland zu ermitteln.

Material und Methoden

Vom 22. Februar bis 22. März 2023 wurde eine Onlinebefragung durchgeführt. Es wurden Daten zu Geschlecht, Alter, Berufsausbildung, Berufserfahrung, Zeitpunkt der letzten EKG-Fortbildung und eine Selbsteinschätzung der EKG-Kompetenzen erhoben. Des Weiteren mussten 9 unterschiedliche EKG in Form von Single-Choice-Fragen interpretiert werden.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt 908 Befragte (NFS: 803; NA: 105) wurden in die Auswertung eingeschlossen, wovon 677 Teilnehmende alle EKG beantworteten. Im Durchschnitt schätzten alle 677 Teilnehmenden, die alle EKG beantwortet haben, die EKG zu 63,3 % korrekt ein (NFS: 61,4 %; NA: 76,5 %). Das EKG mit ST-Strecken-Hebungs-Myokardinfarkt (STEMI) in der Hinterwand wurde von 79,1 % (NFS: 78,1 %; NA: 86,7 %) der Befragten (n = 908) richtig eingeschätzt. Defizite bestanden bei der Interpretation von AV-Blöcken, Tachykardien, Vorhofflimmern, Schenkelblöcken, Schrittmacher-EKG und bei der Lagetypbestimmung. Die Selbsteinschätzung der Teilnehmenden bezüglich ihrer EKG-Kenntnisse korrelierte signifikant mit den tatsächlich erzielten Ergebnissen (p ≤ 0,001; p

bonf
 = 0,016; ρ = 0,378).

Diskussion

Aufgrund von Defiziten in der Befundung von 12-Kanal-EKG sollten die EKG-Aus- und -Fortbildungsprogramme überarbeitet werden, um eine Qualitätssteigerung der Versorgung der Patient*innen in der prähospitalen Notfallmedizin zu bewirken.
Conduction mode welding of Cu hairpins with a 3 kW blue laser with external features correlated to quality attributes
Authors: Ortolani Matteo , Borzoni Giulio , Nocciolini Daniele , Previtali Barbara , Demir Ali Gökhan
Published: February 2025

Hairpin winding technology is a crucial part of the contemporary electric drives used for traction applications. The contacting of the hairpin couples requires a fast process with high quality and cleanliness in the processing environment. High-brilliance NIR sources provide industrially accepted solutions with high productivity, while spatter, porosity, and material burst defects remain open issues to be resolved. The use of conduction mode welding may provide a more stable process in the absence of keyhole fluctuations. The blue wavelength at high power can provide the means for a conduction mode weld with high absorptivity despite low irradiance, sufficiently deep and wide as required by the hairpin welding applications. This work investigates the use of a 3 kW blue diode laser with 720 µm spot size for the welding of pure Cu hairpin couples. The work systematically investigates the melting capacity of the blue laser beam from bead-on-plate experiments to the hairpin welds with elliptical trajectories and an increasing number of scans. The results show that the blue laser is capable of producing the weld beads with sufficient size using scan speeds between 50 and 150 mm/s and a number of rotations between 2 and 7, characterized by low porosity and reduced material ejection. The process was observed to be relatively slower compared to keyhole welding but proved to be favorable for reducing spatter generation. The conduction-based welding is also provided to correlate more easily the external dimensions of the weld bead to weld strength and electrical resistance. Such features are highly appealing for an easier process of quality assessment.
Large incomplete-information games with independent types
Authors: Carmona Guilherme , Podczeck Konrad
Published: February 2025

We consider Bayes–Nash equilibria of large semi-anonymous games (i.e., each player’s payoff is determined by his type, his action, and the distribution of the realized types and choices of the others). In a model with finite type and action spaces, we provide a characterization of limits of sequences of Bayes-Nash equilibria as the number of players goes to infinity. Based on this, we show that strict pure-strategy Bayes–Nash equilibria exist in all sufficiently large finite-player games for generic distributions of players’ payoff functions and type distributions.
Aquirufa esocilacus sp. nov., Aquirufa originis sp. nov., Aquirufa avitistagni, and Aquirufa echingensis sp. nov. discovered in small freshwater habitats in Austria during a citizen science project
Authors: Pitt Alexandra , Lienbacher Stefan , Schmidt Johanna , Neumann-Schaal Meina , Wolf Jacqueline , Oren Aharon , Reichl Sophia , Hahn Martin W.
Published: February 2025

Within a citizen science project, 112 freshwater habitats in Austria were sampled to get bacterial cultures belonging to the genus Aquirufa using a strategy for targeted isolation. We focused on these bacteria because they are widespread and represent typical freshwater bacteria and, furthermore, the typic red pigmentation facilitates preselection. Among the 113 obtained Aquirufa strains were HETE-83DT, KTFRIE-69FT, OSTEICH-129VT and PLAD-142S6KT, originating from small ponds and a creek. Phylogenetic reconstructions with 16S rRNA gene sequences and genome-based analyses with amino acid sequences of 501 core genes showed that all four strains belonged to the A. antheringensis branch of the genus Aquirufa. Calculation of whole-genome average nucleotide identity values and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values revealed that they represent in each case a new species. The genome sizes of the four strains were between 2.5 and 2.8 Mbp and the G + C values were between 41.4 and 41.8%. Like all type strains of the genus Aquirufa, cells were rod-shaped, and liquid cultures and colonies on agar plates were red-pigmented, likely due to carotenoids. All strains except OSTEICH-129VT showed gliding motility on soft agar plates. All strains grew aerobically but only PLAD-142S6KT could grow weakly under anaerobic conditions. We propose here to establish the names Aquirufa esocilacus sp. nov. for strain HETE-83DT (= DSM 118087T = JCM 37094T), Aquirufa originis sp. nov. for KTFRIE-69FT (= DSM 117798T = JCM 37095T), Aquirufa avitistagni for OSTEICH-129VT (= DSM 118088T = JCM 37100T) and Aquirufa echingensis sp. nov. for PLAD-142S6KT (= DSM 117799T = JCM 37096T).
Nonlinear Stability Measures of Synchronised States in a Power Grid Model
Authors: Eaves Tom S.
Published: February 2025

Nonlinear stability of desired dynamics in multi-stable systems (systems with more than one attracting state) depends on the shape and size of its basins of attraction. ‘Basin stability’ estimates the volume of a state’s basin of attraction and estimates the probability that a random initial condition evolves towards the state. If properties of the random initial conditions used are analysed, then basin stability can also provide estimates of the shape of the basin of attraction, but which are coarse-grained and lack details of small-scale features of its boundary. The closest approach of the basin boundary to the state can be computed via an optimisation procedure, providing minimum perturbation amplitudes to leave the desired region. Minimal disturbances are missed by basin stability estimations (by two orders of magnitude in perturbation energy for transition to fluid turbulence) and so offer a complimentary nonlinear stability measure to basin stability. Minimal disturbances for desynchronisation are computed in the ‘swing equation’, a network of second-order Kuramoto oscillators which acts as a simple model for power grid dynamics, in small four-node power grids and a complex model UK power grid. The amplitudes of minimal disturbances vary non-monotonically with the number of connections in the grid, depending on the details of the dynamical evolution of the perturbation across the grid. A comparison between the amplitude of minimal disturbances and basin stability for a range of nodal powers and dissipation rates shows that these nonlinear stability measures evolve independently, emphasising the need for both measures to be used in the design of nonlinear systems. The desynchronised dynamics of large power grids are investigated in detail; an asymptotic expansion is developed to explain the grid-wide dynamics of single-node ‘dead-end’ desynchronisation events.
Impact of advanced lithotripter technology on SWL success: ınsights from Modulith SLK ınline outcomes
Authors: Erdoğan Erhan , Şimşek Gamze , Aşık Alper , Sarıca Göksu , Sarıca Kemal
Published: February 2025

Aim

This study aims to evaluate the success rate of Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) in treating kidney stones using the Modulith SLK Inline lithotripter, with a focus on the importance of device efficacy as emphasized in EAU guidelines.

Patients and methods

This retrospective single-center study was conducted between June 2023 and June 2024. Inclusion criteria were adult patients (> 18 years) with radiologically confirmed renal stones smaller than 15 mm in diameter. Exclusion criteria included patients with solitary kidneys, significant renal functional deterioration, skeletal deformities, active urinary tract infections, pregnancy, or coagulopathies. Treatment outcomes were collected and analyzed in detail, considering patients’ demographic characteristics (age, gender) and stone parameters (size, location, and hardness [Hounsfield Unit, HU]). The SWL procedures were performed using the Modulith SLK Inline lithotripter (Storz Medical, Switzerland). The success of SWL was defined as achieving complete stone clearance or the presence of clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRF) (< 4 mm). This study seeks to provide detailed insights into the optimal use cases of SWL as a non-invasive yet effective treatment option for smaller, more manageable stones.

Results

The mean age of the 208 patients included in the study was 42.2 ± 12.7 years (18–75), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.9:1. The mean stone size across all patients was 10.3 mm, and the average HU value was 874.0 ± 283.2. Patients who achieved a completely stone-free status had significantly lower HU values (p = 0.049). The overall success rate of SWL was 78.8%, with 164 patients achieving complete stone clearance. When cases with clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRF, < 4 mm) were included as successful outcomes, the overall success rate increased to 92.3%. This distinction highlights the inclusion of patients with small residual fragments that are deemed clinically irrelevant in the adjusted success rate. In cases with successful outcomes, the mean stone size was 10.3 mm, whereas it was 12.5 mm in patients with residual fragments or treatment failure. A statistically significant relationship was identified between stone size and treatment success rates (p < 0.001). In contrast, stone localization did not have a significant impact on SWL success rates (p = 0.377).

Conclusions

SWL has demonstrated its effectiveness in kidney stone treatment with a 78.8% complete stone-free rate using the Modulith SLK Inline lithotripter. Higher success rates were achieved with smaller stones (< 15 mm) and lower HU values. These findings support the significance of advanced lithotripter technology in establishing SWL as a valuable non-invasive option for stones under 15 mm.
Counting Temporal Paths
Authors: Enright Jessica , Meeks Kitty , Molter Hendrik
Published: February 2025

This work investigates the parameterised complexity of counting temporal paths. The problem of counting temporal paths is mainly motivated by temporal betweenness computation. The betweenness centrality of a vertex v is an important centrality measure that quantifies how many optimal paths between pairs of other vertices visit v. Computing betweenness centrality in a temporal graph, in which the edge set may change over discrete timesteps, requires us to count temporal paths that are optimal with respect to some criterion. For several natural notions of optimality, including foremost or fastest temporal paths, this counting problem reduces to #Temporal Path, the problem of counting all temporal paths between a fixed pair of vertices; like the problems of counting foremost and fastest temporal paths, #Temporal Path is #P-hard in general. Motivated by the many applications of this intractable problem, we initiate a systematic study of the parameterised and approximation complexity of #Temporal Path. We show that the problem presumably does not admit an FPT-algorithm for the feedback vertex number of the static underlying graph, and that it is hard to approximate in general. On the positive side, we prove several exact and approximate FPT-algorithms for special cases.
Restoration implications of the germination ecology of six dry-forest woody Fabaceae species in Mexico
Authors: Aguirre-Salcedo Citlali , Montaño-Arias Susana Adriana , Jansson Roland
Published: February 2025

Key message

Seed germination responses to variation in temperature and light differed among six dry forest species, results that will inform ecological restoration and climate change adaptation projects.

In dry forests, where opportunities for plant establishment occur in a narrow window of opportunity, seeds must respond to cues to germinate when conditions for growth are suitable. Knowledge of the strategies and adaptations of seeds to the seasonal dry-forest ecosystems, being under constant threat, is needed to guide restoration and management actions in the face of climate change. We investigated the effects of scarification, temperature and light in germination percentage, germination time and synchrony of six woody Fabaceae species. The species have ecological potential for restoration and are of cultural or economic importance for the local people in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Mexico. We carried out a multifactorial germination experiment with five temperatures, two light regimes and two scarification conditions for Mimosa luisana, M. polyantha, M. adenantheroides, M. lactiflua, Acaciella angustissima and Vachellia constricta. All germinated in a wide range of temperatures (10–40 °C), and mechanical scarification highly increased the germination percentage. Higher temperature increased and speeded up germination in dark conditions for most of the species, but they exist heterogeneous responses in their germination synchrony. Studied species had high germination percentages in warm temperatures, but their recruitment in nature might be negatively affected by warmer and drier conditions, and by the loss of shade and seed dispersers due to deforestation and changes in land use. It is crucial to study not just germination percentage and time but also other aspects of the germination process such as the germination synchrony, since it might reveal useful information for management actions.
In-vitro validation of a new method to assess the clinical accuracy of complete arch impressions
Authors: Waldecker Moritz , Katherina Schessler , Wolfgang Bömicke , Peter Rammelsberg , Stefan Rues
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To develop and validate a new method to acquire reference distances.

Materials and methods

A method to accurately register the intraoral position of precision balls was developed to generate reference values for the in-vivo assessment of impression accuracy and tested in vitro. Therefore, metal occlusal veneers with a special abutment carrying precision balls were provisionally attached to specific positions on the patient’s dental arch (anatomical model with PMMA covered metal teeth). To register the precision ball positions, form-congruent counterparts were jointed to the abutments, adhesively fixed to a transfer aid, removed and digitized with a laboratory scanner. First, the distance determination using a transfer aid and a laboratory scanner was validated. Second, the process was tested for an anatomic situation.

Results

When measuring distances using a transfer aid and a laboratory scanner, distances could be detected with an accuracy of less than 5 μm. Using the new test setup on the anatomical model, the intraoral scanners more accurately reproduced scan volumes up to one quadrant, with deviations between the actual scan data sets/plaster models and the reference data set of < 52 μm for Primescan, < 82 μm for Omnicam, and < 125 μm for conventional impression. Longer distances tended to be more accurately represented by the conventional impression (Primescan < 304 μm; Omnicam < 328 μm; conventional impression < 164 μm).

Conclusions

The developed method seems suitable for determining the clinical accuracy of conventional and digital complete arch impressions.

Clinical relevance

For determining the clinical accuracy of conventional or digital impressions, reference values are crucial.
Electrodeposition of free-standing poly(pyrrole) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)– MoS2 composite films at the liquid | liquid interface
Authors: Al Nasser Hussain A. , Kim Cheonghee , Lin Kailing , Elgendy Amr , Bissett Mark A. , Dryfe Robert A. W.
Published: February 2025

The preparation of conducting polymer-exfoliated MoS2 composites at the liquid/liquid interface, using electrochemical control to drive polymerization, is reported. Conducting polymers have attracted significant interest in recent years due to their remarkable electrical properties, together with their mechanical properties and the ease of their synthesis. Formation of composite materials, via the incorporation of these polymers with other organic and inorganic materials, is a well-established route to enhance their physical properties. Fabrication of the resultant polymeric composites into thin, robust films is a requirement for certain energy and water treatment applications. Interfacial synthesis methods are widely used to prepare thin films of material, and conducting polymer formation under electrochemical control has been reported previously at the liquid/liquid interface. Here, we describe a potentiostatic synthesis of free-standing, robust films of poly(pyrrole (PPy) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) incorporated within MoS2 sheets. The polymeric films were electrodeposited in their oxidised forms. Distinct morphologies were observed for the polymeric species. This method is advocated as a one-pot, single-step route to the synthesis of polymeric composites for applications where a thin film morphology is required. Although 2D material/polymer composite have been formed via spontaneous reduction processes, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the preparation of a 2D material/polymer composite using electrochemical methods, at the liquid/liquid interface (interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions).
Evaluation of fatigue damage in stern tube sliding bearings of ship propulsion systems under ice impact
Authors: Saleh Ahmed , Könekamp Marco , Jacobs Georg , Gilges Markus , Lehmann Benjamin , Lucassen Math
Published: February 2025

Climate change has led to new shipping routes in polar waters, increasing touristic and commercial traffic in these regions. Sequentially, collisions between ship propellers and sea ice have become more frequent. Such collisions subject the propellers to extreme dynamic loads, which are transferred through the propeller shaft to the sliding stern tube bearings, particularly the bearing mounted next to the propeller (aft bearing). These collision loads have been linked to indications of fatigue and wear in sliding bearings. To determine whether these loads contribute to the increasing wear and fatigue damage in bearings, it’s essential to investigate their impact on contact conditions and stress concentration in the bearing. While recent research on stern tube bearing damage has focused on wear, the investigation of fatigue damage remains unexplored.

This study aims to assess the impact of ice-induced loads on the remaining fatigue-life of the aft bearing using the research vessel SA Agulhas II as a case study. For this purpose, four design ice load cases and five field-measured ice load cases are used. The impact of ice-induced loads on the local stress tensors are obtained through multi-body and finite element simulations incorporating elastohydrodynamic effects, followed by the calculation of the DANG VAN’s equivalent stress. This is followed by assessing the partial damage from a single cycle of ice-induced load on the aft bearing using the Palmgren-Miner method. Finally, the remaining fatigue-life is determined based on the calculated damage from a single cycle of ice-induced loads. This represents the remaining number of load cycles until damage occurs, indicating the impact of ice-induced loads on fatigue risk.
Detection of substantial numbers of latent tuberculosis and positive hepatitis B serology results in rheumatology patients preparing to receive intensified immunosuppressive therapy in a low-prevalence country: why screening still matters
Authors: Feuchtenberger Martin , Kovacs Magdolna Szilvia , Nigg Axel , Schäfer Arne
Published: February 2025

Introduction /objectives

International guidelines recommend screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and chronic viral hepatitis infections before initiating intensified immunosuppressive therapy. We assessed the prevalence of positive screening tests for LTBI, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients screened at a large rheumatology outpatient center in Germany.

Method

This retrospective cohort study used electronic health records from adult rheumatology patients. The presence of LTBI was evaluated by chest X-rays, patient medical history/self-report, and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT) interferon-gamma release assays. Antibodies to HBV core antigen (anti-HBc) and HCV were used to assess HBV and HCV, respectively. Statistically significant associations were evaluated by Fisher exact tests.

Results

Of 697 screened patients with a rheumatological condition (61.3% female, mean age 60.0 years), 132 (18.9%) patients were positive for LTBI (99 [14.2%]), anti-HBc (39 [5.6%]), or anti-HCV (3 [0.4%]). Nine patients had more than one positive result; different infections were not significantly associated. QFT detected the most LTBI cases (59.5%) followed by patient report/history (42.4%) and chest X-rays (17.2%). Although most patients (83.8%) were positive on only one test, associations among LTBI tests were statistically significant. Biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) use was lower in patients with a positive LTBI screening result compared with all screened patients (73.7% vs 86.4%) and targeted synthetic DMARD (tsDMARD) use was higher (10.1% vs 5.9%).

Conclusions

Almost one-fifth of rheumatology patients preparing to initiate intensified immunosuppressive therapy have positive results on screening tests for LTBI or show evidence of exposure to HBV or HCV. These findings support the need for careful screening, even in “low-prevalence” countries.

Key Points• Almost 20% of rheumatology patients preparing for intensified immunosuppressive therapy were 
positive on screening tests for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) or showed evidence of exposure to 
hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV).• All three LTBI assessments (chest X-ray, patient medical history/self report, and interferon-gamma 
release assay) were important in determining LTBI status and seldom overlapped.• Positive results for LTBI, HBV, and HCV were not significantly associated.• Compared with all screened patients, biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) use was 
lower in patients with a positive LTBI result and targeted synthetic DMARD use was higher, but this 
result must be interpreted with caution.
Is the isolation of S. epidermidis from pre-operative synovial fluid culture a predictor of S. epidermidis prosthetic joint infection?
Authors: Olearo Flaminia , Schoppmeier Carl Philipp , Both Anna , Citak Mustafa , Maschkowitz Gregor , Schubert Sabine , Fickenscher Helmut , Gehrke Thorsten , Aepfelbacher Martin , Rohde Holger
Published: February 2025

Pathogen identification is key to the management of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Staphylococcus epidermidis is a major cause of PJI. Differentiating between invasive and contaminating S. epidermidis from joint specimens is challenging, and usually S. epidermidis is only considered a true invasive isolate when grown from two or more independent tissue samples. Thus, the detection of S. epidermidis in single synovial fluid (SF) samples from preoperative athrocentesis makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about its clinical significance, especially when grown from contamination-prone broth enrichment cultures (BEC). This study evaluates the diagnostic value of S. epidermidis detection in preoperative synovial cultures for the diagnosis of S. epidermidis-related PJI diagnosed by intraoperative tissue culture (TC). A total of 292 patients were included in the study, of whom 271 had prosthetic joint infection (PJI) according to EBJIS criteria. Preoperative synovial fluid (SF) cultures detected Staphylococcus epidermidis in 32.5% cases (SF-epi), other pathogens in 43.2% cases (SF-other), and were negative in 24.3%. Intraoperative tissue cultures TC identified clinically significant S. epidermidis in 30.1% of cases. The overall agreement between SF and tissue cultures was 66.1%, and the presence of S. epidermidis in SF was confirmed by TC in 70.5%. The diagnostic accuracy of SF cultures for S. epidermidis PJI was 83.2%, with sensitivity of 76.1% and specificity of 86.3% to detect S. epidermidis PJI. The positive likelihood-ration (LR+) was 5.5. When S. epidermidis from SF-BEC were excluded from analysis, specificity increased to 94.2%, and LR + was 7, but diagnostic sensitivity dropped to 40.5%. This study highlights the important value of using preoperative SF fluid cultures for the diagnosis of S. epidermidis PJI. The integration of BEC improves diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity in S. epidermidis PJI, and thus providing valuable information to guide clinical practice. For definitive antibiotic treatment decisions intraoperative tissue cultures remain mandatory.
Forecasting workload in cloud computing: towards uncertainty-aware predictions and transfer learning
Authors: Rossi Andrea , Visentin Andrea , Carraro Diego , Prestwich Steven , Brown Kenneth N.
Published: February 2025

Accurately forecasting workload demand in cloud computing environments is essential for optimizing resource allocation, minimizing costs, and ensuring reliable service quality. As cloud computing scales to meet the needs of diverse applications - from AI and machine learning to data-intensive analytics - predictive models play a critical role in dynamically managing multiple resources. Traditional models provide limited guidance for decision-makers since they are typically univariate models, ignoring the prediction of the interplay between multiple resources, and do not account for the uncertainty of their predictions, preventing resource management from acting promptly according to such uncertainty to ensure specific target service level requirements. To address these limitations, we introduce univariate and bivariate Bayesian deep learning models that predict future workload demand of one and multiple resources respectively, while quantifying the uncertainty of their predictions. In particular, our approach leverages Hybrid Bayesian Neural Networks and probabilistic Long Short-Term Memory models, enhanced with architecture modifications to handle complex, multivariate cloud workload patterns. Moreover, we investigate fine-tuning-based transfer learning methods to enhance their adaptability in real-world cloud scenarios where new data centres with different workload characteristics operate. We validate our models on extensive datasets from Google and Alibaba cloud clusters. Results show that modelling the uncertainty of predictions positively impacts performance, especially on service level metrics, because uncertainty quantification can be tailored to desired target service levels that are critical in cloud applications. Moreover, transfer learning benefits performance in scenarios where models are built on data from the same provider.
Functional Characterization of a Female-Biased Chemoreceptor of the Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella) Responding to Aldehydes and Other Volatile Compounds
Authors: Cattaneo Alberto Maria , Kwadha Charles A. , Pullmann-Lindsley Heidi , Erdei Anna L. , Pitts R. Jason , Walker William B.
Published: February 2025

With the advent of semiochemical-based control strategies used to mitigate damage of agricultural pest moths, many studies have focused on the function of male-specific putative pheromone receptors (PRs). In this investigation, we instead isolated, heterologously expressed, and functionally characterized a female-biased candidate PR, CpomOR22, from the codling moth, Cydia pomonella. Using transgenic Drosophila melanogaster for single sensillum recording (SSR) and gas-chromatographic SSR, we tested both synthetic ligands and various apple headspace extracts, identifying saturated and unsaturated aldehydes (nonanal, decanal, undecanal, dodecanal; (Z)-4-undecenal and (Z)-6-undecenal) among the most active ligands. Parallel experiments expressing CpomOR22 in Xenopus oocytes confirmed the binding of nonanal, decanal and undecanal and revealed lactones (γ-undecalactone and δ-dodecalactone) and several carboxylic acids as additional active compounds. The renowned ecological importance of aldehydes for the codling moth and the potential for newly identified ligands, such as lactones, may inform innovative control strategies based on novel semiochemicals to interfere with the female-specific chemosensory systems of this insect.
Fluorescence of Atomic Germanium – Solution of Excitation Transfer
Authors: Dvořák Pavel , Dwivedi Vishal , Mrkvičková Martina , Bolouki Nima , Medek Tomáš , Svoboda Milan , Velásquez Franklin Vaca , Kratzer Jan , Dědina Jiří
Published: February 2025

Laser induced fluorescence was used for detection of free germanium atoms in a miniature diffusion flame atomizer. Two excitation schemes were tested, which were based on excitation wavelengths around 250 nm and 205 nm. The second scheme suffered from a fast collisionally induced excitation transfer to another radiative state, which could led to an erroneous overestimation of Ge concentration by an order of magnitude. The excitation transfer was quantified and the problem was solved by means of measurement of temporally resolved fluorescence spectra. The equations for evaluation of fluorescence measurements affected by an excitation transfer to radiative states are presented. The obtained Ge concentration profiles revealed a strongly inhomogeneous distribution of free Ge atoms and a low germane atomization efficiency in the flame.
Bioaccessibility and Biological Activities of Phytochemicals from Wild Plant Infusions and Decoctions Before and After Simulated In Vitro Digestion
Authors: Monari Stefania , Ferri Maura , Zappi Alessandro , Escórcio Rita , Correia Vanessa G. , Cairrão André , Bento Artur , Pereira Cristina Silva , Tassoni Annalisa
Published: February 2025

The wild plants Borago officinalis L. (Boraginaceae) and Hypericum perforatum L. (Hypericaceae) are known to have both food and medicinal uses. The aim of the work was to evaluate the bioaccessibility of potentially bioactive phytochemicals in organ-specific infusions and decoctions pre- and post- simulated in vitro oro-gastrointestinal human digestion aiming at both oral intake and topical applications. (Poly)phenols, reducing sugars, and proteins were analysed by spectroscopic and spectrometry techniques (NMR and HPLC-DAD) as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities pre- and post-digestion. As expected, in vitro digestion altered the composition of the extracts. Specifically, the total amount of (poly)phenols as well as the largely correlated antioxidant activity decreased post-digestion, while reducing sugars and proteins increased. Catechins and rutin were detected in both plants. Rosmarinic acid was the most abundant compound in B. officinalis (on average 90% in infusions), while rutin and hyperoside in H. perforatum (up to 100% in stem digested extracts). Hypericum extracts exhibited similar activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, while the Borago extracts showed higher activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Overall, the minimal inhibitory concentrations ranged from 0.47 to 0.94 mg/ml. In conclusion, the studied herbal preparations may provide significant amounts of bioactive compounds both pre- and post-digestion able to potentially mitigate oxidative stress-related disorders after ingestion and/or to treat skin infection diseases when applied topically.
Some Results on Quasi MV-Algebras and Perfect Quasi MV-Algebras
Authors: Dvurečenskij Anatolij , Zahiri Omid
Published: February 2025

Quasi MV-algebras are a generalization of MV-algebras and they are motivated by the investigation of the structure of quantum logical gates. In the first part, we present relationships between ideals, weak ideals, congruences, and perfectness within MV-algebras and quasi MV-algebras, respectively. To achieve this goal, we provide a comprehensive characterization of congruence relations of a quasi MV-algebra

$${\mathcal {A}}$$

A

concerning the congruence relations of its MV-algebra of regular elements of

$${\mathcal {A}}$$

A

, along with specific equivalence relations concerning the complement of the set of regular elements. In the second part, we concentrate on perfect quasi MV-algebras. We present their representation by symmetric quasi

$$\ell $$

ℓ

-groups, a special kind of quasi

$$\ell $$

ℓ

-groups. Moreover, we establish a categorical equivalence of the category of perfect quasi MV-algebras, the category of n-perfect quasi MV-algebras, and the category of symmetric quasi

$$\ell $$

ℓ

-groups.