bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Granular Columns of Binary‐Size Mixtures Collapse on a Horizontal Plane
Authors: Vo Thanh‐Trung , Nguyen Nhu H. T. , Nguyen Trung‐Kien , Nguyen Thanh‐Hai
Published: January 2025

The granular column collapse is a simple model to study natural disasters such as landslides, rock avalanches, and debris flows because of its potential to provide solid links of physical and mechanical properties to these catastrophic flows. Such flows are commonly composed of different grain‐size distributions, namely, polydispersity. Owing to the complexity of different particle‐size phases, explanations of the collapse dynamics, run out distance, and size‐segregation behavior of granular flows remain elusive. A binary‐size mixture of granular materials is well‐known as a simplified version of particle‐size distribution. This paper explores the effects of the large‐particle content on the collapse mobility, deposition morphology, and size segregation of binary‐size mixtures composed in each column geometry. Although the kinetic energy and deposition morphology are nearly insensitive to the content of large particles for each column geometry, the large and small particle‐size phases govern differently on total kinetic energy. Remarkably, the contribution of these two particle phases to the kinetic energy is similar when the large‐particle content reaches around 10% for all column geometries. By quantifying the difference of the apparent friction coefficient of small and large particle phases, the size‐segregation degree of binary‐size mixtures is evaluated. The results noted that the segregation degree increases exponentially with increasing the large‐particle content, but it is nearly independent of the column geometry. These findings complement insights into the flow properties of geological hazards, leading to offering valuable evidence for the management of natural disasters such as landslides and debris flows.
Long‐term time‐dependent deformation and stability analysis of the machine hall of an underground powerhouse cavern using microseismic monitoring
Authors: Kumar Vikalp , V. R. Balasubramaniam
Published: January 2025

The geomechanical behaviour of the main tunnel of an underground powerhouse structure in the Himalayan region after its construction is a challenge for the geotechnical experts due to the issues of time‐dependent deformation and failure of the rock mass support system. The machine hall of the underground powerhouse of Tala Hydropower Plant facing such issues needs demarcation of the failure zone in advance, as well as parameters to assist in the proper support redesign using a real‐time continuous monitoring system. Seismic source parameters deduced using a three‐dimensional microseismic monitoring network at this powerhouse cavern provide information on the deformation zone in the machine hall and its stability status using spatio‐temporal analysis of seismic potency displacement, Gutenberg–Richter relation and log–log (energy–moment) relationship. Sectional analysis demarcates the deformation zone in the upstream and downstream wall of the machine hall and planar analysis at regular intervals of the machine hall has provided a path of propagation of deformation. This analysis has helped to increase the stability of this underground powerhouse, and the same methodology may be applied to other underground structures for marking their deformation zone to increase their long‐term stability in the Himalayan region.
Impacts of Lifestyle Intervention by a Nurse‐Led Smartphone Application on Blood Pressure, Weight, and Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Gestational Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Guo Jingjing , Lu Xiaoqin , Zhou Yuheng , Liang Yulian , Wang Shiying , Chen Cong , Ran Xuerong , Zhang Jing , Ou Chun‐Quan , Zhai Jinguo
Published: January 2025

High blood pressure and excess weight during pregnancy can have adverse outcomes. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a nurse‐led smartphone application‐based lifestyle intervention on blood pressure, body weight, and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with gestational hypertension between August and December 2023. Pregnant women, between 20 and 28 weeks of gestation, were allocated to the intervention or control group. Control group (n = 99) received standard high‐risk pregnancy management, while intervention group (n = 96) also received lifestyle guidance via a nurse‐led smartphone application. Intervention group experienced longer gestations (p = 0.007), higher neonatal weights (p = 0.028), and lower incidences of pre‐eclampsia (p < 0.001), small for gestational age infants (p = 0.003), and preterm births (p = 0.023) compared to control group. The mixed‐effect models for repeated measures showed that the nurse‐led smartphone application intervention had no impact on body mass index, while significantly reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements (β = −1.666, 95% confidence interval, CI: −2.814 to −0.519, p = 0.005 and β = −2.247, 95% CI: −3.349 to −1.145, p < 0.001, respectively). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures showed a downward trend from 28 weeks (p < 0.05). The nurse‐led smartphone application‐based lifestyle intervention significantly reduced adverse pregnancy outcomes and positively influenced blood pressure management in pregnant women with gestational hypertension.
Characterization of Quality Marker for Mume Fructus Pulp by Ultra‐Performance Liquid Chromatography‐Quadrupole Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry‐Based Untargeted Metabolomics Combined With Biological Activities
Authors: Liu Qiao , Chen Danni , Liu Huixin , Wang Miaomiao , Zhou Yaqian , Dai Hui , Liu Jian , Yin Wu , Yin Fangzhou
Published: January 2025

Introduction

As a widely used Chinese herbal medicine, Mume Fructus pulp (MFP) has rich nutritional value and biological activity, but its quality control research is relatively scarce.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to evaluate the quality difference between MFPs from different origins and its adulterant apricot pulp (APP), and to identify potential quality markers.

Methods

The chemical compositions were identified by untargeted metabolomics analysis based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry combined with feature‐based molecular networking. The effect of the test samples on the gene expression of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines was investigated by RT‐qPCR and ELISA analyses to determine their anti‐inflammatory potential. Antioxidant activity was assessed by a free radical scavenging assay. Subsequently, the relationship between biological activity and chemical composition was analyzed by chemometrics, and the quality index of MFP was preliminarily determined. Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking, quality markers of MFP and their possible molecular mechanisms were further determined.

Results

There were significant differences in the contents of flavonoids and organic acids, as well as the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities of MFPs from different habitats. Its adulterant APP was not only different from MFP in composition, but also had significantly weaker biological activity. Sixteen compounds were positively correlated with the antioxidant or anti‐inflammatory effects of MFP. Combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking, citric acid, maleic acid, rutin, quercetin, isoquercetin, spiraeoside, and hesperidin were identified as potential quality markers of MFP.

Conclusion

This study showed the potential of untargeted metabolomic analysis combined with bioactivity assays in the identification of herbal quality markers.
Future touchscreen disinfection by integrated UVC LEDs?
Authors: Hessling Martin , Noller Kilian , Sicks Ben
Published: January 2025

The application of touchscreens in the public and healthcare sectors is increasing worldwide. Their use by different people allows the unintentional spread of pathogens. The combination of UVC LEDs and a quartz plate appears to make it possible to rapidly and automatically disinfect touchscreens between different users without harming the human operator.
Smart photonic sensors
Authors: Nikitskiy Ivan
Published: January 2025

A new EU initiative of 6.1 million euros, Retina is a four‐year project aiming to combine advanced spectral imagers and photonic chip‐based lidar sensors into versatile multimodal perception systems to revolutionize the healthcare, automotive, and agriculture sectors. This article explores Retina's key objectives, technological developments, and applications while also addressing ongoing challenges and potential directions for future development.
Does a Negative Prostate Biopsy Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer Reclassification in an Active Surveillance Protocol? An Updated Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Bahri Razman Arabzadeh , Mohammadi Abdolreza , Yar Ehsan Zemanati , Rezayat Mina , Heshmat Ramin , Aghamir Seyed Mohammad Kazem
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To evaluate the association of the negative confirmatory and follow‐up biopsy with prostate cancer reclassification in active surveillance protocol.

Materials and Methods

A systematic search was performed in databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, on June 25th, 2024, to identify relevant studies regarding negative biopsy and reclassification of prostate cancer among men on AS. The patient data including, sample sizes, follow‐up duration, the status of performing the confirmatory biopsy, hazard ratio (HR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of each reported HR were evaluated in each study. The relationships between negative biopsies and reclassification were assessed using a forest plot. A random‐effect meta‐analysis was used when high heterogeneity existed among the studies. Otherwise, a fixed‐effect meta‐analysis was utilized. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All statistical analyses were performed by using STATA statistical software, version 16.

Results

A total of 13 articles were included in the study. These articles were published between 2008 and 2023, with the majority being published in recent years (2020–2023). The included articles evaluated a total of 17,900 patients. Our results regarding reclassification and upgrading are represented according to the confirmatory biopsy and subsequent follow‐up biopsies. After a negative confirmatory biopsy, the pooled HR for reclassification was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.38–0.55, p < 0.01). Secondly, the study demonstrated that a decreased chance of cancer upgrading was also connected with negative confirmatory biopsies with a pooled HR of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.45–0.72, p < 0.01). Negative follow‐up biopsies were linked to a 55% decrease in the risk of reclassification, according to the pooled HR for reclassification in patients with negative biopsies compared to those with positive biopsies of 0.45 (95% CI: 0.42–0.48, p < 0.01). Also, patients with negative follow‐up biopsies had a pooled HR for upgrading of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.48–0.67, p < 0.01), indicating a 43% lower chance of upgrading than in patients with positive biopsies.

Conclusion

In active surveillance of PCa patients, a negative confirmatory biopsy decreased the chance of cancer reclassification and upgrading, with the pooled OR 0.46 and 0.57 [p < 0.01], respectively. Also, negative follow‐up biopsies were linked to a decreased chance of cancer reclassification and upgrading. Our review recommends extend the follow‐up evaluations in PCa patients with negative findings in surveillance biopsy who scheduled for active surveillance.
Transformation Management and Sustainability Performance: On the Importance of the Enabling and Controlling Uses of Management Control Systems
Authors: Hasu Emmi , Saunila Minna , Ukko Juhani
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this study is to investigate how transformation management affects the sustainability performance of companies and whether the enabling and controlling uses of management control systems (MCSs) mediate the relationship between a company's transformation management and sustainability performance in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The analysis revealed that the controlling use of MCSs strongly advances transformation management actions toward higher sustainability performance, while no mediating effect was found when examining the enabling use of MCSs between the same connection. The findings contribute to the discussion on the relationship between transformation management and sustainability performance. The analysis also provides novel theoretical and practical insights into the role of enabling and controlling uses of MCSs in facilitating the transformation toward higher sustainability performance.
Microplastic Materials for Inhalation Studies: Preparation by Solvent Precipitation and Comprehensive Characterization
Authors: Santizo Katherine Y. , Mangold Hannah S. , Mirzaei Zeynab , Park Hyoungwon , Kolan Rajkumar Reddy , Sarau George , Kolle Susanne , Hansen Tanja , Christiansen Silke , Wohlleben Wendel
Published: January 2025

Assessing the inhalation hazard of microplastics is important but necessitates sufficient quantity of microplastics that are representative and respirable (<4 µm). Common plastics are not typically manufactured in such small sizes. Here, solvent precipitation is used to produce respirable test materials from thermoplastics polyurethane (TPU), polyamide (PA‐6), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and low‐density polyethylene (LDPE). Complementary methods verified that the desired size range is achieved both in number metrics and in mass metrics. To assess if the test materials are representative of their original plastic, a range of molecular properties, particle properties, and impurities are characterized: chemical composition, molecular weight, crystallinity, molecular mobility, density, surface charge, surface reactivity, particle size in mass and number metrics, particle shape, endotoxin content, and solvent content. The test materials obtained by precipitation are compared to commercial granules as references, and to alternative test materials obtained by other synthesis routes from LDPE, TPU, PET, PA‐6, polystyrene (PS), and polyvinylchloride (PVC). Charge and surface reactivity of the precipitated test materials are low. Due to storage in water, microbial contamination needed to be monitored. For PET, PA‐6, and TPU, the test materials are considered as representative and fit for purpose, whereas the inherent hydrophobicity of LDPE imposed strong aggregation.
Non‐Volatile Multifunctional Dipole Molecules Enable 19.2% Efficiency for Printable Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Xu Weiqiang , Zhang Yang , Huang Yu , Tao Ying , Wang Jinjiang , Liu Wenfeng , Wang Dongjie , Zhang Zheling , Xiong Jian , Zhang Jian
Published: January 2025

Dipole molecules (DMs) show great potential in defect passivation for printable mesoscopic perovskite solar cells (p‐MPSCs), although the crystallization process of p‐MPSCs is more intricate and challenging than planar perovskite solar cells. In this work, a series of non‐volatile multifunctional DMs are employed as additives to enhance the crystallization of perovskites and improve both the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of the devices. This enhancement is achieved by regulating the side groups of benzoic acid molecules with the electron‐donating groups such as guanidine (─NH─C(═NH)─NH2), amino (─NH2) and formamidine (─C(═NH)─NH2). DMs form hydrogen bond interactions with the organic cations of perovskite and establish electrostatic interactions with PbI64−. The synergistic effect of these interactions suppresses PbI2 formation, enhances perovskite film crystalline quality, reduces perovskite crystal defect density, mitigates non‐radiative recombination, and effectively enhances carrier transfer and extraction efficiency. Furthermore, the incorporation of DMs leads to a reconstruction of the perovskite film surface energy level, thereby enhancing hole extraction efficiency at the perovskite/carbon electrode interface. The optimized p‐MPSCs achieve a PCE of 19.23%. The unencapsulated device demonstrates promising long‐term storage stability, retaining 91% of the original PCE after 1440 h of aging at 40 ± 5% relative humidity and 30 ± 5 °C.
Designing Donors and Nonfullerene Acceptors for Organic Solar Cells Assisted by Machine Learning and Fragment‐Based Molecular Fingerprints
Authors: Zhang Cai‐Rong , Cao Rui , Liu Xiao‐Meng , Zhang Mei‐Ling , Gong Ji‐Jun , Liu Zi‐Jiang , Wu You‐Zhi , Chen Hong‐Shan
Published: January 2025

The molecular structures and properties of donor and acceptor materials for organic solar cells (OSCs) determine their photovoltaic performance; however, the complex relationship between them has hindered the development of OSC materials. To study this, we constructed the database comprising 544 donor and non‐fullerene acceptor pairs. Based on the principle of minimal rings and molecular units, each molecule in the database is cut into different fragments and defined as a new molecular fingerprint, where each bit corresponds to a fragment number in the molecule. Accordingly, the defined molecular fingerprint length is 234 and 723 bits for donors and acceptors, respectively. Random forest and extreme tree regression (ETR) are applied to predict the photovoltaic parameters, with ETR being the most effective. Through SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) importance analysis, eight (10) important donor (acceptor) fragments are identified. Furthermore, by computing the cut fragment similarities with that of the important fragments obtained from SHAP analysis, fragments with similarity exceeding 0.6 are collected in order to design new molecules. By assembling the collected fragments, we designed 21 168 D‐π‐A‐π‐type donors and 1 156 400 A‐π‐D‐π‐A‐type nonfullerene acceptors, generating 24 478 675 200 donor–acceptor pairs. Based on predictions using the trained ETR model, the highest power conversion efficiency reaches 13.2%.
Urbanisation‐driven shifts in fog patterns and fog hole formation in the Indo‐Gangetic Plain
Authors: K Lal Anie , Mohan Manju , Kunchala Ravi Kumar , Das Chiranjit
Published: January 2025

Recent studies indicate a global decline in fog occurrences, particularly in urban areas. This study investigates fog trends across the Indo‐Gangetic Plain, focusing on the impact of urbanisation using long‐term ground and satellite data. Despite a general increase in fog frequencies elsewhere, we find a notable decline in dense fog occurrences in the megacity Delhi. Satellite data reveal that expanding fog holes over major urban areas strongly correlate with the underlying urban and built‐up areas. These findings highlight the substantial role of urban expansion in altering fog patterns, with broad implications for aviation and other sectors reliant on accurate fog prediction.
Intelligence is not deception: from the Turing test to community-based ascriptions
Authors: Pantsar Markus
Published: January 2025

The Turing test has a peculiar status in the artificial intelligence (AI) research community. On the one hand, it is presented as an important topic in virtually every AI textbook, and the research direction focused on developing AI systems that behave in human-like fashion is standardly called the “Turing test approach”. On the other hand, reports of computer programs passing the Turing test have had relatively little effect. Does this mean that the Turing test is no longer relevant as a test, doomed to be a theoretical notion with little connection to AI practice? In this paper, I argue that there is one problem in particular with common traditional versions of the Turing test, namely their focus on deception. The criterion for passing the Turing test is standardly connected to an AI system’s ability to deceive the interrogator about its identity. But why should we connect intelligence to the ability deceive? Here I present a revised version of an intelligence test that is not based on deception. In what I call the Community-based intelligence test (CBIT), an AI is introduced to a community of human subjects. If after a sufficient number of interactions within that community the humans are not able to identify the AI system as a computer, it is considered to have passed CBIT. I discuss whether that should be enough to ascribe intelligence to the AI, and if not, what more would be needed?
Volumes of components of Lelong upper level sets II
Authors: Su Shuang , Vu Duc-Viet
Published: January 2025

Let X be a compact Kähler manifold of dimension n, and let T be a closed positive (1, 1)-current in a nef cohomology class on X. We establish an optimal upper bound for the volume of components of Lelong upper level sets of T in terms of cohomology classes of non-pluripolar self-products of T.
Minimisation of 2-coverings of genus 2 Jacobians
Authors: Fisher Tom , Liu Mengzhen
Published: January 2025

An important problem in computational arithmetic geometry is to find changes of coordinates to simplify a system of polynomial equations with rational coefficients. This is tackled by a combination of two techniques, called minimisation and reduction. We give an algorithm for minimising certain pairs of quadratic forms, subject to the constraint that the first quadratic form is fixed. This has applications to 2-descent on the Jacobian of a genus 2 curve.
Lutetium-177 PSMA radioligand therapy in taxan-naive first- and second-line metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer after first-line ARPI therapy
Authors: Wenzel Mike , Hoeh Benedikt , Siech Carolin , Koll Florestan , Humke Clara , Groener Daniel , Steuber Thomas , Graefen Markus , Maurer Tobias , Banek Severine , Chun Felix K. H. , Mandel Philipp
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Lutetium-177 Prostate-specific membrane antigen (Lu-PSMA) radioligand therapy is EMA-approved for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) after androgen receptor pathway inhibition (ARPI) and taxan-based chemotherapy. However, its effect in taxan-naïve patients is under current investigation.

Methods

We relied on the FRAMCAP database to elaborate Lu-PSMA therapy outcomes of progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) in taxan-naïve mCRPC patients after previous ARPI treatment. Comparison was made against current standard of care with ARPI or docetaxel, irrespective of the previous used staging modality.

Results

Of 269 patients, 11% received Lu-PSMA in first/second-line mCRPC vs. 57% ARPI vs. 33% docetaxel. Mostly no significant baseline differences between Lu-PSMA and ARPI patients were observed, while Lu-PSMA patients were significantly older, received less systematic treatments and ECOG1-2 proportions were higher, relative to docetaxel patients. In PFS (13.3 vs. 8.2 months, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.70, p = 0.16) and OS analyses (68.9 vs. 39.1 months, HR: 0.64, p = 0.2), Lu-PSMA was numerically more favorable than ARPI. In additional multivariable Cox regression models, Lu-PSMA was significant better regarding PFS and OS, relative to ARPI (both p < 0.05). Compared to docetaxel, also significant better PFS (13.3 vs. 8.1 months, HR: 0.46) and OS (68.9 vs. 27.3 months, HR: 0.34, both p < 0.01) was observed for Lu-PSMA treatment. The OS advantage was also observed after multivariable adjustment (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

This retrospective single-center study including a substantial proportion of patients with treatment preference for Lu-PSMA suggests that Lu-PSMA therapy provides significantly more favorable PFS and OS outcomes in taxan-naïve mCRPC patients after previous ARPI treatment, relative to ARPI or docetaxel treatment and may be considered as an early mCRPC treatment option.
Isolated inflammatory involvement of the occipital artery in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: findings from a retrospective analysis and the critical role of MRI in diagnosis
Authors: Guggenberger Konstanze V. , Riedling Lukas , Kern Daria , Werner Rudolf A. , Vogt Marius L. , Fröhlich Matthias , Schmalzing Marc , Pham Mirko , Bley Thorsten A.
Published: January 2025

Background

Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) may be challenging as many patients present with non-specific symptoms. Superficial cranial arteries are predilection sites of inflammatory affection. Ultrasound is typically the diagnostic tool of first choice supplementary to clinical and laboratory examination. Inflammation of temporal arteries can be detected sonographically with high reliability. However, due to the vessel’s course and location, occipital arteries evade sonographic detectability.

Objective

The aim of our study was to evaluate the infestation pattern of superficial cranial arteries in GCA and PMR patients with special focus on the occipital arteries.

Methods

90 treatment-naïve patients with clinically and/or histologically proven GCA and/or PMR (51 GCA, 20 PMR, 10 GCA-PMR) were included in the study. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced, fat-suppressed, high-resolution black blood 2D T1-weighted spin echo imaging at 3T MRI. Images were read by three different readers independently. Temporal and occipital arteries were assessed regarding vasculitic affection. Circumferential mural hyperenhancement and thickening of the vessel wall ≥ 600 μm was considered positive for vasculitis.

Results

9/90 (10%) of all patients revealed inflammatory changes of the occipital artery only. Prevalence of isolated inflammatory affection of occipital artery was even higher in the GCA subgroup with 7/51 (14%) patients.

Conclusion

14% of GCA patients and 10% of GCA-PMR patients present with signs of inflammation of the occipital artery only. Since the occipital artery is not accessible to routine ultrasound examination, MRI renders incremental value in the diagnosis of GCA and PMR patients.
A hypocaloric protein-rich diet before metabolic surgery improves liver function in patients with obesity and diabetes
Authors: Krönert Natalie , Moulla Yusef , Lange Undine Gabriele , Blüher Matthias , Linder Nicolas , Fuhrmann Alexander , Busse Harald , Linder Anna , Karlas Thomas , Wiegand Johannes , Morgenroth Roland , Seidemann Lena , Dietrich Arne
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are major risk factors for hepatic steatosis. Diet or bariatric surgery can reduce liver volume, fat content, and inflammation. However, little is known about their effects on liver function, as evaluated here using the LiMAx test.

Methods

In the MetaSurg study (RCT on the effects of different Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) limb lengths on diabetes remission in patients with BMI ≥ 27 to ≤ 60 kg/m2 and T2DM; trial registration: DRKS00007810, German Clinical Trials Register Freiburg), 24 consecutive patients underwent liver function (LiMAx) and imaging assessments (MRI, transient elastography; TE) before and after diet and surgery. Two weeks before surgery, the patients received a hypocaloric protein-rich diet.

Results

Nine of 18 patients had a pathologic LiMAx value (≤ 315 µg/kg/h) at baseline. After two weeks of diet, LiMAx values improved (p = 0.01, paired t test, n = 15). LiMAx values further recovered six months after RYGB (p = 0.01, paired t test, n = 15), which was accompanied by decreased liver volumes (p = 0.005, paired t test, n = 10), proton density fat fraction (p = 0.003, paired t test, n = 12), and TE measurements (p = 0.032, paired t test, n = 14). The need for medical diabetes treatment decreased from 100 to 35%.

Conclusion

Liver function improved after a two-week hypocaloric protein-rich diet and metabolic surgery in patients with obesity and T2DM. These data suggest that a two-week diet for this group of patients prior to abdominal surgery could improve a presumably impaired liver function.
Morphological and histochemical characteristics of the foregut, midgut, and hindgut, and their alterations during ovarian development in female freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Authors: Vetkama Warinthip , Tinikul Ruchanok , Sobhon Prasert , Tinikul Yotsawan
Published: January 2025

The anatomical, histological, and histochemical characteristics of the foregut (FG), midgut (MG), and hindgut (HG), as well as their alterations during the ovarian cycle in female prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, were investigated. The esophagus (ESO), cardia (CD), and pylorus (PY) are the main components of the FG. An epithelium (Ep) with thick cuticle (Cu) layers lining the ESO, and the ESO is encircled by the ESO glands. The CD has a thick musculature, whereas the Ep of the PY are characterized by numerous villi and columnar Ep cells with a thinner layer of Cu. The inner longitudinal (LM) and the outer circular (CM) muscles were both present in the PY. The MG is lined by Ep cells which are connected to the basement membrane, and it lacks Cu. Microvilli, and subapical vacuoles are visible on the apical surface of Ep cells of the MG. The outermost layer is characterized by a dense strip of elastic fibers and a cluster of collagen fibers. The HG has the Ep cells with a thin Cu layer, and the HG glands form a rosette-like structure. The HG is surrounded by the CM and the LM fibers. The reactivities of Periodic Acid Schiff and Alcian Blue in these digestive organs altered throughout the ovarian cycle, and this was supported by the increased expression of mucin levels as ovarian maturation progressed. Our results offer novel and significant insights into the anatomical and histochemical structures of these digestive organs, and demonstrate a significant correlation between ovarian development and feeding in the female prawn, M. rosenbergii.
Video-based robotic surgical action recognition and skills assessment on porcine models using deep learning
Authors: Hashemi Nasseh , Mose Matias , Østergaard Lasse R. , Bjerrum Flemming , Hashemi Mostaan , Svendsen Morten B. S. , Friis Mikkel L. , Tolsgaard Martin G. , Rasmussen Sten
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to develop an automated skills assessment tool for surgical trainees using deep learning.

Background

Optimal surgical performance in robot-assisted surgery (RAS) is essential for ensuring good surgical outcomes. This requires effective training of new surgeons, which currently relies on supervision and skill assessment by experienced surgeons. Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents an opportunity to augment existing human-based assessments.

Methods

We used a network architecture consisting of a convolutional neural network combined with a long short-term memory (LSTM) layer to create two networks for the extraction and analysis of spatial and temporal features from video recordings of surgical procedures, facilitating action recognition and skill assessment.

Results

21 participants (16 novices and 5 experienced) performed 16 different intra-abdominal robot-assisted surgical procedures on porcine models. The action recognition network achieved an accuracy of 96.0% in identifying surgical actions. A GradCAM filter was used to enhance the model interpretability. The skill assessment network had an accuracy of 81.3% in classifying novices and experiences. Procedure plots were created to visualize the skill assessment.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that AI can be used to automate surgical action recognition and skill assessment. The use of a porcine model enables effective data collection at different levels of surgical performance, which is normally not available in the clinical setting. Future studies need to test how well AI developed within a porcine setting can be used to detect errors and provide feedback and actionable skills assessment in the clinical setting.
Digitale Begleitung der Therapie und Nachsorge beim Mammakarzinom
Authors: Würstlein Rachel , Wolff Josefine , Harbeck Nadia , Wülfing Pia
Published: January 2025

Aufgrund multimodaler therapeutischer Konzepte für Brustkrebspatientinnen mit Brustkrebs im Frühstadium führen Behandlungen bei mehr als 70–80 % der Fälle zu vollständiger Heilung. Die Belastungen können enorm sein. Brustkrebsüberlebende, aber auch Patientinnen mit metastasierender Erkrankung stehen vor einer Vielzahl physiologischer und psychosozialer Herausforderungen, oft im Umgang mit späten und langfristigen Folgen intensiver Therapien. Trotz dieser Schwierigkeiten vertreten Brustkrebspatient:innen einen starken Wunsch, die Gesundheit aktiv zu managen. Um dies zu ermöglichen, steht die Edukation und ein anschließendes Coaching für einen nachhaltigen Effekt an erster Stelle. Es gibt zahlreiche digitale Unterstützungsangebote für Patientinnen mit Brustkrebs, die jedoch große Unterschiede in Bezug auf die Qualität der Inhalte, der Nutzerfreundlichkeit und der Evidenz zur Wirksamkeit aufweisen. Neben Patient-Reported Outcomes, die mittlerweile international in zahlreichen Studien therapiebegleitend und auch während der Nachsorge genutzt wurden, um Nebenwirkungen frühzeitig zu erkennen und die Symptomkontrolle zu verbessern, spielt auch digitales und analoges Coaching eine immer wichtigere Rolle. Alle diese Möglichkeiten konnte bereits in randomisiert-kontrollierten Studien signifikante und klinisch relevante Ergebnisse zeigen. Das Potenzial digitaler Begleitungen und Coachings von Patientinnen mit Mammakarzinom können nicht nur die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität, sondern auch die Adhärenz zur Therapie, das progressionsfreie Überleben und das Gesamtüberleben positiv beeinflussen.
Prevalence of vertebral fractures at death
Authors: Ogawa Noriko , Yamamoto Masahiro , Kobayashi Rie , Kawamura Atsuko , Matsumoto Akihiro , Otani Hiroki , Kanasaki Keizo
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Despite many studies on the prevalence of vertebral fractures (VFs), the VF prevalence at death in the Japanese population remains unclear.

Materials and methods

We evaluated the VF prevalence at death in a Japanese cohort using autopsy imaging computed tomography (AiCT). We enrolled 365 cadavers (188 men, 177 women, mean age of 84.6 years) donated for anatomical dissection at Shimane University School of Medicine. The VFs were diagnosed using the semiquantitative technique of Genant from the first cervical vertebra to the fifth lumbar vertebra.

Results

The overall VF prevalence was 69.6% (58.5%/81.4% in men/women), of which 46.0% (29.8%/63.3% in men/women) had thoracic VFs, and 58.1% (50.5%/66.1% in men/women) had lumbar VFs. The most frequent fracture site was lumbar spine 1 (L1) with 31.5% (22.9%/40.7% in men/women), followed by thoracic spine 12 (T12) with 31.0% (20.7%/41.8% in men/women). In terms of severity, 3.8% (4.8%/2.8% in men/women), 23.8% (27.1%/20.3% in men/women), and 41.9% (26.6%/58.2% in men/women) were Grades 1, 2, and 3. The VFs from T3 to L5 and of Grade 3 severity were significantly higher in women. VF and Grade 3 fractures were associated with a history of surgical intervention for femoral neck fractures. VFs were not associated with the following underlying causes of death: cancer, heart disease, senile death, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia, and aspiration pneumonia.

Conclusion

The VF prevalence at death, assessed by AiCT in cadavers donated for anatomical dissection, was higher in both men and women compared with previous studies conducted on individuals aged ≥ 80 years in Japan.
Safeguarding Iguana diversity: enabling rapid and low-effort tracking of non-native iguanas through terrestrial eDNA innovations
Authors: van Kuijk Jeroen L. , van den Burg Matthijs P. , Didaskalou Emilie A. , de Boer Mark , Debrot Adolphe O. , Wielstra Ben , Stewart Kathryn A.
Published: January 2025

Reptiles have among the highest extinction risk across terrestrial vertebrates, with habitat fragmentation, habitat destruction, and invasive alien species being the primary causes of reptile species loss on a global scale. Invasive hybridization (i.e. hybridization between native and invasive alien species) is increasing globally, causing the extinction of native genotypes, and this phenomenon is particularly pervasive in Caribbean iguanas. The Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima), a keystone species of Caribbean coastal ecosystems, has become critically endangered mainly due to ongoing hybridization with the invasive Common Green Iguana (I. iguana). For impactful conservation intervention, the need for early detection of invasive animals and their progeny, or detection of surviving pure native animals, is urgent. We aimed to develop a novel environmental DNA (eDNA) toolkit using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) technology, a method of allele-specific amplification for cost-effective and efficient sampling of terrestrial substrates to aid in mapping the distribution of native I. delicatissima, invasive I. iguana, and signal potential invasive hybridization. We demonstrate proof-of-concept and successfully identified I. delicatissima, I. iguana, and their hybrids via blood samples using our primer sets, as well as successful detection of I. delicatissima in several ex-situ (Rotterdam Zoo) and in-situ (St. Eustatius) eDNA samples, collected with environmental swabs and tape-lifting. We found that sampling potential perching spots yielded the highest number of positive detections via environmental swabbing and tape-lifting. Our toolkit demonstrates the potential of terrestrial eDNA sampling for iguana conservation, enabling faster detection of putative invasive hybridization. Additionally, the method holds promise for other terrestrial cryptic species, contributing to broader collection of population-level information.
AI-powered language learning: Developing the chatGPT usage scale for foreign language learners
Authors: ÇOBANOĞULLARI Ferdiye , ÖZBEK Özge
Published: January 2025

This study introduces the "ChatGPT Usage Scale for Foreign Language Learners," designed to evaluate the usage of AI chatbots in language learning. The scale was developed based on a comprehensive literature review and expert evaluations, ensuring a strong theoretical foundation and content validity. It comprises three sub-dimensions Usability, Learning, and Development that collectively explain 62.896% of the total variance, exceeding standard expectations. Data were collected from 1006 university students (657 female, 349 male) from foreign language departments at three Turkish state universities during the 2023–2024 fall semester. The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.93) and validity, supported by robust Confirmatory Factor Analysis results. A test–retest analysis with a subset of participants confirmed the scale's reliability over time. Future research should apply this measurement tool in diverse educational contexts to enhance its generalizability and further refine its psychometric properties, providing deeper insights into the role of AI tools in language education.
Interactions between contaminants and the trophic ecology of two seabirds in a coastal lagoon of the Gulf of California
Authors: Castillo-Guerrero José Alfredo , González-Medina Erick , Piña-Ortiz Alberto , Betancourt-Lozano Miguel , García-Hernández Jaqueline , Hernández-Vázquez Salvador , Fernández Guillermo
Published: January 2025

Monitoring the dynamics of contaminants in ecosystems helps understand their potential effects. Seabirds have been used as biomonitors of marine ecosystems for this purpose. However, exposure and vulnerability to pollutants are understudied in tropical species, and the relationships between various pollutants and the trophic ecology of seabirds are poorly understood. In this study, we quantified mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and organochlorine pesticide (OC) concentrations in the blood of Laughing Gulls and Magnificent Frigatebirds breeding in Bahía Santa María, México. Using carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios (δ
13C and δ
15N), we examined the interaction between contaminants and trophic ecology. Laughing Gulls exhibited higher concentrations of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (ΣDDTs), endrins (ΣDrins), and chlordanes, while Magnificent Frigatebirds had elevated levels of Hg and hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (ΣHCHs). Both species displayed temporal and sex-related variations in isotopic signatures. Some blood pollutant concentrations in Laughing Gulls were explained by diet: ΣOCs in plasma were directly related to trophic levels, indicating biomagnification, whereas higher Hg levels were associated with changes in habitat use. In contrast, the differences in sex-related isotopic signatures in Magnificent Frigatebirds did not reflect pollutant accumulation patterns, possibly due to their opportunistic feeding habits.
Nonlinear Rayleigh–Taylor instability in an accelerated soap film
Authors: Stewart Peter S. , Roy Alasdair T. , Hilgenfeldt Sascha
Published: January 2025

Rupture and fragmentation of thin liquid films are of great importance in manufacturing, agriculture, disease transmission, and other fields. An individual rupture event typically results from the nonlinear growth of small perturbations excited by the classical Rayleigh–Taylor mechanism and opposed by surface tension on the film interfaces. We study an initially uniform liquid film accelerated in the direction perpendicular to its interfaces, constructing a new reduced description of the flow in the limit of large surface tension consisting of three coupled (nonlinear) partial differential equations. This system is linearly unstable to disturbances of small wavenumber; we derive a simplified asymptotic description to gain analytical understanding of the nonlinear development until rupture. An initial phase of exponential film thinning leads to the accumulation of liquid in a central bulge. At a well-defined time, a localised pinch-off mechanism, driven by a mismatch in the interfacial curvature at the edge of the bulge, results in a self-similar thinning that breaks the film in finite time. Across a wide parameter range, the resultant droplet formed from the central bulge contains a significant fraction of the initial film volume.
Focusing on microvascular function in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Velollari Ornela , Rommel Karl-Philipp , Kresoja Karl-Patrik , Lurz Philipp , Gori Tommaso
Published: January 2025

Heart failure is a prevalent global health issue. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which already represents half of all heart cases worldwide, is projected to further increase, driven by aging populations and rising cardiovascular risk factors. Effective therapies for HFpEF remain limited, particularly due to its pathophysiological heterogeneity and incomplete understanding of underlying pathomechanisms and implications. Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), characterized by structural and functional changes in the coronary microcirculation, is increasingly recognized as a significant factor in HFpEF even though the exact nature of their causal relationship is still unclear. This review explores prevalence, prognostic implications, and potential therapeutic targets for CMD in HFpEF. CMD’s role in HFpEF might involve impaired coronary blood flow regulation, leading to myocardial ischemia, impaired relaxation, and/or adverse remodeling. Vice versa, increased wall stress in patients with HFpEF might elevate coronary resistances, further worsening microvascular perfusion. Finally, abnormalities in substrate metabolism might cause both CMD and HFpEF. Current treatments, including pharmacotherapy and device-based therapies, show limited success, highlighting the need for more targeted approaches. New possible therapies, such as the coronary sinus reducer device, may show promise in improving myocardial perfusion and function. However, further large-scale studies are required to elucidate the mechanistic links between CMD and HFpEF and to develop specialized treatments for distinct heart failure phenotypes.
Measuring Self-Referent Memory Bias as Marker for Depression: Overview, New Insights, and Recommendations
Authors: Duyser Fleur A. , Eijndhoven Philip F. Van , Collard Rose M. , Vassena Eliana , Koekkoek Bauke , Tendolkar Indira , Vrijsen Janna N.
Published: January 2025

Negative self-referent memory bias (the preferential memory for negative self-referent information) is a well-known symptom of depression and a risk factor for its development, maintenance, and recurrence. Evidence shows its potential as an add-on tool in clinical practice. However, it is unclear which self-referent memory bias measure(s) could be clinically relevant. Here, as a first step, we investigate which measures best differentiate current depression status and track depressive symptom severity most closely. The total sample (N = 956) from three (naturalistic) psychiatric cohorts with matched controls was divided into a current depression, remitted depression, and non-disordered control group. Self-referent memory bias task measures were calculated and the drift diffusion model (DDM) was applied to assess underlying components of the cognitive self-referent decision making process. Measures were compared between groups and linear regression models were applied to assess their association with depressive symptom severity. The number of negative endorsed words differentiated best between depression status while a combination of the number of positive endorsed words, self-referent negative memory bias, and positive drift rate was most strongly associated with depressive symptom severity. Our results give direction to the clinical implementation of this task. Its value in assessing, monitoring, and predicting depressive state and trait in clinical settings requires further investigation.
Approximations of unbounded convex projections and unbounded convex sets
Authors: Kováčová Gabriela , Rudloff Birgit
Published: January 2025

We consider the problem of projecting a convex set onto a subspace or, equivalently formulated, the problem of computing a set obtained by applying a linear mapping to a convex feasible set. This includes the problem of approximating convex sets by polyhedrons. The existing literature on convex projections provides methods for bounded convex sets only, in this paper we propose a method that can handle both bounded and unbounded problems. The algorithms we propose build on the ideas of inner and outer approximation. In particular, we adapt the recently proposed methods for solving unbounded convex vector optimization problems to handle also the class of projection problems.
Selection and evaluation of a set of attributes appropriate for detection of antisocial behaviour in online media
Authors: Machová Kristína , Balara Viliam , Mach Marian , Kožík Štefan
Published: January 2025

Nowadays the world of modern technologies brings new ways of communication and interaction between people. Online communication becomes faster and more convenient, but it also enables an exchange of more dangerous information. Antisocial behaviour in online web discussions becomes one of the most serious problems. This paper is focused on the analysis and identification of the most typical attributes of antisocial behaviour in the online space. Our research attempts to distinguish the most characteristic features of suspicious contributors to identify attributes that can define antisocial behaviour in the best way. The main objective is to evaluate the success of these attributes in the automatic detection of the suspicious contributors—trolls using classification methods of machine learning such as naïve Bayes, decision trees, random forest, logistic regression, and support vector machine. The methods were selected from the point of view of evaluation of suitability of individual attributes and evaluation of selected sets of attributes. The results of test of models learned using mentioned methods are discussed from this point of view and lead to a selection of a small set of attributes from all considered attributes.