bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of polystyrene colloidal nanoparticles and investigation of their hydrophobic properties on the flotation of phosphorus
Authors: Hassanjani‐roshan Amir , Emadoddin Esmaeil , Vaezi Mohammadreza , Koohestani Hassan
Published: December 2024

Polystyrene is a synthetic polymer and one of the most widely used polymers in various industries, which is produced in different ways from styrene monomer. This research aims to synthesize polystyrene nanoparticles (NPS) by emulsion polymerization and to investigate their effect on phosphorus flotation. For this purpose, styrene monomer, dodecyl sulfate, and potassium persulfate were used. In the following, the impact of two parameters, including the volume of styrene monomer and reaction time, on the characteristics of nanoparticles was investigated with different analyses. X‐ray diffraction analysis results showed that NPS was formed with an amorphous structure. Increasing the monomer volume increased NPS particle size to 70 nm, accelerating nuclei growth. Expanding the time also had a similar effect and increased the size of the nanoparticles. By dynamic light scattering analysis, the size distribution of the synthesized NPS was about 74.3 nm with narrow dispersion. The wettability of NPS was also investigated and the sample synthesized in 6 h with 9 cc of styrene monomer had the highest wetting angle of about 106°. In the direct flotation of phosphorus, using NPS increased the grade of phosphorus up to 15.1% (34.6% P2O5).
Influence of the manufacturing strategy on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Invar 36 alloy parts manufactured by CMT-WAAM
Authors: Iturrioz Amaia , Ukar Eneko , Pereira Juan Carlos
Published: December 2024

The influence of the manufacturing strategy of Invar 36 alloy parts manufactured by Directed Energy Deposition by Arc (DED-Arc) also known as wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) using cold metal transfer (CMT) technology has been investigated. This study focuses on the influence of applying different deposition strategies on the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties. As manufacturing costs and time are critical issues which determine the business case in WAAM applications, it is important to use the smallest possible amount of feedstock material. Therefore, different manufacturing strategies are used to obtain the variable wall thicknesses required for each part preform using WAAM as a manufacturing route. Differences in manufacturing temperature and thermal history due to different deposition strategies have been recorded. Deep microstructural analysis in as-built condition revealed that granular alignment and the crystallographic texture obtained differ between deposition strategies studied. This is the reason why there are differences in the mechanical properties, such as yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and hardness, of the different strategies analyzed. The results revealed that the higher strength is obtained in three overlapped weld beads for the walls (514 and 581 MPa in building direction and perpendicular direction, respectively), compared to single weld bead wall (481 and 489 MPa), circular single weld bead wall (460 and 484 MPa), and meandering weld bead wall (467 and 439 MPa). The opposite is true for elongation, which is a typical correlation between strength and ductility in Fe-based alloys, having the highest elongation in the meandering weld bead wall (26 and 30%) and circular single weld bead (30 and 27%) compared to single weld bead wall (27 and 23%) and three overlapped weld bead wall (23 and 20%). It can therefore be concluded that an Invar 36 alloy part manufactured by CMT-WAAM with different strategies will have different mechanical properties, having a difference in ultimate tensile strength of 54 MPa and 142 MPa, and in elongation of 7% and 10% in building direction and perpendicular direction, respectively, between the most and the least resistant zone.
Application of various grains shells (coffee husk, cocoa bean husk, rice hull, buckwheat hull) to enhance the mash filtration and sensory characteristics of wheat beer
Authors: Cioch-Skoneczny Monika , Cempa Arkadiusz , Klimczak Krystian , Poreda Aleksander
Published: December 2024

The study explored the potential of using various grain shells (coffee bean husk, cocoa bean husk, rice hull and buckwheat hull) as a filtration aid in wheat beer brewing. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of these waste materials on the physicochemical and sensory properties of the resulting beer. This is in line with zero-waste movement, which focuses on reduction of post-production waste products, or their reuse. Different doses of grain shells (50 g and 100 g) were added to the mash, and the resulting worts were compared to a control without any additives. The performed analyses were fermentation dynamics, alcohol content, real extract, free amino nitrogen, titratable acidity, color, and sensory evaluation. Results show that the addition of coffee bean husk, cocoa bean husk, and rice hull positively influenced the overall quality of the beer. However, buckwheat hulls had detrimental effects on sensory characteristics. This study highlights the potential of utilizing waste materials in the brewing industry to both, obtain a beer with desired sensory characteristics, and aid in the filtration process.

Graphical abstract
On formation and breakup of jets during droplet impact on oscillating substrates
Authors: Potnis Aditya , Saha Abhishek
Published: December 2024

Droplet impact on substrates is the cornerstone of several processes relevant to many industrial applications. Imposing substrate oscillation modifies the impact dynamics and can, therefore, be used to control the ensuing heat, mass, and energy transfer between the substrate and the impacting droplet. Previous research has shown that substrate oscillation strongly influences the spreading behavior of the droplet. In this study, we extend this understanding to examine how substrate oscillations can further modulate the retraction dynamics of the droplet, consequently affecting its long-term behavior, with a particular focus on induced jetting and subsequent breakup. We systematically examine the breakup of jets formed by the recoiling droplet through experimental investigations across a range of oscillation frequencies and amplitudes. Our findings reveal two distinct jet breakup modes: early and late, each governed by different time scales. Subsequently, we present a mechanistic description of the jetting process. Furthermore, we derive a simple scaling analysis based on energy balance to identify the critical condition required for jet breakup. Finally, we compare the experimental data with the scaling analyses to show its efficacy.
Warm saltwater inflows strengthen oxygen depletion in the western Baltic Sea
Authors: Barghorn Leonie , Meier H. E. Markus , Radtke Hagen , Neumann Thomas , Naumov Lev
Published: December 2024

Hypoxia is a major environmental threat for coastal seas, including the strongly-stratified Baltic Sea in northern Europe. There, a pronounced increase in nutrient loads since the 1950s led to the development of one of the largest hypoxic areas worldwide. So far, other drives of hypoxia, like the increase in water temperatures due to global warming, have been considered minor compared to eutrophication. We show, by analyzing 159-years long hindcast simulations of three different Baltic Sea models, that exceptional warming trends in deep water layers of the western Baltic Sea deteriorated the local oxygen conditions. The above-average warming is only to a small extent attributed directly to global warming, but mainly to a shift in the seasonality of saltwater inflows from the North Sea towards more warm summer and early autumn inflows. Hence, we identify a so far unknown driver of oxygen depletion in the western Baltic Sea with potentially serious ecological consequences.
Single cell transcriptomics profiling of the stromal cells in the pathologic association of ribosomal proteins in the ischemic myocardium and epicardial fat
Authors: Thai An , Doescher Christian , Kamal Nawfal , Teramoto Darren , Fung Cameron , Cha Ed , La Vy , Cheng Pauline , Sedighim Sharona , Keklikian Angelo , Thankam Finosh G.
Published: December 2024

Sustenance of ischemia in the surviving cardiac tissue following myocardial infarction (MI) elicits a proinflammatory milieu resulting in subsequent pathological episodes. Also, the activation and release of ribosomal proteins under ischemic insults have been unveiled; however, their extra ribosomal functions are unknown. We identified the ribosomal proteins including RPL10A, RPL14, RPL30, RPS18, FAU-40 (RPS30), and RPSA (Laminin Receptor, LR) in the vesicles of ischemia challenged epicardial adipose tissue derived stromal cells (EATDS). The present study aimed to assess the association of these proteins in the epicardial adipose tissues (EAT) and left ventricular (LV) myocardium and isolated stromal cells (EATDS and LVSCs) from hyperlipidemic (HL), MI and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) swine models. The findings revealed an upregulation of RPL10A, RPL14, RPL30, RPS18, RPS30, and RPSA in the LV tissues of CABG and HL swine with a concomitant reduction in the MI group. RPS30 displayed similar upregulation in EAT, whereas the expression of other ribosomal proteins was not significantly altered. Additionally, the ischemic LVSCs and EATDS displayed altered expression status of these genes compared to the control. Also, the RPS18 + , RPL30 + and RPSA + LVSCs favored ischemia and revealed similar anti-inflammatory and regenerative sub-phenotypes reflecting the protective/survival mechanisms. Further understanding regarding the underlying molecular mechanisms and functions of these ribosomal proteins offers immense translational opportunities in the better management of ischemic cardiac complications.
$${\mathscr {A}}$$-free truncation and higher integrability of minimisers
Authors: Schiffer Stefan
Published: December 2024

We show higher integrability of minimisers of functionals

$$\begin{aligned} I(u) = \int _{\Omega } f(x,u(x)) ~d x \end{aligned}$$

I

(
u
)

=

∫
Ω

f

(
x
,
u

(
x
)

)

d
x

subject to a differential constraint

$${\mathscr {A}} u=0$$

A
u
=
0

under natural p-growth and p-coercivity conditions for f and regularity assumptions on

$$\Omega $$

Ω

. For the differential operator

$${\mathscr {A}}$$

A

we asssume a rather abstract truncation property that, for instance, holds for operators

$${\mathscr {A}}=\textrm{curl}$$

A
=
curl

and

$${\mathscr {A}}=\textrm{div}$$

A
=
div

. The proofs are based on the comparison of the minimiser to the truncated version of the minimiser.
Behçet’s disease: incidence, prevalence, and real-word data on the use of biologic agents in Japan
Authors: Hisamatsu Tadakazu , Naganuma Makoto , Pinton Philippe , Takeno Mitsuhiro
Published: December 2024

Background

Behçet’s disease (BD) is an autoinflammatory disease that can affect multiple organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. Conventional management comprises anti-inflammatory drugs such as glucocorticoids (GCs) and/or immunomodulators that alleviate symptoms. The introduction of biological agents that target tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) has improved disease management. The goal of this work was to analyze the current prevalence and incidence of total BD and gastrointestinal Behçet’s disease (GIBD) in Japan, and examine treatment trends, especially regarding the use of TNF-α inhibitors (TNFαi).

Methods

We performed a retrospective descriptive observational study in which BD and GIBD demographic trends, medical treatment patterns, and reported adverse events (AEs) were assessed among patients with data recorded between 2017 and 2021 in the Japan Medical Data Center Claims Database (now JMDC Inc.).

Results

Prevalence of BD and GIBD in Japan during the observation period increased at an annual rate of + 3% and + 4%, respectively, while incidence decreased by − 5% and − 2%, with a more prominent decline in confirmed GIBD cases (− 15%). Although GCs were the most common initial treatment administered, use of TNFαi for BD and GIBD management increased by + 5.6% and + 8.1%, respectively. Severe AEs (mainly pneumonia and GI-associated AEs) were reported in 40% of patients receiving TNFαi; however, a high retention rate (of up to 80%) was observed 3 years after treatment initiation.

Conclusion

The use of TNFαi for GIBD treatment has increased in Japan in recent years. Additional research is necessary to further evaluate TNFαi effectiveness in GIBD and other BD subtypes.
Long-term tumor control following repeat gamma-knife radiosurgery of growing pituitary adenomas: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Lindberg Felicia , Gabri Alexander , Kristiansson Helena , Gubanski Michael , Höybye Charlotte , Olsson Martin , Förander Petter , Skyrman Simon , Lippitz Bodo , Fletcher-Sandersjöö Alexander , Bartek Jiri
Published: December 2024

Background

Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is a well-established treatment for residual or growing pituitary adenomas (PAs) post-partial resection. However, some PAs grow even after initial GKRS, for which the efficacy of repeat GKRS is unclear. The primary objective of this study was to determine long-term progression-free survival (PFS) following repeated GKRS in patients with PA. The secondary objective was to determine predictors of tumor progression in these patients.

Methods

Single-center, population-based consecutive cohort study of patients with recurrent PAs treated with repeated GKRS due to tumor progression between 1999 and 2022 at the Department of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. PFS and predictors of tumor growth were assessed.

Results

23 patients were included, with a median follow-up time of 6.3 years. The 5-year PFS rate was 57%, and the median duration from repeat GKRS to tumor progression was 2.6 years. Tumor growth after repeat GKRS occurred exclusively within the first three years post-treatment. Older age at the time of repeat GKRS was a significant predictor of continued tumor growth (OR 1.09, p = 0.036).

Conclusion

Repeat GKRS is a feasible treatment alternative for PAs that exhibit growth following initial GKRS.
Archive and library special collections as proxy data: reconstructing the American chestnut blight through digitized collections
Authors: Wood Nicole
Published: December 2024

This paper discusses the design and implications of a study that explored the potential for archives and library special collections to serve as historical environmental proxy data to support the reconstruction of the spatiotemporal spread of the American chestnut blight in Tennessee. By collecting, reconciling, and analyzing heterogeneous mundane primary source materials from 1904 to 1950, the major period of infection and tree loss, the case study reached beyond conventional evidence to ask new questions of nontraditional sources. QGIS and Python were used to reconcile and model nonstandardized and ambiguous natural-language keywords derived from these sources to identify trends and patterns that may not be evident from traditional document analysis. The paper argues that the contributions made by textual and visual information fragments found in these materials support an expansion of the term “proxy data” beyond what is currently understood as paleoclimate archives, i.e., physical, chemical, and biological materials preserved within the geologic record (USGS 2022). Such socially constructed records found in archives and library special collections offer additional qualitative and quantitative information about historical climate change to support modeling variable fluctuations over time. They can also provide a rich and dynamic context for the natural causes and human interventions that, in combination, act on the environment. However, the study also identifies significant limitations in the digital accessibility of relevant archival sources and a lack of specificity in their descriptions. These need to be addressed if integrating such source material into scientific studies is to become more widespread and scalable.
GDF15/MIC-1: a stress-induced immunosuppressive factor which promotes the aging process
Authors: Salminen Antero
Published: December 2024

The GDF15 protein, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is a stress-induced multifunctional protein with many of its functions associated with the regulation of the immune system. GDF15 signaling provides a defence against the excessive inflammation induced by diverse stresses and tissue injuries. Given that the aging process is associated with a low-grade inflammatory state, called inflammaging, it is not surprising that the expression of GDF15 gradually increases with aging. In fact, the GDF15 protein is a core factor secreted by senescent cells, a state called senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Many age-related stresses, e.g., mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stresses as well as inflammatory, metabolic, and oxidative stresses, induce the expression of GDF15. Although GDF15 signaling is an effective anti-inflammatory modulator, there is robust evidence that it is a pro-aging factor promoting the aging process. GDF15 signaling is not only an anti-inflammatory modulator but it is also a potent immunosuppressive enhancer in chronic inflammatory states. The GDF15 protein can stimulate immune responses either non-specifically via receptors of the TGF-β superfamily or specifically through the GFRAL/HPA/glucocorticoid pathway. GDF15 signaling stimulates the immunosuppressive network activating the functions of MDSCs, Tregs, and M2 macrophages and triggering inhibitory immune checkpoint signaling in senescent cells. Immunosuppressive responses not only suppress chronic inflammatory processes but they evoke many detrimental effects in aged tissues, such as cellular senescence, fibrosis, and tissue atrophy/sarcopenia. It seems that the survival functions of GDF15 go awry in persistent inflammation thus promoting the aging process and age-related diseases.
New alternative approaches to stroke treatment: the blood cell–derived secretome shows promise in individuals with obesity
Authors: Kotorová Klaudia , Končeková Jana , Bona Martin , Bonová Petra
Published: December 2024

Ischaemic tolerance induced by remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) has been extensively demonstrated in several preclinical models of cerebral ischaemia. However, animals with common stroke-related comorbidities do not benefit from the recent advances of RIC. Therefore, we investigated two alternative approaches for obese animals with stroke: (1) the efficacy of an additional round of the standard RIC protocol, and (2) the paracrine potential of the blood cell–derived secretome derived from RIC-induced healthy young rats. We found that a second round of remote ischaemic postconditioning (RIPostC) stimulus reduced neurodegeneration and exerted antioxidant effects but failed to decrease the infarct volume and alter glutamate homeostasis. However, when obese rats were administered the secretome from healthy, young RIC-stimulated rats, they exhibited improved neurological post-stroke outcomes. Intravenous administration of the tolerant secretome activated several endogenous mechanisms, including a reduction in the infarct volume and neurodegeneration in the penumbra. Furthermore, the blood cell–derived secretome accelerated brain-to-blood glutamate efflux in obese rats, and demonstrated antioxidant properties that may have contributed to the induction of tolerance in obese rats with stroke. These findings indicate that the blood cell–derived secretome has unique abilities and represents a new potential treatment for individuals with obesity and ischaemic stroke.
Exploring New and Promising Genetic Biomarkers for Evaluating Traumatic Brain Injuries: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Rabou Yasmin Kamal Abd , Zayed Abeer Ahmed , Fahim Sally A. , Abdelgwad Marwa , Fiki Ahmed El , Fayed Nermin Nabil
Published: December 2024

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of morbidity and death in all age groups, with an estimated 50 million people having brain injury due to trauma each year. Accurate blood-based biomarkers are needed to assist with diagnosis of patients across the spectrum of time and severity. Our objectives were to explore the diagnostic precision of time- and severity- related four blood-based biomarkers: AKT3, GSK-3β, hsa-miR-16-5p, and MALAT-1 for TBI for the purpose of diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up. 40 samples were recruited as the following: 30 TBI patients and 10 healthy volunteers as controls with matched age and sex. They were divided according to the Glasgow Coma Scale into mild (mTBI), moderate (modTBI), and severe(sTBI) TBI. Blood samples were withdrawn at entry, and after 5 and 30 days, RT-PCR was used for measuring the expression level. The results showed upregulated expression levels of AKT3, hsa-miR-16-5p and significantly downregulated expression levels of GSK-3β in TBI patients compared to controls at all timings measured. mTBI patients showed a higher expression level of hsa-miR-16-5p compared with modTBI, and sTBI patients. MALAT-1 level showed a significant increase in severe cases only. We concluded that AKT3, hsa-miR-16-5p, and GSK-3β are excellent diagnostic biomarkers in TBI patients at initial assessment, as well as at 5 and 30 days following the injury. Moreover, MALAT-1 had good diagnostic value in sTBI patients, and its prognostic value extends to 30 days. GSK-3β was an excellent biomarker for detecting mTBI.
How to be happy from east to west: social and flexible pursuit of happiness is associated with positive effects of valuing happiness on well-being
Authors: Zhang Hanxin , Kahriz Bahram Mahmoodi , McCabe Ciara , Vogt Julia
Published: December 2024

Recent evidence has suggested that valuing happiness to an extreme degree has a potential downside in Western but not in East Asian countries. We tested how valuing happiness relates to well-being in mainland China (N = 721) and Western countries (UK, US, and Canada) (N = 349) in two online survey studies. We predicted that pursuing happiness in a socially engaged yet flexible (i.e., feasible and achievable) way underlies a positive association between valuing happiness and well-being. Indeed, in study 1, a socially engaged definition of happiness mediated the relationship between valuing happiness and well-being in a Chinese sample. Specifically, increased valuing happiness was associated with a higher socially engaged definition of happiness, which in turn was related to higher well-being. Demonstrating the role of flexibility in pursuing happiness, Chinese participants reported more items overall and more feasible items to achieve happiness, though not more social items than participants in the Western sample). In study 2, we repeated the study during the Covid-19 lockdown in Chinese (N = 308) and Western (N = 185) samples and also tested if participants were able to adopt a mindset of flexibly pursuing happiness by adding a survey with social actions that were still feasible (e.g., a call instead of meeting in-person). We found the association holds in times of emotional stress and social restrictions in both samples, suggesting that people flexibly pursue social activities that relate to happiness. We propose that a socially engaged but also feasible and flexible way to pursue happiness is associated with higher well-being.
Nonparametric Analysis of Multivariate Data in Factorial Designs with Nondetects: A Case Study with Microbiome Data
Authors: Kiefel Maximilian , Freidl Johanna
Published: December 2024

The term “nondetects” describes observations that are not fully observed because the true value is below a detection threshold—and can therefore not be precisely detected. One may also consider them a special case of left-censored data. Nondetects occur frequently, for instance, in life sciences research in medicine or microbiology. This article examines the use of nonparametric inference methods for multivariate data in factorial designs in situations where nondetects are present, and it evaluates their performance. The focus is on testing hypotheses regarding interaction and main factor effects. The nonparametric centerpiece of the methodology is assuming the nonparametric relative effect (probabilistic index) and its generalizations as the functional on which inference is built, along with the respective invariance properties of the resulting tests. On this basis, we apply and evaluate recently proposed nonparametric analogs to the following types of multivariate test statistics: (1) Wald-type statistic (WTS), (2) ANOVA-type statistic (ATS), (3) Lawley–Hotelling trace, (4) Wilks Lambda (Likelihood ratio), (5) Bartlett–Nanda–Pillai trace. Except for the WTS, all the mentioned methods are available through the R-package nparmd. Extensive simulations and a case study from the field of microbiology demonstrate that the proposed methods can handle commonly occurring rates of nondetects without substantial impairment of specificity and sensitivity.
Normalising inhomogeneities in geo-social media data – a comparison of different measures
Authors: Hauthal Eva , Mukherjee Sagnik , Burghardt Dirk
Published: December 2024

Geo-social media data involve various kinds of inhomogeneities. These can concern, amongst others, the users, but also spatial distributions or the fact that the most frequently used hashtags, keywords or emojis often have little relevance in the context under investigation. In order to properly tackle and reduce these inhomogeneities and to strive for a less distorted analysis, normalisation of geo-social media data is expedient. Various measures exist that are frequently used in research for this purpose. This paper presents four of these measures and compares them with each other, both theoretically as well as practically in the form of a demonstration through three exemplary case studies highlighting potentials and limitations of each measure. This comparison involves the relatively new typicality measure, which was developed specifically for this type of data following the dimensions commonly used to describe geo-social media data (temporal, spatial, social and thematic dimension).
Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown on HbA1c Levels of Ethnic Minorities and Low-income Groups with Type 2 Diabetes in Israel
Authors: Riklin Galia , Friger Michael , Shoham-Vardi Ilana , Golan Rachel , Wainstock Tamar
Published: December 2024

Aims

To investigate the impact of low socioeconomic status (SES) and/or membership in ethnic minority has on HbA1c before and during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted between March 2019 and March 2021, based on data from electronic medical records of 17,072 patients with type-2 diabetes, collected by Clalit (Israel’s largest health maintenance organization). Low SES was compared to high and ethnic minorities (Arabs and ultra-Orthodox Jews) were compared to the general Israeli population of mostly Jewish, but not ultra-Orthodox, Israeli citizens. Quantile regressions were used to examine the impact of SES and ethnic minority membership on HbA1c levels in the 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 0.90 quantiles before and during the lockdown.

Results

In the pre-lockdown period, patients with type-2 diabetes of low versus high SES, and Arabs versus the general population, had higher HbA1c. During the lockdown HbA1c levels of low versus high SES rose significantly in the 0.10 and 0.90 quantiles, and among Arabs HbA1c levels rose significantly across all quantiles, with a remarkable increment in the 0.90 quantile (from 0.316% in the pre-lockdown period to 0.730% in the lockdown period). Ultra-Orthodox Jewish diabetic patients had a marginally higher mean HbA1C level regardless of the period. Quantile regressions did not reveal a significant difference between the ultra-Orthodox Jewish and the general population.

Conclusion

The lockdown exacerbated disparities in glycemic control between low and high SES individuals and between Arab minority and the general population.
Voting Restrictions and Increased Odds of Adverse Birth Outcomes in the US
Authors: Liu Sze Yan , Grinshteyn Erin , Cook Daniel , Pabayo Roman
Published: December 2024

Background

Disparities persist in adverse birth outcomes — preterm birth and small-for-gestational age (SGA) among racialized populations. Previous studies have indicated that voting restrictions are associated with health outcomes, such as access to health insurance and teenage birth rates. This paper examines whether the association between voting restrictions and adverse birth outcomes varies according to birthing individuals’ race/ethnicity.

Methods

These analyses merged individual-level 2019–2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS, 8th edition) data with state-level exposure information. The exposure, the Cost of Voting Index (COVI), is a 2020 state-level measure of voting restrictions, and the outcomes were preterm birth and SGA. Multilevel logistic regression, survey-weighted models adjusted for sociodemographic and geographically-based characteristics. Subanalyses examined if the association differed by race (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, API, Other).

Results

In the unadjusted model, a standard deviation increase in COVI was associated with increased odds of preterm birth (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.98, 1.25) and SGA (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.22). The association for SGA was still significant in the fully adjusted models. Results differed by race/ethnicity with the largest effects among API (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.95, 1.52) for preterm birth and OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.59) for SGA respectively).

Conclusion

Our results suggest structural voting barriers disproportionately increase the odds of adverse birth outcomes, especially for API-birthing individuals. Increasing voting restrictions may amplify existing birth inequities.
Assessing how Grazing Intensity Affects the Spatial Distribution of Soil Properties
Authors: Barrena-González Jesús , Antoneli Valdemir , Contador J Francisco Lavado , Fernández Manuel Pulido
Published: December 2024

Grazing activities occupy the largest land surface, making their management crucial for addressing key issues related to the sustainability of agroecosystems. This study seeks to identify the influence of grazing intensity and vegetation cover on the spatial distribution of soil properties in a farm located in a dehesa ecosystem (SW, Spain). To achieve this, 144 soil samples were collected at 0–5 and 5–10 cm depths across six grazing intensity classes (GIC) defined by the current spatial distribution of vegetation canopy. Leveraging 25 environmental covariates, five individual machine learning algorithms (MLAs) and an ensemble model were employed, to predict soil property values. Metrics such as R2, RMSE (root mean square error), and CCC (Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient) were used to determine the best-performing model. The results revealed that high-intensity grazing classes showed higher values of soil nutrients, and SOC (soil organic carbon)than low-intensity grazing classes. Nevertheless, there no significant differencesin areas with shrub and tree canopy cover. Also, the results reveld that different between depth interval were higher in high-intensity class than in low-intensity classes. The study highlights the importance of selecting environmental variables for accurate soil property prediction. The best model depend on soil property selected and depth interval. In conclusion, this studyoffers valuable insights into grazing intensity and vegetation’s influence on soil properties in dehesa ecosystems, guiding future studies in this field.
Comprehensive Monitoring System for High-Risk Pregnancies
Authors: Gonzalez Santiago Paeres , Montoya Germán A. , Lozano-Garzón Carlos
Published: December 2024

Prenatal care protects the Health of both mother and baby, influencing the development and well-being of the mother-child duo. Risks during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, can have long-term effects on the mother’s Health. Effective monitoring of pregnancy risks is essential for improving health outcomes. Therefore, we propose the development of an integrated high-risk pregnancy monitoring mobile application incorporating IoT sensors (smartwatches) to monitor critical biomedical variables. This allows healthcare professionals to collect and analyze data, reducing prenatal risks and improving maternal and fetal health outcomes. Functional and non-functional requirements were gathered and refined through continuous support and iterative meetings with an experienced gynecologist. We identified multiple functional requirements through user stories. Non-functional requirements were also collected to design the proposed architecture and comply with current legislation, prioritizing the security and privacy of biomedical data. We conducted Load tests on the proposed architecture, verifying the system’s quality attributes. Additionally, we carried out usability tests through interviews with a sample of ten pregnant women. Participants found the application intuitive and essential for monitoring their Health, and it could provide a constant source of confidence throughout their pregnancy. The proposed system could be a valuable tool for high-risk pregnancy monitoring. However, large and intensive clinical trials are essential to validate its effectiveness in real-life scenarios.
Circular Commons: Exploring Innate Spatial Tactics as Pathways toward a Circular Built Environment
Authors: Egger Tamara , van Dorst Machiel , Ioannou Olga , den Heijer Alexandra
Published: December 2024

The built environment significantly contributes to current socioenvironmental crises, necessitating systemic change. Circularity and the commons are re-emerging as potential pathways for such transition. A circular built environment (CBE) aims to close resource loops, but its implementation is often slow and neglects social and local aspects. The commons framework emphasizes local involvement and sustainable self-management of shared resources. However, the intersection of circularity and the commons in spatial production is underexplored. This paper explores their relationship as “innate spatial tactics,” referring to the ways ordinary people interact with the built environment to meet their daily needs. Through a literature review, we developed a conceptual framework of “circular commoning,” encompassing three dimensions: resources, people, and governance. We applied this framework to analyze 16 empirical examples of circular commoning in contemporary urban settings. Our research shows that circularity and the commons are closely linked and mutually beneficial. Circular commoning involves diverse resources, changing social roles, and innovative governance. We identified three forms of circular commoning as innate spatial tactics: building circular, circular use of space, and creating spaces for circular activities. The framework developed here provides a basis for further action research. The practice review demonstrates that circular commoning is not only a distant utopian ideal but is enacted daily in diverse urban contexts. Such often-overlooked innate spatial tactics can offer valuable lessons for pathways toward a CBE involving principles of a circular society. Additionally, they can help shape new narratives and channel hope for practical progress towards circular futures.
Bio-nanopore technology for biomolecules detection
Authors: Li Peizhi , Liang Dan , Yang En , Zeb Mustafa , Huang Huiqi , Sun Haihui , Zhang Wenhan , Peng Chifang , Zhao Yuan , Ma Wei
Published: December 2024

Bio-nanopore technology holds great promise in biomacromolecule detection, with its high throughput and low cost positioning it as an ideal detection tool. This technology employs a unique detection mechanism that utilizes nanoscale pores to rapidly and sensitively convert biological molecules interactions into electrical signals, enabling real-time, single-molecule detection with exceptional sensitivity. This review focuses on the latest advancements in this technology across various domains, including DNA and RNA sequencing, protein detection, and small molecule identification. Additionally, future trends are explored, providing a comprehensive and in-depth perspective on the role of bio-nanopore technology in biomolecule detection.
Research on multiple quadrotor UAV formation obstacle avoidance based on finite-time consensus
Authors: Zhang L. , Liu R. , Qu B. , Wei T. , Chai X. , Yan L.
Published: December 2024

Aiming at the problem of fast and consensus obstacle avoidance of multiple unmanned aerial systems in undirected network, a multi-quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs (QUAVs) finite-time consensus obstacle avoidance algorithm is proposed. In this paper, multi-QUAVs establish communication through the leader-following method, and the formation is led by the leader to fly to the target position automatically and avoid obstacles autonomously through the improved artificial potential field method. The finite-time consensus protocol controls multi-QUAVs to form a desired formation quickly, considering the existence of communication and input delay, and rigorously proves the convergence of the proposed protocol. A trajectory segmentation strategy is added to the improved artificial potential field method to reduce trajectory loss and improve the task execution efficiency. The simulation results show that multi-QUAVs can be assembled to form the desired formation quickly, and the QUAV formation can avoid obstacles and maintain the formation unchanged while avoiding obstacles.
Fragments of Thought: Considering Sophie Germain’s Process Epistemology
Authors: Tamboukou Maria
Published: December 2024

In this paper I look at the philosophical work of Sophie Germain, a woman mathematician and philosopher in nineteenth-century France. Although forgotten after her death, Germain’s contribution to mathematical sciences has been revisited and reappraised in recent years, but with very few notable exceptions, her philosophical work is still in the margins. In addressing this gap in the literature, I revisit Germain’s contribution to the history of ideas, particularly focusing on her contribution to process epistemologies. I argue that Germain was a truly transdisciplinary thinker avant la lettre and that her philosophical work should be mapped in the wider field of process philosophies. In doing so I make connections between Sophie Germain and Alfred Whitehead’s philosophy of the organism, particularly focusing on their take on feelings, prehensions, happy ideas, and events.
Genetic diversity within a tree and alternative indexes for different evolutionary effects
Authors: Iwasa Yoh , Tomimoto Sou , Satake Akiko
Published: December 2024

Trees, living for centuries, accumulate somatic mutations in their growing trunks and branches, causing genetic divergence within a single tree. Stem cell lineages in a shoot apical meristem accumulate mutations independently and diverge from each other. In plants, somatic mutations can alter the genetic composition of reproductive organs and gametes, impacting future generations. To evaluate the genetic variation among a tree’s reproductive organs, we consider three indexes: mean pairwise phylogenetic distance (

$\overline{D}$

), phylogenetic diversity (

$PD$

; sum of branch lengths in molecular phylogeny) and parent-offspring phylogenetic distance (

${D}_{PO}$

). The tissue architecture of trees facilitated the accumulation of somatic mutations, which have various evolutionary effects, including enhancing fitness under strong sib competition and intense host-pathogen interactions, efficiently eliminating deleterious mutations through epistasis and increasing genetic variance in the population. Choosing appropriate indexes for the genetic diversity of somatic mutations depends on the specific aspect of evolutionary influence being assessed.
Openness, Phenomenology, Politics: Luciano Berio and the Neoavanguardia in the Early 1960s
Authors: DAVIS JAMES
Published: December 2024

Luciano Berio’s modernism, which has fallen off the critical radar since the composer’s death, is not typically tied to extroverted political statements, and so does not easily allow for the fashionable (liberal) equation of aesthetic radicalism with political radicalism. On the contrary, Berio’s musical output is perhaps instructive precisely as a negative case study of the link between political and aesthetic radicalisms. Such will be the gambit of this article, which will consider the engagement with contemporary ideas of ‘openness’ and practices of phenomenology in works from the early 1960s, like Passaggio (1962) and Epifanie (1963), to illuminate Berio’s relationship to the so-called neoavanguardia, a cultural movement which emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as part of a withdrawal from the cultural–political activism associated within Italy’s leftist intelligentsia.
Comorbidity of problematic substance use and other addictive behaviors and anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder: a network analysis
Authors: Shmulewitz Dvora , Levitin Maor Daniel , Skvirsky Vera , Vider Merav , Eliashar Roi , Mikulincer Mario , Lev-Ran Shaul
Published: December 2024

Background

Among those with common mental health disorders (e.g. mood, anxiety, and stress disorders), comorbidity of substance and other addictive disorders is prevalent. To simplify the seemingly complex relationships underlying such comorbidity, methods that include multiple measures to distill which specific addictions are uniquely associated with specific mental health disorders rather than due to the co-occurrence of other related addictions or mental health disorders can be used.

Methods

In a general population sample of Jewish adults in Israel (N = 4002), network analysis methods were used to create partial correlation networks of continuous measures of problematic substance (non-medical use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and prescription sedatives, stimulants, and opioid painkillers) and behavioral (gambling, electronic gaming, sexual behavior, pornography, internet, social media, and smartphone) addictions and common mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]), adjusted for all variables in the model.

Results

Strongest associations were observed within these clusters: (1) PTSD, anxiety, and depression; (2) problematic substance use and gambling; (3) technology-based addictive behaviors; and (4) problematic sexual behavior and pornography. In terms of comorbidity, the strongest unique associations were observed for PTSD and problematic technology-based behaviors (social media, smartphone), and sedatives and stimulants use; depression and problematic technology-based behaviors (gaming, internet) and sedatives and cannabis use; and anxiety and problematic smartphone use.

Conclusions

Network analysis isolated unique relationships underlying the observed comorbidity between common mental health problems and addictions, such as associations between mental health problems and technology-based behaviors, which is informative for more focused interventions.
Return Discussions to Reduce Missing Incidents in Persons Living with Dementia: Findings from a Scoping Review and Individual Interviews
Authors: Letts Elyse , McLennan Lauren K. , Daum Christine , Conway Cathy , Neubauer Noelannah A. , Miguel Cruz Antonio , Liu Lili
Published: December 2024

Persons living with dementia are at risk of becoming lost. While return discussions after missing incidents are common with children, these discussions are seldom done with persons living with dementia. Our objective was to describe the use of return discussions with persons living with dementia according to the literature and practice. We conducted a scoping review using 19 databases to locate scholarly and grey literature on return discussions, followed by 20 semi-structured interviews with first responders and service providers in Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). Eleven scholarly and 94 grey sources were included, most from the UK, related to missing children, none included persons with dementia. According to participants, although there was no standardized procedure, there were themes about conditions that facilitate return discussions. This was the first study to examine return discussion practice in dementia, and results can inform development of evidence-based protocols.
A pilot study of the WE BEAT Well-Being Education Programme to build resilience in adolescents with heart disease
Authors: Cousino Melissa K. , Rea Kelly E. , Dusing Catherine R. , Glenn Thomas , Armstrong Blake , Yu Sunkyung , Lowery Ray , Les Andrea S. , Goldberg Caren S. , Hansen Jesse E. , Schumacher Kurt R.
Published: December 2024

Objective(s):

To examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a novel group-based telemedicine psychoeducation programme aimed at supporting psychological well-being among adolescents with Fontan-palliated CHD.

Study design:

A 5-week telemedicine psychoeducation group-based programme (WE BEAT) was developed for adolescents (N = 20; 13–18 years) with Fontan-palliated CHD aimed at improving resiliency and psychological well-being. Outcome measures included surveys of resilience (Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale), benefit finding (Benefit/Burden Scale for Children), depression, anxiety, peer relationships, and life satisfaction (National Institutes of Health Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scales). Within-subject changes in these outcomes were compared pre- to post-intervention using Cohen’s d effect size. In addition, acceptability in the form of satisfaction measures and qualitative feedback was assessed.

Results:

Among eligible patients reached, 68% expressed interest in study participation. Of those consented, 77% have been scheduled for a group programme to date with 87% programme completion. Twenty adolescents (mean age 16.1 ± SD 1.6 years) participated across five WE BEAT group cohorts (range: 3–6 participants per group). The majority (80%) attended 4–5 sessions in the 5-session programme, and the median programme rating was a 9 out of 10 (10 = most favourable rating). Following WE BEAT participation, resiliency (d = 0.44) and perceptions of purpose in life increased (d = 0.26), while depressive symptoms reduced (d = 0.36). No other changes in assessed outcome measures were noted.

Conclusions:

These findings provide preliminary support that a group-based, telemedicine delivered psychoeducation programme to support psychological well-being among adolescents with CHD is feasible, acceptable, and effective. Future directions include examining intervention effects across diverse centres, populations, and implementation methods.