bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of magnetized nanoparticle aggregation over a Riga plate with thermal radiation in water‐Al2O3 based nanofluid flow
Authors: Madhukesh Javali Kotresh , Paramesh Sorekunte Obaiah , Prasanna Gunderi Dhananjaya , Prasannakumara Ballajja Chandrappa , Khan M. Ijaz , Abdullaev Sherzod , Rasool Ghulam
Published: February 2024

The nanoparticle (NP) volume fraction is a critical variable in fluid models, including the Brinkman, Einstein, and Maxwell designs. The temperature does not affect the nanofluid's normalized shear viscosity. The aggregation model elucidates such traits. Furthermore, the experimental results show a larger increase in the thermal conductivity of nano liquids than the values obtained using standard fluid models. The impact of nanoparticle aggregation (NPAgs) is ignored, which contributes to the disparity. Therefore, it is essential to study the thermal conductivity ratio while considering the kinematics of NPAgs. Therefore, the radiation impact is investigated here by examining NPAgs on the Riga surface in the context of a porous media. The circulation and temperature governing equations are transformed using suitable similarity variables into ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The Runge‐Kutta‐Fehlberg 4‐5 order (RKF‐45) and shooting method is used to simplify the resulting equations numerically. The graphic representation illustrates the influence of many non‐dimensional factors on significant physical quantities. The velocity of the nanofluid has a positive correlation with the modified Hartmann number, whereas it demonstrates a negative correlation with the porosity parameter. A better thermal distribution occurs with higher levels of radiation constraint. The inclusion of a higher solid volume percentage results in a decrease in the velocity profile while concurrently improving the thermal distribution. It is worth noting that NPs that exhibit aggregation have a more prominent thermal distribution than those that do not aggregate, results in greater rate of thermal distribution in the former scenario. The present investigation outcomes will useful in advanced cooling systems, improving energy efficiency, material, environmental and biomedical engineering.
Bending edge wave on a functionally graded fluid‐saturated porous magneto‐electro‐elastic plate
Authors: Som Rahul , Manna Santanu
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the localized wave propagation at the free edge of a thin semi‐infinite Magneto‐Electro‐Elastic (MEE) plate. The plate is supported by a two‐parameters elastic foundation. Biot's porosity theory is considered to formulate the porosity in the model, and the pore structure is saturated with an incompressible fluid. The Kirchhoff–Love plate theory determines the plate displacement field. A non‐homogeneity in the material parameters is considered, which varies with the spatial coordinate along the thickness direction of the plate. In order to illustrate the impacts of the surface elements on bending wave propagation, the model incorporates the surface elasticity theory. The short circuit boundary conditions are implemented to derive the general form of the potential function connected with the electric and magnetic fields, respectively. The dispersion relation for bending edge wave on a MEE fluid‐saturated porous plate is obtained by considering a sinusoidal waveform, which propagates along the free edge of the plate. A numerical method named Finite Difference (FD) scheme is employed to analyze the stability of the numerical scheme and also extract the expression of the velocity profiles of the bending edge wave in the absence of the pore structure. The impacts of the various parameters included in the considered model are examined using a numerical example, from which conclusions regarding their sensitivity are derived.
The Role of Women in Translation History: Translating and Collaborating in the Re-shaping of Italy in the Early Romantic Period
Authors: Agorni Mirella
Published: February 2024

Translation plays a crucial role in moments of transition, yet its role in the development of new modes of female expression has only recently started to be explored. The key reason for this neglect is the supposedly derivative nature of translation, seen as an activity secondary to original writing. I will argue that the specificity of women’s contribution to translation can prove to be a highly productive source for historical analyses of cultural developments. The focus on gender allows critics to question the definition of translation as a unitary category, effectively bringing to the fore a set of peripheral textual and interpersonal practices. The role played by early nineteenth-century women in the renewal of Italian literature and the introduction of new approaches to translation has not received sufficient attention. In this sense, the introduction of the pedagogical novel—a new genre for the Italian literary panorama—through translations by women is particularly relevant. It is in this context that Bianca Milesi, translator of Maria Edgeworth’s pedagogical writings, emerges as a cultural mediator and bearer of the social and liberal values of Italian Romanticism.
Gender and Education in Eighteenth-century Spanish American Newspapers
Authors: Meléndez Mariselle
Published: February 2024

This essay focuses on the study of two main Spanish American colonial newspapers, Mercurio Peruano (1791–1795) and Papel periódico de la Ciudad de Santafé de Bogotá (1791–1797), to understand how the role of women regarding education was debated in articles authored about women and by women. It examines the role that these newspapers had as discursive artifacts of cultural and gender mediation when it came to the important topic of public education. My critical intervention departs from the idea that the geographic localities in which these discourses were originated impacted the way women’s roles in society were viewed by male editors while also underscoring how women themselves understood their contributions and place in it. Particular attention is paid to how such gender constructions were connected to European debates taking place at the time about how women ought to be educated.
A Woman Between Two Cities: Louise d’Épinay, Paris and Geneva
Authors: La Vopa Anthony J.
Published: February 2024

In 1771–1772 Louise d’Épinay (1726–1783) wrote two letters from Paris to her friend abbé Ferdinando Galiani (1728–1787) in Naples that can fairly be called uncompromising statements of rationalist feminism. Of the many sources of her feminism, this essay will focus on a fundamental experience: her two-year visit to Geneva in the late 1750s for medical treatment. This visit gave her a new critical distance on the high society of Paris, from which she already felt alienated. It introduced her to a Republican political culture (although entirely seen through the eyes of the patriciate that ruled the city) and made her familiar with Stoic philosophy through her interactions with her physician Théodore Tronchin (1709–1781). Through her gigantic epistolary novel Histoire de Madame de Montbrillant, short essays she wrote in Geneva, and her correspondence with her partner Friedrich Melchior Grimm (1723–1807), I will show how the tensions between the Paris that had formed her and the Geneva that she felt transforming her generated her later feminist convictions. Those convictions took shape in a binary between an idealized Geneva, devoted to a work ethic and to civic duty, and a Parisian high society that she found superficial, false and devoted blindly to conspicuous consumption.
Containment of Crises
Authors: Braithwaite John
Published: February 2024

Virtuous path dependency of regulatory preparedness, welfare preparedness, and market preparedness are needed for crisis responsiveness. Acting alone, strong markets that put a price on carbon fail to tame climate change without prosecution of carbon fraud and without state closures of power plants and carbon-intensive production lines. Responsive regulation of powerful interests is imperative because of gaming catastrophe through organizational power. The military-industrial complex games war to sell weapons. High finance games tax and market rules to make the fabric of law more complex, widening gaps between rich and poor. Industrial capital games environmental enforcement and carbon pricing by carbon fraud, offsets fraud, and greenwashing. Big pharma games patents, monopolizing profiteering from pandemics, widening rich–poor health gaps.
Introduction: Practices, Strategies, and Methodologies of Experimental Control in Historical Perspective
Authors: Schickore Jutta
Published: February 2024

The introduction distinguishes four distinct strands in the history of experimental control. The first is the historical development of control practices to stabilize and standardize experimental conditions. The second is the emergence and career of the comparative design in experimentation, understood as a way of generating and securing knowledge of cause-effect relations. The third involves the unfolding, both in philosophy of science and in the sciences themselves, of methodological discussions on control practices and designs in experimental practice. The fourth is the history of the term “(experimental) control.” The introduction describes how the contributions to this volume address these aspects of experimental control.
Wissen. Können. Weitergeben. – Zur Umsetzung der UNESCO-Konvention in Deutschland
Authors: Hanke Benjamin
Published: February 2024

Dieses Kapitel analysiert durch die Auswertung der identifizierten Dokumente und der Experteninterviews die konkrete Umsetzung der UNESCO-Konvention zur Erhaltung des immateriellen Kulturerbes in Deutschland. Die Unterkapitel folgen den Phasen des Policy-Cycle, der dieser Arbeit als Modell zugrunde liegt: von der Identifikation des politisch zu behandelnden Problems und seiner Platzierung auf der kulturpolitischen Agenda über die Politikformulierung zu seiner Lösung bis hin zur Überführung in eine Politik der Erhaltung des Immateriellen Kulturerbes und ihre Evaluierung.
Satukangeun Lalangsé: Sundanese Sexuality From Behind the Curtain
Authors: Watson C. W.
Published: February 2024

The weekly popular tabloid newspaper Galura is published in Sundanese in Bandung and has a circulation of 9,000. It is part of the Pikiran Rakyat, the daily Bandung Indonesian language newspaper group. It contains news items and features about West Javanese society past and present and is clearly designed to stimulate a sense of local pride in Sundanese achievements and Sundanese cultural artefacts and performances. One regular feature of the newspaper since 2008 is a page entitled Satukangeun Lalangsé (Behind the Curtain). This page relates what are said to be true stories about the trials and tribulations of married couples and families, always described from a first-person perspective. The aim of this contribution is twofold. First, it aims at shedding light on how the stories endorse the opinion that Sundanese women are often deceived in their hopes of what marriage will bring and that their hopes are frustrated by the hand of fate, the arbitrariness of their husband’s behaviour, or the ingratitude of their children. Second, it adds to our understanding of how the description of polygamy, adultery, and unexpected family misfortunes correspond to what people would understand to be plausible and possible within the institutions of the familyand marriage.
A discrete basis for celestial holography
Authors: Freidel Laurent , Pranzetti Daniele , Raclariu Ana-Maria
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Celestial holography provides a reformulation of scattering amplitudes in four dimensional asymptotically flat spacetimes in terms of conformal correlators of operators on the two dimensional celestial sphere in a basis of boost eigenstates. A basis of massless particle states has been previously identified in terms of conformal primary wavefunctions labeled by a boost weight ∆ = 1+iλ with λ ∈ ℝ. Here we show that a discrete orthogonal and complete basis exists for ∆ ∈ ℤ. This new basis consists of a tower of discrete memory and Goldstone observables, which are conjugate to each other and allow to reconstruct gravitational signals belonging to the Schwartz space. We show how generalized dressed states involving the whole tower of Goldstone operators can be constructed and evaluate the higher spin Goldstone 2-point functions. Finally, we recast the tower of higher spin charges providing a representation of the w1+∞ loop algebra (in the same helicity sector) in terms of the new discrete basis.
Dynamical evolution of spinodal decomposition in holographic superfluids
Authors: Zhao Xin , Nie Zhang-Yu , Zhao Zi-Qiang , Zeng Hua-Bi , Tian Yu , Baggioli Matteo
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We study the nonlinear dynamical evolution of spinodal decomposition in a first-order superfluid phase transition using a simple holographic model in the probe limit. We first confirm the linear stability analysis based on quasinormal modes and verify the existence of a critical length scale related to a gradient instability — negative speed of sound squared — of the superfluid sound mode, which is a consequence of a negative thermodynamic charge susceptibility. We present a comparison between our case and the standard Cahn-Hilliard equation for spinodal instability, in which a critical length scale can be also derived based on a diffusive instability. We then perform several numerical tests which include the nonlinear time evolution directly from an unstable state and fast quenches from a stable to an unstable state in the spinodal region. Our numerical results provide a real time description of spinodal decomposition and phase separation in one and two spatial dimensions. We reveal the existence of four different stages in the dynamical evolution, and characterize their main properties. Finally, we investigate the strength of dynamical heterogeneity using the spatial variance of the local chemical potential and we correlate the latter to other features of the dynamical evolution.
Agent-Based Principal Strips Modeling for Freeform Surfaces in Architecture
Authors: Chai Hua , Orozco Luis , Kannenberg Fabian , Siriwardena Lasath , Schwinn Tobias , Liu Hanning , Menges Achim , Yuan Philip F.
Published: February 2024

The principal curvature (PC) of a freeform surface, as an important indicator of its fundamental features, is frequently used to guide their rationalization in the field of architectural geometry. The division of a surface using its PC lines into principal strips (PSs) is an innovative way to break down a freeform surface for construction. However, the application of PC networks in architectural design is hindered by the difficulty to generate them and flexibly control their density. This paper introduces a method for PS-based reconstruction of freeform surfaces with different umbilical conditions in the early stages of design. An agent-based modeling approach is developed to find the umbilics and increase the degree of control over the spacing of PC lines. This research can effectively expand the application range of PS-based surface reconstruction methods for freeform architectures.
Red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta buren workers do not have ovaries
Authors: Hoffmann B. D. , Pettit M. , Ghodke Amol Bharat
Published: February 2024

Workers of the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta are repeatedly claimed in the literature not to have ovaries. Here, we demonstrate that we cannot find a source publication that proves the statement, and we show how publications are erroneously citing this statement. To remedy this gap, we dissected 87 S. invicta workers over a range of worker sizes, and demonstrate that S. invicta workers do not have reproductive organs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time such a demonstration has been published in the scientific literature. We flag that the same issue of a lack of published evidence for the same statement likely exists for many other species and genera, precluding the ability for appropriate referencing of such details.
Associations between hair-derived cannabinoid levels, self-reported use, and cannabis-related problems
Authors: Kroon Emese , Cousijn Janna , Filbey Francesca , Berchtold Christian , Binz Tina M. , Kuhns Lauren
Published: February 2024

Rationale

As cannabis potency and cannabis use are increasing in newly legalized markets, it is increasingly important to measure and examine the effects of cannabinoid exposure.

Objectives

The current study aims to assess how hair-derived cannabinoid concentrations – offering insight into three-month cumulative exposure – are associated with common self-report measures of cannabis use and cannabis use-related problems.

Methods

74 near-daily dependent cannabis users self-reported their quantity of cannabis use, cannabis use-related problems, and estimated cannabis potency. Hair samples were provided to quantify Δ9-THC, CBD, and CBN using LC–MS/MS and THC-consumption was verified by analyzing THC-COOH in hair using GC–MS/MS.

Results

Cannabinoids were detectable in 95.95% of the hair samples from individuals who tested positive on a urine screen for cannabis. Δ9-THC concentrations were positively associated with measures of self-reported potency (relative potency, potency category, and perceived ‘high’), but Δ9-THC, CBD, CBN concentrations and THC/CBD ratio were not associated with self-reported quantity of use. Self-reported potency, but not hair-derived concentrations, were associated with withdrawal and craving. Self-reported quantity of cannabis use, but not cannabinoid concentrations, were associated with cannabis use-related problems.

Conclusions

The use of hair-derived cannabinoid quantification is supported for detecting cannabis use in near-daily users, but the lack of associations between hair-derived cannabinoid concentrations and self-report measures of use does not support the use of hair analyses alone for quantification of cannabinoid exposure. Further research comparing hair-derived cannabinoid concentrations with other biological matrices (e.g. plasma) and self-report is necessary to further evaluate the validity of hair analyses for this purpose.
Topological Strings on Non-commutative Resolutions
Authors: Katz Sheldon , Klemm Albrecht , Schimannek Thorsten , Sharpe Eric
Published: February 2024

In this paper we propose a definition of torsion refined Gopakumar–Vafa (GV) invariants for Calabi–Yau threefolds with terminal nodal singularities that do not admit Kähler crepant resolutions. Physically, the refinement takes into account the charge of five-dimensional BPS states under a discrete gauge symmetry in M-theory. We propose a mathematical definition of the invariants in terms of the geometry of all non-Kähler crepant resolutions taken together. The invariants are encoded in the A-model topological string partition functions associated to non-commutative (nc) resolutions of the Calabi–Yau. Our main example will be a singular degeneration of the generic Calabi–Yau double cover of $${\mathbb {P}}^3$$

P

3

and leads to an enumerative interpretation of the topological string partition function of a hybrid Landau–Ginzburg model. Our results generalize a recent physical proposal made in the context of torus fibered Calabi–Yau manifolds by one of the authors and clarify the associated enumerative geometry.
Dynamics of Gut Bacteria Across Different Zooplankton Genera in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Xu Tianshuo , Novotny Andreas , Zamora-Terol Sara , Hambäck Peter A. , Winder Monika
Published: February 2024

In aquatic ecosystems, zooplankton-associated bacteria potentially have a great impact on the structure of ecosystems and trophic networks by providing various metabolic pathways and altering the ecological niche of host species. To understand the composition and drivers of zooplankton gut microbiota, we investigated the associated microbial communities of four zooplankton genera from different seasons in the Baltic Sea using the 16S rRNA gene. Among the 143 ASVs (amplified sequence variants) observed belonging to heterotrophic bacteria, 28 ASVs were shared across all zooplankton hosts over the season, and these shared core ASVs represented more than 25% and up to 60% of relative abundance in zooplankton hosts but were present at low relative abundance in the filtered water. Zooplankton host identity had stronger effects on bacterial composition than seasonal variation, with the composition of gut bacterial communities showing host-specific clustering patterns. Although bacterial compositions and dominating core bacteria were different between zooplankton hosts, higher gut bacteria diversity and more bacteria contributing to the temporal variation were found in Temora and Pseudocalanus, compared to Acartia and Synchaeta. Diet diatom and filamentous cyanobacteria negatively correlated with gut bacteria diversity, but the difference in diet composition did not explain the dissimilarity of gut bacteria composition, suggesting a general effect of diet on the inner conditions in the zooplankton gut. Synchaeta maintained high stability of gut bacterial communities with unexpectedly low bacteria-bacteria interactions as compared to the copepods, indicating host-specific regulation traits. Our results suggest that the patterns of gut bacteria dynamics are host-specific and the variability of gut bacteria is not only related to host taxonomy but also related to host behavior and life history traits.
Resolving unknown nucleotides in the IPD-IMGT/HLA database by extended and full-length sequencing of HLA class I and II alleles
Authors: Voorter Christina E. M. , Groeneweg Mathijs , Olieslagers Timo I. , Fae Ingrid , Fischer Gottfried F. , Andreani Marco , Troiano Maria , Vidan-Jeras Blanka , Montanic Sendi , Hepkema Bouke G. , Bungener Laura B. , Tilanus Marcel G. J. , Wieten Lotte
Published: February 2024

In the past, identification of HLA alleles was limited to sequencing the region of the gene coding for the peptide binding groove, resulting in a lack of sequence information in the HLA database, challenging HLA allele assignment software programs. We investigated full-length sequences of 19 HLA class I and 7 HLA class II alleles, and we extended another 47 HLA class I alleles with sequences of 5′ and 3′ UTR regions that were all not yet available in the IPD-IMGT/HLA database. We resolved 8638 unknown nucleotides in the coding sequence of HLA class I and 2139 of HLA class II. Furthermore, with full-length sequencing of the 26 alleles, more than 90 kb of sequence information was added to the non-coding sequences, whereas extension of the 47 alleles resulted in the addition of 5.5 kb unknown nucleotides to the 5′ UTR and > 31.7 kb to the 3′ UTR region. With this information, some interesting features were observed, like possible recombination events and lineage evolutionary origins. The continuing increase in the availability of full-length sequences in the HLA database will enable the identification of the evolutionary origin and will help the community to improve the alignment and assignment accuracy of HLA alleles.
Altered biodistribution of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC during somatostatin analogue treatment
Authors: van de Weijer T. , Bemer F. , de Vos-Geelen J. , Hermans B. , Mitea C. , van der Pol J. A. J. , Lodewick T. , Wildberger J. E. , Mottaghy F. M.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The need for an interval between the administration of long-acting Somatostatin Receptor Analogues (SSA) and the [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET has been questioned based on recent literature in the new EANM guidelines. Here an earlier studies showed that SSA injection immediately before SSTR PET had minimal effect on normal organ and tumor uptake (1). However, data are scarce and there are (small) differences between [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE and [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC binding affinity, and it remains unknown whether these findings can be directly translated to scans with [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC as well. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of SSA use on the biodistribution in a subsequent [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET/CT and compare this intra-individually across several cycles of SSA treatments.

Methods

Retrospectively, 35 patients with NENs were included. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET at staging and after the 1st and 2nd cycle of SSA were included. SUVmean and SUVmax of blood, visceral organs, primary tumor and two metastases were determined. Also, the interval between SSA therapy and the PET scan was registered.

Results

Treatment with SSA resulted in a significantly higher bloodpool activity and lower visceral tracer uptake. This effect was maintained after a 2nd cycle of SSA therapy. Furthermore, there was an inverse relationship between bloodpool tracer availability and visceral tracer binding and a positive correlation between bloodpool tracer availability and primary tumor tracer uptake. With an interval of up to 5 days, there was a significantly higher bloodpool activity than at longer intervals.

Conclusion

Absolute comparison of the SUV on [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET should be done with caution as the altered biodistribution of the tracer after SSA treatment should be taken into account. We recommend not to perform a scan within the first 5 days after the injection of lanreotide.
Thermodynamic mixing properties of disordered alkali feldspar solid-solution from Na–K partitioning and low-temperature calorimetry
Authors: Heuser D. , Petrishcheva E. , Ingegneri F. , Lengauer C. L. , Dachs E. , Hauzenberger C. , Abart R.
Published: February 2024

The equilibrium partitioning of Na and K between alkali feldspar and NaCl–KCl salt melt was determined at 800 $$^\circ$$

∘

C, 850 $$^\circ$$

∘

C, 900 $$^\circ$$

∘

C, 950 $$^\circ$$

∘

C and 1000 $$^\circ$$

∘

C and close to ambient pressure. Four different natural gem-quality alkali feldspars with low degree of Al–Si ordering covering the range from orthoclase to high sanidine and with slightly different minor element concentrations were used as starting materials. The partitioning curves obtained for the four feldspars are indistinguishable indicating that Na–K partitioning independent of the differences of Al–Si ordering state and minor element concentrations existing amongst these feldspars. A sub-regular two parameter Margules type solution model was fitted to the partitioning data, and the excess Gibbs energy describing the thermodynamic non-ideality of the alkali feldspar solid-solution and the respective Margules parameters $$W_{\text {g}\text {K}}$$

W
gK

and $$W_{\text {g}\text {Na}}$$

W

g

including their temperature dependence expressed as $$W_g=W_h-TW_s$$

W
g

=

W
h

-
T

W
s

were determined: $$\begin{aligned} W_{\text {g}\text {K}}&= 19754 \pm 3140 J\cdot \,\,{\hbox {mol}}\,\,^{-1} - T \cdot 2.33 \pm 2.67 J\cdot \,\,{\hbox {mol}}\,\,^{-1}\cdot K^{-1} \\ W_{\text {g}\text {Na}}&= 14916 \pm 4272 J\cdot \,\,{\hbox {mol}}\,\,^{-1} - T \cdot 3.55 \pm 3.64 J\cdot {\hbox {mol}}\,\,^{-1}\cdot K^{-1} \\ \end{aligned}$$

W
gK

=
19754
±
3140
J
·

mol

-
1

-
T
·
2.33
±
2.67
J
·

mol

-
1

·

K

-
1

W

g

=
14916
±
4272
J
·

mol

-
1

-
T
·
3.55
±
3.64
J
·
mol

-
1

·

K

-
1

The corresponding solvus has a critical temperature slightly above 650 $$^\circ$$

∘

C and is well comparable with earlier direct experimental determinations of the low-sanidine-albite solvus curve. Comparison of the vibrational excess entropy determined from low-temperature heat capacity measurements with the total excess entropy derived from the temperature dependence of the excess Gibbs energy yields a negative configurational contribution to the excess entropy pointing towards short-range Na–K ordering on the alkali site.
Optimization of dry laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes for electrocardiography (ECG) signals monitoring
Authors: Gerardo Denice , Houeix Yann , Romero Francisco J. , Moraila Carmen L. , Blasco-Pascual Isabel , Pérez-Cadenas María , Morales Diego P. , Rodriguez Noel , Salinas-Castillo Alfonso
Published: February 2024

This work presents the optimization of the fabrication procedure for laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes intended for biopotentials acquisition. The results presented in this study demonstrate a significant improvement with respect to the performance obtained for other LIG-based electrodes previously reported in the literature. In particular, we propose the use of a galvanometric laser instead of a CNC laser to improve the engraving resolution and the LIG synthesis process, thus enhancing the surface area of the interface skin–electrode. For that, we have studied the resistance of the resulting LIG patterns as a function of the laser parameters (engraving power and scan speed) seeking their optimization. After tunning the laser fabrication process, we have fabricated and characterized electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes with different surface areas using a commercial silver-based electrode as a reference. Thus, circular electrodes with a diameter of 15 mm, 10 mm and 6.5 mm were used to acquire the ECG on different volunteers using a commercial equipment. The signals acquired were processed afterwards with cutting edge processing techniques to perform a statistical analysis in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive prediction and accuracy for the detection of QRS complexes. The results demonstrate that the proposed electrodes improve the signal acquisition with respect to the previously reported LIG-based electrodes in terms of noise and do present comparable or even better results than commercial electrodes (even with a smaller surface area) with the additional advantage of not requiring the use of an electrolyte gel.
The intersection of sleep and synaptic translation in synaptic plasticity deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Coulson Rochelle L. , Mourrain Philippe , Wang Gordon X.
Published: February 2024

Individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders experience persistent sleep deficits, and there is increasing evidence that sleep dysregulation is an underlying cause, rather than merely an effect, of the synaptic and behavioral defects observed in these disorders. At the molecular level, dysregulation of the synaptic proteome is a common feature of neurodevelopmental disorders, though the mechanism connecting these molecular and behavioral phenotypes is an ongoing area of investigation. A role for eIF2α in shifting the local proteome in response to changes in the conditions at the synapse has emerged. Here, we discuss recent progress in characterizing the intersection of local synaptic translation and sleep and propose a reciprocal mechanism of dysregulation in the development of synaptic plasticity defects in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Is high salt intake inducing obesity via production of cortisol? A novel working hypothesis and pilot study
Authors: Nowell Anthony , Torres Susan J. , Hall Sarah J. , Keske Michelle A. , Torpy David J. , Parker Lewan , Betik Andrew C. , Turner Anne I.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Evidence is growing that high salt intake is an independent risk factor for obesity, but the mechanisms are unknown. Our novel working hypothesis is that high salt intake drives cortisol production, which in turn, drives obesity. The current study aimed to demonstrate an acute cortisol response following a single high salt meal.

Methods

Eight participants (age 30.5 ± 9.8 years [mean ± SD], 50% female), consumed high salt (3.82 g; 1529 mg sodium) and low salt (0.02 g; 9 mg sodium) meals in a randomized cross-over design.

Results

Urinary and salivary cortisol and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) demonstrated order effects. When high salt was given second, there was a peak above baseline for urinary cortisol (26.3%), salivary cortisol (9.4%) and plasma ACTH (4.1%) followed by a significant decline in each hormone (treatment*time, F[9, 18] = 2.641, p = 0.038, partial η2 = 0.569; treatment*time, F[12, 24] = 2.668, p = 0.020, partial η2 = 0.572; treatment*time, F[12, 24] = 2.580, p = 0.023, partial η2 = 0.563, respectively), but not when high salt was given first (p > 0.05 for all).

Conclusion

These intriguing findings provide partial support for our hypothesis and support a need for further research to elucidate the role of high salt intake in cortisol production and, in turn, in the aetiology of obesity.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12623000490673; date of registration 12/05/2023; retrospectively registered.
Impact of obesity in the identification of the sentinel lymph node in endometrial cancer: a retrospective, monocentric study and literature review
Authors: Insalaco Giulio , Incognito Giosuè Giordano , Genovese Fortunato , Gulino Ferdinando Antonio , Rivoli Luca , Ciancio Fabio , Valenti Gaetano , Incognito Dalila , Carbone Ludovico , Palumbo Marco
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the sentinel lymph node (SLN) protocol for staging endometrial carcinomas, assessing its impact on surgical management, and determining indications for adjuvant therapies. The study also examines factors that may influence SNL mapping, particularly focusing on the failure of the technique due to obesity.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of patients with a histological diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma, who underwent surgical staging with SLN biopsy. The lymph node status was compared between non-obese (group 1) and obese (group 2) patients.

Results

71 women were included in the study, of which 33 were non-obese (46.5%) and 38 were obese (53.5%). The failure detection rate was higher in obese patients (14, 36.8%) compared to non-obese patients (5, 15.2%) (p = 0.039). The risk of mapping failure increased by 1.6 times for every 5-unit increase in body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.672, 95% CI 1.024–2.730, p = 0.040). BMI was confirmed as an independent risk factor for mapping failure in both univariate (OR 3.267, 95% CI 1.027–10.395, p = 0.045) and multivariate analyses (OR 5.779, 95% CI 1.320–25.297, p = 0.020).

Conclusion

SLN detection in obese patients requires great care, as obesity may alter the sensitivity of the technique.
Don’t delay, but don’t despair: symptom duration, comorbidity and outcome after closure of spinal cerebrospinal fluid leaks
Authors: Volz Florian , El Rahal Amir , Fung Christian , Shah Mukesch , Lützen Niklas , Urbach Horst , Beck Jürgen , Wolf Katharina
Published: February 2024

Objective

Microsurgical sealing of spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks is a viable treatment option in spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). Several factors may influence the outcome, with symptom duration probably the most modifiable variable.

Methods

Patients with closure of spinal CSF leaks between September 2020 and March 2023 and a follow-up period of 6 months were included in this retrospective single-center study. Pre- and postoperative scores for impact of headaches (Headache Impact Test, HIT-6) and quality of life (QoL, EQ-5D-5L) were systematically collected. Multiple regression modelling and subgroup analyses for different symptom durations and comorbidities were performed for these outcomes.

Results

One hundred patients (61% female, median age 43.5 years) were included. Six months postoperatively, there was significant improvement in headache impact (HIT-6: 66 (IQR 62–69) to 52 (IQR 40–61, p < 0.001) and QoL (EQ-5D-5L VAS: 40 (IQR 30–60) to 79 (IQR 60–90); EQ-5D-5L Index: 0.67 (IQR 0.35–0.8) to 0.91 (IQR 0.8–0.94, p < 0.001, respectively). Subgroup analysis for a symptom duration above (74%) and below 90 days (26%) and comorbidity, as well as multiple regression analysis, revealed a trend in favor of early treatment and lower comorbidity. However, even after a prolonged symptom duration, improvements were significant.

Conclusion

As patients with shorter symptom duration show a trend for a better outcome, our results promote a timely diagnosis and treatment in SIH patients. However, a significant postoperative improvement can still be expected even after a prolonged symptom duration.
Metabolic characteristics of transmembrane prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H-TM) deficient mice
Authors: Ala-Nisula Tuulia , Halmetoja Riikka , Leinonen Henri , Kurkela Margareta , Lipponen Henna-Riikka , Sakko Samuli , Karpale Mikko , Salo Antti M. , Sissala Niina , Röning Tapio , Raza Ghulam S. , Mäkelä Kari A. , Thevenot Jérôme , Herzig Karl-Heinz , Serpi Raisa , Myllyharju Johanna , Tanila Heikki , Koivunen Peppi , Dimova Elitsa Y.
Published: February 2024

Transmembrane prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H-TM) is an enigmatic enzyme whose cellular function and primary substrate remain to be identified. Its loss-of-function mutations cause a severe neurological HIDEA syndrome with hypotonia, intellectual disability, dysautonomia and hypoventilation. Previously, P4H-TM deficiency in mice was associated with reduced atherogenesis and lower serum triglyceride levels. Here, we characterized the glucose and lipid metabolism of P4h-tm−/− mice in physiological and tissue analyses. P4h-tm−/− mice showed variations in 24-h oscillations of energy expenditure, VO2 and VCO2 and locomotor activity compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Their rearing activity was reduced, and they showed significant muscle weakness and compromised coordination. Sedated P4h-tm−/− mice had better glucose tolerance, lower fasting insulin levels, higher fasting lactate levels and lower fasting free fatty acid levels compared to WT. These alterations were not present in conscious P4h-tm−/− mice. Fasted P4h-tm−/− mice presented with faster hepatic glycogenolysis. The respiratory rate of conscious P4h-tm−/− mice was significantly lower compared to the WT, the decrease being further exacerbated by sedation and associated with acidosis and a reduced ventilatory response to both hypoxia and hypercapnia. P4H-TM deficiency in mice is associated with alterations in whole-body energy metabolism, day-night rhythm of activity, glucose homeostasis and neuromuscular and respiratory functions. Although the underlying mechanism(s) are not yet fully understood, the phenotype appears to have neurological origins, controlled by brain and central nervous system circuits. The phenotype of P4h-tm−/− mice recapitulates some of the symptoms of HIDEA patients, making this mouse model a valuable tool to study and develop tailored therapies.
Atopic dermatitis in early life and pain at 10 years of age: An exploratory study
Authors: Gorito Vanessa , Brandão Maria , Azevedo Inês , Moreira André , Lucas Raquel
Published: February 2024

Pain is a distinctive burden in atopic dermatitis and recognized as an important and highly prevalent symptom. It is unknown if the presence of atopic disease may sensitize children to adverse pain profiles in the long term. We aimed to assess the impact of early-life atopic dermatitis-like symptoms on pain at 10 years of age. We used data from 1302 and 874 participants of the Generation XXI birth cohort evaluated at 6 and 15 months, respectively, and 10 years. Atopy-like symptoms since birth, including atopic dermatitis, were collected at ages 6 and 15 months by interviewing parents. Pain history in the last 3 months at age 10 was collected from parents and children using structured questionnaires. We computed relative risks (RR) and respective 95% confidence intervals of pain features at age 10 according to each atopic-like symptom at 6 and 15 months. Children whose parents reported atopic dermatitis-like symptoms at 6 months and at 15 months had higher risk of reporting any pain (RR 1.75 [1.15–2.66]) and multisite pain, respectively (RR 1.67 [1.18–2.37]) at 10 years of age.

  Conclusion: Atopic dermatitis symptoms in early life were associated with a higher risk of pain at age 10, suggesting that potential for sensitization during the first decade of life and highlighting the importance of improving the health care of children with atopic dermatitis is worth investigating.

What is Known:• Atopic disorders have been associated with many non-atopic comorbidities, including chronic pain.• Pain and atopic dermatitis share common inflammatory pathways. Inflammation, injury to the skin from scratching, fissures, and intolerance to irritants related to atopic dermatitis can cause pain.

What is New:• Atopic dermatitis in early life is linked to an increased likelihood of experiencing pain at the age of 10, which suggests that exploring the potential for sensitization is a worthwhile area of investigation.• Our proof-of-concept study highlights the potential benefit of studying management targets and improving itching and relieving skin pain as quickly as possible, avoiding potential long-term consequences of the sensitization process.
Helicobacter pylori upregulates circPGD and promotes development of gastric cancer
Authors: Zhao Wenjun , Yao Zhendong , Cao Jia , Liu Yun , Zhu Linqi , Mao Boneng , Cui Feilun , Shao Shihe
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has unique biochemical traits and pathogenic mechanisms, which make it a substantial cause of gastrointestinal cancers. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have concurrently been identified as an important participating factor in the pathophysiology of several different cancers. However, the underlying processes and putative interactions between H. pylori and circRNAs have received very little attention. To address this issue, we explored the interaction between H. pylori and circRNAs to investigate how they might jointly contribute to the occurrence and development of gastric cancer.

Methods

Changes in circPGD expression in H. pylori were detected using qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation and migration changes were assayed by colony formation, the CCK-8 assay and the transwell assay. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Western blot was conducted to detect changes in cell migration, apoptosis, proliferation and inflammation-associated proteins. QRT-PCR was used to measure changes in circPGD and inflammation-associated factors.

Results

We found that H. pylori induced increased circPGD expression in infected human cells and facilitated gastric cancer progression in three ways by promoting cell proliferation and migration, enhancing the inflammatory response, and inhibiting apoptosis.

Conclusions

CircPGD appears to play a role in H. pylori-related gastric cancer and may thus be a viable, novel target for therapeutic intervention.
Impacts of heatwaves on type 2 diabetes mortality in China: a comparative analysis between coastal and inland cities
Authors: Zheng Wenxiu , Chu Jie , Bambrick Hilary , Wang Ning , Mengersen Kerrie , Guo Xiaolei , Hu Wenbiao
Published: February 2024

The impacts of extreme temperatures on diabetes have been explored in previous studies. However, it is unknown whether the impacts of heatwaves appear variations between inland and coastal regions. This study aims to quantify the associations between heat exposure and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) deaths in two cities with different climate features in Shandong Province, China. We used a case-crossover design by quasi-Poisson generalized additive regression with a distributed lag model with lag 2 weeks, controlling for relative humidity, the concentration of air pollution particles with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5), and seasonality. The wet- bulb temperature (Tw) was used to measure the heat stress of the heatwaves. A significant association between heatwaves and T2DM deaths was only found in the coastal city (Qingdao) at the lag of 2 weeks at the lowest Tw = 14℃ (relative risk (RR) = 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–2.02; women: RR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.02–2.24; elderly: RR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.08–2.09). The lag-specific effects were significant associated with Tw at lag of 1 week at the lowest Tw = 14℃ (RR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.26; women: RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01–1.31; elderly: RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03–1.28). However, no significant association was found in Jian city. The research suggested that Tw was significantly associated with T2DM mortality in the coastal city during heatwaves on T2DM mortality. Future strategies should be implemented with considering socio-environmental contexts in regions.
Continuous timely monitoring of core temperature with two wearable devices in pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer – a comparison study
Authors: Koenig Christa , Ammann Roland A. , Schneider Christine , Wyss Johanna , Roessler Jochen , Brack Eva
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Pediatric patients with cancer often develop chemotherapy-induced fever in neutropenia (FN), requiring emergency broad-spectrum antibiotics. Continuous temperature monitoring can lead to earlier FN detection and therapy with improved outcomes. We aimed to compare the feasibility of continuous core temperature monitoring with timely data availability between two wearable devices (WDs) in pediatric oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

In this prospective observational two-center study, 20 patients (median age: 8 years) undergoing chemotherapy simultaneously wore two WDs (CORE®, Everion®) for 14 days. The predefined goal was core temperature recorded in sufficient quality and available within ≤ 30 min during ≥ 18/24 h for ≥ 7/14 days in more than 15 patients.

Results

More patients reached the goal with CORE® (n = 13) versus Everion® (n = 3) (difference, 50% p < 0.001). After correcting for the transmission bottleneck caused by two WDs transmitting via one gateway, these numbers increased (n = 15 versus n = 14; difference, 5%; p = 0.69). CORE® measurements corresponded better to ear temperatures (n = 528; mean bias, − 0.07 °C; mean absolute difference, 0.35 °C) than Everion® measurements (n = 532; − 1.06 °C; 1.10 °C). Acceptance rates for the WDs were 95% for CORE® and 89% for Everion®.

Conclusion

The CORE® fulfilled the predefined feasibility criterion (15 of 20 patients) after correction for transmission bottleneck, and the Everion® nearly fulfilled it. Continuous core temperature recording of good quality and with timely data availability was feasible from preschool to adolescent patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. These results encourage the design of randomized controlled trials on continuously monitored core temperature in pediatric patients.

Trial registration.

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04914702) on June 7, 2021.
Spatio-temporal neural network with handcrafted features for skeleton-based action recognition
Authors: Nan Mihai , Trăscău Mihai , Florea Adina-Magda
Published: February 2024

The task of human action recognition (HAR) can be found in many computer vision practical applications. Various data modalities have been considered for solving this task, including joint-based skeletal representations which are suitable for real-time applications on platforms with limited computational resources. We propose a spatio-temporal neural network that uses handcrafted geometric features to classify human actions from video data. The proposed deep neural network architecture combines graph convolutional and temporal convolutional layers. The experiments performed on public HAR datasets show that our model obtains results similar to other state-of-the-art methods but has a lower inference time while offering the possibility to obtain an explanation for the classified action.
Die Geschichte der Psychosomatik in Österreich
Authors: Scheer Peter J.
Published: February 2024

Viele Geschichtsbücher sparen den Zeitraum 1933–45 aus. Deshalb wird die traurige Geschichte des Deutschen Instituts für psychologische Forschung und Psychotherapie unter der Leitung von M.H. Göring angerissen, um die widersprüchliche Aufrechterhaltung der Tiefenpsychologie im Dienste des Nationalsozialismus darzustellen. Im Exil andererseits haben bedeutende Kindertherapeuten, wie mein Lehrer Rudolf Eckstein als Psychoanalytiker gearbeitet und neue Erkenntnisse gewonnen. Als herausragendste Figur des nichterzwungenen österreichischen Exils kann Hans Selye gesehen werden, der in Kanada den „Stress“ als Ursache und Folge vieler Krankheiten erfand. Dies eröffnet der Psychosomatik neue Möglichkeiten. Durch diese Pioniere haben die Möglichkeiten der psychosomatischen Theorie und Therapie den Alltag erreicht.