bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bundle generation for the vehicle routing problem with occasional drivers and time windows
Authors: Mancini Simona , Gansterer Margaretha
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we address the vehicle routing problem (VRP) with occasional drivers (ODs) and time windows (TWs). The problem (VRP-OD-TW) is an extension of the VRP-OD, where ODs serve customers within given TWs. Differently from the basic version of VRP-OD-TW, we assume that ODs not only accept single requests, but they can also serve bundles of requests. To deal with the bundle-to-driver assignment problem, an auction-based system has been designed; a company offers a set of bundles to the ODs, who bid for all the bundles they consider attractive. There is no limit on the number of bids a driver can place, but at most one bid per OD can be assigned to avoid infeasible workloads. This system could yield a large cost reduction for the company, but its success is strongly related to the bundles offered. Hence, determining bundles which are attractive for ODs and profitable for the company, becomes a crucial issue. We propose two different bundling strategies, which make use of a spatial-temporal representation of customers in a three-dimensional (3D) space. The former is based on the generation of 3D corridors, while the latter relies on 3D clustering techniques. Through extensive computational results, we show that the former technique outperforms the latter in terms of both solution quality and computational times and that both the approaches strongly outperform bundle generation techniques that neglect the temporal dimension and rely only on spatial information.
Genetic comparisons of the invasive pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana from wild and pet shop populations in Germany
Authors: Benedict Alia , Kuehn Ralph , Stoeckle Bernhard C. , Geist Juergen
Published: January 2024

Successful aquatic biological invasions are often dependent on human vectors. The Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana is a fast-growing, high-filtering, and highly fecund unionid bivalve that has expanded rapidly throughout Europe in the last several decades. Human-mediated vectors such as fish aquaculture and pet shop trade are believed to be primary drivers of the mussel’s spread, but the specific dispersal pathways of S. woodiana remain unclear. We analyzed eleven microsatellites in 245 S. woodiana individuals from seven wild populations and three pet shops to assess genetic relatedness potential sources, and dispersal pathways of S. woodiana in Bavaria, Germany. Wild populations shared a single mitochondrial haplotype present in all European populations and shop-sourced individuals were genetically similar to wild populations. Only one wild population was structurally different than all other populations, which may be explained by its dispersal trajectory. Our results provide the first genetically informed insights into S. woodiana dispersal in the context of human activity. We underscore the value of genetic tools in invasive species management, which can uncover patterns of dispersal even on local scales.
Application of Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman Equation/Pontryagin’s Principle for Constrained Optimal Control
Authors: Weston Jerome , Tolić Domagoj , Palunko Ivana
Published: January 2024

This article applies novel results for infinite- and finite-horizon optimal control problems with nonlinear dynamics and constraints. We use the Valentine transformation to convert a constrained optimal control problem into an unconstrained one and show uniqueness of the value function to the corresponding Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation. From there, we show how to approximate the solution of the initial (in)finite-horizon problem with a family of solutions that is$$\varGamma $$Γ-convergent. Optimal solutions are efficiently obtained via a solver based on Pontryagin’s Principle (PP). The proposed methodology is demonstrated on the path planning problem using the full nonlinear dynamics of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) involving state constraints in 3D environments with obstacles.
Development and applications of accelerator mass spectrometry methods for measurement of 14C, 10Be and 26Al in the CENTA laboratory
Authors: Povinec Pavel P. , Kontuľ Ivan , Ješkovský Miroslav , Kaizer Jakub , Kvasniak Jakub , Pánik Ján , Zeman Jakub
Published: January 2024

Terrestrial and extraterrestrial radioisotope research has been strongly dependent on the development of analytical methods which would enable to trace radioisotopes at low concentrations in subgram samples (e.g., in tree rings, ice cores, meteorites, etc.). Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) has become the most sensitive technique for ultralow-level analysis of long-lived radioisotopes, such as 14C, 10Be and 26Al. We review developments and applications carried out in the CENTA laboratory, and describe a recently installed fully equipped AMS line, designed for analysis of long-lived radioisotopes from tritium to curium.
Towards a re-determination of the 42Ar half-life
Authors: Schumann D. , Maugeri E. , Dai Y. , Dressler R. , Köster U.
Published: January 2024

We report on a new measurement of the half-life of 42Ar by following its decay over a time period of more than 13 years using γ-ray spectrometry. The obtained value of (39.5 ± 3.6) y confirms the only other, previously measured value of (33 ± 2) y. However, since partial outgassing of the accumulated Ar from the sample cannot be excluded, this value should be understood as a lower limit. The sample has now been stored in a gas-tight quartz ampoule to enable further measurements excluding the outgas effect in order to confirm our finding.
Structural causal models reveal confounder bias in linear program modelling
Authors: Zečević Matej , Dhami Devendra Singh , Kersting Kristian
Published: January 2024

The recent years have been marked by extended research on adversarial attacks, especially on deep neural networks. With this work we intend on posing and investigating the question of whether the phenomenon might be more general in nature, that is, adversarial-style attacks outside classical classification tasks. Specifically, we investigate optimization problems as they constitute a fundamental part of modern AI research. To this end, we consider the base class of optimizers namely Linear Programs (LPs). On our initial attempt of a naïve mapping between the formalism of adversarial examples and LPs, we quickly identify the key ingredients missing for making sense of a reasonable notion of adversarial examples for LPs. Intriguingly, the formalism of Pearl’s notion to causality allows for the right description of adversarial like examples for LPs. Characteristically, we show the direct influence of the Structural Causal Model (SCM) onto the subsequent LP optimization, which ultimately exposes a notion of confounding in LPs (inherited by said SCM) that allows for adversarial-style attacks. We provide both the general proof formally alongside existential proofs of such intriguing LP-parameterizations based on SCM for three combinatorial problems, namely Linear Assignment, Shortest Path and a real world problem of energy systems.
Measuring a Critical Component of Contraceptive Decision Making: The Contraceptive Concerns and Beliefs Scale
Authors: Rocca Corinne H. , Muñoz Isabel , Rao Lavanya , Levin Sara , Tzvieli Ori , Harper Cynthia C.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Concerns about safety and side effects from contraceptives are widespread and related to reluctance to use them. Measuring these concerns is an essential component of understanding contraceptive decision-making and guiding contraceptive and interpregnancy clinical care.

Methods

We used qualitative research and item response theory to develop and test a psychometric instrument to measure contraceptive concerns and beliefs. We developed 55 candidate scale items and tested them among 572 adolescents and adults across nine California healthcare facilities in 2019–2020. We derived a 6-item scale and assessed differences by age and social determinants of health with multivariable regression.

Results

In qualitative data, participants voiced both concerns and positive beliefs about contraception. Quantitative survey respondents were aged 21 years on average, and 24% were parous. Over half (54%) worried contraception has dangerous side effects, and 39% worried it is unnatural. The mean Contraceptive Concerns score, increasing with higher concerns, was 1.85 (SD: 1.00, range 0–4, α = 0.81). Items fit a partial credit item response model and met prespecified criteria for internal structure validity. Contraceptive use declined with increasing Concerns score (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 0.81 [0.72–0.92]). Scores were elevated among Black (mean: 2.06; aβ = 0.34 [0.09, 0.59]) and Multiracial or other race (2.11; aβ = 0.34 [0.02, 0.66]) respondents vs. White (1.66), but not Latinx respondents (1.81; aβ = 0.11 [− 0.11, 0.33]). Scores were also elevated among participants with lower maternal education (high school/Associate’s 1.89 versus college 1.60; aβ = 0.28 [0.04, 0.53]).

Discussion

The psychometrically robust Concerns instrument can be used in research to measure autonomous contraceptive decision-making and to design person-centered care.
Expectation and judgment: towards a phenomenology of discrimination
Authors: Hedges Tris
Published: January 2024

In this paper, my aim is to develop a phenomenological understanding of discrimination from the perspective of the discriminator. Since early existential phenomenology, the phenomenon of discrimination has received a great deal of attention. While much of this work has focused on the experience of the discriminatee, recent scholarship has begun to reflect on the intentional structures on the side of the discriminator. In a contribution to this trend, I argue that our sense of what is (ab)normal plays a constitutively significant role in the reiteration and reinforcement of harmful discriminatory practices. More specifically, I argue that Husserl's distinction between two forms of normality, namely, concordance-normality [Einstimmigkeit] and optimal-normality [Optimalität], is an important tool for illuminating otherwise overlooked aspects of the discriminator's experience. I achieve this by demonstrating how these two notions of normality play distinct constitutive roles when comparing deliberate acts of discrimination committed with malintent, compared with more habitual and prereflective expectations which are already discriminatory in nucleo. I argue that at the heart of discriminatory practices there is a naïve, normalizing attempt to stabilize concordance at the expense of critical self-reflection, normative revisions, and enriched horizons of expectation. In doing so, this paper provides a novel and important contribution to philosophical discussions surrounding discrimination.
The role of microRNAs in brain metastasis
Authors: Hudson Kadie , Mondia Mark Willy , Zhang Ying , Saha Shekhar , Gibert Myron K. , Dube Collin , Sun Yunan , Marcinkiewicz Pawel , Fadul Camilo , Abounader Roger
Published: January 2024

Brain metastasis (BM) is the most common type of brain tumor and frequently foreshadows disease progression and poor overall survival with patients having a median survival of 6 months. 70,000 new cases of BM are diagnosed each year in the United States (US) and the incidence rate for BM is increasing with improved detection. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that serve as critical regulators of gene expression and can act as powerful oncogenes and tumor suppressors. MiRNAs have been heavily implicated in cancer and proposed as biomarkers or therapeutic targets or agents. In this review, we summarize an extensive body of scientific work investigating the role of microRNAs in BM. We discuss miRNA dysregulation, functions, targets, and mechanisms of action in BM and present the current standing of miRNAs as biomarkers and potential therapeutics for BM. We conclude with future directions of miRNA basic and clinical research in BM.
Fractional Derivative Description of the Bloch Space
Authors: Moreno Álvaro Miguel , Peláez José Ángel , de la Rosa Elena
Published: January 2024

We establish new characterizations of the Bloch space $$\mathcal {B}$$
B
which include descriptions in terms of classical fractional derivatives. Being precise, for an analytic function $$f(z)=\sum _{n=0}^\infty \widehat{f}(n) z^n$$

f

(
z
)

=

∑

n
=
0

∞

f
^

(
n
)

z
n

in the unit disc $$\mathbb {D}$$
D
, we define the fractional derivative $$ D^{\mu }(f)(z)=\sum \limits _{n=0}^{\infty } \frac{\widehat{f}(n)}{\mu _{2n+1}} z^n $$

D
μ

(
f
)

(
z
)

=

∑

n
=
0

∞

f
^

(
n
)

μ

2
n
+
1

z
n

induced by a radial weight $$\mu $$
μ
, where $$\mu _{2n+1}=\int _0^1 r^{2n+1}\mu (r)\,dr$$

μ

2
n
+
1

=

∫
0
1

r

2
n
+
1

μ

(
r
)

d
r

are the odd moments of $$\mu $$
μ
. Then, we consider the space $$ \mathcal {B}^\mu $$

B

μ

of analytic functions f in $$\mathbb {D}$$
D
such that $$\Vert f\Vert _{\mathcal {B}^\mu }=\sup _{z\in \mathbb {D}} \widehat{\mu }(z)|D^\mu (f)(z)|<\infty $$

‖
f
‖

B

μ

=

sup

z
∈
D

μ
^

(
z
)

|

D
μ

(
f
)

(
z
)

|

<
∞

, where $$\widehat{\mu }(z)=\int _{|z|}^1 \mu (s)\,ds$$

μ
^

(
z
)

=

∫

|
z
|

1

μ

(
s
)

d
s

. We prove that $$\mathcal {B}^\mu $$

B

μ

is continously embedded in $$\mathcal {B}$$
B
for any radial weight $$\mu $$
μ
, and $$\mathcal {B}=\mathcal {B}^\mu $$

B
=

B

μ

if and only if $$\mu \in \mathcal {D}=\widehat{\mathcal {D}}\cap \check{\mathcal {D}}$$

μ
∈
D
=

D
^

∩

D
ˇ

. A radial weight $$\mu \in \widehat{\mathcal {D}}$$

μ
∈

D
^

if $$\sup _{0\le r<1}\frac{\widehat{\mu }(r)}{\widehat{\mu }\left( \frac{1+r}{2}\right) }<\infty $$

sup

0
≤
r
<
1

μ
^

(
r
)

μ
^

1
+
r

2

<
∞

and a radial weight $$\mu \in \check{\mathcal {D}}$$

μ
∈

D
ˇ

if there exist $$K=K(\mu )>1$$

K
=
K
(
μ
)
>
1

such that $$\inf _{0\le r<1}\frac{\widehat{\mu }(r)}{\widehat{\mu }\left( 1-\frac{1-r}{K}\right) }>1.$$

inf

0
≤
r
<
1

μ
^

(
r
)

μ
^

1
-

1
-
r

K

>
1
.
Digital strategies for nitrogen management in grain production systems: lessons from multi-method assessment using on-farm experimentation
Authors: Colaço A. F. , Whelan B. M. , Bramley R. G. V. , Richetti J. , Fajardo M. , McCarthy A. C. , Perry E. M. , Bender A. , Leo S. , Fitzgerald G. J. , Lawes R. A.
Published: January 2024

During the past few decades, a range of digital strategies for Nitrogen (N) management using various types of input data and recommendation frameworks have been developed. Despite much research, the benefits accrued from such technology have been equivocal. In this work, thirteen methods for mid-season N recommendations in cereal production systems were evaluated simultaneously, ranging from simple mass balance through to non-mechanistic approaches based on machine learning. To achieve this, an extensive field research program was implemented, comprising twenty-one N strip trials implemented in wheat and barley fields across Australia over four cropping seasons. A moving window regression approach was used to generate crop response functions to applied N and calculate economically optimal N rates along the length of the strips. The N recommendations made using various methods were assessed based on the error against the optimal rate and expected profitability. The root mean squared error of the recommendations ranged from 15 to 57 kg/ha. The best performing method was a data-driven empirical strategy in which a multivariate input to characterise field and season conditions was abundantly available and used to predict optimal N rates using machine learning. This was the only approach with potential to substantially outperform the existing farmer management, reducing the recommendation error from 42 to 15 kg/ha and improving profitability by up to A$47/ha. Despite being reliant on extensive historical databases, such a framework shows a promising pathway to drive production systems closer towards season- and site-specific economically optimum recommendations. Automated on-farm experimentation is a key enabler for building the necessary crop response databases to run empirical data-driven decision tools.
Reconstructing Sunspot Number by Forward-Modelling Open Solar Flux
Authors: Owens Mathew J. , Lockwood Mike , Barnard Luke A. , Usoskin Ilya , Hayakawa Hisashi , Pope Benjamin J. S. , McCracken Ken
Published: January 2024

The open solar flux (OSF) is the integrated unsigned magnetic flux leaving the top of the solar atmosphere to form the heliospheric magnetic field. As the OSF modulates the intensity of galactic cosmic rays at Earth, the production rate of cosmogenic isotopes – such as 14C and 10Be stored in tree rings and ice sheets – is closely related to the OSF. Thus on the basis of cosmogenic isotope data, OSF can be reconstructed over millennia. As sunspots are related to the production of OSF, this provides the possibility of reconstructing sunspot number (SSN) and hence properties of the solar cycles prior to the first sunspot telescopic observations in 1610. However, while models exist for estimating OSF on the basis of SSN, the hysteresis present in OSF and the lack of a priori knowledge of the start/end dates of individual solar cycles means that directly inverting these models is not possible. We here describe a new method that uses a forward model of OSF to estimate SSN and solar cycle start/end dates through a Monte Carlo approach. The method is tested by application to geomagnetic reconstructions of OSF over the period 1845-present, and compared to the known SSN record for this period. There is a substantial improvement in reconstruction of both the SSN time series and the solar cycle start/end dates compared with existing OSF-SSN regression methods. This suggests that more accurate solar-cycle information can be extracted from cosmogenic isotope records by forward modelling, and also provides a means to assess the level of agreement between independent SSN and OSF reconstructions. We find the geomagnetic OSF and observed SSN agree very well after 1875, but do differ during the early part of the geomagnetic record, though still agree within the larger observational uncertainties.
Comparing the Tribological Performance of Water-Based and Oil-Based Drilling Fluids in Diamond–Rock Contacts
Authors: Bhamra Jagjeevan S. , Everhard Eliah M. , Bomidi John A. R. , Dini Daniele , Ewen James P.
Published: January 2024

Oil-based drilling fluids are usually assumed to provide lower friction compared to their water-based alternatives. However, clear evidence for this has only been presented for steel–rock and steel–steel contacts, which are representative of the interface between the drillstring and the borehole or casing. Another crucial interface that needs to be lubricated during drilling is that between the cutter (usually diamond) and the rock. Here, we present pin-on-disc tribometer experiments that show higher boundary friction for n-hexadecane-lubricated diamond–granite contacts than air- and water-lubricated contacts. Using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of a single-crystal diamond tip sliding on α-quartz, we show the same trend as in the experiments of increasing friction in the order: water < air < n-hexadecane. Analysis of the simulation results suggests that the friction differences between these systems are due to two factors: (i) the indentation depth of the diamond tip into the α-quartz substrate and (ii) the amount of interfacial bonding. The n-hexadecane system had the highest indentation depth, followed by air, and finally water. This suggests that n-hexadecane molecules reduce the hardness of α-quartz surfaces compared to water. The amount of interfacial bonding between the tip and the substrate is greatest for the n-hexadecane system, followed by air and water. This is because water molecules passivate terminate potential reactive sites for interfacial bonds on α-quartz by forming surface hydroxyl groups. The rate of interfacial bond formation increases exponentially with normal stress for all the systems. For each system, the mean friction force increases linearly with the mean number of interfacial bonds formed. Our results suggest that the expected tribological benefits of oil-based drilling fluids are not necessarily realised for cutter–rock interfaces. Further experimental studies should be conducted with fully formulated drilling fluids to assess their tribological performance on a range of rock types.

Graphical Abstract
Low dietary oyster mushroom spent substrate limitedly ameliorates detrimental effects of feeding combined marula seed cake and mucuna seed meal as soya bean replacements in broiler chickens
Authors: Mthana Makiwa Simeon , Mthiyane Doctor Mziwenkosi Nhlanhla
Published: January 2024

This study investigated ameliorative effects of dietary oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) spent substrate (OMSS) in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with combined marula seed cake (MSC) and mucuna seed meal (MSM) replacing soya bean meal (SBM). In a completely randomised design (CRD), 400 day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to 5 iso-nitrogenous-energetic diets (control with 100% SBM, control with 60% MSC and 40% MSM replacing SBM (MSC + MSM), MSC + MSM with 1.25% OMSS, MSC + MSM with 2.5% OMSS, and MSC + MSM with 5% OMSS) each with 8 replicate pens of 10 during starter, grower and finisher phases. Dietary MSC + MSM decreased (P < 0.001) feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion efficiency (FCE); slaughter weight, hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW), breast weight, and back lengths (P < 0.001); serum SDMA and alanine transaminase (P < 0.05). In contrast, it increased the weights of the thigh (P < 0.001), wing (P < 0.01), liver (P < 0.001), proventriculus (P < 0.001), gizzard (P < 0.001), duodenum (P < 0.001), jejunum (P < 0.001), ileum (P < 0.001), and caecum (P < 0.01) and serum alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01). Further, it increased meat redness and decreased its hue angle at 45 min post-slaughter (P < 0.01) whilst it decreased its pH (P < 0.01) and increased its shear force (P < 0.05) at 24 h post-slaughter. Compared to higher levels, low (1.25%) dietary OMSS improved, though limitedly, FI, BWG, and FCE at grower and finisher phases only (P < 0.001) whilst it reversed MSC plus MSM-induced deleterious effects on slaughter weight, HCW, and CCW (P < 0.001) and increases in gizzard weight (P < 0.001) and meat shear force at 24 h post-slaughter (P < 0.05). Otherwise, OMSS generally decreased (P < 0.05) serum SDMA and alanine transaminase whilst it abrogated and augmented increases in serum alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01), respectively, and reversed the increase and decrease in meat redness (P < 0.01) and hue angle (P < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, dietary replacement of SBM with combined MSC plus MSM induced deleterious effects in broiler chickens that were limitedly abrogated by low (1.25%) inclusion level of OMSS.
Increased solar radiation and soil moisture determine flower colour frequency in a mountain endemic plant population
Authors: Mtileni M. P. , Le Maitre N. C. , Steenhuisen S. , Glennon K. L.
Published: January 2024

Flower colour is a fascinating trait that has been of interest to biologists for its utility in understanding variation in natural populations and its role in floral evolution. Here, we investigated whether the co-occurring white and pink flowers of individual plants of the Drakensberg near-endemic taxon, Rhodohypoxis baurii (Baker) Nel. var. confecta Hilliard & Burtt (Hypoxidaceae) are an example of phenotypic plasticity or of flower colour polymorphism and what environmental factors may drive observed changes. We used both field and growth chamber studies to test the relationship between environmental variables and the shift in the proportion of the two flower colours over the flowering season. We found that single flowers do not change colour over time, but some individual plants are potentially responding to changes in environmental conditions by producing pigmented flowers later in the flowering season, which suggests that the trait could be plastic rather than a true polymorphism. The field data showed that soil moisture along with an interaction between ultraviolet (UV) radiation and temperature best explained the change in the number of pigmented flowers over the flowering season but none of our treatments in the growth chambers had a significant effect on the change in the number of pigmented flowers. Given the relationship between anthocyanin production and environmental stress, our field findings suggest that soil moisture plays an important role in facilitating stress tolerance and that R. baurii var. confecta may produce anthocyanins to prevent tissue damage from increased temperature and UV later in the flowering season.
Cyanobacteria Harmful Algae Blooms: Causes, Impacts, and Risk Management
Authors: Igwaran Aboi , Kayode Adeoye John , Moloantoa Karabelo M. , Khetsha Zenzile P. , Unuofin John Onolame
Published: January 2024

Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cHABs) are increasingly becoming an emerging threat to aquatic life, ecotourism, and certain real estate investments. Their spontaneous yet sporadic occurrence has made mitigation measures a cumbersome task; moreover, current trends regarding anthropogenic activities, especially in agriculture and industry portend further undesirable events. Apart from the aesthetic degeneration they create in their respective habitats, they are equally capable of secreting toxins, which altogether present grave environmental and medical consequences. In this paper, we gave an update on factors that influence cHABs, cyanotoxin exposure routes, and environmental public health implications, especially impacts on fish, pets, and livestock. We discussed social economic impacts, risk assessment, and management problems for cHABs and, thereafter, assessed the extant management approaches including prevention, control, and mitigation of the proliferation of cyanobacterial blooms. In light of this, we suggest that more intensified research should be directed to the standardization of procedures for cyanotoxin analysis. Also, the provision of standardized reference material for the quantification of cyanotoxins is vital for routine monitoring as well as the development of strong in situ sensors capable of quantifying and detecting HABs cells and toxins in waterbodies to prevent the adverse impacts of cHABs. Also, more investigations into the natural and environmentally friendly approach to cyanobacteria management and the necessary and appropriate deployment of artificial intelligence are required. Finally, we wish to redirect the focus of public health authorities to protecting drinking water supply sources, agriculture products, and food sources from cyanotoxins contamination as well as to implement proper monitoring and treatment procedures to protect citizens from this potential health threat.
A novel Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain: probiotic properties and optimization of the growth conditions by response surface methodology
Authors: Gökmen Gökhan Gurur , Sarıyıldız Seda , Cholakov Remzi , Nalbantsoy Ayşe , Baler Biray , Aslan Emek , Düzel Ahmet , Sargın Sait , Göksungur Yekta , Kışla Duygu
Published: January 2024

The objective of this study is to explore the probiotic properties and optimal growth conditions of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BG24. L. plantarum BG24 exhibited a remarkable ability to utilize lactose, and to grow under acidic conditions and in the presence of high levels of bile salts. The strain showed the highest antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes Scott A (zone of inhibition: 26 mm). L. plantarum BG24 was found to be resistant to 8 of the tested 19 antibiotics using the disc diffusion method.and its multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was calculated as 0.421. The adhesion rate to human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells was determined as 37.51%. The enzyme profile of L. plantarum BG24 was investigated using API ZYM test kit and the highest enzymatic activities were found for Leucine arylamidase, β-glucosidase, Valine arylamidase, β-galactosidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase. L. plantarum BG24 strain showed higher microbial growth under static conditions (6.60 OD600) compared to 100 rpm (5.73 OD600) and 200 rpm (5.02 OD600) shaking speed due to its facultative anaerobic characteristic. However, different inoculation rates and glucose addition did not make a statistically significant difference on biomass formation (p > 0.05). The specific growth rate of L. plantarum BG24 was 0.416 h−1, the doubling time was 1.67 h, and the biomass productivity value was 0.14 gL−1 h−1 in the original MRS broth (pH 5.7) while higher values were found as 0.483 h−1, 1.43 h and 0.17 gL−1 h−1, respectively, in MRS broth (pH 6.5) medium enriched with 5 g/L yeast extract. The stirred tank bioreactor was used to optimise the growth of BG24 strain. The process variables was optimized at 0.05 vvm of aeration rate, 479 rpm of agitation speed, 3% of inoculation rate and 18 h of incubation time. The maximum biomass (g/L) production was obtained as 3.84 g/L at the optimized conditions.
Effect of Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass on Postoperative Renal Function and the Urinary Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) Level
Authors: Elmamlook Shimaa Monir , Sabry Alaa Abd El-Aziz , Elrefai Mohamad , Eldeen Ahmed Bahie
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Bariatric surgery has been the most effective treatment modality for morbid obesity that reduces associated comorbidities and improves quality of life. This study aims at evaluating and comparing the impact of two types of bariatric surgery—laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB)—on renal functions and urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MPC-1) levels in morbidly obese patients 3 months after surgery.

Methods

This is a prospective study of 40 morbidly obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Two types of bariatric surgery were done—laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) (26 patients) and laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) (14 patients). The outcomes of the two procedures were compared in terms of renal function parameters and the level of urinary MCP-1.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in the mean postoperative urinary MCP-1 (73.53 ± 21.25, 75.43 ± 26.17, P > 0.5), microalbuminuria (8.83 ± 6.26, 10.02 ± 8.6, P > 0.05), urinary creatinine (109.21 ± 43.22, 99.19 ± 48.65, P > 0.05), MCP1/Cr ratio (0.78 ± 0.36, 1.01 ± 0.70, P > 0.05), eGFR (100.32 ± 9.54, 104.39 ± 9.54, P > 0.05) in the cases who had either LSG operation or OAGB operation.

Conclusion

Bariatric surgery improves all indicators of kidney malfunction and reduces the level of urinary MCP-1. Both laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) cause similar improvement of the renal function and reduction of urinary MCP-1 level.

Graphical Abstract
Real-world effectiveness and safety of ibrutinib in relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma in Japan: post-marketing surveillance
Authors: Maruyama Dai , Omi Ai , Nomura Fumi , Touma Tokiko , Noguchi Yukiko , Takebe Kyoko , Izutsu Koji
Published: January 2024

Efficacy and safety data for ibrutinib in Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) were limited at the time of its approval in Japan. All-case post-marketing surveillance was conducted in Japanese R/R MCL patients who began ibrutinib treatment between December 2016 and December 2017, and patients were followed until 30 June 2020. In the effectiveness analysis set (n = 202), the overall response rate was 59.9%, 52-week progression-free survival was 47.5%, and overall survival was 69.3%. Safety was assessed in 248 patients (median age 74.0 years). When ibrutinib treatment was started, patients had received a median of three prior lines of therapy. The overall incidence of adverse events (AE) was 74.6%, and AE frequency and severity grade distribution were similar between patients with 1 versus more than 1 prior line of therapy. The most common AE was platelet count decreased (all grades; 10.4%), similarly to previous observations in patients with R/R chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. Five patients (2.0%) developed atrial fibrillation. The effectiveness and safety of ibrutinib were consistent with its known profile at approval in Japan. These results suggest that ibrutinib is effective and safe in Japanese R/R MCL patients in routine clinical practice.
Effects of mine water discharge on river sediments: metal fate and behaviour, Upper Silesian Coal Basin
Authors: Bednář Daniel , Geršlová Eva , Otáhal Petr , Vöröš Dominik
Published: January 2024

The study aims to characterise the changes in elemental composition in the river sediments of streams influenced by mine waters enriched with radionuclides. The study took place in the vicinity of Ostrava, a city located in a coal mining region in the Czech Republic, namely the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. River sediments and waters of the Karvinský potok and Stružka streams were investigated. Field measurements were made for ambient dose equivalent rate (ADER). Laboratory gamma spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence were used to determine the content of radionuclides and elemental composition in river sediments. Water samples were analysed for the content of major ions and radionuclides. The field ADER measurement proved elevated content of radionuclides with values exceeding 1,000 nSv/h in both streams. The discharged mine waters were Na–Cl type, containing an 226Ra (0.68–0.70 Bq/l) as a dominant radionuclide. Laboratory measurements of radionuclides in bottom sediments proved that the prevailing source of radiation are 226Ra and 232Th in both streams. The calculated enrichment factors showed extreme values for Sr, Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Mo. The precipitation reactions forming Ca-minerals (calcite and aragonite), Fe-bearing minerals (hematite, goethite and amorphous Fe(OH)3) and hausmannite were found to be the primary geochemical process underway in the studied riverine systems. The correlation between elements and radionuclides demonstrated the significant role of geochemical barriers that lead to the precipitation of radionuclides from solution. The results show that the precipitation takes place preferentially in places where other waters enter the stream, or where recent organic matter is present.
Differential effects of teriparatide, denosumab and zoledronate on hip structural and mechanical parameters in osteoporosis; a real-life study
Authors: Jaarah N. , Lam C. F. J. , Lodhia N. , Dulnoan D. , Moore A. E. , Hampson G.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in hip geometry parameters following treatment with teriparatide (TPD), denosumab (Dmab) and zoledronate (ZOL) in real-life setting.

Methods

We studied 249 patients with osteoporosis (OP) with mean [SD] age of 71.5 [11.1] years divided into 3 treatment groups; Group A received TPD; n = 55, Group B (Dmab); n = 116 and Group C (ZOL); n = 78 attending a routine metabolic bone clinic. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by DXA at the lumbar spine (LS), total hip (TH) and femoral neck (FN) prior to treatment and after 2 years (Group A), after a mean treatment duration of 3.3 [1.3] years (Group B) and after 1, 2 and 3 doses of ZOL (Group C) to assess treatment response. Hip structural analysis (HSA) was carried out retrospectively from DXA-acquired femur images at the narrow neck (NN), the intertrochanter (IT) and femoral shaft (FS).

Results

Changes in parameters of hip geometry and mechanical strength were seen in the following treatment. Percentage change in cross-sectional area (CSA): 3.56[1.6] % p = 0.01 and cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI): 4.1[1.8] % p = 0.029 increased at the NN only in Group A. Improvement in HSA parameters at the IT were seen in group B: CSA: 3.3[0.67]% p < 0.001, cortical thickness (Co Th): 2.8[0.78]% p = 0.001, CSMI: 5.9[1.3]% p < 0.001, section modulus (Z):6.2[1.1]% p < 0.001 and buckling ratio (BR): − 3.0[0.86]% p = 0.001 with small changes at the FS: CSA: 1.2[0.4]% p = 0.005, Z:1.6 [0.76]%, p = 0.04. Changes at the IT were also seen in Group C (after 2 doses): CSA: 2.5[0.77]% p = 0.017, Co Th: 2.4[0.84]% p = 0.012, CSMI: 3.9[1.3]% p = 0.017, Z:5.2[1.16]% p < 0.001 and BR: − 3.1[0.88]% p = 0.001 and at the NN (following 3 doses): outer diameter (OD): 4.0[1.4]% p = 0.0005, endocortical diameter(ED): 4.3[1.67% p = 0.009, CSA:5.2[1.8]% p = 0.003, CSMI: 9.3[3.8]% p = 0.019.

Conclusions

Analysis of the effect of OP therapies on hip geometry is useful in understanding the mechanisms of their anti-fracture effect and may provide additional information on their efficacy.
Implementation of a Multi-Site Digitally-Enhanced School Clinician Training and ADHD/ODD Intervention Program in Mexico: Randomized Controlled Trial of CLS-R-FUERTE
Authors: Haack Lauren M. , Pfiffner Linda J. , Darrow Sabrina M. , Lai Jasmine , Alcaraz-Beltrán Dulce Karely , Martínez-Beltrán Jassiel Ulises , Moreno-Candil Elva , Delgado-García Korinthya , Arriaga-Guerrero María Fernanda , Ledesma-Saldaña Dulce Maria , Urquídez-Valdez Maria Elena , Araujo Eva Angelina
Published: January 2024

Childhood conditions of inattention and disruptive behavior, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), are prevalent but undertreated worldwide. One promising solution is harnessing digital technology to enhance school clinician training and ADHD/ODD intervention programs. We conducted a school-clustered randomized controlled trial of CLS-R-FUERTE: a program featuring training/consultation for school clinicians to deliver a six-week intervention comprised of weekly parent and student skills groups, as well as support teachers’ classroom management in the form of a Daily Report Card, all facilitated by electronic program manuals/materials and videoconferencing. A total of N = 163 (n = 6–8 students/school [ages 6–12] and their parents, teachers, and school clinicians) participated across eight public schools in Sinaloa, Mexico. We randomly assigned four schools to receive CLS-R-FUERTE immediately and four schools to receive school services as usual. We compared groups post-treatment on parent- and teacher-rated ADHD/ODD and impairment. We observed the program implementation in vivo, tracking trainer and school clinician program fidelity, as well as participant attendance and adherence, to evaluate feasibility. We also collected participant ratings of satisfaction and usability on the System Usability Scale to evaluate acceptability. Our CLS-R-FUERTE trial demonstrated high rates of program feasibility and acceptability comparable to prior in-person program trial findings. Students receiving CLS-R-FUERTE showed greater improvement in parent- and teacher-rated ADHD, as well as parent-rated ODD and impairment, compared to students receiving school services as usual. Results support the utility of global digital mental health programs training school clinicians to implement ADHD/ODD interventions, which have the potential to increase evidence-based treatment access and uptake across worldwide contexts.
Curve Trajectory Model for Human Preferred Path Planning of Automated Vehicles
Authors: Igneczi Gergo Ferenc , Horvath Erno , Toth Roland , Nyilas Krisztian
Published: January 2024

Automated driving systems are often used for lane keeping tasks. By these systems, a local path is planned ahead of the vehicle. However, these paths are often found unnatural by human drivers. In response to this, this paper proposes a linear driver model, which can calculate node points reflective of human driver preferences and based on these node points a human driver preferred motion path can be designed for autonomous driving. The model input is the road curvature, effectively harnessed through a self-developed Euler-curve-based curve fitting algorithm. A comprehensive case study is undertaken to empirically validate the efficacy of the proposed model, demonstrating its capacity to emulate the average behavioral patterns observed in human curve path selection. Statistical analyses further underscore the model's robustness, affirming the authenticity of the established relationships. This paradigm shift in trajectory planning holds promising implications for the seamless integration of autonomous driving systems with human driving preferences.
DNA, RNA, and prokaryote community sample stability at different ultra-low temperature storage conditions
Authors: Landor Lotta A. I. , Stevenson Thomas , Mayers Kyle M. J. , Fleming Mitchell S. , Le Moine Bauer Sven , Babel Hannah R. , Thiele Stefan
Published: January 2024

Long-term storage of extracted DNA, RNA, and samples for DNA and RNA extractions is usually done in ultra-low temperature freezers using the standard temperature of −80°C. While this standard was based on the maximum capacity of early generation ultra-low temperature freezers, this paradigm is challenged and initiatives support a switch to −70°C to save energy, reduce heat production, and increase the life expectancy of the freezers. The question arising from these initiatives regards the safety of the samples. Especially in complex biological samples, such as sediments, changes in long-term storage temperature have not been studied in detail. Here, we show that the concentration of extracted nucleic acids and nucleic acids in tissue or cells stored at both temperatures does not differ significantly from each other. The only significant differences found were explained by the variability within the samples over time but not between different temperatures or by dilution factor. In addition, we show that prokaryote community composition in sediment and DNA samples also remain stable at both temperatures. Only two treatments were significantly different in temperature, indicating that for RNA, storage at −70°C might be preferable. Consequently, we recommend storing samples for nucleic acid work at −70°C to reduce energy consumption and support more sustainable lab practices.
Mapping Insights from News Articles to Tackle Low Birth Rate and Parenthood in Finland
Authors: Wang Xiaowen , Oussalah Mourad , Niemelä Mika , Ristikari Tiina
Published: January 2024

The aim of this study is to explore how parenthood and birth rate is manifested in Finnish society and citizens as revealed by automated mining of news articles from Finland News API. Several levels of analysis were conducted using natural language processing and text mining techniques to unfold relevant insights from the collected News API. This includes surface-level analysis, word frequency-based analysis, topic-based analysis, and health ontology mapping. In total, 1621 news articles were selected and analyzed from the collected dataset. The surface-level analysis revealed the capacity of imminent health researchers to gain public audience and interest. Content-based analysis revealed the importance of family, employment, and health issues. Topical analysis stressed on the dominance of family issues during corona time, followed by public services and employment issues. Finally, the health ontology mapping revealed the quasi dominance of mental health and development disorders concerns. The research work provides a general framework for analyzing unstructured text to extract useful insights that can help policymakers to positively impact the existing policy in health and social policy development.
Application note: evaluation of the Gini coefficient at the county level in mainland China based on Luojia 1-01 nighttime light images
Authors: Hu Banshao , Zhai Weixin , Li Dong , Tang Junqing
Published: January 2024

The Luojia 1–01 (LJ1-01) night lighting satellite's superior spatial information capture capability provides conditions for accurate assessment of regional wealth distribution inequality (RWDI) at a small scale. This paper evaluated the wealth Gini coefficient (WGC) of 2,853 counties and 31 provinces in mainland China to establish a comprehensive picture of inequalities at county-level regions in China as a whole, using data from LJ1-01 and the Suomi National Polar Orbiter Partnership Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP-VIIRS). The WGC values (LJ-Gini) calculated by the LJ1-01 data are always higher than those (NPP-Gini) based on NPP-VIIRS, and the mean of the ratio between them is 1.7. Compared with NPP-Gini, LJ-Gini showed sensitivity to low RWDI areas. The average county and provincial LJ-Gini are statistically consistent, 0.77 and 0.78; County LJ-Gini’s volatility is significantly higher than that of the provincial LJ-Gini, with standard deviations (SD) 0.13 and 0.096. The differences of RWDI in the regions within some provinces are more significant than in other provinces. For example, the SD of Tibet is 0.31, while all provinces' average SD is 0.13. In addition, this paper establishes a grading criterion based on the normal distribution abstracted from provincial LJ-Gini to reflect the corresponding relationship between the LJ-Gini value and the five inequality ranks. Totally, RWDI demonstrates heterogeneity at various spatial scales and regions, and it correlates negatively with economic development. The superior performance of LJ1-01 data in evaluating county-level RWDI demonstrates its potential to evaluate RWDI on a smaller scale, such as communities and streets.
Removal of lanthanum and cerium from aqueous solution using chitosan-functionalized magnetite-pectin
Authors: Chaibou Yacouba Abdoul-Rachid , Oral Alparslan Enes , Sert Senol , Kaptanoglu Ikbal Gozde , Natatou Ibrahim , Yusan Sabriye , Aytas Sule
Published: January 2024

The present study synthesized magnetite-pectin-chitosan (MPC), which is a nanocomposite adsorbent through partial reduction co-precipitation method. Its structure and morphology were characterized by Scanning Electron Spectroscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FT-IR) and Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM). One studied the adsorption of Lanthanum and Cerium ions onto MPC in a batch system as a function of initial pH of solution, contact time, initial concentration and temperature. When the initial pH of the solution increased, the La(III)/Ce(III) ions augmented as well. The optimum pH for La/Ce adsorption was 5 and the maximum adsorption achieved within 30 min. The thermodynamics parameters such as enthalpy ($$\Delta {\text{H}}^\circ$$

Δ

H

∘

), entropy ($$\Delta {\text{S}}^\circ$$

Δ

S

∘

) and Gibbs free energy changes ($$\Delta {\text{G}}^\circ$$

Δ

G

∘

) were calculated with the results suggesting that the adsorption was exothermic and spontaneous. To determine the adsorption characteristics, models of Langmuir, Dubinin-Radushkevich, Freundlich, Temkin and Flory–Huggins adsorption isotherms were performed. Langmuir isotherm model enabled the data of adsorption to be described very well. The adsorption capacity was seen to be 8.17 mg/g and 9.72 mg/g for lanthanum and cerium, respectively. The adsorption kinetics of MPC indicated that the adsorption process fit the Pseudosecond-order (PSO) model. Based on these data, it is concluded that short operating time, eco-friendly technology, and easy to apply MPC can be used for La(III)/Ce(III) ions removal.