bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of low‐grade epilepsy‐associated tumor from implanted stereoelectroencephalography electrodes
Authors: Gatesman Taylor A. , Hect Jasmine L. , Phillips H. Westley , Johnson Brenden J. , Wald Abigail I. , McClung Colleen , Nikiforova Marina N. , Skaugen John M. , Pollack Ian F. , Abel Taylor J. , Agnihotri Sameer
Published: October 2023

Low‐grade epilepsy‐associated tumors (LEATs) are a common cause of drug‐resistant epilepsy in children. Herein, we demonstrate the feasibility of using tumor tissue derived from stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) electrodes upon removal to molecularly characterize tumors and aid in diagnosis. An 18‐year‐old male with focal epilepsy and MRI suggestive of a dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET) in the left posterior temporal lobe underwent implantation of seven peri‐tumoral sEEG electrodes for peri‐operative language mapping and demarcation of the peri‐tumoral ictal zone prior to DNET resection. Using electrodes that passed through tumor tissue, we show successful isolation of tumor DNA and subsequent analysis using standard methods for tumor classification by DNA, including Glioseq targeted sequencing and DNA methylation array analysis. This study provides preliminary evidence for the feasibility of molecular diagnosis of LEATs or other lesions using a minimally invasive method with microscopic tissue volumes. The implications of sEEG electrodes in tumor characterization are broad but would aid in diagnosis and subsequent targeted therapeutic strategies.
Molecular epidemiology, transmission and clinical features of 2022‐mpox outbreak: A systematic review
Authors: Sharif Nadim , Sharif Nazmul , Alzahrani Khalid J. , Halawani Ibrahim F. , Alzahrani Fuad M. , Díez Isabel De la Torre , Lipari Vivían , Flores Miguel Angel López , Parvez Anowar K. , Dey Shuvra K.
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

The 2022‐mpox outbreak has spread worldwide in a short time. Integrated knowledge of the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and transmission of mpox are limited. This systematic review of peer‐reviewed articles and gray literature was conducted to shed light on the epidemiology, clinical features, and transmission of 2022‐mpox outbreak.

Methods

We identified 45 peer‐reviewed manuscripts for data analysis. The standards of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) Statement and Cochrane Collaboration were followed for conducting the study.

Results

The case number of mpox has increased about 100 times worldwide. About 99% of the cases in 2022 outbreak was from non‐endemic regions. Men (70%–98% cases) were mostly infected with homosexual and bisexual behavior (30%–60%). The ages of the infected people ranged between 30 and 40 years. The presence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among 30%–60% of cases were reported. Human‐to‐human transmission via direct contact and different body fluids were involved in the majority of the cases (90%–100%). Lesions in genitals, perianal, and anogenital areas were more prevalent. Unusually, pharyngitis (15%–40%) and proctitis (20%–40%) were more common during 2022 outbreak than pre‐2022 outbreaks. Brincidofovir is approved for the treatment of smallpox by FDA (USA). Two vaccines, including JYNNEOSTM and ACAM2000®, are approved and used for pre‐ and post‐prophylaxis in cases. About 100% of the cases in non‐endemic regions were associated with isolates of IIb clade with a divergence of 0.0018–0.0035. Isolates from B.1 lineage were the most predominant followed by B.1.2 and B.1.10.

Conclusion

This study will add integrated knowledge of the epidemiology, clinical features, and transmission of mpox.
Inside Cover
Authors: Hernandez Pichardo Alejandra , Littlewood James , Taylor Arthur , Wilm Bettina , Lévy Raphaël , Murray Patricia
Published: October 2023

Cells expressing firefly luciferase that were labelled with gold nanorods (GNRs) could be visualised with multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT), whereas control cells did not generate an MSOT signal. The white line in the left image indicates the imaging plain in MSOT. By combining these two imaging modalities, we obtain information about cell viability (bioluminescence) whereas MSOT shows the precise location of the cells.

For further details please visit the article by Alejandra Hernandez Pichardo, James Littlewood, Arthur Taylor, Bettina Wilm, Raphaël Lévy, and Patricia Murray (e202300109).

image
Interrogating Causal Effects of Body Composition and Puberty‐Related Risk Factors on Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Two‐Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Ghanbari Faegheh , Otomo Nao , Gamache Isabel , Iwami Takuro , Koike Yoshinao , Khanshour Anas M. , Ikegawa Shiro , Wise Carol A. , Terao Chikashi , Manousaki Despoina
Published: October 2023

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common form of pediatric musculoskeletal disorder. Observational studies have pointed to several risk factors for AIS, but almost no evidence exists to support their causal association with AIS. Here, we applied Mendelian randomization (MR), known to limit bias from confounding and reverse causation, to investigate causal associations between body composition and puberty‐related exposures and AIS risk in Europeans and Asians. For our two‐sample MR studies, we used single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with body mass index (BMI), waist‐hip ratio, lean mass, childhood obesity, bone mineral density (BMD), 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), age at menarche, and pubertal growth in large European genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), and with adult osteoporosis risk and age of menarche in Biobank Japan. We extracted estimates of the aforementioned SNPs on AIS risk from the European or Asian subsets of the largest multiancestry AIS GWAS (N = 7956 cases/88,459 controls). The results of our inverse variance‐weighted (IVW) MR estimates suggest no causal association between the aforementioned risk factors and risk of AIS. Pleiotropy‐sensitive MR methods yielded similar results. However, restricting our analysis to European females with AIS, we observed a causal association between estimated BMD and the risk of AIS (IVW odds ratio for AIS = 0.1, 95% confidence interval 0.01 to 0.7, p = 0.02 per SD increase in estimated BMD), but this association was no longer significant after adjusting for BMI, body fat mass, and 25OHD and remained significant after adjusting for age at menarche in multivariable MR. In conclusion, we demonstrated a protective causal effect of BMD on AIS risk in females of European ancestry, but this effect was modified by BMI, body fat mass, and 25OHD levels. Future MR studies using larger AIS GWAS are needed to investigate small effects of the aforementioned exposures on AIS. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The significance of infectious disease and microbiota in functional gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Tsuchiya Kiichiro
Published: October 2023

The definition of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) used to be disorders that do not manifest into organic abnormalities. However, it was pointed out that chronic GI dysfunctions can develop following bacterial infections such as acute gastroenteritis and viral infections, and some organic changes in the epithelial cell structure, immunocompetent cells, and inflammatory cytokines were revealed. Recent advancements in analytical methods helped discover changes in the intestinal microbiota of patients with FGID. Correlations between the effects on the enteric environment and clinical conditions and symptoms of FGID are drawing increasing attention.
How to distinguish mpox from its mimickers: An observational retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mortier Coline , Tissot‐Dupont Hervé , Cardona Florian , Bruel Christiane , Lahouel Salima , Lasri Hanane , Bendamardji Karim , Boschi Céline , Parola Philippe , Million Matthieu , Colson Philippe , Brouqui Philippe , La Scola Bernard , Lagier Jean‐Christophe , Cassir Nadim
Published: October 2023

During the current global outbreak of mpox (formerly monkeypox), atypical features were frequently described outside endemic areas, raising concerns around differential diagnosis. In this study, we included 372 adult patients who had clinical signs consistent with mpox and who were screened using non‐variola orthopoxvirus specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) between 15 May and 15 November 2022 at the University Hospital Institute Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France. At least one clinical sample was positive for 143 (38.4%) of these patients and 229 (61.6%) were negative. Clinically, patients who had mpox presented more frequently with systemic signs (69.9% vs. 31.0%, p < 10−6) including fever (51.0% vs. 30.1%, p < 10−3), myalgia (33.5% vs. 17.9%, p = 0.002), and lymphadenopathy (38.5% vs. 13.1%, p < 10−6). Among the patients who were negative for the non‐variola orthopoxvirus, an alternative diagnosis was identified in 58 of them (25.3%), including chickenpox (n = 30, 13.1%), syphilis (n = 9, 4%), bacterial skin infection (n = 8, 3.5%), gonococcus (n = 5, 2.2%), HSV infection (n = 5, 2.2%), and histoplasmosis (n = 1, 0.4%). Overall, in the current outbreak, we show that mpox has a poorly specific clinical presentation. This reinforces the importance of microbiological confirmation. In symptomatic patients who are negative for the monkeypox virus by PCR, a broad differential diagnosis should be maintained.
Impacts of climate change on winter wheat net primary production: the regulatory role of crop management
Authors: Wu Jiujiang , Gu Yuhui , Sun Kexin , Xing Xuguang , Ma Xiaoyi
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

The Huang–Huai–Hai Plain (3HP) is the main agricultural area in China. Although climate change (CC) and crop management (CM) are considered factors affecting the winter wheat net primary production (NPP) in this region, their effects remain unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the relative contributions of CC and CM to winter wheat aboveground NPP (ANPP) in the 3HP and the relationships between climatic factors and ANPP using the first‐order difference method from 2000 to 2020.

RESULTS

CM had a greater influence on the ANPP of winter wheat than did CC. However, the relative contribution of CM to ANPP gradually decreased in humid and dry sub‐humid regions with the development of winter wheat. Furthermore, in areas characterized by low temperatures and limited precipitation, CC became the dominant factor contributing to ANPP, indicating that varieties resilient to drought and cold should be selected in these regions. Minimum and average temperatures were the dominant factors driving spatiotemporal variations in ANPP during the early stage of winter wheat growth, whereas maximum temperature constrained growth throughout the winter wheat growth cycle. When winter wheat entered the vigorous growth stage, precipitation and solar radiation replaced temperature as the driving factors influencing winter wheat growth.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study provide guidance for optimizing winter wheat crop management in the 3HP. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Degradation dynamics, residues, processing factors, and dietary risk assessment of bisultap in citrus by LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Deng Pengyu , Feng Tianyou , Ou Guipeng , Xiang Yu , Hu Deyu , Zhang Yuping
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Citrus leaf miners are a common pest harming citrus production and quality during citrus planting. During the citrus plant's growth phase, bisultap formulation was frequently used to boost yield and produce fruit of high quality. However, research on citrus's dietary risk assessment for bisultap residues, dissipation and residues is lacking.

RESULTS

Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry was used to develop an accurate and sensitive analytical method for derivatizing bisultap into nereistoxin in whole fruit, pulp and peel. At various levels of addition, the mean recovery of bisultap ranged from 84.64% to 111.09% with a reasonable relative RSD (< 20%). The half‐lives in Guangxi and Guizhou were 3.96 and 6.03 days, respectively. After 14–21 days of bisultap application, total residues (bisultap and its metabolite nereistoxin) in the whole fruit were from < 0.02 to 0.228 mg kg−1 in the four experiment sites. Total residue (bisultap and nereistoxin, expressed by bisultap) in whole fruit was approximately 1.05–7.23 times that of pulp. The washing process with tap water removed 85.71% to 98.78% of the bisultap residue in the whole fruit. Bisultap's risk assessment value in citrus was in the range 0.16–1.28%.

CONCLUSION

In the whole citrus fruit, bisultap degrades rapidly. Bisultap residues primarily accumulate on citrus peels, and so washing and peeling citrus may effectively remove bisultap residues. For various age groups, the chronic dietary risk of bisultap was acceptable. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Dual contrast CEST MRI for pH‐weighted imaging in stroke
Authors: Chung Julius , Sun Dandan , Hitchens T. Kevin , Modo Michel , Bandos Andriy , Mettenburg Joseph , Wang Ping , Jin Tao
Published: October 2023

Purpose

pH enhanced (pHenh) CEST imaging combines the pH sensitivity from amide and guanidino signals, but the saturation parameters have not been optimized. We propose pHdual as a variant of pHenh that suppresses background signal variations, while enhancing pH sensitivity and potential for imaging ischemic brain injury of stroke.

Methods

Simulation and in vivo rodent stroke experiments of pHenh MRI were performed with varied RF saturation powers for both amide and guanidino protons to optimize the contrast between lesion/normal tissues, while simultaneously minimizing signal variations across different types of normal tissues. In acute stroke, contrast and volume ratio measured by pHdual imaging were compared with an amide‐CEST approach, and perfusion and diffusion MRI.

Results

Simulation experiments indicated that amide and guanidino CEST signals exhibit unique sensitivities across different pH ranges, with pHenh producing greater sensitivity over a broader pH regime. The pHenh data of rodent stroke brain demonstrated that the lesion/normal tissue contrast was maximized for an RF saturation power pair of 0.5 μT at 2.0 ppm and 1.0 μT at 3.6 ppm, whereas an optimal contrast‐to‐variation ratio (CVR) was obtained with a 0.7 μT saturation at 2.0 ppm and 0.8 μT at 3.6 ppm. In acute stroke, CVR optimized pHenh (i.e., pHdual) achieved a higher sensitivity than the three‐point amide‐CEST approach, and distinct patterns of lesion tissue compared to diffusion and perfusion MRI.

Conclusion

pHdual MRI improves the sensitivity of pH‐weighted imaging and will be a valuable tool for assessing tissue viability in stroke.
Reduced model for fracture of geometrically exact planar beam: Non‐local variational formulation, ED‐FEM approximation and operator split solution
Authors: Ibrahimbegovic Adnan , Mejia‐Nava Rosa‐Adela , Ljukovac Suljo
Published: October 2023

In this work, we present a novel reduced model for computing the solution to a bending fracture problem of the geometrically exact beam. The Reissner model is chosen for representing the large elastic and large plastic deformations of such a beam model. The non‐local variational formulation is proposed to deal with the softening phenomena characteristic of fracture. The fracture energy is introduced as the main fracture parameter, rather than (in general) ill‐defined characteristic length used for previous non‐local models. The discrete approximation is built in terms of the embedded‐discontinuity finite element method (ED‐FEM), which needs no initial crack for optimal performance nor detailed crack kinematics description, such as in the X‐FEM or the phase‐field approach. This kind of approach builds upon the best approximation property of the FEM discrete approximation in the energy norm and provides the best‐approximation property for the dissipated energy computations, and thus optimal computational accuracy if the quantity of interest is inelastic dissipation. The computations are carried out by the operator split method, which separates the computations of global state variables (displacements and stress) from local (internal) variables including the crack opening. Several illustrative examples are provided to confirm an excellent performance of the proposed methodology.
Comparison of outcomes following surgical intervention and inpatient rehabilitation stays in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Niedzwecki Christian , Barbuto Amy , Mitchell Katy , Wirt Steven , Seymour Michelle , Thomas Sruthi , Schwabe Aloysia
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Literature is limited on functional outcomes in children with cerebral palsy (CP) following surgical procedures and a subsequent inpatient rehabilitation unit (IRU) stay.

Objective

To compare functional outcomes and length of stay (LOS) in children with CP following a surgical procedure and IRU stay based on the surgical procedure performed, pattern of involvement, etiology, and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary care pediatrics.

Participants

Pediatric patients with CP who underwent one of three surgical procedures followed by an IRU stay.

Interventions

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), single‐event multilevel orthopedic surgery (SEMLS), or intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump implantation and subsequent IRU stay.

Main Outcome Measures

IRU LOS, Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) total score, sub‐scores, and efficiency.

Results

Children undergoing SDR had a longer LOS (p ≤ .015). Children with spastic diplegia, GMFCS level II, and prematurity‐based CP had higher WeeFIM efficiency scores (p ≤ .046, ≤.021, and .034 respectively). Greater changes in WeeFIM™ scores were associated with spastic diplegia, SDR, GMFCS level II, longer LOS, and higher admission scores (p ≤ .045).

Conclusions

Although statistically and functionally significant improvements in children with CP following surgical interventions and an IRU stay were seen, those with higher WeeFIM change scores tended to have spastic diplegia, to have undergone SDR, GMFCS level II, longer LOS, and higher admission scores.
Optimization of sample preparation and data evaluation techniques for X‐ray fluorescence prediction of soil texture, pH, and cation exchange capacity of loess soils
Authors: Greenberg Isabel , Sawallisch Anja , Stelling Jan , Vohland Michael , Ludwig Bernard
Published: October 2023

Use of X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry for estimation of soil texture, pH, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) is desirable given the time‐consuming nature of traditional methods. Recent studies have shown promising results; however, further investigation is required to determine the effects of sample preparation and data evaluation techniques on accuracy. Our objective was to compare (I) a simple but well‐founded approach, combining measurement of powder samples and modeling with elemental contents as predictors in stepwise multiple linear regressions (MLR), with alternative approaches including (II) use of partial least squares regression (PLSR), (III) sample preparation as a pressed pellet, and (IV) spectral intensities as predictors (20 kV, 40 kV, and concatenated 20 + 40 kV). A total of 395 loess soils from three arable fields were used with a fivefold random training‐testing approach and a hold‐one‐site‐out training‐testing approach. With random partitioning, clay, silt, and sand accuracy with approach I was excellent (ratio of performance to interquartile distance in validation (RPIQv) = 8.5–12.9), while pH and CEC estimations were satisfactory to excellent (RPIQv = 2.0–2.5 and 2.2–3.3, respectively). Differences between MLR and PLSR were negligible. Increases in accuracy with pellet samples were 1%–13% of RPIQv for 20 kV intensities, but effects were inconsistent for other predictors. The optimal predictor varied by property, and differences ranged from 3% to 13% of RPIQv. Improvements to accuracy from Approach I to the best alternative were largest for texture (10%–15%) but may be superfluous given the excellent accuracy across all approaches. Although the leave‐one‐site‐out training resulted in variable performance, inclusion of soils from the target site in training assured reliable accuracy.
Artificial intelligence ‐ driven sustainable development: Examining organizational, technical, and processing approaches to achieving global goals
Authors: Kulkov Ignat , Kulkova Julia , Rohrbeck Rene , Menvielle Loick , Kaartemo Valtteri , Makkonen Hannu
Published: October 2023

This study presents a comprehensive literature review using a systematic approach to explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in promoting sustainable development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The systematic review approach was applied to collect and analyze topics, and the literature search was conducted in two stages, encompassing 57 articles that met the research requirements. Our analysis reveals that AI's contribution to sustainability is concentrated within three key areas: organizational, technical, and processing aspects. The organizational aspect focuses on the integration of AI in companies and industries, addressing barriers to implementation and the relationship between companies, partners, and customers. The technical aspect highlights the development of AI algorithms that can address global challenges and contribute to the growth of stability and development in society. The processing aspect emphasizes the internal transformation of companies, their business models, and strategies in response to AI integration. Our proposed conceptual model outlines the essential elements organizations must consider when incorporating AI into their sustainability efforts, such as strategic alignment, infrastructure development, change management, and continuous improvement. By addressing these critical aspects, organizations can harness the potential of AI to drive positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. The model serves as a comprehensive framework for organizations seeking to leverage AI for sustainable development, but it should be adapted to individual contexts to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.
Low Damage Scalable Pulsed Laser Deposition of SnO2 for p–i–n Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Soltanpoor Wiria , Bracesco Andrea E. A. , Rodkey Nathan , Creatore Mariadriana , Morales-Masis Monica
Published: October 2023

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) has already been adopted as a low damage deposition technique of transparent conducting oxides on top of sensitive organic charge transport layers in optoelectronic devices. Herein, SnO2 deposition is demonstrated as buffer layer in p–i–n perovskite solar cells (PSCs) via wafer‐scale (4 inch) PLD at room temperature. The PLD SnO2 properties, its interface with perovskite/C60, and device performance are compared to atomic layer deposited (ALD) SnO2, i.e., state‐of‐the‐art buffer layer in perovskite‐based single junction and tandem photovoltaics. The PLD SnO2‐based solar cells exhibit on par efficiencies (17.8%) with that of SnO2 fabricated using ALD. The solvent‐free room temperature processing and wafer‐scale approach of PLD open up possibilities for buffer layer formation with increased deposition rates while mitigating potential thermal or physical damage to the top organic layers. This is a promising outlook for fully physical vapor‐processed halide PSCs and optoelectronic devices requiring low thermal budget.
Fascination, frustration and a passion for tech meant only one career: veterinary IT
Authors: Peploe Jack
Published: October 2023

A mischievous mind at school steered Jack Peploe's career journey towards an inevitable conclusion: at 16 he was running his own IT firm, which evolved into specialist company Veterinary IT Services.
A Relation of the Allen–Cahn equations and the Euler equations and applications of the equipartition
Authors: Gazoulis Dimitrios
Published: October 2023

We will prove that solutions of the Allen–Cahn equations that satisfy the equipartition of the energy can be transformed into solutions of the Euler equations with constant pressure. As a consequence, we obtain De Giorgi type results, that is, the level sets of entire solutions are hyperplanes. Also, we will determine the structure of solutions of the Allen–Cahn system in two dimensions that satisfy the equipartition. In addition, we apply the Leray projection on the Allen–Cahn system and provide some explicit entire solutions. Finally, we obtain some examples of smooth entire solutions of the Euler equations. For specific type of initial conditions, some of these solutions can be extended to the Navier–Stokes equations. The motivation of this paper is to find a transformation that relates the solutions of the Allen–Cahn equations to solutions of the minimal surface equation of one dimension less. We prove this result for equipartitioned solutions in dimension three.
Differences in stakeholders’ expectations of gendered robots in the field of psychotherapy: an exploratory survey
Authors: Nomura Tatsuya , Suzuki Tomohiro , Kumazaki Hirokazu
Published: October 2023

In the present study, qualitative and quantitative studies were conducted to explore differences between stakeholders in expectations of gendered robots, with a focus on their specific application in the field of psychotherapy. In Study I, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 experts in psychotherapy to extract categories of opinions regarding the use of humanoid robots in the field. Based on these extracted categories, in Study II, an online questionnaire survey was conducted to compare concrete expectations of the use of humanoid robots in psychotherapy between 50 experts and 100 nonexperts in psychotherapy. The results revealed that compared with the female participants, the male participants tended to prefer robots with a female appearance. In addition, compared with the experts, the nonexperts tended not to relate the performance of robots with their gender appearance, and compared with the other participant groups, the female expert participants had lower expectations of the use of robots in the field. These findings suggest that differences between stakeholders regarding the expectations of gendered robots should be resolved to encourage their acceptance in a specific field.
An update on pediatric traumatic brain injury
Authors: Figaji Anthony
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains the commonest neurological and neurosurgical cause of death and survivor disability among children and young adults. This review summarizes some of the important recent publications that have added to our understanding of the condition and advanced clinical practice.

Methods

Targeted review of the literature on various aspects of paediatric TBI over the last 5 years.

Results

Recent literature has provided new insights into the burden of paediatric TBI and patient outcome across geographical divides and the severity spectrum. Although CT scans remain a standard, rapid sequence MRI without sedation has been increasingly used in the frontline. Advanced MRI sequences are also being used to better understand pathology and to improve prognostication. Various initiatives in paediatric and adult TBI have contributed regionally and internationally to harmonising research efforts in mild and severe TBI. Emerging data on advanced brain monitoring from paediatric studies and extrapolated from adult studies continues to slowly advance our understanding of its role. There has been growing interest in non-invasive monitoring, although the clinical applications remain somewhat unclear. Contributions of the first large scale comparative effectiveness trial have advanced knowledge, especially for the use of hyperosmolar therapies and cerebrospinal fluid drainage in severe paediatric TBI. Finally, the growth of large and even global networks is a welcome development that addresses the limitations of small sample size and generalizability typical of single-centre studies.

Conclusion

Publications in recent years have contributed iteratively to progress in understanding paediatric TBI and how best to manage patients.
Fragmentation behavior of young pyroclasts from Mt. Pelée, Martinique
Authors: Huebsch Mila , Kueppers Ulrich , Carazzo Guillaume , Cimarelli Corrado , Hess Kai-Uwe , Hornby Adrian , Lejeune Anne-Marie , Michaud-Dubuy Audrey , Perugini Diego , Weller Daniel , Heap Michael J. , Dingwell Donald B.
Published: October 2023

The stratovolcano Mt. Pelée, Martinique, exhibits eruptive styles ranging from dome formation to sustained, highly violent explosive activity. Historical eruptions have produced lava domes and pyroclastic density currents, collectively termed Peléan activity. In pre-colonial times, several Plinian eruptions took place. Here, we explore physical controls on the proportions of fine particles produced—i.e., the fragmentation efficiency—during primary fragmentation. Samples were collected from ignimbrites from the 1929–1932 and 1902–1905 Peléan eruptions and the P1 (1300 CE), P2 (280 CE), and P3 (79 CE) Plinian eruptions. All samples are andesitic in bulk composition and contain a rhyolitic groundmass glass. The Peléan materials are more crystalline and less porous than their Plinian counterparts, a consequence of more extensive outgassing during dome formation. Representative blocks were cored and experimentally fragmented following rapid decompression (> 1 GPa·s−1 from initial pressure between 5 and 20 MPa). Dry sieving allowed for determining grain size distributions, from which the fractal dimensions, Df, were calculated as a quantification of fragmentation efficiency. Our results indicate different behaviors for Peléan and Plinian samples. While fragmentation efficiency is positively correlated with applied potential energy for Peléan samples, this relationship is not observed for the Plinian samples, possibly due to syn-fragmentation gas escape above a certain porosity. The rapid decompression experiments were designed to minimize secondary fragmentation by shear along the walls or impact while preserving the entirety of produced materials. Thus, our experimental grainsize data are physically linked to sample textures and overpressure. By comparison with natural pyroclastic products—commonly incompletely preserved—we can approach quantitatively constraining the energetic conditions underlying individual eruptions.
Computing Generalized Convolutions Faster Than Brute Force
Authors: Esmer Barış Can , Kulik Ariel , Marx Dániel , Schepper Philipp , Węgrzycki Karol
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we consider a general notion of convolution. Let $$D$$
D
be a finite domain and let $$D^n$$

D
n

be the set of n-length vectors (tuples) of $$D$$
D
. Let $$f :D\times D\rightarrow D$$

f
:
D
×
D
→
D

be a function and let $$\oplus _f$$

⊕
f

be a coordinate-wise application of f. The $$f$$
f
-Convolution of two functions $$g,h :D^n \rightarrow \{-M,\ldots ,M\}$$

g
,
h
:

D
n

→

{
-
M
,
…
,
M
}

is $$\begin{aligned} (g \mathbin {\circledast _{f}}h)(\textbf{v}) {:}{=}\sum _{\begin{array}{c} \textbf{v}_g,\textbf{v}_h \in D^n\\ \text {s.t. } \textbf{v}= \textbf{v}_g \oplus _f \textbf{v}_h \end{array}} g(\textbf{v}_g) \cdot h(\textbf{v}_h) \end{aligned}$$

(
g

⊛
f

h
)

(
v
)

:
=

∑

v
g

,

v
h

∈

D
n

s.t.

v
=

v
g

⊕
f

v
h

g

(

v
g

)

·
h

(

v
h

)

for every $$\textbf{v}\in D^n$$

v
∈

D
n

. This problem generalizes many fundamental convolutions such as Subset Convolution, XOR Product, Covering Product or Packing Product, etc. For arbitrary function f and domain $$D$$
D
we can compute $$f$$
f
-Convolution via brute-force enumeration in $$\widetilde{{\mathcal {O}}}(|D|^{2n} \cdot \textrm{polylog}(M))$$

O
~

(
|
D
|

2
n

·
polylog

(
M
)

)

time. Our main result is an improvement over this naive algorithm. We show that $$f$$
f
-Convolution can be computed exactly in $$\widetilde{{\mathcal {O}}}( (c \cdot |D|^2)^{n} \cdot \textrm{polylog}(M))$$

O
~

(
(
c

·

|
D
|

2

)
n

·
polylog

(
M
)

)

for constant $$c {:}{=}3/4$$

c
:
=
3
/
4

when $$D$$
D
has even cardinality. Our main observation is that a cyclic partition of a function $$f :D\times D\rightarrow D$$

f
:
D
×
D
→
D

can be used to speed up the computation of $$f$$
f
-Convolution, and we show that an appropriate cyclic partition exists for every f. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a single entry of the $$f$$
f
-Convolution can be computed more efficiently. In this variant, we are given two functions $$g,h :D^n \rightarrow \{-M,\ldots ,M\}$$

g
,
h
:

D
n

→

{
-
M
,
…
,
M
}

alongside with a vector $$\textbf{v}\in D^n$$

v
∈

D
n

and the task of the $$f$$
f
-Query problem is to compute integer $$(g \mathbin {\circledast _{f}}h)(\textbf{v})$$

(
g

⊛
f

h
)
(
v
)

. This is a generalization of the well-known Orthogonal Vectors problem. We show that $$f$$
f
-Query can be computed in $$\widetilde{{\mathcal {O}}}(|D|^{\frac{\omega }{2} n} \cdot \textrm{polylog}(M))$$

O
~

(
|
D
|

ω
2

n

·
polylog

(
M
)

)

time, where $$\omega \in [2,2.372)$$

ω
∈
[
2
,
2.372
)

is the exponent of currently fastest matrix multiplication algorithm.
Growth of European beech recovered faster than that of Norway spruce after a five-year experimental drought in a mixed forest stand
Authors: Motte Florian , Rötzer Thomas , Biber Peter , Uhl Enno , Pritsch Karin , Pretzsch Hans
Published: October 2023

Key Message

Beech growth acclimated better during severe drought and recovered faster than spruce after drought ended. This was associated with a shift in performance along relative tree size towards small trees.

The effects of several consecutive drought years and the recovery reaction of mature trees in particular after a long-term drought have been poorly studied so far. In this study, we demonstrate the growth reactions of mature trees during and after a five-year treatment of extended summer droughts, followed by controlled irrigation in a very productive mixed forest stand. We exposed 70-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) and 90-year-old European beech (Fagus sylvatica [L.]) trees to reduced precipitation using automatic throughfall exclusion (TE) roofs during the growing seasons from 2014 to 2018, irrigated the trees in early summer 2019 and removed the roofs thereafter. From 2009 to 2022, we monitored annual tree growth and precipitation on 6 plots with throughfall exclusion and on 6 plots with ambient Control conditions (CO) of the KROOF canopy experiment. Norway spruce lost significant growth during drought, with some trees dying and others remaining at a low growth level without significant recovery from the effects of drought stress. European beech also significantly reduced growth at the beginning of the drought but emerged stronger in growth from the drought than the Control group. Spruce and beech showed a non-significant trend of increased inter-specific growth compared to intra-specific growth during drought. We found that spruce benefitted more from mixture than beech in the recovery phase after drought than during the drought phase itself. Most importantly, we observed a shift in growth performance along the relative tree size towards smaller trees in the TE plots for both species. This change in the relationship between diameter increment and tree size during and after drought is a major finding of our study and suggests a possible response mechanism to prolonged drought. This key observation requires further investigation and should be considered in future forest management strategies under changing climatic conditions.
Skeletal muscle myostatin mRNA expression is upregulated in aged human adults with excess adiposity but is not associated with insulin resistance and ageing
Authors: Wilhelmsen Andrew , Stephens Francis B. , Bennett Andrew J. , Karagounis Leonidas G. , Jones Simon W. , Tsintzas Kostas
Published: October 2023

Myostatin negatively regulates skeletal muscle growth and appears upregulated in human obesity and associated with insulin resistance. However, observations are confounded by ageing, and the mechanisms responsible are unknown. The aim of this study was to delineate between the effects of excess adiposity, insulin resistance and ageing on myostatin mRNA expression in human skeletal muscle and to investigate causative factors using in vitro models. An in vivo cross-sectional analysis of human skeletal muscle was undertaken to isolate effects of excess adiposity and ageing per se on myostatin expression. In vitro studies employed human primary myotubes to investigate the potential involvement of cross-talk between subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and skeletal muscle, and lipid-induced insulin resistance. Skeletal muscle myostatin mRNA expression was greater in aged adults with excess adiposity than age-matched adults with normal adiposity (2.0-fold higher; P < 0.05) and occurred concurrently with altered expression of genes involved in the maintenance of muscle mass but did not differ between younger and aged adults with normal adiposity. Neither chronic exposure to obese SAT secretome nor acute elevation of fatty acid availability (which induced insulin resistance) replicated the obesity-mediated upregulation of myostatin mRNA expression in vitro. In conclusion, skeletal muscle myostatin mRNA expression is uniquely upregulated in aged adults with excess adiposity and insulin resistance but not by ageing alone. This does not appear to be mediated by the SAT secretome or by lipid-induced insulin resistance. Thus, factors intrinsic to skeletal muscle may be responsible for the obesity-mediated upregulation of myostatin, and future work to establish causality is required.
Coboundary expansion, equivariant overlap, and crossing numbers of simplicial complexes
Authors: Wagner Uli , Wild Pascal
Published: October 2023

We prove the following quantitative Borsuk–Ulam-type result (an equivariant analogue of Gromov’s Topological Overlap Theorem): Let X be a free ℤ/2-complex of dimension d with coboundary expansion at least ηk in dimension 0 ≤ k < d. Then for every equivariant map F: X →ℤ/2 ℝd, the fraction of d-simplices σ of X with 0 ∈ F (σ) is at least 2−d Π
k=0
d−1
ηk.

As an application, we show that for every sufficiently thick d-dimensional spherical building Y and every map f: Y → ℝ2d, we have f(σ) ∩ f(τ) ≠ ∅ for a constant fraction μd > 0 of pairs {σ, τ} of d-simplices of Y. In particular, such complexes are non-embeddable into ℝ2d, which proves a conjecture of Tancer and Vorwerk for sufficiently thick spherical buildings.

We complement these results by upper bounds on the coboundary expansion of two families of simplicial complexes; this indicates some limitations to the bounds one can obtain by straighforward applications of the quantitative Borsuk–Ulam theorem. Specifically, we prove

• an upper bound of (d + 1)/2d on the normalized (d − 1)-th coboundary expansion constant of complete (d + 1)-partite d-dimensional complexes (under a mild divisibility assumption on the sizes of the parts); and

• an upper bound of (d + 1)/2d + ε on the normalized (d − 1)-th coboundary expansion of the d-dimensional spherical building associated with $${\rm{G}}{{\rm{L}}_{d + 2}}({\mathbb{F}_q})$$

GL

d
+
2

(

F
q

)

for any ε > 0 and sufficiently large q. This disproves, in a rather strong sense, a conjecture of Lubotzky, Meshulam and Mozes.
New classes of parabolic pseudo-differential equations, Feller semigroups, contraction semigroups and stochastic process on the p-adic numbers
Authors: Torresblanca-Badillo Anselmo , Narváez Alfredo R. R. , López-González José
Published: October 2023

Two types ofp-adic pseudo-differential operators (denoted, respectively, by$${\mathcal {T}}_{{\varvec{f}}_{1},{\varvec{f}}_{2}}^{l}$$Tf1,f2land$${\mathcal {J}}_{{\varvec{f}}_{1},{\varvec{f}}_{2}}^{\alpha }$$Jf1,f2α) are introduced in this article. We will show that the operator$${\mathcal {T}}_{{\varvec{f}}_{1},{\varvec{f}}_{2}}^{l}$$Tf1,f2ldetermines certain Feller semigroups and stochastic processes with state space thep-adic numbers. The second type of these operators (defined on a new class ofp-adic Sobolev space) are connected with contraction semigroups and parabolic pseudo-differential equations.
Changing behavior while having climate change in mind? An investigation of social-psychological predictors for specific pro-environmental behaviors in the energy domain
Authors: Brohmer Hilmar , Köstenbaumer Daniel , Thaller Annina E. , Fleiß Eva , Athenstaedt Ursula , Posch Alfred
Published: October 2023

Social scientists and psychologists who study environmental issues need to improve their measures to capture relevant pro-environmental behaviors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – the main driver of climate change. They also need to identify meaningful predictors for these behaviors, which go beyond mere statistical significance. In this large representative study of the Austrian population (N = 1,083), we aim at addressing both issues. We focus on relevant and specific energy-related behavioral intentions (traveling, electricity consumption and heating) and test a set of preregistered social-psychological predictors in path models, followed by an exploratory machine-learning approach. We show that a combination of some prominent predictors – perceived behavior control, consideration of future and immediate consequences, and willingness to sacrifice – accounts for only 20 to 30% of variance in behavioral intentions. We suggest that future studies confirm our results in other cultures and set even higher qualitative benchmarks for measures and predictors.
Identification and description of relationships between actors involved in crop diversification experiences across Europe
Authors: Cornu Marie-Aline , Frick Rebekka , Chongtham Iman Raj , Iocola Ileana , Canali Stefano , Colombo Luca , Radzikowski Paweł , Stalenga Jarosław , Viguier Loïc , Drexler Dóra , Schneider Anne , Stilmant Didier , Vanwindekens Frédéric M.
Published: October 2023

Agriculture can benefit from crop diversification to facilitate its transition to more sustainable agrifood systems. However, these practices remain rare in Europe. One major barrier is the existence of sociotechnical lock-ins. To clarify the dynamics at work, we analyzed the relationships between actors involved in 23 crop diversification experiences across 11 European countries. The novelty of this paper lies in the systemic analysis of the network of actors involved in crop diversification experiences. Using data from qualitative interviews and cognitive mapping approaches, we identify and describe the role of actors and the key relationships in crop diversification and detect relationships that are currently missing. Our study shows that in the different European countries, similar relationships act as levers or barriers to crop diversification, with farmers and researchers playing a crucial role. The most important cognitive factors that influence the choice of farmers to diversify are environmental and health concerns and the desire to make profit and innovate. We relate the cognitive factors to organizational, technical, economic, and political factors and suggest levers for crop diversification based on successful crop diversification experiences.
MIN3D Dataset: MultI-seNsor 3D Mapping with an Unmanned Ground Vehicle
Authors: Trybała Paweł , Szrek Jarosław , Remondino Fabio , Kujawa Paulina , Wodecki Jacek , Blachowski Jan , Zimroz Radosław
Published: October 2023

The research potential in the field of mobile mapping technologies is often hindered by several constraints. These include the need for costly hardware to collect data, limited access to target sites with specific environmental conditions or the collection of ground truth data for a quantitative evaluation of the developed solutions. To address these challenges, the research community has often prepared open datasets suitable for developments and testing. However, the availability of datasets that encompass truly demanding mixed indoor–outdoor and subterranean conditions, acquired with diverse but synchronized sensors, is currently limited. To alleviate this issue, we propose the MIN3D dataset (MultI-seNsor 3D mapping with an unmanned ground vehicle for mining applications) which includes data gathered using a wheeled mobile robot in two distinct locations: (i) textureless dark corridors and outside parts of a university campus and (ii) tunnels of an underground WW2 site in Walim (Poland). MIN3D comprises around 150 GB of raw data, including images captured by multiple co-calibrated monocular, stereo and thermal cameras, two LiDAR sensors and three inertial measurement units. Reliable ground truth (GT) point clouds were collected using a survey-grade terrestrial laser scanner. By openly sharing this dataset, we aim to support the efforts of the scientific community in developing robust methods for navigation and mapping in challenging underground conditions. In the paper, we describe the collected data and provide an initial accuracy assessment of some visual- and LiDAR-based simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithms for selected sequences. Encountered problems, open research questions and areas that could benefit from utilizing our dataset are discussed. Data are available at https://3dom.fbk.eu/benchmarks.
Adel verpflichtet? Verantwortlichkeit für Kriegsgräuel in der historischen Dietrichepik am Beispiel des Todes der Etzelsöhne in der Rabenschlacht
Authors: Elsner-Klug Tamara
Published: October 2023

Wenn Leid geschieht, beginnt reflexartig die Suche nach einem Verantwortlichen, dem die Verantwortung für dieses Leid übertragen werden kann, was das Leid aus der Kontingenz heraus in fassbare und handhabbare Kausalität überführt. Spannend wird die Frage nach der Verantwortlichkeit für Leid besonders dann, wenn sich verschiedene Beurteilungsinstanzen nicht einig sind, wem die Verantwortung zuzuschreiben ist, wie beim Tod der Etzelsöhne in der Rabenschlacht.

Obwohl die Verantwortlichkeit für dieses zentrale, ausführlich beklagte Kriegsgeschehen auf den ersten Blick leicht zu klären ist – verantwortlich ist derjenige, der das Schwert schwingt, hier also Witege –, entwerfen die Schuldeingeständnisse und Verantwortungszuschreibungen der Figuren und des Erzählers in der Rabenschlacht ein komplexes Netz aus Responsibilisierungsnarrativen, welche die interferierenden und konkurrierenden Verantwortlichkeiten verschieden akzentuieren. Jeder hat Verantwortung, jedem wird Verantwortung zugeschrieben und jeder scheint aus dieser Verantwortung auch entlassen werden zu können, sodass die kausalitätsstiftende Verantwortungsübernahme letztlich nicht zu einer befriedigenden Handhabbarkeit des Kriegsleides führt. Doch kann ein einzelner Krieger überhaupt für den Tod seiner Gegner verantwortlich gemacht werden, wenn das freiwillige und freudige ›Aufs-Spiel-Setzen‹ des eigenen Lebens zum Kriegerethos gehört? Ist der Getötete also selbst verantwortlich? Und kann die Verantwortung überhaupt erlassen werden, wenn die Verantwortungsübernahme und -zuschreibung in der Funktion des Heerführers und nicht in der aktiven Beteiligung am Tötungsgeschehen begründet liegt?

Der Beitrag möchte versuchen, dieses Netz an Verantwortlichkeiten zu entwirren und dabei auch aufzeigen, wie die Rabenschlacht zeitgenössische Vorstellungen von der Verantwortung für Kriegsleid im Allgemeinen und der Verantwortlichkeit des Herrschers und Heerführers im Besonderen verhandelt.