bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental Health Collaborative Care in Brazil and the Economy of Attention: Disclosing Barriers and Therapeutic Negotiations
Authors: Müller Manuela Rodrigues , Ortega Francisco
Published: April 2024

The introduction of mental health collaborative care (MHCC) is one of the strategies to scale up access to mental health care in primary health care in Brazil. This article investigates an experience of mental health collaborative care in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is a qualitative study involving interviews with physicians and mental health professionals working in primary health care units located in the northern part of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The aim is to examine the various strategies and negotiations that primary health care professionals deploy to identify mental distress and plan health care interventions. We discuss the results within the economy of attention framework. We argue that divergences in diagnostic design and therapeutic planning carried out by professionals and users or observed in MHCC meetings illustrate the health-disease-care seeking phenomenon as a negotiated process, entangled in complex interactions. Our results evince that those interactions are not always evident and configure 'what is at stake' in mental suffering. The incorporation of cultural and structural determinants in collaborative care may enable the expansion of mental health initiatives sensitive to local needs and realities.
Contingency traps: the role of form in creative processes
Authors: Kukkonen Karin
Published: April 2024

Literary texts are already written before they get read, and they are therefore not subject to chance in the same way as encounters in everyday life. However, at the same time, these texts often manage to evoke a strong sense in readers that the events they read about could have turned out otherwise. I propose the notion of the “contingency trap” as a conceptual tool to address this theoretical challenge. This article addresses how authors deploy form in the creative process to integrate contingency in their texts and make it available to their readers in reading. Two interviews with Gwenaëlle Aubry about her essay Saint Phalle serve as the first case study, and her account is contrasted and compared with an analysis of Italo Calvino’s reflections on contingency in literary narrative with particular focus on his Il Castello dei destini incrociati (The Castle of Crossed Destinies, 1973). These authors’ insights into the creative process will then be complemented by research on cognitive processes related to literary creativity in order to sketch a more general theoretical understanding of how form works as a contingency trap.
Aqueous TPGS-750-M-mediated synthesis of pyrano[2,3-c]-pyrazoles: a sustainable and efficient approach
Authors: Cetin Adnan , Bayden Mehmet Yasin
Published: April 2024

The article describes a green and efficient synthesis method for pyrano[2,3-c]-pyrazoles, employing DL-alpha-tocopherol methoxypolyethylene glycol succinate solution (TPGS-750-M) as a green and biodegradable surfactant in water. The utilization of water as a reaction medium and TPGS-750-M as a surfactant obviates the necessity for organic solvents, thereby enhancing the environmental sustainability of the synthesis. The compounds synthesized using this novel method was characterized using various spectroscopic techniques, including 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and mass spectrometry.

Graphical abstract
Evaluation of traditional and machine learning approaches for modeling volatile fatty acid concentrations in anaerobic digestion of sludge: potential and challenges
Authors: Abubakar Umar Alfa , Lemar Gul Sanga , Bello Al-Amin Danladi , Ishaq Aliyu , Dandajeh Aliyu Adamu , Jagun Zainab Toyin , Houmsi Mohamad Rajab
Published: April 2024

This study evaluates models for predicting volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations in sludge processing, ranging from classical statistical methods (Gaussian and Surge) to diverse machine learning algorithms (MLAs) such as Decision Tree, XGBoost, CatBoost, LightGBM, Multiple linear regression (MLR), Support vector regression (SVR), AdaBoost, and GradientBoosting. Anaerobic bio-methane potential tests were carried out using domestic wastewater treatment primary and secondary sludge. The tests were monitored over 40 days for variations in pH and VFA concentrations under different experimental conditions. The data observed was compared to predictions from the Gaussian and Surge models, and the MLAs. Based on correlation analysis using basic statistics and regression, the Gaussian model appears to be a consistent performer, with high R2 values and low RMSE, favoring precision in forecasting VFA concentrations. The Surge model, on the other hand, albeit having a high R2, has high prediction errors, especially in dynamic VFA concentration settings. Among the MLAs, Decision Tree and XGBoost excel at predicting complicated patterns, albeit with overfitting issues. This study provides insights underlining the need for context-specific considerations when selecting models for accurate VFA forecasts. Real-time data monitoring and collaborative data sharing are required to improve the reliability of VFA prediction models in AD processes, opening the way for breakthroughs in environmental sustainability and bioprocessing applications.
Sozialität, Gedächtnis und Demenz: Eine soziologische Studie zum praktischen Vollzug des Erinnerns
Authors: Meier zu Verl Christian
Published: April 2024

Dieser Beitrag präsentiert eine soziologische Perspektive, die die neuropsychologische Perspektive von Demenz als individuelle Gedächtnisstörung und individuellen Wissensverlust nicht übernimmt, sondern einen eigenständigen Blick auf das Soziale der Demenz entwickelt. Dabei wird die These vertreten, dass Demenz nicht zu einem allgemeinen Verlust von Sozialität und sozialem Wissen führt, sondern dass es zu Verschiebungen von Sozialitätsformen kommt und individuelle Verluste in sozialen Interaktionen durch die Interaktionspartner:innen mit und ohne Demenz teilweise kompensiert werden können. Empirisch werden dazu unterschiedliche Interaktionen im Kontext der Pflege untersucht, in denen die Interaktionspartner:innen gemeinsam handeln, um zu erinnern. Im Detail kann nachverfolgt werden, wie Interaktionspartner:innen unter den Bedingungen einer Alzheimer-Krankheit Praktiken und Handlungen wechselseitig koordinieren und diese als lokal verfügbare Ressourcen für ihr soziales Erinnern nutzen. Mit Blick auf die Progredienz der Demenz lässt sich dabei eine Verschiebung der Sozialitätsformen vom inhaltlichen Gespräch über Erinnerungen hin zu körperlich-affektiven Formen des Erinnerns beobachten.
Immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties of Sarcophaga argyrostoma larval hemolymph: utilizing the Biomphalaria alexandrina snail as a model
Authors: Mashaal Alya , Abo Elqasem Asmaa A. , Abou El-Khashab Lina A. , El-Menyawy Hend M. , Abou El-Nour Basma M. , Abdullah Eman M. , Abdalkareem Asmaa M. , Al-gebaly Rawda A. , El-sayed Asmaa M. , Mabrok Ghada R. , Mahmoud Rawda R. , Ali Dina A. , Mohamed Alaa R. , Ali Hiba H. , Bishop Suhaylah Y. , Merai Nada M. , Abdullah Nadia M. , Shahata Tuqa M. , Mahmoud Fatma H. , Shukry Rofada H. , Fathy Esraa A. , Sadek Al-Shaimaa Mohsen
Published: April 2024

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring novel natural sources for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, driven by the need for alternative therapeutic strategies with fewer side effects. This study investigates the potential of the Biomphalaria alexandrina snail as a valuable model organism to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Sarcophaga argyrostoma larval hemolymph. The choice of B. alexandrina snails as a model is based on its ecological relevance and physiological similarities to other organisms, supporting well-established use in ecological and physiological research, as well as it provides a valuable platform for such investigations. Ultimately, this study may open avenues for the development of innovative and sustainable therapeutic interventions rooted in the rich biodiversity of the natural world. The experimental design involves the extraction of hemolymph from S. argyrostoma larvae, followed by a comprehensive analysis of its antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory effects using adult snails. Various biochemical assays, including total antioxidant capacity, immunomodulatory markers and histological investigation, will be employed to assess the bioactive potential of the hemolymph. The outcomes of this research can be attributed to the identification of the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of hemolymph. This effect was observed through the reduction of oxidative stress and proinflammatory mediators, impacting the biological activities of the snails. The study is the first to shed light on the potential benefits of S. argyrostoma larval hemolymph using an animal model, showcasing its ability to mitigate oxidative and inflammatory responses within the biological context of the snails.
Active Learning and Bayesian Optimization: A Unified Perspective to Learn with a Goal
Authors: Di Fiore Francesco , Nardelli Michela , Mainini Laura
Published: April 2024

Science and Engineering applications are typically associated with expensive optimization problem to identify optimal design solutions and states of the system of interest. Bayesian optimization and active learning compute surrogate models through efficient adaptive sampling schemes to assist and accelerate this search task toward a given optimization goal. Both those methodologies are driven by specific infill/learning criteria which quantify the utility with respect to the set goal of evaluating the objective function for unknown combinations of optimization variables. While the two fields have seen an exponential growth in popularity in the past decades, their dualism and synergy have received relatively little attention to date. This paper discusses and formalizes the synergy between Bayesian optimization and active learning as symbiotic adaptive sampling methodologies driven by common principles. In particular, we demonstrate this unified perspective through the formalization of the analogy between the Bayesian infill criteria and active learning criteria as driving principles of both the goal-driven procedures. To support our original perspective, we propose a general classification of adaptive sampling techniques to highlight similarities and differences between the vast families of adaptive sampling, active learning, and Bayesian optimization. Accordingly, the synergy is demonstrated mapping the Bayesian infill criteria with the active learning criteria, and is formalized for searches informed by both a single information source and multiple levels of fidelity. In addition, we provide guidelines to apply those learning criteria investigating the performance of different Bayesian schemes for a variety of benchmark problems to highlight benefits and limitations over mathematical properties that characterize real-world applications.
Navigating Breast Cancer Oligometastasis and Oligoprogression: Current Landscape and Future Directions
Authors: Yoon Stephanie M. , Bazan Jose G.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

We examine the potential for curative approaches among metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients by exploring the recent literature on local ablative therapies like surgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with oligometastatic (OM) breast cancer. We also cover therapies for MBC patients with oligoprogressive (OP) disease.

Key Findings

Surgery and SBRT have been studied for OM and OP breast cancer, mainly in retrospective or non-randomized trials. While many studies demonstrated favorable results, a cooperative study and single-institution trial found no support for surgery/SBRT in OM and OP cases, respectively.

Conclusion

While there is interest in applying local therapies to OM and OP breast cancer, the current randomized data does not back the routine use of surgery or SBRT, particularly when considering the potential for treatment-related toxicities. Future research should refine patient selection through advanced imaging and possibly explore these therapies specifically in patients with hormone receptor-positive or HER2-positive disease.
A New Strategy for a Separate Manufacture of Arabinooligosaccharides and Oligogalacturonides by Hydrothermal Treatment of Sugar Beet Pulp
Authors: Martínez-Gómez Sergio , Yáñez Remedios , Alonso José L.
Published: April 2024

Sugar beet pulp (SBP) samples were subjected to a two-step non-isothermal autohydrolysis process in order to obtain mixtures enriched in oligogalacturonides (OGalA) and arabinooligosaccharides (AOS) in separate streams. Operating at a maximum temperature of 130 °C, mixtures containing up to 30.4% oven-dry basis (o.d.b.) of OGalA with an OGalA/AOS ratio of 5.0 g/g were obtained during the first stage. Then, the treated solids were subjected to a second treatment at temperatures in the range 160–175 °C. When those solids were treated up to 175 °C, a mixture mainly made up of AOS (37.5% o.d.b.) with an AOS/OGalA ratio of 3.91 g/g was obtained as an effluent from the reactor. In order to increase their purity, both streams were then subjected to different refining steps. A product enriched in highly methylated and partially acetylated OGalA (42.5% o.d.b., degree of methylation (DM) = 69.2% mol/mol and degree of acetylation (DA) = 36.4% mol/mol), containing 17.2% o.d.b. of non-volatile non-identified compounds, was obtained by membrane filtration of the first-stage liquors, whereas a second one, mainly made up of AOS and galactooligosaccharides (GalOS) (55.0% AOS o.d.b., 13.8% GalOS o.d.b., and 13.3% non-volatile non-identified compounds, o.d.b.), was manufactured after an ion exchange treatment followed by membrane filtration of the second-stage liquors. This strategy was demonstrated to be a suitable and scalable alternative for the separate production of refined mixtures rich in OGalA or neutral pectic-oligosaccharides. Both types of products can result in different effects on the intestinal microbiota: AOS and GalOS show a significant bifidogenic effect and they could be consumed alone or combined with selected probiotic strains of Bifidobacteria for improving an unbalanced microbiota, whereas OGalA has been demonstrated to have a variety of biological properties and can promote the growing of some bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a butyrate-producing microorganism underrepresented in patients with active IBD and infectious colitis.
Neuronal Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter (MCU) Deficiency Is Neuroprotective in Hyperexcitability by Modulation of Metabolic Pathways and ROS Balance
Authors: Bierhansl Laura , Gola Lukas , Narayanan Venu , Dik Andre , Meuth Sven G. , Wiendl Heinz , Kovac Stjepana
Published: April 2024

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in the world. Common epileptic drugs generally affect ion channels or neurotransmitters and prevent the emergence of seizures. However, up to a third of the patients suffer from drug-resistant epilepsy, and there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies that go beyond acute antiepileptic (antiseizure) therapies towards therapeutics that also might have effects on chronic epilepsy comorbidities such as cognitive decline and depression. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) mediates rapid mitochondrial Ca2+ transport through the inner mitochondrial membrane. Ca2+ influx is essential for mitochondrial functions, but longer elevations of intracellular Ca2+ levels are closely associated with seizure-induced neuronal damage, which are underlying mechanisms of cognitive decline and depression. Using neuronal-specific MCU knockout mice (MCU−/−ΔN), we demonstrate that neuronal MCU deficiency reduced hippocampal excitability in vivo. Furthermore, in vitro analyses of hippocampal glioneuronal cells reveal no change in total Ca2+ levels but differences in intracellular Ca2+ handling. MCU−/−ΔN reduces ROS production, declines metabolic fluxes, and consequently prevents glioneuronal cell death. This effect was also observed under pathological conditions, such as the low magnesium culture model of seizure-like activity or excitotoxic glutamate stimulation, whereby MCU−/−ΔN reduces ROS levels and suppresses Ca2+ overload seen in WT cells. This study highlights the importance of MCU at the interface of Ca2+ handling and metabolism as a mediator of stress-related mitochondrial dysfunction, which indicates the modulation of MCU as a potential target for future antiepileptogenic therapy.
The relationship between physical activity and depression in college students: the chain mediating role of mindfulness and meaning in life
Authors: Zhao Hongbo , Zhang Beier , Liu Wei , Jiang Yong
Published: April 2024

In order to explore the chain mediating effect of mindfulness and meaning in life between physical exercise and depression, 954 college students were investigated by physical exercise rating scale, self-rating depression questionnaire, mindfulness scale and meaning in life questionnaire. The results show that: (1) Physical exercise can significantly positively predict mindfulness and meaning in life, and significantly negatively predict depression; (2) The direct effect of physical exercise on depression of college students is not significant, but the indirect effect is significant. It can significantly predict depression of college students through the independent mediating effect of mindfulness and meaning in life, and can also significantly predict depression of college students through the chain mediating effect of mindfulness and meaning in life.
An ex vivo Approach in European Seabass Leucocytes Supports the in vitro Regulation by Postbiotics of Aip56 Gene Expression of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida
Authors: Domínguez-Maqueda Marta , Espinosa-Ruíz Cristóbal , Esteban María Ángeles , Alarcón Francisco Javier , Tapia-Paniagua Silvana T. , Balebona María Carmen , Moriñigo Miguel Ángel
Published: April 2024

Shewanella putrefaciens Pdp11 (SpPdp11) is a probiotic strain assayed in aquaculture; however, its postbiotic potential is unknown. Postbiotics are bacterial metabolites, including extracellular products (ECPs) that improve host physiology and immunity. Their production and composition can be affected by different factors such as the growing conditions of the probiotics. Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida strain Lg 41/01 (Phdp) is one of the most important pathogens in marine aquaculture. The major virulent factor of this bacterium is the exotoxin aip56, responsible for inducing apoptosis of fish leucocytes. Viable SpPdp11 cells have been reported to increase resistance to challenges with Phdp. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of two ECPs, T2348-ECP and FM1548-ECP, obtained from SpPdp11 grown under different culture conditions that previously demonstrated to exert different degradative and non-cytotoxic activities, as well as the effect on pathogens biofilm formation. These SpPdp11-ECPs were then analyzed by their effect on the viability, phagocytosis, respiratory burst and apoptogenic activity against European sea bass leucocytes infected or not with Phdp supernatant. Both ECPs, T2348-ECP and FM1548-ECP, were not cytotoxic against leucocytes and significantly reduced their apoptosis. Phagocytosis and respiratory burst of leucocytes were significantly reduced by incubation with Phdp supernatant, and not influenced by incubation with T2348-ECP or FM1548-ECP. However, both activities were significantly increased after leucocyte incubation with combined T2348-ECP and FM1548-ECP with Phdp supernatant, compared to those incubated only with Phdp supernatant. Finally, both T2348-ECP and FM1548-ECP significantly reduced the relative in vitro expression of the Phdp aip56 encoding gene.
Pore throat distributions and movable fluid occurrences in different diagenetic facies of tight sandstone reservoirs in the Triassic Chang 6 reservoirs, Wuqi Area, Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Li Pan , Ou Yangcheng , Chen Hualin , Li Qiang , Zhao Lei , Yan Jian
Published: April 2024

The 6th member of the Triassic Yanchang Formation, hereafter referred to as Chang 6 reservoir, in the Wuqi area of the Ordos Basin presents formidable obstacles for efficient tight oil development. This reservoir is known for its tight lithology, strong heterogeneity, inadequate oil saturation, and abnormally low reservoir pressure, which collectively contribute to the highly differentiated mobility of tight oil within the formation. To overcome these challenges, a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing oil mobility is essential. This study investigates the occurrence characteristics of movable fluids in different diagenetic facies and the corresponding influential factors by employing various microscopic experiments, including high-pressure mercury intrusion, constant-rate mercury intrusion, nuclear magnetic resonance test, scanning electron microscopy, pore-casted thin section analysis, and X-ray diffraction measurement. There is a weaker correlation between the pore-throat radius ratio and the movable fluid saturation in reservoirs of various diagenetic facies (R2 = 0.6104), whereas there is a stronger correlation between movable fluid saturation and throat radius (R2 = 0.9415). Among the seven types of diagenetic facies, chlorite membrane cementation-intergranular pore facies (Facies I) and chlorite and illite membrane cementation-intergranular pore facies (Facies II) have the best-developed throats and the highest coordination number. Illite cementation-intergranular pore facies (Facies III) and illite and chlorite membrane cementation-dissolution facies (Facies IV) demonstrate smaller pore-throat radii and moderate to poor reservoir connectivity. The other three facies, namely illite cementation-dissolution facies (Facies V), illite cementation facies (Facies VI), and carbonate tight cementation facies (Facies VII) exhibit underdeveloped pore structures and lower recovery rates. Pore-throat radius emerges as the principal factor influencing reservoir permeability and storage capacity. The distribution of favorable diagenetic facies is influenced by depositional environments, diagenetic processes, and microscopic pore-throat characteristics. This study significantly enhances our understanding of the differential occurrence characteristics of fluids in different diagenetic facies in the Chang 6 reservoir, providing valuable insights for future exploration and production endeavors aimed at optimizing oil recovery in tight sandstone reservoirs.
Chordoma cells possess bone-dissolving activity at the bone invasion front
Authors: Kawaai Katsuhiro , Oishi Yumiko , Kuroda Yukiko , Tamura Ryota , Toda Masahiro , Matsuo Koichi
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Chordomas are malignant tumors that destroy bones, compress surrounding nerve tissues and exhibit phenotypes that recapitulate notochordal differentiation in the axial skeleton. Chordomas recur frequently, as they resist radio-chemotherapy and are difficult to completely resect, leading to repeated bone destruction and local expansion via unknown mechanisms. Here, using chordoma specimens and JHC7 chordoma cells, we asked whether chordoma cells possess bone-dissolving activity.

Methods

CT imaging and histological analysis were performed to evaluate the structure and mineral density of chordoma-invaded bone and osteolytic marker expression. JHC7 cells were subjected to immunocytochemistry, imaging of cell fusion, calcium dynamics and acidic vacuoles, and bone lysis assays.

Results

In patients, we found that the skull base invaded by chordoma was highly porous, showed low mineral density and contained brachyury-positive chordoma cells and conventional osteoclasts both expressing the osteolytic markers tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and collagenases. JHC7 cells expressed TRAP and cathepsin K, became multinucleated via cell-cell fusion, showed spontaneous calcium oscillation, and were partly responsive to the osteoclastogenic cytokine RANKL. JHC7 cells exhibited large acidic vacuoles, and nonregulatory bone degradation without forming actin rings. Finally, bone-derived factors, calcium ions, TGF-β1, and IGF-1 enhanced JHC7 cell proliferation.

Conclusion

In chordoma, we propose that in addition to conventional bone resorption by osteoclasts, chordoma cells possess bone-dissolving activity at the tumor-bone boundary. Furthermore, bone destruction and tumor expansion may occur in a positive feedback loop.
Modulation of Gut Microbiota Through Dietary Intervention in Neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases
Authors: Ayten Şerife , Bilici Saniye
Published: April 2024

Purpose of Review

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. One of the main modulators of the gut microbiota is the diet, which directly influences host homeostasis and biological processes. Some dietary patterns can affect neurodegenerative diseases’ progression through gut microbiota composition, gut permeability, and the synthesis and secretion of microbial-derived neurotrophic factors and neurotransmitters. This comprehensive review critically assesses existing studies investigating the impact of dietary interventions on the modulation of the microbiota in relation to neurodegenerative diseases and neuroinflammation.

Recent Findings

There are limited studies on the effects of specific diets, such as the ketogenic diet, Mediterranean diet, vegetarian diet, and Western diet, on the progression of neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases through the gut-brain axis. The ketogenic diet displays promising potential in ameliorating the clinical trajectory of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. However, conflicting outcomes were observed among various studies, highlighting the need to consider diverse types of ketogenic diets and their respective effects on clinical outcomes and gut microbiota composition. Vegetarian and Mediterranean diets, known for their anti-inflammatory properties, can be effective against Parkinson’s disease, which is related to inflammation in the gut environment. On the other hand, the westernization of dietary patterns was associated with reduced gut microbial diversity and metabolites, which ultimately contributed to the development of neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment.

Various studies examining the impact of dietary interventions on the gut-brain axis with regard to neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are thoroughly reviewed in this article. A strong mechanistic explanation is required to fully understand the complex interactions between various dietary patterns, gut microbiota, and microbial metabolites and the effects these interactions have on cognitive function and the progression of these diseases.
Anti-spike antibody level is associated with the risk of clinical progression among subjects hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia: results from a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lapadula Giuseppe , Mezzadri Luca , Lo Cascio Giustina , Antolini Laura , Malandrin Sergio , Ranzani Alice , Limonta Silvia , Cavallero Annalisa , Bonfanti Paolo
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike (anti-S) may confer protection against symptomatic COVID-19. Whether their level predicts progression among those with COVID-19 pneumonia remains unclear.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess predictors of anti-S levels and whether anti-S titer is associated with death or mechanical ventilation (MV). Adults hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia between July 2021 and July 2022 were enrolled if anti-S had been measured within 72 h of admission. Predictors of anti-S level were explored using multivariable quantile regression. The association between anti-S levels and 30-day death/MV was investigated via multivariable logistic regression. Analyses were stratified by vaccine status.

Results

The median anti-S level was 1370 BAU/ml in 328 vaccinated and 15.5 BAU/ml in 206 unvaccinated individuals. Among the vaccinated, shorter symptom duration (p = 0.001), hematological malignancies (p = 0.002), and immunosuppressive therapy (p = 0.004) were associated with lower anti-S levels. In the unvaccinated group, symptom duration was the only predictor of anti-S levels (p < 0.001). After 30 days, 134 patients experienced death or MV. Among vaccinated individuals, higher anti-S levels correlated significantly with lower death/MV risk (per log2 increase, OR 0.88, 95%CI 0.81–0.97), irrespective of age and solid malignancies. Among unvaccinated, a marginally protective effect was observed (OR 0.86, 95%CI 0.73–1.01), independent of age, immunosuppressive therapy, and diabetes. Adjustment for monoclonal antibody treatment strengthened the association (OR 0.81, 95%CI 0.68–0.96).

Conclusion

This study suggests that levels of anti-S antibodies can predict critical or fatal outcomes in COVID-19 pneumonia patients, regardless of vaccination. Whether anti-S Ab could guide risk assessment and vaccination boosting merits further evaluation.
Dose–Response Modelling of Resistance Exercise Across Outcome Domains in Strength and Conditioning: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Swinton Paul Alan , Schoenfeld Brad J. , Murphy Andrew
Published: April 2024

Background

Resistance exercise is the most common training modality included within strength and conditioning (S&C) practice. Understanding dose–response relationships between resistance training and a range of outcomes relevant to physical and sporting performance is of primary importance for quality S&C prescription.

Objectives

The aim of this meta-analysis was to use contemporary modelling techniques to investigate resistance-only and resistance-dominant training interventions, and explore relationships between training variables (frequency, volume, intensity), participant characteristics (training status, sex), and improvements across a range of outcome domains including maximum strength, power, vertical jump, change of direction, and sprinting performance.

Methods

Data were obtained from a database of training studies conducted between 1962 and 2018, which comprised healthy trained or untrained adults engaged in resistance-only or resistance-dominant interventions. Studies were not required to include a control group. Standardized mean difference effect sizes were calculated and interventions categorized according to a range of training variables describing frequency (number of sessions per week), volume (number of sets and repetitions performed), overall intensity (intensity of effort and load, categorised as low, medium or high), and intensity of load (represented as % of one-repetition maximum [1RM] prescribed). Contemporary modelling techniques including Bayesian mixed-effects meta-analytic models were fitted to investigate linear and non-linear dose-responses with models compared based on predictive accuracy.

Results

Data from a total of 295 studies comprising 535 groups and 6,710 participants were included with analyses conducted on time points ≤ 26 weeks. The best performing model included: duration from baseline, average number of sets, and the main and interaction effects between outcome domain and intensity of load (% 1RM) expressed non-linearly. Model performance was not improved by the inclusion of participant training status or sex.

Conclusions

The current meta-analysis represents the most comprehensive investigation of dose–response relationships across a range of outcome domains commonly targeted within strength and conditioning to date. Results demonstrate the magnitude of improvements is predominantly influenced by training intensity of load and the outcome measured. When considering the effects of intensity as a % 1RM, profiles differ across outcome domains with maximum strength likely to be maximised with the heaviest loads, vertical jump performance likely to be maximised with relatively light loads (~ 30% 1RM), and power likely to be maximised with low to moderate loads (40–70% 1RM).
The use and misuse of the SCOFF screening measure over two decades: a systematic literature review
Authors: Coop Amy , Clark Amelia , Morgan John , Reid Fiona , Lacey J. Hubert
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The SCOFF questionnaire was designed as a simple, memorable screening tool to raise suspicion that a person might have an eating disorder. It is over 20 years since the creation of the SCOFF, during which time it has been widely used. Considering this, we wish to review the use of the SCOFF in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and to assess whether it is being used appropriately in the manner in which it was originally devised and tested.

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and all search strategies and methods were determined before the onset of the study. PubMed and Wiley Online Library were searched using the terms SCOFF and eating. Two reviewers were involved in the reviewing process. Criteria for appropriate use of the SCOFF were formalised with the tool’s original authors.

Results

180 articles were included in the final review. 48 articles had used the SCOFF appropriately, 117 articles inappropriately and 15 articles had been mixed in the appropriateness of their use.

Conclusion

This systematic review highlights the inappropriate use of the SCOFF in diverse languages and settings. When used correctly the SCOFF has made a significant contribution to the understanding of eating disorders and its simplicity has been applauded and led to widespread use. However in over two-thirds of studies, the use of the SCOFF was inappropriate and the paper highlights how and in what way it was misused, Guidelines for the appropriate use of the SCOFF are stated. Future validation and avenues of research are suggested.

Level of evidence

Level I.
GHQ: grouped hybrid Q-learning for cooperative heterogeneous multi-agent reinforcement learning
Authors: Yu Xiaoyang , Lin Youfang , Wang Xiangsen , Han Sheng , Lv Kai
Published: April 2024

Previous deep multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) algorithms have achieved impressive results, typically in symmetric and homogeneous scenarios. However, asymmetric heterogeneous scenarios are prevalent and usually harder to solve. In this paper, the main discussion is about the cooperative heterogeneous MARL problem in asymmetric heterogeneous maps of the Starcraft Multi-Agent Challenges (SMAC) environment. Recent mainstream approaches use policy-based actor-critic algorithms to solve the heterogeneous MARL problem with various individual agent policies. However, these approaches lack formal definition and further analysis of the heterogeneity problem. Therefore, a formal definition of the Local Transition Heterogeneity (LTH) problem is first given. Then, the LTH problem in SMAC environment can be studied. To comprehensively reveal and study the LTH problem, some new asymmetric heterogeneous maps in SMAC are designed. It has been observed that baseline algorithms fail to perform well in the new maps. Then, the authors propose the Grouped Individual-Global-Max (GIGM) consistency and a novel MARL algorithm, Grouped Hybrid Q-Learning (GHQ). GHQ separates agents into several groups and keeps individual parameters for each group. To enhance cooperation between groups, GHQ maximizes the mutual information between trajectories of different groups. A novel hybrid structure for value factorization in GHQ is also proposed. Finally, experiments on the original and the new maps show the fabulous performance of GHQ compared to other state-of-the-art algorithms.
What Drives Mating Effort: Fear of Singlehood, Relationship Status, and Self-Esteem
Authors: Apostolou Menelaos , Tekeş Burcu , Kagialis Antonios
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Attracting and maintaining a romantic partner requires considerable effort. In the current study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that fear of singlehood is a primary factor driving individuals to allocate scarce resources in the mating domain.

Methods

We conducted a close-ended survey with a sample of 990 Greek and Turkish-speaking participants.

Results

We found that that a stronger fear of singlehood was associated with higher mating effort. Moreover, voluntarily single participants experienced lower fear of singlehood compared to other categories of singles and individuals in intimate relationships. Additionally, higher self-esteem was associated with lower fear of singlehood. We also identified a significant indirect effect of relationship status and self-esteem on mating effort through fear of singlehood. Specifically, involuntarily single individuals tended to exert more mating effort due to heightened fear of singlehood compared to those in other relationship status categories. Furthermore, higher self-esteem was associated with reduced mating effort, as it was associated with lower fear of singlehood. These findings held true across both the Greek and Turkish samples.

Conclusion

Relationship status and self-esteem play a role in mating effort through fear of singlehood.
On the volume of some Fano K-moduli spaces
Authors: Tambasco Salvatore
Published: April 2024

We compute the CM volume, that is the degree of the descended CM line bundle on the coarse moduli space in two cases: on the Fano K-moduli space of quartic del Pezzo in any dimension, and on the K-moduli space of the log Fano hyperplane arrangements of dimension one and two. Furthermore, we relate these volumes to the Weil–Petersson volumes by extending the notion of Weil–Petersson metric in the log case.
Banknote Life in India: A Survival Analysis Approach
Authors: Tagat Anirudh , Özmen Mehmet , Markowsky Gregory
Published: April 2024

India’s currency-to-GDP ratio indicates a strong and persistent demand for cash. Despite the withdrawal of two high-value banknotes in 2016 and the recent economic contraction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cash continues to rule in India. Although there is extensive work on the demand for cash in India, relatively little is known about the quality and supply of banknotes. This paper provides an overview of currency management policies in India using publicly available annual aggregate issuances and disposals data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). We model the life of a banknote using survival analysis models, finding that low-value banknotes (INR 10 and 20) have a median life of 4–5 years. The estimates of longevity of a banknote are significantly associated with velocity of circulation as well as exogenous shocks. We demonstrate the value of survival analysis methods in informing currency management policies in India and providing avenues for future work in this domain.
Entwicklung eines mittelhochdeutschen Sentiment-Wörterbuchs aus korpushermeneutischer Perspektive
Authors: Dimpel Friedrich Michael
Published: April 2024

Im ersten Teil werden Probleme und Lösungsansätze einer mediävistischen Korpusforschung skizziert. Ein zentrales Problem besteht immer noch in der unzureichenden Verfügbarkeit von digitalen Texten. Zwar gibt es mit der Mittelhochdeutschen Begriffsdatenbank und einigen vorbildlichen Editionsprojekten begrüßenswerte Ansätze, allerdings wäre bei öffentlich geförderten Editionsprojekten eine digitale Publikationspflicht ohne Schlupflöcher überfällig. Zudem hat die Mediävistik gegenüber der Korpusforschung zu neueren Sprachen noch weitere Nachteile, die zum Teil auf der nicht normierten mittelhochdeutschen Graphie beruhen und zum Teil darauf, dass es weniger bzw. weniger leistungsfähigere Tools und Ressourcen aus dem Bereich der automatischen Sprachverarbeitung für das Mittelhochdeutsche gibt.

Im zweiten Teil des Aufsatzes wird exemplarisch ein solches Desiderat aufgegriffen: Die Sentiment-Forschung. Auch hier hat die Mediävistik einen Rückstand aufzuholen, daher wird das erste mittelhochdeutsche Sentiment-Wörterbuch »SentiMhd« vorgestellt. Mit automatischen Verfahren zur Sentimentanalyse wird es möglich, große Korpora oder auch Textabschnitte hinsichtlich positiver oder negativer Stimmungen zu untersuchen. Diskutiert werden dabei Probleme, die sich bei mehrdeutigen, kontextabhängigen oder in Negation stehenden Lemmata ergeben, wenn verschiedene Annotator*innen den gleichen Text hinsichtlich seines Sentimentgehaltes auszeichnen. Solche Mehrdeutigkeiten führen eine automatische Analyse unter hermeneutischen Aspekten an ihre Grenzen. Neben der Evaluation von SentiMhd anhand eines manuell annotierten Korpus werden erste Analysen zu Hartmanns Iwein vorgestellt. Dank annotierter Figurenreferenzen können auch Sentimentwörter im Kontext von Figurenreferenzen erfasst werden. Das Sentiment-Modell deutet darauf hin, dass es im Iwein eher zwei Tiefpunkte gibt (Terminversäumnis und Lunetes Einkerkerung), während die Forschung meist nur eine Krise zwischen dem ersten und zweiten Romanteil sieht. Nach einer Auswertung zu männlichen und weiblichen Hauptfiguren, Zofen und Opponent*innen schließt ein exemplarischer Makro-Blick auf verschiedene vier verschiedene Textsorten die Studie ab.
Assessment of mechanical performance of Al2O3 ceramic honeycomb sandwich structures produced with SLA 3D-printing regarding unpolymerized slurry removal strategy
Authors: Kafkaslıoğlu Yıldız Betül
Published: April 2024

Al2O3 ceramic honeycomb sandwich bars with a hexagonal core were manufactured through SLA 3D-printing to analyze the impact of hole placement, designed for the removal of uncured slurry, on the bending strength of the samples. Several holes were placed specifically on the samples in the design in two different ways. In the initial design, the holes were placed on the honeycomb sandwich structure’s upper and lower face-sheets. In the second design, the holes were positioned in the direction of the sample thickness, in the lateral walls. The moment of inertia values for the honeycomb structures were calculated with the help of experimental elastic modulus results, and true bending strength was determined according to these results. Nominal strength values were found using the common three-point bending formula. The true bending strength value of Al2O3 with lateral holes was 73% higher than Al2O3 with holes on face-sheets, while the nominal bending strength was 79% higher. Al2O3 samples with holes on face-sheets exhibited a significantly higher failure index compared with both the bulk samples and the Al2O3 samples with lateral holes. The holes on the face-sheets reduced the cross-sectional area of the tensile surface and contributed to an increase in stresses due to the stress concentration effect. The Al2O3 samples with lateral holes provided a great advantage of specific strength, reaching an average value of 65% above the specific strength of the bulk samples.
Effects of thermal treatment on the electrical behavior of titanium dioxide thin-films
Authors: V-Niño Ely Dannier , Bertel Linda , Miranda David A.
Published: April 2024

Electrochemical biosensors made of titanium dioxide have generated significant interest due to their high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of a variety of diseases. This study focuses on the impact of thermal treatment in an oxygen environment on the electrical properties of titanium dioxide thin films deposited on silicon substrates using pulsed laser deposition; the films were subjected to temperatures of $$\varvec{100\,\,^{\circ }C}$$

100

∘

C

, $$\varvec{400\,\,^{\circ }C}$$

400

∘

C

, and $$\varvec{600\,\,^{\circ }C}$$

600

∘

C

. The primary objective was to explore how thermal processing influences the electrical characteristics of the thin films, with the goal of enhancing their capacitance and thereby improving the performance of sensors developed by functionalizing these films; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the presence of Ti$$^{4+}$$

4
+

, Ti$$^{3+}$$

3
+

and TiO$$_x$$

x

species in the untreated thin film and in the heat-treated films, with an increase in TiO$$_x$$

x

species observed after oxygen heat treatment. Atomic force microscopy demonstrated a decrease in the surface homogeneity of the films at elevated treatment temperatures, which corresponded to a reduction in capacitive behavior; this was further corroborated by Nyquist plots derived from electrochemical capacitance spectroscopy (ECS). The study found that the electrochemical capacitance at lower frequencies decreased significantly from $$\varvec{1.02\,\, \mu Fcm^{-2}}$$

1.02

μ
F
c

m

-
2

to $$\varvec{0.25\,\, \mu Fcm^{-2}}$$

0.25

μ
F
c

m

-
2

when the treatment temperature was increased to $$\varvec{600\,\,^{\circ }C}$$

600

∘

C
Competition between alien and native species in xerothermic steno-Mediterranean grasslands: Cenchrus setaceus and Hyparrhenia hirta in Sicily and southern Italy
Authors: Musarella Carmelo Maria , Sciandrello Saverio , Domina Gianniantonio
Published: April 2024

Perennial dry grassland communities, vital for plant biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean, often harbor rare and endangered species. However, these habitats face threats, including the invasion of alien species. Cenchrus setaceus, a highly invasive grass, is spreading in the Mediterranean region. Historical records and observations document its establishment and invasiveness across various Italian regions. This study investigates the impact of C. setaceus on native grasslands dominated by Hyparrhenia hirta. We assessed the impact of C. setaceus invasion on plant biodiversity in Sicily and southern Italy, and we identified and characterized plant species’ composition using Ellenberg indicator values. The intention to analyze species richness, diversity, and ecological indicators is also emphasized. Starting from the use of the phytosociological method, multivariate analysis and Ellenberg indicator values to assess the impact of C. setaceus on grasslands composition were considered. There are several similarities and differences in diversity, floristic composition, and ecological traits between the two grassland types. A deep comparison with central European studies and evaluation of the impact of C. setaceus on species richness and community dynamics in Mediterranean habitats were concluded. Although C. setaceus is invading native grasslands, it does not drastically reduce species richness. The ecological implications of the invasion are explored, urging ongoing monitoring and collaborative efforts for effective conservation. The importance of interdisciplinary cooperation is highlighted to address the threat of invasive species and sustain the biodiversity of Mediterranean grasslands.
Added value of amateur observational network for high-resolution climatological analysis: a case study in the aterno valley, abruzzo, Italy
Authors: Curci Gabriele
Published: April 2024

The ecological transition calls for an increasing need for local climate services. A fine spatial characterization of atmospheric relevant quantities (temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, solar radiation, etc.) at long-term climatological scales is typically based on observational networks run by public entities such as the European Union (e.g. Copernicus services) and national and regional Agencies (e.g. National Met Office, Hydrographic Offices). The aim of this work is to verify if the density of these networks is adequate to represent the variability over the territory, with particular regard to a complex terrain area such as the Aterno river Valley in Abruzzo, Central Italy. We use a combination of public networks and the available dense amateur network of weather stations. We subject the database to careful data quality check both in terms of temporal and spatial anomalies. We found that the public network is generally adequate to represent the spatial and temporal variability over the area in terms of temperature and precipitation, but this is not the case for wind and relative humidity for the lack of sensors. We suggest that an integration of public and non-institutional observational networks is desirable for a finer climatological characterization of a complex territory and for allowing the description of more phenomena, in order to better inform adaptation measures with respect to climate change.