bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of machine learning in polymer additive manufacturing: A review
Authors: Nasrin Tahamina , Pourkamali‐Anaraki Farhad , Peterson Amy M.
Published: December 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a revolutionary technology that enables production of intricate structures while minimizing material waste. However, its full potential has yet to be realized due to technical challenges such as the dependence of part quality on numerous process parameters, the vast number of design options, and the occurrence of defects. These complications may be magnified by the use of polymers and polymer composites due to their complex molecular structures, batch‐to‐batch variations, and changes in final part properties caused by small alterations in process settings and environmental conditions. Machine learning (ML), a branch of artificial intelligence, offers approaches to tackle these challenges and significantly reduce the experimental and computational time and expense. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of existing research on integrating ML techniques into polymer AM. It highlights the challenges involved in adopting ML in polymer AM, proposes potential solutions, and identifies areas for future research.
One‐pot method for upcycling polycarbonate waste to yield high‐strength, BPA‐free composites
Authors: Derr Katelyn M. , Smith Rhett C.
Published: December 2023

Environmental damage caused by waste plastics and downstream chemical breakdown products is a modern crisis. Endocrine‐disrupting bisphenol A (BPA), found in breakdown products of poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PC), is an especially pernicious example that interferes with the reproduction and development of a wide range of organisms, including humans. Herein we report a single‐stage thiocracking method to chemically upcycle polycarbonate using elemental sulfur, a waste product of fossil fuel refining. Importantly, this method disintegrates bisphenol A units into monoaryls, thus eliminating endocrine‐disrupting BPA from the material and from any potential downstream waste. Thiocracking of PC (10 wt%) with elemental sulfur (90 wt%) at 320 °C yields the highly crosslinked network SPC90. The composition, thermal, morphological, and mechanical properties of SPC90 were characterized by FT‐IR spectroscopy, TGA, DSC, elemental analysis, SEM/EDX, compressive strength tests, and flexural strength tests. The composite SPC90 (compressive strength = 12.8 MPa, flexural strength = 4.33 MPa) showed mechanical strengths exceeding those of commercial bricks and competitive with those of mineral cements. The approach discussed herein represents a method to chemically upcycle polycarbonate while deconstructing BPA units, and valorizing waste sulfur to yield structurally viable building materials that could replace less‐green legacy materials.
Unravelling the effect of control agents on Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi on a chestnut‐based medium by proteomics
Authors: Álvarez Micaela , Agostini Isadora , Sampaio Ana , Román Ángel , Delgado Josué , Rodrigues Paula
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi is the major chestnut pathogen, responsible for economic losses and recently described as a 3‐nitropropionic acid and diplodiatoxin mycotoxin producer. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST 713 (Serenade® ASO), B. amyloliquefaciens CIMO‐BCA1, and the fungicide Horizon® (tebuconazole) have been shown to reduce the growth of G. smithogilvyi. However, they enhanced mycotoxin production. Proteomics can clarify the mould's physiology and the impact of antifungal agents on the mould's metabolism. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of Horizon®, Serenade®, and B. amyloliquefaciens CIMO‐BCA1 in the proteome of G. smithogilvyi to unveil their modes of action and decipher why the mould responds by increasing the mycotoxin production. For this, the mycelium close to the inhibition zone provoked by antifungals was macroscopically and microscopically observed. Proteins were extracted and analysed using a Q‐Exactive plus Orbitrap.

RESULTS

The results did not elucidate specific proteins involved in the mycotoxin biosynthesis, but these agents provoked different kinds of stress on the mould, mainly affecting the cell wall structures and antioxidant response, which points to the mycotoxins overproduction as a defence mechanism. The biocontrol agent CIMO‐BCA1 acts similar to tebuconazole. The results revealed different responses on the mould's metabolism when co‐cultured with the two B. amyloliquefaciens, showing different modes of action of each bacterium, which opens the possibility of combining both biocontrol strategies.

CONCLUSION

These results unveil different modes of action of the treatments that could help to reduce the use of toxic chemicals to combat plant pathogens worldwide. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Persistent Charging of CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals Confined in Glass Matrix
Authors: Wang Gang , Yang Bobo , Mei Shiliang , Wang Bingzhe , Zhang Zhipeng , Mao Yulin , Guo Jia , Ma Guohong , Guo Ruiqian , Xing Guichuan
Published: December 2023

Manipulation of persistent charges in semiconductor nanostructure is the key point to obtain quantum bits towards the application of quantum memory and information devices. However, realizing persistent charge storage in semiconductor nano‐systems is still very challenge due to the disturbance from crystal defects and environment conditions. Herein, the two‐photon persistent charging induced long‐lasting afterglow and charged exciton formation are observed in CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) confined in glass host with effective lifetime surpassing one second, where the glass inclosure provides effective protection. A method combining the femtosecond and second time‐resolved transient absorption spectroscopy is explored to determine the persistent charging possibility of perovskite NCs unambiguously. Meanwhile, with temperature‐dependent spectroscopy, the underlying mechanism of this persistent charging is elucidated. A two‐channel carrier transfer model is proposed involving athermal quantum tunneling and slower thermal‐assisted channel. On this basis, two different information storage devices are demonstrated with the memory time exceeding two hours under low‐temperature condition. These results provide a new strategy to realize persistent charging in perovskite NCs and deepen the understanding of the underlying carrier kinetics, which may pave an alternative way towards novel information memory and optical data storage applications.
Shape‐Regulated Photothermal‐Catalytic Tumor Therapy Using Polydopamine@Pt Nanozymes with the Elicitation of an Immune Response
Authors: Xu Zhilong , Jiang Jian , Li Yanan , Hu Ting , Gu Jiake , Zhang Peiying , Fan Lei , Xi Juqun , Han Jie , Guo Rong
Published: December 2023

Recently, nanozyme‐based photothermal‐catalytic therapy has emerged as a promising strategy for antitumor treatment. Extensive research has focused on optimizing the catalytic activity and photothermal conversion performance of nanozymes through size, morphology, and surface property regulations. However, the biological effects of nanozymes, such as cellular uptake and cytotoxicity, resulting from their physicochemical properties, remain largely unexplored. In this study, two types of polydopamine/platinum (PDA@Pt) nanozymes, flower‐like (FPDA@Pt) and mesoporous spherical‐like (MPDA@Pt), to comprehensively compare their enzyme‐mimicking activity, photothermal conversion capacity, and antitumor efficiency are designed. These findings revealed that FPDA@Pt exhibited superior peroxidase‐like activity and higher photothermal conversion efficiency compared to MPDA@Pt. This led to enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased heat generation at tumor sites. Importantly, it is observed thatthe flower‐like structure of FPDA@Pt facilitated enhanced cellular uptake, leading to an increased accumulation of nanozymes within tumor cells. Furthermore, the light irradiation on tumors also triggered a series of anti‐tumor immune responses, further enhancing the therapeutic efficacy. This work provides a possible design orientation for nanozyme‐based photothermal‐catalytic tumor therapy, highlighting the importance of considering the physicochemical properties of nanozymes to optimize their therapeutic potential in antitumor strategies.
Ultra‐Large Compressive Plasticity of E‐Ga2O3 Thin Films at the Submicron Scale
Authors: Cui Junfeng , Yuan Qilong , Wang Wei , Chen Guoxin , Ke Peiling , Zhang Wenrui , Nishimura Kazuhito , Jiang Nan
Published: December 2023

Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) usually fractures in the brittle form, and achieving large plastic deformability to avoid catastrophic failure is in high demand. Here, ε‐Ga2O3 thin films with columnar crystals and partial unoccupied Ga sites are synthesized, and it is demonstrated that the ε‐Ga2O3 at the submicron scale can be compressed to an ultra‐large plastic strain of 48.5% without cracking. The compressive behavior and related mechanisms are investigated by in situ transmission electron microscope nanomechanical testing combined with atomic‐resolution characterizations. The serrated plastic flow and large strain burst are two major deformation forms of ε‐Ga2O3 during compression, which are attributed to the dislocation nucleation and avalanches, formation of new grains, and amorphization. The ultra‐large compressive plasticity of ε‐Ga2O3 thin films at the submicron scale can inspire new applications of Ga2O3 in micro‐ or nano‐ electronic and optoelectronic devices, especially those that require impact resistance during processing or service.
Irreversible Bonding of Polydimethylsiloxane‐Lithium Niobate using Oxygen Plasma Modification for Surface Acoustic Wave based Microfluidic Application: Theory and Experiment
Authors: He Chunhua , Yao Jinhui , Yang Canfeng , Wang Jianxin , Sun Bo , Liao Guanglan , Shi Tielin , Liu Zhiyong
Published: December 2023

Acoustic microfluidic chips, fabricated by combining lithium niobate (LiNbO3) with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), practically find applications in biomedicine. However, high‐strength direct bonding of LiNbO3 substrate with PDMS microchannel remains a challenge due to the large mismatching of thermal expansion coefficient at the interface and the lack of bonding theory. This paper elaborately reveals the bonding mechanisms of PDMS and LiNbO3, demonstrating an irreversible bonding method for PDMS‐LiNbO3 heterostructures using oxygen plasma modification. An in‐situ monitoring strategy by using resonant devices is proposed for oxygen plasma, including quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) covered with PDMS and surface acoustic wave (SAW) fabricated by LiNbO3. When oxygen plasma exposure occurs, surfaces are cleaned, oxygen ions are implanted, and hydroxyl groups (‐OH) are formed. Upon interfaces bonding, the interface will form niobium‐oxygen‐silicon covalent bonds to realize an irreversible connection. A champion bonding strength is obtained of 1.1 MPa, and the PDMS‐LiNbO3 acoustic microfluidic chip excels in leakage tests, withstanding pressures exceeding 60 psi, outperforming many previously reported devices. This work addresses the gap in PDMS‐LiNbO3 bonding theory and advances its practical application in the acoustic microfluidic field.
A comparative experiment between textual requirements and model‐based requirements on proxies for contractual safety
Authors: Salado Alejandro , Shadab Niloofar
Published: December 2023

Requirements form the backbone of contracting in acquisition programs. Requirements define the problem boundaries within which contractors try to find acceptable solutions (design systems). At the same time, requirements are the criteria by which a customer measures the extent that their contract has been fulfilled by the supplier. In this context, the quality of a requirement set is determined by the level of contractual safety that it yields. Unfortunately, textual requirements do not provide acceptable levels of contractual safety, as they remain a major source of problems in acquisition programs. Model‐based requirements have been proposed as an alternative to textual requirements, although this promise has not been demonstrated yet. This paper addresses the main question of whether using model‐based requirements improves the contractual safety of acquisition programs compared to using textual requirements. The level of adequate applicability, bounding, necessity, and completeness achieved by model‐based requirements are empirically measured using an experimental study with aerospace engineering and industrial and systems engineering students on a space system application. The results show that model‐based requirements outperform textual requirements in these four variables.
Chemical and microbiological safety of drinking water in distribution networks made of plastic pipes
Authors: Świetlik Joanna , Magnucka Marta
Published: December 2023

In recent years, metal alloys used for drinking water distribution are gradually being replaced by PVC and HDPE pipes. In areas of distribution networks made of plastic, consumer complaints related to a significant deterioration of organoleptic parameters of water are frequently recorded. The decline in water quality is most likely the result of chemical and biological processes occurring on the inner walls of the transmission pipes coexisting with the disappearance of disinfectant residues. Plastic pipes are also characterized by high failure rates associated with aging of polymeric materials under operating conditions. Published reports indicate disturbing phenomena occurring in plastic pipes: oxidative aging of polymers, degradation of antioxidant coatings, release of organic compounds to water as well as surface damage and scaling, generating microplastic particles. PE and PVC networks are also susceptible to biofilm formation, characterized by a high phylogenetic diversity of microorganisms. Studies presented in the literature, indicating the risks resulting from the exploitation of PE and PVC pipes, are mainly based on model tests. There is a lack of works, which would complementarily explain all the phenomena occurring in working water pipes made of plastics. The aim of this review is to present the current state of knowledge regarding the phenomena and processes that can occur in PE and PVC pipes in service and their relevance to the safety and quality of drinking water in distribution networks, as well as to identify areas that require further analysis to enable water producers to deliver an appropriately high‐quality product to consumers.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation

Science of Water > Water Quality

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Effective encapsulation of noble and small gases and molecules by tubularene molecule
Authors: Weinert Christopher , Ćoćić Dušan , Puchta Ralph , van Eldik Rudi
Published: December 2023

Based on computational chemistry calculations (ωB97XD/def2‐tzvp//ωB97XD/def2‐svp/svpfit+ZPE(ωB97XD/def2‐svp/svpfit)), binding energy of tubular[3,6,6,6]arene to accommodate noble gases and a series of 29 small gases were calculated. Based on the gained results, Rn (−17.52 kcal/mol) from the series of noble gases is best suited to be accommodated. In the series of noble gases, the binding energy increases linearly with increasing gas radii. From the series of 29 small guests, IF3 and C2I2 (~ −23 kcal/mol) have the best proclivity to be most effectively accommodated in the tubularene, with other 26 exhibiting favorable encapsulation energies on various scales depending on their voluminosity and structure, and only NI3 with the unfavorable complexation energy of 13.87 kcal/mol. Investigated gases, depending on the size, are placed at the different position inside the tube‐like cavity of the tubularene. The structure of the tubularene, independent of the hosted guest species, has remained very rigid, with its atom's rearrangements withing an error margin.
Efficient Recovery of Valuable Resources from Construction and Demolition Waste Towards Circular Economy in Construction Industry—Sustainability Assessment and a Case Study
Authors: Ozcelikci Emircan , Aldemir Alper , Sahmaran Mustafa
Published: December 2023

Considerably high amounts of CO2 release to the atmosphere trigger global warming. Although there are several methods to reduce the level of CO2 release, the extent is still very limited and recently-growing awareness of sustainabil-ity/global warming have been pushing the entire construction industry to seek alternative methods for rigorously lowering/eliminating the level of CO2. The key strategic objective of the study is to develop eco-friendly/innovative, 100% CDW-based construction materials and demountable structural systems. This study aims to achieve higher levels of circularity in civil engineering materials/structures, contributing to the reduction/elimination of CO2 emissions much more rigorously through the following key objectives: (i) Upgrading CDW recycling/reuse efficiency by capturing CO2 from the atmosphere to improve properties of CDW-based constituents via accelerated mineralization/carbonation, (ii) Development of holistically-designed advanced material property improvement technologies to even enhance the greenness of 100% CDW-based materials/structures through efficient CO2 binding/elimination capability, (iii) Validation of the ultimate products (materials/structures) with additional green perspective through a detailed large-scale field demonstration. Despite the abundance of studies in this area, there is currently very little work on demonstration activities on the real-time applicability of geopolymers development using industrial by-products and CDWs. Successful outputs of this study and their real-time demonstration will offer a fully sustainable construction system, including speed of construction/design flexibility/air purification/cost reduction/energy and material saving/avoidance of unwanted pollution-heavy demolition processes and make much larger audience to be influenced by the study’s results.
Potential Synergy Between Agile Management and the Mindset of Circular Economy in Construction Projects
Authors: Enembreck Flávia Luisa Pires , do Carmo Duarte Freitas Maria , Bragança Luís , Tavares Sergio Fernando
Published: December 2023

The focus of project management on processes and activities in the construction sector presents high variability and uncertainty. This article suggests the adoption of agile methodologies with an emphasis on people as an alternative that encourages reflection and anticipation of building maintenance and demolition problems. The objective is to identify the theoretical proximity between the main characteristics of agile construction project management and the circular economy mindset. The methodology used was a systematic bibliographical review and state-of-the-art content analysis on the application of agile in construction projects, with the discovery of the most cited characteristics and, subsequently, the establishment of a correlation with the elements of the circular economy mindset from inferences regarding the similarity of concepts and perspectives between both. From this analysis emerges the synergy between the circular and agile mindset. The conclusive trend is that architecture and construction benefit from the transitions from traditional management methodology to agile management and from the linear economy to the circular economy, given its limited technological stage in Brazil, in addition to the possibility of reducing waste generation and maintenance of the added value of buildings.
The Rehabilitation of Buildings from the Perspective of Circular Economy Principles
Authors: Freitas M. C. D. , Tavares S. F. , Bragança L. , Barbosa S.
Published: December 2023

The Material Bank (MB) of the city of Porto (Portugal) is an emblematic case that operates in the design phase of the rehabilitation of buildings from the perspective of the circular economy, acting as intermediation of information as a strategic resource in favor of the creation of a network of partners for the preservation of the old quarter with its historical and architectural heritage of the city. In this context, the study analyzes the actors, expectations and values with an emphasis on the circular economy and mitigation of construction and demolition waste. It consists of an exploratory-descriptive research, from qualitative nature, which uses bibliographical and documentary research to describe and analyze the Constructive Materials Bank of Porto City Council as a public policy capable of acting in the transition of the circular economy, noting that information is the key element in the mechanisms of reputation and trust, in the implementation of building rehabilitation projects and in the relationship between citizens and the city. The MB is an innovative model of public policy in managing and providing building materials of historical and architectural value. The idea is to align the heritage and cultural value of buildings with the principles of the circular economy.
Circular Economy Supporting Policies and Regulations: The Portuguese Case
Authors: Pedroso Marco Frazão , Tavares Vanessa
Published: December 2023

Construction is one of the critical sectors in the transition to a Circular Economy due to its contribution to resource depletion, waste, and emissions. Despite its acknowledged limitations (e.g., low productivity), the construction sector has been the focus of policies and regulations to improve its sustainability and circular economy capabilities. This study focuses on circular economy policies and regulations related to the construction sector in the European Union and Portugal, identifying political and regulatory barriers and opportunities. The analysis identified a growing number of publications since 2019 and divided the policies and regulations for the Circular Economy into four areas: Resource and Waste Management, Sustainable Development Goals, Green Public Procurement, and Circular Economy. Four main barriers were identified: policies and regulations harmonization, digital innovation (within the twin transition), support to the transition (e.g. financial and educational), and clear and focused governance models. It then discusses the documents and barriers, analyzes the Portuguese strategy (Portuguese Action Plan for Circularity in the Construction Sector), and proposes a strategy to be followed by other countries. The findings provide a holistic understanding of why policies and regulations fail to support Circular Economy day-to-day practices and provide insights on how to trigger the transition.
Analysis of Adaptability Requirements Against Their Implementation in Level(s) Framework
Authors: Askar Rand , Bragança Luís , Gervásio Helena
Published: December 2023

The adaptability of buildings is considered an essential criterion of sustainability and circularity of the built environment. Change is inevitable in our modern life. Therefore, designing buildings for adaptability and adaptive reuse is urgently necessary to save resources and prevent waste produced by arbitrary demolition activities. The circular economy recognises DfA “Design for Adaptability” as a key strategy to achieve the circularity of buildings, counting on the concept's ability to optimise the effectiveness of other strategies such as design for disassembly (DfD) and promote the waste hierarchy (reduce, reuse, recycle). The recognition is reflected in the EU framework for sustainability assessment Level(s), which embraces four circularity indicators in Macro Objective 2. The paper identifies adaptability requirements building on multiple adaptability and circularity assessment models. In light of these requirements, Level(s) consideration of DfA is examined, leading to multiple possible improvements to more inclusive and objective adaptability and circularity assessment.
Using City Information Modelling to Evaluate Urban Circularity Through Sustainability Indicators
Authors: Salles Adriana , Salati Maryam , Bragança Luís
Published: December 2023

While promoting a holistic view of cities, sustainability assessment methods and the circular economy concept have gained attention among urban planners and policymakers. Those methods associated with information technologies can enable intelligent solutions to accelerate sustainability goals. City Information Modelling (CIM) can facilitate the assessment of urban sustainability and circularity. Continuing a previous study, this article examines whether traditional sustainability assessment tools may be adapted to CIM while promoting circular economy practices. Furthermore, the relationship between the most prioritized sustainability indicators and primary urban circularity concerns is examined through theoretical analysis. Therefore, a correlation matrix is proposed and indicators associated with each circularity concern are identified. In total, 24 indicators out of 48 are directly related to urban sustainability. Accordingly, this article discusses how urban circularity concerns can be determined using CIM, based on their correlation with the prioritized indicators. The findings indicate that a CIM-oriented strategy could be used to evaluate urban circularity concerns through sustainability indicators.
Supercritical CO2 drying of New Zealand red beech to below the fibre saturation point reduces collapse distortion
Authors: Pearson Hamish , Donaldson Lloyd , Kimberley Mark , Davy Bruce
Published: December 2023

Supercritical CO2 offers an alternative method of removing wood moisture and reducing cellular collapse compared to traditional drying techniques. The technique has been previously demonstrated for Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus nitens dewatering and was modified in this study for New Zealand red beech (Nothofagus fusca) heartwood, which is notoriously difficult to dry without causing excessive distortion. The technique was also successfully extended to drying below the fibre saturation point. A specific dewatering and drying schedule was developed for N. fusca because of negligible dewatering using a schedule previously designed for wood with an open hydrofluidic network of interconnected vessels. An anatomical assessment confirmed lumen pathways were occluded with tyloses and polyphenol resins. A fluid dynamics assessment concluded that permeability measurements are recommended together with tortuosity and porosity information for improved wood species dewatering characterisation. Using the dewatering and drying schedule, collapse was successfully reduced by 92% for both normalised internal wood area and void collapse when compared to oven-dried samples. The beech specimens took 18 days to reach 17.3% moisture content (MC) but displayed some checking from early dewatering depressurisation, compared to air-dried control specimens which showed no collapse or checking but took 6 months to reach 12% MC. Supercritical CO2 dewatering and drying could be combined with extractives separation, preservative treatment, and mechanical forming of wood in one plant to make a potentially economically viable process with improved energy, environmental and carbon footprints. A techno-economic analysis is suggested to fully compare supercritical drying of wood against conventional drying operations.
High-temporal resolution functional PET/MRI reveals coupling between human metabolic and hemodynamic brain response
Authors: Hahn Andreas , Reed Murray B. , Vraka Chrysoula , Godbersen Godber M. , Klug Sebastian , Komorowski Arkadiusz , Falb Pia , Nics Lukas , Traub-Weidinger Tatjana , Hacker Marcus , Lanzenberger Rupert
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Positron emission tomography (PET) provides precise molecular information on physiological processes, but its low temporal resolution is a major obstacle. Consequently, we characterized the metabolic response of the human brain to working memory performance using an optimized functional PET (fPET) framework at a temporal resolution of 3 s.

Methods

Thirty-five healthy volunteers underwent fPET with [18F]FDG bolus plus constant infusion, 19 of those at a hybrid PET/MRI scanner. During the scan, an n-back working memory paradigm was completed. fPET data were reconstructed to 3 s temporal resolution and processed with a novel sliding window filter to increase signal to noise ratio. BOLD fMRI signals were acquired at 2 s.

Results

Consistent with simulated kinetic modeling, we observed a constant increase in the [18F]FDG signal during task execution, followed by a rapid return to baseline after stimulation ceased. These task-specific changes were robustly observed in brain regions involved in working memory processing. The simultaneous acquisition of BOLD fMRI revealed that the temporal coupling between hemodynamic and metabolic signals in the primary motor cortex was related to individual behavioral performance during working memory. Furthermore, task-induced BOLD deactivations in the posteromedial default mode network were accompanied by distinct temporal patterns in glucose metabolism, which were dependent on the metabolic demands of the corresponding task-positive networks.

Conclusions

In sum, the proposed approach enables the advancement from parallel to truly synchronized investigation of metabolic and hemodynamic responses during cognitive processing. This allows to capture unique information in the temporal domain, which is not accessible to conventional PET imaging.
Reproductive success of Bornean orangutan males: scattered in time but clustered in space
Authors: van Noordwijk Maria A. , LaBarge Laura R. , Kunz Julia A. , Marzec Anna M. , Spillmann Brigitte , Ackermann Corinne , Rianti Puji , Vogel Erin R. , Atmoko S. Suci Utami , Kruetzen Michael , van Schaik Carel P.
Published: December 2023

The social and mating systems of orangutans, one of our closest relatives, remain poorly understood. Orangutans (Pongo spp.) are highly sexually dimorphic and females are philopatric and maintain individual, but overlapping home ranges, whereas males disperse, are non-territorial and wide-ranging, and show bimaturism, with many years between reaching sexual maturity and attaining full secondary sexual characteristics (including cheek pads (flanges) and emitting long calls). We report on 21 assigned paternities, among 35 flanged and 15 unflanged, genotyped male Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii), studied from 2003 to 2018 in Tuanan (Central Kalimantan, Indonesia). All 10 infants born since mid-2003 with an already identified sire were sired by flanged males. All adult males ranged well beyond the study area (c. 1000 ha), and their dominance relations fluctuated even within short periods. However, 5 of the 10 identified sires had multiple offspring within the monitored area. Several sired over a period of c. 10 years, which overlapped with siring periods of other males. The long-calling behavior of sires indicated they were not consistently dominant over other males in the area around the time of known conceptions. Instead, when they were seen in the area, the known sires spent most of their time within the home ranges of the females whose offspring they sired. Overall, successful sires were older and more often resident than others.

Significance statement

It is difficult to assess reproductive success for individuals of long-lived species, especially for dispersing males, who cannot be monitored throughout their lives. Due to extremely long interbirth intervals, orangutans have highly male-skewed operational sex ratios and thus intensive male-male competition for every conception. Paternity analyses matched 21 immature Bornean orangutans with their most likely sire (only 10 of 50 genotyped males) in a natural population. Half of these identified sires had multiple offspring in the study area spread over periods of at least 10 years, despite frequently ranging outside this area. Dominance was a poor predictor of success, but, consistent with female mating tactics to reduce the risk of infanticide, known “sires” tended to have relatively high local presence, which seems to contribute to the males’ siring success. The results highlight the importance of large protected areas to enable a natural pattern of dispersal and ranging.
Prenatal dispositions and genetic analysis of monozygotic female twins with suprasellar cysts and hydrocephalus: A case report
Authors: Guldberg Frederikke , Larsen Carl Christian , Østergaard Elsebet , Carlsen Jonathan , Juhler Marianne , Munch Tina Nørgaard
Published: December 2023

Introduction

We present a unique case of monozygotic female twins with virtually identical clinical and radiological presentations of supratentorial hydrocephalus and cystic formations from the suprasellar cistern.

Discussion

Evaluating genetic predispositions and prenatal exposures is crucial for hydrocephalus in twins. Familial cases imply a genetic contribution to the development of these anomalies, including chromosomal abnormalities and specific variants linked to arachnoid cyst formation in various syndromes. Extensive genetic analyses found no pathogenic variants in the twins. Prenatal exposure to anti-epileptic medication was known during pregnancy and may be associated with fetal abnormalities, but not central nervous system (CNS) malformations, and was therefore not considered the cause of the condition in the twins. The twins presenting simultaneously with hydrocephalus caused by suprasellar cysts (SAC) underwent a two-step surgical management: initial ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement followed by fenestration. Postoperative imaging showed cyst reduction, but a secondary VPS was necessary in both cases.

Conclusion

Genetic analysis is less likely to identify a monogenic etiology in non-syndromic cases of SACs, which are assumed to be multifactorial. There is no established evidence linking a teratogenic effect of anti-epileptic drugs to CNS malformations. Moreover, the surgical treatment of this complex condition constitutes a point of discussion.
DNA replication and replication stress response in the context of nuclear architecture
Authors: González-Acosta Daniel , Lopes Massimo
Published: December 2023

The DNA replication process needs to be coordinated with other DNA metabolism transactions and must eventually extend to the full genome, regardless of chromatin status, gene expression, secondary structures and DNA lesions. Completeness and accuracy of DNA replication are crucial to maintain genome integrity, limiting transformation in normal cells and offering targeting opportunities for proliferating cancer cells. DNA replication is thus tightly coordinated with chromatin dynamics and 3D genome architecture, and we are only beginning to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. While much has recently been discovered on how DNA replication initiation is organised and modulated in different genomic regions and nuclear territories—the so-called “DNA replication program”—we know much less on how the elongation of ongoing replication forks and particularly the response to replication obstacles is affected by the local nuclear organisation. Also, it is still elusive how specific components of nuclear architecture participate in the replication stress response. Here, we review known mechanisms and factors orchestrating replication initiation, and replication fork progression upon stress, focusing on recent evidence linking genome organisation and nuclear architecture with the cellular responses to replication interference, and highlighting open questions and future challenges to explore this exciting new avenue of research.
A retrospective study of accuracy and usefulness of electrophysiological exercise tests
Authors: Periviita Vesa , Jokela Manu , Palmio Johanna , Udd Bjarne
Published: December 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the usefulness of electrophysiological exercise tests. The significance of slightly abnormal exercise tests was also examined.

Methods

We identified all the patients who had undergone exercise testing between February 2007 to June 2022 in Tampere University Hospital, Finland. Their medical records after diagnostic workup and exercise test reports were reviewed. A binary logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between positive test result in short exercise test, long exercise test, or short exercise test with cooling and genetically confirmed skeletal muscle channelopathy or myotonic disorder.

Results

We identified 256 patients. 27 patients were diagnosed with nondystrophic myotonia, periodic paralysis, myotonic dystrophy type 1, myotonic dystrophy type 2, or other specified myopathy. 14 patients were suspected to have a skeletal muscle channelopathy, but pathogenic variants could not be identified. The remaining 215 patients were diagnosed with other conditions than skeletal muscle channelopathy or myotonic disorder. The combined sensitivity of exercise tests was 59.3% and specificity 99.1%. Abnormal exercise test result was associated with increased risk of skeletal muscle channelopathy or myotonic disorder (OR 164.3, 95% CI 28.3–954.6, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Electrophysiological exercise test is not optimal to exclude skeletal muscle channelopathy. It may be useful if a skeletal muscle channelopathy is suspected and genetic testing is negative or indeterminate and further evidence is required. Slightly abnormal exercise test results are possible in various conditions and result from different aetiologies. There is a demand for neurophysiological studies with higher sensitivity to detect skeletal muscle channelopathies.
Inter-day reliability of heart rate complexity and variability metrics in healthy highly active younger and older adults
Authors: Fennell Christopher R. J. , Mauger Alexis R. , Hopker James G.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To investigate the inter-day reliability of time-domain, frequency-domain, and nonlinear HRV metrics in healthy highly active younger and older adults. The study also assessed the effect of age on the HRV metrics.

Methods

Forty-four older adults (34 M, 10F; 59 ± 5 years; $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{{\text{2peak}}}}$$

V
˙

O
2peak

 = 40.9 ± 7.6 ml kg−1 min−1) and twenty-two younger adults (16 M, 6F; 22 ± 4 years; $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{{\text{2peak}}}}$$

V
˙

O
2peak

 = 47.2 ± 12.8 ml kg−1 min−1) attended the laboratory. Visit one assessed aerobic fitness through an exercise test. In visits two and three, participants completed a 30-min supine RR interval measurement to derive the HRV metrics.

Results

The younger group (YG) and older group (OG) demonstrated poor to good day-to-day relative and absolute reliability for all HRV metrics (OG, ICCs = 0.33 to 0.69 and between day CVs = 3.8 to 29.2%; YG, ICCs = 0.37 to 0.93 and between day CVs = 3.5 to 36.5%). There was a significant reduction in ApEn (P < 0.001), SampEn (P = 0.031), RMSSD (P < 0.001), SDNN (P < 0.001), LF power (P < 0.001) and HF power (P < 0.001), HRV metrics with ageing. There was no significant effect of age the complexity metrics DFA α1 (P = 0.107), α2 (P = 0.147) and CI-8 (P = 0.493).

Conclusion

HRV metrics are reproducible between days in both healthy highly active younger and older adults. There is a decline in linear and nonlinear HRV metrics with age, albeit there being no age-related change in the nonlinear metrics, DFA α1, α2 and CI-8.
Long-term outcome after SphinKeeper® surgery for treating fecal incontinence—who are good candidates?
Authors: Dawoud Christopher , Widmann Kerstin Melanie , Pereyra David , Harpain Felix , Riss Stefan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The efficacy of the novel SphinKeeper® procedure for the treatment of fecal incontinence (FI) is not yet well defined. This study aimed to assess long-term functional outcomes after SphinKeeper® surgery.

Methods

We included 32 patients with FI (28 female), who were operated at a tertiary referral center between August 2018 and September 2021. Functional outcome and quality of life were evaluated prospectively using validated questionnaires before and after surgery. Additionally, endoanal ultrasound and anal manometry were conducted prior and after SphinKeeper® implantation. Predictive parameters for treatment success were defined.

Results

The mean follow-up time was 22.62 ± 8.82 months. The St. Mark’s incontinence score decreased significantly after surgery (median preoperative = 19 (IQR 17–22) versus median last follow-up = 12 (IQR 8–16),p = 0.001). Similarly, physical short-form health survey showed a significant improvement after SphinKeeper® implantation (p = 0.011).

Patients with a higher degree of internal sphincter defect showed an improved objective therapy success (r = 0.633,p = 0.015) after SphinKeeper® operation, whereas the type and severity of FI had no impact on the functional outcome. Notably, a higher number of dislocated prostheses (r = 0.772,p = 0.015) showed a significant correlation with reduced improvement of incontinence.

Conclusion

The SphinKeeper® procedure showed a significant long-term functional improvement in over half of the patients. Patients with a higher internal sphincter defect benefited most, whereas dislocation of the prostheses was associated with less favorable results.
ReSleeve or revisional one anastomosis gastric bypass for failed primary sleeve gastrectomy with dilated gastric tube: a retrospective study
Authors: Gerges Wadie Boshra , Omar Ahmed S. M. , Shoka Ahmed Ain , Hamed Mohammed Abdalmegeed , Abdelrahim Hossam S. , Makram Fady
Published: December 2023

Background

Revisional bariatric surgery (RBS) has been increasingly performed due to weight loss failure (WLF). Many revisional procedures have been proposed after primary laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (pLSG) failure, including ReSleeve gastrectomy (ReLSG), and laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass (LOAGB). Choosing the RBS post-pLSG failure represents a challenge. WLF without gastric tube (GT) dilation is undoubtedly converted to a malabsorptive procedure, but the presence of GT dilation makes it more difficult to select a RBS. This study aimed to compare two relatively simple revisional procedures after pLSG failure with dilated GT to help decision making on which procedure better done to which patient.

Methods

Data of 52 patients who completed one year follow-up (FU) after their RBS (ReLSG: 27 or LOAGB: 25) for their failed pLSG were collected, assessed, correlated to weight loss (WL) and compared.

Results

Mean operative time was 97 ± 18.4 min. with revisional LOAGB (RLOAGB) and 62 ± 11 min. with ReLSG. Six patients (11.5%) had seven postoperative procedure-specific complications. Significant hemorrhage occurred in three patients. Two cases of leakage were encountered with each procedure. LOAGB Patients had lower mean final weight (76.2 ± 10.5 vs 85.3 ± 13), lower mean Final BMI (26.4 ± 2.5 vs 29.7 ± 2.9) and higher mean percentage of excess weight loss (EWL%) (83.6 ± 13.5% vs 60.29 ± 14.6%). All RLOAGB patients and 77.8% of ReLSG patients had EWL% > 50%. RLOAGB patients had higher EWL% compared to ReLSG (p < 0.001). Insufficient WL (IWL) patients had higher EWL% compared to weight regain (WR) patients (p = 0.034).

Conclusion

Both procedures (RLOAGB and ReLSG) were relatively safe and effective in terms of WL. RLOAGB led to higher WL compared to ReLSG in all types of patients despite higher Caloric intake. IWL patients had more WL compared to WR patients. WL was not related to GT dilation type. Large-scale longer-FU studies are still needed.

Trial registration

PACTR202310644487566 (retrospectively registered).
On discrete-time dissipative port-Hamiltonian (descriptor) systems
Authors: Cherifi Karim , Gernandt Hannes , Hinsen Dorothea , Mehrmann Volker
Published: December 2023

Port-Hamiltonian (pH) systems have been studied extensively for linear continuous-time dynamical systems. This manuscript presents a discrete-time pH descriptor formulation for linear, completely causal, scattering passive dynamical systems based on the system coefficients. The relation of this formulation to positive and bounded real systems and the characterization via positive semidefinite solutions of Kalman–Yakubovich–Popov inequalities is also studied.
Bidirectional normalized $$q$$-rung orthopair fuzzy projection and extended TOPSIS approach to multiattribute group decision making
Authors: Jia Xiaoping , Jia Baozhu , Pan Xinxiang , Xu Yuanyuan , Zhang Shoujun
Published: December 2023

$$q$$
q
-rung orthopair fuzzy sets ($$q$$
q
-ROFSs), as a generalization of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) and Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFSs), can depict uncertain attitudes more flexibly and bear decision information more extensively. Innumerable fuzzy assessment verdicts that exceed IFSs or PFSs can be captured by $$q$$
q
-ROFSs. To make the evaluation process more adaptive, in this article, we explore the application of $$q$$
q
-ROFSs to multiattribute group decision making (MAGDM) by employing the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach. In view of the comprehensive tool of projection method for measuring the proximity of decision vectors, we further propose innovative bidirectional normalized projection measures that consider not only distance but also spatial angle to replace traditional distance measures such as Hamming and Euclidean. A new extension of TOPSIS methodology is then addressed in the context of MAGDM with $$q$$
q
-ROFSs, which eliminates the transformation and aggregation steps to ensure less information loss. At length, the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed framework are demonstrated by an example of ship equipment reliability evaluation with comparative analysis, and future research directions are also suggested.
Antimicrobial use and resistance in food animal production: food safety and associated concerns in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Odey Timothy Obiebe Jason , Tanimowo Williams Omotola , Afolabi Kayode Olayinka , Jahid Iqbal Kabir , Reuben Rine Christopher
Published: December 2023

The use of antimicrobials in food animal (FA) production is a common practice all over the world, with even greater usage and dependence in the developing world, including Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, this practice which serves obvious economic benefits to producers has raised public health concerns over the last decades, thus driving the selection and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and adversely impacting food safety and environmental health. This review presents the current and comprehensive antimicrobial usage practices in food animal production across SSA. We further highlighted the overall regional drivers as well as the public health, environmental, and economic impact of antimicrobial use in the production of food animals. Antimicrobial use is likely to increase with even exacerbated outcomes unless cost-effective, safe, and sustainable alternatives to antibiotics, especially probiotics, prebiotics, bacteriocins, antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophages, vaccines, etc. are urgently advocated for and used in food animal production in SSA. These, in addition to the implementation of strong legislation on antimicrobial use, and improved hygiene will help mitigate the public health concerns associated with antimicrobial use in food animals and improve the well-being and safety of food animals and their products.