bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mass Spectrometry Imaging for Spatial Toxicology Research
Authors: Qiu Tian (Autumn)
Published: December 2024

The spatial information of xenobiotics distribution, metabolism, and toxicity mechanisms in situ has drawn increasing attention in both pharmaceutical and environmental toxicology research to aid drug development and environmental risk assessments. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) provides a label‐free, multiplexed, and high‐throughput tool to characterize xenobiotics, their metabolites, and endogenous molecules in situ with spatial resolution, providing knowledge on spatially resolved absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity on the molecular level. In this perspective, we briefly summarize applications of MSI in toxicology on xenobiotic distribution and metabolism, quantification, toxicity mechanisms, and biomarker discovery. We identified several challenges regarding how we can fully harness the power of MSI in both fundamental toxicology research and regulatory practices. First, how can we increase the coverage, sensitivity, and specificity in detecting xenobiotics and their metabolites in complex biological matrices? Second, how can we link the spatial molecular information of xenobiotics to toxicity consequences to understand toxicity mechanisms, predict exposure outcomes, and aid biomarker discovery? Finally, how can we standardize the MSI experiment and data analysis workflow to provide robust conclusions for regulation and drug development? With these questions in mind, we provide our perspectives on the future directions of MSI as a promising tool in spatial toxicology research.
Sustainable Approach for Degradation of Low‐Density Polyethylene Plastic Waste Using Ligninolytic White Rot Fungus
Authors: Chaturvedi Mridula , Kaur Navpreet , Alam Samsul , Sharma Shashi
Published: December 2024

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor is used in manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics for food—drink packaging. In the present study, optimized set of conditions to degrade commercial grade BPA has been used and applied in degrading shredded leached low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) residues and its leachate (198 µg/L BPA) using white rot fungus Hypocrea lixii. One‐at‐a‐time method showed maximum BPA degradation of 98.73 ± 0.02% with 190.1 ± 0.2 U/L laccase and 1913.2 ± 0.3 U/L lignin peroxidase in glucose‐yeast extract‐malt extract‐peptone (GYMP) medium supplemented with 5% sawdust, mediators—CuSO4 (0.2 mM), veratryl alcohol (0.1 mM) and Tween 80 (0.1 mM). Three sets were prepared by dissolving these optimized nutritional components in leachates—A (only leachate), B (leached LDPE residues in leachate) and C (leached LDPE residues, sawdust in leachate). All sets showed 100% degradation in 5 days. Cracks and holes in degraded LDPE pieces was confirmed by SEM analysis and changes in functional groups by FTIR. Toxicity assay of treated leachate on soil microfauna revealed the elimination of BPA as it supported sufficient microbial growth of soil bacteria. Thus, the present process provides a sustainable solution for the management of LDPE with the possibility of using treated leachate for irrigation.
Turbinate Injection of Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of the Chronic Rhinitis
Authors: Kim Do H. , Jang David W. , Hwang Se H.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

This systemic review with meta‐analysis evaluated the effect of intranasal BTX‐A turbinate injection on chronic rhinitis‐related symptoms.

Data Sources

PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases.

Review Methods

We reviewed studies retrieved from databases up to Aug 2024. The studies evaluating the degree of change of rhinitis‐related symptom scores and quality of life before and after BTX‐A injection were analyzed. Standard mean differences were used to calculate effect sizes.

Results

A total of 269 patients from 7 studies were analyzed. BTX‐A injection showed a significant improvement in rhinitis‐related symptoms (congestion: 2.5416, 95% CI 1.0927–3.9905, I2 = 94.4%, itching: 1.2553, 95% CI 0.6660–1.8446; I2 = 70.8%, rhinorrhea: 1.8451, 95% CI 1.0468–2.6435, I2 = 89.7%, and sneezing: 1.3580, 95% CI 0.5194–2.1967; I2 = 90.7%), total nasal symptom score (2.4020, 95% CI 1.4161–3.3879, I2 = 86.1%), and quality of life (1.5256, 95% CI 1.0760–1.9752; I2 = 0.0%) throughout the follow‐up period (4 months). However, 3 months after injection, although symptom improvement remained, there was no statistical significance. Allergic rhinitis (AR) patients showed a significant improvement in rhinitis‐related symptoms compared with nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) patients.

Conclusions

Nasal symptoms and quality of life scores related to rhinitis were decreased after BTX‐A injection. In particular, this treatment showed better efficacy in AR and could be more beneficial for the symptoms of nasal congestion and rhinorrhea at the early periods of treatment. However, the effects lasted for a relatively short period of only 2–3 months. Laryngoscope, 2024
Incorporating Cattle Manure Improves Hydraulic Properties and Enhances Infiltration Rates of Low‐Infiltrability Saline‐Sodic Soils
Authors: Li Xia , Guo Zhengxiong , Ma Yulei , Leite Pedro A. M. , Li Zhigang , Wu Gao‐Lin
Published: December 2024

Drylands present a significant challenge to global agricultural production, especially in dryland saline‐sodic soils, which are marked by poor structure and low infiltrability. Enhancing the infiltration capacity of these soils is crucial for enhancing soil health and optimizing land‐use efficiency. However, few studies have been conducted to improve soil physical structure and enhance water infiltration and storage capacity in saline‐sodic soils through agricultural waste. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cattle manure amendments in improving water infiltration and related soil properties in dryland saline‐sodic soils. Our results show that mixing cattle manure into the topsoil soil significantly enhances infiltration rates, with the initial and the stable infiltration rates increasing on average by 64.5% and 52.1%, respectively, over the three‐year study period. These improvements are associated with a reduction in bulk density and soil compressive strength by 6.9% and 101.9%, respectively, as well as increases in total porosity, non‐capillary porosity, and soil organic matter by 6.6%, 24.7%, and 8.7%, respectively. In contrast, cattle manure mulching in the topsoil has no significant impact on infiltration and soil properties. Structural equation models reveal that soil water content, non‐capillary porosity, and total porosity are the primary properties influencing the stable infiltration rates, whereas total porosity, soil compressive strength, and non‐capillary porosity are key factors affecting the initial infiltration rate. Our findings demonstrated that incorporating cattle manure into the soil can effectively enhance the soil porosity properties, infiltrability, and organic matter content of saline‐sodic soils. These findings highlight the potential of cattle manure to improve soil physical properties and enhance water infiltration in low‐infiltrability saline‐sodic soils, offering a theoretical basis for addressing this issue in semiarid regions.
Direct ink writing of polymer‐based materials—A review
Authors: Li Cuiyu , Feng Changhong , Zhang Lei , Zhang Lijun , Wang Li
Published: December 2024

Additive manufacturing (AM) is widely recognized for its flexibility, structural complexity, customizability, and sustainability. Within the realm of AM technology, direct ink writing (DIW) stand out due to its material diversity, high resolution, and capacity for free‐form design. It enjoys widespread applications in biomedicine and engineering, making it a key advanced manufacturing method for crafting design‐free, multifunctional, and stable items. Herein, a review of the DIW of polymer‐based materials is presented. It starts with an overview of the various fillers in polymer composites, followed by an in‐depth discussion of the diverse methods for customizing ink for DIW across different material classes. Subsequently, it delves into the emerging applications of DIW polymer‐based materials, encompassing their utility in biology, electrical energy storage, electronics, and robotics. Finally, the review addresses the current challenges and prospects associated with DIW, aiming to elucidate potential pathways for future innovations.

Highlights

DIW is one of the most popular techniques in 3D printing.

Describes the application of polymer‐based materials in DIW in recent years.

Outlines advances in DIW of polymer‐based composites, hydrogels, and 4D printing.

Outlines the myriad of applications for DIW of polymer‐based materials.

Discusses current challenges and outlooks to provide guidance for future.
Spontaneous resolution of a giant bulla in a patient presenting with COVID‐19 with presumed superadded bacterial infection
Authors: Chan Ian Y. H. , Philip Keir E. J. , Tsitsias Thomas , Reynolds Carl
Published: December 2024

Bullous emphysema is a chronic disease characterized by bullae, or air spaces in the lungs. Giant bullae exceed one‐third of the hemithorax volume and are usually treated via bullectomy. We present the case of a 35‐year‐old man who presented to hospital with a history of COVID‐19 infection and seven days of chest pain and dyspnoea. A giant left upper lobe fluid‐filled bulla was identified on computed tomography. He was discharged with a course of antibiotics. A radiograph performed one month after presentation revealed an unchanged giant bulla. However, a chest radiograph and computed tomography nine months after initial presentation showed complete spontaneous resolution of the bulla. Bullectomy was deemed unnecessary. Cases of spontaneous bullae resolution, or autobullectomy, are rare. Our case implicates the role of infectious processes in autobullectomy. Serial imaging monitoring and delayed cardiothoracic assessment may be prudent to assess bullectomy necessity.
Co‐Application of Wood Biochar and Nano‐Titanium Dioxide to Immobilize Vanadium in Alkaline Soils
Authors: Haak Melissa R. , Indraratne Srimathie P. , Attanayake Chammi P. , Goltz Douglas M. , Applin Daniel M.
Published: December 2024

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and biochar have been used as amendments to adsorb vanadium (V) in aqueous solutions; however, their simultaneous application in the remediation of V‐contaminated neutral‐alkaline soils is rare. TiO2 nanoparticles, biochar, and a blend of biochar+TiO2 were investigated as amendments for an alkaline V‐contaminated soil. Treatments involved mixing (weight basis) 1% TiO2 (T1), 5% biochar (T2), 1% TiO2 + 5% biochar (T3) with soil, and an unamended soil (T4). An adsorption edge study was performed from pH 4 to 10 at the V concentration of 200 mg L−1. A standard vanadium (V) solution was prepared using NaVO3. An incubation study was conducted over 3 months with V‐contaminated soil at a rate of 200 mg kg−1, at 80% field capacity. At the end of the incubation period, the treated soils were subjected to V fractionation. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and FTIR spectra of TiO2 nanoparticles, biochar, uncontaminated soil, and four treated soils were obtained. The adsorption edge of V was below pH 4.6, suggesting reduced retention of V in alkaline soils. In the combined treatment, the adsorption edge was elevated by one unit compared to the control. V adsorption increased in TiO2, biochar, and combined TiO2+biochar treatments at 7%, 4%, and 20%, respectively, compared with the unamended soil (control) at a pH of ~7.6. Functional groups revealed the possibility of inner‐sphere and outer‐sphere adsorption mechanisms between vanadate and the mix amendment of TiO2+biochar. The labile V fraction decreased, and the nonlabile V fraction increased, significantly in the TiO2+biochar amended soil compared to the unamended soil. Applying a blend of biochar+TiO2 reduced the mobility of V in a neutral‐alkaline soil, thereby preventing it from contaminating the nearby soil and water bodies.
The Longitudinal Relationship Between the Symptoms of Depression and Perceived Stress Among Chinese University Students
Authors: Liu Yifan , Zhou Guangdong , Huang Yuchen , Sun Yan
Published: December 2024

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders. Perceived stress is a significant trigger and has adverse effects on depression. The complex longitudinal relationship between perceived stress and depression at the symptom level has significant implications for clinical intervention but is understudied. In our study, 823 students (67% female, median age 20.38, IQR 19.42–21.43) from a university in Tianjin were randomly sampled and completed measures of PHQ‐9 and PSS‐10, while 393 (65% female, median age 20.42, IQR 19.46–21.45) were followed up at three points, six months apart. The longitudinal relationships were estimated using cross‐lagged modelling and cross‐lagged panel network modelling. Among them, 49 students (59% female, median age 19.48, IQR 18.76–20.12) participated in resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans. Cross‐lagged analyses showed that depression and perceived stress predicted each other at the global level. At the dimensional level, depression and perceived helplessness were mutually predictive, while depression and perceived coping did not. In the cross‐lagged panel network analyses, we identified symptoms in the top 20% of Bridge Expected Influence as bridging symptoms, specifically ‘Guilt’ (PHQ6) and ‘Felt nervous and stressed’ (PSS3). Notably, ‘guilt’ consistently demonstrated the highest Bridge Expected Influence across all time points and showed the strongest predictive power for perceived stress. We found that fALFF in the left superior frontal gyrus (SFG) mediated the association between “guilt" and perceived stress. Our findings elucidate the bidirectional relationship between symptoms of depression and perceived stress, identifying guilt is the most critical symptom of depression for the followed perceived stress, with SFG activity mediating this association.
Nanoparticle‐Mediated Gene Delivery for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Li Guangzhao , Wu Jiaxin , Cheng Xinting , Pei Xibo , Wang Jian , Xie Wenjia
Published: December 2024

Critical‐sized bone defects represent an urgent clinical problem, necessitating innovative treatment approaches. Gene‐activated grafts for bone tissue engineering have emerged as a promising solution. However, traditional gene delivery methods are constrained by limited osteogenic efficacy and safety concerns. Recently, organic and inorganic nanoparticle (NP) vectors have attracted significant attention in bone tissue engineering for their safe, stable, and controllable gene delivery. Targeted gene delivery guided by insights into bone healing mechanisms, coupled with the multifunctional design of NPs, is crucial for enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Here, the theoretical foundations underlying NP‐mediated gene therapy for enhancing bone healing across different histological stages are elucidated. Furthermore, the distinct attributes of functionalized NP vectors are discussed, and cutting‐edge strategies aimed at optimizing gene delivery efficiency throughout the therapeutic process are highlighted. Additionally, the review addresses the unresolved challenges and prospects of this technology. This review may contribute to the continued development and clinical application of NP‐mediated gene delivery for treating critical‐sized bone defects.
Boosting the Durability of High‐Pt‐Content Fuel Cell Cathode Catalysts Through TaOx Decorating
Authors: Xue Kun‐Ze , Tong Lei , Zuo Lu‐Jie , Yu Yongzhi , Li Wei‐Jia , Zhou Zi‐Yuan , Song Tian‐Wei , Zhang Le , Li Shuai , Li Zi‐Rui , Xu Xiao‐Chu , Zuo Ming , Liang Hai‐Wei
Published: December 2024

Enhancing the durability of carbon‐supported platinum catalysts (Pt/C) for the oxygen reduction reaction remains a significant challenge in the field of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), especially for catalysts with high‐Pt contents. Herein, a TaOx decorating strategy that is capable of effectively boosting the durability of Pt/C catalysts even with a high‐Pt content of 50 wt.% is introduced. This strategy involves introducing reducible Ta2O5 nanoparticles into carbon supports, depositing Pt nanoparticles, and finally conducting high‐temperature H2 annealing to convert reducible Ta2O5 nanoparticles into amorphous TaOx decorating the Pt nanoparticles. The annealing temperature found in the Ta2O5 incorporation step is critical for the formation of reducible Ta2O5 nanoparticles, which, in turn, determines the continuity of the TaOx subsequently formed around the Pt nanoparticles. By controlling annealing temperature, the formation of a relatively continuous TaOx distribution on the Pt nanoparticle surface is achieved, thereby maximizing the interaction between Pt and TaOx and enhancing the electrochemical stability of Pt nanoparticles. Following the accelerated durability test, the resulting high‐Pt‐content catalyst demonstrates an array of exceptional durability metrics, including an electrochemical surface area loss of 30%, a mass activity loss of 35%, and a voltage loss of 22 mV at 0.8 A cm‒2.
Multi‐Functional Descriptor Design of V‐Based Double Atomic Catalysts for Room Temperature Sodium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Cui Kai , Wang Tianshuai , Zhang Qiuyu , Zhang Hepeng
Published: December 2024

Double atomic catalysts (DACs) have emerged as a promising approach for addressing the shuttle effect and sluggish kinetics in room temperature sodium‐sulfur batteries (RT‐SSBs). However, identifying optimal metal combinations to meet the multiple requirements for RT‐SSBs is challenging. Herein, a method for designing V‐based DACs catalysts (DAC‐VX, X = metal atoms) is presented by distilling descriptors through first‐principle calculations and Multi‐Task Learning‐Sure Independence Screening and Sparsifying Operator. Theoretical calculations reveal the d‐d orbital couplings between V and X significantly influences catalytic performance, highlighting the advantages of DAC‐VX systems over SAV in reducing discharge reaction energy barriers and enhancing anchoring ability, although they are less effective in promoting Na₂S decomposition and Na migration. Moreover, a 3D multifunctional descriptor (Ce, Vm, Ra) is developed, enabling simultaneous prediction of sodium polysulfides adsorption energy, Na2S decomposition energy barrier, Na migration energy barrier, and discharge reaction energy barrier on DAC‐VX, overcoming the limitation of single performance descriptors. Notably, the coexisting SAV and DAC‐VCr are identified as an excellent catalyst candidate, offering the lowest discharge reaction energy barrier (0.54 eV), strong anchoring ability, and the lowest decomposition energy barrier for Na2S (0.96 eV). This work provides valuable insights for data‐driven design of DACs for RT‐SSBs.
‘Part of the team as opposed to watching from the outside’: Critical incident study of autistic veterinary surgeons’ workdays
Authors: Pickles Kirstie , Houdmont Jonathan , Smits Femke , Hill Bradley
Published: December 2024

Background

Autistic individuals experience differences in sensory processing, communication and executive function, which may affect their experience of the workplace. We investigated UK‐based autistic clinical veterinary surgeons’ experiences to establish contributing factors to a good or difficult workday.

Methods

Purposive sampling was used to conduct semi‐structured qualitative interviews with 15 autistic veterinary surgeons. A critical incident technique was applied to explore the characteristics of a good and a difficult workday. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify recurrent themes and sub‐themes in the narratives.

Results

Five major themes were identified as contributing to a difficult workday for autistic veterinarians: professional interactions, feeling out of control, the physical environment, role‐specific challenges and self‐doubt. Four overarching themes were identified as being associated with a good workday: positive interactions, feeling in control, having enough time and a sense of achievement.

Limitations

As this is a qualitative study with a small number of participants, the extent to which these findings reflect the experience of the wider autistic veterinary surgeon community is unclear.

Conclusion

Strategies to mitigate the effect of the most cited factors leading to difficult workdays, centring around neurodiversity awareness of colleagues and control of work, are likely to be helpful to autistic veterinary surgeons.
The ESA Science Programme
Authors: Parmar Arvind , Bonnet Roger-Maurice , Zarnecki John
Published: December 2024

We briefly describe the history of the European Space Agency, the scientific topics covered by the Science Programme and the long-term planning process. The different mission types in the current Cosmic Vision plan are outlined together with the mission selection process. How a mission concept progresses through the various study and project phases, together with typical durations, is also outlined. Finally, the composition of the scientific community who could propose for observing time on ESA’s observatories is provided using membership of the International Astronomical Union.
Klinisch-praktische Aspekte der Vorbereitung, Durchführung und Nachbetreuung beim Schwangerschaftsabbruch im ersten Trimenon
Authors: David Matthias
Published: December 2024

Im Januar 2023 erschien die „S2k-Leitlinie zum Schwangerschaftsabbruch im ersten Trimenon“ der Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften e. V. (AWMF), die vom Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (BMG) beauftragt wurde. Die Leitlinie befasst sich mit dem operativen und dem medikamentösen Schwangerschaftsabbruch nach Beratungsregelung, mit kriminologischer oder mit medizinischer Indikation in den ersten 14 Schwangerschaftswochen, bezogen auf die letzte Regelblutung. In diesem Übersichtsartikel werden, orientiert an dieser Leitlinie, die Abläufe beim medikamentösen und operativen Schwangerschaftsabbruch vor- sowie Vor- und Nachteile der beiden Methoden gegenübergestellt. Klinisch-praktische Aspekte der Vorbereitung und Durchführung, des Komplikationsmanagements und der unmittelbaren Nachbetreuung beim Schwangerschaftsabbruch werden präsentiert.
Neues zur adjuvanten Therapie der Gallengangsatresie nach Kasai-Hepatoportoenterostomie
Authors: Madadi-Sanjani Omid , Hegen Bianca , Oh Jun , Reinshagen Konrad , Tomuschat Christian
Published: December 2024

Die Gallengangsatresie ist eine seltene Cholangiopathie unklarer Ätiologie und stellt die häufigste Ursache für eine Lebertransplantation im Kindesalter dar. Um den Zeitpunkt einer möglichen Transplantation hinauszuzögern oder diese zu vermeiden, sollte so früh wie möglich eine Kasai-Hepatoportoenterostomie (KPE) durchgeführt werden.

Trotzdem überleben nur knapp 20–30 % der Patienten langfristig mit ihrer eigenen Leber. Um das transplantatfreie Überleben weiter zu verlängern, werden zahlreiche adjuvante Therapiemaßnahmen beschrieben und eingesetzt. Ziel dieser Interventionen ist es, den postoperativen Gallefluss zu verbessern, die Rate an Cholangitiden zu reduzieren und cholestasebedingte Symptome zu lindern. Für den Großteil dieser Therapien ist die Evidenzlage jedoch schwach. Aktuelle Studien sowie internationale Behandlungsprotokolle geben einen Eindruck über deren Anwendung in der klinischen Praxis dieses seltenen Krankheitsbildes. Beschrieben wird der Einsatz von Antibiotika, Probiotika, Virostatika, Ursodesoxycholsäure, Steroiden sowie weiteren Therapiemöglichkeiten in der adjuvanten postoperativen Versorgung der Gallengangsatresie.
A head-to-head comparison of breast lesion’s conspicuity at contrast-enhanced mammography and contrast-enhanced MRI
Authors: Santonocito Ambra , Zarcaro Calogero , Zeitouni Layla , Ferrara Francesca , Kapetas Panagiotis , Helbich Thomas H. , Clauser Paola , Baltzer Pascal A. T.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Lesion conspicuity, the relative enhancement of a lesion compared to surrounding tissue, is a new descriptor in the ACR BI-RADS 2022 CEM supplement. We compared lesion conspicuity in contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) and contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) in patients with suspicious breast lesions.

Materials and methods

IRB-approved retrospective study; three blinded readers rated 462 indeterminate or suspicious breast lesions in 388 patients (54.2 ± 11 years; range 30–90) who underwent CEM and CE-MRI from 2018 to 2022. Each lesion’s conspicuity was scored from 1 to 5, with 5 indicating excellent conspicuity. Visual grading characteristics (VGC) analysis and area under the curve (AUC) were used for comparison, with sub-analyses for benign and malignant lesions.

Results

VGC analysis showed a significant AUC of 0.670 to 0.723 (p < 0.001) favouring CE-MRI. No lesion enhancement (score 1) was observed in 16.2% of CE-MRI and 44.7% of CEM. Excellent conspicuity was seen in 29.6% of CE-MRI and 11.9% of CEM. Sub-analysis showed higher conspicuity on CE-MRI for both malignant (AUC 0.665 to 0.732, p < 0.001) and benign lesions (AUC 0.734 to 0.798, p < 0.001). CE-MRI showed higher lesion conspicuity compared to CEM both for non-mass lesions (0.656) and for mass lesions 0.605.

Conclusion

CE-MRI shows significantly higher conspicuity for benign and malignant breast lesions compared to CEM, especially for benign lesions. The low conspicuity of benign lesions on CEM may help reduce false positives in clinical practice.

Key Points

QuestionLesion conspicuity is a new descriptor for lesion enhancement according to the new CEM lexicon. Data correlating lesion conspicuity with malignancy likelihood are limited.

FindingsLesion conspicuity is higher for contrast-enhanced-MRI than for contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) for all lesions but significantly better for benign lesions.

Clinical relevanceThe low conspicuity of benign lesions on CEM may reduce false-positive results, making it a valuable tool in breast cancer screening.
A 3-billion-year history of magmatism, metamorphism, and metasomatism recorded by granulite-facies xenoliths from central Montana, USA
Authors: Ringwood Mary F. , Ortner Sophia E. , Seward Gareth G. E. , Kylander-Clark Andrew R. C. , Rudnick Roberta L.
Published: December 2024

Lower crustal xenoliths from the Missouri Breaks diatremes and Bearpaw Mountains volcanic field in Montana record a multi-billion-year geologic history lasting from the Neoarchean to the Cenozoic. Unusual kyanite-scapolite-bearing mafic granulites equilibrated at approximately 1.8 GPa and 890 °C and 2.3 GPa and 1000 °C (67 and 85 km depth) and have compositions pointing to their origin as arc cumulates, while metapelitic granulites record peak conditions of 1.3 GPa and 775 °C (48 km depth). Rutile from both mafic granulites and metapelites have U-Pb dates that document the eruption of the host rocks at ca. 46 Ma (Big Slide in the Missouri Breaks) and ca. 51 Ma (Robinson Ranch in the Bearpaw Mountains). Detrital igneous zircon in metapelites date back to the Archean, and metamorphic zircon and monazite record a major event beginning at 1800 Ma. Both zircon and monazite from a metapelite from Robinson Ranch also document an earlier metamorphic event at 2200–2000 Ma, likely related to burial/metamorphism in a rift setting. Metapelites from Big Slide show a clear transition from detrital igneous zircon accumulation to metamorphic zircon and monazite growth around 1800 Ma, recording arc magmatism and subsequent continent-continent collision during the Great Falls orogeny, supporting suggestions that the Great Falls tectonic zone is a suture between the Wyoming craton and Medicine Hat block. U-Th-Pb and trace-element depth profiles of zircon and monazite record metasomatism of the lower crust during the Laramide orogeny at ~60 Ma, bolstering recent research pointing to Farallon slab fluid infiltration during the orogeny.
The effects of stress on surgical performance: a systematic review
Authors: Tam Adam , Bateman Samuel , Buckingham Gavin , Wilson Mark , Melendez-Torres G. J. , Vine Sam , Clark James
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Acute stress, the psychological response to short-term challenging stimuli, is frequently encountered in the high-pressure environment of the operating theatre. Surgeon stress is associated with deterioration in surgical performance, surgical team working and compromised patient safety. Given these concerns, the aim of this review was to understand the impact of acute stress on surgical performance in technical and non-technical domains as well as patient outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Electronic databases were searched for studies examining acute stress in medical professionals during real or simulated surgical procedures that reported performance outcomes in technical and non-technical skills. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using appropriate tools for each study design.

Results

Out of 1445 identified studies, 19 met the inclusion criteria. In simulated environments, acute stress consistently led to impairment in both technical and non-technical skills during surgical procedures. Technical skill deterioration included higher procedural error rates, longer task completion times and diminished instrument handling. Non-technical skills, such as teamwork and communication, also were impaired under stress conditions. Real-world studies echoed these findings, demonstrating acute stress resulting in higher error rates and impaired non-technical skills. No studies identified surgeon stress as having a causal relationship with patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Acute stress significantly impacts both technical and non-technical skills during surgical procedures, impairing performance in simulated and real-world surgical environments. Despite the growing understanding of the detrimental effects of stress, gaps remain in comprehensively assessing its impact on patient outcomes. Further research is warranted to develop reliable stress measurement methods applicable in surgical settings and explore effective stress management strategies.
Local government expenditure and Quality of Life in Finnish municipalities
Authors: Makkonen Teemu , Vartiainen Niko , Rauhut Daniel , Rautiainen Simo
Published: December 2024

This study investigates whether local government expenditure correlate with the Quality of Life (QoL) of the local population and whether high public expenditure are indicative of high or low QoL. Data, including information on public expenditure and objective QoL indicators, were gathered for Finnish municipalities from several existing databases and cover a period of 2015–2019. A composite indicator was constructed to measure municipal QoL performance. The results indicate that there is a clear correlation between public expenditure and QoL: the higher the public expenditure the lower the QoL of the local population. This is due to a greater demand for public goods in municipalities that have low QoL levels. Further, QoL and public expenditure levels are a fairly constant phenomenon. There was no evidence that changes in public expenditure and QoL would affect each other in the short term. The added value of this paper is that it fills parts of the research gap concerning our knowledge on the empirical links between public expenditure and QoL at the local level.
Protecting privacy in the age of big data: exploring data linking methods for quasi-identifier selection
Authors: Borrero-Foncubierta Antonio , Rodriguez-Garcia Mercedes , Muñoz Andrés , Dodero Juan Manuel
Published: December 2024

This paper explores the limitations faced by current solutions for selecting quasi-identifying attributes in the context of Privacy-Preserving Data Publishing (PPDP). PPDP stipulates that any published personal data should not be linkable to other available data sources in a manner that could potentially lead to individual re-identification or compromise sensitive data. The state-of-the-art methods for selecting quasi-identifying attributes commonly rely on heuristic evaluations to assess the risk of re-identification associated with each attribute. We hypothesize that these heuristic-based methods could be significantly improved by complementing them with empirical methods capable of quantifying the external linkability of dataset attributes. This empirical layer would enable a fine-tuning of the obfuscation of attributes within the dataset, thereby preventing the unnecessary privatization of attributes beyond potential attackers’ reach while ensuring privatization of those easily accessible. For this purpose, we explore recent advancements in identifying semantically related datasets across heterogeneous data sources. Although initially developed for purposes beyond privacy preservation, these methods support our initiative by uncovering potential links with external data and thus providing empirical evidence for the identification of attributes as quasi-identifiers. Finally, we discuss potential pathways to implement this empirical layer in quasi-identifier identification systems.
Deep imperative mutations have less impact
Authors: Langdon W. B. , Clark David
Published: December 2024

Information theory and entropy loss predict deeper more hierarchical software will be more robust. Suggesting silent errors and equivalent mutations will be more common in deeper code, highly structured code will be hard to test, so explaining best practise preference for unit testing of small methods rather than system wide analysis. Using the genetic improvement (GI) tool MAGPIE, we measure the impact of source code mutations and how this varies with execution depth in two diverse multi-level nested software. gem5 is a million line single threaded state-of-the-art C++ discrete time VLSI circuit simulator, whilst PARSEC VIPS is a non-deterministic parallel computing multi-threaded image processing benchmark written in C. More than 28–53% of mutants compile and generate identical results to the original program. We observe 12% and 16% Failed Disruption Propagation (FDP). Excluding internal errors, exceptions and asserts, here most faults below about 30 nested function levels which are Executed and Infect data or divert control flow are not Propagated to the output, i.e. these deep PIE changes have no visible external effect. Suggesting automatic software engineering on highly structured code will be hard.
Investigating droplet emission during speech interaction
Authors: Carbone Francesca , Bouchet Gilles , Ghio Alain , Legou Thierry , André Carine , Lalain Muriel , Petrone Caterina , Giovanni Antoine
Published: December 2024

Conversations (normal speech) or professional interactions (e.g. projected speech in the classroom) have been identified as situations which increase individuals’ risk of exposure to respiratory viruses (including SARS-CoV-2) due to the high production of potentially infectious droplets. The few studies addressing this topic contain several methodological and linguistic limitations. This paper describes and validates an original combination of various methods, aimed at providing a global understanding of the complex physiological mechanisms underlying droplet emission during speech production. Twenty-one French speakers produced pseudowords and sentences under different phonetic conditions (e.g. loud vs normal intensity). In Experiment 1, we measured the airflow volume and airflow velocity exhaled from the mouth during speech. In Experiment 2, we measured the airflow velocity exhaled from different positions in the space around the mouth. In Experiment 3, we measured the number and size of expelled droplets. In all experiments, participants were asked to produce pseudowords and sentences under different phonetic conditions in an interactive setting. To validate our methodology, we tested the impact of voice intensity on the physiological measurements. We found that pseudowords and sentences spoken with loud intensity generated increased airflow volume and velocity compared to those spoken with normal intensity. Additionally, the number of droplets was higher for pseudowords spoken with loud intensity compared to normal intensity. From a methodological point of view, our study went beyond previous research by using multiple measures characterising droplet emission during speech. Furthermore, we applied an innovative experimental design, considering droplet emission in an interactive linguistic setting.
Potential effects of beta-blockers in HFpEF
Authors: Tokarczyk Wojciech , Urban Szymon , Patrzałek Patryk , Stolarski Łukasz , Iwanek Gracjan , Szymański Oskar , Zymliński Robert
Published: December 2024

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) poses a significant challenge in contemporary medicine, characterized by poor quality of life, high healthcare costs, and increased mortality. Despite advancements in medical research, treatment strategies for HFpEF remain elusive, with unclear guidance on the use of beta-blockers. While sympathetic overstimulation is common in HFpEF, beta-blockers, though potentially beneficial in reducing sympathetic activity, may exacerbate chronotropic incompetence and decrease exercise tolerance. Additionally, their impact on outcomes in HFpEF patients with concurrent atrial fibrillation is uncertain. Some studies suggest the potential benefits of beta-blockers on diastolic function, yet evidence on clinical endpoints remains inconclusive. Recent research indicates a potential reduction in all-cause mortality with beta-blocker use in HFpEF, although their effect on combined mortality or HF hospitalizations is less clear. Moreover, beta-blocker efficacy may vary depending on ejection fraction subgroups, with more favorable outcomes observed in HFmrEF compared to HFpEF. Current literature underscores the need for large-scale randomized clinical trials to clarify the role of beta-blockers in HFpEF management. Given the limitations of existing evidence, future research is essential to inform updated treatment guidelines and therapeutic protocols tailored to the contemporary clinical landscape.
Losartan attenuates sex-dependent hypertension, neuroinflammation, and cognitive impairment in the aging male sprague–dawley rat
Authors: Nist Kayla M. , Bard Hannah , McBride Brannon , Capriglione Angela L. , Moreira Jesse D. , Farb David H. , Wainford Richard D.
Published: December 2024

The prevalence of hypertension increases with age and is the leading modifiable risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia. At present, the neural mechanisms promoting hypertension across the lifespan are incompletely understood. Using the Sprague–Dawley (SD) rat as a model of normal aging, we hypothesized (1) blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption and neuroinflammation in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus enhances sympathetic tone and contributes to age-dependent hypertension, (2) age-dependent hypertension is associated with cognitive impairment, and (3) lowering blood pressure in aged rats with established hypertension improves cognitive function. We found male, but not female, rats develop age-dependent hypertension with enhanced sympathetic tone, BBB disruption, and neuroinflammation in the PVN. Aged hypertensive male rats also showed impairments in recognition and spatial memory. Utilizing pharmacological interventions, blood pressure was lowered in male rats with established hypertension using either losartan (LOS) or hydrochlorothiazide. However, only losartan improved recognition memory. Further, LOS reduced BBB disruption, microglial activation, astrocyte reactivity, and proinflammatory cytokine expression in the PVN which we speculate contributes to a decrease in blood pressure. These data show SD rats develop age-dependent hypertension and cognitive impairment in a sex-dependent manner. However, not all antihypertensive agents improve cognitive function equally as only losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (AT1R) improved recognition memory. Thus, AT1R antagonists represent a potential therapeutic approach for treating cognitive decline in the aging population.
Development and feasibility study of a piezoresistive pressure sensor-based automated system for monitoring and controlling gastric pressure in endoscopy
Authors: Koh Sukgyu , Kim Sungwan
Published: December 2024

Maintaining precise intragastric pressure during gastrointestinal endoscopy is critical for patient safety and diagnostic accuracy, yet current methods relying on manual adjustments pose risks of improper insufflation. This study aimed to develop an automated gastric pressure control system for flexible endoscopy, addressing these challenges with a piezoresistive pressure sensor that can be integrated into a 7.3 mm diameter flexible endoscope. The system, incorporating air and suction pumps controlled by a microcontroller, was calibrated in an acrylic chamber and validated through comprehensive testing in both an endoscopy simulator and a porcine specimen. Testing scenarios included normal breathing, coughing, belching, and combined events, assessing accuracy, stability, and real-time pressure regulation under conditions mimicking physiological responses. Results demonstrated high accuracy (R2 = 0.9999), minimal bias (0.23 mmHg), and strong agreement with reference standards, confirming effective pressure management. Simulated clinical scenarios in simulator and porcine specimen further showed the system’s ability to maintain target pressure with minimal errors, indicating robustness under dynamic conditions. These findings suggest that the automated pressure control system significantly improves safety and procedural efficiency in endoscopy, with potential applicability to other minimally invasive procedures. Further animal model testing is recommended to validate the clinical performance under realistic physiological conditions.

Graphical Abstract
Machine learning-based variable selection for clustered credit risk modeling
Authors: Bosker Joost , Gürtler Marc , Zöllner Marvin
Published: December 2024

Several studies have demonstrated the high prediction accuracy of clustered credit risk modeling. In clustered modeling, borrowers are segmented based on their similarities through cluster analysis, and a separate predictive model is developed for each cluster, resulting in increased predictive accuracy. Unambiguously, its effectiveness depends on the quality of the segmentation, which in turn depends primarily on the choice of variables used in the cluster analysis. However, appropriate variable selection for clustering is a major challenge, particularly for high-dimensional data. In the present study, we propose a machine learning-based variable selection method based on theoretical and regulatory considerations. Formally, the most influential risk drivers from a best-in-class machine learning model are identified using Shapley values and employed as clustering variables. Thus, the information of the explanatory variables crucial for the prediction of the dependent variable is already processed during data segmentation, making each individual predictive model more effective. Through a comparative analysis using two real-world credit default datasets, we show that our proposed approach to clustered modeling leads to the highest prediction accuracy among various clustering models.
Limited diagnostic performance of imaging evaluation for staging in gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma: a multi-center study
Authors: Himoto Yuki , Kido Aki , Yamanoi Koji , Kurata Yasuhisa , Morita Satoshi , Kikkawa Nao , Fukui Hideyuki , Ohya Ayumi , Iraha Yuko , Tsuboyama Takahiro , Ito Kimiteru , Fujinaga Yasunari , Minamiguchi Sachiko , Mandai Masaki , Nakamoto Yuji
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purposes of the study are to assess the diagnostic performance of preoperative imaging for staging factors in gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GEA) and to compare the performance for GEA with that of usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (UEA) among patients preoperatively deemed locally early stage (DLES) (< T2b without distant metastasis).

Materials and methods

For this multi-center retrospective study, 58 patients were enrolled. All had undergone MRI with or without CT and FDG PET-CT preoperatively and had been pathologically diagnosed with GEA at five institutions. Based on the medical charts and radiological reports, the diagnostic performances of preoperative imaging for the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging factors were assessed retrospectively. Next, the imaging performance was assessed in preoperatively DLES-GEA (n = 36) and DLES-UEA (n = 136, with the same inclusion criteria). The proportions of underestimation of GEA and UEA were compared using Fisher’s exact test.

Results

Imaging diagnostic performance for GEA was limited, especially for sensitivity: parametrial invasion, 0.49; vaginal invasion, 0.54; pelvic lymph node metastasis (PELNM), 0.48; para-aortic lymph node metastasis, 0.00; and peritoneal dissemination, 0.25. Among preoperatively DLES patients, the proportions of underestimation were significantly higher in GEA than in UEA; parametrial invasion, 35% vs. 5% (p < 0.01); vaginal invasion, 28% vs. 6% (p < 0.01); PELNM, 24% vs. 6% (p < 0.05); peritoneal dissemination, 6% vs. 0% (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

At present, preoperative imaging diagnostic performance for staging factors in GEA does not meet clinical expectations, especially for sensitivity. Among patients preoperatively DLES, the proportions of underestimation in GEA were significantly higher than in UEA. Future incorporation of approaches specifically emphasizing GEA is desirable to improve imaging performance.
Erlebnisfeld Konflikt
Authors: Schimpf Elke , Hülsermann Oliver
Published: December 2024

Konfliktsituationen können im Studium Soziale Arbeit zu emotionalen Herausforderungen führen. Das Instrumentarium der Konfliktanalyse erweist sich hier als hilfreich, um Emotionen und Grenzerfahrungen mit Studierenden zu bearbeiten.
Approaches to the conservation of archaeological sites in the Mediterranean in the current and changing climates, with a focus on the Prehistoric Temples of Malta
Authors: Cassar JoAnn
Published: December 2024

This paper gives an overview of some of the current approaches to the preservation of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Mediterranean, represented by some of the most important archaeological remains, with a special focus on the Prehistoric Temples of Malta, and the key approaches to their conservation in the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Preserving and conserving such sites, sometimes consisting of complex arrays of materials, is a challenge and approaches over time have varied. The lead example is the group of Temples of Malta because they (1) are made of porous limestones particularly susceptible to salt weathering; (2) have been exposed to adverse (exposed, marine) climatic conditions for millennia; (3) have suffered material deterioration over time leading also occasionally to structural problems; (4) have undergone various restoration attempts over the decades, not all particularly successful; (5) have resulted in complex decision-making processes leading to their sheltering; and (6) are facing (like all other sites) climate change, where new action/s may be required. This paper will therefore take us on a journey, led by the example of these Temples, to look also at various other iconic UNESCO sites in relation to past, present, and even future threats, including climate change, as well as approaches to conservation/restoration over the years, with indications for future decision makers on actions to take after holistically understanding the risks and threats.

Graphical abstract