bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Declining freshwater habitats in Greenland may shift diets of the ubiquitous wolf spider Pardosa glacialis
Authors: Bliska Hanna M. , DeSiervo Melissa H. , Virginia Ross A. , Ayres Matthew P. , Culler Lauren E.
Published: May 2024

Freshwater habitats in Arctic landscapes provide essential food resources to predaceous terrestrial fauna. However, climate change threatens the continuation of aquatic resources as increased temperatures prompt widespread drying. We investigated how declines in surface waters in the Arctic may have implications for the diets of the wolf spider Pardosa glacialis (Araneae: Lycosidae), an abundant top predator in western Greenland known to consume both aquatic and terrestrial prey. We estimated the abundance of ground-dwelling prey taxa near and far from shallow ponds to compare resource availability for P. glacialis. We also measured the stable isotopes ratios of carbon and nitrogen of potential prey taxa and used linear mixing models to estimate the relative proportions of aquatic and terrestrial prey in the diets of P. glacialis collected near ponds versus drier, upland locations. Overall, near ponds there was a 3.7 times greater abundance of ground-dwelling organisms compared to locations far from ponds. Near ponds, depleted δ13C values of P. glacialis compared to the upland locations were explained by the consumption of aquatic insects, which were relatively depleted in 13C compared to terrestrial ground-dwelling and canopy taxa. Our linear mixing model indicated that the mean relative contribution of aquatic taxa to the diets of P. glacialis at pond locations was ~ 23% versus ~ 0% at upland locations, though these results were accompanied by significant uncertainty. Our results emphasize the importance of Arctic ponds in providing habitat to potential prey of terrestrial predators. We highlight how climate change, and the continued disappearance of aquatic habitats, could disrupt critical linkages between aquatic insects and terrestrial predators.
Exciplex-driven blue OLEDs: unlocking multifunctionality applications
Authors: Weber Dominik , Morgenstern Annika , Beer Daniel , Zahn Dietrich R. T. , Deibel Carsten , Salvan Georgeta , Schondelmaier Daniel
Published: May 2024

We present the development of multifunctional blue-emission organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) using TADF-exciplex materials. These OLEDs exhibit sensitivity to external stimuli and achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 11.6% through partly liquid processing. This technique allows for large-scale production on arbitrary geometries.

The potential multifunctionality of the devices arises from their response to low external magnetic fields (up to 100 mT) with an efficiency up to 2.5% for magnetoconductance, while maximum magneto-electroluminescence effects of 4.1% were detected. We investigated novel aspects, including the utilization of two organic materials without further doping and the investigation of the impact of 2,2ʹ,2″-(1,3,5-Benzinetriyl)-tris(1-phenyl-1-H-benzimidazole) (TPBi) processing in liquid and vapor form. The insights gained provide a fundamental understanding regarding the applicability of exciplex (EX) materials for fully solution-processed OLEDs through a deliberate omission of doping. Our work represents a significant advancement on the path towards multifunctional OLED technology, with potential applications in cost-efficient, scalable organic full-color displays and advanced sensing system.
Do alpha blockers reduce the risk of urinary retention post-transperineal prostate biopsy? A systematic narrative review
Authors: Alhamdani Zein , Poppenbeek Samuel , Bolton Damien , Wong Lih-Ming , Sethi Kapil
Published: May 2024

Background

Transperineal Prostate Biopsy (TPB) is a commonly used technique for the diagnosis of prostate cancer due to growing concerns related to infectious complications associated with transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSB). TPB is associated with an infective complication rate of near zero, however, acute urinary retention (AUR) remains the leading complication causing morbidity. Previously in TRUSB, there was weak evidence that alpha-blockers reduce AUR rates, and their usage has been extrapolated to clinical practice with TPB. This review aims to explore if there is an evidence base for using alpha-blockers to prevent AUR following TPB.

Methods

A systematic approach was used to search Ovid Medline and Embase using keywords related to “Transperineal” and “Retention”. Articles were then screened by applying inclusion and exclusion criteria to find studies that compared alpha-blocker recipients to no alpha-blocker use in the perioperative period and the subsequent effect on AUR in TPB.

Results

361 records were identified in the initial search to produce 5 studies included in the final review. No randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified. One observational study showed a reduction in AUR rate from 12.5% to 5.3% with a single dose of tamsulosin. A previous systematic review of complications associated with prostate biopsy concluded there may be a potential benefit to alpha-blockers given in the TPB perioperative period. Three observational studies demonstrated a harmful effect related to alpha-blocker use; however, this was well explained by their clear limitations.

Conclusion

Based on this review and the extrapolation from TRUSB data, perioperative alpha-blockers may offer some weak benefits in preventing AUR following TPB. However, there is significant scope and need for an RCT to further develop the evidence base further given the significant gap in the literature and lack of a standard alpha blocker protocol in TPB.
Diffusion-driven fed-batch fermentation in perforated ring flasks
Authors: Lüchtrath Clara , Lamping Felix , Hansen Sven , Finger Maurice , Magnus Jørgen , Büchs Jochen
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Simultaneous membrane-based feeding and monitoring of the oxygen transfer rate shall be introduced to the newly established perforated ring flask, which consists of a cylindrical glass flask with an additional perforated inner glass ring, for rapid bioprocess development.

Methods

A 3D-printed adapter was constructed to enable monitoring of the oxygen transfer rate in the perforated ring flasks. Escherichia coli experiments in batch were performed to validate the adapter. Fed-batch experiments with different diffusion rates and feed solutions were performed.

Results

The adapter and the performed experiments allowed a direct comparison of the perforated ring flasks with Erlenmeyer flasks. In batch cultivations, maximum oxygen transfer capacities of 80 mmol L−1 h−1 were reached with perforated ring flasks, corresponding to a 3.5 times higher capacity than in Erlenmeyer flasks. Fed-batch experiments with a feed reservoir concentration of 500 g glucose L−1 were successfully conducted. Based on the oxygen transfer rate, an ammonium limitation could be observed. By adding 40 g ammonium sulfate L−1 to the feed reservoir, the limitation could be prevented.

Conclusion

The membrane-based feeding, an online monitoring technique, and the perforated ring flask were successfully combined and offer a new and promising tool for screening and process development in biotechnology.
Development of the Parent-to-Infant Bonding Scale: Validation in Swedish Mothers and Fathers in Community and Clinical Contexts
Authors: Lindeberg Sara , Tedgård Eva , Kerstis Birgitta , Tedgård Ulf , Taylor Alyx , Jönsson Peter
Published: May 2024

Valid measurement instruments are needed to investigate the impact of parental bonding on child health development. The aim was to develop and validate a self-report questionnaire, the Parent-to-Infant Bonding Scale (PIBS) to measure bonding in both mothers and fathers. Internal consistency and construct validity were analysed using data from Swedish parents from both clinical (N = 182), and community (N = 122) population samples. Overall, good or acceptable internal consistency of the PIBS appeared. Convergent validity (against the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, analysed in the clinical sample) and discriminant validity (against the mental health constructs of depressive symptoms and anxiety) were demonstrated. The results support the PIBS as a measure of maternal and paternal bonding in community and clinical populations. Assessments of criterion validity in these populations are desirable. The similarities in PIBS measurement properties between the parent groups suggest its usefulness for comparisons between mothers and fathers, and for future investigations of unique and interactive impacts of maternal and paternal bonding on child outcomes using community and clinical cohorts.
The long-term implications of destruction during the Second World War on private wealth in Germany
Authors: Halbmeier Christoph , Schröder Carsten
Published: May 2024

By the end of the Second World War, an estimated 20% of the West German housing stock had been destroyed. Building on a theoretical life-cycle model, this paper examines the persistent consequences of the war for individual wealth across generations. As our empirical basis, we link a unique historical dataset on the levels of wartime destruction in 1739 West German cities with micro data on individual wealth at the beginning of the twenty-first century from the German Socio-Economic Panel. Among individuals born in cities or villages that were badly damaged during the Second World War, wealth is still about 10% lower today. Similarly, the destruction of parental birthplace has significant negative implications for the wealth of their descendants. These negative implications are robust after controlling for a rich set of pre-war regional and city-level control variables. In complementary empirical exercises, we study potential channels such as inheritances, health, and education, through which the wartime destruction could have affected wealth accumulation across generations.
Regulation by Design: Features, Practices, Limitations, and Governance Implications
Authors: Prifti Kostina , Morley Jessica , Novelli Claudio , Floridi Luciano
Published: May 2024

Regulation by design (RBD) is a growing research field that explores, develops, and criticises the regulative function of design. In this article, we provide a qualitative thematic synthesis of the existing literature. The aim is to explore and analyse RBD’s core features, practices, limitations, and related governance implications. To fulfil this aim, we examine the extant literature on RBD in the context of digital technologies. We start by identifying and structuring the core features of RBD, namely the goals, regulators, regulatees, methods, and technologies. Building on that structure, we distinguish among three types of RBD practices: compliance by design, value creation by design, and optimisation by design. We then explore the challenges and limitations of RBD practices, which stem from risks associated with compliance by design, contextual limitations, or methodological uncertainty. Finally, we examine the governance implications of RBD and outline possible future directions of the research field and its practices.
Enhancing Argumentation and Decision-Making of Preservice Early Childhood Education Teachers Through Role-Playing on Animal Experimentation
Authors: Vicente Juan José , Franco-Mariscal Antonio Joaquín , Oliva José María
Published: May 2024

This study explores the socio-scientific issue of the relevance of animal experimentation using a role-playing game to develop argumentation and decision-making skills as key components of critical thinking. The activity was conducted with two cohorts, each consisting of 30 pre-service early childhood education teachers at the University of Málaga (Málaga, Spain). The study analyzes the arguments provided by the participants to justify their decisions and perceptions on the issue before and after engaging in the role-playing. The findings reveal a progression of participants from the initial rejection of animal experimentation to recognizing its imperative role in shaping scientific knowledge. Additionally, an enhancement in the understanding of rational aspects of the issue is detected, as observed through the evolution of the types of arguments employed in justifications before and after the intervention. Furthermore, emotionally charged arguments related to ethical and moral aspects of the issue are also observed.
IT-Sicherheitsmaßnahmen beim Versand von E-Mails im Geschäftsverkehr
Authors: Hofmann Sebastian
Published: May 2024

Für den Fall, dass sich ein deliktisch handelnder Dritter Zugriff auf den E-Mail-Account verschafft
und mehrere Rechnungen mit verfälschten Bankinformationen versendet, lehnt das OLG Karlsruhe einen
Schadenersatzanspruch eines im guten Glauben Leistenden ab. Dies gilt, wenn weder Pflichtverletzung noch
Kausalität für den eingetretenen Schaden nachgewiesen werden können. Das OLG Karlsruhe hat
einen Beweis ersten Anscheins für fehlende IT-Sicherheitsmaßnahmen, die deliktisches Handeln eines
Dritten ermöglicht haben, verneint. 1 In diesem Beitrag soll mithilfe eines dem Fall nachgestellten
Beispiels gezeigt werden, welche technischen Hintergründe für die Annahme eines Anscheinsbeweises
sprechen und wie diese in der Beweiswürdigung Berücksichtigung finden können.
Use of mixed gas pneumoperitoneum during minimally invasive surgery: a systematic review of human and mouse modelled laparoscopic interventions
Authors: Chen Leon , Dasgupta Prokar , Vasdev Nikhil
Published: May 2024

The formation of pneumoperitoneum involves the process of inflating the peritoneal cavity during laparoscopic and typically uses CO2 as the insufflation gas. This review aims to identify ideal gas mixtures for establishing the pneumoperitoneum with animal and human studies undertaken up to the writing of this review. A systematic search of PubMed, OVID, and clinicaltrials.gov was performed to identify studies on the utilisation of mixed gases in laparoscopic surgery, including non-randomised/randomised trials, animal and human studies, and studies with inflating pressures between 12 and 16 mmHg. ROBINS-I and RoB2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias. A narrative synthesis of results was performed due to the heterogeneity of the studies. 5 studies from the database search and 5 studies from citation search comprising 128 animal subjects and 61 human patients were found. These studies collated results based on adhesion formation (6 studies), pain scores (2 studies) and other outcomes, with results favouring the use of carbon dioxide + 10% nitrous oxide + 4% oxygen. This has shown a significant reduction in adhesion formation, pain scores and inflammation. The use of this gas mixture provides promising results for future practice. Several of the studies available require larger sample sizes to develop a more definitive answer on the effects of different gas mixtures. Furthermore, the number of confounding factors in randomised trials should be reduced so that each component of the current suggested gas mixture can be tested for safety and efficacy.
Tribo-Corrosion Control with Molecules of Bio-Origin: Experimental Studies and Theoretical Insights
Authors: Mulky Lavanya , Rao Padmalatha
Published: May 2024

Tribo corrosion control of 6061 aluminum alloy was done by using naturally available Boswellia serrata (BWS) extract as green inhibitor. Studies were done in artificial sea water slurry containing 0.03% sand particles via a submerged jet impingement technique. Electrochemical studies were the majour techniques adopted for corrosion rate measurement in the absence and in the presence of inhibitor. Investigation was done at different flow rates and at different temperatures. Detailed surface study was done for sand particles before and after impingement using scanning electron microscope. Surface morphology of aluminum sample was done before and after the addition of inhibitor. For a given flowrate inhibition efficiency decreased with increase in temperature. This suggested the possibility of physical adsorption. Results were fitted into suitable adsorption isotherm. Mechanism of adsorption was supported and substantiated by quantum chemical calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT). The best corrosion–erosion resistance was obtained at a concentration of 1000 ppm Boswellia serrata at 303 K under 4 L min−1. DFT studies supported the adsorption mechanism of the inhibitor on the surface of metal under tribological conditions. The outcome of this work will help in research that is focused on development on green inhibitors for corrosion inhibition under dynamic multi flow conditions.
Uncertainty-aware non-invasive patient–ventilator asynchrony detection using latent Gaussian mixture generative classifier with noisy label correction
Authors: Wang Chenyang , Luo Ling , Aickelin Uwe , Berlowitz David J. , Howard Mark E.
Published: May 2024

Patient–ventilator asynchrony (PVA) refers to instances where a mechanical ventilator’s cycles are desynchronised from the patient’s breathing efforts, and may result in patient discomfort and potential ineffective ventilation. Typically, they are identified with constant monitoring by trained clinicians. Such expertise is often limited; therefore, it is desirable to automate PVA detection with machine learning methods. However, there are three major challenges to applying machine learning to the problem: data collected from non-invasive ventilation are often noisy, there exists high variability between patients or between setting changes, and manual annotations of PVA events are not always consistent. To produce meaningful inference from such noisy data, a model needs to not only provide a measure of uncertainty, but also take into account potential inconsistencies in the training signal it is based on. In this work, we propose a conditional latent Gaussian mixture generative classifier with noisy label correction, which is capable of capturing variations within and between classes, providing well-calibrated class probabilities, detecting unlikely input instances that deviates from training data, while also taking into account possible mislabelling of event classes. We show that our model is able to match the performance of a well-tuned gradient boosting classifier, but also produce better calibrated predictions and smaller performance variability between patients.
A Review of Elite Athlete Evidence-Based Knowledge and Preparation for Competing in the Heat
Authors: Esh Chris J. , Carter Sarah , Galan-Lopez Natalia , Garrandes Frederic , Bermon Stephane , Adami Paolo Emilio , Racinais Sebastien , James Lewis , Stellingwerff Trent , Adams William M. , Chrismas Bryna , Stevens Christopher J. , Périard Julien D. , Brade Carly , Henderson Mitchell J. , Taylor Lee
Published: May 2024

Elite athletes will compete in extreme heat more frequently as global land and sea temperatures increase, alongside more intense, frequent and longer duration heatwaves. Best practices to protect athlete health and performance during competition include heat acclimation/acclimatisation [(HA); i.e., long-term pre-competition preparation] complemented by pre-planned and practised cooling and hydration strategies (i.e., short-term interventions immediately before or during competition). This review explores elite athletes’ current behaviours and practices when preparing for competition in the heat and assesses the level of knowledge that has been exhibited by athletes and their practitioners in this space. Recommendations for future research, discussions of current best practices, and methods to improve translation of research into practice are provided. Available research focuses on small samples of elite endurance athletes during a selection of World Championship/Olympic/Paralympic events (~6% of competing athletes). While generally an increase in the adoption of evidence-based HA is seen chronologically from 2015 onwards, universal adoption is not seen. HA adoption is lowest in those who live/train in cold/temperate environments with cost and access to facilities/equipment being the most commonly reported barriers. Further research is required across the sporting landscape to fully characterise elite athlete behaviours and practices in these spaces. International federations and national governing bodies should continue their efforts to educate athletes and focus on regularly updated and reinvigorated release of evidence-based guidelines (in multiple germane languages) for competing in the heat, to increase the adoption of HA and other heat related best practice.
A Critical Introduction to Intellectual Property Law
Authors: Goold Patrick R.
Published: May 2024

This highly accessible and engaging introduction to IP law encourages readers to critically evaluate the ownership of intangible goods. The rigorous pedagogy, featuring many real-world cases, both historical and up-to-date, full colour images, discussion exercises, end-of-chapter questions and activities, allows readers to engage fully with the philosophical concepts foundational of the subject, while also enabling them to independently analyse key cases, texts and materials relevant to IP law in the contemporary world. This innovative textbook, written by one of the leading authorities on the subject, is the ideal route to a full understanding of copyright, patents, designs, trade marks, passing off, remedies and litigation for undergraduate and beginning graduate students in IP law.
Neurosurgical Operative Cancellations in Canada: A Multicentre Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: MacLean Mark A. , Persad Amit R. , Coote Nicole R. , Srikanthan Dilakshan , Rizzuto Michael A. , Chainey Jonathan , Duda Taylor , Eagles Matthew E. , Hart Shannon , Jung Jessica , Kameda-Smith Michelle M. , Lannon Melissa , Toyota Eric , Sader Nicolas , Christie Sean
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

Operative cancellations adversely affect patient health and impose resource strain on the healthcare system. Here, our objective was to describe neurosurgical cancellations at five Canadian academic institutions.

Methods:

The Canadian Neurosurgery Research Collaborative performed a retrospective cohort study capturing neurosurgical procedure cancellation data at five Canadian academic centres, during the period between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2018. Demographics, procedure type, reason for cancellation, admission status and case acuity were collected. Cancellation rates were compared on the basis of demographic data, procedural data and between centres.

Results:

Overall, 7,734 cancellations were captured across five sites. Mean age of the aggregate cohort was 57.1 ± 17.2 years. The overall procedure cancellation rate was 18.2%. The five-year neurosurgical operative cancellation rate differed between Centre 1 and 2 (Centre 1: 25.9%; Centre 2: 13.0%, p = 0.008). Female patients less frequently experienced procedural cancellation. Elective, outpatient and spine procedures were more often cancelled. Reasons for cancellation included surgeon-related factors (28.2%), cancellation for a higher acuity case (23.9%), patient condition (17.2%), other factors (17.0%), resource availability (7.0%), operating room running late (6.4%) and anaesthesia-related (0.3%). When clustered, the reason for cancellation was patient-related in 17.2%, staffing-related in 28.5% and operational or resource-related in 54.3% of cases.

Conclusions:

Neurosurgical operative cancellations were common and most often related to operational or resource-related factors. Elective, outpatient and spine procedures were more often cancelled. These findings highlight areas for optimizing efficiency and targeted quality improvement initiatives.
A quantitative exploration of the functions of auxiliary do in Middle English
Authors: MORETTI LORENZO
Published: May 2024

One of the questions that still surrounds the history of auxiliary do is what function it had during the Middle English period (c.1100–1500). Scholars have put forward different hypotheses, suggesting that it could serve, among others, as a perfective marker (Denison 1985), agentive marker (Ecay 2015) and habitual marker (Garrett 1998). The present article reports on a quantitative study that aims to shed further light on this issue. By means of a collexeme analysis, this article investigates the semantic features of the infinitives that occur with auxiliary do in several Middle English corpora. The results show that auxiliary do was not connected to verbs with specific semantic profiles, but it was employed in different contexts and had various functions. Specifically, the data suggest that auxiliary do was used (i) as an accommodation tool to facilitate the use of low-frequency verbs, particularly of French origin, and (ii) as an aspectual particle to mark both perfectivity and habituality. It is argued that the multifunctionality of auxiliary do in Middle English played a crucial role in the preservation of the construction before it spread to the NICE (i.e. negation, inversion, code and emphasis) environments.
“The Indian Side of the Question”: Settling the Story of Potawatomi Removal in the Twentieth-Century Midwest
Authors: Ballew Zada
Published: May 2024

In 1893, Simon Pokagon, a leader of the “unremoved” Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, published a birchbark pamphlet titled The Red Man’s Rebuke. This story condemned settlers for dispossessing Native peoples of their lands and removing them west of the Mississippi River in service of their “civilization.” Pokagon’s Rebuke remains one of the most cited texts in Native American history. But what happened to Pokagon’s message after the Chicago World’s Fair? This paper analyzes five Potawatomi Removal stories told at the turn of the twentieth century. It argues that Midwestern settlers found their answer to “the Indian side” of the Removal question by telling the “Potawatomi” perspective of local history; featuring “authentic” representations of Native peoples in their stories and as witnesses to their efforts; perpetuating a myth that all the Potawatomi had been removed; condemning the actions of their “dishonorable and dishonest” forefathers; and publicly acknowledging that they were occupying stolen land. By claiming that the sons of the present were not the forefathers of the past, non-Indians were settling the story of Potawatomi Removal. In the process, they gave their community and their region a past that was simultaneously romantic and tragic, positioning themselves as its inheritors and interpreters.
Professional’s Views on the ‘Nordic Paradox’ in a Low Intimate Partner Violence Prevalence Country
Authors: Castro Arabella , Lila Marisol , Wemrell Maria , Gracia Enrique
Published: May 2024

The apparently contradictory co-existence of high levels of gender equality and intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) found in Nordic countries has been termed the Nordic Paradox. The aim of this study was to examine how the Nordic Paradox is discussed and explained by Spanish professionals working in the IPVAW field. Five focus groups (n = 19) and interviews with key informants (n = 10) were conducted. Four main categories of possible explanations for the Nordic Paradox were identified: Macro-micro disconnect (i.e., discordance between individual beliefs and behaviors and macro-social norms of gender equality), IPVAW as multicausal (i.e., IPVAW defined as a multicausal phenomenon that does not necessarily have to be associated with gender equality), cultural patterns of social relationships (i.e., the role of social relationships and the way people relate to each other in the Nordic countries), and backlash effect (i.e., men’s reaction to greater equality for women). Although this study does not provide a final explanation for the Nordic paradox, its results provide us with a better understanding of the phenomenon and can help to advance research in this field.
Upstroke time is a more useful marker of atherosclerosis than percentage of mean arterial pressure for detecting coronary artery disease in subjects with a normal ankle-brachial index
Authors: Maruhashi Tatsuya , Kajikawa Masato , Kishimoto Shinji , Yamaji Takayuki , Harada Takahiro , Hashimoto Yu , Mizobuchi Aya , Tanigawa Shunsuke , Yusoff Farina Mohamad , Nakano Yukiko , Chayama Kazuaki , Nakashima Ayumu , Goto Chikara , Higashi Yukihito
Published: May 2024

Upstroke time (UT) and percentage of mean arterial pressure (%MAP) at the ankle have been shown to serve as atherosclerotic markers. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the diagnostic accuracy of UT with that of %MAP for clinical coronary artery disease (CAD) in subjects with a normal ankle-brachial index (ABI) in both legs. We measured UT and %MAP in 1953 subjects with a normal ABI. The optimal cutoff values of UT and %MAP derived from a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to diagnose CAD were 148 ms and 40.4%, respectively. Multivariable analyses revealed that both UT ≥ 148 ms (odds ratio [OR], 2.72; p < 0.001) and %MAP ≥ 40.4% (OR, 1.28; p = 0.003) were significantly associated with CAD. When the subjects were divided into four groups according to the cutoff values of UT and %MAP, there was no significant difference in the risk of CAD between subjects with UT ≥ 148 ms and %MAP < 40.4% and those with UT ≥ 148 ms and %MAP ≥ 40.4% (OR, 1.45; p = 0.09). ROC curve analyses revealed that the area under the curve value of UT was significantly higher than that of %MAP (0.69 vs. 0.53, p < 0.001). The addition of UT to traditional risk factors significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy for CAD (0.82 to 0.84, p = 0.004), whereas the addition of %MAP to traditional risk factors did not improve the diagnostic accuracy for CAD (0.82 to 0.82, p = 0.84). UT is more useful than %MAP for identifying individuals with CAD among those with a normal ABI.
LNDb v4: pulmonary nodule annotation from medical reports
Authors: Ferreira Carlos A. , Sousa Célia , Dias Marques Inês , Sousa Pedro , Ramos Isabel , Coimbra Miguel , Campilho Aurélio
Published: May 2024

Given the high prevalence of lung cancer, an accurate diagnosis is crucial. In the diagnosis process, radiologists play an important role by examining numerous radiology exams to identify different types of nodules. To aid the clinicians’ analytical efforts, computer-aided diagnosis can streamline the process of identifying pulmonary nodules. For this purpose, medical reports can serve as valuable sources for automatically retrieving image annotations. Our study focused on converting medical reports into nodule annotations, matching textual information with manually annotated data from the Lung Nodule Database (LNDb)—a comprehensive repository of lung scans and nodule annotations. As a result of this study, we have released a tabular data file containing information from 292 medical reports in the LNDb, along with files detailing nodule characteristics and corresponding matches to the manually annotated data. The objective is to enable further research studies in lung cancer by bridging the gap between existing reports and additional manual annotations that may be collected, thereby fostering discussions about the advantages and disadvantages between these two data types.
Developmental changes of bodily self-consciousness in adolescent girls
Authors: Raoul Lisa , Goulon Cédric , Sarlegna Fabrice , Grosbras Marie-Hélène
Published: May 2024

The body and the self change markedly during adolescence, but how does bodily self-consciousness, the pre-reflexive experience of being a bodily subject, change? We addressed this issue by studying embodiment towards virtual avatars in 70 girls aged 10–17 years. We manipulated the synchrony between participants’ and avatars’ touch or movement, as well as the avatar visual shape or size relative to each participant’s body. A weaker avatar’s embodiment in case of mismatch between the body seen in virtual reality and the real body is indicative of a more robust bodily self-consciousness. In both the visuo-tactile and the visuo-motor experiments, asynchrony decreased ownership feeling to the same extent for all participants, while the effect of asynchrony on agency feeling increased with age. In the visuo-tactile experiment, incongruence in visual appearance did not affect agency feeling but impacted ownership, especially in older teenage girls. These findings highlight the higher malleability of bodily self-consciousness at the beginning of adolescence and suggest some independence between body ownership and agency.
Faults locating of power distribution systems based on successive PSO-GA algorithm
Authors: Xu Wenzhang , Li Jiachun , Yang Lv , Yu Quan
Published: May 2024

As the terminal of the power system, the distribution network is the main area where failures occur. In addition, with the integration of distributed generation, the traditional distribution network becomes more complex, rendering the conventional fault location algorithms based on a single power supply obsolete. Therefore, it is necessary to seek a new algorithm to locate the fault of the distributed power distribution network. In existing fault localization algorithms for distribution networks, since there are only two states of line faults, which can usually be represented by 0 and 1, most algorithms use discrete algorithms with this characteristic for iterative optimization. Therefore, this paper combines the advantages of the particle swarm algorithm and genetic algorithm and uses continuous real numbers for iteration to construct a successive particle swarm genetic algorithm (SPSO-GA) different from previous algorithms. The accuracy, speed, and fault tolerance of SPSO-GA, discrete particle swarm Genetic algorithm, and artificial fish swarm algorithm are compared in an IEEE33-node distribution network with the distributed power supply. The simulation results show that the SPSO-GA algorithm has high optimization accuracy and stability for single, double, or triple faults. Furthermore, SPSO-GA has a rapid convergence velocity, requires fewer particles, and can locate the fault segment accurately for the distribution network containing distorted information.
Decreased plasma ELABELA level as a novel screening indicator for heart failure: a cohort and observational study
Authors: Liu Chunju , Xiong Jianhua , Yi Xiaoli , Song Shanshan , Yang Huiru , Tan Wenting , Yang Xiaojun , Zheng Lixiang , Yu Jun , Xu Chuanming
Published: May 2024

The predictive power of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is limited by its low specificity in patients with heart failure (HF). Discovery of more novel biomarkers for HF better diagnosis is necessary and urgent. ELABELA, an early endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor APJ (Apelin peptide jejunum, Apelin receptor), exhibits cardioprotective actions. However, the relationship between plasma ELABELA and cardiac function in HF patients is unclear. To evaluate plasma ELABELA level and its diagnostic value in HF patients, a total of 335 patients with or without HF were recruited for our monocentric observational study. Plasma ELABELA and Apelin levels were detected by immunoassay in all patients. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between plasma ELABELA or Apelin levels and study variables. The receiver operating characteristic curves were used to access the predictive power of plasma ELABELA or Apelin levels. Plasma ELABELA levels were lower, while plasma Apelin levels were higher in HF patients than in non-HF patients. Plasma ELABELA levels were gradually decreased with increasing New York Heart Association grade or decreasing LVEF. Plasma ELABELA levels were negatively correlated with BNP, left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and left ventricular posterior wall thickness and positively correlated with LVEF in HF patients. In contrast, the correlation between plasma Apelin levels and these parameters is utterly opposite to ELABELA. The diagnostic value of ELABELA, Apelin, and LVEF for all HF patients was 0.835, 0.673, and 0.612; the sensitivity was 62.52, 66.20, and 32.97%; and the specificity was 95.92, 67.23, and 87.49%, respectively. All these parameters in HF patients with preserved ejection fraction were comparable to those in total HF patients. Overall, plasma ELABELA levels were significantly reduced and negatively correlated with cardiac function in HF patients. Decreased plasma ELABELA levels may function as a novel screening biomarker for HF. A combined assessment of BNP and ELABELA may be a good choice to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis of HF.
No evidence for a signal in mammalian basal metabolic rate associated with a fossorial lifestyle
Authors: Merchant Hana N. , Thirkell Jack E. , Portugal Steven J.
Published: May 2024

A vast array of challenging environments are inhabited by mammals, such as living in confined spaces where oxygen levels are likely to be low. Species can exhibit adaptations in basal metabolic rate (BMR) to exploit such unique niches. In this study we use 801 species to determine the relationship between BMR and burrow use in mammals. We included pre-existing data for mammalian BMR and 16 life history traits. Overall, mammalian BMR is dictated primarily by environmental ambient temperature. There were no significant differences in BMR of terrestrial, semi-fossorial and fossorial mammals, suggesting that species occupying a subterranean niche do not exhibit baseline metabolic costs on account of their burrowing lifestyle. Fossorial mammals likely show instantaneous metabolic responses to low oxygen in tunnels, rather than exhibit adaptive long-term responses in their BMR.
Future perspective and clinical applicability of the combined use of plasma phosphorylated tau 181 and neurofilament light chain in Subjective Cognitive Decline and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Giacomucci Giulia , Mazzeo Salvatore , Ingannato Assunta , Crucitti Chiara , Bagnoli Silvia , Padiglioni Sonia , Romano Lucrezia , Galdo Giulia , Emiliani Filippo , Frigerio Daniele , Ferrari Camilla , Moschini Valentina , Morinelli Carmen , Notarelli Antonella , Sorbi Sandro , Nacmias Benedetta , Bessi Valentina
Published: May 2024

We aimed to assess diagnostic accuracy of plasma p-tau181 and NfL separately and in combination in discriminating Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients carrying Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) pathology from non-carriers; to propose a flowchart for the interpretation of the results of plasma p-tau181 and NfL. We included 43 SCD, 41 MCI and 21 AD-demented (AD-d) patients, who underwent plasma p-tau181 and NfL analysis. Twenty-eight SCD, 41 MCI and 21 AD-d patients underwent CSF biomarkers analysis (Aβ1-42, Aβ1-42/1–40, p-tau, t-tau) and were classified as carriers of AD pathology (AP+) it they were A+/T+ , or non-carriers (AP−) when they were A−, A+/T−/N−, or A+/T−/N+ according to the A/T(N) system. Plasma p-tau181 and NfL separately showed a good accuracy (AUC = 0.88), while the combined model (NfL + p-tau181) showed an excellent accuracy (AUC = 0.92) in discriminating AP+ from AP− patients. Plasma p-tau181 and NfL results were moderately concordant (Coehn’s k = 0.50, p < 0.001). Based on a logistic regression model, we estimated the risk of AD pathology considering the two biomarkers: 10.91% if both p-tau181 and NfL were negative; 41.10 and 76.49% if only one biomarker was positive (respectively p-tau18 and NfL); 94.88% if both p-tau181 and NfL were positive. Considering the moderate concordance and the risk of presenting an underlying AD pathology according to the positivity of plasma p-tau181 and NfL, we proposed a flow chart to guide the combined use of plasma p-tau181 and NfL and the interpretation of biomarker results to detect AD pathology.
Photorefractivity and photocurrent dynamics of triphenylamine-based polymer composites
Authors: Tsutsumi Naoto , Sassa Takafumi , Van Nguyen Tam , Tsujimura Sho , Ha Giang Ngoc , Mizuno Yusuke , Jackin Boaz Jessie , Kinashi Kenji , Sakai Wataru
Published: May 2024

The photorefractive properties of triphenylamine polymer-based composites with various composition ratios were investigated via optical diffraction, response time, asymmetric energy transfer, and transient photocurrent. The composite consisted of a photoconductive polymer of poly((4-diphenylamino)benzyl acrylate), a photoconductive plasticizer of (4-diphenylamino)phenyl)methanol, a sensitizer of [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester, and a nonlinear optical dye of (4-(azepan-1-yl)-benzylidene)malononitrile. The photorefractive properties and related quantities were dependent on the composition, which was related to the glass transition temperature of the photorefractive polymers. The quantum efficiency (QE) of photocarrier generation was evaluated from the initial slope of the transient photocurrent. Transient photocurrents were measured and showed two unique peaks: one in the range of 10−4 to 10−3 s and the other in the range of 10−1 to 1 s. The transient photocurrents was well simulated (or reproduced) by the expanded two-trapping site model with two kinds of photocarrier generation and recombination processes and two different trapping sites. The obtained photorefractive quantity of trap density was significantly related to the photoconductive parameters of QE.
Limits on the evolutionary rates of biological traits
Authors: García-Pintos Luis Pedro
Published: May 2024

This paper focuses on the maximum speed at which biological evolution can occur. I derive inequalities that limit the rate of evolutionary processes driven by natural selection, mutations, or genetic drift. These rate limits link the variability in a population to evolutionary rates. In particular, high variances in the fitness of a population and of a quantitative trait allow for fast changes in the trait’s average. In contrast, low variability makes a trait less susceptible to random changes due to genetic drift. The results in this article generalize Fisher’s fundamental theorem of natural selection to dynamics that allow for mutations and genetic drift, via trade-off relations that constrain the evolutionary rates of arbitrary traits. The rate limits can be used to probe questions in various evolutionary biology and ecology settings. They apply, for instance, to trait dynamics within or across species or to the evolution of bacteria strains. They apply to any quantitative trait, e.g., from species’ weights to the lengths of DNA strands.
Mortality outcomes in diabetic metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: non-obese versus obese individuals
Authors: Zhang Pengwei , Zeng Yijun , Yang Sijia , Ye Chunhong , Wang Mingwei , Peng Tianfang , Li Li , Dong Xianhui
Published: May 2024

The difference in the survival of obese patients and normal-weight/lean patients with diabetic MAFLD remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to describe the long-term survival of individuals with diabetic MAFLD and overweight/obesity (OT2M), diabetic MAFLD with lean/normal weight (LT2M), MAFLD with overweight/obesity and without T2DM (OM), and MAFLD with lean/normal weight and without T2DM (LM). Using the NHANESIII database, participants with MAFLD were divided into four groups. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related, and cancer-related mortalities for different MAFLD subtypes were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models. Of the 3539 participants, 1618 participants (42.61%) died during a mean follow-up period of 274.41 ± 2.35 months. LT2M and OT2M had higher risks of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR, 2.14; 95% CI 1.82–2.51; p < 0.0001; adjusted HR, 2.24; 95% CI 1.32–3.81; p = 0.003) and CVD-related mortality (adjusted HR, 3.25; 95% CI 1.72–6.14; p < 0.0001; adjusted HR, 3.36; 95% CI 2.52–4.47; p < 0.0001) than did OM. All-cause and CVD mortality rates in LT2M and OT2M patients were higher than those in OM patients. Patients with concurrent T2DM and MAFLD should be screened, regardless of the presence of obesity.
U-shaped relationship found between fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio and systemic inflammation response index in osteoporotic fracture patients
Authors: Zhou Xiao-jie , Lu Ke , Liu Zhou-hang , Xu Min-zhe , Li Chong
Published: May 2024

The relationship between the Systemic Inflammatory Response Index (SIRI) and the Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) has not been extensively investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the independent relationship between FAR and SIRI in people with osteoporotic fractures (OPF). A cross-sectional study was conducted using retrospective data from 3431 hospitalized OPF patients. The exposure variable in this study was the baseline FAR, while the outcome variable was the SIRI. Covariates, including age, gender, BMI, and other clinical and laboratory factors, were adjusted. Cross-correlation analysis and linear regression models were applied. The generalized additive model (GAM) investigated non-linear relationships. Adjusted analysis revealed an independent negative association between FAR and SIRI in OPF patients (β = − 0.114, p = 0.00064, 95% CI − 0.180, − 0.049). A substantial U-shaped association between FAR and SIRI was shown using GAM analysis (p < 0.001). FAR and SIRI indicated a negative association for FAR below 6.344% and a positive correlation for FAR over 6.344%. The results of our study revealed a U-shaped relationship between SIRI and FAR. The lowest conceivable FAR for a bone-loose inflammatory disease might be 6.344%, suggesting that this has particular significance for the medical diagnosis and therapy of persons with OPF. Consequently, the term "inflammatory trough" is proposed. These results offer fresh perspectives on controlling inflammation in individuals with OPF and preventing inflammatory osteoporosis.
Influence of coupled water and thermal treatments on the fracture characteristics of a typical sandstone
Authors: Luo Yi , Zhong Haohong , Ren Li , Li Cunbao
Published: May 2024

Understanding the fracture behavior of rock after coupled water and thermal environment is important for many geotechnical projects. This study examines the influence of coupled water and thermal treatments on the fracture toughness and characteristics of a typical sandstone under mode I and mode II loading conditions. Notched deep beam (NDB) specimens were utilized and subjected to soaking treatments at various water temperatures (23 °C, 60 °C, and 99 °C). The experimental results indicate a significant reduction in both mode I and mode II fracture toughness values, with reductions ranging from 15.4% to 13.2% for mode I and 26.1% to 8.9% for mode II respectively. As the water temperatures increase, a slightly rising trend is observed in both mode I and mode II fracture toughness within the examined temperature range. Sandstone specimens displayed typical brittle fracture characteristics at lower soaking temperatures. For mode I specimens, an increase in ductility was evident with higher soaking temperatures, while the ductile behavior is less pronounced in the mode II specimens. Based on the Maximum Tangential Stress (MTS) criterion and the Generalized Maximum Tangential Stress (GMTS) criterion, the predicted values of mode II fracture toughness and the fracture process zone (FPZ) were discussed. The results show that both the GMTS and MTS criteria exhibit inaccuracies in predicting the mode II fracture toughness of sandstone treated at different soaking water temperatures. However, the GMTS criterion, which incorporates T-stress, demonstrates smaller errors compared to the MTS criterion. The study shows that the radius r0 of the fracture process zone is not a constant under both mode I and mode II loading conditions. The calculation of the fracture process zone radius r0 in the GMTS criterion requires further theoretical and experimental study.