bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposure dose, light distribution and wavelength affect the fate of introduced bacterial biological control agents in the phyllosphere of greenhouse grown tomato
Authors: Hellström Maria , Karlsson Maria E. , Kleman Isabella , Rosberg Anna Karin , Darlison Julia , Mulaosmanovic Emina , Will Lena , Alsanius Beatrix W.
Published: October 2024

Societal Impact Statement

The use of chemical plant protection products must be reduced to promote sustainability in food production. One possible alternative is biological control agents (BCAs), but their efficacy under commercial conditions does not always reach the standard of chemical control agents. Previously, light has been found to induce mechanisms in bacterial BCAs that can affect their distribution and establishment. This could promote BCA efficacy. We looked into how monochromatic and polychromatic (which is what growers use) light treatments affected the occurrence of three BCAs post‐application. By combining two non‐chemical methods: a biological (BCA) and a cultural (light) control method, this offers a new integrated pest control strategy.

The dynamics and functionality of beneficial and non‐beneficial, non‐phototrophic bacteria can be influenced by light quality. We investigated if light could aid the survival of three bacterial biological control agents (BCAs; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DSM7, Pseudomonas chlororaphis 50083 and Streptomyces griseoviridis CBS904.68) in the canopy of greenhouse‐grown tomatoes at four light treatments.

Tomato plants were exposed to 50 μmol m−2 s−1 of either polychromatic light (white) or monochromatic light (blue: 420 nm, green: 530 nm and red: 660 nm) using DYNA LED lamps for a total of 48 h post foliar application of the BCAs. Leaves were harvested from two levels in the canopy at the top and middle of each plant at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h post inoculation. The occurrences of the BCAs were quantified by plate count and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).

S. griseoviridis persisted under most treatments, whereas P. chlororaphis and B. amyloliquefaciens preferred the polychromatic and green light treatments as depicted by the viable count analyses. Significant differences between the DNA and cDNA concentrations were only noted for P. chlororaphis, with prominent wavelength effects.

Light exposure dose, placement in the canopy and wavelength were found to be decisive factors for BCA re‐isolation, indicating that they have different optimal light environments.
Empowering sustainable workplaces: A perspective on employee well‐being in the light of the job demand resource model
Authors: Zeshan Muhammad , Morelli Mariarosaria , Rasool Shahid , Centobelli Piera , Cerchione Roberto
Published: October 2024

Accentuated by unprecedented challenges, burnout has become a prominent concern affecting employee well‐being. The job demands resource (JD‐R) model suggests that job demands has the capacity to mitigate employee burnout. Nevertheless, there has been limited attention on the integration of the psychological and organisational processes contributing to such effect. This research aims to analyse the integrative role of psychological (i.e., employee self‐regulation) and organisational processes (such as the Human Resource Management system) in the JD‐R model to enhance well‐being in workplaces. Consistent with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 of the United Nations (‘healthy lives and well‐being’), the results of this research conducted in public sector hospitals suggest that job demands affect employee burnout through the mediation of employee coping (self‐regulation) strategies. Furthermore, the research enriches the existing literature by showing how employee self‐regulation and organisational Human Resource Management practices may alter the effect of job demands on burnout.
Enhancing Policy Coordination of Schooling and Transport for Net-Zero
Authors: Lait Joshua , Nijsse Femke , Barr Stewart , Hall David , Butler Catherine , Olmedo Antonio , Lynch Cormac
Published: October 2024

We recommend enhancing policy coordination of schooling and transport for achieving Net-Zero. To achieve this policy recommendation, we propose to take into account the following: (1) Education policy can adversely impact sustainable transport transitions; (2) Interactions between schooling and transport do not feature in policy and strategy; (3) Existing datasets fail to capture schooling as a component of the transport system; (4) Coordinating data creation and collation can enhance understandings of different sectors’ impacts on transport systems; and (5) Scaling-up existing areas of agreement over priorities and cooperation between actors can help to support sustainable transport transitions.
Promoting Sustainable Urban Mobility Through Implementation of Electric Buses: A Case Study of Ostrava
Authors: Krumnikl Marek , Červenka Adam , Lapuník Filip , Mikula Luboš
Published: October 2024

We recommend promoting sustainable urban mobility through the implementation of electric buses. To achieve this policy recommendation, we propose to take into account the following: (1) Cities should prioritise the transition to electric and CNG (compressed natural gas) buses for sustainable public transport, considering both ecological and economic impacts; (2) Cities undergoing transition due to the decline of heavy industry can benefit from subsidies supporting sustainable mobility, thereby modernising their vehicle fleet, which has positive ecological and economic impacts; (3) Embrace a multilevel governance approach learning from Ostrava's experience and utilise tailored regional strategies supported by national and EU-level initiatives; (4) Regions with cleaner electricity generation (300 to 600 gCO2eq/kWh) can benefit from using electric buses more than other regions and see a pronounced effect on emissions and sustainability; and (5) As for social impact, passengers in public transport see comfort as the biggest priority, not the environmental impact.
Providing State-Supported Financial Incentives and Benefits for Vehicle Insurance Policies Using Telematics
Authors: Petraki Virginia , Ziakopoulos Apostolos , Fragkiadaki Evangelia , Karouzakis Nikolaos , Kakavoulis Konstantinos , Yannis George
Published: October 2024

We recommend providing state-supported financial incentives and benefits for vehicle insurance policies using telematics. To achieve this policy recommendation, we propose the following: (1) Provision for financial incentives and benefits by the state for vehicle insurance policies using telematics across the European Union member states; (2) Conduct comprehensive social cost–benefit analysis (CBA) to assess policy feasibility, either at a European Union or at a national level; (3) Advocate for European Union-level policy implementation supported by a centralized fund to promote telematics via insurance policies, aligning with the EU Green Deal and Vision Zero targets; and (4) Showcase benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration involving experts from transportation engineering, economics, psychology, and law for policy design and evaluation.
Threshold effects on the massless neutrino in the canonical seesaw mechanism
Authors: Zhang Di
Published: October 2024

Abstract

In this work, we revisit the one-loop renormalization group equations (RGEs) among non-degenerate seesaw scales, i.e., threshold effects in the canonical seesaw mechanism, which have been obtained for more than two decades. Different from the previous work only focusing on the Weinberg operator, we derive the complete one-loop RGEs of all three dimension-five operators in the Standard Model effective field theory with right-handed neutrinos (νSMEFT) and apply them to threshold effects in the canonical seesaw mechanism. We find some contributions from the Weinberg operator to its Wilson coefficient, the neutrino Yukawa coupling matrix, and the Higgs quartic coupling absent in the previous calculations. Based on the updated one-loop RGEs, we derive the RGE of the effective neutrino mass matrix’s determinant without any approximation. Then, for the first time, we provide a strict proof that the one-loop RG running effects among non-degenerate seesaw scales can not generate a non-zero mass for the initial massless neutrino in the minimal type-I seesaw mechanism or in the canonical one with a rank-degenerate neutrino Yukawa coupling matrix. One has to include two- or higher-loop corrections to achieve a non-zero mass for the massless neutrino.
The Baker-Coon-Romans N-point amplitude and an exact field theory limit of the Coon amplitude
Authors: Geiser Nicholas
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We study the N-point Coon amplitude discovered first by Baker and Coon in the 1970s and then again independently by Romans in the 1980s. This Baker-Coon-Romans (BCR) amplitude retains several properties of tree-level string amplitudes, namely duality and factorization, with a q-deformed version of the string spectrum. Although the formula for the N-point BCR amplitude is only valid for q > 1, the four-point case admits a straightforward extension to all q ≥ 0 which reproduces the usual expression for the four-point Coon amplitude. At five points, there are inconsistencies with factorization when pushing q < 1. Despite these issues, we find a new relation between the five-point BCR amplitude and Cheung and Remmen’s four-point basic hypergeometric amplitude, placing the latter within the broader family of Coon amplitudes. Finally, we compute the q → ∞ limit of the N-point BCR amplitudes and discover an exact correspondence between these amplitudes and the field theory amplitudes of a scalar transforming in the adjoint representation of a global symmetry group with an infinite set of non-derivative single-trace interaction terms. This correspondence at q = ∞ is the first definitive realization of the Coon amplitude (in any limit) from a field theory described by an explicit Lagrangian.
Quantum scalar field on fuzzy de Sitter space. Part I. Field modes and vacua
Authors: Brkić Bojana , Burić Ilija , Burić Maja , Latas Duško
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We study a scalar field on a noncommutative model of spacetime, the fuzzy de Sitter space, which is based on the algebra of the de Sitter group SO(1, d) and its unitary irreducible representations. We solve the Klein-Gordon equation in d = 2, 4 and show, using a specific choice of coordinates and operator ordering, that all commutative field modes can be promoted to solutions of the fuzzy Klein-Gordon equation. To explore completeness of this set of modes, we specify a Hilbert space representation and study the matrix elements (integral kernels) of a scalar field: in this way the complete set of solutions of the fuzzy Klein-Gordon equation is found. The space of noncommutative solutions has more degrees of freedom than the commutative one, whenever spacetime dimension is d > 2. In four dimensions, the new non-geometric, internal modes are parametrised by S2 × W, where W is a discrete matrix space. Our results pave the way to analysis of quantum field theory on the fuzzy de Sitter space.
Age-dependent prevalence of malocclusions requiring treatment according to the KIG classification
Authors: Kinzinger Gero Stefan Michael , Hourfar Jan , Maletic Andrijana , Lisson Jörg Alexander
Published: October 2024

Background and aim

Patients with statutory health insurance (SHI) in Germany must undergo an assessment of orthodontic treatment need using the “Kieferorthopädische Indikationsgruppen” (KIG; orthodontic indication groups) classification system since 2002. A treatment need only exists if anomalies of a certain degree of severity are present. The aim of this study was to evaluate the age-dependent prevalence and percentage distribution of KIG grades requiring treatment in patients with SHI before the age of 18 over a 10-year period.

Patients and methods

Between 2012 and 2021, treatment indication existed for 1951 (1025 female, 926 male) out of 2288 patients with SHI in the cohort of this study before the age of 18 according to current SHI guidelines. The KIG classification was based on the highest existing KIG grade. There were no multiple classifications. The patient cohort was divided into three patient groups (PG) according to chronological age for analysis: PG 1 < 10 years of age (early treatment), PG 2 10 to < 13 years of age (main treatment) and PG 3 13 to < 18 years of age (late treatment).

Results

In PG 1 (454 patients), the KIG classifications D (26.5%), K (25.5%), M (19.4%), and P (18.0%) dominated. In PG 2 (998 patients), classifications D (33.2%), predominated, whereas K (7.5%) and M (5.9%) rarely occurred. The classifications E (12.6%) and P (13.3%) appeared quite frequently. Transverse deviations occurred only about half as often in PG 2 as in PG 1 and PG 3. In PG 3 (499 patients), the classification E (17.6%) was particularly common, while P (2.6%) was rare. The proportion of KIG grades 5 decreased depending on age: 19% in PG 1, 13.5% in PG 2, 10.4% in PG 3. The prevalence of sagittal classifications was highest in all age groups (45.9% in PG 1, 39.1% in PG 2, 31.5% in PG 3).

Conclusions

The distribution of KIG classifications requiring treatment was not homogeneous, but age dependent. The differences were particularly evident in the early treatment group and may be due to the limited applicability of the KIG classification system in patients before late mixed dentition. With increasing age at initial examination, the prevalence of sagittal classifications decreased, while that of vertical classifications increased. Still, the sagittal classifications D and M occurred most frequently in all age groups. The KIG classification D was always the most common in all patients until the age of 18.
Addressing disparities in the long-term mortality risk in individuals with non-ST segment myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) by diabetes mellitus status: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Cole Andrew , Weight Nicholas , Misra Shivani , Grapsa Julia , Rutter Martin K. , Siudak Zbigniew , Moledina Saadiq , Kontopantelis Evangelos , Khunti Kamlesh , Mamas Mamas A.
Published: October 2024

Aims/hypothesis

The aim of this study was to investigate how diabetes mellitus affects longer term outcomes in individuals presenting to hospital with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Methods

We analysed data from 456,376 adults hospitalised between January 2005 and March 2019 with NSTEMI from the UK Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP) registry, linked with Office for National Statistics death reporting. We compared outcomes and quality of care by diabetes status.

Results

Individuals with diabetes were older (median age 74 vs 73 years), were more often of Asian ethnicity (13% vs 4%) and underwent revascularisation (percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery) (38% vs 40%) less frequently than those without diabetes. The mortality risk for those with diabetes compared with those without was significantly higher at 30 days (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.15, 1.23), 1 year (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.26, 1.31), 5 years (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.34, 1.38) and 10 years (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.36, 1.42). In individuals with diabetes, higher quality inpatient care, assessed by opportunity-based quality indicator (OBQI) score category (‘poor’, ‘fair’, ‘good’ or ‘excellent’), was associated with lower mortality rates compared with poor care (good: HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.73, 0.76; excellent: HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.68, 0.71). In addition, compared with poor care, excellent care in the diabetes group was associated with the lowest mortality rates in the diet-treated and insulin-treated subgroups (diet-treated: HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.61, 0.68; insulin-treated: HR 0.69, CI 0.66, 0.72).

Conclusion/interpretation

Individuals with diabetes experience disparities during inpatient care following NSTEMI. They have a higher risk of long-term mortality than those without diabetes, and higher quality inpatient care may lead to better long-term survival.

Graphical Abstract
Banach lattices with upper p-estimates: free and injective objects
Authors: García-Sánchez E. , Leung D. H. , Taylor M. A. , Tradacete P.
Published: October 2024

We study the free Banach lattice

$$\textrm{FBL}^{(p,\infty )}[E]$$

FBL

(
p
,
∞
)

[
E
]

with upper p-estimates generated by a Banach space E. Using a classical result of Pisier on factorization through

$$L^{p,\infty }(\mu )$$

L

p
,
∞

(
μ
)

together with a finite dimensional reduction, it is shown that the spaces

$$\ell ^{p,\infty }(n)$$

ℓ

p
,
∞

(
n
)

witness the universal property of

$$\textrm{FBL}^{(p,\infty )}[E]$$

FBL

(
p
,
∞
)

[
E
]

isomorphically. As a consequence, we obtain a functional representation for

$$\textrm{FBL}^{(p,\infty )}[E]$$

FBL

(
p
,
∞
)

[
E
]

, answering a question from Oikhberg et al. [Free Banach lattices. J Eur Math Soc (JEMS), 2024]. More generally, our proof allows us to identify the norm of any free Banach lattice over E associated with a rearrangement invariant function space. After obtaining the above functional representation, we take the first steps towards analyzing the fine structure of

$$\textrm{FBL}^{(p,\infty )}[E]$$

FBL

(
p
,
∞
)

[
E
]

. Notably, we prove that the norm for

$$\textrm{FBL}^{(p,\infty )}[E]$$

FBL

(
p
,
∞
)

[
E
]

cannot be isometrically witnessed by

$$L^{p,\infty }(\mu )$$

L

p
,
∞

(
μ
)

and settle the question of characterizing when an embedding between Banach spaces extends to a lattice embedding between the corresponding free Banach lattices with upper p-estimates. To prove this latter result, we introduce a novel push-out argument, which when combined with the injectivity of

$$\ell ^p$$

ℓ
p

allows us to give an alternative proof of the subspace problem for free p-convex Banach lattices. On the other hand, we prove that

$$\ell ^{p,\infty }$$

ℓ

p
,
∞

is not injective in the class of Banach lattices with upper p-estimates, elucidating one of many difficulties arising in the study of

$$\textrm{FBL}^{(p,\infty )}[E]$$

FBL

(
p
,
∞
)

[
E
]

.
A European consensus recommendation on the management of delayed methotrexate elimination: supportive measures, leucovorin rescue and glucarpidase treatment
Authors: Bielack Stefan S. , Soussain Carole , Fox Christopher P. , Houillier Caroline , Murciano Thais , Osborne Wendy , Zinzani Pier Luigi , Rizzari Carmelo , Schwartz Stefan
Published: October 2024

High-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) is used in the treatment of a range of adult and childhood cancers. Although HDMTX can provide effective anti-tumor activity with an acceptable safety profile for most patients, delayed methotrexate elimination (DME) develops in a minority of patients receiving HDMTX and may be accompanied by renal dysfunction and potentially life-threatening toxicity. A panel of European physicians with experience in the use of HDMTX as well as of glucarpidase convened to develop a series of consensus statements to provide practical guidance on the prevention and treatment of DME, including the use of glucarpidase. Robust implementation of supportive measures including hyperhydration and urine alkalinization emerged as critical in order to reduce the risk of DME with HDMTX treatment, with leucovorin rescue critical in reducing the risk of DME complications. Early recognition of DME is important to promptly implement appropriate treatment including, intensified hydration, high-dose leucovorin and, when appropriate, glucarpidase.
A necessary condition for the boundedness of the maximal operator on $$L^{p(\cdot)}$$ over reverse doubling spaces of homogeneous type
Authors: Karlovych O. , Shalukhina A.
Published: October 2024

Let $$(X,d,\mu)$$

(
X
,
d
,
μ
)

be a space of homogeneous type and $$p(\cdot) \colon X \to[1,\infty]$$

p
(
·
)
:
X
→
[
1
,
∞
]

be a variable exponent. We show that if the measure $$\mu$$
μ
is Borel-semiregular and reverse doubling, then the condition
$${ess\,inf}_{x\in X}p(x)>1$$

e
s
s

i
n
f

x
∈
X

p

(
x
)

>
1

is necessary for the boundedness of the Hardy–Littlewood maximal operator $$M$$
M

on the variable Lebesgue space $$L^{p(\cdot)}(X,d,\mu)$$

L

p
(
·
)

(
X
,
d
,
μ
)

.
Temperature-Driven Stopped-Flow Experiments for Investigating the Initial Aggregation of the α-Synuclein Amyloid Protein, Focusing on Active and Inactive Phases
Authors: Saraiva Marco A.
Published: October 2024

The primary objective of this research is to further examine the events occurring during the active or burst phase by focusing on the aggregation of the Syn amyloid protein. Regarding this aspect, it was initially conducted rapid temperature variations using stopped-flow spectrometry and tyrosyl group fluorescence emission detection, within the initial 500 milliseconds in buffered Syn solutions at pH 7, exploring various temperature ranges to investigate protein aggregation. The results obtained were contrasted with results obtained for the Nα-acetyl-L-tyrosinamide (NAYA) parent compound in the same conditions. The utilization of the NAYA compound is suitable as it mimics the peptide bonds in proteins and contains a tyrosyl group resembling the four tyrosyl groups found in the Syn protein structure (the protein has no tryptophan residues). Furthermore, the NAYA compound adopts an intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded structure even in an aqueous solution, similar to the interactions seen in the hydrophilic face of β-sheets. Additionally, the Syn protein system can exhibit the presence of β-sheets as a result of the existence of very low abundant Syn amyloid precursor forms or nuclei during the initial stages of the protein aggregation. Thus, a relationship is present between the molecular processes in the NAYA and Syn protein systems, making the NAYA’s application crucial in this research. Moreover, to aid in understanding the results, it was also compared the events during the quiescent or inactive phase (30–500 milliseconds) with those in the burst phase (up to 10 milliseconds) using stopped-flow spectrometry conditions. Steady-state measurements were beneficial in comprehending the occurrences in both the quiescent and burst phases examined. Although protein aggregation and disaggregation were observed during the quiescent phase, determining these processes in the burst phase was more challenging. In the latter case, the aggregation of the Syn protein is actually initiated by the interaction of the intrinsically disordered Syn monomers. In the quiescent phase, first-order rate constants were measured and analysis showed that Syn protein aggregation and disaggregation occur simultaneously. At lower temperatures, early protein disaggregation outweighs protein aggregation whereas at higher temperatures protein disaggregation and aggregation are rather similar. It is also need to highlight that the burst phase, while distinct from the quiescent phase, can be considered as a possible structural phase for obtaining details about the aggregation of this specific disordered protein in solution on a very short timescale.
Fast and accurate approximation algorithms for computing floating point square root
Authors: Kokosiński Zbigniew , Gepner Paweł , Moroz Leonid , Samotyy Volodymyr , Węgrzyn Mariusz , Gavkalova Nataliia
Published: October 2024

The square root is one of the most used functions in many different engineering and scientific applications. We propose new methods for calculating the square root function that are based on the Newton–Raphson method with Heron iteration. A modification of Heron’s formula combined with an improved selection of the magic constants enables a significant reduction of the maximum relative error (MRE). Simple modifications to the Newton–Raphson formula and the magic number method enable implementation on platforms with limited hardware resources, such as microcontrollers and FPGAs, with variable accuracy. Implementations of new approximation algorithms in the C programming language were carefully tested and evaluated against their software and hardware counterparts on the most popular platforms, e.g., CPUs from Intel, AMD and ARM, GPU from Nvidia and IPU from Graphcore. The proposed numerical algorithms are shown to be superior in terms of computational time, the number of clock cycles, accuracy, MRE, and root mean square deviation.
Aging enhances pro-atrogenic gene expression and skeletal muscle loss following respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Sagawe J. Sophie , Loake Verity I. P. , Openshaw Peter J. M. , Kemp Paul , Culley Fiona J.
Published: October 2024

Aging and many age-related health conditions are associated with skeletal muscle loss. Furthermore, older adults are more susceptible to severe respiratory infections, which can in turn lead to muscle wasting. The mechanisms by which respiratory viral infection can impact skeletal muscle in older adults are not well understood. We determined the effects of acute infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on the lung and skeletal muscle of aged mice. RSV infection caused more severe disease in aged mice with enhanced weight loss, reduced feeding, higher viral load, and greater airway inflammation. Aged but not young mice showed decreased leg muscle weight at the peak of illness and decreased size of leg muscle fibers. Aged mice increased muscle-specific expression of atrophy-promoting enzymes (Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1) and failed to increase the rate of muscle protein synthesis during RSV infection. In aged mice, the changes in Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 gene expression in skeletal muscle correlated with IL-6 levels in the lungs. These findings indicate that RSV infection of aged mice provides a model for studying the diverse adverse systemic consequences of respiratory viral infections on health and wellbeing in older adults.
Generic and site-specific social life cycle assessment of municipal wastewater treatment systems in Spain: challenges and limitations of the method when applied to resource recovery systems
Authors: Kokubo Roche Akemi , Tsalidis Georgios Archimidis , Blanco Carlos F. , Dias Daniel F. C. , Posada John A.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This work aims to provide insights on the application of social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) in evaluating the social impacts associated with municipal wastewater treatment (WWT). The study assesses the social risks and social performance of two municipal WWT systems in Catalonia, Spain: a conventional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) (Reference System) and a novel system that recovers water and other valuable resources (Novel System).

Methods

S-LCA was conducted at Generic and Site-Specific levels using 1 m3 of wastewater treatment as the functional unit (FU). The Generic assessment was conducted via the Product Social Impact Life Cycle Assessment (PSILCA) database, while the Site-Specific assessment employed the Subcategory Assessment Method (SAM) with four-level reference scales to assess the social performance of the WWTP operator and its first-tier suppliers. Furthermore, activity variables were calculated based on organizations’ shares in the total costs per FU, and the Novel System’s multifunctionality was solved through economic allocation. Results were aggregated by (i) assigning equal weights to organizations and (ii) factoring in organizations’ weights and the allocation factor, leading to results per FU.

Results and discussion

The Generic analysis results indicated that the Novel System entailed fewer social risks than the Reference System. Most social risks in both systems occurred in the subcategories “Access to material resources,” “Fair salary,” “Freedom of association and collective bargaining,” “Contribution to economic development,” and “Corruption.” In the Site-Specific assessment, the Novel System presented better social performance than the Reference System per 1 m3 of wastewater treatment. The latter’s performance per FU did not meet the basic requirement in four out of eleven subcategories, mainly due to the performance and weight of a chemical supplier. Allocation greatly benefitted the Novel System’s results per FU compared to the results obtained when equal weights were applied.

Conclusions

Activity variables were used to connect organizations’ conduct with particular WWT systems, and multifunctionality was solved. This approach allowed for obtaining results per FU at both assessment levels. However, social performance was also evaluated by calculating the average social performance of each system without considering activity variables and the FU, leading to different results. The social performance of the Novel System per FU was satisfactory across all subcategories but required improvement in four subcategories based on the average results. Given the limitations of using activity variables and allocation in S-LCA, further research is necessary to appropriately evaluate and compare the social effects of novel resource recovery systems.
Leadership Practices, Organization Structure, and Other Factors Associated with Higher 2022–2023 US News and World Report Ranking
Authors: Sankisa Divya , Tatum Robert , Saxena Abhiraj , Whellan David J. , Alvarez Rene J. , Morris Rohinton J. , Tchantchaleishvili Vakhtang
Published: October 2024

Background

U.S.Newsand World Report 2022–2023 hospital rankings were used to investigate the leadership practices and organizational structure of ranked healthcare institutions.

Methods

Institutional variables including physician leadership status, executive board size, number of physician board members, type of physician practice, health system size, and for-profit status were collected. US News and World Report scores were used to create a comprehensive institutional rank order list. Strength of association was evaluated between these variables and the organization’s US News and World Report rank.

Results

Our analysis included 546 institutions representing 1676 hospitals. Leadership under a physician CEO (OR 1.59 (95% CI 1.27, 2.00) P < 0.001), group practice (OR 1.25 (95% CI 1.01, 1.59) P = 0.042), and bed count of the institution’s highest-ranking hospital (OR 1.001 (95% CI 1.0009, 1.0014) P < 0.001) were associated with higher US News and World Report ranking. For-profit status was negatively associated with institution ranking (OR 0.44 (95% CI 0.24, 0.78) P = 0.005). No significant association was demonstrated between number of physician executive board members, health system bed count, executive board size, or the number of hospitals in a health system and the institutional ranking.

Conclusions

Physician leadership, organizational structure, size of the institution’s flagship hospital, and tax status are significantly associated with an organization’s US News and World Report rank.
Factors associated with anxiety in colorectal cancer survivors: a scoping review
Authors: Shin Juehyun , Gibson Jessie S. , Jones Randy A. , Debnam Katrina J.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Anxiety is one of the most common psychological issues among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. It can interact with physical symptoms, impacting cancer progression, survival, and quality of life. This scoping review aims to explore the factors associated with anxiety in patients with CRC and the instruments used to measure anxiety.

Methods

Using Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework for the scoping review, studies investigating anxiety in CRC patients published in CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus between 2013 and 2024 were included.

Results

We analyzed fifty-one studies for this review. The review identified several risk factors and consequences of anxiety in CRC patients. The risk factors were classified into six domains using Niedzwiedz et al.'s (2019) framework: individual characteristics, social/ contextual factors, prior psychological factors, psychological responses to diagnosis and treatment, characteristics of cancer, and treatment. The consequences of anxiety were classified into three categories: global health status/quality of life, functions, and symptoms/problems. The most frequently used tool was the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, with International Classification of Diseases codes being the second most used.

Conclusions

This scoping review highlighted the intricate interaction between biological and psychosocial aspects in the lives of CRC survivors. It also identified unique factors associated with anxiety among these individuals. However, the review found some inconsistencies in the results related to anxiety-related factors, potentially due to differences in study populations, designs, measurement tools, and analysis methods.

Implications for Cancer Survivors.

This review underscores the potential for interventions targeting modifiable factors to prevent or reduce anxiety and enhance the quality of life for CRC survivors.
Can local organizations act as middle actors in energy support? Exploring their functions, motivations, challenges, and needs
Authors: Sequeira Miguel Macias , Gouveia João Pedro , Joanaz de Melo João
Published: October 2024

Energy efficiency is vital for energy transitions, and energy-poor, vulnerable, and hard-to-reach groups are at risk of being left behind. In this context, local middle actors have been suggested as partners in deploying targeted energy support. Nevertheless, scarce research has engaged with them to assess if they are willing and capable of contributing, if they can reach households, and if they have unmet needs. In this research, we draw on the mapping of 198 local organizations and 34 semi-structured interviews conducted after deploying a pilot energy support service in Setúbal, Portugal. Interviews characterized the organizations and target audiences, assessed energy literacy, explored potential collaborative roles, and recognized drivers, barriers, and solutions. Results show that most organizations are willing to disseminate activities, forward citizens, facilitate contacts, co-organize events, and participate in training. Half can identify vulnerable families for proactive support. Drivers include environmental concerns, community participation, and social support. However, few seem able to conduct energy support, hire/redirect staff, or participate in coordination. Scarce human resources, lack of time, other priorities, and financing concerns severely constrain local organizations. This case study finds some potential for local organizations to act as intermediaries in energy support, building on their communication channels and trusted relationships to fulfill specific roles. However, they are often hard-to-reach themselves and burdened with demanding activities. Thus, we suggest that fostering collaborations with local organizations is challenging but possible. It requires dedicated funding, time, and resources to empower, capacitate, and reward middle actors for their contributions in delivering energy support.
A multifunctional life cycle assessment of durum wheat cropping systems
Authors: Zingale Silvia , Ingrao Carlo , Reguant-Closa Alba , Guarnaccia Paolo , Nemecek Thomas
Published: October 2024

Agricultural systems strongly impact ecosystems by driving terrestrial degradation, water depletion, and climate change. The Life Cycle Assessment allows for comprehensive analyses of the environmental impacts of food production. Nonetheless, its application still faces challenges due to cropping systems’ increased complexity and multifunctionality. Past research has emphasized the need for more holistic approaches to consider dynamic crop interactions and diverse functions of cropping systems, beyond just meeting the demand for foods and feeds. In this context, this study applied an alternative combined and multifunctional modelling approach to compare the environmental performances of two durum wheat cropping systems. The latter differed in crop rotation schedules, farming methods, tillage techniques, and genotypes grown (including both modern and old ones). Novel methodological choices were adopted in this study, aiming at best representing the complexity and peculiarities of these systems, by considering crop rotation effects and reflecting the main durum wheat stakeholders’ perspectives. The results showed that the organic low-input landrace-growing system (Case 1) had considerably lower environmental impacts than the conventional high-input one (Case 2), regardless of the functional unit. The environmental hotspots were the increased land occupation and the bare fallow for Case 1 and Case 2, respectively. At the endpoint level, the most affected impact categories for both the systems of analysis were land use, fine particulate matter formation, global warming (human health), and human non-carcinogenic toxicity. Also, the midpoint analysis pointed out important differences in terms of other assessed impact categories, with Case 1 better performing for the majority of them. The identified improvement solutions include the following: the enhancement of the yield performances and the optimization of nitrogen provision from the leguminous crop for Case1, the shift toward a more efficient rotational scheme, the reduction of the use of external inputs, and the avoidance of unnecessary soil tillage operations for Case 2.
WAT’s up? Exploring the Impact of Wearable Activity Trackers on Physical Activity and Wellbeing: A Systematic Research Review
Authors: Scudds Annie , Lasikiewicz Nicola
Published: October 2024

Wearable activity trackers (WATs) can facilitate engagement in physical activity. Yet, there may be an additional psychological impact, which can influence their effectiveness. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to assess the impact of wrist-based WATs on physical activity and subsequent psychological wellbeing in healthy adults. The review was carried out using PRISMA guidelines and registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF). An initial search was conducted in December 2022 with a follow-up in October 2023. Databases included PsychInfo, PsycArticles, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus. Nine studies were selected for inclusion and reviewed. Most studies comprised white adults with an average age of 21.5 to 49 years. Participants were employed or students with a mostly normal BMI. Changes in self-efficacy for exercise, depressive symptoms, mental health and general wellbeing, quality of life and burnout were evaluated. Half the studies reported a WAT-related increase in physical activity engagement. Four studies assessed self-efficacy for exercise, with half observing an improvement post-intervention. Three studies assessed mental health and depressive symptoms with one observing improvement and two observing no change. The remaining studies included measures of burnout and quality of life, where only burnout scores improved 1-month post-intervention. Although the quality of the studies reviewed was acceptable, only 4 included a suitable control/comparison group. Further, the measurement of psychological wellbeing varied considerably. In sum, the results indicate that the effect of WATs on physical activity and subsequent psychological wellbeing is understudied. Further research is required to fully elucidate these relationships.
High-performance magnetic artificial silk fibers produced by a scalable and eco-friendly production method
Authors: Greco Gabriele , Schmuck Benjamin , Del Bianco Lucia , Spizzo Federico , Fambri Luca , Pugno Nicola Maria , Veintemillas-Verdaguer Sabino , Morales Maria Puerto , Rising Anna
Published: October 2024

Flexible magnetic materials have great potential for biomedical and soft robotics applications, but they need to be mechanically robust. An extraordinary material from a mechanical point of view is spider silk. Recently, methods for producing artificial spider silk fibers in a scalable and all-aqueous-based process have been developed. If endowed with magnetic properties, such biomimetic artificial spider silk fibers would be excellent candidates for making magnetic actuators. In this study, we introduce magnetic artificial spider silk fibers, comprising magnetite nanoparticles coated with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid. The composite fibers can be produced in large quantities, employing an environmentally friendly wet-spinning process. The nanoparticles were found to be uniformly dispersed in the protein matrix even at high concentrations (up to 20% w/w magnetite), and the fibers were superparamagnetic at room temperature. This enabled external magnetic field control of fiber movement, rendering the material suitable for actuation applications. Notably, the fibers exhibited superior mechanical properties and actuation stresses compared to conventional fiber-based magnetic actuators. Moreover, the fibers developed herein could be used to create macroscopic systems with self-recovery shapes, underscoring their potential in soft robotics applications.
Phytoplankton morphological traits and biomass outline community dynamics in a coastal ecosystem (Gulf of Trieste, Adriatic Sea)
Authors: Vascotto Ivano , Mozetič Patricija , Francé Janja
Published: October 2024

Trait-based ecology has recently gained increasing importance in phytoplankton research. In particular, the taxonomic and morphological traits, such as size and shape of phytoplankton cells, can help to unveil the ecological processes and their drivers in the pelagic domain. Our study aims to shed light on the trophodynamics of phytoplankton communities in a coastal ecosystem in the northern Adriatic Sea (Gulf of Trieste) using data on individual traits such as biomass, size and shape of phytoplankton taxa during a one-year study. The phytoplankton parameters were investigated at the levels of the whole community, groups, and individual cells, analysing also the probability distributions of biomass and size of the latter level. The results showed good agreement between abundance and biomass data, as well as individual size and biomass with differences partly explained by cell shapes. We have emphasized the role of the local freshwater source in bottom-up control, alternating with top-down control of phytoplankton dynamics through taxonomic and morphological diversity. The predominant bimodal and non-power law distribution, especially during and around the biomass peaks, confirmed the importance of nano- and microphytoplankton size classes and the role of blooms in destabilizing the trophic webs. We suggest that the analyses of distribution types of individual cell size and biomass can be appropriate to spot ecological processes driving to unconstrained phytoplankton proliferation or to periods of trophic web stability.
A Hybrid Sobolev Gradient Method for Learning NODEs
Authors: Baravdish George , Eilertsen Gabriel , Jaroudi Rym , Johansson B. Tomas , Malý Lukáš , Unger Jonas
Published: October 2024

The inverse problem of supervised reconstruction of depth-variable (time-dependent) parameters in ordinary differential equations is considered, with the typical application of finding weights of a neural ordinary differential equation (NODE) for a residual network with time continuous layers. The differential equation is treated as an abstract and isolated entity, termed a standalone NODE (sNODE), to facilitate for a wide range of applications. The proposed parameter reconstruction is performed by minimizing a cost functional covering a variety of loss functions and penalty terms. Regularization via penalty terms is incorporated to enhance ethical and trustworthy AI formulations. A nonlinear conjugate gradient mini-batch optimization scheme (NCG) is derived for the training having the benefit of including a sensitivity problem. The model (differential equation)-based approach is thus combined with a data-driven learning procedure. Mathematical properties are stated for the differential equation and the cost functional. The adjoint problem needed is derived together with the sensitivity problem. The sensitivity problem itself can estimate changes in the output under perturbation of the trained parameters. To preserve smoothness during the iterations, the Sobolev gradient is calculated and incorporated. Numerical results are included to validate the procedure for a NODE and synthetic datasets and compared with standard gradient approaches. For stability, using the sensitivity problem, a strategy for adversarial attacks is constructed, and it is shown that the given method with Sobolev gradients is more robust than standard approaches for parameter identification.
ANALYSIS OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING CHOICE OF INFORMAL FISH TRADE ROUTE AND DESTINATION BY FISH TRADERS BETWEEN MALAWI AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Authors: Nyengere Jabulani , Mwathunga Evance , Dulanya Zuze , Kaunda Emmanuel , Chimatiro Sloans
Published: October 2024

Choice of trade route and destination by cross border traders is an important decision in today’s increasingly cross border trade of products including fish. The current study examined the geographical factors influencing choice of informal trade route and destination by fish traders. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted for the study. These included semi-structured questionnaires through personal interviews and key informant interviews with fish border inspectors. Data was analyzed through various techniques for trader’s choice and destination. Specifically, principal component analysis and spearman correlation, and Huff’s gravity model were used to identify significant factors influencing choice of trade route and destination, and market attractiveness, respectively. Fish traders bypass official border posts using informal routes connecting the main route before and after the border post. Despite attempts and awareness about formal trade, stringent regulations forced fish traders to use informal trade routes. However, investigations into choice of trade routes and destination found that route distance, presence of alternative destination, mode of transport, demand of the fish product, and personal safety and risks were the factors influencing choice of both trade route and destination by informal fish traders. This geographic analysis provides a basis for addressing challenges in informal cross border trade in Malawi. It is recommended that strategic efforts and investments should be made in the development of transportation infrastructure, such as roads and railways to improve connectivity between secondary routes and one stop border post. The government should also intensify awareness initiatives on COMESA simplified trade regime (STR) to encourage informal traders to transition to the formal sector through use of formal routes.
Two-dimensional thermal and dynamical strain in landfast sea ice from InSAR: results from a new analytical inverse method and field observations
Authors: Fedders Emily R. , Mahoney Andrew R. , Dammann Dyre Oliver , Polashenski Chris , Hutchings Jennifer K.
Published: October 2024

Observing continuous strain in sea ice at geophysical scales of tens of meters to kilometers requires displacement measurements made with millimeter-scale precision. Satellite-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) provides such precise measurements of relative surface displacement over broad spatial areas at regular intervals and, unlike point displacement measurements, it allows confident delineation of continuously deforming regions. However, InSAR only captures the 1-D component of surface displacement parallel to a radar's lines-of-sight. Additional analysis is required to translate between these 1-D observations and the horizontal or vertical displacements they arose from. Previous studies utilize an iterative inverse model to constrain estimates of horizontal surface displacement from InSAR. Here we build upon that work outlining a new analytical inverse modeling method for quantifying displacement and strain over continuous regions of sea ice and provide comparison between model results and independent displacement observations. We demonstrate the inverse method over both landfast and drifting ice along the Alaskan coastline. These intercomparisons highlight environments in which displacements inverted from interferograms may be used as an independent estimator of surface strain, as well as the potential for the outlined inverse methods to be used in conjunction with other observing methods.