bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of mPEGA/EHA Ratio and Copolymer Composition on the Solution Behavior of Amphiphilic, Comb‐Shape Copolymers Synthesized via Cu(0)‐Mediated SET‐LRP for Potential Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Pourdakheli Hamedani Yasaman , Çakırefe Semanur , Fietz Agnes , Hurst José , Schnichels Sven , Adams Friederike
Published: September 2023

Comb‐shape, block copolymers from hydrophilic poly(ethylenglycol) monomethyl ether acrylate (mPEGA, A) and hydrophobic 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA, B) are synthesized by copper(0)‐mediated single‐electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) via sequential addition of the two monomers, resulting in different compositions (AB, ABA, BAB, BA), molar masses, and mPEGA/EHA ratios. All polymers show narrow molar mass distributions and molecular weights of 7.7–25.50 kg mol−1, demonstrating precise control over the polymerization and molecular weights through the utilization of SET‐LRP. Kinetic experiments are conducted to investigate the polymerization behavior of mPEGA and EHA in N,N‐dimethylformamide as a rather uncommon solvent for SET‐LRP further underlining a living‐type polymerization. Amphiphilic properties are investigated by critical micelle concentration (CMC) measurements and formation of micelles in water. A reverse relation between mPEGA/EHA ratio and CMC values reveals that an increased hydrophobicity leads to decreased CMC values. The self‐assembly behavior of polymers in water confirms the formation of uniform and stable micelles in water with a size between 12 and 184 nm depending on the composition of the polymers. With increased hydrophilicity, micelle sizes increase as well. In vitro tests of the obtained polymers show excellent biocompatibility even at high concentrations further affirming their suitability for drug delivery applications.
Dual‐energy head cone‐beam CT using a dual‐layer flat‐panel detector: Hybrid material decomposition and a feasibility study
Authors: Wang Zhilei , Zhou Hao , Gu Shan , Xia Yingxian , Liao Haiyue , Deng Yifan , Gao Hewei
Published: September 2023

Background

Flat panel detector (FPD) based cone‐beam computed tomography (CT) has made tremendous progress in the last two decades, with many new and advanced medical and industrial applications keeping emerging from diagnostic imaging and image guidance for radiotherapy and interventional surgery. The current cone‐beam CT (CBCT), however, is still suboptimal for head CT scan which requires a high standard of image quality. While the dual‐layer FPD technology is under extensive development and is promising to further advance CBCT from qualitative anatomic imaging to quantitative dual‐energy CT, its potential of enabling head CBCT applications has not yet been fully investigated.

Purpose

The relatively moderate energy separation from the dual‐layer FPD and the overall low signal level especially at the bottom‐layer detector, could raise significant challenges in performing high‐quality dual‐energy material decomposition (MD). In this work, we propose a hybrid, physics and model guided, MD algorithm that attempts to fully use the detected x‐ray signals and prior‐knowledge behind head CBCT using dual‐layer FPD.

Methods

Firstly, a regular projection‐domain MD is performed as initial results of our approach and for comparison as conventional method. Secondly, based on the combined projection, a dual‐layer multi‐material spectral correction (dMMSC) is applied to generate beam hardening free images. Thirdly, the dMMSC corrected projections are adopted as a physics‐model based guidance to generate a hybrid MD. A set of physics experiments including fan‐beam scan and cone‐beam scan using a head phantom and a Gammex Multi‐Energy CT phantom are conducted to validate our proposed approach.

Results

The combined reconstruction could reduce noise by about 10% with no visible resolution degradation. The fan‐beam studies on the Gammex phantom demonstrated an improved MD performance, with the averaged iodine quantification error for the 5–15 mg/ml iodine inserts reduced from about 5.6% to 3.0% by the hybrid method. On fan‐beam scan of the head phantom, our proposed hybrid MD could significantly reduce the streak artifacts, with CT number nonuniformity (NU) in the selected regions of interest (ROIs) reduced from 23 Hounsfield Units (HU) to 4.2 HU, and the corresponding noise suppressed from 31 to 6.5 HU. For cone‐beam scan, after scatter correction (SC) and cone‐beam artifact reduction (CBAR), our approach can also significantly improve image quality, with CT number NU in the selected ROI reduced from 24.2 to 6.6 HU and the noise level suppressed from 22.1 to 8.2 HU.

Conclusions

Our proposed physics and model guided hybrid MD for dual‐layer FPD based head CBCT can significantly improve the robustness of MD and suppress the low‐signal artifact. This preliminary feasibility study also demonstrated that the dual‐layer FPD is promising to enable head CBCT spectral imaging.
Real‐time automatic image‐based slice tracking of gadolinium‐filled balloon wedge catheter during MR‐guided cardiac catheterization: A proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Vidya Shankar Rohini , Huang Li , Neji Radhouene , Kowalik Grzegorz , Neofytou Alexander Paul , Mooiweer Ronald , Moon Tracy , Mellor Nina , Razavi Reza , Pushparajah Kuberan , Roujol Sébastien
Published: September 2023

Purpose

MR‐guided cardiac catheterization procedures currently use passive tracking approaches to follow a gadolinium‐filled catheter balloon during catheter navigation. This requires frequent manual tracking and repositioning of the imaging slice during navigation. In this study, a novel framework for automatic real‐time catheter tracking during MR‐guided cardiac catheterization is presented.

Methods

The proposed framework includes two imaging modes (Calibration and Runtime). The sequence starts in Calibration mode, in which the 3D catheter coordinates are determined using a stack of 10–20 contiguous saturated slices combined with real‐time image processing. The sequence then automatically switches to Runtime mode, where three contiguous slices (acquired with partial saturation), initially centered on the catheter balloon using the Calibration feedback, are acquired continuously. The 3D catheter balloon coordinates are estimated in real time from each Runtime slice stack using image processing. Each Runtime stack is repositioned to maintain the catheter balloon in the central slice based on the prior Runtime feedback. The sequence switches back to Calibration mode if the catheter is not detected. This framework was evaluated in a heart phantom and 3 patients undergoing MR‐guided cardiac catheterization. Catheter detection accuracy and rate of catheter visibility were evaluated.

Results

The automatic detection accuracy for the catheter balloon during the Calibration/Runtime mode was 100%/95% in phantom and 100%/97 ± 3% in patients. During Runtime, the catheter was visible in 82% and 98 ± 2% of the real‐time measurements in the phantom and patients, respectively.

Conclusion

The proposed framework enabled real‐time continuous automatic tracking of a gadolinium‐filled catheter balloon during MR‐guided cardiac catheterization.
Benchmark computations of dynamic poroelasticity
Authors: Anselmann Mathias , Bause Markus , Margenberg Nils , Shamko Pavel
Published: September 2023

We present benchmark computations of dynamic poroelasticity modeling fluid flow in deformable porous media by a coupled hyperbolic–parabolic system of partial differential equations. A challenging benchmark setting and goal quantities of physical interest for this problem are proposed. Computations performed by space–time finite element approximations with continuous and discontinuous discretizations of the time variable are summarized. By this work, we intend to stimulate comparative studies by other research groups for the evaluation of dynamic poroelasticity solver regarding the accuracy of discretization techniques, the efficiency and robustness of iterative methods for the linear systems, and the arrangement of the model equations in terms of their variables (two‐field or multifield formulations).
Benchmarking solution methods for parameter identification in dynamical systems
Authors: Wiesner Marek , Büskens Christof
Published: September 2023

Accurate models are crucial for simulating, optimizing, and controlling real‐world processes. Parameter identification—the task of estimating the unknown parameters of a dynamical system based on measurements—is challenging and there exist various methods to approach it. Integration‐based methods, such as shooting methods and full discretization, approximate the model output by numerically solving the dynamical system. Gradient matching methods, on the other hand, avoid solving the dynamical system and focus on minimizing the error between the measurement slope and the state derivatives instead. All approaches have advantages and disadvantages and a recipe for which method is best in a particular situation does not exist. In this paper, we present the results of a benchmark comparing single shooting, multiple shooting, full discretization, and gradient matching using a comprehensive database of test problems. We investigate if there is a notable difference in the performance of the various methods and if one approach is superior to the others. From the benchmark, we conclude that the integration‐based methods outperform gradient matching. While full discretization exhibits robustness, single and multiple shooting provide higher precision. Additionally, we observe that finding an optimal configuration of the methods across a diverse set of parameter identification problems remains challenging and often requires fine‐tuning.
A review on electrically conductive polyurethane nanocomposites: From principle to application
Authors: Jafarzadeh Shahabaldin , Farzaneh Arman , Haddadi‐Asl Vahid , Jouibari Iman Sahebi
Published: September 2023

Polyurethanes (PUs) thanks to the occurrence of phase separation and biphasic structure prevail over other polymer matrixes for impregnation of conductive fillers and production of conductive composites. A number of carbonous fillers including carbon black, carbon fiber, carbon nanotube, graphite and its derivatives, and fullerene can be loaded into the PU matrixes to impart electrical conductivity. The properties of the carbonous fillers, the filler/PU interactions, and the method of compositing determine the conductive performance of the composite. It is possible to modulate the properties of the conductive PU composites and employ them for a number of electronic applications including but not limited to the strain sensors, electromagnetic interference shielding materials, supercapacitors, and tissue engineering scaffolds. In the present review, first, the distinctive properties of PU as a matrix of conductive composites have been discussed. Then, various carbon fillers loaded into the PU matrixes and their structural and conductive properties have been debated. Thereafter, the fabrication methods of the conductive composites as well as the influential parameters on the electrical properties of the composites have been reviewed to provide an insight into how fulfill a PU composite with the desired electrical performance. And finally, a number of applications of conductive PU composites have been put forward.

Highlights

Polyurethanes are very capable matrixes for conductive composites.

Carbonous fillers can be loaded into the PU matrixes to impart conductivity.

Conductive PU composites are employed for a number of electronic applications.

Herein, properties, fillers, and applications of PU composites are reviewed.
Ethnolinguistic and genetic diversity of fonio (Digitaria exilis) in Senegal
Authors: Diop Baye Magatte , Guèye Mame Codou , Leclerc Christian , Deu Monique , Zekraoui Leila , Calatayud Carolina , Rivallan Ronan , Kaly Justin Raymond , Cissé Momar , Piquet Marie , Diack Omar , Ngom Ablaye , Berger Angélique , Ndoye Ibrahima , Ndir Khadidiatou , Vigouroux Yves , Kane Ndjido Ardo , Barnaud Adeline , Billot Claire
Published: September 2023

Societal Impact Statement

Fonio (Digitaria exilis—Kippist—Stapf) is a neglected cereal crop that plays a crucial role in the food and nutritional security of sub‐Saharan populations. Currently threatened with extinction in many countries, fonio, like other minor species, could help give insights into the history of African agriculture and provide clues to past social interactions. Highlighting and preserving genetic diversity that can be used to develop improved varieties improves food security. By recognizing the role of indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs) in agrobiodiversity creation and management, this study provides support for strengthening the rights of rural communities and promoting their food and seed sovereignty as outlined in the United Nations UNDROP Declaration.

Fonio (Digitaria exilis) is a neglected cereal crop that plays a crucial role in the food and nutritional security of sub‐Saharan populations. It is an excellent candidate to diversify agricultural and food systems beyond Africa because of its adaptability and hardiness. However, fonio is threatened with extinction and the factors that organize its genetic diversity remain unknown, despite the fact that this knowledge is necessary to define conservation strategies and uses to achieve sustainable agriculture.

Here, we combined social anthropology and population genetics analysis of 158 fonio landraces, thereby generating insight into the genetic diversity, population structure and evolutionary history of fonio cultivation in Senegal.

We noted a spatial structure of genetic diversity at two embedded levels, with the first corresponding to the genetic differentiation between ethnic groups and the second to the demographic history of the Mande and Atlantic Congo linguistic families. Selection and seed exchange practices have contributed to shaping fonio genetic diversity at the ethnic level, while the migration of Fulani people over the last 500 years has fragmented the Mandinka kingdom, hence leaving a fonio diversity imprint.

Our study highlighted that social factors are pivotal in structuring diversity and should be taken into greater consideration in research and conservation projects to dovetail local and regional scales. It also showed that neglected species such as fonio—which are seldom used in breeding and dissemination programmes—are key markers of the history of African agriculture.
Modeling of the photophysical and photovoltaic properties of an active layer based on the organic composite poly(2‐methoxy‐5‐(2‐ethyl‐hexyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene‐vinylene) (MEH‐PPV)–poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT): (6,6)‐phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)
Authors: Ltayef M. , Mbarek M. , Almoneef M. M. , Alimi K.
Published: September 2023

In this work, two different composite architectures have been investigated. These materials are formed by the block and ramified MEHPPV‐P3HT copolymers mixing with the PCBM. Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time‐Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD‐DFT) calculation methods have been used to simulate the properties of the photo‐physical and photovoltaic material. The results show that adding the PCBM decreases the HOMO–LUMO gap energy to approximately 1.4 eV compared to the basic copolymers. This reduction implies a higher charge transfer between the donor and acceptor materials. Therefore, these composites can be implemented as an active layer in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. Furthermore, the coupling between the polymers MEH‐PPV and P3HT improves their performance order by 5.2%.
Dereplication of tropane alkaloids from four Erythroxylum species using liquid chromatography coupled with ESI‐MSn and HRESIMS
Authors: Gonçalves Dantas César Augusto , Abreu Lucas Silva , Viana Vinicius Ferreira , Gouveia Veloso Carlos Arthur , Agra Maria de Fátima , da Silva Marcelo Sobral , Tavares Josean Fechine
Published: September 2023

Rationale

Tropane alkaloids represent an important class of secondary metabolites, but many of these compounds are already described in the scientific literature, so the use of guided identification and isolation strategies, such as dereplication, represent a fast and safe alternative.

Methods

For the annotation of the tropane alkaloids the chloroform phases of the four Erythroxylum species were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with positive‐mode electrospray ionization, then the ions of their protonated molecules, molecular formulas and fragmentation patterns were observed and a comparison of the obtained data with those present in the scientific literature was performed. The compounds not fully annotated were isolated and characterized by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Results

The annotation of 29 tropane alkaloids was performed, some being described for the first time in the family Erythroxylaceae. The chemical profiles of these secondary metabolites in the four Erythroxylum species analyzed were traced and compared. Isolation of three compounds whose mass spectral data were not sufficient for their full annotation was performed. They were 6‐(benzoyloxy)‐3‐(3,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐hydroxybenzoyloxy)tropane, 6‐(benzoyloxy)‐3‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxybenzoyloxy)tropane and 6‐(benzoyloxy)‐3‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxycinamoyloxy)tropane, first reported in the species Erythroxylum revolutum Mart.

Conclusions

This work contributes to the phytochemical knowledge of the genus Erythroxylum, and demonstrates the efficiency and importance of using guided isolation methodologies of secondary metabolites in natural products research. Since safe results were presented in the annotation of the compounds evidenced, employing small quantities of organic solvents, when compared to classical methodologies, besides promoting an optimization in the research time.
Confidence bounds for threshold similarity graph in random variable network
Authors: Koldanov P. A. , Koldanov A. P. , Semenov D. P.
Published: September 2023

Problem of uncertainty of graph structure identification in random variable network is considered. An approach for the construction of upper and lower confidence bounds for graph structures is developed. This approach is applied for the construction of upper and lower confidence bounds for the threshold similarity graph. The stability of confidence bounds and gaps between upper and lower confidence bounds are investigated. Theoretical results are illustrated by numerical experiments.
Charge‐Reversible Nanoparticles: Advanced Delivery Systems for Therapy and Diagnosis
Authors: Veider Florina , Sanchez Armengol Eva , Bernkop‐Schnürch Andreas
Published: September 2023

The past two decades have witnessed a rapid progress in the development of surface charge‐reversible nanoparticles (NPs) for drug delivery and diagnosis. These NPs are able to elegantly address the polycation dilemma. Converting their surface charge from negative/neutral to positive at the target site, they can substantially improve delivery of drugs and diagnostic agents. By specific stimuli like a shift in pH and redox potential, enzymes, or exogenous stimuli such as light or heat, charge reversal of NP surface can be achieved at the target site. The activated positive surface charge enhances the adhesion of NPs to target cells and facilitates cellular uptake, endosomal escape, and mitochondrial targeting. Because of these properties, the efficacy of incorporated drugs as well as the sensitivity of diagnostic agents can be essentially enhanced. Furthermore, charge‐reversible NPs are shown to overcome the biofilm formed by pathogenic bacteria and to shuttle antibiotics directly to the cell membrane of these microorganisms. In this review, the up‐to‐date design of charge‐reversible NPs and their emerging applications in drug delivery and diagnosis are highlighted.
Tetrahedral Occupied V Ions Enabling Reversible Three‐Electron Redox of Cr3+/Cr6+ in Layered Cathode Materials for Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Luo Rui‐Jie , Bao Jian , Li Xun‐Lu , Ma Cui , Du Chong‐Yu , Zeng Jie , Xu Xuan , Qian Zhe , Mei Zhe , Zhou Yong‐Ning
Published: September 2023

Reversible three‐electron redox of Cr3+/Cr6+ in layered cathode materials for rechargeable batteries is very attractive in layered cathode materials, which leads to high capacity and energy density for rechargeable batteries. However, the poor reversibility and Cr‐ion migration make it very challenging. In this work, by introducing V ions into tetrahedral sites of layer‐structured NaCrO2, reversible three‐electron redox of Cr3+/Cr6+ is realized successfully in NaCr0.92V0.05O2 (NCV05) cathode for potassium‐ion batteries with a cut‐off voltage of 4.0 V. V ions can weaken the attraction of Cr to electrons, leading to enhanced valence change of Cr ions. On the other hand, V in tetrahedral sites can facilitate the reversible migration of Cr between octahedral and tetrahedral sites via coulombic repulsion to realize the reversible redox between Cr3+ and Cr6+ during charge and discharge processes. In addition, V ions can inhibit the phase transition from O3 phase to O’3 phase during the charge process by adjusting the crystal lattices. As a result, the NaCr0.92V0.05O2 cathode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 130 mAh g−1 with promising cycle stability and rate capability. The strategy opens new opportunity for developing high‐capacity cathode materials for potassium‐ion batteries.
Marijuana legalization and traffic fatalities revisited
Authors: Chen Weiwei , French Michael T.
Published: September 2023

The legal landscape for marijuana in the United States has changed dramatically over the last three decades. While several studies have examined the relationship between marijuana legalization and traffic fatalities, some of the research is becoming outdated and existing evidence remains mixed. Our research revisits the topic with two updates. First, our study includes states that legalized marijuana more recently and provides updated evidence on the effects of marijuana legalization. Second, considering recent discussions about the limitations of difference‐in‐differences designs, we employ alternative estimators that are robust to heterogeneous and dynamic treatment effects. Overall, our alternative estimators suggest either a smaller reduction (i.e., 3.9% drop in the overall fatality rate) or no change in traffic fatalities associated with legalizing marijuana for medical use, compared to the two‐way fixed‐effect estimator. We find no significant impact on traffic fatalities associated with legalizing marijuana for recreational use.
Publishing in local ELT journals: A way to decolonialize knowledge Publicar en revistas locales de enseñanza del Inglés: Una forma de descolonizar el conocimiento
Authors: Cárdenas Melba Libia
Published: September 2023

Educational institutions, particularly those for higher education, seek to ensure their visibility and valid indicators for institutional accreditation processes through the publications of their teachers. Their projection is intimately associated with the circulation of their production in accredited publications whose reputations depend on their positions in prestigious rankings, databases, and indexing systems. That is why Colombia, in recent years, has experienced an increase in the number of scientific journals published in the country. This phenomenon was a reaction by academics to the obstacles for publishing in renowned journals, generally edited in hegemonic or central contexts, where it is presumed that knowledge is disseminated for the whole world. In this article, the author analyzes the role played by locally edited journals in the decolonialization of knowledge. She bases her analysis on studies carried out in the fields of the English teacher as researcher and writer, academic writings, and the publication of scientific journals. She identifies the contributions, suggestions, and challenges for publications in the English language teaching area. She also stresses the importance of strengthening professional communities, encouraging greater participation by teachers in the dissemination of their work, and the need to value knowledge generated in peripheral contexts, without ignoring links with the global world.
Modified expression for hydraulic conductivity according to Mualem–van Genuchten to allow proper computations at low‐pressure heads
Authors: Heinen Marius
Published: September 2023

Water retention and hydraulic conductivity characteristics are key input data in studies on soil water dynamics in the vadose zone. The most well‐known analytical functions to describe these characteristics are those given by Mualem and van Genuchten, where van Genuchten showed that both can be described by a limited set of shared parameters. Analytically, there are no restrictions on the range of pressure heads for which these characteristics can be used. Experience, however, has shown that for certain sets of parameters, the hydraulic conductivity cannot be computed accurately at low‐pressure heads. This is due to the accuracy of (double precision) floating point operations in computer code. It is shown that for low‐pressure heads, the Mualem function approaches a power function. An adapted version of the Mualem–van Genuchten (MvG) expression for the hydraulic conductivity is proposed: between saturation and a soil‐dependent critical pressure head, the classical Mualem expression is valid and below this critical pressure head a power function is used. The power function is defined such that it matches the Mualem value at the critical pressure head. No accuracy problems will occur when using the power function until the result approaches the smallest possible (double precision) floating point value that significantly differs from zero.
Ghost authors revealed: The structure and function of human N6‐methyladenosine RNA methyltransferases
Authors: Breger Kurtis , Kunkler Charlotte N. , O'Leary Nathan J. , Hulewicz Jacob P. , Brown Jessica A.
Published: September 2023

Despite the discovery of modified nucleic acids nearly 75 years ago, their biological functions are still being elucidated. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) and has also been detected in non‐coding RNAs, including long non‐coding RNA, ribosomal RNA, and small nuclear RNA. In general, m6A marks can alter RNA secondary structure and initiate unique RNA–protein interactions that can alter splicing, mRNA turnover, and translation, just to name a few. Although m6A marks in human RNAs have been known to exist since 1974, the structures and functions of methyltransferases responsible for writing m6A marks have been established only recently. Thus far, there are four confirmed human methyltransferases that catalyze the transfer of a methyl group from S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the N6 position of adenosine, producing m6A: methyltransferase‐like protein (METTL) 3/METTL14 complex, METTL16, METTL5, and zinc‐finger CCHC‐domain‐containing protein 4. Though the methyltransferases have unique RNA targets, all human m6A RNA methyltransferases contain a Rossmann fold with a conserved SAM‐binding pocket, suggesting that they utilize a similar catalytic mechanism for methyl transfer. For each of the human m6A RNA methyltransferases, we present the biological functions and links to human disease, RNA targets, catalytic and kinetic mechanisms, and macromolecular structures. We also discuss m6A marks in human viruses and parasites, assigning m6A marks in the transcriptome to specific methyltransferases, small molecules targeting m6A methyltransferases, and the enzymes responsible for hypermodified m6A marks and their biological functions in humans. Understanding m6A methyltransferases is a critical steppingstone toward establishing the m6A epitranscriptome and more broadly the RNome.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Recognition

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA‐Protein Complexes

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Interactions: Functional Implications
Database Internals: Algorithmic Optimizations
Authors: Mendes Felipe Cardeneti , Sarna Piotr , Emelyanov Pavel , Dunlop Cynthia
Published: September 2023

In the performance world, the hardware is always the unbreakable limiting factor—one cannot squeeze more performing units from a system than the underlying chips may provide. As opposed to that, the software part of the system is often considered the most flexible thing in programming—in the sense that it can be changed at any time given enough developers’ brains and hands (and investors’ cash).
Unemployment: A Case for Medicine and Psychology?
Authors: Linden Philipp , Reibling Nadine
Published: September 2023

Unemployment is one of the classical social risks that are covered by the welfare state. For cases in which unemployment stems from ill health, welfare states have long provided specific medicalized benefits (e.g., sickness and incapacity benefits). However, the boundary between unemployment and sickness/incapacity has received an increasing level of attention in the context of activation and retrenchment reforms. In this chapter, Linden and Reibling present the most recent literature on the medicalization of unemployment from the last two decades and illustrate how institutional setups and reforms have led to both the medicalization and de-medicalization of unemployment in Germany. Moreover, the authors reveal how medicalizing unemployed individuals affects labor market reintegration, health status, and public attitudes toward unemployed people.
Poverty: More Than Just a Lack of Material Resources?
Authors: Krayter Stephan , Ariaans Mareike
Published: September 2023

Krayter and Ariaans empirically demonstrate how poverty is becoming increasingly connected to medical and psychological language as well as to medicalized and psychologized institutional categories. By first showing that poverty is a social construct whose meaning has developed throughout the decades, the authors reveal that scientific publications have contributed to an increasingly medical and psychological definition of poverty. Drawing on the example of Germany, the authors explain how political actors have medicalized and psychologized the issue of poverty as well as how German institutions have increasingly frequently drawn on medical and psychological labels and categories.
Larvae of Sasakia charonda (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Apaturinae) and three related species use oral odorants to repel ants and wasps
Authors: Hayashi Taro , Holikawa Kaori , Akiba Hisako , Inoue Takashi A. , Niihara Kinuko , Fukuda Tatsuya
Published: September 2023

We incidentally discovered that the larvae of Sasakia charonda (Hewitson, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Apaturinae) disturbed by ants, wasps, or humans release volatile compounds orally. To identify these substances, we collected oral odorant samples directly from the mouths of S. charonda larvae into volatile-collecting tubes. The trapped oral odorant samples were subjected to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). We confirmed the identity of 19 substances by comparing them to GC results of known standards and inferred them to mainly be alcohols and aldehydes/ketones, with main chains of 4–5 carbons. Three of the chemicals in the oral odorant samples, 2-butanol, 1-penten-3-ol, and 3-pentanone, showed a repellant effect on the ants Pristomyrmex punctatus (Smith, 1860) and Formica japonica Motschoulsky, 1866 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). We also examined the effects of these 19 volatiles on Polistes spp. (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and confirmed that some of them were effective repellants against these wasps. We propose that the substances we identified in this study can be used as defensive chemicals, analogous to the osmeterium emissions specific to Papilionidae butterflies. Furthermore, we examined the oral odorants of three related Japanese Apaturine species, Hestina assimilis (Linnaeus, 1758), H. persimilis (Westwood, 1850), and Apatura metis (Freyer, 1829) using the same approach. The chemical compositions of the oral odorants of H. assimilis and H. persimilis were similar to that of S. charonda, whereas that of A. metis differed. Some of the oral substances also induced a defensive response in conspecific Apaturinae larvae. We consider these substances to also act as alarm pheromones in these larvae.
Performance benchmark of deep learning human pose estimation for UAVs
Authors: Kalampokas Theofanis , Krinidis Stelios , Chatzis Vassilios , Papakostas George A.
Published: September 2023

Human pose estimation (HPE) is a computer vision application that estimates human body joints from images. It gives machines the capability to better understand the interaction between humans and the environment. For this accomplishment, many HPE methods have been deployed in robots, vehicles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This effort raised the challenge of balance between algorithm performance and efficiency, especially in UAVs, where computational resources are limited for saving battery power. Despite the considerable progress in the HPE problem, there are very few methods that are proposed to face this challenge. To highlight the severity of this fact, the proposed paper presents a brief review and an HPE benchmark from the aspect of algorithms performance and efficiency under UAV operation. More specifically, the contribution of HPE methods in the last 22 years is covered, along with the variety of methods that exist. The benchmark consists of 36 pose estimation models in 3 known datasets with metrics that fulfill the paper aspect. From the results, MobileNet-based models achieved competitive performance and the lowest computational cost, in comparison with ResNet-based models. Finally, benchmark results are projected in edge devices hardware specifications to analyze the appropriateness of these algorithms for UAV deployment.
Type of medial meniscus tear does not affect the clinical and radiological outcomes of medial opening‐wedge high tibial osteotomy
Authors: Kim Chang‐Wan , Lee Chang‐Rack , Son Gyu‐Ha
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) on radiological and clinical outcomes after medial opening‐wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent MOWHTO (113 knees) at our hospital between September 2012 and June 2020 and who were followed up for > 2 years. The radiological and clinical outcomes were compared between the MMPRT group (52 knees), who included patients with MMPRT, and the non‐MMPRT group (61 knees), who comprised patients without meniscal tear or with any type of meniscal tear other than MMPRT. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors affecting osteoarthritis (OA) progression after MOWHTO.

Results

The mean follow‐up period was 40.6 ± 14.2 months. The mean ages of the MMPRT and non‐MMPRT groups were 56.9 ± 6.4 and 54.4 ± 6.1 years, respectively (p = 0.031). There was no significant difference in the last follow‐up radiological and clinical outcomes between the two groups. In the logistic regression analysis, the postoperative hip–knee–ankle angle was a risk factor of OA progression after MOWHTO (odds ratio 0.7; 95% confidence interval 0.5–0.9; p = 0.006), and the type of medial meniscus tear was not associated with OA progression (p = n.s.).

Conclusions

In the short‐ to mid‐term follow‐up of MOWHTO, the radiological or clinical outcomes of patients with MMPRT were not inferior to those of patients without MMPRT. Postoperative lower extremity alignment, but not MMPRT, was a factor influencing MOWHTO prognosis. Concurrent root repair in HTO will restore the anatomy better; however, its effect on progression of OA is yet to be proven.

Level of evidence

IV.
T-structures on unbounded twisted complexes
Authors: Genovese Francesco
Published: September 2023

This paper is a sequel to T-structures and twisted complexes on derived injectives by the same author with W. Lowen and M. Van den Bergh. We define a dg-category of unbounded twisted complexes on a dg-category, which is particularly interesting in the case of dg-categories of derived injectives or derived projectives associated to a t-structure. On such unbounded twisted complexes we define a natural “injective” and dually a “projective” t-structure. This is intended as a direct generalization of the homotopy categories of injective or projective objects of an abelian category.
Concurrence of seizures and peri-ictal delirium in the critically ill - its frequency, associated characteristics, and outcomes
Authors: Frei Anja I. , Wagner Anna S. , Baumann Sira M. , Grzonka Pascale , Berger Sebastian , Hunziker Sabina , Rüegg Stephan , Marsch Stephan , Sutter Raoul
Published: September 2023

Background

To assess the frequency, clinical features, and outcome of peri-ictal delirium in adult patients experiencing seizures during intensive care.

Methods

This observational study was conducted at a Swiss intensive care unit from 2015 to 2020. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with seizures were categorized as peri-ictal delirious (Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist [i.e., ICDSC] ≥ 4) or not (i.e., ICDSC < 4) within 24 h of seizures. The frequency of peri-ictal delirium and in-hospital death were defined as the primary endpoints. Illness severity and treatment characteristics between delirious and non-delirious patients were secondary endpoints. Logistic regression was used to compare in-hospital death and differences regarding clinical characteristics between delirious and non-delirious patients.

Results

48% of 200 patients had peri-ictal delirium for a median of 3 days. Delirious patients were older (median age 69 vs. 62 years, p = 0.002), had lower Simplified Acute Physiology Scores II (SAPS II; median 43 vs. 54, p = 0.013), received neuroleptics more frequently (31 vs. 5%, p < 0.001), were mechanically ventilated less often (56% vs. 73%, p = 0.013) and shorter (median 3 vs. 5 days, p = 0.011), and had decreased odds for in-hospital death with delirium (OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.20–0.84) in multivariable analyses.

Conclusions

Delirium emerged in every second patient experiencing seizures and was associated with lower SAPS II, shorter mechanical ventilation, and better outcomes, contradicting assumptions that altered cerebral function, from seizures and delirium, are linked to unfavorable outcomes.
Short- and long-term effects of nutritional state on IGF-1 levels in nestlings of a wild passerine
Authors: Lodjak Jaanis , Boonekamp Jelle , Lendvai Ádám Z. , Verhulst Simon
Published: September 2023

Growth trajectories of young animals are intimately connected to their fitness prospects, but we have little knowledge of growth regulation mechanisms, particularly in the wild. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a central hormone in regulating resource allocation, with higher IGF-1 levels resulting in more growth. IGF-1 levels generally increase in conjunction with nutritional state, but whether IGF-1 levels are adjusted in response to current nutrient availability or to the nutrient availability integrated over a longer term is not well known. We tested for such effects by supplementary feeding the jackdaw (Corvus monedula) nestlings in experimentally reduced or enlarged broods with either water (control) or a food solution; these manipulations have long- and short-term effects on the nutritional state, respectively. Baseline plasma IGF-1 levels were higher in reduced broods. Food supplementation induced an increase in plasma IGF-1 levels measured one hour later, and this effect was significantly more substantial in nestlings in reduced broods. Changes in plasma IGF-1 levels increased with increased retention of the supplementary food, which was higher in reduced broods, explaining the stronger IGF-1 response. Thus, IGF-1 levels respond to short-term variations in the nutritional state, but this effect is amplified by longer-term variations in the nutritional state. We discuss our findings using a graphical model that integrates the results of the two treatments.
Impacts of climate change on dogsledding recreation and tourism in Arctic Sweden
Authors: Nilsson Robert O. , Demiroglu O. Cenk
Published: September 2023

The range of Arctic tourism supply is continuously increasing with a variety of tourism products on offer. However, climate change is becoming a more prominent issue threatening the operations of tourism businesses and the livelihood of some tourism actors, such as dogsledders. This article aims to fill the descriptive research gap that exists regarding the dependency on the physical environment, climate, and weather for dogsledding activities. This is achieved by studying how climate change may threaten possible climate and weather thresholds for these activities, and how climate change may affect the future opportunities for dogsledding in northern Sweden. The study is based on interviews with dogsledders in Arctic Sweden and climate projections from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI). The results demonstrate the following thresholds for dogsledding activities: (1) dogsledding requires 10–20 cm of packed snow and/or solid ice on bodies of water, (2) above 15 °C is too hot for dogs to pull (wheeled) sledges, (3) cold weather thresholds are determined by visitors’ preferences and are not considered a problem for dogsledders or dogs, and (4) rain can cancel tours for all dogsledders, and strong wind can cancel tours for dogsledders located in the mountain regions. Finally, extreme events such as heatwaves, storms, thunderstorms, forest fires, heavy rain, floods, and more rapid weather changes have already affected some dogsledders. These necessary thresholds for dogsledding activities could already be jeopardized for the southern and coastal locations of Arctic Sweden. In addition, the climate projections from SMHI show that warmer days and more precipitation in the form of rain will become more common in the future, especially in the absence of global mitigation measures. However, further research on vulnerability/resilience and adaption strategies for dogsledding activities is necessary to truly understand the impact of climate change.
The effect of weather conditions on scores at the United States Masters golf tournament
Authors: Jowett Harry , Phillips Ian D.
Published: September 2023

This paper investigates the sensitivity of golfers’ performance to meteorological conditions at the men’s US Masters tournament over the 40-year period 1980–2019. The mean and standard deviation of round scores are related to local temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and concurrent and antecedent precipitation. Mean scores are more dependent on weather conditions than the variability of scores in a given round. The best predictor of mean scores is the wet-bulb temperature in rounds one and two, and the zonal wind speed in rounds three and four. Across both sets of rounds (1 and 2, and 3 and 4), the wet-bulb temperature is a better predictor of mean scores than the air temperature, which implies that atmospheric moisture content affects scores. In general, golfers take fewer shots and so perform better in warmer and calmer conditions. The synergestic effect of several weather variables explains over 44% of the variance in mean scores. Mean meteorological conditions during play are a much better predictor of the players’ average performance than the standard deviation of the weather variables. The golfers’ performance becomes more variable in cooler conditions with a wider range of scores. Precipitation during play and the dampness of the ground (as quantified by rainfall up to ten days before play) do not have a consistent and statistically significant effect on the competitors’ performance. In short, this paper demonstrates that golf scores are dependent on weather conditions.
Deep learning: systematic review, models, challenges, and research directions
Authors: Talaei Khoei Tala , Ould Slimane Hadjar , Kaabouch Naima
Published: September 2023

The current development in deep learning is witnessing an exponential transition into automation applications. This automation transition can provide a promising framework for higher performance and lower complexity. This ongoing transition undergoes several rapid changes, resulting in the processing of the data by several studies, while it may lead to time-consuming and costly models. Thus, to address these challenges, several studies have been conducted to investigate deep learning techniques; however, they mostly focused on specific learning approaches, such as supervised deep learning. In addition, these studies did not comprehensively investigate other deep learning techniques, such as deep unsupervised and deep reinforcement learning techniques. Moreover, the majority of these studies neglect to discuss some main methodologies in deep learning, such as transfer learning, federated learning, and online learning. Therefore, motivated by the limitations of the existing studies, this study summarizes the deep learning techniques into supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement, and hybrid learning-based models. In addition to address each category, a brief description of these categories and their models is provided. Some of the critical topics in deep learning, namely, transfer, federated, and online learning models, are explored and discussed in detail. Finally, challenges and future directions are outlined to provide wider outlooks for future researchers.
Feature extraction from unstructured texts as a combination of the morphological and the syntactic analysis and its usage in fake news classification tasks
Authors: Szabó Nagy Kitti , Kapusta Jozef , Munk Michal
Published: September 2023

In this paper, a new technique of feature extraction is proposed, which is considered an essential part of natural language processing. Feature extraction is the process of transformation of the unstructured text to a format which is recognizable by computers. This means a transformation to a vector of numbers. The study evaluates and compares the performance of three methods: M1, which is the baseline method TfIdf; M2, which combines TfIdf with POS tags; and M3, a novel technique called MDgwPosF that incorporates weighted TfIdf values based on word depths and the relative frequency of POS tags. The primary focus of the study is to assess and compare the performance of these methods, with particular emphasis on evaluating how M3 performs in comparison with M1 and M2. Two different datasets and feed-forward, LSTM and GRU neural networks were used in this study. The results showed that the feed-forward model with the proposed method MDgwPosF in moderate topology achieved the best performance across various measures. The dataset created automatically performed better than the manual dataset. The differences between methods and topologies were not statistically significant. Statistically significant differences between the classification models were proven. The MDgwPosF method achieved higher accuracy compared to the baseline TfIdf, indicating that incorporating additional information into the vector can enhance the performance of TfIdf.
Paraclinoid aneurysms clipping through an extradural sphenoid ridge keyhole approach
Authors: Nathal Edgar , Serrano-Rubio Alejandro , Benavides-Burbano Camilo Armando , Rodríguez-Rubio Héctor A.
Published: September 2023

Background

Paraclinoid aneurysms represent a challenge for neurosurgeons due to the anatomical complexity of this region. Then, innovative techniques such as the extradural sphenoid ridge approach are suitable for a safe microsurgical clipping.

Method

A description of the surgical technique was made by the senior author, a vascular neurosurgeon experienced with the use of this approach in the management of paraclinoid aneurysms exemplified through a clinical case.

Conclusion

Microsurgical clipping through an extradural sphenoid ridge keyhole approach for small and midsize paraclinoid aneurysms is an excellent treatment modality with good clinical and surgical results.