bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geochemical Distribution of Lanthanum, Thorium, and Uranium in Surface Soils. Case Study: Mitrovica Region, Republic of Kosovo
Authors: Aliu Milihate , Šajn Robert , Stafilov Trajče
Published: August 2024

The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution of lanthanum, thorium, and uranium content in soils from the Mitrovica region in the Republic of Kosovo. For this purpose, 156 samples of topsoil (0–5 cm) were considered in a sampling network of 1.4 × 1.4 km2. The soil samples were prepared using the aqua regia digestion method and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The contents of La, Th, and U in the soil of the study area were determined to be 19, 4.8, and 0.84 mg/kg, respectively. The enrichment factor values for La, Th, and U ranged from 3.8 to 7.9, 3.2 to 7.0, and 2.0 to 7.0, respectively, indicating moderate to substantial enrichment. The geo‐accumulation index values of all elements were less than zero, indicating uncontaminated levels. The spatial distribution patterns of La, Th, and U content showed that the values are elevated in the north‐eastern and western parts of the study area, where Miocene latites and quartz latites predominate (average contents of 35, 2.4, and 2.1 mg/kg, respectively). These areas are located in rural areas, suggesting that the high La, Th, and U contents in the soil are related to the lithology of the study area and there is no influence of possible anthropogenic sources. This study contributes to the database of La, Th, and U contents in the soils of the Mitrovica region and allows an assessment of the relationship between geochemistry and ecosystem health.
Digital Sustainability: Key Definitions and Concepts
Authors: Rosati Pierangelo , Lynn Theo , Kreps David , Conboy Kieran
Published: August 2024

Current market dynamics require organisations to compete in a hypercompetitive environment that is constantly reshaped by digital transformation. At the same time, organisations face growing pressure to implement more sustainable practices in their day-to-day operations and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This has led to two discrete research fields in the wider sustainability domain, namely research that explores and addresses (1) the environmental impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) themselves (Green IT), and (2) the design and promotion of applications of ICTs to reduce adverse environmental impacts of ICTs (Green IS). While these fields have been typically explored separately in the academic literature, recent studies have proposed the idea of ‘digital sustainability’ which highlights the presence of potential valuable synergies between them. This chapter aims to define what we mean by digital sustainability and discusses some of the main trends, themes and concepts related to digital sustainability before discussing the different topics covered in the remainder of the book.
Digital Technologies for Sustainable Product Management in the Circular Economy
Authors: Baumgartner Rupert J. , Berger Katharina , Schöggl Josef-Peter
Published: August 2024

This chapter provides comprehensive insights into the potential of digital technologies for sustainable product management (SPM). Four key technologies (Artificial Intelligence, Big Data analytics, the Internet of Things, and blockchain) and their application for SPM are presented and discussed. Their potential is explored with regard to Life Cycle Assessment and Product Service Systems. Furthermore, the concept of the digital product passport is discussed, and their use in an SPM context is illustrated with reference to electric vehicle batteries. This chapter concludes with a critical reflection on the deployment of digital technologies for SPM and associated challenges relating to ethical and sustainability concerns.
From free fields to interacting SCFTs via representation theory
Authors: Buican Matthew , Jiang Hongliang
Published: August 2024

Abstract

We ask when it is possible to construct arbitrary unitary multiplets of the superconformal algebra with eight Poincaré supercharges that are compatible with locality from (continuous deformations of) representations in free field theories. We answer this question in two, three, and five dimensions. In four dimensions, we resort to an intricate but self-consistent web of conjectures. If correct, these conjectures imply various new non-perturbative constraints on short multiplets in any local unitary 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 superconformal field theory and on an unusual set of related vertex algebras. Throughout, we connect our results with properties of deformations in the space of theories.
TRAP1 modulates mitochondrial biogenesis via PGC-1α/TFAM signalling pathway in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Bruno Giuseppina , Pietrafesa Michele , Crispo Fabiana , Piscazzi Annamaria , Maddalena Francesca , Giordano Guido , Conteduca Vincenza , Garofoli Marianna , Porras Almudena , Esposito Franca , Landriscina Matteo
Published: August 2024

Metabolic rewiring promotes cancer cell adaptation to a hostile microenvironment, representing a hallmark of cancer. This process involves mitochondrial function and is mechanistically linked to the balance between mitochondrial biogenesis (MB) and mitophagy. The molecular chaperone TRAP1 is overexpressed in 60–70% of human colorectal cancers (CRC) and its over-expression correlates with poor clinical outcome, being associated with many cancer cell functions (i.e. adaptation to stress, protection from apoptosis and drug resistance, protein synthesis quality control, metabolic rewiring from glycolysis to mitochondrial respiration and vice versa). Here, the potential new role of TRAP1 in regulating mitochondrial dynamics was investigated in CRC cell lines and human CRCs. Our results revealed an inverse correlation between TRAP1 and mitochondrial-encoded respiratory chain proteins both at transcriptional and translational levels. Furthermore, TRAP1 silencing is associated with increased mitochondrial mass and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) as well as enhanced MB through PGC-1α/TFAM signalling pathway, promoting the formation of new functioning mitochondria and, likely, underlying the metabolic shift towards oxidative phosphorylation. These results suggest an involvement of TRAP1 in regulating MB process in human CRC cells.

Key messages

TRAP1 inversely correlates with protein-coding mitochondrial gene expression in CRC cells and tumours.

TRAP1 silencing correlates with increased mitochondrial mass and mtDNA copy number in CRC cells.

TRAP1 silencing favours mitochondrial biogenesis in CRC cells.
Anteromedial knee osteoarthritis (AMOA) evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): a cohort study of 100 patients
Authors: Bunyoz Kristine Ifigenia , Dixon Joseph , Patel Jaison , Troelsen Anders , Alvand Abtin , Jackson Will , Price Andrew , Bottomley Nicholas
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are increasingly used for knee osteoarthritis evaluation and preoperative planning before unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), and often patients already have MRI scans before their initial surgeon consultation. This highlights the need for surgeons to understand anteromedial osteoarthritis (AMOA) patterns on MRI. Hence, we aim to describe MRI findings in patients with AMOA meeting current indications for medial UKA.

Materials and methods

We analysed MRI scans from 100 knees evaluated for UKA between 2006 and 2013. Inclusion criteria comprised full-thickness medial compartment loss and intact lateral compartment joint space on preoperative radiographs. Assessment included cartilage lesions, osteophytes, meniscal damage, and anterior-cruciate ligament (ACL) status on tibial and femoral surfaces. Final decision to proceed with UKA relied on intraoperative findings, independent of MRI.

Results

Complete anteromedial tibial and femoral cartilage loss preserved posterior cartilage rims was evident in all cases. Cartilage thinning occurred in the lateral compartment in 34% of cases. While 62% displayed lateral osteophytes, only 6 exhibited small areas of full-thickness cartilage loss. ACL abnormalities varied: 27% normal, 3% ruptured, and 70% had intrasubstance high signal. Larger osteophytes in the medial (p = 0.012) and lateral (p = 0.002) intercondylar notch correlated significantly with ACL damage. All underwent medial UKA, with no evidence of areas with full lateral compartment cartilage loss intraoperatively.

Conclusions

The MRI findings confirmed the radiographic diagnosis of bone-on-bone medial disease but highlights a range of findings in the ACL, lateral compartment, and patellofemoral joint compartment for patients who met the current x-ray and intraoperative indication for UKA. Further research is required to understand if these MRI changes will affect long-term outcomes.
Anti-RGS8 paraneoplastic cerebellar ataxia is preferentially associated with a particular subtype of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Authors: Peter Elise , Ciano-Petersen Nicolas Lundahl , Do Le-Duy , Perrot Jimmy , Ngo Thomas , Pluvinage John , Bartley Christopher M. , Zorn Kelsey C. , Miske Ramona , Scharf Madeleine , Villagrán-García Macarena , Farina Antonio , Rogemond Véronique , Antoine Jean-Christophe , Tranchant Christine , Dubois Valérie , DeRisi Joseph L. , Pleasure Samuel J. , Wilson Michael R. , Gelfand Jeffrey M. , Traverse-Glehen Alexandra , Honnorat Jérôme , Desestret Virginie
Published: August 2024

Ataxia with anti-regulator of G-protein signaling 8 autoantibodies (RGS8-Abs) is an autoimmune disease recently described in four patients. The present study aimed to identify other patients with RGS8-Abs, describe their clinical features, including the link between RGS8-related autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (ACA) and cancer. Patients with RGS8-Abs were identified retrospectively in the biological collections of the French Reference Center for Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndrome and the University of California San Francisco Center for Encephalitis and Meningitis. Clinical data were collected, and cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and tumor pathological samples were retrieved to characterize the autoantibodies and the associated malignancies. Only three patients with RGS8-Abs were identified. All of them presented with a pure cerebellar ataxia of mild to severe course, unresponsive to current immunotherapy regimens for ACA. Two patients presented with a Hodgkin lymphoma of the rare specific subtype called nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, with very mild extension. Autoantibodies detected in all patients enriched the same epitope on the RGS8 protein, which is an intracellular protein physiologically expressed in Purkinje cells but also ectopically expressed specifically in lymphoma cells of patients with RGS8-related ACA. The present results and those of the four cases previously described suggest that RGS8-Abs define a new paraneoplastic neurological syndrome of extreme rarity found mostly in middle-aged males that associates pure cerebellar ataxia and a particular lymphoma specifically expressing the RGS8 antigen. As in other paraneoplastic ACA with intracellular antigen, the disease course is severe, and patients tend to exhibit a poor response to immune therapy.
Pharmacotherapy of motor symptoms in early and mid-stage Parkinson’s disease: guideline “Parkinson’s disease” of the German Society of Neurology
Authors: Höllerhage Matthias , Becktepe Jos , Classen Joseph , Deuschl Günther , Ebersbach Georg , Hopfner Franziska , Lingor Paul , Löhle Matthias , Maaß Sylvia , Pötter-Nerger Monika , Odin Per , Woitalla Dirk ,   German Parkinson’s Guidelines Group, Bähr Mathias , Berg Daniela , Brockmann Kathrin , Buhmann Carsten , Ceballos-Baumann Andrés , Claßen Joseph , Deuschl Cornelius , Dodel Richard , Eggers Carsten , van Eimeren Thilo , Fanciulli Alessandra , Fimm Bruno , Folkerts Ann-Kristin , Gausepohl Madeleine , Hasan Alkomiet , Hermann Wiebke , Hilker-Roggendorf Rüdiger , Höglinger Günter , Jost Wolfgang , Kalbe Elke , Kassubek Jan , Klebe Stephan , Klein Christine , Klietz Martin , Köglsperger Thomas , Kühn Andrea , Krack Paul , Krismer Florian , Kuhlenbäumer Gregor , Levin Johannes , Liepelt-Scarfone Inga , Loewenbrück Kai , Lorenzl Stefan , Maetzler Walter , Menzel Regina , Meyer Philipp T. , Mollenhauer Brit , Neumann Manuela , Outeiro Tiago , Reese René , Reetz Kathrin , Rieß Olaf , Ruf Viktoria , Schneider Anja , Schrader Christoph , Schnitzler Alfons , Seppi Klaus , Sixel-Döring Friederike , Storch Alexander , Tönges Lars , van Eimeren Thilo , Walter Uwe , Wächter Tobias , Warnecke Tobias , Wegner Florian , Winkler Christian , Witt Karsten , Zeuner Kirsten , Trenkwalder Claudia , Höglinger Günter U.
Published: August 2024

Background and objective

There are multiple pharmacological treatment options for motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). These comprise multiple drug classes which are approved for the condition, including levodopa, dopamine agonists, COMT inhibitors, MAO-B inhibitors, NMDA-receptor antagonists, anticholinergics, and others. Some of the drugs are approved for monotherapy and combination therapy while others are only approved as adjunctive therapy to levodopa. Furthermore, treatment for special treatment situations, e.g., rescue medication for off-phases, for tremor, treatment during pregnancy and breast feeding is discussed and recommendations are given with further details.

Methods

The recommendations were based on systematic literature reviews, drafted by expert teams, consented in online polls followed by online consensus meetings of the whole German Parkinson’s Guideline Group, and publicly released in November 2023.

Results

In the new S2k (i.e., consensus-based) guidelines, the pharmacotherapy of the motor symptoms of PD is discussed in five chapters. These comprise “Parkinson medication”, “Initial monotherapy”, “Early combination therapy”, “Fluctuations and dyskinesia”, and “Parkinsonian tremor”. Furthermore, there is a chapter for special treatment situations, including perioperative management, freezing of gait, and pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Conclusion

The recommendations for the pharmacotherapy of motor symptoms of PD have been updated. Newly available drugs have been added, while other drugs (e.g., ergoline dopamine agonists, anticholinergics, budipine) have been removed from the recommendations.
Testosterone therapy as a novel approach to the management of cytopenias in myelodysplastic neoplasms: a review of literature and case report
Authors: Yan John , Rockwell Bradley , Verma Divij , Sahu Srabani , Goldfinger Mendel , Verma Amit
Published: August 2024

Purpose

To explore the potential of testosterone therapy in managing cytopenias in myelodysplastic neoplasm and investigate the link between hypogonadism and hematologic malignancies.

Methods

A case of a patient with intermediate-risk myelodysplastic neoplasm and hypogonadism treated with testosterone replacement therapy is presented. Testosterone, prostate specific antigen, and erythropoietin levels were checked prior to therapy initiation and 3 months after. Blood counts were monitored over time. This is followed by a literature review of testosterone use in myelodysplastic neoplasm and the prevalence of hypogonadism in hematologic malignancies.

Results

The patient showed sustained improvement in anemia with testosterone therapy and reported subjective improvement in his weakness and fatigue. This improvement occurred even in the setting of an undetectable follow up erythropoietin level. His repeat prostate specific antigen levels remained low, while testosterone levels showed marked improvement. The literature review demonstrated positive response rates for testosterone in treating myelodysplastic neoplasm-related cytopenias, and showed a higher incidence of hypogonadism in hematologic malignancies.

Conclusion

Our review suggests that the use of testosterone in low and intermediate-risk myelodysplastic neoplasm is underexplored and poses to have significant potential as a future therapeutic agent, after careful consideration of risks and benefits. In addition, the incidence of hypogonadism in myelodysplastic neoplasm and its potential impact on exacerbating cytopenias in myelodysplastic neoplasm warrants further investigation.
Trends and outcomes in colorectal cancer surgery: a multicenter cross-sectional study of minimally invasive versus open techniques in Germany
Authors: Krieg Andreas , Kolbe Ernst W. , Kaspari Michael , Krieg Sarah , Loosen Sven H. , Roderburg Christoph , Kostev Karel
Published: August 2024

Background

The objective of this study was to assess the trend from open to modern minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robot-assisted) surgical techniques for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Germany, with a particular focus on hospital mortality, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay.

Methods

A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted using data from 36 German hospitals, encompassing 1,250,029 cases from January 2019 to December 2023. The study included all hospitalized patients aged ≥ 18 with CRC who underwent surgery. Surgical cases were categorized as open or minimally invasive. Outcomes assessed included in-hospital mortality, morbidity, and hospital length of stay. Statistical analyses involved multivariable logistic and linear regression models adjusted for main diagnosis, metastasis presence, age, sex, and comorbidities.

Results

The study included 4525 CRC cases: 2767 underwent open surgery and 1758 underwent minimally invasive surgery (173 robotic). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in open surgery (6.1% vs. 1.7%). Open surgery was also significantly associated with higher rates of acute post-hemorrhagic anemia (OR: 2.38; 95% CI: 1.87–3.02), respiratory failure (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.34–2.18), and intraoperative and postprocedural complications (OR: 3.64; 95% CI: 2.83–4.70). Average hospital stay was longer for open surgery (19.5 days vs. 11.0 days).

Conclusion

Despite the advantages of minimally invasive surgery, including reduced mortality, morbidity, and shorter hospital stays, open surgery remains the predominant approach for CRC in Germany. These findings underscore the need for increased adoption of minimally invasive techniques and highlight the potential benefits of shifting toward minimally invasive methods to enhance the overall quality of CRC care.

Graphical abstract
When long jumps fall short: control-flow tracking and misuse detection for nonlocal jumps in C
Authors: Erhard Julian , Schwarz Michael , Vojdani Vesal , Saan Simmo , Seidl Helmut
Published: August 2024

The C programming language offers as a mechanism for nonlocal control flow. This mechanism has complicated semantics. As most developers do not encounter it day-to-day, they may be unfamiliar with all its intricacies – leading to subtle programming errors. At the same time, most static analyzers lack proper support, implying that otherwise sound tools miss whole classes of program deficiencies. We propose a concrete semantics of a subset of C with , where interprocedural s are performed directly, as well as an equivalent formulation where such jumps are implemented via stack-unwinding at the call-sites. Reflecting this semantic equivalence, we propose an approach for lifting existing interprocedural analyses to support and to flag their misuse. To deal with the nonlocal semantics, our approach leverages side-effecting transfer functions, which, when executed, may additionally trigger contributions for program points that are not static control-flow successors. We showcase our analysis on a real-world example and propose a set of litmus tests for other analyzers.
Biomarkers reflecting the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and guide therapeutic approach in systemic sclerosis: a narrative review
Authors: Bazsó Anna , Szodoray Péter , Shoenfeld Yehuda , Kiss Emese
Published: August 2024

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a progressive autoimmune disorder that mainly affects the skin. There are other clinical manifestations as renal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal tract involvements. Based on the skin involvement there are two subtypes of SSc, as limited cutaneous SSc (lSSc) which involves the acral part of the body and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dSSc) resulting in significant skin thickening of the body. Despite of the extensive research the pathomechanism is not fully clarified, how Ssc develops, moreover identifying biomarkers to predict the clinical outcome and prognosis still remains challenging. Circulating biomarkers can be crucial to define the diagnosis, to predict the prognosis and monitor the clinical course. However, only some patients are responsive to the therapy in SSc, and there is a need to reach the ideal therapy for any individual to prevent or slow down the progression in early stages of the disease. In this narrative review, our purpose was to summarize the potential biomarkers in Ssc, describe their role in the diagnosis, pathomechanism, clinical course, organ manifestations, as well as the response to the therapy. Biomarkers assessment aids in the evaluation of disease progression, and disease outcome.
Performance of ChatGPT 3.5 and 4 as a tool for patient support before and after DBS surgery for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Oliveira Ana Lúcia , Coelho Miguel , Guedes Leonor Correia , Cattoni Maria Begoña , Carvalho Herculano , Duarte-Batista Pedro
Published: August 2024

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure that involves implanting electrodes into specific areas of the brain to treat a variety of medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease. Doubts and questions from patients prior to or following surgery should be addressed in line with the most recent scientific and clinical practice. ChatGPT emerges as an example of how artificial intelligence can be used, with its ability to comprehend and answer medical questions in an understandable way, accessible to everyone. However, the risks of these resources still need to be fully understood.

ChatGPT models 3.5 and 4 responses to 40 questions in English and Portuguese were independently graded by two experienced specialists in functional neurosurgery and neurological movement disorders and resolved by a third reviewer. ChatGPT 3.5 and 4 demonstrated a good level of accuracy in responding to 80 questions in both English and Portuguese, related to DBS surgery for Parkinson’s disease. The proportion of responses graded as correct was 57.5% and 83.8% for GPT 3.5 and GPT 4, respectively. GPT 3.5 provided potentially harmful answers for 6.3% (5/80) of its responses. No responses from GPT 4 were graded as harmful. In general, ChatGPT 3.5 and 4 demonstrated good performance in terms of quality and reliability across two different languages. Nonetheless, harmful responses should not be scorned, and it’s crucial to consider this aspect when addressing patients using these resources. Considering the current safety concerns, it’s not advisable for patients to use such models for DBS surgery guidance. Performance of ChatGPT 3.5 and 4 as a tool for patient support before and after DBS surgery for Parkinson’s disease.
Secure multi-party computation with legally-enforceable fairness
Authors: Nakai Takeshi , Shinagawa Kazumasa
Published: August 2024

Fairness is a security notion of secure computation and cannot always be achieved if an adversary corrupts a majority of parties in standard settings. Lindell (CT-RSA 2008) showed that imposing a monetary penalty on an adversary can circumvent the impossibility. He formalized such a security notion as “legally enforceable fairness" for the two-party setting based on the ideal trusted bank functionality and showed a protocol achieving the requirements. Based on the same framework, we introduce secure multi-party computation with legally enforceable fairness that is applicable for an arbitrary number of parties. Further, we propose two protocols that realize our introduced functionality. The first one achieves O(n) rounds and $$O(n \alpha )$$

O
(
n
α
)

fees, where n is the number of parties, and $$\alpha $$
α
is a parameter for the penalty amount. The fee refers to the balance amount in the bank required at the beginning of the protocol, which evaluates the difficulty of participating in the protocol in a financial sense. The second one achieves O(1) rounds and $$O(n^2 \alpha )$$

O
(

n
2

α
)

fees.
Combined alcohol and energy drinks: consumption patterns and risk behaviours among European students
Authors: Scalese Marco , Cerrai Sonia , Benedetti Elisa , Colasante Emanuela , Cotichini Rodolfo , Molinaro Sabrina
Published: August 2024

Background

With the growing popularity of energy drinks, a new consumption trend has emerged represented by the mixing of alcohol and energy drinks (AmED). The current study sought to examine AmED use among 16-year-old students in Europe, as well as the associations with social and behavioural characteristics. By examining all these potential relationships from a cross-country perspective, we aim to estimate potential cross-national differences.

Method

Sixteen-year-old students were drawn from the 2019 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs cross-sectional survey. Self-reported AmED use in the past 12 months was the dependent variable. Key predictors comprised substance use, other individual risk behaviours and family characteristics (parental regulation, monitoring and caring).

Results

Of the 16-year-old students surveyed in Europe, 33.9% reported AmED use in the past year. The global prevalence observed among male students (37.3%) was higher than among female students (30.6%). Prevalence ranged from 14.9% in Latvia to 53.7% in Slovenia. The multivariate analysis reported significantly higher odds of being AmED users in many of the considered risk behaviours, including daily tobacco smoking, illicit drugs use (cannabis, inhalants, cocaine/crack, NPS), heavy episodic drinking, going around with friends, going out in the evening, truancy at school, engaging in physical fights, damaged or lost objects or clothing, being involved in serious arguments, having trouble with police, practicing sexual intercourse without a condom and deliberately hurting themselves.

Conclusions

Consistent with previous studies, European students engaged in risk-taking behaviour showed higher odds of being AmED consumers. Youth AmED prevalence across Europe does not seem to follow a well-defined spatial distribution, suggesting that cultural patterns may only partially explain prevalence differences.
Migrant services and the reconfiguration of social reproduction as capital accumulation
Authors: Glick Schiller Nina
Published: August 2024

Much of past feminist theorization of social reproduction has concentrated on the domestic sphere. However, in multiple domains such as education, childcare, elder care, health care, the delivery of goods, and migrant settlement, first the state and non-profit organizations and increasingly corporate profit-making service industries emerged as significant providers. In this transformed world of social reproduction, the initial query of feminist theorists about the relationship between social reproduction and capital accumulation must again be addressed. This return to a theorization of social reproduction in what is often considered the humanitarian sector of capitalist economies must encompass the labor of precarious workers and unpaid volunteers. Building on but going beyond the feminist debate about social reproduction, this paper explores the relationship between the public–private domain of service delivery and capital accumulation in migrants’ services. In so many instances, humanitarian activities in sectors such as migrant services have become the local face of a multiscalar migration industry. Through an exploration of the delivery of migrant services in a disempowered city in eastern Germany, the paper explicates the dynamics through which social reproduction activities are commoditized and are increasingly linked to locations and mechanisms of capital accumulation through the extraction of surplus value.
Effects of decision-based learning on student performance in introductory physics: The mediating roles of cognitive load and self-testing
Authors: Jeong Soojeong , Rague Justin , Litson Kaylee , Feldon David F. , Lawler M. Jeannette , Plummer Kenneth
Published: August 2024

DBL is a novel pedagogical approach intended to improve students’ conditional knowledge and problem-solving skills by exposing them to a sequence of branching learning decisions. The DBL software provided students with ample opportunities to engage in the expert decision-making processes involved in complex problem-solving and to receive just-in-time instruction and scaffolds at each decision point. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of decision-based learning (DBL) on undergraduate students’ learning performance in introductory physics courses as well as the mediating roles of cognitive load and self-testing for such effects. We used a quasi-experimental posttest design across two sections of an online introductory physics course including a total N = 390 participants. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, DBL instruction did not have a direct effect on cognitive load and had no indirect effect on student performance through cognitive load. Results also indicated that while DBL did not directly impact students’ physics performance, self-testing positively mediated the relationship between DBL and student performance. Our findings underscore the importance of students’ use of self-testing which plays a crucial role when engaging with DBL as it can influence effort input towards the domain task and thereby optimize learning performance.
Perspectives on Teachers’ Work in Australian Early Childhood Education and Care Settings: Evidence and Ecology
Authors: Harper Erin , McGrath-Champ Susan , Wilson Rachel
Published: August 2024

ECEC educators play a vital role in educating and caring for children during the first five years of life, a critical period for learning, growth, and development. University-trained early childhood teachers make a particularly significant contribution to overall service quality. This exploratory interview study brings an ecological lens to the perspectives of nine Australian university-trained early childhood teachers on the nature and quantity of their work and workload. As part of the mixed methods Early Learning Work Matters project, this Phase II interview study supports findings from the prior international systematic review that work in ECEC is complex and demanding. Interviews yielded new findings indicating the potential changing nature of early childhood teachers’ work, some of whom reported little to no capacity to focus on service quality. Concerningly, analysis revealed burdensome influences at all ecological levels, with only a few uplifting microsystems which were inconsistently experienced by participants.
Testing a Psychological Model of Post-Pandemic Academic Cheating
Authors: Johnson-Clements Tiana P. , Curtis Guy J. , Clare Joseph
Published: August 2024

Concerns over students engaging in various forms of academic misconduct persist, especially with the post-COVID19 rise in online learning and assessment. Research has demonstrated a clear role of the personality trait psychopathy in cheating, yet little is known about why this relationship exists. Building on the research by Curtis et al. (Personality and Individual Differences, 185, 111277, 2022a), this study tested an extended Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) model, including psychopathy as a precursor to attitudes and subjective norms, and measures of anticipated moral emotions (shame and guilt), to predict cheating intentions and cheating behaviours. A cross-sectional survey was administered online to university students from around the globe (n = 257). Results from a serial mediation analysis revealed that psychopathy predicted academic misconduct behaviours indirectly through attitudes, subjective norms, anticipated guilt (but not anticipated shame), and intentions. These findings indicate that cheating may be reduced by modifying attitudes to cheating, subjective norms regarding cheating, and anticipated feelings of guilt related to engaging in academic misconduct. In addition, the results revealed high rates of several forms of cheating, particularly in unsupervised online tests, which have been used more widely since the COVID-19 pandemic. This finding raises concerns regarding the poor security of such assessments.
Macrophage energy metabolism in cardiometabolic disease
Authors: Wong Angela , Sun Qiuyu , Latif Ismail I. , Karwi Qutuba G.
Published: August 2024

In a rapidly expanding body of literature, the major role of energy metabolism in determining the response and polarization status of macrophages has been examined, and it is currently a very active area of research. The metabolic flux through different metabolic pathways in the macrophage is interconnected and complex and could influence the polarization of macrophages. Earlier studies suggested glucose flux through cytosolic glycolysis is a prerequisite to trigger the pro-inflammatory phenotypes of macrophages while proposing that fatty acid oxidation is essential to support anti-inflammatory responses by macrophages. However, recent studies have shown that this understanding is oversimplified and that the metabolic control of macrophage polarization is highly complex and not fully defined yet. In this review, we systematically reviewed and summarized the literature regarding the role of energy metabolism in controlling macrophage activity and how that might be altered in cardiometabolic diseases, namely heart failure, obesity, and diabetes. We critically appraised the experimental studies and methodologies in the published studies. We also highlighted the challenging concepts in macrophage metabolism and identified several research questions yet to be addressed in future investigations.
Initial management of newly diagnosed WHO grade 2–3 adult meningioma following surgery: results from the Dutch Brain Tumour Registry (2016–2021)
Authors: Ho Vincent K.Y. , Anten Monique M. , Garst Anniek , Bos Eelke M. , Snijders Tom J. , Eekers Daniëlle B.P. , Seute Tatjana ,   the Dutch Brain Tumour Registry (DBTR) and the Dutch Society for Neuro-Oncology (LWNO)
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Meningiomas classified as grade 2–3 according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) require combined surgery and in most cases radiotherapy (RT). Their initial management was evaluated using the Dutch Brain Tumour Registry.

Methods

The study included 393 patients aged ≥ 18 years with newly diagnosed meningioma WHO grade 2–3 between 2016 and 2021. Factors associated with adjuvant RT < 6 months following surgery were identified using logistic regression analyses, thereby accounting for variation between CNS regional tumour boards through mixed-effect modelling. This variation was further assessed by funnel plots for case-mix adjusted ratios of RT across tumour boards. The association with patients’ survival at 5 years was evaluated with inverse probability-weighted accelerated failure (Weibull) models. Analyses were performed on multiple imputed datasets (m = 10) to account for missing data.

Results

Adjuvant RT was administered to 22.2% (59/266) of patients with WHO grade 2 meningioma following a total resection, to 61.1% (58/95) following a partial resection, and to 68.8% (22/32) of patients with WHO grade 3 meningioma (61.5% after partial and 73.7% after total resection). RT was associated with grade 3, partial resection, bone invasion, and absence of multiple lesions. Management varied across tumour boards for grade 2 meningioma following total resection. Adjuvant RT was associated with survival benefit in case of grade 3 disease (hazard ratio: 0.40, 95%-confidence interval: 0.16–0.95, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

This national review revealed variation across CNS regional tumour boards in the management of grade 2 meningioma following total resection, and demonstrated survival benefit of adjuvant RT in grade 3 meningioma.
Phenomenal transparency and the boundary of cognition
Authors: Hauser Julian , Naeem Hadeel
Published: August 2024

Phenomenal transparency was once widely believed to be necessary for cognitive extension. Recently, this claim has come under attack, with a new consensus coalescing around the idea that transparency is neither necessary for internal nor extended cognitive processes. We take these recent critiques as an opportunity to refine the concept of transparency relevant for cognitive extension. In particular, we highlight that transparency concerns an agent's employment of a resource – and that employment is compatible with an agent consciously apprehending (or attending to) a resource. This means it is possible for an object to be transparent and opaque to an agent, even at a single moment time. Once we understand transparency in this way, the detractors' claims lose their bite, and existing arguments for transparency's necessity for cognitive extension return to apply with full force.
Observing fish behavior in towed fishing gear—is there an influence of artificial light?
Authors: Brinkhof Jesse , Sistiaga Manu , Herrmann Bent , Karlsen Junita D. , Grimaldo Eduardo , Jacques Nadine , Bak-Jensen Zita
Published: August 2024

Fish behavior is important to consider when developing selective fishing gear. In studies designed to investigate the size selective properties of towed fishing gears such as trawls, fish behavior is mainly documented by underwater video recordings. Because fishing gear can be operated at great depths or in other low light environments, artificial light is often required for underwater recordings. However, artificial light can influence fish behavior, which casts doubt on the validity of behavioral observations obtained in the presence of artificial light. However, removing artificial light disables video recordings and the possibility to study fish behavior in relation to selectivity devices towed fishing gears in low light environments. To date, little is known about the extent to which artificial light used for video observations affects fish behavior with respect to fishing gear. Therefore, we conducted fishing trials in the Barents Sea demersal trawl fishery to assess the effect of light sources on fish behavior by using size selectivity results in towed fishing gears. We found that the behavior of cod (Gadus morhua) was unaffected by the light sources, whereas the behavior of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), saithe (Pollachius virens) and redfish (Sebastesspp.) significantly changed when red light and white light were employed. Our results also demonstrated significant differences in fish behavior between white and red light.
A Pore-Level Study of Dense-Phase CO2 Foam Stability in the Presence of Oil
Authors: Benali Benyamine , Fernø Martin A. , Halsøy Hilde , Alcorn Zachary Paul
Published: August 2024

The ability of foam to reduce CO2 mobility in CO2 sequestration and CO2 enhanced oil recovery processes relies on maintaining foam stability in the reservoir. Foams can destabilize in the presence of oil due to mechanisms impacting individual lamellae. Few attempts have been made to measure the stability of CO2 foams in the presence of oil in a realistic pore network at reservoir pressure. Utilizing lab-on-a-chip technology, the pore-level stability of dense-phase CO2 foam in the presence of a miscible and an immiscible oil was investigated. A secondary objective was to determine the impact of increasing surfactant concentration and nanoparticles on foam stability.

In the absence of oil, all surfactant-based foaming solutions generated fine-textured and strong foam that was less stable both when increasing surfactant concentrations and when adding nanoparticles. Ostwald ripening was the primary destabilization mechanism both in the absence of oil and in the presence of immiscible oil. Moreover, foam was less stable in the presence of miscible oil, compared to immiscible oil, where the primary destabilization mechanism was lamellae rupture. Overall, direct pore-scale observations of dense-phase CO2 foam in realistic pore network revealed foam destabilization mechanisms at high-pressure conditions.
A novel approach to study ascorbic acid oxidation using hexavalent chromium species—theoretical and practical perspectives of the use of potentiometric titration technique
Authors: Pilarski Bogusław , Wyrzykowski Dariusz
Published: August 2024

This paper highlights the advantages of using the potentiometric titration technique as a valuable tool for studying the oxidation reaction of ascorbic acid by hexavalent chromium species in aqueous solutions. Particular attention was paid to the method of determining diagnostic points allowing the quantification of ascorbic acid in the sample under study. Additionally, the influence of experimental conditions, specifically the pH of the system and the concentration of the reactants, on the type of hexavalent chromium species involved in the interaction with ascorbic acid was analyzed. It has been shown that the method presented provides a simple, cost-effective, and rapid tool that can be widely used for the direct determination of ascorbic acid.
From zero-intelligence to Bayesian learning: the effect of rationality on market efficiency
Authors: Giachini Daniele , Mousavi Shabnam , Ottaviani Matteo
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we investigate the relationship between individual rationality and price informative efficiency studying a prediction market model where agents repeatedly bet on the occurrence of a binary event following their subjective beliefs. We define individual rationality in terms of the amount of past observations used to update beliefs. In this way, a wide spectrum of rationality levels emerges, ranging from zero-intelligence to Bayesian learning. We show that the relationship between individual rationality and price informative efficiency is nonlinear and U-shaped. We argue that the results emerge from the particular interaction of two evolutionary forces operating at different levels: the market selection mechanism that moves wealth toward more accurate agents and the individual learning process that moves posterior probabilities over models depending on observed realizations.
Cardiovascular imaging in cardio-oncology
Authors: Tamaki Nagara , Manabe Osamu , Hirata Kenji
Published: August 2024

Advances in cancer treatment have improved in patient survival rate. On the other hand, management of cardiovascular complications has been increasingly required in cancer patients. Thus, cardio-oncology has attracted the attention by both oncologists and cardiologists. Cardiovascular imaging has played a key role for non-invasive assessment of cardiovascular alterations complimentary to biomarkers and clinical assessment. Suitable imaging selection and interpretation may allow early diagnosis of cardiovascular injury with potential implications for therapeutic management and improved outcomes after cancer therapy. Echocardiography has been commonly used to evaluate cardiac dysfunction in cardio-oncology area. Cardiac CT is valuable for assessing structural abnormalities of the myocardium, coronary arteries, and aorta. Molecular imaging has an important role in the assessment of the pathophysiology and future treatment strategy of cardiovascular dysfunction. Cardiac MRI is valuable for characterization of myocardial tissue. PET and SPECT molecular imaging has potential roles for quantitative assessment of cardiovascular disorders. Particularly, FDG-PET is considered as an elegant approach for simultaneous assessment of tumor response to cancer therapy and early detection of possible cardiovascular involvement as well. This review describes the promising potential of these non-invasive cardiovascular imaging modalities in cardio-oncology.
Building on and contributing to sustainability transitions research with qualitative system dynamics
Authors: de Gooyert Vincent , Awan Attabik , Gürsan Cem , Swennenhuis Floris , Janipour Zahra , Gonella Sara
Published: August 2024

This paper explores the novel connection between qualitative system dynamics and sustainability transitions research. As the urgency for sustainable solutions intensifies, this interdisciplinary combination offers a promising avenue for addressing complex sustainability challenges. We reflect on recent research projects to establish the value of combining the two fields. We delve into the methodological and theoretical synergies, using examples to illustrate how the two fields can mutually benefit from each other. We find that qualitative system dynamics complements other sustainability transitions research approaches by encouraging (a) more inductive research that results in a broader system boundary than traditional sustainability transitions research frameworks and (b) higher endogeneity, which leads to a better appreciation of the feedback mechanisms that determine whether transitions succeed or not. This leads to an explicit reflection on assumptions that otherwise might remain hidden, and more explicit conceptualizations of the feedback mechanisms driving and hindering sustainability transitions and recommendations on navigating seemingly opposing interests that diminish when seeing the whole system. We also propose how future research can contribute to further cross-fertilization between the two fields, including the need for explicit positioning in terms of starting points, considering different philosophical paradigms, exploring combinations with other analytical approaches to foster change, and increasing reflection on the part of researchers, particularly in participative modes. We argue that the fusion of qualitative system dynamics with sustainability transitions research can significantly enhance our understanding and ability to manage complex sustainability issues, substantially contributing to both academic discourse and practical applications in sustainability transitions.
Organ Markets, Options, and an Over-Inclusiveness Objection: On Rippon’s Argument
Authors: Thaysen J. Damgaard , Sønderholm J.
Published: August 2024

Human organs available for transplant are in short supply. One way to increase the supply of organs consists in legalizing a live donor market. Such a market is, however, controversial. This article is about an objection to live donor organ markets made by Simon Rippon. Rippon’s objection is that the presence of a market option creates new social and legal pressures that harm the poor. Legalizing the option of selling your organs transforms into a harmful, and morally indefensible, social, and legal pressure to sell on the financially desperate. This article defends the conclusion that Rippon’s argument fails as an objection to live donor organ markets. It fails because it has implausibly expansive implications about which markets are morally problematic. In short, Rippon’s argument proves too much. Sections one and two introduce Rippon’s argument. Sections three and four contain the argument against Rippon. The main argumentative move is that the features of an organ market that, according to Rippon, justify a ban on such a market are features that also characterize several other markets that are normally considered unproblematic, for example, markets where individuals sell their labour abroad in jobs that are dangerous. So, if an organ market should be legally impermissible, so should these labour markets. Section five considers several objections to the argument against Rippon. It is argued that these objections fail. Section six is a conclusion that sums up the findings of the article.