bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Well-posedness of the governing equations for a quasi-linear viscoelastic model with pressure-dependent moduli in which both stress and strain appear linearly
Authors: Itou Hiromichi , Kovtunenko Victor A. , Rajagopal Kumbakonam R.
Published: January 2024

The response of a body described by a quasi-linear viscoelastic constitutive relation, whose material moduli depend on the mechanical pressure (that is one-third the trace of stress) is studied. The constitutive relation stems from a class of implicit relations between the histories of the stress and the relative deformation gradient. A-priori thresholding is enforced through the pressure that ensures that the displacement gradient remains small. The resulting mixed variational problem consists of an evolutionary equation with the Volterra convolution operator; this equation is studied for well-posedness within the theory of maximal monotone graphs. For isotropic extension or compression, a semi-analytic solution of the quasi-linear viscoelastic problem is constructed under stress control. The equations are studied numerically with respect to monotone loading both with and without thresholding. In the example, the thresholding procedure ensures that the solution does not blow-up in finite time.
Clinical outcomes and end-of-life treatment in 596 patients with isolated traumatic brain injury: a retrospective comparison of two Dutch level-I trauma centers
Authors: Niemeyer Menco J. S. , Jochems Denise , Van Ditshuizen Jan C. , de Kanter Janneke , Cremers Lotte , van Hattem Martijn , Den Hartog Dennis , Houwert Roderick Marijn , Leenen Luke P. H. , van Wessem Karlijn J. P.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

With an increasingly older population and rise in incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), end-of-life decisions have become frequent. This study investigated the rate of withdrawal of life sustaining treatment (WLST) and compared treatment outcomes in patients with isolated TBI in two Dutch level-I trauma centers.

Methods

From 2011 to 2016, a retrospective cohort study of patients aged ≥ 18 years with isolated moderate-to-severe TBI (Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) head ≥ 3) was conducted at the University Medical Center Rotterdam (UMC-R) and the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC-U). Demographics, radiologic injury characteristics, clinical outcomes, and functional outcomes at 3–6 months post-discharge were collected.

Results

The study population included 596 patients (UMC-R: n = 326; UMC-U: n = 270). There were no statistical differences in age, gender, mechanism of injury, and radiologic parameters between both institutes. UMC-R patients had a higher AIShead (UMC-R: 5 [4–5] vs. UMC-U: 4 [4–5], p < 0.001). There was no difference in the prehospital Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). However, UMC-R patients had lower GCSs in the Emergency Department and used more prehospital sedation. Total in-hospital mortality was 29% (n = 170), of which 71% (n = 123) occurred after WLST. Two percent (n = 10) remained in unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) state during follow-up.

Discussion

This study demonstrated a high WLST rate among deceased patients with isolated TBI. Demographics and outcomes were similar for both centers even though AIShead was significantly higher in UMC-R patients. Possibly, prehospital sedation might have influenced AIS coding. Few patients persisted in UWS. Further research is needed on WLST patients in a broader spectrum of ethics, culture, and complex medical profiles, as it is a growing practice in modern critical care.

Level of evidence

Level III, retrospective cohort study.
Functional outcomes after intramedullary nailing (C-Nail®) of severe calcaneal fractures with mean follow-up of 36 months
Authors: Schippers Philipp , Engels Rasmus , Benning Dominik , Fischer Sebastian , Wunderlich Felix , Afghanyar Yama , Arand Charlotte , Nienhaus Michael , Drees Philipp , Gercek Erol , Küchle Raphael
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Calcaneal fractures (CFs) are rare but potentially debilitating injuries. Apart from the open, far lateral or sinus tarsi approach, operative treatment can be performed minimally invasive and percutaneously with intramedullary nailing. In this study, we sought to investigate the functional outcome of severe CFs treated with the C-Nail® implant.

Methods

Twenty-two CFs (9 × Sanders III and 8 × Sanders IV), operated between 2016 and 2019, were followed up with a mean duration of 36 (± 11) months. The AOFAS score, pre- and postoperative Böhler angles, wound healing disorders, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) like pain levels and return to work/sport levels were assessed.

Results

The mean AOFAS score was 72.0 (± 9.8). Four patients sustained wound healing disorders, yet no implant-associated surgical revision was required. Fifty percent of patients were pain-free within 1 year. Within 1 year, about 50% of the patients could return to sports, and about 80% of the patients could return to work. PROMs and functional results align with those from other implants reported in the literature.

Conclusion

Intramedullary nailing of severe CFs with the C-Nail® implant can be considered a safe treatment alternative that yields acceptable results at mid-terms.
Das Reidentifikationspotenzial von strukturierten Gesundheitsdaten
Authors: Drechsler Jörg , Pauly Hannah
Published: January 2024

Ein breiter Zugang zu Gesundheitsdaten bietet enormes Potenzial für Wissenschaft und Forschung. Allerdings enthalten Gesundheitsdaten oftmals sensible Informationen, die es in besonderer Weise zu schützen gilt. Vor diesem Hintergrund befasst sich dieser Artikel mit dem Reidentifikationspotenzial von Gesundheitsdaten. Nach einer Abgrenzung der Begrifflichkeiten werden Faktoren diskutiert, die das Reidentifikationspotenzial beeinflussen. Es wird Bezug auf internationale Standards zum Schutz von Gesundheitsdaten genommen und die Wichtigkeit von verfügbarem Hintergrundwissen erläutert. Auf Basis des Zwischenfazits, dass das Reidentifikationspotenzial häufig unterschätzt wird, werden verschiedene Möglichkeiten zu dessen Reduzierung anhand des Konzepts der Five Safes vorgestellt. In diesem Zusammenhang wird sowohl auf klassische Anonymisierungsverfahren als auch auf Möglichkeiten zur Generierung synthetischer Gesundheitsdaten eingegangen. Der Beitrag schließt mit einem Fazit und kurzem Ausblick auf das kommende Forschungsdatenzentrum Gesundheit beim Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte.
Wirkungen digitaler Medien auf die Gesundheit von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Schwerpunkt auf dem Verzehr ungesunder Lebensmittel
Authors: Hebestreit Antje , Sina Elida
Published: January 2024

Die Medienzeiten von Kindern und Jugendlichen haben seit 2019 zugenommen. Längere Zeiten, die z. B. mit Medien-Multitasking verbracht werden, werden zunehmend als Einflussfaktor auf die Gesundheit diskutiert. In dieser narrativen Übersichtsarbeit wird die Bedeutung der Nutzungsdauer für die Entstehung von Adipositas und metabolischen Gesundheitsendpunkten bei Kindern und Jugendlichen beleuchtet und Zusammenhänge mit dem Verzehr von ungesunden Lebensmitteln, z. B. durch eine erhöhte Exposition gegenüber Medien-Lebensmittelmarketing, vertiefend besprochen.

Lange Nutzungszeiten scheinen positiv mit Geschmackspräferenzen für süß, fettig und salzig sowie mit einer erhöhten Snack- und Energiezufuhr assoziiert zu sein. Langfristig stehen zunehmende Medienzeiten überdies mit einem erhöhten Risiko für das metabolische Syndrom und seine Einzelkomponenten in Beziehung. Ein besonderer Nutzen sozialer Medien für die Förderung von körperlicher Aktivität und gesunder Ernährung liegt in der erleichterten Einbeziehung sonst schwer erreichbarer Gruppen. Soziale Medien können ferner die soziale Unterstützung durch Gleichaltrige vereinfachen und so das Wohlbefinden junger Nutzer:innen positiv beeinflussen.

Insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund der noch nicht vollständig entwickelten kognitiven Fähigkeiten von Kindern und Jugendlichen werden im Artikel Handlungsoptionen zum Schutz junger Nutzer:innen angesprochen. Die Exposition gegenüber bestimmten Medieninhalten scheint negative Auswirkungen auf die Nahrungsmittelauswahl und das Essverhalten von jungen Nutzer:innen zu haben. Dadurch wird der Appell gestützt, digitale Werbung für Lebensmittel und Getränke, die sich an Kinder und Jugendliche richtet und die nicht den WHO-Kriterien für kindergerechte Lebensmittel entspricht, in diesen Medien stark einzuschränken.
The influence of hatch spacing on the metallurgical characteristics of 17–4 PH stainless steel processed by DED
Authors: Mathoho Ipfi , Sibisi Thabiso
Published: January 2024

The quality and performance of additively manufactured part is linked to the process parameters such as laser power, scanning speed, powder feed rate, and layer thickness. However, hatch spacing is one of the process parameters that affect the quality and performance of the part, but its effect has not been fully investigated. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the effect of hatch spacing on the metallurgical characteristics, including microstructural evolution, microhardness, and corrosion behavior of 17–4 PH stainless produced through direct energy deposition. A LENS system was used to manufacture 17–4 PH SS cubes and the hatch overlap was varied from 20 to 80%. Subsequently, the printed cubes were subjected to heat treatment (H900) followed by material characterization which includes microstructural analysis, microhardness, and corrosion behavior. This study deduced that varying the percent overlap had an impact on the proportion of delta ferrite and the grain size. Furthermore, increasing the percent overlap from 20 to 80% was found to cause a reduction in hardness (340–331 HV). Meanwhile, it was found that traditionally manufactured 17–4 PH SS is more susceptible to corrosion than additively manufactured 17–4 PH SS.
Chemical characterization and speciation of the soluble fraction of Arctic PM10
Authors: Marafante Matteo , Bertinetti Stefano , Carena Luca , Fabbri Debora , Malandrino Mery , Vione Davide , Berto Silvia
Published: January 2024

The chemical composition of the soluble fraction of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and how these components can combine with each other to form different species affect the chemistry of the aqueous phase dispersed in the atmosphere: raindrops, clouds, fog, and ice particles. The study was focused on the analysis of the soluble fraction of Arctic PM10 samples collected at Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard Islands, Norwegian Arctic) during the year 2012. The concentration values of Na+, K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe3+, Al3+, Cl−, NO2−, NO3−, SO42−, PO43−, formate, acetate, malonate, and oxalate in the water-soluble fraction of PM10 were determined by atomic spectroscopy and ion chromatography. Speciation models were applied to define the major species that would occur in aqueous solution as a function of pH (2–10). The model highlights that (i) the main cations such as Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ occur in the form of aquoions in the whole investigated pH range; (ii) Cu2+, Zn2+, and, in particular, Fe3+ and Al3+ are mostly present in their hydrolytic forms; and (iii) Al3+, Fe3+, and Cu2+ form solid hydrolytic species that precipitate at pH values slightly higher than neutrality. These latter metals show interesting interactions with oxalate and sulfate ions, too. The speciation models were also calculated considering the seasonal variability of the concentration of the components and at higher concentration levels than those found in water PM extracts, to better simulate concentrations actually found in the atmospheric aqueous phase. The results highlight the role of oxalate as the main organic ligand in solution.

Graphical Abstract
Deepening the knowledge of universal stress proteins in Haloferax mediterranei
Authors: Matarredona Laura , Zafrilla Basilio , Rubio-Portillo Esther , Bonete María-José , Esclapez Julia
Published: January 2024

Haloarchaea, like many other microorganisms, have developed defense mechanisms such as universal stress proteins (USPs) to cope with environmental stresses affecting microbial growth. Despite the wide distribution of these proteins in Archaea, their biochemical characteristics still need to be discovered, and there needs to be more knowledge about them focusing on halophilic Archaea. Therefore, elucidating the role of USPs would provide valuable information to improve future biotechnological applications. Accordingly, transcriptional expression of the 37 annotated USPs in the Haloferax mediterranei genome has been examined under different stress conditions. From a global perspective, finding a clear tendency between particular USPs and specific stress conditions was not possible. Contrary, data analysis indicates that there is a recruitment mechanism of proteins with a similar sequence able to modulate the H. mediterranei growth, accelerating or slowing it, depending on their number. In fact, only three of these USPs were expressed in all the tested conditions, pointing to the cell needing a set of USPs to cope with stress conditions. After analysis of the RNA-Seq data, three differentially expressed USPs were selected and homologously overexpressed. According to the growth data, the overexpression of USPs induces a gain of tolerance in response to stress, as a rule. Therefore, this is the only work that studies all the USPs in an archaeon. It represents a significant first base to continue advancing, not only in this important family of stress proteins but also in the field of biotechnology and, at an industrial level, to improve applications such as designing microorganisms resistant to stress situations.

Key points

• Expression of Haloferax mediterranei USPs has been analyzed in stress conditions.

• RNA-seq analysis reveals that most of the USPs in H. mediterranei are downregulated.

• Homologous overexpression of USPs results in more stress-tolerant strains.
Treatment of Femoropopliteal Artery Disease with Polymer-Coated Drug-Eluting Stent: 5-Year Results of a Prospective, Non-Randomized Study Including the Halo Phenomenon
Authors: Torsello Giovanni Federico , Stavroulakis Konstantinos , Bisdas Theodosios , Cardona Yamel , Wichmann Katrin , Torsello Giovanni Battista
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To investigate the long-term results of the Eluvia drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation for femoropopliteal arterial disease, including the ‘halo’ phenomenon. Long-term data of DES is scarce. A focal reaction (‘halo’) following Eluvia DES deployment has been described. However, the long-term clinical impact of this phenomenon remains unclear.

Methods

This prospective, non-randomized, single-arm study included 130 consecutive patients treated with an Eluvia DES for symptomatic femoropopliteal disease between March 2016 and December 2018. Clinical outcomes and imaging were assessed after 6 months and annually thereafter for up to 5 years. The primary outcome measure was primary patency. Secondary outcomes were freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), freedom from major amputation, overall survival and amputation-free survival rates.

Results

The primary patency was 65% at 5 years. The freedom from CD-TLR and from major amputation at 5 years was 79 and 96%, respectively. The overall survival and amputation-free survival rates were 88 and 83% at 60 months, respectively. Out of the 27 patients with a halo sign, two showed an increased (7.4%) and 6 (22.2%) a decreased diameter. In 19 cases (70.4%), the diameter remained unchanged at the latest follow-up. The presence of the ‘halo’ sign was associated with increased primary patency (87% versus 59%, HR: 2.48, 95%CI 1.19–5.16, P = .015).

Conclusions

The presented patient cohort treated with the Eluvia DES for femoropopliteal artery lesions indicates durable efficacy and a good safety profile regardless of the halo phenomenon. The results need to be confirmed in a larger patient cohort.

Level of Evidence III

Non-randomized controlled cohort/follow-up study.

Graphical Abstract
Does arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation influence soil carbon sequestration?
Authors: Tao Jianyu , Liu Xiaoyuan
Published: January 2024

Whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation promotes soil C sequestration is largely unknown. Here, meta-analysis and logistic regression were applied to study the ecological effects of AMF inoculation on soil organic C (SOC) turnover and plant growth under different inoculation manipulations, plant traits, and soil conditions. Results showed that AMF inoculation generally increased SOC stock and plant biomass accumulation. Soil sterilization, unsterilized inoculum wash (a filtrate of mycorrhizal inoculum excluding AMF) addition in non-mycorrhizal treatments, experimental type, and inoculated AMF species influenced soil microbial biomass C (MBC) but had no impact on SOC turnover. Plant root system, initial SOC content, and soil pH were the key factors that influenced the AMF-mediated SOC turnover. AMF inoculation in fertile or acidic soils might deplete SOC. The symbiosis between tap-rooted plants and AMF was more likely to sequestrate C into the soil compared to fibrous-rooted plants. Moreover, plant total dry biomass largely relied on its own photosynthetic pathway although AMF was introduced. Collectively, our results suggest that AMF inoculation is a promising approach for soil C sequestration.
Combined microscope–endoscopy resection of petrous bone cholesteatoma with temporary facial nerve transposition versus nontransposition
Authors: Mei Honglin , Lu Xiaoling , Dong Chunguang , Lin Hailiang , Chen Bing , Li Huawei , Ni Yusu
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The narrow supralabyrinthine space affects surgical procedures. To study the effect of temporary transposition of geniculate ganglion of facial nerve versus nontransposition on lesion recurrence and facial nerve function in patients with petrous bone cholesteatoma.

Methods

A total of 18 patients with petrous bone cholesteatoma involving the facial nerve were treated in our hospital from November 2016 to March 2023. The main surgical method is the extended supralabyrinthine approach assisted by a microscope and an endoscope. We collected and retrospectively analyzed their medical records.

Results

Temporary facial nerve transposition was performed in five patients, and nontransposition was performed in 13 patients. Cholesteatoma recurred in three patients with facial nerve nontransposition, whereas none in patients with facial nerve transposition. In this study, except for one case with a second operation, postoperative facial paralysis in other cases was improved to varying degrees, and there was no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion

Temporary transposition of geniculate ganglion of facial nerve will not affect the postoperative nerve function of patients and can reduce the possibility of cholesteatoma recurrence of the petrous bone.
Does acute isolated sphenoidal sinusitis meet the criteria of the recent acute sinusitis guidelines, EPOS2020?
Authors: Farhat Raed , Khater Ashraf , Khatib Nidal El , Asakly Majd , Ron Aviva , Safia Alaa , Karam Marwan , Massoud Saqr , Avraham Yaniv , Merchavy Shlomo
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Isolated sphenoidal sinusitis (ISS) is a rare disease with non-specific symptoms and a potential for complications. Diagnosis is made clinically, endoscopically, and with imaging like CT scans or MRIs. This study aimed to evaluate if ISS meets the EPOS 2020 criteria for diagnosing acute rhinosinusitis and if new diagnostic criteria are needed.

Materials and methods

The study analyzed 193 charts and examination records from 2000 to 2022 in patients diagnosed with isolated sphenoidal sinusitis at the Ziv Medical Center in Safed, Israel. Of the 193, 57 patients were excluded, and the remaining 136 patients were included in the final analysis. Patients were evaluated using Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), neurological and sinonasal video endoscopy, radiological findings, demographic data, symptoms and signs, and laboratory results. All these findings were reviewed according to the EPOS 2020 acute sinusitis diagnosis criteria and were analyzed to determine if ISS symptoms and signs fulfilled them.

Results

The patients included 40 men and 96 women, ranging in age from 17 to 86 years (mean ± SD, 37 ± 15.2 years). A positive endoscopy and radiography were encountered in 29.4%, and headache was present in 98%; the most common type was retro-orbital headache (31%). The results showed that there is no relationship between the symptoms of isolated sphenoidal sinusitis and the criteria for diagnosing acute sinusitis according to EPOS 2020.

Conclusion

ISS is an uncommon entity encountered in clinical practice with non-specific symptoms and a potential for complications. Therefore, the condition must be kept in mind by clinicians, and prompt diagnosis and treatment must be initiated. This kind of sinusitis does not fulfill the standard guidelines for acute sinusitis diagnosis criteria.
Vemurafenib combined with chemotherapy achieved sustained remission in pediatric LCH: a multi-center observational study
Authors: Lei Jiaying , Wang Wenxia , Lin Danna , Zhu Chengguang , Jia Wenguang , Weng Wenjun , Liu Xiaoshan , Ma Yuhan , Wang Zhixuan , Yang Lihua , He Xiangling , He Yunyan , LI Yang
Published: January 2024

Background

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a myeloid neoplasia with potentially fatal consequences, and about 2/3 of cases involve the BRAFV600E kinase-activated mutation. Vemurafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, has demonstrated significant clinical improvements in LCH. However, the high relapse rate of LCH following cessation of vemurafenib therapy remains a major challenge, and alternative treatment strategies require further investigation.

Methods

In this retrospective multi-center study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of vemurafenib combined with conventional chemotherapy in patients with severe or refractory LCH.

Results

Seventeen patients were enrolled in the study, with eleven classified as risk organ involvement (RO +). Six received the combination therapy as the primary treatment, and eleven after being refractory to prior chemotherapy. The overall response rate was 94.1%. Progression-free survival among all 17 patients was 70.6% (12/17) at a median follow-up of 32 months, and relapse-free survival among the 15 patients with discontinuation after a response was 73.3%(11/15) at a median follow-up of 34 months. Five of six patients (83.3%) with myeloid BRAFV600E mutations demonstrated molecular remission. The overall survival rate was 100%. Adverse events were mostly classified as grades 1 or 2.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the combination of vemurafenib and chemotherapy can achieve sustained clinical and molecular level relief in children with LCH, and side effects are tolerable.
Exploring the effects of missense mutations on protein thermodynamics through structure-based approaches: findings from the CAGI6 challenges
Authors: Rodrigues Carlos H. M. , Portelli Stephanie , Ascher David B.
Published: January 2024

Missense mutations are known contributors to diverse genetic disorders, due to their subtle, single amino acid changes imparted on the resultant protein. Because of this, understanding the impact of these mutations on protein stability and function is crucial for unravelling disease mechanisms and developing targeted therapies. The Critical Assessment of Genome Interpretation (CAGI) provides a valuable platform for benchmarking state-of-the-art computational methods in predicting the impact of disease-related mutations on protein thermodynamics. Here we report the performance of our comprehensive platform of structure-based computational approaches to evaluate mutations impacting protein structure and function on 3 challenges from CAGI6: Calmodulin, MAPK1 and MAPK3. Our stability predictors have achieved correlations of up to 0.74 and AUCs of 1 when predicting changes in ΔΔG for MAPK1 and MAPK3, respectively, and AUC of up to 0.75 in the Calmodulin challenge. Overall, our study highlights the importance of structure-based approaches in understanding the effects of missense mutations on protein thermodynamics. The results obtained from the CAGI6 challenges contribute to the ongoing efforts to enhance our understanding of disease mechanisms and facilitate the development of personalised medicine approaches.
Knowledge mapping of surgical smoke from 2003 to 2022: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Li Chuang , Geng Meng , Li Shujun , Li Xianglan , Li Huiqin , Yuan Hufang , Liu Fengxia
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify and characterize the literature on surgical smoke, visualize the data and sketch a certain trending outline.

Methods

In the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), all the data were acquired from January 1st 2003 to December 31st 2022. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were employed to visualize data, based on publications, bibliographic coupling, co-citation, or co-authorship relations. Microsoft Excel 2019 was used to comb and categorize all the statistics.

Result

A total 363 of journal papers were retrieved. The publication number was in a slow but steady growth between 2003 and 2019, followed by a sharp surge in 2020, and then the publication kept in a productive way. Surgical endoscopy and other interventional techniques was the most active journal on surgical smoke. USA played an important role among all the countries/regions. There were 1847 authors for these 363 papers, among whom 44 authors published more than three articles on surgical smoke. “Surgical smoke”, “covid-19” and “surgery” were the top 3 appeared keywords, while the latest hot-spot keywords were “COVID-19”, “virus”, “transmission”, “exposure” and “risk”. There were 1105 co-cited references and 3786 links appeared in all 363 articles. Among them, 38 references are cited more than 10 times. The most co-cited article was “Detecting hepatitis B virus in surgical smoke emitted during laparoscopic surgery.” Based on the titles of references and calculated by CiteSpace, the top 3 cluster trend network are “laparoscopic surgery”, “COVID-19 pandemic” and “surgical smoke”.

Conclusion

According to bibliometric analysis, the research on surgical smoke has been drawing attention of more scholars in the world. Increasing number of countries or regions added in this field, and among them, USA, Italy, and China has been playing important roles, however, more wide and intense cooperation is still in expectation.
The Past, Present, and Future of the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning
Authors: Mayer Richard E.
Published: January 2024

The cognitive theory of multimedia learning (Mayer, 2021, 2022), which seeks to explain how people learn academic material from words and graphics, has developed over the past four decades. Although the name and graphical representation of the theory have evolved over the years, the core ideas have been constant—dual channels (i.e., humans have separate information processing channels for verbal and visual information), limited capacity (i.e., processing capacity is severely limited), and active processing (i.e., meaningful learning involves selecting relevant material to be processed in working memory, mentally organizing the material into coherent verbal and visual structures, and integrating them with each other and with relevant knowledge activated from long-term memory). This review describes how the theory has developed (i.e., the past), the current state of the theory (i.e., the present), and new directions for future development (i.e., the future). In addition, the review includes examples of the events and findings that led to changes in the theory. Implications for educational psychology are discussed, including 15 evidence-based principles of multimedia design.
Investment law v. supply-side climate policies: insights from Rockhopper v. Italy and Lone Pine v. Canada
Authors: Arcuri Alessandra , Tienhaara Kyla , Pellegrini Lorenzo
Published: January 2024

New fossil fuel developments are inconsistent with keeping global warming below 1.5 °C, and while most climate policies focus on reducing demand for fossil fuels, an emerging transversal consensus promotes efforts to simultaneously reduce supply. In this article, we discuss the obstacles to effective supply-side climate policies posed by international investment treaties that protect corporations against state interventions through investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). We focus on two recently concluded ISDS cases (Rockhopper v Italy and Lone Pine v Canada) that concern prohibitions on fossil fuel development in ecologically sensitive areas. Italy was ordered to pay a British firm approximately € 250 million in compensation for a ban on offshore oil developments along the coastline, whereas Canada successfully defended Québec’s ban on gas development in the St. Lawrence River. Arbitrators in both cases reasoned that investors should be compensated when oil and gas exploration permits are revoked (even if such a remedy is not available under domestic law) and expressed antipathy towards civic engagement in the policy process. As companies can seek lost future profits through ISDS, these cases show that the system can engender material costs for states enacting supply-side policies. The threat of ISDS can generate a chilling effect, limiting the potential for supply-side initiatives, particularly in the Global South. Initiators of global efforts to limit further fossil fuel developments must consider the obstacles posed by international investment treaties, support efforts to abolish ISDS, and as an interim measure, promote the interpretation of treaty protections in line with climate objectives.
Multi-agent cooperative swarm learning for dynamic layout optimisation of reconfigurable robotic assembly cells based on digital twin
Authors: Wang Likun , Wang Zi , Gumma Kevin , Turner Alison , Ratchev Svetan
Published: January 2024

To meet the requirement of product variety and short production cycle, reconfigurable manufacturing system is considered as an effective solution in addressing current challenges, such as increasing customisation, high flexibility and dynamic market demand. Dynamic factory layout design and optimisation are the crucial factors in response to rapid change in the mechanical structure, software and hardware integration, as well as production capability and functionality adjustment. Nevertheless, in the current research, the layout design for reconfigurable manufacturing systems is usually simplified with autonomous devices being regarded as 2D shapes. Issues such as overlapping and transportation distance are also addressed in an approximate form. In this paper, we present a novel multi-agent cooperative swarm learning framework for dynamic layout optimisation of reconfigurable robotic assembly cells. Based on its digital twin established in the proposed learning environment (constructed in Visual Components and controlled by TWINCAT), the optimisation framework uses 3D digital representation of the facility models with minimal approximation. Moreover, instead of using a traditional centralised learning manner, multi-agent system could provide an alternative way to address the layout issues combined with the proposed decentralised multi-agent cooperative swarm learning. In order to verify the application feasibility of the learning framework, two aerospace manufacturing use cases were implemented. In the first use case, the layout compactness is reduced by 3.8 times compared with the initial layout setting, the simulated production time is reduced by 2.3 times, and the rearrangement cost decreased by 33.4$$\%$$%. In addition, all manufacturing activity within the cell can be achieved with a feasible robot path, meaning without any joint limits, reachability or singularity issue at each key assembly point. In the second use case, we demonstrated that with the proposed dynamic layout optimisation framework, it is possible to flexibly adjust learning objectives by selecting various weight parameters among layout compactness, rearrangement cost and production time.
CPG-Fuzzy Heading Control for a Hexapod Robot with Arc-Shaped Blade Legs
Authors: Zhang Yani , Cui Rongxin , Li Haoquan , Guo Xinxin
Published: January 2024

Based on the central pattern generator (CPG) and fuzzy controller, this paper proposes a heading control method for the directional motion for a new type of blade legged hexapod robot (BLHR). First, the modified Hopf oscillator is used to construct the CPG model of BLHR based on the limit cycle. Second, the fuzzy controller is applied to adjust the support angles of legs to change the heading of BLHR, thereby correcting the error between the actual and desired heading angle in real-time. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed CPG-Fuzzy control method is verified in Gazebo simulations and real-world experiments. This is the first attempt to combine CPG and fuzzy control in the context of hexapod robot. In comparison to existing control methods, the proposed CPG-Fuzzy controller can implement heading control of BLHR with better performance and value of further investigation.
Single and binary nickel, copper, and zinc-based nanosized oxides as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Egesoy Evren , Kap Özlem , Bardak Fehmi , Horzum Nesrin , Ataç Ahmet
Published: January 2024

The demand for portable power sources with higher energy density and longer lifespan has prompted researchers to focus on developing better electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Metal oxide nanoparticles have potential due to their low cost, high surface-area-to-volume ratio, strong reactivity, excellent size distribution, high theoretical capacities, and eco-friendly synthesis methods. However, there is still room for improvement in capacity retention and rate performance. To cope with this entail, the cycle performance of LIBs has been initially investigated utilizing single metal oxide anode materials including NiO, CuO, and ZnO nanostructures. Subsequently, binary oxides of Ni–Cu, Ni–Zn, and Cu–Zn have been synthesized to examine whether the binary structures boost the battery performance. NiCuO is the optimum anode material combining the benefits of NiO with the highest initial discharge capacity of 691 mAh g$$^{-1}$$

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1

and the highest retention rate of CuO (49% after 30 cycles).
Dependence of drag coefficient on the spectral width of ocean waves
Authors: Zhao Dongliang , Li Moxin
Published: January 2024

The sea-surface roughness or drag coefficient is ascribed to the effect of various components of ocean waves. Many studies have been focused on the investigation of the dependence of drag coefficient on sea states that are usually denoted by wave age. However, no universally accepted relationship has been obtained up to now and the results are significantly scattered or even contradicted. We reviewed the parameterizations of sea-surface roughness as a function of wave age, and found that the phase speed at spectral peak cp is an important parameter to characterize the drag coefficient. For the same wave age, drag coefficient increases with increasing cp. Contrary to the traditional concept, the older waves with greater cp possesses higher sea-surface roughness for the same wind speed because more wave components participate the air–sea interaction and intensify the wind stress. With the buoy meansurements and the theory of equilibrium range of wind waves, we estimated fricition velocity and proposed that the frequency bandwidth and spectral width of the wave spectrum are more suitable parameters than the traditional wind speed and wave age to be used to parameterize drag coefficient. This study provides a new way to estimate wind stress through the reliable spectra of ocean waves.
Polyhedral Approximation of Spectrahedral Shadows via Homogenization
Authors: Dörfler Daniel , Löhne Andreas
Published: January 2024

This article is concerned with the problem of approximating a not necessarily bounded spectrahedral shadow, a certain convex set, by polyhedra. By identifying the set with its homogenization, the problem is reduced to the approximation of a closed convex cone. We introduce the notion of homogeneous $$\delta $$
δ
-approximation of a convex set and show that it defines a meaningful concept in the sense that approximations converge to the original set if the approximation error $$\delta $$
δ
diminishes. Moreover, we show that a homogeneous $$\delta $$
δ
-approximation of the polar of a convex set is immediately available from an approximation of the set itself under mild conditions. Finally, we present an algorithm for the computation of homogeneous $$\delta $$
δ
-approximations of spectrahedral shadows and demonstrate it on examples.
Ca/Sn concentration-dependent enhancement of barium titanate ferroelectric performance: a dielectric and microstructural study
Authors: Rashwan G. M. , Ebnalwaled A. A. , Saad E. M. , Shahat M. Abdelhamid
Published: January 2024

This work involved the synthesis of compositions of Ba0.95Ca0.05SnxTi1-xO3 (BCST) with varying amounts of Sn dopant (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.1). A standard solid-state reaction approach was used to create all of the ceramic compounds. Each BCST composite’s microstructure, sintering, morphology, density, optical, and electrical characteristics were carefully examined, and the dielectric performance was optimized. In comparison to the unmodified composite, introducing varied amounts of Sn material into the BCST compound changed the crystal lattice vibrations and functional group locations. This result indicates that there are some variations in unit cell size, revealing that Sn+4 ions diffused effectively inside the lattice structure to produce BSCT composites. Further, SEM micrographs indicated proportionate changes in the homogenous structure and irregular forms as Sn concentration increased, as well as some variation in average grain size. As a consequence, by adding 0.08 mol% of Sn dopant, the crystallite size and average grain size were adjusted to 45.69 nm and 0.66 µm, respectively. Meanwhile, the 0.08-Sn specimen displayed a dielectric constant (Ɛ) with an optimum value of 5557 and a relative decrease in the Curie-Weiss constant. These results are attributed to the existence of various concentrations of Sn ions at the Ti-site of the BCT, which resulted in a compositionally disordered state. This disordered condition is essential for the production of dielectric compounds. Therefore, it is evident that modifying the amount of Sn doping added significantly enhanced the dielectric characteristics of the BCST composites created in this work. However, excessive Sn doping reduces the dielectric properties due to a reduction in tetragonal phase and an increase of disorders and charge fluctuations.

Graphical Abstract
A robust blind color watermarking algorithm based on the Radon-DCT transform
Authors: Bao Bin , Wang Yu
Published: January 2024

Digital watermarking is an effective technique for image copyright protection. Many digital image watermarking algorithms are sensitive to geometric distortions. These distortions make it difficult to detect and extract watermarks. In this study, a robust color watermarking algorithm combining the Radon transform and DCT transform is proposed. First, the color carrier image is converted to the YUV color space from RGB, and the U component of YUV is transformed to the Radon domain using the Radon transform. Then, a two-dimensional 8 × 8 discrete cosine transform (2D-DCT) is carried out on the selected blocks of the Radon domain, and some fixed midfrequency coefficients are selected to embed watermark information. Moreover, the Arnold transform is applied to encrypt the watermarks and the random permutation function to scramble the embedding positions. Finally, the watermark embedding and blind extraction processes are completed by modifying the midfrequency coefficients using the presented rules. A series of simulation experiments show that the watermark algorithm has high imperceptibility and good robustness to various attacks.
Enabling secure health information sharing among healthcare organizations by public blockchain
Authors: Lax Gianluca , Nardone Roberto , Russo Antonia
Published: January 2024

The facilitation of sharing and exchanging patients’ health records is a paramount opportunity in e-health, enabling healthcare providers to garner a comprehensive and clear perspective of patients’ medical histories without necessitating direct inquiries. Besides this great advantage, it introduces substantial issues on security and privacy, mainly related to unauthorized access to e-health records when different healthcare service providers maintain records. In this paper, we deal with this problem and propose using the blockchain technology (1) to obfuscate the linkage between patients’ identities and their e-health records and (2) to grant access to e-health records exclusively to entities authorized by patients themselves. Key outcomes include using a digital identity based on the Electronic Identification, Authentication, and Trust Services Regulation (eIDAS) to control access to these records, and a concrete implementation by adopting the Ethereum blockchain. Our solution relies on using a public blockchain, which is an improvement for the state of the art, in which only private or consortium blockchains have been proposed. The resulting solution has been analyzed, and the effectiveness and affordability of the proposal have been shown.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Itraconazole Decreased Susceptible Madurella fahalii Type-Strain CBS 129176
Authors: Konings Mickey , Gerrits van den Ende Bert , Raats Mirthe W. J. , Fahal Ahmed Hassan , van de Sande Wendy W. J. , Hagen Ferry
Published: January 2024

Madurella fahalii is a causative agent of the implantation mycosis mycetoma with decreased susceptibility to itraconazole, the preferred therapeutic drug to combat mycetoma. Here, we report the M. fahalii type-strain CBS 129176 genome assembly and annotation to identify a glutamic acid insert near the azole-binding pocket in the Cyp51A protein.
A closer look at root water potential: experimental evidence based on drought stress of Chrysopogon zizanioides
Authors: Ganesan Suriya Prakash , Boldrin David , Leung Anthony Kwan
Published: January 2024

Aims

Gradients in water potential of soil and plant system drives the water movement in soil-plant-atmospheric continuum. Here, we demonstrate how root water potential measured directly from the roots upon changes in soil water potential would contribute to the understanding of the drought response in Chrysopogon zizanoides.

Methods

Plants of Chrysopogon zizanoides L. were sampled at different soil water status (inducing drought) and growth periods (3-, 4- and 5- months). The roots and leaves of the plants were dissected to measure the root water potential and specific leaf area, respectively. The root water potential was measured in a WP4C dew-point potentiometer. Root diameter corresponding to the roots measured for root water potential was also measured.

Results

Our findings showed a logarithmic increase in gradient between soil and root water potential under the induced drought stress, similar to the existing findings of root hydraulic conductance. Specific leaf area significantly decreased with root water potential, indicating the hydraulic continuity between roots and leaves. A new power law correlation between root diameter and root water potential established a trait-based understanding of root water uptake.

Conclusion

The aggregation of such root water potential measurements using potentiometer would offer strategies to explore the implications of below-ground plant behaviour in applications such as slope stability and irrigation.
Development of standard computerised adaptive test (CAT) settings for the EORTC CAT Core
Authors: Petersen Morten Aa. , Vachon Hugo , Giesinger Johannes M. , Groenvold Mogens ,   the European Organisation for Research, Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Group
Published: January 2024

Aims

Computerised adaptive test (CAT) provides individualised patient reported outcome measurement while retaining direct comparability of scores across patients and studies. Optimal CAT measurement requires an appropriate CAT-setting, the set of criteria defining the CAT including start item, item selection criterion, and stop criterion. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) CAT Core allows for assessing the 14 functional and symptom domains covered by the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. The aim was to present a general approach for selecting CAT-settings and to use this to develop a portfolio of standard settings for the EORTC CAT Core optimised for different purposes and populations.

Methods

Using simulations, the measurement properties of CATs of different length and precision were evaluated and compared allowing for identifying the most suitable settings. All CATs were initiated with the most informative QLQ-C30 item. For each domain two fixed-length and two fixed-precision standard CATs were selected focusing on efficiency (brief version) and precision (long), respectively.

Results

The brief fixed-length CATs included 3–5 items each while the long versions included 5–8 items. The fixed-precision CATs aimed for reliability of 0.65–0.95 (brief versions) and 0.85–0.98 (long versions), respectively. Median sample size savings using the CATs compared to the QLQ-C30 scales ranged 20%-31%, although savings varied considerably across the domains.

Conclusion

The EORTC CAT Core standard settings simplify selection of relevant and appropriate CATs. The CATs prioritise either brevity and efficiency or precision, but all provide increased measurement precision and hence, reduced sample size requirements compared to the QLQ-C30 scales. The CATs may be used as they are or modified to accommodate specific requirements.
The Legend of 1900: Law, Space, and Immigration
Authors: Hu Lung-Lung
Published: January 2024

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, more than 4 million Italians migrated to the United States of America (U.S.), which they regarded as a utopia. The film The Legend of 1900, which was inspired by Alessandro Baricco’s monologue Nocecento and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, tells the story about the genius pianist 1900, an orphan, who is fostered by Danny, a black coalman in the boiler room of an ocean liner, and whose parents are presumably Italian immigrants. Due to immigration law, 1900, a man with neither identity, visa, nor legal papers, cannot legally set foot on American soil. As a genius pianist, his existence is nothing more than that of musician—an entertainer to passengers on the gigantic trans-Atlantic liner Virginian, the only place he is permitted to live. According to Michel Foucault’s notion of heterotopia, a ship is “a piece of floating space, a placeless place”—a vessel transporting people to the land of their dreams. However, 1900, who has no legal status, will never arrive in utopia aboard Virginian. He can only construct a heterotopia—a mirror of utopia—so that it to him is a utopia. In the eyes of the law, 1900 is a legally non-existent person on Virginian, a placeless place. However, it is this lawless heterotopia and isolation that create a genius. In this paper, I illustrate how Virginian, as a place outside the law of land, metaphorically gives birth to a pianist, 1900, and why 1900 at the end chooses not to leave the ship, while also discussing the meaning behind the film and the relationship between law and space.