bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embodiment Matters in Knowledge Building
Authors: Blackie Margaret , Luckett Kathy
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we begin a conversation with educators invested in developing epistemic insight. We argue that generative artificial intelligence provides an opportunity to make a necessary corrective to our understanding of knowledge and knowledge building. The use of the metaphors of such as ‘human-as-machine’ has inadvertently promoted a reductive understanding of knowledge which has led to an impoverished version of higher education. In reducing the person to an information processor, knowledge has been artificially separated from the knower. The view of the human person as a relational being situated in time and space along with a recognition that intuition and imagination are important dimensions of knowledge development point to the significance of the embodiment of knowledge. For knowledge to have value and meaning, it must be enacted by a particular, embodied person. The recognition of the importance of embodiment and the associated implications are crucial if higher education is to respond in a meaningful way to the challenge presented by generative AI.
State Dependence in Material and Social Deprivation in European Single-Parent Households
Authors: Calegari Elena , Fabrizi Enrico , Mussida Chiara
Published: February 2024

This paper explores the dynamics of social exclusion as measured by material and social deprivation in the particularly exposed category of single-parent households. We aim to assess whether there is true state dependence in deprivation and the role of other household factors, as well as that of the macro-economic and social welfare scenario. We use 2015–2018 European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions longitudinal data to explore a large set of European countries. We estimate three-level dynamic probit models that enable us to account for micro- and country-level unobserved heterogeneity. Our results suggest that material and social deprivation is likely to be a trap for single-parent households and that this effect is stronger for these households than for those composed of two adults and children. Among single-parent households, those headed by a female are worse off than those headed by a male. The policy implications of these findings are also discussed.
Angell and McCall Meet Wansing
Authors: Omori Hitoshi , Kapsner Andreas
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we introduce a new logic, which we call AM3. It is a connexive logic that has several interesting properties, among them being strongly connexive and validating the Converse Boethius Thesis. These two properties are rather characteristic of the difference between, on the one hand, Angell and McCall’s CC1 and, on the other, Wansing’s C. We will show that in other aspects, as well, AM3 combines what are, arguably, the strengths of both CC1 and C. It also allows us an interesting look at how connexivity and the intuitionistic understanding of negation relate to each other. However, some problems remain, and we end by pointing to a large family of weaker logics that AM3 invites us to further explore.
Energy-focused simulation of edge computing architectures in 5G networks
Authors: Gómez Blas , Coronado Estefanía , Villalón José , Garrido Antonio
Published: February 2024

While cloud computing is crucial in processing data from devices with low computational power, the latency introduced by the Internet backhaul limits real-time applications. By situating computing resources at the network’s edge, edge computing offers low-latency services by offloading computations from high-performance computing (HPC) data centers to the edge servers, reducing wide Area network (WAN) strain. As a result, edge computing has unlocked opportunities for innovative applications that were previously unfeasible, such as connected vehicles or medical robotics. Nonetheless, deploying the infrastructure required to support edge computing services raises sustainability and energy consumption concerns. Consequently, the development of tools enabling researchers to explore innovative approaches to reducing the energy impact of edge computing is crucial. In this work, we present MintEDGE, a network simulator focused on the energy consumption of edge computing. Our simulator allows testing energy-saving approaches and task placement algorithms in realistic large-scale scenarios encompassing entire regions.
Aristotelian Practical Wisdom (Phronesis) as the Key to Professional Ethics in Teaching
Authors: Kristjánsson Kristján
Published: February 2024

This article is about a virtue ethical approach to the professional ethics of teaching, centred around the ideal of phronesis (practical wisdom) in an Aristotelian sense. It is grounded empirically in extensive research conducted at the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues into teachers and other UK professionals, and it is grounded theoretically in recent efforts to revive an Aristotelian concept of phronesis as excellence in ethical decision-making. The article argues for the need for a virtue-based approach to professional practice, based on time-honoured Aristotelian assumptions and culminating in a conceptually viable construct of phronesis as a psycho-moral integrator and adjudicator. After setting some of the historical background in Sect. 1, Sect. 2 charts the most relevant empirical findings. Section 3 introduces a call for phronesis as a guide to virtue-based professional ethics: its role, nature, and methods of instruction. Section 4 adds some caveats and concerns about if and how phronesis can be cultivated as part of teacher training. Finally, Sect. 5 offers some concluding remarks about the novelty and radicality of the approach on offer in this article.
Biostimulants do not affect the performance of urban plant species grown under drought stress
Authors: Cinantya Ariningsun , Manea Anthony , Leishman Michelle R.
Published: February 2024

Urban areas often have low soil water availability due to their impervious surfaces reducing rainfall infiltration. These water-limited conditions may be exacerbated by the projected increases in drought events caused by climate change. As a result, plants that grow in urban areas are vulnerable to drought stress. There are a range of practices that can be used to help mitigate drought stress, including the use of biostimulants. This study aimed to determine whether biostimulant application (1) improves plant performance and (2) mitigates the drought stress on urban plant species. To address these aims, we selected six woody and three graminoid plant species that are commonly planted in Australian urban areas and exposed them to different watering (drought-stressed, well-watered) and biostimulant (control, humic acid, protein hydrolysate, seaweed extract) treatments. We then measured their assimilation rate, growth metrics and biomass allocation. We found that drought stress reduced the assimilation rates and shoot growth of the study species. However, this did not translate into a biomass reduction because the drought-stressed plants reallocated resources towards root biomass. We found no evidence to suggest biostimulant application mitigated the impacts of drought stress on plant performance. Further, the only effect biostimulant application had on plant performance irrespective of the watering treatment was that the seaweed biostimulant increased the plant height growth of the woody species. These results show that the biostimulants used in this study will have a limited effect on the performance of plant species commonly planted in Australian urban areas.
Real-Time Evaluation of the Uncertainty in Weather Forecasts Through Machine Learning-Based Models
Authors: Calvo-Olivera Carmen , Guerrero-Higueras Ángel Manuel , Lorenzana Jesús , García-Ortega Eduardo
Published: February 2024

Meteorological events have always been of great interest because they have influenced everyday activities in critical areas, such as water resource management systems. Weather forecasts are solved with numerical weather prediction models. However, it sometimes leads to unsatisfactory performance due to the inappropriate setting of the initial state. Precipitation forecasting is essential for water resource management in semi-arid climate and seasonal rainfall areas such as the Ebro basin. This research aims to improve the estimation of the uncertainty associated with real-time precipitation predictions presenting a machine learning-based method to evaluate the uncertainty of a weather forecast obtained by the Weather Research and Forecasting model. We use a model trained with ground-truth data from the Confederación Hidrográfica del Ebro, and WRF forecast results to compute uncertainty. Experimental results show that Decision Tree-based ensemble methods get the lowest generalization error. Prediction models studied have above 90% accuracy, and root mean square error has similar results compared to those obtained with the ground truth data. Random Forest presents a difference of -0.001 concerning the 0.535 obtained with the ground truth data. Generally, using the ML-based model offers good results with robust performance over more traditional forms for uncertainty calculation and an effective alternative for real-time computation.
Green industry work: production of FeCl3 from iron and steel industry waste (mill scale) and its use in wastewater treatment
Authors: Solmaz Alper , Bölükbaşi Ömer Saltuk , Sari Zeynel Abidin
Published: February 2024

Mill scale (MS) is considered to be a significant metallurgical waste, but there is no economical method yet to utilize its metal content. In this study, which covers various processes in several stages, the solution of iron in MS, which is the Iron and Steel Industry (I&SI) waste, as FeCl3 (MS-FeCl3) in the thermoreactor in the presence of HCl, was investigated. In the next step, the conditions for using this solution as a coagulant in the treatment of I&SI wastewater were investigated using the jar test. The results of the treated water sample were compared by chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), color, and turbidity analyses using commercial aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3) and FeCl3 (C-FeCl3). Additionally, heavy metal analyses were conducted, and the treatment performance of three coagulants was presented. Accordingly, while 2.0 mg/L anionic polyelectrolyte was consumed at a dosage of 4.05 mg/L Al2(SO4)3 at pH 7.0, 0.25 mg/L anionic polyelectrolyte was consumed at a dosage of 1.29 mg/L at pH 5.0 in the C-FeCl3 and MS-FeCl3 studies. Also, Fe, Cr, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb removal efficiencies were over 93.56% for all three coagulant usage cases. The results showed that the wastewater treatment performance of MS-FeCl3 by the recycling of MS, which is an I&SI waste, was at the same level as C-FeCl3. Thus, thanks to recycling, waste scale can be used as an alternative to commercial products for green production.

Graphical abstract
Fate of fluoroquinolones in field soil environment after incorporation of poultry litter from a farm with enrofloxacin administration via drinking water
Authors: Fučík Jan , Amrichová Anna , Brabcová Kristýna , Karpíšková Renata , Koláčková Ivana , Pokludová Lucie , Poláková Šárka , Mravcová Ludmila
Published: February 2024

The practice of incorporating animal manure into soil is supported within the European Circular economy as a possible substitute for mineral fertilizers and will become crucial for the sustainability of agriculture. However, this practice may indirectly contribute to the dissemination of antibiotics, resistance bacteria, and resistance genes. In this study, medicated drinking water and poultry litter samples were obtained from a broiler-chick farm. The obtained poultry litter was incorporated into the soil at the experimental field site. The objectives of this research project were first to develop analytical methods able to quantify fluoroquinolones (FQs) in medicated drinking water, poultry litter, and soil samples by LC–MS; second to study the fate of these FQs in the soil environment after incorporation of poultry litter from flock medicated by enrofloxacin (ENR); and third to screen the occurrence of selected fluoroquinolone resistance encoding genes in poultry litter and soil samples (PCR analysis). FQs were quantified in the broiler farm’s medicated drinking water (41.0 ± 0.3 mg∙L−1 of ENR) and poultry litter (up to 70 mg∙kg−1 of FQs). The persistence of FQs in the soil environment over 112 days was monitored and evaluated (ENR concentrations ranged from 36 μg∙kg−1 to 9 μg∙kg−1 after 100 days). The presence of resistance genes was confirmed in both poultry litter and soil samples, in agreement with the risk assessment for the selection of AMR in soil based on ENR concentrations. This work provides a new, comprehensive perspective on the entry and long-term fate of antimicrobials in the terrestrial environment and their consequences after the incorporation of poultry litter into agricultural fields.

Graphical Abstract
Use of wastewater alum-coagulation sludge as a phosphorus fertiliser – a mini review
Authors: Loganathan Paripurnanda , Kandasamy Jaya , Ratnaweera Harsha , Vigneswaran Saravanamuthu
Published: February 2024

The use of aluminium (Al) salts, particularly alum, in coagulation is a widespread and conventional treatment method for eliminating pollutants, including phosphorus (P) which can cause eutrophication, from wastewater. However, a significant challenge of this process is the substantial amount of sludge generated, necessitating proper disposal. Historically, land disposal has been a common practice, but it poses potential issues for plant life on these lands. Despite the associated drawbacks, sludge contains elevated concentrations of vital plant nutrients like P and nitrogen, presenting an opportunity for beneficial use in agriculture. Given the imminent scarcity of P fertilizers due to the eventual depletion of high-grade P ores, this review explores the potential advantages and challenges of utilizing Al sludge as a P source for plants and proposes measures for its beneficial application. One primary concern with land application of Al sludge is its high levels of soluble Al, known to be toxic to plants, particularly in acidic soils. Another issue arises from the elevated Al concentration is P fixation and subsequently reducing P uptake by plants. To address these issues, soil treatment options such as lime, gypsum, and organic matter can be employed. Additionally, modifying the coagulation process by substituting part of the Al salts with cationic organic polymers proves effective in reducing the Al content of the sludge. The gradual release of P from sludge into the soil over time proves beneficial for plants with extended growth periods.
Secondary infections and long-term outcomes among hospitalized elderly and non-elderly patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and treated with baricitinib: a comparative study from the national centre of Hungary
Authors: Gáspár Zsófia , Szabó Bálint Gergely , Andrikovics Hajnalka , Ceglédi Andrea , RAJMON Martin , Ábrahám Anita , Várnai Zsuzsanna , Kiss-Dala Noémi , Szlávik János , Sinkó János , Vályi-Nagy István , Lakatos Botond
Published: February 2024

Baricitinib is considered a first-line treatment for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected adult patients with an associated cytokine storm syndrome (CSS). Our objective was to compare rates of secondary infections and long-term outcomes of elderly and non-elderly patients who received baricitinib for COVID-19. We conducted a single-centre observational study between November 2020 and September 2023, focusing on hospitalized adult SARS-CoV-2 patients with CSS, categorized as elderly (≥ 65 years) and non-elderly (< 65 years). Enrolment, severity stratification, and diagnosis of infectious complications followed predefined criteria. Outcomes of all-cause mortality and rates of non-severe and severe secondary infections were assessed at 1-year post-treatment initiation. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed for survival analysis. In total, 490 patients were enrolled (median age 65 ± 23 (21–100) years (years, median ± IQR, min–max); 49.18% elderly; 59.59% male). Elderly patients were admitted to the hospital significantly earlier (7 ± 5 days vs. 8 ± 4 days; p = 0.02), experienced a higher occurrence of severe COVID-19 (121/241, 50.21% vs. 98/249, 39.36%; p = 0.02), and required the use of non-invasive ventilation at baseline (167/225, 74.22% vs. 153/236, 64.83%; p = 0.03). At 1 year, all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the elderly subgroup (111/241, 46.06% vs. 29/249, 11.65%; p < 0.01). At 90 days and 1 year, rates of any severe secondary infection were also more prevalent among the elderly (56/241, 23.24% vs. 37/249 14.86%; p = 0.02 and 58/241, 24.07% vs. 39/249, 15.66%; p = 0.02). In conclusion, elderly SARS-CoV-2-infected patients experience a more severe clinical course, higher secondary infection rates, and increased risk for long-term mortality, regardless of immunomodulatory therapy.
An organizing framework to break down Western-centric views of knowledge in North–South research
Authors: Turner Hannah , Rogers Briony , Kneebone Sarah , Ramirez Diego , French Matthew , Sawailau Mere Jane , Volavola Filise , Baran Sholyn , Matavesi Kelera , Newton Orlando , Luveniyali Maraia Batiota , Tela Autiko , Vakarewa Isoa
Published: February 2024

Global challenges, such as climate change, persistent poverty, and food insecurity are complex problems. These societal, environmental, and economic challenges cross scientific disciplines, communities, and geographies, requiring interdisciplinary, North–South solutions. Nevertheless, prevailing sustainability science responses are Western-centric. Some seminal studies have attempted to understand and engage with diverse knowledge systems. These include decolonial and Indigenous methodologies, such as “Two-Eyed Seeing”, which emphasizes the importance of using both Western and Indigenous knowledge to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the world, and participatory action research, which highlights the importance of involving participants in the research process and promoting social change through collaborative effort. However, apart from in-country research collaborations with traditional Indigenous knowledge, most North–South studies overlook the role or influence of Western-centric views and therefore fail to recognize and incorporate diverse worldviews and knowledge systems. This may, in part, reflect the tendency to categorize research into disciplinary silos, but more likely is the unintentional, yet prevalent, view that Western science is “objective and neutral.” As more scholars from multiple disciplines and geographies focus on interdisciplinary North–South research, it is critical that researchers reflect on dominant research approaches and knowledge production. Studies can co-construct, reproduce, or control the forms of knowledge generated—whether intentional or unintentional. This paper presents an organizing framework to help researchers navigate, understand, and engage with diverse forms of knowledge in undertaking North–South research. The framework draws on empirical observations from the authors’ interdisciplinary research and from empirical cross-cultural literature. It comprises three contextual levels of influence, featuring guiding principles and subsequent practical actions researchers can use to navigate the complexities of knowledge co-construction in North–South research.
Boric Acid Affects the Expression of DNA Double-Strand Break Repair Factors in A549 Cells and A549 Cancer Stem Cells: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Semerci Sevimli Tuğba , Ghorbani Aynaz , Demir Cevizlidere Bahar , Altuğ Burcugül , Sevimli Murat
Published: February 2024

DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair genes interact with tumor stemness- and resistance-associated processes in cancer stem cells (CSCs). Therefore, targeting DNA DSB genes in cancer treatment is important for the CSC phenotype. Although the anti-cancer effect of boric acid (BA) has been studied, its effect on DNA DSB is unclear. Moreover, no studies investigate BA’s effects on DNA DSB of lung cancer stem cells (LC-SCs). To fill the gap, we aimed to assess the effects of BA on A549 cancer stem cells. CSCs were isolated from human non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549) and characterized by flow cytometry. Different concentrations of BA (at doses ranging from 1 to 100 mM) were applied to cancer stem cells. Cytotoxic activities were determined using the cell viability assay (MTT assay) at 24 and 48 h. Expression levels of DNA DSB genes that BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51, KU70/80, ATM, and XRCC4 were evaluated by RT-qPCR. Additionally, immunofluorescence staining analysis was exploited for caspase-3 and E-cadherin. ATM expression increased significantly (p < 0.001). No significant change was observed in the expression of other genes. Moreover, BA up-regulated caspase-3 and E-cadherin expression. Consequently, we can say that BA affects DNA DSB and the apoptotic abilities of LC-SCs.

Graphical Abstract
Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins Protect Pancreatic β Cells Against Ferroptosis via the Nrf2 Pathway in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Li Haiyan , Zhang Haowei , Wang Tongling , Zhang Liyuan , Wang Hao , Lu Heng , Yang Ruirui , Ding Yusong
Published: February 2024

Pancreatic β cell damage is the primary contributor to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, the underlying mechanism remains nebulous. This study explored the role of ferroptosis in pancreatic β cell damage and the protective effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE). In T2DM model rats, the blood glucose, water intake, urine volume, HbA1c, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance were significantly increased, while the body weight and the insulin level were significantly decreased, indicating the successful establishment of the T2DM model. MIN6 mouse insulinoma β cells were cultured in high glucose and sodium palmitate conditions to obtain a glycolipid damage model, which was administered with GSPE, ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), or nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) small interfering (si) RNA. GSPE and Fer-1 treatment significantly improved pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and protected against cell death. Both treatments increased the superoxide dismutase and glutathione activity, reduced the malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species levels, and improved iron metabolism. Furthermore, the treatments reversed the expression of ferroptosis markers cysteine/glutamate transporter (XCT) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) caused by glycolipid toxicity. GSPE treatments activated the expression of Nrf2 and related proteins. These effects were reversed when co-transfected with si-Nrf2. GSPE inhibits ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, thus reducing β-cell damage and dysfunction in T2DM. Therefore, GSPE is a potential treatment strategy against T2DM.

Graphical Abstract
Construction and validation of a nomogram for predicting lateral lymph node metastasis in pediatric and adolescent with differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Dan Jiaqiang , Tan Jingya , Guo Yao , Xu Yang , Zhou Lin , Huang Junhua , Yuan Zhiying , Ai Xiang , Li Junyan
Published: February 2024

Background

Limited research has been conducted to specifically investigate the identification of risk factors and the development of prediction models for lateral lymph node metastasis (LNM) in pediatric and adolescent differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) populations, despite its significant association with unfavorable prognosis.

Methods

This study entails a retrospective analysis of the clinical characteristics exhibited by pediatric and adolescent patients who have been diagnosed with DTC. The data utilized for this analysis was sourced from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, spanning the time frame from 2000 to 2020. Furthermore, the study incorporates patients who were treated at the Departments of Breast and Thyroid Surgery in the Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People’s Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, during the period from 2010 to 2020.

Results

A cohort of 2631 patients from the SEER database, along with an additional 339 patients from our departments who met the specified inclusion criteria, were included in this study. Subsequently, four clinical variables, namely age, tumor size, multifocality, and extrathyroidal invasion, were identified as being significantly associated with lateral LNM in pediatric and adolescent DTC patients. These variables were then utilized to construct a nomogram, which demonstrated effective discrimination with a concordance index (C-index) of 0.731. Furthermore, the performance of this model was validated through both internal and external assessments, yielding C-index values of 0.721 and 0.712, respectively. Afterward, a decision curve analysis was conducted to assess the viability of this nomogram in predicting lymph node metastasis.

Conclusion

The current investigation has effectively constructed a nomogram model utilizing visualized multipopulationsal data. Our findings demonstrate a significant association between various clinical characteristics and lateral LNM in pediatric and adolescent DTC patients. These outcomes hold substantial significance for healthcare practitioners, as they can employ this model to inform individualized clinical judgments for the pediatric and adolescent cohorts.
Downregulating DNA methyltransferase 3B by suppressing the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway enhances the chemosensitivity of glioblastoma to temozolomide
Authors: Kan Wenwu , Gao Linhui , Chen Jingnan , Chen Li , Zhang Guojun , Hao Bilie , He Min , Chen Xudong , Wang Cheng
Published: February 2024

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor and has the poorest prognosis attributed to its chemoresistance to temozolomide (TMZ), the first-line drug for treating GBM. TMZ resistance represents a significant obstacle to successful GBM treatment, necessitating the development of new strategies to overcome this resistance and augment the chemosensitivity of GBM cells to TMZ. This study established a TMZ-resistant U251 (U251-TMZ) cell line by exposing it to increasing doses of TMZ in vitro. We focused on the DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) gene, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), total Akt (t-Akt), phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), and total PI3K (t-PI3K) protein expression. Results showed that the DNMT3B gene was significantly upregulated in the U251-TMZ cell line. The p-Akt and p-PI3K protein expression in U251-TMZ cells was also significantly elevated. Moreover, we found that DNMT3B downregulation was correlated with the increased chemosensitivity of GBM cells to TMZ. LY294002 suppressed the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, leading to a notable inhibition of PI3K phosphorylation and a significant decrease in DNMT3B expression in U251-TMZ cells. Given that DNMT3B expression is mediated by the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, its downregulation further increased the chemosensitivity of GBM cells to TMZ and therefore is a promising therapeutic for GBM treatment. Our results suggested that DNMT3B downregulation can inhibit the proliferation of GBM cells and induce GBM cell apoptosis in vitro. In addition, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway plays an important role in the chemosensitivity of GBM cells to TMZ by regulating DNMT3B expression.
Neighbourhood Health Inequalities between Ethnic Groups in England: An Application of Ecological Inference
Authors: Congdon Peter
Published: February 2024

Ecological inference has had primarily political science applications, but this study considers an application to assess variations in neighbourhood mental health between population sub-groups. The methodology used has particular utility when neighbourhood health data are available only in aggregate form, without disaggregation (e.g. by ethnic or socioeconomic group). The ecological inference approach is shown to provide insights into contextual effects, where neighbourhood features influence disease variations between sub-groups (e.g. the ethnic density effect on psychosis among non-white groups). The present study also highlights important issues raised by the data’s geographic framework, namely strong spatial clustering in the outcome, and compares spatial error and spatial lag methods to represent this spatial patterning appropriately. The study considers neighbourhood variations in psychosis between four ethnic groups, with a spatial framework provided by 32,844 small areas (Lower Super Output Areas, LSOAs) in England.
Guilt over success, impostor phenomenon, and self-sabotaging behaviors
Authors: Fimiani Ramona , Mannocchi Camilla , Gorman Bernard S. , Gazzillo Francesco
Published: February 2024

Impostor phenomenon refers to the psychological feeling of intellectual phoniness. It can favor failures and support a scarce perception of one’s own competence in order to protect social relations. The aim of this study was to investigate, with a longitudinal design, the contribution of fear of success and guilt over success in the experience of impostor phenomenon and its connections to maladaptive behaviors, such as submission and self-handicapping tendency. We assumed that impostor phenomenon would mediate the relationship between fear of success, guilt over success, and distress related to it, on one hand, and self-handicapping and submissive behavior on the other. Moreover, several personality variables were tested as potential predictors and protection factors against impostor phenomenon. As expected, we found a positive relationship between fear of success, guilt over success, and impostor phenomenon, and a positive relationship between impostor phenomenon and a tendency toward submitting and self-handicapping. Our findings suggest that the tendency to experience guilt and distress about success and the preoccupation with the impact of one’s own success on our important relationship predicted, both directly and with the mediation of impostor phenomenon, the tendency to submit and self-handicap.
Diagnostic performance of a multiplexed gastrointestinal PCR panel for identifying diarrheal pathogens in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Authors: Tao Yue , Luo Cheng-Juan , Zhang Bing-Hua , Shen Xin-Yan , Zhao Rui-Ke , Ma Bei-Ying , Shen Nan , Luo Chang-Ying , Wang Jian-Min , Xia Yi-Jun , Xie Li , Chen Jing , Mo Xi
Published: February 2024

Background

Diarrhea is a common complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and is associated with substantial morbidity, but its etiology is often unknown. Etiologies of diarrhea in this population include infectious causes, chemotherapy- or medication-induced mucosal injury and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Distinguishing these potential causes of diarrhea is challenging since diarrheal symptoms are often multifactorial, and the etiologies often overlap in transplant patients. The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether the FilmArray gastrointestinal (GI) panel would increase diagnostic yield and the degree to which pre-transplantation colonization predicts post-transplantation infection.

Methods

From November 2019 to February 2021, a total of 158 patients undergoing HSCT were prospectively included in the study. Stool specimens were obtained from all HSCT recipients prior to conditioning therapy, 28 ± 7 days after transplantation and at any new episode of diarrhea. All stool samples were tested by the FilmArray GI panel and other clinical microbiological assays.

Results

The primary cause of post-transplantation diarrhea was infection (57/84, 67.86%), followed by medication (38/84, 45.24%) and GVHD (21/84, 25.00%). Ninety-five of 158 patients were colonized with at least one gastrointestinal pathogen before conditioning therapy, and the incidence of infectious diarrhea was significantly higher in colonized patients (47/95, 49.47%) than in non-colonized patients (10/63, 15.87%) (P < 0.001). Fourteen of 19 (73.68%) patients who were initially colonized with norovirus pre-transplantation developed a post-transplantation norovirus infection. Twenty-four of 62 (38.71%) patients colonized with Clostridium difficile developed a diarrheal infection. In addition, FilmArray GI panel testing improved the diagnostic yield by almost twofold in our study (55/92, 59.78% vs. 30/92, 32.61%).

Conclusions

Our data show that more than half of pediatric patients who were admitted for HSCT were colonized with various gastrointestinal pathogens, and more than one-third of these pathogens were associated with post-transplantation diarrhea. In addition, the FilmArray GI panel can increase the detection rate of diarrheal pathogens in pediatric HSCT patients, but the panel needs to be optimized for pathogen species, and further studies assessing its clinical impact and cost-effectiveness in this specific patient population are also needed.

Graphical abstract
TB-CXRNet: Tuberculosis and Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Detection Technique Using Chest X-ray Images
Authors: Rahman Tawsifur , Khandakar Amith , Rahman Ashiqur , Zughaier Susu M. , Al Maslamani Muna , Chowdhury Moajjem Hossain , Tahir Anas M. , Hossain Md. Sakib Abrar , Chowdhury Muhammad E. H.
Published: February 2024

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious lung disease, which caused the death of about 1.5 million people in 2020 alone. Therefore, it is important to detect TB accurately at an early stage to prevent the infection and associated deaths. Chest X-ray (CXR) is the most popularly used method for TB diagnosis. However, it is difficult to identify TB from CXR images in the early stage, which leads to time-consuming and expensive treatments. Moreover, due to the increase of drug-resistant tuberculosis, the disease becomes more challenging in recent years. In this work, a novel deep learning-based framework is proposed to reliably and automatically distinguish TB, non-TB (other lung infections), and healthy patients using a dataset of 40,000 CXR images. Moreover, a stacking machine learning-based diagnosis of drug-resistant TB using 3037 CXR images of TB patients is implemented. The largest drug-resistant TB dataset will be released to develop a machine learning model for drug-resistant TB detection and stratification. Besides, Score-CAM-based visualization technique was used to make the model interpretable to see where the best performing model learns from in classifying the image. The proposed approach shows an accuracy of 93.32% for the classification of TB, non-TB, and healthy patients on the largest dataset while around 87.48% and 79.59% accuracy for binary classification (drug-resistant vs drug-sensitive TB), and three-class classification (multi-drug resistant (MDR), extreme drug-resistant (XDR), and sensitive TB), respectively, which is the best reported result compared to the literature. The proposed solution can make fast and reliable detection of TB and drug-resistant TB from chest X-rays, which can help in reducing disease complications and spread.
Real-world prognostic significance of attaining minimal residual disease negativity in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Wang Jing , Li Jing , Zhang Run , Li Jianyong , Chen Lijuan , Jin Yuanyuan
Published: February 2024

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of minimal residual disease (MRD) in the real-world setting and the interaction between MRD and molecular risk, clinical response and autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT). A retrospective analysis of 275 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients who achieved very good partial remission (VGPR) or better before maintenance were involved. We examined MRD status by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC). At a median follow-up of 37 months (4–88 months), In patients who achieved ≥ VGPR, those with MRD negativity had significantly longer PFS (51 vs. 26 months; P < 0.001) and OS (Not reached: NR vs. 62 months, P < 0.001) than those with MRD positivity. MRD positivity was the independent prognostic factor for PFS with hazard ratios of 2.650 (95% CI 1.755–4.033, P < 0.001) and OS with hazard ratios of 2.122 (95% CI 1.155–3.899, P = 0.015). Achieving MRD negativity was able to ameliorate a poor prognosis associated with genetic high risk. MRD negativity was associated with better PFS regardless of ASCT treatment. MRD status was more predictable for clinical outcome than conventional clinical responses. Moreover, Sustained MRD negativity ≥ 12 or ≥ 24 months improved both PFS and OS. Patients with NDMM who achieved MRD-negative status or sustained MRD negativity had deep remission and improved clinical outcomes regardless of high-risk cytogenetics, ASCT and clinical responses in a real-world setting.
Evaluation of vibration properties of an 18-story mass timber–concrete hybrid building by on-site vibration tests
Authors: Miyazu Yuji , Loss Cristiano
Published: February 2024

Timber–concrete hybrid structural systems are a practical option to provide tall mass timber buildings with a lateral load-resisting system. This paper discusses the dynamic behavior of an 18-story timber–concrete hybrid building based on the vibration properties evaluated by on-site vibration tests. First, microtremor measurements and human-powered excitation tests were carried out and the obtained vibration data were analyzed using a stochastic subspace identification method to derive natural frequencies, damping ratios, and mode shapes. Then, a finite-element (FE) model was developed based on detailed structural design information, and its eigenvalues and eigenvectors were compared with the test results. The vibration test results showed various mode shapes, including in-plane deformation of the floor diaphragm composed of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels. The damping ratios in all the modes were scattered between 1 and 3%, and no frequency dependency was observed. The modal properties of the FE model agreed well with the test results by considering the additional stiffness of non-structural components. In order to simulate the in-plane deformation of the CLT floor diaphragm, detailed modeling of the connection between each CLT floor panel and the connection between CLT floor panels and concrete cores is recommended. The findings provide practitioners with an insight into dynamic properties and FE modeling methods of tall timber–concrete hybrid buildings.
A qualitative investigation into perceived barriers experienced by European female agri-food entrepreneurs
Authors: McDonagh Maria , Ryan Tansy , Moran Aisling , Ryan Lisa
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Agri-food systems in Europe are predominantly male dominated. Female food entrepreneurs can play a key role in the development of novel, sustainable food products. The aim of the present study was to gain an increased understanding of the various barriers which female agri-food entrepreneurs situated in rural areas perceive as hindrances to their entrepreneurial growth and development and their opinions on mentorship programmes.

Methodology

Seven separate focus groups comprising of a total of 25 female participants were carried out with agri-food entrepreneurs throughout Europe (Ireland, Belgium, Poland, Italy). Discussions were semi-structured and revolved around individuals’ perceptions of the support received from their surrounding infrastructure and their opinions on barriers and enablers for entrepreneurship development. A reflective thematic analysis was conducted following verbatim transcription of the conversations from the focus groups.

Findings

Three major themes were identified. Barriers to business development included the lack of adequate financial support and the frustrations experienced with the complexity of funding applications. Socio-cultural support was oftentimes lacking. Participants were aware of the benefits of an online presence to develop their business but lacked confidence in their digital abilities. Few female entrepreneurs were aware of mentorship programmes, and most were unsure what this practice would entail. These findings highlight a range of issues in need of addressing to improve the infrastructure surrounding female agri-food entrepreneurs throughout Europe.
Pseudo-differential operators on the circle, Bernoulli polynomials
Authors: Gay Roger , Sebbar Ahmed
Published: February 2024

We show how the classical polylogarithm function $$\textrm{Li}_s(z)$$

Li
s

(
z
)

and its relatives, the Hurwitz zeta function and the Lerch function are all of a spectral nature, and can explain many properties of the complex powers of the Laplacian on the circle and of the distribution $$(x+i 0)^s$$

(
x
+
i
0
)

s

. We also make a relation with a result of Keiper [Fractional Calculus and its relationship to Riemann’s zeta function, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Mathematics (1975)].
Spacetime geometry of acoustics and electromagnetism
Authors: Burns Lucas , Daniel Tatsuya , Alexander Stephon , Dressel Justin
Published: February 2024

Both acoustics and electromagnetism represent measurable fields in terms of dynamical potential fields. Electromagnetic force-fields form a spacetime bivector that is represented by a dynamical energy–momentum 4-vector potential field. Acoustic pressure and velocity fields form an energy–momentum density 4-vector field that is represented by a dynamical action scalar potential field. Surprisingly, standard field theory analyses of spin angular momentum based on these traditional potential representations contradict recent experiments, which motivates a careful reassessment of both theories. We analyze extensions of both theories that use the full geometric structure of spacetime to respect essential symmetries enforced by vacuum wave propagation. The resulting extensions are geometrically complete and phase-invariant (i.e., dual-symmetric) formulations that span all five grades of spacetime, with dynamical potentials and measurable fields spanning complementary grades that are related by a spacetime vector derivative (i.e., the quantum Dirac operator). These complete representations correct the equations of motion, energy–momentum tensors, forces experienced by probes, Lagrangian densities, and allowed gauge freedoms, while making manifest the deep structural connections to relativistic quantum field theories. Finally, we discuss the implications of these corrections to experimental tests.
Improving the proof of the Born rule using a physical requirement on the dynamics of quantum particles
Authors: Aharonov Yakir , Shushi Tomer
Published: February 2024

We propose a complete proof of the Born rule using an additional postulate stating that for a short enough time $$\Delta t$$

Δ
t

between two measurements, a property of a particle will keep its values fixed. This dynamical postulate allows us to produce the Born rule in its explicit form by improving the result given in [1]. While the proposed postulate is still not part of the quantum mechanics postulates, every experiment obeys it, and it cannot be deduced using the standard postulates of quantum mechanics.
Prefrontal cortex activation while walking did not change but gait speed improved after a randomized physical therapy intervention
Authors: Rosso Andrea L. , Baillargeon Emma M. , Perera Subashan , VanSwearingen Jessie , Rosano Caterina , Huppert Theodore J. , Brach Jennifer S.
Published: February 2024

Background

Higher prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation while walking may indicate reduced gait automaticity.

Aim

We examine whether PFC activation during walking improves after training in older adults at risk for mobility disability.

Methods

Forty-two adults aged ≥ 65 participated in a randomized clinical trial (NCT026637780) of a 12-week timing and coordination physical therapy intervention to improve walking (n = 20 intervention, n = 22 active control). PFC activation was measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during four walking tasks over 15 m, each repeated 4 times: even surface walking, uneven surface walking, even dual-task, uneven dual-task; dual-task was reciting every other letter of the alphabet while walking. Gait speed and rate of correct letter generation were recorded. Linear mixed models tested between arm differences in change of fNIRS, gait speed, and letter generation from baseline to follow-up (12-week, 24-week, and 36-week).

Results

Intervention arms were similar in mean age (74.3 vs. 77.0) and baseline gait speed (0.96 vs. 0.93 m/s). Of 24 comparisons of between arm differences in the fNIRS signals, only two were significant which were not supported by differences at other follow-up times or on other tasks. Gait speed, particularly during dual-task conditions, and correct letter generation did improve post-intervention but improvements did not differ by arm.

Discussion and Conclusions

After training, PFC activation during walking generally did not improve and did not differ by intervention arm. Improvements in gait speed without increased PFC activation may point toward more efficient neural control of walking.
Association of reduced cerebrospinal fluid NPTX2 levels with postoperative delirium in patients undergoing knee/hip replacement: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Guo Zongxiao , Hong Xiaoli , Wang Xiang , Chen Weiguo , Guo Zongfeng
Published: February 2024

Background

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication with poor prognosis in the elderly, but its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. There is evidence that the changes in synaptic activity in the brain are closely related to the occurrence of POD. And neuronal pentraxin 2 (NPTX2) can regulate synaptic activity in vivo.

Aims

This study aims to explore whether decreased NPTX2 levels affects POD and whether the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of POD mediate this association.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, we interviewed patients with knee/hip replacement 1 day before surgery to collect patient information and assess their cognitive function. CSF was extracted for measuring the CSF levels of NPTX2 and other POD biomarkers on the day of surgery. And postoperative follow-up visits were performed 1–7 days after surgery.

Results

Finally, 560 patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into POD group and NPOD (non-POD) group. The POD group had a median age of 80 years, a female proportion of 45%, a median BMI of 24.1 kg/m2, and a median years of education of 9 years. The Mann–Whitney U test showed that CSF NPTX2 levels were significantly lower in POD group, compared with the NPOD group (P < 0.05). Univariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that reduced CSF levels of NPTX2 protected against POD (crude OR = 0.994, 95% CI 0.993–0.995, P < 0.001). The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that CSF NPTX2 level had high predictive value for POD. Mediation analyses showed that CSF T-tau (mediating proportion = 21%) and P-tau (mediating proportion = 29%) had significant mediating effects on the association between CSF NPTX2 and POD.

Conclusion

CSF NPTX2 levels were associated with the occurrence of POD. Low CSF NPTX2 levels may be an independent protective factor for POD. CSF T-tau and P-tau could mediate the association between CSF NPTX2 and POD occurrence.

Clinical trial registration

The trial registration number (TRN): ChiCTR2200064740, Date of Registration: 2022-10-15.