bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The cyclic open–closed map, u-connections and R-matrices
Authors: Hugtenburg Kai
Published: February 2024

This paper considers the (negative) cyclic open–closed map $${\mathcal{O}\mathcal{C}}^{-}$$

O
C

-

, which maps the cyclic homology of the Fukaya category of a symplectic manifold to its $$S^1$$

S
1

-equivariant quantum cohomology. We prove (under simplifying technical hypotheses) that this map respects the respective natural connections in the direction of the equivariant parameter. In the monotone setting this allows us to conclude that $${\mathcal{O}\mathcal{C}}^{-}$$

O
C

-

intertwines the decomposition of the Fukaya category by eigenvalues of quantum cup product with the first Chern class, with the Hukuhara–Levelt–Turrittin decomposition of the quantum cohomology. We also explain how our results relate to the Givental–Teleman classification of semisimple cohomological field theories: in particular, how the R-matrix is related to $${\mathcal{O}\mathcal{C}}^{-}$$

O
C

-

in the semisimple case; we also consider the non-semisimple case.
Wissenserwerb, Wissensstand und Wissenstransfer in der Kompressionstherapie
Authors: Protz Kerstin , Dissemond Joachim , Augustin Matthias , Janke Toni Maria
Published: February 2024

Hintergrund

Im Zuge des wissenschaftlichen Fortschritts sollte bei Mitarbeitern in Gesundheitsberufen regelmäßig eine entsprechende Fortbildung erfolgen. Hierfür ist ein Wissenstransfer essenziell. In dieser Querschnittsstudie sollte daher der Status von Wissenserwerb, Wissensstand und Wissenstransfer der Berufsgruppen, die phlebologische Kompressionsverbände anwenden, in Deutschland untersucht werden.

Material und Methoden

Mitarbeiter in Gesundheitsberufen (Ärzte, Pflegefachkräfte und medizinische Fachangestellte) erhielten einen für diese Studie entwickelten Fragebogen, der verschiedene Aspekte von Erwerb, Stand und Transfer des Wissens abfragte.

Ergebnisse

Die Antworten von 522 Teilnehmern wurden ausgewertet. Das Thema Kompressionstherapie wurde in der Ausbildung bzw. Studium zu 43,3 % nicht unterrichtet. Fachzeitschriften, die Kompressionstherapie thematisieren, wurden von 16,1 % der Teilnehmer regelmäßig (mindestens 6‑mal/Jahr) gelesen, 63,0 % hatten keine Fachbücher zum Thema. Lediglich 6,7 % kannten themenbezogene AWMF(Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften e. V.)-Leitlinien und 16,3 % den entsprechenden DNQP(Deutsches Netzwerk für Qualitätsentwicklung in der Pflege)-Expertenstandard. An mindestens einer internen Fortbildung pro Jahr zur Kompressionstherapie nahmen 41,2 % teil, bei externen Fortbildungen waren es 72,0 % und bei Online-Fortbildungen 19,2 %. Insgesamt gaben 30,7 % an, keine Informationsquellen zum Wissenserwerb zu nutzen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Mögliche Wissensquellen zur Kompressionstherapie in Deutschland sind innerhalb der hier untersuchten Berufsgruppen unzureichend bekannt oder werden nicht regelhaft genutzt. Die Folge daraus ist ein erhebliches Wissensdefizit mit Diskrepanz zwischen dem aktuellen Stand der Wissenschaft und der Praxis.
Circulating metabolomic markers linking diabetic kidney disease and incident cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes: analyses from the Hong Kong Diabetes Biobank
Authors: Jin Qiao , Lau Eric S. H. , Luk Andrea O. , Tam Claudia H. T. , Ozaki Risa , Lim Cadmon K. P. , Wu Hongjiang , Chow Elaine Y. K. , Kong Alice P. S. , Lee Heung Man , Fan Baoqi , Ng Alex C. W. , Jiang Guozhi , Lee Ka Fai , Siu Shing Chung , Hui Grace , Tsang Chiu Chi , Lau Kam Piu , Leung Jenny Y. , Tsang Man-wo , Cheung Elaine Y. N. , Kam Grace , Lau Ip Tim , Li June K. , Yeung Vincent T. F. , Lau Emmy , Lo Stanley , Fung Samuel , Cheng Yuk Lun , Chow Chun Chung , Yu Weichuan , Tsui Stephen K. W. , Tomlinson Brian , Huang Yu , Lan Hui-yao , Szeto Cheuk Chun , So Wing Yee , Jenkins Alicia J. , Fung Erik , Muilwijk Mirthe , Blom Marieke T. , ‘t Hart Leen M. , Chan Juliana C. N. , Ma Ronald C. W. ,   on behalf of the Hong Kong Diabetes Biobank Study Group
Published: February 2024

Aims/hypothesis

The aim of this study was to describe the metabolome in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and its association with incident CVD in type 2 diabetes, and identify prognostic biomarkers.

Methods

From a prospective cohort of individuals with type 2 diabetes, baseline sera (N=1991) were quantified for 170 metabolites using NMR spectroscopy with median 5.2 years of follow-up. Associations of chronic kidney disease (CKD, eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m2) or severely increased albuminuria with each metabolite were examined using linear regression, adjusted for confounders and multiplicity. Associations between DKD (CKD or severely increased albuminuria)-related metabolites and incident CVD were examined using Cox regressions. Metabolomic biomarkers were identified and assessed for CVD prediction and replicated in two independent cohorts.

Results

At false discovery rate (FDR)<0.05, 156 metabolites were associated with DKD (151 for CKD and 128 for severely increased albuminuria), including apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins, HDL, fatty acids, phenylalanine, tyrosine, albumin and glycoprotein acetyls. Over 5.2 years of follow-up, 75 metabolites were associated with incident CVD at FDR<0.05. A model comprising age, sex and three metabolites (albumin, triglycerides in large HDL and phospholipids in small LDL) performed comparably to conventional risk factors (C statistic 0.765 vs 0.762, p=0.893) and adding the three metabolites further improved CVD prediction (C statistic from 0.762 to 0.797, p=0.014) and improved discrimination and reclassification. The 3-metabolite score was validated in independent Chinese and Dutch cohorts.

Conclusions/interpretation

Altered metabolomic signatures in DKD are associated with incident CVD and improve CVD risk stratification.

Graphical Abstract
Effective, versatile and inexpensive extruder system for direct ink writing of high-viscosity pastes
Authors: Rodríguez-Lagar Pablo , Reguera-García Alejandro , Llamas-Unzueta Raúl , Blanco Clara , Santamaría Ricardo , Montes-Morán Miguel A. , Menéndez J. Angel , Rocha Victoria G.
Published: February 2024

We offer the possibility of implementing a lab-made extruder for direct ink writing (DIW) into a conventional fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printer. The ink extruder was designed to comply with various requirements including the possibility of using multiple syringe volumes, ease of assembly, compatibility with numerous commercial FDM printers, ink retraction and ink flow control and the ability to extrude inks with a wide range of viscosities (ink yield stresses from 135 to 1100 Pa). The load in the extruder was attained by combining a stepper motor and a gear reduction system. The reduction system was connected to a trapezoidal threaded spindle through a rigid coupler. The movement of the spindle was transmitted to the plunger of a syringe that contained the ink (with volumes ranging from 3 to 30 mL), by means of a linear guide system. Most of the extruder parts were printed with the same FDM printer to which the DIW extruder ended attached to. The DIW extruder wiring connections were simply made by using the E-axis connectors available in the FDM printer. Modifications of the FDM printer software required for the correct control of the DIW extruder were also relatively simple, avoiding firmware modification. This simplicity made the two DIW and FDM heads easily interchangeable, thus amplifying the functionality of a conventional FDM printer. The cost of this new DIW extruder is approx. 100€.
Global well-posedness and interior regularity of 2D Navier–Stokes equations with stochastic boundary conditions
Authors: Agresti Antonio , Luongo Eliseo
Published: February 2024

The paper is devoted to the analysis of the global well-posedness and the interior regularity of the 2D Navier–Stokes equations with inhomogeneous stochastic boundary conditions. The noise, white in time and coloured in space, can be interpreted as the physical law describing the driving mechanism on the atmosphere–ocean interface, i.e. as a balance of the shear stress of the ocean and the horizontal wind force.
Can 3-dimensional cranial ultrasound be used to successfully reconstruct a 2-dimensional image without compromising on image quality in a neonatal population?
Authors: Roberts Rachel M. , Alves Rosa João , Curtis Siân , Smith-Collins Adam P. R. , Kidd Martin , Andronikou Savvas
Published: February 2024

Background

Cranial ultrasound is frequently performed in neonatal intensive care units and acquiring 2-dimensional (D) images requires significant training. Three-D ultrasound images can be acquired semi-automatically.

Objective

This proof-of-concept study aimed to demonstrate that 3-D study image quality compares well with 2-D. If this is successful, 3-D images could be acquired in remote areas and read remotely by experts.

Materials and methods

This was a prospective study of 20 neonates, who underwent both routine 2-D and 3-D cranial ultrasounds. Images were reconstructed into standard views extracted from the 3-D volume and evaluated by three radiologists blinded to the acquisition method. The radiologists assessed for the presence of anatomical landmarks and overall image quality.

Results

More anatomical structures were identified in the 3-D studies (P<0.01). There was a trend that 3-D ultrasound demonstrated better image quality in the coronal plane, and 2-D in the sagittal plane, only reaching statistical significance for two coronal views and two sagittal views.

Conclusion

Overall, this study has demonstrated that 3-D cranial ultrasound performs similarly to 2-D and could be implemented into neonatal practice.
An overview of the performance of AI in fracture detection in lumbar and thoracic spine radiographs on a per vertebra basis
Authors: J. Oppenheimer , S. Lüken , S. Geveshausen , B. Hamm , S. M. Niehues
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Subtle spinal compression fractures can easily be missed. AI may help in interpreting these images. We propose to test the performance of an FDA-approved algorithm for fracture detection in radiographs on a per vertebra basis, assessing performance based on grade of compression, presence of foreign material, severity of degenerative changes, and acuity of the fracture.

Methods

Thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs with inquiries for fracture were retrospectively collected and analyzed by the AI. The presence or absence of fracture was defined by the written report or cross-sectional imaging where available. Fractures were classified semi-quantitatively by the Genant classification, by acuity, by the presence of foreign material, and overall degree of degenerative change of the spine. The results of the AI were compared to the gold standard.

Results

A total of 512 exams were included, depicting 4114 vertebra with 495 fractures. Overall sensitivity was 63.2% for the lumbar spine, significantly higher than the thoracic spine with 50.6%. Specificity was 96.7 and 98.3% respectively. Sensitivity increased with fracture grade, without a significant difference between grade 2 and 3 compression fractures (lumbar spine: grade 1, 52.5%; grade 2, 72.3%; grade 3, 75.8%; thoracic spine: grade 1, 42.4%; grade 2, 60.0%; grade 3, 60.0%). The presence of foreign material and a high degree of degenerative changes reduced sensitivity.

Conclusion

Overall performance of the AI on a per vertebra basis was degraded in clinically relevant scenarios such as for low-grade compression fractures.
A first-in-human phase I study of TAS-117, an allosteric AKT inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Doi Toshihiko , Takahashi Shunji , Aoki Daisuke , Yonemori Kan , Hara Hiroki , Hasegawa Kosei , Takehara Kazuhiro , Harano Kenichi , Yunokawa Mayu , Nomura Hiroyuki , Shimoi Tatsunori , Horie Koji , Ogasawara Aiko , Okame Shinichi
Published: February 2024

Purpose

TAS-117 is a highly potent and selective, oral, allosteric pan-AKT inhibitor under development for advanced/metastatic solid tumors. The safety, clinical pharmacology, pharmacogenomics and efficacy were investigated.

Methods

This phase I, open-label, non-randomized, dose-escalating, first-in-human study enrolled patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors and comprised three phases (dose escalation phase [DEP], regimen modification phase [RMP], and safety assessment phase [SAP]). The SAP dose and regimen were determined in the DEP and RMP. Once-daily and intermittent dosing (4 days on/3 days off, 21-day cycles) were investigated. The primary endpoints were dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) in Cycle 1 of the DEP and RMP and incidences of adverse events (AEs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the SAP. Secondary endpoints included pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenomics, and antitumor activity.

Results

Of 66 enrolled patients, 65 received TAS-117 (DEP, n = 12; RMP, n = 10; SAP, n = 43). No DLTs were reported with 24-mg/day intermittent dosing, which was selected as a recommended dose in SAP. In the SAP, 98.5% of patients experienced both AEs and ADRs (grade ≥ 3, 67.7% and 60.0%, respectively). In the dose range tested (8 to 32 mg/day), TAS-117 pharmacokinetics were dose proportional, and pharmacodynamic analysis showed a reduction of phosphorylated PRAS40, a direct substrate of AKT. Four patients in the SAP had confirmed partial response.

Conclusion

Oral doses of TAS-117 once daily up to 16 mg/day and intermittent dosing of 24 mg/day were well tolerated. TAS-117 pharmacokinetics were dose proportional at the doses evaluated. Antitumor activity may occur through AKT inhibition.

Trial registration

jRCT2080222728 (January 29, 2015).
Approval-based voting with mixed goods
Authors: Lu Xinhang , Peters Jannik , Aziz Haris , Bei Xiaohui , Suksompong Warut
Published: February 2024

We consider a voting scenario in which the resource to be voted upon may consist of both indivisible and divisible goods. This setting generalizes both the well-studied model of multiwinner voting and the recently introduced model of cake sharing. Under approval votes, we propose two variants of the extended justified representation (EJR) notion from multiwinner voting, a stronger one called EJR for mixed goods (EJR-M) and a weaker one called EJR up to 1 (EJR-1). We extend three multiwinner voting rules to our setting—GreedyEJR, the method of equal shares (MES), and proportional approval voting (PAV)—and show that while all three generalizations satisfy EJR-1, only the first one provides EJR-M. In addition, we derive tight bounds on the proportionality degree implied by EJR-M and EJR-1, and investigate the proportionality degree of our proposed rules.
Initial lactate levels linked to oliguria in term neonates with perinatal asphyxia
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zeng Huihui
Published: February 2024

Background

Oliguria is a sign of impaired kidney function and has been shown to be an early predictor of adverse prognoses in patients with acute kidney injury. The relationship between urine output (UOP) and early lactate levels in neonates with perinatal asphyxia (PA) has not been extensively explored. This study aimed to investigate the link between oliguria during the first 24 h of life and early lactate levels in neonates with PA.

Methods

The medical records of 293 term neonates with asphyxia from 9216 hospitalized newborns were retrospectively analyzed, including 127 cases designated as the oliguria group and 166 cases as controls. Peripheral arterial blood gas after PA and UOP within 24 h after birth were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were conducted.

Results

Oliguria occurred in 43.34% of neonates with PA. The median UOP of the oliguria and control groups were 0.65 and 1.46 mL/kg/h, respectively. Elevated lactate levels after PA are an independent risk factor for oliguria in the following 24 h (p = 0.01; OR: 1.19; 95%CI: 1.04–1.35) and show a moderate discriminatory power for oliguria (AUC = 0.62). Using a cut off value of 8.15 mmol/L, the positive and negative predictive values and the specificity were 59.34%, 63.86%, and 78.30%, respectively.

Conclusion

Neonates with elevated lactate levels after PA face a risk of oliguria in the following 24 h. Based on early elevated lactate levels after resuscitation, especially ≥ 8.15 mmol/L, meticulously monitoring UOP will allow this vulnerable population to receive early, tailored fluid management and medical intervention.

Graphical abstract
A novel approach for Parkinson’s disease detection using Vold-Kalman order filtering and machine learning algorithms
Authors: Latifoğlu Fatma , Penekli Sultan , Orhanbulucu Fırat , Chowdhury Muhammad E. H.
Published: February 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurological disorder caused by damage to dopaminergic neurons. Therefore, it is important to develop systems for early and automatic diagnosis of PD. For this purpose, a study that will contribute to the development of systems for the automatic diagnosis of PD is presented. The Electroencephalography  (EEG) signals were decomposed into sub-bands using adaptive decomposition methods, such as empirical mode decomposition, variational mode decomposition, and Vold-Kalman order filtering (VKF). Various features were extracted from the sub-band decomposed signals, and the significant ones were determined by Chi-squared test. These important features were applied as input to support vector machine (SVM), fitch neural network (FNN), k-nearest neighbours (KNN), and decision trees (DT), machine learning (ML) models and classification was performed. We analysed the performance of ML models by obtaining accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive values, F1-score, false-positive rate, kappa statistics, and area under the curve. The classification process was performed for two cases: PD ON-HC and PD OFF-HC groups. The most successful method in this study was the VKF method, which was applied for the first time in this field with the approach specified for both cases. In both instances, the SVM algorithm was employed as the ML model, with classifier performance criterion values close to 100%. The results obtained in this study seem to be successful compared to the results of recent research on the diagnosis of PD.
Driving emotions: using virtual reality to explore the effect of low and high arousal on driver’s attention
Authors: Dozio Nicolò , Bertoni Marco , Ferrise Francesco
Published: February 2024

The role played by emotions and attention is crucial for the development of advanced driver assistance systems that improve safety by flexibly adapting to the current state of the driver. In the present study, we used immersive virtual reality as a testing tool to investigate how different emotional states affect drivers’ attention in a divided attention task. Two different emotional states, diversified by valence and arousal, were induced before performing a divided attention task in a driving simulation. The experimental task developed for this study allowed us to explore if and how two different emotional states can affect the way drivers divide their attention between a central driving-related task and a peripheral visual task. Our results showed that scared drivers presented lower reaction times at the central task compared to relaxed drivers. On the contrary, the emotional state did not affect the performance at the peripheral task, which revealed instead a significant effect of the eccentricity at which the visual stimuli were presented, influencing both the accuracy of targets’ perception and participants’ reaction times.
A principled approach to non-discrimination in cost-effectiveness
Authors: Lakdawalla Darius N. , Doctor Jason N.
Published: February 2024

The US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) prohibits the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from using standard quality-adjusted life-years or other value assessment methods that discriminate against the aged, terminally ill, or disabled when setting maximum fair prices for prescription drugs. This policy has reignited interest in methods for assessing value without discrimination. Equal value of life-years gained (EVL), healthy years in total (HYT), and Generalized Risk-Adjusted Cost-Effectiveness (GRACE) have emerged as proposals. Neither EVL nor HYT rests on well-articulated microeconomic foundations. We show that they produce decisions that are inconsistent over time in a variety of ways, including: (1) failure to support additivity and indirect comparison in cases where the standard-of-care therapy changes over time; (2) strictly negative value of survival gains that accrue from a new, better standard-of-care, particularly for the disabled themselves; (3) unbounded average value of survival gains; and (4) non-convex survival preferences. We propose an alternative method that relies on GRACE and its microeconomic foundations.
Mechanical complexity of living cells can be mapped onto simple homogeneous equivalents
Authors: Wohlrab Sebastian , Mueller Sebastian , Gekle Stephan
Published: February 2024

Biological cells are built up from different constituents of varying size and stiffness which all contribute to the cell’s mechanical properties. Despite this heterogeneity, in the analysis of experimental measurements one often assumes a strongly simplified homogeneous cell and thus a single elastic modulus is assigned to the entire cell. This ad-hoc simplification has so far mostly been used without proper justification. Here, we use computer simulations to show that indeed a mechanically heterogeneous cell can effectively be replaced by a homogeneous equivalent cell with a volume averaged elastic modulus. To demonstrate the validity of this approach, we investigate a hyperelastic cell with a heterogeneous interior under compression and in shear/channel flow mimicking atomic force and microfluidic measurements, respectively. We find that the homogeneous equivalent cell reproduces quantitatively the behavior of its heterogeneous counterpart, and that this equality is largely independent of the stiffness or spatial distribution of the heterogeneity.
Social Representations and Experiences of Sexual Transactions Among Swiss Youth
Authors: Colombo Annamaria , Carbajal Myrian , Milani Riccardo
Published: February 2024

This article relies on quantitative data collected in Switzerland as part of a research study on sexual transactions among youth. Building on an analytical framework that defines sexual transactions in terms of negotiated exchanges rooted in social representations, we explored how they were perceived by the Swiss young people included in our sample at a cognitive, ethical, and political level. We found that research participants who reported having experienced sexual transactions viewed them much more positively than those who reported never having engaged in such exchanges. While this was especially true among young women, we also found that the tendency of respondents to perceive sexual transactions negatively increased with age. When analyzed in light of the qualitative results of our study, these quantitative findings suggest that negative representations of sexual transactions are less likely to be based on lived experience than on an ideal-type of sexual behavior. In other words, our research highlights how young people interpret sexuality according to norms developed within a heteronormative matrix.
Development of Gender Non-Contentedness During Adolescence and Early Adulthood
Authors: Rawee Pien , Rosmalen Judith G. M. , Kalverdijk Luuk , Burke Sarah M.
Published: February 2024

Adolescence is an important period for the development of gender identity. We studied the development of gender non-contentedness, i.e., unhappiness with being the gender aligned with one’s sex, from early adolescence to young adulthood, and its association with self-concept, behavioral and emotional problems, and adult sexual orientation. Participants were 2772 adolescents (53% male) from the Tracking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey population and clinical cohort. Data from six waves were included (ages 11–26). Gender non-contentedness was assessed with the item “I wish to be of the opposite sex” from the Youth and Adult Self-Report at all six waves. Behavioral and emotional problems were measured by total scores of these scales at all six waves. Self-concept was assessed at age 11 using the Global Self-Worth and Physical Appearance subscales of the Self-Perception Profile for Children. Sexual orientation was assessed at age 22 by self-report. In early adolescence, 11% of participants reported gender non-contentedness. The prevalence decreased with age and was 4% at the last follow-up (around age 26). Three developmental trajectories of gender non-contentedness were identified: no gender non-contentedness (78%), decreasing gender non-contentedness (19%), and increasing gender non-contentedness (2%). Individuals with an increasing gender non-contentedness more often were female and both an increasing and decreasing trajectory were associated with a lower global self-worth, more behavioral and emotional problems, and a non-heterosexual sexual orientation. Gender non-contentedness, while being relatively common during early adolescence, in general decreases with age and appears to be associated with a poorer self-concept and mental health throughout development.
Expression of Affect and Illocution
Authors: Vassilicos Basil
Published: February 2024

In this paper, the aim is to explore how there can be a role for expression of affect in illocution, drawing upon some ideas about expression put forward by Karl Bühler. In a first part of the paper, I map some active discussions and open questions surrounding phenomena that seem to involve “expression of affect”. Second, I home in on a smaller piece of that larger puzzle; namely, a consideration of how there may be non-conventional expression of affect. I provide some examples of what I take that to involve and set out some premises for approaching it. In a third section, I motivate such an interest by pointing to a question in speech act theory concerning ‘force conventionalism’. This is whether and how illocution can be performed non-conventionally—that is, whether (at least some) utterances can be communicated with illocutionary force without need of convention. I propose that where expression of affect may occur non-conventionally, it may in turn constitute one important route through which at least some kinds of illocution are achieved. In the fourth part of the paper, I sketch an account of such non-conventional expression of affect for the purposes of illocution, by exploring a broadly Bühlerian account of some affects; namely, that some affects are teleological in character, that coordinations may be involved in their satisfactional states, and that uptake of the expressed affect constitutes one subset of such satisfactional states. That exposition points to the contemporary relevance of the “action theory of expression” proposed by Bühler.
The sources and structure of wage inequality changes in the selected Central-Eastern European Countries
Authors: Dorjnyambuu Byambasuren , Galambosné Tiszberger Mónika
Published: February 2024

We study the determinants of wage inequality and its fluctuations in six Central-Eastern European nations using European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions microdata from 2010 to 2019. Wage disparity in these countries changed in distinct ways. Inequality in Czechia and Romania is generally steady, has fallen consistently in Poland and Slovakia, and has increased in Bulgaria. Inequality has been steadily reducing in Hungary but has recently increased significantly. Therefore, this paper questions these countries' primary causes of wage inequality changes. In addition to providing a detailed description of inequality trends in these countries, we focus on examining the demographic and micro-level determinants alongside the minimum wage changes. We estimate these effects using RIF regression and RIF decompositions for various inequality measures. The changes in wage inequality in these countries were driven mainly by wage structure effects regardless of the increase or decrease in wage inequality. Changes in the returns to education and returns to permanent employment contracts are crucial in explaining decreased wage inequality. The increases in wage inequality in Hungary and Bulgaria are defined mainly by the changes in the estimated constants instead of micro-level determinants. The changes in the minimum wage explain most of the unknown factors in Bulgaria, and the spillover effects of the minimum wage may explain most of the unknown factors in Hungary. Our results can support the skill-biased technological change hypothesis in the case of Slovakia, Romania, Czechia, and Bulgaria.
Activated carbon treated with different chemical agents for pertechnetate adsorption
Authors: Hupian Marek , Galamboš Michal , Viglašová Eva , Rosskopfová Oľga , Kusumkar Vipul Vilas , Daňo Martin
Published: February 2024

The study investigated the adsorption behaviour of different activated carbon samples for pertechnetate under diverse conditions. Characterizations of A-CF-F and A-CF-Z samples were done using BET, FTIR, XRD, XRF and SEM–EDX methods. In batch experiments, maximum adsorption occured at pH 2, with a swift process and an optimal phase mixing time determined as 1 h for all of the samples. Analyzing experimental data using Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models revealed coefficients of determination R2 exceeding 90%. The Freundlich isotherm was found to be more suitable for describing the adsorption process.
Understanding fatal landslides at global scales: a summary of topographic, climatic, and anthropogenic perspectives
Authors: Fidan Seçkin , Tanyaş Hakan , Akbaş Abdullah , Lombardo Luigi , Petley David N. , Görüm Tolga
Published: February 2024

Landslides are a common global geohazard that lead to substantial loss of life and socio-economic damage. Landslides are becoming more common due to extreme weather events and the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance, and thus, they are threatening sustainable development in many vulnerable areas. Previous studies on fatal landslides have focused on inventory development; spatial and temporal distributions; the role of precipitation or seismic forcing; and human impacts. However, climatologic, topographic, and anthropogenic variables featuring fatal landslides at a global scale have been mostly neglected. Here, using the global fatal landslide database, we evaluate the characteristics of landslides induced by natural and anthropogenic factors with respect to topographic, climatic, and anthropogenic factors, drawing attention to their persistent spatial patterns. The majority of natural (69.3%) and anthropogenic (44.1%) landslides occur in mountainous areas in tropical and temperate regions, which are also characterized by the highest casualty rates per group, 66.7% and 43.0%, respectively. However, they significantly differ in terms of their morphometric footprint. Fatal landslides triggered by natural variables occur mostly in the highest portions of the topographic profile, where human disturbance is minimal. As for their anthropogenic counterpart, these failures cluster at much lower altitudes, where slopes are gentler, but human intervention is higher due to a higher population density. This observation points towards land cover changes being a critical factor in landscape dynamics, stressing the human pressure as a discriminant cause/effect term for natural vs. human-induced landslide fatalities.
How agency is constitutive of phenomenal consciousness: pushing the first and third-personal approaches to their limits
Authors: Liu Zixuan
Published: February 2024

Husserl characterizes sleep with the idea of “the relaxation of the will.” One finds a similar approach in the work of Maine de Biran, who explains sleep as “the suspension of the will.” More recently, Brian O’Shaughnessy and Matthew Soteriou have argued that mental actions constitute wakeful consciousness. In clinical practice, patients with disorders of consciousness who show “purposeful” behavior are classified as “minimally conscious,” while those in an “unresponsive wakeful state” merely behave reflexively. To what extent and how are these proposals justified? This question pushes both the first- and the third-personal approaches to their limits: in an unconscious state, like a coma, one cannot reflect upon oneself; likewise, one cannot infer from physiological data whether someone is phenomenally conscious. This work offers a critical review of these proposals regarding the constitutive role for agency in phenomenal consciousness. It then presents revised versions of O’Shaughnessy’s and Soteriou’s Arguments from Synthesis and from Self-Consciousness. The argument is that everything of which one is phenomenally conscious is either a potential reason for a possible agentive power exertion, or just that power exertion itself. The “self” referred to in “self”-consciousness is either the agent or a “non-agent,” carrying out functions for the agent. Agency is therefore constitutive of phenomenal consciousness. The resulting view helps to solve the Combination Problem for panpsychism, by suggesting that agency is what raises sub-personal micro-consciousness to the personal level. The view may also justify the notion of a “Minimally Conscious State” in clinical practice.
Role of Extremophiles in Biodegradation of Emerging Pollutants
Authors: Chia Xing Kai , Hadibarata Tony , Jusoh Muhammad Noor Hazwan , Sutiknowati Lies Indah , Tan Inn Shi , Foo Henry Chee Yew
Published: February 2024

Emerging pollutants, also referred to as emerging contaminants, are substances that have recently been recognized or are gaining attention due to their potential adverse impacts on the environment, human health, or ecosystems. These pollutants present a significant threat to both environmental and human well-being and are challenging to eliminate using conventional remediation methods. Extremophiles, organisms adapted to extreme environmental conditions like high or low temperatures, high pressure, and elevated salt concentrations, play a crucial role in this context. They produce a diverse array of enzymes capable of breaking down complex organic compounds, some of which remain stable and functional even in harsh environmental conditions, making extremophiles well-suited for use in bioremediation applications. Numerous studies have demonstrated the capability of extremophiles to degrade various pollutants, including toxic solvents, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals. Halophilic archaea, a type of extremophile, have particularly shown promise in degrading emerging contaminants in salt marsh sediments. Despite their potential, there are challenges associated with using extremophiles in bioremediation, such as the limited availability of extremophilic microorganisms capable of degrading specific pollutants and a reduction in enzyme stability when operating outside their optimum range. Nevertheless, ongoing research in this field is anticipated to result in the development of new and innovative bioremediation strategies for effectively removing emerging pollutants from the environment.
The clinical importance and correlations of post-partum changes in the clinical findings, reproductive cyclicity, serum-milk oxidant/antioxidant parameters as a stress indicator in female dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) and their effect on milk palatability
Authors: Khalphallah Arafat , Almuhanna Abdulaziz H. , Al-Daek Taher , Alhaider Abdulrahman , Elmeligy Enas , Mohamed Ragab H. , Abdulkarim Abdulrahman , Khalifa Marwa I. , Bazeed Shefaa M. , Khesruf Khaled A. , Ghallab Rezk Said , Zakaria Asem M.
Published: February 2024

Dramatic metabolic changes during pregnancy and post-partum period resulted in alteration of the biochemical parameters in dromedary she-camels. The current study focused on assessment of stress indicators in post-partum dromedary she-camels on days 14, 28 and 42 post-calving through monitoring the clinical findings, serum steroid hormones, serum or milk oxidant/antioxidant indicators, and milk somatic cell count (SCC) status with reference to serum lipid profile changes. The study also stated several correlations between reproductive cyclicity parameters, stress biomarkers and serum-milk oxidant/antioxidant indicators. The study was conducted on clinically healthy recently calved she-camels (n = 25). They were subjected to clinical and laboratory assays including lipid profiles, serum steroid hormones [Progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2)], serum or milk oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers [Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and cortisol], and milk SCC on days 14, 21 and 28 post-calving. The study concluded the influence of stress as a result of lactation in post-partum period in recently calved she-camels and its relationship with reproductive cyclicity as well as changes in serum steroids, lipid profiles, serum-milk oxidant/antioxidants parameters, and milk SCC that was reflected through significant elevations in serum levels of P4, E2, cortisol, MDA and glucose, and milk values of MDA, cortisol and SCC as well as significant drop in serum levels of GSH, TPs, albumins and globulins on day 14 post-calving comparing with their values particularly on day 42. The study stated variable correlation relationships between reproductive cyclicity parameters, lipid profiles, serum-milk oxidant/antioxidants parameters and milk SCC.
Residual hydrocarbons in long-term contaminated soils: implications to risk-based management
Authors: Bahar Md Mezbaul , Samarasinghe Samarasinghe Vidane Arachchige Cham , Bekele Dawit , Naidu Ravi
Published: February 2024

Petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) contamination is a widespread and severe environmental issue affecting many countries’ resource sectors. PHCs are mixtures of hydrocarbon compounds with varying molar masses that naturally attenuate at different rates. Lighter fractions attenuate first, followed by medium-molar-mass constituents, while larger molecules remain for longer periods. This results in significant regulatory challenges concerning residual hydrocarbons in long-term contaminated soils. This study examined the potential risks associated with residual PHC and its implications for risk-based management of heavily contaminated soils (23,000–26,000 mg PHC/kg). Ecotoxicological properties, such as seedling emergence and growth of two native plant species—small Flinders grass (Iseilema membranaceum) and ruby saltbush (Enchylaena tomentosa)—and earthworm survival tests in PHC-contaminated soils, were assessed. Additionally, the effects of aging on the attenuation of PHC in contaminated soils were evaluated. Toxicity responses of plant growth parameters were determined as no-observed-effect concentrations: 75%–100% for seedling emergence, < 25%–75% for plant shoot height, and 75%–100% for earthworm survival. After 42 weeks of aging, the total PHC levels in weathered soils decreased by 14% to 30% and by 67% in diesel-spiked soil due to natural attenuation. Dehydrogenase enzyme activity in soils increased during the initial aging period. Furthermore, a clear shift of bacterial communities was observed in the soils following aging, including enrichment of PHC-resistant and -utilizing bacteria—for example, Nocardia sp. This study underscores the potential of natural attenuation for eco-friendly and cost-effective soil management, underlining that its success depends on site-specific factors like water content and nutrient availability. Therefore, we recommend detailed soil assessments to evaluate these conditions prior to adopting a risk-based management approach.
It starts at home: non-economic factors influencing consumer acceptance of battery storage in Australia
Authors: McCarthy Breda , Liu Hongbo
Published: February 2024

Homeowners play a critical role in the uptake of low-carbon technologies, yet little is known about the factors that underlie market acceptance of residential battery storage. This research integrates social–psychological, demographic and behavioural factors into a holistic model that predicts market acceptance. Previous research has indicated that social factors play a crucial role in the adoption of rooftop solar. Still, the influence of subjective norms on battery storage, a relatively invisible technology, has yet to be fully understood. An online survey from homeowners in Australia, a mature renewable energy market, is used to provide insights into market acceptance that are relevant to international energy markets. A two-step econometric model, using factor analysis and ordered logistic regression, was used for data analysis. The results show that subjective norms, moral emotions and an environmental self-identity are positively associated with market acceptance. Demographic factors, such as younger age and higher levels of education, predict market acceptance. Motives such as technical interest, autarky and load-shifting behaviours are also relevant. Several recommendations for policymakers and practitioners are offered to improve the acceptance of battery storage, including interventions that exploit social parameters and appeal to consumer psychology.
Genetic Appraisal of RAAS-Associated SNPs: REN (rs16853055), AGT (rs3789678) and ACE (rs4305) in Preeclamptic Women Living with HIV Infection
Authors: Govindsamy Annelene , Singh Shoohana , Naicker Thajasvarie
Published: February 2024

Purpose of Review

The primary goal of this review article was to determine whether the three RAAS-associated SNPs, Renin-rs16853055, AGT-rs3789678 and ACE-rs4305 are genetically linked to the development of hypertension in preeclampsia. The secondary goal was to establish if there was a link between these SNPs and HIV infection.

Recent Findings

There is a paucity of findings related to the aforementioned SNPs and preeclampsia. There are no recent findings on the rs16853055 renin polymorphism. The rs3789678 angiotensinogen polymorphism correlated significantly with gestational hypertension. The rs4305 ACE polymorphism showed no significant association with the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

There are conflicting findings when determining the relationship between ethnicity and the predisposition of preeclampsia and hypertension in relation to the discussed RAAS-associated SNPs. To date, the association between RAAS-associated SNPs and preeclamptic women co-morbid with HIV in South Africa has revealed that certain alleles of the AGT gene are more prominent in HIV-infected PE compared to normotensive pregnant HIV-infected women.
Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice Generates Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease Related Protein Pathology that Correlates with Neurobehavioral Deficits
Authors: Panayi Nicholas , Schulz Philip , He Ping , Hanna Brandon , Lifshitz Jonathan , Rowe Rachel K. , Sierks Michael R.
Published: February 2024

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases the long-term risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we demonstrate that protein variant pathology generated in brain tissue of an experimental TBI mouse model is similar to protein variant pathology observed during early stages of AD, and that subacute accumulation of AD associated variants of amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau in the TBI mouse model correlated with behavioral deficits. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to midline fluid percussion injury or to sham injury, after which sensorimotor function (rotarod, neurological severity score), cognitive deficit (novel object recognition), and affective deficits (elevated plus maze, forced swim task) were assessed post-injury (DPI). Protein pathology at 7, 14, and 28 DPI was measured in multiple brain regions using an immunostain panel of reagents selectively targeting different neurodegenerative disease-related variants of Aβ, tau, TDP-43, and alpha-synuclein. Overall, TBI resulted in sensorimotor deficits and accumulation of AD-related protein variant pathology near the impact site, both of which returned to sham levels by 14 DPI. Individual mice, however, showed persistent behavioral deficits and/or accumulation of toxic protein variants at 28 DPI. Behavioral outcomes of each mouse were correlated with levels of seven different protein variants in ten brain regions at specific DPI. Out of 21 significant correlations between protein variant levels and behavioral deficits, 18 were with variants of Aβ or tau. Correlations at 28 DPI were all between a single Aβ or tau variant, both of which are strongly associated with human AD cases. These data provide a direct mechanistic link between protein pathology resulting from TBI and the hallmarks of AD.
DBHC: Discrete Bayesian HMM Clustering
Authors: Budel Gabriel , Frasincar Flavius , Boekestijn David
Published: February 2024

Sequence data mining has become an increasingly popular research topic as the availability of data has grown rapidly over the past decades. Sequence clustering is a type of method within this field that is in high demand in the industry, but the sequence clustering problem is non-trivial and, as opposed to static cluster analysis, interpreting clusters of sequences is often difficult. Using Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), we propose the Discrete Bayesian HMM Clustering (DBHC) algorithm, an approach to clustering discrete sequences by extending a proven method for continuous sequences. The proposed algorithm is completely self-contained as it incorporates both the search for the number of clusters and the search for the number of hidden states in each cluster model in the parameter inference. We provide a working example and a simulation study to explain and showcase the capabilities of the DBHC algorithm. A case study illustrates how the hidden states in a mixture of HMMs can aid the interpretation task of a sequence cluster analysis. We conclude that the algorithm works well as it provides well-interpretable clusters for the considered application.
Community Health Navigators for Cancer Screening Among Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing Adults Who Use American Sign Language
Authors: Bergeron E. , Valdez R. , Moreland C. J. , Wang R. , Knight T. , Kushalnagar P.
Published: February 2024

Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing (DDBHH) individuals experience barriers to accessing cancer screening, including ineffective patient-physician communication when discussing screening recommendations. For other underserved communities, culturally and linguistically aligned community health navigators (CHNs) have been shown to improve cancer screening and care. A needs assessment study was conducted to identify barriers and gather recommendations for CHN training resources. A community-based participatory needs assessment was conducted from May 2022 to June 2022 using three focus groups. Eight were cancer survivors, six advocates/navigators, and three clinicians. All questions were semi-structured and covered screening barriers, observations or personal experiences, perceived usefulness of having a CHN to promote cancer screening adherence, and training resources that may be useful to American Sign Language (ASL)–proficient CHNs, who are also culturally and linguistically aligned. Out of 20 focus group participants, seven self-identified as persons of color. Data highlighted systemic, attitudinal, communication, and personal-level barriers as recurrent themes. The most frequently cited barrier was access to training that supports the role and competencies of CHNs, followed by cultural considerations, access to cancer guidelines in ASL, dialect diversity in sign language, and the health system itself. Unaddressed barriers can contribute to health disparities, such as lower preventive cancer screening rates amongst DDBHH individuals. The next step is to translate recommendations into actionable tasks for DDBHH CHN training programs. As a result, CHNs will be well-equipped to help DDBHH individuals navigate and overcome their unique barriers to cancer screening and healthcare access.