bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with increased risk of micronutrient inadequacy in children: The SENDO project
Authors: García-Blanco Lorena , de la O Víctor , Santiago Susana , Pouso Alba , Martínez-González Miguel Ángel , Martín-Calvo Nerea
Published: May 2023

Due to its rising prevalence, which parallels that of ultraprocessed food (UPF) consumption, inadequate micronutrient intake in childhood is a public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the association between UPF consumption and inadequate intake of 20 micronutrients in a sample of children from the Mediterranean area. Cross-sectional information from participants in the “Seguimiento del Niño para un Desarrollo Óptimo” (SENDO) project 2015–2021 was used. Dietary information was gathered with a previously validated 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and the NOVA system was used to classify food items. Children were classified by tertiles of energy intake from UPF. Twenty micronutrients were evaluated, and inadequate intake was defined using the estimated average requirement as a cutoff. Crude and multivariable adjusted OR (95% CI) for the inadequacy of ≥ 3 micronutrients associated with UPF consumption were calculated fitting hierarchical models to take into account intra-cluster correlation between siblings. Analyses were adjusted for individual and family confounders. This study included 806 participants (51% boys) with a mean age of 5 years old (SD: 0.90) and an average energy intake from UPF of 37.64% (SD: 9.59). An inverse association between UPF consumption and the intake of 15 out of the 20 micronutrients evaluated was found (p < 0.01). After the adjustment for individual and family confounders, compared with children in the first tertile of UPF consumption, those in the third tertile showed higher odds of inadequate intake of ≥ 3 micronutrients (OR 2.57; 95%CI [1.51–4.40]).

   Conclusion: High UPF consumption is associated with increased odds of inadequate intake of micronutrients in childhood.What is Known:• Micronutrient deficiency is among the 20 most important risk factors for disease and affect around two billion people worldwide.• UPF are rich in total fat, carbohydrates and added sugar, but poor in vitamins and minerals.What is New:• Compared with children in the 1sttertile of UPF consumption, those in the 3rdtertile had 2.57 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.51-4.40) of inadequate intake of ≥ 3 micronutrients after adjusting for potential confounders.• The adjusted proportions of children with inadequate intake of ≥ 3 micronutrients were 23%, 27% and 35% in the 1st,2nd, and 3rdtertiles of UPF consumption respectively.
Modeling and predicting mean indoor radon concentrations in Austria by generalized additive mixed models
Authors: Alber Oliver , Laubichler Christian , Baumann Sebastian , Gruber Valeria , Kuchling Sabrina , Schleicher Corina
Published: May 2023

Radon is a noble gas that occurs naturally as a decay product of uranium. Aside from smoking, radon is considered to be one of the major causes of lung cancer. Indoor environments, where radon can accumulate and potentially reach high concentrations, are of a particular concern. A mixed effects additive model along with a data-driven cross validation model selection method is applied to model the mean indoor radon concentration of dwellings in Austria. For this model a prediction approach is introduced, which enables the mapping of indoor radon potential to identify radon areas in Austria. The data used for modeling was collected in monitoring campaigns for private dwellings in Austria from 2013 to 2019. The proposed method allows policy makers to identify regions with high indoor radon concentrations and enables them to meet regulatory requirements or prioritize radon protection measures. The currently published Austrian radon map and the delineation of radon areas in Austria is based on this proposed method.
Effect of Characteristic Impedance in Estimating Specific Energy and Average Fragment Size at High Strain Rates of Some Peridotitic Rock Materials at Laboratory Scale
Authors: Ozoji Toochukwu , Zhang Zong-Xian , Adeyemi Aladejare , Qiao Yang , Chi Li-Yuang
Published: May 2023

In this study, the application of characteristic impedance in estimating specific energy and average fragment size of rocks was investigated during rock breakage at high strain rates. To achieve this, rock specimen was prepared in accordance with recommendations of the International Society for Rock Mechanics and broken at high strain rates using the split Hopkinson’s pressure bar system. Results reveal that although strain rate is well related to specific energy and average fragment size of broken rocks, the product of characteristic impedance and strain rate is more reliable for estimating the forementioned parameters. In addition, strain rate and dissipated energy generally increase at higher incident energies while the average fragment size of broken rocks reduces at higher strain rates. Based on these findings, more studies on indirect estimation of energy requirement for rock breakage to desired average fragment sizes is recommended from the product of characteristic impedance and strain rate.
Bioelectric networks: the cognitive glue enabling evolutionary scaling from physiology to mind
Authors: Levin Michael
Published: May 2023

Each of us made the remarkable journey from mere matter to mind: starting life as a quiescent oocyte (“just chemistry and physics”), and slowly, gradually, becoming an adult human with complex metacognitive processes, hopes, and dreams. In addition, even though we feel ourselves to be a unified, single Self, distinct from the emergent dynamics of termite mounds and other swarms, the reality is that all intelligence is collective intelligence: each of us consists of a huge number of cells working together to generate a coherent cognitive being with goals, preferences, and memories that belong to the whole and not to its parts. Basal cognition is the quest to understand how Mind scales—how large numbers of competent subunits can work together to become intelligences that expand the scale of their possible goals. Crucially, the remarkable trick of turning homeostatic, cell-level physiological competencies into large-scale behavioral intelligences is not limited to the electrical dynamics of the brain. Evolution was using bioelectric signaling long before neurons and muscles appeared, to solve the problem of creating and repairing complex bodies. In this Perspective, I review the deep symmetry between the intelligence of developmental morphogenesis and that of classical behavior. I describe the highly conserved mechanisms that enable the collective intelligence of cells to implement regulative embryogenesis, regeneration, and cancer suppression. I sketch the story of an evolutionary pivot that repurposed the algorithms and cellular machinery that enable navigation of morphospace into the behavioral navigation of the 3D world which we so readily recognize as intelligence. Understanding the bioelectric dynamics that underlie construction of complex bodies and brains provides an essential path to understanding the natural evolution, and bioengineered design, of diverse intelligences within and beyond the phylogenetic history of Earth.
Prognostic factors associated with the transition in treatment methods for brain metastases from colorectal cancer
Authors: Imaizumi Jun , Shida Dai , Boku Narikazu , Igaki Hiroshi , Itami Jun , Miyakita Yasuji , Narita Yoshitaka , Takashima Atsuo , Kanemitsu Yukihide
Published: May 2023

Background

Treatment of brain metastases (BMs) from colorectal cancer (CRC) has transitioned with the expansion of indications for stereotactic radiotherapy. Our study aimed to assess changes in prognosis and prognostic factors associated with changes in treatment for BMs from CRC.

Methods

We retrospectively surveyed treatments for and outcomes of BMs from CRC in 208 patients treated during 1997–2018. Patients were divided into two groups according to time of BM diagnosis, i.e., 1997–2013 (“first period”) and 2014–2018 (“second period”). We compared overall survival between the periods and assessed how the transition impacted prognostic factors affecting overall survival, including the following prognostic factors such as Karnofsky performance status (KPS), volume-related factors (BM number and diameter), and BM treatment modalities as covariates.

Results

Of the 208 patients, 147 were treated in the first period and 61 in the second period. Whole-brain radiotherapy use decreased from 67 to 39% in the second period, and stereotactic radiotherapy use increased from 30 to 62%. Median survival after BM diagnosis improved from 6.1 to 8.5 months (p = 0.0272). Multivariate analysis revealed KPS, control of primary tumor, stereotactic radiotherapy use, and chemotherapy history as independent prognostic factors during the entire observation period. Hazard ratios of KPS, primary tumor control, and stereotactic radiotherapy were higher in the second period, whereas prognostic impact of chemotherapy history before BM diagnosis was similar in both periods.

Conclusion

Overall survival of patients with BMs from CRC improved since 2014, which can be attributed to advances in chemotherapy and the more widespread use of stereotactic radiotherapy.
Learner identity in secondary post-compulsory education students from Areas in Need of Social Transformation: an example of resilience
Authors: Cubero-Pérez R. , Cubero M. , Matías-García J. A. , Bascón M. J.
Published: May 2023

Achieving adequate integration and success at school in the post-compulsory stages involving situations where there is a risk of social exclusion is a real identity challenge for adolescents. In this research, we used a convenience sampling and selected two high schools located in Areas in Need of Social Transformation in Seville (southern Spain). We studied the learner identity of all their students in the first and second grade of secondary post-compulsory education (N = 70). These students present a trajectory of resilience, as they remained in the education system despite facing many difficulties. In this exploratory research, their identity as learners was analysed through an interview applied in a focus group format (N = 12), where their supports, strengths and psycho-social obstacles that facilitate/hinder their stay in the education system in the post-compulsory stage were also identified. Results show that adolescents have a good attitude towards academic training, based on the conviction that, in the future, they will be able to achieve a higher quality of life and a rapid insertion in skilled jobs. The image students have of themselves combines a negative perception of their lack of work habits, the difficulty of self-regulation and the little effort made, with a more positive view of their agency in the process, highlighting their intellectual and academic capacity and their effort when they set out to do so. Family, teachers and peers play a role in the resilience and identity construction of the adolescents, through protecting them, developing positive perceptions and expectations, stimulating control and effort and attributing successes and failures to students. Programmes based on the participation of the target group are essential for the design and improvement of psychosocial intervention programmes in these contexts.
From low-level programming to full-fledged industrial model-based development: the story of the Rubus Component Model
Authors: Bucaioni Alessio , Ciccozzi Federico , Di Salle Amleto , Sjödin Mikael
Published: May 2023

Developing distributed real-time systems is a complex task that has historically entailed specialized handcraft. In this paper, we propose a retrospective on the (r)evolutionary changes that led to the transition from low-level programming to industrial full-fledged model-based development embodied by the Rubus Component Model and its tool-ecosystem. We focus on the needs, challenges, and solutions of a 15-year-long evolution journey of a software development approach that has gone from low-level and manual programming to a highly automated environment offering modeling, analysis, and development of vehicular software systems with multi-criticality for deployment on single- and multi-core platforms.
Reducing incompatibility in a local AHP-group decision making context
Authors: Aguarón Juan , Escobar María Teresa , Moreno-Jiménez José María
Published: May 2023

In the context of local analytic hierarchy process-group decision making (AHP-GDM), this paper presents a theoretical framework and a semi-automatic procedure for reducing incompatibility between the actors involved in the decision making process and the collective position. The row geometric mean is employed as the prioritisation procedure and the geometric compatibility index ($$\textrm{GCOMPI}$$
GCOMPI
) as the incompatibility measure; individual pairwise comparison matrices are considered as the input of the reduction process, whilst the collective vector is the output. The reduction is attained by slightly modifying, in relative terms, the judgements of the collective pairwise comparison matrix, irrespective of the method used to obtain it, that further improve the $$\textrm{GCOMPI}$$
GCOMPI
. The resulting judgements of the collective matrix and the associated collective priorities are close to the initial collective values. The procedure does not modify the judgements of the initial individual matrices and this simplifies the process of reaching consensus. A simulation analysis is utilised to study the performance of the algorithm along with an illustrative numerical example. The analysis proves that the proposed algorithm is easy to implement and efficient, it provides mathematically closed results and significantly reduces the $$\textrm{GCOMPI}$$
GCOMPI
associated with the precise consistency consensus matrix which is one of the AHP-GDM tools. The framework allows the procedure to be adapted to specific interests.
Factors Explaining the Schooling of Children Under 3 Years of Age: Evidence from Spain
Authors: Villar-Aldonza Adriano , Mancebón María-Jesús , Sancho José-María Gómez-
Published: May 2023

This study investigates the reasons behind the decision to send children aged under three to ECEC (Early Childhood Education and Care) and the causes that may explain why some families send their child to ECEC once they reach the age of two while others decide to do so at an earlier age. To answer the first question posed a probit model is used, while to answer the second query a Heckprobit model is estimated to take into account possible selection bias. The data for this study was taken from an unpublished database compiled by the Spanish National Institute for Educational Evaluation, which gathers information from 1.166 children schooled in the Infant Education stage. The results of our estimations show that the decision to enroll children under three in ECEC services depends fundamentally on the sociodemographic characteristics of the mother (educational level, employment situation and age), on household size (if it is a large family) and on the availability of ECEC services in the area in which the child lives. Our study has also shown that the only variable regarding factors that explain the differences in the age of access to ECEC services, two or under two, is the importance that parents place on their children developing empathy towards others. On the basis of our results, the study offers recommendations aimed at the progressive universalization of this initial educational stage.
Genomic prediction of agronomic and malting quality traits in six-rowed winter barley
Authors: Charmet G. , Pin P. A. , Schmitt M. , Leroy N. , Claustres B. , Burt C. , Genty A.
Published: May 2023

While two-rowed barley is usually preferred for malting and beer-making, six-rowed malting barley varieties appeared in Europe around 30 years ago, and several breeders have dedicated improvement programs on this specific germplasm. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of genomic prediction for yield and malting related traits using 679 breeding lines from two French barley breeders, as well as a set of recently registered varieties. These lines were evaluated in five locations and two harvest years in an unbalanced design. Although the germplasm from the two breeders does show some trend towards differentiation, globally the whole panel did not show a clear-cut genetic structure. Predictive ability of GBLUP was evaluated through random cross-validation within and across breeder sets, and using cross-prediction between breeder sets. Results show moderate to high predictive ability (PA), particularly for malt friability and β-glucan content, for which predictive ability of 0.8 was obtained with training populations as small as 105 registered varieties and across breeding sets. The long range of useful linkage disequilibrium in this particular germplasm allows using as few as 2000 to 5000 markers to obtain high PA. Other prediction methods such as Bayesian LASSO, Bayes Cpi or EGBLUP did not improve predictive ability. These results are very encouraging for implementing genomic prediction of malting quality traits in applied breeding programs.
Warp-knitted fabric structures for a novel biomimetic artificial intervertebral disc for the cervical spine
Authors: Jacobs Celien A. M. , Abdelgawad Abdelrahman M. , Jockenhoevel Stefan , Ito Keita , Ghazanfari Samaneh
Published: May 2023

As an attempt to better replicate the complex kinematics of a natural disc, a novel biomimetic artificial intervertebral disc replacement (bioAID) has been developed containing a swelling hydrogel core as nucleus pulposus, a fiber jacket as annulus fibrosus and metal endplates to connect the device to the adjacent vertebrae. The first prototype consisted of a weft-knitted fiber jacket, in which only a single fiber was used to create the jacket structure. This can endanger the structural integrity of the complete device upon yarn damage. Therefore, in this study, several warp-knitted textile structures were assessed to (1) ensure structural integrity, (2) while allowing for swelling constraint of the hydrogel and (3) behaving as one integrated unit similar to the natural IVD. Moreover, the fiber jacket should (4) act as a scaffold that allows bone ingrowth to ensure long-term stability and (5) have a good durability, (6) be wear resistant and (7) have good manufacturing feasibility with good quality control. In this study, 4 different stitch patterns, including 2 × 1 and 1 × 1 lapping with and without a pillar stitch, were produced. The effect of the stitch pattern and stitch density on the fabric mechanical properties and device swelling and compressive strength was assessed. As a next step, the effect of using multiple layers of fabrics, mimicking the layered structure of annulus fibrosus, on the functional capacity of the bioAID was characterized. All textile structures were capable of limiting the swelling of the hydrogel while withstanding its internal pressure and showing sufficient wear resistance. However, only the 2 × 1 and 2 × 1 with pillar stitch had a pore size range that was suitable for cell infiltration to facilitate osseointegration as well as having the highest strength of the complete device to ensure safety under compression loading. Incorporating different number of jacket layers of these two stitch patterns did not show any significant effect. When also taking the structural parameters into consideration, the 2 × 1 lapping design with 4 layers was able to constrain hydrogel swelling, provide a high compressive strength, could facilitate cell infiltration and had dimensions within the range of a natural intervertebral disc.
Oxidation properties of complex concentrated alloys FeAlCrV and FeAlCrMo
Authors: Jača Eliška , Hotař Adam , Pešička Josef , Minárik Peter
Published: May 2023

Complex concentrated alloys (CCAs) are attracting considerable interest due to their potential applications under extreme conditions. This study focuses on two complex concentrated alloys, the FeAlCrV and the FeAlCrMo alloys, which already exhibited exceptional mechanical properties at high temperatures. In this regard, room temperature corrosion resistance and high-temperature oxidation were studied to investigate their potential applicability in harsh environments. It is shown that the corrosion resistance of both CCAs is much higher than that of AISI 304 and P91 steels in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution, while in 3.5% NaCl solution was comparable. On the contrary, high-temperature oxidation of CCAs was unsatisfactory, especially exceeding 700 °C. The intensive analysis of the formed oxide scales revealed that the protective oxide layer is not being formed at temperatures above 700 °C, primarily because of the occurrence of vanadium corrosion (FeAlCrV) and evaporation of Mo oxides (FeAlCrMo). The results of this study unambiguously showed the importance of studying oxidation properties at high temperatures parallel with the mechanical properties for the development of CCAs for cutting-edge technical applications.
Improving Reproductive Health Communication Between Providers and Women Affected by Homelessness and Substance Use in San Francisco: Results from a Community-Informed Workshop
Authors: Wingo Erin E. , Newmann Sara J. , Borne Deborah E. , Shapiro Brad J. , Seidman Dominika L.
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Many cisgender women affected by homelessness and substance use desire pregnancy and parenthood. Provider discomfort with patient-centered counseling about reproductive choices and supporting reproductive decisions of these women poses barriers to reproductive healthcare access.

Methods

We used participatory research methods to develop a half-day workshop for San Francisco-based medical and social service providers to improve reproductive counseling of women experiencing homelessness and/or who use substances. Guided by a stakeholder group comprising cisgender women with lived experience and providers, goals of the workshop included increasing provider empathy, advancing patient-centered reproductive health communication, and eliminating extraneous questions in care settings that perpetuate stigma. We used pre/post surveys to evaluate acceptability and effects of the workshop on participants’ attitudes and confidence in providing reproductive health counseling. We repeated surveys one month post-event to investigate lasting effects.

Results

Forty-two San Francisco-based medical and social service providers participated in the workshop. Compared to pre-test, post-test scores indicated reduced biases about: childbearing among unhoused women (p < 0.01), parenting intentions of pregnant women using substances (p = 0.03), and women not using contraception while using substances (p < 0.01). Participants also expressed increased confidence in how and when to discuss reproductive aspirations (p < 0.01) with clients. At one month, 90% of respondents reported the workshop was somewhat or very beneficial to their work, and 65% reported increased awareness of personal biases when working with this patient population.

Conclusions for Practice

A half-day workshop increased provider empathy and improved provider confidence in reproductive health counseling of women affected by homelessness and substance use.
Parameter estimation of two coupled oscillator model for pure intrinsic thermo-acoustic instability
Authors: Wildemans Roeland , Kornilov Viktor , Lopez Arteaga Ines
Published: May 2023

A nonlinear phenomenological model of two coupled oscillators is proposed, which is able to describe the rich nonlinear behaviour stemming from an unstable pure intrinsic thermo-acoustic (ITA) mode of a simple combustion system. In an experimental bifurcation analysis of a pure ITA mode, it was observed that for increasing mean upstream velocity the flames loose stability through a supercritical Hopf bifurcation and subsequently exhibit limit cycle, quasi-periodic and period-2 limit cycle oscillations. The quasi-periodic oscillations were characterised by low frequent amplitude and frequency modulation. It is shown that a phenomenological model consisting of two coupled oscillators is able to reproduce qualitatively all the different experimentally observed regimes. This model consists of a nonlinear Van der Pol oscillator and a linear damped oscillator, which are nonlinearly coupled to each other. Furthermore, a parameter estimation of the model parameters is conducted, which reveals a good quantitative match between the model response and the experimental data. Hence, the presented phenomenological dynamical model accurately describes the nonlinear self-excited acoustic behaviour of premixed flames and provides a promising model structure for nonlinear time-domain flame models.
Associations between PBMC whole genome transcriptome, muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance in healthy home-dwelling older women
Authors: de Sousa Ana R. S. , Ottestad Inger , Gjevestad Gyrd O. , Holven Kirsten B. , Ulven Stine M. , Christensen Jacob J.
Published: May 2023

Increasing age is accompanied by many changes, including declining functional skeletal muscle health and immune dysfunction. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are circulating cells that assemble an immune response, but their whole genome transcriptome has not been studied in the context of age-related muscle health. Consequently, this article explored associations between three muscle variables indicative of functional muscle health — maximum handgrip strength (muscle strength), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI, muscle mass), and gait speed (physical performance) — and two groups of bioinformatics-generated PBMC gene expression features (gene expression–estimated leukocyte subset proportions and gene clusters). We analyzed cross-sectional data from 95 home-dwelling healthy women ≥ 70 years, using “cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts” (CIBERSORT) to estimate leukocyte subset proportions and “weighted correlation network analysis” (WGCNA) to generate gene clusters. Associations were studied using linear regression models and relevant gene clusters were subjected to gene set enrichment analysis using gene ontology. Gait speed and ASMI associated with CIBERSORT-estimated monocyte proportions (β =  − 0.090, 95% CI = (− 0.146, − 0.034), p-value = 0.002 for gait speed, and β =  − 0.206, 95% CI = (− 0.385, − 0.028), p-value = 0.024 for ASMI), and gait speed associated with CIBERSORT-estimated M2 macrophage proportions (β =  − 0.026, 95% CI = (− 0.043, − 0.008), p-value = 0.004). Furthermore, maximum handgrip strength associated with nine WGCNA gene clusters, enriched in processes related to immune function and skeletal muscle cells (β in the range − 0.007 to 0.008, p-values < 0.05). These results illustrate interactions between skeletal muscle and the immune system, supporting the notion that age-related functional muscle health and the immune system are closely linked.
Solidification Principle in Large Vertical Steel Casting Under the EMS Effect
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Wu Menghuai , Zhang Haijie , Hahn Susanne , Wimmer Franz , Ludwig Andreas , Kharicha Abdellah
Published: May 2023

The surging demand for large high-quality rotor shafts or similar steel components in heavy industries (energy sector) poses new challenges to steelmakers. Based on the experience of conventional ingot and continuous casting, several new process concepts have been proposed, e.g., vertical continuous casting (VCC), semi-continuous casting (SCC), and segment casting (SC), but none of them are optimally put in operation. The main problems include the control of the as-cast structure and macrosegregation. Electromagnetic stirring (EMS) is necessary to obtain the center equiaxed zone, but EMS-induced multiphase flow can cause severe macrosegregation and uneven distribution of the as-cast structure between equiaxed and columnar. In this study, an advanced mixed columnar-equiaxed solidification model was used to investigate the formation of the as-cast structure and macrosegregation in an example of SCC with a large format (diameter 1 m). The main role of EMS is to create crystal fragments by fragmentation, which is regarded in this work as the only origin of equiaxed grains. The created equiaxed grains are brought by the EMS-induced (primary and secondary) flow and gravity-induced sedimentation to the central/lower part of the casting. The main goal of this study was to understand the solidification principle of SCC. In addition, a numerical parameter study by varying the EMS parameters was also performed to demonstrate the model capability towards the process optimization of SCC.
Investigations on Vibrational Interpretations of Bubbles in Metal-Making Processes
Authors: Rigas Konstantinos , Willers Bernd , Eckert Sven , Glaser Björn
Published: May 2023

Vibration measurements were carried out using highly sensitive accelerometers in an experimental ladle integrated into the LIMMCAST (Liquid Metal Model for Steel Casting) facility at HZDR. The model is operated with liquid Sn–40 wt pctBi alloy at 200 °C, whose physical properties are close to those of molten steel. Three accelerometers were attached to the outer wall of the LIMMCAST vessel to record the vibrations caused by the argon bubble flow in the liquid metal at different process parameters. The results obtained at the liquid metal experiments differ from those reported for water models where the relationship between root mean square (RMS) value of the vibration amplitude and the gas flow rate follows different curve shapes. Furthermore, the results of vibration measurements in the LIMMCAST model are compared with vibration measurements in a steel plant during vacuum degassing. The comparison of the RMS data shows a fairly good agreement. This indicates that the vibrations in both the industrial process and the laboratory model are caused by the same physical mechanisms, and thus, the vibration behavior in an industrial steelmaking ladle can be reproduced quite well by suitable liquid metal models. These studies on bubble flows can help to improve the understanding of industrial stirring processes and thus contribute to a better process control.
Spatio-temporal patterns and trends of the air pollution integrating MERRA-2 and in situ air quality data over Egypt (2013–2021)
Authors: Masoud Alaa A.
Published: May 2023

For best-informed decision-making to improve climate change adaptation and reduce present and future air pollution health hazards, it is essential to identify major trends in spatiotemporal air quality patterns of common air contaminants. This study examined the patterns and trends of SO2, NO2, CO, O3, and particulate matter (PM) air pollutants over 91 monitoring stations in Egypt during 93 months in the August (2013)–April (2021) period. In situ data with their monthly, seasonal, and yearly spatial trends are defined and used to validate the counterpart satellite reanalysis MERRA-2 data. The Mann–Kendall test characterized the seasonal monotonic trends and their Sen’s slope, and annual change rate for both data series. Regression analysis of MERRA-2 against in situ concentrations of SO2 and PM10 revealed underestimation with RMSE values of 13.38 g m−3 and 69.46 g m−3, respectively. Local plumes with variable magnitudes characterized distinct industrial places clarified by patterns of in situ pollutants. As a result of the COVID-19 lockdown, the in situ air pollutants showed a considerable regional decline in the yearly average in 2020 compared to the years before. The in situ air pollutants showed annual trends far more significant than those seen in the MERRA-2 data. The shortcomings of the few and spatiotemporal discontinuities of the in situ contaminants are addressed by MERRA-2 air quality products. The in situ data made trends and magnitudes clear that were hidden in their MERRA-2 counterparts. The results clarified air pollution patterns, trends, and spatial variability over Egypt that are essential for climate risk management and for reducing environmental/health concerns.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of non-APAP drug-induced acute liver failure: a large multicenter cohort study
Authors: Han Lin , Huang Ang , Chen Jinjun , Teng Guangju , Sun Ying , Chang Binxia , Liu Hong-Li , Xu Manman , Lan Xiaoqin , Liang Qingsheng , Zhao Jun , Tian Hui , Chen Songhai , Zhu Yun , Xie Huan , Dang Tong , Wang Jing , Li Ning , Wang Xiaoxia , Chen Yu , Yang Yong-Feng , Ji Dong , Zou Zhengsheng
Published: May 2023

Background

There is growing recognition of natural history, complications, and outcomes of patients who develop non-acetaminophen (APAP) drug-induced acute liver failure (ALF). To clarify high-risk factors and develop a nomogram model to predict transplant-free survival (TFS) in patients with non-APAP drug-induced ALF.

Methods

Patients with non-APAP drug-induced ALF from 5 participating centers were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was 21-day TFS. Total sample size was 482 patients.

Results

Regarding causative agents, the most common implicated drugs were herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) (57.0%). The hepatocellular type (R ≥ 5) was the main liver injury pattern (69.0%). International normalized ratio, hepatic encephalopathy grades, the use of vasopressor, N-acetylcysteine, or artificial liver support system were associated with TFS and incorporated to construct a nomogram model (drug-induced acute liver failure-5, DIALF-5). The AUROC of DIALF-5 for 7-day, 21-day, 60-day, and 90-day TFS in the internal cohort were 0.886, 0.915, 0.920, and 0.912, respectively. Moreover, the AUROC of DIALF-5 for 21-day TFS had the highest AUROC, which was significantly higher than 0.725 of MELD and 0.519 of KCC (p < 0.05), numerically higher than 0.905 of ALFSG-PI but without statistical difference (p > 0.05). These results were successfully validated in the external cohort (147 patients).

Conclusions

Based on easily identifiable clinical data, the novel DIALF-5 model was developed to predict transplant-free survival in non-APAP drug-induced ALF, which was superior to KCC, MELD and had a similar prediction performance to ALFSG-PI but is more convenient, which can directly calculate TFS at multiple time points.
Indigenous Green Microalgae for Wastewater Treatment: Nutrient Removal and Resource Recovery for Biofuels and Bioproducts
Authors: Umetani Ikumi , Sposób Michał , Tiron Olga
Published: May 2023

Microalgae biotechnology can strengthen circular economy concepts in the wastewater treatment sector. This study investigated the Norwegian microalgae strains of Tetradesmus wisconsinensis, Lobochlamys segnis, and Klebsormidium flaccidum for their efficiency in nutrient removal. Their biomass productivity and compositions were evaluated for bioenergy and bi-products development. In the laboratory batch experiment with synthetic municipal wastewater, all strains accomplished total removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. L. segnis removed all NH4+ and PO43− (initial concentration of 28 and 15 mg/L, respectively) earliest among others. T. wisconsinensis biomass was superior in total carbohydrates content (40%) and fatty acid profile that imply biorefinery potential. The fatty acid (TFA) content was the highest in L. segnis (193 ± 12 mg/g dry cells), while K. flaccidum accumulated fatty acids that consisted largely of polyunsaturated fatty acids (82% of TFA). The highest protein level was measured in K. flaccidum (53%). Observed variations in biomass components can be used for a strategic production of targeted compound in resource recovery scenarios for biofuel generation.

Graphical Abstract
Incidence and Risk Factors for Dysphagia Following Cerebellar Stroke: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Huang Li , Wang Yunlu , Sun Jikang , Zhu Lequn , Liu Jimin , Wu Yuwei , Shan Chunlei , Yan Juntao , Wan Ping
Published: May 2023

The cerebellum is known to play a supportive role in swallowing-related functions; however, wide discrepancies about the incidence rate of swallowing disorders following cerebellar strokes exist within the literature. This study aimed to investigate the incidence rate of dysphagia and the factors which may affect the presence of dysphagia and clinical recovery in individuals diagnosed with cerebellar stroke. A retrospective chart audit of 1651 post-stroke patients (1049 males and 602 females) admitted with a cerebellar stroke to a comprehensive tertiary hospital in China was conducted. Data on demographics, medical, along with swallowing function assessment were collected. Differences between dysphagic and non-dysphagic groups were evaluated using t-tests and Pearson’s chi-square test. Univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to establish factors associated with the presence of dysphagia. A total of 11.45% of participants were identified with dysphagia during inpatient admission. Individuals with mixed types of stroke, multiple lesions in the cerebellum, and ages older than 85 years old were more likely to develop dysphagia. Moreover, the prognosis of dysphagia following a cerebellar stroke was associated with lesions in different parts of the cerebellum. The cumulative recovery rates from the best to worse were the right hemisphere group, the cerebellum vermis or peduncle group, and both the hemisphere group and the left hemisphere group, respectively.
What determines FinTech success?—A taxonomy-based analysis of FinTech success factors
Authors: Werth Oliver , Cardona Davinia Rodríguez , Torno Albert , Breitner Michael H. , Muntermann Jan
Published: May 2023

Value creation in the financial services sector has been fundamentally transformed by digitally born financial technology (FinTech) companies. FinTech companies synthesize information systems with financial services. Given its disruptive power, the FinTech phenomenon has received great attention in academic research, practice, and media. Still, limited systematic research provides a structure and holistic view of FinTechs’ success. Aiming to enhance understanding of the factors enabling FinTech success, we classify success factors across extant scientific literature on distinct FinTech business model archetypes. Our analysis reveals that the “cost–benefit dynamic of the innovation,” “technology adoption,” “security, privacy, and transparency,” “user trust,” “user-perceived quality,” and “industry rivalry” are crucial factors for FinTech success and can be seen as “grand challenges” for the FinTech ecosystem. In addition, we validate and discuss our findings with real-world examples from the FinTech industry and two interviews with stakeholders from the FinTech ecosystem. Our study contributes to the knowledge of FinTechs by providing a classification system of success factors for practitioners and researchers.
Compatibility promotion for standard development within shared platforms: A rising tide does not lift all boats
Authors: Lindgren Rikard , Saadatmand Fatemeh , Schultze Ulrike
Published: May 2023

Selective promotion entails the exploitation of resources offered by individual complementors to improve a proprietary platform’s competitive position. However, as governance decisions to endorse a particular complementor are made unilaterally, such promotion is less suitable for shared platforms that are ultimately owned and managed by an ecosystem of heterogeneous, autonomous complementors. We explore compatibility promotion, which involves screening a shared stock of infrastructural resources and making a choice as to which complementor to promote in light of the capabilities the platform seeks to develop. Based on a longitudinal study of a shared platform that evolved around a new technology standard in the Swedish road haulage industry, we explicate how elevating one complementor over others unsettled the governance of the platform and denied the promoted complementors the opportunity to generate the kind of value that their elevated status implicitly promised. This made the platform better off at the expense of the promoted complementor. Our surprising insight lets us theorize why compatibility promotion in shared platforms renders outcomes opposite to those of selective promotion in proprietary platforms.
Ohmic dissipation impact on flow of Casson-Williamson fluid over a slippery surface through a porous medium
Authors: Abbas W. , Megahed Ahmed M. , Ibrahim M. A. , Said Ahmed A. M.
Published: May 2023

Through the investigation, in this work, we focused at the steady flow of a Casson-Williamson fluid due to an stretchable, impenetrable sheet with Ohmic dissipation. It is assumed that the impermeable stretched sheet is incorporated into a porous media and has a rough surface. The porous media through which the non-Newtonian fluid is flowing are supposed to obey Darcy’s law. Magnetic and electric fields’ impacts are considered. We investigate how the process of heat transfer is affected by viscous dissipation and varying thermal conductivity. On the basis of a little magnetic Reynolds number, the controlling basic equations are represented by a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The shooting technique is used to get a numerical solution for this system, which controls both the temperature and velocity fields. Graphical representations of the impact of various parameters on the velocity and temperature profiles are shown. Regarding the significant results, we note that the local electric parameter tends to improve both the velocity and temperature fields, while the porous parameter, Casson parameter and slip velocity parameter decrease the velocity profiles.
Thermal Disposal of Post-processing Water Derived from the Hydrothermal Carbonization Process of Sewage Sludge
Authors: Czerwińska Klaudia , Śliz Maciej , Wilk Małgorzata
Published: May 2023

Hydrothermal carbonization is a suitable method for sewage sludge management due to great improvements in its dewaterability and the successful application of its solid product, hydrochar, in different sectors. However, the resulting liquid product requires special treatment due to the amount of undesirable compounds it contains. The main purpose of this work is to study the use of distillation as a method of post-processing liquid purification. In addition, the influence of vacuum depth on the properties of liquid products was investigated. A number of chemical and physical parameters were determined to confirm the validity of this treatment method: TOC, COD, total nitrogen Kjeldahl content, ammonium nitrogen content, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, selected heavy metals content and phenol index. Distillation under atmospheric pressure caused reductions in the following parameters: COD, TOC, phenol index, heavy metals, chlorine by more than 90%: removal of 95% COD and TOC, 99.5% of PO4-P, 93% of Phenol, over 90% of heavy metals, and over 97% of free and total chlorine. In the case of distillation under -0.3 bar pressure, the following reductions were obtained: 97% of COD, 98% of TOC, 99.9% of PO4-P, 94% of Phenol, c.a. 98% of heavy metals, and more than 98% of free and total chlorine. Decreasing the pressure to − 0.5 bar did not producee any significant effects as the results were similar to distillation under atmospheric pressure. Both methods, distillation and distillation under lower pressures, can be used as an appropriate method of post-processing water utilization.

Graphical Abstract
Network structures of urban ride-pooling problems and their properties
Authors: Bujak Michal , Kucharski Rafal
Published: May 2023

Travellers, when sharing their rides in a so-called ride-pooling system, form complex networks. Despite being the algorithmic backbone to the ride-pooling problems, the shareability graphs have not been explicitly analysed yet. Here, we formalise them, study their properties and analyse relations between topological properties and expected ride-pooling performance. We introduce and formalise two representations at the two crucial stages of pooling analysis. On the NYC dataset, we run two simulations with the link generation formulas. One is when we increase discount offered to the travellers for shared rides (our control variable) and observe the phase transition. In the second, we replicate the non-deterministic behaviour of travellers in ride-pooling. This way, we generate probabilistic, weighted networks. We observed a strong correlation between the topological properties of ride-pooling networks and the system performance. Introduced class of networks paves the road to applying the network science methods to a variety of ride-pooling problems, like virus spreading, optimal pricing or stability analysis.
Fractal approaches to scaling transformations to sustainability
Authors: O’Brien Karen , Carmona Rosario , Gram-Hanssen Irmelin , Hochachka Gail , Sygna Linda , Rosenberg Milda
Published: May 2023

Responses to sustainability challenges are not delivering results at the scale and speed called for by science, international agreements, and concerned citizens. Yet there is a tendency to underestimate the large-scale impacts of small-scale, local, and contextualized actions, and particularly the role of individuals in scaling transformations. Here, we explore a fractal approach to scaling sustainability transformations based on “universal values.” Universal values are proposed as intrinsic characteristics that connect humans and nature in a coherent, acausal way. Drawing on the Three Spheres of Transformation framework, we consider how enacting universal values can generate fractal-like patterns of sustainability that repeat recursively across scales. Fractal approaches shift the focus from scaling through “things” (e.g., technologies, behaviors, projects) to scaling through a quality of agency based on values that apply to all. We discuss practical steps involved in fractal approaches to scaling transformations to sustainability, provide examples, and conclude with questions for future research.
SerpinB3 as hepatic marker of post-resective shear stress
Authors: Gringeri Enrico , Villano Gianmarco , Brocco Silvia , Polacco Marina , Calabrese Fiorella , Sacerdoti David , Cillo Umberto , Pontisso Patrizia
Published: May 2023

Post-resective liver failure is a frequent complication of liver surgery and it is due to portal hyperperfusion of the remnant liver and to arterial vasoconstriction, as buffer response of the hepatic artery. In this context, splenectomy allows a reduction of portal flow and increases the survival chance in preclinical models. SerpinB3 is over-expressed in the liver in oxidative stress conditions, as a mechanism of cell defense to provide survival by apoptosis inhibition and cell proliferation. In this study, the expression of SerpinB3 was assessed as predictor of liver damage in in vivo models of major hepatic resection with or without splenectomy. Wistar male rats were divided into 4 groups: group A received 30% hepatic resection, group B > 60% resection, group C > 60% resection with splenectomy and group D sham-operated. Before and after surgery liver function tests, echo Doppler ultrasound and gene expression were assessed. Transaminase values and ammonium were significantly higher in groups that underwent major hepatic resection. Echo Doppler ultrasound showed the highest portal flow and resistance of the hepatic artery in the group with > 60% hepatectomy without splenectomy, while the association of splenectomy determined no increase in portal flow and hepatic artery resistance. Only the group of rats without splenectomy showed higher shear-stress conditions, reflected by higher levels of HO-1, Nox1 and of Serpinb3, the latter associated with an increase of IL-6. In conclusion, splenectomy controls inflammation and oxidative damage, preventing the expression of Serpinb3. Therefore, SerpinB3 can be considered as a marker of post-resective shear stress.
Should People Have a Right Not to Be Subjected to AI Profiling based on Publicly Available Data? A Comment on Ploug
Authors: Holm Sune
Published: May 2023

Several studies have documented that when presented with data from social media platforms machine learning (ML) models can make accurate predictions about users, e.g., about whether they are likely to suffer health-related conditions such as depression, mental disorders, and risk of suicide. In a recent article, Ploug (Philos Technol 36:14, 2023) defends a right not to be subjected to AI profiling based on publicly available data. In this comment, I raise some questions in relation to Ploug’s argument that I think deserves further discussion.