bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbially modified effect of exogenous organic matter on soil chemical and biological indices and plant responses
Authors: Woźniak Małgorzata Martyna , Siebielec Sylwia , Siebielec Grzegorz , Bojarszczuk Jolanta , Gałązka Anna , Urbaniak Magdalena
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Exogenous Organic Matter (EOM) enriches and regenerates the soil, while solving the problem of landfilling waste such as sewage sludge and bottom sediments. The main purpose of the presented study was to estimate the influence of type and dosage of applied EOM on soil biological characteristics and supporting plant growth, with consideration of inoculation with PGPR (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria).

Materials and methods

The soil samples were characterized by measuring key enzyme activities, determining the community-level physiological profiling (CLPP) using Biolog EcoPlates, abundance of microorganisms and evaluation physical and chemical properties.

Results and discussion

Application of EOM mostly increased enzyme activity as well as overall metabolic activity compared to control sample. Increasing the dose of poultry manure and sewage sludge from 20 to 40 t ha−1 increased dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity. Moreover, the addition of EOM affected the metabolic activity and the number of selected groups of bacteria and fungi.

Conclusions

In the research it was proven that application of EOM leads to relatively rapid and positive changes in soil biological activity. The research also confirmed that the supporting factor for plant growth was the inoculation with PGPR bacteria. This approach, together with the reuse of organic wastes may become an attractive approach in sustainable cropping systems in a circular economy system.

Graphical Abstract
The Endolysosomal Transporter DMT1 is Required for Morphine Regulation of Neuronal Ferritin Heavy Chain
Authors: Irollo Elena , Nash Bradley , Luchetta Jared , Brandimarti Renato , Meucci Olimpia
Published: September 2023

NeuroHIV and other neurologic disorders present with altered iron metabolism in central nervous system neurons. Many people with HIV also use opioids, which can worsen neuroHIV symptoms by further dysregulating neuronal iron metabolism. Our previous work demonstrated that the μ-opioid agonist morphine causes neuronal endolysosomes to release their iron stores, and neurons respond by upregulating ferritin heavy chain (FHC), an iron storage protein associated with cognitive impairment in neuroHIV. Here, we investigated if this process required divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), a well-known iron transporter expressed on endolysosomes. We first optimized conditions to detect DMT1 isoforms (DMT1 1B ± iron responsive element) using fluorescently labeled rat DMT1 constructs expressed in HEK-293 cells. We also expressed these constructs in primary rat cortical neurons to compare their expression and subcellular distribution with endogenous DMT1 isoforms. We found endogenous DMT1 isoforms in the cytoplasm that colocalized with lysosomal-associated protein 1 (LAMP1), a marker of endolysosomes. Next, we blocked endogenous DMT1 isoforms using ebselen, a potent pharmacological inhibitor of DMT1 iron transport. Ebselen pre-treatment blocked morphine’s ability to upregulate FHC protein, suggesting this pathway requires DMT1 iron transport from endolysosomes. This was further validated using viral-mediated genetic silencing of DMT1±IRE in cortical neurons, which also blocked FHC upregulation in the presence of morphine. Overall, our work demonstrates that the μ-opioid agonist morphine utilizes the endolysosomal iron transporter DMT1 to modulate neuronal cellular iron metabolism, upregulate FHC protein, and contribute to cognitive decline in neuroHIV.

Graphical Abstract

Morphine requires DMT1 to upregulate neuronal FHC. Cortical neurons treated with morphine release their endolysosomal iron stores to the cytoplasm and upregulate FHC, an iron storage protein associated with dendritic spine deficits and cognitive impairment in neuroHIV. This pathway requires the endolysosomal iron transporter DMT1, as pharmacological and genetic inhibitors of the transporter completely block morphine’s ability to upregulate FHC. Created with BioRender.com.
Approaching academic adjustment on multiple time scales
Authors: Neubauer Andreas B. , Schmiedek Florian
Published: September 2023

In educational research, the process of socioemotional adaptation is often examined using panel studies with repeated assessments across months or years. Intensive longitudinal designs (e.g., daily diaries or experience sampling methods) allow to target this process on a shorter time scale (e.g., from day to day or week to week). In this contribution, we demonstrate that these two approaches yield similar but not interchangeable information about the process of socioemotional adaptation in university students. Results of an intensive longitudinal study with 250 university students revealed (a) mean level differences in reported study satisfaction depending on the time frame of the assessment, (b) differential change in study satisfaction for daily vs. weekly ratings across seven weeks in one semester, and (c) the prognostic utility of repeated weekly assessments of study satisfaction for retrospective assessments of study satisfaction. Findings illustrate the benefit of combining panel studies with intensive longitudinal studies. Implications for the assessment of experiences, memories of experiences, and global self-beliefs are discussed.
Reflect on your teaching experience: systematic reflection of teaching behaviour and changes in student teachers’ self-efficacy for reflection
Authors: Hußner Isabell , Lazarides Rebecca , Symes Wendy , Richter Eric , Westphal Andrea
Published: September 2023

Reflecting on teaching experience is meaningful in teacher education because it enables student teachers to evaluate their professional behaviours in the classroom and to develop new instructional strategies. Little is known, however, about the motivational aspects of the reflection process, such as self-efficacy for reflection. Self-efficacy is an important resource in teacher education which relates negatively to stress and burnout, and positively to professional behaviour. This longitudinal intervention study with data from N = 600 student teachers investigates how self-efficacy for reflection can be enhanced over the course of one semester. Our findings show that student teachers’ self-efficacy increased significantly in an intervention group in which student teachers systematically reflected on teaching situations in the context of micro-teaching experiences. There was no increase in self-efficacy in the control group in which student teachers did not teach in schools, nor systematically reflect. The increase in self-efficacy for reflection in the intervention group was moderated by previous pedagogical experiences in teaching of student teachers. Our findings are discussed for further development in teacher training.
Allergen Stability in Food Allergy: A Clinician’s Perspective
Authors: Koidl Larissa , Gentile Salvatore Alessio , Untersmayr Eva
Published: September 2023

Purpose of Review

The globally rising food allergy prevalence is associated with the urgent need for new disease prevention methods, efficient treatment, and reliable risk assessment methods for characterization of food allergens. Due to inter-individual variations in the digestive system, food allergens are degraded to a different extent in each person. Food processing also influences allergen digestion.

Recent Findings

In this review, we provide an overview of the digestive system with focus on relevance for food allergy. Main food proteins causing allergic reactions are evaluated, and the combined role of food processing and digestion for allergen stability is highlighted. Finally, clinical implications of this knowledge are discussed.

Recent literature shows that allergen digestibility is dependent on food processing, digestive conditions, and food matrix. Digestion affects proteins allergenicity. It is currently not possible to predict the immunogenicity of allergens solely based on protein stability.
The Greatly Under-Represented Role of Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Francis Gordon A.
Published: September 2023

Purpose of Review

This article summarizes previous and recent research on the fundamental role of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) as drivers of initial and, along with macrophages, later stages of human atherosclerosis.

Recent Findings

Studies using human tissues and SMC lineage-tracing mice have reinforced earlier observations that SMCs drive initial atherogenesis in humans and contribute a multitude of phenotypes including foam cell formation hitherto attributed primarily to macrophages in atherosclerosis.

Arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the primary cell type in human pre-atherosclerotic intima and are responsible for the retention of lipoproteins that drive the development of atherosclerosis. Despite this, images of atherogenesis still depict the process as initially devoid of SMCs, primarily macrophage driven, and indicate only relatively minor roles such as fibrous cap formation to intimal SMCs. This review summarizes historical and recent observations regarding the importance of SMCs in the formation of a pre-atherosclerotic intima, initial and later foam cell formation, and the phenotypic changes that give rise to multiple different roles for SMCs in human and mouse lesions. Potential SMC-specific therapies in atherosclerosis are presented.
Artificial intelligence and Italian culture: an understanding of how artificial intelligence can transform the radiation therapy landscape
Authors: De Felice Francesca
Published: September 2023

The aim is to support the perception of artificial intelligence in the radiation therapy landscape.
Artificial intelligence trend analysis on healthcare podcasts using topic modeling and sentiment analysis: a data-driven approach
Authors: Dumbach Philipp , Schwinn Leo , Löhr Tim , Do Phi Long , Eskofier Bjoern M.
Published: September 2023

Over the past few decades, the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) has gained considerable attention in both research and industry. In particular, the healthcare sector has witnessed a surge in the use of AI applications, as the maturity of these methods increased. However, as the use of machine learning (ML) in healthcare continues to grow, we believe it will become increasingly important to examine public perceptions of this trend to identify potential impediments and future directions. Current work focuses mainly on academic data sources and industrial applications of AI. However, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the increased societal interest in AI, digital media such as podcasts should be consulted, as they are accessible to a broader audience. In order to examine this hypothesis, we investigate the AI trend development in healthcare from 2015 until 2021. In this study, we propose a web mining approach to collect a novel data set consisting of 29 healthcare podcasts with 3449 episodes. We identify 102 AI-related buzzwords that were extracted from various glossaries and hype cycles. These buzzwords were used to conduct an extensive trend detection and analysis study on the collected data using machine learning-based approaches. We successfully detect an AI trend and follow its evolution in healthcare podcasts over several years. Besides the focus area of AI, we are able to detect 14 topic clusters and visualize the trending or decreasing dominant topics over the whole period under consideration. In addition, we analyze the sentiments in podcasts towards the identified topics and deliver further insights for trend detection in healthcare. Finally, the collected data set can be used for trend detection besides AI-related topics using topic clustering.
Op de drempel van dakloosheid
Authors: Akkermans Catelijne , Madern Tamara , Riemeijer Marthe
Published: September 2023

Samenvatting

Een groeiend aantal huishoudens kan de fors gestegen prijzen van de huishoudelijke uitgaven niet meer opbrengen. De huidige geldzorgen waar veel Nederlanders mee kampen hangen niet alleen samen met stijgende energieprijzen en inflatie. Wat speelt is vaak een combinatie van weinig geld, stress en schaamte. Gebrek aan geld kan er toe leiden dat mensen de huur of hypotheek niet meer kunnen opbrengen en zo dakloos worden. Een stabiele financiële basis speelt dus een belangrijke rol bij het voorkomen van dakloosheid, maar is ook nodig om uit de dakloosheid te raken.
“Sorry, too much information”—Designing online review systems that support information search and processing
Authors: Seutter Janina , Kutzner Kristin , Stadtländer Maren , Kundisch Dennis , Knackstedt Ralf
Published: September 2023

When faced with a large number of reviews, customers can easily be overwhelmed by information overload. To address this problem, review systems have introduced design features aimed at improving the scanning, reading, and processing of online reviews. Though previous research has examined the effect of selected design features on information overload, a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of these features remains outstanding. We therefore develop and evaluate a taxonomy for information search and processing in online review systems. Based on a sample of 65 review systems, drawn from a variety of online platform environments, our taxonomy presents 50 distinct characteristics alongside the knowledge status quo of the features currently implemented. Our study enables both scholars and practitioners to better understand, compare and further analyze the (potential) effects that specific design features, and their combinations, have on information overload, and to use these features accordingly to improve online review systems for consumers.
Processability and Microstructural Evolution of W360 Hot Work Tool Steel by Directed Energy Deposition
Authors: Vinčić Josip , Aversa Alberta , Lombardi Mariangela , Manfredi Diego
Published: September 2023

Laser directed energy deposition (L-DED) was used to produce samples of the newly patented W360 hot work tool steel by Böhler. The process parameters were optimized to obtain nearly fully dense samples through the production and analysis of single deposited tracks and single layers. Subsequently, bulk samples underwent a hardening heat treatment, consisting of austenitizing, air quenching, and tempering. The samples were analysed in the as-built condition (AB), after quenching (Q) and following tempering cycles (HT) to observe the microstructural evolution. The microstructure was investigated using optical and scanning electron microscopes, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Furthermore, the microstructural evolution was analysed with differential scanning calorimetry, while the mechanical response was evaluated through microhardness test. It was found that the AB samples exhibited a dendritic-cellular microstructure with tempered martensite laths. The thermal history of the AB samples was completely modified by the austenitizing treatment followed by quenching, resulting in a fully martensitic Q sample that did not display the typical dendritic-cellular microstructure of the L-DED process. The completion of the heat treatment with tempering cycles revealed the presence of Mo-rich carbides dispersed in a martensitic matrix. The HT samples exhibited a mean microhardness of 634 HV, remaining constant along the entire building direction from the substrate to the last deposited layer, indicating a homogeneous microstructure. This high value, similar to other hot work tool steels such as H13, makes W360 a very promising candidate for tool build and repair purposes.

Graphical Abstract
Co-occurrence of mycotoxins and other fungal metabolites in total mixed rations of cows from dairy farms in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Penagos-Tabares Felipe , Mahmood Mubarik , Khan Muhammad Zafar Ullah , Talha Hafiz Muhammad Amjad , Sajid Muhammad , Rafique Kanwal , Naveed Saima , Faas Johannes , Artavia Juan Ignacio , Sulyok Michael , Müller Anneliese , Krska Rudolf , Zebeli Qendrim
Published: September 2023

After India and the USA, Pakistan is the third country leading in global dairy production, a sector of very high socioeconomic relevance in Asia. Mycotoxins can affect animal health, reproduction and productivity. This study analysed a broad range of co-occurring mycotoxins and fungal secondary metabolites derived from Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and other fungal species. To complete this, a validated multi-metabolite liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometric (LC/ESI–MS/MS) method was employed, detecting 96 of > 500 tested secondary fungal metabolites. This first preliminary study demonstrated that total mixed rations (TMRs) (n = 30) from big commercial dairy cattle farms (> 200 lactating cows) in Punjab, Pakistan, presented ubiquitous contamination with mixtures of mycotoxins. The mean of mycotoxins per sample was 14, ranging from 11 to 20 mycotoxins among all TMR samples. Metabolites derived from other fungi and Fusarium spp. showed the highest levels, frequency and diversity among the detected fungal compounds. Among the most prevalent mycotoxins were Fusarium toxins like fumonisins B1 (FB1) (93%), B2 (FB2) (100%) and B3 (FB3) (77%) and others. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was evidenced in 40% of the samples, and 7% exceeded the EU maximum limit for feeding dairy cattle (5 µg/kg at 88% dry matter). No other mycotoxin exceeds the EU guidance values (GVs). Additionally, we found that dietary ingredients like corn grain, soybean meal and canola meal were related to increased contamination of some mycotoxins (like FB1, FB2 and FB3) in TMR from the province of Punjab, Pakistan. Among typical forage sources, the content of maize silage was ubiquitous. Individually, the detected mycotoxins represented relatively low levels. However, under a realistic scenario, long-term exposure to multiple mycotoxins and other fungal secondary metabolites can exert unpredictable effects on animal health, reproduction and productivity. Except for ergot alkaloids (73%), all the groups of metabolites (i.e. derived from Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp. and other fungi) occurred in 100% of the TMR samples. At individual levels, no other mycotoxins than AFB1 represented a considerable risk; however, the high levels of co-occurrence with several mycotoxins/metabolites suggest that long-term exposure should be considered because of their potential toxicological interactions (additive or synergistic effects).
Natural killer cells modified with a Gpc3 aptamer enhance adoptive immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zheng Youshi , Lai Zisen , Wang Bing , Wei Zuwu , Zeng Yongyi , Zhuang Qiuyu , Liu Xiaolong , Lin Kecan
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Natural killer cells can attack cancer cells without prior sensitization, but their clinical benefit is limited owing to their poor selectivity that is caused by the lack of specific receptors to target tumor cells. In this study, we aimed to endow NK cells with the ability to specifically target glypican-3+ tumor cells without producing cell damage or genetic alterations, and further evaluated their therapeutic efficiency.

Methods

NK cells were modified with a Gpc3 DNA aptamer on the cell surface via metabolic glycoengineering to endow NK cells with specific targeting ability. Then, the G-NK cells were evaluated for their specific targeting properties, cytotoxicity and secretion of cytokines in vitro. Finally, we investigated the therapeutic efficiency of G-NK cells against glypican-3+ tumor cells in vivo.

Results

Compared with NK cells modified with a random aptamer mutation and unmodified NK cells, G-NK cells induced significant apoptosis/necrosis of GPC3+ tumor cells and secreted cytokines to preserve the intense cytotoxic activities. Moreover, G-NK cells significantly suppressed tumor growth in HepG2 tumor-bearing mice due to the enhanced enrichment of G-NK cells at the tumor site.

Conclusions

The proposed strategy endows NK cells with a tumor-specific targeting ability to enhance adoptive therapeutic efficiency in GPC3+ hepatocellular carcinoma.
Re-immunotherapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients previously treated with anti-programmed death-1 and/or anti-programmed death ligand-1 antibodies
Authors: Imakita Takuma , Fujita Kohei , Ito Takanori , Saito Zentaro , Oi Issei , Kanai Osamu , Tachibana Hiromasa , Sawai Satoru , Mio Tadashi
Published: September 2023

Background

The role of re-immunotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. No studies have evaluated the re-immunotherapy regimen including anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 antibody for lung cancer treatment. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of re-immunotherapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab in patients with advanced NSCLC previously treated with anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) and/or anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibodies.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with advanced or recurrent NSCLC who received immunotherapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab (without concomitant cytotoxic chemotherapy) between November 2020 and November 2022 at the National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto, Japan. Data were extracted from patients who had previously received immunotherapies with anti-PD-1 and/or anti-PD-L1 antibodies. Treatment responses and adverse events were evaluated.

Results

Of the 67 patients who received immunotherapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab, 23 were included in final analysis. The objective response rate was 17%, and the disease control rate was 48% for nivolumab plus ipilimumab therapy. The highest grade of immune-related adverse events was grade 3, occurring in 11% of cases.

Conclusion

Re-immunotherapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab after anti-PD-1 and/or anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy may be feasible and provide clinical benefit in selected patients. Further prospective studies are warranted to identify the patient population that may benefit from re-immunotherapy.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with or without radio(chemo)therapy for locally advanced or recurrent/metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Han , Gao Hong-Mei , Wen Jing-Yuan , Wang He-Song , Wu Luan-Ying , Song Chun-Yang , Deng Wen-Zhao , Zhu Shu-Chai , Shen Wen-Bin
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and prognostic factors for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with or without radio(chemo)therapy and to evaluate their toxicity in patients with locally advanced or recurrent/metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LA/RM ESCC).

Methods

In this study, 198 patients with locally advanced or recurrent/metastatic (LA/RM) ESCC who received ICIs combined with or without radiotherapy/chemotherapy in the Department of Radiotherapy of the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). The factors affecting treatment response and the occurrences of treatment-related adverse events (trAEs) were analyzed.

Results

The median OS and PFS were 30.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 15.1–45.7 months) and 15.3 months (95% CI 12.8–17.8 months), respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the number of ICI cycles, the intervention of radiotherapy and dysphagia were independent factors affecting OS (Hazard ratio [HR] = 0.39, 2.043 and 0.365, respectively; P = 0.018, 0.001 and 0.032, respectively). The intervention of radiotherapy was an independent factor for PFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 18.149, P = 0.013). The median OS and PFS for patients who had complete response and partial response (Objective response, ORR) were 50.8 months (95% CI 25.8–75.7 months) and 20.5 months (95% CI 14.1–27.0), respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the non-ORR group (OSnon-ORR:17.5 months, 95% CI 14.0–21.0; χ2 = 13.881, P < 0.001; PFSnon-ORR: 12.1 months, 95% CI 10.1–14.1, χ2 = 10.676, P = 0.001). The intervention of radiotherapy could improve treatment response (χ2 = 47.725, P = 0.000). In entire study population, 83 patients (41.9%) had ≥ grade 2 trAEs.

Conclusions

ICIs combined with radiotherapy/chemotherapy are safe and effective in LA/RM ESCC patients. Intervention of radiotherapy, the number of immunotherapy cycles and occurrence of dysphagia affecting the overall survival of LR/RM ESCC patients. Intervention of radiotherapy was an independent prognosis factor for OS and PFS and associated with better treatment response.
The role of conservation agriculture practices in mitigating N2O emissions: A meta-analysis
Authors: Li Yue , Chen Ji , Drury Craig F. , Liebig Mark , Johnson Jane M. F. , Wang Zhaozhi , Feng Hao , Abalos Diego
Published: September 2023

Conservation agriculture is often assumed to reduce soil N2O emissions. Yet, studies analyzing the specific effect of conservation agriculture practices on N2O emissions give contradictory results. Herein, we synthesized a comprehensive database on the three main conservation agriculture practices (cover crops, diversified crop rotations, and no-till and/or reduced tillage (NT/RT)) to elucidate the role of conservation practices on N2O emissions. Further, we used a random meta-forest approach to identify the most important predictors of the effects of these practices on soil N2O emissions. Averaged across all comparisons, NT/RT significantly decreased soil N2O emissions by 11% (95% CI: –19 to –1%) compared to conventional tillage. The reductions due to NT/RT were more commonly observed in humid climates and in soils with an initial carbon content < 20 g kg–1. The implementation of cover crops and diversified crop rotations led to variable effects on soil N2O emissions. Cover crops were more likely to reduce soil N2O emissions at neutral soil pH, and in soils with intermediate carbon (~20 g kg–1) and nitrogen (~3 g kg–1) contents. Diversified crop rotations tended to increase soil N2O emissions in temperate regions and neutral to alkaline soils. Our results provide a comprehensive predictive framework to understand the conditions in which the adoption of various conservation agriculture practices can contribute to climate change mitigation. Combining these results with a similar mechanistic understanding of conservation agriculture impacts on ecosystem services and crop production will pave the way for a wider adoption globally of these management practices.
Creating equality through differentiation in doping control
Authors: Viret Marjolaine , Saugy Martial , Botrè Francesco
Published: September 2023

Awareness of human rights and related principles, such as equality and non-discrimination, is growing in sports. While debates on doping regulation typically target the contours of the prohibition and the sanctioning regime, much less attention has been given to how anti-doping detection impacts the level playing field, i.e. whether equality is realised in the manner in which the substances and methods are detected in athletes’ samples, or whether athletes are all equal when it comes to the analytical cut-offs that the regulations set. This article seeks to fill this gap and explores the implications of differentiation—or non-differentiation—in anti-doping detection for principles of equality and non-discrimination. After discussing notions related to equality in anti-doping detection, the article presents case studies from current anti-doping analytics, to make differentiation in that context tangible. Based on case law of the European Court of Human Rights, the Swiss Supreme Court and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, we submit that anti-doping authorities should resort to an operational ‘discrimination test’ when drafting technical regulation for anti-doping, in order to incorporate these principles ‘by design’ into the detection system. The article also demonstrates that—apparently—technical rules are not value-neutral, but that scientific data and policy choices are entwined in a way that warrants debate on the political scene, and creates duties of transparency and justification on part of the decision-makers.
Essential steps in primary care management of older people with Type 2 diabetes: an executive summary on behalf of the European geriatric medicine society (EuGMS) and the European diabetes working party for older people (EDWPOP) collaboration
Authors: Bourdel-Marchasson Isabelle , Maggi Stefania , Abdelhafiz Ahmed , Bellary Sri , Demurtas Jacopo , Forbes Angus , Ivory Philip , Rodríguez-Mañas Leocadio , Sieber Cornel , Strandberg Timo , Tessier Daniel , Vergara Itziar , Veronese Nicola , Zeyfang Andrej , Christiaens Antoine , Sinclair Alan
Published: September 2023

We present an executive summary of a guideline for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary care written by the European Geriatric Medicine Society, the European Diabetes Working Party for Older People with contributions from primary care practitioners and participation of a patient’s advocate. This consensus document relies where possible on evidence-based recommendations and expert opinions in the fields where evidences are lacking. The full text includes 4 parts: a general strategy based on comprehensive assessment to enhance quality and individualised care plan, treatments decision guidance, management of complications, and care in case of special conditions. Screening for frailty and cognitive impairment is recommended as well as a comprehensive assessment all health conditions are concerned, including end of life situations. The full text is available online at the following address: essential_steps_inprimary_care_in_older_people_with_diabetes_-_EuGMS-EDWPOP___3_.pdf.
Mesoscopic study on instability characteristics of residual coal pillars–roof system based upon domino effect in pillar goaf
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Li Jingkai , Lin Lu , Liu Binyu , Ushakov Ivan
Published: September 2023

The stability of pillar goaf is affected by the composite structure composed of residual coal pillars and roof, it is necessary to study the instability characteristics of residual coal pillars–roof system. Double coal pillar–roof combined bodies were constructed based on single coal pillar–roof combined body to characterize coal pillars–roof system in this paper. Through particle flow code (PFC), the instability modes of single combined body and double combined bodies with different combinations under uniaxial compression were studied from a mesoscopic perspective. With that, the instability criterions of double combined bodies were analyzed theoretically. The results show that the damage of single combined body and double combined bodies both have domino—type characteristics. During the single combined body is compressed, coal is broken firstly and induces rock damage. Meanwhile, the rock damage aggravates the destruction of coal in turn. Finally, the overall body loses bearing capacity based upon domino effect. During the double combined bodies with same mechanical properties are compressed, the component bodies bear the external load evenly and deform harmoniously. During the double bodies with different mechanical properties are compressed, the low-strength component body is destroyed and reaches its bearing limit firstly. Synchronously, the whole system reaches the bearing peak. Thereafter, the external load originally borne by low-strength body gradually transfers to high-strength body. The high-strength body also reaches the bearing limit over time, and the second bearing peak appears synchronously for the whole system. The instability of a single coal pillar is the initial cause of the instability of the whole coal pillars–roof system. The instability of any single component body can be regarded as the overall instability criterion for double bodies with same properties, while the instability of the single component body with high strength should be regarded as the instability criterion for double bodies with different properties.
Long-term strength and durability performance of eco-friendly concrete with supplementary cementitious materials
Authors: Miah Md Jihad , Huaping Ren , Paul Suvash Chandra , Babafemi Adewumi John , Li Ye
Published: September 2023

Research has shown that adding supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), such as fly ash (FA) and slag (SL), to concrete improves its mechanical and durability properties up to certain limits. However, the long-term performance of concrete made with FA and SL is not fully known. This study investigates the impact of FA and SL on the long-term (up to 900 days) performance of concrete. The concrete specimens were made with six replacement percentages (0, 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 by weight) of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The short-term fresh and hardened properties of all concrete mixes were assessed after 14, 28, 60, and 90 days of water curing. After 120, 365, 730, and 900 days of water curing, the long-term performance was investigated for 100% OPC (control), 30% FA, and 30% SL concretes. At 28 days, no significant difference in strength development was observed for the concrete mixes containing up to 30% FA and 30% SL than the control concrete (100% OPC). In contrast, a remarkable enhancement in strength development was registered for all mixes containing up to 30% FA and 30% SL at 60 and 90 days of tests. Likewise, 30% FA and 30% SL showed the lowest porosity and water absorption than the control. The mechanical strength of concrete prepared with 30% FA and 30% SL gradually rises over time (from 14 to 900 days) compared to the control concrete. With increasing concrete age, a reduction in porosity and capillary water absorption was seen (up to 900 days).
Real-world data in rheumatoid arthritis: patient similarity networks as a tool for clinical evaluation of disease activity
Authors: Janca Ondrej , Ochodkova Eliska , Kriegova Eva , Horak Pavel , Skacelova Martina , Kudelka Milos
Published: September 2023

Hospital databases provide complex data on individual patients, which can be analysed to discover patterns and relationships. This can provide insight into medicine that cannot be gained through focused studies using traditional statistical methods. A multivariate analysis of real-world medical data faces multiple difficulties, though. In this work, we present a methodology for medical data analysis. This methodology includes data preprocessing, feature analysis, patient similarity network construction and community detection. In the theoretical sections, we summarise publications and concepts related to the problem of medical data, our methodology, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including the concepts of disease activity and activity measures. The methodology is demonstrated on a dataset of RA patients in the experimental section. We describe the analysis process, hindrances encountered, and final results. Lastly, the potential of this methodology for future medicine is discussed.
Analysis of the international trade networks of COVID-19 medical products
Authors: Kurbucz Marcell T. , Sugár András , Keresztély Tibor
Published: September 2023

This research aimed to gain a deeper understanding of how and for what reasons the world trade networks of medical products were reorganized during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To do this, first, the trade data of eight COVID-19-related product categories (such as medical test kits and protective garments) were collected for the years 2019 and 2020. Then it was examined which countries’ exports and imports changed the most between the studied time period in each product category. In addition, gravity models containing additional economic, geographic, and COVID-19-related variables were used to analyze the impact of the pandemic on the investigated trade networks. Based on the results, China achieved the highest cumulative export growth, surpassing the second-highest value by approximately 14.66. Hungary, with a population of only 9.7 million, stood out as a major importer of ventilators. Additionally, a higher incidence of COVID-19 among importers typically led to reduced traded values, while European Union membership and innovation capacity had the opposite effect.
Hybrid Additive Manufacturing of Forming Tools
Authors: Dardaei Joghan Hamed , Hölker-Jäger Ramona , Komodromos Anna , Tekkaya A. Erman
Published: September 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM) is widely used in the automotive industry and has been expanded to include aerospace, marine, and rail. High flexibility and the possibility of manufacturing complex parts in AM motivate the integration of additive manufacturing with classical forming technologies, which can improve tooling concepts and reduce costs. This study presents three applications of this integration. First, the possibility of successful utilization of selective laser melting for manufacturing extrusion tools with complex cooling channels and paths for thermocouples is reported, leading to significantly reduced inner die temperatures during the extrusion process. Second, sheet lamination is integrated with laser metal deposition (LMD) to manufacture deep-drawing dies. Promising results are achieved in reducing the stair step effect, which is the main challenge in sheet lamination, by LMD and following post-processing such as milling, ball burnishing, and laser polishing. The new manufacturing route shows that LMD can economically and efficiently reduce the stair step effect and omit the hardening step from the conventional manufacturing process route. Finally, LMD is used to manufacture a hot stamping punch with improved surface roughness by ball burnishing and near-surface complex cooling channels. The experimental results show that the manufactured punch has lower temperatures during hot stamping compared with the conventionally manufactured punch. This study shows the successful integration of AM processes with classical forming processes.
Measuring digital humanities learning requirements in Spanish & English-speaking practitioner communities
Authors: Crymble Adam , Im Charlotte M. H.
Published: September 2023

Technology is global, but our use of it is subtly local. Digital scholarship in the humanities is no different. Where one is doing digital scholarship affects the types of methods and tools one will find most fruitful for humanities research. This paper considers global variations in digital humanities tool demand, by comparing broad patterns in digital skill-seeking through Programming Historian tutorial web traffic data. Programming Historian is a multilingual open learning resource publishing digital humanities tutorials in four languages. Its tutorials have played an important role for scholars seeking to learn about new tools and skills in digital humanities. Drawing on a unique dataset of 3.7 million visitors to Programming Historian between May 2019 and May 2022, this paper looks for patterns of regional use to identify skills most and least in demand in certain parts of the world. It does so through a pair of case studies that look at the top three national sources of anonymised web traffic to the English-language publication (United States, India, United Kingdom) and Spanish-language publication (Spain, Mexico, Colombia). The resultant conclusions identify key differences in skill-seeking both across the language divide (English / Spanish) and in different countries, some of which can be explained by cultural, economic, and bureaucratic factors. The paper concludes that while the specific variations of need will evolve, they will continue to exist, and digital humanities educators should adopt practices that acknowledge those differences and make space for local experts to define and best serve those needs.
The social-education-economy-health nexus, development and sustainability: perspectives from low- and middle-income and African countries
Authors: Cerf Marlon E.
Published: September 2023

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent global action to address the challenges that impact society and nations, are inclusive, equitable, integrated, interdependent and people-centric. Some of the key SDG targets address societal issues, that include education, economic and health lags, particularly in low- and middle-income and African countries. The nexus of society, education, the economy and health, is therefore discussed and interrelated to provide perspectives on advancing development and sustainability. Being socioeconomically disadvantaged impacts access to quality education and health, limits economic activity and diminishes sustainability. Many people live in impoverished countries due to ailing economies with high unemployment. These global and pervasive challenges persist and limit the potential of people and nations. Sustainable advancement requires empowered well-educated people who contribute to economic growth and have access to quality healthcare who can contribute to greater development and sustainability. Therefore a social-education-economy-health nexus is contextualized that aligns with the SDGs and converges to support growth and sustainability, and realize social, education, economic and health value. Education, training and skilling that are relevant to address socioeconomic and health challenges are critical for development and sustainability. Strengthening the social-education-economy-health nexus will advance development and sustainability. Investment in low- and middle-income and African countries, through public–private-philanthropy partnerships to fund social, economic, education and health initiatives, will foster development and sustainability.
Remanufacturing mode choice considering consumer’s dual preference under patent licensing
Authors: Ding Rui , Zhao Jinhua
Published: September 2023

Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) do not remanufacture by themselves, but instead license the remanufacturing business to other companies for a royalty. This paper examines to whom OEM should outsource remanufacturing when both distributors and independent third-party remanufacturers (TPR) are capable of remanufacturing. We have established three models: OEM licenses remanufacturing to the distributor (model DR); OEM licenses remanufacturing to TPR (model TR); OEM licenses remanufacturing to both the distributor and TPR (model DTR). We compared the optimal strategies of each member of the supply chain in the three models and analyzed the influence of consumers' dual preference for the remanufactured product on the decision making. The results showed that when consumers are reluctant to purchase a certain type of remanufactured product, OEM prefers to outsource the remanufacturing business to TPR. Otherwise, OEM prefers to license remanufacturing to both the distributor and TPR. In terms of two single remanufacturing modes, whether for OEM or TPR, TPR remanufacturing mode is always better than the distributor remanufacturing mode.
An integrated, non-destructive method for evaluating core quality from R/V Legend’s giant piston coring system (LGD-GPC)
Authors: Yu Pai-Sen , Chen Ting-Ting
Published: September 2023

Despite technological advances, some core disturbances due to piston coring process still occur and can be extremely difficult to identify characteristics of sedimentary structures during qualitative visual core description and core lithologies. Few quantitative methods have offered plausible ways to define the exact magnitude of the distorted sedimentary structures in imperfect sedimentary records in the context of overly limited sedimentary records. In this study, an investigation was conducted on the Kaoping slope offshore southwestern Taiwan, a region known for its high sedimentation rate (> 0.9 g/cm2/year), using both the LGD-GPC (giant piston corer) and giant gravity corer techniques. To examine how GPC procedures have shaped the retrieval of sedimentary sequences and affected core quality, we apply well-developed, non-destructive analyses, including physical property measurements, visible color reflectance and digital core images with quantitative curvature index (CI), to recovered sediments. Cores at 22° 23′N, 120° 13′E were as the basis for non-destructive measurement comparison. Evidence from digital core imaging and the CI calculation further supports the mechanism of piston suction. We suggest that shear deformation of sediment against the core barrel would be the prominent factor that govern the observed core disturbances in LGD-GPC cores. Meanwhile, excessive pulling forcing from a modified TORI piston and a slowly lift speed during LGD-GPC coring process may further aggravate core disturbances at the revisited site. The sedimentary length of core LGD-T43-B-PC is overestimated by more than 200%. We further demonstrate that an integration of the CI and color reflectance is an effective way to evaluate the transformation and distorted sedimentary sequences.
Investigating teachers’ use of literacy-infused science strategies: A mixed methods study
Authors: Esparza Allison M. , Fleming Kenneth , Zhang Henan , Pang Huiwen , Guerrero Cindy , Lara-Alecio Rafael , Irby Beverly J. , Tong Fuhui
Published: September 2023

The 2019 science results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress showed that 8th-grade students, especially economically challenged and emergent bilingual students, made few gains in science and reading achievement. Researchers have found that scientific language may be a significant barrier to student comprehension. Researchers have advocated for integrating effective literacy strategies into the science curriculum to assist students in science and reading outcomes. We investigated the enactment of literacy-infused science strategies of a group of participating seventh-grade science teachers in a federally funded project following monthly virtual professional development sessions. Results indicated that teachers self-reported an overall increase in their use of literacy-infused science strategies after participating in monthly literacy-infused virtual professional development.
Connecting the dots: Nonlinear patterns in the presence of symbolic and nonsymbolic numerical standards
Authors: Imhoff Roland , Barker Paul
Published: September 2023

Much like other social and nonsocial evaluations, estimates of numerical quantities are susceptible to comparative influences. However, numerical representations can take either a nonsymbolic (e.g., a grouping of dots) or a symbolic numerical form (e.g., Hindu–Arabic numerals), which each produce comparative biases in opposite directions. The current work takes a fine-grained curve fitting approach across a wide range of values to the investigation of their potential nonlinear influence in the context of a numerical estimation task. A series of 3 experiments (N = 1,613) showed how nonsymbolic standards produce linear contrastive patterns (Study 1), whereas symbolic numerical anchors show a cubic assimilative effect with a leveling off in strength for more extreme standards (Study 2). Sequential contrast from the previous patterns and assimilation to the previous response were found to be present and additive in the presence of both representations but were larger in absence of the symbolic numerical anchors (Study 3).