bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acoustic difference in advertisement calls among two sympatric Boulenophrys species: A confirmatory case to acoustic niche hypothesis and morphological constraint hypothesis
Authors: Shen Tuo , Liu Jing , Tang Xiujun , Peng Caichun , Li Shize , Feng Chaobo , Mu Lang , Su Haijun
Published: April 2024

In anurans, acoustic communication is the most important form of communication at the interspecific and intraspecific levels. Acoustic diagnostic features may be a potential alternative to morphometric and molecular diagnostics. Here, we assessed the variations in advertisement calls between two sympatric species, Boulenophrys leishanensis and Boulenophrys spinata, that share their breeding season and breeding sites. In addition, we investigated any potential relationships between call parameters and body size. We found that the advertisement calls of both species are simple calls. The two species exhibited significant differences in all call parameters. Both B. leishanensis and B. spinata showed a significant negative correlation with their body size on dominant frequency. These differences in call parameters may play an important role in interspecific recognition. Additionally, because intraspecific acoustic variation reflects body size, calls may be relevant for sexual selection. Our study supports the acoustic niche hypothesis and the morphological constraint hypothesis and calls are a valid tool for distinguishing between the two species of Boulenophrys in the field.
Experimental research based on robot‐assisted surgery: Lower limb fracture reduction surgery planning navigation system
Authors: Du Hanwen , Wu Geyang , Hu Ying , He Yucheng , Zhang Peng
Published: April 2024

Background and Aims

Lower extremity fracture reduction surgery is a key step in the treatment of lower extremity fractures. How to ensure high precision of fracture reduction while reducing secondary trauma during reduction is a difficult problem in current surgery.

Methods

First, segmentation and three‐dimensional reconstruction are performed based on fracture computed tomography images. A cross‐sectional point cloud extraction algorithm based on the normal filtering of the long axis of the bone is designed to obtain the cross‐sectional point clouds of the distal bone and the proximal bone, and the optimal reset target pose of the broken bone is obtained by using the iterative closest point algorithm. Then, the optimal reset sequence of reset parameters was determined, combined with the broken bone collision detection algorithm, a surgical planning algorithm for lower limb fracture reset was proposed, which can effectively reduce the reset force while ensuring the accuracy of the reset process without collision.

Results

The average error of the reduction of the model bone was within 1.0 mm. The reduction operation using the planning and navigation system of lower extremity fracture reduction surgery can effectively reduce the reduction force. At the same time, it can better ensure the smooth change of the reduction force.

Conclusion

Planning and navigation system of lower extremity fracture reduction surgery is feasible and effective.
Association of IL‐33 in modeling type‐2 airway inflammation and pulmonary emphysema in mice
Authors: Miyaoka Chika , Watanabe Masato , Nakamoto Keitaro , Yoshida Yuki , Hirata Aya , Aso Jumpei , Nunokawa Hiroki , Ishida Manabu , Honda Koujiro , Takata Saori , Saraya Takeshi , Ishii Haruyuki
Published: April 2024

We developed pulmonary emphysema and a type 2 airway inflammation overlap mouse model. The bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) interleukin 13 (IL‐13), IL‐4, and IL‐5 levels in the overlap model were higher than in the pulmonary emphysema model and lower than in the type 2 airway inflammation model, but IL‐33 level in the lung was higher than in other models. IL‐33 and interferon‐γ (IFNγ) in lungs may control the severity of a type 2 airway inflammation in lung.

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The impact of internal iliac artery ligation on hormonal and functional ovarian reserve parameters: A case–control study in patients with postpartum hemorrhage in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Birge Özer , Kayar İlkan , Çetin Ferhat
Published: April 2024

Objective

The study aims to evaluate the long‐term impact of internal iliac artery ligation (IIAL) on ovarian hormonal and functional changes in women. The procedure is often used for postpartum hemorrhage and is considered uterus‐sparing. However, its effects on ovarian reserve and fertility preservation remain controversial.

Methods

This is a retrospective, case–control study involving consecutive female patients aged 17–47 years. These patients underwent successful bilateral IIAL due to severe postpartum hemorrhage between January 2022 and December 2022. The control group included women of matching age, parity, and body mass index (BMI) who did not undergo IIAL. Both groups were followed for 6 months to measure follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, antral follicle counts, and ovarian volume.

Results

The study comprised 62 patients in the IIAL group and 86 in the control group. No significant differences were found in FSH and LH levels between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, the numbers of antral follicles in both the right and left ovaries were significantly lower in the IIAL group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Ovarian volume did not show a significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that IIAL leads to a significant decrease in the number of ovarian follicles at 6 months post‐operation. However, it does not significantly impact FSH and LH levels or ovarian volume.
Modified Frailty Index Associates With Transoral Robotic Surgery Complications and Survival: A National Database Study
Authors: Jain Amiti , Goldberg Zachary N. , Briggs Erin , Amin Dev R. , Urdang Zachary D. , Goldman Richard A. , Cognetti David M. , Curry Joseph M.
Published: April 2024

Objective

The modified frailty index (mFI‐5) is a National Surgical Quality Improvement Program‐derived 5‐factor index that has been proven to reflect frailty and predict morbidity and mortality. We hypothesize that mFI‐5 is a valid predictive measure in the transoral robotic surgery (TORS) population.

Methods

Retrospective study utilizing the TriNetX US‐collaborative health records network querying for TORS patients. Cohorts were stratified by mFI‐5 score which uses five ICD‐10 codes: nonindependent functional status, hypertension, obstructive respiratory disease, heart failure, and diabetes mellitus. Cohorts were matched by age using propensity score matching. Outcome measures included survival, infection, pneumonia, tracheostomy dependence, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy dependence. Reported odds ratios were normalized to mFI‐5 = 0.

Results

A total of 9,081 patients were included in the final analysis. Greater mFI‐5 scores predicted decreased survival and increased incidence of postoperative infection and pneumonia. Odds of 5‐year mortality were 1.93 (p = 0.0003) for mFI‐5 = 2 and 1.90 (p = 0.0002) for mFI‐5 = 3. Odds of 2‐year mortality were 1.25 (p = 0.0125) for mFI‐5 = 1, 1.58 (p = 0.0002) for mFI‐5 = 2, and 1.87 (p = 0.003) for mFI‐5 = 3. Odds of postoperative infection were 1.51 (p = 0.02) for mFI‐5 = 2 and 1.78 (p = 0.05) for mFI‐5 = 3. Two‐year odds of developing pneumonia were 1.69 (p = 0.0001) for mFI‐5 = 2 and 2.84 (p < 0.0001) for mFI‐5 = 3. Two‐month odds of pneumonia were 1.50 (p = 0.0259) for mFI‐5 = 2 and 2.55 (p = 0.0037) for mFI‐5 = 3. mFI‐5 = 4 or 5 had too few patients to analyze. Using polynomial regression to model age versus incident 5‐year post‐TORS death (R2 = 0.99), mFI‐5 scores better predicted survival than age alone.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that mFI‐5 predicts mortality, pneumonia, and postoperative infection independently of age.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 134:4278–4283, 2024
The Whimsical Nature of Airway Obstruction during Drug‐Induced Sleep Endoscopy
Authors: Harkins Tice R. , Triantafillou Vasiliki , Seay Everett , Schwartz Alan R. , Dedhia Raj C.
Published: April 2024

A 47‐year‐old male patient diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) sought alternatives to positive airway pressure, prompting evaluation with drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). He underwent a specialized DISE with nasal airflow and pharyngeal pressure monitoring. During obstructive apneas, airflow and pressure signals demonstrated dynamic, multilevel upper airway collapse, with shifting sites of airflow obstruction as respiratory effort increased. This case report illustrates how quantitative airflow and pressure measurements can complement the standard DISE exam and aid in surgical decision‐making. Laryngoscope, 134:4418–4420, 2024
Detecting Misfolded α‐Synuclein in Blood Years before the Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Kluge Annika , Schaeffer Eva , Bunk Josina , Sommerauer Michael , Röttgen Sinah , Schulte Claudia , Roeben Benjamin , von Thaler Anna‐Katharina , Welzel Julius , Lucius Ralph , Heinzel Sebastian , Xiang Wei , Eschweiler Gerhard W. , Maetzler Walter , Suenkel Ulrike , Berg Daniela
Published: April 2024

Background

Identifying individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) already in the prodromal phase of the disease has become a priority objective for opening a window for early disease‐modifying therapies.

Objective

The aim was to evaluate a blood‐based α‐synuclein seed amplification assay (α‐syn SAA) as a novel biomarker for diagnosing PD in the prodromal phase.

Methods

In the TREND study (University of Tuebingen) biennial blood samples of n = 1201 individuals with/without increased risk for PD were taken prospectively over 4 to 10 years. We retrospectively analyzed blood samples of 12 participants later diagnosed with PD during the study to detect and amplify pathological α‐syn conformers derived from neuronal extracellular vesicles using (1) immunoblot analyses with an antibody against these conformers and (2) an α‐syn‐SAA. Additionally, blood samples of n = 13 healthy individuals from the TREND cohort and n = 20 individuals with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) from the University Hospital Cologne were analyzed.

Results

All individuals with PD showed positive immunoblots and a positive α‐syn SAA at the time of diagnosis. Moreover, all PD patients showed a positive α‐syn SAA 1 to 10 years before clinical diagnosis. In the iRBD cohort, 30% showed a positive α‐syn SAA. All healthy controls had a negative SAA.

Conclusions

We here demonstrate the possibility to detect and amplify pathological α‐syn conformers in peripheral blood up to 10 years before the clinical diagnosis of PD in individuals with and without iRBD. The findings of this study indicate that this blood‐based α‐syn SAA assay has the potential to serve as a diagnostic biomarker for prodromal PD. © 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Analysis and design of a wide stop‐band and high out‐of‐band suppression BPF
Authors: Guo Gui‐Qiang , Liu Hao , Su Guo‐Dong , Liu Jun , Wang Junchao , Sun Lingling
Published: April 2024

This paper proposes a wide bandpass filter (BPF) with high out‐of‐band suppression and wide stop‐band characteristics. An interdigital coupled line structure loaded by a rectangular resonator ring is employed to generate three transmission poles in the pass‐band and an additional transmission zero (TZ) in the stop‐band, thereby achieving a wider pass‐band while enhancing stop‐band suppression. Compared to traditional coupled‐line structures, the structure mentioned in this paper offers significant advantages in designing filters with wide stop‐bands and high out‐of‐band suppression. Furthermore, open‐circuit T‐stub, and a pair of open‐circuit stub are used to generate multiple parasitic TZs at high frequencies, which is adopted to further expand the stop‐band range. Measurement results shows that the insertion loss of the BPF is of −2.86 dB within the range of 7.05–12.20 GHz. The stop‐band ranges from 13 to 48 GHz with an out‐of‐band suppression of −27 dB, especially when the out‐of‐band suppression is −40 dB, the stop‐band frequency range is 16.40–31.35 GHz.
Multifunctional coatings for solar module glass
Authors: Song Ning , Chang Nathan , Gentle Angus , Zeng Yiyu , Jiang Yajie , Wu Yanfang , Deng Shuo , Cheng Yuhao , Huang Jialiang , Zhou Zibo , Keevers Mark , Green Martin A.
Published: April 2024

Currently, single‐layer antireflection coated (SLARC) solar glass has a dominant market share of 95% compared to glass with other coatings or no coating, for Si PV modules. This antireflection coating (ARC) results in an efficiency gain of 2–3%. However, there are issues with these SLARCs: (1) solar cell warming due to increased sub‐bandgap light absorption (by +0.4 ~ 1.2 K), counteracting the cell current gain and accelerating the aging of the solar panels, and (2) poor durability due to the coating's porous structure (typically lasting ≤5 years). This paper aims to develop a non‐porous multilayer coating (MLC) that is more durable and will act as a spectrally selective filter for solar modules. Studies have been conducted on MLCs in terms of optical, microstructure, mechanical, and durability properties compared with commercial single‐layer AR coatings. The MLCs showed superior performance in durability and benefit in reducing parasitic heat absorption in the non‐usable wavelength range. Also, a techno‐economic analysis model based on the multifunctional coating specifically to evaluate economic benefits has been developed.
Longitudinal mediation effect of hassles between neuroticism and dimensions of the tripartite model in college students
Authors: Du Wenxin , Wang Jieyi , Li Qi , Lu Shan , Xiao Jing
Published: April 2024

This study addresses a gap in the literature by exploring the longitudinal effects of hassles in mediating the relationship between neuroticism and the tripartite model of depression and anxiety. The research investigates these associations in a large sample of university students, utilising baseline and 6‐month follow‐up data. Initial assessments involved participants completing measures for neuroticism, depression and anxiety symptoms, and the occurrence of stress, followed by monthly assessments of stress, anxiety symptom and mood symptoms over a 6‐month period. Our results illuminate the mediating role of daily hassles in the relationship between neuroticism and various dimensions of anxiety and depression, including general distress, specific depression, and anxiety symptoms. These findings underscore the significant impact of neuroticism and hassles on a broad spectrum of mood symptoms, offering valuable insights for both research and clinical practice. Discussions around the implications of these findings are provided in the our paper, where we also outline potential directions for future research and clinical applications.
Strategic decision‐making at platform transitions: The case of Nokia (2010–2011)
Authors: Vuori Timo O. , Tushman Michael L.
Published: April 2024

Research Summary

We develop new theory on incumbent firms' strategic decision‐making and the associated emotional dynamics at platform transitions. Based on in‐depth interviews with Nokia's senior leaders about their decision to adopt the Windows platform in 2011, we suggest that highly capable platform companies' entry into the established phone industry invalidated senior leaders' long‐held core assumptions about the industry, triggering existential anxiety and stunting self‐regulation. Distinct mechanisms then influenced senior leaders' emotions toward external platform options—myopic appraisals of firm competitiveness inside a platform (vs. platform competitiveness against other platforms), appraisals of changing firm boundaries, and emotional resonance of potential partners. These emotions contributed to emotional drift, with top managers ultimately favoring the emotionally attractive option. Our theorizing extends theory on platforms, strategy, and emotion.

Managerial Summary

This research provides fresh insights into how emotions play a crucial role in incumbent firms' strategic choices, especially in the context of evolving technology platforms and major industry shifts. Our research focused on Nokia's 2011 decision to adopt the Windows platform. We discovered that when new players, like platform companies, enter a market, they can unsettle longstanding beliefs, causing anxiety and decision‐making challenges among top management. Specifically, we found that executives often focus too narrowly on their firm's ability to compete within a new platform rather than the platform's overall competitiveness. Additionally, changes in company boundaries and the emotional appeal of potential partners significantly influence these decisions. Executives' analyses emotionally drift such that they start favoring the emotionally attractive options.
Custom‐Design of Multi‐Stimuli‐Responsive Degradable Silica Nanoparticles for Advanced Cancer‐Specific Chemotherapy
Authors: Zhang Junjie , Zhou Jiani , Tang Longguang , Ma Jiayi , Wang Ying , Yang Hui , Wang Xiaoxiao , Fan Wenpei
Published: April 2024

Chemotherapy is crucial in oncology for combating malignant tumors but often encounters obatacles such as severe adverse effects, drug resistance, and biocompatibility issues. The advantages of degradable silica nanoparticles in tumor diagnosis and treatment lie in their ability to target drug delivery, minimizing toxicity to normal tissues while enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, their responsiveness to both endogenous and exogenous stimuli opens up new possibilities for integrating multiple treatment modalities. This review scrutinizes the burgeoning utility of degradable silica nanoparticles in combination with chemotherapy and other treatment modalities. Commencing the elucidation of degradable silica synthesis and degradation mechanisms, emphasis is placed on the responsiveness of these materials to endogenous (e.g., pH, redox reactions, hypoxia, and enzymes) and exogenous stimuli (e.g., light and high‐intensity focused ultrasound). Moreover, this exploration delves into strategies harnessing degradable silica nanoparticles in chemotherapy alone, coupled with radiotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, gas therapy, immunotherapy, starvation therapy, and chemodynamic therapy, elucidating multimodal synergies. Concluding with an assessment of advances, challenges, and constraints in oncology, despite hurdles, future investigations are anticipated to augment the role of degradable silica in cancer therapy. These insights can serve as a compass for devising more efficacious combined tumor treatment strategies.
Simultaneous Interface Engineering and Phase Tuning of CeO2‐Decorated Catalysts for Boosted Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Liu Qingyi , Mu Xijiao , Kang Fuyun , Xie Shiyu , Yan Chun‐Hua , Tang Yu
Published: April 2024

Heterogeneous catalysts have attracted extensive attention among various emerging catalysts for their exceptional oxygen evolution reaction (OER) capabilities, outperforming their single‐component counterparts. Nonetheless, the synthesis of heterogeneous materials with predictable, precise, and facile control remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a novel strategy involving the decoration of catalysts with CeO2 is introduced to concurrently engineer heterogeneous interfaces and adjust phase composition, thereby enhancing OER performance. Theoretical calculations suggest that the presence of ceria reduces the free energy barrier for the conversion of nitrides into metals. Supporting this, the experimental findings reveal that the incorporation of rare earth oxides enables the controlled phase transition from nitride into metal, with the proportion adjustable by varying the amount of added rare earth. Thanks to the role of CeO2 decoration in promoting the reaction kinetics and fostering the formation of the genuine active phase, the optimized Ni3FeN/Ni3Fe/CeO2‐5% nanoparticles heterostructure catalyst exhibits outstanding OER activity, achieving an overpotential of just 249 mV at 10 mA cm−2. This approach offers fresh perspectives for the conception of highly efficient heterogeneous OER catalysts, contributing a strategic avenue for advanced catalytic design in the field of energy conversion.
Unsupervised structural damage identification based on covariance matrix and deep clustering
Authors: Zhang Xianwen , Wang Zifa , Zhao Dengke , Wang Jianming , Li Zhaoyan
Published: April 2024

Structural damage identification is a major task in structural health monitoring. Machine learning and deep learning algorithms have been widely applied in the research of structural damage identification. Supervised algorithms require expert labeling, making it difficult to implement in engineering applications. Unsupervised structural damage identification algorithms are generally divided into two parts: damage‐sensitive factor extraction and damage determination. Existing algorithms all perform these two steps separately. This paper proposes a damage identification method combining covariance matrix and improved deep embedding clustering network (IDEC). IDEC can perform damage‐sensitive factor extraction and damage determination operations at the same time. The covariance matrix that introduces delay information contains rich damage features, and the combination of the two has been proven to effectively mine the damage‐sensitive feature space. After network hyperparameter optimization via Bayesian optimization, the proposed method is applied to the damage identification and quantification using real bridge acceleration response data under vehicle load. The results show that this method can identify structural damage with an accuracy of up to 97% with better performance than existing technologies, and it also has great performance in identifying small damages. The proposed method is expected to increase the damage identification accuracy if applied in engineering practice.
Transvaginal mesh implant for pelvic organ prolapse: Huaxi protocol
Authors: Zhang Jie , Luo Deyi , Shen Hong
Published: April 2024

With increasing age, pelvic organ prolapse (POP), due to its high incidence, has become a common disease that seriously affects patients’ quality of life and places a heavy economic burden on families and society. Transvaginal mesh (TVM) is a minimally invasive and effective treatment for POP, although its use remains controversial due to the potential risk of mesh‐related complications. The US Foods and Drugs Administration, along with authorities in England, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries, have banned the sale and distribution of commercial TVM kits designed for POP. The TVM procedure remains an option for POP treatment and still appeals to many surgeons and patients today in Asia and most European countries, which suggests that a considerable number of POP patients can benefit from its continued refinement. Here we introduce the Huaxi protocol of the TVM plant for the treatment of POP.
Setting the Stage: Urban Agriculture, Public Space, and Human Well-Being
Authors: Sirowy Beata , Ruggeri Deni
Published: April 2024

In this chapter the editors reflect on the thematic scope of this publication, situating it in a wider background of urban agriculture research. They claim that to leverage its greatest impact, opportunities to engage in urban cultivation should be widely accessible to all segments of urban population, close to everyone’s home. Worldwide, due to the scarcity of and high costs of land in dense urban inner-city areas, integrating urban agriculture in already existing and planned public spaces seems like the most feasible strategy to achieve this objective. This book wants to support this process by providing theoretical and practical insights on the integration of urban agriculture in public space development – addressing its well-being impacts, design, organization, educational contexts, and urban planning aspects.
Cultivating Virtue: Neo-Aristotelian Concepts in Public Space Development
Authors: Sirowy Beata , Knight Kelvin
Published: April 2024

In this chapter we demonstrate how the insights from contemporary Aristotelian ethical and political thought might inform urban planning and challenge its utilitarian norms. We propose the Aristotelian concepts of eudaimonia—which we translate as human well-being or flourishing—and of the virtues (excellences of character and understanding) and civic friendship as guiding concepts for today’s urban development, especially in the design and programming of urban public space.

In determining how best to integrate the above-mentioned notions in urban development, we employ the neo-Aristotelian concept of practices, as distinct from organizational institutions, and introduce the concept of communities of virtue proposed by Alasdair MacIntyre. We argue that the development of urban public space should take account of citizens’ participative practices, rather than only of functions that are administratively conceived.

We conclude with a discussion of urban agriculture as an example of a practice situated in urban public space—a cooperative activity that cultivates the ethical virtues, sociality, and productive skills of its participants in pursuit of a common good, whilst also contributing to the wider good of local communities.
Motivations, Supporting Factors and Challenges for Urban Agriculture in Public Space: Experiences from Oslo
Authors: Evensen Katinka Horgen , Stafseng Vebjørn Egner
Published: April 2024

In this chapter we present case studies from Oslo (2018–2020), in which we explore ways of integrating urban agriculture in urban public spaces. We collected project initiators’ and managers’ experiences through interviews from eight urban agriculture projects representing a range of typologies, scales, and organizational models, from the city farm to small experimental cultivation projects. The objective is to uncover motivations, organizational issues of urban agriculture in public space, potential well-being impacts for city dwellers, and publicness aspects for a broader community. We find urban agriculture projects’ motivations emphasizing creating social meeting places and learning arenas for cultivation and ecological knowledge. Urban agriculture has also been used as a tool in local urban space development to improve well-being by using urban agriculture in public space to activate and unused space safer, as well as integrating cultivation in green space management in innovative ways. We discuss supporting and challenging factors to succeed with practicing urban agriculture in public space. To ensure accessibility for large and diverse segments of urban populations, we found that perceived publicness of spaces could be increased through deliberate design.
From Prescription to Adaptation in the Future Productive City: Classroom-Inspired Principles for Design and Planning of Urban Agriculture
Authors: Ruggeri Deni
Published: April 2024

This chapter reflects on the educational experiences connected to the Cultivating Public Space project. From the onset, the project sought to engage students in creating a toolbox for urban agriculture in public space. Within the classroom, students translated the research findings, activities, and knowledge co-produced by the project partners into sustainable development and urban regeneration strategies based on urban agriculture communities and fully activate its potential as an engine of community cohesion and integration. This required thinking of urban agriculture as more than a collection of objects—boxes, toolsheds, and paths—but as holistic multifunctional landscapes designed to cultivate biophilia, food justice, public health, and community identity. It also demanded celebrating the uniqueness of each context and building upon each locale’s distinctiveness to co-create new visions exemplified as personal and collective stories of adaptation and transformations for all community members. The chapter ends with reflections on a few emergent principles inspired by the partnership between students and the communities to guide future urban agriculture research and practice.
Dimensions of Vulnerability
Authors: Brito Luciana , Ambrogi Ilana
Published: April 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a public health emergency on a global scale, impacting all nations and peoples. As previous health emergencies demonstrated, even when the infectious agent is nonselective, people and contexts are affected differently. Frequently these differences are not due to individual characteristics but to precarious contexts that became even less safe during emergencies, and exacerbate inequalities. An unknown disease that affects the world in a rapid manner brings many challenges. These range from an initial lack of knowledge about the biological effects of the viral infection and how to treat it, to its impacts on resources and economies. Inequitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution can be understood as a categorical example of how the pandemic has had different impacts on different countries and populations, and has exacerbated vulnerabilities. The importance of a comprehensive and considered account of vulnerability in research ethics has been discussed for decades, and this chapter provides an overview of the concept of vulnerability by outlining three dimensions of vulnerability discussed in the literature: the individual, the structural and the relational. These dimensions can overlap and intersect in dynamic and relational ways, especially during public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of paying attention to vulnerability and inclusion in research, and to the development of protections that account for vulnerabilities in research. The cases presented in this chapter provide examples of how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates pre-existing vulnerabilities and show why it is important to reflect on this. Specifically, they prompt consideration of ethical issues associated with excluding populations such as pregnant women and people with disabilities from research, conducting research with psychiatric patients, and conducting research in impoverished settings with heighted food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comments on the double cone wormhole
Authors: Chen Yiming , Ivo Victor , Maldacena Juan
Published: April 2024

Abstract

In this paper we revisit the double cone wormhole introduced by Saad, Shenker and Stanford (SSS), which was shown to reproduce the ramp in the spectral form factor. As a first approximation we can say that this solution computes Tr[e−iKT], a trace of the “evolution” operator that generates Schwarzschild time translations on the two sided wormhole geometry. This point of view leads to a simple way to compute the normalization factor of the wormhole. When we have bulk matter fields, SSS suggested using a modified evolution $$\widetilde{K}$$ which involves a slightly complex geometry, so that we are really computing $${\text{Tr}}\left[{e}^{-i\widetilde{K}T}\right]$$. We argue that, for general black holes, the spectrum of $$\widetilde{K}$$ is given by quasinormal mode frequencies. We explain that this reproduces various features that were previously predicted from the spectral form factor on hydrodynamics grounds. We also give a general algebraic construction of the modified boost in terms of operators constructed from half sided modular inclusions. For the special case of JT gravity, we work out the backreaction of matter on the geometry of the double cone and find that it deforms the geometry in an undesirable direction. We finally give some comments on the possible physical interpretation of $$\widetilde{K}$$.
Flotillins affect LPS-induced TLR4 signaling by modulating the trafficking and abundance of CD14
Authors: Matveichuk Orest V. , Ciesielska Anna , Hromada-Judycka Aneta , Nowak Natalia , Ben Amor Ichrak , Traczyk Gabriela , Kwiatkowska Katarzyna
Published: April 2024

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces a strong pro-inflammatory reaction of macrophages upon activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) with the assistance of CD14 protein. Considering a key role of plasma membrane rafts in CD14 and TLR4 activity and the significant impact exerted on that activity by endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of the both LPS acceptors, it seemed likely that the pro-inflammatory reaction could be modulated by flotillins. Flotillin-1 and -2 are scaffolding proteins associated with the plasma membrane and also with endo-membranes, affecting both the plasma membrane dynamics and intracellular protein trafficking. To verify the above hypothesis, a set of shRNA was used to down-regulate flotillin-2 in Raw264 cells, which were found to also become deficient in flotillin-1. The flotillin deficiency inhibited strongly the TRIF-dependent endosomal signaling of LPS-activated TLR4, and to a lower extent also the MyD88-dependent one, without affecting the cellular level of TLR4. The flotillin depletion also inhibited the pro-inflammatory activity of TLR2/TLR1 and TLR2/TLR6 but not TLR3. In agreement with those effects, the depletion of flotillins down-regulated the CD14 mRNA level and the cellular content of CD14 protein, and also inhibited constitutive CD14 endocytosis thereby facilitating its shedding. Ultimately, the cell-surface level of CD14 was markedly diminished. Concomitantly, CD14 recycling was enhanced via EEA1-positive early endosomes and golgin-97-positive trans-Golgi network, likely to compensate for the depletion of the cell-surface CD14. We propose that the paucity of surface CD14 is the reason for the down-regulated signaling of TLR4 and the other TLRs depending on CD14 for ligand binding.

Graphical abstract
Grundprinzipien der operativen Versorgung der distalen Radiusfraktur
Authors: Seeher Ulrike , Bode Simone , Arora Rohit
Published: April 2024

Die distale Radiusfraktur ist eine der häufigsten Frakturen der oberen Extremität. Nach entsprechender Diagnostik mithilfe von nativradiologischen und meist computertomographischen bildgebenden Untersuchungen fällt die Entscheidung zur konservativen oder zur operativen Therapie. Ist die Indikation zur operativen Versorgung gegeben, stehen diverse Möglichkeiten der Reposition und Fixation zur Verfügung. Das Spektrum reicht von geschlossenen über offene Verfahren bis hin zur unterstützenden begleitenden Arthroskopie. Eine entsprechende präoperative Aufklärung der PatientInnen über den Eingriff sowie die geplante Nachbehandlung ist essenziell. Ziel der Versorgung ist die Wiederherstellung der Handgelenkfunktion unter Erhalt von Beweglichkeit und Kraft bei niedrigem Komplikationsrisiko. Allen operativen Verfahren ist das Prinzip der Reposition zur Wiederherstellung der anatomischen Verhältnisse und anschließender Fixation gemeinsam. Als geschlossene Verfahren stehen die Fixation mit Kirschner-Drähten sowie der Aufbau eines Fixateur externe zur Verfügung. Die palmare winkelstabile Plattenosteosynthese hat sich in den letzten Jahren als Methode der Wahl für einen Großteil der zu versorgenden Frakturen etabliert. Für spezielle Frakturmuster und zur Behandlung von Begleitverletzungen kann eine arthroskopische Unterstützung indiziert sein. Ein einheitlicher Konsensus über die beste Verfahrenswahl besteht nicht. In diesem Beitrag werden die möglichen Verfahren, einschließlich ihrer Zugänge, Fixationstechniken und spezifischer Nachbehandlung, beleuchtet.
Fixed energy solutions to the Euler-Lagrange equations of an indefinite Lagrangian with affine Noether charge
Authors: Caponio Erasmo , Corona Dario , Giambò Roberto , Piccione Paolo
Published: April 2024

We consider an autonomous, indefinite Lagrangian L admitting an infinitesimal symmetry K whose associated Noether charge is linear in each tangent space. Our focus lies in investigating solutions to the Euler-Lagrange equations having fixed energy and that connect a given point p to a flow line $$\gamma =\gamma (t)$$

γ
=
γ
(
t
)

of K that does not cross p. By utilizing the invariance of L under the flow of K, we simplify the problem into a two-point boundary problem. Consequently, we derive an equation that involves the differential of the “arrival time” t, seen as a functional on the infinite dimensional manifold of connecting paths satisfying the semi-holonomic constraint defined by the Noether charge. When L is positively homogeneous of degree 2 in the velocities, the resulting equation establishes a variational principle that extends the Fermat’s principle in a stationary spacetime. Furthermore, we also analyze the scenario where the Noether charge is affine.
The relationship between CO2 emissions and macroeconomics indicators in low and high-income countries: using artificial intelligence
Authors: Abd El-Aal Mohamed F.
Published: April 2024

This paper aims to unravel the driving forces behind carbon dioxide emissions in low- and high-income countries by applying gradient boosting and random forest algorithms. The study reveals that gradient boosting demonstrates superior accuracy over random forests in low-income countries, whereas the opposite pattern is observed in high-income countries. Additionally, the study demonstrates that, according to the gradient boosting algorithm-based feature selection, the major influencers of carbon dioxide emissions in low-income countries are the agriculture sector (49.9%), the industry sector (17%), the services sector (10.4%), population size (9.8%), gross domestic product growth (7%), and foreign direct investment inflow (5.3%). Furthermore, random forest algorithm-based feature selection reveals that, in high-income countries, the key drivers of carbon dioxide emissions are the services sector (30.8%), the agriculture sector (27.1%), the industry sector (21.5%), population size (19%), foreign direct investment inflow (1.2% - A different working methodology than low-income countries), and gross domestic product growth (0.4%). Moreover, the study corroborates that low carbon dioxide emissions in low-income countries correlate positively with industrial sector growth, foreign direct investment inflow, gross domestic product, and population size but negatively correlate with the agricultural and service sectors. In the case of high-income countries, carbon dioxide emissions positively correlate with foreign direct investment inflow, industrial and agricultural sector growth, and gross domestic product while exhibiting a negative correlation with population size and service sector growth.
Analysis of Fennel Breeding Populations Based on Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) Testing via Morphological Descriptors and DNA Molecular Markers
Authors: Akbari Azam , Bahmani Keivan , Kazan Murat , Bilgin Ömer Faruk , Rahimi Jawed , Darbandi Ali Izadi , Kafkas Nesibe Ebru , Kafkas Salih
Published: April 2024

A bred plant variety is a valuable tool for enhancing crop production and total yield. Recently, our breeding team developed three high seed yielding synthetic cultivars of bitter fennel. To characterize these newly breeding populations and differentiate them from each other and their parental populations, we conducted a Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) assessment using morphological traits evaluated over two consecutive years, as well as 20 Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers. The evaluation of morphological traits revealed that, five of qualitative traits exhibited monomorphism, while two other qualitative traits displayed polymorphism. Additionally, the investigation of eight quantitative traits showcased significant diversity. The Combined Over Years Distinctiveness analysis at a 1% significance level, based on eight quantitative characteristics, indicated distinctiveness for two breeding populations, namely Early and Medium Maturity Synthetic cultivars, compared to other populations. The Combined Over Years Uniformity analysis identified that all of the breeding populations and their parental populations were uniform in terms of the measured traits. The differences between Phenotypic Coefficients of Variation and Genotypic Coefficients of Variation were not particularly noticeable in the experimental material used currently. The majority of the measured traits showed high heritability, highlighting their stability over time. PCA utilized for quantitative morphological features, the first two principal components collectively accounted for more than 86.8% of the phenotypic variation. Subsequently, a dendrogram was constructed, which clustered breeding and parental populations into three distinct groups. The 15 SCoT markers produced a total of 164 extended fragments, with 139 (85%) of them showed polymorphic.The genetic similarity between the populations exhibited a range of 0.08–0.81, and cluster analysis utilizing Jaccard similarity coefficients and the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) technique revealed clear distinctions among the three breeding populations and their parental populations. Altogether, the findings indicate that morphological DUS descriptors effectively distinguish some the populations, while others with overlapping expressions cannot be discriminated. Notably, SCoT markers demonstrate a fine ability to detect distinctions among fennel populations, suggesting the possibility of utilizing them as a complement to morphological traits in the DUS test. As a conclusion, these three newly breeding populations of fennel are distinct from each other and from their parental populations, and they can advance for registration and seed purity testing.
Variation in nutritional composition of Strychnos spinosa Lam. morphotypes in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Mbhele Zoliswa , Zharare Godfrey Elijah , Zimudzi Clemente , Mchunu Charmain Ntokozo , Ntuli Nontuthuko Rosemary
Published: April 2024

Fruits of Strychnos spinosa Lam. hold considerable food value within rural communities. However, no study has reported the nutritional profile of S. spinosa morphotypes. Therefore, this study is aimed to determine nutritional variation among the morphotypes. Proximate composition was analyzed using association of official analytical chemists’ methods, and minerals with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The following were the ranges of proximate and nutrient content determined: moisture content (10.29–60.50%); fat (0.95–2.67%); crude protein (2.85–9.19%); ash (4.78–18.05%); carbohydrates (37.39–42.24%); acid detergent fibre (7.94–21.75%), neutral detergent fibre (16.46–42.55%); calcium (0.30–35 mg/100 g); potassium (810–2510 mg/100 g); phosphorus (9–69 mg/100 g); sodium (7–54 mg/100 g); magnesium (9–55 mg/100 g); copper (0.10–2.70 mg/100 g); iron (0.10–5.50 mg/100 g); manganese (0.30–2.43 mg/100 g) and zinc (0.10–0.80 mg/100 g). Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, fat, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, sodium, crude protein showed positive association with principal components. Biplot and dendrogram grouped morphotypes with high and low nutrient content independently. Carbohydrates, protein, calcium, potassium, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc content of morphotypes were higher than those in commercialized fruits. This species is promising for domestication and commercialization, and thereby contributes significantly towards food security.
Combined effect of pantoprazole and mesenchymal stem cells on experimentally induced gastric ulcer: implication of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis pathways
Authors: Sayed Alaa H. , Mahmoud Nadia S. , Mohawed Ola A. M. , Ahmed Hanaa H.
Published: April 2024

Gastric ulcer (GU) is one of the most common diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract that affects millions of people worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the possible alleviating effect of a combined treatment of pantoprazole (PANTO) and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) in comparison with each treatment alone on the healing process of the experimentally induced GU in rats, and to uncover the involved pathways. Rats were divided into five groups: (1) Control, (2) GU, (3) PANTO, (4) ADSCs and (5) ADSCs + PANTO. Markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis were assessed. The current data indicated that PANTO-, ADSCs- and ADSCs + PANTO-treated groups showed significant drop (p < 0.05) in serum advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEPs) along with significant elevation (p < 0.05) in serum TAC versus the untreated GU group. Moreover, the treated groups (PANTO, ADSCs and ADSCs + PANTO) displayed significant down-regulation (p < 0.05) in gastric nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and caspase-3 along with significant up-regulation (p < 0.05) in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) genes expression compared to the untreated GU group. Immunohistochemical examination of gastric tissue for transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) showed moderate to mild and weak immune reactions, respectively in the PANTO-, ADSCs- and ADSCs + PANTO-treated rat. Histopathological investigation of gastric tissue revealed moderate to slight histopathological alterations and almost normal histological features of the epithelial cells, gastric mucosal layer, muscularis mucosa and submucosa in PANTO-, ADSCs- and ADSCs + PANTO-treated rats, respectively. Conclusively, the co-treatment with ADSCs and PANTO evidenced sententious physiological protection against GU by suppressing oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation and reducing apoptosis with consequent acceleration of gastric tissue healing process.
The pecking order: a Bourdieusian look at authority in virtual peer crits
Authors: Yassin Mohamed , Mansour Yasser , El Antably Ahmed
Published: April 2024

Cultural capital having sway in establishing authority in educational fields, including architecture, has been prevalent in scholarly work discussing the traditional studio setup. With the growing use of multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs) in architectural education, some studios, their occupants, and artifacts moved to the new medium. Such change places those studios in a precarious position vis-a-vis traditional architectural pedagogy, problematizing cultural capital and authority. This research examines the relationship between cultural capital and authority, focusing on MUVE-mediated studio peer crits. It adopts a quasi-experimental approach, where twenty-four participants with varying design proficiencies in diverse peer compositions completed a timed design task. The research employs linkography for analysis and Pierre Bourdieu's theoretical framework for interpretation. The findings suggest that MUVEs have a transformative effect on exogenous cultural capital, potentially disrupting previously established norms and hierarchies in architectural pedagogy and creating new hierarchical models, which add nuances to the existing models in the literature. A MUVE-mediated studio has the potential to present the studio as a new exploratory ground not weighed down by pre-established notions of studio culture "habitus."