bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vegetation Optimization Methods Considering Water Supply Security, Vegetation Carbon Sequestration, and Sediment Reduction Benefits: A Case Study of the Yanhe River Basin on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Yuan Yujie , Zhu Xueping , Zhao Xining , Gao Xuerui
Published: February 2025

Since the implementation of the Grain for Green program on the Loess Plateau, vegetation restoration has achieved a remarkable effect. However, large‐scale vegetation restoration will inevitably result in massive water resources consumption in arid and semi‐arid regions, which will increase the risk of water security for regional social and economic development. How to safeguard the water resources required for socioeconomic development in the background of vegetation restoration and simultaneously maximize the benefits of water adaptation‐sediment reduction‐carbon enhancement on the Loess Plateau represents a critical scientific challenge to be addressed in future ecological construction efforts. Based on this, this study aimed at the Yanhe River Basin (YRB), a representative basin for vegetation restoration on the Loess Plateau, and creatively proposed a vegetation optimization regulation method with water supply capacity as the constraint while aiming to maximize the benefits of carbon sequestration and sediment reduction. Results indicated that under the current vegetation pattern, water deficit in the YRB by 2030 would be 27.22% and 3.00% under the SSP2‐4.5 and SSP5‐8.5 scenarios, respectively. By optimizing the original vegetation pattern—reducing high water‐consuming vegetation, increasing drought‐tolerant shrubs (797–1006 km2), and decreasing fractional vegetation coverage (FVC) by 4.00%–5.84% under the SSP2‐4.5—the basin's water supply (Ws) would increase by 41.36%–44.13%, while net primary productivity (NPP) would decrease by 1.83%–2.39% and soil erosion (SED) would increase by 2.86%–3.71%. Under the SSP5‐8.5 scenario, by increasing FVC (6.03%–8.00%), increasing drought‐tolerant shrubs (813–1295 km2), and reducing forest and grassland, the water resources required for basin's socioeconomic development would be guaranteed (1.60 × 108m3–1.61 × 108 m3). The optimized vegetation scheme also significantly increased NPP (13.38%–14.64%) and decreased SED (13.28%–15.24%) under the SSP5‐8.5. The results offer valuable insights for the development of vegetation management programs and provide critical technical support for sustainable water resource management on the Loess Plateau.
Low‐Divergence Wave‐Chaotic Microlasers From Fiber‐Hybridized Colloidal Quantum Dots
Authors: Ren Yinjuan , Zou Shouda , Li Kehan , Wu Yuting , Ding Yechun , Li Feng , Liu Shengli , Wang Yue
Published: February 2025

Colloidal quantum dot (QD) lasers have attracted intense interest by virtue of their cost‐effective solution‐processibility and broadband spectral tunability. However, the present QD lasers generally exhibit poor directionality and divergence, which hinders their implementations in fiber optics and photonic circuits. Here, a novel kind of QD laser utilizing a fused silica fiber platform is designed and fabricated, which features directional and low‐divergence output in combination with the high Q‐factors. Based on the comprehensive numerical simulation and spectroscopic characterizations, the merits of the laser are attributed to the presence of a new kind of resonance mode termed waveguide‐multiple islands in the QD‐fiber hybrid resonator. The low divergence is well explained by the converging effect of the high‐refractive curved boundary on the outgoing light. Furthermore, the output angle and the far‐field distribution can be modulated on‐demand by breaking the resonance symmetry through adjusting the diameter of constituted fibers. The laser design is general for QD gain media, such that the low‐divergence red, green, and blue coherent emission is obtained. These findings represent significant progress toward the integration application of QD lasers.
Correlating Formulation and Performance in All‐Acrylic Waterborne Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Latexes
Authors: Bratasanu Julie , Aguilar Victoria , Issoufou Alfari Leila , Leocmach Mathieu , Mahler Benoit , Drockenmuller Eric , Bourgeat‐Lami Elodie , Ciccotti Matteo , Creton Costantino , Montarnal Damien
Published: February 2025

This work investigates the correlation between the formulation of waterborne acrylic pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) and their resulting adhesive performance. A library of n‐butyl acrylate‐based latexes is synthesized via miniemulsion polymerization. Controlled variations in the composition of these polyacrylates – such as the inclusion of rigid comonomers, latent crosslinkers and chain transfer agents – enabled precise control over key network structures in the particles leading then to a range of physical parameters in the cast PSA films such as the glass transition temperature, entanglement and crosslink density. The viscoelastic and mechanical behaviors of the resulting networks are carefully characterized using a combination of techniques, including linear rheology, dynamic mechanical analysis, and tensile testing. These properties are then correlated with adhesive performance, as measured by probe tack and shear holding time tests. This comprehensive approach allowed for the identification of the optimal formulation balance that delivers the best compromises of adhesive performance, directly correlating these outcomes with the macromolecular design.
Easy Preparation of Anisotropic Nanoparticles Based on an Azobenzene Liquid Crystalline Polymer
Authors: Tanoue Teruha , Hamada Arisa , Matsumoto Yuka , Kurihara Seiji , Kim Sunnam , Fukaminato Tsuyoshi
Published: February 2025

Herein an easy preparation method for anisotropic nanoparticles (NPs) is reported, in which the orientation of the composed molecules aligns at a certain direction in the particle, using a conventional reprecipitation method in combination with a microwave irradiation. The size, shape, and anisotropy of NPs strongly affect several physical properties and thus their regulation is essential for applications. Although some successful examples of size and shape regulation of NPs have been reported recently, the regulation of anisotropy is still challenging. In this study, NPs of azobenzene liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) using a conventional reprecipitation method, and then irradiation with microwave are introduced. With this treatment, the phase transition from the glassy phase to the smectic phase of azobenzene LCP is induced and the azobenzene groups are oriented at a certain direction. The anisotropy of NPs is confirmed by preparing fluorescent dye‐doped NPs. The prepared NPs exhibit polarization dependence of signals in the fluorescence image, which originates from the uniaxial orientation of molecules inside NPs. Furthermore, the anisotropy of NPs can be reversibly controlled with external light or heat stimuli.
Scattering and Blow‐Up Dichotomy of the Energy‐Critical Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation With the Inverse‐Square Potential
Authors: Hamano Masaru , Ikeda Masahiro
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we consider the energy critical nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a repulsive inverse square potential. In particular, we deal with radial initial data, whose energy is equal to the energy of static solution to the corresponding nonlinear Schrödinger equation without a potential. We investigate time behavior of the radial solutions with such initial data.
CMMSE: A Time‐Varying Approach to Linear Mixed Models
Authors: Ferreira Dário , Ferreira Sandra
Published: February 2025

Linear mixed models (LMMs) are widely utilized for their ability to handle both fixed and random effects, making them versatile tools in statistical analysis. However, traditional LMMs assume constant random effects over time, a limitation when dealing with data where variances and structures change. On the other hand, time series models like ARIMA and GARCH are great at capturing time‐related patterns and volatility but cannot handle random effects. In this study, we propose a time‐varying linear mixed model (TVLMM) that integrates the strengths of ARIMA, GARCH, and LMMs, allowing for dynamic random effects over time. This novel framework offers a more flexible and realistic approach to modeling data, particularly in contexts where underlying processes evolve, such as in finance, economics, and social sciences. We demonstrate the efficacy of TVLMM through a simulated dataset, highlighting its potential for more accurate and reliable forecasting.
Secondary cancer risk in head‐and‐neck cancer patients: A comparison of RBE‐weighted proton therapy and photon therapy
Authors: Dasiukevich Peter , Tattenberg Sebastian , Hoehr Cornelia , Hammi Abdelkhalek
Published: February 2025

Background

Secondary cancer is a serious side effect from external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Conventional EBRT is performed using a beam of photons, however, due to their ability to produce more conformal dose distributions, the use of protons is becoming more wide‐spread. Due to this sparing it would be expected that proton therapy could be associated with lower secondary cancer rates compared to photon therapy. However, since proton therapy data is still being accumulated and the follow‐up period is often relatively short thus far, simulation studies can complement the existing data and extrapolate to longer time frames.

Purpose

This study aims to estimate and compare the risk of secondary cancer when treating head‐and‐neck cancer patients with proton therapy or photon therapy, while combining a whole‐body computational human phantom with the patient treatment planning computed tomography (CT) scan in order to study organs that are partially or fully outside of the treatment planning CT. In addition, proton therapy secondary cancer rates are investigated further by including variable relative biological effectiveness (RBE) models.

Methods

For 20 head‐and‐neck cancer patients, two clinical radiotherapy treatment plans were created, one for proton therapy and one for photon therapy. For proton therapy, linear energy transfer (LET) distributions were simulated and used to calculate the variable RBE‐weighted dose distributions for six different variable RBE models, in addition to the constant RBE of 1.1 widely used clinically. In order to obtain the dose deposited outside the treatment planning CT scan, an adjustable whole‐body digital reference phantom was stitched to the treatment planning CT. Based on the resulting dose distributions, the risk of secondary cancer was calculated for each modality.

Results

Averaged across all patients and relevant organs, photon therapy compared to proton therapy with a constant RBE of 1.1 was estimated to be 1.8 times more likely to cause secondary cancer. This risk ratio varied between 1.6 and 2.0, depending on the variable RBE model used. Cases with lifetime attributable risk (LAR) values below 0.1% were excluded from this analysis to prevent the benefits of proton therapy (the ratio ) from being artificially elevated in cases in which .

Conclusion

Proton therapy was associated with lower estimated secondary cancer rates compared to photon therapy when treating head‐and‐neck cancer patients. This trend was observed even when considering different variable RBE models to calculate the proton therapy dose distributions.
Factors Affecting the Clinical Learning Environment of Nursing Students Using a Different Clinical Practice Model During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Ordin Yaprak Sarıgöl , Arkan Burcu
Published: February 2025

Aim

This study aimed to determine the factors that affected the clinical learning environment of third‐year nursing students during the COVID‐19 period when a different clinical practice model (‘make‐up practices’) had to be followed.

Design

This study adopted a qualitative research design.

Methods

Due to the pandemic, the clinical practices of the second‐year applied courses were not performed in the nursing school where the study was conducted. Instead, only the theoretical courses were taught. The clinical practices of the third‐year applied courses were thus not performed during the usual term. For this reason, the second‐ and third‐year clinical practices that the students had to complete were carried out as ‘make‐up practices’ at the end of the third year during the summer term. The sample of this study consisted of the 12 students who were enrolled into both the second‐ and third‐year applied nursing courses as ‘make‐up practices’. In‐depth semi‐structured interviews were conducted. The data were analysed using content analysis.

Results

The factors that affected the clinical learning environments of nursing students during the COVID‐19 pandemic process were identified under three main themes: the effect of distance education and make‐up practice, fear of infection, and supportive approaches.

Conclusion

It was observed that the clinical practices conducted as make‐up practices were very beneficial for students' learning, notwithstanding the many difficulties caused.

Patient or Public Contribution

Students included in this study were participants during the data collection process. No patient or public contribution was involved.
Carbon nanotubes and carbon fiber filled polyhexahydrotriazine composites: Assessing the tribological and mechanical properties
Authors: Li Xiaoqian , Jia Xiaohua , Song Haojie , Chen Hao , Sun Shaojie
Published: February 2025

Growing carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the carbon fiber (CF) surface resolves the issue of insufficient strong interfacial bonding between CF and depolymerizable poly(hexahydrotriazine) (PHT). The unique one‐dimensional structure of CNT is embedded as interlaminar reinforcement in PHT to create an effective mechanical interlock with the PHT matrix. This method significantly enhances the toughness and tensile strength of the composites, reaching 208.7 MPa. Tribological tests show that CNT with high specific surface area and typical graphitic structures enhance the tribological performance of composites. Compared to PHT/CF composites, PHT/CNT@CF composites were given an average friction coefficient that decreased to 0.15. Therefore, the CNT was cultivated to prepare high‐performance PHT/CNT@CF composites, which constituting an efficient approach and holding significant potential for applications within the realm of tribology.

Highlights

Uniform carbon nanotubes (CNT) on carbon fiber (CF) can improve interfacial bonding with poly(hexahydrotriazine) (PHT).

PHT/CNT@CF composites showed excellent mechanical and tribological properties.

Growth of carbon nanotubes offers an ideal route to high‐performance composites.
Quantitative assessment of dispersion stability and processing parameters in graphene‐enhanced unsaturated polyester resins: Effect of mixing techniques
Authors: Mazaheri Karvandian Farnaz , Hubert Pascal
Published: February 2025

Recent advances in cost‐effective graphene mass production highlight its potential for industrial applications, along with the challenges of achieving and controlling uniform dispersion at a large scale. State‐of‐the‐art approaches such as functionalization, solvent mixing, and sonication are costly for large‐scale use. As for dispersion analysis, microscopy techniques such as scanning electron microscopy and transmission electrical microscopy are still commonly employed, while emerging quantitative methods, including electrical conductivity measurements, micro‐CT, and machine learning, remain time‐intensive and are limited to fully‐cured nanocomposites. This study aims to evaluate three mixing techniques—mechanical mixing, high shear mixing, and probe sonication—for dispersing an industrial mass‐produced graphene powder in an unsaturated polyester resin. Their impact on processing parameters is examined using thermal and rheology analysis. Furthermore, dispersion states throughout the processing window are quantified for the first time. Results indicate that graphene addition inhibits resin curing, delaying gelation and increasing peak temperatures. Mechanical mixing exhibited the lowest dispersion efficiency with dispersion indices of 62.87%, 65.15%, and 66.37% at 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 Wt.% graphene, respectively. Probe sonication was most effective at lower concentrations (66.65% and 68.20% at 0.25 and 0.5 Wt.%), while high shear mixer excelled at 0.75 Wt.% graphene (69.11%) due to increased viscosity. The dispersion states remained stable during curing, as the resin's higher viscosity restricted nanofiller mobility.

Highlights

Graphene delays resin curing (5.8%–40%) by radical scavenging and hindrance.

Objective method for quantitative graphene dispersion across processing window.

Better dispersion obtained using high shear mixer at higher graphene content.

High resin viscosity stabilizes graphene dispersion, limits mobility in curing.
Sustainable Synthesis, DFT, Docking and In Vitro Evaluation of 6‐Mercaptopurine Syringic Acid Cocrystal: A Potent Drug for Breast Cancer Therapy
Authors: Rajendran Thangamathi , Zochedh Azar , Chandran Kaliraj , Al‐Asbahi Bandar Ali , Kumar Yedluri Anil , Shunmuganarayanan Athimoolam , Sultan Asath Bahadur
Published: February 2025

The 6‐mercaptopurine syringic acid (6MPSY) a new drug–drug cocrystal has been synthesized by the neat grinding method. The prepared cocrystal 6MPSY has been screened by the powder x‐ray diffraction procedure and the single phase was confirmed. Using density functional theory with B3LYP/6‐311++G (d, p) source set, the structural parameters were computed and associated with the structural parameters of the 6‐mercaptopurine molecule and syringic acid molecule reported earlier exhibit good agreement. Experimental FTIR and UV–vis spectra were documented to identify and analyze the group vibrational frequencies and electronic behavior of the cocrystal. The NBO study was accomplished and the inter‐ and intra‐molecular interactions were established. The inspection of the topological (MEP, ELF, LOL) and non‐covalent (RDG, IRI, DORI) contacts has exposed diverse groups of inter‐ and intra‐molecular links on the source of electron localization density and color gauge pointer, respectively. Mulliken and natural atomic charges have been calculated and depicted. Fukui studies gave the reactive site with high f+ and f− for C10, C17, C33, and H14 of the drug–drug cocrystal. The FMO analysis exhibits a low energy gap of 3.7612 eV that shows the efficiency of the drug–drug cocrystal in terms of chemical reactivity and stability. In addition, the thermodynamical parameters were calculated. The anti‐breast cancer activity of 6MPSY was investigated through in silico and in vitro analysis. The docking outcomes of 6MPSY range between −7.5 and −9.3 kcal/mol, and the calculated IC50 value in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells was 83.2 μg/mL.
Substantial heterogeneity in trauma triage tool characteristic operationalization for identification of major trauma: a hybrid systematic review
Authors: Donnelly N. A. , Brent L. , Hickey P. , Masterson S. , Deasy C. , Moloney J. , Linvill M. , Zaidan R. , Simpson A. , Doyle Frank
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Trauma Triage Tools (TTTs) support pre-hospital staff to identify major trauma patients based on prehospital characteristics and bring them to appropriate trauma centres. However, while triaging trauma has been examined extensively, there appears to be little consensus on how variables within TTTs are applied. We therefore aimed to examine the prehospital characteristics and their operationalization applied in the international literature in TTTs.

Methods

We applied a hybrid systematic review approach. Searches were conducted in multiple databases. We initially searched for systematic reviews that analyse prehospital characteristics applied in TTTs, then supplemented this with an updated search of original TTT papers from November 2019.

Results

We identified 92 papers which identified 52 adult general population TTTs. Results indicate considerable heterogeneity in prehospital characteristics included in TTTs internationally. There was similarity in the higher-level categories included in the tools: tools often included measurements of a patient’s physiological characteristics, injury characteristics, mechanism of injury and any modifiers for high-risk groups. However, the prehospital characteristics that made up those groups, how they were applied and interpreted were found to vary considerably.

Conclusion

While there is agreement in the higher-level categories used in TTTs, the thresholds adopted in specific variables vary widely, which may reflect statistical rather than clinical considerations. This may contribute to considerable variation in standards of major trauma triaging internationally. An agreed taxonomy of operationalization of prehospital characteristics used in TTTs is required to prevent sub-optimal clinical decision-making in major trauma triaging.

Registration

PROSPERO CRD42023393094.
Venetoclax and hypomethylating agents versus tagraxofusp in older patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm
Authors: Lee Benjamin J.
Published: February 2025

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a highly aggressive and rare hematologic malignancy characterized by poor response to multiagent chemotherapy and dismal survival outcomes of 8–16 months. Tagraxofusp, the first-in-class CD123-directed antineoplastic agent, has emerged as a highly effective therapy and is the only FDA approved drug for BPDCN. Nonetheless, significant treatment-related toxicities with tagraxofusp such as hepatotoxicity and capillary leak syndrome are unfortunately not uncommon and can be prohibitive for older or unfit patients. The success of venetoclax (VEN) with a hypomethylating agent (HMA) has recently been described in the literature however, clinical outcomes are limited to case reports and small case series. To confirm these findings, we performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study utilizing the TriNetX Networks database to compare survival outcomes between BPDCN patients (≥60 years-of-age) who received VEN + HMA versus tagraxofusp. In total, 32 and 39 patients received VEN + HMA and tagraxofusp, respectively, between February 1, 2019 and September 1, 2024. Median follow-up time was 7.4 and 9.3 months in the VEN + HMA and tagraxofusp cohorts, respectively. Overall survival (OS) between VEN + HMA and tagraxofusp-treated patients was comparable at 12-months (41.2% vs. 53%; HR 1.15; 95% CI, 0.53–2.48; P = 0.73). In a subgroup analysis of older adult patients (≥75 years-of-age), OS at 12-months (38.1% vs. 56.5%; HR 1.20; 95% CI, 0.47–3.04; P = 0.71) was not significantly different. In conclusion, this large-scale, retrospective database analysis suggests that VEN + HMA is an effective therapeutic alternative to tagraxofusp in older patients for the management of BPDCN. Future studies are needed to prospectively validate these findings.
ALLC: autonomous lightweight distributed ledger constructor for securing IoT information
Authors: Abo-Soliman Mohamed , Shaaban Eman , Emara Karim
Published: February 2025

Applying Distributed Ledger Technologies to securely manage intercommunicated data between IoT applications has recently been adopted on an enormous scale. They enable data integrity, privacy, and robustness to public, open, permission-less P2P networks. Voting-based consensus algorithms proved high efficiency even with limited computing and less power IoT devices. Moreover, they can identify legitimate information and isolate malicious attackers through repetitive voting queries to adjacent peers asking their opinions about the validity of each transaction. Several lightweight validation models are introduced to enrich IoT networks with better performance and higher security. Nevertheless, the current algorithms struggle to find adequate parameters that balance network security and operability, in addition to balancing fairness in distributed environments. This paper introduces an Autonomous Lightweight Ledger Constructor to resolve common defects and threats. Based on Reinforcement Learning, it can dynamically construct a valid distributed ledger in limited-computing systems under several adversarial conditions. The validity of transactions in this approach is calculated based on their cumulative weights and the issuer’s reputation, which are inferred subjectively by a lightweight Bayesian-like function. A new simulator is developed to evaluate ALLC performance and security. The experimental results demonstrate reasonable performance and high resistance against known compromises targeting Distributed Ledger Technologies.
Genomic characterization of a novel sakobuvirus (family Picornaviridae) from a European badger (Meles meles) in Hungary
Authors: Pankovics Péter , Balázs Benigna , Boros Ákos , Nagy Gábor , Szekeres Sándor , Reuter Gábor
Published: February 2025

Since 2012, sakobuvirus and sakobuvirus-like (family Picornaviridae) sequences have been detected in felines, wild boars, badgers, and fur seals. In this study, we determined the genome sequence of a novel sakobuvirus identified in faecal samples from European badgers (Meles meles) in Hungary. The strain SakV/badger/B40B/2022/HUN (PQ382029) has a type IV internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and'barbell-like' structures in its 5' and 3’UTRs, with a genomic layout that matches the L-1AB-1C-1D/2AH − Box/NC-2B-2C/3A-3B-3C-3D structure. The most closely related strain, SaKoV/Badger/3A_2019/ITA (OP293080), shows 82.8%, 82.5%, and 80.4% amino acid sequence identity in the proteins P1, 2C, and 3CD, respectively, indicating that different sakobuviruses can potentially circulate among members of the same host species in geographically different regions.
The course to sustainability: the role of university-related intermediaries in providing directionality to regional innovation initiatives
Authors: Hirschmann Daniel , Feser Daniel , Winkler-Portmann Simon J.
Published: February 2025

For a transformative innovation policy, implementing directionality is a challenge. Contributing to change requires proactive stimulation and prioritization of specific innovation activities. This is particularly challenging for stakeholders engaged in sustainability transitions. Therefore, we connected the concepts of directionality and intermediation to analyze university-related intermediaries in providing directionality in sustainability-oriented regional innovation initiatives. We conducted a comparative analysis of four German regional and university-led innovation initiatives based on 63 interviews. Our analysis provides insights into operational and strategic adaptations of intermediation practices in regional sustainability-oriented innovation initiatives. The adapted roles and activities of intermediaries we identified represent responses to directionality challenges and allow intermediaries to induce and maintain directionality. By extending their capabilities and taking on new roles, university-related intermediaries help to overcome transition impediments and thus facilitate sustainability transitions. By revealing the potential of university-related intermediaries to provide directionality, the analysis emphasizes their role in transitions and contributes to the ongoing discussion of how to implement directionality in transformative innovation policy practice.
Rethinking regional performance: examining the role of economic growth and industrial clusters in the objective well-Being of european regions
Authors: Grashof Nils
Published: February 2025

While promoting the well-being of people is the ultimate goal of all EU social and economic policies, research in this area has been mainly limited to income-based measures of well-being, such as GDP per capita, especially at the regional level. Therefore, this study aims to go beyond income-based measures and examine the spatial distribution and drivers of objective well-being in European regions. To achieve this, a unique panel dataset is created by integrating regional data on objective well-being (based on the EU-Social Progress Index), economic growth, industrial clusters and knowledge structure, covering 165 NUTS-2 regions from 11 EU countries (between 2011 and 2018). Based on dynamic panel regressions using a system generalized method of moments (GMM) approach, it is shown that the economic growth promotes the objective well-being in regions. Evidence is also found that the industrial structure within regions is an additional driver. Regions with a diverse industrial cluster portfolio are more likely to have high objective well-being. However, this influence is negatively moderated by the strength of the industrial clusters, which possibly refers to size-related negative externalities. Besides the economic effects, industrial cluster structures can therefore also influence the objective well-being in regions. To promote regional well-being, regional policies should support a diverse industrial cluster portfolio rather than a regional cluster structure that is overly specialized in relatively few large industries.
Pectoralis major muscle index as an opportunistic predictor of mortality in acute stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis
Authors: Yilmaz Ezgi , Sarier Isa Furkan , Gocmen Rahsan , Arsava Ethem Murat , Topcuoglu Mehmet Akif
Published: February 2025

Background

Premorbid sarcopenia in acute stroke indicates poor prognosis. Since formal sarcopenia tests cannot be performed, the muscle features imaged in diagnostic studies are opportunistically used as surrogates for sarcopenia in the acute period.

Methods

In 110 consecutive acute ischemic anterior circulation stroke patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator alone (mean age: 73±13 years, 55% women), the cross-sectional area (CSA) and attenuation of pectoralis major and minor muscles and mediastinal adipose tissue were measured at admission computed tomography (CT) angiography source images.

Results

Pectoralis major and minor muscle CSA (mm2) and indices (CSA/height(m)2) were significantly higher in patients with 3-month modified Rankin’s scores of 0–1 (excellent outcome, 41%), 0–2 (good outcome, 54%), and in surviving patients (87%). In regression models adjusted for age and NIHSS, pectoralis major muscle CSA (partial r: -0.281, p = 0.027) and pectoralis major index (partial r: -0.332, p = 0.008) were independent predictors of mortality. The discriminatory value of the pectoralis major index for mortality was good (ROC-AUC 0.794, 95%CI: 0.676–0.885). The optimal threshold for survival of pectoralis major index was > 3316 mm2/m2 with 0.607 Youden J index. No difference was found in muscle CT attenuation values, mediastinal adipose tissue area and radiodensity in deceased patients.

Conclusions

Our retrospective analysis documents that the pectoralis major index, a readily available CT anthropometry surrogate for sarcopenia, is an independent predictor of survival in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing systemic thrombolysis. It may suggest that the pectoralis major index could be included in the prognostic toolkit of acute ischemic stroke.
Overcome the gender gap: analyzing massive open online courses through the lens of stereotype threat theory
Authors: Stattkus Daniel , Göritz Lorena , Illgen Katharina-Maria , Beinke Jan Heinrich , Thomas Oliver
Published: February 2025

Despite ongoing progress towards gender equality in education, women remain significantly underrepresented in computer science—a field still shaped by stereotypical expectations in our society. This gap is evident in both traditional classroom settings and online learning platforms such as MOOCs, where women face psychological barriers that hinder their learning success. As MOOCs increase accessibility and democratize education, it’s particularly important to address the barriers women face in these platforms. By analyzing 338,459 negative reviews from 8,067 IT and software courses offered by the MOOC provider Udemy, we explored the differences in how men and women experience these online learning environments. Our analysis was complemented by ten expert interviews, which helped us develop key propositions to explain these gender-based differences and derive guidelines to overcome them. Our results reveal that men and women criticize similar topics in IT courses, demonstrating that they do not belong to different user groups. However, differences between male and female reviews emerge within each topic. These differences are reflected in different communication styles, demands and areas of emphasis, shaped by gender-specific backgrounds, socialization processes and stereotypes. To overcome these differences, we propose seven guidelines drawing form Stereotype Threat Theory for designing gender-inclusive online courses that focus on inclusive communication and representation, creating supportive learning environments, and implementing high-quality, bias-aware educational practices. Aiming to foster greater participation and success for women in computer science.
The importance of generalized trust for mortality and economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
Authors: Albæk Karsten
Published: February 2025

Aim

This study investigates the role of trust in others with respect to mortality and economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Subject and methods

The study analyses data among 42 European countries on mortality up to 30 April 2021. The study proposes a model in which trust affects COVID-19 mortality through two channels: (1) income per capita, which is associated with traits of society that are important for mortality, and (2) compliance with advice from experts and authorities.

Results

The main result is that an increase in trust by one standard deviation corresponds to a reduction in the COVID-19 death rate by 43%. One standard deviation corresponds to the difference in trust between, for example, the United Kingdom and Switzerland or the Netherlands. The results show that compliance accounts for 60–90% of the total impact of trust on mortality, while the impact of trust through income per capita accounts for the rest. Epidemics are likely to reduce contact with others, including contact where economic activity takes place. The study estimates that 1000 COVID-19 deaths per million inhabitants resulted in a decrease in gross domestic product of 4.4% in European countries. For the UK, for example, this amounts to about 1.4 million GBP for each avoided COVID-19 death.

Conclusion

The level of trust was an important determinant for mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in European countries, and the major part of the impact can be attributed to compliance.
Musical heritage historical entity linking
Authors: Graciotti Arianna , Lazzari Nicolas , Presutti Valentina , Tripodi Rocco
Published: February 2025

Linking named entities occurring in text to their corresponding entity in a Knowledge Base (KB) is challenging, especially when dealing with historical texts. In this work, we introduce Musical Heritage named Entities Recognition, Classification and Linking (mhercl), a novel benchmark consisting of manually annotated sentences extrapolated from historical periodicals of the music domain. mhercl contains named entities under-represented or absent in the most famous KBs. We experiment with several State-of-the-Art models on the Entity Linking (EL) task and show that mhercl is a challenging dataset for all of them. We propose a novel unsupervised EL model and a method to extend supervised entity linkers by using Knowledge Graphs (KGs) to tackle the main difficulties posed by historical documents. Our experiments reveal that relying on unsupervised techniques and improving models with logical constraints based on KGs and heuristics to predict entities (entities not represented in the KB of reference) results in better EL performance on historical documents.
Biometric relationships and condition factor of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) grown in concrete ponds with groundwater
Authors: La Rosa Luis Lorenzo Carrillo , Morell-Monzó Sergio , Puig-Pons Vicente , Pérez-Arjona Isabel , Espinosa Víctor
Published: February 2025

This study investigates biometric relationships in Oreochromis niloticus (gray tilapia) reared in controlled pond environments at the Centro de Investigación Piscícola (CINPIS), Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (Perú), over a 3-year period (2021–2023). Focusing on total length (

$${L}_{t}$$

L
t

), standard length (

$${L}_{s}$$

L
s

), height (

$$H$$

H

), and width (

$$A$$

A

), we developed models to estimate weight (

$$W$$

W

) based on these parameters, achieving strong model performances with R2 values between 0.899 and 0.994. The model using

$${L}_{t}$$

L
t

as a predictor of

$$W$$

W

proved most accurate with a mean relative error (MRE) of 11.2%, while models incorporating additional dimensions (

$$H$$

H

and

$$A$$

A

) did not enhance predictive accuracy. Comparative analyses show our model aligns with some studies on tilapia, though variations in L-W relationships due to environmental and breeding conditions are evident. Our results affirm the utility of

$${L}_{t}$$

L
t

in non-invasive biomass estimation for aquaculture, while highlighting the limitations of applying these models universally across different conditions and fish populations. Condition factor (

$$K$$

K

) and relative condition factor (

$${K}_{r}$$

K
r

) analyses further demonstrated stable and optimal growth conditions (mean

$$K$$

K

≈ 1.76;

$${K}_{r}$$

K
r

≈ 1.01) for tilapia under local culture practices. Accordingly, we propose the L-W relationship

$$W= {0.0265L}^{2.8469}$$

W
=

0.0265
L

2.8469

for estimating the weight of gray tilapia grown in ponds with groundwater. This study provides a basis for the development of biomass estimation methods based on active acoustics or stereo video.
Effectiveness in retrieving legal precedents: exploring text summarization and cutting-edge language models toward a cost-efficient approach
Authors: Mentzingen Hugo , António Nuno , Bacao Fernando
Published: February 2025

This study examines the interplay between text summarization techniques and embeddings from Language Models (LMs) in constructing expert systems dedicated to the retrieval of legal precedents, with an emphasis on achieving cost-efficiency. Grounded in the growing domain of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in law, our research confronts the perennial challenges of computational resource optimization and the reliability of precedent identification. Through Named Entity Recognition (NER) and part-of-speech (POS) tagging, we juxtapose various summarization methods to distill legal documents into a convenient form that retains their essence. We investigate the effectiveness of these methods in conjunction with state-of-the-art embeddings based on Large Language Models (LLMs), particularly ADA from OpenAI, which is trained on a wide range of general-purpose texts. Utilizing a dataset from one of Brazil’s administrative courts, we explore the efficacy of embeddings derived from a Transformer model tailored to legal corpora against those from ADA, gauging the impact of parameter size, training corpora, and context window on retrieving legal precedents. Our findings suggest that while the full text embedded with ADA’s extensive context window leads in retrieval performance, a balanced combination of POS-derived summaries and ADA embeddings presents a compelling trade-off between performance and resource expenditure, advocating for an efficient, scalable, intelligent system suitable for broad legal applications. This study contributes to the literature by delineating an optimal approach that harmonizes the dual imperatives of computational frugality and retrieval accuracy, propelling the legal field toward more strategic AI utilization.
From the Aporia of Expression to Ethical Openness: Fink and Levinas on Transcendental Language
Authors: Chen Changyuan
Published: February 2025

Is a language truly suited for transcendental phenomenology possible? Can philosophers unambiguously express their thoughts after the phenomenological reduction? By exploring the perspectives of Fink and Levinas, I examine the thesis that philosophers do not possess a language uniquely their own—specifically, a proper transcendental language capable of expressing their thoughts adequately and unambiguously. In confrontation with Husserl, who maintains that such a language is attainable, both Fink and Levinas uncover a fundamental tension: while transcendental insights demand articulation, language remains bound to mundane experience, risking the distortion of those very insights. Though both thinkers advocate for a reduction of language, this reduction necessarily remains incomplete. The philosopher’s desire to thematize is thus overshadowed by the limitation of language itself. Yet, it is precisely this tension that reflects their shared commitment to a primordial ethical openness, albeit through distinct pathways.
The angiotensin II type 2 receptor antagonists, PD123,319 ((S-( +)-1-[(4-(dimethylamino)-3-methylphenyl)methyl]-5-(diphenylacetyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid), EMA300 (5-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-4-[(4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)methyl]-1,4,6,7-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid) and EMA401 ((3S)-5-(benzyloxy)-2-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid), evoke pain relief in a varicella zoster virus-induced rat model of neuropathic pain
Authors: Das V. , Lam A. L. , Smith M. T.
Published: February 2025

Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a type of neuropathic (nerve) pain that persists for more than 3 months after crusting of the last shingles lesion. It is difficult to relieve with analgesic/adjuvant medications, and so novel analgesics are needed. Our aim was to use a rat model of varicella zoster virus (VZV)-induced neuropathic pain to assess the pain relief efficacy of several small molecule angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonists (PD123,319, EMA300, and EMA401) relative to clinically used analgesic/adjuvant agents from four different pharmacological classes. Male Wistar rats received a unilateral intraplantar injection of VZV-infected MRC-5 cells (2 × 104 infected cells) and paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) in the ipsilateral hindpaws were assessed using von Frey filaments. Animals with PWTs ≤ 8 g received single doses of PD123,319 (0.03–3 mg/kg), EMA300 (0.3–5 mg/kg), EMA401 (0.03–1 mg/kg), gabapentin (10–60 mg/kg), amitriptyline (5–30 mg/kg), morphine (0.1–3 mg/kg), meloxicam (5–20 mg/kg) or vehicle and PWT versus time curves were generated. Single doses of PD123,319, EMA300, EMA401, gabapentin and morphine-evoked dose-dependent anti-allodynia in the hindpaws of VZV-rats. The mean (95% confidence intervals) ED50s were 0.57 (0.04–1.7), 2.5 (1.0–3.7) and 0.41 (0.12–0.87) mg/kg for PD123,319, EMA300, and EMA401, respectively. The ED50s for gabapentin and morphine were 39.9 (25.1–64.8) and 0.04 (0.16–2.09) mg/kg, respectively. In conclusion, the anti-allodynic efficacy of EMA401 in a VZV-rat model of neuropathic pain is aligned with its analgesic efficacy in a Phase 2a clinical trial in patients with PHN. This model has utility for anti-allodynic efficacy assessment of novel AT2 receptor antagonists from drug discovery.
Realising the Case Management Ideal in Multi-organisational Coordination Work to Support Work Ability and (Re)employment in Finland
Authors: Juvonen-Posti Pirjo , Nevala Nina , Kaleva Simo
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Inclusivity policies can positively impact labour shortages. The ideal approach to work ability services has shifted from being system centred to being individually tailored and human centred. Service systems are complex in many countries and case managers, referred to here as coordinators, play a key role in achieving the human-centred goal of increasing labour force participation. However, the literature on the practices of these coordinators and their distinct roles in supporting work ability and (re)employment and the contexts in which they do so is limited. This study aimed to clarify what these coordinators do and to explore the extent to which coordinating work meets the ideal of individualised support in different operating contexts.

Methods

The design was a mixed-method study, which utilised two data sources to answer the same complex questions. It consisted of surveys, and in-depth interviews that were based on its results. A total of 241 professionals from various services responded to these surveys, and 15 volunteers were interviewed. The questionnaire data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods, whereas the interviews were examined using thematic analysis. After this, the data were integrated according to a multi-level context framework.

Results

Initially, the coordinators from different sectors shared similar human-oriented values and ways of working. However, crossing administrative and organisational boundaries proved difficult, even though this was essential for the continuity of the client’s process. As a result, ideal case management was not fully achieved.

Conclusion

The findings highlight a necessity for joint policies and practices, and organisational engagement to long-term collaboration.
Neurocognitive function in lower grade glioma patients selected for proton radiotherapy: real-world data from a prospective cohort study
Authors: van der Weide Hiska L. , Buunk Anne M. , Siebenga Femke F. , Langendijk Johannes A. , Bannink-Gawryszuk Agata , Bosma Ingeborg , Enting Roelien H. , van der Hoorn Anouk , Jeltema Hanne-Rinck , Wagemakers Michiel , Groen Rob J. M. , Walenkamp-Hageman Annemiek M. E. , Nuver Janine , Kramer Miranda C. A. , Spikman Jacoba M.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To determine neurocognitive function (NCF) profiles of patients with lower grade glioma (LGG) eligible to undergo proton radiotherapy (PRT), and how these relate to clinical and radiological characteristics. PRT is offered to those patients for whom sparing of NCF is considered important given their favorable prognosis. To date it is unknown to which extent their NCF profiles are favorable as well.

Methods

A consecutive cohort of 151 LGG patients eligible for PRT according to prevailing Dutch criteria, referred between 2018 and 2023, were assessed with standardized neuropsychological tests prior to PRT. Scores were compared to norm-scores. Composite scores were calculated for the total NCF and 6 separate cognitive domains, and profiles were related to tumor location. Clinical and radiological factors characterizing overall NCF impaired patients were investigated, comparing 3 definitions for impairment.

Results

Patients had on average significantly lower NCF than their norm-group, but interindividual variability was large. For 100/151 patients (66.2%), all cognitive domains were intact, whereas 15/151 patients (9.9%) displayed multiple domain impairments. Poorer NCF was related to right-sided LGG laterality, larger PRT target volume, no Wait & Scan policy, worse neurological function and worse radiological indices (Fazekas and global cortical atrophy, respectively). LGG involvement of the left temporal and occipital lobes was associated with, respectively, lower verbal memory and processing speed.

Conclusion

Prior to PRT, the majority of selected LGG patients display favorable NCF profiles. However, a subgroup showed NCF impairments, with multiple relevant clinical and radiological covariates.
Mapping content: why cognitive maps are non-conceptual mental states
Authors: Schwartz Arieh , Fresco Nir
Published: February 2025

Cognitive maps play a crucial role in mammalian navigation. They provide the organism with information about its own location and the locations of landmarks within known environments. Cognitive maps have yet to receive ample attention in philosophy. In this article, we argue that cognitive maps should not be understood along the lines of conceptual mental states, such as beliefs and desires. They are more plausibly understood to be non-conceptual. We clarify what is at stake in this claim, and offer two empirically-informed arguments in its favor. Both arguments submit that cognitive maps are probably non-conceptual because their representational structure seems to differ from that of conceptual mental states.